[Video / Private to Nautilus (the city entity itself)] - Lab residents might overhear this recording

[derpjack_ftw]

[Wheeljack is sitting at a table in his personal room at his workshop, facing his journal.  His chin is propped in one hand, and he's toying with one of the little plastic dinosaurs that the city gave him in the other.  He's still in need of that washing he never got from first arriving back to the city after a week only to find that all hell had

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[Action]

[doin_it_w_style]

[Maybe ten minutes after he's stopped hearing Wheeljack talk (no he didn't hear what exactly, but he heard the tone), he'll slip in and behind his friend, making just enough noise that Wheeljack will know he's there before resting his hands on the other mech's shoulders]

[Action]

[derpjack_ftw]

[In those ten minutes, the engineer had hauled himself up to his feet and tried puttering around the room. He had a few minor projects in here he was fiddling with. He'd retrieved one to try to work on and sat back down at his workbench . . . but found himself sitting with his face in his hands, elbows propped on the table before he was really aware of having taken such a position.

It was a testament to just how weary and out-of-sorts Wheeljack was feeling that he didn't register the sounds, didn't react to Jazz until he felt on hsi shoulders. He jumped, shifting around with the near arm coming up to block, to defend himself, but then he recognized his friend and he made himself relax, the tone of a grin, albeit subdued, in his voice.]

Jazz. Hey. How're ya doin'?

[Action]

[doin_it_w_style]

I'm fine. [He gave his friend a soft smile and...pulled him to his feet and into a hug.] Are you all right, Wheeljack?

[Action] Wow, so many errors in that last tag, IDE

[derpjack_ftw]

[Wheeljack stands on reflex, "obeying" in a sense, but resists the embrace. For all of about three astro-seconds. He's clinging more than he'd like but...] I... ['I'm fine', but the words don't quite make it out. And Jazz knows him too well anyway.]

I . . . I-I will be. Just . . . just tired, s'all. Frustrated an' tired.

[bounty_chaser]

We're here to change. I think. I don't know. I don't even know why I stay here, so I guess I'm not much help.

[derpjack_ftw]

[startles! - had that somehow gotten on the main network after all? ...slag...not that he's in a position that he much cares anymore - gives her a nod]

Yeah, I thought so too . . . but then things like this happen . . .

How're ya doin'?

[bounty_chaser]

Okay. Glad everything is back to normal.

Things will even out. Nautilus just has a...twisted sense of humor. As inconvenient as it is.

[derpjack_ftw]

[can hear the weary, frustrated cycle of air he exhales through his vents]

I've known Decepticons with better sense than Nautilus seems ta have sometimes. Seriously, I wonder sometimes.

Anyway . . . lemme know if there's anythin' comes up that I can help with, okay?

[fly_robobird]

[Swoop didn't hear but maybe the last two sentences clearly, making his way down the hall. He stays outside, thinking for a while about what he should do, if anything. Wheeljack might not be in the mood for company. But... he sounded like he could use a little company, maybe. Being left alone in a mood like that didn't seem like it'd be very good.

He still hesitates for a moment before moving half into the doorway, letting out a chirp to let Wheeljack know that someone's there before stepping farther in.]

[Action]

[derpjack_ftw]

[Wheeljack had thought he'd closed the door all the way, so when it's pushed farther open, he doesn't hear it. He's just hauling himself to his feet to pull down a project from one of the shelves to work on. He flinches in surprise, turning toward the door. There's still weariness about his stance, but his tone is a little lighter at the sight of the Dinobot.]

Swoop! Hey, buddy. How you holdin' up?

[Action]

[fly_robobird]

[Swoop straightens a little, suddenly feeling a little sheepish about interrupting. But Wheeljack seemed to perk up a bit when he came in, so... maybe he wasn't wrong after all? He offers a smile, giving the lab a quick looking-over before his gaze settles back on Wheeljack.]

Swoop good. How Wheeljack? Seem... little tired.

[Action]

[derpjack_ftw]

. . . yeah, maybe a little.

[The way his shoulders sag, it's more than "a little".]

It's just . . . it's been . . . things get so crazy here, in cycles. Like . . . once a deca-cycle or somethin'. I wouldn't even really mind it so much I think if it didn't hurt people so badly, you know?

[He crosses the room and puts a hand on the taller mech's shoulder.]

You did good out there, by the way, Swoop. I've been hearin' about some'a what you been doin'.

[coloroftheworld]

[She'd come into the lab to ask him about something, offer to help with the damage, check on him -- maybe all three. She doesn't hear the recording, but she knocks on the door to his lab anyway.]

[Action]

[derpjack_ftw]

[Wheeljack's back in his personal room, but sensors on the front door and porch let him know there's someone there. He switches on a camera, a small grin in his tone as he sees who it is.]

Hey, Red. It's unlocked, so just come on in.

[The door's been rigged for releases that a human can comfortably reach . . . and a new one at ground level, just right for a cat. The engineer pushes himself to his feet and moves out of his room to greet her in the main workshop.]

[Action]

[coloroftheworld]

[Actually, she hasn't turned back human yet, so while she's still comparatively short, she can reach the robot-door-handle. She almost jumps on her wheels when she hears the voice out of nowhere, glancing around -- oh, he's probably got a camera or something. She wheels her way inside, looking around. Red hasn't been in here much, but she remembers where Wheeljack usually hangs out. She hasn't seen him yet, but she calls out--]

Hey, genius. How'd you weather that reality storm?

[Action] Oh, right . . . LOL sorry =D;;;

[derpjack_ftw]

[Wheeljack is getting to know Red well enough to recognize when she's annoyed and insulting him, and when she's just teasing. This time, she's in a good mood and teasing. He comes around a corner, looking the worse for wear, but nothing too serious - mostly just some minor repairs still needed, plus a good scrubdown in the wash rack. His voice is upbeat but weary, matter-of-fact.]

As well as can be expected, I guess. You? Heh . . . [He shakes his head, marveling.] C'mere. Lemme get a look atcha. [admiration in his tone]