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[The video feed opens on Zam’s face, though the lower half of it is curiously covered by a rich teal veil. Even so, it isn’t difficult to tell from her eyes that she’s smiling beneath the fabric.]

So. Looks like the Ingress actually decided to send me something nice for a change. [Certainly nicer than the saberdart it had sent her before.] Thing is, it didn’t exactly do it in moderation.

[The MID camera pans to an large open crate sitting in the cargo bay, absolutely bursting with vivid squares of fabric in a seemingly endless array of colors, materials, and designs. Black and violet chersilk, silver cerlin, brilliant orange trevella, sheer, iridescent gemweb… It’s a stunning variety, the only similarity between the various pieces the general size and shape, perfectly cut, as Zam had demonstrated, to cover a humanoid face. There are also clearly far too many for any one person. Zam had gone through and picked out a few favorites for herself, as well as a handful of particularly expensive-looking pieces for future trade on planets, but that still leaves her with a frankly excessive number of the things.]

It would be a shame to throw them out or let them sit in my quarters gathering dust, so I figured I’d let people take what they like. [Does that seem strangely charitable of the shapeshifter? One who knows the particular political and religious significance of veils on Zolan might not think so. The camera pans back to Zam, eyes still bright from a hidden grin.] You can come pick a few up in the cargo bay. I’m sure we can find something in your color.

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He did not.

[riptide sighs. not out of irritation, but more because he's a little upset that, once again, cybertronian relations with any other race are falling apart.]

Where I was posted during the war didn't really involve interaction with any organics... uh. We kinda had a really long war? That may have, possibly, involved several organic planets being fatally screwed up? [hawkward.] And you guys are so small and you live like, what, 300 years?

[Zam listens intently as he speaks, initially more interested in gathering information than passing judgment -- that is, until his last comment.] And that makes it better?

Wh-- no! No, that makes... makes it worse, if anything, y'know? It's not cool no matter what the situation is!

[he was accidentally racist there, wasn't he. damnit.]

Look, my point is, Decepticons tended to think organics were lesser because of that reason, but it's not true! The war ended on Earth, I'm pretty sure some humans gave Megatron a ton of trouble.

[Zam’s eyes narrow, the look all the more obvious with the rest of her face covered.] Right.

So the war ended, but there are still people like Tarn around who think we’re all inferior. And Megatron… Did he have a change of heart, or is he just playing nice because he needs us to get home?

Unfortunately. It ended recently, so I'm sure you can imagine there's still a lot of problems. As for Megatron... I don't know. I really don't. I want to say yes, but... I've spent my entire light fighting against him and his forces.

[so he has literally no confidence in megatron or anything he says.]

At least if it's the latter he's still not likely to do anything...?

Whether he does anything or not, I don’t exactly like the idea of being on the ship with someone who sees me and everyone like me as an insect.

What about the other Cybertronians on the ship? Any of them have similar views?

I don't really want to speak for anyone else. We've been-- it's been a long time, I don't know everything they've done or how they feel.

[he shakes his head, uncharacteristically sombre.]

...I guess you'll find out soon enough. I'm sorry it has to be this way.

[Zam frowns.] Can’t you talk to them? You can’t just tell us to wait and see which of your buddies might kill us for looking at them the wrong way.

I think the only one who would kill any humans right now is Tarn. I know Tailgate is okay... Cyclonus never leaves his room, Rodimus is probably okay too, Megatron and Soundwave... I have no idea. It's just Tarn. He's always been a problem for everyone.

[he sighs heavily.]

Sorry, I'm just remembering why Cybertronians always have awful relations with organics.

[Zam takes note of his mention of Soundwave as one of the unknowns. He had offered to help Zam at the Ingress before so he’s probably in the clear, but she’ll keep her guard up around him nonetheless.]

Oh? Do tell.

Well, I mean, there's mainly the thing where we've been fighting a civil war that's lasted longer than most people's civilisations? I mean, Cybertron died pretty quickly and it spilled over onto neighbouring organic populated systems...

[he trails off. zam has seen a fraction of what tarn can do, he assumes they can put two and two together.]

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