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

[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.

rodders can kiss it better

[tilallisoverused]

Huh?

( He hadn't even realized they were done, but he stands moments after Minimus does. )

So that's it? I can just go? ( And he didn't even get a chance to sit in his cell. But his optics flick down at the hand and then back up to Minimus. ) At least if you don't get it fixed then you'll have a harder time trying to arrest me.

good deal

[thesurpriseinside]

[ Minimus is preoccupying himself with putting the files back in their proper locations, but he does pause to look up at Rodimus, clearly bemused. ]

Yes, of course. You're not being charged with anything. [ The frown returns full force. ] That isn't something you would have to worry about if you stayed out of trouble.

i thought it was yes

[tilallisoverused]

Cool. ( There's a very swishy moment where Rodimus throws his cloak over his shoulders, fastening it around his neck in preparation to get the hell out of there. ) You know me, Ambus. Trouble just comes naturally.

( Have a very charming, winning grin. Overlooking the fact that Minimus doesn't actually know him at all. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ His frown takes on a distinctly concerned air before it shifts back to it's ultra stern mode. He stands ramrod straight, shoulders back. He doesn't cut a very intimidating figure on most days and the dents and ruined hand aren't really helping, but that earnest, stern determination is still there. ]

Start trying. Or you will be seeing a lot more of me.

[tilallisoverused]

( For a moment Rodimus thinks he could see what Tyrest saw in his tiny lawman - beyond the fact that he's the only one that would dare to arrest him. But it's gone in a flash with what he says, because Rodimus doesn't take people telling him what to do well.

There are a lot of things he could say to that, but he just settles on: ) I've just about had enough of your mustache for a lifetime.

( And getting arrested. Or nearly arrested. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ That throws him a little. ]

It's the sigil of the house of Ambus. [ He pauses long enough to get his surprised indignation under control. ] And if you're tired of it, I suggest you stay out of the area. I'm not going anywhere.

[tilallisoverused]

Wait, so you all have it?

( Has anyone ever told you that's kind of weird, Minimus? But Rodimus moves towards the door to his office, one hand raised in a goodbye wave. )

Neither am I. ( That sure is a smug smirk on his face, completely erasing any good will he might have won over by being somewhat cooperative. ) Guess I'll be seeing you, Ambus.