[video]

[sword_redemption]

[The camera shows Wing's quarters, a breeze lightly rustling a curtain behind the two mechs. Drift's standing, almost pacing, as though he's been talked into this and is still not very comfortable.]

[He hesitates, trying to gather the right words. It's so much easier when he's writing it for someone else.]

A lot--more mechs than we even know--died here, or went missing. Everyone deserves to be remembered, whether we have their bodies or not. They were all like us, and we, any of us, could disappear or....worse, ourselves.

[Ghosts, zombies, the unknown fate of the badlands: so many options, all of them terrible. Wing doesn’t like any of those notions, but this idea is heartening. He rises from his seat near the window.]

If there’s one thing recent events have taught us, it’s that memories have a power of their own. We need a way, not just to mourn, but to remember those no longer with us, both past and future. To honor them. And maybe keep hope alive for the lost.

We were thinking of a place, not like a cemetery, but some place that recalls them as they were. This is for all of us, not just Cybertronians, so we were kind of wondering. How do you celebrate the memories of those you've lost in your worlds?

Comments

[winged_knight]

[There's been a lot of similar suggestions but this one really stands out. Wing can't resist, he's delighted and looks it.]

Oooh! I think someone did something like this here. With trees, crystal ones. Each of the First Forged had one for Christmas. [Now if only he could remember who it was...] I like that idea, tinting them different colors...

[gunfondlingbattlestat]

[Perceptor is finding it easier to doff the stoic mask for wing with their every interaction. He can see why Drift cares for Wing so much.]

I know techniques for growing crystals in nearly any formation and tint requested.

[That's one of the many perks of having a specialty in molecular chemistry.]

Further, they could be carved, or infused with energies as a sort of memory repository?

[winged_knight]

[Shhh, it's one of his super powers, don't tell the Decepticons around here or they'll get their defenses up.]

Reeeally? So we could grow something permanent as decoration for the memorial, or grow a specific one in memory of a particular person.

[Oh, he likes this idea very much, maybe for more than just this purpose. Crystals? Things that catch the light? SHINY THINGS? Yeah that magpie streak might be showing.]

But the latter would obligate you anytime someone had a request to add a memorial...?

[The last thing he wants to do is make others feel obligated or have this become a chore.]

[gunfondlingbattlestat]

[Unsurprising.]

Yes to both. The techniques are identical. It is merely the materials utilized that determine the size, general crystalline matrix, and shade of each growth.

[Perceptor has a... well, perhaps a weakness, one might say, for crystals, himself. It wasn't all that long ago, in the grand scheme of things, that he's been a bit of a magpie, himself, and the various types of crystals that can be found throught the universe fascinate him for their complexity and diversity.]

It would?

[He shakes his head briefly.]

I am no artisan. I can initiate the production, and show others how to do so, but I have no skill for artistic carving.

[Not unless one would want scaled models of incredibly intricate molecular formations. Then, he's your mech.]

As for encoding information within the matrices, that would be initiated with the type of crystal being grown, and could easily be completed with equipment that anyone can be taught to utilize.

[He ponders it for a moment.]

Besides... it would not be an onerous duty to be a... a keeper of sorts for such a place.

[winged_knight]

[There's little glimmers of light in Wing's optics as he ponders over all this: SO MUCH POTENTIAL. SO MUCH WONDER.]

Do we have all the materials necessary here?

[If a collection of such crystals existed Wing would be ecstatic to see it.]

I...unfortunately have little artistic skill myself. Not to the degree this would require anyway.

[Dancing however, is another story.]

We do want it to be a beautiful place, a peaceful place where good feelings and memories are kept. To honor, pay tribute, not to wreath tombstones with grief. [He smiles a little.] I think it'd be quite nice if the place had a keeper.

[gunfondlingbattlestat]

[Ah, magpie aroused, eh?]

If not, they should be easily scavenged from the area, I think.

[They may not exist yet, but they will.]

Perhaps you could put out an announcement? Ask around? Surely someone must have some skill to shape or carve.

[Perceptor nods, his expression faintly pleased.]

If no others would object, or have a greater desire to do so themselves, I would be honored to.

[winged_knight]

[It's a predictable reaction. You could chart the variables and it'd probably make a pretty little graph.]

That's wonderful! I think we should definitely do this. It's far more sustainable than anything else and...I think it'd be gorgeous.

[This is kind of a weird thing to be excited over but he is.]

Even in their natural shapes it'd be beautiful, but we might find someone with a talent for carving as we go along.

[He's not going to let that little detail set back the project though, NOPE.]

I would appreciate that. I think it'd be lovely to see your handiwork here; enthusiasm rarely makes up for experience. [He smiles, his optics keen and warm.] Thank you for this.

[gunfondlingbattlestat]

[He quirks a little half smile.]

I'm no artist, Wing. Merely a scientist who knows the knack of what raw materials will produce what crystalline matrices. But you are welcome. I am pleased to be able to provide some assistance.