47th Transmission

[heavyweaponsbot]

I find it difficult to maintain an ordered squad when those involved get themselves tossed in the brig.  Hmnf!  If you hear this, Zuko, you will answer to me when your punishment ends.  Or King.  Pray that he is more forgiving than I am.

[He mutters something that sounds like "damn kids".  Maybe.  Or maybe you're hearing things.]

The rest of you will report in.  Want to talk to you.

...

If you wish it to be in person, you can find me with the bees.  I have business with them.

[Meaning, he's itchy to hit something, and the bees are the best target.]

...

[Locked to Ratchet // Unhackable]
If you see this, got a female who wants to... do me a favor.  Need your advice.

Comments

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

... y-yeah.

[heavyweaponsbot]

Why? Because they are alive... or because you think they feel pain?

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

Uh-- b--both. I mean, I-- I don't kn-know much a-about bees, but... I-I don't know, I... I wouldn't l-like it if-- if s-someone just... c-came up and p-punched me.

[heavyweaponsbot]

...

Should we locate a bag then?

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

If-- i-if you, uh, s-still want to... to sh-show me, I--I guess.

[heavyweaponsbot]

... Yeah. C'mon. Either one on deck twelve, or in the gym.

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

W-Well, uh... I--It'd p-probably be e-easier to, uh, f-find one in the gym...

[heavyweaponsbot]

Hmnf. Come on then.

[Without another word, Ironhide limps off in what he thinks is the direction of the gym.]

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[Bees like flowers, Xanth. Bring them giant ponyflowers.

Eventually, Ironhide's lack of navigation skills get them to the gym, and he heads for the nearest thing capable of sustaining punches.]

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[Ironhide's pretty sure Bees don't do that, kiddo. Just be careful.

He looks at the treadmill for a moment, as if seriously considering it. Then he turns to the punching bag and nods.]

This will do.

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

How-- h-how do I s-start?

[heavyweaponsbot]

Like this.

[Without further ado, Ironhide repeats his performance on the bees. He demonstrates how to hit the bag to make it nearly fly into the wall.]

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

[heavyweaponsbot]

Good!

[And the giant robot looks so proud of you, Xanth. He's actually smiling! Good work.

He reaches over to steady the bag, and then nods.]

Again.

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[He notices this, and steadies the bag. The concept of humans having dominant hands is only just now starting to click.]

That hand, slower. Again.

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

O--okay!

[heavyweaponsbot]

[When the bag stops swinging this time, Ironhide shifts around it, reaching to take Xanth's arm with a couple fingers.]

Like this.

[If the kid lets him, he'll swing Xanth's arm through the motion--gently.]

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

Th-that... that feels... I-I don't know. S-Sort of... different. B-Better.

[heavyweaponsbot]

[He can feel the tension in the boy's arm, and, as a result, moves more carefully. Working with humans, and young Autobots taught him much. Releasing him, he nods.]

Good. Supposed to feel better. Try again.

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[And Ironhide gives his shoulder a pat. Not... hard enough to jar him, this time, hopefully.]

Good work. Practice that.