[Actionspam/Video - Demonstration in the Lightning Tag arena]

[notatraitoryet]

Normally, the massive Lightning Tag stadium at one end of Calibiri Park in Zone 1 is something of a fortress. It's hard to get into without a ticket or special permission, especially when there's not a match in progress. Today, though, the gates stand open, and there are mechs on stands outside them, calling for one and all to come on in and see

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[knightslegacy]

[It was the first chance Kitt had gotten to observe Lightning Tag. It was an interesting spectacle and not for the first time, he considered adding wings to his plan.]

[But no. That was never what he'd been made for. And there was a certain freedom to the road that he couldn't imagine giving up for freedom of the air.]

[Along with the rest of the crowd, though at a more leisurely pace, he follows out of the arena. He'd remember that display.]

I suck at actionspam...so prose back at you ;P

[sniperdusk]

Despite some unexpected recent occurrences - the least of which being his self-scanning camo not kicking in for almost a week after arriving in town - there wasn't any definite proof that Xigbar was…dead, per se. In which case, he probably wasn't off the hook from compiling intel on this world, since he had no intention of being caught slacking off if Xemnas decided to pop in to join him.

In any case, and purely for research purposes, he had headed for the Lightning Tag stadium, aiming to just catch a match - although the special demonstration he had just seen was way more informative than just a regular game, in more ways than one

Yay prose!

[notatraitoryet]

He had, in fact, manage to attract Starscream's optics, and hadn't it given him quite the shock to see Skywarp standing there across the crowd from him? He'd been busy enough lately that the Skywarp lookalike who'd called himself Freeshooter had slipped his mind.

And the trick with the treat was something his brother would have pulled, so it wasn't until the other mech warped the bit of energon back to himself that Starscream realized this wasn't Skywarp. He managed not to look too outwardly dejected as he made the realization, although the tips of his wings did droop visibly.

He couldn't help a laugh when he received the transmission, and returned it across the same band. "See, that's what happens when I squander an opportunity to talk about how powerful and successful I am. People like you miss out on a chance to brush against greatness~." As much as shortwave allowed, Starscream's tone was wry.

Re: Yay prose!

[sniperdusk]

Taking the reply, wry though it may be, as an indication he was allowed to approach, Xigbar sauntered up through the crowd. "Don't look so bummed. Didja actually want one?" he asked out loud, offering the container of treats, as he deposited another one into his own mouth. It was nice to know that no matter how much changed, there was the universal constant of unhealthy confections for him to sample.

"…Mmm, and yeah, you really shouldn't waste any prospect to promote your skills - not when you'd be totally justified doin' so. Like seriously. I mean, dude, I saw you out there. That was flippin' tight." He chewed thoughtfully on the cube, briefly wondering if the edible was meant to be chewed at all. "It's no wonder you jets have got this reputation I've been hearing all about."

[notatraitoryet]

None too enthused with the prospect of explaining what it was that had made him droop, apparently visibly enough for this newly-minted jet to have noticed. So he made himself grin and reached out to take one of the little cubes.

"That was a neat trick, with the treat," he said with a nod. "Dirty, but neat." He gestured with the cube, then popped it in his mouth, optics shuttering as he crunched down and savored the trickle of flavored energon.

The grin was a lot more genuine after the compliment. "It's certainly not propaganda," he said with a laugh. "We've got our reputation for a reason. And my own is certainly not undeserved, if I may say as much~."

[SOMETHING! Maybe action, maybe...?]

[caelumtorqueo]

[So, Squishscream demanded this detour to see the festival, and while Skywarp's waiting to be (*eyeroll*) summoned in full Starscream style, he decides to check this thing out.]

Nice choreography. How long did you practice that to get it right?

[Action!]

[notatraitoryet]

[Starscream looks somewhat surprised he's being addressed--until he realizes that he recognizes the mech. That Tyran Skywarp... He laughs.] Why thank you~. I'm not ashamed to say that we had to put some work into it. No easy task to integrate a flight style like Hornet's with mine and Moonrunner's.

Re: [Action!]

[caelumtorqueo]

Yeah, looked like it. Would fail in actual combat, most likely.

But a pretty show piece.

[Grudging shrug: he's really just jealous. Even so, he's honest: ]

You were the best of the three.

Re: [Action!]

[notatraitoryet]

[Starscream's mouth twitches in a frown, but only briefly--he's in public, after all, and he's got an image to maintain.]

Good thing it's not meant to have much to do with combat, then, huh?

[But he can appreciate the honesty, and inclines his head in a nod.] Thanks. Been doing it longer than anyone, so I'd better be.

[calledthemedic]

[It's late when Ratchet manages to leave the stadium - having had the good sense to wait behind for the insane crowds to exit first - and he's amused to see Starscream leaning against the wall, instead of soaking up the attention as he would have expected.

But then again, this was a lot of unexpected from the seeker.

He made his way to the wall, and leaned back beside the jet.]

You were wasted on the war.

[Yes. That's a compliment. Of sorts.]

[notatraitoryet]

[To be fair, there wasn't a lot of attention for Starscream to soak up. Moonrunner and Hornet were both well-liked by fans, and Starscream wasn't about to detract from their well-earned acclaim by demanding attention of his own. Besides, being approached by those who could recognize him was generally more fulfilling than mindless adulation.

He couldn't help but recognize this mech with the ball bearings to saunter up and claim a piece of his wall--Ratchet, the medic who'd had those intriguing schematics. And the comment...

Just the sort of thing worth waiting for.

His mouth quirked in a smile--too lopsided to seem entirely genuine, but definite more sincere than his more usual cocksure smirks.]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so.

[calledthemedic]

[Ratchet can't help but smirk]

Well, you should know to listen to a medic. We're always right, after all.

[He shakes his head, but the smile doesn't leave.] That was impressive. And insane - though I think you Seekers need insanity most days. Still.... impressive.

[Which is as close as he can get to saying 'wow that was beautiful'.]

[notatraitoryet]

[He laughs.] Oh, are you? And here I thought it was Seekers and Decepticons who had the monopoly on ego.

[...Yeah, that lopsided grin of his is still there too.] We wouldn't be Seekers if we didn't test every boundary we encountered, would we? And there are so many common sense boundaries...~

Thank you, though.

[thunder_cracked]

[Having abandoned the spectacle of the tree in disgust, Thundercracker found himself drawn to the announcement of some kind of aerial display. It turned out to be a sport, one that was supposedly very popular in the Nexus. His interest was piqued right up until 'THE ILLUSTRIOUS STARSCREAM, FOUNDER OF OUR GREAT SPORT' was introduced.

And there he was. The Starscream from his universe strutting out amongst the other two players, looking as smug and pleased with himself as ever. The pure showmanship made Thundercracker want to purge. What a mockery this was after seeing Starscream lead armiesStill, the blue seeker stayed and watched, paying close attention. He was unable to find fault in the sport itself or the impressive rigs and stellar players. There wasn't anything wrong with what Starscream had created... it was just the simple fact that this Starscream was nothing more than a rich bureaucrat that made Thundercracker's energon continue to boil. And if he was being honest, it was also how slagging satisfied he was with it

[notatraitoryet]

[...Starscream can. Their style of Seeker-builds are unmistakable, and for all that Primaxians outnumber the other Cybertronian types, Seekers themselves are (relatively) unusual enough that they tend to catch Starscream's optics.

A Seeker wearing his brother's colors? There's no way he could miss that. But just as Thundercracker can't quite bring himself to call out, neither can Starscream. Not weighted down as he is by the knowledge that this is Thundercracker, this is his brother--and his brother had hung up on him.

Didn't...seem to want anything to do with him...

...But it's been so long.]

...Thundercracker. Did...you enjoy the demonstration?

[thunder_cracked]

[Thundercracker is silent for a few moments, conflicting emotions fighting for dominance. No matter how changed, it was difficult to convince himself to abandon his brother... Trine protocols were still running strong- the desire to be close with and protect his wingmate.

In the end, he somehow manages to keep his face unreadable as he turns to acknowledge Starscream.]

The sport is...admirable.

[It is said grudgingly- but he feels he must give credit where it is due.]

Your flying skills don't seem to have diminished.

[notatraitoryet]

[Thundercracker's reluctance is not lost on Starscream, his blankness like a physical blow. It's a fight to keep his own face from falling too obviously, but he manages.]

...Had to keep myself sharp, when it was just me and the lightning. Never saw a reason to stop, even if I'm mostly just flying for myself now.

But...thank you.