AUDIO;

[thehardway]

This is Ultra Magnus.

Some order of business must be addressed, an announcement that will impact everyone.

While it had been temporarily determined that both McCrane and I would command the law enforcement team, we have both agreed that I will come into full command of law enforcement. All officers will report to me. McCrane, from this moment forward, will be your second-in-command. As such, your respect to him will not change.

However, I also realize that I am additionally part of the law committee. I am fine with having the responsibilities, but I am not interested in causing conflict with both teams. So I request the law committee to please take a vote on whether or not I will remain on your team. Whatever reason you have is your own; a simple "yes" or "no" will do.

To the Firstforged, I request a clear explanation on what you would determine to be a fair due process in how to detain criminals and suspects that bear your glyph. We should be working together, not against each other.

Should anyone have any questions, I am available to answer them.


[to: VANDAL]

Are you, ah.

...Are you all right?

Comments

[winged_knight]

No, duty calls. [ He knows. ] But you can delegate, you can share the burden.

Just don't try to do too much. [ Like Blurr did. ]

[thehardway]

I will do what I have to.

But I know I have a team. Two of them, as a matter of fact.

[winged_knight]

Yes but you need to take care of yourself too. [ He peers at you again. ] You can't watch over the rest of us if you aren't at your best.

[ He grins. ]

That's the spirit. The committee needs a head, but I suggest you refrain from volunteering. With all due respect of course. [ Don't make him check on you regularly Magnus. ]

[thehardway]

I am doing what I can. Though I suppose I've a question for you.

[He shakes his head.] I would refrain anyway. I could do it, but I know it's not a wise decision.

[winged_knight]

You don't always have to do it alone though. If there's anything I can do, please, let me know. [ His helm titls. ] By all means, ask away.

[ He smiles, both happy and relieved. ] I'm glad. You have enough on your list of responsibilities already.

PRIVATE;

[thehardway]

Do you... ever have nightmares? Of someone you care about. [Someone you were supposed to protect.]

...Mm.

PRIVATE; fdsfhsajkgh this has been sitting here all day and I didn't submit

[winged_knight]

[ The question gives him pause, and it's clear on his face that the answer is yes. His voice goes quiet. ]

I. Have them yes.

Mostly about losing people. ...failing them. [ And then even quieter. ] _{...and dying.}

PRIVATE;

[thehardway]

What do you do? To make it easier.

PRIVATE;

[winged_knight]

... Just the best I can, knowing that I can't do everything.

And...

Remind myself that I don't have to do it alone.

PRIVATE;

[thehardway]

...I see.

Typically, that is enough, but.

...Mm.

[winged_knight]

You don't, you know. Have to do it alone.

People here care about you.

[ It's more an offer than a statement of fact, even if both are true. ]

[thehardway]

Then, might I ask another favor?

[winged_knight]

Please. By all means.

[ He enjoys helping Magnus, you might be doing him a favor. ]

[thehardway]

Would... you perhaps...

Spend a night with me. Nothing elaborate; I just find that I appear to recharge easier with company.

oops here come the feels

[winged_knight]

[ It's not at all what he was expecting. But, for that reason, Wing is all the more touched. ]

_Magnus...

[ You can't see the sympathetic smile on his face, but it's there in his voice. ]

Yes, I will. It...helps. Having someone near. [ He knows. ]

[thehardway]

[He isn't sure who else to ask. Ultra Magnus finds he has shared enough of his grief with Rung. Wing is the closest who can possibly understand, he figures.

There are not many he can think of to ask. It seems strange to, but Magnus is not as strong as he once was.]

Thank you.

I ask only when you are able to spend that time with me. Justice helps sometimes, but a turbofox is still not a person.

[winged_knight]

[ It's an honor in a way, to be entrusted with this. ]

I'm happy to share your burdens Ultra Magnus, and offer support. Someone did the same for me, a very long time ago.

Fair warning though, I can get clingy during recharge. [ He's not joking or even being lewd. Just a good-natured heads up: don't invite a cuddler for a sleepover and be surprised if you wake up with him wrapped around you like a security blanket. ]

[thehardway]

Clingy. [So did Rodimus.] I don't think that it'll bother me.

Thank you, Wing.

[winged_knight]

Good. Would you like me to come by tonight?

I'm happy to. I...worry. I'm glad there's something I can do.

[thehardway]

That would be... I'd like that.

I apologize. I should not make you concerned for me. You should be able to rely on me.

[winged_knight]

Let me know when you'd like me to come by. Anytime is fine for me, I'm just....buried in law things here in the library.

[ He's not going to say no to social time either Magnus, as it were. ]

Don't, there's nothing to apologize for. I do rely on you. I have concern for all of my friends.