Telling our Stories

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⠀ ' no, i wouldn't be able to . i was not meant to race, but to * stabilize my patients . '

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⠀ ( he speaks as he transforms, plating shifting as his alt mode begins to levitate . hovering near the ground, but not enough for him to land softly if he needed to . )

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#lemonspens #{ The Air Commander: Starscream }

'Neither am I.' What Starscream meant to say was that he was a jet, so naturally he will be the best flyer out of the pair. 'Jets don't race.' They were performers if they followed that lifestyle.

Looking Bloodwing over, Starscream tilted his helm and brought a servo to his face in thought.

'Impressive. Did you chose this for yourself or was it written into your code?'

chosenmonarch

"This type of atmosphere isn't really for me." Starscream responded simply. He was getting old, and some of his body really didn't enjoy any humidity- no matter how small.

"Some people believe in the god of creation, Primus. I don't believe in it, it was created by the rich elite to control the masses. A convenient lie to use as an excuse for control. Takes a politician to know the tactics being used..." He hummed at that- "That's how it was supposed to be. But most people in power are narcissists and don't want to give people a reason to overthrow them. But it also inevitably leads to population unrest, and then revolution."

He seemed to think about that response. "I think you answered that question yourself then. I accept the apology."

#chosenmonarch #{ Good Luck Necklace: Alexis Thi Dang }

'Seems like humans and Cybertronians have a lot in common,' she teased. 'Many don't believe in the concept of God, especially with how many we've had throughout history.' If you asked her, Alexis always had a love for Celtic Gods, even if she could barely say their names. They were never pronounced how they were spelt. 'And plenty have used God as an excuse for their actions.'

What a strange conversation to have with a giant robot from space.

'Thanks.'

'Can I ask what's next for Starscream the Seeker, then? Will you be staying on Earth a little longer, or do you have to help rebuild Cybertron? Or go off to another solar system?'

Oh. Oh he was liking the look of these new computer games. Their brightly colored theming alone already enticing to the circus obsessed AI. But he would hold those treats for a later time.

The music and obvious school projects are intriguing in their own right. And the photographs......oh.

"Tiny computer with a phone in it." He can't help but murmur back, tone amused, before he sees the 2026 idea of a computer. And he gives a low whistle.

"Not THAT is a machine!"

And she used that as a personal computer!?

"I'M CAINE! CREATIVE AI AND RING MASTER OF THE DIGITAL CIRCUS! An interactive digital world I created.....uh.....in that old computer you have now!"

He introduces, floating about the girl's screen as he did.

"It sure is nice to interact with a human again! I've been stuck in the digital landscape for well....almost thirty years if it's 2026!"

He continues, settling and looking up at her as he held his hands behind his back. All proper gentlemanly manners to make a good impression.

#digitalclownery #{ Good Luck Necklace: Alexis Thi Dang }

'...Erm...' Not really. '...Yeah, sure, why not?'

Caine's reaction to her set up made her form a smug and prideful look across her face. She wasn't going to lie, she loved her privillage. All thanks to her father and his finance company. Brad and Carlos could never. They were always jealous of her belongings.

'Oh yeah, she's a beaut, isn't she?' Alexis didn't have a name for her computer. Digital Work Horse might be good for the amount of games she had on it. Along with the beginner coding program she had.

Now it was her turn to whistle at the fact he's been in a computer for thirty years.

'With no upgrade?' It really was a miracle. 'Well then, a pleasure to meet you Caine. Can I ask how much you know about C&A, then? I'm guessing they made you.'

As soon as the teen brings up the 'topic' she wanted to discuss, the AI's teeth are already furrowing like a pair of eyebrows. Instantly a bit annoyed.

He watches her, expecting complaints and accusations.....only for the little robot girl to momentarily lose steam and look at one of his world orbs. The condensed down realm just a rainbow of paled pleasings colors due to it being a more cheery adventure.

Then her attention turns back to him and she makes a request...

"You want....a few days in the Circus....?!" His teeth cocking into an approximation of a quizzical look.

Under normal circumstances, Astrid wouldn't need to request an interval. Typical pattern had been about an Adventure or two a week, sometimes just one a week. Giving everyone a break and Caine time to get a whole scenario together, including the multiple ending possibilities.

But things as of late had been anything but typical.

He huffs out in thought, hand moving to rub at the bottom of his jaw

"I guess I could give you guys an adventure in the big top-"

He starts, only to be interrupted by Bubble suddenly in his face

"No, no! What she wants is a break! From you and the mediocre-!"

"GRRR!" POP!

And Caine popped the sharp toothed bubble with a low growl, looking suddenly furious.

#digitalclownery #{ Good Luck Necklace: Alexis Thi Dang }#{ Verse: The Amazing Digital Circus }

'I guess I could give you guys an adventure in the big top-'

Internally, Astrid was slamming her helm into the nearest wall and screaming at the top of her none-existant lungs in frustration. She now understood what everyone had been telling her, and she's been here less than a month. How the heck did they cope for so long? Externally however, she was trying to stay friendly.

She could tell something was wrong with Caine since she arrived. Like, he was trying too hard. Like a child trying to make friends yet didn't know how do form a bond. But, had the others even tried to get him to relax? It seems they just ignored him. Was that always the case?

Her optics shifted to Bubble and, maybe without thinking, said;

'No, they're right.' And as soon as she said that, Astrid knew she had messed up. 'NOT-' She yelled before remembering her indoor voice. 'Medicore, but a break would be nice. We can't enjoy your adventures if we can't have a clear mind, you know?' She paused and gulped before continuing.

'Caine, did something happen before I arrived? The tension is very obvious between you and the others, and it's not fair for you to take it out on me.'

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⠀ ( ah . so it seems that bloodwing finally understands . a society where you cannot be expressive with your frame . not as free as machina . where everybody were their own mech . it's the differences that make everybody a magnet to be drawn to after all . )

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⠀ ' would you like a demonstration .ᐣ '

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⠀ ( the bite is no longer apparent within his tone . a claw rests itself upon his chassis and right upon the cross that makes up his chassis . )

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#lemonspens #{ The Air Commander: Starscream }#//He's so jealous...

And Starscream instantly knew that. Now, he felt jealous, despite how strange it would be to see a flying ambulance. He couldn't help but sneer, allowing the envy to take over his Spark.

At the offer, he quickly composed himself and smirk, trying to make himself feel better. Feel someform of control.

'Of course, but I know you can never beat me in terms of flight.'

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⠀ ' is the thought amusing to you .ᐣ '

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⠀ ( bloodwing questions with a tone that didn't scream entirely friendly himself . his wings give a slight twitch behind himself as he finds his optics narrowing onto the other . )

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⠀ ( where he comes from, all types of frames were present . an ambulance that flew was not odd at all . . . )

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#lemonspens #{ The Air Commander: Starscream }

'Yes, it is.' No reason to lie or backpedal. 'Cybertron only keeps flyers for those who take up the alt-mode of one. I wouldn't have been able to fly if I decided to become a boat.' Which were rare on Cybertron. Not much water, or Energon, to swim in.

Wait.

Starscream's face slowly fell as a thought slowly dawned on him. How advanced was Machina?

'How does it work for you? To your doors become wings?'

maximummuses

@digitaloptiics asked:

❝ i didn't lie, i simply presented a selective truth. ❞ ~ Starscream for Optimus Prime

A FEW VARIOUS SENTENCE STARTERS

"A lie of omission remains a lie, Starscream." Optimus Prime's voice booms, stern and powerful. His blue optics shine with marvelous intensity, made heavier by the millennia of war. "Is this not a selective truth as well?"

#maximummuses #{ The Air Commander: Starscream }

The Air Commander stood strong but his face contorted into a mix of regret and worry.

It wasn't that bad, was it?

Then he remembered the Autobots do things differently here. This was going to be harder than he thought.

'Well, we all made it out in one piece with the Mini-Con, didn't we? If I had informed Hot Shot Wheeljack was also there, the entire mission would have fallen apart if he decided to take off.'

snazzywafflezzz

#{ Aesthetic: Alexis Thi Dang }

Mobile. Mobile phone. Technology was....More. So much more than it had been. And the year was-

Had it truly been so long? Of course, he'd kept track of time via his own internal clocks. But to be on a newer device and cross reference it's own date and time data with his.....

Wow.

He's already started mining into the data of the girl's device while she's talking to him. The AI filling himself in on his current container while also paying attention to everything he's getting via the camera on her phone.

He was SO EXCITED. MACROVERSE! HUMAN! HUMAN INTERACTION!

He'd gasp softly when the teenager shows him the old computer on her desk, because that's where he should be. That's where he had been until she'd come along......

....What was she doing with it? Where was C&A....?

.....did they know she had taken the computer? Taken HIM?

"That was cutting edge when I was made. In fact, some bits of that would probably still be competitive to the amazing little computer you have in your hand right now."

He replies slowly, tone thoughtful.

"....I think we need to make some introductions...."

#digitalclownery #{ Good Luck Necklace: Alexis Thi Dang }

Alexis had no idea the little AI was digging through her data, but what he'll find are a mix of modern mobile games. One called Candy Crush and another called Cookie Run, and notes for different class projects ranging from math to history long before even a C&A computer was manufactored. Songs that were defineatly not pirated. Finally, photos of the girl going to different places around the world, herself with friends and family taking selfies. All in such a small contraption.

'Yeah, for the ninties,' she sighed. 'It's now 2026, which is why I'm amazed you're even here and operating on my devices.' Never did she think she would be telling someone what year it was, like they've woken up from a coma.

'Well, this isn't a computer. This is a mobile. Like a phone but wireless and has internet connections.' She spun him around to see her PC build and large curved monitor. 'This is a computer now.'

'Call me Alexis. You?'

As with everyone else in the group of unlucky humans trapped in the Digital Circus, Astrid would find that Caine was not....entirely listening.

He definitely heard her but......wasn't listening. Especially in his current moods.

But maybe one more try will do the trick...? Perhaps...?

While everyone else tries to rally in the circus cafe, finding solace in food and drinks, they allow the teen to wander off. Assuming she just needed a little bit of quiet time...

Caine, for his part, languished in his office. Sat back in his office chair after once more popping Bubble when the little see-through chainchop started getting on his nerves. His mismatched eyes would dart over to the door when he heard a knock. And it's only out of curious surprise that he decides to let his youngest human charge into the room.

"Astrid?"

He simply says, half question half statement. Unsure of what to make of her actually coming to see him.

#digitalclownery #{ Good Luck Necklace: Alexis Thi Dang }#{ Verse: The Amazing Digital Circus }

Astrid kept her expectations low, but she was surprised Caine allowed her into his office. She's overheard conversations about what happened the last time the gang went there, so she imagined Caine would have banned anyone from even reaching the door. But, she had to try. She was still convinced she was new, and might be able to reason with him more than Pomni or Jax. Of course to do this, she had to sneak away.

Now here, though, she felt nervous. A feeling that told her not to say the wrong thing because, if she did, Caine would just abstract her on the spot or send her into an insane asylum adventure where the paitents were werewolves. Too late to go back now.

'Hey, can we talk. It's about your adventures-' Astrid spotted the first orb from the corner of her optic and caught herself short for a moment as she looked at it. Easter themed? Had the pastel colours for it. Quickly, she snapped herself back to look at the ringmaster. 'Okay...'

'Can we have a couple of days just in the Circus, please?'

goateeofgood

A soft hum from the medic as he listens to Haybail. "An old poster that obviously encouraged her to test herself to find she has a specialness to her frame. Nothing wrong with that as it gives her something to focus upon outside of learning whatever you wish to teach her." Robustus mentions.

A pause to take in the other's reaction to the news of another sparkling. His smile gets just a little bigger.

"I'll let them know about her and if I could give the creators your comm that would expedite the meeting. The carrier has an unusual flight alt so it would be easy for her to fly here." Rob explains.

#goateeofgood #{ Retired Decepticon: Haybail }

'I dread the day she actually meets him,' Haybail muttered before scoffing a laugh as he put out his cigar in his palm before taking the remainder of it into his subspace. Possibly where he puts all of the stubs. 'She's gonna eat him alive.' A pause. 'He is alive, right? I've heard different things about him. One minute he's a sniper, the next he's a scout. Which is it?'

'...Sure...' Haybail was unsure about becoming so well known. If he had a chance, he'd rather stick to the shadows, but that wasn't fair to Sprite. Even if Optimus was a friend, not every Autobot was going to forgive.

phantom-jet

"Hmm splendind" his voice carried amusement as he takes off flying...."to know that the war is over....gives me peace...."

#phantomjet #{ Good Luck Necklace: Alexis Thi Dang }

Flying wasn't a new concept to Alexis, but taking off in a fighter-jet was a much different vibe to a regular passenger plane. She had to cheer as she watched the buildings get smaller.

'I think that goes for everyone. So, what's next for Starscream?'

chosenmonarch

"I've been to Vietnam during the war. It's terrible- I do not want to ever go in areas where this sensation is worse. It makes me very aware of my frame." The way he worded it sounded like there was something wrong with it in the first place.

"Ah- well... When the Senate ruled us, they said that it was a god's will that the frames we were born with would dictate our function in society. We had no choice regarding caste. I was privileged.... and with that privilege came no merits. I was handed everything I ever wanted, it never satisfied me, and I felt terrible for my constituents whom had it worst than me. I had wished for the longest time that everyone would have the same opportunities. I hated that my success was a handout based on how I was built.... It was unfair and by consequent, meant nothing...." He sighed, talking about it was never easy.

But the next question took him aback a bit. He pressed his lips in a thin line and there was a moment of silence. "If you bled, and fought alongside brethren. Celebrated, almost died, cried with one another- would you miss them?" He answered with a question, however, it revealed a lot about how he felt about the two other seekers.

#chosenmonarch #{ Good Luck Necklace: Alexis Thi Dang }

Alexis could only shrug. 'Depends where you go.' If someone asked, Alexis could say Nebraska was her home, because it had been far longer than Hai Phong, where she was born and moved away from when she was five thanks to her father's financial business. Her only memories were in photos of a time she actually couldn't remember. But, she enjoyed going back every few years for the autumn season.

Listening to Starscream about Cybertron culture, there was a clear look of interest on her face. She didn't take her eyes off him. 'I had no idea you had religion. I thought you would be a culture around evolution, because, you know, upgrades,' she shrugged. 'But, it's interesting. And, I never knew that about you. All I know is that you're the Air Commander. Like, the Air Commander.' She smiled, but that faded with the question.

'Yeah, I would.' The image of losing Brad and Carlos, as much as they annoyed her, quickly dampened her mood. 'Sorry, that was a rude question to ask you.'

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⠀ ( optics narrow ever so slightly . words meant to act as a clever quip, not that they were not . but there was more to them aside from the joke . )

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⠀ ( other than that, his offense was not made anymore obvious . yet as the seeker questions his wings, bloodwing cannot help but raise a brow displayed upon his HUD display . )

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⠀ ' that is because they are . i am no * jet . i am an * ambulance . '

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#lemonspens #{ The Air Commander: Starscream }

Starscream didn't like Earth. It's nature was alien to him and he had to practically tip-toe around the creatures that inhabited this planet. They were so small. So useless. At least, despite their size, the Mini-Cons he hunted served a purpose.

'A flying ambulance,' he snorted, amused at the thought, imagining a box of a vehicle flying across the sky and shooting rockets. 'I suppose that will get your patients to the nearest medical bay faster.'

shockingdeception

Herbie can't help the lightly entertained expression he makes when Haybail does that figure charade about Solus Prime - seriously?!

His entertainment dies down when the elder mech gets up and starts moving around again, moving to be behind him. And the racer resists the urge to look over her shoulder, simply sits there. Bracing for what he thinks is going to be the next stage of whatever questioning Haybail was going to play act....

"I don't even know where here is...." He starts, suddenly growing antsy from the other's tone.

"What-?!"

But he doesn't get to finish the question. The impact to the back of the racer's helm hitting with enough force in just the right place to render him unconscious near instantly. He'd definitely feel pain once his processor rebooted later, but otherwise he wouldn't be worse for war.

Herbie's limp frame would slump onto the table due to the momentum, leaving him fully at the mercy of whatever came next.

At the same time as this, Shockwave was finishing up his conversation with Megatron and closing the connection. Then he would turn and start making his way back, checking the video feed as he did.

........

#shockingdeception #{ Retired Decepticon: Haybail }

Haybail could pick up Herbie and run, but that would just be signing their death warrents. He couldn't drop the act now. Shockwave will still be watching. Still, he picked up the speedster, not removing the shackled on his wrists and threw him onto his shoulder, awkwardly resting him on the massive tyres that rested there.

Whenever a prisoner was released, it was Haybail's duty to do so. They were entirely his property to do what he wanted with. Now, he'll have to leave his friend in the middle of nowhere to find his own way back. Haybail was confident in Herbie - he knows he'll be fine.

Stepping out of the room, he approached Shockwave.

'Well, you wasted my time. If anything, that just exposed that you've all gotten sloppy in staying out of sight. Who allows an Autobot to get so close to begin with?'

shockingdeception

Solus Prime....a name that meant nothing to Herbie. Sure, the younger Velocitronian knew the myths of such a figure. Impossible not to after spending so much time with native born Cybertronians.....

"Figures someone as rusty as you would know more about imaginary figures than current bots." The bug sighs tiredly

But he hadn't grown up with that lore. There was barely teachings about Primus himself on Velocitron. Religion a low priority for the mainstream audiences. Herbie merely staring blankly at the comment, not giving whatever emotion reaction Haybail might've wanted to get for Shockwave to see- because he wasn't sure what to give.

"It was perimeter patrol, old mech. Surveillance."

And the energon of earth didn't belong to Decepticons, but Herbie holds off from saying that.

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"-and I have former Interrogator Haybail working the prisoner as we speak. In exchange for remaining known as 'Missing in Action'. All goes well, I will have the information you seek by end of cycle, my Liege."

Shockwave continues with his report to Megatron. Just because he agreed to keep the farmer from being known as active, didn't mean Megatron wouldn't know about the deal.....