[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

[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.

[driftlock]

[Wow, well, congratulations, Wing, you've managed to nearly lock up Deadlock's processor.]

If you say so.

[That's the best he can come up with? Yeah.]

[.....what?]

....what? [Yeah he can't be hearing that right.]

[winged_knight]

[As long as it locks up in something other than scowl-mode.]

I do.

[He's looking at you right now after all. And yeah, after checking again, he still likes what he sees.]

Is it so strange that I'd want good things for you? Or that I might want to be a part of them?"

[He wants to one of those good things really. If he could be allowed.]

[driftlock]

[Deadlock wishes it were scowl mode. At least that's comfortable.]

Yeah? I tried to abandon you. Steal a ship.

[winged_knight]

[Only because it's all Deadlock knows. Wing hopes to change that.]

True. And I would have preferred that you hadn't. But I also prefer to treat others the way I wish to be treated. And so, I will not abandon you.

[driftlock]

[He snorts, but there's something sad under it.]

Right. You 'prefer'. You can't change the world by just pretending it's fraggin' different. Trust me.

[Because if that worked, he'd never have stayed in the gutters.]

[winged_knight]

[Wing hears that sadness, wishing he could touch it, soothe it.]

No. But I can try. One mech at a time, starting with myself.

[driftlock]

Yeah, and that'd last five kliks before someone stabbed you and robbed you blind.

[winged_knight]

Why steal from me when I would offer things willingly if only asked? Or even just seeing the need.

[Wing's reminded of the energon. Deadlock never did have to ask, Wing just knew there was a need and sought to meet it.]

[driftlock]

[That. Just. What? He has no idea what fraggin' planet you're from.]

You'd offer your last ration of energon.

[Right.]

[winged_knight]

[He takes a moment to consider deeply, rather than just answering on instinct, but his answer is not less certain.]

I would.

This is strange to you? No one's ever offered you such help?

[driftlock]

[Oh you are so lucky this is video or else you would get a finger jabbed right into your pointy chassis. Your...sexy pointy chassis.]

You've never really been there, have you?

[Otherwise the answer wouldn't come that easy or glib. When it's life or death, only an idiot would choose death by giving away life.]

[Also he's not answering your questions because reasons. ]

[winged_knight]

[Okay the vehemence gives him pause for a moment.]

In the gutters? Starving? No.

But I have risked my life for others in combat. Strangers unknown to me except for their suffering. Is it really so different?

[Deadlock has a lot of Reasons and they all confuse Wing. He'll get to bottom of the puzzle eventually though!]

[driftlock]

Yes. It's different.

[He's seen more than his share of combat. And just for an ideal.]

Lot faster to die in combat. And at least you die for something.