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Post by Mirage on May 14, 2010 18:48:25 GMT -5
The hand on the cushion back slips forward to rest on Rodimus's shoulder, fingers tightening in a comforting squeeze.
"I'm glad he's here, now. It gives you both more time, and him, perhaps, a second chance," Mirage says softly. He doesn't say, exactly, that he knows about Blurr's fate.
After a moment's pause, Mirage speaks again, "It is important, on that we agree, and even more so now. It would be too easy to fall to nothing but anger and war, to be nothing more than killing machines." The hand still on the table clenches into a fist, but unlike Rodimus, Mirage manages to keep all shades of anger off his face. "I've seen it happening all ready in my time. They forget that we have an identity beyond factions, beyond functions."
He shakes his head, as if to shake off the mood. "You're the best of us," Mirage murmurs, looking out into the restaurant, "You deserve better."
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 14, 2010 19:15:44 GMT -5
Rodimus reaches the hand opposite the shoulder up to cover Mirage's fingers and return the squeeze, to send the signal, 'That was appreciated.'
"I'm glad he's here now, too," Rodimus says softly, "but it doesn't undo what went before."
Dear Primus, if only it undid that.
"But I'm... I'm not so good as you think, Mirage, and I don't... I don't deserve any better than anyone else." He sighs. "Aaaaaand I've completely brought down the mood here, anyway. Maybe we should change the subject?"
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Post by Mirage on May 14, 2010 21:55:45 GMT -5
"Tsk. I'll not allow you to take all the blame upon yourself for the topic. I'm just as guilty as you in that regard," Mirage teases, smiling again, this time as casually and easily as ever, and his tone is light, "Besides, I'm not saying you deserve better than anyone else. Just that you deserve better than you have currently."
He doesn't removes his arm from Rodimus's shoulder.
"Which reminds me," he continues, giving the Prime another appraising look, "You really did well in your suit choice, but you are missing something."
Mirage flips the hand on the table over, and there is a small box in his palm. He offers the box to Rodimus, smirking slightly.
Inside the velveted box are the custom cufflinks he commissioned from Muller; the Autobot symbol wrought in gold, filled with pave rubies, the design mounted inset on gold flames. The flames are strikingly similar in design to Rodimus's own.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 15, 2010 18:13:26 GMT -5
"Well, we all deserve better," Rodimus answers Mirage's first comment.
The young Prime looks vaguely confused when Mirage says he forgot something. "What? I covered everything the organics cover! I even remembered pants!" he protests, and then Mirage opens the box.
Rodimus's optics open wide at the little cufflinks. At first his expression is blank, but then a faint smile tugs at the right corner of his mouth. He leans forward and lifts them out of the box. "Wow. Those are really... really... well, they match!" He then frowns at Mirage. "But I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with them."
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Post by Mirage on May 15, 2010 20:18:06 GMT -5
Mirage laughs lightly and gives the Prime a brilliant smile, "Neither did I, until I was shown. I merely noticed that the well-dressed had them, and thought they were a nice finishing touch." He raises his own arm enough to call attention to the silver and sapphire adornments on his own cuff. "Obviously, however, yours were a custom order."
Mirage gently takes the cuff links from Rodimus and sets about placing them at Rodimus's cuffs, "Like this you see...."
"I do hope you like them. I thought perhaps you might have need to dress up while on planet, despite your dislike for hiding your lovely form." Mirage places the second cuff link, then tries to lift Rodimus's hand and press a soft (and chaste!) kiss to the inside of the Prime's wrist. "I also thought that not having your Autobrand visible might bother you, hence the design; but I didn't imagine you would have it incorporated into your clothing!" Mirage teases.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 16, 2010 21:45:08 GMT -5
Rodimus gives a faintly embarrassed smile as the cuff links are put in place. "Well.. you're right. I don't like not having my Autobrand visible." He sighs as he watches Mirage put them where they belong. He gives a sharp breath when Mirage kisses the inside of his wrist, but then smiles at Mirage, quiet reassurance that he's not upset about it.
"I suppose there's some mileage to be had in jokes about me not being able to dress myself, but... well, I don't. It's not something I'm used to worrying about." He looks at them and shakes smiles. "They're very nice. Very... very nice." Then he lowers his hands and the smile takes on a bit of a smirk. "Although I... kind of admit, I feel a bit odd with all of this. Not necessarily the clothes, just the... well, those had to be expensive."
Rodimus pays quite a bit of attention to his own paint job, and when there's time and coin, will even spend on it, but since he keeps it up so much himself, the cost doesn't even close to compare with the cost of what he's wearing at the moment.
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Post by Mirage on May 16, 2010 22:37:17 GMT -5
Mirage shrugs one shoulder, "Don't trouble yourself. I am not in danger of over-extending my funds in the near future. It is only money, after all, and what good is it except for spoiling oneself and one's favorites?" The spy smirks back at the Prime, letting a touch of heat creep into his gaze.
He's teasing of course, and attempting to circumvent any further inquiries into his assets. True, he isn't likely to run out of funds soon, - his gem and jewelry expertise keeps him from being completely ripped off at the exchanges- but he has dipped into his private collection of baubles a bit more deeply than he would like. Mirage wants to try and replenish his stores a bit before they leave the planet.
The waitress picks this time to return with their selections. The drink she sets in front of Rodimus is in a wide snifter glass. It is a warm gold in color, shot through with tiny glittering red threads. The glass will be warm to the touch, and the drink likewise.
Mirage's drink is served in a Collins glass. The rim is coated with a thick and viscous liquid that slowly drips down the inside and outside of the glass. The drink is layered, starting with a deep red, almost burgundy layer at the bottom, topped with a layer of liquid so pale yellow it is almost colorless, the layers between a smooth gradient of fiery color.
Mirage picks up Rodimus's glass and offers it to him. Partially because it is a polite gesture- partially to show the Prime the proper way to hold the snifter, cupped lightly with the palm flat against the bottom curve, stem between the middle and ring fingers. It also means Rodimus will have to touch Mirage's hand to take the drink.
He swirls the liquid in the glass to open the bouquet. "It shouldn't be bitter at all, if I read the mixers correctly, and should have a taste closer to energon than our aperitifs. A slight sweetness at the back of the palate, crisp and full of body without being brash. I hope it suits."
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 17, 2010 7:50:58 GMT -5
Rodimus reaches to accept the glass, realizes that despite the fact that Mirage is demonstrating how to hold it, he's still trying to grab it incorrectly, then corrects himself as he takes hold of it. He takes hold of the snifter, his fingers brushing Mirage's in the process, then sniffs it tentatively before taking a sip.
He doesn't actually swirl it in the glass as he should.
He tilts his head and considers, tasting it in his mouth before he swallows. Finally, he nods, smiling. "Yeah, I like it. It's good."
Rodimus's vocabulary for describing 'good drink' is not near as extensive as Mirage's.
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Post by Mirage on May 17, 2010 10:29:19 GMT -5
Mirage can't quite keep the smugness from his wide smile as Rodimus declares his drink "good." Mirage knows his liqueurs and mixers. It may be a useless skill on a battlefield, but not all battles are fought in the open. Too many are fought at tables like this, in places like this. He isn't a poisoner by trade- but he could be, given opportunity and cause. "I'm glad you do," he says, "And as I mentioned, it shouldn't sit badly after. We'll still need a systems flush at some point...but honestly, as much time as I at least need to spend down here, I'm trying to keep those flushes at a minimum." He picks up his own drink and takes a long pull from the glass. One doesn't swirl and sniff a drink like his, unless you want to burn your olfactory sensors. Besides, swirling would destroy the carefully layered look. "Mmmm, yes, and my own is quite lovely. A bit heavy on the trace minerals, but with a nice peppery finish." He sets the drink down and absently licks his fingers where the sparkly red liquid from the rim had dribbled down on them. Ah, that's the source of the pepper kick, it seems. "Feel free to try it, if you like." Music is starting up in the restaurant, a low sultry jazz bass line. Eyes and optics turn toward the low stage set up in the center of the floor. Mirage and Rodimus don't have the best view, but then, it's the woman's husky voice, not her looks which draws attention. Line on your face don't bother me Down in my chair when you dance over me I can't help myself I've got to see you again*"It's interesting," Mirage muses lowly, watching the cyborg perform, "I'm sure you noticed that this place has no fully organic patrons or workers. The same applies to the entertainment they hire. It seems that everyone wants to get on the ticket here, for it's a true make or break job. Some of the acts have done very, very well after performing here. Most, however- they simply fall off the radar as if they disappeared from their respective scenes entirely. And yet, the artists still risk their fortunes on an appearance." *Yes, I am appropriating a Norah Jones song. Go here to give it a listen
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 17, 2010 12:38:28 GMT -5
"Yeah, I've noticed. I was a bit surprised, but then, I imagine this world has organic-only clubs around, too." He frowns for a moment as he takes another drink. "Not much point in being in high society if you can't look down on everyone else, and the more types of people you have gathered in an area - city, country, planet- the more things you can say, 'I'm this, you're not, so I'm better.'"
It is entirely possible, heck, even probable, that Rodimus is just saying what comes to mind about the situation without stopping to think just which Autobot he's saying it to.
The frown fades to a pleasant smile, suggesting friendly, light socializing - an expression that's intentionally at odds with what he says, voice low.
"But... are you saying they disappear from their scenes... or just disappear?"
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Post by Mirage on May 17, 2010 17:26:17 GMT -5
Mirage catches the slight, even if it is unintentional, but other than a slight clenching of his jaw he says nothing about that particular topic.
What he does instead is lean in close to Rodimus, lifting a hand to try and just tilt the Prime's jaw toward Mirage. Mirage's expression is appreciative, almost sultry- and also at odds with the words he murmurs next to the Prime's audial.
"I mean that most do not even get the courtesy of a missing persons report. And the reports on those that do are incomplete. It is as if they ceased existing."
Would Mirage dare to use the cover of their projected closeness to just barely try and brush his lips along that flame-colored helm? Why yes, he would.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 18, 2010 7:49:36 GMT -5
Rodimus shivers slightly as the lips brush, and he doesn't pull away, but a quick glance suggests that Mirage is once more pushing Rodimus into an awkward position.
Still, he remains close, and tilts his head forward to lean slightly more into the conversation - an attempt to convince the outside world that his interests are completely with Mirage.
"So it's not... it's almost more that everyone knows, or at least has an inkling that this is happening, but no one dares to talk about it." Rodimus's frown shows up for a moment before he remembers to force it away.
"Is it only performers that cease existing?"
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Post by Mirage on May 18, 2010 9:33:52 GMT -5
Mirage is testing the waters, so to speak, as well as keeping in role. He catches that glance from Rodimus; no more kissing- even if the Prime's reactions were so encouraging.
"Just the entertainment, as far as I can tell. It's a bit more involved, however," Mirage continues lowly, still playing into the appearance of a lover's conversation. "The acts that do well? They are never pure robot acts. Only blends- cyborgs, technorganics, and the like. A robot act has a better than fifty percent chance of disappearing."
"As I said earlier, this place handles thing internally. Yes, outside authorities can be notified by next of kin and all that, but no investigation of this place will be made. It is a curious building as well. The building plans and the actual to do not match up."
Mirage adds, pausing to take a sip from his drink and turning his head to seemingly watch the singer for a few moments. In reality, he's scanning over the other diners; he thought he caught something out of the corner of his optic. Ah, yes...
"We have been noticed, it seems," he says, smirking, as he inclines his head very slightly toward a table occupied by two lovely young ladies who appear to be some sort of technorganic blend. They are dressed in the latest in high-end club wear. The girls are talking behind their hands, occasionally giggling and cutting their eyes toward the two Autobots.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 18, 2010 13:43:24 GMT -5
"Hmm. If that's the case, maybe it would be best to arrange an act?" Rodimus murmurs, one hand moving up to lightly touch Mirage's forearm, though his expression briefly dips into seriousness to reflect his concern before he once more clears it away.
He doesn't ask how Mirage got the plans and the layout. Mirage is a spy. That's his job.
When the other points out that they've been noticed, however, Rodimus's first response is to smirk. "What, again?" Then a beat. "Maybe we should notice back?" As he says this, he actually tosses the girls a brief but friendly smile.
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Post by Mirage on May 19, 2010 0:16:16 GMT -5
If it were anyone else but Mirage, Rodimus's comment about noticing the girls back, and that winning smile he shoots them, would probably lead to some hurt feelings.
But it is Mirage, and he was already smiling at the now-giggling and blushing pair. The girls both pick up their menus and hide their faces behind them- though periodically they peek over the tops at the Autobots.
"Arranging an act would be tricky, I think," Mirage says as he turns back into Rodimus. He runs one finger along Rodimus's lapel, "We are lacking in entertainers among our company. Skyblast's work would no doubt be appreciated, but this is not the proper venue." Mirage hasn't met the bouncy pink thing that is Farlane yet.
"But it is an idea, if I can find information no other way."
Mirage tilts his head to one side as he looks up at Rodimus. "Rodimus...if you think it so important, why do you deny yourself companionship? You seem so...lonely."
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