[ OPEN LOG ]

[buffthis]

Who: Knock Out and YOU!!!
Where: All around L.A.
When: All day, TODAY
What: That talking sports car who is actually a giant space robot people have been talking about lately is out and about in L.A., being way less discreet than a Decepticon should.
Warnings: Inappropriately sensual is Knock Out's game. Approach with caution.

It's been only a few weeks since Knock Out arrived in L.A. after an extended tour in Europe, but he likes it already. He hadn't expected the vehicles around here to measure up to the ones he'd grown fond of in Italy and Germany, but the luxury car expo he'd tracked in L.A. had been a sight to behold. Admiring the glossy, flawless finishes on all of those perfect automobiles had nearly had him in fits of jealousy.

And the roads here. Knock Out can drive for miles, endless stretches of black asphalt that positively sing under his tires for hours on end. Yes, he thinks he could get used to this...he could stand to stay here for awhile.

Five years lounging around on Earth has made him slightly careless, and he hasn't been as discreet as he ought to be. But it's hard to contain himself when there's so much entertainment to be had on this planet. He can be found screaming down the California highways or cruising around the city -- occasionally, he'll send his holomatter avatar out to interact with the local life forms.

Comments

[goldpaw]

Vanessa's been spending a deal more time on the streets than usual for the last week or so, and for the most part she's been looking out for people. However, she, like a few others, can't help but notice the fact that this fairly distinctive car bears a striking resemblance to the one that was posted on the Watch recently, the first time she sees it, and she can't help but be intrigued. If it's true, she figures it's less likely that it's sentient or possessed and more likely just testing for some rival company's new technology – she's out looking for superheroes to keep an eye on, but she can always spare a little time to keep up with the competition...

The second time she sees the car, on another of her hero-watching excursions, she's quick enough to snap a photo so she can take note of the license plate, but without powers she's no better able to follow it than before.

The third time, however, she's not on foot.

I do not know jack shit about cars but we can only assume that the one Vanessa is driving is a Nice one, one of multiple Nice Cars she has in her posh garage – and when she spots that red car again, she's more than equipped to tail it. She isn't particularly subtle, either – it shouldn't take long for it to become apparent to Knock Out that he's being followed.

[buffthis]

Well, hello.

Knock Out's always keeping an eye out for nice-looking vehicles, and this one definitely fits the bill. With those rims -- that chassis? Oh, and he can hear the engine purr. It's a smooth ride, all right -- not unlike himself -- and yes, he's very interested.

He knows he's being followed, but that only makes it all the more exciting. As far as Knock Out's concerned, there's only one good reason a car like that would tail a car like him, and that's for a little one-on-one road time.

When they come to an intersection, Knock Out lurches ahead without warning -- tires squealing, he takes a swift turn around the block just so he can pull into place beside Vanessa, tinted windows still rolled up. He flashes his headlights and beeps his horn once, twice -- a challenge if he's ever issued one.

Let's race.

[goldpaw]

Vanessa raises an eyebrow, interest piqued. If there really isn't anybody driving that thing, whatever's going on here is more advanced than she anticipated – and if there is, well... her schedule for this afternoon wasn't packed. A race couldn't hurt.

She rolls down her window and looks at her challenger over her sunglasses (custom made to accommodate her abnormal ear position, of course), trying to see if she can get a glimpse of what's behind that tinted glass. She can't – but maybe she will before this is over. "You're on, hot shot," she calls over, and doesn't wait for a response before she puts her paw down and speeds ahead of him.

[buffthis]

Oh, he's already enjoying this. There's nothing Knock Out likes more than a spirited opponent, and the driver of this exceptionally exquisite car seems up to the task. His tires squeal as he tears down the road after her, his engine roaring in excitement. When was the last time he had a good race? Not since he left Europe, that's for sure.

It's not long before he catches up to her, pulling up alongside her as they speed through downtown L.A. "Not bad," he calls, although the voice is a bit too clear to have come from within the cab. "Very smooth ride, I'll give you that...but you'll be eating exhaust by the time this is over!"

[goldpaw]

With significantly more sensitive ears than the average human, it's hard for Vanessa not to notice that. She can't quite pinpoint the actual origin of the voice over the engine roar, but it definitely doesn't seem like it's coming from where it ought to be. More evidence that this is some kind of high-tech wizardry – and she really hopes that it is.

"We'll see about that," she replies, although if this is superscience she suspects it's pretty damn likely she's destined to lose this one. Her car isn't that souped up. She smirks, all the same. "Are you new around here?"

[buffthis]

"I just rolled into town last week," Knock Out says, sounding rather smug. He's obviously just as convinced he'll win, but it's really the thrill of the race he's in for. "And you?"

Somehow -- probably because he was too busy ogling the sweet rims on the car -- he's only just noticed that its driver looks...substantially different from the other organics Knock Out's seen around here. She doesn't look like any other alien he's ever seen, but she's also definitely not human. It's curious, but still secondary to how supremely sexy he finds her car, because Knock Out has priorities.

[goldpaw]

"Oh, I'm local," she tells him, ears pricked – and adds, with a chuckle, "despite appearances." Last week. Hmm. "Business or pleasure?" She sounds pretty casual, but she's very interested. There is no way that voice is coming from the driver's seat.

[buffthis]

Ah, well, far be it from Knock Out to think too hard about the idiosyncrasies of organic development. Who cares, anyway? She's spirited, and Knock Out appreciates that. He lets out a laugh that seems to resonate in the rumble of his engines.

"Can't it be a little of both?"

WOW HI

[goldpaw]

"I don't see why not!" She's inwardly grateful that the roads are quiet enough that she can keep her eyes on that car as much of the time as she's doing. It's definitely a nice vehicle – certainly wouldn't look out of place in her garage – but if this is some kind of test of sensitive tech it seems like a strange choice to do it with such a doubtless expensive set of wheels ...

"You come far?" she asks, and it's starting to become apparent that she's trying to get at something here.

HELLO 8)

[buffthis]

Knock Out follows her around a sharp turn, enjoying the squeal of tires on asphalt. Ah, they're neck in neck now, and he could pull ahead, beat her out if he wanted, but he's actually enjoying the chatty banter. The driver actually isn't terrible, for a skinjob. Well, in a manner of speaking.

"Far enough," Knock Out says evasively. He's more than happy to keep this up, but not if she pries too much. "This place isn't really my scene, I suppose, but it makes for a nice vacation spot..."

Re: HELLO 8)

[goldpaw]

"Oh, no?" she says, peering at the darkened glass a little more blatantly, over the top of her sunglasses. "So what kind of place is your scene?"

[buffthis]

Knock Out laughs, almost a sneer, but it isn't quite that disdainful. He really doesn't care for organics, but this one is intriguing enough to earn his amusement, at least.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" he taunts smugly, just before he revs his engines and speeds ahead of her with squealing tires.

[goldpaw]

Oh, so that's how it is. Well, they were supposed to be racing before she'd gone and let herself get distracted by the conversation...

She speeds up, but he's gotten himself a bit of a headstart there and she's not going to be able to catch up quickly.

But she's not about to let him get away. She would like to know what the red car is doing here, especially as it becomes more and more clear that whatever the deal is here it's a more interesting than anything she was anticipating, and she's very determined.

[buffthis]

Unfortunately, Knock Out's decided this conversation is over. Vanessa was entertaining for a time, but he has better things to do, and he's not about to give away anything to her. He lets her catch up to him just once more, just enough for him to call to her.

"Well, this has been a lovely chat, but I really ought to jet...perhaps we'll rematch another time!"

There's a haughty laugh in his voice as his engines roar, picking up speed, and he shoots down the street, turning sharply off at a corner as he expertly weaves through traffic. Well, that did feel good.