1061/Inventory

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught is already at the shop, looking as if he's eagerly anticipating the chance to do an inventory of Blast Off's shop. He's even gone so far as to bring along a new datapad and some fresh styluses as well as some color-coding tags in a veritable rainbow of colors. At the moment, he's patrolling the interior, studyign the bottles and vintages on offer as he awaits Blast Off's arrival.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Once Blast Off got the green light to exit the medibay, he makes his way back to the refuge that is his Wine Shop. The shuttleformer opens the door and peers inside, optics brightening upon seeing Onslaught there. "Sir!" He calls out joyfully, striding inside and then adding, "...I mean Onslaught." He holds his hand up to the brim of his helmet and chuckles once or twice. "Sorry, still getting used to that."

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught turns and chuckles, optics lighting up as he sees Blast Off is up and walking under his own power. "Understandable," he says. "How are you feeling? Did they give you a clean bill of health or did you simply sneak out, ala Vortex?"

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off laughs, glancing down almost shyly as he realizes it's just him and Onslaught alone in the shop. "No, I waited patiently until I was given the go ahead." He grins and looks back towards the door, "I... tend to try following the rules. When they make sense, at least. I'll leave it to people like Vortex to bend the rules." He looks back up at Onslaught. "They probably have a purpose, too, bend them and see where they can break."

He takes another step until he's looking up at his Commander. "I'm feeling fine. Still a little weak in the joints but I should be full strength shortly." He tilts his head, "How are \*you\* doing?" The shuttleformer's violet optics glance down at the datapads and whatnot. "You look like you came prepared!"

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught nods. 'It can be useful to know where one can turn things to one's advantage," he says. "Good, I'm glad to hear that." He looks a tad embarassed as Blast Off spots teh office supplies he brought. "Yes, well, one should have the proper tools for the job, after all. A new broom sweeps clean and all that?"

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off grins as he looks back up at Onslaught. "Indeed. One of the... many things I've always.." Here he looks off to the side almost shyly again, adding quietly, "..admired about you." He puts his hands together just a bit nervously and looks around. He has no idea what to say or do. Wait, focus on the stated goal. The inventory. That's safe! Yes! "So! Um. Did you wish to begin the inventory?"

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught isn't sure what to say either, so he also focuses on the task at hand: "Yes! I had some ideas about how we could proceed. I was thinking, if you have your previous inventory, we could begin with that and compare what you hae on the list to what's on the shelves and in the storage room, then possibly see if there's a way to better streamline things?"

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off nods, "I'd like that! Let me get the books I've logged..." He heads off to get several datapads stacked neatly behind the counter. One thing that the two mechs likely share is a neat, orderly approach to things. Blast Off's records are well kept and easy to follow. He comes back out and sets them next to Onslaught's things, then looks up at his leader again. And pauses as again he almost \*wants\* to bring something up but isn't sure how to. WELP. He claps his hands together again, "Alright, should we start with the reds or the whites?"

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught considers for a moment. "...which one does Swindle prefer?" he asks, with a chuckle. "I suppose it doesn't matter, how about with the reds?" He reaches for one of teh datapads Blast Off brings out, then hesitates. 'Err, all right if I take a look? I don't want to intrude."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off laughs at that, then nods. "Reds sound just fine." He blinks and then lifts his hands, "Of course! I don't have anything to hide." The shuttleformer glances off, a bit flustered, "Not from you." He seems to smile but then something flickers across his face, something pensive.

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught chuckles. "Come now, Blast Off," he says. "We've all got our secrets. Well, except perhaps for Vortex. He's practically the anti-Swindle." He glances over just in time to see the flicker across Blast Off's face. "...are you all right?"

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off manages a weak chuckle at the Tex comment and nods, then looks up at Onslaught's question. The concerned expression remains as he studies his Commander's face. There's a pause, then his faceplate switches and clicks back into the side, revealing his face again. He gives Onslaught a pensive smile. "I.... think so. I'm..." He looks off to the side again, bringing a hand up to scratch at the side of his helmet. "I suppose... you're correct, we all \*do\* have our secrets." He hesitates, still looking off into the distance somewhere before glancing back towards Onslaught. "But... if we're.... I mean, even if we \*weren't\*... I'd still..." He seems to stumble over his words and not be quite sure \*what\* to say. "But especially if we \*are\*...It's just that..." Um.

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught's head tilts to one side. "Blast Off, you don't have to be nervous about me," he says. "I...I realize I'm your superior officer, but this isn't a battlefield. We should be able to be honest with each other, especially in private. I don't want you to be afraid to trust me, especially not when we're...err...what we are now."

**Blast Off has posed:**
The shuttleformer's hands both drop down and clasp each other in front of him and he smiles softly, looking down at his feet. Looking back up, Blast Off replies, "Yes. ...What we are now." He still hesitates before finally beginning to explain, lifting his face up to look Onslaught in the optics. "Alright. There...there is a ...sort of..." He swallows, glancing to the side as a wing elevon twitches, "...a secret. I guess. Secrets. Secrets I... think perhaps you should know about. Especially if we're..." Again he can't bring himself to even say it, "...what we are. Now."

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught reaches out to take one of Blast Off's hands. "I don't know," he says. "I know Vortex would likely call us conjunx, but I...I don't think we're that far, yet. But, I do know that I want us to be more than what we are -- what we were, before your intentions were made clear to me." He pauses. "Tell me. Better to clear the air."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off lets Onslaught take one of his hands, and he reaches the other to clasp on top of them. The shuttle is smitten and it shows, though he is still largely awkward and reserved. He ends of smiling again, an unsure half-smile where one end draws upwards, and nods.

"Not... conjunx, no," he laughs nervously, "just.... very close?" He looks up with an earnest expression on the face so few get so see. It's obvious he \*wants\* to clear the air, make sure there are no secrets, but it still seems to make him nervous. Blast Off's hands tense and he looks at Onslaught's chest rather than face, pensive expression returning. "I... should tell you something and I'm not sure how you're going to take it. But.." He bites his lower lip, "...You deserve to know."

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught braces himself for what's coming next. "Tell me," he says. "I can't promise I won't be angry, if it warrents it but...tell me, Blast Off. It'll be better if it's out."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off gulps. He's tense, too, but he really can't go forward like this with Onslaught while hiding what might be important information from him. "Remember when we were talking earlier, and you were..." He swallows again, throat feeling dry, "...trying to figure out who I...I had a crush on, I suppose is what it would be called, right?" He attempts a small smile before continuing. "And you said something about hoping it \*wasn't\* an Autobot..." He pauses, then quickly adds, "IT's... not that I /love/ any Autobots! But..." Um.

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught braces himself again at teh "But..." In his experience, 'but' is never a good word to hear. "...Is this about that prisoner? The one I asked you to kill?" he asks. "...is it that you had feelings for her? And...and I asked you to destroy her?"

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off sort of cringes, biting that lower lip even more as he starts shrinking down, looking like he wants to hide right about now. "...Yes."

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught blinks. "I...I'm sorry," he says. "I...I didn't know." He considers for a moment, trying to decide if he had known, would he still have made the order? "I...if I had known, perhaps, perhaps we could have attempted to recruit her, rather than destroy her. I...I am sorry."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off blinks, staring up at Onslaught as he... aplogizes?! That's... that's almost more than he ever dared hope for. He's quick to assure Onslaught, "You didn't know! I-it's probably my fault, I should have told you sooner." He hesitates a moment, then adds, "She's an Autobot now. She made her choice, as did I, and..." He looks genuinely sad, "...I know we can never... \*really\* be friends." The shuttleformer looks back up at Onslaught. "I didn't want to disobey you. You \*know\* I'm loyal, you know I'd never do anything to betray the Combaticons. Betray \*you\*. But..." He bites his lower lip again, "I was her teacher once, before the war. I ...I just couldn't bring myself to offline her in... cold energon."

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught blinks. "She's not dead?" he asks. "You didn't kill her?" His optics flare up with anger but that passes quickly as Blast Off explains that he used to be her teacher. He rumbles, considering what he'd have done if he'd been ordered to kill one of his Combaticons in cold energon. "...I understand," he says. "I am not happy that you disobeyed me but, I can understand why you did. And, honestly, it's good to know that you \*can\* disobey me, should I cross a line."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off winces again, but stands his ground, looking up at his leader. "I... held her prisoner. I didn't know \*what\* to do... didn't want her escaping and telling the Autobots but couldn't... well.... no." He looks crestfallen, then looks back up at the other Combaticon. Another very small smile grows on his dark face. "I will. I promise that. You're the most brilliant leader I know, but even a brilliant mech such as yourself benefits from having people around him who will question him when it's needed." His smile grows some. "The whole team benefits from that... that give and take."

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught nods. "We're soldiers, not drones," he says. "I expect and trust all of you to be able to operate independently." He sighs. "But, in the future? Tell me these things at the time, don't wait and don't hide from me. I cannot plan without correct information."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off nods, "I think our team is good at that. Each one of us certainly has our own rather... \*strong\* opinions at times..." He sort of chuckles at the thought. It's really rather like hearding turbo-cats but Onslaught manages it- somehow. He focuses back on Onslaught. "But yes. And the thing is, we... we trust \*you\*. I trust you." He gains a wistful sort of smile as he looks up at his leader, then bites at his lower lip. With a deep sigh, he adds, "And... speaking of that, it's... it's not just Swivel. There's.... another Autobot I'd consider... a friend, of sorts. In a way."

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught's browridge goes up. "An Autobot? That you consider a friend?" he says. "...it's not Sky Lynx, is it? Or that Hot Rod? He's a piston-revving punk, from what I've heard."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off erks. His gaze drifts to the side. "Not... Hot Rod, no, he's rather annoying." He doesn't say it's not Sky Lynx.

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught's head tilts to one side. "...Blast Off...is it Sky Lynx?" he asks. "...and if so, what in the name of Primus's purple patch cord are you thinking?! He nearly killed Vortex! He nearly killed you! Are you mad!?"

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off winces again, looking a bit sheepish. He can't quite look Onslaught in the optics. "Actually..." Hoo boy. "...It's... really complicated." He musters the courage to look Ons in the optics. "Something you probably \*don't\* know, though.... did you wonder how we got free in the medical bay? How we almost escaped the first time? That was Sky Lynx, too. He loosened my bonds, then left the room, allowing me and Vortex to escape." Pause. "Well, or try to, though then..." Swivel showed up. Yeah, complicated. "Then more Autobots showed up and managed to capture us again."

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught grumbles. "...he could have been tricking you," he says, sounding grumpy. "Were you searched for bugs or spy devices when you returned? Perhaps they placed some kind of tracking device or some other booby trap on you while you were out?"

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off shakes his head, "No, we were checked for all those things." He pauses a moment, mulling over his words, then speaks. "Sky Lynx and I go way back. Before the war. Remember when I worked in Altihex for the space program? Sky Lynx was a fellow shuttle. We worked together." He looks to the side, out towards a window. "He's an... a honorable mech. And just like me, he has a job to do. And we will both do our duty. When we meet on the battlefield, we... we have an understanding. We meet as warriors... but..." He frowns, "...not as enemies."

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught hrumps. "...that 'honorable mech' is the reason Vortex doesn't have his rotors," he says. His optics flare, is that jealousy? Probably! "...just so long as you remember, that if it's a choice between him or you, I'll destroy him to spare you. Understood?"

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off solemnly nods. "I understand." He moves to hold Onslaught's hands and give them a squeeze. "Sky Lynx and I made our choices, just as Swivel and I made our choices. They chose to be Autobots. I... still don't completely understand why, but... it is what it is. Sometimes the pieces just... fall where they may. And I promise you, my loyalty is to you first and foremost. It's just..." He looks pensive again, "If I don't \*have\* to kill them I'd... rather not. I'd like to see a way we can all reach the end of this war alive. Maybe someday I could even convince them to join the \*right\* side." Pause. "...Probably not anytime soon."

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught grunts, letting Blast Off hold and squeeze his hands. "Who knows why anyone ties themselves to a lost cause," he says, calming somewhat. "...perhaps, they might be persuadable. Which, in the case of Skylynx, would be quite the coup for the Decepticon cause. Swivel...well, I don't think she'd have the same cachet as Sky Lynx but, winning a battle of hearts and minds is still winning a battle."

**Blast Off has posed:**
The trace of a smile appears on the shuttleformer's face and grows as he holds Onslaught's hands. "It is." Blast Off looks thoughtful, glancing down and then back up again. "That's it. I think that's all my secrets. Important ones, at least." He grins. "I will continue to do my duty as a Decepticon soldier, as a Combaticon most importantly, and..." He pauses, "...and as someone you can... can count on. I... didn't want anymore secrets."

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught nods. "Good," he says, leaning in to tap his helm against Blast Off's. "I don't need to know the unimportant ones. I probably already know most of those, anyway." He chuckles. "And you know most of mine already."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off grins broadly as Onslaught touches his helm against his own. He happily leans into it, nuzzling the bigger Combaticon. He laughs and agrees, "...Probably." He stays there like that, soaking up the contact, his EMField happily buzzing. "I'm glad. I... have worried about this a long time. It's... freeing, in a way, to let that go."

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught squeezes Blast Off's hands. "I understand," he says, returning the nuzzle with a contented sigh. "I suppose we should eventually get to that inventory, shouldn't we?"

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off is quite happy just to stand here like this, but when Onslaught mentions inventory he pulls back, still smiling. "Yes! I can show you some of the ways the wineries catagorize their different vintages, I think you might enjoy some of the naming conventions they use. It's quite clever!" Yay geeky filing stuff.

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught loves Blast Off more than ever now! Geeky filing stuff is his jelly, his jam, his peanut buter and his multigrain bread! "Indeed? Tell me more!" he says, sounding genuinely excited to learn about this new area of expertise.

**Blast Off has posed:**
"It's really quite interesting!," Blast Off exclaims, turning to gather up some of the datapads and then sitting next to Onslaught where he can show him the spreadsheets in all their geeky glory- and lean his shoulder on the other mech as he does so. It will be nice to have a quiet evening with Onslaught, inventorying the wine- and perhaps drinking some of it while they're at it.