re_alignment | [Voice] PSA and a Plan

[She's right there, wincing with Drift. She takes her helmet off, biting her lip.]

I... take it he didn't say anything about that.

Yeah, he's okay now. Back to his usual semi-spunky self.

Sorry, Wing.

[Why does she feel like she fucked up somehow? Though it was only a matter of time.]

['Right there?' Gosh you sure do hang out with Drift a lot. Hmmmm!]

.....no. But. I don't imagine he would have. He knows I'd fret over it. [And he doesn't like to be seen as weak, which this might count as.] It's probably better, I think, that he didn't. We had enough other bad news to catch up on that night.

[Semi-spunky? Wing has to pry the smiles out of that mech, much less real laughter. What's your secret Vandal?]

[A heavy sigh, but it looks like it relaxes him some.] It's okay, really. Thank you for telling me. It's...important to know Prisim's transgressions, the level of danger he presents. [The sentence finishes with his mouth in a hard line.]

[He'll just try not to think about bombs in--well dammit he just guessed where based on the damage--and you, rooting around under Drift's plating... Oh, oops.]

[FIGURATIVELY, man. In reality she's still huddling in her half-built hovel.]

Yeah. I know he's.

Like that. [A tinge of frustration.]

Sorry to drop that on you, though. I mean. It was a shitty situation. I realize what I did was probably stupid, but he pulled this whole "take me first" act, so it was either sit there and let Prism possibly blow my best buddy to tiny little white broody bits or actually do something and possibly get us both blown up.

[There's a helpless shrug and an awkward pause...]

Sorry... I also kind of had to see your boyfriend robot-naked. I assure you it was entirely clinical.

[Somehow that doesn't make this less awkward.]

Uh. I'm just going to go with a general "Sorry" here. God, Wing. Look are you busy right now?

[A slow nod.] He is. [It's both endearing and frustrating.]

It is what it is, the timing-- [ and the he stops because he's just processed all of what you said.] ....'Take me first?'

[He can guess what that means. It's not exactly subtle. But denial comes pretty easily too.]

[There's a pause followed by a chuff of dry laughter. Not exactly the bit of levity he was expecting. He seizes it and runs, because wow this conversation could be a real downer otherwise.] Well at least you got a peek at a spark like you wanted, right?

[He's not going to admit envy at that: there's already enough solid awkward here to pave over the Junk Pile.]

It's--I understand Vandal. [He's trying to anyway.] I'm not especially busy. ...you want some company?

Ah. Yeah. He thought it might buy the others some time.

Don't worry, I already gave him a thorough chewing-out for it.

[Screaming internally.]

Uh. Yeah. Well I mean, after Ratchet showed me the medical files and stuff, it wasn't a big surprise but. Ahaha... hnng.

[Yeah she still looks like someome kicked her puppy.]

Yeah, actually. That would be great.

[There's a long pause as intense feelings seem to contend for dominance on his shadowed face. In the end they compromise into a pained half smile.]

_{That's so Drift.}

[He looks like he might cry, and the only thing preventing it is not knowing if it should be from horror or pride.]

Thank you. For doing something. For being there. For helping him. ... When I couldn't.

[His pinions and audials droop, his regret deeply plain.]

It would, yeah. You at your place? I'll be there soon.

[She looks a little helpless, realizing that for once, she's entirely out of her depth here. (As if she wasn't already. She just averts her gaze.]

Yeah um. Sure.

I am. See you.

[It's one of the obvious benefits of being an airframe, and one of the faster ones here in residence, that he could speedily get to any point in Haven in mere moments. He leaves via his balcony, nacelles flaring to life to push the jet off towards the Junk Pile. Vandal's makeshift home pops up on his HUD soon enough, and he gently lands nearby.]

[The flight cleanses some of the darkened mood from Wing, though not as much as he'd like. Still he puts on a welcomeing face as he approaches the structure.]

[She's standing outside. Look at that, she even changed out of her RIG into regular street clothes to talk to you. Seated on a small stack of metal siding that she has yet to attach to her soon-to-be-home, she lifts a hand in greeting.

At least one of them looks welcoming. It's not difficult to see she's a little stressed out.

They all are, anyways.]

Hi, Wing. Never seen your other mode. S'cool.

[It's an interesting parallel, each of them seeing the other in new dress. Vandal looks more vulnerable this way, Wing thinks, and he takes that as a show of trust.]

[He can't help but try to push his smile a little further, because yeah, it looks like you could use it more than Wing's distress.]

Thanks, it gets me around. I should take you up, sometime.

[He picks a spot to get comfortable near her, settling wearily with his Great Sword in the crook of his arm, its weight always a comfort. He cocks his head, attentive.]

I'd really like that, actually.

[Her one flight with a robot here was with Whirl and it was... not great.

Cautiously she approaches him. She'll flop all over Soundwave or Drift or even First Aid all day, but he's still kind of an unknown to her. She does count him as one of her better friends but. Well. She'll just sit near his leg for now.]

Um. Wing?

I feel really bad things got so messed up while you were out. I tried-

I mean I really tried but uh. Hmm. I'm not that great at fixing things.

[Which is ironic because she's good at fixing physical things. But... not any mistakes she might make.

She's trying really hard.]

I think Drift wants to ask you out. You should. Talk to him.

I...sort of need a real cockpit first. But that'll be rectified soon. Then you'll have yourself a tour of this side of Cybertron if you want it.

[Wing is as openly tactile a mech as Soundwave is, so flopping would not be unwelcome. But he's not sure what Vandal's boundaries are, so he keeps his posture open and let's her choose her comfort zone.]

Don't feel bad, you weren't directly responsible were you?

[He assumes, at least. The bomb thing not withstanding, though that did turn out in their favor. Still, all this serious talk, he's bracing himself for more horrible news.]

[But, oh, that's not...]

What? [That's a pretty silly face he's making right now. ] I...He does...?

[Annnnd that's a pretty cute face.]

Wait. What's that entail exactly...? [culture check!]

Oh- yeah I guess not all of you guys are meant to be ridden... uh.

[Well THAT sounded bad.]

I mean like Drift.

[Worse.]

When he's a car?

[ABORT. ABORT. ABORT.]

[There- subject change, hoooooooo!]

Ant-

YES. Yes he totally approached me about it. Asking for pointers and stuff.

Man, I thought you of all people would know. You know, he's gonna ask you to go steady? Date him? Be his sweetheart? I did some coaching, but I kind of suck at love and stuff, so sorry if any of it comes off weird.

[He's at least polite enough to cover his mouth so he doesn't snicker aloud.]

Not of all us need to take passengers or have altmodes that function as native camouflage. That's what you meant, I'm sure. [He smiles, a bit brighter than the last.]

[And oh, it gets even brighter at that. Have a chin tuck and some squinty optics to go with it.] _{I knew it.} [He chirrs with delight.] It's good to hear, really you've no idea. I've been trying, but, hhnnnn, he runs so hot and cold, sometimes I doubt.

And--[have another chuckle]--yes, I do know, but as colloquisims go it's pretty vague. I'd hate to confess all that and have you tell me he really just wanted to help me survey quadrant NS-45.

[Have a nervous laugh and a nod.]

Yeah I know. But you're pretty much all he focuses on. Believe me. He got a tarot reading and thought you didn't like him. The guy seriously needs a guiding hand.

[She finds a very interesting scrap of metal to fiddle with.]

Ah. Fair enough.

[Just focus on that metal.]

Um. Wing? Can I ask you something?

[So maybe his attempts at levity are falling more than a little flat.]

I--really? He does? [He's a little surprised, and delighted, at that.] I will. Talk to him. [Among other things, he hopes.] I keep trying, but things keep...happening. [An frustrated sigh.]

He needs to know, and understand, how special he is. However long it takes, however many ways I have to say it or how ever often, I won't give up until he gets it.

[And the vibe he's getting from you definitely has him concerned.]

What is it Vandal? You seem troubled. [ He reaches out with a hand, offering the comfort of touch.]

Yeah. Seems like a constant train of fucked up events, honestly.

That's... good. You're good at that kind of. Nice stuff. I'd tell him myself but my way usually involves a lot of the word 'fuck' which kind of neutralizes any good I could be doing.

[She's got tough love.]

Uh. Well. You know. I've been thinking. And I don't really. Know if it's the same for him but. Ah. He means a lot to me. I never had many [Any.] good friends where I'm from-

So... uh. Anyways my point is. Humans are pretty fragile? So. If in the off chance something.

Happens to me? Don't like. Let him do anything stupid, okay? You two are meant to be, so I know you're sort of. Number one go-to-guy to take good care of him.

[Is it a little self-centered to think he would? Maybe. Perhaps he's not quite as attached to her as she is to him, but she won't underestimate his apparent desire to sacrifice himself or put himself in mortal danger at the first chance he gets.]

It's been a lot a challenges back-to-back yes. [He'd ask how you're holding up, but he figures that's where this is likely already going.]

Tell him in your own way Vandal, that's how it'll feel most sincere. The more of us who do, the more he'll believe it.

[His voice is gentle and kind, and only gets more so after your next words. Worry tightens his face: fatalism was really going around the people he cared about recently.]

Vandal...

[And now he just wants to hug you, but barring that, he'll reach out and brush a thumb over your shoulder, if you don't discourge him.]

Yes I will. I promise to take care of him. ... Will you do the same for me? [Because Wing's already failed there twice before now.]

I... yeah. Alright.

[She wants to tell Wing that she'd probably just break him somehow if he were truly left in her care. This time was a fluke. But she doesn't.

And she lets him touch. She would actually fucking love a hug, though she's not about to ask. Looking more pathetic than she already does isn't in her plans for today.]

Anyways. I uh. Do you wanna take a walk or something?

[He doesn't want to burden others with this but he also doesn't want Drift to be alone should anything happen to him.]

Thank you.

[Wing has faith in how much Vandal obviously cares Drift, that's enough for him.]

We can sure. If you'd like. [He smiles, letting his fingers slide gently over her back.] May I escort you? The view might be better from up here.

[She tips her head, eyebrows raising. Well. Fuck it.]

Sure.

[She's definitely getting used to these guys. Though the inherent gentleness still comes as a surprise.]

[Hopefully Vandal won't learn the hard way that not all mechs are as gentle as the ones she knows.]

Well then...

[He grins. It's not like he's done this before, but that's part of the appeal. After a moment of considering the best approach, Wing stands briefly to return his Great Sword to its place. Then he descends to one knee beside her, tucking his bent arm against his chassis, and while he's at it, making a note to pin his audials back in case Vandal decides to climb that far. She's got her choice now, a relatively relaxed ride against his chassis or a more open one with a better view on his shoulder.]

[What's that saying?] Your carriage awaits...?

[Wow. Well okay. She doesn't fight the smile that takes over. More like a grin that she can't suppress, but certainly not for lack of trying. Both him and Drift- they really were like knights. Drift tends to fight his dorkiness, and Wing... just. Revels in it, it seems. To a point where it's not quite dorky and more just. Embarrassing. Not in a terribly bad way, though. They're both kind of great in their own ways.

So she scales him with a startling ease. Something she was used to with her job back home. Choosing to squeeze herself down on his shoulder. One arm resting between the helm-flare points and over the crest. ]

Uhm. All aboard?

[And that smile spreading over Vandals' face? Is worth every minute of this.]

[He remains patiently still as she ascends, unsurprised that she'd pick the highest perch.]

Hold tight.

[Then he rises with ease, making sure to keep his chassis mostly upright, his wingpanels shifting for balance.]

Destination requests, milady?

[Really, you probably shouldn't ask where he's getting this kind of talk from.]

[It's a good thing she's sitting up by his head because he can't see how red she turns. Not that he could really fully understand what that means, but just in case...]

Hmmm. Wherever you like best. I've only ever been to Vector and Solus' temples, so maybe somewhere new?

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[Action] Yuuta needs to make a cameo here just to say: "Robot, yer doin' it right Vandal!"

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