[Video] Oooooops.

[knight_light]

[The feed fizzles on, something big in the way for a moment. It soon becomes apparent that it’s a giant metal foot. The Link is turned slightly on its side, and angled so it’s looking up at Drift and Wing. It was apparently Drift’s foot in the way.]

[The two are facing each other, moving in slow, deliberate movements. It’s almost like a dance, but not, and way too slow to really be...anything. What are these hippies up to?! Whatever it is, it’s clear that Wing is the one slowly guiding Drift through these odd, slow moves.]

[And Drift has clearly had enough of this. He stops, not hiding his frustration very well at all.]

...Seriously, though. we've been doing this for weeks. I think I get it by now. Would it really hurt to pick up the pace a little or-- or do something else for a change?

You are improving, Drift, but perfection takes time.

[Wing looks thoughtful, studying his student for a moment.]

Would it help to see the results of what all of the slow control will result in?


[Drift huffs slightly and straightens up, planting his hands on his hips and giving Wing a shrug.]

Couldn't hurt. As things stand now, it feels like I'm getting nowhere.

All right.

[Wing takes a fighting stance.]

You will do the first kata I taught you. Nothing more, nothing less. You'll go from start to finish as quickly as you can, understood?

[Drift nodded, mimicking Wing's stance.]

Quick as I can, got it. Say when.

Now.

[Wing says it even as he lunges at Drift. What follows is an impressive flurry movement. Wing strikes at Drift fast and hard, and Drift moves as though in response to block and dodge, despite the clear shock on his face. It’s a fight, it’s a dance, and for a moment it seems this may end with Wing not landing a blow on Drift at all.]

[Those experienced in combat may be the only ones to realize that from one movement to the next Drift’s footing ends up off, and so leaves the mech wide open to attack. Wing doesn’t hesitate to strike with a kick to Drift’s side. BAM!! Drift stumbles. He's able to regain his footing pretty quickly, but it's already too late. He knows what's coming next.]

Wait wait wait--

[This is lesson time, Drift. With a grab, a sweep of his leg, and not much more than a tug, all of which Drift should have been able to block had he managed to finish the kata, Wing will toss Drift aside, sending him tumbling across the ground.]

And that is why these kata need to be second nature. You lost your stance at the end, else you'd still be on your feet in front of me.

[Drift just stares up from the ground, clearly grumpy but not outright complaining. Yeaaah this was kind of his own fault. He waggled a hand in the air dismissively]

Okay, okay. I'll take my time with it.

[Wing smiles and steps up, offering Drift a hand to pull him back to his feet....and then gets a shocked look on his face, gaze going to the Link just beyond Drift's head...]

Oh...

What? Is something broken?

[Drift totally doesn't get it and starts prodding at his face with his free hand, y'know making sure nothing's actually broken.]

Wing?

[Wing covers his smile with one hand, making a soft buzzing sound.]

No, no, nothing's broken. But it seems we just put on a show for the residents of Haven.

[Drift gives him a confused look and glances around, finally spotting what Wing had been talking about. And then he looks absolutely mortified because wow. Wow.]

Oh hell.

Comments

[thxforthememories]

He does get that way. Enthusiastic.

It's... endearing.

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

You two are really close, aren't you.

[thxforthememories]

[GOOD THING ROBOTS CAN'T BLUSH.]

I... yes. Yes, we are.

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

[D'AWWWW cuties]

That's really great. You're lucky to have someone you can be so close with.

[thxforthememories]

I... yes. I know that.

He means everything to me.

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

I'm really happy for the both of you. This isn't the kind of thing we see often enough, I think.

[thxforthememories]

Rewind... he said he had a partner like this.

Was he the only one?

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

Rewind's conjunx endura- his significant other was Chromedome. I understand they were both here at one point. It wasn't always common, but there were others.

[thxforthememories]

They... they were. I don't think I met the other. Rewind was my friend, though.

[Like his big bro, hilariously enough.]

So is that word... what I am to Shadowmaru? If we were like you?

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

Rewind was-- [Hang on AHEM] He's a good mech. I'm not surprised that he befriended you.

But yeah, it sounds like it fits you two. Some people like to have a ceremony for it, but there wasn't always a chance to have one with a war going on.

[thxforthememories]

He is... [Thankfully, Rewind being off on Robot Walkabout means he doesn't think anything of that slip. Lucky for you, Drift.] I want him to be proud of me, when he comes back.

A ceremony. No... it wouldn't be, would it.

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

[CRISIS AVERTED] There's no doubt in my mind that he will be.

Thankfully, there's no war here. So it's always a possibility.

[thxforthememories]

But you barely know me...

No, that would... that would be... no. There are more important things to worry about here than ceremony.

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

I like to think I'm a good judge of character.

It wouldn't have to be anything long or fancy, but I won't press it.

[thxforthememories]

Does character really tell you if I've done anything to be proud of?

I would... rather have my family back together. Than any ceremony. I think he would agree.

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

I think being a good person in itself is worthy of praise. One doesn't have to accomplish great things for someone to be proud of them.

I understand. Well... kind of, I think. Honestly, the concept of 'family' isn't really something I'm too familiar with, but I get that it's people you're very close to. Closer than just friends, but not always on a romantic level. Is that accurate?

[thxforthememories]

And you think I'm... a good person?

Something like that. Who you care for. You love... but not romantic. But you want to be near them, look after them, regardless.

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

I do. In a way, I envy you.

Ahh, I get it. I like that, the way that sounds.

[thxforthememories]

Envy me...? Why?

That's how Kay explained it to me.

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

I can't claim to know your life story, but I understand that you're very young. Only a year or two, right? That doesn't leave a lot of time to be too strongly swayed by negative influences. It might mean you're a little inexperienced, but you're innocent. At least compared to someone who's been jerked around as much as I have. Maybe it sounds strange, but I do envy that about you.

[thxforthememories]

Something like that... yes.

You're jealous because I'm... young. Because I'm not grown up like the rest of you?

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

Mmmm... kind of? I'm not saying you aren't grown up, but you have your entire life ahead of you. You have a chance to become whatever you want to be, untainted by millions of years of war and hardship and horrible decisions. It's... kind of refreshing. I'm glad I've had the opportunity to meet you.

[thxforthememories]

You're... glad? To meet someone's... shadow? A prototype?

Just because I've never been to war?

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

I'm not concerned with what you were built for. You're your own person, and a good person.

There's more to it than just that, really. I'm not very good at putting it into words.

[thxforthememories]

But there are better... persons.

I... I see.