What's December Without Christmas Eve? [Tree Decorating: OPEN]

[littlecrowgirl]

WHO: Anyone and Everyone!
WHERE: Around various parts of Haven
WHEN: From now until what counts as 'New Years' for Cybertron (New Years Day for us?)
WHAT: Tree Decorating!
WARNINGS: Infinite cute and maybe tree eating

Well, Kay and Elita had done it. It took awhile, and surprisingly, all in one night, but they'd been able to grab branches from the large crystal trees that the pink robot had grown, and placed them all around Haven. Where, specifically? Outside the temples! Really, surprised no one noticed it.  But to those who walk out of the them, they'll now notice a tree on either their right or left, empty, glittering, and with a note.



What could this mean? What's this? There's trees everywhere! What's this? And depending on what your alignment is/where you live, you'll get a different tree. 

(ooc: I'll be putting comments up for each quadrant's tree. Comment under whichever one you'd like to react to/decorate/chat with people under. It's a huge mingle thread! Also, don't forget to put your tag in the log!

Comments

[songofmypeople]

"That's a sweet sentiment," he says dismissively.

"Well, Rung," a large hand falls on the doctor's shoulder bearing, "in the spirit of spreading cheer, I might have a gift for you. Would you like that?"

[rungout]

He starts to frown a bit but is distracted by the hand on his shoulder, the therapist shifting slightly.

"A..gift? I...that's alright..I don't have anything for you," he says quickly with a weak smile, trying to derail this because he has no idea where it's going.

[songofmypeople]

"And if I insisted? I'm sure I could find something in you I'd want."

The hand tightens just a touch (amicably?).

[rungout]

"I--What? Something in me--what are you talking about?"

Confusion. So much confusion now and Rung tries to step away but there's something about this bot...It's weird and he can't explain it.

[songofmypeople]

The hand on his shoulder might be a good hindrance to that stepping away too, because it isn't letting up.

You can positively hear the smile in his voice, gosh, he sounds so friendly. "There's no need to be modest around me, Autobot. Everyone has their uses, and I like to think I can recognize the utility in even the lowliest lifeform, Autobots included."

You know, for a Decepticon, that's practically nice.

[warborn]

It's coincidence, really, that has Fortress Maximus heading to take a look at the trees at this point. Not that he's disinterested in them, but it's impulse more than anything else, and something different.

Sometimes different can be good.

Voices do have him slow, and when he recognizes one, he strongly considers turning back. Rung he's not quite as interested in seeing - for Rung's sake - but it's the second voice that gives him pause.

He doesn't recognize that one, but something about it...he can't put his finger on it, it's not something he can name, but there's something about it that prickles at the back of his neck. It seems friendly enough, but...

All right, he'll take a glance. The ex-warden approaches the sounds slowly, resolving to satisfy what passes for his curiosity then leave them alone.

[rungout]

Any struggling that Rung had been attempting is weak now, the therapist unable to really look away from Tarn. He feels comfortable with the other but at the same time, there's a voice in the back of his mind telling him to get away...get far away...

"I--"

He catches movement beyond Tarn and focuses on it, spotting Fortress Maximus and a mixture of relief and desperation floods him. A pleading look enters his eyes as he tries to keep his gaze on the other, reaching up to try and pry Tarn's hand away from his shoulder.

"I need to--I'm sorry but I have to go..please."

[songofmypeople]

It isn't hard to notice that pleading look directed over his shoulder. Hand holding firm, Tarn glances sideways and my oh my, would you look at what's dragging himself in.

Turning away from the new Autobot, he looks back to Rung.

"Come now, don't be rude. We're not done having our chat. In fact, I have even started."

[warborn]

That...

Even from a distance, he can tell something's off. Rung's trying to get away, and the other one - whoever it is - isn't letting him. As he's getting closer he can make sense of the words, and you know what?

This can end here.

"Rung," he calls, purposeful now in his approach. "Everything okay?"

Because he may or may not be already reaching for a weapon.

[rungout]

"I--I'n sorry, I don't mean to be rude--" Rung starts, shrinking back a bit, feeling bad as his gaze locks on Tarn again but Fort Max is calling out to him and it's enough to get him to look away again.

He starts to shake his head, unable to form words at the moment, not trusting himself to speak.

Please help. Please please please.

Oops. *haven't even started. (But you guys knew that, I'm sure.)

[songofmypeople]

"It looks like everything's fine," Tarn answers agreeably for the little 'bot after a few moments of Rung remaining mute.

Turning around, and taking Rung with him, steering the Doctor by that hand on his shoulder, Tarn stands to face Maximus, Rung held between them. The two Mr. Tanks are nearly identical in height, and Tarn's posture is open and relaxed, right down to that one hand firm-and-friendly on Rung's shoulder.

"You can make it up to me, Rung, by introducing your friend, here. Fortress Maximus, isn't it?"

INDEED

[warborn]

Well, considering he addressed Rung, and Rung's not the one who answers...

It's more answer than the other mech turning. Maximus stops, hard, optics flaring briefly in surprise at the mask before narrowing to hateful red slits.

That explains a few things. That explains a lot of things, really.

"I can introduce myself just fine," he growls, very much aware of Rung held between them. "I'm the one who's going to rip your head off, 'Con, if you don't let the doc go."

Jumping to threats? Already?

Excuse him if he's a little protective of Rung at this point.

[rungout]

Rung doesn't like this, he doesn't like this at all. He can't pull away, he can't do anything, just moving as Tarn moves him and staring helplessly at Fort Max.

"L-leave him alone," he murmured, looking away from Fort Max and up at Tarn. "Please just...Let go...please?"

His voice is weak, trailing off at the end because he feels completely out of his element right now.

This was not the thread I expected when I came into the Christmas-fun post..

[songofmypeople]

Tarn mostly ignores Rung's pleas. Bigger fish have shown up, and he's got plans for this one.

"I don't think you understand who you're threatening, Maximus, but I'll let that go. We haven't been properly introduced yet and I'll leave that to the doctor." Who hasn't asked his name, and either obviously doesn't know it, or is just really, very stupid. "Your attitude though, leaves something to be desired."

To Rung, he says, "You're a psychiatrist, tell me, why it is that Autobots are consistently so rude? Is it a defense mechanism, do you think? A response to fear?"

i'm sorry 8c

[warborn]

"I don't think you understand how much I don't care." You've got your paws on - well, they're not friends, but it's definitely someone Fort Max feels responsible for, at least in small part. And it's pretty clear that Fort Max isn't taking too kindly to this. "And I ain't playing games with you."

This is complete with him approaching, hands balling in to fists.

[rungout]

The therapist shudders a bit as he's addressed directly, forcing himself to keep his gaze on Fort Max because, if nothing else, it's a comforting presence.

Even if he's sort of convinced he's going to die right now.

"....He's not...being rude. You're the one being rude. I don't think..I didn't give you permission to touch me," he managed to get out, almost looking up at Tarn but he catches himself, optics dimming as he wrings his hands together a bit.

No. It's BETTER. Never in my wildest dreams would I have though tree decorating = hostage situation

[songofmypeople]

"Are you being serious right now?" Tarn asks Rung. "We've just met, I haven't done anything within my considerable power to hurt you in any number of inventive ways, and here comes Fortress Maximus bristling and threatening to remove my head. You don't find that at all to be in poor behaviour? Why, Doctor, I'm afraid you might need to get your head checked. I'd suggest a comrade, but he's currently indisposed at the moment. You'll just have to make due with me, but don't worry, I'll willing to talk. We can work to uncover the root of your problems -- which I'm sure lie beyond simply being an Autobot."

Tarn drops his free hand onto Rung's other shoulder, and leans forward, his huge bulk seeming almost twice as large when compared with Rung's much tinier frame. Raising his head just a few degrees to lock eyes with Maximus and finally spare him the courtesy, he says, voice taking on a tone that is just minutely more sweet, "I'm not interested in playing games with you, Fortress Maximus. That's always been more to Overlord's taste than mine." Not entirely true, but true enough. At least in some regards. "Oh, that's right. You've already met him, haven't you? You'd know all about that."

iyaaaa

[warborn]

At the mention of Overlord, Fortress Maximus's step falters. He regains his balance a second later, something flickering in his optics-but by the time Tarn's finished, he's frozen in place.

That's not outright fear in his optics, but it is uncertainty. One he doesn't like. As if this situation was bad enough...

[rungout]

There were some lines that you just didn't cross and Tarn had crossed one of them. Rung may not have been the largest mech around, or the strongest, but even he could get angry with the best of them.

"Stop it," he said sharply, jerking in Tarn's hold, fighting whatever was going on as best he could, optics narrowed just a bit despite the fear still gripping him. "Stop it. The FirstForged won't be pleased with this. You've had your fun now stop!"

He jerked again, reaching up to try and pry the hands off his shoulders, his frame trembling despite the courage he was trying to show.

But he wouldn't give up, not if he could help it.

Tarn talks so much oh man

[songofmypeople]

Tarn doesn't actually know how deeply Fortress Maximus has been scarred thanks to his stay rooming with Overlord. That said it probably won't take him long to twig onto the fact that someone clearly isn't a happy camper with their memories. After all, everyone including Tailgate knew what happened at G9, and Tailgate needed a picture of Optimus Prime.

But dear Rung, Tarn crosses a lot of lines. It's just part of the job. In fact, there was very few lines he's left alone. Too bad, Autobots. No remorse! Can't be tamed!

At Rung's little fit, Tarn just laughs at him. Needles to say he doesn't loosen his grip at all. "Won't be pleased with what? A conversation? The threats your friend is making towards me? Doctor, if you think this is how I enjoy myself, then I'm afraid you're severely underestimating my intellectual apetite. If I didn't think you were simply too uneducated to know better, why, I'd be hurt."

Tarn looks at Fort Max. "As far as I know, these First Forged are opposed to murder. You don't want to try and kill anyone here, do you, Maximus? That might be a mistake. For the both of you."

This entire time, Tarn's voice has remained a steady tone of straight-up cheerful.

Re: Tarn talks so much oh man

[warborn]

"I ain't afraid of them," comes the rasp. And it's true - he's not. He knows they're powerful, he knows they're capable of a hell of a lot, but outright fear?

He's got too much centered on one mech, for it to be spread out to anyone else.

"And I'm not about to watch one of mine get played with by a 'Con, either. Told myself I'd kill them myself before I'd watch that happen again, if I could, but keep the 'Con alive long enough for them to regret it."

Suffice it to say, that mech has influenced him in other ways.

Re: Tarn talks so much oh man

[rungout]

"Uneducated?" Yeah, he's taking offense to that. He has enough of himself together to glare a bit, still trying to pry at Tarn's hand. He pauses thoug as Fort Max speaks, hands gripping the Decepticon's as he watches his patient.

This was going to spiral out of control real quick.

"There's no reason for anyone to get hurt. I understand you're trying to make a point but your attempts at making yourself look like the good guy are out of line," he murmured, glancing up at the 'con with narrowed optics again despite the cheerful tone.

There's just something about Tarn.

"Please release me. I am not I the mood to be insulted and you've a fight break out because you feel the need to antagonize Fortress Maximus for your own amusement. This needs to end. Now."

Congrats Tarn. You brought out Rung's little temper.

Ringing in the new year with .... a very polite hostage situation?

[songofmypeople]

Oh ho? "One of yours?" The question almost takes on a purr. "The doctor falls under your protection... or is it the other way around? You wouldn't happen to be a patient of his, would you?" Max doesn't really strike him like the type to get chummy with the small fry. And then, what's that? "'Again'? This has happened before?"

"Rung," Tarn chides, "do you have a bad habit being a nuisance?" Smoothing a hand over Rung's shoulder, he says, "You really should take better care of yourself. You could get into a lot of trouble running into someone so powerfully well-outfitted."

Turning back to Maximus he says, "Now, it's funny you should mention leaving them alive..."

Thumb rubbing back and forth over Rung's neck cabling, Tarn murmurs calmly, "Oh, I'm hardly a 'good guy'; and yet, I can't help but think that Fortress Maximus might appreciate something I have for him."

Rung, he's not going to take you seriously until you grow yourself a pair of treads. "Maximus is a big build, he can make his own decisions. If he really wants a fight, I'd be delighted to oblige," he looks back at the warden, "but it doesn't have to end that way, of course."

max is rude i am sorry :[

[warborn]

It's an ugly look on Fort Max's face. A maelstrom of hate and frustration, among other things - Tarn's hit the nail on the head with what Max himself has let slip.

It's an awfully painful hit. And when put in to such a situation, Fortress Maximus' reflex at this point is to end it, as quickly as he can. But right now...

Right now, he's armed, and perfectly capable of using those arms.

He reaches behind, slowly and purposefully pulling out one of his rifles. Not the ones he's been modding, no, this is one he knows works, and knows will do the job it needs to.

"So let him go and we can all walk away nicely."

That's as close to saying he's listening that he'll do, Tarn. You'll have to work with it.

[rungout]

Sometimes, it really sucks to be one of those bots that has never upgraded, never gotten weapon training, and who is about as threatening as a puppy dog.

He tenses again before he can stop himself, the touch on the back of his neck uncomfortable--all sorts of uncomfortable actually--but he's stuck and Rung knows it. He's being used as a bargaining chip, as a hostage essentially and..well..

What else is new?