senator shockwave (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
tomemyoutliers) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
rodion2014-06-22 10:31 pm
tomemyoutliers) wrote in rodion2014-06-22 10:31 pm
Entry tags:
the battle of the feels
BRING IT ON, RC
You're using them to help people now, Shockwave. There's a difference in purpose.
[It's been hard on the scientist, for sure. But Optimus was going to be behind him every step in figuring out what that line was. To guide him and protect like he should have four million years ago.
His attention keeps focused on the hands, though, making sure to get every bit of oil off. Hands being surprisingly gentle at it, too.]
That's right. If you choose a second in command who thinks exactly the same way, you are not going to do yourself any favours. I trust him to be my check and balance. And I can only hope he expects the same from me.
[He'd better.]
[It's been hard on the scientist, for sure. But Optimus was going to be behind him every step in figuring out what that line was. To guide him and protect like he should have four million years ago.
His attention keeps focused on the hands, though, making sure to get every bit of oil off. Hands being surprisingly gentle at it, too.]
That's right. If you choose a second in command who thinks exactly the same way, you are not going to do yourself any favours. I trust him to be my check and balance. And I can only hope he expects the same from me.
[He'd better.]
I only hope it is enough to atone for everything else I've done.
( He flexes one clean hand and then the other as Optimus finishes, giving him a small grin. Who would have known that Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots and famed for jumping off things and punching them could be so gentle? It makes Shockwave smile down at their hands, wrapping one around one of Optimus'. )
Perhaps. ( A pause, and he looks into his optics, expression serious. ) I'm concerned. Gestalt technology -- Jhiaxus made the first combiner, and I nearly completed the first successful one before I was entombed. But he was never properly formatted for the job, Optimus. If you could convince him to let me look at him--
( Shockwave sighs, because he knows Prowl would never agree to such a thing. Instead he reaches with a free hand to turn up the music. )
But I think we've both earned a break.
( He flexes one clean hand and then the other as Optimus finishes, giving him a small grin. Who would have known that Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots and famed for jumping off things and punching them could be so gentle? It makes Shockwave smile down at their hands, wrapping one around one of Optimus'. )
Perhaps. ( A pause, and he looks into his optics, expression serious. ) I'm concerned. Gestalt technology -- Jhiaxus made the first combiner, and I nearly completed the first successful one before I was entombed. But he was never properly formatted for the job, Optimus. If you could convince him to let me look at him--
( Shockwave sighs, because he knows Prowl would never agree to such a thing. Instead he reaches with a free hand to turn up the music. )
But I think we've both earned a break.
Edited 2014-07-07 04:58 (UTC)
( It's a good attempt, and it gets a low rumble of laughter from Shockwave. )
My hero.
( He turns fully towards Optimus, the hand that isn't still clasped in Optimus' hand moving to gently brush the ear decorations gently. He can't resit it - with every twitch his attention is brought back to them. )
You'd be right. But myths are a way of explaining the world around us, of putting a name to the things we don't understand, or can't yet explain. Do I think the stories are true? No. But I know that we are gifted with the ability to change our shape like no other species out there, and the ways we seek to explain that are just as important as the fact we can at all.
My hero.
( He turns fully towards Optimus, the hand that isn't still clasped in Optimus' hand moving to gently brush the ear decorations gently. He can't resit it - with every twitch his attention is brought back to them. )
You'd be right. But myths are a way of explaining the world around us, of putting a name to the things we don't understand, or can't yet explain. Do I think the stories are true? No. But I know that we are gifted with the ability to change our shape like no other species out there, and the ways we seek to explain that are just as important as the fact we can at all.
Your effort to help us is all I can expect for now.
[Seeing Shockwave admire his hand gives him a small bit of pride--he never provided this personal of care towards someone. But Shockwave was special to him, in more ways than one.
But when Shockwave takes his hands with his own, his slightly thicker fingers wrapping around in reciprocation. It seemed like such an involuntary action, too. Like he'd been doing it for years.
At the tone change, though, he losers his optics. It'd been something that'd been on his mind as well. Prowl had been forced into the combiner form, a rushed, hodgepodge job just to make him barely compatible. He'd tried to bring it up to him on the way over, but the timing always seemed off.]
I can barely convince Prowl to listen to myself. I trust you, but he's...stubborn. [Maybe that's an understatement.] I could look into...alternative methods. Maybe Jetfire can look at him for you.
[His sigh speaks for them both, though, too preoccupied in his thoughts to hear the music get louder.]
[Seeing Shockwave admire his hand gives him a small bit of pride--he never provided this personal of care towards someone. But Shockwave was special to him, in more ways than one.
But when Shockwave takes his hands with his own, his slightly thicker fingers wrapping around in reciprocation. It seemed like such an involuntary action, too. Like he'd been doing it for years.
At the tone change, though, he losers his optics. It'd been something that'd been on his mind as well. Prowl had been forced into the combiner form, a rushed, hodgepodge job just to make him barely compatible. He'd tried to bring it up to him on the way over, but the timing always seemed off.]
I can barely convince Prowl to listen to myself. I trust you, but he's...stubborn. [Maybe that's an understatement.] I could look into...alternative methods. Maybe Jetfire can look at him for you.
[His sigh speaks for them both, though, too preoccupied in his thoughts to hear the music get louder.]
( Shockwave takes advantage of Optimus being occupied with the conversation at hand to twist their hands into the appropriate hold for a dance, his other hand placing Optimus' free hand at his waist before coming to rest at his shoulder. All while holding a conversation about Prowl because he excels at multitasking and knows that if Optimus got wind of what he was planning he might attempt to make an excuse and leave.
He does laugh a little at 'stubborn', however. )
I'll make a list of things for him to look at specifically, but I'll want detailed records as a whole if he can stand to stay still for that long. There was a reason it took so long to perfect. ( It's no easy task, and Shockwave's opinion of Bombshell's ability to do anything to his satisfaction has - both then and now - been low. Create a space bridge and then have it break after use? He could do better, he did better. ) Undoing the damage may take some time - longer if he resists - but it shouldn't be impossible to do.
( And then, with a wry smile. )
I'll lead. You do know how to dance, don't you Optimus?
He does laugh a little at 'stubborn', however. )
I'll make a list of things for him to look at specifically, but I'll want detailed records as a whole if he can stand to stay still for that long. There was a reason it took so long to perfect. ( It's no easy task, and Shockwave's opinion of Bombshell's ability to do anything to his satisfaction has - both then and now - been low. Create a space bridge and then have it break after use? He could do better, he did better. ) Undoing the damage may take some time - longer if he resists - but it shouldn't be impossible to do.
( And then, with a wry smile. )
I'll lead. You do know how to dance, don't you Optimus?
[It may have been a joke, but Optimus's eyes cast away a moment at the 'hero', bit. If anything, he felt like he'd failed Shockwave. Left him at the hands of the Institute. To him, that was anything but a hero.
He doesn't have long to dwell on that, though, as he feels those fingers touch his ear piece, it twitching in reply. They were more sensitive to gentle touch than he'd like to admit, and his distant eyes change to wide ones.
But he doesn't pull away, for as surprising as it was to him, it's got him in a trance, head tilting towards him like a dog. Involuntarily of course.]
I had a feeling you'd come up with an answer like that--A way to be both wrong and right at the same time. Sometimes, I'd like to think there is some kind of higher out there to explain things. You know I'm not the religious type, but for...convenience. Put a face to something when it goes wrong.
[Ironic.]
It's a double-edged sword no matter what.
He doesn't have long to dwell on that, though, as he feels those fingers touch his ear piece, it twitching in reply. They were more sensitive to gentle touch than he'd like to admit, and his distant eyes change to wide ones.
But he doesn't pull away, for as surprising as it was to him, it's got him in a trance, head tilting towards him like a dog. Involuntarily of course.]
I had a feeling you'd come up with an answer like that--A way to be both wrong and right at the same time. Sometimes, I'd like to think there is some kind of higher out there to explain things. You know I'm not the religious type, but for...convenience. Put a face to something when it goes wrong.
[Ironic.]
It's a double-edged sword no matter what.
Edited 2014-07-09 01:00 (UTC)
[It doesn't even register as he's speaking. His hands are pretty much at Shockwave's disposal now, but before he knows it, they're in the stock dance position, Optimus wondering just how attentive he'd been in the last few minutes. So needless to say, when he's in that position, there's some 'how did I get to this point?' confusion.]
...
[Nope, he can't even continue with the conversation. This is occupying 100% of his mind right now.]
You can't be serious.
[Obvious 'no' alert!]
...
[Nope, he can't even continue with the conversation. This is occupying 100% of his mind right now.]
You can't be serious.
[Obvious 'no' alert!]
Quite serious, actually. It's been a few million years, but I think I can remember the basics.
( He waits until the current song ends, and then when the next one starts up - something fast tempo'd and instrumental. )
Step backwards when I step forwards with the opposite foot that I use. If I step with my right, you move with the left.
( He waits until the current song ends, and then when the next one starts up - something fast tempo'd and instrumental. )
Step backwards when I step forwards with the opposite foot that I use. If I step with my right, you move with the left.
( And Shockwave would remind him that he went willingly, and wouldn't change his decision if it meant saving Roller's life. What he became was not Optimus' fault. If anyone, it was his own for not fighting through the Shadowplay before.
Hedging his bets that physical affection is something the Prime rarely experience, he keeps at it. After all, Optimus hasn't registered any objection to it. )
Then we would never learn from our mistakes. If the Guiding Hand exists, they've done us a favor by leaving us here alone to make our own way in the universe. ( But! ) There's more than two constellations in these skies, Optimus. Surely you know the story for another.
Hedging his bets that physical affection is something the Prime rarely experience, he keeps at it. After all, Optimus hasn't registered any objection to it. )
Then we would never learn from our mistakes. If the Guiding Hand exists, they've done us a favor by leaving us here alone to make our own way in the universe. ( But! ) There's more than two constellations in these skies, Optimus. Surely you know the story for another.
[Well that's all fine and dandy for you, Shockwave, but you're looking at a Prime who's never samba'd a day in his life. And it shows, in the way his face goes from shock to hopelessly trying to strategize how he's going to do this.]
But Shockwave--
[Too late, he's already getting instructions, and if his gaze immediately turns down, clumsy footwork working just barely above minimum effort. He's...trying? It's true, he really is, for you.]
I've never done this before.
[And he's stating this like it's the most obvious thing in the universe.]
But Shockwave--
[Too late, he's already getting instructions, and if his gaze immediately turns down, clumsy footwork working just barely above minimum effort. He's...trying? It's true, he really is, for you.]
I've never done this before.
[And he's stating this like it's the most obvious thing in the universe.]
[It'd been a guilt he'd carried for so long. Something he should have accounted for, really. There were nights where he would go over that night again and again in his head, seeing what went wrong. He'd done that with a lot of mistakes. It made for a very depressing wartime, to be honest.
Here, he was just starting to recover. To let those wounds heal. Shockwave trusted him, and he wouldn't mess it up a second time.
But the caressing of his ear piece causes his head to dip lower, eyes dimming as they cast themselves back to the Senator. He knows you're doing this on purpose now, Shockwave. You're not being incredibly subtle about it.]
Right. I suppose I'll have to take a look at the sky.
[Just...in a moment.]
Here, he was just starting to recover. To let those wounds heal. Shockwave trusted him, and he wouldn't mess it up a second time.
But the caressing of his ear piece causes his head to dip lower, eyes dimming as they cast themselves back to the Senator. He knows you're doing this on purpose now, Shockwave. You're not being incredibly subtle about it.]
Right. I suppose I'll have to take a look at the sky.
[Just...in a moment.]
( Subtle and Shockwave have never really been on speaking terms before, and they're certainly not going to start.
With a fond smile at Optimus, he stops - but not before taking a moment to appreciate how at ease the other looks. His plan, unfortunately, means letting go of his Prime and moving away, but he makes up for the sudden lack of physical contact by grabbing Optimus' shoulder. )
Here.
( There's a gentle pressure as Shockwave tugs at him, and if Optimus doesn't resist he'll find himself with his head in Shockwave's lap - the ex-Senator's hands back on the ear piece. )
With a fond smile at Optimus, he stops - but not before taking a moment to appreciate how at ease the other looks. His plan, unfortunately, means letting go of his Prime and moving away, but he makes up for the sudden lack of physical contact by grabbing Optimus' shoulder. )
Here.
( There's a gentle pressure as Shockwave tugs at him, and if Optimus doesn't resist he'll find himself with his head in Shockwave's lap - the ex-Senator's hands back on the ear piece. )
( He is trying, and it sends slow tendrils of warmth through him at the thought. Optimus may not know how to dance, but Shockwave is blessed with a good disposition and patience enough to walk him through it. )
Four million years a Prime and no one's managed to get you into a dance before now? They should all be ashamed of themselves.
( Pft, what war that was keeping him from doing this previously? )
Four million years a Prime and no one's managed to get you into a dance before now? They should all be ashamed of themselves.
( Pft, what war that was keeping him from doing this previously? )
[Patience the Prime is internally blessed for as well. There's not much he wants more than to make Shockwave happy. Comfortable. So clumsily, he'll dance, if only for him.
And clumsily is right, as he has to keep sidestepping to avoid crushing the other's proverbial toes.]
Maybe I was--sorry--waiting for the right partner to ask me.
[Whoa. Smooth recovery there, Prime.]
And clumsily is right, as he has to keep sidestepping to avoid crushing the other's proverbial toes.]
Maybe I was--sorry--waiting for the right partner to ask me.
[Whoa. Smooth recovery there, Prime.]
[The moment Shockwave stops, Optimus's eyes brighten back up, as if popping out of that spell the senator had over him. The ear pieces though, seem to respond as well, slightly twitching.
No sooner had he pulled away, than the hand was on his shoulder, gently but firmly pressing down. He doesn't resist it, by now trusting Shockwave enough to know what he was doing. And sure enough, he finds his helm in the other's lap, eyes looking up at the sky.]
This works.
[There's an amused tone out of that voice as his eyes flicker a moment, letting that feeling sink in.]
Now...you wanted to know more constellations.
No sooner had he pulled away, than the hand was on his shoulder, gently but firmly pressing down. He doesn't resist it, by now trusting Shockwave enough to know what he was doing. And sure enough, he finds his helm in the other's lap, eyes looking up at the sky.]
This works.
[There's an amused tone out of that voice as his eyes flicker a moment, letting that feeling sink in.]
Now...you wanted to know more constellations.
I did, as it so happens.
( His gaze is on Optimus rather than the stars, voice equal parts amused and fond. One hand continues to run over the ear pieces - faint ghosting touches - while the other goes to rest over the Autobot symbol on the shoulder closest to him.
Time spent like this is something he'd never have allowed himself to consider before. They would have been too busy, even if things had gone to plan - Optimus would have been Prime and he would have been there to guide and advise should he have been wanted. This? This is a flight of fancy that he cannot begrudge himself or Optimus. )
( His gaze is on Optimus rather than the stars, voice equal parts amused and fond. One hand continues to run over the ear pieces - faint ghosting touches - while the other goes to rest over the Autobot symbol on the shoulder closest to him.
Time spent like this is something he'd never have allowed himself to consider before. They would have been too busy, even if things had gone to plan - Optimus would have been Prime and he would have been there to guide and advise should he have been wanted. This? This is a flight of fancy that he cannot begrudge himself or Optimus. )
( Smooth recovery indeed, and Shockwave's face lightens at it, optics gleaming. )
Then I will do my best not to disappoint.
( No one ever hears of a graceless mech with a jet as an alt-mode, and Shockwave is no different. That and plenty of practice makes him light on his feet and able to keep Optimus from doing too much damage, each step careful but still keeping time to the music. )
Then I will do my best not to disappoint.
( No one ever hears of a graceless mech with a jet as an alt-mode, and Shockwave is no different. That and plenty of practice makes him light on his feet and able to keep Optimus from doing too much damage, each step careful but still keeping time to the music. )
[Jets were well-known for being graceful. Their flying techniques weren't likened to dancing for nothing. Trucks? Not so much. They're more likened to flattening whatever's in their path.
And making a truck do something like this? You can imagine the results. Although to say one thing--Optimus is genuinely trying. His feet move more clumsily than Shockwave's, but they make it to the spot when they need to be, and soon...
He can look away from his feet every few seconds.
It's not perfect, but thankfully, Shockwave isn't going for that. If he'd wanted perfect, he'd ask someone else.]
And making a truck do something like this? You can imagine the results. Although to say one thing--Optimus is genuinely trying. His feet move more clumsily than Shockwave's, but they make it to the spot when they need to be, and soon...
He can look away from his feet every few seconds.
It's not perfect, but thankfully, Shockwave isn't going for that. If he'd wanted perfect, he'd ask someone else.]
[He takes a moment to relish in that feeling again--Shockwave's gentle touch, fingers trickling along the seams of his ear pieces. Maybe it was the many years of war, but little touches like that were so foreign. Something so gentle was rare.
A soft, content hum erupts from his engine as he focuses back on the sky, although is mind is softly multitasking between it and the one holding him. Either way, he puts up a good front.]
If you look past Scorpius, you will see five stars in a cluster. They're not overly bright, but they're noticeable. They form a pentagon-shape--humans seem to see a set of scales from this called Libra.
The scales of balance.
A soft, content hum erupts from his engine as he focuses back on the sky, although is mind is softly multitasking between it and the one holding him. Either way, he puts up a good front.]
If you look past Scorpius, you will see five stars in a cluster. They're not overly bright, but they're noticeable. They form a pentagon-shape--humans seem to see a set of scales from this called Libra.
The scales of balance.
( Reluctantly Shockwave tears his gaze from Optimus back up to the sky, optics focusing in on the group of stars he's referring to. He can't see it as scales anymore than he could see an organic animal out of the last one, but he'll take Optimus' word for it.
He's far too wrapped up in this - the physical closeness he'd never had with Orion, although he'd certainly desired it - to care overmuch what humans think scales look like. Instead his mind is mostly focused on the weight of Optimus' helm in his lap and the feeling of his plating under his hand, the slight rise of the faction symbol pressed against Shockwave's palm. )
And what do they weigh?
( For a moment he thinks they judge good deeds against those that harm, and Shockwave finds himself thankful that their race has such long lives in which to make amends. )
He's far too wrapped up in this - the physical closeness he'd never had with Orion, although he'd certainly desired it - to care overmuch what humans think scales look like. Instead his mind is mostly focused on the weight of Optimus' helm in his lap and the feeling of his plating under his hand, the slight rise of the faction symbol pressed against Shockwave's palm. )
And what do they weigh?
( For a moment he thinks they judge good deeds against those that harm, and Shockwave finds himself thankful that their race has such long lives in which to make amends. )
( It's true - there's no one on Cybertron or Earth or even away on the Lost Light that Shockwave wants to dance with more than he does Optimus. They never could have done this when he was still Orion - not officially at any rate - the other Senators wouldn't have stood for a police captain amongst the ranks of the upper class at parties or functions, let alone Orion Pax. But that doesn't matter now.
Instead Shockwave is patient, a soft grin across his face as they move. It's perfect, but in a different sort of way than it would seem. He can't think of any other way it might happen between them. )
There may be hope for you yet, Optimus.
( As a dancer, of course. )
Instead Shockwave is patient, a soft grin across his face as they move. It's perfect, but in a different sort of way than it would seem. He can't think of any other way it might happen between them. )
There may be hope for you yet, Optimus.
( As a dancer, of course. )
[And in truth, Shockwave would be the only one he would do this for, at least willingly. And it couldn't be more true that it would have never happened if he was Orion. The way the world worked was too classist. It could have cost Shockwave a lot--not that it didn't in the end anyway.
But Orion--Optimus wouldn't have allowed that to happen.
There's not much to express with when you have a faceplate, but his eyes can tell stories.]
I'm sure there's some. Not much, but some.
But Orion--Optimus wouldn't have allowed that to happen.
There's not much to express with when you have a faceplate, but his eyes can tell stories.]
I'm sure there's some. Not much, but some.
[It doesn't matter too much to Optimus--really, the stargazing is just an excuse to spend time with Shockwave. His knowledge of the subject is limited to the astrological signs, as they were what was most common in the searches for pinpointing different systems. Where to expect ships to come in.
Constellations were unintended roadmaps.
He can feel the slight stroke of those delicate fingers, the way they ghost over that plating before finally breaking eye contact, engine 'clearing' itself before he focused again.
Right...Libra.]
They weigh fairness and civility, and belong to a god of justice and truth.
Constellations were unintended roadmaps.
He can feel the slight stroke of those delicate fingers, the way they ghost over that plating before finally breaking eye contact, engine 'clearing' itself before he focused again.
Right...Libra.]
They weigh fairness and civility, and belong to a god of justice and truth.
Nonsense. ( His grip tightens on the other's hand as he looks back up into Optimus' eyes. They've always been the most arresting shade of blue - matrix blue, they say. Which Shockwave thinks is absolute hogwash - knows that it scientifically has to be. But it doesn't make them any less striking. ) You don't give yourself enough credit, Optimus.
( In dancing and overall. He knows from others, from Optimus himself, that the guilt of the war and everything that occurred weighs heavy on his shoulders. If Shockwave could just alleviate that for a moment he would be satisfied; he picked Optimus because he saw in him someone who could lead their species to the other side of the oncoming war. And he did.
Shockwave could not be prouder of him for doing that and making it out whole. Worn around the edges, yes, but he saw in him still all the things that made Shockwave decide that he would be their new Prime. He wouldn't change that, not now and not ever. )
( In dancing and overall. He knows from others, from Optimus himself, that the guilt of the war and everything that occurred weighs heavy on his shoulders. If Shockwave could just alleviate that for a moment he would be satisfied; he picked Optimus because he saw in him someone who could lead their species to the other side of the oncoming war. And he did.
Shockwave could not be prouder of him for doing that and making it out whole. Worn around the edges, yes, but he saw in him still all the things that made Shockwave decide that he would be their new Prime. He wouldn't change that, not now and not ever. )
Strange that they'd attempt to immortalize the scales instead of the god.
( If there was one thing that they had now it was time. An excuse this might be to simply spend unquestioned hours in each other's company didn't make it any less enjoyable or informative. Both with what humanity sought to preserve and protect and what Optimus made note to remember.
Although he would never let the other live down his reluctance to admit that there was a constellation for him. Not until his processor failed, and Shockwave had lived a very long time. Six million years and more - there's only one or two left that can claim that.
Which sobers him more than he thought he would. His contemporaries, as deserving of their final fate as most of them were, were still his contemporaries. )
( If there was one thing that they had now it was time. An excuse this might be to simply spend unquestioned hours in each other's company didn't make it any less enjoyable or informative. Both with what humanity sought to preserve and protect and what Optimus made note to remember.
Although he would never let the other live down his reluctance to admit that there was a constellation for him. Not until his processor failed, and Shockwave had lived a very long time. Six million years and more - there's only one or two left that can claim that.
Which sobers him more than he thought he would. His contemporaries, as deserving of their final fate as most of them were, were still his contemporaries. )
Edited 2014-07-19 01:42 (UTC)
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