1250/A Fool and Her Money

Cast of Characters: | Blast Off, Swivel, 65

**Swivel has posed:**
As enticing as the Red Guardian may be, with it being close to headquarters, Macaddam's Old Oilhouse still has a lot of draw for Swivel. One, sometimes she gets sick of seeing a sea of red-marked patriots talking about the latest skirmish and how they put those 'cons in their place. Two, she still had a few neutral contacts she still enjoyed seeing once in a while. Three, at the moment, she just didn't want to be in Iacon.

    Swivel walks into the bar, taking her customary glance around to take in the sights and get a feel for the general mood of the room. Immediately, there is the usual din and mingling of different moods to make the whole. Over in one corner are a rowdy group laughing over some anecdote. At the bar are a few brooders, some quietly working their way through their engex, while others laying their problems bear to whoever will listen. And some were just in quiet discourse over a few drinks, scattered about. The net mood seemed fairly neutral at first glance. But at a second glance...

**Blast Off has posed:**
One of the brooders is a regular here, someone Swivel will recognize immediately as the brown and purple shuttleformer nurses a drink in his customary corner, occasionally glaring over at the noisy, rowdy group before trying to get back to reading his datapad. Blast Off doesn't notice Swivel at first, engrossed in his book as he is, but she may notice his armor looks a bit different. Same colors, but perhaps a bit sturdy-looking than before- like, RIGHT before, as she and Starlock had sent the shuttle packing. And smoking, and fritzing, and NAKED- after his solo attempt on their base.

**Swivel has posed:**
Indeed, after her initial glance, Swivel's optics quickly turn to peer at a very familiar brown and purple fellow. And his datapad. She doubts he's reading reports. Swivel almost considers slinking off and finding some other way of relaxing. But then casting another glance around, she sees the card table is empty. Heading over there, Swivel plunks herself down, setting up for a game of solitaire. She's not eager to get served and instead silently watches Blast Off for a moment or two, between flipping the thin metal cards and deciding where to put them.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Eventually, Blast Off gazes up from what is TOTALLY a report, Swivel, totally NOT one of those romance novels he likes reading, of course not- ahem- and notices her, too. The shuttle stops and stares a moment, pausing to wonder what card game she's started playing, before returning to his book- I mean report- but now glancing every so often back at the femme. Sneakily. Or so he thinks, at least.

**Swivel has posed:**
Oh, the evening could pass with a series of super discrete glances at each other. And probably likely would without some sort of catalyst. Blast Off reads his 'report' and Swivel keeps adding cards to ever growing tableaus.

At one point Swivel looks up just as Blast Off is sneaking a glance, catching his optic. Rather than looking away and trying to hide the fact she is keeping tabs on him, she continues to just stare him down as she places another card down.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off catches that look- and then stare..... He stops, caught in that gaze like a petrodeer in headlights, and stares dumbly back. For a moment, at least, then he attempts to break away, clumsily feeling for his wine glass and sipping from it as he forces himself to "read" the datapad... though now he's mostly just staring at it.

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel sits up straight and Blast Off looks away, a cautious smile forming. It doesn't stay long, lest it be caught. She busies herself with her current game, finally ordering herself a light beverage. And with her order, she also slips a note to the waitstaff. It is sometime later when a waiter comes by to ask Blast Off about a refill that said note ends up discretely placed beside his drink.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off is determined not to look too interested in chatting with the Autobot sitting over there. Nope, nope, he's a Decepticon and it just wouldn't do! He does glance once or twice to see if anyone he knows is around, but so far there isn't. And then there's the note placed in front of him as he agrees to the refill. He cautiously picks it up and reads it.

**Swivel has posed:**
Indeed, what could that note possibly say? Is it intel? An apology? A request to meet up somewhere more private? Well, the notes reads:

 "Huff indignantly if you are reading a Romance story."

Swivel seems to be mostly focused on her cards, but she is definitely watching for a reaction out of Blast Off from the corner of her optic, concealing the impish smile that so fervently wants to be free.

**Skywarp (65) has posed:**
Skywarp has decided to come back and see who else he can swindle out of credits like he did with Jazz the other cycle. With a slight popping sound, the black and purple Seeker suddenly appears by the table he was at the other night. Skywarp grins and glances around hoping to take in the reactions of surprise and startlement he hopes he caused just now.

**Blast Off has posed:**
The indignant huff comes out before Blast Off can even think twice about it, the shuttleformer immediately regretting the sound and trying to cover it up with a clearing of throat and even a little cough. Though the fact that there seems to be a faint blush on what's visible of his cheeks and the way he quickly places the datapad facedown suggests Swivel was correct. He turns to give her a sharp glare, though even that eventually softens and a hand comes up to rub at his temple as he gently shakes his head in what might be bemusement. Then there's a glance her way, this time possibly more humored and less sharp, and he almost looks like he's considering saying something when - POOF.

Blast Off startles at the sudden appearanhce of the Seeker, staring at Skywarp now for a moment before very deliberately reaching for his glass and opening the hatch on his faceplate to take a very long, deep drink. He's gonna need it.

**Swivel has posed:**
That little impish turn of the lips can no longer be oppressed when Blast Off huffs, then tries to digsuise his response. However, Swivel can at least keep herself from giggling and she glances down at the game. She glances up again, taking note of every little detail, every nuance she's come to learn about Blast Off's behaviour, reading him like the book he will deny the contents of.

Swivel had glanced down again at her game, deciding her next move - in cards in in the social arena - when something unexpected happens. Or someone unexpected. Indeed, Swivel's head jerks back when there is someone sitting across from her at the card table when previously there was not. But her surprise isn't so much from the sudden apparition of a person so much as it being Skywarp, as opposed to either Blurr or Phantom. Swivel's optics brighten for just a flicker before resuming their usual glow. Slowly, she tilts her head curiously at the seeker.

**Skywarp (65) has posed:**
Skywarp notices Blast Off and twitches a wing then focuses back on Swivel. "Well well lookie here, if it ain't Swivel...." its difficult to tell if hes amused, annoyed or scheming by the tone of his voice and the look on his face

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off notices that little impish smile and experiences a twinge deep down near his spark somewhere. How he wishes he could see that side of her more often. It's become so rare to see nowadays. But maybe the fact that he made her smile is why he's not as annoyed as he could be. However, when Skywarp appears his own usual poker face does, too, and now he watches the two over there, waiting to see what happens next.

**Swivel has posed:**
"Well if it ain't Skywarp." Swivel responds as she returns to her game with sheer nonchalance. After laying down a card she glances up again. "And how is Thundercracker doing these days?" She asks casually, albeit in a clean, well enunciated mode of speech unlike the mangled accent she used to try and communicate with. No more glances are sent to Blast Off, not with a seeker at roost.

**Skywarp (65) has posed:**
Skywarp gets a sour look on his face, "Whats it to you anywat mmm?" he motions for a wait staff as he glances back at the Combaticon. " Think youre pretty brave do you with all these cone around you. right?" he asks looking back at the femme.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off notes Swivel's more eloquent (kind of) speech, while remaining silent himself. He returns the look to Skywarp, lifting an optic ridge, then goes back to (pretending) to read while keeping tabs on what's going on over there.

**Swivel has posed:**
"Oh no, goodness me, I'm quite the coward, actually." Swivel responds, looking up from her cards, studying Skywarp for a moment or two. "I was just trying to make some polite small talk. What else would you have me do? Insult you? Ignore you? I am open for suggestions." Swivel sighs at the cards, seeing no further moves, and begins to gather them all together to start over. She does hazard a side glance in Blast Off's general direction when Skywarp looks to him, but otherwise focuses on Skywarp.

**Skywarp (65) has posed:**
Skywarp gets his drink set before him and tosses a credit down. "I just don't understand you...TC thought very highly of you, he never did anything but good to you and look where you are now.. .

**Blast Off has posed:**
Swivel will catch Blast Off surreptitiously looking back at her, though he glances back down at his datapad as soon as their optics meet. He goes back to pretending to read, but then the mention of Thundercracker and suggestion of past history there has him unable to help but look back up and watch them again. Huh?

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel looks up. "In a bar, talking to you. It is a tragic turn of events," Swivel responds, playfully bemoaning the situation. She then looks down, fingering her Autobot badge. "Or did you mean this?"

**Skywarp (65) has posed:**
Skywarp take a swig of his drink and pulls an enercig put of an arm compartment. "No I meant the cards in your hand-of course I meant the bot badge dirtying your image..."

**Swivel has posed:**
Rather than starting another game, Swivel just sets the cards in their tray and looks up. Still looking at Skywarp, she takes a long sip of her drink, before setting it down gently. "Yeah. We all make mistakes we must live with. I musta been WAY drunk when I enlisted. I was heading to Kaon I am sure, but took a wrong turn and ended up at the Decagon." There is no doubt from the tone of Swivel's voice that she is being facetious. "Alas." Swivel's hand hovers over the deck of cards. "But let's let bygones be bygones, yeah? How about a game. Bring a friend." Swivel nods over to Blast Off. "I'm sure the two of you can keep me honest."

**Skywarp (65) has posed:**
Skywarp glances at Blast Off then back at Swivel. "Hope you have deep pockets cause Im.gonna fleece you..." he hits his enercig waits for the combaticon to join them.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off is definitely staring at them now, too curious at how she will respond to pretend indifference. And then- there it is. Sarcasm. Ah. Blast Off smirks just slightly under his faceplate, letting out a soft vent of air as he fiddles with his datapad. Then... they both seem to be expecting him to join them over there. Violet optics flickering, he just sits there and stares at them. "I beg your pardon?"

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel leans back in her seat, finishing her drink and setting the empty aside. "Well, you are free to do so," Swivel responds digging out some shanix to put out for small ante. "I'm a femme with few needs, my wages are wasted on me. Might as well go to someone who can aprpeciate it." Swivel then looks over at Blast Off, gesturing for him to join. "And speaking of mechs who can appreciate shanix and the comforts it can buy..."

**Skywarp (65) has posed:**
Skywarp stares at Blast Off, "If you want to beg I wont stop you ..." he cant help but chuckle then he looks back at Swivel, "Set us up the deal then."

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off lifts an optic ridge, eying Swivel and her shanix, then tenses into a flat look at Skywarp. He sits there, letting things stew for a moment, before he places the datapad down and stands up with flourish. "Fine. I can always use more shanix for those... finer things..." He strides to their table with his usual haughty manner, then sits down to gaze at the two other Cybertronians. "What are we playing?"

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel smiles, activating the auto-shuffler. "Five card draw. We'll start with a tiny five shanix ante. But, of course, bets are free to get as large as the players are willing to risk." Once the cards are finished she deals five cards out to Skywarp, then to Blast Off, then to herself. She looks between the two mechs, a small smile forming on her face. "Right then..." she says as she organizes her hand, then looks to SKywarp to see if he chooses to exchange any of his cards.

**Skywarp (65) has posed:**
Skywarp looks at his bew card and does some arranging. Then he slides 5 shanix forward. "I see your five...raise you 10." he tosses 10 more to the pile

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off already HAS a poker face with his faceplate, and the shuttle isn't giving anything away. Except a card, which he places down, and asks for a new card. "I'll raise you both 10," he states, pushing more shanix into the pile.

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel looks at the shanix already addded to the bet, dealing out the cards necessary. "And dealer takes two." Swivel says as she tosses a pair of cards into the discard and draws herself another. Swivel looks at everyone again and then coolly says, "I fold."

**Skywarp (65) has posed:**
Skywarp chuckles with evil glee then looks at Blast Off, "Well..10 more." and he slides 10 more to the pile.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off remains aloof as ever, simply watching Swivel fold, then looks to Skywarp, waiting to see what he'll do next. "Hmm." He discards two cards, then matches Skywarp on the shanix pile.

**Skywarp (65) has posed:**
Skywarp says causally as he takes a pull from his drink, "Call." he spreads his cards out.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off makes a chuckling sound, laying his cards down as well. Seems he likes his hand. "Two pair!"

**Skywarp (65) has posed:**
Skywarp mutters something unintelligible and leans back in his seat and downs the rest of his drjnk.

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel chuckles lightly. "Either I funded the Decepticon war efforts or, more likely, I just funded an enerwine habit." Swivel says jovially as she gathers all the cards and shuffles them. "If you want another round, ante up."

**Blast Off has posed:**
With a grin under his faceplate, Blast Off sweeps up the earnings. All that sweet shanix! "I think I'm good for now... " He looks up at Swivel and is almost tempted to wink at her. Almost. But Skywarp's there and... well, he doesn't WINK. He gives her a bemused little nod instead. "Oh, rest assured this shall go to the wine habit." He nods to Skywarp as well. The shuttleformer subspaces the loot, then sits back looking pleased.

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel smiles at Blast Off and his assurances. She glances at Skywarp, then at Blast Off. "Wisely quitting while you are ahead, I see." She remarks. "I probably also should retire for the evening. But, fret not, Skywarp, I am sure you will have future opportunities to relieve me of my filthy Autobot wages."

**Blast Off has posed:**
"But of course~," Blast Off replies as Swivel remarks on his wisdom. Then likely preens for the rest of the evening.