DON'T COUNT MISTAKES I LOST TRACK OF THEM

[tilallisoverused]

( He's in trouble. He's Rodimus, the younger of Nova's two candidates for Prime, and he is absolutely in trouble. It's not his fault. He just happened to be somewhere where trouble results, although okay - that part isn't new.

And he knows exactly how he got here in the first place, it's the same as it always is.

Orion frowns at him every time he leaves the Primal Basilica dressed in a cloak - knowing full well that he's going to go to those places that Nova finds unlawful and unruly. Sure, the other Prime in training had attempted to stop him before, to no avail. That makes something twinge in Rodimus because he likes Orion, he really does.

Then again, most people like Orion 'Super Cop, Future Prime' Pax. Because apparently some people like having a career that's pointless once you know you'll carry the Matrix. He guesses that has to do with Orion having spent some of his life from out of Nova's influence - maybe that made you like police work.

Not that Rodimus would know what that's like - Nova snatched him up two days after he was forged, as if he knew exactly where to find him. Must be a 'wisdom of the Matrix' thing. Find your replacements before someone else does and what not. But it boiled down to the fact that he'd never really got to know or experience life outside the basilica walls and for every time Nova told him he shouldn't or couldn't go out - he did.

Which is how he ends up standing over someone he punched into a wall - thanks Galvatron and Cyclonus for teaching him that one - inadvertently starting a bar fight that he is determined to win. Rodimus is pretty sure that as a mysterious cloaked and hooded figure, he definitely looks awesome which negates the trouble.

Mostly. )

Comments

[thesurpriseinside]

It's fine.

[ It's not, but it's something he can ignore in favor of getting done what needs to be done. Restraining Hammerfist with one hand is a chore, but he manages and then turns to Rodimus. ]

Are you all right?

[ He has no doubt that the young primeling would tell him and at length if he wasn't, but still. ]

[tilallisoverused]

( That gets a skeptical eyebrow raise. Because that hand looks pretty mangled, buddy, but if he says so. )

Me? ( A gesture at his chassis and a grin. ) Spotless. Going to have to get a new cloak, though.

( He picks it up off the ground and gives it a shake. It's not in that bad of shape, just a bit torn and dirty. But primeling - he's used to a certain standard. )

[thesurpriseinside]

Good.

[ He doesn't give Hammerfist the courtesy of lifting him off the ground. He just gets a good grip on a convenient groove on his collar and starts hauling. ]

Come on then, let's get this over with.

[ If you thought you were out of trouble, Rodimus, you were wrong.]

[tilallisoverused]

( Oh hell no. Rodimus lowers the cape to stare at Minimus incredulously. )

He just destroyed your cruiser and you're still taking me in?

( What did he do to deserve this? )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He pauses to look back at Rodimus, his frown deepening. ]

Of course.

[tilallisoverused]

You're ridiculous.

( He has never, ever met anyone quite like you, Minimus. And that's not really a complement. )

[thesurpriseinside]

You can't expect me just to send you on your way. Especially not now, at the very least I need to take a statement from you regarding this.

[ He gestures slightly, as if to encompass his destroyed cruiser, the unconscious Hammerfist and his own dented body. ]

[tilallisoverused]

"Someone tried to kill Ambus, but I shot him and then he got his hand squished." See? Statement made.

( He's got this. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He resists the urge to sigh by main force. ]

Fine. I still need to question you about the gambling ring.

[ Can they get back to dragging Hammerfist to jail now, please? ]

[tilallisoverused]

I can give you a sentence about that too right now, if you want.

( Fine he'll start walking but don't expect him to help actually drag the other bot.

Sorry Minimus. )

[thesurpriseinside]

I'm going to need more than a sentence, Rodimus. Those gambling rings are part of an ongoing investigation.

[ Like he would ask for the help anyway. It's difficult to do this with one hand, but not impossible. Getting into the station might prove difficult tho. He is actually considering using his busted hand to open the door. ]

[tilallisoverused]

( Luckily for Minimus, Rodimus was at least taught how to open the door for others - reaching over Minimus to slam his hand against the panel that operates to door. )

Into what? How people make a few extra shanix?

[thesurpriseinside]

[ The unexpected helpfulness gets a small, surprised glance before Minimus goes back to dragging Hammerfist into the station and down the hall, towards the sturdier cells. ]

The disappearances of several bots and a rise in gang related violence in the areas surrounding known locations of these underground casinos.

[ He opens a cell and shoves Hammerfist in, shutting and sealing the door. ]

Aside from the fact that gambling is against the law.

[tilallisoverused]

So's most things that are fun. And I live with the guy who makes 'em.

( It's the worst. But Rodimus leans up against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. )

No one's said anything about missing bots. And people talk - I mean most of the time I don't listen because I'm too busy beating them - but I haven't heard anything.

( A shrug. )

[thesurpriseinside]

I don't imagine they would encourage that kind of talk inside the rings themselves.

[ Turning back to frown at Rodimus. ] Unless you've been elsewhere tonight.

[ And he's not convinced this incident is limited to just tonight. ]

[tilallisoverused]

What makes you say that?

( He absolutely has and it absolutely isn't. )

Look, why would I know anything about who runs them? I'm just there to win and enjoy doing so.

[thesurpriseinside]

Call it a hunch.

[ He might not know Rodimus well, but he knows his type. The second bit catches his attention. ]

How much were you winning?

[tilallisoverused]

You're going to arrest me if I say anything.

( He's not going to fall for that trick, damn it. )

Hmm? ( How much was he winning... ) 10,000 shanix? I was hitting a nice stride before you burst in.

[thesurpriseinside]

I'd only arrest you if you were doing something wrong.

[ His permanent frown turns grim. ]

Don't go back there.

[tilallisoverused]

We've established that what you think of as wrong and what I think of as wrong are two entirely different things.

( Cheeky grin, before his face falls. )

What, why?

[thesurpriseinside]

[ Ignoring that first little dig because this is actually important. ]

There are two types of bots that go missing in there. Those that can't pay their debts and those with one too many lucky streaks. We can't risk a member of the Prime lineage falling into one of those brackets.

[tilallisoverused]

Like they could take me. ( Hope you're enjoying the fresh smell of ego in the evening. ) And I can more than pay my debts.

[thesurpriseinside]

You're going to get yourself In a lot of trouble with that kind of attitude.

[ he's letting his frustration get the better of him. He vents a sigh, trying to cool himself off a little. ]

These aren't the sort of people who are going to offer you a fair fight. If they decide to come after you while you're there, there isn't going to be anyone there to watch your back.

[tilallisoverused]

They're also not the sort of people who've trained with Nova and Galvatron. I'll be fine. ( A beat. ) You know, if I went back.

[thesurpriseinside]

[ Yeah, he totally believes that. ]

Just don't draw attention to yourself.

[ Because he knows he can't actually stop Rodimus without outright arresting him and there's no charge trumped up enough that would stick for very long, even if he was the sort to do that.

He turns in the direction of his office, heading that way. ]

Come with me. I have a few more questions I need to ask.