#i hope we see a glimpse of blurr too...

[0wldn0]

Can't wait for Transformers One!!! They keep me going fr...

[brightdarkness-2013]

Chapter 10 My Disaster Spread To Another Part So I Can Explore

We were on the ledge under the bridge. Going by boat was too much of a risk from what had been going on at the moment. So here we were just scouting the area out. The water crashed and churned weakly around the support structures making it all the more difficult to see what lay below the surface. Everything was far too quiet considering what had been going on. Blurr was pacing the other side with Arcee while Mirage and I went at a much more casual pace. Just searching for any sign of the mers causing the chaos. Then I caught a glimpse of something. Just a flash of muted white and soft black. My heart nearly leaped from my chest.

“Prowl?” My voice was soft as I kneeled near the edge.

I was caught between my amazement that he was alive and came back and how he could possibly be the cause of such destruction. Damn. If only I had some m&ms. I took a moment before I whistled a quiet tune. Cautiously I dipped my fingers in the water to snap a few times before drawing them back out. It wouldn’t do for me to be wrong and losing my hand in the process. There was cautious movement below the surface and I instinctively drew back a little. Reports suggested more that one. Even if Prowl was back that meant that there was one or more that didn’t know me and would probably act aggressively to my entering their space.

“Prowl? Ya down there, Prowler?”

There was nothing for a time and I had began to lose hope when a dual colored mer settled just under the surface. Still and cautious. The much more noticeable red that lined his tail fin came into view for a second and I found my hope replenished. I couldn’t keep myself from grinning.

“Prowl. Hey there pal.” I greeted as I touched the top of the water with my fingertips.

He glided around my hand and to the ledge where he popped up cautiously. I could see Blurr and Arcee stop to watch us on the other side and the way he glanced to my right every so often I knew Mirage was as well.

“So you’ve been causing trouble lately, huh?” I setted more casually on the edge. “I really thought ya weren’t going to come back. I’m happy and all that ya did, but attacking people is just going to make things worse for ya. Keep this up and you’ll end up hurt again.”

I could hear Mirage talking to someone quietly via phone or walkie talkie. Prowl glanced around every once in awhile. I couldn’t tell if he was just wary of the others or if he was searching for Blaster. He didn’t look as bad off as I thought he would. Most definitely underfed, but he looked ok. It felt good to know he was ok and be able to talk to him again.

“Blaster’s not here. He’s doing whatever it is Blaster’s do. He’s still on that path to marine biologist though. So anyway ya don’t look like you’re starving to death yet. A little thinner maybe, but it looks like you’ve been managing.”

I ghosted my fingers along an earfin to test the waters. He didn’t flinch away or try and swipe at me so I closed the rest of the distance. Things were just as they were supposed to be for about two seconds before the water broke and I was throwing myself back and out of the way of a large black and white mer. He had way more black and was far more aggressive. This one was, I had no doubt trying to rip my head off. Mirage was at my side in a second and Prowl with a hiss lunged at the other mer. My heart was pounding and the water gave nothing away as to what was happening below it. The sounds however did. Distorted growls and yelps just reached the surface. Then the water was slowly giving off shades of red. The water thrashed and then it just stopped.

4444444444444444444444 The Fours Are Infiltrating The Government!444444444444

I was struggling with the question of whether or not I had killed my friend as we pulled an angry mer out of the water to be loaded onto the truck and taken to the facility. It was covered in slashes and bite marks and I had to guess that Prowl was in a similar condition. However the sneaky and clever mer he was, he was gone. No clue as to where he went, but thankfully Blaster had a brain that wasn’t riddled with worry and guilt and had pointed us in the direction of the cove. And low and behold he was curled up on the perch. He had his own gashes and the most we got were some low growls and whimpers. It had been much easier to catch him than last time. Ratchet had about beat my head in and screamed my ear off for being stupid after he and Aid went to work in taking care of the two winged mers. However I didn’t mind too much. I didn’t care so long as Prowl would be alright.

I sighed as I touched my forehead to the glass. “I really hope I didn’t get ya killed.”

Prowl was in one of the quarantine tanks and the other mer was in another in the next room. He hadn’t given even the slightest hint of waking since he was moved in.

“He’s not as bad as the other one. I think he’ll be fine.” Blaster added his own sigh to the silence. “So what did you do that made them fight?”

“I don’t know. One minute I was talking to Prowl and the next that other one was trying to rip out my intestines.”

“Well you must’ve done something. From what I understand so far they’re thinking their siblings. It makes sense that they’d fight prior to this when trying to decide an alpha after mourning, but This was not about dominance nor are fights for the new alpha position this bloody or damaging. So again… What did you do?”

“I was just talking to him. Petting his ear fin. Ya know the usual.”

“Yeah… You fucked up.”

“What? How?”

“You don’t just go and touch a mer. You know this. It was probably just trying protect him you idiot.”

“Well thanks. That means a lot. You’re such a Great friend.”

“I know.”

Next

First

Masterpost

[starshine583]

Le Paon Part 7

(Here’s the next part! I hope you guys enjoy!)

Part 1 / Part 6 / Part 8

Marinette shivered as the chill of the ice rink crawled up her legs and arms. The brown fur of her jacket clung to her pink mittens as she pulled it tighter around her waist.

“Remind me why we’re here again?” She asked Alya through chattering teeth. She knew the staff needed to keep the room cold for the ice, but this was a bit overkill, in her opinion.

“To ice skate! Why else would we be here?” Alya said, tapping away on her phone with a grin.

Marinette’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve never wanted to go ice skating in your life. Why are we really here?”

Was there an event she didn’t know about? Maybe the ice rink was giving away Ladybug merch? 

“Come on, Marinette. Can’t we just have some girl time together?”

“Alya, Nino’s right over there.” Marinette replied, throwing her thumb over her shoulder to emphasize the dj currently on the bench tying his ice skates. 

“And so’s half the class.” She added, gesturing to the ice rink where Juleka and Rose were skating together, along with Mylene and Ivan. Alex would occasionally pass by in a blurr. Apparently, when you’ve roller bladed for so long, learning to ice skate isn’t much of a challenge. 

Alya held up her hands defensively. “Okay, so I invited a few extra people. Is that so wrong?”

Marinette was about to answer when she caught a glimpse of Alya’s screen, seeing exactly who the brunette had been texting this whole time.

“Tell me you didn’t.”

“Hm? Didn’t what?” Her best friend asked innocently, swiftly pulling the phone behind her back.

Marinette groaned, putting her hands over her face. “Alya, I told you that there’s nothing between me and Felix!”

“Who said anything about Felix?”

She pulled her hands down enough to give Alya a pointed look. “How far out are they?”

“...ten minutes.”

“Alya!”

“So I asked Adrien and Felix to come skate with us!” Alya finally admitted, crossing her arms. “As long as you don’t have feelings for each other, it shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

Marinette sighed. They both knew that her feelings towards Felix didn’t matter. Alya was going to create problems no matter what.

“How did you even get them to come? Isn’t Adrien’s schedule usually packed?” 

“Usually, but he said he’d make room. Adrien was so excited about it that he actually asked to bring Felix before I could.” Alya explained casually.

So, Adrien’s the one that convinced Felix to come? That was a surprise. She hoped he didn’t force him into it or anything. Skating with them wouldn’t be fun if Felix wasn’t enjoying himself too. 

“I guess if Adrien’s so excited..” She trailed off.

Alya clapped her hands together. “Girl, this is going to be so much fun! Try to aim for Felix as much as possible when you fall.”

Marinette scoffed, ignoring the heat that rushed to her cheeks. “When she falls”? How did Alya know she was going to fall? What if Ice skating was a secret hobby of hers, and she could glide on the ice without a second thought?

...okay, so she was totally going to fall, but that didn’t mean she could aim for Felix in the process! Even if she could, she wouldn’t! The poor blonde has probably had enough of her already- seeing him at the bakery, convincing him to join the art club, going to his house. Heck, she practically tripped into him at school on a daily basis. 

“Hey, get that nervous look off your face.” Alya ordered, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Everything is going to go perfectly according to plan.”

“Plan?” Marinette repeated. “You had a plan for this?”

“Okay, enough talk. Let’s get you out on the ice. You need to get a little used to it before the boys get here.” Alya said, avoiding Marinette’s question.

Before she could argue, Alya pushed her forward, out onto the rink. Marinette flailed her arms, barely managing to catch the side of the wall. 

Ice skating. Out of everything she could have picked, Alya chose ice skating. Why not get together at the park? Or take a trip to the zoo? Why did she have to choose an activity that required balance and grace- two things Marinette didn’t have. If Alya wanted her and Felix together, the least she could have done was help Marinette look more dignified.

She hobbled around the ice rink, trying to make it to the exit before the boys got there. Alya was behind her, urging her on, so she couldn’t go backwards. 

As soon as she was close enough, Marinette dove for the exit. Unfortunately, she learned too late that running on ice skates wasn’t the best idea. The blades on her skates tilted, and Marinette threw her arms up with a yelp as she surged forward. 

She was only too grateful when a pair of arms wrapped around her to stop her fall.

“I’m starting to think you’re doing this on purpose.” A man chuckled, drawing her eyes upwards.

“Felix! Hey. You guys are here. Right now.” 

“Hey, Marinette.” Adrien greeted, giving her a wave. “It looks like we made it just in time.”

“Yeah, uh.. Thanks.” Marinette said awkwardly, pushing herself off of Felix. 

Alya came up to them just then. “Hey, boys! I’m glad you could make it!”

She then sent Felix a mischievous smirk. “I see you two are already all over each other.”

Marinette choked, and Felix cleared his throat, both turning a bright red. They hadn’t even been here two minutes yet!

Adrien shared Alya’s smile, unbeknownst to Marinette, and pat Felix on the shoulder. “Let’s go put our skates on.”

“I think that’d be a good idea.” Felix replied, hastily retreating to the bench behind them. Adrien followed after him, leaving the girls alone. 

Marinette shot Alya a glare. “Knock it off.”

Alya failed to hold back a wry grin. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m serious, Al. Felix isn’t a people person as it is. I don’t want him to be uncomfortable or he might not want to hang out with us anymore.”

“I see..” Alya nodded thoughtfully. “So you’re saying you do want to hang out with him?”

“Alya, focus!”

Her friend laughed. “Kidding, kidding..sort of. Anyway, I’ll be subtle.”

“Subtle, what? No! Just don’t do anything!” Marinette pleaded.

Alya laughed, as if this was all a game, and it only worried her more. How far was her friend willing to go to see whatever it was she wanted to see happen?

The boys returned a few minutes later, skates on. 

“So.. How does this work?” Felix asked as they all hobbled back out onto the ice.

Marinette furrowed her eyebrows. “Have you never seen an ice rink before?”

“I’ve watched a few competitions on tv.” Felix said, slightly defensive. “I’m a bookworm. Sue me.”

She snorted. “Well, this is my first time skating too. I’m not sure there are instructions for it. You just kind of.. Glide on the ice? I don’t know..”

Felix frowned and looked down at his skates. “Sounds easy enough..”

“Doesn’t it?” Alya cut in, leaning on one of Marinette’s shoulder. “As long as you have good balance, ice skating’s a piece of cake. Right, Mari?”

At the end of the sentence, Alya nudged her again, and, for the second time, Marinette found herself falling into Felix. 

He grabbed onto her, but the ice underneath wasn’t as stable as the carpet was earlier. They both slipped from the momentum, and she heard a grunt escape him when his back hit the wall.

“Oh my gosh, are you two okay? I’m so sorry!” Alya cried, feigning concern as they fumbled to stand back up. 

“I’m so sorry for this.” Marinette muttered.

“Is she always this pushy?” He mumbled back.

“Wait, I think Rose is calling me. I’ll be right back!” Alya excused, despite knowing no one had called out to her.

The brunette skated away, to Marinette’s relief.

Subtle, my behind.

“She means well I swear.” Marinette said apologetically as she balanced herself with the ice rink’s walls.

“What is she trying to do?” He asked, eyeing the brunette as she left.

“Uh..” How to answer this without making things awkward? 

“Who knows? It’s Alya.”

He tilted his head in a nod. “True.”

They stood there for a moment, not quite sure what to do. Marinette would’ve started skating, but she honestly didn’t trust herself to not fall again. Felix didn’t seem confident either, if his death grip on the wall was any indication.

“Marinette?”

Her heart skipped a beat.

“Hm?”

His gaze flicked from her to his feet. “I haven’t done this before, and frankly, I’m not very good at it.”

“...Okay?” Where was he going with this?

“It goes without saying that you’re not skilled at this, either.”

Marinette pushed aside her agitation towards the comment in favor of reason. What he said wasn’t wrong.

“And?” 

He caught her gaze again, and something akin to nervousness laced his tone as he said, “Let’s brace each other.”

Marinette frowned. “Brace each other?” 

“Exactly.” Felix shifted on the ice. “We’d simply be holding onto each other to stay balanced.”

Her eyes widened, though she tried not to overreact. Holding onto each other how? Were they going to hold hands or just hold onto each other’s shoulders? 

“Won’t you be uncomfortable?” She asked.

He shrugged. “Not if it’s you.”

Marinette flushed, which caused Felix to blush too. 

“I-I’m sorry, that came out wrong.”

“No, no, it’s..” She drew in a small breath to calm herself. “You said hold onto each other? Like this?”

Carefully, She slipped her hand into his, fighting down the butterflies in her stomach. They weren’t actually holding hands. Well- they were, but it didn’t mean anything. This was just two friends trying to help each other survive an afternoon of ice skating. No more, no less.

Felix squeezed her hand back, not helping her heart in any way. “Yes, that should work.”

“O-okay. Good.” 

With one acting as a pillar for the other, they had the courage to push off of the wall. Marinette pulled on his hand to keep her steady, but in doing so, threw Felix off balance. He pulled on her as well, which ended up tugging Marinette against his shoulder. 

Marinette yelped, snaking her other arm around Felix's to keep them from yanking each other around. 

"I'm not sure this plan is working." She thought aloud, holding back a smile. They probably looked ridiculous to the other customers.

The soft fabric of Felix's coat brushed her cheek as his shoulders shook from his laugh. "Well, it's sort of working. We haven't fallen yet."

Marinette nodded in agreement. "True."

They kept going, and Marinette tried to ignore how close They were, or how her heart refused to keep calm. It’s like Alya said: as long as she doesn’t have any feelings for Felix, it shouldn’t be a problem.

So why was it a problem?

~~~~~~

Felix barely contained his grin as he loosened the laces on his ice skates. Not only had he spent most of last night with Marinette as Le Paon- the tea was delightful. They even played a few games of chess! -He also got to spend the morning ice skating with her. The faint scent of vanilla from her clinging to him still lingered on his coat after they left the rink, and he made a mental note to procrastinate cleaning his coat for as long as he could.

“You look like you had fun.” Adrien commented, sitting down next to him.

Felix forced a neutral expression. “Why wouldn’t I have fun?”

His brother snorted. “Um, because you’re you. Don’t act like Marinette holding onto you isn’t the only reason you’re happy.”

Felix snapped up and smacked Adrien in the shoulder. 

“Shh! What are you thinking?” He hissed, glancing around the rink. Thankfully, Marinette was absorbed in her conversation with Alya. 

“What if she heard you?”

“Well, it doesn’t matter, right?” Adrien replied, an aggravating smirk tugging at his lips. “You said you didn’t love her. So what I say doesn’t matter.”

“No, but if Marinette heard you, she would be mislead. Save your antics for the ride home.” Felix said, slipping off his skates and reaching for his shoes.

“Man, you’re pretty deep in denial, huh?” 

He resisted the urge to growl. Getting riled up would only “prove him right”. “I’m not in denial. I’m simply stating the facts. I do not love Marinette, nor does she love me and nothing will ever happen between us.”

“That’s exactly what someone in denial would say.”

“Adrien-”

“Hey, Agrestes!” Alya suddenly called, cutting their conversation short. Felix had never been happier getting interrupted.

The brunette walked over to them, with Marinette nervously following after her. “We’re thinking of going to the park. Do you guys want to come?”

Felix went to decline- they barely fit ice skating into their schedule as it was -when Adrien practically pushed him out of the way.

“We’d love to go!” His brother grinned.

Alya clasped her hands together. “Perfect! We’ll meet up outside.”

Felix pushed Adrien back as the girls walked away and glared at him. “What was that? Gorilla’s picking us up in five minutes for your shoot. We can’t go to the park.”

“Aw, come on, Fe. Don’t you want to spend more time with Marinette?” Adrien said lightheartedly.

“I don’t think you understand. We’re leaving. Whether I want to spend time with Marinette or not is irrelevant.” He replied curtly.

“So that’s a ‘yes’ then?”

Felix scoffed, but Adrien stood. 

“I’ll send Gorilla a text to give us an extra half hour. It’ll be fine.” He remarked, waving his hand as if to wave off the subject.

Felix swiftly tied his black dress shoes and followed his brother outside to continue arguing. After today’s shoot, they were going to be prepped for a charity ball, and later that night, Adrien needed to try on the outfits for the next fashion show to get them adjusted. Telling Gorilla to “give them an extra thirty minutes” wasn’t going to work.

He stepped outside, where Adrien was gingerly talking with the girls, but before he could take his brother aside, Marinette called out to him.

“Felix! Are you sure you’re okay going to the park with us? You didn’t seem too excited about it earlier.” She asked, offering him a small, yet understanding smile.

Felix sighed. It was only too tempting to forget about their schedule and enjoy a day with Marinette.

“About the park-”

Screams cut his apology short, and the group looked up to see people fleeing the streets. An odd, blue substance was covering the streets, spreading onto the buildings and street lamps, but not the cars or civilians. 

“I thought Ice skating was over.” Adrien quipped.

Felix rolled his eyes at the joke, but ignored it for the time being. If an akuma was out, that meant Chat Noir and Ladybug would be there too. He needed to find a place to transform.

“Oh! An akuma! I need to go get my phone!” Alya squealed, searching through her purse. “Ugh- I must have left in the lockers! Be right back.”

She darted inside the building, and Marinette started inching after her. “I should- uh -go check on her and make sure she doesn’t get hurt.”

“We should all go in to take cover.” Felix advised, grabbing Adrien by the wrist so he couldn’t slip away. 

They all ran inside, closing the door just before the frost hit. Within seconds, the building was layered in a thick sheet of ice. Adrien tried opening the door again out of curiosity, but to no avail. They were stuck. If that wasn’t bad enough, the temperature dropped as soon as the wave of ice passed them, reminding Felix of their walk-in freezer at the mansion.

“Go find Alya.” He said to Marinette, his breath coming out in puffs of white now. “I’ll search the ice rink for any extra coats or blankets.”

Marinette nodded and ran off, while Felix and Adrien separated to search the rink. Of course, once the others were out of sight, Felix stopped searching to transform. He felt bad abandoning Marinette and Adrien, but if he could get the miraculous, the akuma would be recalled, and they would be safe.

“Duusu, spread my feathers!”

Magic wrapped around him, and he found himself grateful for the feathers decorating his tail coat and gloves. They kept him warm and comfortable.

Carefully, Le Paon crept around the building, trying to find an exit. The doors were his first choice, but Adrien had proven earlier that that was no longer an option. There weren’t any windows either. 

“What to do.. What to do..” He muttered to himself. Things were getting colder by the second. If he didn’t get out and retrieve the miraculous soon, Paris might freeze to death.

A gust of wind sent a shiver down his spine, and he turned to find the source. If there was a draft, then there was a hole somewhere. Maybe he could fit through it. 

The draft led him to a collapsed hole in the wall of the Janitor’s closet. It was a bit random in Le Paon’s opinion, but whatever helped him escape. The ice probably weakened the building’s structure or something, and it caved in on itself.

Le Paon climbed through the hole, immediately regretting it as the wind chill hit him outside. He thought the temperature inside was bad, but this was numbing. The cold seeped into his very bones. Father was going to get an earful if he got sick.

Once Le Paon made it to the rooftops, he grit his teeth and started sprinting towards the direction the ice had come from. Hopefully, this akuma would have enough reason and control over his powers to take things down a notch. (And by that, he meant turn the heat up a good few notches.)

Le Paon found the akuma a few minutes later at the top of the Eiffel Tower, watching over the city with a chilling smile. 

“So, who are you supposed to be?” He asked as he stopped next to them.

The akuma merely spared him a glance. “You may call me ‘Blizzard’.”

Le Paon clicked his tongue. “Blizzard? You couldn’t come up with anything better than that?” 

Blizzard looked at him fully then, a deep scowl wrinkling his hard features. “I didn’t choose it. Hawkmoth did.” 

“Excuses, Excuses.” 

Blizzard scoffed. “Are you the partner Hawkmoth told me about?”

He nodded. “You can call me ‘Le Paon’, and if you want my help, you’re going to have to turn up the heat.”

“Yeah.. no can do. My powers work best in the cold, and it helps slow the heroes down. You’re just going to have to suck it up, bird boy.” 

Le Paon resisted the urge to snap at him. They needed to work together, after all, and Blizzard’s plan was a decent one. Ladybug and Chat Noir would be inconvenienced by the cold, and though Le Paon himself would be put at a disadvantage as well, at least Blizzard had the upper hand. 

As if on queue, a yo-yo wrapped around the beam that Blizzard and Le Paon were standing on. Ladybug was seen swinging up the front of the Eiffel Tower, while Cat Noir was slowly making his way up the other side. This time, however, something was different about their costumes. Ladybug had a silver, hectagon pattern covering her suit, along with some crystal-like accessories and an ice crown. Cat Noir didn’t have the hectagon pattern, but he had the crystal-like accessories. On top of that, they both had ice skates.

..What?

“Th-they don’t look like they’re.. slowing down to m-me.” Le Paon commented, his teeth chattering at this point. 

Blizzard tisked and shifted into a fighting stance. “Just shut up and be useful.” 

Le Paon bit back a “That’s my line” and shifted into a fighting stance as well. Ladybug and Chat Noir were on them in an instant. Chat Noir used his staff to close the gap between them and aimed for Blizzard, while Ladybug drew her yo-yo back to attack Le Paon. 

Both parties split up, Blizzard falling down the tower, and Le Paon opting to climb higher. As he neared the top, Le Paon noticed Blizzard using his right glove to create icicles and ramps along the tower’s edge. It was a nice strategy, but flawed. Chat Noir was following him easily as Blizzard made a clear pathway behind him.

Le Paon stopped at the top of the tower. Naturally, Ladybug did the same. With no where else to run, the two lunged for each other. Le Paon used his fan to try to cut her yo-yo and trap her up there, but the darn thing seemed to be indestructible. So, he tried the next best thing. When she threw her yo-yo at him again, Le Paon caught the end of it.

He smirked when her eyes widened in surprise. Before she could recover, he started circling her with the end of the yo-yo, wrapping it around her body to tie her up. Unfortunately, he underestimated her quick-thinking. 

Ladybug threw herself backwards, effectively yanking the end of her yo-yo out of his hands. That’s all it took for her to get free. A simple flick of the wrist brought the yo-yo swinging back around her to her hand. She threw the yo-yo at him again, and he barely missed it as he flipped backwards into the air. 

Le Paon’s feet landed on the railing, but the frost covering the tower didn’t hold him as well as he’d hoped it would. Le Paon felt his feet slip out from underneath him, and the next thing he knew, he was falling off of the Eiffel Tower. 

Le Paon struggled in the air, trying to grab onto something- a hatch, a loose wire, anything. The wind rushed through his ears, so cold it pricked like needles across his skin. He tried to activate his hovering ability, but it only slowed his fall a bit, not enough to help. Blizzard was too preoccupied with Chat Noir. Hawkmoth was at the mansion. 

The ground grew beneath him, and Le Paon started to panic. His miraculous protected him from most harm, but a fall like this wouldn’t be pretty. He needed to stop. How could he stop? What else could he do? What-

Something wrapped around his left ankle, and, without warning, he came to a jerking halt. 

Le Paon sharply inhaled, fighting down the pain as he started to swing back and forth. Whatever he felt now was at least better than smashing into the pavement below. 

He looked up to see Ladybug holding her yo-yo with a death grip and staring back down at him. Was it him or did she look..worried? Why would she look worried? On top of that, why would she save him? Weren’t they supposed to be enemies?

The worry faded before he could find an answer, and she started pulling back and forth on the yo-yo. Le Paon felt himself swaying more and more with each pull. He didn’t understand what she was doing until a particularly hard pull sent him soaring into the center of the Eiffel Tower, right in front of Blizzard.

There was a split second of shock between the two before they collided. Blizzard had been in the middle of freezing a path, causing his glove to cover them in ice when they crashed. Le Paon thrashed around as much as he could, but it was no use. They were frozen together.

“Unfreeze it.” Le Paon hissed.

“I can’t. That’s not how my power works.” Blizzard bit back.

Chat Noir was already standing next to them, a triumphant grin spreading across his lips. 

“You’ve done it again, M’Lady.” He called to the spotted hero above.

Ladybug dropped down next to him, hooking her yo-yo to her side. “All in a day’s work, Kitty.” 

“Now, how do we get the glove out of the ice?” 

She pulled out a spotted ice pick and hammer- who knows when she had time to call those -and started chipping away at the ice. Blizzard tried to create more ice as a makeshift shield, but without mobility, his powers were useless. Ladybug plucked the glove off of his hand after a few minutes of picking and easily tore it in half. The butterfly came fluttering out, and she wasted no time cleansing it. 

A teenage boy was left in the ice, shivering and confused.

“W-where am I?” 

The heroes offered him a sympathetic smile.

“You were akumatized, but you’re safe now.” Ladybug said softly. 

The boy seemed panicked at the news. “C-Can you get me o-out? It’s c-c-cold.”

Le Paon tensed as Ladybug cast the miraculous cure, readying himself. The ice melted away, and while Chat Noir caught the boy before he could fall, Le Paon made sure Ladybug didn’t grab him. He swung his fan at her, causing her to jump back. Once he started falling again, Le Paon used his hover ability to land on another platform below. With that, he darted towards the other side of the city to find a hiding place and detransform. Ladybug and Chat Noir may have won this fight, but this wasn’t the end. His Father would make sure of it.

~~~~~~

Marinette slipped back into the ice rink as quietly as possible. Hopefully the others hadn’t worried too much. She could only imagine what Felix and Alya did once they realized she wasn’t there. How was she going to explain that away? 

She was lucky the air vents hadn’t been sealed up like the rest of the building. Otherwise, Chat Noir would have had to fight alone today. Those cookies she found were helpful, too, though Tikki still hadn’t fully explained where they came from. The note that was with the miniature box of treats was signed by a “Master”. Who could that be?

“He’ll reveal himself to you when the time is right.” Was all her kwami had said, only deepening her curiosity. How did this man know about the miraculous? Why couldn’t she meet him now? When would the ‘right time’ be?

“Marinette! There you are!” 

Her thoughts were brought back to the present when Alya called out her name. She flashed a smile, but it faded when she saw Alya wasn’t alone.

“When did Nino get here?” She asked, noting how close they were and the fact that Alya’s arm was wrapped around Nino’s.

“He never left! Apparently, he forgot his headphones in the locker. When I came back to get my phone, we bumped into each other and, since I couldn’t find you guys, we started talking.” Alya explained.

“Oh.. That’s an interesting coincidence.” 

“I know right!” Nino smiled. “Turns out, we actually have a lot in common.” 

“Huh.. Well, I’m happy it worked out.” Marinette said, her smile reappearing. Maybe this meant Alya wouldn’t question her absence?

She should’ve known she wouldn’t be that lucky.

“Thanks, girl. Now, where were you off to? You and Felix were both gone you know.” A familiar spark came to Alya’s eyes. Marinette knew what she was implying.

She let out a nervous laugh. “R-really? That’s crazy. I mean, we definitely weren’t together, but it’s totally weird we were both gone.”

Alya hummed, obviously not believing a word she said, which was a bit ironic because, for once, Marinette wasn’t lying. She and Felix weren’t together during the attack, and it was weird that he disappeared. Where did he go? Actually, where was he now? She hadn’t seen Adrien or Felix since she got there.

“Wait, where are the boys?” She asked, leaning around Alya and Nino to somewhat look for them.

Alya playfully rolled her eyes. “Oh, sure. Don’t act like you don’t know.” 

“No, seriously, I-”

“Yo, Nino! What are you doing here?” A voice suddenly piped up. 

The trio turned to see Adrien making his way through the bleachers towards them.

“Yo, dude! I accidentally got stuck in the ice rink with you guys.” Nino greeted, separating from Alya to talk with Adrien. Alya appeared to be put off by the action, but didn’t say anything. 

“Wow, really? Small world.” Adrien chuckled, bumping his fist with Nino’s once they got close enough.

Now all that’s left was..

“What’s all of the commotion about?” 

Marinette nearly jumped out of her own skin when Felix spoke up behind her. When did he walk into the room? How did she not notice him before-hand?

“Nino was apparently in the rink with us.” Alya supplied. “Where were you, though?”

Felix hesitated. “Ah.. I was.. searching for blankets. I never found any, though.” 

Alya only hummed again, sending Marinette a smirk.

Marinette just rolled her eyes, but before she could respond, Adrien spoke again.

“Are we still going to the park?” 

Alya laughed. “Uh- duh. Of course we’re still going to the park.”

“If you guys want to.” Marinette added, glancing at Felix. 

Felix sighed. “Actually, we have to-” 

A car horn interrupted him, and Adrien groaned.

“We have to go to a photo shoot.” He finished apologetically.

Disappointment leaked into Marinette’s stomach at the fact that they couldn’t come, but she smiled anyway. “That’s okay. Maybe another time.” 

Felix seemed to perk up at that. “Yes, perhaps. We’ll see you at school.”

Marinette nodded, storing the words in her heart as a small hope. He hadn’t exactly promised or anything, but the fact that he didn’t flat out refuse in the first place was enough for her.

“See you at school.” 

~~~~~~

Hawkmoth threw his cane against the wall with a rageful cry. His akuma failed again, and he was no closer to getting the miraculous than when he started. 

“This isn’t working!” He yelled to the empty dome. At this rate, Emily would never be cured!

“Perhaps it’s time to change partners.” Nathalie suggested from behind him. “Felix is only a boy, after all. Giving him the Peacock miraculous may have been more than he could handle.” 

“No, no, Felix isn’t the problem. It’s Ladybug.” He scowled. “We need to find a weakness, something we can use against her.” 

“Against Ladybug, sir?” 

Hawkmoth nodded, a sinister smile crawling onto his lips. 

“I think it’s time to change tactics.”

Tag List:  @im-here-for-the-content @novicevoice @mewwitch@minightrose @frostymoon11 @multishipper1needshalp@unabashedbookworm @unholykrow @trubel43@kaydenth3gayden @stardustrevoutionx @legendaryneckjudgestudent @aurordraws @crazylittlemunchkin @uwuteamleader @chocolatecustarddanish @iambi-thilla-meena @corabeth11 @asainfrustration13  @chrismarium @agumon1123 @luciferge @yue-caelum @persephonebutkore @constancetruggle @fanficaddict4ever @johnlockfeelz @imfreakingmagical @tinybrie @procrastinatingrightnow @bee-wrecker @dontcallmecedge @shadowhex99 @daminette-is-life @thethirdwheelfriend @myazael @sizzling-fairy-oil @sparkle9510 @chaosace @the-navistar-carol @sannsibarr @grumpy-vixen-kitten @hauntedfreakdeputyhero @utcaro 

[shadowdianne]

The mysterious grey blob returns with yet another prompt. Should you choose to accept this challenge, it must be completed AFTER A GOOD NIGHT'S REST. Ahem. Five words: Narcissa teaches Hermione about art. Go nuts-- provided you have slept.

Hello blob. (Tagging your creator since tumblr is not the best at letting people know their ask has been answered: @naralanis) I truly hope you like this approach xD

Also: A03 version

-The description of the National gallery is amix of what I remember from the time I visited London and the few pictures andvids I’ve been able to find. Probably not perfect and one part of my fic writerpersona is crying at but I implore clemency on that.

Also, insert here the usual disclaimer of I’mstill learning to navigate through these characters so apologies for anyOOCness.

PS: Slight mention to another one shot I wrote titled“Halt”. Which, as a jibe to our tumblr situation of not being able to writeyou-know-what I will merely describe it as lemon.

On with the story, shall we?

The museumwas about to close, the echoes of quiet steps from the few people still walkingthrough the maze of mixed big chambers and quiet corners a barely-there soundthat Hermione didn’t truly pay attention at as she walked briskly to one of thesmaller rooms; the lavender hue in where the walls were painted framing thepaintings she passed by a blurr, the golden frames that supported each portraita glimmer as she craned her neck; trying to find the blonde witch she had regrettablyleft behind a few minutes ago.

She foundher staring at one small portrait, back facing her and hands grasping the longsleeves of the blouse she wore; perhaps just slightly closer to the wizardingworld’s fashion than the muggle one but simple enough to not truly stand out inthe middle of the Gallery. Smiling despise the slight soreness on her calvesafter wandering for so long inside the museum, the brunette witch approachedthe older woman, tilting her head just enough so she could get a glimpse ofNarcissa’s profile; on the easy, yet small and soft, smile that curved herlips. Lips the brunette looked at for what felt the hundredth time ever sincethe woman had apparated inside her home a few hours ago; the shade of faded byobvious red the only thing she could truly focus on.

UntilNarcissa rose the blonde brow she was able to see from her position and turnedtowards her, soft smile turning into an almost teasing one.

“Boredalready?” The question held the same mirth-laced tone her expression conveyed,and Hermione found herself blushing just slightly, the heat on her cheeksrising and then fading as she swallowed, shrugging noncommittally as sheapproached the older witch with less brusque steps.

“I’m notbored.” She protested, but it was a feeble try and both of them knew. It wastruly no secret that art, any form of it, wasn’t exactly something she admired.Not in the same capacity Narcissa obviously did. “I just didn’t think you wouldfind muggle paintings so interesting.”

That, atleast, was partially true. When Narcissa had mentioned the idea of a date likethis Hermione had needed a few seconds to process. Not because she doubtedNarcissa’s capacity to enjoy muggle-made things (that much had been proved theday after her elevator had broken and she had carried her to every other placeshe had been to think off that the blonde witch would enjoy) but because shehad ingrained the notion that every portrait in the wizarding world moved quitedeeply. Watching immobile paintings didn’t seem like something Narcissa Blackwould enjoy.

She obviouslyneeded to re-check her facts because the blonde had been completely enamored byevery other painting they had come across, pointing details Hermione wasn’teven able to focus on before her own mind pushed her to move forwards.Something that, back when she had been a child, had elicited a sigh from herparents more times than she was able to remember as she memorized the shortlines beneath every other portrait before declaring she was already done.

And,despite the years passed, she seemed to still be holding on that habit as,after more than an hour of following Narcissa around she had found herselfwalking quicker between the rooms, paying attention to a few portraits here andthere, glancing at artists, dates and the sparse descriptions before moving tothe next one. Which had led her to finish way quicker than the woman she nowhad in front of her; almost immobile if it wasn’t because of the small knowingglint on her eyes, the trembling of her upper lip.

“But I do.”The older witch finally replied, raising her chin, pointing at the portrait shehad been staring at before Hermione had found her. At some place at their backthe brunette could hear the quiet whispers of a couple walking, probablytowards the same direction she had just come from: The Exit. “Painting… or anyother form of art really is just an interesting form of magic. Whether if thepaintings are imbued with hexes or not.” The addition to her first statement madeHermione blush again, forcing her eyes to focus past Narcissa and the blue andblack palette she had chosen for her clothes that day and gaze the painting onitself.

She wasable to recognize it, of course; the title coming to her just a second beforeher eyes -majorly because of simply muscle memory- fell to the small noteattached to it.

“TheArnolfini portrait.” Her mutter echoed between them, the quiet voices of thecouple lost in the maze once more as Narcissa nodded approvingly, the movementcausing Hermione to glance back at her; curious.

Of all theportraits the National Gallery had she would have never considered this one inparticular would catch the other witch’s attention. She could remember someone-her mother perhaps? - telling her about the complexity of the portrait, thedetails hidden to the naked eye, the use of lighting and colors. Still, thescene presented to the viewer wasn’t really all that majestic if someone wantedher opinion; two people, man and woman, looking directly to them, hands intertwined.

“Goodmemory.” Narcissa’s voice reached her from behind, the brunette realizing toolate that the blonde had approached her, standing closer than before, slightlyto her back. Her tone was but a whisper, the pitch soft and the words caressingher earlobe in the form of soft puffs of air. Despite her automatic try ofmasking her emotions on such a public place Hermione couldn’t help theautomatic pleasurable shiver that run down her spine; the praising getting thebest of her.

“Don’t dothat.” She replied, and she could hear the chuckle from the older woman beforea small nod close to her temple told her that Narcissa would stop the teasing;for now. Sighing, raising her shoulders a little with her eyes focusing oncemore in the portrait, Hermione read the date, the artist and the year theGallery had bought it, her voice sounding much more colder than intended.Wincing a little, not really knowing where to look, how to look, at the portraitthat had obviously entranced Narcissa, she glanced back to the older witch;completely at loss. “Van Eyck.” She repeated, the strong cluster of consonantssounding slightly off, as if her tongue wasn’t exactly rising in the right way,nor with enough force. “Didn’t he paint the Altarpiece? In Ghent?”

Chucklingbut with a warm glint on her blue eyes, Narcissa nodded. “He didn’t do italone.But yes.” She added, pressing her side against Hermione’s just enough forthe brunette to feel her warmth through their clothing. A little trick that itdidn’t matter how many times the blonde told her wasn’t produce of any hex orspell since she was convinced it must be an enchantment, a jinx, a curse even,of any kind. Taking a sharp gulp of air, feeling the scent of lilacs hangingaround the immediate proximity of Narcissa, Hermione tried to focus on theportrait alone, on the objects that cluttered the space behind the couple; themirror, the dog at their feet.

“I’m justnot very good at this.” She admitted, with a dejected sigh but her somberattitude was quickly fixed by the touch of Narcissa’s left hand on her hip,guiding her to the closest spot in front of the portrait without crossing thesmall line marked a few inches away from it.

“You arevery good at picking details.” The blonde said, still close enough for hervoice to caress Hermione’s neck as they both stood in front of the painting,the fact that they had minutes at best before they were asked to leave a fadingmemory in the younger witch’s mind.

“I preferthings that I can quantify.” The Gryffindor replied, and it was true of course;magical laws, arithmancy, transfiguration. All of those skills were easy forher to pick, to use, to understand. Two plus two would always equal four. Art,however, was different; more fleeting, less obvious, and while the brunettecould admit that the portrait felt life-like in a very different way magicportraits looked, she couldn’t truly understand the catch behind it, theimportance that the portrait had.

“Qui desponsari videbantur per fidem" The blonde’s voice sliced throughHermione’s musings and made her rise her brows, curious. Narcissa’s Latin was,obviously, flawless, but the brunette needed a few seconds to translate the phrase,Latin not being exactly something she used all that much if one didn’t countthe spells she used.

“Marryingaccording to the faith?” Her voice rose, not entirely sure if she had pickedthe subtleties of the language. The slight nod from Narcissa, one that made theblonde’s hair brush against her skin, made her hum, curious.

“There aretheories.” The blonde spoke, her hand still at Hermione’s waist, fingersdrawing circles as she spoke, lazy slow caresses that made the brunette biteher bottom lip. “That say that this portrait wasn’t only a portrait but amarrying contract.” Smile widening, Narcissa pointed at the portrait with herfree hand, her fingers at the level of the headdress of the painted woman. “However,a non-married woman -one that is about to be married- wouldn’t have had herhair like that; she would have it down.”

“Oh.”Despite her initial weariness, Hermione couldn’t help herself on feelinginterested by this sudden piece of information, her eyes focusing now on theposition of the hands, on the way the man looked directly at them while thewoman didn’t as much, on how everything was positioned, on the manner the otherhand of the woman had been painted. “So, they were already married when thishappened?”

A chuckleand Narcissa stepping away made her glance at her back, confused.

“That’s themystery.” The blonde replied, a wink on her azure eyes. “Shall we go? I had theimpression you were bored.”

Grumblinggood-naturedly but following the blonde nonetheless, Hermione casted one lastglance to the portrait they were leaving behind, a few pointed glares of someguards the walked past telling them they were cutting it close already.

“I guessart is not as boring as I thought.” She admitted once they finally reached themain hall, glancing at Narcissa as the blonde grazed the back of her hand,clasping it in a far too light touch, letting Hermione being the one whorotated the wrist, so they could intertwin their fingers together.

“I can always try to paint you. See if thatmakes it more interesting to you.” Narcissa’s salacious remark elicited yetanother blush in who knew how many minutes. One the brunette was quick to respondwith a light yet quick slap on the blonde’s forearm.

“I knew weshouldn’t have watched Titanic.”

Narcissarolled her eyes good-naturedly before grasping Hermione’s offending handbetween her own, a quick kiss on the brunette’s knuckles buying her time asthey, finally, walked outside the Gallery, the quickly losing light creatinglong shadows around them both as lamps blinked; pools of light deterring theblobs of black.

“I didn’tsay I planned on painting you naked.” The blonde’s chuckled, a little more airily.“But if that’s your wish…”

“Cissy!”

[blueikeproductions]

So having watched the first season of Transformers Cyberverse, I’ve got some thoughts to express. Overall I thought it was boring and a bit uninspired in places, but I generally think that’s more on me as a veteran fan. The first season aims to tell the abridged origin of the Great War, which seems loosely based on the Aligned and IDW origins: the Decepticons came to power to overthrow a oppressive government. As such it doesn’t do much new, so it’s nothing I, or other veterans, haven’t heard before, but as an entry point for new fans, I think it serves its purpose to give them the general gist of things. Interwoven with the backstory is Bumblebee and Windblade’s exploits on Earth, as they dodge enemy Seekers, fix Bee’s memories (which is where the flashbacks come from), and locate The Ark to reunite with the other Autobots. Like the Bumblebee movie, the titular Autobot has lost his memories, and fumbles his way around in a child like manner, needing Windblade’s Cityspeaker skills to refresh his memory so he can tell her where the Ark is. This part of the story is a little better, as it offers more original material, with additional flashbacks as to how Bee and Windy met. Their friendship is rather touching, if mildly cliche from a teenage romcom scenario. Back on Cybertron, Bee was a charming dork while Windblade was the new girl in town (like in IDW, she’s from Caminus), and feel in with the popular clique: Starscream’s jets. Charmed by Bumblebee’s antics and disgusted by Starscream’s cruelty, Windy decides to hang with Bee and a friendship is born. The sparse prewar segments are generally the best parts, showing a simplified glimpse at what Cybertron was like. There’s a hint of mild Shapeism, in that the jet Transformers think they’re the cream of the crop, and look down on ground vehicles. Similarly, cars don’t have a high opinion of the smarmy jets either. Nevertheless, everyone seems to generally get along just fine at MacCadam’s Old Oil House, with Soundwave and other Seekers providing musical entertainment. MacCadam’s is probably the best episode of the first season, which shows the subtle collapse of Cybertronian society though small timeskips. Cities are reduced to rubble, tensions are high, but the Oil House stood firm for the longest time, helped by MacCadam’s strict no fighting policy. When Megatron intends to rip the place apart looking for Deadlock, owner Mac transforms into an unseen form to frighten the tyrant off, and lets the future Drift stay for as long as he likes. Also a new Cybertronian sport, Cube, is shown, which seems to be Quidditch mixed with football. It’s honestly not that interesting, but Bumblebee was such a big fan of the sport, he tries to sneak into the stadium to see it, ultimately interfering in a game (though at this point he was trying to stop a bored Starscream from ruining the game). Worth nothing Cyberverse’s sister series, Rescue Bots Academy, also includes Cube and it’s other biggest fan Hot Shot. The present day stories though do have their flaws. There’s really no point for the Autobots to be on Earth, as it feels obligatory more so than anything else because that’s what previous stories did. The Robots in Disguise factor seems largely abandoned as nobody bothers to scan Earth modes, and freely run around in their space forms. Grimlock seems to be the only one who scanned an Earth form however, though this wasn’t made immediately clear in flashbacks since he still had saurian like kibble. (Hindsight suggests he probably turned into a vaguely saurian tank however). Really, outside of Grimlock’s brief backstory and Shockwave’s plan to raze Earth in order to kill the Autobots and collect the Allspark, the Transformers could’ve been running around Pluto or Mars instead. Nobody interacts with or befriends humans, so there’s not much of a drive to defend Earth beyond it’s the right thing to do. And also the Ark, but still. Character work is probably the worst aspect of the show unfortunately. Outside of Grimlock, MacCadam and Teletraan X, nobody really has any interesting personality or quirks. Bee is transplanted from his Movie and Prime incarnation, while Windy seems mostly defined by her sisterly relationship with Bee. As such she doesn’t really work on her own, as she lacks any of the traits possessed by her earlier counterparts. At best I can say she’s loyal and a good fighter, but without someone to bounce off of, she’s uninteresting. Bee doesn’t have anything new going for him either. He still speaks with his radio and is the little buddy, but that’s about it. Oh, the Allspark apparently reacted to him on Cybertron, implying a greater destiny, but nothing else is said about this for the time being. The only other major presence are Slipstream’s Seekers, but they might as well have been Vehicons, as there’s little to no character development for any of them. They’re all little more than dumb thugs. At most, Slipstream wants to look good in front of high command, but this isn’t explored much. Really the only interesting Seeker is Acid Storm, who due to animation errors and, perhaps a lack of communication between the show runners and Hasbro, is said to be gender fluid to cover up the error. It’s actually a fun idea that could be fleshed out more, among other things, on how other Decepticons view it (Slip is fine with it, but Shockwave sees no combat value in it), but I fear they’ll not be allowed to do so. The other legacy Autobots and Decepticons seen have nothing new to offer, and are who they’ve been in the original G1 cartoon. Grimlock is an exception as he has a split personality, being prim and proper in robot mode, but his classic caveman brute in beast mode. In an example of telling, not showing, Grimlock was revealed to have reigned on Earth during the dinosaur age, allegedly creating an advanced dinosaur society. It’s another cool idea, but as we’re not really shown how this worked, it feels half baked at best. Many wish we would’ve gotten a spotlight episode of Grim and his dinosaur friends instead, but who knows, maybe a possible IDW Cyberverse comic might dip into that more. Because of the show’s 10 minute time frame, a lot of more emotional and impactful scenes are stunted pretty badly, most notably a flashback detailing a heroic sacrifice by Blurr, but it’s clear the writers are doing their best with what they’ve got to work with. Similarly new Decepticon Shadow Striker also gets the shaft in development. Characteriszed as a shortfused, competitive girl, Shadow was at one point the Decepticons’ top bounty hunter and sharpshooter, but an accident following the capture of Optimus left her severely crippled. Now having a mishmash body cobbled together by Shockwave, she’s no longer able to do a lot of what she was able to, and is driven by an insane fury to get revenge on Bumblebee, who played an admittedly minor role in her accident. They’re supposed to be arch enemies, but their limited interactions feel very forced. If anything she had more chemistry with fellow impulsive wreckloose Hot Rod. It does feel like there might be set up for her to switch sides, as Bee has been shown to cut her some slack that she partially acknowledges, but I might be looking too hard into it. Overall, Cyberverse repackages what came before it, but does very little new to innovate. The season finale ends with the Decepticon Battle Fleet zeroing in on Earth to wipe out the restored Autobots. This at least suggests a straight forward 80’s style clash between Bots and Cons next season. I’m hoping the second season has some better stories, but talk of killing off a lot of the characters (a jokey comment in particular says Optimus dies immediately in the second season, with another implying Bumblebee becomes Goldbug), makes me a bit skeptical of the show’s story going forward. I’m still gonna check it out though, and if the Goldbug thing is true, I wouldn’t mind seeing that side of Bee again.

[shitiger]

When humans reach maturity, a name appears on their wrist.  It is the name of their soulmate, the one person in the entire universe that is perfect for them. Greytrexians are different.  For them, life is experienced in shades of grey until they look into their soulmate’s eyes for the first time, and their world suddenly becomes an ocean of color.  (John Goodspeed x Jack fic. Jackspeed. Also, Garycato preslash)

Chapter 2: Baby Gary Chapter 3-4: Short moments Chapter 5: Gary meets Avocato :)

Note: In this story, Jack refers to himself as 'Jaxx.' I hope that doesn't confuse anyone.  It seemed like the perfect fit for this story.

Until that moment, Jakktrixxriiandraneek had no true knowledge of color. Everything was white or black, or varying shades in-between.  His parents always spoke of soulmates as a wondrous thing, and Jaxx had grown up dreaming of the moment when he and his soulmate would gaze into each other’s eyes for the first time, and color would fill the world.

But the years had passed, and life continued to be grey for the Greytrexian.  Instead of moping about, Jaxx decided to apply for the Intergalactic Guard.  Very few Greytrexians even considered leaving their home planet, but he was determined to see the universe.

This new planet, Earth, was amazing to behold – even in monotone. The air was fresh, the animals were delightfully unique, and the humans were all so tall and extraordinary to look upon.  It helped that Jaxx found himself rather taken with the broad-shouldered aliens of his new planet. He wouldn’t mind finding his soulmate among them, even if the thought made him blush.

And then, out of the blue, it happened.  Recently promoted to pilot, with honors, Jakktrixxriiandraneek found himself attending the Captains’ Gala.  It was the one time each year that all of the captains in the Intergalactic Guard returned to Earth to mix and mingle with their current and future crewmates.  Junior trainees were given the night off, but every recently promoted member of the guard was expected to attend.  You never knew which captain you would be assigned under, and it was the chance to make a good first impression.

As Jaxx gazed around the room, he caught sight of a small group of senior staff members gathered around a particular human.  At first, he seemed the same as all the rest, but the moment their eyes met, everything changed. The world, beginning with the Captain’s dark eyes, blossomed into vibrant colors.  It was an awe-inspiring moment that left Jaxx speechless and giddy at the same time.

The man turned away to talk to the woman next to him, but the Greytrexian didn’t care.  He’d finally found the other half of his soul — and in a HUMAN, no less.   What would his parents think?  It was so unusual.  The little alien clutched his cheeks, unable to stop the smile brimming across his face.

“Someone is happy,” his friend Trishika said.  He turned to see that her skin was no longer a dull shade of metallic grey.  Instead, her avian features were in full, colorful display.  A lovely blend of colors that Jaxx didn’t have the words for, as of yet.

“You’re beautiful, Trishika,” he whispered, staring at her in amazement.

“Thank you, dear.  But I know for a fact that you like guys,” she replied, a smile quirking across her beak.

“No, I mean I can see you — you’re so colorful!” Jaxx nearly squealed.

“You found your soulmate,” she hissed, grabbing him by the arms to pull him close. “Who is it?”

“He’s amazing, but I don’t know what his name is.  He definitely noticed me, too.  Do you think he knows I’m his soulmate?” Jaxx wondered aloud.

“Humans are a weird species.  Once they reach maturity, the name of their soulmate appears on their wrist.  We should go see if he has your name,” the Avianrian said, perking up as she began to search the room. “What does he look like?”

“He’s right over there,” Jaxx said, pointing to the man standing between Sergeant Roscoe and a Ventrexian captain.    

“The guy with the big shoulders, brown hair, and a very pronounced chin?” his friend asked, her lips curving down into a frown.

“That’s him.  Why?  What’s wrong?” A feeling of dread was beginning to creep up the Greytrexian’s spine at the look on his friend’s face.

“That is Captain John Goodspeed.  Every girl at the academy has heard about him. He’s a very accomplished captain, but he’s also a huge flirt with the ladies.  HE’S your soulmate?”

“Yes,” Jaxx found himself whispering, his golden eyes drooping in uncertainty.

“Fate sure knows how to pick them.  I’m sorry, Jaxx, but I don’t think Goodspeed is interested in men, at all,” she concluded, wrapping her arm around his shoulders for comfort.

***

True to form, the warm moment came to an end when the very people they were discussing walked up to them.

“There you are, Jack!” Sergeant Roscoe announced, as he and Captain Goodspeed approached them. “John, I want to introduce you to the best pilot in our graduating class.  Don’t let his size fool you, he can give anyone a run for their money.”

“Hey, little buddy, I’m John Goodspeed,” Jaxx’s soulmate said, crouching to look him in the eye.

Jaxx was torn between blurting out the truth, and cringing at the way John was behaving.  Taller aliens kneeling just to talk to him made him feel like they were seeing a child, rather than an adult, when they looked at him.  Warily, he reached out to shake John’s hand.  The man’s grip was firm, but on the lighter side.  “I’m Jakktrixxriiandraneek, but most people know me as Jack.  We… don’t have last names on Greytrexia,” he informed the man.

“That’s alright.  And who is this lovely lady?” John let go of his hand, and stood back up, leaving Jaxx feeling like he’d missed the perfect moment.  Instead, the Greytrexian watched as his soulmate turned on the charm as he spoke to Trishika.  When the sergeant and captain excused themselves, John ever reached out to press a kiss to Trishika’s hand, his dark eyes lingering on her… and never once returning to Jaxx, as they walked away.

“I’m sorry, Jaxx,” the Avianrian concluded, her eyes focused on Jaxx as HE watched John mingle with a new group of graduates.

“He didn’t know who I was.  He must not have my name.  I didn’t… I didn’t know soulmates came in one-sided pairings,” Jaxx whispered, feeling tears prickling at his eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Jaxx.  Do you want to leave?” Trishika asked.

Jaxx took in a breath, and turned to her, pasting a smile on his face.   “No.  We came here to mingle, and we will.  I’ll learn to live with it. For now, I want to experience all these amazing colors.”

***

Jaxx has only wandered off to find a bathroom.  Instead, he ended up standing in the doorway of the campus library, watching two humans fornicating against one of the tables.  Once he realized what he was witnessing, his face turned a bright pink.  “Excuse me,” he squeaked out, ready to shut the door and race out of the room.

The larger, male human turned his head, locking his dark eyes on Jaxx.  “You mind, little buddy — we’re a little busy,” John Goodspeed said, his gaze holding no familiarity at all. The Greytrexian shook his head and slammed the door shut in his haste to escape the situation.  In less than a minute, he was standing in the men’s room, staring at his reflection in the mirror.

“He’s not my soulmate.  How could he be my soulmate?  He barely knows I exist.  Why would the universe pair me with someone that wouldn’t want me back?” Jaxx choked back a sob, even as he felt the tears streaming down his cheeks.  It just wasn’t fair.

***

The next few years passed in a blurr for Jaxx. He’d catch a glimpse of his one-sided soulmate from afar, but the man usually had at least one lady attached to his arm.  And they were always different.  Trishika was right; he really was a womanizer.  The only perk that came with finding his soulmate was the vast array of colors he now had to choose from.  The color purple had become his favorite rather quickly.

Jaxx figured that life would continue this way forever.  John would always pass him by, barely looking his way, and Jaxx would continue to pretend that he was ignorant of what bound them together.  Life should have continued this way… but it never does.

“I remember you.  Sorry, little buddy, I’ve forgotten your name,” Captain Goodspeed said, crouching down to extend his hand to his new co-pilot.  The Greytrexian shook his hand half-heartedly, but the big human didn’t seem to care.

“You really don’t have to lean down,” Jaxx tried to explain, but John didn’t seem to notice as he stood back up to wave at another crewmate.

“Come on then, I’ll give you a tour, little buddy!”

“Little buddy…” Jaxx muttered distastefully under his breath as he followed his soulmate into the bowels of the ship.

***

Despite the initial awkwardness, Jaxx found himself warming to the human quite quickly.  Perhaps it was due to the soulbond, even if it was one-sided, or just John’s vibrant and trustworthy personality, either way, Jaxx enjoyed spending time with him.  As long as they weren’t around any females, of course. The moment John was around a woman of any species, he went into full flirt mode. 

***

They were in the middle of a multi-level game of cyber chess when Jaxx first caught a glimpse of the mark on John’s wrist.  The captain was wearing a blue t-shirt that evening, rather than his uniform.

“Is that a soulmark?” the Greytrexian found himself asking, only to blush when the other man’s eyes focused on him.

“That it is,” John said, turning his wrist over.

Jaxx felt his heart skip a beat, before speeding up rapidly.  That was HIS name.  In Greytrexian symbols.  HIS NAME on his soulmate’s wrist.  It WASN’T a one-way bond, after all.  A relieved smile began to cross over Jaxx’s face as he focused on the mark.

“I haven’t met her yet,” John suddenly said, tracing the mark fondly.  “I’m not even sure what language this is in.  When it first appeared, my father searched the Infinity Guard database, but couldn’t find a match.  Still, she’s going to be a smokin’ hot alien babe, I just know it.”

A smoking hot alien babe. SHE.  Jaxx was not under any illusion when it came to his species.   Most humans did not find Greytrexians attractive; at best they were considered CUTE.

Once they were on the subject of soulmates, John wouldn’t stop talking about his search for the mystery woman, which, in a way, made his womanizing rather strategic.  How could Jaxx tell him the truth?  He’d lose his friend, for sure, if he did.  John would be devastated to find out that a stubby little MALE alien was his soulmate.

[verdigrisprowl]

May 10 Blurr’s Horror Stream - Kill Command

It was a movie made by robophobes about a bunch of robophobes being hunted by robots, so Prowl tuned it out pretty early on. He did, however, give Soundwave a gift: a video glimpse of the world through his HUD, and the myriad calculations that run through his mind. Partially as an apology for not letting Soundwave into his mind properly and partially as an apology for Monday. He was also more disgusted than usual by Blurr’s array of villainous guests.

Welcome to the 'speedxstealer' room. The chat room has been cleared by the moderator. B l u r r: / anyway. He's here. Dragging himself to his couch. / ItsyBitsySpyers: *Would he like help? Because Soundwave can lift him over there with a feeler if need be.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Because, by the way, he's walking in and making his way to his couch. Like y'do.* B l u r r: / honestly, he's just gonna throw himself on the couch / B l u r r: / if you would like to assist in throwing, feel free. / ItsyBitsySpyers: *Why not. Might be amusing. Do try not to attack it though.* B l u r r: / he's too tired to attack it / Whirl: *trots in, carrying a small black container, and pauses* Oh, no. Someone shot Teach. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Then a-dangling Blurr will go, up until the other one pushes him upright and helps get him sat.* Whirl: Well, we've gotta give him a proper funeral. I'll come back with the grenades. B l u r r: / grumbles and flops on the couch with help / B l u r r: I'm not dead. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Are you certain?]] B l u r r: / shrugs/ ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Perhaps only half the grenades, Whirl.]] B l u r r: I'm not dead, per say. B l u r r: Though, I certainly don't feel up to par. Whirl: *crosses the room and zoops his neck over the couch tio peer critically at Blurr* I dunno. Doesn't look one hundred percent alive, either. Whirl: What's eating you? ItsyBitsySpyers: =Not me.= B l u r r: Nothing. Well... /tilts helm/ Rust, probably. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Ravage hops up by Blurr and flops.* B l u r r: /pats Ravage / Whirl: I told you to get that taken care of, mech. B l u r r: I /did/. B l u r r: It came back. Whirl: The take care of it AGAIN. B l u r r: Eugh. B l u r r: It's not that bad. FakeProwl: *appears* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Greetings. Ping.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *And now Rumble and Frenzy rush in late, running right over to the hammock.* FakeProwl: *pings back* B l u r r: / settles for slouching. / Whirl: Well, all right. If you don't take care of it, it's your funeral, Teach. Whirl: But don't worry, I WILL bring the grenades. B l u r r: Yah, well...it'll be uneventful. Whirl: Oh, ye of little faith. B l u r r: / taps the screen of his datapad/ Whirl: Never, ever understimate my ability to make a complete and utter fiasco of anything I set my mind to. B l u r r: / scrolling through a list of currency conversions / B l u r r: Mmhm... I don't doubt it. Whirl: *Blurr does not seem interested in further conversation, so Whirl will turn to Ravage* I've got the goods--*holds up box* If you do. B l u r r: / huffs and just slids the screen aside for a new screen / Slaggin' 'Cons... ItsyBitsySpyers: *Ravage cracks open an optic, then fishes about in his subspace with his tail feeler. Out comes a drink.* B l u r r: / grumbles and slouches more / My funeral would be one dead event. /snort at own joke / B l u r r: / Fist bump the air next to him. Sweet. / ItsyBitsySpyers: //Pffft!// Whirl: *hands over the box; inside is about two dozen delicate and very, very thin energon wafers; their flavor is as subtle as they are fragile, and they have a pleasantly glass-like texture* Whirl: I have no idea what these are, but the place I...got them from, was pretty swanky. *and he will happily scoop up his drink* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Ravage licks his chops. He's going to have to hide these from Laserbeak.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Stuff stuff. Pocketed. Return to loaf.* Whirl: *The Pact is complete, and now Whirl turns to claim his hammock* Move yourselves, unless you wanna get sat on. B l u r r: / pats Ravage / FakeProwl: *after a more belated pause than usual, actually sits* ItsyBitsySpyers: \\YA WOULDN'T.\\ B l u r r: / hums and flicks finial/ You mechs don't mind if the ship moves, do you? ItsyBitsySpyers: *Ravage rumbles and sniffs hand.* =No.= B l u r r: / holds claw out for sniffs / Whirl: *subspaces his drink and shuffles back a step, settling into a half-crouch* Try me. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave dips his helm in greeting and moves his arm into its usual place.* Whirl: I will leap up iinto the air, in a perfect and ELEGANT parabola of motion, and then I will come down on you directly, with my butt. B l u r r: Well, if you don't mind the ship moing, I'd hold onto something. B l u r r: / tapping datapad / We need to jump. ItsyBitsySpyers: \\I'M MOVIN', I'M MOVIN'.\\ B l u r r: *moving Whirl: *pauses and looks back* Well, hold that thought. Whirl: *steadies himself and nods* Where we going, Teach? B l u r r: Somewhere not here. /glancing at a screen in the corner of his datapad / ItsyBitsySpyers: *...Soundwave doesn't really know what he's supposed to grab onto, so he just wraps a feeler around the couch. The others clutch assorted objects in confusion.* B l u r r: See, I just took these ion cylinders from this ancient temple on this weird planet. Whirl: The opposite of helpful. B l u r r: No idea what they do, but they have a lot of juice in 'em ItsyBitsySpyers: //If you blow me up, I'm hauntin' yer ghost.// B l u r r: I won't. Hang on to something. Whirl: You're not being chased, are you? Which dimension are we in right now, anyway? B l u r r: / grins and sits up, looking excited./ No idea! B l u r r: / holds his digit on the datapad screen/ You guys ever jumped locations at a speed faster than light? ItsyBitsySpyers: \\I'M TOO YOUNG TO DIE.\\ B l u r r: You're not gonna die. For pit sake. Whirl: All the time. B l u r r: .. .well, mine's cooler. B l u r r: / Which means the ship is making a really loud, ominous humming sound / ItsyBitsySpyers: *Ohhh, Soundwave doesn't like that.* FakeProwl: If you're going to experiment with unknown fuels, don't do it with guests on board. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Clutch couch a little tighter.* B l u r r: I'm not experimenting with the ions yet. Whirl: Hmm. *shifts, abruptly, into alt-mode, bobbing in the air* Okay. Ready. FakeProwl: *glances at Soundwave* I suggest bridging out. B l u r r: But we're jumping locations. Whirl: *that is half the reaosn why Whirl just shifted* FakeProwl: *Prowl does NOT want Soundwave to be here if the ship explodes.* B l u r r: / WELP I HOPE EVERYONE IS HOLDING ON / B l u r r: / BECAUSE WERE ABOUT TO LIGHT SPEED like star wars. But cooler. And much faster. / ItsyBitsySpyers: *Nods. Reaches for the deployers with his other feeler so he can snap them over* Whirl: *Whirl has a better chance of remaining stationary by correcting his flight than if he were sitting or standing* Whirl: *it'll probably be a bit eerie to see him so still when things jolt around* FakeProwl: *... why y'all waiting to abandon ship until AFTER blurr does whatever he does. it'll be too late if the ship explodes while you're still inside it* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Pop! Out they go. Temporarily.* FakeProwl: *GOOD* B l u r r: / AND FULL STOP / Whirl: *curiosity and more faith than is warranted in his reaction time* B l u r r: / which means a hard jerk back into a new place / B l u r r: There we go. /checking camera reports/ All right. Who's ready? FakeProwl: *never budged his hologram *** from the couch.* ... Is it over, then? B l u r r: Yes, we're in a new location. B l u r r: With no more mechs on our tail. Whirl: *his rotors kick up a whine and a blast of air that circulates through the room, but other than a gentle bob, he doesn't move* Seem to be all in one piece. FakeProwl: **HOLOGRAM @$$, LIVESTREAM, U CENSORING FVCKER* FakeProwl: *pings Soundwave. all clear.* Whirl: So, no idea who was chasing you, at all? ItsyBitsySpyers: *Cautiously re-bridges in and peers around the room before fully leaving the bridge... all right, no splattered shells on the walls. They'll retake their seats.* B l u r r: Oh, I know where they're from. B l u r r: They want their stuff back. B l u r r: [[ you guys ready? ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: ((Yep)) Whirl: What I MEAN is, who they're affiliated with. Is it just the planet's militia? Are they aligned with the Council? The Black Box Consortium? Whirl: ((yep!)) FakeProwl: ((like 2 minutes)) B l u r r: It's just some weird military ItsyBitsySpyers: *Nudges Prowl knee. Concern appreciated.* B l u r r: they aren't any of us. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Whoa, hey. If you picked a fight with them huge fraggers Getaway told Bird about I ain't sittin' here.// Whirl: *shifts into root mode as he speaks, landing neatly* Well, Teach. This is another time I'm gonna say: if this comes back to bite you in the as s, it's on you. B l u r r: They aren't anything like us. For pit sake. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble lowers his visor and makes a watching-you gesture as he heads back to the hammock with his brother* Whirl: *shrugs* That's all I've got to say. *turns and clambers into the hammock, getting himself comfortably arranged* B l u r r: Whatever. /taps datapad / B l u r r: If it bites me in the asss, what are the rest of you worried about? You only come over once a week. ItsyBitsySpyers: \\YER SQUEEZE IS GONNA BE REAL TICKED IF YA DIE.\\ ItsyBitsySpyers: \\HEH.\\ B l u r r: / snort/ Yeah, doubt that. Whirl: *he narrows his optic, and his antenna pins back, but he doesn't say anything* B l u r r: / waiting and watching his datapad/ ... Hnnh... /tilts helm. Super focused. / Whirl: *if the twins need a helping claw, he will offer it* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble might. Frenzy just makes a series of springs and a huge leap. He's gonna miss his target spot though. Whirl might want to prepare for a ball of prickles.* FakeProwl: ((OKAY)) B l u r r: [[ everyone good? ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: ((yep)) RedWhiteScreamer: *FLY BY SNACK STEALING* RedWhiteScreamer: (Can't stick around but hi. :D ) B l u r r: [ hi! ] ItsyBitsySpyers: \\PRIMUS BELOW WHAT THE (censored) (censored) FLYIN' (also censored) (it's really bad)* B l u r r: ... What a pity. We've picked up trash in space. RedWhiteScreamer: (lol ) Whirl: ((PFFT. AND YES, belatedly)) RedWhiteScreamer: *Fly past again to slap a sticky note with a crudely shaped spike on Blurr's head* RedWhiteScreamer: how he mannaged that in jet form, no one knows)) B l u r r: / yanks it off and kicks at Starscream / Knock it off. Whirl: *makes a startled WHERP sound, more beep than voice, when he's whacked by the prickle-ball, but he seems more amused than anything else* RedWhiteScreamer: ((lol :3c Night)) FakeProwl: ((WHERP)) Whirl: *nothing like a little friendly violence to snap you out of a burgeoning foul mood* Watch the paint job, twerp. Whirl: ((WHERP)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Frenzy scoots off and parks himself next to* \\YEAH YEAH. WATCH THE EVERYTHING.\\ Whirl: *rolls his optic and reaches over to help Rumble up* Whirl: *and, for the record, Whirl is very obivously not ACTUALLY worried about his paint job, as he is more or less always scraped up in some way* FakeProwl: *... pings soundwave* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Hm? Looks over and tilts his helm.* Whirl: Hey, a robot with legs that make sense! FakeProwl: *... hesitation. he's trying to figure out how to offer a gift. should he—invent a "gift" tag, or...?* Whirl: And, I'll be damned--if I'm not mistaken, that's an honest-to-goodness tiltrotors. B l u r r: They don't look so bad. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Kinda... pinchy lookin'.// FakeProwl: *... he'll just send it. ping.* Whirl: Yeah. I guess they could also be considered tiltWINGS--the differece is pretty subtle. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave will be exactly as patient as is necessary for whatever-- oh? What is this?* Whirl: And it's not an insult, Teach--just a classification. A frame sub-type, if you will. B l u r r: I think they look useful. FakeProwl: *15-second visual feed of the room from Prowl's HUD. including detailed measurements every motion everyone in the room is making, and completely useless measurements of dimensions in the room.* Whirl: *optic half-lids iself, amused* Yes. I'd say tiltrotors are VERY useful, and extremely adaptable craft. Among the most versatile of fliers. FakeProwl: *and ventilation currents, temperature...* ItsyBitsySpyers: *!? Soundwave goes very still as he watches it,* B l u r r: Pity that it's human made. ItsyBitsySpyers: //You're jus' sayin' that cause ya are one.// FakeProwl: ... So it's a movie about mecaphobia. FakeProwl: A movie about mechaphobia made by a species of mechaphobes. This will go well. ItsyBitsySpyers: *....And watches it. And watches it. Look at all the - and the - it's like the fragments of the attack on Harmonex, but - and this is all the time?* FakeProwl: *all the time.* Whirl: *bursts into snickers* I was WAITING for one of you to catch on. Whirl: But, in all seriousness, tiltrotors rock. One hundred percent. Whirl: I'm sure any other you'd meet, would agree. ItsyBitsySpyers: *...Please ignore the sudden fan somewhere on his right side. He certainly is.* ItsyBitsySpyers: //Well, I ain't met no others lately. But I'mma check, if I do.// Whirl: *salutes* Me... either. Whirl: I don't know where all the helicopters got off to. I'm sure there's a lot of us, somewhere. B l u r r: I met a helicopter recently... B l u r r: / tilts helm and taps datapad / Uptight mech. Whirl: What's his name? FakeProwl: *puts his elbows on his knees and laces his hands in front of his mouth to conceal his smirk* B l u r r: /snort/ Drift/ B l u r r: *. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Is about to send a message when Prowl changes position. Now he's thinking about the mindfragging photo and caption. Oh, Primus. That'll be another.* ItsyBitsySpyers: \\AIN'T HE A CAR?\\ B l u r r: He's both. ItsyBitsySpyers: \\OHHHH, THAT ONE.\\ Whirl: Pfft. The Drift from RB's home timeline, yeah? Whirl: A-aww, look at the little guys... Whirl: They're precious. B l u r r: Mmhm, same one. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[....He likes these.]] Whirl: ((they look like if whirl and the dreads had a baby)) Whirl: *pulls out his drink and settles himself until he's good and comfortable, and gets to work inhaling the scent and enjoying the hideously spicy bouquet* ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): This... words needed. Automatic, natural, permanent view? Base interpretation? B l u r r: / it better be a normal one / FakeProwl: @Soundwave «All of the above.» Whirl: *it is indeed! Ravage mixed a non-high-grade gaugebuster for 'Chill, once, so that's what Whirl requested* B l u r r: / good. / ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble suddenly smacks his fist into his palm* ItsyBitsySpyers: //Whirl! I gotta tell ya somethin'.// B l u r r: Aw... poor things. I likedthose. Whirl: *looks to him* Mm-hmm? B l u r r: ... What. Is. That. I want it! ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): ...Impressive, fascinating, appealing, intriguing. New data, possibilities, experience. Simultaneous understanding? All... calculations? Registered, processed, same time? Whirl: Nice optic array. B l u r r: Nice /everything/ ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble motions for Whirl to lean up close. It's real juicy.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Or, er. Down close.* FakeProwl: @Soundwave «Simultaneous up to a limit. I can't process infinite input. But, yes—calculations and measurements.» Whirl: *he will shift his positon and do so. The outward effect is very ridiculous and pretzel-like, but he seems comfortable enough, with his neck stretched and his antenna perked* Whirl: Lay it on me, mech. Crosscut: -Strolls in fashionable late?- ItsyBitsySpyers: *And here, Rumble whispers the rumor he heard from Bird that she heard from Swoop about what Swoop did to Black Shadow* FakeProwl: *nods to crosscut* Whirl: *listens intently, and once he is done, Whirl sraights aburptly, barely missing spilling his drink, with another startling WHERP sound, followed by laughter* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Then sits up, grinning, and spots Crosscut. A sudden and slightly too friendly wave* Whirl: Are you SERIOUS? ItsyBitsySpyers: //Honest if Swoop is.// Crosscut: -nods to Prowl and finds a seat, looking around the room briefly for any signs of purple- Whirl: Well, even if it's not... I am going to spread that around Swerve's the first chance I GET. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble's grin just grows bigger.* //Good.// Crosscut: ((I'm guessing that was Rumble waving and not Soundwave? )) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((Yep)) Whirl: *bursts into another ground of snickers* Lord. I just. I only regret that I couldn't be there to see it, myself. Crosscut: -Waves back at the small bit in the hammack- Good evening, Rumble. B l u r r: / vents and just slouches to watch the movie again / ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): If - not request. Question only. If processing power added? Limit raised? ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble's vents squeak shut. He promptly bangs himself on the chest a few times and feigns a system error, forcing them to reopen.* ItsyBitsySpyers: //Sup, mech?// FakeProwl: @Soundwave «I've experimented with that before. Yes, although only so far. Whirl: *he straightens and lowers his helm over his drink, watching Rumble sidelong. If he had a face, he'd be wearing a slight, knowing smile* Crosscut: ((Is that 'sup' directed at me?)) B l u r r: That thing looks amazing... ItsyBitsySpyers: ((Yep)) Whirl: I like the little flying ones more. ItsyBitsySpyers: \\IT OUGHTA HAVE RED OPTICS. WAY SCARIER 'N BLUE ONES.\\ B l u r r: The other one looks deadlier. Whirl: *draws himself up with great dignity* Blue can be a VERY intimidating color, thank you very much. ItsyBitsySpyers: \\PFF. WHATCHA ARGUIN' FOR? YOU GOT YELLOW. 'N WHAT OTHER ONE?\\ Whirl: The rest of me is blue, unless you failed to notice. ItsyBitsySpyers: \\THE REST OF YOU AIN'T OPTICS.\\ ItsyBitsySpyers: \\BOSS IS BLUE TOO. 'N MY BRO. THEY'RE PLENTY SCARY.\\ B l u r r: K-KYAHAHAA!! /wiggles in his spot / B l u r r: Kill them all! Crosscut: What exactly are we watching, if I may ask? B l u r r: Kill Command. Whirl: Lord. ...if the rest of me WAS optics, then that'd be a hell of a thing, wouldn't it? ItsyBitsySpyers: \\...EW.\\ FakeProwl: Something about mechaphobia. Whirl: It'd be intimidating, that's for sure. FakeProwl: *hasn't been paying too much attention to the actual plot besides what all the humans are saying about Mills* Crosscut: Hmm ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave takes a moment to picture that. If he - oh, say - watched some kind of security recording, or documentary, with Prowl? How much more could they piece together about what they were seeing?* Whirl: Oh, hey--*nudges Rumble* I don't necessarily have a RUMOR for you, but news, I guess. Not really a worthy repayment for the gift you gave ME, but still. B l u r r: He's one dead human. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Primus. Even if they weren't connected, and Prowl just showed him later - ohh, and he wanted to feel the math in action. Yeah, his mind is not on the movie anymore. At all.* FakeProwl: *well, considering that when he was in mechaforensics, mechs on other cases used to give him PICTURES of bloody crime scenes and ask him "so how tall was the guy that stabbed our victim"...* FakeProwl: *probably a lot* ItsyBitsySpyers: *There is a big, big cheek fin nuzzle coming Prowl's way.* B l u r r: ... fantastic. ItsyBitsySpyers: //What's the rumor?// B l u r r: Kill him. B l u r r: / rubs claws together / FakeProwl: *... it goes through prowl* FakeProwl: *maybe he should. belatedly. ping whirl for holomatter access* ItsyBitsySpyers: *...DAMN IT.* Crosscut: Thus far this seems quite silly. B l u r r: /splays claws on face/ It's the most adorable thing I've ever seen... Whirl: Well, like I said, not so much a RUMOR--but you might've noticed my pal was absent from Monday's movie night. 'Chill? Well--*oh whoops, Whirl blinks and swivels to regard them, startled* Whirl: *he wordlessly routes Prowl access* FakeProwl: *gratitude ping* FakeProwl: @Soundwave «Try again.» Whirl: *head bob in retur* ItsyBitsySpyers: //How come it's silly?// Whirl: Where... was I? Oh, yeah, well--apparently mecha in his dimension have got propagation down, and he and his conjunx just hatched their first egg. Whirl: I'm gonna go see her later on. ItsyBitsySpyers: //No scrap? Who is she? We talkin' like. Little sparklin' or Well newbuild? Ain't seen eggs before.// ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave absolutely tries again, a little firmer this time just to make up for the missing first attempt.* B l u r r: I mean, honestly, why stick with humans if they don't even like you? Help the mechas kill them. B l u r r: Pits, so slow. Crosscut: I thought I was up to it but apprently not tonight, I think I'll just turn in. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Aww... you gotta?// ItsyBitsySpyers: *He was kinda hoping to hear why it was silly.* Whirl: Er... kinda like--a grub? Some kind of insecticon thing. *he will pause and take a long drink, doesn't wanna make it difficult for Rumble and Crosscut to communicate* Whirl: *that is The Opposite of The Pla* FakeProwl: *nuzzles back* Whirl: *Plan Crosscut: I'm just not feeling very lively, I should probably turn in. FakeProwl: Evening, Crosscut. Whirl: *salutes him* ItsyBitsySpyers: //Oh. 'Kay. Well, ya gotta do whatcha gotta do.// ItsyBitsySpyers: *Joins the salute.* Crosscut: Sorry for the brief interruption. Good bye. ItsyBitsySpyers: \\OKAY, BUT IF SHE HELPS 'EM KILL THE OTHER FLESHIES, HOW'S SHE GONNA GET BACK?\\ B l u r r: she can just live with them. Crosscut: ((Sorry guys, I just, idk. I'm having a hard time getting into CC lately.)) Whirl: ((it happens! Rest well, my dude <3)) B l u r r: [[ aw thats okay ;-; Hope you feel better soon ! Get some rest ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: ((No prob! Take care of yourself <3)) ItsyBitsySpyers: \\DON'T SHE GOTTA EAT?\\ Crosscut: ((I'll probably still be up.)) FakeProwl: ((no worries! don't force it if you aren't feeling it)) Whirl: So... okay. This robot spared her, and is making a big, elaborate spectacle of killing all the humans who've proven themselves to be, one, inferior warriors and two, compete jerks to her. Whirl: It's courting her...? ItsyBitsySpyers: *Frenzy chokes, then explodes laughing* B l u r r: no, then it would fight her Whirl: because that's what it looks like to me. Crosscut: ((I mean, I miss it I jsut don't have very regular threads with him anymore so really inspire much.)) B l u r r: obviously. FakeProwl: Or recruiting. FakeProwl: Or else simply does not regard her as a threat because she's a mech. ItsyBitsySpyers: ((get you forth with a meme! those usually help a lil)) Whirl: ((yeah!)) Whirl: Maybe it wasn't a gentler form of courtship. More romantic and... and... fluffy. Whirl: Slaughter her enemies instead of fight her directly. Crosscut: ((I usually don't get many sent when I do XD)) B l u r r: I'd say that's more romantic. Whirl: That's sweet. ItsyBitsySpyers: ((I can change that. ouo)) Whirl: ((me2 :y)) B l u r r: Who needs false  shows of affection when you can be given the massacred bodies of your enemies B l u r r: / splays claws over faceplate / The best of the best gifts. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Not for nothin', but. That's. Actually kinda a thing. Where I'm from.// Whirl: Really? *tilts his head* ItsyBitsySpyers: //Well, not mechs or nothin'. But yeah. Kill a cool monster? Give it to 'em.// Crosscut: ((I think I just need him to interact with people again, new characters, characters he's usually close with. I mean to interact with people form 'this' universe less and less.)) B l u r r: ... Why would you just kill a monster? ItsyBitsySpyers: //...Okay, in Kaon 'n Slaughter City it was mechs sometimes. I ain't from there though.// ItsyBitsySpyers: //Cause they eat newbuilds is why.// Whirl: I mean... I'd only want the gift of a dead mech if it was personal. Because, let's be real--the severed head of some enormous beast is much, much more impressive. Whirl: And, I won';t turn my proverbial nose up at a DIRECT fight--that's my favorite, but still. I like it. B l u r r: .. /frowns/ well, maybe people should keep whatever-you-call-ems away from the monsters. Crosscut: ((Alright, I'll leave yall to it then.)) Crosscut: ((bye.) Whirl: ((Seeya!)) FakeProwl: ((bye~)) B l u r r: Hhhh. It looks fantastic. B l u r r: / kicking pedes a little / B l u r r: [[ bye bye ]] Whirl: *peers at the screen. ...experimentally mimics that noise* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave's got to think of something he can give as a return gift some time soon. ... Probably not an Underworld monster. He doubts Prowl would like a dead terror.* ItsyBitsySpyers: //It ain't like we stick 'em down there. They gotta come up. Ironhide don't find all of 'em right off.// FakeProwl: *... leans on soundwave* Whirl: I say, anything that picks a fight is fair game. B l u r r: Mm. ItsyBitsySpyers: //...Oh yeah. So, this grub kid. They need anythin' for her? Ain't low on energon, are they?// Whirl: Oh! *tilts head* I don't think so. I'll let you know, though. Dinobot changed their nickname to Dinobot. Dinobot: ((hey everyone)) Whirl: I'm not going to lie--it sounds so WEIRD. So profoundly weird. But also kind of cool, in a way. B l u r r: [[ ey! ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave leans in - and then, after a moment, withdraws his spines the rest of the way and twists to better settle up against him.* ItsyBitsySpyers: ((hi!)) FakeProwl: ((ello)) FakeProwl: *oh. ... slides an arm around.* Whirl: ((hey dude!)) ItsyBitsySpyers: //Heh. You keep talkin' like that 'n somebody's gonna think you want one too.// Whirl: *snorts* Even if I COULD, I'm sure I'd be banned from propagation. It's for the best. Whirl: It's still just on all of our minds, I guess. Since we don't have any way of repopulating, yet. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Arm. Yes. Good.* Dinobot: *He and his frowning organic student enter, Dinobot directs her, grumbling, to a chair, better late than never* Sit. Shut up. Dinobot: *He will withhold complaints that everyone should be training instead of watching movies, Blurr he’s looking at you* B l u r r: / tilts helm back and lifts a claw/ Well, look who came out of their hidey hole! B l u r r: / oh GOD IT HAS A NICE VOICE / B l u r r: / KILL HIM / Whirl: Nice. Dinobot: *He crosses his arms, percolating like a coffee pot* Hnn. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Pleasant voice indeed.* Whirl: *spares Dinobot a quick glance, but seems, for the moment, more interested in his drink, which he takes a long pull of* B l u r r: …Well, feel free to sit down anywhere. Whirl: Teach, you should try a Guagebuster sometime. It’s the damn best. B l u r r: / smirks a bit and eyes that organic runt . Flicks claws at / B l u r r: A what? Dinobot: I prefer to stand. Whirl: *holds his drink up* This. B l u r r: Well, if you want to stand, that’s fine. Whirl: It’s real spicy. Knock you on your aft. It’s great. B l u r r: / wrinkles nasal/ what is it? Dinobot: *Téttares sits up straighter and glowers, looking away from Blurr with pursed lips but her eye drifts to the movie. Neat.* Whirl: A cocktail. Usually it has high-grade, but Ravage can mix up one without it. B l u r r: K-Kyehehheheh… look at 'em! So amazing. ItsyBitsySpyers: //I seen repopulatin’ effects. Almost killed a mech. No thanks.// B l u r r: / mumbles and takes it from Whirl/ Well, I guess I can try some. ItsyBitsySpyers: //…Who’re you?// To Dinobot. No tact, this one. Whirl: *he will lean forward, and extend his arm to offer his glass* B l u r r: / snags it and smells the stuff / Whirl: *this drink is hot enough to make a Predacon go HELL NO, and they breathe FIRE. But since Whirl can hardly taste, it’s delightfully spicy* Whirl: *shrugs* I mean, it isn’t for everyone, but someone’s gotta figure it out, someday. Dinobot: I am Dinobot, *he gives a reptilian snore* And I am /trying/ to watch this slaggin’ garbage, if you do not mind. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble shrugs.* ItsyBitsySpyers: //Suit yourself, snappy.// B l u r r: / dips claw inside and licks the digit to taste it / B l u r r: Eugh… /makes a face and hands it back/ no thanks. Dinobot: Errnrnnnnnn *grumble, grumble* B l u r r: Hey, grumpy. Relax. /smirks/ You want a snack? Whirl: *plucks it back up* Well, allow me to highly recommend my bartender, all the same. I bet he could mix something for ya. B l u r r: Oh, he’s one of mine, you see / to Rumble / He’s part of the Skeleton Crew. B l u r r: Mm, maybe… B l u r r: It depends on the ingredients Whirl: High grade not required. FakeProwl: *… is dinobot his name or did he just say WHAT he is* Whirl: As you have seen. *takes another long drik, arching his neck to swallow it down* B l u r r: Yes, I see. Dinobot: Indeed, I serve the pirate. He makes for a fine leader. FakeProwl: *……… no brain, whoever he is* B l u r r: … /what is this? A smirk of pride? A tiny little hint of it / Whirl: *swivels his helm to regard Dinobo again* So, what’re you? First Lizard, or something? Dinobot: *Tétta rolls her eye, about as fine as a cracked teacup…* B l u r r: / rude / Dinobot: In a way… I am a beastformer and was once Predacon, though the meaning is my own. You would not understand. *He stands still and militant* Whirl: *shrugs* You’re probably right. *swivels his helm back around* B l u r r: We ran into each other a while back. /flicks finials/ He wanted to fight. Whirl: Anyway, where… were we even. I forgot. *perks up* Oh, yeah, violent and bloody courtship–so, what kind of beast is usually like… y'know. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave debates playing a sound clip to test Dinobot. … No. He’s comfortable. He’ll stay silent.* Whirl: What’s the slaughtered trophy equivalent of a dozen rust-roses? B l u r r: A dozen wires with cogs and gears. ItsyBitsySpyers: \FIGHT? WHO WON? YOU OR DINOBUTT?\ Dinobot: *He growls, abnormally long digits Dinobot: spreading* Whirl: *SNICKERS* B l u r r: … I believe it was a draw /glancing at Dinobot / B l u r r: The runt came with him. /motions to tetta / ItsyBitsySpyers: //Dozen rust-roses? Ehh. We talkin’ like they actually LIKE rust-roses, or this one of them “here’s somethin’ everybody likes so I jus’ figure you do” things?// Dinobot: There was once a vile rodent who attached such a moniker to my honorable person, how very… unfortunate I find myself in like-company. Whirl: Like, if rust-roses were their favorie flower. What constitutes, “super romantic,” in this metric? FakeProwl: *completely faded out of the movie, has no idea what’s going on at this point* ItsyBitsySpyers: \SORRY, YOUR LIZARDSHIP. WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN, YOUR DINONESS.\ Whirl: *SNICKERS AGAIN* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave has no idea either. He lost it a long while back though.* Whirl: I think he just called you a hedgehog, Frenzy. I didn’t know you were a triple-changer. Dinobot: *Tétta perks up, things are exploding, this is worth watching– awww the explosions stopped. She slumps.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *…If Prowl would like to replace the movie scene with what Soundwave heard about Swoop and Black Shadow, though…* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Not a Gift. He’s still working on that. This is just - entertaining.* ItsyBitsySpyers: \DON’T NEED TO BE NO TRIPLE CHANGER. I’M DEADLY WITH TWO.\ Dinobot: I may be old but I am not deaf. *He snores loudly, claws digging into his thick arms. He’s about to leave and abandon the kid with Blurr, the worst punishment he can think of for unruly tongues.* FakeProwl: *if Soundwave wants to gossip, Prowl won’t stop him.* Whirl: You’d be the scariest hedgehog I ever met. *solemnly* B l u r r: Aw, come on, Dinobot. He’s always like that. B l u r r: / don’t leave him alone with that child / Dinobot: *Tétta scoots to the edge of her seat, watching* Dinobot: These warriors are whiny, *he complains* Humans… ItsyBitsySpyers: *Well then! Prowl is going to learn all about the Little Pteranodon Who Could Suckerpunch. Soundwave transfers Laserbeak’s copy of the conversation.* B l u r r: Humans are always whiny. B l u r r: That’s why we don’t favor them. FakeProwl: *… hm. helm tilts as he analyzes.* FakeProwl: @Soundwave «Did he do significant damage?» Dinobot: Indeed, it is difficult to endure. I enjoy the female who has found it wise to not be bothered with so much as a helmet. Not that it woukd— ah there we go. Dinobot: ((would*)) B l u r r: well, now she’s a liability. Dinobot: *Tétta’s pupil dilates, yesssssss die* Dinobot: *Loud annoyed snores* Arrrggg the /whining/! B l u r r: All humans DO is whine. ItsyBitsySpyers: (txt): Significant? Negative. Not official fight. Temporary shock. Play fight abandoned after. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble snaps his claws.* //I got it.// FakeProwl: @Soundwave «A pity.» FakeProwl: *still. amusing.* Dinobot: Cool! *Tétta smirks* Too bad you do not look that good, ah Captain? B l u r r: I look better. Whirl: *looks to him* Yeah? Dinobot: *The kid frowns, well, walked right into that one.* Dinobot: This is absurd, the mecha would clearly win. *He growls* B l u r r: Well, obviously. B l u r r: but humans like to make themselves out to be the winners Dinobot: At last the whining ceases. FakeProwl: Humans have killed Cybertronians before. Why is it inconceivable that trained soldiers would be able to kill drones their own species built. Dinobot: *Tétta frowns, all you old bots yammering ruined the movie, she’s trying to watch…* B l u r r: Those humans had to be in large masses. Whirl: *peers; he mimics the robot’s noise again, and this time, much more accurately* Dinobot: I did not follow the plot to know its details as I find it difficult to care. FakeProwl: One human, one Cybertronian, the human survives. B l u r r: Not true. FakeProwl: It’s happened. B l u r r: Depends on the Cybertronian. Dinobot: ((ahhh thank you, sorry I only made it at the end!!)) FakeProwl: Of course it depends on the Cybertronian. But it means it’s not impossible. B l u r r: [[ it okay!! ]] B l u r r: [[ u can stay and chat with us! ]] Dinobot: ((oh sure!)) B l u r r: Humans can’t kill Cybertronians without the help of Cybertronian tech. B l u r r: Or a mass effort. Whirl: Well. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[You would hope so.]] Whirl: I mean, MECH… B l u r r: /shrugs/ Never met 'em, so. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Motions in Whirl’s direction.* Whirl: They use their own tech. And they’re… not too bad at what they do. Whirl: *he was VERY NEARLY a MECH casualty* FakeProwl: Humans can and have. Whirl: Just saying. Dinobot: *Tétta sighs, movie already over, damn Dinobot made her miss most of it… the humanoid listens, rather clueless about their topic* B l u r r: I B l u r r: am aware of what HUMANS can do. On their own. Dinobot: *Dinobot shrugs* My dealings with humans are thankfully limited and my time on Earth before they existed. B l u r r: I’m just saying, most of them can’t kill us without assistance. ItsyBitsySpyers: //I ain’t seen any, but Grimlock says Simfur II got titanium moosebots again. Them fraggers’ll bust you up real good. Ain’t like takin’ down a metallipede or nothin’ - butcha said rust-roses, not– ItsyBitsySpyers: fancy feasts 'n cyviolins.// FakeProwl: ((THE CHAT JUST REFRESHED does somebody have the log ;;)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((where you need it from?)) FakeProwl: ((whatever you got in your window)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((sending)) FakeProwl: ((tbh it's always easier for me to just get "everything" and then trim it myself)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((roger! done)) Whirl: *snorts* Hmm. Interesting. Taking down a metallipede sounds a LOT more fun, though. Honestly, that's... that's a great custom. No lie. It's a win-win. B l u r r: Well, you're lucky then /looks at Dinobot / Humans are nasty. Whirl: You get to fight something really big and tough, you get to show off for your beau, and you get a cool as hell trophy. Nice. Dinobot: I will, *He nodded curtly* Take your word for it. ItsyBitsySpyers: //'N energon.// B l u r r: Mm... you should. Whirl: That too. FakeProwl: ((thank)) Whirl: Anyway. Pfft. How did we even get on this topic? *swivels his helm to Frenz* Did you survive the tide of mush? ItsyBitsySpyers: \\TROPHIES AIN'T MUSH. HAD THE MOVIE ANYHOW.\\ B l u r r: / stretches and slouches on his couch / Whirl: *shrugs* Fair enough. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[He believes you got on it after suggesting the killer robots were courting the murder victims.]] ItsyBitsySpyers: *The most helpful.* Whirl: Oh! That's right. Whirl: ...well it sounds WEIRD when you put it that way. Whirl: I thought they were just courting the other robot. The human-shapedone. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave's shoulders quiver.* B l u r r: / pulls out datapad and taps the screen. Tilts helm back to look at Dinobot upside down / Hey. We're worth a lot of money now. Whirl: Ohh! What's your bounty? ItsyBitsySpyers: *Ravage lifts his helm and peeks.* B l u r r: Looks like it depends on the verse. Dinobot: *Dinobot stares, what the slag are you talking about, he cannot bring himself to ask because he knows better. He moves closer to Blurr as if a bodyguard.* Dinobot: That is good to hear. Whirl: For some reason, last time I checked, I was worth a LOT more dead than alive. Whirl: Which seems backwards to me, but whatever. B l u r r: Right now, we're worth a good chunk of credits back home. B l u r r: / Dinobot got closer? Huh. Flickers optic / I'm not sure what we're worth more as. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Means they're scared of ya.// ItsyBitsySpyers: //Don't wanna risk ya bein' alive 'n breakin' loose.// Whirl: *sits up a bit taller with pride* And I WOULD. Whirl: Still. Congrats, Teach. You're on the board, now. I... actually didn't find out, myself, until a few months back, when someone tried to take me in. B l u r r: Well, I think killing Thundertron tacked up the price. Dinobot: *He snores* Indeed, joining your crew has not improved my status abroad. We should be feared, we are predators. B l u r r: We should do something amazing... / looks at Dinobot/ ItsyBitsySpyers: *Frenzy wonders if he has a price. ... Cool.* B l u r r: We are feared! We can be the most feared crew in the galaxies! Dinobot: *Tétta smirked faintly* Whirl: I'd figure killing a notorious pirate would IMPROVE your standing. Whirl: Maybe even get you hired. Dinobot: *He nodded* Fortunate I have shed the majorityof my honor. B l u r r: / glances at Tetta/ Even /you/ can come along. B l u r r: We could get hired... we could steal more scrap! The trophy room is getting full. B l u r r: I want to steal something /MAJOR/. Dinobot: Forget the Star Seekers, they are nothing, as you have proven by crushing their Pirate Lord. So much for thunder, HA. Whirl: I say, if you wanna steal something really impressive, steal from another thief. B l u r r: K-KYAHAHAHA! /claps claws/ The fleet is ours to use however we want! Whirl: Look for the next biggest pirate lord you can, someone who does this for a living, and crush 'em at it. B l u r r: / hums / I'm not sure who else is out there... Whirl: Well, hit the books. *a pause* Just don't go messing with the Lost Light, or screwing things up on Cybertron. Y'got it? Dinobot: *He snored* I say we take over a world and rule. B l u r r: ... /flicks finials and glances at Dinobot. WIDE CAT LIKE OPTIC / Dinobot: *Tétta growled now, voice rough for being so young* A single world? You worms copy my plans! B l u r r: Hnnh... Machiavelli writes about this. We can't conquer a place and not live there. B l u r r: If we conquer, we have to stay. B l u r r: Listen, RUNT. /snarls/ I've been working on that plan since my Master wanted it. So, you're a little LATE. Dinobot: *He growled back at the youth* Oh, indeed, conquering planets is an original concept, girl. Dinobot: *Tétta looks away with both of them snapping at her, fine, jerks. She'll keep her master plans to herself.* B l u r r: / looks at Whirl / No, I'm not going after all that stuff. FakeProwl: *ugggggh. the people in this room.* B l u r r: Not interested in your Cybertron. Whirl: Just warning you. You mess with my faction, you mess with me. Whirl: Ad these days, I'm always spoiling for a fight. B l u r r: /shrugs / B l u r r: There are plenty of universes out there. Dinobot: Neither I am, I would be happy to never set foot on Cybertron again. B l u r r: /swats Dinobot's arm/ Got that right. Whirl: Yeah. Which means more Sutobots for you to AVOID screwing over. Whirl: ((......*autobots)) B l u r r: Whoa whoa, wait. Slow the roll. /I'm/ an Autobot. FakeProwl: @Soundwave «I think I'll be leaving soon. Anything to discuss before I leave? Professional or personal.» Whirl: I know, but your MO--conquering planets and subjugating aliens--that's very Decepticon-esque. Dinobot: Autobots, Decepticons, *he grumbled, it's all junk to this old beastbot* B l u r r: It's Autobot-like. Whirl: In your timeline, maybe. Whirl: But not every timeline's YOUR timeline. Whirl: Just saying--you might find yourself crossing Autobots. B l u r r: / shrugs / Whirl: And if you do, you go the other way. B l u r r: I know where my loyalties lie. I have scars to prove it. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave considers this for a moment* Whirl: As long as we're clear, mech. *nods* B l u r r: / shrugs / ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): Own delivery intended. Available after Dancitron media night. B l u r r: Generalizing isn't what I do when it comes to mechs. Dinobot: *He growls low* I will battle whoever I please, as if my right as a Predacon Warrior. Dinobot: ((*as is)) B l u r r: / snort/ So long as it doesn't get us in deeper scrap, I don't care. FakeProwl: @Soundwave «"Own delivery"?» ItsyBitsySpyers: *And, before Whirl and Prowl can both disappear - one more good set of fin rubs.* @Prowl: (txt): Gift appreciated. Return intended. Dinobot: *Tétta stares, hmm sentiment* Whirl: *shrugs and eyes Dinobot with no small amount of disdain* Knock yourself out, Scales. Whirl: I;m sure your breath'll send em scrambling. B l u r r: I admit, fighting him is fairly entertaining. B l u r r: Educational, too. Dinobot: It has happened more than once, *he licked his sharp teeth with a bright blue glossa* FakeProwl: @Soundwave «... You don't have to.» *he'll take that rub, though.* Whirl: *stares at him with his blank optic for a moment; it's nigh-impossible to read his expression. At long last, it breaks, into a soft snicker* What the--is--is your glossa BLUE? B l u r r: He's colorful. ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): Known. Still intended. Deserved long before. Whirl: *his optic curves into a gleeful arch, and he keeps on snickering* Dinobot: *His optics widen, oh no, not the questions about his body, the Warrior shifts uneasily and snores loudly.* Hrrrrrrrrrnnnn... *he grumbles* FakeProwl: @Soundwave «...... You really don't have to.» ItsyBitsySpyers: *Looks over. More than a little confused.* Whirl: Sorry, sorry. Pfft. It's just. That's hilarious. And goofy. ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): ...Not wanted? Dinobot: ... yes, your speed is a warrior's gift, Blurr. It will serve you well. *He eyed Whirl as if the bot had noticed some weakness of his that he wished to forget* B l u r r: ... /oh. Oh that was such a nice thing to say. / FakeProwl: *give him a moment to put together words* Whirl: ANYWAY. *he subspaces what's left of his drink, leans back, and streeetches, making it abundantly clear that HE is probably rhe weirdest-shape mech in the room, and in no position to poke fun at-- Whirl: --anyone else* B l u r r: / just sitting there with a dazed expression / Dinobot: *Tétta rubbed her eye and yawned, god this was boring* Dinobot: Well, *he cleared his throat* It is time to drink, clearly. Whirl: I'll catch you guys later. *nudges first Frenzy, and then Rumble* B l u r r: / waves at Whirl / See you. FakeProwl: @Soundwave «... I know that your ability to communicate with and comprehend me is artifically hampered by your voluntary offer to restrict your telepathic abilities around me.» Whirl: You too, Teach. *bobs his head* Knock 'em dead. ItsyBitsySpyers: *They both offer up hands for clapping goodbye.* Whirl: *have a claw in return, fellas* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Slow nod. But he still doesn't know where that's going.* FakeProwl: @Soundwave «I can't offer full access. But I can—at least offer a surface-level view of my mind. It doesn't make up for it but, it's a start.» Whirl: *extricates himself from the hammock, careful not to tip it, and stretches again, clicking his claws* All right, you two, I'm about to head out. FakeProwl: *in other words, Soundwave is ALREADY giving him a gift—an ongoing, costly gift. Prowl's trying to pay it back in what little way he can.* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Goodnight Whirl. Thank you.]] Whirl: *salutes* Dinobot: ((goodnight)) FakeProwl: *... wait, him two i.e. Prowl? oh, okay. nods.* B l u r r: ... well, thanks. /pokes Dinobot's arm/ I owe most of it to you. Whirl: *pauses* ...so if you want a good-bye... whatever it is you do, do it now. Whirl: Is what I'm saying. FakeProwl: *dryly* Are you expecting us to make out? FakeProwl: *they already nuzzled like two whole times* Whirl: *shudders visibly* Ugh, please do NOT. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Places his hand over his mask. Primus.* FakeProwl: Too late. Soundwave, I want an appropriately attractive emoji, stat. FakeProwl: *THE MOST SOLID POKER FACE.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Immediately places a small mock graph on his screen.* Whirl: I can't believe I have to witness this FILTH. Whirl: *his poker face is arguable as good as yours, Prowl* FakeProwl: ... *hesitates* ... I can't actually do this with an audience. *HE WAS ALL TALK.* Whirl: *well, now it breaks, and he snickers* Luckily for us ALL. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Shaking like a leaf. There is, in fact, a small, barely audible vent wheeze.* Whirl: Praise Heqet for small favors. Dinobot: *He grumbled before his mind went to ancient lost places* It is my duty to train those worthy and perhaps... *He glanced at the girl* Hmm. I should retire. Téttares, *he snapped awkward digits, go on* FakeProwl: *oh. oh. slightly leans on.* FakeProwl: *that was worth it for having to admit to whirl that he can't live up to his bluffs* Dinobot: ((1am, I am death, thanks for the stream Blurr and seeeeeeeya others, was fun)) B l u r r: / tilts helm and looks puzzled/ Heading out already? /flexes claws/ Well, don't be a stranger. ItsyBitsySpyers: ((byeeee!)) B l u r r: [[ yee! you're always welcome to come by! ]] Whirl: All right, I take it you got your canoodling in while I was mercilessly distracted. *cuts the signal and waves to the room* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Steals a crest bump before Whirl has to depart. Ha.* Whirl: ((YE DUDE, drop on by again sometime! o) )) Whirl: *mercifully FakeProwl: *bump* Whirl: Later, loses! Whirl: *and he is gone* FakeProwl: *... manages to work up the nerve for a very quick last-second peck* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Well, there go the lights. Oh well. Two fans have been on all night anyway.* FakeProwl: *very proud of himself* FakeProwl: *especially for those fans.* FakeProwl: *there's only a small population that finds Prowl attractive. There's a much, much smaller subset of that population that finds him MORE attractive when they see how his mind works* B l u r r: / ah well. Now that Dinobot and Tettaand whirl are gone he's not sure what to do / ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): Surface-level view accepted. Understanding accepted, appreciated. However... gift still given. Unrelated. Discard concern. Enjoyment permission given, when delivered. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Blurr is abou tto have something to do because Ravage is sloooooooooooooowly reaching a paw toward his helm* ItsyBitsySpyers: *And has been for about a minute.* B l u r r: / glances over at and reaches up a claw to try and poke this paw / ItsyBitsySpyers: *BAP BAP BAP BAP BAP* B l u r r: / makes a snarling noise and baps Ravage on the helm / FakeProwl: @Soundwave «... Thank you.» ItsyBitsySpyers: *Nods.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *BAPS BLURR ON THE HELM BACK* B l u r r: / BAPS AGAIN / ItsyBitsySpyers: *That hand is gonna go in Ravage's mouth in just a sec if Blurr's not careful. Overstimulated hunter feline.* B l u r r: / he will flick the tail / ItsyBitsySpyers: *PCHOOM off the couch and over to Soundwave* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Claws the couch a second or two and then docks.* B l u r r: / someone has the zoomies / B l u r r: / lifts claws in a mock surrender anyway / ItsyBitsySpyers: *Lil bit. Movie full of murder. Staying put. It happens.* B l u r r: / would totally play with a zoomies cat / B l u r r: / by zooming his own way / FakeProwl: *... leans away slightly* FakeProwl: *even tho he's no longer physical. does not want to get in the way of hyperactive dog.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *May Prowl never ever call him a dog to his face. The offense will be legendary.* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[He should, perhaps, return this one to Cybertron.]] FakeProwl: *rest assured he will never call ravage by the wrong species... on purpose.* FakeProwl: ... Perhaps. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Amused.* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Rumble. Frenzy.]] A nod to Blurr. [[Thank you for hosting.]] B l u r r: / nods/  See you. ItsyBitsySpyers: *And a ping to Prowl, since he's no longer solid. You remember that affection tag? He's going to give that a test run and then make his way out.* FakeProwl: *affection tag.* FakeProwl: *and disappears*