McCrane (
mccrane) wrote in
re_alignment2012-12-30 01:37 pm
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[Video][A friend lost and a strange light Shining]
[McCrane is on a late patrol, in the junk-yard at night. With the horrors of the Glyphless catastrophe over and all of the paperwork filed, he has been searching for two things: One, the materials to build a soccer-goal, and two...]
Has anyone seen Gunmax?
[He's worried. He's always worried, of course, but now he looks more worried than usual. He turns, and for a moment the camera catches a small ball of light hovering over a silver-wrapped box with a gold bow. Curious, McCrane approaches, and the light moves out of the video, as does the box.]
I am also wondering about Barricade, as he has been gone for several weeks now. I don't know if keeping track of the populace is part of our Law Enforcement duties, but...it should be done. [McCrane reaches down, and suddenly the silver box pops back into view while he holds it. It's still remarkably well-lit for this time of night, but that may be because there's that small ball of light, shining on it again.]
And now it looks like I'll have to add Whirl onto the list, too. [He fingers the nametag, turning it toward the camera. Today was strange enough, but it looked as if it was going to get stranger.]
Is anyone else encountering unusual lights?
[It reminded him of Drill Boy's mythical fairy.]
Has anyone seen Gunmax?
[He's worried. He's always worried, of course, but now he looks more worried than usual. He turns, and for a moment the camera catches a small ball of light hovering over a silver-wrapped box with a gold bow. Curious, McCrane approaches, and the light moves out of the video, as does the box.]
I am also wondering about Barricade, as he has been gone for several weeks now. I don't know if keeping track of the populace is part of our Law Enforcement duties, but...it should be done. [McCrane reaches down, and suddenly the silver box pops back into view while he holds it. It's still remarkably well-lit for this time of night, but that may be because there's that small ball of light, shining on it again.]
And now it looks like I'll have to add Whirl onto the list, too. [He fingers the nametag, turning it toward the camera. Today was strange enough, but it looked as if it was going to get stranger.]
Is anyone else encountering unusual lights?
[It reminded him of Drill Boy's mythical fairy.]
ACTION; And even more rarely affectionate
[At the question, he can only answer truthfully.]
Everything has been wrong, since we've arrived here. We have had to cope in too many situations that we weren't programmed for, and without our full team we've not met with much success.
We'll just have to keep adapting.
[Adapting to everything. Adapting to this, which is one such situation he does not have programming for.]
[Nevertheless, he makes the last step forward, and just pulls Gunmax into a hug, holding onto him the way he's seen humans holding each other. The way he's seen Yuuta hugging his friends. His family. People he cares about.]
Strangely, Gunmax...this went exactly as planned.
[He's needed this contact. He's needed it, and he hopes that it will help Gunmax, too.]
ACTION;
All of this, though. The pain, the suffering, the loss -- it's been awful. He has no idea how to cope with it. He didn't do it well concerning Kirisaki, and he sure as hell hasn't been the same since everyone else.
Gunmax jerks slightly at the embrace, then leans into it more. No one's ever held him like this, no one's ever had to. It-- does something in his Super A.I. he knows he recognizes.
That could be very good or very terrible.]
You could stand to do reckless more often. I think.
[And he finds himself clutching the combat specialist, almost ridiculously fearful to let him go.]
ACTION;
...
[That changed. It changed almost instantly, and he could tell the change in the way Gunmax's fingers tightened on him, the way he, himself shifted protectively around the other, the way a second engine felt pressed up against his. Without a conscious thought to do so, his optics had dimmed, his senses focusing on the touches or armor against armor, the warmth of another body nearby, and the sounds of a chain jingling between them. It isn't familiar.]
You'll have to teach me how.
[He shivers just a little at the newness of it, and rests his head against Gunmax's.]
This is as close as I've come yet.
ACTION;
So despite all attempts to be on his own, he's really just meant to be with someone, in the end.
He quietly appreciates the helm resting on his own.]
Suppose between the two of us, I'm the expert, hm?
No worries. I'll make you a rebel in no time. [There's a slight hint of a joke in his tone.]
ACTION;
[He likes this. Just the way it is. He doesn't know if it would have happened without everything that had gone wrong, and he'd give this up, if it would spare Gunmax the pain...but for now, he's selfish, and enjoys the moment while it lasts.]
However, you must promise you will return to the force when you are ready again.
ACTION;
He thumbs a bit at the chain linking them together.]
I must, huh?
[Gunmax snorts in amusement.]
I promise to come back when I'm ready for it.
ACTION;
[Though he trusts you. Slowly, he pulls back...though his hand stays in contact with Gunmax as though reluctant to sever this moment completely.]
Otherwise Ultra Magnus and I will have reformatted all the reports documents, and you'll be lost.
ACTION;
[He can be a rude, irritable, and rebellious jerk, but he's intensely loyal. He won't turn his back on McCrane.
Though McCrane pulls back, he turns his hand quietly and holds onto the other robot's hand. It just seems... yeah. Like he needs to.]
Ugh, gross. Where's Duke when I need him to do my paperwork, anyway?
ACTION;
[He says it, like it is not a big thing to say. Even so...it is.]
Duke is probably taking care of all the paperwork generated by us being gone. If...it works that way.
[Which it probably doesn't. He isn't sure.]
I wish home did not feel so far away.
ACTION;
[Well, now he really is glad that he can't blush because. Because seriously, that's flustering, McCrane, what can he even say to that.]
Eh, probably. I'm not sure how this all works...
[There's a pause, then he gently squeezes McCrane's hand.]
I know. I don't know what I'd do if we managed to go home, though.
ACTION;
You are a gun, Gunmax. As a combat specialist, I take that into account. I pay attention...
And I find a lot about you exceeds expectations.
[His hand, finally, squeezes right back, because that 'lost' part becomes more pronounced at the idea of such a great change happening, again.]
Everything will be different, when we return. We'll know more. About ourselves.
About...each other.
[He looks over to Gunmax.] We might not even return to the same time.
ACTION;
[It really can't be helped. It earns a little smile when his hand is squeezed. That covers about how he feels right now, feeling lost but feeling found at the same time.
It's not the first time he's felt a bit like this.]
When we get back... what do you think? Toudou and Deckerd... are they gonna be missing? Gone for good?
[Not return at the same time. Yeah, it's crossed his mind, but.
He squeezes McCrane's hand a little more tightly. Damn it.]
ACTION;
I have been paying...enough attention, Gunmax.
[His fingers wrap into Gunmax's, feeling more anchored by the connection...something he needs, when considering home.]
No.
[He says it with certainty, wanting to believe.]
They will be waiting for us.
We will just have to work hard to make sure we remember.
ACTION;
[He debates teasing McCrane, but he tsks to himself and refrains; no, best if he just quietly accept it. On the other hand, the fact that he's caught McCrane's attention...
It's flattering. But he also highly respects him.]
Mm. You sound so sure of yourself.
I guess I'll have to borrow some of that confidence.
ACTION;
[He doesn't want Gunmax to feel uncomfortable with his attention, but Gunmax doesn't seem like he is. Still, the offer is open...]
Someone has to be, with Deckerd gone.
For us. For Yuuta. For our friends.
For...each other. [He glances over.]
You always seem so confident, Gunmax.
[Until lately.]
ACTION;
[Maybe that's just another difference between McCrane and Deckerd; the latter was, more or less, raised by a child. He never really made those kinds of connections.
They all come from fairly different backgrounds. Growing up differently.]
Well, I can be a good fibber when I want to be.
Suppose it's been harder, for plenty of reasons.
ACTION;
[Such as weaponry. He doesn't really know what to say about the fact that Gunmax likes it, though, so he stays quiet, and simply cherishes the words.]
Maybe...
...the fact that its been so hard means that we're learning more what humans face every day.
You don't have to lie about it, though. [Since he caught that 'good fibber' comment.] Or hide.