knowhen | EVENT ONE: JUNE 21ST-28TH

Which is what Drift thinks he's been doing. But it's dragged down by too much of the bad parts of his past, and not buoyed enough by the good ones. Hopefully he can correct that.

"Remarkably so. I wouldn't underestimate them." He just got you back Wing, don't do getting yourself into irreparable trouble with humans or any other questionable critters.

"They know more about this place than we do. And that bothers me." Quite a lot. "But it sounds like this cortex place is important?"

It's a new start for all of them, and Wing will not allow Drift to dwell on the past. Even if he has to throw him across the room to remind him.

"I envy you having met them before." Or really done anything. Drift's life sounded so adventurous--it always had.

"It is troublesome. We need to do what we can--I don't think these invaders were counting on running into us." Yes, us. His optics glow at the word.

That'd be a good thing, Drift does that too much, dwell on the past. Toss him across the room if you have to Wing, the irony will be good for him. Also, he can appreciate the lesson far better now, ~~not to mention Wing's hands on him~~.

"I couldn't break cover and interact with them though, as much as I wanted to." There were a few exceptions, but nothing that really helped him understand them better. "Many of them were not friendly though."

Drift's life might be adventurous, but he's also seen a lot of things he would never wish upon Wing. As his life experiences go, the bad always came with the good.

"No, I don't think they were expecting us at all. That should give us an edge." But, how to exploit it? He just doesn't know enough about this place yet.

Well, later, then. Now's not the time for sparring. Now's the time to be fighting alongside each other, just as they were going to on Theophany.

"That's...unfortunate." Both sides of it. "But at least you got to see them?" That might sound a little wistful--trapped underground for millennia will make one envious of that.

"If they can't face one of us, two of us will be unstoppable." He leans over to bump a shoulder against Drift's, before picking a corridor. "I think down this way."

And Drift has far more skill to offer now, and he's eager, maybe, to show Wing what he's learned.

"It'd be nice to go back there but..." Maybe not such a great idea. "I can share with you what I learned though. Some of their culture and history is really interesting. Not entirely different from ours."

He wants to share everything with Wing really, all the 'adventures' he had after leaving Crystal City when he thought wistfully about the jet being there to share them. "Unstoppable. ...yeah." Sorry, he's a little caught up in the grin growing over his face, one side a little higher than the other. "Lead on." He'd follow you anywhere, Wing. And not just for the view.

Wing is always up for learning new things. Though perhaps they could raincheck the reminiscent sparring until they've dealt with this threat.

"Who knows where this place might end up, though, Drift." See? The bright side. Maybe. Maybe it's just Wing's own curiosity, to see this Earth for himself, though.

"I'd love to learn." Anything, really. Crystal City was his home, but his spark craved adventure. It always had.

He isn't sure he quite likes the expression that flits over Drift's face, but he likes where it ends up. What an endearing smile, so much preferable to that scowl he used to wear. "Let's go!" He has his blades in his hands, moving down the corridor, half-sunk into a gliding crouch.

As long as Wing is issuing rainchecks? Drift will always take them, never forgetting the one moment he wanted it most and never got one.

"That's true! Maybe luck will shine on us." He likeS that thought a lot. "Or even better, maybe We can explore someplace new together?"

This station counts as 'someplace new' but there's a feel about it that isn't quite right. And there's nothing that really replaces seeing an indigenous species in its natural setting. He's just glad he, uh, learned how to appreciate that before ~~he helped~~ Megatron wipe them all out.

"When this is all done then, we can, ya know, catch up?" His smile is hopeful, optics bright.

Drift has to yank his attention back from the allure of Wing's natural grace, the way the hip skirting moves as the jet glides forward. Uh, yes, swords in hands: check. Moving forward in alert stance: check. Following after Wing: DOUBLE-CHECK.

This is his very first raincheck and he can't think of a better recipient. And it's one he most ardently hopes gets called upon to be filled.

"We have more than luck, Drift." They have the side of right and justice on their side. These people need help, right now, the kind of help Wing and Drift can give. Maybe that's why they were brought here.

"I look forward to it--though I feel you will have more talking to do then." Wing's catch up will probably be pretty fast, he feels: the battle on Theophany, which...however it ended.

He moves down the corridor, stopping and signalling Drift to pause, gesturing with one hand around the corner: one of the large enemies, back toward them, lumbering down the corridor.

Can he have more than one then? Because this while filling of rainchecks sounds fun. Except no, rainchecks means he has to wait for something and maybe a little instant gratification for once would be nice. Or is that asking too much?

He nods, Wing's encouragement doing its trick, though it's less a trick more just ardent belief shared. He's tried so hard, maybe it's time things turned around?

"But Wing. You know my past. I know...so little of yours." It's sheepish, the last part. Because Drift knows that even if Wing has shared more back then, he'd never have listened. But here, now, he has the chance to make up for that, he's ready to listen, in fact Drift will sit and listen all day given the oppurtunity.

He halts at Wing's signal, intent on its meaning. For a moment he's tempted to push forward, put himself between the danger and Wing (and maybe do something impressive (read: stupid) in the process) but then he thinks better of it. Instead Drift gives a curt nod and signals across the intersection, offering to flank the approaching enemy.

Rainchecks are fine, but maybe, you know, they could do things without having to put them off?

"It's not much of a story, Drift. Fleeing the war, then finding safety for our kind." Nothing like the adventure that seems to be Drift's lot.

He hesitates, peering around the corner one last time at the monster, and then gives a signal before flinging himself toward the creature, blades hissing through the air.

This is a novel plan that they should absolutely do. Period.

Drift desperately wants to ask questions--what the Circle was like back then, how Wing became a knight--but if Wing is not that forthcoming with his past for whatever reason, Drift can respect that. It took him a while to come out with his, after all. He can't entirely hide the little bit of letdown though. "Maybe...I just like hearing you talk?"

Uh, well, he hadn't intended to say that out loud, precisely. But it's out there now and sounds incredibly sappy and hopefully he hasn't embarrassed himself.

"And watching you fight too." That's all the signal needed and Drift's leaping out after Wing, springing with a roll to reach the creature's other side. Hopefully Wing draws enough of the thing's attention that he doesn't get tagged on the way, but even if he does, he can't be hurt that badly by these things...right?

They'll get right on that after they dispatch this threat.

"Well, I can certainly accommodate that." He likes talking. And Drift. It's a natural thing!

He doesn't say so, but he agrees. He saw far too little of Drift fighting on Theophany, just enough to whet his appetite. His blades sweep low, aiming to take out the creature's legs. Maybe they don't need to kill it....

It's going on Drift's to-do list as of 2 minutes ago.

And he can listen now, so it's a match! And a good one, Drift hopes. But just having the chance is nice. To fight alongside Wing again, and for what he hopes is a good purpose.

And maybe he should be intent on not killing their opponent like Wing is, but it's not the first thing that comes to mind. If anything, ending this swiftly and decisively is, Drift has a conversation to look forward to later and he won't see Wing harmed! He's not sure what that thing has in its hand, but judging by the muzzle it must be a firearm of some kind. Well, they can't have that. His blades whirl, one aiming for the barrel of the strange weapon and the other for the wrist. Either way, disarming time?

The creatures Wing's seen so far have tried to kill small, harmless organics, so in his mind, defending them is a good cause, and the bullies are the bad guys. It's a simple worldview, but sometimes people make things too hard with overthinking.

Wing shouldn't be distracted with watching Drift's movements: he's got a natural talent, Wing figures, an instinct and explosive control. It's just so...like him.

The monster isn't quite as appreciative, howling, weapon bursting just as Drift slices off the barrel, bursting a hot ball of plasma that blows up in the creature's face.

Drift is on that same page, because if there's something that's high on his Nope List it's bullies. So taking these guys out? Definitely high priority.

And hopefully his instinct and explosive control makes up for his lack of true schooling in sword forms. But you can bet he's keeping a secondary optic on Wing, not just for the jet's safety but to hopefully pick up some of that sublime grace Wing has. Someday, maybe, he'll learn the secret. Or maybe Wing will just stay the enigmatic wonder he is in combat, that would not be so bad Drift thinks. As long as he gets to watch.

And he can't help but grin as the weapon blows up in the creature's face, spinning away to avoid the splash damage. Hopefully that leaves a nice, wide opening for Wing to take advantage of.

Wing figures maybe they should just agree to complement each other with their own strengths. And appreciate the rest.

Wing is a little startled by the explosion--a long time since he'd seen a firearm. The monster roars, aiming--roughly--the wreck of his gun at Drift. But he's not one to leave an opening unexploited, so he dives in again, his blades striking at the thing's heart. No one hurts Drift, monster. Not while Wing's around.

That sounds grand. Though Drift wouldn't mind a few pointers if it came with praise too. He yearns for the latter, ready to accept it now, but understanding there's still things he can learn even with as far as he's come.

Drift ducks just in case the thing tries firing the faulty weapon, kicking out with a foot. It's supplemental though, as Wing's blades slice through the creature's chest with a sizzle. Twice felled the thing goes down with a loud shriek. It's hard not to steal a glance at the jet, the grace of his follow through, even though Drift should be making sure their opponent doesn't get up again.

Praise isn't something you save up for when the journey is done; that's a lesson, Drift. There will be a quiz.

They both wait, and after a long moment, the thing bubbles, suddenly subsiding into a sort of glop on the ground, as if it melted. Wing grins, tsking. "And we were just getting warmed up!"

Oh he'll take every opportunity to shower Wing with praise! Assuming he can do so and not sound like a complete and utter lovesick dork of course.

That's what you meant by praise, right Wing?

Drift makes face at the bubbly mass, glad that's not him (and maybe remembering a moment when he wondered if it might be). Wing's grin banishes that in a sparkpulse though. "I'm sure there's more where that came from..." The jerk of helm sweeps his finials in the direction of the unexplored hall, his matching grin flush with their success.

He's welcome to practice, dork and all. Wing will be his coach!

Wing makes his own face at the bubbling mass, because, well, gross. Still it's a sign the things can be defeated. He nods at Drift, feeling an entirely un-warlike warmth bubble in his spark. Comrades, fighting together. Just like Theophany. "Well, let's not keep them waiting...."

What does Wing know about dorkness? The jet is everything but! (he thinks while swooning)

Yeah, there's a ripple in Drift's spark that has nothing to do with battlefield cyberdreneline. It shows in the flicker of his optics and he nods to Wing, turning to head down the corridor again. "They won't know what hit 'em."

There are many different flavors of dork, Drift. Let's just hope they're complementary dork flavors, like Neapolitan Ice Cream. Or chocolate and peanut butter. ~~And MAN I am so hungry right now does it show?~~

"You look...happy," he says, his own grin broadening.
This is what he'd wanted for Drift--fighting, if they must fight, together, side by side, united by purpose.

"Let's not keep them in suspense, then." And he moves, feet fast and silent on the decking, blades at the ready, heading for the next.

~~Can he taste yours then?~~ Many flavors but some cuter than others, Wing is just proof of that. But if they have to fit themselves side-by-side so see how their flavors compliment each other then, um, when can this happen? Soon maybe? ~~(no stop these tags are making me hungry too)~~

"I have reasons to be," he says, gaze unwavering from Wing's bright face. "More than I've had in a long time." They are united with purpose, and Drift hopes, friendship too? There's a lot between them still, but time will tell how swiftly they put that behind them.

Though as the things here are going, that could be pretty fast. "Wouldn't think of it," Drift says with a grin, moving alongside Wing, the jet cutting an impressive silhouette in his peripheral as they move down the hall to meet the next danger together.

EVENT ONE: JUNE 21ST-28TH

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wrap soon?

sounds like a plan!