[ 001 - Hologram] What's big, pink and smells like....strawberries?

[alwaysadrift]

[There's apparently a lot of giant robots around here. This one's looking a little out-of-sorts though, and it's pretty clear why, when he holds up--or attempts to--a very large wiggly semi-transparent pink cube. Give him a break okay: it's quite slippery, given its gelatinous state.]

Uh. Does anyone...want this? I bought it in the marketplace. I thought it was, ya know, something I could eat. Apparently it's for organics though. [Don't ask how Drift knows this. A medical diagnostic might be on his to-do list though.] And apparently non-returnable now.

[He has no idea what organics would do with such a large quantity of 'strawberry jello' or why it has any right masquerading in the form of an energon cube, but oh well, lesson learned. Drift sets it down before it nearly slips from his hot little fingers, (nevermind the squelching noise please) and pulls out an energon ration pouch, the pink liquid inside sloshing around as he holds it up.]

I am looking for more of this though. It's our fuel, and trust me when I say it's not good for organics. If you see any though, let me know. I can pay you for it, if need be.

[Just...not a lot. What a time to be without his gold currency card. But seriously people, Drift really, really likes not staving! He's done that before and would rather not again. But you better believe he's just the type of idiot to give out what rations he brought with him to the others of his kind. Because even if he's not fond of starving, hey, positive side: he knows how to tolerate it probably better than anyone.]

So Wing, Rodimus, Megatron, anyone else... let me know what supplies you have? I have some rations, if you're in need.

Comments

[alwaysadrift]

Maybe we should look around, for you know, clues and such?

[Because he can totally tell Cybertronian tech from alien tech just by looking at it! ...if it has buttons and glyphs on it, sure.]

Though... [Theory intensifying.] The Knights were said to have traveled all over. Perhaps this titan was inspired but the metrotitans they traveled with?

[knightoflight]

Good idea. I'm not sure, though, that we should speak our suspicions until we know for sure?

[It's a change, but he's learning, well, not wariness as much as a desire not to upset people.]

That is true, and that means, the designers might know of other Titans, others of our kind!

[alwaysadrift]

Hmmm... [DEEP THOUGHTS. Well, kinda.] Yes I think that's wise.

Like you always are.

[A shy smile, before he jumps back to the topic at hand.]

That's true! WOW...maybe we can continue the quest for the Knights after all!

[Minus the part about not having a ship or not being allowed off the station (something he's trying not to think about), but HEY, it's hope, right?]

[knightoflight]

It could be, well, that they don't know what it is. There's no need making them feel bad.

[At least until they've solved the mystery.]

The Knights of Cybertron? So you have taken up Dai Altas's passion?

[He can't help the tiny laugh at the thought.]

[alwaysadrift]

I could hope so. You know...that they didn't do it on purpose. [Wow it's super good that he doesn't know about Lockdown's new hobby of titan hunting or there'd be HELL to pay.]

Uh. [Wow, why does he suddenly feel overcome by his own dorkness?] Well. The war. It's over now. But there's so much rebuilding to do. Not just Cybertron but people's spirits. Rodimus and I have been searching for the Knights in the hopes they could help us.

[That's reason number one. Reason number two he doesn't exactly want to talk about on the open network. Maybe later, if Wing is willing...]

[knightoflight]

Yes, we should always presume the best.

[There's room enough for unpleasant surprises, but he'd rather deal with them when they happen instead of seek them out.]

If anyone can convince them to help, I am sure it's you.

[His optics glow: Drift was a mech made for a great destiny--he'd always known it. And trying to heal the world after the war was a cause worthy of Drift's spark.]

[alwaysadrift]

I'd like to. [He means it. He doesn't have the same confidence in people's innate goodness that Wing does, but he knows it's possible. Look at him, look at Megatron...]

M-me?

[CLICKETY-CLICK go his optic shutters.]

But, Wing.... [He needed Rodimus to even get a crew. He's the traitor, twofold now. He doesn't give the speeches, he only writes them.] I don't......

[Yeah, that's why he doesn't give them. Tongue-tied!]

[knightoflight]

Why not you? Who else has your experience? Who else can understand both sides of the issue? Who else has given up so much, to serve peace?

[This is a quiz, Drift. Please use a number two pencil.]

I do, though.

[So there. Irrefutable. Maddening, isn't he?]

[alwaysadrift]

I, uh, well...

[It's a little bit silly, how Drift pines for these moments but then knows not what to do with them when they happen. Is he dreaming? His real life is rarely this nice!]

Thank you. [It's a sparkfelt as it can be over the network. If only...] For believing me. Then and now.

[Where he would be without that, he doesn't want to think about.]

[knightoflight]

[It just takes practice, Drift, to make good use of these moments. Wing plans that Drift will have many chances to practice.]

Drift, all I ever did was see you as you truly are. You did the hard work.

[And he knows how hard it was.]

[alwaysadrift]

[He is all for getting lots of practice! Hopefully Wing will be as patient with Drift's fumbling as he was with his stubbornness.]

I...

[UGH why are words so hard? They trip over each other and clog his vocalizer.]

Without that though.... [He shakes his head, it's not pretty.] I never would have seen any different.

[knightoflight]

Drift. We're all presented with signs on our path every day. It's you who saw the sign, and made the change. I just pointed you in the right direction.

[He taps his own chassis indicating his spark, though he'd rather be with Drift and tapping his.]

[alwaysadrift]

I wish I'd seen it sooner...

[Drift doesn't want to go on, it's in the past and he should let it go, but as long as he feels the weight of that remorse it'll be there. And he doesn't want to turn Wing's renewed life into a confessional for his damaged morality. The knight deserves better than that. Joy and wonder and...a lot of things Drift doesn't quite know how to provide.]

But we have another chance now. [That's a huge tick, right?]

[knightoflight]

Drift, none of that. The past is behind us, not soil to grow regrets in.

[ Do not make him get full on Fortune Cookie!]

We do. And it seems we can do some real good here.

[alwaysadrift]

No you're right. [A sheepish chuckle.] I keep doing that. You can, I don't know, throw me around every time I try...

[He'd take fortune cookies too, as long as they come hand delivered by Wing.]

Definitely not wasting it. And I hope so. I just... Still getting used to the idea of these gem things...

[knightoflight]

Maybe I could do something else to remind you than that. New time, new place, new measures?

[Have some jet flirting, Drift. Subtle, yes?]

The gems, yes. What is yours? [Have some curious peering.]

[alwaysadrift]

Something else? [Color him interested!] Have you any suggestions, wise one?

[Yeah Wing, Drift wants to get a measure of your--AHEM. Okay he really shouldn't be thinking that right now, should he?]

Mine? [Wait, what's Wing looking at? Does he have x-ray vision? Is that his power? Oh Primus, Drift hopes there's nothing embarrassing in his storage.] My gem is orange. Which is time as I recall. What about you?

[Have a little peering in return, because it's in right now?]

[knightoflight]

Wise?

[That gets a laugh.]

Not hardly. But I think together we could think of a few.

[Of course he doesn't have x-ray vision. He would definitely misuse it. ]

Mine's green, they said it was for 'soul', but I don't know what that is.

[alwaysadrift]

Let me dream? [Shhh, he enjoys complimenting you Wing, let him do it. (and maybe idolizing you just a bit too.)] I'm sure if we put out helms together would get quite creative.

[or. other. parts.]

Soul? [That gets a little smile. How appropriate.] On Earth it's like their spirit. A spark. Minus the, uh, spark-ness.

[Don't ask them where they keep it, all his research comes up blank. Weird.]

[knightoflight]

We should do that at some point. Maybe over dinner?

[Why not go for the classic courtship scenario?

[He'll file that under 'humans: just like us, but smaller and without alts!' ]

Have you had a chance to explore yours? What it can do?

[alwaysadrift]

Dinner?? [Wait did he just...] Yes! Yes we should do that. Over dinner. [It doesn't even matter that they're rationing their energon. He could sit and watch Wing eat and be happy.]

[But wait, explore--]

My spark!?! [ahdjkhsjk WOW that is a forward question. Cue some intense robot blushing right here, faceplates heating. And cue some more in a few kliks when Drift realizes he's totally misconstrued that.]

[knightoflight]

[Yes, he did just. Sneak attack! One day he won't get the proverbial jump on you. One day.]

[Though he was really thinking more of soft lighting and privacy--he's sad it seems that Drift and he haven't had any with each other alone. Maybe he overstepped? ]

I mean, whenever you have time.

[Oh. Oh dear. Oh...now he can't stop thinking about that. All right, so maybe today is the day Drift gets the proverbial jump on Wing.]

I. Well. I meant the gem?

[alwaysadrift]

[That will be a day of celebration for Drift!

And he's good with soft lighting and privacy, very good. But maybe also very nervous?]

I have lots of time! For you...

[But then realization strikes several kliks too late.]

.....

Oh.... [^HA. COUGH.] Of course. Uh. No. I'm...not sure how to even practice for that to be honest? Er, the gem's power I mean. [Not the other thing. He doesn't need pra--ANYWAY!] I've been meditating to try and figure that out. What about you?

[knightoflight]

[Well, get your party hat on, then. If you can fit it between those finials.]

[But thanks, because now Wing is confused and even more flustered. ]

I. Er. [Flustered optic blinking. ]

I think maybe it will come if you try less hard? When it needs to happen, have faith that it will.

[alwaysadrift]

[Hey, he'll make it work. And just for Wing, find a way to not feel mortified by the experience.

And...yay? He's not sure if getting Wing all flustered without even trying is a thing he should be proud of or not.

CUE THE NERVOUS LAUGHTER]

I'm not trying too hard? Do you think I'm trying too hard? [...] At gem stuff? [Someone please remind his subprocessor that's what this conversation is about.]