looking for a game

[psychotherapist]

I can't say I advocate your dropping anyone to replace them with me, no matter how badly you think you'd like to play me. It's very flattering, thank you, but--

--I know you're concerned I'm going to offline. I don't think you should be basing your decision on that. I've survived the last six million years; it doesn't seem likely I'd slip off with a whisper from a coma into death, does it?

...Really, there's no reason to be afraid. Everything will work out, you'll see.

Comments

[whirlybird_of_prey]

Yeah, I wouldn't be too sure about the working out part. [Last time he saw you it was sort of spoilertastically in Swerve's bar.]

[psychotherapist]

I'm going to hope for the best. I've already survived the one near-offline experience, after all. There's plenty of reason to be optimistic, Whirl.

[whirlybird_of_prey]

....

[Srsly.]

Right. You know, we only almost destroyed Cybertron how many times now? And we just nearly got incinerated and we left Cybertron with Bumblebee, the gimping dictator in charge.

Totally, totally time for optimism.

[psychotherapist]

I think the fact that we're all still here speaks to... What was it? "The persistence of life"?

We are much better off now than we were during the war. There are chances for reconciliation.

[whirlybird_of_prey]

So. Like germs. [Woooo life. What fun.]

Reconciliation? [RUNG JUST WAT]. Yeah, try reconciling your head to your body, first. Then we'll talk.

[psychotherapist]

No. And we're not on the clock, here, so there's no reason to treat this like a session.

I'm in my right mind here. [he is too patient with that crazy ass of Whirl's]

[whirlybird_of_prey]

Wasn't aware you were ever off the clock.

[Hey, don't insult clocks. Whirl likes them.]

So you say. [Whirl? Suspicious and paranoid?]

[psychotherapist]

Nobody is their job, Whirl.

I hope your Rung is keeping you out of trouble.

[straightlaced]

I noticed in my interactions with my partner that humans require constant reassurance. Perhaps you should provide data to convince her otherwise?

[psychotherapist]

They're not so different from us, in that way. [amused] All right. I survived a direct headshot, and presumably Ratchet rebuilt my cranial casing. (Not that I'm supposed to know this, but) for storytelling purposes, it seems odd to almost kill me and then circle back to finish the job later.

I can't fault her for being worried, but as you might agree, it's not very productive.

[straightlaced]

Indeed not.

You are an inorganic being, correct? Could they not use your backup files to move you to another body?

[psychotherapist]

It's slightly more complicated and less streamlined than I hear the process is for other robots - we have a few vital components that all interact together. It's not impossible to reformat completely, given the proper facilities, though.

[they just don't have the proper facilities in deep space :c]

[straightlaced]

I see. [ No he doesn't, but he doesn't think a fellow robot would do anything to hold back staying alive. ]

In the metatexual context, it would not make sense, you are correct.

[thehardway]

Doctor. I take it your mun is planning to bring you somewhere.

You shouldn't be alone. That would be dangerous, and...

...Your recovery is being seen to. [Optimism is not a trait of his, but he's trying.]

[psychotherapist]

[practically deafened by mun leaning in and DAWWING obnoxiously so let him just ...pretend she's not doing that and smile at Ultra Magnus] She certainly seems enthusiastic about having you along, if your mun and she can agree on a suitable location.

[Your recovery is being seen to, oh Magnus ;;] Then I'm in good hands. Thank you.

[thehardway]

That is the more complicated part. But I doubt that mine would be deterred if you went somewhere; I will likely follow.

I am no medic, but I am aware that Ratchet and the others are working on your progress. [Cycles his vents, clearing his throat.] But you are welcome.

[psychotherapist]

How are you doing at that Realignment game? [gently concerned in his own way]

You're the glue holding that ship together, Magnus. I wouldn't berate you for not being a medic.

[thehardway]

I am managing. My attention is on several things at once. Keeping Whirl in control is one of them. Rodimus is not there. It's a mess.

...I think you're the only one that sees it that way. I appreciate the flattery.

[psychotherapist]

So I hear, yes... Unfortunately my mun has--[well] ...only Starscream to offer. I'm confident you'll prove equal to the challenge.

--And I promise, they aren't flippant compliments.

[thehardway]

Yes, I saw that. It's highly disturbing that he is one of the few reasonable individuals.

I. I know. From you that they would not be.

[psychotherapist]

My condolences, for that. But if I'm right about him, he won't be as much trouble without Megatron there.

[the tiniest smile] You're going to worry anyway, aren't you.

[thehardway]

There's a Megatron. ...Just. Not the one I am more familiar with, granted.

Ah. [No. He's not flustered.] I will. Do what's necessary.

[universebeware]

Well, if you wanted to try playing headshrinker with a bunch of organics, I know a place. Just as long as you stay away from my workshop.

[psychotherapist]

Ah! Brainstorm. Thank you, I appreciate the invitation.

[and Rung is genuinely happy to see him] I wouldn't dream of intruding on your privacy without permission.

[universebeware]

[Well, don't think he's inviting you out of the goodness of his spark, Rung. You're a 'bot that isn't going to pry in his business, as was just said, and if there's another big sentient robot wandering around, then that means it will get some of the more bothersome humans to bother him less.]

Yeah, yeah. Don't mention it.

And good.