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Post by Victoria Raines on May 6, 2008 14:17:02 GMT -5
Quick. Very quick.
Shockwave tilts his head ever so slightly as he considers Perceptor. The Decepticon does not lower his hand immediately or put away his blunted needle. Instead he leans closer, within easy reach of that glowing blade and says, voice low, "And do you now pretend to care about your comrades beyond what enjoyment they might give you, what thirst they might quench? Do not pretend what you did to Duskwing was for any other's benefit but your own."
He settles back, his arm lowers, and he flips the needle around so the rounded end taps the worktable just beside Synpase's arm. Again, Shockwave does not touch as he idly traces the outer edge of that arm. Or perhaps it does touch, as Synapse twitches about. Shockwave is not looking at Synapse, but at Perceptor.
"Take this one. So responsive. Your Prime wanted him to suffer, but instead you give him pleasure, use the opportunity. But were it not for the possibility of earning favour, you would take joy in his screams, I think."
Shockwave shakes his head. Baiting, baiting, how far can he push?
"Knowledge. You do not seek knowledge, you seek answers. answers and stimulation, salve for your emotions, food for your pride. So typical."
"And such a waste."
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Perceptor-3
Rookie
Curiosity killed... everyone else. After a lengthy examination, of course.
Posts: 139
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Post by Perceptor-3 on May 7, 2008 16:11:39 GMT -5
"I pretend nothing," Perceptor replies easily. Anyone who has not figured out by now that Perceptor looks upon his fellows and sees tools and toys is deluding themselves. "But they are mine." Not yours.
For all that Perceptor's optics never leave Shockwave's, the hint of a glare flicked toward that encroaching needle is as obvious as it is subtle. "Suffering is such a... subjective status," he murmurs, optics narrowing. "Do not attempt to delude me into believing that you care any more for your Duskwing, your Decepticons, than what purposes they serve you."
"Answers are knowledge. Stimulation teaches," he intones, pushing back. "And perhaps you need fear your emotions, however I have no such restrictions." He smiles a nasty, predatory little smirk. "No need to hide from my curiosity, from my wants. No need to flee from my angers and irritations, for even they can be instructive."
You are not the only one who can bait, Shockwave. And this Perceptor is well aware of what his Prime stirrs within a mech's core.
"And you speak to me of waste. Tell me, Shockwave... how does irony taste?"
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Oracle-3
Cadet
It's such a thin line between heaven and hell.
Posts: 80
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Post by Oracle-3 on May 7, 2008 22:48:50 GMT -5
Having lost sight of Holi, Oracle had found herself with either the choice of wasting her time tracking him down, attempting to summon him back to her over the radio, or attending to the other bit of business she had planned on before that little distraction.
After only a short debate she decides to deal with Holi later and sets off to track down Perceptor. Admittedly there isn't that much work involved in the process since she basically knows where the building he claimed is, but she doesn't know exactly where, and she can't assume he'll be there though considering he has Synapse she doesn't know where else he would be.
Arriving at the building she slows when she hears the voices from inside, and her optics dim in thought behind her visor. After a moment she shrugs and slips into the room, taking in the scene with a quick scan.
This was baiting and word games far beyond what she had just played with Sky-Byte, and probably nothing she should be anywhere near if she wanted to be safe, but when had that ever been something she clung to fervently? Still, best she stowed the signs of her agitation and aggression as well as she could, because the last thing she needed was to present herself as a foil to be used by either side. She didn't fool herself into thinking herself a potential player in the game, but she hardly wanted to be more of a chess piece then she already was either.
Leaning against the wall by the doorway, she looked between the two scientists before addressing Perceptor. "Should I come back later then?"
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Synapse-3
Cadet
It would be a pleasure...
Posts: 84
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Post by Synapse-3 on May 8, 2008 14:41:38 GMT -5
Synapse's previous twitching has subsided ever since contact to his person and nodes ceased. All the minibot does now is remain quite silent, processors cycling through and committing to memory this strange confrontation.
The tracing of Shockwave's blunted needle halts all ventilation processes for a micro-second. Mind wins over instinct and Synapse is soon straining away from the wicked object. Still, he remains as silent as he can, the only sound possibly coming from creaking restraints. Perhaps the two scientist might forget about him in their circling and probing debate. Leave the scout alone for a long enough time and he'll eventually find some way to slip out of his restraints and disappear.
Oracle's appearance brings mixed feelings. For one thing, that's one more distraction for Perceptor and Shockwave. For another, it's another individual to witness his vulnerable state.
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Post by Victoria Raines on May 9, 2008 19:11:45 GMT -5
Shockwave's hand drops to his thigh, that blunted needle still in his grasp. "Subjective? Oh yes, very, and dependent upon the predictions of all individuals involved. And always, always, so interesting to study."
"But you are wrong it your assessment, Perceptor. They are tools, their usefulness evaluated, reactions calculated. But I have always and only worked toward the betterment of my people. Always." That his people do not always appreciate his methods is entirely the fault of their shortsighted, emotional programming.
Oracle enters before Shockwave can answer Perceptor's last question. For the better, perhaps, that she did. Shockwave and Perceptor could likely bait and snipe at each other for days without either gaining a modicum of ground.
He turns just enough so he can see the Seeker out of the corner of his vision. Perceptor continues to be the primary focus of Shockwave's attention, and the primary threat, in Shockwave's optic. A skilled enginner with the proper tools can do Shockwave more damage in shorter time than and warrior.
"Ah. The intriguing one. The one who can see." What will you think of such interest in yet another of your own, Perceptor?
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Perceptor-3
Rookie
Curiosity killed... everyone else. After a lengthy examination, of course.
Posts: 139
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Post by Perceptor-3 on May 10, 2008 23:13:31 GMT -5
The one who is also Perceptor's.
Perceptor's hand absently reaches out, cupping Synapse's damaged node, fingertips digging in fiercely as he stares at Shockwave still. Punishment earned, Synapse, and although portions of it may be pleasurable, perhaps that very pleasure is a part of your punishment, for others to see and be amused at your helplessness. How you are made prisoner not by mere manacles alone, but also by your own traitorous sensors.
And yet, the same lesson could be taught without the pleasantries of adulterated systems, without the shield of pleasure, leaving you to writhe and twist and scream in agony as fierce as this blessed, dangerous, commanding dark passion. Remember that, minibot, and remember how it is Perceptor who granted you this reprieve, even in the midst of your punishment, even in the midst of his own possessive anger.
Rodimus would not be so kind, and you do not want to feel the touch of his Matrix.
At least Shockwave does him the courtesy of his wariness and respect. A skilled engineer with the proper tools could, indeed, do much damage, but one who has spent as many millenia as this scientist in the stufy of trauma and supression of Cybertronain systems, especially Decepticon systems?
"What is it that you require?" Perceptor asks of Oracle, pitching his voice to reach her in the doorway. The intrusion is inconvenient, but, perhaps, not unwelcome. As much as Shockwave, this Shockwave, fascinates and intrigues him, the Decepticon learns too much here.
And he stirs hungers within the Autobot scientist that Rodimus would not favor, if he had been so against even allowing the two to speak.
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Oracle-3
Cadet
It's such a thin line between heaven and hell.
Posts: 80
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Post by Oracle-3 on May 11, 2008 21:49:17 GMT -5
Just this once, Oracle could really do without being intriguing. She probably wouldn't be very happy with being thought of as Perceptor's either, though at the moment that might be safer then belonging to no one.
Looking Synapse over, she could almost feel sorry for the minibot. Not for what had happened to him, that was his own fault, but for ending up with the two scientists paying even partial attention to him. That would not be her idea of fun.
She's not all that pleased to have Shockwave finding her interesting enough to pull even a fraction of his attention away from Perceptor. It doesn't bode all that well in her experience for a scientist to notice her. It appeared she was going to have to watch her steps for at least the near future, maybe for as long as they were here.
She also wouldn't argue with either of them with who the biggest threats in the room are either, because it sure isn't her and Synapse.
Distracting thoughts aside, her attention snapped back to Perceptor when he spoke. Perhaps she really should have radioed ahead before she arrived, but he doesn't seem angry at her interrupting whatever was going on. Hopefully that would stay the state of affairs when he heard how minor her reason was for bothering him.
"Only checking to see when you might have time to finish up what repairs there wasn't a chance to do earlier." Not being up to moving at full capability was beginning to make her slightly nervous. She also wanted him to take a look at her optics, since they still stung from that lightshow earlier, but she wasn't even going to hint at that with anyone else in the room.
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Synapse-3
Cadet
It would be a pleasure...
Posts: 84
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Post by Synapse-3 on May 12, 2008 13:01:53 GMT -5
Worry about Oracle's presence and witnessing of these events gets bulldozed out of Synapse's concerns as more immediate sensations bombard his processor. The scout's body seizes once more on the workbench, writhing and keening beneath the restraints. It's few seconds later after the initial flood of data that Synapse recalls the presence of the new visitor and attempts to bite down on his response, vocalizer buzzing in momentary static at the sudden forced termination.
Letting more witness his loss of control is not something that Synapse wishes to do. His mind screams for a clamp in system responses, but his body refuses to respond properly. Synapse has always been a willing captive to his senses. After all, a majority of the time they do serve their purposes quite well, be it on missions or tangled up on somebody's berth. But at times like this, as he digging furrows in metal plating, Synapse begins to wish that his sensors didn't have such a strong hold over him.
He doubts that Perceptor would acquiesce to a request for internal controls to the sensor levels in his nodes.
Even as Synapse finds himself struggling beneath Perceptor's delightful and reviling touch, he knows that the situation could be worse. There could be paint. At least he is under the scientist's attention instead of the Prime's. Even a mention of Rodimus and his dark Matrix sends chills crawling through the minibot's relays. Whether it is because of the power that rides with that name or the stark fear that the Prime is capable of inspiring, Synapse doesn't know for sure, perhaps it's both.
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Post by Victoria Raines on May 12, 2008 16:28:46 GMT -5
"Certainly Perceptor is not your group's only medic, Seeker. Yet you seek him out. Telling that, when one considers where this Perceptor's talents lie."
Shockwave returns his gaze fully to Perceptor for a moment, watches as the doctor abuses his patient- or perhaps does not abuse, if the scout's reaction are to judge. Synapse's writhing and keening, for all that it pleases, has become boring. There is not enough of an edge to Perceptor's work, no sharpness to keep Shockwave's attention. Word games are fun, but can get tiresome.
He straightens, which turns him closer toward Perceptor. Shockwave crosses behind, taking the long way around the worktable. If he passes close enough for his fingers to almost ghost across Perceptor's plating, it is entirely accidental, of course. So much more interesting to push the boundaries of this one, than tormenting the minibot. But now another opportunity presents itself.
Shockwave rounds the table and moves toward the door. He stops directly in front of Oracle, "I would very much like a further explanation of your ability, and therefore your alternate's. It is easier to plan if one knows as many variable as possible, after all."
A request, not a demand, delivered calmly and without ire. A logical argument. Yet he does not expect an answer, not to his actual question at least.
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Perceptor-3
Rookie
Curiosity killed... everyone else. After a lengthy examination, of course.
Posts: 139
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Post by Perceptor-3 on May 14, 2008 20:13:18 GMT -5
Those fingertips turn more gentle for a moment as Perceptor continues absently stroking Synapse's node, watching Shockwave from the corner of his optics as the Decepticon stalks around him. Trying to unnerve him, except that Perceptor, this Perceptor, is far too arrogant to be unnerved by any save their dark Prime.
As for sharpness of work, well... Perceptor has not shown Shockwave all of his little tricks just yet. Why show his hand so soon when there will be time and time more to reveal his twisted joys in due time? Perhaps Shockwave would enjoy some of his research on Traumatic Injury and Chemical Adjustement of the Cybertronian Lifeform?
Perceptor is content to push back on those tested boundaries, poking, testing. He wants to study this darker, more logical Shockwave - for a relative value of logic from one who views compassion as the height of illogic.
"And where do my talents lie, Shockwave?" he asks, smiling faintly as he waves Oracle in.
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Oracle-3
Cadet
It's such a thin line between heaven and hell.
Posts: 80
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Post by Oracle-3 on May 16, 2008 16:12:39 GMT -5
Watching Synapse writhe brought back some interesting memories, and she couldn't quite help but have her attention caught for a moment. Still, pretty as watching him wriggling about was, the movement of the predators in the room quickly pulled her mind back to more important things.
Caution like Oracle was feeling now wasn't her usual mode of operation, in fact it was rather alien to her usual fly by night way of doing things, but at the moment she didn't think a little paranoia was a bad thing. Shockwave's comment just reinforced that opinion. Telling maybe, but what he thought it was telling him she didn't think she wanted to know. She probably should wonder though but before she went down that line of thought any further, she was torn between being glad there was a wall behind her and wishing she had chosen to stand anywhere else.
Leaning against the wall meant she couldn't back up away from Shockwave after all, but at the same time...she couldn't accidentally back away from Shockwave. Perceptor might not be unnerved, but she sure was, and she didn't think the Decepticon was even trying. Not a good sign, that.
That Shockwave didn't really expect an answer was good though, since he wasn't going to get much of one. "I'm sure you would, but I cannot explain much beyond what was already said. It is simply normal functioning for me." You want data, that would another story considering all the tests that have been done at one time or another, but that wasn't what you asked. Her answer probably said more then she meant it to anyway.
Carefully slipping past Shockwave, being very careful not to accidentally brush him with a wingtip as she moved further into the room, Oracle rather gratefully moved to where Perceptor directed her. The two of them could talk all they wanted about where Perceptor's talents might lie, but at the moment she would stick with the devil she knew, at least him she was used to.
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Synapse-3
Cadet
It would be a pleasure...
Posts: 84
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Post by Synapse-3 on May 17, 2008 7:59:01 GMT -5
One thing Synapse doesn't pride himself in is keeping the attention of others. Being easily looked over is quite usually a good thing, even if this scout has some troubles in that field compared to his counterpart. Besides, if he excelled in entertainment, perhaps he should be in another field entirely.
So Synapse remains in the scout business, strapped to a workbench in a conflicted bliss.
Oracle gets a nervous and embarrassed look as she moves closer, one she is probably familiar with.
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Post by Victoria Raines on May 23, 2008 19:43:19 GMT -5
Shockwave makes no move to stop Oracle, but likewise, he does not move to allow her to pass easily. Once she has cleared him, Shockwave turns to watch the group as a whole, leaning against the wall in the place Oracle vacated. "Normal function? Oh, I am certain you could tell me more than that. Even the simplest mechanism is in possession of their own diagnostics and examinations records, even if he lacks the intelligence to understand them. And barring that," Shockwave shifts his gaze ever so slightly toward Perceptor, "You have most certainly not let such a puzzle go...undocumented."
"Of course, nothing compares to a hands on, real-time examination, when one wants answers."
Not a threat, of course, just a comment. And a caution. Oracle does not want to do anything which might place her under Shockwave's purview.
Shockwave pushes off the wall, turns toward the door, but he pauses, speaking over his shoulder, "Perhaps I should have said 'seem to lie', Perceptor, for we have only just met, and I am not one to draw conclusions from incomplete data. A pity our current situation precludes a more thorough examination."
And unless stopped, Shockwave will be out the door and out of the thread.
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Perceptor-3
Rookie
Curiosity killed... everyone else. After a lengthy examination, of course.
Posts: 139
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Post by Perceptor-3 on Jun 8, 2008 9:42:00 GMT -5
If Perceptor has his way, Oracle never will do anything that might place her under Shockwave's purview. The Autobot scientist does not share his toys gracefully, if ever, and there is a slow burning ember of possessive fury kinding deeply within him as he watches Shockwave regard his favorite specimens.
"A pity," he agrees, though his tone perhaps lacks that certain air of sincerity, and he does not call to hinder Shockwave from leaving. Under his fingertips, Synapse's node creaks as Perceptor withdraws one fingertip from a neat, new little hole pressed into its surface from where he'd gripped just a little too tightly. Bah. Ah, well. Just another little stab of pure pleasure for the sensor-adjusted minibot, a stab that did not [i[have[/i] to be pleasure at all. Synapse would do well to remember that.
"Sit," he orders Oracle, waving toward an unoccupied surface. "Without continued distractions, Synapse's repairs will be completed in short order, and then I shall attend to your own."
Perceptor will even be "kind" enough not to reset the minibot spy's sensors back to normal until after all of the cutting and soldering and bending and breaking and repairing has been completed. And if Synapse is capable of coherent thought within at least fifteen minutes of having everything completed, Perceptor will be quite cross with himself.
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Oracle-3
Cadet
It's such a thin line between heaven and hell.
Posts: 80
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Post by Oracle-3 on Jun 13, 2008 0:15:35 GMT -5
Oracle is very much in the camp of never ending up under Shockwave's purview. One scientist poking about in her systems is enough, thanks. But she certainly won't forget the cautioning statement, even though it hadn't exactly been needed. She doesn't quite shiver in relief when he finally leaves, but there is a distinct lessening of the tension that had been almost vibrating her wings.
First impression said Shockwave was someone to avoid. Second impression was agreeing and adding that she had already seriously screwed up by attracting his attention. Some seer she was, even if she knew it didn't work like that.
Making her way over to the indicated area and hopping up onto it to sit with the undamaged leg tucked under her, she nodded slightly. "Understood." And she wouldn't be a distraction either, because she didn't need it spelled out that would be a bad idea. Really though as long as she was fixed, she could be patient and wait. Watching Synapse writhe was all the amusement she needed, it never got old.
OOC: Fade out on further repairs after Synapse?
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