#and I forgot how much I like drawing soundwave weird stick fingers

[koroa]

Final version of Soundwave for @novafire-is-thinking 🖤

[verdigrisprowl]

Jan 11 random movie night - Star Trek Discovery Ep 1

Tarantulas has been missing Bevel’s showings but would like to go, so Soundwave is getting him caught up. Prowl’s decided to show up, possibly to bury as much of himself as possible in Tarantulas’s fuzz.

Today Tarantulas 10:26 pm (( oh god the new rabbit is weird ItsyBitsySpyers 10:26 pm ((yeah unfortunately)) Tarantulas 10:27 pm (( awright i just gotta put my headphones in and i'm ready ItsyBitsySpyers 10:27 pm *Soundwave is pleased for the opportunity to draw another into the investigation of this timeline. He suspects Bevel will be, too. Tarantulas will find him on a couch when he shows up.*

((roger!)) Tarantulas 10:31 pm *tarantulas has no idea what he's about to be watching, but he figures it's probably a good idea to get out of his lab. it's been... some hundred hours since he's been out of his science&sleep cycle* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:31 pm *Don't worry. There will be plenty of science to make it feel just like home. Eventually.* ((holler when ready y'all)) FakeProwl 10:32 pm ((ready!)) *Prowl heard the spide was going to be here. he'll take an opportunity to see Tarantulas, it's been a while.* Tarantulas 10:33 pm *along came a spider, and sat down beside... ugh. 'him' doesn't rhyme* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:34 pm *Nod. Greetings, Captain. And may he suggest spy-er?*

[[Welcome to you both.]] ((ready mau??)) Tarantulas 10:34 pm (( ye! Tarantulas 10:36 pm *lazy spider limbs pat as a hello, and curl around prowl if he can, pulling him in* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:36 pm *Oh, he almost forgot how odd fur feels against his armor.* FakeProwl 10:38 pm *it feels Great. can he just, kind of, sort of...* *he's gonna... just... cllliiimb into tarantulas's lap* Tarantulas 10:38 pm *CHURR/PURR. good* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:38 pm *Huffs. Somehow, he's not surprised.* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:39 pm [[It wouldn't be so terrible if the wind wasn't blowing the sand everywhere.]] ItsyBitsySpyers 10:41 pm [[Good and warm.]] Tarantulas 10:41 pm Warm but dry. Not terribly good for a tarantula's complexion FakeProwl 10:41 pm Mm. The sand does ruin it, though. I prefer firmer ground. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:42 pm [[It had plenty of rocks.]] [[He could fly from mountain to mountain.]] Tarantulas 10:43 pm /You/ could. Don't get alt-blind. Tarantulas 10:43 pm I still don't know how to cartwheel FakeProwl 10:43 pm *and it could use fewer flying particles. even when calculating their movements in swarms, it was still the kind of view that could easily overload his processor.* The fact that I can't fly is exactly why I prefer firmer ground. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:44 pm [[...How to cartwheel?]]

[[And that is fair. He would not want you to be stuck in a grit pit.]] Tarantulas 10:45 pm Hyeh, yes, at least in alt mode. There's a species of spider that can cartwheel down sand dunes, and I've yet to replicate the act. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:47 pm *Gives Tarantulas a looking-over. He's curious, now.*

[[...Can your - paws? - hold your weight?]] FakeProwl 10:49 pm *prowl commences the very slow process of tangling his fingers into tara's chest setae. estimated time until full entanglement: five minutes.* Tarantulas 10:50 pm In both modes? Yes. It's the placement of mass in root mode that's the problem, I think. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:50 pm [[Top heaviness?]] Tarantulas 10:51 pm Not that simple - my pedes are dense as well, among other things. *wiggles his toes* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:52 pm [[He admits he would like to explore this structure himself.]]

*Looks at toes.* [[...They do not look dense.]] *Looks at Prowl. Should he leave you alone with that fur?* FakeProwl 10:53 pm *no no, you're fine.* Tarantulas 10:53 pm *hrm. is actually paying attention, curious* Tarantulas 10:54 pm *plops a pede on soundwave's lap. here, feel the heavier-than-expected* FakeProwl 10:55 pm *full entanglement achieved* Tarantulas 10:55 pm (( ....i missed the actual words This message has been removed. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:56 pm *Were Soundwave the grunting sort, he'd do so. How is something so damned thin and pointy so heavy?* *No wonder it hurt when Tarantulas kicked him that other time on the couch with Prowl.* FakeProwl 10:58 pm ((there's a little square on the screen)) ((thank)) ItsyBitsySpyers 10:58 pm ((my bad)) Tarantulas 10:59 pm *tsk. foolish* *no one ever listens to the smarter ones* Tarantulas 11:01 pm (( HE HAD TINY HEAD FLOOFS ItsyBitsySpyers 11:01 pm ((yes! and he wear the pony boots for hoofs)) Tarantulas 11:01 pm (( omg i didn't see em ItsyBitsySpyers 11:01 pm ((you will eventually)) FakeProwl 11:02 pm ((are we talking about his danger floofs?)) ItsyBitsySpyers 11:02 pm ((ye!)) FakeProwl 11:02 pm ((ee)) ItsyBitsySpyers 11:03 pm [[He must admit that they have fine fashion sense for organics.]] [[Many gladiators would have approved.]] Tarantulas 11:04 pm Vaguely spiderweb-esque as well. Decent. FakeProwl 11:05 pm It looks like if they bend their heads the wrong way, they're going to stab their necks. *worries about their fleshy little necks every time he sees them* Tarantulas 11:06 pm They've got collars, they'll be unfortunately alright. FakeProwl 11:06 pm It's the collars that worry me. Tarantulas 11:06 pm Shhh. *pets* FakeProwl 11:07 pm *that's condescending, but he's got fur on his head so it's okay.* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:08 pm *Has been thinking.* [[If you like the web aesthetic, why do you not wear any yourself? Armor or true webs. Is it because it will stick to the fur?]] ItsyBitsySpyers 11:09 pm *Slight twitch. That noise.* Tarantulas 11:10 pm No - that is, it would, but that's not why. *noise doesn't bother him, heh* FakeProwl 11:10 pm *winces* Tarantulas 11:10 pm *thank u dampeners* Tarantulas 11:16 pm Webbing is... a useful product, but I'm not a human. I don't wear my own designs for aesthetic reasons. Generally. *distracted* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:16 pm *Seeing this twice, he finally agrees with the Michael human.* FakeProwl 11:17 pm *that decision can only be made with the advantage of hindsight and intel that Starfleet doesn't have.* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:18 pm [[Generally? There are exceptions?]] FakeProwl 11:18 pm *Prowl thinks that they should have fired on that ship immediately; and, Prowl thinks that they should not have decided to fire on that ship immediately.* Is your entire body not your own design? Tarantulas 11:20 pm I knew you were going to say that, hyeh. ItsyBitsySpyers 11:20 pm *Stretch the arms. Arm. And legs. Too much time cooped up lately. He'll be glad when he can fly again.*

[[We will see more of these events soon. He has time to speak, but not to show the next documentary segment.]]

*Turns to listen to Tarantulas' answer to Prowl's question.* FakeProwl 11:21 pm Then I take it that's the referenced exception. Tarantulas 11:23 pm It's a matter of - how to put it. I designed the frame for itself, but I make webs for other reasons, utile ones. It seems silly to turn that around and wear a product of my frame like that, don't you think? Unless it's wholly deliberate - that's the exception. Tarantulas 11:24 pm *visor quirk* Is it just that you've been around humans long enough to have adopted their views? ItsyBitsySpyers 11:25 pm [[Who?]] Tarantulas 11:25 pm Either of you, but I meant Prowl primarily FakeProwl 11:25 pm ... Why me? I'm not the one suggesting you wear webs. Tarantulas 11:26 pm *is still petting prowl* I'm poking at your viewpoint, not your argument, love. FakeProwl 11:27 pm I haven't expressed a viewpoint /or/ an argument except that your body is your own design. I fail to see how that's a human notion, you /did/ design your body. *he's entirely befuddled as to what it is that's being poked at* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:29 pm [[Only the useful pieces. He asks because he has seen many mechs in the multiverse find something visually appealing about another species' ar-- outerwear, and try to replicate it.]] Tarantulas 11:31 pm *hff @ prowl* I mis-extrapolated, nevermind. I'll direct this at Soundwave then, that makes more sense - why /should/ I wear my webs? I've never met a Cybertronian in my universe who'd wear something they produced from their own body. I can imagine they /might/ if they were making a charm from their own armor or something, but that, hyeh, seems a bit edgy. FakeProwl 11:32 pm *with that resolved, he'll begin the slow process of burying his face in tarantulas's chest.* Tarantulas 11:32 pm I /did/ find something appealing - I took on the entire tarantula aesthetic, in case you couldn't tell. *visor quirk* But web-imagery is secondary, it's a product of a spider. FakeProwl 11:32 pm Have you ever met a Decepticon? Tarantulas 11:33 pm *facepalm* That's different. FakeProwl 11:34 pm No it's not. Wearing brands made from their own spark casing is exactly what you're describing. Tarantulas 11:34 pm Nnnno, the spark casing is a PART of them, not a product of them. ItsyBitsySpyers 11:34 pm [[It is also incredibly foolish.]] *Mental muttering.* FakeProwl 11:34 pm ... By that definition, armor isn't a "product" of them either. Tarantulas 11:34 pm Of course it's not. ...I see your point. *hhf.* I couldn't come up with a Cybertronian bodily product on the spot. FakeProwl 11:35 pm *turns face enough to aim question at Soundwave* Did your universe not do that? Lube. *you're welcome.* Tarantulas 11:36 pm *snorts* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:39 pm [[Crystallized lubricant could be interesting in small decorations. Especially if it glitters...]] *Please hold while his thoughts whip through a few different subjects before returning to the matter at hand.* [[No, we did not. That is, not as a rule. A few thought it some grand declaration of loyalty. Most of the rest of us didn't put our sparks on display for anyone who would replace us to snuff.]] FakeProwl 11:41 pm *mumbles something about fair trade for a tooth* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:41 pm [[Hmm?]] Tarantulas 11:41 pm Tooth? FakeProwl 11:42 pm *it's now too late to get answers. prowl's face has become one with the chest. fuzz everywhere.* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:42 pm *That's cheating.* *Looks accusingly at Tarantulas, like he grew the fur specifically so Prowl could use it to hide from that question.* FakeProwl 11:43 pm *he's been working his way there for ten minutes.* Tarantulas 11:43 pm *snickers and pets prowl affectionately* FakeProwl 11:43 pm *where are those pets landing, currently?* Tarantulas 11:44 pm *probably in like several different places* FakeProwl 11:44 pm *as long as prowl doesn't have to gently swat him away from the back of his head.* Tarantulas 11:44 pm *upper body, arm, shoulder, helm?* *tarantulas knows better than that by now* Does that answer your question, Soundwave? ItsyBitsySpyers 11:47 pm *Puffs. He supposes Prowl's dead to the world now, save for pettings, and Tarantulas seems to have that firmly in hand. Hands. Many of them.*

[[Yes. Though he doesn't see why it being a product of you should matter.]] *Thinking of things like the boxy Starscream's coronation.* [[It could be rather striking, in the right surroundings.]]

[[Besides, he would have to find some way to punish you for leaving it all over his club on multiple occasions if he found out you thought it was unclean.]] Tarantulas 11:47 pm Unclean? Hardly. ItsyBitsySpyers 11:48 pm [[Good.]] FakeProwl 11:48 pm «... You don't have any problem putting the product of your body on OTHER people. Why can it go on me but not on you?» ItsyBitsySpyers 11:49 pm ((is that public)) Tarantulas 11:50 pm That's what the exception is, silly. That was a... special occasion. FakeProwl 11:50 pm ((yes. because his mouth is now covered. he's gotta comm instead.)) Tarantulas 11:51 pm (( ohhhhh ItsyBitsySpyers 11:51 pm *Looks at the both of them and leans back a little. What /has/ he been missing?* Tarantulas 11:51 pm (( wink wonk FakeProwl 11:51 pm «... Ah. Yes. Makes sense. "Special occasion"? So it's not happening again?» Tarantulas 11:52 pm I didn't say that, now did I? FakeProwl 11:52 pm *the occasion hadn't felt very special. he thought tarantulas deserved a do-over.* FakeProwl 11:56 pm ... pff. *he's got setae in his mouth.* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:57 pm *That's why you keep it closed when you're doing that.* FakeProwl 11:57 pm *he tried to kiss. it was a bad idea.* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:57 pm *At least he didn't lick the stuff.* FakeProwl 11:58 pm *that, too, was a special occasion exception* Tarantulas 11:58 pm *tarantulas probably couldn't tell it was a kiss tho rite* Yesterday FakeProwl 11:58 pm *probably not, because it was interrupted by HAIR* Tarantulas 12:01 am *that's alright, prowl gets a kiss on the top of his helm in turn, even tho tara knows not* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:09 am *Soundwave has been watching this with... well, with no expression because visor. But his posture implies that he's contently observing his amica and his sort-of-friend and how they're interacting. It is good to see them both like this.*

*...Unfortunately, he has to send them off soon. He can't recharge and leave them both in here alone. He could with Prowl, but Tarantulas is still too... he can become tiny and get into places. So he'll ask his question and then gently send them on.*

[[He does not wish to disturb you both, but he must. It will be time to go, shortly. But first - Prowl, you mentioned specifications the other night...?]] FakeProwl 12:12 am «Ah. Yes, right. I meant to hand them over earlier.» *he's had a couple of distressingly distracting movie streams. ping. your specifications.* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:12 am *That's why he's not rushed it.*

[[Thank you. He'll see to them first thing tomorrow.]] Tarantulas 12:13 am ...Specs? *squint* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:13 am [[For a little trinket. Nothing too important.]] FakeProwl 12:13 am *oh, NOW tarantulas is going to be curious.* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:14 am *Good. It's about time the treads are on the other pede.* Tarantulas 12:14 am *when else could he have been curious?? he did ask about the tooth* FakeProwl 12:14 am *more curious, prowl means* *"it's not important" = "it's EXTRA FASCINATING"* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:15 am *He knows what he's saying, he speaks that language himself.* Tarantulas 12:15 am *fricken rude sw* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:15 am *He was going with playful, but all right.* Tarantulas 12:16 am ...If you say so. *hhmmm* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:18 am [[He does.]] *Pleased.* [[Would you both like a bridge somewhere together, or...?]]

*Doesn't want to assume they're going to separate places. Or that Tarantulas should be the one to open it. It seems rude, given the present situation and all. And that he's the host.* FakeProwl 12:19 am «Holomatter.» Tarantulas 12:19 am *u realize you've opened a can of worms, sw. but nvm that* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:19 am *Holomatter's never stopped you from accompanying him through one.* Tarantulas 12:20 am This message has been removed. FakeProwl 12:20 am *usually it's to the same building and he can use the same projectors. otherwise it's to a building within range of his own projector.* *reluctantly extracts face from Tarantulas's chest* Anyway, I shouldn't. I need the sleep. *if he can get it.* Tarantulas 12:20 am *sad hum* *tarantulas weakly tries to keep prowl* Could you not visit just for a few minutes? FakeProwl 12:22 am ... Are you going to recharge when you get home? Tarantulas 12:22 am Mmmmaybe? *if he says yes does that mean prowl will come, he hopes yes* FakeProwl 12:25 am ... So no. Tarantulas 12:26 am I /could/. FakeProwl 12:27 am I don't want to disrupt your schedule. Tarantulas 12:28 am *snrk* /What/ schedule? FakeProwl 12:29 am You know what I mean. If you don't feel like sleeping I don't want you to force yourself to sleep and mess yourself up. Tarantulas 12:31 am If it's only a little while, it can't hurt, now can it? FakeProwl 12:32 am I need more than a little while of recharge. Tarantulas 12:33 am *snuggles prowl close* Then simply come over for a quick chat. Please...? FakeProwl 12:34 am If I come over for a quick chat, I'll be there five hours. *very reluctantly disentangles his fingers.* I should go home. Tarantulas 12:36 am *sad visor is sad* Tarantulas 12:37 am But it's been quite a while... *sigh* I suppose I can't make you, though. Off with you now, you're making me miss you already. FakeProwl 12:38 am I'll try to visit soon. Tarantulas 12:38 am *tara's definitely playing this up in front of sw, just for the record* FakeProwl 12:38 am *right. he's gonna get off. it would be rude to literally disappear from tarantulas's lap* Tarantulas 12:39 am *rude and disorienting* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:39 am *He is 95% immune to this playing up. If Prowl is going home to get sleep it means /neither/ of them get to snooze with him. Also, he kinda sorta knows why Prowl hasn't been getting enough rest and if Prowl has any hope of fixing that, he's not going to interfere.* Tarantulas 12:40 am *tara follows prowl up as he goes, getting a nuzzle in real quick* Do, please. ItsyBitsySpyers 12:41 am *That said, he does send this, just to avoid having a cranky spider on his hands:*

@T: (txt): More viewings soon. Visitation possibility then. FakeProwl 12:41 am *a final nuzzle for tarantulas, a farewell ping to soundwave; and prowl disappears.* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:42 am *Ping.* Tarantulas 12:44 am *a dismissive paw at sw, he'll make his own plans. prowl gets a softly hummed "i love you, dear" before disappearing, and when prowl goes, tarantulas is off and away himself* *sw does get a goodbye tho, ofc. a somewhat smug one* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:45 am *Rude. Seems he got a cranky-ish spider anyway. What the smug is about, he doesn't know. At least there was a proper farewell.*

*No mesh off his back. He'll just go upstairs to check out those specifications and recharge.*