[ti]Ep 3[/ti]Snake on a Plane (Bait/Open)

[Starkrieger]

Week 3, Day 2 - early PM

---

So much to do, or rather, that he should do. Deep in his own processor, one of the latest additions to Blackridge's air-force, wandered the hall's dark wings held high, as they angled and twitched. The moderately framed Seeker had his optics glued to a borrowed data-pad, familiarizing himself with the contents. Information on the location of his upcoming mission would have been more appropriate; that's what he'd meant to study. Cybertronian glyphs were idly scrolled, while the flier's attention was split. It wouldn't settle between dwelling on his previous night's wandering, and the pleasant company of his scientist, or the patrol he'd recently flown. His Lord had been a contender, but was cast aside, as that reminded him that he was not supposed to be studying Terran weather patterns.

Later. He was also instructed to familiarize himself with the base.

That seemed like a good plan, and besides, there were quite a few items on his agenda. Ticking them off mentally, Starkrieger was paying minimal mind to his surroundings, or maybe he was intentionally trying not to notice them. The feedback of the surrounding stone pinged his proximity sensors constantly. Close enough to be mildly disturbing, especially if it reminded him of the lack of the Nemesis' comforting engine thrum, or the weight of earth hanging overhead.

Great, he'd thought about it, couldn't stop thinking about it... Perfect... Just perfect.

Wings flicking, his spark flared, his internals heating slowly,

He needed something significant to focus on, other than all the rock. Optics flicked down the hall seeking anything armored with a pulsing spark. Nothing, well that was inconvenient. Optic candy might have done the trick. Focus narrowing on the words he was previously pouring over, Krieg ran through the list of things he had to accomplish.

His core temperature wasn't growing at an alarming rate, but it didn't fail to activate homeostasis protocols. A delay, brief, as readings of external conditions were matched against his frame's. His systems hadn't yet deem it necessary to kick on cooling fans, instead adjusting the heat dispersed through his under armor. The exposed sections of Cybertronian 'chainmail' would be the most affected, but even outer plating began to warm. Flaring his wings, the seeker spread out the surface area; perhaps to further cool, or maybe as an effort to refrain from drawing them back. Giving in would only make it worse.

Slag it all. Why didn't Megatron prioritize raising the fragging warship? No, big deal he just needed to get to the Mess hall, the Control room, somewhere more open. Which way was it again? Spinning on a heel, Krieg set a brisk pace in whatever direction he'd aimed himself, mindful of his faceplates, and his field struggling to break his hold.

The Commander would not risk his fliers. The Commander would not risk his fliers. The Commander would not risk his fliers!

[Deleted]

Slither Slither Slither. Poke nose into crack. Stick head in crevice. Slither up wall. Find ledge.

Bask.

Slither back down again...

Actually exit His One’s Space.

Slither further…

It could be said that Bait’s afternoon so far had been spent leisurely skulking along the halls, avoiding feet, and spooking the occasional One or Another. After all, there was only so much to explore in the space His One had claimed, and he’d already mapped out the spots that were just right to his liking. Both within and outside of His One’s reach. To keep things interesting, of course. A slight questioning prod- an ask for permission really- and once it was received from his carrier, Bait was off to explore the tunnels nearby more thoroughly. More to his sssstandards.

He took his time poking into all the dents and dips in the rough-hewn walls, sticking as close as he could to the rock without scraping his scales against it. He progressed steadily but surely, taking his sweet, slow time. That is, until he discovered a crack.

A crack, that he soon found, continued up the wall.

He’d followed it. Of course. Until he was wedged 3/4ths up, with nowhere to go but the enticingly flat, warm, metallic surface of the nearby lighting panel. It hung, teetering in the languid drafts of the tunnel, tantalizingly glowing warm hues in his vision. The Snake eyed it but a moment, finials perked and sensors primed, before he oh-so-slowly stretched, and continued to stretch, out to boop the surface testingly.

And that was how, not too long after, Starkrieger would make his way down an innocuous-seeming hall only to be greeted with quite an unusual sight. Strung perilously between the wall and one of the ceiling lights was a cassette, whose beady black optics shined from the shadows where its head stuck over the edge of the light panel comically.

It seemed to be stuck. Quite so, in fact. Hanging primly in the air without a hint of regret nor remorse at its predicament.

[Starkrieger]

Static filled his audials, pitch rising with his rapid spark-pulse. Some elite soldier of Cybertron, being brought down by a frelling hallway. Gritting his derma, his optics narrowed. Erratic intakes interfered with a natural means to disperse heat, spurring his active cooling systems into engaging.

It was ridiculous. This was not the pod. He knew there was room, he could move, escape. His left claws spasmed, transformation protocols straining to engage his blaster.

Control, he needed to exercise control.

This was not Vos. There were no bombs, threatening the structure. His way was clear; his wings functioned. All he had to do was get to an exit or take a quick bridge and he could fly.

Wall. wall. ceiling. ceiling. ceiling. Air space compromised.

He could fly.

His visor fell into place, displays of data flaring to life.

Sweet Primus!

The Seeker sprang back, the sharp whine of powering turbines cut off just before thrusters fired. The life signal had spiked on top of him, or rather, he'd failed to notice readings on the living thing stretched out half way across the hall, until he was mere strides from it. The serpentine cassette seemed as frozen as the flier locking onto a beady eye.

"What... " How that was going to finish was irrelevant. He still needed to get somewhere open. Problem, the cassette was clearly stuck. Even if he hadn't had a soft spot for small cute things, which he did, to leave it like that... trapped... alone.

Absolutely not. Wings flicked back hard, banishing the thought with a soft growl. Edging closer Krieg became aware of his field. He'd lost his hold when his display engaged; drawing slow in-vents he centered himself, enough to stop charging his surroundings with anxiety.

"Just what am I supposed to do about this?", he asked in a calm tone, a soft sarcasm in the undertone of his vocals, as if they went through this countless times. He couldn't afford to put the snake off. Lifting his right servo, Starkrieger was reminded of the item it held. It displayed, behind a web of cracks branching off the chip in it's surface where a claw had broken through. Oops. Reaching up with the device, the Seeker rose to the tips of his pedes, his backstrut arching as he stretched. Cautiously, he poked at the underside of the snake's belly with its edge. Hopefully if the doom tube went for his face it would do no more than crack his visor.

"Help a mech out, ja?"

[Deleted]

Bait had watched the approach of This One with great interest- their shape blocked out in stark reds and oranges against the moseying blues and greens of the Hold’s tunnels. The cassette eyed This Warm One, head still hanging upside down over the light’s edge. Not the same Warm One as the Other, their shapes didn’t match. This Warm One seemed agitated and walked fast. For a moment, it seemed they were just going to walk straight by-

Inky black optics continued to gaze with mild interest as The Warm One jolted, the brief alarm making Bait curve into a defensive ‘S’ as he re-accessed the situation. Was The Warm One a Threat? Cassette and Con stared at each other, Bait’s processor running through protocols even though he was in quite the vulnerable position and couldn’t really… Do anything. Besides hang there with a half-flared hood and faux-strike position (he didn't actually have enough length securely on the light to strike. But The Warm One could not possibly know that. Nope).
The moment Krieg relaxed a little bit, Bait did as well- settling his ruffled scales and smoothing down his hood as he loosened the strike pose. While unfamiliar, The Warm One was probably one of His One’s, and he’d already gotten the talk about biting His One's without warrant. Carrier would not be happy if he bit one just for startling him. However…
Bait eyed the tablet warily as The Warm One stretched it forward, curving his body just enough to keep the thinner scales of his sides and rubbery belly scoots away from the unknown thing. The movement seemed benign enough however, and that was all the Cassette needed.

If Starkrieger did not move his outstretched hand and arm further, Bait would quickly slither further onto the light panel while simultaneously angling most of his hanging wyrm-ish self closer to the proffered limb. When he reached the point where he could no longer cling to the wall with his tail, he’d hook his upper body around one of the chains anchoring the light and let the rest fall, causing the whole fixture to swing beneath him with a testy creak. Undeterred, he’d make an attempt to catch himself on Starkrieger’s arm and wrap a coil or three around his wrist in a firm, but not overly squeezing hold. If once again successful, the seeker would find himself suddenly supporting the weight of one hefty sock puppet, dangling from its tail and gazing up at him as if it had not the merest concept of ‘please, thank you’ or 'personal space'.

[Starkrieger]

Had he made a mistake? The thought did occur to him, as this unknown cassette shifted and coiled. From behind the visor, his optics darted to various points of the long serpentine form.

Maximum strength capacity undetermined.

It was obvious, watching it move, that the casual strength of the beast was substantial, capable of hefting what appeared to be a compact frame, with minimal effort. Whatever mechanics assisted in gliding of scales across terrain, that power was undeniable. Other features struck a chord in Krieg's instincts. It plied itself to surfaces, it was small and sinewy, able to wrap itself in manners that would render it difficult to dislodge. He knew about the dangers of foes that could 'stick' with a target. It was a tactic he employed with great effect, whenever the opportunity arose. Was it fast? Speed was deeply ingrained in his processor as something to be wary of. Few things were faster than a Seeker, the most significant were missiles. Even at the height of mania, as he flew in wild abandon for the sheer thrill recklessness afforded, Krieg's better sense would not allow them to be taken lightly.

Still, he had decided he would not abandon it, and so he held fast. His wings twitched behind him at the unexpected results of the creature's ambling: the drop of its lower half, the protest of the light overhead, the coil around his wrist. As more of its body that was in contact with his, and it placed greater reliance on him to support it, he should have been made more uncomfortable. This thing might turn on him, and the closer it got to him the higher the chance it would happen. What damage could it do to his wings? Crushing, distorting, both were among the most agonizing ways to have the vital anatomy mutilated. Worse, recovery was always questionable, and
the permanent loss of sensation a possible complication, no matter how good one's medic and self repair systems.

Yet, the more it moved the more he was entranced. As it displayed its potential for destruction, the lithe frame showed how gentle it was, how carefully it considered its movements. He found himself growing more at ease with the cassette, rather than distressed. It's weight didn't trouble him, though he had to shift his wings, and widen his stance for stability as he got used to it. Odd, it struck the Seeker, as the semi-sapient creature looked up at him, that there was a measure of trust being given by the densely constructed, but potentially fragile life.

"Make yourself comfortable then." Despite the pressure in the back of his mind reminding him that he still, very much wanted to get out of the halls, he managed an easy smirk at the cheeky cassette. Without the slightest idea what he was doing, Krieg reached with his free hand to slowly offer an upturned palm under its jaw. It just seemed like it'd be so uncomfortable dangling. Hopefully, his armaments wouldn't present it with any difficulty if it insisted on coiling over them.

"Let's get out of here, hmm?" Once he assured himself his passenger wouldn't suffer for it, the flier would continue on in the direction he'd been heading. the gradual increase in ambient noise indicating what larger space the flier was approaching. They'd soon find themselves in the mess hall.

[Deleted]

Bait didn’t need to be told twice- or at all really- and immediately set to work making himself comfortable. Krieg’s upturned hand offered a whole new surface of support to explore, and explore he did. Vaguely aware they had started moving again, Bait kept most of his attention on the delicate procedure of moving from one arm to the next. Any reservations and stresses from the previous venture were stored away when presented with this new, more interesting situation. His grip loosened around the seeker’s wrist as he secured the front half of his body by a coil on the other forearm. The cassette continued on his way, pausing only when his whole frame was looped firmly- but not restricting- around Starkrieger’s arm. His delicate tail tucked neatly under a coil, and his head peaked out from behind Krieg’s elbow to peer ahead.

There was more activity here- he’d been with His One, it was familiar, The Noisy Place- but he had yet to properly explore it. More people however, meant he was immediately on alert. He curled a little tighter around his perch, examining the open space in ways most couldn’t see or feel. His tongue flicked out, the sensors around his mouth flaring out briefly with the motion. There were Many here. But from his current perch… he would be fine. The movement of Krieg’s frame as he walked had Bait’s head bobbing a little with every step- high above the ground. So awesomely high.


Supremely pleased with the day’s events as they were unfolding, Bait rested his chin against a coil on Krieg’s forearm. Glassy optics continued to observe, their exact focus impossible to determine. He flicked his tongue again, testing the warmly-hued limb upon which he rested. The brush was light, and if Krieg felt it at all- it would tickle.

[Starkrieger]

The moment he stepped into the mess hall Krieg let out a long ex-vent. Tension poured out of his frame, dispersing the weight that had been trapped, seemingly in the very air filling his systems. Strength was sapped along with it, the unsettling threat of a tank purge cycle flaring up. It was minor, it could be dealt with.

Drawing a slow, measured intake, his wings flicked, before he made his way to the energon dispersal unit. Between skipped rations the night prior, and flying patrol that morning, the refuel was needed. If any noted the stowaway winding his way around the Seeker's limb, they might seem to be the only ones. Krieg, for his part, seemed not to notice, as if it was perfectly natural for the cassette to just be there, exactly as he was.

Regardless of the sense of his charge getting sucked out of his fame, he moved with confidence, wings and chassis held high. The evidence of his near breakdown in the halls was not something to be put on display. He was Starkrieger of Primus damn Vos, elite flier of Cybertron, such shame was not meant to be acknowledged, merely overcome. Coming to a halt at the dispensary, he input his code that, no doubt, monitored his claim on Decepticon resources.

It was only once he had collected his cube, and began to seek out a space for them, that the flier glanced at the bobbing head jutted out approximately at elbow level. The snake seemed pleased enough, and Krieg wanted to stay on his feet, while he settled. Finding an out of the way place to stand at a table, he finagled his hold on his cargo to set the damaged data pad down, before taking an easy sip of his rations, ignoring the slight tremor of his right arm as he rose it the fuel to his derma.

The feeling of sustenance coating his nervous tank was settling him, and after a few samples, his optics returned to the cassette.

"I don't suppose you take energon?"

Without further ado, and perhaps oddly not considering the hygienic nature of sharing, or rather the lack thereof, the Seeker moved the cube. His action deliberate, cautious as he brought it within range of his passenger. Though he probably should have been prioritizing his own needs, Starkrieger was curious. Despite his frame being in the way, his wings angled, seeking the object of his focus, as he watched it to see if it would, in fact, show interest.

[Deleted]

Bait sensed his perch relax more as they made their way throughout the Noisy Place- stopping only to collect what smelled quite like Food and then continuing on to a corner of their own. The cassette was content to wind further up Krieg’s arm, interest in his surroundings and This One driving him to explore as the seeker settled in for his meal.

He stopped, draped half across one of Starkrieger’s shoulders now and letting himself hang there, when the Thing smelling of Food was pushed towards him. He had just connected Food to This One and assumed that it would be like with His One. His One would eat- and later when docked, safe and sound- his own systems would be replenished and defragged.
This One was not his Carrier however, and he could Eat on his own. It had been a while since he had done so- longer even since he had hunted his own prey to grind up and swallow. He didn’t care to remember. But he Knew it had been A Long Time. He let himself lower, stretching out towards the cube to boop the container’s edge with his snout.

He sniffed at the Food. His tongue flicked its surface, confirming what it was- testing it. A few other moments of flicking at it, Bait was reassured. He’d swallowed far less reputable things, and nothing was sending off alarms in his sensors. Satisfied, he clicked his jaws open and stretched them out- the 3 pairs undulating in sync and flashing briefly, just enough to show off the fangs that lay within.

Just enough to show off the yellow, viscous substance coating them- before Bait moved to dunk his whole head into the cube, intent to drink his share if allowed to do so.

[Starkrieger]

The flicking tongue was fascinating, though it set a slow pace as the energon was tested. It wasn't that he was bored; not at all. His processor simply wasn't satisfied with focusing on a singular, harmless entity for long without incentive. His gaze strayed, to the datapad. Krieg meant to carve out time to test his alt, pit himself against what violence the dirt ball planet possessed.

Distracted, he missed the flash of fangs, and the yellow substance coating them. It wasn't until the shift in weight in the cube, that his attention returned to the partly submerged snake. Optic ridges raising, he didn't move to stop the cassette, letting it take its fill. Couldn't handle that much could it? Only once he removed his maw did Starkrieger address him.

"Didn't flood your systems I see", he offered with a soft chuckle. It might have seemed odd, the pristine flier not bulking at concerns of what filth the earth crawler potentially carried. Yet, he swirled the vessel and held it aloft with a grace that superseded the lowly status of mere rations, rather than inspecting it in disdain as one should expect. Krieg wouldn't worry about such minor things. The Seeker had gone without, and suffered sludge that clogged lines often enough. What was a little dust?

Drinking deeply, his optics narrowed. He didn't recall a hint of bitter tang ghosting his glossa. Nerves from his bout of claustrophobia perhaps? Returning to the spider webbed screen, he downed more of the fuel. He was probably getting finicky.

Was it getting hot? Why weren't his fans engaging? Flaring his wings, he stretched their surface. Krieg noted his optics starting to shutter, his visual clarity offsetting along with the dimming of their glow. Oh Frag no, he had things to do, no way was he going to start dozing in the mess-hall.

Best to get on with it. Disposing of the cube on the way out, he'd flashed lop-sided smirks to any bodies he happened to pass. He wouldn't actively engage, mind already on their next destination..

"Well, since you've made a mess of yourself, we'd better get you seen to", he murmured easily. Bait was the perfect excuse. Had it even been that long since he'd cleaned up? Not really, but Krieg wasn't one to pass on an opportunity to properly groom.

Maybe at some point he'd realize he'd forgotten the datapad, As he took the room, optic ridges slowly dropped, derma forming a pressed line as he started to avert his gaze from light and motion. His wings flicked, pulling away from the mecha gathered in the mess hall. Their life signs spiked, grating his sensors, distracting his audial and visual input. He tried to ignore it, reducing optic sensitivity to stem the tide.

What the?

His sparkpulse kicked into high gear at the sudden 'appearance' of someone at his left, too close. He didn't jump, priority having been assigned to Bait's safety. He spun on a heel. There was no one. Well, no one there. The Vehicon he nearly crashed into, wing first was certainly real. Where'd he come from?

Optics met visor as Krieg struggled to decide on a way to spin it, to dissuade the judgement looking back at him. What was taking so long? Parting his derma, to reclaim his control over the situation, the Seeker was hit by a wave of nausea.

Primus

No time for banter, he waved the other mech away. The trooper might have recognized 'that look', or moved on reflex. He wasn't sure, and it didn't matter. Slipping out he resisted the urge to purge as he navigated the halls. His spark was thrumming in his chassis, trying to cast his increasingly stressed field outward. Why was he stressed? Who wouldn't enjoy feeling lighter as they walked, the force of the rock beneath their pedes and the weight of their frame lessening till a mech was floating across the base? A flier, who needed a firm grasp on his place in space, that's who. Never before in his function had he been thankful for a wall, a servo moving to press against it, something solid, to help assure him, yes he was walking straight.

What was wrong with him?

Nothing. He just needed to get to the washracks, cool down, clear his thoughts. If his passenger hadn't jumped ship, he would raise a mindful claw to offer him an easy stroke it's jaw, well easy aside from the slight tremor.

[Deleted]

Bait had easily looped himself once more around Krieg’s forearm, secured in that firmly-held but not inhabiting way. They were moving again, and that was of great interest. The snake’s attention was turned outwards, unaware of This One’s current issues and merely observing the going-ons around them with the occasional tongue flick. Others flit and flickered across his sight in a bright dance of hues, but none got truly close enough to identify. The cassette seemed content to just hang there instead, oblivious to the energon still dripping from his head and the increasingly uneasy sway of his perch. His head bobbed with each step, shifting from side to side in a funny sort of wiggle.

Besides a quick recoil and half-hearted psss at being swung a little too quickly with Starkrieger’s jolting movements, Bait made no sound. He simply watched the Other who’d appeared leave just as quickly- its frame going from a smattering of living-bright Warmth and Cool to an empty gray as they scampered further away and out of range. The Other was quickly forgotten however, when This One approached and offered scritches. His little tongue flicked with a smallest of clicks, head all but relaxing into Krieg’s hand. His jaws fluttered contentedly, oh-so be smitten. If this was an apology for waving him around, Bait would gladly accept.

Food and Scritches? This One was quickly rising above the rest of the New Ones in the snake’s eyes. He'd have to make sure Carrier would like This One too.

[Starkrieger]

The presence of the sticky energon didn’t deter him, especially not when Bait’s response was so positive. He had merely followed an impulse both to seek comfort in the distraction of his passenger, and because… well he was a small cute thing. Obviously small cute things were meant to be lavished in affection.

If only his tank would settle.

At least the cassette was happy, it helped ground his processor and sooth his anxious spark. Continuing his absent administrations, it wasn’t until he realized he’d lost track of where he was that the Seeker’s attention to its jaw stopped.

Pausing at a bend in the hall, he leaned running through his mind, now where were they? Krieg knew the way to the washracks, really he did. He'd wager it was the location he had visited the most since his arrival. How far had he gone? Gaze slipping to the blissfully plain surface of the floor, he had to concentrate hard to stay focused.

Primus he needed to cool down. Ah, he knew where he was, of course.

“Nearly there Doomtube.“ In contrast to the purr, there was a soft weariness corrupting the undertone of his vocals. A sure sign the sentiment was more to assure for himself, rather than Bait. Not that he expected his friend to pick up on this.

If there were others using the facilities, Krieg hardly cared. It wasn’t likely to be too occupied? Popular refueling hour and all that. No matter. With great care to save face, Starkrieger managed to enter the facility in a mostly normal fashion, aside from the stiffness in his steps.

While he wasted no time in claiming a space, and turning on a solvent stream, the Seeker didn’t immediately submerge himself, despite wanting to feel relief. No, he was still quite aware of Bait, and glanced in the cassette’s direction, studying him for signs of distress. Surely the snake would know if he found solvent favorable? … What would it even look like if the cassette was upset by it?

“Well?” Yeah, he probably wasn’t going to get an answer, but he’d try anyway.

[Deleted]

Bait remained blissfully unaware of any and all of his perch’s issues, until This One stopped scritching. Glossy black optics reopened, a couple having shuttered in contentment, and the cassette’s head perked up once more. As if to check and see what in the world could’ve distracted This One from him, the snake’s tongue flicked to test the air, chemoreceptors picking up absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. Confusion.

At least until they started moving again, wherein they came to a New Space. This had Bait stretching forward, hold still firm on Starkrieger’s arm as he poked about in the air. He had yet to come here- no room visited with Carrier had been this humid, and noticeably cooler. The snake dipped with Krieg’s movement, attention flicking briefly back to This One when all of a sudden something chilly and wet splashed across his platting. It was surprise rather than anger or dislike that had him recoiling with a sputtering, spitting hiss, hood flaring out as he reared back into a strike-pose ’S’.

It only took a quick second for curiosity to stamp out the shock, and he relaxed completely only a moment after that. The delicate workings of his hood lowered, the whole thing smoothing down against his frame once more as he poked forward again. He saw the cool stream of solvent as a cascade of kaleidoscopic, flashing blues. He booped it tentatively, semi-rearing back again only to, quick suddenly, apparently, decide that it was completely fine. Bait ducked into the stream with reckless abandon and nary another thought, wiggling around in it and shimmying over Krieg’s plating to stretch even further forward.

The situation was vaguely familiar to Bait, but never had he been properly deployed when Backwater visited the washracks- not that she'd visited yet, here on Earth. Usually, she cleaned him with a bit of solvent and a rag off to the side. The shower was thus a mostly brand-new experience, and so far Bait was loving it.

[Starkrieger]

Well that was a reaction. Contact with the spray seemed to provoke the cassette, but he waited, watching the flaring hood, and the hasty retreat. His vents stalled briefly as Bait sorted himself out. The hissing was clearly an unhappy sound, but it was the curving of the noodle into that S that got his attention. It was similar to when he had first encountered the snake. It was accompanied by tension, and it didn’t take a genius to decipher the behavior. Tension was preparation, to attack possibly. Fortunately, the moment passed.

As Bait practically threw himself into the experience, Krieg relaxed. Good, no harm was done.

His amusement would have usually resulted in words, but he was drained from whatever was malfunctioning in his systems. A virus perhaps? No, that couldn’t be right, it hadn’t been that long since he’d visited the medic. Had it? Regardless, Krieg switched his focus to getting under the solvent. He’d come to cool off after all.

In submerging himself, he no doubt made it easier for his passenger to indulge. Setting the servo of his free arm against the wall, the Seeker leaned heavily, as his wing fell low, his helm hanging forward. He typically would twist, arch, and stretch to revel in working in the cleaner and properly enjoy a washing. In his current state? He just let the solution cascade over him, and run down his frame. His only movement was the occasional soft twitch of those wings when a stream tickled a more reactive sensor.

Why wasn’t it doing anything? Even if his cooling systems were offline, and by some fluke his passive thermoregulation was failing, his external plating should have felt relief. At least the splash of the solvent relieved the urge to scratch at the protoform beneath armor, and wherever Bait decided to move, the contact helped everything feel…real?

Well that didn’t make sense.

Yet it helped, even as his tank rolled once more, the threat to purge causing him to lower his helm further, his optics focusing on the liquid at his pedes, pooling on its path to what drainage the hold utilized. He really wasn’t going to have to see Knockout was he? Bad enough having to endure the pits damned scans but, to be seen like this? It was embarrassing, that’s what it was. He’d rather curl up somewhere and be miserable.

Where was a cold sparked Decepticon, that would kill a comrade on sight at any sign of weakness when a mech needed one?

That was a bit over dramatic…

He was being a sparkling about the whole thing, and would do well to get a handle on himself.

Straightening his stance, he turned for a visual on how the cassette had ended up, and if he was in reach, he’d decide to seize the opportunity to soothe himself. It wouldn't exactly be at the snake’s expense. He’d reclaim his servo, supporting his own weight properly, to allow himself to gently scratch under that chin again. After a short debate, he’d up his game a little, curious claws mindfully exploring the platting along what sides he could. It wasn’t an idle endeavor by any means, the deft digits trying to delicately loosen foreign matter, much as he did for himself. He was, sadly, without proper, refined grooming tools, but they'd never failed him in a pinch. He’d have to keep an optic out though. Starkrieger doubted he would hurt him. They were the same claws he had used around his sensors. Still, that didn’t mean his efforts would be appreciated.

[Deleted]

_{Just what had Bait gotten himself into?}

Starkrieger’s movement had greatly helped Bait’s plight, and now instead of stretching out, the cassette stretched up. He moved slowly but steadily, winding back up his perch’s arm, pausing only when he was half-draped across the mech’s shoulder. From there he would stretch up and forward, nose pointed toward the solvent showerhead, intent on exploring where this mysterious Wet Thing was coming from. His sensors had triggered in such a fashion that protocols usually reserved for swimming had been enabled- vents shuttering against the flow to prevent intake, tail uncurling from Krieg’s arm and fin unfurling to gently flutter in the solvent stream. Curious. Curious.

Mesmerized by the kaleidoscopic, nonsensical display of his infrared sight, Bait didn’t really notice the return of The Scritches at first.
_??
He responded to Carrier with a snapshot of his wonder, sending his curiosity and almost giddy bewilderment through the bond in a quick burst on reflex.

It took a moment for him to clock that he was being poked at beyond Scritches, and at first conscious awareness, he shied away from This One’s touch for the first time. The snake’s body curled atop his perch’s shoulder, one loop still firmly around Krieg’s upper arm while his tail still hung in the air. The upper half of him coiled back down, interest fully shifting from the solvent to whatever was going on here. Glossy black optics watched This One, Krieg's hand, keenly.

Like all prior instances however, Bait relaxed fairly quickly after a moment or two of silent observation and judgement. His tongue flicked out curiously, chemoreceptors getting a mouthful of solvent- the unpleasantness of which causing an almost offended wavering of his mandibles with a series of clicks. Despite this, he was quick to stretch forward once more, to where This One's Scritches had been in a bid to… get more. Of course.

[Starkrieger]

The stretching and unfurling of the Casette’s fin was interesting to watch. It’s mechanisms, so different from those he was accustomed to seeing on the average Cybertronian. Even cassettes he had spotted during the war had bore features more similar to standard than the mystery that was this serpent.

Unlike the shower, Krieg’s subject of interest had an opinion about what he did. When he appeared to become uncomfortable, maybe suspicious of his actions, the Seeker slowed his movements. He hadn’t, however, stopped, certain his passenger wasn't truly upset.

Tsking softly as the poor thing got a taste of solvent, his claws switched to gently brushing digits over plating, in an effort to sooth. It didn't take long for Bait to recover, soon vying for attention, potentially disrupting the flier's work. He was supposed to be cleaning the cassette, a serious, methodical process. Gentle administrations to the top surface were less productive, but if that was what the snake favored...

Flicking his wings absently, he let Bait have his way, focus switching to the plating, as Starkrieger's claws returned to the underside of the jaw. On occasion he worked at clearing gaps between scales to at least pretend he was making himself useful.

They'd have to go eventually, There was a chance that his excessive use of the washracks would be noticed. Besides, the whole, standing upright thing was starting to drive home just how much he wanted to settle somewhere, not that he figured on being any better off.

Repetitive occupation helped distract him, idly lounging would only leave him to be mostly occupied by how he felt. Then there were his wings to consider, raising them seemed like such a fragging chore… but to broadcast his current status to the base… He’d been in no state to properly peg the Nemesis crew, when they'd found him, and was separated from the majority since arriving on Earth. Did these Cons see themselves as brothers in arms? Or were they the ‘melt a mech down while still online for kicks’ sort?

“I doubt it’d be wise to take you outside.” A wide open space though, that could help. Whether the assembly hall was accessible, there was always the training room… Tempting the unknown carrier to offline him for losing it wasn’t a high priority.

Not quite able to bring himself to shock the snake, the flier reached to reduce the spray, watching for a reaction as the pressure dropped a quarter.