[video - to reignite]

[rekindlenpcs]

[The feed opens to Irene sitting in her office - there's a bit of sun coming in the window behind her and spreading across the desk, making the whole room seem warm and cheery.]

Hello! For those of you that I didn't meet on the first day, my name is Irene, and I'm the city's liaison to the arrivals from other worlds. It's a pleasure to meet you!

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for their hard work. It hasn't even been a month, and the city's energy levels are already picking up. Because of that, we expect to be able to re-energize and open the Third District to visitors soon.

But before we can do that, there's a few things that need to be done. I'm posting today to ask for volunteers to help power a number of generators throughout the district, which will then activate and negate the draining effect that is presently still active. There's three large generators and a number of smaller ones. If you are in good health and would like to participate, please gather at the bridges between Districts 2 and 3 early Sunday afternoon.

I'll also answer any questions you have about the operation at this time. Thank you again for all your help.

[She folds her hands at the bottom of the screen, waiting.]

Comments

[winged_knight]

Ahh. [That gives Wing pause...] True. And if they can synthesize energon too...

[But why would they! Surely not...]

Ah. Well yes. One or two have mistaken me for a, uh, vehicle to be ridden. Or piloted. Or something. [It was awkward okay? ALL THE AWKWARD.]

[driftlock]

Yeah. Exactly.

[SHhhhhh. Just...be quiet for a klik and let Deadlock revel in that whole 'being right' thing. ]

What? [EWW.] You didn't....let thim.


[Who is he kidding: it's Wing. He probably did.]

[winged_knight]

... [That is the sound of Deadlock being right. Except...]

I'll take that risk; I'm not afraid. It might get us more answers.

[SO THERE.]

WHAT? No--! [ D: ] She just came up and grabbed me okay! What was I supposed to do?

[driftlock]

Or it might get you killed.

[What is with this whole self-sacrifice thing? He can't even.]

[Have a squinty face.]

I dunno. You don't seem to have any problem throwing me around.

[winged_knight]

It might. [a pause, then quietly] That matters to you?

[It's an honest question. And he sounds hopeful, he can't hide it.]

[No stop with the squinty faces, it's going to stick that way. Just like the scowl.]

That had a different purpose. Plus you're a whole lot tougher, you don't go splat. [Crash is more like it but Wing isn't going to push things.] _{And she seemed so happy I couldn't have.}

[driftlock]

[ASSDFDKGHF.]

Get yourself killed. See if I fraggin' care.

[That's reverse psychology. See? Deadlock is smart!]

[Hair splitting! He doesn't recognize those as valid differences.]

Right. So if I ever want to sneak up to you and kill you, all I have to do is look happy and climb on you.

[Listen to yourself, Wing. And don't think too deeply into what Deadlock just said.]

[winged_knight]

[WELL FINE. Have a brief but intense pout.]

Well all right. You should have no reason to argue then.

[He'll just go do that now. Harumpf!]

_{Well pressing your face to my pelvic armor works too.} [OOPS, filter failure.] Because that's what she did.

[He'll think about it later, you know, when he's alone. Right now he's still pouting inside.]

[driftlock]

[No fair reverse psychologizing his reverse psychology. Thought you knights had honor and all that scrap.]

[He'll counter with....uh...grumpiness.]

Why the frag would you even want to? Thought you liked this place.

[All huggy and all.]

[Wait, what?]

Yeah. NOT going to happen.

[Though his optics do flick down there. Because she did, okay? that's all.]

[winged_knight]

[What's so dishonorable about reverse psychology!?]

Because I won't live in fear.

[That's said quietly too, but with a firm conviction. He'd rather explore and get answers than hide and be ruled by suspicion or acquiescence. Yes that means he can hug and snoop at the same time. GASP.]

[SOB. Deadlock Y U SO COLD?]

Too bad..._{could be fun.}

[Oops did he pose a little? Maybe.]

[driftlock]

Not if you're slaggin' dead.

[Seriously, jet. And it's totally not because he cares. Not at all. Just, you know, in case you wondered.]

[Snort.] Yeah I'll bet.

[Why's he got to bottom, huh? And his scowl deepens at that cocked-hip pose. Show off.]

[winged_knight]

[Deadlock, you either care or are desperate to prove yourself right.Wing doesn't know which.]

Then, I suppose I will be. I'd rather die in the process of Living than sit and do nothing.

[Oh DENIED. Maybe your don't care, STOP CONFUSING HIM.]

[MUMBLE.] _{Or not.} [But then he recovers himself. ] I'm sorry. That was...uncalled for.

[MANNERS, where did Wing's go? Deadlock you do this to him.]

[driftlock]

[Or both. Deadlock can multitask like that.]

Who said anything about doing nothing?

[Huff, huff huff.]

[There's a long, strange look, before Deadlock shrugs. ]

Don't need an apology.

[And nooooo why did you move from that pose: Deadlock wasn't done looking.]

[winged_knight]

[He is talented, without a doubt. Wing is quite uncertain now.]

You have an alternative plan then? Something that isn't going along with their requests but isn't doing nothing?

[He'd like to hear it for certain.]

[Wing's glad this is video because he starts getting anxious under that strange stare. Has he finally said The Wrong Thing? The one that will get him fully rebuffed? His wings twitch once when the tension becomes too much and then thankfully Deadlock finally speaks. Wing's reply is soft.]

Well, it's yours now, so...

[Please take it and WOO let's talk about something other than Wing's bungled flirting attempts?]

[driftlock]

Course I do.

[In a klik when he thinks of it.]

Don't see why sparring doesn't count.

[You certainly had no problem getting all handsy with him then. ]

Hnh. Don't need it. Not like fraggin' words hurt or anything.

[Also he has no idea what he's supposed to do.]

[winged_knight]

I imagine it'd count. Do you want to continue sparring?

[Yes Deadlock he assumes you mean with him. Give him a break okay? He's extremely hopeful.]

But that doesn't help us find answers, which is still why I want to go into District 3.

_{It does help with the boredom issue though.}

[He still wants to get handsy with you Deadlock, just getting grabby in the other direction.]

[He smiles.] I admire your tenacity. [It's CUTE okay?]

[driftlock]

[Argh. Moral conundrum. Sparring with Wing or....hugging.]

[At least one was manly.]

....fine! [Sort of blurted out as though very much against his will.]

[Deadlock can, however, relate to boredom. ] Yeah, well, you're not used to going strange places.

[It's dangerous out there: take Deadlock.]

[winged_knight]

[Solution: Do both! Clearly.]

[There's a manly version of hugging Deadlock, by the way. >:|]

....or I could give you true training? It doesn't have to be a contest anymore. What would you like? [Aside from not being thrown around anymore.]

Ah--[Wow he can't really refute that.]--well. I guess you're right. You'll just have to go with me then?

[Oh Wing loves it when things come full circle.]

[driftlock]

[Deadlock refuses to believe in manly hugging. It's like sparkeaters. Myths!!]

Hnh. So you admit that wasn't training. [Just for the fun of flinging him around, apparently? He figured as much.]

....[Wait. How did he just volunteer for this? Some Crystal City trick, obviously. Crafty jet. He'll just glare as an answer.]

[winged_knight]

[HEY sparkeaters exist!]

Not in a formal sense no. But I was trying to improve your skills, we could just do without the part where you're constantly trying to take me down.

[Though Wing has a feeling that would probably still be a goal, just a personal one now.]

[He grins back at that glare.] Thank you. I think it'll be more fun with you there anyway. [Scowl and all.]

[driftlock]

[Sure, Wing. Sparkeaters and unicorns and cities powered by LOVE. Keep dreaming.]

Notice how you didn't say we could skip the part where you throw me into the wall.

[You can't slip that past him.]

[Urgh how did this happen.]

Fun. Right.

[winged_knight]

[He will!]

Hopefully it won't be necessary. But I'll go easier on you, if you prefer?

[Shhhhhh, secretly you want to, don't fight it.]

[A smirk and a little half wink.] Are you saying you're not fun?

[driftlock]

No.

[Go easier on him makes it sound like he's too weak to handle it. ]

Yes.

[There you go, Wing: you've reduced him to monosyllables and even now he's pretty sure he's said something stupid.]

[winged_knight]

I'm sure you'll improve quickly, you have a natural gift, I can see it.

[Not weak, just misdirected.]

I suppose it would seem that way, being so dedicated to war. [A patient smile.] But I think there's more to you than that.

[driftlock]

Surprised you can see anything through your rose-colored optics.

[Because he has no idea how to handle compliments.]

Why you even care, anyway?

[winged_knight]

I see you~ It's not a bad view.

[Deadlock just needs more practice obviously.]

Because... [I like you. Wooo~ have an awkward pause.] Because I think you deserve better. Because I think you're capable of better. And--[Oh hell with it] --because I like you.