[bro you've been dating him for like 5000 years, is what riptide doesn't say. probably for the best, seeing as last time he knew the two they were happily married.]
I think he'd like anything you got him just because it's from you, to be honest.
[don't you sigh at him because you can't do something simple!!]
I mean... everything I can think of would be something I'd give him, not something you would. Maybe... something that's similar to the time you guys were from? Could you write him a song in that style you're always singing in?
Hey, no problem! And-- you know, it would be nice to hang out with you sometime. I think the only two times I've heard from you have been Tailgate related, which, fair enough, but--!
[Oh shit, Riptide is attempting legitimate social interaction, what do.]
Did you... have something in mind?
[He honestly likes Riptide but he has no idea how to approach 'hanging out'. Tailgate and Whirl mostly just happen to him whether he likes it or not. And unlike Drift, they don't even have swords in common.]
[riptide is sitting cross-legged on the hull next to cyclonus, happily watching the stars go by. he's holding his cube of energon, watching it float around inside the cube.]
Yeah, I thought I'd clocked a few but turns out I hadn't. [he leans back on the hull of the ship, most certainly a lot more relaxed than however he was the last time cyclonus had seen him on the moira.] We really need to find a place that we can land on and not get swarmed. It'd be nice to be planet side for a while.
[Cyclonus gives a small nod of understanding. He may not see the appeal of large bodies of liquid, but he knows the itch of being grounded for too long.]
Is it difficult? Not having many opportunities for transformation.
[Obviously one can transform wherever, but sitting around as a boat without water seems about as satisfying as sitting around as a jet in a hangar.]
Honestly? It was at first. After the Forced Flood all of us felt really useless whenever there was no water. It was like a twisted form of Functionism, in a way.
[he takes a drink, shrugs a shoulder.]
Then then, like everyone else, I learned I'm not just my alt-mode. A little late, maybe, and sometimes I still feel a bit... out of place. I think we all do. [he looks over at cyclonus.] I guess it's like... imagine being able to turn into your jetmode, but you're on a planet with really high gravity. Made me need to get good at fighting, though! I couldn't just rely on having manoeuvrability or an exit point with my alt.
[Cyclonus has... a lot of thoughts about the war. About M.T.O.s like Riptide being made to fight before they had a chance to learn how to fight. About taking new lives and using them up like... like ammunition. Battles are meant to be fought by warriors, but he'd be hard-pressed to call someone so freshly off the assembly line even a soldier.
But he doesn't say so, because telling someone that you find their origin obscene seems impolite, even if he doesn't hold it against Riptide. He thinks the Hydrobot is doing very well in spite of his unfortunate history.
He has a drink to cover up his thoughtful silence.]
The battlefield can be a good teacher, if a harsh one. ['Learn or die' can be a powerful incentive.
He taps a claw restlessly on the edge of his cube, and finally adds:] You're much more than you were built to be.
[he'd probably just sadly agree, anyway. he knows it wasn't great; he lived it.]
I don't like agreeing with that, but I have to. [riptide looks over, clearly surprised at the compliment.] Thanks. I guess-- you too? I mean, you got your conjunx!
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Do you know what sort of thing Tailgate would... like as a gift? A meaningful gift.
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I think he'd like anything you got him just because it's from you, to be honest.
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That's probably true. I would just... like it to be special.
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I mean... everything I can think of would be something I'd give him, not something you would. Maybe... something that's similar to the time you guys were from? Could you write him a song in that style you're always singing in?
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[Long pause.]
Thank you, Riptide.
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Did you... have something in mind?
[He honestly likes Riptide but he has no idea how to approach 'hanging out'. Tailgate and Whirl mostly just happen to him whether he likes it or not. And unlike Drift, they don't even have swords in common.]
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Well... being cooped up in the ship sucks. We could just get some energon and magboots and go outside for a bit?
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[Staring at the stars is his top hobby, after all.]
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do we wanna jump to really awkward conversations in space?
U KNOW IT
Do you recognise any of these stars?
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The view is quite spectacular, though, and he gives the question serious consideration, gaze darting across the starscape.]
No.
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[He may be space-worthy, but there's something unique about flying in-atmosphere.
Okay, he's going to attempt small talk. Because Tailgate would want him to.]
Do you miss... [What's the word for this? Floating??] ...boating? When you're land-locked for too long?
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Yeah. I'm space-worthy, but... you know, Hydrobot. Going for a dive after a while is like having a nice cold cube of energon after a long day, y'know?
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Is it difficult? Not having many opportunities for transformation.
[Obviously one can transform wherever, but sitting around as a boat without water seems about as satisfying as sitting around as a jet in a hangar.]
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[he takes a drink, shrugs a shoulder.]
Then then, like everyone else, I learned I'm not just my alt-mode. A little late, maybe, and sometimes I still feel a bit... out of place. I think we all do. [he looks over at cyclonus.] I guess it's like... imagine being able to turn into your jetmode, but you're on a planet with really high gravity. Made me need to get good at fighting, though! I couldn't just rely on having manoeuvrability or an exit point with my alt.
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But he doesn't say so, because telling someone that you find their origin obscene seems impolite, even if he doesn't hold it against Riptide. He thinks the Hydrobot is doing very well in spite of his unfortunate history.
He has a drink to cover up his thoughtful silence.]
The battlefield can be a good teacher, if a harsh one. ['Learn or die' can be a powerful incentive.
He taps a claw restlessly on the edge of his cube, and finally adds:] You're much more than you were built to be.
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I don't like agreeing with that, but I have to. [riptide looks over, clearly surprised at the compliment.] Thanks. I guess-- you too? I mean, you got your conjunx!
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Luckily they're in space so it doesn't fall, he just has to catch it before it floats out of reach.]
I'm sorry, my what?
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[uh oh.]
Your... conjunx. W--wait, are you behind? Timeline wise? Forget I said anything!
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...
.....
Is it Tailgate?
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Yeah. It is. I-- thought you knew. Sorry. I thought you'd already done it.
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...I'm planning to ask him. Soon.
It's what the gift is for.
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