1080/The Lonely Road

**Swivel has posed:**
From the east, where the vast expanse of the mithril sea can be seen, rolls in Swivel, seeming it arrive with a westerly wind, further pushing away the fumes of the nearby acid wastes. Yes. It was good weather for the Outskirts of Stanix. And yet, a metaophorical raincloud seemed to hang over the small offroader as she wound her way through the more rural areas - if any part of Cybertron could truly be called rural.

**Blast Off has posed:**
A shadow flickers by, but it's no shadow from a raincloud. No, it's the shadow of a certain shuttleformer making his way from Maccaddams. Or more specifically, he was at Maccaddams for a quick glass of wine when he \*thought\* he saw one of the Insecticons Shockwave had apparently been responsible for setting loose on the country(city) side and went to investigate. Then came a talk on the radio concerning some business with his shop, then a message from command, then.... well, by the time he was done with responsibilties and investigations, Blast Off was ready to finally come to a stop and just stand at a street corner and BE for an astrosecond.

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel had also been heading into the more populated parts of Stanix. However, the shadow above causes her to instinctively alter her route. She hadn't reached a place of enough density for there to be narrow and shady alleys were in plentfiul supply. So instead she ends up diverting into a gazebo esque structure with an octagonal roof. For a moment, she waits there.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off catches a movement as he stands there, and ....is that SWIVEL? The shuttleformer stares as the smaller shape heads off, then he turns his nose to the air and crosses his arms. Oh no, no, he is NOT going to follow and see if it is her and see about maybe talking to her after his recent prison experience. NOPE. Slag, it could even be a trap! Nope, he'll just stand right \*here\*. Yep.

That lasts for a few minutes before Blast Off can't quite help himself from following. Not because he is going to \*talk\* to her, of course not! But what's she up to? He probably should know. Yeah.

**Swivel has posed:**
By the time Blast Off's curiousity gets the best of him, Swivel had transformed. And as for what she is up to, she seems to be squinting rather fervently at the sky. Upon his approach, as silent and unobtrusive he attempted it, Swivel tilts her head but doesn't look to him. "I do hope you aren't seeking revenge. I'd rather imagine we are beyond all that at this point."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Oops. So much for sneaking. Blast Off comes to a halt, drawing up straight to eye the femme. His arms cross again, and he looks at her, then away. The Combaticon is silent a long moment before replying. "No. As long as..." His gaze drifts around them now, searching for any signs of a trap, "...you're beyond any attempts at recapture." Pause. "MORE attempts, I mean."

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel shifts somewhat, but still keeps looking at the sky from under the cover she'd taken. "I'm not on duty right now." Swivel crosses her arms. There seems to be something drab about her. It's not that her appearance is dissheveled, but rather there's something in her demeanor that seems withdrawn and her tone subdued. "I am glad you were rescued."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off eyes Swivel again, frowning under his faceplate as she responds. He notices something a bit 'off', but he's not quite done being huffy. "Yes, well...." His words trail off and he huffs in place of them. "You're certainly \*effecient\* enough at it when you \*are\* on duty." His arms bunch together tighter, optics darkening slightly. "You realize \*Pharma\* came and gave us a visit after you clipped our wings?"

**Swivel has posed:**
At the mention of Pharma, Swivel shifts her weight and her shooulders tense.

"Vortex' was already clipped. And would have gotten you both killed." Swivel says, her tone resolutely cold. Swivel finally turns, looking to Blast Off with a stoic expression. "I could have let you leave. But once you got out of Garrus itself, you'd be up against automated defenses that can not be reasoned with, intimidated, or bribed. They know no mercy." Swivel looks back towards the sky. "And I lacked the command codes to offline them."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off looks back at her, still haughty and unhappy. He does seem to falter slightly at the mention of the defenses, though he turns with a sniff and a wave of his hand. "YOu underestimate us, we're Combaticons, we've broken out of jails before." Then the hand sinks down and his jaw sets... saying that isn't exactly helping his reputation here. He blinks and glances downwards. "We... probably could have made it out!" Of course, he has a penchant for self denial, too.

At that last comment, however, the Combaticon turns to look at her closely. "...If you did, would you have offlined them?"

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel looks over at Blast Off again. "I don't know. Vortex is a menace and needs to be locked up and kept away from society." Her shoulders sag. "But that isn't the sort of place that will fix anyone - any justice there is but a pale facsimile." She's really expanded her vocabulary as of late. "But his actions warrant justice to be served. I'm not going to forget that spree he went on while you were a prisoner - none of those people were combatants and that was not an act of war." Swivel sighs.

"I'd apologize for what Pharma did to you, but I don't have the command codes to offline him either." Although her delivery is straight, there may be the most subtle hint of humour there. Dark humour. Swivel leans against one of the posts holding up the octagonal roof she's found shelter under. "I'm done apologizing for things that are out of my control."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off tenses, arms bunching toghter as Swivel speaks of Vortex the menace... Blast Off doesn't like hearing this and it shows, though when she brings up the spree the rotary went on before... the shuttleformer glances away, not quite able to hold on to the anger. What happened then \*was\* reprehensible. He cares deeply for his teammate, but he can't deny the rotary.... has issues. Blast Off's crossed arms loosen as he gazes down the street now.

At the rest, Blast Off finds himself looking back at Swivel with a lifted optic ridge. He just studies her like that for another lingering moment, then tilts his head. "That sounds quite... erudite. And... new."

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel brings a hand up into the air, leaving her wrist limp. "Ah, but isn't it always what you wanted me to be? Well learned, well spoken, and dignified?" Swivel doesn't even look at Blast Off as she continues to keep one optic on the sky, and the other on the street.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off studies her more closely. "...Yet I detect a bitter note," he observes quietly.

**Swivel has posed:**
"Bitter? What have I to be bitter about?" Swivel shakes her head, arms going back to crossing over her chest. "You've shown me I can improve myself. It's a long path, and not a journey that can ever be completed." Swivel brings up a hand, and then extends her arm, gesturing gracefully down the street. "It's a path that stretches out infinitely. THat ought to keep me occupied for my lifetime." Swivel brings her hand back, almost cradling it. "It's a lonely road, though."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off studies her a moment more, then relents, gazing down the street as Swivel gestures there. His gaze drops, turning more inward at her last statement. "I... understand that, yes." He certainly finds trying to hold on to class and high society, to \*civilized behavior\*, to be a very lonely road even among his own 'family' of Combaticons, not to mention the Decepticons. "Not many appreciate such things anymore, do they?" He mulls it over. "...Not enough of them, at least."

**Swivel has posed:**
"I don't just stop at class and culture. I became too precocious. I'm trying to walk the narrow high road. And... there are even fewer who are willing to walk it with me." For the first time Swivel's calm demeanor crumbles with a shudder. She leans more heavily against the pillar to steady herself. "And I often fall short. But I keep trying."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off would like to remain angry and haughty to the femme who helped get him recaptured again, made sure his nightmare continued. And yet... his expression turns more concerned as Swivel seems ready to crumble. Brows furrowed, he returns to watching her closely. "It's... not easy, is it?" He again asks quietly.

**Swivel has posed:**
"No. It isn't. My life never has been easy. But it used to be simpler." One of Swivel's arm's unfolds, and she wraps it around the pillar she is next to. Well. Partially, as her small arm cannot envelope the entire girth of the pillar. "But the things worth having are never easy. Nor is the person worth being. So... I can't give up. And yet..."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off continues watching Swivel, his own frame now more relaxed. There's still a bit of tension, ready for action in a moment if need be, but... not really expecting to have to now. "...And yet?"

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel's hands ball, trembling a little. "And yet..." she withdraws her arm from the pillar and turns sharply, looking up at Blast Off. "What if I did just give it up? Hm? Took all that time you invested in me and threw it in the nearest dumpster? Everything you worked for, everything you gave up on my behalf... is that what it felt like to you when I became an Autobot? A slap in the face?"

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off blinks, taking that in, then stares at Swivel another long moment. His own hands tense, not quite balling up but pressing against one another. "...." He looks off into the distance, wing elevon twitching once against his leg. "....In a way...." He still hesitates, "...yes."

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel takes a step closer to Blast Off, her hands still balled up. "Hurts, doesn't it? So what WERE YOU THINKING!? Arrogant as you are, even YOU knew better than to tangle with Sky Lynx. It was a fight you couldn't win. Why would you throw EVERYTHING away like that? Were you TRYING to get killed? That is a slap in the face to everyone who counts on you! Everyone that cares about you! HOW COULD YOU?" Swivel's fists are up and she looks almost like she could begin swinging at Blas Off, but is barely holding herself back.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off blinks again, standing there in some state of shock as Swivel comes at him like this... guilt raising its ugly head- and shame, and regrets. All useless things that cloud judgement and weigh down sparks. "I..." Now his wing elevons click and clack several times as the surprised shuttle takes a step backwards, staring down at Swivel. "I..."

He nearly wheezes as he struggles with his response, but startled, the truth escapes him. "I felt I OWED it to him, alright?" His hands ball up and straighten out several times, an uneasy nervousness about him. "I wasn't trying to get myself killed, I just..." He huffs loudly, almost painfully, as he curls in on himself a bit. "That whole mess with Darkstar, and Starlock, I-I owed it to him to-to face him full on, no tricks, no ..." He frowns as he looks at Swivel, hands now gesturing in a flail outwards, "No taking of prisoners. Just... a /penance/, okay?!" He looks down, "...A long overdue one."

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel for a moment seems to take her turn at being stunned when Blast Off gives her an explanation. For a moment, worlds which were blurring together quickly part, and she peers at Blast Off for a moment as if seeing him properly after viewing him through some sort of filter. Her hands drop to their sides and she looks down for a moment or two. "...It's odd for someone to seek penance and then reject the outcome." Swivel shakes her head. "But penance isn't just letting someone punish you. It's also about change - not repeating the same behaviour. Otherwise the penance is meaningless." Swivel sighs, leaning against the pillar, her tires rolling gently as she slides down to the floor. "...It's all become so meaningless. Penance. Sacrifice. All of it." Swivel then looks up. "But at least... you... recognize the need for... recognize what you did is wrong."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off switches between watching Swivel and gazing uncofomftably away as she speaks. By the end, he's looking off in the distance, rolling his shoulders back and fidgeting slightly. "..." The shuttleformer draws in a deep vent of air, then faces the femme again, noting her just... crumpled there. He should be angry. He shouldn't feel \*bad\* for the person who helped \*recapture\* him not that long ago. ....Doing her job. Just as he was 'doing his job' with Sky Lynx and Starlock.

With a heavy sigh, Blast Off leans back against a wall, looking down at the Autobot, who seems so small huddled there. "I ...I used to think the Decepticons were the champions and the Autobots the villains. I... could not understand why you ever joined them, and to some degree I still can't. But..." Now he glances away, "...Now I think a lot of us have stains on our hands. Autobots and Decepticons alike." He lifts a hand and looks down at the glossy black digits, adding softly, "...including me."

He's silent a momwnt before looking back up. "I... don't like admitting it." Understatement. "I nearly got Vortex \*killed\* with my foolish behavior. He suffered more than I did and I didn't ever mean to drag him into that mess. Not... like that." Looking back at Swivel, he adds, "I wanted... punishment, I guess, but... not like it turned out. It was just... foolish in the end." He studies her a moment. "...You seem to be feeling the weight of this war, too."

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel listens to Blast Off speak and admit a few things in his understated manner. It almost gets a small wry smile from Swivel. She curls up further, bringing her knees up against her chest. At the mention of stained hands, Swivel brings up her own, inspecting them, before tucking htem out of sight behind her legs, cradled against her midriff.

"I've been feeling it a long time. I never pretended that Autobots were on the side of righteousness. If you carefully review our past conversations, I always said both sides were in the wrong. I was not naive in that way. My naivete came from believing I could do something about the corruption, rather than become corrupt. I wanted to try and help. The Autobots are the... governing force, so they are the ones more badly in need of correction. I didn't want to do it with violence, but infiltration." Swivel looks up at Blast Off. "At least, that is what I told myself to comfort myself. The truth is... I willingly sacrificed everything that I was, and bet it all on the long odds. And lost. And I've no one to blame but myself."

**Blast Off has posed:**
The shuttle's broad, sweeping shoulders start to sag a bit as he listens to his old friend spill out her spark. He can't really tell her she's wrong about what she speaks, either. Blast Off simply listens. As she finishes, he finds himself staring down at her for a moment before letting out a soft huff, then sitting... with a quick brushing away of any too-obvious \*filth\*, ew, of street grime and litter.... down and resting against that same wall. Now looking at her more on eye level, he rests arms on his legs. "This war's really been a smelting pit, hasn't it?"

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel nods her head. "And were it not for oaths that I made, I'd be gone." Swivel then looks over to Blast Off who has sunk to her level. "....Does that offer still stand? To get me away from here? I don't want to do anything rash - I am not in a state to make any such decision right now, but I'd still like to know my options once I've sorted myself out. And... there's less and less reason for me to stay. All my good intentions have just brought people pain and ruin."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off's expression turns even more concerned. "..." Any ideas of harboring resentment or anger fall away... Swivel tends to have that effect on him. And yet... he thinks about his own duty- to Onslaught, to the Combaticons. But he feels that duty towards his old friend, too. Ugh. The shuttleformer brings a hand up to his masked face, rubbing at the faceplate as he thinks. "I'm sorry to hear it." The hand drops down a little as he looks at her. "...I know your intentions were good, despite whatever else may have happened." With a sigh he adds, "....Even when we've... clashed. You've always done what you think is right, no matter the strain it puts on you."

He frowns, face pinching. "Swivel, I've... got responsibilities, people I can't ..abandon." Like Onslaught and the other Combaticons. However.... "But," he adds, rubbing at the side of his helmet, "...You are among those people, like it or not. Sense-making... or not. If you ever need transport somewhere, or some assistance I can provide I... will be available."

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel nods her head, when he mentions how he understands the strain doing the right thing places on her. Her shoulders roll back as she listens, knees lowering a little but not completly unfurling. At the mention of responsibilities she looks down again, looking somewhat resigned, nodding. But then there is that but and she quickly looks up again.

"...Thank you. You have no idea how much of a relief that is. Even if I don't leave, even if I don't ask this of you, then I know I am staying because it's my choice, not because I am trapped." Swivel's optic ridges knit together. "I think you can appreciate that."

**Blast Off has posed:**
That does indeed induce a wry smile from the shuttleformer, and perhaps Swivel can at least sense the mood behind that faceplate. He lets out a soft chuckle-huff, then nods his head. "Well, you know me.... I'm all about choice, after all." Even when he doesn't like the choices she makes...

Blast Off starts to get up, but midpoint through it he leans forward. His hand comes reaching out and, after a bit of awkward hesitation, he places his hand on her shoulder. "I think.... no matter what happens, you'll always be my ...f-friend." He even manages to spit out the F word without TOO much hesitation, look at that! "...If you need something, you have my radio frequency."

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel returns an equally wry smile. Yes, she knows him well. And to be fair, there are choices he makes that leaves Swivel shaking her head. When she feels a hand on her shoulder, she looks up, the wryness draining from her smile. Her hand reaches up and covers his black hand. Then she gives it a pat. "I am sorry for the suffering I caused you. But I am not sorry for doing what I thought was right with the limited information I've been working with. And... you know that you have my friendship as well." She gives his hand a final squeeze, then lets it go. "I have... a lot of processing to do."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off justs kneels there a bit, having a rare moment of closeness he wishes he got more of with her. Despite everything that happened recently, he easily falls back into a relaxed rhythm with his old student. He smiles, too, then stands up after she withdraws her hand. The shuttleformer nods somberly. "I know." He looks down at her and adds, "I... wish you the best." He doesn't know exactly what's going on with her, and given that she hasn't offered the information, he can only assume it involves... Autobot things. He stands for a moment like that, then looks down the street. "...I should probably go, I had some work to do."

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel nods to Blast Off as he wishes her the best. "You too. Don't pull anymore crazy stunts like taking on Sky Lynx and a fully armed battlement. Hear?" Swivel's smile weakly falls off her face. She watches him get to his feet. "Yes. Go. Last thing we'd need is one of your allies to come looking for you. But I'm just going to stay here." She glances out at the sky again. "Looks like that westerly wind is going to bring some rain... and I think a walk in the rain might just be cleansing."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off finds himself smiling at her first comment, bringing him to nod again, optics dimming. "...Yes." At the mention of allies, he looks out again, then back to Swivel- and then up. "It could be. Sometimes it helps to just.... let stuff wash away." If only they'd /stay/ washed away. He can imagine some of what might be going on for her, given the news lately, and he certainly wishes he could erase some of the things he's done recently as well. He smiles down at her one last time, optics brightening now, and gives her a small salute with two fingers. "...Take care of yourself." With that, the shuttleformer walks back down the street.