Dead End
Major
Yes, we're all doomed. I already knew that.
Posts: 797
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Post by Dead End on Mar 10, 2008 18:32:03 GMT -5
Still holding his mask in hand, Dead End gave Scourge a sardonic smile and said, "Oh, much simpler than that. I don't play poker this way, nor do I listen to senior officers expound on their brilliant plans with the mask off. Amazing how few leaders really like to be regarded as if they are complete idiots, especially immediately after they've made right twits of themselves."
Dead End considered mentioning that certain gestalt leaders named Motormaster also took amusement in beating up lesser mechs who looked at them with any expression whatsoever, but decided that Scourge probably could stand not hearing Motormaster's name every other minute.
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Post by Sable Conolly on Mar 10, 2008 19:39:59 GMT -5
Dead End is wise, then. Even a patient, mild person would eventually get annoyed if someone they considered to be a friend kept going on and on incessantly about someone else. Scourge is not patient and mild.
Scourge chuckles and replies, "Fair enough, although I confess I'll be wondering what faces you're making underneath there now." He can't imagine Dead End doing anything as unbridled and silly as sticking out his tongue, but perhaps he indulges in a dry smirk, now and then. "How do people with exposed faces get by, anyway?"
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Dead End
Major
Yes, we're all doomed. I already knew that.
Posts: 797
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Post by Dead End on Mar 10, 2008 20:28:16 GMT -5
Dead End has had experience not giving a psychotic bully of a truck-former unnecessary excuses to use him for a punching bag or sword practice dummy. There's a delicate balance between "pushing one's luck" and "being a sniveling wimp". Bullies are only encouraged by the appearance of weakness; psychopaths with control issues are provoked by defiance and having their buttons pushed.
Scourge, at least, doesn't seem to be the sadistic bully that Motormaster is. In some ways, he reminds Dead End more of Megatron than Motormaster.
It is the Megatron in Scourge that calls Dead End to give his service and loyalty to the big dark truck.
Dead End pondered that for a few moments, a bemused smile on his face. "I do believe that Skywarp and Thundercracker were in the habit of standing in the back, behind Starscream and out of his sight. Starscream himself tended to be... attention-grabbing, the focus of everyone's attention and Megatron's ire."
"Soundwave always stood at Megatron's side, and later Galvatron's; he was masked, and very good at concealing emotions even from his voice. The Constructicons tended to be a law unto themselves--and I have heard that Megatron had to calibrate them a few times. "
"I think that with the exception of the Seekers, most were good at keeping their thoughts to themselves when Megatron or Starscream was around--or they had the right thoughts."
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Post by Sable Conolly on Mar 10, 2008 21:04:56 GMT -5
Scourge really doesn't possess a sadistic streak. Pain is a tool. If it will yield the result Scourge wants, he'll use it, but it isn't his only or his favourite tool, and he derives no pleasure from its use. If an enemy has time enough to feel pain, Scourge is taking too long to kill him.
While quick in his desire to establish his dominance, Scourge cannot say he sees any particular reason to pick on the weak especially once dominance has been laid down. If they are dissident, they need to be punished. If they obey, they can be ignored. Actively bullying the weak reeks of desperation. Slapping someone pathetic into a wall doesn't take any particular skill or power.
Scourge wasn't exactly looking for an answer out of Dead End about how people without masks manage, and he chuckles as just how complete an answer Dead End gives. The Stunticon pleases, but is he pleased? Scourge inquires, "Does anything else need a touch up?"
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Dead End
Major
Yes, we're all doomed. I already knew that.
Posts: 797
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Post by Dead End on Mar 10, 2008 21:33:14 GMT -5
Dead End leaned back, almost laying down. "How does my front look? That's the underside of my chassis; it gets road dirt and without a mirror it's a pain to check."
He still hasn't replaced the mask and visor; there's a lazy, comfortable smile on his face.
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Post by Sable Conolly on Mar 10, 2008 22:08:01 GMT -5
Scourge couldn't exactly reach under Dead End when Dead End was in car mode. He nods and rubs his chin, noting, "I should get that."
He first tries sitting down next to Dead End, but reaching over is going to be awkward. His optics glower for a moment, and he moves, kneeling in front of Dead End instead and leaning over him. The usual loom to his leaning isn't there. Scourge is simply trying to polish Dead End's chest, not scare the living daylights out of him.
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Dead End
Major
Yes, we're all doomed. I already knew that.
Posts: 797
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Post by Dead End on Mar 12, 2008 17:53:20 GMT -5
Dead End still wasn't quite laying down, but since there was someone's old engine block under his head and shoulders, he might as well have been.
"Indeed," Dead End said, still smiling.
Not to worry, Scourge. Dead End would have been a nervous wreck long ago if looming dark trucks scared him that badly.
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Post by Sable Conolly on Mar 12, 2008 20:51:59 GMT -5
Scourge can terrify people, if he feels like it. If he went around terrifying all the time, it would get old, and in some situations, it is simply inappropriate. However, he is naturally imposing, and he's making a conscious effort to tone down his body language.
For now, he just wants to touch up the polish job on Dead End.
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Dead End
Major
Yes, we're all doomed. I already knew that.
Posts: 797
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Post by Dead End on Mar 15, 2008 13:03:41 GMT -5
Dead End leaned back and indulged in pure, sybaritic enjoyment of a good wax and polishing job by someone who cared to make a good job of it. Yes... he could get to like being... touched up.
"May I apply for a transfer to your division, or do you prefer me to remain under Sky-byte's command for now?" Dead End did not elaborate; if Starscream had made Scourge head of Intelligence & Black Ops, then Scourge was the sort of person who didn't need Dead End to tell him how to use a personally loyal soldier stationed in his rival's ranks.
Oh yes, his future was likely to be short... but interesting.
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Post by Sable Conolly on Mar 15, 2008 21:43:21 GMT -5
Dead End seems to be enjoying himself. If Dead End so much as thinks a word about his betrayal of Starcream now, Scourge will do something very unenjoyable to an equal magnitude.
Scourge considers Dead End's request, and he answers, "You do have good radar, but as far as anyone knows, I shot you as punishment, and I thrashed you in Capture the Flag. That wouldn't make me an appealing commander. I don't think they need to know any better. However," he pauses, looking Dead End right in the optics, "if you need me, I will be there. My duties will delay me, but delay is all. Can I expect the same of you?"
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Dead End
Major
Yes, we're all doomed. I already knew that.
Posts: 797
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Post by Dead End on Mar 15, 2008 23:31:42 GMT -5
Dead End bowed his head in acknowledgment. "You are correct, of course."
Gazing steadily back, he replied "Yes."
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Post by Sable Conolly on Mar 17, 2008 9:51:42 GMT -5
Scourge holds Dead End's gaze, as if he could peer into Dead End's soul and make certain of his verity. Of course, Scourge cannot. He has to take it on faith, a difficult thing at the best of times and harder when one is a Decepticon.
Oh, look, there are still a few spots to touch up. Perhaps he should finish those.
Fade to black?
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Dead End
Major
Yes, we're all doomed. I already knew that.
Posts: 797
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Post by Dead End on Mar 18, 2008 20:56:42 GMT -5
Yes, yes he should.... Especially there. And under here. And there, too. And....
---- Fade to black.
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