starscheme | (no subject)

(no subject)

As always, Starscream gets his leads from the internet. Enough skulking around on the human network and you were bound to find rumors of <i>something</i>.

He'd flown to Japan this time, chasing rumors of some Cybertronian artifact or another. The sakura petals were blowing and his kokoro was-- no Okay he was just walking through the woods at the moment, trying to pinpoint the exact location of some ruins that he'd heard about. And then suddenly...

Was that a cybertronian life signal he was picking up...?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Drift sits on the grassy forest floor, optics closed as he listens to the soft bubbling of a nearby stream. It’s not long before he notices something has disturbed the peaceful tranquility around him. Even with his optics still shut, he can feel the sinister presence that is fast approaching. The birds go quiet and twigs snap off of trees.

Whatever is approaching has a heavy, dark aura…one that’s somehow familiar. Drift has been in Japan for a few months now, learning about the human country’s culture. He’s enjoyed a sense of camaraderie with the people here, at least the ones who are more open to their spiritual sides. And he’s become acquainted with the differentiating human auras. It had been long enough that he’d almost forgotten what one felt like, but this aura was distinctly cybertronian.

It’s not one he knows well enough to pick out their identity, but he can sense their malicious intent.

His hand slides down towards his sword, fingers curling around the hilt. He focuses now, clearing his mind and channeling his energy to his center. He remains still, listening intently as the cybertronian comes closer and closer. As soon as the presence is near enough, Drift draws his sword and blocks the stranger’s path.

“And just where are you going?”

Edited 2014-04-21 02:40 (UTC)

Starscream yelps and scrambles back a few steps as that sword swings out to block his path, striking a defensive pose with claw and wing at the ready. He skims the other bot up and down quickly, looking for an identifying badge, but it was obscured from view. Scrap. Far too many Cybertronians had been making their way to this planet lately, it was only a matter of time before Autobots started joining the crowd and this could be it.

He scowls, and when he speaks his tone is a warning one. “I don't really believe that's any of your business, considering we aren't even acquainted yet...”

As the stranger finishes speaking, Drift opens his optics and tilts his blade forward in a threatening gesture. Slowly, he gets to his feet, never allowing the sword to stray. He tenses when he spots the decepticon badge planted on the center of the cybertronian’s chest.

“If you don’t want anyone to know your business, you should take more care as you’re walking…”

He nods to the trail of destruction left behind the decepticon. “You’ve disrupted the delicate balance here; your ruckus has frightened the wildlife and destroyed the vegetation. I can’t allow someone so careless to pass through.”

Malevolent energy had started to spread into the surroundings and apprehension now fills the forest air. Drift keeps his body still and allows his aura to ease outward in attempt to cleanse the polluted area.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to leave.”

It's a good thing that Starscream has absolutely zero notion of aura or anything else that Drift is dealing with internally, because all he'd have gotten in response would've been a blank stare.

As it was, he still wasn't impressed, and that kind of hippy crap could only mean that this was an Autobot. Starscream had no desire for a fight though. This was supposed to be a simple trip: get in, get the artifact, get out. And now this scraphead was blocking his way.

"Well it's not exactly easy to tread lightly when this planet is just covered in squishy, fragile organic life." He reaches up to push the sword out of the way, optics narrowing. "But if you would be so kind as to let me pass, then I'll be out of your plating before you know it, and then we both leave happy.

Drift wouldn’t admit it, but he’s been waiting for this. He’s been stuck here for months on a solo mission and spent a great deal of said mission by himself. The isolation was welcome at first, but he grew weary from it after a time. His only reprieve was studying the humans from afar to gain a better understanding of them and their planet. That, and his occasional report to HQ.

It’s been a while since he’s had any face-to-face contact with a fellow cybertronian, and even longer since his swords have tasted combat.

Calm energy, Drift.

He’s itching for a fight; there’s a restless hunger for battle dwelling inside of him. But what the decepticon said rang true – the life forms here are delicate. He couldn’t afford careless attacks that could cause further harm.

“Alright, listen…I think we both know why you’re here, but this place is off-limits. I’ll give you one more warning. Back off, and I’ll forgive the damage you’ve already done.”

Drift draws his second sword and takes a step back into a battle-ready pose. It’s a stance he’s witnessed on earth, and he’s eager to give it a try.

He can't hold back the laugh that is so eager to vocalize itself.

"What is it with you Autobots and your swords? You know there's a reason they've been mostly replaced by projectile weaponry," he growls, hands cycling into blasters as he speaks. "Fine, if you'd rather make a mess of things by engaging the Second in Command of the Decepticons, it's your funeral."

“Really? So you’re Starscream? Can’t say I’m impressed. But your aura’s certainly oppressive, I’ll give you that. I didn’t realize the decepticon’s second-in-command had stooped to lowly retrieval missions. All by yourself?”

He grins and adjusts to a defensive stance.

“I’ve tried projectile weaponry and let me tell you that it’s overrated. My swords are an extension of myself and I can handle them better than any gun.”

Oh no he didn't.

The sneer on Starscream's face turns into a snarl, and his wings flare up angrily. "If the artifact I seek is anywhere near as powerful as the rumors say, I'd wager that would put this as something well above a mere 'retrieval mission'. Perfectly suited to my expertise, even. Now, this is your last chance..."

He paces carefully to the side, starting to circle Drift, tensed like he's ready to spring at any moment. "I don't have time to play swordfight with Autobot hermits... MOVE."

Cons always seem to forget that projectiles work best at what they’re made for…long-range combat. But for all his talk, Drift knows that dodging a blast at this range won’t be easy. His best chance is to strike first in attempt to gain the advantage.

He springs forward, one sword by his side as the other lashes out in a blow aimed at Starscream’s arm.

“We’ll see who’s playing!”

Not an entirely unexpected move. Starscream leaps to the side, though the sword still nicks him.

As a seeker, he excels at fighting from a distance more than anything else; he could handle himself up close hand to hand, but these conditions weren't exactly ideal for someone with his particular set of skills. Not enough room to maneuver through all this damn vegetation.

He skids on the ground a bit on the landing and immediately leaps up into a transformation, bursting through the foliage with a roar of jets. Then a split second later he's crashing back through the canopy on what he hopes is behind the aggressive Autobot, and fires off a missile in that direction.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only