re_alignment | [Accidental Video]

Entry tags:

✘ tf: prime | wheeljack

[Accidental Video]

[Some people don't react to change well. And with the pillar event over and done with, and everyone back to normal, the reaction was only worse. Everyone came back okay, things should have been well and good, right? Not for everyone, and it's not even someone who went down there. Wheeljack had two people close to him affected, and in turn, got affected in his own way.

It was way too close of a call. A reality check, if you will.

It's had a lot of side effects on the Wrecker. Sleeping less, unable to keep still (Then again, his boons from Solus helped the fatigue), and keeping himself busy. He'd even taken a little haven out in Solus's sector (That's where his 'scouting missions' have been leading, for those who've met up with him). Oh Wheeljack, we thought you were just starting to get better!

The sound of metal clangs in the background as Wheeljack brings more into his little mancave. In fact, when the feed pans out, it shows a lot of diverse metal. Another thing he couldn't explain was his affinity for identifying metals. It wasn't a knowledge he'd previously known, at least not to the extent as this. Like Primus he'd ever ask about it though. He knows by now that strange thing happening = First Forged did something. Don't mess with the pattern, it doesn't mess with you.]

Adamantium. Can't say I'm disappointed.

[That was how he was spending his time lately. Keeping busy, doing something. Solus had granted him one of her forges before, but without that boon now, he had to do things the old fashioned way: his own personal smelting pit for heat, and the tools he had around him. To be honest, he's in a cave with a box of scraps.

A hand goes along the back of his neck, a gesture he'd picked up as he inspects some of his findings.]

Whelp, time to get to work.

[Wheeljack what are you doing.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

... Care to share your design plans?

[It's hesitant. And not even an audio post. If things are still tense... then he wants to offer every opportunity for Wheeljack to ignore his response.]

[Even though he doesn't particularly want to be ignored.]

...

[He sees the text, or rather, hears the noise (which is no longer Magnus's voice. Just a beep.) and walks over. He should have known who it was--not that he's upset. In fact, it makes him feel better, knowing Perceptor still cares.]

Not really sure yet.

Figure I'd see where the smelt takes me.

[At this point, he doesn't know if he could not care. For better or worse. Though, sometimes, it feels like "worse".]

[He hesitates before he responds.]

...

Did... you require any assistance?

...I wouldn't stop ya.

[Because really, he needs people, as much as he hates to admit that about himself. And if he can keep everyone he wants close by, then there's the less likelihood they'll disappear.

No more pillar expeditions for him. At least not alone.]

It's rather difficult to find someone... without coordinates.

[He's worried. It's hard not to let it show, but he does his best. He's already made things difficult enough for the Wrecker, hasn't he?]

Oh.

[Well now he feels a little silly. He's been so hung up on himself he forgot the important part.]

Lemme just...

[Not a second later, coordinates pop up. And from the looks of things, it's in some ravine in Solus's sector.]

Ah. There.

I... can be out there shortly. If you're amenable to it.

Won't be goin' anywhere. My armory's not gonna fill itself.

[See: I won't leave]

...But don't keep me waiting.

Do try not to become overly impatient.

We're both aware of the speed of my alternate mode.

[See: he's slow as a brick.]

Guess you'll just have to hurry it up.

[Maybe it was slight teasing, but the sound of metal clanging is now heard in the background, as if he's already started getting to work.]

[It'd be nice...to see him here.]

I'll do what I can.

[And he will. Trundling off as quickly as possible.]

[He'll arrive shortly, regardless of distance.]

[When Perceptor arrives, he may or may not be surprised at the state of the 'mancave'. Metal piled up and separated everywhere, a small smelting pit, and Wheeljack fumbling around through it all.

He seems a bit more...jittery than normal. Could just be trying to maneuver around all of this...

But he really seems off his game.]

[He transforms when he rolls up. And lingers at the "door". This is not how he expected to see him. Not at all.]

[And if he hadn't been asked to come... he might have left. But the thought of leaving him here like this makes something in his chest constrict.]

[He "knocks". On the entrance.]

[The knock tilts his head up towards the source. Those eyes flicker brighter a moment, only to return to their normal illumination.]

There you are.

[An attempt to be humorous, as he walks over, giving him a nudge with his shoulder. Because...well, he CAN now.]

May not look like much, but I've got plans.

I said I would be here, didn't I?

[But he stays where he is.]

[It's only when Wheeljack touches his shoulder that he steps forward, reaching to... something. He ends up grasping the Wrecker's hand. Just for a moment, before it slides through his fingers.]

Such as?

[Wheeljack's taken aback by the touch for a moment, watching it slide through his fingers as easily as it does.

Everything was okay. That's all he had to tell himself. There's a slight shake of his head as he wanders over, peeking at the smelting pit.]

Weapons. If somethin' happens and Tarn gets out, we're gonna need all the firepower we can handle.

[He stares at the touch -- at their accidentally joined hands -- for a second. There was a sudden... flicker of something.]

[He shakes his head.]

What do you mean, "Tarn gets out"? That's... an odd place to jump to.

[His plating shakes as he gets back to work, eyes quickly diverting.

He didn't want to make this harder on Perceptor than it already was.]

Happened with Overlord. And if Tarn gets out, he's gonna go after people.

[He slides some of the metal off his little makeshift workarea.]

We're gonna be ready.

You're worried.

[He doesn't mean to blurt it out. He doesn't even really know why he says it. It just comes. He blinks, afterward, shaking his head a little.]

[Maybe he's just tired.]

Why not call a counsel of everyone who went after him? Why do this all on your own?

...

[His wings flick at that, not exactly wanting to admit it. He was so used to being sure of himself. With that smarmy grin. It was easy to pull off to strangers. To people like Perceptor...

They knew him better than that.]

My men are droppin' left and right, Sarge. And not from battle. I'm fightin' somethin' I can't see--can't punch.

I can't afford to rely on them for this. Cause when I start to, they just....

[He snaps his fingers, for emphasis.]

[He... doesn't know how to name the feeling suddenly so present and raw in him. It actually makes him take a step back, hand to his head. Perceptor has always managed to maintain a professional detachment from situations.]

[Always.]

[Until now.]

You... and everyone else here.

[There's a flicker of something he does recognize, however. His own irritation. He huffs, the sound his usual tone of annoyance.]

Oh? And where does that leave me, hm? I like to believe I'm rather reliable, thank you very much.

[The sudden movement causes Wheeljack to look up, worry flickering in his eyes. He wouldn't show it outwardly, but it was there.

As if time had stopped for the Wrecker. But when Perceptor speaks...

there's relaxation. Everything's alright.]

...

[A look down at that question.]

's why you're here, Sarge.

[He tosses some metal to the side, his voice all but serious. But at the same time, it doesn't have that usual smarmy sound to it.]

We're buildin' a second armory.

Don't worry about me. I'm ... it's nothing.

[He waves at him. Even though Wheeljack... never actually said he was concerned. He just knows.]

[Maybe they just know each other too well by now. That's all it is, right?]

You want me... to help you build weapons?

[He almost can't believe what he's hearing. He shakes his head a little.]

You know I can't. Not weapons.

'm not worried.

[It's said quickly, as if a footnote before what he says next. He doesn't question Perceptor's knowledge of it, though. As if he just assumed there was some logical deduction behind it.]

That's what I'm sayin'. I can't trust the Police HQ, not as much as they probably want me to. I don't even want a lotta guys knowin' about this place.

But it's gotta be big. Just in case.

[His head turns down, as if knowing Perceptor would say that.]

Then design em. I'll do the hard part.

... Aren't you?

[He's gone this far. He might as well keep digging the hole deeper.]

[And he listens, in silence. He's torn -- he wants to help. Wheeljack could probably use it. And leaving him to do this alone isn't something he wants to consider.]

[But he's a pacifist. He's never worked on weapons. Never fought. At what point can he hold onto his morality and his... and someone so important?]

... It makes me incredibly uncomfortable, even doing that.

[Accidental Video]

text;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]