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

[cliffjumper]

"Then it seems now is as good as time as any," the ambassador said with a smile and turned to face Optimus again, bending shortly at the waist with her fingertips pressed to the metal over her spark chamber, "we pledge the sparks we bring with us will be returned as they left, and may your endeavours not suffer for their absence."

Cliffjumper turned enough so he could roll his optics, just a little. Not that the sentiment was a bad one, and as long as they were sincere it was even somewhat reassuring.

It was more the fancy wording and the bowing and everything being done around it that seemed ridiculous and overdone.

[lastonepercent]

"Your vow is heard and accepted in good faith, Ambassador," Optimus replied formally, returning the gesture with an additional hand curled over his spark, in representation of his Primacy.

"Their presence will be missed, but all will be well taken care of in their absence."

Giving another bow of the helm, Mirage closed the formal exchange.

"Your vow is welcomed and accepted by myself and my companion. We willingly place our sparks into your care."

[cliffjumper]

'Willingly', yeah right!

Somehow, Cliffjumper managed to keep from snorting. It was harder to hide noise than something like a roll of your optics, after all. And besides that, if this had been played straight and without 'necessary' duplicitous parts, then yeah, whoever Mirage would actually have been bonded with would, most probably, at least been partially willing.

Cliffjumper would much rather stay and help here, but that wasn't an option right now.

Looking past the little gathering as they finished up, Cliffjumper eyed the partly bared engine nozzles of the Ark where it was buried in the rock, then looked around.

It'd be... weird, leaving this for a few weeks and not be on Earth. Not to talk about the Decepticons...

[lastonepercent]

A good thing, too. Cliffjumper snorting would have probably been quite the epic insult, especially since they weren't even yet off the ground.

Parting from the formal exchange, Mirage trotted up the boarding ramp with his escort, giving Cliffjumper a significant look on the way over. Placing a hand on a red shoulder as they met up, Mirage swiftly moved them off down the hall, pointedly guiding the minibot along.

"If you would show us to our rooms, we can be underway - and perhaps indulge in a little tour once we are settled?"

[cliffjumper]

Was he supposed to understand what Mirage intended with that look? Because he sure wasn't, and Cliffjumper just stared back before he turned around - and was thus surprised with the hand on his shoulder.

Briefly, Cliffjumper froze even as his optics brightened, but since he'd already been moving, turning around, when Mirage came up to him, it was relatively easy to just continue walking even with that hand on his shoulder.

Did Mirage think he couldn't walk by himself or something, or was he just... naturally touchy with someone when he was (supposedly) involved with them, and just letting that... come through in how he was acting now?

"I think you've seen a ship before, we got here in one, didn't we?" Cliffjumper said with a roll of his optics, the comment slipping out partly because he needed to get this nervous and partly tense frustration out somehow, and because he couldn't help it.

Luckily, that only garnered chuckles from the nearest mechs, and the ambassador nodded, a glitter of amusement in her optics.

"If it would interest you, then of course. Though hopefully Primus will be king enough that we won't be too long in here instead of spending time on Paradron. It's far more beautiful and interesting than a transport shuttle, after all," she said and then briefly, flickered an optic in a wink, and Cliffjumper was honestly startled before he grinned back, despite not intending to.

He still didn't trust them, though.

[lastonepercent]

"Different planet, different customs, different type of ship," Mirage said mildly, giving the ambassador a matching smile and the minibot a playful nudge.

His private comm, however, was not nearly so cheery.

::Haven't even taken off the ground yet and you- I do hope this isn't going to be a running theme.::

Physically, the only sign of Mirage's ire was a slight twitch of the fingers on Cliffjumper's shoulder.

"After all, we've been on the same ship for quite some time. But really, it is always quite fascinating to see the different ways technology and aesthetic design can diverge from one another throughout the ages."

[cliffjumper]

::What? It ain't like anything happened,:: Cliffjumper snapped back and tensed a little at the slight twitch of tightening grip, ::and you're laying it on a bit thick aren't you?::

He couldn't help rolling his optics, and - unfortunately or not, the ambassador caught the gesture while she dipped her helm in a nod, and then raised a hand to cover the slightest twitches of a smile at the corner of her mouth.

"I wouldn't have taken our mode of transportation to be of interest, but if you are curious, like I said, we would be happy to show you around. I can have the pilot head the tour; he's an engineer as well and will be able to give further insights."

Turning around, she waved them on down the corridor while the floor trembled underneath them as the ship went through start-up routines and the engines warmed for takeoff.

"In the meantime, I'll show you the cabin. It shouldn't take more than three jumps to get to Paradron."

[lastonepercent]

::I don't care if 'nothing happened' - I'll have to lay it on thicker if you keep testing their tolerance.:: Mirage twitched, pulling away from the red mech under the guise of gesturing toward their host.

"I would be delighted. Engineering is not my specialization, of course, but comparison insights - and simply knowing about ship carrying us - is always interesting enough."

Bustling them down the hall toward the cabine, Mirage almost missed the mentioned time frame.

"Three jumps, you say?" he asked, surprised.

[cliffjumper]

::I wasn't doing anything!:: Cliffjumper snapped, annoyed and starting to get a bit angry. So the comment hadn't been completely innocent, but he really didn't think it was as awful as Mirage was painting it as.

Not when she'd not shown the least bit annoyance!

And he still thought Mirage was being ridiculous and if he wasn't fragged off, he'd feel more embarrassed for him.

But Cliffjumper tilted his helm and looked up to the ambassador, also curious as to the answer, because that didn't sound like how they did space travel.

"If that surprises you, I suppose we don't travel in the same way. We use stationary space bridges for transwarp jumps at calculated distances," she said as she gestured out at the space outside a porthole they passed, "it takes a bit longer given that we can't make a single jump and we need to physically travel to each of the bridges for a given distance, but it cuts down on energy used, both for ships and the space bridges. I assume you do it differently?"

Cliffjumper almost replied, but then, with a dirty glare at Mirage's back, decided not to. He was always up for an argument, but the risk of being overheard in some way was sort of nerve-wracking, and right now he was pretty slagging sure Mirage would take fault with whatever he said.

[lastonepercent]

Mirage's reply - or rather, lack of one - was nothing more than a brief, wordless burst of static.

Nope. Wasn't going to respond to that.

"Huh. Well then. Learned something new already," he laughed, expertly hiding the fact that it was completely forced.

"I didn't even know there was still an active space bridge network. I'd thought most had been shut down, cut off, or simply lost. We haven't been able to utilize such things in some time, so we've been traveling via other means."

[cliffjumper]

Cliffjumper's glare intensified and it was really hard not to give the exact same thing back, because what the flying frag. Mirage could be really slagging childish---

That realisation alone was enough to smooth over at least a little of Cliffjumper's building ire. At least enough to not do anything more than roll his optics again, and given that he was the shortest mech on the ship as far as he'd seen and there was no one else right by the three of them, no one saw it.

"I don't know about Cybertron's space bridge network, but we used the one on Paradron as the starting point and went from there, when we were finally ready to try for space travel again," the ambassador said with a shrug and a small smile.

[lastonepercent]

"Ah. Well, good to hear. Our own hyperdrive ships generally only require one jump, but are likely more energy consumptive." Mirage didn't bother mentioning that at least part of the 'Paradron' network was more than likely part of the original Cybertronian network. A colony planet would have had access to any older gates in the area before it was forgotten, after all.

"Perhaps if the old network is ever repaired they could be used to extend the range and ease of both parties travels," he added diplomatically.

[cliffjumper]

"I don't see why it wouldn't be on the table for discussion at least," the ambassador answered with an equally diplomatic response and a small smile, before she stopped and gestured to the door they were outside, "your room, yours to use as you see fit for the duration. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

Cliffjumper, peering around the hall and at the door, was surprised they didn't have a 'security detail' yet. But, given that they were on a ship, that would probably not happen until they were on Paradron itself.

He wished command could've sent a few of theirs along besides the two of them, because only the two of them on an alien planet? Cliffjumper really didn't like that.

[lastonepercent]

"Thank you," Mirage said with a small bow of his helm, stepping close enough to activate the sliding door. The room inside looked comfortable enough - but he wouldn't be able to check for traps or bugs with the ambassador around.

"Perhaps we will take a little bit to get settled before touring the decks?" He suggested politely, gesturing Cliffjumper ahead of himself as he looked to the ambassador in askance.

[cliffjumper]

"Most assuredly. The intercom is right by the door, so when you feel ready for the tour, just use it." With a smile and quick bow, the ambassador turned around and left, being met up by an aide who'd been standing a polite distance away, and now handed her a datapad.

Cliffjumper suppressed a growl at Mirage gesturing him onwards - he was way too on edge to feel any sort of indulgent exasperation at such domineering behaviour! With a huff as the ambassador turned around, Cliffjumper stomped inside, giving the room a quick walk-around and briefly pausing at the window before he sat in a chair.

He would have thrown himself into it if he was capable, but it was set too high for him to do that.

[lastonepercent]

"Of course, thank you." Another matching head bob, and Mirage readily allowed the doors to close after the ambassador, slipping into the room.

Without saying a word or acknowledging Cliffjumper's obviously huffy behavior, he began a quick sweep of the room only passably disguised as interest, checking for bugs and monitors hidden among the decorations with ruthless efficiently.

...His own lingering displeasure made keeping the charade up behind closed doors a challenge, despite the obvious risks.

[cliffjumper]

Cliffjumper, even if he wasn't spec ops, realised what Mirage was doing and kept his vocaliser in neutral, instead staring out the wide window. He wasn't sure if he hoped it'd take as long as possible to get to Paradron, or as little time as possible.

The cabin had only one berth, which was okay since it wouldn't take more than a day to get to Paradron - but he sure as slag hoped there'd be more than one berth available whereever they'd get to recharge on Paradron.

... Not because the thought of recharding next to Mirage was awful or anything, but he was caught between that vague flutter of embarrassing attraction and them grating on each other.

Glancing at Mirage as he made his way around the room, Cliffjumper half hoped he would find bugs so they'd be forced to continue to dance around the half-confrontation earlier, and half-hoped he wouldn't so they could yell at each other because he wanted to do that too.

[lastonepercent]

Despite his own suspicions and a very thorough check, Mirage didn't find a single sign of monitors or listening devices.

It was almost a pity - he was almost looking for an excuse.

Reluctantly, taking a little longer than needed, Mirage straightened back up and turned to address the red minibot.

"...We're clear."

However much that meant. It could be entirely different once they actually made it planet-side.

[cliffjumper]

"Great," Cliffjumper muttered and then narrowed his optics, "what the flying frag is your issue, Mirage?! With the whole... thing---" unable to grasp what he wanted to express, Cliffjumper just threw his arms up and vaguely gestured in the air, letting it substitute for a properly worded explanation.

He felt vaguely better (and a little smug) he'd managed to get the first word in here, even if it might just end worse than it started. He really didn't care, because rusting honestly what was the issue?!

[lastonepercent]

Tall frame starting with surprise - he hadn't expected such a quick 'attack', though he really probably should have at this point - golden optics narrowed irritably.

"...And what what is that supposed to mean?" Mirage snapped with a huff, arms crossing over his chest.

"My 'issue'? You mean where I was trying to keep you from bungling the entire operation five minutes in?"

[cliffjumper]

"Except you fragging didn't have to, did you? It was just one comment and she wasn't offended or anything!" growling, Cliffjumper thrust his chin out and scowled, "wasn't like I insulted anything to do with their belief or what the frag ever, but you still..."

Scowl deepening, Cliffjumper sneered. He didn't even care by now that a small part of his anger was because Mirage had seemed so ridiculous, saying those things like that. He was just angry Mirage had felt the need at all, considering the ambassador's reaction.

Or rather, lack of it.

[lastonepercent]

"I did," Mirage snapped back, bristling.

"Did you know she wasn't going to be offended? Did you know pushing it would turn out well? No!"

Mirage stood, stalking over with a shaking finger pointed at Cliffjumper's chest.

"You do not take such casual risks - not at first! Not until you've got a better read on their temperaments! You may have proven that this ambassador is calm-minded," he allowed quickly, grudging even if he visibly chafed under the acknowledgement.

"But we cannot afford to insult someone inadvertently! I thought I made that clear before!"

[cliffjumper]

"Back off," Cliffjumper snarled and didn't just slap the offending finger away, but pushed Mirage out of the way to jump out of the chair and stomp away, because like frag was he gonna stay trapped during an argument.

At least not with their differences. Wasn't like he would've minded had it been Bee - well, sorta.

"And it was just a fragging comment about the ship! Who'd ever slaggin' get offended at that?!" It was so hard not to yell outright, though revving his engine was a passable substitute and he whirled around, throwing his arms out.

The little allowance would have been a victory, however small, if he cared. Right now he was just angry and incredulous.

[lastonepercent]

Mirage hissed but - gratingly - allowed Cliffjumper to push him away without shoving the smaller mech back. He had been crowding the bot- but slag it all, this was serious!

Instead, Mirage let out an inarticulate snarl, spinning in place to glare at Cliffjumper's stomping back.

"Do I really need to list all the times embassies and negotiations have failed because of stupid, pointless things? Making stupid jokes before we have access to a full cultural archive download is risky. I thought this was clear beforehand!"

[cliffjumper]

"Not like that!" Cliffjumper snapped and whirled around, not about to back down yet. Because while, sure, things like that had been brought up in what he read, but not quite showing the inanity of what could be constituted as offensive.

In his defense, Cliffjumper had only had a week and a single datapad to read, most of it about the mission itself.

"That's just fragging ridiculous!"

He almost yelled that Mirage was also ridiculous and stupid, but managed to - barely - swallow that behind a growl and tightening his hands into fists at his sides.