[ti]Ep 3[/ti]Seeing Double [ Closed | The Twins ]

[Breakdown]

Timeline: Week 2 Day 3

To begin at Blackridge, then move to Africa.

---

     Emotions were raw but kept in check, as was needed for anyone on the side of the Decepticons. Knock Out got away with his little outbursts to most because of his position, but few challenged it when the bruiser was nearby acting as his guard dog. He didn’t know what had gone down while he was away, but Knock Out certainly seemed to have his curiosity struck because he was spending a lot more time on his datapads than usual. Perhaps he was annoyed with him for going out without him? If that were the case, he would just have to get over his little grudge on his own. After all, Breakdown had to deal with Starscream’s anger each time Knock Out did the same to him, so he’d let the twist be in the other’s nerves for a while. Not as if he had much to say about what he had been doing anyway.

     ‘Oh, I was hanging out with the Enemy and it was actually fun’. Without the truce to force that hand? Yeah, that wouldn’t go over too well.

     The bruiser had other things to focus on anyway. On his wanderings after Bee had left, he had picked up what he thought may have been an energon trail. He hadn’t reported it yet since he hadn’t had the tools at his disposal to properly investigate, but with a handheld scanner at his disposal and the opportunity to bring along a Vehicon or two along to help him pinpoint the area, he could make more certain of what he’d thought he’d found.

     However, when he looked for someone to tag along with him, it wasn’t the vehicons that he saw. Instead it was something a little more peculiar than that- something that made him stop in his tracks and look at it like a second head had sprouted. Okay, poor choice of description.

     “W.. who do I look at when I’m trying to talk to you?” Breakdown’s quick to confuse nature came out as he looked over the Twins. He wasn’t disgusted by their appearance, but more curious about them. Was this why Knock Out had been so distracted when he had returned? Had he run into this one… these two? Oh boy. “Um. Do I say both of you or just… you or…” He frowned, feeling stupid as this went on. “Okay, I’m sorry. Who are you? Er… Designations, I mean. What are your designations? Designation?” These two or this one or whatever. Plural? Singular? They were the immediate matter, and if they were the only ones he could find in this base to come along on this scouting mission, he would have to get things right or risk really falling flat on his face.

[Deleted]

The twins had made it a point to remain scarce in places they served no purpose. Given their current facilities, or lack of, they had a marked lack of purpose. This led to a dangerous mindset; boredom. Being that there was a lack of dead and dying, and that the twins needed to be on their best behaviour (a trying thing really), they were relatively harmless for the time being. So harmless in fact, that they could have been mistaken for staring blankly at a wall.

Wing plates idling between open and shut, Switchfoot was definitely staring at a wall. Fractured datapad in claw, they were sketching the support strut above themselves. Swansong chimed on internally, suggesting edits to lengths and proportions- if they were to collect data it might as well be near perfect. Following their advice, Switch tapped the ‘undo’ marker only for it not to respond. There was a pause as both optics bore down on the device.

‘You broke it!’ Incredulous, much too loud in Switch’s processor. Shoulder plates hiked up in frustration, wing plates stopped cycling and remained splayed.

’It was already broken. We dropped it. Remember?’ A few rapid spams of the command, and the device was finally obeying. ’Gentle persuasion. That is all that was needed.’

Swansong’s helm turned sharply to bare down on Switch with constricted shutters. ‘There is nothing gentle about you. You-’ An interruption from an outside stranger- one they were oblivious to until they spoke up. Body remaining stationary as plating worked to smooth itself into a calm, Swan’s helm pivoted past their shoulder to see who intruded with blundered questions. Masking the need to let out a frustrated sigh, they simply chuckled- a polite noise that belied familiarity with such a question.

“Whichever helm you’re trying to address. If it’s both of us, standing further back tends to help. Or you don’t have to look at all.”The remainder of the body now facing the same way as Swansong, they tucked their datapad into subspace. The twins should have been used to prying eyes by now, but still they felt the discomfort- they merely got well at hiding their reactions.

Switchfoot remained silent, opting out of the exchange and instead taking on a passive role as they examined the mech before them. What truly grabbed Switch’s attention was Breakdown’s eyepatch, their gaze lingering a fraction too long before returning to a more respectful focus. An amused buzz flitted out into their field before promptly being contained. ’We have more optics for once.’ A light observation- one that made the interaction a bit more enjoyable.

‘Shh up.’ Another silent remark, one with now outward signs. The twins were the picture of attentiveness. “These two, those two, they, them- plurals are typically best.” To accompany the list, Swan visually counted off their claw. They had to repeat the gesture as three digits weren’t enough to accommodate the terms. “...Yeah. Plurals. Again, singles if you just want to discuss the one. Good? Perfect!” That concluded the only lesson they were qualified to give.

”Switchfoot.” The joint frame gestured at the helm with more protrusions. ”They are Swansong. If unsure, they tend to talk more. As I am sure you have already gathered.” The pointing changed over to the more streamlined helm. From Switch’s mechanical tone, it was impossible to pick up on the smugness they felt in beating their twin to the introductions of designations. ”What do you call yourself?” A helm tilt from Switch, audial fins held up at middle distance, this was how they showed investment in the conversation.

[Breakdown]

Okay, at least now he understood that he was talking to two separate entities rather than one strangely designed with two helms. They both seemed to have their own personality, which was definitely weird. Understandable since they were twins in one body, but still weird. Must have led to some really odd arguments if they ended up angry at each other since neither really had the option to leave the area and blow off steam elsewhere. Guess one could turn itself off and refuse to cooperate or respond to the other like some sort of cold shoulder? With… one shoulder. Well, maybe it was one shoulder per head?

Or hey, maybe they just stared off at opposite sides of a room?

Speaking of staring.

Breakdown was used to reading the faceless plates of Soundwave and Shockwave to know what they were looking at without seeing directed optics, and the twins were no different to him in that way. He knew they had taken an interest in the optic patch and were more than likely sharing a laugh or a comment or two about it on their private comms at his expense. And, of course like all others, would hurry to try and either turn their gaze away or continue with their conversation to avoid having the awkward silence be noticed by the bruiser.

He wasn’t stupid.

There was almost a laughable game to this, and could just about perfectly time how long it took to move on from the moment the patch was noticed to when they would talk again. When the twins spoke and gave what their designations were, it was almost right on cue. He was so used to it that he didn’t even register it anymore. It was part of what he would have to endure since he had opted to not have the optic replaced when he had the chance. He still wasn’t ready to have it done, either- and probably never would. At least not while this war was going on.

“Breakdown.” Simple answer, not that it needed more elaboration than that. He stared at the pair, figuring that if there were two here, that would make three of them technically searching. Could work. “I’m actually on my way to check out a suspected fresh energon trail. If you feel up for doing a little scouting, you’re free to come along.”

[Deleted]

“Breakdown? Pleasure to make your acquaintance!” Offering one’s hand was standard procedure for introductions. The twins were far enough from such standards that they made the subtle point to clasp their claws together behind their back. Not out of spite towards Breakdown, no, more so a type of respect. They weren’t the type to offer up an amputated defect for the sake of pleasantries. There were such instances in the past that made for awkward encounters upon rejections.

Instead, both helms merely nodded in short greetings. The helms both moved in sync with the bob, creating a mirrored effect that they tried and failed to avoid.

Upon hearing the offer for the opportunity to tag along and aid, the joint frame sort of rocked forwards on their feet before settling back down once again. Swansong glanced back over their shoulder and then angled their helm towards Switch. “Can we even do that? Go outside I mean?” An idle set of questions not meant to illicit concern.

Switchfoot simply kept their optic on Breakdown during the exchange, the back of their mind absently producing schematics that could be written down later. ”Depends. Do you plan on behaving?” The twins had the decency to carry this conversation aloud, there was no point hiding it. Switch saw no issue with going out, only a problem with their counterpart. But seeing as it wasn’t just them going, Swan could be managed.

Swansong responded with an indignant grunt that suggested they would listen with their usual reluctancy. If they had proper optics, they would venture to roll them. Returning their attention back to the offer. ”We’d love to tag along- it’ll be nice to finally do something around here.” A tone too cheery for a straightforward task.

Leave it to Swan to accept in eagerness without first collecting relevant data. ”Where was the trail picked up?” If the climate was moderate to more, they would be perfectly fine. Somewhere cold? There could be a problem if it required them needing their hands to do things. That was a bridge they could burn once they reached it. ”Is the area populated?”

[Breakdown]

      When the twins acknowledged his name, he had reached out on that instinct to shake their servo out of respect. The didn't seem to be of the same mindset, though, and Breakdown was left standing there and staring in wait until he figured out that they really weren't going to return the gesture. Without drawing attention to it he just lowered the servo and stood there to listen to their exchanges.

     They were an odd pair, and it wasn't just their appearance that made him think that. The way they spoke to one another was the same as any other siblings would, with back and forth banter that carried on in spite of who was around them. He didn't mind it, as it allowed him to assess who was who and what sort of interaction he could expect from them- both with him and between each other- as each 'head' seemed to have it's own sentience. They were in one body, but definitely had different ways of thinking and acting. Having grown used to being aware of body language in his time with Knock Out, he could identify which of the pair was talking without having to hear their voice. There was internal conversation happening there somewhere.

     Why wouldn't they be allowed to go outside? He figured that it had to be some lingering hesitation from orders given to them from wherever they were before the war- or at least before their arrival to Earth, since he hadn't heard anything saying that anyone was restricted to the confines of the base. If there was a chance to tap a potential resource before the Autobots, he figured it was everyone's job to partake. Especially now in their very unusual and limited situation where anything, no matter the size, could be useful to them. 

     "Everyone here needs to pull their own weight. Our circumstances don't give us the opportunity to slack off. If you're able to be useful, take the initiative and act on it. That's how you stay on Lord Megatron's good side and prove that you're valuable to keep around."

      "Africa," he answered when asked about the location and he glanced down to his datapad, pulling up the ping to the source on the map and zoomed in, then turned it around to face the twins and offered it to them to take. "I don't think it's a populated area, but I wouldn't care even if it was. Decepticons don't worry about collateral damage, especially when it comes to the disgusting fleshlings. The less of them we have to deal with, the better. Either way, it should be a quick mission. We go, we check out if the signal is viable, we leave."

[Deleted]

”We do not intend on slacking off.” Offended? No. Just a bit paranoid about the word. Switchfoot was still waiting on a punishment for their extended absence. One that was essentially many years of slacking off. While they were eager to prove their use, there was still that hesitance on what they could do- it wasn’t like the pair was given explicit rules to follow.

”The Lord Commander’s good side, is the safe side!” Swansong chirped in that same cheery tone. The twins were far from patriotic, but if it meant a roof over head and energon in their tank, then they would play the part. “Africa? That’s in the Southern Hemisphere right?”[/font] The joint frame leaned forwards to view the offered data pad. A pause from Swan to make sure it was indeed offered up to them, their optic flickering to Breakdown to assess. It was evidently the case.

Using both three pronged claws, they reached for the device carefully and took it from the mech. Switchfoot still kept their helm at a distance while Swan peered closer. Geography was more their interest than Switch’s. “Haven’t been there yet... I think it will be fun!”

Switchfoot’s audial fin gave a flicker of annoyance before forcing Swan to return the data pad. An awkward movement as the frame twitched in protest. “Fun. That is not what we are here for. We are to be useful.” Not once did they move to look at Swansong. Their attention had remained solely on Breakdown. His missing optic held some interest until it did not. Now they were merely examining the rest in a passive sort of way.

The lack of care about humans and their possible interference, brought a crook to both helms. A pause. A blank stare. Then Swansong hummed out an odd titter. “Right... The humans are without worth. We are silly to even consider them something of trouble.”

Both harboured mixed feelings about the dominant life forms. Ones that were neither negative nor positive. They kept that little fact to themselves.

“Straightforward. As a mission should be.” If they could speak with feeling, Switch might have actually sounded relieved. It was to be a quick task. That meant there was very little chance for deviation. “I suppose we should put our energy towards the first part of the list- ‘We go’.” Was that Switchfoot’s attempt at humour? That was for them to know and never tell.

”Oh yes! Let’s take initiative and make use of our time, shall we?” Despite the cheer, the statement was not at all meant to mock Breakdown’s previous words. If Swan was going to be difficult, they’d do it with some originality.

[Breakdown]

     Breakdown held onto the datapad until he was certain the twins had it securely in their grasp then eased his digits off and lowered his servo to his side. "Yeah." At least they knew where Africa was and didn't ask too many questions about it other than that. Maybe they already knew some of the Earth geography. Or it was one heck of a guess. Breakdown assumed the first, with how they had mentioned 'hemisphere' so that had to mean they knew at least the basics, right?

     The exchange between the two continued to intrigue Breakdown. They acted like an  entirely separated entity and had their tizzy between them as such. He had seen siblings have arguments before where it came to blows, and he wondered if that sort of situation happened with them as well. It wasn't as if the two could just ignore one another or go to other sides of the planet until they blew off steam, so what did they do? Maybe on shut down? But if their processors were separated, did half of their frame work with one to the other? So if one was in recharge, would half of their frame follow suit or did the other gain full control?

     Curious, but not something he really needed to focus on for the time being. 

     He took the datapad back and did his best to ignore the slight back and forth of the twins as his optic locked on the datapad so he could scroll through the different information available to him. The exchange made him feel like he was being a third wheel even though he had been the one who had invited them along on this excursion to the continent. It seemed that Switchfoot was the more aggressive of the pair, so he would have to mind himself in the case she may be the one to overpower the weaker sibling if something went array and Swansong was the only one there to take the brunt of anger.

     "I don't know if it's gonna be fun, but at least it's a chance to get out of here. That should be at least enjoyable if nothing else. A little fresh air and exploration with a chance to run the rust off your tires is always a great start to the day." He looked up from the datapad and looked between the two, taking in what he could about them with visual cues. 

     Though there was another curious question he had for them. "Did you two acquire an alt mode?" He wasn't sure if they had gotten one when they came here such as a majority of them had, or if they still had theirs from home, as Megatron had. Heck, he wasn't sure if they could even GET one... or two... or a mix of two?  

[Deleted]

“At least there is that.” Getting outside the base was a welcomed idea, even if it struck some anxious cord with Switchfoot. There was some lack of monitoring, no need to hide their behaviors as much. Not that Switch would actively misbehave. No. It just gave more breathing room, figuratively of course. What a peculiar human saying. Still, they enjoyed what it implied.

Both out of eagerness and necessity, the joint frame began to shift from pede to pede. The stillness happened to go on a bit too much for comfort. They often tried to avoid excessive movement, but eventually that ignorance would become detrimental. While their awkward swaying could cause some confusion, it was a bit more polite than simply walking away from the conversation with Breakdown.

Given the pairs’ lack of offering up answers, pacing would definitely be an undesirable thing.

“So you’re saying this scouting mission doesn’t have to be just a scouting mission?” Swansong had a habit of hearing what they wanted to hear- it was either that or make their own reality. Honestly, whatever fit their horrid little narrative. “I mean-” There was a quick tonal switch from absentee to something that might have been more professional, “-exploration, is just a more enjoyable term for scouting, right?” Swansong idly tapped their claw against their helm before waving the thought away. “You know what? That's probably not important information.”

Switchfoot let out a low buzz and shook their helm. They would let this behaviour pass... for now. The pair visibly let go of some of their tension, shoulder plates dropping ever so slightly. Breakdown seemed to be the more curious type. And in their experience, curiosity usually barred aggression. “Yes. We did.” Switch flexed their wings, basic in structure, not as techy as some Cybertronian alts. “A drone. Nothing special. Though...”

They shifted their helm, cross checking an assumption. “Being that you are a grounder, it will make surveying the area more effective. Ground and sky. Nothing will be missed.” A decisive nod. With such a team up, minor energon deposits that aren’t near the supposed main source might be found too.

“Say, Breakdown.” Swan awkwardly tapped their claws together, trying to express some form of casual behavior, that or further anxiousness. “How’d you feel trading questions?” Swansong would be blind not to notice the confusion their general existence caused. They were also really curious about the story behind the mech’s missing optic. Fair trade gossip, right?

[Breakdown]

     Then there was the weird noise that he heard coming from them and tilted his helm slightly at it. The buzz was odd, and he wondered what that was about. Irritation? Confusion? He didn't know and he didn't bother to ask. If they didn't draw attention to it themselves he would just pay it no mind as well. No need in making a big deal out of something that could have been simple re-calibrations. If there were an issue he figured they would make mention of it before going out and risking danger to themselves. For now there were other tasks that needed attention.

     "Yeah, I guess you can say that. As long as we get the task done I don't see why we can't take the time to check out the surrounding areas. Just gotta make sure we don't make that much of a mess and draw too much attention or else we may get some unwanted company." The implication of scouting around seemed to have sparked their interested more than just checking out the source. From the looks of it the two probably didn't get out much. Based on their interactions with one another, he imagined that the two heads didn't work that well together. So much for two heads being better than one. "The faster we get things done, the more time we have to check out other things. Who knows what else we can find if we're covering all angles? Could be fun."

     There was something they asked that made him a little curious. What could he answer for them that they couldn't find out themselves? Or had they not been given the entire briefing when they arrived?

     "Trading questions? Uh... sure, I guess? Can't see the harm. I'll try to answer what I can. Walk and talk?" It may have seemed like a question, but it definitely turned out to be rhetorical as he turned to do just as he said. His movement was slow and steady as usual to give the twins a chance to catch up since he didn't know their gait and wanted to be as respectable as possible. He had some last minute things to take care of and he needed to see to them before they could even consider leaving.

[Deleted]

Switchfoot’s helm tilted slightly up and to the side, their audial fins held aloft; they couldn’t emote, but they could offer a softened stance. “We have been given an objective. We will see to it that it is completed.” A blunt droning- not that they could speak in any other way. There was a hope that they expressed something light and affirmative. Switch couldn’t glean any concern from the tone or posture that Breakdown projected, but instead took note of how he impressed upon the importance of finishing the task. An easy thing to pick up on when it's a varied repetition.

The twin’s more often than not, gave off an impression of being at odds with each other. It was perhaps the most genuine thing about the pair- and a very difficult thing to hide regardless of how they conducted themselves. They had too much energy to split between themselves, something which often fueled their ire, but they were offered a job- given direction- it was all they really needed to smarten up.

Plus, they were given the opportunity for a spot of fun- a thing they sorely missed out upon.

The pair didn’t need to be asked twice (even if it was in rhetoric), to trail after Breakdown. Any excuse to move was one quickly acted upon. The joint frame angled sharply forward at Swansong’s side, displaying poorly concealed eagerness. They froze briefly before a silent compromise brought a calm regulation to their pace. After their brief stumble, the pair followed after Breakdown from a distance that almost invaded upon personal space.

With the walking part now under control, Swan could get to their favourite thing; talking! Even if Breakdown couldn’t see them, Swansong moved their claws in that placating gesture of rising and lowering them at waist level. “I’d like to preface by saying, you don’t have to answer this question. Though my asking is meant to curb my staring- no one likes staring.” A light, distracted chuckle. “Anyways-” Swan was waving their claw as they continued speaking, a nifty little aid to serve in the way of expressions. “How did you get parted from your optic?”

If Breakdown was expecting general questions, he was to be sorely mistaken. Swan didn’t bother with the grand scheme of things- not like Switch did. No, they took a great interest in the personal.

[Breakdown]

Being asked about his optic was not really something he thought he really wanted to think about. Details of the event made him look weak. He'd already dealt with enough ridicule about it after the fact and that hatchet was long since buried and all parties involved had moved on. Bringing someone else into the story would only risk the talk being started up again and he wasn't really ready for that level of nonsense.

Not to mention the obvious.

From what he had gathered just in the short time he'd been with the twins, at least one of them ( not mentioning names but it wasn't hard to guess which one ) would probably have something sarcastic or snarky to say about it- and who knows what they said privately to one another in that shared space of theirs. With the way his temper was and how quickly it could be triggered, it was definitely not in the twin's best interest to get involved.

"A lapse in judgement," he finally said as he kept his gaze forward, not even electing to make eye contact with them. "I let down my guard and paid for it."

The answer was simple enough and it wasn't something farfetched either. It was pretty much exactly what he said, leaving out all the details that could have turned it into something he didn't want. The twins could take it how they wanted, but that was all Breakdown had to say about it. If they wanted more answers they could poke around elsewhere- advisedly not within earshot of the bruiser.