re_alignment | [Audio]

Entry tags:

✘ tf: prime | smokescreen

[Audio]

[Smokescreen was having one of those days again. Or maybe it was better to just say he was having one of those existences. He couldn't find his place in Haven and mostly just seemed to annoy everyone.

And then on top of that, there was still a heavy guilt weighing down on his spark over Optimus' fate.

The approaching Earth holiday that he'd been made aware of did nothing to improve his mood so he'd decided just to stay put in Alpha Trion's temple for awhile and just...hide. Yeah, that was about the gist of it.

Didn't mean he wasn't going to check in on people though.]

Everyone alright? Bulkhead? Arcee? Ratchet? You guys are all safe right?

And Kagerou, did you find Kay? I tried to find her but I couldn't track her down and then I ran into Perceptor and Wheeljack and--...she's alright..right?

Just...wanted to let you guys know I'm going to be sticking close to Alpha Trion's temple for a bit. So you don't need to worry about me or anything. And if you need me that's where I'll be.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

When he barged in, the only thing he wanted to save me from was my own experiment. Which was perfectly under control.

[Wave. Wave. Wave.]

[Reaching out, he grabs the other's arm to stop the waving.]

Alright, alright, I get it.

[When Smokescreen grabs his arm, Perceptor just... blinks. Several times. As if he hadn't even been aware of what he was doing.]

Ah... well then. Nothing further to discuss on that matter, I suppose.

Guess not.

[Letting go slowly, the younger mech eyes the datapad warily, as if expecting Perceptor to start waving it about again.]

So..what do you want me to do, sir?

[He tucks it away, thankfully, sparing Smokescreen any further flailing.]

At the moment... I'm simply trying to move the non-salvageable material to a specific corner, and going from there.

What counts as non-salvageable? Completely smashed?

Yes, let's... go with that. If you're uncertain, simply ask me.

Alright, sounds good to me.

[And he'd be a diligent little worker, starting to shift through stuff after giving Perceptor a salute. Half the things he was finding he had no idea what they use to be but, well, they were broke.

So into the pile they went.]

Hey Perceptor.

[There's a lot of broken things. A lot. It's somewhat disheartening to see the growing pile of "junk".]

[Ah well. He's had to start over before.]

Yes, Smokescreen?

...Thank you.

[He doesn't look up from what he's doing, heaving up some more debris and taking it over to the scrap pile.

Even if Perceptor doesn't realize it, he's helping keep his mind off a lot of stuff at the moment.]

... What on Cybertron are you thanking me for I've put you to work.

[He doesn't see what he's done that deserves thanks. All he's done is put Smokescreen to work cleaning.]

Is everything all right?

[That gets a small grin out of the rookie because it's the sort of reaction he expected.

He finally glances at the other as he lifts some more junk up, doorwings twitching slightly.]

Yeah..everything's fine. Just..thank you is all. I'd still be hiding up in my room if you hadn't responded to my feed.

That's precisely why I'm asking if you're all right. Correct me if my observations are wrong... but you aren't normally the type to hide away.

[He doubts he's wrong. He's almost never wrong.]

[But this is Perceptor's... odd way of showing he's concerned. Lecturing.]

...No..not really. I usually like to be right out in the action, I guess.

[Setting more stuff in the useless pile, Smokescreen's vents cycle softly and he glances at the other.]

Just been having a rough time adjusting to this place I guess. I never..didn't..really adjust to my real home and then I end up here..

I suppose it would help if there were any action to speak of. Wouldn't it?

[He has a pile of datapads in hand, setting them down on an empty surface.]

In addition... I doubt it would speak well of anyone who did adjust to this place easily. I'm having my own difficulties, to be frank with you.

Yeah...Guess I'm just not all that great at just sitting around. Which is kind of funny and all since I spent a long time just sitting in the Hall of Records with Alpha Trion back home.

[That..had been trying. But he had learned patience during that experience.]

Really? You seem to be getting on better than I am..Primus, everyone does for that matter.

Then, I suppose this is your reaction to a great deal of space. You wish for action, now that such a thing is possible, but given the lack of any real combat or lingering hostile situation, you find yourself rather stagnant. Yes?

[He'd seen it happen to the soldiers surrounding the Nerve Center. Even Grimlock, to a degree.]

Smokescreen. I recently spent far too long in the grip of what I can only describe as an overgrown core slug because someone decided I needed rescuing from an experiment of my own making.

Nothing like that would ever have occurred in my Cybertron, I can tell you that much. I was woefully unprepared, and it showed.

Adjustment comes at its own pace. You mustn't rush yourself -- you'll make all sorts of asinine errors.

...I..guess, yeah. I just feel out of place. I mean, before Iacon was attacked, I worked under Alpha Trion and it wasn't the thing I wanted to be doing, I had a purpose. Here...I don't know what my purpose is.

[And that's what's making him feel out of place.

He's quiet as Perceptor starts talking about, listening to the other talk, absorbing it all and really thinking about it for a moment. His doorwings twitch a bit, optics dim in thought before he nods a bit.]

You're right..I know you are. I guess I'm just so use to everything being so rushed and hectic that this place..I'm not..really use to calm.

That's rather a large part of maturing, if you'll pardon my saying so. One isn't always aware of what one's proper function is until much later in their lifetime.

[Except he always knew he was a scientist, but he'll keep that to himself.]

[He studies that reaction, before nodding. Of course he's right.]

Well, I'm certain another crisis will break out before too long. If that's of any comfort to you.

I guess...it's just...a big part of me is starting to wonder if maybe I do know what my proper function is, but I was so obsessed with the idea of getting involved in the war that I didn't realize it.

[Because he'd be lying if he said he didn't enjoy everything he'd learned from Alpha Trion.

Didn't enjoy learning.]

Ah..as much as I like action, I'd rather not see that sort of thing happen again. Too many others were hurt.

And what do you believe that function is, if I may inquire?

[He pauses in what he's doing, leaning against his one undamaged worktable, arms folded.]

I missed the entire wretched venture, so I'll take your word for it.

[Smokescreen's quiet for a moment, glancing away partially before his doorwings give a twitch.]

I really liked what I did with Alpha Trion back in the Hall of Records. Learning about history, keeping track of it all...I could never admit it to myself then but it was really interesting and enjoyable.

[When Smokescreen looks away, Perceptor turns his attention down to a datapad, intending to give the younger 'bot some space, metaphorically speaking.]

There's no shortage of history here, I think. And other forms of research, should that fail.

Yeah that's--this place and all the different individuals here..that's what kind of made me think about it all again, I guess.

[He glances at Perceptor, a sheepish little smile appearing there.]

I guess I've just been... embarrassed, to admit it. Which is dumb, I know.

You should never be ashamed to admit an interest in learning, or in knowledge itself!

If you do, you may as well be certain, obnoxious Wreckers.

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