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.*

Comments

[startactician.livejournal.com]

*hmph!* He doesn't offend me. I simply object to anyone slandering his bad name.

[primus_seeress]

*she persists* Why is this objectionable?

[startactician.livejournal.com]

Because it is false. And I of all people should know the pain of falsehoods.

[primus_seeress]

Your dislike for Starscream has no bearing on your idea that this is false? *her expression is inscrutable* Despite what I have seen for myself?

*Softly* Does this discourage you from telling them?

[startactician.livejournal.com]

I tell them only when necessary. *dignified look*

[primus_seeress]

*Auspex is in theoretical question mode* And you choose which alleged truths to believe, based on what standard? Do you not sometimes distort truth to persuade others?

[startactician.livejournal.com]

Based on if the profit gained from them goes towards the greater good of me and mine. These ones did not seem to have any reason for their lies.

[primus_seeress]

*Auspex nods* And they do not lie, and I do not lie. You question if I have been deceived, yet you've given me no real argument as to why I should not believe in Starscream's potential positive qualities, especially given that I have witnessed them first-hand.

You cite the fact that he is not innocent, or altruistic, or trustworthy, and yet you realize that you are not known for those qualities, either; still, I trust you, in as much as I can. Why, then, do you object, when I trust others by those standards, except that you are distorting truth to serve your needs, or choosing which truths to believe?

[startactician.livejournal.com]

*Thrust sighs for a moment, trying to get both his thoughts and his emotions in order. This is frustrating. He sets his hand over his mask, where his noise might be*

Auspex, I hardly mean this to be offensive, but I trust you because I need you. If I did not need you, if I was a less spiritual mech with no regard for your wise counsel, our relationship would be a bit more dangerous.

[primus_seeress]

*She just looks up at him placidly, before nodding once in acknowledgement, speaking quietly* Thank you for your honesty.

Essentially, then, you would make any argument you can, regardless of what you actually believe, in order to convince me not to put myself in danger, and leave you without a guide?

[startactician.livejournal.com]

*with a blank expression* I would keep you safe.

[primus_seeress]

*she's not sure if that is a denial, or an affirmation... it seems complicated; perhaps a bit of both*

But the jealousy, then? You attempt to discredit other visitors and charges, you wish to seem more worthy of my attention than they are? *still, she is not accusing, asking gently, gaze a little melancholy, if anything*

[startactician.livejournal.com]

*innocently, with a bit of jealousy hiding under the surface* Am I not? They are already dead; I still function.

[primus_seeress]

That would depend on how you define 'functioning'. Though that is not the point; what is, is that they came to me, because they are concerned for a lost spark, and also to help me deal with my confusion and sadness about it. You do not hurt so much as that, at the moment, and you came while I was still meeting with them.

Foolish or not, I consider you my friend... but I cannot give you, or anyone else, precedence over others. This is why I am normally only sent one person at a time to speak with. Why that was not the case, in this instance, I am not yet sure.

[startactician.livejournal.com]

*Thrust turns as if to leave, looking disdainful* Then I was disturbing you. I apologize, I shall leave you to your work and not trouble you again.

[primus_seeress]

Thrust! *her voice is sharp; now she is offended* Don't do that to me. Don't accuse me of not doing my job. You are here, no one else is, and I am free to listen, now that the ones I was attending to previously have gone.

You cannot monopolize my attention when it is divided, but Primus tends to orchestrate the timing, so this will not happen. That he did not, this time, means there is a lesson to be learned here, for both of us. But do not leave me with your anger, simply because I can only see to one person at a time.

[startactician.livejournal.com]

*Thrust is always surprised when Auspex gets authoritative, she usually seems so easy to manipulate. He half-turns back, looking offended himself* Anger? What anger? I only wish to indulge you.

[primus_seeress]

You are insulted, because you are imagining that I've called you unimportant, which I have not. There is no one else here that arrived before you, that I must see to. Until you leave, you are my work, even if others arrive before you are through speaking with me. But I do not appreciate you hurting me by leaving my work purposefully unfinished; I find it very painful to be left, having only worked partway through an issue.

Do not use my pain to manipulate me; you do me a disservice.

[startactician.livejournal.com]

There's no issues to be worked through, I only came to give you a gift. *pouting like a sullen child now*

[primus_seeress]

You did not come here with a specific issue, but one presented itself instead. You've been very honest with me, and I have learned things that I did not realize; but you are disgruntled with me, as well, and I don't wish you to leave thus embittered. That is not healthy for any camaraderie, whatever its foundation is built upon.

But I also see how you might purposefully dwell on it to persuade me to make compromises, or as some sort of... emotional retribution, for having slighted you. I only want to be sure that you realize what I can and cannot do, within the parameters of my function, and, most especially, not resent me for them. I would prefer that you accept them gracefully.

[startactician.livejournal.com]

*lightly* Oh, with the utmost grace. I have my duties, you have yours, I wouldn't deign to keep you apart from them.

*apparently there's a sale on sarcasm today*

[primus_seeress]

*she just... looks at him with an unreadable expression. For a good bit of time. She's undecided if she's annoyed, amused, disappointed, insulted, or just plain weary. Finally, she props her head in her hand, and sighs*

All right... I will humor you. Where, in all I've said, shall I apologize, where shall I compromise, and where shall I tell you that you'll just have to live with it? *it may be the driest thing she's said in a long time, though it lacks any real attitude; she does mean what she says*

[startactician.livejournal.com]

Ah, now Thrust is in more familiar territory. The guilt tactic has worked.

"You might not call me overprotective, or anything of the sort. I only want to help you. As for the others..." Thrust's shoulders slump ever so slightly. "Auspex, I realize you are opposed to violence, but for your own safety...get a weapon."

[primus_seeress]

*she catches that hint of manipulative thinking, and finally looks away, shaking her head* And still, you purposefully use your own emotions to influence my actions... I do not like that edge of maneuvering. *she sighs softly* Though I suppose that's part of your function.

I think you mean well, mostly... *she glances back at him as he mentions weapons* No, I cannot do that. I made a promise to Primus that I would not physically harm any of his children, unless to do so would save their life... and I must adhere to that. That is why the temples with larger numbers of empathic servants have guards. I suppose I could try to find one willing to relocate... but I'm not sure it's necessary, for one priestess.

Primus watches over me, as I've said countless times now; the level of danger will depend on what happens in the Nexus. If I find that my temple is threatened again, I promise I will consider it. Is that an acceptable compromise?

[startactician.livejournal.com]

By that point you could already be dead. Perhaps something like Starscream's nullray, stunning but not harming? *softer tones now, sweet and wheedling*