on being reserved and filling out an app for somarium

[rhodeing]

So you finally did it. You finally took the plunge. I'm the second character you ever picked up in this place and you're just now apping me?

Oh no, don't blame this on me. It's not my fault. It's all your fault. You're the one with the crazy ideas, ever since you saw the third one. Yeah, I know it's about time people appreciated me. I just don't see how you think sending me to one of these places is showing your appreciation.

Comments

[curbing]

Oh no, they're not really sending you away, are they? Isn't that-- That's bad for a Colonel, isn't it? Going involuntarily AWOL or something?

[rhodeing]

It's not the best thing, no. But it'll work out, I'm sure.

[curbing]

You mean unless Tony makes it worse.

[rhodeing]

He does usually serve to exacerbate my problems, yeah.

[curbing]

I really am working on him. I mean, my him. My Tony? That's-- He's a work in progress. But you know, you really were impressive back there, Rhodey.

[rhodeing]

All Tonys are a work in progress, I'm pretty sure.

Thank you.

[amygdalae]

It'll be nice to have you around, Colonel.

[Smiles??]

[rhodeing]

[Eyebrow raise.]

I'm flattered?

[amygdalae]

He might not say it, but Tony's been wanting you around for a long while already. It'll make him comfortable to see that his friend is there for him.

[rhodeing]

Last I heard, you were one of his friends too.

And why is he....uncomfortable?

[amygdalae]

Not so much these days. [Its, um. Complicated.]

He's been having nightmares. Bad ones, I think. Of New York.

[Yep, guess who PTSD-ing it up.]

[rhodeing]

Yeah? What'd you do to piss him off? [It's accompanied with a grin, because he knows the ups and downs of being friends with Tony, and he knows what it's like to get ignored for awhile.

But the grin fades at the mention of New York.]

Still? Man, I thought-- [Rhodey shakes his head.] Doesn't matter. Guess I thought wrong.

[amygdalae]

[A tight smile at both comments. Its... better not to talk about it. Needless to say, its just something really, really bad. And stupid. And bad.

He frowns at the next bit though, confused by the choice of words.]

'Still'?

[None of them have any idea what the future has in store for them, to put it simply.]

[rhodeing]

Yeah, still, he's been having them for--

[Oh wait. Different timelines. Shit.]

I mean, he's had them for awhile. Even before New York.

[amygdalae]

[Don't you love them different timelines.

And the frown deepens.]

Its the first I've heard of it.

[rhodeing]

Well, if you're not friends, I doubt you'd know anyway.

[amygdalae]

[A pained look crosses his face at that.]

I just... [He wants to help, he really does, but Tony won't talk to him and evicted him from the Tower. What can he do, really?]

[rhodeing]

[You must've done something pretty bad, man.]

You just what? How do I even know I can trust you, man?

[amygdalae]

[It was a massive argument where they both said things they really shouldn't have said. It turned bad pretty quickly.

And hah. How can anybody trust him when Bruce can't even trust himself these days?]

I wish I could do more to help.

[Quietly. He'd protect Tony with his life if he could, but really - just what can he do in this situation?]

[rhodeing]

[Rhodey sighs. He understands the sentiment, man. He really does.]

Look, sometimes all Tony needs is just-- for you to be there. You don't have to do anything, you just have to let him know you've got his back.

[amygdalae]

[There's a small quirk of his lips there. He's always got Tony's back, after all. Even now.]

Regardless, your presence there would ease him better than mine would.

[rhodeing]

Yeah, we'll see.

[amygdalae]

Best of luck, Colonel. I hope to see you there.

[rhodeing]

Yeah thanks. Don't be offended if I say I hope you don't.

[amygdalae]

Somarium's not the worst place to be stuck in, all things considered.

[Just besides the cards and dreams and occasional weird thing happening.]

[myfairlady]

I think that's how she shows how much she likes you, the more she gives you more trouble. A complicated kind of appreciation.

[rhodeing]

Yeah, I call that a backhanded compliment.

[myfairlady]

You mean it can't be called tough love instead?

[rhodeing]

It could, doesn't make it any different.

[fotlenke]

[ Peeking over the convenient fence at you. ] Are you the Iron Warrior's companion?

[rhodeing]

[Iron Warrior, huh?]

Uh, yeah, you could say that. You can call me Jim.

[fotlenke]

[ She blinks, then stands straight, coming around the fence, arms loose at her sides to show no tension withheld. ] Warrior Jim. You fight for your people -- you should have the honor with which it goes.

[ She reaches up and undoes her hood, letting it fall back. ] You should receive trophies for all the endeavors you have accomplished with Iron Warrior alongside. He does not look the easy kind.

[rhodeing]

Oh, well thank you. ['Warrior Jim'. He could get used to that. He gives her a little bow as she approaches him. What? It seems appropriate.]

The Iron Warrior? Yeah, he's ...not.

[fotlenke]

[ Oh. Well. If he bows, then etiquette dictates that she must return his bow with a curtsey. And so she takes her skirts and dips low into an awkward curtsey, and then blooms back up, letting her skirts go. So she's not Aesir royalty, but she's Vanir royalty and that's -- think farm girls in pretty jewels. ]

Obvious, from the manners in which he conducts himself. [ Although, he'd certainly beat any Aesir she has seen in flair for dramatics. ] Thanks the stars that his lady love is of sensible mind.

[technetronic]

[Tony has missed you so much, but forgive him for not acting like it.]

They're showing appreciation for me by sending you to me.

[rhodeing]

[Yeah, what else is new?]

Yeah, I guess we can call that appreciation. [But he's smiling all the same, don't worry about it.]

[technetronic]

[If Tony seems a little more excited than normal, blame that on the coffee.]

I know being a sidekick is often unappreciated, but it's still an important role. We can't all be me.

[rhodeing]

I'm not a sidekick. And I wouldn't want to be you. Too much to do all the time.

[technetronic]

Oh come on, you're totally my sidekick. I even named you! [Dramatically.] War Machine.

[rhodeing]

[Rhodey laughs, shakes his head. Clearly this Tony hasn't been canon updated. He'll let you stay with that thought, though. He won't ruin you.]

You know, I really think one day I might just make my own name.

[technetronic]

[He's already ruining himself, taking two steps back for every step forward anyway.]

You'd probably chose something lame like your name.