AN: Requested by tactilecontact on LJ, with the prompt of a butterfly atrium, but a garden worked better in this case.
Exploring
He stood absolutely still as they whirled around him. The light breeze lifted them gently, as hundreds of tiny wings fluttered. His optics were wide as he tried to take it all in, but he didn't move for fear of crushing the tiny creatures, which danced through the air. "What are they?" he asked softly.
Hound chuckled lightly, as he arranged the plants had had brought with them. "Butterflies."
"They're beautiful," Bluestreak breathed. He went froze again as a tiny butterfly hovered in front of his optics, before gently getting down on his nose. Delighted Bluestreak turned his sensors to the tiny creature. He was not scientifically minded, like Perceptor, but these tiny beings were fascinating. The little one on his nose flexed its wings, launching itself back into the air. "Why are there so many here? There are never this many around the Ark."
Hound laughed softly again. "This is a butterfly garden."
"A butterfly garden?"
"This area was planted specifically with butterflies in mind. It's also protected and maintained. Its a safe place for the butterflies to come and lay eggs."
The Datsun didn't acknowledge the comment. His optics were wide taking it all in.
"Blue?" The gunner turned to face his roommate. "Want to help me plant these? They're good for the caterpillars."
Treading lightly the younger mech made his way over to the green tracker. "What types?"
"Some lupines. A little bit of milkweed..."
A little while later the two settled down to admire their work. Hound was quietly pointing out different types of butterflies as they reemerged after having left from the planting. "The yellow one over there is a swallowtail, and the orange is a monarch."
"What about the one with the red on the outside of the wing?"
"Ah an American Lady."
"What about the blue one?"
"Which one?"
The butterfly was almost pure blue with slightly darker edging on the wings, and lightly frosted in white.
"Primus," Hound breathed.
"What?"
"That's a Mission Blue. They don't live this far north."
"They don't?"
"No, they're habitat is in California. Right around San Francisco." A pause. "And only there."
"Then how did one get up here?"
"I have no idea. I'll call the US Fish and Wildlife Service when we get back. They should know about this."
"We don't have to leave yet do we?"
Hound smiled fondly at the smaller mech. "No, it'll keep for a little while."
Casually the gunner lay his head against the shoulder of his companion, content to watch the delicate jewels playing in the summer breeze.
SN: The mission blue butterfly is an endangered species of butterfly. It only lives in specific areas of California. The males have the brilliant blue inner wing. I think this one hooked a ride on the lupines Hound was planting.