|
Post by Rodimus Prime on Aug 25, 2009 22:05:04 GMT -5
Spin off from Bartenders and Guinea Pigs
Uh-oh! Mirage hasn't gone away! And he's still paying attention to Rodimus! In fact, he seems to expect an answer of some sort from the Prime. But... Rodimus thought he was being rhetorical?
It takes a moment, but Prime manages to reach into his past and pull out a confident quirk of a grin. "I don't look to have been left alone for very long," he answers, tone smoother and more confident than he feels.
Okay, okay, what's next? Can't be too encouraging, but it's Rodimus's nature to be friendly, even personable.
Small talk!
"So, keeping yourself busy out here in the void?" Rodimus asks Mirage.
|
|
|
Post by Mirage on Aug 25, 2009 22:39:11 GMT -5
Mirage has not gone away, and while an answer wasn't exactly required, it was the manner of either answering or not which is of interest to the spy. One can tell a lot by paying attention to what is not said.
And it took Rodimus a bit to formulate a comeback, but it was a classic one, so points of a sort must be handed out.
He shrugs, "I seize what chances for pleasure I can when chance allows. I would say I have kept myself busy, yes." The slight smile he turns up at the Boy Prime is a bit rakish. "The company is also, for the most part, quite pleasing, and that is always helpful when on a long journey."
|
|
|
Post by Rodimus Prime on Aug 25, 2009 22:51:00 GMT -5
"Really? Not too rough for you?" Rodimus teases. He takes another sip, using that as a chance to think over what to say next. "Though we are a pretty mixed, bag. Even more so than back home!"
This is extraordinary to Rodimus. Why is that so? Because he is from a reality with Combiners and Targetmasters and Headmasters and Powermasters and Pretenders and Throttlebots and Battlechargers and Sparkobots and...
Well, you get the idea.
"Strange I haven't seen you around more. I mean, it's a big ship and all, but there's still only so much room."
Uh-oh. Does that sound like flirting? Arcee's going to kill him. And he's not even dating Arcee! He can't date! It's inappropriate!
|
|
|
Post by Mirage on Aug 26, 2009 9:15:18 GMT -5
Mirage mirrors Rodimus, taking a sip of his own drink when the Prime does, then answers, "Oh, some of our company are most certainly lacking in class, but there are a few gems among the dross." His optics leave Rodimus long enough to scan the room, the rakish smile on the spy's face turning a bit fond as his glance falls on Skyblast.
It stays fond as he tuns his attention back to Rodimus, "Only so much room, but we all have different demands upon our time, and you more than most any here."
"But had I known you were missing me, I would have made myself more available," Mirage teases. He's curious as to how far the Prime will take this. Mirage doubts Rodimus is used to such attentions; people tend not to seriously consider their leaders in such a way.
|
|
|
Post by Rodimus Prime on Aug 26, 2009 11:09:40 GMT -5
Rodimus is not used to such attentions. Though there are still those he cares about in such a way, Rodimus has had to let them go since becoming Prime, lest they be used as weapons against him.
And even that hasn't prevented it.
Still. Conversation light! Friendly, not encouraging! Keep it light!
Rodimus's smile doesn't faulter despite the brief flicker-flashes of Why He Should Not, and his right lip still pulls up in a bit of a teasing smirk.
"If I saw too much of you, I'd wonder what duties you were skipping out on, Mirage," he points out.
|
|
|
Post by Mirage on Aug 26, 2009 17:31:30 GMT -5
"Now really Rodimus, who could possibly have been giving you such a poor opinion of me? I do my fair share, though I admit there is little enough chance for me to utilize my skills properly."
Mirage looks and sounds quite affronted, though the twinkle in his optics might give away that he's merely acting so.
The spy would understand, to some extent, Rodimus's hesitance were he made privy to it. And confident as Mirage is, he does not think this tete a tete will lead to anything, at least not so soon. But Mirage finds the young Prime often too shadowed, too lonely; if he can alleviate that, give a small amount of pleasure to the Prime, then why not?
Mirage takes another sip of his drink, then cants his eyes up at Rodimus, "So tell me, Rodimus, do I need to worry that I am making some parties jealous for paying you this modest attention, or no?" It's said casually, offhandedly, but Mirage is paying close attention to Rodimus's reactions. After all, Mirage is unsure what, if any, understanding actually exists between Rodimus and Arcee.
|
|
|
Post by Rodimus Prime on Aug 26, 2009 22:25:16 GMT -5
Considering Hot Rod was still in that awkward phase with Arcee where he didn't know how to admit he liked her so he resorted to verbal hair-pulling, Rodimus himself is left is left horribly confused concerning her.
He only knows how much it hurt to see her lying broken outside the gates of Metroplex, and how much this one here is like his own.
The Boy Prime rubs the back of his head with his free hand, smiling faintly, almost sheepishly. "To be completely honest... I don't really know," he admits, then takes a hurried drink from his cube.
|
|
|
Post by Mirage on Aug 26, 2009 22:51:56 GMT -5
Mirage tilts his head a bit more and gives Rodimus an appraising look. The young Prime does not appear to be affecting this sudden shyness and slight embarrassment. Which is curious indeed. Mirage is certain Rodimus feels something for Arcee, and perhaps Blurr as well (of course, Mirage doesn't know the story there), and thought that such feelings were more than one-sided.
"I see. Then I suppose I should ask if I might cause you distress by doing such? I would not wish to create a crisis of conscience within you or anything." Mirage smiles, his tone is teasing, but the spy is quite serious. He does not want to upset.
Direct spy is being direct.
|
|
|
Post by Rodimus Prime on Aug 26, 2009 23:52:46 GMT -5
Oh, boy.
Rodimus looks a bit like a deer caught in the headlights for a moment at the directness of the question, but at least it lets him get everything out in the open immediately. He smiles and shakes his head.
"It's not that, but... I can't. I'm flattered, yeah, and I gotta admit, a bit interested, but I can't. Not just you, either. It's just that... it's just..." Improper? Inappropriate? Well, yes, but Rodimus has never been one to stand on propriety. That's not the real problem at all. The real problem is, "It's dangerous."
To those he cares for.
|
|
|
Post by Mirage on Aug 27, 2009 8:57:22 GMT -5
Mirage chuckles as he steps a bit closer to the Prime, then leans forward to try and place his free hand on Rodimus's arm.
"Rodimus," the spy says, soft tone mindful of the fact that they are in public, "You are behaving as if I just invited you back to my room, or am suggesting some sort of permanent liaison. We are merely sharing drinks and conversation, in a busy room, no less."
Mirage will admit, hearing that Rodimus is interested even despite reservations does much for the his mood. The Prime had not needed to let that slip. Mirage wonders if Rodimus realizes just how much such an admission reveals.
"If you are not tied, either openly or emotionally to another, than what harm can there be in indulging in such a thing, enjoying a bit of flattery and attention? I sincerely doubt any here would use such against you."
"But that isn't what you mean by 'dangerous,' is it Prime?" the spy adds, tone serious.
|
|
|
Post by Rodimus Prime on Aug 27, 2009 9:45:41 GMT -5
"No," Rodimus answers, almost dirstracted, as he considers the other aspects of what Mirge said.
A busy room.
There are people watching.
Rodimus wants to sink into the floor. How did he get so clumsy socially? Is he really so out of practice?
He considers the past ten years, including the relatively recent one where he spent a full year in seclusion and decides that yes, yes he is that out of practice.
"If that's all it is, why does the rest of the room keep glancing over, smiling or similar, and then avoiding us?" Rodimus points out, proving that he's not entirely ignorant of the fact that they are in a busy room.
"Besides, just because I'm not tied to another person doesn't mean I'm free." He takes a sip and all smiles fade, his expression becoming quite sober. "I'm more owned than any person in a commited relationship has ever been."
He smiles down at Mirage. "But both the flattery and the attention is enjoyable, and... deftly delivered, if clumsily received. I'm more out of practice than I realized, and I apologize if I read more into casual conversation than was intended."
|
|
|
Post by Mirage on Aug 27, 2009 10:35:06 GMT -5
OOC: I am assuming that Mirage's hand is on Roddy's arm. If I'm assuming correctly, then please feel free to ignore the relevant bits in this post when you post back, PM me, and I'll edit it out later on my break.
Mirage glances around the room, and does indeed find more than one pair of eyes focused on them to various degrees of attention. Oracle is being rather blatant about it, and Mirage can't help but shake his head and smirk.
His fingers move in the lightest of circles for just a moment on Rodimus's plating before he drops his hand. "To be truthful, I think they are assuming things based on my own reputation. Also, the fact that you are quite handsome, and that some know my tastes better than others likely has something to do with it."
"In short, I think they are more interested in watching the proverbial possible train wreck than in yourself."
Mirage sips his drink, then looks up at Rodimus, expression serious- and completely at odds with his teasing tone.
"It would be much fun to give them a proper show, I think." He then leans close and raise up on his toes to murmur quietly, "And I did not say you were misreading anything, Rodimus."
Catching Oracle's optics done with permission.
|
|
|
Post by Rodimus Prime on Aug 27, 2009 11:29:11 GMT -5
OOC: Oh! Sure! And sorry I didn't acknowledge that.
"I didn't say they were interested in m-" Rodimus stutters, then cuts himself off and widens his optics as the fingers circle on the Prime's arms.
Then he smirks and shakes his head.
"So it's modest attention and we're just sharing drinks and conversation, but I'm not misreading anything. Primus, but I'm starting to feel like I need a roadmap just to follow what's going on here."
As he had finished his previous cube, Rodimus reaches over to the nearby table, plucks up another, and, as Mirage leans in close the Boy Prime, moves as though to offer it to Mirage - an act that would rather convienently force him back.
He smirks faintly.
"I'm not really sure I like the idea of being the floor show tonight, though."
|
|
|
Post by Mirage on Aug 27, 2009 12:50:09 GMT -5
Ah, but even acting as if to offer a cube means Mirage is obliged to reach out to take it. Which give convient excuse for his fingers to brush over Rodimus's, and to linger there a scant moment more than necessary for the exchange.
The offer does prompt Mirage to lean back again, however, and the spy finishes off the dregs of his first cube so that might still have a hand free.
"I can understand that. Not all are as used as myself at being the center of attention. And you have your own reasons for not wishing to be the brunt of such talk as would likely result from an overlong engagement with me."
He gazes down into his cube for a moment before looking back up at the young Prime, and there is not one shade of teasing in Mirage's expression or voice when he speaks again.
"I meant, Rodimus, that while now we are just indulging in casual conversation, general flirting, I would not be adverse to keeping company with you. My own reasons behind such an offer are as sensitive to discuss in such a setting as your reasons for refusing it."
"Would you do me the favor of allowing me the chance to properly explain my motivations in a more private setting, before deciding to avoid me all together?"
|
|
|
Post by Rodimus Prime on Aug 27, 2009 14:22:08 GMT -5
Rodimus doesn't glance towards his hand as Mirage's fingers brush over his, instead keeping eye contact with the spy. The earlier uncertainty and bumbling is gone, but, despite his smile, he's no more welcoming or encouraging than he had been.
He considers Mirage's offer, tilting his head to the right as he does. Finally, his lip pulls up in a faint grin. "That depends on how private the setting is. That is... not your room." Then the smile turns a little sad and he shakes his head faintly. "But I... wouldn't expect much."
|
|