rehab #2

[staygoldponybot]

Who: idw sentinel and idw optimus
Where: crater near the gross plants
When: after babytron's announcement and op's subsequent "please hate me" video
What: rehabilitation
Warnings: standard depressing cybertronian bullshit



Despite what he'd said, Sentinel arrived about two minutes after Optimus. Boy, it sure is inconvenient missing a major organ!

As per usual, he doesn't say anything on arrival. He probably used up most of his words of the day in the video call. Instead, he just takes a place next to Optimus with an uncharacteristic and slightly creey grin plastered across his features.

Don't make him say it, bro. Don't do it.

Comments

[staygoldponybot]

Coincidentally, that's exactly how Sentinel ran his Primacy! You know, barely pay attention to important meeting then go get hammered with group of henchman. Hedonism!

"Hm," a hobby..... that isn't shooting or oppressing anyone.... not sure what to do..... "I did try stacking rocks once a few days ago."

It's probably incredible the shit he can say with an entirely straight face.

"Wind blew them over. Was absolutely devastated."

[optout]

It's almost like you were a bad leader, Sentinel....almost.

His fingers drum awkwardly on his legs as Sentinel thinks. A part of him actually wonders if he's thinking of real hobbies, or if he's just humoring him. Or if he's just thinking of the most sarcastic comeback.

--ah, it was the third one. And Optimus resists smacking Sentinel upside the head. "Something crumbling beneath your hands. Must be so familiar."

BUT MOVING ON.

"Perhaps reading--"

[staygoldponybot]

Jokes on you nerd, he was telling the truth. For a moment, he can't help but wonder if Optimus' tone is implying the Prime isn't sure if Sentinel can read. He'd find it funny, if it wasn't directed at him.

Instead, he frowns. Christ, does he miss crushing people.

"I am trying to look into renovation. This place isn't exactly rife with literature, let alone building shelters for morons."

[optout]

He doesn't doubt Sentinel's intelligence, but more of a 'why bother'. He knows the guy's priorities. Probably more than he should.

See? That's exactly what he's talking about.

"Renovation sounds harmless enough. I'm...pleasantly surprised."

And he means that, too.

[staygoldponybot]

"Yes, well. The dumpsters are only comfortable for so long."

Is he serious is he joking WHO KNOWS HE SAYS IT WITH SUCH A STRAIGHT FACE. That said, his mouth quirks EVER SO GENTLY at the corner.

"Useful destruction, no?"

[optout]

You can't see it, but there's a slight smirk underneath that faceplate.

But what isn't seen is somewhat said in tone. He's...humorous now.

"And Destruction people would welcome, honestly."

[staygoldponybot]

He huffs.

"I have been told several times mechs like me are better in construction."

To be fair, he has buried bodies in concrete before. That's... that's close enough, right?

[optout]

"If that's what you want, after all. We're no longer a species that has jobs assigned by what we're built for."

A pause.

"You could be anything."

[staygoldponybot]

He could be anything except something, it seems.

"I'll try to make sure I don't get overly ambitious." Again. "Don't want to accidentally hit the gun poking my neck and set it off."

[optout]

"That'd be a safe bet. But anything within reason shouldn't make that happen."

...

"Most people don't find joy in murdering others."

[staygoldponybot]

Sentinel just looks away awkwardly.

"You say that now. This uneasy peace won't last forever."

And he can tell already he'll be the scapegoat.

[optout]

"That's not a very optimistic view. You're so certain for failure?"

He can't blame Sentinel. It's all he's seen the society as, and he wasn't exactly wrong.

[staygoldponybot]

"Sometimes... it feels like Cybertronian nature."

'Cause he's not really heard of a major victory at all.

[optout]

"You've lost faith in your people to change."

His gaze looks down at his hands, not holding each other and resting on his knees. "Cybertronian nature is to change. That is what we must hold to."

[staygoldponybot]

"They are not my people. I'd say not any more, but I probably don't have the right to assume they ever were."

Sentinel is all too aware he's on thin ice, and he is a heavy bastard.

He crosses his arms, still avoiding looking at Optimus.

"In theory."

[optout]

"Did you believe they were at the time?"

This is all hypothetical musing right now, and he couldn't blame Sentinel for that. He was as much a cog in the machine as he was perpetuating others.

He's not blameless, but he's not all to blame either.

[staygoldponybot]

"Even someone like me could not take on that amount of responsibility and not come to that conclusion."

Hell, he was even a little bit possessive. Sentinel has to do everything in an awful, unhealthy way.

[optout]

"Sentinel. I want to know one thing about you. And I want you to answer honestly. Because you owe me that as one of your successors."

...A pause.

"Did you really want what was best for the people? Were you misguided?"

Because if not, he wants to hear it straight from Sentinel's mouth. RETRIBUTION TIME.

[staygoldponybot]

"I did what I thought was best at the time." he says simply, not feeling the need to elaborate.

For me is the part he leaves out.

[optout]

"You can't be faulted for an ideal."

Actually you can, but he's trying to be supportive here. Look at him go, saying 'it might not have been completely your fault.'

"Thank you, for sharing that with me."

[staygoldponybot]

That... sounds fake, but okay. Sentinel will accept it on the grounds that it does not involve ruining more of his organs.

With nothing more to say, and running dangerously close to his allocated daily word limit, Sentinel just shrugs lightly. Of course he shared it, he was not aware he had a choice. This is another concern he decides to neglect vocalising.

[optout]

Silence falls over the two, Optimus now finding the crater they were at the edge of to be the most interesting thing to look at now.

...


"I think we can conclude this session. I'll look forward to or next one."


Sort of....

[staygoldponybot]

Euuugh. UUUUGH.

"Of course. I will try to have some substantial results for you."