Flame
Rookie
Causam ago dementia
Posts: 198
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Post by Flame on Nov 17, 2011 15:36:43 GMT -5
And now nobody's paying attention to him. Flame sighs, relieved – for a brief moment. But then Onslaught says Emirate Xaaron is here.
Emirate Xaaron is here. Flame naturally looks toward the one Onslaught calls Pee-Dee, because there's no way that officious fiend would show up anywhere without some kind of escort. Flame expected someone like Nightbeat, really.
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Nov 17, 2011 21:45:05 GMT -5
"Onslaught. Implicated in the mining disaster in Myanmar," Emirate Xaaron says neutrally. Myanmar is, however, a mess, so nailing Onslaught for what he did there is liable to be next to impossible. The only witnesses are Impactor and... Pee-Dee. "How can there be so much that you don't know? If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew you never knew 1"
If Onslaught wants to tell the Junkion she can't talk to the tee-vee people, that is thoroughly Onslaught's problem.
But Flame's wrong. Emirate Xaaron is paying attention to him, and he did bring someone who is like Nightbeat - he brought Pee-Dee, or rather, she brought herself. He tries to work his way around the crowd to press closer to Flame, and he greets, "Flame. You know me, I think."
It's a stab in the dark, but when one is surrounded by assassins at every turn, a stab in the dark is wiser than it sounds.
1 "Colours of the Wind" - Pocahontas
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Post by Pee-Dee on Nov 17, 2011 22:02:52 GMT -5
Combaticons keep calling Pee-Dee pretty. She's not really sure what to make of this, so she settles for ignoring it until a third one does it. Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, three times is enemy action.
"Oh, I considered it a lot!" she says blithely to Onslaught, barely even glancing away from the cameraman. "Not tapes or SD cards? What do you use then? The makings-of don't really cover what news crews use, and mine would be out-of-date even if they did because of the lag time."
Hiding in the truck is probably looking better and better.
She does look up briefly as the Bat-Xaaron talks teevee, smiling with delight. "I never said I didn't speak Chinese, you just assumed I didn't.1"
1. Rush Hour
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Nov 17, 2011 22:28:14 GMT -5
A brightly colored flame-painted Winnebago-esque thing drives towards the fair, unaware that someone sporting his colors is already at the fair. He feels more than a touch annoyed.
So Emirate Xaaron wants to go to the fair? That in and of itself isn't that bad. But it would appear that Emirate Xaaron wanted to go to the fair because he saw reports that the Decepticons are there. Now, Rodimus would agree that the issue needs an Autobot response. Not a response of force if they can avoid it, not when humans might be in danger, but the Decepticons need to be watched and monitored none-the-less. But still, Emirate Xaaron should certainly not have gone rushing off to confront two? Three Decepticons with only Pee-Dee in tow.
He approaches the fairgrounds, and is probably in view of the others by now.
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Post by Onslaught/Octavian Comstock on Nov 19, 2011 18:41:43 GMT -5
Probably a smart decision, Pee-Dee. Combaticons don't do nice stuff to pretty things, as Onslaught has already demonstrated.
Onslaught side eyes Pee-Dee, a brief flare of hatred in his band. Hatred that he tries to filter out when he speaks in a tone not dissimilar to a disapproving father. "Tsk, tsk. That's not very polite of you, Autobots. Something I should have come to expect, perhaps. No offense of course, Flame."
//I am well aware of the Emirate's reputation. But do not worry, he is not the only crafty old buzzard on these grounds. I can handle him.// Speaking of Goldie Boy, he is trying to incriminate Onslaught! How daring! Onslaughts optic band budges, as if he's quirking an eyebrow. "That is a rather bold claim, Emirate Xaaron. With all due respect, I must ask you provide actual proof, for I do not appreciate you so blatantly attacking my character. Why, if I were a United States citizen, I could sue you for slander!" He directs that last part at the hordes of journalists and camera men, earning a few chuckles.
Xaaron is trying to poke Flame. This isn't good. But then he sees something in the distance. Something that he is not pleased with, not at all. Rodimus Prime. Who is skilled in the arts of propaganda. Who thus vastly outclasses Onslaught, who is just smiling and nodding.
Slag.
//...But Rodimus Prime, I can not.//
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Slugslinger
Minor
And if it weren't for this blasted coin…
Posts: 388
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Post by Slugslinger on Nov 20, 2011 10:00:13 GMT -5
There is a Xaaron uncomfortably close to Slugslinger's person. He sidles a step or two away as though the Autobot-ness might rub off on him and schools his expression into strained politeness verging on full irritation at the shiny one's proximity. He wonders, privately, if it's possible for somebody better at the game than himself to win over Xaaron. Councillors, in Slugslinger's experience, are unilaterally weak to manipulation and promises of power. Then again, Alpha Quintesson had the promise of far greater power than any Decepticon can offer.
//So now what's the plan, genius?// he wonders snidely, peering at Onslaught from behind the edge of one shoulder vane so that only the right side of his face shows.
Meanwhile, the cameraman looks from Pee-Dee to Dorie with a desperate expression. This is not how his job is supposed to go.
"It… uses the GFPAK system," he says awkwardly, pulling a spare GFPAK from one of his vest pockets and holding it up for the robot's perusal. "Flash storage? It's… it's a fairly new hybrid system." He makes pleading eyes at Dorie and hisses from the corner of his mouth, "Can I please go back to the truck now?"
"There's still a story here!" Dorie protests quietly, off-camera, microphone held down and covered with her free hand. "You've covered natural disasters with me and never blinked, so no backing out on me now!" She puts her professional face back on and clears her throat. "Mister Onslaught," she says loudly, "if you please, a moment. Why did you decide to come here today?" It's an odd choice for a meeting, certainly, she thinks as she holds up her microphone as high as she can; very public and very crowded. It makes the whole encounter look very much like a publicity stunt.
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Flame
Rookie
Causam ago dementia
Posts: 198
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Post by Flame on Nov 20, 2011 10:24:05 GMT -5
The sound of that voice makes Flame's reds turn a little grey at the edges. If Slugslinger hadn't stepped out of reach, Flame would grab his arm for support. As it is, Flame is left to quietly founder. He remembers the injunction to behave and he turns a tense smile on the crowned one.
"No," he says mildly, voice low, though the corner of his mouth twitches and a tic starts beneath his left optic. He shifts a step back, away from Xaaron, away from the gleam of that gold plating. He remembers harsh lights reflecting from it, stinging his tired optical circuits. He remembers the cold smile on that stitched mouth. He shakes his head, warding off the memories. "No, I do not know you. I only know of you. Emirate Xaaron is above mere scientists such as myself." He stops worrying his fingers only because they're practically knotted together.
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Nov 20, 2011 16:06:01 GMT -5
//He's not the man I thought he was,// Xaaron says to Pee-Dee of Flame, //And he says, 'She's not the boy I thought she was.'1//
In other words, this is not Emirate Xaaron's Flame, and he is not this Flame's Emirate Xaaron.
He has not yet noticed Rodimus Prime.
Emirate Xaaron inquires, smiling, "Actually, do you have permission to be here? Tourist visa, maybe?" He inclines his head, pointedly looking at the tall cylinders rising from Onslaught's back. "Permit for those? Concealed carry permit, too? As far as the burden of proof goes... she won't mind being on the witness stand, but I think you'll mind it a lot2." He's acting perfectly friendly and genial, in contrast to his words.
He looks back at Flame and his optics narrow. He asks, "Ah. And just what is your allegiance, Flame?"
1 Conan O'Brien
2 paraphrased from Patty Hearst
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Post by Pee-Dee on Nov 20, 2011 22:30:24 GMT -5
Pee-Dee smiles winsomely at Onslaught. "I'm just a soul with an innocent face, a regular boy dressed in blue, conducting myself in the proper way as befitting the job that I do.1"
She turns back to peer at the proffered GFPAK, not reaching out to take it. That would be rude! "May I see? Please?"
//But there's no sense crying over every mistake. You just keep on trying until you run out of cake,2// Pee-Dee replies to Xaaron.
She shifts slightly on her knees, resetting her weight so she can leap to her feet more easily.
1. "Crossfire", Jethro Tull 2. "Still Alive", from Portal
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Nov 25, 2011 13:10:13 GMT -5
Rodimus pulls up and transforms, looking across over the fair grounds and internally groaning at the number of Transformers, particularly Decepticons, present. Already, he's being filmed and photographed by various phones, and it won't be long that speculations concerning his relationship to Flame will be hitting the Internet - speculations that will cause him to wince, not because they propose a relationship, but because most of them will declare him Flame's elder. The vain Autobot second-in-command is still somewhat sensitive on the subject of his accelerated aging.
Still, right now he offers an easy smile to the ticket-master, crouching to carefully pay his entry fee as he continues to keep a careful optic on the Decepticons.
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Post by Onslaught/Octavian Comstock on Nov 29, 2011 7:00:01 GMT -5
//I am thinking! If it comes to it, I could have Flame open fire on us, make it look like self defense...But blast that broken minded fool, he wouldn't have the servos do it. Perhaps an idle threat and a bluff that we planted a bomb here, send over a private channel, but they would be crafty enough to make certain that the humans get their hands on such a transmission...//
This is really not working out as he had hoped. It is also the last time that he attempts to improvise. He does not even know how to answer Emirate Xaaron. Do these rules even apply to extra terrestrials, or just Earthlings? "For your information, Emirate, I-" Then the human of all things offers him respite. He chuckles, a friendly sound, and gives Xaaron a courtly nod. "We shall convene on this matter further at a later point in time. Right now, however, I have a prior engagement."
With that he turns back to the human, pondering her question. "Unlike our Autobot brethern, we have not shown much interest in Earthern cultures. Traditionally we are more contemplative than the Autobots, a bit more careful and less rash, to balance all the factors before making first contact of our own. It served us well in the past, but there is just something about this planet, and this great nation in particular. It called to me, more then any other in this large, fantastic universe, and I simply had to experience it to it's fullest. Then our Autobot friend led Slugslinger and I to this country fair, and I am glad that he did, for it is truly rich with the American spirit that is just so utterly fantastic." He feels like gagging having said that. But hopefully the crowd and cameras will eat it all up.
The ticket master hadn't even recovered from the other two space robots yet, and here's another! Again, he stammers and fumbles as he reaches for a ticket, offering it to Rodimus, but the smile on his face is unmistakable.
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Slugslinger
Minor
And if it weren't for this blasted coin…
Posts: 388
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Post by Slugslinger on Dec 3, 2011 7:20:46 GMT -5
Unfortunately for Dorie's scoop on robots at the state fair, her cameraman is preoccupied with hoping Pee-Dee doesn't suddenly snap and squish him.
"H-here," he squeaks, holding out the GFPAK with thumb and forefinger only. It's an innocuous little brick of plastic and circuitry with connection and charging nodes at one end on the bottom face. "I h-hate having to deal with t-tapes since we're on the go s-so much. Th-this works better for me."
"Camera on me," Dorie hisses, appalled at the lack of professionalism in her crew. A couple of nearby reporters snicker very quietly behind their hands. Slugslinger is less discreet with his mockery and outright laughs at her predicament, head thrown back, hands on his hips.
He wonders if he should try to get Flame away from Xaaron. The expat looks ready to lose it, he thinks. But that means stepping in with the Councillor, whom he's still wary of approaching; he considers the much smaller Autobot with a silent, cautious glance from the corner of his eye. If it looks like Flame really will flip out, Slugslinger decides, then he can intervene. But for now, let him stew.
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Flame
Rookie
Causam ago dementia
Posts: 198
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Post by Flame on Dec 4, 2011 11:12:25 GMT -5
No help. Why would he expect any help? He isn't really one of them, is he? Flame watches Xaaron as if expecting him to lash out, watches him with those anxious, cloudy blue eyes. Xaaron has the wrong eyes. Yellow eyes, cautious eyes. Flame remembers cold blue, accusing, mocking. Smug superiority.
"You… aren't him," Flame says, taking a step back, away from this strange pretender Xaaron.
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Dec 6, 2011 15:25:03 GMT -5
//I'm gonna melt the fever, sugar. Rolling back your eyes,1// Emirate Xaaron growls to Pee-Dee. Primus condemn it all - where is Raindance when he's needed? All of what Onslaught says is patently false, considering that mining disaster. Anyway, yes, the law does apply to extra-terrestrials... in certain countries, anyway, thanks to extradition treaties.
It's not like Emirate Xaaron wants human murderers hanging out on his spaceship, anyway. The humans can have them back.
Maybe they can just pry some video footage out of Pee-Dee and Impactor's heads and donate it to a rival news agency. That should deep six Onslaught's claims here.
"No, I'm not him," Emirate Xaaron agrees to Flame. "And you're not him, either. But you haven't answered my question. What is your allegiance?"
1 "Shiny Toy Guns" - Le Disko
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Post by Pee-Dee on Dec 6, 2011 22:16:59 GMT -5
Pee-Dee casually rips open a bit of her wrist and sticks a finger in, feeling around. After a few moments, she pulls out a pair of tweezers, which she uses to carefully take the offered GFPAK. "Thank you! I'll pay you back with interest."
Then Onslaught demonstrates that bulls don't have a monopoly. She upticks her optics. "You are a man of action. Lies do not become you.1"
1. The Princess Bride
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