capeandcowl | ✈ voice ✈

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† n/a | starscream

✈ voice ✈

[The noise of wind whistling, quite loud, like the recorder is up somewhere high, with the very faint sounds of traffic down below. The comm is registered to "Marc Brut".

Starscream has been in the City for several hours, now. Hours of not posting with distressed vocalizations or angry threats, no demands. No begging for help. Hours of holding himself back from emotional systems collapse while he maneuvers the demands of an entirely new universe is no mean feat, but he doesn't expect a medal (it'd be nice though).

For a moment there's only a soft tapping, and then a voice, pitched evenly with rehearsed-sounding tones. Edged calm. Keeping things level, but under the veneer is the shadow of distress.]

I propose an informational bartering session, with whoever is on the Network--with whoever can speak to me who is in charge.

I - have invaluable data. You won't be disappointed.

[a few moments pass in silence, and then he ends the post. But a minute later, he's clicking it back on, unable to resist the urge to add]

And if you're ignoring my hails on purpose, you know who you are, so help me--!

[hanging up again hastily before he wrecks everything]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[What are these things, degrees, employment in a--a what, a dance club? Momentarily taken aback, this is a lot to take in, and he's pretty sure he hit overload limits a while back.]

Yes, yes, by all means. Send me the address. [aware he's sounding a little dazed, refocuses] I will, ah. See you shortly.

[Ping! There's the address and his schedule info.]

See you then, Starscream.

[Nuts and bolts that sounds weird to say.]

[at the appointed time (he thinks anyway he might be like, five minutes early to try to make a good impression if he can, even though he's probably likely to ruin it some other way within those five minutes).

He's also waiting outside. In robot form--going inside would probably be a mistake. It still feels alarming to walk around in his robot form, let alone approach another Cybertronian... one he used to know, or--a version of one--it was waking up unpleasant memories he'd thought long buried in dusty directories. Screamer shifted from foot to foot idly, wings extended and perked, the picture of antsy activity.]

[When the time comes, Skyfire is honestly grateful that there wasn't some awkward meeting inside. His job... is not a dignified one. And until he can re-earn his teaching credentials, he's stuck behind the bar, having to smile pretty at the twenty-somethings he serves drinks to.

Not something he wants another Cybertronian, even a Starscream, to see. ~~Plus he can't dance his way out of a paper bag so he has to fake that as best he can~~. It gives him a moment to pull on his jacket and wipe some of the glow paint off- replace his visor with his actual glasses and meander outside.

Music thrums from inside as he opens the door and peers around... oh yes. It doesn't take long to spot him.

He clears his throat and raises a hand in a halting greeting.]

Starscream.

[The (ex?) Decepticon stepped closer to Skyfire, looking down--he wasn't sure he was prepared to see the comparatively slight human, white haired and--attired, like any other. It made it a little easier on him, actually, than if he'd had to see someone who looked like Jetfire.

On the other hand ~~he had different claws~~, talking to humans respectfully was a whole new challenge.]

Skyfire. Why are you wasting your Allspark-given talents in a trashy nightclub?

[that really must set some sort of record, even for Starscream's speed of ruining shit.]

[It actually gets a startled laugh. He knows what to expect of a Starscream, and as tactless as it was... he'll take it as a compliment.]

The locals aren't exactly very friendly towards imports. It's not easy to get a good job. I'm working on earning my teaching credentials back, and when I do I may have something lined up to teach some theoretical physics classes at the local college... if that is any comfort.

In the meantime...

[He says it with a dry tone and a wry smile tempting his mouth. He shakes his head and flicks his scarf over his shoulder.]

Come on. We'll go some place a bit more quiet to talk.

[He steps into the air, activating his most useful porter-power, surrounded by the same LED-like blue glow that sets in his eyes. It seems to carry him up and he drifts at shoulder-level with Starscream. He leads the way toward the nearest park.]

So. You're definitely one of the more unusual looking Starscreams, I have to say.

[

[instead of talking, for a change, he actually shuts up, absorbing that information with a gobsmacked look as he walks alongside, nothing to see here, just a glowing levitating human and a ~~stripper~~ Seeker robot. It's good that Skyfire can move that way, though, because Starscream isn't one for walking slowly, and even 8 foot robots take big strides.

Also that shutting up thing is not happening forever jsyk.]

Unusual looking. [He's not actually offended--because he's too arrogant not to interpret it as a compliment.] There's no need for false modesty. Even for a Seeker, I know I'm rather stunning. [that ego doesn't go so far as to prompt him to ask after the other Starscreams, though. Anyone who'd leave Soundwave in charge is nobody he wants to use for his own vainglory.]

And yes, my alt-mode is intact. Can you fly fast enough to keep up?

Mmhmm.

[He doesn't even bother correcting him. It's almost an amusing little game to play with a Starscream, letting them fluff their own ego.]

Oh gosh.

I don't know. I can fly pretty well. I'll try.

[He tries to hide his smile. He's still the fastest damn thing in the sky in a straight dash... not exactly maneuverable- but speed makes up for it. He likes the idea of a surprise, though. He knows exactly how to inflict humility on Seekers.]

Edited (I accidentally a word) 2012-07-06 04:33 (UTC)

Nnf. [he suddenly remembers, with an unpleasant jolt, that he has no Energon stockpile here--nowhere to steal or even to forage it, and the idea of flying sours a little as panic threatens to creep back into his subroutines.] Perhaps... later. As tantalizing as sharing the skies again with--my old friend--sounds--

[he's actually briefly amazed at how much that hurt to say. And Screamer only really said it to try to establish a potential bond... He's pretty sure he'd be doing better at this if the stress of dimensional transplant wasn't overshadowing every other potential manipulation factor.

Yeah. He'll go with that.]--ah... Tell me more about yourself.

[Old friend, huh? He almost wants to correct him. Remind him that he's not Jetfire. That he's Skyfire and he's a different person with a different history, but he lets it go for now. No need to ruffle any feathers.]

Myself, huh?

Well. That's kind of a broad question. I like science, cooking and long flights along the beach?

I mean- what do you want to know?

[it's a sign that Screamer really is under stress, but he doesn't seem to notice. He's just repressing all of this stuff so he can deal with the current problem in his face, which is... being totally alone.]

I--it would--[buying a moment of stutter thinktime as he reaches out to lean against the wrought gate of the nearby park they're coming up to, his other hand opening expansively] I would like to know why--you associated my name with violent takeover. I have rejected Megatron, I only wear his brand now because I don't have the means to remove it. [and this rings of truth, because it is the truth--it's just that Screamer's bottom line is still Screamer.]

[His first thought is why wouldn't I? But- that is withheld for a time.]

Well.

[This one seems a but more sensitive.]

I... uh. I mean that tends to be the M.O. of most Starscreams. I suppose I should not assume, but I haven't had the best history with them.

[His own had tried, bless him he tried, but he couldn't ignore his ambition and power hunger for long.]

I suppose it would be more prudent for you to tell me of yourself as it seems I am at a loss.

[too strong, he'd come off far too strong. It had been so long since the luxury of friends of any kind, he barely remembered what it felt like to trust, even to feign trust. He could not afford that mistake now, but he could not afford to waste this opportunity, either.]

We worked together. We were--my universe's version, of you, and I, were--[there's not enough information here for him to risk any blatant lies, lest Knock Out get to him and tell him different, and Screamer knows who'll be believed, even though people should seriously believe him instead.]--separated. I haven't seen you since the war. Megatron lost his sensors, he was raving, an unreliable, unpredictable--[whoa okay getting genuinely angry and having to take a second to reel it back in there. He visibly calms himself.] Things could have been very different if I had been in charge from the beginning. We would still have a planet to go back to, and not a smoking ruin.

[painting up the facts in pretty might-have-been colors, turns to the truth of the matter with only mildly-restrained viciousness] Instead, we have a leader obsessed beyond all reason with petty revenge on Optimus Prime, willing to lay waste to another planet to see it done, at the expense of everyone in his way.

[The former shuttle sighs and sets down on his feet. He's tall for a human anyways.]

Look, Starscream. There is no we, right now. Okay? Your Jetfire- I'm not him. Let's just establish this. I've had different experiences, we may be similar, but please understand.

[It's more for the sake of his own peace of mind. Some things are still raw.]

And you don't need to tell me that Megatron was a glitch-head, I know. We all know. But I've heard this all before.

[How they'd make a shining return and everything would have been better- for a time, Skyfire had believed it. He had honestly believed in everything that had been said. But here he is- pulling the same thing he just told Starscream not to.]

I'm not going to pretend I know who you are, but you'll understand if I'm not terribly inclined to trust you.

That said, I'm not going to leave you to flounder.

[He did that to the last one, and it ended up biting him in the aft.]

[and all his glorious work turns to exhaust in his throat, his optics rapidly tracking the ex-robot's face, with a look like Skyfire just killed his dog that's only a little exaggerated. He's gone from being top tier Decepticon to outcast to otherdimensional outcast. And Skyfire, despite his claims to not plan on abandoning him (clearly Autobot feelgood garbage) clearly doesn't want to immediately, madly throw trust his way.

He can't imagine there's further to fall, here, but he sets his feet and comes back mentally for another try it's what he's best at, attempting to read intent and repair with grim determination] I'm--I apologize, I shouldn't have--assumed, it's only that... I've been alone for a long time.

I hope you can come to trust me, in your own time. I don't know what my other self did to you, and I won't pry. But. [he reaches out, to rest the claws of one hand on Skyfire's arm, delicately, for a second only. Drawing back like Skyfire might be not-okay with that.] ...I don't ask anything of you that you aren't comfortable giving.

[Primus on a pogo stick. It was honestly easier when Starscream was just a flat-out jerk. Either this one is extremely good at manipulating his feelings or he's being honest. He's not sure what would be worse.

Pulling away from the claws that brush his arm and sighing, a hand moving to pinch the bridge of his nose.]

Alright.

If you want my trust you have to earn it. No stupid slag. In the mean time I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt, but if you so much as harm one person that doesn't deserve it- you won't know what hit you.

[This is... not what he expected today. And probably, he'll go home and cry on a very bewildered Vector. But for now, he hardens his spark against anything that might make him look weak.]

If I'm not mistaken, you need a source of energon. You must be low, right?

Edited 2012-07-06 18:59 (UTC)

[He nods, vigorously, the threat passing over him like a warm breeze, so used to them is he by now, even given that he's dealing with at least three Transformers wise to his bullshit in the City. Warning acknowledged.]

Yes. I, ah. I come to you as a supplicant, but I fully intend to pay my debts. [Meaning that in both a positive, and negative sense. He perks. Visibly excited. His face is an open book, shifting through the spectrum freely in sync with the thoughts he's processing.] You have energon somewhere? That I missed? [hey it's possible.]

[He's certainly expressive. It's comforting, in a small sense.]

I don't have any, no. I don't need it.

[He thumps a hand on his stomach.]

One hundred percent organic here- however I know who may be able to assist you. Shockwave has the means and the funding, I would say, to be able to make synthetic energon. Though you'd have to be very nice to him. Otherwise you may have to get used to human food. You can shift to an organic form, can't you?

[a flicker of despair at the thought of having to cow-tow to Shockwave. But when pushed to matters of survival, he's not going to close any doors.] ...You, ah. You seem to be getting along with--Decepticons, here. Without resorting to the old ways.

[after a second and a visible droop of those pert wings at the thought, he squinches up his optics and concentrates--and does a gradual shape-melt into a ~~bony~~ lithe, older looking human. His balance is off, he's breathing a little awkwardly, and he looks supremely uncomfortable like this, but he was asked and he's trying his best to be compliant, no matter what it costs him... for now.]

It's even more broken than my real form. I don't think I could get much smaller without disappearing completely... [This is what Skyfire signed up for, right? His complaining?]

[What a strange process to watch. Well, he certainly doesn't remember Starscream being so old. Honestly it makes him feel young, of all things.

He just laughs and crosses his arms.]

I think you'll find it has some perks. I'd stay that way for now so you don't waste energon. I can teach you how to get by as a human. It's not glamorous- in fact it can be kind of gross, but in a charming way.

[He pauses, thinking a moment.]

As for getting along, there's been a truce longer than my time here. We don't need to be killing each other when crazies in the city do it for us. We are not factions here, we are a species. Besides, I declared faction neutrality a long time ago.

[Even if he's still branded from the time he was a Decepticon and the time he was an Autobot. Something the porter thought important to print on his skin.]

You look a lot less ahhh...

Spindly, like this but forgive me if I want to feed you. Does you stomach hurt?

[He rests a hand on his own cheek in mild amusement.]

[Screamer actually blushed in lieu of a robotic response, embarrassed and a little defensive at the laughing.] What? What is it? [gdi so sensitive always Screamer]

...A species. Teetering on extinction. [he was actually, he suspected, more aware of that than before, given that here there were a small handful--and he didn't even know if there was a Cybertron here, lightyears away or no.]

Feed me. [that sounds suspiciously like pity, but you know what, he's just desperate enough to take it.] Exactly how long do you have?

Nothing. It's nothing.

[ He shrugs and takes out his phone.]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh you know I'll call out of work the rest of the night.

Come on. We're going to the Autobot base.

[He doesn't trust you, but god you're too pathetic. It would be like abandoning a small child.]

... Don't worry. There's not really many Autobots there.

Wh--[he straightens unconsciously, his hands going behind his back to grab at each other, trying to adjust himself for maximum dignity and coming off way way tryhard--but then Skyfire says the magic words

and here "magic words" mean "panic button", and he stumbles away a step, nearly falling over] Autobot base? Do I look--[catching himself, both mentally and physically]--I want your word that none of them would try to terminate me.

[Oh he laughs.]

Don't worry. It's only me, Vector Prime and some pets. Vector couldn't be paid to care and I'm not really interested in gunning you down.

Be careful of Vec's cat though. She's kind of moody.

[the slightest simmering little edge of anger there, briefly, just for a second, before he clamps down on it resolutely. He feels lost and alone and tired and hungry and humiliated and vulnerable and that's a powderkeg for Screamer, who isn't exactly made of equanimity at the best of times. Deep catching breath into his ~~vent intak~~ lungs and a dark look]

Skyfire. This is the worst possible time for jests. [he thinks that reference to Vector is funning him bro]

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You wanna actionthread this up?

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/casually tags from work

eeee best use of work tbh

C:

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