voice

[chopshopgoddess]

[Mikaela's breathing is pretty labored - if you're guessing something is wrong, you're definitely right. She sounds like shes holding back tears.]

Ironhide, Ratchet...he's...

gone.

[Theres a pause, and a muffled sob as she holds the comm away from her face. She returns a moment later, voice steady.I...I need to talk to two people...a uh, a Sean

Comments

[scarredpalms]

[Cyrus has zero idea about who she's talking about, but Mikaela sounds all kinds of broken up. No one has disappeared on him yet, but Cyrus figures it's only a matter of time.]

You need anything, Mikaela?

[chopshopgoddess]

I...

I don't know. I can't -

[Handle this-]

Pick up this trunk. Ironhide is coming.

...Would...you mind maybe meeting later?

[scarredpalms]

No. Want me to come by in... an hour, maybe?

[chopshopgoddess]

...Yeah, an hour should give me enough time.

[She has to pull herself together.]

[scarredpalms]

No sooner?

[Fret.]

[chopshopgoddess]

I...I have to move a few things. Ironhide is going to help me do it. It...it shouldn't take long.

[scarredpalms]

Alright. [You hear that? Cyrus's voice is a gentler than usual.] I'll see you then, Mikaela.

[chopshopgoddess]

Yeah...I'll see you then.

[She'll be back in her room by then. Sitting on her bed, staring at the wall.]

[scarredpalms]

[Cyrus arrives one hour later, just as he promised. He thought about bringing something but he didn't know what would be right, so empty his hands remain.

He knocks twice, gently, on Mikaela's door.]

[chopshopgoddess]

[She pulls herself to her feet, then moves to open the door. She looks, tired, drawn, and very sad.]

Hey, Cyrus. Come on in.

[ Her room is nearly empty save for a large trunk on the floor, and two duffle bags right beside it.]

[scarredpalms]

[Cyrus steps inside and, without a word, moves to draw Mikaela into a hug.]

[chopshopgoddess]

[She lets herself be drawn in - as much as she doesn't want to admit it, she needs this. Her arms encircle him, and she buries her head in his shoulder.]

[scarredpalms]

[Cyrus keeps silent and just holds her a little tighter.]

[chopshopgoddess]

[She really doesn't want to fall apart on Cyrus - it's a little hard not to though, because she's known him for a while and it's a little more comfortable than say, with Ironhide.

Eventually though, she'll lift her head and rub fiercly at her eyes.]

[scarredpalms]

[Cyrus wouldn't blame her if she did. She might have her own pride, but he doesn't expect her to be an unbending pillar of strength in a storm.

When she lifts her head, Cyrus reaches up to sweep her hair behind her ear. He still doesn't say anything, but that look on his face is one of worry.]

[chopshopgoddess]

[He gets the tiniest of smiles.]

Thanks...for coming by.

[Because she needed this. The loss of Bumblebee for the third time is absolutely crushing.]