( video & action )

[warmachine]

[ The video zooms in to one James Rhodes, wearing his dress blues and sitting at the bar -- yes, again -- with one elbow propped up and his head in his hand, the other cradling a beer.

He doesn't look happy.

There's a voice comming from off-screen: ] This fine specimen of man is Col. James Rhodes and he has good reason to be in the bar today. Guess what? His best friend, Tony Stark, has left the City and he's drowning his sorrows in alcohol. Healthy coping mechanisms.

[ Rhodey's mouth twists, something angry and bitter in his expression, but his voice is still mostly even when he speaks. ]

I seriously don't need the running commentary, man.


[ ooc; So. Tony's gone and Rhodey is getting drunk. Italics are some NPC commentator. Come buy him a drink and cheer him up or join him in his misery. ]

Comments

[latenightfondue]

[ Howard sweeps over and joins him whether he likes it or not. He looks rough, smells like alcohol, and it's questionable as to whether he even made it home last night or reemerged today.

But, hey, a drunk Howard isn't that much different to a sober one. ] Y'got a fan club there, Rhodes?

[warmachine]

Not much of a fan, that guy.

[ Wow, Howard. You look rough. Rhodey feels a tug of sympathy, for all that he's pretty torn over Tony's leaving as well. ]

[latenightfondue]

[ It's okay, their wallowing can happen together. ]

Can't please everyone, buddy. [ He's heard harsher things. ] Guess y'heard.

[warmachine]

Yeah. I did. [ He'll just-- run a hand over his face. Fuck, he hates it. ]

Not holding up so well, huh?

[latenightfondue]

Gotta admit, it came as a shock, 'specially after last time with the grand entrance. A fella should stick around after an opening like that.

[ He's smiling, but it's forced, and he tips back his drink, winks at the barmaid for another round. ]

[warmachine]

Yeah. [ Don't remind him. He hates that Tony got hurt while he wasn't there to protect him. Hates it. ]

You taken a break at all?

[latenightfondue]

[ He lives with his foot in his mouth, but he didn't much like that either. ]

I ain't seen the inside'a City Solutions all weekend. [ That's Howard's smart way of saying no, no he hasn't. ]

[warmachine]

Yeah. Figured. [ He's sighing; all hostility he's ever had for Howard because of the way he's treated Tony gone completely. Tony isn't here anymore to protect from Howard, what does it matter. ]

[latenightfondue]

Came back once, though, huh? Possible he might make another return, keep us all on his toes. No idea where he gets that.

[warmachine]

Hope so, yeah. [ Taking a deep breath and letting it out in a sigh. ]

[latenightfondue]

[ He knows James never cared for him much, but a lot of people don't so he's used to it, and yet it bothers him, a little, which is too much feeling to listen to. ]

Cap's worried about Ms Potts 'cause'a it, says he wants me to stick close. Not sure the guy's thinking straight, must be the loss.

[warmachine]

Pepper. [ He closes his eyes for a moment. He hates all of this. ] I should talk to her.

[latenightfondue]

Yeah? Good, 'cause I ain't too good with that emotional thing, and I'm still convinced she'd gonna hit me with those heels.

[ He claps him on the back. ] Be there in spirit, though, buddy.

[warmachine]

[ No kidding, Howard. ]

Yeah, yeah, don't worry. I'll talk to her.

[latenightfondue]

[ Personal boundaries? What personal boundaries. ]

Thanks, pal. But, y'know, she's Tony's dame, so if there's anything I can do that's not gonna end badly, then I'm available.

[warmachine]

I'll keep it in mind. [ He doesn't mind the contact too much. ]

Thanks, I guess.

[latenightfondue]

If he ain't here to watch out for, least I can do is take care'a his stuff.

[warmachine]

I hope he'll come back. [ Sighing again, head dropping forward. ]

[latenightfondue]

[ This is one of those awkward moments with the tension in the air because he's not entirely sure what to do.

He claps him on the back again, but it lingers this time. ] Me too, Rhodes, me too. It's gonna be strange without the guy 'round the place.

[warmachine]

[ Rhodey just nods. He's not leaning into the touch because this is Howard and they never quite got along all that well, but it's-- nice, sort of, to have someone there who gets that it sucks, if for different reasons. ]

Yeah.

[latenightfondue]

He leave you any of his toys? 'Cause that'd make up for some of it.

[ He can be counted on always to say the wrong thing. ] 'Cause, it ain't the same as getting to hear him explaining everything while he does the whole showing off thing. Gonna miss that.

[warmachine]

I have access to all of the suits. [ A beat. ] I don't think anyone else does.

[ Tony wouldn't trust just anyone with them, and that does make a difference somehow, that does help. Maybe. Tomorrow, he'll take them out, one after the other, run them through the motions. ]

Yeah. Yeah, me too.

[latenightfondue]

Never did get my hands on one'a those things. [ Not that he can blame him, Tony talked him through one once, but he's not exactly the kind to climb inside.

Something weirdly emotional comes over him. ] Two'a you really are close, huh? Glad he had you while he was here.

[warmachine]

They're pretty amazing.

[ Mouth twisting into something openly sad. ] Yeah. He's my best friend. [ A beat. ] The military gets you a lot of brothers, but Tony's-- he's my best friend.

[latenightfondue]

[ He watched enough soldiers to get that there was a bond there, and if he were the type of man to be good to rely on he might have envied it. ]

Yeah, the guy sure is something else, ain't he? Y'ever get outta here, he'll be there, am I right?