[ti]Ep 2.5[/ti](Un)familiar [Raf]

[Windshield]

Episode 2.5 / Week 3 / Day 2 / Open

It's been a few days since Windshield's tragic incident in the deserts of Nevada and the confrontation that followed. Today was much less eventful. The small mech would even go as far as to call it UNeventful. So uneventful it was, that the only thing keeping Windshield entertained (in Red Alert's super-secure cell) was a bunch of datapads, courtesy of his Autobot hosts.

Speaking of things that were UN, Windshield's current situation was very UNfamiliar. Sorta. Kinda. Ish. It'd be more appropriate to address it as (Un)familiar. He was in a cell, which was familiar. But the cell was well-equipped and stocked. There was a berth, a table, a chair, a toolbox, and of course, the datapads. That was, most certainly, very unfamiliar to Windshield. He had no such luxury in Garrus 1.

Windshield curled into a small ball on the berth and held tightly onto one of the datapads, unblinking optics buried in its blue light. On its screen, a scene from a popular sitcom was unfolding.

He suddenly pushed himself away from the screen, "Monica! How could you?! Chandler trusted you!" An expression of utter disbelief and shock crossed his face as he tossed the datapad away. It clanked against the ground but luckily did not break. Thank the heavens for small mercies.

[Raf Esquivel]

Raf wasn’t feeling so great.

Things were bad at the base.

Bumblebee being sick, the attack by MECH, the lack of energon...everything was just getting worse and worse.

Even his grades in school were starting to slip, just a little. He was finding it hard to concentrate on his homework. Everytime he started to do math or something, he’d discover he was replaying events in his head, or trying to think if there might be a mine of energon somewhere.

He wasn’t concerned about his marks – they hadn’t slipped enough that his parents would notice. A few marks here and there, and that was all. But it was new to Raf, not being able to really concentrate.

Raf had wandered away from the main control room, looking for a quiet place. He just felt like he wanted to be alone right now. Everyone was trying their best, but they were so busy, and they were trying so hard to keep up a good front, especially to him and Miko. But both children were aware of what was going on, and it made Raf, at least, feel awkward and uneasy.

He kept to the walls as much as possible, keeping an eye and ear out for any moving Autobots that might not see him. He knew Optimus didn’t like it when they weren’t up on the catwalks, and didn’t want to add more worry to the Autobot leader. But Raf just really needed to be alone for a bit.

He was in a part of the base he rarely went, so upon noticing one of the doors, normally closed, was slightly ajar, he paused, peering inside, ready to move aside quickly if someone came towards the door.

Raf was surprised...startled...to see there was someone inside the room, in a smaller cage-like area. Not really a cage...it looked like it was made of glass. And inside, was the new person.

Raf had heard a little about this person...an ex-Decepticon who wanted to join the Autobots. He hadn’t been able to pick up too much – Optimus and the others didn’t talk openly about it much, but he knew that much, at least.

Raf paused, peering in. He wasn’t sure if he should go in or not. He was pretty sure Optimus wouldn’t want him talking to a Decepticon – ex or not-, especially alone.
But...he looked so different from what he had expected. This one wasn’t huge and powerful-looking. He was sort of smallish.

Huh.

Raf was not expecting the strange Cybertronian to suddenly bolt back, tossing a datapad from his hands, while exclaiming something about someone called Monica.

Monica?

Who was Monica?

[Windshield]

Windshield hesitated to pick up the datapad again after the show broke his heart. He decided to let it rest for now. However, that was not his only reason. His audio-receptors caught wind of something, some insurmountably low noise. Only bots with a good knack for awareness could hear it. Luckily, Windshield qualified.

The more he listened, the more he heard. The noise sounded like . . . Footsteps?

But those footsteps had to come from something really tiny.

As a pre-emptive measure, Windshield yelled out towards the slightly-open door, "I'll let you know that I have some very important Autobot business going on and I DO NOT wish to be disturbed! If Optimus sent you, tell him everything's fine!"

He hopped down from the bed and kicked the datapad under it so that nobody could see what he was watching.

"In case you are not an Autobot and are in fact, a Scraplet on the loose, I will let you know that there are tastier meals around. Have you seen Bulkhead?"

Windshield chuckled awkwardly. He seemed a bit scared. It was a theme with him lately. Life did have a nasty tendency to surprise him in the worst way possible when he least expected it. Little did he know that the person behind the door wasn't exactly cheerful either—nor that he wasn't a Scraplet out to eat him.

[Raf Esquivel]

Raf , hearing the Cybertronian inside, announce he was on important Autobot business, almost turned and left. He certainly didn’t want to disturb anyone, or anything important.

Only...

He wanted to meet the new person.

As he peered around the corner a little more, a strange prickling sensation came over him, raising goosebumps on his skin. It was an awkward feeling, almost like he had encountered something electrical. With a faint shiver, Raf raised his hands and rubbed his upper arms, taking a cautious step in farther.

Somber, Raf stood in the doorway, a small figure, gazing up at the other being, inside a glass box –at least to Raf it still looked like a glass box.

He found his voice.

“Oh. Uh, no, I’m not a scraplet. There aren’t any here. Scraplets, I mean. There were some, but we got rid of them, so it’s ok.”

Shadow spreading out before him, much larger than the small human child, Raf entered the room fully. What kind of cell was that, and why was this Autobot even inside one? What was he working on here?

Pushing up his oversized glasses, Raf peered around the rest of the room for a minute, looking to see if there was anyone else around, then looked back at Windshield.

“I’m sorry if I’m disturbing you, I just...I didn’t know you were down here.”

Still lightly rubbing his upper arms, Raf spoke again, “I don’t know you. I mean, I haven’t met you. What’s your name, and...what are you doing in there?”

[Windshield]

Windshield dropped to his knees and leaned against the energy wall between him and the tiny meatbag. He inspected it and concluded Raf was, indeed, a human. And what a human it was. So tiny, so silly, so squeaky. It amused Windshield.

He chuckled condescendingly, an orange eye peering at the skin-wrapped sack of water. It asked Windshield a question. His inner hacker was at awe. How could a processor as tiny as a human's be capable of complex thought?

"I like your style, kid. You ask questions. It's how you get answers!"

Windshield leaned away from the fleshling. Oh, it spoke so well. Better than the squishies in his sitcoms.

"I'm Windshield! The newest Autobot... sorta." He grinned. "I'd shake hands with you, but I'm not sure this wall will let me." Windshield knocked on the pool of energy between him and this exciting new curiosity. A few ripples vibrated across and then disappeared. Over all, his attitude seemed a bit... unusual. He was interested in Raf like he'd be interested in a well-written line of code.

"Hey uh, what's your human name? I bet it sounds funny! Wait don't tell me! Jeff, Chad? Scott... Scott! It's gotta be Scott, right?" He asked in a rush of excitement.

[Raf Esquivel]

As the newcomer spoke to Raf, the boy walked up to the edge of the strange see through wall, looking up at Windshield.

He certainly seemed friendly enough, making Raf feel more comfortable approaching. He was very curious about what it was he was in, though. At first he had thought it was glass, but as he got closer, he could see and feel it wasn’t. He hadn’t seen anything like that before, he was pretty sure.

He’d have to ask Bee about it, when....

...when Bee got better.

“Windshield.”

Raf paused, thinking about the name. It was....a strange name. Not bad! It just seemed...strange, somehow. Maybe that made it more special.

“My name? Oh, I’m Raf. Rafael Esquivel, but everyone calls me Raf.”

Raf found his attention kept going back to the see-through wall. He had been almost mesmerized by the ripples that formed when Windshield had touched it. Hesitantly, he reached out, bringing his hand close to it. He couldn’t feel any heat or anything else, for that matter. It was like there was nothing, until he touched it.

It felt cool to the touch, but also...weird. Almost like...water? He could feel a tension there, a presence, but nothing like he had felt before.

Looking back up to Windshield, he spoke again, “Why are you in there?”

It possibly being a prison never even surfaced in Raf’s mind.

[Windshield]

"Raf, Raf, Raf! It sounds so silly," he chuckled. However, then the human brought up a question Windshield didn't want to answer. He steepled his index fingers, letting them clack against each other for a few moments. How in Primus's greased-up armpits is he going to explain this without sounding like he's in a prison cell?

Oh well, he'd have to try. After all, Raf was the only one who cared to visit him. Even if it was out of curiosity, rather than genuine interest. Maybe it is better that way. The bots that could've been interested in Windshield were not among the friendliest. Cough. Whirl. Cough. He shuddered to think who else knew they had an ex-Decepticon in the basement.

"Well, you see. It's a bit complicated," Windshield struggled to explain in a way Raf would understand.

"Some Autobots can be a nasty piece of work and I did something to upset those particular folks. On account of the fact I like being alive and not dismantled by some of your less friendly friends, I'm gonna sit here until the big bots get to explain everything."

Windshield paused and let his shoulders droop down a little.

"But hey, once it's all over, maybe we can get out for a ride. You could show me more of this planet. All I know about it is from these datapads Prime keeps hauling in for me," he pensively sighed.

"I want to see a real human city, scan a real human car. Not sure if you get that." The more and more he talked to the human, the more he considered that Raf may not, in fact, be an it, but a he. A conscious being with emotions and opinions.

The ex-Decepticon smiled at him.

[Raf Esquivel]

Looking back up from his hand again, to the person inside the clear enclosure, Raf couldn’t help but feel a little disappointment in Windshield’s mocking of his name. He had heard it before, being in a world of Bobby’s and Chad’s and Peter’s. It was just another thing that sort of made him stand out from other kids.

A frown marked his young face as Windshield talked. He was certain Windshield must be mistaken...no one would hurt him!

“Oh, I don’t think you need to be worried,” Raf said, smiling to try and put Windshield at ease, “No Autobot would hurt you! I mean, unless you were a Decepticon and you had done something bad like try to hurt an Autobot!”

Raf backed up a step, looking over the clear part of the “cell” again, curious, before looking back up to its occupant.

“I know some of them can look serious, and they can be really strong, like Bulkhead or Wheeljack – but no one would actually hurt you, especially for a mistake!”

He considered the next bit in silence for a minute. He really wasn’t used to riding with anyone else other than Bumblebee, unless, of course, the scout was busy, or something happened.

Like...what happened the other day...

“I usually just ride with Bumblebee....he’s my best friend. He probably won’t mind if I go for a ride with you...just once or twice, but one he’s back up and doing ok I’ll definitely be going to school with him again.” It was very important to Raf to make it clear that he was not abandoning Bumblebee just because he was sick.

Then he smiled broadly, “We can show you around, me and Bee! There’s a buddy system in play right now anyway, so once he’s up and doing ok we can take you into Jasper and show you around! It’s not really a City-city, it’s kinda small, but it’s where I live, and it’s the closest one around.”

Looking back to the clear barrier, Raf lightly rapped on it. He never noticed the strange, prickly feeling he had been getting earlier was completely gone. His knuckles made a hollow sound.

“What is this made out of? It kinda feels like glass, but not.”

Bright eyes turned back to Windshield, “And what was it you did? I’m sure it was just a mistake. I could talk to them all if you wanted.”

[Windshield]

Windshield tapped the force field again, "Oh, you mean this?" He asked, pretending like he didn't hear Raf's speculations about the ex-Decepticon's past.

"It's a force field! Don't you have these on Earth?" He shrugged nonchalantly.

Then Raf pressed the previous issue. The kid really did want to know what's up and down with Windshield, huh? Well, since he is trying to become an Autobot, he might as well start picking up some quality Autobot traits—starting with honesty. At least just this once.

"That's a gauche question to ask, don't you think, kid? You don't walk up to strangers and ask what sort of horrible things they've done, do you?" 

Windshield leaned closer towards Raf and squinted at him scrutinizingly. But then he could only muster to let out an exhausted sigh.

"As a matter of fact. I -was- a Decepticon, with an emphasis on 'was.' And yes, I did all the ugly, nasty things Decepticons do," he spat out angrily, frantically.

"Now, unless you want to talk about something else, I suggest you bugger off because I'm not about to spell out my entire track record to a human protoform!"

Windshield loomed tall above the kid, scowling. He seemed upset. From Raf's perspective, he could definitely see that this person had been a Decepticon, if not anymore, then at least at some point.

Then he simmered down a little and backed away from Raf. That is if the boy wasn't half-way across the base to tell Optimus about a big mean Decepticon in the basement by now. Man, being honest AND nice at the same time was so damn hard.

"Hey, uh. Sorry. I didn't mean to get ugly. It's just a touchy subject," Windshield simpered awkwardly, hoping Raf wasn't too startled by the whole situation.

[Raf Esquivel]

Raf looked up as Windshield spoke, explaining the forcefield. Is that was it was? He had certainly heard about them, on tv and in movies, but had never really seen one like this! It was amazing! He could touch it, and could feel something there! His mind started already trying to work it out – was it air? No, that wouldn’t be enough to stop someone. It felt like water, but while water was so strong, it would move, ripple, and this wasn’t. It couldn’t be light....although the holoforms could be solid, so...

Windshield’s next words startled him, and he looked up, eyes wide, as the Cybertronian inside suddenly seemed to become angry. He took a step back as Windshield seemed to loom above him, anger still present.

A part of Raf was about to turn and take off. He didn’t want to be in the same room as someone angry at him. But before he could even turn, something almost shifted inside him.

His skin prickled again, hair sort of feeling like it was gonna stand on end a little, almost like static, but faint. However, it was what he felt in his chest and head that shifted the most.

Not that long ago, Raf had had a very quiet, gentle life. His parents hardly ever fought, at least not in his presence, even hanging out with Bee, things had always been fun and carefree. He had been experiencing stress when MECH arrived, but it was always low key.

That all changed so recently.

The fear he had experienced when his young world had been turned upside down when Bee had gone rogue and started shooting everyone in the base, including Optimus’ face so damaged, almost getting stepped on several times – the heart stopping fear of the angry hissing sound of hydraulics as Optimus and Bumblebee battled above his head, angry titans coming to blows that he felt in his feet. The image of Bumblebee’s arm lying on the floor...

And then the attack by MECH, seeing Bluestreak unconscious on the ground, battle all around him, angry voices, impacts, explosions....

For the second time in as many days, Raf stepped away from being a frightened child, and towards finding a voice, and a steel backbone.

“I asked,” he said, in a low, firm voice, so unlike the one he used at home, or in school, or even at any other time in the base. Quite possibly a voice no one had ever heard him use before, “because the answer depends on whether you’re in protective custody or a prison. And that will depend on if I want to keep talking to you or leave you here alone with your tv shows or not.”

Raf felt hot. His face felt hot, even his chest felt hot, and tight. Like he was made of electricity, almost quivering. Such intense emotions were so new to him, and he wasn’t entirely sure how to handle it.

As a result, he didn’t really hear Windshield’s apology, but the lessening of the Cybertronian’s stance indicated he was no longer angry. Raf’s skin stopped pricking so much, and he took a deep breath, fighting to push away the new, raw emotions.

[Windshield]

Windshield pressed his face against the force field, sending a few ripples across the entire surface. He quietly looked at Raf. There was definitely a moment of awkward silence, no use denying that. To be honest, Windshield wasn't even sure how he felt about Raf after the little guy puffed his chest and talked all tough. Was the bot still angry? Was he amused? Did he feel sorry?

Bah, feelings were so confusing. Sometimes, Windshield wished he could be more like Soundwave or Shockwave, or even Optimus. They were always in control of the situation, handling everything professionally. But he wasn't like that. Windshield relied on his emotions, gut feelings, instincts, and somesuch unscientific methods to navigate the treacherous world. It worked... mostly.

Except right now, it didn't do him much good.

"Those are some big bearings and words for a meatbag," Windshield stated coldly.

"Protective custody," he hissed, "Just in case you decide I'm worth your time. As I understand it, you humans don't have much of it anyways." Windshield grumpily leaned back, crossed his arms and tapped his foot.

What he said was probably uncalled for. And while he didn't make much of it, the idea sorta crossed his mind. That was... something, considering this is a bot who had no moral obligations just a short few days ago. Today? Today he was almost able to use his head to think about somebody else than himself.

Baby steps, Windshield. Baby steps.

[Raf Esquivel]

Raf remained where he was, trying to push away the weird, angry, hot/cold feeling that was sweeping over him, like faint waves. He didn’t understand it, and he didn’t like it. They were sort of fading away, but still there, like the ghost of an after image.
He watched as Windshield spoke, hearing the anger in his voice. He was starting to feel like he was getting a headache, and he desperately wished Bee were ok. Right now he just wanted to go and lay down somewhere, and make all the worry go away. The last few days were so hard, and he didn't really have anyone to talk to. He couldn't tell his mother about any of it.

“I’m not the one in a cell,” he muttered back towards Windshield.

Raf suddenly felt tired. He felt exhausted. Maybe a nice nap would be better. Certainly he wouldn’t be feeling so angry and .... weird if he did. And he wouldn’t be picking at someone he hardly knew, for no real reason other than he took offense when none was meant.

“Maybe I should just go,” Raf said lowly, turning back toward the door, and starting to head out, “I really don’t want to fight with anyone right now. I’m sorry if I upset you.”

As he started to cross over the threshold of the room, he idly wondered if he should ask if Windshield wanted the door closed or not – then realized the absurdity of the thought.

[Windshield]

"I'm not the one in the cell," Windshield mocked Raf's mannerisms in a funny, high-pitched voice. The human probably had good reasons to be cranky. Then again, so did Windshield. But while Raf decided to take his leave, the hacker simply hopped onto his berth and kicked his legs up.

"Fine, just leave! It's not like I need a human to keep me company anyways," he cringed and picked up the datapad from under his berth. In boredom and drudgery, he resumed watching his silly sitcoms.

"Pfft. To think I wanted to be friends," Windshield mumbled.

The Ex-Decepticon felt wronged. He felt like Raf was the one who overreacted, not him. Furthermore, he didn't think to consider Raf had problems of his own. Still, he did feel kind of bad for the meatbag and frowned slightly as he watched Chandler go about his hilarious business on the datapad's screen.

Was Windshield a bad person?

Nah! It was probably all that silly Autobot morality mumbo-jumbo finally corrupting Windshield's perfectly okay processor.

Wasn't it?