re_alignment | [very secure video transmission to Kagerou]

I... don't know. Maybe.

[He hasn't really heard enough stories to know that for sure. But this is all knowledge, right? A way to understand things he doesn't. Who wouldn't be a little bit in awe?]

I've just never seen anything like this before.

[He shakes his head, and turns his attention back to the other robot.]

... No. No one has ever said anything about it.

What is it?

You don't know?

[This is perhaps the most startling thing that has ever been said to him, and the expression on his face reveals his surprise.] Then, my friend, I shall have to prepare a small bundle of them for you before you leave. A bit of everything, I think.

[On second thought, he may need to get one of his acolytes to carry it back for you. A 'small sample' could be many dozens of datapads.]

Ah. Yes. Initiates. [How easily he can become distracted. Still, it has been a long time since he's had this conversation.] It is, essentially, what you were asking of me--a way for me to get involved.

[He points toward the maroon mark on Kagerou's arm.] That Glyph you bear--it represents your affinity towards myself. I am, through that, connected to you...but at current, there is little I can do besides attempt to keep the badlands from having their unfortunate effect.

If you become an Initiate, however...there is more that I can do to help you. I will know, better, when you are in danger, and I will be able to do more to keep you safe.

No. I... was only allowed what was programmed into my databanks. Nothing more was deemed useful to me by those who created me.

[It's true. He's considered sheltered for a reason. The offer makes him stare again, once more dumbstruck.]

You... why? Why would you do that for someone like me?

[Considering his opinion of the Firstforged, lately, this is a shock.]

[He glances down at his arm, touching it, briefly.]

Does that mean that I would be more able to look after others? [He frowns a little.] And... my memories would be safer?

[I would do anything to keep her safe...]

Of course I would do that. Knowledge should be accessible to any who seek it...and the entertainment value is an excellent bonus, as well.

[The idea that Kagerou's creators had kept him in the dark is displeasing, and goes against what Alpha Trion believes in. He would set that to rights, oh yes.]

[Given what Kagerou asks nexts, however, he cannot help but laughing. It's mirthful, at least, but the question is so absolutely apt.]

Yes. I'd say your memories would be as safe as possible. And more vivid, as well. There are other bonuses...'boons,' we call them. Some we grant ourselves, others will manifest in time, but each will improve your skillset and your wisdom greatly.

However, binding yourself to me in this way...

[His laughter quiets.]

It does come with certain responsibilities.

You're... I didn't think any of you wanted to do anything that benefited us. Not after... everything else that's happened.

[He didn't think any of them cared enough, to be honest.]

[His head bows. His memories -- the most precious thing he has. His very existence. They would be safe. No one could possibly erase them. Threaten them. But--]

And... Kay? Would I be more able to look after her? Help the others?

[Because if it's something that would work toward keeping Kay safe -- in addition to protecting his memories... he's suddenly not sure he could say no.]

[His expression flickers, faintly. A vague, bitter sort of smile.]

The catch.

What is it?

Ah. I can certainly see how it would seem as if we had no interest...

[It was difficult, he'd found. He did care what happened to his Refugees, and he wanted to record all aspects of their lives the way he recorded all aspects of the Work the Firstforged performed. Finding a balance between the two and between the Work he was supposed to be performing was the difficulty...and it saddens him. Visibly.]

There simply are not enough hours in the day. Some of us prefer to interact, and others of us do not. I am, as you may have noticed, a bit of a recluse... [He looked around the library.] Now that you're here, it may not be hard to see why.

Becoming an Initiate of mine, however, would change that. I will be able to give some of my tasks to you, which would free some of my time to better watch over the Haven and its occupants--and yourself, of course.

That is, in a way, part of the catch. You will be bound to me. You'll share in my domain, and share in what power I have, but you will also share in the job I have been given. I will need you to help prepare Cybertron, and you will need to move your residence to my temple in order to do this.

However, that would put you closer to the one you are interested in.

[Kay.]

Not enough to warn us when you lose dangerous things? Or... keep those others care for from going unmarked? To keep things like Overlord from hurting so many?

There are many of you. The others say you're powerful. Why then... do you say there isn't enough time?

[Maybe it's foolish to ask. Maybe he just doesn't understand something key. But these are the questions he needs answered. That others need answered.]

[And again, silence.]

[He folds his arms around himself. His wings flatten. Expression -- what little there was -- shuts down.]

... Prepare your world. How is something like me going to be of any use in preparing a world like this?

[Another thought. One he voices in as close to a monotone as possible. He still can't quite trust this being. Neutrality, lack of reaction, it's safer. Like it was when he escaped back home.]

If I agree... if I do this... will I be able to return home? [To the one who matters more than anything in the world.] I have a promise to keep.

I cannot speak for my brethren, but believe in putting out warning as quickly as I can. We...do not always see optic to optic on such things, however. I, for instance, do not agree with Overlord being released without prior discussion, but I was not aware of it until after it had occurred, and I believe that Megatronus did explain his reasoning.

[That tired look is back. Megatronus is...always difficult to clean up after.]

Beyond that, I am sorry to say...we do still make mistakes. We are not gods. Watching over everyone and everything is not possible for any of us, and there are some questions we cannot answer easily or fully.

You, I think, would be of great help, however. You can talk to other Refugees who arrive with my mark. You can help me catalog the changes that this world goes through, and help me decide what new changes need to be made. It would be very crucial work.

[His mouth closes on the last question, though, because it is one that he has never been asked before.]

No one has ever tried. We have not been able to get the Lambda stable enough. If we did... [He reaches for a datapad, shuffling it into order with another stack on the table.] I do not know what would happen. I can't see how I would prevent you from leaving, but...

Our bond would likely not extend into another world.

[He suspects it would hurt. A lot. But he can't explain how it would hurt, because one has to have experienced the bond to understand the pain of its severance.]

It wasn't good reasoning. He couldn't control him once. Who's to say he could if it happens again?

[It's easier to maintain the calm facade. To speak without inflection.]

Everyone here seems to think you're all some kind of great, powerful beings. Is that... truly not how things are?

[None of the other living robots said that. His head bows, as he... thinks that over. Just taking notes. Just watching. It sounds quiet.]

[... Like the work of a ninja.]

All you want me to do is... watch? That's all?

[If it were possible for the 'bot to hunch in on himself more, he certainly tries.]

As... long as I can leave... If there's a chance to see him again...

Am I allowed to think? Before I decide?

I believe Megatronus is paying more attention, now. We all are. [The recent events had changed much. The Firstforged, as much as they sometimes wanted to, could not maintain a position of non-interference forever.]

We are Primus's Firstforged. With that comes certain powers, yes, but we are exploring a new world same as you. We are not infallible. Why, just this morning I found a tense shift and multiple comma splices in yesterday's recordings, and I'm supposed to be good at writing!

Such things happen, even to the best of us.

For right now, though, all I would need you to do is watch, and talk with others, and possibly record what you see. I will even provide you with the tools to do this better than you can currently.

[He appreciates the questions that Kagerou has asked, and is glad he's gotten to talk this over with someone who is reasonable. Most of his Refugees tended to be that way, thankfully.]

Thinking before making this decision would be very wise--it is not a contract to enter into lightly.

However, no matter what you pick...I will help you try to regain your memories as I promised. It will be easier, though, if you chose 'yes.'

I don't want what happened with Overlord to ever happen again.

[Which is easy to want, when you're as naive as this one is.]

[The comma monologue earns a head-tilt. Since most of that ends up whooshing right over his head. Your language is strange, sir.]

Watch. Listen. I see. Simpler than I thought it would be.

[His fingers trace over his arm, as if fingering the mark there. He can protect Kay. Keep his memories safe. He could still return home -- to see him again. He just has to watch? To move the ~~nest~~ house?]

[That... there has to be more to it than that.]

I want to think about it. [To ask a few others about it. Others older and wiser than he is.] I'll... tell you. When I know for certain.

Really?

I don't want Overlord to begin killing anyone, again, myself.

[He misinterprets slightly, but...he figures that is the meat of the situation. Overlord's freedom is not the problem, so much as what Overlord does with it.]

That is all it will be to start with, yes. Over time, you would have more responsibilities, but only those that I mentioned for now.

Take as much time as you need, however.

[He smiles, and stands, selecting one datapad from the table and wandering towards another stack not far away to pick up another.] Of course. And I will be sending you away with literature, as well. [He holds up the pair of datapads, indicating for Kagerou to follow him.] Do you like mysteries?

That's why you aren't trusted. You... as a group. Because one of your own released him... we wonder if other criminals can simply be set free on a whim.

[No sense in hiding that fact. If he might end up working for this one... he has to be honest, right?]

[At length, he nods. He'll ask the others. Because right now, the benefits seem to be outweighing the drawbacks rather heavily.]

[There must be something he's missing.]

All right.

[His neutral look fades, suddenly, replaced by one of open fascination. The hesitance, the walls, fall away.]

Mysteries? What do you mean...?

[And of course he'll follow. He's like an overgrown puppy. Bird. Thing.]

I see.

[That worries him. If the Refugees cannot trust the Firstforged, then their work will only be more difficult.]

Then I will talk with the others. We have been keeping much in the dark, and that is not fair to you. I certainly don't want to be thought of as untrustworthy!

[At least, not for things he hadn't done. He slips up in his own, special ways.]

[He will lead Kagerou around, however, and begin handing him datapads, and even a few actual books.] Mysteries are usually stories about crimes that need to be solved. This one is about a cat, I think you will like it. [He adds it to the pile...and rest assured, Kagerou, you will have a nice little stack before he steps back and smiles.]

That should be enough to start you off.

It may help. I don't know. Words are better than silence.

[And maybe they could see which ones care. Which ones to avoid. It could be worth something.]

Crimes. Detective stories?

[... wellp. That sure is a lot of reading to do. More than he's ever had in his lifetime. He's more than a little stunned by it all.]

I...

Thank you.

Well said!

[He likes it! In fact, he'll probably write that quote down after you've left.]

Detective stories, yes...you've got the gist of it. I threw in some comedy and horror and fantasy as well, and a few reference books in case you find facts more interesting than stories. You'll have to let me know what you think.

[He's curious, that is for sure.]

You are more than welcome, Kagerou. And...enjoy.

[There's a first.]

[He nods again, looking down at the things in his hands. There's... a lot to think about. To talk to the others about.]

[... If only Shadowmaru where here. He would know.]

I will... speak to you again soon.

[If there's nothing more, he'll turn to go, slowly. Still cautious, and half lost in thoughts.]

I look forward to it.

[The acolyte is there, outside his door, to help you find your way back out safely again and to help you carry books if you need.]

[very secure video transmission to Kagerou]

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;