video;

[sciencetank]

[It's not unusual for the tank to look peeved. It's sort of Perceptor's general state of existence, lately. Except today, he appears a bit more irate than usual. The sudden burst of network activity, combined with disappearances, failed tests, whatever the scrap happened to Wheeljack...]

[No. He's done.]

Right then. If we're going to be busy recreating pre-war tensions left and right...

I wash my hands of this weirdness.

Entirely.

Good day, Cybertron.

[And, with that, he clicks the comm off with abrupt, angry, Space-British finality.]

[Except a note appears, later.]

[ PRIVATE TO: SMOKESCREEN ]
If you require my attention, you have only to message me.

Comments

[Private Text]

[shutupndrive]

Alright.


Is there anything I can do, dad?

[Private Text]

[sciencetank]

Not particularly.

I wouldn't fret overmuch, it's rather better this way.

[Private Text]

[shutupndrive]

How so?

[Private Text]

[sciencetank]

The cause of all these issues is firmly rooted in attachment.

Therefore, the solution is to become the opposite.

Re: [Private Text]

[shutupndrive]

...Oh.

Dad that

If

....okay.

[Private Text]

[sciencetank]

[.. oops.]

Clearly it is not 'okay', if the grammatical structure of your response is any indication.

[Private Text]

[shutupndrive]

I just don't like the idea of not being able to hang around you, if that's what you mean by no longer being 'rooted in attachment' or whatever.

[Private Text]

[sciencetank]

[That's exactly what he means, but. On the other hand, he'd made a promise to Optimus as well...]

You have access to my private comm lines.

As I said... if you have need of me, message.

[Which is Perceptor-speak for, "you can still come around if you want to B("]

[Private Text]

[shutupndrive]

Well, I guess someone does need to make sure you recharge.

[You can never get rid of him, Perceptor, no matter what you do.]

[Private Text]

[sciencetank]

I'm perfectly capable of doing that on my own -- as I informed you previously.

Re: [Private Text]

[shutupndrive]

Then how come you never do it, dad?

Huh?

[Private Text]

[sciencetank]

Because I don't require it as often as others.

[Private Text]

[shutupndrive]

So how does that translate to never recharging? Because I'm pretty sure you don't ever really recharge.

[Private Text]

[sciencetank]

It isn't never. It's simply when you're not around.

[Private Text]

[shutupndrive]

Uh huh.

I'm still going to check on you, dad. I don't want you overdoing it.

[Private Text]

[sciencetank]

Very well, that's entirely your prerogative.

[Private Text]

[shutupndrive]

You're slagging right it is.




I'd also like to watch you work sometime..and help..if you don't mind. The stuff you do is really interesting.

[Private Text]

[sciencetank]

Of course I am. That's why I said it.

... Would you now?

[Well. He does need an extra hand now and again...]

I don't see why not. Provided, of course, you keep your hands out of the hazardous materials.

[like the synthetic energon samples...]

[Private Text]

[shutupndrive]

I would, yeah.

I promise I will only touch what you tell me I can touch.

[Because he wants to spend time with you, dadbot.]

[Private Text]

[sciencetank]

Then I don't see why not.

I have been in need of more assistants, lately.

Re: [Private Text]

[shutupndrive]

Great!

I can come in anytime you need me!

[Private Text]

[sciencetank]

You're awfully excited about being used as a lab assistant.

[Private Text]

[shutupndrive]

It means I get to help you, so of course I'm excited.

[Private Text]

[sciencetank]

Ah. I see.

If only all my laboratory assistants shared such a sentiment.