P.S. I have another account where I like to reblog all the random stuff. I may like posts on this account so that I can find them later, so if I like something and don't reblog it immediately, that's why!
Ah traffic, a motorist’s worst enemy. Perhaps the mayor had ended his speech within the allotted time frame for once, although it was highly unlikely.
Turning his attention to the pair at the bus stop, Chase drew a heavy vent.
<<Not as much as I would like to…>> He hesitated for a brief moment, searching his internal files for proven facts. It wouldn’t do to influence Flicker’s opinion based solely on suspicions that he and Chief Burns were beginning to have.
<<The family is relatively new to the island, the child is currently enrolled in a daycare program attached to the elementary school…>>
He noticed the woman glance up and spot him, he also noticed the boy flinch as he was drawn closer.
<<….. Recently, the boy’s teacher has noticed him becoming more withdrawn during their daily activities…. and she’s reported seeing fresh bruises along his arms when she reminded him to push his sleeves back while washing his hands. He’s told her he doesn’t know where they came from, but he’s also begged her not to notify his parents about them.>>
A loud honk behind him startled Chase out of the dark thoughts that had risen while telling his story. As he rolled forward to catch up with the flow of traffic, he shifted his mirrors to look back at Flicker and at the two still waiting at the bus stop.
Flicker didn’t take his gaze off the two of them. The more Chase told him, the heavier grew his feeling that something was terribly wrong.
When the woman pulled the boy closer, causing him to flinch, Flicker felt as though he was being jolted. The way she had glanced at Chase… Despite the difference in species, the young mech knew he’d seen that cautious look before.
Then the boy happened to peek at Flicker’s direction. His spark went cold when he felt as though he had just looked into a mirror from the past.
«Dad.» The single word was said with the heaviest of burden. Flicker had never sounded this serious. «That boy, he’s-»
He was cut off by the startling sound of a honk. He started to roll forward, then stopped. The car behind him began to honk relentlessly, but he did not move.
He couldn’t leave, not while knowing what he did. What would happen when the mother and her son would get on the bus and go home? What would happen behind the closed doors?
What if the mother wouldn’t know when to stop, before it was too late?
Flicker transformed and stepped on the sidewalk, allowing the line of cars behind him to move forward. He glanced quickly at Chase’s direction, hoping that he would catch on, because there was no time to explain. The bus could arrive any moment now.
As Flicker approached the two, the woman seemed to grow suspicious: her hold on her son’s hand tightened. The mech put on a friendly smile, offering an open servo for a handshake. Inside he felt like he was going through a nightmare that could end badly.
“Hi, I’m Flicker, one of the Rescue Bots. I don’t believe we’ve met before?” After a moment of hesitation, the mother finally shook his servo. Relieved to have succeeded in making contact, Flicker continued to welcome them to Griffin Rock and explain that it was important to him to get to know the people of the island, as he often helped everyone around.
Except for a quick but warm smile at the boy, Flicker was careful not to look at him before he was certain that Chase would be nearby. He knew he couldn’t afford to scare the mother away now.
//A lot of people have left Tumblr over the years, especially after some of the biggest changes that have happened to this site.
I admit that I felt much more connected to this community (or what’s left of it) back in the day. I would rp with a lot of different folks and answer a lot of stuff that came to my inbox - not only questions prompted by ask memes but random queries and ideas and interactions, too.
While I’m grateful for the connections that have lasted up to this day, I admit I miss how things used to be. People no longer ask for rp with strangers or send random asks… or at least that’s how it seems to me.
Then again, I’ve been gone for long periods of time in the past. Even long-lasting friendships have ended because of it, so I’m not surprised if being gone for too long is reason enough to not interact with me anymore.//
//Honestly? I’d prefer to stay home and do my own tea lol, that way it’ll be just right (since I have an electric kettle with multiple temperature choices AND an excellent cast iron teakettle so I can prep any tea I wish just right lol)
However, there’s a Coffee House nearby that serves a really good Marianne hot chocolate! Sadly it’s somewhat expensive, but it’s a nice choice for special occasions.//
Honestly, my brain runs on animation. When I’m not animating, I’m imagining how things would look if animated. I keep returning to animations I’ve seen or made in my thoughts.
And when I’m animating? I’m! So! Alive!!! Of course animating doesn’t always go smoothly, but I still enjoy it! It’s thrilling to see the thing come to life slowly, bit by bit. Animating makes me happy. Animating helps me process things that are painful or complicated. Animating makes me feel like I have a meaning, like I have something bigger than myself to give to this world.//
1. What have you learned about people in the recent years of your life? 2. What got you started in your current job and how does it compare to your first job? 3. What’s your story? Give a paragraph statement (or two) about yourself and/or why you are roving the RP internet. 4. What do you feel most fulfilled doing? 5. What do you hope to see at your funeral/wake/burial/cremation? What do you think you’ll actually see? 6. What are you going to do after this rp session? 7. What’s the first thing we’d see in your fridge? 8. What of yourself has surprised you in these recent years? 9. What is the last thing you remember dreaming about? 10. What does your everyday, average day look like?
WHY
11.
Why did you last take a risk and what was it?
12. Do you like having many friends, just a handful, one, or none? Why? 13. If you could live in a movie or movie franchise, which would it be? Why? 14. Think about one of the things you would really like to do, try or learn. Do you plan to do it eventually? Why haven’t you done it? 15. For working people, why are you doing the job you’re doing now? For students, why are you studying the course you’re in now? For working people who are studying, why are you doing so and what are your plans? 16. Do you find communication easy or difficult? Why? 17. Why is this year better than last year? Or why was last year better than this year? 18. Why did your last relationship (friendship, romantic, work-based, etc) end? Did you burn the bridge completely? What did you learn? 19. Why did you quit your last job? Are you in a better place now? 20. Why are you really RPing?
WHO
21. Who do you go to for help? Do you often try to handle things yourself? If you’ve needed help before and not asked for it, why? 22. Who haven’t you met in person before and would like to? 23. Who are you meeting this week? 24. If you could have any neighbour you wanted in the world, who would it be and why? 25. Who is someone you admire? 26. If you were a superhero, who would be your archenemy? 27. Who was the last person who gave you something and what was it? 28. If you could switch lives with anyone for a day, who would you be? 29. Who are your favourite characters? 30. When you go for a meal with friends, who pays? How do you split the bill?
WHEN
31. When was the last time you did something for someone and what was it? Did you have a motive behind it or was it something you did out of being genuine? 32. When do you usually go to bed? Do you fall asleep immediately? 33. When is the right time to say no? (Choose your topic) 34. When was the last time you thanked someone and why? 35. When was the last time you took an exam and how was your preparation for it? How was your exam? 36. When was the last time your tried something new and what was it? 37. When was the last time someone texted you and what about? 38. When was the last time you had a mental breakdown? 39. When was the last time you told someone something no one else knows about; a secret? 40. When was the last time you were hugged or gave someone a hug?
WHERE
41. Where do you see yourself in five years’ time? 42. Where would you go for a holiday if it was your last chance to on this earth? 43. Where do you go for the best tea/coffee/lunch/brunch? 44. Think about some strong opinions (about anything) that you have. Could be about RP, life, school, work, people. Where did that come from; what happened to make you feel or think that way? 45. Where else would you like to live? Why? 46. On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you with where life has taken you so far? What are the areas you want to improve in? 47. Where did you go last week? 48. If you could time travel, where and when would you go? 49. Where is your least favourite place and why? 50. Where would be the scariest place in the world to you? Why?
HOW
51. How do you think the RP/Fandom community has grown or changed since you started? 52. How would your friends and/or family describe you? How different are you really to what they’d describe you with? 53. How would you respond if someone is rude to you or has done you wrong? 54. Aside from writing, how do you spend your free time? 55. Is there someone in your life you feel you should be spending more time with? How much time are you spending with them now? 56. How important is getting to know a mun when writing with them? 57. Name one or two other hobbies apart from writing you have. How did you get into them? 58. How important is writing to you? 59. How old were you when you first felt that you were truly independent? 60. How do you want to spend your next birthday?
“I… I don’t know. I’m not sure what… what they were thinking when they were naming me, or if there even is ‘them’ or if it was always only just him. I honestly don’t know that much about my past.”
“It took me a while, but I like my name. I may not know why I was given that name, but… Maybe I can find my own meaning for my name.”
“Well… I like a lot of things from nature, like the scent of grass after rain or the feel of warm sand on the beach. I also like soft things like plushies and blankets!”
“I don’t really like loud noises, though… Like thunder. Or shouting. Or harsh smells like burnt materials or chemicals.”
Why were you named the way you were? Is there a special meaning behind your name (or middle name if applicable)?
When is your birthday? What is your ideal birthday?
What is your sexuality/orientation? How did you discover them?
Whatβs usually on your shopping list?
What are some general hygiene things you do? How do you normally do your hair? What kind of products do you use?
What is in your pockets/bag/etc. right now?
What is it like where you live? How does it compare to where you grew up if it differs?
Do you have a favorite food? Whatβs your favorite breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert?
Do you have any other family members? Parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, etc.?
How do you feel about makeup? Are you any good at putting it on? Do you wear it often?
Would you say you are an introvert, or an extrovert?
If someone were to invite you to a party, would you enjoy it? What would you do during?
What scares you the most? And if it really happened⦠how would you deal with it?
Have you ever raised a weapon towards someone? Was it in self-defense, or was it purposefully? What happened afterwards?
Do you honestly believe that you are funny? Tell us your best joke!
Tell us about something thatβs happened recently (asker can request a specific βvibeβ to the storyβhappy, sad, annoying, funny, etc. if they wish).
If you were to describe yourself in a few words, what would those words be?
Do you have any pets? If so, what are their names? What are they like personality-wise? Can we see them?
What is something you care desperately about? Something that you just couldnβt live without?
Have you ever broken a bone? Have you ever had surgery?
How often do you cry? Do you happy cry, or do you mostly cry in sadness?
What are some weird interests or hobbies you have that people probably wouldnβt expect you to have?
Have you ever lost someone close to you? Who was it? How did you cope with it?
What is your favorite holiday? What makes it your favorite? Is there something in particular that you enjoy most about it?
Do you have any crushes at the moment? If so, do you think you will ever tell them? Has anyone ever had a crush on you?
Are there any certain scents, sounds, or textures that you like? What about ones that you dislike?
Would you ever consider starting a family? How do you feel about getting married, having kids, and potentially settling down?
What are a few things (or one thing) you want to do before you die? Why?
Are you happy in your own skin? If you could change something about yourself, would you, and what would it be?
Do you have a favorite article of clothing or accessory? Do you go out of your way to always wear it when you can? Why is it your favorite?
Chase remained silent as they pulled away from the rescue site. Letting Flicker decompress and gather his thoughts allowed the police bot to do the same as they drove the familiar streets.
Looking around, he was pleased to see so many things that reminded him of just how far his son had come from the frightened, insecure little mech he’d once rescued from a storm.
Yet, there was still that tiny piece of Chase’s spark that feared a day was coming when Flicker would be indifferent instead of excited when he came home from patrol, or that he would rather keep the events of his day to himself rather than happily chatting while helping Chase clean up, or worse still, feel like he was getting too old for gestures of affection. Flicker’s hugs had become something Chase looked forward to the most upon arriving back at the firehouse.
The comm-line coming to life broke into those unpleasant thoughts and Chase managed to shake them away.
<<Heatwave and Blades might have had time to get there, unless they were guilted into staying with Boulder for the latter part of Mayor Luskey’s speech at the baseball field. I suppose we shall find out once we get home.>>
Flicker laughed to himself, imagining how Mayor Luskey would just go on and on with his speech like he sometimes did. At least the weather was good - they wouldn’t have to endure the prolonged ceremony in rain if he got carried away once again.
Then again, it wouldn’t really matter if they were on their way home already or not. When Flicker looked ahead, he saw many cars standing before lights. It seemed that they’d have to wait out the worst of the traffic jam before they’d get home. When they stopped to wait in line, Flicker heaved an audible sigh.
«I guess some people left early.» Usually the traffic wasn’t this bad, but from what Flicker had heard, there had been plenty of pre-event activities at the baseball field that day. People were also starting to leave work, so those combined really slowed the traffic down.
As they inched forward time after time, only to stop again, they gradually came next to a bus stop. The blue vespa cast a sympathetic look at the people waiting for the next bus that was likely running late. Just then, a few of them seemed to give up and started walking; only a mother and her child were left to wait.
Suddenly Flicker’s spark felt tight, although he couldn’t tell why. Something about the woman and her preschool-aged son bothered him. He didn’t like to make any assumptions, especially without a good reason, but he couldn’t help the feeling that something was off.
After hesitating for a minute or two, he finally asked Chase through comm line in an unsure tone, careful not to sound accusatory: «Dad… Do you know anything about those two?»
Maybe Chase had interacted with them and knew something that would explain the young mech’s suspicions. Then again, Flicker was certain that the policebot would’ve reacted already if the mother was known to be dangerous in some way, like a criminal on the loose.
Heatwave dropped to one knee and pulled Flicker into his arms.
“No, it’s not a ghost.”
The outage was moving more quickly now, sucking power from houses and streetlights along the main road until it reached Doc Greene’s lab on the mountainside and silently exploded into a bright ball of light.
Heatwave shaded his optics, almost missing how the light was pulled into the end of a strange looking device that extended out from the lab’s rooftop. Venting a frustrated sigh, he gave Flicker a small smile and pushed himself to his peds.
“Looks like more science gone wrong-” A distant crackling noise caught his attention and he turned to see the pattern beginning again on another street.
“We’d better head up to the lab.”
Shielded by Heatwave, Flicker dared to steal a quick glimpse of the streetlights going dark again. He shuddered at the odd pattern.
The sudden bright light made Flicker look away momentarily, however the fear of unknown was lifted from his spark. Once the light had died out, the young mech looked back to the mountain again with a knowing “oh”.
Flicker followed Heatwave’s example, taking a step forward and bracing himself for what they might find in the lab. His brave facade faltered a little when the electric crackle made him startle, but he wasn’t nearly as fearful anymore.
“Sounds like a plan.” Flicker watched in concern as more outages began to happen in other streets as well. “W-we should probably hurry. And let others know, too.”
