FATR: It is so short but Halloween is the busiest time of the year for me. I just love it so much! I went trick-or-treating (and yes, I am almost 18) and there was this awesome haunted house thing set up. I hugged Jason and when I hugged Freddy he hugged back! Walking on air now! My four slashers are so hot! I love them! And yes, I was Shathra, and yes, I kicked ass. Gosh, I could babble endlessly about Halloween Horror Nights, too, but I don't have time. I'll babble about it in my next update, though I warn thee, it will mostly end up being one of my other stories. Not "Heros are Made" because it is PG and I want to talk about it in one where I can explain the train of sex guy. Yeah, crazy, I know, but Halloween is always crazy when you're me. I'll also babble about other things as I always do. I'm glad to see you're getting so into it, LadyKayoss. I like to fancy myself as a bit of a sadist, and I torture my favorite characters because of it. Let's see if I can get that scream out of you at some point, eh? Heehee, just playing with you. More of me being mildly sadistic. And Femme Mishima, your input, as the author of my inspiration, is much valued. Heehee, and I haven't forgotten you, Lady Russell Homes, and Agent Silver. I love you all! You all keep me going! Yay! ANY-hoo, enjoy the latest chip chip in "Temptation of Otto." And perhaps check out "Opening the Gate"? Okay, I'm done babbling. On with chip chip!

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His muse had forsaken him that time. Perhaps... perhaps this new girl... It wasn't completely Rosie's fault. This time her powers of inspiration just couldn't get past your block. Though, maybe what you need is some fresh inspiration. Some young, fresh inspiration... A decision like this is a gigantic one that shouldn't be rushed into without careful consideration. How much time do I have?

Thirty-seven minutes his watch informs him.

Otto opens the door and steps in the storm, slamming it behind him before the weather can get into his car. His footsteps splash on the freshly flooded concrete as he moves to the front of the vehicle. His hands lift the hood and he takes a good, long look inside. There doesn't appear to be anything wrong with it. Not that he can see. Though the storm makes visibility difficult. The hood thunksshut and he returns to his front seat to seek a flashlight. He doesn't have time for this kind of exasperation. He is a busy man, with things to do, deadlines to meet, people to see. He doesn't have time to...

Lecture a bunch of college students. Half of them probably wouldn't even be paying attention. "Curt, you know I would love to, but I've been suffering from inventor's block again and-"

"All you need is a fresh perspective. Take some time off, Oscorp will wait if they are really interested. I have students here that idolize you for your work. Besides, maybe a question and answer session with the students will inspire you in some way."

What could a mere student possibly have to say that I couldn't have come up with myself? Out loud he said, "I'll do it as a favor to an old friend. Give me a date and a time, and I will do my best to show up." There was a pause on the other end.

"Is Rosie there?"

"Yes."

"As soon as we work out when you're going to be here, I want you to put her on the phone so I can tell her about it myself."

Otto laughed. "I know I can get so absorbed in things I forget about time. If it wasn't for her I'd forget to eat and sleep."

"Then die from lack of both and forget you had died," Curt laughed. "I know you mean well, my friend, but I would really like to know for sure that both of you are on top of things."

"I understand. Now, when and where?" Thanks to the hands-free headset, Otto could grab the pencil and paper that sat by the phone without hindrance. There were times when he found it hard to function with only two hands. The transition from six-handed-scientist Otto in the lab to regular-human-being Otto at home was becoming increasingly difficult. In fact, after about a week of using the arms, he had gone out and purchased the hands free device. Maybe I should design a smaller, lighter version of the arms for household use. "Okay, north end of campus at 1:30 pm on Thursday. Hold on a minute." He turned towards the livingroom. "Rosie? Curt wants to speak with you!"