Oscorp Industries
Oscorp.
Ugh.
Riley dreaded standing in front of that stupid building. Staring up at the towering skyscraper of an organization, Riley wanted to turn around and go back to bed. Maybe work on their mechanical spiders.
Anything but this.
But they still had to go. That's why they were flown out there. If Riley decided not to show up at all, it would cause more trouble than it was worth to just go.
They tried to dress as average as they could, but with their parents pre-packaged outfits, Riley looked like the textbook definition of a well respected scientist. Smart slacks, clean button up, muted vest and a bold colored tie with matching dress shoes.
Riley hated it.
While they liked to dress nicely for themselves, the muted colors were not their style. This and organization of patterns and clothing types were not what they preferred either.
What was wrong with how they usually dressed that their parents could pick from their actual closet?
The damage was done, so all Riley could do was steel themselves and walk inside. The inside was pristine, clean, and very similar to the one back home, just... bigger. People were milling about the ground floor of the building while Riley approached the front desk. The person working it glanced up, face seeming to recognize Riley.
"Oh, Dr. Rowe, here for your tour?" They asked quickly.
"I am."
They nodded, humming at they tapped away at their computer, before calling someone, likely whoever could actually get in contact with the Osborn's. Riley didn't really care much about the process.
So they waited while the front desk clerk did their thing.
"Ah, Mr. Osborn will be down shortly to give you a tour. Here's your visitor's badge." They handed Riley a lanyard with a badge on it, likely allowing them to go into very specific areas in the building. "We hope you enjoy your tour."
They won't.
It's not even to discredit those who do work there. Not everyone who works for the corporation gives Riley issues, it's just not fields they find interesting. Besides robotics. Even then, it's not quite in the same scope as Riley's interest. Besides, they were forced to come here. So it definitely swayed their possible enjoyment negatively. If they had wandered in on a random day after randomly ending up in New York, perhaps this would fee more like a miracle than a curse.
So Riley stood near the front desk, having put on their visitors badge, watching the people mill about as they waited. They were somewhat used to the different types of people that frequented buildings like this one. There was always some seminar, some award ceremony or banquet, or some new discovery. Riley's childhood and life had been brought up around science. It was hard not to grow used to it all.
As they stood, they felt the goosebumps rise in their body, footsteps approaching. Riley swallowed dryly as their eyes glanced toward the footsteps, catching Mr. Osborn making his way over. Riley couldn't stop how alert they were. Something about this man was unnerving, even if he seemed perfectly normal. It singed at the hairs on their arm, their body stiff.
“Mx. Rowe, welcome.”
Riley sighed. “It’s Dr. Rowe,” they corrected rather quickly. “I didn’t spend several years taking classes to have my PhD and Doctorate be overlooked.”
Mr. Osborn nodded, clearing his throat. “Right. It slipped my mind. Apologies.”
Riley smiled politely as Mr. Osborn started to walk, taking his movement as signal to follow. A few eyes were glued to the pair. For those well versed in Riley’s field, they were shocked Riley was even there. For those not well versed, they were shocked Mr. Osborn was giving a tour to a lone scientist. One that didn’t seem to care for the man outside of business.
Mr. Osborn led them both to an elevator, quick to take Riley to their R&D department. After all, most scientists like seeing the way modern technology push the edge when it comes to science.
And well, Riley was still a scientist. While they were more reserved towards their once strong passion, they still liked seeing exactly how different people tried to create. Innovation. How they all tested the boundaries of reality. Eager young eyes looking over to the CEO and founder as soon as he entered, Riley in tow.
And again, like in the lobby, two separate reactions happened upon seeing Riley. Those who knew Riley for their contributions to the advancement of modern mobility aids, and those who knew nothing about them. Likely did know Riley’s parents though. Riley was impressive in their field, Riley’s parents, however, were impressive in general. They heard enough comparisons throughout the year to know that much.
“Mr. Osborne, we didn’t expect to see you in today,” an older scientist in the room addressed, welcoming the new air into the room.
“I’m showing Dr. Rowe around. Their parents and I thought seeing how Oscorp operated would inspire them. I’m sure you know of Dr. Riley Rowe?”
“Oh?” Their gaze fell to Riley, standing rather still next to Mr. Osborn. “Oh! It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Riley smiled again, politely, not really caring if others sang their praises or not. It had been really fun in the past, just not really their thing anymore. “You as well. I’m sure all of you do amazing work here.”
The scientist smiled pretty boldly, their eyes glinting as they spoke. “You’re work is truly exemplary. My daughter uses a few of your designs. And it’s greatly improved her quality of life!”
“Oh?”
“It’s wonderful there are scientists like you who are so focused on helping improve the quality of life for those was fortunate.”
Riley didn’t like that wording. It really, genuinely irked them.
“Before your hearing aids, it was horrible trying to communicate with my daughter-“
There it was, Riley’s smile dropping, replaced with a a cold glare. “Did you attempt learning sign? My hearing aid designs are something I’m proud of, but plenty of deaf and hard of hearing individuals need breaks from reading lips and their aids. My designs are to aid them, not make your life easier.”
“I didn’t mean-“
Riley walked past them, without Mr. Osborn directing them, into the throng of researchers, a few bug-eyed from the conversation. They looked upon the projects that everyone was working on, not exactly engaged anymore. The first interaction had them in a bad mood.
Their field wasn’t the thing they were most passionate about, but they still took pride in what they created. To have someone make so little effort for someone they should care about and use Riley’s design to make their own life easier was frustrating. They were to aid, not to replace.
They sighed as they reached near the end of the room, ready to turn around and call it a day. Then… “is that a Goliath birdeater?” They questioned aloud.
The scientist they stopped in front of sealed dryly, her eyes somewhat nervous as she spoke. “Y-yes?”
Riley’s features warmed a bit. “They aren’t part of an experiment, are they?”
“No!” She quickly assured. “Just my office pet. I take her home with me, but I like having her around. I know they aren’t typically pets but-“
“No, I completely understand. I have plenty of spiders myself,” they interrupted. “Would you mind if I held them?”
“Uh… I suppose…” the scientist moved to get the spider out of its habitat, holding it gently in her hands. Surprisingly, when Riley extended their arm, the spider happily climbed it, crawling up to their shoulder.
“I have my own tarantula back home, but both of them aren’t nearly as big.” Riley offered their other hand, the spider climbing on top of it immediately. “That should be expected as mine are both the Brachypelma hamorii species of tarantula. Gorgeous spiders, just not quite as big.”
“Are you a fan of spiders?” She asked Riley gingery.
And Riley nodded. “Always have been. My family could spin plenty of tales about it. And spiders like me, so it’s a mutually fond relationship.” Never once had they met a spider they didn’t get along with. “Does this lovely lady have a name?” Riley asked as they moved to give the spider back.”
“Uh… Nemesis?”
“Solid name. I like it.”
“Thank you…” as she took the spider from Riley, they turned away, heading back towards Mr. Osborn with a little more bounce in their step, mood brightened after seeing a spider.
Mr. Osborn was slightly amused by the display. “We do have some spiders we’re researching, would you like to see those?”
Riley’s eyes lit up, and that was answer enough.
Maybe the tour wouldn’t be that bad.