1338/Redirects and Boasts

**Swivel has posed:**
    If on is hoping to encounter a wine-sipping Shuttlemech on neutral ground, where does one go? Of course, to Mac's, where everybody knows your name. Swivel wasn't quite finished with the little chat she wanted to have with Blast Off, but she also had work to do and couldn't justify spending too much time chatting him up with Starlock present. So during the hours she'd usually observed Blast Off to be in the Mac's, for she's taken to logging these details, Swivel sets herself up and waits with anticipation. If he didn't come today, she had a few other guesses. Swivel just nurses some plain energon slowly so as not to appear to loiter.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Eventually, a certain familiar shape comes to loom in the doorway, pausing as he usually does to look around. He spies Swivel and pauses, optics flickering once, then proceeds forward. Not towards her, of course, towards the bar. Where Blast Off pays for a drink, then glances back to where Swivel is while trying not to look too conspicious about it. He also looks around for any other Autobots that might be there, but seems she's here alone this time. He takes a sip when he gets his drink, purposefully looking somewhere neutral.

**Swivel has posed:**
Of course he would never approach her in such a public place. But surely, he can't be to blame if she were to approach him? Swivel takes a few more sips, nodding to him casually. She'd nodded to anyone who entered with just as much cordiality. She wasn't someone mpulsive and brash like Hot Rod, so zipping over and loudly spewing out questions wouldn't do well. Instead Swivel takes yet another sip, biding her time, looking over a datapad. But finally, she finishes her drink and gets up to the bar to order a refill. She just so happens to hobble onto a stool (for otherwise reaching the counter tops is awkward) beside Blast Off to order said refill. This time, something fancier.

"A flute of Echo Deneb Chalcedony."

Who could but deny wine would be a valid ice-breaker? Not that she'd need it in other situations. This is just going to be a painfully expensive ice-breaker, considering the result of this conversation may, indeed, result in tying off loose ends and accepting financial burden of a gambit.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Of course. Blast Off can't help but notice as Swivel approaches, still trying not to act very interested, but surely when an Autobot sidles up near a Decepticon it's appropriate for said Decepticon to at least give them a look- which he does. He returns to sipping his drink, but then Swivel orders wine, of all things- and THAT particular wine, too- which gains her another quick glance. "...Interesting choice."

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel smiles and lifts the flute. "Call it a tribute to an old employer during my more transient cycles. May his spark be at peace now." Swivel says, before taking a very dainty sip, taking a moment to savour the taste. Just like how BLast Off taught her to appreciate wine. She swirls the contents of the glass a little. She gives Blast Off a side glance then looks back at the glass.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off glances back at her, glass in his hand pausing mid-lift. Violet optics squint thoughtfully. He studies her, then slowly lifts the glass. "Hear, hear." He takes a small sip and then places the glass down, questions hovering on his concealed lips but not sure if he should ask them.

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel smiles lightly at the moment she sees that thoughtful squint. With him joining in her toast, she takes another sip. "Yes, Parabola was a fair person. I just did deliveries, you see." Just two people drumming up conversation. "Mostly empty bottles, or invoices. Sometimes folk want a hard copy as well as what is sent through the datanet." Swivel gives a slight tilt of her head. "But then... one time I was there, I noticed something wasn't right..." Swivel trails off, as if looking to see if Blast Off gives her any encouragement to continue her story. Of course, any lack of discouragement is all the encouragement she needs.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off can't help but politely say, "...Which was?" because he's a gentlemech and this is polite conversation over a fine glass of wine and that's just what refined people do!

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel smiles even more. She takes a sip and then sets the glass down, studying it as if it would help revitalize and focus her memories. "There was something in the air. It was volatile." Swivel runs her finger up along the curvey contours of the flute. "Now, they had state of the art sensors connected to machines that recorded the air pressure and composition. And if it reached certain levels, was supposed to spring an alarm and begin automated failsafes, shut down the distillery, and open up vents. But, well, if the computer were to malfunction and not properly read the input from the sensors..." Swivel trails off and then lightly flicks the side of the glass, letting out a tinging noise. "The smallest spark..."

Swivel then looks over at Blast Off. "I'm sure you know the dangers associated with engex production." She looks back at her drink. "Needless to say, when I got there, they'd become so used to the automated systems they stopped even noticing other signs. But I did. And a quick scan with my gas detector confirmed it. They were ripe for a tragic accident."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off wraps his fingers around his drink but doesn't lift it as he continues watching Swivel closely. "I do, yes," he answers quietly. "As I recall, that's exactly what happened. Of course, I wasn't actually there at the time, so..." He doesn't know exactly what happened but.....

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel nods her head. "Well, I told the foreman first and was ignored. I told a maintenance mech on my way out, and was ignored. I almost shrugged and left. Not my problem if they won't listen, right? But my conscience got the better of me and I slipped back in and made a spectacle until I got Parabola's attention. I finally got him to believe me, they checked it out and realized their systems were malfunctioning. They suspected sabotage, and quickly everyone was exited and they manually engaged the failsafes. Parabola was very grateful and a bit bashful as I'd been turned away twice already."

Swivel takes another dainty sip. She paid a lot for this, and she's going to savour it. She then places her hands on the bar counter, lacing her fingers together.

"He offered me free wine for as long as I wanted it. But instead, I told him all I wanted was for him to pay my kindness forward, and then provided a business proposition that would do just that. In coming and going I'd overheard things, and knew he was looking to expand into Decepticon territory. He just had to respect my anonymity and I'd point him in the right direction. I imagine, since you have a nice shop in Helex set up, you know the rest."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off listens, taking a slow sip from his drink. So that's what happened. He always suspected as much but never quite knew for \*sure\*. The news washes over him in waves, first more of an a-ha! I knew it! moment, then gratitude and even a little pride in his former "student", even a note of feeling rather touched.... and then the uneasiness hits. Why's she telling him this, now? The warm flush of pride is slowly seeped with the wormy feeling of doubt. His fingers clench tighter about the glass as he remains silent, lost in thought. If he wasn't paranoid he'd think she's setting him up for owing her a debt. In fact, maybe he IS paranoid enough to think that.

"....Yes. I... always suspected." He turns to look at her, studying her closely. There's a \*thanks\* in there on his lips somewhere, but what comes out is instead, "... I suppose, it's possible... that one \*could\* say I owe you." He stares into the distance, waiting for an answer. Might as well get straight to it.

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel notices the myriad of tiny hints of expression quickly replaces with tension. She then shakes her head. "That was a gift given freely. I can't take it from you. Therefor you are not beholden and I can't hold it over your head. Nonetheless..." Swivel lolls her head to one side and then the other. "I'm in a bit of a situation. And I hate to be so crass as to trade in on a favour I never meant you to know about." Swivel straights up her posture, lifting her chin and seeming to extend her neck somewhat for a moment, before letting her shoulders droop. She places her hands about the stem of her flute and taps the base. She then cautiously peers over at Blast Off, watching his reaction carefully, holding back her request a little longer.

**Blast Off has posed:**
The shuttleformer drops his gaze down to stare into his own drink. One black finger extends to tap at the glass slowly, once, twice, then stills. Blast Off's silent a moment longer, then asks, "Are you sure that this, whatever this is, is what you want to trade that.... \*favor\* for?"

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel shakes her head. "No. Because I won't be trading that favour. Because it was a gift. And I don't want to sully it. Just hearing myself say it... has made me feel wrong about it." Swivel shakes her head, letting out a loud ex-vent. She taps the bar top for a moment or two, optic ridges pinched together as someone dealing with an internal struggle.

"But nonetheless, like I said, I'm in a bit of a situation. Some past coming back to bite me. It's too convoluted to explain and I wouldn't know where to begin, but some of the agencies I did courier work for weren't all scrupulous, you know? And... well I don't feel I can explain how Darkstar would factor into all of this, but let's just say, through a long chain of ripples it would put me in a difficult position to /not/ know what is going on with him. Do not forget, I spent time in Dead End."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off frowns behind the faceplate, a sense of some small relief washing over him but a greater unease settling in afterwards. This is delicate territory and he feels at once both a sense of sadness either of them is in this position and a crawling fear that he's going to get asked to reveal information that might get him labeled as a \*traitor\*. Especially as she mentions that other spacer. Ironically, didn't Darkstar say that he- or his \*other\*, supposed self in this supposed other place- was killed for being a traitor? Yeaaah this is just a bit unsettling. Ahem. He suddenly lifts his glass and takes a drink.

"I can... understand why. I..." He frowns again and thunks the glass on the table, turning to look at Swivel. "So you've been spying on Darkstar?" He pulls his head back slightly and continues to stare. "So this is about him?"

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel glances side to side, her optics growing a bit fainter for a moment. "Spying? Not exactly. It's complicated. But it's a matter of degrees of separation through different connections of people. Like I said, a convuluted headache. I just need to know if his memory has been erased or altered. I can't think of any other reason for the way he behaved, and I can't be blind-sided by people who would take advantage if that is the situation. And there's some... debts I might just owe depending on where things stand. When he was merely MIA that was one thing but..." Swivel waves her hand, and then frowns, looking rather misreable.

Swivel then sits up and sighs. "If you won't tell me, I understand. That's not what..." Swivel's voice lowers, "...we..." then she's back to speaking her normal volume, "...are about." Swivel watches Blast Off closely.

Swivel then quietly adds, "And there's been some... concerns about rogue actions within a certain... institution we both know about. Although he is an enemy, if he were subject to such, ah, treatments, without it going through the correct channels, it would benefit both of us for me to know. Don't you think?"

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off continues to stare at Swivel as she speaks, mulling over every word and forgetting, by this point, to pretend he doesn't care. Optic ridges furrow down as he ponders all that she's said and... wait, Institute? Was he mentally altered somehow? I mean- that \*would\* explain some things, but...

Frag. He doesn't want to be some traitor and he certainly doesn't want to reveal anything sensitive... not because of any real loyalty to Darkstar, who's always stayed distant to him despite their commonality- or the Decepticon cause- but because he knows his hide would gain a giant bullseye if the other Cons ever learned about this. That wouldn't help the other Combaticons any either.

So now he fidgets a bit, shuffling between almost sipping his wine and looking around to make sure no one seems to be watching them. He doesn't see any other Cons he knows, either. That's good, at least. "He's..." Blast Off scowls again and looks down, then back around one last time. "You think he's been altered at the Institute?" Right, if he's concerned about his fellow Con's \*welfare\*, then it's not so bad to ask, right? Right?

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel nods her head. "It's possible. It's just been on my mind recently and it made me think of... someone else." Swivel coughs lightly. "But I'm trying to gather what information I can to spur an internal investigation, and I can't always trust what the other Autobots say." Swivel shakes her head. "Which is why I am reaching out to you for help with this whole situation. So can you tell me if he's shown any signs that he may have been altered? Does he have no memory, or just an alternate set of memories? Or is it perhaps he is playing everyone for a fool? Do you think he'd be capable of fooling everyone like that or is there something seriouslt wrong with Darkstar? As a fellow spacer, I figured you'd might know."

**Blast Off has posed:**
The frown remains on Blast Off's face, hidden behind the faceplate he wears. His expression is somber, serious. WELL. If it's the Institute.... He REALLY wants to see an end to that. "That might explain things." He winces slightly, glancing back around to again make sure no one seems to be watching. He ducks his chin down and sort of mumbles the rest into his drink. "Something's odd, yes. I...I don't think he's faking it, though. The memories he has, I mean." He looks up and allows himself the tiniest chuckle. "Vortex interrogated him, \*finally\*..." Poor Vortex. Finally got that interrogation he wanted so badly! He almost smiles... and then remembers who he's talking to. \*ahem\*! He sputters slightly and goes back to looking soberly down at his drink. "I.. Well, I just mean, Vortex didn't think he was faking anything."

Still, revealing too much is something he wants to avoid. "...He came back with some... odd memories of a war- and war's end- that never happened." An optic ridge lifts up. "Apparently I was a traitor to the cause and met a grisly demise." Both optic ridges flatten. "Also, apparently Swindle became a Senator." He snorts at that. "That is \*obviously\* a crazy, messed up, and probably fake timeline because who in their right mind would elect Swindle as a Senator?" No offense, bro.

**Swivel has posed:**
"I don't imagine he could pull one over on Vortex, no... I've had personal experience with /his techniques..." Swivel says very grimly, giving Blast Off an almost betrayed look when he almost smiles of speaking of Vortex interrogating someone. And a fellow DEceticon too! She shakes her head.

"Hmmmmm what purpose would such memories serve?" Swivel tilts her head. "If he's been meddled with, it would be to some purpose. I don't know the end game of what is going on here, but I do suspect there is someone pulling strings that has neither the Autobots nor the Decepticon's best interests in mind. I don't know if this is related or not, but I will definitely take note of it. And I can't share too much with your right now, but... since you shared this with me I can tell you that there has been a very cautious set of individuals gathering information to try and set this right. I'm elevating it carefully up the correct channels - I can't divulge names yet. But if mishandled, it will just be pushed further underground and further out of reach. So I just ask that you be patient and give me time and... well... hope that I don't misstep. It could be deadly." Swivel taps her helm. "To more than myself." She sighs.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off nearly squirms as Swivel gives him that \*look\*. But Swivel, Tex is his bro and ...well, it just gets complicated. The shuttleformer sighs and swishes his drink once in his hand, still gazing down. "..."

He eventually turns to watch as Swivel chatters on about the risks and... is that some hope? His head tilts slightly. "I'm glad to hear there are at least \*some\* working on that.... problem." His face pinches a bit. "...If that's what it is. I..." He hesitates. "I don't know. Institute or... well." He glances to her, "Or that... what's that other place. You've seen. That crazy Seeker Phantom knows it, I think." He sighs and lifts his glass to drink. "I just don't know."

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel just shakes her head again at Blast Off's squirming at the look she gives, and leaves it alone. That will always stand between them as a subject neither can comfortably approach without confusion or resentment.

"Ah yes... that nightmare. If he's from there, or been inflicted it means there's been another opening. I... or... it's not the only alternate world out there." Swivel goes quiet and thoughtful for a moment. "That's..." Swivel sighs and finishes her drink, getting to her feet. "I'm not sure which is more troubling." Although on her feet, she lingers by the bar a moment longer.

**Blurr has posed:**
    And who should waltz up to the bar as the two of them are talking but Blurr. The speedster sort of just inserts himself between them and rests an elbow on the bar. He looks...exceptionally upbeat today, although it's evident that he's injured. "Swivel." he greets, then turns to Blast Off. "And--" Headtilt, and optics narrow at the badge. "I've definitely seen you before. Aren't you some sniper?"

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off looks back into the swirling drink. "Me either," he admits. Suddenly there's a more melancholy pall coming in to settle over the scene. He takes another sip of his drink, glancing back at Swivel. "I'm pleased that you can appreciate a fine glass of wine, still." He gives her a nod and takes another swallow from the glass.

Then Blurr appears. Ah, that definitely explains the pall. Blast Off immediately tenses, hand gripping the glass tightly. He stares at the racer, optics cold. "...You could say that." He cultured voice sounds icy and guarded.

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel just nods her head. "It's a rare treat. And it will be plain energon for a while after this.... but to honour the rare, fair business mech, I felt it worth the cost."

Swivel was just about to withdrawn when suddenly her view of Blast Off is obstructed by something blue, white, and smug all over. Swivel lifts her head. "Ah. Blurr. You're out and about." She looks him over, and then arches an optic ridge at the sight of his injury, but doesn't say anything just yet.

Swivel then takes a few steps away from the bar counter, and turns to look again at Blast Off, head canted towards Blurr. She doesn't say anything but there's almost a sadness in her optics before she gives a small shake of her head.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar wanders into Maccadam's Oil House after an uneventful patrol of a number of the Decepticon territories bordering contested zones that had seen a small increase in Autobot activity of late. The Spacer rolled his pauldrons and sighed as he started toward the bar, apparently in need of some relaxation given the rather gruelling training schedule that had consumed much of his off-duty time since he returned to active duty. Not much has changed in that area for the Decepticon who'd allegedly spent a thousand years in an alternate reality fighting a war AGAINST Decepticons.

    He didn't seem to notice any familiar faces as he approached the bar... That, or he ignored them if he actually had recognized the likes of Blurr and Blast Off who were the only two bots present that had counterparts he was aware of elseverse. "Strong...stiff," he ordered a drink from the barmech on duty as he took a lean against the counter.

**Blurr has posed:**
    "Yep." Blurr says, straightening just a little as Swivel greets him back. "Relieved too, hope I'll never have to go through -that- again. So, what're you doing here?" he asks casually.

    He arches a brow at Blast Off, then looks back to Swivel, then back to Blast Off again, then shrugs. "Primus, what's the issue? It's Mac's, it's relaxing off-duty time right? Why the long faceplates?" He leans back against the bar, noticing Darkstar but not really paying him much mind.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Ah, lovely. Not only does Blurr suddenly appear, but so does darkstar. Speak of the devil and.... Blast Off sighs. Also tenses even more. Fraaag. Hopefully darkstar will never, ever learn that he was just talking about him to an Autobot. That'd get far too close to that "traitor" destiny Darkstar was going off about earlier. No. He's not a traitor, he was just... concerned! That's all. The Combaticon just sort of hopes Darkstar doesn't notice him here and hastily takes another drink... then discovers he's out. Well, phooey.

He turns to give Blurr a baleful gaze. "...." Taking one last glance at his glass- yep, really truly, empty. He waves for the bartender to get him another. "Go through what?" He straight-out asks testily, then adds, "Ah. So you happily drink among Decepticons now, hmm?"

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel can't help but lift her optic ridges and nod sympathetically. "I wouldn't want to end up in a giant sac of goo either." Swivel glances about. "Unless you are referring to something else. In which case, what are we going to /do/ with you?" Half teasing, half exasperation. Swivel shakes her head. "And folk come here to comiserate as much as to let loose. But don't let me spoil your parade."

With that, Swivel was JUST about to turn and leave. But then... Darkstar himself wandered in. She paused, watching him closely for a minute or two. Then slowly, she reached out until her hand found purchase on the back of a chair. Pulling herself to it, she sits down. Staring any longer would get suspicious, so she instead just plunks down and keeps Darkstar in her periphery, thinking over what has been said.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Well, he was a Decepticon now so...

    Darkstar turns slightly, overhearing Blast Off's words to Blurr having mistaken the comment to be meant for him. Mouth ajar he seemed to be ready to respond before noticing that the Combaticon was actually talking to an actual Autobot. Red optics peered between those with whom the Orbital Sniper relaxed. 'Traitor' vibes certainly did begin to surface, and the notes that he had found on Blast Off within the mag-chest of his own bunk within the HQ barracks were unsettling. Still, the reports he'd read seemed to contrast with that narrative just enough for the Spacer to put a pin in his suspicions indefinitely.

    Ah, there we go! Engex was always welcome after a patrol. The barmech seemed to know his job rather well. "That'll do..." Darkstar offers as his gaze drifts forward again and he places a handful of shanix on the bar top, while the barmech began to prepare the Combaticon's next round.

**Blurr has posed:**
    Blurr chuckles. "No, that is what I was talking about, don't worry." he confirms, getting up onto a stool directly behind where he's standing. Current injuries aside, anyway. "But I was asking -you- what you were doing here, not what people in general like to do here."

    He peers at Blast Off's comment. "Oh? Would you prefer it otherwise?" he asks, the threat thinly veiled, if insincere.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Ah. Oh yeah. Blast off eyes Swivel, the memory of that underground pit of smelt not a pleasant one. Nor the fact that he was soooo sorely tempted to break his word and start blasting. But he didn't. He watches as Swivel perks up at Darkstar's presence... not surprising, after their discussion. Hmm. He remains tense- there's no relaxing going on HERE, Darkstar! \*ahem\*

He waits until the bartender hands him a drink. He almost takes a sip before looking back to Darkstar. His teammate! His fellow Decepticon! The guy who... never seemed to like him THAT much and seems to like him even less now. But speaking of people like that.... He turns to eye Blurr before answering, "\*I'M\* just here for a drink, is all. But it's just..." His voice trails off momentarily. "...It's odd hearing that coming from \*you\*." Sniff. Then he turns and addresses Darkstar, striving to allieve any possible questions the other spacer might have had walking in to see this scene. He tries to sound enthusiastic. "Darkstar! How fare you?" See, such a chum, Darkstar. His fellow Con and everything!

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel shrugs her shoulders. "I was drinking. Then toasting to an old acquaintence. Then talking." She gives a tilt of her head. "And what brings you here? I mean, other than to shake off all that... feeling of confinement that comes with recovery." Swivel asks in return. She'll let Blast Off and Darkstar chat. Maybe that will yield something, especially if she seems engaged in conversation with a fellow Autobot.

**Darkstar has posed:**
Sip. Mmmm. That's some good ener-drink.

    Darkstar was enjoying the calm, the quiet, the respite that he tends to achieve so rarely. When one is always busy working on themself, ever dedicated to high achievements in an obsessive compulsive manner it was almost impossible to quiet the mind enough to truly relax. He was good at acting the part, but almost never was that mental activity that drove him to peak performance silenced. Right now in this moment however...

Interruption... That didn't last long!

    Darkstar's optics flashed at hearing his name called. Immediately he knew who it was, and slowly the cube of engex lowered from his mouth. "Colonel..." Wait, Blast Off was not a Colonel in this reality. Hmph. So annoying. "...Lieutenant, rather," he sighs. "Still gettin' used ta' this place, but the trainin' is keepin' things straight. Our warriors are capable and fit. It has made adjustment more...agreeable. Speakin' of which, you used to be quite the handful in the training arena that I remember. When, I wonder...will we begin to test our mettle mech to mech?" Still facing the bar, he'd continue to ignore the Autobots for now. They hadn't spoken to him, so perhaps their paths had not crossed much before in this universe.

**Blurr has posed:**
    "An old acquaintance, huh?" Blurr arches a brow at Swivel, then glances over at Blast Off. "So you know him?"

    Then the guy starts talking as if -he- knows Blurr, too. "And apparently he knows me too. Hard to stay friends when you're at war with each other, though." he remarks with a shrug. "Still, acquaintances are definitely useful, at least."

**Blast Off has posed:**
It's so odd hearing himself addressed as "Colonel"... but Blast Off simply swishes his drink and nods. "Yes, I imagine certain things take..." he glances to Blurr, "...getting used to." As Darkstar praises his combat prowess, the shuttleformer can't help but preen a bit, armor fluffing as he puffs out his chest a bit. Then he stops and gives the mech a certain... look. "You don't remember the other night?" Just making sure. "I was ready to go \*then\*... I even challenged you."

He cracks his knuckles and then takes another drink. "Anytime you're ready ...and I have the time off, just say it." Meanwhile, Blurr doesn't answer his question, so he simply ignores the speedster, letting Swivel answer that one.

**Swivel has posed:**
"I used to be a courier before the war. I know a lot of people," Swivel responds with a shrug. "We had been discussing a mech both of us happened to have had business with in the past." Pause. "Conversation happens when you end up sharing bar space with someone. Especially when neither wants to get kicked out of Mac's for fighting. I find it's just easier to leave the war outisde the door." Swivel offers another shrug. She'd paused frequently to listen to pieces of BLast Off and Darkstar's conversation, but doesn't look over to them.

**Darkstar has posed:**
He remembered.

    "I remember," Darkstar replies and takes another sip of engex. "I meant more...specifically," he explains, sounding a little bored. One thing that could be said is that whatever Darkstar has been through it has certainly had an affect on his general tone. "Perhaps you are free tomorrow, eh? I'm runnin' patrols until 2200. After that I'm free 'til 0600 if you would do me the...honor." Sip. "You were one o' my regulars where I'm from. Hopefully you're as keen on bein' so as much 'ere as you were there?" Goth was a combatant with a lot of impressive tricks, but not quite to the level of combat prowess that could regularly give him the challenge he sought. Blast Off rarely failed to disappoint however, at least not the Blast Off that he knew!

    It was interesting seeing Blurr again among the living. The bot was extremely annoying elseverse, but formidable. The Decepticons had won many victories thanks to the speedster's guile and general usefulness. He'd always been annoyed that it was Skywarp and not he who had actually ended up getting that kill. Here's to second chances! Sip.

**Blurr has posed:**
    Blurr nods as Swivel explains. He remains quiet a while even after she's finished, though, which seems odd for him. Instead, he just sort of gazes intently at her face with a somewhat distant look in his optics.

**Blast Off has posed:**
"Good," Blast Off replies, studying Darkstar now, wondering how much of the mech he knew remains in there. Just \*what\* happened to him. He takes a drink. An optic ridge lifts as the other spacer brings up a time. He thinks a moment, then puts down his glass. "You're \*on\*." Oh, now he's happy. He'll finally get that rematch he always wanted! And this time he'll WIN! He'd mention the new armor he has but ...on second thought, maybe not in front of the Autobots. "Spacer versus spacer... should be fun." Though... there is a note there in Darkstar's speech that has him still watching the mech, trying to figure out what, exactly, has changed. Though a long silence over at said Autobots' corner does have him glance over there briefly.

**Swivel has posed:**
The long silence is at first welcomed, even if unusual. But she's trying not to get concerned over every little thing Blurr does out of character. However, it's the staring at her in such a way that begins to disconcert Swivel. Her optics ridges knit together for a moment before she tilts her head. "....Is there... something on my face?"

**Darkstar has posed:**
    "It always is," Darkstar replies after lowering his empty cube to let it rest on the bar surface. He stood then and started to make his way closer to where the Lieutenant and his Autobot companions carried on, looking over Swivel first. He did remember that femme... He purchased her group drinks not long ago. "Autobots..." he'd greet them, his tone more on the flat side than it had been during their last meeting. "Lookin' forward to meetin' ya in the field, as always. Bring yer' best... I like ta' respect my enemies." With that his red gaze traveled from the femme to the bot before resting finally on Blast Off. "And you... All the combaticons live?" He still hadn't seen a couple of them, nor had he checked the active duty roster. At least if they were all alive the chances of any of them going turncoat were significantly less.

**Blurr has posed:**
    When Swivel asks the question, Blurr finally shakes it off, shrugging his shoulders. "Oh--uh, nono. Nothing, just--" He seems at a loss for words for a moment, which is also somewhat odd for him. "When you said you used to be a courier, I...saw something. I don't know, I can't explain it."

    He shrugs at Darkstar's greeting. "Maybe," he answers. "I only bring my best when my opponents are worthy of it, don't you?"

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off grins under his faceplate, then pauses a bit as Darkstar eyes Swivel. Ooof. He has to shove a wave of uneasiness aside and simply let things fall where they may- he's not her protector. He /can't/ be. His grip tightens on the glass before slowly, deliberately making himself relax as more battlefield banter occurs. Until Darkstar asks him if the other Combaticons all live.

The shuttle tenses, head jerking back slightly. "Of course!" He huffs, the thought of a world where members of his team have perished suddenly looming stark and bare before him. He finds it churns his fuel tanks. He hasn't really thought much about such a scenario... mainly because he doesn't think he could stand it. Losing Onslaught? He just doesn't even want to consider the possibility. But even the others- as much as they can annoy him, even losing Brawl or Swindle or Vortex.... he doesn't even want to go there mentally. He becomes almost defensive. "Of \*course\* we all are. And we'll \*stay\* that way. I don't know what /losers/ you might have known, but they weren't \*us\*." He huffs again and takes a long draught.

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel just raises an optic ridge at Blurr's response. She looks around the room, her hand slowly finding it's way to the back of her helm, rubbing along one of the tail-pipes there uneasily. "Then don't worry about trying to explain it." Swivel says. She again looks anywhere but at Blurr, whereupon she noticed Darkstar glancing her way. As is her way, she gives him a nod in greeting, with no malice or haughtiness attached.

There is nothing Swivel seems to have to say to Darkstar's desire for a challenge. Instead she seems to recede into the background, letting Blurr take the spotlight and provide all the boast and pomp one could hope for in a situation like this.

**Darkstar has posed:**
Did Blurr just say 'maybe'?

    Darkstar chuckles at the speedster's comment. He'd have to check the reports to find out if the two of them had ever fought each other before, as the Blue Comet's words seemed to suggest that they had not. "Absolutely," he replies with a grin. He liked that bravado... He liked that a lot.

    The reborn Spacer's optics flashed when Blast Off refers to the Combaticons that Darkstar knew elseverse as 'losers'. Dirty traitors, sure! They all betrayed him and his fellow Autobots. Losers though? Those 'losers' had a hand in slaying legions of Decepticons including the likes of Sky Lynx, Optimus Prime, and Omega Supreme. "...No they aren't. Hope fer' your sake you're half as tough as they were, L.T." Yep! Darkstar is certainly still Darkstar, and Blast Off's nickname has been restored proper.

**Blurr has posed:**
    Blurr studies Swivel a moment, then nods as she doesn't prod further. "I---wish I could. Maybe I'll figure it out eventually. It's almost like--a weird connection to you." he sighs. "But if I do, you'd explain to me why you looked sad earlier, right?" Yeah, he picked up on that.

    He smirks slightly at Darkstar. "Then I'm sure you'd understand that I can't guarantee I'll bring my best, since I don't know if you're up to par and all." He chuckles at Blast Off's reaction to Darkstar's question. "Combaticons, oh yeah that's your team name or whatever isn't it? Yeah, I guess they're all still alive, though they almost weren't. Who's the rotary? That one, I impaled on some wickedly sharp broken framework. Heh, he was definitely asking for that one, and fully deserved it."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off would have liked that rap sheet, except for Sky Lynx perhaps. He watches warily as Darkstar responds- and the response has him reconsidering a few of his words. "I see. I am sure they... were staunch, competent warriors, just like us!" He takes another small sip and squints a little at the nickname. Hmm, well that's familiar at least.

He's lifting the glass for another sip when Blurr brags about nearly offlining VORTEX. The shuttleformer stops mid-lift and the glass stays there as he stares at the racer. Why hadn't Vortex told him about this? He squints at Blurr, too, considering the risks of murder vs. getting perma-banned from Maccadams. I mean, he COULD just go to the Jump Joint... But Swivel is there.

He finally draws in a sharp vent and proceeds to take a sip from his glass. "Is that so?" he drawls, cultured voice icy as space itself. "Well, I'm sure you'll get what \*you\* deserve, too." He lifts a glass towards Blurr. "Cheers." He takes a drink, relishing the racer's (surely) imminent demise by his his hand. Yesss. Soooon.

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel remains quiet as Blurr presses things. She just shrugs, she, for once, not having anything to say. She won't make any such promise. She won't speak of connections. She'll just let him go on to goad and gloat.

Oh... except he just had to gloat about harming another combaticon. When BLurr isn't looking, Swivel is palming her face. SLowly, her hands lowers from her visage and she peers at Blast Off so briefly, her expression a hard read before she just lifts her hand again, shielding her optics as she shakes her head.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar's gaze drifted away from Blast Off to focus on Blurr. "Oh yes, yes, of course. You'll hafta see if I am...worthy, as you said. We are of like mind, you'n I." Blurr wasn't quite as annoying as the late version he had known, but the confidence was still very strong. This reality was shaping up to be quite the gift from Primus! Snapping his fingers with a loud 'pop', Darkstar motioned toward the barmech. "His next on me." After a nod to the Blue Comet the Spacer's grin grows ever so slightly before he looks right back to the Lieutenant.

    "They always do, Lieutenant... Seen it more times than I care ta' count," Darkstar offers with a chuckle. "Well then, I must say it has been fun femmes an' mechs... You all do me a favor an' keep ta' fightin' trim, eh? War is pointless 'less it leads ta' the survival of the fittest, am-I-right?"

    Darkstar could care less about Blurr's talk of harming Vortex, as he only cared that Blurr proved himself a strong and capable opponent. A brief salute is offered to Blast Off then, and then he starts for the door. "Seeya in the trainin' arena, L.T."

**Blurr has posed:**
    Blurr stares at Swivel for a few more breems, but she doesn't seem to have an answer for him right now. He turns back to Blast Off as he threatens in that icy tone again. "And the same to you, purple shuttle mech." he says, slapping him on the back. "Same to you."

    He shrugs at Darkstar. "I wouldn't say that so fast, -Decepticon-." he says, his tone dark. Then he slides off of the stool. "Heh. Sure. Survival of the fittest." he parrots. "You say that now, but you might find yourself going back on your own words when you see just how much more -fit- others are than you." Meaning, himself. And as if to demonstrate this, he suddenly disappears from the bar, a blue and white streak of blurred motion through the crowd and out the door.

    Blue Comet indeed.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off eyes Darkstar a bit... darkly as he offers BLURR a round after all that, but says nothing, simply nursing his own drink. He does give the other spacer a nod. "See you." He offers up another lift of the glass to Darkstar before he drinks, also noting Swivel's look over there. Well, surely she can't blame him for his response. In fact, Swivel ought to be glad he ...'contained' himself so well! That... is tested again when Blurr actually \*touches\* him, the sniper tensing. Violet optics flash and if Blurr didn't suddenly run off he might just rethink the no-shooting-in-the-bar policy he was following. He simply grunts and downs the rest of his drink, already plotting Blurr's demise.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Blurr speeding by is met with little reaction from Darkstar. He knows Blurr... He's known the Blue Comet for millennia. "Yeah, seeya then," he offers with a chuckle as the streak of blue disappears out of the establishment ahead of him. Thank Primus this Blurr is much more chilled out! Pausing as he reached the exit, Darkstar would turn to look toward the bar again as he remembered... "Cancel that drink!" No point wasting shanix on a bot who'd run off, right?

And then Darkstar was gone.

**Swivel has posed:**
There is a look of relief that washes over Swivel. It's hard to tell whether it is Darkstar's departure, or Blurr's or both. "Right then." Swivel hasn't any inclination to spend anymore shanix, and she's run out of excuses to stay. Well. Other than Blast Off. She looks towards him, but his broody demeanor does not really seem terribly inviting. And then a voice in her head - wait, no, that's just the radio, which causes her to sigh.

"Good night."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off ...is brooding, yes. He is also definitely going to go have a little chat with Vortex soon, too. Add that to the list of beating Darkstar in the rematch and shooting Blurr. Yes, his week is filling up nicely. He lets out a soft huff, demeanor softening a \*tiny\* bit as he nods to Swivel. "Good night." He orders another drink- he could use it.