Pillow Talk

Log Title: Pillow Talk

Date: October ?? 2023

TP: none

Summary: Blast Off catches up with Goth, learns of troubling thoughts- and a possible crush- the bat has, and most DEFINITELY does NOT have feelings or concern for Swivel.

As logged by Blast Off

Goth's Lab - Acropolis - North Altihex

        Once passed the metal doors, it leads into a large metallic room with dim lighting, and a large computer that looks to have been hand build from mainly Cybertronian technology. Other lab equipment is scattered and set up through the room, matching the computer in being a mainly that of Cybertronian tech, In front of it is a rather comfortable chair, clearly meant to hold a bot much larger than Goth's beast-alt.

        Upon the large metal desk in which the computer and it's systems sit, is a damaged digital photo of a quartet of Beast-former bots, all in their robot modes together... A much more modern digital Photo of Goth with a sand colored mech, with red optics, Datapads, half-finished drones, a stack of radios, and other half-finished projects litter the table.

        A trained optic (Or eye) may notice a growing selection of Alien tech and tools scattered about the lab and table, A cooler with a lock on it... There's also a medical slab, clearly not for resting in, off in one of the open spaces of the room with a small table.

        Looking up at the ceiling, once one got past the dim lighting, would reveal sturdy, metal rafters, clearly meant to support a heavy weight hanging off them, as well as support for the ceiling.

        However, off to the corner a nest of pillows from varying alien cultures, is noticeable:

        * One is bright, candy red with a golden rose pattern on it.

There's a knock on Goth's door. Blast Off stands on the other side, waiting, glancing about as he waits for a response.

Goth's ears go up and he heads over, he'd not been expecting Blast Off, but here he is!. "Hola?" he states with a tilt of his helm, before stepping aside to let the shuttle in.

"Ah, there you are," Blast Off nods to the bat as he enters, looking around now at the lab and any changes, hands clasped behind his back. "It's been awhile, hasn't it?"

Goth cringes. "Si..." He says almost shamefully, he's.. not left his lab much, he's isolating himself again, and for now, he's pushing the thought away. "So, what brings you here?" He asks simply, folding his wings around himself.

The lab is.. in a bit of disarray from where he's been living there. He's at least cleaned it up, somewhat.

Blast Off glances to the disarray but decides not to comment on it, instead choosing to focus on what HAS been cleaned up and turning towards that. He peruses the sights with violet optics before looking over at Goth, assessing him. "I..." Now he pauses, then looks away. "I... happened to be in the area, is all. Thought I'd..." Another pause. "Well, as a gentlemech, it is my duty to be aware of my ....acquaintances and ...how they are doing, no?" He reaches out and lightly touches a small something on a desk. "I thought I'd catch up on how things are proceeding with you."

Goth blinks, Blast Off came to see him..? He'd squint a moment, was that it or did he want something? Still.. He's glad he's come, especially after everything, forgetting him, etc.. His ears come up and he hesitates but smiles. "Ah, I see, that.. That does sound nice." He nods.

Blast Off looks up, mildly alarmed. "It's not nice!" He protests, hands snatching back behind his back. "I simply... " There's another furtive glance about, as if worried someone would SEE him or something. "....*Nice* has nothing to do with it. It's simply a... a courtesy, is all. One... professional person to another. Yes." Pause. "...." He stands there awkwardly a moment before....

"So, how *are* you these days?"

Goth gives that familiar half-lidded look of 'really?' Blast off is likely used too once more. "Ah..hah.. then what may I do for you?" He asks, deciding too humor Blast Off, god these silly higher-class meches.

He'd tilt his helm side to side and glance about. "Odd dreams aside... engrossed in my work mostly... " He'd chuff.

Whew. Goth will humor him and that's enough. Blast Off puffs up, sure to put on airs, still looking around the room and marveling at all that's there. "Oh, well... not much, really, I just thought I'd..." He looks off into the distance again, "It's simply been awhile and a proper gentlemech keeps track of his... social contacts, is all." His hands come in front of him and fiddle slightly, then he looks up. "Right?"

At the mention of dreams, he glances to the bat. "What odd dreams?"

"Si, I was in my holomatter appearance of a human and there was some sort of weather phenomenon going on and.. well, far as I'll go." He'd huff and look at the mech and tilt his helm.

Weapons, maps, datapads of varying things, the space bridge, frame parts, study of sparks and altihex's emerging flora and fauna.

Blast Off tilts his head in return. "You dreamed you were a fleshling? How awful." The shuttle continues browsing through Goth's study of sparks and Altihex flora and fauna, making a mildly disgusted noise at something, likely a worm, and then looks up again. "You know, they say dreams can reflect hidden aspects of our lives. Are you feeling weak and powerless or something?"

"It was odd, normally that never happens." Goth muses and raises a brow, given all the past shenanigans with dreams. "Bah, no." He huffs, and then shifts... There is something though. "Hmph, unless you count my state of assistance." he'd groaned in sarcasm.

The shuttle that insists he's only there for proper-type business sure looks interested in Goth's situation. Blast Off looks around the room, then back at Goth. "Because... no assistance?"

Goth pauses, realizing his accent caused him to slur and groan. "Existence, pardon." He corrects but in all respects /that/ could count. "..... I find myself wondering," he admits cryptically.

Blast Off tilts his head before finally answering, voice lowered, "... You miss your former partner?"

Goth makes a non-commital sound and huffs. "Si.." he says softly and glances at his desk, then at the familiar crystalline cube around his neck, that glows with energon. "...I miss many things... things I feel are not to return.." he states as he taps at the crystal, he clears his voice box and now looks away from Blast off, mainly trying to hide his optics, a near of frustration on his face.

Blast Off's shoulders droop slightly and he turns to face Goth. The shuttle moves as if to step closer, then stops, looks down, and stays in place, hands dropping down too. "It's... difficult sometimes, to... have feelings. Unrequited ones, I mean." Then he rapidly looks up and quickly adds, "I-I mean, that's my... understanding, at least. Not that *I've* ever experiences such a thing, of course but...." He swallows and then clears his vocoder.

"Also... just... not knowing. The universe is a vast place. Maybe... a little *too* large, sometimes."

Goth huffs and wipes whatever it is from his optics as he lets out another irritated huff. "It is made worse when you have a budding interest in another but you can't.. just.. not without knowing," Goth admits through a hiss as he looks away, but he does to reject the shuttle gesture, not at all.

"...Its not fair.."

Mr. I'm-so-aloof suddenly perks up. Head tilts again as optics flash once, anime-style. "....Another?"

Goth grumbles, his hand on his cheek as he's not looking right at blast off, but he can probably tell under that black fur, the bat was blushing. "..Yes...."

Blast Off leans in, hands clasping together in front of his chest, one optic ridge lifting. "Tell me more~...."

Goth gives Blast off a flat look but he decides, fine, he'll humor him, one way to maybe get the shuttle to visit more. "You know of how Knock out often visits?" He's recalled at least one or more times Bo or KO have walked in while the other was there.

"Oh?" Blast Off's optic ridge lifts higher. "Knock Out?" He thinks a moment, then gives Goth a *you sly dog* sort of look. "He's quite a looker....~"

Goth can't help but snort and roll his optics and huffs. "He'd likely agree with that statement." He says dryly. But then look about his lab lightly. "...you can understand why I hesitate."

Blast Off's expression sobers.

"You miss Khamsin, too."

"As do I.. Lost Dust Off once, for millions of yaears now to lose him /again/ within months!" Goth's voice starts to rise. "No trace, no sign if he's dead or alive or just.." Goth snarls and throws a punch at the armored wall denting it, something breaking, ether the wall or him, he's not sure, he doesn't care.

"...One dead, one missing.. whats to say will happen with a third.."

Blast Off watches, remaining silent, as Goth throws a punch. The shuttle is quiet a long moment. He wishes he had some great advice, some wise insight, but... ha. He's not even sure how to deal with such things himself.

After a while, he finally murmurs. "They say... you'll never know if you don't try, right?" Not that /he/ has been able to take his OWN advice like- ever.

GAME: Goth PASSES an ENDURANCE roll of Very High difficulty.

There od no visible damage to Goth's winged arm, but that doesn't mean anything for internally, there a soft murmur from Goth but he's no longer able to hide the angry tears. "But what if he comes back? What if this.. damn curse just.. " He'd snarl. "Pathetic thoughts, I know.." he adds, mostly to himself, not wanting to project onto Blast off.

Blast Off feels a pang of... something. It's not hunger. If he were more in tune with his OWN feelings, he might recognize it as empathy.

"Not... entirely," he murmurs, glancing away. "Just... well, you can ignore it and hope it goes away. I do." *ahem* "But..." He chuckle-huffs softly. "All the stories tell us to at least... try. Give it a shot." The shuttle shrugs, still not looking at the bat. "Though that's all much easier said than done, of course."

There is that look again, as Goth knows that isn't healthy, nor helping but at the same time, what can he do? "Perhaps.. uhg. Megatrons taunting do not help, need to stab again him for that one." He snarls before he sighs, trying to reign in his wild emotions, before moving to his nest and flopping into it, once more trying to keep his optics from welling up again.

"Why must this be difficult."

"Taunting?" Blast Off tilts his head, though he finds himself chuckling at the thought of Goth stabbing him, then winces as he expects programming to punish him for such thoughts, but it doesn't come and he can relax again. Shoulders sag and he watches Goth flop into his nest.

"...Because l-love is difficult." He pauses, then lifts his nose in the air and snoots- I mean sniffs. "Which is why I have nothing to do with it, of course."~

"Hmph, lucky you.. speaking of, that teal mini, has one of my drones to help keep her security." Goth states dryly, almost also like a hint to him knowing. Still, his ears sag. "I did not mean for this to turn into such a mess." Goth sighs, exhausted. "..I do appreciate you coming, it has been.. lonely."

Blast Off hehs softly, tilting his head and shrugging. "It's fine, I don't mind." As the bat mentions how lonely he's been, the shuttle finds himself with a soft smile underneath his faceplate as he glances over to his ...longtime? friend. Then- does he mean Swivel? Ohhh right, didn't she mention something about that? Wait, why bring that up NOW? Surely... no, there's no way Goth could suspect, right? Naaah. He nods. "Good. I'm glad." But not TOO glad, of course!!!!! *cough*

"Ah. Well. Yes." He rolls his shoulders back, glancing to the door, to the pillow pile, and back to Goth. "I... I suppose.... well, I don't have anywhere to *be* tonight, and it *is* a long flight back to Headquarters, so... uh...." He glances to the pillow pile again, rubbing the back of his helmet awkwardly.

"...Please, I let Des and Vortex in here, I'd have quite strange standards if I didn't allow you... I've added heated blankets underneath" He'd snort as Blast Off eyes the nest. "..its appreciated... I've warned her of the recording and tracking abilities it has, but that is also one of the positives of it, as it can tell us her location so long as its with her.. seems the one murdering bots around here may have their eye on her." he explains, as to not get the shuttle TOO frazzled that.. maybe.. yes, he knows a little.

"Heh, indeed..." Blast Off is starting to step in the pillow pile when- "WHAT. WHAT DO YOU MEAN."

"Which part?" Goth asks dryly as he turns his audials down.

Blast Off flails. "The eye- the optic... on HER! WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!" Flail, then huff, then.... he slumps his shoulders a bit. "I-I mean, not that I *care* all THAT much but... still." *cough*

"Ah, she may have stopped one of their murder attempts, which they clearly didn't like." Goth explains as he pulls the conversation from his memory. He then gives Blast off the all to familiar half-lidded judging, and knowing, look, the bat was well aware that Blast off does, in fact, care.

"You may need to get more details from her, as she was rattled when she came to me."

"WHAT." What do you mean, he cares? NO NO he's a cold emotionless sniper! ....Just ignore the flailing, wide optics, and rumbling and wheezing of his engine, yeah. *cough* He stares at Goth, "WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME OF THIS." Then Blast Off blinks, squints. "Wait, she came to YOU to tell you of this?" Another long squuuint. "...Are you two ....close, or something?"

Goth just gestures a hand to Blast Off regarding his question about what no one told him and quirks a brow. He then squints. "I think it was merely a matter of convincing, more so being my mate was the leader here," Goth states dryly, he was still somewhat important to this place, didn't help he prowled it at night to keep what his mate left behind, safe in one way or another.. mostly to ensure it wouldn't collapse, or be destroyed.

He then gives Blast off a look. "She's not my type," he adds.

Blast Off stops, thinks about this. ".....Oh." His arms hang from his sides, a frown behind his faceplate. "...." Violet gaze surfs across the room...

"I see." He straightens a bit with an *ahem*. "Well then. I take it you gave her this- this drone thing because she was possibly in danger, then? OH!" He facepalms. "And can you believe she was letting STRANGERS stay WITH her just recently?! Out of the *goodness of her spark* or other such NONSENSE! I knew it was ILL ADVISED and OUTRAGEOUS!" Hufff.

"Si, I was well aware of your connections with her before hand, thus I figured this would bring you some peace of mind." He then huffs. Chela you're hopeless." Goth shakes his helm, mech has it bad. "Well, with this new information, can approach her and speak with her." He says simply as he gets comfortable into his nest.

"Ah. Ok." Blast Off is still standing there, thinking. "....Good. Yes, yes, excellent thinking, very good." He starts nodding and relaxing, then stops again to stare sharply at Goth, frame rigid. "....Hopeless about /what?/!"

Goth once more, gives him a look and looks ready to say something but sighs and shakes his helm. "You'll figure it out in time, only when you can admit such too yourself," he says simply with a snort.

Blast Off squuuuiiints at Goth, arms crossing as he frowns at the bat from behind the faceplate. "....."

Finally, there's a *HUFF* and a wave of his hand. "Fine, be cryptic. Whatever. Not that *I* really care." Huff. He tsks, then mutters, "... You gave her that drone, so... for that, I thank you." Pause. "You know, as her Instructor and all. It would be a shame to lose my onl- my best student." Ahem. He sighs, then starts making his way into that pillow pile.

Goth chuckles. "I'll give you a hint, but in the form of a question," Goth smirks. "She's smart, si? your friendship can be described in other words, other than friendly, and care." Goth nods.

"Of course Amigo, she makes you happy, and is your friend, that alone gives me reason to try." he nods as he burrows under a blanket.

"She's my *student*, she-...." Blast Off's reaction to the F WORD is immediate, but as Goth burrows down the intensity of the shuttle's reaction seems to diffuse a bit. His raised hand, index finger pointed up, slowly lowers, and he eventually just *huffs* again.

"...Whatever. The effort is appreciated, even if you have to-to dress it up in all this... this....silly... this!" His hand waves again dismissively, then another *huff* and he drops it. "...I'm recharging." He plunks in, the only thing still visible being the tailfin on his back sticking up out of the pillows like an enershark.

Goth chuckles once more. "I am well aware Amigo, worry not." he'd huff and hunker in, yeeting a pillow into Blast off's direction to rest his helm on.

When Goth rests here, he rests on his chassis, like an oversized dog or cat.

A black hand rises from the pile to grab the pillow, then it sinks back down. Good thing the shuttle has such quick reflexes. If only Blast Off had as quick a wit when it comes to reading other people... or himself, for that matter. He'll be mulling over what Goth said all night.