LET'S BREAK THIS THING IN

[invisiblepinkboat]

"---need an opportunity..." The speaker was interrupted as the door was opened, the intruder looking pleased.

"We just got it." Tall and lanky, the speaker didn't seem to have an actual altmode, but this didn't stand out among the group in the room. Only a handful possessed them, and they were all boat alts. "They asked for someone specifically like you." Everybody in the room looked at each other, and then to the one the newcomer had addressed, and a low, excited murmur started up.

Coming around the table to the door, the newcomer laid a mint-green hand against a pink, rounded shoulder.

"Will you be okay?" The question was sincere, but considering the opportunity they had just been given - and the details had already been transmitted - it was, ultimately, more a show of support than a chance for the subject of everyone's excited chatter to back out.

Not that that would happen.

Not now, not with this.

They needed this opportunity.

Comments

[ichooseboth]

He didn't like it.

They didn't care.

Objections brushed aside, concerns dismissed, his growing embarrassment subtly mocked; Optimus Prime was quickly getting the impression that his new-found rank carried little weight with the Council, or even with their lackeys. If this was how they mowed over him during planning for a simple event, he feared what they could really do during an official, convened vote or debate.

His own, personal bodyguard - old and boisterous though he was, was loyal, and the red mech slapped him on the back with a heavy hand, as encouraging as he could be, even if it scuffed his new finish.

"Aw, don't fret about it, Prahm. These functions are borin' as pit. Might as well have someone nice t' look at while you're stuck there. -Shoo you! He's had enough!" Ironhide waved a massive hand at the little servant mech that crept up while he talked, buffing out the scuff before the guard could scare him off. Optimus sighed. Ironhide meant well, but he simply didn't get it.

"That is hardly the point..."

"If it makes ya feel better, remember, you're givin' some little pleasure bot a job for the night-" Optimus' sputter and sudden, heated ventilation cut him off, and Ironhide barked with laughter.

"Not like that! Primus, you're a prude - good ta see the high class afts haven't gotten to ya completely yet. Naw, you're the one always goin' on about helpin' the lower classes, Prahm. Some bot is gettin' paid tonight 'cause of you, whether ya' do anythin' or not."

Optimus cringed, but couldn't object to that idea at all.

"Very well then. ...Are you sure you're not under the council's pay, Ironhide? Your words were far more effective than their own."

"Like slag I am!" Ironhide's indignant laugh soothed his mood only slightly, and he reluctantly continued with his preparations for the gala.

[invisiblepinkboat]

The femme walking along the corridor with a servant mech in front of her was a study in calm. She had a mission, after all-- no, a job. That was all it was. But jobs were important, and this job was the reason for her function.

Supposedly.

She was an exceptional member of her caste, and while a boat alt might seem a strange choice, the large side-panels for her alt made strangely graceful-looking "wings".

The door the servant stopped at was large, pompous, and unnecessarily etched. She just considered it, however, with a slight tilt of her helm that allowed the light from above slide down her antennae as the door was opened and the servant stepped in and to the side, allowing her to come in after him.

"Prime, your company for tonight."

[ichooseboth]

Thanks to Ironhide's easy-going nature, he had been spared from staying too focused on the uncomfortable situation. He had laughed freely when the large, battle-scarred mech had grudgingly allowed himself to be polished and waxed up so he wouldn't appear too out of place following the new Prime around, guarding his back.

The good natured grumbling throughout the entire spectacle had him appreciate his recently acquired mask more than ever ("A Prime needs to be able to speak freely and hide his inner opinions, and you, young Prime, wear your emotions far too plainly!") and he could tell it would come in handy throughout the night.

He hoped the good mood would stay with him, but it vanished distressingly quick at the servant's announcement.

He turned around, and dazedly realized he had another reason to be grateful for the mask, his jaw dropping under it as he registered the gorgeous, energon-pink femme standing before him.

"...gnn?"

[invisiblepinkboat]

Had she been someone else, she might have been rather flustered at the reaction - most like to be recognized, but someone finding you so attractive could be intimidating - but she wasn't. Instead there was a slight smile and another tilt of her helm while she took another few steps further into the room, allowing the movements to show off her frame to its best result.

"An honour to have this opportunity, especially at an event like this." Elita smiled, slightly amused at how ot was both true... a lie. It didn't matter. Even as she privately got over her inner reaction to the Prime's... ahem... flattering reaction, Elita walked past the mech who'd be their shadow, briefly tilting her helm up at him, before she came to stand next to the Prime.

... He hummed.

She knew it was the Matrix, but he felt alive in a way that was fascinating... maybe it was simply the lack of this in her home. Distance might do it. No matter. Another tilt of her helm up, her optics slightly dim as she didn't - exactly - look the Prime into the optics, allowing him to watch... and proceed at his own pace.

[ichooseboth]

"-I..ah...Y-yes, thank you. It's a pleasure-" The sputtering only lasted a moment, but it was more than enough to make his systems heat up in embarrassment.

::So what were you saying about not wanting to go this thing or have an escort, Prahm?:: Ironhide chuckled over the private line, his amusement all over his facelates.

::...You are not helping.:: He growled back. Ironhide's laughing response also did not help, but Optimus finally straightened up like the Prime he was supposed to be, basic manner protocols coming back online sluggishly. He managed to tear his optics away from her frame long enough to dip his head in a short greeting, and when he came back up, his optics were glued to her faceplates instead.

The docks never had any femmes around, their frames too easily crushed by the massive shipping crates, and the library...no one ever came there. He'd hardly ever come across a femme in his life, and the few that he had looking nothing like this one.

"I...hope you enjoy the event. Might I know the name of my company for the -ah, evening?"

Consort, yes, but he was not about to actually DO anything.

[invisiblepinkboat]

The sputtering was as soothing in a way as it was adorable, and it told her several things. Sure, the Prime was new but he also seemed relatively young, which would inform a few things. The biggest issue would be the bodyguard, but opportunities didn't always present themselves; sometimes they had to be created.

Elita took a step closer, winding the arm closest to the Prime under and around it with an ease that made it seem as if Optimus had actually held that arm out for her, and not stood there stunned.

"Elita One, Prime, if it pleases you to use it." She could, of course, not have offered it if he hadn't asked, but he had, and on some level that pleased her. He might not have the opportunity or desire to actually talk to her during the evening, but that he was interested enough - on whatever level - to ask her actual designation was a pleasure she couldn't have counted on.

[ichooseboth]

Armor and audials twitching at the sudden proximity, he at least managed to gently finish the motion without pinching her armor with his own, clasping her arm politely.

Propriety downloads had been one of the first things they'd shoved into his processor, after all.

"-I, yes, of course. Elita One. You ...may call me Optimus." Ironhide's sputter as he overheard the offer went unremarked upon - it wasn't a complete breech of etiquette, as his name was his own to offer, and a number of council members already used it without offering their own in turn - but to do so to a consort he had just met...

Optimus hardly cared, only glancing away at last as another servant entered, motioning them forward.

"They are ready for you now, my Prime."

[invisiblepinkboat]

And even if they hadn't done that, she would have been able to avoid such an occurrence unless he'd... tripped, or yanked his arm close against himself, or something of a similar nature. Elita's optics flickered just minutely at the offering of his actual name and being allowed to use, it, and she dipped her helm before angling it up again.

That it was at the correct angle to let the side of her face, specifically her antenna, catch the light just so wasn't a coincidence. Somewhere else, she would never have done it conciously unless they had both been on the same file, and while he was an attractive mech of nice angles and lines, she couldn't...

"I'll not wear it out," Elita said with a tiny smile as the servant motioned for them to come and she followed when the Prime moved, deftly plucking a particular type of drink from the offered tray at the door as they moved past; there had only been one on her side, of course, and she didn't even like this type but then... it wasn't for her.

Rather, it was for the Prime, when he wished it. Couldn't have him look like a regular mech and maybe spill something by walking around with a drink in hand, right? And Elita had been briefed upon presenting herself, as to the particulars of what the new Prime might want.

[ichooseboth]

Optimus' face lit up at the smile, even if most of the expression was hidden under his mask; and if the quick glance was any indication, then Elita's shift for attention received the desired result. Then, reluctantly, he focused on business, leading them out onto the floor as the center of attention, Ironhide following just behind. He didn't show it, but given that Elita was attached to his arm, she could probably feel the growing tension in his frame as optics turned their way, not all of them awed or even benevolent. A number of them swarmed the Prime the moment it was polite to do so, and Optimus reluctantly braced himself.

Still, he managed the political minefield without floundering, going so far as to 'cheat', drawing on what peace and wisdom he could get from the Matrix itself. The humming briefly surged, before retreating just as quickly, leaving a marginally more relaxed Prime in it's wake.

"-No, I agree that the situation has a number of issues, and I'm sure we can reach an accord, once in a more official setting. Yes, thank you."

A polite nod, and the last of the initial swarm faded back into the crowd. Optimus vented a relieved sigh, cautiously glancing over at the femme he simply hadn't been able to talk with for the past cycle.

[ichooseboth]

::Nothing. Not yet, anyway.:: He took the offered cube distantly, not more noting the taste of the treat than he noticed Elita's apology. She had prompted the discovery, and consorts were noted for their loyalty.

She was officially In The Know, even if only to him.

His only thought on the matter was that he would probably have to ensure her future employment remained with his own House, at the very least until the deception could be fully exposed. ...Not that that would be a hardship.

::I will have to handle this delicately. I don't want them to know I know until the evidence is beyond doubt. 'That young Prime says the Matrix told him' doesn't have enough clout these days.::

[invisiblepinkboat]

The fact that he continued discussing this with her brought both pleasure and an "of course, considering my (current) function" and... distantly, hidden behind layers of encryption and overlaid by certain protocols, a wince due the duplicity.

::... And that, really, says all.:: Elita wanted to, but didn't, frown down at her plate of rapdily-diminishing tiny cubes. ::Since that ought to be enough. I assume you'll need both a number of important voices on your side, as well as some... more physical strength, to back up what ought to be self-evident by the fact that it's the... actual Prime and thus the Matrix that's knowing this.::

Elita looked up from her plate, arm curled about Optimus' elbow and surveyed the room, tilting her helm away from the view briefly thereafter.

::Do not look now, Optimus, but I think some are getting antsy that you're having an obviously private discussion.::

[ichooseboth]

For a moment he remained silent, not even moving to look in the indicated direction.

::Well then. We will continue this later. I hope you can play along.:: He reached for another plate of treats, forcing an embarrassed smile on his face and an awkward laugh out of his vocalizer.

"...Really, you're too much. I'm flattered, but I couldn't possibly..." He didn't have to fake his audial positioning at least, the spines tilting back out of displeasure at the ruse. He didn't like lying, even if this was more play-acting than anything else. Awkward expression still in place, he offered her the newest tray without meeting her optics.

You're a consort, dear femme. Clearly you've just said something over a private line that has flustered the poor young Prime.

Nothing to do with politics or conspiracies at all!

[invisiblepinkboat]

Despite the fact that he'd continued to involve her in this, continued to discuss this past the original revelation, she was still surprised to hear that he would continue to involve her, wanted to discuss it more... Though she was not possessed of any greater knowledge that might help him address this.

If Elita was surprised at the quick change from comm to verbal and the change in topic, though, it was not obvious. Instead a small amused and apologetic smile bloomed on her faceplates and she briefly pressed her whole frame against him.

"Truly? Well, if you reconsider... I apologize for over-stepping," Elita said brightly, dropping her helm and tone both as she 'apologized', optics wide, mouth slightly pursed in... what was very clearly very attractive contrition.

Anything to both relax and fluster said young, innocent Prime further, as is the consort's function, yes?

[ichooseboth]

"Ah... That is alright. I'll be sure to let you know."

Apparently the ruse was sufficient. The hovering senators relaxed, a few chuckling to themselves at Optimus' false embarrassment - and one even approached, tired of waiting despite the potential faux pas. He was clever enough to snag a cube of expensive vintage along the way as an excuse, but his bow of greeting was informal enough to be considered a gesture between friends - which they most certainly were not.

"Optimus Prime."

"...Senator Ratbat. What a pleasant surprise." It was so very difficult to keep his tone light around that mech, arm briefly tightening around Elita's own. The Senator's tone and field rubbed him the wrong way every time. And the pink femme didn't even rate a greeting, on the Prime's arm or not. She was a consort, and for looking at. Among other things.

"Lovely party so far. I couldn't help but wonder if you've tried this new vintage yet. I've been hounding everyone here to sample a sip at least. Straight from my own mines."

Oh Primus, it was going to be a long night.

[invisiblepinkboat]

It was a relief that the trick - as simple as it was - worked. It was a bit crude for such a function as this, but it was also not something forbidden to do, and she might be expected to make such (a) propositions, especially if one took people's expectations and prejudices to mind.

Elita did not - as expected, really - recognize the senator that came up to them, but she didn't particularly like his tone. As it was, however, she could hardly show that, her face remaining blankly pleasant, though she let her fingertips stroke just slight against Optimus' arm when his hand tightened about hers.

She didn't mind being ignored and while still attentive to what was going on, wondered if she should try to warn off the group that would be coming... Maybe they could go about this another way? Something within her balked at the idea of this seeming betrayal of their cause, considering all they'd tried and failed with so far, but at the same time... what Optimus had been saying...

Somewhere below them, causing nothing more than a shockwave pulse vibrating up through the floors and walls but recognizable nonetheless, an explosion bloomed.

Elita froze, optics going wide as, in quick succession, three others - closer, but not close enough - went off.

That wasn't even close to the hall the party was in!

What had gone wrong?

[ichooseboth]

Optimus snapped out of his boredom and irritation-induced haze at the sudden boom, Prime-grade battle programming hitting him like a shot after a blank moment of complete shock. Just as quickly, Ironhide was shouldering his way through the crowd of rich mechs, gluing himself to the Prime's side.

"Prime! Let's get you to t-" Optimus stopped him with a raised hand, drawing a number of startled yelps from the unarmed crowd when he pulled out his own rifle.

"I'll not sit idly while others fight, Ironhide, if that is even what is going on." He straightened up, earlier hesitance vanished under the aura of command.

"All of you, down to the safe rooms at the end of the hall! Guards, you're with me. What level did that explosion come from?" He winced as he was hit by half a dozen comms at once - two floors down. Giving Elita's arm a brief pat, he pulled away, wryly apologetic.

"You should probably go with the rest of them."

[invisiblepinkboat]

No, no, no, this was not--- Those explosions should have been on this floor! What had happened? Not that she was sure she even wanted this to succeed now - and wasn't that just a kick to her processor, she felt awful, they'd worked so long for this - considering the revelations...

"No, wait--!" Elita cut herself off and allowed Optimus to pull away. She couldn't offer her combat skills. Not because a consort didn't have them, but because she technically should have none for this function; she'd been hired as a consort only, a decorative arm-piece to be pretty, hold his drinks and provide conversation if it was wanted, not in any capacity to be a bodyguard.

Oh, the combat protocols that went with her function as an Escort had been locked away for the evening, yes, but those had no bearing on her actual skills...

"Be careful," she finally said with a smile and it tore her up inside, before turning and following the majority of the senators and nobles. This attempt, she knew, wouldn't succeed--- And then she had someone slide up beside her, offering an arm and she took it automatically, but did not like at all how the field slid against hers.

[invisiblepinkboat]

On the one hand things took longer than they had planned to calm down, and then even longer for an opportunity to actually present itself. On the other, Elita, slowly getting to know the young Prime more, simply got more convinced that while he might listen... actually attempting to tell him anything here, on Cybertron, would end up in some sort of interruption, and, worst case (or maybe best) scenario, herself neatly disappeared, and nothing changed.

They needed something solid done.

But that was a concern for later, because security or not, it would be tamped back to a point that would be more manageable... If only because of Optimus himself.

He had protested the heavy guard and complete shutdown of the Helix Gardens while she was with him at an arts and science function in Praxus as well as the guard at the beach and surrounding them in air and water at one of the lagoons along the Rust Sea, or the heavy guard at the opening of the new section of the Tagan Heights.

For some of them, the amount of guards had been fitting, even probably necessary (the Tagan Heights came in mind). For some of the others... not so much.

/reuses ideas shamelessly

[ichooseboth]

The only time Optimus really allowed the guards free-reign, was when they were conducting what were quickly becoming his regular visits to the higher-crime, more downtrodden areas of Cybertron. He wanted guards on-hand, simply due to the number of threats and assassination attempts that tended to come from said areas, but he wanted them at a distance, to allow the citizens their fair chance to approach him and air grievances. Protection, yes; intimidation, no.

At least their trip to the rather elite Oil Bathhouse in Crystal City had been relatively uninterrupted by guards thundering in where they weren't wanted. The appointment had been made far in advance, so the naturally-occurring oil pits were empty, and Optimus had readily invited the femme to come along. It gave the Prime a rare chance to get pampered, working the kinks out of his frame stiffened by long hours - and it gave him an excuse to touch and dote on the femme as well.

He was getting far too used to her presence.

Having Elita on-hand had been a great distraction and relief. Reading through reports and signing off on minor bills alone in his office was generally the most boring, tedious part of his job. With Elita nearby, singing or entertaining or simply just chatting with him, the time seemed to pass far more quickly, and painlessly.


And despite the knowledge that she was 'simply' a consort, paid in energon and honor to be by his side...his affection was too easily turning into something more.

c:

[invisiblepinkboat]

She'd never met the earlier Prime more than briefly (the one before that, she'd only recently come online when they attempted to send a delegation), and spending time with this one? He was sweet, and witty, often having some biting and sharply insightful commentary about either his work directly, or simpler gossip.

He was surprisingly willing to attempt things he might fail at, like singing. Not that he failed at it, but it was noticeable he was creating programming and routines on the fly to deal with singing properly, lacking the basic programs to help him along.

She was... undeniably fond of what she was learning, but it all just pointed more glaringly to that to get anything out of this that would help her planet, the Prime needed off this planet at some point.

She may have to sacrifice this fledgling relationship, even hampered as it was by her consort contract and programming, but... it'd be worth it. It'd have to be worth it.

Breaking the surface of the oil, Elita emerged dramatically enough to toss streams and droplets everywhere - yes, she was showing off, but why shouldn't she? - helm angled backwards, back arched and back panels spread, deliberately not looking at Optimus where he was sitting up against the edge of the oil pool.

Re: c:

[ichooseboth]

"-And as bad as it was, I couldn't stop laughing. Fortunately, the senator left, properly shamed just enough to drop the bill..."

Since they had arrived, Optimus had been sharing some of the few amusing stories he had acquired since being in office, attempting to coax more of the lovely, genuine laughs out of the lovely femme. Of course, since they had arrived, Elita's general appearance had become more and more distracting, the mineral-rich lubricants sliding down her frame and highlighting every tempered curve.

Her latest emergence from the bubbling-hot oil was more than striking enough to cause him to lose his train of thought completely, leaving him staring dumbly.

[invisiblepinkboat]

She had a smile on her faceplates as she emerged, shaking her helm at what Optimus was saying and rubbing off the oil sliding down her face.

"Sometimes I wonder what they think with and how they think it's a good idea what they come up with," she huffed but still definitely amused; she'd already had this opinion earlier about Cybertron's Senate, but in this situation, it was safe to say that since it was so very disarmed.

At first, she didn't even notice the trailed-off sentence, since it did stand on its own even as it was, so she replied to it, but when she finally turned to Optimus, she realized that...

Laughing, Elita slunk closer and eased herself down onto his lap, straddling his legs and laying her arms on his shoulders.

[ichooseboth]

"Ahh...H-hello." Optimus blinked, going tense even as a more hesitant, shyer smile quickly replaced the confident look of before. It took a moment, but he eventually moved to wrap arms around her waist and shoulders, hot oil dripping from the recesses of his armor to drizzle across her frame.

He couldn't help but watch the progress of it, the sheen highlighting curves and tempting armor nooks.


"...Hnn. Are you...enjoying yourself here?" He coughed, engine revving in irritation and persistent lust.

[invisiblepinkboat]

"Hello." Elita smiled, a deeper more straight-forward one to counter the Prime's more shyer one, and she leaned forward enough to just let their nasal ridges brush together, even if she could see where he was actually looking.

So for that, she arched her back a little, the back panels shifting and stretching out; too unwieldy to be true flyer wings, but imitating the grace of them pretty well.

"It's lovely. It's been a long while since I got to enjoy something like this." Which certainly was true enough. Elita gently rubbed their nasal ridges together briefly and then sat up straight, optics glowing in the muted light.

"You can touch, if you want. How do you want me?" She did her best to keep her voice straight, without any inflection her shy little Prime might get... embarrassed... over, holding out her arms to her sides.

[ichooseboth]

The gesture, the closeness between them...it was enough to make his spark stutter in his chest, engine hitching.

"I'm glad you could enjoy it-"

The words, however, were still enough to make him shudder, oil rippling around them as his systems vented and surged.

"Ah... H-how might you prefer?" He couldn't help but keep his gaze flicking back and forth, torn between watching her face and her panels.

Unbidden, he lifted a hand to lightly catch the nearest trailing edge of one, curious about whether or not they were as sensitive as flier-wings were rumored to be.