[ti]Ep 2[/ti]It's not a total CATastrophe [Closed]

[Jazz]

Jazz was trying his best not to laugh at the kid as he went into an obvious freak out mode over the cat. From what Jazz could pick up in his files, this creature was rather harmless but he couldn't really say much of anything about it until-

He couldn't anymore. Jazz broke out into a laugh as he knelt there and raised a servo to muffle it as much as he could. The antics of the Scout were priceless and adorable, which made it so he couldn't help but to react the way he did. Jazz knew that he shouldn't have, as this was a planet they were all getting used to bit by bit, so it was normal for Bee to be more safe than sorry.

"Ah, man, Bee. I'm sorry-" he gave a struggled apology before he composed himself and the laugh turned into a smile. "Bee, Bee! Come'on, kiddo, calm down. It ain't broke, and it ain't gonna hurt ya. It ain't broke, and it ain't gonna blow up." It was nice to see that curious innocence hadn't left the Scout in spite of the ordeals he probably had endured from the war. "I think it's happy... or... enjoyin' itself, at least. See how comfortable it looks? Probaby just likin' the pulse of your inner workings or the warmth. It's fine, man."

Jazz moved carefully, easing his servo around the small animal to scoot it off Bee so the poor kid could at least get off the ground. Once it was safely secure Jazz stood up with it and kept his servo open as not to risk squishing the small organic creature he had. He couldn't help but to find it adorable, much like very small cyberfoxes and glitchmice he saw around Cybertron.

"It's a cute lil' thing. From what I gather, humans keep these as 'pets' or 'companions', alongside of other little critters. It's normal for more than one to be in a household. Guess they make organics feel comforted or somethin'." Jazz was inspecting the cat, scanning it and recording its image into his files for later.

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee wasn't amused, nor impressed by the tiny cat sleeping on him. He wanted it off him, but for some strange reason he didn't have the heart to move it. It looked so comfortable on him as it curled up. The vibrating thing it was doing was concerning though. Wide optics stared at the little black and white cat curiously, and the tiniest of beeps escaped Bumblebee – trying, and failing, to mimic the squeaky mewls it'd been doing earlier. The cat didn't budge. This was one content kittycat on his nice warm Cybertronian bed.

His gaze shifted up to Jazz once his beep failed to stir the cat, and he tilted his head. Optics narrowing just slightly as the older Mech laughed at him.

--Just.. Get it off me.-- He sighed, leaning forwards ever so slightly to rest on his servos. The slight movement didn't seem to bother the cat, who just curled up into a tighter ball. --I know it aint gonna hurt me. Look at it, it's tiny.-- Okay so he had freaked out a little bit earlier, but he hadn't expected it to start vibrating, or climb on him. For a bot that knew so much about Earth, he'd been taken by surprise by this little thing.

Once Jazz eased his servo around the tiny thing and removed it, Bumblebee pushed himself to a stand. Shaking his arms gently, a servo lifting to gently touch his chassis where the cat had just been curled up. The cat in question didn't seem too bothered by being moved, and was more curious than anything; nudging against Jazz's palm with its head. It was still purring away contently as Jazz scanned it. As far as it was concerned, these were just giant, warm, walking beds and posed little to no threat.

Bumblebee felt.. Strange as he watched Jazz with the cat. Like he should protect the thing – not from Jazz, but just in general. It was so tiny, and the harsh landscape didn't seem fitting for such a creature. There was a hint of jealously as the cat continued to rub and nudge at Jazz's servo. He held out his own servos and took a step forward, tilting his head.

--Can I hold it? Do ya think I'll be able to keep it?-- He knew right after he said it that there would be no way he'd be allowed to keep a cat back at the Omega base. How would he feed and care for it? What if it got into places it shouldn't? But the more Bee looked at the cat, the more he wanted to keep it regardless. 

[Jazz]

Jazz finished scanning it and collected the data for later. The cat was certainly not afraid of them which was probably a good thing, considering that if it scampered off somewhere they probably wouldn't be able to find it again. It was a cute little thing, still doing that weird motor sound in its chest as it rubbed against his servo which felt really strange against the metal. His attention was drawn away from the cat as he spotted Bee moving in closer and holding his servos out, staring right at the furry critter.

--Can I hold it? Do ya think I'll be able to keep it?--

Scrap. He couldn't tell the kid NO, even though he could already hear Optimus's words in his audio receptors telling him the same thing. No point in lying to him but no point in crsuhing his spark either. So, he'd just have to break it easy to him.

"Sure, you can hold it," Jazz said, handing the cat off to him as gently as he could. "Don't tense up and don't close your digits around it. You don't wanna risk squishin' it." Not like Bee really needed the instructions but Jazz found himself given them to him anyway. He watched the two, that smile never fading from his face. This was definitely complicated. Good thing he never had to raise sparklings of his own or else he probably would have been in a heap of scrap.

"As far as keepin' it, ya know I can't make that call. That's gonna be all up to OP, really so ya really outta check with him." Jazz paused a moment then straightened up and put a servo on his hip. "Though I don't see why it would be a problem." Well, he at least wasn't lying. The cat was calm enough so how much trouble could it really be? They DID have three human kids walking around base that could probably get into more mischief. "Small sparks learn responsibility best when they have somethin' they gotta take care of. A calmin' pet could probably do ya some good to return home to after a chaotic time durin' field work. So, yeah, why not take it back to base? The humans know of these things in ways we wouldn't be able to learn on our own so if there's anythin' wrong I'm sure they could help sort it out."

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee's field radiated excitement when Jazz said he could hold the cat, and he made grabbyhands toward Jazz, bopping from pede to pede excitedly. As the cat was offered out, he would gently take it and stand perfectly still. Blue optics wide with fascination as he peered down at the animal in his hands. The cat itself still didn't seem to mind being handled by the two bots, although it did let out a tiny squeak of a mewl. Which only made Bee melt more. This thing was adorable.

--It's so tiny! And skinny! And I knooooow not to close my fingers, pfff.-- He scoffed at Jazz for his advice – he meant well, sure, but Bee wasn't silly. He knew just how easy it would be to accidentally squish the little guy. As such, he would keep his palm open, and would sloooowly lower into a crouch – just incase the little guy wanted to jump down. He knew cats were good at jumping and landing on their feet, he heard that about the Lions and Tigers on TV – but this little guy was so small! He didn't want the thing to hurt itself jumping from so high up.

--I don't see why they wont let me keep him!-- He beeped cheerfully, tone full of youthful optimism. --He's scrawny and obviously needs attention and someone to look after him. He doesn't take up much space, and can stay in my quarters! Raf can help me!-- He had it all figured out. Except he hadn't really thought too far ahead. There was a matter of a litter tray, getting food for the thing – they certainly had no cat food at the base, and the only human food they had were snacks that the kids brought, and they couldn't exactly feed that to a cat, not to mention toys for it – and the seemingly endless places in the base that were totally unsafe for a cat. And with cats being cats? It would only be a matter of time before it got into each and every nook and cranny on the base, all the places it shouldn't go.

There was also the issue of asking Optimus' permission to keep the cat. That wouldn't go so well, and was something Bumblebee would have to work himself up to – after he'd made a plan on how he was going to take care of the thing and show that he could. Which is probably why he wouldn't even mention the cat at first, keeping it hidden in his quarters. He'd tell Raf, sure, but this would be their little secret.

--I should probably name him, huh?-- he chirped, his gaze never leaving the cat in his palm – which had started to cautiously make its way up Bumblebee's arm, much to his amusement. The tiny paws tickled, and it took everything in him not to flinch. --Whaaaat about... Onion?-- That was the silliest name for a cat, but Bumblebee found certain human words to be adorable, Onion being one of them.

[Jazz]

     "Onion?" Jazz didn't know all Earth terms yet, but he at least knew the name wasn't inspired from anything Cybertronian. Not like he expected it entirely, but maybe just a little? Okay, he kinda did expect it more than a little. Maybe the kid was more warmed up to this strange planet than he may have thought to begin with. Jazz was able to adapt, but to fully accept this new world as home would still take some getting use to. It was certainly different, but nothing so far had hinted that it COULDN'T be possible.

     Jazz chuckled.

     "Okay, it's your pet. Your name to give it. But you're still gonna need to bring it up to Optimus..." Jazz paused as he looked around. Then he cleared his throat and leaned in closer to Bee, as if not to let anyone else hear. "Eventually. Just keep it in your room so it ain't gonna go runnin' off where everyone else can freak out abut it." Jazz straightened back up. "We outta get the lil' guy back to base. See if ya can get one of the humans to help ya with getting it set up with food and... whatever stuff it needs to be cared for the right way. We can finish our race later, yeah? I need to practice a LOT more if I'm gonna keep up with you, speedy. Ya got some killer moves."

     Jazz patted Bee on the shoulder then turned around, his frame twisting around as he transformed. He reversed some so he had some space on the track then turned around and started to drive back to the main road. He figured that Bee would do the same and tuck the little critter in his cab soon after, but he still drove slow to give the kid either time to catch up or less distance to cover if he needed to turn back and assist.

[Bumblebee]

--Onion!-- Bee repeated cheerfully. Why not! Okay so he didn't know what an actual onion was, but it was a cute sounding name for a cute sounding cat!

As if on cue, Onion would trill again and stretch out on Bee's arm, making himself right at home on Bee's shoulder. Bee turning to look at the little thing, his optics wide in amusement. How could something so tiny be so cute? What was this weird... Feeling? Why did he suddenly have this weird urge to care for this thing and keep it forever? He would gently reach up to scoop Onion into his palm, cradling him gently so he wouldn't, or couldn't climb up him again for right now.

As Jazz spoke, Bee's optics would narrow slightly. There really was no getting around this, he did have to bring it upto Optimus sometime. But the 'Eventually' made Bee chuckle. That's more like it.

--Oh I'll keep Onion in my room! He can be mine and Raf's little buddy! Plus he'll be safe there,-- He... Actually had no intention of telling anyone about the cat. There was a nagging feeling that he couldn't hide Onion for long, but boy would he try. --We should get back though, ya right. We're already late.-- He grumbled, although that quickly changed into a beepy trill of his own at the compliment.

--Ya aint so bad yourself! We do need a rematch for sure though! This one don't count!--

That made him feel good, and he stood up a little straighter, as if proud of what the older Mech had said. As Jazz shifted into his altmode, Bumblebee would too – being ever so careful of Onion, the last thing he wanted was to squish the little guy mid-transformation.

This... Sent Onion into a bit of a panic and as such? The little cat became a black and white blur as he darted around the interior of the shiny (Although now slightly dusty!) yellow and black Camaro.

Bumblebee was used to Raf sitting in the passenger seat. But having four tiny paws blitzing around in a frenzy? FRAG IT TICKLED. And as such? Bumblebee could not stop laughing as he made his way to catch up to Jazz. He quickly overtook the other Mech, the sooner he was back at base the better; then he could take Onion and hide in his quarters. If Jazz looked closely, he may have been able to see Onion blitzing around inside Bumblebee as he sped past.

Thank Primus the base wasn't far, and he quickly found himself speeding down the tunnel – leaving it until the last possible second to transform back into his root mode. Anyone watching may have noted it was a slightly slower than normal transformation, as not to crush the tiny four legged passenger. He caught Onion in his servos before bolting down the hallway toward his quarters before anyone could question what the frag just happened.

--Gave the new guy a tour! Jazz c'mon let me show you to your quarters! Sorry we're late okaybye!-- He yelled. His beeps hurried and fast, like he didn't pause for a breath throughout the entire thing, servos cradled to his chassis protectively. Onion squirmed within, this was unpleasant and he hated it – but luckily they would be at Bee's quarters soon.

More bolting down the corridor before he came to a skidding halt outside his quarters. There was a tiny mewl from inside his servos, which he covered up with happy humming. Nope nothing to see here. No cat here. Nope. He quickly moved to open the door and went inside.

It wasn't very cat friendly in here. Not by a longshot. But that would change tomorrow when he picked Raf up from school.

[Jazz]

     'Oh boy, this could be bad,' Jazz thought to himself as he watched Bee speed up and pass him. He caught a quick glance of the cat in Bee's cabin bouncing off the window and he chuckled some. Maybe the cat wasn't such a good idea but hey- if they played their cards just right then he figured that no one would really be able to figure out the little critter was even there.

     Though, he'd heard stories of the optics and audials of Autobase- Red Alert, always lingering in the shadows... knowing what you were doing before you knew it. That may be a more difficult guy to shake up, but Jazz didn't know. The rumors of Red Alert were just that until he had figured it out for himself. Until then he'd just assume that it was like a story you told to bitlits to keep them from sneaking out of base. 'Red Alert will GET YOU if you try to sneak off at night when no one is watching'. Well, at least it sounded horrifying enough.

     Once Jazz had made his way down the tunnel he started to transform before he had even come to a halt, which resulted in an awkward twist of metal which started with pedes swinging around to the front and his waist pivoting around on the skirt before a shove of his servos landed him in a crouch. He stood from that, rotating his shoulder some as the rest of still retracting pieces fell into place, and he followed after Bee down the hall. The kid was fast even on TWO pedes! He also had a fuzzy tickle monster he was trying to hide off in his quarters so that explained that.

     With a shake of his helm and a small chuckle, Jazz picked up his pace some so he could follow after the kid without falling further behind than he had already. Once he arrived at the door to the quarters he stepped inside, needing to twist his frame to the side some before the access door closed and cut them off from the hall.

     "Nice place ya got here," he said as he looked around the living space, leaning against the wall next to the door with arms crossed. He hadn't been assigned a space of his own yet, as he'd been on the move for one reason or another since he'd arrived, but it was nice to see at least what the accommodations were. "Just... uh... ya may wanna make sure ya pick up all the bits of things ya got laying around. Ya ain't gonna want Onion knockin' somethin' down and gettin' hurt."

     There were small items here and there which, clearly, were not Bee's, as they seemed they wouldn't even be able to fit on the top of his digit. Jazz hadn't had the 'privilage' of being introduced to any of the human companions yet but he was starting to realize that they really were as small as implications seemed to be. Well, he was going to need to get used to looking underpede before he put one of his clunky feet down, at least until it became more second nature with how to maneuver with the much smaller comrades.

     "Stop bein' so tense and jumpy," Jazz pointed out as he watched Bee moving about. "Number one rule when sneakin' somethin' around is to always play it cool and the rest will fall into place. If ya go around actin' any different than normal than you're gonna be found out. Orion was good at pickin' that stuff out way back when. As Optimus, I'm sure he's been able to fine tune it to near perfection."

[Bumblebee]

Bee would hum proudly as he looked around his quarters, servos planted on his hips. It wasn't much, but it was his little 'space'. A simple berth for sleeping on, pictures on the walls – some better than others. It was obvious that the crummier looking ones had been done by Bee. There were old metal panels and various scrap metal parts on the walls. On the ceiling there were CD's and bottle-tops hanging by strings, as well as neat looking mobile solar-systems – old science projects of Raf's. Along the walls were shelves full of neat things Bee had found, mostly old cans, cool looking rocks, shiny pieces of glass. On the floor were yet more science projects of Raf's, some half finished, as well as multiple lava lamps in various colors. Scattered around were what looked to be a half finished computer, probably another project of Raf's.

--Thanks! Ya like it?-- He sounded so happy. Other than Raf, nobody else had ever been into Bee's quarters, and he was glad to show it off. The happiness would fade though at the mention of having to pick things up. --Aw man, really? What should I pick up? It's all safe? Least I think it is...-- he suddenly sounded unsure. Oh no. What if he had to get rid of everything? His optics would widen. If Raf was safe in here, a cat would be too, right?

His gaze didn't move from Onion, who was creeping cautiously around these strange new surroundings. His ears were pinned upright, and his eyes were wide – wider than Bee's almost it seemed – as he took in everything, and tried to work out if this was a place where he wanted to be. His tail held close and moving as he crept around. Onion was tense, and probably very skittish and scared. A drastic change from the fuzzball they'd met outside.

--I aint jumpy!-- He beeped defensively, glancing up and over his shoulder at Jazz before looking back to the cat before he bolted off somewhere. Okay so he was a little. He knew all about Red Alert. And knowing Red Alert? He knew about Onion already somehow. --I am totally playing it cool though. Don't worry. They aint onto me.. Er.. Us.-- Jazz was in on this too now whether he wanted to be or not.

He'd lower his servos from his hips, standing at a more relaxed posture.

--Really? Wait, ya knew Optimus when he was known as Orion?-- He sounded surprised by that, then again he didn't know much about Jazz to begin with. He suddenly sounded curious. --That does sound like Optimus, though,-- Not much got past the Prime, then again that was probably helped by Red Alert. --What was he like back then when ya knew him?--

[Jazz]

     "Yeah, us." Jazz chuckled. He already knew he was in for this just the same, but he didn't mind. He already planned to take the fault for this should they get caught and in some serious trouble over it. He watched the cat scamper off, pushing off the wall some as he walked to see where it had gone off to. Was it checking out its new home? Maybe just scared. Best to leave it be. He went to staring at the things on Bee's wall, smiling as he took in what was around him. This was definitely a room fit for what he'd seen of Bee. "Eh, just make sure there's nothin' layin' around that it can wiggle off into and get hurt. Things on the wall and out'a the way outta be fine." 

     Jazz reached up to playfully tap one of the CD's that hung from the ceiling, watching it as it spun around and caught the lights around them. It was a cool little light show. Sort of reminded him of...

     He paused and looked at Bee. "You... don't know the stories of Orion? Wow, man, I would have assumed Ratchet would have at least told ya! Then again... nevermind. He never did like to tell stories unless they were when he was on the battlefield, and even those were scarce. Well then!" Jazz took a seat on the berth, pulling his pedes up to sit cross-legged on the surface of it as he looked at Bee. Should the yellow bot want to sit down at his side there was still plenty of room. 

     "Optimus and I go way, WAY, back. Long before he became the Optimus Prime ya'll know, he was Orion Pax, the Greatest Librarian in the History of Cybertron!" Jazz spoke with dramatics, splaying his servos out infront of him with digits spread wide. He wasn't exaggerating, though, at least... to him it wasn't. He finally put his servos in his lap and leaned back until he touched the wall behind him. "As far as what he was like? Orion was one of the kindest, gentlest mechs you would have ever crossed paths with. There was somethin' about him that was just... different. I wouldn't have been surprised if he could jumpstart a dead spark just by a smile or his laugh. I always looked forward to comin' back to Iacon just to be around him. He never judged anyone and you always had his trust, even when you didn't deserve it. I'd never met anyone like him in my entire lifecycle, before or since. No offense to you! You're a great spark, but I'm sure ya know what I mean." 

     Jazz looked from Bee to the wall straight ahead. He had a smile on his face as he spoke, as though recalling the memories playing back for him. It'd been a while since he'd tapped into this part of his memory core.

     "He was a tough nut to crack sometimes, though. Workaholic with a side of perfectionist to a level of what human's call their 'OCD'. Before the war I used to do data collection- not so fancy term for what they called a Cultural Investigator- so he and I worked together. I came in with heaps of data, he would put it in the system. It was nice when the work cycle would end cause I'd drag him out for a high grade or two and we'd just sit around and just talk. He'd tell me about all the discoveries he'd made, I'd tell him about where I'd been off travelin' to- off the record, of course. The stories I shared with him ain't ever gonna be found in Cybertron's Hall of Records. For that brief time he could just be Orion- my closest and most trusted friend."

    Jazz perked up and looked at Bee and brightened up again in a smiliar fashion as when he had given the introduction of the proclaimed title he had given him as Orion. The hand gestures were there as well.

     "OH! This ONE time! Oh Primus, this one I gotta tell you but ya can't repeat it! If he found out I told he'd shove me right off the cliff." Jazz shifted on the berth so he was fully facing Bee, wherever he'd managed to flop himself down at. His servos were wild, digits spread as he spoke.  "I was workin' late shutting stuff down, and he came stumblin' in. STUMBLIN'! Seriously! I don't know what he had or how much, but I didn't think he would have been able to make it on his own two pedes without help. I almost fell out right there on the floor when I saw 'im! It was so unusual to see him just hangin' off like that and draggin' his pedes. I told Megatron that he was gonna be the one answerin' to the Higher Ups about what happened if anyone found out, cause they definitely would have pointed at me as the one responsible for that slag. With the chaos of that situation I don't even remember how he got to his quarters. I warned 'im that Megatron was gonna be a bad influence but he never--" 

     There was some silence then and Jazz cleared his throat, looking off, having just caught himself dropping Megatron's designation without thinking it over. Jazz had been through the data files of the Outpost crew, so he knew of Bee's interaction with Megatron. He'd have to tread a little carefully with that door.

     "Megatronus, Megatron, buckethead, cross-optic, tall-dark-and-broody, gloominator, snagglefang- whatever he goes by now. Back then he wasn't that bad of a mech. A little rough around the edges, but he had good under that prickly frame of his. Orion saw that and he told me to give him a chance- would get real mad at me when I would tell him he was bein' naive. I wanted to be able'a let down my guard and open up to the big guy, to trust him as Orion did, but there was just somethin' I just couldn't get past. Not that I had much to say about it with my own shady history. That early part of me agrees with him, but the mech I shaped out to be and am now ain't ever gonna forgive'im for the things he did." Jazz stood up from the berth and walked over to the wall he'd been previously leaning against and took his spot again, crossing his arms over his chassis as he tilted his helm to stare at the floor. His pede scrapped at it some, like he was kicking at something there but there was nothing but air.  "I know ya probably heard the story of how Megatron fell so far, lost his way, his mind... all that scrap. Lemme tell ya, brother, the stories ain't nothin' compared to havin' to go through it, especially when ya knew what they both were like before the war. The part that broke my spark was knowin' Optimus had to endure it and there was nothin' I could do to help. After I joined up with the Elite Guard I had my orders and assignments that were crit to the Autobot cause, so I didn't really get the chance to be around and work as closely with him as I woulda wanted to. I'm really envious of ya'll in that. So that leaves my question for ya." 

     Jazz looked up at Bee, smiling yet again. He was all over the place sometimes, but when he was telling stories? That was when he could flip the emotions everywhere. There was a lot of stuff in that memory core of his, some things he'd never discuss.

     "What's he like now? Optimus, I mean. It's been a long time since I've seen or heard from him."

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee's gaze didn't leave Onion. The cat was getting more and more confident with each passing moment. It was nice in here. A cool temperature, not under the harsh sunlight, free of little nipping scorpions and other nasties. No, this room was preeeetty nice for a cat. It even had lots of things to play with!

Onion pounced onto one of Raf's science projects, which looked to be some weird paper mâché model of a rocket. From here, the little black and white menace would curl up on the model and go into attack mode, kicking his legs against it furiously – little claws making easy work of the paper mâché and slicing into it.

Whooops.

So this was what it was like owning a cat.

This. Was. AWESOME!

He didn't even listen to Jazz's little warning, Onion was a tough kittycat. Just look at him! There's nothing he could wriggle into and get hurt on! The little thing was a killer! Bumblebee would lower himself down gently into a squat so he could watch Onion murder the paper rocket closer, not paying much attention to Jazz as he moved over to the berth.

--I heard some stories, yeah! Nothing really interesting though.-- He would move to sit down further, plunking himself onto his aft and crossing his legs. He was content down here, preferred it almost. And this way if Onion did decide to scramble somewhere he shouldn't? Bee could reach over and grab him.

--Sounds like he hasn't changed much, he's still kind and gentle,-- His tone was calm, like he meant what he said. He couldn't ever recall a time when Optimus had got even the slightest bit angry, and it was nice to hear that he'd always been like that, even before he became a Prime.

--Optimus smiles? Well that's changed! Don't think I've ever heard him really laugh, either.-- That was sort of sad... Was that because he was a Prime now, or because he really had no reason to smile or laugh? He was always overly serious, so maybe it was just a mixture of both. Maybe one day Bee could get Optimus to smile with a joke, or with Onion!

He would reach out to nudge the paper rocket with a digit, making Onion scamper and hop around before launching another kitty-attack, curling up onto the rocket once more and shredding the remains. His attention would briefly be drawn to Jazz as he got super overly excited about something, and his head tilted at Jazz's hand gestures. He couldn't help but chuckle as the older Mech reminisced.

As Jazz told the story of drunk-Prime, his optics would widen and he'd laugh harder.

--Whaaat? No way! Luckily you were there to help him!-- The mental imagery of drunk-Prime was funny in itself, but was also a little saddening for the young Scout. Optimus wasn't like that now, so he admittedly struggled with the thought that he ever was. He was always so serious and no-fun-allowed, he sometimes wished that he'd loosen up a little and try to relax and have fun – everyone else at the base managed to, but Optimus seemed unable to. Either through his own stubbornness, or just the weight of everything that was on his shoulders. --I bet it was nice to see him like that. Maybe ya could try and remind him of the good old days, or whatever ya call them.--

He shifted his posture some, sitting upright at the mention of Megatron, his gaze shifting back to Onion as he wiggled his butt and pounced the shredded up rocket pieces.

Heh. Snagglefang.

--That sounds like Optimus alright. Always trusting and giving everyone chances. I do know the story of how Megatron fell.. Cant imagine what it was like knowing him before the war, though. Can't have been easy seeing him turn into the Mech he is now.-- Well this suddenly got deep, and he found himself stumbling over his processor trying to think of what to say. He zoned out for a moment, thinking. He didn't know what Megatron was like before the war, he hadn't been around before the war – war was all he knew, and unless things suddenly came to an end? All he would ever know. The question snapped him out of it, and his optics would refocus and he'd glance at Jazz.

--Hm? Oh! What's he like now? A hero.-- He said proudly. --I look up to him more than anyone else. Always have. He's quiet, focused.. Always expecting the best from everybody. Still gentle, still kind. I don't think you'll catch him stumbling around from drinking high-grade anytime soon, though.--

His optics narrowed some.

--Maybe ya could come with me when we ask about Onion? Since ya aint seen him in a while, maybe he'd enjoy seeing an old face?--

[Jazz]

     "Megs could have been something better but I think he had so much anger and rage in'im that he couldn't get over it. Crazy mech lost his loopy mind the rest of the way. Major malfunctions all across the board, kiddo. If there was somethin' that could make the strongest mech's energon stop flowin', it was seein' that." Jazz leaned to the left some, back plates shifting around before settling into place again, then he straightened back up. The price of being old and having Ratchet rip you a new one for the poor care. "His ways are wrong... to us, at least. I've been undercover on the other side, and to the Cons? It's the only way to lead. Good ol' Iron Fist an' allow no weakness. His side got loyalists just as passionate as we do. At the end of the day, it's all about execution. All of us are Cybertronians fightin' our version of the cause."

     Jazz watched the cat as he tore about the remnants of the item he'd been pawing around at. What a violent little critter! It was still cute. Bee seemed to enjoy the company and he really hoped that Optimus would let him keep it. Jazz had a feeling that he'd have to do a lot cord pullin' to get their Leader to agree, though. If he could have seen the happiness on the little bot's faceplate? Maybe that'd be enough.

     "A hero? Yeah, that sounds about right. Long before he became Prime a lot could call'im that. There's a reason so many stood with him willin' to give their sparks to keep him safe, even before the lines were completely black or white."

      There was relief that Optimus hadn't changed from what he remembered of him, but that Bee had never seen him smile? That was a little bit of a clench to the spark. Jazz knew him in simpler times but he didn't think that he would have become so serious. He'd have to see for himself- maybe, as the kid said, he just needed to see an old face to bring that spark back. But there were good mechs here, and Ratchet was about, so that couldn't have been it. At any rate, he was thinking too much into it. He would need to pay Optimus a visit soon and weigh things out then. Maybe then he could poke around and see if there was an underlying part of him that had changed. He had no doubt that the war was responsible for it if there was.

     "Ya realize that even if Optimus sees me, that ain't gonna distract him from the issue at hand, Kiddo. There's a cat that's gotta be dealt with. He may even be mad at me for encouragin' ya to bring it into base!" It was nice to be around others again that he felt he could kick back with. He always did seem to get along better with the younger bots than the older ones. They were just full of so much ambition and hadn't had their sparks sunk or memory cores tainted by war yet. Jazz couldn't help but enjoy being around them. "But I'll come with ya. I ain't seen OP yet and I'd be nice to catch up." He could also figure out just where he fit in with this new team.

     "I heard there are humans that come'ere. Kids, if I recall right through Ratchet's description of those 'organic nuisances'."

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee felt something ache just slightly in his spark after the anger and rage comment. Bee had been known to lose his temper rather quickly. He had a short fuse, and it didn't take much to rile up Bumblebee into lashing out sometimes. It'd been something he'd noticed after he had the unfortunate incident with Megatron himself and the Cortical Psychic Patch, and yet he never seemed to be able to stop himself from getting annoyed. Carbine had seen it just two weeks earlier, that little human Nell had seen hints of it just last week.

He'd always been overly paranoid that Megatron had 'tainted' him somehow, and to hear that Megatron too was filled with anger and rage? Bee would no doubt dwell on this further and work himself up, before going to Ratchet for yet another checkup – only to be told yet again that he was fine and just being silly.

He was, indeed, just being silly – and probably needed to stop taking things quite so seriously and just loosen up a little sometimes, that's all.

His gaze didn't leave Onion as the cat made his way through yet more of the scattered science projects now that he was done murdering the rocket. Onion would lower into a crouch, wiggling his butt as he pounced a reflection that came from one of the CD's on the ceiling, then he'd pounce again and again, leaping around so much anyone would think he was part rabbit.

--I dunno how they put up with being led like that.-- He'd finally speak, his beeps quiet. He liked how things were here, everyone had a job and a purpose. Things were relaxed and relatively easy going, to be under such an iron rule was... Well, a scary thought. He was more than aware of the lengths that Megatron would go to for things, given he'd been mercilessly tortured by the Warlord himself; going on to lose his voice and arms, and then left for dead -simply for his refusal to give up information, so who knows what kind of fear and torture kept the Decepticons in line.

--But ya right. Each side is fighting their version of the cause.--

Carefully he would cross a leg under himself, keeping his movements slow as to not spook Onion into bolting off somewhere in the blink of an optic. Fast kitty-cat was fast, and he didn't want others to first see the cat while it was tearing down a corridor being chased by Bee. That wouldn't be a good first impression.

--I wish I knew Optimus before the war, woulda been nice. Still that's what stories are for, eh?-- He was still admittedly struggling with the mental imagery of drunk Optimus, but he would love to see that in future. Not that it'd ever happen.

--Good to know he's always been a hero though. Doesn't surprise me one bit. I know even now many would give their sparks for him, I know I would.--

His optics would adjust just slightly as he thought, gaze shifting back to Jazz for a moment. Field not quite so serious now, as he was reminded about Onion and talking to Optimus about him.

--Ugghh.. Yeah. Then again ya never know! Ya could say it's a welcome present to the base!... Nooo that wont work. Still, I bet he'd really like to see ya again. I doubt he'll get mad though, I don't think I've ever really seen him get mad.-- There was a first time for everything, but he highly doubted Optimus would get angry over a cat they'd stowed away.

There was some relief at hearing that Jazz would go with him. While he looked up to and respected Optimus with all his spark, he was dreading trying to convince him that he should be allowed to keep Onion at the base.

--Human kids? Oh! Yeah! Three of 'em. There's Jack, Miko and Raf. Jack hangs around with Arcee a whole bunch, Miko.. She hangs with Bulkhead, but she's pretty loud so maybe ya will get along with her too!--

His field radiated happiness then, as he started to speak of the third human kid that often frequented the base.

--Then there's Raf. He's my friend. He understands me, and not in a weird way. Like, he understands my beeps. Aint sure how. Never asked. But he does! All the stuff in here is his. And he's super smart! I end up on these weird websites all the time, conspiracy sites they call 'em, and he takes me right off! He's a real good kid. I'd love for ya to meet him, once ya settled and stuff anyways.--

[Jazz]

      "Maybe once this war is over and he gets all that added weight off his shoulders he can go back to normal. Cut back, hang loose, slouch, not be so... authoritative." He almost mocked that word, saying it with a sort of coy disgust as if the very need to mention it was appalling. "I'd give my spark for him in an instant, and that ain't just cause that's what I swore to when I joined up with this group of hot shots." When he said the last bit he thumbed at the insignia in the middle of his chassis.

      "It's nice to know he's got a lot of good sparks workin' with'im who are true to the cause. That was always a concern for the Guard; that someone would infiltrate the ranks and get close to Optimus then do'im in. Never thought that we'd be the ones who had that issue, but I guess the cons'll do whatever is necessary to get an upper-hand, even go through the rigurious trainin' of the Elite Guard." Jazz scoffed a little, his field going everywhere with different levels of annoyance. "Get rid of the Prime's guard dogs and that's one less layer to cut through."

     And then the field cleared.

     When Bee mentioned Raf and spoke about the items that Jazz now knew weren't his- probably including the little mountain thing that had been destroyed by the cat- he nodded and kicked at a piece of said destroyed object that had rolled over to him. 

      "Guess that explains all the tiny stuff in your room."

      Jazz smiled at the happiness from Bee's field that almost invaded his own and he took it in like a sponge. The kid really seemed to enjoy the organics, especially the one- Raf- that he spoke of in much more detail. That one was definitely going to need to be met, as would the other three, to see for himself what they were all about. In due time, though. As said, he still needed to be settled in and hadn't really had a chance to get himself a room yet.

      "I'd love to have a chance to meet your human friend. Though, this Miko you speak of." Jazz walked over to Bee and crouched down to his level with elbows on his knees, leaning in really close while giving him a serious stare. His field was blank, not hinting to any emotion. The masking was pretty much perfect- almost predatory, if that could even be used to describe Jazz for those who knew him well. "What makes ya think that just cause she's a loud human that she and I would get along? You implyin' somethin'?" It almost seemed like he was trying to intimidate the kid with the way he was sitting there and the lack of field readings certainly would have made it awkward.

     Then, movement.

     "Com'ere!" 

     In an instant Jazz had launched himself at the kid from his crouched spot to put him in a headlock. The distance between them was a short enough one and once he'd have the kid's helm under a locked arm Jazz would sit down, using his other servo to roughly scrub at the top of Bee's helm. It wouldn't be enough to cause damage, but at least to ruffle him up a bit and quickly end any possibility that his previous stance had been aggressive in any way.

[Bumblebee]

--Ya reckon he'll ever go back to the way he was? I mean.. He's pretty serious, and even when the war is over and done with I don't think he'll ever lighten up. I think that's just how he is...-- It was hard to admit, but Bumblebee really couldn't see the Prime ever being more easygoing and fun. Part of it came from being a Prime, right? It had to be.. Everyone else seemed to be able to relax sometimes, even when the war was still ongoing, but Optimus..? No... He just seemed to be unable to switch that off, and was forever serious.

He bobbed his helm as Jazz thumbed the insignia on his chassis, and Bee would copy the motion and tap his own chassis with a content beep. It was good to have so many awesome bots on their side, Jazz included.

He was curious about the Guard that Jazz spoke of, but due to the other Mech's field going everywhere with different levels of annoyance as he spoke of them..? He decided it wise not to ask or pry more into that part of Jazz's history, his attention shifting back to Onion to check the little guy wasn't about to run off.

He sensed Jazz's field clear, to be quickly filled with happiness like his own. He loved talking about Raf. To most? The humans were an annoyance. They were pests who got underfoot and were constantly in the way, but Bumblebee adored them. He adored Raf. It would sound odd to most others, but Raf was Bumblebee's best friend, and he didn't care that he wasn't a bot. He understood Bee, and Bee in turn him. He'd look up to Jazz again, field unchanging.

--I hope one day ya can meet him! Maybe ya can meet him someday soon when I pick him up from school! I'm sure he'd be happy to show ya what all the stuff in here does, hopefully he wont be too mad 'bout Onion slicing up his rocket. As for Miko uuh...--

His beeping cut off as Jazz began walking over to him, and he felt himself tense up as Jazz lowered into a crouch and stared him down. It was hard to tell what was going on under the visor.. Was he glaring? Was he mad? Jazz's field was blank again, which gave away nothing.. Had he said something wrong about Miko and Jazz being loud? Bee was confused, and a little scared!

--I ah.. I Just mean that.. She likes real loud music and-...! Ack!--

There was movement, and before Bee could even work out what was happening? Jazz had launched himself at the young Scout. Bee squawked and chuckled as he was pushed into a headlock, squealing as he was 'noogied' by the other Mech.

--Aahh! No! Jazz! Aah Stoppppp!!-- He was beeping inbetween laughter, servos scrambling to try and playfully shove the other Mech away.

This sudden movement, and the squealing, frantic beeps from Bumblebee would startle Onion; whos tail fluffed up to almost double in size. The cats back arched and he scrambled away, knocking over yet more of Raf's belongings that lay scattered on the floor, crawling under the berth – which was the only reasonable place to hide, and hissing loudly at the pair.

[Jazz]

     "Loud music? You sayin' I just crank it up? Or that I'm loud? TAKE IT, BEE!" Even as the other mech struggled to try and get himself free, Jazz just continued. He locked his arm, refusing to let the younger mech free in spite of his attempts to push it away. No, it wasn't going to be that easy- he fully intended on making any possibility of release on his terms. So try as the yellow scout might, Jazz refused to let up.

     "Nope! Not gonna be that easy, tyke! Say Uncle!"

     No one ever believed just how old Jazz actually was. He had an easier time fitting in with a lot of the younger mechs and often would be put in charge of their training when they would come through on recruitment to either the Guard or just within the faction itself. He wasn't as rough on them as some of the other officers were and he always admitted to enjoying the livelier, more kicked back times, but even Jazz knew that it was about war and survival. Bad apples still had to be weeded out, and those just not cut out for the jobs they enlisted had to be dispersed elsewhere. Soldiers... all of them turned into one in some way, and he'd had a servo in their training. Watching each of them grow into different mechs was like a creator watching their sparkling go off to greater things... and thought of it in just that way.

     Oh, the cat. It was making noises somewhere within the quarters, and the noise was definitely not a happy one. Either it was scared, or it was about to tear something else up. Or maybe it was going for the kill. 

     ... Kill something else within the room, maybe, since a cat latched onto one of their metal hides would only result in it being unable to grip and would just be pulled down by gravity. Like when a cat would catch onto curtains or screen doors and slowly drop themselves to the floor. Only there wouldn't be as much damage as that; a scratch or two perhaps, but Jazz doubted much else.
Either way, Jazz didn't want to make Onion's stay here traumatizing. So, after another good ruffle of the kid's helm, he finally let go and stood back up.

     "A'ight, kid. What's next on the agenda?"