heavyweaponsbot | 2nd Transmission

[Zhaneel had done very limited exploring since her arrival at the Keep, but she was trying to get out a bit more. She had come to accept that she was well and truly stuck here and that there wasn't anything she could do about it just now. Still, her explorations and encounters were hesitant at best .. so of course a talking metal man was just what she needed!

She had not yet explored this section of the Keep and had thought it a quiet enough time to do so with so few of the residents out and about. What she had not expected, upon nearing the Armory, was the solid and resounding crack of breaking wood on stone.

She freezes, ear tufts flicking back against her skull as she waits several beats. However, when nothing else crashes inside the Armory she moves slowly forward, talons and claws clicking softly against the stone floor as she moves to peek into the room.]

Is everything all .. [She trails off into near silence, beak falling open slightly as her golden eyes widen to take in Ironhide's unfamiliar shape.] .. right?

[He's just sort of standing there, the anger drained out of him, his temper gone. His back is to the door, his gaze focused on the broken bits of wood.]

No.

[It's a flat, monotone sort of response. He could lie, and say he was all right, that it wasn't important.]

[But where was the point in that?]

[Zhaneel isn't certain what she was expected from this large metal man in reply, as she was already shocked enough at his existence. Magic, it seems, was alive and well in this place to make such a thing as this possible.

However, there is honesty in the flat voice that responds with an almost calm negative. She moves into the room, watching the being warily, but he seems to have abated his anger in the single bit of destruction.

She halts a short distance away, wings fluttering slightly along her back and ear tufts flattening before flicking forward again. Wary however she may be and slow to take his words to heart, Amberdrake taught her that she should not be afraid to reach out to others. She's not quite sitting down, though, as she speaks again.]

May I .. assist you in some way?

[The little gryphon did not know if there was even anything she could do, but simply offering was already a big step for her.]

[His big head swings around, staring at the creature for a long moment. His good optic narrows, but he's seen far stranger things on the Elegante. There's no reason to get worked up over this.]

[Or much else, for that matter.]

[One big shoulder hitches up in a half-shrug, before he looks away again.]

I do not see how.

[As the creature turns his gaze and focuses his attention directly on Zhaneel, the gryphon has a large degree of wavering confidence.

Then he shrugs and his tone is more than enough reason to simply leave him be; and yet she doesn't.

Intimidated? You betcha. Lack of self-confidence? Oh, sure. Dumb? Not in the slightest. The gryphon watches the metallic creature for several more seconds before shifting forward, head tilting slightly as she studies him. She puts on her 'I'm really brave face' and moves to sit much closer to him, effectively killing herself if he decides to lash out.]

I .. I am a good listener.

[Look at that face Ironhide .. beak or no, doesn't she look super earnest? You take care of the younglings, right? Well, Zhaneel is only six!! :D]

[Ironhide's whole posture indicates something more along the lines of defeat, rather than aggression. He doesn't even react to her approaching. If he needs to defend himself, he's confident he can take down a feathered organic.]

... Talking will do no good.

This place has taken too much to talk it out.

[Her ears flick back at his words, tail curling to wrap over her feet as she tilts her head slightly.]

Perhaps .. perhaps not, but you should start somewhere, yes?

[A moment of silence, ear tufts pinning against her skull as her facial feathers flatten in kind. She looks around the armory before her gaze flits back to him, knowing he means the Keep at large.]

This place .. it has taken much; much more from some than others.

[She says this plainly as if she is certain .. but then the young gryphon hadn't precisely had much of anyone that she was terribly close to. Until just a week or so prior to her appearing in the Keep, she'd never even considered anyone a friend.]

[He just grunts at that, in dismissal. He's never been a 'bot for talking. He was made for action, he lived for action. It suited him a lot better than standing around talking.]

[His shoulders draw up, thinking. Besides. Most of this... isn't fit for anyone but Ratchet to hear. Or the children involved. Ironhide is notoriously private like that.]

It took everything.

[The words are harsher than he intends them to be, but there's nothing to be done about it, now that they're out.]

[S'alright, Ironhide, Zhaneel has never been a big talker either; she's really far happier keeping to herself, but she can't just walk off now. Happier alone or not, she met Amberdrake and Skandranon such a short time ago and they had begun to show her that friendship was possible .. even with a misborn like herself. It had implanted a need to see if she was indeed worthy of such and in so doing .. here she was now.

She watches his actions and listens to him, wings rustling slightly along her back. She tries not to take his tone personally, but it's a bit hard when she's accustomed herself to doing just that over the years.]

Aye .. [She tries to be resolute in not caring .. but Drake and Skan had reached out to her in friendship. Where were they now? Would she ever see them again .. When she speaks again her words are softer.]

Aye, it has .. [She looks up at the humanoid once again, her golden gaze unblinking as she studies him.] But is there aught to be done for it?

[He looks away again, drawing himself up, like he's trying to shake off the mood he's in. Unfortunately, it's not easy. He locks his emotions down, and when they come out, they do it with a vengeance.]

I have little idea what could be done.

[Zhaneel's ears flick forward and she watches the creature straighten so he's standing even taller than before. It was strange seeing a creature so large and powerful looking .. upset; as he fairly clearly was by tone and actions.

His words are heavy and she nods, exhaling softly as her ears flicks back once more.]

Mayhaps there is little to do but have hope? Are there those that you know here or have you been brought alone?

[Her voice is tentative as she wants to avoid angering or upsetting him further.]

I know some. One or two.

[There's no reason to hide it. He doesn't have to say who it is. Xanth is here. Kevas -- he remembers the troll more and more as he thinks on it.]

[He doesn't sound angry. Just very... very tired.]

They did not see fit to save the rest.

[Or the one he needs the most.]

[He might be in the middle of training but it's kind of hard ignore a noise like that. Hands on his swords, Kevas creeps into the armory and finds the familiar sight of a large robot.

Kevas might not know Ironhide but he knows that look. It's the same one he wore before Talia and Nel's arrival here.

After contemplating leaving, Kevas decides that he should at least try to help the big bot. While he doesn't know about the others, Kevas feels some bit of camaraderie for others from the boat.]

Dey still might show up here mon. Joo nevah know.

[He doesn't seem to acknowledge Kevas at first. It takes a moment for the voice to register, and for him to connect it back to memories of the ship.]

[Of course this one would understand.]

It is... foolish to be so unsettled. One of the children is here. It should be enough.

[Kevas gives him time. Doesn't matter how many times you go through something like this it never stops hurting.]

Should be, but it nevah be dat easy mon. I be havin' my mate and my best friend here. but all my liddle sistahs still be missin'. Not a day be goin' by dat I ain't be feelin' dat loss.

[Hell, to this day he still misses his daughter and little brother from Azeroth.]

[He should just be grateful Xanth is here. He doesn't mean to slight the boy -- he is glad someone is here. But.]

I have the boy. Xanth. And an enemy. None of my other charges... my medic... made it.

[His voice gets quiet at the end, somewhat choked. He shouldn't be acting this way. He's the Autobot weapons master. One of their proudest warriors. If he can't be strong in the face of all this...]

Least joo be havin' da liddle mon. Joo ain't be alone.

[That doesn't make up for losing family. Nothing ever really does, but by now this big guy is sure to know that.]

Dey might show up. Dey might not. I don't know. But whatchu t'ink dey be wantin' joo to do wid joorself?

... Yeah. There is that.

[He lets his hand rest on the gaping chest wound. Nothing to be done about that now, here either.]

I need to know.

[But there won't be an answer to that. He knows that much. He's just saying what's on his mind.]

They would want me to do as I have always done. I think.

Joo ain't be da only one mon.

[Not knowing will always be the worst thing about this.

Kevas leans against the wall and folds his arms.]

Den how 'bout joo start doin' dat? Can't imagine dey be wantin' joo sittin' round here doin'...whatevah it be dat joo be doin'.

[He doesn't mean to be harsh but it's the truth. That is the sole thought that keeps him going in the worst of times. There's no chance that his family would want him to just give up and fall over, and Kevas would bet his liquor that Ironhide's family would feel the same way.]

And remembuh, everymon from da Elegante be knowin' whatchu be goin' troo. Dey can help...most of dem anyway.

[Tony and Ganondorf can go hand themselves.]

[Any other time, any other person, Ironhide would probably have told them where they could shove their advice, and stormed off. But it would be stupid to, in this case.]

Yeah. Guess not. Just... need to find a way to bring them here. Or get back to them.

[Those are the only two options he sees. Either return to Ratchet, to the other children, or bring them to where it's safe. To protect them.]

... Except for one.

[If Kevas knew just how stubborn the Autobot was he would have been surprised that he listened.],/i.

Joo and me both.

[Maybe there's a way, maybe there isn't, but Kevas at least has to look for one. He can't just abandon his sisters to whatever fate has fallen on them.]

Make dat two.

[Someday, Kevas. Someday you will learn and be astonished.]

Guess that just means we have a new goal, hmn?

[There has to be a way. He can't leave Ratchet, or the others, to be alone like that. It was never supposed to work like this.]

... Who are they?

One of many.

[But easily one of the most important to him.

As he asks Kevas' face turns sour. The fact that those two survived is something that continually angers him. Of all those out there why them?]

Tony and Ganondorf. Should of fed dem both to da fuckin' End.

Our other objectives?

[This is good. If Ironhide has something else to focus on, some goal in mind, he can keep his attention off the situation, for the most part.]

[His own expression turns into a scowl.]

Ganondorf should not have been allowed to live. Who is the other one?

[Why are people suddenly seeking his advice? Leadership isn't his best quality. Whatever, he'll at least try. Hopefully this time it won't lead to people dying.]

I would say we try findin' a way outta dis place, but dat didn't work out so well on da boat. Fuh now we be needin' to learn more 'bout dis place and how we can keep ouhselves safe. Dis staff might be bettah den da last but I ain't be 'bout to give dem my full trust yet.

[For now they seem alright, at least the ones he's met, but it's better to be safe then sorry at this point.]

He won't if I be havin' anytin' to say 'bout it.

[The look in Kevas' eyes should tell Ironhide all about his feelings on Ganondorf.]

Tony be vuhmin. Don't evah trust him and don't evah believe a word outta his mouth. Kepp joor liddle mon away from him too.

But this is not the boat. We are less contained here. And they have not taken my weapons.

[He gives him a long look, before nodding.]

Call, if you need backup.

[Another nod.]

If I hear from him, I will keep that in mind.

Joo might wanna check dem mon. Somehow dey blunted my swords and I guarantee joo dat dey did sometin' to joor weapons too. And trust me mon, it might be lookin' like a biggah cage but it still be a cage. Ain't found anyway outta here.

[Kevas looks up at the big bot and nods back.]

I'll keep dat in mind.

Tony I be havin' in check fuh now, but da mon still might try sometin'.

[He looks from his cannons... to the room around them. And then back again.]

Even 'blunted', I should not try them here. The ship has made me... wary of falling ceilings.

We must keep looking for that exit. Has to be here.

[His good optic narrows.]

Like what? Any idea?

[Kevas blinks at him.]

By da Loa mon I didn't mean test dem in here.

[He goes silent for and gives a tired sigh.]

Could be, but where do we go from here? Dat be sometin' we gonna be needin' to t'ink on some more.

[The only two worlds Kevas knows about are gone now.]

Not sure, but I ain't be trustin' him to stay to his word.

[Ironhide snorts -- it's the first sound of amusement he's made in a long while.]

Smart of you.

[He cycles air through his intakes. His immediate response is -- "we go to the Shore". But they'd need to find it first.]

Guess we keep looking, then.

[Kevas smirks smugly at him.]

I be more den just a pretty face.

[His face becomes serious and he nods in agreement.]

Dat we do, but first t'ing be first, we find dose we be missin'.

[Because he will find his missing family members...somehow. There's no way he can go anywhere without finding them first.]

... I am not one to judge... that.

[Right, let's just focus on something besides that awkward statement, shall we?]

Yes. We will. And bring them back to us safely.

[Grow a sense of humor Ironhide.]

Really? And here I t'ought joo'd be an expert.

[Kevas grins with approval and pats the bot on his leg.]

Dat be da spirit mon. Don't fuhget it.

[No. He's too old.]

What makes you say that?

[He grunts, shifting in place.]

I will not. I cannot.

Wid a big sensitive bot like joo how could I not?

[Kevas can already tell that knowing him will be fun.]

Dat be makin' two of us.

[He just grunts at that.]

Good. Be good to have backup again.

Joo be havin' it if jah need it mon.

[It's the least he can offer, and hopefully it'll keep Ironhide from sulking all the time.]

And you, too.

[Kairi had heard the crack of the snapping sword from the adjoining forge and she pokes her head into the armoury to see what's going on.

What she sees almost makes her shrink back. Almost.]

Is... Everything okay?

[He glances at her, and... stares, for a moment. Oh, he remembers this girl. The one he bailed out of trouble on the boat. With Xanth.]

... No.

[She, at least, gets a straight answer. Even if it is short, and brusque.]

[Not the best answer, but it had been kind of s atupid question.]

Can I help?

... Can you return those we lost?

Well... No.

[She steps completely into the room and closes the door behind her.]

But you might not have lost them yet. Maybe you'll find them again.

[He doesn't try to stop her, just... stands there, looking at the broken pieces.]

How? If the world they were in is lost?

Just because their world was lost doesn't meant they're gone.

[She takes one hesitant step and then another, moving to pick up the broken sword pieces.]

After all, we're still here.

Their world was already lost. It was all they had. All we had.

[He doesn't move to stop her. Just watches.]

Yeah. Because some madman decided it.

Maybe he brought us here.

[She stares down at the broken piece of wood in her hands.]

But that doesn't mean he saved us. And it doesn't mean they're gone.

2nd Transmission - Action

Because she's been way to closeted in her life .. Ironhide will be good for her! XD

Ahahah

:D

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