#ITS COMING ALONG

[lets-try-some-writing]

I know that you're super busy with class stuff, but (no rush) do you have anything else in that Ratchet snippet where he was stuck in a pocket dimension for many vorns being punished by Primus?

Its not a lot because Ratchet decided to go get milk for a few weeks, but here is what I have managed to write for this fic. I believe I may get a burst of inspiration and finish it soon.

Previous snippet here.

Time Locked: Snippet #2

When Ratchet woke, he was practically shaking. He paced around his garden frantically, his optics on the only real entrance to his prison. He marched around the borders of his garden, checking his crystals and tending to shoots that had grown out of place. He even dug up fresh earth for some of the new sprouts. Anything to keep his servos moving.

Then, by some miracle, Orion Pax returned to the garden just as the nearest star fully began its rise.

“Pax! It’s good to see you!” Ratchet’s servos shook, and despite the fact that he was covered in dirt from his anxiety driven gardening, he hurried forward to greet the archivist. Orion regarded him with a curious helm tilt before nodding. Only then did Ratchet notice that the Archivist had brought something with him.

“Likewise. I assume you have more questions, so I took the liberty of bringing a few items with me.” Orion stepped into the center of the clearing and unfolded a small table, the kind one would use to serve only one or two individuals. He clicked everything into place, locking the table into formation before putting down a box on top of it. Ratchet raised an optical ridge, but he was too excited to question further as he rested on his knees across the table from Orion.

“Based on your previous queries, I have come up with some explanations for you as well as these items of interest.” Orion placed down a datapad beside the box. That alone left Ratchet gawking. The thing was so thin and transportable. The datapads Ratchet used when he was free of his prison were bulky unwieldy things meant to be stored in huge archives just to ensure nothing was lost or broken.

“Here, take this. It is a collection of major historical events and changes across Cybertron.” Orion slid over the datapad and Ratchet was almost too afraid to touch it. Even when he was the CMO, he was forbidden to put a digit on the records the archives kept. He had to have an archivist grant him a copy or access to the documentation. To just be handed such valuable data-

He paused as he held the datapad. Orion didn’t know about Ratchet’s curse. The datapad would be all but useless when left exposed to the elements. Ratchet sighed as he enjoyed the clean and sleek look of the device. Modern technology… If this was a common item, how much had changed?

“I have also brought a selection of other devices to sate your curiosity.” Orion smiled in a cunning manner that had Ratchet instinctively clutching his new datapad against himself. However, the Archivist merely slid the box over, prompting Ratchet to glare at it in suspicion. 

“Open it doctor. I promise you that no harm shall come to you.” Ratchet hesitated before he carefully put the datapad back down and reached for the box. He searched for the series of hooks he was used to when it came to packaging, but his search was short lived as the box opened with a series of clicks. The lid came undone, and within was some sort of scanner and what looked to be a communicator. 

Looking up at Orion, the Archivist maintained his smile as he pulled the items out and laid them on the table.

“This is an identifier. I thought you might appreciate having the ability to know more about the flora which you cultivate.” Ratchet gawked at the device and its many glowing buttons. He never had anything nearly as high tech as this during his time as CMO. And it was a mere gardening tool? By the Allspark, he had missed a lot.

“And this is a communicator that you may use to contact me from now on if you so desire.” Orion held up the communicator as Ratchet placed the scanner with his new datapad. Ratchet glared at the device, feeling the mark on his spark flare in disagreement. He was not permitted outside communication, that much was clear.

“I can’t use that thing. It is forbidden.” Ratchet’s voice came out low as he leaned back, instinctually driven away from the thing before him. Orion’s helm tilted in curiosity, or perhaps confusion. Then, before Ratchet could react, Pax pressed the device into his servos.

“FRAG!” Ratchet screamed as he threw the communicator, watching as it fritzed and then exploded mere moments after he came into contact with it. He whipped around to glare at his companion, anger running hot in his processors.

“I TOLD you that it is forbidden! I can’t use those things!” He all but snarled. Orion for his part merely hummed and closed the box with a thoughtful expression.

“I see. I believe I may have begun to understand this situation.” Then without missing a beat, Orion turned on the datapad and passed it to Ratchet. The smile returned and Pax laid out his own datapad in turn.

“Since I am here, shall we discuss more of Cybertron’s history?” This mech was strange. Very strange. What mech found a random doctor in a garden in the middle of nowhere who acted as out of touch as Ratchet was and then decided to return for a second visit? Why was Orion so accommodating? Why was he here at all? Ratchet of course had no interest in complaining, but he could see an ulterior motive from a mile away. Pax wanted something, and Ratchet was unsure he could give whatever Orion was looking for.

Ratchet held his datapad and nodded distantly as Orion directed him toward a certain set of files. Ratchet obeyed and listened closely as Orion began to describe everything following the Quintessons wars. He nodded along in the beginning, having already learned a good portion of what was being told to him. He noted a few differences, small details and events that the Council had evidently seen fit to censor. In those instances he spoke up and Orion hastily made notes before continuing. But past a certain point, all Ratchet could do was listen with wide optics and look at the various pictures Orion showed him.

So much time had passed, so much had changed. And everything would continue to move on without him-

So long as he was trapped in his prison. 

“After the failure of Project Regen, the High Council diverted their efforts and implemented more restrictions on the castes. Too much freedom resulted in the death of the CMO of the time, a Prime, and quite a few well known scientists.” Ratchet’s optics widened as he listened closely. Everything up until this point had been largely information that he had been distantly aware of during his functioning but had paid little attention to. This was new.

“Castes were made more regimented, but also not quite as obvious. Social procedures took the place of numerical designators to denote castes and function. Medical knowledge also increased by leaps and bounds after the disaster of Project Regen.” Pax spoke with a smooth voice that hinted at vorns of performing this very function for others. Ratchet wasn’t startled much by the supposed leap in medical understanding. That was to be expected. When he was CMO he was already quite well aware of the new studies being conducted.

No, what caught his attention was the change from numerical designation to social procedures regarding caste.

“Once you have finished catching me up on our history, I would like to learn about the castes and the new medical system.” Ratchet made his request as he looked over the pictures of shining cities he hardly recognized. The history was all well and good, but it was the change in culture that mattered to him more. One had to know history to be familiar with culture, and by becoming familiar with culture, he could finally figure out just how out of touch he was.

Once he was the finest doctor on Cybertron. Once, he had sat upon one of the highest pedestals capable of being reached by a mech of his station. Did his knowledge and skill mean anything anymore?

“Of course, although I do believe we will not have enough time this cycle to complete this discussion of history.” Orion looked up, and it was only then that Ratchet noticed the nearest star beginning to set. He scrambled to his pedes, taking his scanner and datapad and hurrying toward the techtite tree in the center of his garden. It wasn’t much, but it would at least partially guard his new gifts from the weather. 

“What are you doing?” Pax questioned as Ratchet slid his gains into a small gap in the trunk of the tree. 

“Keeping these things safe. I can’t take them with me, and I don’t want them destroyed.” Orion made a curious sound and Ratchet shook his dirtied servos covered in grime. He felt the beginnings of exhaustion starting to weigh on his frame as he turned and tried to smile.

“Thank you for coming to my garden again. It has… it has been a very long time since I have seen anyone at all.” Again, Pax looked at him curiously with those cycling optics of his. Ratchet momentarily feared he had scared his newfound conversational partner away, but that fear eased as Orion nodded. That seemed to be his preferred reaction to just about anything.

“Please, come back to my garden on this cycle next vorn. I would like to know more.” Ratchet did not bow, he refused to sink that low. But he did try to make his genuine desire for further interactions clear with his tone. He had to keep this acquaintanceship. He had to. He wasn’t sure he could remain sane after being given a small taste of normal interactions again.

“You are quite fortunate that I am an archivist. My function is to teach and to preserve knowledge. Based on our interactions, it seems aiding you fulfills both those criterias.” Pax turned away, leaving the table he brought with him and only taking his belongings. Ratchet watched on quizzically but did not comment as the Archivist left his garden. 

Settling down against the trunk of his tree, Ratchet vented deeply. He did not think it was fair, but the fate he endured was a little less tormenting now that he had someone to talk to.

His digits brushed over the datapad in its hiding place as the light faded. His optics cycled slowly and his frame relaxed as weariness settled in. For once, it was a peaceful restfulness that overcame him. If Pax returned once, there was a good chance he would return again.

[avemstella]

I've been having a great time with this new patch (harbingers and Remuria, I was only ever going to have a fun time), here's some small rambling thoughts under the cut that aren't particularly spoilerly but just to be safe

Teenage father Arle, I'm in tears. She's a baby. I both love it and hate it, what is this pfft. Also because there is a very real chance that she became a Harbinger at 17, and Ajax has been stated to be the youngest person to become a Harbinger, that means he became a Harbinger sometime between age 14-16 (maybe slightly older if we bump up Arle's age because there is ambiguity there, but still). Of all things my fic to get right, honestly not the one I wanted because of the implications lol. 16-year-old Harbinger Childe, what a thing.

Also, people were always saying that Arle would be shitty because of Childe and Scara's voicelines, but I was always like 'yo those two are super biased they aren't the best source of info' and I like being right pfft. I love stuff like this, it's such fun character building for both parties.

It makes me really curious about Pulcinella, like there are two ways of reading his shit talking of Arle to Childe. A) he's got along with the previous Knave and is pissed she killed her so he's complaining to the kid he picked up, or B) he's intentionally isolating Childe from the other harbingers by making them out to be the worst. Also, could be a mix of both, and either way neither particularly paint him in the best light. Either way, super intrigued (though I personally hope there's nuance to him, we already have the Dottore/Scara dynamic that's just Dottore being the worst. Like don't get me wrong don't want Pulcinella to nessisarilly be a secret amazing guy (and I do like the Dottore Scara dynamic), but I think there's a balance u know).

Rip harbinger found fam u were too good for this world, though I will admit if we aren't getting that I do love a good political drama. I'm digging all the different Fatui factions and how they fight, but also work together.

Also, talk of Tonia rebellious phase makes me giggle because of future fic plans, and that's all I'm gonna say haha.

And finally Remuria! Okay this will be short because I've not had a lot of time this week and only just started that quest lol. But damn what I've seen so far is so cool. I love exploring this sort of thing and because I have a decent grasp of the lore has helped a lot.

Also this me being delusional, but me seeing the cat with heterochromia and how the ruins of Remuria were sealed under a Spring... looks at my Furina fic... (I know I'm delusional, but it brings me joy pfft). Furina is part of my Remuria exploration team for a reason haha.

But yes, I'll probably have more to say later (for example I'm waiting to unlock naturally Arle's voicelines/stories, though I have seen some talk of them), so stay tuned (maybe).

[ame-in-the-rain]

IM ALMOST FINISHED WITH THE METALTANGO PART OF THE OUTLINE

[ddeongies]

It's only been a week and a half since nmau was updated!?!

WHY DOES IT FEEL LIKE 5 YEARS.

think you can make it 3 more days? 😇

[tv1xx]

Mark Grayson!

Gosh, I’ve been on a roll with doodles and whatnot, I decided to complete an actual sketch I was working on…I’m still working on how to figure out the wonders of ProCreate and I’m pretty darn good happy with this.

Also, thank you so much for the follows, likes, reblogs, etc! I hope you all stick around in the future!

[stephmosphere]

[angelheartgamer]

MY BAD

GANG YESTERDAY MAKES IT A YEAR SINCE IVE UPDATED THE PERSONA CROSSOVER MY BAD GANG I"M SO SORRY, STG IM ACTUALLY WORKING ON IT RN, IM HAVING TO WRITE AN INTERLUDE AND IDK HOW I FEEL ABOUT IT BUT I STG IM TRYING. YK WHAT MAYBE ILL FINISH THAT PAINTING I STARTED A BIT AGO FOR IT??? AS AN APOLOGY????

[ollierachnid]

can't format carrd how I want it im gonna make a google site for my commissions instead

[bards-anonymous]

WIP of a piece I'm doing of @cosmicrecluse and my d&d characters!

[counterclockwisecomic]

Welcome to the official blog for the webcomic Counter Clockwise!

Here you will find updates, pages, and occasional behind the scenes content.

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Thanks for stopping by! ❤🕑👁

[sapphic-woes]

Me cackling writing this vantage fic for me myself and I

[rkivees]

This chapter is currently 8,6k words long and I still have three sections to fill out;;;;;

[spacejammie-eimmajecaps]

The second draft of chapter 19 is done

[blissfali]

finally doing more work on my ice fishing crimeboys fic… I started it in july last uear im a disgrace

[master-gatherer]

Laptop batteries are dying so I have to stop for the morning, but look at that! The scene is finally moving. Hopefully I can get one more good session in before my work week starts this weekend.

[gucciforasushirestaurant]

i'm writing two different Vamprie fics at the moment....and both have a jack the ripper element.....😬

i'm sorry i can't help but weave in historical things in my vampire fics (hence harry literally being an anthropology major in one of them lol) I'm sorry I'm sorry its a cures and you're getting both of them lol