[Open]

[tearsofsteel]

Who: Albert/004 and whoever finds him
Where: Alpha Trion's quadrant, the graveyard
When: The day after Christmas
What: Albert pays his respects
Warnings: Just the usual Albert depressiveness

Albert hasn't been around the network or...anyone, really as of late. This time of the year wasn't the best time for him. It was one of those times where the past caught up with him especially hard. He didn't wish to expose people to that...and just be around people. Some personal matters he felt was best left alone.

It wasn't different back home, really. He preferred to spend his holidays alone. Blurr was recuperating and Teddie he hadn't seen in a while. He spent time with the only person he could feel comfortable with this holiday season. Even if she wasn't here, even if he could never get her back, he felt an obligation to pay his respects.

In the graveyard, he had a small stone--certainly not impressive, but enough to place a marker there. On it was scrawled the word 'HILDA'. His mood seemed to improve today. He didn't look happy, but he lost that brooding edge to him. He had his presents on, hands shoved in his pockets. What a peculiar sight, a gray-haired man talking with a stone.

"You like it? It fell through the Lambada. I thought you might appreciate it..."

He reached down, touching the stone,I hope you're having a happy holiday...wherever you are."
 

Comments

[deusexraf]

It wasn't often that Raf wandered through this area, but...to be fair, it wasn't really intention that brought him here. He was just taking a walk, at this point, doing a bit of exploring...

...when he'd realized he'd gotten here, he'd paused, and considered heading back the opposite direction. Spooky enough without him experiencing it, but...

...was that a voice?

Hesitating a moment, Raf finally let curiosity get the better of him and moved towards the sound. The sight of a man before a stone was...not unfamiliar in itself, but decidedly not something he'd expected to see, here.

[tearsofsteel]

Albert heard the sound of footsteps. He might of dismissed it were he not constantly on edge. Cybertron aggravated that condition. He looked over his shoulder to find...a kid.

That was first, especially considering the mostly robot population. What was he doing in a graveyard like this.

"Uh..." he felt extremely awkward, especially talking to himself like that, "...are you lost?"

[deusexraf]

"Ah...no. Not really." He had a general idea of where he was. Raf frowned a little, reaching to scratch the back of his head sheepishly.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to overhear, I just..."

It just...happened.

[tearsofsteel]

His expression softens. Regardless of the offense, it was still just a kid. He still feels a little ashamed of being overheard like that.

"...sorry you had to hear that."

[deusexraf]

"No, it's..."

Well, this is awkward. Maybe they should just move...past the whole. Tombstone thing. It's none of Raf's business, right?

"...I'm Raf."

He thinks they've spoken before, but...it's been a while.

[tearsofsteel]

Good plan there kid. Albert's not one who'd really want to share his past with someone so young. They didn't need that kind of baggage at all.

Albert isn't sure if they've spoken. Then again, when does he speak with other people. He nods, "Albert."

"I imagine it must be pretty hard, being on your own in...this."

[deusexraf]

That...earns a little bit of a shrug.

"It can be," Raf admits, rubbing the back of his head. "But...I'm really not on my own. Not as much as you'd think, at least."

He's got Raf, Miko...and everyone else.

[tearsofsteel]

He still doesn't feel so reassured, especially since the boy ended up in a graveyard on his own.

"It'd help if you had someone supervising you, something...

Anyhow, I'm sure there's other places you'd rather be than here..."

[deusexraf]

At least he's still living?

"I..."

He's not /fine/ on his own, but he's...mostly okay. He could just leave, but it comes out before he can really think;

"Did you...want some company?"

[tearsofsteel]

There's that.

As much as Albert would prefer brooding by himself, he couldn't tell the boy off. He nods.

"Yeah, maybe I could use some."

[deusexraf]

Truth be told, Raf wouldn't have felt bad to be dismissed. But seeing Albert just all alone...

Sometimes you could use someone to talk to who could actually talk back - in whatever way they could.

After a moment more of hesitation, he nodded, stepping closer slowly. He couldn't help but look towards the marker, straining to make out the name there.