001 ✚ Video

[asafepairofhands]

[The feed clicks on, a little too close to a deeply disgruntled and slightly uncomfortable face. Ratchet pulls the phone back, scowling.]

Great. Like I didn't have enough things to do.

[He picks up his file, shaking it at the camera, and his lip curls slightly.]

I have no idea what the hell half of this means, but I suspect I'm going to find out. In the meantime, does anyone actually know how we got here? Or how... our bodies may have been potentially altered? [That last is a little cagey. The last time he was on Earth--and this does seem to be Earth, even if it's a little weird--most of the humans were not terribly Cybertronian-friendly.] Either way, this registered/unregistered business is a load of slag--if anyone needs medical attention, I'm in Residence #036, I'll see what I can do.

And, not to inspire a fit of overconfidence in anyone, but if there's a good place to brush up on medical procedures and general practice around here, I'd appreciate it if somebody would let me know.

Comments

[paintjobs]

[ slow dawning realization: this ratchet is a giant nerd. the eyeroll is behind his shades, but still visible in body language. ]

I'll think about it. And as far as location and supplies go — you have this whole network at your disposal, I'd recommend using it.

[asafepairofhands]

Yeah, thanks for your help.

[paintjobs]

What -- don't say it like that. I'm a busy mech!

[asafepairofhands]

Busy doing what, exactly? Since it's not treating patients.

[paintjobs]

Creating energon, for one!

[asafepairofhands]

All right, all right.

[Fair point.]

I just don't like not having a practice. Or not having something to do.

[paintjobs]

[ ...huh. having a clinic again... might be nice. but anyway: ] Again, you just got here. Give it some time for the antiness to set in, can't you?

[asafepairofhands]

I guess.

Anything else you think I should know about this place, in the meantime?

[paintjobs]

We're neighbors, does that count as pertinent information?

[asafepairofhands]

It certainly does.

[paintjobs]

#026, right down the hall. Feel free to drop by anytime.

[asafepairofhands]

I will, thank you.

[paintjobs]

[ it looks like he's about to disconnect, but then a little stiffly, after a pause: ] I have a few books you might want. Human medical books.

[asafepairofhands]

[Ratchet looks a little surprised by the offer, but he leans in.]

Yeah, those would be very helpful, actually.

[paintjobs]

Then I guess you'd better stop by after all.

[asafepairofhands]

I'd better, yeah.

See you in a few.

[paintjobs]

Until then.

[ He cuts the feed, but then actually goes and collects his various medical books. It's not that big a loss, to lend them to someone else, since he's read through them already... but still, it chafes a little to give up useful things he'd actually put time and effort into collecting.

This better be worth it. ]

[asafepairofhands]

[Ratchet's knocking a few minutes later and trying his damnedest not to look uncomfortable.]

[paintjobs]

[ He still has the sunglasses on when he answers the door. Sure, red eyes doesn't always mean Decepticon — but often. And he'll just keep that to himself for now. He's already smiling as he pulls the door open. ]

Why, Ratchet! So good of you to make house calls.

[asafepairofhands]

Hilarious.

[His voice is bone dry.]

...I appreciate this. It's been a long time since I've needed a refresher, and this place is strange. I wouldn't've known where to start.

[paintjobs]

[ His mocking smile fades a little. Appreciation, that's something he doesn't hear a lot about. Weird. ]

Well. [ He takes a step back to allow Ratchet in, and at the same time nods his head toward the stack of books, ready on a nearby counter. ] There you are. Not quite as handy as a datapad, but not altogether useless.

[asafepairofhands]

[Ratchet nods back and goes to collect the books.]

I'll take some notes and get these back to you as soon as I can, hopefully get my own copies. There are still a bunch of us who can't change back, everything else aside, and I wanted to get started as soon as possible.

[paintjobs]

Mm. I'd recommend they talk to Breakdown, who managed to change nearly as soon as he showed up here, but-- [ A quick smile quirks. ] He's probably the worst teacher you'll ever meet. Better get used to treating those skinjob bodies.

[asafepairofhands]

Going to need to get used to it anyway, if we're going to be stuck on an organic planet.

[He eyes Knock Out, almost curiously.]

...what other powers did you end up with? Mine didn't make a whole lot of sense.

[paintjobs]

[ Ha, like he would tell. He even manages not to look smug about it, and just shrugs. ]

That was it. The powers that be weren't overly generous with me. Why, what have you got?