Transformers Prime: Convergence is a plot and character-development driven roleplay forum based upon canon material of TFP and RiD, but incorporates characters, elements, and plotlines from various other continuities to craft a unique story. Our community is welcoming, laid back, and dedicated to making each roleplay experience a good one.
Transformers Prime: Convergence is in no way affiliated with Hasbro, and copyrights and trademarks (including names, images, etc.) are held by their respective owners. All original content remains the property of individual writers and artists. Main header banner, board graphics, and theme by Counterklock.
Characters: Kaon, Tarn Location: Kaon's temporary quarters Content Warnings: Possible violence Plot Summary: Kaon has his concerns for Tarn, ready to be voiced over vintage Innermost Energon.
His voice was rough, a chilled monotone toward The Pet. He could hear its every movements nearby and every movement was just another snap from his attention to the details at hand. The Pet lay down quietly, its optics boring into its master. Why did he have such a strange coldness at this moment?
Static fingertips gently gripped to the lip of the bottle of vintage innermost energon. Lower Petrohex, the date of the cycle all but worn from the label. The ones forged with this energon were mostly disposable class, with the rare notable ones coming out once in a while. It was one of the sweeter vintages, close to the sweetness of a classic nucleon.
Two glasses, rigorously cleaned, sat next to the bottle. The List rested to the left, where Kaon could reach it if need be. He felt a silence sweep over the room before tiny claws scratched at the floor and he turned his helm sharply. That motion itself seemed to serve as a command while the creature was off its leash.
"Cease."
That command was as cold and sharp as the prior command. There was an electric edge to it this time; the electricity caught itself tightly in Kaon's vocalizer. He straightened his posture slowly and stepped to the door, ready to defer to Tarn first, before taking his seat. Just as he would Megatron, he would his own leader among his unit.
"It is ready. Maintain composure, Pet." There was an air of formality this time.
His hand pressed the button to the door, allowing it to slide open. Only for his superior, the best and finest. After all, such situations had to be approached with delicacy.
Curiosity hastened his step. Whatever could Kaon wish to talk about? Tarn had reviewed the reports that he had submitted thoroughly. Nothing seemed to imply any doubt or concerns. Still, Tarn was largely unconcerned. In all likelihood, it was something easily resolvable. Clarification perhaps or concerns about their current mission. So, it was just curiosity and curiosity alone that hastened his stride.
Reaching the quarters where Kaon was stationed, Tarn signaled his arrival and waited. The response was not long in coming. The door hissed open, and Tarn’s optics fell upon his comrade who stood by it. Inside of the room, Tarn could see that Kaon had prepared for his visit. Two glasses and a bottle of something fine, he was sure.
“Kaon,” Tarn greeted him warmly as he moved inside Kaon’s quarters. He took a seat, spreading himself out leisurely but still in a way that portrayed the elegance with which the DJD leader carried himself. “My, my, what have we here?” Tarn asked rhetorically, taking the bottle of energon in hand.
A few sniffs granted him an answer. “Ah, lovely! Hm…Petrohex…Lower? I believe?” He set the bottle back down onto the table, waiting for Kaon to take his seat before partaking in any pleasantries.
His posture relaxed with a calmness once Tarn was inside. His steps were light to follow, and he perched himself in his own seat, as efficient and calm as ever. He hears the ticking click of the claws of the Pet drawing closer and reaches down idly.
"Only the finest." His voice did not betray the emotion that had been crackling just beneath the surface, as quiet and calm as ever.
The mission was clearest; Dreadwing was their primary target. He had been moved to Priority 1 on The List. He pressed his lips into a thin line at the thought of the changes to the list; such things were always taken into account, of course, but this was disconcerting.
But not as disconcerting as what he had observed the other day. His fingers clenched softly, a faint crackle at the tip of them. "You seem out of sorts. Understandable outside of our element, but I am concerned." There was the faint ekeing of emotion from his voice now. "You can tell me if doesn't feel right--even if it is the lack of Helex, Tesarus, and Vos."
Tarn issued a light chuckle at Kaon’s claim. How he had missed it. While the rations on the frontlines were functional, they lacked some of the refinement that Tarn craved. He picked up the bottle again as Kaon sat, pouring them both a drink into each glass. He took his and sipped it lightly, relishing the flavor.
“Mm, delightful,” Tarn purred, “How I’ve missed this. Your company. A fine bottle of energon.”
Swirling the fluid in his glass gently, Tarn waited for Kaon to broach the topic. He was not one to rush his subordinates provided there was no immediate urgency to the situation. He noted the delicate clenching of Kaon’s fingers and frowned behind the mask. Hm. Something was indeed troubling his electrocutioner. In the next moment, Kaon’s concern was made clear.
Well, not really.
Tarn’s frown deepened as he considered Kaon curiously. He straightened a bit, setting the drink down on the table. “Out of sorts? What do you mean?”
A fine bottle of energon just couldn't be replaced, mind you. He sipped his with an eagerness unmatched, though he tried to remain polite about it. One did not simply chug something as wonderful as this. That would be uncouth and Kaon was, if nothing, the opposite of uncouth.
"I have missed it dearly as well. Not that I can complain as we have gotten our fill of work, our feel of spilling a more soiled energon." His vocals were soft. "But it's nice to take in the simple pleasures."
Kaon was concerned. And of course, it was for his comrade. No, for all his comrades. But especially his leader, it seemed. He didn't know how to put it. Something was wrong and he didn't quite know how to put his finger on it.
"You seem distracted by something. Consumed by it." That was the most direct and blunt way he knew to put what he felt into words. And he would know consumed. Just as he often got consumed in the moment, engulfed in his own electricity. He swirled his drink softly, his gaze never leaving Tarn.
After all, he wanted to get to the bottom of this!
With some of the opening pleasantries out of the way, Kaon managed to elucidate a little on what he meant. Leaning back and scooping his drink back up deftly, Tarn wondered at it. Kaon was worried about him, of all things. Not that he didn’t appreciate the gesture – he did, really – but Tarn had an idea of what he was hinting at. It was an incident that Tarn wanted to forget.
“Ah,” he said finally after considering his drink for some time, “You are referring to that incident, I imagine.”
Swirling his drink idly, Tarn took another sip, but the sweetness had gone tart for him. He did not wish to think of it. Nor the medic’s words, which seemed to support it. He issued a sigh. As much as he believed to have left the matter behind him, it crept up on him. Lingered at the back of his thoughts. And the reality of it…still disturbed him.
“I’m ashamed really,” Tarn said, waving dismissively, “It was an unprecedented moment of weakness. Pfeh. A dream, calling into question…”
A clawed actuator clenched on the seat in which he reclined, razor-like claws digging in and leaving their shallow marks. Not only that, but Ratchet too. Tarn shook his head. “I am fine, Kaon. Focus yourself on the mission ahead.” Tarn was pushing Kaon away. He didn’t deserve that. Especially not after how long they’d served together. He chided himself.
“Well, perhaps you’re right. I admit to still being a touch distracted.”
Tarn wanted to forget it, but Kaon couldn't. Distraction bred mistakes. Mistakes bred failures. Failures meant that those who saw their faces would not fear them like before. They couldn't afford mistakes!
"Yes. It has me concerned. Normally others do not critique whether distraction will impact your work but sometimes such things need to be considered." Kaon tented his hands tenatively.
He took a swirl of his own drink once more, then a seemingly bitter sip. It left a bitter note on him. "A dream, you say?" That was disconcerting and concerning in its own right. Normally they didn't rely on dreams for anything!
Kaon's look grew more cautious and he felt the unspoken urge to try to push back verbally. "This mission requires us both to be focused. Since there's only two of us..."
Tarn was admittedly irritable now. He knew it. He kept it reined in as best he could. After all, he would not want to cause Kaon any more undue concern. As a leader, he was ashamed. As a Decepticon, even more so. Waving dismissively, Tarn sipped his drink thoughtfully as he listened to Kaon.
His crimson optics flicked over to Kaon as he commented on his distraction being a dream. Yes, a particularly vivid one. But it was no excuse. Tarn knew this. It was ridiculous. Having been so affected. His optics flicked to his free hand, which he flexed idly. He remembered it still so clearly.
They flicked back to Kaon, however, when he mentioned the mission. Did he doubt Tarn? He forgot his place. Rage boiled to the surface in an instant. Smashing the glass on the table, Tarn lunged forward with a speed that defied his size, lashing out and snatching up Kaon’s head in one hand, the other wrapping around with clawed digits poised around one of his audio receptors.
“Do not presume to lecture me,” Tarn rumbled in his lethal whisper, “I know the stakes better than anyone. Never question my ability to see this or any mission through.”
The rage ebbed as forgiveness edged in its place. “But I’ll let it slide this time,” he said, releasing Kaon slowly.
Kaon himself was starting to worry. He didn't like this silence. He didn't thrive well in silence. Especially in the deadly kind of silence that had fallen. He knew something was coming up. Something big. Something that he knew was the reason to tread with caution.
The shattering startled him out of his thoughts and trepidations and suddenly he was up in the sharp grip of his commander. His ventilations were sharp and shaky.
He could almost feel his Tesla coils starting to fire up while he heard that whisper. It was a normal reaction to the fear that your spark was going to implode at any second. Electricity did not, however, flit to his hands. No. He knew better.
Once he was released, he clutched his chestplating softly afterward, panting hard for a moment. The Pet edged closer to nuzzle up to him, giving a faint whine of worry. "I'm fine, Pet. Settle." He rasped for a moment. He would then reach for his own glass, but paused. "Please forgive my terrible and foolish mistake. I would never presume you wouldn't see it through...I will learn to word more carefully." Subconsciously, he blamed his time around Helex and Tesarus, and their crude language for his own crudeness. He was normally more POLITE than this.
"...shall I...get you a new glass?" He finally spoke up once he had regained his composure.
As Tarn settled back into his own seat, he watched Kaon idly as his subordinate recovered from his reprimand. It had been harsh, but necessary. He was reminded of his other recent reprimand. Tesarus had been the culprit that time. Hm. He wondered if measures might need to be taken. They would set a poor example for Vos.
“Yes, please,” Tarn answered with a nod, gesturing for Kaon to do so.
His optics drifted to the Pet. Their partially domesticated beast. He recalled that in his dream, Kaon had played a particular role. He clenched his fist again softly. So had others. None of it made the least bit of sense. Tarn would never…never do that for something so…trivial. Frowning, Tarn leaned forward, clasping his hands and resting his elbows on his knees.
Kaon was careful with his motions, as deft as he ever had been before; it was as though the reprimand had not happened but he kept it in his mind. He knew to never let his language get so foolish and coarse again. That was more than a grave error of judgement. He would make sure the glass in question was as clean as the fresh-driven snow of Messatine, their base of operations.
He would place it down with the most careful of motions. "And a refill as well." His tone was pleasant and calm once more.
He turned to retreat to his own seat once more at the moment, cracking a small smile for the Pet. The partially-domesticated beast drew closer to Tarn now, nuzzling up under his clawed servo as though to comfort him as well. Kaon no sooner was seated than the next question came.
"Our comrades. I haven't gotten any communications from them. It's quite disconcerting. Normally they would have contacted us by now. I suppose they are likely caught up in a mission and I'm worrying too much but it's a little disconcerting itself." He then tensed. "I hope that does not sound uncouth. I know they will come when they are ready but I worry regardless."
Nodding gratefully, Tarn picked up the new glass, sipping it delicately. His optics flicked to the Pet as it drew near and nuzzled his hand. His gaze softened by degrees. Giving the Pet’s head a good rub, especially behind the ears, Tarn turned his attention back to Kaon as his comrade aired his further concerns.
“I thought you said that they were filing reports on the latest mission and then joining us,” Tarn muttered, “Not go out half-cocked on another.”
Withdrawing his hand from the Pet, Tarn rubbed his chin lightly. “I wouldn’t be too concerned,” he began slowly, “Even if they ran into trouble along the way, I am sure they can handle it. Though, I agree. Not knowing is difficult.” If they had perished along the way, it would be so inconvenient to search for their bodies. Necessary, but bothersome. Of course, there was no need to assume their demise.
“Continue your efforts to try to contact them, but don’t let your worry distract you from the matter at hand,” Tarn ordered, figuring that would assuage Kaon’s concerns with regards to that.
The Pet could scarcely do more but wag his tail, loving this kind of contact. After Kaon had been so cold, so stern earlier, it almost seemed to be rubbing it in his face. Master you weren't petting on me so I got someone better to do it. Kaon could have gotten jealous, but it made him smile to see his commander seem to rest, to relax to the touch of their partially domesticated beast.
"So you do understand why I'm concerned--not even just running into trouble but them running into another mission, half-cocked, when they should be here helping us." That last word was tinged with the sharp electrical tone that loved to creep into his voice when his emotions ran high. "I'd hate for us to have to replace them for something as foolish as dereliction of duty." Of course, that was a bigger concern to him than even death. How dare they be derelict in their duties! He had come as quickly as he could and he had trusted them!
"Of course." Kaon gave the faintest of smiles again, the electric edge falling from his voice. "Priority number one shall remain seeking out Dreadwing for our Lord."
Which brought him to his last concern. "Dreadwing is elusive as ever. I have been scanning for his signal, but he's been hiding it well. It will come in blips but never long enough to be traced to proper coordinates." He seemed to be torn between nervousness and amusement at the thrill of the chase, and an electric buzz of laughter sounded for a faint moment. "But I suppose that's not so much a worry as a status report, that has me on the thrill of the chase. I...it does not sound foolish of me to be enjoying the chase, yes?"
“I imagine they’re smarter than that. They know what becomes of those who shirk their duties,” Tarn’s voice regained its earlier menace for a brief moment. He took another sip of his drink to calm himself and continued, “They are the best the Decepticons have to offer. We all are. So, I do not mind giving them the benefit of the doubt.”
Tarn’s hand trailed back down to the Pet, rubbing the beast’s head once more. It was oddly soothing. Kaon’s last concern had to do with their quarry, Dreadwing. Without the sophisticated equipment to help Kaon, it seemed that he was having difficulties. Fortunately, Tarn had a solution in mind.
“Not at all, Kaon,” Tarn answered warmly, smiling behind the mask, “Though, I may have a few ideas on how to draw him out.”
“You remember the medic Pharma from the Delphi facility? As it turns out…he’s here. On Earth. Not that I wish to steal the joy of the hunt from you, but…it’s a lead worth pursuing.”
“However, before we strike,” Tarn’s optics flickered malevolently, “We must wait until he is happy. I want to break him – mentally, physically, emotionally – for Megatron. So that when we drag him before Megatron, he has everything to lose,” Tarn clenched his fist tightly, claws digging into the palm of his hand. Crimson optics flicked back to Kaon.
“Is that everything?”
Shoutbox
Please respect the space and don't hesitate to ask questions!
altria : please dont be dead?
Jun 14, 2023 22:40:34 GMT
Partia: Is this still alive?
Dec 17, 2022 6:02:02 GMT
Partia: Is this still alive?
Dec 17, 2022 6:01:34 GMT
Aug 13, 2020 16:26:13 GMT
Sept 14, 2019 18:53:42 GMT
Check here for the latest
