re_alignment | [Video]

[The video feed flickers on to the sight of a young boy seemingly passed out as his desk. Don't worry guys, he's still alive. As proof of this, he raises his head and blearily stares down at the data pad he has in front of him. A hand reaches out and roughly brushes the coffee mug and drags it closer to him. He makes the mistake of drinking some before making a face and spitting it back into the mug. Yuck, cold stale coffee is nasty.

Cody doesn't look too good. Actually, he looks like a kid who has been up for three days straight with nothing to sustain him but coffee and granola bars. Why would he do this and what could possibly be so important that he'd do this to himself? Well, part of it is because Prowl is a very curt and demanding boss. The other part is because Cody actually wants to impress him a little. Four days of constant and dedicated paperwork would do it right?

Ugh, he feels terrible. But luckily for him he's almost done.]

Just a little more.

[He mutters to himself before tiredly getting back to work.

About twenty seconds later his head droops again and hits the desk with a thud. No, no naps yet. C'mon Cody, keep going...]

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...You're kidding me.

Prowl put you up to this? You look like you haven't slept in days.

Please say I'm not right.

...

[Um.]

I told him I could handle it.

How's that working for you, kid?

[He doesn't want to spout the truth about Prowl to him, seeing as it's clear he (for some reason) looks up to Prowl.]

There's things called realistic expectations.

I'm almost done.

I think he'll be happy with it.

[He hopes.]

...Oh kid.

First rule about Prowl: He's never happy.

His frown has a frown. That's what, 86 muscles in human terms?

Still, I want to say that I've done a good job.

I just hope he doesn't ask me to do it again, to be honest.

He might. He can acknowledge a job well done.

[Sugar coating that so hard.]

Tell you what, finish this job, get some rest, and we can watch a movie. You humans like those, right?

A movie? Really?!

Noble!

I'm so for that!

[Eyes brightening, Cody manages a real smile as he straightens up out of his slouched position.]

What kind of movies do you have?

Well look at you! Perked right up for that.

[There's a soft chuckle as he looks at his arm, a little slot opening up.]

Well, depends. Earth-based or Cybertronian?

You know...

It'd be really cool to see what kind of movies Cybertronians watch.

I'll scour my databanks, see what I can dig up.

Most are just really corny infomercials. I doubt you're interested in that.

I'll be fine with that! I have a few Autobot friends back home and I'd love to learn a little bit about their culture. Even if they're probably not from your dimension.

Then it's settled! I'll pull together some clips for you, kid. Just...don't overwork yourself, okay?

Prowl really isn't worth it.

I'm no expert on... well, anything. But I can tell you don't like Prowl very much.

Why?

Our relationship is...strained. And that's putting it generously.

[He doesn't want to crush the kid though, so he'll scrub a hand over his face.]

Just keep an eye on him, or he'll get carried away.