[ti]Ep 2[/ti] - Simon Says - [Closed]

[Bumblebee]

The panic that Bumblebee felt hadn't come because he thought he was going to get yelled at. Thankfully, he'd been around the Prime long enough to know that he wouldn't exactly explode with rage or lash out over an accidental hit. No, the panic came because it'd happened at all. It was the principle of the thing! He wanted to show Optimus just what he knew, how good a fighter he was, and to prove himself and make Optimus proud! He did not want to show that he was some over-eager child who couldn't control himself and his punches. If it were anyone else, he wouldn't have cared and probably just laughed it off - but because it was the Prime he felt he had a level of professionalism to uphold and had put himself up on some ridiculously high pedestal to do his absolute best.

He was making too big a deal of the whole thing, but he couldn't help it.

Still, he'd try to focus on the Prime's words, his story and subsequently the lesson he'd learned from all of this – which was to be more careful. He'd probably treasure that little story for a long, long time.

He sensed the amused warmth from Optimus' field, and would glance at him just briefly. Not only to see why but to make fully sure that he was still mirroring his movements perfectly. It was then he noticed the... Smile. Okay, so it wasn't really a smile. But it was something. It was the closest he'd ever seen to Optimus smiling, so he'd take it! Then there was the added bonus of the compliment. And coming from Optimus it meant an awful lot.

His own field would perk up. Filled with even more determination, and confidence than before. He was level. Happy. Any panic or doubt he had in himself was truly gone. He'd watch as Optimus punched out once more, copying his movements with a powerful strike at the air himself. He seemed in awe at how much strength, how much power the Prime had behind his punches – and this wasn't against an opponent.

He really was something to aspire to.

He'd turn to face forwards once more – thankfully missing the 'smile' melt away from Optimus' faceplate. He was comfortable asking the question he did, otherwise he wouldn't have asked it. Megatron was a sore subject for the Scout, but he rarely let it show. After the things that he'd been through at the hands of the Decepticon Warlord? One would think he'd avoid the name and topic altogether – but he was of the mindset that if he showed he was scared? Then Megatron would win. This was why he'd so eagerly agreed to infiltrate Megatron's mind with the Psychic patch, and why he seemed to brush off when people called him a hero for doing what he'd done and had been through. If there was any lingering trauma? He wouldn't show it in front of others.

The answer that was given was unsurprising. Given Optimus' past, and Megatron's past. Bumblebee's field would remain unchanging, however, despite the almost sorrowful tone of the Prime. Bee still had that unwavering determination and confidence. He'd pull his arms back so he was once more stood in the fighting stance – he wouldn't hesitate with his movements, nor would his field falter or betray him. He was okay. He'd expected it. From the corner of his optic, he kept his eye on the Prime's movements, and would mirror the couple of shadow boxes, before following through the stride and moving to stand alongside Optimus.

He'd listen as Optimus spoke. He never got to see the gladiatorial rings himself – only having heard of them through stories. They sounded really cool, though, and given Bumblebee's slightly more fast paced and fluid style of boxing? Maybe he would've done well in them! If his success rate when boxing amongst his peers during the war was anything to go off, anyway. Then again that'd been more play-fighting than actual competition.

--Did he show Orion anything else?--

He must've been okay with everything to ask another question. There was something neat in knowing that he was being taught things that'd been passed down from the enemy (even if Megatronus wasn't an enemy at the time of teaching these things), and something morbidly ironic in that it was now being taught to one who had almost lost his life at the hands of the one who'd originally passed down this knowledge. If anything? It'd give him some insight into how Megatron fought, should he ever find himself in a situation where hand to hand combat would be used.

Not that he'd ever stand half a chance, but it was nice to dream.

[Optimus Prime]

Ahh, Bumblebee continued then, flowing into the question the Prime wasn't sure if he wanted to have raised. On one hand, Optimus did not want to speak of those lessons, the memories associated with them, and trying to pass them down to another... It was so long ago, and so jagged and worn through a haze of time to make the details blur. It isn't that he forgot what to do, no, but it had all become so instinctive, so natural, he hardly thought of them as tips and tricks anymore in terms that could be conveyed to another.

On the other hand, Bee deserved to know.

The scout was one of many that needed to survive, and flourish, and any boons and tricks to give him an upper edge would greatly help. Push his skill, challenge his capabilities, to make him even greater. It could boost him up from one tier to another, and ensure survival.

Or it could mess him up.

So ingrained in trying out that which was 'new' and flashy, he could sully his own natural skill that he had cultivated on his own, and kept him alive so very well. It is because of this Optimus was hesitant to actually correct and change anything presented in any dramatic ways, but there were small things he could offer to guide.

"Many things."

Optimus started, taking one more stride forward to throw a swift strike into the open air, before he straightened his posture again, forearms lowering and folding down at his side. He seemed to reset into his neutral state, not one of combat, but more the passive observer that he normally was around the base. It was with this stance, he would move with a roll of his weight to look over at Bumblebee again, gaze calm and considering.

"Much was foundation."

Meaning, things the other Cybertronian already knew. How to throw a punch, how to block a strike without snapping your elbow or forearm, ways to hold legs and to keep knees bent ever so slightly so movements can be made fast. Basic information he had seen Bumblebee do ((Even if he did correct the punching one ever so slightly)).

"Others were how to read threats. Movements."

His leg shifted out then, and he lowered back into the fighting stance, though was angled down.

"Watch my shoulder. As with many, ot all, it will tell. Subtle."

To demonstrate, he slowly moved his arm forward in a punch. The arching curve of his shoulder armor didn't really move much until he was flowing into the motion of the strike, but the tell was there. It just took a careful eye to see it fully. If the lighting was right, the Autobot emblem on his arm could possibly help, the reflective chrome able to catch some of the dimmer lighting, though that shouldn't be relied upon.

"I will strike twice."

Not a 'real' strike. He would never put his power behind it, but he would show Bee how to read at least basic movements of those less trained. It is because of this, only when Bumblebee confirmed and understood what was occurring, he would stride forward and throw a quick soft jab. Didn't mean it couldn't be smarts if Bee decided to let it hit him in the throat, but it wouldn't have REAL power. While this first strike was in progress at the scout's torso, his left forearm rose, prepping, only it didn’t move forward. A mild fake, as the second strike would come from the same right servo. He would honestly exaggerate the shoulder motion minimally, to help make his point.

[Bumblebee]

To say that Bumblebee was eager to learn was an understatement. While he was quietly smug and confident with his own abilities (or not so quiet when in front of anyone other than the Prime) – the chance to learn more to improve himself was always something he welcomed, no matter how small or insignificant the tips and tricks given actually were. The slight angle change of his arm could be considered small, but with some honing and practice? It could, and would, change the outcome of many a punch thrown in future – and could be the possible upper-hand and subtle difference needed between winning and losing a fight.

Even experts of a field can be taught something new – just most were too stubborn and cocky to learn. But not Bumblebee! The chance to learn something from Optimus was an honor in itself, and he'd ask as many questions as he could think of in order to know more.

Not that Bumblebee was an expert at boxing! But his skill had helped get him this far and had helped him survive a few scuffles out on the battlefield back on Cybertron. He knew enough to pass onto others should they want to learn from him, and he practiced his technique often enough to keep up his skills to a somewhat competitive level.

Not that there was much competition to be had anymore.

He tilted his helm as Optimus spoke, mimicking the swift strike of his Prime, before settling his arms to his sides just as the other mech did. He listened intently, just like he always did whenever Optimus addressed him or others. While Bumblebee was eager and overly enthusiastic to learn new things, he wouldn't take the things taught at face value. He'd adapt them into his own style without tarnishing his own way of doing things. He'd make it his own.

Foundation he knew. He knew many different fighting stances and had worked out what worked best for him. He knew how to threw a punch, although as was shown by the slight angle change? He could always learn a little more. But there wasn't much else to teach there.

Reading threats? He mostly just winged that and went with the flow. Out on the battlefield in a hand-to-hand combat situation, everyone's style differed so you couldn't rely on just one thing to get you by – but if Optimus had any tips that would help with this? Bumblebee would listen and learn.

As Optimus' leg shifted and he lowered back into the fighting stance, Bumblebee, too, would shift – arms held up in front of himself with his servos curled into fists as he moved into a fighting stance of his own.

He'd do as instructed, and kept his gaze on Optimus' shoulder as he slowly moved his arm forward in a punch. He wasn't sure what he was actually looking for, but would look nonetheless. Aah! He got it! The movement of his shoulder was subtle, only becoming obvious when the punch was thrown – and only that was probably because the punch that'd been thrown was slow. In an actual setting? Man, that'd be hard to notice.

Then again, Bee was quick and had a keen eye! So maybe he'd do okay.

He'd nod at Optimus' words once more – giving him the confirmation that he was ready for the two strikes. He watched the first one and didn't even flinch – taking a half step backwards. Then he saw Optimus' left arm rise – and he'd watch that limb closely – his own servos still held up in front of himself.

What he hadn't expected was for the second strike to come from the same, right servo.

Welp. If he hadn't taken that half step back, he would've been smacked! Not that there was any power behind the punch at all, but the fact was he'd totally fallen for it – having been too focused on watching Optimus' arms, rather than taken the hint from before to watch his shoulders.

--Ha! Awesome!-- He laughed. --Fell for it the first time!-- He felt like an idiot, but hey this was a lesson for a reason. --Can ya do it again?-- He bopped from pede to pede eagerly. That kind of defeated the point, he had to watch the movements and learn on his own – which he couldn't really do if he was expecting it.

[Optimus Prime]

The punch jabbed into the void where Bumblebee once was, and Optimus gradually pulled his limbs back into a sort of reset. They remained in a loose fighting stance, not primed to block or protect himself, yet not hanging down at rest, finding a middle ground in between so he could see how Bumblebee carried himself. It was reassuring that despite him failing to accurately anticipate which limb was striking, he still had the raw agility needed to avoid and not find himself clobbered. This told him much, and meant that the more the scout learned, the more he would be able to accomplish out on the field.

If Bee could see a punch before it would start to be thrown in its entirely, he could use the agility that otherwise would have been used to dodge, in order to misdirect into a counter. Smack the strike off course with a sharp push of an open palm, leaving him still in range to counter. Use the knowledge of where their arm was going to be, in order to throw a punch into their joint at a bad angle to disable. He could even use the soon to be extended arm as a handhold to turn the foes momentum against them and throw them to the ground, if they were comparable in size that is. There were many doors that could open with this, if Bumblebee could clutch onto the detail and run with it.

But there was a small drawback too.

"This does not work well with weaker swift strikes."

A fair warning. If a foe did not intend to put their brute force behind the jab, and instead looked to just do a lighter strike to disorient or catch off guard, then this method didn't readily apply. The shoulder movement only really came into play when they were starting to put their all, or trying to legitimately cause harm. A lot of the more careless brutes in the Decepticons did it a significant amount, it being why so many still had a hard time with smaller foes that learned and adapted. Megatron was an exception.

"It betrays power."

After he made this clear, he nodded his helm down marginally to indicate to Bumblebee that he would follow through with the request then. This was punctuated by him lifting his larger forearms once more at the ready, and stalling. He did not immediately throw a new punch, knowing that the scout was intentionally hunting for it. Training couldn't be too sterile, too refined, or nothing of real value is learned. After this brief pause to see if Bee's attention drifted or he acted prematurely out of paranoia, Optimus threw a lighter punch, being sure to lead with his shoulder as if it was a larger strike.

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee relaxed some, shifting back into a neutral fighting stance. No longer bopping from pede to pede, instead standing still with his arms held up loosely in front of himself once more – copying Optimus' stance and posture, not wanting to seem overly eager and juvenile about the whole thing. He was here to learn and continued to give Optimus his full attention.

He would probably beat himself up internally for a while at failing to read Optimus' movements, especially after he had explained it only moments prior. But that was just Bumblebee wanting to do his absolute best and not wanting to fail. Especially in front of the Prime – and while he knew that Optimus wouldn't judge him for it, or even see it as a failure? Bumblebee knew he could do better. He had to do better.

His fighting skills had gotten him this far. From play-fighting with his comrades back during the war, to using it for his very survival when out on the front lines delivering messages. He'd fought bigger mechs than he, and lived. Although that was due to a mixture of pure luck, and the fact he was small and agile enough to dodge and get an upper hand. The brutish types he'd encountered had luckily seemed to be incapable of doing these 'fake-outs' – instead putting their all into each and every punch and movement, making it painfully obvious as to their plans – because after all, if someone did end up getting hit by one of these powerful strikes? They most likely wouldn't be getting up again.

Even his own friends hadn't really used them – then again, they'd been fighting for fun and to wind down, and it was never anything remotely serious. Grappling each other, seeing who could hit the hardest – silly games like that. There'd never been any official training given, and a lot of what Bumblebee knew was of his own self-teaching from being on the front lines, or from getting his aft beat and using that knowledge and adding those skills to his own repertoire. A lot of the time he just went with what felt natural, and was thankfully focused enough to read his opponents well. At least, for the most part.

As Optimus spoke once more, Bumblebee would nod. That was a good thing to take note of, as he himself did do a lot of swifter strikes and punches just naturally with his fighting style. He did have speed on his side, and his movements were always fluid when he fought – meaning he was hard to read at the best of times, but this would give him even more of an upper-hand.

--Noted!--

He gave a verbal confirmation that he had listened and understood, nodding once more as Optimus did – his own silent indication that he was ready. He lifted his own arms a little higher, and waited.

He knew what was coming, and as such? His attention wouldn't drift. He was focused now, watching Optimus for any subtle movements or hints as to what he was about to do. He wouldn't move early, nor would he move too late. He saw the movement, the punch being thrown, and took note of it being lead with the shoulder. It was okay seeing it done slowly like this, when he knew it was coming... But in an actual fighting environment, Bee would have to be on the ball to take note of his opponent doing this! He'd easily dodge the punch, stepping back and away. His field radiating determination, and also a faint glimmer of pride. He'd seen it that time and moved accordingly.

--Hm, so... Kinda like this, right?--

He wanted to try it for himself, finding he learned better by actually doing rather than watching – at least after he'd seen it a couple of times, anyway. This way he could get a feel for it, and Optimus could correct and guide him if he was doing it wrong.

Once he'd finished speaking, he would copy what Optimus had just done. Or at least, attempt to. He threw a light punch out into the empty space in front of himself – trying to lead with his shoulder. He might've been focused a little too hard on getting it exactly right, however, as it was not nearly as fluid as what Optimus had just done – and he felt clunky and awkward to boot.

–...Maybe not.-- A vent of a sigh would leave him, before he'd roll his shoulders. It was harder than it looked! The pride in his field ebbed away, replaced with slight frustration. 

[Optimus Prime]

Was this what it was like for Megatronus? To look down upon someone you were trying to teach who was so much smaller than himself, scared to injure them, not wanting to deliver a true strike to knock them down... yet... some hits had been made, Orion thrown to the ground more than once to have a point brought home, to have a lesson taught with a bit of pain behind it to make the memory last. Coddling, holding someone's hands through the motions, those lessons could be forgotten easily, but Optimus did not want to be brash, didn't want to be aggressive. It was a conflict of situation he wasn’t accustomed to, because he simply DIDN'T spar or train actively with others any longer.

Once he reached a certain level of skill, and his rank became settled in full to a point he had an icon of Prime to uphold, he stopped. But was this really the smartest idea? It was no surprise he was one of the more skilled combatants, there was so much he could probably teach, but no real experience held in how to actually TEACH others. A vast unknown that he now found himself standing within. Unsure. But he didn't show this, radiating the same calm confidence he always did, so that Bumblebee wouldn't back down and deviate.

Because Optimus could see how much this meant to him.

"Ahh.. the lean occurs naturally. You needn't force it."

Optimus' arm rose up, indicating another demonstration that he intended to show. Once he was sure Bumblebee was watching intently, he did two strikes, one that was slow again, to show the movement to allow Bumblebee to see how it looked from the side, before he followed it up with a real strike. The real strike was significantly more brutal, even if it didn't hit anything. A sharp swipe of air cutting out of the way, a momentary snarled roar of hydraulics and mechanisms flexing sharply to propel his fist abruptly into the open air, it was an impact that could throw many Cybertronian to the ground, or make them take a few clipped strides backwards to catch their balance. What it gained in speed and aggression though, it still held the clue, the gentle dip of his shoulder before the strike was made.

Subtle. But it was there.

"If you force it, others can predict you easier."

A follow-up strike from the same angle, so Bumblebee could compare them. This one Optimus took the fraction of a second to actively dip his shoulder and lead with it with a more pronounced movement. It made his punch easy to read, visible to even a novice fighter. It helped cement his point readily, before he changed gears.

"I will continue to mock strike in succession. Practice creates experience."

Waiting for a confirmation so that Bumblebee would not be blindsided, Optimus would then move into action again, but it was different. Instead of standing stationary so that Bumblebee was effectively seeing the motion from the same angle every time again and again, Optimus moved. His right limb lifted off the ground just enough to clear a bit of air, his leg swinging forward to take a swift stride to pull himself more towards Bumblebee's side rather than a head on assault. Before his left limb could even begin to pull to follow in full, his arm was already starting to swing in a more exaggerated movement of a light punch.

He made the first one easy, since the movement would be new and likely catch the scout off guard, but the follow-up maneuvers and strikes would not be as generous, though they would remain as restrained. He wasn't aiming to hurt, merely chain 'strikes' so the scout could learn.

[Bumblebee]

This meant everything to Bumblebee.

He knew how busy Optimus was on a day to day basis, and that was even before the truce had come into play. Now, he would be juggling his workload here at the Omega Base with dealing with the Decepticons and planning on how best to deal with MECH. That, and all the newcomers that'd been arriving were no doubt vying for the Prime's attention, as well as Fowler and his team.

So the fact that Bumblebee had the luck of catching Optimus while he was alone, and then been invited over to be taught and shown things? It was something that would stick with him for a long, long time. He was so excited to be given this privilege, even if it was just a little time out of the Prime's day and didn't mean much to him? It meant the world to Bee. Once Raf was home from school, he was for sure going to show him everything that he'd learned here in this room!

He just had to stop putting so much pressure on himself to do everything perfectly because of who he was with. He was here to learn, and yet wanted to show Optimus what he was capable of all at the same time. He had his own knowledge and fighting skills, and yet his over-eagerness meant that he was making silly, rookie mistakes. And the last thing he wanted to do was to frustrate Optimus because his words and teachings weren't getting through to Bumblebee. They were. They really were – he just so badly wanted to impress.

--So don't force it? Got it!-- He nodded in affirmation, shaking his arms loosely before pulling them back up into the fighting stance. He watched Optimus intently, gaze not leaving him even for a moment as he punched out at the air once more. The strength and sheer power behind the second strike was... Wow. He'd seen it before, but it was still so impressive. And he was for sure certain that Optimus wasn't even really trying.

He'd slowly copy the movement, dipping his shoulder just briefly before punching out at the air with a light punch of his own. It was so hard to actually take much from this, given they couldn't exactly spar properly with each other to test it out for real - given the immense size difference between them - but that wouldn't deter him at all. He was used to fighting and adapting on the fly – that was partly how he'd survived through a lot of the war. While he wouldn't be able to put this into practice today in a real fight, he'd take everything in, and test it on someone closer to his own size in future.

Part of him wanted to tell Optimus to go all out, that he could take a punch or two if he messed up – nothing would teach him faster than a real threat of getting a bit roughed up, but he knew that the Prime wouldn't agree to that. The mock strikes would be enough, he hoped, to really give him a feel for reading his opponent.

He'd give another nod, to show that he was ready. Arms held high should he feel the need, or get the opportunity, to block any of the incoming strikes.

The first one was easy and he avoided being struck. He bopped from pede to pede, ready to move on the fly for the next round of strikes – and move he did as they came out. He was focused now, gaze watching the upper-half of the Prime – watching for subtle movements of his shoulders and frame, trying to read his movements and predict what he was going to do before he did it.

The strikes that followed? He dodged them just as well – even timing one just right to counter it with the back of one servo, striking out toward the Prime with one of his own; after all, he learned by doing and copying. He'd do a half punch forwards with his free servo before using the servo he'd just used to block to punch out toward Optimus, dipping his shoulder just slightly before he did. There wasn't any strength behind the punch – not that it would've mattered if there was, he probably couldn't have hurt Optimus even if he tried.

[Optimus Prime]

Dodge, strike, dodge, dodge.

Bumblebee was quick on his feet, and his own raw agility was a large boon. It made it difficult for the Prime to know if he was moving because he saw what he was trying to teach him, or if he was doing it simply out of his natural inbuilt reflexes. That alone was impressive, for the Prime to be unsure which way it was, a testament to the yellow Cybertronian's capabilities. Whatever the case, it was working out well, and seemed to have boosted Bumblebee's confidence enough that he started to retaliate with punches of his own.

The first punch was avoided in a fluid motion, Optimus' gaze shifting down to look where the fist had swiped a moment prior. It was a gateway action, something that opened the doorway to a new element to this training exercise. It was to be expected as Bumblebee got more confident, this confidence snaking in and manifesting itself as offensive actions to take advantage of any small openings that may be gifted. The thing was, it just meant Optimus had to work harder to keep him learning and from getting over confident.

Punch, swipe, strike, he avoided a few more of these retaliations, before the last punch was abruptly halted with a clank of metal. It was stopped not by hitting his torso as it was aimed to do, but by colliding solidly with the Prime's open palm, squared off fingertips curling over the fist to not only stop it, but lock it down in place so Bumblebee couldn't readily pull away.

There was a moment Optimus hesitated, considering if he really wanted to cross the threshold he was considering, but this halt, this pause, it lasted only the briefest of fractions, before his frame wrenched abruptly, and his free hand swooped forward to latch onto a sturdy flaring of armor on the scout's chest.

With an effortless hoist, Optimus had pulled Bumblebee right off of the ground in one fluid movement, his frame twisting to angle in the open section of the room behind him. The throw... it was hardly a throw in a combat sense, he did not hurl the scout head first at the ground, and he certainly didn't launch him at the wall as a projectile intending to harm. Instead, he controlled the action enough and twisted his toss properly so Bumblebee would basically land on his feet a short distance away with no issue. Even one who didn’t have some acrobatic skills could land the fall, and if not? They would probably just stumble and land on their backsides.

"Growing complacent out of familiarity creates mistakes."

He started to close the distance, long strides that thudded within the stone enclosure with solid impacts.

"Always anticipate an unknown."

With that, if he was permitted to get within range, his right arm would hook back, before swinging in a sharp yet still controlled and enfeebled uppercut towards Bumblebee's midsection.

[Bumblebee]

A lot had changed in the span of a few moments. For one? Bee's confidence in himself had grown immensely. Not to the point of being overly cocky, but the fear he'd felt when he'd accidentally hit Optimus earlier was no more. Now he was more than comfortable throwing punches toward the Prime in succession; and there was a very good chance he wouldn't recoil in panic if one happened to make contact – which was what he was now aiming to do.

How else was he to show Optimus that he was understanding what was being taught if he didn't demonstrate it? If he could outsmart and outmaneuver the Prime in this lesson and get in a few decent hits, it would show to both of them that he'd taken everything in and learned something new. He felt proud that he'd dodged the strikes thrown at him and had managed to realize which were mock strikes and which were real. He moved fluidly; his own agility and training coming into play as he jabbed out at the Prime – he was growing bolder and found that he was getting more used to it as time went on – possibly even a little too confident.

Which was why when his fist made contact and he found he couldn't pull away immediately? He was stunned, and honestly a little surprised. It took him barely even a second to realize that the Prime had infact caught his fist and had closed his own servo around it; thus holding it steady. He didn't note the hesitation from the Prime, his own gaze lay on his own servo which was held by that of Optimus – wondering what was going to happen next.

Huh. Seemed he did have more to learn after all, and he was thankful that Optimus was keeping him grounded and level. He was a little disappointed in himself for getting his fist caught the way he had. He really thought he'd 'won'.

Bee didn't have much time to react to what was about to happen, even with the brief hesitation from the Prime – the only real hint that something was about to occur was the blur as Optimus' frame abruptly wrenched forward and he moved to grab Bumblebee with his free servo.

Now the fun was starting!

He felt himself lifted – which probably took little effort from Optimus, and he was thrown a short ways across the room. This was nothing new to him; he'd been lifted and thrown before. Both in training with his comrades back on Cybertron, and also during real fights. Because of this, he didn't panic like someone inexperienced may have, and he'd twist midair and land with a controlled thud on both pedes in a subtle but relaxed crouch.

He'd pull himself to a stand, and while his mouth was covered by a guard? He was grinning big and wide. He was focused, alert, and his field radiated how determined he was. He'd shift back into the fighting stance as Optimus closed the distance between the pair, one arm held up infront of the other – ready to dodge or counter whatever it was that Optimus was about to throw at him.

He'd nod at Optimus' words, taking them in and listening well. He had been growing complacent and over confident, hence why Optimus had been able to counter the punch not only by grabbing his servo, but by throwing him. If that was an enemy? Who knows what would've happened.

The word 'unknown' made Bee's helm snap upwards, he watched the Prime. Not just his upper torso, but trying to take in his entire frame. Every subtle movement. He watched his face for any clues – but it was the hooking back of Optimus' right arm that gave it away.

Bee was lucky that he was fast.

The uppercut was thrown, and while it barely held any power compared to what he knew Optimus could do, he would for sure still feel it. That's if it hit him. Despite who Bee was up against, he would always have that youthful arrogance that sometimes reared its head – and it seemed today was no different. He just wanted to do his best, he wanted to show Optimus first hand just what he could do!

He'd flick his arm as the uppercut headed his way, countering it with the back of his left forearm and smacking it away – as he did, he would close the gap with a small step forwards, a risky move that left him entirely open, and would punch with his right fist toward Optimus' midsection.

Always anticipate an unknown indeed.

[Optimus Prime]

Bumblebee landed with practiced grace, the act of being thrown not even seeming to faze him. No falter, no shrill beep of alarmed surprise, no immediate surge of anxiousness or other inklings of fear that may have been in play with an individual less practiced. Having the world spun upside down without an individual creating the flip on their own, could be disorienting, but the young scout not only coped with the alteration, but embraced it in his own way.

Optimus could not say he fared quite so well with such things.

A thrown flip, a rolling lunge, hurling himself at an odd angle in order to transform properly and land on uneven ground, or just launch himself out of his Alt-Mode to dissipate momentum effectively and soundly... When the Prime was in control of these moments, he was not fazed. However, when the world was spun out of his command, when a larger combatant got hold of his leg and wrenched it out from under him, he became disoriented.

It was never enough to cost him his life. Never enough to allow himself to be clipped down and slain on the battlefield ((obviously)) but it did happen, and it was fair to say he would have landed with a few awkward strides to re-orient, looking off kilter compared to how Bumblebee fared. Luckily, being the size class he was, he did not face such a weakness often, his sure footed stride and skills in trying to keep ahead of his opponent countering well.

It was only out of practice and skill that Bumblebees movements were not a complete surprise.

"Just because I am small doesn't mean I am a pushover!"

A nasally voice, a snide comment, the individual had darted forward in a flash, Orion fumbling with his gun and unable to formulate a response in the sliver of time allowed. The smaller Cybertronian had stopped directly before him, glaring up at the labeled 'Prime' with skepticism and some judgment. By the time the scholar had managed to try to reel the gun around, it was too late and the guide already had the practice blade to his side, right over where some rather valuable internals lay.

Orion was uncomfortable. This entire process was wrong. He didn’t want to hold a gun, even if it was loaded with blanks for this exercise, and he didn’t really WANT to learn how to fight. He knew it was needed, this individual merely one of many who have worked with him in the past few months. Trying to teach him how to fight, and defend himself.

Really, his entire function since he got the title had been lesson after lesson, from politics to informational dumps, to what is 'proper' for a leader to do... He knew he was trying to be shoved into a mold, and that was bad enough, but now that the war was in full swing? He had to now learn this, since he would be a target. This was for his survival in a game he did not want to play.

"I did not intend to impl-"

"Then stop being scared to hurt me and defend yourself!"

Bumblebee's form cut forward, a risky move that in a real battle left him vulnerable, but also was one of those tactical actions that could create an edge. Just foolish enough to be unexpected... careless enough to catch someone off guard. The instructor had tried to show Orion so very long ago how smaller individuals exploited these things, to slip beneath limbs or tuck where you are weakest. They didn’t need to hit HARD, they hit SMART, and the way Bee moved would have had him think he was taught by the same individual.

An impulsive movement, a sharp action, while Optimus' combative moves had been throttled before, he habitually responded when Bee closed this distance and had punched at him. With an abrupt snap, the Prime's elbow slammed down into Bumblebee's strike rather solidly, redirecting it from his midsection into his hip flaring where there was a lot more armor to deflect due to the rounded surface. With his forearm brought down now between them, his arm threw out to try to shove Bumblebee back.

There was no momentum from it, not able to create a notable whallop of a hit, but it would push the scout back and away some, to forcibly put distance so that if it was a true fight, Optimus could retaliate on his own terms. This was not a real fight though, and he realized only after the fact what he had done, yellow armor bleeding back into his vision to take over the memories he had experienced a moment prior. He seemed openly surprised in a way, either out of what Bee had almost accomplished, or what he had done in response, or both.

"Just because I am small doesn't mean I am a pushover!"

Do not make an issue out of something that wasn't an issue. Do not draw attention to the fact he had not intended to slam Bee's actions short. Fold it into the lesson, and be mindful of automatic responses. He did not want to hurt Bee out of habits that have been drilled into him by thousands of years of war and battle. Optimus eased back some, letting his forearms pull up defensively, chastising himself and throttling his actions again. The mild intensity from before bled out, replaced by reassurance and some pride for Bumblebee's actions.

"Very good, you almost landed a body blow."

[Bumblebee]

For a brief, fleeting moment? Bumblebee thought for sure this punch would be the one. This was the punch that'd make contact – the punch that would show not only to Optimus, but to himself? That he had taken something valuable away from this lesson and learned something. The subtle twist of his arm was a good start, but putting it into practice and actually using the movement taught to best the teacher? That would be a proud moment indeed!

Except it was not to be.

Bumblebee had expected Optimus to strike at his middle before he got too close. Well, no, he'd expected him to be caught unawares and get hit by Bumblebee's fist. But if there was to be a defensive measure used? He KNEW it would be an attack at his exposed torso, or at the very least? A dodge or weave out the way. In which case, Bee was ready to follow through with another strike no matter the outcome. He'd baited Optimus somewhat, leaving himself open and exposed. He did not doubt Optimus' teachings, far from, but he wanted to see what he would do.

What he did? Bumblebee did not expect.

There was a sharp, fast movement from the Prime. One which even Bee didn't see coming – and as such, was caught totally off guard. Pain flooded through his arm as the Prime's elbow slammed down onto him, and he was moved easily – no doubt due to confusion as to what'd just happened – as his punch was redirected. He wasn't sure if Optimus had meant to do that – but he would take it in his stride. He always had new things to learn and to watch out for, and it showed that even though he was a good fighter? He still had a lot to learn - including not to let his cockiness get to him.

Expect the unexpected; and that was so very unexpected.

He moved with ease as he was pushed backwards, catching himself before he stumbled too far. His right arm was still up in a defensive position, his left, the one which Prime had made contact with? He'd shake loosely before pulling it up infront of himself once more. It hurt – it hurt quite a bit, actually, but he wouldn't show it.

If anything? It'd riled him up more than before. Now he really wanted to succeed in this! He didn't WANT Optimus to hold back! He wanted to get a successful hit that he'd earned, not simply because Optimus had let him. He wanted this legit! Not many people could say they sparred with the Prime, after all! Not that he would go boasting around the Omega Base that he'd punched the Prime or beat him in a fight (which this wasn't), but it'd be a small personal victory of his own, and a neat story to tell Raf later. He might even pass on what he'd learned to Raf, too!

Optimus' words made Bee stand up a little straighter, although he was still very much alert and looked like he was about to charge in again at any second. He wasn't going to give up on this, and 'almost' wasn't good enough for him.

--I ain't stopping til I do!-- He beeped firmly, pushing off suddenly and with no warning. Optimus was in a defensive position, but was hopefully distracted enough for Bee to close the gap before he knew what was about to hit him.

Eagerness and determination filled Bee's field as he quickly closed the distance between them in no time at all, and he'd make the motions of punching out with his left arm, which Optimus had probably worked out by now was Bee's favored and therefore stronger arm. But at the last moment he'd swing around with his right – aiming to uppercut under and behind Optimus' arms to try and hit at his midsection. He wasn't messing around anymore, and while he knew that Optimus would probably still hold back in his response? He was trying to push him to be a little more aggressive.

[Optimus Prime]

Optimus was overly cautious now that he had messed up once. He did not want to harm Bee; he didn't want to topple over to intuition and automatic responses again. While he wouldn't kill the scout with a misplaced defensive movement and a sharp retaliation, he could still dent in his armor rather fiercely, or snap clean some smaller more fiddly bits of kibble if he were to strike it just right. So many times he has seen chunks of Vehicons fling off from a well placed strike. That buckled noise of metal collapsing, and that strained cry... They lived, unless he needed it to be otherwise... and he did not wish for those splintered pieces of purple to be yellow instead.

While Optimus was crippled partly by the experience, Bumblebee was emboldened, and his determination flared out like a kindled flame. Burning strong, whipping into action to show off and prove his worth. He couldn't ignore the joy that Bee seemed to feel behind what must be some pain ((if the arm shake told him anything)), and he couldn't throw it aside and clip things away entirely without causing even more damage.

What modest joys in this war torn existence had to be embraced some times.

Even if 'fun' wasn't really his thing.

"Very well."

As Bumblebee charged, Optimus' left leg pulled back some to compliment the defensive stance he took a moment prior. It was in these brief moments, he had to try to make a decision on how he would react...

Charging attacks, they tended to be easy to read. The first strike out of a fight was the most dangerous one of them all, simply because it meant that your opponent would have the upper hand. Once things were countered, once punches could be thrown in succession, that is when danger ramped up and mistakes can be made. But a first punch? There were only so many things that could be done.

Throttle replies.

But don't be degrading.

The left handed strike was easy to see coming, it was the scout's favored arm and as such was a safe strong choice for an opener. Optimus' limbs began to move to block this punch and prepare a counter for it, however, at the last moment, he saw the transition occurring. Cyan optics flicked down to see the right fist swinging around to try to aim for his midsection. He could try to flinch respond, an action that may be fast enough, but he hesitated, and clipped away his ability to even try to stop the incoming strike.

The impact clanked against the chrome metals that clapped underneath his 'ribcage', scuffing the reflective surface in the process. It didn’t dent the armor, the paneling far too thick to be buckled from such a punch, but it was felt, and Optimus swiftly decided to see if Bee would be preoccupied with his victory, or if he would keep focused.

With a fluid motion, Optimus hooked his own far more subdued punch at the yellow mech's own side.

[Bumblebee]

There was only so much that one could do after running over in a sprint, and as Bumblebee wasn't about to crash tackle the Prime, as that would do nothing except maybe get himself hurt or leave him open to an easy counter attack? It seemed the only thing left to do in this moment was to punch, fake-out, and hope it hit.

Just as Optimus was watching Bumblebee as he approached, Bee would watch the Prime as he continued forward and closed the gap between them – as if trying to predict his movements and any possible reaction before they happened. He, too, knew that charge attacks were easy to read – not to mention they gave the opposite party plenty of time to calculate their opponents movements, as there were only so many outcomes.

They were risky!

Hence why he'd decided on a misdirect.

He watched almost in slow motion as Optimus started to shift as if he was going to block the first punch – the one from his left servo. That was predictable, then again so was Bee's movement to begin with.

What he didn't notice was the brief hesitation as he followed through in another attack with his right servo – his fist swung up and under and...

It made contact.

There had been some power behind the punch – not enough to really hurt or cause any real harm, but it'd be enough for Optimus to feel it, that's for sure. While he was still holding himself back and not giving it his all, after all this was a friendly spar (if it could even be called a spar), he knew that if he focused too much on holding back completely and not hurting Optimus then that'd become a distraction and hindrance to this lesson.

While that punch, and making contact had been his end goal here, he wouldn't stop or lose his focus to celebrate his small personal achievement. Even if internally he was beaming and so very proud of himself for getting a hit in, it wouldn't become a distraction. He wouldn't let it. There would be plenty of time for victory later – even if he would be the only one to know, or even really care about it.

Well, maybe he'd tell Raf.

He remained focused, and just as Optimus moved fluidly while leading into another punch? Bee would sidestep away and dodge with some degree of speed and grace. His arms pulled inwards and up in front of himself defensively, not tightly – remaining semi-relaxed in case he saw a chance for another quick jab out at the Prime. His optics were wide as he watched, and he'd shift quickly on his pedes.

While he hadn't lost his focus, his pride and overconfidence were still an issue. While in a real fight, he would be fighting for his survival and not wanting to show off – there was a big part of him that wanted to keep showing Optimus just what he was capable of, which of course would mean besting Optimus in a fight. Or at least, maybe a couple more decent hits anyway. Just incase that first one was a fluke.

As Optimus' fist would swing at the air where Bumblebee had once been, he'd step in quickly once more for another punch at the Prime's side. He was a little overzealous, and not sure what he wanted to really prove to himself – but he might as well keep going with this until Optimus stopped things one way or another.

[Optimus Prime]

Punch after punch, strike after strike, it was a coordinated action in which Optimus was trying to teach, while also trying to show variety and how things could go amiss. Turn one block into a grab for another light toss, or use said grab to hold Bee in place to make him unable to jump away while he threw another punch, try to use both forearms clapped together as a larger shield that wasn’t going to be pushed aside with ease... At one point, he lifted his large lower leg, and swiped it out with a harder crashing impact to try to knock Bee's own legs out from under him.

There were pauses occasionally, moments in which Optimus halted the sparing to point out something or remind of a previous lesson or statement. This was still a lesson all things considered, and not something to just boost Bee's ego and let him fight with their leader for a short bit. While uplifting his spirits was always good, and something the Prime would strive to do for many in his base, it was not the focus here. After he would share this added touch of information, the actions would roll into motion once again, flowing back into a rhythm.

Optimus let Bumblebee strike him a couple more times during this, some were small gifts of his own hesitation, but a few were rather legitimate, the scout learning quickly as time went on to earn a few impacts. A small scuff here, a tiny abrasion there, his armor made the victories near invisible, but they were victories nonetheless and could not be denied. It was only once Optimus felt Bumblebee had grasped his lesson enough to not faultier and let it harm him out on the field, that he moved with a quick motion.

As with a few times before, the Prime's hand clutched onto the yellow mech's punch, halting it immediately, however, this time, instead of pulling him closer and throwing another strike, or trying to shove him away, he held it steady. There was a hiss as his frame shifted, hydraulics pushing him up as his stance eased fully upright into that reconcilable more neutral posture he held around the base. Once it was apparent he was stopping and that it wasn't a diversion or trick of some kind, he let go of Bee's fist, his forearms sloping down to either side.

"I believe you have grasped the lesson well."

Closure, a calm statement to put punctuation at the end of the experience, Optimus eased his weight back after he said this, shoulders rolling into a neutral position fully. There was a soft rumble from his engines, a low idle that calmed the longer he stood still. His engines never did fully tick over into a combat state, that low growl when he was actually put into a true brawl, but that didn't mean that there wasn't an occasional ping of his frame settling.

"I hope I did not keep you from anything?"

It was not accusatory, but more curiosity driven, his statement holding slight fluctuations to imply as much rather than remain on the flat monotone from before. He knew Bee had been playing, making a combat oriented fabrication to mimic a spy mission, but he did not know if the scout had been set out on a task, or if he was on his downtime trying to entertain himself while the children were preoccupied with their school or home lives.

[Bumblebee]

Things began to move more fluidly for Bee once he realized that there was still much he could learn and also in turn demonstrate. While he couldn't really teach Optimus anything himself, he was sure it was refreshing for the Prime to 'train' against an actual moving target that fought back and kept him on his toes, rather than shadowboxing – even if the height and weight difference between the pair meant they'd never truly able to spar properly. Thankfully, Optimus didn't cut the lesson short or put an end to things now that Bumblebee had gotten in a decent hit. That'd been Bee's goal, and now he'd gotten it out of his system? Things continued to move without much pause.

There was a rhythm to their movements, and Bumblebee was nothing but focused. Punches were thrown in succession, he'd dodge and weave ones thrown back at him – although would take the occasional hit. Optimus would occasionally do something new to keep Bee guessing, and at one point swept Bee's legs out from under him and sent him crashing to the floor. It was, of course, shaken off and he'd scramble up eagerly and get right back into it moments later – the lesson learned, the knowledge taken in and he'd know what to look for should that happen again.

The occasional pauses that came, he would listen well to the words spoken and the lessons taught. It didn't take much for him to grasp, although he did occasionally slip back into bad habits – hence the gentle reminders sometimes.

He did get a few more decent hits in against the Prime, although he wouldn't let these small victories get to his ego or pride. That wasn't the point of this, the point was to learn – and the hits showed that he was taking it all in. It wasn't just luck, and he really was giving it his all – his systems whirring showed as much.

He could've continued this for hours, but sadly all good things must come to an end – and after another solid punch was thrown, he'd find his servo halted and held steady by Optimus. His own frame would relax once he realized that this was the end of the lesson, and he'd roll his shoulders, standing up a little straighter. As his fist was released, he'd shake out his arms and let them rest at his sides.

He'd nod at the words spoken, and his field would beam with pride. This wasn't just fighting with Optimus Prime, no... This had been a lesson, and he'd taken so much away from it – things that he would continue to practice, and he couldn't wait to actually use these lessons for real.

--Thank you, Optimus. Having a good teacher helped!--

He'd gently roll his shoulders once more, giving his arms another shake just for good measure as his frame began to settle. He had a few scuffs here and there but no major dents – scuffs and scrapes he would wear with pride! He couldn't wait to tell Raf about this! He wished he could've seen! Then again Bee could always act it out again later – and he planned to!

Optimus' question made him shake his helm, and he'd look up at the Prime as he replied.

--Nope! Not at all! Raf was doing homework, hence why I came down here out the way!-- As much as Bee liked to help Raf with his homework, sometimes he was more of a distraction – asking too many questions about things and derailing Raf's train of thought, and so he'd left his friend to actually get his work done. --He will probably be done by now though, which is good timing, huh?-- He beepily chuckled.

--I should probably go check on him to see if he's done yet! Thank you, again!-- His tone was sincere, and he really was honored to have gotten to not only spar, but also learn from Optimus. He did want to do this again sometime, but he didn't want to overstep his bounds or be seen as an annoyance. He would, however, remember the lessons taught and use them from this day forth – perhaps he could teach them to others one day!

He'd step back and would throw up one arm in a crisp and totally unneeded salute, and would turn to depart the room – field still beaming with pride.