[Audio] [Transmission from: Solian Temple] - Twelfth Offense

[namesnotprowl]

[The audio starts up out of the blue, with only a brief pause at the beginning. Even so, every word seems deliberate and carefully chosen.]

Sorry about the timin'a this, but... I've been thinkin' a lot lately. Dangerous habit, I know.

This is the third multidimensional hub I've been in. I've gotten ripped out of dimensions more than I can explain. I've gone backwards in time twice... forwards once. Turned into a human and a cat. Heh, got haiku-powered jet boosters for a while. I rebuilt my own legs from scratch. I've had my processor picked over more times than I'd like. I've lost more friends than I ever wanted to... and made a few more than I've expected. Including a few that were too stubborn to give up on me when they should have. I've seen how how our wars start... and I've seen them end.

And the one ending was enough. Three hubs has been too much, and I'm too old. I know too much that would compromise this Cybertron's chance at having its own future.

I can't stay.

I have a few things to finish up, still, but in a week... I'm leaving. I've heard rumors of a place in the Outlands that could use someone like me, and I've dug out the clues I need to get there.

I'll be contacting a few of you individually; this is what the humans call the Season of Giving, and I have things to give you. Call them parting gifts if you will.

{{Individuals on this list will be getting special presents as listed, though if Barricade is so much as a passing acquaintance of his you can expect a few cubes of high grade left outside your door (or a six-pack of beer if you're human).))

Comments

[skidaddle]

I might have to take a bite now on principle. All this praise is going to get me confused.

...except for the adorable part. Then again, you're the one with four optics so who am I to argue.

[He was Skids.]

I...kind of envy that. A little.

[namesnotprowl]

I'll pull off one of my tires so you can give it a nibble. I'm not big on being bitten these days, I'm afraid.

Mm, I do have double the authority on the subject, yes. But I'm sure you could argue anyway~

[He snorts.]

If it makes you feel better, it's the first time since... my war began, actually.

[skidaddle]

I haven't tried tires yet.

Or optics for that matter. But I do love a good debate so maybe that will whet my appetite.

There's something that I absolutely insist on getting before I leave, however.

[And it isn't a bite.]

You don't have to explain it to me. I know exactly how freeing it is to start over, and I wish you the best.

[namesnotprowl]

Well. I'd prefer to keep these optics - I only just got the color balance right. But I'm willing to sacrifice a tire to science. And my considerable conversation skills as well.

Oh? In that case call me curious. I'll see if I can oblige when you get here.

[So long as he doesn't turn into a zombie vampire afterwards.]

I appreciate it. And I have to wish you folks staying here luck; I don't doubt that things will hairier from here.

[skidaddle]

A tire, then. We'll see how it goes.

You'd better think about it before I arrive. I must be the only person in the Haven that never got a nickname. You wouldn't want me to feel left out, would you?

[Not that he would. Barricade had been more than inclusive to him in so many ways.]

Oh, we'll adapt. Change is a constant for a Cybertronian.

Still. Think you'll ever come back?

[namesnotprowl]

So we shall.

[And... color him surprised, actually!]

... You know, you're the first person that's ever actually asked me for one of those. Most everyone else is usually confused or annoyed about them. So I will most assuredly work one out for you.

[One that is not either "Skid-daddle" or something as horrible as "sugerlump" or "babycake".]

I don't doubt you will. But it's funny; for all that we change, so much stays the same.

Mm. I might. At least to see all of you back to your worlds, once it's figured out how to get you there.

[skidaddle]

Really? I thought they were a sort of social status among Decepticons of your world.

[Considering you are the ONLY Decepticon he's met from your world. If you could even be called a Decepticon.]

Good. If I never saw you again I think something would be lacking.

...

Tentacles, mostly. [He laughs.]

[namesnotprowl]

Heavens no. I started doin' it t'annoy my teammates into attacking me, in fact. Being lost in space for centuries became incredibly boring.

[At least the fighting would break up the monotony for an hour or so.]

Heh. Would you believe there is such as thing as too many of those? Besides, I'm sure sooner or later, someone'll be able to fill in f'r mine.

Though I don't know that they'll be as pretty and charming as me~