4th wall after the fact - a thing that should have happened at route_29

[getthehorns]

[ The residents of Casa de Rikku will get a rather rude awakening this morning in the form of Cliffjumper's Haunter freaking the hell out. Yes, Cliffjumper has magically vanished from his usual spot next to Rikku while everyone else was dead asleep. The Ghost pokémon seemed to be the first one to notice as he drifted through the wall of the bedroom.

The sudden appearance of a big red car in the front yard has also got Tanta a little startled. ]

Comments

[machinamonkey]

[Rikku screams and falls on her butt again]

Cliff?!

[getthehorns]

Yes, it's me. I--

[ Wait a minute. Wait a minute. ]

All Spark, it's me.

[machinamonkey]

Why are you a big red machina with wheels and not--wait. You're a machina! You're a...a...auto-whatever again!

[getthehorns]

Autobot. And I never wasn't an Autobot- that's more who you are than what you are. I'm a Cybertronian again. [ The car rolls back a little, away from the pokémon, and Cliff transforms. The car unfolds in a whirl of shifting parts, and Cliff rises to his full 25-foot height. He flexes his fingers, his arms his legs. Just moving. ]

Ohhh man, does it ever feel good to be back in the metal!

[machinamonkey]

[And Rikku's just standing here. Gobsmacked. Jaw open and everything]

I'm dating a machina.

[getthehorns]

[ Once he realizes she's staring, he at least has the decency to kneel. ] Not quite what you expected, huh?

[machinamonkey]

Not really.

[She pauses]

...You don't know how hard it is not to climb all over you and poke around and stuff, Cliff.

[getthehorns]

You're welcome to look, but keep the poking to a minimum.

[ he'll even offer her a hand! ]

[machinamonkey]

Yay!

[Rikku climbs up and starts examining the first bit of metal she sees--his palm]

You're a pretty red.

[getthehorns]

Heh, thanks. Doesn't really come in handy for stealth, but I'm more of a "shoot it until it stops moving" kinda 'bot anyway.

[machinamonkey]

Being flashy just means you're a good distraction! That's why I keep Al Bhed flashbombs handy back home!

[Oh, man, she wishes she had something to record all this stuff. It's awesome]

So, what shape were you before you woke up? With the wheels.

[getthehorns]

That's my altmode. Basically a disguise, since we had to live among humans back on Earth. Not everyone can deal with giant robots walkin' around.

[machinamonkey]

Uh-huh. What kind of machina is it? A boat?

[getthehorns]

It's a car, Rikku. Land-based vehicle.

I could take you for a ride if you want.

[machinamonkey]

Ooh, really? We don't have them back home--it's all chocobos, hovers, or walking if you wanna get places on land. I'd love to go for a ride!

[getthehorns]

Get ready hon, because I'm gonna take you on the ride of your life.

[machinamonkey]

[She grins and hugs the closest part of him]

I'd kiss you, but I'm not sure if you taste like oil or not.

[getthehorns]

[ He lifts her up to his face. ] Are you sure I can't persuade you for a kiss on the cheek?

[machinamonkey]

Hm...okay!

[She giggles and does just that. It...hasn't really hit her that she's dating a machina. Otherwise, she'd probably be way more confused about what this says about her]

[getthehorns]

[ He grins at her. The whole "difference in species" thing hasn't really crossed his mind yet. He's just thrilled to be back to normal.

He lowers her to the ground and takes a step back so he can transform again. He swings a door open for her. ]

Shall we?

[machinamonkey]

[Rikku climbs in and starts poking a few buttons, namely climate control, the triangle-button-that-does-the-lights, and the radio, just to see what happens]

Can you feel that?

[getthehorns]

Kinda? It doesn't-- [ WHOA there goes the radio. He shuts that off rather quickly. ] What did I tell you about poking?

[machinamonkey]

What! I just wanted to know what the buttons did! I salvage stuff for a living back home when I'm not saving the world. Poking stuff is a habit!

[getthehorns]

Oh stop. I'm just teasing. Nothing you can do'll hurt me.

[machinamonkey]

Even if I took a screwdriver to you? Sees what makes you run?

[She giggles a little.]