[accidental video]

[still_learning]

[It's been a few days since the end of the explosions that have been following him and others throughout the place. Jetstorm wasn't alone during that time, not entirely, but now that it's over, he's getting time to think about what all has happened. Who he was left with, the world he finds himself in now, the idea that they could all find themselves under attack again at any time, for any or no reason at all.]

I am a warrior.

[Where he is now isn't clear, but by the absence of sound in the room but for what Jetstorm himself makes, it's clear he's alone. If his feet could wear a path in the ground walking the same circle over and over, they would. There is no indication for how long he has been walking like this, one end of his nunchucks in each hand as if he thought he might need it. He seems fretful as he argues with himself, and completely oblivious to the little drone close by, silently recording everything.]

I am strong. I am swift.

[His hands lower and he doesn't seem to notice it or care. One hand lets go of a grip to reach up and rub down his face. A few paces later, his other hand goes a little too slack and his weapon goes down to the ground with a clatter. The Minicon looks down at it in horror with a cry.]

Ah! No!

[In a rush, he darts down to retrieve his nunchucks and clutches them in front of him again, grip renewed. One hand pulls into his subspace to retrieve the only other item he has ever carried on his person: a cleaning cloth. With a whimper, he steps over to sit down on a small stool that may or may not have been for a bot his size, or perhaps for a human, and begins to methodically wipe down his weapon from one end to the other, always in small, counter clockwise circles.]

Most humble apologies, Master Drift.

[But his fingers are trembling. He misses spots, only to go back and work over them again.]

I am strong... I am...

[Finally, he gives in and hugs his knees to himself, pinning his nunchucks against him, and shivers.]

Comments

[still_learning]

[Stunned, that's about the right word for it. He blinks at Breakdown. Is he serious?]

But I do not wish to attack you. A-are we only... sparring?

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[Headtilt.] Will you hold back if I say yes?

[still_learning]

[blink]

I... No, that is... if you do not wish me to hold back.

[But still, so much uncertainty.]

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

Then yes, we're just sparring. Now show me what you've got.

[He'll shift into a stance to be ready for an attack.]

[still_learning]

[oh he's still so not sure about this, but okay]

Okay. [He moves into a stance himself, empty handed.] May I request no weapons before we begin?

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[He holds up his fists.] These are my weapons, mini.

Come at me with anything you want.

[still_learning]

[He nods and knows good and well this isn't going to end in his favor, but Breakdown isn't treating him like his size means so little here. And he appreciates that more than said Con might think.]

Very well.

[Not that his size may not be of any benefit to him. He's got an idea where he wants to start, just to test the waters, and he goes for it with a shout, making a feint left, then darting to the right to come in for a kick to that knee.]

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[Are you kidding? Size means nothing. Seriously, have you seen scraplets?! ....Breakdown has also had unfriendly run ins with humans so.....yeah. Size means nothing]

Good. [he gruns when the kick hits and his knee buckles a little. Unfortunately Breakdown is a seasond war vet only recently separated from the war.] You're good with your feignts, not obvious. You're kick had good power behind it. You've learned pretty well for someone who's not seen war.

[still_learning]

[Humans? Yes. Scraplets?... No, never.]

[He hadn't attempted more than that one kick, not up front, and he's surprised that it did indeed connect... and that Breakdown didn't seem to try to avoid it at all. Even still, he's careful to fling himself out of range again once he gets the footing to do so.]

Master Drift has trained me intensively. I would not be what I am now if not for his teachings. He fought in the war.

[He... could go back in for the opposite ankle, but with Breakdown's lack of defense or offense, he's not sure. So he'll wait, expecting a counter attack.]

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[Be thankful. They're terrifying.]

So you have been trained. The way you were talkin' to your lself back there, I wasn't sure.

[He makes that "come at me" gesture, and waits.]

[still_learning]

[Oh, that was a low blow on a small bot. He's heard far worse, but for some reason, that one got to him enough that he has to shake himself and go back to his center again before he darts in again.]

[Another feint to the left, but if he can this time, he'll make a go for that other ankle, hoping to at least spread his stance more, get him off balance.]

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[He didn't mean anything by it. Jetstorm was trying to convince himself he was strong and fast before, that didn't mean he'd trained before.]

[Breakdown guesses the feint this time and shifts his foot, swinging a hand to try to smack Jetstorm away. If he does land the blow, it's...certainly not as hard as it could he. He's highly aware of his strength and he's not out here to injure the minicon.]

Don't leave yourself so open unless you're sure you can land a hit that will take down or stun your opponent.

[Looks like you've...got a new teacher? If you accept him in this roll he'll be harder on you than Drift in some ways, and yet easier on you too.]

[still_learning]

[He'd been expecting a counter attack, but that first one catches him by surprise. He's small and he'll try to dodge it, so close in, Breakdown manages to catch him on the side and knock him back a little way. As soon as he can though, he's right back on his feet again and ready for another round.]

[... And hardly let the words come out of Breakdown's vox before he's closing distance between them again. Leap right, dart left, make another try for that ankle, but instead, he'll dive between the bigger bot's legs and make an attempt on the back of that knee.]

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[Good! Good! He was hoping Jetstorm would keep coming at him. The diving between his legs he expects. He's big, Jetstorm is small, the mini should be using his size to his advantage. And going for the back of the knee? Perfect! The minicon is quick enough that even though Breakdown sees what's happen, he can't quite move completely out of the way. Well...guess what's happening. Missing an eye makes always keeping his eyes on his opponent impossible sometimes, this being one of those times.]

[He drops to a knee, but then leans forward on his hands to kick out with his other foot, aiming to either kick Jetstorm or sweep him back long enough to get up.]

[still_learning]

[He's had a long time to get used to being McTeenytiny out against larger opponents... Mostly his Master, but still. Practice is practice. And he's a quick little git, thanks most in part to his size, so he'll be careful to dodge that kick this time. That could've hurt if Breakdown had really been trying to nail him good.]

[But no lingering on that! He'll make to hop up on that back if he can, and if he gets there, he'll try for a stomp on the shoulder opposite the knee he just buckled.]

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[Breakdown doesn't go easy on people (exceptnin training where he'll pull his punches, even if it doesn't feel like he does) and a mini jumping on his back is expected. So that kick turns into a handstand like spin that has him facing Jetstorm again.]

Not bad. I don't see why you were trying so hard to convince yourself, Jetstorm, you should already know that you're fast and strong.

[still_learning]

[He hadn't expected to be facing Breakdown again so soon. Bot's faster than he thought. There's a quick look of shock from him before he uses that armor to bounce back, get clear, instead of going for that shoulder like he'd intended.]

[He lands on the ground again in a half crouch and straightens right off back into a defensive pose.]

It is one of my Master's teachings. You wou-... You may not understand.

[He really doesn't want to explain that, so without waiting for a response, he lunges again, going for a wrist this time.]

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[Yeah, he's deceptively fast and agile for his size and giant boob bulk.]

[He's experienced enough to keep talking while he flings his hand out. You want his wrist, you got it, fist and all.]

Personal pep-talks are only good if you say it like you mean it, mini.

[still_learning]

[That's not a strike he can dodge easily. He's quick enough to get another glancing blow, but one that connects a little more solidly and he's sent back, tumbling, landing face down in the dirt with a groan.]

[It's starting to feel like Breakdown knows what he's doing, for sure, but he doesn't understand what he was doing back in that room. Which isn't something he's not familiar with. He's had experience biting back his own feelings enough to make him sick.]

[And with that in mind, that's the last he'll say about it. Given a moment to recover, he'll be up on his feet again and rushing back around to strafe that bot one good time to come back and try to catch him with a punch to the elbow.]

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[He won't be given that moment. Breakdown steps over the moment Jetstorm comes to a stop, and clamps a hand on the back of his neck, picking the minicon up and settling him on his feet.]

Look, I want to help you, Jetstorm. I know you're all out of sorts right now, we all are when we first get here. Trying to deal with it on your own isn't the answer. ...Talk to me, all right?

[still_learning]

[Getting grabbed throws him off. He braces for impact initially before realizing he's not going to get hit and instead he's... getting a talking to?]

[He stares... and he's trying hard not to glare, because if he's completely honest, he's not sure what to think.]

I do not know what to tell you. If you know what this is like, then there is not much to say.

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[It's okay. Glare at him, yell at him, he can take it, and...well, surprisingly probably wouldn't even get mad at you for it.]

Doesn't mean our experiences or feelings on the matter are identical. Talk it out, Jetstorm, if not with me then someone else here you feel you can trust.

[Yeah, he knows, he's the big, bad Decepticon. Jetstorm probably doesn't want to tell Breakdown his "weaknesses" and "feelings". And man, it feels kind of...good to be doing this again, or offering to anyway. He used to do this for some of the Vehicons, because it helped them focus when it counted, and telling anyone else would have gotten them punished.]

[still_learning]

[He hadn't really given Jetstorm that impression, even from the get go. The glare is more out of uncertainty than anything, but that eases after a few moments, as does the look on him, and he backs off a step or two.]

I deeply appreciate your concern, but I will not be destroyed by this. I am not accustomed to... talking about what troubles me.

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

Doesn't mean it's healthy to deal with it yourself.

But all right, I won't pester you about it again.

...I would I like pick up with your training, if you'd be interested.

[still_learning]

I will not stay out of touch for long. That had not been my intention. I [Those shoulders tense, just the slightest.] do not do well alone. Please, understand.

[But now that he's been dragged out of hiding, he's not really willing to go back into it, not with Breakdown fussing at him. Something about that tugs at his guilt, just a teeny bit. That request, though...]

I am honored, but it is not customary for a student to commit to more than one Master. I could... still learn from you. I would not be able to swear devotion to you until I leave Master Drift's side, and I do not know if I am ready to do so again.