[unmentioned to Ratchet is the fact that Prowl thoroughly scrubbed his hab suite for bugs and cameras, and would rather speak of secret things there. the door slides open.]
I see you got your leg repaired.
[If Prowl was upset from their last interaction, he doesn't show it. He invites Ratchet inside. The engex is already set next to a couch. ]
Yeah. I got a very clear reminder of why I need to be mobile in a crisis.
[Ratchet sits down and fidgets with the datapad in his hands for a moment, biting hard at the inside of his cheek--but he didn't come here to wriggle like a bug on a pin and waste Prowl's time.]
Here. All the information I could collect on the energon substance, and the beginnings of a protocol for identification, decontamination, and possible antidotes. [He hands Prowl the datapad--he's going to be so pissed when he finds out Knock Out had this already, but at least it meant he had somewhere to direct all that impotent rage for a while.] Figured you should have a copy, just in case. Also...
I am, in fact, aware that a critical aspect of what made your post so difficult was other members of the command staff showing up at your door with an intractable problem to dump on your desk for you to fix, as long as they never had to hear about how. Despite recent evidence to the contrary. Ah, hell.
[He rubs a hand over his face and stops hedging.]
Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked you to help me when I decided to deal with Megatron on my own, and I definitely, extremely shouldn't have blown up at you like that afterwards when you very sensibly told me to cool it. I was angry, and grieving, and that's not an excuse.
I know why you were upset. I don't take these kinds of things personally.
[he gives Ratchet a light smile. it's Prowl, of course he knows. What he's realized in that moment is that it's sometimes better to just say 'No'.]
Thank you for the data. I must say, this is rather thorough research in such a short amount of time, even for you. Perceptor might start feeling nervous.
[ he scans through the information. ]
I can forward this to Magnus for when we discuss security protocols moving forward.
That doesn't mean it was acceptable. Or that I don't owe you a thank you for putting your foot down--goodness knows what stupid thing I would have tried to pull off by myself if you hadn't.
[He shrugs a little, trying not to look embarrassed, even as he watches the small smile on Prowl's face.]
I went back to where the fight was and managed to collect some extras. We had samples from pretty much everybody from back when the other Ratchet was trying to make sure we all weren't going to spontaneously explode due to a space-time anomaly. I just needed to test, then compile the data. Which was handy, because if I didn't have something to do I might have lost my mind. I'm giving copies to the medical staff as well, so I'll update you if they have any insights.
[Ratchet pauses, knowing it's none of his goddamn business, but he presses on anyway.]
How are you and Verity? Just, things between the two of you seem better, recently.
She wanted to go on a joyride with me once we go planetside. After Garrus-9. After everything she's seen me do.
[Prowl looks at his hands like he's suddenly discovered god exists. He knows their mutual connection via Springer... but, could that be enough? He is baffled.]
[Ratchet steps firmly on a smile at the absolutely lost look on Prowl's face, tilting his head thoughtfully.]
No, Prowl. I don't think it's a human thing. I think it's a thing for people who have made a conscious decision that continuing to hate someone who is trying to do better is a waste of time.
You're right, it probably is, but I think that's the core of it. It is for me, anyway.
I'm glad, then. You need actual friends, not just Getaway and whatever his arcane machinations happen to be at the moment. I think she'd be good for you.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Be right there.
[And he is, now that he has four tires again. He knocks politely.]
Prowl? It's Ratchet.
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I see you got your leg repaired.
[If Prowl was upset from their last interaction, he doesn't show it. He invites Ratchet inside. The engex is already set next to a couch. ]
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[Ratchet sits down and fidgets with the datapad in his hands for a moment, biting hard at the inside of his cheek--but he didn't come here to wriggle like a bug on a pin and waste Prowl's time.]
Here. All the information I could collect on the energon substance, and the beginnings of a protocol for identification, decontamination, and possible antidotes. [He hands Prowl the datapad--he's going to be so pissed when he finds out Knock Out had this already, but at least it meant he had somewhere to direct all that impotent rage for a while.] Figured you should have a copy, just in case. Also...
I am, in fact, aware that a critical aspect of what made your post so difficult was other members of the command staff showing up at your door with an intractable problem to dump on your desk for you to fix, as long as they never had to hear about how. Despite recent evidence to the contrary. Ah, hell.
[He rubs a hand over his face and stops hedging.]
Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked you to help me when I decided to deal with Megatron on my own, and I definitely, extremely shouldn't have blown up at you like that afterwards when you very sensibly told me to cool it. I was angry, and grieving, and that's not an excuse.
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[he gives Ratchet a light smile. it's Prowl, of course he knows. What he's realized in that moment is that it's sometimes better to just say 'No'.]
Thank you for the data. I must say, this is rather thorough research in such a short amount of time, even for you. Perceptor might start feeling nervous.
[ he scans through the information. ]
I can forward this to Magnus for when we discuss security protocols moving forward.
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[He shrugs a little, trying not to look embarrassed, even as he watches the small smile on Prowl's face.]
I went back to where the fight was and managed to collect some extras. We had samples from pretty much everybody from back when the other Ratchet was trying to make sure we all weren't going to spontaneously explode due to a space-time anomaly. I just needed to test, then compile the data. Which was handy, because if I didn't have something to do I might have lost my mind. I'm giving copies to the medical staff as well, so I'll update you if they have any insights.
[Ratchet pauses, knowing it's none of his goddamn business, but he presses on anyway.]
How are you and Verity? Just, things between the two of you seem better, recently.
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[Prowl isn't used to people relying on him like that. They used to, but... He didn't exactly inspire a lot of faith in others.]
I still can't fathom why she called my name that day. Why me, of all people? I can't stop wondering.
[Not gonna mention Tarantulas or anything because why would he? Just uncover a bunch more warcrimes to Ratchet unprompted? Nah.]
Perhaps I should just accept it and see where it goes.
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[Ratchet's voice is quieter, his optics on Prowl's face.]
Maybe not the same way I do, but she does. Your difficulty seems to be that... she knows you and she called for you anyway.
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[Prowl looks at his hands like he's suddenly discovered god exists. He knows their mutual connection via Springer... but, could that be enough? He is baffled.]
Do you think it's a human thing?
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No, Prowl. I don't think it's a human thing. I think it's a thing for people who have made a conscious decision that continuing to hate someone who is trying to do better is a waste of time.
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[rubs face.]
Nevermind. Maybe I'll just go with the simple answer and say things are going well, which is not a thing I get to say very often.
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I'm glad, then. You need actual friends, not just Getaway and whatever his arcane machinations happen to be at the moment. I think she'd be good for you.
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Yes, I suppose you’re right.
She seemed to enjoy the auroras on Earth. Maybe I can review the R2’s star charts and see if we have similar spectacles on any nearby worlds.