Enter: Connor Hawke

[newoutsiders]

Amusement Mile, 91 Sorkin Avenue. Gotham City.

Home.

You knew it was going to be hard, making a clean start for yourself far away from the Arrow Clan. You didn’t think it was going to be this hard. But with most of your boxes unpacked, and tenants displaced by a gentrified Burnside filing into this once abandoned entertainment district- thanks to your generous, rent controlled prices- you’re finally back in the landlording game.

At least this was a cheap get. Even with all the gentrification going on in this neighborhood, for some reason the buildings down this part of Sorkin Avenue were priced to move. You figure it’s just Gotham- people get scared and leave town all the time. Fortunately for your tenants, they’ve got a superhero for a landlord.

There’s still a lot to do. There’s that zen garden you want to put up on the roof, that isn’t even close to finished. The Bailey family on the second floor still isn’t getting water in their kids’ bathroom. Not to mention—

You’re interrupted from meditating in your spartan spare bedroom by the ring of a doorbell.

Comments

[newoutsiders]

"Forget it, man!" Lemmy shouts. "I'm gonna use the 4G! I don't care about fucking overages right now! I'm a fucking metal goop man!"

[not_easy_being_green]

And there it is. Connor had been wondering when this would happen.

"That's not really what I care about right now. Can I come in?"

[newoutsiders]

"I don't need to see you right now, dude!" He shouts. "Oh man. What if this computer thing I'm in runs out of charge? How do I plug myself in? Am I solar powered or something? Nobody gave me an instruction manual! ...Whatever! Door's open!"

[not_easy_being_green]

Connor opens the door, then closes it behind him gently.

Well, at least this hadn't happened in the middle of a crowded Sundollar's.

"Have you ever heard of the Metal Men, Lemmy?"

[newoutsiders]

You find him on a recliner, trying to feed himself a slice of pizza and not doing too well at it.

"I dunno man. Is that like a cover band?"

[not_easy_being_green]

"No. They're a group of heroes. Animated metal men. I don't know a huge amount about them - I've only ever heard of them through my father - but their creator, Dr. Magnus, worked on technology similar to your Responsometer. I could probably get you his number, if you want. I'm sure there's a lot you have to ask him."

[newoutsiders]

"Yeah. Yeah, I guess that'd be cool," he says. "Thanks. And I'll pass on what I find out to the others. Did you know we're all kind of linked? That's how Grundy controlled them when they were all gingolded. We have like a built in walkie talkie to each other. Me, Sal, Silverpool, and, uh, that other guy who ran off I guess. He's not taking our calls."

[not_easy_being_green]

"I'll contact Batgirl about it later. She should be able to get the number through Oracle. I needed to call her, anyway."

He nods slightly as Lemmy continues, "I didn't know that. I think it's a good thing, though. It means you can always talk to someone who's in the same boat."

"And if you want, I'm here to talk as well."

[newoutsiders]

"Thanks. I'm cool. If I ever need to talk about it, I know where to find you. But, uh. If you really want to do something for me... I was gonna start looking for a job next week, and looking like this, I'm not sure how great that'll go, so if I could get a little extra time on next month's rent?"

[not_easy_being_green]

"... yeah, okay. I think I can do that." It'll be a bit tight, but he can manage it, hopefully. If all else fails... he guess he can fall back on Ollie, though he'd really rather not.

"Then I guess I'll see you later. Take care, Lemmy. And seriously... thank you for your help today." He doesn't just mean the CapeScape thing - that's pretty minor compared to his help with Grundy.

He returns to his apartment to meditate.

[newoutsiders]

"Wait!" Lemmy calls out to you.

"Your video- it just got a note. Like, right after I put it up. It's from the verified Green Arrow!"

[not_easy_being_green]

Connor turns around.

"... show me."

[newoutsiders( as admin)]

He hands you the phone. It reads:

"OMG, amazing cosplay. Love my fans!"

[not_easy_being_green]

... Connor actually starts to look visibly irritated. "May I see that phone?"

After a bit of help from Lemmy, he leaves a reply -

"Do you actually think anyone will believe that?

This isn't funny. Stop impersonating me.

-GA"

[newoutsiders]

A few tense minutes go by, until you get a private message from your impostor.

"Robinson Park, under the Green Lantern statue. Come alone. Bring lunch. XOXO"

[not_easy_being_green]

"I'll be there.

-GA."

He returns the phone to Lemmy.

"Thanks again."

[newoutsiders]

"Any time, man," he says. "I gotta figure out my whole new deal. When you're punching this guy, give him one for me."

[newoutsiders]

"Yeah. Yeah, I guess that'd be cool," he says. "Thanks. And I'll pass on what I find out to the others. Did you know we're all kind of linked? That's how Grundy controlled them when they were all gingolded. We have like a built in walkie talkie to each other. Me, Sal, Silverpool, and, uh, that other guy who ran off I guess. He's not taking our calls."