002 ✘ Video

[taselikeabee]

[ on screen there's a sleeping brittany pointer pup resting on what looks like is a nice, steely grey surface. probably because that would be Bumblebee's leg. poor Rex looks kind of small in comparison, especially since there's a big robot finger petting the sleeping puppy. ]

Finally! Little guy really doesn't know how to not be a little ball of energy. I don't know what Thundercracker was thinking when he decided he wanted him, but I've been taking care of Rex here since the big guy up and left.

[ actually, Thundercracker and the pup are really funny to watch, not that Bumblebee is going to say that. instead Rex just yawns and aww. isn't that a little heart warming. ]

...It's not really that bad.

[ so yeah. it really hasn't been that much of a chore. just exhausting. ]

So what kind of tricks should I teach him? ...Any tips on how I can wear him out faster would be nice too, I guess.

Comments

[paintjobs]

Oh, trust me, I plan to. I'm not leaving all that hard work out there for just anyone to run into.

[ a beat ]

And speaking of, how are your stores?

[taselikeabee]

Almost depleted, honestly. Granted I don't need a lot at the moment, just enough to get by when I'm myself and all.

[paintjobs]

Well, look at that, a use for good old TC's stash already. If you give me a lift out there, I'll leave some of the cubes with you.

[ totally trying to sound super casual on that last part, like it's not really obnoxious to have to ask for a ride from someone else ]

[taselikeabee]

You know... It wouldn't hurt to say please.

[paintjobs]

[ that gets an annoyed little choked noise, then a pause, then sugary-sweet: ] Please.

[taselikeabee]

[ a snort. can't tell if he's exasperated or amused by it. ]

All right. Just tell me where and I'll swing by.

[paintjobs]

There's a garage on 5th and Morrison, near the housing. Meet me there.

[taselikeabee]

Sure, Knock Out. Be there soonish.

[ still curious about why the guy can't take himself. surely by now he's figured out the alt mode thing?

either way, Bee won't really know. it's not going to come from asking, so he might as well tag along. ]

[paintjobs]

[ Knock Out'll be waiting by the curb, dressed as smartly as ever, trying not to look too impatient. The sooner they get out there, the sooner he can give away some energon as his good deed of the day, and the sooner he can drive himself back. Come on let's do this already. ]

[taselikeabee]

[ Bumblebee is true to his word. he shows up to that corner, abiding by all traffic laws. that means speed limits. there's no flashy stop or anything of the like, though Bee is tempted.

there are no doors in his alt mode. but the top slides open for Knock Out to get in. don't ask. Cybertronian models are odd. ]

[paintjobs]

[ Knock Out blinks behind his sunglasses, surprised to see a Cybertronian alt mode on Earth. It's not an unpleasant sight, no, it's actually pretty welcome — but it doesn't blend in at all.

He picks his way carefully in through the top, arranges himself, and eyes the dashboard. ]

A bit conspicuous here, aren't you?

[taselikeabee]

[ nope. Bee doesn't, but apparently that's not a thing that seems to bother people here.

also watch out, KO. Bee is making sure the other Cybertronian is properly strapped in before trapping him inside. ]

Hey, if you have the appropriate armor pieces to help me reformat, then I'm all for going back to my Earth vehicle mode. If not? Let's just be happy I can change forms at all.

[paintjobs]

[ Wait. What? That's even more surprising than seeing the Cybertronian alt mode, that's just outright bewildering. He doesn't even have the presence of mind to complain about being properly strapped in. ]

...What? You can't just — scan a vehicle here? If your scanner is broken, I'd be happy to take a look at it for you. [ Add it to his list of good deeds, yes, let him do that. ]

[taselikeabee]

[ there's reason for it, even if Bee seems to be abiding by the speed limit while in town. but hearing this thing of a scanner... ]

Just what would scanning it do, exactly? How does that change my mass to fit to a different vehicle?

[paintjobs]

[ Ugh. He's beginning to get what's going on here. He sinks a little deeper into his seat. ]

I could give you the technical overview, but I'm starting to think it would be wasted. Question, Bumblebee: what color is energon?

[taselikeabee]

More than likely. Not everyone is capable of mass shifting like Megatron is.

[ giant robot turning into gun. because that is that thing that happens.

coming up to outskirts of town. Bee's engine gives a little rev. might be the only indication that he plans to speed up. ]

Depends. Energon is pink, but engex comes in a variety of colors.

[paintjobs]

[ Normally Knock Out would be all over that rev and know exactly what it means, but he's a little distracted by this revelation he's having. So their worlds don't only have different histories and versions of each other, but they're different right down to the anatomy. Interesting. He'd give a lot for a chance to poke around in the chassis of a mech from that universe... ]

The energon I made for Thundercracker is blue, because that's the color of energon in my universe. He didn't take kindly to the change.

[taselikeabee]

Blue energon... Weird. Well if it's synthetic, then color really shouldn't matter. I don't think I've seen pure energon in ages. For a while we were using converters and charging stations.

[ there's a reason he's strapped Knock Out in. Cybertronian models go fast. as soon as Bee gets out of actual town? he's kicking it at full speed. ]

Thundercracker is a bit of a blow hard anyway.

[paintjobs]

[ Whoa there. Going fast is great, but being a human that's strapped into a speeding car is, as it turns out, something else entirely. His eyes go wide for a second as he's pressed back into the seat, then narrow in annoyance. Show off. ]

Remember that you have a fleshie passenger here, Bee. [ Hardly-disguised annoyance in that, but more at his situation than at Bumblebee. ] Anyway... as for the matter of scanning an alt mode: I'd demonstrate how it's done, but I'm not likely to find the right model of Aston Martin around here to rescan. You'll really just have to take my word for it.

[taselikeabee]

Human. Human passenger. [ but he's grinning to himself. yeah, it's okay, Knock Out. Bumblebee is definitely showing off. just a little. ] Rodimus and Sideswipe kind of hate humans, but at least they called 'em what they are.

[ and he likes driving at top speed, honestly. it's not often that he got to engage in that while on Earth. Cybertron is a little different. very different, now that it's basically terra formed. ]

Pfft. You have a specific model you like... That's not surprising at all.

[paintjobs]

A passenger that will call his own body what he likes, thank you. [ That's mostly just mock offense, though. Slowly this ride is starting to grow on him. It's not anything like doing the driving himself, but a fast drive is still a fast drive. ]

And of course I do. I'll grant that humans [ there, look, he said it, happy? ] really know their way around a decent automobile, it was almost a challenge to pick the best one.

[taselikeabee]

Fair point.

[ Bumblebee concedes. wouldn't Metalhawk be proud that he's at least trying. but honestly he's just over all amused in the end. so tempted to off road to make this a little faster, but nah. Bee's going to be good in that regard. ]

So you're really into that whole thing, huh? Alt modes and their operation and stuff.

[paintjobs]

Automobile alt modes, certainly. Oh, sure, I know my way around a tank or a jet, but there's just something about an automobile...

[ Sort of a dreamy sigh goes here, before his attention focuses again. ]

Speaking of which, those radials of yours aren't half bad, and was that a triple vented catalytic converter I saw? [ He makes an appreciative noise. ] If you're ever in the market for a tune up, let me know.

[taselikeabee]

[ woah now. Bee's engine does give a sputter at that. totally losing his composure for about an astrosecond. it's been a while but he knows a come on when he hears one. this guy...

fortunately, or unfortunately, this iteration of Bumblebee is as sassy and usually takes things like this in stride. espionage agent indeed. ]

You sure you wanna offer? I mean I might be small, but I can sure take a beating and keep on rolling.

[ and he can't pass something like this up. ]

Might not be able to keep up.

[paintjobs]

[ Playing right along, hmm? That's an admirable trait in a mech, he can appreciate that. Knock Out smirks and gives the interior wall nearest his side a fond, slightly patronizing pat. ]

Now, Bee, the concern is flattering, but you're nothing I can't handle.