Seeing Scourge Again

[primus_seeress]

*the priestess is attempting to study, but she feels restless, somehow. Primus seems to be telling her that she's waiting for someone, or something... but is no more specific than that, no matter how much she questions him.*

*She sighs a bit, setting her work aside for the moment; she's made little progress, anyway. She centers herself on Primus, attempting to reduce this feeling of distraction.*

Comments

[random_xtras]

And two guests arrive, though the one will only stick around for a very quick catch up and a hug since he's got to go talk Kup's ear off.

[corruptedhope.livejournal.com]

Scourge's optics light up in recognition as he sees the sanctuary. "I know where we are!" He looks around for Auspex's familiar face.

[primus_seeress]

*Auspex is nudged softly out of her commune, as two presences are suddenly nearby. She stands, scanning the room, quickly finding her visitors. Ratchet -- a free-spark, who Primus identifies as the one who has brought her messages from the Allspark, before. And... a Sweep.*

*She recalls her recent conversation with the fem - Threnody - who told her she'd met a Scourge from another dimension, one who denied claiming his position as Cyclonus' second. On the remote chance that he'd been the same one Auspex had counseled, and the even remoter chance that this is the same one that Threnody met...

She'd like to hope this is him. She's prayed and hoped and wondered for and about him - how he's handled his problems, how much he's recovered - but who knows what Primus is up to? Remote chances are very likely.

Hello, Ratchet. And... *she hesitates* Scourge? You aren't by chance... the one I have counseled? *she can't help sounding somewhat plaintive*

[random_xtras]

"Well, he knows you anyway." Ratchet beams, a hand still on Scourge's back. "Hello, Priestess."

[corruptedhope.livejournal.com]

Scourge has squirmed out of the hand on his back the moment it made contact, for reference. He can't stand having anyone touch him on the back or wings--bar Cyclonus, and even with him it's tricky.

"Yes. And you have no idea how good it is to see you." He can barely resist grabbing at her hands for support. Help!

[primus_seeress]

*Auspex's optics brighten with a delighted smile* I very much second that. *she approaches quickly, taking the matter out of his hands quite literally, as she reaches for them - slowly enough that he may back away, if contact still frightens him* How are you? How do you feel? *she glances up at Ratchet, blinking a bit* Why are you two here together? Scourge is definitely not dead. *she smiles with gentle humor*

[random_xtras]

He chuckles a little, but shakes his head gravely. "Galvatron took off while we were welcoming Kup, and wound up in the Nexus. Scourge was the mech she decided was going to help her get back to Char. The boss said to bring him here on my way home."

Very embarrassed and frustrated, he feels for a moment, but then he goes back to compassion for Scourge and excitement about what's going on at home.

[corruptedhope.livejournal.com]

Scourge gently wraps his fingers around her hands, touching them ever so lightly and tenatively. He nods in agreement. "The...it forced me to take it to its dimension. I didn't know what to do."

[primus_seeress]

*Her smile is overshadowed with concern, as Ratchet explains. She tightens her hold on Scourge's hands, just slightly* Oh dear... are you all right?

*she blinks between her two visitors* But why Scourge? How in the universe...? Oh. *again, she remembers her talk with Threnody* I met a Decepticon fem in the Nexus, she mentioned she'd met a Scourge, I thought it might be you...

Galvatron came? And she possessed you? *she frowns worriedly... she assumes Scourge has grown in strength, but possession? That's unnerving enough for any mech, let alone everything else Scourge has been through...*

[primus_seeress]

*Auspex nods in agreement at Ratchet's open-mouthed reaction* Perhaps you'll have a chance to speak with him. It's quite a story... Good-bye! *she nods to him as he disappears*

*she turns her attention back to Scourge, brow furrowing in puzzlement* I have yet to really understand why a person's dimensional alternate would have the opposite gender-programming and build, and how that affects who they are. It's so strange...

*she gingerly squeezes his hand, attempting to reassure him* I hope she didn't aggravate any of your traumas? You certainly don't need a relapse. I want to ask you how you've been, but I don't want to ignore anything that's causing you pain in the immediate present, either.

[corruptedhope.livejournal.com]

They're all female over there, I think. Not sure why. *he winces and pulls his hand back ever so slightly, looking at her feet* It was...utterly deranged. There was this smaller mech claiming to be Galvatron's creation and heir, but she acted so soft at first. Maybe she was trying to lure me into a false sense of security. Then the...thing came. It wasn't Galvatron, I would know if it was Galvatron. It took me over and forced me to take it there, then it took over Cyclonus and battled the small mech. Their Scourge..." He touches his beard. "They'd stripped her."

[primus_seeress]

*she immediately releases her grip on his hand, frowning contritely* Sorry...

*Her expression is concerned, surprised, and comical, all at once* Er... I'm somewhat familiar with that universe - they seem to have given you a rather confusing glimpse of their society. They're not all female, though many of their key figures are, for what reason, I'm not sure.

Technically, the counterparts are the same person, but there are enough foreign factors to change your impressions of them. Gender programming can make a surprising difference, at times.

*She makes note of the news; it sounds as though Galvatron wished to make herself known to Threnody, and test her strength. But why did she have to involve Scourge in it? She sighs a bit*

*she blinks at the twinge of horror* Ah... generally, fems are not given facial adornments. Call it a tradition. I wouldn't fear that, she is probably built that way.

[corruptedhope.livejournal.com]

Much, much confusion here. "Why would they be female, and such strangely shaped ones at that? Galvatron is built...quite differently." For one thing, he's tall, and broad-shouldered enough for the tank he used to be.

"And Scourge..." He shakes his head again in frustration, dragging his fingers over his beard as if to reassure himself it's there. "Why wouldn't she have it? I mean, she's only female, not an entirely different mech."

[primus_seeress]

*Auspex shakes her head helplessly* I'm not sure of the 'why' behind the gender difference... but in many universes, fems are built to be slighter and shorter than male mechs.

*She reflects, for a moment, on what a strange conversation this is, but she patiently explains* I, for instance, am typical of a female Cybertronian build, in my universe. The body frame is lighter and narrower, hands and feet are smaller, limbs more streamlined, facial structure more tapered, less seamed or adorned. The general asthetic is different; it may, perhaps, be Quintesson in origin, but it is more tradition now, than anything. Some universes have different reasons for the tradition, and some adhere to it less than others.

Given these traditions, it is reasonable to assume that the opposite gender-programming would be accompanied by the opposite gender-build. Yes, it is... odd for a parallel dimension to be so contrary, but the multiverse is filled with many odd things. Don't fear it; there is no harm in it.

[corruptedhope.livejournal.com]

"But the forms should match up with function. All the females I know of are made more for speed and agility than the raw power Galvatron carries. If Galvatron's going to be female, shouldn't she still be..." Scourge holds his hands up awkwardly. "A big female?"

This is almost making his head hurt, but it's distracting him from his fear.

[primus_seeress]

*She blinks, pondering this* Er... well, perhaps she is more heavily built than tradition would have her? She probably is very strong of will and character, at the least; perhaps firepower, as well. I doubt those things would change.

[corruptedhope.livejournal.com]

More confusion. "But she was short. Her form was...well, it was like a traditional female. She could have the firepower, but she just wouldn't have the bulk to throw around in a fight unless all others are built that...small."

Hrm. In the world of the small, the average size leads?

[primus_seeress]

*she winces* They mean well, at least, but... I don't think they realize that you actually love him, beyond the superficial... or why you do, for that matter. You've been through emotional blackmail, how can they think he's employing the same..? *she shakes her head* If this reflects how they think he will run his side of the truce...

[corruptedhope.livejournal.com]

"Because if it's been used on me once I'd be vulnerable again. They don't understand what we have..." Scourge shakes his head firmly. "It's why he wants us kept quiet. To avoid the talk and the distractions."

[primus_seeress]

*Auspex blinks at him dubiously* It sounds as though they already have their suspicions. I'm not sure if it's worth the silence, if it makes them wonder what other secrets he may be keeping. *she sighs softly*

[corruptedhope.livejournal.com]

Scourge nods, chuckling ever so slightly. "Got it in one. We can't really win either way."

[primus_seeress]

*Again, she winces, voicing frustration and a feeling of hands tied, to Primus; surely something can be done for them? Cyclonus is too busy, Scourge is too fragile... she can only pray for them to hold on, for the moment. She peers at Scourge with dimmed optics* Cyclonus needs a vacation. Badly. And take you with him. Perhaps if the truce solidifies, in time..? *more sighing* I hate to watch this happen to either of you.

[corruptedhope.livejournal.com]

Scourge shifts, his shoulder and wing rubbing against the doorframe. "Course he does. But nothing short of getting tied up and thrown in the back of Astrotrain's gonna..."

The tracker pauses for a moment, trying to think less like Scourge and more like a Decepticon. A real Decepticon. A small smile flits across his face. "Of course, Ultra Magnus is co-commander of the allied forces..."

[primus_seeress]

*Auspex raises a brow, attempting to supress her amusement at the idea* Surely, Ultra Magnus could hold them together for a little while... I'm not sure how they would take to that, but I don't think the world would fall apart, unless they suspected treachery.

[corruptedhope.livejournal.com]

"If we kept it under wraps I doubt anyone would doubt our story. Just say he went off on a distant mission for a week or two, and by the time he wakes up we're..." He shrugs slightly. "Someplace pretty."