M8-TE's crib

[soundless-surveillance]

:: Soundwave, sir? :: was the tentative message sent. M8-TE slid his claws together, tilting his head. While he had grown comfortable with Soundwave the past months, never had he dared to send the first message. But the Commander had been so silent lately, and so M8-TE found himself trying to be a little braver. :: May I visit ya, sir Soundwave? ::

Oh. Well. Maybe Soundwave should have seen this coming, but honestly, he hadn’t expected it. He hadn’t talked to M8-TE since Megatron returned and he’d broken things off with Tarn, had honestly more or less forgotten about the drone in all the hurt he’d felt. He hadn’t thought M8-TE would contact him. And he had no idea what to even reply.

Or, well. He had. Because visiting right now? Was a bad idea. Soundwave wasn’t sure he could keep his promise about not allowing harm to come to the drone.

::Nemesis: not secure. Statement: not safe for M8-TE to visit.::

[m8-te]

Oh.

How could it not be secure on the Nemesis? Was it not Soundwave’s stronghold, so to speak? Still, it was not M8-TE’s place to question. The drone considerd his reply, glancing around. Tremblebit was giggling in a corner, playing some kind of game. It would be easy to get Soundwave over- to drag him out on a walk or flight.

::Would ya like to visit me, sir?:: M8-TE asked, sending the coordinates just in case, ::It is peaceful here. If ya wish, of course, I- I can’t order ya, sir.:: 

[m8-te]

OOC

*looks around* wow this been a long time. Guess I’ll start slow and pretend I haven’t been gone for months <_<; 

[soundless-surveillance]

When you were young

[m8-te]

soundless-surveillance :

m8-te :

[x]

If M8-TE had looked excited before, he looked ecstatic now.

“I would love to, sir!” he said, actually bouncing closer. “Are ya sure, sir? What kinda fightin’? Are weapons allowed? Can we fly too or just ground? Oh, this! This will be fun, it’s been so long since I really sparred.”

M8-TE was practically squirming with excitement, visor bright, wings held high and flicking not unlike how a dog wagged its tail.

Well. Soundwave hadn’t expected a reaction quite that… eager. It was rather endearing, and extremely refreshing. Soundwave would never dream of suggesting sparring to any of the Eradicons in his own ‘Verse, they would be terrified. He was used to only training with his lord, and since they both had busy schedules, sparring didn’t happen as often as he’d like.

“Suggestion: hand to hand combat, only blades allowed, no flight. Rules: first drop of energon drawn gives point. M8-TE: think it sounds agreeable, have anything he might wish to add?”

The drone shook his head, bouncing on his heels.

“No, sir, I think it sounds good. Can we go now? Right now? Sir?” he asked, peeking around Soundwave, as if the training room would show up out of nowhere. 

[empyreansuite]

Hazing

[m8-te]

… What. The comm instantly confused Soundwave. Tarn wanted to talk to M8-TE? But… why? He didn’t see what interest M8-TE could possibly hold to the Commandant of the DJD, the drone wasn’t a traitor. It hardly mattered, though. M8-TE sounded absolutely terrified, and Soundwave reacted automatically, zeroing in on the other’s frequency and opening a bridge to his position.

Only to have his confusion increase when he stepped through it. He was hardly surprised to see that Tarn had an arm around M8-TE - the tank was touchy, after all. He didn’t like the sight of the scratches Tarn’s claws had left behind, though. That earned Tarn a very disapproving stare, Soundwave tilting his helm to one side while pondering where he should even begin addressing this strange situation.

“Query: what exactly is Soundwave even looking at?”

“Yes. He is mine.” Tarn was about to continue growling some more when he caught the telltale flash of a space bridge from the corner of his optic.

Soundwave. Had M8-Te…?

“A simple conversation,” Tarn answered before M8-TE could even begin to speak. “I had encountered this….fascinating little fellow and since I didn’t recognize him, thought it would be prudent to know who he was. Imagine my surprise when it turned out he knew you. Why didn’t you introduce me to your little….friend?”

Tarn sad friend the way other people might’ve said venereal disease or cosmic rust. His servos left M8-TE to instead lay on Soundwave’s shoulder.

M8-TE hardly listened to Tarn’s silky voice; no, the drone was far more focused on getting away from the mech as quickly as possible. Which was why, the moment Tarn let go, that the drone immediately hurried to stand behind Soundwave.

If they truly were courting, then surely Soundwave would be able to keep the scary mech from hurting M8-TE? That, or he would possibly leave M8-TE to his fate, but the flier rather hoped the superior mech was not so cruel.

So M8-TE ducked behind Soundwave and slid his claws nervously together, not daring to speak up just yet in fear of attracting Tarn’s attention once more.

Best to lay low for now, hiding behind Soundwave, wings lowered and head tilted as he nervously listened. 

[empyreansuite]

Hazing

[m8-te]

empyreansuite :

m8-te :

M8-TE followed without resistance, but his frame was stiff as one could be. His visor was an odd mix of sick purple and alarmed red, but still M8-TE obeyed the stranger.

“I…. I t-think we were s-supposed to find more earth s-specimen, sir,” the drone stuttered the explanation, silently grateful he was not tripping over his own pedes. His walk was far from graceful, impossible to make it so with claws creating pinpricks of pain into his armor. “I ain’t s-sure, sir.”

Then the second question. M8-TE slid his claws together once more, EM fields held tight to his own frame, fearful and wary.

“N-No, sir, I do not- do not believe I’ve seen ya before, sir.” 

“I am Tarn. And I am courting Soundwave.” His claws dug, leaving faint scratches. “Perhaps you can understand why I’m so…involved in his affairs. That is an interesting story about Earth specimens. Do tell me more.”

“Don’t stutter. Surely you are capable of mere conversation, M8-TE. Such behavior is so unseemly. Do you stutter like this around Soundwave, or am I just special?”

The drone was startled by this information, rearing his head back to stare up at Tarn in shock- only to flinch as the claws dug into his armor. M8-TE hurriedly averted his gaze, visor white with shock, green bursts of confusion appearing amongst the white. 

“Ya c-courtin’ sir S-Soundwave?” he asked, unable to hide that shock, the pure surprise. His spark felt like it had been squeezed, but M8-TE did not linger on why. 

Soundwave had never mentioned this. And as M8-TE tried to place the designation, he remembered Cleves’ words. Suddenly Tarn was all the more terrifying, if this was the Tarn that Cleverbot had mentioned. The DJD one, the one who tortured mechs that did not follow his belief. M8-TE clasped his servos together to hide the trembles.

“I a-apologize, s-sir, I- I s-stutter when... anxious, s-sir, I’m- I apologize,” he stuttered, and before M8-TE could change his mind he sent out a frantic comm’ towards @soundless-surveillance

::Sir, ya f-f-fiance? Tarn? W-Wants to talk to me, sir, is- I’m not sure-:: he sent, the message garbled from his terror, but if anyone could understand then surely it was Sir Soundwave. ::What am I s-supposed to do, sir?:: 

He hoped Tarn would not offline him before Soundwave replied. 

[adirtylambandapsychiatrist-deac]

Following rp blogs with muses you're dying to rp with but are too afraid to send an ask or anything because you fear rejection

Originally posted by agent1firevolt

[empyreansuite]

Hazing

[m8-te]

M8-TE stared at the mech, speechless with fear. He stood completely frozen, for a moment unable to even think as his wings trembled. But finally his processor seemed to reboot, and with an effort M8-TE spoke up.

“S-Sir Soundwave w-wished for me to… to accompany h-him on a t-trip to… to the A-African continent,” he stuttered, “I- w-with all due r-respect, sir, I, I would- I must tell m-my superior o-officer if… if I can’t make it, an’…” he shuffled his pedes, not daring to step away, but trying his best to not squirm. “An’ e-explain why, sir. D-Doin’ otherwise would… be, be p-punishable, sir.”

Even if Soundwave was not truly his superior, the mech never the less had power over M8-TE. On top of that, the drone considered Soundwave nearly a friend, and losing that odd relationship to this scary mech from out of nowhere, did not sit right with the drone. 

Still, he dared not even message Soundwave without permission; the mech before him oozed with danger, and M8-TE would rather stay alive for as long as possible.

[empyreansuite]

“I assure you that Soundwave will understand if I explain,” Tarn’s servo shot out and snagged the mech around the back - his thumb digging into the base of his neck and the rest of his claws scratching the base of his wings to keep him from getting any ideas. “A trip to the African continent? How interesting. You will have to tell me all about it - in fact, I insist, M8-TE.”

Tarn began to drag the mech away from wherever he’d been trying to go. A nice walk through the corridors would have to do serve.

With his claws still threatening to rip into M8-TE’s plating if he struggled, Tarn hummed. “Do you know who I am?” he asked lightly.

[m8-te]

M8-TE followed without resistance, but his frame was stiff as one could be. His visor was an odd mix of sick purple and alarmed red, but still M8-TE obeyed the stranger.

“I.... I t-think we were s-supposed to find more earth s-specimen, sir,” the drone stuttered the explanation, silently grateful he was not tripping over his own pedes. His walk was far from graceful, impossible to make it so with claws creating pinpricks of pain into his armor. “I ain’t s-sure, sir.”

Then the second question. M8-TE slid his claws together once more, EM fields held tight to his own frame, fearful and wary.

“N-No, sir, I do not- do not believe I’ve seen ya before, sir.” 

[m8-te]

Pascal

One of the miners, Pascal has been given permission to scout out a possible energon source. M8-TE will of course accompany him.

Usually Pascal likes the company of his ‘cousin’ , but for now he is filled with jealousy. Why can’t he, who loves flowers, wear an indestructible flowercrown? It’s just not fair.

For now, Pascal with huff and walk around with scanning equipment, now and then eyeing M8-TE. He would have pouted if he could, but Pascal is forever stuck flowercrown-less.

At least he has this one nice gif of a rose blooming.

[soundless-surveillance]

Waterline

[m8-te]

M8-TE flicked his wings up, happy that she had liked the compliment. A giggle escaped at the smiley, and M8-TE’s visor lingered on gold even after he stopped.

“I, yes, sir, I knew there were different kinds. I’m just- we both got the same, I think? N-Not just color, but I ain’t sure. I ain’t Pascal, sir,” he admitted, fiddling with the petals once more as he shuffled his pedes. “D-Do ya know anyone else who has ‘em?” 

[soundless-surveillance]

Huh. It would seem M8-TE was right. Bending at the waist, Soundwave leaned down to examine the flowers adorning the drone’s helm, visor tilting a little to one side. How odd.

“Speculation: perhaps these are thought to be exceptionally humiliating? Or exceptionally cute. Negative: Soundwave has not encountered others suffering same magical inconvenience.”

That might have something to do with the fact that Soundwave wasn’t very keen on encountering anyone with this thing stuck to his head. It was completely and utterly ridiculous and he didn’t need anyone seeing him, thank you very much.

[m8-te]

The drone stilled, surprised by the sudden closeness. 

His visor grew a rosy pink, and he nervously looked away as Soundwave examined the flowers. M8-TE’s wings did little flicks, but other than that he did not move.

“T-That might be possible, sir,” he agreed, feeling oddly shy all of a sudden. And very, very aware of the closeness and the smattering of biolights, now clearly seen when Laserbeak wasn’t currently docked. “b-but the ones Lady Laserbeak a-are wearing are very, ah, cute, as w-well.”

He paused awkwardly, before hurrying to add;

“N-Not that ya look cute, s-sir, no, I mean, ya look- ya look terrifying! Sir. Of course.”

M8-TE winced at his own words. 

[empyreansuite]

Hazing

[m8-te]

M8-TE shrank, visor flickering between colors before it settled on an alarmed red.

“D-designation M8-TE,” he squeaked out, wings as low as they could go. “Tactical military flier. Uh, r-rank as s-specialist. I’m- sir Soundwave w-wished to see me, sir,” the drone managed to stutter, claws sliding together as he tried his best to keep it even a little together.

[empyreansuite]

“Soundwave? What were you going to do with him?” Was that a surge of jealousy? Tarn stepped closer, intruding into the little flier’s space until there was only inches between M8-Te’s face and his mask. Tarn’s engine growled as he flared his plating, utterly shadowing the the smaller mech.

“How interesting. I think this warrants a closer discussion. You will have to postpone your conversation, since you have much more pressing matters at hand here.”

[m8-te]

M8-TE stared at the mech, speechless with fear. He stood completely frozen, for a moment unable to even think as his wings trembled. But finally his processor seemed to reboot, and with an effort M8-TE spoke up.

“S-Sir Soundwave w-wished for me to... to accompany h-him on a t-trip to... to the A-African continent,” he stuttered, “I- w-with all due r-respect, sir, I, I would- I must tell m-my superior o-officer if... if I can’t make it, an’...” he shuffled his pedes, not daring to step away, but trying his best to not squirm. “An’ e-explain why, sir. D-Doin’ otherwise would... be, be p-punishable, sir.”

Even if Soundwave was not truly his superior, the mech never the less had power over M8-TE. On top of that, the drone considered Soundwave nearly a friend, and losing that odd relationship to this scary mech from out of nowhere, did not sit right with the drone. 

Still, he dared not even message Soundwave without permission; the mech before him oozed with danger, and M8-TE would rather stay alive for as long as possible.

[empyreansuite]

Hazing

[m8-te]

The drone jumped, visor going white with shock as he whirled around. But the voice demanded obedience, and so M8-TE nervously made his way over to the stranger- while wondering why this always happened when he was visiting Soundwave. First Lord Megatron, and now this scary, strange mech he had never seen. 

“Y-Yes, sir?” he asked, coming to a stop a respectable distance. The wings were held low, showing submission. 

[empyreansuite]

“You. I don’t recognize you.” Tarn bent down so he could get a closer look at the drone. His features were subtly different from what he was used to seeing and it made him suspicious.

“Designation. Function. Rank. Purpose of your visit. Now!”

[m8-te]

M8-TE shrank, visor flickering between colors before it settled on an alarmed red.

“D-designation M8-TE,” he squeaked out, wings as low as they could go. “Tactical military flier. Uh, r-rank as s-specialist. I’m- sir Soundwave w-wished to see me, sir,” the drone managed to stutter, claws sliding together as he tried his best to keep it even a little together.

[soundless-surveillance]

Waterline

[m8-te]

A startled laugh escaped him at the dramatic shudder, and M8-TE covered his slit with one servo, shoulders trembling for a brief moment before he wrestled the laughter back down. Still, his visor was cheerfull and flashing between colors in amusement.

“Sorry, sir,” he apologized, shuffling his pedes a bit but the amusement lingered in his voice. Then the drone turned his attention towards Laserbeak, tilting his wings up a bit.

“Ya look very pretty, lady Laserbeak,” he told her, sliding his claws together briefly. “… I didn’t know they came in different colors,” M8-TE added, touching his pink flowers as he looked at her white ones. Wondered why he and Soundwave matched. 

[soundless-surveillance]

“Laserbeak: wishes Soundwave to convey her appreciation for the compliment, and to add she thinks M8-TE looks pretty, as well.”

Rather happy with himself, Soundwave flashed M8-TE a smiley, letting the image linger on his screen for a few moments. He felt accomplished in having dispersed any tension which might have remained lingering after he accidentally upset M8-TE.

“Statement: Earth flora comes in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Speculation: pink has likely been chosen because it is the most humiliating. Laserbeak: got lucky.”

[m8-te]

M8-TE flicked his wings up, happy that she had liked the compliment. A giggle escaped at the smiley, and M8-TE’s visor lingered on gold even after he stopped.

“I, yes, sir, I knew there were different kinds. I’m just- we both got the same, I think? N-Not just color, but I ain’t sure. I ain’t Pascal, sir,” he admitted, fiddling with the petals once more as he shuffled his pedes. “D-Do ya know anyone else who has ‘em?” 

[empyreansuite]

Hazing

[m8-te]

empyreansuite :

starter for @m8-te

“You there!” A harsh order, full of authority and the expectation of being obeyed. “Come here.”

The drone jumped, visor going white with shock as he whirled around. But the voice demanded obedience, and so M8-TE nervously made his way over to the stranger- while wondering why this always happened when he was visiting Soundwave. First Lord Megatron, and now this scary, strange mech he had never seen. 

“Y-Yes, sir?” he asked, coming to a stop a respectable distance. The wings were held low, showing submission. 

[soundless-surveillance]

Waterline

[m8-te]

M8-TE perked up at that, visor turning into a curious light blue.

“She got the flowers too?” he asked, daring to take a step closer. Then he stopped, and M8-TE tilted his head in confusion. “How does that work when- when she’s- ya know?” 

[soundless-surveillance]

“Affirmative.”

From his chest, Laserbeak undocked, her wing planes re-folding as she dropped into a low swoop before circling M8-TE once. True enough, she was sporting her own little flower crown, and in contrast to Soundwave, she seemed perfectly content with it, happily chittering a few singing notes.

Soundwave watched her with poorly hidden fondness, offering up his arm for her to land on. When she did, he carefully stroked her back, making a show out of shuddering so M8-TE would be able to understand his body language. In this case, he was expressing disgust.

“Docked? Soundwave: does not know. Statement: no longer sure he wishes to know.”

[m8-te]

A startled laugh escaped him at the dramatic shudder, and M8-TE covered his slit with one servo, shoulders trembling for a brief moment before he wrestled the laughter back down. Still, his visor was cheerfull and flashing between colors in amusement.

“Sorry, sir,” he apologized, shuffling his pedes a bit but the amusement lingered in his voice. Then the drone turned his attention towards Laserbeak, tilting his wings up a bit.

“Ya look very pretty, lady Laserbeak,” he told her, sliding his claws together briefly. “... I didn’t know they came in different colors,” M8-TE added, touching his pink flowers as he looked at her white ones. Wondered why he and Soundwave matched. 

[m8-te]

*leans on*

*leans back* 

Hullo. What’s up? 

[alpha113nredshirteradicon]

I miss the eradicon posse. We should fly around in a group and scare some humans.

Also, do you think your Megatron would notice if another eradicon snuck aboard? I look like the others. I wanna hang out with you and some of the others.

[m8-te]

Nah, I don’t like scaring humans. It’s mean.

Pfft, dude, we ain’t got a Megatron. It’s just Slickride bein’ the boss now, though I dunno if he would welcome ya. Wouldn’t want any spies I guess? 

[alpha113nredshirteradicon]

Allen tilted his helm, “Who is Slickride. That sounds like a dumb name. He’s a grounder isn’t he. Probably some Megatron-wannabe, right?” he’s acting all cool, but he is interested in finding out who this other guy is.

“Still though, sometime I’d like to do some flying. Like the old times.”

[m8-te]

M8-TE huffed.

“He’s my big brother, an’ the oldest drone in our entire army,” he told Allen. “He’s pretty awesome. If kinda overprotective sometimes…” the flier snickered. “An’ I guess he’s a grounder? He ain’t got no alt, he’s just meant to do lots of other stuff instead an’ he’s pretty cool.”

But M8-TE nodded anyway.

“Yeah, that would be nice.” 

[alpha113nredshirteradicon]

“Oh…” he didn’t know it was M8′s bro. “I take that back. Slickride sounds slick. I was thinking he was some Megatron wannabe, but since he’s not, and he’s a vehicon, he must be pretty cool. Especially if you are related to him. I like you. I’d probably like him too.” he said, shuffling a foot.

“You got any free time soon?”

[m8-te]

“Nah, he says down with the higher mechs,” M8-TE replied, gently nudging Allen’s foot with his own. “He can be kinda strict an’ a bit scary sometimes, but he loves us all, so that’s cool.” 

Then the drone nodded, visor flickering to an excited gold and yellow combination.

“Yeah, right now! Wanna go flyin’ now or somethin’?” 

[soundless-surveillance]

Waterline

[m8-te]

soundless-surveillance :

m8-te :

The drone stood stiffly for a moment, before he dared to take a peek at Soundwave. The mech didn’t look murderous, and slowly M8-TE’s wings rose a little more. A cautios flick to the tips, before the drone nodded.

“Yes, s-sir. I, uh, I k-kinda like it.” He reached up to touch the flowers again, enjoying the feel of soft petals. “I think it looks cute,” M8-TE admitted, carefully not adding that he thought so of Soundwave’s as well. “So y-yeah. They ain’t so bad, sir, I promise.” 

That careful wing flick almost made Soundwave feel guilty about having scared M8-TE. He hadn’t exactly meant to, it had just happened as a result of his annoyance with the flowers. Now, he felt like a bully.

“Statement: bad enough.”

Did M8-TE mean to say he thought he himself looked cute, or that Soundwave looked cute? Unsure, the spy shot him a long look, then finally decided that he’d simply ignore it, turning his helm away again.

“At least Laserbeak enjoys herself.”

M8-TE perked up at that, visor turning into a curious light blue.

“She got the flowers too?” he asked, daring to take a step closer. Then he stopped, and M8-TE tilted his head in confusion. “How does that work when- when she’s- ya know?” 

[m8-te]

☜

M8-TE perked up, looking shiny new.

“Sir!” he greeted the other mech, nearly vibrating with excitement. “Sir, somethin’ happened, I’m- look, I’m younger! Well, I, I mean, ya probably can’t spot the difference, but I am!”

And he truly was; while M8-TE found it a bit odd to be suddenly turned back into a younger self and still retaining all of his memories, he couldn’t say he disliked it. His processor felt right again, fully functional. His frame was new, not a scratch on him, no replaced arms or faulty processor. Just. New. He knew that he was likely clumsier than he used to be, as he was when he first was activated, but…

 He took in the sight of Soundwave, and felt a bit of a guilty glee at how his talent for tactics had already picked out effective ways to disarm or otherwise make Soundwave harmless within seconds.

[m8-te]

soundless-surveillance :

m8-te :

M8-TE’s visor glowed a bright white and pale gold, wings flicking happily.

“I know ya, sir. Ya gave Tremble a butterfly an’ didn’t get along with Slickride,” he said, still so very chipper. “Sorry, sir, I’m just-” his EM fields fanned out, warm and happy and giddy, “My processor is- I’m- I can think again, sir, I can- I ain’t battle damaged! Now. Like, it’s- everything is okay again, it’s-”

And he squirmed a bit, too giddy to hold completely still.

“I could fight now if I wanted! It’s- it’s just really nice feelin’, sir!” 

M8-TE’s joy was practically contagious, radiating from him like warmth from a fire. It certainly made him seem countless centuries younger, energy and restlessness evident in his every little movement or twitch. It reminded Soundwave of how the twins had acted the very first time they deployed from his armor, trembling with all the opportunities they suddenly had.

“Query: does M8-TE wish to fight? Soundwave: will offer a sparring session if M8-TE would enjoy it?”

Soundwave wouldn’t mind having the offer turned down, it had been meant as more of a recreative activity than actual training. Just a light session, purely for the fun of it. And he had to admit, he was curious - he had been told that M8-TE’s function had made him a major threat to the Autobots. M8-TE had been an extraordinary fighter, and Soundwave would be lying if he denied that he would find it interesting to spar with the drone now.

If M8-TE had looked excited before, he looked ecstatic now.

“I would love to, sir!” he said, actually bouncing closer. “Are ya sure, sir? What kinda fightin’? Are weapons allowed? Can we fly too or just ground? Oh, this! This will be fun, it’s been so long since I really sparred.”

M8-TE was practically squirming with excitement, visor bright, wings held high and flicking not unlike how a dog wagged its tail.