'Til All Are One.

// just read the new issue and like. MAN... MAN...

// MY HEART... will hopefully be more active on here soon now that im reading more and losing my mind over skybound

// FOR NOW IF IT HELPS IM USUALLY OVER HERE @brctherscnce!!

When Optimus got this question, he honestly hadn't... expected it. Things've been rather quiet over here, but thankfully not as much fighting as expected. The Prime had a blue servo to his chin, his gaze softening a little...

" I-I think... well, one of them would be sunflowers. They're very bright, and vibrant... I know not many might think about that when looking at Megatron, I've heard he can be very serious when he's working, but-- he really can be a ball of joy when he's with me sometimes! " His optics sparkled slightly as he talked about his conjunx, his smoky servo pressing over his own chassis. With a little squint, it seemed like he was smiling quite a bit. " He's-- he's... so sweet... "

... And yet, a dark cloud hung over the Prime's head.

" ... but... but... "

" I just... wish we had more time together. His trial's coming up soon, and I know they won't let him off for what he's done... " He lifted a servo up to pinch the bridge of his nose. It was brief, small, but he trembled. With a quiet exhale, he swallowed thickly and had his other hand over his chassis where his spark was, " ... I'm... " I'm going to feel him die if they choose to execute him, and I won't have my big, beloved sunflower anymore.

Overlapping whispers, faint laughter and snarking remarks all mixed and molded, until one voice broke out. Deep and demanding, as if intruded upon "Speak. Your Name."

There were whispers. Murmurs in his processor.

Ever since he had brought Mari to stay with the Autobots-- as well as to hopefully interact with Spike and Carly so then she wouldn't have to feel like she's the only human around giant robots-- he always found himself hearing mutters in the depths of his processor whenever he'd recharge... which was, well, a rare thing for him to do. Whenever he tried to recharge, there were nightmares.

But not this time.

Instead, it felt like being in a void. It was dark, cold. Such was his mindscape, though it was never done purposely. The outermost parts were often in a state of emptiness, a way to emotionally protect himself and dissuade others from possible hardlining-- yet there was life, people he could hear. What was this?

Optimus's helm slightly tilted in his recharge, his digits twitching. Within his mindscape, though, in this void-- only at the surface of it, he found himself squinting through the darkness.

" Hello? " He called out, " ... I can hear you? Who are you? " And then, one voice stood out amongst the rest. The others were kind, gentle, curious, but this one...? Cold. Stern. Perhaps even filled with hatred.

" ... My name is Optimus Prime. " Optimus adopted a firm tone in response-- his optics narrowed. " ... And you are? "

HEY ALL!!! im gonna be clearing out the inbox for this blog! i think it might help me if i gave myself a fresh start! that way, i can get some activity going again!!

Optimus was honestly, for now, just focused on work. It was mainly a supplies check, looking over a dataslate, figuring out how they could possibly help Skywarp no longer be forcibly attached to Teletraan-1... Things were finally looking up after the news he heard on Cybertron, but it'd always been rough with their recent encounter at one of Earth's cities...

However... something interrupted him! Servos had reached up to hold his shoulders, pulling him down and away from the view of his dataslate-- and before he could react? He found lips pressing to his faceplate, making the Prime's cheeks heat up. His faceplate moved like he would've opened his mouth, then closed it.

" Ah--... R-Rodimus... " Optimus stuttered slightly... though, his finials fwipped upward rather quickly, optics now squinting like he had the biggest smile that would've been spread across his face.

"... Thank you! It's so good to see you... " He leaned in to press his faceplate to Rodimus's lips again, chuckling, " How have you been? "

@cybertr0nian continued from here.

--

There was a light chuckle from Optimus-- this was silly, and he knew it was-- that was precisely why he did it. The Prime peered over to Megatron, optics lightening up at being acknowledged... and he couldn't help but stifle some laughs as he saw how confused poor Megatron was.

" I-I just wanted to get your attention-- and it seems like I've gotten it! " Optimus piped up, and soon found himself chuckling a little more, " I wanted to check on how you were doing! How are you? How has your day been? "

Compared to someone like Optimus, his steps were not careful. Everything made its way for him, scuttled away in fear of his size as Laserbeak turned his head and scanned their surroundings. To think he'd find himself here after escaping those damnable Cobra-La...

Megatron would not falter. He needed to find his Decepticons, and nothing shall get in his way-- this damnable planet was disgusting, and so he'd rather get his Decepticons off the planet... but he also needed to deal with one thing: Optimus Prime. The fool had his arm, and he would get it back by any means necessary. He scowled slightly...

" To think we have the displeasure of being here... "

Megatron needed to continue leading his fellow bots on Cybertron. He could not let themselves be distracted-- they needed energon. And quickly, however... something caught his-- or, rather, Laserbeak's-- optics.

He could swear he saw a faint glint in the trees. While the person within was undoubtedly silent... Megatron would not be stalked. His head didn't turn, but Laserbeak did-- the minicon shifted and adjusted, squinting its gaze at the trees.

" I know you're out there. " Megatron hissed, " Show yourself! " And perhaps he would be merciful.

" Shockwave. " Megatron's head didn't turn towards Shockwave, if only due to the lack of his own optics-- there was still a disconnect when it came to him and Laserbeak, but Laserbeak now tilted his head towards Shockwave's direction. " It's been some time. I heard of your condition from Soundwave... It is good to see you still function. How relieved I was to know you'd survived Prime's cruelty. "

He took a step forward, reaching out a servo to try to find the scientist as Laserbeak slightly stepped backward on his shoulder plate, allowing Megatron to no longer rely on him and instead focus on his other senses, to remove that disconnect of sight from body. While indeed, it was a relief to be able to see through Laserbeak's optics-- it was not something Megatron WANTED to rely on for long. It was confusing. There was often a slight delay in what Laserbeak saw that would reach his processor, and often even more of blindspots compared to before.

" If you are able-- I require a status report. Our Decepticons are in SHAMBLES due to Starscream's failure to lead... and failure to kill me himself. There is much to be done. "

Sparks crackled and flew from exposed wiring, each pedestep thudding sending fear into all those who knew the source of them. The optics of the loyal minicon flashed to life.

" Decepticons. " His voice, like an arrow, cut through the silence.

" ... I... have returned. "