re_alignment | [Video]

The video opens to white walls. What seems like the interior of Prima's temple, for anyone who's ever been there, but recognizable by design only. It's a room that's never been seen before by any Refugee.

In the background, voices can be heard murmuring. Some familiar, some not. One a deep, resonant growl - another smooth like oil. Prima's the one facing the camera, but behind him many of the other the Firstforged can be seen, apparently wrapping up a meeting of some sort...

...including one or two who haven't been seen before. One, wrapped in what looks like an energy sphere vanishes quickly in a flash of light, spacebridging away - of another, only a set of what look like steel, pleated wings are visible.

"We know many of you have questions about the...recent happenings," Prima begins, folding his hands behind him - the camera source seems to be from something other than his personal systems. "In the interest of efficiency, we invite you to ask them in a more direct manner."

"Remind me," an off-screen voice murmurs, utterly humorless, "To reinforce the defenses on my Temple. I don't want another one of your...creatures...messing up the place again."

Nexus, barely visible - even with his greater bulk - shrugs. "They're more than just 'creatures', and they're really not that bad, once you get to know 'em, I promise. So long as they're Marked..."

Prima briefly glances to the two arguing, then reaches forward to end the transmission.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A barrier between you, and the dark energy of the Badlands. Left unchecked, it corrupts all that it touches, with a particular effect on sentient beings.

So there's nothing we can do about it?

What particular effect? Just come out and say it already!

[Please appreciate that it takes him a truly divine amount of patience and effort not to roll his optics at Prima's inability to just say it plainly.]

Stop skirting the issue, Prima.

He means that without the protection of a Glyph you're destined to become one of Unicron's loyal monsters.

[Megatronus

there is something called /tact/]

...I was getting to that point, brother.

Edited 2012-11-14 04:06 (UTC)

I've saved you the trouble. You're welcome.

[He's heard there's a thing called "manners," too, but he doesn't think that one applies to him any more than the need for tact does.]

If I required assistance in explaining, I would have asked for it.

[back off he got this 8|]

We're kin, Prima - you need never ask for help. I saw a need; I fulfilled it.

[This is one of the most masterfully-crafted innocent looks he has ever put on, for the record.]

[which is exactly why Prima sees right through it. he narrows his optics, his end of the feed disconnecting

because he's turned around to where Megatronus is

and is promptly moving to get right

in

his face

NO WORDS, ONLY BC]

[Megatronus follows suit, cutting the video feed as soon as he sees the other Firstforged turning around.

He crosses his arms over his chest and levels an almost bored look at his brother.]

Prima.

[You may be taller than he, Prima, but when has attempting to intimidate him ever worked?]

Megatronus.

When I am in a conversation with someone, it is not your place to interrupt me.

[who's trying to intimidate.

this is Warning.]

[That manages to reach him. Megatronus' eyes flash for a moment, and the scant foot of space between them is gone as he slams the crest of his helm against Prima's.]

And it is not yours to lecture me on my place!

[Prima moves back only as much as Megatronus' formidable power forces him to...which, to Prima's own credit? is only so much. his white optics are slits, expression tight and angry]

Then do not seek to destroy my own among these people!

[Leaning away is still a step back in his mind. He's satisfied with that concession.

Megatronus lets out a short, harsh laugh.]

Do you truly lack such confidence, Prima? Is your position here so tenuous, your authority so weak?

[You know who never has problems with weakness? Him.]

[on the other hand, Prima does know how to - proverbially - speak tank.

helm to helm, he shoves, /hard/.]

I expect the same respect I grant to you, no more, no less.

[Megatronus resists, refusing to cede any ground, but he doesn't shove back.]

Leadership that goes unchallenged is leadership that never realizes its true potential.

[He's just testing you, bro.]

[And meanwhile Hot Rod is just going to gape a bit. Bad enough that he finally gets an answer- not that he'd expected it to be a good one but it's considerably worse, actually- and now these two are talking like he isn't even there.]

Wh-

Wait, Unicron?? Loyal-

[He shakes his head. None of this makes sense.]

Are we talking about the big planet-eating thing? Or is there another Unicron here, just like there's other versions of everyone else I know in this screwed up place??

[Don't take it personally, Hot Rod. Megatronus barely has enough respect to cover his own kin, nevermind Glyphless Refugees.]

Yes, that Unicron; the planet-eater, the Chaosbringer, the destroyer of all of existence.

Aspiring destroyer, rather. I promise you we will allow no such thing.

[He tilts his head to the side, focusing an intense look on the smaller mech. That includes crushing any opposition Unicron presents, which he clearly suspects will shortly include Hot Rod.]

That is exactly what we have to deal with back- back in my universe. And you're basically telling me now that I'm going to end up working for him?

[Not happening.

-although he can't help but flinch a little at that look. No, he doesn't like that look, nor the implications behind it.]

Yes.

[Whatever else he fails at - tact, sympathy, subtlety - Megatronus can at least be relied upon for a straightforward answer.]

Which is not to say that we encourage you to go meekly into his grasp - fight it. Resist his influence with whatever will resides in that under-armored form of yours. Simply because we have never seen it done does not mean it cannot be done. That possibility is the only reason we don't simply slaughter you Glyphless when you arrive.

Some of our number still have hope for you.

[Not him, mind, but enough of his brothers that they give the unmarked arrivals a chance.]

[That's one thing he supposes he can be grateful of. One small thing.

Hot Rod stills himself, forcing himself to listen. And then he nods. There's no way he's just going to sit and accept something like this. There was no way he was going to be used by something that was definitely the enemy.]

That's it then. That's all we can do, is it?

[His optics narrow. He supposes he should be thankful they've been given such a chance at all, but it doesn't make him any less upset.]

I'm not giving into this.

[And with that, he ends the connection.]

[Megatronus you

are a total and unrepentant pain in the aft and he is going to take out some frustration on you for this B|]

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