*soft lights in the distance, far-off stars overhead...*

[watch_in_shadow]

Kalis. War-ravaged, despoiled, broken in harsh lighting and terrifying in shadows. Kalis, city of lights in dark places and shards of brilliant sparkling glass and dry fountains.

Kalis, the Monitor's city.*Dreadmoon stands on the Kaliswall, having sent out a message some moment earlier. He didn't expect his visitor to appear immediately, but knew

Comments

[startactician]

*Thrust appears rather quickly. He's been quite bored and very much looking forward to another encounter with the Monitor. The city passes by him in a rush as he tries to locate Dreadmoon, being of less importance to him then Dreadmoon himself. Thrust transforms and lands, nodding his head to Dreadmoon in a mock bow*

I recieved your message.

[watch_in_shadow]

*turns to him with a small, quiet smile* Thrust. Welcome to Kalis. *he says it almost like a ceremonial greeting, a ritual, something with impenetrable meaning*

[startactician]

*Thrust looks out over the city, seemingly pleased with what he sees* I feel that I am. Shall we?

[watch_in_shadow]

Why not..?

*lifts off the ramparts and ghosts over the wide, battered causeway leading into the city, not heading for anywhere in particular just yet. From here you can see over most of the Sector - Sector Six not being one of the largest, though still impressive in its own right. The tall, elegant buildings of Kalis itself are clearly visible in the costant twilight, pinpoints of illumination glittering here and there in the spires*

[startactician]

*follows, looking down upon the city. It is obvious that it was once spectacular, and even now contains a measure of battered beauty. He keeps sneaking glances at Dreadmoon as they fly, making sure Dreadmoon catches him doing it*

[watch_in_shadow]

In my Sector, in my own city, and yet he keeps trying. *he almost chuckles, but keeps a practiced mask over his emotions - in a moment of perversity he flickers the odd glance at Thrust himself, being sure to look away just late enough to be merely a motion in the corner of an optic to the other flier* Very well, then. Let us keep this charade going, and see what happens this time...

*he slows to a halt at a point just inside the city walls and at a respectable height above, looking down and out to the watchtower and the less intact grace surrounding it* This is one of the best places to see the city.

*sidelong quirk of a grin* It's far enough away that you can't see most of the major damage.

[startactician]

*catches the motions and notes it, but doesn't think it's of much interest. A simple need to keep an optic on him and make sure he stays in his place*

Ah. *spends a few moments gazing over the landscape. He speaks in a soft tone* It's quite beautiful, even like this. I've seen few places like it on Cybertron, and none on Earth. *turns to Dreadmoon* Although I hardly expect you to believe me, unfortunatly. It must sound like falso syncophancy.

[watch_in_shadow]

*half-smile* As no-one else seems to think that a Monitor would want to be complimented on their Sector, I believe I'll accept and appreciate the compliment however it may sound. *as a matter of fact he does think it highly unlikely that it's entirely spontaneous praise, but it's about equally as unlikely that he'd even hint as much...*

[startactician]

*is genuinely surprised* Why not? It is your Sector, your pride and joy. I would think its praise would come right after praise of your personal attributes. *turns to look at him, optics gleaming brightly*

[watch_in_shadow]

*soft laugh, his gaze cast down to the shadows at the roots of the city and apparently not noticing the look in Thrust's optics* It seems that the idea of being attached to a mere city, even one you control and have been built for, is not worthy of notice unless you wish to control it yourself. A compliment without provisos is extremely rare. *small, half-hidden smile*

And if you think that by praisin my city you can get closer to me, then raise it on as hig a pedestal you can. Just because it's true doesn't mean I can't play on your 'sympathy'.

[startactician]

*shrugs, still looking at Dreadmoon* Some people are foolish. They can't comprehend anything beyond what they can control and what they should destroy. They have no patience for the beautiful things in life. *looks out over Kalis again* Which is, I assume, why resources are being sent to that idiot Megatron instead of being sent here.

[watch_in_shadow]

*smiles quietly to himself*

*delicately, his face expressionless as he looks out over the scattered lights* Megatron's intention was to strip Earth of its resources and send them back to Cybertron. Unfortunately what with the Autobot's interference, the supply chain seems to have turned the opposite way around.

[startactician]

*a bit passionately* If it's not working, he should withdraw and find something more efficiant. There's no point in letting Cybertron die to fuel a war on Earth.

[watch_in_shadow]

*tilts his head and turns to give him a quirk of a smile* Again rather unfortunately, our glorious leader is - how can I put it - strong-willed when it comes to things like this. He is not easily dissuaded.

[startactician]

*dryly* I think you do him a great kindness in putting it in those terms, one that he doesn't deserve.

Is all of Cybertron so unfairly bruised and battered?

[watch_in_shadow]

Kindness or prudence, either way it is beneficial. *hintingly conspirital smile*

Most of it. The more central Sectors have been shored up to a degree, but it is near-impossible to escape the war completely. *with a courteous look, gestures if he would like to see more or stay as they are*