"The view from up there would be unimaginable." He spoke out loud.
Perceptor's voice floated back from somewhere around the tree. "I am sure you could. Imagine, that is. Out of the two of us, you are the one capable of reaching those heights."
Under different circumstances, ones that held true up until recently, that remark would make him frown, however at this moment? He had to smile. "Yeah, I bet you envy me for it. Wouldn't you want to see for yourself?" Coming full circle, he'd expected to find Perceptor where he started, yet he didn't.
"Height is not really my forte." Said the voice, again from somewhere behind the trunk.
"Aww, so you wouldn't let me take you up there? What a shame." Brainstorm continued his circling, swaying this way and that, hugging himself in a mocking show. "I had planned it out and everything. Your fearless commander shooting off with you into the sky, telling you there is nothing to worry about with me by your side, holding you close like a frightened damsel in distress because you are shaking out of your plating- woaeep!"
Brainstorm yelped, barely stopping to prevent running into Perceptor's chest that had appeared in his way. Half standing on a giant root, giving him an unusual height advantage, Perceptor loomed over him, the overall shadow of the canopy only serving the gloom surrounding him, shrouding his unreadable expression as he stared down at the flier.
"Ah- ha.. hah. All in good humor of course." He tried to diffuse with no effect.
"I assure you," Perceptor began, hands clasping behind his back, voice perfectly even, "-that I am not afraid of heights."
Stepping down from the root with practised fluidity, Brainstorm was prompted to retreat in answer, wings pulling back.
"Nor a 'damsel in distress'." His optics flashed. "I could and am willing to kill if necessary."
Step for step, he shuffled backwards until there was nowhere to go and his back hit the trunk, silently staring at Perceptor as the microscope leaned into his space.
"So I suggest you keep that in mind when jesting about 'holding me in your arms' again."
Brainstorm gaped, bless his mask for existing and sparing him further embarrassment, eyes round and muted in shock. With no forthcoming answer, Perceptor smirked at him.
A full on, satisfied at gotten what he wanted, smirk.
"I'm glad we had this discussion, Commander." He announced, straightening, the taunt tension in his field loosening from one moment to the next. Brainstorm stared at him as he stepped away and uncrossed his arms to reveal a scanner, resuming his tests as if he hadn't just made the flier blow a fuse.