Nightbeat
Minor
Lord High Instructor, Duke of Snack
Cybertron's Greatest Detective
Posts: 373
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Post by Nightbeat on Dec 21, 2007 10:59:38 GMT -5
Nightbeat was aware of the existence of the Maximals, of course, in much the same way he was aware that there was a sun in the sky and sand down on the beach. He's had little to no personal interaction with them, however. But he's the unflappable and ultra-cool detective, so Claw Jaw's strange appearance does little to visible surprise him.
"The way these two are going at it?" he says. "Could be a while. They just push each other's buttons."
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Grimlock
Major
There's no crying in Basebrawl!
Posts: 637
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Post by Grimlock on Dec 22, 2007 1:12:57 GMT -5
Grimlock rubs his helm a bit in confusion, watching Kup and Swerve for a bit. Soon, he grows bored, and turns on Nightbeat and Claw Jaw's discussion.
"Why we need wait on them? You want fight, me Grimlock give you one!" Grimlock clenches his fists. Gotta remember to hold back. Gotta not over-deck anyone like he did Kup.
"...how tough Nightbeat and squid-bot be? Me Grimlock need to know how much to hold back..."
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Post by Kup on Dec 22, 2007 1:36:49 GMT -5
Kup doesn't answer Swerve at first. Instead, he just studies the racer, the amusement fading into something faintly sad. Finally, he just shakes his head slightly. "Damn it, Swerve," he says very softly, barely above a whisper. "You just don't get it, do you?"
His 'friends'? They're Autobots. They're all Autobots. Kup hasn't known Nightbeat any longer than Swerve has... not as long, really.
"Congratulations," he says, voice still low, still faintly sad. "You said you'd come out here and not learn a damned thing, and you're doing just that."
A beat. A moment. Then Kup shrugs, lifts his right hand in a motion of casual dismissal, and says, "Keep the thing out if you want to, but I'm not giving you your fight until you put it away." As he speaks he starts to turn away, intent on watching what's going on between Grimlock, Nightbeat and Squid-bo, erm, Claw-Jaw.
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Post by Swerve on Dec 22, 2007 19:24:25 GMT -5
"Hey! We aren't done yet!" Swerve is lightning-quick to interpose himself between Kup and the others, both hands balled into fists; the cannon vanished into subspace the instant he started moving, the moment he realised Kup wasn't giving him an answer. "Quit lookin' at me like that and answer me, slaggit!" he demands, furious. Heat is secondary to insult for now; it's like the oldtimer doesn't even try to make sense. First mocking, now… now pity? Swerve can't decide which torques him off more.
Aggravating, too, is that he's made a liar of himself. He said – he knows he said – Kup wouldn't teach him a thing when he showed up for this training smelt-slag. The old Autobot has already taught him one thing: Kup, irritation aside, will defend him. And no, Swerve doesn't get why.
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Post by Claw Jaw on Dec 22, 2007 21:38:41 GMT -5
Claw Jaw studies Grimlock for a few seconds, taking a rough guess to how powerful the large transformer may be. He then looks at the dent on Kup's face. Well, there goes that estimate.
"I am... Of average strength" he says "However, my... Agility is hampered on land severely, along with my... Suction. It works well enough however" he adds, shrugging slightly.
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Post by SceneMod on Dec 25, 2007 18:12:08 GMT -5
OOC: This thread is timed out, and Nightbeat is being removed from the rotation. He can post back into the thread at any time.
This means that Grimlock is now up.
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Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
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Post by Shanodin on Dec 25, 2007 23:23:42 GMT -5
Oddly enough, once she had a chance to examine the training options, Botanica chose the least likely one. She has made her way rather purposefully toward the melee area.
It might seem an odd choice, especially considering those already assembled. She is thin and lightweight, and lacking in armor. But she is quick and agile in her plant mode, and she has several advantages that should surprise an opponent. Of course, if anyone actually lands a hit, she'll likely be out for the count.
But still, from what she has gathered, most all the displaced have been large scale Transformers (large to her, at any rate). She may never be sent to fight on the front lines, but she needs to get a feel for how these large ones move, how to evade them, and if needed, how to injure them.
She pauses, taking in the tableau before her. Those two seemed paired off already, which leaves these two and....
"Oh you must be the other Maximal Airazor mentioned. Claw Jaw, was it? I am Botanica." She tilts her head, "You size ratio is off as well. Curious."
Her eyes narrow as she regards the training area, then makes a point of choosing one of the rings set over bare soil, not tender grass. Her doing so should indicate clearly that she isn't just here to chat.
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Grimlock
Major
There's no crying in Basebrawl!
Posts: 637
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Post by Grimlock on Dec 26, 2007 4:11:34 GMT -5
Oh yeah, Grimlock's getting all pumped up! There's a fight in the works! He awaits Nightbeat's answer, but it is interrupted by...a ...what IS that?
Grimlock's manly pose of manly preparedness falls to sheer bogglement, he dropping to one knee with a thud so he can get a closer look at Botanica.
And thus, Grimlock asks an obvious question: "...what in world you?" One that is more than likely already been answered several times, and one that will continue to be asked.
Don't be afraid, though! Grimlock's harmless for the moment.
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Post by Kup on Dec 26, 2007 8:38:01 GMT -5
Kup sighs as Swerve jumps in front of him, his head tilted back slightly to cast an imploring glance at the sky. "I just spent the last several minutes telling the others to keep out of it, Swerve. Yes, they're going to keep out of it." He doesn't refer to them as 'his friends' the way Swerve did, although he does consider them as such. They're all Autobots there, and the sooner Swerve get that through his thick head, the better.
The veteran than crosses his arms. "Besides, it's not like I need any help against a hot-headed little punk like you."
Even with his current state of distraction, he can't help but notice the unusual new arrival. His optics widen slightly, and he addresses Botanica, even if he keeps most of his attention on Swerve. "You've gotta be that new plant-former they mentioned, because I sure as blazes don't see how a Chlorexian Calla Lily would end up here otherwise. Completely wrong part of the galaxy, and they ain't much in the way as travelers, anyways."
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Post by Swerve on Dec 26, 2007 22:46:34 GMT -5
All Swerve saw was Kup trying to keep Grimlock from killing him. Taking a punch meant for him. It does mean something to the racer, even if his suspicion continues to taint the veteran's act. But that unasked-for defence, the warding-off of the big stupid Dinobot, has no bearing on Nightbeat or the newly-arrived Maximals. It's natural – almost instinct – for Swerve to expect a group attack when engaged with a group; he can't shake long-ingrained reflex, even trying to remember that Xaaron said he belongs with the Autobots. It's been a long, long time since Swerve even remotely felt he belonged with any sort of group. He still has his doubts, of course; many of them, and Grimlock out to scrap him when he wasn't even trying to involve the Dinobot doesn't exactly do a whole lot to reinforce Xaaron's word.
"Fine then," mutters the racer, ignoring the travelling lily plant thing that apparently shouldn't be travelling. Swerve, hot-headed? Kup doesn't even know the half of it. "Since you don't need any help, oldtimer, quit stallin' and let's get started!"
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Post by Claw Jaw on Dec 26, 2007 23:01:18 GMT -5
Claw Jaw, along with everyone else, notices Botanica's arrival, and stares.
Well, she actually IS a plant. Now that is bizarre. A moving one, at that. While Claw Jaw had seen creatures that looked like plants, they were clearly animals.
"Yes, I am Claw Jaw, Botanica" Claw Jaw said, confusion evident in his voice. "Do you turn into... An actual plant, or just a creature that mimics it? Plants lack maneuverability, it would seem an... Unwise choice for an alt mode"
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Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
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Post by Shanodin on Dec 27, 2007 1:14:18 GMT -5
Botanica sighs inwardly at the boggling Dinobot's question. Yes, it has been asked and answered many times. And yes, she is very aware that she is quite the oddity. That does not make things any less tiresome.
Smiling at Grimlock, she teases, "Why can't you tell? I'm the Green Fairy of the Wood come out to play." She makes a motion like a curtsy, "I grew bored in the forest and thought to see what sport you odd metal creatures might offer me. But be warned, for a tricksy one am I; let not my small stature deceive thee."
She is about to continue when first Kup's, then Claw Jaw's observations distract her. Ah well, so much for fun. Glancing at the elder, she asks, "You've been there, Kup?" At least she thinks it's Kup; the face matches that from the archives, more or less. She continues, "I wonder if that's how the Variegated Achillea developed a taste for metal. Didn't decide to go for a swim while you were there, by chance?"
"And, for your information," She narrows her eyes a bit at the squid, "this is my alternate mode." She shifts, her vines slipping and sliding, as she speaks, "Do I look as if I lack maneuverability?"
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Grimlock
Major
There's no crying in Basebrawl!
Posts: 637
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Post by Grimlock on Dec 27, 2007 9:59:00 GMT -5
A fairy? Doesn't look like any account of fairies Grimlock's ever seen. "Me Grimlock think you messing with Grimlock's head...me no like that." he mumbles, peering at the plantformer. He's irritated a bit by this, but not much. Botanica might be wise to watch how she regards the Dinobot Commander. He's itching for the promised fight, and having recovered from trying to do not-nice things to Swerve, his temper edges on being shorter than usual.
...and since his curiosity can't be contained, Grimlock hops on Kup's frequency. //This not a fairy, right?//
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Post by Kup on Dec 27, 2007 10:20:58 GMT -5
"It wasn't exactly a conscious decision, lass," Kup answers Botanica casually, "but at the moment, there was worse to deal with on land. Rough planet, that was. Real dogwood-eat-dog world, if you catch my meaning." Of course, since Kup and Botanica aren't actually from the same reality, this just suggests that her reality's Kup has been there, too.
To Grimlock, Kup radios, //No, Grimlock. She's not a fairy. She's a Transformer - a Maximal. You know, like Rattrap and Airazor? Only a bit further down the timeline, so she's using a bit different technology.// Kup is well aware that 'a bit different' might qualify as the understatement of the year, but really, considering he's pretty fuzzy on this whole 'technorganic' thing, this isn't the time to be trying to explain it to Grimlock. His Cybertron does have integrated technological-organic creatures deep within. One of them turned him into a vampire, and Kup is damned if he's going to let his Cybertron go to such creatures, one way or another. Plant-lady can keep her reality, and keep it the blazes away from his.
Both the radio call and the response to Botanica are handled swiftly enough, freeing Kup up to return his attention to Swerve. He gives the racer an amused smile that falls just shy of a smirk and says, "Well, all right then." And then Kup turns away. Again. This time, however, he's only doing so in order to move back into one of the rings. Presenting his back to someone he's about to battle might seem strange. It could be read as saying, 'I trust you not to attack before we get started,' but Kup keeps himself ready for one, just in case. He's testing Swerve, and while he hopes he's right, he's prepared for being wrong.
Assuming no attack from the behind comes, once Kup is more firmly in the ring, he turns to face Swerve, expression now serious. "Well? Come on."
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Post by Swerve on Dec 27, 2007 23:50:00 GMT -5
Swerve, for what it's worth, doesn't try to attack Kup on the way into the fighting ring. On top of being stupid – angry as he is, and he's furious, he can't approach this stupidly if he wants any chance of winning, he's sure of that – it'd be a cheap shot. Swerve has passed up a couple of cheap shot opportunities already.
This isn't a race, but he can approach it like one. Does, in the absence of any other clear ruleset. And even if there aren't any real rules in the races except to survive, the race doesn't start 'til the opening shot sounds.
And there it is, that prompt, his starting signal. Swerve launches forward the instant he crosses the line into the ring with a roar of his engine. Can't hit Kup directly, that hammers its way through the anger and the rising heat. Can't hit him with a fist, not with that armour. The racer feints a punch and sidesteps at the last instant, trying instead for a hard tag to Kup's hip with one tonfa as he passes. The reinforced weapon can hold up where all the fine struts and pins of his hands won't. He doesn't wait for Kup to turn; he skids, spins, facing the old Autobot and charging again. He'll leap back rather than sidestep this time, unless Kup derails his plan.
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