re_alignment | [Video]

Entry tags:

tf: idw | wing

[Video]

[ Here's a face that's been gone from the network for over a month. Wing looks a touch weary, his pinions lax, even though physically he seems in good health]

Hello Haven. I'm back now. I apologize for my absence, it was not intentional.

Sorry to ask this but, would anyone care to update me on recent events? Particularly from the Law Committee? I would appreciate it greatly.

[ He knows about Vandal, and a few of the others that have gone missing, which likely accounts for his glum mood.]

Also, committee members, I think we should put serious consideration into mapping not just the Haven but the surrounds. And clearly mark hazardous areas.

To everyone else... Please, if you're considering going exploring alone, regardless of skill level, do reconsider. Everyday we discover new hazards that persist on this world.

[ Wing might have taken down six reanimated mech frames on his own, maybe. But with the energy drain? There was no chance. ]

And well, I have a bunch of books, mostly human ones, that I don't need anymore. [ More specifically he needs to make room in his...room for someone else's stuff. ] Would anyone like them? I don't want them thrown away.

[Private to Barricade]

You're the one that told me about--what did you call them?--zombies?

Yeah. I have experience in that area now that I do not wish to repeat. [ o_o;; ]

[Private to Perceptor and Captain Marvelous]

Thank you, both of you, for coming to my aid.

I'm sorry to have put you in danger in the process of my rescue. If there's anything I can do to return the boon, please do tell me. I am in your debt.

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[If Wing is watching closely, he might catch that brief flash of surprise that flickers over Perceptor's face. "Those who matter"? He matters?]

[The cynical part of him tries to assert that, of course he would matter, because he'd helped to save Wing's life. Perceptor, though, has the odd feeling that it's much more than that with Wing, and he ignores the cynical whisper.]

Very well. [He nods, studying his drink.] I will ask. [A pause. He almost asks Wing if he knows if there is a room available near he and Drift, but then swallows he question, afraid to expose himself any more than he already has. He hates wanting things; such wants are merely weaknesses to be exploited. He should trust Wing more - after all, Drift does - but it's hard. Perceptor had trusted others who he'd known far longer, and far better, and it had never served him well.]

[He realizes suddenly that he's been silent too long, and darts a glance up at Wing to gauge the jet's reaction. He should say something. Share something. A token, at least, of this beginning between them.]

[He shifts a little uncomfortably. He doesn't know where to start. He doesn't know if he can start. Finally, he shrugs.]

I am a scientist. I met Drift when he was attempting to rescue the same group of Autobot prisoners that the unit I had been placed with were attempting to rescue. His appearance surprised me; it was obvious that his upgrades were recent, but the style hearkened to a much older time.

[Perceptor glances up at Wing, optics tracing the paths of the decorative scrolls and panels of Wing's form.]

I understood why much later.

[After he'd come out of the regen tank, and after he'd started his own upgrades. After he'd come to terms, as best he could, with his true worth to Kup and the others.]

[Or, rather, his lack thereof.]

Edited 2013-05-17 07:28 (UTC)

[He's still staring sheepishly into his glass, wondering if he's being too over-protective of perfectly capable adult mechs when he catches the shift in expression in his peripheral. Did he see that right? He's going to guess he did.]

Good. Let us know once that's done, we can help you get settled. [He beams a little: it's good to be issuing welcomes rather than saying goodbyes.] You'll probably have your pick of the rooms, unless you really want to be near the ground floor. I, well, I did not. [He grins.] The view from upper tiers is quite majestic, if you don't mind the lift ride. But I have a thing for sunrises.

[There's another grin, and a slightly...mischievous tilt if Perceptor is keen enough to catch it. One of the benefits of being higher in the tower was the privacy. Few wanted to add extra levels onto their trek home but Wing uses the balcony more than he uses the door. Though that's changed some since Drift joined him.]

[He doesn't mind the silence: he has his own pensive moments and he's certain Perceptor has plenty to think about. He's dealt with greater challenges to his patience before. Besides, the drink is making for a pleasant fuzz over his systems and it's hard to be troubled by small things now. There's a congenial look on Wing's face as he draws another sip, reminding himself to take it slow. The last thing they needed was for him to get overcharged and make a mess of things. He's pretty sure Perceptor doesn't want an excessively friendly jet in his lap touching that curious scope of his.]

[AT ANYRATE.]

I suppose our deco is fairly uncommon now. And our technological advances did take a slightly different direction. [Wing likes hearing that story from the other side. Drift is far too humble sometimes. And hearing about Drift being the rescuer always swells his spark.] Is that when Drift told you his story?

A lift ride is no hardship.

[Especially if it puts him nearer...]

[He takes another draught of his drink, distracting himself from that train of thought before he betrays himself.]

A slightly different direction? [Perceptor snorts softly. That's like saying that Megatron took a "slightly different direction" than Orion Pax had.]

[He shakes his head.]

No. That came later. I was... indisposed for a time after we first met.

You should pick something on our floor then! [Oh, too exuberant?] Ah, I mean. If that suits you. I would understand if it didn't.

[Yeah staying down the hall from your ex and his current. That'd be weird if you weren't included. Though, hopefully...]

Well. Okay, I'm being modest I suppose. We did leave Cybertron with a lot of scientists, scholars and other great minds. And we had an entirely different set of circumstances to adapt to. [He's hoping that's not a point of contention. He knows many who still look down on those who fled the war and Cybertron. He's been called a coward more than once.]

Oh. [OH. RIGHT.] Ah. Beg pardon. _{Of course you were.} I'm happy you recovered and made a friend in him.

[He really wants to ask more. To beg for the pieces of Drift's life that he's missed, maybe live them vicariously through someone else. But it feels selfish, and like he's prying too much into business that is not his.]

[The diffidence returns; Perceptor studiously examines what's left of his drink as he answers.]

If you would not mind...

[He sighs then, feeling just fuzzy enough that he does not censor himself as he normally would.]

I envy you... the scientists who were selected....

[How much he could have learned, how much he could have accomplished if he'd been allowed to study what he'd wished, rather than adapting to the needs of war. It's hard to imagine not having been there to do what he could for his friends... but he isn't entirely certain any longer who really had been his friends.]

[He still has not looked up as he shrugs.]

I owed him. I was different before. Weak and useless. I owed him for not leaving me behind.

[....he.... hadn't meant to say all that. He stares stiffly at his drink. wondering how potent it is.]

[A warm and sympathetic smile graces Wing's face.]

No I certainly would not. I want you to be welcome. With us. I know Drift would enjoy your company.

[The jet relaxes into the high-backed booth, nacelles tilting to make space and his smile turns rueful.]

We tried to save as many as we could. As many as wanted to come. But the number of ships we had, which were fewer even still that successfully reached the stars... [He shakes his helm. It's still a point of sorrow, that they couldn't have saved more.] Don't be fooled though. It was a difficult trek. And harder still when we found a place to settle. There were not many builders or manual laborers, most of us were challenged with learning new functions just to survive and build a new home.

[But those next words strike him with an intense sadness. There's a time for words and a time to listen. Wing thinks maybe this is the latter. He leans forward, one hand reaching over the table to touch the back of Perceptor's as it curls around his glass.]

Why would you think that?

[He definitely hadn't meant to say that, but the words are out, and Perceptor has very few choices, now: panic, or face it head on. After a moment, he slowly looks up, meeting Wing's gaze as he assumes an armor of calm acceptance that he in no way actually feels. He shrugs.]

Because it was true.

[Kup had made that quite clear, not only in actions, but in his words later. After Perceptor had begun his metamorphosis. All those countless hours, sleepless cycles of working and worrying over the problems of repairing Kup's frame, of mitigating the addiction to the deadly crystal radiation, and it had just been Perceptor "doin' his job". Nothing more. Nothing. Certainly nothing worth making sure that Perceptor made it out alive.]

[His fuel pump is hammering hard as he affects a sigh.]

Please don't think that I viewed our friendship as an obligation. The obligation I had was to repay Drift for saving my life. Friendship came... [He shrugs again.] Because he is Drift.

[Because Drift had cared. Because Drift had reached out for him. Because... Because he's Drift.]

[He turns his attention back down toward his drink, focusing on the fingertips touching the back of his hand.]

When I awoke from regen, I remembered... [Lying on the floor, watching his vision slowly grey out, feeling his fluids pooling under his cooling frame, feeling the agony of being shattered and abandoned. It hadn't been hard to remember that; his unconscious moments had been filled with reliving that eternity, again and again. Filled with watching the Autobots fleeing. Leaving. Leaving him. Only one blur of white dashing toward him, before being forced back.]

I remembered being the weak link in the mission.

[Just a scientist, sent along to babysit Kup. Not a soldier. Not a skirmisher. Not even a scout. Just a scientist. Collateral damages.]

I decided to never be the weak link again.

[Wing certainly doesn't want to put Perceptor on the spot, but at the same time it feels more awkward to pretend nothing was said, and worse, have the scientist feel like he's being silently judged for those things. It's a tense, fragile moment, one in which a link of friendship could be forged or shattered.]

[He smiles, broadly, at mention of the obligation and friendship involving Drift being separate. He knows all to well how muddying those waters can be. There's always a thread of concern that Drift will do things out of obligation when all Wing wants is his love and happiness.]

[The knight listens, intently and patiently through it all, taking small sips from his drink, his hand never leaving Perceptor's.
His fingers venture forward at the end, the warmth of his palm cupping the back of the other's hand.]

Your trials have been great, you are strong for overcoming them.

[That's how Wing sees it, at least. Simply because he chose not to participate in the war does not mean he can't respect some of the effort others took in doing so.]

We cannot have strengths in all areas. A tool is not considered lesser simply because it does not suit a particular function, does it?
No one is ever useless, least of all you Perceptor.

Sometimes we have to be challenged to expand beyond ourselves, to grow and adapt. That's where the functionalists were wrong and it left us stagnant. [His own optics consider the two hands, both dark like char, both used for so many functions.] Sometimes it takes something massive to provoke change. A paradigm shift. It happened to you, to Drift, and to me. It's part of our evolution as people, complex beings with so much potential. It's the universe, Adaptus if you will, trying to get us to see it.

I didn't need to be strong in all ways. I just needed--

[To not be left behind again.]

I just wanted to be useful enough.

It's a shame they couldn't see your true worth.

[]Because Wing can't imagine someone as bright as Perceptor not having something to contribute.[]

But here, there is plenty of need. It's good to have you.

[Ah, but they did see his true worth. His true worth... to them. But Perceptor isn't really in the mood to argue the point any longer. Wing... just doesn't understand.]

[Then again, Wing cannot truly understand, because Perceptor has not fully detailed what he'd gone through that horrid day. Nor is he certain just exactly what Drift may have told him. He doesn't want to know. He doesn't want to see the pity in Wing's expression that would surely come from such a revelation. Perceptor pities himself enough without that.]

I hope... [that Wing doesn't learn to regret those words. He shakes his head.]

Thank you.

[Wing will probably feel how Perceptor's fingers tremble faintly as he slowly turns his hand against Wing's. As he hesitantly opens his hand to offer to Wing, to wrap around Wing's hand. It takes more courage than Perceptor ever thought he had to do it, to open more than his hand with that deceptively simple motion.]

Please do not allow me to ruin this, Wing.

[Drift has never been one to go into details, nor would Perceptor's unique perspective on it come through. In time Wing hopes to understand fully, though he knows that comes with trust and trust must be earned.]

And hope is where we start. It's what keeps us when we're trapped in the dark. We can find it in each other and hold strong.

[There's a poignancy in the moment, Wing can feel it, not just in the tremble of Perceptor's hand but the sincerity of his voice. The jet's own hand is steady as he turns it to meet Perceptor's, fingers curling into the other's palm to hold tight, a message in itself, but his EM field is aflutter with emotions, and at the forefront: hope and an intense willingness to make good things a reality. ]

_Perceptor. [His tone takes a more weighty edge, but it's one that begs something in kind, because he worries himself. Not just because of Perceptor, but because he's made his own share of mistakes.]

[He shakes his helm.] If we, all of us, act with integrity and honesty, compassion and respect... I think we manage anything.

[Perceptor nods slowly, holding himself very, very still.]

I hope.

[He drops his gaze to the table again for a moment.]

Promise me... if ever a choice must be made...

[Now he spears Wing with a deep, intense look.]

That you will ensure that Drift is happy.

[He can feel the weight of this, like something he'll remember for a long time to come. His flight panels shift, like tension caught between them that's trying to get out.]

It's worth it, to try. He's worth it. As are you.

[The look does it's work, and Wing draws up, pinions lowering. His face is solemn, slightly pained at the necessity of it, but in no less agreement. A slow nod as he squeezes Perceptor's hand.]

If you will do the same.

Very well.

[He gives Wing's hand a faint squeeze. A promise. A start.]

[He... doesn't know where to go from there, though.]

Now what?

[Better beginnings than endings.]

Well, first you should probably finish that. [He nods at the drink, taking another sip of his own. And then he reconsiders...] Or not, whichever suits. I'll take no offense.

But then I think you should go see him.

[Perceptor twitches, looking down at his drink, startled; he'd forgotten all about it. With a somewhat bashful little noise, he lifts the glass and takes a drink.]

No. It's good. Thank y--

Wait. Now?

[He chuckles softly; there's something very endearing about that little bit of bashfulness.]

Well you're perfectly welcome to stay and keep me company if you wish.

But, yes now. Why not?

[If there's one lesson the universe seems to want to beat into him, it's 'Don't wait.']

[Well, have some more, then.]

Why not... do both?

[Perceptor fiddles with his glass for a moment.]

We could go... speak with him together?

[Well...OH.]

Oh! Ah. oh...

[Now, now. Save the sauciness for later Wing, no need to get ahead of yourself.]

[Have a little giggle and loud cough Perceptor.]

I thought you might want some privacy but perhaps that's a better idea. ...if you'd prefer?

I would not have asked you, if I did not want you to.

[Perceptor ponders for a moment.]

A more private venue would be better, though, I think.

[He definitely doesn't want to go back to Leige's temple, though.]

Would it be possible to take something with us? [He holds up his glass, and the last of the drink in it.] And... perhaps... maybe ask him to meet us at your quarters?

[A smile.]

I appreciate you thinking of me. [Because he knows it'd be easy to just take the offer and run. This is already a good start.]

Hmm, yes I agree. Mixing is a little hard away from the bar, but we can bring a quantity of standard engex and some glasses with us easily. [Wouldn't be the first time.] Annnd I can see if he'll meet us.

[He grins; this is shaping up into his favorite kind of conspiracy.]

[If he weren't so frightened of all of this blowing up into a chotic mess, Perceptor might almost smile. Instead, he nods, and finishes his drink.]

Very well. Show me where the engex is, and I will carry.

[No endeavor is without risk, but hopefully any bumps they have long the way won't be so dramatic.]

Sounds like a plan then.

[He sends a message to Drift, short, maybe a little cryptic, and then moves to the bar and pulls out a decanter, filling it from one of the taps and sealing it tight. Three stacked plastiglass tumblers invert nicely over the top, and he hands the entire thing to Perceptor.]

It's not hard to find, I'll fly with you.

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[action] Lalalalala~ posting from my phone DERP

[action] no worries!

Re: [action] no worries!

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