It was around now that Maximus decided to check in on Nova. And what he saw was rather concerning.
The human girl had changed her outfit since the last time he saw her. Rather than her pilot suit, she had changed into more casual clothing. She was wearing a dark t-■■■■■ with a graphic of a golden drill on the front, along with a dark green coat on top. As well as simple blue jeans and mildly worn out tennis shows.
What was more concerning was her face. Her cheeks were a noticeable shade of red, and tear stains trailed down from her eyes. All upon a dour and sulking expression. She was still standing on Gungnir’s shoulder, almost finished with her work.
Being unfamiliar with humans, Maximus wasn’t entirely sure what the changes in her face meant. But he could guess it wasn’t anything good.
“Hey… everything alright?”
He asked as he stepped into the room.
“I’m fine.”
She said bluntly. Not even bothering to look in his direction.
“You sure? You don’t really-”
“I said I’m fine.”
She repeated sternly.
“Okay, okay. I won’t push it.”
Maximus said calmly.
“But maybe it would be a good idea to take a break? Today’s been pretty stressful for everyone. It might be a good idea to just take some time to relax.”
Nova sighed and put her tools down.
“Yeah, I guess taking a break wouldn’t hurt. Anything you have in mind?”
“Well, what do you usually do to relax?”
Nova thought for a moment.
“I mean, I really like to draw. But I haven’t exactly seen anything all too inspiring while I’ve been here.”
Maximus snapped his fingers. A spark of electricity jolted between his index finger and thumb as he did so.
“I got it! Why not go to the grand museum? There’s plenty of cool stuff in there that would be great for inspiration.”
Nova perked up a bit, actually intrigued by the idea.
“Alright. Sounds good to me. Just give me a minute to get my sketchbook.”
She climbed down on to Gungnir’s large backpack, opened a hatch, and dropped in. A couple minutes later a back door opened and she jumped out on to the desk. Now wearing a backpack of her own.
“Alright. I don’t want to take Gungnir out since she’s not fully fixed up yet. So I hope you don’t mind carrying me.”
Maximus smiled.
“No problem.”
Maximus and Nova walked out of the Primal Basilica. As this was the first time Nova was out in Iacon without her mech, she quickly felt especially small.
“So uh, how long is the walk? Is it far?”
She asked.
“Walk? Who said anything about walking?”
Maximus said with a cheeky grin. He transformed into his beast mode and stretched his wings out, raising them into the air.
“When you’re hanging out with me, you’re not walking anywhere. You my friend will ride in style.”
He lowered one wing so that Nova could climb on to his back.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?”
Nova asked as she hesitantly climbed on.
“Of course! I give my friends rides all the time. Though you’re probably the smallest passenger I’ve had. So you’ll want to hold on tight.”
Nova got into a solid position on the predacon’s back and took hold with both hands. Maximus spread out his wings as she did so.
“Alright. Just make sure you’ll be caREFUUUL!”
Maximus bolted up into the air as Nova desperately clung to his back.
“This isn’t careful! This is the exact opposite of careful!”
Nova tried to shout, but her voice was drowned out by the winds rushing past her. Even as Maximus leveled out she struggled to hold on.
Nova tightened her grip as much as she could with one hand, while she clutched her rune pendant in the other.
“Listen to me noble god of thunder. If you can hear me, please bless this rune that I have been gifted with your strength. Let this symbol of divine protection guide me to a gentle landing and keep me SAAAAAFE!”
She screamed as her grip failed, falling off Maximus’ back. The predacon felt her slip and turned back.
“Nova!”
Maximus shouted as he watched her fall. Wasting no time he went into a nose dive to reach her.
Nova plummeted down towards Iacon. With the rushing wind roaring in her ears, she closed her eyes and desperately held on to her pendant.
“Thor, Odin, Freya, please! I’ll take anyone! I’ll even take Loki if he’s listening! Please just let me live!”
“Don’t worry kid! I got you!”
Maximus shouted as he raced towards the falling girl.
Nova hesitantly opened her eyes and screamed in terror as an open set of metallic jaws rushed straight for her. The next moment she was closed in a dark space. She could feel teeth against her back and a segmented metal tongue beneath her.
Maximus flew down to the ground, close to the front of the Grand Museum. He gently landed on the ground. Ever so carefully he laid his head down and opened his mouth. Nova clumsily stumbled out, barely able to stay on her feet. She felt weak, like all her limbs were made of spaghetti. And her face was a sickly green.
“Oh god… I thought I was gonna die.”
She said. Nova stumbled back and leaned against Maximus’ head to support herself.
“I’m really sorry kid. Are you alright?”
Maximus asked her.
“Yeah… yeah I think I’m alright. I just hlaaaaa”
Nova stopped short as she threw up on the ground.
“Okay… now I’m alright.”
She looked Maximus in the eye with an annoyed expression.
“Two things. First, next time we go anywhere, we walk. I am never doing that again.”
“Yeah, that’s fair. Sorry.”
Maximus replied.
“Second… did you really need to put me in your mouth?”
“I was afraid I was gonna hurt you if I tried to grab you with my claws.”
Nova wiped her mouth with the sleeve of her jacket.
“I guess that makes sense… I swear this museum better be worth it.”
Maximus transformed into his robot mode and gently picked up Nova in his hands. He then placed her on his shoulder, and she leaned against his head. Maximus then walked into the museum, heading for the exhibits on the original 13 primes.
@Chromeharpoon
“While your concern is appreciated, I assure you it’s perfectly safe. More than that, it’s already far from here. Nothing that can be done now.”
Axis replied.
