video;

[ex_dishonestly997]

[Broadcasting perched on an outcropping over a lava flow, seemingly sounding unbothered by the misstep into a sideways universe--first rule of Decepticon Club is never let em know you're scared.]

So, this looks like Cybertron--actually, a lot like the one I just came from. But from my recon, it's either a time, a space, or a time and space displacement.

Little bee, are you here? [elaborating] I'm looking for an Autobot named Bumblebee. About this high--[indicates short, midchest height]--gold, kinda stout. I'll also accept Metalhawk, Wheeljack - Soundwave? How about Prowl, with my luck he's here. [Bueller?]

--For the rest of you, my name is Starscream. Maybe you've heard of me. [and he's smirking a little self-indulgently at the thought. No matter how dangerous or inconvenient it might be to be preknown in a brave new world, it's nice to be important.]

I'm here to help.

Comments

[ex_dishonestly997]

I don't deserve trust right out of the gate. But I don't deserve distrust either. I just got here. Cut me some slack.

[shrugs] Not familiar. It sounds like your universe diverged pretty considerably from mine... Is anyone else from your home here?

[vandalization]

Fine, fine. So what's your story, anyways?

Mm, no. Some other humans, but not from where I'm from. I mean, if they were from where I'm from? They'd be fucking dead anyways.

[ex_dishonestly997]

I'm a postwar government official. [that's his story and he's sticking to it.] We're rebuilding our society, as it goes.

Why, what happened?

[vandalization]

Uhhhhhhhhhh. Hm. Okay then. So a politician?

Some horrific shit, man.

[ex_dishonestly997]

[he snickers.] Kind of a dirty word, but. Exactly.

I'm guessing that's code for "don't ask any questions about it".

[vandalization]

Well at least you acknowledge it.

Exactly.

[ex_dishonestly997]

Of course. I'm here to keep the others as honest as possible and I hope they'd do me the same courtesy; I want to improve conditions for everyone or I wouldn't be offering.

That's fair enough. What do you feel comfortable talking about?

[vandalization]

Honest politician? Well now I've heard everything.

I'd rather learn more about you guys, since you already seem to know plenty about humans.

[ex_dishonestly997]

[he grins.] I try. It's a hard habit to get into.

All right. Who are you familiar with already?

[vandalization]

Uhhh. Let's see. Drift, Wing, Blurr, First Aid and Ratchet, most notably.

All good people.

[ex_dishonestly997]

[actually laughs a little.] You really are selectively trusting.

Okay. That's fine. I don't know what you know about me already, but someone's filled you in on the basics of the Great War, I'm assuming.

[vandalization]

Well Drift and Ratchet did kind of save my life. First Aid totally let me sit on him, which was pretty cool, and Wing doesn't have a mean bone... er. Robotbone? In his body. Blurr seems really intense about the war but he's a pretty cool guy. Just sayin'.

Not much to be honest. I got the basics. Autobots blame the Decepticons. Decepticons blame the Autobots. Sounds like a big clusterfuck I don't really want to be involved in.

[ex_dishonestly997]

Drift saved your life, huh. [And that's all he's saying about that. All told, Drift's been semidecent to him, so he's not about to out what he knows about his past. Especially if blackmail ends up being useful for some greater end.] Good for you.

That's been reality for millions of years, I'm not sure what else I could talk about. [which is a sad commentary on his life.] Have you met any other yous? Because that's weird.

[vandalization]

I guess. Feel like a gigantic liability, though.

I- what? Like... like doppelgangers? Look I don't know what the fuck you're talking about but that's not...

[ex_dishonestly997]

That again. Trust me, autobots live for this rescuing humans stuff. You probably made their day.

[whoops did he accidentally trip on something meaningful here] That's not what?

[vandalization]

I don't know about that. Seemed like the decent thing to do.

That's... that's fucked up. Shit...

[ex_dishonestly997]

The decent thing to do is harder than you think, sometimes.

[softly] I know you talk like you've got faulty self esteem wiring, but this is getting ridiculous.

[vandalization]

No... I-

Sorry. I can't t-

It was nice meeting you I have to go.

Fuck fuck fuck no...