(no subject)

[socrowdedinhere]

DW: *he studies WJ a long moment* When did you join the war, Wheeljack?

WJ: ………………… *soft huff through his vents and he’ll sit down, gazing at his cube* Early. Most people still thought the uprisin’ was “their” problem, someone else’s issue, mostly centered around Iacon an’ other city-states in the north. I’d managed ta . . . heh, more or less con my way into the university in ((CITY)). Well, with help – I’d done some work for the doyen of the school, so he helped work up the documents I needed ta qualify. Ratchet was there too. That’s how we met. He was an intern then, most the way through his program. *optics darken* Then one day, our school went up in flames. The Decepticons had heard of a project we had goin’ in the Engineerin’ department an’ they wanted it. The whole school was destroyed. Only a handful of the faculty and students survived. Me an’ Ratchet were among the lucky few. Ratchet coulda transferred to another school, but me . . . I had nowhere ta go after that. An’ he wouldn’t leave me. We’d been among a group who’d been captured an’ rescued from a Decepticon transport. We owed the Autobots not only our lives but our freedom . . . so we decided ta join ‘em. We’d help fight the Decepticons an’ do what we could ta prevent happenin’ ta others what happened ta us, an’ we’d be able ta finish our studies while we were at it. That was . . . I don’t remember exactly anymore, maybe a vorn, vorn an’ a half, before Sentinel Prime was killed an’ Optimus took his place.

DW: ....I see. I was loyal to the Decepticon cause from the start.....but our cause was quickly lost in the violence and hate.

WJ: *looks at him* And . . . what exactly was the cause? As you knew it? *because all he ever saw was destruction, conquering, enslavement, power-grabbing…*

DW: The uprising was started by those forgotten and oppressed. We lived in slums, were denied an honest living, enslaved or just imprisoned and forgotten. The government had made it clear that our voices did not matter to them, and so we took action. It didn't start out as a grab for power, it started as a stand for equality. *it's clear on his face that he knows it didn't remain that way long.* ......I think it didn't take long for most to realize they liked being violent... *clearly he was never one who did. Considering he survived the war without his fellows turning on him means he must be rather formidable, hm?*

WJ: *studies him a long moment . . . finally nods, quietly* That explains a few things.

DW: *looks back at him* Oh?  And what things are those?

Dream: *sipping her fuel and quietly listening*

Comments

[dragondancer5150]

WJ: ………..you're nothin' like I've come ta expect a Decepticon ta be, even how I'd imagine one is in a "normal, everyday" setting. Everythin' I've ever known, seen, experienced of Decepticons says that a Con wouldn't'a stepped in for me in the market, or if he did, it woulda been ta take me home ta torture or take advantage of himself. A Con wouldn't care what my hobbies an' interests are, not unless he could exploit them. A Con wouldn't'a taken me ta see a friend just because it was somethin' nice ta do – there woulda been an angle to it, a bargainin' chip ta get somethin' outta me. A Con wouldn't'a taken a runaway slave to a medic instead of the authorities, an' then paid the bill for her work without any fuss, an' he definitely wouldn't'a gone to her master to claim her from him just ta give her a better life. Those are all things any Autobot worth his brand woulda done . . . but not a Decepticon. Not in any experience of mine before meetin' you.

[socrowdedinhere]

DW: *looks away, all too aware that he's nothing like his fellows.* ...I am glad I am not as you expected.

[dragondancer5150]

WJ: ......me too. *aware he's...not "hurt" the mech, but...affected him* ...sorry.

[socrowdedinhere]

DW: *small shake of his head* You have nothing to apologize for, Wheeljack, I'm highly aware of what my brethren let themselves become. That you two are slaves is testiment enough that we became the very thing we rose up against.
Dream: *has been watching ans listening and...can't help it, she moves to DW and hugs him.*
DW: *soft startled buzz, looking a little uncertain what to do, but does end up wrapping an arm gently around her.*

[dragondancer5150]

WJ: ......"they". Not "we". You didn't lose your spark like so many others. You're a good mech, Dreadwing.

[socrowdedinhere]

DW: *looks at WJ...looks at the tiny femme Seeker hugging him....and nods.* Thank you...both of you.

[dragondancer5150]

WJ: *nods, then gestures at DW's cube* Refill?

[socrowdedinhere]

DW: *shakes his head.* We should all recharge.

[dragondancer5150]

WJ: *nods, climbs to his feet, and offers them each a hand up*

[socrowdedinhere]

Dream: *won't see the offered hand because of how she's turned, but DW helps her up.*
DW: *will accept the offered hand, pausing once on his feet to study WJ another moment. He gives the smaller mech a nod, a gesture of reapect, before turning to head inside for some sleep.*
Dream: *smiles up at WJ as DW leaves and will snug to his leg.*