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Post by Sable Conolly on Aug 5, 2009 8:58:35 GMT -5
Scourge rises to his feet and shoots the chair a sudden scathing look. He rumbles, barely keeping a growl out of his voice, "So. You summon me here supposedly to talk about promotions, and instead, you ask me about what to do with Starscream - but you've already made your mind up. Then we discuss lateral moves. Then you ask me about Intel, and again, you've already made your mind up." He stabs an accusing finger at Shockwave, letting it hang in the air. "If you just wanted to pick my CPU for your own amusement at how clever you are and how you already have it all figured out - it all figured out except for how I think, you could have just said so. You didn't need to doll up the situation with the pretence of a discussion of promotions. I would have come. I would come if you asked me to come listen to you lecture about quantum mechanics."
The quantum mechanics lecture would be preferable to being led around by the nose like this, honestly.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Aug 5, 2009 12:27:41 GMT -5
"Would you?" Shockwave asks so very softly.
This you see, is the real reason the gunformer requested this talk. He wished to explore Scourge's thought processes, yes, and to reward him for his service. Shockwave still sees his offer as a promotion, not the borderline insult Scourge is taking it as. But most of all, Shockwave wished to determine his own standing withing the tanker's mind.
He rises and slowly attempts to close the distance between them, will, if Scourge does not retreat, move forward until that accusing finger rests upon his chest. He talks as he walks.
"You would really have come, had I said instead that I wished to better draw your character, to pick that mind in which I see so much potential? I was curious as to what you might do in my place, yes. I do disagree with your suggestion for your replacement. But nothing is set in stone as of yet, you see."
"You stand here now, pride pricked and ire raised, calling me out for asking your opinions. You toss my offer of a promotion- and it is a promotion, despite how narrow your view on the subject- back into my face as if it is unworthy of consideration. You have asked questions, and I have given answers, and you seem not to consider the value and trust I must place in you to even answer you at all."
Scourge reminds Shockwave much of Ultra Magnus in this moment. A bit to much, really, and the memory makes the Decepticon Commander's voice a bit sharp.
"Valued and trusted enough that even after such disrespect as you have shown, now and in the past, I still try to calm you and keep your favor."
"So tell me, Scourge, why you would have come to me, even for some dry lecture? What fascination do I hold for you?"
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Post by Sable Conolly on Aug 5, 2009 13:26:31 GMT -5
Scourge refuses to back down or waver, so yes, Shockwave can walk into Scourge's finger if Shockwave wants. Belatedly, Scourge wonders if it could have been a contact poison, too, despite the implications of oral ingestion. Oh well. Too late now.
Scourge grunts, "Yes. I would. Because if you want to pick my CPU, you're going to find some time, some way to do it, whether I want you to or not. This is more pleasant," marginally, "than some of the options I could imagine."
Whatever Shockwave wants, Shockwave gets. For now.
He points out, "You answered me. But I asked you, rather than getting the answer my own way, implying I thought asking you was worthwhile. Think about that a moment, sir." Shockwave wants to play the 'trust' card just because he answered Scourge? What does he think went into even asking the question?
Scourge straightens slightly, a little less tense. "You clearly know what you're doing. If you thought I needed to hear a dry lecture, I'd assume you had a reason for it, sir, though the reason might not be immediately obvious," or very good for Scourge's health.
That, and in a weird way, Scourge looks at Shockwave as something of a role model.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Aug 5, 2009 23:20:47 GMT -5
"And yet," Shockwave purrs, "You are not willing to wait for my reasoning now, or to ask for it, instead allowing your emotions to prompt you, make you feel as if I have slighted you in some way."
He brings his hand up to try and firmly, yet gently, clasp Scourge's shoulder. "You are a good solider, forged from excellent stock. You are skilled, with a keen mind, a good tactical mind, and you are strong enough to be a leader in your own right. Yet you are still young Scourge, very young, in both age and thinking. Too prone to temper, too quick to act. You do not often consider all the variables, or the long-reaching effects of your actions."
Shockwave's voice has grown soft, taken on an almost fond tone. Almost parental. An affectation, of course, for even Shockwave can tell that Scourge needs some sort of guide to follow, to latch to and look up upon.
"I do not name you second because to do so now would be to make of you naught but a target, not just for Starscream's wrath, but for anyone else who may take issue with this change in command. Yes, you may best most any challenger, but as I have illustrated with my own methods, not all challenges are about strength and skill."
"I do not name you second because your leadership is only proven over a small group, by your own admission. And coordinating even half an army is quite different from coordinating a specialty team. It is a promotion I give you Scourge, this position of Ground Commander, and one at which I believe you will excel. The only one higher than yourself will be I, and with Starscream you will be on equal footing. More than equal when all is settled out."
"I am giving you the chance to grow, and to learn, Scourge. It is no mean gift I offer you."
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Post by Sable Conolly on Aug 8, 2009 13:18:45 GMT -5
No. It is no gift that Shockwave offers Scourge at all.
Scourge is young, yes, but he hardly sees how that matters. Did Alexander not conquer all of his small known world by the age of 32? He was only human. Scourge also sees how his stock matters. He is himself, and that is the important thing.
He reaches out and slowly attempts to clasp the Cyclops by the shoulders. Anyone at all familiar with Scourge will notice that his grip is gentle, for him, consciously gentle, for even an accidental slap from him can be more than painful. He stares at that yellow optic.
What a fell choice of mirror! More pernicious to stare into than the abyss.
Then, Scourge pulls back, salutes, and turns curly on his heel to leave before he puts a fist through something he should not.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Aug 8, 2009 20:07:06 GMT -5
Shockwave accepts that touch, that clasp of hands from Scourge without flinch or comment, merely meeting the tanker's stare with his own.
Nor does Shockwave attempt to stop the tanker as he leaves. The conversation can be continued at another time of course. Best to give Scourge time to digest what he has been told, to acclimate to this change in circumstances.
Shockwave returns to his chair, and to his troop review.
OOC: looks like a thread wrap, unless you want to get in something else?
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Post by Sable Conolly on Aug 9, 2009 17:53:06 GMT -5
Scourge walks out of Shockwave's room. He cannot be said to be stomping. His step is far too light. He cannot even be said to be stalking.
Better that Shockwave not hear his tread a mile away.
OOC: Wrap!
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