capeandcowl | ✈ voice ✈

Entry tags:

† 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

[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]

[He pushes up his glasses and offers an awkward pat on the shoulder.]

I'm not jesting. [Though he is kind of mocking you.]

If there were any other Autobots here, don't you think you would have heard from them by now?

Come on come on.

[at the touch he pauses completely, taken by the new sensation and holding himself rigid, like he's expecting to get decked. These eons have not been kind to his perceptions of others.

He follows, though, forcing himself to relax somewhat, now feeling like the one who has to struggle to process all this. He vastly prefers being the one surprising Skyfire, and makes a mental note to stay on that side more often.]

Optimus isn't here. [softly, almost to himself] A real fresh start... [he's not sure whether to be excited or terrified.]

[He sighs and nods.]

We like the peace here.

[Well. Relative peace.]

As long as you're interested in that, too... I don't think we'll have any issues.

[He leads them for home, which is a bit of a walk.]

You don't happen to be able to fly in this form, do you?

No, I can't. [just a shade ungrateful sounding about that, considering present company.] I suppose we could commandeer one of these--[oh shit no no Screamer what are you doing dog] ...That...is... borrow, and return... a human conveyance...?

Call a cab, you mean? No, that's expensive.

Come here.

[He's unceremoniously grabbing Starscream by his wrists and pulling him over his shoulders. Hiking him up a little so he's pretty much got him in a decent piggyback.]

Away we go.

[Without hesitation he's kicking off the ground and sailing up into the air. They float up... and then back down and he bounces off a rooftop, repeating the process over again. A very casual stroll.]

I know it's not the most dignified thing but ah.

[bear with it?]

Deal with it.

[Somehow things always come out a bit more terse when talking to him...]

[and this is an opportunity to test his human vocal chords with a girly squeal, grabbing onto Skyfire with far more than the requisite grip necessary.

Heights? Heights are nothing to a Seeker. They come into their own in the wide open air, with the wind all around them whipping against them, freefalling, swooping, aerial maneuvers so tight and precise they're an art form.

But that's flying. With wings, the wings of a jet--the body of a sophisticated biomechanical machine capable of precision to within a microsecond's flaw. And this, this being frail and human and at the mercy of a single misstep, this is to flying what drowning is to diving.]

What are you doing are you trying to terminate us both?! For Primus's sake!

[Right in his ear, and a little louder than necessary, before he closes his eyes and clings tighter, somehow.

BEING STARSCREAM SUCKS.]

Primus?

[Skyfire muses as they bounce over another roof.]

I don't believe he exists.

[Another bounce.]

And cool your thrusters or I will drop you.

[He's not serious, but he's hoping the threat is enough.]

[of course, of course, this was just an elaborate game to get him helpless and play some sick twisted Autobot game with his head as revenge, for a petty score, oh it had been a fantastic ruse and he'd fallen right into the trap, and his fingers, his poor stubby useless human fingers had a white-knuckle deathgrip grab on the other cybertronian-turned-human's shirt, but it wasn't enough, it wouldn't be enough, and dying by falling for him was not the way he wanted to reunite with the Allspark.

He whimpered.]

[And as soon as he began, he's landing in the street in front of the Autobot base and setting Starscream on his feet.}

There we go. Not so bad, right?

Come on. We'll get you some food and get you cleaned up.

[He's not going to make the same mistake.]

I can't believe you--[wait what, is this...comfort, what is happening, this is emotional whiplash just torture him already.] I-... [he's shaky and whiny and staring for a good few indignant seconds, trying to connect what just happened with what he did wrong, there must be some correlation. He shakes his head.]

I didn't leak.

[there is no dignity left. None.] --After you.

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/casually tags from work

eeee best use of work tbh

C:

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