(no subject)
Jul. 11th, 2023 04:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tenthtimeisthecharmThere is a brief pause filled with audible clicks and thuds, followed by the slightly echoey acoustics that come from someone recording audio in a large room. "Hello hello! You've reached Dr. Velocity! Feel free to leave a message or a video or whatever here, and I'll do my very best to respond promptly! And if it this is about the stickers, Ratchet, I didn't do it! Love and love and love!"
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Date: 2023-07-11 08:56 pm (UTC)Re: text un; docbot
Date: 2023-07-11 09:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-07-11 09:18 pm (UTC)I just wanted an outside opinion to know if I was wasting time trying to refine holoform skills for it.
What have your thoughts been? I can't imagine all of us will just conveniently have a holoform or one at the necessary size or skill to use one in surgery.
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Date: 2023-07-11 09:25 pm (UTC)And I've been thinking mainly of (FIRST) learning collaborative to help bring everybody up to similar knowledge bases, maybe (SECOND) initiating regular workshops? Not led by you, though, or at least not mainly, or you would just camp out at your desk every night. I've seen you sneaking back into the medbay after I leave!
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Date: 2023-07-11 10:06 pm (UTC)Gathering data on them isn't a bad idea though. I'm happy to work with you on that. Love to write academic papers.
You should see the ones I'm working on for quantum psychological treatment. They're completely insufferable.
I'm offended at the idea I sneak.
I'm an adult, I go in with no shame or attempts at subterfuge whatsoever.
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Date: 2023-07-12 03:56 pm (UTC)But yes, please, let's trade! Do you want to read my terrible papers about how matrixes will react to experiences had by cojunx and amica endura, I manage to make a really interesting topic boring as drying paint. It is the worst thing ever created by my hands and I've accidentally blown up energon before. Before school! This was before!
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Date: 2023-07-12 04:26 pm (UTC)I don't even need to think about that.
Moreso that as far as I'm aware what I understand conjunx and amica endura bonds to be are not a thing in my reality.
So if they do actually affect the spark then I should know that.
Less so about Matrices. What the hell even with any of that mystical nonsense.
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Date: 2023-07-12 04:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-07-12 05:25 pm (UTC)Fortunately there are a very limited amount of Matrix bearers around. Just the usual suspects.
I'd be interested to see if someone is here without their amica or conjunx how that would affect them.
There's being apart the way people have their own lives to life and then being apart through a whole universe or two.
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Date: 2023-07-12 05:48 pm (UTC)I could forward what I have to you? I had it saved on my own personal datapad from school, but I didn't have it with me so I'll basically be recreating it from memory, but it's- you're really super and positively sure?
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Date: 2023-07-12 06:40 pm (UTC)Send it whenever you're ready.
Don't let me interrupt your work too much.
text un: Megatron
Date: 2023-10-05 05:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-10-07 02:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-10-07 06:46 pm (UTC)We have need to attend a party in disguise to recover a Matrix from the host.
Do not inform anyone else of this.
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Date: 2023-10-08 08:35 am (UTC)But... getting back a matrix? That really is serious. Wow, that's, wow. You can count on me, I wouldn't endanger something like that. Promise!
But um, what kind of disguise, though? Can it be anything? I've always wanted to have my hard light avatar be something really cute!
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Date: 2023-10-08 10:18 am (UTC)[she can probably hear his old man grumbling at this in her soul, but he wouldn't have asked her if he didn't think she was capable.]
Message Kisinâtin about one. She will explain how they work.
Do not tell her why you want one. Or anyone else about this.
The last thing we need is anyone else realising what it is that idiot turtle has around his neck.
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Date: 2023-10-09 09:58 am (UTC)'Around his neck'?
You mean someone is just wearing it? Like jewelry? That's seems a little, uh... I don't know what the proper word would be here... irreverent? Disrespectful? In bad taste anyway, you'd think they'd have all sorts of mock ups of them, even if everyone ever in this universe hates us and the ground we walk on.
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Date: 2023-10-09 04:15 pm (UTC)You can see it there.
I do not know if anyone else with Cybertronian knowledge would have the same idea as me. Hopefully not.
It'd be a terrible waste of time to have to bother with sinking that entire boat.
[which is actually what he would've done before without a second thought, and he's annoyed that he had to go through enough stupid character development for it to not be the first idea to come into his head, or the one that he stubbornly sticks with.]
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Date: 2023-10-12 01:29 am (UTC)Primus' thumbs, that was awful. I need to watch it again.
But more importantly: Sinking the entire boat? That has a party on it? I mean, everybody thinks we're dead and hates our guts, right? So maybe nobody will know what it is, like he doesn't?
[A pause, as she considers this, and how their luck seems to have gone lately]
Okay, maybe checking on the number of lifeboats and stuff just in case? Might be a good idea? I'm not saying we SHOULD sink the boat, but for plan Z...
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Date: 2023-10-12 02:48 pm (UTC)I've watched it 147 times. Just to be certain.
To wit: Velocity, I am not being serious. I do not intend to bring damage to that horrible ship or anyone on it who does not get in our way of retrieving this thing.
If things truly go to pot, I can fly in my alt mode and only Cal would struggle with being in the ocean.
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Date: 2023-10-16 12:00 pm (UTC)Oh, good! Imagine how annoying it would be, having to sift through the bottom of a whole alien ocean for one small thingamajig. Very very! But hey, Cal could always sit on somebody's head, maybe. It's a good thing that we won't have to worry about that, it would be a headache!
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Date: 2023-10-16 03:42 pm (UTC)Funny.
Do what preparation you need. We can discuss this closer to the time. I have a few others in mind to speak with.
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Date: 2023-10-18 01:47 pm (UTC)All right! I look forward to seeing everything come together, and to being able to do exciting things with you! Let me know if you need any help ahead of time~
action;
Date: 2023-10-13 02:25 am (UTC)On the trip back to the R2, Velocity would wake to find her head resting in Quintessa's lap as the Prime danced fingers along her extremities, coaxing the poison out from each system. Every tube and line, every circuit where it had burned within, carefully and methodically being restored. It's slow work, but good magic takes time, and her domain of Creation cannot be rushed.
Once the poison is brought to heel, she begins to work on the frame damages. First she begins underneath with Velocity's protoform, carefully weaving delicate strands of the precious metal taken from her own body to act as guides where Velocity's natural healing would follow. As she works, she hums something quietly and wordlessly, but it seems a tune she knows well. ]
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Date: 2023-10-13 09:38 am (UTC)The second time she awoke, there was still pain, but far less than she'd expected, and fading still further as the seconds ticked away. For what couldn't have been a long time or only moments, she hovered between consciousness and unconsciousness. She clung to the sound of someone humming, to light fingers moving gently over her and the relief from the pain she felt as they did.
This was the second song she had heard today that compelled her and pulled her along, but this one was gentle, and of her own volition.
Her optics were barely online before Velocity had reached out almost blindly to clutch at Quintessa. "I'm sorry," she rasped, "I'm so so sorry. I ruined everything."
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Date: 2023-10-13 02:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-10-14 12:43 am (UTC)text post lavafest 😔
Date: 2023-10-13 01:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-10-14 12:35 am (UTC)I'm up. I'm here. Are you, or are you still in the medbay?
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Date: 2023-10-14 11:21 am (UTC)[he actually woke up from being patched not that long ago, but figures it's probably best not to talk about any of that unless she asks him. also, he doesn't really want to talk about it?]
I don't see you here.
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Date: 2023-10-14 11:07 pm (UTC)[She debates if she should say more or toss down her datapad and hide under her blankets for the next few thousand solar cycles, but... it's Ratchet. So she slowly dictates to it in a shaking voice]
In my hab suite. If you want to talk.
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Date: 2023-10-14 11:14 pm (UTC)[he can't really go out anyway yet, and he's staring to get a very angry look from the vehicon nurse, so--]
Couple days?
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Date: 2023-10-14 11:21 pm (UTC)Couple days sounds good. Rest. Get better. I'll still be here when you wake up again.
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Date: 2023-10-14 11:34 pm (UTC)maybe she'll show up, maybe she won't. he knows if she doesn't to just tell her it's fine and they can meet another time later.
either way, he's sitting cross legged on the booth seat and - because he needed to get out even if he spends it alone - tapping away at his tablet on some basic mental exercies with one hand and idly spinning a fidget toy with the other.]
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Date: 2023-10-14 11:45 pm (UTC)Today isn't good. Can we meet same time tomorrow?
[She then shoves the datapad under her pillow and turns the other way with a second one wrapped around her head, staring miserably out at the untidily stacked energon cubes she has barely touched. She's bored, and lonely, and wants to just curl up and hide forever. She almost wishes everything still hurt physically because then at least she would have a good excuse for avoiding him]
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Date: 2023-10-14 11:50 pm (UTC)[and a couple minutes after that a shared link to an article about how grass cells develop to be bright neon colours other than green on several planets in one of the galaxy's solar systems.]
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Date: 2023-10-16 02:12 am (UTC)Oh! Oh, I liked that! 🥰🏎️🥰
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Date: 2023-10-16 03:16 pm (UTC)[he forwards another few articles of varying topics-- it seems like he's subscribed to an eclectic bunch from the colours of grass to the migration habits of a species of dolphins that live on a moon in in a solar system halfway across the galaxy. probably not a surprise, given that pretty much anyone who has internet access eventually accrues similar collections.
it's not just because of the situation. he would've shared these with her regardless. that's what he tells himself.]
Want to try again tomorrow or give it a few days?
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Date: 2023-10-18 07:38 am (UTC)Maybe tomorrow? Or, um...
[Velocity has dictated that, frowns, and deletes it before sending, then carefully types something else by hand]
Let's say the day after tomorrow. Maybe around lunch? ...And you're still resting, right? Promise?
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Date: 2023-10-18 10:58 am (UTC)[he opts not to mention the migraines he'll be stuck with until the finer parts of his brain repair themselves, but considering the shot, being functional at all is extremely lucky. he could most certainly be much worse off. ratchet figures he was due a short break from thinking, anyway.]
I'll be there.
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Date: 2023-10-18 01:55 pm (UTC)[She pressed her nasal ridge further into her knees with a mutter and nudged her datapad further away from herself, then pulled it closer again just on the off chance Ratchet messaged]
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Date: 2023-10-18 05:48 pm (UTC)Oof! [he wheezes slightly as he slips into the booth, the back of the seat rubbing against the tender metal on his back slightly. ratchet desperately wants to see what state her legs are in, where she went into the lava, but cannot ask or look without knowingly upsetting her. also, he's not on duty for a while. maybe he should go and slam his face into the wall out back a few times?] Ah-- hello! Did you read that thing about the dolphins? The pictures were so weird!
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Date: 2023-10-18 06:09 pm (UTC)[On her own end, her legs and hips and portions of her hands were indeed sore still from the healing she'd received from Quintessa for the damage received from the lava, let alone the poisoning that still made her nerves jangle when we was unexpectedly touched, but visibly at least, those were all healed. She could get about perfectly fine, when she chose to move that was. It was everything else, the memory of being in and causing pain, of almost dying and almost killing, that makes her fuel tank turn over in her chest at the sight of her usual order and his. She turned away, looking at his chin instead of into his eyes]
[She nodded when he brought up the dolphins, eager to sink back into familiar, comforting patterns] Hi! Hi! I did, and it was so interesting, I kept having my datapad reread that part about their mutualistic relationship with the algae and bacteria in their ocean so that they became luminescent! It was just! So wonderful!
[She casts about for something else to say, and lands on] Did you like the e-card I sent you? I wrote it in my room and scanned it in. So um. My real handwriting is there, for once.
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Date: 2023-10-18 07:57 pm (UTC)Bioluminescence is always beautiful. Lot of the plants on Cybertron are like that now they've regrown! Still pretty easy to get lost in the Carburisia forest, though, even with all the lights.
[ah-- the e-card. he smiles a little when it's brought up. it'd been a nice gesture.]
Yeah. Sorry I didn't get back to you immediately about it... but I did really like it. I've got it saved on my comm. Cards seem to be a lost art form.
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Date: 2023-10-21 06:17 pm (UTC)Cybetron really looks that beautiful when it's restored? That must feel so wonderful, so so good. Especially after, well... everything. [She's trying to pull up her usual enthusiasm for sharing fun things with Ratchet, but she's still sore and anxious and ashamed and and and]
[She bites her lip, starts to lift her untouched cube, then puts it down again]
I like cards, and things that you put together yourself. It was harder this time since I wasn't dictating it, but I wanted you to feel like I was really trying, because- Because you ought to know that. That you matter.
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Date: 2023-10-22 12:30 pm (UTC)[he's happy to let that drop, seeing how she's struggling. sometimes the small talk doesn't help all that much, and he doesn't want her to feel like they're skirting around things forever or that things have to be awkward now.]
I know you were... I know you always do. [he says this with a smile, but it's a little uncertain.] Vicarious Velocity.
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Date: 2023-10-25 03:01 am (UTC)Thank you. For that, and for being here even when I was- I think I... [She draws in a shuddering vent, and lets it out] I think I just needed to see you. You've been such a warm and steadying presence here no matter what, and I want to give that back. I know this can't exactly have been easy for you, either, you're the one that-
[She bites her lip and shrugs, but doesn't look away this time]
You can talk to me, too, you know?
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Date: 2023-10-28 05:15 pm (UTC)ratchet smiles, though it's a little uneasy. he can feel the anxiety starting to claw in his chest again, though isn't fully sure why this time.] It-- I appreciate it. Seriously. It's just, uh. Difficult. I can manage.
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Date: 2023-11-01 05:59 am (UTC)What have you been doing the rest of the time, now that you're on leave? I've been, um... [She casts about for a second] Catching up? On reading? Oh! And I'm making a present! Another collage!
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Date: 2023-11-01 04:03 pm (UTC)Tryin' to relax, but that's not going so well at the moment. [for various reasons.] Ah... a collage? That'll be great. I clocked you as an expert scrapbooker before we even started talking. I knew it.
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Date: 2023-11-02 05:31 am (UTC)Anyway... I bet you could do things like it, too! You're so good with dexterous types of things, you know? Surgeon's hands. I bet you could use them to do anything you wanted, if you put your mind to it the way you do, um. [She's about to poke him just a bit about the things they'd both been clearly avoiding talking about, but loses her courage at the last moment] Uh, well. Things?
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Date: 2023-11-02 04:36 pm (UTC)[questionable. he's willing to do the mental acrobatics on it! he looks own at his hands when she mentions them, still somewhat interested in how mechs from his reality seem to be the only ones with four fingers, save for breakdown.]
...I don't know, I'm not good at doin' what I should be doin'. What've you been up to? Give me ideas!
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Date: 2023-11-07 07:22 pm (UTC)You really think so? Really? That's... a commission? Oh wow... I would love to do anything you wanted done!
[She lets out a happy little yell and a bounce, optics shining, though she falters and casts about for something encouraging to say before she brightens]
I've been learning the anatomy of the Brave Police AI that are on board, so there are more people available to help them when it comes to it, and going over the paperwork for how we track medications and equipment in the medibay, unless you mean traditionally fun things? Um. Well there's this collage stuff, and I've been trying to recreate some of my stickers because I'm going to run out sooner or later, I don't have an infinite supply.
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Date: 2023-11-08 05:04 pm (UTC)[ah-- work talk. he feels guiltily happy when it switches to this, because he doesn't know how to do any of the other stuff. how to talk about anything but work. ratchet rather suspects velocity feels much the same.]
Ah-- I can share some of my own data on those. You gotta be careful, especially if you start dippin' into weapon systems. There's a failsafe there that'll, uh- [he cringes momentarily before he regains control of his expression.] -hurt 'em. You thought about making a whole new load of original stickers? Hows your drawin' after all the anatomy practice? I still get everything lopsided...
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Date: 2023-11-11 01:10 pm (UTC)She then shuttered her optics, mouth parting a bit. "That's good to know about, at least, right? Then we can compensate for it." She stared to ask him to elaborate, but the swift change in topics had her pause and cough into her hand.
"Right. But oh! But! But! I know how to help with this one! Two thing, right? The first one is lightly tracing a grid on your paper --this part you'll like, I know you like right angles-- and you then make a border you can hold up in the shape of a square, and you use it to sight down whatever you're drawing from life so it fits within the grid. It's supposed to help keep things to scale. Neat, right?"
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Date: 2023-11-11 10:25 pm (UTC)He considers this concept for a few moments, then takes his personal datapad out and quickly opens the drawing app with a grid preselected on it. Ratchet does a quick, simple drawing of Velocity's face with a silly expression and beams delightedly. He turns it around for her to see.
"You're right!" This is a revelation. "I can't believe I never thought of this before!"
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Date: 2023-11-13 02:43 pm (UTC)text
Date: 2023-10-15 09:10 pm (UTC)Hi Velocity! This is Cal, we just met before the whole volcano thing. I was wondering if you had a minute or two to talk?
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Date: 2023-10-16 12:19 am (UTC)[Still, she couldn't leave him thinking she was ignoring him, so after waffling over it for a few minutes Velocity pulled over her datapad and was surprised to see that it was from Cal, instead. She stared down at where she'd curled around it, before finally dictating a response]
"Hi, Cal! I, um-" [She hesitated, wincing at the idea of leaving her room at all, then took a deep breath and deleted all of what had been dictated before starting over] "Hi! We can talk, absolutely no problem at all ever! Do you want to meet in person, or a video call, or, um..." [Another pause to look around at the untidy stack of untouched energon around her berth, then deleted the last sentence] "How about we meet in person at the observation deck?"
[She hit send before she could think better of it, turned, and buried her face in her pillow with a groan]
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Date: 2023-10-16 11:39 pm (UTC)The battle in the lava field went to chaos a little quicker then he'd have imagined but he saw what happened, and there are only so many explanations for it. It's something he's trained to resist. He's not sure how different a robotic brain is from an organic one so he's not sure how much he can...
Oh! She responded.
Sounds perfect! How about I meet you there in an hour?
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Date: 2023-10-18 07:30 am (UTC)[A little before an hour later (okay, she's been there since half an hour or more ago) she is standing in the observation deck, fidgeting her fingers into tangles and pacing around. Ratchet or another Cybertronian who knew what to look for would've been able to tell at a glance that she hasn't been refueling or recharging properly, but she was willing to bet that Cal, at least, wouldn't know what to look for. She just... has had trouble bringing herself to care about either of those things when she's been in such turmoil]
[She looks up at movement by the door and smiles, which is only half forced. She does like Cal, he seemed nice enough and had saved her life while out in the lava fields which was well worth a smile and the effort to meet him here today, it's just hard]
Oh, there you are! Hi! Thank you for inviting me, it's been a while since I've um. I don't know... walked around? [She lets out a wavering sort of laugh and sits down so she's closer to his height] Hi! Oh. Oh, I said that already...
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Date: 2023-10-24 02:41 am (UTC)Hey Velocity! [ He laughs a little, trying to put her at ease. ] And thank you for agreeing to meet me, I've actually been wanting to talk to you since the whole, you know. But I kind of took like a three day nap after all that...
[ There's a small droid on his shoulder who interrupts with a few beeps and a waggle of his antenna. ]
Oh sorry, this is my friend, BD-1. He kind of goes everywhere with me. Except active volcanos.
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Date: 2023-10-25 02:43 am (UTC)That's okay! I think we all needed a little time, you know? Maybe a lot of time. Or more than a lot, a whole heaping pile of time.
[She laughs a little to herself, the. gives a start when she is introduced to, and notices, BD-1]
Oh! Oh, hello! [She leans in closer to smile shakily at BD-1] Aren't you beautiful? You remind me of home, a bit, there were a few minicons running around who were just a bit bigger than you are. I'm so glad to meet a friend of Cal's!
[She glances back at Cal, somewhat uncertain but trying to keep her smile up] Um. What did you want to talk about? I'm an open book, you know? Anything you want to know I'm happy to talk about!
myyyyy inbox hoo hoo
Date: 2023-10-18 05:27 pm (UTC)so, slightly later, she gets him thumping on her door.]
Are you in? This isn't something that can be neglected until the last minute, Velocity!
Re: myyyyy inbox hoo hoo
Date: 2023-10-18 05:50 pm (UTC)No! [Velocity calls back, embarrassment at not answering Megatron being taken over
instead with a fresh and exciting flavor of embarrassment at the thought of him seeing the state of her usually pristine room or herself, flooding through her while she drags a pillow around the spikes and finials at the top of her helm] I'm not here, I'm out, I'm dissolved, I'm invisible!
[Followed by a quiet, reluctant] ...The door is unlocked, if you want to yell inside.
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Date: 2023-10-18 05:59 pm (UTC)Then shall I consider this your formal request to be uninvited?
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Date: 2023-10-18 06:17 pm (UTC)[She curls up tighter on her bed and hugs her freshly repaired knees, off lining her optics hard so she wouldn't have to look at him at all when she says this next part] I, um. I went in a mission. Just the other day, and I'd never- I'd never done anything like that, and it went really really bad, the most bad, and- and I-
[She starts to say something else, but can't. Not that]
I just- I need a bit. Just a bit. Then everything will be back to normal.
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Date: 2023-10-18 06:46 pm (UTC)Nothing in this damn universe goes well. [he says airily.] And now you have done it. Frankly, I wouldn't even say it went badly because this ship has, as of yet, not been detonated.
[he taps his fingers off his arm, optics narrowing as he watches her.]
We are leaving in a couple of weeks, and you have somehow managed to completely invert your obnoxious personality and lock yourself in your room. I need assurance that this will not be a problem because our mission is far too important to fail because any of us feel bad. [he pulls a datapad out his subspace, wiggling it between his index and middle fingers.] Company name from booking. See if you can't work some magic and find the manifest of other party goers.
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Date: 2023-10-18 07:16 pm (UTC)You're being very... everything right now, I'll have you know. [Muttered, as she gets out of bed and goes to take the datapad] Almost thinking of being mad at you, but you weren't trying hard enough at making fun of me. The others in the sorority were much better.
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Date: 2023-10-18 07:36 pm (UTC)I have actually come here with a purpose, you know. [megatron points at the datapad, expression shifting back into his natural resting bitch face.] That of which was not to waste time insulting you. I don't need to show up in person to do that! Honestly.
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Date: 2023-10-21 04:02 am (UTC)[Another wrinkle and a frown as her brief lifting of her mood dissolves. Her next words are defensive, muttered down at the datapad] It wasn't just feeling bad, you know. Anybody would be knocked for a loop if they- [She swallows hard] If they shot one of their best friends right in the head. One of the only things I managed to do out there was hurt him.
[She looks away, hugging the datapad to her chest, then back at him] I'll work on it. I'll get a handle on this. Just don't say it like its nothing like that, okay? It was something. Is something. And it'll take adjusting to.
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Date: 2023-10-21 11:01 am (UTC)[he still doesn't seem willing to come right into her room, so stays by the doorframe.
megatron stays silent for a long time before vaguely offering:] I spent most of my life hurting the mech I--
[it seems even admitting that he loves optimus out loud to anyone is still a bit beyond him. he cuts himself off before he says it.]
--don't underestimate the irritating Autobot willingness to forgive.
[he doesn't really know or want to say anything else on that.]
Good.
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Date: 2023-10-29 06:54 am (UTC)"He shouldn't have to," she said in an undertone, shoulders hunching to towards her audials. "But... Windblade told me once that wishing our people lived lives where nothing bad ever happened to them would be taking away their choices, or... words to that effect."
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Date: 2023-10-29 03:33 pm (UTC)"She's correct in that instance," regardless of how he feels about Windblade, Megatron wouldn't say he doesn't hold some respect for her for the many feats she's been capable of. City Speakers are built different. "Terrible things will keep happening. You either accept this and learn how to remain functional while they do, or you let them overwhelm you and give up, then end up as another one of someone else's regrets."
It's not the warmest approach to it, but it's all he knows how to do.
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Date: 2023-11-01 06:16 am (UTC)"Did I ever thank you for inviting me along?" She added with a ghost of a smile, less than subtly changing the subject. "I like spending time with you, yes, but also... this is important. Really important. I'd like the chance to do this kind of thing sometimes... if that makes sense at all?"
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Date: 2023-11-01 01:23 pm (UTC)"Medics being part of an away team is simple common sense, nothing more, nothing less," he grumbles, though he obviously thinks she's capable for her to be the one he asked. Not that he says as much. "We will not fail, and perhaps might even find ourselves one step closer to achieving any sort of worthwhile goal in this damn universe."
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Date: 2023-11-02 05:21 am (UTC)She aimed a smile down at his feet. "You're um. You're really nice, you know? Though I think you think you're anything but, a lot of the time."
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Date: 2023-11-02 02:41 pm (UTC)Ah-- not entirely important. His expression blanches then pinches at what she says, looking away. At least she's agreed to do what he's told her to do, he tells himself.
"You need better standards."
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Date: 2023-11-03 04:39 am (UTC)Her smile faltered, and she hugged an arm to herself, because she knew herself well enough to know that no one would ever want to do either of those things with her. You didn't spend almost your entire life being mocked and overlooked without it making a few things crystal clear.
"...Well, the important part is that our society recognizes these bonds as important, and confer legal rights and so forth. Oh! And I got readings on the matrix by sort of... Um. Have you ever gotten readings on something by observing its effects on something else, like gravity wells or quantum anything? That's the idea. So whenever we said or did certain things to the matrix carrier, we observed the reactions in their conjunx and amica endura who were several buildings away. Fascinating stuff, it-"
She faltered again, then tilted her head, looking back at him with a blink. "If better standards mean I'll think different things about you, then I want to stay the way I am," she said simply.
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Date: 2023-11-03 03:09 pm (UTC)Probably best not to get a spark scan any time soon. That's not a mess he wants to deal with. It'll probably go away if he keeps ignoring it.
"Insufferable. Contact me when you have some results."
text
Date: 2023-12-10 09:24 pm (UTC)I got blown up yesterday, I can't say I enjoyed it, as I haven't enjoyed any other time.
Have delivered Matrix to rightful owner.
How long does it take to put a leg back on, by your professional estimation? This is taking too long I feel.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-11 03:01 pm (UTC)What? What do you
WHAT????? You got blownu p? Megatron don't try to get up I'll be right th
[Velocity goes so far as to transform into her vehicle mode and CAREEN down the halls towards the nedibay, which she hasn't approached once since the cruise ship. As soon as she arrives she transforms back and almost hurls herself at him to throw her arms around him, clinging to him for several seconds before breathlessly pulling back]
Are you okay? What happened, why, what's- you have to be careful! [She almost sounds scolding again, but she's sniffing immediately] People worry about you, you know!
no subject
Date: 2023-12-11 04:40 pm (UTC)megatron's too bewildered to posture, so he awkwardly half-hugs her back, patting her like he's torn between being decently affectionate or just shoving her off across the room.]
I was being careful, I didn't start it! [he's grouchy, as usual, but there's something in his tone that makes it clear he's actually... kind of happy she's here. maybe he's in a good mood because of the painkillers.] It would take far more than a couple of grenades to kill me, didn't you see how hard Writhe hit me those few times?
no subject
Date: 2023-12-12 11:04 am (UTC)I know! I know you did. You are good at getting clocked in the face. [A laugh, one that feels surprisingly genuine in her relief that he's kinda maybe okay or will be, and she covers her mouth at a snorting giggle] I just-
I just want you to be safe, and comfortable, and happy. And you got blown up instead!
no subject
Date: 2023-12-12 12:50 pm (UTC)[he trails off and awkwardly pulls himself up into a more sitting position so they can talk properly without him being horizontal.]
It's fine, I was never actually tried for any of my crimes so I'd be a bit pathetic for complaining of being slightly bombed for them. Why weren't you in? I almost missed your babble.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-13 05:47 am (UTC)Whoa! [She says in an undertone before pitching it louder] Steady! Go slowly. Don't want to wreck yourself into ruining what good work the others are doing, okay?
[She then pulls back and shuffles and grips one of her arms tightly with the other hand] I, um. I quit. Soon as we were within range of giving or receiving messages, I sent several out to the other medics, updating them on my case files and uh. Letting them know.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-13 03:50 pm (UTC)Oh. Why?
no subject
Date: 2023-12-14 12:23 am (UTC)Every time I try to do something, anything, since arriving it has gone very badly for me, including almost killing people twice when my mind wasn't... wasn't my own. And I already fear that I will start-
[A brief pause to blink away cleanser from her eyes, and scrubbed a hand across them impatient]
I didn't want my patients to be one of those things I mess up.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-14 06:57 am (UTC)You scooped my internals back in like the best of any other medic and you hacked that ship website quite easily. I don't know about you but I... [he stops suddenly, optic a little wide as he realises what he was going to unashamedly admit with his filters a little down from painkillers. he doesn't stop it, but it's a little more mumbled:] enjoyed... our time on the cruise.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-16 02:06 pm (UTC)You did? Really? I- [Another sniff, and leaning against his slab, gently, so as not to bump up against him] When we weren't running and screaming, it- you made it nice. I liked being able to spend time with you. You're a good friend, even if you don't believe it.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-16 04:01 pm (UTC)I was going to try and talk you into stapling my leg on quicker.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-23 06:46 am (UTC)[She says this almost absently, albeit with a lot of fondness, and peers at his leg. She makes a Noise upon this inspection, and her smile grows pained as she glances up at him]
Well! Um! You certainly managed to do some damage here! I think it will take a chunk of time for anyone to see to, honestly, though! I would be happy to do what I could myself, but um. I did officially quit, kind of, so I don't think that would something I'm actually allowed to do?
no subject
Date: 2023-12-23 02:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-01-03 07:23 am (UTC)I honestly hadn't really gotten that far, I've been sort of maybe hiding?
[No sort of about it, she'd been crammed into her room except for when she forced herself out of it to at least make attempts at normalcy. The last few tries had been better, anyway. Maybe getting over mind controlled twice would be a slow process... That didn't sound very good at all, and she winced]
Do you think... maybe the library? I know I have difficulty with a lot of things, but I do enjoy learning and being helpful.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-03 07:37 pm (UTC)[he pulls himself upright again and shutters his optic tiredly.]
I apologise for calling you out and wasting your time.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-10 01:15 pm (UTC)Thank you. For saying so. But I- [Another pause and a strange expression] It's not your fault. I decided it on my own. And you didn't know that I had, either, so... [A rush of an exhaled vent, and a smile] So I'd like to. Work in the library with you. As long as you don't think I'm... Um. You know.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-12 05:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-01-15 11:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-01-15 03:26 pm (UTC)megatron awkwardly pats her head, where the big fin like protrusion is on her helm, not really know what to say, what he said or what's going on. weird! these painkillers are bomb though.]
[audio]
Date: 2023-12-18 01:27 am (UTC)Hi Hi! I don't know if you've heard, but there's a ball in a few days, and I'd love to have the most beautiful date to go with! Will you do me the honour?
no subject
Date: 2023-12-18 02:56 pm (UTC)I should be mad at you! You got me arrested! I've never been arrested before!
[Despite herself, there was more than a trace of a laugh in her exaggerated exasperation, and then it broke down entirely]
It was exciting! I'll have to tell Megatron about it the next time I see him again, and- I-
Oh?
You're- [Her voice went softer and much more hesitant, memories of worse times resurfacing, as much as she wanted to believe they weren't true this time. Not with him!] ...You aren't making fun of me, are you? You really mean it?
audio, un boaty mc boatface
Date: 2024-01-20 08:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-01-21 05:33 pm (UTC)[Velocity laughs, delighted to hear from a friend even when she hasn't been feeling so good lately]
That would be really fun, I'd love to see you! I'm just finishing up helping code a few things at the library, but I should be done in about half an hour?
What were you thinking of getting up to?
no subject
Date: 2024-01-21 07:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-02-13 04:09 pm (UTC)I don't really know? Ratchet and I usually just send each other videos when we're in the same room.
And? Edibles? I, um, can't say I've ever done anything like that. I drank once after I failed my exams for the ninth time...
Maybe? Video games? What's your favorite?
no subject
Date: 2024-02-13 07:42 pm (UTC)[there's a tink tink tink sound as he taps his chin.]
Any and all, really. Ones I can cheat on. Tailgate and I for sure are gonna complete every game in existence!
no subject
Date: 2024-03-02 05:09 am (UTC)In existence? That'll take a minute or two, but at least you two will be having fun, right?
Okay, well let's see... Um, I've mostly played simulation games for school, and a few interactive novels that read themselves out to me, but? I do like racing sometimes, maybe one of those?
no subject
Date: 2024-03-02 07:57 pm (UTC)[he pings her his room number.]
I'm always loaded up with some good snacks, so I'll get the game loaded up and see you here!
no subject
Date: 2024-03-15 08:37 am (UTC)Riptide? Its Velocity! Am I at the right room? Or time?
no subject
Date: 2024-03-16 07:11 pm (UTC)[he opens it looking a little dishevelled, and steps aside so she can enter.]
Sorry, I just started up a ranked match and got really into it. Alright! Racing. Are you from Velocitron? I don't remember ever asking.
no subject
Date: 2024-04-06 09:19 am (UTC)[Velocity smiles at him and bounces a little on her pedes and wandered into his room, peering around herself curiously]
I'm from Caminus, actually! I heard of Velocitron sometimes, though, and was always curious about it. I've never actually raced anyone in person before, is it like in the games...?
no subject
Date: 2024-04-08 02:23 pm (UTC)[his room is a bit messy, but otherwise typical. there's some big axes sitting in the corner and a lot of pillows on the berth. looks like riptide is a fan of comfort. the big tv and games console is in front of a couch with more cushions on it.]
Kind of? It depends. I've only ever raced underwater because... you know. Boat. I think I like it more in games because it doesn't matter if you blow up. In real life you just get yelled at by medics! [he claps his hands.] You can pick first character!
no subject
Date: 2024-06-02 06:36 am (UTC)[She finally picks up one of the controllers, a bit clumsily. She's played sims before of course, but they'd all been training ones in school on concepts such as how to use the laser guided tools for surgery, not anything fun like this. She hovers her selection box over a character that has a green color scheme not terribly unlike her own, and looks back at Riptide uncertainly]
How about this one? Is this one good? Are there downsides? Or, um, do you get points docked if you pick the wrong one?
no subject
Date: 2024-06-02 02:05 pm (UTC)[he moves away to grab some of the pillows off his berth, not offering a seat as he doesn't Realise. riptide glances over from where he's fluffing some of the flatter ones up, and sweeping some crumbs off the berth.]
They all have strengths and weaknesses, that one goes really fast but can't take corners well! Not really possible to pick the wrong one, so don't worry about that.
no subject
Date: 2024-09-08 06:02 am (UTC)How do you know? It doesn't say. And there has to be, doesn't there? A choice that's best. But I don't know which one you'll pick or which one will compensate for the advantages I also don't don't know about the one you'll pick.
[She frowns uncertainly, but based on aesthetics alone she is already leaning away from the green racer and towards a heavier built one rendered in shades of grey that reminds her of Megatron, but what if that is the wrong choice? What if Riptide is wrong?]
There's a lot of characters and potential combinations, too. I don't think there will be enough time to run through all the possibilities...
[She wavers still further, then very hesitantly presses the button, selecting the grey racer]
This one?
no subject
Date: 2024-09-08 12:31 pm (UTC)[he points at one that's bright pink.] See how that looks like Rodimus a bit? He's quick because he's a bit smaller, but the bigger ones are slower cause they have more weight.
[instead of answering, he just leans across and taps her controller to lock the choice in and start the game, though he does vaguely wonder if she actually even wants to play or is just uncomfortably indulging him. she knows she can just say if she doesn't want to play, right?]
Yes! Ooooh, they put you near the start line! I never understood why they were staggered like that, but that means you get a good chance to stay up front!
Action, There and Gone
Date: 2024-01-27 06:54 pm (UTC)It doesn't look like this someone has really rifled that much through your possessions. Or stolen anything.
How do you know someone was here? There is a tiny plastic human toy baby sitting on a medical datapad on your desk. It has been wrapped up in an absurd amount of bandages. ]
Text
Date: 2024-02-06 10:58 am (UTC)So like, on a scale of one to ten, how bad is it if I died in a crash?
No fire this time!
[Yeah she knows her file is kinda. getting ridic given what she is.]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-11 07:48 am (UTC)Um? Ten? Probably? I think we can safely say ten. Unless the fungus stuff slowly overtaking your body has started doing something nasty, in which case I think I might need to revise my scoring system.
Can you come down to medibay? Soon? I'm almost done for the day but I'm pretty sure this is worth staying a little late for.
text
Date: 2024-02-08 06:21 pm (UTC)I've been keeping an ear to the ground, so to speak, on any activity regarding that new slaverlord, Writhe, and I think I caught something. You'll need to go check it out yourself to know for sure though.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-08 06:49 pm (UTC)OH. That is very very interesting, you were right! Thank you for coming to me about this, though I-
[Another, much briefer pause, before she sent another text]
What's the something that caught your attention? I'll handle it, or at least get the wheels started turning.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-08 06:55 pm (UTC)Marie Nébuleuse du Crépuscule, youngest daughter of Lord Acumen Nébuleuse du Crépuscule.
I read the report of your last mission. Slaverlord Writhe had a special interest in her, didn't he?
In any case, I think it's enough to take a team to go check it out. I'd suggest going in as students. Should be fun, yeah?
no subject
Date: 2024-02-08 07:17 pm (UTC)[Velocity didn't send it early this time, even though her hands shook and an expression of the most profound and quickly growing dismay had her gnawing at her lower lip]
And it! Um! Yeah! Yeah it will be really fun and exciting and I foresee no issues at all with this being a thing that I will be doing. Your idea is a good one! Thank you, um. Very, clever person. Very very! No way I would've learned about this on my own!
Before the Dylan Event
Date: 2024-02-09 04:31 am (UTC)How it got there is a mystery. As to who did it.]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-11 07:41 am (UTC)[Finally, after a full minute, she relaxed and turned back around to crinkle her optics at the tiny thing with a smile as she whispered to it]
Oh, how cute! Just look at you, you beautiful thing!
[Velocity swept it up to hug it against her chest with a delighted laugh, only to laugh again when it made an even more adorable squeaking sound]
ACTION: A small box outside your door contains a handful of...
Date: 2024-02-15 12:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-04-06 09:07 am (UTC)[After the day she's had, though, Velocity curls up on her berth and tugs the box over to sadly munch at the candies one at a time]
no subject
Date: 2024-04-08 12:43 am (UTC)His rounds.
There's a WORP! somewhere behind Lottie and the purple jet appears amidst a swirl of golden mists.
And oh! Well. That's a surprise right there. She's usually not here this time of day. ]
Well I didn't think they'd taste that badly...
no subject
Date: 2024-04-08 01:34 am (UTC)Oh, it was from you? They've- [She scrubs a hand across her optics and tries to offer him a smile before her engine gives a hiccuping flip and she buried her face into the toy] They've been really good. It was really sweet of you. I don't- I don't really get presents.
I w-would offer you some energon or something but I've been trying to leave my habsuite more, so I haven't kept any here.
no subject
Date: 2024-04-12 03:44 am (UTC)[ More then just a smidge by all accounts. This must have something to do with that ominous network post she made the other day. A mission and a failure. And perhaps something even more then that. A secret he smells, and he loves a good secret. He vanishes in a pop and then moments later pops back again next to her bed, holding a cube out to her. ]
And I also suspect your sojourns out have not been as frequent as you'd like.
no subject
Date: 2024-04-15 02:16 am (UTC)Maybe. [She mumbles, drawing up her knees to her chest] I've been trying to keep busy, but- [A shrug, and she takes another sip, mostly to give her an excuse to delay talking]
It looks like my default when things go really really really wrong is to hide. Do you, um. Do you do that, too?
no subject
Date: 2024-04-15 02:31 am (UTC)[ He ponders, tapping his chin. ]
I suppose that all depends on just how much of the wrong I'm at fault for and what exactly is on fire.
[ He laughs, only half joking really. He usually prefers to sit back and watch the metaphorical and physical fires of his own creation. Prime entertainment those are. ]
Typically for better or worse I'm about and out trying to make that wrong better or worse, whatever seems best at the time.
no subject
Date: 2024-04-15 03:37 am (UTC)Can one decision be both? [She mumbles this into her knees] I did something that-
[She cuts herself off and turns her head to look away]
I don't know. I would do it again. But maybe that's the problem.
Action (you are under no obligation to respond to this your character can be 'out')
Date: 2024-02-29 03:14 am (UTC)This leads him to one conclusion: He has to fight BOTH of them to make sure he's actually fighting the strong one.
This leads him to a second conclusion: He has no idea where Shockwave lives. He could ask for direction, ask if anyone knows... but that begs the question... If they know how strong Bass is will they even tell the truth?
There is now one solution: He has to canvas the ship himself and check every inhabited room he comes across.
So there's the backstory. And that's why Bass, armored up in his winged Treble armor (being able to fly covers ground quicker!) is pounding aggressively at your door.
Sorry. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-03-02 05:01 am (UTC)Just a klik! I'm in the middle of something really super important!
[She frowned down at her suitcase. In one hand she held a first aid kit for organics, and in the other she held the stuffed toy she had received from a mysterious and very generous person recently. Logically, she knew she could bring both. It would almost be expected of her to bring both. But she was already going to bring the squishmallow toy Megatron had given her on the cruise, so wouldn't she be pushing her luck...?]
[She started towards the door while still holding both, and hit the button to open it with her elbow. Once it opened she smiled out at what turned out to be empty air, cycled her optics, and glanced down]
Oh! Hello! Did you need something? I already told the medibay that I'm going to be unavailable for a little while, but if it's an emergency I can certainly help? So... Was there? An emergency?
no subject
Date: 2024-03-06 03:42 am (UTC)Chill Bass it's been like two minutes.When she FINALLY answers the door, he flares his wings dramatically! Perhaps in a show of intimidation. ]
YOU! Are you Shockwave?!
[ He flaps his wings and ascends to get a better look. ]
Your headspike is impressive. Do you RAM people with it? IS THAT WHY YOU'RE THE STRONGEST?!
no subject
Date: 2024-03-06 03:57 am (UTC)[Velocity sets aside the first aid kit and the toy on the end table beside the door so she can more properly tap curiously at her chin as the smaller bot flies up in front of her. She hadn't been particularly intimidated by him spreading his wings, but then she didn't know she was supposed to be]
Oh. Um. [She holds out three fingers, and folds them down one by one] Thank you? No? And... you think I'm the strongest?
[A cycle of her optics and a tip of her head]
That's very flattering, but what's the metric you're judging this by? Do you have any spreadsheets? I have a really wonderful program I use for organizing the data from a, uh, very serious and important game about magical turbofoxes, but I suppose I could plug in my latest statistics from the shooting range? You'll have to give me a bit, though, I'm not very good with putting numbers in order...
[She turns away from the door and heads back inside her habsuite]
Come on in, I'll start it up! Do you eat energon, or something else? I could've sworn I had something set aside just in case any of the AI came by needing something...
Not long after The Slaverlord's Prize
Date: 2024-04-09 10:40 pm (UTC)You doing okay? You seem to have had it a bit rough.
It's okay if a mission fails you know
it happens
and sometimes that's just how it is
I'm sorry that you're hurting
you wanna talk about it?
no subject
Date: 2024-04-12 07:33 pm (UTC)...I think that I would really like talking, actually. That I ought to. Been doing that thing where I hide, again. Sorry. I'm sorry.
[Anon] During the Bodyswap event
Date: 2024-05-16 04:58 pm (UTC)action. after this... https://deceptamom.dreamwidth.org/281.html?thread=28953#cmt28953
Date: 2024-05-17 12:41 am (UTC)She's still in the Medbay and Velocity has only just left. It takes hardly any time at all to bound back to the doors and Lottie's long gazelle legs.
"Lottie get back here!" he pokes her helm out the door.
no subject
Date: 2024-05-17 12:56 am (UTC)She tapped a hand off of the side of her --Nickel's-- head as she approached. "It's been a few minutes since the last time I messed up," she said, though something about the angle of her smile was a bit off when she said that, and she forced it wider in an attempt to compensate. "It was probably about time, right?"
no subject
Date: 2024-05-17 01:05 am (UTC)"No I realized we technically have one another's communicators," she frowns, how to bring this up, "...I accidentally looked at a message that popped up on yours."
Well... here it goes, she hands Velocity back her comm "I hope this isn't your boyfriend or girlfriend? I thought it was spam at first... but they seem like a fragging creep."
no subject
Date: 2024-05-17 01:25 am (UTC)Her mouth snapped shut.
Dread flushed through her fuel lines like frozen acid rain before she'd even opened the most recent messages with her thumb, and it built and built and built as she scrolled through them. She didn't look up at Nickel again, not at first. She could feel her shoulders creeping up towards Nickel's audials and she forced them down again. She shouldn't react that way, anyway. What right did she have, when it was her own fault?
She shoved the comm unit into her subspace harder than was strictly necessary and threw up a smile that dug into her cheeks. "No! No, um, it's a friend? A friend that's just playing pretend to tease me and get a reaction. They don't mean it. It's fine. Everything is super, really and absolutely fine," she said, too quickly and too loudly.
She went silent for a pause that was barely the length of a human's long inhale, then asked, "...You didn't read the whole thing, did you?" Her hand that was still holding out Nickel's comm was starting to shake just a bit.
no subject
Date: 2024-05-17 01:40 am (UTC)Oh this is probably worse then she thought, isn't it?
"Lottie..." she says quietly with a sigh, slipping out of the Medbay fully and letting the door slide shut behind her. The dull roar of the bustle within dampens.
"We..." she gestures between herself and Velocity, "Are friends. And friends don't talk to one another like that."
no subject
Date: 2024-05-17 02:00 am (UTC)Velocity's lower lip trembled. She wanted so badly to just burst out with the truth, but when she opened her mouth all that came out at first was, "It's- I-" She fumbled for words, and each second she couldn't find them made that mixture of dread and fear and guilt pile up until she felt like it was going to throttle her vents, until her systems overheated and kept right on doing so. But she felt cold. So cold.
She took a step back from Nickel. "I'm sorry," she said. Her hand that held the comm unit dropped back down to her side. "It's- it's not fine. And that wasn't nice. I'm sorry, I-" There went her shoulders inching up again, and this time she couldn't make them stop. "Its not. I know. But it's not something I can talk about, either." Not to Nickel, who was so smart and confident and pretty and good at everything, and who had probably never failed and kept failing over and over again, until it finally boiled over.
Would there ever be any coming back from this last one? She wasn't sure.
She offered Nickel a wobbly smile, and she lied. Again. "I'll be okay."
no subject
Date: 2024-05-23 01:48 am (UTC)"Being in my frame hasn't made you any better at lying you know," she finally says with a sad smile. It... it hurts that Velocity isn't being honest here. It hurts even more because whatever she's hiding is clearly hurting her.
She's an adult, Nickel can't force her to tell her what's wrong...
"Look, there's nothing you can't share with me, okay Velocity? I know I yell at a lot of people who frag things up, but it's because I worry," she might yell a lot and call people idiots... but they're HER idiots, "You don't have to tell me anything, just promise me you won't lie to me and say you're okay when you're not."
no subject
Date: 2024-05-26 02:40 am (UTC)Velocity shuffled unhappily and looked away, her face twisted through an expression of the deepest shame. "...I promised something," she said eventually. "And it's not the sort of promise I can break, or at least I don't know of any way I can do that right now. From what I've been able to tell, this-"
She bit her glossa mid word, abruptly changing her mind. Coward, she told herself bitterly. She was always a coward.
"...I'm not okay," she said with a wobbly attempt at a smile. "That's why I wanted to go on sabbatical again, but being on my own just made me think of it and how I messed up again, and-" She gave hitched little laugh.
"And I'll handle it. That's not lying. I'll figure it out. I fix my messes."
no subject
Date: 2024-05-26 03:13 am (UTC)Oh Lottie... what have you gotten yourself into?
"I'll trust you to clean that mess up then. But if you need me, Lottie please I'm terribly good with a broom. And a sniper rifle," she smiles. And she means it. She's always been fierce about the folk she cares about. She's lost too many of them.
"Oh and one more thing. Velocity I want you to look at me. Look at you," Nickel draws herself up to her full height. To Velocity's full height. Standing tall, shoulders squared, expression of determination, of devotion to her friends on her face, "This is your frame. This is your face. You're capable of standing like this, of looking someone down like this. I know you are."
no subject
Date: 2024-07-09 08:50 pm (UTC)Then Nickel said that, and Velocity's optics went wide and bright as she looked back at her. She started to say something, but it caught in her throat and took several tries before she finally managed to get out a soft, "You really think so? What if-" She took that good look, and something inside her twisted. "Maybe you'll leave behind something of you when we switch back, that I could?"
a few hours post body swap audio un primetime
Date: 2024-07-07 08:05 pm (UTC)Velocity! [he sounds cheerful, at least.] Have you settled back in? Let me know if I can bring you anything.
[after, you know, All That.]
no subject
Date: 2024-07-26 10:27 am (UTC)Hello, Optimus. I'm, um. [Her voxcoder clicks and clicks for a few seconds as she struggles with keeping her voice level] I'm fine, it's fine. I don't need anything. You don't need to worry. Day or two, and I'll be right as acid rain.
no subject
Date: 2024-07-26 06:49 pm (UTC)Ah... well, I simply wanted to see how you were doing. Donnie's words seemed to harm you deeper than you were willing to let on.
no subject
Date: 2024-07-27 01:51 pm (UTC)He- he wasn't being mean on purpose, I think. He didn't know. So it's okay. I'll get over it. But thank you for checking in on me.
no subject
Date: 2024-07-27 02:01 pm (UTC)[he says this very cheerfully, like the strong implication is go and do that immediately.]
no subject
Date: 2024-07-27 04:11 pm (UTC)I know I should. I will. Just, um. Just not right now. I think I upset him, and he should be able to decompress from that for um. For a while. A nonspecific span of time.
no subject
Date: 2024-07-27 06:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-07-27 06:17 pm (UTC)...Would it be really horrendously awkward if it was tomorrow? Or- or maybe I can write up a text that's timed to go off randomly and I don't have to think about it, it'll just happen. Like acid rain.
no subject
Date: 2024-07-27 06:23 pm (UTC)Go and do it now, Velocity.
no subject
Date: 2024-07-27 06:35 pm (UTC)[A short silence, as Velocity stands with a reluctant sigh]
...All right. Composing a message to let him know I'd like to meet.
no subject
Date: 2024-07-27 07:24 pm (UTC)[that might've sounded completely condescending from anyone else, but as usual, this optimus and his ability to be so spark-rendingly sincere and hopeful about everything doesn't fully give it that angle.]
text un warp
Date: 2024-07-19 06:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-07-19 06:23 pm (UTC)My hab for write now, room XXX. Aye will see you soon, then?
no subject
Date: 2024-07-19 08:03 pm (UTC)[not long later, skywarp is there. she looms a bit over lottie when the door is answered simply for the size difference rather than actually attempting to be intimidating, and shoves a bottle of energon wine into her hands.]
You better have glasses.
no subject
Date: 2024-07-26 09:56 am (UTC)You don't mind sparkly glasses, do you? All my good ones are um. Broken.
[There are obvious signs that Velocity has been isolating in here and she is making a concentrated effort to avoid making eye contact with the trash basket full of broken glass, but it's clean enough. The glasses she retrieves are, indeed, double walled and filled with liquid glitter that shifts when she moves to generously fill each one. She then moves to her small table and sits one on each side with the bottle in the middle before she sits]
[Velocity starts to open her mouth to ask a question before hesitating and instead sipping the wine. It was good, and she hums appreciation]
no subject
Date: 2024-07-26 03:33 pm (UTC)For once, she has no comment and just sits down in the slightly too small chair and grabs the bottle to take a good chug.
Finally: "This fucking ship, whatever-your-name-is! What the hell is wrong with it and everyone on it?"
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Date: 2024-07-27 03:47 pm (UTC)"People have been talking with you on the network," Velocity said slowly, hazarding a guess as to what all of this was about. "But not the way you wanted, maybe? So what did you want, instead?"
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Date: 2024-07-27 07:35 pm (UTC)Skywarp bites her lower lip for a moment, then throws back her glass.
"Okay. Okay. Can I admit something really bad that I need to get off my chestplate before I explode or something? I don't care if you judge me or whatever."
A beat.
"It's not about a murder. No laws were broken, so don't worry about that."
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Date: 2024-07-27 10:56 pm (UTC)She was well aware of the irony considering how very closely she'd been holding things to her chest lately, but that wasn't under discussion right now.
"Besides," she said with a weak attempt at a joke, "you brought me something that tastes good. That deserves at least few minutes of my time, right?"
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Date: 2024-07-28 03:39 pm (UTC)It takes some more effort before finally - and it's not wholly clear why she's even struggling so much with getting this out - "I feel guilty going flying now! Ever since Nova had her wings taken off her it just makes me feel really garbage and stupid and guilty and I hate it!"
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Date: 2024-08-11 08:02 pm (UTC)Velocity didn't respond right away, knowing very well that the things she said off the cuff could be annoying or not come across well. And this mattered. It was important.
"You're twins. Of course you're upset. Why do you think how you feel about it is stupid? Just because it happened more directly to her doesn't mean it isn't awful for you, too."
Velocity frowned, and topped off Skywarp's glittery cup. "Keep going though, if you want to. What else do you need to say about it?"
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Date: 2024-08-28 07:10 pm (UTC)Skywarp is in an odd spot where she feels horrible about what's happened, but despite her words doesn't fully blame herself for it. She's always been very in the moment, and thus finds it difficult to understand something that's happened Nova but not for her. It wasn't an issue before, when it had already happened for her but not Nova... she's not an unintelligent mech, but this whole timeline weirdness is new for a lot of them.
"I don't want to talk about it. I want to just shove it back down where I can ignore it and then take it out on someone like Moron Prime and his hideous face."
She leans back in the chair, kicking her boots up and pushing back on the back two legs.
"You look like scrap, by the way. Super disheveled. It's not not doing it for me? You wanna make out?"
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Date: 2024-09-08 07:42 am (UTC)"Um? Should I say thank you? Or thank you for noticing, maybe? It's-" She cycled her optics further but couldn't think of a compelling reason not to, and Skywarp was pretty? Those were the main criteria for deciding on whether you wanted to kiss someone you'd barely interacted with before, right?
"Sure, that would be nice."
She then paused, reciprocation Lottie, and added hurriedly, "You look very nice, too!" She tried to think of the things people generally said were attractive, which she only agreed with about people after she'd gotten to truly know them and feel affection for them, so... "Your um, everything? Your paint is very shiny and I like your hands?"
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Date: 2024-09-08 02:23 pm (UTC)She leans back as Velocity speaks, evidently finding it quite endearing from her expression.
"Medic with a hand thing, huh? That makes sense," Skywarp lifts a big hand up and wiggles her fingers suggestively. "Alright, up on the table. Let's do this, if you're into it."
Duckstribution
Date: 2024-10-04 03:51 pm (UTC)(( The rubber duck bracelet is useable once during an event to reroll a social crit fail by reminding you that there are friends who have your back. ))
text
Date: 2025-01-01 05:31 pm (UTC)Want to go to the ball with me? Make me the luckiest insect on the ship?
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Date: 2025-01-05 01:08 pm (UTC)Of coarse I will, if you'll make me the luckiest Caminus colonist on the ship inn return.
...Lucky, though? Really really?
[VOICE from the R2's local landline; Caller ID Unknown]
Date: 2025-02-19 12:02 am (UTC)Hello, Velocity!! I would like to say thank you for giving me a part of your blood to me from a few nights ago! I know you were asleep at the time, but I still wanted to give thanks to you since getting to become you was really great! On a side note, maybe I should've asked you first . . . but that aside —
I usually don't get that many chances to become a huge robot like you, but with your blood, now I can grow closer to the other guys on board . . . and especially you!
A-And again, thank you so much for the blood! It was a little bitter at first, but at least I didn't gag too much on it like I used to. If you want to talk to me . . . just go to Room 231 and I'll be waiting there! I don't have my phone with me right now, so I can't wait to see you in person again!
Byeeeee ~ !
audioooo
Date: 2025-03-09 12:23 am (UTC)Doctor Velocity, when you next have a free appointment I would be grateful to have it.
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Date: 2025-03-10 08:47 pm (UTC)Of course, Primal, no trouble at all. I actually have a stretch of time free early this afternoon, someone cancelled. Would you be available to come in for it iiiiiin... [She peeks at her schedule] Three hours? The medibay ought to be quiet around then, too, nobody likes having appointments around lunch.
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Date: 2025-03-10 09:42 pm (UTC)Yes. That works.
[no it doesn't. he wants it out him now, now, now-- no, it's fine. it doesn't hurt. he can't hear her laughing anymore. did he hear anyone? primal returns to what he was doing once the appointment is slotted into his internal calendar, which was sitting stiffly and staring at a wall and pretending like his grief for airazor isn't currently burning a hole through him.
at the very least, when he is there, it's clear that he's managed to pull himself forward in leaps and bounds from the first time where he'd opted for sedation just to stay grounded, onwards to asking the optimus from his reality to accompany him a few times when he needed to be checked over after being extremely poisoned and shot in the grand hunt, up to now, here on his own.]
While we were away on our mission, something... settled around my spark chamber. [...okay maybe he's still downplaying stuff, because he didn't seem to be in any great rush to have something so close to his spark looked at. primal's hands are clenched into shaking fists though, as he looks down at his knees where he's perched on the edge of the medical berth.] I haven't looked. I don't understand it other than it feels... odd.
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Date: 2025-03-30 11:50 pm (UTC)"Right," she managed. "I'm glad and grateful you trusted me enough to come in. While I get a scanner set up, can you tell me anything about the circumstances it happened under? Anything might help."
She pulled up the portable scanner to get a look at his system in general, not just his spark chamber. Solus Prime alone knew what effect whatever this was could be having on him.
When it chimed gently to let her know the scan was completed, Velocity took a look. She cycled her optics, then tilted her head first one way then the other, mouth parting slightly before she closed it again to peer closer. "Well, um. You're correct. These results are... odd."
They showed a secondary energy source was indeed coiled around his spark chamber, but it was impossible to tell just from the readings if it was mechanical or organic or even technorganic in origin. Velocity worried her bottom lip between her teeth, then looked back at Primal for his response.
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Date: 2025-04-01 08:45 pm (UTC)"At Kopaya' we were invited to drink something, as is their tradition. It seemed to have a different effect on everyone, with this being mine. One of our compatriots said this is an offering from the twin of Destiny. I have not had a chance to look further into this. I fear it may be magical." He feels ridiculous saying that. Primal, like many others, has not had much experience with supernatural things before this reality. "I will open my chest so you can see. It does not cause me discomfort."
He leans back as he says this, chest panels shifting to open. Velocity can probably recognise the shape of the thing inside him, as many of their race would-- this strange Matrix appears to be fully inorganic, until she looks closer and sees that it seems to be wooden around the handles. Then she might notice she's being watched. Not by Primal, who is also looking down as his finials very slowly start to droop, but by a few clusters of smaller eyes that have opened on it.
"That is indeed... odd." It's probably no surprise how faraway Primal's voice sounds, but also a testament to his willpower that he doesn't immediately react in a significantly less downplayed way, even though he really, really wants to. "It probably shouldn't be in there. I'll take it out for study."
He reaches in and easily grips the handles, as they were made for his hands, and gently attempts to lift it out. If he pretends hard enough, he can ignore the eyes watching his movements.
Primal manages to move it about an inch before he suddenly jerks forward, almost elbowing poor Velocity in the face, as he doubles over on the berth with a feral, animalistic shriek of pure agony, his optics going extremely wide and bright from the shock of it. He brings a fist down on the berth out of reflex to try and deal with the pain, hard enough that he splinters most of his knuckles and splatters energon across it. This works in his favour; the pain stops when he lets go of the relic and his processor is immediately diverted to the new problem of his broken hand.
He says nothing else, then, just stays doubled over on the berth, optical mechanisms spinning wildly as he tries to process it all.
Dream
Date: 2025-04-15 06:24 pm (UTC)He descends, his hands outstretched, reaching and holding her face tenderly with both hands. His silver-blue tentacles float behind him as though he's swimming through water, his face pulled back into a malicious grin.
"Mine again, just as you were meant to be." He whispers, leaning in until their faces are uncomfortably close. "Such a pity your teammates didn't consider you worth sacrificing for. Your life and safety is never anyone's top priority, is it? I know your worth though, Velocity. I would have given the world to you."
He laughs, cold and mocking.
"You will be useful to me again soon enough.
Sleep well, my dear. Until our next reunion."
Abruptly, the dream ends.
no subject
Date: 2025-04-15 09:40 pm (UTC)she'd chosen this she'd known it would happen she'd accepted it she'd chosen this she'd known it would happen she'd
Without thinking, she scrabbled frantically for her datapad and attempted to comm Megatron, unknowingly opening an audio message to the entirety of the group chat instead as she dropped the datapad. Velocity bent in half over it and hugged herself and rocked, hyperventilating vents dragging ragged gasps that scraped her throat raw.
"M-Megatron I'm sorry I'm sorry I- I- you c-can be mad still be gone still- st- I need you I need you please he was in my dream he-" She clapped two hands over her mouth and keened through her fingers. "I'll s-say anything you want if you just-"
Her forehead touched the floor next to broken glass and the sticker on her datapad that proclaimed 97% in faded pink glitter and let out a broken, punched out noise as she started to weep alone in the dark.
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Date: 2025-04-15 09:47 pm (UTC)He makes his way down the halls. "Lottie, dear it's not Megatron. But I am still coming to you. Speak to me. Name 5 things you see, keep focus on this till I get there "
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Date: 2025-04-15 09:53 pm (UTC)"We're coming."
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Date: 2025-04-15 10:15 pm (UTC)Her optics skittered around her darkened hab suite like frightened animals, unable to settle. She wanted the gift Megatron had given her on the cruise but she'd traded it away to help defeat Nemo she'd given it away and she had nothing left of him she'd traded away his present-
Another sob caught in her throat and she vented in and in and in with sharp bursts. "St-sticker, I-" Her gaze settled on her upturned datapad. It had landed on the notifications page for the group chat. At the very bottom of the page, half cut off, was the alert that Megatron had left the chat.
He'd left.
He'd left and he'd never have answered her begging him for help, anyway.
Velocity's vocalizer clicked and clicked and came back online halfway through a cry of, "-lert that he left he's gone he isn't g-gonna-" Her optics widened further as the realization pierced through her panic that Rung and Moony had both heard her they'd all heard her, she-
Velocity froze, her extra set of hands drawing in towards her chest in horrified shame just before she lurched back to her pedes. She staggered away from her datapad, every step crunching through broken glass and squishing small fidget toys before she slipped and bumped back into the wall, startling another thin cry out of her. "S-s-sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm-" She drew her top, original set of arms over her head and wailed wordless fear and misery.
no subject
Date: 2025-04-15 10:21 pm (UTC)"I'm at your door. I'm opening it, and I will be here now"
He's slipping up in his own ways. But she will not be alone now.
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Date: 2025-04-15 10:34 pm (UTC)Instantly, she's moving to wrap the medic up in a hug, engine ticking over in a soothing sound.
"We're here for you, Lottie."
She makes sure to leave room for Rung, too. Lottie needs everyone she can get.
no subject
Date: 2025-04-17 04:30 pm (UTC)she'd chosen this she's chosen this she'd chosen this
"I want him back, I- I need M-Megatron, he-" Velocity said in the smallest, glitchy whisper that faded into a purely mechanical noise of misery, clinging on to Moony.
She lifted pale optics to look between them both. She had only ever had Nautica before arriving on the R2. She'd never experienced the war firsthand, never been abandoned by anyone. This was her first true firsthand experience with loss, and it made her spark lurch in her chest. It was overwhelming, strangling. "H-he helped me, he always helped, he made it better he told me wh-what to do to fix it and said he liked me that I was one of his favorites, he-"
She drew shaking legs up to her chest and started to rock again. "I'm sorry..."
no subject
Date: 2025-04-17 04:44 pm (UTC)"I'm so sorry, Lottie. I know I'm no Megatron or powerful defender. But I want you to know you're not a burden. Not to me."
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Date: 2025-05-10 05:13 pm (UTC)All the words that had been hurled at her before made her heave in a vent far too fast, then another. She needed too much, made others fight her battles for her too much, weakling, useless, can't be depended on-
That awful, twisting anger that had been boiling in her chest since Megatron had done what he did lurched inside of her. She could also feel an almost painfully sharp feeling of relief hovering just on the other side of yelling, of rejecting the offered help, and she almost did. Trembled with it, but-
But in the end it all crumbled from the edge of her tongue and she sagged into Moonracer and Rung's embrace, the same way she always did. "I trust him," she whispered weakly. "We all do. Why couldn't he trust us back?"