video - this is stupid

[knaval]

Uh-- is this working? Hello?

[the screen picture is perfectly showing riptide's panicked expression.]

I have absolutely no idea-- uh. My name is Riptide! I was with the crew of the Moira, but now I have no idea where I am. Crazy, right? I think I passed out? I have no idea. Anyway, this is a call for help! I've been approached by people and-- it's awful! I need an extraction immediately!

[he groans dramatically.]

They want me to get a job! [he was recommended to get a job.] A job! Like-- like being employed somewhere! Being paid to have responsibilities! I think one of them even said I can buy a-- a place to live?! I... I need to sit down. I have literally been tortured before and I've never, at this exact moment, been more uncomfortable in my entire life!

Comments

Re: [VIDEO]

[onlytwoexpressions]

He is presently getting along fine as well.

He's...being difficult. He didn't know where you are. I did my best to assist but...

We do not see optic to optic.

Re: [VIDEO]

[knaval]

Okay, sure, I'm gonna believe that he's fine with his friends going. Yeah, sure.

[obviously not.]

...What? How can you not-- what did you guys say to each other?!

Re: [VIDEO]

[onlytwoexpressions]

He is managing, Riptide. I'm not happy about it, but lingering too long on the topic does no one any good. We are fractured. I'm trying to keep us all together.

He still resents me for the time I tried to forcibly arrest you. He also proved difficult when I was attempting to get him to participate in our relocation.

Re: [VIDEO]

[knaval]

Difficult in what way?

Re: [VIDEO]

[onlytwoexpressions]

Acting like a petulant child.

Re: [VIDEO]

[knaval]

Beeecauuusee...?

[...maybe magnus will make the leap himself. maybe?]

Re: [VIDEO]

[onlytwoexpressions]

Because he hasn't been able to properly process that death happens.

Re: [VIDEO]

[knaval]

Magnus, you...



...FRAGGING IDIOT!

Re: [VIDEO]

[onlytwoexpressions]

That was hardly called for.

Re: [VIDEO]

[knaval]

No, it absolutely was! I thought you were better than this! How can you miss something so glaringly obvious then go and make a bad situation worse! You're unbelievable!

Re: [VIDEO]

[onlytwoexpressions]

I'm going to have to ask you to elaborate, Riptide.

Re: [VIDEO]

[knaval]

He wasn't in the war, Magnus. He's never lost friends. You can't-- you have no place to tell me he's being difficult when you can't understand how he feels.

Don't tell me you do, because you've lost friends. No. Every other Cybertronian here is incapable of knowing how he feels because watching our friends die and disappear is normal. This is the first time for him! Do you even remember what it was like when you first saw one of your friends die?!

Re: [VIDEO]

[onlytwoexpressions]

I do not.

But...I did try and comfort him. Weeks ago. I approached him without my armor since the mere sight of me seems to trigger rebellious impulses.

I did my best to meet him halfway, Riptide. But the sad fact of the matter is that our numbers dwindle by the day. I cannot act as a grief counselor at this juncture.

Re: [VIDEO]

[knaval]

It works both ways, you know. He doesn't get how we feel. I'm not saying that excuses how he behaves, you can be sure I'm gonna talk to him about that, but for someone who's worst experience is screwing up a drift? This is going to take a lot to get over. It's not a case where you just have to block it off and keep shooting!

He's lashing out because this has never happened before, and there's nothing else to given him the excuse of ignoring his problems!

Re: [VIDEO]

[onlytwoexpressions]

I understand that, Riptide. I do.

But I was busy preparing us all for the move out of the Hub. It's not that I could not be bothered to help Sideswipe. It's that there was not sufficient time to help him cope. I am sorry, but I had to do what I felt was right.

Re: [VIDEO]

[knaval]

You can't just lose your mind and end up arguing with him over stuff like this. I know you're gonna try and be the leader but it's just--

--You know I still outrank you, technically, right?

Re: [VIDEO]

[onlytwoexpressions]

Is now really the time to be pulling rank?

Re: [VIDEO]

[knaval]

I'm not pulling rank. I'm about to slap you with rank. You and Sideswipe are gonna meet me, tomorrow. I'm clearing things up between the both of you.

That's an order.

Re: [VIDEO]

[onlytwoexpressions]

You're aware that you don't need to order me to do anything, correct?

I'm not unreasonable and I have no qualms in participating in an open forum.

Re: [VIDEO]

[knaval]

I know, I know. I just wanted to say it.


...

Can I request something?

Re: [VIDEO]

[onlytwoexpressions]

What do you need?

Re: [VIDEO]

[knaval]

I want Minimus to come. Not Ultra Magnus.

Re: [VIDEO]

[onlytwoexpressions]

Do you think that's wise?

He'll think I've been fooling him. He'll feel betrayed.

Re: [VIDEO]

[knaval]

I think it'll be worse if he finds out everyone else knew but he didn't.

Re: [VIDEO]

[onlytwoexpressions]

I see...

It's a fair request, so I will come without my outer armor.