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Post by Perceptor on May 7, 2011 11:28:25 GMT -5
Week 2, day 1. Private thread.
Perceptor has been keeping himself rather more scarce than usual for the last several days. Other than his talk with Rodimus in Medical, Perceptor has been effectively hiding out in his lab, not even venturing out for recharge - which he has been getting. He's just been taking it in his lab, rather than impose upon his roommates. He... does not like bothering Firebolt and Dai-Janku ever since those two seemed to have come to some sort of intimate accord, and, really, it's easier for Perceptor to assume his alt mode on a workbench and take his required rest than it is to trudge all the way to his quarters.
Besides, the less he leaves his lab, the less likely it will be to have a repetition of that... unpleasantness in Medical with Drift. Perceptor really does not want to go through that ever again. Ever.
Bad enough to be accused of not having his patient's best interests at heart, but to further be accused of taking advantage of one? He is still embarrassed by the thought. Nauseated, even. It would be... unthinkable!
Except that Drift clearly had thought it.
Enough about that! To distract himself from the same thoughts that have been tumbling over and over in his processors, Perceptor fetches a tube of cyberflies that he's been breeding to keep Lawrence fed, and crosses over to the Morphobot's vivarium. At least Lawrence would never think such horrid things about him.
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Post by Drift on May 7, 2011 11:46:21 GMT -5
Drift has tried, in his inimitable stealthy self, to track Perceptor down. To, you know...explain things. NOT apologize. Because it's not his fault that Perceptor manipulated him. But he did feel, well, a little bad about that whole 'sent to the morgue' thing. He'd seen Perceptor's face and...winced.
But the nerd had not been in Medical. And after Drift had gone through all that trouble to pry up one of his handplates so he had a legitimate injury.
Which meant Drift had to track him down to his stupid lab. Bad idea to let the enemy pick the battlefield, but...he had no choice. SO. to the lab it was.
Drift hesitates inside the door of the lab. Everything in here looks...entirely breakable. And what didn't was probably toxic. He knows about scientists and their freaky experiments. Yeah he'll just stand over here.
"Hey."
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Post by Perceptor on May 7, 2011 12:08:45 GMT -5
Manipulated? Putting up with all the antisocial foibles and foul temper just to make sure Drift had been in the best condition that Perceptor could provide had been manipulating the swordsmech?
It's probably a good thing that Perceptor is not privy to that particular train of Drift's thoughts, unless Drift particularly enjoys being bodily thrown out of a room. Of course, it's Drift. He might actually enjoy something like that.
That voice. Perceptor stiffens as if shot, but staunchly refuses to turn and look as he carefully coaxes a few cyberflies out of the breeding tube and into Lawrence's vivarium. So many responses to that inquiry surface in his head, each of them a tiny, but satisfying, little barb to be flung at the white mech. I would have thought that you would wish to maintain some distance from your assailant. Come to gloat? Looking for someone to abuse again? You did not inflict enough pain yet, so now you wish to complete your task? Next time, please use your swords; at least it will be over quickly then.
Ah, but all of those would merely pick a fight, and the satisfaction would be petty and rather short-lived. Instead, as he secures the cap on the tube once again, he merely asks, "What is it that you require, Drift?"
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Post by Drift on May 7, 2011 12:18:03 GMT -5
Uhhh, okay. This is not going well. Frag. Perceptor won't even turn to look at him, and there's a huge part of Drift howling at the insult--his enemy turning his back to him.
No. Not his enemy. That's the whole reason you're here, dimbulb. You need...someone on your side. What had Kup called them? Friends? Allies? Whatever. You need someone who can maybe explain things.
But of course he can't say any of that weak slag.
"Just...uh...wanted to...." Frag. "Check on you? You seemed kind of upset." There. that sounded neutral, right? Never mind that he was completely eliding why Perceptor was upset to begin with. That was just...masterful rhetoric.
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Post by Perceptor on May 7, 2011 12:31:51 GMT -5
Of all the things that Perceptor had been expecting to hear Drift say, the idea of the surly swordsmech being concerned about him had not even managed to place upon that list. Perceptor had, in fact, doubted that Drift would ever want to see him again, unless it was to gloat.
And now he feels guilty for even thinking such a thing.
But, still! "You accused me of taking advantage of you," he replies stiffly as he turns to fix Drift with an incredulous look. "Why wouldn't I be upset?" To say nothing of the hours spent in the morgue afterward, Hound's dead optics staring accusingly, surrounded by bins of parts and pieces that Perceptor could never quite forget had been living mechs once. Mechs whom he had failed to save, never mind that most of them here had arrived already deceased. He still counted it as a failure.
Not that he could ever make himself admit as much to Drift, though.
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Post by Drift on May 7, 2011 13:25:11 GMT -5
Well. Yes. There was that. If Perceptor wanted to use like...logic and such. However, that would make Drift wrong.
"All I said was...you know." Well, no. Apparently not. "I mean, that you. And Mirage. And then you...being nice to me and..."
And see? Look at those dots. Just look at them.
Please look at the dots while Drift just sort of writhes in discomfort about even being that open.
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Post by Perceptor on May 7, 2011 14:16:50 GMT -5
Wait. All of that... just because Perceptor was... nice? Wait further still... Even Drift thought he was being nice, rather than prying or annoying? And is Drift implying that he had been mostly upset that Mirage's smart-aft remark seemed to indicate that Perceptor was being nice because he expected some sort of reciprocation? Really That has got to be the absolutely most stupid-- Horribly logical thing that Perceptor has ever heard. Perceptor turns with a sigh to lean against the table that Lawrence's vivarium rests upon, burying his face in one palm. When he finally looks up toward Drift for a moment, he finds himself quickly crossing his arms and staring down at his feet. It's... hard to look Drift in the optic - or as near as Drift will allow - while knowing that Drift... had expected that from him. "I am not a Decepticon, Drift," he offers softly. "I do not... Beyond the simple fact of it being part of my duties here, to care for the well-being of all of us, I do not expect any sort of... of reciprocity or payment. We... I do not function in such a manner. It... pleases me to be able to assist my comrades and my friends." A proverbial olive branch extended to Drift; which will he accept? Merely being another Autobot among many? Or will he accept that oblique offer of friendship? "As for Mirage..." Perceptor sighs again. "Mirage is my friend as well, but he can still be an ass. A well meaning ass, and occasionally a bit of a snob - and I will say as much to his face, and have - but I am certain that he meant you no insult. He was teasing me, because..." Perceptor shrugs; he's got perilously little dignity left anyway, by now. May as well lay his whole hand out on the table. "Because he knows that no one ever sees me in that light anyway. It would be teasing, and not truth." Yup, not only a nerd, but a nerd alone. Time for a subject change. "Your hand is damaged."
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Post by Drift on May 7, 2011 16:15:25 GMT -5
"I...uh...NO!" Drift rocks back, his shoulder slamming into the doorframe. He hadn't thought Perceptor was going to try to...well...that. "Not like that or anything. Not like...payment."
He suddenly finds that...whattheHELListhat in the tank thing endlessly fascinating. He'd thought Perceptor was interested...in him. Which happened apparently as rarely as a comet or, a nerd getting laid. Or a nerd getting laid on a comet.
He'd like to just change his previous answer to 'no', please?
"Don't have to explain your friends to me. Not my business." Though why Perceptor would choose to be friends with someone who would make such a 'joke' kind of confuses him. Must be how Autobots work. Their version of 'keep your enemies closer.' "Wasn't very funny."
And Drift tucks his hand behind his back. "It's....uh, it's nothing." Oh Primus do NOT ask how it happened.
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Post by Perceptor on May 7, 2011 16:49:44 GMT -5
Why would Perceptor choose to be friends with someone like that? Sort of like asking why he'd bother trying to make friends with a hyper-violent, brusque, thickheaded ex-Decepticon, hm? Besides, Mirage may be an ass sometimes, but he really is a good mech at heart, just like how Perceptor has it stuck in his head that Drift must be a good mech under all that... bluster.
Bad guys don't see the error of their ways and switch sides, after all.
And maybe Perceptor might have been interested in Drift. The rebuild alone is fascinating enough, much less what little of Drift's history Perceptor knows now. And.... yes, the swordsmech is handsome. Perceptor is honest enough with himself to be able to admit that there had been a tiny bit more than mere professional curiosity about that reconfiguration of Drift's.
Being accused of taking advantage of Drift, though, had really put the brakes on that whole tangent of interest.
"Not like payment?" Perceptor frowns, confused. If it hadn't been that, then what had Drift been so upset about? It had just been Mirage teasing him, really, and Drift had seemed so much more relaxed just before and--
Could Drift really....
No. That? Clearly is madness. Perceptor shakes his head and motions for Drift to approach one of the workbenches where Perceptor already has tools set out.
"It is your business when said individual acts or speaks in a manner which could be construed as derogatory toward you. It wasn't mean to be; more aimed at me. Now, that is not 'nothing', and you are already here. You may as well allow me to repair it before it worsens."
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Post by Drift on May 7, 2011 17:04:50 GMT -5
ASDSGSDFSG!!! Why did Perceptor have to pick up on that phrase? Really?
Damn perspicacious nerds.
Drift is just going to have a sudden and very noisy vocalizer malfunction. One that will hopefully distract Perceptor from following that line of thought anymore. Because if this goes on much longer, Perceptor's going to have to deal with trying to repair Drift's broken brain.
And dignity.
He vents a frustrated sigh. There's no way he's getting out of here without Perceptor looking at his hand, so he shuffles forward, optics darting from side to side, begrudgingly slapping his hand on the workbench. "Accident," he says, firmly. Heading that little train of thought off at the pass. He hopes.
He opens his sensor span: Mirage may very well be in here right now. He's not getting caught that vulnerable again.
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Post by Perceptor on May 7, 2011 17:22:48 GMT -5
Perceptor... had been expecting more of a fight, really. This is nearly painless capitulation, compared to his previous dealings with Drift. He manages to stifle his thoughtful frown, though, and merely nods as he examines the damage.
Nothing more serious than a single armor plate that's been pried away from its mounting. Probably caught it on something... or... Well... Hm. If Perceptor didn't know better, at that angle, it almost looks... self-inflicted.
Now that would be terribly silly! Perceptor would laugh at himself as he gathers up his tools and begins to carefully work the rest of that plate free to repair the mounting brackets. So very silly. Why would Drift need to inflict damage on himself? Doing so would virtually guarantee that he would need to be seen in Medical again, sooner rather than the later which he'd clearly seemed to prefer before! That is as preposterous as... as...
He pauses, staring down through the thin gap upon Drift's hand that his tools are inserted into for a moment as his mouth bypasses his internal filter and asks the question he'd already brushed off several times.
"Drift? Were you... jealous of Mirage?"
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Post by Drift on May 7, 2011 17:31:16 GMT -5
Perceptor might be less startled at Drift's capitulation if he remembered that Long Haul had been left in charge of the rest of Drift's physical. Which had been thorough. And surly.
Drift watches nervously as Perceptor starts probing into the prised up plate. Because it would be totally, TOTALLY stupid for a mech to, you know, injure himself. That would be crazy. Or emo.
And Drift is neither.
"I..WHAT? Jealous? Of Mirage?" He gives a loud snort. "Ridiculous." He looks around the room, pitching his voice extra loud in case the aristocrat was floating around somewhere with his freaky superpower. He gives a loud laugh. "Who would be jealous of Mirage? Fragger nearly got turned into cowardslaw by Barricade."
There. If Mirage were around? That would draw him out, for sure.
And either way, hopefully move this conversation into less mortifying territory.
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Post by Perceptor on May 7, 2011 18:00:25 GMT -5
Which is why it would make even less sense for Drift to injure himself, because, eventually, someone would have sent Drift to Medical. And if Perceptor had still been hiding (from Drift, ironically enough), then it would be Long Haul or Swerve who would be on hand to make the repair. Otherwise, it would be Perceptor, himself, the one whom Drift had registered the complaint against in the first place.
So Grumpy, Grumpier, or Grabby. And Drift hadn't, to Perceptor's knowledge, turned up looking for Long Haul or Swerve, but for him.
And if that is not a case right there of doth protesting too much? Perceptor will share Lawrence's dinner.
"Hm. Really." The plate finally is worked free and set aside as Perceptor bends over the abused mounting bracket. "It is cowardly to be rendered unconscious by one's foe?"
Meanwhile, Perceptor's thoughts are nowhere near as cool and collected as his outward appearance would suggest. Jealous of Mirage? For being able to tease? Me? But Drift does not even like me! I am merely a shadow of some self-imposed duty! At least, I... I think that is the case? Isn't it?
"You do not need to be so... abrasive all the time, Drift," Perceptor murmurs softly as he coaxes the mounts back into their proper alignment. "No one here will think you weak or soft for... for being an Autobot." He straightens, picking up that armor plate as he meets Drift's glare for a moment, before shifting his attention to the Autobot symbols on the swordsmech's shoulders. "You are one of us, and we stand with our own. You do not need to prove anything, Drift."
"Not to me, at least?"
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Post by Drift on May 7, 2011 18:50:47 GMT -5
"It's stupid to go up against an enemy when you're so slaggin' underpowered," Drift retorts. And yeah, some of that's for you, nerd. Leave the fighting to the fighters. He doesn't try to muscle his way into nerding, for frag's sake.
"Not trying to be abrasive or anything." He watches the larger hands move surely, almost delicately, over his own for the repair. "But don't try and sell me everyone here's my 'friend.' Your 'friend' Mirage, for one."
Because that was at best--at best--a dirty trick the aristocrat had pulled. Even if it was more about Perceptor than Drift.
But Perceptor's last words stagger him into silence. "I...uh." His hand squirms, uncomfortably. "Yeah. You too."
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Post by Perceptor on May 7, 2011 19:25:28 GMT -5
Perceptor sees what you did there.
"I will be certain to instruct the next Decepticon who attacks to kindly wait for you to arrive to save me before actually attacking," Perceptor replies wryly, softening his teasing words with a grin. Then he continues with a conciliatory gesture, "You do make an excellent point, Drift, but the fact remains that we are not always able to select the location or opponents of our preference. Not without abandoning our fellows. We must sometimes do what we can with what we have."
Perceptor tilts his head, regarding Drift for a moment before concentrating his attention on the plate to save Drift his further scrutiny. "And, while Mirage may not possess your elevated level of skill in melee combat - truth be told, I'm hard pressed to think of any who do - he is a skilled warrior in his own right. One who will step forward to back you up should ever the situation require it, regardless of the lack of friendship between you." Mirage is, after all, still Perceptor's friend, too, and is not here to defend his honor. Hopefully Drift will understand that; Perceptor will no more passively allow anyone to demean Drift's abilities than he will allow Drift to do so to Mirage's.
"And I did not say that everyone here is your 'friend', Drift. I said that we are all Autobots, and will stand with you, as you stood with us. They do not require friendship as some coin to barter for support. " Perceptor dares a glance back up and offers a small, shy smile. "Nor do I, though it is my pleasure to offer it."
He would add something about being honored if Drift would accept his friendship, but... it seems that, perhaps, Drift already has?
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