(no subject)

[primus_seeress]

*Auspex PINpoints in, the Megatron/Oriana fusion, as well as the female Starscream's shell, in tow.

She hasn't had much practice with the teleportation devices, and finds herself in the main sanctuary, rather than a guest room, and Megatron's too heavy to move very far; she can only prop him up against the wall in one of the quiet niches scattered here and there around the room. Starscream's frame, though smaller, is no easier; Auspex does, at least, manage to tug her shell into the neighboring niche.

Deciding that's the best she can do, she hurries to retrieve an energon cube from her store, returning momentarily, to crouch beside Megatron. If she can coax him into something approaching a functional state, he may drink it. Otherwise, she'll have to find a fuel port, and poking around on an unfamiliar mech's persons is not something she's terribly fond of doing. This is assuming, of course, that he's merely low on energy, and not worse...*

*She sighs softly* Megatron? Oriana? I hope you have some reserves, somewhere...

Comments

[random_xtras]

"She was used to verbally fighting back by then. But physically she was no match for him."

Tessera's tiny voice gives a peep of sympathy, and then she starts climbing Auspex's hand.

[primus_seeress]

*she concedes the point with a little nod* I would imagine not. I'm not sure that would dissuade her from trying, anyway... which would only result in more injury. And a battle of words can often hurt the mind more than physical fighting would... and the scars fade slowly.

*Auspex cups her hand around the chiproach, scritching her quietly with the other*

[random_xtras]

"Their fights often left the command center a war zone. And then one day she attempted a takeover. And that was when he started linking, or torturing her."

[primus_seeress]

*Auspex winces* The linking, I am not so familiar with... it's not a common practice, or even a practical one, in the universes I am accustomed to, outside of a combiner team. He... do you think there was ever a purpose in that, besides pain and disorientation? I'm not sure if he expected to gain anything from that, or not. The goals of torture are more obvious, of course... *she frowns, mentally glancing at Starscream's presence of mind as she 'recharges'*

[random_xtras]

"It's a way of forming a connection with someone a Transformer feels close to, though the deepest links are usually restricted to spark-bonded pairs." Soundwave turns his head to look toward the door. "An intimate form of communication that lets the bonded share their innermost thoughts and feelings."

He's silent for a moment, his head turning back slowly to watch as Tessera's feelers peek over the top of Auspex's hand. "Yes. There was a purpose to it. He tore down all her walls, rewrote her impulses and personality, till she lived only to serve him. But he left enough of her to understand that she was being hurt and that there was no way to hide from him."

He reaches out to touch the white femme's hand, then relaxes and bows his head as he feels his mate's contentment. "She hasn't felt that in a long time."

[primus_seeress]

*she nods quietly* Spark-bonds, I am accustomed to, and they cannot, technically, be forged without mutual consent... though I have seen at least one twisted exception, and I wouldn't care to see another. *she stops that unpleasant line of thinking very quickly, letting Primus sweep it away*

But... tampering with a mind is... I'm not sure if it's any easier, or worse. I met an artist, once, who did that to his living 'works'... *she shudders* It confuses the spark, destroys the harmony that keeps a person sane. No wonder she stopped fighting, then... he took the will away.

*Auspex makes a bit of a face* ...and I'm telling this to someone who can see others' minds. *she smiles ruefully, patting his hand in kind sympathy* I'm sure you've had a rather unpleasant time of this, as well. Will you tell me about your feelings throughout this ordeal... or are they best left unsaid? It may help me to help her.

[random_xtras]

"I heard all of it." Soundwave doesn't look up from those little peeping feelers. "I repaired her when Megatron tore her apart. And I started to feel... sympathy." It's hard to admit to the weak feeling, even with his creator listening and offering encouragement and approval. "It grew to something more, and there were times when I would have killed Megatron if he were not my leader. But she finally let me help...."

Grief wells up in him, a weary sadness and a feeling of too little too late and sad resignation.

[primus_seeress]

*Auspex senses the encouragement Primus is offering to Soundwave, via her own mind; she adds her own reassurance, noting that there is strength in admitting perceived weakness* You are strong, then, to be witness to that, and maintain your loyalty to your leader.

...had you offered, before? I could imagine her trying to minimize the damage that was done, out of self-image preservation or denial. I imagine it could have been difficult to earn her trust.

[random_xtras]

"I hadn't. She would have killed me. She tried to kill me several times after I'd repaired her, and she hated me as she hated everyone else other than Megatron. One day she nearly tore Skywarp apart with her bare hands after he'd made a drunken comment as she lay on the repair table. He and his sister fear her to this day, as do many of the Decepticon army."

Then he puts the side of his hand to his face where many have a mouth, leaning against the servo as the sadness and old remembered fear well up.

"And then one day she tore out her own wires in an attempt to escape. I found her and repaired her, and if she hadn't been so weakened by losing that last chance of fighting back she would have killed me then. But I held her and offered what... comfort..." another weak word and action "I could. And then I forged a safe place in her processor where she could save memories that Megatron would kill us for; a place where she could hide."

His optic band goes dark. "She started seeing me as her stronghold."

He falls silent then, remembering hidden times of holding the red and white femme as she drew strength from the contact to continue.

When he speaks again his voice is devoid of emotion.

"She does not love me. I know this. Please don't let her find out that I know."

[primus_seeress]

*Auspex nods, unsurprised* It would only reinforce that she had a problem, and that someone, namely you, knew it. Apparently, the others had at least some idea? Or perhaps Skywarp's words were merely ignorant?

*her optics dim as he details his effort to keep her alive, and at least somewhat sane* Her weakness, then, was fortunate for both of you, at that time. There are times for such things, for a lack of guardedness, though they are few for Decepticons, on the whole. Sometimes, they must be forcibly given, if they will not be taken. I thank Primus that it was you who found her, and that you cared enough to give her a continuing refuge.

*she gives him a discerning look in return, for his final comment* Inasmuch as she can, I think. You are safety, to her, and she values that. Her memory of you helped to calm her enough to listen to me. I'm not sure she would react... but I will keep that guarded, at your request. And again, I am struck by your sense of loyalty.

[random_xtras]

"Skywarp is ignorant. But he wasn't the only one to mock her. Her whining and jealous tantrums, the way she kept coming back after being pounded, were all very amusing to many despite their fear of her abilities...."

He looks away at her last words, trying to hold to the emotionlessness since he's still touching Auspex's hand and he's not sure how much of his feelings Starscream would pick up. "I'm no leader. And she loves Megatron. Admitting that I know that would make her fear losing her sanctuary."

And he doesn't wish that harm on her.

[primus_seeress]

Well... if she is like the other Starscreams I know, and know of... Starscream is often not-well-liked, for those reasons. But there are reasons for them... and reasons to change. Brokenness such as this, however... is going a bit far, and has resulted in two broken individuals, if not three. *her optics wander toward the back rooms*

*Auspex nods slowly* I see... and that is likely so, yes. Primus has given you much strength, to give so much, when you do not receive.

*there is more than a hint of concern here, for this entire situation; a triangle situation of this sort rarely ends happily. There is too much pain, from any angle she examines it. She sighs softly*

[random_xtras]

He looks up as her attention goes toward the hallway, his own emotions sparking with concern now for his leaders. "You said that he was physically and emotionally drained...?"

What does she mean, two or three broken individuals. How badly hurt are Megatron and Oriana?

[primus_seeress]

*she nods her affirmation* I was speaking with him in the Nexus, and he told me where he had gone, and why, and what he'd done to Starscream. Then, he literally fell into emergency stasis, and I brought him here to refuel and rest.

*She hesitates to continue, out of respect for Megatron's integrity - but this is something she feels Soundwave needs to know* When I offered him a chance to speak to Primus... he was terrified. Fear of that magnitude is something I've never seen, in any of his alternates that I've met; it took me much by surprise. He wept, for the things he had done, and for what he had assumed of Primus. And at one point he seemed resigned, thinking that you would kill him for losing Starscream.