Prowl: *is at his desk up on the mezzanine. Has been for some days now; he finally got tired of sleeping.*
Prowl: *At the very least he can get a head start on the work he'll need to do once he's allowed back out to the construction site.*
Starscream: *BOOM BABY. You have a guest. That guest is your boss. He should have probably called ahead but he didn't.*
Starscream: *He's knocking on the doorframe, at least* Hope you're decent, Prowl.
Prowl: You have the cameras, can't you check? *he is, in fact, decent.*
Prowl: *and not even the shock of an unannounced visit will prevent him from counter-sassing Starscream.*
Prowl: *stands to lean over his desk and look at the next floor down.* What are you doing here? *wasn't there a whole thing about starscream pretending he WASN'T associating with prowl?*
Starscream: I could, but for some reason they don't always seem to keep up with your activity.
Starscream: Now Prowl, that's no way to treat your employer and your imminant liberator.
Prowl: *dryly* If Primus himself walked in my room I'd still ask him what he's— *beat* ... Come again?
Starscream: *smirks* For the past several months you've been working away tirelessly to redeem yourself to the people of Cybertron. I think the time has come to take the next step.
Prowl: ... You think it's had that much of an impact? I've been monitoring the comment sections of news articles that mention me, but... *but prowl is shiit at reading people, big masses of people included.*
Prowl: *also nobody ever visits the comments section of news articles when they have something nice to say.*
Prowl: *all right, this is more important than his desk work, he's coming down the stairs*
Starscream: Well, you're certainly staying in the public eye, and that's far better than fading into obscurity. Of everything on Cybertron it's the task of rebuilding that is the most important, and you've stayed
Starscream: at the forefront of the efforts.
Starscream: I won't claim that there's been a widespread total reversal of sttitudes (WAIT I HAVE WATER BOILING ONE SEC)
Starscream: (okay back)
Prowl: (o7)
Starscream: I won't claim that there's been a total reversal of attitude, as that would probably take the physical elimination of detractors. But as for a growing apathy?
Starscream: We can use that.
Starscream: 8I And im not interested in waiting until you've truely become Cybertron's golden boy to be able to use you strategically, or there'll probably be none of your processor left from construction acciden
Prowl: Pf. Apathy. It sets in so fast. *what else does he expect out of neutrals, though.*
Prowl: So you think conditions have changed enough that we can start relaxing some of the terms of my containment? To what extent? *gonna park himself in the kitchen and lean on a counter*
Starscream: Hn. What I would like is to start utilizing your investigative experience. I'm not sure if I could let you completely off the leash as things are, however.
Starscream: We have apathy and sympathy on our side, not completely blind idiocy.
Prowl: ... Investigative ability? As a— You mean as a—like, a police officer?
Starscream: ..yes? Is that weird?
Prowl: *Well. Yes. Prowl was NOT expecting that. Was expecting to be used for his ability to strategize. Combat and politics. How to kill people and make it look like an accident.*
Prowl: ... No. Of course not. That's... How are you going to sell THAT to the public?
Prowl: Or is it to remain secret, too?
Starscream: *Look he plans to use you for a lot of things. Most of the things you listed could be done as a cop*
Starscream: I haven't decided yet. What I have decided is that my current enforcer force is worefully inadequate and inept.
Prowl: *SNORT* You don't say.
Starscream: So? Are you interested in finally getting out of your cage?
Prowl: *pause* ... Of course.
Prowl: I assume you have a plan for how you'll explain this to the public?
Starscream: More or less. I'm still working out the fine detail on if I want to start releasing rumors before the official annoucement,.
Starscream: The overall plan is to make a formal announcement on your change of satus, how you've proven willing to work for Cybertron's good.
Prowl: Hmm.
Prowl: The benefit of said potential rumors?
Starscream: To ease the populace into the idea rather than immediately dropped onto them.
Prowl: ... Hm.
Prowl: You could potentially accomplish the same results without the... stigma that comes with rumors.
Prowl: Make official statements about my improvement and how that reflects on my potential for assisting Cybertron, that sort of thing.
Prowl: It sounds more... legitimate than rumors. Rumors suggest you're doing it behind the population's backs. *which he IS, but that's not the image they want.*
Starscream: Rumors can't be directly traced back, nor provide a place for complaints.
Prowl: But they can stir up discontent.
Prowl: ... Maybe a combination? Rumors from below and positive official statements from above?
Starscream: Acceptable. We may need more than that. Do you have anything to add weight to your new... I don't know, direction in life or whatever?
Prowl: ... When I have an opportunity, I intend to publicly announce my resignation from the Autobots.
Prowl: *"resignation." like being an Autobot was a job, instead of citizenship in a small militarized nation.*
Starscream: That may work. The NAILS and their importance on neutrality and all.
Starscream: Hmm. I'm not sure about allowing you full enforcer power yet, though. Perhaps a smaller assignment for now.
Prowl: That's probably prudent. The public is used to seeing me as a criminal; they'll have to be eased into seeing me as somebody who /opposes/ crime.
Prowl: ... What sort of assignment?
Starscream: Something that allows you to oppose crime in a visible manner.
Prowl: ... Nothing staged.
Starscream: Hmph, fine. Nothing staged, though it will take slightly longer then.
Prowl: I'm patient. True crime will minimize the risk that someone figures it out and a real scandal starts.
Starscream: Very well. So, you have no objections to rising above the common construction worker?
Prowl: ... There are several things wrong with that sentence.
Prowl: Regardless, I—think I should... At least in part, I think I should—continue that work.
Prowl: Cybertron DOES need to be rebuilt. That's not just a publicity stunt to help me look good. I'm no master architect; but no one else here is, either. Unlike most, though, I have the... the potential.
Prowl: ... To at least help.
Starscream: And your collection of gaudy colored roomates has nothing to do with it.
Prowl: ... I didn't pick up that potential /alone./ They know the field; I don't. I have a head for numbers and graphs; they don't.
Prowl: *but oh, is he chagrined to admit it. the corners of his mouth sink in a scowl.*
Starscream: *snickers* Technically they have the head for more than just construction, now.
Prowl: *scowl deepens* As long as nothing can be done about it, it might as well be used for Cybertron's benefit.
Starscream: Hmph. As long as you're available when I need you to do something, Â I don't care what you do on the side.
Starscream: It certainly won't hurt Cybertron any.
Prowl: It will have to be scheduled. For now, as far as Iacon is concerned, reconstruction isn't "on the side," it's my main duty.
Starscream: I don't care what Cybertron this is your main duty.
Prowl: I know you don't. But you'll care when they start wondering if I'm up to something fishy. All I'm saying is that even if my construction work is significantly reduced, I still need a regular schedule.
Starscream: Very well. Do you have any other concerns?
Prowl: For starters, timeframe. What happens next, and when does it happen?
Starscream: We start by releasing rumors and positive official statements that may not explicitly mention your impending release but hint at it.
Prowl: When? Immediately, or...?
Prowl: Immediately would be best to capitalize on my recent injury. I think I won some sympathy with that.
Starscream: Agreed. Apathy may be in our favor in somethings, but sympathy should be taken advantage of
Prowl: How long will that stage last?
Prowl: And is there anything *I* should be doing during it? Right now, while I'm not working, I'm not in the public eye. I don't know if that's working for or against us.
Starscream: Hmm. Perhaps an interview or two...
Starscream: I don't suppose you have a heartfelt, grandoise speech prepared expressing your change of ways?
Prowl: ... No, but I could write one.
Prowl: Interview-with-the-news interview? On what justification? Do you think that's—safe? *prowl is not known for being personable*
Starscream: Hearing your side of things. Though- ....yes, you're right. You don't exactly have my flair for public address.
Starscream: We'd probably do more harm than good.
Prowl: *he'd be offended if it wasn't completely true*
Prowl: How much control do you have over the media? Could we control what questions I received so I could prepare ahead of time?
Starscream: *drums fingers on arm* I believe I can get a reporter that can be trusted not to improvise on a script, yes.
Starscream: In a pinch we could cut the feed, but that looks nearly as bad as watching you flounder.
Prowl: At least if I flounder, some people might pity me.
Starscream: Your reputation of being not the best speaker is probably widespread enough to facilitate that.
Prowl: Probably not among neutrals. But if they don't know yet, they might well find out.
Starscream: So. Is there anything else?
Prowl: Yes. Once I am liberated—what are the limits and parameters? I assume that, at the start, this will be more like parole than like a full pardon?
Prowl: Curfew, escorts, limits to how far I can travel, et cetera?
Starscream: Indeed. As public opinion of you improves we can loosen restrictions, but for now-
Starscream: You won't be able to directly enter any part of Metroplex, especially anything near the bridge or his processor.
Starscream: I'd rather not have Windblade of all mechs be the one to assasinate me over this.
Starscream: You will have an escort at all times, either another mech or a drone of some sort.
Starscream: Curfew... hn. I dont know what would unsettle mechs more, your sulking around during the off cycle or when most of them are active.
Prowl: ... In general, the off cycle, but they'd have to be confronted less often with the fact of my partial freedom because less people would see me.
Prowl: Pff. It would probably be most convenient to just not go outside at all.
Starscream: You won't be very useful if you stay inside all of the time. They'll never get used to you that way.
Prowl: ... What about holomatter? I have an avatar that looks like—well—MOSTLY like me. Perhaps it would go over better with the public if they knew the version of me that was walking around wasn't real?
Prowl: They could get used to seeing me in public and still know I wasn't actually there.
Starscream: Hmm. That may work. And you would naturally be limited to the area the holomatter can be projected to, so they wouldn't have to worry about you being where you shouldn't.
Prowl: That's a four hundred mile radius.
Starscream: ...okay, more limited than that.
Prowl: So we tell them it isn't four hundred miles.
Starscream: What happened to not straight up lying?
Prowl: Fine. So we ask them to deal with the fact that I can, and have always been able to, appear anywhere at any time in avatar form, and the only reason I don't is because I choose not to.
Prowl: I think that will go over well.
Starscream: *snorts* I didn't say we WOULDNT lie to them.
Starscream: Confined to holomatter appearences, unable to affect suspects, etc.
Prowl: Will my avatar need an escort?
Starscream: Yes, since it's acting in your place.
Prowl: Hm. I'm not going to start bringing an escort to my movie nights.
Prowl: Cybertron doesn't know about those anyway.
Starscream: Oh, speaking of... who among your movie night escapades is your invisible guest? I would expect that's where you met them, anyway.
Prowl: He wouldn't be showing up invisible if he wanted you to know that, would he?
Starscream: Which is why I'm asking you, not rigging up some elaborate paint trap.
Prowl: *pictures tarantulas dripping in paint. snorts.*
Prowl: He's a useful resource. And a decent distraction when I'm sick to my stomach of Constructicons. That's what matters.
Starscream: And someone you feel it's best I don't know the identity of.
Starscream: Hmph. Whatever, I'll find out eventually.
Prowl: As I said. He DOES show up invisible.
Prowl: Have you ever heard people say that cesium salami is only good as long as you don't know how it's made?
Prowl: The Autobots learned to view my work the same way. My invisible visitor is useful to you, through me. That's what matters.
Prowl: Don't think too hard about the salami.
Starscream: ...you're dating someone you just compared to a questionable food.
Prowl: One—interfacing, not dating. Two—I'm the questionable food. Keep up.
Starscream: You're probably both questionable. Is it at leat only one invisible visitor or is it a parade of see-through guests making a mockery of security.
Prowl: Do you really want to know?
Starscream: Yes, actually.
Prowl: You're asking how the salami's made.
Prowl: *prowl doesn't metaphor very often but when he does he commits*
Starscream: I would like to know if I should even maintain the facade of security around here, or if I should just give up and have whatever cameras are still functional taken down.
Starscream: I'm asking how many ingrediants are in the salami.
Prowl: Well, if you'd like to take them down, I wouldn't mind.
Starscream: That was not a number.
Prowl: "One." *with finger quotes.*
Starscream: ......that isn't a useful answer.
Prowl: How sad for you.
Starscream: Before you engage me in a battle of pettiness, please remember who you're talking to.
Prowl: I never forget.
Prowl: I could give you another number now. Ask yourself if you'll believe whatever it is I say.
Starscream: So. At least one guest with enough importance that you refuse to identify them.
Starscream: Can I trust that you at least remember who you're working for once we begin your route to parole? Or should I be on the lookout for more rebellious spirit.
Prowl: I didn't tell Optimus all my resources either. That doesn't mean they weren't utilized for his benefit. It doesn't mean they won't be utilized for yours.
Starscream: Somehow I'm not reassured. I wonder why that might be.
Prowl: Probably because you think I'm the kind of second that you were.
Starscream: Probably. After all I know you've only agreed to work for me as long as my goals benefit Cybertron.
Starscream: Right so- rumors, interview questions, holomatter restrictions and escort.
Prowl: Right.
Prowl: ... And in the meantime, I wait in here? Or am I going back to the construction site soon?
Starscream: Here. I don't want any more poles through your head and at leat it'll be slightly more difficult here.
Starscream: Depending on what your salami does with you.
Prowl: You're completely missing the point of the metaphor, /I'm/ the salami.
Starscream: Then what does that make him?
Prowl: One of the ingredients you don't want to know about.
Prowl: ... Wait. No. That didn't come out right.
Prowl: My work. Is the salami. I'm the salami-maker, he's an ingredient.
Starscream: ...*pinches the bridge of his nose. This is getting painful*
Starscream: Alright Salami Maker, is there anything else I need to cover?
Prowl: ... I'm rethinking my stance on whether I want the interview to be cut off if it goes badly.
Starscream: And?
Prowl: I think that's it.
Prowl: ... Curfew. We didn't resolve... We can mess with that later.
Starscream: Indeed.
Prowl: I suppose that's it.
Starscream: Good. Enjoy the rest of your day. Or whatever.
Prowl: Mm.
Prowl: ... Start sending me what data you have on your enforcers. I want to know what I'm going to be getting into.
Starscream: Very well. You're going to hate it, though.
Prowl: Oh, I know.
Prowl: *he has stopped scowling just long enough to give the bitterest smirk. he knows. he's seen them at work.*
