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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 19, 2010 12:21:55 GMT -5
"Like I said, when people get close to me, they get used as weapons. They become targets." Rodimus sighs and looks down, partly to hide the downturn in expression from observers. "That's happened more than once, and the results have sometimes been... pretty bad."
Matrix stolen one time it happened, broken another time.
That level of bad.
"I... can't stop caring about them, but... I can avoid painting the target any brighter. They deserve better than what comes to them when the Decepticons or the Quintessons or... well, anybody gives them if it gets out that I care for them." He frowns, expression still hidden from the outside by the tilt of his head, though Mirage should be able to see it clear.
"To be honest, I can't... can't help but worry for you if the wrong person spots, well, this business."
He sighs and lifts his right hand up to rub at the bridge of his nose. "So if... if it's just the performers who go missing, and the club won't acknowledge it... we're here just to scout the place?"
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Post by Mirage on May 19, 2010 13:46:50 GMT -5
Mirage brings his hand up to try and just rest his fingertips on the side of Rodimus's face that faces the room, a comforting gesture that also helps hide the Prime's expression.
At Rodimus's question about scouting, Mirage nods, "More or less. I hope to be able to come back and get a more...thorough look later, when it is less crowded. But I needed to take the measure of the workers here; I have to have something to work from after all." In other words, during off hours when Mirage can use his tech to best advantage.
"But Rodimus- we are always at risk, and as you have said, you care about all of us. As for myself- I can understand the concern, but none of them are quality enough to be admitted here." Except Needlenose, perhaps, but Mirage avoids mentioning that one. "But once this encounter is done- Rodimus, you know my abilities, my strengths. Secrets are my trade goods, and I know how to keep them close."
Mirage tries to look Rodimus in the optics then, to convey the seriousness that he can't show in his expression.
"I don't mind being a secret."
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 19, 2010 14:30:54 GMT -5
"You're not all at risk of being beaten to within a breath of death and left lying in a ditch as bait to draw the Matrix out," Rodimus hisses angrily, managing, just, to keep his voice low, but the sudden tenseness in his body, the clenching of his fists, should make his sudden change in mood. "You're not all at risk of being ripped to shreds, to have your heads tossed at my feet as a taunt."1
"I do care about all of you, but... but I'd be lying if I said there weren't some who meant more to me than others. And... and... I can't let there be any more. It's not just to protect you."
He doesn't say the next thought, but it hangs there: he's also protecting himself.
He turns away from Mirage now, anger drained and replaced by... something else. Let onlookers think they're having a lover's spat, or whatever else.
Rodimus reaches for his drink and holds it tight to steady himself. He stares into for a moment, then takes a sip.
1 Arguable, since Death's Head did this to Rodimus with a random guard. He wasn't the one Rodimus broke the Matrix over, though.
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Post by Mirage on May 19, 2010 17:56:49 GMT -5
Mirage flinches at Rodimus's anger, and he doesn't try to hide his frown. It will merely be assumed they they are arguing, after all, and indeed, the two ladies who have been eying them look quite worried over the sudden shift in mood. Nooo, their pretty fantasies can't be spoiled!
The Prime's words, though, they make Mirage's optics widen and he tries to put his hand on Rodimus's shoulder- not to be forward, but to try and comfort. "Is that what happened to him? Rodimus...I'm sorry. I didn't know. No wonder you...," Mirage breaks off, instead bending his head so that his helm almost, but not quite touches Rodimus's arm. The tilt of his head inward would make it look as if he is touching that plating, however, giving the impression that he is being contrite and begging forgiveness for some slight, if anyone is paying attention.
After a few moments, Mirage continues, voice low, "I can't blame you for wanting to protect yourself from such pain. I can't imagine what you must have gone through-"
"I owe you an apology, but the words seem woefully inadequate."
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 19, 2010 20:15:06 GMT -5
Rodimus takes another sip of his drink, then sets it down. He doesn't stop the hand on his shoulder, and when Mirage leans towards him, he leans back. The signal to the outside: we've made up.
The boy Prime gives a deep sigh. "Look, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have... I shouldn't have unloaded on you like that."
He pauses. "And I know... I know that I can't just keep people at arm's length forever. But it's still... too soon." He shrugs, reaches for his drink, and takes another sip, then looks up and looks around, glancing for a moment towards the stage.
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Post by Mirage on May 20, 2010 9:47:20 GMT -5
"No apologies from you are needed, love. I was pressing too hard and too quickly," Mirage replies, leaning forward and giving the appearance of brushing his lips across Rodimus's cheek to complete the illusion of making up, though plating never quite touches plating. After that, Mirage settles back in the seat, still tilted toward Rodimus, still close, but no longer attempting to touch him.
"If you ever need companionship, I am available- and I don't mean for...physical activities," Mirage quickly clarifies, "I think you might benefit more from a good cuddle, a firm hug time to time than anything else. But I'll not press the issue, and once we're done putting on a show here, I'll refrain from putting you in such situations going forward."
Mirage takes a drink and then sighs, "However...I can't promise not to ever flirt with you if we are in private, or to not touch you when you seem to need comfort." The smile he turns on Rodimus is apologetic and a touch sad. "Such things are as woven into my being as much as my arrogance. I can try, but I doubt I will succeed."
His lips quirk, "At least I know you do find me attractive."
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 20, 2010 19:38:15 GMT -5
Rodimus smiles at Mirage. "Sure, though you're a bit, well... classier than what I'm used to."
That's the nice way of putting it.
Rodimus stays close. He doesn't draw away at the near-case, but nor does he draw towards it. He just shuts down his optics and lets himself enjoy the closeness, even if it can't last.
"I... your concern for my... well... for me is touching."
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Post by Mirage on May 20, 2010 23:09:19 GMT -5
It could last, once Rodimus is ready for the step. Mirage has declared himself, so to speak, and he has no intention of ceasing his not-quite-pursuit. So it could last.
Yet, it probably won't last beyond this one night- and that is what pains Mirage most.
He doesn't miss how Rodimus seems to savor that near-touch. Mirage would bet his entire fortune that it isn't an act. It makes him wish he'd dared to complete the motion.
He tries to take Rodimus's hand and twine his fingers with the Prime's. "Someone should care. You didn't lose your feelings, your own desires, when you became Prime, after all. It's obvious you miss...this."
A waiter chooses this moment to stop by and drop a small basket of what appear to be confections on their table. They resemble energon goodies crossed with petit fours, the various colored fuels contained within glowing slightly.
"Compliments of the ladies," he says, tilting his head toward the two who have been watching the Autobots. "Your check has also been covered," he adds before walking away.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 21, 2010 13:35:13 GMT -5
Rodimus his fingers to be twined up, telling himself it's all for the show. When Mirage says that it's 'obvious' that he misses such relationships, however, he frowns.
"Then I'm doing something wrong," he says worriedly. "I really shouldn't be that... blatant." Then he smirks. "Tell the truth, though, there are other things I miss more."
Like having his head to himself. He really, really misses that. He could do without the voice unpleasantly like his own snarling, Oh, for Primus' sake, just take him! in the back of his mind, for instance.
Such musings are derailed by the arrival of the sweets, however. Rodimus Prime just bursts out laughing, throwing back his head in a fit of uncontrolled mirth.
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Post by Mirage on May 21, 2010 19:00:51 GMT -5
Mirage sends the ladies a winning smile, respectfully tilting his head their way in thanks. As he does so, he gives Rodimus's hand a light squeeze, leans in close, and murmurs, "Mmmm, it is amusing, but we don't want to accidentally slight them, dear. Remember that I am lacking in connections here, something I will probably turn out to need."
He picks a sweet out of the basket, turns it this way and that, sniffs it, then shrugs slightly and pops it into his mouth. Almost immediately, his optics dim, and he hums in pleasure. "Oh, that is delightful! Sweet, but not cloying, and there is a slight heat...a bit rich, but the perfect little bite after my meal. They must have asked what we ordered, to pair it that well."
He fishes another piece from the basket and holds it just before Rodimus's lips. Mirage won't feel slighted if Rodimus takes it by hand instead of the more intimate way, but they are playing to an audience, after all.
Regardless of how Rodimus takes the sweet (if he does at all), Mirage will say, "You must remember who is speaking, Rodimus. What I find obvious is seldom so to others, and really, I was mainly speaking about your reactions to me and my attentions, tonight." Mirage tries to bring the hand he's holding up to his mouth kiss one of the fingers. "A hint of something, sadness, weariness perhaps, always seems to be lurking in your optics, but that can easily be explained away by your station. Sentinel- my Sentinel- had that look, sometimes."
"But your reactions tonight- both positive and negative- while not overt or exaggerated, speak very, very clearly to me."
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 21, 2010 20:43:45 GMT -5
Rodimus Prime is almost ashamed that his first reaction when Mirage holds the sweet to his lips is to wonder if they're perhaps poisoned or drugged. But he does accept the sweet, opening his mouth and allowing Mirage to feed him.
He is playing to an audience, after all.
"I'm not trying to slight them, I just... well, I don't get it. But it is nice of them."
Really, the idea that the girls might be interested in Rodimus and Mirage strictly because Rodimus and Mirage look pretty together is a bit hard for the young Prime to grasp.
Rich people are weird.
"But... mmm! These are good!" He immediately grabs for another and pops it in his mouth. Let's hope they're not drugged!
More quietly, and with a full mouth, he murmurs quietly, "So it's just... just tonight that's... obvious? Well, That's... not good, but better."
And then he pops another sweet in his mouth.
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Post by Mirage on May 22, 2010 0:15:20 GMT -5
Mirage chuckles and reaches out to snag himself another sweet. "Rodimus, darling, do leave me a few. And, ah, you might want to swallow at some point." Mirage is teasing the Prime, and obviously so.
"Mmm, they either hope to persuade us into a foursome or are unrepentant voyeurs," he muses before popping the confection into his mouth. He gives another little hum of pleasure as it bursts in his mouth. He swallows, then continues, "Either way, they paid for the show."
Mirage sounds like that is all horribly commonplace in these types of circles.
He offers another sweet to Rodimus as he did the first. "I feel the need to clarify something. I'm...I was not expecting to become one of your true intimates. I know that anyone known to be close to you would be in danger, and you have too strong a sense of duty to allow that. That is why I stressed that I can be discreet. An...occasional dalliance if you will, no strings, no commitments. Just...there when the loneliness becomes too much."
Mirage sighs, "I know such an outlook bothers some people, however. I wasn't trying to offend or upset you as I did."
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 22, 2010 20:18:10 GMT -5
Rodimus Prime swallows!
Get your mind out of the gutter. That is to say, he swallows between bites. Well, between every few bites.
At Mirage's teasing admonishment, he slows down and gives an embarrassed grin. "Sorry about that. I just... I didn't expect them to be so good!" As Mirage explains the probably reasons for them, however, he gives the candies a wary look. "Seriously? You've gotta be kidding me!" He accepts this treat as he did the last one, and even still looks like he's enjoying it - heck, he is still enjoying it. But, as close as Mirage is, the spy may be able to pick up on the fact that the youth is a little unnerved under neath it all.
More quietly, he says, "I... know you can keep a secret, Mirage, but there's more involved in a secret's ability to stay... well... than just the ones involved not telling anyone." He shakes his head. "Sooner or later, things out."
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Post by Mirage on May 22, 2010 23:02:49 GMT -5
Mirage sighs again at Rodimus's assertion that the truth will out.
"Perhaps. But how we handle such things merely highlights our differences." Mirage doesn't elaborate; he'd rather not get into another argument.
Instead, he picks up another sweet, turning it about in his fingers. "You know, we can probably get an order prepped to take away when we leave. I imagine Perceptor can recreate them, and with more compatible fuels."
Then Mirage smirks, dropping the sweet into Rodimus's hand.
"We do have an audience," he murmurs, turning toward Rodimus, lips ever-so-slightly parted. He wonders if Rodimus will get the hint- or will act on it if he does.
The ladies, by the by, have since received their own meals, and seem to be enjoying them. They also seem to be enjoying the show.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 23, 2010 20:40:45 GMT -5
Mirage has dropped a piece of candy into Rodimus's hand.
Doesn't Mirge know that Rodimus is just going to eat it?
The Boy Prime smirks and lifts the sweet to his lips. "Yeah? So?" he asks, grinning. However, he doesn't pop it into his mouth. Instead, he laughs, "Just kidding," and reaches forward to pop it into the spy's waiting parted lips.
More quietly, he asks, "How much longer are we performing, though? Did we get what we need?"
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