1069/All the Wrong Questions

**Phantom has posed:**
The Jump Joint is quieter tonight. But it isn't because there's lack of a crowd . In fact, every stool at this rundown establishment's bar area is taken. However, it would appear that the crowd here is currently preoccupied watching the crooked TV screen attached to the wall behind the counter, their attention captured by the news anchor who is speaking in depth about Optimus Prime's return to Iacon, and what it could mean for the war, going forward.

 Most of the Decepticons in here look none too pleased, while others seem afraid.

 Phantom falls into neither category. Instead, he's sitting in the back of the bar, writing pensively on a data pad and for once in his life, is not high, or drunk.

**Goth has posed:**
     Goth would wonder into the Jump joint with a datapad in hand, and made for his usual spot. He was double checking the medical bay inventory for Dustoff while the other medic was out and about on whatever command had assigned him to, and take a seat. He'd roll his optics at the Tv and promptly ignore it, ordering his normal wine, and glanced up noting Phantom and then back down and.. Wait what?

      He'd quirk a ridge for a moment before shaking his helm and looking back down.

**Hookshot has posed:**
Among the mechs paying attention to the broadcast is Hookshot. Not in his dark matte colours, but a spot more warmly coloured and sparkly to boot. No hiding here. He's leaning back in his chair at one of the tables, head cocked to the side as he not only observes the broadcast, but the reactions of the different mechs in the room. Noticing Goth wander in, he gives a casual lift of the hand that hardly constitutes as a wave.

**Brawl has posed:**
Brawl optics glow as he wathe broadcast, his engine emitting a low rumble. From the looks of it the tankmech is about to shoot or smash the monitor. Lucki!y the bartender disracts him by placing a Jump Srart infront of him which he quickly downs before saying, "Heh shoulda stayed outta sight with how dem Ibex guns went down."

**Vortex has posed:**
Vortex wanders in "Well. At least she wont be here tonight." the rotorless rotary says as he enters the Jump Joint. He heads to the bar. "Strongest drink followed by two of the scond strongest." he says. "Im actually gonna drink tonight not be bothered by Autobots."

**Phantom has posed:**
Phantom ignores Goth, continuing to write deliberately on the datapad, until the TV screen cuts to some video footage of Prime disembarking his ship, followed by a clip of him saying some oh-so-noble words, as per usual.

 Then he looks up at the screen, frowning. His optics glaze over for a moment, and then he gets up and joins Vortex and Brawl at the bar. "Don't you ever get tired of doing the same thing, over and over again?" he asks the rotary, watching as Brawl basically inhales his drink.

**Goth has posed:**
     "A grin cracked its way onto Goth's face, seeing Prowl on fire really had been the highlight of that whole fight in Ibex. He'd lean back and actually look over at the TV, and then part of the Medical Bay Demolishing Squad, known as Vortex and PHantom, before taking one of the darts, and throwing it at the dart board.

**Hookshot has posed:**
Brawl's antics earns a smile from Hookshot, but the mech prudently doesn't draw in the Combaticon tank's attention. He just nurses his Toraxxis Flame, losing interest when the video footage loops. Instead his full attention turns to that of those in the room. The two combaticons, for once, and Phantom's question to them. Hookshot's optics flicker. But rather than approach the group directly, he takes his drink and sidles over to the dartboard. "What was it about... taking someone's optics out with such things? I distinctly recall... oh, and hello, there, Goth." Casually, Hookshot plucks a dart and gives it a nonchalant toss.

**Vortex has posed:**
Vortex tilts his head at Phanto. "hey, phan phan. I never have the same day twice, whatcha mean?" he asks. "Just gettin' back into the swing of thigns thats all."

**Brawl has posed:**
Brawl nods to Vortex as he coms in, making sure the seat next to him is empty. At Phantoms question he lets out a grunt, "Whaddya mean da same thin'?" He glances back to the TV as it shows highlights, balling his fists as it dares to show Primes lucky shot on BO.

**Phantom has posed:**
Phantom stares Hookshot icily. "What the hell are you talking about?" he says, appearing annoyed.

 "No, I mean, of the pattern. Drink, smoke a joint, fight, bleed, repeat. Honestly, it's all starting to blur together and feel the same," he says, optics narrowing. "I need something different."

 He then subspaces the datapad, sparing Brawl a glance before looking over at the TV again. "What do you know about him?" he says to the group, nodding at the screen.

**Goth has posed:**
     Just mumbles and grumbles as he misses, at least he hit the wall and not someone else! He also gives Hookshot a dirty look as he repeats Goth's words form before. "He's sassing me, Phantom." He'd huff, watching as Hookshot hits the dartboard, show off.

      He'd glance to the TV and then Phantom. "The Autobots leader?" He'd ask with a slight raise of his ridge, best to as now and have Phantom tell him he wasn't talking to the bat, then spouting off, at least in his mind.

**Hookshot has posed:**
Hookshot tilts his head when Phantom addresses him. "Is there a draft in here? Must be." She shrugs, not even looking over to Phantom to receive that cold stare. The slim mech offers up a small shrug. He seems to have his attention directed at the current game of darts.

Hookshot gives Goth a side glance, while he takes a sip from his drink. "Not feeling up to trying again?" Hookshot asks, gesturing to the dartboard.

**Brawl has posed:**
Brawl emits a rumble, "Know he's at da top of the list." Doubt few outside the Combaticons know of Onslaughts revenge list. The tankmech says nothing elze as a new drink is set before him.

**Vortex has posed:**
Vortex tilts his head. "So what did you have in mind?" He asks, tilting his head. "I gotta meet with a friend of mine who sells some really good circuit speedsrs bit. I'll be back for more drinking later, ok?" he asks.

**Phantom has posed:**
"No," Phantom says, sounding frustrated. "I don't either of those things, I'm tired of them," he says angrily. A pause. "I've been ... seeing someone," he says vaguely. "And lately, I've been thinking ... I don't know. Drinking, cutting, drugs .. they don't have the same effect anymore. And I realize, I can't distract myself forever. But I don't know how else to live."

 He looks over at Goth, optics narrowed. "...yeah." He looks back to the TV. "Heh. Figures," he says in response to Brawl. "I know him.. from somewhere." Another pause. "I have this blurry memory of him, cradling the mangled corpse of solider. But I'm pretty sure I've never actually met him."

**Goth has posed:**
     Goth rolled his optics and once more threw a dart at the dartboard... and actually hits this time! He'd chuff out a huff before nodding, least he redeemed himself somewhat. He'd then look over to Phantom, blinking, what the seeker says has him a little confused, did someone replace Phantom with a clone or something?

      He'd shake his helm, while it wasn't bad, still it was.. surprising? It left him unsure to say before focusing on the TV. "Hmph, He was out at Ibex, didn't say much, but he did take a shot at Blast Off with a similar weapon to Blast Off's own blaster."

**Hookshot has posed:**
Hookshot lets out a low whistle. "Nice shot." Somehow, that coincided with the footage of Optimus Prime shooting down BLast Off. But surely, it was meant for Goth, who scored himself a nice hit. But then he goes silent, listening to Phantom speak. Still, he doesn't turn around. He just finishes his drink, setting the empty glass down on the nearest table. He lifts an optic ridge, noting Goth's confused expression. "There's hope for you yet. But, alas, I must go."

And go, he does.

**Brawl has posed:**
Brawl ignores Hookshot though feels like they should smack the mech for last time. He takes a short pull of his drnk and shrugs, "He'll get slagged for dat." The tzankmech listens to the others before glancing around saying, " Anyone scared ain't no warrior, scraplets. Remember we won even with him being there! "

**Phantom has posed:**
He gives Hookshot an exasperated look, and waves dismissively. Shaking his helm at Goth, he continues staring at the TV. "Right, because that really helps me to know where that memory came from," he growls at the mechabat.

 The elusive seeker grumbles. "Ah, hell. Why am I even trying? None of you were even at Simanzi."

**Goth has posed:**
     Goth raised a ridge at Brawl, before his optics trailed back to Phantom. "Fairly Phantom, i've not even been on this planet for even a Stellar Cycle, so, my knowledge of things here are a bit.. Mmm Lacking." He'd admit, thinking a moment. "Well, What else do you recall? anything of the location or is that just it?" He'd ask with a tilted head, though he rises a ridge at the mention of Simanzi.

**Brawl has posed:**
Brawl turns to the seeker as they mention Simanzi. Emitting a growl he says, "You wanna think on dat? All I know is that plenty died and prob best not to search for any ghosts of it." , he finishes his drink before adding, "Most prob happy not to talk on it."

**Phantom has posed:**
Phantom doesn't look at Goth. His expression is glazed over, and it's now hard to tell whether he's staring into space, or actually watching the TV.

 "I died that cycle," he said frankly, "One of the high ranking Autobot officers had issued a 'shoot to kill' order for me, though I was unarmed. It's why the tentative alliance the Bots and Cons had formed with each other dissolved. Or so I've been told."

 He hehs at Brawl. "Best not to search for one, but he's sitting right in front of you anyway."

**Goth has posed:**
     Goth tilted his head, raising his other ridge in interest, listing. "And I take you... Lost all memory due to this event that temporarily extinguished your spark?" He ask with interest. A lot of things about Phantom where not making sense, and that was starting to make him wonder if Lady luck's sister, Lady Karma, was about to come kick them all in the afts for it.

      "If so, who informed you after you came back online?"

**Brawl has posed:**
Brawl crosses his arms as he studies Phantom, "Well I got nothing for ya about what yer seeking. Was not part of it." Standing up he makes way to the exit, " No idea who ya could ask either. Ya want answers, good luck. " The tankmech makes his way out after that.

**Phantom has posed:**
"I don't know," Phantom says, his expression still distant. "How could I? I was dead. Shockwave was the one who informed me about the state of the world when I.. was revived, I guess." He gets up, frowning and hesitating before he says, "It makes sense. I was the liaison between our factions."

Goth may get a sense that he's holding back. Was there something no one was supposed to know, not even other Decepticons? He then starts heading for the exit of the Jump Joint. "I'm going to find another coping mechanism," he says candidly before transforming and leaving the premises.