#this is why loop has mouth privileges revoked

[monochrome-stars]

so are we just merging characters together now? anyway i may have done a thing

[holdyourbreathuntilyouseelight]

The Bodyguard - Chapter 2

Summary: Magnus is a dancing popstar sensation whose popularity continues to climb. Alec, an ex-Secret Service agent, is hired on as a professional bodyguard in charge of Mr. Bane’s personal security by insistence of Magnus’ manager. Despite their initial differences, Magnus finds himself falling for Alec the more time they spend getting to know each other and relies on him for more than physical security as his safety gets threatened. Loosely based on the 1992 film The Bodyguard.

Rating: M

Genre: AU, Everyone is Human AU, Celebrity!Magnus, Bodyguard!Alec, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Fluff, Friendship, Romance, Eventual Smut, Mutual Pining

Author: holdyourbreathuntilyouseelight

A/N: Thanks for reading and the feedback so far! For this chapter - mild trigger warning for a forced-on kiss - female to male. It does not last long, but please be mindful if you are sensitive to this type of situation.

Read on AO3. 

Previous chapters on tumblr: Prologue // Chapter 1

"Is this really necessary, Alexander?"

Alec grumbled under his breath at the use of his full name, not bothering to correct the star anymore. He clearly enjoyed pushing his buttons, so giving in and showing how much it annoyed him was only fueling the fire.

It was only two weeks into the tour, and Alec's prediction that he'd be met with resistance on his plans to keep Magnus safe from the one in question was proving true.

He liked to do a full sweep of every venue prior to letting Magnus roam free. Especially since it was clear Magnus had no regard for personal safety.

Alec continued his patrol, withholding the sigh he longed to release. "Yes, Mr. Bane. I take my job seriously."

"Is there anything you don't take seriously?" Magnus drawled, examining his nails. "I need to get started on my pre-show prep so I'll be ready in time for dress rehearsal. Are you almost done deactivating the bombs at least?"

Alec rolled his eyes. "You know, just because you think you're invincible and everyone worships you, doesn't mean you're right."

"Whatever. Can we hurry this up? I'm starving."

Alec chose not to respond, instead speaking into his wire. "Are we clear?"

"All set. Set him free." Raj chuckled, knowing the impatience of the pop star.

He turned to Magnus. "We're clear."

"Finally." Magnus complained, heading towards his assigned dressing room with his prep team in tow.

Alec followed and leaned against the wall outside of his room, pulling out the mini tablet he had. He opened up the venue map and checked each of his staff's positioning.

Magnus may not outwardly appreciate his efforts, but Alec wasn't going to let that weaken his meticulous professionalism. He had been hired to keep the man safe, and that was exactly what he was going to do.

Magnus let his team do their work, trying not to think about the tall man outside of his dressing room acting like he was going to be tackled at any moment.

He knew Raphael had his reasons for hiring Alec, but he had mostly been a giant pain in his ass. Magnus had not taken well to the modifications done to his home or that the Lightwood man seemed to be the bossiest person on the planet.

He remembered when he came home from a day of shopping to find his house transformed from when he last left it.

"Why are there bars on my windows?! What is this, Alcatraz?!"

Alec inhaled slowly. "Mr. Bane, we will be taking every precaution to keep you safe. That means your home needed some changes."

"This is ridiculous! RAPH!"

Raphael came back into the room, hanging up the phone. "Listen to Mr. Lightwood, Magnus. He knows what he's doing."

"I don't care! I should not need a damn retina scan to enter the front door!"

Alec didn't speak to his over-exaggeration, instead forcing his voice into a steady calm. "Mr. Bane… we've added extra security measures for a reason. The fact that you haven't had more issues with break-ins and over-enthused fans is shocking. Your social media is littered with ways for your fans to track you to this address. You had no security or surveillance system in place, your windows were a completely accessible entry point, and you had so many people running around, anyone could slip in, especially without any proper screening process at your front door."

Magnus had pitched a celebrity-level temper tantrum but Alec didn't budge. It was clear Magnus wasn't getting through to him, so he reluctantly let him continue to run the show and got used to not having his way. Even though he didn't usually keep his mouth shut about it.

After that, Magnus gave up on arguing about it, since even Raphael wasn't sympathetic to him. He made sure to be home for the next set of changes, and that he pushed Alec's buttons at every opportunity during the process.

Still, despite Alec's irritating ways, he knew his heart was in the right place. He may be a hired gun of sorts but the changes did make Magnus start to think about what he was doing. Sometimes, when he was about to post something to social media, he'd now review it. Even going so far to crop certain parts out or blur them to make it a little more secure.

He'd never tell Alec that, of course. He could just picture the smug look on the tall man's face.

Still, annoying though he may be, he at least was easy on the eyes. And Magnus very much enjoyed riling him up at every opportunity. His buttons were so very easy to push. Flirting openly with him was especially rewarding, as it usually caused his porcelain skin to change to a lovely pink hue.

A knock on the door made Magnus look up from watching Meliorn work on his make-up.

Alec's voice came through the closed door. "Mr. Bane, there's a Camille Belcourt here to see you. She says you're old friends. Do you have time to see her or should I get Raphael to set up a time tomorrow?"

Magnus swallowed, the few of his team members who knew his past well looking awkward, and he forced a smile. "I'll be all right. You guys go take a break. Get some nourishment. I'll handle Camille."

"One of us can stay…?"

He shook his head, waving them off. "Go. I'll find out what she wants and then send her on her way."

The group of them left, and Magnus turned in his chair. "Let her in, Alec."

The door opened and the tall brunette entered, a wicked smirk on her lips.

"Magnus. It's been too long."

Alec met Magnus' eyes, and Magnus gave a subtle nod, confirming that she was who she said she was. Alec closed the door behind the pair.

"Camille. What brings you to my dressing room?"

She waltzed over to him in what she probably assumed was a seductive manner, but Magnus wasn't buying it. "Aww, can't I stop by? Or was that privilege revoked when we broke up?"

"You mean when you cheated on me with your agent for nearly a year and then got caught?" Magnus replied coldly.

She pouted. "Still holding a grudge I see."

Magnus crossed his arms, huffing out a breath. "Yeah, I'm stubborn like that, I guess."

"Oh, Magnus. I know we both made mistakes…"

"Some more than others." he interjected bitterly.

"… but I was hoping we could catch up. Reconnect. It's been too long."

"Is this because I got invited to that big award show next week? Are you thinking I'll take you and get you some spotlight time?"

"Now that is a wonderful idea! I could make myself available…"

Magnus sighed. "Camille, just because your modelling career has hit a plateau, it isn't a reason for you to try to manipulate me into letting you back into my life."

Camille stepped closer, looping her arms around his neck, her eyelashes fluttering over her green eyes in an attempt to be sultry. "Magnus, I miss you. We had something good for so long. And your fans love us together. Please? Just think about it. What me and you together could mean… How much fun we had… I know you remember that." she taunted, leaning into him further.

Before he could reply, Camille had backed him against the vanity table and grabbed his face in her hands to kiss him eagerly.

Magnus lost his balance, arms flailing as he fell backwards, before he grabbed her shoulders and shoved her off of him, hard.

"Camille! Don't—!"

But she was forcing herself on him again, her tongue invading his mouth, and before he could do something like bite down on it to get her off, she was wrenched away.

"I believe Mr. Bane told you no." a low voice growled, and Magnus looked up as he wiped his mouth to see Alec with a tight grip around Camille's wrist.

She was dead silent, eyes wide at the dangerous tone, and Alec dragged her by the arm to the door with little to no remorse.

"You've overstayed your welcome, Miss Belcourt. Mr. Garroway will escort you out. And you will not be welcomed back on my watch."

Camille shot a glare back at Magnus before letting an angry Luke direct her outside.

Magnus was speechless, chest rising and falling. He didn't know what to say. Alec looked furious, like he was ready to punch a hole in the wall, and Magnus hadn't seen him in such a state before. He was normally quite pulled together.

"Are you all right?" Alec finally asked.

Magnus managed to find words, hugging his middle and watching the floor instead of meeting his bodyguard's eyes. "Fine. Um… thanks."

Alec nodded. "I apologize for barging in. I promise I wasn't eavesdropping, but I heard you cry out and well…"

Magnus nodded, not lifting his gaze. He felt mortified, not really sure how to talk to him now. He was always giving Alec a hard time about his extensive measures, and, still, at the first sign of Magnus' lack of safety, he was swooping in to his rescue. It was his job, he supposed, but Magnus could've handled it himself too.

Alec took a step closer, eyes roaming over Magnus' form. "She didn't hurt you, did she?"

Magnus shook his head. "No, no, I'm okay. Just… humiliated." he muttered under his breath.

Alec crossed the distance between them then, reaching a hand out to cup Magnus' face so he'd look at him. He lowered himself slightly so he was at eye-level.

"Hey. You have nothing to be embarrassed about, okay?"

"Well, for starters, I let her in here despite my better judgment."

"You just have a good, trusting heart. Sometimes, those that know it, take advantage of it. Especially when they're a person like Camille. But that isn't your fault, okay? I know I've preached taking more precautions about your safety since the second we met—"

"And you were right! I mean, even my hair and make-up team know Camille is bad news, and yet I still let her in this room alone with me."

Alec smiled softly at him, and Magnus found himself mesmerized by the sight.

"You want to see the best in people. That's not something to be ashamed of. But you also mean a lot to a lot of people, and your personal safety is important to honour too."

"I know. I'll try to be less… difficult about it."

Alec laughed, and Magnus couldn't help but break into a grin at the sound. That was new.

"It hasn't hindered me doing my job yet, has it?"

"True."

Alec rolled his eyes amusedly. "All right. I'll send your team back in. Dress rehearsal is in fifteen minutes and you still need a lot of work…"

"Hey!"

Alec grinned over his shoulder at him, and Magnus chewed his tongue as he tried not to laugh, unable to believe that Alec Lightwood had just made a joke.

But then his hair and make-up team returned with snacks and drinks for him, and Magnus was distracted with soothing their concerns that Camille was long gone.

He didn't share what had gone down during their absence, but they didn't look too worried. He figured that was because of the oddly giddy look on his face that Alec had imprinted on him before he left.

The show was a great success, as always. Magnus shone as bright as he always did in front of a huge crowd, every move he made followed by thousands of eyes and screaming cheers.

Alec directed the security that lined the stage as well as those that kept things clear backstage. He himself watched Magnus from the sidelines, always scanning the crowd for any signs of potential danger.

Thankfully, it was another uneventful night for danger and Magnus quickly cleaned himself up to go do the usual meet-and-greet outside for those lingering around.

Alec dutifully followed, the fan interaction always his most dreaded part of the evening. It was much harder to keep track of everyone and everything when they all were in such close quarters, desperate to get a handful of the star.

But he knew it was extremely important to Magnus and the fans and that it wasn't going anywhere any time soon, so he sucked it up and stayed tight to Magnus' side.

It was much harder to keep things organized when there were people leaping at Magnus and excitedly hugging him and reaching in their coats for their phones. These days, autographs were a thing of the past, so bulky phones came out for the two hundred selfies Magnus would take with his idolizers.

Still, it was hard not to smile seeing the way people would light up like all their dreams came true when Magnus gave them his undivided attention.

Magnus had a way with his fans—he maintained total eye contact, smiled so wide his eyes sparkled, and he listened to every word they said like they were telling him the most important thing he'd ever hear. He joined them in retelling of stories of his, became completely animated in his responses, and generally charmed them even more than they were already.

Each fan would leave, giggling with their companions and sifting through the many selfies he took with them to find the first one they'd post, and Magnus would embrace the next just as whole-heartedly and full of love as the last.

Even Alec couldn't help his entertainment watching the interactions, but he stayed watchful, making sure not to miss a beat.

Finally, things wrapped up and they headed back inside the venue to gather Magnus' things before heading to the local hotel. They'd leave for the next city in the morning.

"Well, tonight was a definite win for the books. I can't wait to lounge in a ridiculous-sized tub and then sleep with eighteen pillows." Magnus was babbling as they headed through the halls.

Alec tried to keep the amusement off his face but it was a hard feat. Working for Magnus was definitely a change of pace from his previous work.

Magnus led the way down the hall, rambling on about all the perks of getting the best suites at hotels and where his best stays were. It wasn't until he opened the door to his dressing room so he could gather the last of his belongings that he went silent.

Alec saw the blood drain from his face, his posture suddenly rigid, and he instinctively cut in front of him to barricade him from whatever horror he was facing.

The vanity mirror was covered in a series of polaroids, all taped in an arrangement. Alec stepped in the room further to get a closer look, but it was clear what the pattern was spelling out.

YOU'RE MINE

His eyes narrowed as he looked over the pictures. Most seemed to be candid shots—captured moments of Magnus walking down the street, stopping at cafes, even some from him around the house through what had to be his windows. Him rehearsing, eating dinner, even a couple where he was asleep on the couch.

"What the FUCK is THIS?!" Magnus finally said. Although he obviously meant to sound more malicious, it mostly came out hoarse from fear.

Alec pulled out his phone and started taking pictures immediately. He was trying to control the growing anger in the pit of his stomach. He had security staff everywhere. How had this person gotten in here?

Raphael had come by to see what the hold up was, as the car was waiting outside for them to go, and the smile melted right off of his face like candle wax.

"Do you want to tell him or should I?" Alec asked the silent man, his irritation not masked in the slightest.

"YOU knew about… about…. Whatever the hell THIS is?!" Magnus demanded, rounding on him now that he had a target.

Alec raised a hand in surrender and kept his cool. "Let's talk at the hotel. I'm going to get the police here to do a sweep in case there are any answers. And I'll need to speak to the director of this place to see if there is any surveillance near this room that might help us narrow this person down." He gestured at Luke. "Luke, please escort Mr. Bane outside and do not leave his side for a moment. Do a sweep of the car before getting in it too."

Magnus huffed and stormed away, looking hurt and betrayed, and Alec tried not to let it bother him. He knew his response was entirely valid. Alec had urged Raphael on multiple occasions to tell Magnus, to warn him so things wouldn't come as such a shock and so he could be more wary, but Raphael feared making Magnus paranoid for no reason.

After all, until tonight, they had only received a couple of ransom-like letters in the mail. It could've been a prank. And once Alec was hired on, nothing else came. Obviously the manager had hoped it was over and he wouldn't have to worry the star, but Alec knew obsessions like these rarely faded on their own.

Alec hoped that one good thing would come out of the display left for them tonight—there would be something useful found to track the person down and end things before they got worse.

Of course, luck would have it that things wouldn't be that easy.

The police came and went, promising to call if any evidence lead to something, but Alec could tell by the looks in their eyes they weren't too hopeful. After all, so many people had been in and out of that room that night. And if, god forbid, it was someone on Magnus' team doing such things, it would be virtually impossible to pin it on them from their DNA being at the scene alone.

Naturally, the surveillance stopped shortly before reaching Magnus' dressing room, so they didn't have much to go on there. It was designed to capture where regular guests frequented, rather than more of the backstage situations, due to privacy. Many stars ended up undressing and redressing backstage or in the hallways—to avoid lawsuits or uncodely conduct, they limited the survaillence in those areas during show nights.

Defeated, Alec headed to the hotel to meet with a furious Magnus and hopefully smooth things over.

By the time he arrived, it looked as though Raphael had explained everything—how long ago things started, the few notes they received and what they looked like, and how, despite taking things to the police, nothing had really come of it yet. It was why Raphael had wanted better security during the tour, hence his hiring of Alec.

Alec entered the room quietly, standing with his hands behind his back in a soldier's stance as Magnus paced back and forth in front of a forlorn Raphael.

"So this has been going on for months and you just decided it was better I didn't know?!"

"I worried about making you paranoid, affecting your comfort on stage and with fans… If it was just a harmless prank or something to rattle you with no real intention of going further, it seemed cruel to burden you with it…" Raphael explained, looking at the shag rug with his head hung.

"And what about you? What's your excuse?" Magnus snapped at Alec.

He exhaled slowly. "I would've told you myself, but I figured you'd assume I was making it up in order to make you more compliant with the changes I implemented. I wanted you to trust me as your head of security and was worried you'd rebel even further against the new things in place if I gave you a reason to."

Magnus grumbled under his breath. "Damn."

Alec raised one eyebrow in question.

"You're probably right. I wouldn't have believed you. I guess I needed to see it for myself."

Magnus straightened up from his moping position and crossed his arms.

"So… now that everything is in the open, what comes next? Should we… should we be cancelling the tour?"

Alec noticed he was looking at him now; normally he'd go through Raphael first, but he supposed he could understand why he was a little less forgiving of the man he'd known for many years keeping secrets.

"Well, truth be told, no. I think, with stalkers of this nature, the more you keep moving the better. Now, of course, with a music tour such as yours, all of your dates and venues are posted. But if those pictures tonight are anything to go by, they know where you live. I'd feel better knowing they don't know where you're sleeping each night, as your hotel stays are private. And I will continue to make sure we have maximum security at each venue. In fact, I may double it if the police don't give us anything substantial from their findings tonight."

Magnus nodded. He seemed to accept Alec's input on the subject.

"Also, the last thing we want to give this person is the attention from you they're craving. So not a word of this to anyone, okay? All we need is the media getting wind of it and it'll explode. Not even anything cryptic on social media that could allude to the situation we're dealing with. Attention and the spotlight on them is exactly what this person wants. We don't want them to know they've gotten to you."

"But they have." Magnus muttered.

"I signed on to be your personal bodyguard, Mr. Bane. I'm good at what I do. You don't have anything to worry about as long as I'm nearby."

"Good." Magnus said, nodding. "In that case, Raphael… I want you to call our next series of hotels. Make sure I am booked in a suite with a double bedroom. I want Alexander staying in the next room for the rest of the tour."

Alec's eyes widened but he didn't say anything.

Raphael nodded quickly, pulling out his phone to get started. Alec figured he'd do anything to get back into Magnus' good graces.

"For tonight, Alexander, you have your own room and I'll stick to just having a hired gun outside my door. You better enjoy it while it lasts because I'll warn you… I'm a bathroom hog." Magnus said, a sly smile on the corner of his lips before he headed into his en-suite.

Alec swallowed, not really sure what to make of the new arrangements, but unable to deny that his job was continuing to get more interesting.

Continue to  Chapter 3

[centeris2]

The day after taking Scott into Jorvik City, Rebecca takes him to meet friends. Proper socialization of your vampire is key to their mental health.

Scott woke up to an incredible feeling of bliss, realizing Rebecca was still there in his arms. At some point in the night he had rolled onto his back and Rebecca had followed, her head on his chest.

This, this was perfect.

Just him and Rebecca, snuggled together under blankets in her stable, hidden from the world. He was surprised how warm and heavy the blankets were, it felt like he was totally wrapped in them, and he didn’t remember them being this heavy last night. In fact, it felt like there was a heater next to him.

A snorting made him look to his side, a seal blinking at him.

“AH!” he didn’t mean to yelp but there was a seal. In the tack room. Where- how?

The seal barked at the cry and Rebecca jerked awake, sitting up and looking at Scott.

“Oh, good morning, Kells!” Rebecca said with a smile, petting the now whimpering seal next to Scott. The light brown seal with a black heart mark on its head cried, lumbering over Scott to get closer to Rebecca.

“Oh honey! No! You’re getting too big for that!” Rebecca tried to push the seal off Scott, who had gasped and had no idea what to do about a seal over his stomach.

“Come on sweetie,” Rebecca said as she stood and stepped over Scott, “you and the others should go hunting.”

The seal, Kells, whined and followed Rebecca out of the tack room, leaving Scott gasping for breath and very confused.

He scrambled up and poked his head out of the tack room, bewildered by the amount of activity in the barn. There wasn’t just one seal, there were maybe seven or eight, barking and yapping and jumping up as Rebecca walked through them.

“Honestly, you guys don’t need me to get out,” Rebecca laughed but opened the main door, the seals flopping their way out into the sun.

Heavy purring and fur made Scott glanced down, a bright orange cat rubbing against him and practically vibrating from how hard it was purring. He stiffled a cry when something landed on his head, a fox looking at him before hopping down to the floor and scampering away.

“I thought you were a horse girl,” Scott muttered, looking up and seeing squirrels running along the rafters and out an open window.

“Oh, I am!” Rebecca grinned before she ran over to him and threw her arms around him, giving him a tight hug.

“Good morning!” she chirped, purring a bit herself when Scott hugged her back.

“Mornin,” he murmured to her. There, now it was just him and her and oh dear.

Midnightwarrior snorted and nudged Rebecca before turning and trotting away.

“Let me get my boots on! Geez!” Rebecca called after her horse before she slipped on socks and boots she had in the tack room.

“You’re in pjs,” Scott pointed out as she headed toward the door.

“Yeah, so? You may want to put on a shirt,” she grinned at him, the fox from before jumping and climbing up to her shoulders.

“Good morning, Sly!” she cooed to the fox, giving it a scratch, “where are the others?”

The red fox jumped down and raced down the hallway.

Scott grabbed his clothes and got dressed before heading out, seeing Rebecca waiting for him at an open side door.

“Told you I’m a horse girl,” she teased when he stopped and looked at all the horses.

“Damn…” Scott muttered, a bit afraid to go out into the yard as there were so many horses, all of them nickering and sniffing Midnightwarrior and Rebecca in greeting.

“Most of them I’m just training for the summer,” Rebecca reassured him before she held out her hand to guide him through the mass of horses. He took her hand, happy to have her to anchor him as horses investigated him.

“You said you did western riding, do you have a horse?” she asked, providing a distraction from several very large horses sniffing him and studying him.

“Uh yeah, I mean no. I leased a horse when I rode I mean,” he explained.

“You don’t ride anymore?”

“My, uh, riding privileges have been revoked until the bridge is done,” Scott scowled. The last bit was a partial lie, the revoked privileges and building the bridge were both punishments. But he hoped he would get to ride again once the bridge was complete.

“Oh, um, how? Like, were you forbidden or?” she wondered how it worked. Surely if he wanted to ride he could work out a deal with Natalie at New Hillcrest stables.

“Junior and Father control the money, no money no leasing,” he explained, bitterness evident in his voice.

“Ah, and I’m sure they prefer to keep you dependent on them for money,” Rebecca guessed. Junior seemed to be the controlling type like that, and keeping Scott busy with tasks around Butter Hill prevented him from getting his own income.

“Yeah, the, uh, ‘payment’ I get for my work around the mansion let’s me do a few things, but is not enough to lease a horse again,” he didn’t like using the word allowance, that seemed like a childish thing, but that’s what it felt like. If Junior and his Father were feeling gracious and like Scott had earned money then Scott finally had some fun money. Some was stashed away, a vague dream that just maybe he’d be able to get away if he could get enough together. But mostly it went to distractions. Anything that would make him think of something other than his family.

“I see. Well, I won’t charge you!” she suggested with a wink and a nudge.

“I’m not accepting a horse,” he rejected the offer, making Rebecca snort.

“Right, because I can exercise all these horses by myself. You’d be helping me out,” she pointed out. That was a valid point.

“Besides, I think I know the perfect horse. Shoo! Go wander!” she turned her attention to the horses still milling around and sent them away. Scott sighed in relief, glad to have his personal space again.

“Where is Dawn?” she asked Midnightwarrior. Why was she asking her horse? But the dark horse snorted and trotted away.

��I guess he won’t help,” Scott muttered, eyebrow raised.

“He’s going to get her,” Rebecca smiled.

“You can talk to horses? You really are a witch,” Scott teased, feeling a smile tugging at his mouth.

“I just understand them, and they understand me. But at the rate I am going I probably will be more of a witch than a druid,” she grinned and remembered something. “Oh, we’ll have to check the post box, our books should be here.”

“Those’ll keep me busy,” he admitted, thinking of the pile he would be receiving.

“Now, for Dawn, it’s important to know some things. You’ll need to stay calm with her, and she does much better with positive reinforcement. Try not to shout or hit, and definitely do not use a whip. Be best if you didn’t carry one at all,” Rebecca advised.

“Why?”

“She will probably buck you off and bite you. I don’t know the details but she I think she went through trauma of some sort, she gets very anxious if she thinks you are angry with her,” she explained.

“And you think she’ll be a good fit for me?” Scott asked, a bit bewildered.

“I think she’ll be able to help you quite a bit,” Rebecca grinned.

“Her help me?” he was even more confused now.

“She’s a horse that has been through trauma who is desperate to please and receive affection and approval. I think you’ll both be able to work through some issues together,” Rebecca was glad when the look of understanding crossed his face and he scowled and looked away.

“Doubt it,” he muttered. How would a horse do that?

“At the very least she’s good at western, she’s very quick on her hooves and excellent at changing direction on a moment’s notice. I wouldn’t be surprised if she made a good cutting horse, but I haven’t seen any competitions on Jorvik to test that theory,” Rebecca added.

Midnightwarrior snorted, returning with a palomino mare a little shorter than him. Scott stared at the mare, his heart clenching a bit. He didn’t like it, but there was something about how the mare held herself, how she looked around, fear and caution just under the surface. It reminded him of himself.

“Thank you! Alright Dawn, that’s a good sweetie,” Rebecca let go of Scott to walk toward the mare, Dawn prancing up and nudging Rebecca.

“This is Scott,” she looked at Scott, Dawn’s ears and eyes following and looking at Scott.

“Come say hello,” Rebecca beckoned, hand out to Scott. He tried to stay calm, tried to not be threatening at all. He stepped forward and took Rebecca’s hand, and she guided his hand to Dawn’s muzzle.

The mare took a deep breath, smelling Scott’s hand, and withdrew a bit. Rebecca let go of Scott’s hand.

“She looks like you,” Scott muttered, unsure what to do now.

“You think? I always pictured myself as a cremello. The blue eyes and all,” Rebecca said, watching Dawn as she slowly approached Scott, studying him as she eased closer. Scott stood still. Normally he’d just go for the horse, loop a rope around them and tack them up. But this was Rebecca’s horse, and he felt like he needed permission from Rebecca before he could touch Dawn.

“Good,” Rebecca murmured, Dawn blowing on Scott’s face.

“Blow back, say hello,” she suggested.

“What?” he glanced at her.

“Blow on her nose so she can get your smell,” she explained a bit more, Scott not understanding.

But he did it anyway, blowing through his mouth at Dawn’s nose. The mare’s nostrils flared, inhaling his breath. The mare snorted, shook her head, and then lowered her head and pressed it against his chest.

“She likes you, you can touch her now,” Rebecca informed him, smiling.

“I know,” Scott wasn’t sure why he said that, but he felt a bit of pride. This horse had come to him, and now he was able to touch the velvety nose and stroke her face. He hadn’t forced the horse to do anything. It was an oddly satisfying feelings.

“Come on,” Rebecca called, heading back into the barn, Midnightwarrior following. Scott stepped away from Dawn, wondering what to do, and Dawn followed. He was surprised to find how closely she followed, her head resting over his shoulder as she followed him into the barn. He didn’t remember ever seeing something like this in real life, maybe in movies with the perfect match of horse and rider, but that was just movie magic.

“Horse tack is here, go ahead and pick whatever western tack you want for her, it should all fit her pretty well,” Rebecca instructed before she went to her closet to get dressed for the day.

Dawn watched Scott as he picked out tack. He wondered how Rebecca had managed to get all the equipment, or how she managed to keep it organized.

Rebecca returned, dressed and carrying packages, as Scott was tacking up Dawn.

“I already grabbed my book, so these are all yours,” she informed him, smirking as he winced at the stack of books. Had they sent more books? The pile looked even bigger today.

“Are you sure?” he asked, hoping maybe they had sent her extra books.

“I checked, these are yours. Feel free to grab a saddle bag for these,” she said, putting the books on the counter in the tack room.

Once he got the saddle bag crammed with books he mounted up, seeing Rebecca finishing Midnightwarrior and mounting as well.

“So, drop those off in your tool shed, and then go for a run?” she asked.

“Sure!”

Rebecca’s stomach growled.

“Um, get some food, drop off the books, then go for a run?” she amended and he nodded.

Scott was amazed that Dawn and Midnight just stood by happily nickering to each other while Rebecca and Scott got breakfast at a cafe by the harbor. Scott was also amazed that they got free food, the owner reassuring Rebecca that it was on the house.

“Why does everyone like you?” Scott muttered when the owner, Catherine, left them with their food.

“Because I smile,” she said with a big smirk, “also I help people out.”

“I think you have a need to be liked by everyone,” Scott observed and Rebecca shrugged.

“I was worse when I was younger, if you can believe that.”

“I can’t,” he admitted, taking a bite of his sandwich. Oh delicious food, it had been too long.

“Everyone likes me, so seems like a good deal to me,” she shrugged.

“And the people who just take advantage of it?” Scott said between bites of food.

“Eh, they’re jerks, but it doesn’t bother me much, I know I did a good thing even if I don’t get thanked for it,” she explained. “I know, I’m so weird,” she added in a teasing voice when he looked at her funny.

“That’s one word for it,” he muttered, finishing his sandwich.

They thanked Catherine for the food and headed south to Butter Hill, Rebecca noticing that Scott was gradually growing tenser as they approached.

“We’re on horses, we can run away if someone yells at you,” Rebecca pointed out, trying to lighten the mood.

“Yeah,” he muttered, his mood not improved.

To Scott’s relief Junior wasn’t prowling around looking for him, and he was able to stash the books, and grab some cash just in case.

“Right then,” Rebecca headed toward The Great Thunder, much to Scott’s panic.

“We can’t jump that!”

“Yes we can!” Rebecca grinned, “just trust Dawn, she’s done it before!” she called before Midnightwarrior ran and carried her over the chasm.

Just trust a horse he just met. Right. Trust. Trust wasn’t something he did.

“Should we come back?” Rebecca called, waiting on the other side.

Scott looked down at the palomino mare, she seemed totally calm, ears on Rebecca before flicking back to Scott.

“Okay… just… go to Rebecca,” he tried to not feel the fear and nerves, he didn’t want to get Dawn killed. Or himself. Why did he think of Dawn first? He blinked and shook his head before he looked ahead at Rebecca. Just go to Rebecca. That was easy.

Dawn took a few steps back, Scott trying not to panic because he didn’t tell her to do that, was she scared? Was she backing away? But then Dawn tensed, shifting back into her haunches, and Scott held tight just before she leapt forward. All he had to do was hold on, surprised by the sudden speed and wind blowing in his face before it all stopped in a thud, Dawn standing on the other side tossing her head.

“Told you,” Rebecca smiled, amused by his blush and hand on his hat, shoving it back into place.

They rode through New Hillcrest at a much more relaxed pace, Scott suspected she was letting Scott recover and stop shaking from the jump but he said nothing. Mostly he was busy looking around, a slight scowl on his face as he saw the looks in his direction. There was less disgust and hatred though, it was more confusion seeing Rebecca, cheery and smiling, with Scott. Rebecca waved and called hello to a few people and they waved back, smiling but clearly confused by Scott.

“Your good name won’t last long,” Scott muttered to her as they climbed up the bridge to South Hoof.

“I have been seen with worse than a Buttergood,” Rebecca grinned and added, “maybe your bad name won’t last much longer.”

“Doubt that,” he grumbled. The Buttergoods had earned their reputation over generations of being generally nasty to everyone.

“Hello Singing Yew!” she called and waved to the giant tree on South Hoof as they rode by, and Scott was sure he imagined the tree creaking in response.

“Maybe you are a druid, talking to trees,” Scott teased.

“Nah, the druids don’t like me at all!” she laughed, Midnightwarrior slowing down so she could remove her gloves and long sleeved jacket and stash them in the saddlebag.

“No one here to ask,” she explained, taking up the reins once more and leading the way.

“So where are you taking me today?” Scott asked.

“Just here I think, maybe to the western courses around Jorvik. I want you to meet someone,” she explained as she led him down a slope toward a little house and garden.

“Hello! Where is Justin?” she asked the old man who glared at them.

“No how are you doing? No manners, bah, this is why I don’t like people…” the old man grumbled.

“Would you rather I stay here and talk to you?” she asked with a smirk, the old man grimacing at the thought.

“He’s with the ponies,” he answered in a huff, not wanting to talk unless it was complaining about the lack of manners in humans.

“Thank you!” she said with a bright smile and waved goodbye before heading back up the slope. Scott tipped his hat toward the old man, not sure why he did it, and followed Rebecca.

“The ponies?” Scott asked when Rebecca stopped at the top of the slope.

“The wild Welsh ponies,” Rebecca explained, standing up in her saddle to try to see where the herd was.

“I guess we’ll find him if we run around long enough,” she said with a shrug when she didn’t see the herd. Scott didn’t offer any protest and followed, the group traveling at an easy lope.

“So, this Justin, he a friend?” Scott asked, wondering who Rebecca wanted him to meet. More specifically, he wondered what Justin knew about Rebecca, as she was not hiding her arms or hands.

“Yup! He was the first person I met in Jorvik, and he’s a bit involved in the magic stuff. Plus, I think you two will get along well, and you definitely need friends,” she explained, a bit teasing.

“What am I, your charity project?” he huffed, wondering just what her goals were with him.

“I won’t be here all the time,” she said more seriously, and it made Scott nervous.

“Ah! Justin!” she hollered, waving her hands to get the attention of the pony herd moving in the distance. A palomino with a person, Scott assumed Justin, broke off from the herd and headed toward them.

“Hey Rebecca! And…?” Justin glanced from her bare arms to Scott to Rebecca, confused.

“Hi Justin! This is Scott, he needs friends!”

“I do not,” Scott scowled, not liking how Rebecca was leading off.

“Pleasure to meet you, Scott! Don’t mind Rebecca, she collects lonely people,” Justin teased and Rebecca shrugged, not disagreeing.

“I guess lonely people just gravitate toward me,” she said, flicking her hair and grinning.

“Nice to meet you,” Scott said, tipping his hat to Justin and not sure where to go from there.

“Well, I figured you two are lonely so you guys should be friends! And you have a lot in common, both of you believe in magic, you have nasty relatives, you both like horses, you two will get along! You two have fun, I’m going to visit the ponies!” Rebecca said in a rush before she took off, leaving the two young men together.

“Is she always like that?” Scott asked, accepting his fate that he was to try to make friends with Justin.

“She’s…” Justin paused, a sad and guilty look crossing his face, “she’s trying. So, magic? What do you know?”

“Ah, not much? I know she’s got something with the druids, and it’s like she can talk to animals. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was a witch,” Scott tried to joke, noticing Justin’s face grew dark at the mention of the druids. Seemed they were a sore spot for a lot of people.

“Alright, just wondering,” Justin said with a shrug, trying to gauge how much he could talk about with Scott.

“She must trust you,” Scott continued, “showing her hands and all around you.”

“Yeah… we’ve been through a lot together,” Just said, his guilty expression back.

“Uh… so, what did you mean by she’s trying?” Scott asked, trying to learn more. Rebecca was a safe topic, it was something they both could talk about.

“She was pretty shy when she first came to Moorland. And now… well, she doesn’t like letting people see her. She tries to hide what she is feeling and tries to come off as happy and upbeat all the time.”

Scott didn’t say anything for a moment, watching her in the distance. The herd of ponies had surrounded her, she was probably having a great time saying hello to all the ponies.

“I got that feeling from her, she doesn’t do a good job of hiding it,” Scott admitted.

“Oh?”

“She was rather… volatile yesterday. She bounced between smiling and cracking jokes to being so… bitter. She always tried to brush it off though,” Scott explained and Justin nodded.

“Yesterday must have been a bad day for her, or she feels safe around you and let her guard down a bit,” Justin suggested with a shrug.

“Her… her scars,” Scott stopped himself, not sure if he should ask. Justin might not even know, and it really should be Rebecca who told him, right?

“Did she tell you?” Justin asked quietly, looking away.

“Something about… torture?” Scott didn’t like saying the word, he didn’t like remembering her fear and her sobs.

“Yeah,” Justin muttered, looking down at his own hands, “my… my grandfather. He didn’t like that she helped the druids.”

“Grandfather? And I thought my family was bad…” Scott muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. He didn’t know what else to say.

“It’s just my grandfather! Everyone else is nice!” Justin declared, trying to defend his family, “Well, maybe…”

“Maybe?”

“I… I worry about what I may have inherited from him,” Justin admitted.

“I know, I think about that a lot too,” Scott confessed. It was surprisingly easy to open up to Justin.

“Oh?” Justin asked, curious.

“Buttergoods are rancid, have been for generations,” Scott said bitterly, “I don’t know why that’d change with me.”

“Oh! I thought you looked a bit familiar,” Justin said, studying Scott closer now. The Silverglades and the Buttergoods were both prominent families, and while Justin wasn’t too involved in the Silverglade part he did have a vague idea of who the big families were. He remembered seeing Valdemar Buttergood when he was younger, and he remembered being a bit afraid. Valdemar Buttergood had a sort of vacant expression, made worse by his facial structure. Strong and prominent bones jutted out of pale skin, and where there weren’t bones there were drastic hollows, making Valdemar look like a victim of starvation. The man just looked hollow, and Justin as a young boy had feared that Valdemar Buttergood was going to suck out his soul with his piercing glare.

Thankfully, Scott didn’t look nearly as terrifying, but the pale skin and strong bone structure was definitely that of a Buttergood’s. It was the classic dark and brooding type of handsome.

“Thanks,” Scott said with an eye roll.

“I mean! Not in a bad way? You don’t look, well you do look like your father, but like… I thought you dad looked like some Nosferatu with too much shading and contouring. But you don’t look like that! You do, but not scary?” Justin tried to explain, getting flustered and turning red as he tried to explain without insulting Scott.

Scott, to the surprise of both of them, laughed.

“Rebecca called me a vampire too, though she said Dracula,” Scott told Justin, making Justin chuckle.

“Yeah, Dracula normally looks pretty good,” Justin agreed.

“Well I’m glad I meet your approval,” Scott said, adding a rough edge to his voice to make it husky. He was surprised, and amused, when Justin smirked and glanced away with a bright blush.

Rebecca, meanwhile, was giving all the ponies their scratches, reaching those hard to reach areas that the horses couldn’t get to themselves. She glanced over at the pair of young men and palominos, glad that it looked like they were getting along. Their horses were happily grazing at least, and if the horses were relaxed then the boys must have been relaxed as well.

“Think we should go get them?” Rebecca asked Midnightwarrior, the warmblood grazing and swishing his tail.

Rebecca returned to them while they were talking about western riding, both of them lamenting that there were not more around Jorvik.

“I see you two are getting along,” Rebecca said with a satisfied grin.

“Ehh, he’s alright,” Scott said with a shrug, Justin snorting a laugh.

“I was thinking about taking Scott to some of the western courses, did you want to come?” Rebecca asked Justin. She knew he might want to stay on South Hoof, away from the crowds.

“Yeah sure! Just, uh…” Justin wasn’t sure how to ask for protection but Rebecca patted her saddle bag.

“No worries, and if the Bobcat girls swarm you I’ll distract them!” Rebecca teased, making Justin blush.

“Bobcat girls?” Scott asked, curious.

“The Moorland riding club is The Bobcats, I don’t know if there are only girls in it because it is exclusive or if no guys have tried to get in,” Rebecca explained, wondering the last part out loud. Aside from Justin there weren’t really any young guys around Moorland.

“Oooh,” Scott said with a smirk, looking at Rebecca.

“Do you like teenagers? Because they’re like, all in high school,” Rebecca said flatly.

“Oh,” Scott wrinkled his nose, his teasing gone.

“Yeah that’s what I thought,” Rebecca grinned, pleased that he was trying to make jokes and tease.

“I mean some of them are nice,” Justin pointed out as they rode down to the ferry.

“Of course! I’m just saying it’s not a good place to try to pick up a date.”

“Oh, well, yeah, true,” Justin agreed to that.

“You’ll probably only have to deal with the nice ones, Scott, the real queen bee will no doubt be trying to get Justin’s attention,” Rebecca reassured Scott, grinning at Justin’s whine of protest.

“But…” Justin pouted.

“Loretta helped Alex and I get you, you can at least thank her for that,” Rebecca pointed out, “and then maybe have a real talk with her.”

“I… uh…” Justin blushed, looking away and not speaking coherently.

“Got a crush?” Scott smirked.

“I am the crush,” Justin grumbled, not pleased with the situation.

“Heh, sounds terrible,” Scott said unsympathetically.

“I didn’t even know she liked me!” Justin cried, his welsh pony snorting and tossing her head.

“How?” Scott asked, confused.

“She never actually told me! She barely talked to me! How was I supposed to know!” Justin complained.

“Loretta did the call ‘dibs but don’t actually inform him that they’re dating’ thing, so everyone just thinks they are dating because Loretta says so,” Rebecca explained.

“I thought she was just being nice!” Justin continued to wail.

“Also Justin is oblivious,” Rebecca added with a grin.

“I! Okay, yeah, looking back it is pretty obvious, but!” Justin didn’t say anything after that.

“But?” Rebecca teased, trying to get him to continue.

“I don’t know,” Justin muttered.

“Scott, do your scariest vampire glare impression and protect Justin!” Rebecca looked at Scott with a pleading look.

“Naw, he’s on his own,” Scott said with a snort.

“Dude!” Justin whined, “please!”

“I could use a good laugh,” Scott joked, resisting.

“You won’t be laughing for long…” Justin muttered, making Scott tense up. Was that a threat?

“Oh?” Scott said, tight, bracing himself for a shouting match.

“There are over a dozen girls regularly around Moorland, and only two guys close to their age, including me. You do the math,” Justin smirked, Scott’s face going a bit grey but relaxing.

“Oh…” Scott looked over at Rebecca, pleading to not be left alone.

“Hey, not my fault you’re the ideal Tall, Dark, and Handsome,” Rebecca said with a shrug.

“I mean…” Scott peacocked a bit, flexing and showing off his muscles through his flannel shirt, “I don’t mind if you think so…”

“Oh, I do,” Justin said, laughing at Scott’s confused expression, Justin leaning over and giving Scott a pat on the back.

“Ahh, Moorland, so simple, so peaceful,” Rebecca muttered as they passed by Jasper’s farm, Moorland coming into view. She had put back on her long sleeves and gloves on the ferry to not attract attention in the crowds around Fort Pinta.

“Try being here when there is a school dance coming up,” Justin chuckled.

Rebecca noticed Conrad looking pointedly at her from his forge as they passed by.

“I’ll be right there. Justin, want to introduce Scott to Josh?” Rebecca suggested, getting them to go on ahead as she turned in and dismounted, close to Conrad. That look he was giving her made it seem very important, and possibly secret.

“You need to be careful who you associate with,” Conrad muttered to her.

“What? I know the Buttergoods have a bad rep, but-”

“I don’t mean the boy, I mean that store you went to yesterday,” Conrad explained, Rebecca going a bit pale.

“I didn’t realize the animals reported to you,” Rebecca said, crossing her arms.

“Oh no, the squirrels didn’t squeal on you. Noach came to me trying to barter with some very interesting crystals.”

“Barter? For what?” Rebecca asked, curious by how dark his expression got.

“Dangerous things. Things only the druids should have. You need to stay away from the Cranepoulos family. And, for Aideen’s sake! Don’t give away such valuable things! If those crystals fall into the wrong hands!”

“Dark Core already has access to Pandoria,” Rebecca pointed out, Conrad’s face turning white, then red.

“PAN-” he screamed before he caught himself, “you gave the uninitiated Pandoric crystals!?” he hissed in a much quieter tone.

“I’m sure other people have ways to get-”

“No! No they don’t! The druids and Dark Core are the only ones with access to Pandoria!”

“But Evergray has been with the witches in the north for decades, I’m sure-”

“Ugh, Aideen help me! If the witches can get there...” Conrad groaned, Rebecca growing stiff and scowling.

“At any rate it’s already been done, I can’t just go take it back from them,” Rebecca pointed out.

“What did you get from them?” Conrad asked, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Huh, let me see, what would I get from a bookshop I wonder,” Rebecca snapped.

“What book?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes!”

“Why, do they have cursed books that are going to trap my soul or something?”

Conrad paused and thought for a moment, “actually they might.”

“Oh, well, I already opened it and read the first page and I still have my soul,” Rebecca reassured him.

“Just… there are dangerous people, with dangerous beliefs, you don’t know enough yet to know the difference,” Conrad said, his tone turning more gentle and concerned.

“Yeah, if only there was someone who could teach me, or maybe an entire group of people who would educate me in magic and Aideen. If only,” Rebecca said sarcastically before saying, “when the druids start actually teaching me, I’ll stop looking elsewhere to learn.”

“The druids have their reasons,” Conrad said, grabbing Rebecca’s arm to keep her from leaving before he said her piece.

“So do I,” she snarled, snatching off her glove and showing the scars to Conrad, “Maybe I wouldn’t have had to kill people if they had actually trusted me enough to teach me!”

“You have to trust the druids!” Conrad hissed.

“They have given me no reason to, now let go before I lose control,” Rebecca warned.

“Rebecca-” he jerked back and grasped his hand, pain shooting through his hand as a red burn formed on his palm.

“Oops,” Rebecca said, not apologetic at all that she had just shocked him. But, knowing her quarrel was with the druids and not Conrad, she dug into her saddle bag and pulled out the purple flask.

“Now do you understand?” she asked, opening the flask and dropping a few drops of Aideen’s Tears on his hand, the redness and pain vanishing. “I barely have any control over it, I’m scared of getting angry, I can feel the energy building when I get anxious and stressed. The druids won’t teach me, but others will.” With that Rebecca got back up on Midnightwarrior and went the rest of the way to meet up with the others. Conrad stared at his hand where she had burned him, now completely healed. She was right, she needed training. Conrad decided he would speak to the druids before she became a threat.

The boys, meanwhile, were almost having a better time.

Loretta had spotted Justin the moment he came into view and had made a point of looking aloof, waiting for him to come to her. Other Bobcat girls were appreciating Scott, as Loretta couldn’t punish them for gawking at someone she hadn’t claimed.

Scott didn’t know what to do with his face, should he be grumpy? Angry? Scary? Should he be smiling? He just knew he felt out of place. These weren’t girls he could swoon and fuck, nor did he want to. He preferred women who were, well, women. Not teenagers.

“Hey Justin,” Julie purred, “who’s the friend?” she looked at Scott and winked, but Tan had already moved up directly to Scott, making Justin and Scott stop their horses.

“I’m Tan,” she introduced herself, casting Julie a back off glare. Tan was higher in the Bobcat pecking order.

“Uh, this is Scott,” Justin introduced, Scott saying nothing but tipping his cowboy hat. He didn’t know what he would sound like if he tried to speak.

“I can show you around if you want!” Tan offered, not being subtle at all. She was going to make it clear that she called dibs before anyone else got any ideas.

“Thanks Tan! I got it covered!” Justin saved Scott from trying to get out of it, directing his pony around the girls, Dawn following without Scott needing to tell her.

Scott, meanwhile, had picked out who he guessed was Loretta. He thought it was Loretta because she was peacocking worse than he did, looking aloof while puffing out her chest and popping her hip to the side, her lips pushed out and parted just a bit, and trying desperately to not look directly at Justin. He cast a glance back at her when Justin went past, heading over to a wagon instead. As he suspected, she looked thoroughly insulted and shocked.

“You’re just going to ignore her?” Scott leaned over and whispered to Justin.

“I’ll get you to Josh first, then I’ll talk to her,” Justin promised. At least if Scott was with Josh he would only be slightly swarmed by Bobcats.

“Heya Justin! Been a while!” Josh perked up when he recognized Justin before casting a curious glance at Scott.

“This is Scott, a friend of mine. He, well, you can probably guess,” Justin trailed off and smirked at Scott.

“A western fan, ehh? Happy to meet you! I’m Josh!” he introduced himself and reached up, shaking Scott’s hand. It was warm and friendly, not a vice grip to show who was in charge.

“You have a beautiful horse!” Josh complimented, patting Dawn and then looking at her closer, recognizing her.

“Rebecca loaned her to me,” Scott explained, a lightbulb going off in Josh’s head and he smiled and nodded.

“She’s a darling, and so are you, Dawn!” Josh said, giving the mare an affectionate kiss on the cheek. Dawn raised her head and rubbed her nose on Josh, giving him a horse kiss in return.

“So, Josh, can you show him the course? Talk some western for a bit?” Justin asked Josh, Josh grinning and raising his fist. Justin returned the fist bump and nodded to Scott before he and his pony backtracked to Loretta.

“So, Sco-”

“What a beautiful horse!” another Bobcat girl cooed, Tan distracted by Loretta.

“Yeah, she is,” Scott said, patting Dawn’s neck, not liking how the Bobcat girl crept closer, leaning against him. Before she could say anything else Scott looked back at Josh with a, “you were saying?”

“Yeah! Scott! Do you have any experience western? We only have a pole bending course set up here unfortunately,” Josh said apologetically, clearly wanting more.

“Some, but not enough,” Scott said with a grin. Christ what had Rebecca done to him? Just a few days ago his default expression was a scowl, now here he was smiling at people he had just met.

“Good answer!” Josh said with a laugh.

“Although Rebecca gave you a cheat horse,” Josh continued with a more teasing voice, and Scott heard an audible gasp from the Bobcat girl who was creeping onto his leg.

“How so?”

“Dawn could do this course on her own,” Josh explained, Scott snorting.

“Right,” Scott rolled his eyes, surprised when Josh gestured to the ground.

“Wanna bet?” Josh smirked, piquing Scott’s interest and making him dismount.

“I’m Emilie,” the girl finally introduced, sticking close to Scott’s side and trying to get his attention.

“Scott,” he replied out of politeness, watching Josh secure Dawn’s reins so she couldn’t trip and tightened the stirrups so they wouldn’t flap and scare her.

“Well Josh, how do we make her go without someone on her?” Scott asked with a smirk.

“Just step back,” Josh said and picked off his cowboy hat, holding it over the start line. Dawn looked back at Scott, but positioned herself at the starting line, keeping Josh’s hat in her line of sight. Scott saw her lean back, crouching on her haunches again.

“GO!” Josh shouted, waving the hat, Dawn jumping forward and kicking up a spray of dirt. But Josh was right, Dawn sprinted to the end, spun, wove through the poles and blasted back to the finish line.

“Well. Damn. Glad I didn’t bet money,” Scott muttered, Dawn swishing her tail and prancing, nudging him. Josh laughed and clapped his hand on Scott’s shoulder, pulling him into a side hug.

“I wouldn’t do that to ya!” Josh promised, Scott a bit frozen after the friendly contact. From a man. Did guys really do that when they were friends? The concept of a man touching him and it not being aggressive in some way just stunned him. Dawn nudged him, breaking him from his thoughts. Scott adjusted the stirrups and reins so he could ride again, and got back up on Dawn.

“Ready for your own run?” Josh asked, holding a stopwatch and grinning.

“Oh, hello Justin,” Loretta tried to remain as aloof as possible when Justin rode up to her. Tan smirked and made herself scarce, but not so scarce that she couldn’t hear everything.

“I wanted to thank you for what you did by helping Rebecca and Alex,” Loretta managed to not cringe at the mention of the other two girls, instead smirking and flipping her hair.

“Well, I did it for you, not them,” Loretta smiled at him, fluttering her eyelashes.

“Either way, thank you,” Justin reiterated.

“So, are you back for good?” Loretta drawled, a sweet smile on her face.

“No, I have more to do,” Justin said, making her smile fade.

“Why? When will you come back to me?” Loretta asked, edging closer to him.

“Loretta,” Justin took a deep breath, bracing himself.

“Yes?” she asked, hopeful, leaning closer.

“I don’t know where you got the idea that we were together, but we’re not.”

Loretta laughed, she didn’t know what else to do, surely he was joking.

“Oh Justin! Puh-leeze! It’s obvious you’re into me!” Loretta said, laughing and smiling at him.

Justin shook his head and muttered, “No, I just thought you were being nice to me and we were friends.”

“Oh really? That’s all…?” she drawled, batting her eyes at him, lips wet and parted slightly.

“Yeah, just friends,” Justin said again, guilty and sad as he saw the pain in her eyes.

“What did Rebecca do to you?” she whispered, angry now.

“Rebecca? What does she-?”

“Oh you know what I’m talking about! That tramp shows up and everything gets weird! Everything was fine until she showed up! What did she do?!” Loretta demanded in an furious hiss.

“She didn’t do anything to me! If anything she made me a better person!” Justin snapped back, keeping quiet.

“She changed you! I want it to go back to how it was with us!” Loretta begged, trying to grab Justin’s hand.

“There is no us! There never was! Look, Loretta, I hate to hurt your feelings-”

“Then don’t! Why are you doing this!?” she interrupted but he kept going.

“But I’m not interested in you, never was. You’re going to grow up to be a wonderful woman if you give yourself the chance, and you’ll find someone.”

“What is that supposed to mean!? I’m already wonderful! I found you!”

“No, you’re a petulant child who thinks you can call dibs on a person and make everyone else do your work while you sit high and mighty thinking yourself important because you bully people into obeying you,” Justin snapped, Loretta staring at him, her face going pale.

“Thank you for your help, have a good day,” Justin said, returning to Josh and Scott.

“How’d it go?” Scott asked, seeing Justin’s sour expression.

“It went. I think she got the point,” Justin muttered, looking away. He was glad he wouldn’t be around Moorland much.

Rebecca did not miss the death glare from Loretta, or some of the other Bobcat girls who had heard the conversation. She just sighed and moved on, catching up with the boys.

“Did you talk to Loretta?” Rebecca asked dryly.

“Yeah? How could-” Justin glanced and saw the ugly looks directed at Rebecca, “ooooh. Maybe we should leave.”

“Oh no, what are they going to do, kill me?” Rebecca asked sarcastically. After everything she had been through some grumpy girls not liking her was not something she even worried about.

“So! Josh! How you liking Scott?” Rebecca changed the conversation, looking at Josh who was clearly pleased to meet another Western enthusiast.

“I have a new best friend!” he crowed, Scott blinking and blushing.

“Yay!” Rebecca cheered, clapping her hands.

“I’m gonna…” Scott nodded toward the pole bending course, Dawn throwing her head to go again.

“Good luck!” Rebecca called, and Josh started them again.

“What happened?” Justin whispered to Rebecca.

“Huh?”

“What did Conrad want?”

“Oh, the druids found out I went to a bookshop yesterday owned by not druids. They didn’t like that I paid in crystals, and don’t like the people who own the shop.”

“So you’re in trouble again,” Justin sighed.

“Yup. I wouldn’t feel the need to find information elsewhere if they actually taught me, but noooo. I’m too dangerous even to be taught or something,” Rebecca said bitterly, not hiding her scowl and Scott looked at her with concern.

“I’ll catch you up later,” she let him know before she looked at Josh.

“Mind if I have a run?” she asked, smiling and thanking Josh before taking off around the course.

“Bad day for her?” Scott asked Justin.

“Bad day in Moorland,” Justin muttered.

“We don’t have to stay in Moorland,” Scott pointed out.

“How about it?” Justin asked, Rebecca sliding back to them after completing the pole bending course.

“What?”

“Scott has met Josh, we can continue on to Marley’s barrel race,” Justin explained.

“Scott can stay here!” Emilie protested, speaking up and moving toward Scott.

“I’ll go,” Scott said, earning Rebecca another glare.

“Emilie, how old are you?” Rebecca asked suddenly, Emilie puffing out her chest and smirking.

“17,” she said proudly. Rebecca looked at Scott with a raised eyebrow.

“25,” Scott said.

“What?” Emilie said, confused.

“I’m 25. You are way too young to be flirting with me,” Scott said, gave Dawn a squeeze, and trotted away.

“Oh and you’re not?!” Emile snapped at Rebecca.

“Honey, I’m 24,” Rebecca sighed and rolled her eyes, following Scott. Justin snickered but waved Josh goodbye and followed as well.

“So does that make you a cougar?” Justin teased Rebecca.

“Absolutely. You are my little cub,” Rebecca joked back. Scott glanced back with a raised eyebrow.

“Geez this sounds weird, doesn’t it?” Rebecca grinned, blushing a bit.

“Yeah, a bit,” Scott smirked, slowing a bit so the three of them could ride in a line together.

“Ah, you haven’t told him?” Justin asked Rebecca.

“Dude, I don’t know what’s happening with us!” Rebecca snorted in response.

“What’s happening?” Scott glanced between them, confused.

“Nothing, maybe, I don’t know. I wanted to be friends with you but someone,” she gave a pointed look at Justin, “seems to want to rush into something faster.”

“Whoa, I wouldn’t say rush!” Justin protested.

“Explain, please,” Scott sighed, annoyed.

“Okay so, don’t take this the wrong way, and I don’t mean to make it seem like I’m coming onto you. But I guess you get to learn about my sexuality,” Rebecca said, blushing, “or not really my sexuality. It’s only complicated if you want all the details.”

“You’re not making sense,” Scott told her, confused now.

“I’m polyamorous. I’m asexual, I don’t experience sexual attraction, but I do experience romantic attraction. I experience it for multiple people at once, and like the idea of being with multiple people at once in just one big happy relationship pile,” Rebecca explained, giving him an embarrassed and worried smile. She didn’t know how he would react.

“Wait, you don’t experience sexual attraction? But then…?” Scott trailed off, wondering about the previous night.

“I like sex, specifically with people I am comfortable with and care about. But I’m not sexually attracted to anyone. I don’t look at a person and want to fuck them. Sex is more of a… it’s just another thing I can do with people I like, like going to the movies and having dinner, or hugging or kissing. It’s just another way of showing affection for me,” she tried to explain.

“That… makes no sense,” Scott muttered, trying to understand. Sex was part of human biology, how could she just … not be into it? Except she was?

“Okay. Umm. Think of basic human desires, thirst, hunger, sleep. You can look at a glass of water and go ‘damn I really want to drink that’ or the same with food. I don’t have that when it comes to sex, I don’t look at a person and have an urge to have sex with them. Or, for a kind of weird metaphor let’s go with hunger. Sometimes you’re just hungry, you don’t care what it is you just want food. That’s kind of like sex drive, you want to have sex you just don’t really care who it is with you. But sometimes you a carving a particular type of food, like maybe you are really hungering for some pizza. That’s like having a sexual attraction, your hunger attraction is pizza, maybe your sexual attraction is for redheads. And then that can get specific of you want a specific pizza from a specific store, that’s like you want to have sex with a specific redhead you know. Is this making any sense?”

“So… you get, uh, hungry, but you never crave anything in particular?” Scott tried to understand the food metaphor.

“Yeah! I don’t ‘hunger’ for a type or specific person, if that makes sense,” she was glad he seemed to get it.

“I think?” Scott muttered.

“I needed some explaining too,” Justin offered, smiling at Scott.

“It doesn’t matter of course,” Rebecca added, “it only matters if you want to, you know, be in an actual relationship.”

“Why would it matter?” Scott asked.

“Well a healthy poly relationship only works if everyone is informed, consents, and is happy. So the others would have to approve of you,” she explained.

“What, would I be dating everyone?” Scott asked.

“No, but if one of the people I am dating isn’t happy and doesn’t consent to you and I dating then if I enter into a relationship with you it would be unhealthy, if not cheating,” Rebecca tried to make it clear.

“I, personally, consent and approve,” Justin voted with a raised hand.

“You? Justin?” Scott muttered.

“Hi! I’m one of Rebecca’s boyfriends!” Justin said with a grin.

“Are you like, the top boyfriend?” Scott asked, not sure how he felt about all this new information. These past two days were a rollercoaster of emotions for him.

“Oh, am I?” Justin teased, looking at Rebecca with puppy eyes.

“You know there isn’t a rank system, it’s all equal,” Rebecca pointed out.

“Her top is Midnightwarrior,” Justin said much more seriously.

“She does love her horse,” Scott teased, amused.

“Damn straight Midnight is my favorite. I’d pick him over all of you any day!” she declared, Midnight tossing his head and snorting.

“Knew it,” Justin snorted.

“What was it you said, you love him like you love your own soul?” Scott teased, Rebecca blushing and trying not to look at Justin.

“Your own soul, you say?” Justin muttered, glancing between the stallion and woman.

“See something?” Rebecca asked, joking, but Scott noticed how tense her back got.

“Well we all know you’ve got a magical bond with Midnightwarrior,” Justin said with a shrug, evidently not seeing anything new. He didn’t have control of his magic, and Rebecca was relieved by that.

“Oh! Should we stop by Connie?” Justin asked with a smirk.

[verdigrisprowl]

April 10 Dancitron Stream - The Burbs

Smokescreen revealed that he’s friends with Nickel, beloved mascot of the DJD. Soundwave immediately ejected him. Whirl talked about how much he doesn’t want to think about Megatron’s junk, which of course caused the whole room to discuss Megatron’s junk.

Chillsins 8:25 pm *Billows into the room like so much windswept garbage.* NoodlesAtNight 8:25 pm *Seats and benches pulled toward the video wall, snacks out, and doors and vents that aren't the entrance sealed.* Chillsins 8:27 pm *Yes, he has a drink in hand, complete with straw also. It's Monday night, he eats on Mondays.* NoodlesAtNight 8:29 pm [[Greetings.]] FakeProwl 8:29 pm *quietly appears* NoodlesAtNight 8:30 pm *Bobs helm toward from seat.* Chillsins 8:30 pm *Nods.* FakeProwl 8:31 pm *nods back, and moves to sit with Soundwave* Chillsins 8:32 pm *He's going to sit as close to the back as the seating allows. It's only polite. Also, he can watch everyone so there's that.* Chillsins 8:33 pm *Slurps briefly, just so you all know he can.* NoodlesAtNight 8:34 pm *Moves his arm so Prowl can make himself comfortable; hopes Windchill enjoys the Back Area. He likes it for the same reason.* FakeProwl 8:35 pm *he's not very corporeal at the moment, so comfort isn't a high priority; but he moves in so he can give off the illusion of it anyway.* NoodlesAtNight 8:35 pm *Ah, yes. Distracted mun error.* chronosmith 8:36 pm *shuffles in with a canister in hand. He is not wearing clothes but somehow, inexplicably, gives off the air of a person who is wearing house shoes. Somehow* Chillsins 8:37 pm *Oh look, a wandering house bum!* FakeProwl 8:37 pm *ah! good. somebody he can hotspot his avatar off of.* *prowl is now corporeal* Chillsins 8:37 pm Whirl! *He raises an arm* My silky smooth avocado! chronosmith 8:38 pm *shoots Prowl an annoyed glance* You could've asked, you jerk. *but he doesn't revoke his corporeal privileges... this time* Windchill. My footstool. *he's gonna sit in the middle of the room, rather than the back, and gaze forlornly across the sea of tables* FakeProwl 8:38 pm You gave me permission in the past. I was under the impression that it was a standing arrangement. NoodlesAtNight 8:39 pm *Soundwave starts just a lil at the sudden solidness, then glances over at Whirl* [[It is good to see you again.]] chronosmith 8:39 pm Yeah well, you know what they say about assumptions. ...wait, you said impressions. *pauses* Either way. My official stance is: whatever. But ask next time. Chillsins 8:39 pm *He's debating moving from the back seating. We'll see.* FakeProwl 8:40 pm Very well. chronosmith 8:40 pm *tips his canister to Soundwave* I didn't go anywhere, but hey, back atcha. Chillsins 8:40 pm Oh really? We've barely seen you in weeks. *Or, he has but it's his own fault for being late all of the time.* chronosmith 8:41 pm You saw me LAST week. Now, I know it must be torture to go without my ILLUSTRIOUS PRESENCE for so long, so I'll forgive you. *he was also asleep for most of the time he was there, so Windchill is not really wrong* Chillsins 8:42 pm I missed you, my sweet banana pudding. NoodlesAtNight 8:42 pm ((a warning: based on skim there's a couple of 😕 moments but i think it should otherwise be okay?)) chronosmith 8:42 pm ((gotcha!)) FakeProwl 8:42 pm (( 😕 in what sense?)) Chillsins 8:42 pm (( Don't worry 'bout me I'm impervious. )) FakeProwl 8:42 pm ((scary? racist? rapey?)) chronosmith 8:42 pm You can't get enough of calling me various food items today, can you? Chillsins 8:42 pm Nope. Am I coming on too strong? I can do more. *He lives on Earth, he knows lots of foods.* NoodlesAtNight 8:43 pm ((i think i remember skimming over one fairly sexist bit and one thing that... i guess it would fall under the ableism label? i'm not 100% sure where it goes)) FakeProwl 8:44 pm *so. whirl is the one with the furniture kink. his boyfriend is the one with the food kink.* chronosmith 8:44 pm *GOD PROWL* Chillsins 8:44 pm *GACK* chronosmith 8:44 pm Hmm. *sets his canister down and stands up* I'll allow it. *he trots over to the bar in the meantime* I actually remembered to bring some actual money with me, barkeep. hardwiredgreed 8:44 pm [i am cat, bork] NoodlesAtNight 8:46 pm *Ravage pops up over the side of the bar. Hello, Whirl.* [[Greetings.]] *At ... he's not sure who this is. Cheetor?* hardwiredgreed 8:46 pm i am an intelligent species fear me chronosmith 8:46 pm *bobs his helm at* You know what I need, mech. The good stuff. Get me a tall of the Gaugebuster. Chillsins 8:46 pm *snorts* FakeProwl 8:47 pm *murmurs* species that feel the need to assert their own intelligence usually aren't. NoodlesAtNight 8:47 pm *Disappears back behind the bar to work on that Gaugebuster* hardwiredgreed 8:47 pm You trASH MAMMAL Chillsins 8:47 pm *He has to agree with Prowl on this one.* hardwiredgreed 8:48 pm you parking lot trash mammal FakeProwl 8:48 pm *slow, unimpressed blink* hardwiredgreed 8:49 pm parking lot trash NoodlesAtNight 8:49 pm [[Desist.]] hardwiredgreed 8:49 pm fear me Chillsins 8:49 pm *Who just walks into a room and starts 'insulting' people? Weird.* NoodlesAtNight 8:49 pm [[Disruptive mecha will be phased into the Wall.]] mauther 8:50 pm *....kind of a weird point to come in on, both in movie and in bar, but alright then. time to creep in the back and panic about where to sit* chronosmith 8:50 pm *he's good for the credits, as well as a long-overdue tip for his bartender* NoodlesAtNight 8:50 pm *Ravage puts the drink up on the counter, then hops up and stares. Credits, you say.* Chillsins 8:50 pm (( Jeebus this threw me for a loop )) hardwiredgreed 8:50 pm [[wheres swindle when the credits pop out am i right]] chronosmith 8:51 pm I know you usually like barter, but I've got cold, hard cash for ya, if you want it. FakeProwl 8:51 pm *glances at Soundwave and mouths "parking lot trash mammal." bemused smirk.* Chillsins 8:51 pm *points* Gun. NoodlesAtNight 8:51 pm @Prowl: (txt): Ridiculous. This one not parking lot trash mammal since reformat. Chillsins 8:51 pm *Blinks, astounded.* NoodlesAtNight 8:52 pm *Ravage taps the counter in front of himself. Place the credits, sir.* FakeProwl 8:52 pm @Soundwave «I didn't mean you. I'm expressing bafflement.» hardwiredgreed 8:52 pm [[what movie is this?]] NoodlesAtNight 8:52 pm ((the burbs)) Chillsins 8:52 pm WHIRL. *Slurps for effect.* chronosmith 8:52 pm *does so, with a flourish* Courtesy of the saps who weren't sharp enough to catch me cheating at poker. mauther 8:52 pm *WINDCHILL DO NOT START* NoodlesAtNight 8:52 pm @Prowl: (txt): Present understanding: none. chronosmith 8:52 pm *swivels his helm around to look back at Windchill* What? Chillsins 8:52 pm *He already started.* FakeProwl 8:52 pm @Soundwave «... If I HAD meant you, I suppose it probably would have been something like "runway trash bird."» Chillsins 8:53 pm Sit with me, you sweaty boob. NoodlesAtNight 8:53 pm @Tarantulas (txt): Greetings. Suggestion: join. hardwiredgreed 8:53 pm someone say sweaty boob because shockwave can relate chronosmith 8:53 pm How about YOU sit with ME. I've already got my stuff on the table. *gestures to the canister he left to mark his place* hardwiredgreed 8:53 pm i will bite tarantulas i stg Chillsins 8:53 pm Hmm. *He slurps just a little, considering it.* NoodlesAtNight 8:54 pm =Unobservant players deserve fleecing.= FakeProwl 8:54 pm *is that a flash of purple in the back of the room?* Hello. mauther 8:54 pm *tarantulas is already edging away from windchill, the greeting from sw is welcomed with a ping* Chillsins 8:54 pm Okay, I'll do that. *He gets up and moves closer to Whirl's spot. NoodlesAtNight 8:54 pm *Swipes the credits into his subspace pocket and loafs* mauther 8:54 pm *ping for prowl too, apparently words are hard right now* FakeProwl 8:54 pm *pings back* hardwiredgreed 8:54 pm [[their smacking gives me anxiety ]] chronosmith 8:55 pm *nods cheerfully, scoops up his drink, and trots on over to his table* See? Much better seat. Chillsins 8:55 pm Yep, you're right. You got me. FakeProwl 8:55 pm ... You can sit closer. *to Tarantulas.* *he's not going to invite him straight to the couch without asking Soundwave, but he can at least invite him closer.* Chillsins 8:56 pm *He's going to succ quietly now.* smoketopus 8:56 pm 😮! /Going to wave at Tarantulas, and see if he should sit near Tarantulas/ chronosmith 8:56 pm *pops open his canister and immediately starts to mix his booze with whatever's inside, stirring a little* mauther 8:56 pm *wary squint, but he'll.... hm. maybe on the floor is best for now, close by but touching no one* *probably best if smokey stays away from tara, too close to prowl, heh* chronosmith 8:56 pm Thanks for toning down the gross mouth noises. smoketopus 8:57 pm Hey Soundwave, what's been going on in the movie so far? Chillsins 8:57 pm You're welcome, my prickly pineapple. NoodlesAtNight 8:57 pm [[Neighbors with uneasy relationships are concerned about new neighbors who have never been seen until now.]] smoketopus 8:57 pm /Aw. Doorwings drooping some, going to look at maybe sitting near Whirl- Whirl's pretty cool./ chronosmith 8:57 pm Hmm. I'm a little too BLUE to be a pineapple... *looks down at himself8 I dunno if I could pull off yellow the way 'Bee does. ...did. hardwiredgreed 8:58 pm [[[is this a horror movie]] NoodlesAtNight 8:58 pm ((comedy horror)) FakeProwl 8:58 pm *... stretches leg a little bit. nudges ped against one of Tarantulas's leg. spider leg or robot leg, whatever's closer.* chronosmith 8:58 pm *bobs his head to Smokescreen; as long as Windchill has no problems, and Smokescreen behaves, Whirl seems all right with this* Chillsins 8:58 pm Your eyeball is yellow, good enough in my book. smoketopus 8:58 pm Huh. Hopefully, they'll get used to their new neighbors! Chillsins 8:58 pm *He has no problems.* smoketopus 8:58 pm ... Wait, it's a horror? thebestdecepticonleader 8:58 pm Why do humans have such a strange range of annoying noises? NoodlesAtNight 8:58 pm [[It is because they are made of meat.]] chronosmith 8:58 pm They take after you. NoodlesAtNight 8:59 pm [[It... squishes.]] FakeProwl 8:59 pm Because you have a low tolerance for alien sounds. Chillsins 8:59 pm *Snorts.* chronosmith 8:59 pm *takes a long pull of his Mysterious Mixture* NoodlesAtNight 8:59 pm [[Greetings, Starscream.]] mauther 8:59 pm *spider leg! twitch twitch. tarantulas is gonna glance back* ...Err, s-sorry. That is, hello. hardwiredgreed 8:59 pm if it makes disgusting noises i will cry thebestdecepticonleader 8:59 pm My voice used to sound okay There's always sounds stupid *theirs smoketopus 8:59 pm /Awesome! Smokescreen's going to start going through his subspace to maybe offer a drink to Whirl./ FakeProwl 8:59 pm Hello. *doesn't know what Tarantulas is apologizing for, so will ignore it. Maybe it was a reflex.* hardwiredgreed 9:00 pm [[aRE THOSE FLIES ]] mauther 9:00 pm *mumbles* Of course it's 666 chronosmith 9:00 pm *shakes his head and nods to his own drinks; Whirl's got a tall Gaugebuster that's about half-empty and a canister. He is good* NoodlesAtNight 9:00 pm ((bees)) hardwiredgreed 9:00 pm [[okay im less squicked]] smoketopus 9:00 pm ((yeahhh i was about to say FakeProwl 9:00 pm Does 666 have some sort of significance? chronosmith 9:01 pm Feel free to have a sip of mine, though. If you can handle it. *the Gaugebuster will strip the metal from your tanks; "excrutiatingly spicy" is an understatement for that drink* mauther 9:01 pm Religious figurative sign of evil, if I recall smoketopus 9:01 pm 666 has one of each of the Roman Numerals! NoodlesAtNight 9:01 pm [[...The what?]] FakeProwl 9:01 pm Ah. Which religion? hardwiredgreed 9:01 pm christianity thebestdecepticonleader 9:01 pm There's more than one mauther 9:01 pm Christianity, yes Chillsins 9:01 pm It's the sign of the Breast smoketopus 9:01 pm Why don't they ever show the version with one of each number though hardwiredgreed 9:01 pm i think you mean beast Chillsins 9:02 pm No, I meant breast. hardwiredgreed 9:02 pm [[alLL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN ]] chronosmith 9:02 pm *snorts and takes another pull* Must mean I'm about to show up. NoodlesAtNight 9:02 pm [[You're already here.]] chronosmith 9:02 pm If your non-food-related nicknames have anything to say about it. thebestdecepticonleader 9:02 pm Why do humans have more than one religion though, isn't it inconvenient? chronosmith 9:02 pm Unfortunately for all of YOU, I am. ...WE have more than one religion. Chillsins 9:02 pm *side eyes Whirl.* Maybe. chronosmith 9:02 pm At least, where I come from. FakeProwl 9:03 pm Why do Cybertronians have more than one faction? It's inconvenient. thebestdecepticonleader 9:03 pm My verse doesn't smoketopus 9:03 pm DCLXVI- it's even in order. Why's that a devil's number it's cool hardwiredgreed 9:03 pm Starscream I happen to find buddahism fascinating thebestdecepticonleader 9:03 pm Have more than one religion Chillsins 9:03 pm *Has to fight to avoid rolling his optics all of a sudden.* NoodlesAtNight 9:03 pm [[Because most veterans insist on keeping their badges.]] FakeProwl 9:03 pm Rhetorical question. hardwiredgreed 9:03 pm Windchill calm your breasts chronosmith 9:03 pm Welcome, then, to the incredibly varied nature of the multiverse. Stranger things have happened, and they often do. NoodlesAtNight 9:03 pm [[Ah.]] Chillsins 9:03 pm Having neighbors must be...such a terror. thebestdecepticonleader 9:04 pm Atheist and Primus/Unicron are the only options NoodlesAtNight 9:04 pm [[It depends on the neighbors.]] smoketopus 9:04 pm Really? Prime worship isn't a thing there? NoodlesAtNight 9:04 pm [[His are acceptable.]] hardwiredgreed 9:04 pm Optimus was atheist thebestdecepticonleader 9:04 pm no smoketopus 9:04 pm You don't get patron primes, Screamy? thebestdecepticonleader 9:04 pm Especially not me, I'm an atheist FakeProwl 9:04 pm Meant to illustrate that the fact that convenience plays no part in cultural constructs. Chillsins 9:04 pm *Shrugs. He has no neighbors, not really.* chronosmith 9:04 pm Yeah. *snickers* About... what? Four hundred or so of those neighbors, after all, are sweet, innocent, well-behaved, ADORABLE parasitic barnacles. smoketopus 9:04 pm No Thirteen? chronosmith 9:05 pm How could anyone dislike THOSE neighbors? NoodlesAtNight 9:05 pm [[The OTHER neighbors.]] thebestdecepticonleader 9:05 pm Oh there were thirteen, but they are only messengers not something to worship chronosmith 9:05 pm Buncha minibots, right? And somewhere else, the Preds? smoketopus 9:05 pm Really? There weren't temples or festivals for any of 'em? hardwiredgreed 9:05 pm only Camiens worsip primes as gods NoodlesAtNight 9:06 pm [[The Predacons are in the next city over. But yes.]] smoketopus 9:06 pm It's not worshiping them as gods thebestdecepticonleader 9:06 pm Pre war there was a celebation for the current one and another one to celebrate the rest NoodlesAtNight 9:06 pm [[Optimus Prime was no god.]] chronosmith 9:06 pm I haven't met the minis, but the Preds seem like great neighbors. *raises his canister in a mock toast* smoketopus 9:06 pm Primus and Unicron are Gods- but the different Primes bring something to the table. chronosmith 9:06 pm *and takes a long drink* The only god I worship is Heqet. Praise. smoketopus 9:06 pm I'm not saying he was- you really think I'd think that? Ow. hardwiredgreed 9:07 pm pprimes are just people with a dohickey in their chest Chillsins 9:07 pm Praise be. hardwiredgreed 9:07 pm optimus wouldnt even BE a prime if it wasnt for shockwave carving out his chest smoketopus 9:07 pm technically we ALL have dohickeys in our chests NoodlesAtNight 9:07 pm {{Yes. It me, Bird.}} chronosmith 9:07 pm I've got some good ones. *gestures to his guns* smoketopus 9:07 pm ... I would show mine as an example but I'd reaaaally rather not chronosmith 9:07 pm *and then snickers at Laserbeak* thebestdecepticonleader 9:08 pm Most of them were highly irresponsible idiots smoketopus 9:08 pm so you're one? thebestdecepticonleader 9:08 pm no, I'm an atheist mauther 9:08 pm *the jacket!! tarantulas likes the kid's jacket, wow* chronosmith 9:08 pm ...wait, who're you asking, Smokester, and what are you asking them...? smoketopus 9:09 pm Starry over there- he said all Primes were highly irresponsible idiots. thebestdecepticonleader 9:09 pm they were chronosmith 9:09 pm Gotcha. Carry on. hardwiredgreed 9:09 pm Optimus was a simple archivest so I doubt he had any good knowledge smoketopus 9:09 pm but wait are you one Whirl? What would your Primely name be? chronosmith 9:10 pm *scoots back a bit and leans so he can lift first one leg absurdly high in the air, like a ballerina, and then carefully deposit it on Windchill. And then he does the same with the other* *LAUGHS* smoketopus 9:10 pm Whee Prime? Whirlimus? Chillsins 9:10 pm *Is visibly grateful, now he has feet to distract him from stupidity.* thebestdecepticonleader 9:10 pm Rodimus ran off 500,000 years before the next Prime was announced and hasn't so much as confirmed he's still alive or not chronosmith 9:10 pm I am absoLUTEly not a Prime. And, I dunno. I'm not compatible. *100% ABSOLUTELY LYING, HE IS AND HE KNOWS WHAT HIS NAME WOULD BE* NoodlesAtNight 9:11 pm [[He doesn't remember human houses doing that in Jasper, Nevada.]] smoketopus 9:11 pm You'd really be surprised who's compatible. I mean, I haven't seen anything that makes you seem otherwise! hardwiredgreed 9:11 pm [[Optimus actually was carved out by Shcokwave like many others for the Matrix, when Optimus bonded with it he was in terrible pain, but rodimus said the matrix felt 'just right' inside of him]] smoketopus 9:11 pm Maybe they took out that feature for safety reasons, Sounds? chronosmith 9:11 pm That's because you don't know me, kid. I'mnot the WORST Autobot, but I'm a major contender. *shakes his head* No way could I ever be a Prime. Chillsins 9:12 pm *Trying to decide if this music is spooky or a Christmas jingle* thebestdecepticonleader 9:12 pm Who's worse than you Whirl? chronosmith 9:12 pm Also, I just plain wouldn't want to. *looks to Windchill* And if you keep calling me food names, I'm gonna start thinking of different furniture names to call you. smoketopus 9:12 pm Haha, no way. I'm way worse an Autobot and I was- anyway, if Sentinel could be one, you could be. hardwiredgreed 9:12 pm starscream Chillsins 9:12 pm You're on, my fuzzy peach boy. thebestdecepticonleader 9:12 pm yes hardwiredgreed 9:13 pm you're worse than whirl is what i am saying chronosmith 9:13 pm He's not an Autobot. thebestdecepticonleader 9:13 pm I'm not an Autobot hardwiredgreed 9:13 pm still chronosmith 9:13 pm Tyrest is one. He turned neutral eventually, but I still count him. FakeProwl 9:13 pm ... If he IS a murderer, he's very bad at hiding the body. hardwiredgreed 9:13 pm he is the leader of cybertron mauther 9:14 pm Trying to hide things in plain sight, maybe, hyeh thebestdecepticonleader 9:14 pm Neutrals are barely Cybertronian, let alone Autobots Chillsins 9:14 pm Wow, now. NoodlesAtNight 9:14 pm [[It would have been simpler to dispose of the body in several smaller bags.]] FakeProwl 9:14 pm ... Tyrest was a good Autobot. When he was an Autobot, he was good. It wasn't until after he gave up the badge that he went bad. Chillsins 9:14 pm That's actually offensive, Starscreech. thebestdecepticonleader 9:14 pm it's supposed to be hardwiredgreed 9:14 pm can we talk about Necrobot ' NoodlesAtNight 9:14 pm [[You knew him?]] *Soundwave sits up a little at the name 'Necrobot'. He's heard stories of that one.* FakeProwl 9:15 pm I worked with him at times. chronosmith 9:15 pm Let's see... who else. Pharma is worse. mauther 9:15 pm *wait, what did scream say about neutrals. squintsquint* hardwiredgreed 9:15 pm Necrobot is a doll ]loved his cape smoketopus 9:15 pm Wait, how is Tyrest a bad Autobot? He seemed nice when I met him. thebestdecepticonleader 9:15 pm By not fighting, you give up your right to have the say in any Cybertronian affairs after the war chronosmith 9:15 pm He went crazy and tried to genocide half the Cybertronian race. smoketopus 9:15 pm What. chronosmith 9:16 pm Also, I'm aware he went neutral Prowl. I'm still counting him. Besides, someone like THAT doesn't form his "strong opinions" overnight. hardwiredgreed 9:16 pm I have to go soon nerds chronosmith 9:16 pm He probably hated all CC mecha from the start. Secretly. thebestdecepticonleader 9:16 pm You don't want a say now, why should you have a say when it's safe? FakeProwl 9:16 pm He formed his "strong opinions" due to brain damage. He put a drill through his own processor. smoketopus 9:16 pm Aww, bye yellowtirebot! chronosmith 9:16 pm Somehow I find that hard to believe. NoodlesAtNight 9:16 pm ((alas! a pleasure to meet you though)) [[...He thought the point of waiting was not attracting attention.]] hardwiredgreed 9:16 pm how rude smokescreen smoketopus 9:17 pm ... /He's side-eyeing Prowl some./ FakeProwl 9:17 pm Speaking as a CC mech who worked with him—no, he didn't secretly hate CC mecha from the start. smoketopus 9:17 pm Hey, nothing wrong with tires! chronosmith 9:17 pm First of all, if it was a secret, how would you know? Second of all, I absolutely wouldn't put it past you to lie about it to preserve his reputation. Y'know, keep things hush hush. Either way, I'm counting him. Being a good person ONCE doesn't make you any less of a bad persion in the present. Or, recent past. Or whatever. *gestures to himself grandly before taking another swig* FakeProwl 9:19 pm I would know because his behavior would have revealed it. And what reputation? He has no reputation to preserve. There's nothing to keep hush hush. He tried to murder half the species. chronosmith 9:19 pm Oh, we're not keeping that a secret anymore? FakeProwl 9:19 pm No. He's no less of a bad person now. But the bad person he is now is a bad neutral. He was never a bad Autobot. chronosmith 9:19 pm I mean, if not, then, sure. Whatever. FakeProwl 9:19 pm No. Rodimus released a—a press release about it to all of Cybertron. chronosmith 9:20 pm Either way, you're wasting your time with this, Prowl. *waves a dismissive claw* Save it. mauther 9:20 pm Wait, when did he release that? NoodlesAtNight 9:20 pm [[Earlier this year.]] mauther 9:20 pm *does not know about tyrest* Chillsins 9:20 pm *Doesn't know half of this nonsense, is happier for it* mauther 9:20 pm ...You're.... hmmn. chronosmith 9:20 pm I must've been... preoccupied. Depending on when it was. *you're better of, Windchill* *off Chillsins 9:20 pm *He knows.* FakeProwl 9:20 pm We're having a hypothetical discussion about the worst Autobot rankings while watching human cinema. We're ALL wasting our time. Chillsins 9:21 pm Not me! *he raises his hand* chronosmith 9:21 pm Let me be more specific: you're wasting your time trying to convince me of something that you're not gonna convince me of, largely because I don't believe you. NoodlesAtNight 9:21 pm [[He found it educational, personally.]] FakeProwl 9:21 pm *gestures at Soundwave* NoodlesAtNight 9:21 pm [[...His hair came off...?]] chronosmith 9:21 pm Anyway, example number two is Pharma, who I think we can all agree is worse than me. Chillsins 9:22 pm It's like a wig. Fake hair that people wear when they don't have any or something. smoketopus 9:22 pm It was pretty educational! I learned a bit more than I wanted to about a bot. FakeProwl 9:22 pm Agreed. smoketopus 9:22 pm ... Wait, could I get a wig, then? NoodlesAtNight 9:22 pm *Why is he being gestured at? What did he do?* FakeProwl 9:23 pm *prove Prowl's point that he wasn't wasting his time, because somebody found it educational.* Chillsins 9:23 pm *Shrugs.* I don't think there's anything stopping you, Smokescreen. FakeProwl 9:23 pm *he wasn't talking because he thought he was going to convince whirl anyway.* smoketopus 9:23 pm Well, it probably won't fit my head. thebestdecepticonleader 9:23 pm Then make one Chillsins 9:23 pm Gotta get it custom, that's all. NoodlesAtNight 9:24 pm [["Religious supply store"? That's a thing?]] [[And what has Pharma done?]] *He knows a little of it himself, secretly, but he must pretend he doesn't* smoketopus 9:24 pm Pharma stole my t-cog at one point- he's a jerk. mauther 9:24 pm He what-?! smoketopus 9:24 pm Uh. FakeProwl 9:24 pm The DJD blackmailed Pharma into euthanizing Autobots to give their t-cogs to Tarn. thebestdecepticonleader 9:24 pm haha mauther 9:25 pm How did he get a hold of YOURS, Smokescreen smoketopus 9:25 pm ... You promise not to judge me for the story? Chaoit 9:25 pm -wanders in to the mention of the DJD. Wonderful- NoodlesAtNight 9:25 pm [[It seems he's still at it.]] mauther 9:25 pm ...You probably ought to tell me another time, so long as your t-cog's safe for now Chillsins 9:25 pm *He has yet to discover what the DJD even are.* Chaoit 9:25 pm ....WHY are we talking about them? chronosmith 9:25 pm He killed a lot of his patients. When all he had to do was ask for an extraction, what a MORON. FakeProwl 9:26 pm If that was all he did, then he'd just be an average mech who gave in to fear. But he decided to try to escape Autobot judgment by unleashing a plague on his own base and killing everyone. thebestdecepticonleader 9:26 pm It's war killing is to be expected smoketopus 9:26 pm Sounds good to me! I don't need everyone to know about that story. FakeProwl 9:26 pm Killing YOUR OWN SIDE is not to be expected. thebestdecepticonleader 9:26 pm It is if you're a decepticon Chillsins 9:26 pm It is if you're a Decepticon, but. Chaoit 9:26 pm .... Chillsins 9:27 pm For most people it's definitely non-standard. *Looks faintly mortified.* NoodlesAtNight 9:27 pm *Just motions to Starscream and Windchill* chronosmith 9:27 pm *snickers* Chaoit 9:27 pm Okay, what brought up the purple behemoth and his crew? FakeProwl 9:27 pm Soundwave asked what Pharma did that makes him such an awful Autobot. chronosmith 9:28 pm ...hmm, though, Tyrest and Pharma are both super dead. At least, in my dimension. So I dunno if they count. I MAY currently be the worst Autobot alive. Chillsins 9:28 pm *Shakes his head, turns back to his drink.* NoodlesAtNight 9:28 pm [[An Autobot killing other Autobots is NOT to be expected, however. He sees the point.]] Chaoit 9:28 pm Ah Pharma smoketopus 9:28 pm Purple behemoth- phphhp. Fitting- he's a jerk, too, probably the worst Decepticon. chronosmith 9:28 pm Or, at least, the worst one that people KNOW about. Chaoit 9:28 pm He hits hard FakeProwl 9:28 pm And when Decepticons kill their own, it's usually a small handful, in power struggles or settling grudges. Chaoit 9:28 pm And shakes off damage far too well NoodlesAtNight 9:29 pm *Nods.* FakeProwl 9:29 pm He single-handedly killed an entire base. mauther 9:29 pm (( MR ROGERS (( GOOD Chaoit 9:29 pm Oh. Great. Wonderful. NoodlesAtNight 9:30 pm [[Any who willingly associate with the DJD are not to be trusted. Everything else is extra reason to dislike him.]] chronosmith 9:30 pm Agreed, Chillsins 9:30 pm Who are the DJD? FakeProwl 9:30 pm He was far from "willing." chronosmith 9:30 pm ...do you have them in your universe? *pauses, and then adds, for levity* My delightful ottoman? Guess that answers THAT question. Chillsins 9:30 pm *Snorts.* Chaoit 9:30 pm I've only run into Tarn, and he's psychotic Chillsins 9:31 pm You hear that, guys? I'm DELIGHTFUL. NoodlesAtNight 9:31 pm [[He could have terminated himself, or told someone.]] Chillsins 9:31 pm *Slurps in delight.* NoodlesAtNight 9:31 pm [[Both are preferable.]] smoketopus 9:31 pm Are the DJD really that bad? Vos seems pretty nice. chronosmith 9:31 pm The Decepticon Justice Division. They go after ex-Cons and torture them because, why the hell not? smoketopus 9:31 pm ... oh chronosmith 9:31 pm So, watch your ass. *nods* Chillsins 9:31 pm Oh, well. FakeProwl 9:31 pm He was blackmailed and afraid. Coerced cooperation isn't "willing" cooperation. NoodlesAtNight 9:31 pm ((did it freeze/start buffering)) ((or am i just lucky)) FakeProwl 9:31 pm ((yep)) chronosmith 9:31 pm You're entirely too trusting, Smokescreen. Chillsins 9:31 pm (( Yes. )) chronosmith 9:31 pm ((yep!))) Chaoit 9:31 pm ((buffering smoketopus 9:32 pm I know, I know. Better to trust and be wrong than never trust, though, right? FakeProwl 9:32 pm It's unfortunate. Until that point, he was an excellent Autobot. Brilliant doctor. I hadn't even known about his skill with viruses. thebestdecepticonleader 9:32 pm I'm surprised that I'm yet to have a run in with the DJD if that's the case NoodlesAtNight 9:32 pm ((...tubitv why)) chronosmith 9:33 pm Absolutely NOT. Chillsins 9:33 pm I'm pretty sure we don't have them where I'm from, else I'd know. chronosmith 9:33 pm That's what gets you killed, or seriously screwed up. Don't trust anyone, kid. Ever. NoodlesAtNight 9:33 pm ((god. just give it a couple minutes i guess. i'll brb)) mauther 9:33 pm I'm afraid I'll have to side with Whirl on this one, Smokescreen Chillsins 9:33 pm (( KK! I for one would very much like to pee anyway. )) smoketopus 9:33 pm Messy, com.e on... chronosmith 9:33 pm *takes another long sip; the more he drinks, the more visibly relaxed Whirl becomes* Yeah, but a DJD from another dimension might still come after YOU. NoodlesAtNight 9:33 pm [[We do not have them. That has not stopped them sniffing around.]] FakeProwl 9:34 pm *... stretches to rub Tarantulas with foot some more* NoodlesAtNight 9:34 pm *His plating tightens up a little.* chronosmith 9:34 pm *gestures to Soundwave, unconsciously mimicking Prowl's earlier motion* Chillsins 9:34 pm Would they? *He scratches his chin.* thebestdecepticonleader 9:34 pm I doubt they could be worse than my Megatron anyway chronosmith 9:34 pm Yeah. They don't actually do what they do because of some, y'know, moral high ground--they just get off on torturing anyone they can get their hands on. FakeProwl 9:34 pm *noticed that tightening. offers hand?* chronosmith 9:34 pm So they would absolutely come after you--y'know. Once you get rid of that badge, officially. smoketopus 9:34 pm And Whirl, it hurts to not trust bots- I mean, sure, it's seriously harmed me, but. Chillsins 9:35 pm Fascinating. thebestdecepticonleader 9:35 pm But you're too trusting? mauther 9:35 pm *!! what. he's being touched again, ok. Leaning into it but still watching Prowl's hand and SW* chronosmith 9:35 pm *swivels his head to regard Smokescreen with a half-lidded stare* You'll learn. Give it time. Chillsins 9:35 pm Well, in that case. NoodlesAtNight 9:35 pm *Quietly accepts. He doesn't quite need it, but he's not going to deny it either.* Chillsins 9:35 pm I guess I'd just have to kill them. chronosmith 9:36 pm Count me on, La-Z-Boy. smoketopus 9:36 pm That's one of those things I really don't want to learn! chronosmith 9:36 pm Any chance I'd have to get the drop on one of those guys? I'd take it in a sparkbeat. You' Chillsins 9:36 pm I'll keep that in mind. chronosmith 9:36 pm ll learn it whether or not you want to, kiddo. mauther 9:36 pm Ignorance isn't bliss, Smokescreen chronosmith 9:36 pm The alternative is that you'll die, instead. Chaoit 9:37 pm Ignorance will get you killed Chillsins 9:37 pm *Succs quietly, he'd like to finish his DINNER* chronosmith 9:37 pm The only possibly weak spot I know of is that they keep around some kind of minibot named Nickel. Kinda the DJD mascot. smoketopus 9:37 pm I know it's not, but with the war over and all, I'd rather trust bots than think everyone's awful from the start. 'Cause like, most Autobots are great, and faction doesn't really mean anything now that war's over. NoodlesAtNight 9:37 pm (("coming right up" it says... hurry tf up rabbit)) chronosmith 9:37 pm If you get to her, you've got leverage. NoodlesAtNight 9:38 pm *Quietly takes notes* smoketopus 9:38 pm Oh! Nickel!! I know her! She's the best! Chillsins 9:38 pm Their weak spot is that they're gonna be slower than I am. NoodlesAtNight 9:38 pm [[You WHAT.]] chronosmith 9:38 pm *slowly turns to regard Smokescreen* Do you, now? That's interesting. mauther 9:38 pm He may know one alternate of her - don't get particularly excited, now chronosmith 9:38 pm I'm sure an alternate would do. smoketopus 9:39 pm ... Yeah? She lets me call her mom and stuff. wait what chronosmith 9:39 pm *just narrows his optic slightly in a sly look and takes another drink* NoodlesAtNight 9:39 pm [[You call. The DJD mascot. A human creator term?]] Chaoit 9:39 pm ................. smoketopus 9:39 pm ......... Chaoit 9:39 pm Smokescreen How? No thebestdecepticonleader 9:40 pm why? Chaoit 9:40 pm No, why? chronosmith 9:40 pm *looks to Windchill* Just about anyone's slower than you, mech. I'll give you that. I'd get massacred in a fair fight against those guys. *shakes his head* Of course, that's why I'd make it an UNfair fight for 'em. NoodlesAtNight 9:41 pm ((smokey mun permission to feeler scoop?)) Chaoit 9:41 pm How do you make it an unfair fight against them? smoketopus 9:41 pm ((permission! FakeProwl 9:41 pm @Soundwave «He calls a selfish, greedy miser whose hobby is interstellar genocide a "father figure." And you're surprised he has a similar relation with someone in the DJD?» chronosmith 9:41 pm *turns to regard Blaster with that same inscrutable look, and takes another drink* smoketopus 9:41 pm I mean, does it matter? It's no one's business there- I can call bots what I want, right? NoodlesAtNight 9:41 pm *Soundwave's feelers whip out and coil Smokescreen up, with intent to lift high overhead* FakeProwl 9:41 pm *Prowl's adding a new tag to their repertoire: #revulsion* Chaoit 9:42 pm -stares back at Whirl- chronosmith 9:42 pm *oh, THIS is interesting; he turns his attention back to Smokescreen* Chillsins 9:42 pm I, too, am all about unfair fights... *What is happening.* smoketopus 9:42 pm /He's going to start attempting to squirm out of there/ SOUNDWAVE. WHY. Chaoit 9:42 pm -And up goes the Smokescreen- FakeProwl 9:42 pm *scoots out of Soundwave's way* mauther 9:42 pm Soundwave - /words/ first, what's - NoodlesAtNight 9:43 pm [[You DARE befriend a DJD member and come HERE?]] chronosmith 9:43 pm *pours some more liquor into his canister, shakes it a bit, and says, AS he's drinking* I wouldn't try to talk him out of it, Tarantulas. smoketopus 9:43 pm ... What? Why's that a problem? I'm friends with a lot of bots. chronosmith 9:43 pm First of all, he's totally justified. Second of all--and most importantly--this is COOL. NoodlesAtNight 9:43 pm [[-Stay out of this.-]] Chaoit 9:43 pm Smokescreen! mauther 9:43 pm I'm not - nevermind FakeProwl 9:43 pm *slides off the couch to sit next to Tarantulas and put a hand on his back* Not this time. Chaoit 9:44 pm They try to kill everything! smoketopus 9:44 pm I didn't know that when I befriended! NoodlesAtNight 9:44 pm [[YOU KNEW IT AFTERWARD.]] *Coils tighten.* Chillsins 9:44 pm *Finish off his cube with a slurp, and peers through it-at the debacle, naturally- to be sure that it's empty.* chronosmith 9:44 pm To be fair--he didn't seem to realize this about Nickel, until I mentioned her. mauther 9:44 pm @Prowl: What in the world is going on?! Chaoit 9:44 pm Well, now you do chronosmith 9:44 pm Smokescreen, is that when you found out who her affiliates were? When I mentioned her? mauther 9:44 pm *he'll accept that hand though* Chillsins 9:45 pm *Smokescreen looks really funny with viewed through the bottom of a cube.* FakeProwl 9:45 pm @Tarantulas «I don't think it's my place to share.» smoketopus 9:46 pm Ow, ow- I'm not going to leave someone 'cause I don't approve of what they do. And I had a vague idea, but I didn't really know her involvement! mauther 9:46 pm @Prowl: ...understood. Please do tell me no one's getting hurt over this though NoodlesAtNight 9:46 pm [[DON'T APPROVE OF WHAT THEY--]] *Sorry, Smokescreen. You're about to go headfirst through a mid-air bridge.* Chaoit 9:46 pm -well shit- chronosmith 9:46 pm Pfft. You talk about it like it's... it's tax evasion! You know they'd torture and kill people I actually give a damn about, right? You're okay with that? I need you to tell me, right now. Are you okay with that? Because I need to know where you and I stand. smoketopus 9:47 pm /Aaaand out he goes. He's going to grab the phase shifter and keep that on before trying to come back./ Chaoit 9:48 pm You do know one of them did make a very spirited attempt on me and the twins, right? Chillsins 9:48 pm *Rests his chin in his hand, and subspaces his cube.* chronosmith 9:48 pm *for the record, to those of you who can read his mind (which is one of you) Windchill wasn't the only face that flashed through it at that statement--he was thinking of Drift, the twins, Zori, and even, to some extent, Soundwave* ((KFLKRR HAHAHA THAT SHOT)) NoodlesAtNight 9:48 pm *Immediately contacts the upstairs systems and revokes Smokescreen access to building.* smoketopus 9:48 pm /He needs to get back in the room first!/ FakeProwl 9:48 pm ((THAT SHOT)) Chillsins 9:48 pm ((I snickered it was...something else. )) Chaoit 9:49 pm ((fun shot)) FakeProwl 9:49 pm *looks at Soundwave* I trust he won't be back? smoketopus 9:49 pm ... @Soundwave ::Come on- I didn't mean it like that. I hate what they do, too. But Nickel's my friend, and helped me when other DJD members hurt me.:: Chaoit 9:49 pm ((did she get his eye? thebestdecepticonleader 9:49 pm Is his face getting injured going to be a running joke or a coincidence NoodlesAtNight 9:49 pm *Soundwave takes absent-minded note of the Whirl thoughts. His feelers are still going to flick and twitch with restrained fury.* chronosmith 9:50 pm Well. Guess I don't get my answer. NoodlesAtNight 9:50 pm *He'll draw them back in when he can make them stop.* chronosmith 9:50 pm *looks to Windchill* I feel responsible for this somehow. But I really don't mind. *takes another long drink* mauther 9:50 pm *tarantulas is gonna ping smokey to make sure he's alright but won't chat until things are calm* NoodlesAtNight 9:50 pm *Smokescreen gets the equivalent of a busy signal.* Chillsins 9:51 pm Responsible? For what? FakeProwl 9:51 pm From abundant experience with Smokescreen, I can answer that question: he cares more about having as many friends as he can get than he cares about what they do. smoketopus 9:51 pm ... /Smokescreen's going to give Tarantulas a quick ping, before starting to spam Soundwave with pings/ chronosmith 9:51 pm I sort of mentioned Nickel. And the DJD. Which set this whole thing off. But, oh well. Better we all find out, right? thebestdecepticonleader 9:51 pm A strange way of thinking NoodlesAtNight 9:51 pm @Prowl: (txt): Smokescreen presence forbidden. Chillsins 9:51 pm Well, yeah. But at that rate it was going to come out anyway. Chaoit 9:52 pm -huffs- FakeProwl 9:52 pm If he were here, Whirl, he might say that he cares about the fact that they'd kill the people you care about. But he'd also say he doesn't care enough about them to cut off contact with Nickel, or any of the others like her. chronosmith 9:52 pm *nods* Now the question is... what to do next. *taps his free claw on the tabletop thoughtfully* I mean. There's an opportunity here, right? *glances to Prowl and nods slowly* Chillsins 9:53 pm If he's going to go around making friends with everyone irrespective of the surrounding conflicts, he ought to expect that kind of reaction. NoodlesAtNight 9:53 pm *Smokescreen's gonna have to ping someone else. None of his are being picked up.* Chillsins 9:53 pm *Windchill has no sympathy, whoops.* chronosmith 9:53 pm Yeah. *nods* FakeProwl 9:53 pm *... better switch to private comms* @Whirl «You're correct, there IS an opportunity here. But not an opportunity we should discuss with Tarantulas present. He considers Smokescreen a friend and is too neutral to care about the DJD.» chronosmith 9:54 pm But... even so. *he's a-thinking. This bit of info--that guileless, overly-trusting Smokescreen has a link with the DJD's weak point, is too promising to ignore. But he is NOT good at scheming* mauther 9:54 pm *it's just as well, bc tarantulas is holding his tongue for the moment* chronosmith 9:55 pm *luckily, he knows someone who IS, and he might give them a call later* @Prowl: Hm? Oh. Gotcha. Yeah. NoodlesAtNight 9:55 pm *IS good at scheming, but probably would have slaughtered Smokescreen on the spot if not for everyone else here, so...* chronosmith 9:56 pm Anyway, whatever. Less talking about the DJD, more drinking. *toasts no-one in particular* You should hit the bar, 'Chill. Ravage mixes a mean drink. *he was 100% thinking of Getaway* NoodlesAtNight 9:56 pm ((i know, i meant the one before it)) chronosmith 9:56 pm *and that is precisely who he intends to call about it* Chillsins 9:56 pm I don't hold high grade well, I fear. Or, well, I fear to find out. And you should, too. chronosmith 9:57 pm I fear nothing. For instance--you know what's in this canister? smoketopus 9:57 pm ... /He's going to try pinging Messy again./ ::Do you get what happened just now? 'Cause I don't.:: Chillsins 9:57 pm Sure don't, my sweet pickled asparagus. NoodlesAtNight 9:58 pm *Finally calm enough to pull them back in and sit back.* chronosmith 9:58 pm Well, my darling Loveseat--wait. Lemme do that one over. That one was too overt. Ahem. My darling armchair--it's medicine. mauther 9:58 pm @Smokescreen: No, I certainly don't, but I'll be doing my best to figure out. You - you're alright? Chaoit 9:58 pm So, who's got an idea of what is going on in this movie? chronosmith 9:58 pm You know what you're NOT supposed to do with this medicine? Chillsins 9:58 pm *Snickers. HE CAN'T HELP IT.* FakeProwl 9:59 pm *... he's still on the floor with a hand on Tarantulas's back. moves it to run his fingers around the bases of his spider legs.* Chillsins 9:59 pm I can imagine a lot of things you're not supposed to do with medicine, my fluffy doughboy. NoodlesAtNight 10:00 pm [[The old neighbors believe the new neighbors are evil murderers and are trying to find the truth.]] Think about anything else but Tarn coming here. Anything. [[They are not subtle.]] smoketopus 10:00 pm @Tarantulas ::Thank you, anyway. I'll be fine- guess I'm not welcome there anymore, though... You don't dislike me, right?:: chronosmith 10:00 pm Well, yeah. But you're absolutely not supposed to mix it with liquor. But does that stop me? NO. Because I'm FEARLESS. mauther 10:00 pm *nyoop! tarantulas is sitting up straight, claws on the floor* That's - not there, please FakeProwl 10:00 pm *stops.* Where, then? NoodlesAtNight 10:01 pm *Glances down to watch Prowl and Tarantulas.* Chillsins 10:01 pm *Sighs.* Chaoit 10:01 pm -snorts- Fun Chillsins 10:01 pm And how's being fearless working out for you? mauther 10:01 pm Erm, mostly anywhere else? *pause* ...You're in avatar, correct? FakeProwl 10:02 pm Yes, I am. chronosmith 10:02 pm I'm really really drunk, and my head's not hurting. Chaoit 10:02 pm ..... chronosmith 10:02 pm Which is a huge improvement over an hour ago, so in short: I'm doing AWESOME. NoodlesAtNight 10:02 pm *Ravage snorts and nibbles one of his paws.* Chillsins 10:03 pm *Squints one eye at Whirl.* Chaoit 10:03 pm ...big dog mauther 10:03 pm @Smokescreen: No, I really - no. And of course I don't dislike you FakeProwl 10:03 pm *switches to rubbing hand along the middle of Tarantulas's back.* chronosmith 10:04 pm *takes another long swig* Chillsins 10:04 pm My goodness, my jiggly blue raspberry jello. smoketopus 10:04 pm /Going to try to ping Soundwave again./ ::If there's something you're worried about, tell me! What do I have to do in order to come back? You know I owe you favors.:: chronosmith 10:04 pm JIGGLY. mauther 10:04 pm *hums - better. then snickers at whirl and chill* chronosmith 10:04 pm Look here, my precious little papasan, I am many things, but I am not JIGGLY. ((iui don't know how whirl would even explain to people he and windchill aren't An Item at this point. Nobody would ever believe him)) Chillsins 10:05 pm *Waggles his brows.* Not yet, you're not. chronosmith 10:05 pm *SNORTS* Chillsins 10:05 pm (( It's too late for them. )) chronosmith 10:05 pm ((all of prowl's wildly incorrect and hilarious assumptions are coming true before his eyes)) FakeProwl 10:05 pm ((prowl is completely convinced)) Chillsins 10:06 pm Anyway, what I'm saying is, if you're feeling down you ought to call me over. I'll kiss it all better. By that I mean you'll be so miserable with smooches you'll hardly notice anything else. mauther 10:06 pm (( my god windchill chronosmith 10:07 pm First of all, keep that gross mouth off me, you ingrate. *this is said with more humor than rancor* Second of all, you can't fix this. Nobody can. NoodlesAtNight 10:07 pm *Yes, he knows Smokescreen owes him. He's not willing to consider that right now.* chronosmith 10:07 pm HE tried--*points to Soundwave* And even HE was only marginally successful. Chillsins 10:07 pm *Kissy fish lips.* chronosmith 10:07 pm You're so GROSS. NoodlesAtNight 10:07 pm [[He - what. He never gave you a headbump.]] smoketopus 10:07 pm @Tarantulas: ::... Okay. That. That's okay. That's alright. ... I don't dislike you, either. Thank you.:: chronosmith 10:07 pm Huh? What, no I wasn't--pfft. I meant you climbing into my head. Chillsins 10:08 pm *Puffs up proudly.* I am gross. chronosmith 10:08 pm As far as I KNOW you've never tried to kiss my mental problems away, and I THINK I'd remember that. Chaoit 10:08 pm -settles to pick at a bit of paperwork- NoodlesAtNight 10:08 pm [[No. He never has.]] mauther 10:09 pm @Smokescreen: I'll comm you later? NoodlesAtNight 10:09 pm @Blaster: [[Busy again?]] FakeProwl 10:09 pm *in response to "kiss my mental problems away," murmurs in Soundwave's general direction,* Should have tried that while I was in the hospital. chronosmith 10:10 pm ((hospital smorches)) Anyway. ...what were we even talking about? *blinks slowly at Windchill* mauther 10:10 pm *he hEARD THAT* chronosmith 10:10 pm Uh, my... trundle bed? Wait, no, that one sounds too suggestive, too. Chillsins 10:10 pm You were trying to trick me into drinking high grade. Chaoit 10:10 pm @ Soundwave :: Yeah. Just need to edit a few things on this :: chronosmith 10:11 pm Dammit. I can't pick furniture that sounds innocuous. Chillsins 10:11 pm I could be your loveseat. *he waggles his brows again.* chronosmith 10:11 pm *SNORTS and kicks him. But not hard* smoketopus 10:11 pm @Tarantulas ::That sounds good... I hope we can hang out sometime.:: chronosmith 10:11 pm You're gonna make all these nice people sharing their bar with us THROW UP. NoodlesAtNight 10:11 pm @Prowl: (txt): Finger bitten. Partial attempt credit. Chillsins 10:12 pm *Cackles.* I have to admit, you're at a bit of a disadvantage here. Most all furniture is made for sitting on. NoodlesAtNight 10:12 pm *Lightly wiggles his matching one to make his point.* [[He's seen worse.]] mauther 10:13 pm @ Smokescreen: Yes, I'll - obviously not shortly, but yes. chronosmith 10:13 pm Yeah. And food is not inherently sexy in any way. *attempts to make a face. His optic just squints oddly and flickers* FakeProwl 10:13 pm *glances at Soundwave* A valiant effort. NoodlesAtNight 10:13 pm @Blaster: [[Silence preferred?]] chronosmith 10:14 pm Well, rest assured, I'm not about to do anything that'll make you regret inviting me here. Well. *amused glance* More than I'm sure you already do. NoodlesAtNight 10:14 pm [[...And that depends where the fuel comes from.]] Chillsins 10:14 pm *His optics turn all crinkly, like those of someone having far too much fun at another's expense.* smoketopus 10:14 pm @Tarantulas: ::Thank you. I really like your company!:: NoodlesAtNight 10:15 pm *Puffs up a bit. "Valiant effort". How pleasing!* Chaoit 10:15 pm @Soundwave :: No. It being too quiet in my office is why I'm here :: smoketopus 10:15 pm /He's going to try comming Soundwave one more time./ ::Come on, Soundwave. If there's anything I can do to see the movie again, let me know. If I gotta offer you to check out my mind or promise something or whatever.:: mauther 10:16 pm @Smokescreen: Yours as well - although you really ought to watch what you say around certain people, for your own safety NoodlesAtNight 10:16 pm *.........................................* chronosmith 10:18 pm Anyway, if you can't have high grade, go ask him to mix you something else. Maybe Ravage can--*pauses, optic lighting up; his neck swivels around until he's looking directly behind him, 180 degrees, like an owl* Ravage! Can you mix up a non-alcoholic Gaugebuster? Does that work? NoodlesAtNight 10:18 pm *Gonna forward Smokescreen's last message to Prowl. He doesn't know what to do with it. Most of him never wants to see the mech again. A little bit wonders if he could learn something about Phase Sixers.* =85 percent efficiency.= Chillsins 10:20 pm I doubt I have anything decent to- *he fakes a yawn* -barter with. chronosmith 10:20 pm Okay, so--okay. I've only tasted this thing properly once. And it'll kill you. It'll make you wish your mouth was dead. It's -awesome-. Of course, right now, with this--*gestures to his helm* it tastes... totally different. But still. You gotta try it. Chillsins 10:20 pm *He's lying, what he does have is worth more than a virgin drink though.* chronosmith 10:20 pm I'll buy it FOR you. Chillsins 10:20 pm So...what you're saying is. You will pay to have me dead. *He seems to think this is funny.* chronosmith 10:21 pm I'll pay for you to taste this amazing drink. And also wish your mouth was dead. But it's really good. Like... okay. Maybe--I'll admit. First of all, I'm drunk. Second of all, my... I;'m skewed on this. ANY taste is good taste, right? Even painful taste is still A TASTE. God, I keep saying taste. It's losing its meaning. Taste taste taste, Chillsins 10:22 pm *Sticks his tongue out.* Chaoit 10:22 pm -flinches- chronosmith 10:22 pm The point is. The point IS. Get one and stick your horrific giraffe tongue into it. YEAH THAT THING--*points at it* FakeProwl 10:22 pm @Soundwave «Absolutely take advantage of the offer. But don't take advantage of it now. If you haven't been answering his messages, don't start now. Wait until you have time to come up with a list of things to search for in his head, and until you've established a safe site where you can interact with Smokescreen without any chance of the DJD tracking you.» Chaoit 10:23 pm .... Chillsins 10:23 pm Hmm. Okay. I'm what you would call foolhardy. NoodlesAtNight 10:23 pm *A tiny, tiny, reluctant nod.* Chillsins 10:23 pm I was born to suffer. Chaoit 10:23 pm O-okay, that was a bit...no thank you NoodlesAtNight 10:24 pm [[You do not like fire?]] Chaoit 10:24 pm Explosions like that Chillsins 10:24 pm But, my sickly sweet potato, if I die...you know who you have to answer to. Chaoit 10:24 pm Just...ah... chronosmith 10:24 pm I'll be sure to deliver your coprse to the waiting arms of your mate. Maybe he can resuscitate you. Chaoit 10:24 pm Not too terribly fond of them mauther 10:24 pm *tarantulas is pretty distracted right now, but leaning on prowl just cos* Chillsins 10:25 pm Perhaps. He's raised parts of my from the dead before. I wouldn't put it past him. FakeProwl 10:25 pm *quietly wraps arm around Tarantulas* chronosmith 10:26 pm Ugh. That's an INNUENDO, isn't it? You've killed me libido for a week with that one. You're just as bad as Quark. Chillsins 10:26 pm Maybe. chronosmith 10:26 pm *sets his canister down and stands up, somewhat unsteadily* Ravage! Make me one of those things! I'll pay you! NoodlesAtNight 10:26 pm *Streeeeetches and slips off the bar to do as asked.* smoketopus 10:26 pm ((I'm heading off. Have a night everyone)) Chillsins 10:26 pm *reaches out, in case Whirl decides to topple on over.* (( Goodnight! )) NoodlesAtNight 10:27 pm ((night)) mauther 10:27 pm (( night !! i'm gonna IM ya smokey mun chronosmith 10:27 pm ((Night!)) FakeProwl 10:27 pm @Soundwave «Smokescreen is an idiot, so probably the best thing you might find is personal information about the DJD, Black Shadow, and Megatron. Potentially exploitable personal information, true, but little more.» chronosmith 10:27 pm *he's gonna shuffle to the bar and lean on it* thebestdecepticonleader 10:28 pm ((I have to go 😞 )) NoodlesAtNight 10:28 pm ((aww... byeeeee)) FakeProwl 10:28 pm *baffled look at Whirl* What's QUARK been doing to your libido? Chillsins 10:29 pm *Watches Whirl go.* chronosmith 10:29 pm Destroying it. Chillsins 10:29 pm (( Have a good night! )) FakeProwl 10:29 pm ... How?? chronosmith 10:29 pm Talking about disgusting things, like Megatron's junk. ugh. NoodlesAtNight 10:29 pm @Prowl: (txt): That Megatron long known. Exploitable personal information... accepted trade, if far away. Chillsins 10:29 pm *Snickers.* FakeProwl 10:29 pm ... NoodlesAtNight 10:29 pm [[...Why does Quark care about Megatron's array.]] FakeProwl 10:29 pm Why in the world has he been talking about Megatron's junk. chronosmith 10:29 pm Hell if I know! YOU ask the guy. The less time I spend talking about it, the better. Chillsins 10:29 pm Phew. *Even he's not THAT bad.* chronosmith 10:30 pm I'll be shocked if I'm able to get charged up in the next CENTURY because of that guy. Chillsins 10:30 pm *Waggles his brows where Whirl can't see, he assumes.* Chaoit 10:31 pm .... chronosmith 10:32 pm *he totally can't. He's clinging to the bar for support and watching Ravage work* NoodlesAtNight 10:32 pm *Ravage is being lazy today. He finally puts the drink up.* Chillsins 10:32 pm *Snickers a little and gets up.* FakeProwl 10:33 pm ... Hold on, Whirl let me just—be certain that I have this sequence of events correct. chronosmith 10:33 pm *Whirl will slide over the same amount of credits as he did before* You're a peach. Windchill, lemme try this first. ...*looks to prowl as he takes a sip, once again talking while he's drinking as if that's a normal thing* Shoot. Chillsins 10:34 pm Hey man, fruit is my thing. *Fine, he'll wait here for now.* FakeProwl 10:34 pm Quark has been making comments to you—which you clearly do not want and do not appreciate—about Megatron's sexual equipment. Have you expressed to him that you don't want these comments? chronosmith 10:35 pm *how tasty is this compared to the regular Gaugebuster?* More or less. Just sexual comments here and there that make me cringe. It's whatever. If I get REALLY mad about it, I'll just go cave his face in. He usually doesn't bother me that much. FakeProwl 10:35 pm Have you expressed to him, clearly, that you don't want these comments? chronosmith 10:36 pm Pretty much. I mean, mostly it's threatening and all, the usual. FakeProwl 10:36 pm He's persisted after you made clear you don't want these comments? chronosmith 10:36 pm *ambles over to hand Windchill the drink* That's as good as you're gonna get, though. The less I think about this, the BETTER. FakeProwl 10:37 pm ((WAIT THAT'S CARRIE)) ((I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE HER WITHOUT THE BUNS)) chronosmith 10:37 pm You talk to Quark if you wanna get the details. Ugh. Lord. Just talking about this--quick! Someone, anyone, say something sexy. Deliver me from this hell. FakeProwl 10:37 pm In cases of sexual harassment—which is what you have just described—I tend to get more accurate reports from the recipient than the perpetrator. Chillsins 10:37 pm *Raises his hand.* Juicy giblets. chronosmith 10:38 pm Okay, well, later, then. Cos I'm drunk. Windchill, you're not helping. FakeProwl 10:38 pm Thank you for your cooperation. Chillsins 10:38 pm *Takes the offered hand now that he's said something decidedly not sexy.* Chaoit 10:38 pm ...oh. it's over Chillsins 10:38 pm *Sits back down and pats his lap where Whirl's feet belong.* NoodlesAtNight 10:38 pm *Is listening with fascination to this whole mess about Quark. He smells future problems on the wind.* mauther 10:39 pm *so many future problems* chronosmith 10:39 pm *flops down and props his feet up where they belong* FakeProwl 10:39 pm Unless you want to take action on this case—which it sounds to me like you don't—that's all I need to know. chronosmith 10:39 pm You've all failed me, miserably. Chillsins 10:39 pm Sorry, mech. I used up all of my sexy words for today. chronosmith 10:39 pm Nah, if I wanna take action, I'll TAKE ACTION. You know what I mean. *clicks claw menacindly* Chillsins 10:39 pm *Eyes the...beverage, suspiciously.* FakeProwl 10:40 pm ... *nudges Tarantulas* mauther 10:40 pm *is nudged* Yyyyes? Chillsins 10:40 pm *Sniffs it.* FakeProwl 10:41 pm *quietly* Whirl has made what is, under the circumstances, a very reasonable request to be distracted with something sexy. He likes guns. You have a lot of guns. chronosmith 10:41 pm *grabs his own Forbidden Mixture off the table and toasts Windchill with it before drinking more* Chillsins 10:41 pm What do you think the chances of me dying right here are if I toss this whole thing back in one go? NoodlesAtNight 10:41 pm =Find out.= chronosmith 10:42 pm I'd take a sip first. That way, if you don't like it, I can get the rest. Because I do. Chillsins 10:42 pm *Thinks.* Okay, that seems fair. mauther 10:42 pm *loud sputtering* W-what? /Prowl/ FakeProwl 10:42 pm Just a suggestion. I thought you two got along. Chillsins 10:42 pm (( Prowl just what kind of establishment do u think this is. )) FakeProwl 10:43 pm *Whirl is no friend of Prowl's. But NOBODY deserves to be haunted by the image of Megatron's junk.* Chaoit 10:43 pm ((ohmygodprowlno mauther 10:43 pm *quieter* F-for one thing, are you suggesting I display arms in an explicitly peaceful establishment? chronosmith 10:43 pm ((in this moment, whirl and prowl are closer than ever before, bound by their mutual disgust of Megatron's junk)) ((bless)) Chillsins 10:43 pm (( I shed a single tear at the beauty of this moment. )) chronosmith 10:43 pm Eyy, Soundwave! Can I make a request? Chillsins 10:43 pm Okay, here I go. NoodlesAtNight 10:43 pm [[Hmm?]] mauther 10:43 pm *hush* I got the impression that Soundwave wasn't in a mood to be, err Chillsins 10:44 pm *Shoves his tongue into the glass.* chronosmith 10:44 pm Any song by Cheap Trick that ISN'T "I Want You to Want Me." Cos that is kind of a lame song. NoodlesAtNight 10:44 pm *Immediately, if secretly, distracted by the tongue.* FakeProwl 10:44 pm ... *leans over to Soundwave and murmurs* In the interest of distracting Whirl from the nigmtmarish mental image that is Megatron's junk, would Tarantulas be permitted to show off his weaponry, provided he has no intention of using them? Chillsins 10:44 pm UHHHNNNNNNNn. *The Uhhhnnnnn of REgret.* chronosmith 10:44 pm Isn't it great? *his optic is curved in an expression of Actual Genuine Joy* Chillsins 10:45 pm *Slowly retracts his tongue like an injured octopus arm.* NoodlesAtNight 10:45 pm *Considers this. Megatron's junk IS a nightmarish mental image, and it's one people like to inflict on him from time to time too for some reason.* chronosmith 10:45 pm No good, eh? Chillsins 10:45 pm Give me a moment to decide. mauther 10:45 pm You're /not/ serious, Prowl Chaoit 10:45 pm -doesn't get what is going on, but not gonna ask- Chillsins 10:45 pm *Takes an actual sip this time.* *His face tries to implode on itself.* chronosmith 10:46 pm *LAUGHS* NoodlesAtNight 10:46 pm (txt): Accepted. Warning: Fired shots require serious punishment. Chillsins 10:46 pm *Coughs a little.* chronosmith 10:46 pm I nearly fell out when I tasted the full thing, too. But I mean... it's still GOOD, right? It's so intense. I love tasting. FakeProwl 10:46 pm *leans back over to Tarantulas* Soundwave gave his approval. Chillsins 10:47 pm Gee, Thanks Whirl. This is living. What an experience. mauther 10:47 pm *WHY* FakeProwl 10:47 pm As long as no shots are fired. chronosmith 10:47 pm *nods slowly* It is. Chillsins 10:47 pm *Shakes his head, his face still looks tortured.* Give me your drink can, boob. chronosmith 10:47 pm *Whirl's appreciation of the rare pleasure of being able to taste his food has given him a bit of a warped perspective on what's "good"* ..why? *peers at. Are you trying to take his Forbidden Mixture away* Chillsins 10:48 pm I'm giving you back half of this potion. chronosmith 10:48 pm *sets his canister on the table and gestures to it* By all means. mauther 10:49 pm *toward prowl/sw* I don't see any reason why I should - I - he's already quite sufficiently distracted by - *what is this evening even, he's not used to coming to movie nights* Chillsins 10:49 pm *Carefully squints and, holding Whirl's booze steady in one hand, doles out half of his poison with the other.* FakeProwl 10:50 pm You don't have to if you don't want to. Chillsins 10:50 pm There. More for you, you wild tangerine. chronosmith 10:50 pm Thank you... er. You. Coffee table. FakeProwl 10:50 pm I thought you might want to help. You don't have to. Chillsins 10:50 pm *Nods. Acceptable.* chronosmith 10:50 pm *takes a swig of the New Forbidden Mixture* At l;east I'll be able to get DRUNK again. ...even if the extra bit is non-alcoholic. Chillsins 10:51 pm Now my chances of dying are reduced by half, but oh well. *he sighs despondently.* chronosmith 10:51 pm *perks up* Chillsins 10:51 pm Maybe I just need to get used to it. But not today. mauther 10:52 pm IIIII think he's fine. *but now tarantulas is never going to forget this tidbit* NoodlesAtNight 10:52 pm (txt): Disappointing. Soundwave: also interested. FakeProwl 10:52 pm All right. NoodlesAtNight 10:52 pm (txt): ...Not same way. Chillsins 10:52 pm *Wish him luck, here he goes.* mauther 10:52 pm *...damnit now he's actually itching to show his guns. /why/* chronosmith 10:52 pm ((don't lie soundwave)) NoodlesAtNight 10:53 pm ((he's not really into guns. he's just curious where tara is keeping them)) chronosmith 10:53 pm Not bad, Soundwave, I don't think I've actually heard this one. I dig it, though. mauther 10:53 pm (( someone convince him :V chronosmith 10:53 pm It's like--it's almost--almost arrhythmic, yeah? Chillsins 10:53 pm *He gulps the rest down in a single swig, a gagging sound, a shudder, and a sudden prune face.* chronosmith 10:53 pm ((whirl already put forth his plea. It still stands)) Chillsins 10:53 pm (( Windchill is not aware of this conversation and so can offer no support. )) NoodlesAtNight 10:53 pm [[He liked the lyrics.]] mauther 10:54 pm (( apparently someone's GUNSHY chronosmith 10:54 pm *snickers* I can guess why. NoodlesAtNight 10:54 pm ((punnnnn)) chronosmith 10:54 pm Is that you, eh? Is that your title now? Soundwave, High Priest of Rhythmic Noise? FakeProwl 10:54 pm *well, if Tarantulas isn't going to do it. Prowl leans against him again.* Chillsins 10:55 pm *Still making a face, but it seems he survived.* mauther 10:55 pm *lean accepted, but tarantulas is wiggly now* chronosmith 10:55 pm Spicy, right? Chillsins 10:56 pm *coughs.* Spicy like my butt. That's a lot of spicy. NoodlesAtNight 10:56 pm [[...No. Best not. Someone will think it means rhythmic noise in the berth rather than through speakers.]] chronosmith 10:56 pm ..pfft. That's lame. NoodlesAtNight 10:56 pm [[And while he IS proud of his talents, he prefers to keep them to a select few.]] chronosmith 10:57 pm I pictured like... a dude on a mountaintop. In some kinda fancy ro--*stares* Chaoit 10:57 pm ....? FakeProwl 10:57 pm *INTENSE SIDE-GLANCE* chronosmith 10:57 pm *snickers* mauther 10:57 pm *snickers but then feels awkward* Chaoit 10:57 pm -right over his helm- chronosmith 10:57 pm I still think smiting your enemies from a mountaintop wearing some kinda weird ceremonial robes is cooler, to be honest. NoodlesAtNight 10:57 pm *The picture of blank-masked innocence.* chronosmith 10:57 pm But: good to know. Chillsins 10:57 pm *Would snicker, but makes a pathetic wheeze instead.* NoodlesAtNight 10:58 pm [[His frame is too angular and pointed. Robes would catch.]] chronosmith 10:58 pm *now looks to Windchill* I... don't have. Any kind of response for that. You nightstand you. Hey, that's why you get em specially TAILORED. Chillsins 10:58 pm *Winks, at least.* NoodlesAtNight 10:58 pm ((i'm laughing at INTENSE SIDE-GLANCE because he wasn't actually referring to anyone in particular... he was just saying)) chronosmith 10:58 pm Not gonna like I think you could pull off the "tall, imposing dark priest" look. *appraising look* Even though you're kinda short. FakeProwl 10:59 pm ((but now he's THINKING ABOUT THOSE TALENTS)) chronosmith 10:59 pm ((now we all are)) mauther 10:59 pm (( and tara's thinking about prowl thinking about those talents NoodlesAtNight 11:00 pm [[Organized religion has never been his style. He prefers more personalized forms of worship.]] Chaoit 11:00 pm ..... mauther 11:00 pm *SQUINT. is that some more innuendo* chronosmith 11:00 pm Well, you know where I stand. Praise Heqet. Chaoit 11:00 pm huh chronosmith 11:01 pm And, nobody said anything about a CHURCH. Chaoit 11:01 pm That got chaotic NoodlesAtNight 11:01 pm [[Repression usually does, Blaster.]] [[Where would he be a High Priest, if not a church?]] Chillsins 11:01 pm *He'd frick in a church. Nothing is sacred.* *Holds his now empty glass up to his mouth.* *Leans over to Whirl.* chronosmith 11:02 pm Like I said: On top of a mountain, ideally during a thunderstorm, smiting his enemies with deadly Rhythmic Noise. *looks up at Windchill* NoodlesAtNight 11:02 pm [[Perhaps if nightclub ownership fails to pan out.]] chronosmith 11:02 pm *snickers* NoodlesAtNight 11:02 pm *And it was both the truth and innuendo, which is just how he likes things.* chronosmith 11:02 pm Lemme know if you decide to do it. I wanna be there for that. Chillsins 11:03 pm *Using the the glass like a microphone,* Ooh, you touch my tralala. Chaoit 11:03 pm True. It does.... chronosmith 11:03 pm *SNORTS* NoodlesAtNight 11:03 pm *Plausible deniability and all that* Chillsins 11:03 pm *He offers the microphone' to Whirl to finish.* mauther 11:03 pm Personally I think he ought to continue here, if his music taste is anything to go by *appreciate dat 80s* chronosmith 11:04 pm *leans into the cup* Congratulations Windchill. Just when I thought my libido couldn't sink any lower, you somehow killed it HARDER. mauther 11:04 pm *oH NO* Chillsins 11:04 pm *HOWLS with laughter.* *He seems to have largely recovered from the experiment.* NoodlesAtNight 11:04 pm [[Deep-treaded tires with glowing hubcaps.]] Chillsins 11:05 pm It's okay if you don't know that song, we can pick a different one. FakeProwl 11:05 pm What? *sorry he wasn't listening, what's this about interesting tires* mauther 11:05 pm Yes, /what/? chronosmith 11:05 pm *snickers at Windchill* Also--yeah, what now? Tires? NoodlesAtNight 11:06 pm *Motions to Whirl.* [[Whirl said his libido was destroyed again. He was offering a boosting comment, as requested last time,]] FakeProwl 11:06 pm *well it worked on Prowl* chronosmith 11:06 pm Oh. Well, I appreciate the effort. I could take or leave tires, though Chillsins 11:06 pm *Ears prick up at this song choice* Chaoit 11:07 pm ....? NoodlesAtNight 11:07 pm *It worked on him too. That's why he chose it.* chronosmith 11:07 pm *pauses and takes a contemplative swig* Still better than picturing Megatron's JUNK. Ugh. NoodlesAtNight 11:07 pm [[He will aim a little closer to your tastes next ti-- MUST you.]] [[He IS a telepath.]] chronosmith 11:07 pm If I have to suffer, so do all of you. ... Chillsins 11:07 pm *Snorts, and sets the glass down.* Not me. I'm invulnerable to junk. Chaoit 11:08 pm -seriously just confused at this conversation now- chronosmith 11:08 pm *suddenly things very hard of this picture: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/08/03/article-0-0D47217900000578-586_634x450.jpg * FakeProwl 11:08 pm If it makes you feel any better, Whirl—at the present time, the Autobots possess no conclusive evidence that Megatron even HAS junk. NoodlesAtNight 11:08 pm *Texts Whirl the word "Praise"* chronosmith 11:08 pm *SNICKERS* Lord. One can only hope. NoodlesAtNight 11:08 pm [[Is that unusual?]] chronosmith 11:08 pm *shrugs* I... don't know. mauther 11:09 pm /Please/, first of all, why are we referring to interface arrays as junk NoodlesAtNight 11:09 pm *Don't worry, Blaster. They're all being drunk or filthy. Or in Whirl's case, both.* chronosmith 11:09 pm I mean, I was born with mine, but I don't know how it works in other dimensions? FakeProwl 11:09 pm It would put him in the minority, but it's not overly remarkable. Chillsins 11:09 pm *Raises his hand again.* chronosmith 11:09 pm Because APPARENTLY my aray isn't STANDARD, somehow. Chillsins 11:09 pm Mine is called junk because it's trashed. Chaoit 11:09 pm -Makes more sense now, thanks- chronosmith 11:09 pm *mostly just drunk. And brutally blunt* Chaoit 11:09 pm Oh! That's why you guys were upset about think of....oh. FakeProwl 11:09 pm I'm referring to it as junk because Whirl referred to it as junk. chronosmith 11:09 pm Windchill. ...well I can neither refute nor confirm this. I'll take your word for it. mauther 11:10 pm Yes, thank you Windchill, that explains it completely Chaoit 11:10 pm -just got what the conversation was about- NoodlesAtNight 11:10 pm [[Yes. Unpleasant, no?]] Chillsins 11:10 pm You're welcome, folks. I'm here to help. Chaoit 11:10 pm Ew chronosmith 11:10 pm I'm referring to Megatron's, specifically, as junk. Because it's MEGATRON. FakeProwl 11:10 pm And we're talking about Megatron's, so I'm not inclined to be respectful toward it. *did he and Whirl just say the same thing* chronosmith 11:10 pm SEE? This guy gets me. *points at Prowl* Chaoit 11:10 pm Why are you talking about it at all? chronosmith 11:10 pm ...which I think should be worrying to both of us. Chaoit 11:10 pm Ewww FakeProwl 11:11 pm ... It probably says more about Megatron than it does about either of us. chronosmith 11:11 pm Good point, Blaster. Let's not talk about it any more. mauther 11:11 pm Can we just - can't we just talk about something else then? Primus, even guns, I don't care at this point Chaoit 11:11 pm Yeah, something else chronosmith 11:11 pm Guns are the perfect thing to steer us away from this arousal-destroying abyss. Chaoit 11:11 pm Anything else at this point FakeProwl 11:11 pm *... oh, right, Tarantulas gets uncomfortable talking about sex things.* NoodlesAtNight 11:12 pm [[...He misses the resonance blaster.]] *His contribution.* Chaoit 11:12 pm The what blaster? FakeProwl 11:12 pm It was an impressive weapon. NoodlesAtNight 11:12 pm [[He dislikes external weaponry, but he would make an exception for another one.]] Chaoit 11:12 pm Oh, that weapon in the documentary? NoodlesAtNight 11:12 pm [[Yes.]] chronosmith 11:12 pm It WAS neat. There isn't nearly enough sound-based weaponry out there. Chaoit 11:12 pm Heh FakeProwl 11:13 pm @Soundwave «If you have any follow-up questions about our universe's standard anatomy, you may ask me privately.» *since Soundwave DID ask one.* Chaoit 11:13 pm Because some of the dangerous ones require tuning to work Chillsins 11:13 pm Well, sound based weaponry's efficacy would be too readily affected by the surrounding atmosphere or lack thereof, so that's why. Chaoit 11:13 pm I should know, I have several mauther 11:13 pm I - I must have missed it, is it just as the name suggests then? NoodlesAtNight 11:13 pm @Prowl: (txt) Preference: now, later? FakeProwl 11:14 pm @Soundwave «Whenever you'd like.» chronosmith 11:14 pm Well, yeah, but you can say that about a lot of tech, probably. You gotta give yourself room to be CREATIVE! Weaponsmithing... *places a claw over his cockpit* Is an art. One I don't posses, really. But I can appreciate it. Chaoit 11:14 pm Yeah I mean, it's fun to figure out what does what Chillsins 11:15 pm *Snorts.* mauther 11:15 pm Oh, I see 😮 chronosmith 11:15 pm Pfft. You big show-off. *amused glance at Soundwave* Chillsins 11:15 pm *Oh my god.* mauther 11:15 pm And I suppose one could say it's an art, but I never really did consider myself an artist Chillsins 11:16 pm *If only it were the Shrek 2 version.* chronosmith 11:16 pm I used to be. *that probably only slipped out because he's dunk. Whirl pauses, and then follows it up with a nice, long swig* What about you, my exceedingly comfortable sofa? Got a favorite weapon? NoodlesAtNight 11:16 pm @Prowl: (txt): ...Perhaps over comm. Full crowd distracts. Chillsins 11:16 pm Um. FakeProwl 11:16 pm *acknowledging ping* Chillsins 11:16 pm *He got distracted.* NoodlesAtNight 11:16 pm [[He wasn't showing off. Showing off would be playing back the whole fight.]] chronosmith 11:16 pm Besides your butt, which crushes everything in its path. Chillsins 11:17 pm Let's see. *He holds up his hand to count on his fingers.* Oh, not counting my butt? Damn. FakeProwl 11:17 pm *... kind of considers Tarantulas an artwork. but won't say that out loud.* chronosmith 11:17 pm Hey, I didn't say showing off was a BAD thing. Chaoit 11:17 pm That looked painful FakeProwl 11:17 pm *did he think artwork? he meant artist. haha. ha. haa.* Chillsins 11:17 pm *Lifts one finger.* My mind is my first choice. chronosmith 11:17 pm ((PRWL)) mauther 11:17 pm (( sdgfdhgf Chillsins 11:18 pm (( That's naughty. )) Chaoit 11:18 pm ((prooooowl NoodlesAtNight 11:18 pm *Offers Windchill a tiny playback of applause. He likes that choice.* chronosmith 11:18 pm *shrugs* I can see how that'd be a thing, yeah. mauther 11:18 pm See, Windchill, the mind may be the ultimate weapon, but you have to USE it to make other weapons that are more immediately applicable to violent situations chronosmith 11:19 pm *y'all are lucky he's JUST drunk enough to lack coordination, or he might have launched into this song* Chillsins 11:19 pm *Then rises a second finger.* Then, my old nucleon charge rifle. Seems I don't have either, these days. chronosmith 11:19 pm *if this were a certain other song, you'd all be doomed* Chillsins 11:19 pm You think I don't know how a mind works? *Please Whirl, do it. He'd join, you know it.* mauther 11:20 pm Honestly, a simple energy blaster is sufficient in most cases, but a - a nucleon charge rifle? Hhm. chronosmith 11:20 pm *Whirl becomes suddenly and genuinely attentive, expanded optic and perked antenna and everything* Nucelon charge rifle, eh? You should tell me about it, sometime. Chillsins 11:20 pm Listen. FakeProwl 11:20 pm ... ......... Chaoit 11:20 pm ...... NoodlesAtNight 11:20 pm [[...Oh. And a V32.CYBR Corrupt@r. He would also want one of those again.]] FakeProwl 11:20 pm ..................... How would it work. Chillsins 11:20 pm It may be built for reaching out and touching people, but it turns out you can shoot people from up close too. chronosmith 11:21 pm Soundwave. That's the goofiest name I ever heard for a weapon. I love it. Chaoit 11:21 pm ....yikes Chillsins 11:21 pm Pretty versatile if you've got a handle on it, if you mind the rate of fire. *Gasps.* *He loves this godawful song.* mauther 11:21 pm *claps his claws over his head, noooo* Chillsins 11:21 pm *That's it, he's singing along. Sorry guys.* chronosmith 11:21 pm *this is not The Song. Whirl does not join in* mauther 11:21 pm *smokescreen was the last one to rickroll him and he doesn't want to think about any of that* Chillsins 11:22 pm *You are all weak.* Chaoit 11:22 pm Wow. chronosmith 11:22 pm *I am not weak I am just PARTICULAR* FakeProwl 11:22 pm *prowl has Absolutely No emotional reaction to this song* Chillsins 11:22 pm *Leans over to sing as close to Whirl's head as possible without spitting on him* chronosmith 11:22 pm *deapdan stare back* *slooowly drains the last of his Forbidden Mixture* FakeProwl 11:23 pm *... a little bit of an emotional reaction to Tarantulas suddenly curling up, though.* What? Chillsins 11:23 pm *Sticks his tongue out for the finale since it is now ruined.* chronosmith 11:23 pm *oh, now here we go. Whirl's gonna lean back and just quietly let this one wash over him* mauther 11:23 pm *he's letting his head go once the song switches, that's fine* chronosmith 11:23 pm *he likes this one* mauther 11:23 pm Oh? Nothing NoodlesAtNight 11:23 pm *Has added Windchill to his Collection* FakeProwl 11:24 pm Are you alright? chronosmith 11:24 pm Good on you for picking the best version, Soundwave. Chillsins 11:24 pm *He would be scared to know what that means if he knew what that meant or that it happened.* NoodlesAtNight 11:24 pm [[He likes them both. It is... a favorite.]] chronosmith 11:24 pm *nods silently* mauther 11:25 pm I'm - perfectly fine, I simply don't enjoy that song. NoodlesAtNight 11:25 pm *It just means Windchill has joined the Cybertronian Choir Fantastic* FakeProwl 11:25 pm Ah. chronosmith 11:25 pm The violins in this one really make it. FakeProwl 11:25 pm *well. prowl will probably never hear that song again. but if he does, he'll keep tarantulas away from it.* NoodlesAtNight 11:25 pm *The slightly waving feeler sticking out a small ways would agree.* FakeProwl 11:25 pm ... So, about that nucleon charge rifle...? Chillsins 11:25 pm *Right, so something to fear then.* mauther 11:26 pm Yes, please do tell Chillsins 11:26 pm *Raises a single eyebrow.* chronosmith 11:26 pm *cycles a barely-audible, contented sigh* But yes. Okay. I've sat here long enough, yammering you guys' audials off. Chillsins 11:26 pm *Here he was hoping you'd all be too distracted to talk about that.* mauther 11:27 pm *nope, guns on the mind apparently* Chillsins 11:27 pm What about it? chronosmith 11:27 pm *removes his feet, clambers up, and streetches, nearly swaying himself onto the floor* NoodlesAtNight 11:27 pm [[If you insist.]] [[Do you require bridge assistance?]] chronosmith 11:27 pm I'm gonna go hit the sack before the medicine wears off. Chillsins 11:27 pm You leaving, my malty vinegar? chronosmith 11:27 pm Nah, nah, I got this. I am. You... uh. You shelf. Chillsins 11:27 pm You want a goodnight kiss? *He bats his obscene eyelids.* chronosmith 11:28 pm *someone should make a bridge for him tho he's done the equivalent of mix cough syrup with liquor, he should not be bridging* *reaches over and very gently bonks Windchill on the head with his claw* There. NoodlesAtNight 11:28 pm *...Will probably handle that for him.* FakeProwl 11:28 pm *windchill may be the one with the rifle being discussed here but as prowl's asking about it about 70% of his attention is on tarantulas* Chillsins 11:28 pm Owie, that'll do it. chronosmith 11:28 pm Your turn. FakeProwl 11:28 pm *he's expecting it to take, like, five minutes for tarantulas to figure out how to replicate whatever it is* Chillsins 11:29 pm Give me your claw. chronosmith 11:29 pm No. You gotta whap me. Chillsins 11:29 pm That's not a smooch you mixed berry smoothie. But okay, if it will make you feel better. *Lightly whaps his shoulder.* chronosmith 11:30 pm But probably don't whap me on the hea--thanks. *nods solemnly* Chillsins 11:30 pm Now get Soundwave to bridge you home, with my blessing. mauther 11:30 pm .....When you're done with that, Windchill *vague claw wave at the mushiness* I wouldn't mind hearing about the mechanism of action of the rifle... or, I mean, if it's /simpler/ you could just hand me the schematics, of course chronosmith 11:30 pm All right, all right. Bridge me, mech. NoodlesAtNight 11:31 pm [[Mind your footing.]] *Because one's going right under Whirl to right outside the LL.* chronosmith 11:31 pm *as Soundwave says that, he's transforming. You have a wobbly helicopter in your bar now* Chillsins 11:31 pm *Turns just enough to wink at Tarantulas. He'll get to you in a moment.* chronosmith 11:31 pm *he Descends* FakeProwl 11:31 pm *FREE BIRD* Chillsins 11:31 pm Bye, my angel food cake. *He waves.* FakeProwl 11:32 pm *... no free bird* NoodlesAtNight 11:32 pm *He'll free bird before Prowl goes.* chronosmith 11:32 pm Seeya, my divine divan. NoodlesAtNight 11:32 pm [[How -do- you know so many human fuel items.]] mauther 11:32 pm *how dare you wink at he who cannot wink back* Chillsins 11:32 pm *SNORTS.* chronosmith 11:32 pm *zoop. Whirls gone. God only knows where his drunk ass will end up tognight* Chillsins 11:32 pm *Frogspeed, my friend. Frogspeed.* NoodlesAtNight 11:32 pm *It's been connected to something that's going to distract him if he thinks about it. Better not with Windchill and Blaster still here.* FakeProwl 11:33 pm *... fair.* Chillsins 11:33 pm I know a lot of food items because I know a lot of things about Earth. I've lived there for...a while. Infiltrating, you know. chronosmith 11:33 pm ((SEE Y'ALL)) NoodlesAtNight 11:33 pm ((bye!)) Chillsins 11:33 pm Holoforms are fantastic for picking up the culture. mauther 11:33 pm (( BYEEE FakeProwl 11:33 pm ((GNIGHT)) Chaoit 11:33 pm ...why call someone names based on things for eating? Chillsins 11:33 pm (( BYYYYYYE. )) Chaoit 11:33 pm ((g'night! Chillsins 11:34 pm Because, it's funny. NoodlesAtNight 11:34 pm [[...He should get one. It would be easier than other setups.]] Chaoit 11:34 pm ...I guess? mauther 11:34 pm They really are useful - but don't get distracted, Windchill *taptaptap with spider leg on floor* NoodlesAtNight 11:35 pm [[Ah. His apologies. He did interrupt your question.]] Chillsins 11:35 pm I haven't forgotten, I've been avoiding the subject to see just how much pressure you're going to put on me about it. mauther 11:35 pm Aha, I see. That game you spoke of, of course. Chillsins 11:35 pm Also, Whirl was leaving. Something like that. I am a seeker of Vos, and a Decepticon. It comes with the territory. Anyway, it seems to me that you have more than a normal level of interest in the thing. mauther 11:38 pm Naturally. Weaponized nucleon was only barely a phenomenon in my universe before it was banned entirely *tsktsk internally* Chillsins 11:38 pm A shame, that. mauther 11:40 pm DO you have the schematics somewhere? Or would that be something I have to eat some more straws to get from you? Chillsins 11:40 pm Of course I have them. FakeProwl 11:40 pm *and it was banned for very good reasons, but he's not going to say that when Tarantulas might be up to Science* Chillsins 11:40 pm Along with the schematics for other things that might be worthwhile to universes with your...problems. NoodlesAtNight 11:41 pm *Curious tilt* mauther 11:41 pm *squint* My universe has quite a few problems, you might have to specify which subset Chillsins 11:41 pm I can reproduce. mauther 11:42 pm *would choke if he had a drink, but thankfully it just comes out as a cough* Chaoit 11:42 pm -awkward- FakeProwl 11:42 pm *zero emotional reaction* mauther 11:42 pm Ah, I see. FakeProwl 11:42 pm ((CRO PLZ)) NoodlesAtNight 11:42 pm *Doesn't find it awkward at all. It's an important problem to solve, even if he doesn't personally want anything to do with it.* ((IT WAS THERE AND I WASN'T NOT DOING IT)) mauther 11:42 pm (( sDGF i didnt realize Chillsins 11:42 pm *Shrugs.* (( I missed it )) NoodlesAtNight 11:43 pm <---Jessie)) FakeProwl 11:43 pm <--- Jessie's girl)) mauther 11:43 pm Personally I'm more interested in the rifle than the reproduction aspect <--- singer)) Chillsins 11:44 pm (( Pffft. )) Chaoit 11:44 pm ((yep mauther 11:44 pm (( honestly it might be more accurate to say bizarre love triangle but this definitely works Chillsins 11:45 pm Well, good for you. We should all aspire to an interest in shooting our enemies in the forehead. mauther 11:45 pm That's not the only thing one could do with weaponized nucleon, you realize Chillsins 11:45 pm I'm sure. That is, however, not what mine was for. It was for shooting people in the forehead. mauther 11:47 pm *spider shrug* That doesn't mean I'm not still interested Chillsins 11:47 pm You're interested more in the weaponizing aspect than that particular application. FakeProwl 11:47 pm ((there's kokomo, and here whirl's already gone. shame.)) NoodlesAtNight 11:47 pm ((ikr 😞 )) Chillsins 11:47 pm (( Damn u Whirl. )) mauther 11:49 pm Yes, but - we're talking in circles. Either you intend to tell me of it or you don't, that's really all I mind at the moment FakeProwl 11:49 pm ((yeeeee my jam)) Chillsins 11:50 pm (( So good. )) *He shrugs.* mauther 11:50 pm (( ive never seen most of these music videos and boy are they Gems FakeProwl 11:50 pm ((nice use of green screens)) Chillsins 11:51 pm I have a question: why should I tell you? mauther 11:51 pm Because I asked nicely. Or, hyeh, I think I did. Chillsins 11:51 pm I traded my previous integrated one for, well, quite a bit. Last I heard it was making a name for itself installed on some gunship. *He's scratching his chin, musing a little.* FakeProwl 11:53 pm *... if windchill starts trying to wring cash out of tarantulas, prowl's probably the one who's going to foot the bill.* FakeProwl 11:54 pm @Tarantulas «If he ends up uncooperative—Brainstorm's created a few blueprints for nucleon weapons that were banned before production. And all he needs to share his work is a fascinated audience that understands what he's saying.» mauther 11:54 pm If you're hinting that a more serious exchange would be required for me to get even the most basic specs from you, I'm... hhmn. *gets the comm* Chillsins 11:55 pm *He'll wring whatever he can get, he'll wring you like a dirty dishrag. He has little to no resources and a mind for hard negotiation.* You do that, lest I think you're planning to take advantage of me. mauther 11:56 pm ...You know, I might be best served waiting until you feel fit to drop the schematics on me as it suits your whimsy, honestly Chillsins 11:56 pm Listen, one freebie isn't a trend. mauther 11:57 pm *visor smile* Chillsins 11:57 pm You can make me an offer, or I'll assume you're not that interested. *He has what YOU want, remember.* Is making it worth my while so hard? *Ya darned cheapskates.* FakeProwl 11:58 pm @Tarantulas «There's no sense in paying him for something you could probably figure out how to make yourself in under a week.» Chillsins 11:59 pm *He's going to get up and return his used glass to the bar.* Yesterday Chillsins 11:59 pm *He's not necessarily asking for cash.* NoodlesAtNight 12:00 am *Ravage swipes it over* mauther 12:00 am *mentally waves off the comm* ...I'm - not going to make you an offer, especially since I have no idea exactly what I FakeProwl 12:00 am ((sPIDERWEBS)) mauther 12:00 am 'd be bargaining for But in any case I think I'll have to decline your invitation to an exchange at the moment. Chillsins 12:01 am True, but if I give you the schematics to look over you'll just take them. *He shrugs, sitting back down.* mauther 12:01 am (( .....cro NoodlesAtNight 12:01 am ((*laughs forever*)) mauther 12:02 am (( /cro/ Tsk tsk, so little trust Chillsins 12:02 am You can come talk to me when you decide to stop trying to wheedle me out of what's mine. mauther 12:03 am Honestly this simply started as a casual conversation about weapons, I wasn't attempting to "get" anything out of you until you yourself started getting serious, so to speak FakeProwl 12:03 am ((*thumbs up*)) Chillsins 12:03 am *He stops to think about it.* mauther 12:03 am It's quite alright though Chillsins 12:04 am You specifically asked me to give you the schematics. Which, I am not opposed to in and of itself. What if I make you an offer, then. I'll give you the schematics, provided you replicate the weapon for me. Just one. mauther 12:05 am ....And then what? Chillsins 12:05 am Then I don't much care, so long as I get a working rifle. FakeProwl 12:06 am *... seriously considering the offer* mauther 12:06 am *sideglance at prowl, he is too* FakeProwl 12:06 am *on the one hand, that's handing a powerful weapon to a Decepticon* Chillsins 12:06 am *Technically soon to be ex decepticon, hence the need for a weapon.* FakeProwl 12:06 am *on the other hand, if they don't take it, somebody else simply could.* mauther 12:06 am How soon would you want it by, if I were to acquire the schematics today? Chillsins 12:07 am *We had the DJD discussion already.* mauther 12:07 am And I'm assuming you have some source of nucleon? FakeProwl 12:07 am *plus, if he was a real threat as a Decepticon, Whirl wouldn't be so cozy with him. He might be a Decepticon but he's not much of an enemy.* Chillsins 12:07 am *ARE YOU SURE, PROWL.* FakeProwl 12:08 am *"being dangerous" and "being a danger" are two different things. Prowl has no knowledge about whether he's dangerous, but the evidence suggests he's not a danger.* Chillsins 12:08 am *A fair assessment.* On me? No. mauther 12:08 am *funny pfft noise* Chillsins 12:08 am But I might be able to locate it. FakeProwl 12:09 am *puts hand on Tarantulas's arm* Don't make any promises for a fast turnaround. You've got another project you need to finish first. mauther 12:09 am That's precisely why I was asking. *mostly* Chillsins 12:10 am It would require a space bridge to access, any stockpiles I can dredge up out of old records will be located on my Cybertron or the remains of Decepticon outposts. It would take some research at the very least. FakeProwl 12:11 am I may have access to Decepticon stockpiles in our universe, too. mauther 12:11 am *whoa ok that sounds like a lot more than he was thinking* Chillsins 12:11 am *Welcome to Windchill's world.* It is also possible that we could readily purchase it on Cybertron, I could look into that also. mauther 12:13 am That's - that should be sufficient. I mostly meant to imply that I wouldn't be able to supply you with any myself, and that I would require an amount for the replication process itself Chillsins 12:14 am I know, and I am offering solutions to the problem. mauther 12:14 am Clarified. Turnaround time expected? Chillsins 12:15 am Time is measured in numbers by you lot, I don't do well with those. mauther 12:15 am Well, to put it another way, is there a time by which you might specifically require it Chillsins 12:15 am Unknown. Give me an estimate of how long you think it will take. *He's working on it.* Once you have the nucleon, of course. mauther 12:17 am Honestly I can't say, depending on a current project, but - *glance at prowl.* FakeProwl 12:18 am *glances back. yes?* mauther 12:18 am (( can i just reference some vague timepoint in the reasonable future, chillmun? FakeProwl 12:18 am *... "glances back." as though prowl hadn't already been looking at tarantulas.* Chillsins 12:19 am (( Sure because he's just going to tell Tarantulas to double whatever time frame he comes up with.)) (( He's not picky. )) mauther 12:19 am *urgh. why did he think prowl could help him with something that's HIS job* FakeProwl 12:20 am *prowl doesn't know how much time this is gonna take. he understands nothing about tarantulas's process except "insert plan; magic happens; receive weapon."* mauther 12:20 am Maybe before the end of the <insert time period here>? Tentatively, highly subject to change Chillsins 12:21 am That's gibberish to me, mech. FakeProwl 12:21 am *... hold up. free bird guitar solo. prowl is on another plane of existence rn.* Chillsins 12:21 am *He will be missed.* FakeProwl 12:21 am *back in five minutes.* Chillsins 12:21 am Whatever you just said, double it. mauther 12:21 am *vaguely concerned about prowl, but keeps going* Chillsins 12:21 am Sooner would be better, but I won't come knocking before then. mauther 12:23 am /More/ time? To assure quality? Because that's hardly - *nope don't get too arrogant* ...ttthat's a reasonable idea. Chillsins 12:23 am To allow for unforeseen circumstances. FakeProwl 12:24 am *hhhh.* *bliss.* Chillsins 12:24 am *He's not actively implying that you can't handle the workload, but he's compensating anyway.* mauther 12:24 am *no offense taken* ...I think we might have a deal FakeProwl 12:24 am *okay, what did he miss?* *oh. good.* Chillsins 12:25 am *Is giving Tarantulas these schematics the responsible thing to do? No. He shuns responsibility.* *He'll just get them elsewhere anyway, if he puts his mind to it. It can't exactly be helped.* mauther 12:26 am *having anything to do with tarantulas is irresponsible, but look at them all* Chillsins 12:26 am *point made.* *He shrugs again, as casual as you please.* Sounds good to me. mauther 12:27 am ...It's not /that/ easy, is it? Chillsins 12:27 am We can get it in writing, if you like. Short of that, we have witnesses. FakeProwl 12:28 am It sounds like a solid bargain to me. mauther 12:28 am True enough. *looks around* NoodlesAtNight 12:28 am [[All said is recorded.]] Chillsins 12:28 am *Nods at Soundwave. He was counting on that.* mauther 12:29 am I don't quite care for formalities, so audio agreement is just as fine as written mauther 12:31 am ...I suppose you can transfer the schematics at your leisure then, either in person or commlink, although make sure to use this one *ping! it's his business one, super special sparkly* Chillsins 12:31 am *Consider it transferred.* I'm sure you'll let me know if my assistance is needed in acquiring the nucleon. mauther 12:32 am Certainly. FakeProwl 12:32 am @Tarantulas «Tell me your thoughts about the schematics once you receive them and have time to review them.» mauther 12:32 am *consider tarantulas already getting lost in the files in his head* *absentminded ping to prowl* Chillsins 12:33 am *Tarantulas might notice the scale of the thing is once again silly, but that's to be expected at this point.* FakeProwl 12:33 am *oh. well. that was fast.* mauther 12:33 am *just a "yes" ping mostly* FakeProwl 12:34 am «............... Come over to share your thoughts. If you have time.» mauther 12:35 am *after a bit of zoning out, Tarantulas shakes his head* Would it be a faux pas to say it's been a pleasure doing business with you? I suppose, well. It is literal after all Chillsins 12:35 am *He snorts.* Not at all. mauther 12:36 am @Prowl: Soon - not sure how soon. This has been... quite the evening, to say the least. FakeProwl 12:37 am @Tarantulas «Well. I'm off work today. So. If it fits your schedule.» mauther 12:37 am I wasn't intending on lingering this long, but - *glances over at soundwave??* I'm glad I have, and I hope I haven't been imposing? NoodlesAtNight 12:38 am *Soundwave flicks a hand.* [[He would have insisted you move it elsewhere if you were.]] [[The company is enjoyable.]] Chillsins 12:38 am *We've seen what happens when Soundwave insists.* NoodlesAtNight 12:38 am *That was a little more extreme than usual, but... yes.* mauther 12:38 am @Prowl: /What/ schedule? Hyeh Chaoit 12:39 am -Yeah. Went from movie night to weapons deal- mauther 12:39 am Very well. In any case, I really ought to be going. *although he doesn't move an inch* FakeProwl 12:39 am @Tarantulas «I'm not going to pretend I know how your system works. NoodlesAtNight 12:39 am *Oh, that's not unusual at all, here. Nearly crushing Smokescreen to death and throwing him out a bridge is.* Chillsins 12:39 am (( Let's not forget attempted gun show for the titillation. )) mauther 12:40 am (( one day. one day Chillsins 12:40 am (( We wait with bated breath. )) *Windchill stretches, kind of sitting out this drum solo more than anything.* mauther 12:41 am *amused pet on the head for prowl* NoodlesAtNight 12:42 am *This human must have had such a good time carrying on like this...* Chaoit 12:42 am -Yeah. That...that was something- -A very worrying something- FakeProwl 12:42 am *he'll endure it.* NoodlesAtNight 12:42 am *Fortunately, it doesn't happen often. On either side.* Chaoit 12:43 am -That's good. For both sides- FakeProwl 12:44 am @Tarantulas «... I don't think I ever got a proper yes-or-no answer. Are you going to come over, or...?» NoodlesAtNight 12:44 am *Soundwave's plates ripple, then settle.* mauther 12:44 am @Prowl: Oh? Yes. Yes I will. At some point. I'll give you - some sort of heads up FakeProwl 12:45 am @Tarantulas «Today? Or at some vague point in the future?» Chillsins 12:46 am *He stretches again with a satisfied grunt, and gets up off his enormous butt.* mauther 12:46 am @Prowl: Today. After my next recharge, probably NoodlesAtNight 12:46 am *Nods a to-be-goodbye to Windchill.* FakeProwl 12:46 am @Tarantulas «Very well.» mauther 12:46 am *someone drag tarantulas out, he's being a bum* NoodlesAtNight 12:47 am *Not about to be the one to do it.* Chillsins 12:47 am I'm out, nerds. *Nerds is a compliment, okay.* NoodlesAtNight 12:47 am [[Farewell.]] mauther 12:47 am *duly accepted* Until next time, then FakeProwl 12:48 am *Prowl's gotta go home. and shower. and tell the Constructicons not to come upstairs when they get home.* Chillsins 12:48 am *He's off to do a little digging into that nucleon, just to get a head start. If Tarantulas doesn't need it, then he still knows.* Chaoit 12:48 am -stretches and stands- Chillsins 12:48 am *He waves.* NoodlesAtNight 12:48 am *Nods to Blaster too.* FakeProwl 12:48 am *prowl's trying not to get his hopes up but they are going to be alone and talking about science.* Chillsins 12:48 am Oh, by the way. mauther 12:48 am This message has been removed. Chillsins 12:49 am If I keel over and die, I'm blaming Ravage. And Whirl. That concoction was killer. NoodlesAtNight 12:49 am *Distant purr-rumbling from the bar* Chillsins 12:49 am *Good show, Ravage. He'll wave in your direction specifically.* NoodlesAtNight 12:51 am *Ravage closes his optics and rumbles more. Yes, good. Appreciate his learned talents.* Chaoit 12:51 am -waves to Soundwave on his way out- G'night. Thanks for the show. NoodlesAtNight 12:51 am [[You're welcome.]] mauther 12:51 am *eeeeventually tarantulas gets up. he really doesn't want to and you can tell by the way his limbs linger on and around prowl's avatar* Chillsins 12:52 am Anyway, see you guys next time. *This time he vanishes for REAL.* NoodlesAtNight 12:52 am *Can absolutely tell. But if Prowl's not been upset with that, all he'll do is watch. Tarantulas can't do anything much to hurt an avatar anyway.* FakeProwl 12:52 am *the sooner you leave, the sooner you can go visit the real thing* mauther 12:52 am *truth* FakeProwl 12:52 am *that said: somehow, prowl doesn't notice the lingering.* mauther 12:53 am (( cro omg NoodlesAtNight 12:53 am ((obviously half of this stuff isn't ic chosen)) mauther 12:53 am (( ofc xD ahh. do you two mind if i and/or we ftb here cos im about to pass out NoodlesAtNight 12:54 am ((np)) FakeProwl 12:54 am ((yeh i assume tara's leaving now)) mauther 12:54 am (( mhmm, shoulda been gone FakeProwl 12:54 am ((gnight! good to see you here)) mauther 12:54 am (( <3 twas definitely fun NoodlesAtNight 12:54 am ((yep!)) FakeProwl 12:55 am *well, if tarantulas is gone. prowl's gonna relocate briefly back to the couch next to soundwave.* NoodlesAtNight 12:55 am (txt): Greetings again. Pleasant evening? FakeProwl 12:57 am Pleasant enough. NoodlesAtNight 12:58 am (txt): Good. Improvement. (txt): Deal also interesting. Will deliver record copy. FakeProwl 12:59 am @Soundwave «I recorded it too, but thank you.» NoodlesAtNight 1:00 am *Bobs his head. Very good.* NoodlesAtNight 1:02 am *Motions for Prowl to come closer for a second.* FakeProwl 1:03 am *don't need to tell him twice* NoodlesAtNight 1:05 am *Excellent. Visor lifts up enough to bare his mouth (but not his optics again, not for something so quick) and let him give the side of the avatar's helm a vaguely linger-y kiss.* (txt): Rapid recovery medicine. (txt): Delayed treatment. *And down it goes again.* FakeProwl 1:07 am *oh. leans into it for as long as it lasts.* ... Appreciated. NoodlesAtNight 1:08 am *Small nod.* NoodlesAtNight 1:10 am (txt): Maintain safety levels, gather necessary rest. Questions, Constructicon medical assistance appreciation package sent soon. FakeProwl 1:11 am I will. ... If Smokescreen decides to go talk to his good friend Nickel about this evening, and she talks to her little friends... I doubt I can do much for you that you can't do for yourself. You can bridge, after all. But—we do have some experience protecting defectors from the DJD. NoodlesAtNight 1:15 am *His shoulders pull forward and tense, as if he's already preparing to fend off an attack.* (txt): Some precautions in place. Other options preferred. Experience offer... *Please hold. He's trying to work out how to take all the bundle and word it.* NoodlesAtNight 1:17 am *In the end he settles for slowly tapping the big glowing spot on his chest a grand total of twice.* (txt): Deep gratitude. FakeProwl 1:19 am *thin smile* I hope I can offer enough to be worth it. I hope even more that I won't have to. NoodlesAtNight 1:20 am (txt): Belief this one's deployers worth sparing: enough. Second hope given agreement. Existing encounter: sufficient. FakeProwl 1:23 am *small nod* FakeProwl 1:24 am *... well. prowl HAD been planning on telling soundwave before he left that there's a decently high chance he'll be having Danger Sex tonight. But he feels like maybe that's, mm... inappropriate for the current tone of their conversation?* NoodlesAtNight 1:25 am *He would be more displeased NOT to know* *Danger is Danger, be it DJD or Spide* FakeProwl 1:25 am *he decides he'll comm soundwave if it becomes imminent.* I suppose I should get going. NoodlesAtNight 1:26 am (txt): Acknowledgment: reluctant. Next opportunity awaited. *Slowly rises and nods.* FakeProwl 1:27 am *nods back.* I'll see you next time. NoodlesAtNight 1:28 am (txt): Next time. *Goes to fiddle with the speakers and load up... er, something. He needs a distraction after this evening for several reasons and by Primus he will have one.* FakeProwl 1:28 am *flickers and disappears*