re_alignment | video;

Entry tags:

brave police: j-decker | kagerou

video;

[This feed was probably meant to be private, but the right buttons either weren't pressed, or he just isn't thinking clearly enough to make it so. The ninja-bot is in the air, big surprise there, but looks rather resigned, despite it.]

Soundwave -- I'm sorry. There isn't any sign of Starscream... anywhere.

[He sounds pretty tired, though. He's been looking a while.]

Heading back in now, I...

[There's a sound like an engine rattling, a choked-off sound of gears and mechanisms grinding. His thrusters die, and his wings spasm to a standstill. That's what you get for not watching your fuel/energy levels. The briefest expression of surprise registers before... well.]

[Kagerou is abruptly falling.]

[Thankfully, there's a nice, smooth lake conveniently under him. So instead of smashing into the ground, he just turns into a ninja-cannonball as the feed cuts out.]

- - - - - - - - -

[TEXT | later]
... a ride to the medbay would be appreciated. |

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He dragged himself to the shoreline, at least. Half in, half out of the actual water. Though he looks about as happy with this as a wet cat.]

I dislike water.

[Yes, he's all right. In need of the generator and full of water, but otherwise unharmed.]

Aww, dude. You were meant for the air, not the water. I totally understand.

Here. [He'll just carry you in kind of a half-cuddle.] I got you.

Air. And streets. Not swimming.

[He makes a surprised little noise when he's picked up, but otherwise doesn't protest.]

[This is... sort of nice. Sort of really nice.]

Thank you.

No big. I got you now.

[Soundwave certainly has no problem cuddling you along the way!]

No problemo, Kagerou. Just glad yer okay.

... this is the second time you've looked after me.

[Once more, he doesn't protest. That's... really nice. He even leans into it a bit.]

I don't know how to return the favor.

Kagerou, we're friends. S'what friends do.

You don't gotta return a darn thing, okay?

[And this is a concept he's still struggling with.]

I'm trying to remember that. But... what if I want to repay you?

Well, um. I guess if you wanna, I won't stop you. But I don't really have anything I can ask for.

[He's pretty bad at the selfish thing.]

It can wait.

[He's just going to lay his head on Soundwave's shoulder, or whichever part of him is nearest. That's okay to do, right?]

You don't have to know now.

[Soundwave gives an approving hum. That's perfectly okay.]

Fair enough.

Anythin' else I can do before I drop you off?

[Good, because he has no desire to move. It's nice just to... be around someone. Be near someone. He's missed it. More than he'd thought he did.]

... You won't stay?

Edited 2012-08-25 07:27 (UTC)

...Well. I can if you want me to.

[He might as well. Starscream isn't coming back, and he doesn't have the bearings to talk about that just yet.]

... I would like that. I... don't like being alone.

[Then why are you hiding in a corner of the medbay, Kagerou.]

Kagerou, would it help if I visited more often?

[Poor guy. Lightly, he nuzzles his forehead to Kagerou's; a gesture he did often with is Recordicons.]

[He tilts his head a little, thinking. But he ends up shuttering his optic at the touch.]

[He really did miss contact more than he thought.]

I would like that. I'd like it... a lot, I think.

Every day then, okay? I'll try to bring you gasoline or somethin'. I promise.

You promise...

[He nods. And... shifts one hand. Just to touch the side of Soundwave's face, briefly, before he lets it drop.]

... even though I'm not like you. Or anyone here...

[And he pretty much lacks the words to say how much that means.]

Hey...

[His mask splits and he smiles at Kagerou.]

I accept you for who an' what you are. It's what makes you you, y'know? Even if we're totally different. That just makes it more interestin'.

[HOLY CRAP his face transforms.]

[And he can only stare up at him. He's been told he can't be like them, that he won't understand them. His 'own kind' either don't trust him, or probably want his 'other half'. He's never felt so completely alone since he came online.]

[But... then Soundwave throws this at him. Comes for him.]

[His head bows. He leans against him again.]

... I'm nothing but a shadow.

Is it really something you find that worthwhile?

[He certainly does. Shadowmaru had. But someone who isn't either one of them?]

[The smile never wavers, even when Kagerou speaks. The look he has never judges, never fades. If anything, somehow it widens with warmth and acceptance before he gives a soft laugh.]

Well, yer the most interestin' shadow I ever met, then.

But for serious? Of course I do. Yer young, so you got a lot of growing to do! I'm sure you'll find your own value soon. But when I look at you, y'know what I see?

I see a loyal friend. A strong, real living person. Sure, he's a little lost, but I think he'll find a good place for himself sometime.

He just needs a helpin' hand, yeah?

[Whatever he was expecting, laughing, smiling, isn't it. He blinks, honestly surprised at the answer.]

['Interesting shadow'? Is that even possible?]

[He starts to refute all that, but, belatedly, remembers he'd allowed the other robot access to his memories. That sort of gives Soundwave a unique perspective. Doesn't it?]

He... is more than a 'little lost'. He doesn't know where he fits. Or... how to find it.

[He grips a bit of plating, for something solid to hold onto.]

... the only help he has ever known... he promised he'd leave behind. And I'm not sure how to rely on another.

[When fingers curl into his shoulder plating, Soundwave gives pause in the conversation, but not in his stride.

Still, he shrugs the best he can. Not to get rid of the hands, but to show his calm approach to the subject.]

Sometimes, it's hard. Especially now; I think with you an' some others, it's rough. This is an alien planet, with totally new folks. Doesn't help that yer stuck in medbay on a generator. ... I'm sure you must feel a little helpless. Maybe even a little scared.

But that's, like, totally okay. And if you dunno how to rely on another dude, you just need to look at your friends and say, "Please, help me."

I'll always say yes.

I thought it would be easier, living on my own. Being on my own. [He shakes his head.] It hasn't gone well at all.

[He falls quiet again as well. He hasn't thought of the difficulties the others must be facing. They... just seemed so much more self-assured. So much more established.]

A little scared... Yes. You're right. And thank you. Very much.

It's still strange. I'm not trying to be ungrateful. But I... you saw. How it was.

Didn't you?

Edited 2012-08-25 08:52 (UTC)

M'sorry you tried doing that, but I'm glad you realized it hasn't worked out.

[Kagerou's shoulder gets an affectionate squeeze.]

I did, a bit. Mostly th' feelings. You were close with someone. But just one person. I think it's great you're really close with someone like that. So close that you know each other inside and out.

But you shouldn't jus' be livin' for one dude. He'll always be important, but you know now that you got other dudes here, ready to be your friend, too.

Otherwise, it's... gonna be like this. And it's so awful, being alone. I don't want you to feel like that.

I didn't think I had another choice. Even here...

[Even in this 'second chance'.]

More than... close. Made because of one another. I wouldn't exist, without him. He wouldn't, without me. [The whole Prototype Thing, and all.] This? Is the longest we've ever been apart.

[He doesn't know how else to explain the helplessness, the near-inability to really function. There's a gaping hole where someone should be. It's very distracting.]

It is awful. It's...

[He looks up.]

... you say it as if you know the feeling.

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