Aren't we supposed to be on patroll? (open)

[nightstorm]

Two teens sat at one of the outdoor tables of the burger-bot. the smaller of the two girls was digging into a burger, managing somehow to get the mess everywhere inside a three inch radius of her lips. the older one, who had dark curls, scowled as she picked at her salad.

"You know," Rachel said, wiping he mough on her sleve. "It would be more efficent to eat as one. not to mention it'd cost less."

Nightstorm frowned. "I am not eating that... you know that used to be a perfectly happy organic? i prefer salad, thanks."

Rachel waved the half-eaten burger in front of the other girl's face. "You know you want this juicy, meaty, delicious..."

Nightstorm swatted the thing away with more than a hint of disgust. "I hate you, do you know that?"

"Love 'ya too, Nighty." the blonde laughed, taking another bite.

"As soon as you're done, we need to get back to patroll. we're not even supposed to be taking this break." she informed the girl.

"Ralax, the city'll survive if we take a lunch break." Rachel looked down the street that ran beside the burger bot. "I wonder if anyone else's out. maybe they can join us when we start patrolling again."

[Slug]

Shibala frowned at the piece of paper-- a poorly drawn map made by none other than his brother, Sunnathy-- in his hand, then looked up at the... Burger Bot? What? Burger Bot? Really? That... was disturbing.

Really, he didn't know why "Master Inventor of All Time, damnit, or nothing else!" had told him to go here... and retrieve some nasty, grease-infested pound of meat called a 'burger' (the name itself sounded quite... disgusting. It almost sounded like booger, much to Shibala's chagrin). Honestly, was he the only one didn't eat... well, that? As far as he knew, he was, and he wasn't going anywhere near this 'Burger Bot' place...

Well, until now, anyway.

So, with a deep sigh, Shibala shoved the abomination called a map into his pocket before taking a step inside 'Burger Bot', immediately vowing that his brother would never get a 'Burger' at this place, and that 'Master Inventor of All Time' could eat the death-packed meat-slabs all he wanted, because the smell of this place was like a morgue for animals.

The staring Shibala got from the 'I'm-shoveling-my-face"s was understandable. After all, it's not every day you see a man with a metal arm walking around, let alone see them in a fast-food place. But, really, did they have to stare at him like he was some walking bomb? Well, actually, he was, if you counted the explosive hormone chips in his brain, but they didn't know about that-- ...er, well, the way they were staring at Shibala made him want to rethink that, actually.

No matter, he had a mission to complete-- despite how disgusting it was-- and he would do it perfectly, or die trying... aha. Death by fast-food. Why wasn't that surprising?

Walking up to the gaping cash-manager, Shibala quirked a fine, steel-silver brow at the acne-ridden teenager. "...There's a fly in your mouth." He noted, amusement in his voice. The red-head squawked an 'ew!' and shut his mouth, the fly managing to, well, fly out of the male's mouth before it could be eaten, thankfully.

Shibala did not want to see someone eat a disease-carrying insect-- he'd laugh himself silly if he did, and that would definitely not be proper, especially in front of all these people.

"H-how may I t-take y-your order?" The teenager stuttered nervously, sweaty adam's apple bobbing a little with his jarred words.

Smiling in a-- hopefully-- comforting manner, Shibala answered. "A burger."

"...Dude, you obviously haven't been here before, have you?" The red-head chuckled, though shakily, eying the silver, spiky-haired man before him curiously.

Shibala couldn't help but snort. "For good reason. Now, how about that burger?"

"Uhm... what kind?"

Time stopped. Shibala stared. People sweated bullets.

Yes, it was the end of the world as we know it.

"...There are kinds of these things? Do they breed or something? Because honestly, that is disgusting." Shibala blanched, and the teenager actually laughed-- at him! Of all the nerve!

"Dude, chill. I'll get you a kid's meal-- sound good?" The red-head asked, though walked away before Shibala could answer, much to his annoyance.

"How rude." Shibala grumbled, then he himself walked away from the counter, allowing another customer to make their order.

'Might as well talk to someone as I wait', He thought, pursing his lips as he pondered this. Who would he talk to? Who could he talk to? Most of these people were either leaving, or too-scared to talk to him. Maybe if he just threatened them a little-- aha. Bingo.

Smirking slightly as he caught sight of two females, within a few strides he was at their table, pulling a chair from another, though near-by table and sitting down on it backwards, crossing his arms across the back of it as he smiled at both of teenagers.

"Have you noticed that you're the only one here who is eating leafy-greens? Not that I can blame you, of course." Shibala said to the one eating the 'leafy-greens'. Then he tilted his head and glanced at the other girl, a frown on his lips.

"Oh, pardon me for my rudeness, loves-- my name is Shibala. Shibala Kyrupteran. Howdy-doo?" He asked, tipping an imaginary top hat at both of them.

---
ooc: Ho-mah-fudge. e.e This post is full of fail. D| Sorry, Nightstorm. ;3; I t-tried.

[nightstorm]

Nightstorm's eyes followed the metal-armed man as he walked up to the counter. she smiled at the boy at the register's reaction, and at the man't difficulty in ordering.

"What'cha looking at?" Rachel asked, spraying burger bits across the table. the girl tried to turn in her seat, but Nightstorm kicked her. hard. "Ow! what was that for?"

"If you look you're gonna stare. you always stare." Nightstorm's gaze returned to the girl.

"Do not." Rachel defended.

"What happened when you first saw the autobots?"

Rachel's face flushed. "I stared. but that was different."

Nightstorm was about to reply when the metal-armed man pulled up a chair, sitting down backwards on it.

"Have you noticed that you're the only one here who is eating leafy-greens? Not that I can blame you, of course. Oh, pardon me for my rudeness, loves-- my name is Shibala. Shibala Kyrupteran. Howdy-doo?"

Rachel's eyes bore into the man's metal arm, but she was brought back to the present with another kick from Nightstorm.

"Hello, Shibala. I'm Night, and this" Nightstorm jerked her head at Rachel, who was making a rather valiant effort to not stare. "Is Rachel. and yes, i find that a salad is more nutritious, and it leaves me feeling less weighed down, like a burger can."

"Hi." Rachel squeaked, face a shade of crimson. Nightstorm was rather embarrased by Rachel's behavior, and considered re-fusing just to save them both the embarrasment. but that would probably confuse Shibala, who was being awfully kind so far.

[Slug]

"Hello, Shibala. I'm Night, and this is Rachel. and yes, i find that a salad is more nutritious, and it leaves me feeling less weighed down, like a burger can."

Shibala was about to say something in return when another, more timid voice spoke up, nearly startling him out of his seat.

"Hi."

Clearly, the blonde was embarrassed about somethi-- oh. Oooh. How could he have forgotten so quickly? "Lovely meeting you, M'ladies." Shibala responded smoothly, smiling kindly at the blushing blonde, watching her antics with amused, blue eyes.

"I don't mind the staring, Rachel." He said out-of-the-blue, the corner of his lip twitching. Hopefully he didn't embarrass her further with that-- he didn't want to chase the two away, now did he? So, thinking quickly, he uncrossed his arms and wiggled his metal fingers at Rachel.

"Do you want to touch?" He asked, raising his pierced brow, his smile toning down to look gentle. "You can't hurt me, I promise." Shibala added, grinning cheekily, wiggling his fingers again before looking at Night. "Again, I can't blame you. The food here is... rather disgruntling." He grimaced a little, his lip piercing glinting in under the ceiling lights.

"Sir?" A familiar voice broke in, and Shibala turned his head to look at the red-head from before, who was holding a bag out for him.

"Here's your order-- it's on me!" The teenager said before dropping the bag onto the table and rushing off, leaving a owlishly blinking Shibala behind.

"...Thanks?" Was all he said, his tone baffled.
---
ooc: Omfg. Fail. Again. x-x' (brick'd)

[nightstorm]

Rachel, still slightly embarrased. reached out to tenitively poke one of the metal phalanges.(XD) satisfied, she pulled her hand back, ignoring the look Nightstorm was giving her.

"How'd you get it? the arm, i mean." She asked.

Nightstorm kicked her yet again, then turned to Shibala. "Excuse her. she's just curious. overly curious if you ask me. You don't have to answer." She waited untill the cashier had left hearing-range to say. "Ugh, some organics. they're scared of anything different." she shook her head.

normally she would have used the word 'human' while out in public. but she had forgotten that for a moment, and had failed to correct herself.

[Slug]

"How'd you get it? the arm, i mean."

"Excuse her. she's just curious. overly curious if you ask me. You don't have to answer."

"A... well, after my arm got shot off, a friend of mine made it for me. He claims that he's the 'Master Inventor of All Time'." Shibala mused, looking at his metal arm for a moment, as if in deep thought. Shady wasn't exactly a friend, but he most certainly was an amazing inventor. If he hadn't created the Atom Arm for him... well, jeezus. He probably would have bled out and died. A rather dark thought, but it was true.

"Cruiousity may have killed the cat, but what about the girl?" Shibala asked, raising both eyebrows at Night, smirking a little deviously.

"Ugh, some organics. they're scared of anything different."

Pursing his lips in thought at that, Shibala eyed Night curiously. "True. But it's only natural, I suppose." He rolled his shoulders, making them pop and his thunderbolt earring jingle.

"But then again, there are some that are so afraid, it's quite ridiculous."

[nightstorm]

Nightstorm's eyes narrowed slightly. 'Master Inventor of all Time'? sounded like an egotistical organic, or possibly... no, that was impossible. wasn't it? Most Decepticons hated Organics, so why would one build an arm just to save one?

then again, a 'con could change sides. she was living proof.

"Really? why does he think that? unless he is, of course, and that would be cool." Rachel's eyes shone in intrest. "And i guess if curiosity killed the girl, i'd be dead by now, ey Nightey?" she smiled at Nightstorm, who scowled in reply. it was, in fact, Rachel's curiosity that caused her to fuse with Night in the first place, saving Night's life.

however, it was the same curiosity that so often caused her to get into sticky situations, making Night save her.

"Natural, sure. but completely un-neccisary, if you ask me. people do the wierdest things out of fear." Night smirked at Rachel. "This one once hid in a closet for half a day because she had just seen a scary movie. she was convinced an axe-murderer was going to get her. wich would be quite bad for the axe-murderer, with me around."

Rachel flushed again. "Hey, shut it. i was thirteen."

"that's only, what, two years ago?" Night lauged, and took another bite of her salad. "So, Shibala, what's the most scared person you've ever seen?"

[Slug]

"Really? why does he think that? unless he is, of course, and that would be cool."

Shibala snorted, clearly amused by Rachel's comment. "I suppose he's a prodigy, maybe, seeing as he's a few years older than yourselves. But I doubt he's 'Master Inventor of All Time'. I'd like to see the day where a real inventor comes along and shoves that title down his throat." He said, grinning a little devilishly at the image he got, though that grin soon fell as he thought of something.

"Then again, it's not every day you get a second chance to live." He added softly. "I mean, I would have... died from blood loss had Shady not operated on me, so I suppose I'll let him continue on believing he's the 'Master Inventor of All Time'." Shibala smiled slightly at this.

"And i guess if curiosity killed the girl, i'd be dead by now, ey Nightey?"

Say what?

Obviously, he had given Rachel an odd look because Night swooped in and came to her companion's rescue with a quick "Natural, sure. but completely un-neccisary, if you ask me. people do the wierdest things out of fear. "This one once hid in a closet for half a day because she had just seen a scary movie. she was convinced an axe-murderer was going to get her. wich would be quite bad for the axe-murderer, with me around."

Rachel turned cherry red at that, and responded with "Hey, shut it. i was thirteen."

"that's only, what, two years ago?"

Shibala couldn't help but laugh with Night, amused at the two's antics. They were like the female versions of Shady and Sunnathy!

"So, Shibala, what's the most scared person you've ever seen?"

Shibala, without thinking, blurted: "Shady-- the one who gave me my Atom Arm. He had been so paranoid about me backstabbing him, he planted explosive hormone chips inside my brain. God, you should have seen his face when he told me-- white as a piece of napkin, let me tell you."

Blinking a few moments afterwards, Shibala made a little 'o' and slowly, sheepishly, he said: "Awkward."

[nightstorm]

"Then again, it's not every day you get a second chance to live."

Nightstorm knew that. she knew it more than she'd ever like to admit. she had nearly joined the well of all sparks, not two years ago. if Rachel hadn't stumbled upon her that day... she didn't want to think about that.

Rachel recovered from her blushing when Shibala started to laugh. realizing how funny it really was, she began giggling, then started laughing. Even Night cracked a smile, and Rachel thought she saw the older girl chuckle.

"Shady-- the one who gave me my Atom Arm. He had been so paranoid about me backstabbing him, he planted explosive hormone chips inside my brain. God, you should have seen his face when he told me-- white as a piece of napkin, let me tell you."

Both girls stopped laughing instantly. Nightstorm choked on a lettuce leaf. Rachel fell out of her chair, and spent a second or two on the ground before she realied, and climbed back up.

"Awkward."

no slag, thought both girls at once, in one of the rare times when they shared thoughts while seprate.

Rachel opened her mouth, then closed it. "So... your brain can explode?" she squeaked, almost too quiet to hear.

Night didn't even kick her for that. she was too busy staring at the man's ceranium. what sort of organic would...? unless it wasn't an organic...

"Who... who is Shady... exactly?" Night asked slowly, almost carefully.

[Slug]

"So... your brain can explode?"

Shibala winced at Rachel's words, making his thunderbolt earring jingle. "...Yes and no. Shady... he got rid of the detonator a long time ago, but the chips still remained, seeing as my brain grew around them. Trying to remove them without killing me would be impossible." He admitted, though sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head nervously.

"Who... who is Shady... exactly?"

Uh-oh. Shibala knew that tone of voice anywhere. It was practically accusing Shady of being a criminal.

Well, he couldn't allow that, now could he?

"Now, look here, Night. Shady ain't who you're probably thinking he is. He did it out of fear-- yes, maybe it's pathetic to you, but he most certainly is still... my friend. And that's all you need to know."

Yes, his feathers were most definitely ruffled.

[nightstorm]

"...Yes and no. Shady... he got rid of the detonator a long time ago, but the chips still remained, seeing as my brain grew around them. Trying to remove them without killing me would be impossible."

Rachel nodded, her fear slightly reduced. she had heard of explosive signals being hacked, but that was just movies... right? movies lied all the time.

...right?

Meanwhile, Nightstorm was back-stepping.

"Now, look here, Night. Shady ain't who you're probably thinking he is. He did it out of fear-- yes, maybe it's pathetic to you, but he most certainly is still... my friend. And that's all you need to know."

"It's not pathetic at all, Shibala. i didn't mean... i'm not insulting him at all. i've done silly things from fear. i was just..." what? wondering if another mad robot scientist was loose? worried that perhaps she'd botched the job those years ago, and he... it, had found it's way to earth? perhaps.

because to tell the truth, Nightstorm was scared, scared that her worst memory had come back. but that was irrational. she'd killed that slagger nearly two years back. there was no way in the pit that he could've found her.

"I was just... wondering. i... i don't have the happiest past. there was someone, someone bad... a long time ago. i just wanted to make sure he wasn't back. i have no doubts Shady is your friend. i'm just being silly, that's all." she finished, sitting back and hoping she hadn't said too much. Rachel was looking at her, almost in pity. Night kicked her. she hated pity.

well, not really. she hated when pity was directed at her. that was it. the hate of pity was something it had tried to program into her. she wouldn't let him.

the kick went ary, and her foot hit the support beam for the table with a matalic *ping*. the shock of it traveled up her leg, and she coughed in surprise. embarrased, she wiped her chin with a napkin, cleaning up whatever had been coughed up. when she pulled it away, she saw a spot of moror oil on the paper. she quickly folded it, but not before Rachel spotted it.

Night saw her moth open, about to make a noise of disgust. she kisked again, but missed once more. this time she wasn't lucky enough to hit the support.

her foot collided with Shibala's leg. Night's violet eyes widened in surprise and embarrasment.

"Oh, gosh. I... I am so sorry! Are you alright?" she asked quickly. Rachel was caught between a laugh and concern, and concern won out, though a laugh still threatened in her ribcage.

"Way to go, Stormy." she shot the older girl a look, then turned to Shibala. "You okay?"

[Slug]

"It's not pathetic at all, Shibala. i didn't mean... i'm not insulting him at all. i've done silly things from fear. i was just..."

Immediately, Shibala felt guilty for being so hasty, face shamed. "No, no. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so quick to assume." He said softly, embarrassment prickling in his tone.

"I was just... wondering. i... i don't have the happiest past. there was someone, someone bad... a long time ago. i just wanted to make sure he wasn't back. i have no doubts Shady is your friend. i'm just being silly, that's all."

Again with the guilt. "I can... sympathize with you, Night." Shibala admitted, though there was a hard, cold edge in his voice that warned the two girls not to ask anything.

Hopefully.

Shibala let out a squawk when he felt something hard collide with his leg, blue eyes widening with surprise. "What the--?"

"Oh, gosh. I... I am so sorry! Are you alright?"

Aha. So that was what that had been.

Shibala gave a weak, though slightly pained smile towards Night. "Quite a strong kick you have there, but I've felt worse."

And it was true. The scars from the beatings his father gave him were reminders of that.

"And, yes. I'll be fine. Nothing like a good kick to the shin to wake me up." He said, grinning crookedly at his own humor.