Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
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Post by Shanodin on Sept 17, 2008 21:28:32 GMT -5
One eyebrow quirks up, and Botancia purses her lips in consternation. Her voice is still soft, concerned, but also bit stern.
"You must understand that hearing that causes me some worry. I am afraid I have to ask you to explain. I'll not risk you or others because you've some condition about which you are shy."
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Sept 17, 2008 22:16:29 GMT -5
Rodimus doesn't answer for half a minute or more; he only turns and gazes out over the water, watching as something - he can't tell quite what - disturbs the water's surface, sending ripples in all directions.
"I'd prefer there be more people watching, anyway, although I'll really have to face the music with Xaaron for this."
He now shifts, turning his head as he does to look directly at Botanica. His gaze is now level. The doubts, the conflicts, the pain is gone... probably just hidden, but if so, hidden well. Now, he is Rodimus Prime, Chosen One and leader. "What I am about to tell you must be kept in the strictest confidence, Botanica. If you cannot assure me absolute secrecy in the matter, I can not go on."
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Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
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Post by Shanodin on Sept 17, 2008 22:37:50 GMT -5
Watching for what? And why would Xaaron be angry with the Prime for revealing whatever that is?
She matches Rodimus' serious look with her own, and considers his terms. After a few moments she nods, but not in complete agreement.
"I give you my word that I will not discuss this matter, whatever it may be, or reveal it, unless not doing so will lead our people to harm. That is the best oath I can take at the moment," she pauses, then pats Rodimus' arm again, "Even then, I'll not break your confidence, Rodimus, not without your leave, and only under the direst of circumstances. You need people you can trust."
She sighs, "But I can't promise blanket secrecy under any circumstance, Rodimus. I hope you can understand and respect that."
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Sept 17, 2008 23:27:33 GMT -5
The stern expression fades into a faint smile, and Rodimus dips his head once, firmly, in agreement.
"That is a very good answer, Botanica."
He shifts again, returning his gaze to the lake. The Boy Prime probably should take a moment to consider his approach. Start at the beginning and work forward? Find out what she understands about Unicron first? Explain the taint? Mentioned how it's both strange and comforting that he feels exactly like home? He probably should work through all these possibilities, but he doesn't. Instead, he barges straight to the main point.
It is his nature, after all.
"In order to defeat Unicron, I've had to contain him in the Creation Matrix. He actively works to get out, and he almost has, in the past, but it's been several years. I've since trained myself to hold him trapped under all circumstances - awake, unconscious, drugged, mid-battle. It's second nature." He glances at the Platformer, reaches a hand towards her that's part entreaty, part meant as assurance. "I wish I could say there's no risk of him getting out, but I'd be lying. I can say the risk is very small - I have this under control - but having people on hand who can watch for problems, but who are themselves unlikely to give into panic or... rushed thinking. That's important."
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Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
|
Post by Shanodin on Sept 18, 2008 0:40:37 GMT -5
It takes a moment for what Rodimus says to fully reach Botanica, and when it does.... She never imagined that Rodimus could be carrying such a terrible, destructive thing within him, within the Matrix and she can't keep her shock- or her horror, out of her expression. Not at Rodimus, or what he had to do, but for him.
She grasps the hand reaching out to her and slides off her rock to kneel next to the Prime, her other hands coming up to just rest on Rodimus' chest as she looks up at him; there is pity in her expression, but overshadowing that is respect, and a touch of sorrow. There is nothing she can say in the face of such a revelation, so instead lets her expression and gestures speak for her.
A breath, then another, as Botanica digests what she's been told, and then her eyes widen. "But that means...your alternate..." She doesn't finish the sentence, instead searching Rodimus' face and hoping for denial of what has just occurred to her.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Sept 18, 2008 10:47:06 GMT -5
Rodimus starts to look, to turn away at the expression of shock and horror writ on the plantformer, not fully understanding what it's directed at. However, before his withdrawal can be completed, Botanica has reached out for him, and he closes the lids on his optics for a moment and sighs with relief. He will not be outcast by this one after all, it seems.
She speaks, but is unable to finish her thought. Rodimus's lips pull back into a stern frown at the talk of his alternate, and he nods. "He not only draws power from the Matrix itself in ways that it's not meant to be used, he pulls from freely that which I must keep trapped." Rodimus shakes his head. "The consequences don't concern him, only the power it provides. There is... something in his Matrix that disturbs Unicron, my Unicron, but I don't know what." The Prime sighs heavily. "In a way, I hold as much power inside me, but I can not, will not, attempt to use it the same way. Consequences do concern me."
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Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
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Post by Shanodin on Sept 18, 2008 21:53:14 GMT -5
Outcast? Hardly. Rodimus Prime just shot straight to the top of Botanica's People to Take Care of List.
"And that is how he was able to do such horrible things to our people," she murmurs, shivering at the memory. The movement draws attention to the fact that she is practically clinging to the Prime like a suckervine. She doesn't mind the close contact (after all, it's like touching Cybertron for her) but she does not know Rodimus well enough to know if he does mind, and so she makes to put a small distance between them. She'll still maintain contact with him, however, how depending on how he reacts to her withdrawal. He seems to be taking some solace at least from the contact, after all.
"Knowing what can disturb an entity like Unicron might give us insight on how to deal with your alternate," she shakes her head, "but that is entirely too risky for you. What do I need to be watching for, other than signs of depression and excessive self-doubt?"
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Sept 19, 2008 18:48:41 GMT -5
Rodimus doesn't want to be at the top of anyone's "People to take care of" list! He takes care of other people!
The Prime seems to take comfort from the contact, but he looks neither relieved nor disappointed when she withdraws. He smirks slightly at her question. "Well, green optics is never a good sign, but if things are at that point, we've already got trouble." He frowns and considers. "Depression, self-doubt... memory blanks. Waking up in odd places. Normally, I don't defrag well, but I don't sleep-walk, either."
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Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
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Post by Shanodin on Sept 19, 2008 19:58:15 GMT -5
Botanica settles back, now leaning against the boulder she'd been sitting on, though her hand returns to it's previous place on Rodimus' arm. She nods along with the listed points, committing them to memory. Once Rodimus is done, she asks, "And if I recommend that we make time periodically for you to check in with me? I know you can take care of yourself Rodimus," she hastily adds, trying to head off possible issues, "But it will make me feel better if I can have more than a mere passing assurance of your well-being."
She nibbles on her lower lip, then decides to voice a thought that has occurred, "If green optics are bad- if that fact carries over to your alternate, then red might not be the best fashion statement for you. If he thinks you're...weakening...might he be more likely to to try and take advantage of that? Or be ready to...do whatever was needed to capture Unicron in the first place?"
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Sept 19, 2008 21:24:23 GMT -5
"I will do what I can, but one thing I can't do is make promises about this," Rodimus answers Botanica's request that he check in. "I can't expect that I'll always have time." Also, this gives him wriggle room to get out of doctor's visits.
Then, Rodimus's optics widen and he smiles at her other suggestion. "Perhaps..." he says, tone thoughtful. Then he quirks a slight smile. "I wouldn't throw out the red just yet, but a green set to go with them..." He pauses and looks at Botanica. "Think you guys have time before we have to get started?"
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Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
|
Post by Shanodin on Sept 19, 2008 22:24:18 GMT -5
"I will make the time, and I'll do the job myself, rather than invite questions and speculations," she answers, smiling back.
Botanica withdraws her hand finally, twisting to look back over the lake. The day has been fair so far, but the wind is picking up, and the plants, the ones on the furthest edge of her awareness are expectant. Waiting.
"I think we may have rain headed this way, though it's still a ways off," she says, "Lovely." That last word comes out much happier than one might expect. She does enjoy a good rain.
"I don't expect you to make yourself available at the drop of a leaf, Rodimus. Just remember that you aren't completely alone with your-" Demons would be a bad choice of words, "Burdens anymore. Those of us that can will aid you as much as possible. Now," she turns back to the Prime, "Is there anything else I need to know regarding that topic, or the upcoming confrontation?"
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Sept 19, 2008 22:51:56 GMT -5
Rodimus smiles faintly and answers, tone firm, "Botanica. I was not alone before. But I thank you."
He gathers his feet beneath him and stands. "But no, I can't really think of anything else, and it's long past time I got back to work." For a moment, he lifts his head and looks up, towards the distant clouds. "Enjoy the rain, Botanica, but we need to be ready for the storm that follows." With that, he turns and begins to make his way back to the road.
OOC: Not out of thread yet, if there's any final comments.
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Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
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Post by Shanodin on Sept 19, 2008 23:12:25 GMT -5
A slight smile and nod are the only answers Rodimus gets before Botanica turns back to the lake. She won't linger long enough for the rain to reach her; after all, she likewise has much to do. But the rain will make the plants happy, and she'll enjoy the rain vicariously.
"Take care, Rodimus Prime."
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Sept 20, 2008 12:51:30 GMT -5
"I will, Botanica," the Sacrificed One answers, and he is out of sight.
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