[Voice] Trying Too Hard

[vandalization]

So that's it then. Everything is back to "normal". As normal as this place gets and we're all left a little more fucked up than when we started.

Let's talk, humans, bears, Autobots, Decepticons. We're all people stuck here. Some of us want to be here, some of us don't...

But.

I just want to hear something good.

It doesn't matter if we're friends or not. But I'd like to hear from you.

Have you made friends here?

Would you rather go home or stay? If you want to go home, what is it there that you miss?

What makes you happy?

Comments

voice

[vandalization]

First Aid...

Hey. You're. Not really alone, at least? What happened? If that's not too invasive?

voice

[lifepersists]

Oh, yes.

It was a plague. The Red Rust; Drift and Pharma had it when they arrived here. The first sign is usually the crying, as the optics corrode.

I tried my best but... it just wasn't enough. There were just so many bodies towards the end. The morgue was filling up fast.

voice

[vandalization]

Oh First Aid...

I had no idea. I'm so, so sorry...

voice

[lifepersists]

It's fine. At least no one is sick.

How are you feeling, Vandal?

voice

[vandalization]

Still... you don't just walk away from something like that.

I'm. Okay.

voice

[lifepersists]

No, it's okay. It's something I try not to dwell on.

I'm glad you're okay. I was worried about you.

voice

[vandalization]

Couldn't hurt to talk about? I'm here for you, you know. We're friends, right?

I was worried about you too. Your asshole friend said you were dead.

voice

[lifepersists]

Yes... I would like to be. I have a lot to sort out right now.












I'm really sorry.

voice

[vandalization]

Sorry for what? First Aid... why don't you come in and talk to me. I'm in the medbay.

voice

[lifepersists]

I'm not going to the medbay, Vandal. Please.

voice

[vandalization]

Okay... I can come to you. Where are you?

voice

[lifepersists]

Pharma's lab, Leige's temple.

voice

[vandalization]

Okay. I can be there in a few hours.

voice

[lifepersists]

Okay.

jack if that's okay?

[sword_redemption]

...that's not how I remember it, First Aid. You saved us. And even when it was that bad, you were still kind and patient. That's more than enough for anyone.

FINE WITH ME

[lifepersists]

I... I don't remember that.

[sword_redemption]

First Aid, I don't lie. I wouldn't lie about something like that. It was the last thing I remember.

[lifepersists]

...I don't think you'd lie to me.

[ Even if he's not sure who is his friend and who he can trust right now. ]

I don't think I could save people like that, though.

[sword_redemption]

[Whirl. Don't trust Whirl. Ever. See? Simple!!]

We never know what we're capable of until we're under pressure. [He grins, but the grin fades. Because he hadn't really done that well under pressure.]

[lifepersists]

[ But Whirl was a Wrecker!! ]


That's true.


I need to think about things.

[sword_redemption]

[Whirl is also...Whirl.]

[Oh.] Do you want to talk?

[lifepersists]

[ True. But... First Aid would be First Aid. ]


Yes. But I'm not sure what I want to talk about yet.

[sword_redemption]

[A wry smile. ]

I know that feeling. [All too well. ]

If you ever want to talk, you can contact me. [He's thinking about what Primary Care had told him. He had to try harder.]

[lifepersists]

I will. Once I know what to talk about. Thank you, Drift.

[sword_redemption]

[A distinct feeling he's getting brushed off, but in the circumstances, what can he do?]

...all right.