Swerve-3
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Posts: 169
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Post by Swerve-3 on Mar 23, 2008 2:22:57 GMT -5
It's more than a bit stiff of him, but Swerve pointedly doesn't address Botanica's question; he has said all he's willing to say about the issue and he'll say no more. In fact, that aloof cast to his face doesn't lift until he's dead sure the two of them have dropped it. He murmurs quietly, both thanks and apology, but otherwise tries not to interrupt while they talk shop. And while he listens attentively enough, his optics are squarely on the rest of the party; he's managed somehow to lose track of Emirate Xaaron and Mirage and that worries him.
Emirate Xaaron will radio him if he's needed, Swerve reminds himself, too busy scouring the crowd to notice Kup looking his way. All the same, he has promised his protection and he has watched over and worried for long enough that he can't not want to be certain all's well. Ah, there; he spots them through a gap in the dancers and those milling about on the sidelines playing spectator. They're sitting and… having a chat. Well, really, if they'd stopped dancing, what else could they possibly be doing? Heading downstairs to get personal? Swerve scoffs at himself almost inaudibly. The nonsense ramblings of overcharge and sweltering processors.
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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 Mar 23, 2008 11:42:56 GMT -5
"Of course. I did not expect it to be an immediate thing. But the way things happen around here, if I did not mention it now," Botanica shrugs, "It might not get remembered till doomsday. And Makeshift was there when I spoke to Goldbug, and seemed agreeable, just so you know."
Botancia tilts her head and regards Swerve thoughtfully, "At least you don't visibly cringe at my presence. Perhaps my other self is not so bad as your Emirate's reaction indicated, taste in partners aside."
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Post by Kup on Mar 23, 2008 16:56:19 GMT -5
"The way things happen around here," Kup mutters as he finally reaches the area they'd been heading for and turns to watch the party at large, "we'll end up with five arrivals tomorrow that make any of today's plans obsolete." Then he speaks in a more normal tone and adds, "But... that isn't any reason not to make them. Point taken."
Swerve does seem to have calmed down a bit, which means it's time to bring the conversation around to their evil alternates and see what he has to say. Before Kup can make such a move, though, Botanica does just that.
It's almost as if she knows the plan, or some such!
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Swerve-3
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Maintain the Light
Posts: 169
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Post by Swerve-3 on Mar 23, 2008 22:02:32 GMT -5
It's only once the lull in conversation registers that Swerve looks back to Kup and Botanica. They're both looking at him expectantly; wait, one of them asked him a question? Blast, he wasn't paying attention. He tries not to look too baffled while he muddles through his memory banks, searching for what he missed.
"I…." Well, openly cringing isn't really his thing. "Well, you– rather, she… forgive me, please," Swerve murmurs, sighing and pinching at the bridge of his nose briefly. "She… isn't permitted in the base for the most part, so I simply assumed you're less…." He fumbles for the words he wants, some more tactful way to phrase it. He ends up blurting out his thoughts instead. "Less of a raving fanatic. You certainly haven't been shrieking that we should all go technorganic." He makes a pensive face and amends, "At least that I've seen."
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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 Mar 23, 2008 23:59:55 GMT -5
Botania doesn't take offense at Swerve's words. Really, she's relieved that he spoke candidly. Perhaps Kup will have an easier time of it after all. His comment about her counterpart's assertions, does bother her, and she glances at Kup. Hopefully, he'll catch the slight shake of her head as meaning that she does not share that sentiment.
"Hmph. Rattrap might question the raving part, considering I just went off on him, but I assure you that I am in full control of my faculties. However, why would she not be allowed in your base? Surely she is not the only one possessed of...decisive opinions."
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Post by Kup on Mar 24, 2008 8:58:18 GMT -5
Kup does, indeed, catch the slight shake of Botanica's head, but as Swerve adds the qualifier of, 'At least that I've seen,' Kup can't help a bit of good natured needling. "Ah, naw. She's a lot quieter about that." He'll return any glance or glare from Botanica with a smile that should make it clear that his comment was intended in jest, but then, realizing just how... literal Swerve can seem at times, he decides to clarify verbally, "That was a joke, by the way." No, you don't have to laugh. You just have to know Kup wasn't serious.
After that, he falls silent, waiting to hear Swerve's answer to Botanica's question. Soon enough he'll have questions of his own, but for now he's more interested in listening.
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Swerve-3
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Maintain the Light
Posts: 169
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Post by Swerve-3 on Mar 24, 2008 20:12:05 GMT -5
"Everyone is entitled to an opinion," is Swerve's only comment on the joke. "The trouble comes when someone tries enforcing an opinion as the truth."
Ah, the truth. Swerve can't help his honesty; it's as much a part of him as racing once was, or keeping the law and protecting others is now. So often any more, though, he knows being entirely honest stands a dangerous chance of causing him or another trouble. He has had to learn the delicate art of tact during his time as an Autobot and like all his habits, it's hard for him to shake. Of course, rather like trying to brake at full throttle, stopping the flow of candour once it starts is no easy thing, either.
"She and the Prime don't care for one another," he says in a tone that just screams understatement. "And he takes poorly to her siccing that drone on the little ones. As do I, for that matter, but I assure you our reasons differ." Swerve detests their abuse; Prime can't stand Botanica interfering with his troops.
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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 Mar 25, 2008 17:21:43 GMT -5
"Ah," is Botanica's only answer. When she told Rattrap earlier she could imagine a her gone wrong, she meant it. Swerve's comments are not, perhaps, as informative as she'd like. But they serve to assuage her curiosity.
"On that note, I think I'll take my leave. I need to speak to First Aid and give my respects to Skyfire before retiring. Kup, I'll try and catch Xaaron or Prime tomorrow about that issue. Do let me know if Evac isn't keen on the idea. Swerve."
Botanica nods at each in turn, and if not needed she will be out of thread, and meandering toward the Three Jets. Her path will take her near the Like to Party thread, and if someone has been dreaming of dancing with a daffodil calla lily, they might snag her.
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Post by Kup on Mar 25, 2008 18:39:51 GMT -5
Kup tilts his head towards Botanica and lifts his now empty glass slightly. "All right. See you 'round, Botanica."
Botanica. Really. What sort of nickname do you give a person with a name like that? Botty?
Now that the thread has been reduced to people with single-syllable names, Kup turns back towards Swerve.
"Now, if you don't mind me talkin' shop a little, our last try at getting details about who we'll be facing from the other side got interrupted." That would be back when Swerve had to leave to check on Emirate Xaaron. "You up for picking up where we left off, lad?" He pauses and looks over at the dancing group. "I don't know about you, but I'd just as soon chat as 'dance.'"
So Kup is finally on topic, after having arrived there with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer.
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Swerve-3
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Maintain the Light
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Post by Swerve-3 on Mar 25, 2008 23:19:55 GMT -5
Swerve returns Botanica's parting gesture with a polite smile and a nod of his own.
"Good evening," he murmurs after her. He much prefers this Botanica to the one he knows; this one is reasonable and seems kind and well-meaning enough, he supposes. Intrusiveness aside. He wants to think the party isn't a chance for these Autobots to put on an act. Of course, if it is, Nightbeat isn't very good at playing along. Mirage and Kup have certainly been convincing.
Ah, and Kup wants to carry on asking about Swerve's Autobots. The constable can't seem to think of any reason he shouldn't talk, really – not now that he's started. It isn't exactly a pleasant alternative to any other sort of conversation, but he did offer to help however he could.
"I'm not much of a dancer anyway, sir," he says in an honest and self-deprecating tone, folding his hands at his back. Where had he left off, for that matter? It's been a week or two and what he's had to drink – not so much overall, but all of it so quickly – isn't helping. The interview… he'd been talking to Rodimus Prime and the other Emirate Xaaron when Perceptor had come in and– Ah. That's right, he'd left off with Perceptor. He can't help an expressive shudder at the thought of the scientist. "Perceptor… doesn't care. About what's right or wrong, about morals, about… about life." Swerve's optics take on a dull look, his brows knit and the corners of his mouth draw down as, much as he'd rather not, he turns his mind to this repulsive topic. "He's selfish and cruel. What others want – when the Prime isn't demanding something, anyway – doesn't matter. Who he hurts…." His look of remembered horror gives way to something that's both anger and pain, and his entire frame trembles ever so faintly. "…Doesn't matter."
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Post by Kup on Mar 26, 2008 8:32:53 GMT -5
Swerve's hesitance leaves Kup caught by a moment of indecision. This should be a party, and here Kup is forcing Swerve to relive some rather unfortunate memories. The indecision doesn't last long, however. Kup would best be able to protect not only his own but also this Swerve and this other Emirate Xaaron if he has all the information he can get. Still, he takes a moment to say, softly, "Sorry for asking you to talk about this." And he is, but still, he must ask.
"When you two arrived, your Xaaron requested rations not mixed up by Perceptor. Is, erm, questionable rations something you folks had to deal with on a regular basis? And was it just bad effects, or can we look forward to dealing with Autobots with a few fuel enhancements, too?" Of course, usually the so-called 'enhancements' come ready made with negative effects, which is why sensible folks tend to avoid them and why they'll occasionally get made illegal, but that's really neither here nor there.
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Swerve-3
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Maintain the Light
Posts: 169
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Post by Swerve-3 on Mar 27, 2008 12:42:57 GMT -5
"Not regularly, sir," Swerve answers after glancing sidelong to Kup. "Perceptor can't just poison anyone he pleases. The Prime wouldn't appreciate his troops being incapacitated at Perceptor's whim and Perceptor knows this. It doesn't stop him from testing the occasional compound on one or two who make the mistake of taking fuel he offers." Here, shame and regret colour the constable's voice. "…Emirate Xaaron was a favourite," he admits quietly, optics flickering as his gaze drifts to where his leader sits in rapt conversation with Mirage. "Of his… and the Prime's. I've tried so many times to stop it – all of it, not just with Emirate Xaaron, but…."
Swerve stops here for a moment and slowly cycles air while he loosens his fists one finger at a time. He needs to stay calm. He can't let his temper get the better of him ever, certainly not in full view of nearly all the Autobots and especially not in front of Emirate Xaaron.
Only once he's calmed enough to keep talking does he continue.
"…But I'm not exactly the best-suited to stop the likes of Rodimus Prime," he says ruefully, both self-deprecating again and faintly bitter. "Or, for that matter, Perceptor. Or even y–" He catches himself and stifles a sigh. He really must remember to keep the Autobots and their doubles separate. "Or even Kup. Try as I might, I'm just not up to standard." Not that it ever stopped him from making the attempt, really. "And Kup," he adds, expecting a prompt and trying to stay a length ahead, "deserves to be stopped. He enjoys taking advantage of his power and rank to get what he likes. He seems to like 'pretty, young things' more than much else, maybe second only to keeping his rank." All of this is said with thinly veiled distaste and an expression bordering on revulsion.
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Post by Kup on Mar 27, 2008 14:53:24 GMT -5
Kup doesn't push for answers when Swerve has to pause. He just waits patiently for the ex-racer to go on, expression sympathetic. And when Swerve continues, when he describes Kup's alternate self, his expression of distaste mirrors the constable's own.
A crooked politician, a bully, and worse. It seems strange. Some are 'equivalent opposites.' Emirate Xaaron is a politician in both realities, Swerve still has his heating problem, Perceptor is Perceptor-sans-morals, but how the blazes would he have found himself in a position of privilage? At the moment Kup was pulled from his reality, he was the third highest ranked Autobot in Cybertron, and even then he didn't play politics. He had always clashed with politicians! It's why he got thrown off Cybertron!
... And what if he had given in, instead?
"So, from what you're saying, I take it that other Kup's pretty strong and tough, same as me. But... what have you been able to gather about his background? Much traveling?"
If that other Kup doesn't have the same width and breadth of experience, the security chief should have a clear edge over the other. "And what's the nature of the war where he's from? D'you know?"
Knowing that second question may help give them information about several of the alternates at once.
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Swerve-3
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Maintain the Light
Posts: 169
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Post by Swerve-3 on Mar 29, 2008 22:47:01 GMT -5
Is his Kup well-travelled at all? What an odd question to ask. Swerve frowns faintly as he tries to recollect if Kup ever mentioned travelling. Nothing really comes to mind.
"I can't say I recall very much, sir," he answers this other Kup, adding with a small grimace, "but there's the chance I might've missed details here and there. Kup likes being comfortable, though, and he speaks pretty often of Cybertron. If he's ever mentioned other places, I've never heard him do it." Really, now that he thinks about it, Kup talks about Cybertron rather like Swerve himself talks about Velocitron – as if it's the only world he really knows.
Not that Swerve has the first clue Kup should be itinerant. The constable is heavily biased on such matters, however, since travelling Autobots – and his own involuntary wanderings, too – have been little but trouble with the rarest of boons for him. He's starting to think life would be so much better for everyone everywhere if Transformers would learn to just stay home.
"As for the war…." Another frown draws down Swerve's brow ridge and he tilts his head, staring at a point on the ground while he thinks. "A Decepticon uprising after something called the Golden Age. Megatron and his followers fought for equality and the Autobots decided they didn't have any right to it. A few of the others have mentioned much the same thing a few times." Swerve's tone suggests how little he thinks of the Autobots for putting down such a noble cause but he doesn't say anything about it. This is, after all, about what he knows, not his opinions on that knowledge.
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Post by Kup on Mar 30, 2008 15:26:56 GMT -5
Kup grins as Swerve describes his alternate, and there is a somewhat nasty edge to the smile that graces his normally good-humored face. So. Some comfy stay-at-home, hmmm? Not that Kup is foolish enough to think that this means the other-him isn't dangerous - apparently he has a great deal of power despite all this. But it does let him know of at least one edge he'll have.
The grin fades as Swerve goes on, and Kup listens intently to what he has to say. It turns into an out and out frown, however, not at what Swerve is saying, but at what he isn't saying.
"Sometimes, useful stuff can be gathered from opinions, too, Swerve, and no one here's going to lynch you just for having them, no matter what you're used to." Kup may out and out declare someone else's opinion to be wrong, but he'll defend to the death their right to be wrong.
"But, erm... tell me something, Swerve. If you and the Emirate hadn't of landed here - if that portal hadn't been available - what would you have done with yourselves?"
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