January 10th, 2003 ~Nosecone(A), Swivel(A), Turmoil(D) Gates of Crystal City As you move off the main thoroughfare towards the Crystal City, you behold the massive chrome arches that form the singularly impressive gates to the city. The elaborately ornate spires that top the arches reach high into the sky as if to proclaim their immortality to the universe. The highly polished metal structure twinkles what light there is back at you, as if focusing a spotlight on all who enter the great city. The Guardian robot sized gates show few signs of any damage from the current conflict--a testimony to the dedication and vigilance of Omega Supreme. The gates stand open, but are well guarded by members of the Crystal City Militia. Beyond the troops, the bustling and lively main street beckons you inside... Nosecone [Robot] [A] Crystal City City Map Harmless Hermit Obvious Exits: -U- Up leads to Sky Above Crystal City -NE- Northeast leads to Old Cybertronia -E- East leads to Old Cybertronia -W- West leads to Guardian Pass -Moonlight starts heading towards Crystal City again. If unchecked, Moonlight can be quite the nusiance. -Katink...tink...tink... goes a small piece of scrap metal as it skips along the ground, not far from Moonlight. Nosecone peers from his vantage point near the gates of the city and bends down to pick up another piece of debris. -Moonlight might turn out to be Nosecone's hero and save him from boredom...he must be pretty bored if he's playing with junk. She doesn't know this, however, and keeps heading for the city. As of yet nothing serious has happened to her, and she gets no end of fun testing the limits. -Nosecone looks out over the plains at Moonlight and groans as he recognises the femme. Her /again/? Adjusting his aim, he throws the small piece of junk directly at the Decepticon. There's no way it can cause damage, but it might make her pause to think about what she's doing. Naaah. -Moonlight blinks as a piece of junk smacks into her stomach. It doesn't hurt her at all, but it does make her stop and look around. Unlike most people in similar situations, she doesn't automatically go for her weapon. Instead she picks up the piece of junk. -A battered old tank rolls up just short of the Crystal City gates, before transforming into the more familiar form of Stormhammer. The old mech maintains his course into the city, as though on some business or another. -Moonlight shrugs and keeps the nut in the palm of her hand, fingers closed over it. She keeps going, watching to see who it was that threw it at her. -Nosecone is making no attempt to hide as he flicks another piece of junk Moonlight's way. It's the bolt that goes with that nut. -Moonlight gets smucked with another piece of junk. Well, at least these encounters are getting a /little/ more dangerous...but not enough to deter her, that's for certain. Now that she knows it's Nosecone doing it, she watches him more carefully as she continues to approach. -Nosecone sighs, and summons his rifle from subpace, keeping the weapon at his side. "Ya know, I could have shot you at least twice by now" he calls out. -Moonlight tosses the nut at Nosecone's feet, clearly missing him on purpose. She puts her hands on her hips. "But you didn't," she points out. -"But I /could/ have" he repeats, sighing. "What is it /now/, Moonlight? Can't you hang out in Dead End or somthin?" -Moonlight clasps her hands togethers. "But Crystal City is so pretty." -Nosecone replies wryly, "I'll send you a postcard." -Moonlight winks, unable to help herself, "And then there's the matter of your winning personality." -Nosecone chuckles. "Careful. Blitzwing'll get jealous." -Moonlight shrugs, knowing what some of the mechs are saying about her now. She takes a few more steps forwards, just to see what Nosecone will do. -Nosecone frowns, not moving from where he stands. "Can't let you in, Moonlight. You know that." -Moonlight grins, taking one more step forward. "Why not?" -Nosecone flicks the safety off his pistol, though makes no move to raise it. "Because I got orders." -Moonlight stops, hearing the click...for now. She keeps her posture open and unthreatening, but still seems rather cocky. "Who gave you those orders?" -Nosecone says, "Come on Moonlight, I'm not about to give you a rundown of the Autobot command structure. I got my orders, that's good enough." -Moonlight chuckles. "Is it top secret?" -Nosecone decides to play along. "Yeah, it is. But you get used to it when you're an elite secret operative like me." -Moonlight wasn't playing actually...she doesn't know that much about the Autobots in general. "Well! I just can't compete with that." She grins and takes a half-step forward. -Nosecone sighs. "Moonlight.. do you /want/ to me to shoot you? Because I will. I won't like doing it, and I'll probably hate myself later, but I will." -Moonlight stops again. "Not really." She pauses. "I suppose I'll get a rude awakening when someone less...tolerant...is guarding the gates." -"That's right" Nosecone replies. "If someone like Cloak or Scattershot were here insteada me.." -Moonlight smiles easily, apparently untroubled by the idea. "Well, then I should hope that you remain fit and stationed here..." -Nosecone can't help but smile back. "I suppose it gives you somthin ta do." -Moonlight chuckles. "You think I have nothing else to do? No job?" -Nosecone says, "Sometimes Moonlight, it don't seem that way. But there's an idea.. insteada hasslin me, you could be workin at the brewery or somthin..." -Moonlight shrugs. "It's well under control there. People like their jobs, which makes my job easier. How did you like my littler get-together anyhow?" -"Free beer, good company..." Nosecone states. "What's not ta like? Good ta get away from this place for a while as well." -Moonlight seems genuinely pleased with the answer, and even takes a couple of steps back. "Glad to be of service." -Nosecone shrugs. "It's good that stuff like that can still happen. Shows the war ain't ruinin /everythin/." -Moonlight sighs. "It didn't quite turn out the way I had planned." -Nosecone ohs? "I had ta get back to duty.. things turn ta scrap after I left?" -Moonlight nods her head. "Let's just say that both Steelwind and Enfilade were there at the same time...and they eventually realized this." -Nosecone says, "Ah... slag. How much damage was there?" -The figure of the little femme that nobody loves anymore can be seen coming down the path. When closer, it's obviouslt she is oblivious of her surroundings, keeping her optics on the ground, deep in thought and reflection. -Moonlight pinches her thumb and fore-finger together. "Minimal. No civies were hurt. Steelwind got away even though 'Fil and I chased after him. She's not too happy about it." A sly grin crosses her face. "I don't suppose you'd mind sending him my direction..." -Nosecone huhs. "Yeah, right" he says with heavy sarcasm. "Sell out my friends. No worries." Just as he finishes the sentence, the Technobot spots Swivel, his face breaking into a smile. Backup. She doesn't look too happy though... "Swivel" he calls out, raising his hand in a slight wave. -Swivel had heard the talking. She didn't really think about it until her name was said and she looks up. "Hm?" she stares at Nosecone, then Moonlight. "Oh hi." she says, walking in that direction, regardless of the... slight disagreement Moonlight has with Swivel. Perhaps her very presence will repel Moonlight. Yay.... not only is SWivel bummed, she can prove she's been nothing but trouble by now repelling people! -Moonlight is about to say something witty back to Nosecone, when she turns and notices Swivel. She really doesn't like the femme much, but she's beginning to realize that it's completely irrational for her to do so. On the other hand, she really shouldn't feel guilty for disliking one of the enemy. She mentally shrugs and just watches the femme. -Nosecone wouldn't be /too/ upset if Moonlight was driven away. He really doesn't mind the femme, but it's not the best of looks for him to be seen chatting with her. Anyways, he's oblivious to any tension there may be between Swivel and Moonlight. "You alright?" he asks his friend. -Swivel shrugs. "Just encountered Turmoil. He's up to something crafty, dread the thought. Otherwise I'd be sporting a need of repairs." she looks at Moonlight and just sort of waves. SHe knows she doesn't like her, but it's no excuse to be rude to her now is it? Oh yeah, she's a decepticon. Ther's a reason.... NOT! "What about you?" -Moonlight waves back to Swivel, her expression rather neutral. -"Oh, you know me.. hard at work as always" Nosecone grins. "I'm the thin red line that's holdin out the unending tide of feirce Decepticon warriors that threaten to overwhelm the city." He turns his optics to Moonlight, possibly the antithesis of an undending horde of warriors. -Moonlight gives Nosecone a 'Who me?' look. -Swivel nods her head looking Moonlight up and down. "Wow, you are just so amazing Nosecone, I want to be just like you!" she says facetiously. No reason to let things bother her... she's just gotta enjoy herself... slip into a less upset mood. Wow.... this femme can go through moods like a box of tissues. -Nosecone chuckles "I know. But Cybertron couldn't handle two Nosecones.. and ya were just like me I'm sure we'd miss your bright cheerful, shining.." he pauses to grin. -Swivel makes a face and crosses her arms acorss her chest. "I have the right mind to get myself remodelled so ya'll stop picking on my HEADLIGHTS!" -Moonlight clasps her hands behind her back and waits. For some reason she doesn't feel very bantery right now. -Nosecone looks innocent. "I was /gonna/ say smile..." -Swivel shakes her head slowly. "Right. Smile. Right." she nods and SMILES. THat unnervingly big SMILE. The one that even Clowns shudder to see and she just stares at Nosecone with a psychotically BRIGHT SMILE, standing on her tippy-toes. -Moonlight is thouroughly disturbed right now. But she says nothing...maybe she should practice a smile like that for a defense mechanism later on... -Nosecone takes a step back, bumping into the random gumbie who had come to relieve him. "Uh.. look at the time. Looks like my shift is over" he says, fazed by the SMILE. "Keep an optic on her" he says to the gumbie, gesturing at Moonlight. "And.. uh.. guess I'll see you later, Swivel.." -Swivel keeps hte smile on, widening her optics as well. "Anytime Nosecone." she says in an eerie tone of voice. -Moonlight debates with herself. Now that Nosecone is gone, she's really considering leaving. -Swivel turns to Moonlight with the same eeri stupid SMILE. Then she quickly sobres up her face so not to frighten the poor femme any longer. "Smiles make the world go round" she says in a matter of fact voice, nodding her head as she says so. -Moonlight happens to see the truth in this...and that troubles her just a little. "So they do." -Swivel continues nodding her head. You'd think someone wuld have enough tact not to pester someone who started a fight with her outside of a bar against character, but hey, Swivel is just one big sap. She shrugs. "I know you don't like me at all." she says. "But I must say, some of the drinks at your concession stand the other cycle were great." -Moonlight isn't sure what she wants to do now, but she's too social to ignore a compliment...even if she's not super fond of the complimenter. "Yeah...thanks. Anything in particular you liked?" -Swivel nods her head. "Yeah... you make exceptional Icees! How long have you been mixing drinks?" -Moonlight shrugs. "Not long. Me and Omnisaber started the business before he got scarce. And I've got a bunch of experts to run things. I just make all the final decisions and add my own little touches here and there." -Swivel nods her head approvingly. "Well, I'm sure your eager to get away from me, so I won't bother you anymore." she tilts her head a little and smiles. "I've always respected your ability to be civil and not use violence for your every solution. THere are few like that in the war. Just thought I'd tell you that." she turns and begins to leave. -Damn it all! Now Moonlight feels bad...and yes, that /is/ possible. She shrugs. "I guess you're not so bad yourself..." -Swivel shakes her head. "Thankts, that means a lot." she says quietly and scampers off. -Moonlight watches Swivel leave and decides that the current set of guards won't be any fun to toy with...so she heads off back towards one of her various homes. Darkmount - Barracks You step through the large and heavy door into an archaic looking cavern. The natural material of the mountain is very much in evidence here, as not much effort was put into making the army's barracks very attractive. With plasma tools and brute hydraulic power, hundreds of cubicles have been carved out in strangely organized rows throughout the room and at multiple levels. The size of the cubicle is a general indication of the rank of the owner, and you'll notice several larger rooms higher up in the cavern, almost as if they were positioned to watch over the troops below. Turmoil Obvious exits: -N- North leads to Darkmount - Elevator Shaft. -S- South leads to Darkmount - Guardhouse. -Moonlight walks into the room, her expression more contemplative than usual. -Turmoil is doing his lounging, but doing it in style. -Moonlight waves to the rather relaxed looking mech. -Turmoil perks right up and waves the two finger cool guy wave at Moonlight. "What's shakin'? You look deep in thought." -Moonlight grins, immediately dispelling the look that Turmoil had commented on. "Well, I was. But I guess you're the kind of mech that makes a femme's reason fly away." She chuckles. -Turmoil smirks and nods that arrogant macho-man nod. "That's right, toots!" he swings out his hand in a gliding motion, making a 'wooooooosh' sound. "Fly right away!" he straightens up and twiddles his thumb, but in a cool-dude fashion. "SO, what's on your mind, Moonshine?" He makes a happy sound. "Hey! That sort of rhymes. Mind... Moonshine..." he frowns defensively. "Well... they DO sort of." then he smiles again. -Moonlight shrugs, not sure if the mech actually forgot her name or if he's just playing with it a little. "Not much..." she winks. "Didn't I just tell you that?" -Turmoil nods his head. "Yes, you did, Not much is still something, babe! But if you don't wanna talk, that's alright." he says looking her up and down. What ever happened to the actually somewhat sensible mech he was being late last cycle? -Moonlight takes a seat as well. "I don't mind talking. In fact, I usually like it." -Turmoil nods his head. "Yeah, an unsocial femme is bogus." he says and perks. "So, what do you want to talk about?" -Moonlight chuckles. "I don't know really. Today's been kind of up and down for me..." -Turmoil has a sly grin on his face. "Same for me, hun, same for me. I have a plot... mmm but I don't know if I should tell you or keep it a secret..." -Moonlight can't help but be intrigued by this...especially seeing who it's coming from. But she's too cool-headed to let on /how/ interested she is in this. "A plot eh? Shouldn't you leave that for the tactical types?" -Turmoil shakes his head. "It's a PERSONAL plot... not a war plot." -Moonlight ahhhs. "I see. Well, if you want to tell, I'm here to listen. If it's private, like those datapads, then you can keep it to yourself. I won't press you." -Turmoil nods his head. "I don't know. I'm slinking pretty low with this little scheme to get at Swivel. I had a chat with her earlier." he tilts his head. "Have you heard your little nightly visit with BLitzwing is out in the open? Well, at least there is a rumor going around and it sure didn't surprise me. Have you heard it though?" ============================ Cybertronian Rumors ============================= Message: 14/1 Posted Author Was that..? Fri Jan 10 Anonymous ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mech in a bar: Was that Moonlight I saw sneaking into Blitzwing's barracks last night? Second Mech: Naw, probably your imagination. First Mech: But I could have sworn I saw /someone/ go in there other than him. Second Mech: Well, maybe...but why would she go in there anyhow? *The first mech shrugs and goes back to his drinking.* ============================================================================== -Moonlight nods her head, smiling mysteriously. "Of course I've heard it. I'm not oblivious you know." -Turmoil nods his head. "Didn't think you were. I also learned why Blitzwing was brigged. Apparently he had a flign with Swivel, right?" -Moonlight folds her arms in her lap. "He did." She frowns slightly...remembering how cut up about the whole thing Blitzwing was. -Turmoil nods his head slowly. "Right.... so with these two tibbits of information I had a chat with Swivel." -Moonlight arches an optic ridge. "Oh?" -Turmoil nods his head. "Right. It's her reaction to things I found interesting. I brought up that friend you talked about, where Swivel complicated things, just to see what she'd say and she BLEW up in my face. I know one of her weaknesses now." he nods again. "When I brought up the rumour about YOU and BLitzwing I was VERY dissapointed!" -Moonlight's expression doesn't change. "Oh?" she repeats, her tone gaining a slight edge to it. She's almost regretting telling the mech about Psykeout... -Turmoil shakes his head with a frown. "She wasn't jealous. She wasn't bitter. She wasn't upset. She just said she didn't care." -Moonlight frowns as well. "She didn't care about the rumor...or she didn't care about Blitzwing at all?" -Turmoil shrugs a little hesitant. Tell Moonlight the truth or practice lying? Well, he doesn't want a bad rep with Moonlight, and she seems the sort of person yu can't keep secrets from so he tells a bit of the truth and shrugs after a lone, hesitant silence. "She didn't care abut the rumor. She wasn't phased at all.... but carefully taking apart things she said by recording selective parts of hte conversation..... I can really make her seem as though the latter." he whips out a tape recorder and plays with it. FZZZZZZ then after fuzz a familiar Swivel voice comes on "...bout me, I don't love him de-CLICK" he looks at it. "Gotta edit it more do it doesn't sound like there is anything more to that sentence... but with that alone I can ruin her MUWA HA HA HA!" -Moonlight doesn't seem convinced. "Uh-huh. Right. How is that going to ruin her?" -Turmoil nods his head. "Wouldn't Blitzwing be mad at Swivel if he heard that? I figured the reason BLitzwing glared at me whenever I brought up Swivel is because he still doesn't like it when she gets hurt or something. SO if I get him to hear this, her own voice, he'll be angry right?" -Moonlight shrugs her shoulders. "He might...but you've still got several flaws in your plan." -Turmoil frowns. "Like? I'm open to criticism from a witty femme like yourself." -Moonlight grins a bit. "Okay, here goes. First of all, your plan might backfire and Blitzwing will grind you to bits for meddling or bringing bad news. Secondly, he might know that she doesn't love him any more and get angry at you for meddling. Thirdly, even if he does go after Swivel /you/ still don't get to defeat her. And, lastly, I don't think I like the idea of you upsetting Blitzwing more than he's already been upset over the matter of Swivel." -Turmoil blinks and smacks his hand into his palm. "Dang. They're all posibilities. I didn't think of that!" -Moonlight chuckles. "That's why telling me was a smart move." -Turmoil nods his head. "True true true. I'll just talk to him, tell him i know about him and Swivel's fling and see if he thinks she doesn't care anymore or if he's still... a little sensitive about the issue." -Moonlight shrugs. "That still doesn't solve the last problem on the list." -Turmoil looks at Moonlight. "Him taking care of SWivel himself you mean?" -Moonlight taps her chest. "No, the problem of what /I'm/ going to do to you if you distress him." -Turmoil frowns. "Right. Sorry. I guess I wasn't thinking much about him." he shrugs. "I thought he was much tougher than THAT!" -Moonlight shrugs her shoulders. "Well, do you have feelings Turmoil?" -Turmoil grumbles. "Yes..........." he knows where she is coming from and like a defeated child who just pulled the other kid's hair he has learned his lesson and sulks in how his plan isn't going to work. Turmoil suddenly perks. "I still wanna talk ta him." -Moonlight waves a hand. "Go ahead and talk with him...he /is/ on the same side as you after all. Why wouldn't you want to talk to him?" -Turmoil nods his head. "Yeah! I just wanna know about him and Swivel...." he shakes his head. "She is a fraggin weirdo I tell you. If you heard her, saw her reaction you'd think she had a screw loose because the truth is, she just said she didn't care what Blitzwing did as long as he wasn't getting himself in trouble or something. I mean... aren't femmes supposed to get bitter and jealous or something?" he plays more of the tape. "FZZZZZI don't love him deeply, I'm just affectionate to him. Then again... look at yourself, you've nearly destroyed me and made my life miserable. I don't hate you. I don't deeply hate you. I just don't feel anything deeply...FZZZZ" -Moonlight sighs. "So you hate Swivel so much that you'll make Blitzwing unhappy just to take a cheep shot at her?" -Turmoil shakes his head. "I'm not sure. It's VERY tempting, but BLitzwing is my buddy, ya know? I don't wanna get him angry or I might lose a drinking pal! Someone to make low blows to and not get dismantled for it!" -Moonlight reaches over and smacks Turmoil. "Wrong answer." -Turmoil winces. "Hey! What do you mean it's the wrong answer? What did I do wrong?" -Moonlight shakes her head. "Turmoil...you don't do damage to your friends like that. Joking around is one thing, opening up old wounds is another." -Turmoil nods his head. "Alright alright.... but I still just wanna ask him a few questions! Or do you think I should pretend I don't know a thing about it?" -Moonlight shrugs. "Like I said, go ahead and talk...just don't hurt intentionally." -Turmoil nods his head. "Okay, I'll try not to!" -Moonlight seems satisfied...for now. It's not that she doesn't trust Turmoil, she just has a fairly good understanding of the type of person he is. Even if he means to keep his word, he's more than likely to get carried away and bug Blitzwing anyhow. So long as he tries, she'll be content. -Turmoil nods his head and grins. "Don't worry! I'll try not to get him angry or distressed about it!" he plays with the tape a little shaking his head. "She ain't normal... I'll bet she's lying to make herself look good. BAH!" -Moonlight hopes against all reason that talking with Blitzwing will help Turmoil get away from his obsession. -Turmoil nods his head. "Night, Moonlight. I'll remember to present my plans to you ahead of time in the future!" -Moonlight chuckles softly. "That's rather smart of you; there's hope for you yet." -Turmoil nods his head. Ouch? Yay? Hard to tell if that was a compliment or not... so he just makes a sound. "I'm going to my room now. Got some new datapads! I just like keeping a journal." -Moonlight smiles. "Good night Turmoil." She shakes her head in amusement as she watches the mech leave.