[Open - Communal] Meet 'n' Greet!

[winged_knight]

WHO: Anyone! Hosted by Wing, Vectorians especially encouraged.
WHERE: One of the larger upper platforms in Vector Prime's Quadrant.
WHEN: Now
WHAT: Mixer for Vectorians and general social gathering for everyone.
WARNINGS: None yet. (But there's booze so...at the very least there might be bad karaoke)

Upon entering Vector Prime's domain it's obvious that things are a foot. The typically serene atmosphere is enlivened with notes of music and the murmur of voices punctuated by the occasional bubble of laughter that filters down from the upper heights, a soft glow of illuminating one of the larger platforms with a structure built on it. Colorful streamers fly from crystalline light poles, marking the way through the various crystal bridges and small platforms, until one reaches the large terrace on which the gathering is situated.

A large pavilion-like structure, enclosed on two sides but otherwise open to a majestic view of the gorge and beyond, shelters the bulk of the gathering. Its roof is several stories tall, enough to accommodate their First Forged benefactor should he choose to join them, and what could be considered a dance floor sprawls off to the side. The platform edges have been lined with a railing here unlike most of the others, to waylay any highgrade assisted trips into the gorge itself. Along another wall, nearest the open area, speakers and other equipment have been setup to provide music and other entertainment. One of Vector Prime's Acolytes greets newcomers with a simple nod, and may later be seen looking after the replenishent of refreshments as needed.

Tables of typical Cybertronian height line one wall, where tapped cylinders of softly glowing energon, both standard and highgrade, sit alongside cubes waiting to be filled. Various pieces of make-shift seating suitable to the average mech are scattered around. Central to the pavilion is a wide raised platform, about waist height to the average Cybertronian, designed to allow the shorter attendees to converse with their taller robotic fellows at eye level. Human scale ladders allow access to and from the floor, and occupying the platform is a buffet table accompanied by several mis-matched chairs.

The buffet table is covered with an eclectic assortment of refreshments and serving implements more suitable to organics, mostly non-perishable pantry type goods, (you can be certain there's Twinkies!) along with a odd collection of various alcohols including a bottle or two of whiskey. At the end of one table sits an old refrigerator on its back, now tasked with being a simple ice box, filled entirely with chunks of clean snow and ice from Liege Maximo's quadrant. Accompanying it are wax paper cups and a pitcher of fruity syrup that smells reminiscent of Kool-Aid. (make yourself a snow cone!)

The pavilion is attached to a larger building, two doors at the rear of the pavilion each lead to two separate rooms. One that appears to be in use for the storage of unused supplies and materials while the other is filled with makeshift seating of various sizes, creating a more relaxed atmosphere. To the rear there is access to a second floor, the rooms of which appear to be currently unused.

Barricade and Soundwave have agreed to provide musical entertainment for the evening.

Miko may play some guitar for us if we can find a way to power her amp.

Wing will perform a traditional narrative sword kata with some musical accompaniment.

Vector Prime himself may make an appearance at some point as well.

((---This is COMMUNAL log and designed to be a mixer, so post to note your attendance and then tag around!---))

((If you'd like to do a game, performance or other activity feel free to make a post for it and let me know, then I'll highlight it here.))

((I tried to set a foundation for the scene but leave a lot of stuff open, so feel free to embellish where you like. We have access to pretty much anything that's mundane though likely it comes from the Junk Pile. Feel free to have your character bring something if they want.))

Comments

[winged_knight]

"Drift." Wing's standing there, all summery and pleased, cube in hand, perhaps a little bit closer than your average casual party-goer would. "It's good to see you."

"And thank you for bringing Vandal, I would have been concerned if she'd tried to come on her own."

He tilts his head, "Can I get you something?"

[sword_redemption]

Drift manages a weak, but sincere smile. "I promised I'd come. And Vandal needed a break from Medibay.". He knows how that is. Solidarity for the Bad Patients!

He shakes his head, just trying to imagine what energon would do. Ouch. "No, I'm fine, thanks.". And it is time to change the subject! "Everything looks beautiful.".

Especially Wing, so happy his optics glow.

[winged_knight]

Wing affectionately returns the smile. "She certainly seems to be happy to get out and about a little."

He nods, not wanting to press the matter. "Thank you. I...well, I thought maybe I'd gotten a little carried away! I really didn't expect so many people..."

[sword_redemption]

"She's...," he struggles for a word. Nice? Not really. She's sharp and fragile at the same time, hard and also friendly. 'Nice' doesn't cover any of that. "She's good."

"And getting out a bit will do her better than sitting in the Medibay." Though he is keeping an optic out for Ratchet.

"But you're not displeased so many showed up. It's a new start, Wing, for all of us. Maybe some of us get it."

[winged_knight]

He nods, because Vandal is not one of those people you can sum up in one word.

"She's too much the active type, she'd get herself into more trouble just trying to entertain herself if she stayed in Medibay." He leans in, conspiratorially, "At least that's what I'm telling Ratchet when he asks."

"No, not displeased in the least! I'm..." And then Drift's words really hit home. Because it's true. And a different kind of smile breaks across his face. One full of hope. "Yes. Yes it is. You're right. For all of us."

[sword_redemption]

"No. If Ratchet asks, I took her from Medibay." He's insistent. Since it's the truth. He won't lie or have anyone try to protect him.

Drift's smile kindles, looking over the crowd. "You should be happy. You're the start of many new lives, Wing." A hint of wistfulness--he'd wanted to be special.

[winged_knight]

Wing blinks at Drift's tone, surprised. "Ah, if...you insist? It's...only what I tried to tell him before the party, but couldn't since he's apparently wiped out from all the Brave's engine conversions."

"I--what? Me?" He chuckles, slightly bewildered, "I just threw a party. That's not that special."

[sword_redemption]

Drift gives a vaguely irritated shrug, then sighs. "All right." Take this from him, too, Wing.

"For you, it's not. For everyone else?" Another shrug. Just look at the place.

[winged_knight]

"Ah, well. I didn't exactly succeed so..." He shrugs, uncertain how to continue.

Wing looks away, scanning the scene as Drift suggested, but his focus is distant. This place was a new start for him as well. "I'm just trying to make for a little joy, some togetherness. I'm not changing their lives." The Lambda had done more to that end.

[sword_redemption]

"But you don't understand. How important that joy can be. That that can be something that does change lives."

It did to him, though he'd let it slip through his fingers.

[winged_knight]

Wing turns his gaze back to Drift, the other's words slipping around the knight's mind, his contemplation deep and quiet.

Finally his lips stretch into a soft smile, both sad and gratified at the same time.

"I suppose you're right."

It was not easy to grasp, but he did keep saying the little things could still matter. He knew the importance of joy (which was no small thing), but it was true that maybe he didn't understand it in the same way others did, or could.

"I hope...it's brought you some?"

[sword_redemption]

"I am right." There are many things he's willing to be wrong about, or even concede to be polite. But not this. He would know.

For a moment his optics burn, ardent, on Wing's face, and then Drift drops his gaze. "_{It has. Always}."

[winged_knight]

"You are." He doesn't doubt it, he's just not used to taking credit for such things.

Wing's face softens under that gaze, nearly overcome with emotion. "Drift--I...I can't tell you how happy that makes me." His fingertips ghost over the back of Drift's hand, nothing but genuine, raw gratefulness and relief in his expression. It'd been difficult, so difficult in this place, seeing the pain Drift endured because of their history, knowing that even if he was not the cause, he was the trigger.

[sword_redemption]

And if Drift knew how much it hurt Wing, he'd hide it better. Or hide himself entirely. He's caused Wing enough pain and loss, he doesn't want to shadow any sliver of this second chance Wing has to be happy.

"I want you to be happy." Whatever that takes.

[winged_knight]

He has only one response. Wing steps in, his face open, wanting, his eyes on Drift's. Fingers slide down the back of Drift's hand until Wing's covers it, their fingers side-by-side.

"Then be with me."

[sword_redemption]

Drift is so relieved that he's not, you know, oozing anymore, and he can just...relax under the gentle brush on his hand.

"F-for as long as you want me."

[winged_knight]

The relaxation makes it so much easier to sink into all that Drift is. He leans in, eyes forward but head bowed until the crest of his helm brushes affectionately against Drift's. He's full of warmth and willingness, his golden optics bright.

"Always."

Wing keeps eye contact until the last moment, then with no hesitation and a simple tilt of the head, he takes Drift's mouth with his own.

[sword_redemption]

He knows he should argue, point out that Wing barely knows him, but, well, Wing has already seen him at his worst. And besides, he doesn't want to argue with this, the jet so close to him he can feel the soft pulse of his engines.

The best he can manage is, "I'll try to be worthy," whispered, breathless, just as the other's mouth closes over his.

Wing might not be entirely ready for what he's getting himself into: Drift's arms crush the jet against him, stroking at the wingpanels.

And for a moment he forgets everything: the past, the pain burning in his fuel lines, all of it washed away, dimmed to insignificance, by this.

[winged_knight]

Wing makes a muffled sound as Drift presses their bodies together, a keening whimper of long repressed need. Then Drift finds his wings, the sudden sensation shooting over his sensor net, igniting that need into full fledged burning want. The thrum of his engines rise as eager hands find both shoulders, the fullness of the jet's weight and ardor forcing Drift back into the pavilion wall. A gasp escapes Wing in the brief moment their lips part, but he finds Drift's mouth again, hungry, his wingpanels shuddering under the grounder's black fingers.

All conscious thought is defined by the one in front of him now, their whereabouts and situation outside of this moment fall away as Wing tangles himself with the other mech.

[sword_redemption]

The kiss takes Drift's breath away, and his hands cling to Wing's body as though for balance, because the whole world seems to be spinning around them.

And then the room seems to spin for real, and he tears himself away, jerking his head hard to one side, clapping a hand over his mouth, trying not to purge his tanks.

[winged_knight]

A soft keen of confusion and regret as Drift breaks suddenly away, Wing lost for a moment in the transition. A lance of concern brings him back fully, the change in the other mech's demeanor hard to miss. 

He pulls back a bit, reluctant to let go completely, his voice full of questioning concern. "Drift..?"

[sword_redemption]

Drift would really be okay with dying of embarrassment right now. The worst possible moment to get sick, when he had everything he'd ever wanted, more than he dared dream about, right there in his hands. Wing, against him, the kiss warm and wanting.

"Sorry. I'm..._sorry."

[winged_knight]

Wing shifts, uneasy with concern. He shakes his head--the apology, the interruption, overshadowed by Drift's distress. There will be more chances, he is determined, but now he cannot put his own need before the well being of another, least all this one.

"What's wrong? Please tell me." The words are gentle, yet imploring.

[sword_redemption]

"Nothing." One hand clings to the wall behind him, as though he needs it to stay upright. "Just...it'll pass."

Even as he speaks, his knee servos start wobbling.

[winged_knight]

"If it was nothing would you have a problem telling me?"  It's rhetorical, his words gentle, because pushing too hard is the last thing Wing wants to do now. 

He shifts slightly, giving Drift a little more space, but unwilling to pull his hand away after that wobble. "Would some air help? We could go out back..."  It's an offer, the pavilion is probably airy enough, but it's also filled with people...

He's still not sure what's going on, but he's doing his best not to worry, to trust that it's really not important, fighting his instincts to help along the way.