re_alignment | video;

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brave police: j-decker | kagerou

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[The link appears to have been... dropped. It's just sitting on the floor of a hallway in Trion's temple. There's a partial view of a nearby room, the door half-open and sitting strangely on its hinges. The room itself appears... trashed. Like the storm blew through the room as well as the Haven.]

[Everything is absolutely still. Absolutely silent.]

[For several minutes.]

[And then something slams itself down off-screen, hard enough to rattle the Link itself. It actually vibrates a few inches forward at the impact.]

[Someone laughs. There's no amusement in the sound, only smug satisfaction.]

Look! Look, look, look!

[The voice is probably familiar, but the cadence is all wrong. The speaker grabs the Link, jerking it toward the room.]

I did it. I did it so well too, didn't I? You thought you had me -- what was it? What was it? Are you punishing me? Is that it?

No, no. That won't do. I got out!

[More laughter. Delighted, echoing laughter.]

[And all of the sudden, a face pops on-screen, upside down. The smile it wears is sharp, harsh. It's... Kagerou?]

Aren't. You. Proud? Brave Police.

[There is a fevered light in his optics -- both of which are visible now, the scanner no longer marking half his face. And then the feed goes dark.]

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[McCrane's mouth opens to say the name 'Kagerou,' but he stops...surprised to find the one he's seeking in mid-flight towards him.]

[Instead, he gasps--a sound half-way between startled and mimicking the noise humans make when they've lost their breath. It's programmed. Possibly. Either way, he hits the floor hard...harder than he was expecting.]

[It was worth it, though, giving his foot purchase in a seam along the walkway--an edge for later to shift his weight if he needs it. For now he's momentarily stunned, and that name finally makes its way out.]

Kagerou...

You won.

[He crows as the other BP hits the ground. Throws his head back, his optics blazing bright, as if fevered. Triumph is written all over his face.]

[And yet he stays put, in an attempt to hold McCrane down, while his body arches, almost entirely too pleased with this.]

You lost! You lost, you lost -- look! It was so easy!

[He actually wriggles where he sits, his wings fluttering.]

Left your guard down, and didn't even fight! So sloppy, tch! So, so sloppy.

It was. You're very skilled at infiltration. I don't think I could best you at staying hidden, or seeking someone out.

[His head is still reeling, but this seems like the appropriate time. He uses the purchase he gained on the floor and pushes, using the power he was given as a construction unit to push Kagerou off...and perhaps turn the tables, trying to pin the other instead.]

However, I am a combat specialist.

[It was what Kagerou had said earlier.] I believe this qualifies.

[There's a long moment of preening smugness. Of course he's better. He's perfect. He survived, after all. Why wouldn't he be? He leans in, then, his face barely inches from McCrane's own, the words all but purring out of him.]

Keep talking. You're so much better when you keep saying those words... like a good dog you are...

[And then the shove.]

[He's not expecting it, so caught up in the moment was he. He shrieks, struggling, kicking, twisting. Writhing like a trapped animal.]

[He'll even bite if he has to. In order to remain the victor.]

A good dog?

[That closeness...those words...McCrane would expect something of the like out of Tarn or out of Overlord, but never out of Kagerou. It is wrong, and it sends a shudder through him.]

Like Shadowmaru?

[He struggles back, trying to stay calm and collected but not entirely able to. This is Kagerou, and something is happening to him and McCrane does not know how he can help. If Kagerou is loosing his glyph...]

...

[No. Please, no. McCrane does not think he can take another of the Brave Police vanishing so soon. That propels him in strength, and he shoves, hard.]

Kagerou, get control of yourse--

[He pauses, as a bite lands on his shoulder, not having expected that.]

Take control of yourself!

Yes. A good --

[And, just as before, the name triggers something. Some flashback, some internal processing error -- something. It freezes him. It earns McCrane time and opportunity to gain the upper hand.]

[Before his optics go wide, then abruptly narrow in sheer, mindless hate.]

[The screeching begins again, his struggles more wild, more uncontrolled. His fingers claw for purchase, as if trying to sink into McCrane's plating, and failing.]

Don't -- say -- that -- name! I told you! I told you -- I told you!

[There is no control now. There may have been before, but that name alone pushes him over some ledge in his head.]

[The momentary victory gives him enough purchase to grip both of Kagerou's wrists, intending on pushing him back to the floor...

At least, until the ninja's new rage sets in. That...is unlike anything McCrane has seen from him.]

Kagerou--please! Calm down!

I wont say the name again, I promise, but I need to understand what is wrong.

We're going to work to get you back to him, still!

Is...that what you want?

Stop it -- stop it -- Stop it! Stop talking right now!

[Like a broken record, his shouts repeat. Over and over again. Like he's trying to drown out what McCrane is saying. Which may actually be the case.]

[His feet start scrambling for purchase, body bucking up to try and push the other BP off him.]

You lost! You lost -- why -- Don't you speak of him! Don't you ever! I beat him I won!

[His words trail off into pure sound. Just screaming to keep from hearing anything more. From... witnessing any more memories.]

[This time, McCrane lets up--lets Kagerou push him back. He's never heard one of the earth bots screaming like this, never seen a Brave Police member in this sort of distress. It's bewildering, and all he wants to do is make it stop. To help.]

Kagerou...

Yes.

You won.

...

You won.

[The screeching, wailing, sound continues until he appears to realize he's not being talked at any more. That he's pushing -- he's winning again. In control.]

[Then it cuts off. As abruptly as it began.]

[He can't pant, not like a human, but his ventilation systems are working overtime, and his optics -- both of them -- remain wide and staring. A cornered animal.]

...

Yes.

I know that.

[McCrane lets Kagerou stay in control this time, watching, worried, flinching with each scream. This is not how they're supposed to be...it isn't. Kagerou is hurting.]

I'm sorry.

[He says, very softly, leaving time after the screaming stops, just listening to the cycles of Kagerou's engines. Air in...through pistons, heated, ignited, and expelled. Faster than they should be.]

...

[Slowly, tentatively, he reaches out to try and touch the other on the shoulder...gentle. Offering comfort, the way he'd seen it offered by humans. The way he'd remembered it was offered to him on bad days, when the Build Team would show up at his quarters and talk to him through the night.]

[He stares. His expression is miles away. But... beneath the confusion, the incomprehension -- why is he being touched. Why isn't he being struck. Why did the violence stop -- there is something else.]

[Some vague sort of fascination.]

[Those wide optics drop, staring at the hand on him. Ogling it. As if he's never felt a touch like that in his lifetime.]

[He suddenly turns, his whole body shifting with entirely too much speed, too much grace. It pulls McCrane's hand from his shoulder, letting him study it, as if he's never seen it before.]

[And just as abruptly, he shifts back, so that it can rest where it was.]

[Okay, he's determined it's not dangerous. Good enough. It can stay.]

Is this better?

[He dares to speak again, testing the waters but still keeping his voice soft. Whatever has happened to Kagerou...it must have been terrible.]

Please.

What is the last thing you remember before waking up here?

[His hand stays on Kagerou's shoulder but he eases his weight back, sitting next to the ninja on the floor.]

You're acting weird.

[Which... is about as much of an answer as he's going to give, to the question. Because he really doesn't know what to make of this. But... the rules are being obeyed. He's being given attention. Being listened to and noticed. And the words that shouldn't be said are gone.]

[He huffs, dismissively.]

Work, work, work. As usual. No challenge -- weapons smugglers don't look up when they should. Their screams so loud... so afraid. Some fled -- caught them, you should have seen --

[He pauses, his head tilting back, expression suddenly euphoric. His frame shivers, wings spreading.]

So wonderful. They knew who came for them that night...

[Okay, so he remembers a mission. That's something, right?]

I know.

[To Kagerou, this must have seemed strange...but to McCrane, it is even stranger. Especially with the description that follows.]

Kagerou, what did you do to them?

[The surprise is clear on his face...this does not sound like the Brave Police he knows.]

You don't remember anything about Cybertron? About Kay, or Power Joe?

[Another thought occurs to him.] Or your engine being upgraded?

Good. You should fix it. [He laughs, wildly.] Or not! Maybe you like being so talkative! I don't know!

[He shrugs, still looking euphoric, vaguely... excited by the memory. But he settles for rocking back and forth.]

Killed some. Scared others. Arrested some too! That's boring, but they screamed anyhow. They'll tell such stories in the prison, you know. They'll remember better. Oh yes.

[There's a low, rough, purr in his voice then. His optics dim, as if pleasured. He swings his head around, peering at McCrane sideways.]

Mmm. Nope! Should I? Why should I remember Joe? What's he done, hm? Nothing worth remembering.

[Then he frowns, looking down at his chest. One hand thumps against it. Several times.]

Upgrade...?

How should I be acting?

[He can't even imagine.]

And the other Brave Police...they were alright with this?

[He visibly is startled when Kagerou swings around, his hand moving away from the other's shoulder for a moment. However, when nothing comes of it he relaxes, slightly, placing the hand on Kagerou's leg instead.]

Power Joe and you...you liked to argue. It seemed, anyhow. I believe the two of you were getting along.

However, we all needed upgrades to survive here. On Cybertron.

This isn't Earth, Kagerou. We're with other sentient robots here, like us.

Like a big. Stupid...

[And just like that, he's leaned forward, once more mere inches away from the other BP's face. As if his concept of personal space no longer exists. He gets more of a reaction, this way.]

... animal.

[He pulls back after that though, laughing. Like it's all some joke.]

Of course! Why not? Don't you remember? We rule. We rule all. If they're going to break laws, we have to teach them, hm? Have to instruct them. It's not smart to be so disobedient...

[And then... there's a hand on his leg. He cocks his head, every motion far more avian, far more unrestrained than he ever has been.]

Why would I want to get along with him? He's a fool. Like all of you.

... Why are you making up stories now?

[McCrane's head whips around at that line, a denial already forming on his lips. What do you say to being called a name? How...how do you react? He has no experiences with this...and so he defaults to programmed settings.]

No. That behavior is not in my schematics.

None of that is. We were built to help humans...to protect them. I don't understand how you remember it so differently than I do...

[Wait.]

Kagerou. You..survived to join the Brave Police?

[It suddenly hits him how MUCH is different...too much. Too much for this to be any normal glitch.]

We aren't fools, and I am not lying. This is Cybertron. [He stands...and offers Kagerou a hand.] I will show you.

[And that only makes him laugh more, edging back into the other BP's personal space to do it, to drive the point home. This is all so funny. Surely, McCrane's going to get tired of this peaceful act soon, surely something is going to break and they'll fight again.]

[Right?]

Oh, of course. Look how strong you are -- how brave. Denying it. You should get rewarded more often, if this happens!

[Protecting. Helping. No -- he's never done that a day in his life. What kind of stupidity is that? They were made to rule, weren't they? To keep humanity from being so foolish as to kill themselves. Right? He scoffs, rocking backward away from McCrane to wag a finger at him.]

So confused though. I'm not sure I like that part. Shameful!

[And then his optics narrow.]

I lived. There was only me. No one else. I told you -- you're doing so well listening -- don't say another word -- don't speak it.

Me. I'm strong. I'm the one -- the survivor -- the first. I lived. Don't question. Shush.

[The last part comes out as a hiss, and his wings flare, his body recoiling from the rising BP like he's expecting a tackle, or a strike. Tension, wary annoyance, the feelings practically radiate off him.]

[He stares at that hand, confused that it's simply hovering there, weaponless, open. No fists.]

[And doesn't move.]

Rewarded? By who?

[He can't help but lean away from Kagerou, instinctively uncertain of the madness he seemed to contain. He can't bring himself to completely break away, however. This is still Kagerou.]

I lead the Police force here on Cybertron. We don't...we don't work on a reward system. We keep the Haven safe as best we can, and fight the monsters that sneak in from the Badlands. You have always helped...

[The hand stays outstretched, hoping that the change in topic will refocus Kagerou. If McCrane is hearing it right...it seems as if Shadowmaru and Kagerou's positions were reversed somehow. If that was the case, it is no wonder that Kagerou is acting so broken. Maybe...maybe there is a way to fix this.]

Take my hand, and I will show you this world. Then, you will understand what I am saying.

By the lord and master. His highness. The chieftain of us all. Don't tell me you forgot. He'll be so displeased. And then you'll be in pieces and oh what a mess that is.

[He's perched now, balanced on the "balls" of his feet, staring intently forward. He's caught somewhere between wariness and eagerness. Curiosity and trepidation.]

You. Lead. [And then there's an explosive laugh. He all but falls over, squawking. Laughing. Entirely too amused with this news.] Does he know! Does he know you play this way! Did you tell him -- can I be there when you tell him! I want to see his face!

[Just as abruptly as it came on, the laughter cuts off. He's staring at the hand again, all but sniffing at it. He reaches out, prodding it a few times with a fingertip.]

[He doesn't really believe this isn't a trick.]

You want to hold hands? Tch. Shameless. Aren't you.

Deckard? I doubt he'll be displeased with my actions. He just arrived, and...I've been here for over a year. I do not even desire to lead, but...

[Saying it out loud makes it true. He has been here for that long, and he's been in charge of the Police Force for almost half that time.]

Do you really think he would object?

Do you object?

[When the hand is prodded, McCrane turns it over, letting Kagerou see it top and bottom. No weapons, here...though a rifle is still slung over his back. It's not his Shotgun. It's the weapon Gunmax gave him...and what Kagerou is saying sounds a little too close to something Gunmax would say. It would have been easier doing this if his emotions weren't so fragile, always. No matter what Seia told him, once...they were often getting in the way.]

Consider it collateral so that I know you will not vanish on me. Not until I know I can trust you.

But? But, but but? I heard that! Oh, you should be sure he doesn't. Messy, like I said. Such a shame -- such a clear head -- bashed in. Because you talked too much.

For once.

[But... watching the violence is fun. In its own way. Even though he'd prefer to be the one delivering it.]

[His head bobs in answer. Of course their 'glorious' leader will object. Threats to authority are never tolerated. His own feelings hardly matter -- so long as he's noticed. So long as attention is paid.]

Don't care. Doesn't matter. Leaders are all the same.

[Collateral...]

[He laughs again, the wariness vanishing. He all but launches himself at the outstretched hand, latching into it and laughing wildly. Oh, that word he understands. If this goes awry, he can rip the arm from its socket, he reasons. Easy enough.]

Trust me, he says! As he he ever would! Naive he's become, mm!

Deckard would never do that. Not ever. Not even if someone reprogrammed him...

[Which wasn't technically true, but...even when Deckard had been fighting them a part of him had resisted.]

Then...until we can discover what has happened to you...will you still abide by our rules? It means no killing.

[He needs to be sure. Absolutely sure. Even so, he doesn't know what to think about this Kagerou, other than wanting to know more.]

I do trust you, Kagerou...

Or, at least, I trusted the you that you were yesterday.

[He pulls Kagerou towards a window...heading up a set of stairs to make sure its one with a good view.]

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Action. Suddenly Aladdin?

Action. this doesnt help the sudden shipping

Action. Well I'm sure we can find a giant carpet in A3's SOMEWHERE

Action. xh;kxkjvx HAHAHA OH GOD

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