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

video;

[taselikeabee]

[ well Ratchet at least you know this face, right? RIGHT? ]

Wouldn't worry about it too much. Give it time and you'll figure out how to transform again.

[asafepairofhands]

[His eyes widen, his lips parting before he chuffs a soft half-laugh.]

Bee? What the hell are you doing here?

video

[paintjobs]

[ not a face he knows... but a name, definitely. there just can't be that many 'Ratchet's in the world talking about altered bodies. so cue a big, smug grin behind these overly large douchebag sunglasses. ]

Are you sure you should be offering to give medical advice to a bunch of organics? You might break one.

[taselikeabee]

Gee, nice to see you too, Ratchet.

[ like he's going to let the guy go without giving him a LITTLE bit of a hard time. ]

Me? I've been here for months now. You, uh... You just missed Thundercracker and Metalhawk. A few others are here too.

[asafepairofhands]

Hell.

[Ratchet repeats himself, with more feeling, and shakes his head a little.]

Sorry. I didn't--we haven't had any contact with Cybertron since we left. I didn't know you'd gone anywhere.

Wait, people leave? How?

[asafepairofhands]

I've fixed a few in my time.

Who the hell are you? You look pretty 'organic' to me.

[paintjobs]

Now, is that any way to treat an old friend?

[asafepairofhands]

[That draws Ratchet up short.]

Would an old friend care to introduce himself, then?

[paintjobs]

Hold on. A quick question-- what color is energon?

[asafepairofhands]

[Ratchet's patience is fraying rapidly.]

You first.

[taselikeabee]

Being here doesn't disturb time and space. When or if we go back, it's pretty much right where we left off. So... You wouldn't have known. Not that anyone could suspect it at this point anyway.

[ you know... being dead and all. ]

Leaving's pretty much random too. It's not a choice.

[paintjobs]

[ flatly: ] Blue. Your turn.

[asafepairofhands]

Perfect.

[Ratchet's voice warms just slightly, though.]

It's good to see you. ...who else is here?

[asafepairofhands]

I meant your name.

[That gives him pause, though, and he eyes Knock Out curiously.]

...why do you ask?

VIDEO;

[forcowardice]

I personally guarantee the alteration of bodies. There's stuff I can do that I shouldn't be able to.

By the sounds of it... let me guess: Cybertronian?

[taselikeabee]

From our reality? Drift, Wing, Fulcrum, Tailgate, and Rodimus.

[ he hasn't spoken to all of them, but eh... putting old skills to use. ]

Not from our reality? I've met a Breakdown that's not a stunticon and then there's Knock Out.

[rathercommon]

What do you mean by "altered"?

-Lizzie

[paintjobs]

We're talking about energon, not names. Those come later. [ a beat, and he smiles. ] Promise.

[asafepairofhands]

[That makes Ratchet go still.]

Drift? Drift is here?

[asafepairofhands]

[Ratchet's lip curls.]

It's pink, where I'm from. You knew it was different or you wouldn't have asked. What's going on?

[asafepairofhands]

Ah.

Things just... feel different. It's difficult to describe. Do you know anything about it?

[asafepairofhands]

Maybe.

[He looks exceedingly wary.]

Who's asking?

[forcowardice]

Someone who's also a Cybertronian?

[taselikeabee]

...Is that a problem?

[rathercommon]

[ On the other side of the communicator, Kitty raises an incredulous eyebrow. Do you know anything about it, when all he can give is that it's different? How could she possibly even begin to determine whether or not she does?

Though - be real, Kitty. You're completely clueless here. You absolutely don't.

Still, much as Kitty wants to be sarcastic at him, she's pretending to be Lizzie and Lizzie wouldn't be. So: ]

No, I don't think I do. Do you feel sick?