Open Post 002

[2020mod]

• Step one: start a thread in this post!
• Step two: specify who the thread is for (or open) in this post!
• Step three: make people reply to this post!
• AND THAT'S THE WAY YOU DO IT.


And don't forget, there's still the ooc discussion post! And nothing needs to be contained to this post! Create new logs to your heart's content! This AU is yours, so have at it!


musebox • rules • character list

Comments

[enigmaestro]

[Edward dug nubbed nails into the brickwork, holding to anchor. A few deep breaths to lance the rising swell of panic, maybe, if he just kept -- he was outside, now, he was here. He wasn't there.

It was hot against his neck. Hot and eager and rising.

He threw an elbow behind him, panic and violence screaming before rationale.]

[osreborn]

Nnh.

[ The elbow stabbed at his clavicle, but Norman responded fast. He jumped backward, swinging his gun toward Eddie's head, or shoulder, or whatever was nearest. Just to stun, not harm. ]

Found you. I knew I would. Howdy, Nygma. You're looking well. Healthy.

[enigmaestro]

[Norman threw the brunt of the gun right against Eddie's temple, and with that force yielded Eddie to the ground. The former deputy mayor felt his cheek against the pavement, his back exposed to Norman's whims.

Cold needles flocked his legs, his thighs. Blocks of ice lodged between his spinal discs.

Norman Osborn.

It was Norman Osborn who did this.]

Do you have a plan this time, Norman?

[osreborn]

Plans?

[ Norman put his foot down on the small of Eddie's back. His single eye widens in excitement. ]

I have you again. This time I'm keeping you. What other plans do I need?

[enigmaestro]

[Survivor mode encapsulated his brain, hunting and exposing his panic. Flushing his trauma. He didn't struggle against Norman's boot against his skin.

He knew how Norman liked it, when he struggled.]

You're making a mistake, Osborn. [Eddie's voice held strong, if thin.] I'll answer to him alone. I've been undercover.

[Not quite a lie, not from his deft structure of wording. He was undercover for the Establishment, yes, months ago. When he was still a captive of his own mind, when he was their agent.

Eddie took a risk. He knew Norman was kept like a mad dog in the company, muzzled and abused, but weaponized. He knew information came to Norman only when necessary.]

He'll take your other eye, you piece of --

[Also not quite a lie.]

[osreborn]

[ Norman's teeth ground, his eye narrowing. He dug his heel in further as Eddie spoke, wanting to provoke a reaction of pain rather than his steady dialogue. It wasn't an appropriate response, to Norman. Not to seeing him. ]

Don't make me laugh. [ He growled, convinced Eddie was lying, though there was a small part of him that wondered. No. That wouldn't be kept from him. No chance. ] I won't fall for that one, Nygma. You're a fugitive, just like all your friends. You're not getting away this time.

[enigmaestro]

Once isn't enough? [His voice broke like a reed, the pain in his back nothing compared to the ice gripping his chest. Not again, no, not again, he couldn't go through that brainwashing again. He knew it would murder him.]

Taking me in twice now, Norman, they're going to think you've a crush.

[osreborn]

Of course not. There's a little thing called results, Nygma. I'm a man who gets them. And you're what I'd have to call a loose end.

[ He leans down to yank Eddie up by his collar. ]

[enigmaestro]

[Eddie doesn't fight it. Norman was stronger, armed with more ammunition, and better shielded. Edward was a fractured man in a tattered suit.

But still, he looked down his nose at the Establishment's darling.]

Turn me in, and they'll take me from you. I'm wanted by your superiors, Norman.

How are you going to tie this loose end?

[osreborn]

Of course you're wanted. That's the point of a fugitive, isn't it? [ But his eye narrows, fist clenching the fabric of Eddie's shirt tightly. He has to contemplate. ]

Don't you worry about that. I'm not new to this game, you know. I know how to hold onto a prize.

[enigmaestro]

And defy your superiors? [It came out a whisper. He licked his own smirking lips, his eyes never leaving Norman's.] Imagine what they'd do, if you didn't turn me in immediately. Imagine what he'd do.

[Eddie stroked his index finger over Norman's eyepatch.]

[osreborn]

Don't touch me.

[ Norman slaps Eddie's hand with his gun. ]

It's not about defiance. I have a right to my captures. I especially have on to you after all the trouble you've caused me.

[enigmaestro]

A right to me? [Eddie spouted laughter by the end of his syllables, shaking his head. His hands stroked feverishly over Norman's face.] They'll let you interrogate, yes, but then that's it. Goodbye, chemistry!

[osreborn]

What did I just say?

[ Norman smacks Eddie with his gun, growling angrily. ]

I'll have you for as long as I like. There's nothing they can do to keep it from happening.

[enigmaestro]

[Eddie turned his head, spitting out a gargle of blood. Norman had busted his lip.]

That's only true in one way, Norman. [He drew the line carefully, quietly. A cautious string of words.] And that's if you don't turn me in at all.

[osreborn]

You mean if I keep you in my basement.

[ He laughs, shaking Eddie. It's slightly a joke, but at the same time... ]

Well, no one's waiting for you.

[enigmaestro]

[Well. Maniacal sadist as Norman is, he's nevertheless preferable to the Establishment's 1984 treatment. There were times during Eddie's tormented brainwashing, when he was momentarily lucid, where he pined for Norman once more. At least, with Norman, he knew who he was.]

But you don't want that either, do you? [Eddie swallowed, his eyes wide after the shake.] You don't want it easy. You want this meaningful.

[osreborn]

You think you're going to talk your way out of this. [ Norman grinds his teeth, squinting and smacking Eddie again. ] If anything, you're talking your way into a worse fate. I promise you that.

[enigmaestro]

Nghh. [Eddie took the smack with flying blood.] You certainly seem to think so. But Norman, come now, what will you do to me?

[osreborn]

I'll figure it out as I go. How does that sound?

[ Norman sneers at Eddie, dragging him along as he walks. ]

I'm surprised you're still able to tell which way is up at this point. After last time, I mean.

[enigmaestro]

You should know how resilient I am. [His hand felt down Norman's chest, searching for any other weapons. Quickly.] You know I'd do anything to survive.

[Intentionally provocative wording, ripe with innuendo. Hopefully enough to unbalance Norman for a few stolen seconds, hopefully enough time to rob the other man of his supposed second, hidden weapon.

Eddie hoped he had a second, secret weapon on him. But what Enforcer didn't?]

[osreborn]

[ Norman's nose wrinkles and he does hesitate, though he doesn't let go of Eddie. ]

Anything. Yes, I do. I know that you think that -- but we'll just see, won't we? We have plenty of time to figure out just how far you'll go.

[enigmaestro]

[Eddie spends another grin up at Norman. It's a harder price, this time round, as his fingers dip to Norman's lower waist, his hip, and -- ah.

Eddie knew that Norman was happy to see him, but he also knew that was a weapon pocketed.]

Do your worst.

[osreborn]

Nygma.

[ Norman flings Eddie against the brick wall of a building. ]

Hands to yourself, boy. Unless you want me breaking them.

[enigmaestro]

Boy? [Eddie didn't fight, with his back against the wall. He knew it to be a losing battle against Norman Osborn. He didn't fight back.

But he did keep talking.]

While I'm not encroaching seventy, I'm hardly a boy. Is that what you would call the man who escaped you?