#square dad

[pottedplantson]

How To Care For: give reassurances that both dads secretly are very proud of him

Aw! He definitely needs to hear that. Starscream is very strict and doesn’t verbalize his feelings much, and Cirrus really misses Shockwave. He’ll do his best so when he does get to see him he can show him good things!

[pottedplantson]

did you know where you were still a protoform, lots of people tried coming up with names for you by smashing starscream and shockwave's names together? starshock was a popular one i think, though i think shockwave kinda liked the name screamwave lol.

Starshock is a cool name! But I don’t think that’s how names work, just putting together pieces of other people’s names. 

Hmmm Starshock, Screamwave, Starwave, Screamshock, Shockstar, Wavescream, Shockscream, and… Wavestar.

Only a couple of those are any good.

Knockwave, Shockout, Knockscream, Starout, Waveout…

*wanders off, still talking to himself*

[pottedplantson]

Shockwave and Starscreams are liars.

...

I know...

Phoenix told me. But I still want to do my best for them, and learn about who they are.

......

I’m going for a flight.

[pottedplantson]

💭 - shockb00b

I miss him so much. I think I would feel better if people would at least talk about him, but no one will. It’s weird. I tried to ask Starscream again and he told me to wait and then tried to quiz me on physics. It made me mad! He wouldn’t say when Shockwave’s important experiment would be done, because I asked if we could go visit him when it was done. I don’t think there even is one.

[pottedplantson]

Vibrations

Vibrations affect matter, and move it. Different densities change it up, change frequency, amplitude, deaden or amplify. Even with unformed sensors, vibrations interact with metal drifting in an ionized solution. Do they interact with the Spark?

There were vibrations before, in the Well. Deep vibrations from something immense, and from smaller echoes, all around. Now there is one set of vibrations, steadfast, methodical, close by. They come and go, this heavy tread, and sometimes they feel so weary. 

They come close, they stop, and a rumble comes through the tank. It can’t mean anything to the metal form inside, who doesn’t even have sensory arrays, and who doesn’t know what it means to miss someone, or to feel an impending loss. The mech outside the glass can’t put it in words. He’s been robbed of that. But the vibration through the tank says it plainly. A heavy Spark.

Then there is the other one, that comes less frequently, with steps so light they barely register, but with that voice, vibrations carrying from air to liquid to metal, toned down by each but still making waves. The metal form can’t hear it, and wouldn’t understand demands and expectations, or how harsh tones can cover a high note of fear. 

The metal form doesn’t know the future it’s meant to embody, the hopes of restoration placed on its fragile ridges of alloy. Sharp points ring on the glass, cold taps and skittering squeaks, sometimes stilling to a taut calm. Sometimes the sharp hand shakes. A restless Spark.

Sometimes there is nothing. No living thing, at least. Somewhere machinery thrums, pumping only material sustenance through the tank - metals in solution, nanites, electrolytes. There are no echoes from smaller sources, living pieces of a mysterious whole. The metal form within grows steadily, fed by never-living mechanisms. It has no way to remember the vibrations that used to affect it, or the ones around it now. It doesn’t know that the world died once, and why anyone went to look for something like it. A stolen Spark.

[pottedplantson]

*Tapes a picture of Starscream and a picture of Shockwave to the tank, with Dad 1 and Dad 2 written on them in human English cause every child needs at least one picture of their parents* (Also if he comes out and immediately starts calling them Dad it'll be hilarious)

If both pictures are still there when he comes online, he’ll keep them, and he’ll wonder about why they are labeled the same. The significance of that word.... He might ask Phoenix, once he learns that it’s a human word. But he’s not supposed to ask about Dad 2........

[pottedplantson]

You should do something to your dad on April Fools day too >:)

No, Starscream really doesn't like pranks (unless it's for the Ides of March), and he really really doesn't like April Fool's Day. I don't see what the difference is, but apparently there's a difference.

[pottedplantson]

We can sneak you over to Shockwaves place. youre so small now itd be easy to get you outta the base from one dad to the other

"Um, I think I'll pass..." Cirrus looks away, wringing his hands. "I do miss Shockwave, and I appreciate the offer, but when I see him again, I want him to see the real me."