123/Persuasion

**Swivel has posed:**
 Waiting is an undesirable task, expecially for the young. Well, the comparatively young as far as Cybertronian standards go. In order to keep this particularily active and young mind, Swivel is seated on the ground outside of a bit of commerce real estate up for lease. She's in the western part of Rodion, on the road that eventually leads to the Deltaran Medical Facility. She'd seen a few emergency vehicles come and go, but not with their sirens live. It's a slow day, but hey, that is just fine for Swivel. Except for the part where it's boring.
      The small femme is not really much to draw attention. She's on her knees, since sitting on her aft isn't always easy due to the interference of the large wheels sprouting from her back. She's shabby in appearance with dust and dirt and chipped paint, but is otherwise in good shape. She'd been watching a pair of mechs arguing from across the street. She could tell from the argument that they were close, and that it was unlikely to escalate to violence. Nonetheless, they are the only interesting thing in her immediate vicinity, and thus she just keeps observing them.

**Wheeljack has posed:**
Everyone is being too seriously lately. Okay, yeah, war was a serious matter. Losing Toraxxis was a big deal, and thankfully he's not the one that has to console Grapple bitching over all that hard work in rebuilding it lost (he might feel a little sorry for Hoist for being that poor sap though). But it was like everyone was forgetting how to relax, and that was a stifling atmosphere. The engineer needed to get out and let his thoughts clear, and to do that usually going for a directionless, destinationless cruise was usually just what the doctor ordered. Unless that doctor was Ratchet. He was more likely to just say to go get drunk.

**Blurr has posed:**
Blurr has been feeling a bit...disconcerted lately. He's tried not to show it, but it certainly has been bothering him. He'd been ordered to take out a Decepticon sympathizer, but when he confronted her, she--didn't at all seem like a Decepticon sympathizer. At least not in the way he expected. She hadn't even fought back or, even spouted insurgent rhetoric. It felt...too much like the way things were -before-.

    And since Wheeljack has gone out wandering (or whatever other intentions he has), he decides to accompany the engineer, he could use some time to--ponder, maybe?--himself. Swivel would probably recognize Blurr, even in his alt mode, making his way down the street toward Deltaran.

**Swivel has posed:**
Would she ever recognise his alt mode. As much sa his face was plastered all over Ibex, so was his racer mode. What is puzzling is that she can actually see it, and not just a bluish blurr. But then again, when using the regular roads it's best to avoid causing traffic accidents by weaving in and out and distracting folk with less keen reflexes. Well, what an opportunity!
      Swivel slowly rises to her feet and walks to the road proper, transforming and falling in several cars behind Blurr, carefully keeping at least one car between then as she tails the celebrity mech. PAYBACK!

**Wheeljack has posed:**
While he had intended to go driving alone, Blurr was some welcome company. He was still relatable. As much respect he had for people like Optimus Prime, sometimes they were just too involved in things to just buddy around with anymore. So Wheeljack didn't really mind. It also meant he wasn't talking to himself like some lunatic. "Kind of a shame these streets are so empty these days."

**Blurr has posed:**
"..." Blurr doesn't respond to Wheeljack's comment for a few moments, his mind still racing with questions. "Huhwhat?" Did someone just talk to him? "Oh, uh, yeah. I mean, I guess not as many people have the resources to go out unless they absolutely have to any more." he replies, still sounding distracted and somewhat depressed. "Well at least you won't have to worry about fixing the place again."

    He hasn't noticed Swivel, yet.

**Swivel has posed:**
The little femme-car isn't overly familiar with the mech that Blurr is conversing with, but she is listening keenly. The car in front of her turns off and so she merges into another lane, allowing a vehicle to pass her, then turns back into place, this time two cars away. She strains to listen. Lucky for her, she's good at that. Sneak sneak sneak.

**Wheeljack has posed:**
"No, now I just have to worry about what we're going to do instead," Wheeljack replies, though the comment isn't without it's hint of humor. He never really was one to complain. Too much. He liked to keep busy. "Ah well, less traffic just makes this a little more relaxing I suppose. Just... kinda miss having actual sights to see instead of just roaming aimlessly."

**Blurr has posed:**
"Yeah..." Blurr mutters. He's certainly right. "We have to get to the bottom of that mine, that's what we need to do. Somehow without getting eaten by those--things." He pauses, then changes the subject. "So, what have you been working on lately, anyway? Anything interesting that you're allowed to talk about out in the open?" Might as well get the engineer going.

**Swivel has posed:**
Scary things in mines? Mines, eh? Swivel likes mines, or rather, the underground in general, but she doesn't like creepy things. The car in front of Swivel slows down, causing the little femme just the slightest hint of annoyance. She doesn't want to lose her chance to get back at Blurr for all the times he tailed her quietly then suddenly appeared and made her jump. She wonders if she could ever make Blurr jump? With that in mind, the femme suddenly goes down a tiny side street - really more of an alley than anything - with the intention of actually getting ahead of them.

**Wheeljack has posed:**
Wheeljack's engine emits a thrum that could almost be something akin to hmming softly. "My armor piercing shrapnel shells did prove to be effective on getting past the shells on those things. But 'death of a thousand cuts' doesn't really slow them down. I need to put that penetrating power into a more focused ... oomph." Oomph is totally a scientific term when talking to someone like Wheeljack. "At least with the better equipment we've been able to provide them, the miners have less efficiency issues. It's kind of a good thing they were still using older tech when Shatterstone was around, or he'd probably be blabbing it to the Cons."

**Blurr has posed:**
"Ugh, we should have gotten rid of Shatterstone before the Decepticons showed up." Blurr grumbles. "You find out anything from any of the samples of the entrails or parts we took? Like where these things came from or how long they've been around? Maybe they used to be people who had too much of the unrefined energon from down there for too long or something." Swivel continues to go unnoticed for now.

**Swivel has posed:**
      Rev rev rev parallel to the main road! No one in the way, so Swivel is able to get ahead of the busier traffic. Every cross street she glances over to check her progress. Once she is sure she is well ahead of Blurr and Wheeljack, the odd little car wheels around and idles at a cross street a bit in front of them, lying in wait.

**Wheeljack has posed:**
Wheeljack would shrug if he could as a car. "I don't know about that. Could be some cybertronian wildlife that mutated like that, maybe. Long time exposure to that unfiltered energon could explain their nasty disposition. Just a small sample was enough to really redline someone's aggression factors after all. There has to be some connection though, or they wouldn't be found around the large reserves like that."

**Blurr has posed:**
"Makes sense, I guess." Blurr responds. There's a pause, and the two of them drive in silence for a few moments. It seems kind of weird, for there to be quiet with Blurr around. Finally, he asks -the- question. The one that has been bouncing around in his mind for a while now. "Wheeljack, you ever feel like maybe, when you're told to do something, it might not be right? Like there's a reason they want you to keep quiet about it, and it's because they -know- it isn't what right?"

**Swivel has posed:**
 Just as Blurr approaches the alley Swivel is waiting in, she gets her engines going and lurches forward, accelerating in as short a time as she can, practically flying at Blurr. Howevever, shortly before making an impact the femme slams the breaks on only her hind wheels, cuausing her front to flip up, rearing like a spirited stallion, her wheels still spinning with no friction for them to grab on to. The car remains verticle for a moment or two, before it falls forward again, landing with a soft thud, bouncing on its shocks a little. "BOO!"
      what a way to ruin such a serious conversation.

**Wheeljack has posed:**
The former race start not being a chatterbox was one thing. The silence followed by a rather introspective question is another entirely. Unfortunately before Wheeljack can make a response another form races out into the street in front of them. "Whoa!" Reflexively the speeder veers to avoid a collision, only to appear to roll over, but it's just Wheeljack using his stunt driving skills to tumble out of the way, and transform into root mode.

Then fail to stick the landing as his foot stops in something slick spilled on the street, and he falls over backwards on his aft with the clang and a "OOmph!". But at least he didn't run into someone. Or explode.

**Blurr has posed:**
Quite suddenly, a familiar shape speeds out in front of them and shouts. Blurr swerves quickly, and transforms as Wheeljack does, barely avoiding hitting Swivel. He doesn't, however, appear startled. Swivel was fast, but apparently not quite fast enough to get the jump on the former racer. "Swivel!" he exclaims, jumping back once he's completed the shift. Then he notices Wheeljack has fallen on his aft. "You okay?"

    It seems the small fembot has chosen the perfect moment to attempt to startle her friend. Of course, it always happens that way, whenever someone is about to say something important, there is always some interruption.

**Swivel has posed:**
Her stunt finished, and somehow, no one got hurt (much), Swivel Rises into her root mode, standing with a big grin on her face. The other few people driving had swerved a little, but managed to work out a potential jam due to staggering. as far as Swivel is concerned, she MOSTLY got the jump on Blurr, which, in her mind, is impressive for someone not special. However, her smile fades when she realised she caused the other mech to be knocked onto his aft. "Oh..... whoops. Um..." She waits for an opening and crosses the road over to Wheeljack. "Y'okay?"

**Wheeljack has posed:**
Wheeljack waves a hand at the other two. "I'm fine, I'm fine. Just ruined my chances at a perfect 10 landing," he jokes as he gets back onto his feet.

**Blurr has posed:**
Now, if this had been just about anybody else besides Swivel, Blurr probably would have been annoyed at their antics, given he could have run over her and injured her significantly. But oh, that smile. That innocuous, adorable, playful grin is almost like mesmerizing. Who could get angry at that??

    As such, the speedster just grins right back. "Nice try if you were trying to scare me, because it didn't work." He was about to help Wheeljack back up but it seems the engineer is A-OK.

**Swivel has posed:**
The little femme allows her grin to return seeing that Wheeljack is good humoured - a refreshing change in her company as of late. "Wellum glad I dinna give ya grief," the femme says with exaggerated relief sweeping over her. However, she looks just a little bit discouraged for a moment or two after Blurr tells her that her little stunt did not have the desirable effects. She frowns deeply, looks down, and slumps her shoulders. This last all of ten seconds (or whatever cybertronian equivalent) before she looks up with a daring grin while she rolls her shoulders back with renewed confidence. "But I came close, din I!"

**Wheeljack has posed:**
Wheeljack snorts softly out of the venting in his mouthplate. "Even if you did, he probably wouldn't admit it." He walks over to give Blurr a nudge with his elbow, then leans closer to Swivel and fakes a whispering gesture. Not that whispering does much good when he's got those syncronized flashers on the sides of his head. "Gotta protect his ego, after all." Yes, Wheeljack is very good humored. Being all stiff and strict would take the fun out of his line of expertise

**Blurr has posed:**
"Maybe," Blurr replies vaguely. Wheeljack is probably right, he wouldn't admit it even if she had succeeded at startling him. Then he proceeds to introduce the two of them to each other. "Oh, right. Swivel this is Wheeljack. Engineer, works in Operations. And this is Swivel. She um..." He pauses, not really sure what to say about the fembot. "What do you do these cycles anyway? You find a job? Like actual employment or are you still just wandering around barely making ends meet?" He frowns at that, it worries him.

**Swivel has posed:**
"Waitin' on 'earin' back 'bout a courier job. Done a few jobs as a temp, so now's all 'bout gettin' the final verdict, ifyaknowwhaddImean. I'm s'posed ya show up t'morrow 'en they'll 'ave a yay or nay fer me," Swivel chatters away her explanation as she reaches out a ahnd over and up for a friendly handshake with Wheeljack. Naturally, she often needs to reach slightly up as she is of a smaller form.

**Wheeljack has posed:**
That's okay, Wheeljack stoops down enough to reach without having to strain, so it all balances out in the end. "Nice to meetcha miss. Blurr seems to run into a lot of interesting folks. Not literally. We avoided the literal part."

**Blurr has posed:**
Blurr nods, still not looking exactly satisfied with Swivel's response. She's just so...vulnerable. He sighs. "Look Swivel, I don't know how secure any of that stuff is any more. I mean, you saw what happened to Toraxxis. You need--someone who can protect you, and better yet, teach you how to protect yourself."

    He chuckles at Wheeljack, though. "We know you're not trying to be literal, 'Jack. You don't have to point it out."

**Swivel has posed:**
 The little femme lets out a delightful little giggle at Wheeljack's comments. She places a hand over her mouth as if to stifle it, but it has little effect as her whole frame betrays her merriment. From the jovial squint of her optics, to the jaunty shaking of her shoulders, and of course, the sound itself.
      But then Blurr brings the reality back. Darn that Blurr. Swivel raises an optic ridge at the mech. "'N lemme guess, you'd b'th'one protectin' me?" Swivel asks, an almost coy expression edging in on her girlish voice.

**Wheeljack has posed:**
Wheeljack tries his best to stifle snickering too much, but it doesn't really work. Again those flashers that sync with whatever he says or other vocal sounds are a dead giveaway, even if he does manage to muffle it behind a hand. "I think she's catching onto you quickly Blurr." Her upbeat attitude was certainly a nice change of pace though, especially from a neutral.

**Blurr has posed:**
"I--erm--well--I--yeah-well-Iguess--" Blurr stammers, not entirely sure how to respond to that. And Wheeljack isn't any help with his comment, either. "Iguessthatwouldmakemefeelbetter." Swivel is probably pretty familiar with his wordsrunningtogether habit, by now. He finally manages to re-compose himself. "What I guess I'm trying to say, is that you might think you're just a nobody but with the right training you could be -really- good at the things you're just pretty good at right now." He glance at Wheeljack momentarily, probably looking for some kind of affirmation.

**Wheeljack has posed:**
That Blurr briefly slips into his old habit of running words together just makes Wheeljack laugh a bit harder. Amusement aside though, the speedster does have a point. "What I think he's trying to say, is that you can never be too prepared in these times. Even if you don't get involved in the fighting, you never know when a bit of extra training could be the differense between survival or joining the scrapheap."

**Swivel has posed:**
Looking between each of the mechs as they speak, Swivel listens attentively. She usually does. She has just such an earnest look to her as she tries to make sure she understands everything, giving curt nods at intervals to show that she's getting it thus far, despite any confusion that may temporarily crawl over her face. "Well.... mebbe a bit o' trainin' wun 'urt.... but I 'ent joinin' no war." SWivel crosses her arms and stamps her foot to emphasize her resolve.

**Blurr has posed:**
Blurr looks satisfied when Wheeljack affirms his point. But then he sighs, folding his arms at her little show of obstination. "You don't understand how serious things are getting, Swiv. Some people can afford to just sit on the sidelines because they have the resources to either get off-planet or hide away somewhere where no one will find them. If you were planning on continuing to just fend for yourself, then you shouldn't have come back here."

    He nods toward Wheeljack. "Not everyone who joins even has to go on the front lines. Wheeljack is an engineer, he mostly works in the labs. Right? Though with him around, sometimes the labs are--okay never mind." He decides not to continue that line of thought.

**Swivel has posed:**
 "Nnnnnnnnnn mebbe I shoo jus' leave again," Swivel says stubbornly. However, she quickly retracts this statement. Despite the war Swivel loves her planet. Fewer squishies. Fewer accidents involving squishies. Eh heh heh.... whoops.
      "Nah... I guess I jus' dun think either side's roight. I'm still not convinced Autobots 'ave cleaned up their act's all. So which terrorists do I wanna join? Th'ones wither best publicity or th'one without?" Wow. That sounds profoundly cynical for Swivel. One might almost wonder if someone's been giving her ideas.

**Wheeljack has posed:**
Wheeljack holds up his hands. "No one is saying you need to join either side, miss. Just suggestions to make sure you're capable of taking care of yourself." Somedays he's not even sure all the Autobots have cleaned up the act of their predacesors (LOOKING AT YOU PROWL) but that's not his place to really comment on. Especially out in public. "You're probably better off -not- picking a side if you can avoid it. Less becoming another target."

The comment about his lab 'incidents' goes unresponded to. Mostly because it's really hard to deny something that well reputed as being true. Even when entirely accidental!... Usually...

**Blurr has posed:**
Blurr looks offended at Swivel's comment. "So you're saying we're terrorists? Well -excuse- me, Miss Right, I'm sorry if we don't have our act all perfect and 'cleaned up.'" He interjects rather bluntly.

    And then Wheeljack also gets a frustrated glance. "No, that's--/no/. If you're a target you're a target, and if you're not a target you're bound to get caught in the crossfire at one point or another. It's just a question of whether you have backup or whether you can protect yourself or not when something does happen not if it will happen because it will that isn't even a question." He's really trying not to talk at his 'natural' pace, here. It actually takes some concentration, you know.

**Swivel has posed:**
"Yeah, yeah? See? Iffin 'e agrees wi'me!" Swivel jumps all over the bits and pieces of Wheeljack's comments that fit into her own little world. She is jumping up and down and pointing while waving her arm at Wheeljack. She almost looks as if she might pull another childish tantrum by blocking her audials and saying 'LA LA LA I CAN'T HEAR YOU' while spinning in a circle as Blurr begins speaking again. She has has hands up near her head, and her mouth is wide open as if to belt something loud or excited out, but she pauses. She pauses and examines Blurr carefully.
      Swivel lowers har arms by her side and seems to be suddenly rather calm. "If I die 'cos I was able t'old onta SOMER my ideals, some o' me standards, I'll call it a win. I've already sacrificed too much jus' ta survive. I 'ent budgin' any further. So 'til I see fer m'self that I 'ent gonna end up murderin' innocents jus' coz a few MOIGHT know something they shoonut know.... I dun want no part o' it. Tell me, ya been told t'kill summun with no proof they dun wrong lately?" The femme is suddenly eerily serious. "I 'ent thinkin' I'm above ya, we just cling ta diff things, yanno. Mebbe yers is loyalty. Mine's.... I dun 'ave a single word fer it."

**Wheeljack has posed:**
"I don't think you're going to convince her any time soon, Blurr. Best just take what you got." Though then the femme says that, and Wheeljack pauses, raising an optic ridge a bit at her. Well isn't that a coincidence...

**Blurr has posed:**
"But--but -I- won't!" Blurr exclaims. "Ugh, Wheeljack you're not helping. Just--you don't understand!" He's clearly getting rather upset. This is exactly what he'd been afraid of. Slag her and her sappy integrity! You'd think someone like her would have some kind of sense of self-preserveration. "We are -not- terrorists, I can't believe you actually think that because if you did why would you even be talking to us?!"

    But her last question seems to catch him off guard. "I--" he stammers again. "Wedon'talwayshavetimetoaskforproofbesideswhocaneverevenproveanything?!" He blurts out. "P-please--Swivel I can't lose you, I've already lost so much, with everything I've done I can't let you become another--another product of my mistakes!"

**Swivel has posed:**
The little femme's face softens as she frowns slightly. She brings up a hand to try and place on Blurr's forearm. Reeeeach. "Wellum................ I kin unnerstand losin'...." Swivel shakes her head. "I dinna really mean ya was terrorist.... but I meant more that they really ain't /more/ terrorist 'en the gov'ment, they're jus th'ones 'oo gotter set the laws, which back 'fore I left were awful laws, well, I dinna realise they was awful till later, but..." Swivel shrugs her shoulders. "I 'ear the Decepticons 'ave got much worse, but I dunno if tha's true, or if I'm bein' lied to by the gov 'o control th'media. They lost my trust long ago, now they gotter earn it back. Tha's not sayin' 'cons got me trust either."

**Wheeljack has posed:**
Well this got a bit awkward for starting as just a drive to relax. Wheeljack puts a hand on Blurr's shoulder. "Calm down Blurr, before you blow a gasket or something." Not to mention he gets really hard to understand if he starts talking any faster than he already is. "Though it's touching that you want to look out for her. Wouldn't hurt to have more mechs like that instead of worrying about what enemy they get to shoot next."

**Blurr has posed:**
Blurr's friends put their hands on him to attempt to calm him down, but he is still visibly upset. Though now he just seems depressed rather than frustrated. "I knew it, you don't trust me, do you? You never did." He sighs. "I guess I can't blame you."

    He pushes Swivel's hand away, though he doesn't try to resist Wheeljack's. He begins to speak privately to the engineer over the comms, then. << You don't know how vulnerable she is, Wheeljack. I'm just so afraid she'll end up dead or worse. She's already a target, just for being friends with -me-. >>

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel pouts. Yes, pouts. She does this when her hand is pushed away. "Same ol' same ol'. I dun think ya realise there's diff kinds o' trust. I trust ya to 'ave me best innerests in mind, I dun trust that ya kin speak fer ye superiors. I trust yer a good person, deep down... I dun trust thacha wun slip further coz y'already think yer tainted." Swivel offers up a shrug. "But, 'en yer worked up, guess namuch's gunner get through. I otter let ya be, ya?"

**Wheeljack has posed:**
<<And yet she's reading you like an open holopad>> Wheeljack comms back. Shrugs his shoulders a little as he does let go of Blurr's shoulder. "I dunno. Maybe I should be the one to leave and let you two sort this out. Instead of letting it all bubble down inside and get all.. grimy." He gestures with his hands as if scrunching something into a ball. "Suppressing everything isn't really good for a mech, y'know."

**Blurr has posed:**
<< That doesn't make her any less vulnerable. >> Blurr replies on the comms, not exactly sure what that had to do with his original statement about Swivel. Pff, science types.

    He sighs at Swivel's response, which did not really do much to console him. "Yeah so basically you don't. Fine, go I guess. Let's just hope wherever you do end up working they have -their- act all 'cleaned up', at least more 'cleaned up' than ours is, by your standards."

**Swivel has posed:**
The femme could continue trying to break through Blurr's haze of all-or-nothing reasoning, but instead she just throws her arms up in the air and shakes her head. She looks over to Wheeljack. "Was nice meetin' ya, sorry it got awkward." She nods to the blinky mech and turns to leave. There was nothing left to say or do with an obstinate Blurr.

**Wheeljack has posed:**
All Wheeljack can really do is sigh a bit and shake his head as Swivel takes off. "Pain in the aft, but all said and done, I can't really blame her y'know?"

**Blurr has posed:**
"Didn't say I blame her." Blurr says, shaking his head as well. "I'm sorry, Wheeljack. This was--stupid. I shouldn't be bothering you with my problems." He sits down on a bench nearby with a sigh, resting his head on his hands. "You probably wanted some actual time to relax."

**Wheeljack has posed:**
Wheeljack pffs. "What makes you think that?" Then trots over to sit down next to Blurr. "Okay, maybe that is true. Admittablly I'm not so great at fixing 'personal problems'." He even makes that annoying quotes gesture with his fingers before leaning backa nd folding his hands behind his head. "But I'd rather fumble trying to help a friend than deal with some of the other problems these days."

**Blurr has posed:**
"Really?" Blurr looks surprised at his last comment. Heh, personal problems, Primus knows the racer has a pile of those. He just tries not to act like he does most of the time. But the engineer was right, it's not good to suppress all the time...

    "The worst part about it is that she's right, sometimes I don't always feel right about what I'm told to do. I mean, it seems to make sense, but then--" he shakes his head again. "I don't know."

**Wheeljack has posed:**
"Yeah." Which is probably what Wheeljack was going to say earlier before they were interrupted. "War brings up doing things that... aren't easy. And we have a big mess to clean up, between the Decepticons and what came before us." Like almost every Prime before Optimus. "Be glad you're not a medic. Having to decide who gets repairs or who has to wait because of what limited supplies there are or how important and useful someone could be. Why do you think Ratchet is turning into an even crankier old son of a glitch than Ironhide is?"

**Blurr has posed:**
Well, at least Blurr isn't the only one, right? "Seriously?" he asks, not in a disbelieving way but more surprised. He hadn't thought about that angle of being a medic before. "Well be glad you aren't a spy then, having to hurt people who might be innocent just because they know something they aren't supposed to..." Plus, guess who's chief intelligence officer? Yeah, Prowl. "There's always the 'greater good' argument, but that was always the argument. Even before, when I--" He shakes his head again. "I've done some things I'm not proud of."

**Wheeljack has posed:**
"Not to burst your bubble because it's a very prolific point, but division isn't really going to change anything. I don't particularly enjoy that a lot of my creations are going to be used to hurt others. Or worse. But... we need to be able to defend ourselves. Defend them." He lowers an arm partway to wave in the direction that Swivel left. "Even if they don't really understand. Or appreciate it. Because if we don't... who will?"

**Blurr has posed:**
"That's what I'm trying to get her to understand!" Blurr says with another frustrated sigh. "We're -trying- to protect her. If she trusts that I have her best interests at spark, then why doesn't she trust that I'm acting on that? Instead of 'I'd rather die than work for someone who doesn't 100% agree with me and therefore have to face difficult decisions'. That's the exact problem -I- had, 'Jack. I didn't want to make the difficult decisions, so I let other people make them for me. In her case she's just going to get herself killed. In either case, it's stupid and just plain cowardly."

**Wheeljack has posed:**
Wheeljack does reach over to give Blurr's shoulder another reassuring grasp. "If that's how you feel, then the best thing you can do is keep trying. Maybe you'll eventually get through to her. Besides," there would be a smirk if Wheeljack had an actual mouth visible. "Since when has the wonderous champion Blurr backed down from a challenge?"

**Blurr has posed:**
"I guess." Blurr shrugs, not sounding very confident. He chuckles at the playful comment, though, his countenance lifting a little. "Oh pfff, shut up you know that's not the same thing!" Yeah, there were slogans like that, back in the day (and there might still be some around actually), which is probably where Wheeljack got that from. "This isn't dependent on racing skills..." He shakes his head. "I don't know what it's dependent on, being persuasive, maybe. But even that seems to have failed. I don't know, I just know I could never forgive myself if I lost her because I couldn't redeem myself with her enough to convince her to trust me fully and bring her to a place where we can protect her."

**Wheeljack has posed:**
"The only way you're not going to eventually succeed is if you stop trying. Don't need to be a genius to know that. It helps sometimes though." Wheeljack gives the shoulder another pat before getting up from the bench. "Well, should we finish that drive we got sidetracked from? They're probably starting to wonder why the fastest mech on the planet hasn't come home yet!"