Next day.
Late morning sunshine spilled in when a violent doorbell dragged Amano Ren from sleep.
He did not need to open the door to know the pheromones belonged to Kate, laced with a light fragrance.
Everyone's pheromones were different, and he could parse the nuance precisely.
He could even influence them to a degree.
He wondered if a shapeshifter like Mystique or a Skrull could mimic pheromones as well. Worth testing someday.
The clean scent of the sea threaded through it.
Oh, and Eleanor too.
Her scolding filtered through the door, telling Kate not to disturb Mr. Amano's rest.
The bell stopped.
After washing up, Ren opened the door.
"Hello, Mr. Amano. Sorry to bother you. Kate was desperate to see you and dragged me out first thing," Eleanor said with a hint of apology.
Kate rolled her eyes theatrically.
Ren glanced up. Yes, very early. The sun sat high.
"Kate, no school? Today is not a day off."
Chin lifted, she declared, "Those classes? I finished everything early. I am not wasting time with those kids."
"In a minute I am starting my training plan. Mom signed me up for Xingyi, Taiji, Hachi MMA, sanda, jujitsu, karate, fencing, and more."
"When I master them all, I will be strong and righteous like you."
Her face glowed with worship. If Eleanor had not been holding her back, she would have dragged Ren out the door already.
"Is that so? I would rather you not learn from me," Ren said, expression odd.
"Why?"
"I am not anyone's justice partner. I am just a freewheeling Homeland... cough, ordinary guy."
Kate did not buy it, but Ren did not elaborate.
He had no wish to set her on his path. It felt like teaching a kid to go bad.
And he was not so easily learned.
"Since you are here, can you give me a lift?"
He yawned, loose and lazy.
"Of course. Happy to," Eleanor said with an easy smile.
She would not pass up time to get closer. It was good for Bishop Security and for Kate.
She could tell Kate would never be the quiet type. If her daughter wanted to fly and play hero, then let her.
Her job was full support, strong logistics, and stronger protection.
With Ren around, Kate would be safer.
"Where to?"
"Oscorp."
"That is a major group. Are you interviewing?" Eleanor asked, watching him in the rearview.
"In a sense, yes," Ren said.
Interviewing for boss still counted.
A small pang tugged at Eleanor. She kept that to herself.
Bishop Security was rich. Oscorp was richer.
No comparison.
Kate chattered the whole ride, bouncing from how clever Gotham's Batman was to the best food in New York.
Ren answered here and there. Mostly Kate talked.
He hardly knew this country.
He had stumbled into Oscorp by accident yesterday.
If left to his own sense of direction... he would probably orbit Midtown twice.
Before long they arrived at Oscorp.
A crowd lined both sides of the entrance in orderly ranks, as if awaiting a very big shot.
Eleanor clicked her tongue. "Looks like you picked a bad day. They must be expecting the President."
"It is fine," Ren said, unbuckling and stepping out.
Eleanor started to say more, but he only waved and headed for the crowd.
From a distance she saw several people peel out to meet him.
Was that Norman Osborn in the lead?
Kate's mouth fell open. "Mom, are they going to get beaten up? Maybe... should we call an ambulance?"
"Hm?"
"They are obviously going to shoo him away. I have a bad feeling something big is about to happen."
Eleanor tensed. The next moment stunned her.
Norman Osborn shook Ren's hand warmly and spoke to him.
The Oscorp execs beside him wore fixed smiles, saying nothing at all.
Who exactly was Amano Ren?
Did America elect an Eastern President overnight?
Had the politicians finally figured out the value of cooperation?
Kate scratched her head. "Did the political winds shift? I have not heard of any such correctness."
Then they watched Ren take point toward the lobby.
He even looked a little unhappy, as if displeased with the spectacle.
Norman trailed him with an ingratiating grin.
Ren walked first. Norman walked half a step behind.
Fairy tales had collided with reality.
Kate stared, stunned.
Inside, Ren strode into the office that had been Norman's.
"Sorry, boss. I watched some videos about ancient Eastern customs and assumed this was traditional. I took the liberty of arranging it," Norman said carefully, terrified of angering him.
Ren had been annoyed - the crowd was not his thing - but Norman's caution took the sting out of it.
"Enough. Do not do that again. It means nothing to me."
"Understood," Norman said. Ren was not like other men. The pomp most people chased meant nothing to him.
What he sought was godhood.
Or perhaps he already was one.
The thought made Norman stiffer.
He hesitated, then forced himself on. "Boss, there is one more item. I selected several secretary candidates to handle your work and personal minutiae. Would you like to interview them one on one?"
"Where are they?"
Ren considered. A secretary would help.
He did not plan to run Oscorp. He believed in leaving professional work to professionals.
But he would inevitably brush up against matters. Someone to sort and file would be useful.
And it had absolutely nothing to do with the meaningful look on Norman's face. Absolutely not.
"I told them to wait in the lounge at nine. They are there now. I will have them called in one by one."
Norman stepped up and opened a folder.
"Here are their profiles."
When he left, Ren glanced at the first file.
Name: Felicia?
Sex: Female.
Age: 21.
Marital status: unmarried - no romantic history. Physical exam attached.
Ren raised a brow. Interesting.
He flipped a few pages.
The exam was more thorough than a premarital checkup. Exhaustive.
Lady, you have my attention.
He looked at the photo again and sat up. No wonder she seemed familiar - Harry Osborn's young secretary in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
There was a certain allure.
The first file was a surprise.
He opened the second on reflex.
One look, and his face changed.
"Damn it. There is a mole. Abort the deal."