dear_mun | on the subject of spotlight megatron, spoilers possible

Are you sure your mun pities you? Maybe it's okay if someone feels for you. Even if it was the past.

I don't know what she thinks. [very convincing.]

But she should save her feelings for someone more like you.

Hey, I get enough feelings from my mun! I think every bot deserves someone who cares about them, don't you think? [beat] ...Are you saying I should be pitied...

What? No. No. I'm saying--

Look, pity is a tool, like any other. You can use it. You're not a fighter. You need to--leash other mechs to that purpose.

Starscream, it has been a little while, I hope you are fairing well.

I don't know all of what is happening, but I would say that sometimes people share worry and caring in a way that seems like pity, even thought they don't think any less of us for what we have been through.

You know.

I've always thought blue optics suited you.

[not his most artful dodge, but it'll do. Gentle venthuff and he might be leaning a little closer because hey it's dear_mun, it's not like he has to account for this later.]

Is that right? You're more of a philosopher than a warrior.

Thank you.

A smile suits you best you know.

[He will accept the dodge, not because it was well done, but because he knows pressing the issue with Starscream won't get him far if the flyer doesn't want to talk about it. He reaches out to rest a hand on the flyer's arm, nothing to close, but certainly a sign of a casual discussion.]

I prefer it that way, I've always had more faith in my strength of mind than my strength of power.

The kind of smile I usually have, or the kind you put there? [okay, this is actually kind of nice. Nicer than dwelling on crouching in the throne room all those years ago contemplating how poorly he ruled in Megatron's stead, how arrogant he was, how ill prepared. There's no room for shame like that in the way Starscream thinks he is, and he'd gladly talk about Megatron for a while to relieve himself of the focus]

What about your strength of sp...Ember? Sorry.

Well, most preferably the one you show me when I've been able to bring it in the open. That one is the rarer one, and far more precious for it.

[If it helped Starscream he wouldn't complain or object.]

You have nothing to be sorry about, ember or spark, they both play the same parts, do they not? I like to think that my strength there is great, but it is hard to see from this perspective.

If I do anything for you with lasting effect, Lord Megatron, it'll be to help you think a little less about others and a little more about yourself.

[a meditative pause]

Even if that's not fishing for praise, I'll give it to you. You could make an army of a hundred thousand strong follow you gladly into the Pit. You could probably talk Unicron into peace negotiations. You're every bit the force of nature my own Megatron is, without his... shorter optic range.

It does me a great deal to be graced by the happiness of others, especially ones such as your smile.

[He looks a little bit away, embarrassed by that.]

I thank you for your confidence in me Starscream, it brightens my ember to know you think so highly of me, and I can only hope to meet such thoughts.

Oh. [thinks about that, then notes the embarrassment with an impish smile as he leans in closer]

My mistake - you don't like the praise. My old Megatron couldn't get enough of it, so I gave it to him as infrequently as he gave it to me.

Or do you fear a gold standard you can't live up to?

[He doesn't back away from Starscream, instead his hand shifts from Starscream's arm to his back, not forcing him into any action but welcoming him closer.]

I do appreciate your praise, it means a lot to me. I simply don't feel worthy of it on any frequency.

I fear not living up to the image people see me by, I wish to give them what they desire from me. This is all the more strong a wish when the image is one held by someone I care for and respect, such as yourself.

Nobody's perfect. [taken aback and it shows, for just a second, until he leans in voluntarily and clunks his helm gently against the upper arm of Megatron's closest side. Showing weakness like this is ...not very Decepticon, but he's decided he can make a solitary exception to be openly delicate around.]

What if I desire for you to be what you are around me, and not what anyone else wants. Damn the consequences. [Just like him, and yet--not like him. Not requiring the subjugation of others to stop feeling small.]

[Megatron is more than glad when Starscream leans into him, and he settles his arm comfortably there. He was more than willing to teach anyone who thought it would be good to treat Starscream's comfort as a weakness some humility in the matter.]

I... [Those words made his ember pulse hard, someone who wasn't looking for Megatron the leader, or even Megatron the teacher, just himself.] It would be my pleasure to fill that desire.

There's nothing wrong with using the past as a template for later. No need to repeat the same mistakes, and all that bullshit.

Hm. Do your people even have time to repeat mistakes? You only live for a century or so, don't you?

...of course... some of you accomplish more than others. That's what the ties are for, isn't it. [ha humans aren't so complicated he's got this]

You'd be surprised. A century is long enough to fuck up a lot, if we're not careful. [ yes, Starscream. Ties say he's super high up. Obviously. ]

It's relative, really.

It could be our races have more in common than I'd thought.

You're about half that, aren't you? Ancient, by your standards. Have you repeated any mistakes, yet?

Still a little short of half, thanks.

[ A beat. Let's keep talking about how old he is. ]

I don't believe there's a person on the planet who hasn't, at least once.

Of course you'd guard your years jealously. I barely keep track of how many millenniums I've seen. [and conspicuously tries to forget history so he makes no mistakes]

That's a good way to answer a direct question. Very Decepticon. What's your rank?

My, er-- Rank?

I'm the Vice-President of the United States. I don't think your people have presidents.

President. [thoughtful chin-tapping] Doesn't he fly a plane? One of those... I think you call it the Air Force.

You're right, though. We don't. We choose our leaders through force and guile. More force than guile, these days, though I'd have it otherwise.

It's a nice tie.

Edited 2013-02-06 06:54 (UTC)

Well, there's your problem. We use mostly guile, although most people call it backdealing, but that's the way the game goes.

[ A pause, because he can't believe he's being complimented on his fucking tie by a robot. ]

Thanks, by the way. I don't really pick out my ties, though.

Game? Political advancement is something your people do for amusement?

Oh. [an awkward pause HOPEFULLY HIS TOTAL IGNORANCE isn't showing for a change] ...Do you enjoy being in the second in command position?

I enjoy getting the opportunity to serve my constituents in any way I can. [ A pause. ] By the way, we only call it a game because a lot of our citizens think it's one, it's something that takes a lot of cleverness to get ahead in. Think of it like a metaphor.

You keep only indirectly answering my questions. [and this comes out like a whine and he's clearly upset about not sounding all gruff and in control about it] I... I mean, it's all right. You can trust me. You don't have to worry about giving me information on your people, I won't use it to harm you.

That was honestly the furthest thing from my mind. I'm where I need to be, and that's a fulfilling place to be at.

All right, just answer me this one question. Directly.

[clears vents with a humany coughing sound]

Have you ever wanted to murder your superior and take his place?

Of course not, that's treason.

[ Dude your body sounds weird. He tips his head, slightly. ]

That's an odd fucking question, isn't it?

It's the primary method of Decepticon advancement. ...Despite it being, ah. Occasionally frowned upon. It really depends on your popularity, like most things in life.

We just run for office, actually. It still depends on your popularity, of course, but this way we don't have a murder charge under our belt when we take office.

You sure? I bet I could get you a two for one deal on a game. I have a list here somewhere... Got any preferences? No humanizations, I promise. Unless you're into that. Because if you are I have a list of those too.

[piston-y pfff, but he's actually happier to see Swindle than he'd ever intentionally let on] Is that right. Are you in a game?

Let me guess. You're eying

worldmart.

Me? Not exactly. [Cough]

Though I can assure you if I were in any of the games that sponsor me I would be having the time of my life. Sadly, my duty is to pitch these games to others, not enjoy them myself.

[Aw, you can almost see the tears of regret.]

Worldmart? Wait a minute... [He scrolls through his lists quickly.]

Wake... West... Ah. I see. It was under the size change category. I'm glad you mentioned it, I-

[Pause] ...appear to be getting a familiar glance from my Mun.

[Oh, Primus no. To his credit, his smile never wavers.] It looks. Lovely. Yes. Apparently, I might be gaining some first hand knowledge on it in the future.

[Potentially making poor Swindle's day a little more difficult is brightening his own, ~~the huge jerk~~, and Starscream's smile is shameless]

Always happy to help a fellow Con, Swindle. [pause] ...My mundane's saying if you go there she'll strongly consider sending me. How's that for splash damage?

Oh, she's also offering icons, if yours would like them, but I personally wouldn't take her up on that offer.

[That is a smile all right. Is there any way he can bottle that? Because he's pretty sure that would sell like hot cakes to the right crowd.]

Yes, 'helpful' is definitely one of the first words that comes to mind when I think of you. [Smile] We have that in common, don't we?

Did I ever tell you what a good move I thought it was when you went into politics?

[He glances at the entry on Worldmart again.] Oh really? Is your mun sure you could handle a place like that? Or is she hoping I'll help out an old friend out of the kindness of my spark?

And icons, hm? What's the price on those?

[Swindle would be on to a major winner if he could, Starscream has managed to turn obnoxious into some kind of aphrodisiac for the human ladies]

I don't know, Swindle. You never got the chance to vote for me, did you. [and the way things are shaping up, Starscream might end up dead before he even gets a chance to put his name on the ballot. Not that he doesn't deserve that sort of fate, mind.]

Pah. She might think so, but you and I both know you'd want something for being useful to me, wouldn't you. I'm fair, I don't expect to get things for nothing.

[that said, these are free!] Nothing, unless you count her oogling you uncomfortably for a few kliks.

I was just waiting to make sure you were a good investment. I'm VOD only, you see. Vote on Delivery. You deliver and I vote for you. I liked your speeches, by the way. Very stirring.

Very smart of you. [Claps his hands] And do you know what I love? People owing me favors. That just gets my spark all warm and fuzzy feeling.

[Click!] Oh, I'm fine with that. My policies still apply though- look, but don't touch. And if you break it, I have someone else break you. Now- who should I accredit these lovely squares of my visage to?

Starscream! It's been far too long. I'm glad to see you're alright.

[Aka he misses you.]

...Unfortunately I'm not sure what you're talking about exactly. My mun is still in the dark on the subject as well.

Well, look who it is. It's a good thing I didn't bet on your odds of survival, I'd owe some serious shanix by now.

[he misses you too, Rung ;;]

Oh. Ergh. She's--... She read that Spotlight. And I suppose she feels sorry for people too weak to defend themselves.

Ah--well, considering some things that happened as of late...I suppose that statement isn't too harsh, in reality.

[Have an awkward little smile at that before it fades into a semi-thoughtful, worried sort of look.]

My mun's trying to get a copy of it now. I'm..a bit worried.

Oh? What happened? I knew you needed more defense than your charm - overwhelmingly disarming as it is. [whoa he needs to stop being so honest it's really hurting his reputation as a liar]

She says it's tantamount to domestic abuse. That I couldn't leave, because defecting wasn't an option and that ...well, I didn't deserve to lie in that berth even if I'd made it myself.

I expect you'll take her side. But what Megatron did to me made me a stronger person.

There..was an attack on Haven and I tried to get to Dead End who had been injured..and was injured myself in the process. Prior to that, I had a bit of an uncomfortable run-in with Tarn.

[Yeah, that's a visible shiver you see going through him. It wasn't a pleasant experience, on either account.]

...I...see. Even without context, just yet, I have to say I believe I will take her side. You allow Megatron to get away with far too much, Starscream.

Tarn? [and for a brief moment he does look sympathetic. It's an unusual look for him] Who counsels the counselors? Because you're not going to just walk Tarn off.

[although he prickles a little, he doesn't immediately react with scorn or disagreement, more...shame.]

...He's ...it probably does look that way. But maybe you let me get away with too much.

I'll be alright, Starscream. Don't worry. I had Fort Max there to help me, though I worry more for him than myself. Tarn seemed to have quite the interest in him..

[Rung's optics soften again, the therapist looking worried.]

..Or maybe he just makes you think that. Because I don't think you get away with too much. I think you have the potential to be a great mech and you've shown that time and time again, Starscream.

on the subject of spotlight megatron, spoilers possible

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my lack of icons is so embarassing

but you play swindle amazingly so he doesn't suffer for lack of pretty pictures

fffkalsnffasml stop you're too nice;;;

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