A ninja and a kung-fu bot walk up to a vending machine...

[thxforthememories]

WHO: Kagerou and Power Joe
WHERE: Police HQ
WHEN: RIGHT NOW
WHAT: PJ wanted to test the vending machine he found. ... he also said he wanted to do it in a week. Kagerou took him seriously.
WARNINGS: STUPID MAN CHILD ROBOTS DOING STUPID THINGS.

[With the help of Stumpy -- again -- it only takes a few hours to get from Trion's temple to where he needs to go. Although, he's not entirely sure of what to do once he gets inside the place. How is he meant to find the other BP unit? He hasn't seen Power Joe since this whole mess started.]

[He has the Acolyte stay put outside, before venturing into the building. While he doesn't know what sort of creature the other BP might be right now, it can't be too hard to find him, can it? Personalities seem to have remained intact. He just has to look for an obnoxious individual, who isn't spouting off some poor attempt at English.]

[And isn't playing with a soccer ball. Which should help narrow it down.]

[He prowls through the hallways, trying to be as unobtrusive as possible. It occurs to him to call out for Power Joe, about halfway through his search. He pokes his head into what looks to be an office.]

Power... Joe?

Comments

[kungfugeek]

[PJ's eyes match Kagerou's for a moment, as if feeling his sentiment. Could...Kagerou ever even fit in? Power Joe often had his doubts. Many times. he was just too...distant. He didn't work well with a team.

But...he'd promised McCrane he'd try.]

Ah ah!

[He grips Kagerou's fist, holding it in place.]

You don't want to do that.

[thxforthememories]

[He holds the stare as long as Power Joe does. With a confidence he doesn't truly feel. Maybe he... maybe he shouldn't try so hard. Maybe that stare is right -- and he doesn't belong.]

[His whole arm tenses when PJ grabs his hand.]

... Let my arm go. Then explain why.

[kungfugeek]

If you really want to, I can let go.

[And he will too. But he's just trying to save you the pain.]

Humans aren't built like us. They're squishier. Softer.

Easier to break.

[thxforthememories]

... Let go. [A beat.] Please.

[He won't hit it. He just wants his hand back.]

I wasn't going to break anything.

And how to you suggest we get it out?

[kungfugeek]

Relax, new guy! I got this.

[PJ moves away from the ninja a moment, going behind the machine. There's a few metallic clanks and a little grunt before the 'bot' comes back into view.

With two crowbars.]

[thxforthememories]

[And Kagerou just... stares.]

[He keeps staring.]

Are you... serious? Now you want to destroy it?

[kungfugeek]

...

Well you're the one who wanted to wait a week. I was joking about that, by the way.

[thxforthememories]

... You were? Why didn't you just say...?

[He's never going to feel like he fits in, is he? He's never going to understand...]

[His hands tighten on the crowbar. And, in a sudden burst of helpless frustration, he strikes at the vending machine glass.]

[kungfugeek]

Because I didn't mind.

[Or because he's just as stupid and stubborn. Either works.]

...!!

[He leaps back in surprise, shocked by Kagerou's sudden...movement.]

Whoa! Easy there!

[thxforthememories]

[He keeps the crowbar buried in the machine, where it's wedged into a package of Shrimp Puffs. His breathing is a little harsh, but he appears to be calming himself.]

... It's opened now.

[No reason to bring insecurities out into the open.]

You're welcome.

[kungfugeek]

[Power Joe would usually take this time to say how stupid of an action that was, and probably make fun of Kagerou...but you know what? He got the job done. Or part of it, at least.]

Well, that works. Nice job, new guy!

[There's a hearty pat to Kagerou's back as he slams his crowbar in next to him, breaking the voicebox of the thing.]

"W-Wee...lcome..."

[thxforthememories]

Don't call--

[Except he's suddenly smacked on the back. He jumps a little, jerking his crowbar out of the machine.]

[... with the bag of shrimp puffs still attached to it.]

-- me that.

[Though, he doesn't look too broken up by the machine's voice slowly fading. If anything, he looks incredibly vindicated.]

That's better.

[kungfugeek]

Well, you're not fond of newbie, and you are the new guy. You really want me to make up my own?

[PJ looks at the bag for a moment, snatching it off of the crowbar and tossing it to him. Hey, they were humans now, might as well indulge themselves.]

I think we deserve an award, don't you think?

[thxforthememories]

Just use my name...

[He shakes his head, catching the bag. Shrimp Puffs spill everywhere as the bag flies through the air. He gives PJ a look.]

For breaking the machine open?

[kungfugeek]

Don't you know how it works, Kagerou? You give nicknames to the ones you're closest to! Why do you think I call Drill Boy 'Doriko'?

[Oops. He'll just give Kagerou an innocent smile.]

Yeah! I think we deserve it. Besides, I've never had food. Like real food.

[thxforthememories]

... I thought they were just to irritate you.

[Since Gunmax is really the only one to hand them out to him.]

[He looks down at the bag.]

Kay gave me a swiss roll. But... I haven't done it either.

[He holds the bag out.] You first.

[kungfugeek]

Not all the time.

[His eyes dart down to the bag being thrust in his direction, before shoving it back.]

No way, you had food first! I think that makes you the taste tester.

[thxforthememories]

Right.

[Doesn't he sound skeptical?]

[He frowns, dubious, but... takes a shrimp puff. And tries it.]

... It's different.

[kungfugeek]

[The skeptical response gets a shrug in return. Well if you're not going to believe it, he won't put much effort in either.]

...

Different how?

[Before Kagerou can answer, he takes a shrimp puff and pops it in his mouth.]

...huh.

[thxforthememories]

Not sweet.

[Because when all you've ever "tasted" is gasoline and energon, how else are you supposed to describe human food flavors?]

See?

[They're not bad though -- as evidenced by the ninja taking another one, and chewing on it thoughtfully.]

[kungfugeek]

What's...sweet?

[Whatever it was. It apparently wasn't THIS. He took another one as well, popping it into his mouth and letting the flavour soak in.]

Right. Not sweet.

[PJ you don't even fuckin' know.]

[thxforthememories]

Swiss rolls.

[He says like it explains everything.]

[One eyebrow arches, but he chooses not to comment on PJ being. Well. PJ. Instead, he hands him the bag, and reaches into the vending machine.]

[... that sure is a bottle of milk coffee he found.]

What is this?

[kungfugeek]

...What is a Swiss Roll.

[Yeah that explanation did nothing, Kagerou.

But he looks over when he pulls out that milk coffee.]

...No idea. Drink it and find out.

[Putting the back in his teeth, he reaches in with his free hand and pulls out...wasabi chips.]

[thxforthememories]

It's Kay's favorite food.

[That should clear it all up right there.]

[But despite that TERRIBLE ADVICE, he squints at the bottle, twisting the top off, and tasting some.]

[His eyes widen.]

[And in short order, the bottle is gone.]

[kungfugeek]

[Actually no, that doesn't clear up anything, Kagebird. PJ'll just stare in bewilderment at the ninja's logic...until he sees him down that milk coffee.]

Whoa, easy there, buddy!

[Yep, he said the B word.]

Now what are these....

[Opening the Wasabi chips, he places one in his mouth. Green is never a good colour okay.

...And he flops over.]