Dance With Me, Sway With Me (Closed, Ep 2)

[Deleted]

Episode 2
Day 7 of Week 4
Haven

The green femme was glad for the chance to go to the neutral zone, she had been wanting to talk to Altruous – mainly to visit with someone who was not only religious, but to someone who was well… A priest. It would honestly be nice to do such a thing and in a way? It was a peace of mind knowing that while much of their culture had been lost due to the war and the evacuation of the dying planet, some remained.

So here she was stepping through the ground bridge, and having all intentions to just find the priest so she could talk with him. Or at least see if he was available to talk at some other point in the day. Instead, as she watched other mecha walk by towards a more social area, her curiosity was slowly getting to her and her pedes were leading her off her original course. The chatter that was there, was a welcome difference compared to what she had been used to during her long, long, long ‘trip’ here. There was music playing too! Though, she wasn’t sure the genre that humans would call it, but it was still oh so lovely to hear.

Following the pair, though not closely be any means, she soon found herself in a gathering room that the two had been headed to. They were neutrals, going by no brands, but when she entered the room? She found there were too many Decepticon’s in there for her liking and despite there being a truce? Oh how it made her nervous, but that was possibly due to being there not on a mission, but for a strictly social standpoint. If she had been a human, the former dancer would have gulped. Either way, she did back up, quietly hoping she wasn’t noticed.

Of course, because everything that can go wrong will, she ended up backing right into a rather solid form with a little ‘clunk’. She practically felt optics on her as her helm turned to look at whoever she backed up into and an uneasy smile formed on her face. “I am sorry for not paying any attention, I was just leaving.” The femme spoke, hoping that she could still slip off and out of a room where she was so out of place!

[Knock Out]

After MECH had taken Breakdown, there had been an agreement made between himself and Knock Out. One which the sassy red medic had agreed to – but only seemed to stick to and follow when it suited him. The agreement was simple. No going out alone, and if you really must? Stay in constant communication and never go far. Knock Out had mostly agreed to the terms to keep his partner from becoming even more of a wreck than he already was behind closed doors sometimes. He never fully intended to stick to the agreement, and so far hadn't. Luckily he was pretty damn amazing at not getting busted – aside from that one time - through being overly sneaky, to flat out bribing the Vehicons to lie for him.

That's what'd brought him to Haven today. He'd snuck out yesterday onto Earth, and as much as he had the itch and urge to go out driving and racing again? Doing it two days in a row was foolish and stupid, even for him. Today he was here on unofficial business. Sort of. If business meant scoping out the Med Bay in this place, mostly just out of curiosity and a way to kill time more than anything. With the truce, he never knew if he would be needed in this place to help out with his skills, and while he had every confidence in his abilities? He wanted to understand the layout of things before having to dive in helm first to save somebodies spark. Because nothing looks unprofessional and pathetic like being unable to find a tool because you don't know which drawer it's in!

The problem was, he wasn't exactly sure where the Med Bay was, nor was he even really trying to find it – if only to dawdle and kill time; wanting to delay going back to the Nemesis for as long as possible. He had a datapad in hand, and was mostly distracted by that. Occasionally he'd smile at it, before typing something and smiling again.

He too, had been following the same pair as Rotary. Trailing behind the green femme as he was distracted by his screen. Where were they going? He didn't know. Nor did he care. If it wasn't the Med Bay? He'd simply turn around and wander aimlessly till he found it. Sure there were probably signs directing people to the Med Bay, but for right now, he had quite possibly forgot how to read them. Whoops!

As the pair, and Rotary, entered the gathering room, so did Knock Out. Only then did he glance up and peer around the room, optics narrowing some, it was far too noisy in here, and what was that music? Nope. This wasn't the Med Bay. Oh well, he'd probably have to keep look--

He blinked as he was bumped into, his lip curling up into an unimpressed sneer.

“As you should be, little lady.” He snorted, lowering the datapad and tilting his helm down to inspect for scratches or other damage. There were none. Lucky. He'd glance up at the femme, who stood a little taller than he – but not by much. Eugh. Autobot. Go figure. Knock Out himself was lacking in any form of brand, but from his demeanor it was probably evident that he was Decepticon. His gaze seemed to linger on the femmes engravings, however, and he cleared his throat.

“What room were you looking for, exactly?” He questioned, gaze still lingering on the engravings. She'd only just got here, as she'd been infront of him the entire time, so obviously she too had the wrong room if she was leaving no sooner had she arrived. This would also work for him, as someone who appreciated fine art and fine bodywork? Maybe he could distract himself with conversation with this Autobot about where she'd got her work done, while doing some half-aft attempt at finding the room she wanted. Hooray for killing time and not actually doing any work!

[Deleted]

Despite his lack of brandings, and how he looked like he had a frame more common amongst Autobots and Neutrals, his demeanor felt like one of a Decepticon. Of course, it didn’t help how he snorted out the ‘as you should be’ added onto just how out of place she was, or rather how out of place she felt. She had to remind herself that she was not in any real danger, that she was in a safe zone.

That reminder was hard to keep in her thoughts though, mainly because of his lingering gaze on her engravings. Well then, that wasn’t awkward at all – nope, not one single bit. She felt uncomfortable, and she slowly straighten her posture as he asked what room she was looking for exactly. Was that an offer to help her? It seemed like it in a way, at least a general ‘turn here, walk past this, make a right’ direction way.

“Well, I was actually looking for Altruous, the priest?” Rota slowly told him. “At least to see if he was available at some point or another.” And really, if Knock Out distracted her enough? She would forget all about her original intentions from coming to the DMZ and in all honesty, it was hard to not get distracted when chatter of art or bodywork was present. Her helm shifted back towards the room, attention was off of her now and the handful of mecha there were back onto the music playing or idle chatter. Well then, that was a small relief knowing she was less of a sore thumb as the humans would say.

“I was distracted by the music…” The green femme explained, gesturing towards the speakers that were still playing away. “I suppose you can say, my curiosity got the best of me.” She mentioned, an awkward smile was slowly forming on her face. Really, her curiosity did get the best of her, especially because of how she was always interested in music and dance – hearing a new tune was something always interesting!

Shifting her weight a little and she held out a hand. “I am Rotary.” She told him slowly, figuring she might as well tell him her name if they were going to be interacting with each other for a small bit of time. Besides, knowing his name might help her not feel so nervous about being around a Decepticon. On top of it, who knew with the truce going on? They might end up working together on some mission, so might as well try to shake the nerves and be friendly.

[Knock Out]

“Priest? Priieest. Mmnope. Don't know of him. Didn't know they had one. Then again it doesn't surprise me. You find all types in.. Ah. Places like this.” He flashed the faintest of grins. “But, I will help you look.” He lied. Oh sure, he would help her look, but he'd been wandering this place all day trying to find the Med Bay, and so would lead her to all the wrong places – namely empty rooms – as a way to kill time, if only so he didn't have to return to the Nemesis anytime soon.

He'd glance up and past Rotary at the mention of the music, and would hum just briefly.

“Mm. Not really my thing. I could dance to it if I'd had a few drinks, but ehh..” He trailed off, looking back to Rotary. He too had been distracted, but by his datapad, which he'd now safely tucked away. “Nothing wrong with being curious. I, too, am curious.” His grin would soften into a smile as his attention turned back to her engravings, he wasn't staring, just admiring.

“It is my pleasure, Rotary. I am Knock Out.” He bowed gently, before reaching out to take the femme's hand and gently tapping it to his lips, kissing it. He was so classy when he wanted to be, which was most of the time. “Chief Medical Officer of the Decepticons, and probably the best looking Mech in this place, if I do say so myself.” He would lower her hand, before folding his arms across his chassis.

“You aren't so bad yourself. Nice engravings. I used to work on things like that back on Cybertron at one point, whoever did yours must've been skilled, as for a moment I thought I did them myself.” He grinned again, before taking a step backwards, as if hoping she would follow.

“Lets go find this Priest, shall we?”

[Deleted]

As Knock Out talked, Rota looked at him curiously – hoping he did in fact knew where the priest was. She certainly had a hopeful look on her face,that fell slightly when he mentioned he didn’t even know they had one. But, when he mentioned he would help her look for him? Oh she brightened right up!

“Really?” She asked, a cheerful note to her voice. “I would appreciate your help.” Because even if he was a Con, well, a little help would be wonderful and despite her slight nervousness? He seemed nice enough, which was always a good thing when in a strange place.

As for the music, she gave him a little nod in response. “I suppose it helps I was a dancer.” She admitted, and it certainly would explain her build along with the obvious curiosity with the music. The bow was curious to her, mainly because it had felt like it had been a long time since she had seen such manners displayed! “And it is nice to meet you too, Knock Out.” Even if her nervousness crept back up for a moment or two, simply because he wasn’t just any Decepticon. There was also a moment where she became flustered when he mentioned she wasn’t so bad herself. Now when it came to her engravings, she looked down at the rose gold lace-like swirls for a moment, a fond smile slowly crossing her face. “Oh yes, she was...” She remarked softly. “She was a member of my cohort, her name was Rivet if you ever heard of her…” Rota mentioned. “She started in Iacon, then moved to Praxus a few planetary cycles before I had moved there – she did them as a gift when I landed a lead role at my dancing theatre.” Those had certainly been lovely memories.

When he took a step backwards, she moved forward in order to follow him. “Yes, that sounds like a lovely idea. I do hope he is available when we do find him, I would hate to disturb him and anyone else he might be talking to.” She remarked.

[Knock Out]

Knock Out could tell the femme was nervous, although he couldn't fully understand why. He wouldn't comment on it however, not wanting to make her any more uncomfortable, and would nod once at her words.

“I am more than happy to help a pretty femme such as yourself,” He just oozed charm and class, and he wasn't even putting on an act; nor did it sound like he was trying too hard - this was just how he was. “This place is confusing at the best of times, even more so now we have people from both factions wandering around doing who knows what while preparing for the fight against MECH.” He mused, raising a servo to tap his chin in thought with a long, delicate digit. How to go about this without making it obvious that he was just going to lead her in circles...

“But lets not talk about them. They are not worth the time of day,” He smiled, starting to walk down the hallway and to the right, toward the first of many empty rooms. “You're a dancer? I thought as much,” He hummed in approval. “That explains why you were distracted by the music.” The smile not leaving his face.

The music in question could still be heard quite a ways from the rec room, it seemed a lot of bots and cons came here to relax, which involved listening to music.

“Rivet? Mm. Doesn't ring any bells. A shame, as her work is quite impeccable. I'm sure I probably knew someone who knew of her, though. There weren't many of us who were good at our work. At least not to that standard. I also worked on the.. Ah, higher classes.” He hummed proudly. He probably had at least met her at least once which was the sad thing - he was just terrible with names and so couldn't recall.

He would walk alongside her, keeping his posture straight in an effort to make himself look taller, which was hard, given that he was shorter than her, and most others. The only time he would quicken his pace would be to rush forwards and pull open a door for her, stepping aside so she could pass into the first of many unpopulated rooms. The first room looked to be a storage room, nothing special. There was more noise coming from a ways down the hallway, maybe that was the bar he knew they had here – but they had a few doors to get to first, and he intended to take his time with idle chatter. Maybe he'd be able to get that drink after all though once they got there.

“What does this Priest even look like, do you know?”

[Deleted]

In all honesty, Rota was just nervous that there was a Decepticon around here who had no qualms about breaking the truce by snapping someone like her (someone who was rather delicate) in half like a blasted toothpick! Still, she was quietly glad Knock Out didn’t bring up her nervousness, because she would have become flustered over the obvious being stated.

Course, he flustered her by oozing charm and class – she smiled shyly thanks to his compliment. Her head did bob in agreement with the place being confusing at the best of times. “I have only been here once before, and I had went straight to the control room.” The femme remarked. “So with so many other mecha here, it makes it a little confusing.” The mention of MECH made her shudder slightly, and there was a slight jolt of nervousness that had just started to settle down. “I agree, they are not worth the time of day – especially when they had tried to riddle me with holes when I had arrived here on Earth.” It was the only explanation of the jolt of nerves that had filled her field for a brief moment, and the femme really did not want to talk about it further.

She much rather talk about more pleasant things, and her past as a dancer was certainly pleasant! Her helm quickly bobbed, a smile forming on her face when he remarked about her distraction from the music being understandable. There was a wave of embarrassment from her when he remarked he thought she was once a dancer though, she didn’t think it was that obvious. “Am I that obvious?” She asked curiously before a light laugh left her. ”Then again, I suppose I cannot help it…I was a dancer at the Crystal Theatre for so long, that new music makes me curious and wanting to find out if I can possibly dance to it.” There was a happy little hiss of air from her vents as she spoke, her thoughts were on the theatre she had once worked for. It had been a beautiful building and while the theatre itself wasn’t the most renowned theatre, it had its own following.

When he mentioned that Rivet did not ring any bells, she nodded slightly. “Understandable, I know that Rivet while she had her standards and talents, she was rather…Quiet – a homebody in a way.” She explained. “Her friends would drag her out to parties and bars.” Really, Rota was different from the femme - at least in the old days when she loved going out to parties and bars, or rather, when there were parties and bars to go to.

As they walked, she wished that he didn’t rush forward to pull open doors for her – but she did recognize that given his way of carrying himself? He was doing it to be gentlemechly, even if it caused her to be a little flustered from time to time by his actions. At least one room was down, and there was a far noisier room coming from down the way. His question about the Priest gave her pause, and she let out a small whirred hum in thought. “I know that he is older, and taller than myself – maybe by…” She had to think for a moment or two. “Three helms?” She demonstrated just how much taller by raising her hand over her head. “And I know he walks with a limp, slowly too…but besides that..” Her shoulders shrugged. “I was hoping one of the ‘locals’ would point him out to me.” She explained as the noise slowly grown with each passing moments.

“Oh! His name is Altruous too!” Because sometimes having a name, well…That would help tremendously in a search!

[Knock Out]

“Only once before? Well, no wonder you are confused!” He chuckled. “At least us walking around means you can get a better look at the place, no?” He didn't mind the amount of other mecha here, although a few had given him the occasional confused glance after he'd lapped the place more than once in his task to kill some time. They were all his unwilling alibis should he get called out on taking forever at the DMZ; he'd say he simply got distracted talking to the residents of Haven, getting to know just whom he'd be working with on this truce. They couldn't deny that they hadn't seen him, and while they could deny not speaking with him? He doubted his higher ups would pry that deeply into his story.

That also meant that Rota would be an alibi for the cherry-red Medic, too. He couldn't just leave her stranded in a strange place! Not a dainty little thing like her! He was doing his part for the truce! Helping out an Autobot!

His chuckle would taper off just slightly at the further mention of MECH and he'd glance up to her, frowning.

“They did? I am sorry to hear.” He hummed. While she had only said 'tried' – the fact they'd tried at all was sad, and while under normal circumstances the femme in which he spoke to would be an enemy? He wouldn't really wish MECH on anyone. “While I have not encountered those repulsive little fleshbags myself, I have had to repair damage done to others at their hands.”

He would gently clear his throat as he peered around the room to which he'd opened the door. It was an empty storage room. No priest, or anyone else in here for that matter. So he'd keep walking and talking with her. He sensed the nerves ripple through her field, and would quickly move on to another topic - hopefully staying off the MECH one from here on out. 

“I wouldn't say it was obvious that you're a dancer – I'm sure your random Vehicon wouldn't know just by looking at you, but I.. Aah. Have an eye for these things, I suppose.” He'd been used to a finer lifestyle back on Cybertron, given he worked with some very high end clients – and while he hadn't worked on Rotary herself, he had worked on dancers just like her.

“The Crystal Theater? I do believe I've heard of that. Or at least heard it mentioned in passing.” He wasn't sure if he had, but any idle conversation was a good time killer, and Knock Out truly could talk about anything with enough feigned interest to seem genuine.

He'd rush ahead once more, pulling open a door should Rotary choose to go inside this next room. At first glance, however, it was another storage room and just like the other? Was totally empty. The music and noise from down the hallway got louder, however, as they neared the bar. This genre of music was different to what was being played back in the rec room, although Knock Out couldn't quite hear what it was from here.

“Sounds like Rivet would've hated me, then,” He laughed. “I was often the type to drag the quieter, homebodies out to live a little and have some fun.” Back in the day, Knock Out was quite the party animal himself. Sometimes he missed it, although he found his kicks in other ways these days, through racing and watching ridiculous horror movies on Earth.

He'd lean against the open door some as she described the Priest, and again would hum in thought.

“Older and taller. That's a good start,” He teased, winking. That described a lot of mecha, and it didn't sound like anyone he'd passed today; even the mention of a limp didn't seem to jog his memory. Or if it did? He didn't show it.

“The ah, 'locals' as you put it.. All seem to be pre-occupied with their own tasks. But we'll find him. Don't worry.” He paused, lips curving into a smirk as she said the name of the priest once more. “Altruous, yes, you said that already.”

Primus, was she really that flustered by him?

He loved it.

“Maybe he's down where that other music is coming from?” He'd thumb over his shoulder to where the bar area seemed to be. “I know if I were a Priest, I'd need some damn fine high-grade.”

[Deleted]

“Nothing could be better than walking around when it comes to getting used to a new place.” The femme mentioned, her voice light and on the cheerful side. Really, she had already walked about base to get an idea of where things were but Haven? Well, it was completely understandable that she did not have a chance at all to ex-plore it until today.

At least it was a chance to now, with a little apparent help from Knock Out.

When it fully boiled down to it, this bit of exploration reminded her of her pre-war days (when she would explore her dance hall and when she moved into a new tower) and of when she would settle into new camps or bases. Exploring when it was safe to do so, was really just part of her need to feed her curiosity about her surroundings.

After all, she was a curious creature and it never hurt a mecha to know their surroundings!

While things had started off in a cheerful sort of way, they tapered off when she mentioned MECH and how they tried to do her harm (granted, they had actually got a shot at her, but it was a surface wound compared to what they likely would have done). Her helm would shake a little at his words.

“I was lucky that I was found before they had done worse.” She mentioned lightly, and she glanced at him when he mentioned that he had repaired the damage done to others. “It is a shame, that a few rotten humans almost left a bad impression of them all.” She replied, and when the subject shifted onto more pleasant things – she was quietly glad it had. Her field was returning to a more cheerful state, rather than riddled with nerves.

Granted, there was still plenty of moments where embarrassment was apparent – what with how she flustered over his little re-marks. She was so easily flustered over the meaningless flirtations and if Knock Out thought her reactions to him were funny? He should have seen her reactions towards Carbine! For now tough, the idle chit chat was welcomed, and she smiled when he mentioned that he heard of The Crystal Theater (even if he was lying about hearing of it in the past). “I loved it there, Clef was a wonderful composter...He and Symphonia – she was the director for many of the performances…were won-derful together.” She smiled fondly when speaking of the pair. Fond memories of the past, she had many of them.

Though her smile faded briefly upon finding another empty storage room, oh well, onto the next one!

Rivet of course, was spoken fondly of and Rota smiled a little when Knock Out mentioned that the femme would have hated him. “She would have.” The delicate femme mentioned with a brighter smile. “I liked go-ing out myself, so getting her to come along was a challenge that I reveled in.” A laugh left her as she shook her helm. “Miss those days, going out to seedy nightclubs.” Oh those had been the days!

Back onto finding the priest though, her description of him wasn’t the best, she knew few things about the old mech outside of what he did and his name. Course she repeated again and didn’t realize it, making her getting all sorts of flustered. “Oh Primus help me.” She mentioned, letting out another laugh as she poked a little fun at her. “This, this is what happens when your processer decides to derail and forget what has been said!” She com-mented before her optics followed the jabbed thumb.

A soft whirred hum left her. “That…Might be a good place to look…” She commented. “I agree with your remark too…because Primus only knows how much some high-grade would be needed if the day was spent listening to others problems.”

Shifting her weight, she started moving towards the bar area. “With any luck, he’ll be there…Especially since I am positive I have taken up too much of your time!”

[Knock Out]

Knock Out would smile and nod politely as the femme spoke, arms looping casually behind his back as they strolled down the corridor. Every door they came to, Knock Out would rush to hold open for Rotary should she want to go inside. But these rooms were all oh so very empty. Some held storage, others looked to be half finished. The Priest that she was looking for was nowhere in sight.

Not that the cherry-red mech would mind any, this was all pointless dawdling to kill time for him; and he could never forgive himself if they didn't check a room, just incase Altruous was inside. He didn't want to break this pretty femme's spark, and so would be overly dutiful to his task of helping her look, just like he said he would.

He couldn't help but quirk a brow at Rotary as she mentioned the seedy nightclubs, and he'd look her up and down.

“Ooh, a wild side? I never would've guessed. I like it!” He purred this, grinning wickedly. He chuckled as they made their way past yet another door. He didn't open this one, maybe the thought of Rotary at being at one of the seedier places on Cybertron had distracted him. She didn't seem the type at all, at least from what he'd seen of the flustered little thing.

Speaking of her being flustered, he would smile at her.

“Ah, it happens to the best of us. Don't worry! I'm not judging.” He hummed, flashing her a wider smile and a wink. He'd be doing something horribly wrong if she wasn't flustered. Or at least that's how he saw it. Maybe it was his dashing good looks that did it. Maybe it was his charm. His immaculate finish, perhaps? It could be many things! He found he had that effect on people. But he didn't want the poor thing to be uncomfortable and rush off, he did intend to find this Priest for her... Eventually. As such, he wouldn't comment on her flustered state further.

“Ah, nonsense. You aren't taking up too much of my time at all. Infact it's my pleasure to show you around! I know I myself enjoy the occasional nip of high-grade after a day is over and done with. Being the Chief Medical Officer of the Decepticons isn't easy, afterall!”

Which was rich coming from him, slacking off on his actual job with the excuse of looking at the DMZ's Medical Bay and helping and doing his part for the truce by showing this little femme around. He'd lead her to the bar, pulling the door open and following her inside.

The bar itself was actually pretty quiet compared to the other rec-room they'd come from previously. There was some kind of peppy jazz music playing in the background. There were a few Vehicons sitting at a table, who at seeing someone of rank make their way through the door? Would quickly stand at attention, saluting Knock Out before murmuring apologies and excuses as to why they were sitting in a bar, before shuffling out in single file.

Now? The bar was empty, aside from the music that continued to play and the two that'd just entered. Which suited Knock Out fine, and he'd make a beeline to the bar area to grab himself a cube of much needed high-grade, and a second cube for Rotary. There was nothing wrong with having a drink in the middle of the day!

“While the Priest isn't here right now, I'm sure if we wait here a while he'll show up! So, why are you looking for a Priest, anyway? Come to confess about going to those seedy bars, mm?”

He'd offer out the cube to Rotary with a smile, sipping his own drink casually.

[Deleted]

It was tiring really, looking and not finding the old priest. At the very least? She had company, and the idle chatter was nice! It helped that Knock Out was nothing but kind during their interaction, she also could not help the smile that formed on her faceplate when he looked her up and down before making the purred remark with that wicked grin on his face.

She was soon laughing and giving him a little shrug of her shoulders. “I was bolder back then.” Rota remarked. “And besides seedy nightclubs helped me be more...Free in a way.” She commented as she moved to open the door that was missed. “The more upscale clubs have a stuffy feel to them, I think the human term that they were 'suffocating' is rather fitting.” It was fitting to her at least, because as much as she was friends with many other towerlings – she felt at home in the less gleaming clubs. “There was creativity there, in those nightclubs, despite what many mecha would say. I loved it, hearing the different styles of music and seeing the different forms of dance...” She explained, and really? She wasn't so easily flustered in the past it was like she was relearning how to handle flirtations with a grace that almost seemed foreign to her now.

She gave him a small smile when he mentioned that it happened to the best of them, to not worry – that he was not judging. It was comforting in a way, and she seemed to relax with his words. Though, she knew his flirtatious personality would get her flailing again when she least expected it to.

As for taking up too much of his time, that too was a relief – though she was a little surprise to hear he was the Chief Medical Officer of the Decepticons. For some reason, she could not see it and she quietly entered the bar area where there were Vehicons seemingly having a little downtime here in the neutral zone. Their reactions to the cherry-red mech was amusing in a way, and he didn't seem phased by it at all! He simply left her at the door, making a beeline for the bar to get himself some high-grade, and a cube for her too.

His comment about the priest, and the offered cube, made her move towards him. Taking the cube, she moved to sit down beside him. “I wanted to talk to him about getting my processor sorted, I will not bore you with the details but, being alone for so long, gives you far too much time to think.” She explained before sipping at her own drink. “I wanted to get myself sorted out, before I even think about counseling others again.” She remarked. “Counseling, it is what I did when I joined the Autobots, was always told I was easy to talk to, to help lift that heavy weight off of frames. I want to be able to do that again, without feeling a weight on my own frame.”

[Knock Out]

Knock Out would listen intently as the femme spoke. It seemed he really was far too quick to judge! While he could tell she was of higher caste than he was, who would've thought that she'd find the seedy nightclubs fun! She was so dainty that he wondered how she survived such places. Probably bodyguards or something of the like, given her line of work...

“Suffocating is an understatement,” He smirked, taking another longer sip of his drink. He did the faintest of cringes, it'd been a long while since he'd drank – and high-grade was pretty potent. He'd gone to a few of the more upscale clubs back in the day. While he wasn't a towerling, he... Was used to, and lived a certain lifestyle that rivaled them – so he knew all about those places. “I've never been so bored than when I went to those snooty, stuffy places.” Everyone had been so well mannered and rigid at those places that it felt more like a formal dinner party or dance, and he couldn't stand it. The point of clubs was to cut loose, have fun! Annnd to get absolutely plastered off high-grade while dabbling with circuit boosters and other narcotics.

Okay maybe that was just Knock Out. The point was? He had fun. Waaaay too much fun back then. He'd since of course cut all of that stuff out, he rarely even drank anymore even! Working on the Nemesis, while it was stressful? Wasn't worth the punishment of Megatron finding his crew – especially those of rank – inebriated. He did miss it sometimes though, life was good then.

Not that it wasn't good now! He had rank, he had an entire Medical Bay filled with the latest and most advanced technology, and he had his freedom – to a point.

He'd not sit next to her, choosing to remain standing. Leaning with his back against the bar, helm tilted to look at her however.

“I wouldn't know,” He started, taking another sip. “About being alone for long periods, that is. I can only imagine what it must be like though, just you and your thoughts,” He'd offer a weak smile. “It takes a lot to listen to others problems, so I am glad to hear you are getting yourself sorted first. I am, after all a doctor, and therefore know best.” He'd wink. While he was no counselor, he was there should the Decepticons ever need to do that sit down and talk thing. Not that any of them really did that – except Breakdown and the occasional Vehicon – having issues or problems were usually beaten out of you, rather than talked out nicely.

“So, tell me - do you still do any dancing?”

[Deleted]

It was funny how surprising a mecha could be. She was, as he thought, a dainty delicate little thing. She had no bodyguards to protect her in those seedier places but, she did have her close group of fellow dancers – and she had Cipher who would tag along with them. It helped that while those places were seedier, there were still good sparks in even the darkest places. She had never felt unsafe, and she only had fond memories of them – dancing and listening to the various music along with making friends with people she simply would not have.

What could she say? She was a rebel when she wanted to be.

She smiled a little bit when he mentioned that suffocating was an understatement, at least someone understood what it was like and she was sipping at her own drink. She didn't cringe at the stronger taste but, she did have that party with the other Autobots and that was definitely not upscale high-grade. She wasn't sure if it even qualified as what the humans called 'moonshine'.

If he were to mentioned narcotics though, that would have been a Knock Out thing, she never dabbled in drugs. She had been completely plastered on high-grade though, and she had been such a thing since landing here on Earth. It had been nice, she didn't like feeling like utter slag the next day – but she certainly was not alone in that category. It had been nice, feeling not alone and she thanked Thundercloud for throwing her over his shoulder that night. Because she had needed to cut loose a little, even if there were heavy topics discussed during the drinking game.

“Performing for those places were the worse, polite clapping, gentle words of encouragement. No one let their actual..Enjoyment or distaste for the show appeared but I could see it in their fields.” The femme shook her head a little. “I hated it when someone said they loved the performance, but really disliked it.” She remarked.

As far as being alone for long periods, she gave him a small smile in return to his. Though, he succeeded in getting her to laugh a little at his wink. “I had always felt it was for the best, to make sure I was on my top game in order to help.” She commented, though her helm tilted when he asked her if she still did any dancing.

“I do...” Her words were slow. “If you're asking me out onto the dance floor, I am rusty when it comes to dancing with a partner.” She admitted and her optics flicked towards the clearing that was there, another sip of her drink, and she was soon setting the glass down before standing up to her feet. “If I step on your pedes, I apologize in advance.” She told him, her small smile growing already.

[Knock Out]

“That doesn't surprise me at all,” He hummed, taking another longer sip of his drink. “Then again I cannot judge too much, having been in the company and inner-circles of those ridiculous polite-clapping types,” He paused, before chuckling “For a while, anyway. Then I realized that I am so much better than them.” His mouth curved into a mischievous, sly smirk. Actually it'd been the war that ended that little chapter of Knock Out's life, but he did think he was better than most.

Probably because he was!

He'd never been one to shy away from showing his true feelings, but due to some of the higher class company he kept back in the day? He had to do what he could to fit in to keep said company because of the lifestyle he'd come to enjoy, it did help knowing the right people afterall! Which meant acting like a fake pompous aft.

Okay so he still did that, at least the pompous part. That was who he was, but the fake polite-clapping and being neither here nor there when it came to things like the other higher casters? That was annoying and pathetically wishy-washy and a waste of everybodies time. Knock Out was upfront and honest!

...Okaaaay, so maybe he wasn't – especially when it benefited him. Maybe he was bored out of his processor right now! The point was, he was fantastic at not letting it show if he was – unlike the types who watched Rotary's shows back in the day. He'd perfected the art of giving just enough attention to whomever it was he was interacting with to make them think he cared. He wasn't fake with pathetic clapping or encouragement, nor would his field betray him any. He had it down to an artform at this point.

This femme was sweet and all, but at the end of the day she was an Autobot and if it were under any other circumstances he wouldn't be conversing or drinking with her, instead his blade would be slicing her open and he'd be taking her apart for spare parts and enjoying every second. But, thanks to the truce and the fact he was getting something out of this? He was cordial enough to give her his attention, and if sipping some high-grade and talking with an Autobot killed time so he didn't have to go back to the Nemesis for a while? Then he'd shower her with pleasantries until she either grew bored, or found the Priest she was looking for.

Then he'd go find someone else!

“You do, mm? I'm glad!” He smiled at that, finishing the rest of his drink with a couple of hefty swigs, and vented out a satisfied sigh. “And I might indeed be asking you!” He chuckled, setting down his now empty cube and pushing himself off the bar.

He'd straighten himself up, clearing his throat gently and would reach over to take Rotary's servo in his, leading her toward the middle of the room.

“Aah, I assure you, I am more out of practice than yourself, so I apologize in advance if I step on your pedes or make a general fool of myself.” He smiled. At least he had high-grade in his systems now to help him through this.

[Deleted]

“I had certainly wish that there were times I had been brave enough to tell them what I was really thinking.” Rota replied, though really? Those times were when she was far younger, and she had shown bravery when she protested against the unfair treatment of lower castes. Being in a relationship with someone from a lower caste, had in itself been a risky and brave move on her part.

She simply did not seen it as such a thing but, then again? She only seen it as right and following her spark rather than following the old 'try and true' rules.

Granted, she was far more well behaved compared to Knock Out.

After all, she did not dabble illicit concoctions back then – or at least nothing outside of strong drinks that made her throw most of her inhibitions to the wind. She was a (mostly) good little sparkling, up until she started to participate in the protests like a rebellious teenager who dyed her hair bright purple.

For now, she was being kind to the opposite side as was expected of her. If it were under any other circumstances? She would not let him slice her open willingly, because the delicate femme was a fighter and a survivor – even if she did not look like it. At the very least, the other circumstance was not here this moment. It was simply peace and chatter over high-grade, and well...Dancing because the shiny red Decepticon was offering his hand for her to take.

Which she did with a laugh and a smile as he lead her towards the middle of the room. Another laugh was soon leaving the femme and she shook her helm at him. “Hopefully two halves of rusty makes for one somewhat decent dancer?” She asked as she drew herself close to him in order for them to dance – though she was nervous, it really had been a long time since she danced. Hopefully she would not make a fool of herself, and she did not have as much high-grade in her system compared to him.

Primus help them, especially when the song on the radio changed into human song sung by – she thought his name was Dean Martin? Well then, here went nothing – and she was shifting once more to guide his free hand to rest on her side. “Familiar with the Praxian two step?” She asked him curiously, figuring it would be a nice and easy dance to warm up to.