My Best Student

Log Title: My Best Student

Characters: Blast Off, Slugfest, & Swivel

Date: May 31 2023

Summary: Blast Off can't hold is engex as well as he claims.

The Rollout Bar - Toraxxis[]

The Rollout Bar's interior is designed to accommodate the widely varying scales of the universe. On the bar itself there's a section designed for humans, Junkions and those of similar scale, with their own bar which can be served either by the main bartender or a bartender of their own scale, should one be on duty. A spiral staircase grants access to the bar's surface for those who are small enough to use the secondary bar, with barriers high enough for most transformers high enough to notice protect those making their way from the doors to the bar itself. There are a series of bar stools of various sizes along the bar, allowing most Transformers to be able to sit comfortably at the bar.

Next to the bar, there are two doors marked "GAMES ROOMS". They are roped off, and from the other side, the sounds of building work can be heard. Warning signs mark them as "UNDER CONSTRUCTION"

Beside the doors sits a large stage, protected by energy fences should it be required. A fairly decent stack of amplifiers and speakers allows music of almost any kind to be performed there, by any species - space for a five-piece band of Transformers, or an entire orchestra of human-sized beings. There is a dance floor in front of the stage, and surrounding that one will find a series of octagonal tables with adjustable seats around them. Each table has a spiral staircase for those of human-ish scale to access the table top, where there are seats available.

The wall opposite the bar is lined with booths that allow four large Transformers to sit comfortably in relative privacy - and again, there is access to the table-tops for those of human scale. Each booth has its own window out of the bar, which can be closed with a curtain should it be required. They can also be enclosed within top-of-the-line privacy fields - Encore is trying to build a reputation at the Rollout Bar for absolute discretion and neutrality.

One wall is entirely taken up by a changing holographic vista, showing beautiful places from around the galaxy. The other wall is labeled "THE NEWS WALL", and is a huge bank of screens showing news broadcasts from across the galaxy, including Autobot News, Free Cybertron Press, and the Decepticon Propaganda Network, among countless others.

Encore himself usually tends the bar here. A sign behind the bar reads 'BARTENDERS WANTED: APPLY TO ENCORE'

Ah! At last! The end of the shift! Swivel just does a little tidying up, the last few duties before she can clock out for the night. Then she can have some free time. Hovering in circles just above Swivel is a small bat-shaped drone.

Possibly for better, but maybe for worse, depending on Swivel's mood, a large figure enters the doorway just as she's getting ready to leave. It's a familiar brown and purple shuttle who glances about the room before his optics alight on the subject of his search. Violet optics brighten as Blast Off takes a step towards Swivel. "Ah, my favorite student- and bartender." He gives her a polite bow before seating himself and awaiting her approach expectantly.

And the fun never ends. Just as Swivel was signing off, a tall, dark mech enters. "Hello, sir," Swivel greets Blast Off, all smiles and politeness. She looks at the exit longingly, but then sees that expectant look he is giving. She glances back at the bar, but then shakes her head. Swivel walks over, but she has no datapad out for taking orders. "My shift just ended - but is there anything I kin do fer you?"

A tiny stego is wandering the floor aimlessly, nosing about in every corner, possibly looking for dropped energon goodies.

"*Can*," Blast Off corrects automatically. He folds his hands together in front of him, face pinching slightly. "I appear to have run into some poor timing, then." He sighs, glancing about, noticing Slugfest and watching him sniff about. "Well, you could recommend a good drink, perhaps?"

Spying a mooching Slugfest, Swivel discreetly kicks a dropped goodie closer to him. She was about to clean that up herself, honest!

Swivel then peers back at Blast Off, smiling sheepishly when she is corrected and immediately repeats "Can." It's become reflex for her, and it doesn't even register that she's not currently sitting for a lesson. When asked for a recommendation she tilts her head to one side. "Wellum! Depends what yer-" she catches herself, "...you're in the mood for. Do you want to be a bit daring or go for a noice, loight woin?"

Blast Off lifts an optic ridge at her as she starts up with the street urchin talk, then relaxes as she catches herself- before that optic ridge shoots up again. "Do you think I'm *not* daring? I'll have you know I know how to... how to raise things up a notch sometimes! Not like... not like *some* people who takes things *entirely* too far, mind you, but..." he stops, clearing his vocoder. "I'll take daring."

Swivel looks Blast Off up and down a few times, before she smiles. "Alroight, daring it is!" Swivel chirps playfully as she heads to the bar. She whispers something to the bartender currently on duty. While waiting for Blast Off's drink to be ready, she gets a shallow dish of energon and puts it down for Slugfest, somewhere he can be out of the way of foot traffic.

Swivel finally returns triumphantly with a cube of a glittering beverage, the bottom layer opaque and silver. As she sets it down in front of Blast Off, globs of mercury bubble up from the bottom layer, only to sink back down. "I hope you loik pyrite."

Blast Off tries not to stare as Swivel goes off and makes her request, but he can't help but glance over now and then, hands still folded in front of him, and then looks away as Swivel approaches as if no, no, he was never *that* curious, of course not. But when the glittering concoction is placed before him, he can't help but stare anyway.

"Pyrite? Interesting..." He seems quite pleased with the drink's appearance, turning it around to admire it. "Very nice presentation, to be sure. But now for the true test..." He lifts it up, a small hatch opening on his faceplate so he can drink, and he takes a sip. He stops, optics flickering, then suddenly takes a larger gulp before pulling away. "Wow."

Slugfest ooohs and scampers to snap up the treat that Swivel sent towards him!

At first, Swivel remains standing, looking at how Blast Off inspects the drink. But slowly, she climbs onto a chair across from him, but remains perched at the edge of the seat to quickly slip off if needs be. Once she is seated, the bat drone lands on one of her tires. Seeing Blast Off gulp down the drink, Swivel's optic ridges shoot up with surprise and a bit of caution. "Wellum! Seems you loik the Fast Lane! It kin hit a bit hard, though..." Swivel warns.

Swivel leans to one said, placing a hand low under the table at just the right height for pets and scratches should a certain little Stegosaurus approach.

Slugfest yays and leans into pets and scritches from Swivel, his tail wagging like an excited puppy's.

Blast Off pffts and waves a hand dismissively. "I'm fine. I can hold my engex, unlike *some* people." He snorts softly and takes another drink, though at least it's more of a controlled sip this time. "I merely enjoyed the taste, is all. Apologies if I got a bit rambunctious there, though." Sip. He glances down at Slugfest, nodding, before finally noticing the bat drone. He blinks. Then looks at his drink a moment, squints, and then looks back at the drone. Squuint.

With a smile and a nod, Swivel coos, "Oh, I'm sure you ki-can." Swivel gives Slugfest one more friendly pat and then sits up straight, lacing her fingers together and setting them atop the table. But no elbows! As Blast Off squints at the bat drone, it rises back into the air, and then swoops down to scan Slugfest. Swivel can see Blast Off squinting at it, but does not answer the unasked question.

Swivel leans over and peers down at Slugfest. "And how are you, Slugfest?"

Slugfest peers at the swooping bat, presuming it isn't Ratbat, so he's curious. "Am ok!" he says to Swivel, as he stands on his hind legs to get a better look at the bat drone.

Blast Off squints harder, seeming to frown underneath his faceplate, then looks back at the drink dubiously. He seems to be pondering something, including just how *hard* has this drink hit him already, when he sees Slugfest looking at the drone, too. "Ah!" So he's NOT imagining it! "And what is *that*, if I may ask?" he asks, before taking another sip of his drink and watching it bubble and spark.

Determining that Slugfest is not a threat, the bat drone flies up high, finding a perch among the light fixtures. Swivel peers down at Slugfest. "That's good to hear. Though watch out - stick around any longer and you moight have to start payin' Encore rent," Swivel teases, laughing to demonstrate that she isn't being serious.

Swivel straightens up and looks back across the table at Blast Off. "That?" Swivel points up. "That's on loan. It's a surveillance drone. Usually I only have it around when I'm in Altihex - though usually at a distance during out etiquette lessons since I know you'd keep me safe."

Blast Off blinks, optic ridges furrowing slightly as he listens to her explain. The shuttle stops to look HER up and down once before taking another sip. "Woo." He shakes his head to clear it, then looks at Swivel again, though he miiight have to squint just a bit again just to make sure she isn't moving on him. "Safe?" His head tilts a bit to the side. "Are you feeling unsafe sometimes?"

Swivel peers at Blast Off for a good long moment as he stares at her oddly and squints, as if he's having trouble focusing. She leans back just a little. "Oh... remember a whoile back when I asked for yer help and you chased off that attacker in the alley? In Altihex?"

Weird, it's like his processor doesn't want to process right now. Blast Off has to concentrate before finally... "Ohhhh, yeah. Yes!" he clears his throat. "Yes, yes, what was *that* all about?" He squints a bit at her again. The tiny stego hops onto the opposite side seat of the booth Blast Off is sitting in, putting his paws on the table and staring. "Want energons," he says.

Swivel is beginning to suspect Blast Off may be a bit over-energized, despite his claims. Now Swivel is squinting. However, she then shrugs lightly, moving over a little as Slugfest hops up and begins demanding energon. She laughs lightly, but this time, she'll let Blast Off feed the mooch.

"Oh, roight! I never did get around to explainin' what all that was about. Well. I was..." Swivel pauses. One particular party in that gambit didn't want her role overly advertised. But how would she explain to Blast Off that she willingly put herself in such a situation? Swivel looks down at the table a moment. "I was helping someone to look inter the recent disappearances. And there was someone that really struck me as suspicious. Predatory." Swivel looks up as if trying to gauge whether or not Blast Off is even able to focus on her explanation. Maybe it'd be best to save for when he's more alert. "And a musician went into the alley with that person and assaulted them. Dust Devil went to help, but it was sounding loik a bit more'n he could handle. Then you were there... so..." Swivel shrugs looking back up at Blast Off. "They musta been afraid of Combaticons, because they scrambled out of there when you showed up. Still... I worry that person may come back, and moight remember me face. Though... maybe not. I..." Again Swivel's gaze drops a moment before she looks up with a smile. "Well it's sometoims an advantage to be forgettable, now, innit?" Swivel reaches over to pet Slugfest.

Blast Off blinks and turns to stare at Slugfest before *huffing* in annoyance. "Do I *look* like I'm made of money? Go find Soundwave and...." His cultured- yet slightly slurred- voice trails off and he turns to glance at Swivel, pause, look at Slugfest again -then clear his throat once more. "I mean, of course I do, because I *am*, because...you know."Blink. Ahem. "YES." He pounds a fist at the table, then flinches and aplogizes- "Oh- sorry, just... uh." He gestures to Slugfest grandly while looking at any possible help. "Do get my good friend a drink, yes?"

"Disappearances?" Blast Off looks a bit lost as Swivel starts explaining, but he's trying to focus. Trying. "Predatory?" Blink. He listens for a while, but finally has to interject- "Wait, what on Cybertron made you think following a possible assassin was a *good idea*?" His voice is rising, though the comment about Combaticons seems to placate him somewhat and he settles back a bit. "Well, they *better* be afraid of us..." the shuttle mutters. He turns to squint at Swivel again. "Is someone after you, then? I'll *show* HIM! ...Or her. Or they. DOESN'T MATTER, HOW DARE THEY THREATEN MY FAVORITE PUPIL." He starts to get up as if he's going to go march... somewhere.

Slugfest yays and is petted and awaits a bowl of energon!

Rolling back her shoulders, looking a bit surprised when Blast Off snaps at Slugfest, but then tries to smooth it over. She tilts her head to the side for a moment, watching him back pedal. She then gives Slugfest a quick glance and a sheepish smile. She makes a mental note not to surprise Blast Off with another Fast Lane any time soon.

Swivel remains sitting very straight, elbows off the table, even as Blast Off gets riled up. "Uh, she. Um. She said her name was Gleaner," Swivel adds hopefully. Although she's not sure she WANTS to send Blast Off after a dangerous person in his compromised state. Swivel also rises to her feet, almost bumping into someone bringing over a bowl of energon fo Slugfest. "Ooops! Sorry!" Swivel says hurriedly. She then turns to Blast Off. "You know - I'm probably bein' silly! The bat drone moight be unnecessary! Don't worry! You scared them off real good the first toim! In fact, I don't think there've been any reports of disappearances from that part of Altihex since you sent her packing! Good job!"

Blast Off is still muttering to himself, wing elevons twitching in agitation, but Swivel's assurances eventually start trickling in. He blinks again, taking this in. "I...did?" The shuttle finally relaxes just a bit, pausing, then finally sitting back down. "Well. Good." He sniffs haughtily, drawing in a vent. "Very good, then. And if she knows what's good for her, she shall STAY away. SWIVEL." He raises his hand, index finger pointed up, and wags it at her. "I want you to promise me that if you find yourself in any mortal peril you shall not *hesitate* to call for my aid! It would not DO for me to lose my- to lose my best student. I will NOT STAND FOR IT, do you HEAR?"

Swivel glances around as Blast Off gets louder. But seeing him sit back down, she also climbs back into the booth seat opposite him. "Oh... of course, sir. If you insist, sir, I'll call you next toim I'm in a spot o' trouble. Assuming I'm not in a radio dead zone - loik when I nearly got gored by boardrills. But, you know me, I'm a lucky femme and for every spot of trouble I get into, there's always a hero around ther corner to bail me out." Swivel pauses, and then lifts up her hands, palms out. "Not that I rely on that sorter luck, see, and go LOOKING for trouble." Another pause. "...I know you keep saying I'm your best student but... sir... aren't I your only student?"

"Yes. Yes, I *do* insist." He sniffs again, raising his glass for another drink before setting it down with a "Woah!" Then he's flickering his optics again, "Boardrills?" Blast Off stares at Swivel, aghast. "...Hero?" Another blink, then he seems to frown again and look around the room as if searching for one. "What do you mean- does this happen a lot?" Now he's back to squinting at her before she asks that final question and it seems to take him aback.

"Uh..." He has to think a moment, "Uh, well.... right *now*, perhaps! Doesn't mean you can't also be my *BEST* student, too! I might have had other ones, you know."

For a moment or two Swivel goes silent, thinking. "No... getting attacked by boardrills doesn't happen a lot. Or getting into trouble. I'm just saying when I do get into trouble, it's usually not for very long." Swivel conveniently ignores the trouble she was in for millions of years. "Oh so you're saying I'm your all-toim best student? Wow! That's a real honour! Thank you, sir!" She also conveniently forgets that Blast Off's memory has more than a few gaps in it.

"Oh. Oh. Well, good then." Blast Off settles down and seems to relax once more. "Good." Then he finishes off his drink with a loud gasp of appreciation before turning to look at Swivel. "Yes." Swivel's gushing seems to please him, armor plates ruffled like a preening bird. "Yes! You are *quite* welcome, my fine lady." At this point, he's swaying ever-so-slightly.

The tiny stego finally gets a bowl of energons from one of the waitstaff, and he slurps eagerly, and maybe a little too noisy.

Swivel idly wonders if she gently nudged Blast Off if he'd fall over. But she is much too well behaved to act on such impulses. Instead she smiles and pats Slugfest, not at all bothered by the slurping sounds he is making. Swivel looks at the empty cube. The offer to get him another was on the tip of her proverbial tongue, but she quickly stops herself. Probably best not to suggest another. "It is noice to be appreciated. Folk are much noicer on Cybertron than they used to be. Or maybe I've just been lucky to meet all the koind folk. Even some of the scary people are good to me. And I don't think it's strange to be both afraid of someone and still trust them with your loif, is it?"

Blast Off IS bothered by the slurping noises, looking sternly to the stego and *TSK*ing commandingly. "QUIETER, PLEASE." He then focuses back on Swivel. Indeed, he just might tip over at this point, and fortunately his processor is too fuzzy to even remember to demand another fill. But as she speaks, he seems to sober, if just a bit. "...." The shuttle looks off to the side, into the distance, then back. "No... no I don't think it odd, at all." He tilts his head a fraction, considering. "But people being nicer.... no, no, I'm afraid that has NOT been my experience. If it is yours, you are... are indeed the fortunate one." His head tilts again, thoughtfully. "Yes. But then... you probably deserve it," he adds quietly.

Slugfest looks chastened, hangs head, then laps his energon a bit more quietly. Hopefully.

Swivel pauses to consider for a moment the difference in Blast Off's and her experiences. "Well. I'm sorry you've not met as many koind folk." She looks a bit puzzled at the remark about her deserving it, unsure how to respond to that. "Though maybe it's... because I'm not a combatant so I don't put people on their guard." Swivel smiles, her tone getting particularly peppy. "And no worries! I'll try to be extra koind to offset all the meanies." But that deserve remark still lingers and nags and frets in the back of her mind. Does she? If she did... then... no. Swivel shuts those thoughts down. They can be examined later in a safe place.

Swivel pats Slugfest encouragingly as he tries to drink more quietly. Speaking of being kin to offset meanies.

"Much better," Blast Off purrs at Slugfest, nodding approvingly. Then he places his hands on his table, tries to fold them, gets about halfway there, and stops. His expression seems almost soft, at least as far as one can tell behind the mask. "That might be it." He smiles. "Might be something else, too." The shuttle sits there a moment, starting to sway again, then shakes his head. "Oh dear, I seem to be..." Again his violet optics flicker and he looks up. "I mean, that was quite refreshing, yes. But I do believe I shall- I shhhould be.... off or somethin.'"

Swivel looks at Blast Off swaying with some concern. "Refreshing..." Swivel repeats. Then her anxiety rises. She doesn't want to say she'll be kind, then turn around and accuse him of hiding how drunk he is. But what if he tries to fly in his state? Swivel stands up looking at Blast Off, smiling. "You know... it's late, and the Rollout is koinda out of the way. I've got a room downstairs..." Swivel cocks her head to the side. "...if you'd loik to rest up before heading off."

Blast Off glances to the door, bracing, then attempts to stand. It takes him a few tries. Just as he's about to try to wobble off, Swivel makes her kind offer. The shuttle begins waving his hand dismissively, face pinching, back turned, then he pauses as he thinks- and rethinks. Slowly, his head turns to her. "...A room?" He stands there, swaying, trying to come up with something to say, do... "Um. Yes. I could... well, I should probably... you know, inspect any uh... well, studying the building of any establishment gives one an idea of... uh...." He blinks, holds a hand on the table, and sighs.

"...That sounds lovely."

Swivel smiles, relieved that didn't backfire. Swivel walks over to Blast Off's side, though at their size difference there isn't a whole lot of support she can offer. All the same, she stands close so if he does wobble he can reach out to her for support. She glances back at Slugfest. "Good noight Slugfest." Swivel then looks back to Blast Off. "Alroight, my room's just this way, sir." Swivel says, gesturing to the stairs. "Don't worry - it's got a full soized berth."

Slugfest hears "full size berth" and hops down from his seat, even though it's not specifically for him, wagging his tail. Can haz sleepover?

Blast Off looks over to Slugfest and nods a farewell as well, then looks down at the much smaller femme looking up at him. He begins following, then suddenly stops. "....Your room?" Is that a bit of a blush starting to form across his cheeks? "...." He starts forward again, slowly, almost stumbling, yet somehow even now his natural grace kicks in. No, the stumbling might not have entirely been because of the drink. "Um.. right. Excellent." He follows along, but wait... "Berth?" As in singular? This is leading to so many muddled questions....

Slugfest scampers after Blast Off! He is after all, a tiny stego.

Meanwhile, Swivel is cool and nonchalant as she guides Blast Off. Catching movement out of the corner of her optic, she sees Slugfest wagging his tail and looking expectant. Ah. Why not. Swivel gestures for him to come along as well. She then looks at Blast Off. "Oh yes, Encore's given me a room here - but I usually only use it when I'm working late or double shifts. And the berth's much too big for me." Swivel shrugs. "Slugfest, you can grab a nap, too, if you are quiet and don't disturb Blast Off. A space mech needs their beauty sleep - roight?"

"Uh...oh." Blast Off stares, then slowly nods. "Oh, yes, I... see." He continues to follow along, glancing back to Slugfest and then looking at Swivel. "Wha- Oh! Yes." He temporarily straightens up, for the brief moment he can maintain that balance and attempt to look regal. "Yes, quite. VERY important, indeed." And indeed, he will likely deeply sleep through about anything right now. "Yes.... thank you."

Slugfest yays. "Yus, will have quiet nap!" he says. It's not like he snores in his recharge after all.

Swivel smiles when Blast Off straightens up. "You're welcome." Swivel then guides Blast Off carefully downstairs to where he can get some rest. As for herself, she has plans to stay up a while longer, quietly tucked in the corner with a datapad.