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Post by Mirage on Mar 27, 2012 22:37:48 GMT -5
Eyes still focused on the trailer wall, Addison can only hear Nimbus moving toward the desk. The sound of pen on paper means the painter is writing something. Perhaps it is his address. Perhaps it is a rather elegantly scrawled "Frak you."
Addison couldn't quite blame Nimbus if it turns out to be the latter.
"I.. could provide you funds. For a phone," Addison hastily adds, "or whatever needs you might have. I did make a public offer of interest in a commission. It would be perfectly reasonable for you to exit with a deposit check in hand."
It's something he can do, shallow as the offer may seem. As he said earlier, all he has is his money and this... glamour as dubious assets, and he should at least try to do something good with one of them.
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Nimbus Tsura
Major
Secretary to Mr. Breakaway
Sky-Painter Extraordinaire
Posts: 735
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Post by Nimbus Tsura on Mar 27, 2012 22:58:24 GMT -5
Nimbus lacks the cultural context not to accept gifts from fairies, but he groans all the same and pinches the bridge of his nose, grimacing. He looks down at his note, and his fingers twitch. Nimbus wants to add the glyph for 'love' to the outside, but he refrains.
He shakes his head and takes a moment to compose his thoughts. Then Nimbus says, "Addison... sweetie... you're smarter than I am, I know that, but you really don't think about what you're saying, do you? Let me give you an example. You tell me that you don't want to know who I am to protect me. You are, however, fine with knowing Mr. Pryor. Are you really implying that you're just fine with getting him injured or killed? Because to be honest, his life is worth a whole lot more than mine is."
Mr. Pryor cages Unicron, devourer of worlds. Nimbus paints pictures with smoke.
"So when you say that, it really sounds like you're just making up excuses. I think... you just don't think about what you're saying. Like now. I ask you for attention. You try to throw money at me. I have half a mind to be offended."
If Skyblast was feeling well, his whole mind would be offended. Fae glamours make being huffy and arrogant difficult.
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Post by Mirage on Mar 27, 2012 23:44:26 GMT -5
There is honest puzzlement on Addison's face, puzzlement which Nimbus might catch a glimpse of as Addison almost forgets himself and starts to turn to face the painter again.
He catches himself, though, and turns resolutely back toward the wall. Addison runs his fingers through his hair. The puzzlement is also obvious in his voice when he responds.
"But... I have more money then I could ever need. Why should I not offer it to you if you need it?"
On the subject of excuses he remains silent. Oh, Addison starts to say something. A lot of somethings. But he closes his mouth and bites back the words. Heavens forbid he give any more excuses.
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Nimbus Tsura
Major
Secretary to Mr. Breakaway
Sky-Painter Extraordinaire
Posts: 735
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Post by Nimbus Tsura on Mar 28, 2012 8:54:56 GMT -5
At that glimpse, Nimbus sharply inhales and grabs his shirt, as if trying to craw through his ribcage to his heart. A tear rolls down his cheek. He wishes it was blue windshield washer fluid, but it's just faintly salty and stings his face. Nimbus deserves that pain for what he's said, doesn't he?
"How about this - you say you'd be useless in a firefight? Take your money and fix that. I'll still worry about you, of course, but I think you should be prepared if the Decepticons come, however little it may help."
That's a responsible thing to say, isn't it? Looking out for his fellow Autobot.
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Post by Mirage on Mar 28, 2012 9:46:58 GMT -5
Addison frowns at the wall. Nimbus did not answer his question, redirecting instead, and Addison really wishes he'd answer. The model really doesn't understand why he shouldn't give aid to Nimbus if he needs it. Nor does he understand why Nimbus would be offended by the offer of such aid. It's just money. It isn't even special on this world, as any person regardless of title or breeding can be possessed of fortune.
"Nimbus, I am still agile." Heck, Addison does more of his own stunts than he should. "I retain my knowledge of firearms and fighting, though the application is certainly different in this form. But it would be against character to get involved in a public battle. In character to try and protect someone, yes, in character to fight against an assailant, yes, but..."
"I would have to be very, very careful. This life," Addison waves a hand, "It is like Mirage's life, letting alone that I actually enjoy my profession, but Addison Payne is not a weaponry enthusiast." In fact, Addison has some memories of having participated in various campaigns against wars, firearms, and hunting at various points in his life."
"And I still don't understand why you won't let me help you. If not as a lover than as a friend. No matter what happens between us, I hope I shall always be able to call you that."
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Nimbus Tsura
Major
Secretary to Mr. Breakaway
Sky-Painter Extraordinaire
Posts: 735
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Post by Nimbus Tsura on Mar 28, 2012 10:10:58 GMT -5
"I do not have many friends," Nimbus says, but he says the 'm' in 'many' rather quietly, almost as if he was saying instead, 'I do not have any friends'. His lips curl in something like disgust, and he paces back to the loveseat, where he sits down next to the ring, picks it up, and plays with it.
Thoughts rattling around his head, he echoes, "You actually enjoy your profession. It would be out of character for you to engage in a public battle."
Addison Payne is handsome and entrancing, but he is not Mirage, and it is Mirage that Skyblast loved. Nimbus isn't even sure if he can like this person, who self-admittedly would not do his utmost in a crisis situation, simply because he has a character to maintain. Nimbus knows he is not particularly likeable, himself, but how is he supposed to excuse someone who cares more about his image than what is right?
"Addison... would you make that offer of support to any of our changed kindred?" he wonders aloud and inside, Or are you just trying to buy me off?
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Post by Mirage on Mar 28, 2012 10:28:16 GMT -5
Mirage, as he has so often said, is not a soldier. He has become a spy for whom maintaining a character can mean life or death. Add to that the fact that Addison Payne is an actor as well and yes, maintaining a character- maintaining position- does become more important than what Skyblast might think of him for doing so.
Not more important than Skyblast himself, were he in danger, but many would not see the distinction.
"Why... of course. I'm more or less useless as I am now, so why would I not help them where I can?" he replies, puzzlement creeping back into his voice.
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Nimbus Tsura
Major
Secretary to Mr. Breakaway
Sky-Painter Extraordinaire
Posts: 735
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Post by Nimbus Tsura on Mar 28, 2012 10:35:52 GMT -5
Nimbus does not exactly see why Addison continuing to pretend to be a movie star is so important, when they don't even know where half the Autobots and Maximals are! They could be dying. Wouldn't Addison's time be better spent looking for them? Then again, he supposes that what Addison should be doing is up to the chain of command to decide. It's none of his business, really. He just needs to look after Shahar and Slade and keep his eyes open for any other fallen fliers.
"Fine," Nimbus says, sounding tired, "Talk to Mr. Pryor and make it happen." Addison doesn't want to know who anyone is, so Nimbus is just assuming that Mr. Pryor would get stuck with the job of handing out free money to various Autobots and Maximals.
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Post by Mirage on Mar 28, 2012 10:53:04 GMT -5
"I... all right."
Addison's shoulder's sag slightly. Nimbus will not let Addison help him. It hurts. The sense of loss that Addison feels is painfully sharp. It feels like an ending, and he feels ill prepared for it.
"I think that... once you aren't in my company, the physical issues you are having will stop. I will try to avoid you on set. I would not want you to collapse and do yourself damage."
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Nimbus Tsura
Major
Secretary to Mr. Breakaway
Sky-Painter Extraordinaire
Posts: 735
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Post by Nimbus Tsura on Mar 28, 2012 11:05:29 GMT -5
"Avoiding me should be easy for you. Just don't look underfoot," Nimbus says, and it is unclear whether he's trying to be lightly teasing or bitter. He puts the ring back on and adds, "I wish Shahar hadn't told you about me."
Then Nimbus wouldn't have to deal with the jetslag that is Addison's excuses.
"I wish Mr. Pryor hadn't told me about you, military logistics aside. You'd be happy," which is important, "and I'd look after my jets," which is something he's supposed to do.
That's a slip, though. Oracle is just one jet. 'Jets' is plural. Addison probably doesn't want to even know that much.
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Post by Mirage on Mar 28, 2012 17:03:25 GMT -5
"In that we quite agree," Addison murmurs to himself. He was already missing Skyblast terribly, and chances are he would have searched out the painter without prompting. Instead things have just become more complicated.
"I asked Rodney to tell you who I was, so I doubt logistics was his primary reason," he says louder, "And with that request, I seem to have done you yet another disservice."
He catches the slip, but his only comment on it is, "I am glad, though, that you are not alone."
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Nimbus Tsura
Major
Secretary to Mr. Breakaway
Sky-Painter Extraordinaire
Posts: 735
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Post by Nimbus Tsura on Mar 28, 2012 17:19:34 GMT -5
"Lonely, but never quite alone," Nimbus quotes. He has no one he can discuss this matter with, he realises, and normally, he would not care. He tends to be brash and headstrong. He doesn't need any opinion but his own, Unfortunately, right now, he doesn't have his own opinions, only a head full of glamour.
He leans back in the loveseat. "Did you actually want a mural? I don't really do those. I could ask around at a local artists' co-op if you wanted."
Nimbus rubs his fingers together and then pulls them apart. He stares at his fingers, faintly puzzled. There's smoke trailing from them. Abruptly, he asks, "Uhm, is this something people's hands do?"
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Post by Mirage on Mar 28, 2012 21:59:19 GMT -5
His shoulders hunch slightly at Nimbus's "lonely" comment, and Addison again feels that sharp pang of loss. The loveseat at least is situated so that Nimbus's back is to Addison, so the model decides it is safe to risk turning around. He does his best to school his face to a more neutral expression, since the more his emotions show on his face, the worse it seems to affect Nimbus.
"I do, actually. I am purchasing a condo here, rather than be stuck in a hotel should our predicament last past the filming. Besides a private home is more secure all around."
"I wished to have a mural done in my sister's living area. The home and the mural therein would be a surprise for her upcoming birthday. If you are not interested, I would certainly be willing to interview anyone you might recommend."
Nimbus's question makes Addison frown. The model will have to move closer to see what Nimbus is referring to. Addison moves up only enough to see the smoke drifting from Nimbus's hands.
"No. Perhaps you also posses some sort of metahuman abilities?"
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Nimbus Tsura
Major
Secretary to Mr. Breakaway
Sky-Painter Extraordinaire
Posts: 735
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Post by Nimbus Tsura on Mar 29, 2012 19:36:23 GMT -5
Nimbus's fingers don't appear to be on fire, and he doesn't appear to be in pain. The smoke is the same smoky grey as his energon weapons.
Distracted from thoughts of condos and murals, he wonders aloud, "Can I make it change colours?"
As it turns out, he can. Nimbus rises and stands, murmuring, "I think I could do something with this."
He starts to sketch out something, slowly spiraling into a pirouette. Then Nimbus catches sight of Addison again, and he drops to his knees.
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Post by Mirage on Mar 29, 2012 21:59:47 GMT -5
As Nimbus starts to sketch, Addison watches, entranced. He has always enjoyed watching the painter work his magic. Also, Nimbus seems a bit more settled now, pleased with the ability. That means much to Addison.
The Nimbus stops abruptly and near-prostrates himself to Addison. Addison stares open-mouthed at the painter in shock that borders on horror.
"Please.... please don't. You shouldn't- I'm not anyone you should be bowing to!" Addison finishes, barely keeping his voice from rising to a shout. He turns abruptly away and stalks back to the wall. He leans his arm against it and hides his head in the crook of his elbow. He doesn't want Nimbus to see how angry he is. In Nimbus's current frame of mind, Nimbus would certainly react badly.
"Nimbus- Skyblast- I love you and I want you- but not like this. I think you need to leave, before I do you more harm than I already have."
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