knowhen | [ closed ] because 4 million yr olds are really 5 yr olds in disguise

[ closed ] because 4 million yr olds are really 5 yr olds in disguise

When: After Optimus' post
Who: Megatron and Rodimus
Where: Observation Deck
What: Rodimus thinks he can kick Megatron's ass. Well... That's not going to happen.

[ TODAY HAS BEEN SUCH A GOOD DAY. Optimus' arrival doesn't spark that fire that once ignited every time he had encountered the Prime, but oh he's still rather pleased about the situation. Megatron is far too obsessed with the former cop to be anything less. giving him a hard time as well as Rodimus? his day is now complete.

now all that's left to do is kick back, mediate, and have some energon. ]

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Megatron!

( See, here's the thing about Rodimus' guilt - it's personal. It means something to him, and he's struggling so hard to cope with it, to sort it out and figure out what to do about it. He told Ultra Magnus he was going to make things right. And he's going to, he's committed himself to that.

What he doesn't need, then, is someone like Megatron attempting to throw it back in his face like he wasn't responsible for Primus knew how many deaths. And that's what has Rodimus well and truly ticked off. That Megatron has the gaul to throw his mistakes back in his face while acting like he's oh so much better than him.

Well he's not, and Rodimus intends to give him a piece of his mind. Which is why he's not quite running but definitely doing something that could be described as 'striding purposefully' towards Megatron. )

[ the ironic thing here is that if Rodimus wasn't such a brat and you, know, would sit down and talk like a true adult about these things, then Megatron wouldn't be purposefully acting like an ass. this is the reason he tears at Rodimus - it's fun, mostly, and he is irritated at such childish behavior. ]

I expected you three minutes sooner.

[ and thus he continues to be an ass. ]

( Megatron being an ass only encourages him because Rodimus is utterly incapable of rising to the bait, even though he knows better. He knows he knows better but apparently he can't help himself when it's Megatron. )

You want punctuality, take it up with Magnus. But what the hell( and he punctuates this with a jab of his finger at Megatron's chest because his self preservation instincts have up and left a few million years ago. ) is wrong with you? You don't get to lecture me on-- on anything.

( Not the numbers on his hand. That's his, and his alone. )

[ ah Rodimus. always rising to the occasion. he is like Optimus in that regard - never a disappointment.

the jabbing doesn't bother him. yet. should Rodimus keep this up, then they might have problems. ]

I call Optimus out on his stupidity... Why should I spare you the experience? You are no Prime. Nowhere near it.

( Something shifts in Rodimus' expression, and he recoils slightly like he's been struck. But his expression darkens, and while he doesn't yell back at Megatron, he's still not holding back. )

No, no I'm not. ( He wants to be, though. He so desperately wants to be Optimus. But that's not something he's going to admit to Megatron. ) But when it comes to you, I'm beginning to think that's a good thing.

Optimus has nothing but my respect, which is more than I can say for you.

[ because quite frankly, the relationship between Megatron and the Prime is a complex one. they need each other on some level - Megatron because he doesn't see anyone else as his equal... And Optimus because it's Optimus and the fool needs to keep that hope that Megatron can change.

because things could have been so different. they both know that. ]

I will continue to get on your case as I see fit to, Hot Rod. [ yes, he goes there. a reminder that Rodimus is meant to mirror Optimus' name and Megatron doesn't believe that Rodimus has earned that right. ] Drift doesn't have the willpower to and Ultra Magnus, as unfortunate as it is, doesn't have the right words to reach you.

( Yep, absolutely bristling at that, and it gets Megatron another jab with his finger. )

Rodimus. Optimus gave it to me. ( The logic goes like this: if Megatron respects Optimus then he'll respect the name Optimus gave him. Bulletproof. ) So what? You think I need guidance or something and you're the only one who can do whatever it is you're trying to do?

[ no it most certainly does not. Megatron is throwing up a shield for Rodimus' finger to jam into. maybe the joint will become misaligned in the process... ]

I know you are in dire need of guidance. There is no thinking to be done regarding the matter.

[ more frowning. all of the frowning. ]

I must be the only one that actually wishes to, because four million years under Optimus has yielded no results. Then again, I cannot be surprised at this, knowing that unruly ones such as Whirl and Prowl still prance about with their badges.

( What the HECKY is that?? Rodimus curses under his breath and rubs the joint of his finger sullenly. No one said Megatron could do that. But back on point. )

Why do you care, anyway? ( Seriously. It's been bothering him since Megatron decided to do-- whatever it he was doing. Harassing him. That was was good word, and Rodimus felt it fit. ) No, seriously. I know why Magnus does it, and it's kind of Prime's job to keep us all in line, but why do you care so fragging much?

And I seriously don't know what rock you've been living under that makes you think I should listen to you. On account of that whole warlord thing you had going for you for four million years.

If you would set aside your hatred for me for about two minutes, then perhaps I'd consider telling you why I suddenly seem to care.

[ and now it's Megatron's turn to do some jabbing in the chest. ]

A warlord I once was, but am no longer. I gave it up. I gave everyone up - everything that I had built with my two hands. People that trusted me. All of the energon and oil I put into the Decepticons from the days when it was a mere idea on a datapad all the way to what it became is now lost. My ambitions are dead and buried.

[ Megatron leans back, drawing his hand away. that speech had been the single most painful thing in his life. ]

I did it so that I could have this one, last chance, Rodimus. A chance on your ship with your crew so that I might be able to give back an iota of what I have taken. How could I be anything less than invested?

Watch it. ( He doesn't appreciate being manhandled, hilariously enough. ) Yeah, sorry I'm having a hard time putting aside the kneejerk loathing for the guy who was in charge of the people trying to kill me for the past four million years.

( Seriously, Megatron? What did you think was going to happen - everyone was going to see you with an Autobot badge and fall over themselves because of it? )

So it sounds like, to me, you need us more than we need you. Which is fine, I like that. ( And then he squints, crossing his arms. ) What does it mean, to you? That. ( He gestures to the badge Megatron is wearing with a nod, still frowning. ) I want you to tell me what it really means to you. Because if it's just a way for you to get your way and help you with what you want?

Then you don't deserve to wear it.

[ and that's it. he's had enough. Megatron grabs Rodimus... by that stupid spoiler. he hefts him up so they are eye level. ]

I'm not asking you to stop blaming me, Rodimus. What I ask is for you to at least have an open mind about my reasons.

[ yes, Rodimus has certainly hit a nerve with that whole thing. Megatron's expression changes. downcast. the truth is he doesn't know what it means to him. not any more. it had meant so many negative things... things that are no longer true. but... ]

That's none of your business, Rodimus.

[ but he doesn't hide is inner struggle with his indecision either. ]

Though perhaps instead of questioning why I wear it, you should question yourself. Until you prove to me what wearing that badge should be about, I'll not have you preaching to me.

( It takes a second or two for him to register the fact that Megatron is hoisted him into the air, he's so taken aback by it. Which means he's absolutely going to lash out with a kick and hope it connects, because what the hell. )

Hey-- let me go!

( He does get some sense of satisfaction at seeing Megatron shut down that avenue of conversation, however, because that tells him enough. Not that it stops him from struggling to get himself out of that grip. )

Why should I prove anything to you? All you're going to do is insult me again and not give me the chance that you apparently think I need. And what right do you have to lecture me? ( Rodimus doesn't need to prove shit to Megatron - he just has to do it to himself. Winning his crew back, making amends for his mistakes and fixing them... they're things he has to do for himself, and definitely not for Megatron. ) So you led the Decepticons. We're Autobots.

( His fists clench, and after one more futile attempt to wriggle himself free: ) Now let me go.

( It's with the final jerk and the 'go' that Rodimus suddenly finds his hands on fire, erupting so suddenly into hot flame that even he yelps in shock. )

Stop throwing a fit and I will.

[ he's pinching at the bridge of his nasal ridge. of course Rodimus doesn't understand. everything needs to be spelled out for him. ]

I'm not telling you to prove to me for the sake of worthiness, Rodimus. I tell you to do so as I'm still searching for answers, you half wit. Four million years of leading the Decepticons and do you know what we thought of anyone that wore this?

[ jabbing that Autobot badge.... right as Rodimus is set on fire. with a look of surprise, Megatron drops him. but he's not done here. not by a long shot. ]

Look at our former Senate. That's what we've always associated with being an Autobot. So tell me, Rodimus. Show me what it means to be one now. What is the difference.

Edited 2014-09-30 23:37 (UTC)

It's not a fit! ( It is, in fact, a fit. But he's kind of occupied with trying to put out his hands, which doesn't really work - sending small bursts of flame out of them when he shakes them. Which doesn't help. ) If you weren't certain, why'd you join up?

( It's actually not a question aimed at annoying Megatron, he actually sort of means it. Because he still doesn't get it. )

I mean I get the part with Bee and everything, although? Still weird you're wearing his badge. ( Yes, thank you Rodimus. ) You could have just become a NAIL if you wanted to leave the Decepticons behind.

And I'll keep telling you - it's all that's left of him.

[ goddamn, Rodimus. doesn't anyone keep mementos from fallen comrades? don't they try to carry something with them at all times? carry on passed torches and the like? some times Autobots are so weird with their reservations.

but Megatron grows silent. thoughtful. he doesn't really want to share this with Rodimus. the big guy is sure that he's going to get mocked or that the other isn't going to believe him. then again, does it really matter if Rodimus believes or not? at least he's asking. ]

Becoming unaffiliated isn't enough, Rodimus. I, genuinely, want to change.

What's wrong with a photograph?

( Seriously. Look, they don't tear out their spark casing to make their badge, so wearing parts of people seems a bit drastic to them. Cut 'em some slack.

Rodimus is silent for a moment or two, crossing his still on fire arms over his chest while he gives Megatron a look. He doesn't believe him, not fully. And he doesn't really want to believe him because what if they're all wrong? What if they're wrong and Megatron eventually attempts to kill them all and he could have stopped it, if only he'd still been on his guard? )

Shame you couldn't suddenly decide on a change of spark a few million years earlier.

( Slightly mocking, yes. But not an outright rejection of the possibility. )

[ thankfully, Megatron doesn't expect anyone to drop their guard fully. he most certainly wouldn't if the roles had been reversed. his point still stands, though. ]

It would have saved us all a lot of pain and sparckache, it's true.

[ so he might be holding himself in a bit of not quite shame. remorse, maybe. a little. he does wish he had come to this realization sooner. ]

You think?

( That gets an incredulous huff, and Rodimus turns his focus back at his hands and then back at Megatron.

This is.... awkward. )

[ awkward for Rodimus maybe... ]

Your hands. Are they all right?

Beyond the fact they're on fire and I can't get them to not? ( SCRAP why did he admit that to Megatron. ) Yeah, they're fine.

( Waving them around for emphasis. )

Waving them around like that isn't going to do anything but keep the flames alive. You were mad and upset when this started...

So think of something that calms you down.

Don't-- ( It's snapped, but he cuts himself off and settles on glowering instead.

Okay. Calm. Something that calms him down--- To be honest there's not much that does, but he casts his mind about and settles on remembering the Matrix. How it felt when it bonded to him.

Calm it might not be, and there's a second where the flames on his hands burn brighter and stronger until they dwindle down and vanish. )

Huh.

[ yeah, that's right. taking a moment at least calm down. now guess who's over here looking pretty damn smug about being somewhat right?

oh yeah. this guy. ]

( This is officially THE WORST. )

Stop that.

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[ closed ] because 4 million yr olds are really 5 yr olds in disguise

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