[Open!]

[raceme]

WHO: Blurr and YOU~
WHERE: The junkpile
WHEN: Afternoon
WHAT: Blurr found his Christmas's present. He's not taking it very well.
WARNINGS: Racers having metal breakdowns over tiny cubes.

His systems seemed to be overheating badly, and he wasn't being particularly successful at cooling them down no matter how hard he tried. His engine revved a depressed tune as he observed the cube and tried to not break down into hysterics or laugh at the irony of it all.

Blurr knew that he probably looked pathetic, sitting in the middle of the junk pile and staring at a crushed mass that looked too much like himself for his liking, completely incapable of standing up. If this was a joke it wasn't a funny one. His hands twitched. He couldn't ignore the cube, nor he could throw it away. Who knew what it really was. It was wrapped when he found it and it had a tag with his name on it after all. And the stupid santa hat.

Blurr cradled his head in the crook of his arm and wrapped his other arm around his legs, trying to ignore how much his spark chamber hurt right now.

Comments

[thehardway]

It's not that Ultra Magnus is much prone for wandering, but things have been harder to process lately. As such, he actually takes his breaks now when they're designated instead of just working anyway. He takes that time and though he isn't sure of what to do with it yet, he ponders.

So here he is, baffled by the strange gifts in the junkpile, and the snow that trickles down.

There is a pause as he takes notice of a very familiar Autobot.

"Blurr," Magnus states, tone quiet and calm as he slowly approaches. Mysterious as to why to him, his commanding officer appears rather upset. The cube makes no sense to him, so he hardly pays it any heed.

Instead, he kneels down before Blurr. "What happened?"

[raceme]

The unexpected voice startles him and Blurr jerks back, looking around somewhat groggily at his surroundings before focusing on Ultra Magnus. He didn't even hear the bigger mech approach him. His engine still growls unhappily and he has troubles finding his voice.

"Magnus I...t-the cube...I don't know what is doing here or who thought..it must be a joke it need to be a joke..."

[thehardway]

"The cube."

The enforcer turns his head and looks at the odd blue cube with the hat on. It doesn't seem to mean much at all to Magnus. But more importantly it means something to Blurr.

Enough to distress him.

"At ease. It can't hurt you." Hesitantly, he offers his hand out to his commanding officer. "Should I remove it?"

[raceme]

At that, Blurr quickly flings himself after him, clinging onto his arm. “No! Wait! No no no no is not that! The cubes is...it was supposed to be me..in my world Cheeetor told me what Shockwave did to m-me ...butitneverreallyhappened!...I think _{.. I woke up here but} now that thing is here and I don't know if it's real or a joke or..."

He tries to explain but he knows that he's making no sense. Blurr's spark is still hurting. Getting even more nervous is not helping his already overheated engine. One of his hands moves to his chest and he makes a pained face.

[thehardway]

It takes a moment for him to follow. The Blurr of his own world speaks at a fast pace when distressed, typically, so he's able to keep up to a point, but the explanation is strange to him. Damned time displacement and whatnot.

He stares down at how his arm is clung to, and he considers a moment. Rung is more suited to this. Others, many others. Magnus is still unable to solve his own issues, who is he to help another?

Still, he will not push Blurr away. Gently, he places a hand to Blurr's shoulder. "What is real, Blurr, is that you're here with us now. That is the reality and no amount of cubes impersonating what Cheetor informed you can possibly change that. Now, I need you to cycle air through your vents slowly."

1/2

[raceme]

"E-easier said that done." He doesn't want to sound disrespectful, in fact he sounds more scared than anything else right now, but he couldn't help himself. Blurr tries to obey, forcing his cooling system to work faster, properly, like it's used to do when he's running in a rush. It's working but slowly and he keeps clinging to Ultra Magnus's arm.

"That thing is ME Ultra Magnus w-..what if it's me and it's still alive SOMEHOW?"

2/2

[raceme]

Meanwhile the cube is...well, doing nothing but look dashing in a santa hat. It is not alive, no, but if Ultra Magnus inspects it closely he might discover that the resemblances between the cube and the Elite guard agent clinging to him are noticeable.

[thehardway]

"I know."

It's simple to say words, to understand their truth -- but it's hard to accept during times to distress. Ultra Magnus can accept certain facts, but it's hard to convince oneself of certain things due to personal... issues.

His hand remains on Blurr's shoulder and he takes a moment to observe the cube. It does bear some resemblance to Blurr, he reluctantly admits, nothing seems to emulate life. Not that he's an expert.

"Blurr, if you're afraid of the idea that it is somehow still alive, I can take it to First Aid. However, I sincerely doubt that it is."

[raceme]

Finally he seems to calm down, or at least he looks less frantic than before. His air vents are still releasing hot air in quick and the revving sound of his engine hasn't died down. It still sounds pained.

"...are you sure? What is it doing here then? it had a tag with my name and it was wrapped like a present. WHAT sort of joke is that one?"

[thehardway]

There's some more consideration before he sort of just. Scoops up Blurr into one arm, sort of a strange way for him to hold his fellow officer. But he's found that it seems to comfort others for some reason -- he does not particularly see himself as comforting, after all -- and he's concerned for Blurr.

"I don't know," Ultra Magnus admits, "but this place has been known to be thoroughly unpleasant. I don't think this is too unusual."

[raceme]

He doesn't complain. There's a moment of insecurity in which Blurr realizes that he's being ridiculous in front of his coworker but right now he's is too tired to care. He's also really grateful for the contact and leans against him.

"I don't think I like Christmas, Magnus..."

[thehardway]

"I doubt this is how humans typically celebrate their holiday, but I understand."

Ridiculous or not, he intends to be here right now in Blurr's moment of weakness. He's carried off Blurr once due to exhausting himself; he'll do it again for a different reason if need be.

He stands and steps away from the cube, carrying Blurr in his arm. Not far, just a few feet.

"Let's not focus on that."

[raceme]

"How are _{you always} so strong? I wish I could do it." The smaller bot can't find the words to tell him how grateful he is for the comforting gesture, but he will try to compensate Ultra Magnus in the future. He gives the cube a worried look.

"Should be ^{leave it} there? Maybe it will be better if we bury it somewhere." Blurr will definitely feel better.

[thehardway]

"I find that I can better offer my strength to those who need it. I am an officer of the law, forged to protect." He's well trained to be an unmoving mountain in most circumstances. Really, he's more as such if it wouldn't have been for the glyphless.

No, due to the glyphless, he feels more... protective of those he works with. Considers his friends. Blurr definitely falls into that category.

"If you find that best, then we can do that. Would you like me to take care of it for you?"

[raceme]

"What about your own needs?" Blurr usually doesn't ask those things or pry much but talking helps him to calm down. And he knows that many of the bots who died recently were from Magnus's world. Magnus shouldn't be always stoic, I can't be good for his health.

Blurr moves one of his hands to his chest again, in vain trying to a stop the noise that is engine makes as an answer. "It's not RIGHT to ask you to do that that for me."

[thehardway]

There's a small huff of air from Ultra Magnus at the question as he pauses and looks down at the smaller mech. About his own needs indeed. Frankly, he isn't sure what he needs other than to get off of this planet, but that's not a very likely matter anytime soon.

He shakes his head slowly. "My own needs are being met as best as possible," Magnus murmurs.

A glance is given to the cube. "You are not asking anything of me, Blurr. I will deal with it if that is what you need of me."

[raceme]

"Your own needs are just as important as everyone else." Blurr doesn't quite find that answer satisfying and it mostly makes him sad. It shows in his voice.

"T-thank you..I don't think I could do it myself."