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Tweak says, "I need onion rings!"

James (Jim) Rupert Rhodes (Rhodey) (aom_npc_four) wrote in age_of_miracles,
@ 2007-12-24 20:58:00

Entry tags:

luke cage, war machine

After handing out toys...
Who: Rhodey and Open
What: Coming to see the new HFH
When: Christmas eve; dusk
Where: Harlem

Rhodey had spent Christmas Eve handing out presents, flying from neighborhood to neighborhood full of non-mutant and mutant children a like who were being discriminated against and used by Magneto's new 'government.' He had been getting anxious with the slow pace of a good response and while out he figured he'd check on these new Heroes for Hire. If nothing else just having more bodies working together couldn't hurt and they were for hire! Rhodey had access to money and that guaranteed at least some progress.

As he flew into Harlem he switched the music his suit had been playing from the tones of an ice cream truck (which would be guaranteed to attract children) to 'Stronger' by Kanye West. He had the music on so he announced his presence, since after research into some less ferrous (and hopefully less magnetic) metal options eventually something that seemed like vibranium was settled on. The silence of such a huge suit Rhodey thought would be unnerving considering he was coming out to talk. Also, this specific song had a robot voice in the background... he looked like a robot... how cool was that?

The War Machine settled in front of the new HFH office but going inside wasn't itself a great option for him in the suit, since he had stayed fully outfitted since Magneto took over. It was just safer for everyone that way. He figured the music would draw out someone to talk with him. There wasn't any need to interrupt the song yet.

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luke_cage
2007-12-25 08:00 pm UTC (link)

When Luke had claimed that he would be serving as Harlem's guardian from all threats, be they his comrades-in-arms in the Brotherhood( or was that ex-comrades? Who knew where they stood with him exactly ), or the Friends of Humanity themselves, he hadn't really decided how he was going to go about that. Mutant or not, defending an entire community full of sapiens and mutants wasn't easy when you were alone, or even with Art's assistance. However, the residents of the neighborhood had come together and devised their own measures of self-defense that were intended to buy time for Luke to arrive on the scene if push came to shove. One of those defense mechanisms being an early warning system where something suspicious or the arrival of a stranger would trigger a line of communication where neighbor informed neighbor and so on. Of course, War Machine's arrival was easily detected, especially since the suited man was broadcasting it so loudly through music.

Men and women would watch from windows all over the place, some sitting at these windows with firearms, others simply lingering near doors with bats or other blunt instruments. It probably seemed like the Hollywood depiction of a bad day in the 'hood, but in truth Harlem had come together like it never had before. Outsiders from other regions had found a home with residents of the neighborhood, families of different colored skin, social statures, and even genetic mutations had more or less come together in what may have once been considered New York's most dangerous sector. Now it seemed to be the safest; well, for the most part. The Heroes For Hire offices wasn't an office, but actually just another crummy apartment building.

In fact, as the visitor would discover once Luke stepped out of the building and onto the street wearing jeans, a heavy black jacket and a skullcap, Heroes For Hire was more accurately described in the singular as opposed to the plural. As it stood, Luke was the only member, but who knew when that would change. Arms crossed, he'd arch a brow and eye the suited outsider.

" Nice speakers, tin man. You here to show off your system, or there something in particular you want? "

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aom_npc_four
2007-12-25 08:28 pm UTC (link)

As Luke came out, Rhodey knowing his presence was appropriately announced, his music cut off. Of course who he actually was couldn't be seen and was unknown, however being raised in Philly this scene was only amazing in how everyone had banded together to him. 'Urban' environments held no terror for him and especially not while he was in his suit.

"Well if you're for hire someone has to come hire you some day, right Hero?"

His suit altered his voice much like Iron Man's did for him, although a different tone it wasn't possible to glean any information from it and most found it somewhere between creepy and intimidating. "I'm here to see if you're just going to stay inside or if you want to be a little more go get 'em."

There wasn't any further explaining necessary until Luke at least presented some interest. However, having dedicated himself to defending a neighborhood Rhodey found that pretty likely. He was almost ashamed Magneto had been in power for so long and, though usually a very laid back guy, if he was to be a driving force in this he would be. It was time that the people that could helped stop what was shaping up to be another atrocity. No one would ever imagine it would be acceptable to let slavery or genocide thrive but that was what was going to happen if they didn't move soon.

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luke_cage
2007-12-25 08:45 pm UTC (link)

Something told him this was in regards to the ad he had put up, mostly because he'd heard of this guy, as well as his employer, Iron Man. Or at least he assumed that was his employer. Having heard something about a botched attempt at taking Magneto down, it didn't really surprise Luke that he didn't see Iron Man himself. Maybe his former leader had crushed the man like a can of soda? Still, if this was about a job opportunity, he was all ears.

Especially since he figured that those suits of armor must have cost a pretty penny, and if doing some dirty work meant giving the neighborhood a chance to get its hands on some of that much needed money, then he was all for it.

" I'll 'go get' all you want, as long as its legit' and the payment is satisfactory. "

He wondered what it took to power that suit of his, and if it was enough to supply ample amounts of electricity to provide basic amenities and utilities to the neighborhood.

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aom_npc_four
2007-12-25 08:50 pm UTC (link)

"It's about ending this new condition. So, you decide if that's legit or not. You can think on it and we're ready I'll contact you. I'm sure the payment will be just fine, though I thought just being free would be enough."

There wasn't anything to betray an expression or tone inflection so Luke would just have to assume that wasn't an insult and since he was trying to hire the guy that would be a safe assumption.

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luke_cage
2007-12-25 09:32 pm UTC (link)

Luke hadn't absolved himself of all responsibility. He may not of directly created this situation, but he certainly had supported the wheels that set all of this into motion. Of course, superiority had never been his aim, but he'd definitely done his fair share of destruction. He just didn't believe in asking nicely to be treated equally. He wasn't about to do the same for his friends and the members of his community either.

" Free? I'm sure it's easy to talk to people about that bullshit when you're sittin' in a fancy, high powered suit, or chillin' wherever the hell you Avengers chill. Here it's a little different. We're living in the fucking stone age with families freezing their asses off. So if getting some electricity and decent living conditions means milkin' whatever I can from you or your boss, then so be it. I guess it just boils down to how badly you want my services, and I promise you, they're worth every penny. "

He'd made it clear even to his friends in the Brotherhood that he was done taking orders, he was going to look out for himself and his community. Harlem and the people in it was his priority, sure liberating the country sounded noble and all, but noble doesn't heat your apartment or provide you with utilities, does it?

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aom_npc_four
2007-12-25 10:01 pm UTC (link)

The laugh that came from the suit was mechanically awkward but still recognizable. "Live free or be comfortable. That's what... Delaware's state motto?" Rhodey couldn't defend himself and didn't feel the need to. Luke would get paid, they'd work together, and that's all that matters. "You'll be contacted soon. I hope that skin of yours isn't actually metal." The War Machine didn't need any more responses and so he began his ascent. Rhodey would have talked, understood, went for a friend but in the suit he didn't have that luxury.

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