Hope had left the balck mech. This had been his last try. Before he had left the palace he made a vow to Primus. "Should my final try at this not work, I will do as my creator asks of me."

But as he leaned forwards to meet his end, he had been grabbed. Whoever it was had pulled him back with such force that they both fell on the hard metallic floor. He kept still on top of the bot for what seemed to be cycles. The rain kept falling and his back was throbbing painfully from the acid burns. He didn't know what to do. Should he get up, apologize for the inconvenience de had caused for the bot and then leave? It seemed like the most logical thing to do. So he gave it a go.

He looked up and came face to face with a visor. "Forgive me, I did not mean to bother you. I will be going now."

Pleased with the well thought of sentence he stood up and was about to turn, when the unexpected happen.

The white mech had also laid still, contemplating what just happened. Now what did he have to do? He had never dealt with a suicidal mech before. Though it was obvious to him that a mech like this was probably very unstable which meant he'd have to deal with him very carefully and with no aggressive movements.

"Think like yer treating with a frightened sparkling." He thought.

And then the mystery mech had spoken. All thoughts of 'dealing with a frightened sparkling' went out the window and was replaced with anger. He couldn't believe that this mech was acting so- so cold and indifferent about his near deactivation. And now the fragger was turning to leave.

"Oh no ya dont!"

"What da frag! Thats all ya gonna say ta meh! What is yer problem!"

For the second time that jour, he grabbed the black mech's arm, and with a strong pull he brought him towards him to face him down. He was met with a visored mech like himself, but this mech's visor was shaped like long almonds. His face was long and his expression right now, one of puzzlement.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Ya just tried ta offline yerself and now ya gonna walk away like it didn't matter?"

The black mech looked at him as if he'd completely lost it. His expression then turned to one of irritation and... embarrassment?

"I do not see how this is any of your concern."

"What! I just saved yer life! You ungrate-" He cut himself off re-thinking his words. He took a large breath, cool air entering through his vents and cooling his systems.

"Cool it. Focus. Treat like a sparkling."

"Look, why don't we go somewhere dry an' talk?"

"I do not see how that would be of any help." Replied the other rather coldly. "Now, kindly let go."

Thats when the white mech realized he was stilled holding the mech's arm. And rather tightly at that.

"Sorry 'bout dat." He muttered distractedly as his optics roamed over the mech. And then he did a double take.

"What in da!"

The mech's armor was a disaster! The top of his shoulders were almost melted through, his helm also held a lot of damage, some energon sipping down the mech's cheekplates. His arms and chassis had serious burns and he could bet his visor that some of the circuitry under his armor were also damaged.

"How long 'as 'e been under dis horrid rain!" He thought horrified and concerned.

Remembering his umbrella, he looked back and bent down to pick it up and stood closer to the black mech to shield them both. His own armor was hissing almost silently as the acid hit.

"What, may I inquire, are you doing?" The other asked with a raised ridge. He did not move. In his mind, it was the other who should leave. And now here he was, sharing an umbrella with a complete stranger. He could be a serial killer for all the other knew.

"What's it look like 'am doing?" Sent the white mech frustrated.

"Look, ah don't know who ya are, and ah don't know why yer were about ta give up on life." At this the black mech looked away from him, head bent low, shoulders tense.

"You wouldn't understand stranger." The other all but hissed. But there as grief and desperation hidden behind it. The white mech didn't miss the 'stranger' in the sentence. All in all, the black mech was telling him that whatever it was that made the other turn to the ultimate option, it was none of his business and that he should stay out of it.

"Not dat 'am not planning on leaving 'im alone after this. At least not 'till ah make sure 'e won't try it again." It was just not in his programming to turn his bot on a troubled mech. "First thing's first though..."

"Why don't ya try ta tell meh? It might 'elp ya." He brought his hand up, in between the small space left between them under the umberlla. The gesture obvious.

"Designation's Jazz."

The black mech looked at Jazz's open servo for a long time. Calculating, planning, fighting with him self. He knew his emotions must have been visible to the other.

"Should I talk about it? Would it really help me? I can't go back on my oath. Maybe, if I get it off my shoulders, it might be easier." He thought desperately.

"Jazz..." He spoke softly, as if testing the name.

Of course, the black mech could not reveal his true designation. Though he didn't have to think a lot to come up with a fake one. He had sneaked out of the palace many times before. He had been doing it since he was a sparkling. Many bots thought the exaggerated fortifications on the palace walls and armed guards were to keep threats out. It was quite the contrary. It was to keep him in. He hadn't received the designation of 'Prowl' for nothing. He presented himself to the bots outside the palace with the only thing he could come up with. How he felt deep inside.

"My designation... is Void."