Sanguina Prime squirrelled herself away in the gardens, her drawing supplies scattered around her in lazy heaps. Pen sliding over her pad, she was drawing a hero of old. Well more really making one up, someone to swoop in a fix the world. She shoved the pad forward and flopped on her belly hoking an ankle behind the other and nibbled on her pen, after a moments criticizing.
"Blaa." she stuck her glossa out and erased her femmes hammer. Brute force was all well and nice but all the cool fighters had style. Her warrior would have to look good, kick aft and be stylish. She pulled a data pad up from her circle of supplies and flipped through the contents. They were of different bots with different weapons, she had originally drawn a hammer cause Solus Prime used a hammer; but now, after trying it? It just felt crude; she pushed her drawing pad forward a bit again and let her head fall against the grass with a huff. Why was picking a weapon so hard? She lifted her head up and wove her fingers under her chin and set it down again; glaring at her drawing pad. Stupid femme just wouldn't go on a page!
A breeze gusted thought the small dome; the gardens where an enclosed habitat. Tall, thick leafy trees, flowers and plants of every type. Brought from all over the universe and lovely cared for. The place smelled of sweet plants and organic bugs would walk or fly by. Her books called it an ecosystem; she found the whole thing fascinating how all the bugs made it so that the plants could live; how it was all connected.
She rolled partiality on to her side and half crushed a pad. "Oops." She grabbed the offending pad with two fingers and flicked it up by the others and finished rolling on to her back. She sighed and stared up at the crystalline dome and rested a servo on her stomach with the other behind her head.
A butterfly landed on her index finger and slowly fluttered it's wings. She lifted her hand and slowly sat up, drawing her knees under her chin. She brought her legs up and rested her chin on her knees watching the butterfly with her head tilted with curiosity.
"Thought I might find you here." A gruff voice sounded from behind her.
The butterfly walked on her finger for a moment, it's little feet tickling her. She giggled quietly, then watched as the small monarch flew off.
"What? Cause this is my favorite hiding place?" Her bell like voice chinned.
Ironhide rolled his optics, where she got the sarcasm he would never know; though perhaps he could blame Ratchet.
"Sentinel has been looking for you." Ironhide said gruffly, taking a set on the short green grass.
Sanguina Prime huffed. "What does he want this time? To parade me in front of the nobles?" she folded her legs under her and threw her arms up. "To give another lecture on honour and duty?" She slouched with a huff and looked up at Ironhide. "I don't want to be Prime Ironhide." She sighed. "That's not me."
Ironhide sighed and offered his arm. "I know sweet spark."
Sanguina Prime scooted over and curled into the larger mech's frame, as it was she was tall and rather lanky. Not the beauty of a Prime as Sentinel was so fond of reminding her. It was a side effect of being a sparked bot, she wasn't fully developed yet; still growing and changing, it had felt her at the awkward stage where she was a tall thin board that often lost track of her limbs.
Ironhide ran his broad fingers over her forehead to her ear; a trick that Ratchet had fostered to calm her temper at a young age.
"It's not fair, why do I have to be Prime?"
"Cause that is the roll you were born into."
"Then why is my Sire such and aft about it?"
Ironhide sighed. "Maybe he didn't want to have an heir. Maybe he is irritated at the consul for forcing him to bond."
"He yells and shouts, he says that it is my fault that Angelbane died. He hates me cause I killed his bonded." She spoke into Ironhide's red amoured chest.
"Sanguina." Ironhide said disapprovingly. "You didn't kill Angel."
She huffed. "I'm the reason she is dead."
Ironhide grabbed her chin and forced her to meet his optics. "It was not your fault, there are reasons that femmes don't often spark anymore. Why we favour the Well, yes she died sparking you. But sometimes that happens femmes die often in sparking. It was not your fault."
"But if I wasn't around Angel still would be and Sentinel would be happier."
Ironhide ran his fingers through her long silken silver locks. "I don't think anything would make that mech happy. But you know when he does get harsh that Ratchet and I are always here."
She sighed and snuggled into his chest. "So what does Sire what? You know before I went off on my tangent."
"Don't know, only that he wants you in your room now."
Sanguina Prime sighed and gathered up her many pads, clutching them to her chest and followed Ironhide from the garden.
He lead the way down the long halls, to the back of the palace; her room as a posh as they came, but she hated it and tried often to escape it when her Sire tried to imprison her from the world. That no one might see his disgrace.
In her book beginning summoned to her room was always a bad thing. Sentinel already restricted her amour forcing her into the lightest and thinnest he could get away with and denied her an alt mode. Quite effectively trapping her in the palace. As they arrived at her lavish apartment, they found Sentinel Prime pacing back and forth; a frown engraved on his lip plates. He glanced up and glared at her when she came in half hiding behind Ironhide.
"Where have you been!" Sentinel stormed over glared down.
"In the gardens." she stared down at her peds.
"So I see." He growled, "Your filthy covered in that green organic matter."
"They're grass stains Sire."
He growled louder and she shrank away. "Do not get smart with me femme."
She snuffled awkwardly on place, looking anywhere but at her Sire.
He straightened his poster and placed his servo's behind his back. "The council is holding a Gala and your presences is required. You will be clean and dressed respectfully, I have already selected what you will wear. Ironhide will escort you to the Gala." He glared down at her. "And you will leave those pathetic excuses for drawings here."
She nodded.
"Femme." He growled.
"Yes Sire."
He just walked past her and to the door frame. "I will expect her before the Gala starts Ironhide."
"Yes my Prime." Ironhide put a fist on his chest and bowed his head.
Sanguina Prime held her breath tell she heard him turn down the hall and out of ear shot.
"Okay femmeling, lets get you cleaned up. I know what is going through your head and it won't work."
"But it is a Gala! Remember that comment I made about parading?" She walked over to her berth and pulled a box out from under and lovely set all her art supplies in it.
"And hiding in Ratchet's med bay is not going to make him any happier; humour him just this once."
She sat on the end of her berth with a huff. "That is what you said last time and I went and he still hates me."
Ironhide sighed "It's better then irradiating him further." He walked over to a table and chair astride from the lavish room and picked up the dress plates Sentinel had selected. "It's not that bad and these are better then the civy plates that you are in."
She walked over and poked at a jewel imbedded in a soft red chest plate. "He is trying to make me look as frail as an organic flower."
He held the soft red plate up to her chest. "Naa, he is trying to make you look like your name sake."
"A star?" she said her voice dripping with disbelief.
"Yeah, not our star mind you a red one, but this will look rather nice."
Sanguina Prime punched his chest lightly. "You always say I look nice."
"Cause you do. Just because you always find fault with your form doesn't mean that others do."
Sanguina Prime turned away and made tracks to her bathroom. "Your just saying that, I am tall and lanky with next to no chest and the hips of a mech."
He followed her and helped her unlock her armour on her back. "You are still a youngling with a great deal of growing left to do. You get your height from your Sire and the rest of you hasn't had a chance to catch up." He stepped out of the room. "You have half an hour, or I'll come and get you like I used to when you were a sparkling."
Sanguina Prime's optics widened at the threat; she had no interest in being washed like a sparkling and the bastard would tickle her. She hopped to attention. "Yes, Sir, Ironhide SIR!"
"Don't hurt yourself femmeling, just get cleaned up." He closed the door behind him.
She peeled out of her armour at mach five and hopped into the bath; a purr vibrated through her frame.
She was a sucker for hot water, or oil; both were nice. She slide deeper into the water and let her optics slide shut. She just sat in the hot water, letting it caress her frame.
Ironhide rapped loudly on the door.
She shot up right. "Scrap." she hissed under her breath and sank lower into water.
"Femmling you done yet?"
"No." she called out timidly.
Ironhide opened the door and stepped inside with an unimpressed expression.
She sunk deeper into the water still her optics were just above the surface.
Ironhide walked over and gather up a cloth and poured soap on it.
Sanguina Prime slide to the farthest corner of the bath away from Ironhide.
"Femmling you are making this more difficult then it needs to be."
She popped her head up a bit. "I know." grinning she hunkered back down.
Ironhide smirked and his free hand shot underwater and grabbed her heel; he easily pulled her towards him. Chuckling at the undignified flailing and splashing as she tried to sit back up.
"You're evil!" she glared at him.
"Uh hmm." He ran a finger over the arch of her ped.
She squealed and thrashed, he pulled her leg further up and she slide back into the water. Then came up sputtering, splashing eventually she sat up and pouted.
"You brought this on yourself femmeling."
Sanguina Prime crossed her arms over her chest and stuck out her bottom lip like a sparkling that had its favourite sweet taken away.
"Turn around." Ironhide released her leg.
She swivelled, still pouting.
Ironhide just laughed and did her back then offered her the cloth. "Be done in five or I'm coming back."
"Yes Sire." she grumbled and took the cloth and started on her chest; she turned around and ginned. "I did get you though." she pointed to his chest.
His gazed snapped down; sure enough his armour was dripping; he smirked and set his servos on his hips. "You just wanted to get me wet."
Sanguina Prime smiled innocently.
Ironhide rolled his optics and whipped off his chest. "Be quick femme, I rather not face Sentinel's wrath."
She nodded as he headed back out of the room. "And you better not run of the gardens and climb a tree again."
"But that was fun." she whined.
"And it took Ratchet and I an hour to get you down."
Sanguina Prime grinned. "Part of what made it fun."
Ironhide just chuckled and left her to finish up.
Sanguina Prime quickly scrubbed down; not that she minded when Ironhide played with her but she really didn't want to get Sentinel any more angry with her. She leaped out of the tub and pulled the drain; grabbing a towel she dried herself in record time. She bounced into her room; then had her mood killed by her new shiny dress armour waiting on her berth.
"Do I have to Sire?"
"I'm afraid you do, you can peel out of it when you get back." Ironhide picked up a piece of armour and helped her with them.
Sanguina Prime sighed in defeat and set about dressing. By the time they were through she was in a form fitting red dress like mesh, falling past her hips in a skirt like fashion. The upper armour sat on her like her civy gear fitting high to her neck and down her shoulders to her wrists, all was made up of small flower petal like plates.
Ironhide escorted her to the grand hall, it's great golden walls reaching high above it's inhabitants. Mechs and femmes off all times loitered around the large space conversing with one another, some nursing fine glasses of highgrade. Bright light ords reflected off there armour, glaring painfully in Sanguina Prime's optics. The light burned off the walls and shone up into the ceiling. A long ornate table was placed in the middle of the room baring deep bowls of highgrade and Viscos. Sweet energon treats and foods decorated the table in perfect arguments.
Sanguina Prime subconsciously stepped closure to Ironhide walking just to his side rather then a bit behind him. She felt his large servo just touch her back and looked up at him and smiled. Ironhide smiled softly down, he knew how much she hated this room and Galas. The touch was a silent 'I will be here for you' and it set her to ease immensely.
They made there way over to Sentinel Prime who was consumed in conversation with a tall silver Seeker, wings angler with a simple helm design. Sanguina Prime did not recognize the Seeker. As they drew near Sanguina Prime inclined her head respectfully. "Sire." she said evenly.
Sentinel Prime turned slightly and glared down at the young femme. "I trust there were no problems Ironhide?"
"None my Prime."
Sentinel didn't acknowledge Ironhide further, instead addressed the new mech. "Silverbolt this is my creation Sanguina Prime."
Silverbot in all his silver Seeker glory bent and offered his servo. Sanguina Prime was only a little slow to take it. "You undervalue your creation Sentinel," he lightly kissed the top of her servo "for she is as lovely as our star."
Sanguina Prime felt her cheeks turn purple at the compliment, almost tripping over her own glossa. "Thank you Lord Silverbolt but you exaggerate."
"Not at all lovely Lady Prime." He straightened up, towering above her.
Sanguina Prime felt herself blush again.
Sentinel cut in again. "Lord Silverbolt comes from the city state Vos to," he paused and chose his next words carefully "experience the charm of Iacon and report back to his commanders."
Sanguina Prime smiled sweetly. "Well I hope you enjoy your stay in Iacon my Lord."
"I am Lady Prime." His blue optics flicked to Ironhide's large red form. "Might I be introduced to your large friend?"
"Oh," Sanguina Prime stepped to the side. "Lord Silverbolt this is my bodyguard Ironhide."
Ironhide offered his large black servo. "Pleased to meet you Lord." he said gruffly.
Silverbolt firmly shook the trucks servo and was briefly made aware of the strength in those servos. Also making him aware that Ironhide knew the game that Sentinel was playing. He smiled. "It is an honour to meet you Ironhide, how long have you been the young Lady Primes Guardian?"
Ironhide cracked a crooked smile. "Since she was a sparkling."
Silverbolt blinked once and smiled again. "Then you've done a good job taking care of her."
Ironhide crossed his arms over his chest. "I have."
Silverbolt turned back to Sanguina Prime. "I would be honoured if the Lady Prime would take a turn in the crystal gardens with me."
Sanguina Prime glanced briefly up at her Sire only to see his glare and responded a little thickly. "I would be delighted my Lord, this way." She started off towards the courtyard Silverbolt striding beside her.
Ironhide started to follow but Sentinel stopped him with a servo on his chest. "Your presences is not required Ironhide, you are relieved for the day."
"Yes my Prime." Ironhide had to work hard to keep the growl out of his voice as he turned and stomped off to patrol the gardens. He would stay out of sight of course in case Silverbolt reported to Sentinel but there was no way he was going to leave his little femme in a Seekers presence without an escort.
Silverbolt and Sanguina Prime walked through the softly shining gardens at a leisurely pace. The crafted crystals sweet light setting their amour a glow.
Sanguina Prime trailed her fingertips over a soft golden crystal causing it to hum quietly. "How are you finding Iacon Lord Silverbolt."
Silverbolt laughed. "Please just call me Silverbolt my Prime."
Sanguina Prime smiled briefly. "As you wish Silverbolt."
"Iacon is a beautiful city, very vibrant." Silverbolt continued. "I will be sad to leave."
"And when do you return to Vos?"
"When my assignment is compete." he said curtly.
"May I ask what your assignment is?" Sanguina Prime said formally.
"I am afraid not, it is between Sentinel Prime and my Commander Starscream."
Sanguina Prime smiled. "That's alright I was just wondering."
Silverbolt sat on a crystalline bench to be closure to her optic level. "What do you think of your city Lady Prime?"
Sanguina Prime drew her fingers over a few crystals in quick succession, their varied hums filled there air in a soft melody. She smiled remember the first time Ratchet had showed her this and played a tune for her. "I really couldn't say, I am not permitted outside of the palace walls."
"Really?" Silverbolt asked listening to her play and watching her form closely. "A beauty such as yourself should be allowed out among her people."
"My Sire does not like me leaving the palace." she said smoothly. "He says that it is to dangerous." she finished with a little white lie, not quite as smoothly as she started.
Silverbolt seemed to contemplate this for a moment.
"Would you like to go out into the city?"
Sanguina Prime glided to another set of crystals and played another tune, letting the sweet harmonics fill the air.
"I respect my Sire's wishes." She drew her finger over a green crystal it's low sweet hum slipped free as the crystal glowed under her fingers.
Silverbolt watched her carefully, she was lying and rather well if he said so himself. He frowned slightly, watching her play the crystals. That was a lost art in in itself, the timing required was something not many people knew. The red ceremonial armour looked rather nice on her developing frame, he had a feeling that she would grow into a fine femme.
"Where did you learn to play the crystals?" He finally asked.
Sanguina Prime smiled warmly and changed to a sweeter tune, a lullaby. "I just learned from a friend."
"Who?"
Sanguina Prime just smiled and continued to play.
"Not one to give up secrets?"
"Not a secret."she didn't look up.
"Then why won't you say?"
"My Sire would not approve of him."
"Why?"
"Cause my Sire does not approve of anything that I do."
Silverbolt considered this, he had a new feeling that this assignment was going to be anything but smooth. "Do you resent him for it?"
Sanguina Prime finally turned back toward him, the harmonics trailing off as she did. "I would prefer not to discuss my Sire with a stranger my Lord."
"Many apologies my Prime." Silverbolt inclined his head. "I did not mean to pry, I was only seeking a less bias opinion of the Prime. I find that the council still serenades Sentinel Prime as you are rarely in there presence I felt you may have a less." he paused. "Definable opinion."
Sanguina Prime watched Silverbolt for a moment. "What is your assignment my Lord? Vos is an independent state, it does not take a detective to work out that you are not here for Iacons charms."
Silverbolt had to smile, Sanguina Prime was nothing like her Sire described her. There was a fire behind those optics, as well as a sharp silver glossa to cut though flattery and lies. He would have to speak with Ironhide one day and find this history teacher in her life, he had a feeling they played a greater role then Sentinel was aware.
"I am afraid I can not say my Prime, my orders come from my High Commander Starscream and from your Sire. I can not divulge then, even to you my Lady."
Sanguina Prime pursed her lips. "Then I will not speak of my Sire, ask around and watch him if you wish to know him." She turned and started out of the garden.
Silverbolt leapt to his peds and came up behind her. "Your Sire would be most displeased if you returned to the Gala unoccupied."
"I care not he is always displeased."
"My Lady." Silverbolt caught her shoulder and spun the small youngling.
Sanguina Prime opened her mouth but he cut in.
"Your actions say that you do not hold your Sire highly, I would not wish to cause you any more trouble with him." He bowed his head. "Please allow me to occupancy you back, to stave off your Sire's anger."
Sanguina Prime shut her mouth and after a brief moment. "Very well." She started off again.
Silverbolt smiled and shook his head, this was most defiantly going to be an interesting assignment.
The rest of Sanguina Prime's evening passed in a pleasant and very boring to her manner. She brushed off her Sire's glare when she returned with Silverbolt and blushed again when he kissed her servo in farewell. Ironhide was waiting in her rooms when she arrived and she happy cuddled in his lap as he read her a tale. Ratchet came later to bid her goodnight, after giving both her Sire's a good night hug she headed to bed without further ado. Tomorrow was a day of quiet and hopefully she would be able to wander the palace without company.
The hour was late as Silverbolt walked down the corridors to Sentinel's Primes private chambers, the servants opened the doors upon his arrival just shut then after him.
Sentinel sat a desk reviewing reports of various topics. Silverbolt walked up to the desk can bowed low with a fist upon his chest. "My Prime."
"Rise and report."
Silverbolt rose and cleared his throat there was no way to brake this gently. "Celestial Prime proves a very interesting individual, I am afraid I cannot give an informed opinion on her character after our brief meeting. I will need to stay and spend more time with her to be able to give an accurate assessment of her character and compatibility with my Commander Starscream."
Sentinel frowned. "She is not complicated."
Silverbolt had to work to keep the frown from his lips. "I have a feeling there is much more to her then can be seen at first glance, I will require more time." he reiterated.
"Granted." Sentinel said swiftly. "Just inform Starscream of your delay."
Silverbolt bowed again. "I will my Prime, he has a great deal at stake with this engagement as well. He would prefer to avoid later complications as much as yourself."
"I would think so given that this was his idea." Sentinel read a data pad without interest.
"You must see that it would be a perfect way to strengthen a treaty my Prime."
"Yes bonding off my worthless excuse of a creation to a Seeker. In exchanged for his land and army."
"Better to Starscream then a that new Lord of Kaon."
"Megatronous?" Sentinel looked up from his reading.
"The rumour is that he was a mire miner that rose through the Pits to control the whole state of Kaon."
Sentinel huffed. "Well I am sure we will be visited by him at some point. I do not care how a state chooses it's Lords, a Gladiator poses no threat to me."
"Of course not my Prime." Silverbolt said slily.
Sentinel narrowed his optics at the Seeker "You are dismissed Lord Silverbolt."
Silverbolt bowed yet again, fist on his chest. "Then I bid you goodnight my Prime."
Silverbolt strode out of the room and down the halls away from the stoic Prime as he drew close to his own rooms and large servo grabbed him by the shoulder and slammed him into the wall. Metal screeching as his wings protested against the abuse. Silverbolts vision cleared to be faced with the angry image of Ironhide's face.
"Why are you here Seeker?" He growled lowly.
Silverbolt was not afraid Ironhide could not hurt him, though this mere action spoke volumes as did the little moments he made around Sanguina Prime. Silverbolt had already deduced that Ironhide was much more to her then a simple bodyguard.
"On assignment from Starscream." he answered swiftly, he was not going to piss of an Elite Guard.
"What is the assignment?"
Silverbolt paused not wanting to reveal his mission to an obviously protective mech.
Ironhide raised him from the wall and slammed him back into it. "I do not have all night Seeker."
Silverbolt sighed. "My mission is to evaluate Sanguina Primes compatibility with my Commander Starscream. Both Sentinel Prime and Starscream are open to a treaty through bonding."
Ironhide tightened his grip on Silverbolts shoulder plates. "That will not work and we both know it, Starscream couldn't handle her given a thousand vorns!"
"Well that is why I am here to give an assessment of the possibility."
Ironhide frowned. "You will keep Starscream away from her or I will rip your wings off Seeker." Ironhide released Silverbolt and the took a moment to right himself. "Since you clearly know Sanguina Prime better then I do, I will take our word for it on her character. But I still need to give an evaluation to Sentinel Prime."
"I had hoped to keep her out of those circles." Ironhide spat.
"She doesn't have much of a chose she is a Prime."
"That is not remotely suited for the task! She is still a youngling!"
"She won't be forever, she'll garner more and more attention." Silverbolt stopped reading Ironhide. "You can't protect her forever."
"She won't need it." Ironhide growled.
"You have that much faith in her?" Silverbolt was now firmly confused.
Ironhide just smirked and walked off. "Get some rest Seeker and don't expect to catch her alone again."
Silverbolt just blinked twice and turned around. Best to just listen to the elder mech and look for answers at a later date. He hit is berth and clocked out, let to wonder what the heck Ironhide was talking about.