#viltrumtraitor

now it might be a bit of a power play to be sprawled in the grayson's backyard like a cat marking its territory. devani is old enough to know how to not leave a trace in the grass. she forced a calm demeanor, wings remaining folded, licking forefoot as if her spines weren't literally standing on end at having one of his kind so close. instinct still had her curling up a lip in warning.

"it's a free country, is it not?" bright eyes surveyed the other with predatory criticism. "and i don't believe you live here anymore." they flick out sharp tongue in a yawn to show off teeth longer than his fingers. "i'm sure you don't care, but i have no desire to lay a talon on your family."

When operating as Robot, Rudy had never met Omni Man in person. He had seen him on the news, of course. Then later during his fight with Invincible from the Guardians headquarters. His excitement about getting to study Viltrumite physiology had left him oblivious to how awkward meeting him now would be. The man is clearly struggling. It almost does more to convince him of his regret than the fact that he agreed to be here at all. Despite that, he still manages to carry an air with him that has Rudy feeling intimidated and on edge.

It doesn't help that the alien is over a feet taller than him in this body and almost twice as wide.

The old Teen Team's headquarters serves as a familiar enough space that is removed enough from the Guardians to let him work in relative comfort. He has returned some old equipment there using his drones and is able to quickly get to work. After a round of initial tests it quickly stagnates.

Rudy knows there is a sound frequency that can damage Viltrumites. It is a hunch he had before and comparing Nolan's inner ear to that of a human's would suggest he is correct. Finding that right frequency is another matter entirely.

Most of the day has been turned into him playing different notes to try and find the right one. He realises vaguely how boring this must be for the other, but has been too focused on getting the answer to his question to hold more than a few words of conversation. His own frustration building to a point where he barely looks up from his console. Reskimming research papers about glass shapes and their resonant frequencies while adjusting wavelengths.

It is when he suddenly hears an exclamation of pain that he finally looks up. So focused the sound startles him considerably. He stares for a second before he realises it's him. It's his machine. His research works. it's the noise thats playing that has the strongest being on earth practically immobilized.

He quickly shuts it off. Then rushes to the larger man's side but hesitates. Awkwardly hovering besides him. All the previous tension seems to have been sucked back into the room like a door was opened in a vacuum. It's strange to look down at him, now on the floor.

"I know a guy who also wears a red cape. Gotta say he wears it with more honor than you @viltrumtraitor if what I've heard is right - and by all accounts it is."

The Viltrumite's high-speed flight would quite suddenly be intruded upon by a red shape somehow pulling beside (and possibly even a bit ahead) of him in the air, revealing itself as an unfamiliar, manta-like creature remarkably keeping pace next to him.

Clearly not aggressively, though, as it would turn to wave & smile.

"Salutations!" The Aerophibian greeted casually, as if they weren't both currently blasting through the air at incredible speeds. "Don't suppose you can spare the time for some questions? You're clearly in a hurry, but you can trust that I won't be slowing you down.

Rex blinks, Nolan's deep voice pulls him out of his thoughts. He smiles sheepishly. " I apologise , Nolan . I was just thinking ... I am sitting here on the moon with Omni Man, who is now sort of my neighbour and also my friend . If I were to go back in time and tell this to the me that watched you fight Invincible - a lifetime ago for both of us - Well, I don't think it would compute . " He chuckles. He finds himself reminiscing on the old times a lot these days. How he misses them so desperately.

@viltrumtraitor // "i work better on my own." (2007 verse?)

PROMPTS FOR THE GRUMPY VS SUNSHINE TROPE