knaval | cyberformed inbox, UN: boaty mcboatface

[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!

I- [Can you hear the mental record scratch as he drops his energon?

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?

Uh.

[uh oh.]

Your... conjunx. W--wait, are you behind? Timeline wise? Forget I said anything!

[Wow, you can't just do take-backsies on spoilers like that, Riptide!]

...

.....

Is it Tailgate?

...

Yeah. It is. I-- thought you knew. Sorry. I thought you'd already done it.

No, I- it's fine.

...I'm planning to ask him. Soon.

It's what the gift is for.

Wild how I didn't immediately guess that. [riptide looks over to cyc, expression painted with delight.] Tell me how it goes, yeah?

[somewhere, a sad trombone plays.]

Certainly.

[Honestly, knowing that he and Tailgate really are Conjunxes in the future is rather bolstering.

If the R2 had a generator that ran on dramatic irony, it would be powered for centuries by now.]

[riptide leans back until he's laying flat on his back, arms crossed behind his head and looking up at the stars.]

Awesome. Hey, can I ask you something?

I don't know, can you?

[This is Cyclonus being funny. You can tell because he shoots Riptide a little half-a-smirk.]

Terrible! [he snorts, despite himself, at the surprise of cyclonus joking, if nothing else.] I was just wondering... where do you think you'd live with Tailgate back on Cybertron? When we all have the option to settle it's just... really weird.

[Oh, that's actually an interesting question. Cyclonus is silent for a moment in consideration.]

Tetrahex was my first and longest home. I should like to see it again. Only... [Only Cybertron as he knows it was destroyed by the war.] I'm not sure I could bear to live on Cybertron as it is now.

[He doesn't know about the shenanigans of their universe swapping out their original Cybertron for a slightly less abused model.]

Yeah, the Functionist Cybertron we got out of it all is... a bit weird, too. You're not gonna want to see your home with all that you are your altmode rubbish all over it, are you?

[he's silent for a long few moments.]

I went back to Simanzi, to see how it was on a Cybertron before the war. I-- I don't know if I'll stay on Cybertron either. You'll have plenty choice, at least.

[Oh, there's another mention of Functionist Cybertron. But what does Riptide mean by 'got out of it all'? Cyclonus feels like he should ask but...

...He decides that for now he honestly doesn't want to know. It's not his future at the moment. He was displaced from that when he ended up on the Moira and then further displaced when he arrived on the R2.

Either he'll return to that timeline some day or he won't, but for now knowing about it isn't going help him.

He stares out a the stars instead.]

It's a big universe.

Yeah. [he puffs out a sigh, finishing his drink.] I'm not so sure how the Galactic Council feels about us back home, anyway. I guess if we have to stay here then...

Well, like you said. Big universe. There will be somewhere. [he looks over at cyclonus, optics shining for a moment.] I'm really glad you two make each other so happy. You both really deserve it.

[Oh well now Riptide has gone and made Cyclonus actually feel a little flustered. He uses finishing off his energon to buy time.]

...Thank you.

I hope you find someone who makes you just as happy. Conjunx or Amica.

You deserve that.

Uh huh. [he doubts he'll ever have an amica, but that's okay! he's accepted his fate.] Look at that, we've managed to have one whole normal conversation!

[Cyclonus almost has one whole normal response to that statement. He really could just smile and nod and say 'I suppose we have'.

Instead he widens his eyes slightly in a subtle display of shock.]

What? But my allergy-

[And then he doubles over, clutching his chest.]

[he realises almost immediately cyclonus is joking, but he still jumps up.]

Oh, my god! I'll call Ratchet! Hang on, Cyclonus! You're too young and beautiful to offline!

Wait-

[He grips at Riptide's leg.]

It's too late for me... But tell Tailgate...

...I leave all the money to Scourge.

[Somebody has watched too much human media with Swerve.]

Noooo! He was so young! Definitely not old and crusty! [riptide throws his hands up dramatically.] I'll pass your message on, you poor soul!

[Cyclonus breaks character with a soft laugh, sitting up straight.

He almost sounds legitimately offended when he adds:]

I am not crusty, Riptide.

Yeeees, you are. Just a little bit. [old man.] Well, now I know the magic words to bring you back to life!

I may be old, Riptide- [And tired.] -But my hygiene is impeccable.

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knaval - 2021-11-11 18:18 (UTC) - Expand

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tsunclonus - 2021-11-11 20:09 (UTC) - Expand