Chapter 1: One day
'Curtains forcing their will
Against the wind,
Children sleep,
Exchanging dreams with
Seraphim. The city
Drags itself awake on
subway straps; and
I, an alarm, awake as a
rumor of war,
lie stretching into dawn,
unasked and unheeded.'
"Maya said it perfectly. I love New York in Spring."
Otto couldn't help but sigh as he shut his eyes tight to the scene outside his window.
'Rosie always said it best.'
He could always see the beauty of New York after remembering Rosie's ponderings and recitations of poetry. She saw so much good in the world that he at first was blind to.
He wondered what she'd make of it all now. What would she make of him and his attempt toward redemption?
She'd probably scold him severely for his actions but stand beside him every step of the way. His heart still ached for the only woman he had truly loved and lost. All because of his own hubris and the desire for power and control that had been driven, purely by the madness that had entered his mind.
Had it not been for Oscorp and its founder, he probably would never have found himself on the right path.
Norman Osborn. His story had been just as tragic as Otto's. Everyone had wondered who was behind the masked villain 'The Green Goblin', but nobody could have fathomed it was Norman Osborn. He'd handed himself over to the police, explaining everything that happened after that fateful night in his lab.
And as expected, when dealing with a rich, influential, white male in New York City, he was treated cordially. He had the best lawyer and a good trial. The families of those that he had killed or who had suffered at his hands were compensated and comforted by his moving testimony about the madness in his mind. About how the monster was no longer inside of him and 'dead' forever.
He had been put away for a year in one of the best 'rehabs' that money could afford. And after he was declared fit and mentally competent, he was handed over to the one person in the world who had vowed to stand by him all this time.
Harry, his son, had grown up a lot since his father had been put away. He'd stepped up and become the head of the company, ensuring Oscorp did not falter or fail in its steps to become one of the leading corporations in state-of-the-art military, chemical, and fusion technology.
Fusion power is of course how we had met Otto and after that…horrible accident that killed his wife, he had become transformed.
Otto shook those thoughts out of his head and tried to concentrate. He couldn't think back to that day. To be haunted by so many bad memories of what he had done.
He was not a bad person! He had almost been destroyed by the voices echoing in his own mind. And he had turned himself into the police. But like Norman, they were cordial with him. Understanding. The tentacles, his failure, and his wife's death… would drive any man insane.
It helped that Harry had also paid for the finest lawyers and doctors, but Otto had not ended up in an asylum. Instead, he was recruited by Oscorp as one of their top scientists. He'd gone on a rampage, hurt, and killed people in a hospital when they were just trying to help him. And he was rewarded for it?
Not quite.
He had read his contract. He had also consulted with the lawyer and Harry in the deal they made. He would stay out of jail but at the price of working solely for Oscorp and ensuring his work was never published without their name attached to it.
He was technically a glorified prisoner, but he was alright with that. He still had his work, his own clothes, and food, and they provided him with everything. His apartment, his facilities, and a lab just for him.
Plus, the main building for Oscorp seemed to have everything. There were labs situated within, of course, but there were offices, meeting rooms for all the CEOs, a canteen (with mediocre food), a medical bay, and even a pool in the basement. Though that was mostly used during experiments, once or twice Otto had taken advantage of it.
Though he had of course made some modifications so as not to suddenly shock himself.
His claws were still very much part of him and whilst he could have them surgically removed, not only could the procedure be dangerous, but no one really wanted to operate on him.
But despite the control he had over the claws now, people still feared him. He didn't blame them. Catching sight of himself in mirrors or reflections sometimes gave him a start when he had just woken up and forgotten. Some days were easier than others.
But strangely enough, he had found respect amongst colleagues at Oscorp. He may have been irritable and snapped on the odd occasion, but people still came to him when they had issues or needed an answer. And that was simply because he was truly the best person to come to. He, of course, would admit a touch of smugness still shadowed him.
But his hubris had taken a bashing and despite his bad days, there were good. He tried to be as helpful and polite as he was before he lost Rosie and pushed himself each day to make amends.
The alarm on his wristwatch went and he shook himself out of his thoughts and checked the time.
Two o'clock. Which meant he had a little over an hour to go back to his apartment and grab something to eat before he had to come back and prefer for the interview Norman had set up.
His last two assistants had quit after 'finding better positions' but Otto had a feeling it was him and his minor temper tantrums. He still didn't like being corrected, but he especially didn't like it when he knew he was not wrong. Besides, they never backed themselves up with evidence.
Another bonus about working for Oscorp was they had built a large apartment building right across the street, specifically for the employees. It even connected to the other building through an underground tunnel, which meant Otto rarely had to step foot outside. He wouldn't have minded a walk every now and again, but he didn't like people staring at him in fear. If he did go out, he'd wear his large trench coat and 'disguise' but that wasn't ideal in the hotter weather.
He moved to his desk and just grabbed his keys when the elevator 'dinged', announcing an unexpected arrival. Or an early one.
Norman appeared, sharply dressed as ever, and waved his card in front of the security access reader. He was followed by his security, his bodyguard and a smaller figure positioned just behind them who Otto could not see.
"Otto," Norman held open his arms and looked utterly apologetic, "change of plan. We've had to call it forward an hour. Is that alright with you?"
"As long as you're ok with me ordering more food in on the company's account?" Otto threw his keys back on the desk.
"That's what it's there for," he chuckled and held out his hand, "how you are doing today?"
Otto took the offered hand and the two shared a look that the others wouldn't have understood.
"Good day. You?"
"Can't complain. Had better, but Harry's meeting me for lunch," Norman's eyes flashed vulnerable for a moment, but he quickly slipped back into 'boss mode', "and now, to the introductions. Doctor Octavius, I'd like you to meet the candidate chosen to assist you with your work."
On cue, the fourth hidden person stepped to the side and forward and Otto finally had a good look at her.
"Ms Ada Daly," she held out her hand and smiled politely, but Otto noted her professionalism. He took in her appearance and assessed her quickly.
She was dressed in conservatively long black trousers, plain flat shoes, and a simple long-sleeved blue shirt. Her black hair was tied back in a ponytail and her glasses were thin and not the latest style. She appeared to be in her early twenties and if her appearance and clothing style was anything to go by, she was straight to the point and didn't fuss about. That was a good sign. Otto took issue with the first assistant because she'd constantly be reapplying her make-up or reading a fashion magazine instead of actually working and researching. It didn't help she called him a 'stuffy old fart' on the phone to her boyfriend when she thought he was out to lunch.
"Doctor Octavius," he introduced himself and took her hand, pleased with her firm but quick shake, "I don't do first name basis here. It's a company, not a sorority or frat house."
She quirked one elegant brow at him.
"I'm afraid you'll have to educate me on what those are like, I've never stepped foot into either one."
She may have given nothing away, but he was sure there was a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
"We've gone through the basics of the building with Ms. Daly, including fire and escape procedures encase of an emergency, and given her a tour of the rest of the building that she will herself have access to. I'm sure you're capable of giving her the rest of the interview alone?"
Otto had a feeling Norman wasn't actually asking this. He'd been 'warned' discreetly about firing any more assistants without at least giving either Norman or Harry a heads up. He also had a feeling his interviewing technique was being called into question, but he couldn't help it if people felt uncomfortable talking to him because his claws seemed…erratic.
Ok, so sometimes he would wave them about a little faster than normal, but he liked to wheedle out the overly sensitive individuals. If they couldn't handle the claws, they couldn't handle working in his lab.
"I can handle it," Otto nodded his head and then took the offered folder that Norman's secretary handed to him, "all the details in here?"
"Everything you'll need," Norman turned back to the younger woman and nodded his head politely, "Ms. Daly. It's been a pleasure meeting with you and I'm sure we'll be seeing more of one another in the future. Any issues, just contact Jane."
Jane, his secretary, handed her a thin piece of card before looking down at the tablet in her other hand.
"We're on time for your lunch meeting Mr. Osborn."
"Then I bid you both goodbyes," Norman began to walk out, first making orders for Jane, then dismissing Otto and Ada with no more than a 'let's have lunch'.
Once they were in the elevator and the doors had pinged shut, Otto turned back to Ada and held up her file.
"Take a seat, Ms. Daly, I'll look over this whilst we talk."
Ada took one of the lab seats and sat with one elbow resting casually on the desk.
Smart but relaxed. Another good sign.
He flipped the file open and began to scan over her credentials first.
"Are you qualified?"
"I received my Ph.D.'s in Engineering and Technical science last year."
He read it but wanted her to verify since people always liked to lie on their resume.
"Is that all?"
She paused for a moment.
"I can whistle very well if that will amuse you?"
He looked back at her and saw no smile, but that same arched brow.
"I see they gave me an assistant with a sense of humor."
"You make me sound like an ornament. And did you consider that maybe, you needed to see what a sense of humor was?"
Otto couldn't help but smirk at that. Norman had evidently found someone who could not only take his quips and insults but could deliver them back.
"Fiery too. Good. You're hired."
She finally showed some emotion and blinked at him a few times in surprise before she composed herself.
"Oh. Good. When do I start?"
He took his large binder from his desk and plonked it on the desk in front of her.
"Right now. There are files that need to be done."
She looked at them disdainfully.
"I hope you're not insinuating that because I'm female-"
"Read it," he said sternly, squashing the question of sexism out straight away, "Memorise it. Then file it back and in an hour, I want you to reiterate everything. Then I know you'll be competent enough to be my assistant. Part of the job is unfortunately tedious paperwork."
She shut herself up after that and got to reading.
Otto took the chance to stand by his desk and look 'intimidating', but he had a feeling she wouldn't bat an eyelid if he lifted a desk and casually re-arranged the lab.
He looked down at the rest of her resume and read up on the 'fillers'. She liked reading and experimenting in her spare time, had gone to the best schools and college, and had previously been an apprentice for one of his former teaching colleagues.
He skimmed all the way to the top. She was twenty-three, lived a few blocks from Otto's own apartment and her full name was…Ada Vera Marie-Émilie Daly.
"Interesting choice of names."
"My parents are unfortunately geniuses. They thought by naming me after the most talented woman in history, I would follow in their footsteps."
Otto pondered a moment and found himself stumped. He knew of many female scientists but they were all in different fields.
"Would you like me to tell you?" She glanced at him and if he didn't believe in them, he could have sworn she was a mind-reader.
"Go ahead."
"It usually confuses people. Ada, for Ada Lovelace," she checked off her names on her fingers as she told him, "Vera, for Vera Rubin. Marie, for Marie Maynard Daly. And Émilie, after Gabrielle Émilie Le Tonnelier de Breteuil. I think my father wanted to give me the full title, but my mother thankfully changed that. We're also apparently lucky to share our last name with the aforementioned Marie."
Otto was impressed and folded his arms as he looked at the confident young woman before him.
"So, you're a family of geniuses? Well, we're very lucky to have you here."
"I'm smart, but I'm not as smart as my parents. Unfortunately, my mother and father both have jobs so they couldn't exactly apply here."
"You do not believe yourself a genius?
"Compared to them? No. They expected me to have a Nobel prize last year."
There was a small amount of bitterness in her voice, but he dropped the subject for now. He wasn't about to deal with family dramas when his own youth had been troubled by pushy parents.
He turned back to staring outside the window, losing himself in thoughts of New York, Rosie and-
"Done."
He turned back around and looked at her standing up, walking toward him with the binder in her hand.
"You're a quick reader. You should have put that in your resume."
"I'm a quick reader in my work, but not in leisure," she held it out for him to take and shrugged, "plus it's important to not brag and surprise the boss every now and again. I'm sure there'll be something else you'll discover about me that will please you."
Otto didn't have a witty retort for her. He casually let one of the claws take the binder and went to walk away, but she suddenly reached out and grasped his appendage in her hands.
"Fascinating," she pushed her glasses up onto her head and examined the claw with wonder, "absolutely incredible. I've heard about your work and them but seeing them…absolutely fascinating."
Whilst shocked and a little perturbed at first at being handled by a stranger, the claw itself seemed to settle down and let itself be examined. Of course, Otto still controlled it and he didn't really mind…much.
He supposed it was because of the compliments she paid it and him.
"With some minor modifications, these would be excellent in the labor industry. You could replace people who work in dangerous positions…or a thorough recycling machine."
His offense must have shown too well on his face because she pulled her hands back, holding them up innocently, and smiled.
"Kidding, kidding."
He groaned quietly and turned away.
Maybe this wouldn't be such an easy working relationship as he first thought.