The Valentine's Day Spa Episode

[cyberformedmods]

Closer inspection of the chamber where Alpha Trion’s book was found uncovered where he had been living. There wasn’t much there, but there was a data pad. Granted it was low on power, but there was just enough juice to see Alpha Trion’s last entry - coordinates to his next destination. Put them into the space bridge, and you’ll find yourself on a different moon, in front of a large, clearly Cybertronian structure. Go inside, and you’ll find...

A very fancy spa. Just about everything is made of shiny chromed metal, aside from the windows that give a view of open space. There’s five Cybertronians staffing the place. They inform you the moon is called Etis, though they aren’t exactly sure how you found your way here, since it was meant to be a hidden retreat for just the Primes. Not that it has seen much use since the war broke out. But hey, while you’re here, you might as well enjoy it, right? There’s no other guests right now, so it’s not like the workers have anything better to do. Alpha Trion left about a month ago.



The most prominent feature of the spa is a large, open area with pools of hot oil for soaking in. The pools are tiered with different levels, getting smaller and warmer as they go up. There’s ledges of various depth in each pool, so they can accommodate Cybertronians of all sizes. The main pools are pretty large, but a few of the raised ones that require a walk up some stairs provide a bit more privacy, since they can only fit a few people at a time. While the lighting is general a bluish purple color, the Cybertronians working there will gladly change it if you ask. Just off the pool is also a sauna for drying off in.



Next, a lounge looking area, with surprisingly plush sofas. There’s snacks to munch on, energon to drink - of just about any kind you could think of - and of course, a few other substances to help you relax. Drift might have been serving them in a solid form, but here there’s only pipes made for sharing.

Further upstairs, the building branches into more halls with private rooms. These offer a variety of services, from buffing and waxing, repainting, fixing worn out tire treads, to all kinds of massages. There’s even some cozy little rooms for reading or recharging. The rooms can generally fit a small group, and the workers don’t mind bots wanting to partake in activities together. They are very good at their jobs, but if you want someone you know giving you said massage, that’s okay too. They will just inform you that if you make a mess of the room and leave it, Primus will be deeply disappointed in you, and you won’t be welcomed back.

Overall the workers are very polite, but they will be a bit more leery around Decepticons. And it might be best not to give them your name if is someone they might have heard of. They don’t have first hand experience of the war, but they aren’t clueless. That said, enjoy your stay on Etis!

Comments

[taselikeabee]

( Oil Baths )

[ all right so they've missed Alpha Trion. maybe they should truck on and hunt the guy down, but the vote's in and it's to stick around for just a bit. they deserve it, right? things have been so hectic and crazy as of late. a few days to wind down and get some work done might be just what they need.

at least Bee is perfectly content to go straight to the oil baths. he hasn't had one in ages. not a quality one anyway. and this place? just from a glance the mini can TELL it's nothing but quality. the pool he's in is a smaller one towards the top. it's hot and Bee is just sinking in all the way up to his chin. snug as a bug in a rug. ]


( Lounge )

[ Bumblebee isn't so much into the 'other substances' as he is the other things. engex? yes, please. kicking back and relaxing. snacking. maybe getting a little buzz. don't be too surprised if Bee shows up and offers a drink or some kind of snack. it's very possible. ]


( Random )

[ pick a place or an adventure. Bee is generally pretty easy going so it's not like he isn't going to be participating in other things. massages. going to a sauna. bring it on! ]

(Random)

[quietone]

[When they had found out where Alpha Trion had gone, Soundwave was generally fine with going along to check the place out. They had no idea what they were walking into after all.]

[But now that he was staring down a less than threatening spa resort? He couldn't really see a reason to stay. 'Relaxing' wasn't a thing he did willingly. They still had a ship in less than working condition, and getting buffed wasn't going to get the R1 fixd any faster.]

[He at least took a walk around the building to see everything. To make sure there wasn't anything of interest. All of it just looked like frivolous activities to him. Soundwave rolled his shoulders, turning to head back down the hallway he had come from. At least the ship would be nice and quiet to work in, with the bulk of its crew here.]

[taselikeabee]

Now I know you're not going to just crawl back to the ship.

[ guess who?

Soundwave probably doesn't have to guess. Bumblebee isn't actually stalking him this time. he actually had just caught the other from the corner of his optic while on his way to maybe get a touch up on his paint job.

but going back already? Soundwave, please. ]

[quietone]

[Yeah there was really no need to guess. He was starting to wonder if Bee had some kind of sixth sense for when Soundwave was trying to be antisocial and could just pop up whenever it happened.]

-nothing of interest--to me--here-

[Bee, please. He's got better things to do than relax.]

Drift | OTA/Various

[alwaysadrift]

((just slamming an empty header in here while I get my shit together and will add starters under it as I plot stuff. If you want a starter, let's talk! If you have an idea, just post and surprise me. Drift will likely sample all the activities in an effort to try to relax and de-stress, with only marginal success.))

Oil baths - Soundwave/OTA

[alwaysadrift]

[Soundwave]
[ Slipping into a hot oil bath sounds delightful after spending nearly two weeks on an island in the Antarctic. Granted they'd gotten Alpha Trion's place into something of a habitable shape again, but it was never what Drift would call toasty comfort (unless he was abusing use of Megatron's warmth, but that's a whole different story).

Two drinks in hand, Drift moves over the narrow walkways separating the pools, but it's more than just natural instinct that has him gravitating towards defensible locations in the higher tiers. The number of murders has escalated again and he's still no closer than he was before to being able to do something about it. It leaves him on edge regardless of how hard he tries to escape for a little bit.

He's not the only who seems interested in the higher pools though, many of them are occupied already. When Drift sees Soundwave he pauses, an earlier conversation making him resist his tendencies towards solitude. He moves that direction. ]

Is this seat taken? May I trade you this drink for it?

[OTA]

[ Long after Soundwave is gone and that conversation done, Drift lingers in the pools, oil up to his neck and feeling the heat sink deep into his struts, the engex loosening up the rest of him. Given the languid, half dozing expression on his face, Drift may have finally reached some semblance of relaxation, albeit chemically aided. His swords still remain close at hand though, one of them still sheathed even, but his Great Sword and his other short sword lay across the walkway. A careful patron would navigate over them with no issue, but the light is a bit low... ]

[quietone]

[He was only sitting in one of the oil baths because he was 99.9% sure if he tried to leave again, Bumblebee would just suddenly pop up behind him. You'd think in a relaxing spa, the minibot would have better things to do than stalk him, but apparently not.]

[Besides, it did feel... nice. It had been ages since he'd been in an oil bath, and the heat did loosen some of his stiffer feeling components.]

[His optics fix on Drift as the Autobot approaches, head tipping to the side. He's not sure why Drift would want to hang out with him, when Rodimus or Megatron were here. But if Drift was here, maybe Bee would leave him alone for a while. He shrugs.]

-if you want-

[alwaysadrift]

[ Drift is completely unaware of Soundwave's minibot stalker, so he feels a little friendly company couldn't hurt for either of their sakes. And Drift needs a distraction himself, as much as he wants to ask about security footage from the day of Ratchet's murder, it's just going to ramp up his paranoia again. He's been told, ordered almost, to get a little R&R. And though Drift loves his partners, he doesn't need to take up their time every moment of the day. ]

Well, I could go impose upon someone else I guess... ] Drift looks around at his options one last time. ] But I get the feeling you're one of those people with whom silence is not awkward, but sometimes welcome.

[ Such a rarity, so many feel if they share space with someone then social rules dictate they be talkative and sociable. Not that Drift is ready to just sit in silent camaraderie just yet, but it's a demonstration of trust that he would relax in Soundwave's presence enough to so do at some point.

He dips a toe into the pool, stirring the viscous surface of the hot oil, before stepping down onto the first step and taking a seat on the edge. He sets one drink down, and pulls two curly straws from his storage and after donning each drink with one, he hands it to Soundwave. Hopefully he can drink through a straw....???]

As promised.

[sparkwhisperer]

[The relaxation that the spa is meant to bring is somewhat wasted on Damus. Having spent the majority of the last several months in a forced state of relaxation, he's had about enough. He's eager to do something beside sit around uselessly.

Damus' aimless meandering brings him to the oil pools where he thinks he might benefit from a long soak to loosen some of the tension that he's holding in his joints. He nearly trips over the swords laying across the pathway. With a low curse he kicks them to the side, irritated at how carelessly placed they are. Perhaps he should have noticed that he recognizes them before he finds himself awkwardly faced with a mech he has been purposely avoiding all month.

Drift has been an awkward topic for Damus since the fateful day in his quarters shortly after the outbreak of pollen. He hasn't known how to address the matter, or how to rightfully act around the Autobot after their dalliance. Unfortunately, whether he's ready or not, Drift is exactly who he's stumbled upon. If he hadn't made a ruccus tripping over those swords, he could have perhaps slipped away unnoticed. As it stands, well...

I hope I haven't disturbed you.

/claps hands!

[alwaysadrift]

[ It's probably a rhetorical question, or one offered out of polite propriety, because Drift looks just a little bit 'disturbed'. Standing waist deep, oil running in rivulets down his form, the short sword that had remained sheathed now decidedly not, held aloft in a defensive position. Drift has clearly not rid himself of all of the tension of recent events if the reflexive engagement of combat protocols is any indication.

His optics flicker rapidly when he realizes who's disturbed him though, battle ready tenseness flowing (mostly) from him just as the oil does, a bit of embarrassed fluster taking it's place. ]

Uh, no. Ah-hah. Er, rather, it's fine. I must have dozed off.... [The sword tip floats downward and Drift rubs the back of his neck sheepishly, the memories of their last encounter more than a little awkward.] Sorry I...I didn't realize I'd knocked them into the path...

[Grabbing for the distraction, he sheaths his one weapon and reaches to collect the other two, even if the Great Sword is now slightly out of his reach.]

Detailing Parlor - Megatron/OTA

[alwaysadrift]

[Megatron]

[Drift stands in front of the door, dark, heavy hands on each shoulder, optics utterly offline. He can feel Megatron's familiar presence behind him, a comforting wall of grounded solidity softened by affection. He can tell they must still be in the spa somewhere, but where exactly Drift is not sure. They've taken too many turns and ramps and stairs and with his optics offline at the tank's request he's lost track of where they are. Not a difficult task, as he hadn't had a chance to explore the entire place yet anyway.

His helm tilts up so he can speak over his shoulder. ]

You carried me this far, so I assume this is our destination yes? Do I get to find out what this surprise is?

[OTA]

[ After a thorough cleansing after the oil baths, then a full massage, buff and wax, Drift exits the detailing parlor with a somewhat lightened step then when he entered. His plating shines, bright whites and deep reds and glossy blacks against chalky gray, the scent of the wax clinging to him with a fresh woody scent and just a hint of subtle floral.

Drift's worries are not gone, but they weigh a little less heavily now, and he feels as if he should check in on some of his other friends and loved ones who have had a hard time of it as well... ]

I wonder what Rod is up to right now. Or Wing.... Or...

[He's deep in thought, unfortunately blocking the doorway as he decides on his next course.]

8d

[sorrynotguilty]

[ it's all because Drift has been too wound up. normally Megatron isn't the sort to condone all this lax behavior... however there is something to be said for a bit of relaxation after the stress of all these recent events. there has just been too much going on and it's just been piled on one after another. Megatron can FEEL the tension in many fields, but especially Drift's.

that's why he's decided that a break might to everyone good. this is also why the tank has seen fit to commandeer Drift and direct him to a place where he can relax and get some work done he could desperately use. ]

Go ahead. Remember that you're not allowed to refuse though.

[alwaysadrift]

[ Drift knows when he's nearing his limits, but he's bad at taking care of himself, somehow dancing on the edge of his healthy tolerance making him feel good, righteous, that he's working hard regardless of what the results are. That he's worthy.

Megatron apparently thinks he's worthy of this though, and Drift's optics slowly come online, casting a look from the sign over the door to Megatron and back again. ]

Can't refuse, hmm? And what about you? Are you going to watch the whole time? Or participate?

OTA

[crankycat]

Oil Baths

[Unless you're somebody like Megatraon, catching a glimpse of Ravage relaxed is probably a rare event. But after recent dvents, even the Decepticat can't resist the draw of the oil baths. He slips into one of the pools, and lays down until only his head is above the oil, optics closing after a moment as he lets out a sigh. As he lets the pool relax him.]

Random

[And of course as a spy, he's going to be checking everything else out. Possibly not participating unless it's drinks. But feel free to run into him.]

Rodimus

[heroicpose]

(( Just a top level placeholder to contain all my OTAs/closed threads and add on as I go. ))

for Damus

[heroicpose]

[ Even after finishing recovery, there's some lingering aches in Rodimus' frame. Honestly, he attributes it to stress, since it's been a bit of a whirlwind of that lately. An oil soak isn't exactly unwelcome, since it's been a long time since he had his last one anyway.

He was settling in to the oil, sinking down up to his neck, and he almost had his optics fluttered shut when out of the corner of an optic he notices a purple frame. Immediately his venting hitches, his frame heating as his spark seizes in his chest, his brain going somewhat numb as he can't help but stare across the room. ]

[sparkwhisperer]

[If he had truly tried, Damus could have pretended that he didn't see Rodimus lounging in a pool of his very own, optics bright with some indiscernible emotion. Even so, he could have easily ignored the Autobot and gone about his business.

However, he thinks they may be overdue for a conversation.]

Rodimus. [It's a neutral greeting, holding none of the malice that might have been found in Tarn's voice. Damus just sounds slightly tired. It takes him a moment to find his next words.] I hadn't expected to see you. But since you are here, I was hoping to have a rather overdue discussion with you.

[warworld]

[ Lounge ]

[ Life of piracy and raiding didn't exactly mean a straight edge life, though Deathsaurus typically got to indulge far less than his crew did, out of lack of time and need for responsibility. Well, he has more time and less responsibility now, so he's enjoying it.

The large mech can be found in the lounge, the mouthpiece of a pipe periodically being brought to his lips to take a drag off it, then exhales great plumes of purple smoke from his nose and mouth. His optics are glued on a datapad in hand, a fairly tawdy cover on the back with various highlights about fashion, relationship tips, and 'celebrity' gossip.

Not his usual choice of reading material, but he can't seem to put it down. ]

[ Sauna ]

[ After a long soak, getting dry is generally the next step. Deathsaurus wanders into the steamy room in his kaiju form, his wings still dripping by the time he enters. After a while in the heat, he starts to feel somewhat tired, and he curls up on the sleep, head tucked under a wing. ]

[ Random ]

[ Wildcard it up. He'll probably be down with whatever. ]

Lounge

[sparkwhisperer]

[The stress of Kaon's arrival is weighing heavily on Damus. He had expected that a soak in the oil pool would relax him, but frankly running into Drift and the ensuing conversation left him rather on edge. He has a lot to think about, but perhaps it can wait for a short while. He'd heard humor of a particular substance being offered in the lounge to aid in the tranquility that he's been so desperately craving.

Of all the mechs that could have been present in the lounge when Damus arrives, he frankly relieved that it's Deathsaurus. He has never been one to press matters regarding the rest of Damus' old team mates. Plumes of smoke crawl toward the cieiling as Damus approaches the Kaiju from behind, clearing his throat to announce his presence. He peaks over Deathsaurus' shoulder to see what has him so enraptured.

Oh.]

What are you reading?

[It's an innocent enough question, though Damus hopes that he manages to keep the slight judgement that he feels from his voice.]

[warworld]

[ Being approached from behind always puts Deathsaurus on edge, and as Damus leans over his shoulder, his wing blades lift and spread slightly in preparation of defense. He hasn't lived this long being lazy and inattentive.

Though Damus' voice puts him back at ease, and he takes another draw off the pipe before rolling his head back enough to look at the mech with his topmost set of optics. ]

Something rubbish I found. It's empty entertainment.

[ One headline on a page reads CITY SPEAKER FACEPAINT: NEWEST FASHION TREND OR CULTURAL APPROPRIATION? ]

Sauna - Just because

[deceptamom]

[ Someone mentioned Deathsaurus was headed for the sauna. so that's where Nickel headed. There was something she wanted to ask him. Nothing important or drastic thankfully. Thankfully because she forgot whatever it is was that she wanted to say upon seeing him. Because. This is the cutest sight she's ever seen.

She silently takes a picture. New comm background image get! ]

[warworld]

[ Just like a giant, fire breathing, bird monster-cat, as if sensing that a photo was being taken of him, he stretches and cracks one eye open. For a moment it's out of focus, the aperture of the optic blown huge, but then it adjusts down to a pin prick as it focuses on Nickel.

Were this his warworld, he'd maybe be less flustered, but part of him startles at the fact he let his guard down so completely. ]

Commander...

Flashpoint - OTA - brackets or prose

[shitflashpointsays]

[ A. Pools/Detailing Parlor ]

Flashpoint is generally dubious of all good things; statistically speaking, their track record of actually being genuine has been pretty poor in her experience. But having someplace to travel to other than the ship, the moon, and skulking around earth was intriguing in and of itself, so of course she ends up at the spa like everyone else.

Even an idiot would realize this was a thing to take advantage of while the option was there! She hits the oil pools first, which is sheer bliss for joints that should have been replaced a long time ago, and the good cleansing that follows is more thorough than any she could do herself. (Or maybe that attendant was just getting fresh with her, she's unaccustomed to these things okay?!)

The detailing parlor though, that has an appeal all it's own. She always looks a little banged up, in part because she's not all that cautious with her body but also because her autorepair is a little glitchy. It's definitely nothing to do with poor self maintenance habits though. She takes great pride in taking care of her paint job and the altmode which holds sentimental value for her.

And then there's copious evidence of the fact that she has frequent interfacing partners now. Paint transfer that always seems to end up in unreachable places and for some reason asking said partners to clean her up is way more intimate than the deed itself IT'S HARD SHUT UP

Flashpoint looks like she needs a good detailing and then some. So she's standing in the waiting room ready for her turn, finger tapping on an arm and door panels swinging gently from her hips as she shifts her weight.

"There a waiting list or something?" she shouts, wondering where the attendant is. "I want the works, altmode first!"

[ B. All around the place: Altmode or Holo ]

Between the pools and the detailing, not to mention the bit of massage that apparently came with it, Flashpoint's ready for a nap. Which suits, since she's insistent on natural dry time for the enamel on her new paint job. Except her mind is far too active to stay in one place. So it wanders, literally.

While she rests in altmode just off the detailing parlor lobby, her holo goes wandering to scout out what she wants to do next. Will the cybes here wonder why a blond/orange haired middle age plus human woman is doing wandering their halls? Probably, but she's walking around like she owns the place anyway. Flashpoint pokes her head into the sauna, the employee break room, (wow sorry was that a restricted area?), and finally the smoking lounge, where she sticks around for a little while. The smoke is thick and has an odd effect on her holo emitter, creating some odd feedback, but it's not enough to keep her from exploring the room, climbing over furniture, and generally trying to find out how those in the room are effected.

"You all just blowin' smoke for giggles or this stuff actually doin' sumthin'?

[ C. Wildcard ]

[Come at me with whatever!]

Detailing

[sparkwhisperer]

Damus has been waiting for nearly 10 minutes for an attendant. He was just about to give up when Flashpoint arrives. He recognizes her purely as the tender from the night that he visited Deathsaurus at the bar. He supposes that she's overheard some unsavory things about him from that conversation.

"I wouldn't bother shouting. I'm not sure anyone is here. "

CLAPS HANDS

[shitflashpointsays]

Heard some unsavory things about the Mech Formally Known as Tarn? Goodness let her think for a moment! It's actually not as gossip worthy a list as one might think, not for recent times at least (the earlier seasons were definitely more colorful and mature rated though). Still, Flashpoint's swapped word battle challenges with Emotron recently so like she can judge much.

Flashpoint notices him the moment he speaks, and makes her usual quick assessment that only a war veteran would out of habit, then she makes optic contact like a normal person.

"Maybe, but I just can't leave without knowing I've tried my absolute hardest." She says with too serious dramatic flare, sounding just like a terrible motivational poster. "You don't wanna be a quitter do ya?"

Okay. Perhaps not the best choice of words for this individual.

"C'mon. You deserve a good detailing just as much as the next loser, right?" Yeah. That would be her. Hello there, person who was formerly really terrifying and might still be.