randomplaces | Backwater Nexus. Black Dog. Purple Mistfire

Black Dog: *porch is busy, inside is busy. There's an Optimus playing guitar inside*

someSwindle: *enters slowly*

Sam Walker: *looks over* Hey, Swindle! *grin*

someSwindle: Hello, Sam. *smiles back*

Sam Walker: Come for the music? *points to the seat beside him*

someSwindle: Just for some time out.

Sam: *grins* Lemme buy you something. You like botbeer?

someSwindle: It's not necessary... But I do.

Sam: I like sharing. *lifts two fingers to the passing waiter, then looks over as Optimus finishes his tune and grins* Watch my botbeer when it gets here? Jazz and I gotta go join Op and Bee.

someSwindle: Sure. *grins*

Sam: *gets up* Order something to eat too, if you're hungry.

someSwindle: *sits down* *orders a small snack*

Sam: *up on the stage now and getting ready to play several numbers with his band*

Aleph: *stops by and carefully sets down botbeers and the snack* *in his flat voice* Hello, Swindle. How are you today?

someSwindle: I'm doing okay.

Aleph: I'm glad. *nods his head because he can't smile, then turns to answer another call*

Sam and co: *singing 'Livin' on Prayer'*

someSwindle: *listening*

femme: *comes cautiously into the bar, looking around with interested and wary heather purple optics. Is tp tech, shiny royal purple with golden yellow trim, and is about sixteen foot tall. Has the look to her of a hunter, but not one that is currently dangerous*

someSwindle: *listening to the music, doesn't notice the femme*

random Sideswipe: *is a startled yelp as the femme swats him instead of replying to his attempt to look cute and flirt*

someSwindle: *looks over, meeps*

femme: *startled glance toward the meep and then a quizzical look at the little mech who is nearly an opposite to her own colour scheme* *gives a very Lockdown smirk* You know yer Swindle colour?

someSwindle: ...I am Swindle.

femme: *pauses, then shakes her head slowly* Nuh-uh, I know Swindle.

someSwindle: I'm a Swindle.

femme: *frowning silence as she studies him, and then walks over to the table, her movements an easy saunter* A Swindle? *up close, it's clear she's pretty young*

someSwindle: Yes, I work with many others... This your first time here?

femme: *slight snerk and a smirk* Sheeyah. *quirk a brow ridge* So where is "here"?

someSwindle: Black Dog. Nexus. Place between realities.

femme: *brow ridge goes higher* You're glitchin' me.

someSwindle: Nope.

femme: *frowns as she considers, her sharp optics taking in her surroundings. Then smirks again* Alright, I'll play. So how does a bot get back ta reality?

someSwindle: Usually by PINpoint. *shows her his*

femme: *studies that too* How much? *confident that a Swindle is the bot to buy things from*

someSwindle: For a similar model, it's *gives the price*, though there are cheaper models.

femme: *laconically* I'd need a good one, that could transport two bots.

someSwindle: Oh, then a similar model to mine.

femme: *nods, smirking* Whatever you say, bub. *then turns her head to look toward the door as she catches a flash of dark blue*

Dreadwing: *frowning as he scans the interior of the busy room, but then perks as he catches site of the femme* *as he comes over* Mistfire, who is this?

femme: *smirks up at the big Seeker* Swindle.

Dreadwing: *stops as he reaches her and gives her a puzzled frown*

someSwindle: Yep, a Swindle.

Dreadwing: *looks from someSwindle to Mistfire, his look asking the young femme to explain*

Mistfire: We ain't on another planet. This's a place between realities.

Dreadwing: *mouth opens slightly and red optics widen just a bit in dismay* How did we manage to fly out of reality?

Mistfire: No idea. *smirk* But Swindle here's got somethin' ta git us back.

Dreadwing: *absent arm around Mistfire's shoulders as he looks to the little salesbot*

someSwindle: I do... *goes digging in his drawer* And sometimes the Nexus tends to pull people here, for some odd reason.

Dreadwing: *frowns as his wings tense* The Nexus does?

Mistfire: *brow lifts*

someSwindle: So I heard. I already knew about the Nexus before I came here. Got pulled out of my reality by... other means.

Dreadwing: *still frowning, but his deep voice is quiet* Will you explain?

Mistfire: How much'd that cost?

Dreadwing: *glances at her again*

someSwindle: Explain?

Mistfire: Yer a salesbot. Nothin's free, right? *smirk*

Dreadwing: *frown*

someSwindle: Ah, yes, well... *taps fingers together* How much you know of Lockdowns? *Yes, he did hear the name. Doesn't mean she even knows him.*

Mistfire: I was cloned from one, but his CNA was slagged up, so I came out... *smirk* Curvy.

someSwindle: Ah, of course. The one I ran into was a trophy hunter.

Mistfire: So was this one, but 'e died vorns ago. *shrugs*

someSwindle: Ah, yes, well... did he collect bots?

Mistfire: Nope. *purses lips*

Dreadwing: *just silently watching the conversation*

someSwindle: This one did. *shivers a bit, then goes digging for that PINPoint*

Dreadwing: *brow lifts* *quietly* You?

someSwindle: Me, and quite a few other Swindles.

Dreadwing: *looks at Mistfire*

Mistfire: Yeah. My dad didn' do that.

someSwindle: *nods* Yah, most don't... Lockdowns of my tech still make me antsy, though. Aha! *takes out the PINPoint* Here we go.

Mistfire: Yer alright with me?

someSwindle: I'm okay with the lady Locky that lives in the pocket reality I reside in. You're not him, and you're different tech.

Mistfire: *gives him a grin that's pure friendly Locky*

Dreadwing: *one corner of his mouth twitches upward slightly*

Mistfire: *then reaches for the PINpoint* Lookin's free?

someSwindle: It is. *hands it over*

Mistfire: *studies the gadget* How's it work?

someSwindle: *shows how to scan then person for coordinates*

Mistfire: *watches someSwindle's explanation, and then taps at the holographic screen* Idiot proof.

Dreadwing: *watching silently*

someSwindle: Yes, considering some of the other Swindles... *faint smirk*

Mistfire: So how much fer this 'n fer the information ya gave me? And were those spare parts I saw in yer drawer?

Dreadwing: *perks and looks at someSwindle with more interest*

someSwindle: That info's free, the PINpoint's *this cost*, and yes, I do have some spare parts here.

Dreadwing: *lifts brows* Which parts?

Mistfire: 'N how much?

someSwindle: Depends on the parts. *places a few on the table*

Dreadwing: *picks a couple up and studies them, then looks at Mistfire*

Mistfire: *smirk superseded by earnestness* Docbot said we were short on everythin', even with what me 'n Witchy ganked from the Nemesis.

Dreadwing: *nods and looks the parts over*

someSwindle: Everything? ...Just how short?

Dreadwing: *seriously* There are very few Autobots left, and those who are on Earth are in straightened circumstance when it comes to parts and fuel.

someSwindle: Hold on, let me call my boss.

Dreadwing: *lifts his brows* Very well.

Mistfire: *leans against him and tilts her head slightly as she watches someSwindle*

Swindle: *soon appears* You in need of parts?

Mistfire: Yup. *smirk*

Dreadwing: *looks from one Swindle to the other, then nods silently*

Swindle: I think I can help you. *definitely has more parts on him*

Mistfire: 'N energon?

Swindle: That's our main business. You hungry?

Mistfire: Ever'body's scrappin' fer energon.

Dreadwing: *another silent nod*

someSwindle: *letting the boss do this sale*

Swindle: *takes out a box of cookie samples*

Dreadwing: *curious wing perk as he catches scents he's never smelled before*

Mistfire: *eyeing that box in her sharp and wary way*

Swindle: Free samples. Of course, we are in a bar... *glances over to the bar*

Mistfire: *quick glance toward the bar herself* We gonna have ta pay the 'tender a cut too?

Dreadwing: *frown*

Swindle: *laughs* Oh, nonono. Just wouldn't want her to think I'm trying to take any of her business.

Mal: *snorts from down by his feet* Oppy does it all the time. Who cares?

Dreadwing and Mistfire: *both looking down at that itty bitty bot with interested expressions, wondering just what the slag it is*

Swindle: Oh, well, if Oppy does it... *chuckles and hands over the box*

Mal: *razzes the watching bots* I've seen other guys do it too. *wanders off*

Dreadwing: What... is that?

Mistfire: *studying the box with interest*

Swindles: Cookies! *then look at each other and laugh*

Dreadwing: No. That. *points to Mal, who is busy lifting her husband's apron skirt so that he'll eek when he notices*

Swindle: Oh, that's Mal. *and he's sooo not face palming at that*

Dreadwing: *lifts his brows and wings as a piercing shriek comes from that little pink bot*

Mistfire: *distracted from cookie box by the shriek. SNERK*

someSwindle: *is not giggling, you can't prove it*

Dreadwing: *quizzical look for someSwindle*

Mistfire: *full scale sniggerfit as she watches the little pink guy spazz out*

Swindle: *rolling optics* Goofs.

Mistfire: Flirtin'? *more snerking*

Mal: *chases husband right out of the room. His shrieks die out in the distance*

Swindle: They're mates, and yes.

Dreadwing: *expression says he doesn't get it*

Mistfire: *attention back to the box* Isn't cookies human food?

Swindle: Yes, but why should humans get all the goodies? *smiiirk*

Mistfire: *brow quirk*

Dreadwing: *quietly to her* That does not smell like human fuel.

Swindle: It's energon, calcien and minerals.

Mistfire: *perk* Like for self repairs?

Swindle: Yes.

Mistfire: *looks up at Dreadwing* Skyquake, Wheeljack, 'n Breakdown could use this.

Dreadwing: *nods* As could your twin.

Mistfire: *pulls top off the box, releasing scents* Not much here, though.

Dreadwing: *looks to Swindle* What is the usual price for this sort of fuel supplement?

Swindle: *gives the usual, very very reasonable price.

Dreadwing: Are larger packages available? *quick glance at Mistfire as crunching sounds come from her*

Swindle: There are. *gives Dreadwing a card that'll show all of SwindleCo's goodies.

Dreadwing: *expression of quiet amazement as he reads. Then looks back to Swindle* Do you take only credit?

Mistfire: *crunch crunch crunch*

Swindle: I'll take anything of value, or other currency. What do you have?

Mistfire: *before Dreadwing can speak up* I got the floor plan of the 'Con ship.

Dreadwing: *surprised blink*

Swindle: Hmmmm... *think of who may be interested in such*

Mistfire: I got nine hundred credits 'n that. *glances toward Dreadwing, silently asking if he's got anything*

Dreadwing: *shakes his head* I gave all I had to Megatron.

Swindle: We can do bulk discounts.

Dreadwing: I want to buy energon that will serve for fuel and vital systems, and two cases of these ration bars. *points to the item on the card*

Swindle: *nods* Ration bars are a good choice for mineral needs. *and thinks of what would be good for the rest of that*

Dreadwing: *holds out one large hand toward Mistfire*

Mistfire: *hauling out credit chips and bits of metal and gems from every pocket on her person* *it's clear that girl's been travelling the space lanes a long time*

Swindle: *amused at the different items*

Mistfire: *quick count, and then puts it all into Dreadwing's hand*

Dreadwing: *holds it as he looks to Swindle, one brow raising* Do you have the fuel and mineral bars available?

Swindle: Ration bars are always in stock, as well as most of our basic fuel items.

Dreadwing: Would you be able to bring them here?

Mistfire: Wait. Just how much can this PINpoint transport?

someSwindle: Oh, we do delivery!

Dreadwing: *pauses* Delivery?

Swindle: Yes, we can bring your order right to your doorstep, discreetly if need be.

Mistfire: Discreet's good.

Dreadwing: This base is hidden.

Swindle: We have quite a few customers with hidden bases. We guarantee it'll stay that way.

Dreadwing: *looks at Mistfire* We should ask Ratchet first.

Mistfire: *soft grumble about a waste of time going and coming*

Swindle: *takes out a communicator* Ask them now?

Mistfire: *curious perk* What's that?

Dreadwing: All actions involving the base must receive the permission of Chief Medical Officer Ratchet before they are carried out.

Swindle: It's a communicator that'll work in Nexus type areas. *to Dreadwing* I totally understand.

Mistfire: Lemme make the call?

Swindle: *hands it over*

Mistfire: Be back soon. *heads outside, where there's less noise and music*

Dreadwing: *watches her go, his expression showing wonder*

Swindle: *chuckles*

someSwindle: *drinking his botbeer now*

Dreadwing: *looks toward the chuckle quizzically*

Swindle: *glances over* Bad in your reality?

Dreadwing: I don't understand.

Swindle: The situation.

Dreadwing: Ah. *gravely* Cybertron is dead. The handful of Autobots on Earth are facing off against superior forces. But there is hope in sight.

Swindle: *wince* ...Bad.

Dreadwing: Indeed. Though as I say, there is hope. And just recently four young Cybertronians who were not born of the Allspark made their way to Earth. *gaze goes toward where he last saw Mistfire, and there is something puzzled and resolute in his expression*

Swindle: *just nods, though he is curious about the Seeker's expression, he doesn't press*

Mistfire: *comes back, absently rubbing the knuckles she'd used on someone's face* Ratchet says yeah. He says this ain't the first contact we've had with bots from other realities.

Dreadwing: *surprise shows on his face at that*

Swindle: Really now? Did he mention who?

Mistfire: *frowns and looks like she just said a mental cuss* I didn' ask. He jes' said somebody'd ben there before.

Swindle: Well, sounds like your visitor wasn't a bad guy, at least. Think the reaction would be different if it was.

Mistfire: *face brightens* Nah, he was sposedta've helped, whoever he was.

Swindle: Could have even been one of my sons. Wouldn't be the first time Op found someplace he could help out at.

yOp: *is the feeling of a perk and interest* -Are you thinking about me, Dad?-

Swindle: -Ah, yes, I am. Talking with a Mistfire and Dreadwing at the Black Dog.-

yOp: -Ahh. Oh. That wasn't me. It was that one Ratchet who Travels.-

Mistfire: Op, huh? What kinda name's that?

Swindle: -Ratchet who travels?- Op is short for Optimus, and it wasn't him. He just said so.

yOp: -Yes. The guy from the reality where that Nightwish of our construction is bonded to Sideswipe.- *radiating a feel of being busy and human. What the heck is he up to this time?*

Mistfire: *surprise is very clear* Wha...?

Dreadwing: *no less surprised than the femme, but more coherent* Optimus Prime is your creation in your reality?

Swindle: Not Optimus Prime. Optimus. In my reality Prime is a rank. I'm his mentor.

Dreadwing: Have you no Matrix in your reality?

yOp: *suddenly bombs his dad with eeeeeek and laughter and the feeling of running like heck*

Swindle: We have the Allspar...~SQUEAK!!!~ -Optimus!-

yOp: *more mental laughter!*

Dreadwing: *startles at the squeak and stares at Swindle*

Mistfire: What the scrap was that? o.0

Swindle: *blushes* That was Optimus inadvertently sharing his...enthusiasm with me...

Dreadwing: *serious and grave curiosity* What do you mean?

Swindle: *blinks for a moment, unsure just how to describe or explain...*

yOp: *appears a few feet away, gripping a plush toy that is obviously currently playing the part of a keep away trophy. Yelps as Disturbia appears right behind him. Vanishes again!*

Disturbia: You can never get away from me, Oppy! *cackles and vanishes too*

Dreadwing: ... *puzzled sneer*

Mistfire: o.0

Swindle: *massive facepalm*

Dreadwing: *slowly* I can see that the situation in your reality is quite different from that which I know.

little Oppy: *big strapping Optimus with wings appears, a blue-eyed Swindle wearing bunny ears riding on his back, and a soft grey femme with wings running in his wake. Appears, runs past, and vanishes again, laughing all the way*

Mistfire: ...Ta put it mildly.

Swindle: Quite...looks like a game of multi-reality keepaway here...

Mistfire: *frowning slightly* That won't cause any kinda trouble?

Dreadwing: *just contemplating the spot where the last batch of youngbots vanished and wondering if he really wants to know*

Swindle: As long as they stay to the safer spots in the realities, it should be.

Dreadwing: It will do no harm to the realities?

Zoe: *from behind Swindle* No. None of those guys are tied to any reality, so they don't have much impact on any. *walks up beside her mate and smiles at him* I brought the goods.

Swindle: *was thinking more of the safety of the youngbots, but...* I've never encountered difficulty, nor have I felt anything bad happening with my own reality-hopping. *he then smiles at Zoe* Thank you.

Zoe: *gently rubs Swindle's head with her hand* You're welcome.

Dreadwing: I see. *studies this femmebot with grave curiosity, recognizing a Seeker when he sees one despite differing tech*

Swindle: *will take the order now* I'm surprised they got Bubby to play. He was trying to get some extra work in.

Zoe: Bubby's playing too? *thoughtful look* Maybe he's making calls while he plays.

Mistfire: So, who're you? *looks at the slender green hand resting on Swindle's head and smirks slightly* Senior staff?

Swindle: Could be. *He then smirks at Mistfire* Co-CEO, in a way. This is Zoe, my mate.

Dreadwing: *brows lift in slight surprise as Mistfire smirks back at Swindle and says "Hey" to Zoe* "Zoe" is a human name.

Swindle: Yes, yes it is.

Mistfire: *distracted from looking at the small box Swindle's holding by Swindle's words about the green Seeker's name* Yeah? Any reason you picked a human name?

Zoe: *tired of explaining this. Looks to her mate to see if he'll do it for her this time. Promises him over their bond a stupendous supper if he does*

Swindle: *sighs lightly* Zoe came online on Earth, and had a human for a mentor.

Zoe: *love bombs hubby* That.

Mistfire: *brows up* Huh. *looks like she thinks that's different, but neat*

Dreadwing: *looks a tiny bit brain broken, but too polite to express it*

Mistfire: This is the stuff we bought? *points to the small box that Swindle's holding*

Swindle: *slight purr at the love, then nods* Yes, it is.

Mistfire: *slowly, as Dreadwing's face drops into confusion* You got some kinda hocus goin' on there?

Swindle: Subspace container. Holds a LOT more than it looks.

Mistfire: *brows go up, and then she exchanges a glance with Dreadwing before turning back to the salesbot* You got one with an openin' big enough fer a bot ta fit inta?

Swindle: *thinks a moment* Yes, we do have larger containers.

Dreadwing: *looks at Mistfire. Softly* What do you intend to do?

Mistfire: *quietly, in reply* D. H.'s gotta have someplace ta rest. Hidin' out outside the base's startin' ta git 'im down.

Zoe: *brow quirk and curiosity over the bond she shares with her mate as she watches them*

Dreadwing: *voice still low* But we have already spent all the credit that we had available.

Swindle: *glances over to Zoe* Do we have one we could spare?

Zoe: *chuckles softly, her eyes dancing* Oppy made a portable subspace apartment the other day.

Swindle: He did?

Zoe: *nods and grins* He already had a couple made, but this one's made in a bigger suitcase, so it's got a bigger opening.

Dreadwing and Mistfire: *listening and watching with silent interest*

Swindle: *raises an optic ridge* Huh. Never would have thought of something like that.

Zoe: *laughs* He didn't either. He got the idea from a comic book.

Swindle: *snerks lightly* Nothing wrong with that. *then glances over to Dreadwing and Mistfire* Interested?

Dreadwing: *looks very interested, though puzzled* We have no further funding.

Swindle: I'm sure we can work something out.

Dreadwing: *cautiously, as he goes to one knee to absently rub Pooka's ears after the young Maximal runs to see him* What sort of something?

Zoe: *looks at Mistfire* Why is Diehard hiding, anyway?

Swindle: I could give it to you on credit....

Mistfire: *pretending that she didn't hear Zoe. To Swindle* What kinda interest'd that have on it?

Sam: *pauses in wandering past back to his table* Interest? Swindle only takes that if you insist. *chuckles and keeps going*

Swindle: *blushes a bit at that* Ah, yes...I wasn't planning on charging interest.

Mistfire: *lifts brows as her optics brighten* Yer ******in' me.

Dreadwing: *gives her a disproving look for her language, but doesn't stop playing with Pooka*

Swindle: Not at all. I don't charge interest on things like that.

Mistfire: *eyes slightly wide* We really did fall down the rabbit hole, didn' we?

Zoe: *laughs and hugs her husband from behind* Yup.

Swindle: *laughs, then purrs at the hug* So, you interested?

Dreadwing: *quietly* Yes.

Mistfire: *nods, smirking slightly but not mockingly at the Swindle hugging*

Pooka: Yay! Swindle's nice! *wags and licks Dreadwing's hand, then runs away to see someone who just came in*

Swindle: *blushes at this* -So, since Oppy made this, should I contact him about bringing it?-

red and blue sparkles: *appear in Swindle's hands*

Zoe: *snerks and feels amused*

Dreadwing and Mistfire: *stare*

dvJazz: *pauses and watches* *hopefully* Pizza?

Swindle: Not pizza. ...I don't think. *checks out the object in his hands*

Zoe: *soft chuckle as a pizza cracker appears at the last moment on top of the large flat white briefcase in Swindle's hands, then watches as the sparkles die away*

Swindle: *chuckles at the cracker* So, want to check it out? Is this large enough for you?

Mistfire: *uncertainly* Can I git a look at it? *holds out hand*

Dreadwing: *studying the case with interest, and then watching Jazz as that worthy bot comes tiptoeing over with designs on the cracker*

Swindle: Certainly! *hands it over to Mistfire, and kinda hands the cracker in Jazz's direction.*

Jazz: Sweet! *takes cracker, smooches Swindle on the cheek, and then scoots for his table*

Mistfire: *standing with the apartment case in her hands as she stares after the silver bot with an expression of WTS*

Dreadwing: *blink blink*

Zoe: *mental sniggerfitdie at Jazz silliness*

Swindle: *is not blushing, can't prove anything!* Ah, ehe, have a look?

Mistfire: *blinks and then focuses on him before looking down at the case in her hands* Right. Heh. *quickly has the case folded out into a shape that will allow passage of wide Optimus style shoulders, then opens it and looks through* Scrap!

Swindle: *griiins* What do you think?

Mistfire: I think this is the biggest 'n fanciest digs I ever saw.

Swindle: *laughs at that*

Mistfire: *looks up at him, her mind full of barracks, shipboard quarters, and the Autobot base on Earth, which is in a Quonset on a military base* People actually live in places like this?

Swindle: *catches those thoughts, it's hard not to* Yes, yes they do.

Mistfire: *quiet amazement in her voice* How many bots is this meant fer?

Swindle: You know, I'm not sure, let me contact Op... -Hey, Op, how many bots can fit in that suitcase apartment?-

yOp: *feeling of amusement as he thinks of parties* -Well, a lot can fit into it, but it's really only set up with one bed. So single occupancy.-

Swindle: There's one bed, so single occupancy.

Mistfire: *with awe, as she holds up the frame for Dreadwing to look into* Daaang.

Swindle: *slight chuckle* Not used to something like that, then?

Mistfire: Bub, where I come from, I'm happy if I kin get a bunk!

Swindle: *small chuckle* I can remember those days... So, interested?

Mistfire: *glances at Dreadwing, and then nods and looks through the frame again* Yup ...Wait, zat a library? Datafiles? *peers more closely*

Swindle: More than likely, Op tends to get a little carried away at times with his projects.

yOp: -Whaaaat?- XD

Mistfire: Diehard's gonna love this.

Swindle: -Well you doooo! ^.^!- That's great!

yOp: *still laughing* -I just want things to be good. Oh, they want that for a Diehard?-

Mistfire: *slight grin* So how ya wanna do this?

Swindle: -Of course, of course, and yes.- Hmmm... I'm not sure.

yOp: -I'll buy it for him, and stock the pantry.-

Swindle: *optics widen slightly, then he smiles at Mistfire* Op just offered to buy it for him.

Mistfire: *surprised* What? Why?

Swindle: *shrugs* He does that sometimes, particularly if he thinks the person really needs it.

yOp: -Especially for family.-

Mistfire: ...Alright. *cracks a slight, relieved grin as she realizes that things are going to be easier at home for nearly everybody now*

Swindle: *smiles* Anything else we can do for you?

Mistfire: *shakes her head* Y'already did more 'n we can pay for. *slight smirk* But if there's any heads you need kicked, or anythin' like that, let us know.

Swindle: *small chuckle* I'll be sure to do so.

Dreadwing: Thank you. *slight, grave, head bow, and then he picks up the box and looks at his mate*

Mistfire: Yeah, thanks. *smirks, and then kisses Swindle on the cheek before shouldering Dreadwing aside and PINpointing both them and the supplies and apartment away*

Zoe: *laughing and sending comfort and love feelings to her husband*

Jazz: *sees that the purple femme and the big Seeker have gone and calls over from his table* Hey, Swindle, you 'n yer lady wanna come join us? We're gettin' BBQ.

((Co-written with

swindle_blitz))