#nesting instinct

[redlobter]

Episode 102, Nesting Instinct. The inherent horror of being able to speak French

[sydneighsays]

For some reason this scene really scratches something in my artistic brain and I feel the need to draw it every time.

[shieldofiron]

Sometimes you have to do a little moodboard to get the vibes of your own fic right (and to procrastinate, just a little.)

[40viewscollection]

Sur la dune (II) , Littoral atlantique, Landes, France

Dany ERDOCIO

[mag-madness]

MAG 102 - my favourite lines from this episode

Elias: Jon -

Jon: Don't you DARE *slams desk* "Jon" me.

-

Elias: *sighs* Melanie is on her way up here with a knife. Could you talk to her for me?

Jon: wh- I - sorry, what?

-

Melanie: The police seem really keen not to investigate crimes committed here.

Elias: That's actually fair.

Jon: *exasperated* Shut up!

-

*Melanie slams door*

Elias: Thank you, Jon.

Jon: Shut up!

[witchofthesouls]

wheres the throwing sparklings posts???

I hadn't specifically talked about it, except in this ask and made short references in various AUs and Seekerkin posts, so here's a snippet with the Nesting Instinct fic. (Heads up, Thundercracker and Nova Storm are femmes. No outward difference, besides being far larger than the mechs.)

The other Aerialbots went off without a hitched, joy overtaking any sense of fear and anxiety, cheeping happily once caught below.

Silverbolt, however, wailed. Flailing as he dropped in the sky, screaming even when safe in Thundercracker's arms. Face flushed blue and optics frightened to pure white, vents hiccuping and gasping as the Seeker worked out the hysteria and terror flooding the immature and frazzled EM field. Her frame purring comfort and safety to her charge.

From the distance, sympathetic cries came from his brothers, the gestalt-bond channeled the emotional distress and fear, and from the Stunticons, who were feeding off the Aerialbots' sudden bursts. Skywarp, Nova Storm, and Ion Storm were busy wrangling nine upset sparklings.

Acid Storm carefully landed near Thundercracker. The soft landing with no glass on the sand beneath his pedes was a testament to his skills. Concern painted across his features as he said, "We didn't go as high as the others."

Thundercracker crooned her engines to let the soothing rhythem pull the tension away from Silverbolt as she replied, "That's why it's best to do it before the film-blindness fades. Vision is then given too much priority."

There were other reasons, too. But she kept those unsaid.

:: A flyer that fears heights is a sorry sight. :: Thrust rasped through Thundercracker's personal comm. :: Perhaps it's a good thing. All this is a temporary measure. Eventually, they'll leave us for the Autobots. The last thing we need is for the Aerialbots to become formidable enough to rework our tactics. ::

Silverbolt whimpered, jittering spark desperately trying to self soothe and reach out, afraid of being rejected. She mourns the visceral reaction, something that shouldn't be happening as she steadied him, allowing him to flow into herself, nudging him to latch on and never let go. Silverbolt then chewed her collarfare, little denta scrapping away as he winded down.

The Seekerkin were scattered to the winds, few and far in-between among the Autobots, but by some strange twist, a handful were still active on Earth.

Yet none of them stepped forward. Not the chatty sharpshooter nor the gambling smoothtalker nor the spy... Not even the Autobot SIC who's responsible for managing them as the highest rank Seekerkin of the faction. He should have, at the very least, delegated the task to one of the others.

If they had, then the age regressed Aerialbots wouldn't have responded as powerfully to her own presence as they had. Nearly grabbing the tentative and flayed ends of her tattered bonds with a frantic edge.

The details could no longer be ignored. The Aerialbots never responded properly to her cues, nor engaged in specific behaviors and mannerisms unique to Praxians. They were completely frozen out. Seemingly unwanted and unclaimed without anyone to explain their quirks and instincts. Bumbling around as newbuilds with wings too stiff or fluttering too easily with unrestrained emotions, their formations were a mix between instinct and human pilots, their education nonexistent...

And that was too unforgivable.

:: No, they won't. It's written plainly on their sparks. Even if they were taken back, they'll return to us. Far sooner than later. Seekers will seek. ::

:: Yes. Seekers will seek. :: Thrust repeated the ancient expression, slow and seemingly to himself. Non-Seekerkin constantly misinterpreted the saying when it was truly about a Seeker's drive to the flock. Even a lone one will go search out for a community to bond. Thrust may argue and undermine Starscream, but no one could deny that he was very much a proud mech of his heritage and lineage. :: Perhaps the Aerialbots will seek us out. ::

[labeth-midori]

3 things I have to say after listening to MAG 102:

1. Melanie, don’t you dare blame Jon for you being stuck in the Institute! The man was on the run after being framed for murder when the same person who framed him hired you!

2. Jon’s ability to read a statement written entirely in French. Personally would’ve found that particular ability handy a couple of years ago.

3. I love Jon & Martin’s conversation at the end. They’re both worried about each other & it was just really sweet 🩷.

[shadow-the-crow]

"I am sick of relying on the kindness of things whose stated intention is to kill me!"

Lmao poor Jon is really done with all this bullshit huh?