Warnings: this and that. Prowl starts to get hormonal, beware.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with Transformers

"Use of other languages."

"normal speaking."

Prowl watched the small group of femmes and younglings crest over the highest sand dune before disappearing. The sun hadn't fully risen over the horizon yet but Prowl and those with him were still able to see the small group leave before losing sight of them. The self-proclaim leader of the group, a blue femme that had argued with Ratchet earlier, had kept an eye on Prowl before they left, and her scrutinizing gaze had made Prowl a little uncomfortable. It had caused the Praxian had sought shelter from either Ratchet or one of the three poly brothers. She only started doing it after they had seen what was left of his autobrand on his removable chest armor. But she didn't confront him about it instead she made sure that he was looked after when it came to the hardships of carrying.

It wasn't until the translation program was done and had settled in his processor did he understand their words. Or at least the most common language they had he still had to work on the individual ones. After that he was able to piece together what others where saying and it was how he was able to understand that the blue femme was part of anther tribe and wanted to get her and the few others with her back to them before something happens. He was also able to understand why she was watching him and while he didn't like it when others stared at him Prowl didn't feel so uncomfortable.

Now that the femme and her group were gone Ratchet had started organizing those left behind. He had them dismantled the tents and load the wagons with supplies. This day would be no different, before the suns got any higher Ratchet had everyone start working again. Prowl didn't like to sit on the sidelines and no matter his current condition he wanted to help. Without anyone telling him Prowl worked on their energon rations. Each day he would go collect energon from the crystals cook it until it solidified then returned to camp letting it rest. And each day one of the poly brothers would go with him. sometimes with Jazz tagging along sometimes not.

Prowl had tried to get them to leave him alone but all three of them ignored him. They didn't crowd his space for which he was thankful for, but he didn't like it when they joined him. He wasn't defenseless he could fight if he had too, bulging middle notwithstanding. He especially didn't like the elder brothers cheeky grin whenever he came along. The other two at least kept their interactions limited to only popping up when to help him carry the solid energon. The eldest Meister he introduced himself once they learn Prowl could somewhat understand them got too close to where their fields would touch.

As he began to wonder off to the next crop of crystals Prowl's door wings twitched when the black and white poly appeared behind him with a sleeping Jazz in his arms. With a resign huff Prowl held out his arms and traded the collection bags for the sparkling.

As they slowly walked along a path that only Prowl seemed to know it gave the Praxian time to think. He had come to the realization that he wasn't anywhere near Cybertron or Earth. In fact, and he cursed and praised the long time dead engineer Wheeljack, he wasn't even in the same universe. Since he had ended up in Wheeljacks lab he shouldn't have been surprised that something of his friend punted him in another dimension.

It supported the evidence since the place he ended up at look like a mish mash of Cybertron and Earth. That and some mechs that he knew for certain had been offline were alive. If he ever met this worlds Wheeljack, Prowl might just hug him then slap him.

"Thinking too hard there Prowler?"

The mech behind him said in his musical tone with a smile on his face. Prowl didn't stop, nor did he answer. He did speed up being careful with his steps. As the two sparklings in his gestation chamber grew his balance suffered. He had to be more careful or risk falling and hurting himself or the two he was carrying. And since they were the last pieces of his past Prowl was going to be extra careful with them.

"Oh, come on mech don't be like that." Prowl could hear the fake pout. "Honestly your so stubborn." He heard Meister muttered.

"A trait I have been proud of." He said back.

"heh I can see that, but if ya not careful you'll end up putting your ped in a hole and tripping. I ain't wanting to explain to Ratchet why you and ma brother got hurt. So, if ya wouldn't mind?" Meister took Prowl by the elbow and Prowl instantly swatted him with a door wing.

He smirks at the curse as Meister nursed dented finger tips. He felt nothing from the action since joining the war he had made sure that his sensor panels were not much of a liability as others thought. A chirp drew his attention to the sparkling, tiny Jazz blinking up at him from his arms. Prowl sighs and opens his chest plates allowing the sparkling to nurse.

Once he was able to understand and be understood did Ratchet start explaining what was going on with his frame. That and ranting on how he didn't know what was going on with his frame. It also brought up another problem that Prowl had already been thinking on. while Ratchet did say that there were groups back in the cities and outpost design to help single carriers. Prowl still had the option of going at it alone though with his unique situation the demands on his frame would be more than average. Hence why Ratchet had offered to help and to Prowls surprise, and really, he kept getting surprise at every turn it seemed, the Polyhexians brothers had the same offer.

They had explained that it was considered an honor to help a carrier. It was a common practice among their tribes. Prowl though was hesitant. The idea of leaving himself open to strangers was still there and none of them were his Jazz.

"That wasn't very nice mech."

"Then don't touch a Praxian door wings." Prowl shot back substituting certain glyphs to make sure he was understood. "in any case we are here."

He pushed all thoughts of interfacing with the tribes mech to back of his mind and focus on what he could handle. Gathering more energon for travel. Prowl had come to noticed that liquid energon was a novelty to many of the mechanisms there with him. usually they would either take at solids or in the tribes mech case from the mechanimals. Prowl found that out after the one and last time he had been offered a share in the polys meal. The incident was blame on his weak systems due to his carrying and it was never brought up again. Since then Ratchet made sure he only either got liquid from the source to the freshly made solids.

But before he started to harvest any this orn, he had to let sparkling Jazz finish his own meal. Meister stood guard as he always did. he wouldn't start his teasing until Prowl was hard at work and Jazz was fast asleep. The once enforcer tried not to compare the tribes mech to his Jazz. But it was getting harder to do. Every time Prowl looked at him and sometimes it happens with the other two brothers he would see an overlap of Jazz. That same cheeky smile or know it all grin; their mannerisms, how they hold themselves, and those wicked playful hands that would sneak in touches before Prowl would whirl around glaring at the offender.

As he settled little Jazz down wrapping him in case he rolled away in his sleep. Prowl went to work digging for the crystal roots. This outcropping was a small one and he didn't expect to get much out of it. door wings flared as he worked keeping an eye on both little Jazz and Meister and once he was sure that the older poly would not be surprising him anytime soon Prowl let his mind wonder.

It allowed a quick check on his systems. His fuel levels were still good though he would have to refuel soon. the twins were fine though he did wonder why had hadn't felt any movement. Shouldn't he be feeling them by now?

Other than that, his frame was doing well in his opinion even if Ratchet and the others had a different view. Because he didn't have someone donating nanites he was consuming more energon. Though he did try to ration his own intake he was foiled by his ever-present pains in the afts. Ricochet first noticed him not taking the right amounts then he informed Stepper who told Meister and Ratchet heard due to being in an argument with the older poly. Prowl had found himself on the very end of two fragged off mechs.

At first Prowl thought that the medic would bring up that topic but surprising he didn't. Prowl had been suspicious, he wouldn't put it pass them to do something. But they hadn't so much as spoken to him about it. he could guess that they were going to let him decide.

So deep in thought he didn't notice Meister coming up behind him. he did notice when the mech grab his arm and scolding him.

"Prowl stop you're going to damage your fingers more and that healer go ranting about infection."

Prowl blinked up at the frowning mech. what was he talking about? He looked at the hand that was being lifted about his head. Pink energon sluggishly dripped from a cut.

'oh, that's why; when did I get cut?' Prowl thought to himself while out loud trying to get Meister to let him go. "Honestly its not that bad."

"Mech infection will sit right in real quick if wounds aren't treated. In case ya haven't notice this isn't exactly sanitary."

The poly had sat down in front of Prowl hand still placed in his lap as he rummaged through his pack.
"While I ain't no healer I can still make sure yer hand doesn't fall off due to it getting infected. Not hold still."

Prowl sighed he didn't feel like arguing. The heat of the day was starting to hit them and right now all he wanted to do was take a nap. He hated this time of day and that was thanks to his condition. His frame was already running hot add in the extra heat from the weather and it felt like he was about to collapse. Thankfully while the little outcropping was small it still provided enough shade to sit under.

Though what he said next Prowl would forever blame on the heat.

"why haven't you or Ratchet asked about my past or about interfacing?"

Prowl almost smirked at the choking noises Meister made at his question.

"Wh-what brought that up?!" the poly asks trying not to choke on the fuel he been consuming.

"I know that you are aware of something different about me and—

"I know what ya mean! What I meant what brought on that question?" the poly said. "as for yer past that's yer thing. If ya want to talk to someone about it, then ain't no one going to stop ya." Meister leaned back head tilted up. "As for interfacing, I didn't think that ya be ready not that I or anyone for that matter in my opinion wouldn't jump at the chance at a pretty mech like ya."

"Th-that's not want I meant!" Prowl wouldn't look at the mech now frame heating from embarrassment.

Meister snickers. "Then what kind of interfacing do ya mean?" he asks innocently. "I only know of one kind."

"I-I meant…what I meant was w-why you or Ratchet ever mention a-about…." Prowl couldn't finish his own sentence and wish that the crystal he was leaning against would swallow him whole.

As Meister watched a fluster Prowl a light went off in his mind. "Ah ya mean why haven't me and others hadn't tried to suggest helping ya with ya carrying, right?"

Prowl nodded.

The back and white poly sighs scarred face twisted up in thought. He tried to find an easier way of explaining his reasoning. Certainly, if he had taken the mech and then taken him back to his tribe no doubt they would have already been passed this topic. But they weren't, and Prowl was still wary of him and the others.

"Well the way I see it, yer uncomfortable around me and the others. It would have been wrong to use ya's sparklings against ya like that. plus, it would do my ego some good if ya came to me for that then me chasing after ya when ya don't won't it."

Prowl face was shadowed. "I see. Primus forbid that yer ego suffer." He growled.

Meister looked at Prowl in shock at the sound. What did he say to get that sound thrown at him?

Prowl was shock as well. Why did he growl; there was nothing in Meister sentence to deserve that. instead of acting on it like he should have done Prowl went with an attitude of indifference. Like he had done nothing wrong the Praxian when back to work.

Meister was not about to let it go though. "What's crawled up your tail pipe and died. Seriously mech, why are ya so uptight. What did me and mine ever do to ya?"

"There is nothing wrong and as to why I'm the way I' am it is how I was constructed." The Praxian left it at that seemly done with the conversation.

"Construct? Ha yea right. No mech or femme are constructed all of us are kindle." Meister cocked his hip to the side arms crossed. "Try again Prowler."

"Don't use that!" Prowl snarled. "You have no right to use that!"

"Use what?" Meister was now truly confused. What was it with this mech that kept switching between hot and cold.

"that name." Prowl glared at the poly.

"What; Prowler?"

"Yes." Prowl hissed.

Meister held up his hands showing that he didn't mean anything by it and let the topic drop. Though he was curious about that name. It must have some special meaning if Prowls reaction is anything to go by. He wondered who gave it to him and how much they meant to the winged mech.

"Well in any case, while in Polyhexian tribes it considered an honor for a carrier to pick other mechs when their mates are unavailable. I wasn't going to bring up the issue because one until now we didn't understand each other. Two, from the first time we met I could see that someone didn't treat ya good. It makes me want to rip the mech who hurt ya apart."

The poly startled at the bitter laugh Prowl gave. "Even if I told you the truth, you would not believe me and the mech you want to terminate is not here."

The door winger sat back staring up at the sky. "There was a mech, Jazz. we had every intention to bond, but it was not to be." At Meister patient stare Prowl found that he couldn't and didn't want to keep anything from the mech. "he was polyhexian and at first we hated each other on sight. But we were at war with another fraction, er-tribeand had to put our or some of our hatred aside. Then my home, where I was from originally, was gone wiped from the surface of the planet. Out of millions, only a handful survive. When I was about to break from the grief he was there. He never said those empty words just offered a shoulder and silence. When I found myself having to care for the only surviving youngling of my home. he was there with a smile and advice."

"You had a youngling?" the poly asks. Though there were still some words he couldn't understand he placed it down to being Prowls original language. Of course, he was still in shock from hearing about Prowls home. It confirmed that Prowl use to be a city mech no tribe had that many mechanisms in it.

Prowl nodded. "he name is-was Bluestreak." And there Meister saw the faint traces of a smile. "He was such a chatter box and always seem so happy despite how traumatize he was. No one could hate him or at least was harsh to him." he was rubbing his stomach. "Even the twins were smitten with him."

Meister was smiling though he raised an optic ridge. "Twins?"

"Sunstreaker and Sideswipe." He gave Meister a look. "I know that you are aware that my carrying isn't normal."

Meister shrug. "the healer may have ranted about it."

Prowl raise his own optic ridge but chose not to say anything. "the leader of my tribe was killed in our last battle and though my tribe tried to live on and protect the others some of us were captured. I was taken by our enemy's leader. As a substitute for mine who was killed. The sparklings now growing inside me were two of my comrades."

Meister reared back in shock. "Ya mean!"

Prowl nodded. "These two sparks are fully matured and were once the twins Sideswipe and Sunstreaker."

Meister sat there mouth open. "How are you three still functioning!?"

Prowl grimaced. "I don't know." he slumped, even his door wings drooped. "All I know is that they are now safe inside me and I'll raise them to best of my ability."

"wouldn't that be awkward though? I mean isn't weird that…um well."

Here Prowl gave a whispered laugh. "I supposed so, if they even remember their lives as Sunstreaker and Sideswipe. All their memories were connected to their frames and I don't know if I want them to remember their past. nor do I wish to tell them about Bluestreak." His hand stilled, a sad smile on his face as he stared at his bulging middle.

Meister knew he shouldn't. already hearing a small piece of Prowls history was bringing him to tears. "What happen to your mate and youngling?"

Prowl sank even lower he didn't bother reminding the mech that his Jazz wasn't his mate. "They died." It was so quiet that Meister had to strain even his sensitive audios. "Megatron killed Jazz in front of me before raping me. Bluestreak…I could not protect him and in only way he saw to free himself threw himself off the lead trines tower."

Meister sucked in a harsh vent. It was worst then what he thought. Having to see someone you loved killed in front of you would be the worst thing and the work of a dishonorable monster. There was no place in any of the coastal tribes for those who did that. Then to have your youngling taken from you only to here that they took their own life. Meister didn't know where to begin. He understood now though. Prowls reactions to them made perfect sense though he wasn't sure what to make of him being a mate to another poly.

No one from his tribe was missing and the name wasn't ringing any bells. But traditionally, when a mate was killed leaving behind a sparked mate. It was usually the family who took care of the carrying mech or femme. But it sounded like Prowl didn't have any family. His whole tribe was killed off for primus sake. And since he never said about his mate's tribe Meister rather doubted that the other now dead poly even told him. so, they couldn't count on that tribe to come and take responsibility.

Which made the fluttering spinning in his chest more annoying. It also changed how he had to approach Prowl in trying to court him. He had to allow a mourning period before even beginning to court him. with the situation now as it is, Meister was at a lost on where to start. Though in the case of helping Prowl in getting the nanites he needed that was still in the winged mechs field. Everything else will just have to wait. They still needed to get back to their tribe first and deal with things there then he can come back and start on Prowl.

"Whelp the way I see it. if ya don't feel like ya can handle interfacing with another mech then ya shouldn't. I mean its not like ya group will be low on fuel." He was smiling at Prowl. "besides before ya get halfway there me bros and I will be tagging along before having to spilt."

Prowl frown at the poly and with a flick of his wings turned back to digging up crystal roots. 'Why do polyhexians all have to be so dame cheeky.'

It was near the end of the day when Prowl stop. He had filled several buckets full of energon that he secured to the sled that was once he armor chest piece. He felt emotionally and physically drained. Another thing he can add to the growing list of similarities between Meister and Jazz was that they tended to turn him into a chatter box. Though not to Bluestreaks level thank Primus for small favors.

This worlds Jazz had woken up and was busy chittering and whistling at the two adults. Meister had taken the sled and let Prowl carry the energic sparkling. The little one seemed to mind the Praxian more then his brothers.

To no one's surprise Ratchet was waiting for them at the edge of camp. That was normal, what wasn't was the figure next to him. Meister was instantly in front of him hissing at the stranger. That it until Ratchet threw something at the poly hitting square on the head.

"quiet you." The medic growls.

The mech next to him only grins before Prowl sees those gold optics widen when they landed on him. He says something to healer who waves a wrench at his white helm.

"This little pain in the aft is Drift." He finally gets around to introducing the new mech. "apparently, he and his teacher came in search of me. though I have no idea why."

Drift was too busy looking at the medic to care about the tone used. To Prowl he looked to be a mech in love. Strange indeed.

"Anyway, they'll be helping us get to the outpost. And before you even argue there have been signs of skywalkers in the area."

Prowl saw Meister tense at the name. 'what were skywalkers?"

An image from long ago surfaces at his thought. A movie poster from Earth that Jazz wanted to see. 'surly not.' Prowl dismiss the image.

Feeling too tired to listen to any more of Meister's and Ratchets triad. Prowl moves around the three keeping the new mech in sights before dropping off the sled near one of the cook fires. He wanted to rest and went to fine his newly acquired tent.

He found Ricochet and Stepper before he went to his tent and dropped off Jazz. While sleeping with the sparkling was nice he didn't feel up to it tonight. The brothers watched in worry, it was still light out and Prowl was already tired. Stepper quietly shadowed the door winger just to make sure he got to his tent before leaving and finding one of the healers.

He found them both in deep discussion with the two new mechs. A grounder like them and a flyer, thankfully not one of skywalkers, and his brother. The flyer turned to him and a small greeting before laughing at the smaller white mech. Meister was off to the side grumbling.

With a roll of his eyes Stepper squatted in front of his brooding brother. "ya know, jealously is very unbecoming brother dear." He was smiling. "I thought you like Prowl not the healer."

Meister scowled up at Stepper. He scarred face made it more sever and his field radiated a storm of emotions. "Shut it, I don't trust those mechs."

"Why?"

His answer was a hit to the head and a growl.

"They just conveniently show up and one of them a flyer to boot." Meister stood towering over his brother. "How do we know he ain't part of the wing spawns."

"Well," Stepper stood dusting off the sand that clung to his plating. "Ratchet seems to know them. if I had to guess the smaller one is smitten with him." they both give the odd couple a side glance. "If I hazard an another guess I say that Drift?" a nod. "That Drift would sooner leave us and run off with Ratchet over his shoulder."

A shrug of his shoulders loosening any tight cables. "But I don't think that's what got you so sour."

The older brother sighs and hung his head. "yeah their appearance doesn't help but…"

"But?"

"I learn a few new things about Prowl. though he nearly made me choke on ma fuel."

Stepper snickered at the mental image. "What did he say that surprise ya?"

Meister open his mouth to speak but thought better of it. He quickly grabs his brother by the arm and all but dragged him away. Both ignoring the glance the flyer was giving them. When they find Ricochet, he was just letting Jazz crawl around playing with hand made toys.

"Sup bros." the younger waves to the eldest. His smile falls at seeing how trouble the two older ones look. "Is there a problem?"

"Somewhat though this bugger won't spill." Stepper huffs shaking loose of his brothers hold.

"What I say isn't for every mechs audios." Meister doesn't join his brothers on the ground. He paces before Stepper gets annoyed and yanks him to the ground.

Jazz seeing his brothers wrestle each other crawled over and on top of Meister. Ricochet cheered throwing his arms up.

"Alright Jazz!"

"Well look at that brother you got taken out by a sparkling." Stepper teases.

The sound of his happy burbling youngest brother had Meister smiling broadly. Forgetting what he was going to discuss with the others for a little bit. He tickles Jazz in his sides enjoying the squeaking laughter.

After enjoying time with his youngest brother Meister had a passing youngling take Jazz to their healer before turning serious. Both his brothers tensed with the change in mood.

"I found some things out that I really wish I had let lie." The older brother said still watching the youngling and Jazz until he couldn't. "We were right in our assumption about Prowl's condition when we first found him."

The brothers raise an optic ridge at him. Ricochet crossed his arms frowning. Stepper sat crossed legged waiting for Meister to go on.

"He told me that he had a Polyhexian lover and youngling. Though he didn't or couldn't tell me from what tribe. I got the feeling that his old tribe was a miss mash of mechs and femmes." Meister was pacing again. "an enemy manage to kill his leader and after making sure that the other members of his tribe were safe he got captured and had to watch his lover died by the same slagger who raped him. His youngling was taken away from him and later killed himself." he was growling armor fluffed out in anger. "Then that slagger somehow stuffed two fully mature sparks in his chamber who use to be comrades of his. and yet that idiot won't admit how much the whole thing is hurting him. I doubt he has even mourned all his losses."

All three brothers were growling though only Meisters was the loudest and deepest. He was angry and how no target to throw it at. Ricochet was the quieter of three and Stepper was a step up from him but since neither had a pre-bond with Prowl they didn't feel that hurt the Meister could.

"so, does this change your mind about taking him back home then?"

Meister stops his pacing. "No, I still want him to settle first before we take him. I want him to at least get his pedes under him before I start courting him."

"Isn't that a bit cruel?"

Meister whirled around scowling at his younger brother. Ricochet flatten his plating as close to his protoform at he could before speaking again.

"I mean why not just take care of it now while he's still unbalance? If ya think about it ya might be…hurting…him…even." He gulps but manages to squeak out the last word. "more."

Meister looms over his younger brother and would have said something scathing if not for Stepper who decided that Ricochet had had enough.

"He does have a point." He says ignoring the venomous look Meister gives him. "in fact, if might be best to tell him of your intentions before we part ways." He pretended to clean his claws.

Meister snorted. "The mechs already shy and wary. I don't want to scare him away." He laughs a bit. "He even had to force himself to ask why we haven't offered to contribute to his sparklings." His voice sounded strained.

That caught the others poly's attention. Ricochet sat mouth open while Stepper just tilted his head.

"And what did ya tell him?" he asks.

"That it was his choice. Otherwise he'll run through those provisions everyone's been gathering." Finally calm enough to stay still Meister sat down between his brothers. "hopefully he'll trust us enough to let us or we'll have to make sure that there is enough fuel for them before we part ways. Though now with those mechs of Ratchets they might be okay."

"You don't trust them?"

"pah, ones a flyer is bad enough and the other is too smitten with Ratchet to care about the others."

"isn't that how we were when all we were after was our Jazzy?"

"…maybe."

Steppers sighs, his older brother could such a sparkling sometimes. "Well in any case theres nothing we can do now but wait. Ratchet wants to wait one more day before leaving. And it takes about three weeks to get to the half way point and it'll take anther three to get to where we left our boats." He stood and stretched. "Plenty of time for Prowl to make a decision and for us to judge these new mechs." He gave them both a backwards wave as he made his way towards the wall. "its my turn for first shift. I'll wake one ya up when its time."

"Welp I'm going to go and get some fuel. Then I'll check out these two mechs. Who knows might get something interesting out of em." The red poly shook the sand off his frame then walked back towards Ratchet. "I'll take care of Jazz until its my turn to take watch." He shouted back to Meister.

Meister watched them go. He didn't mind that they left he had a lot to think over. But sitting there watching the others run around was distracting and for once following his spark needs. Meister took out his whetstone and one of his favorite blades and took a seat in front of Prowls tent. The mech may not like it but Meister felt better knowing that the door winger was safe. With careful even strokes he let the meditative action of sharpening his blade let him think.

Inside the tent Prowl wasn't as asleep as had others think. He laid on his side deep in thought. The words spoken to him earlier were ringing in his memory. Jazz had once commented, back when their relationship was new, that he could spend orns thinking yet still would not have his answers. He had scoffed at that but now he wasn't so sure that Jazz wasn't correct.

He couldn't think of any answer to his problems and that frustrated him. with a heavy sigh Prowl tried to get his recharge protocols working. His processor however wouldn't allow him to get the needed rest his wanted. No matter how he bullied them his systems would not shut down. With an aggravated snarl Prowl was about to stomp out to find Ratchet when he heard something outside his tent.

Slink-chic

It was a low scraping sound. Slow and rhythmic. Soft and even.

Slink-chic

Prowl felt his doors angle themselves to pin point to sound origin.

Slinnnnkkk-chiiccc

Slink-chic

It was coming from the front of his tent and now that Prowl was paying attention he could just make out the silhouette of one of the polyhexian brothers. He stood there just watching and listening.

Slink-chic

His panels lowered with each stroke.

Slink-chic

Tension in his frame, cables, wires was released.

Slink-chic

It was like a soft lullaby. Prowl found himself back on the mesh and pillow pile the served as he berth.

Slink-chic

As the rhythm continued Prowl lulled into recharge before he knew. And not once did he fight it. outside Meister smirked to himself. His hearing was one of the best in his tribe and it have been no trouble understanding what the door winger's problem was. As he sat there he used a scrap piece of metal to continue to make the soft scraping noise. Once he was sure that Prowl was deeply in recharge would he stop.

It was a trick his own sire used against him when his mind was troubled. The sound of the metal against the whetstone had him focus one that instead of what was plaguing his mind. It never worked one his brothers though.

Another soft sound had Meister sliding his optics over to see the two new mechs wondering by. Or to be more accurate. The flyer was dragging a protesting grounder by one of the long helm fins and smiling the entire time. The poly could only stare before shaking his helm.

What was the world coming to?

The next time that Prowl woke there was no soft noise and it was well into the dark cycle. Images of a recharge fuzzy mind danced out of his reach. But he didn't try to catch them as he was more attentive to his frame booting up from a very restful recharge. He didn't bother using a light stone to see by as he got up. he navigated his small tent with ease and was outside in no time. Meister was gone no doubt already taking his shift patrolling and for a moment Prowl was a little sad. That turned into confusion as why he would be feeling that in the first place.

He did notice though that his mind wasn't as troubled compared to yesterday and that he was feeling more relaxed. Well more relaxed for him that is. The Praxian found a spot that gave him a great view of the camp but also would keep him hidden from any wondering tribes mechs. He had been warned multiple times not to wonder off alone. There were mechs out there that would snatch him up and carrying him off. Not to mention the mecha animals that would love to have him for a snack.

His frame just relaxed when there was a shuffle to his right. His panels gave a flick and his hand was gripping the knife Ricochet shoved on him. he didn't relax even when the mech came into view. White plating, sleek wings, a gaint sword on his back, and an amused field had Prowl scooting back hoping to leave unnoticed.

He remembers seeing the mech earlier when him and Meister had gotten back. Prowl hadn't stop to talk and he had no intention of doing so now.

"Such a lovely night isn't it?"

But it seemed that the winged mech had other ideas. That amused field gently flared out waiting inviting Prowls to join it.

"it was." The Praxian replied with a touch of ice.

The mech only chuckles seemly immune to Prowls coldness. "Why don't you come out and join me?" he asks. "I figured that a crystal singer like you would be enjoying such a cool clear night."

The last sentence had Prowl whipping around facing the flyer. He had spoken in old Prax that Prowl was sure that he had misheard.

"Crystal Singer?" he asks in the same language. He had to dig up the old files and he sounded a little shaky, but his words were clear. "I did not know others would know about the old ways."

"Many of the old ways have been forgotten but some still thrive. My tribe remembers." The flyer waved Prowl over. He was a little taller then Prowl. The Praxians head only reaching the tips of his shoulders. "(to fly freely and uncontained) Wing." He smiles down at Prowl.

"(one who stalks in shadows) Prowl."

"I was surprise to fine one of legend. Your type has been gone from this world for a long time."

"There are no others like me?"

Wing shook his head sadly. "No, from what is known this was the first city to fall during the turbulent times. All its people vanishing." He was staring at Prowl. "there are only legends left and not many would know them."

"Then how do you." Prowl question. "you never did answer my first question."

"Oh, and which one was that?" Wing smirked.

"why did you refer to me as a crystal singer?"

"They used to call this the singing city. Visitors would smile as they recounted their tale of towering crystals and the ones who played them. the sweetest of melodies and the most beautiful of harmonies could make mecha cry or laugh." For a moment it looked like Wing was remembering it as he spoke. "I wasn't created yet, but my teacher is old, and he remembers."

"I wish I could remember that." Prowl said with a touch of wistfulness. Hang cradling his large middle. "it would be nice to give them some good memories." Without meaning too Prowl had slipped out of the ancient language.

He did not see the look Wing was giving him. the flyer looking between Prowls face and the very rounded middle.

"You have no bond mate, do you?"

Prowl froze but nodded after a while. "We never got to bond."

"Then how-

A snarl in stereo had to the two whirling around weapons out. behind them wasn't an enemy though but a trio of polyhexians and not one was happy. All three glares were thrown at Wing and they kept him in the sights as Meister stalked over to Prowl.

The smile was forced, and his frame was tense as he spoke. "Ya really shouldn't be wandering around alone there Prowl."

Prowl tilted his head. "I was not alone."

"Ya wasn't in yer tent. We were worried."

"I apologies then, I could not get back to recharge and wanted some fresh air." He didn't see any problem. "I did not mean to cause you distress."

Meister still with a forced smile nodded. "it's okay Prowl, how bout we get ya something to eat. Ya haven't had anything since mid-day." His hand was out ready to take Prowls and the Praxian could see and hear that he couldn't argue his way out of it.

Meister, once Prowls back was turn, gave the flyer one last glare before escorting Prowl back to their fire. Stepper and Ricochet growled and hissed once the duo was out of audio range before leaving the bemused flyer. Wing only chuckles seeing an opportunity to have some fun.

He needed something to do until Drift gets done handling his intended. Teasing a group of possessive Polys would be fun and it looked as though Prowl hadn't caught on yet either.

Wing smile. "This is going to be interesting."

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Chapter Ends.

Thank you for reading.