songerein | [Closed]

Entry tags:

otto octavius,
rob

[Closed]

Who: Rob and Otto Octavius
Which: Closed log
Where: Riverside warehouse
What: One "super"villain stumbles on another supervillain. What could possibly go wrong?
Warnings: [will add if necessary]

[Since finding himself here after being literally wiped out of Elmore, Rob has been keeping to himself after that Flower Festival thing. It's what he's used to: first no one remembered him, and then no one wanted to see him in the first place due to him being the villain. He hadn't really even looked into housing yet. What does appeal Rob is out-of-the-way places: hideaways, things off the beaten path, basements the homeowners are too stupid to realize exist in their house (yes, that actually happened), basically anywhere the average person would naturally avoid while out and about.

So an area with abandoned warehouses definitely looks attractive to him. Honestly he's not sure why it took him this long to find them. He'd been using a large abandoned facility not long ago, himself. And with options to choose from, he's going to scout out the most ideal location. Maybe for a residence, maybe for a secret lair, maybe just in case he needs a place to hide later, the possibilities were endless. He's not planning on being the villain here, not if he can help it. Gumball isn't here to be the hero, after all, so he should be free. But this has been his reality for the last few years and old habits die hard, at least when it comes to day to day life.

Those habits lead him to a warehouse that seems even more remote than any of the others. It even has signs telling people to stay away from it. It's perfect! That's why Rob completely disregards them and heads toward the building. He only slows down once he's through a door, taking his time to scan the insides to gauge just what this place could be.

About the only thing he's not expecting to see at this point is another person. That means he is not looking, listening, or even keeping his guard up for anyone. There's no way that could backfire on him, though!]

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[It's another miserable day in this miserable world. Everything is just barely tolerable for Otto, barely worth acknowledging. But he's close now to fulfilling his goal. So close finishing his life's work. He hasn't looked towards what will come after that; that's inconsequential somehow. Finish it, that's the only thought boomeranging through his mind. Just a few more basic switchboards, just a few more rudimentary alternatives to something that could've very easily been one automated whole, were the technology here more advanced. Synchroscopes built out of lamps, ridiculous amounts of tuning knobs and cut-off switches... God, he misses computer software.

His work really took it out of him a few weeks ago, when he fell ill. He doesn't quite remember what happened back then. He slept through his fever and with that, he'd recovered enough to keep at it. Most of the reactor's components are still stashed away in the basement for now. Once every part is complete, he'll have to move it all up into the main hall and compile the machine there, since it's entirely too big to come together downstairs. It needs open space. Not just yet, though... For now, the most to be found in the main hall is the base platform and a few smaller, inconsequential components.

He was just upstairs, leaving the office and stepping onto the overhead walkway, when one of the actuators spots movement. Down below in the main hall- An intruder- Those signs might as well read "make yourself at home", he thinks bitterly. Something about this person's appearance seems off, somehow, but from this distance he can't put a finger on what it is. Two of the actuators grab hold of the railing's walkway and lift him over it, then allow him to drop down. He lands about fifteen feet in front of the trespasser with a loud thud, as the the tentacles hit the ground first and cushioned the fall for him. He speaks in a loud, demanding growl.]

Who the hell are you?

AAHHHH!

[Rob can't help but give out a shriek from the surprise of his appearance in front of him. Honestly the fact that he's a guy with some extra metal appendages coming out from his back isn't striking him as odd. Rob's seen weirder. In Elmore, in the dimension of mistakes. What was that elephant thing with the mouth/trunk combo?

His first instinct is to turn around and run away, but for once he actually considers how well that might work. A guy with six potential legs could definitely outrun him, and there's not much for hiding places in the middle of this hall. Instead, he glances from side to side awkwardly for a few seconds. Nothing nearby he could use as a weapon. Nothing that could help him escape. He's stuck here.

So he does something else he's good at: he gets defensive. Not that his rattled nerves aren't still completely obvious at the same time.]

H—...How was I supposed to know there was someone here?! It's not exactly the mall! I thought this was going to be a quiet, secret lair kind of thing!

[The screaming is nothing new to Otto. Despite there being less of it here than back home, he's still used to it. That sort of noise is meaningless.

This isn't a threatening invader, it's just some kid. An odd-looking one, but then, this place is full of people who don't look human. It's not like he's got room to talk either way. He won't let his guard down entirely, because he knows damn well some individuals here have some nasty tricks up their sleeves, but he's at least confident enough to talk on a more equal level. The tentacles lower him down to the ground, his feet hitting the concrete with gentle thuds of their own.]

It's not a lair, it's a workshop. And yes, it was meant to be quiet. [He scoffs loudly.] Did you not see the signs out front, or were you never taught to read?

[Ah, insults. Unfortunately Rob's dealt with a master of those, and seeing as he's his archnemesis, they definitely only fuel his anger. It's a bit easier for him to stand his ground and lock his eye on Otto with glower.]

Of course I can! Signs like that usually mean it's a good place to make sure nobody gets in your way or ruins your evil plans or just shows up out of nowhere and YES, I REALIZE THE IRONY! Seriously, how was I supposed to know somebody was actually here?!

[The glower does very little to phase Otto. What does keep his interest is the curious spots of static and what appears to be physical glitching. The more this kid talks, the more noticeable it is. One of the tentacles leans in a bit closer, its maw open so that the red light within is clearly visible and the camera within has a good view.]

Usually, whoever put up the signs would be here.

[The change in the tentacle definitely gets his attention, but Rob does his best to stay his ground. His pupil keeps drifting toward that light, though.]

On a house maybe! When it's a closed business or factory it's usually...desert—

Okay, what is that thing doing?

[Rob's curiosity, or maybe worry gets the better of him and he points at the metal arm scanning him, his temper fading away completely. The light could be several things as far as he's concerned. Laser pointer for an attack is the worst option.]

Edited (Typing fail) 2022-05-12 04:07 (UTC)

[The change in attitude warrants a bit of satisfaction. Otto's so tired of people yelling at him and accusing him of things, acting as if he's the one out of line when they're the ones butting into his business. (Does that business involve collateral damage and a bit of thievery? That depends entirely on one's point of view.)]

It's observing. [Almost as if tempted by the notion, a second tentacle follows the first's lead. Those open claws look mighty sharp, but there's no urge within them to attack.] Why do you look as if you're not all here in one piece?

[He's definitely starting to feel uneasy with them, although he's not sure why. Again, someone having extra limbs like that isn't strange to him. It's just what they're doing and how potentially maiming they look.

But Otto's question gets a big sigh out of Rob. As much as he knew he looked odd back home, he actually never had to deal with many direct remarks about it. Probably for the same reason why he's not that concerned about the tentacles: there's literally all sorts in Elmore. So the fact that it's come up multiple times here isn't exactly helping him look forward.]

It's a long story. ...Well it's not that long, but it's complicated enough that nobody gets it. [Not that going over the heads of Gumball and Darwin is a good indicator of actual difficulty, but everything else that dimension could cause has him pretty sure of this.] But I got left like this, all right?

[There's a long moment of silence as Otto absorbs the implication. 'Left like this'... An accident? Or a willful attack? Did someone abandon this kid? None of it sits well with him, because even focused as his mind is on other matters, he's not really the type to laugh at other people's misery. Not unless they had it coming.

The tentacles close their maws once and then immediately open them again, almost as if they're blinking. He turns on the spot- not so that his entire back is on Rob, but his side at the very least.]

... You should go. I have important work to tend to and you don't belong here.

[He's still not sure how to feel about those arms. Are there webcams in there? What about them is so off-putting?

As much as Rob thinks he should just listen to him, having been someone who's used abandoned facilities to help formulate his evil schemes, he can't help but be a bit concerned by this setup. Not...that his reason for scouting out the place was much better, but still!]

Whaaat...sort of important work needs to be done in a warehouse in the middle of nowhere?

[Otto doesn't appreciate the underlying implication in that question. He would love to have a proper laboratory with all the necessities he needs, perhaps even a few assistants to minimize the workload further, but that's not in the cards in a place like this.]

The sort of work that can be done anywhere, so long as one is committed. A scientist doesn't focus on the amenities, only on results.

[Rob isn't completely relieved at that answer. It seems pretty hypocritical of him to be complaining about someone up to no good, but when something like that could affect him, it's hard not to want to stop it.]

Well doing experiments or whatever you're working on in a secluded abandoned building kiiinda makes it look like you're up to some sort of supervillain plot...

I am not a supervillain!

[The response is immediate and loud, which likely negates the actual point he's trying to make. On top of that, one of the tentacles snaps fiercely- not at Rob, but it's a fierce gesture all the same. The aggression just slipped right on in. He hasn't forgotten the mockery from the Daily Bugle, nor the amount of times the police got sent after him over nothing. The sheer gall of putting him on the same level as a lunatic like the Green Goblin, who killed indiscriminately over nothing...]

I am a nuclear physicist, working on the next great power source! It's for the good of mankind!

[Considering Rob is quite used to reactions like that from himself, it is entirely not convincing to him. But he's also been going around calling himself the villain the entire time he's been one. He doesn't have much experience comparing notes with other bad guys. What does it mean when someone doesn't consider themselves to be one?

Rob puts his hands up a bit, maybe as a soothing gesture, maybe to fend off the angry arm should it decide to go in his direction.]

O-Okay! Sorry, I'm just used to looking at stuff like that after all my villain work... That actually doesn't sound that bad. Like maybe it doesn't need to be in a suspiciously remote location...?

["My villain work"... What is this kid doing? Playing pretend? Every word out of his mouth warrants a frustrated scoff from Otto.]

Where else am I going to do it, hmm? Did you see any buildings big enough in the middle of the city? [The tentacle simmers down again, retreating to hover near Otto's shoulder.] ... Even if there were, they wouldn't want me there.

[There's a very bitter edge to his tone of voice. He's had very few pleasant interactions since his arrival, and even during times where he attempted to be civil, it's often backfired into accusations or invasive questioning. Being around other people just isn't worth the hassle anymore.]

[It's a long, hard to believe story. But at least calling his role what it actually was did not get questioned back home. Other people finding it odd really hasn't occurred to him.]

It hasn't looked like this for that long; how should I know?!

[As he moves on to respond to the last part, he becomes notably more sullen.]

Yeah? That's always harsh. What'd they do to you?

[Since, as far as he's concerned, the injured party is always the victim.]

[If this kid doesn't have enough experience with how Reverein looks right now, then the way Otto sees it, he shouldn't have remarked on the workshop to begin with. That's just common sense. He won't press it, though. Instead, he focuses on the final question to be raised and shakes his head heavily.]

Enough. More than enough. [That's all he's willing to say about it, because he's not about to outline every single time he was humiliated or attacked by someone.] I'm fine out here. The less people to disrupt my work, the better.

[His attitude is definitely reminding Rob of himself. It's certainly not helping convince him that Otto isn't some sort of villain. But if Rob'd had a choice, he wouldn't be one either.]

Eh, good point; the last thing you wanna hear in nuclear physics is "oops". But if you're really trying to help everyone—

[His own mind shuts up him. What had he been doing right before he got here? He'd only been trying to help, but he also knew that if anyone caught on to him doing anything, they would have stopped him, which they eventually did.

Because he was always the bad guy.]

...Right. They think you're the villain, so this is what you're stuck with.

[Fine words, coming from the kid who just accused him of being a supervillain a minute ago. But it's true, isn't it? No one came up to him after the accident to offer condolences or help him. His whole life was destroyed and not only was he just left to his own devices, he was actively feared by the people and mocked by the news. The only ones to stick by his side this entire time were the actuators- their voices, their presence...]

That's fine. I don't need people to think of me as some sort of hero. I don't even need them to like me. I just need to finish what I started. [One of the tentacles swivels to face him, its jaw opening slightly. He glances towards it.] ... What we started.

[HE KNOWS, he thought Otto was running with that label like he does. It's different when someone gives it to you! Which he also knows!]

You and... your observation arm things?

[Rob may be used to weird, but multiple personalities or whatever this guy thinks is going on still isn't something he's really encountered.]

[He's heard people refer to his actuators with a lot of different labels, but 'observation arm things' is a new one. Technically not wrong, but it shows a very rudimentary understanding of what they can do. His lips curl into something of an amused smirk.]

Actuators. They were created to help me with my work. They're capable of all sorts of things. [One of the tentacles extends itself to Rob and while it still keeps a safe distance, something pops out of the inside. It's a tiny little set of tweezers.]

[You told him it was observing, Otto. He does possess a memory unless it's been tampered with.

Rob is a bit nervous as it approaches, and his apprehension shows. It quickly melts away after he sees what it's produced though.]

Oh. Huh. I...guess that's useful if you get a splinter.

But if you weren't born with those, that still looks like pretty advanced technology. Did you make them?

[He's almost tempted to touch the one extended out at him. If it didn't look like it could injure him very quickly, he might!]

[Oh sure, pulling out a splinter, holding onto a tiny fragment of radioactive tritium... All valid uses for the tweezers. The tools pop back into the tentacle's maw, which closes entirely to adopt a far more harmless appearance. Go on, Rob, boop the snoot. You know you want to.]

Of course I made them. I ran my own laboratory back home. We constructed all sorts of things.

[Boops snoot?]

There are other scientists, that wasn't a stupid question! Is that where you got the idea for that new power source you were talking about, or is it just because it's so...old around here?

[Snoot booped! There's no real response; the tentacle just lingers there for a second longer before returning to Otto's side.]

I got the idea many years ago, when I was writing my first thesis. A fully functional nuclear reactor, the way I envision it, would solve many problems in my own world. The energy crisis, global warming, it would all be a thing of the past. [He scoffs in a derisive manner.] But I'm stuck here now. A world of dreams has no true need for clean energy. However, if I succeed in building it in a place like this, with so few suitable resources... Then I'll know for certain I can do the same back home.

...Okay. You could have just said "back there", but that's good to know I guess.

[Yeah, any other comments about the kettle, pot?]

But still, dream land or not, it wouldn't be bad to have things be a bit more modern around here. Other people seriously don't want you to even try it?

[Sorry Rob, Otto normally isn't one to monologue, but when someone shows actual interest in his life's work, how could he possibly resist?]

Apparently not. They already attempted to stop me once before, when I was still in the process of gathering supplies. ['gathering', 'stealing'... He still thinks there's no such thing as stealing in a world with no currency, and they had no right to imprison him for two whole weeks.] They clearly don't understand what it is I'm trying to do. They won't understand until I succeed.

[He's learned his lesson about mentioning it, but Otto really is talking like a villain. Maybe when the guy is a bit less sensitive Rob can talk to him about how he's totally unwittingly giving that impression.]

Yeah, I know how hard it is to explain something when nobody wants to listen because they think you're out to destroy them.

[Although considering he actually was at times, it was fair of them to not listen. And on that note...]

Then what's your plan if they find out and show up to stop you?

[That... is a very fair question. He'd fight them, but he's already been defeated several times. The self-proclaimed heroes roaming this place are far less harmless than Spider-Man. Far more powerful and far more underhanded. He draws in a deep breath, his brow furrowing, while one of the tentacles snaps its jaws just beside his face. He doesn't even blink at that.]

... I suppose I'll have to make it so they won't be able to enter the workshop at all. [Clearly a bunch of signs is not enough to keep people out.]

[At least you're not undermined by a talking blue cat and occasionally a fish with legs.]

Oh, you haven't thought about that. Well, if you want some advice, blocking things off only goes so far. It's usually better to set some traps so you can wipe them out!

[...Sorry, he broke into villain mode there.]

[...Well that was unexpected. Good ideas can come from unexpected sources. He's silent for a moment, then figures he might as well ask.]

Are you speaking from experience?

Obviously. I already told you, I'm a villain.

[Except now he's obviously less pleased about what he's saying.]

[Right, that vague mention that Otto didn't take seriously, because it's just too ridiculous. Still though... He may be able to take advantage of this.]

If that's the case, you must already have some ideas for traps which would work best here.

[Otto, that is literally what a villain would do. Regardless, Rob looks around the space thoughtfully.]

Well, it wouldn't be too hard to hang some heavy objects to drop on someone. Then it's just a matter of when you cut the rope.

If you care about the outside too it might be trickier since it's so open, but you could probably build some devices since you're a scientist and all. Or rig some surprises that might make things, shall we say, a blast.

[Otto's more of a 'throw heavy objects at someone' kind of guy, and that's always a heat of the moment thing. It's never pre-meditated in the way Rob is suggesting. Still, if it keeps people out, who's he to dismiss it? So he hums thoughtfully.]

You're suggesting explosives? Or mines, perhaps?

Whatever works, yeah.

[He rigged a hamburger to explode after you bit it once!]

It sounds like the options around here are pretty limited though. But if you're doing nuclear physics in a place that hasn't figured out cars, you can probably make something. ...Not nuclear, though.

Perhaps, but explosives are hardly my field of expertise. It would require me to refresh my memory on basic chemistry and gather useful volatile, combustible materials here.

[He's spent so much time and energy scavenging for the reactor itself already, and very few of the materials there overlap with what would be needed for an explosive. The last thing you'd want near a nuclear reactor is a volatile chemical, after all.]

[That's a good point actually.]

I've worked with them a couple of times. It's not actually that difficult. And some of the other people said they can make them with that dreamotion-magic-whatever.

I'm not saying anyone can set all this up, but if I can do it, you probably can too.

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