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]

[ 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.

[tilallisoverused]

Cape, remember?

( Holding it up and giving it a good shake. As if a cape could prevent him from actually drawing attention to himself. But he follows Minimus, this time without dragging his feet. The lack of handcuffs probably helps. )

About the gambling thing or the wrecking your cruiser thing?

[thesurpriseinside]

The cape can't protect you from everything.

[ He opens the door to his office all right, but it's when he moves to the desk and tries working with both hands that he runs into difficulties. He pauses, frowning down at his mangled hand before tucking it against his stomach and using his remaining hand to grab the necessary data pads. ]

Both, actually.

[tilallisoverused]

How do you know?

( He'd completely forgotten about Minimus' injured hand, and points at once he's seen it again. )

Are you just planning on ignoring that until someone drags you to a clinic?

( Because seriously. )

[thesurpriseinside]

To begin with, you wouldn't be here if it did.

[ Why are they even arguing about this. ]

It's fine, I can take care of it later. It will be quicker to finish this now.

[ Except now he's consciously using one hand now and it's hampering his movements. Not enough to slow down, but still. ]

[tilallisoverused]

( There's a snort of amusement at that before he gives Minimus a more serious look. )

Right, okay. ( A beat, and Rodimus' optics narrow. ) Go see Ratchet when you do.

( As if one can just drop by the Chief Medical Officer without warning. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He's going to tell you as much, Rodimus. ]

Don't be ridiculous. [ There's a brief pause when Minimus looks up at Rodimus and sees the way he's looking at him. That's. Unusual. ] I don't have the rank to warrant his attention. Besides, I can't just drop in on the Chief Medical Officer.

[tilallisoverused]

( The serious look drops and is replaced by a smile. )

You don't know Ratchet. You show up on his door and he can't turn you away.

( Normally Rodimus would just assume that it comes with being part of the Primal lineage and maybe it does in his case, but he's seen Ratchet help any unfortunate soul that crosses his path. He thinks he's utterly incapable of not. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ Minimus shakes his head, taking a seat at his desk. ]

It's unnecessary. There's a medic who's patched me up before, he'll do just fine.

[ He nods to the chair on the other side of his desk. ]

Have a seat, let's get this over with.

[tilallisoverused]

( Rodimus throws himself into the chair like he belongs there - stretched out and at ease with his arms behind his head. )

Won't be as good. ( He's just saying. ) Isn't this where you give me the 'anything you say can and will be used against you' speech?

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He can't argue that. He'd never been to see the Chief Medic, but he'd certainly heard about him. ]

It will do fine. [ And he has to take a moment to frown disapprovingly at Rodimus' posture. ] I would, if you were a suspect or under arrest. You're neither of those things.

[tilallisoverused]

( His face brightens up further at that, and there's a slight change in posture that makes it seem as if he's at least sitting up a bit more. )

Cool. ( A sweeping gesture with a hand. ) Ask away.

blah blah police work blah sad broken minibot blah

[thesurpriseinside]

[ The questions are all direct and to the point, Minimus dutifully making note of Rodimus' responses.

He keeps his mangled hand out of sight, pressed against the armor of his stomach, but there are a few pauses in the questioning and the taking of Rodimus' statement where he moves to use the hand before remembering it's uselessness and another when he tries to retrieve a small datapad from a compartment in his side only to find it too dented from where Hammerfist had grabbed him.

Finally he sets aside the files and stands. ]

Thank you, that should be enough.