"...hmm," she examined the glass for a moment, remembering. "Monitor... it's something I'm good at." She took another sip, returning her eyes to his. The red gleam, dim as it was at the time, was still catching her attention every time she looked up. Unlike Starscream, or the Decepticons she'd fought in her own universe, they weren't stirring fear or malice. For once, they were just... optics.

"I know. My teacher was one of them. Part of the defense force before the war." She smiled a little wistfully; if anyone ever asked, she'd deny it, but she had a bit of hero worship for Ironhide. "He could be warm, but for the most part he was, like you said, clipped and efficient."

"What about you?" She leaned over the table a bit, curiosity once again overtaking her. "You've already proven you're different from the 'norm,' so to speak. Are you happy where you are?" She looked away briefly, then returned her eyes with a tilt of her head. "I don't mean here, of course."