NOVA STORM'S BEST AND GREATEST INBOX

[binary_runaway]

Hey, hi, this is Nova Storm! You found me but you also really super didn't, haha! Do the thing so I can do the other thing back, okay?

voice | video | text | action

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audio un primetime

[emojibot]

Nova Storm. [oh look who's dragged himself back to life. hooray. optimus, naturally, has no idea of what's been going on with her.] I wanted to thank you for your help with the recent mission. I know it was very difficult, but...

...well, it's admirable in how staunchly you defend Rock.

[binary_runaway]

[Nova Storm bared her teeth into the slab beneath her and heaved through her vents for a bit before answering with words]

You think what happened was difficult? You think what I said was admirable?[Another heaving wheeze, and an audible snarl] You know what I think? I think you threw yourself off a bottomless ledge that had an actual pretty noticeable end. Can't help but notice trucks can't fly, Prime. Did you?

[Her voice goes tight with several kinds of pain at the mention of flying, and the remnants of her wings scrape across the inside of the welds on her back]

Can't help but think about how you did all that in front of a newbuild who already has a tendency to sacrifice parts of himself on the altar of the greater good. What do you think he's gonna decide, having seen something like that, Optimus? Put that infamously optimistic mind of yours to the task and tell me what you think.

[emojibot]

[as usual, he doesn't react to any of her anger directed at her. it's impossible to tell if he lets it roll off him because he thinks nothing of it or if it genuinely inspires some thought. that famous optimus stoicism that seemed to mostly fall apart the moment they touched down on earth and interacted with the natives to a much larger extent than any other planet. at any rate, he doesn't comment on anything she says at first, not for a moment.]

I have spoken to him and affirmed that what I did was not something anyone should emulate under any circumstances. I intended to do this regardless of his... own habits. [his optics narrow, even though this is a voice communication. perhaps because of it.] Even so, I suspect it was less damaging than him experiencing deactivation, and he has a very clear support system in you and Nickel.

[binary_runaway]

That's not good enough. You could tell him the Earth sky is green or that either of us are competent and it'd matter just as much. 'Don't do as I do' is just as stupid now as when Warp and I first became decepticons.

[Her own eyes narrow then, and there is the distinct click of her snapping her teeth]

You trying to say that since somebody else was around to try and sweep your fuck ups under the rug for you that it's fine? It's great? Dying would've sucked, but so does this. Don't try and deflect, you giant ball of misery.

[emojibot]

I also recommended he see one of the therapists on board, as it's very clear he is troubled, but ensuring he goes is likely something that would be more successful if attempted by someone he already knows and trusts.

[he notes that she says either of us, but doesn't comment on it.]

No. I did not do what I did because I thought others would conveniently clean up after me. It was to stop anyone on the team from losing their lives, because that space bridge does not come with a guarantee.

[binary_runaway]

[Nova gets up and starts to pace with a screech that only seems amplified through the comm line]

What do I gotta do to make you get this?! It doesn't matter what your reasoning was or if it made good tactical sense or even if I would've done it, too!

What matters is you stopping to think! So yes, the therapist thing is fine. Great. But you're doubling down on a decision that has impact Prime. Didn't anybody ever tell you that insisting you're correct despite any and all evidence is my job? Even if it was the only possible resolution, which it probably wasn't, you aren't taking responsibility! You're in damage control mode like a fragging politician! Just-

Just say it was the best worst choice you could've made. Say it was bad, but it had to be done. And we'll ignore how you'd do it again if you had the option.

[emojibot]

[he could say what she's asking him to, because that is how he feels about it and almost what he said to rock about it.

but this feels like a trap, and he doesn't really want to give her the satisfaction of it. dying gives him such a terrible headache.]

Do what you need to, Nova Storm.

[is all he says, before he cuts the call.]