"The ritual drinking of blood to overcome death has been practiced by many peoples. The Aztecs and other Native Americans, for example, ate the hearts and drank the blood of captives in ritual ceremonies, most likely to satisfy the appetite of their gods and gain for themselves fertility and immortality."-The Skepdic's Dictionary
When his shift finally ended that horribly eventful night, Starscream dragged himself to his room and practically dropped himself on his berth. He was exhausted. After all, premonitions took a toll on you mentally both and physically. Not to mention how muh energy his mods took. Speaking of which, he placed his hand into a seam on his side, unclasping a holder. Some armor from his waist fell off and clanged loudly as it fell to the ground. The seeker sretched his arms over his head, getting a nice feelinga as his now-smaller, curvier waist was released from that prison.
Catching a glimpse of himself i the mirror, he realized he forgot to do something else. He closed his optics, shutting off certain programs in his systems. When he opened his optics again, his wings and arm were adorned with intricate, tribal markings. He turned around, seeig one f his favorites placed at his lower back. He loved his tattoos very much. They were the symbols of his fallen race, and he took pride in them. Since the Decepticon ranks forbade allegiance to anyone else, he had to cover them. Usually, the rule was that the marks were burned off you, but he guessed Megatron was in a good mood that day(that, and he figured seekers were already dead) and let him just cover them up. He walked towards his berth, dropping himself on it.
As his optics closed into recharge, he began to dream again. Starscream found himself in a dark room stained with that same blood from before. Instead of fear and shock, the seeker felt a heavy sadness deep in his spark, as if he felt a deep compassion for someone he loved. He took a bold step forward, determined to know just what was the significance of this room. He suddely stopped when his optic caught something shiny in the midsts of all the blood. He bent down, picking up what seemed to be a white flower. Its petals were stained with the pinkish-purple fluid, and on its stem there was some sort of chain tied to it. Raising an optic ridge, he began to untangle it. When he was done, there was a heart-shaped diamond attached to the end of it. Like the flower, the diamond was drenched in the blood.
As he held the two objects in his hands, tears fell from his optics and onto the diamond. The blood washed away, cleaning the stone until there was only a small stain left. 'Okay...' He thought 'This is weird...' His sandness left suddenly, along with the tears. Two strong arms wrapped around his waist, making him feel safe and warm-
The seeker lifted his head up groggily as he woke up from his recharge. Great...another premonition, and nother day where he'd be so sluggish even Lugnut could beat him in a foot-race. This was SO not his day. He suddenly felt an itch, and he started rubbign his optics. Felling moisture, he pulled his hand away, finding it wet with tears. He realized that had been cryingin his recharge. As he remembered every part of the dream, he glared at his tear-stained hand, wiping it dry on his berth. There was only one person he loved dearly, and that mech died a long time ago at his leader's hands.
He sighed and shook his head, trying to forget those memories of him. He turned his thoughts to his dream again, realizing it was more prophetic of the farther future than his earlier premonition. He tried to remember what type of flower the plant in his dream was, but he just couldn't remember. All he could remember were his feelings, his discoveries, and those safe, warm arms...
Starscream stood up, walking towards the mirror. He studied his markings, as if they had the answer to his problems. Unfortunatey for him, they only signified his 'ability' in the ancient seeker language, which was good, since he didn't want anyone finding out about it. If Megatron abused him now, he'd have a fragging FIELD DAY if he found out. He wasn't safe. In fact, he was never to begin with. But as long as he could figure out what was happening and keep his powers a secret, everything would be okay... Well, okay as it would ever be.
The day, as usual, was uneventful and went by quickly. Starscream was stuck with monitor duty the whole week, and that just made him hate the fact that the days seemed to be getting shorter and the nights seemed to be getting longer(but then again, anyone on monitor duty feels that was). And on top of that, his premonitions just out of nowhere decided to pop up again and drain him of any energy he had, making him want nothing more than stay in his room and recharge to his spark's content, even if it meant sleeping for a thousand years, give or take. He was bored out of his mind again, and he didn't want to use the computer to play one of those little games Random installed out of the blue one day. It was a smart thing to do, but the game got old pretty fast. He suddenly got an idea, and smiled to himself while everyone else got ready for their 'bedtime'.
Once he knew for certain that everyone was in their own rooms and recharging peacefully(those lucky bastards), Starscream snuck into his own room, and quickly kneeled down at his berth. Reaching under it, he unlatched a secret panel and reached in it, dragging out an old, black case. He opened it, taking the cold, metal instrment like it was some precious jewel. It had been ages since he took out his violin and it surprised him how it had almos no dust on it whatsoever. Placing it gently on his berth, he picked up the bow with as much gentleness as he did the instrument. He picked up the instrument, making his way towards the monitor room again.
Instead of sitting at the desk, he remained standing as he placed the violin on his shoulder. It felt strange, seeing as he hadn't played it for so long. But just like riding a bicycl, he remembered instantly, and the violin just seemed to fall into place. He placed the bow over the strings and slid it down-
-SCREECH-
He winced. He forgot to tune it. Thankfully, no one came running in to see what was the matter. He silently thanked Primus and began tuning his instrument.
'Who at zis ungodly hour ist playing music?!' The icy persona, currently being the dominant personality, rolled his optic at the angrier personality's thoughts.
'It's probably Starscream. I can understand how boring it can get on monitor duty...' Hothead began grumbling again, and Icy sighed. He heard childish giggling through his mind, and the youngest of the personas spoke up.
'I zhink it's pretty! Who knew Starscream could play ze violin so vell!' Blitzwing sat up on his berth, unable to recharge peacefully anymore.
'How do you know he plays ze violin?' He could hear the other laughing at his question.
'Did you forget zat I can read minds as vell as foresight? You are becoming quite forgetful in your old age. Hahaha!' Oh yeah...he almost forgot about their 'abilities.' He ignored Random's statement, standing up from the berth.
'I vanna go see him!!!' exclaimed the youngest through their mind link. 'Can ve go? Bitte'
Primus, how he'd missed playing the violin! He missed its sounds, its weight on his shoulder...
Most of all, he missed playing his music on it.
He started a new melody, shifting his fingers to each and every note change. His fingers were in pain from pressing down on the string, but he didn't mind. Ater all, he hadn't played for a while, and the 'skin' on the tips of his fingers have softened. All he cared about was playing his spark out until he could play no more. The seeker began to add his own touch to the composition, adding more notes to the solo than there was. He finished the song in a lower key, and pulled the bow away from the strings. Feeling content, Starscream lowered the violin from his shoulder and set it on the desk. He smiled down at the instrument until a small applaud rom behind startled him. He swiftly turned around, trying to hide the violin with his body. His optics me the ones pertaining to the random personality of the triple-changer. He relaxed a little, since it wasn't his commander or Lugnut.
"Oooh~ Zat vas so beautiful! Vhy did you stop?" taken aback by the compliment, Starscream tightened his grip on the instrument. He glared at the triple-changer.
"Don't tell anyone I have this. We're not supposed to have 'mementos' of our pasts." Blitzwing changed personas, and, much to Starscream's relief, the colder of the three emerged. As usual, Icy held no emotion on his frame, so glaring would do nothing.
"Your secret is safe vith me, Starscream. We all have some sort of memorabilia from our pasts: Blackarachnia has old potographs, Lugnut has his journals, und Shockwave has gifts from vhen he graduated from ze Autobot Academy." Starscream lessened the grip on his violin. He knew everyone had their own little 'souvenirs' from the past, but what surprised him was that Blitzwing knew so much.
"So...did you know I had this?" The triple-changer shook his head.
"Only until recently did I find out you had somezing, and to my surprise. I never knew you played an instrument." He looked down, feeling a surge of pride. He then noticed the other's now-repaired wrist, and dared himself to ask.
"How is your wrist?" Blitzwing lifted his hand a little.
"It is fine. As I stated, I can take care of myself perfectly vell." Starscream felt his faceplate heat up.
"Oh. Well, that's good..I guess..." What was wrong with him? He was never shy, except when he was with-
"Are you listening?"He looked up at the annoyed mech. The last thing he wanted to do was to bring out Hothead and have a little episode like last night.
"I'm sorry," He apologized, "I got lost in thought."
"So it vould seem...Vhat was his name?" Starscream's optics widened. Nobody but Megatron knew he once had a mate.
"What?" He half-glared at the triple-changer. It was as if Blitzwing could read his mind. The mech stepped closer to him.
"Vhat vas your mate's name? My other personality vishes to know." He felt as if something was stuck in his throat. He tried repressing the memories, but a few seemed to slip out. His optics began to burn.
"Hi-his name was Skyfire..." He suddenly felt the other's hand, the one that was injured, wipe away his tears. He hadn't realized he was crying.
"Forgive me. Ve did not mean to bring up such sad memories." He gently pushed his hand away, wiping his own eyes. The seeker, though grateful of the other's compassion, couldn't help but feel a little suspicious at his knowledge.
"How do you know so much?" the triple-changer merely shrugged.
"I haf mein vays, just as you haf yours." He began to walk away. " Again, I apologize for asking about your past. If you'll excuse me-"
"No, come back!" The seeker half-yelled at Blitzwing. What kind of answer was that?! Screw Hothead, he had to know.
"What is wrong with you? Do you think I forgot about the 'confrontation' last night? And then you pop out of nowhere, ask about my past, and just leave?!" The Icy personlity glared back, threaening to change.
"I said I vas sorry-"
"And I forgive you for that, bu that's not what I'm talking about! How do you know so much? It's not like our team is very social." He wanted to just beat the mech down to a heap of scrap metal with his violin, but then his instrument would break, and then both sides would lose. Starscream did NOT like losing.
"I'm afraid I cannot tell you. If you knew, I may have to offline you." Starscream rolled his optics. What was his problem lately?
"What's wrong with you lately? I was only worried about you, and you go and attack me!" Blitzwing cast his optics down, trying to control his anger.
"Please, Starscream, drop zis, I don't think I can control myself..." Starscream scoffed bitterly.
"I can handle it. What makes you think I can't take care of myself?" He shot him back the comment from last night. He heard a click, realizing the persona changed again. He had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. Blitzwing looked up, glaring at him through his visor. He shuddered, remembering the look in his optics. The tank placed his hand on Starscream's shoulder, just below the neck. The seeker shuddered, not wanting an episode like last night to repeat itself.
"Vhat part of 'I can' tell you' don't you understand?! If you knew, ve vould all be in danger!" Starscream frowned deeper. Did Blitzwing have an ability, too? The mech in question leaned in closer. He gripped Starscream's chin and made him to look up, though less rough than last night.
"You can see ze future, nein?" Starscream's optics widened. Did Blitzwing know everything about him? For once, Starscream was afraid of the tank. His optics burned with tears again, and this time, he didn't try pushing them back.
"P-please," he begged, "Please don't tell Megatron. If he finds out what I am..." He couldn't finish his sentence as he began to sob in the mech's hold. "I-I'll do anything...just...don't tell him..." Through his hazy vision, he saw the other flinch, as if he was trying to hold back something. Instead, he switched back to the calmer face, and wiped the seeker's tears away.
"I von't tell. I promise you." He gave the seeker a small kiss on the cheek, making Starscream's faceplates heat up. The triple-changer left quietly, leaving Starscream alone in the monitor room. He glanced back at his violin and then turned to where Blitzwing left.
"His name was Skyfire, and he died because of me..."