1028/Bar Blues

**Hot Rod has posed:**
It's a night just like any other, thirty breems after the work cycle has ended and the Red Guardian Inn is filling up with 'Bots looking to get a good deal on a happy hour drink. Line out the door, the lobby is a mess, and the hostess looks stressed out - but this is actually the same old, same old for her. As terrible as wartime is, it's good for business as far as joints and dive bars are concerned.

Hot Rod is at the counter, looking around the establishment in with the expectation that Healthpoint might show. It doesn't look like it, but he hasn't lost hope yet.

**Swivel has posed:**
Thrifty as Swivel is, it's become pretty much her habit to only go drinking when there are deals or during happy hour. As such, the small femme can be seen weaving her way around some of the other larger patrons as she enters. She's particularly aware of her tires every time she turns to make sure she doesn't overturn any chairs, drinks, or bump up against people unnecessarily.

Swivel may not be who Hot Rod was waiting for, but it's what he gets for now. The small femme, seeing the familiar face, scrambles onto the stool next to him. "'Lo." There. An informal greeting. It's been a while since she's done that.

**Hound has posed:**
Hound is here, too, always happy to join in with others for a social and a nice drink. He's not the sort who'd enjoy this 24/7 or whatever Cybertronian cycles are, but mingling with comrades and friends is a welcome respite from more serious duties. He stands at the bar, staring at the menu. "Hmmm. Maybe the Omegarita?" He asks the bartender. "Or wait, uh, is the Red Guardian good?"

**Quickswitch has posed:**
Quickswitch doesn't care. It's happy hour. The line out the door is barely an obstacle as he walks \*through\* the line and into the establishment.

"Hey! Who do you think you are??" and other shouts erupt as the Sixchanger barrels in, "Hey, gang!" he calls jovially and heads up to the bar, "Standard Engex, please," he asks the bartender.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock had taken one of the booths with First Aid of all meches, but she had agreed to a date with him, and she really wasn't sure how to feel about this? but hey! It was a night out, away from all the stress, and she was actually feeling rather comfortable in this place.

      "Heh, I didn't expect this place to be so busy, but I guess that just means it's a good spot... Seeing a lot of faces I recognize..." Part of her hoping no one would figure out what her and Aid where doing, Her head looked over on hearing a familiar loud voice and oh, hey, it's Quickswitch.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid comes in the red guardian, looking around. The young medic stays by himself, watching to see if theres anyone who looks too stressed that he may have a need to talk to and calm down. Hes no psychologist, but he is the type to try to brighten up the room. "Oh. Wow. A lot of people today." He says softly. He moves to sit with Starlock, looking uncomfortable. "Um. Yeah, I guess. Is there anything you want? I'm buying..." He pauses. "Is that Quickswitch? Long time no see." and yeah it looks like he's at a booth with Starlock tonight. Will wonders ever cease?

**Blurr has posed:**
    Blurr is already here, sitting at a table in the corner of the establishment. Alone, not speaking to or looking at anyone. Old fans have probably tried approaching at some point or another, but they've all been brushed off or told to leave him alone rather harshly. Instead, he's just staring out the window near the corner, at Primus-knows-what, or if it's at anything in particular at all. No drink, nothing. Not even a single empty glass.

**Hot Rod has posed:**
Hot Rod looks a bit past tipsy, maybe it's good Healthpoint isn't here, because the former Nyonian rebel might be in the mood to embarrass himself (though he wouldn't admit that).

 "Well, hey, looks like basically everyone decided to show!" He waves dismissively at Aid. "Aw, hell, Aid. Not tonight. I'm buying." He waves at the bartender, and glances over when Quickswitch barrels in. "Hey, take it easy," he says to the six changer, "you might get kicked out before you get your drink."

 He raises his glass and taps on it, to get everyone's attention. "I just wanted formally recognize the fact that the 'Bots took Ibex Central," he says loudly, "thanks to Starlock," and he points to the junior medic, "and of course, the hero, Blurr." He wanders over to where the blue speedster is sulking in a corner and forces a drink into his hand, and attempts to grab Blurr's wrist and raise it high for a toast.

**Swivel has posed:**
With a tilt of her head, Swivel squints at Hot Rod. She leans away a little each time he waves, to avoid getting hit by his wayard limbs. She does follow his gesturing, noting First Aid sitting with Starlock. She doesn't seem overly surprised or curious about that, as if it were a perfectly natural sight. Quickswitch barelling in, however, does cause her to tense at first, then slowly relax. Swivel is beginning to question her present perch and shuffles one seat down from Hot Rod, positioning herself closer to Hound.

"Red Guardian is a bit heavy for me, but I hear it's a local favourite." Swivel says helpfully, then orders herself a glass of coolant. When Hot Rod begins trying to get everyone's attention, Swivel looks up. And when her fellow Nyonian heads over to an obviously sulk Blurr, Swivel visibly cringes. Immediately, Swivel is on her feet, looking almost like she's ready to interfere if something were to escalate.

**Hound has posed:**
Hound is quick with a smile as Quickswitch enters. "Quickswitch! Long time no see. How are you?" Then he focuses back on his menu, looking up as Quickswitch orders something simple. "Maybe that's what I oughta do. Simple is usually best." Still... he seems indecisive. However, when Hot Rod brings a cheer regarding Ibex and the Autobots who helped secure that victory, he good-naturedly raises a fist and cheers. "Here, here! I can drink to that!" Once he decides on a drink, that is.

And here's Swivel to help! He listens to the femme, nodding. "Huh. If it's a local favorite, sounds good enough for me! Thanks." He smiles then turns to order the Red Guardian.

**Quickswitch has posed:**
Quickswitch grins back at Hound and, having no drink yet, raises a fist in celebratory glory! "Oh.." he says quietly to Hound, "I've been around.. here and there. Ah!" his drink arrives, and, giving a smile to Swivel, takes a drink. "Ahhh, Good stuff! Congratulations everyone! Hear hear!"

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock would go to say something but would stop looking to Hot Rod. "Roddy, I think ya' bit overcharged there." She'd state with a raised ridge, and then... Oh, smelt, no. She'd sink in her seat as he points out what Blurr and her had done, she'd start mentally bracing for whatever way /that/ was going to blow up.

      A weak chuckle did escape her though, hearing Hound. She'd then glance to First Aid, very unsure what to say in response to any of that, since.. Well, given what these two were on. "..Erm, are you sure Aid?" She'd simply ask.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "I agree." he says to Starlock. "A little overcharged." He nods to Hot Rod "To those who made Ibex happen." he smiles under his mask at Starlock and nods to Blurr. "You guys did a great job. Wsh I could have been there to help." He doesn't order anything yet, just looking over the menu.

**Blurr has posed:**
    As if on cue, as soon as Hot Rod starts talking about the recent victory at Ibex, one of the videoanes mounted on the wall behind the bar starts laying a news broadcast out of Ibex, and the words chwAUTOBOTS CAPTURE CENTRAL IBEXIAN SECTORS; ORDER RESTORED TO CITY-STATE are plastered in bold across the bottom of the feed.

    Things don't exactly 'blow up' the way some people were expecting. When Hot Rod approaches and tries to force him to toast and drink and whatever, Blurr doesn't exactly resist but doesn't exactly participate, either. His arm is just kind of...limp, and he pushes the drink away as soon as the flame-colored bot lets go of him. He still doesn't look at anyone, or say anything. It's certainly not very typical of him to act this way--normally he'd jump at any opportunity to brag or any time he hears anyone stroking his ego.

**Hot Rod has posed:**
A bit overcharged is probably an understatement. He notices Swivel cringing. "Oh come /on/! What the hell is /that/ for? We won, dammit! Stop acting like such a wet blanket and be happy for once in your Primus damned existence. We're all here just trying to drink and have some fun." He forces a toast to her glass, and it's overshot so he ends up nearly knocking the glass out of her hand while also spilling his very strong drink into her.. whatever it is that she ordered.

When Quickswitch, Hound, and First Aid cheer to the victory, he holds up his glass to them. "Now /that's/ spirit!"

"Don't be so shy," he says too Starlock. "I mean, you're just a medic, but you still made a difference." Good thing Ratchet isn't here.

Hot Rod's enthusiasm snuffs a little when he notices Blurr's reaction. "Damn, can't anyone be proud of the great things they do? I mean, I sure am. And I keep telling everyone that's how to keep your hopes up during wartime..." He shakes the speedster. "C'mon, Blurr! I heard you were like, running over mechs on fire. That's like, a story not even Lynx can beat."

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel watches Hot Rod and Blurr, and for a moment, she stands in stunned silence, somewhat slack jaw. Suddenly self aware of her reaction, she shuts her mouth tight and goes to sit back down. Only, she'd forgot she was on a high stool and not a low seat. She reaches down for a seat that isn't where she thought it was and nearly loses balance. However, she manages to catch the edge of the bar and keep herself from completely falling on her aft. She quickly grabs her glass of coolant, holding tight on to it and pretending like nothing happened.

Upon her recovery, Swivel's optics widen as Hot Rod lays into her. It takes her a moment to process just why she is being singled out with such scathing remarks. She doesn't do much to hide her bewilderment, even as he sloshes his drink around at her, contaminating her simple, non-intoxicating coolant with whatever he is drinking. She looks down at the drink, then at Hot Rod, and meekly raises her glass. "I.... I guess I have been overly seriously lately," Swivel says weakly, putting on what can only be considered a farce of a smile. She holds her drink tightly against her chest, as if she could somehow hide behind it.

**Hound has posed:**
Hound nods to Quickswitch, "Heh, yeah guess we all have been, haven't we?" Getting the Red Gaurdian, the green scout looks it over, swishes it once or twice, then takes a big gulp. "Ah!" He places the glass down. "Actually would add a bit more grease, but it's still really good." He looks over and sees Starlock and First Aid over there, smiling at them, then gazes over at Blurr with a slight frown. Hmm. The racer doesn't seem to be doing too well, but he doesn't seem to want company, either.

Swivel returns to her stool- barely- and Hound reaches out a hand to help, but seems she's got it. As for her remark, he offers a toast of his own, "Serious times call for serious minds. But still...." He lifts his drink towards Hot Rod, "It's important to let yourself have some fun sometimes, too."

**Quickswitch has posed:**
Over at the bar, Quickswitch has three empty glasses next to him. He's arm-wrestling with another mech. There's even bet taking nearby. Quickswitch downs another drink with his free arm. \*crash\* He wrests his opponant's arm to the bar.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Well, there was an explosion, just not the one she'd expected... She'd expected Blurr to start yelling, but it had been Hot Rod! She'd blink a moment, and try to calm down, even gave Hot Rod something of a smile, now if he'd remember it? that was a whole other question. "Thanks Rod." She'd chuckle. He was trying, even if he was overcharged and possibly being a bit insensitive to Blurr.

      One thing was for sure though, she was going to need to be overcharged to get through this, and vented a sigh, but did smile, ordering herself some pink-engex. "It's alright Aid, and uh.. THanks.. I'm just glad to have helped get the fighting there to stop." She'd nod.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid tenses "Yeah, we just gotta keep things in here under control now." He says. "I think..." He orders himself some antifreeze. "I hope its not going to go too badly."

**Blurr has posed:**
    Hope? What was the point of hope? Blurr -still- refuses to acknowledge anyone even when Hot Rod keeps trying to address him directly. He just lets the overcharged mech grab his hand and try to force him to toast with Swivel, but he doesn't even look that way. Eventually he just pulls his hand away and folds his arms, so that no one can easily start trying to grab him again. Can't people just take the hint that he'd rather be left alone?

**Hot Rod has posed:**
Hot Rod is momentarily startled out of his frustration when Quickswitch gets up to go arm wrestle someone else at the bar. Ah, well, he tried to warn the six changer. Not his business now that beastmoded Autobot had received his drink.

 "Yeah, right," he says to Hound, "it's obviously why we came here. To celebrate, drink and toast to taking over Ibex Central." He frowns at Swivel. "What? Are you disappointed that we won?" His expression sours. "What is this really about, huh?" He scoffs. "I don't get it. I mean, here I am, making a toast to Blurr and Starlock's achievements, and you can't even be proud of them. Seriously."

 He downs his drink. Hot Rod doesn't typically have filters, but it seems he's even more unfiltered tonight.

 "Blurr, come on! At least /drink/ something. Say something." He sits down next to the speedster. "You didn't come here just to sulk, did you?"

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel tries very hard to keep her smile operational. She gives a somewhat uncertain glance over to Hound. "Well, I guess serious minds are out of fashion right now."

Swivel takes a sip of her drink to appease the Drunk Rod and then sets it aside. "Hot Rod, I'm proud of the achievements of everyone around here, not just for the most recent victory, but for everyone's continued efforts to do what is right." There is an odd edge in her voice. "And fight for those who can't defend themselves." Sweetness returns to her voice, chasing away the icy steel that had crept in. "But everyone celebrates and shows pride in their own ways. And..." Swivel walks carefully over to Hot Rod and Blurr, gently putting a hand on Hot Rod's shoulder. She leans in closer to Hot Rod. "Blurr doesn't seem to be in the celebrating mood right now. I think it's best if you just left him alone, and go continue to rally those who want to be rallied."

**Hound has posed:**
Hound grins over at Quickswitch as he arm-wrestles. "Nice job." Taking another swig of his drink, he looks towards the others. Blurr definitely seems to want to be left alone, and Hound is fine with giving a mech his space when desired. Swivel gains a sympathetic glance. "Yeah... sometimes I wonder." He glances to Hot Rod, then takes another drink. Hmm. There seems to be some awkwardness here, but he's trying to remain cheerful. For the troops.

**Starlock has posed:**
     "Here is hoping." She'd respond to Aid with a nod. The smile that had been on her face turned into a frown once more as Hot Rod gets sour with Swivel. She'd relax a little seeing Swivel able to handle it on her own, nodding mostly to herself, she'd turn back to her drink at the table, sipping on it as she looked up at First aid and smiled.

      "So how was your shift?" She'd ask, in a bid to at least start /some/ type of situation. "...Know Given what this is.. " she'd glance up. "If there is somethin' you wanna' 'bout me, s'okay to ask." She'd nod, letting her accent slip.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid pauses. "Mine? It went well. Just tending to peopel who came in and out, monitoring things, you know. Normal stuff." he also winces at Hot Rod and just looks at the table, awkwardly silently for a moment.

**Blurr has posed:**
    Right. If anyone is the worst taking a hint, it's Hot Rod. Blurr doesn't do either of the things Hot Rod is demanding. He scoots closer to the wall--as close to it as he can, when the other mech sits down next to him, and still refuses to look at anyone, instead just staring at the wall.

    Why -did- he come here, if not to actually drink, celebrate, or even socialize? Well, that remains to be seen. If it ever -will- be seen, that is.

**Hot Rod has posed:**
Hot Rod doesn't even let Swivel finish. Side effect of him being drunk. As soon as the word "left" leaves her mouth, the hot helmed flameo nearly drowns out the rest of her sentence with, "How do I know you're not just saying that just for the hell of it?"

 He leans forward too, getting in her face. "Do you think that Blurr is underserving of praise?" he says aggressively. "Plus, you don't look like someone I should listen to."

 He sits back down, still next to Blurr, cooling off a bit momentarily. "I don't know why you all think Blurr shouldn't be celebrating right now," he says very loudly, and drunkenly.

 He grabs Blurr's arm and shakes it again. "Blurr...!? What the hell? Hellooooooo! Can you even hear me?" He frowns. "What the hell is wrong with him? He never acts like this."

**Swivel has posed:**
"Excuse me?" Swivel says, surprised again with Hot Rod's continued hostility towards her. She retracts her hand. She looks around, and then lets out an unsure laugh. "You are definitely overcharged." And Swivel knows better than to argue with a drunk mech. Still, her gaze lingers on Blurr, who is definitely not acting like himself. "I'm sure you know what's best for Blurr. I'll leave you to it." Swivel says coolly. Swivel glances over to Hound and then to Starlock and First Aid. Then she takes in a sharp vent and turns to leave.

**Hound has posed:**
Hound blinks as Hot Rod goes off on a drunken tirade at Swivel. The scout's optic ridges furrow some and he starts to get up himself. "Hot Rod... maybe you should lay off the drinks? You're not being very..." Rational? "...You're sayin' some stuff you might regret later. Blurr obviously wants to be left alone, which he has a right to be, and Swivel's already spoken well of him and every other Autobot who did a fine job retaking Ibex. What more do you want? Here, lemme buy you an enercoffee and maybe rest your pedes, cool down a bit?"

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock would mumble into her radio, before nodding to First Aid with a smile, she was glad Hound was also there to help keep the situation calm, she'd take a vent and start downing her drink. "Mph.. So, anything you.. want to talk about?" She'd ask Aid with a tilt of her helm.

      She was also attempting to ignore Rod's question of what was wrong, that was /not/ something that should be talked about publicly, tended to be the kind of subject to not just be a mood killer but, well.. party killer and the like.

**Blurr has posed:**
    Blurr finally seems to react a bit more, if only to angrily jerk his arm away from Hot Rod's grip. Nope, not having any more of -that-. He gets up and pushes past the red flameo, then deftly weaves his way through the crowd and out the door after Swivel, still not looking at anyone nor speaking to them. He just has this...distant look on his face, as if he has somehow disconnected himself from everyone around him.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid pauses. "Um. I dont know. Im not sure what we're supposed to talk about." He looks very uncomfortable. "How about..races. Any races? Local race team?" oh, Aid this date is going down in flames.

**Hot Rod has posed:**
Hot Rod? Rational? Never. Since when did the flameo ever have rational thought processes? "Excuse /you/," he retorts, "sarcasm is unflattering on you, and that.. that sounds exactly like something Prowl would say." Then he laughs, waving dismissively at Hound. "No," he says, "on the contrary, I need more to drink." He waves at the bartender to bring him another round, and as soon as it comes, he downs it quickly. "I never regret anything," he says loudly, "and is it just me, or did she pretty much just like, dodge every single question I asked her? One time, someone told me to be careful of those kinds of people. The kinds of people who never want to answer your questions. Who was that?" he muses drunkenly, "oh yeah, Optimus, maybe? Ah hell, I can't remember." A pause. Then he tries shaking Blurr again. "Blurr! Snap out of it, buddy. The world needs you." But then Blurr gets up and just walks away. "Why is everyone acting like there's /nothing/ wrong with Blurr? As if he's acting /normal/? Am I the only one with Primus damned optics?"

**Starlock has posed:**
     Going down in the flames that was Hot Rod's paint job, that was for sure. "I really never was a fan of racing in the past, but of late.. I'm sort of starting to get the appeal in it." Unfortunately, Starlock finally gives up, and just sighs in response to Hot Rod and looks at him with knitted ridges and pushes herself up, this wasn't something she wanted to do, but being a bit sloshed herself, at least enough to shut up her own mental voices, allowed her to find the courage to do so, with Rod's current state of mind, she'd need to phrase everything carefully.

      She'd fold her hands behind her back and go up to Rod. "..Hot Rod, what is wrong is.. a /very/ sensitive topic that needs handled with care, else it could make things much worse, thus it is not something that should be spoken about in public in front of people and strangers, that won't understand as well." She'd explained.

      "...But, no, you're not crazy, we just cannot help those that.. Refuse it... Even if we want to." She'd reassure.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid perks up as he seems to have found a good conversation "Really? Who..who is your favorite?" He dosesnt know anything about racers. Hes just tyring to start conversatin. "Rod, maybe you should talk about this when you're sober right? Maybe when Blurr wants to talk about it. If he does."

**Hound has posed:**
Hound frowns. "Hot Rod, if I'm sounding like Prowl, maybe it's because I'm saying something logical. Nobody is "acting" in any way that I can tell, folks are just trying to have a night to relax before they go risk their lives on the front lines next cycle. AND leaving somebody alone when they want it can be a \*good\* thing, something that shows /respect/ to that person- not to mention sometimes folks don't know just \*what\* to say and they don't wanna make things worse. Now calm down, soldier." He's beginning to take on the 'commanding officer' tone, though he'd really rather not right now. He frowns at the drink, too, placing it down with a sigh and starting to head out himself as well, giving Swivel, Starlock, and First Aid a nod as he goes.

**Hot Rod has posed:**
Hot Rod scoffs as Swivel leaves, folding his arms.

"Who cares if they don't understand? That's /their/ problem, not yours. What have you done help him, anyway?" He gets up, chucking his glass across the room in an attempt to land it in the dirty dish bin. He misses, and it shatters against the wall. "That's stupid," he blurts impulsively, "If someone was dying and didn't want to be fixed, would you just walk away and let them die?"

"That's bullslag!" he says to Hound belligerently. "Since /when/ did Blurr ever just want to be left alone, completely? Like, never. Maybe if you knew him better, you wouldn't just assume that, and think that everything is fine." He transforms, even though there's a sign on the wall that says NO VEHICULAR ALTS. "This is stupid. I just wanted to come here, celebrate, and have some fun. But, whatever. You guys can go on not caring about Blurr, I guess." And then he just straight up drives out of the joint, plowing over anyone who gets in his way.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock just vent a tired, aggravated sigh. "Stupid over emotional meches and their god-damn stupid impatiens, and slagged up assuming worse of everyone, just fraggign talked to each other like fully-formed-aft-fragging meches." She'd grumble and curse under her vents, if he had stayed, he'd gotten an actual answer form her, but otherwise, she just goes to check to see if anyone was hurt, eventually returning to her booth with Aid and vented a sigh.

      "Sorry about that... " She'd state to aid.