AN: This was one of the more challenging ones to write, since I wasn't entirely sure where it was going at first (Serious or Silly? Couldn't decide). Eventually everything worked out…
Disclaimer: Transformers belongs to Hasbro/Takara. Just borrowing.
Rose: Original
featuring Sunstreaker and Sideswipe
The Autobot leader and his 2IC stood on either side of the double doors at the back of the immense convention center hall. Before them was a milling crowd of humans, all admiring the gleaming concept cars parked in elaborate displays on the hall floor. A complement of Prime's Autobots were outside, guarding the auto show against marauding Stunticons, who had crashed the party the previous year--literally.
Suddenly, there was a burst of rock music from the front stage. A man in a sleek suit hurried up the steps to cheers and applause, and he grabbed the microphone, grinning from ear to ear.
"I'd like to welcome you all to the 2002 Auto Concept Show," said the man, as the applause died down. "I'm Graham Leonard, president of Excella Motors. Everyone having a good time so far?"
More cheers from the crowd. Prime shifted his gaze from one end of the hall to the other, knowing Prowl was doing the same.
So far, so good, radioed Prowl.
Let's hope it stays that way, sent Prime. By the way, your idea for the twins' 'community service' detail was genius.
Prowl's normally stern visage split in a pleased smile. Thank you, sir.
"And now, I have a very special announcement to make," Graham said, to the delight of his audience. "Presenting our very honored guests--Autobots Sunstreaker and Sideswipe!"
On cue, Prime and Prowl opened the heavy metal doors. With a throaty rev of their engines, the Lamborghini twins entered the hall and drove slowly down the center aisle amid ooohs and ahhs from the crowd. A lightning storm of flashes went off, bathing the twins in bursts of dazzling light. First Sunstreaker, then Sideswipe, purred up the ramp to park on the stage, flanking the human emcee.
In a perfectly timed bit of theatrics, the left-side gull wing doors of each Lamborghini popped open. Two slender women, clad in skin-tight Excella Motors racing suits keyed to the color of their respective Autobot escort, slithered from behind the wheel.
"We'd also like to welcome Janice and Jennifer Bailey, our goodwill ambassadors for the 2002-2003 racing season," said Graham, as the women pulled off their helmets to reveal waves of brunette hair and identical pixie-like features. There were a few catcalls, and the human twins waved and blew kisses.
"I hate this part," gritted Janice from behind her smile.
"I know, Jan," said Sideswipe kindly. "It'll be over soon. Just remember what you told me--you'll be able to pay your tuition from the money you're getting from this appearance."
"Is Jannie whining to you again, Siders?" quipped Jennifer. Posing coquettishly against Sunstreaker's fender, she tossed her head and smiled for a group of fans taking her picture. "Hello, my adoring public!"
The yellow Lamborghini chuckled. "You're a girl after my own energon pump, Jen."
Graham spoke into his microphone once again. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Zack Williams and David Quinn, our championship Enduro racing team, will present our lovely ladies--and our guests--with a special tribute, courtesy of the City of Portland, also called the City of Roses." Two men in black racing suits approached the stage, each bearing huge bouquets of yellow and red roses. The racers laid the bouquets in the girls' arms and gave them chaste kisses on the cheek, and then stepped back to pose and wave to the crowd.
Graham smiled at the group on the stage. "And now it's my privilege to introduce Mayor Richard Reynold, who will make a special announcement." A short, balding man in an expensive suit took the stage, and Graham handed him the microphone.
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, honored guests," said the Mayor. "I'm very glad to be here." He smiled as the crowd noise died down. "Last year, the Decepticons thought they could ruin our show--and our fair city. Thanks to Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, who were in attendance that day, many lives were saved." He turned to face the Lamborghinis. "And so the City of Portland, our City of Roses, would like to extend an invitation to Autobot Sunstreaker and Sideswipe to be the grand marshalls of this year's Rose Parade." He gestured to the bouquets. "Additionally, this is a preview crop of our new 'Sunstreaker' and 'Sideswipe' roses that will go on the market this summer. We hope to make both varieties available to Portland retailers just in time for Valentine's Day next year."
"Wow, cool!" Sunstreaker gushed. "Whaddaya say, bro?"
"Count me in," said Sideswipe, and the crowd burst into applause.
Jennifer took a rose from her bouquet and pinned it under Sunstreaker's windshield wiper, then pressed her lips against the glass, leaving behind a pink lipstick print. "Congratulations, you sexy devil."
"Aww, don't encourage him!" groaned Sideswipe.
"Don't worry, Siders, I haven't forgotten you," said Janice. She, too, tucked a deep red rose behind his windshield wiper, and added her own pink lipstick print on the glass.
Prime raised an optic ridge and wordlessly turned to his 2IC.
Prowl gave a mental shrug. What's that look for? It seemed like a good idea at the time.
--End--
