Once Susie can see out of the window properly, she says, “That’s perfect! Just hold it right there.” As she has no way of reaching the pedals, she’ll have to trust that Optimus can get her there safely.

Noting his lack of a GPS function, Susie retrieves her personal phone and punches in the address for Pandora Cafe. The voice navigation comes online shortly after.

“Alright, Mr. Prime. To Pandora Cafe!” Her hands are on the wheel and she’s ready to go! Just imagine the look on everyone’s faces when they see her come to work in her brand-new car.

He could not help but chuckle a little as he heard what he could only assume was excitement in Susie’s voice.

In all honestly this was rather nice, it reminded him of giving his friend Sari rides back in Detroit.

Although he was in a brand new city he found himself understanding the signs and road guides easy to follow, and seeing as Susie wasn’t complaining yet he must be doing something right at least. As the drive fell silent, save for the voice guide, he cleared hii throat.

The sudden stop got another wobble out of Jack, but she kept her balance well enough to not end up falling. There’s another look over the bomb, while Optimus fires a very familiar looking tool; at least to her. Seems she wasn’t the only one who favored grappling hooks. Perhaps it was something to bring up, sometime when where wasn’t a bomb seconds away from exploding.

“Got it-” Instead, the phantom was goint to hop up on the girder, so she had a better angle, and securely tie the rest of the rope to it. All of it’s done one handed, the other one holding the explosive to keep an eye on the timer and keep it from swinging too much.

After that, she’s hopping to the autobot’s shoulder, genuine stress finally starting to show in her expression. “Whaddya say we finally launch this firework, eh? Lest it not actually make it to the water.”

Optimus understood the situation was very tire and each second counted, but he kept his cool as he watched Jackie tie the troublesome device to the steel girder.

Once she was done an gave him the all clear, he offered another smile. “Couldn’t have said it better myself!” Keeping one hand around Jackie so she wouldn’t fall off due to his movements, he took a better grip on the beam, took aim, and threw it with all of his might out into the water. It landed with a heavy splash and quickly began sinking down.

Another snag in her usual plans… As much as Jack appriciated the care, it wasn’t the easiest thing to come up with way to explain and work on a new plan at the same time. She knew better than to argue with the giant alien robot carrying her, however. So the phantom thief had no real choice in this scenario.

“…Fine, but I’m gonna need something that will sink then.” As she speaks, she’s tying the rope from earlier around the bomb, securely, but not enough to make it explode, in the slightest. “This is one of his lightweight models. Made to float and not be thrown a long distance. That’s why I was gonna go under with it, so I could tie it to a rock or something, so it doesn’t decide to pop back up and take any waterbound vehicles on a ride to Davy Jones’ Locker.”

A small wobble as she stands up, getting a proper survey of the area… or as good of one as she could from Optimus’ hand. “If I can’t go down with it, I need something with weight to throw and send down with it, so it stays down there. You get what I’m saying?”

“So it floats, hm?” Well that left the possibility of him flinging it as hard as possible to make it reach the bottom. “Clever.”

As he came to a screeching halt by the vacant part of the harbour he quickly looked around himself.

“But not clever enough.”

There was a little,giddy jump from the Bandicoot as the other seemed to have understand sign language! Well…..The other was a robot so if he needed to understand he could just download the info…..right?

Well,however the other learned sign language didn’t matter to Crash,just the fact he even knew it made the bandicoot even more happy with the other! His ears perk up as the other began to speak,giving the robot even more of a sign that he can in-fact hear! It seemed to be a common misconception that Crash couldn’t hear since he communicates with sign language but it’s just the fact his voice box wasn’t developed well so it was hard for him to form words and speak.

Oh! The other was okay with being his friend! No stop you’re putting pressure on the other to be your friend- Gently clapping his hands with excitement,the bandicoot smiles wide up at the other.

‘ That is a cool name! My name is Crash Bandicoot! I would like to know what you are if that’s okay!? ‘

“Crash, hm?” The Prime straightened himself and thought of the name for a moment. It was a bit funny to him, seeing how he came from a  society where such a name would fit in perfectly. After all there were individuals named Warp, Slug, Swerve, and so on.

His attention might just have drifted away for a second, but as the bandicoot began signing again he paid quick attention.

“What I am?” He repeated, before chuckling a little, “I am a Cybertronian, we are what your kind would call “living machines”, he explained with a small smile.

With the opening of the line, he rose into the air and flew toward the sun. Or was it a moon? Halo-plated, and without warmth, though the light of it crossed his path. Higher, the spark within him flickering, higher till the air thinned, and all of the ground fell away into haze. 

Still, nothing made sense. Ill-composed and fighting the way his flight instruments strayed, unsure of time, or space, or the heading he’d chosen. He sent whatever visuals he could gather–the forest, vast and deep, scattered every which way, making up the horizon. What could have been mountains, or even city limits in the distance, or another distortion, set up by the light and the shadow that leaked out in places where it did not belong. There were clouds, far above him–or something that resembled them, and the whisper of the trees below, making clearings, and galleys alongside the rifts of shattered space. It was disturbing, again, to see this place from his wings. And as he sailed, he shuddered, for this was not the same sky he had ruled.

“Prime?” Even the files could have corrupted itself. His voice rang true despite it, “I’m forwarding you the data. Confirm transfer, if able.” 

He could not be sure if the transmission would go through, or if it was fated to be swallowed in static. On the surface, there seemed to be nothing, and between the lines, quiet shots in the dark. 

But there was little else he could do at that point. Only fly, and scan, and riddle with the ciphers in the wind as they seized his every move. Maybe Optimus would have better luck.

He rolled off as soon as the jet began to disappear into the haze of the ever shifting sky. Nearby, as far as he could see, there were only this organic forest, except it seemed to bend against any organic or non-organic rules he had ever seen before. He had to be mindful of where he drove, as holes and rifts opened in the ground itself, almost as if the forest floor was breathing. Here and there trees seemed to merge with each other, and rocks phasing trough their surroundings like a badly designed video game.

Although every visual and every reading was confusing he remained steady, taking in as much information as he could.

“I’m receiving the data,” he confirmed, some good news at least. “I’ll start transferring what I’ve gathered,” he followed with, sending over a data package soon after.

She wouldn’t lie, this was an entirely new experience for her; but it was also a welcome change from the ever-stagnant norm. It had been so long since she had been so close to a bomb going off, so long since a wrench was thrown in her plans- twicefold at that- and she found it exciting!

Jack was still aware at the task at hand, however. Enough that she was checking the bomb’s timer, after Optimus had them both to higher ground and hlinching in that process. There’s a small frown at what she saw, however.

“Two minutes- We’re really gonna be cutting this close.” There’s a small pause, a look at the bomb, and then a look at Optimus. She had an idea, but it was going to be downright crazy. “Optimus… Once we get closer, just throw me into the water. Less room to welch thic, that way and I doubt you wanna be associated with a woman who’s currently being framed as a serial bomber. Easier for me to take a hike, after this goes in the river, too.”

“Usually I wouldn’t recommend something as bananas as that, but if the black-and-whites catch me… I’d rather not be taken for a ride, y’know?”

“Huh?” His bright blue eyes opened wider and he quirked a brow at Jack. Whatever the frag “Bananas” mean he couldn’t help but agree that this plan was just that; bananas.

He shook his head and focused on the path ahead of them again.

“I’m sorry Jack, I understand  your situation, but in my eyes you are still a civilian, and this is my city to protect. We do this together, to the very end!”

He pulled off another long jump, several buildings rushing by underneath them before they suddenly landed on the concrete of the harbour surrounding the bay.

    What kind of ‘encouraging words’ was that? Granted, it was solid advice, but not ones he’d wished to hear. Nevertheless, advice is mulled over to the best of a drunken mind’s abilities, hand reaching outward to swat pointlessly - eager to keep this absurd imaginary friend from using his home as an arm rest.

“ Atrocious advice. ”

“ There will be nothing better than what I’ve in my hold as of current… But you are correct; uncertainty horrifies me. That not knowing and lack of power or control - it’s what’s keeping me up at night. An execrable feeling. There’s not enough juice to drown that abomination away… Or maybe there is and I’ve yet to build up a tolerance for that level. Who knows. ”

The robot let out a small huff and shook his head, it wasn’t the first time he had to deal with someone quite like this shiny knight.

“I doubt drowning your problems in this... juice, will do little to help,” He remained steady against the wall and arms still crossed. His present was a sturdy one, but he was very gentle in the way he spoke.

When Susie asked Optimus Prime for a lift, she was expecting him to lift her with his robo-hand. With his tech and his height, she simply assumed he could get there with thrusters or a much wider gait.

What she wasn’t expecting was for him to transform into a truck cab before her very eyes. They almost seem to sparkle as she takes it all in. This goes beyond any of her expectations.

“Heeheeheehee!” She wastes little time hopping into the front seat and buckling in. While she can’t reach the pedals or see out the front window, it doesn’t stop Susie from handling the wheel.

“The address is 625 N. Echo Lane, Archimedes Ward.” To Pandora Cafe! “Would you mind giving my seat a boost, please? I’d like to see out the windows if I can.”

The truck let out a gentle chuckle at her excitement.

“I believe you’ll have to give me some directions,” he admitted, a light blue panel lighting up as he spoke, “I’m much too new to this city.” He turned around and drove out to the road smoothly.

Anonymous said: “A Datapad is yeeted your way from... somewhere. It reads: "You are doing a superb job! Keep it up! You are awesome!" “

“Heehee, no problem!” Now all she has to do is set up a legitimate workshop of sorts. A robot this size she’d have problems repairing using borrowed science labs or abandoned auto shops.

“I’d love to stay and chat, but I have work in an hour. Have a lovely rest of your day, Mr. Prime!”

She gives him a wave and turns around to leave… but then, an idea occurs to her. “Oh, actually, could you give me a lift? It would save me a whole lot of time on commute.”

He felt rather satisfied with the encounter, actually feeling hopeful for once. Knowing there were such a kind soul around here was really comforting. He waved with a smile, but froze as she turned around.

“Oh? A ride?” He did know he could still transform his this strange realm, although it was limited, but he did not mind spending that limited time as thanks for the help.

“Sure, no problem!” With some metallic clanks and thuds he practically folded himself into a truck cap, engine running and door swinging open for Susie to jump in.

     At least this unnervingly large automaton had the gall to apologize. Not that he needed to, though Black Knight saw no reason in do anything but accepting what was so kindly given. Anything to help further the conversation and allow him the chance to escape sooner. Carry on his merry way doing… Doing something. It’s a work in progress.

“ You’re of no bother to me, stranger. We share the same woes, you and I. ” Learning fast that there was no escape really had destroyed any shred of hope in his heart. Despite the best of efforts, even he succumbs to letting out a long sigh, thoroughly disappointed by the mere reminder of it.

“ I know not from where you hail, though it would be best to get out any grievances now. Surely there must be some way to escape, but until then, I recommend having a clear conscious until such an opportunity presents itself… ”

“A clear conscious?” He let out a small, but amused, huff, “Are you implying we’re stuck in some kind of purgatory here?” He offered the small knight a smile, before shaking his head.

“I don’t know if it really matters where anyone of us comes from, we’re all stuck here nevertheless. I guess my biggest problem is that I have no clue what to do in this strange place. I know no one, I know no place,” he scooped up some snow with one of his hands, watching as it separated and fell trough his fingers.

LATE NIGHT TALK || ACCEPTING

@b0ss-b0t​ said: “Can’t sleep?”

“ Oh… ” It’s hard to ignore the sudden company when said company happens to be able to stare you straight in the face from the second floor balcony.  Certainly, he’d too much to drink, the result earning him yet another visit from the strangely friendly, talking, fictitious automaton. Funny how that works.

“ I haven’t seen you in a while… How long has it been? ” He speaks with as much enthusiasm as an exhausted man could give given the hour. His body slumps against the fencing of his balcony, dreary eyes finding themselves fixated on what little portions of the moon peeked out through the clouds. The question hardly registers until such prolonged silence finally runs its course.

“ …No. No, I suppose not. Too much on the mind to find any respite from resting. And what of you? Surely some figment of my imagination has to sleep at some point, right? Or - perhaps we’re tied together. When I rest, you rest… I suppose that makes the best sense. ” He sighs, burdened by a world’s worth of problems weighing heavily against his shoulders. It only further encourages a more lax slouch. Whatever back ache he might suffer come sunrise is well worth the levels of comforts he feels now.

“ You wouldn’t happen to have any fine words of wisdom to offer unto your King, would you? I could use a few. Mostly those of encouragement. Living feels like a nightmare and the only salvation I’ve found are from an unstable source that could be torn away from me at any given moment… It’s a dreadful feeling… Being abandoned like that… I often times wonder if it’s intentional or not - whether it be a decision from those that rule over this domain or from the person in question, I’ll leave it up to you to assume. ”

He couldn’t help but chuckle a little to himself, amused by the little human’s ramblings and how he still was apparently nothing more but a figment of said human’s imagination.

Oh well, it’s not like he had anything better to do in the dead of night, he could very well be this man’s imaginary emotional support.

“I can’t say I know what is truly behind your troubles, but I’d suggest you’d have to start with yourself, find security in yourself.” He crossed his arms and leaned casually against the building.

There’s a glance at the timer in her hands, as Optimus comes to join her. Only a few minutes left… She could only hope the two of them could make it in time. Even she was starting to feel the pressure, now, especially now, since she was working with someone.

Still, when a hand and ride is offered, Jack wastes no time nodding and climbing on. She couldn’t stand around any longer.

“Just get me to the water’s edge; I can handle disposal of this thing, from there.” A woman of very little words, suddenly. Probably because you can almost hear the actual worry and near-panic in her voice, despite her mostly keeping her cool. 

“Understood!” He was quick to respond. He appeared more relaxed regarding the situation, but he was no stranger to tense situations and knew a cool head could be what could save you from serious harm.

He cupped a hand around Jackie to protect her and keep her from falling off a she picked up the phase, his size and long legs making him able to cover a lot of space in little time.