[Video][A friend lost and a strange light Shining]

[mccrane]

[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.]

Comments

[Video]

[perfavore]

[While Mirage wasn't really part of the law enforcement group, he could see that the stress of keeping everyone accounted for was weighing heavily on McCrane's shoulders. Might as well alleviate that somewhat.]

I have spoken to Barricade recently. He is accounted for.

[As for the other two...he's not so sure. But one out of three isn't bad, right?]

Unusual lights?

[Video]

[mccrane]

That is a relief. [It means he can put away the 'tracker requisition form' that he'd drafted for just this purpose.] Is he doing alright?

[McCrane looks around for an example of the light in question..and finds it, hovering just over his shoulder. As it has been. He turns his communicator so that it's able to be seen.]

This. It appeared a few hours ago when I was having difficulty adjusting my visual spectra for night settings.

[Video]

[perfavore]

As far as I can tell. Speaking honestly, it seems he has gained
lucidità.

Ah...'clarity.'

[His helm tilts, focusing on the light hovering just above McCrane's shoulder.]

It is not a hologram malfunction?

[Video]

[notyourblueangel]

Haven't seen or heard from any of them in some time. I'll let you know if that changes.

...no. When did these lights start appearing? Are they concentrated anywhere?

[Video]

[mccrane]

[He's impressed! Mostly at your ability to thwart the translator in the communicator, but...his has malfunctioned before.]

I think that may have been what he was searching for.

[Which is good. Hopefully, he found the thing McCrane was looking for, as well.]

Hologram? [That is a good question. It does SEEM to be a hologram, given that it only emits light and has no physical mass, but...] I'm not equipped with a projector. Is...it possible that someone else's may be malfunctioning?

[Do other robots come with holoprojectors? He wants to ask, but it sounds like a foolish question, especially since you're different-looking from the others. Actually, you're a bit similar in style to Barricade, now that he's watching for it...]

[Video]

[mccrane]

I appreciate that.

[He considers.]

One has been in my proximity since it generated a few hours ago. It...doesn't seem to be following me, precisely...

[Not so much as it seemed to be going where he was already looking to go.]

[Video]

[perfavore]

[A claw goes to his 'mouth' area in thought.]

He seems more...collected. In 'better mind state' as I think humans call it.

[Well, close enough.]

I do not know much about the hologram projectors. Only a few Autobots from my world are equipped with them. But they only work within certain distance from it's 'host'. Barricade would know more.

...I have been meaning to ask him about that, myself.

[Video]

[mccrane]

Given what happened during the event...I think he needed that. [There were too many who'd been affected. It's why he's worried so much about Gunmax, now. Toudou's death wasn't an easy thing for any of them to face, but Gunmax...those two had been close.]

I wasn't aware he had a holoprojector, however. [It's now something he intends to ask Barricade about, as well.] There may be a lot I do not know about him. [McCrane shakes his head--keeping individuals straight was hard enough without factoring in alternate realities, and he considered himself almost an expert at organizing facts.] Was he a friend of yours, on your world?

VIDEO;

[engrishdetective]

...Mm, I'm around.

audio;

[namesnotprowl]

I'd half expected you t'come looking before now.

Sorry. Been staying in for the holidays. Christmas... usually doesn't work out for me. And then someone came back. [There's a tiny chirp over the line as something notices it's been mentioned.] Hope I didn't worry ya too much.

Unusual lights? How so?

VIDEO;

[mccrane]

Gunmax.

[The relief that is present in just that one word is palpable.]

I haven't seen you...

[He trails off, because it is just now occurring to him that there might be a reason for that. However, the Rifle that you left? And the card? Conflicts with his reasoning. You are confusing, and he's still worried about you.]

[mccrane]

I wanted to give you enough time.

[To get your head clear.]

Your friend tells me you may have found what you're looking for...

[He peers a little closer, trying to determine the source of that chirp, and wondering exactly what was found.]

Like this. [And he tilts his communicator to show off the ball of light that hovers, blindingly, behind his shoulder.]

VIDEO;

[engrishdetective]

[He's briefly distracted by two things. The light, and the tone of voice McCrane takes with him. It almost-- no, it definitely makes him feel a little guilty. He can act like he doesn't care, but McCrane and Drill Boy will always know the difference.

He folds his arms and turns his head away from the camera.]

Yeah, well. I quit the police awhile ago. So, we're gonna probably not see each other as much.

VIDEO;

[mccrane]

I know. I was told.

[He hadn't been in. When he'd gotten the information, he'd gone looking for Gunmax...but he hadn't found him, then. It's good just to see him...but when he hears the second thing Gunmax has to say, the light floating behind him instantly goes out, leaving his expression bathed in darkness.]

...

I see.

Not even if I want to see you?

[namesnotprowl]

I've been lookin' for a lot. But... I figured a few things out that I needed to.

[There has been too much loss for him lately. Time to sort himself out had helped, at least. As for the noise... he flicks on the video, and... there is a tiny dragon, with a blue ribbon tied into a bow around its neck, perched on his shoulder.]

Rumble is an attention hog. Showed up a couple days ago.

Hrm. I could take a look at that, if you want.

[mccrane]

I am glad for that. [He is. He doesn't like to see others hurting.]

[He can't help but stare when the creature shows up, however, trying to understand.] It is called Rumble? I think Drill Boy would like to see it. [Because everything is reminding him of Fairies, today.] What...is it?

Ah.

Yes.

Your friend also mentioned that you had some proficiency in holograms. I don't see how it could be one, however, since I'm not equipped with a projector.

[Still, you are the expert.]

[namesnotprowl]

So am I. Glad y'didn't have to come looking for me, either. [He'd hate to be responsible for dragging someone out into the wilderness.]

Rumble is a firelizard. Raised him from a hatchling. [He reaches up, carefully, and rubs the knuckle of one claw under the little lizard's chin.] Hadn't seen him in a while; I didn't get to take him with me, last place I was. But he's back now. I'm sure he'd like to meet your other friends, too.

Friend...? Ah. Mirage? Red mech, Italian accent? Have some proficiency with hologram generators, yes; and I have general medical skill, if it's something else.

[video]

[whirlybird_of_prey]

[Do not dare laugh at Whirl's appearance. He's stuck magnets to his optic bell to drive away Jetfire's obnoxious little light bug thingies. Like in all things, Whirl goes for overkill so...there are a lot of magnets.]

What list?

[Whirl is not sure how he feels about being on Johnny Lawdogbot's list.]

VIDEO;

[engrishdetective]

[That's, uh. Strange. The light behavior. What the hell...?]

I didn't say that.

I mean. If you wanted to meet up because... well, just because. I'm all right with that.

[mccrane]

As much as it would have been an adventure, I am pleased to remain here.

[He could, and would, come after you, though. He just likes his familiar little area best.]

If you get a chance, bring...him...by the police station? [Because yes, Drill Boy definitely needs to see it.]

That is correct. Mirage. [Good to know the name, too.] I would appreciate you taking a look. I doubt it can be sentient, but... [It has been behaving strangely.] How long have you been able to project holograms, Barricade?

[video]

[mccrane]

[McCrane doesn't laugh. He's not the sort to do that, no. Instead, he'll stare for a moment.]

The list of people I need to speak with.

[Stare.]

Did I catch you at a bad time?

VIDEO;

[mccrane]

I do.

And I have.

It is just that...

It has been difficult to find you.

[The light stays gone.]

I thought you might need time alone.

VIDEO;

[engrishdetective]

I get real difficult to find when I don't feel like being found.

[Force of habit.]

Well. Suppose maybe I did, after...

[After what happened to Toudou.]

I mean, if you want to meet up now, I'm. Tch, I'm fine with that. Or whatever.

[B-Baka, it's not like he likes you or anything.]

VIDEO;

[mccrane]

I don't have Deckerd's luck in catching you.

[Which saying out loud doesn't help. It makes him miss Deckerd, too.]

Gunmax. [It comes out much sharper than he means for it to, because he has been stressed. He's been stressed, and Gunmax has been stressed, and of the two of them he knows Gunmax has had it worse but he still...can't...deal with the idea of Gunmax keeping away from him. It hurt.] I was afraid something might happen to you...

[He stops, and shakes his head, clamping down that emotion tightly. Seia had been the one to teach him that it was not bad, but Seia was not here now. And to think...to think he'd been jealous that Gunmax had Todou to spend time with, because he saw how that had turned out, and he's beginning to think Seia and Kagerou were wrong.]

Yes. Yes, I want to meet up with you. I found something for you, and I received the package you left, and...thank you. For leaving that.

I just...

[His lips press tightly together.]

I would rather seen you.

Where are you staying?

VIDEO;

[engrishdetective]

No one really does.

[He still hasn't quite put that to rest yet, about Deckerd, but he's developed from it. Grown away. Deckerd will never come back, and that's just something he has to deal with.]

Uh, McCrane... [The way his name is said earns a bit of surprise, then guilt eats at him again. McCrane was worried and he was selfish enough to not bother to contact the combat specialist. It's not that Gunmax doesn't care -- quite the opposite -- but he's terrible about sharing much about himself. What he's thinking or feeling. Deckerd had to fight for it, too.]

Something for me? Huh. And it's not coal. Go figure; guess I haven't been bad enough.

[Jokes aside. Gunmax tilts his head, then exhales a little.]

Sorry. I guess I just wasn't sure what I could say to you.

[It's not often he cares about what anyone thinks of him. It's a real short list, but...]

Mm, around. Wherever I feel like. It's kind of exciting, never knowing where you'll end up.

[It'd been nice to have a home, but he left the force so he doesn't really have that anymore now. He misses it, not that he'd say it right now.]

I can come find you now. Just say the word.