Get a Move On

[young_upstart]

WHO: Hot Rod (young_upstart) and OPEN!
WHERE: Around central Haven
WHEN NOW
WHAT: No matter what they say, can't keep the madness at bay
WARNINGS: Potential violence?

     It had been subtle at first, the agitation that surfaced not seeming to be anything more than appropriate for the building frustration of this place and what the Autobot had learned not too long ago. He'd told Ultra Magnus he would let him know if he felt 'off' in any way, but so far, nothing had happened that made him feel the need to bring it up. After all, if there wasn't any trouble, why make some?

     And yet, it was because of that nothing that it only served as a further irritant for his dwindling mood. Hot Rod felt even more restless of late, and no one seemed to have any answers. The last time he'd gotten answers hadn't been very satisfying though, and clearly none of those that held rank in this weird place was willing to help. No one wanted to help. No one knew how to help, and even though he knew that probably couldn't be helped, it just made him so. Angry.

     In order to try venting some steam, he decided to do some target practice around the Junkpile. Blasting random things to bits had never felt so good. There was something definitely satisfying about seeing smoking debris scattering after your photon charges slammed and burned clean into your target, sending them into oblivion-

     The thought startled him. That wasn't like him. That wasn't like him at all.

     "What...was that?" His imagination? He hoped it was, but the smoldering remains in front of him certainly couldn't be lying. It scared him. Something was happening, and he couldn't let it.

     Turning, he started to move. He wanted to run, to get away, somewhere. No, you're not thinking clearly! You need to tell Magnus! -but what can he do? Or any of the others for that matter? What if you slip like that again?

     He couldn't allow that, and he didn't want to take any chances either. Within seconds he had collapsed and twisted into his vehicle mode, and wheels peeled away the moment they hit the ground, the bright magenta sports car emblazoned with orange flames speeding off. Somewhere. Anywhere.

Comments

[young_upstart]

     Hey, not his fault Whirl's face just happens to be right there. And usually if you aim for someone's face, they have the sense to back off.

     ...but clearly that isn't happening here.

     Now Hot Rod reacts appropriately, jerking his head to the side as Whirl swings one of his claws at him. It's just difficult to really dodge effectively at this proximity, and while he might not get too badly scratched there, it still sets his head ringing. Pulling his buzzsaw back, Hot Rod tries to get some of that personal space of his back as he swings his foot out.

[whirlybird_of_prey]

Usually, yes. But Whirl likes to defy expectations. It adds a little soupcon of whimsy.

Or something.

It's hard to think of witty repartee when someone's shoved a saw in your face, okay?

"Could have spared yourself all this fun, if you just answered civilly." But, you know, where's the fun in that? Certainly not here, where the mech's foot contacts with Whirl's knee, forcing the copter to drop his weight, which sets him up to rise up driving that sexy head of his under his opponent's chin.

[young_upstart]

     Civility had kind of been lost on Hot Rod, boiled away with the spark Whirl had first set off when he'd given chase. The unnamed madness that had been burning through the Autobot's system seems to thin out, at least for the moment, but he has little time to puzzle out his confusion as quite painfully his head is rammed into, sending him crashing back. Not quite what he'd had in mind.

     For a good moment or two he lies there, staring up at the gaping wound in the sky until his vision stabilized again. Even then, he could still feel his head ringing, his not-so-graceful landing certainly not having helped in that. Groaning, he's in the process of pushing himself to sit up, apparently having no mind to retaliate right then.

[whirlybird_of_prey]

That's the problem with having a fancy plan: things go wrong. Whirl's more fast and loose, himself. Also, a good whack on his head does him good. Not because he has some sort of eldritch inner madness eating away at him, but because he's a jerk with a masochistic streak.

Now, however, (or as soon as his own head stops ringing), is the time to gloat. So he'll just straddle his downed opponent, plant his claws on his hips, and say. "Right. What's all this then."

[young_upstart]

     Hot Rod wouldn't have called his plan all that fancy, if even a plan. He isn't even really sure what's just happened, but now he's got an extra weight on him. Obviously he isn't going anywhere right now.

     "I don't-" Know? Oh yes he does. He realizes what he's been doing. That buzzsaw isn't default equipment there. "-you're okay, right? Agh, look- get off me, I can't- I shouldn't be here-"

[whirlybird_of_prey]

No one with a paint job like Hot Rod's can blame someone else for applying 'fancy' to everything they do. Possibly even 'fancy schmancy'.

And not everyone gets the glory of being parked on by Whirl. You're a lucky mech, Hot Rod. So lucky.

...wut?

"Yeah I'm just great after all the shooting and slicing into my face and all. Pretty typical afternoon."

Sad but true?

"You know if you'd just fraggin' told me where you were goin' in the first place, you wouldn't be getting up close and personal with my crotchy bits." Which are kind of pointy, ngl.

[young_upstart]

     He's at this point more frustrated and even a little concerned rather than flat out angry, but Hot Rod could feel that mood lingering and ready to pounce again, and he knew he didn't want that to happen.

     "I don't know where I was going- I just had to get away from everyone! I'm not sure what's going on, but I don't think it'd be a good idea to stay. You already saw what happened!" Up close and personal, he might add.

[whirlybird_of_prey]

"Yeah, well, zipping off into the Badlands kinda makes you either stupid or suicidal." Which are you? He'll let you decide.

"What? This?" Yeah, he noticed. He supposed to care? He does not see your point.

[young_upstart]

     At that moment, Hot Rod would have probably admitted feeling both. He doubts that saying so aloud would really help his situation though.

     Of course, it would help if this guy's processors were on the same page as his. "Look, can you just get off of me? I don't wanna end up attacking you again!" Although if Whirl isn't going to work with him, he might not have a choice either way.

[whirlybird_of_prey]

Whirl's processors are on every page. He's good like that. Also crazy.

He squints down at Hot Rod for a klik. "Oh all right then." Frag. He figures the worst that could happen is he gets to take down Hot Rod all over again.

Could be fun.

[young_upstart]

     Fun? Not in the slightest. Hot Rod isn't looking for a fight, no matter how tempting it is to whack this guy upside the head. Whirl's just got that sort of personality.

     Once he's free to stand, Hot Rod steps away from the other as he hopes some distance will make him less inclined to want to hit the other. Well okay, maybe not completely, but it'll at least take a little more effort to do so. "Thanks," he says flatly. "Now if you'd quit following me, that would be even better."

[whirlybird_of_prey]

Not everyone can have Whirl's charm.

And the flying charm-factory is secretly hoping the mech starts something again but weh, looks like he's going to behave.

"Following you where?" Oh Whirl brings it back to home plate!