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Post by Perceptor on Aug 9, 2008 19:48:19 GMT -5
Fortunately, Perceptor has no delicate lenses and prisms at the moment to be heavily jarred by the rough ride, so oddly, even he is enjoying the brisk ride. May as well make the most of the situation as it's presented, after all.
Of course, that means that the Perceptor who scrambles - with a distinct lack of grace - from Kup's bed is one who has obviously seen better days. There are recent repairs to his legs and hips, and the entire scope assembly is missing. This Perceptor definitely presents an odd profile, although there's definitely familiarity there.
"Greetings, Springer," he offers once he gathers his footing again, before offering Firebolt a nod of greetings as well. "Welcome to Gillanan III."
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Post by Springer on Aug 9, 2008 20:16:50 GMT -5
Another chuckle leaves the Triple-changer. "Heh, thanks. I do try to be a bit more hospitable than some of the others. Especially those in high command. You'd probably not get along with the Prowl back home. Primacron knows I don't."
For a moment, he falls quiet, though he soon hears the rumbling, and stands, waiting to see what shows up.
So Perceptor wasn't lying. Neither was Xaaron. There he is, rumbling up the road like any other 'bot. Springer just stares, shock and disbelief on his face.
Perceptor gets out, and Kup transforms, and steps forward. Springer steps back, raising a shaky hand to point at the elder, completely ignoring Perceptor. The seemingly unshakable Wrecker, he looks like he's seen a ghost. "You... You're not supposed to be here!"
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Firebolt
Major
Brutal Gladiator, Scarab Lord Firebolt of the Shattered Sun
Moving Violation
Posts: 575
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Post by Firebolt on Aug 9, 2008 20:30:13 GMT -5
Firebolt waves energetically as soon as the two come into sight. "Hey hey hey! Do I win anything for finding him first? It was race or something?" She asks, peering curiously at him. Springer's reaction, though, makes her confused. "What... Did you think this was your secret spot or something? I don't get it... ... Are you ok, Mr. Springer?"
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Post by Kup on Aug 9, 2008 20:55:18 GMT -5
Kup opens his optics wide in surprise at Springer. Okay, it's been awhile since he's gotten that reaction from someone. At least this time it's not from a Dinobot, which increases the odds that explaining things rationally might actually work.
He raises his left hand in front of him, palm down but fingers slightly up, in sort of a 'calm down' gesture. "Now, come on, lad." His voice is pitched low, and he speaks softly, near a whisper, as he tries to sooth the shaken Wrecker. "Calm down... just calm down. I can't say I'm sure any of us are supposed to be here. But... listen lad... like Perceptor and Emirate Xaaron have been telling you, we got a right mess here. Not everyone you see with a face you know is going to be the one you knew."
He lowers his left hand, then raises them both, gesturing at himself. "From what I'm hearing, I'm not your Kup. I'm not the Kup you knew. But I am a Kup, I'm here, and I have no intention of going anywhere."
Then he looks around, and adds as an afterthought, "Metaphorically speaking, anyway. I'm sure not planning to hang out in this axel-crackin' jungle all day, that's for sure!"
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Post by Perceptor on Aug 9, 2008 21:24:57 GMT -5
"Not precisely, Firebolt, but thank you for providing Springer with company while he waited," Perceptor replies to the red car-former before he is distracted by Springer's outburst.
"There are more realities and reflections of realities than ever even I imagined, Springer. Think of the universe as a crystal, and each facet of the crystal reflects a different reality that exists within that crystal," Perceptor explains calmly. "Although we may appear similar, Kup and I do not originate from the facet from which you have been taken, although he and I do originate from the same facet as each other. Firebolt here comes from yet another facet, and we have not yet determined how many of these differing reflections there are. Many of them have incredible and distinct similarities, such as Kup. Others... are wildly divergent from anything we have ever known."
"And, no. I have not yet determined how, or why, we have each been brought here," he adds, and there is something in his voice which seems to indicate that he ees this as a personal failure.
There is so much more that he could say, however, Perceptor has the feeling that he's already pushed his luck with the exposition for the moment, and so he stops there, waiting.
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Post by Springer on Aug 9, 2008 21:43:14 GMT -5
Springer just stands there, drawn up and very cautious for a few moments, though Kup's words manage to calm him, but only slightly. And then Perceptor chimes in with the crystal analogy, but the Wrecker is silent for several more moments.
"I... suppose you have a point. However, it's one thing to see you" he says, pointing to Perceptor "working at a panel one minute, go offline, then wake up and see you again," then he turns to Kup. "But to see someone walking around in full health not two cycles after seeing them on life support for near-sparkcore failure and radiation degradation after spending who-knows-how-long on some maker-forsaken ball... It's just a little unnerving."
And Springer does look rather rattled. The motions he makes while he speaks are a touch shaky. It's less actually seeing Kup and more being nervous about what he'll say if he finds out the circumstances of his rescue... And he'll probably have to tell him sooner or later. The way things are going, it looks like it's going to be sooner.
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Firebolt
Major
Brutal Gladiator, Scarab Lord Firebolt of the Shattered Sun
Moving Violation
Posts: 575
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Post by Firebolt on Aug 9, 2008 21:55:02 GMT -5
The slight sound of stomping ground can be heard from Firebolt's direction as she hops from foot to foot nervously, watching the situation. Oh egads, there's nothing that can be done, it seems!! Then, a light bulb goes off in her head, and this is seen visually as her ponytails perk up.
"Do you need a hug, Springer? Cos I can give you a hug." Firebolt throws out her arms, looking at him expectantly.
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Post by Kup on Aug 9, 2008 22:14:12 GMT -5
Kup lowers his arms. "I realize it's disconcerting, but there's not much that can be done about it now," though mention of 'sparkcore-failure' makes Kup blasted glad he doesn't have to deal with the piston-popping things. Then he lifts his right hand to tiredly rub the bridge of his nose. "However, like it or not, I've got no intention of going comatose or on life support anytime soon just to give this ball more of a homey feeling for you, so you're going to have to get used to it."
And then Firebolt offers the patented Firebolt Miracle solution. Kup can't help but snort once in amusement, though he manages to keep himself from out and out laughing. Either way, it does provide a nice break in his tension.
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Post by Perceptor on Aug 9, 2008 22:26:05 GMT -5
"We all very much appreciate that, Kup," Perceptor replies, his voice somewhere between amused and just plain tired. They've had more than enough of their own in various states of "on life support" in the last week or so without adding anyone else to the list. "I believe we are completely out of available pails anyway."
Since, y'know, everyone who arrived there in a pail, bucket, or other non-specific type of container had had that container utilized in their repairs by now.
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Post by Springer on Aug 9, 2008 22:47:44 GMT -5
At Firebolt's offer, Springer just stares at the Ferrari-bot, rather befuddled-like. "Uh...no...no thanks, I'll pass" he answers, half mumbling. Strange of an offer as it was, it did rattle Springer out of his state of disillusionment.
His attention goes to Kup, and he straightens up a bit, regaining his composure somewhat. "I wouldn't -want- you to do that. Er, sir." He straightens a bit more, something more befitting himself. "Don't mind my little ah, breakdown there, sir. While it is rattling to see you in good health, it's definitely good to see you in good condition." Springer adds his trademark cocky smile to that. "I'll do what I can about getting used to it."
Glancing at the others, he huffs slightly. "Now then, you guys were saying something about getting out of this jungle?"
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Firebolt
Major
Brutal Gladiator, Scarab Lord Firebolt of the Shattered Sun
Moving Violation
Posts: 575
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Post by Firebolt on Aug 9, 2008 22:58:31 GMT -5
There's a visual sag that hits Firebolt's body as she drops her arms and hangs her head. Nobody ever wants to hug. Kup did... Once. She stomps her foot a little out of frustration and then reaches over and picks up the bag o' goodies. She's still visibly saddened though, and there's a distinct lack of her usual spaz in her voice when she speaks.
"If you're goin... I'll follow, but not all the way back. I gotta go to my see-kret base," she says, holding up her bag. "Decorations and such."
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Post by Kup on Aug 9, 2008 23:52:00 GMT -5
Kup smirks at Perceptor's comment, but for the moment says nothing as Firebolt speaks. He sees that she looks a bit down, but considering she tends to swing through ten or twenty different moods in a fifteen minute period, he just assumes that's not going to last.
"All right, Firebolt. But if you run into anyone else, remember to confirm who they are either over the Autobot frequency or the allied frequency first." The veteran snorts in irritation, muttering, "Getting hard to tell friend from foe these days."
He nods at Springer. "There's some tunnels near here. Locals seemed to use them as transport. We've been using them to hide out. You don't get to wander around them freely, though, until I've had a chance to run you through the usual security check-out."
He transforms, falling forward into vehicle mode. "Having that check-out under cover's a better idea than doing it out here, though, so we're hitting the underground before we talk." His engine revs while waiting for Perceptor to climb in.
OOC: Looks like we're heading towards thread wrap-up?
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Post by Perceptor on Aug 10, 2008 9:29:33 GMT -5
Preceptor smiles with relief as Springer gathers his composure once again. It is a... an uncomfortable thing to see such a brash and confident warrior so shaken. As for Firebolt, her mercurial nature simply perplexes him. He isn't entirely certain what, if anything, he can or should say to her, and so he takes the distraction, or retreat, that Kup offers gratefully.
His interpersonal skills are somewhat lacking.
"And I shall return to my work," he adds as he climbs into Kup's bed more gracefully than last he'd tumbled out of it.
ooc: sounds good to me. pose Perceptor however you need in order to do so.
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Post by Springer on Aug 10, 2008 12:27:59 GMT -5
Oh, boy! Red Tape!
Springer chuckles at Kup's point about the tunnels, then shrugs. "Alright, I guess. Gotta do what we gotta do." There is a slight slump in his posture at this. Yeah, it's necessary, but bureaucracy is kryptonite for ManBot of Action™ like Springer.
Plus, given the foliage around here, and going underground, that means no flying. Ah well. Springer transforms to his armored car mode, engine rumbling as he pulls up behind Kup. "Lead the way!"
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OOC: I'm good with a wrap-up.
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Firebolt
Major
Brutal Gladiator, Scarab Lord Firebolt of the Shattered Sun
Moving Violation
Posts: 575
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Post by Firebolt on Aug 10, 2008 12:54:19 GMT -5
"You all have fun goin' underground," Firebolt says, hoisting the bag over her shoulder. "I'm off, catch me on the radio if you need me..." She hops off a ledge in the opposite direction the others were moving and she can be heard laughing. "Yea like I'll ever be needed, ah haha!!"
Punctuating her laughter can be heard her typical rave music as she hops along the paths of the temple.
ooc: Wrapup is go!
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