Tissiress

[kaijir]

Tissiress is a large, surprisingly young planet teaming with life forms of many different sizes. Settled right in the Goldilocks Zone of a young star, the various life forms thrived and grew quite large to feed off the towering trees, said trees reaching what felt like miles into the sky. The oxygen rich atmosphere supported these large adaptations.
The planet is mainly covered in ocean, one super continent adorning the planet split only by a marshy strip of land at the equator that is occasionally covered by a seasonal sea during the summer. To the north, thick forest stretched for miles, mountains dotting through the vegetation and cutting the skyline in harsh angles. Nearing the polar cap, the two large mountain ranges meet in a dramatic natural spire-like mountain, a frigid waypoint nearly completely covered in ice and snow, no life adorning the northern mountains. To the south, large ranges of dormant and active volcanoes create a snow covered range only thawed at the base during summers or in the event of an eruption.


Throughout the forest, mountains, and marshlands natural vents lay scattered around the planet, the young volcanoes that followed the highly active fault lines fuel miles upon miles of underground vaults leading to natural thermal vents heating natural formations such as caverns or even springs. Dotted through the marshland, geysers can be found as underground rivers meet over a massive caldera supervolcano formed when a volcanic range erupted and collapsed after a massive tectonic event. The magma stewing below heats the converging underground rivers to form massive pools and geysers, most of which are covered by the seasonal sea during the hot seasons. Due to the mixture of the massive caldera heating the grounds and the location at the equator, this land never freezes nor dries yet the presence of land shrinks for a large percentage of the year, making life scarce as vegetation is simplistic and holds potentially toxic traces from the volcanic gases seeping into the soil.



Most life lives in the densely packed forests of the north or the thick snow covered volcanos to the south. However, only hardy, heavily armored creatures inhabit the harsh landscape of the southern mountains, the frigid environment mostly untouched as such creatures are highly territorial and aggressive. The goldilocks area of the planet where most life thrives is in the forests, winter only touching the area for a period in which most life hibernates. This untouched land is bountiful with resources and terrain yet the landscape is ever changing as the tectonic plates shift, earthquakes and eruptions shaping the wild planet rapidly as it ages.

SPOILER: Click to show

Located on this planet is an utterly massive threat. Asir, the 71 foot psychopathic nagacon stalks the forests for victims. He will fixate and hunt any sentient life, even following them into the southern mountains if needed. Tread lightly for this planet is well known to him.

[Cybiscus]

It wasn’t long after the landing of the Abysmal Passage that the entire crew was out and about on the planet's surface, searching for the resources that they would need before continuing their trip. One of the members was currently positioned at the control panel, in case if the crew would have to make an emergency escape. Containers and equipment were being hauled around, and materials were harvested.

After assisting with some of the collecting and hauling, Swiftcut was given the okay to collect some of her possessions. Which, in this case, was food. She was running dangerously low, and gathering more was essential for her well being. She equips herself with a simple dagger, a bow and arrows, and a bag to hold her resources in, and makes her way towards the dense forest off in the distance.

An Aulveni’s digestive system makes it so that Swiftcut could almost consume anything. However, to stay on the safe side, she collects plants that weren’t too questionable. Her primary target were the creatures that reside on the planet. Organisms give her the energy to stay healthy and alert. Even though that most of the animals here weren’t as appealing in appearance, they were just as important to her.

Over the course of an hour, Swiftcut had managed to fill her bag at least halfway. Probably enough to keep her going for a while, but it didn’t hurt to take a few more preys, and one for the road. Perching on top of a rock, the Aulveni begins stuffing her face with an unfortunate creature, taking chunks at a time to gulp down. The taste wasn’t exactly the best, but it’ll do. After wiping off the neon green substance from her face, her antennas began to flinch. Her gaze immediately darts around, trying to find the source. A twig snapping to her right...sounds a bit suspicious, but it could’ve been wildlife. The left is what got her attention the most. It was looking like a large mass shifting around on the ground.

With her sword raised, Swiftcut makes her way slowly towards the direction, swallowing the remaining substances she had consumed. Trying to peek through the vegetation, the Aulveni squints her eyes to try and make out the...dark shape. It still wasn’t a good image. She reaches her hand out to gently brush aside the blockade of leaves and other shrubberies. She blinks a couple of times, antennas straight up as her eyes lay upon- something. A frame curled up in a ray of sunshine? She tried to stay as quiet as she could, but not knowing what she was looking at; the creature could have caught the sound of her moving the vegetation out of her way.

[Corvid]

When she'd stalked off, Graphene followed her. Despite leaving a reasonable time after Swiftcut, even Graphene's best attempt at covert surveillance was, well, about what you'd expect from a mechanic playing at being a spy; he was far too loud, the bot's chassis filling the forest with many unnatural, loud, metal clanging sounds; while the grey of his paint job might have helped him a touch if he'd stuck to the shadows, he instead chose the worst of resting points, right in the sun where reflection from his bright yellow features was eye-catching, begging for attention; his pace was too quick, so instead of staying just out of eyesight, he quickly came into near full view of Swiftcut and would have to stop for a few moments to let her go again. This process of infantile stealth continued throughout her hunt. Until, finally, he made unforgivable error.

Having caught up to her yet again, Graphene squatted inelegantly in the brush nearby, watching with his keen eye at the femme who so piqued his curiosity. By now he'd observed her picking loose vegetation, and gathering small animals. 'Omnivorous,' he concluded. He'd always suspected. But watching it, now that was different. He'd froze when he saw her pull one of the small, organic creatures she'd hunted. And when she took a generous chomp out of the hideous thing, he couldn't help lose the footing of his precarious position from how quickly his hand shot up to hold his mouth in abject horror. His back strut struck something as he fell, a branch, which loudly- 'snap!'- broke under his immense weight.

Embarrassed at being caught off guard more than he was worried about getting discovered, Graphene stayed right where he fell. There he'd stay, cursing quietly at himself and hoping that Swiftcut would spare him and leave him to his shame, and pass on by.

//You can skip me now. I'll stay out of the turn order until/unless it makes sense to bring Graph back. vuv;

[kaijir]

The seasons were changing, the air getting crisper and colder. Soon winter would be upon the lands. The small Nagacon was desperate to find adequate shelter, a thermal vent nearby while small enough to maintain his safety. Everything was down to a matter of survival. However, at this very point in time, Rile found himself basking in a necessary luxury, quite literally. After eating a rather hearty meal, the young Nagacon had stretched out on his back, armor and scaled hide flaring in order to absorb to soft heat of the young star above. With audials tuned in to the highest degree, the small Nagacon dozed lightly. It was certainly unusual to be able to enjoy this down time, letting the star stooth away the stress plaguing his systems as his core temperature raises healthily. 


After some time, he shifting, rolling onto his stomach, his tail shifting and snapping a twig snapping under the powerful tail as it slips around his tucked legs. Crossing his arms as he stretches his back, his helm comes to rest on said arms. It was a rare moment of complete relaxation as he settles in a semi-curled form, plating still flared as he suns himself. At least it would be complete relaxation if a noise to his left hadn't forced his lithe frame to tense. It was almost instantaneous. The slender frame shifted to a crouching position, optics wide as the red rings slitted dramatically, his audials perked straight up as he stares at the source of the sound. Dangerous clawed pedes dig into the ground, the dark soil giving way easily beneath them as Rile seemed prepared to flee, yet something had him holding his ground. His predator was never this subtle this close.
His plating smoothed out, his frame looking smaller and more agile as his warmed systems fall into place, that peaceful purr long gone.


Remaining crouched low to the ground, his clawed servos resting on the ground in a defensive posture, he growls out some form of speech. A surprisingly melodic merging of hisses and growls, clear syllables mixing into the fray seamlessly. However when that didn't receive a reply, he decided to try one last time before writing it off as a large animal foolish enough to approach one of the four apex predators of the planet.

"Hello?" His smooth voice called out, his audials twitching at every sound as his tail jerks and twitches on occasion, anxiety wracking is system as he actively assesses the situation. "Who's there." 

[Cybiscus]

Swiftcut froze from the set of hisses, hand tight around the hilt of the sword. What caught her off was how the hissing was produced. It didn't sound like any primitive species in particular. They seemed like they had more purpose, more meaning. Though, she couldn't even begin to understand what they meant. Whatever it came from, it wasn't by any means small.

It was then the familiar language of Cybertronian made her brows raise slightly. This was strange, and there were no reports of any Cybertronians being here. Unless there was a group that didn't want to be detected. This only raises scenarios in the Aulveni’s mind. A possible case of a band of pirates, or crazed individuals scampering about. Whatever the fact, Swiftcut would have to use caution. She didn't want to put the crew in danger.

“Hi- sorry. I don’t mean to cause any trouble. I’m just here scouting for supplies- passing through. Are you alone?” she inquires, keeping her grip on the sword tight. Her eyes dart to her other hand before quickly retracting it away from the leaves she had brushed aside previously. She didn’t want to debate with herself to see if she wanted to assess this stranger. She didn’t want to be seen. Though, that kind of defeats the purpose when she already had spoken out. Hopefully, this sign of a truce won’t escalate the situation into a bad one. With light steps, Swiftcut slowly backs away from the line of shrubbery, distancing herself a bit from where she heard the voice from.

[kaijir]

Rile wasn't sure what he expected yet hearing another voice respond certainly didn't seem like it. His whole body tensed for a moment, silently backing away from the voice on all fours. Being raised as he had, caution was always safest. Yet a swirling desire for a potentially non hostile interaction had his movements slowing then stopping. Plagued with a lonely life, Rile's instincts warred with unmet psychological needs and the troubled Nagacon pushes to stand upright, tail limp on the ground behind him as his audials perk and his optics train on the direction the voice came from.


"Yes. I am alone. I..." He trails off for a moment, frowning as his clawed servos twitch and clench beside him. "You can forage if you want. You don't need to worry about me if you don't mean any harm." It seemed accompanied by an unspoken wariness as the black and red nagacon glances around the clearing, both perked audials twitching as he listens closely to his surroundings. Many thoughts swirled through his mind, silent questions and a lingering warning he was unsure how to share. "If... If it helps you can call me Rile." The more he spoke the most he seemed almost desperate for interaction, even if his smooth voice was quiet and a touch unsure. 

[Cybiscus]

The grip on the handle loosened just a bit, but she didn't have her guard down anytime soon. The soft voice indicated that the entity wasn't massive. That's good.

“Right. Rile.” Her voice remains light, no intention to provoke anything. She stands up straight a bit more, looking to either side of her to look for any other movement of possible prey. “Thank you.” Was all she could say to be allowed to continue her hunt.

She takes a step before emitting a small click, blinking once as she lets out a light huff. With the sudden tense of her muscles and not having the proper rest she planned on having before, she was starting to get sore. Swiftcut rolls her shoulders and neck with a small hum, letting her antennas twitch around to listen out for noise. She stands still for a moment, a little question running in her head. She speaks without realizing,

“Why are you here? On this planet?”

[kaijir]

When she responded and it still seemed she wouldn't be showing herself, Rile's audials lower, the pointed plating held almost straight back from their usual high point. Moving as well, his pedesteps were nearly silent on the soft soil, his light frame subconsciously avoiding any foliage that may make noise as he moves towards the edge of the clearing. He wasn't going to force her to interact even if he felt the sting of lonely disappointment. As he reached a tree with the intent to scale it to move out of her way, he heard her question, audials twitching as he glances to where the voice came from. It wasn't something he thought of often. 

"Well... I was born here. This has been my home from the day I hatched. Plenty of food and heat sources but.... But very lonely." His voice trails off at the end, one clawed servo resting on the trunk as his red optics flick back to the tree. At this point, his audials seemed to be held in a lowered position as his tail shifts and curls tightly around his legs, giving away his rather pitiful emotional state. Quickly shaking himself out of it, he crouches down and leaps, easily landing on the first branch in the large tree, claws digging in to help him balance as his tail counterbalances, making it look like he was simply jumping up on a step rather than a branch above him. Shifting to crouch on the branch, his tail loops around the wood, keeping its close defensive posture as though he was trying to console himself, the only source of comfort he has ever received. "I've overheard stories from my p... From others about a metal planet. One that used to be home for my race but... But I was born here. Only home I know." A distant growling roar sounded deep in the forest, making Rile trail off, his audials perking straight up once more as his body tenses, red optics darting around, searching. 

Biting his lower lip plating, sharp denta and the broken fang digging into the soft plating faintly, he seemed to be weighing his options. The apex predator was close but it sounded as though he was still a safe distance away. His thoughts swirled and debated for a moment, his body lowering into a more wary posture on the branch. He could tell they still had time and he knew this area. He was confident he could lead the danger away, this other didn't sign up for his troubles

[Cybiscus]

Swiftcut lowers her gaze slightly as she listens to the response, her eyes dulling somewhat with a small hum. The answer, the tone of Rile’s voice, she could feel the sadness. With a couple of blinks, and loosening the grip on her sword, memories that she didn’t want to remember as much began to run like a tape, scene by scene. Loneliness. That was her everyday life from the beginning after she had been exiled. Lost on a planet she didn’t know, confused because of the languages she couldn’t understand, and the constant fear of not feeling the presence of her band. She was practically nothing. That was her life, until a small group of Autobots had shown her kindness, led her to what she knew now, and to the Passage. Though she was still the uncertain, timid Aulveni that she was, it was even better than what she had before. And really, she couldn’t thank them enough. They opened their space to her, and she would do anything to repay that for the time being. With that in mind…

“...If you need a change of pace, we always have work. I think it might be better than what you have now.” She spoke softly, though loud enough for Rile to possibly hear. Without a thought, she just said it. Perhaps it was because of empathy, she somewhat understood what the nagacon is going through. Certainly not all of the details, but, only some. After realizing what she had said, her heart jumps a little, with eyes wide. Shaking her head, she clicks and grumbles a few curses in her language, face getting warm now. What would the others think if she lets some random stranger come back with her? Truly they won’t mind a couple extra set of hands, right?

Clutching her bag tight, she takes a couple of steps back towards the Passage before stopping again, antennas trembling. There was no doubt that she, too, heard the roar from a distance. From where, she didn’t know. It was far enough to be challenging to track, but loud enough to indicate that whatever made that roar, it was big. The shock that came to her was so immense that she could only mutter under her breath,“What the…”

[kaijir]

Relaxing slightly after a moment, letting his audials flick once as he remains hyper vigilant, he registers the offer. She was offering to let him come with her? Where would they go? His keen eye slides over the foliage as he tracks her movement from sound alone, unable to see her. While he may be wary, a pathological need for company has him struggling with the right decision. Looking back in the direction the roar had come from, his tail tip flicks in an anxious motion. They had time to talk, he just had to be aware. It wasn't just him escaping this time so he needed to remain on top of things. 

"I.... Where would we go? I would really enjoy... Um." Frowning as he starts to speak, he seems to struggle for a moment, unsure what exactly he should say. "would I really be welcome? I would hate to cause more trouble than I am worth." Shifting forward to lower his lithe body to the branch, Rile seems to continuously glance in the direction of the roar, feeling a touch more anxious the longer he remains in his spot. Cursing softly in that strange hissing language, the nagacon seemed more and more agitated. 
"We might want to remain on guard.. Uh... Miss?" Having not caught her name, he left it at that, his black plating and scales helping him blend in with the shadows, the exposed red of his belly scales on his tail the only thing really standing out as it sways below the branch now, ready for his lowered body to spring out of the tree at the sign of danger. Cautious of his company yet hopeful, he seemed a bit more focused on the direction the roar had come from by now, almost all of his attention held on the dense forest. 

[Cybiscus]

Rile’s concern snapped Swiftcut out of her brief trance. She takes another step before stopping again. It was her instinct to hide from whatever unknown entities that she knew would be dangerous. But only when she was by herself. A knot gradually grows while her antennas tremble once more, trying to listen in for sound. Her eyes dart from side to side, her body frozen. With one last mental push, the Aulveni sheaths her sword away, doing a 180 all in one swift movement. She hastily walks back towards the shrubbery, the branches scraping against her armor as she pushes herself through into the clearing, eyes tightly shut to avoid any particles. Opening them again, blinking a couple of times, she looks around quickly. With Rile up above in one of the trees, she hadn’t noticed him yet, and probably won’t until he made an effort to move or jump down.

“We’re only here temporarily- and we’re leaving this planet once we’re done.” She looks around slowly, trying to listen out for any sound, “And if you do want to come along- I’ll deal with anyone who has an issue with it.” She cringes a little at herself, a bit surprised at what she was saying herself. Really, this wasn’t her usual self, or how she would speak generally. The influence was the urgency of getting away from whatever made that sound. The amount of plant life that was around them was a considerable disadvantage, and she didn’t want anything to happen to her. She didn’t want anything to happen to Rile. Her morality was definitely part of what was influencing her. Swiftcut was tense, and her balled fists were showing that.

“You’re right- I agree with you, we should be on guard. I know we both heard the same thing, and I think that we should- move away.” Her voice was starting to crack a little. “Do you mind coming out? Or at least say that you’ll move away to safety?” Her voice lowers slightly, antennas warm, “If you’re here still-”

[kaijir]

Hearing her turn and move back towards him, he instinctually tensed in his crouched position in the tree. However, once she moves into the clearing and he saw her, he found himself relaxing once more. Her posture didn't scream immediate aggression or danger which had this tiny nagacon all the more curious. Listening intently, Rile was stunned by what the other said, his optics wide as his audials perk nearly straight up. After a moment though, he glances away with a rather guilty expression, audials lowered sadly. It was about now the nagacon pushed off the branch, leaping down to the clearing effortlessly, landing on all fours elegantly and near silently if he hadn't let his tail thud on the ground to alert her to his reveal. His small red and black frame seemed perfectly adapted for life in the wilds as his matte scales covering most plating kept his armor from shining in the sun. 

"I would hate for you to get in trouble." His tone was soft, his tail curling around his legs as he straightens up. She was showing him kindness and he didn't want to cause her grief. Lifting a servo to run clawed digits over his face, his audials perking once again as he forces a change in focus, clearly wanting to keep the taller safe, he glances around the clearing once before back to her, determined red optics somehow keeping the soft innocence he seemed to radiate. "But I think... I think that can come later. We are being hunted. I know he's close. I just need to determine from what direction." Glancing around as he steps closer to her but maintains a cautious yet safe distance from her, the long tail swaying behind him in aggravation. He knew they had time earlier but didn't take into consideration their talking could be picked up but the predator's single audial from great distance. Everything screamed at him that they were in serious danger but running blindly into him would solve nothing. So Rile tried to focus his senses on trying to locating the stalking enemy, sharp gaze darting around as his autials were straight up. Yet no sound came until it was too late for the smaller to react. 

A loud splintering sound came from Swiftcut's right, Rile's left, the small Nagacon caught looking the opposite direction as a large body shoots into the clearing, felling a tree easily with his sheer size. A loud hissing roar in what could be made out to be the smallest's name tore from the charging nagacon, his position close enough that it seemed a single step meant he was upon them. A massive servo swipes out, the energon stained claw tips poised to catch the stunted techno-organic by surprise as Rile's fast reflexes try to rapidly recover and adjust to Swiftcut's presence. It left the smallest open for a bare moment, one Asir was more than willing to capitalize on as claws skim the ground, aimed for the red and black mech, fixated with a crazed look in his single visible optic, the dried energon accenting it along with the blood chilling smile. There wasn't a way for Rile to dodge in time as he braces for impact in an attempt to damage control.

[Cybiscus]

It was when Rile spoke after coming out from the shadows, Swiftcut turns to face him. Her brows rise slightly with her antennas perching up ever so slightly. As rude as it might seem, Rile’s presence causes her to stare for a moment. Watching his tail, his audials, all of the features that made him up as a nagacon. There was a brief sense of curiosity, with so many questions running in her mind. Could he possibly be a Cybertronian in some way? He didn’t say he necessarily was- he could be something different entirely. Whatever the case, seeing him was truly fascinating in her eyes.

She blinks a few times and shakes her head a bit, antennas bouncing lightly from the movement before she looks away once more, lips tight as she listens to him intently. What caught her attention the most was Rile mentioning ‘he’s hunting us’. Swiftcut raises a brow at that, opening her mouth to question him, “Who-” she was interrupted.

The larger nagacon, who had burst from the trees, causes the Aulveni to stumble back, eyes wide in shock. Her whole body tenses up as she sees large claws, one pulled back. Within a blink of an eye, she watches as Rile was struck by the giant. The tear made her antennas flick, her heart skipping a beat. Her mind was blank from that moment, lips quivering as her blood runs cold. Compared to her, this nagacon, this thing, was a behemoth. Breathless, she shifts her attention to Rile. Her vision blurs from the corners of her eyes just from the movement. She didn’t have time to think at the moment.

Catching herself, she uses the momentum to push towards Rile, avoiding the urge to look at the pursuing nagagon. With one arm stretched out, Swiftcut cradles it around his back, while using her leg to hike his own legs up to catch them in her other arm. Clinging onto the smaller nagagon, the Aulveni throws herself towards the direction of the ship, dashing through the shrubbery that was around them. She didn’t notice at the time, but her heart was pounding. Her eyes were showing fear. She was terrified.

[kaijir]

With enough time to brace, Rile had twisted defensively, his slight shift of weight leaning him forward enough that the swipe of massive claws only gouged his back instead of spearing through him, two deep wounds slashed horizontally across his lower back instead. The shock from the hit sent him sprawling onto the ground, energon splattering and staining the plant life as he rolls to get his pedes under him again. The pain had kept him from standing, ending in a crouch as a clawed hand reaches back to press against the wounds, his black and red plating rapidly staining with energon as it trails down his tail and the accompanying lumbar spines above. Unable to remain in shock for long with Asir so close, Rile had been able to instinctually straighten enough for Swiftcut to scoop him up and run.

Twisting his long tail around his own legs to keep out of Swiftcut's way, the small Nagacon glances back at their threat, Asir smiling cruelly as he cleans the very tip of his claws of energon with a flick of his forked glossa. The wounded techno-organic clings to the Aulveni as he keeps a close eye on the other mech, mind reeling as he tries to plot another move. In moments Asir lurches forward, his size making his steps sound thundering as he rushes after them, his single audial lowered in aggression as his frame was held low, his large gate allowing him to keep up. "What's this, runt? You made a new friend? Awww. How cute." His rumbled voice taunts so easily as he follows. He was playing with them. It was after a bit of a leisurely clase on his end that he lurched to the side suddenly, snapping several branches of trees out of the way, he leaps, landing on all fours in their path his long frame allowing him to cut off multiple directions as his tail curves to the side. "Why not stay and play, my little toys. I'm sure we could enjoy ourselves before dinner." Having heard them earlier, his deep rumbling purr of a voice spoke fluent Cybertronian.

In her arms, Rile squirms, trying to push out of her hold, a fearful yet determined look swipes over his face, ignoring the energon still falling to stain the ground below them. "Leave me here and you can escape. I can distract him." His gaze never leaves Asir as he slowly starts circling them, toying with them as he pads on all fours. "I've had to deal with him my whole life." Keeping his gaze on Asir as he lets out a loud hissing growl at the larger Nagacon, a defensive instinct. "I know his weak spots."

Hearing Rile's words, Asir snarls audibly, stopping partially behind them and using the struggling Nagacon as a distraction. A large hand swipes out, reaching to clamp down on them both, claws primed to sink through plating as he lurches for them once again. Deep gouges were left in the ground as talon like pede claws dig in. "No escape, Rile. You and your friend... Are done." Asir roars, his voice carrying through the trees, startling even more wild life. 

[Cybiscus]

Her arms were aching from the weight, but the adrenaline kept her legs and grip going. She jumps over and steps to the side in time, avoiding objects in her way. With antennas a flare and eyes bright, Swiftcut breathes after a couple of beats of her heart, and repeat. The satchel over her shoulder was receiving a battering, though miraculously it still held everything intact. Her eyes dart for the best possible way through the forest. But even though she tries to move around in a way that would lose the larger Nagacon, it was hopeless. Asir’s voice sent chills down her spine. The way it slithered into her mind made her sick. She could practically feel him breathing down her neck, making her lean on the edge of pure panic.

She remembers the terrible monsters that she would face along with her team. She had seen the horrible things that would happen if they ever slipped up. But, it would be so rare, the teams would always work together to assure nothing would happen. This scenario was vastly different. If she were to make one false step, that would be it. It would be just like what would happen to those teammates who had fallen.

Swiftcut’s heart almost stops as soon as Asir flies past her, hitching her breath as she slams her feet onto the ground. The ear-piercing screech of armor sliding across the earth made her wince, the sound of trees snapping made her brain ache. Without realizing they were closed, the Aulveni opens her eyes wide, staring straight at Asir. She stumbles a bit, her legs almost giving out from the sudden, excruciating stop. The air was hot as she wheezes out her breath, inhaling heavily to provide for her burning lungs. Despite Rile squirming, Swiftcut kept a tight hold on him. Not really for his own safety now, but for comfort. Why?

She never had the moment to think after Asir came after him. More for Rile. She didn’t know him, she didn’t know what was going on. Why did she grab Rile? Why didn’t she just run? She should’ve just left Rile behind, she was a stranger to her. Why would she risk herself for him? These thoughts were swirling in her mind, Rile’s voice merely a murmur to her at the moment. But it was making her thoughts shift a bit more. She grabbed him out of empathy. Seeing the situation that he was in influenced her to make some sort of difference, and hopefully, help in some way. She wanted to help Rile, just like how the Astrobots helped her. Seeing Rile like this, he didn’t deserve it. Swiftcut blinks a couple more times to clear the haze from her eyes, the white noise vanishing along with it. “I’m not leaving you here. I’m not letting you go.” That was all she could mutter to Rile. The way Asir had been treating Rile all these years, as Rile had stated, was unacceptable to her.

One of the Aulveni’s antenna flicks towards Asir’s position, catching his voice just in time. She swerves her head to the side, eyes wide once more as soon as she sees the claw coming towards them. Swiftcut turns herself, positioning her legs to jump away while using her shoulder to shield Rile to the best of her ability. By the time she moves, it was too late to run away. The giant claw catches a piece of her chest plating, causing her to click rapidly. The claw easily pierces the armor with a ringing sound of singing metal. With single quick swipe Asir gave, he manages to tear a chunk of the dark gray chest plating off of Swiftcut, along with the additional shoulder plating that was connected to it. This left the Aulveni with a painful sting, making her gasp briefly.

From the force of the swipe itself, Swiftcut was sent tumbling down onto the ground, landing onto her back as she held Rile on top of her for a softer landing. The wind was practically taken out of her, a brief squeak leaving her.