#╟ ic ∘ sunstreaker ♚ like a half-tamed creature still shy of the bridle ╢

[gemiinus]

tag dump 1

[gemiinus]

Sunstreaker's optics briefly flick to his twin, who hasn't moved. Or at least not much, shifting only to curl a little closer, blanketed by his twin's field. Anything to feel a little less sore, a little better than he had. The golden twin can't help but worry.

He'd never tell anyone outside of their family, of course, but he does. Especially considering how the red twin has been behaving all day. Sighing a bit, Sunstreaker returns to his painting, optics darting over every stroke, making sure he has everything just where he wants it. Hearing what Jazz says worries him a little more.

:: Southbound? Why? ::

His browridge furrows slightly. Weird that he's heading away.

:: I'm painting the old Iacon skyline. Sideswipe asked. He's not feeling good so it helps him relax. ::

He pauses in one of the cruxes of the intersection points, optics narrowed as he stares left and then right. A holographic map is thrown up, cast from a camera on his right side. Despite it's superficial relevance to current areas- the map's legend is a bit more esoteric.

He scrolls through it, grunting as the path he needs is highlighted- the map petering out before it can draw attention from the nearly blind denizens of the deep. His nasal ridge wrinkles slightly as he tastes chemotrails in the thick atmosphere. Humidity and condensation trickles down the metal walls, gathering into small streams and rivulets in the middle.

» Nah, Sunbaby. I'm gonna be movin' southbound for a bit. Whatcha paintin'?.«

[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]

They may not be abominations, but they are chaos incarnate in some ways, but that's by choice more than anything.

And they like it that way.

[gemiinus]

"I keep a stash anyway."

No need to mention how he built that stash. He and his brother have been more or less on the run on their own for long enough that they know better than to fully show their hands.

It's all about keeping themselves safe. Only reaching out with the smallest things. It's hard to get them to trust.

"Don't worry about it. Just make sure you clean off before you use it."

"You sure you want me to use your stuff? I haven't had the chance to hit the washracks today. Just got back in from a drive."

Despite this he is eyeing that can. He wants to use it very badly. It's been too long since he got a proper pampering.

[gemiinus]

:: You haven't called me that since you could hold me one handed. ::

He keeps painting, browridge furrowing, adjusting how he's letting Sideswipe leaning against his shoulder. He feels bad that his twin isn't awake for this, but he doesn't want to wake him either. Especially considering how miserable he'd felt earlier.

:: Sort of online. Painting. Is everything okay? Do you need help with something? ::

» -----[XXXXXX] [connected: C14D3

» -----[SST34K3R] //c0nn3ct3D]

His helm comes up as the message acknowledgement comes online on his HUD. Behind him, it's mostly darkness- save for the occasional scritch-scritch of scraplets in the deep. His audials twitch underneath their protective, conducive housing. His visor is up, allowing his bare optics to regard the tunnels he's currently traversing.

Rather than rely on vocals, he switches to his internal comm:

» Eh. Sunbaby. Glad ya got this message. Ya online?«

[gemiinus]

He had been in the middle of painting, Sideswipe dozing against his shoulder, when the unusual message came in. He blinks, tipping his head to the side. The pattern is familiar, even if the signal itself is not, and after a moment of contemplation, he remove approves the incoming message.

No use having to clean paint off a datapad as well as from his hands, after all.

[Signal — [Boosting]

» -----[XXXXXX] [connected: C14D3 » [xxxxx] add: [R4V3T / RV111G / M3-TR4011 / OP1M15/ SST34K3R ] --------------------[Accept? Y/N]-------------------

[gemiinus]

The yellow mech casts a scrutinizing optic over the tin of wax, then makes a soft noise. The other mech is definitely good looking enough; rare enough these days, really. Not enough people take enough care in their appearances.

Sniffing faintly, he fiddles in his own subspace before producing a can of wax and a chamois, holding out both.

"Here. Try this. Should see some improvement pretty quick."

"Mech, where the hell did you find a chamois?? I'm lucky if I even have a rag without holes!"

Rodimus digs through his subspace for a moment, withdrawing a small and dented tin of wax.

"What kind of wax do you use? Because I've been having a hard time finding more of mine and I am almost out."

Finally, someone else who actually bothers to look good! It's like he's found a soul mate!