[Video]

[thelastprime]

 [The feed flickers on, but...something doesn't seem right.  Yes, it's showing Optimus Prime (or one of them) and that's all fine and dandy, but... there's something about him that seems off. He has his back faced towards the camera, looking out towards Liege Maximo's temple. He was starting to become affected by this glyphless state. He'd been able to hold it off for as long as he could, but...it was maddening.

His fists clench and unclench as he looks down at the stasis cuffs Perceptor had provided for him.  He didn't remember those coming off, and seemed to be glancing at his hands.  The scientist did say it was temporary.

There wasn't enough time to get to Liege's temple. 

So...]

Autobots. Report in.

[He had to end this. Before it started.]

(ooc: Technically he didn't say HIS autobots, so...anyone's game to jump in on this.)

Comments

[Action!] Okay to jump in here?

[neverputincharge]

[And Bulkhead's arriving as soon as he can. He slows, though, as he gets there. Watching Optimus, seeing the change in him.

He doesn't speak up right away, eyes a little dim. Though he straightens up as he gets closer. There's still an ache in his spark at the thought of doing this. They let Optimus down when he needed them, again. Only made worse knowing there was no way to fix it.]

YES

[thelastprime]

[One of his hands flick when Smokescreen steps forward, and his plating seems to hitch slightly. It was as if Prime's body reacted when it felt threatened. But...he's still trying to keep it under control.

For now, Prime had a handle on the situation.]

I apologize, Smokescreen...I could not think of any other way.

[When Bulkhead arrives, his eyes dilate and contract immensely, as if he has to keep himself together twice the amount.]

...Bulkhead.

BULLLLKKKKK

[shutupndrive]

I know..

[His optics flicker and he glances back at Bulkhead, not even bothering to try to smile in greeting.

No reason to smile after all.

He turns his focus back on Prime, noting the differences in his stance, fists clenching lightly.]

[neverputincharge]

[No, no reason to smile at all. He notices the stance change too, and his own fists clench as he stops near Smokescreen.]

Optimus, I'm...sorry. [What else do you say? He didn't want it to come to this.] I only wish we coulda done more.

[thelastprime]

Please do not blame yourself for this. I knew my fate the moment I requested it from you.

[He wished he were better at this consoling thing.]

[neverputincharge]

[Primus knows Bulk's been doing plenty of consoling himself. Specially for Smokescreen.]

No, I know who to blame, and it's not you either. [It's Unicron. Though a part of him blames the FirstForged too for not having a way to fix it.]

[shutupndrive]

[Smokescreen shifts, optics dimming just a touch, a slight scowl touching his face.

Yeah, he blames the FirstForged just a bit as well.]

There...there's been others. That have died and come back....maybe you will to. This can't--it can't be a permanent fate.

[He's trying to have some hope. Because this is Optimus and he doesn't want to lose Optimus. What would the rest of the team think?]

[thelastprime]

We will hold ourselves to that hope then, Smokescreen. After all, if we do not keep our minds open to all options...

[He trails off, shakily going to put a hand on his shoulder, but stops himself. No...something told him that was bad.]

I am sorry to put you through this.

[neverputincharge]

We can hope, maybe Optimus will return...with a glyph. [It didn't seem all that unreasonable. The FirstForged took care of the dead...right?] ...never thought I'd be considerin' people comin' back from the dead. Not without bein' Terrorcons anyway.

[He watches Optimus reach out, and he tenses without thought. He moves up closer to Smokescreen, if not a little in front as if to protect him.]

Smokescreen...[He glances at the younger bot.] Ya don't have ta be here. [It's ridiculous, he knows. But it's finally kicked in that maybe the rookie shouldn't be here.]