Dr. Norman Osborn II (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
certaininequities) wrote2022-01-31 08:43 pm
certaininequities) wrote2022-01-31 08:43 pm
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IC Inbox for Ryslig
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[Back2Formula] regular anon * [Pierglass] trolling anon * [LutinVert] Goblin/Alton Mode * [EpigaeaMemoriam] Support Group anon
no subject
He normally tries to stick to the Average Guy wheelhouse (beer, whiskey, bourbon, whatever), but that wouldn't be half-bad. The right kind of sweetness to offset the fact he's still a bit scared shitless, to be honest. Like hell would he expose that sliver of underbelly to this guy, though.]
Well, maybe next time we could try somewhere else, huh? If you want to, anyways. It's hard to find a good place for drinks around here. Good conversation too.
[Quentin smiles as pleasantly as he can manage, trying to spin this whole thing as- something. He doesn't think schmoozing is the right way to slip out of this, and flirting? Yeah, no. He's not going to risk his neck by pushing that far. But, look. It could be a bit fun to verbally spar with somebody, and have a drink now and then too.
And oh, is that a little bit of an opening to worm into? If Pier hasn't known Peter long... well. Quentin can work with that. Also, maybe he can get the guy's actual name, because Pierglass has to be just some username.]
That's one of the things the kid's good at, first impressions. But... [Quentin shrugs, taking a sip from the beer he started the night with. No offense, buddy, but he's gonna take his time.] Between you and me, things start to wear a bit thin with him after a while. Though you really must be close already, considering... [He makes a vague gesture with his hand, glancing at Norman casually.] He wouldn't tell just anybody about the, ah, 'fishbowl' thing, Mister-?
[He lets his question hang in the air, trying to keep things as casual and non-confrontational as possible. It is not on his agenda tonight to get eaten.]
no subject
Give people a chance to feel fancier than they do in a dump like this.
[he watches Beck like a hawk, lets him run his mouth off. he's dressed conservatively, bland, the sort of outfit carefully curated to not draw attention or betray anything about himself. but meeting in a dive like this means he knew he was expecting trouble, and wanted to be in a place where he might be able to count on others joining in out of the sheer promise of a fight. weaponized bloodlust, Norman thinks grimly. clever. he won't be able to confront Beck here, not if he's so careful about curating his image that he could use it to his advantage. mob mentality is a dangerous thing, even with the bar not as busy as it could be. so for now, he thinks, it's best to play the social angle. talk to him until he can say 'hey why don't we find one of those better bars'.
when prompted, he holds out his hand]
Jonah Jameson. I'm in the newspaper business back home. It's how I knew about the, uh.
[he makes a circle in the air between their heads. 'fishbowl.']
no subject
The disbelief in his tone is practically palpable when he does finally speak.]
Jameson, right. I have doubts about that, considering- well.
[He sets his beer aside, crossing his arms and leaning them on the edge of the table. Acting casual even now as he lowers his voice to stay between them. Despite the hubbub of the bar, he doesn't trust that they won't be overheard.]
Between you and me, I don't think he'd end up mean and green. You know who I am though, who I was. So be honest with me, really. Who are you? What stake do you have in this whole thing with Parker? Or do you just want some scoop on Mysterio to win a Pulitzer or something when you get back home?
[Quentin doesn't really register the fact that Norman could be someone from another world, because why the hell would Jameson be in two different ones?
Jameson's played by the same guy, even!At best, he thinks this is some news story guy in the wrong place, at the wrong time. Someone who wasn't fully suckered in by the footage he'd left for William to edit together. Ugh. Now he has to get his hands metaphorically dirty and try to convince the guy one on one how wrong Peter is about things.]no subject
[he winces, glancing around, clearly embarrassed]
I'm his assistant, Ted Hoffman. I don't want a Pulitzer, I just ... I wanna bring something back that'll make Jonah take a little more notice. Make me realize I'm not just - [how had Jonah described Hoffman that one day at the gentlemen's club? he thinks fast] - 'some whiny little twig in a cheap suit'.
no subject
...And, well. Quentin knows a thing or two about wanting to impress a boss. The only difference is that he knows how easy it is to get burned. How quickly they'll toss you out on your ass if you misstep, or want to write you off completely to steal your work. Poor fucker. Probably gets fucked over with every article he writes.
Quentin gives Hoffman one of his 'cardboard' smiles, pleasant with no real substance behind it, slight and vaguely amused.]
I've heard that one before. Been in the same position more than once, even. But- [He laughs a little, rubs at the back of his neck in a casual gesture.] I don't know what would catch the ear of a guy like that. I'm used to reports and the like, not so much... interviews. Facts are easier, y'know?
[The best lie is one with some truth built into it. He's used to presentations, rattling off numbers and figures and all other kinds of bullshit. Running every possible variable into the ground to make sure a plan is air-tight. And spilling his actual plans to this guy? Is a fucking laugh of an idea.
But he can probably spin up some tasty little bullshit for Hoffman to take back, if the guy ever does make it back.]
no subject
[Norman nods, trying to remember what else Peter had told him about 'Mysterio', what parts would have been public knowledge. that asinine organization that superceded the military in Peter's world, what was it called - right.]
Uh, debriefings, right? You were with SHIELD. People like that are always about the facts. But you told everyone his identity - why? Weren't you working with them?
no subject
I was with them, yes. But SHIELD had also been compromised by that point. Spider-Man was.. [A pain in his ass. A fucking nuisance. Ugh, he has to go for the polite option here.] He was the last of the old guard there, if I remember right. And they trusted him.
[Quentin smiles self-deprecatingly, taking a sip of his beer. Tries to go for the vaguely remorseful mentor vibe as he looks down at the table briefly.]
I trusted him. All it got both of us was stabbed in the back. I left that for SHIELD so they'd know. I don't know why it got further than that, or how.
[If- no, when he gets back, he's going to get William a nice system upgrade for 'leaking' that shit to the public. Just... genius, really, if Hoffman's serious about everyone knowing. Jameson was a backup plan, and to hear it went off without a hitch? Glorious.]