Overdrift

It means those people are still around, even though their actions are just brief glimpses half-seen from the corner of one eye, their voices just echoes from a distant room.

@dduane has told me several times that I use phrases she also heard used by my Mum (d.2007), so I’m sure there are others she doesn’t recognise which originate with my Dad (d.1980).

I’m betting both of them passed down things said by their own parents, who in turn used things said by THEIR parents, my great-grands - who were in their sixties according to the 1901 census, and that probably means some elements of my speech go well back into the 19th century.

I wonder what they are…

((click to enlarge

In the mirror’s perfect world, Skids is surrounded by his friends - new friends, old friends. Friends he lost track of years ago, friends he’s only talked to a few times and still shared precious moments with in spite of that. There are smiles on everyone’s faces as he looks around at the crowd.

Nautica is close by, excitedly chatting with Brainstorm, Quark, and Perceptor, the three of them in their element, teaching each other. Swerve is laughing and telling jokes, smiling like Skids has never seen him smile before, so heartfelt and full of enthusiasm. Even Magnus is smiling, the jokes pulling unexpected, but hearty laughs from the serious ex-enforcer.

On the other side, there’s Getaway, never having betrayed him or the others, and he’s showing off his escapology tricks, liberty blue optics bright with optimism and enthusiasm. Roller’s there with Damus, Trailbreaker, and Windcharger, catching up and talking of old times and Roller’s at ease with the outliers that he’d felt he could never hold a candle to before.

Skids smiles as Rodimus speaks over the crowd, declaring a mission accomplished and Skids knows it has nothing to do with the quest they’d all set off to take - it’s about something deeper than that, about family and finding home where you never expected to find it.

The mirror shows Skids and his friends all happy, full of life and love and excitement that none of them had known in so long.

Senator Shockwave approaches Skids, putting a hand on his shoulder and tells Skids that he’s proud of him and Skids smiles up at his long lost mentor. The senator speaks and Skids gives a nod. The two of them walk away together in the mirror, joining the crowd -