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Post by Rodimus Prime on Jun 18, 2010 20:45:54 GMT -5
Rodimus lowers his hands and nods, lips pursed in a manner far more serious than his earlier expression. "He's right, Springer," he says firmly. "We do have Decepticons who aren't above pulling tactics like those, and you've got to be ready to deal with them when they're pulled on you, even if you never master them yourself."
Then he pauses and looks at Mirage. "Which, uhm... he probably won't. I mean, he is a Springer."
Rodimus then looks back at the Wrecker and shakes his head slightly, adding in a mutter, "Never will figure out how my version managed to snag Arcee."
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Post by Springer on Jun 18, 2010 21:43:34 GMT -5
Springer straightens up after Mirage recovers, hands balled into fists as he listens to the spy. The words cut deep, but there is a good deal of reason to them, loathe as Springer is to admit it.
Springer then looks to the side. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Maybe there's something to this whole 'flirting' business. And I was kinda out of line there. Sorry 'bout that. Shouldn't be taking my frustrations out on my comrades like that..." Springer scratches the back of his helm a bit, then looks at Rodimus. This guy got something against him or something? Sure, the Hot Rod back home had a reputation for cockyness and a little bit of arrogance, but this is a bit much.
"All due respect, Rodimus sir, but a lot of folks didn't think Hot Rod would make a suitable Prime," he says, expression neutral.
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Post by Farlane/Faye Fairlane on Jun 18, 2010 21:56:56 GMT -5
On the other hand, maybe he just needs to exercise his neutrality skills again. Farlane visibly deflates, a distinctly disturbed expression on his face but he covers it up and returns to business as usual.
Walk away, didn't see nuthin' here, officer. He'd gotten so good at that, but it figures he'd lose his winning streak here.
"Man, if it's usually this crazy up here, I'm better off havin' a break on Pz-Zazz." Farlane waves over his shoulder as he walks out. "When I see you guys again, it'll be waaay too soon."
If everyone was being an aft, he might as well join in.
OOC: Out of thread.
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Post by Mirage on Jun 18, 2010 22:56:02 GMT -5
Mirage quirks a browridge. Springer tried to choke him. That is more than a little out of line.
...And then Farlane storms sashays off. What the frag? Mirage levels a look on the carbot's retreating form. Perhaps he has problems with conflict. Oh well. Farlane is not Mirage's problem right now. Mirage will just add him to the long list of people on board the Event Horizon who he's managed to piss off.
At least his carefully chosen words had their desired effect on Springer, and the Wrecker seems a bit more willing to play ball. Mirage sighs a runs his fingers over his helm.
"Springer, you really must work on your temper. As I understand it, this isn't the first time you've acted out in violence without thinking. You claim to know there's more to life than killing, but you don't act like it. Never mind throwing you off balance by flirting with you- simply having that bit of information would be invaluable to an opponent."
Acting out in violence without thinking is also a very...Decepticon-like tendency to Mirage, but he doesn't say that.
"We've lost our assistant, so I'm afraid you're stuck with practicing on me again, unless the Prime wants to step in to help," Mirage adds, tone just a shade too neutral. Part of him had wanted to defend Rodimus's position at Springer's slight.
He'd also caught Rodimus's comment about his Springer and Arcee. That...bears investigation.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Jun 18, 2010 23:27:51 GMT -5
Rodimus's reaction to Springer's zinger is perhaps something other than expected.
"Pffffffffft!" He makes a noise that sounds like he's trying hard to hold in a laugh, and not quite succeeding. Then, grinning, that not-quite-laugh still lurking in his voice, he answers the triplechanger, "My universe, too, and Hot Rod himself was tops among them. What's your point?"
But then Farlane leaves, and his manner of departure results in a clearly baffled Prime. Rodimus looks after the pink carformer for a moment, then turns his confusion on Mirage and Springer. "Did I, uhm, miss something there?"
And then Mirage propose that Springer practice his flirting on.. Rodimus? The Boy Prime lifts his hands, palms out. "Woah-woah-woah-no-no-no it doesn't- I mean, Springer and I- I- look, that just wouldn't work."
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Post by Springer on Jun 19, 2010 17:53:52 GMT -5
Springer boggles a bit at Farlane, but is more jealous of him than confused by him. Lucky smelter.
The Wrecker crosses his arms as he listens to Mirage, sighing like he's heard this before. "I know, Mirage, I know." He shakes his head a bit. "Just frustrated all over. Anyway..."
He looks over at the Prime, raising an eyebrow, a look of faint amusement on his face. "Just saying that things shouldn't get so easily pegged as impossible. Especially with a Wrecker involved." Then he turns to Mirage. "And I should start following my own advice, I suppose."
Springer outright grins at Rodimus' protest, though. "Didn't we just go over this?"
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Post by Mirage on Jun 19, 2010 19:27:05 GMT -5
Mirage purses his lips and levels a thoughtful look on Rodimus. Now Mirage really is curious about the Prime's relationship with his own Springer. Rival, certainly. Friend, most likely. But is there more to it than that?
Springer's grin makes the triplechanger even more handsome, which makes Mirage once again give him an appraising look. If Springer can cultivate that unintentional, easy charm, that combined with his rugged good looks could definitely make him a force to be reckoned with.
He sighs inwardly. It still wouldn't make Springer to Mirage's tastes, however, not as some are and...circumstances are making it harder for Mirage to concentrate on what he is supposed to be doing.
"To return to both the lessons and our previous conversation- let's try this again. Assess my appearance-" Mirage holds up his hand, "without taking into account weaponry, durability of build, or military effectiveness." Mirage smirks, "In other words, a purely aesthetic assessment."
"'You're blue and white' is not an acceptable cop out, bu the way," he adds, optics twinkling. To Rodimus, Mirage radios privately- and somewhat hesitantly: //If...he completely botches it as I expect, would you be willing to attempt the same, to show him how? I imagine you can at least compliment someone without cooking your processors or tripping over your tongue. My simply compliment him back would not drive the point as well as his seeing it done to another. It's why I was glad to see Farlane earlier.//
//It's simply for the lesson. I'm not...pushing.// he adds stiffly.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Jun 20, 2010 0:26:15 GMT -5
Rodimus allows himself a grin that's both wide and genuine as Springer reaffirms the impossibility of impossibility before letting the grin go a bit crooked and slightly smirky. "Exzactly," he answers with good humor before he rubs the back of his head with embarrassment. "And, uhm, yeah, I guess we did, but this is... this is just different, all right?"
He frowns as he gets the radio message from Mirage.
//... Are we sure this is just Springer's lesson?//
Okay, this is amazingly awkward, and Rodimus is starting to wonder if getting in that laugh earlier was worth it, but on the other hand, he supposes that after the way he interrupted things earlier, he sort of owes it to the Wrecker.
//All right, but I can't stick around for long.//
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Post by Arcee (RotF) on Jun 20, 2010 0:31:11 GMT -5
Arcee is looking to get some quality time with her selves in the training room, today. Being able to watch yourself from multiple angles does wonders for picking out areas that you needs to work on.
Looks like somebody beat her to it, though. A few somebodies, actually.
"Oh, sorry! Didn't realize that people were in here." Arcee starts, taking in in the room's occupants.
"But there isn't much point to having a room if nobody's gonna use it, I suppose." Chromia adds with a small grin.
"We're not interrupting anything, are we?" Elita-1's asks curiously. Everybody looked pretty at ease, just what were they doing? Taking a break, maybe?
Hmm, even if she doesn't get to train, seeing these guys in action would be more than a little worthwhile for combat purposes. She's able to tailor herself to play to others' strengths as well as help cover their weaknesses, so it helps her to have a better feel for who and what she has to work with. Besides, it was also just all-around good info to have and while Arcee is a decent fighter, she might learn a thing or two. You never knew where you might pick things up.
"If you're all training, do you mind if we sit in? Watching's just as important as doing, sometimes. Sometimes it's more." That they were all handsome in their own, different rights didn't hurt, either.
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Post by Springer on Jun 21, 2010 3:13:00 GMT -5
Springer just stares at Mirage as the blue bot gives the order. And there's another one of those weird looks. Geeze, Mirage needs to stop doing that. Or Springer needs to learn to do it.
"Well scrap, there went my answer..." he says to himself, rubbing the back of his helm, thinking.
"Uh. I don't know, you're, um....not...damaged?"
Oh, look, another distraction!
"Watch if you want, I guess, though I suppose this will more be a demonstration on how -not- to do things..." Trading defiance for self-depreciation!
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Post by Mirage on Jun 21, 2010 22:28:55 GMT -5
//Springer's lesson,// Mirage replies, in a tone that says he finds this just as awkward as Rodimus does, //You know well enough how to turn another's head already.//
Mirage sighs loudly at Springer's "compliment."
"Dear Primus, I think he's hopeless," the spy mutters, as his face and his palm become reacquainted.
Oh, and more people. Mirage nods distractedly at the ladies, almost his entire mind concentrated upon how to teach someone who's sex drive is encrypted with a chastity firewall how to flirt.
"Ah, Skyblast's Arcee's. As Springer says, you're welcome to remain, but while this is training, it isn't...typical."
He looks over at Rodimus, expression a bit hopeful.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Jun 21, 2010 23:05:23 GMT -5
It's... Arcee. Rodimus looks over the three newly arrived robots. He had received a report about the new arrivals, but hadn't done more than quickly glance over so as to place names and faces in memory. The name of one of them, of course, had caught his attention, but the appearance told him immediately which reality it was.
Mirage calling them all 'Arcee's' is a bit odd, though. Didn't the others have different names?
"Erm... Arcee... Chromia... and Elita-One, right?" Rodimus asks, trying to remember. Two Arcees and two Elita-Ones. It was starting to get confusing. He clears his throat. "I didn't have time to more than glance at the report, so you'll have to excuse the question, but... Arcee and Elita-One, you two are female, right?" It might be a bit much to assume genders remain true across realities. "What about you, Chromia?"
Wait. Mirage wanted him to demonstrate compliment-giving, right?
(What?)
He turns back towards the spy and his hopeful expression and stammers, "Uhm, really... I'm not sure that comments on appearance are fair for a beginner, Mirage. Maybe among some species, but our appearance doesn't really change from one day to the next, so it gets a little harder to come up with something that doesn't sound, well, canned. I mean, sure you've got a great build with beautifully sleek racer-lines and a lovely, delicately featured face, but you were that yesterday and you'll keep being that tomorrow or next week or for as long as we know you. Not a very fair test at all!"
Rodimus finishes his spiel with a faint, teasing smirk pulling at the right corner of his lips, as though he were enjoying a private joke.
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Post by Arcee (RotF) on Jun 22, 2010 23:18:03 GMT -5
There is a quirk of lips from a just barely supressed frown as the Wrecker speaks. It was going to take some getting used to hearing Springer's voice come out of, well, another Springer.
Arcee's eye ridge quirks with interest at the mention of Skyblast. Did he know the sky painter? Maybe she should follow up on that, later. Skyblast was nice enough--a much better mech than a lot of others gave him credit for actually--as well as well virtually peerless in his skill, and he knew it too. Boy, did he ever. It made him hard to get along with sometimes, so she'll be happy for him if he's managed to make friends.
Elita-1 speaks with a soft smile that they all share when Rodimus addresses them, "Yeah, that's right."
"Or easier, anyway," Arcee supplies somewhat wryly, though her grin is good-humoured as she gestures to her respective other selves, "but yes, she's Chromia and she's Elita-1."
When Rodimus asks his next question, though, the three of them blink bemusedly and their smiles turn a bit awkward before Chromia starts with, "...Er, yes," with Elita-1 adding in with, "Last we checked, sir." Maybe she ought to check again, sometime. Just to be sure.
Now there's something you don't get asked every day. Sometimes, there was some gender confusion among Cybertronians, but Arcee never thought she'd fall into that category. She hasn't until now, but hey, who knows, maybe being a sentient series of child's safety violations made manifest made it hard to tell.
Bitter? Her? That's just your imagination.
The question also throws her because while she's been to planets with robotic races that were entirely genderless, the idea that there's a Cybertron in the multiverse that doesn't have females doesn't occur to her. After all, Rodimus was male, so why wouldn't there be females? Because of bad writing, that's why.
Arcee is definitely missing something here. Mirage wasn't kidding about this not being typical, sounds like they left that exit thirty miles back.
Just what exactly did she roll in on?
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Post by Mirage on Jun 23, 2010 21:12:28 GMT -5
Mirage smirks as Rodimus delivers on the spy's request in the best possible way. For a moment, Mirage's manner is truly as easy and unaffected as it seems.
//Perfect as expected. I-// Mirage breaks off, then continues, //I appreciate the help. Thank you, Prime.//
Mirage turns to the triplets. "This is practice in using charm to disarm, essentially, since we are in a situation where social interaction is as important as weapons prowess. However, some of us are a bit rough around the edges. Hence the lessons."
Now back to Springer, "Did you follow what Rodimus did, how he worked the compliments into casual conversation? Would you like to try again?"
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Post by Springer on Jun 23, 2010 23:16:13 GMT -5
Springer's left a bit headscratchy while the Triplets and Rodimus converse, and then Mirage challenges him again. He watches the spy for a moment, before shaking his head and shrugging.
"I...uh...maybe I'm just hardwired for combat, but I'm not getting the whole concept of finding things 'attractive'. I sure as smeltin' wouldn't consider you for a Wrecker." He glances over at Rodimus, picking him for a target instead. "Unlike Rodimus - he looks like he could take a heckuva beating under fire - and while he's not obviously weapon-laden, from my experience with him in this universe, I know he's good at defending himself."
Another sigh and headscratch. "...I screwed up again, didn't I?"
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