rodion | the battle of the feels

[Most would have called it a trick of the light, or off by merely a shade. After all, there was only a rumor about a third son of Nominus, and anyone with a fraction close to 'Matrix Blue' as they called it, would try their hand at claiming that. Although, that didn't stop Shockwave from theorizing. Orion himself? He didn't believe it. For some more obvious reasons than others.

But he can't help but crack a smile.]

So I'm drab, now. At least I know the meaning of the word 'subtle'.

[Because fancy dress in the most populated park the city had for a secret meeting...not exactly what he expected in a rendezvous.]

I hope there were no regrets on that.

[Sacrificing a lot of the favors Shockwave had built up over the years over his impulse reaction carried a bit of guilt with it.]

Subtle ( Shockwave says, waving a hand in dismissal. ) is for people who'd rather go unnoticed. Me? I want to be known for two things - my beauty and my brains. I'm not going to settle for one of the skirt suit ensembles you see everyone else in the senate wearing.

( Her nose crinkles in distaste at the thought. Orion how could you suggest something as horrific as that? But his next comment brings her attention fully back to the matter of the head, and she shakes her head emphatically - currently blonde hair cascading down her shoulders when she does. )

None. You were worth it, are worth it.

( Her arm slides through his - fingers curling into the fabric of his coat while Shockwave beams at him. No, she didn't regret saving his life in the slightest. Not with the things she had planned for him. )

[And that was something he could appreciate in the Senator. Someone who wasn't afraid to show off, to be herself. Confidence like that was hard to stay away from. It was such a refreshing trait, especially in the upper class.

Enough to be amused at her reaction. Putting a hand to his chin.

And then feeling that arm loop with his. He looks down at it a moment, seeing just how...nicely it fit there. How comfortable it felt.

It's a thought quickly shaken from his head.]

I'm honoured, truly.

Well, shall we at least walk?

Lead the way, Orion.

( A sweeping gesture with her free hand for him to take the initiative. She was content to let him take her where he wanted - it wasn't as if she didn't trust him. Another grin, and an encouraging tug on that arm. )

[There's a soft smile as she sticks close--he wouldn't lie, he liked having someone hold onto him like this. Not just as a bodyguard, but as someone who genuinely wanted his company.

Someone as bright as her.

But he doesn't keep her waiting, starting to walk towards the center of the city, the sun starting to hit the horizon.]

Does Dai Atlas know you're out and about with me?

( Shockwave keeps up with his strides, fingers digging into the fabric of his coat further. As if she was staking a claim. Which would be nonsense - she'd already claimed him the moment she saved his life as far as she was concerned. A bit-- pre-emptive, maybe, but that hardly mattered.

It also helped that he was quite attractive. )

Dai? ( She laughs, shaking her head again. ) Primus no, he'd have a heart attack if he knew. And I'd like to keep him around for a while longer, seeing as he's one of the few tolerable coworkers I have.

[If only he'd known about such a claim. To him, sure, he noticed Shockwave's interest in him, and he felt confident in their friendship. But claim? Certainly not something he'd assume. Not from someone as prestigious as Shockwave.

Oblivious was...putting it lightly.

His smile widens, though, at her reaction. Despite his opinion of himself being off his radar, he certainly noticed her. How clear her laugh was, how she seemed to glow in the mellow winter night.

Things he could never admit to her, as much as he wanted to.]

Good to see he still views me as highly as ever.

[A wry remark, but warm.]

( How much more obvious must one be, Orion? Still, it's not something Shockwave was willing to press at the moment; that time would come later when she was better armed to do battle against whatever was keeping him from realizing the fact she found him increasingly attractive.

Especially when he smiled like that. )

At least you can be certain that you've made an impression on him. ( Grinning back at him, before briefly resting her head against his arm and shoulder. ) Don't hold it against him too much, he's stubborn and set in his ways. Although I suppose I'm lucky his ways aren't completely at odds with mine.

[Unfortunately, blatant is the level of obvious, Shockwave. Chalk it up to social classes and knowing one's place of business before pleasure. Although, Trion would have simply said 'he's too stupid to realize'.

Even if he's smitten himself.

Even if he notices her head on his shoulder, and just how intimate that is.]

You're lucky to have someone like him in the Senate. With everyone else there I was worried. There can't be much interesting conversation with anyone else.

[He gets her to the sidewalk, leading her towards a bridge to walk across.]

Then again, no one's as interesting as you.

( In this case, Shockwave's going to have to agree with Trion. Subtle isn't her strong point and Shockwave is more than willing to make that work for her, but even that doesn't seem to have any luck getting through to him.

It's only one flaw in an otherwise completely agreeable individual, however, so she won't get too bent out of shape over it. )

I am starved for conversations with people who have some sort of morals, it's true. ( A long suffering sigh! ) Fortunately for me, individuals like yourself exist in this world and I am not fully at my wit's end just yet.

( But his comment makes her grin and turn herself more into him even as they walk. )

Flattery, Orion, will get you almost anywhere.

[Maybe one day he'll see the obvious signs, but for now, he's just assuming Shockwave's favouring him for the Prime reason. Which is good enough for him, as long as he can continue to spend time with her.

A smile cracks across his lips as he continues to walk, eyes casting up.]

Flattery? Or truth?

[His head turns to look at her, blue eyes striking against the sunset that's now approaching.]

Tell me what's not interesting about a Senator saving a stranger's life for breaking into a government building.

( Well not only for the Prime reason. )

I see no problem with it being both.

( A grin, beaming up at him even if her expression turns slightly coy. Secrets, Orion, let a woman have them. )

Anyone should want to save the life of another, Orion. Especially when it's someone who has the courage to stand up for what's right.

[That gets a silent chuckle out of him, turning to look where they're headed. He has no real destination in mind, but...well, maybe he's taking the 'journey is more important than the destination' bit to heart.]

Some call it treason.

But now I'm the one who's flattered. I'm just more thick-skulled than most of the freedom fighters around here, is the only difference.

( As if Shockwave minds. She hadn't been lying when she said that talking to Orion was a delight - her coworkers were, by and large, utterly intolerable. Dai Atlas was not so bad, if slightly condescending and worried about her scientific pursuits. Everyone knew about her father's legacy, and Shockwave was not keen on following in his footsteps. No, there was a line between what one could and couldn't do. )

Ah, well, that would depend on who's going to win, wouldn't it? ( The war that Shockwave can feel in the air all around them. There's no two ways about it in her opinion - it was going to come. ) You spoke for the man they rally around, didn't you? When you broke into the Senate.

I did, but that doesn't mean a victory, Shockwave. It just means that someone slightly higher up in the hierarchy can see the obvious.

[Slightly pessimistic? Maybe. But damn if he wasn't going to keep fighting.]

Just having one set of eyes fixed on me in a way that wasn't imagining me on death row is enough.

If I can, others can too. ( She'd been approached by the two senators wanting her support for the-- what was it? Decepticon cause? And she'd turned both women down for her goals weren't theirs, even if their hearts had been in a good place. ) A civil war is brewing and the old regime will fall - it's only a matter of time.

( Pessimistic, but that's what Shockwave is for. )

Death row would be a waste, Orion. There's far too much potential in you for that.

( Also possibly regicide. )

And when it does...will you join a side?

[He plays along, trying to figure out just what Shockwave was after. Civil war was definitely a possibility with all the recent happenings, and with them plotting possible treason...he'd like to know her position.]

[He brings her to a bridge as he looks out onto the water, a thin later of ice starting to form on it.]

Perhaps you see some things I don't.

Oh Orion, I have already picked my side.

( His side, and the look Shockwave gives him is hopefully enough to convey that fact before she turns her attention to the river before them. Leaning over the railing slightly, she grins. )

And you, things I miss. It's a mutually beneficial relationship. ( Her lips purse for a moment as she lets herself fall back from her precarious position to lean against him once more. ) How are things at your station? I understand the loss of three of your officers must have left you short-staffed.

[It couldn't have been more apparent if she'd spelled it out for him on the sidewalk. It brings a certain...warmth to his heart, as they walk along the cold streets. Maybe it's wrong for him to be happy to hear those words. After all, he's supporting possible regicide.

But just hearing someone believe in him as Shockwave does...

Seeing her smile when she looks at him.

But the question knocks him back to reality, as he rests his arms on the railing next to her to overlook the river. His face drops, eyes cast out along the water.]

I've got potential new partners interviewing tomorrow. Can't say I got too many, though. They're calling me reckless and 'an accident waiting to happen'. Especially considering my actions.

It's hardly your fault that others can't see you the way I do. In time I think they will, you just have to wait for it. Although I can't deny reckless - that is true. But there are worse faults to have.

( Another smile, putting her hand on his arm and squeezing fondly. )

I could do with a drink of something warm. Come, it'll be my treat.

[That last part gets his attention, as well as the squeeze on his arm. From the looks of it, a warm drink sounded downright heavenly, judging from the way his eyes twinkled.

That was the thing about Orion. His eyes never lied.]

Is that a coffee date I'm hearing?

( If Shockwave was poetically inclined, she'd write verses about those eyes. Math is its own branch of musical verse, of course, but somehow she doesn't think he'd take a list of equations that sound beautiful to her ears as well as she would want him to. If he wanted to at all.

But coffee was doable and safe - no need for pretense at all. So he gets a wider smile and a gentle tug on his arm to pull him away and in the direction of her favorite place. )

It is! And I know just the place - good coffee and a warm atmosphere. You can't possibly say no.

[You'd be right on that one. While Orion would most definitely appreciate it, it'd end up leaving him more confused than anything on what it meant. Orion was a man of action, not math. He could only speak enough of it to get by.

Although, he could probably listen to Shockwave's voice for hours, no matter the subject. If he were being honest.

He's quick to follow, not one to really fight against that tug. And it comes with the smile growing even wider on his face.]

I couldn't even before. You're far too convincing.

I guess that's why you're Senator.

[Among other reasons.]

( Among other reasons indeed. It's not her fault her birth status made her eligible for the seat - there were some advantages in being related to Jhiaxus, as much as his work has fallen out of favor at this point in time. But Shockwave intended to make that spot her own, no matter how hard she had to fight to keep it against those who would rather see her fall from grace.

Or at least keep her mouth shut. )

And here I thought I won my appointment with my beauty alone. ( Teasing, her steps lighter now that she's gotten him to agree to coffee. The rest would come. ) I'm proud to say that my persuasive skills are still top notch.

[Anyone who tried would have to talk to Orion, whether Shockwave knew that or not. Personal matters weren't something he talked about with anyone, but Shockwave was definitely one of them.

One...really secret personal matter.

There's a half smirk emerging as he steps with her, his hand slowly reaching over to pat hers.]

One of many things that are top notch about you, Senator.

[Wow. Smooth.]

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