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Post by Jetfire (Ani) on May 11, 2009 14:07:25 GMT -5
Day 10. Open thread.
Jetfire marches determinedly through the tunnels of the Autobot base, intent on carrying out the orders he had been issued a short time before. Leave tunnels, head to given co-ordinates, patrol area, yes sir! It is a simple task, but it is still something for him to concentrate on, to keep his thoughts off other matters. Just go out and patrol by himself.
The young Autobot jerks to a halt, bracing a hand against the wall as he begins to tremble. He feels sick.
It is not the fact that he is on a strange planet that bothers him. Earth was just as strange, and he took arriving there in stride. The problem is not that he has apparently been transported to another universe, full of Transformers from various universes other than his own. That was all explained to him, and while he is still confused about the how and the why of it, he can accept that it has happened and that he is stuck here for now. No, what he is having difficulty accepting is that he is on another planet in another universe while his brother is not.
He and Jetstorm were always together, from the moment they had come online. They were almost always by each others' sides, and never so far apart that they could not easily reach each other. Only... not anymore. They have been separated, and Jetfire has no way to return to his twin. He is alone.
The shock and confusion of his arrival had kept him distracted before, but now the loss burns keenly within him, more painfully than any flame. Slumping against the wall, Jetfire covers his head with his arms and whimpers. "Brother..."
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Post by Clipper on May 11, 2009 15:53:09 GMT -5
"Ummm... hello?"
The voice is small and feminine, much like the hand now resting hesitantly upon Jetfire's thigh. A comforting touch from an equally small and feminine little Micromaster clad in shades of pink and white and sporting what appears to be fresh repairs and maybe even some fresh paint in places.
It's amazing how quiet and nondescript a wee little Micromaster can be when she wishes, even if she is bright pink.
"Are you all right?" Clipper asks gently, peering up at the lonely jet-twin worriedly. "I can go get someone for you, if you need help?" Holi would know what was wrong and how to fix it. Maybe she should call him, except that she doesn't want to impose and bother him while he is busy.
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Post by Jetfire (Ani) on May 11, 2009 17:50:29 GMT -5
"Ah!" Startled, Jetfire glances down between his arms at Clipper. "Oh, hello. I was not hearing you approach."
He drops one of his arms to his side, the other one moving to rub the back of his head, the jet-twin feeling a bit self-conscious in the face of this small gal's worry. "I am- I am in perfect operation," he reassures her, straightening up to stand at attention. He gives her a thumbs up and a big grin. "Okey for dokey!"
Only there's a tremor in his voice that suggests that he isn't as alright as he's trying to make Clipper think, and the false smile quickly drops from his face. He sighs and droops slightly, then admits with a pained voice, "I am missing my brother."
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Post by Clipper on May 11, 2009 18:38:24 GMT -5
Despite the size difference and the odd command of language, Clipper cannot help but immediately think of Holi when Jetfire attempts to pretend that everything is fine. From that quick moment of bashful discomfort at being caught out, to that quick snap to attention, to the quaver in that trying-to-be-brave voice, Jetfire reminds her strongly of her Holi right now.
Especially when he wilts so sadly.
"Brother?" she asks gently. The way Jetfire is drooping, she doesn't think that this "brother" is something so simple as the bond formed between members of a Patrol, like Holi with Fire and Boater and Pipo. Maybe similar - Holi certainly acts as if he considers his Patrol to be a family of sorts, despite their teasing - but maybe not, and she's never heard of anyone having real siblings before in her reality.
"No one I know has any siblings. I'm not sure it works that way in my reality," she explains, never having encountered any. "Can you tell me about him?"
Sometimes just being able to talk to someone helps. She hopes.
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Post by Jetfire (Ani) on May 11, 2009 19:18:32 GMT -5
Jetfire feels a spark of curiosity at Clipper's comment about siblings in her reality. The idea of not having a twin is alien to him, though he is aware that what he and his brother have is not common back home either. "It is not working this way much where I come from. Brother and I, we are being... 'split protoform'. Twins. Very rare."
"About Brother? He is... Jetstorm is..." Jetfire finds himself momentarily stumped, unsure of how exactly to describe his twin. "Well, he is being like me! Except in ways that he is not."
Rubbing his chin in thought, he continues, "He is being brave and cocky and fun, and thinking he is best." He grins slightly as he triggers his habit of mutual teasing. "And he is so ugly he is scaring away even bravest Autobot!"
Of course, the usual retort is not forthcoming, Jetstorm not being present to defend his honour by defaming his brother in turn, and Jetfire is left feeling rather ashamed for making the bad comment in the first place. Looking down at the floor, he mumbles, "That last part is not truthful."
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Post by Springer on May 11, 2009 19:31:34 GMT -5
Yep, patrol! Not one of the most glorious of duties, but being one of the Autobots capable of flight makes one a prime candidate for the outing.
As Springer strides through the hall, he encounters a small scene - Clipper and Jetfire. Two of the new folks, apparently arrived while he was out with Perceptor and Skyfire. At least, he knows Clipper did. Jetfire's a little fuzzy as to when he arrived. Springer doesn't think much of it, though. This place is rather crazy and hectic like that.
"Uh...hey, you the 'bot that was gonna be patrolling the north sector?" he asks, stopping in the tunnel with a headtilt. "What's the holdup?"
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Post by Clipper on May 11, 2009 22:39:51 GMT -5
Clipper listens to Jetfire's explanation intently, as much out of pure curiosity - and worry for how forlorn he'd seemed - as because the phrasing seems... awkward. Rather endearing, actually. Especially when Jetfire's enthusiasm peeks out, bleeding into his words and his expression, animating his features with obvious fondness.
The teasing, dropped in so casually, so easily, so normally, again reminds her so very much of Holi and his Rescue Patrol, (although, it should remind her much of herself, as well, though it doesn't). Only ones so familiar and close to one another would speak thusly, teasing in tones of obvious amusement, expecting a certain type, if not rote, response. And woe betide anyone else who tried to get away with even so much as teasing in the same manner, let alone criticising in earnest!
It is just that protective sort of sympathy that Jetfire awakens when he deflates again, refuting his own teasing words about his brother sadly.
And then Springer, king of tact and compassion that he is, opens his, in Clipper's opinion, big, fat yap-trap.
This is Clipper's scowly face that she directs at Springer, and if looks could kill - or at least kick right in the shins (about all she could really reach on the big Wrecker anyway) - then Springer would be hurting right about now.
"His name," she interjects before Jetfire can reply - in all her most stiff and affronted older-girl-dealing-with-young-boys manner, "is Jetfire. And I delayed him. He has been kind enough to tell me a little about his reality."
Which is true. She knows that siblings, while rare, actually exist in his reality now.
She would still like to kick the big green doofus right in the shin for being such an insensitive jerk, though. Except that that might get Holi in trouble, and, really, a proper young lady should not be so quick to lash out. Even at an insensitive jerk.
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Post by Jetfire (Ani) on May 12, 2009 9:32:15 GMT -5
Jetfire snaps to attention once more as Springer addresses him, even reflexively saluting. "Yes, sir! I was just going-"
He trails off, staring down at Clipper as she jumps to his defense. He had not been expecting that, especially since Springer was not even yelling or calling him bad names. He lets his arm drop back to his side, once again feeling surprised by the small, pink Autobot.
After she finishes speaking, he nods in affirmation. "I was telling of Br- of home reality, sir. But I will be heading out to complete duty now!" He pauses for a moment, then asks "Er, are you being 'sir', sir?"
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Post by Springer on May 12, 2009 16:36:59 GMT -5
Springer means no harm! Honest! And at Clipper's snippy bits, he raises his hands up in front of him. "Whoa, whoa, cool down there. I was just asking." Springer, luckily, is not Sentinel Prime. He doesn't do name calling and super-strict by the book stuff. Wreckers wrote the book on ignoring the other book!
Or...something.
Is Springer being 'sir'...? The Wrecker ponders a moment. This one has a bit of an odd vocal pattern. Is Jetfire asking for gender, or -- Oh! "Well, I'm not sure how I fit in rank around -here- yet, but back home, I held a decent bit of rank. Had my own squad and everything. However, you can just call me Springer."
The Wrecker drops down to one knee, with a faint bit of a smile on his face. "After all, in a situation like this, making a big deal about rank and file will just lead to disaster." He looks the begoggled 'bot over, and thinks for a bit. "I know a Jetfire back home, but he doesn't look or act a thing like you..."
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Post by Clipper on May 12, 2009 22:00:50 GMT -5
Clipper doesn't need to be a sibling to understand how much loneliness can hurt. Or that sometimes, it's nice just to have someone to talk to. Or that he wasn't slacking, like it sounded that Springer was hinting at.
Except that he wasn't. Oops. Holi will be mortified if he hears about this. "Oh. Well. Umm... I just didn't want Jetfire to be in trouble for taking time to talk to me," she temporizes. "Since I'm new here, and there is so much to learn about all these new dimensionsand the people from them. Like his twin brother." Whom he misses very, very much, so be nice, please, Mr. Springer, sir? At least that's the message that she hopes that her earnest expression is able to convey to the much larger Wrecker.
"Do you have siblings in your reality?" she asks, adding, "err... Springer?"
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Post by Jetfire (Ani) on May 12, 2009 22:22:04 GMT -5
Jetfire nods at Springer's explanation of his rank, and has to wonder why he is apparently not Springer Prime if he 'had his own squad and everything'. "Very impressive, Springer, sir!"
He looks faintly perturbed at the mention of another Jetfire. "There is other bot sharing name with me?" Well, he should not be too surprised, after all, Sentinel Prime did almost end up naming both he and his brother 'Jetfire'. And that would have two Jetfires in just one universe! But he does have a burning question about his alternate name-double. "This Jetfire... is he having a Jetstorm, also?"
He manages a small smile for Clipper. "I am thanking you for talking to me. Is very nice of you, and I am needing to learn many things, too."
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Post by Springer on May 13, 2009 0:10:23 GMT -5
Springer smiles at Clipper, shaking his head. "Don't worry about it. I know where you're coming from, heh."
At her question, he strokes his chin with one hand. "Siblings? I don't have any, personally... I know there's a pair, though. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. Seems kinda rare in my reality, too, as those are the only ones I know of, offhand..."
Then he turns his attention to Jetfire. "Yeah, if you've met Skyfire here, he looks kinda close to him. A real sciencey type. Though... no, he doesn't have a Jetstorm. Never met anyone with that name."
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Post by Clipper on May 14, 2009 22:34:44 GMT -5
Clipper smiles cheerfully up at Jetfire, head tilted prettily to one side. "It's my pleasure, Jetfire. Call me any time if you want to talk, please! Hearing about all of these different dimensions fascinates me, and I would love to hear more about your brother," she replies before turning her grin towards Springer.
"I just bet that you do, sir. Holi leads a group, himself, back in our dimension," she explains, and there is definitely pride in her tone. "He's the Captain of the Rescue Patrol, and I've gotten to watch him try to wrangle his Patrol a lot of times. It takes a special kind of 'Bot to be a good leader."
She listens attentively as Springer explains about his reality, siblings, and Jetfire. Wow. Maybe their dimension is weird for not having them? Or maybe she just hasn't run into any yet? She will have to look into it when they get back. Maybe the Governor would know? He is supposed to know everything about Micro to lead it efficiently, after all...
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Post by Jetfire (Ani) on May 15, 2009 9:52:16 GMT -5
Jetfire probably should not be surprised at the lack of a Jetstorm to accompany Springer's Jetfire, either, but he still finds himself jerking back slightly as though struck by the revelation. "He does not- but that- how can-!" He stops stuttering and shakes his head. "Never be minding."
He cannot imagine being alone, just being one instead of one of two, half of a pair, and he has trouble imagining that any sort of alternate him, no matter how different, could be separate. He also cannot help a small twinge of envy for his twin-less counterparts. Surely they would not hurt like he does right now.
Coming out of his melancholy thoughts, he offers Clipper another little grin. She is very nice, this little Autobot. "I would enjoy to speak to you again."
"I should probably make with patrol. I would not want to be making to anger commander-bots." He glances unenthusiastically but determinedly down the tunnel.
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Post by Springer on May 16, 2009 2:50:42 GMT -5
"Well, like I said, he's also nothing like you in terms of appearance. Jetfire-in-name-only, so to speak."
Wait'll they get an Armada Jetfire. That'll make some brains hurt. Combiney, but no brother!
He turns attention to Clipper, thinking a moment. "Holi...Holi. Oh, the other 'bot around here about your size, right? Blue and white?" he chuckles. "Enthusiastic little guy. Bet he's a fine captain."
Springer reaches over, slap-patting Jetfire on the shoulder. "Yeah, we should. I wouldn't be afraid of the 'bots in charge, m'self, but don't wanna draw their ire either way. If ya like, we can team up for the first leg of it."
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OOC: Touching of Jetfire can be revoked if not cool. Did this post at the wee hours and wanted to get it put up.
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