re_alignment | [Accidental Video]

[It'd been a month since Magnus left.

The commander had been gone that long before, and Wheeljack almost expected the same this time around. So...when that time rolled around, and still no Magnus after constantly searching the feed...

It was time to call it quits.

The feed opens up to show a room-...or what's left of one. The walls are cracked, scorched, bent, or indented in some places, although that seems to be the most of the damage. The berth is relatively untouched, and any of Miko's and Bulkhead's belongings are actually safe from damage. Wheeljack's own stuff? a different story. Only one thing of Wheeljack's was left untouched--the sword Blurr gave him--which was put under the bed weeks prior.

Sounds like someone had a tantrum, and it shows, with Wheeljack standing in the center of the room, panting heavily from all the lashing out...at the wall.

...Do you feel better now, princess?]

Ngh...

[He slumps against the wall, sinking to the ground and curling up.

...Just like old times.]

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[The door's open, like he said it would be. And, in the lab itself, Perceptor is hunched over his worktable, and a microscope, ironically enough.]

[Every movement is very controlled, very precise. Because of reasons. He doesn't look up when Wheeljack arrives.]

[Wheeljack tries to make it through with little to no question. Perceptor was busy working, so it was double the opportunity. There were a few dings and scratches on his armor, but nothing to be worried about as he walked past.]

I'll be in there awhile.

[He reaches back, almost without looking, to hold out an arm, in order to block Wheeljack's forward progress.]

... The room is well-shielded. But you aren't.

Just a reminder.

[And he turns to go back to work.]

[Wheeljack bumps into that arm, seeing as it's the size of life itself, tracing it back to it's owner.]

I can take a hit better than you know.

It...was a good idea, Wheeljack.

[He freezes a moment, wings flicking.]

[He gives him a look, and is clearly about to start lecturing him on how ill-advised such a sentiment is.]

[But the stupid ringtone.]

[That stops him cold. And for a second, it looks as if Wheeljack physically struck him. Then he's back to scowling at his work.]

... You still have that.

[The stupid ringtone.

If you looked at Wheeljack, you'd swear he just stopped working. Malfunctioned on the spot and froze there. Magnus's voice rang through the lab, and it looked like Wheeljack just got shot.]

...Guess I do.

[Well. At least he knows what all this was probably about. It doesn't make it feel any better, though.]

[... and Perceptor can't really say he disagrees with the feeling.]

You don't need to hold onto it.

There are easier ways to... remember someone.

[Those words practically burn to hear, and it's shown in how rigid he goes.]

...It's not like I need it.

Just forgot.

[You liar.]

... I understand.

[He doesn't elaborate on that, though. But he'd been looking over old conversations, recently. He gestures to a device on the table.]

It's a storage unit. Digital, of course... in case you wished to preserve the audio file during... your exertions.

...You're givin' this to me?

[He picks it up, inspecting it a moment.]

I can easily build another.

[Don't ask again, or he'll change his mind.]

[At that, he reaches out, taking the storage unit in his hand and tucking it away for safekeeping.]

I'll keep it in mind.

[He grabs the case again.]

... Dare I ask what you have in that case?

Best ya don't.

[It's a mishmosh of explosives and other things. Like a little dummy to practice beating up]

Charming.

[He doesn't press it, though, just shaking his head into the microscope.]

Do attempt to come out in one piece... This batch is currently unstable enough to where I don't wish to leave it alone to scrape you off the ceiling.