So, uh...

Does anybody feel like talking? It doesn't matter about what.

I just really need the distraction.

[ A hushed voice crackles slightly. Whoever it is, they sound like they're talking from inside a tin can. Their voice has a metallic flange to it. ]

Lost Light. Come in. This is Drift! Lost Light, do you read me? I'm stranded. I may have stumbled into a rift...

This could be a lead on finding the Circle of Light or the Knights of Cybertron.

Or I could be dead. I don't really believe the people here. They did something to my sword.

...

Rodimus! Please! If you're up there, please respond! This isn't funny! I have a good signal down here and if I find out for one second that you're having a go at me so help me I'll-

... I'm sorry. But please, if anyone from the Lost Light gets this transmission, please respond.

What if I really am dead... I thought he would be here, if I was.

[ A gasp. ]

What if this is the pit?! They're pretty polite for the pit but still-

Primus, spare my spark!

I suppose the end of last month should be a lesson about placing too much trust in technology you can't fully control. While I fortunately had little interest in idle social interaction even back then, I do owe a certain amount of apology to those few who had to deal with my attitude of that time.

( Private to Pidonus )

( Action for Unit 904 )

... Hello! [Was that how you were supposed to start these things? Oh well.] Ah, sorry if I'm interrupting anyone. My name is Ringo Noyamano, I just arrived here a few moments ago. I think I understood most of what I was told, and I'm sure I can figure it out otherwise, but I am wondering one thing.

[A slight pause, and it was good she'd picked voice as opposed to video, because she looks pretty embarrassed.] Can anyone tell me the quickest route to a clothing store near the... Hold, I believe it's called? Any clothing store will do-- I shouldn't be too picky in an emergency. Thank you for listening!

[Then, much softer, right before she ends the feed--] It's really cold...

[And in case anyone near the Hold did happen to pass by, she was currently crouched behind a makeshift barrier/chair, her back to a corner-- her outfit had been fine back home, given the situation, but now she just felt ridiculous.]

What moron's in charge of the machine that's bringing in the new people.  It's like they decided to say the hell with trying to win this war, we're just going to keep throwing bodies at it till something works.

Anyway.  Back to normal, blah blah.  I'd apologize for what an asshole I grow up to be, but I can't really remember too much of what he did [ He's lying. ], so there's not much point.  Just be glad I'm back to my regular charming self.

[Filtered from Collette (as useless of a gesture as that may be) ]

But uh.  There's a reason for this besides the not-apology.  I don't exactly have anyone specific I can ask, because.  Well, because.  So I figured I'd just kinda throw it out there.

So, uh.  How does dating work?

I mean, I'm not a total social reject, I know how it works normally, but for like a specific girl.  And okay, the last date I went on back home didn't go too hot anyway.

[ He's just going to disconnect before he digs himself any deeper.  SMOOTH, JASON, REALLY SMOOTH. ]

[Nananea isn't smiling for once, and when she talks she isn't making her usual grand gestures with her arms. She’s just sitting, idly fidgeting with her hands, a vaguely concerned expression on her face. A substantially more subdued Nananea.]

I have been thinking lately. About leaving this place- about what truly happens when we go. When the Initiative is done with us. What happens to the people who simply vanish. The popular theory is that we will return home.

[She looks away briefly, taking a second to gather her thoughts.]

But. I have been wondering. If we do return home, do we get to start our lives again just as we left them? Has our home universe been in stasis the whole time we were away? The more likely answer is that life continued without us. That time passed. But how much? I am concerned... that perhaps while we are away, time has passed unusually. Perhaps it has been years back home, and the people we love are dead and gone and our homes will be unrecognizable.

[Another pause, and then she smiles. Not the brilliant grin that’s so typical of her, but at least it’s a less dreary expression.]

In that case, I do not think I will wish to return home. But! I am being quite the pessimist, aren't I? I could be wrong. It is very likely that I am. I wish to hear other theories, if any of you have them. Or maybe I should not dwell on this so much.

[It seems like she’s done after that, but a thought occurs to her, and she perks up noticeably, sitting up a little straighter, smiling just a tiny bit more.]

Ah- one more thing. I have noticed that other people have moved into my housing unit recently. We have not yet met- but welcome. I hope we will see one another soon, face to face.