thisavrou | audio;

[No video this time, and Ratchet's voice sounds a little ragged over the feed.]

Public service announcement--if anyone knows, or knows of, the Cybertronian called Tarn, you might have heard about his ability to damage or even kill others with his voice. This is no longer an issue.

[He declines to give anything even vaguely resembling a detailed explanation as to why. He's also well aware that Tarn might be listening, but does not appear to care in the slightest.]

I don't know if it ever worked on organics, mostly because testing it might have involved the subjects being very dead even if Tarn had agreed, but I'd ask any engineers to kindly refrain from repairing his damaged vocalizer in the meantime. He can still communicate, it's not completely busted. If you feel like fixing any of his other injuries, fine, it's your funeral, but he's already committed murder once on this ship and the fewer weapons he has, the better.

...just wanted to let people know there's one less thing to worry about. It's not news we hear often around here, I'm finding.

Ratchet out.

(OOC: posted shortly after this)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That's my p-point.

[he crosses his arms, pouting.]

That's exactly my point.

What is your point, Riptide?

I'm not dying anymore! I actually stood up and walked out the medibay a few times!

[bad idea, but he still did it.]

S-so, you don't need to worry about me! Just-- I know you're under a l-lot of stress and I'm worried.

You know, you're not cleared to be out of bed. [Ratchet levers a claw at him.] Kindly refrain from undoing my hard work by rattling your newly-reanchored organs around, thank you.

[He shakes his head after a moment, his expression softening just slightly.]

I worry about everyone, Riptide. That's my job. Just like your job right now is healing, all right? Full time.

They didn't rattle...

[they bounced a little, at best.]

...It w-would be easier if I knew you were okay too. I'll d-drag you down with me every night, don't t-think I won't.

[That actually seems to get through to him a bit.]

...all right. I'll try to slow it down. It's just hard playing catch-up since I got these. [He gestures, spinning a claw lazily in one socket.]

[riptide hesitates, but reaches out his hands to take ratchet's hideous goblin claws, assuming he's not stopped, threading his fingers in between each claw.]

Y-you're doing fine. I'm still here, and I'm s-sure anyone would give you a h-- uhhh. Help. If you a-asked.

[he frowns.]

you sh-shouldn't be so afraid of asking for it.

[Ratchet snorts a laugh and lets Riptide take his claws, only startling a little when they're touched. He's more used to people not wanting to engage with them or staring awkwardly than he's used to anyone touching them.]

I'm not afraid. [He sounds a little indignant.] It's just--this is my job, Riptide. I've been doing it a long time. I can handle it, all right? Promise.

I know! [he doesn't let go just yet, but does loosen his grip so ratchet can pull away.] I w-wouldn't be here if you weren't g...good at it.

[making a face, riptide tries to think of how to put what he's feeling into words.]

I'm just-- I-I turn into a boat and have been doing so for almost four million years, y-yeah? But sometimes I still need a k-kick up the aft to stop my t-cog from sticking! How long you... you've been doing something d-doesn't really matter if you need help. [the part of riptide's face that would have a nose wrinkles.] I-if Alpha whatshisface was in your position, I-I'd still tell him to get a speech to t-text translator for all his boring books, you know?

I'll manage.

[Ratchet squeezes Riptide's fingers gently, not pulling back just yet.]

I'm all right, Riptide. I swear.

Okay. I'm going to b-believe you but I'm gonna be d-disappointed if you're lying.

[he sighs, finally pulling back himself.]

Can I a-ask something?

[Ratchet tilts his head a little, looking curious.]

You can ask.

Who jumped me?

[Ratchet lets out a long hissing sigh of air from his vents.]

He asked me not to tell you.

[riptide makes a noise, which would be indicative of about 5 different emotions.]

Alright. Can you tell the mystery man I appreciate it? It must've been hard if he didn't want me to know.

He didn't want you to think he did it because he wanted to one-up you, or to shame you, or to look like some kind of hero. [Ratchet reaches out, curling his claws around one of Riptide's hands again.]

He did it because he cares about you, and because it was the right thing to do.

It was Rodimus, wasn't it?

[C'MON BRO]

[Ratchet shrugs--how he manages to look that innocent with a punched-in face and smashed optic is anybody's guess.]

I didn't say that.

Y-you're terrible at patient confidentiality. You know that, right?

[he laughs lightly, though it's a bit uneasy. riptide isn't actually sure if he feels better knowing.]

I am not.

[He sounds a little genuinely offended.]

Anyway, whoever jumpstarted you wasn't my patient, you are.

Wasn't he technically your patient if he took part in a medical procedure under you?

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