Optimus and Mirage both reset their optics in surprise, while Prowl and Jazz exchanged pertinent glances; someone had apparently guessed where the request was headed as soon as Mirage had been included in the group.
"And how exactly, do ya figure we have onna' those-?" Ironhide started, blustering with alarming swiftness.
"Peace, Ironhide," Mirage said calmly, waving a hand and cutting in before Optimus could lay into his bodyguard. He was as surprised as anyone, given that he had not said anything significant enough to imply his true status to the envoy. But anyone with enough teachings could read the still-fresh glyphs on his frame - and the gild-work on the Paradron's hinted that they were. He pinged the Prime to that very point.
"There is no need to be protective. My recent difficulties are no reason to lessen a respectful request from our guests."
Ironhide sputtered at the implication, but wisely fell silent; he and Mirage never had gotten along very well. Mirage would have preferred to not both confirm his identity and bring up his recent captivity at once - but smoothing over Ironhide's openly suspicious blunder with protectiveness instead would likely go much more favorably.
"Agreed. Please do forgive him - while your request is entirely reasonable, it is as much surprising as it is startling. Have you no Flames of your own?" Optimus asked, blisteringly polite.
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"And how exactly, do ya figure we have onna' those-?" Ironhide started, blustering with alarming swiftness.
"Peace, Ironhide," Mirage said calmly, waving a hand and cutting in before Optimus could lay into his bodyguard. He was as surprised as anyone, given that he had not said anything significant enough to imply his true status to the envoy. But anyone with enough teachings could read the still-fresh glyphs on his frame - and the gild-work on the Paradron's hinted that they were. He pinged the Prime to that very point.
"There is no need to be protective. My recent difficulties are no reason to lessen a respectful request from our guests."
Ironhide sputtered at the implication, but wisely fell silent; he and Mirage never had gotten along very well. Mirage would have preferred to not both confirm his identity and bring up his recent captivity at once - but smoothing over Ironhide's openly suspicious blunder with protectiveness instead would likely go much more favorably.
"Agreed. Please do forgive him - while your request is entirely reasonable, it is as much surprising as it is startling. Have you no Flames of your own?" Optimus asked, blisteringly polite.