The Start of Something Interesting...

[lastonepercent]

The day was calm, with no recent Decepticon attacks, and none suspected to be incoming for some time.  The cons were too busy licking their wounds from the last battle, one that the Autobots had decidedly come out ahead on.  The celebrations had gone on long into the night and the recreation room was already a mess.

Thus, it was the perfect chance for a lone Autobot to slip casually outside.

Mirage had no shift currently scheduled, so he was free to spend his time as he pleased.  He certainly made no move to hide his departure, greeting his comrades in the halls on the way out, but the box in his hands remained unopened despite any passing curiosity.  It was quietly shifted into subspace before long, and  the former noble shifted into alt mode just as smoothly when he reached the doors.  Despite the completely inappropriate earthen race car mode, the mech had little trouble self-adjusting before driving off into the forest covering the mountain, for business unknown...

Comments

[lastonepercent]

"A successful public event is nothing to understate, Cliffjumper," Mirage said calmly, slowly making his way across the room. He was pleased, but oh so very tired.

"We managed quite well. I think we pulled it off, and the reception to us both seems very positive."

He gave the minibot a wry grin as he dropped down onto the nearest bit of furniture with a casual air. "But yes, I do admit, I enjoyed the function. It was...familiar to me."

[cliffjumper]

'Nothing to understate'. Cliffjumper rolled his optics, but somehow that statement was almost cute instead of annoying. Clearly it was something Mirage wasn't just used to, but actually liked, no matter how strange Cliffjumper found it.

"Well, I guess that's good," he said while watching Mirage slump down in a seat, looking tired and loose-limbed but, yes, pleased, "and I guess it's good one of us is enjoying this at least."

He shook his helm, still feeling utterly flabbergasted by the idea that something like that could be enjoyable, but maybe that was good, especially in a situation like this.

"I suppose Thundercracker didn't mess up, did he?" Cliffjumper asked, unable to hide the slightly spiteful disappointment at that prospect.

[lastonepercent]

"It is indeed," Mirage agreed, faintly smug. "That is what I am here for, after all."

He stretched a bit, before settling even further into the chair. If he got too comfortable, he might be tempted to recharge there.

"Well. He didn't mess up, per say. But he certainly couldn't hide his distaste at time. And you should have seen his face when you make your escape," Mirage grinned, leaning in conspiratorially.

"I think he was jealous."

[cliffjumper]

Optics flickering a little at that, Cliffjumper laughed sharply and not particularly kindly. Cliffjumper wasn't, after all, above taking some spiteful delight in a Decepticon being unhappy with something he'd managed.

"Good," Cliffjumper said with a snort, "I guess it won't help him that he couldn't keep his face, either?"

Then he paused, rubbing his neck briefly.

"Not sure I managed that all the time before I got away, though."

[lastonepercent]

"Not to a terrible degree, but no. It was a little obvious to those who noticed."

And Mirage knew several Paradronians noticed.

"You managed to an acceptable degree, I do think." Mirage gave Cliffjumper an approving nod.

"It's not like they are not unaware of the general gist of our supposed situation - they know you are not 'used' to being the focus of such crowds, as we were not 'involved' before the war began, of course. You have as much leeway as I have been able to slip into our supposed tale."

[cliffjumper]

He probably shouldn't be as pleased by the approval as he was, something which led Cliffjumper to feeling slightly disgusted with himself, but he just nodded hesitantly and grimaced a little.

"That's... good, I suppose. I mean, we don't want 'em to take offense this early on." Or at all, really, even if Cliffjumper was feeling grumpy and disapproving of these soft-appearing, near-war frames. They were just weird and he didn't like them. Or this.

Not that it mattered; they just had to do it.

"... Sorry I can't help ya more, though," Cliffjumper said after a moment, scowling at the low table between the couches and chairs, because regardless of what he thought about this, it wasn't particularly fair that Mirage had to take the majority of the burden.

[lastonepercent]

"Of course," Mirage agreed, privately pleased that Cliffjumper was apparently beginning to grasp the political side of the situation.

Mirage leaned forward, his most charming - if rather tired - grin slipping into place without conscious choice. "I do appreciate that thought, Cliffjumper."

He paused, vents fluttering and optics flickering down to a lower power level in a tired 'yawn'.

"Ah, excuse me. As I was saying, just continue as you have been, and you will be helping me quite well."

[cliffjumper]

Mirage leaning forward wasn't strange; in fact, Cliffjumper stiffened, ready for some sort of rebuke even if he wasn't sure what it could even be for. Then the fragging noble smiled, and not any of the ones Cliffjumper usually saw.

He was not blushing.

He better not be blushing, slag it all.

"Yeah, whatever," Cliffjumper hissed and jumped to his feet, shifting a moment before he turned around, "better go recharge or something, you look like you need it."

[lastonepercent]

He was totally blushing.

It wasn't much, but it was enough for Mirage to notice. His lips twitched upward, and even Cliffjumper's rather blunt command wasn't enough to sway his sudden burst of amusement.

That was rather...cute.

Minibots were apparently easily flustered. Something to keep in mind...

"Well, that was a little rude, but you are not wrong."

Mirage yawned again, before getting up from the all-too-comfortable chair with a languid - and if he were honest with himself - rather showy stretch.

"I think I shall. You should do so as well, of course."

He was half tempted to teasingly invite Cliffjumper to come with him, but he felt that making the minibot spontaneously combust would not be the best thing for the mission. He would probably not appreciate the teasing.