audio;

[dusk_and_dawn]

[It's a brilliantly sunny day, everyone. It's raining, of course, but not lightly enough to turn to mist and block the light, and not heavily enough to drive everyone indoors.

The cause for the brilliance is sitting atop the highest structure he could find near the center of the city, shining like a star. Best not to look at him directly. You might even want to buy sunglasses, although there's probably no one who sells them.

He's not illuminating the whole city, of course, but he's trying.]

Greetings all, 'tis Balder the Brave. If others can bring snow, I thought I might try to bring the sun. Let me know if it is too much. And if you would, entertain me with your best stories. I ask not that they be true, merely interesting.

Comments

[weapabilities]

Oh all kinds.

And plenty in supply of both of those categories.

I could tell you the exploits of my days with the Wreckers, a special team who got jobs done, no matter how dangerous or impossible.

Or I could tell you about the Lost Light and the search for the Knights of Cybertron. Oh! Or about the Terrorcons on Hekron VI.

[ Cybertronians man. They have war stories out the wazoo. ]

[dusk_and_dawn]

Tell me of the light, kind sir, if you would. [Obvious choice is obvious.]

[weapabilities]

Good choice.

[ Let him get his story hat on. ]

So. It all starts with a planet in turmoil. Reborn from chaos, and it's warriors, cast aside and driven away by the unrest of it's citizens.

You could say, we were furthest from the light, at that point.

But our leader, Rodimus, was dead set on setting out and finding the secrets of our culture, lost to the eons. The Knights of Cybertron, who once lead our people into the golden ages of society.

The Lost Light is actually the name of the ship we departed on.

[ If anything, Drift knows how to spin a very... rich sounding story. ]

[dusk_and_dawn]

[Balder likes this. It sounds very much like the sort of story he's familiar with, so his voice is encouraging.]

You and the rest of the warriors?

[weapabilities]

Correct.

Rodimus, the captain, who's passionate and can get out of any fix. Ultra Magnus, the Duly Appointed Enforcer of the Tyrest Accord, who is the Second in Command. He's incredibly obsessive and all about following every rule right down to the letter.

Then there's me, Third in Command. I'm uh. I'm Drift.

Anyways, we had a crew of about two-hundred. Our medic, Ratchet, who's a little grumpy, Rewind and his Conjunx Endura, Chromedome.

There's Cyclonus, an old warrior from a time long past, and Tailgate who was literally under a rock for six-million years.

And that's not even half of them.

[ Oh this is starting to make him homesick. ]

I warn you though, this story doesn't really have an ending. Not yet anyways.

[dusk_and_dawn]

Most true stories don't.

What sort of being are you, that you may survive under a rock for six-million years?

[weapabilities]

Cybertronians...

From Cybertron. [ Haha redundant. ]

We're inorganic beings. We do not expire of old age, given the right maintenance and care.

[dusk_and_dawn]

Ah, I see. I have met the like, but most of them are quite young creations of other species.

[weapabilities]

Yeah, I've noticed here. Many humans don't seem to like the idea of there being a form of life that isn't made of meat.

[dusk_and_dawn]

They are used to a clear delineation between "life" and "object" and what therefore commands which level of respect. If you are a person then that line is muddied for them.

[weapabilities]

That is... startlingly accurate and more eloquently stated than I could possibly hope to achieve.

I guess the best I can do is educate those who are willing to listen.

[dusk_and_dawn]

Sadly, it is a statement that comes from long observation.

[He nods although, of course, Drift can't see him.] There have been a number of culture clashes since I have arrived, but nothing too severe that I have seen. I think perhaps the fact that we are all out of place here is partially responsible for that.

[weapabilities]

I don't envy you that.

Yes, I suppose patience is needed for this kind of situation to begin with. Many people have welcomed me with open arms, so I think I'll just need to appreciate what I have.

What about you? Where are you from?

[dusk_and_dawn]

I am of Asgard, the realm eternal. For most here it seems to be a land of myth, fantasy, and legend, so I have faced some level of disbelief.

[weapabilities]

I see. I've never heard of it myself, but I guess you and I are kind of in the same situation from uh. Different ends of things I guess.

What is Asgard like?

[dusk_and_dawn]

Unfortunately, 'tis now empty ... we have been driven from it and into a temporary stronghold known as Asgardia. But Asgard was a land of many environs, deserts and icy mountains and lush fields, a land great and wild.

[weapabilities]

I can definitely relate on that portion of things.

My condolences, I truly hope your home is restored to you and your people.

[dusk_and_dawn]

Thank you. I was told things are going well ... but not so well that my brother was willing to give me details.

[weapabilities]

Yeah that. That doesn't bode well...

But who knows. Maybe. Maybe perhaps things will turn around?

[dusk_and_dawn]

Perhaps. All things come in cycles.

[weapabilities]

They do. But I hope your cycle comes sooner than later, Balder the Brave.

[dusk_and_dawn]

Yes. And I wish you good luck on your quest, Drift of Cybertron.

[weapabilities]

Thank you. And you can just call me Drift.