#skyperp

i’d still definitely interested in rp over skype! feel free to just send me a message with your username and i’ll add you!

(( In which Blaster learns that Optimus is not very forthcoming, but is now seeing him in a different light.  )) 

Optimus: Optimus took advantage of his overnight stay on the Lost Light to find Blaster and not... corner the mech. really, he isn't.

Blaster: Blaster was given a medical order to rest by Aid, so he wasn't at work, even though that is where he wanted to be.  He was, however, grumbling a bit to himself as he walked down a hallway, as he was on his way to Swerve's

Optimus: Which would be where Optimus ran into the mech. A passing familiarity with the ship meant he knew the way to very few places, one of which happened to be the bar (a small mech had told him where it was. Stop? Veer? something like that). "Blaster." This was lucky, he would have had to ask around otherwise, and that would have taken much, much longer.

Blaster: Blaster looked up from the floor, then turned around to face...

"Oh, hey Optimus."   He greeted, sounding a little tired still.  "Thought you went back to Cybertron after the movie was over."

Optimus: "Were you in any state to navigate after the movie?" Optics pinched with a smile as the mech shook his head. "No, I've concluded I was offered a room for the night."

On to more important matters, though. "Are you free now?"

Blaster: "Aid put me on medical leave.  And I was trying to get my alternate back to his verse.  In conclusion-  that didn't go well so, here I am.  Did you want me for anything?"

Optimus: "I'd like to talk about," he made a nebulous gesture, antenna canting forward. "Last night?"

Blaster: Blaster frowned and shuffled his peds.   After a few moments of silence, he looked up from looking at the floor and nodded.  "Where do you want to go to talk?"

Optimus: "I'm sure..." Optimus looked up to the bar's sign. "Swerve's will suffice?" If it's anything like macadam's, he doesn't have many worries.

Blaster: Blaster looks at the sign too.  "Swerve's?   Well..."   He shrugs.  "First round is on me then."  He told him as he led the way inside.

Optimus: Optimus followed the commsmech inside "Thank you." Once they sat, he took a few seconds to scrutinize the table and Blaster. "Did you manage to recharge after?"

Blaster: A small smile.  "I did.  I don't know if it is because I got that vision out or the drinks helped.   But I recharged much better."   Softly.  "... it will start up again soon anyway."

Optimus: "Shockwave's mixture was helpful." he returned the smile. "While I'm sure Rodimus has much more... creative ways of addressing it, I've found sedatives tend to work just as well." a mild sigh. "They've been happening for a while?"

Blaster: A wider smile.  "I have a conjunx. I think Rodimus' way works very very well.  Experience."   A chuckle, then sobering up a bit at the next question.

"For a few weeks now.  I just thought they were just nightmares."

Optimus: To that, Optimus gave a noncommittal shrug. "So I've heard." But the next answer is more important.

"Strange. They're always of the same thing?"

Blaster: "It changes up slightly.  But they usually feature fire.  Or the feeling of heat while everyone else around was just trying to get away.  Some of them succeed and most of them just... don't."

Blaster rubbed the back of his neck.  "There were these... giants that keep showing up too.  I know they are the source of the problem just... I don't know what they are exactly."

Optimus: "Hmm." Prime looked around briefly, waving over the server drone to order drinks. "I have no idea what that could mean."

Blaster: "I got another... problem with it all..." "Aid shows up in them.  He always... always somehow... is tangled up with the giant things."

"And I fail to stop him from getting close, every time."

"And then I get... stalked... by one of these giant things."

"It is like I just can't avoid or outrun something."

Blaster is putting his head in his hands.

Optimus: "So," Optimus canted his antenna, crossing his arms on the tabletop. "What do you think it means."

Blaster: "That things are bad."

Optimus: "Really. How enlightening." he drawled, shaking his head. "That was odd, though. I've never... shared one."

Blaster: "... I was right.  I told Aid that I thought you saw what I did.  But... why?  Was the vision meant for you?"  Blaster put his hands down, tired optics looking right at Optimus.

"I don't understand this divine... anything... "

Optimus: "Do you want the honest answer or the comforting one?" Optimus shook his head a little. Blaster: "... Hit me with the honest one."

Optimus: "I don't know why you're having them, or what they mean. This?" he gestured between the two of them, shrugging a shoulder. "It's never happened before."

Blaster: "... great.  We both are clueless about this then."

Optimus: "I am sure the meaning will become clear in time." which made him grimace. That sounded far too much like something Alpha Trion would say. "Or we could speak to Rung, but..."

Blaster: "Rung is trained in the matter of Primus divine visions?  I'm not even really... religious.  Spiritual. "

Optimus: "He's a psychiatrist, Blaster. He does the," vague hand wave. "... thing."

Blaster: "... Thing."   Blaster snickered.

Blaster: "... You are... not really what I expected."   Blaster states as the drones brought them their drinks.

Optimus: Optimus shrugged off the laughing, smiling instead. "What were you expecting, then?"

Blaster: "You...  I don't think we actually talked like this.  There was always something that seemed impenetrable about you.  Like you were above the rest of us Autobots.

But you are just like the rest of us.  I... I probably am not explaining this well."

Blaster: He took the drinks and slid one over to Optimus.

Optimus: Again, Optimus could only really shrug in answer, holding back laughter.

Optimus: "That seems to be the prevailing stance. I'd like to think that I'm... not unapproachable. It's..." He sighed, searching for words. "Odd, if I designate time to think on it." he didn't feel very... above it all.

Optimus: "I realize I'm not just a mech, but I am still myself."

Blaster: "... I think it is because you are looked to for just wisdom and approval.  I, personally, am surprised at how grounded you are.  The rumors of you being lofty and wise paints a different picture of you." Optimus: "Lofty and wise." He snorted. "Hopefully not. I'm a terrible role model, mechs could learn from not emulating me."

Optimus: Optimus clicked his mask open to drink, closing it soon after. Blaster: "... What did you see?  What part of my vision last night did you catch?"

Optimus: Optimus paused mid-setting the cube down, antenna twitching.

Optimus: "Red, shadows." Shockwave's hand and the movie screen, the floor. Blaster: "... That is all?"

Optimus: "My vision doubled. I did say I've never experienced this before." one optic pinched in a half-smile.

Blaster: "Hm."  Blaster sipped his drink then, silent in thought.

As formerly, I wheel  I hover and I twist, But only want the feel, In my possessive thought, Of catcher and of caught Upon your wrist.

Tamer and Hawk - third verse by Thom Gunn

He sits high in a tree, leaves casting shadows upon his face. The sunlight spills out into the clearing, dancing along the roundness of her cheeks and playing upon the chocolate of her eyes, and he notes this, quiet, and then allows his eyes to fall shut, however brief.

"Rin. Why do you sing?"

His words stops her song, a recapture of what she is doing right now. It is a silly song, invented on the spot without afterthought. Innocuous and lighthearted. Lifting her chin, her gaze rose until she can meet his.

"I never thought much about it. I--" She cocks her head. "Simply like it. I do it when I'm happy, when I'm content with my world and with the people within. Hmm..." She twirls the stem of the flower she is holding between her fingers. 

"Does it bother you, Sesshomaru-sama?"

His eyes flicker open, and he looks sideways, silent for a long pause. 

"Continue."

The smile she sends his way is a ray of sunshine born from a trusting heart. Her only answer is the hum that picks up again, the notes swirling through the clearing. The melody changes slightly, slows down, her words speaking of the daiyoukai sitting high above her, of what it means to her being here. With him. There are no lies within her words, only trust and comfort, safety and yes... a measure of happiness.

He remains still, swaying only with the tree, and his eyes are elsewhere, deeper into the forest. The birds chirp along with her song. Then there is silence in the forest, and Sesshomaru drops to his feet, a step ahead of her and his hand on the hilt of Tenseiga.

"Rin."

"Yes, my lord?" She turns to face him fully.

His eyes narrow. He does not give a response, simply stares into the forest until a female kitsune enters into the clearing, and when her attention moves to Rin, his fingers reflexively tighten around the hilt of his blade. Tenseiga pulsates. She attempts pleasant conversation, but she is met with a disregarding stare. He does not relax his grip until that sinister presence is far and gone, and her claim that they will meet again only hangs in the air.

Rin didn't hear the kitsune. Only the suddenly change in her lord's demeanor, the way his gaze sharpened in intensity and his hand slid down to cover Tenseiga alerted her to the sudden danger. Her form moved closer, partially hiding behind his and her breath came in shallow intakes.

She stays quiet, merely glancing at the strange youkai from under lowered lashes. The girl has never encountered a grown kitsune. Only Shippou and he doesn't ignite this awareness, this wariness in her. She relaxes slightly after the kitsune has left, slowly stepping forward until she stands maybe a feet or two next to her lord.

"What did she want...?"

He peers over at Rin, then turns in the direction the kitsune left. His eyes linger only a moment, then he turns in the opposite direction, down towards the village, and takes a step forward.

"It is of little importance. Come, Rin. I will take you back to Kaede."

Following him she ponders over his words. She trusts him to know what is important and what not. But she is also curious... she can barely hold in her urge to bombard him with question. "Hmm... she did not look friendly and she kept looking over to me too..." Her strides grow, the agitation she feels about this encounter spilling over until the only other way her nervous energy can be released is within the quickening of her steps and the curl of her fingers into her kimono.

"She was nothing like Shippou." Rin licks her lips. "What if she comes back?"

His attention rests on the village, on the other children racing around and playing, and his steps are even, quiet, and much unlike Rin's; his voice is without worry or concern, his words unquestioning.

"You have nothing to fear. I will be here if you need me."

Rin doesn't look at the other children. She knows they don't welcome her. Not anymore. She ignores the snickers, the way they look at her lord before they suddenly disappear.

The girl does not look forward to their parting. It is a necessity and she knows it. She remembers his words. And she abides by them. But now, it is hard to because she misses the freedom of their travels. And she misses him.

"You will hear me, if I call you?" His reassurance does bring a small smile to her lips. Short lived but there none the less. "Then I shall not fear her." She skips ahead. "Next time you come, maybe the autumn leaves will have turned red already.” She swirls around, hands held behind her back as she doesn't stop her skipping. "As red as your sleeve. The forest will be beautiful~"

He watches her, ever so quiet, and there is this fleeting thought--she is as intimate with the forest as he is with the mountains and the snow; she sings and chirps and dances and sways, and he, much like the winter, is silent and still. But the notion is gone as quickly as it comes.

He kneels before her when they reach the entrance to the hut, and his fingertips brush along her cheeks, cold as ice but deft, careful. He does not need any reason for this other than that she is Rin, but there is this annoying pinprick of...something. Uncertainty? It is the best word he can think to use, though it fits as a rounded plug would in a square hole.

Humans take notice of his touch, and his eyes narrow, a flash of red. But that, too, is gone as quickly as it comes, and he withdraws his hand, stands upright. Perhaps if they feared him more, they would not blame her. He was careless, letting himself be seen with her so often and interfering with the very reasons he left her here: To grow up safe and around her own kind, to not be seen as a monster, to learn her own morals and customs.

Starspangledcapcicle: The day had been so long in Steve’s opinion. Following the lead from Tony on a couple secret hydra nests, the blond captain had gone in and taken them down. While Tony had helped a bit, and it didn’t really change much, Steve had felt he’d made a dent at least no matter how small. But God how he just wished he could get drunk sometimes… “Man…I need a gallon of whiskey..”

He grumbled, rubbing his face with a gloved hand. He headed to his room, putting his things away as he wondered where Tony was. He also wondered if Clint had made it back to the tower yet and if anyone else had arrived while he was gone. Deciding to take a look around after he cleaned up and showered.

Wholetthehulkout: Bruce had been running himself absolutely ragged. His schedule consisted of lab, sleep and eat when he remembered. As a consequence, his body wasn’t handling the neglect well. After writing down the progress he made on his latest project (which wasn’t very much), Bruce went up to the kitchen to consume some much needed tea before he did yoga.

It was an awfully big kitchen for so few people. They were all so scattered around lately that it was a rarity to find company. Bruce’s shoulder slump slightly. He wouldn’t object to someone to share his tea with.

Starspangledcapcicle: Once showered, the blond pulled on his normal white t-shirt with tan slacks, walking around the tower’s main floor and headed to the kitchen to make himself a glass of water. He hesitated when he saw someone else in the kitchen and smelled tea.

“…Bruce?” He asked as relief washed through him at seeing the scientist. “I’m so glad to see you.” He said with a smile on his features. Another team member not lost in this chaos was a win in Steve’s book. “How long have you been here?” He asked as he moved and clasped his hand on the others shoulder.

Wholetthehulkout: Bruce turns his head in surprise at a familiar voice. His eyebrows lift when he realizes who it is. “Steve, long time no see.” Steve is the one person he least expected to be here. He’d assumed he would be out looking for his friend, but he’s not going to complain about company.

“I’ve been staying here for a few months helping Tony with some projects since the Chitauri.” He gives him a tentative smile. “I’ve made enough for two if you want?” He gestures to the mug he holds. “It’s my own personal blend.”

Starspangledcapcicle: Giving a nod, the soldier gave a happy hum. “Well I’m glad you’ve been safe here then. I wouldn’t want to have to go find you possibly hulked out in this mess.” He teased lightly with a small grin, lowering his hand. “Ah, sure, I’ll try some.” Looking to the tea, he moved to go ahead and pour some for himself. Bruce always had made rather good tea from what he understood, the blond had never just thought on trying it honestly.

He was more of a coffee person. But it would be nice to try it now to relax. “Projects huh?” He asked curiously as he sipped the tea and hummed his approval. “Wow Bruce, this is really good. What’s in it?” The man asked with a look of surprise on his features.

Wholetthehulkout: “Oh the Other Guy wants to make an appearance, no doubt. But that’ll just be a mess that no one wants to clean up.” He breaths a light chuckle along with him. “I promise this tea isn’t just watered down weeds.” He looks up from the kettle to give him a sarcastic look. “It’s also watered down flowers.”

Bruce hums into his cup eyebrows furrowed. “I’m not exactly sure how to explain all the projects I’m doing to a non-science person, but it involves a lot of no sleeping and coffee. I thought it was time to take a break. I guess you thought so too?”

Starspangledcapcicle: Steve didn’t mind that Bruce couldn’t explain everything, he was used to not understanding everything his more high tech savvy friends did anyways. “It’s alright. Your tea is still good.” He said as he sipped it and hummed softly. “Yes, I’ve been here for about a week now and it’s been nice to just relax. But I had to get out, the past few days I’ve been trying to track down hydra units and any other crime disturbances.”

Even in flight above I am no longer free: You sealed me with your love, I am blind to other birds— The habit of your words Has hooded me.

Tamer and Hawk - second verse by Thom Gunn

The first time Rin had her monthly flow, she was too scared to leave the hut. Her stomach had hurt and the blood dripping from between her legs had her firmly believe in her imminent death.

Kaede had taken just one look at the then 12 year old and had hid her chuckles behind her hand and the turn of her head. "You won't die now, Rin," the priestess softly reassured the worried girl. Legs curled up against her abdomen, a mug with steaming, hot tea placed before her, the young girl squinted at Kaede. "Are you sure...? What if I die anyways and then... I won't see Sesshoumaru-sama or Jaken-sama again!"

---...

Of course now she did not think she'd die anymore. But in the first two days Rin could do nothing but lay down as often as possible. The only way to keep the back and abdominal pain at bay.

Voices outside the hut had her look up in horror. "Oh no...." It had been almost two years since she had gotten her monthly flow for the first time and never had he seen her in the state she was in now. 

Finally her luck had run out.

I thought I was so tough, But gentled at your hands, Cannot be quick enough To fly for you and show That when I go I go At your commands. Tamer and Hawk - first verse  by Thom Gunn

Snow dusts the hard, infertile earth, and sun remains tucked behind the clouds. Winter gusts through Sesshomaru's hair. The ground retains barely a print as he lands; he is weightless as a ghost as he walks. He carries no gifts. In fact, his right arm hangs limply at his side; but it is no matter. The bone will reset in a day. Amongst the quiet smells of empty and cold, Rin's scent persists. Sesshomaru follows it with ease. It was so cold. Pulling the woven straw mantle around herself, the young girl hid her reddened hands closer to her own body. Her warm breath billowed out in white, dense clouds as she stomped along the muddy path. It was so cold, that even though Rin prefered to walk bare feet, the temperatures did not leave her any other choices than to swaddle her feet in straw filled leather boots. The path winds before her, the dim light barely offering any sights. Not that the dead of winter had anything to offer. Someone was coming down towards her. She could not tell right away, only that the figure was tall. White kimono billowing out behind them. Her heart knew who it was before even her eyes. Slender fingers came up to cover her open mouth, black lashes blinking away some stray tears. Be it from the harsh wind-- or because she had not seen him for such a long time. Autumn had come and gone and there had been no sign of him. No visits. Her feet moved quicker now, eating up the distance between them. "Sesshoumaru-sama..."

Sam: [/yawn...]

Miranda: [/climbs into his lap] Papaai!

Sam: ...Mmh? Yes, minha filha?

Miranda: [/whispers] I saw mamai's butt! [/buries her face into his chest and giggles] It was naaaaaaked!

Sam: [/lofting a brow, while he settles his robotic hand upon the back of his daughter's head] ...You did not simply open the bedroom door, did you?

Miranda: .......

Sam: ...Minha filha...

Miranda: ...ye-yes? [/blinks and looks up at him]

Sam: ...And what do we do before entering a room?

Miranda: ...uh.... ask if mamai is naked?

Sam: ...And?

Miranda: Bring her panties?

Sam: No. First of all, we knock.

Miranda: [/wiggles against his chest] Sim, papai...

Sam: Go on. To bed.

Miranda: [/pouts] Can't I sleep with you?

Sam: After you misbehaved? Eu te amo, but no.

Miranda: [/climbs down, head hung low] Goodnight, papai... [/leaves, feet dragging]

Manyamann: Other than pulling over on the side of the road for a cat nap, he barely got any rest during his drive back up to the base. There were far too many thoughts swirling around in that head of his. When he finally returned he took time to shower and wake up a bit more before he headed off to Mama's office.

As he approached the door he gave a knock to it and waited long enough for her to grant him entry before he headed inside. That upbeat demeanor he tended to show wasn't completely there, even if he did give her a bit of a smile. "So... Ya boys got their letta's. Didn't know I was gonna be dealin' with some mafia folk." Might as well come right out and say it.