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Yes, I do tell everyone to value themselves.

[it's not clear if that one went over his head or if he's trying to joke, though his finials stay down and he's still clearly concerned.]

...Hmmm.

[he says nothing else, but clearly doesn't believe shotlock.]

[This Optimus was sweet, sweeter than some of the others he had met across the ship it seemed, or even the one from his own universe. It was almost endearing and kind of a game to try and figure out how much was deliberate diversion and how much was just simple naivete.

Shotlock finishes off his drink and orders another.]

I know that look. What are you thinking?

[his optics narrow slightly.]

I am thinking that claiming that now, in safety, is an easy assurance to make both to yourself and me. Would you say the same in combat?

[Shotlock's face goes tight and he averts his gaze, fiddling with his glass as he looks anywhere besides Optimus. He had asked the question, so he shouldn't be upset by the answer, but this wasn't exactly where he wanted the conversation to go. Then again, what did he expect, talking to Optimus Prime? One of them, at least, though sometimes it didn't matter.]

You know. If you had asked me that when I first arrived I would have said yes and it would have been a lie. But now... I don't think that's a lie anymore.

[his finials perk up and he smiles slightly with obvious paternal pride.]

Well! That's lovely to hear. Is it because of the people you've met on this ship?

[Shotlock smiles, amused, watching his cup as he swirls the liquid inside. It's hard to tell if the amusement is more towards Optimus or himself.]

Yeah. It is.

[He pauses for a moment, not certain if he wants to continue, but if they're gonna try and be a bit honest with each other...]

Back on Cybertron, before I came here. I didn't really have anyone, nothing permanent, nothing that mattered. It was the same here too, for a while. I-- [ He stops whatever he's about to say, frowns a moment then seemingly changes course.] Now I have Hot Shot and Rodimus and Wheeljack and Cayde and others. Makes it easier, you know?

[He takes a rather large swig from his glass.]

Yes, it does. [maybe in a different way for optimus, though he's not quite self-aware enough to realise it, and his own way is always slighty... unique, given his self-sacrificial streak about ten miles wide. but, he knows how it feels to be isolated, even recently when he's had people around him.] They are good people to have on your side, for you to prop each other up.

[Shotlock grins, a bit melancholy.]

Yeah, that's for sure. Must be nice to have family here too, huh? Doin better with any of that?

[he looks down and away for a moment, expression neutral, before he looks back at shotlock.]

Yes. All fine. As much as any of us can be so far from home, even if many of us are finding relationships and meaning that we might otherwise have never experienced back home. That is something to be grateful for.

Yeah. That's for sure.

[He was quiet for a minute as he looks down into his glass.]

You know, I think I may be one of the very few people on this ship that has no interest in going back.

[he considers that for a moment, as it's not a perspective he hadn't been aware of.]

I suppose it's quite easy to get caught up in wanting to go back to the familiar, with all the things that happen here. Hopefully in the end, we'll get a choice.

[Really, it was as much about having something to go back to. He's found his life is about the same here, if not better. But he presses his mouth shut, rather than say as much.]

Yeah, it's all about choice, isn't it.

[He needs another drink, maybe something a bit stronger. He scrolls through the menu quickly then orders.]

[something in his expression shifts subtly at that. optimus hasn't had much choice in his life, especially recently. after what's happened with GHOST turning on them... it's his responsibility, but it still stings, not knowing how much of it was them knowing the cybertronians on earth had no other choice and using that to their advantage. he doubts he will ever know how long that corruption was growing, and if it started with croft or not. the hatred in her eyes still chills him to his core, as he often thinks of it. his choice not to do something sooner. his responsibility. he trapped them on earth because he felt he had no choice. optimus looks down at his drink, then forces a smile.]

I suppose there will be plenty of options for us in the end, if we do have to remain here. It's a big galaxy.

[Shotlock is silent for a moment. He lets his gaze linger over Optimus for a bit and while he's quiet about it, he isn't subtle.]

Plenty of options... [It's more muttered than actually said.]

I appreciate the positivity, but you have more family to get back to, don't you? They must be missing you at least.

[optimus has his gaze on a fixed point on the table.]

I have my Autobots and a few other contacts to return to, yes. Yet... if I was offered the chance to return alone, I wouldn't take it. I would go with Megatron and the Terrans or not at all. We have to stay together, at this point in a more literal way than I might usually want to. I-- I'm sure you understand the want.

[family, though? he's separate as the prime. it's always been awkward with his position of supreme commander.]

[Shotlock swirls his drink then takes half it down in a single swallow. Optimus makes a good point. He had no interest in going back "home" at least not to the life he left behind on cybertron. But if he could bring Hot Shot with him? Wheeljack? Rodimus? Maybe things could be a little different.

He thinks of his sisters. Maybe he could find them. If they were still alive.]

I guess I kind of get it. Maybe not in the same way.

[He finishes his drink and quickly orders another without missing a beat. Moves practically practiced.]

It's hard when everybody is split up. How do you choose?

Haha, well in that case, it's very likely the space bridge will choose for you!

[oh wait, that's not funny. optimus looks down at his drink again.]

I mean. However this ends up. It's important to not take the time we have here for granted. Even those of us who spend all of it wishing we were home. Neither experience is wrong. This crew should be more united in this way...

[Shotlock makes a face and takes a hard drink.]

Sure. But you get a slop pit of people thrown unwillingly onto a ship in the middle of space, a good portion of whom didn't even know that was possible you're gonna get some cups of bad oil in there.

[He didn't mean for it to come off so bitter. Maybe he should lay off the drinks. Or better yet, drink more and get past this prickly stage.]

Yes, [he says tiredly,] but we are still all equal in this situation. Even those of us who were aware it was possible or are used to space travel-- this is a new universe. New rules.

[he tilts his head.]

Maybe something to consider when you are with those you want to stay with.

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