1310/Shop Talk

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off is taking some relaxment time after a lot of hard work, and how better to relax than within the quiet and comforting walls of his wine shop? Ok, actually, seeing how it's a business it's not \*always\* relaxing, but Blast Off is quite happy to have a cycle to spend here. Here, in his own little domain. The shop is open but business is a bit slow, so he takes the time to do a little dusting. Again, maybe not as relaxing as some things but tidying up and doing a little housekeeping actually calms the shuttleformer as he organizes and cleans.

**Goth has posed:**
     Goth had actually found time to wonder Stanix, and to Blast Off's wine shop, that the Shuttleformer had been boasting about so much! Goth was (of course) in his bat mode, which he was /sure/ he was going to get yelled at about, but frag it all, after being in the snow most the day he wasn't exactly wanting to shift into something without insulation.

      His ear twitched as he looked about the shop curiuselly, being very mindful of his form, and it's size and height.

**Swindle has posed:**
Swindle walks into Zenith Fine Enerwines, flush with shanix and looking to get something nice. He knows his combatibro carries only the best, and he flashes his winning smile as the door chimes announcing his entry. "Hey, Blast Off, I'm here to pick up some of your finest. Need some relaxing booze." He then notices the bat. "Oh, hi Goth. Just browsing?"

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off looks up as Goth enters, doing a sort of double-take that he quickly tries to mask. He wasn't really expecting the bat to come here, though Goth seems to enjoy some "finer things in life" so... maybe it's not so surprising after all. The shuttle clears his throat and lowers the duster he holds to offer Goth a courteous smile- well, if only Goth could see through his faceplate, at least. "Greetings. May I help you, Goth?"

Swindles enters and Blast Off tenses, then relaxes as he sees who it is. "Swindle! Well, you have great taste, obviously. Let me help Goth here and I'll get right to you!" Very polite and classy, all of it.

**Vortex has posed:**
Vortex enters with his normal skip, moving next to Blast Off. "Blasty! Its been so long since I drank your wine.."

**Swindle has posed:**
"Certainly," Swindle says, nodding at Blast Off. He greets his other combatibro, Vortex, upon his entry. "Hey, fancy shopping together, 'tex? Then we can get smashed together. Sound like fun?"

**Goth has posed:**
     Goth looked /painfuly/ out of his element for a change, he wasn't used to going places like this on his own anymore, he almost felt embarrassed! and tried to hide it with all the combaticons around, but his ears fell back against his helm. "Ah I.. um.. er.." His voice soft and low, almost in a murmur for a moment as he struggled to find what he wanted to say.

      His Ears came back up slightly as Vortex's voice entered the mix but he was still rather uncomfortable, before clearing his voice box. "Ah.. for the moment, have heard of Blast Off shop from him for a number of times he's.. recommended such." He'd finally force out, acting calm and normal, as he was trying to cover his previous hesitation. He'd fold his arms behind him as his moved through the place on his hind legs.

**Blast Off has posed:**
The happy-to-see-you business owner demeanor Blast Off carries suddenly falls off as Tex skips in. The shuttleformer gives the rotary one of his more aloof, possibly withering looks. "You're paying if you do, right?" He nods back at Swindle, then turns to Goth.

Right. So the bat looks uneasy. Blast Off casts a glance back at the other two Combaticons like- \*BEHAVE back there!\*- and then nods to the medic. "...And you thought you'd give it a try? Excellent choice!" He makes his way to Goth, grabbing a bottle of wine as he does. "This is a fine vintage, though it's a white silica wine- my roses and reds are over here..." He gestures towards a display rack, "...quite romantic, you know." Hint hint.

**Swindle has posed:**
"You're going to behave, right?" Swindle says to Vortex, "At least well enough so Blast Off doesn't have to give you the old heave-ho, right?" He turns his attention back to Blast Off. "Only if he doesn't have any shanix!"

**Goth has posed:**
     Goth's face lit up a shade of Energon pink (more on the red then purple side) and his furr ruffled further when Blast Off brings that up, and the bat lets out a huff, relaxing himself. "Indeed, finding I finally had some time decided to.. come and look." He'd nod, before looking down at the bottle. "Hmm... I do not honestly know Dustoff's opinion on wines, I know he muchmore rather Whiskeys or bourbons." He'd muse in thought.

**Vortex has posed:**
Vortex chuckles at Swindle "Of course not." he says, sitting on a counter. "But.. I will misbehave less violently then normal. Because of Blast Off."

**Swindle has posed:**
Swindle sighs. "Well, that's as good as I can hope for, I guess," he says, "Now let's look at some product until Blast Off gets back around to us." Hopefully he can keep Vortex busy to cause too much mischief.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off finds himself smirking just a bit as Goth gets flustered. He's usually the one others are flustering, it's kind of nice to be on the OTHER end for once. Still, he doesn't rub it in. "True, true," he continues conversationally (after pausing to eye his two teammates again), "Not everyone has the appreciation for high culture that we do, no? I probably have a whiskey or something around here, too, but first I'd recommend you try this Rose Quartz. It's a standard, but it's a standard for a reason. Excellent wine to relax and share with- or drink alone with a nice metal-flaked rust stick."

**Goth has posed:**
     Vortex, behave less violently?... Well he's seen it so it is something he can confirm the rotary can do, so! He'd look at Blast off and then to the Wine, one ear swiveling forward as the other remained nervously back. "I see, I do often notice you with it, never tried it for myself as ah.. always been on the bit of the expensive side of thing." He'd hem. There was a reason Goth didn't get out too much.

**Vortex has posed:**
Vortex just leans back a bit, his rotors moving lazily. "You know? I behave better with a glass of wine in my hand and a circuit speeder attached." he says, looking around a bit.

**Swindle has posed:**
"Alright, let's make that happen, then," Swindle says, "Blast Off, can we get a nice calming glass of enerwine for our bro here? Probably'll make everything easier, ya know?" He pauses. "Oh and I think I have a circuit speeder around here \*somewhere\*." He starts checking his subspace compartment.

**Blast Off has posed:**
"Ahhh, yes, I generally have some wine with me at all times. In case of an emergency, you see." He pops up the bottle and reaches behind the cabinet for some glasses, pouring himself and Goth one. Sorry, none for you yet, Tex and Swindle. He offers a glass to the bat. "Try it." Tilting his head, he listens as the bat speaks of expense.

Ahh. "Yes.... I used to not have to worry about such things, but now..." He glances out the window, "..things are different." Turning to look at the medic again, he adds, "I haven't seen you out and about much, come to think of it."

Vortex's comment gets a glare from the shuttle, but he does pour a glass for the rotary and the Jeep at Swindle's request. "Wine- yes. Circuit speeders- NO." He adds emphatically, staring at Swindle. "Not here."

**Vortex has posed:**
Vortex crosses his legs. "You sir, are a gentlemech and a scholar." he says to Swindle. He looks to Blast Off. "Well then. Im gonna need a lot, and I do mean a lot of wine. On the house today." he says.

**Swindle has posed:**
"Oh, alright," Swindle says, "I'll get the circuit speeder out later when we're outside." He looks over at Vortex. "You can hold out til then, right?" He patiently passes the time while Blast Off tends to Goth, checking out all the floor stock, noting quality markings and prices.

**Vortex has posed:**
Vortex gives a overdramatic sigh. "I suppose I can power through. If I have some nightmare fuel too."

**Ravage has posed:**
Ravage steps in quietly, just being his usual cattish self as he slinks through the place, taking note of the various things set out on display before he just pauses, a very curious look given to that staff only door...

...but only just. He then takes a seat, turning his attention towards the rest of those gathered. "A far cry better than the usual dive, I must say..."

**Goth has posed:**
     "That's because you're high out of you brain module, and drunker than... Well I don't then there is anyone that can top being as drunk as you on some days, Vortex." he'd sigh, shaking his helm.

      He'd look back to Blast Off and the offered glass. "If you are.. erm, cirtant." He'd state a bit heistaintly, there was actually a moment of pause from him as he contemplated something, before nodding and choosing not to be rude, and take a sip, before responding. "Mmmph.. Yes, I can understand that sentiment... Which ties into that very reason I do not tend to leave my lab or the medical bay often, most my expenses currently go to my projects, can't simply just scavenge an abandoned space station anymore for supplies and materials." He'd muse.

      Goth's ear twitched back at hearing the cat pad in, and he nods to him, before looking back to Blast Off. "indeed, figured it would be a bit more interesting then the jump joint."

**Blast Off has posed:**
"Yes, I am," Blast Off agrees. Because of course he is! The rest of what Tex says though earns another stare before the shuttleformer slowly turns, rummages through a shelf in the back and returns with a bottle of Nightmare Fuel. He pours Tex a very small glass. "That'll be 12 shanix, by the way."

He turns from watching Tex and Swindle when Ravage enters the shop. The shuttleformer stiffens slightly... wherever Ravage is, the eyes of the Decepticons go. He's not sure he's pleased, but a potential customer is a potential customer. "But of course, I take pride in my work, whether it consists of precise orbital strikes or running a wine store." He eyes the cat now, "Were you in search of something?"

Now back to Goth. The shuttleformer is less relaxed now, but still somewhat conversational. Just cautious now, with Ravage right there. "Indeed. Well, one has to find resources where you can get them. ...Projects? Doing some medical research?"

**Swindle has posed:**
Swindle tugs on Vortex. "C'mon, I think the nightmare fuel is this way," he says, trying to keep 'tex occupied and out of mischief. He glances over at Ravage, idly wondering what the cat was doing in here. Maybe Blast Off stocked ener-catnip that he didn't know about?

**Ravage has posed:**
Amusement is the initial reaction, and there's just a hint of a smirk on the feline's features as things seem to just get a bit...well, tight-lipped when he ventures in. "Does a Decepticon /need/ to be in search of something to enjoy the company of other Decepticons?" He finds a spot near the conversation underway and just takes a seat.

**Vortex has posed:**
Vortex churips "Im not drunk or high yet. But Im gonna get there." He looks to Swindle "Nightmare fuel? You said the magic words my brother." he extends a hand to Blast Off, taking the nightmare fuel. "Put it on my tab. You know I'll pay when I have the shanix, my brother." he says softly. "When have you started charging me anyways?"

**Goth has posed:**
     "Medical, weapons... I'm a bit all over the place, doing stuff for myself, others or for higher ups." He'd muse. "Was originally part of operations after all, still technically am, I just now work with Intel due to.. well, you've seen what I do well on the field." He'd chuckle. "Mainly part of just utilizing my skills properly I suppose." he'd tilt his helm side to side.

      "Does leave me and Dustoff little time considering we're both very busy mechs, but I do enjoy the times we do get to spend together." he'd smile at the thought. He'd look to Ravage, about to answer that, but then he remembers the HYSTERICS of Megatron spending a good Solar-cycle with Blast off and the rest, and their 'caress' misadventures and starts snickering before he finally clears his voice box. "I think that greatly depends on whom you are, ravage." He'd nod.

**Swindle has posed:**
"Eh, we'll work it out," Swindle says, "I mean, I don't mind shelling out for you now and then, but too much of that gets a little pricey, ya know?" He picks up a bottle of particularly expensive-looking enerwine and peruses the bottle's label.

**Blast Off has posed:**
"Enjoying company," Blast Off deadpans back to Ravage. He doesn't sound very convinced. "I... see." He pauses there a moment before adding quickly, "Well, if you want to purchase something, let me know." He then huffs at the rotary. "Vortex, I've always charged you!" The shuttleformer puts hands on hip joints and just stares at the rotary. "Except when I don't. But today, I do." Because he can.

Blast Off returns to listening to Goth. His expression, what's visible behind the faceplate, seems to grow wistful for a moment before he remembers to wipe it and return to his usual haughty state. "It can be nice when you find that time, yes..." His thoughts wonder towards Onslaught. Ahem. He clears his throat. "Yes, finding ways to utilize one's skills as effeciently as possible is always a worthy endeavor." He pauses a moment, thinking. "You're in Intel, too? Interesting. How long have you been on Cybertron, anyway? I imagine you had a lot of catching up to do..."

Glancing back to Swindle, Blast off comments, "That's an excellent vintage, but a bit dry. The one down the shelf, with the pink label? Much sweeter, if that's your thing."

**Vortex has posed:**
Vortex sighs "Fiine." he hands over the shanix. "But don't think I cant afford more later." he says, opening his mask to drink the nightmare fuel in one gulp. He hsivers. "Thats the stuff. You're buying my next round, right Swindle?" oh hes working this tonight. "Yeah, he's in intel. Our littlebat has his awesomely fuzzy hands in a lot of lines of work iand ravage? Hes the intel cat." he says.

**Swindle has posed:**
"Ooooh, sweet, yeah, I'll check that right now," Swindle says, going for the brand Blast Off indicated. "Oh yeah that looks like the stuff." He takes a bottle and keeps it in hand for when he goes to part with some of his shanix for it. "Sure," he says to Vortex, "Definitely the next round." He grins as Vortex hands over some dough.

**Ravage has posed:**
Ravage hmms... "Right..." He just sort of looks at Blast Off, likewise not convinced. There's even a slight narrowing of his optics as he does so. Goth's remark, though, draws a soft chuckle and a nod. "Intel is...always busy. It seems Medical is rather busy as well... two departments that the Cause would wither and die without." He flicks his tail, a cursory glance given to Vortex and Swindle. "Scouting proper drinks, are we?"

**Goth has posed:**
     Goth pauses in thought, clearly doing calculations in his helm. "I believe a full orbital cycle in the next month, or coming up this month." He'd say with a nod, he really had not been on the planet long at all! That was something to think about alright. "Indeed, I know little still of this place history outside of what Chela bestowed to us born from their hot spot, and I do believe I've been learning propper military combat well, all things considered." he'd add on.

      Goth's furr ruffled as his face plat lit up one more at Vortex and scoffed. "Of course, I'm not one really /meant/ for the field, despite my improvements in such." He also does enjoy a good spar or scrap but he won't admit that aloud. He'd then huff. "...Ironically at one point required a bodyguard before coming here." He'd a bit distantly, tilting his helm, the Irony? He was now the bodyguard in that respect. "Indeed.. Do hope to get some free time with Dustoff eventually." He'd chuckle at Ravage.

**Vortex has posed:**
Vortex starts on the wine now, moving to that once the nightmare fuel is down. He seems focused on drinking himself into oblivion tonight. "Course you're not. But you're always on it anyways. Thats what we do. Every con. Just fight and fight."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off's mood improves as Vortex hands him the shanix. "Thank you," he purrs at his teammates as takes it and stores the money in his cash register. As Vortex tells him Ravage is in Intel, his purr has withered, replaced with the cultured but somewhat snobbish sound he usually intones. "Yes, I know," he drawls. In other words, don't say anything around Ravage you wouldn't mind Soundwave hearing. "I would imagine so," he replies as the cat speaks of how busy things are. "Everyone seems busy these days.

As Goth speaks, the Combaticon pauses to listen once more, pouring them both a little more wine like a good bartender. He takes a sip. "Mm. Only one cycle? No, not much time at all. But...", he glances over at Ravage, "... you must be a quick study if you're in Intel now." He pauses to look up at the bat, "Bodygaurd? You?" He does seem genuinely surprised.

Looking to Vortex next, he is silent a moment. "Well, we're Combaticons. Fighting's in the name, I suppose."

**Vortex has posed:**
Vortex nods "Sure it is for us." he says, downing the wine like its a shotglass, and ordering another. "But not for every Decepticon out there. Thats all Im saying." his words are already starting to slur. "Well then. I have a few words for Soundwave." he motions to Ravage. "This is the best..wine ever. And he should drink with us." he chuckles.

**Swindle has posed:**
Swindle selects another bottle to purchase before he goes up to make his possession of them more permanent through the exchange of shanix. "Here we go, I think this'll do for now," he says as he plunks the two bottles on the counter. "Yeah, fighting!" he says with barely-genuine enthusiasm, to echo his combatibro. And selling. Always selling. And buying. But mostly selling.

**Ravage has posed:**
Ravage looks over at Vortex a moment, not really reacting in the slightest as he just keeps his expression rather on the neutral side of things. There's nothing really said about the message to Soundwave, at least not straight-away. "We are...in a war. Regardless of our professions or trades, we must learn that...combat, or the ability to defend the Cause and the interests of the Cause are foremost."

He then grunts. "As for drinks...I'll pass the message along."

**Goth has posed:**
     "Yes, see where I came from our planet is not at war, and violence was mostly kept to sports, even though the other tribes very much had rivalries with the others that would often get out of hand." He'd tap his faceplate. "He was a large mech, 'bout the size of the Autobot Hammerstrike, he was named Leech, because he, much like I, was a energon vampire of sorts, only he had spare tanks in which he could store the fuel to refuel others with." he'd explain with a spin of his wrist. "He was I believe an insecticon, given he was a type of Annelida alt-mode that was found mainly in the water." He'd muse.

      "Besides you saw how /easily/ I fell in battle after that first instruction on Clemency." He'd knit his ridges, remembering how easily he fell then, and how easily he falls now, given not as fast, but he's still not the most combat capable. He'd raise a ridge at Ravage, wondering just who Vortex was talking to and shrugged.

**Vortex has posed:**
Vortex is talking to the room at large, not any particular person on it. Mostly because he's so drunk. "Leech. Sounds wicked." he pauses. "ANd you still go out there. Even if you're not as combat capable. That says something" He lifts his glass. "To b rave people." he downs it and goes for the bottle again.

**Blast Off has posed:**
"Well, no..." Blast Off starts as he shrugs to Vortex, "Of course, not all Decepticons are the mighty warriors that \*we\* are..." He glances quickly at Ravage, "...but that's why a whole fighting team such as ourselves is so \*valuable\*. We know what we're doing, have been doing it for a very long time. We're..." He tries to think of some other way to emphasize their warrior prowess, rather than his own doubts- or desires. Like Swindle, he's no war monger. Not that you can SAY that in presetn company. He adds his voice to Swindle's, "Yes! FIGHTING!!" RAWR. He makes a hearty toast to that, hoping to mask any doubts or dishonesty. Thank Primus Ravage can't read thoughts like Soundwave can. He blinks and looks at the cat- well he doesn't \*think\* Ravage can but... you never know. He just does his best to stuff his true feelings into a hole somewhere and bury them. Forever. Yeah. As for Soundwave... egads, he doesn't want the mech here, not that he can say that \*either\*. He isn't going to go so far as to pretend he would- unless pushed, perhaps- but he would rather just... ignore the idea and hope it goes away. Yes. Sip.

The mention of Hammerstrike gets a slight twitch flickering across the shuttleformer's face as he remembers his time in the Autobot Garrus. He nods, then leans in slightly. "Energon vampire? Does sound ...draining." He pauses- was that a JOKE? From Blast Off?! He doesn't laugh or even linger on it, beyond pausing to take another sip from his wine. Ahem. "Yes, you fell easily, but both of us have improved ourselves, after all," he taps at his newly installed armor. Then lifts his glass again at Vortex's toast. "Hear, hear."

**Swindle has posed:**
"That's right," Swindle says, "To brave, elite warriors!" raising a glass of his own. He chuckles at Blast Off's vampire joke. "Haha, good one, Blast Off," he says, grinning away. At least Vortex is pretty much behaving himself, still.

**Vortex has posed:**
Vortex chuckles. "To Combaticons!" He says, raising his bottle. "Which is all that and more. We are elite. The best." he chugs the rest of the bottle and almost falls off the table. "Another bottle!"

**Ravage has posed:**
Ravage just...furrows his brow slightly as toasts are made and shakes his head. Right... he won't be joining in. He simply takes the time to look around the shop, reading a few labels here and there... and then he just shrugs his shoulders lightly.

**Goth has posed:**
     Goth hears Vortex and then Blast off and breaks into a chuckle as he takes a seat. "Hmph, I have Dustoff and, begrudgingly, Darkstar to thank for such." He'd chuff, looking lost in thought, and smiles softly. "Hmph, least I can do is help in keeping him safe when it comes to being on the field together, or things become physical." he'd nod, joining in in this toast to at least not be rude.

      He'd follow Ravage's movements with an optic, thinking to himself, he really didn't know Ravage to well to really say anything but he could understand seeing these rowdy meches as.. well.. silly.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off looks almost demure as Swindle compliments him on the joke (?), but he has that self-pleased satisfaction that doesn't completely gel with it. He gives his salesmech teammate a nod and a lift of his glass. "To Combaticons!" He happily joins in that toast, too, giving a small tilt of the head to Goth as well. "Indeed. We make sure we are strong so we can protect that which we..." His voice trails off. Aigh, can't say the L word! "...desire." Yes. There we go.

**Vortex has posed:**
Vortex giggles. "That..which we what?" he purrs. looking at Blast Off.

**Ravage has posed:**
Ravage turns from the perusal of bottles and vintages to look at Blast Off as the Combaticon trips over words a bit... "Desire. Right... For the cause, of course." He pushes himself up and takes on elast look around, though this time primarily at those gathered, giving each a pointed look. And, perhaps for Blast Off, a slightly longer look. "Carry on, then. I'm going to scout some...fortifications. If I need to rely on radio silence and Command is looking for me, tell them Mitteous Plateau." And, with that, he's gone.

**Goth has posed:**
     Goth quirks a ridge at Blast off's avoidance of the word, and then glances at Ravage and nods. "Ah, Alright then Ravage, but of course." Goth reminded himself to not let them know what's going on there, best to keep this lot in the dark to help make it appear as if just another siege.

      "...Hmm, strange that one, keep meaning to speak with him more, it is not often I get to speak with other beastformers anymore." He'd tap his glass.

**Blast Off has posed:**
The way Ravage just lingers on staring at him does not ease the shuttleformer's nerves, but he simply lifts his glass towards Ravage too. "Very well. We will." He lifts the glass higher. "To- the Cause!"

Blast Off settles down again, avoiding looking at Goth over there arcing his optic ridge. He looks back at mention of the cat. "Yes... it must be... uh." He stops and looks down at his glass more wistfully, now set upon the counter before him. "Well, like being a space shuttle. Not a lot of us around." And many who do exist are on the wrong side. Sigh. "Makes what company we find all the better, though, no?" He raises a final toast to that and takes a sip.

**Vortex has posed:**
Vortex giggles. "The caus." he raises his bottle and chugs a bit, ggling. "there. Hello. Welcome back buzzed Vortex."

**Swindle has posed:**
"Yeah, to the Cause!" Swindle says enthusiastically. Left unsaid is his idea of the Cause, which is, whoever makes the most shanix wins. But eh, anything to make a buck. "Yeah, tell me all about similar frames being on the wrong side," he sighs.

**Goth has posed:**
     Goth gives a light chuckle and nods, he gives a huff looking down at the wine, and taking another sip. "Thank you as well Blast Off, this was.. surprisingly much nicer than I'd expected."