[3rd Transformation // Anon Text // Optional Action with Bumblebee]

[proveyourmetal]

[When Bumblebee first emerges from the damaged apartment of 010 in his robot form, 16 feet of towering metal and living machine, Vanguard is filled with immeasurable awe an wonder.

In an hour, when he finds himself sitting in the car form of his partner, playing session after session of video game inside his cabin, that wonder becomes joy. In three hours, when Vanguard goes to tell off some insolent digimon on Bee's behalf but Bumblebee speaks up on his own first, gently resolving the situation with his own voicebox. All he feels is confusion. Six hours later, when Vanguard has to step outside and get his feet on steady ground after one of Bumblebee's races, it's irritation. The final straw happens when Vanguard finds himself held in the giant, protective metal hand of his robot partner, narrowly injured from a reckless Chosen. Saved. Protected. Lovingly guarded.

Then... it's just anger and resentment.

He leaves Bumblebee to talk with companions just beyond the hole in their apartment (hastily covered by the staff with a sheet of plastic). Bee doesn't need Vanguard to help translate his feelings to the friends he encounters outside. He laughs, and dances and transforms just fine on his own.

So the digimon retreats to their room just a few paces away. It takes ten minutes for it all to boil over. In the back of his mind, he knows he's going to calm down and regret this later but... he's not thinking about that at the time. He angrily jabs an anonymous message into the D-terminal.]

+ [Anonymous Text] +

All you Chosen. You think you're so impressive.

You could hardly take care of yourselves when you got here. You couldn't figure out how to eat, sleep or walk. Some of you couldn't even speak. We chased off digimon three times our size to keep you alive. We kept you safe on the journey down to HospiTown.

We did everything we were supposed to. We're your digimon. We were made to meet you and fix this world together.

So much for partners.

You can take your real forms and just

Just go home. We didn't need you either.

[The moment he presses send, he experiences a moment of hesitation. Of something beyond anger. Regret? He crosses his arms and tries not to think about it.]

[ooc: Vanguard (Coronamon) will respond to text anonymously while Bumblebee will react to action outside the hospital.]

Comments

[proveyourmetal]

[He huffs impatiently at the message.]

I dunno, I was just SAYING stuff.

It was better the way it was before. Before they all changed.

[oneeyedterror]

Gosh you sound like such a baby level.

Have faith in your partner, they're good people. ... Most of them.

[proveyourmetal]

I am NOT a baby level.

[But maybe there's a little shift in his attitude.]

So you tell me then, if you're so smart. What am I supposed to do now, huh? Everything I used to do for him, he doesn't need anymore.

[oneeyedterror]

You're certainly acting like one.

[She feels she hit a nerve.]

Well for one, can he use the Terminal easily? Mine can't. If they're bigger than most of the digimon here then they can't go inside, so if they need anything from in a building they'll need you.

And I am very very sure they can't fight the big 'mons on their own either.

[proveyourmetal]

[He'll let that smart remark slide, but she stiff huffs and issues a glare at the D-Terminal that Jetstream can't see.]

Have you digivolved yet?

[oneeyedterror]

Huh.

Yes actually, and I died soon after I did it the first time. Why does that matter?

[NOT THE ANSWER YOU WERE EXPECTING, HUH?]

*still

[proveyourmetal]

[A-actually, he'd been asking because it would have been even SLIGHTLY more comforting if he'd been talking to a Rookie digimon like himself.

That's a bit of a hope crusher, AND a reminder that duh. Jetstream had to have been digivolved to have carried around Whirl like she did.]

It doesn't matter. Nevermind.

So... it really doesn't bother you? Having a big robot for a partner?

[oneeyedterror]

[Well she is a Rookie right now. That totally counts!]

Nope!

I mean, if you asked anyone around here about Whirl they'd probably tell you that he's the worst partner ever. And they'd probably add that being a giant robot would make him worse.

But he's great, maybe your partner is great too and you're not giving him a chance.

[The fact that Jetstream is saying all this while sitting on Whirl's chest is making it awkward for the Cybertronian helicopter.]

[proveyourmetal]

[Awww, she loves you, whirl. ACCEPT HER LOVE]

Well, he's not terrible, no.

And I guess his fingers ARE too big for the Terminal...

[oneeyedterror]

[He barely accepts your Optimus' acceptance, getting Whirl to accept love is asking way too much.]

See? And I bet there is a lot more you can do to help out right now.

... So which Cybertronian is your partner?

[proveyourmetal]

[A little stab of fear. Like Jetstream is figuring out who he is.]

YEAH RIGHT. Why would I tell you something like that?

[oneeyedterror]

Well, I could guess instead.

Although the fact you asked about digivolving really only leaves two possible answers.

[She's seen Optimus' partner evolve, and Wheeljack's. It's safe to say that Arcee's can too, since the female Autobot has been here longer than Whirl. SO REALLY, Jetstream is just doing basic elimination here. She's either talking to Otto or Vanguard.]

[proveyourmetal]

[In a panic, he writes:]

Stop that. Stop guessing.

Right now.

[oneeyedterror]

[She's smiiiiiiiiiiiling.]

Whatever you say, Mister Partnered to a Yellow Guy.

[That's her guess, how you react will let her know if she is right. And ignore Whirl snickering in the background.]

[proveyourmetal]

[SDkgjsaghasdg]

I DONT KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT

[private]

[oneeyedterror]

... Heh.

I really don't think Mister Bumblebee is going to ditch you, you know? He's probably just really excited to be himself again.

[private] [Audio]

[proveyourmetal]

[A pause at the reassurance, but he brushes that aside and talks about something more important.]

If you even think about telling him anything-!

[private] [video]

[oneeyedterror]

I won't but-!

[Whirl has actually heard the whole thing, or at least Jetstream's half, and he's laughing in the background. Because Jetstream has been on his chest this whole damned time.]

Whirl is a whole other matter.

[private] [audio]

[proveyourmetal]

[There may be a thunk on the other end of the line. The sound of Vanguard's head hitting the table.]

[private] [video]

[oneeyedterror]

... Well, he doesn't really do.

Feelings? So you should be good!

[So much hope.]

[private]

[proveyourmetal]

[quiety] So... You think he would keep quiet about it?

[private]

[oneeyedterror]

Well... Really that depends on one thing.

Do you want to keep quiet about this? It's your feelings after all.

[Her tone is caring and understanding, because oh has she felt frustration at Whirl herself before. Just. Not to the same level as this seems to be.]

[private]

[proveyourmetal]

[He mutters under his breath, somewhat reluctantly.] It seems kind of dumb now, after what everybody's said.

I don't want him to go. And I should be happy because he's happy.

I just... want to be important again, I guess. I wanna be...

[Is there even a word for it? He thinks to himself, searching.]

[private]

[oneeyedterror]

Well, it is kinda dumb.

... I think I get what you mean, and I really think you should talk to Mister Bumblebee about it.

[private]

[proveyourmetal]

[Yeah okay, he deserved that.]

Like I got a choice, with your big robot over there able to spill his guts to Bee whenever he wants.

[He thinks to himself for a moment, with a small 'Hnnnn']

What am I even supposed to say? "Bee, I hate your big dumb robot form, but you need to be happy and not leave, ever."