[video: forward-dated to the 24th]

[10_20_15_5_50]

Hey. [Sam grins at her drone---and thus, Haven in general---as she strides (a bit unevenly, as always) down the hall her apartment is in.] If we've talked a lot, or you've done me a favour, I need to know where you are, cause I've got something to give you. If you're at home? Great. If not? Say something, don't make me hunt. I got too much ground to cover today.

Comments

[10_20_15_5_50]

[You know who feels like the favourite, settling carefully onto her new perch? This chick. She knows she is, of course, but it's still nice to bask in that. For all of the drawbacks of being more or less marooned on an alien planet, her social situation is only awesome.]

Did you have the same---or same style, you know what I mean---detailing with your red? Trying to imagine you any other colour is weird, but trying to imagine the accents gone is as weird, almost. When I call you Haven's best-decorated dude, it's not just flattery. It's only ten percent flattery; the rest is truth.

[automobileenthusiast]

[Just keep the compliments coming he is loving it]

Actually no, I didn't have the detail work done until after I'd gotten to Earth. I didn't even have the doors until I needed to blend in with Earth vehicles.

[10_20_15_5_50]

[SHE KNOWS. In actuality, that's about half the reason she's said what she's said; it's all over the doc's aura, and there's something oddly endearing about the way he relishes the compliments. It's a little like seeing a small round bird in a patch of sun, even if it's not really like that at all.]

Okay, I wanted to before, but now I really want to see a picture. I don't suppose that's doable...? Is it?

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

Might be.

[Breakdown is just going to butt in now. Hey, he was, uh...busy. Shush.]

[automobileenthusiast]

I'm afraid I don't have any pictures on me. It sounds like someone might be able to help you out with that, though.

[In other words SUP BREAKDOWN welcome to the party]

[10_20_15_5_50]

Hey.

[Sam just grins, rolling the little parcel that is Breakdown's present between her hands. She's very content, settled on the dark strip between Knock Out's collarpiece and the raised portion of his shoulder, and it shows.]

Do I have to say please? Then please, and thank you, too.

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[He snorts, but is grinning.] Oh, well, since you said it so nicely, I guess I can’t refuse.

[Give him a moment, he’s just going to mess with his drone a moment and download some old image files he’s kept with him for ages now. Here, Sam, Knock Out, have a few images of Knock Out (and occasionally Breakdown), back around the very beginning of their war. Breakdown might have gotten a few images while training Knock Out how to use that trident of his. Anything he’s in with Knock Out is a posed-for picture.]

[automobileenthusiast]

[WOW those are old as shit bro]

When did you take those!? I look ridiculous!

[Yeah he may be trying to reach over and skip the ones where he's training. He wasn't exactly the most agile fighter back in the day ok]

[10_20_15_5_50]

Aha! Wow. [Sam laughs---more at Knock Out's reaction than anything, honestly---delighted, even if she braces a bit with the way the red mech reaches.] They're not that bad, buddy. Be cool---the 'wow' was only at the difference, and a little at the way, okay, that it feels like the holidays now. Old family photos tippin' the scales.

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[They’re old as shit, bro.]

[He’s just going to keep it out of Knock Out’s reach and angled so Sam can still see.]

I wouldn’t have kept them if I thought you looked ridiculous. [Besides, you might note three out of four are from an angle that shows off Knock Out’s aft. Take a guess as to why Breakdown really keeps these photos.]

See? Sam likes them too.

[automobileenthusiast]

[See since Knock Out has to be careful and not accidentally fling Sam off his shoulder, he doesn't struggle too hard to get to the pictures. He is going to get all huffy and immature though. Because KO.]

You practically zoomed in on my rear! Sam, don't look, these are inappropriate!

[he doesn't care that it's his ass actually, he just cares that he looks goofy in them >8U]

[10_20_15_5_50]

[Knock Out's indignation alone is entertaining, but his exclamations have Sam laughing harder than before.]

Okay, okay. I can't unsee anything but if you insist i will avert my eyes.

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[He’s chuckling.]

Why do you think I kept them?

[Because they’re totally showing off your beautiful aft. Who cares if you look like a sexy dork, Knock Out. He will, however go head and close the pictures.]

[automobileenthusiast]

[Knock Out just huffs like the mature adult that he is and crosses his arms. uh oh it's pissy time]

[10_20_15_5_50]

[Oh no this is not the time to be pissy. Sam gives the raised portion of his shoulder a consolatory pat-pat.]

Aw, man, don't be like that. Show him what your present was?

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[Breakdown looks interested] Present?

[automobileenthusiast]

[WELL FINE Knock Out cheers up almost instantly.]

She did some crazy voodoo to my paint job. Get a load of this.

[He hold up a creepy pointy finger and scratches at the back of this other arm with it. Normally this would leave an ugly mark, but NOW there's MAGIC PAINT oh snap.]

[10_20_15_5_50]

[Sam does the best Vanna White she can while still sitting, clearly quite pleased with her handiwork. As far as she's concerned, she should be.]

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[He's admittedly shocked to see Knock Out purposely scratch at his armor...and equally shocked to find no marks are left. He takes hold of his partner's arm for a closer look.]

Heh...nothing. That's pretty amazing, Sam. Perfect gift for Knock Out.

[automobileenthusiast]

[Knock Out wiggles his fingers at Breakdown, looking all amused. His voodoo armor is super cool, okay.]

I admit, I'm thoroughly impressed. Why don't you show Breakdown what you got him, Sammy?

[10_20_15_5_50]

[The little punk is just going to bask in this praise, okay? Okay!]

Thanks, big guy. I thought so, too. [And then, to KO:] Had it pocketed long enough.

[She holds up Breakdown's present so that he can see it, even take it if he wants to in spite of its being so small---something maybe half the size of Sam's hand, in a little red pouch with the drawstring tied tight.]

It's not much to look at, but I did everything I could to make it effective. It's for good luck, but you gotta have it on you, so I was thinking maybe it could go in your glovebox. Just... don't open the bag.

And if you do open the bag, don't ask me about it.

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[He offers a finger for her to set the bag on and lifts it up to look at as though he might be able to see through the paper.]

So...I can’t open it, and if I do, I can’t ask about it? ...Why?

[automobileenthusiast]

It's a secret, Breakdown. You wouldn't want to spoil the mystery, would you?

[SEE knock out's helping, sam. what a bro.]

[10_20_15_5_50]

[a+ robro, to be sure; this sort of thing is exactly why knock out now has voodoo paint]

If you really, really want, you can open it, because that won't actually affect its effectiveness... but I'm not going to explain its preparation. Suffice to say it's something I don't think I'll do again, but for that working? Yeah, worth it. Just feel loved.

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[Does he open it? Does he just accept the bag? Curiosity wins.]

Dump it outta the bag for me? [He wants to see it. He may regret it, but he wants to see it.]