re_alignment | [Video][Transmitting from the bar at Haven's Hub]

[Someone's been digging through the bar's storeroom looking for decorations for the dance when he comes across a little reminder. Well, not so little. He'd found it in the Junk Pile two months ago and had no idea what to do with it all. And once unpacked, it was more than he could haul back to his room much less have space for. So it'd been sitting, covered by on old tarp, forgotten in the bar's storeroom until now.]

[Wing waves into the video feed, looking, frankly, a little bit perplexed and perturbed.]

A lot of us received anonymous gifts quite a little while back. Mine was...quite large. And unfortunately, try as I might, I can't discern...what it even is.

[Wing holds up one of pieces of equipment which looks decidedly like an energy weapon to him, something he seems none too pleased about. He steps back to gesture behind him, to where a bunch of similar equipment is strewn about one corner of the room.]

Anyone want to help me sort out what all this stuff is? I'm at a loss.

[And one might notice, if one paid particular attention or just had a habit of staring at Wing's frame in general, that something has definitely changed since his last broadcast in December. His lines seem sleeker and the proportions in his chassis do seem different.]

On an entirely different note, I'm also happy to announce--albeit a little belated--that those to which I offered flights or tours of Haven, I can now accommodate you.

[Judging by the way this brings a smile back to his face, he seems inordinately pleased by this. Someone finished his cockpit modification and can carry passengers!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

....Lightning Tag?

[ Definately not everyday. ]

Is that what this stuff is? You're familiar?

Yeah, it's a sport in this other dimensional hub called Axiom Nexus. I didn't know much about it, myself; mostly stuck to the gladiatorial arenas in the lower levels. Just that it seemed like a flier sport f'r the most part, though it looks like you have some conversion equipment for grounders too. But Optimus Prime, the inverse Soundwave, or Dirge might know more.

...oh! Interesting. [ That's a great deal to ponder. ]

A sport you say? Some of these pieces of equipment look awfully...dangerous?

Any sport c'n be pretty dangerous, really. And where's the fun in it if it's not at least a little dangerous?

[Or at least that's how former Decepticons look at games.]

Well that's true yes. As long is keep to 'a little'. [ The irritated lift of his pinions seems to ease. ]

I'm all for sporting events. Just as long as it's not blood sport.

Mm. If only I knew how little a 'little' was in Lightning Tag's case.

As it stands, the blood sports are all I'm really familiar with. [Lots and lots of blood sports.]

Well, I suppose it might worth testing out at least. [ Well, maybe a little more consultation would be wise, but the idea is already starting to tickle his curiosity. ]

But you say grounders can play too? [ That sounds very promising. ]

Oh. [ He's polite enough not to make a face. No offense meant of course. ] I...supposed I shouldn't be surprised? [ Even though he is. ]

Testing it out and askin' around to see if anyone knows more, certainly.

And it looks like it; strap-on boosters and such. Not like fliers need those themselves so it must be for grounders, right? [Process of elimination!]

Well, it's not like I talk about the fact that I started in medical work in the gladiatorial arenas. Or fought some in them myself, t'pick up a little extra money sometimes. So a little surprise is probably warranted. [He will let Wing have that much, his own original allegiances notwithstanding.]

I suppose the latter before the former might be wise. [ He's getting a little eager though now. Which might be dangerous. ]

Aha that follows, of course! I think that's fabulous actually. Too often alt-mode makes for a separation in things.

[ He takes that in, recognizing it as a thing likely not often granted. ] I won't feel so bad then. Granted, I tend to associate a certain personality type with the ring, which I wouldn't not include you in.

Is it fair to say that your risen above such things? Or do you just lack the outlet?

[ He doesn't mean to be judgmental, except that well, he kind of is. ]

Probably. Getting the jist of things before you attach the equipment and go t'town is usually preferable. [Then again, he's the kind of mech that will poke something without knowing what it is.]

It does, though I'm sure most of us're used to that separation. [And used to picking on the other guy.]

You'd be shocked, I'm sure. Things've changed lately, for me. Especially in recent history. Though it's mostly a lack of an outlet.

[He shrugs. He's gotten used to giving people the answers they don't want to hear.]

I'm a warrior; I fight. Medical work paid my rent and kept my hands busy. Same with construction.

Ah, I suppose I can wait... [ Maybe there's a pout there. And he's poked it all already. So yeah, they have that in common. ]

Used to it yes, but I think it's nice to bridge the gap where possible.

[ He's sensitive to these things, a large part of that has to do with dating a grounder. ]

Well, I certainly won't pry. I know many people have had hard paths to walk and sometimes things along that path change us. Are you happier now?

[ If anything Wing appreciates Barricade's candid honesty in that way. ]

The war made warriors out of most of us, still others it simply comes naturally to. I'm glad you found a way to keep yourself busy aside from that though. [ He smiles, because it feels la little like hope. If barricade could do it, so could others. ] I know Drift struggles with that, keeping his hands busy.

[ Err. ]

With things other than fighting.

[ FRAG. Nevermind. ]

Much as I believe in the medics 'round here, I think they'd frown on unnecessary risks. [... Not that he isn't the king of unnecessary risks already.]

Well. Tryin' t'be happier, at least. And the best most c'n manage is to try. Wouldn't change what I've gone through getting here, though.

[There would have been too much missed.

Wing's correction to what he was saying about hands definitely gets a quirk of an optic ridge. What an oddly specific backtrack...] 'S harder around here. Fewer outlets, definitely, unless they're willing to get their kicks going out to the Badlands. Not everyone is as good at entertaining themselves as I am.

[Which could be taken a million ways... that are probably all things he does.]

[Video][Transmitting from the bar at Haven's Hub]

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;