1532/Damage Control

Damage Control
Date of Scene:	03 April 2020
Location:	Outskirts of Ibex
Synopsis:	Swivel interrupts Blast Off's carnage spree in Ibex
Cast of Characters:	Blast Off, Swivel

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Swivel has posed:
Here in the outskirts of Ibex, it's not as densely populated. In fact, there are a few 'ghost neighbourhoods' due to the uncertainty brought on by the war. Swivel is perched on the roof of of an abandoned building, holding a pair of binoculars and peering into the south district of Ibex.

Blast Off has posed:
KABOOOM!!

BAM! POW! ZINGY! KABLAM!!!!!! No, it's not Warpath, but it almost just as well could be. The mech causing all this destruction and noise would probably make that tank proud, except for the fact that he's a Decepticon. A Combaticon, to be precise. Blast Off decided to go blow up some things to make himself feel better- namely several Blurr billboards on the outskirts of town. At least he's targeting objects and avoiding civilians. Blast Off has destroyed several billboards, not to mention various abandoned structures, leaving twisted, smoking metal in his wake as he blasts things from high above. The shuttle's pierced the air, thrusters roaring, flight fast and furious.

And now, he's rocketing towards Swivel's location, still going hot and heavy, lasers loaded and ready to ignite.

Swivel has posed:
Uh oh!

Swivel lowers her binoculars for a moment when the shuttle turns its attention towards the structure she is in. Was she there specifically to spy on the Combaticon? Maybe. A hand goes up to the side of her helm and she quickly sends him a tightbeam, even as she is back away towards the edge of the roof. It's quite a fall, but safer than being in a building about to be bombarded. She begins flailing her arms, hoping to be seen. Normally she tries NOT to be seen by Decepticons, but, well, this is a special case. <<"Woah hold on there! Hold fire! HOLD FIRE!">>

Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off comes barreling in fast, receiving the transmission about the same instant he fires again. The only thing to do is turn, quickly, doing a roll midair as he sends the laserfire scattering. Some shots still hit a bit too close, blasting some walls to bits, while the rest go flying into the air and scatter to the heavens. "<< FRAG IT!!! SWIVEL! What... are you alright? >>"

Swivel has posed:
While stoic in some situations, Swivel lets out a yelp as the laser fire is unleashed. And rather than take any chances, the femme decides to hop over the edge of the building anyway. But she chose the side with a fire escape and rather than plumeting down four storeys of Transformer reckoning, she only falls one. However, she is left hanging off the side of said fire escape. With a grunt, that can be heard over her next tightbeam, she pulls herself onto the narrow platform. <<"Unf. Yeah. I'm alright. Sorry. Didn't mean to spoil your fun.">>

Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off comes rocketing in, creating a roar as his thrusters nearly cause the walls to vibrate... and then subside as he transforms into root mode, rolling and landing with a *thud* on the ground below. The shuttleformer looks around, violet optics surveying the scene and then latching onto where Swivel is pulling herself onto the platform. He steps underneath, looking up. "<< I... I was going to stop soon anyway... >>" There's a pause as he accesses her situation, then looks around for observers before tightbeaming, "<< Need a hand? >>"

Swivel has posed:
One leg over, now the other - keep the tires from getting caught on any poles or rungs - good! Swivel pauses, clinging tightly to the fire escape. She doesn't look down when she receives Blast Off's tightbeam, just holds even tighter. <<"The help is appreciated.">> She continues to hold on. <<"But I think I can get down safely.">> Swivel responds after assessing the situation.

Then, slowly at first, she works her way down. But as she gets closer to the ground and gains more confidence, she picks up in speed.

Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off watches silently. Maybe it's habit, maybe it's his gloomy mood as of late, but he allows her to handle it herself, since she says she's got it. No need to risk being seen helping an Autobot anyway... And yet he still stays below her, looking up and ready to spring to action if she *should* fall, despite all that.

Swivel has posed:
Eventually, Swivel drops the last little but to the ground, landing with a thud. For a moment she hweels back a bit, arms out to flail and regain her balance, but then she's fine. "Tada!" Swivel says, seemingly proud of herself for... escaping a building that wasn't even on fire. Yet.

Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off watches until she's on the ground, then- again after looking around to make sure they're alone- he lifts an optic ridge and raises his hands to clap. Slowly, softly. Clap. Clap. Clap. "Bravo." The hands drop down and he looks up at the now-crooked building. "...My apologies, obviously, if I'd known I wouldn't have..." Then he seems to frown from behind the faceplate and tilts his head, studying her. "Then again, it's quite the *coincidence* you just *happened* to be here where I was ... er, venting steam."

Swivel has posed:
"It's not a coincidence at all." Swivel says in an almost chirpy tone. "I came here knowing you'd be here." Swivel admits rather brazenly.

Blast Off has posed:
Now Blast Off crosses his arms. "Oh, you did, did you?"

Swivel has posed:
As Blast Off crosses his arms, places places her hands on her hips, looking squarely up at him. "Yes. Yes I did." Stare. STARE.

Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off STARES BACK. There's a long period of silence between the two as they both stand there. Then, finally, the shuttleformer blinks, his arms getting fidgety.

"...Why?"

Swivel has posed:
Swivel smiles when he finally breaks down and asks. But then the smile fades and she looks a lot more somber. "I was... concerned about you."

Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off blinks, looking down at her a moment before his arms drop down to either side and he looks away. His mood seems to drop with those arms, too, and the shuttleformer seems far less sure. "I'm... fine..." His denial comes out with a forced huff that warbles and trails off in its uncertainty.

Swivel has posed:
Blast Off's arms go down, Swivel's comes up. She bares up her shoulders, crosses her arms, and even seems to stick out her chest somewhat. "Lie to your allies. Lie to random people to the bar. Lie to yourself. But don't tell /me/ of all people that you are fine."

Blast Off has posed:
Each 'lie' gains a wince from the Combaticon, his optics casting about and looking anywhere but at her. Blast Off starts seeming to curl in on himself, his arms lifting up in what's almost a loose hug, black hands digging into the heat shields on each arm. He lets out a huff in response, a very faint, wheezing one. Finally, he comes to stare at his own feet. "...What do you *want* me to say, then?"

Swivel has posed:
Swivel shrugs her shoulders. "You don't have to bare your spark. But don't tell me a lie about your feelings. If you don't want to talk about it, we won't talk about it. If this is how you are choosing to cope..." Swivel gestures to the destruction lying in Blast Off's wake, "...then I'm just glad no one's gotten hurt." Yet. "But I don't want you telling me the same line you are telling everyone else. Because I'm not everyone else."

Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off stands there, listening, still staring down at the ground. When Swivel's finished, he remains still for a moment more before he slowly starts collapsing down, the self-hug growing tighter as he flops to the ground he usually disdains, optics far too bright. There's the soft, ragged venting sounds of someone trying hard to hold it together as he stares at a patch of ground in front of him.

When he speaks, his usual aloof demeanor is replaced with a tight, strangled whimper. "I'm.... not fine."

Swivel has posed:
Swivel watches him cave in on himself, reaching into that scary place of honesty. Her optics also brighten and she moves to stand beside him as he slips down to the ground, holding himself. She reaches out, placing a hand on his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. But she doesn't say anything. She just stays close, lending him whatever strength she has to offer, should he decide to accept. And letting him decide how much to say or not say.

Blast Off has posed:
The shuttleformer curls in on himself, thruster feet still splayed to either side, clutching himself as his frame shudders, light streaming from his optics. He only seems to sob harder as Swivel squeezes his shoulder, though he leans in slightly to the touch. Eventually, though, the Combaticon gets a hold of himself, figuratively, and he uses a black hand to wipe the streaks away from his face.

Here Blast Off starts being self-conscious, wiping his face more and making sure his faceplate is firmly set, glancing around as if afraid someone (besides Swivel) SAW that. Then he settles down again with a deep sigh, hands drifting towards the ground in front of him, hanging loosely there. "I never... wanted all that to happen..."

Swivel has posed:
Noticing Blast Off looking around, Swivel swings herself around, standing in front of him. Although there doesn't seem to be anyone for yalms, if someone did happen to be nearby, they would not easily see Blast Off past her. She remains acting as a sort of shield for the mech as he begins to collect himself. When he speaks again, Swivel again reaches out to touch him, this time with both of her hands, one on each shoulder.

"Neither did I."

Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off stares into her optics, some light still shining brightly at the edges of his. For once, all the pomp and huffiness seems to have deflated, and Blast Off has no denial left to ...deny. He just sits there, looking at her, face pained. His gaze slowly drops down and he doesn't really focus on anything in particular as he murmurs, "...I know." His broad shoulders sag under her slight weight. He thinks for a moment, trying to mentally focus, at least, but... it's hard. "I... don't know what to do."

Swivel has posed:
Swivel keeps her hands on Blast Off's shoulders as he looks into her optics. She gazes right on back, keeping constant optic contact and not shying away from it. Not shying from him seeing the brightness of her own optics, which seem to threaten to stream purple glow down her round cheeks. "...Whatever it takes to survive." Swivel finally responds. "And I don't mean just to prolong your existence. But to survive up here..." Swivel says, releasing one shoulder so she may tap his helmet, "...as well as in here..." she says, her hand training down to his chest - where presumably most people's spark chambers are, placing her warm palm gently on his outer armour.

Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off looks back up as Swivel speaks, watching as she speaks-and touches- his mind and his spark. He sits there a long moment, just gazing at her. No words come to him.... he's not very good at voicing his pain, his real self, anyway. But there is one thing he can do, he realizes, and his mask snaps back, revealing his dark, now stained face and a little crooked smile. It's the smile of someone trying to be brave, trying to smile when they feel like anything but.

Then he looks down again, the darkness threatening to envelope him again, but not quite succeeding, for he is able to eventually look back up to her. "Yeah." His voice is wan, tired. "Not just survive but... but someday... thrive."

Swivel has posed:
Swivel's hand stays there at his chest for a moment, so small and delicate. However, after a moment, her hands go back to his shoulder and she lowers herself to the ground, kneeling in front of Blast Off, bringing herself more or less level with him, as his face is revealed once again. Swivel brings up a hand, gently wiping away the glowing tears from Blast Off's exposed cheeks, smiling back at him as he puts on a brave face. "There now... yes... thrive." Swivel says. "I understand, sometimes, in a hostile environment, we need to lock away our vulnerable selves until they can thrive again. But... even dormant, they still need nourishment."

Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off smiles a little more at her hand brushing the 'tears' away, though he also seems a bit embarrassed by this now, gaze darting to the side and chin tucking down. The smile sobers at her last sentence, however, and he just stares down at her hands. "Easier said than done," he eventually whispers miserably, bringing a hand to rub at his forehelm, then dropping down to his side as he looks her in the optics again. "...Though I suppose I...I manage, whether it's a-a glass of wine or a trip through the stars." He seems lost to thought a moment before refocusing on her with a concerned frown. "...What about you?"

Swivel has posed:
"Almost everything is easier said than done." Swivel remarks, getting out a clean cloth and passing it to Blast Off if he wants. "We're here right now. Neither of us are too far gone desite the atrocities of war." Swivel responds. There is a slight pause before she answers his question. "I cope by loving. And fast rides in the middle of nowhere. But mostly love."

Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off accepts the cloth and wipes his face, clearing his throat and rolling his shoulders back as he gets more of a grip on himself again. He pauses to listen to her, the hand holding the cloth slowly dropping down. The mention of love gains a wan smile once more, his gaze settling on their knee joints folded in the dirt. "I.... *read* about it?" There's a faint note of humor trying to creep into his tone.

Swivel has posed:
Swivel shifts her weight ever so slightly, but remains on her knees. At Blast Off's self deprecation, Swivel allows for a cautious giggle, but watches him carefully as she does so. She follows it up by staring deeply into his optics, a warm smile rather than a mocking one. "That you do. But... there's many kinds of love. Love which sadly gets ignored or giving second place in the stories you read. If a story were written about you, I'm sure I'd be a side character. Maybe even an antogonist."

Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off finds himself staring back into hers, a soft smile slowly spreading across his face. He even manages a small chuckle. "...Maybe. Or I'm..." He turns his head to the side and brings his hands together in front of him, one balled into the palm of the other, and winces. "...I'm in for one smelt of a plot twist at the end." He continues staring off to the side. "Why is that... that... l..love... always seems to be for naught? I mean... what if it's directed to the wrong person?" His face pinches into a grimace, then he shakes his head, unable to continue along that particular train of thought. "Or...well... if your l-love and loyalty is just..." No, wait, don't think that either!

He shakes his head and focuses back on Swivel. He draws in a vent of air and sighs. "There's also that one character you can never quite figure out, the one you're not sure whose side they're really on, but the protagonist is usually..." A slight blush starts to grow on his cheeks, "...pretty captivated by them." A smile grows just a bit and he adds, "That's often some of the real fun of the story, you know."

Swivel has posed:
Seeing Blast Off bringing himself to a place, even if just temporarily, that he can chuckle causes Swivel to smile, her optics dimming to a content gleam. But then he asks some difficult questions. Swivel tilts her head, seeming to give this supposedly hypothetical (it's never hypothetical) situation some careful consideration, as she shifts, resting on the backs of her calves for a moment.

"Well it may be fun in the story, but usually leads to spark ache in reality. I think that is what is captivating about fiction. Seeing things turn out for the best when it normally doesn't. But - what do people who are really captivated do? Open their optics, and learn to accept that everyone has flaws, even the target of their fascination. That's just the beginning, though. But an important step."

Swivel pauses for a moment, checking Blast Off's response.

Blast Off has posed:
Swivel's gentle humor seems to encourage Blast Off, and his smile doesn't fade entirely, even as he listens to her observations. He looks thoughtful, though, gazing downward in contemplation after she finishes. Then he looks up, chin still tilted down. "Yeah... Maybe that's why I... they... sometimes prefer fiction." He looks like he *knows* that's probably not the right answer, but it's the truthful one. He's just not very USED to giving the truthful one, especially to himself.

"Not all the time, though, sometimes... reality has its perks. And..." His face pinches a bit, "..sometimes reality can be... fun too, right?" Primus, he hopes so. He looks at her and something seems to wilt. "...." A small frown forms. "...It is an... important step. It's just... so much harder when you're in a-a situation where 'flaws' can..." he glances up towards the damaged building, "...get the other person killed. Or vice versa."

Swivel has posed:
Swivel glances up at the building she'd jumped off of for a moment or so, tapping her chin in thought before looking back at Blast Off. "But if those flaws are going to get someone killed, they'll get them killed whether you admit those flaws or not. They are still there," Swivel says with cautious firmness.

"Let's think of it this way. When you put a person on a pedestal it's hard to be honest with them. One, you aren't honest with yourself about their shortcomings. Two, feeling pressured to meet the approval of someone so far above you, well, it causes you to hide who you really are as well. And it gets exhausting. It's not a situation where intimacy can thrive. Passion, sure. But not true intimacy."

Swivel then looks over at Blast Off, smiling warmly. "And I would say that connection, that intimacy with another, is one of the things fiction can not truly satisfy - and one of the high points to reality."

Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off listens, looking back up at the building as Swivel speaks, his own expression hovering around pained...and bordering on heartbroken. He looks at the building like its someone /he/ has placed on that pedestal, and seeing the damage in that structure for the first time, and the pain of that causes him to wince and look away.

This leads him straight into the gaze of Swivel, where he locks optics and then can't turn away. He sinks into that reality for a moment, not fighting it, and nods slowly, Swivel's smile feeding his own, that tinge to his cheeks coloring his otherwise dark face. "Why we... why we keep... *dealing* with reality, even though it sometimes... stings." There's a pause and he continues, quieter. "'Cause we... 'cause we don't want to be alone."

Swivel has posed:
Swivel watches Blast Off as he looks at the building, and that pained expression that keeps surfacing. It causes her smile to falter somewhat, but she also knows pain is just a part of life. No matter how much one wants to take all the pain away from the people they love.

"No, we don't. I can stand, even want to be by myself sometimes, but I don't want to be *alone*. Sometimes it helps to know there is someone out there I've connected with at some point or other. To think they may be thinking of me. Fondly, hopefully." Swivel shuffles closer despite still being on her knees, and slips her hands into Blast Off's if he lets her. "I know... I've let you down so many times. I've made mistakes. I've put up barriers that have left you hurt and confused. I've pushed you, too, sometimes a bit too hard. But I do care for you. You are not alone."

Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off stares at Swivel, no masks, no walls between them for once. He's too tired and sad and sparkbroken and he just can't keep it up anymore. Even walls eventually have to come down, even if they will get rebuilt. For now, for this moment, though, his are fallen and he simply stares at her. When she says he's NOT alone, the brightness threatens to return to his optics, his lower lip getting trembly, and ...well obviously, the only thing he can do is accept her hand and then pull on it, trying to sweep her into a big hug. To... hide that brightness in his optics, is all. Yeah.

Swivel has posed:
Swivel sees that brightness welling up, threatening to overlow, and she just keeps smiling tenderly to Blast Off, not looking away for as long as he can stand to keep optic contact. Swivel will make no mistake - she knows awkwardness, denial, and frostiness will return. But for the moment that they have reached a connection, a deeper understanding while the walls are down, Swivel accepts Blast Off into her spark and arms. She wraps her arms about him, holding him tight. It is these moments, Swivel believes, that renews and nourishes a spark. She says nothing, just lets him feel secure and safe with her.

Blast Off has posed:
Certainly, a lifetime of denial isn't going to get forgotten in a day, nor are the other connections Blast Off has made, especially with his team- and Onslaught. But right now, all the conflict and uncertainty -and HURT- is something he can brush aside, if for a moment, and be safe. With an Autobot but hey, life can be strange. Reality bites... but it also surprises and can, sometimes, lift up. Blast Off holds Swivel tight, nestling his face into her shoulder-tire without seeming to mind it. Two energies merged into one comforting warmth.

Swivel has posed:
Is this selfish? Maybe. It's certainly ignoring her duties. Which isn't easy for Swivel who had become so duty driven during her time with the Autobots. But a part of her felt somehow let down and betrayed by the Autobots, even though they never really promised her much. Perhaps Swivel is also feeling the pain of having hoped that the Autobots could rise above the necessity of back doors like Division 6, only to be quashed. But she's not bee able to vocalize this to anyone. And while she seeks to comfort Blast Off, she is also finding comfort in him. Although their ideologies differ, as do their goals, for a moment under the burden of these crushed beliefs she feels a sense of unity. Swivel tilts her head, knocking her helm gently against Blast Off's.

Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off rolls his head to lean, forehead to forehead, upturned noses touching again, and smiles. He is in no rush to break apart, either, content to just hold onto her, and that comfort, for a few moments longer. Two sparks wondering if and where they belong.

Reality also marches on, and eventually Blast Off pulls away from her, hands sliding to rest on her shoulders, and smiles warmly. But the smile begins to fade as he hears reality calling. It's a slow return, and he takes his time, but eventually he begins to pull away, getting to his feet. "...I think I... feel better now." The crooked smile returns. "How about you?" One hand still lingers on her shoulder, the other reaching down to take a hand to help her up.

Swivel has posed:
This time, Swivel does accept his help, and gladly. She takes his hand, pulling herself to her feet, a small grind-click-crack noise resulting from her straightening her knees. Swivel smiles, and glances at the building. "Better? Good. Only took some destruction and a hug." Swivel says with a small laugh. THough she knows there was more to it than that. "As for me... I know I'm still in a difficult situation, but I'm going to face it as bravely as I can."

Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off outright grins as she accepts his hand and he helps her to her feet with a flash of flourish, sweeping his spare hand up in a ta-da! gesture as he does. The perfect gentlemech! Please ignore the bombed out area behind you, the bar brawl he was just in, and other signs indicating something otherwise! Somehow, around Swivel, the gentlemech side can come out more often than not.

His smile turns somber, though, as she speaks, and Blast Off leans in, crouching down some so he's more eye level. "...I know you will. You always do." He tries to give her a reassuring smile, though it looks wistful. "...If there's something I can do, you know I'm a radio message away."

Swivel has posed:
With that flourish, Swivel can't help but curtsie in response, bending one knee as she crosses one foot beind the other's ankle and bows her head. It just seemed a fitting response. Ignore that crick-crack from her joints.

Swivel peers at Blast Off with a tilt of her head, once the formalities have been done. "...I don't know about that. I whimper and hide and turn away from a lot of things... but I do try each time to redouble my efforts to be brave." Swivel then straightens up. "And I know you are a radio message again. And the same goes for you."

Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off grins as she courtsies, bowing politely back. This is like old times and he LOVES it. If only old times could stay that way forever. The shuttleformer nods as she speaks, though, and smiles, though it's becoming more wan with the inevitable departure and return to... whatever lies in wait for both. "...Thanks." He lets his hands drop and steps away. "I... mean it." He pauses as if trying to figure out a way to say something, but it doesn't seem to come, so he takes another step back, starting to turn towards a more open spot he can transform.

Swivel has posed:
Swivel sees that pause. That desire to say something and she cants her head to the side imploringly, but doesn't otherwise press him. Granted neither person ends up dead or imprisoned, there will be other opportunities to speak. So all she does is steps back, giving him space, and says, "You are most welcome."

Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off looks back to her and smiles again- the soft smile he seems to have defaulted on. He takes a step, then nods his head towards her with what he hopes is a jaunty gesture of his hand, tapping in a salute of sorts on his forehelm. Something like, you know, a Space Pirate in one of those romance novels might do, or so he imagines. Then he turns and, when he's far enough away, leaps to the air and departs, rocketing back up into the embrace of the sky.

Swivel has posed:
Swivel returns that salute things Blast Off does as best she can, and waves him off. And... well she lingers around for a while until he is out of sight. Then she brings a hand up to the side of her helm.

<<"Alright, he's gone. Should be safe for people to return. Payment? No - I'm just glad I told you in time to evacuate the area. Well... if you insist on a reward...">> Swivel says over a radio as she begins to head towards Ibex Central. However, she pauses, glancing off to where Blast Off disappeared. "....Stay safe."