re_alignment | [Broadcasting from just outside Megatronus Prime's Arena][Actionspam welcome]

[It was no surprise to him that his time on this new Cybertron was going better than his last three years on an ancient one. Parts for the portal were already being gathered and assembled, nobody was directly threatening to kill him, and he'd passed his schematics out to multiple individuals who had a shot at making it work. With nothing more to do on the project, himself, he'd decided to pursue a little...entertainment, and perhaps secure a bit of additional assistance on the way.]

[Besides, this arena was actually pretty nice.]

It's been almost a decacycle, and though little has changed in how these 'Firstforged' treat us, we've already managed to accomplish enough.

Of course, if we're to become monsters as I've heard claims we will be, then those of you who are marked should get a bit of practice in beforehand, hm?

[Without a further word, a bright purple glow illuminates the screen for a moment as Megatron unsheathes his energon mace from his hand-socket and gives it a whirl.]

I have a meeting with one or two already, so this message is for the rest...

Do you think you have what it takes, to go tread to tread with a Megatron?

[He'll be waiting.]

Locked to Overlord

This goes double, for you.

[Yes, he knows you are in a prison and all. However, he doesn't suspect that's going to stop you, if the rumors he has heard are true.]

Locked to Barricade and Ambulon

As it helps to be prepared, I could use the assistance of a medic. Willing to lend a hand?

[Although it's phrased as a question, he expects at least one of you to be there. Otherwise, he might get...cranky. You know. If there's no one to patch up the folks he's trying not to kill.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That outlook does not make me eager to indulge your inquiry.

[It's hard enough saying 'I wrote poems.']

What, now you're backin' out? You're not embarrassed, are ya?

Never.

[Always.]

It is something one either knows, or does not.

[And mostly it's something one does not.]

Why do you wish to know?

...Despite our history? I know that you weren't always this way.

Sometimes, I wish I got to know the Megatron before Axiom Nexus.

[This stuns him.]

...

[This stuns him enough that he doesn't immediately respond with any quips, but just stares at the screen for a moment, watching Soundwave's hidden expression.]

...

I wrote.

...Oh?

What did you write?

I wrote.

[He frowns.]

I wrote about the world I wished to live in.

[It had been both an escape, and a way to collect his thoughts. To reason out why things were the way they were, and how they needed to change.]

There weren't many other options at the time. [Writing was laughable enough, for a miner.] 'Hobbies' were the purview of the rich, and free-time for us...

[His frown deepens.]

Free-time was usually spent drinking, to forget.

Does that satisfy you?

I would have liked to have read them.

[Soundwave tilts his head up, then nods once.] Yeah. Think it does satisfy me.

Did you ever share what you wrote with anyone?

[His optics flash, distrustful.] They are generally reserved for those who haven't assisted in murdering me.

[He's bristly for a few moments, even knowing that the question is an innocent one. Even knowing that this is, in a way, Soundwave's attempt to make their alliance an easier one. It is still hard to let go.]

...

I did. [He answers, however.] It found a wider audience than I expected, foolish as it was. [Impactor had been right. Writing was no good without action.]

[The next part is the hardest to say, though, and he finds himself nearly spitting out the words.]

Do you. Want. To read some?

Hey now. You don't wanna start that topic up again.

[Because as much as Soundwave regrets what happened, he doesn't necessarily believe he was wrong in the intention. It's complicated. Arguing won't change their perspectives.]

If yer willin' to share, I'd love to.

No.

No, I don't.

[The frown feels permanent, but a moment later there'd be a private file transfer initiated.]

firstlight.txt_

[Within is a poem. It's not terribly long, and it's not terribly refined, but it's earthy, and it's real. It speaks about what it is to see the stars and the sun after coming out of the dark shafts of the mine. The time stamp is old.]

[Soundwave goes silent as he's notably reading over the text. His expression is hard to read, if only due to the fact that he's wearing his mask.

Eventually, though, he touches his own chin and sits there for a long moment.]

Th-that, um.

[It's unmistakable, the raw emotion in his voice, how touched he is by the words. Soundwave adores the arts, and he never anticipated that Megatron had any knack for poetry.]

S'good. It was good.

[Yeah, no, he's. Blown away and probably sounds about ready to cry.]

[He doesn't know what to say for a moment, especially hearing that emotion from Soundwave. There were few mechs he'd shared his early works with, especially after Impactor hadn't understood.]

It was what I had.

...

[And it's hard for him, now, to be reminded of this. Soundwave's making him emotional.]

Thank you.

[For not laughing.]

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