[ti]Ep 3.5[/ti]Fallen Stars [Closed]
Nov 30, 2023 23:11:34 GMT -5
Post by Starkrieger on Nov 30, 2023 23:11:34 GMT -5
Starscream’s frame language shifted, but the cause was unclear. It hadn't escaped him that his lord might be displeased by the tension between himself and Coldwind. While he didn't embrace his Lord's trust in her, he had no right or sufficient reason to challenge it. Equally possible, whatever troubled Starscream could have nothing to do with, but rather the circumstances they faced. Regardless, something was wrong. Answering with silence, his chassis drew upward, as the corner of his derma pulled straight, tight in preparation for what was to come.
Wait… what?
Optic ridges raising, the tension in his frame dropped as he processed what had been said. Still, he held that gaze as the officer continued. Had he been less aware of himself, Krieg might not have noticed the clicks that passed. As it was? He quickly became uneasy with the passage of time, closing in on the ‘gawking’ range.
“Sir…” The title slipped out, soft, nearly lifting to a question. What sense leveled it stopped himself from betraying his uncertainty, and unfortunately killed what would have followed.
He should say something, He needed to say something.
Wings wavered, as his optics averted briefly. The moment had found them both ill prepared. For Starkrieger, having too little function prior to the war, constructed for a military purpose, he lacked real experience with this type of gratitude, especially with it being directly addressed.
Cautious, his wings pulled back. Early life with Solarwind had left its mark. He remembered well how mecha seemed to look through him, seeing him only in terms of what a flier of rank could do for them. He'd been defined solely based on the functions he served, even among those who had been his associates long enough that they should have known him. Manipulative, neglectful, exploitative, a taste of his perspective on what it was to acknowledge him only as his lord, and not also as Starscream, the mech behind the title. However, he also knew to be careful not to accidentally suggest…. Well.. Though he was a seasoned soldier, naive, green mecha sometimes developed unhealthy attachments, mistaking security inspired by command as something… else. They hadn't known each other long, and the last thing the Air Commander needed was to think that could become an issue between them. It was better for some things to be left to interpretation, unsaid...but not everything.
“I appreciate your gratitude. But, it's your right to trust that… my wings ARE yours.” He'd offered these words before, in warmth, obedience, once even in offhanded reassurance. In this case, calm severity lowered his tone and slowed his pace. His conviction was deep, lacking the pinch of blind fervor or the excitement of naivety. “You are my lord, and commander. That you assume the burden of leadership is thanks enough.”
Once, such an understanding was normal. Among individuals it remained unspoken, sometimes mocked... until slag hit the ventilator. There was a loyalty sparked in war, a brotherhood forged in the flames of adversity. Even among the Decepticons, with the right mecha, he had seen it, been a part of it. If Starscream had been stripped of his belief in those bonds then Starkrieger's faith would have to carry them both.
But... frag it all, it was just too much.
"Besides" His signature smirk returned, wings lifting. Just because some matters should remain unsaid, didn't mean they couldn't be expressed. "Could you imagine? A soldier, NOT behaving foolishly?" Though he didn't chuckle, the lift to his vocals hinted at the humor in such absurdity.
Wait… what?
Optic ridges raising, the tension in his frame dropped as he processed what had been said. Still, he held that gaze as the officer continued. Had he been less aware of himself, Krieg might not have noticed the clicks that passed. As it was? He quickly became uneasy with the passage of time, closing in on the ‘gawking’ range.
“Sir…” The title slipped out, soft, nearly lifting to a question. What sense leveled it stopped himself from betraying his uncertainty, and unfortunately killed what would have followed.
He should say something, He needed to say something.
Wings wavered, as his optics averted briefly. The moment had found them both ill prepared. For Starkrieger, having too little function prior to the war, constructed for a military purpose, he lacked real experience with this type of gratitude, especially with it being directly addressed.
Cautious, his wings pulled back. Early life with Solarwind had left its mark. He remembered well how mecha seemed to look through him, seeing him only in terms of what a flier of rank could do for them. He'd been defined solely based on the functions he served, even among those who had been his associates long enough that they should have known him. Manipulative, neglectful, exploitative, a taste of his perspective on what it was to acknowledge him only as his lord, and not also as Starscream, the mech behind the title. However, he also knew to be careful not to accidentally suggest…. Well.. Though he was a seasoned soldier, naive, green mecha sometimes developed unhealthy attachments, mistaking security inspired by command as something… else. They hadn't known each other long, and the last thing the Air Commander needed was to think that could become an issue between them. It was better for some things to be left to interpretation, unsaid...but not everything.
“I appreciate your gratitude. But, it's your right to trust that… my wings ARE yours.” He'd offered these words before, in warmth, obedience, once even in offhanded reassurance. In this case, calm severity lowered his tone and slowed his pace. His conviction was deep, lacking the pinch of blind fervor or the excitement of naivety. “You are my lord, and commander. That you assume the burden of leadership is thanks enough.”
Once, such an understanding was normal. Among individuals it remained unspoken, sometimes mocked... until slag hit the ventilator. There was a loyalty sparked in war, a brotherhood forged in the flames of adversity. Even among the Decepticons, with the right mecha, he had seen it, been a part of it. If Starscream had been stripped of his belief in those bonds then Starkrieger's faith would have to carry them both.
But... frag it all, it was just too much.
"Besides" His signature smirk returned, wings lifting. Just because some matters should remain unsaid, didn't mean they couldn't be expressed. "Could you imagine? A soldier, NOT behaving foolishly?" Though he didn't chuckle, the lift to his vocals hinted at the humor in such absurdity.