More News of Teletraan; Thrust Worries

[primus_seeress]

*Auspex is attempting to study an obscure text. She is somewhat distracted, still reeling a bit about the recent events, the new friend she lost so soon, and what an enigma he was... as well as the experience of having her innate abilities boosted by a Cybertronian with Mini-Con power-augmenting energy, without the need of the specific port that no one in her universe possesses... and a new dent in the wall that needs repair, introduced by a very large helicopter Cybertronian from a very alien universe. It's... been strange lately, even for her.*

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[random_xtras]

And the presence that was here twice before is here again, and a nearly intangible hand rests gently on her shoulder. Worry and confusion come with the touch, along with apprehension and a desire to protect. But there's faith there too, and even a touch of wry humor.

[primus_seeress]

*Auspex, having sensed his presence a moment before, blinks up at... where someone should be.* Hello? *she notes the emotion with concern*

[random_xtras]

"It's just me." Ratchet's voice seems to echo from a distance. The urge to protect strengthens, and someone else is feeling awe and indignation over by the Big Dent. "What happened here, Auspex?"

[primus_seeress]

Ah. Ratchet, hello. What troubles you?

*her optics travel over to the dent... and another ghostly presence? She sighs softly at the former* Ah. Well... a particularly large, and rather nervous Decepticon came here unexpectedly -- both for her, and myself. She ran into the wall by mistake. I've yet to seek out someone who can repair it. Fortunately, it seems to be only cosmetic.

Who is it you've brought with you? *she nods toward the other presence, curious*

[random_xtras]

"That'd be me, Priestess," says a deep, warm drawl as warmth and easy affection colours the feelings of the unseen spark, though he too simmers with a bit of uncertainty. "Ironhide."

[primus_seeress]

Ahh. Hello, Ironhide. I've met one of your alternates before; it's good to meet another you. *her optics brighten in amusement*

[random_xtras]

"Likewise." He chuckles slightly, then sobers. "Ratchet... jes' spill it, buddy."

Ratchet spikes with annoyance, not liking to be pushed.

[random_xtras]

"Well...." The former CMO frowns. "Why would he be in a reality other than our own? Or the Nexus?"

"Yeah. 'Her'." Ironhide feels of curiosity at her surprise. Ratchet hasn't told him about the male Starscream that he and Panacea met in the Nexus.

[primus_seeress]

*She shakes her head* I have no idea. Why would he not be with Rodimus' people, either? *and again, as Ratchet said, Primus is not forthcoming. Well... okay... she attempts to quell the anxiety*

...I've met, or heard of, several alternates and parallels of Starscream... all were male. Hearing of a female counterpart... baffles me, considerably.

[random_xtras]

Ratchet sighs and rubs the back of his neck, then looks over at his friend, who is still invisible to Auspex's optics. "Yeah... I met one the other day. He didn't seem like a bad guy. For a Screamer."

Ironhide's feelings amount to 'ewwww'. "Jes' don't tell me ya ever met a gal me."

Ratchet can't help it. He laughs.

[primus_seeress]

*Auspex's optics brighten in slight amusement* He -- or she, as well, most likely -- is abrasive most of the time, treacherous and hateful at worst... but surprisingly loyal, and a refuge of strength, at the best of times. I call at least one Starscream a friend.

I can't say that I have, Ironhide. That doesn't mean there aren't any, somewhere, but I am ignorant of them. *her smile is lightly jesting*

[startactician.livejournal.com]

A quiet chuckle comes from the air outside the sanctuary gate. "Loyal? A refuge of strength? You are as beautifully naive as always, priestess."

Out of the air steps a coneheaded jet, his pink optics glinting with amusement. Yes, he sees the spectre Autobot talking to Auspex, but he's hardly going to let death serve as an excuse for slander.

[random_xtras]

Both ghosts look at him without surprise, though Ironhide continues invisible to living optics.

"I wouldn't call myself beautiful or naive," says Ratchet. "But I'd say the same about the femme I know."

"Lousy cheat at poker, though," mutters Ironhide, secure in his inaudibility.

[random_xtras]

-In for a penny, in for a pound,- thinks Ratchet to himself, rerouting the urge to kick Thrust's aft.

"I don't know," he says out loud. "From what I've read about Optimus Prime... he was almost exactly like Prima. Just not as pretty."

"Optimus Prime?!" sputters Ironhide, his 'ewwwww' increasing.

And Ratchet sparks with amusement at the reaction.

[startactician.livejournal.com]

"Gender has little to do with treachery." Thrust waves a dismissive hand at the ghosts. "Yes, I know them, if only from archival photos and the Nexus, but I would think someone so high up in the Autobot ranks would know Decepticon when he saw it."

He's not quite sure what's gotten into Ironhide, but it can't be important.

[primus_seeress]

*Auspex raises a brow, clarifying dryly* In some dimensions -- including this one -- *she gestures toward the door, indicating the rest of the planet beyond* - being a fem in itself can be problematic. They are the far minority, and convention dictates pairing with the opposite gender. I can only imagine someone of Starscream's temperament enduring some of the... antics... of would-be suitors. It may affect one's patience, at the least.

*She glances at Ironhide, slightly bemused* Yours is the only female I've heard of, actually. Consider your universe unique. *little smile*

*she blinks at Thrust* What does being a Decepticon have to do with integrity? You can have both.

[random_xtras]

"Uh yeah... that was somethin' ta see," mutters the unseen spark, remembering the time he'd actually seen Skywarp say something flirtatious to Starscream. Then he raises his voice. "Well if that don't beat all...."

And Ratchet's just going to stand there and scowl with his arms over his windshield.

[startactician.livejournal.com]

"Starscream's had plenty of suitors as it is, I've even met one of them personally. So far Dreadmoon's the only one he's accepted and the rest don't seem to hold him back at all. You create false oppression for him--or her--when Starscream is the creator of his own problems."

He's heard of genderflops before, and to be quite honest doesn't really care. It's no excuse.

[primus_seeress]

*Auspex shakes her head* We are speaking of two different subjects. I only said that it might be a factor affecting outer behavior, not that it was... nor is that relevent to the Starscream that I have had much first-hand experience with. *She sighs, looking up at Thrust wearily* The two of you must drive Dreadmoon to distraction with your rivalry.

[startactician.livejournal.com]

Thrust makes a noise of disgust. "They're simpletons even for Autobots. One wonders how they even function."

His irritated demeanor dissipates and he bows low to Auspex. "I'm sorry, I haven't greeted you properly yet."

[primus_seeress]

*She's resumed her disbelieving stare, too caught up in bewilderment to even return his unusually respectful bow (to make up for his behavior, she wonders? As if that would just smooth everything over?) with a nod of her own.*

Thrust...? Tell me why you have acted in this manner. *her speech is more formal, the sort she uses with someone she's just met... because she's not sure if she really knows what just happened here. Her voice is emotionless; simply soft, and somewhat distant*

[startactician.livejournal.com]

"I simply wanted to chase away those idiots bothering you." He raises his head again but remains in a respectful pose. "They would fill your head with lies, priestess."

[primus_seeress]

*Her optics flicker out a moment, as she draws on Primus' patience. It would not do to verbally lash out at her charge, as much as she would like to... but she must wonder at times if he is purposefully being a fool*

*Her voice is somewhat leaden* They are my lord's people, Thrust. They serve as messengers for the Allspark. They were bringing me news of... admittedly, one of the stranger sparks I've encountered in the Nexus, but one that has caused me much concern, of late... I needed to hear that news, and receive that reassurance.

*she hesitates, a troubled silence following*

[startactician.livejournal.com]

"Doesn't Primus give you news of the Allspark? It seems strange that he would need to send mere mortals to do his bidding instead." Thrust tilts his head ever so slightly, feigning innocent confusion.

[primus_seeress]

*She nearly growls in annoyance, as his emotional aspect is anything but innocent or confused* Don't toy with me, Thrust. I do not question how news is sent, I only know that it is. And there are times when a physical embrace is comforting, and I will accept one from whomever sincerely offers it. Though-- *she glances at him sharply, tone matching* it seems to trouble you inordinantly much, and I find it somewhat disturbing. Might you perhaps explain that?