myersbprd:
Harry’s suggestion takes John aback, jolting him from his visual captivation with the rest of the room. “I’m not — ” The conclusion of his statement dies on his lips once his gaze shifts quickly back to Harry and catches sight of the expression the other man has adopted. A brief huff of laughter escapes him then, laced with chagrin. “Y’know, as appealing as that sounds, I think I’m gonna pass for now.” Allowing himself one last glance at the impressive surroundings, John refocuses his full attention on Harry’s explanation. “I’m more a ‘ learn by doing ’ kinda person, anyway.” He’ll always love books ( as well as conducting research ), yet nothing can ever compare to experiencing something in person, which is precisely why he plans not to be diverted by the rest of Oscorp until he’s required to use it.
John does, however, tilt in his in interest as the device Harry is currently holding seems to scan his palm with detailed deliberation. The BPRD’s technology concentrates on eyes for identification; finding note taken of his hand instead is far less jarring, if he’s being honest. Regardless, even with all that Oscorp has to offer, he misses the uniqueness richly steeped in history offered by the place he’s lived for the past year. It’s an unfamiliar feeling that surprises John. Is this what being homesick is like? He’s hardly certain, as he’s dubious that he has ever encountered it before.
The mention of the name Connors draws his thoughts in a different direction. John had read about the incident, of course, and it had been nothing short of a scandal. Deeper investigation into the affair prior to his arrival at Oscorp had left the entire scenario stranger in his mind still, the sort which almost seemed to leave ten more questions for each answered one. He supposed it wasn’t a matter Harry would discuss with him to satiate his curiosity ( perhaps even the Osborn heir wasn’t in possession of all of the answers, though he would likely never know for sure ).
As John’s eyes lifted from the implement beneath his hand, he replied, “And I won’t give you one.” While the words alone may sound reassuring, the tone they’re given in is instead a firm one devoid of pleasantries. He believes Harry to be quite intelligent, capable of a great many things with a company like Oscorp, and he hadn’t minded saying so, but he’s aware that he’s not here to offer encouraging sentiments. His priority is Harry Osborn, although it’s regulated to navigating the supernatural or other potential dangers in tracking down a cure for Retroviral. John takes that quite seriously, and it’ll be easier to do so ( for the both of them ) if he’s trusted.
The voice from overhead doesn’t startle him this time, though he lifts his eyebrows slightly at the sound of his name. He supposes he’ll grow accustomed to it, even if it’s strange. Fingerprints: John almost wants to ask if it’ll still work if you cut someone’s hand off, but it sounds like a rather morbid joke, so he doesn’t. Taking the key card from Harry for the rest of the facility, he looks it over for a moment before slipping into his pocket.
Will Harry be notified if he attempts to enter the lab unsupervised in some respect, too? John’s not accustomed to being layered with so many restrictions, and he finds that he doesn’t like it. His opinions on it don’t matter at the moment, though, and he’s not about to test them unnecessarily. Harry wants them to succeed in their endeavors even more than he does, so it stands to reason he’ll have access to what’s important when he asks for it, at the very least. “I don’t have any real reason to try, so you don’t need to be worried about that.” Aside from John’s own inquisitiveness, and he knows better than to risk screwing up an assignment over something so ridiculous.
It stands to reason that Harry has more to do than stare over his shoulder ( he’s not a CEO himself, obviously, yet he can guess the sort of work the title must entail ). “Unless you tell me otherwise, I’ll only contact you if it’s important.” He nods once more, as Harry appears to almost evaluate him again. John pauses a beat and debates whether he should leave it at that, or ask the only other question currently prodding him. How advanced is Harry’s case of Retroviral, and will that factor into their search at all? Maybe, for the time being, he should orient himself with the information Oscorp has already collected. If he deems it relevant afterwards, or Harry decides to inform him, that bridge can be crossed then. “No questions. D’you have any for me?”
The inquiry about his own questions nearly make him pause; realizing that he hadn’t asked John anything, most his words had been explaining. For a moment his mind went blank, as though he had forgotten the meaning for this whole arrangement in itself. Of course, Harry knew that he had questions, and they slowly came back to him bit by bit the more he stood in silence; considering.
... Although he doubted he would ask them all.
His connection with this research was obviously personal, and the last thing he wanted was a stranger to have too much insight on the messed up thoughts of Oscorp’s “kid” CEO. He had slipped up earlier when answering John’s questions about his own views about the direction he hoped to take his newly acquired company, and he knew he couldn’t afford more vulnerabilities for the future. Appearing injured would only breed doubt, and eventually mutiny. ( John didn’t seem to fit into the type who would take advantage in such a way, even if he did have something to gain from Harry’s downfall. His thoughts were more focused on select members of his board as opposed to this situation in front of him. )
But... Questions. Yes. He still had yet to answer.
“Ah... Right...” He clears his throat, fingers almost trailing towards his neck before stopping himself. “If there anything else you need from me? I gave you my father’s older files, which have most if not all of the research already done about Retroviral. And... of course, you have this lab. But if there anything else?”
He pauses for a moment before lips part once more. “Also... are there any leads that you think we can look in right away? I believe you mentioned when you first came that you had some things worth looking into... How soon can we seriously start considering them?”
He didn’t want to see pushy, but he also didn’t want to waste time or resources when they can begin right away.