#╟ asks ♊ it is worse never to have tried to succeed ╢

[gemiinus]

Arcee is looking at a particular pair of twins with curiosity (and maybe some concern).

The pair looks back with wide blue optics, Sunstreaker still with his head pressed into his twin's shoulder. They're quiet and wary, same as they always are.

Sideswipe finally fluffs his armor out a bit, keeping Sunstreaker as close as he can.

"...yeah?"

[gemiinus]

"Can I help you? Either of you?" He's pissed. And rightfully so. A processor ache paired with an external assist with a law enforcement issue means not only is he just irritated, but now he's got ice sticking inside his wheel housings and dirt caking his doors. Oh, and he's cold.

"Mm no I think we're good, Prowl."

Sunstreaker is actually grinning as Sideswipe speaks, leaning against his brother. And when he's done, the yellow twin tips his head towards the red, lifting his shoulder in a shrug.

"Why? Did something happen?"

[gemiinus]

"Daaaamn, you have one GOURGEOUS finish. I must know your secrets!" @forged-through-flames

Sunstreaker immediately puffs up a it at the praise, dusting off his chestplate lightly with a brush of his fingertips. He knows he's attractive, of course- he's always taken great pride in his appearance, and it shows in his pristine paint and shiny finish.

Head tipping to one side, glad Sideswipe's off distracted somewhere to keep him from making some snide commentary in response. He can just bask in the praise. For once.

"Daily washrack runs, careful attention to my paint. Also, use a chamois cloth to dry and to apply wax. Doesn't scratch."

[gemiinus]

I'm betting you guys are fraternal twins, not identical.

Sideswipe tips his head to the side, then looks at Sunstreaker, who gives him an equally quizzical look. There's a moment or two of silence before Sideswipe turns back, reclining against his brother with an arm on his shoulder, browridge arched.

"Yeah? What makes you say that?"

[gemiinus]

What's going on?

The two spin as soon as they hear the voice, a bit like a pair of startled dogs. Sideswipe's optics are wide, but Sunstreaker is set low, optics narrow as the plating up his spinal strut slowly lifts, like hackles.

Sideswipe puts a hand on his twin's shoulder, and they exchange a glance before Sideswipe speaks.

"We're looking. For Jazz."

[gemiinus]

There's the soft look of disbelief in his optics when he sets optics on the twin duo.. the cygar nearly dropping from the old mechs lips.

The pair looks right back at him, two pairs of round blue optics in those eerily identical faces. Then, while Sunstreaker gives a faint smirk - probably the closest to a genuine smile he might give in a place where others can see him - Sideswipe busts out a cheeky grin.

"Hey! What's up, old mech? You look like you saw a couple ghosts!"

[gemiinus]

🌟

Send 🌟 for my muse to tell yours about a childhood memory!

The twins glance at each other, seemingly considering their response for several moments before Sunstreaker curls his shoulders forward, crossing his arms over his chestplate.

"It's... faint, mostly. But I remember sitting next to a pile of scrap metal with Sides, hungry, scared, angry... we were alone. Don't remember why."

"Heard later that some folks think we got abandoned because of what we are," Sideswipe interjects. "Some scrap about spark split twins being bad omens. Signs of the doombringer or some scrap like that. Got us left to die in the wastes together."

"Had to be something like that, right? We weren't forged. We're sparkborn."

"Yeah. Doesn't matter, though. We were there, and then Jazz was there. We didn't know him from Primus at the time, of course, but you get the idea. He's the only reason we're alive. Stayed there for what felt like ages, just... trying to convince us to come over to him."

"We were never alone after that."

[gemiinus]

Message: » [URGENT: Mechanism [OLD KOOT] [Status: CONNECTION ||||| signal-output LOW. [Location: KAONIAN HEIGHTS C: 1..92823726. D 1.88888]

[Order. Stay on the surface. Back up. I will need you soon.] It's a cryptic message but it means Kups on the move to find their missing friend and something isn't right.

[[__END MESSAGE__]]

The twins are quiet as they listen, glancing at each other briefly. They've always been bad at taking orders, that's true, and that's even more accurate when it comes to the few people in their lives that they genuinely trust.

The pair glances at each other, optics bright.

And then they're off to the coordinates Kup provided, Bob scuttling along behind them.

They need to find Kup, and their sire.

[gemiinus]

::movies and dinner in my habsuite. I'm playing secondhand lions and I got a pan full of iron flake casserol. Bring pillows and bob.::

There's a long pause before the twins even respond, and it's Sideswipe who speaks first.

::...we, uh. We might not be anywhere near there right now.::

Followed by his brother, who seems tense but also more than a little apologetic.

::Bob's with us. We're gonna be away for a bit.::

::Yeah. We gotta find something.::

[gemiinus]

How to care for,

Make sure you tell them theyre cared for.

Lots of treats. Movie night, new supplies.

Bob new squeaky toys.

Alot of tight hugs.

Anonymously or not, send “How To Care For” instructions for my muse

Both of them sniff indignantly, but Bob at least seems excited. Not that either of them really means that indignant behavior, though. Kup's got them both pegged.

[gemiinus]

Kup knocks on the door, once its open he just holds up a color palate and a new spray gun. "So you wanna work you're twos magic?"

There's a moment where the twins just kind of stare up at Kup. They're used to Kup as they've always seen him, and certainly not like this. It's clear on their faces that they're more than a little bit startled.

The pair shares a glance, and then Sideswipe gestures at his twin.

"This is all your wheelhouse, Sunshine."

"...yeah. Uh- yeah! Yeah, sure, I can do that. But... holy shit how'd you get big?"

[gemiinus]

*several nondenominational but still slightly singed muffs for the twins! Most of the charring is hidden with red and yellow pigmapaste.* -stinglikeame

The twins certainly aren't going to look gift muffs in the mouth. Waste not, want not, and despite one of their adopted caretakers having refined tastes, the pair have always been something of garbage disposals.

Maybe just their frametypes.

Interestingly, it's Sunny who digs into the red ones. Sides immediately goes for the yellow.

Well, they've never made much sense to outsiders anyway.

@stinglikeame

[gemiinus]

😶 + On a scale of mildly uncomfortable, to the absolute worst pain imaginable, how painful is it to have your head taken off but still be alive?

Send 😶 + a really uncomfortable question and my muse has to answer it

Sunstreaker scowls, his plating flaring up the middle of his back like an angry cat lifting its hackles. It's a reaction that doesn't last long, though, as Sideswipe is quick to move in, curling an arm around his brother's shoulders before pulling him in close, their helms touching.

No sound from either of them for a few moments. Just the quiet, their systems running the only audible sounds.

It's Sideswipe who finally answers.

"It fuckin' sucks, if you have to know. He's lucky they didn't finish all the shit they wanted to do to him. There's some fucked up people in the world."

[gemiinus]

There's an offered servo for both of the mechs, he knows physical affection is odd for some of the younger mechanicals.

If taken he'll pull both in for a light hug. A servo reaching up to give a soft pat to the back of Sideswipes helm. "I hope you two both know there will always be a place in my rabble, I hope you both know that.."

Touch my muse

The pair hesitates a moment before accepting the outstretched servos, and neither one of them resists when they're pulled in close. The pat to the back of Sideswipe's helm causes him to duck his head slightly, closer to the old-timer.

Both of them seem at least somewhat more settled at the contact from someone they trust.

The red twin grins, just slightly, and leans into the old mech.

"We do. Thanks, Kup."

[gemiinus]

How many presents did you two get? Plus Bob.

Ask my muse anything you want on anon!

"Just one, technically, from Kup. He got us some new rags and polishes, and art supplies for Sunny." Sideswipe glances over as Bob skitters excitedly across the floor after the toy Kup left for him. "It's fine. We weren't really popular before or even during the war, and we don't really care much for holidays. So this was nice enough."

[gemiinus]

What are your thoughts on humans?

Ask my muse anything you want on anon!

Sunstreaker immediately bristles, bunting his head lightly against Sideswipe's as he mutters, "Not a huge fan. They never treated us well. Tried to torture me. Act like all of us conspired to make their lives hell."

Sideswipe gives a sigh, leaning into his twin. "It was a lot. But hey, you found Bob. And we found each other again."

"Guess that's something."