Nimbus Tsura
Major
Secretary to Mr. Breakaway
Sky-Painter Extraordinaire
Posts: 735
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Post by Nimbus Tsura on Sept 23, 2007 21:29:55 GMT -5
Skyblast considers after he completes one sketch, unmarked cross-hatching and all. The surroundings need to be taken into account. Making a harmonious painting was hard on Cybertron, a land of jagged metal, fire, and death. Certainly, he could do some fine battle scenes, but anything gets tiresome after a while.
He transforms and lets himself fall. He twists in the air, such that his back points toward the ground, and he puts his arms behind his head, as if preparing for a nap. Skyblast looks up at the sky as the wind howls around him. Most Autobots only ever see his work from the ground, and he pities them so.
Skyblast is about to hit the dirt when he transforms again and snaps back up into the air, taking a nearly vertical heading. Okay, that's enough of looking at the canvas the way a ground-pounder would. Some of these Autobots can fly, and the one that Skyblast really wants to appreciate the funerary painting, Slingshot, certainly can fly!
The Valkyrie cuts a large circle in the air, arcing around and imagining what it would look like. A wide-swung arc takes him closer to Fleetwind and Jetstorm, perhaps too close.
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Jetstorm (BM)
Minor
Producer, Director, Actor, Writer, but not prop boy, Jetstorm, soon to be winner of some award.
Posts: 355
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Post by Jetstorm (BM) on Sept 23, 2007 21:58:39 GMT -5
Alas, almost every robot around has more of a face than Jetstorm to make expressions. Tis the luck of the draw for our lovely actor to have such a fate.
Jetstorm taps Fleetwind lightly on the shoulder before plopping himself down on the back of the other's head and peeking ever so slightly over the top of his helmet, watching it. Jetstorm seems to be quite the clingy type, having close contact with other bots by sitting on them. He watches, his optics following the shape of Skyblast, sometimes moving his entire head along with it to follow.
// Respect for an enemy even though he almost killed you? You're odd. // So says the bot who thinks he's a Shakespearean actor of sorts. Jetstorm lightly raps his fingers on top of Fleetwind's head before looking back up. // Is this what they call 'honor' or am I mistaken? ... Honor... // Jetstorm rolls his head back, some of his inner voices yelling vaguely at him. Past memories or just something new that they don't like? He shrugs and resumes carefully clinging to Fleetwind's helmet, thunking his chin down on top of the other's head and watching Skyblast.
// Sky-painter involves the obvious... Painting of the sky, as I see. // He points as an image is formed. // This is new to me too. ... And... He's coming closer, FLEETWIND!! Do something! Shoot him or something! He's bigger than me! // Jetstorm yelps.
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Fleetwind
Major
The Chancellor, His Eminent Grandeur, Marquis Fleetwind. The Insurgent Subduer of A Non-Threatening Cute Little Furry Kitten
Twined Elf
Posts: 730
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Post by Fleetwind on Sept 24, 2007 8:26:47 GMT -5
//I always respect what can kill me, Jetstorm. Disrespect leads to disregard, disregard leads to underestimation, and underestimation leads to letting what can kill you actually do so. 'Honor' has nothing to do with it. 'Honor' generally amounts to letting your opponents have advantages they wouldn't have in the name of 'fair play.' It is a fool's tactic, and those who employ it successfully do so only because they already have so much advantage over their opponent that they can afford losing some; I cannot take such gambits.//
Fleetwind narrows his optics, quickly but carefully considering his options.
He can leave before he's noticed. This option provides him with the minimum of immediate risk, but Fleetwind, whenever possible, likes to think in the long term.
He can attack. The Autobot is unaware of his presence. He has the advantage of surprise. The Autobot is alone. The Autobot is also a highly skilled combatant. Fleetwind will eventually have to face him at some point.
Unless he can take the Autobot out now, while he has the advantage of surprise. If he fails, he flees, and is little worse than he would have been, anyway.
Decision made, Fleetwind extends his right arm. He concentrates, ignoring the antics of the smaller robot sitting on his head, taking a moment, just a moment, to line up his shot. Engines - fairly well protected, and Fleetwind's firepower is only moderate. Wings. Typically vulnerable, a large target. Fear wells up in the Seeker in anticipation of what's about to happen, fear he uses to make himself careful, and then the pastel Seeker fires a quick series of shots at the Autobot's wings, focusing on the ailerons.
‘Honor’ indeed!
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Nimbus Tsura
Major
Secretary to Mr. Breakaway
Sky-Painter Extraordinaire
Posts: 735
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Post by Nimbus Tsura on Sept 24, 2007 10:09:08 GMT -5
As the shots pepper Skyblast's wings, forcing him to redistribute his thrust to keep flying smoothly, one may imagine "Doomsday Clock" to blare on in the background. Skyblast is a movie Autobot. These things happen.
Is everyone afraid? Is everyone ashamed? They're running towards their holes to find out Apocalyptic means are lost amongst our dead A message to our friends to get out
The Valkyrie reverses thrust and slams his flaps down, coming to a dead stop mid-air. He jinks around and reverses his course. Skyblast is not happy with turning on a dime. He wants to turn on a M&M!
Sighting the bit of yellow against the purple and white, Skyblast cries out, "If you want to criticize my work, I find that words have quite enough sting! But I have some cutting remarks of my own in mind."
The Valkyrie extrudes his wings blades, the clear crystal flashing in the sun, and he flies in low, too low to actually connect with Fleetwind. Then, Skyblast jinks up, intending to slash right into one of Fleetwind's thrusters and up his leg.
Because he has to, Skyblast radios in, //Went out on a joy flight, and I'm under fire from a yellow Decepticon. No idea why he's out here.//
Surely not for the simple joy of flight.
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Jetstorm (BM)
Minor
Producer, Director, Actor, Writer, but not prop boy, Jetstorm, soon to be winner of some award.
Posts: 355
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Post by Jetstorm (BM) on Sept 24, 2007 11:13:02 GMT -5
"Ohgodsohgodsohgodsohgods," Jetstorm chants as he clings to Fleetwind's head, not expecting the Autobot to come at Fleetwind after he was fired upon with; what are those? Sharp pointy... Sword things? Jetstorm pushes off Fleetwind's head and blasts off to the side, aiming well, not to get hit.
"FLEETWIND WATCH OUT!!" He calls, rather genuinely worried for the fellow artist.
// What can I do? // He asks, mainly talking to himself, but forgetting he's talking on the communication with Fleetwind. // I'm sure my own fire is too small to hurt him in anyway. Sheesh, I'm too small I don't even think he spotted me yet... //
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Fleetwind
Major
The Chancellor, His Eminent Grandeur, Marquis Fleetwind. The Insurgent Subduer of A Non-Threatening Cute Little Furry Kitten
Twined Elf
Posts: 730
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Post by Fleetwind on Sept 24, 2007 12:32:57 GMT -5
//Got it,// the Seeker replies, tone steady despite the obvious undercurrent of fear that strains his voice. He rolls out of the way of the wing-knife, the blade doing little more than scratching out a curved line of paint in his side, and draws his knees to him once he's cleared the blade. Curled into a ball, he tumbles further away, then straightens, spinning into a vertical piorette, finishing the move facing Skyblast. "You want words? Stop muddying my sky," he shouts before transforming and firing his missiles. The force of the attack sends the Seeker, who had been hovering before switching modes, back, and then gravity takes over and he begins to tumble, apparently out of control. Anyone who genuinely believes that the Seeker doesn't have a plan to pull out of this doesn't know him very well, but then, no one here knows him. As he tumbles, he radios Jetstorm, voice still strained by fear, but still steady. As with most radio communication in actual Cybertronian, the words are 'said' much faster than a human voice would speak them in English. //Don't panic. Fear is the sensible reaction when your life is in danger, but use it to clarify your thoughts and senses. He appears unable to fly in robot mode. Take as much advantage of the fact that you can safely transform and stay aloft as you can. Consider firing. You won't know your weapons are useless until you've tested them. If he gains the upper hand or any other Autobots arrive, we flee; for now, we try to eliminate a potential future danger.// OOC: Oh, and Jetstorm? You've got 'Average' firepower. That's the same level I'm at!
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Nimbus Tsura
Major
Secretary to Mr. Breakaway
Sky-Painter Extraordinaire
Posts: 735
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Post by Nimbus Tsura on Sept 24, 2007 12:57:58 GMT -5
At the tiny jet's shouting, Skyblast does indeed spot Jetstorm. Why, he's like Frenzy but with wings, less blades, more armour, and blue! Also not so profane. Okay, so he has nothing in common with Frenzy except for being short.
"You misunderstand. The only thing that muddies a sky is the war that your people unleash. I always make sure that my work fits with the environment for an intended effect," Skyblast explains. Besides, he hasn't used a drop of his exhaust-paint yet. "If you're saying that you think my sketch is going to clash, that's why I'm sketching – to get the kinks worked out before I inscribe upon the untouched sky."
There are missiles after him, and Skyblast now releases a cloud of black behind him, and flies up-up-up, into the sun, trying to shake them. Missiles still after him, he peers down at his two foes. The Valkyrie isn't used to aerial opponents smaller than he is. Why, Jetstorm's small enough that Skyblast could carry him! The talons that lie flat along Skyblast's undercarriage snap open, and he scrambles after Jetstorm, aiming to scoop up the little flier. Even if he misses, the missiles might hit Jetstorm instead of catching up with Skyblast. Wouldn't that be fun?
Skyblast demands, "And what are you two up to out here, anyway?"
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Jetstorm (BM)
Minor
Producer, Director, Actor, Writer, but not prop boy, Jetstorm, soon to be winner of some award.
Posts: 355
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Post by Jetstorm (BM) on Sept 24, 2007 18:48:56 GMT -5
// Fleetwind, you're more calm than I could ever be! // Jetstorm's own voice has it's continued panic as he
"Oh and war is ALWAYS one side's problem," Jetstorm snaps, turning and glaring at Skyblast. "And skies are not meant to be ruined by the touch of others!"
If Fleetwind had a plan when he was careening dangerously towards the Earth... Then Jetstorm had to do something equally insane. He flew forward, still in robot mode, watching as the huge form of the Valkyrie looms closer.
Oh. He's gonna... WAIT THAT wasn't in the plan!!
"OH SLA-" Jetstorm hisses as he's snatched up by the claws. He can't kick at 'em, he lacks the appendages to do so. He can't push, his arms aren't strong enough. His one hand grabs tightly onto a claw that wraps around his slender body as he steadies himself and begins to open fire at whatever the hell's above him, almost wildly in an attempt to get free.
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Fleetwind
Major
The Chancellor, His Eminent Grandeur, Marquis Fleetwind. The Insurgent Subduer of A Non-Threatening Cute Little Furry Kitten
Twined Elf
Posts: 730
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Post by Fleetwind on Sept 24, 2007 20:35:21 GMT -5
Fleetwind transforms, curls, tumbles, straightens, and transforms again, rocketing somewhat towards, somewhat to the left of Skyblast. As he does this, he snorts. "Typical. No one blames the born predator for the hunt, but should the built weapon make war, it's a sin." He then transforms, twists at the waist, points his head forward and to the right of the vector Skyblast is currently on, transforms again, and rockets in that direction. "The only thing your work clashes with is clarity."
The Seeker spins as he rockets up, shifting his direction again, more forward, more direct. A strange thing he's doing... he seems to be trying to fly in front of and a bit above Skyblast. But that would put him in position to be fired at by the smaller jet. Why would he want that?
To Jetstorm, he radios, //I value my own life very highly, Jetstorm. Panic reduces the number of my minutes.//
//If you get free, flee. I certainly intend to do the same.//
So, wait? Does this mean Fleetwind has no intention of trying to help Jetstorm?
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Nimbus Tsura
Major
Secretary to Mr. Breakaway
Sky-Painter Extraordinaire
Posts: 735
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Post by Nimbus Tsura on Sept 24, 2007 22:56:27 GMT -5
Jetstorm's shots are surprisingly painful. They hurt enough that Skyblast transforms in mid-air. Twisting through the air, he attempts to snatch up Jetstorm and viciously lob him right up at Fleetwind. Skyblast shouts, "If the sky isn't meant to be ruined by the touch of others, why don't you two get out of it, huh? You fired the first shots to sully it!"
Something hits Skyblast, and he does have to ask, "And just what makes you qualified to give critique, anyway? You Decepticons are a bunch of Philistines and fuel splatterers." He sniffs disapprovingly.
The missiles drop down after him. Skyblast takes a blade from one of his wings, slashes them, transforms, and power dives as they explode behind him. The shockwave rocks him, and perhaps they might hope he was lost in the blast, but he pulls up and out soon enough.
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Jetstorm (BM)
Minor
Producer, Director, Actor, Writer, but not prop boy, Jetstorm, soon to be winner of some award.
Posts: 355
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Post by Jetstorm (BM) on Sept 24, 2007 23:43:31 GMT -5
In the chaos in Jetstorm's mind, combined with the chaos going on around him, he fails to notice the falling sensation dropping through his sensors. He did something to a larger bot! He has no time to gloat, however, because he's snapped up from his dazed position.
Crunch.
"A-AH!!" Jetstorm feels both of his slender air fins on his back getting crunched by Skyblast's hands, and by them getting crushed, a kink is put in a fuel line on his back. He panics once again, flailing his arms wildly and hoping he has control over his flight. "Oh this can't end this way!!"
// Fleetwind!! // A desperate cry from the general fills their radio link.
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Fleetwind
Major
The Chancellor, His Eminent Grandeur, Marquis Fleetwind. The Insurgent Subduer of A Non-Threatening Cute Little Furry Kitten
Twined Elf
Posts: 730
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Post by Fleetwind on Sept 25, 2007 13:59:36 GMT -5
Fleetwind transforms, antigravs momentarily off. He had been trying to drop down on Skyblast's nosecone (which isn't really a cone in this case), but Skyblast's transformation and the lobbing of Jetstorm put an end to this plan.
So instead, he scissors his legs above his head, antigravs coming back on, so that he is flying backwards and upside down in the direction he had already been going. This allows the yellow Seeker to catch Jetstorm, though sadly this is done more with his chest than his hands, causing a cracked cockpit. That is not enough to stop Fleetwind from plucking Jetstorm off him, opening the same cockpit, and stuffing the other within. //Now stop flailing!// the Seeker orders.1
Fleetwind's strange, backward, upside-down flight slows, then stops, and he hovers there, legs arranged (though he wouldn't know it) in the classic "Hanged Man" position found in most tarots, arms held out from his sides.
"As ever, the Autobot fail to realize that some arts are combative." He cuts his antigravs and start to fall. He continues speaking as he plummets. "If you can see no beauty in the lights of the laser blast," his hands dart up and around, grabbing his wingtip daggers and activating them, leaving trails of red and green as he does, "the glow of the blade, it is your own vision that's limited."
Enough talking. Fleetwind lets his midsection fall faster than his head, legs coming into position last, so that he's 'lying' on his back. Then he crosses his daggers quickly in front of him, darts them away from his body, activates both thrusters and antigravs, and spins in the air, as he jets forward, not towards Skyblast, but at a vector that keeps him at close to the same distance he currently is to his opponents. The daggers leave corkscrew trails behind him, and the whole process is likely to leave Jetstorm very dizzy!
Eventually he stops with his spin, 'laying' on his side and facing Skyblast, both arms reached towards the other. "But as for why I stay in the sky, it is because it is the Decepticon right to rule it!" And with that, his hands twist his daggers out of the way of his shoulder-mounted weapons, and he fires.
1 The grabbing and stuffing of Jetstorm done with player permission.
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Nimbus Tsura
Major
Secretary to Mr. Breakaway
Sky-Painter Extraordinaire
Posts: 735
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Post by Nimbus Tsura on Sept 25, 2007 19:22:42 GMT -5
Skyblast protests, "There's a difference between martial arts for the sake of beauty and self-defense and gutting a machine just to see him bleed and calling it art!"
The Valkyrie would probably not get along well with Slog, even if they were on the same side. He watches the yellow one stuff the blue one away. There's one enemy down. If Slingshot does show, they ought to be able to send this opinionated yellow freak into a tailspin! Fleetwind's shots pepper Skyblast, making dark marks on his light grey frame.
Skyblast hooks around, as if he's intending to flank Fleetwind. What he actually does is transform and attempt to tackle Fleetwind, feet first and blades in hand to create hand holds, if he can connect. He cries, "Your right? Nah, you're just breaking the law – of gravity!"
He's envying those anti-gravs now, as much as they seem like cheating to him.
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Jetstorm (BM)
Minor
Producer, Director, Actor, Writer, but not prop boy, Jetstorm, soon to be winner of some award.
Posts: 355
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Post by Jetstorm (BM) on Sept 25, 2007 20:23:03 GMT -5
// Oh good you cau-... WHAT ARE YOU DOING I DON'T GO IN THERE!! // Much to the extreme dislike... No. Dislike is too nice. Much to the Extreme HATE of Jetstorm, he is stuck inside Fleetwind's cockpit. He does flail, being claustrophobic, and does not like being stuck. Everything's cramped and uncomfortable, and...
"My tail fin is jammed in places where it should not be," Jetstorm moans, as he presses his face against the sturdy glass of the cockpit. His body attempts to shake as a display of his fear but he really doesn't have time as his ride (aka Fleetwind) decides to suddenly go SPINNING at Skyblast. Jetstorm's optics spin, as he wishes he had a mouth to do that 'throwing up' thing organics were said to do.
Yet despite all this chaos, spinning, yelling and more spinning, Jetstorm still somehow manages to talk.
"We are not bound by the law of the land! Your gravity does not apply to us, and ... PRIMUS FLEETWIND HAUL AFT HEGONNAGITYOU!!"
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Fleetwind
Major
The Chancellor, His Eminent Grandeur, Marquis Fleetwind. The Insurgent Subduer of A Non-Threatening Cute Little Furry Kitten
Twined Elf
Posts: 730
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Post by Fleetwind on Sept 25, 2007 20:57:46 GMT -5
//Look, you've proven that I can't trust you to save yourse- aaiiieee!!//
Fleetwind screeches as the blades dig into his sides, and several of his front panels take considerable denting. His arms, however, are still free.
"Gravity," he hisses through pain and fear as he brings his own daggers in towards Skyblast's sides and up, trying to slash the Autobot as the Autobot has slashed him.
"Commands me," the Seeker's arms dart up and he re-sheaths his daggers in his wing tips.
"Not!" And with that he transforms, relying on the size and configuration change to shake Skyblast, accepting further damage as his action results in the other's knives doing even more damage.
And once he's in alternate mode, whether Skyblast is still on him or not, he activates his thrusters full force.
Fight or flight? Time for flight.
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