[ VIDEO ][ ORIGIN: Megatronus Prime's Temple ]

[bloodsporter]

[ Overlord always had a bit of a flair for the dramatic when addressing an audience, so video it is.

He's unashamed of showing his face, broken eye and all, energon drying on his cheek. He surveys the feed for a moment, annoyance tugging at his expression. It eventually molds into a default smile. ]

I've been briefed on the situation. Decepticons! I'm assuming command from this point forward. Join with me and you will be rewarded.

[ And just by the tone of his voice, it's less asking and more of a demand. He reaches up, wiping away stray bits of glass and smearing the tacky drops of energon over his cheek. Very casual, like it doesn't hurt at all. ]

Perhaps one of you would be kind enough to help me. I'm in need of repairs. Bring me someone who can do the task.

Comments

[bloodsporter]

My best interests are for me to decide. I don't expect your small mind to understand my ambitions.

[ He chuckles briefly. You're an interesting mech, Wing. ]

Entertainment.

[winged_knight]

Educate me then.

[A simple request, for knowledge, perspective.]

And of course they are for you to decide. I simply offer further context on the situation. Do you realize the factions have no true relevance here? Other than for the power hungry to make desperate grabs for the torn remnants of someone else's banner?

That's no qualification for real leadership.

[There's no malice in his words, just simple fact.]

We've managed, so far, in the entertainment area. But new offerings are welcome. What did you have in mind?

[bloodsporter]

I'm not interested in factions or war. Megatron's vision was narrow minded. It's only that his Decepticons are more likely to be like minded individuals.

[ He chuckles. ]

And what is your idea of entertainment?

[winged_knight]

It's an honest relief to hear you say that. That war as a mechanism for change failed us utterly; Megatron's direction was no small part of that. Takes two to make a war though.

Like minded? You may find many of the mechs here, Decepticons included, tired of conflict. Some may yet answer your call though. [A tilt of the head.] It's obvious you wish to gather followers. May I ask to what end?

[He smiles. There's an ironic amount of laughter in this conversation thus far. He also notes how you evade his question.]

Entertainment? Anything that makes mechs happy while still preserving their health and well being.

And you?

[bloodsporter]

[ Wing, if you think his laughing is a bit much, you haven't seen the bizarre amount of smiling he does yet. Or well, maybe the video is a good clue. ]

I never considered myself to be a very ambitious individual, but one does understand the need for allies, you see. Survival is something every species and individual desires, isn't it? When you wake up in a strange place, uprooted from your foundation, should you not gather your resources? Comfort and pleasure are very important to adaption and intelligent exercises.

[ Can you tell he's not any sort of Decepticon grunt yet, Wing? Overlord's fairly used to speeches to... slant things in his favor. He wasn't considered a mastermind of psychology for no reason. ]

So you're speaking of dance, over imbibing, celebrations, right? Possibly other sordid affairs as well. There was a time I would have agreed with you. I'm not above small, petty pleasures, but I prefer something a little more... violent. Have you ever watched two mechs in combat and felt the rush that comes with witnessing something so glorious? The friction, the smells, the heat of the moment?

/drowns you in text

[winged_knight]

[But smiles are good, yes? And so is laughter! They're off to a great start, obviously.]

For an individual who is not very ambitious, you certainly assume command quickly. But I will give you that: finding allies, especially in an unknown place, is an important survival instinct. And if one can derive comfort and pleasure from them as well, then all the better. [He finds your choice of words...curious, but he of all people cannot fault them.]

But there's always the possibility of making new allies and friends, unexpected ones, outside the old lines drawn at the start of the war. And well...let's face it, the caliber of many Decepticons leaves much to be desired...some may be more of a burden or trouble than a beneficial ally.

[Overlord, you're good, certainly. You may come to fool this mech, until someone else comes 'round to set him straight.]

Those are but a few options. There's art and culture as well. Games and performances. What is dance without music? We may only have remnants of such things here, but it's something. Plus we're capable of creating new things.

[And oh, that part dismays Wing more than a little. Bless him, but he's not a mech that can entirely hide his thoughts. What bothers him most though, is that he can't say 'No' to your question. Because he has felt that way, but it means something different to him.]

There is something glorious in the contest of physical skill, a display of prowess or the meeting a challenge, but it can be such without true conflict and violence.

[bloodsporter]

[ Oh yes, smiles are definitely good, but man. His optics are just empty of emotion there. ]

Someone must lead in every group. You know it's true.

[ That gets a snort out of him, though. ]

Ah, all that white and pretty words are is just surface deep, isn't it? You want to speak to me about the caliber of other cybertronians. [ He makes a small hand motion. ] Every mech has his place.

[ Whether it's at a seat of power or crushed under his treads, well... that was really up in the air. ]

Mmm, yes. I'm quite the fan of games and performances. [ Just, you know. Not the usual kind. ] What is physical combat without conflict? What drives it? Don't you find the desire to defeat an opponent a form of conflict?