[Video] [Solus's Temple]

[hammer_bro]

Right. So some little guy in a robe just explained a lot of stuff that basically means I'm not where I'm supposed to be.

[Breakdown glances around briefly.]

Never been in a temple before. It's pretty fancy.

[He shakes his head and turns back to the camera.]

Guess I'm checking in or whatever. Anybody else I know stuck here? Knock Out? Ehr, uh- Lord Megatron? [Let's hope the big M isn't mad he mentioned his partner first.]

Comments

[solianpolarity]

[A simple footstep from a being her size, taken with a tad more force than usual, is enough to rattle the light fixtures in the Marked-scaled areas of her temple.

A pointed stomp coming from not thirty feet away...should be enough to at throw Knock Out off his aim, if not topple the both of them off their feet completely.]

What is going on here?

[From across the hall, Solus Prime eyes them both with crossed arms, distinctly Not Impressed. Her own Marked aren't allowed to kill each other, especially not in the middle of her Temple.

...After all, this was no Arena, and she was no Megatronus.]

[automobile_enthusiast]

[Relatively small as he is, and certainly not expecting the seismic interruption, Knock Out stumbles and crashes inelegantly to the floor. He shoves to his hands and knees, fingers clutching tight to his prod as he slews his head around, trying to figure out what happened--

He vents in surprise when he sees Solus. When he registers her demand, he drops his weapon and puts up his hands, palms out.]

I-- We--

[His first instinct is to cover. Cover for himself, cover for Breakdown, convince Solus that nothing's wrong and get her to continue on her way. Finish dealing with this in private. How many times had he done as much for the two of them, when he was arguing with Breakdown somewhere that was a little too public?

But this wasn't the army, and Solus Prime wasn't a superior officer. She was something more than that. Bigger than that. He didn't dare lie to her, and especially not about this.

He gestured at Breakdown, and when he spoke it was in a subdued voice.] He wasn't supposed to come back. He went to the Badlands, and they said-- Liege said of Starscream that if he came back, he wouldn't be the same and he'd have to be... dispatched.

I... wanted to be the one to do it.

[He glanced sidelong at Breakdown, then looked away, obviously unhappy.]

[hammer_bro]

[...He really should have known better than to trust Knock Out. They were partners in crime, hell maybe even friends, but KO was still another decepticon with his own agenda. And right now he seemed bent on killing Breakdown.

The bigger mech dropped into a defensive stance, ready to grab KO again when a loud rumble shook the ground so hard he toppled over. By the time he managed to get to his feet again, an imperious sounding voice rang out from across the hallway. A glance in that direction assured him that the huge angry mech in question was very likely that First Forged the acolyte told him about.

Uh oh.

Before he could say anything to his defense, Knock Out wass already speaking and what he said made Breakdown frown. Badlands? Dispatched?]

Look, I don't even know what he's talkin' about. I just got here!

[solianpolarity]

[Solus glances between the two of them briefly, before venting out a sigh.

Liege, you idiot.]

Clearly, you either missed part of the conversation or, more likely, Liege simply did not bother to clarify things properly. Those that venture off into the badlands are, more often than not, lost for good. If they return at all, sans mark, they are already Lost and pose a threat.

[She points down at Breakdown, specifically at his shoulder armor where her own mark glows faintly.]

If he has returned with an identifying glyph, he is perfectly well and safe. And claimed.

[automobile_enthusiast]

...Oh. [Knock Out's voice is very small. With wide optics he looks over at Breakdown, for the first time seeing-- or perhaps only realizing-- the significance of the glyph on the other mech's arm.

He looked away optics dim and hooded. Rising to his feet, he made a point of retrieving his prod and tucking it away into its storage niche at the small of his back.]

I didn't realize there were... qualifications.

[hammer_bro]

[As far as Breakdown knows, he's never been to the badlands, but the part about the glyph makes sense. The acolyte did mention that as part of his introduction. He turns to Knock Out, putting one hand on the medic's shoulder.]

So...this Liege guy tricked you into thinking you needed to kill me?

[automobile_enthusiast]

[Knock Out freezes under Breakdown's hand, and there's a distinctly hunted sort of look in his optics as he meet's Breakdown's gaze.]

...Something like that. It would be, ah, more accurate to say that, ahah, misinterpreted what he said.

Badly.

[Only you would warrant an admission this bald of wrong-doing, Breakdown. Savor it.]

[hammer_bro]

[Breakdown just stares at him, his mouth set in a little frown.]

No kidding. [His expression softens]

Actually, the part I'm the most confused about is why you thought you could offline me! Ha!

[automobile_enthusiast]

[That startles a matching laugh out of KO, and he offers Breakdown a hesitant smile.] And how could I have ever been so foolish, hm?

[solianpolarity]

[Solus watches the exchange blandly, lifting a brow.]

Indeed. Try not to do it again. Especially if the Marked of my brothers are involved. Some - like Liege and Megatronus - would not exactly be as forgiving as myself - or your...friend here - if you had actually succeeded.

[Solus turns to continue on her path - the sounds of the scuffle had pulled her away from returning to her forge, and now that it was clear no energon would be spilt all over the hall she was eager to continue on her way.

She only gives them one last glance, expression going severe.]

Should you actually find a proper Unmarked... Well. You obviously know what you should do.

[automobile_enthusiast]

[Knock Out knew a warning when he heard one, and this was a warning he was going to respect. He didn't quite go so far as saluting the tall Firstforged, but he did draw himself up as straight as possible and accord her a deep nod, almost a bow.] I do. And we will. This won't happen again. And I'm, ah, sorry if our-- my misunderstanding inconvenienced you.

[Can't hurt to suck up to a demigod, right? Knock Out doesn't relax until she's gone again, and even then it's only enough to grab Breakdown's arm and tug.]

Let's go, in case she decides to come back.

[hammer_bro]

[Breakdown can't keep a grin from his face. Knock Out's behavior when he's sucking up is just so fancy.]

Yeah, sure. Where do you wanna go?

[automobile_enthusiast]

Back to our quarters. [Did the Acolyte give you your own place to stay? Too bad! Knock Out's taking you back to his.]