re_alignment | [Action/Accidental Video] [Broadcasting from: Junkpile]

[The feed flickers on, and the junkpile comes into view. Well this is nice and all but- oh wait, there's a cannon right over there! It's an old looking thing (Earth-wise), definitely beneath the notice of more technologically advanced lifeforms. A tiny figure flickers into the shot, and he examines the many levers attached to it.

Four remembers this! There's a bunch just like it back home. It's more out of curiosity than anything that he decides to see if he can operate it on his own, without his family around. At this point he's been poking and experimenting with it for the past hour, trying to do all the tasks needed to fire one shot. First he has to finish loading the ammunition.

The shell is a couple inches bigger than he is and five times as long. You'd think a stitchpunk would have problems with that... and you'd be right. Four realizes how much harder it is to load a lethal projectile into a cannon without his brother around. After finally managing to push the shell into place, Four turns his attention to the lever on the side. This one spins and controls where the cannon is pointing, so he fiddles around with that until the cannon is pointed at the top of a nearby junk heap.

This lever in front of the target is the one that fires it. Four's face scrunches up in concentration as he takes a running start before throwing his full weight at it, successfully pushing the lever down.

BOOM

The pile he was pointing at explodes, and Four momentarily disappears as debris rains down on him. He appears a moment later and examines the damage with interest. What an explosion! The Stitchpunk looks mildly pleased with himself, his experiment is a success!

Now everyone can rest easy knowing that a seven-inch-tall living doll can operate dangerous weapons.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Thundercracker would deny caring if asked. He's a Decepticon, and a Seeker at that. Creatures like Four are supposed to be FAR beneath him.]

[He'll remember that later. The video shocks him and he's responding before he thinks about it.]

Four! Four, are you all right? Pit, what are you doing?

[It really doesn't take Four long to realize that his communicator has switched on... oops? Oh, it's Thundercracker! Four's face lights up and he gives the seeker a sweet smile. Nice to see you!]

I'm okay! I should have angled it a little better so the debris would have flown a more specific direction.

[There’s almost a groan at the stitchpunk’s glee. On the one hand, the tiny thing could get himself killed so fragging easily. On the other, though . . . the Seeker can relate.]

If you’re going to be messing with things like that, Four, you should at least have someone there to help you handle them, make sure they don't get the better of you.

[Is he offering? No . . . no, not at all, of course not, don’t be ridiculous . . . Slaggit, Four, don't get hurt, okay??]

I'm not going to make a habit of it! D: I just wanted to see if I could operate it without my family. The last time I used this we were trying to destroy a machine who was after our souls. I don't really need a weapon.

. . . actually, Four, yes you do.

I know there's no war here - not like at least all the Cybertronians here are used to [himself VERY much included] - but there are still dangerous individuals around. Plus the monsters from the Badlands that they're always talking about. You would do well to arm yourself. Or at least have something that you could incapacitate an attacker enough to allow you the chance to escape.

[Yep, leave it to a Decepticon to talk to a living doll about self-defense and learning to fight.]

Edited 2012-10-09 02:11 (UTC)

[Four wants to say that that doesn't frighten him, but it does. As bold as he's gotten over the past few months, he still acknowledges that there are many, many things here that he should be scared of. He's so small and the world's so big; death and injury is quite possibly around every corner.

In fact, he's out here all on his own, and he just drew attention to his position.]

But I cannot carry a weapon around with me! At least not one that can do any sort of damage to anyone your size. I am a librarian, a chronicler. I should not have a weapon. Danger can be avoided if I hide until it goes away.

[Thundercracker should feel bad for scaring the stitchpunk - and there's a part of him that does - but it wasn't his intention . . . though if "scaring some sense" into Four is what it takes, he'll do it without hesitation. Survival can be cruel like that. Battle can be cruel like that.]

Not if it spots you first, Four. Hiding can't save you every time. And-

[He hesitates, catching himself . . . and LOCKS the comm before finishing his point. No sense in broacasting this to just anyone.]

And with the right weapons, it is possible for you to do damage even to someone my size. You just have to know where to strike. And in that case, your size is actually an advantage. Your weapons do not necessarily have to be big.

I will teach you if you will let me.

[It takes a while before Four can answer. The prospect of being able to protect himself is an enticing one, but Four doesn't like weapons on the whole. Having a weapon means that he could potentially hurt someone, and even if his life is on the line...

The Scientist wouldn't want that, would he?

But on the other hand it's not like they haven't used weapons to defend themselves before. Not just cannons, but blades and lethal traps. His family is small, but none of them are innocent. The offer hovers over him and he fiddles nervously with a piece of string.

Should he accept the offer to politely decline it?]

You would be willing to teach me? Why?

[Perhaps a question or two to stall until he decides.]

[Thundercracker is silent for a long moment, a frown on his faceplates as his optics slide away to one side.]

[That’s a good question. Inherent in it – at least in his mind – is “why does he care?” He shouldn’t, he knows that . . . but . . . ]

Because I’ve seen too many innocents taken advantage of or killed because they could not – or would not – defend themselves. [He’s not going to mention the part where he’s been direct party to it more times than not.] If someone is going to attack you, for whatever reason, it will not matter to them that you don’t want to fight them. It only means that you will fall to them, and all the more easily. If you can defend yourself – and are willing to – you at least give yourself a chance you would not otherwise have.

And it’s not just yourself. It might be another that you’re defending. What if you wanted to help someone else but couldn’t? Not because you’re too small, but because you just don’t know how.

[Four considers the words carefully, turning them around in his head as he examines them from every angle. It occurs to him that this is a massive decision and he wishes desperately that his brother were here to help him make it. Seven, One, Three, and Eight would have told him to accept the offer, while Two, Five, Six, and Nine would tell him that he doesn't need weapons.

The idea of defending someone else though... can someone like him really do that? Sure, Four has imagined himself as a hero, who hasn't? But the reality is that he's seven inches tall in a land of giants.

Hmm.]

You make a good point... I will try it. 7 knows how to fight, I suppose I can too. How are you going to teach me to defend myself?

Edited 2012-10-16 07:27 (UTC)

I have a few ideas. You’re here in Alpha Trion’s temple, right? Meet me here.

[He’ll send coordinates/directions to a relatively empty storeroom where they’ll not likely be interrupted. ]

Or I can go get you and we can go together. [Since it occurs to him almost belatedly that that might be easier – certainly faster – for the tiny stitchpunk.]

I'm in the junkpile right now, but I think I should be able to get there... eventually. But I think it'd be better if you came to get me! It'll take me a couple of hours to reach Alpha Trion's temple on my own.

All right. I'm on my way. Leave your journal on so I can home in on the signal to find you faster.

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[Video/locked] Action or log? =3

Perhaps log?

Okie! You mind starting that or you want me too? I'm good either way