re_alignment | [Video] feeling the Call

Entry tags:

tf: idw | drift

[Video] feeling the Call

[Drift has looked better. His armor's dented and stained, but nothing looks obviously fatal. More than that, he looks...tired. And twitchy. Which is not a good combination in anyone, least of all him.]

Going back out to the Badlands.

Don't follow.

((OOC: because of his canon (D-Void) and having been into the Badlands twice already, he's feeling the effects of the Calling sooner than anyone else. BUT feel free to comm him or stop him or whatever! ))

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[Something's off. He doesn't know Drif personally, but going out to the Badlands again? And he can hear that faint, scratching whisper.

A noise which almost sounds like flames to Jetfire.]

I don't think that's a good idea... ah, Drift, right?

[And glancing at the other replies, it's obvious Drift isn't going to be... reasonable about returning.]

Why go out there when it's going to worry several people?

[Nevermind the view shifting as Jetfire leaves his room and takes off from a balcony, nope. Just a precuation. Just stretching his wings.]

[ASDKF what is Jetfire talking about. Drift is always utterly and entirely reasonable! ALWAYS. Except like...most of the time. ]

...because I need to. To keep them safe. In case it gets worse.

[Completely and utterly, clearly, as proven by this very message!]

And if it's not enough with you? While I know one spark can make all the difference, usually even that singular person will need help and backup.

[He frowns and while he'll need some extra moments to find out Drift's exact location, Jetfire has... methods... to get places quickly.]

Should you at least not find out what it is and if it can be confronted before putting yourself in the one place we know have very negative effects?

[That sure is a lot of sky as Jetfire doesn't just shoot across the ground, but goes upwards. He can cross a lot more distance in shorter time like this. Just... needs Drift's location.

You still have a few moments to be reasonable and turn back, Drift. Don't make him come pick you up.]

[...you win this round, science type.]

It's just...I've felt like this before. It didn't end well. I need to get away before it gets that bad.

[Drift? Reasonable? Perish the thought.]

[Don't let him know, or Starscream know. The latter will start talking about Jetfire's ego not needing to be right.]

If you need to get away, why are you walking towards it, if, as seems reasonable, the sound more than just you seem to hear is what's drawing you to the Badlands?

[Jetfire pauses, far up above the Haven; when the spire with the light on top of it in Prima's temple is just a pin-point, you know you're far up.

... Ah. Got you, Drift. Hope you like being swooped upon. Accordingly, because we don't want to give anyone vertigo, Jetfire switches the feed to internal audio instead.]

I would suggest you attempt to resist and go back, give yourself and us time to find out what it is.

[Approximately one klik left to make the right decision, Drift.]

Because maybe I can find it this time. I fought it before. I can fight it again.

[Somehow this makes sense to him.]

I can handle this, Jetfire I don't...I don't want to hurt anyone, like I did last time.

[In short, wrong answer?]

[Wrong answer, most definitely.]

There's not enough of a pattern to know if whatever this is will affect you the same way again, Drift.

[There's a static sigh and then the line goes dead because he can finish talking in a few moments... And that noise is definitely not just Drift's own frame, that hard-to-make-out sound or anything else.

Jet engines.

Jetfire had briefly considered landing in front of Drift, but since he is uncertain how the mech will take it, and giving him the chance to either resist or run off feels like it would be unwise...

Well, have Jetfire angling himself away from the ground only just in time to literally sweep Drift off his feet and up into the air again.]

Hello, Drift. I apologise for this, but it seems a lot safer to figure this out with everyone account and present for in the Haven.

It's not a pattern. It's like the Red Rust, already in meeeee---oooof.

[Suddenly, impact, armor against him and an abrupt sense of movement, like the ground was torn away from under his feet.]

[Only the ground was still there, and he was now...up here.]

Let go of me! [He struggles, briefly. Because part of him, somewhere in the front of his cortex, doesn't want to hurt Jetfire.] You don't understand! I could kill someone this time!

No.

[The verbal denial isn't really needed; Jetfire doesn't really have any problem with keeping Drift in his arms during the (thankfully) brief struggling but hopefully it adds some weight.]

I might not understand, but since more than you seem to be hearing something presently, I'd surmise it is a pattern and not something personal.

And what were your first urge just now? To attack someone, or wander out into the Badlands?

[It's not as if he caught you stalking some poor unsuspecting mech or organic with your swords out.

Jetfire's risen far enough up in the air now that it's in Drift's best interest to stay where he is. Not as if Jetfire wouldn't catch him if he squirmed free, but there's definitely threat of griveous injuries if Drift falls from this height.]

But I've felt this before. Something like this. They haven't. I can fight it, this time.

[He's not going to struggle, because he's not entirely as reckless as Ultra Magnus might think. Though there was a time he would have.]

[But he did squirm, because this is more than a little undignified. ]

To get out. To hurt something, anything. It was...it was like the old days.

[Jetfire might feel a shudder. Not fond memories for Drift.]

[It is rather hard to make carrying someone bridal-style particularly dignified. At least Drift isn't hanging off one arm anymore?]

And yet you didn't. I neither was nor am holding you in a way that would make you incapable of attacking me, even if it's inadvisable.

[Given the height and speed and everything. ~~We don't want a repeat of the Vehicon going splat episode.~~]

Drift, a mech can change for the better and worse several times in his lifetime, and you seem to be doing a perfectly good job of fighting a change back for the worse. And I... doubt... [Jetfire pauses, static washing over his vocals for a moment as he sighs.] that this necessarily is something that can be fought physically.

It might be, but I won't make the mistake of not considering a more... insubstantial source early on this time.

[He'll try to take comfort in that thought.]

Because I'm trying. Because this is how I had to fight it before. [Not exactly. Before he had to stab himself.]

This feels...evil. I don't know how to describe it.

...then how else am I supposed to fight it?

[Why are you asking him such questions? He's a scientist, not a psychiatrist!]

I doubt I'm getting the strength you seem to but yes... It does not feel benign.

[He briefly glances down at Drift before looking forwards again, changing his course slightly.]

How do you fight doubt, anger or any other feeling you don't wish to indulge in or fall victim to? One does as well one can to be in control of one's emotions, but we all have different ways to handle that.

[Because Drift is neither a scientist or a psychiatrist so he has no clue what they do.]

Back on Cybertron, it only affected Decepticons.

[If it's affecting Jetfire then...it's different.] It must be the thing that's making the others leave.

Then this is my way. Trying to protect others and deal with it. [Grumpy robot is grumpy.]

... You think that was the same thing as whatever is... ah, calling, here? But it's obviously not only affecting Decepticons, no matter anyone's past.

[Even if he, ahem, has been a Decepticon as well. Well over six million years ago now, but still.]

It might be. Unless and until someone who has been called away and then returned can and is willing to reveal how events went when they left, it's impossible to say and merely incidental evidence to connect such an event with what's going on now.

[Another swooping turn and an angling downwards and that sure is the gorge Vector's temple is built into coming up. Hope you feel like talking to Wing in person, Drift.]

If it's merely emotional, while the urge is commendable, it'd still be... ah, difficult to fight something physically that lacks physical shape.

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[Video] feeling the Call

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[Audio] feel free to pose drift however you want for this

[Audio/Action] Aye-aye~

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