video;

[asafepairofhands]

[This time when Ratchet starts broadcasting, the video clicks on. He looks a little worn, but there's an underlying stubborn determination there, deepening the lines at the corners of his mouth.]

Ratchet here. Consider the inorganic section of medical officially back in business. That goes for everyone who's even part mechanical, not just Cybertronians--my door is open.

If you are Cybertronian and I haven't seen you for a check, you're due. I'm aware I still can't exactly order any of the Decepticons around ranking medical officer or not, but except for certain individuals who know who they are, you're welcome as well and I recommend it. Who knows what the hell this place is doing to us--I'd appreciate a baseline just in case something does go wrong and I end up having to do something about it.

Anyway, that's it. Ratchet out.

Comments

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

[uuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh]

Yeah that's, um. Broken.

[asafepairofhands]

[Someone goes from medium-crabby to his severe no-nonsense I-am-a-medical-professional-and-you'd-best-do-as-I-say voice in about 0.4 seconds.]

Where are you? Right now.

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

Ratchet, seriously, I'm fine.

[Yeah arguing is totally pointless but it's not going to stop Drift from trying]

[asafepairofhands]

Then there's no possible reasonable objection you could have to seeing me right now, is there? I'm on my way.

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

I haven't even told you where I am!

[asafepairofhands]

I'll figure it out eventually even if you don't, but it'd make my life easier if you just let me know now.

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

[ssSSIGH]

I'm in my room.

[asafepairofhands]

[There's a knock on the door about three and a half seconds later.]

How did I guess?

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

[Good lord Ratchet how are you so fast.]

Okay, real quick, two things.

One, promise you won't freak out. Two, I can't exactly reach the door right now, so you'll have to let yourself in.

[asafepairofhands]

[Because he was already on his way there, because of COURSE YOU WERE IN YOUR STUPID ROOM YOU STUPID HIPPIE]

Well, fifty-fifty isn't bad, I guess. [He keys the door open and steps inside, scowling.]

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

[GOD

anyway Drift's one of these little fuckers, staring up at Ratchet and just. Shrugging. What does he say to this.]

So. This happened.

[asafepairofhands]

Huh.

[Ratchet's optics narrow and he flexes his claws slowly before he folds his arms over his windscreen.]

Well, that can't be comfortable. You doing all right, otherwise?

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

[Drift's kind of relieved that Ratchet's taking this pretty damn well. He can't help but stare at the claws for a moment but y'know.]

I... guess? I don't think I'm in any pain, it just... Everything feels weird.

[asafepairofhands]

I think I'd be more worried if everything didn't feel weird.

[Ratchet eyes him consideringly, the claws of one hand clicking together at a steady, thoughtful pace.]

Please tell me you've eaten something since this happened. And showered and changed clothes at least once.

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

[Drift is really distracted by the claws okay, he doesn't even know if he should mention it just what is everything right now.]

Okay, shower yes, clothes I haven't actually been wearing much because if feels strange, so I think this is still clean? I'm just going to assume it is. Food. Right, I should eat food.

[asafepairofhands]

Please do. I didn't haul my aft all that way to collect you only to have you let yourself starve to death by accident, understand?

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

Yes, Ratchet. I understand. Honestly though, I have no idea what am, let alone what I can eat. I mean, have you ever seen one of these before?

[He kind of motions at himself, look he is scaly and freaky and has buggy eyes what is this]

[asafepairofhands]

Hmm. ...no, actually. Good point. Let me check the ship's medical records to see if there's anything that matches so you don't go accidentally poisoning yourself somehow.

[He draws out his MID and starts tapping at it delicately with one claw--it's slower than it would have been with fingers, obviously, but he's managing. He flicks his optics briefly down to Drift.]

This is what all that fuss was about? What did you even think I'd do when I saw you?

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

I wasn't sure, to be honest. I just figured you already had enough on your mind lately. Are you doing all right?

[asafepairofhands]

Mmmmm.

[Ratchet looks away from the MID for a moment and down at Drift, his gaze steady.]

Yeah. I'm all right.

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

Good, good. No more pain or anything, right?

[Drift's just going to be tiny and cross his arms. He worries okay]

[asafepairofhands]

[Ratchet decides on honesty for once and inclines his head a little.]

Some phantom pain in my fingers, sometimes. It was the same when I attached Pharma's hands, except I had fingers then, so it's a little odd. It'll pass. Other than that, I'm adjusting as well as can be expected, I guess.

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

Good, that's. That's good.

[Oh good, the honesty is much appreciated. Drift kind of sighs and looks down at his own hands. They're all fleshy and stuff now, but hey.]

I would have offered you mine, you know. I know they aren't as good as yours were, but...

[but it's got to be better than claws, right?]

[asafepairofhands]

[Ratchet actually recoils a little, shock and the slightest hint of anger flickering across his face.]

You think I could do that? Just... take the hands of someone who was using them, knowing what it's like to not have my own? I had Pharma's and I have Glitch's because they have no further use for them, not because I'd do anything for a new set, whatever the cost. I wouldn't have taken them if you'd tried.

[happyclappyhippydrippy]

Well. You had Pharma's because I lopped them off of him, but that's getting a bit off track.

I don't expect you to accept an offer like that, because you're you and I know you, but I can say that it's something that I'd be more than happy to do for you if it ever came down to it. That's all I'm saying.