red_diode_district | LET'S BREAK THIS THING IN

"---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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

ichooseboth

"...Ah. You can come inside. If you wish. We can simply continue our previous discussion, or you can... return home for the night."

The doors opened as he drew near, and he rubbed a hand across the back of his helm awkwardly. He was not going to proposition her. He wasn't. Nope.

He still have her clasped hand a squeeze. Damn her for being so accommodating.

"Whichever you like. I'm sure you have others who might be concerned, once word of the attack gets out."

From:

invisiblepinkboat

She did not wince when he commented on that she might have others that would be concerned for her well-being due to the attack. If only he knew...

No, Elita didn't wince, rather she lifted their joined hands, kissed first the back of it, then a knuckle of the middle finger, before extricating her hand and preceeding the Prime into the room. She angled her back-mounted panels just as she turned around so they were angled outwards up near her shoulders, and inwards down towards her legs... basically... framing her back.

"If it's not too much of an intrusion, then, I'll be imposing for a bit... Energon?" Elita turned around with a tiny grin about her lips, holding out one of the small cubes - and how had she known where to find the inconspiciously tucked away cooler unit? - offering it with a showy little twist of balancing it on the back of her hand.

That was, believe it or not, not consort-standard etiquette.

In fact, it was uniquely high-elite Paradronian, but to Elita, it was such second nature (and a favourite to use on prospective... interests, since most appreciated the elegance) that the possibly exotic gesture was merely used for its other qualities.

From:

ichooseboth

She just had to show herself off further. He could feel his processor briefly stutter out of sync with his vocalizer at the sight.

"I, uh, no. That is, it isn't an intrusion at all."

He was appropriately impressed with the her trick with the cube - both tricks, in fact. Suddenly awkward in his own quarters, he gestured toward the sitting area.

"Please, help yourself. Come on in?"

The rooms were, of course, expansive. He was the Prime after all. But other than the ancient bits of priceless decor he had inherited with the position, they were also rather sparsely decorated. He had not been Prime long enough to fill the space in any such way that it felt like home.

Only a few, precious nicknacks gave the room any personality at all, and he'd made an effort to make the room feel less formal and more comfortable.

From:

invisiblepinkboat

Of course she did. It was part of her (current) job, after all. But it also told her that Optimus was, indeed, interested. And if the reaction was proof of anything... Elita would have let her engine purr with delighted anticipation because no matter the actual present... circumstances or restrictions, she could definitely appreciate someone who was so very taken with her.

Especially since she was - free of any actual caste programming - certainly interested back. What was even more endearing, was that either he was shy... or inexperienced. She would not mind at all lending some experience.

Some part of her was of course very tied up in the active consort programming, another part was actively trying not to think about the failed attack, and what she was supposed to do now, and that the longer she stayed she might be compromised... But another part wanted very much to stay, both because of him, and because of what she'd learned.

"Certainly," Elita said, suppressing a giggle as she let him take the cube she'd offered and then made one for herself, declining to point out that she was already inside, and chose a seat very obviously allowing space for another frame... if he wished to take it.

From:

ichooseboth

True, but he had not invited her in properly before.

...And, of course, his processor was practically a pile of slag by that point. Apparently femmes were a great weakness of his, no matter how well he had managed to keep his cool back in the reception hall before. He'd been running off bravado and Prime-knowledge then. Now he was on his own.

Optimus took the cube rather gingerly - the longer he stared, the more problematic the difference between their frame scales appeared. Her fingers were terribly delicate compared to his own. And he shouldn't even be focusing on that. A pretty frame and all good manners thrown out the window.

He vented a cough, seating himself next to Elita in the seat obviously left for him.

"Is it to your liking?" He lifted up his own cube, processor whirling as he tried to regain some composure. They'd held a perfectly intelligent conversation before all this, after all!

From:

invisiblepinkboat

Waiting for him to sit down, Elita turned slightly in her seat to face the Prime, taking an experimental sip. Like all the other things offered at the function, it was... rather extraordinarily.

She'd have to be careful about how much more she ate or drank; even mid or low-grade energon could get you overcharged with enough of it (though usually the excess got expelled before you got overcharged...), and what she'd had available this night was anything but any sort of low-grade.

"Defnitely. Quite singular; it was a while ago I had the chance to taste anything like I've done tonight." Another small sip before she put the cube down to balance on her thigh and reached out to lay her hand on Optimus' thigh, closer to the knee than anything else.

"Thank you for including me. I know I already said that, but... I wasn't really expecting that."

From:

ichooseboth

"I...ah, y-yes." He shivered at the contact, unable to hide the reaction and immediately embarrassed by it.

"I'm glad to give you the...experience."

It was a struggle, but Optimus managed to (somewhat) reorganize his thoughts, even as he reached out to pat the hand on his thigh.

"Now that we are here, it is certainly safe to continue our...previous conversation. If you like."

Or anything else she wanted to do... Audials twitching, he managed a wry smile between sips of his cube.

From:

invisiblepinkboat

If she knew, she would very much have wanted to dispel his embarrassment; it was quite charming. But as she didn't, all she had to go on was the stuttered sentence and that charmed her just as much, causing Elita to smile brightly.

She sobered, however, at what he said next and slowly shook her helm.

"Oh... That would indeed be interesting, but I'm unsure what other input I could give you that you would just as well not get elsewhere, and better. I'm a consort, not a politician or a clerk well-versed in Cybertronian policies and politics..." Elita smiled again, this time more dryly.

She was actually a Paradronian noble, but that was neither here nor there, so instead she leaned forward, tilting her helm up as she did so to be able to look Optimus in the optics.

"But if I can provide a sounding board, I'm more than pleased to do so, Optimus..." And she would be pleased to do so, since it'd give her more insight into this... both interesting and sweet - and young, apparently - Prime. "Otherwise, whatever else you might like." Her optics glowing softly, the fingers of the hand trapped under Optimus' on his thigh twitched against white plating.

From:

ichooseboth

"And yet you're the consort that led me to discover this in the first place. So I thank you." He smiled, audials twitching when her fingers tickled lightly against his thigh. Thankfully, the discussion was able to help ground him, and kept him from talking in unintelligible grunts.

"...Ah. Besides. Your function does not determine your intelligence...or creativity. But you have a point. Until I can talk to others to learn more, there is not much else to discuss."

It probably wasn't wise at all to discuss such a sensitive situation with someone outside his Intelligence staff, but he couldn't bring himself to cut her off completely since she had triggered the discovery.

"I would appreciate it if you kept it quiet for now, of course. Until I figure out who all was behind all this, I would rather they not get word that we suspect them."

From:

invisiblepinkboat

She did not understand why she was pleased with being thanked and briefly looked away, not so much bashful, as confused. Rallying, Elita turned back to face Optimus and straightened up, nodding thoughtfully even as she wriggled her hand around to grasp his, and raised it to kiss the back of it.

Slightly forward, perhaps, considering their current surroundings, but a polite motion as well.

"Of course I wouldn't say anything... Ah." Pausing, a small frown formed on her faceplates; she was obligated by her current programming to say this, and breaking that would take too long and be too obvious, but it'd hinder her ability to forward the useful bits to her... collegues.

"You are in your full right to ask for an obligation of silence clause, as well. It's not unusual for clients to ask for this, so no one would be suspicious." As part of her introduction to being a consort, she'd been given examples of what clients could call the obligation of silence clause into effect over and it was...

Silly, as well as serious.

From:

ichooseboth

"...I would prefer it not be necessary, honestly." He continued as normal, but his optics were wide and pleased, locked on their joined hands. He couldn't help but turn his hand to give her's a (hopefully) reassuring squeeze.

"I would appreciate your silence, but it is only logical. I don't know what lengths those involved might go to in an effort to keep those who might find out about this silent."

...Which meant that he might have already placed Elita in danger. He made a face, hand twitching around her own.

At least it was an excuse to keep her around longer?

From:

invisiblepinkboat

"But it might be." Elita filled in, fighting hard to hide her smile as she caught where he was looking. She should not be as pleased as she was by how he was being affected by her presence and such simple gestures, but she was.

It wasn't just embarrassing, but slightly worrying. If she could be sure it was "merely" the escort programming influencing things, that would be fine... But she couldn't be sure, and that meant she might be getting... attracted. Attached. Too close.

"I'll activate the clause, then. If anyone who would not be amenable about this discovery finds out you and I know about it, I'll not be capable of giving it out willingly." The decision was completely driven by the added escort programming, but Elita accepted it.

The mission had not just changed but become a lot more complicated, not just because they had failed to do what they set out to do, but due to this revelation.

"... No one knows you've found this out, however, and I would assume your rooms are safe. So how could they find out?" She squeezed her hand with his as it twitched around hers, more as a response than in true worry.

The only other way she could see anyone finding it out, was to be capable of listening in on private comm. conversations, like the one they'd had. Not many could do that, and fewer still unnoticed by those having the conversation.

From:

ichooseboth

"If you prefer... One can never be too careful. I would not be surprised if someone for the mods for private comm decryption was present at the party, no matter how restricted they are here." He didn't realize he was repeating her thoughts out loud, but the idea of such information being forced out of her...

The cruel realities and threats of being Prime were all too clear to him, but he had not yet had potential friends threatened, even in talk.

"...How long is your contract for?" It would spoken before he could think about it, and despite his own surprise he did not want to take it back. She was a pleasant femme, one who's company he would like to enjoy for longer than tonight...even if nothing happened, either way.

From:

invisiblepinkboat

"It seems better to pre-empt it... And, either way, as soon as yuo reveal this to the proper mechs to help you, they would suggest you ask for the clause to be activated." She shrugged and then frowned as he repeated her thoughts, and wondered.

They'd both thought of it. He knew his senators and nobles better than she... Did someone already know, then? She might still be beneath notice, however. She'd wait and see, she supposed--

His question made her start, optics briefly wide and bright, before she smiled, amused and... flattered. Unless this merely had to do with a misguided wish to "protect" her, but she wasn't convinced that was so.

"Only for the evening, Optimus. You would like to extend it?" To emphasis the question, Elita raised their linked hands and placed a kiss on one of his fingers... She was somehow surprised at how small her own were in comparison. Maybe it was because he intermittently seemed so young.

Idly, she wondered what else she could do to bring forth that stuttering, nervous young mech that very clearly was hiding underneath the layers of Prime.

From:

ichooseboth

"Ah...well yes. If you like?"

He shrugged, that awkwardness surging back as she had hoped. He hesitated at giving her orders of any sort - it felt off to him, despite her intended function.

"...You are welcome to take some time to consider it, of course. Like I mentioned earlier, I am sure you have friends that are concerned. I've already been informed that the news has already picked up on the attack earlier." He gestured awkwardly to his audial, shrugging.

From:

invisiblepinkboat

She chuckled and then shrugged since it was too late already. This was important, and her own knowledge of "state-level" secrets and governmental procedures in general (if not the main Cybertronian one in particular) worked against her to give her a situation where she couldn't not activate it.

"This is important, so it's probably for the best, no matter what I think." Idly raising her other hand to follow the gaps in the armour between knuckles and the seams in the armour of his hand, Elita tilted her helm.

"I have a few I should inform, yes, but I don't really need time to consider it. If you would want to extend it, I am both... amenable to it, and obligated to extend it." She raised her optics to stare into his, glow bright, and hoped the emphasis was obvious enough that he would understand.

She might currently be oblibated, as she'd said, to extend it, but she would... certainly not mind to spend more time with him personally.

From:

ichooseboth

The 'obligated' part of all that didn't appeal, but the first part gave him a sudden, unexpected surge of hope. With that and the touches to his hands - armored like a Prime or not, Consorts knew their way around around such things, and a shiver worked it's way from his arm up his spinal struts.

"Ah...I would indeed, then." Audials twitching, he fought the urge to look away from the bright glow of her optics, managing a pleased smile.

From:

invisiblepinkboat

Her smile deepened a bit at the shiver, and she let her hand linger on top of his, thumb angled into a seam and stroking slowly, the movement light enough that there was no emphasis on what she was doing, but it would be quite impossible to completely ignore it.

"I would like that... And consider it done. For how long?" ELita's optics dimmed and she cocked her helm as she accessed the correct files and scripts, ready to edited what had previously been sent to her on file.

From:

ichooseboth

"Ah... I have no idea. How long would you like?" He rubbed his free hand over his helm, chuckling awkwardly. How often did a escort get to set her own time, anyway?

"It isn't like I commission consorts often or anything. I hardly know the habits or protocol."

Or ever. He had to be forced into this one in the first place, after all.

From:

invisiblepinkboat

That... while sweet, wasn't very helpful at all. She floundered a bit, frowning slightly and then just shook her helm, squeezing the hand she was still holding and then kissed his index finger before she straightened up again.

"I can't answer that. I don't have any other scheduled appointments currently after yours, which, as you are the Prime, you would have been in your right to cancel if you would have wanted to extend the contract either way." Elita shrugged, idly tracing a pattern over his hand, digigng into gaps or stroking along seams a little more firmly as she came upon them.

Seemingly a random pattern, but rather well-thought out, really.

"As long as you - if that would please you - would give me a chance for some off-time, you are free to extend it for however long you wish."

From:

ichooseboth

He'd feared as much.

The special treatment irritated him, and not even the pleasant touches could completely prevent his sudden frown. He wanted people to seek him out on his own merits, make time for his own conversation or personality or even his appearance. Not because he happened to be the Prime. Optimus tried not to sigh, and managed some resolve - he should not have expected anything more, really. Foolish mech.

"...Let's start with a deca-cycle for now and see how that works out. I am more than fine with you having time off scheduled within that timeframe, so long as it does not conflict with any functions I might need to attend with company. Agreeable?"

From:

invisiblepinkboat

The special treatment would have come from anywhere, but compared to some others, most would probably not have revealed said special treatment, merely silently cancelling and rescheduling around the Prime's wishes.

Elita frowned to match Optimus, even if she was unsure what the frown was about, exactly, but nodded at his elaboration.

"It is, and gladly so... Now, Optimus. Since you encouraged me to speak my mind... What is that for?" At 'that', she raised her other hand to gently poke a finger between his optics, where his frown was.

From:

ichooseboth

Having the special treatment pointed out, while better in a way, still only emphasized the fact that he was being given priority.

Optimus blinked in surprise, rearing back slightly as he went briefly cross-opticed, trying to stare at her finger.

"...pardon?"

From:

invisiblepinkboat

"The frown, Optimus." Elita frowned herself, tapping his forehead again, and then the top of his nasal ridge before she withdrew her hand.

"Did I... ah, do or say something?" Tilting her helm, Elita wondered if she'd gone too far in speaking her mind. He'd allowed it, but she might have exaggerated that allowance...

From:

ichooseboth

He blinked again, only to sigh. He would enjoy the familiarity she took if it were not for the situation.

"...I do not enjoy special treatment. Not in this, naive idealism it may be. Stay if you find it pleasing to be here, leave if you do not. Cancel appointments if you prefer this over them, not because the Prime might prefer it."