video;

[sciencetank]

Perhaps this is a foolish question, but, considering I've never collected any data on the subject...

[Perceptor's where he always is, typing away at his console. Though his attention appears to be on the Glyph on his arm.]

[Staring accusingly at it.]

... While we're all aware these markings possess certain effects, should we attract the attention of our "hosts"... has anyone experienced any sort of negative effect, pertaining to the changing of one's brand?

[YOU KNOW. For curiosity's sake. Totally. No ulterior motive here.]

Comments

audio;

[redshirtrobot]

How do you mean 'change'? Because mine got brighter and I don't think I recharged for about three days straight afterwards. I don't think I know anyone that's had their glyph completely change from one FirstForged to another, though.

But nothing really negative as far as I know.

audio;

[sciencetank]

Well, now you do.

[Since his switched over to the green one, recently.]

You haven't experienced any sort of unusual effects?

audio;

[redshirtrobot]

Huh. I didn't know that happened. I guess you like... exhibit traits more similar to someone else, then.

[Now he has to wonder what would have happened if Shockwave somehow had managed to get Fracas patronage with Megatronus.]

Unusual but not... negative, really. I heal a little quicker and I can run for longer on less energon.
It's kinda nice, actually.

audio;

[sciencetank]

I don't think anything in particular is different.

... mm. I see. Aren't you lucky?

[video]

[nobirds]

They change?

All it's done is attract unnecessary attention. Among other things, like throw off any and all attempts at keeping my paint job uniform.

[ AESTHETICS ARE A THING IN SCIENCE OK ]

Then again, the disgusting scrapes and scratches already did that.

[video]

[sciencetank]

Indeed.

[He lifts his arm. The marking was totally purple the last time he'd seen her. And now it's green. A completely different pattern, too.]

I suppose you could seek to replicate the design on your other arm, if symmetry concerns you. However, given the unpredictability of their changes, maintenance would be an utter mess.

[video]

[nobirds]

[ Hers? Solid green. ]

Oh no, the symmetry already keeps me awake at night.

The actual idea of maintenance even more so. I am without facilities after all.




Oh. Wait.

So are you.

What a cruel planet we live on.

[video]

[sciencetank]

There are medical facilities, with an actual medic manning them now, as I understand it.

Unless you mean scientific facilities, and, if so, yes I am rather lacking mine, thank you ever so much for repeating that tidbit of previously known information.

[video] tries to be a science

[primest]

What happens if we don't have glyphs, or have the arm with the glyph removed?

[he rubs his own glyph]

I don't understand how they can keep track of everything we do to do their weird god-magic [so science] and change them. I've never even spoken to any of the First Forged and mine changed!

[video]

[sciencetank]

If you lack a glyph, you go insane, and attempt to brutally murder those around you, with no hope of returning to your previous state of mind. We've seen it before.

As for removal, it's my understanding that the marking simply moves to another portion of your plating, should you be so foolish as to attempt amputation.

Apparently, they serve as a channel -- a connector, or conduit, if you will -- for some sort of metaphysical bond nonsense.

Re: [video]

[primest]

...What is it with this place and people going on murderous rampages?

[DEEP SIGH] That's stupid. Why can't they just fragging tell us why we're branded on arrival and what they do?! Next we'll probably find out they're linked to the Lambda and all that Unicron slag.

[Video]

[0perator]

Wait they what.

[See Alia's dismayed face. Oh for the love of...]

I thought this was just a tracking beacon!

[She eyes the glyph on her arm-- the pink matches her armor, at least.]

[Video]

[sciencetank]

Well, yes it is. Partially.

[Video]

[0perator]

Partially.

[She facepalms and makes a frustrated noise. It's not like these damn things come with manuals.]

Thanks a lot, robe-guys.

[Video]

[neverputincharge]

I dunno about bad from mine changin'. Been able to do more on less sleep and energon isn't too bad.

Though the latest thing mine did has me kinda worried.

[Video]

[sciencetank]

And that would be...?

[Video]

[neverputincharge]

[Well, might not be worrying for Perceptor. But it is a little for him, after the whole thing with Synth-en.]

Mostly...lately I've been able to look, or touch somethin' lately....and know what it's made of.

[video]

[nobody_number_8]

Huh... ya know, I honestly never thought that much about mine. Most of the time my coat covers it anyway, so it's pretty easy to forget it's even there half the time.

[The rest of the time is when he can almost feel the thing glowing, which is weird as hell. Though up until now, Axel actually didn't know that it did anything besides mark the temple that he'd come from, so thanks for the info, Percy.]

Though now that you mention it, ever since I got here, my darkness-based magic has felt a little bit... off, when I try to use it. Kinda hard to explain but the closest analogy would probably be a feeling like hearing static coming through in the background of a radio transmission. It's not quite as reliable any more, and I can't 'target' anywhere I haven't been before as the destination of a Dark Corridor.

Though like I said, that's been going on since I got here, so who the hell knows if it's the mark that's causing it, or just the whole 'getting yanked through time and space by the seat of your pants and plunked down on an alter' thing. Could even be just the result of kinda-sorta-almost dying, which is what happened to me right before I got brought here.

[Axel shrugs. Your guess is as good as his here, Percy.]

[video]

[sciencetank]

I'm sorry, your what.

[Do not say the M-Word. That's a figment of everyone's imagination.]

You're going to have to speak more specifically, and do try to elaborate on terms those of us not from your supposed "magical" world have never heard before.

[video]

[nobody_number_8]

[Axel kinda rolls his eyes at your skepticism, Percy, because magic is totally a real thing where he comes from. But fine, whatever. He'll play things your way.]

I can manipulate Darkness and use it to teleport. Longer distances, though, generally require creating a portal we call a Dark Corridor. They pass through a place called Betwixt and Between, though that's it's own weird thing and to be honest I don't know much about it, other than the fact that Dark Corridors seem to be the only way in or out. Normally, I could even use Dark Corridors to travel between worlds, but that's right out around here, it seems.

In any case, though, usually, all I need is to have a pretty good idea of where I'm going to 'target' someplace as a destination for teleporting or a Dark Corridor, but since I got here, it won't work unless I've already been to the place before. And using it just feels... weird, like I said. Off. Like something in the background is interfering with it.

[Hopefully that's a good enough explanation, Percy?]

[video]

[adamndoctor]

Negative effect? Can't say I have. But I'm not surprised if something comes up eventually. [Can't trust alien magic.]

[video]

[sciencetank]

That's --

I see. Thank you for your response, regardless.

[skidaddle]

I'd be interested in hearing more about your findings, but I figure I'd better ask this first...

Are you okay?

[Just. You know. Checking in.]

private

[sciencetank]

...

To be perfectly frank?

I've... I'm no longer certain.

private

[skidaddle]

Care to talk?

Two minds have more processing power than one...

So long as they aren't connected in parallel.