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.

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[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.

[That gets a quiet snicker out of Smokescreen.]

You know, I'd be lying if I didn't say I adored reading mission reports about what the Wreckers did. It was one of my favorite things to do when Alpha Trion was busy with other things.

Well, I'm hardly going to chastise someone of your age and history for having heroes... However, I would caution you to remember that while they may seem worthy of adoration, I've yet to be impressed by their utter lack of common sense.

[This is Perceptor's way of saying he's worried about them being a bad influence on you, Smokes.]

I promise not to turn into carbon copies of them, sir.

[His smirk grows a little bit.]

Wouldn't want to disappoint your or Alpha Trion.

Good. I would hate to see such a thing happen. This world has room for only one Wheeljack.

[He scoffs a little, shaking his head.]

You haven't. Think nothing of it.

[He perks up, just a bit, when Perceptor says that he hasn't disappointed him, the rookie feeling a bit better now at that reassurance.]

Well good. And I wouldn't want to be Wheeljack anyway, as cool as I think he is at times.

You've no idea how reassuring it is to hear that.

[He shakes his head, passing a hand over his face as he surveys the remaining damage.]

... I don't think I can afford two demolished laboratories.

[Glancing around, Smokescreen makes a thoughtful sound.]

To be far, I'd avoid doing this sort of damage if it ever came down to it. I understand how important areas like this are to scientists so I would take the fight elsewhere if I could.

Just saying.

[Perceptor jabs a finger in Smokescreen's direction.]

And that's precisely why you're allowed in here, and he is not.

[He grins, rather pleased that he has permission to be in the labs now because he definitely might sneak in here whenever he needs someplace to just hide away for a bit.

...And because he likes cuddling up to father figures but that's a whole other thing and Perceptor won't get a say in that anyway. It'll just happen.]

Want me to work on cleaning some more? I didn't mean to get us completely side tracked.

[And, chances are good that once everything is replaced and rebuilt... there will be a certain stack of datapads, reserved for a visitor -- all of them geared toward what he knows Smokescreen to be interested in.]

[He just won't say anything about it.]

By all means. I can't leave it this way, certainly.

[And that's what makes Perceptor one of the best dads ever.]

Don't worry, sir, we'll have this place up and running again in no time!

[He gives the other another grin before getting back to work, scooping up some more debris to add to the pile of 'not salvageable', prepared to work as long as possible.

He owes Perceptor that much at least.]

[Action]

sciencetank - 2013-03-01 05:45 (UTC) - Expand

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