re_alignment | voice;

Even with that, yeah. [A waves a hand in the air and shrugs.] 'Since, tastin' weird or not, energon's energon, and when there ain't a lot of it, it's worth quite a bit.

[Starscream can't see it, but Cliffjumper's pause then is accompanied by a twist of his mouth, almost a purse. And then he hums.]

Yeah, probably as well as it could have, too. Could be worse.

[And then he huffs, rubbing his chin as his optics flare a bit brighter and why are they talking about slag like this, anyway?]

So, uh, did ya get answers for all your questions from other people?

[Better topic.]

[ they are talking about this because Cliff is very obviously humoring Starscream... and Starscream might be taking advantage of it. just a little.

but hey, if CJ wants to change topics? sure, they can do that. ]

I think that I got everything important to note...

But I wouldn't mind a brief history of what has happened, if you are feeling up to it.

[ he doesn't want to force CJ to relive things he would rather forget. ]

[A little bit of humouring, yeah, and it was nice to have someone to talk to that he already knew, like with Soundwave, Ravage and Megatron. But topic-changing makes things easier.

Kind of.]

Uh... I can try but ya wouldn't believe all the slag that's been happenin'. [That grumble is partly because he hardly believes it as well, and he's the one who has three realities behind him by now and a lot of crazy slag that has happened.]

Well, we've had several attacks happen from either the Lambda [A wave upwards to indicate the time-space anomaly in the sky that, of course, can't be seen inside the temple.], and from the Badlands.

Like, one of 'em were a bunch of fraggin' giant mechanical worms, and the most recent thing was a pillar that went from the Lambda down into the core of Cybertron.

[Yes, Cliffjumper knows how that sounds.]

... and we've had a few fraggn' crazies around killin' people. [He growls, engine snarling along with him before he realises something and whirls around, pointing at Starscream as he continues to walk backwards.] And if ya meet or talk to a neon, obnoxiously coloured Decepticreep racecar don't fraggin' trust him.

He eats people's power cores. Energy. Whatever. I don't care what, but he ain't safe!

[ try him, Cliff. he's already been told that Primus exists. that things of legend are actually fact. now he is here, in another reality with a bunch of different versions of bots he knows and some he doesn't. at this point, nothing that Starscream hears can be considered weird or impossible. the impossible has already happened, more or less.

either way, he listens. CJ can go on without any interruptions from him.

well. until - ]

Have you been watching too many horror films, Cliffjumper? Eating power cores?

[Huff, and he's claimed that how many times already?? Only Shockwave's believed him so far. >8( And there's more than just mechs that eat others' energy, too!]

Like slag I have! [he has been watching a few horror movies though, yes.] I found the rustin', slag-spewing wreck creepin' on me in my room! And later he admitted it on the fraggin' Link, so no.

[Cliffjumper glowers, then turns around to walk (more like stalk) forwards again.]

That ain't even the strangest thing that's been goin' on, ya know.

[ really, Cliff? really? scowling that hard might break your face. ]

Has this mech done nothing to merit the ire the supposed police force?

[ because that seems like something that should have happened if energy core eating is something that happens. ]

[He'll scowl as much as he wants to!]

Just be careful, okay? [He's just going to sidestep/ignore the question because while he had overreacted a little to finding the 'Con creeping on him in his room, no one got hurt and he's still not happy over the fact that nothing else was done.]

Anyway, there's more than slag like that and people thinkin' they can murder and whatelse as they please. Not that we ain't used to that... [Negative polarity Autobots, man.]

'Cause there's been weird stuff happenin' since the beginning, like a book people found pages on and drew on changin' 'em temporarily after what they'd written, or when somethin' from the Badlands changed people's species.

[He's glad that didn't affect him.]

[ Aww, Cliff. it's kind of cute how you side step. it's also precious how much the mech really is concerned about Starscream. Enough to merit a "be careful." what this also means is that he will have to be on the look out. if CJ is THAT concerned, there is likely a reason for it. ]

Some things never change... [ that is a tone of disappointment. Starsceam had hoped that this situation would mean less people carrying on like they usually would. a pipe dream, it seems...

but he latches onto the new information, a smile playing on his features. ]

Oh? I'm sure you'd make for a charming human, Cliffjumper.

[ B) ]

[He might be a little biased, but creeping on people and wanting to eat them is pretty slagging serious in his opinion.]

If they did, the war wouldn't have started up again where I co--- Starscream! [He's not even angry, just grimacing as he turns enough to give Starscream a stare.]

They're okay, but that doesn't mean I'd want to be one! [Huff. And then he can't keep from asking, the stare narrowing into a squint.] Why'd ya even think that, anyway..?

[ ha ha ha. do you think he is really going to answer that, Cliff? ~~yeah he might in the next tag or two, but let's see Cliff squirm. just a little.~~

the answer? just a little bit of a teasing smile right back. ]

... [That squint narrowed as Starscream keeps quiet, and Cliffjumper huffs after a moment, flinging a hand out to point.]

Hey, you can't just say a thing like that and not answer!

[ rubbing at his chin, Starscream looks off to the side - as if his processor is hard at work. sure, he's silent for a few moments, but then... ]

I am wondering how fast I would have to duck or if I would simply just be staring at your back while you took to brooding.

Brooding? [Cliffjumper snorts and rolls his optics.] That ain't really my style.

[And then he grins, a nearly wicked little thing.] And I'd aim for your knee joints, not your head, Starscream. Only if ya deserved it though.

[Well, he might toss something if he had anything handy, but he doesn't, and he does have a bit of a temper, so that "deserved it" might be less so.]

See, Cliffjumper... A grin like that is a bit unnerving.

[ you wicked little mech. but no, really, it DOES make him a little nervous - if only because he has seen what CJ is like in battle - even if he knows it's likely not a thing that is going to happen. ]

Now all I meant by it was that you'd get along as one of them just fine, really.

[ grins. ]

Or perhaps you'd make for a better dwarf.

Pshhh. [Cliffjumper waves Starscream's complaint off with a wave of his hand, and then eyes him as if he's trying to decide if the scientist is being honest about what he's saying.]

Dwarves don't exist! [Huff. But he's grinning.] Not sure I'd like bein' underground enough--- hey! Just 'cause I'm short... [His engine makes a protesting rev.]

And just 'cause I'd get along with 'em don't mean I want to be one. But uh... I suppose that's. Good? [He's not sure how to handle the roundabout compliment, really, that he'd get along as one of them.] Earth's still too muddy, though.

Edited 2014-02-16 16:11 (UTC)

[ sorry, friend. Starscream has taken to chuckling up here. sure took the guy long enough to get what the scientist had been hinting at all along. CJ is short and kind of grumpy. perfect for a short, cranky human. any moment now, though, Starscream will stop with the light hearted teasing. it's just that Cliff kind of keeps setting him up for it.

though he really DOES mean that CJ would be just fine, even if such a strange event would occur. the mech has been so helpful on that front, even if he seems to enjoy Starscream squirming or in a moment of discomfort. Cliff adapts well, in other words. ]

It is a bit much, yes. Seeing so much organic landscape is unsettling, but at least they are thriving.

[Look, sometimes it just takes him a bit. Like realising different colour schemes and red optics where they ought to be blue maybe means something is wrong more than warraning being confused only over Rodimus suddenly sporting a mustache.

And if you asked him, he'd admit he's surprised how well he has adapted to everything going on.]

Doesn't make for good drivin' either, [Which he's really grumpy about and hasn't let go of even if he's had to deal with it for years now.] but yeah, they're suited to it, all right.

... which kinda makes it all the more troublesome for the humans that are on Cybertron here.

I don't have much issue with getting from one place to another.

[ that grin MIGHT be a little smug. because flying.

then the conversation makes for a but more serious question... ]

How are they surviving here?

Yeah, yeah, just rub it why don't ya.

[Cliffjumper's smirking a little, though, because it's not as if he actually minds - they've offered him a reformat enough times, and he's just going to keep refusing. Flying under his own power just isn't him.]

Okay, now. [With a frown, Cliffjumper shrugs.] There's lakes with water in... uh, Alpha Trion's quadrant, near his temple. More water than I've seen on any Cybertron so far, and there's also actual soil there too. They've got a garden goin', and there's stuff that falls through the Lambda.

Guess it was far harder earlier, and ya know... doubt it's easy now either, even if it's easier.

Edited 2014-02-17 13:28 (UTC)

Quite the resilient bunch, these organics, hmm?

[ it really is pretty amazing, when you stop to think about it. perhaps Starscream shouldn't really be surprised. he's seen what humans are capable of - both the good and the bad. to be honest, other than the obvious struggles that an organic being would have on Cyberton, Starscream welcomes their presence. they can sometimes be quite the inspiration.

but... onto more serious matters. ]

I don't suppose you'd have any names of mechs - and organics - that should be avoided, other than your stalker?

Given Sephie, yeah, they really are.

[Sephie - and her positive polarity counterpart, and to a lesser extent, Arkeville - really exemplifies the human resilience and capability to adapt. In that way, they're quite... similar.]

Any fraggin' positive polarity Decepticons that're around. [The response is prompt, though then Cliffjumper rolls his optics.] But I'm guessin' you ain't gonna listen to that. Dunno 'bout organics, there were some around earlier, I'd have said to keep an optic on, but right now...

[Then he pauses, and eyes Starscream out of the edge of his vision. Considering this is Starscream, and how Starscream reacts to the negative polarity Megatron...]

Any slaggin' Megatron that ain't ours. I mean it. I don't fraggin' care how reasonable he seems, you don't trust 'em, okay?

[ of course he's going to fold what he can of those arms of his and give Cliff a look. no Cons? really? aren't we letting some of that paranoia get the better of you there? certainly not all of them can be all that bad. ]

I'll be cautious of other Decepticons, but I make no promises about at least not trying to reach out to them.

[ it's the heroic Con thing to do, you know. the mention of Megatron though kind of has Starscream nearly miss a step. WHERE DID THAT COME FROM, HMMM? ]

I highly doubt that I would want to converse with any other Megatron...

[ because they can't hold a LIGHT to theirs. ]

[No 'Cons, no Megatrons, no endangering yourself!! Cliffjumper just meets that stare with one of his own, raising his chin a little.]

Wouldn't expect anythin' less of ya, but you slaggin' well better be careful. I ain't gonna drag your pieces to the medbay, you're too big. [He'd try, though. AND WHERE DO YOU THINK IT CAME FROM, ADMIT IT STARSCREAM.]

You say that now. [Snort.] Though at least some of 'em you probably ain't gonna want to talk to 'cause they're ravin' crazies.

[ his expression shifts to something a little warmer. Cliff is really just worried. it's a good thing, it really is. Starscream rests a hand on the mech's shoulder. ]

I appreciate your concern, you know I do. You also know that I will heed your advice to the best of my ability - like I have been for a while. Your reasoning has been sound and I'd be a fool to throw it aside

Cliffjumper, you have my word. [ he'll do his best to abide by your rules, you silly Bot. ]

Honestly, I would assume that any Megatron that is not our own would be missing some essential functions along the way.

[No, shut up, he's not! (yeah, he is) With a huff, Cliffjumper waves a hand as if trying to wave away Starscream's appreciation - but he doesn't really shake off the hand on his shoulder.]

Yeah, yeah. Just don't get into too much trouble 'cause you're bein' too slagging nice. [And it's also so strange that, while they've been on Earth, Starscream has been listening and he knows he means it. Dropping his gaze elsehwere, Cliffjumper slides out from under the hand and then snorts, the comment about Megatrons "missing things" chasing away the threatening embarrassment.]

Ya don't even know half of it. [With a grin, he shrugs.] But yeah, it wouldn't fraggin' surprise me if they lost a few things somewhere.

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