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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 27, 2010 7:47:52 GMT -5
Suddenly, those sweets from earlier are sitting rather poorly in Rodimus's intake processors, and he's rather doubting he'll be finishing off the rest later, after all.
Still, they wanted to get into the VIP area, right? And this would be an obvious chance at that, though Rodimus can't help but wonder just how long these girls intend to keep them as 'prizes.'
Rodimus smiles down at the girl at her arm, the outward expression of confused innocence hiding a faint but detectable undercurrent of amusement as he asks, sounding faintly puzzled, "Royal whats?"
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Post by Mirage on May 27, 2010 9:28:34 GMT -5
Mirage's smile doesn't fade as the girls no only insult them but declare them not better than window dressing. If anything, his smile widens a bit.
There is a subtle shift in his attitude however, and snuggled up close to Rodimus as he is, the Prime can probably feel it. There's a tenseness to the spy now that doesn't show at all, and a slight mocking laughter in his optics.
"My, my, but we sound ever so used to getting our own way, don't we? Mirage laughs down at the girl on his arm, and if Rodimus ever though Mirage to sound stuck up before, his current tone puts all others to shame. There's also a teasing quality to his voice as he continues, "We could be royalty for all you know, even as mere 'metals' and yet you assume we are not. Really, even the basest classes know better then to ask favors from someone one has just insulted."
The girl on Mirage's arm trills in amusement, then tilts her head so that she can look at her companion.
"Ha! Did I not tell you? This one is listed as noble blood and proves himself, or tries to, even though he has no bargaining power here, or connections!" The girl's eyes are fairly dancing with amusement.
"Hmpf," the other girl pouts, giving Rodimus a once over, "Mayhap, but pretty as this one is, he's noble as an old shoe, and while slumming with one's servants is perfectly common, being so common here is still frowned upon."
Apparently, when talking to each other, they don't talk as one.
The girls move back together, standing very close in front of the two Autobots, still smirking as they answer Rodimus's question- this time speaking at the same time, and with the same voice, giving the words an odd echoing quality.
"We are the Princess Seevall, and we do not ask favors. You will accompany Us upstairs, you will continue to be pretty and endearing with each other for Our amusement until We tire of you, and you will put on a very good showing for Our friends upstairs. Else We will have you ejected from this establishment and no amount of gold will ever allow you within so much as its kitchen door."
Mirage's expression hasn't changed during the girls' proclamation, but he does give Rodimus's arm a subtle squeeze, warning against an outburst of temper. It grates, but Mirage can't risk losing access to X just yet, not if he's going to help Pyrite.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 27, 2010 12:36:33 GMT -5
Sometimes, being the King Arthur analog without the credentials to back it up just doesn't get you anywhere.
Rodimus's expression does change during the proclamation, and for a moment he does look almost furious, but the squeeze reminds him what they're here for, and he schools it to something calmer.
"Ah. Royal pains, then," he says coldly.
//Mirage, I don't even think I can do what they're asking. I don't do 'pretty and endearing' on command.//
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Post by Mirage on May 27, 2010 15:22:11 GMT -5
Mirage gives Rodimus's arm another squeeze.
//I know. I do not think it will quite work that way, but in any event this is just the start of the bargaining process. Now let us hope I haven't been too long among the masses. And...please forgive me, I promise to make it up to you later.//
With that cryptic statement, Mirage raises up on his toes to and presses a soft kiss to Rodimus's cheek, just at the corner of the lips. He rests one hand on Rodimus's chest as he looks up at the Prime, though from the corner of his optics, Mirage can see eagerness in the girls' faces- and the disappointment when he did not actually kiss Rodimus.
"Now, now, dearest, watch that tone," he scolds, "Remember your place, which is very high indeed, but not so high enough as to talk ill of the royal blooded. Leave these games to those of that were born into them, sweetling."
Did Mirage just infer that he was royalty? Why yes, he did.
"Now, my dear ladies," he says, turning back to face the girls, and practically draping himself across Rodimus as he does so, "While that is a powerful threat indeed, you move to it much too quick. Have you no understanding of how such things work, or have you simply been so overindulged in your life that you expect every stranger to jump at the mention of your station and wealth? No matter," Mirage waves his hand, "I may be slumming as you say, but it is with a most delicious partner whom I do not intend to share with a pair of voyeuristic little girls. I prefer privacy for my lovemaking, so unless you can make a better offer than something so paltry as access to this base establishment, I think our conversation is done."
He tries to lead Rodimus off toward a collection of paintings on the far wall then. Rather then seem upset, the girls' smirks have widened a bit, and they put their heads together and whisper back and forth.
//That should do it. Remember, once there, I can use my abilities to let them see whatever level of affection they desire, provided we stay close, and there is sure to be a crowd for us to get lost in for periods of time. Are you willing to try?//
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 27, 2010 23:05:55 GMT -5
//Not really, no. I've tolerated about as much of this as I can stomach.//
Rodimus, it seems, will not be led.
He pulls himself up straight, and the boyish innocent is replaced by the man who has commanded worlds, one whose expression is severe. "Sorry, Mirage, I've still got some self-respect left, and I've had just about enough of this little charade, anyway."
He turns and heads towards the door, pausing to look down at the strange twin-Princess girls, not even bothering to hide his look of disgust. "You know, I would pity anyone forced to endure the leadership of royalty like you, but I think we all know that spoiled, self-indulgent little twits like yourselves don't know the first thing about actually running... what, city? City-state? Planet? Whatever the blazes you're claiming, anyway. You don't understand the first thing about actual rule, and you really have absolutely no clue what you're dealing with right now."
He continues his path towards the elevator, a proud, steady step. "I would say, 'See you around, Princess', but really, I'd rather not." Another look back. "Mirage? We'll talk later."
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Post by Mirage on May 27, 2010 23:41:47 GMT -5
Well. Bugger.
That could have gone better.
"Primus frag it all to the Pit!" Mirage curses, loud enough to be heard by the two girls certainly, and perhaps by some other patrons. he levels a scathing look on the Princess, whose two parts now look quite distressed.
"I must thank you, my dears, for completely ruining my night," though Mirage is as much to blame as they are, "I hope your evening is just as pleasurable as mine will be now."
He then strides after Rodimus, not running, really, but moving swiftly to catch up with the Prime.
Mirage tries to grasp Rodimus by the arm, "I prefer if we could talk now. We could leave here, if you wish."
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 28, 2010 13:09:18 GMT -5
Rodimus turns to look down at Mirage as the other grabs his arm, expression still severe.
"You are really better off giving me my space right now, Mirage," he says sternly.
If Mirage insists, Rodimus will talk now, but the spy might find him easier to deal with if Rodimus has time to calm down first.
The Boy Prime lifts his head and scans the room. "As to where, I suppose that depends on how where we can get a little privacy." Rodimus is frankly curious to see if the girls can back up their threat to have the two thrown out, but the question is if they can talk in here.
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Post by Mirage on May 28, 2010 17:51:10 GMT -5
"I..." Mirage starts, looking imploringly up at the Prime. Words fail him in the face of Rodimus's stare, however, and Mirage drops both his hand and his head, optics shutters actually sliding closed for several seconds.
"As...as you wish, Prime," he says at length, reaching over to press the call button for the elevator, "Though I dislike leaving such arguments to fester."
Mirage stands stiffly next to Rodimus, keeping his distance through attitude even though he stands fairly close.
"We can leave this place entirely, and that might perhaps be best. I doubt they can truly have us tossed out when we have given no offense, but I, at least, need to be able to return. I would prefer not to risk it," he adds, tone as stiff and stilted as the rest of him.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 28, 2010 20:41:15 GMT -5
Rodimus gives a faint nod. Once more, he looks over the room. Then he pulls back his sleeve to open a compartment in his arm, from which he removes the sweets he had saved earlier. He places them on a tray set on a podium, one intended for people wanting to set glasses down after they had finished their drinks and similar, then turns towards the elevator and presses the button to wait.
"Thank you," he says without looking down at Mirage when the spy does not press him to talk right now.
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Post by Mirage on May 28, 2010 22:18:43 GMT -5
Mirage from the corner of his optic as Rodimus deliberately leaves the sweets on a take-away table. Inwardly, the spy sighs. He imagines that having Perceptor make some better quality ones and giving them to Rodimus as a gift later isn't going to be the best idea. Oh well. He's already requested the sample box, and it will be charged to his account; at least Perceptor will enjoy tinkering with them.
The girls are still watching them, but they haven't moved from where Mirage left them. They are frowning, and appear to be having a very animated conversation.
The elevator door finally opens, and Mirage lets Rodimus enter first, as well as waits for the Prime to decide on their destination floor. Rodimus didn't say if he wished to leave the club for good yet, or not. The spy is very tense. Not talking about the very obvious elephant in the room is very, very difficult for him.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 28, 2010 23:10:40 GMT -5
Rodimus steps into the elevator and turns to face the doors, not even glancing at the people in the room beyond as he reaches out to press the '2' button. The door slides shut, and Rodimus sighs heavily. There's a faint relaxing, but he is still somewhat formal.
Finally, after they've made part of the trip in silence, he says, "I'm sorry, Mirage, but it's against my nature to just stand by and let anyone be bullied if I can help it, even if that anyone is me." He looks at Mirage. "And that's exactly what they were. A couple of school yard bullies dressed up and fancy clothes and words."
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Post by Mirage on May 28, 2010 23:40:04 GMT -5
Mirage is leaning against the back elevator wall, hands gripping the railing, optics staring straight ahead. He does not look up at Rodimus when the other speaks, though Mirage does answer.
"Of course they were, as are most members of the higher classes. It is always about who can out maneuver who, how one can raise her own standing or cause another a loss of face. Those who are not such manipulators kowtow and play courtier to those who are. Lead, or be trampled- there is no middle ground in such circles."
Mirage sounds haughty as ever, slightly defensive- and a touch bitter.
The elevator comes to a slow stop, and the doors open onto the bar floor. It's busier than it was earlier, each bar doing a brisk business, the music from below thumping at a much louder level. Tables are being taken within seconds of the occupants leaving them, and yet still the staff manages to keep them clean.
If someone wanted to have a private conversation, while remaining hard to find, this is a good place.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 28, 2010 23:52:18 GMT -5
Rodimus doesn't have time to answer before the door opens. He cuts through the crowd, still moving and holding himself like the Commander rather than the party-goer.
It doesn't completely keep people from pressing near, but the instinct to respond to that particular air isn't without its effect.
As luck would have it, a table is clearing out just as the two near the bar proper. Rodimus makes his way to it and manages to seat himself just in time. He turns to look out over the crowd of dancers and sighs, releasing at least some of his tension.
"You know, Mirage, the more I hear about 'high society,' the gladder I am to have been raised by rough types," he comments, still watching the dance floor, expression thoughtful, considering.
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Post by Mirage on May 29, 2010 0:08:44 GMT -5
Mirage follows close behind Rodimus- not beside as they have been for so much of the evening, but behind, deference to the fact that Rodimus has basically pulled rank. Mirage takes the seat opposite Rodimus, stopping a waiter and ordering a drink as he does so. The waiter waits only long enough to see if Rodimus wants anything before nodding and heading off.
"Hmpf. Well. It is not so terrible as all that," Mirage says, optics scanning the crowd, "It isn't much different from our current situation; it is just a more subtle type of constant conflict." He shrugs, "I wouldn't expect someone not born to it to understand."
There's no malice in Mirage's words, but his tone is still terribly formal, nowhere near the familiar teasing tone he used most of the evening. Then Mirage sighs, and some of the tension seems to leave him, finally.
"I did warn you, Rodimus, from the very beginning, that we might run into such things, and that it might be necessary to play such games."
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 29, 2010 0:46:47 GMT -5
"And I should have backed out then," Rodimus snaps back. "I admit it. I was not as ready for this as I thought. And I don't understand." Then he leans forward and glowers out at the dance floor, elbows rested at the table, hands interlaced in front of his face as he glares out over his knuckles.
Quieter, calmer, but with just as much determination as before, he says, "But I have to. I have to understand." He puts his hands on the table and studies them. "If I get home... if I can unite my Cybertron... it'll be down to me to make sure that we don't just fall back to... to this again."
He curls his right hand while it still touches the table, examining his fingertips. "It's not like I take any pleasure in the more open sort of conflict, either." Yes, Hot Rod did. Hot Rod would also have hauled off and punched one of those girls. Rodimus Prime is not Hot Rod.
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