Is this what humans call magic?

[still_learning]

Who: Jetstorm, OPEN
Where: In da city
When: NAOW-ish?
What: Meet n greet
Warnings: Cute. So much cute. And possibly lots of confusion. For Jetstorm.

[There's not much more disorienting than following your sensei back to the ship and suddenly, those aren't trees you're passing by, but tall structures - buildings, to be sure. They look almost Cybertronian in nature, but he can't remember Cybertron looking this worse for the wear the last time he saw it. No way it was. They'd been in the process of rebuilding it, years into the process of rebuilding it. Highways had been clean, buildings stood tall and pristine, and that group of craters and mess was not in the middle of the road, no they were not.]

[He's not going crazy. He's sure of it. But those were not there a moment ago. For that matter, things that had been there are now gone. The trees, the bushes, the dirt under his feet, Master Drift, Slipstream...]

[Wait, that's accurate, right? His teacher and partner? Jetstorm looks all around him in a growing panic.]

Master Drift? Slipstream?!

[Yeah, nope, they're definitely not around. And if this is some kind of training, it's the most realistic simulation he's seen to date. When did their exercises get so sophisticated?]

Comments

10 soon tho

[planate]

...Yeah, pretty different from the one I know. I don't think even he takes himself that seriously.

[he taps his chin.]

People keep showing up, though. Maybe he will. That would be fun to see.

RITE?

[still_learning]

[So definitely not the one he knows, then. It feels.. really weird to think like that, even though double names aren't that unheard of.]

I hope he will. And Slipstream, too. They will be so worried when they know I am gone and they cannot find me.

[He pushes the cube from one hand to the other with a finger, listless, worrying himself and it's pretty clear to him now this isn't really a simulator of any kind. He just doesn't have any other way to explain it.]

What happens to those who are not here? Do they even realize that we are gone?

Re: RITE?

[planate]

I-- don't know, actually. I can't imagine they wouldn't notice. I mean, there's some very important mechs here.

...

But... also some from different time periods...

[he puts his hands on his head.] Geez. Mind blown.

[still_learning]

[He might... might believe the different time periods thing. So far, the only other bot he's seen doesn't look like he should be from his world at all, if he's honest with himself. He looks Cybertronian, but like on a whole other level.]

[wait, mind what?]

Are you hurt? [cube, forgotten] Was it something I said?

[planate]

No, no. I'm fine. It's just weird to think about. Like... timelines and such. I'm pretty sure some of the mechs here [COUGHMEGATRONCOUGH] are important enough that them disappearing out the blue would have been mentioned in their history but...

I'm over thinking it.

[still_learning]

[oh okay good]

That is true. If this has happened before, we would know about these bots disappearing without any trace. It is not easy to comprehend how all of this works. Perhaps I am overthinking it as well.

[planate]

Magic. I'm going with magic.

[for now.]

[still_learning]

[oh so confuse]

How long has this been happening, bots arriving here?

[planate]

Almost half a year, I think. There's not as many as you'd expect, though.

[still_learning]

[sipsip]

Maybe it is for the best. As much as I would like to see my Master and partner again, I would not like for them to be here. But it is encouraging that you have been here so long and seem well.

[aka he doesn't think he's going to starve and die a horrible death, not yet]

[planate]

Definitely! It's gonna be okay, little buddy. Don't worry about it.

[BE HAPPY and in denial like pipes]

[still_learning]

I believe you. Only, I am not sure what to think about all of this. It is hard to see this place as Cybertron, to think that I am here for what reason may be.

[Happy might not be a problem for him once he realizes how much FREEDOM he's going to have. Just let him get past the shock of it all.]

[planate]

If I had to guess, it's because the planet thinks you can help in some way. That's the impression I got from what Optimus said, anyway.

[he will wait for Smol Son]

'smol son' jfc I'm die u killed

[still_learning]

[That actually perks his attention. Him? Helpful? And an entire planet dragged him to it because it thought so?....... No way.]

I would like very much to help. Perhaps I could start by helping to clean up. I know I am not strong like the others [nothing to do with his size nope not at all] but I can fit into places they cannot. I could search for resources, or help to clean things they could not reach.

IM SORRY

[planate]

I think our best best so far is to just stockpile resources, especially if mechs keep turning up. We want to have enough to feed 'em.

SHO TINY SUCH LUVV

[still_learning]

[He nods and sips the last of is energon down. It wasn't the best, but he doesn't even know what that's like, so...]

I had thought to ask you, where do you find this? Are there any refineries left here, or is it only scattered cubes and reserves throughout this world? [Because honestly, that's a terrifying thought, that they might some day run out with nowhere to go and no way off the planet.]

Re: SHO TINY SUCH LUVV

[planate]

There's a ton of it in the crater... that should last a while. I guess we'll have to find an alternate source.

Maybe one of the science guys is trying to figure it out. I'm not sure, I haven't asked.

[still_learning]

[Yeah, he's definitely no scientist. He wouldn't have a clue how even to begin looking for a new source of energon other than go out and search.]

It is good that I do not need much of it. I suppose that we are not yet to a point where we need to ration, since we were able to come here and take what we need. I hope it will not come to worse.

[planate]

Honestly, after the war I think we're all used to having a little amount of it available and not taking more than we need.

[you remember that war right pal]

We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, though. For now we have plenty.

[still_learning]

[actually he doesn't at all do history d-pads count?]

You were in the Great War? That must have been awful. I read about it, and I saw Cybertron come back from the desolation that it had become, but I cannot imagine how that must have been. Master Drift says that the Decepticons we fight now are nothing compared to what he faced during that conflict.

[but uh good things now? good things!]

I am glad that you are alive and well, Pipes. Even if we are here, I do not think you are a bad bot.

[planate]

It depends on your situation, really. It's not really fair to say one struggle isn't as bad as another and therefore isn't as valid. It still hurts people no matter what.

[man this master drift guy is sounding like a douche.]

Aw, thanks buddy. Same for you! I mean, it could be worst but I'm glad it's not.

[still_learning]

No, I suppose it would not be the same for everyone. [He knows those feels and he never so much as lifted a fist back in that day. One little finger reaches out to poke that empty cube of his and push it around a little.]

[He gives Pipes a smile.]

It could be, but I am also glad it is not. If you do not mind my asking, what do you do here when you are not... looking for new bots like myself?

[planate]

[pipes lets out a laugh, both at the question and JETFIRES LIL SMILE AWW]

A lot of the time I walk into people by coincidence! I just wouldn't leave them wandering around without showing them where the essentials are, y'know? Arriving here is disorientating enough.

[plus he might be over compensating. slightly. a lot.]

Just looking for supplies, usually. This used to be a city so there's quite a lot hidden away in some of the rubble. I always wanted to be a famous explorer and I'm finally getting a chance!

[still_learning]

[the struggle is real]

It should seem likely that I will be doing the same, in time. [maybe a lot of time give him a hot minute here] I do not mean to impose, but would it be possible for me to take up residence... in a room near yours, wherever you stay? I would not mind living alone if I need.

[planate]

[SCREAMS INTERNALLY HIS SON IS SO CUTE]

Sure! The place I've been staying used to be an office block, I think, so it has a ton of rooms. It's quite close to the centre of the city, too.