Ep 2 -- Speed Trap (Closed)
Nov 27, 2016 21:28:10 GMT -5
Post by Optimus Prime on Nov 27, 2016 21:28:10 GMT -5
Being oneself... it was a novel concept, and Darts thoughts and considerations were all hitting the mark head on.
At this point in time, Optimus did not really even know what it would mean to be himself. Play a role; fill a position so long, it becomes normal. It becomes what an individual would default to when cut free from obligation. The weight of so many lives rested upon him, trying to find victory for their people, and find a means to transfer their efforts into restoring the world that they had lost. But seeking victory alone was not enough, he also had to uphold the expectations and morals that he had preached from the onset to get the following he now has, and the notability. If he did not? Then all of the fighting, all of the turmoil and loss and agony... it would be for naught.
Megatron had it easy. He had it so much easier it was painful. The threat of fear kept people in line. They had joined because of his rallying speeches and charismatic approach, and then he mutated to the Warlord they know now and they likely stayed out of terror of betrayal. Don’t mess up, do what's asked, no discussions, no arguments. If Optimus needed a grueling task done at the Outpost, he could half expect to see the individual debate the fact on some level or question it. If the person did do it? They likely would deflate and look battered, which ate at him even if the task was a necessity. Megatron would have just ordered it be done, and the individual would offer a crisp salute and a confirmation, or they would-be too scared of the system failing to ever get it to the point Megatron would need to address it.
Balance. Keep it all in line. Don't waver, don’t stagger, and don't show weakness. Be the leader they hoped he was when they joined his ranks, be the icon to those that look to the Matrix with reverence and respect. Orion was so far in the past, so far dissolved and suppressed, Optimus didn't know if he could be that way again. War over, home restored, Decepticons dispersed, threats no more... he questioned some what would become of him then.
Optimus watched Dart as she fidgeted and remained passive. While she picked up on his worn nature, he was noting her own actions and responses carefully. Toeing the earth in a nervous motion, yet it did not seem to hold shame behind it. Someone trying to divert their gaze to pin it down at the rough earth below. It seemed almost as if her mind was elsewhere some, or there was energy pent up that was looking for an outlet. Maybe he was reading it incorrectly, and it was merely testing the limb that had been trapped not so long ago... whatever the case, she wasn't bolting, wasn’t standing up to him directly, and seemed modest and accepting of what was happening, a fact proven even more so by how she responded to his inquiry.
There is a reason that Optimus speaks with so few words at times. There is the fact that inflated phrases and over explanation can be long winded and frivolous in the end, but there was also the fact that it allowed him to see how individuals translate what his intent was. He wanted to ask what had happened with his soldiers, what did Carbine DO that Thunder had started to snitch on. Instead he held off, and was surprised to see the Con not throw someone else under fire, and instead took it as asking how she got into her position to begin with. It was an intriguing point, further mutating the expectation of her rank, making her seem that much less of a Con.
"You do not respond how I anticipate."
Cutting straight to the quick, Optimus figured there was no need to play games or be tricky about phrasing any longer. He had seen enough to know that she was atypical for the Warlord's rank and file, and it brought up more concerns and worries.
"You neither fled, nor attacked, and did not instill blame upon my Soldiers when given opportunity to do so."
Optimus moved then, carefully, smoothly. He did not lurch into motion but rather his weight slowly rolled to the side with a soft turn of his frame to start to take a couple steps out of the way. No blocked exits, no blocked paths. If Dart wanted to run, she would have a large space in which to aim for and there'd be no way he could lurch forward to attempt to snatch at a limb. He did not wish to corner or imply she was pinned, stopping beside some of the other boulders and rocks as the hill continued to crest up towards the sky. Upon coming to rest once more, he lay dormant. While Dart did things with her hands and folded her arms upon her lower back, Optimus' own remained loose at his sides, inert, motionless.
"How long have you served as a Decepticon?"
At this point in time, Optimus did not really even know what it would mean to be himself. Play a role; fill a position so long, it becomes normal. It becomes what an individual would default to when cut free from obligation. The weight of so many lives rested upon him, trying to find victory for their people, and find a means to transfer their efforts into restoring the world that they had lost. But seeking victory alone was not enough, he also had to uphold the expectations and morals that he had preached from the onset to get the following he now has, and the notability. If he did not? Then all of the fighting, all of the turmoil and loss and agony... it would be for naught.
Megatron had it easy. He had it so much easier it was painful. The threat of fear kept people in line. They had joined because of his rallying speeches and charismatic approach, and then he mutated to the Warlord they know now and they likely stayed out of terror of betrayal. Don’t mess up, do what's asked, no discussions, no arguments. If Optimus needed a grueling task done at the Outpost, he could half expect to see the individual debate the fact on some level or question it. If the person did do it? They likely would deflate and look battered, which ate at him even if the task was a necessity. Megatron would have just ordered it be done, and the individual would offer a crisp salute and a confirmation, or they would-be too scared of the system failing to ever get it to the point Megatron would need to address it.
Balance. Keep it all in line. Don't waver, don’t stagger, and don't show weakness. Be the leader they hoped he was when they joined his ranks, be the icon to those that look to the Matrix with reverence and respect. Orion was so far in the past, so far dissolved and suppressed, Optimus didn't know if he could be that way again. War over, home restored, Decepticons dispersed, threats no more... he questioned some what would become of him then.
Optimus watched Dart as she fidgeted and remained passive. While she picked up on his worn nature, he was noting her own actions and responses carefully. Toeing the earth in a nervous motion, yet it did not seem to hold shame behind it. Someone trying to divert their gaze to pin it down at the rough earth below. It seemed almost as if her mind was elsewhere some, or there was energy pent up that was looking for an outlet. Maybe he was reading it incorrectly, and it was merely testing the limb that had been trapped not so long ago... whatever the case, she wasn't bolting, wasn’t standing up to him directly, and seemed modest and accepting of what was happening, a fact proven even more so by how she responded to his inquiry.
There is a reason that Optimus speaks with so few words at times. There is the fact that inflated phrases and over explanation can be long winded and frivolous in the end, but there was also the fact that it allowed him to see how individuals translate what his intent was. He wanted to ask what had happened with his soldiers, what did Carbine DO that Thunder had started to snitch on. Instead he held off, and was surprised to see the Con not throw someone else under fire, and instead took it as asking how she got into her position to begin with. It was an intriguing point, further mutating the expectation of her rank, making her seem that much less of a Con.
"You do not respond how I anticipate."
Cutting straight to the quick, Optimus figured there was no need to play games or be tricky about phrasing any longer. He had seen enough to know that she was atypical for the Warlord's rank and file, and it brought up more concerns and worries.
"You neither fled, nor attacked, and did not instill blame upon my Soldiers when given opportunity to do so."
Optimus moved then, carefully, smoothly. He did not lurch into motion but rather his weight slowly rolled to the side with a soft turn of his frame to start to take a couple steps out of the way. No blocked exits, no blocked paths. If Dart wanted to run, she would have a large space in which to aim for and there'd be no way he could lurch forward to attempt to snatch at a limb. He did not wish to corner or imply she was pinned, stopping beside some of the other boulders and rocks as the hill continued to crest up towards the sky. Upon coming to rest once more, he lay dormant. While Dart did things with her hands and folded her arms upon her lower back, Optimus' own remained loose at his sides, inert, motionless.
"How long have you served as a Decepticon?"