You be the shield and I'll be the sword

[swordsmech]

characters; Rodimus and Drift
setting; IDW continuity, aboard the Lost Light, at Swerve's on Theme Night
warnings; cracky goodness, muse flexing

[It's Theme Night at Swerve's, which means no one notices the third-in-command slip through the doors. Everyone's having a good old time, it seems, enough to send cube flying through the air and shouts of gleeful protests. Drift ducks just in time to miss getting doused with Engex as he winds his way through the rolling crowd to the bar.

After a small conversation with Swerve, and ordering his normal bubbling fuchsia brew, everything becomes crystal clear. Truth or Dare. An Earth game. If truth is chosen a question must be answered truthfully no matter what, and on the other hand, dare means a task must be completed without hesitation. Such a harmless game in the right company. Judging by the roars of laughter coming from a crowded table across the way, everyone present is good company.

Regardless, Drift makes his way to the far end of the bar counter, pressing the latch on the floor to raise the seat up. Seating himself, he sips at his cube, enjoying the effervescent tickling down his intake and into his fuel pump. The slight smile on his lip plates just won't leave as he continues to observe his cremates clamber over one another, rapt in their game.

This place. This ship. It's nice. And with the warm Engex beginning to put a little sputter in his engine and fog in his processor, it almost feels like home.]

Comments

[hotbodimus]

[Usually when one goes into Swerve’s it’s an on off chance that Rodimus is there. Tonight, however, was theme night. Theme. Night. You’d have to be Ultra Magnus to miss out on this kind of quality socialization time. Coincidentally, Rodimus was not Magnus, so that was that.

Hums of the mingling crowd pecked their way through the room, the abrupt roar of laughter sounding off more increasingly as the human game went on. How humans can come up with such a game that combines obligations and public humiliation AND of top of that make it a drinking game, was beyond Rodimus. And that was why is was pretty freaking awesome.

A handful of crew mates sat huddled in a circle, Engex in plated hands, and semi drunken smiles playing on the faces of those who could have them. One of these entirely somewhat really tipsy fellows, was the blood orange bot himself. He leaned against his heavy chair, almost seeming to be debating propping his feet up to get more comfortable. At the moment, Rodimus was safe, except for the recent dare, which had the bot downing a shot of some pretty strong Engex, which may or may not have had him humming in the best of ways at the moment. ]

[swordsmech]

[Long moments of contemplating the heavy slosh of Engex in his drink turn longer than expected. He sits in silence long enough for Swerve to grow concerned and slide him a second helping. The clink of the glass on his hand brings all of this to his attention as he raises his head and flashes a thankful smile to the little bot.

Awareness rushes his processor and immediately he hones in on one mech that he swears wasn't in the bar when he'd entered before. Rodimus; who seems to be very much involved with a game of Truth or Dare. Raising from his seat, a few things hit him all at once. One, that drink had been strong. Meaning that two, the ship is trying really hard to turn itself on its side. Which leads to the realization that three, Rodimus is probably worse off that Drift is right now, and if he's not, he will be soon.

Making his way over to the table, Drift slips himself between another mech (Skids? Maybe Skids, he's blue enough) and Rodimus, putting his new drink down to signify that he's here to stay. He's not Ultra Magnus, he's not going to cut the captain off, but he definitely is going to keep an eye on him.]

Hey, mind if I join? [A courtesy, nothing more. It's unlikely anyone will argue. His arrival seems to be perfectly timed, too, with one round coming to an end, and the next in the game too busy arguing over whether the previous answer had been legitimate.] I guess since I'm the new mech in, I'll offer myself as sacrifice.

[A snicker hides in his vocalizer as all optics turn to the white speedster, and his own shift sideways to a certain red sportscar. His expression brims with a dare to Rodimus: go ahead, ask me, unless you're scared.]

Oh look a reply on Valentines Day howboutdat

[hotbodimus]

[So, Maybe Rodimus was a little bit more than tipsy, maybe when he stood the pistons in his legs would fail to do their job and he’d find himself in a close and sudden relationship with the floor. Maybe. But that was a thought that was for later, not now, cause now was party time.

The debate rang off when Trailbreaker-er cutter? What ever he goes by- called out Hound with serious doubts for the answer on hand. The leading bot cracked a smile as he leaned forward again, placing a metallic forearm upon the circular table. Thick glass created a clinking noise against the surface to his left, which drew Rodimus’s attention to give a look at the new participant in their game.

Facial plates shifted as his smile grew wider upon the arrival of a certain good friend and third in command. ]

You didn’t have to wait for a distraction to join you know.
[It was a simple tease, one thrown out toward Drift because he had good timing enough to come in at just the right time. Guess he kinda had a hell of a knack for that huh?

His eyes narrowed to a look of mischievousness as the sacrifice was made and the bait was set by no other than Drift himself. A quick breath like sound from his vocalizer came as a short laugh, Rodimus put weight against his arm as he leaned toward Drift. ]
You think I’m scared? You’re the one who should be scared buddy, ‘cause you have no idea what I got in store for you.
[ His playful smile continued to play on his lips as he spoke]

Ready for this?
Truth. Or Dare?
Bam! Till all are one!

happy valentine's bff

[swordsmech]

[Drift smirks, an expression tugged at the corners by a part of his history much darker than the present moment. The engex makes it hard to maintain the barrier between past and present, but, with his optics locked onto Rodimus', and his processor heavy with fog, he doesn't care much. This is why he tries not to drink much, it's too easy to fall into the deadly and casual mannerisms of the con he used to be. Drift will never admit that the mixture of inebriating substances and Rodimus is not good for his aura. It's just something about the captain, about his personality, and about the time they've spent together. Rodimus knows everything and yet here they are. And so Drift drops his walls without realizing. Something he's sure to regret later.]

I've never been scared, so go ahead, try me. [Being presented with a challenge only furthers the regression of his body language. One elbow rests on the table, his hand to the side of his facial plating, digits curled on the fin sweeping back along his helm. Letting his head rock to the side, his shoulders slump away from the rigid and graceful posture of a swordsmech and into something arrogant and rebellious, a breath away from daring violence.

The Engex sends his impulsiveness into overdrive.] Truth.

[If the others hadn't been torn from their conversation by the third in command's presences, or by his new demeanor, Drift's answer drew all eyes to the pair. For most, dare would be the more reckless answer. For an ex-con titled one of the most terrible warriors to stalk the face of Cybertron by Ultra Magnus, Duly Appointed Enforcer of the Tyrest Accord himself, the response to his answer is a room gone dead silent.]

Re: happy valentine's bff

[hotbodimus]

[Drift’s newly obtained mannerisms did not go unnoticed by his commanding officer, but in a sense they might as well have, for even though Rodimus saw them he thought nothing of the white mech’s drooping shoulders and casual demeanor. Call it clouded judgment, but it seemed as though Drift was just loosening up, and hell, there’s nothing wrong with taking a break from your responsibilities for a little while is there?

Rodimus’s blue eyes return a gaze into the equally bright and slightly fogged optics of his third in command almost as if trying to mentally send him suggestions of what choice to make. It was honestly very exciting to wait for the answer, and Rodimus quickly found himself tapping a finger on the table to give something to do while Drift picked his poison.

And then came the response. One that made little time in creating a dead silence within the area, much from shock of the bot’s decision. Shock that Drift-the ex decepticon, Drift-The guy who held such a dark and bloody past- was willing to go and speak the truth, to risk bringing up forgotten memories for the sake of his intoxicated superior.

It was in this moment of the taut silence within the crowd that Rodimus’s shoulders went straight, as he ceased his leaning on the table and sent a look of despair towards Drift, the smile once on his lips beginning to fade.]

“Frag you man, I had a dare all thought up and everything!”

[What tension did the words carry? None. Nothing was carried 'cept for the whiny tone of a bot who not had to brainstorm a good question on the fly, which was cool, he could do that, but still. Damn.

Rodimus brought a metallic hand up and stroked his chin, his lips pursed in thought. Everyone else seemed to be staring somewhat dumbfounded at how one could simply just blow off Drift’s choice with the wave of a hand and a ever so slight hissy fit. The public opinion would likely go unnoticed though, for Rodimus was ‘in the zone’ he had to get the best question ever STAT!]

Okay! I got it.

[His optics gave a look to Drift as his fingers made a snapping noise for his own success.]

What would you do-or FIRST- thing you would do if you SOMEHOW met Primus or one of the Knights of Cybertron-- I don’t care which take your pick. And they turned out to be…
A total…
Dick?

blinds with faith

[swordsmech]

[Something small stuttered inside Drift when his captain’s smile fell; the brilliance of Rodimus’ aura dampered around the edges by his arbitrary answer. For an instant, he wanted to throw himself at the red speedster, to take back everything, to desperately demand a means of retribution, a way to atone. But that thought process was ended the moment it surfaced, by Rodimus’ response. The shock and disappointment seemed to vanish from his commander’s face, replaced with the vitality of his characteristic, adolescent tantrums. If the unease Rodimus had shown toward Drift’s impulsiveness, his lack of self-preservation, his deeply installed and reflexive pride in some part of his part that has become interchangeable with his tendency toward self-sacrifice, was still there, it had become very well hidden.

Around them, the onlookers suddenly burst into indignant protest at Rodimus’ choice of question. Shouts of disappointment accompany a few individuals physically getting up and leaving in dismay. With all the juicy things someone could have asked the swordsmech, Rodimus had to throw out something that everyone already knew how Drift would answer.

For this, Drift all but glows as his aura burns brightly with admiration. The sobering effects of Rodimus’ change in demeanor made for a brief look-back on what had caused it, and a consequent self-awareness. In the heat of the moment, Drift still can’t help but push the boundaries, it seems. A trait from millennia gone by that can’t seem to be quelled; it’s more than a little disconcerting. And if it had been anyone other than Rodimus, his slip would have been equally damning. But not Rodimus, not his captain. Not the one mech who proclaimed unshakeable faith in the ex-decepticon’s intentions and loyalty. A weak smile creases Drift’s expression as he watches the events around him through peripheral vision, like an observer instead of the center of attention, his optics locked with Rodimus’. Everything in the tiny sliver shown from under his mask, to only his captain and those who would be watching carefully enough, brimmed with apology, appreciation, and adoration.

Even intoxicated, Rodimus would not breach the trust between them, he would not unlock the password-protected datalog of the past that had been shared. Even intoxicated, and given full permission by the owner of said secrets, Rodimus had not faltered.

Drift’s spark contracts in its casing under the system-halting pressure of comprehension and conviction. He would follow this mech to the ends of the universe, even if it was all for nothing. He would give his life for this spark, for this spark is part of what brings light to all of existence. Rodimus, like a star, is what keeps this universe bright; of that, Drift is certain.

Affection bleeds into his vocalizer, though it can easily be misconstrued as a symptom of his spiritualism.]

It is not my place to judge another. I would be rapt in the light of their presence and all that it means, regardless of their temperament. [His faith is blinding, a reverence in his expression that confuses some and sickens others. Following with a sheepish half-smile, Drift adds softly:] I'll do the dare too, if you're that upset.

Ughhh its so late holy crap. ;A; and so short asdkj

[hotbodimus]

[For a moment Rodimus took time to regard the others leaving the scene, hey, their loss right? This was a good game, everyone was having fun. He was smiling, Drift was smiling, the bots who couldn't take it were leaving the table like the little drunk losers they were at the moment; and the ones who did stay were giving looks of disgust like they just saw human interfacing. Yeah,so the game was going great. Can't take the spiritualism of a really righteous mech? Then go home.]

"Wow Drift, way to be the bearer of bad and boring answers. "

[The bot gave a bright, drunken smile as he turns again toward his white plated friend.]

"You even made those bots run away." [Rodimus said teasingly, acting as if it was the answer that drove them away from the table, and not the question. Cause come ON he wasn't THAT bad of an inquirer. ]

"It's cool though, don't worry. I'm sure I can bring them back when its my turn again. But FIRST, you agreed to the dare!"

[ Light hiccuped laughs play in the orange bot's vocalizer, he already knew what he was going to dare.It was the most hilarious freaking thing ever. Of course, everything is painfully funny when you are a little bit more than tipsy. ]
"So Swerve has some nightmare fuel behind the counter, I dare YOU to get that bottle and chug it. Think you can handle that, Mr. All high and holy?” [ Rodimus asked, leaning again against the steel table and flashing Drift an almost devilish smirk. This was gonna be amazing. Holy Hell then was going to be MORE than amazing. ]