Bonecrusher:

:: Private Communications: Accept Y/N ::

Tracks:

::Y::

Bonecrusher:

:: HEY, GORGEOUS, HOW'RE YA? ::

Tracks:

::Very well, really. I'm glad to hear you were rescued - your arm as well?::

Bonecrusher:

:: NAH, THEY STILL GOT TH' FRAGGIN' LIMB.  'M GOIN' FER TH' AMPUTEE LOOK AT TH' MOMENT, UNTIL I CAN GET DOWN THERE AN' FIND IT AGAIN. ::  *pauses for a few moments*  :: ...HEY, ARE Y'BUSY, RIGHT NOW?  I KINDA WANTED T' TALK T'YA ABOUT SOMETHIN'. ::

Tracks:

::Oh lovely. I'm not sure I want to know why they're keeping it. And, no, not busy, really. What did you need?::

Bonecrusher:

:: 'S ABOUT THAT DARLIN'  RACE CAR WE BOTH KNOW. :: *wow, any drier and his voice would be the Sahara* :: KINDA GOT ME WORRIED.  Y'WANNA TALK OVER COMMS, OR WOULD Y'RATHER GET T'GETHER? ::

Tracks:

::Mirage?:: *baffled, he pauses a moment* ::I can meet you within a quarter of an earth hour, if that works?::

Bonecrusher:

:: TH' ONE AN' ONLY.   AN' YEAH, THAT WORKS.  'M HANGIN' AROUND OUTSIDE, UNLESS Y'GOT A BETTER PLACE T'MEET UP. ::

Tracks:

::No, that's fine. I'll see you soon.::

Tracks:

*And he's true to his word, as fifteen minutes later he zooms out from the entrance in his car mode, looking bright-shiny and very freshly waxed. Parking in front of Bonecrusher, he gives the Decepticon as expectant a look one can when they have no face*

Bonecrusher:

SHOWIN' OFF JUST A BIT, AREN'T YA, GORGEOUS?  *He's smirking at the very shiny car (maybe just a bit leery) from where he's sitting, taking a sip from his almost-ever-present drink*

Tracks:

Of course. Showing off comes rather naturally. *Not yet transforming, he reverses a little and angles himself facing the other mech* But you mentioned something about Mirage?

Bonecrusher:

*Bonecrusher frowns, mulling over his entire previous conversation with Mirage and trying to figure out just where to begin*  ...MIRAGE CAME T'ASK ME A QUESTION.  FOUND OUT 'BOUT WHAT I DID IN TH' WAR AN' NEEDED T'ASK ME SOMETHIN' I DIDN'T QUITE EXPECT.

Tracks:

...Ah. I suppose he didn't know before. *Tracks said, somewhat subdued* What did he ask?

Bonecrusher:

......IF I LET 'EM KILL THEMSELVES AFTERWARDS.

Tracks:

... *Tracks didn't move, but seemed at a loss for a moment* ...Why would he ask -that- of all things?

Bonecrusher:

*Shrugging, he takes a sip*  SAID HE JUST WANTED T'KNOW.

Tracks:

I see. *sounding unsettled* That's all he wanted to know?

Bonecrusher:

THAT'S ALL HE  WANTED T'KNOW.  I HAD A FEW QUESTIONS OF M'OWN, BUT... HE DOESN'T DO TH' 20 QUESTIONS VERY WELL.  REAL GOOD GAME FACE - BETTER'N MOSTA TH' MECHS I RAN INTO BEFORE  I GOT A HAND ON 'EM.  *That  sentence has a rather significant tone to it*

Tracks:

Mirage has always been very private. Moreso after he-- well, during the war. It was less kind to Mirage than most. *thoughtfully*

Bonecrusher:

AFTER WHAT, 'XACTLY?  *prying just a bit, maybe*

Tracks:

...It's not secret, really, I suppose. Mirage was taken by Bombshell, who used him to spy on us. Despite the fact that he was controlled by one of those... cerebro shells, some mechs never trusted him completely after that. He became somewhat more reserved than he had been. I couldn't blame him, really. *He stops, but it doesn't sound like he's said everything, not exactly thrilled to talk about a friend he knows likes his privacy*

Bonecrusher:

......HN.  ALREADY FIGURED MOSTA THAT OUT.  WASN'T REALLY HARD  T'SEE FROM HIS EXPRESSION.  STILL.  Y'KNOW TH' FULL DETAILS, OR WHAT Y'HEARD, OR WHAT HE TOLD YA?  'COS IT WASN'T JUST SPYIN', TH' WAY HE WAS LOOKIN'.

Tracks:

The official statement was very lacking - just that he had been used as a spy, that he wasn't to be held responsible, all that. He never spoke of it, to -anyone-, I don't think. *more concerned now* ...there were rumors, of course.

Bonecrusher:

YEAH, THERE USUALLY ARE.  *takes another sip*  WHAT KINDA RUMORS?

Tracks:

*his motor rumbled in remembered annoyance* Unkind ones, mostly. Autobots aren't without their own sort of cruelty, at times. Some, though, suggested that Mirage had gone through more than he or our commanders would admit to.

Bonecrusher:

HNN.  *that's a very, very  noncommiting noise, and he takes another gulp*

Tracks:

...And your opinion? *pointedly, and somewhat dryly considering all the information he's given so far*

Bonecrusher:

RUMORS... USUALLY START OUT WITH SOME BASIS OF FACT.  *shakes his head*  'S NOT LIKE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

Tracks:

That's true. Mirage never commented on them, really. I always thought it odd that he wouldn't say they were true if only to quiet a few vocalizers.

Tracks:

...What do you think happened to him? *more quietly, not entirely sure he wants any details Bonecrusher might have*

Bonecrusher:

*takes another, long gulp, finishing off his cube, before dropping it to the side and looking at Tracks.  As much as he's all for being open about himself, the idea of telling Tracks just what  he thinks happened makes him feel a little... off*  ......I'VE SEEN MECHS WITH HIS EXPRESSION BEFORE, AN' THEY NEVER HAD TH' BEST OF TIMES.

Tracks:

So you think he was tortured. *a little abruptly there, but it's still disturbing to think of*

Bonecrusher:

AT LEAST.  BUT...  BOMBSHELL'S GOT LOTSA TRICKS IN HIS GRIMY LIL' CHASSIS AN' THOSE SHELLS OF HIM DON'T REALLY GIVE YA TH' OPTION OF REFUSIN' ONCE THEY'RE IN, Y'KNOW?  *sighs*  AT LEAST WITH NORMAL MECHS, Y'HAD TH' CHANCE T'TAKE CARE OF YERSELF 'FORE ANYONE COULD MAKE Y'DO WHAT Y'DIDN'T WANNA DO.  ...WELL.  WITHIN LIMITS.

Tracks:

*Tracks shuddered on his tires, voice slightly faint* So that's why.

Bonecrusher:

WHY WHAT?  *shifts, putting his cube to the side for the moment*

Tracks:

...Why he would ask that. *The realization of how easily he could have been taken, had Bombshell so decided? Is just a little bit freaky*

Bonecrusher:

MM.  'S KINDA WORRYIN' ME, T'BE HONEST, TH' WAY HE ACTED.  NICE AN' BLANK, REAL NEUTRAL.  KINDA LIKE A MECH I... *it shouldn't feel this weird, talking about something he's usually so open about* A MECH I GOT MY HANDS ON ONCE.  'S NOT SOMETHIN' I PARTICULARLY ENJOYED SEEIN' ON HIM.  *dryly*  NOT HIS BEST LOOK.

Tracks:

*The reminder of Bonecrusher's prior occupation is just as awkward for Tracks and he hesitates a moment before responding* I don't imagine so. And... well, I suppose I can understand not wanting to talk about it.

Bonecrusher:

......'M GONNA TELL Y'THIS, LIKE I TOLD HIM.  'M NOT KEEPIN' IT A SECRET FROM ANYONE.  I DID WHAT I DID AN' I DON'T REGRET IT, NOT REALLY.  BUT IT WAS BACK DURIN' TH' WAR, AN' 'M NOT EXPECTIN' T'START DOIN' THAT SLAG AGAIN, NOT ON ANYONE ON BASE WITHOUT DIRECT ORDERS.  *he looks at Tracks steadily as he says this, not phased and holding it out in the open for Tracks to accept or turn down as he sees fit*

Tracks:

I know. ...I wouldn't be here if I thought you would now.  *Accepting it still feels a little strange, like some kind of betrayal to those he knows suffered, but he doesn't regret it, either*

Bonecrusher:

....I DON'T LIKE TH' IDEA OF MIRAGE NOT TALKIN' T'ME.  OR YOU, FER TH' FACT THAT Y'OBVIOUSLY DO KNOW HIM MORE'N I DO.  HE THOUGHT IT'D BE IRONIC T'TALK T'ME ABOUT ALL THIS, BUT IT MAKES MORE SENSE IN MY MIND.  AN' HE SAID HE TALKED ABOUT IT, BUT 'M THINKIN' NOW IT WAS MORE IN A DEBRIEF THAN ACTUALLY... Y'KNOW.  TALKIN'.  *now feeling awkward - mostly because the idea of feeling bad  about anything like this is still a new development for him*  'S NOT GOOD.

Tracks:

I'm friends with Mirage, yes, but we were never -that- close. I mean, that he wouldn't divulge those sorts of secrets isn't terribly surprising... *Still there's a hint of hurt, maybe* And I know you mean well, but I see what he means about the irony.

Bonecrusher:

SO DO I.  BUT I ALSO SEE MORE REASON T'TALK T'SOMEONE LIKE ME 'BOUT THIS, THAN SOME IDIOT WITHOUT AN IDEA OF WHAT HE MIGHTA GONE THROUGH.  *sighs and takes a swig*

Tracks:

Er. *Tracks fidgets very slightly on his tires* I believe that, usually, those who go through trauma find sympathy with others who have gone through the same, not those who have caused it in others.

Bonecrusher:

YEAH, AN' TELL ME, HOW MANY MECHS 'ROUND HERE HAVE GONE THROUGH THAT?  'M THINKIN' I CAN PROBABLY COUNT TH' NUMBER ON ONE HAND.

Tracks:

That -exactly-? ...you're right. Very few. *quietly* Thankfully.

Bonecrusher:

....YEAH, PRETTY MUCH 'XACTLY WHAT I MEAN.  AN' AT THIS POINT, 'M MORE THAN READY T'GO FIND BOMBSHELL AN' GET TH' INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM HIM  AS T'WHAT HAPPENED.  *with an odd tone in his voice*  ALWAYS WANTED T'DISSECT AN INSECTICON, T'BE HONEST.

Tracks:

*The Corvette just shudders a bit, though it's not entirely obvious whether its in general disgust or something else*

Bonecrusher:

...'S WORRYIN', IS ALL.  I FIGURED Y'KNEW HIM BETTER, Y'MIGHT BE ABLE T'TELL ME WHAT TH' FRAG HIS ISSUE IS.

Tracks:

*Abruptly shifting, Tracks straightened from his transformation with a subdued look to him. Stepping forward put him closer to Bonecrusher, and then he stopped at a distance well within touching range for the other mech but made no move to cover the last of it, wings held at a strangely tense angle* I'm not entirely sure. I would guess it's hard to talk about. And I'm not sure if there was anyone close enough to coax it from him.

Bonecrusher:

*He's making no move to touch Tracks, optics moving to look at the last bit of energon in his cube*  LAST TIME I SAW A LOOK QUITE THAT SMOOTH WAS JUST BEFORE TH' MECH IN QUESTION RIPPED HIS SPARK OUTTA HIS CHEST.  KINDA NOT SOMETHIN' I LIKE T'SEE ON MECHS 'M ON RELATIVELY GOOD TERMS WITH.  *chuckles humorlessly, smirking*  NOT MANY OF THEM AROUND, AFTER ALL, SO I KINDA LIKE THEM ALIVE.

Tracks:

*Nods slightly, his optics dimming a little* You think that we should make him talk about it, then.

Bonecrusher:

*Throws back the rest of his cube before looking at Tracks levelly*  SHOULDN'T MAKE HIM  DO ANYTHIN'.  BUT THERE'S NO WAY T'HELP HIM IF HE'S GONNA PLAY THIS "I'M FINE" CARD.

Tracks:

I suppose we can at least tell him that he -can- speak to us... *Watching Bonecrusher almost intently in return* Or do you have something in mind?

Bonecrusher:

I HAD T'STOP M'SELF FROM GRABBIN' HIM WHEN HE TRIED T'BOLT AFTER WE TALKED, SO I DUNNO IF I'M TH' MOST... IF I'VE GOT ANY GOOD IDEAS.  *sarcastically*  WE COULD PULL A MOONRACER AN' JUST HUG HIS PAIN AWAY.

Tracks:

*Tracks smiles a very little* Sometimes it helps.

Bonecrusher:

........I WASN'T SERIOUS.  *Stares at Tracks, a little put off by the other's response*

Tracks:

*The smile fades and the Corvette shrugs, his tone somewhat defensive* I wasn't suggesting it would solve anything.

Bonecrusher:

....DOES THAT KINDA SLAG ACTUALLY HELP, THOUGH?  I MEAN, REALLY.  GETTIN' SOME RANDOM MECH PUTTIN' HIS ARMS AROUND YA DOESN'T SEEM LIKE SOMETHIN' THAT'D BE PARTICULARLY... NICE.  *Then again, he's got personal-space issues that even he  doesn't know all the reasons behind*

Tracks:

No. *He gives Bonecrusher an odd look, not having quite expected to have to explain -this-* A hug can be a gesture of support, or comfort, when you may not know what to say.

Bonecrusher:

I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT T'SAY.  NEEDA HAVE HIM TELL US WHAT HAPPENED, SINCE THINGS LIKE THAT TEND T'FESTER WHEN Y'LEAVE 'EM ALONE.  AN' THEN,  WE NEEDA ASK HIM HOW MANY PIECES HE'D PREFER BOMBSHELL IN.

Tracks:

*Nods* I suppose that might work just as well.

Bonecrusher:

......'M NO GOOD AT THIS.  PRIMUS, I WISH I HAD KNOWN I WOULD BE TRYIN' T'FIX THIS KINDA THING LATER ON; I COULDA BEEN SO MUCH MORE PREPARED.

Tracks:

*snorts softly* I don't think many of us counted on things ending up as they are.

Bonecrusher:

WHAT D'YOU  THINK, GORGEOUS?

Tracks:

About which?

Bonecrusher:

'BOUT ALL OF IT IN GENERAL.  THIS WHOLE... THING.

Tracks:

*shrugs again* ...I don't like it. I'd rather it weren't something I had to think of. But I would rather help a friend, if possible, than pretend nothing ever happened that I didn't like.

Bonecrusher:

HN...  *gives the other a smirk*  TH' QUESTION IS, DO WE PIN HIM DOWN AN' ORDER HIM T'TELL US, OR BADGER HIM UNTIL WE ANNOY HIM ENOUGH T'MAKE HIM SPILL EVERYTHIN'?

Tracks:

I don't think either is going to particularly endear us to him. *dryly, half-turning as he paces several steps away in thought* But I think that pinning him at all would be slightly counter-productive if he's a little shy of you now.

Bonecrusher:

*brightly*  COULD JUST PIN HIM DOWN AN' LICK HIM UNTIL HE FEELS COMFORTABLE AGAIN.  *then he sighs and shakes his head*  MAYBE JUST CATCH HIM SOMEWHERE PRIVATE AN' ACTUALLY GET HIM T'SIT DOWN AN' NOT RUN OFF AN' AVOID TH' QUESTIONS.

Tracks:

That sounds like it might work. *folding his arms, wings relaxing very slightly* I'll offer my room for it.

Bonecrusher:

.....*idly*  WHICH PART ARE Y'TALKIN' ABOUT, NOW?  *Bonecrusher is innocent.  Perfectly innocent and naive*

Tracks:

*Tracks is confused for just a moment, until he catches sight of Bonecrusher's expression* ...I didn't realize you were so eager to have your mouth on him again.

Bonecrusher:

*He blinks, then shakes his head, grinning*  'M NOT THAT EAGER.  'M JUST JOKIN'.  I'D DOUBT HE'D WANT T'HAVE ME TOUCHIN' HIM, REALLY.

Tracks:

Mm. Now, probably not.

Bonecrusher:

WHICH IS DEPRESSIN'.  NOT FER TH' OBVIOUS REASONS OF HAVIN' PRETTY LIL' 'BOTS ON ME.  MORE 'COS MIRAGE REALLY PROBABLY AIN'T TOO HAPPY WITH WHAT'S HAPPENED, CONSIDERIN' THAT HE ONLY NOW FOUND OUT 'BOUT ME DURIN' TH' WAR.

Tracks:

*looks rather bemusedly at the other mech, his tone not quite accusatory but skirting the edge of it* You like him.

Tracks:

...or do you just feel guilty? *He tilts his head, as though measuring the likelihood of each*

Bonecrusher:

....'M NOT AGAINST HIS COMPANY, IF THAT'S WHAT Y'MEAN, BUT 'S NOT LIKE 'M GONNA WANNA BE AS CLOSE T'HIM AS I AM WITH YOU.  I DON'T FEEL GUILTY OVER ANYTHIN'.  *he meets Tracks' optics, sincere in his words*

Tracks:

*The Corvette seems pleased, but shakes his head slightly* I meant that you seem to think of him as a friend. I'm not opposed to that. ...You've changed. In a good way, I think.

Bonecrusher:

HAVE I?  *idly*  'COURSE, 'M NOT RIPPIN' GORGEOUS AUTOBOTS T'SCRAP EVERY TIME 'M NOT ALLOWED MY FUN, SO I GUESS THAT'S AN IMPROVEMENT.  MAYBE 'M JUST DRUNK MORE OFTEN.

Bonecrusher:

AN' I GUESS I'D CONSIDER HIM A FRIEND.  BE KINDA WEIRD T'THINK OF HIM AS ANYTHIN' LESS, CONSIDERIN' TH' NATURE OF TH' RELATIONSHIP AN' ALL.

Tracks:

*Turning back towards Bonecrusher, he arches an optic ridge* A definite improvement, in my opinion. Hopefully Mirage will be able to overcome his admittedly understandable caution to see you as a friend as well, whenever we do this.

Bonecrusher:

.....MM, MAYBE.  NOT GONNA HOLD IT AGAINST HIM IF HE'D RATHER RUN SCARED WHEN HE SEES ME, OR NOTHIN'.... *pauses, then narrows his optics slightly*  ONLY IF HE ACTUALLY DOES.

Tracks:

*Sighs* We'll have to try to keep it from getting to that point.

Bonecrusher:

I HOPE SO.  OTHERWISE 'M GONNA HAVE A WHOLE MESS OF EMOTIONAL ISSUES THAT I JUST WON'T BE ABLE T'GET OVER.  *just a bit sarcastic*

Tracks:

*gives him a withering look* I'm sure.

Bonecrusher:

*takes it in a stride*  HONESTLY, TRACKS, IF I DIDN'T CARE IF HE RAN OR NOT, WOULD I BE TALKIN' THIS OVER WITH YOU, OR JUST GOIN' OUT AN' DOIN' WHAT I DO BEST?

Tracks:

I know. I just hope that we don't do more harm than good.

Bonecrusher:

......NOT MUCH MORE HARM T'BE DONE.

Tracks:

I suppose not. *reluctantly, not wanting to think of Mirage being that bad off*

Bonecrusher:

*he looks at Tracks for a bit and then shakes his head*  MAYBE THERE IS.  WHICH IS WHY 'M GLAD YER WILLIN' T'USE YER ROOM FER THIS.  MY ROOM'S COVERED IN WEEVILS AN'... I DUNNO IF HE WANTS T'BE IN HIS ROOM.

Tracks:

...I don't think he does, actually. I should have offered him mine, but Raoul was there already. *shrugs* Warn me when you want to try to talk to him and I'll make sure we have privacy.

Bonecrusher:

I AIN'T GONNA INSTIGATE ANYTHIN' WITHOUT MAKIN' SURE YER AROUND T'HELP ME, Y'CAN BET ON THAT.

Tracks:

Good. *he manages a small smile for the other mech, warm and rather fond* And now we just have to wait.

Bonecrusher:

....NEVER WAS MUCH GOOD AT WAITIN'.  SUPPOSE I GOTTA MAKE AN EXCEPTION FER NOW.