re_alignment | [VIDEO] [TRANSMISSION ORIGINATING FROM: JUNKPILE]

Entry tags:

tf: idw | wing

[VIDEO] [TRANSMISSION ORIGINATING FROM: JUNKPILE]

[The feed opens to a reveal Wing, composed though a tad concerned.]

Greetings. I am Wing. I am searching for a certain medic who's name I regrettably did not get. Autobot, airframe, white red and cyan. Discernible by an unfortunately notable lack of hands.

[He'd leave that part out, because gosh, who needs to be treated to gory descriptions upon a first or even second communication with a stranger, but it really is the greatest identifying feature of the mech he's looking for.]

I met him in the Junk Pile and left him to seek aid, but when I returned he was gone.

Doctor, I hope you're out there and managed to make it to safety by other means. If so could you let me know? Or if anyone else has seen him and can share his whereabouts or condition I'd appreciate it.

Thank you.

((Mostly tying up loose ends here, but run where ever you want with this. ;) ))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Maybe some middle ground where you at least run a background check? Or give up after the first time you're betrayed?]

I realized I couldn't save everyone all by myself.

[A pointed quirk of the browridge, there. You, neither, Wing.]

...I spoke English. I think that was it. It was something of home. And we both know how powerful that can be.

[You might have something there. Forewarned is forearmed. Wing's not the type to give up so easily, but perhaps better precautionary measures would be a good idea.]

A task that large? You'd need help. Did you make a difference? That's what mattered most to you as I recall.

[He chuckles.] You are so resistant to friendship! It baffles me. [But then he sees a deeper meaning in your words.] But, yes. Finding familiarity in another while in a strange alien place does have a tendency to form bonds.

I did. Good and bad.

[He frowns, remembering that last moment under Cybertron, when D-Void had reached into him, trying to take control. He'd had to stop himself: no one else could.]

[He cycles a vent of air.] I find it easier to be a friend than have one.

I hope you have found that here, that bond, that familiarity.

That's something certainly. I hope it was all worth it for you.

[It's probably good that Wing knows none of this. The more broken you describe yourself to be, the more he just wants to hold you together.]

[Now that's certainly a twist, compared to the day he met you.] Good things are rarely easy.

I'm trying to.

I wish I knew. It seems you can never tell until you reach the end of something how it all shakes out.

[And he's here, and the Lost Light and the others, and their quest, and the future of Cybertron, is....over there somewhere.]

[Ah but it's easier to extend trust, knowing you can survive betrayal, than to allow someone to trust you when you know how frequently you've let them down.]

So I've learned.

I guess that's the inherent risk. Either act and chance failure or remain stagnant.

But do you feel like you've grown, progressed, since changing your direction? Are you happier than you were before?

[The former is easier because the latter requires you to trust yourself.]

Sometimes, Wing, it's a lot more complicated than that.

[He sounds tired. He is tired. He's been dragging around the weight of 'ex-Decepticon' for centuries, dogging every judgment, making him question his own motives for anything.]

Hnh. Every time I try to, it seems the past keeps coming back. [D-Void being able to control him--along with all the other Decepticons. He'd been the only one affected down there. His past would never leave him.]

I suppose it is.

[He looks at you with a gentle smile, his eyes warm and sympathetic. It's the best he can offer over the commlink, though there'd be more if given the chance.]

What is it that keeps haunting you?

I hope you never learn it. Not the way I've had to.

[Angst and a sincere wish: Drift multitasks!]

[Oooooh, there's a big question. Is 'everything' a copout answer? Probably.]

That I followed blindly, that I let means dictate methods, that I always, always chose violence as a way to be heard.

...mostly that I let it happen.

Some lessons are just that way. Still, I wish some of yours had been easier.

[The angst is ingrained at this point, but even you can learn to deemphasize! /cheerleader]

Do you find that you still fall prey to these things, or do they remind and inspire you to choose differently?

Let what happen?

Edited 2012-07-08 00:03 (UTC)

You and I know nothing 'easier' would have gotten through.

[Deny it. You can't, can you?]

They remind me to question myself. That's enough. [For a mech who's not done much introspection, that's a lot.]

Let...all of it happen. Let myself be used, let my anger be twisted into someone's tool, let myself be...what I was.

[Because in the end it wasn't just Wing whose death is on Drift's hands. It's a long list, very long, and he had killed without remorse, and for power. Not to help, not to protect, but to control.]

[No, you're far too stubborn for that. Which is more to the point.]

I'm glad, it serves a positive purpose then.

Mistakes are life's teaching tools. The real tragedy is when we don't learn the lesson. You did. And what's more, you did something about it. [His optics glow a bit brighter.]

The amount of courage you have Drift, I don't think you even realize it. Changing one's path the other direction, falling to darkness, amorality, that's easy. Because you release yourself from the constraints of morality, integrity and guilt.

But coming the other direction as you have, making the choice to pick up those burdens and shouldering the weight of your newly found remorse, takes immense willpower and fortitude of spirit.

We're all the sum of our life experiences. You can't undo that much violence, you'll always feel the weight of it. But you can choose to be inspired by your ability to overcome it or be so burdened that it causes you to misstep.

Or when we learn too late. I already have, for you. [If only he'd learned a little sooner, he might have saved the city, find some other way to fox Lockdown. If only.]

...... [He keeps opening his mouth to speak. But stops. Because he wants to refute Wing, but he also wants to believe.]

[So there's a long silence after Wing finishes speaking. And then, softly,] I think I liked it better when you were throwing me around.

[It hurt less.]

[He sighs. Quietly,] Sometimes too late is why we learn it. [If only he pushed the message harder, or been more diligent about security. ...If only he'd confided in you before the battle.]

If you want, we can do that too. [A wry smile.] Drift. The whole reason I spent all that time trying to show you another way, is because I believe in you. And I still do.

Yes. [No argument here. ] Losing everything that matters will drive a point home. [Especially if you're just at the cusp of realizing that it matters.]

You might find me a bit harder an opponent now. [He's been fighting for centuries, after you, Wing. And for someone who was never trained with a sword...he's picked it up pretty well. ]

It depends what you believe in me for. [It's half a joke, half a serious question. All he believes in is something outside himself, as he's always done. Megatron, you, the Knights of Cybertron.]

[Wing couldn't agree more.]

I would hope so! Maybe you should be throwing me around then? [He dons a smile.] I'd like to see how you've progressed, we really should spare sometime. When you've fully recovered.

[He senses the joke in it, and his mouth quirks in response, but he also knows that sometimes it's good to hear these things.]

I believe that you're passionate and capable. That you have power, talent and fierce conviction. The only thing that's ever been in question for you is direction, as I see it. But most of all, that you can choose your own path, a better one, and meet all the challenges along it.

[A lopsided smile.] I've fought in worse shape. And won.

[But the smile fades, quickly.] Sparring is different than actual combat, though. I-if anything happens here, you need to stay safe.

[Because he can't lose you again. Not when he's not even sure what to do with this start.]

[He gives an uncomfortable squirm at the rest.] I'm trying.

That's good to know. [He's happy to see you smile. And there you go, proving his point, or part of it, at least.]

[But it looks like this strikes a cord and he tenses.] I'm all too aware of that now. I may have superior formal training but it can't replace real combat experience. [Of which he'd had precious little in recent centuries.] I'd thought to ask your help with that to be honest. If there's anyone here I'd trust to push my limits, it'd be you.

I, appreciate you wanting to keep me safe, [Really, he does] but do you think I could hide while others are in danger? I do take your meaning though, [even if it bites at his pride] and I will be mindful.

Trying and persisting, if not succeeding, from what I've seen.

[What point? That Drift is an idiot who doesn't know when to stop?]

Your problem is you expect your enemy to fight fair. [Which they don't. And Drift has struggled with this, himself, trained to fight to win, as if nothing else matters. But it does matter--he'd fallen so far by not paying attention to the methods he was using.]

Wing. [He gives a frustrated sigh. Because he does understand. But he also knows combat. And he knows you.] Protect others. But please. Leave the worst of it to those of us more...expendable.

[Yes. 'Fierce conviction' sounds prettier though and doesn't insult your intelligence.]

You're likely right about that. [He know there were plenty that didn't fight fair. But knowing the fact and making it part of your instinctive defense were two different things. And Wing hadn't faced the harsh reality of manipulative opponents enough to make it part of his tactical response.] All the more reason to show me different. What's better, to chance learning it in real combat again, or with someone who will pull blows at the last second?

[He starts, as if struck by your words. His tone is fierce, a slightly wild, almost angry look to his optics.] Expendable!? Drift. How can you--Arghh!--Far from it. You may be a frontliner but I can't let you think that. You mean too much to me!

[Drift has gotten better at pretty speeches. But not about himself. He doesn't hide the truth from himself.]

I don't want you to have to learn that. [He'd rather throw himself in the way of any attack on you.] But I know you're going to learn it anyway. The same way you left the city when you wanted to.

[A frustrated, but fond smile.] Nothing stops you when you want something, Wing.

[He twitches back at Wing's vehemence.] But...it's...it's what I do, Wing. It's the only thing I've ever done. [The words are hesitant, because, well, he's never faced anyone saying anything like that to him before. He looks......slightly terrified.]

[Speeches can be pretty and still truthful! You may have to get creative though.]

That's true, I'd just find someone else. [It's a mutual feeling. Really, there's so much heroic daring and martyrdom between you both it should be illegal.] But I'd rather it be you. Think of it as returning the favor.

[Wing ex-vents carefully, optics flickering as he blinks and collects himself.] I--I'm sorry Drift. It's just... I know you'll always be a frontliner. It's what you're best at. But...don't ever think yourself expendable. Please? Least of all while I live. [His words are soft now, but heavy with emotion, a slight edge of desperation in them. He can't--he won't--be given this second chance and have it wasted because you don't know how much you have yet to live for.]

[His mouth twitches, almost angrily, at the thought. Oops. Turns out Drift has a jealous side. That's what happens when you give something valuable to a mech who's never had anything.]

Don't. I'll do it. [Because you may trust someone else; he doesn't.]

_{Please don't talk about 'while you live'}.

[There's a lift of an optic ridge at that. Not that he minds. No, no.]

Good, I'm glad. [And by the sounds of it, he's looking forward to it.]

[Wing leans forward, his helm tiling as he regards you with a hopeful smile.] I can do to that, if you'll stop talking like you're not worthwhile. Because you're worth a whole lot to me.

You won't be when I'm done with you. [It's said as a joke, but there's truth behind it. Four million years of fighting, Wing. He knows just about every trick, dirty or not, in the book.]

[I-it's like you just keep handing him things to emo about, Wing.]

_{I know.} You threw your life away on me before.

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