Jazz gets a new look and has his first formal dinner! Sorry...still nothing major...just a little OPxJ fluff!
Dining with a Gamma
Jazz had been asked to go out on cheap dinners from drunk Beta's and Delta's before but he had just been asked by the Prime himself to have dinner with him and a few others. How could he not get excited? Well to be honest he was feeling a little scared. He was just a Gamma and he was about to dine with the Prime and some Superior's. After he had explained the situation to Prowl who was waiting for him outside the large office the Enforcer Captain mumbled a few curses and studied the young Gamma standing before him. If he was to dine with the Prime, Supreme Commander and a High Councilman then he had to at least look presentable. He was covered in rust, dirt, dents and scratches. He'd put everyone off their meal if he sat down with them.
'If you are going to dine with the Prime and his guests then you need to clean up.'
'Ya figured that one on ya own?' grumbled Jazz.
Jazz himself knew he wasn't presentable for this dinner. He was already making Alpha's cry out in disgust and fear every time he walked past them. He could only imagine how this High Councilman was going to react when he showed up. He'd order a guard to throw him out before he'd be able to sit down. He smelled like stale oil and looked like he was thrown into a machine three times. How was he going to be able to face Optimus, his brother and a High Councilman like this? Thankfully Prowl had a good idea what to do.
'OK if you want to look at least a little presentable then you better follow me.'
Even though this Beta was a complete jerk Optimus had told him to trust him so he decided to do so. He followed the Enforcer Captain through the grand halls where more Alpha's shrieked at the sight of him. They walked until they came to a rather extravagant gate. It was ridiculously decorated with gold and jewels that even Jazz thought it looked silly but he followed the Enforcer Captain in. Jazz sat in the gate as Prowl selected the level he wanted to go to and the moment he selected it the gate moved quite fast that even Jazz was shocked by the speed. Prowl remained silent as the gate moved and when they reached their destination he urged Jazz to follow him. Outside Jazz found himself in quite a large indoor retail complex where hundreds of Alpha's walked around doing their daily business. It was a pretty place that seemed to glow in a light green but Jazz didn't have time to marvel as he followed Prowl through the crowds.
'This retail complex is where only Alpha's are allowed to visit. You should consider yourself lucky.'
It amazed Jazz that they didn't allow other classes to visit here. Then again from what he had seen the Alpha's were really, really snobbish and seemed to despise lower classes. Well except for that pretty Alpha he had met, the one called Mirage. He didn't seem to mind him. However that jerk who hit him seemed to hate him a lot. As they walked on they finally reached a large doorway that had a sign on it that said "The Blue Flame Beauty Parlour" in bright blue writing. Jazz suddenly felt a little uncomfortable but he followed Prowl in anyway. Inside there was a small reception desk with a pretty blue femme sat taking in calls. Around her Alpha's were sitting and waiting for their given appointment whilst browsing on holo-screens what paint job they wanted or what wax they wanted to use. they were being escorted in and out of rooms by the staff and given advise on what to get. The room was lit with blue flames that gave the place it's name and a small fountain in the middle. Like pretty much everything else he had seen this room was beautiful. However it didn't help that the Alpha's were looking at him in a curious and disgusting way. He just looked to the ground and waited for Prowl to finish his conversation with the receptionist.
'He'll be with you in a moment sir so please take a seat. Can I interest you in our new product Crystal Wax? Give's your armour that crystal feeling that will make you feel like the Prime himself.'
'No thanks...just tell him to hurry up.'
As Prowl walked back over to wait with him Jazz tried to start a conversation with him so to get his mind off the Alpha's that were staring at him.
'So why are we here?' asked the young Gamma.
'We're here to play....what do you think? I'm treating you to a make over.'
A make over? And he was treating him? This sounded a little crazy but then again if he wanted to make a good impression then he'd better do what Prowl was telling him to do. However this didn't seem like the place this Beta Enforcer Captain would visit so how did he know about it? He also seemed to know one of the mechs that worked here. Within a few clicks a new mech appeared and he too had a light blue flame on dark blue armour and he had a ruby red face under a silver helm. To Jazz he looked like an Alpha who over did it with the paint job but then again so did every other Alpha he had met. The blue Alpha greeted Prowl with excitement.
'Ah Prowl I was so hoping you would come bac-....GAH!?'
The Alpha suddenly noticed Jazz and jumped back in shock. The young Gamma was starting to get used to it so it didn't bother him that much. The shout he made caused a few Alpha's to look up and wonder what all the fuss was about. Prowl just sighed and folded his arms. The blue Alpha looked at Jazz in a very different way compared to how the other Alpha's looked at him. He stared at him as if he was surprised he was dirty...as if he was supposed to be clean. After returning to a calm and composed manner he suddenly circled the young Gamma with curious optics.
'My, my, my Prowl who is this? I have to say I don't see a lot of Gamma's in these parts.'
Jazz was surprised that this Alpha knew he was a Gamma but even more surprised he seemed to be interested in him. From what happened this morning most Alpha's tried their best to avoid walking near him. This was the second Alpha who didn't seem to mind standing so close to him. Prowl pulled the Alpha towards him and explained in a low tone.
'Tracks this Gamma is going to an important function tonight and I need him to look presentable. You do owe me remember!'
The Alpha, known as Tracks, looked back at Jazz and studied him some more. He then walked over to Jazz and started to probe him by lifting his arms, holding his face up and moving it from side to side and peeling a bit of loose armour off. Jazz flinched for he didn't like the way he was being handled by this Alpha and forgot what Ultra Magnus had told him.
'Watch what ya touching pal!' he snapped.
Prowl looked a little unimpressed whilst Tracks just chuckled.
'My he has a cocky little mouth...what do they call you my pretty little rust-head?'
Was this mech trying to piss him off? Tracks just chuckled as he pulled out a holo-pad from a space compartment from his arm and studied it after accessing a little screen. It seemed he was checking his appointments or something since he was making a few changes to a small list. As he read it Jazz decided to answer him.
'I'm called Jazz and I'm not a rust-head!'
'Cute name for a cute little Gamma. Did you know that only one in seven hundred Gamma's are considered pretty enough to an Alpha's standards? However even though you have a pretty face you're still...yucky...so Prowl why do I have a Gamma here?'
As Prowl explained once again Jazz mumbled in anger. This Alpha did acknowledge him as a pretty Gamma but he seemed to be rather rude about the whole thing. As he looked around he watched as Alpha's walked out of rooms in wet paint and trying on new parts. Jazz had always known that his armour was dirty and rusty but he had grown used to it so it didn't really bother him that much so it was hard for him to understand why these Alpha's were so obsessed with looking pretty all the time. Even Optimus thought it was silly. After Tracks had finished with Prowl he returned to the young Gamma and smirked.
'He's going to need some extra attention then. Very well follow me you little cutie rusty.'
Jazz grumbled but said nothing. Tracks walked off and both Prowl and Jazz followed him down a small corridor until they reached a door with a sign that said "The Room of Rebirth" in gold plating. Tracks opened the door and allowed both Jazz and Prowl to enter first. Since the room had a fancy name Jazz was expecting it to be just like everything else he had seen but to his surprise it was just one big white circular room. In the center was a small platform and above that was large machine that hummed quietly. Tracks followed after them and closed the door whilst Prowl took a seat on a nearby bench.
'OK you little pretty thing...step up here and the transformation shall begin!'
Jazz looked to Prowl who just sat there and folded his arms. He seemed to be saying"don't worry" from the way he was looking at him so he did as he was told and stepped on the platform. The moment he did the platform lit up and holo screens appeared all around him. A terminal rose from the ground and Tracks stood before it.
'OK then Jazzy...let us begin with a quick Acid Shower and don't worry...this batch has sweet scented chemicals cooked up by yours truly!'
Before Jazz could answer a hole opened up above him and he was suddenly drenched in a sweet smelling acid shower. He yelped in surprise as the acid began to hiss and melt away the rust and paint.
'A little warning would be nice!' snapped Jazz.
Tracks didn't seem to be listening to him as he stepped over and suddenly pulled off his visor. Jazz cried out again once it was removed and his bright blue optics suddenly dimmed until they barely glowed at all. The visor helped Jazz to see since he was born with defective optics so once it was removed Jazz could barely see anything aside from static and warning signs.
'Give that back!' he cried as he tried to keep his balance.
Prowl looked a little concerned but Tracks was a pro at what he did. That's why the Alpha's loved him so much. He even worked with Sentinel Prime once. His schedule was tight but thankfully he did owe him a favour after Prowl saved him from some perverted Delta's whilst he was shopping in a lower class retail center. Prowl thought he would never need anything from the Alpha but surprise, surprise...he needed it after all. Tracks looked at the visor he had taken from Jazz and sneered in disgust. He then activated his com link and started to push more buttons on the terminal as he talked away.
'Ambergreen? It's me sweetie...could you bring me the visor case size 5.7 light blue...yeah that one...oh and also send me up some crystal wax...the scented one...how's the bondmate anyway?'
As he chatted away Jazz found himself getting hosed as cold water washed away the acid leaving his armour plain and even more unappealing. Then something else was thrown on him and it reeked of bittersweet Energon. Then he cried out when something began to rub against his back.
'W-w-what's g-g-going o-o-on!?' he cried.
'I'm just buffing you up sweetie. Then after that we'll use the lasers to knock off those dents and scratches and then we'll add some protective shine polish before adding the paint...'
As he went on and on Jazz felt a little scared as the buffers continued to buff him up. This mech did sound like he knew what he was doing but Jazz had never been inside a beauty parlour before. Also the fact that he couldn't see properly scared him a little. Prowl just sat there feeling sorry for the poor Gamma. He didn't look like he was enjoying this and who can blame him. The Enforcer hated these places. He hated the way the Alpha's cared about their appearance so much that they'd go to such length to make themselves look pretty. He had been told by the Alpha's he worked with he looked pretty if he coated himself in red but Prowl stated that the only part of him that was going to be red was his horns. Besides he thought black and white suited him but it ticked him off that every mech and femme he met said it made him look dull. In the end he gave up on the dating game and dedicated his life to his work. He looked back to Jazz to see the poor thing trying to figure out what he was.
'I want my visor now!' he wailed.
The moment he said that the door opening and in walked a femme pushing a tray full of visor's. She pulled up next to Tracks who started to pick them up and hold them up in front of Jazz's face. Ones he didn't like he threw back on the tray.
'Too big...too shabby...too dark...looks funny...lame...sucks...eww...soooo yesterday...hmmm...no....yuck....not bad...maybe...no way...'
He went on and on until at long last he found one that suited Jazz and forced it on his head. The young Gamma growled in frustration but once the visor was fitted he was able to see again and this time more clearly. The femme left with the tray and Tracks continued with the cleaning. It was only when the lasers came out that Jazz wanted to jump off. However he was held in place when he was hit with a controlled EMP that forced him to stand completely still.
'Don't worry cutie you're in safe hands,' chuckled Tracks as he controlled the lasers.
The lasers heated certain areas of Jazz's armour and caused the dents to pop up and then cooled it down with a sub zero spray. The scratches were heated until they melted into the metal and vanished. Extra metal was added to hide the small openings that reveled loose circuitry and wiring. The procedure went on until the lasers vanished and Jazz was able to move again. He glared at Tracks who just smirked.
'OK sweetie here's my favourite part...painting time!'
A screen appeared before Jazz with thousands of colours on display. A small silhouette of him appeared on one of the screens and it was surrounded with different colours to choose from. Tracks looked rather excited as he began to offer his suggestions.
'You know I bet you'd look ravishing with neon pink and midnight purple! Or maybe molten red with some aqua blue? Or emerald green with maple orange?'
Jazz looked at all the colours. Would he really look pretty with a different paint job? There were so many colours it made him feel a little dizzy just to look at them. It did seem a little tempting and for one thing it would stop those Alpha's from sneering at him. However would it please Optimus? He didn't seem to care how Jazz looked. In fact he only wanted Jazz to clean up for this dinner and not decorate himself with fancy colours otherwise it would look like he was tring to fit in. Plus now that he thought about it he preferred the black and white look.
'Just black and white please...I don't want anything fancy.'
Tracks looked a little upset whilst Prowl looked impressed. The Enforcer Captain was expecting Jazz to go all out with the colour but he was proved wrong. However Tracks wanted to give Jazz a little bit of colour and he pulled out a stylus and started to doodle on the silhouette of Jazz.
'OK....so we let you keep the boring colours....but we add a little sky blue here with a tint of ruby red here...and the same here...and a little on your back...and presto!'
He pushed the silhouette screen back into Jazz's face to allow him to study it and he had to admit he looked a little...better with that small but extra colour. Looking down at Tracks he could see he was desperate to give him some colour and even though he was acting like a rude and snobbish Alpha earlier on it was still nice of him to even allow himself to clean up a Gamma. Besides it was just a little red and blue so no biggie.
'Well...I guess it wouldn't-...'
'Excellent! Now let's add the protective coat to protect the metal and then we'll add the paint and then we'll add the shine and protect wax to keep your paint job looking new every day guaranteed to last for 50 stellar cycles!'
Jazz sighed and wondered if he should start regretting this as he was coated with a substance that would protect his armour. Once it was buffed in he was then held in place again as the paint guns came down. It was fast drying paint that dried up in a nano-click so it went rather fast. He listened to them hissing and whirring as he was coated over and over until Tracks was satisfied and then applied the crystal wax himself. He smeared it all over Jazz and then stepped back as the buffers came down for the last time to buff him up once more. Then at long last Jazz was allowed to step off the platform and Prowl walked over to have a better look.
'Wow...he doesn't look that bad...for a Gamma,' commented Prowl.
'Of course he doesn't look that bad! He was blessed with the honer of having yours truly transform him into a beauty of Gamma...a shiny pearl within a rubble of old stones as you would call it.'
A Reflective screen then appeared before Jazz and he was able to look at himself for the first time since this whole thing began. What he saw made him wonder if Tracks had given him a phony visor for he wasn't even sure if he was a Gamma anymore. All of the dents and scratches were gone and his black and white paint looked even better than before. Even the hints of red and blue made him look more appealing. His new visor seemed to glow on it's own and for once he didn't smell funny. If he wasn't a Gamma mechs all around would mistake him for a Delta or even a Beta. Tracks seemed pleased that his work was appreciated by the Gamma.
'Well my cute little pretty you'll be able to walk into that dinning hall without anyone looking at you as if you were yesterday's colour scheme.'
Jazz was overwhelmed. He'd never thought he could look so perfect like he was now. He couldn't stop staring at himself for he wasn't sure if he was staring at himself. He wondered how the Alpha's would treat him now. How would Mac and Crystal react? Mac would die from a mega Spark-pulse and Crystal would envy him for eternity. He wondered how Optimus would react when he saw him like this. Impressed? Pleased? Happy? It felt strange that as he wondered how Optimus would react when he saw him he pictured things he knew would not happen. For example he imagined Optimus telling he was the most gorgeous mech he had ever seen. That would never happen.
'OK Prowl my dear consider us both even...but if you ever want a new paint job you know where to find me!'
The reflective screen vanished and Jazz was a little disappointed but then again he was now eager to show the rest of the world what he now looked like. Before he left he stepped forward to thank the eccentric Tracks who just smirked down at him. he had to admit he was one strange Alpha...throughout the whole thing he didn't seem to care that he was a Gamma.
'Thanks for doing this...I mean...I never thought-...'
'Yes, yes I know you love me but you cannot have me my sweet for my Spark belongs to another...but it was sweet of you to admit such feelings to me!'
Jazz was about to answer back but Prowl just looked at him and shook his head. He guessed he was trying to tell him that no matter what he said to Tracks he would assume he was talking about something else. So instead he just bowed slightly and said, plain and simple,
'Thanks.'
Tracks just chuckled, patted him on the helm and then began to push them both out the room.
'Well it was nice of you to visit but I have a tight schedule and lots to do so bye-bye!'
Jazz stumbled out the room with Prowl and watched as Tracks locked the door, wave them good-bye and walk off. At first the young Gamma wasn't sure what to say or do as Prowl grumbled about the blue mech being some kind of weirdo. He knew that even though this Enforcer Captain acted like a complete jerk it was still nice of him to think of bringing him here to an Alpha only complex where he could clean up and look smart for this dinner. He felt like he should say something but wasn't sure what. Prowl sighed when he realized he was running late for something.
'OK let's get you back to the grand halls otherwise Ultra Magnus is gonna hand my aft to me...now...you do know how to eat correctly? Right?'
Jazz appeared confused.
'Eat correctly? Well sure...just throw it my mouth and chew!'
Prowl let out a frustrated sigh...this was going to be a long afternoon.
The evening had come quickly and Optimus walked off to the private dinning area where he, his brother and High Councilman Trax were going to dine with Jazz. He had already explained to Trax that he was going to meet someone he knew he'd like and the old mech was already looking forward to it. Ultra Magnus didn't appear at all pleased but he quickly gave in which surprised Optimus. He just hoped Jazz wasn't going to make a no show out of fear. He still felt guilty for not telling Jazz who he was sooner and for suddenly inviting him to a meal with a High Councilman.
'Maybe I'm going too fast,' he pondered out loud.
'Too fast for what?'
Optimus looked down to see that High Councilman Trax was standing right there, looking up at him with his ancient optics and smiling as best his old face could. The old mech had a habit of just appearing out of the blue like that. Plus he always showed up when Optimus began to think out loud. Prime sighed as he began to walk with the old mech and he explained for his thinking out loud.
'Well...this mech that I wanted you to meet...he's not used to this place and I fear that I may be causing him some stress.'
Trax looked up again and looked a little puzzled.
'Not used to this place?'
Optimus sighed again. He wanted to surprise Trax but he had enough of keeping secrets for one day.
'You see...he's a Gamma...'
Trax now looked both surprised and amused.
'A Gamma? Haven't seen one of those for 70 million stellar cycles...you've brought one up here? How in the name of Vector Sigma did YOU meet one?'
The Prime made it brief as he explained how he met Jazz whilst Trax listened. The old mech didn't seem to be greatly troubled by it but he did look a little concerned when Optimus mentioned that he went down to the slums. Even though he was kind and had a soft spot for the young Prime he knew that by going down there was dangerous and he planned to give Optimus a minor telling off later but he was surprised when Optimus said that he had already told his brother and he was going to punish him in his own way.
'So you have to report in with him every now and then? Sounds like Ultra Magnus to me. Well I have to say I'm now even more interested to meet this mech if you like him so much.'
Optimus was glad that Trax didn't seem to mind the fact that he would be dining with a Gamma. Most High Councilmen would find an excuse not to go. As they entered the dinning room Optimus was surprised that Ultra Magnus was already there with a grim expression. He wasn't looking forward to be dining with a Gamma but he dared not show up for he was also dining with a High Councilman. Optimus was just glad his brother was there, happy or not. The table was laid, the mechs were waiting to serve the meals and now they had to wait for the guest of honer. As Trax walked over to sit down Optimus approached his brother.
'I know you're not going to enjoy this but could you at least smile...for me?'
Ultra Magnus huffed and looked away. The Prime sighed but he knew his brother would eventually relax and enjoy himself. Optimus looked at the table to admire the decorations when he noticed that there were five places laid out. Was there a confusion with the numbers? How could there be? It was four places for him, his brother, High Councilman Trax and Jazz so why was there a fifth? Looking up at his brother Ultra Magnus who guessed that Opimus had figured it out and he explained.
'I invited someone else,' he said bluntly.
Someone else? Before he could ask who the door to the room suddenly opened. Optimus was expecting to see Jazz but much to his dismay he saw Senator Cortexion walk in with a smug expression written all over his face. What was he doing here? How did he know about this dinner? Optimus suddenly shot a nasty glare at his brother who just stared back as if to say, deal with it. Cortexion suddenly walked up to Optimus and almost forced a crystallised plant in his hands.
'Oh Optimus Prime it is so good to see you. I feel honored that you invited me to dine with you, your dear brother and a nobel High Councilman. You're looking so god-like today!'
Optimus was thankful that he was wearing a mask for he was frowning quite badly. The last mech he wanted to see and his brother had the nerve to invite him to this private dinner. Plus if he guess right Cortexion had no idea he was about to dine with a Gamma and knowing Cortexion he despised anyone or anything that was below the Alpha class. As Cortexion went to take a seat Optimus began to silently pray that nothing was going to go wrong. The last thing he wanted was for Cortexion to chase Jazz out the dinning room. For some reason he was able to picture that. As he went to take a seat alongside his brother Cortexion was now looking at the empty seat.
'Oh were we expecting someone else?'
'Yes we are...he should be here any click now.'
At that moment there was a knock on the door and all four mechs looked up to see the Enforcer Captain sticking his head through the door. Cortexion frowned for he didn't like the Enforcer Captain a lot...mainly because he was a Beta. Prowl ignore his nasty glare and stood to attention.
'He's ready Prime sir. I'll return to pick him up later.'
As Prowl turned he suddenly noticed Jazz, who was standing outside, was looking a little scared. This didn't surprise him for even he would feel scared in this situation. He had taught him how to behave but the lesson he had given him was a a whole deca-cycles worth cut down to at least two cycles. Sighing a little he patted him on the shoulder and gave him a very quick pep talk.
'Relax OK. Just go in sit down and speak when you're spoken too. Remeber how to eat? If you get stuck just watch them. Good luck.'
Jazz still felt a little shaky but after Prowl gave him a push he was able to walk into the dinning room. Optimus looked up to see Jazz entered and his optics widened with surprise. He had expected that Prowl would just take him to a wash rack and have him cleaned up but this was a little unexpected. His faded black and white armour now stood out to perfection and the hints of red and blue made him look more appealing. Even his visor had changed slightly. Also he was glad that Jazz didn't run off and paint himself to look like a silly Alpha and chose to keep his old colours. He still looked like a Gamma but a very smart and pretty Gamma. In fact he couldn't take his optics off him as he stood there wondering what to do next. Ultra Magnus looked a little impressed and Trax was suddenly curious. However when Cortexion spotted him he suddenly shrieked and almost jumped off the table.
'W-What is this!? A Gamma!? In the grand halls!? What is a disgusting, foul and repulsive Gamma doing here!? I demand an explanation!'
Even though he knew he was nice and clean it still pained him that an Alpha would talk about him in such a way. Jazz was trying his hardest to make a good impression but it didn't seem to be working. Trax sighed as Cortexion rambled on about the filthy Gamma whilst Ultra Magnus just sat there with his arms folded. Jazz suddenly felt out of place more than he already did and his legs seemed to be begging to him to run away and hide. However Optimus rose from the table and walked over to Jazz. He then placed an arm on his shoulder and looked to a very shocked looking Cortexion.
'This Gamma, Lord Cortexion, is my guest. He is called Jazz and I do hope you get along since I would be very upset if you don't.'
Having Optimus come over and introduce him like that made Jazz relax a little. It also felt nice that Optimus announced he was his guest without any shame in his voice. Cortexion held his glossa but he still looked disgusted with the Gamma. Jazz followed Prime to the table where he took a seat. He was sitting next to a very old mech who he guessed was the High Councilman. He sat opposite Ultra Magnus who sat next to that Alpha who insulted him and at the head of the table with the Alpha and High Councilman sitting either side of him was Optimus himself. Once everyone had sat down Cortexion was the first to speak.
'My dear Lord Prime...why are we dining with this Gamma?'
He said the word Gamma with a hateful tone but Jazz dared not reply with Ultra Magnus looking at him like that. As their starters were brought in and their finely graded Energon poured Optimus explained.
'You see Lord Cortexion my first act as Prime will be to annilate the walls of classes that divide our race.'
Cortexion almost choked on his Energon whilst Trax looked interested. Jazz couldn't help but chuckle as Cortexion tried to calm himself which earned him a nasty glare from the Alpha. Jazz remained silent as Optimus continued.
'I have witnessed how these Gamma's live and I do not believe that we should allow them to live like that. They should be able to choose if they want to have an honest job or bond with someone outside their class. The same goes for the other classes. I mean for all we know there could be an Alpha who longs to be with a Delta or a Beta who wishes to work with the Superior's.'
Trax considered this and he offered his thoughts.
'That does sound like a challenge Optimus Prime and I'm sure you would be able to pull it off but how would the public react? Also would the other cities agree with you?'
'I have considered these matters and I have already made a plan. By introducing Gamma's back into society there will be more jobs made available, new homes to be made meaning there will be more work...'
'Yes that is true but Gamma's aren't very skilled with anything. They're not built for hard labour and they're not well built. Plus it will take some time before the public accepts them...'
'This will indeed take time I know that but everyone who isn't a Gamma believes them to be savage and wild. Does he look savage and wild to you?'
Everyone now looked at Jazz who felt a little small right now. That whole conversation left his CPU fuzzy. Would he really be able to do all of this? He was just a Gamma not a politician. The old mech looked at him with careful optics and smirked.
'He certainly does not look at all savage. In fact he looks a little interesting...I'm surprised a Gamma can look so clean.'
For the first time since he arrived Jazz spoke and as he was told to tried to be polite as best he could.
'Well to be honest sir I was cleaned up by one of ya Beauty bots.'
While Trax looked surprised with what the Gamma had just said Cortexion sneered in disgust.
'Primus above his voice sounds terrible! A little advice, next time you visit one of our "beauty bots" tell them to rearrange your vocal processor!'
Optimus looked at Cortexion with a disapproving glare whilst Trax just sighed after rolling his optics. Ultra Magnus continued to say nothing and Jazz made a small frown and mumbled in a not too loud voice,
'Least I don't look like some wannabe temple decoration.'
'What did you just say!?'
Jazz almost jumped when Ultra Magnus suddenly snapped at him. Looking around the table he found that everyone, including Optimus, was staring at him in curiosity of what he just said. He felt a little hot as the Supreme Commander glared down at him. He must of had super sensitive audios to be able to hear what he just said. He was about to make something up when Trax suddenly spoke for him.
'He said, you look like a Prime awaiting his coronation.'
Ultra Magnus didn't argue and Cortexion looked rather pleased with himself. Jazz looked to the old mech who just gave him a small wink. The Gamma suddenly felt glad this old mech was on his side. After they had calmed down Optimus continued what he had to say.
'Jazz has agreed to assist me with helping convince the other cities to change this old law. I believe once they meet him they will see that the Gamma's will be able to function in our society. I was hoping you would convince the other High Councilmen to support me since you are the most respected and trusted one of all.'
Trax looked deep in thought and he studied Jazz once again.
'Well...it would be nice to see more Gamma's like him walking around our cities...adding a bit of colour to the place...but I think you need to prove that he can function in our society.'
'How do you mean?'
'For starters...what do you do for a living young one?'
Jazz had a feeling that if he told them where he worked they would be unimpressed but he couldn't lie.
'I work in an Energon Bar...as a bar mech...sir.'
Cortexion suddenly laughed out loud and once again made Optimus look a little angry. Trax didn't seem to mind and spoke some more.
'Interesting...but is there another profession that you'd rather do?'
The Gamma had never thought about that before. He had lived his whole life in the slums and he could only care about getting a job not what the job was. As he sat there trying to think Cortexion grew bored and called a service droid over. he gave it a quick demand and within a matter of clicks more mechs entered the room but these ones were carrying instruments. Optimus looked annoyed as they began to play but Jazz suddenly looked interested. He had listened to music back down in the slums but had no idea what made it. Before Optimus could ask Cortexion to get rid of them Jazz suddenly asked,
'What are those?'
Everyone now stared at him as if he asked the dumbest question on Cybertron. Cortexion started to laugh out loud again whilst Ultra Magnus rubbed his brow in frustration. Jazz now felt like an idiot and felt like shrinking right there but Optimus had finally grew tired of Cortexion's outbursts.
'Lord Cortexion if you don't mind you are insulting my guest! Now either keep your remarks about him to yourself or LEAVE!'
The fact that he stood up and literally shouted at the rude Alpha made everyone in the room jump. The musicians dropped their instruments, the service mechs dropped their bottles of Energon, Trax gripped his Spark in shock, Ultra Magnus looked liked someone had just hit him, Cortexion looked like he was about to discharge oil and Jazz almost jumped out of his seat. It was even louder than that time he shouted at Mac and his face looked even scarier than before. Cortexion was frozen on the spot and couldn't move. He had heard that Optimus was quite scary when he was angry and he had pushed him to the limit. After Optimus realized he had raised his voice he quickly sat down and apologized to High Councilman Trax even though he still looked a little angry. Trax thankfully was able to forgive him and Jazz noticed that Ultra Magnus was trying to hide a small smirk. Optimus then returned his attention to Jazz.
'Those are instruments used to make music. That's the Harmonia-stella, the Crystal-keys and the Symphony-horn. It takes some skill to master the ones they are playing. Are you interested?'
Jazz nodded and tried to get a good idea how the instruments worked now that the musicians were playing again. The Symphony-Horn was a long pipe like instrument shaped like a tick. It was decorated with coloured gems and every time the musician touched one or a few together it made a different tune. The Crystal keys were made up of hanging crystals that looked like frozen tear drops and every time the musician traced a digit down one or two different sounds were made. What interested Jazz the most was the Harmonia-stella. It was beautifully designed device shaped like a thick flat bottle with a hollow center. Within the hollow center was threads of coloured light and every time the musician touched one a new sound was made. It was soothing and beautiful and Jazz just sat there trying to appreciate it. Trax decided to leave Jazz alone about what he wanted to do and decided it was time to eat.
'We better eat this before the electrons discharge,' he chuckled.
After the meal was over, Cortexion left without saying anything and Trax bid both Optimus and Jazz farewell promising that he will bring this subject up with the rest of the Council. Once he was gone it was just the two Omega Superior's and the Gamma in that small dinning room. Ultra Magnus was about to call Prowl to come pick up Jazz but Optimus intervened.
'I'll escort him back...don't worry I'm not going to run off.'
Ultra Magnus sighed. He looked angry and for a very good reason.
'Don't think that you're getting away that easy. Just because you the Prime doesn't mean you can shout at my guest.'
Optimus rolled his optics.
'If I recall he was the one who was insulting MY guest. We'll discuss this later.'
With that he urged Jazz to follow him out of the room and began to escort him to where he was staying. Jazz felt a little funny after that strange meal. He did follow Prowl's advise and tried his best to eat correctly but he ended up sipping his Energon too loudly, splashing his starter all over the table and chewing too loudly on the main course. Thankfully both Optimus and Trax didn't seem to mind but Ultra Magnus shot him a nasty glare every now and then and Cortexion sneered at him in silence. Still he had to admit for his first formal dinner it went pretty well. As they walked on Optimus finally spoke.
'I hope you weren't greatly offended by Cortexion's rants...out of all the Alpha's he's the most rudest one of all.'
Jazz could tell that Optimus seemed troubled. Who could blame him he had to shout at his own guests. So he pulled his catch phrase smirk and (after making sure no one was around) nudged him a little.
'Trust me on this I had worst insults than that back down in the slums.'
Optimus suddenly smirked from under his mask.
'There it is.'
'Huh?'
'I noticed that ever since dinner you haven't been yourself. I was worried you were sick.'
Now that he thought about it Optimus had a point. During dinner he was acting like a scared little turbo-fox. That wasn't like him at all. No wonder Cortexion enjoyed teasing him so much. Plus he did seem like the type who enjoyed making others miserable. Optimus suddenly chuckled.
'Nice comment about him being a "wannabe temple decoration" by the way.'
Jazz suddenly looked shocked.
'You heard that?' he whimpered.
'Omega Superior class mechs have sensitive audios Jazz. I could hear an Energon chip drop in a crowded hallway.'
that made the young Gamma frown. Could that mean that Ultra Magnus had really heard what he had said at the table? Optimus gave Jazz a gentle pat on the helm when he noticed how worried he looked.
'Don't worry about it. I was rather hoping you would say it out loud.'
That made Jazz chuckle as he pictured that Cortexion jerk fainting at the mere insult whilst everyone laughed at him. Optimus then looked a little concerned about something. He remembered that small chat he had with Trax right before dinner. Was he rushing Jazz into his lifestyle? Was it causing him stress? Should he slow it down before its too late? Looking down at him he seemed a little happier than before. Plus he noticed with that cleaner face Jazz's smirk made him look a little more...attractive. Optimus mentally slapped himself when that word popped into is CPU. It wasn't because Jazz was a Gamma...it was mainly because he wasn't sure if he was Jazz's type him being an Omega Supirior and all. Plus Optimus wasn't very good at flirting. Why was he even thinking about this? As he continued to mentally slap himself they arrived at the guest quarters where Jazz was going to stay. The young Gamma looked curious but he also looked tired.
'I had asked them to prepare this room for you. If you need anything just call Prowl. He's on night duty anyway. I'll have him pick you up tomorrow.'
Jazz yawned and was about to say thank you when he noticed Optimus seemed to be blushing. It also looked like he was trying to say something but had difficulty getting it out. However he was finally able to talk.
'Um...Jazz....if you feel like you're being...pushed...beyond your limits...you will inform me right?'
Jazz blinked. Was he worried about him? Worried that he was rushing him into all of this? For some reason that made his Spark warm up and a fuzzy feeling flood his systems. Even though he was a higher up he was still concerned about the well-being of the young Gamma. He smiled up at him to show he was doing OK.
'I'm fine Optimus so chill. I may be a Gamma but I'm a tough one and no snobby Alpha is going to chase me away!'
Optimus seemed relieved and he bid Jazz goodnight. Jazz did the same and entered his room. It was grand that was for sure. A private wash rack, a large and soft looking berth, a small sitting area with quality furniture and it even had a small open Energon Bar with high graded Energon. This was nothing like his small room back down in the slums. Jazz would love to marvel and explore but he was tired and his body demanded a recharge. Flopping onto the berth he sighed in relaxation and hoped that tomorrow would be better than today.
