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Grasping a Chance 15: Unusual Arrangements
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Wing met up with Thorn outside the black Knight's quarters, confident that Demeter would have no trouble in watching their charges. The couple may have been bonded for over a century, but they still behaved as new lovers. A berth and energon would keep them happily entertained, if noisy, for joors on end.
"Get everyone settled?" Thorn asked with a smile, sure that Prowl and Jazz were not going to get into anything other than each other.
"Yep," Wing chirped happily as they walked towards the offices of the Knights' leadership. "I think they could be used as the 'this is what happily bonded looks like.'" He giggled happily. "They're adorable."
"It is good that they have settled into that so well. I'm glad, as difficult as it has been for them, they deserve some happiness." Thorn said as they pinged for admittance. The door slid open as Wing hummed his agreement, not at all surprised to see both his creators in the Sovereign's office.
"Who is watching them?" Dai Atlas asked even before the door closed behind the pair.
"Demeter is watching them. Or rather, I am willing to wager that she is reading something and listening to them." Thorn informed them.
Wing snickered. "They were entertaining themselves on the berth when I left."
"Very well," Dai Atlas nodded, ignoring the pleased amusement from his mate. "What brings you here?"
"Offering them the chance to be on their own again." Thorn said quietly. "They have been nothing but honest and productive since Prowl was treated, and even more so now that they have successfully bonded."
"They were productive and good citizens even before that, except for what Prowl's code demanded of him," Wing added. "I think it's time to let them be under looser surveillance."
Dai Atlas hummed. "And what form will this looser surveillance take?"
"They have been allowed unsupervised time in our quarters, for longer periods of time. We would like to discuss letting them have their own space again, and more freedom." Thorn suggested.
Dai Atlas hummed. "In the city?"
"Actually, no." Thorn said. "Both have expressed an interest in remaining citizens of the Citadel, if it would be allowed. Their entire reason for wanting to be away from here is gone, and as Prowl pointed out, if we are going to watch him the rest of his existence, we might as well make it as easy as possible on everyone involved."
"How much does that fact seem to bother them?" Dai Atlas glanced between the Knights.
"Prowl seems to have difficulty grasping the idea that he wouldn't be watched if he hadn't tried to escape," Thorn answered. "He's been under heavy scrutiny his entire existence prior to us. It is simply normal to him."
"Jazz has a much harder time dealing with the constant supervision. Not so much an objection to having another mech around as the fact that he has to find someone willing to go along every time he wants or needs to go somewhere. It frustrates him." Wing explained. "Though as long as Prowl remains in the city, he won't stray far. And I don't think he has a desire for Prowl to be anywhere but here."
"Because Prowl is safe here," Axe nodded. "He said it clearly enough before the Circle. We control Prowl, we control him."
"Just as controlling Jazz will give us control of Prowl," Dai Atlas added. "Do they understand that remaining in the Citadel means they will have duties to the Citadel?"
Thorn actually snorted through his vents. "They're both former military. They won't have any more trouble with the rules here than the rest of the former military. It's natural to them both. They just asked what's expected of them. Fees, chores and rules."
"And really, it's not that much of a change for them anyway, since they haven't spent a lot of time living anywhere but here since they arrived." Wing added. "Jazz might stretch the rules some, but even he will obey them. Just not to the letter, like Prowl is inclined to."
"And what do they expect of their quarters here?" Dai Atlas asked as he tapped through the menu on his desktop screen.
"Comfortable for a bonded couple, though neither of them are used to a lot of space. A berthroom, a common area with enough space for Jazz to dance, and a work area for Prowl." Thorn started.
"Both expressed an interest in a room with a balcony, though they also admitted that neither of them are fliers, and understand if that limits their options there." Wing added.
"Why do they want a balcony if they do not fly?" Dai Atlas cocked his helm, honestly curious. "I would think an open window would do."
"It is difficult to get much of an answer out of either of them," Thorn admitted. "Jazz says it's because he wants to feel what he's seeing. Prowl nearly locked up the first time I asked. Eventually he managed something about being Praxian and seeing the city."
Dai Atlas nodded. "That makes sense when you know where Praxians came from. The Seeker coding in them is highly fragmented and largely obsolete, but it's still there. On a very base level, he is a flier."
"Is that why he wants to see the city?" Thorn was very curious. He'd never gotten much out of his charge and he knew it was because Prowl didn't know. "Bits of flier code left over."
"Possibly, though I suspect it has more to do with the tactical and management coding he has. His function was to organize and govern part of a city if I understand his origins correctly. He wants to see it because he can't feel it anymore."
"Shouldn't be as hard to accommodate as they think." Axe prodded his mate.
"No, it won't be," Dai Atlas agreed, accepting many things with the statement.
"The other things they want- some rather necessary some not, like a sound system and an aerial grade berth- they know they'll need to purchase themselves." Thorn said, listing things that were technically luxuries, even here in New Crystal City.
"They have the credits saved up for it, and really everything they already own. They did buy the stuff we took into our inventory from their apartment," Wing pointed out. "They should get those things back."
Dai Atlas nodded once more and quickly scrolled through data to tag a few things. "They paid for their crimes. Confiscating their property was not part of their penalty. It will be returned, or a comparable match."
"So is that a yes?" Wing asked, excitement picking up at the idea that he was going to be able to deliver good news to the couple.
"Yes, their transfer to new quarters will be arranged," Dai Atlas responded. "Expect the notification within a decaorn. We have empty quarters that are close to suitable for them."
Wing chirped in excitement, wings fluttering so hard that Thorn was forced to take a step to the side to avoid being smacked repeatedly.
"They will be glad for the news, and for what it implies." He hesitated for a moment. "I think both are more open to the idea of being citizens of the city, and all that would bring, now."
"Including having a sparkling or two?" Axe perked up with interest.
"Now that they are bonded, and depending on the how the idea is introduced again, there is a chance." Thorn mused. "I am sure that the possibility has never really left Prowl's processor. What Jazz would say of the idea now I don't know."
"Bring it up when the conversation allows," Dai Atlas instructed. "It is not an immediate demand. However it is an expectation of every citizen that is able so they need to contemplate it until it is agreeable to them. I trust that you both intend to keep close to them. They are still technically your noxa until they are citizens."
"Of course. I like them both," Wing assured his carrier.
"As do I, and they have made other friends among the Knights, some they are even willing to refer to a such." Thorn said, making a point of it since it was something that neither would have done when they first arrived.
"Demeter I am aware of," Dai Atlas regarded them.
"Prowl is also quite fond of Atl, Talon, Shogun, Blueflash and Zephyr," Thorn added. "I would hesitate to call any but perhaps Atl his friend, but he seems to enjoy their company for various reasons."
"Jazz has started dancing, well acrobatic something, with Dart," Wing added. "And while he may not call them friends, there is a fondness in field for some of his regular deliveries when he talks about them. He's not quite so paranoid that he feels he must be on guard around everyone. I think both trust Redline as well, after all they have been through."
"Good," Dai Atlas seemed to relax more. "Have they spoken of wanting to be citizens yet? Of any reason they wish to take that step?"
"Not yet, but more independence might push thoughts that way again, along with subtle hints." Thorn explained.
The Sovereign nodded. "Do so as you can. You may tell them they will have separate quarters in the Citadel soon, and with it the credits and duties they are expected to do as payment."
"Thank you." Both Knights nodded respectful as they let themselves out and headed back to Thorn's quarters to deliver the news.
"That went better than expected," Wing said when they were well enough away from the office. "I was sure he wouldn't go for it yet."
"Your creators are fair." Thorn said. "Jazz and Prowl have earned another chance, we think and they agree."
"Fair, but carrier has a temper and a long, long memory for betrayal," Wing murmured, though he knew of it only as stories. "I wasn't sure if he saw their actions as betrayal, or as what it was, code driven madness. I'm glad he saw it for what it was."
Thorn shuddered at the reminder of that fact, and his field gave away his own relief as well. "As am I. Those two deserve better, now that they have the chance for it."
"And they're working so hard for it too," Wing smiled and brightened, throwing off the unpleasantness with a thought as they took off to fly to Thorn's quarters. "I think they'll make amazingly productive and loyal citizens."
"We have to play by their rules a little bit, but I agree." Thorn said. "A little work on our part to keep their energy channeled into something productive though, and we may be amazed at what they end up doing."
"I'd say Jazz is our greatest asset in channeling Prowl," Wing laughed happily. "I know I've heard him grumble about being bored a lot less since they got serious about each other."
Thorn laughed at an aspect he hadn't considered. "Primus made the pair for each other." He declared as they landed. "They're an endless cycle. Jazz is always looking for something new, so his lover is constantly challenged with coming up with ways to please him."
"And just keep track of him," Wing giggled as they landed and walked in. "So, interrupt them when the moaning stops for a bit, or let them wear each other out first?"
"You know full well that when they stop, Jazz'd be in deep recharge and Prowl not that much more with it," Demeter teased them.
"And I'm not going to be the one to interrupt them." Thorn declared. "You can, if you want."
"After the keen, when they're quiet for a bit," Wing shook his helm and relaxed against the wall, waiting for the sounds to shift. "They're pretty easy as long as they're in between rounds."
"Especially when you are delivering good news?" Demeter prodded.
"That always helps," Wing snickered. "So do energon goodies. Just don't open the door when they're merging. Primus, I never saw them move that fast," he shook his helm. "I don't care what Redline said, they're still predators when it comes to protecting each other."
"Scary?" Thorn asked quietly. Listening.
"When you aren't expecting it, yeah," Wing nodded. "They're so polite usually. To have Prowl launch at you, claws out and snarling for opening the door is a bit unsettling."
Thorn had to stop and try to imagine that, shuddering at the image. "I imagine Jazz was right behind him?"
"Only he was silent," Wing nodded. "And he could have done real damage if Prowl hadn't been my warning. I still don't know what he really did in the war, but I know he can kill if he gets close. I saw that much in his face." He shook his helm and wings. "I really should have known better. It was my wrong move first. I knew they were 'facing. I just didn't think they'd merged."
"Which is why you never reported it," Demeter said, not even a guess.
"Yes. They were only protecting the other's spark, and their own," Wing was certain. "It wasn't malice, and they didn't actually touch me."
The other Knights were quiet as they contemplated that. Quiet enough to notice that the noise had died down from the berthroom.
"So do we interrupt now, and knock first?" Thorn asked, already in motion.
"Knock," Wing suggested. "Never a bad idea."
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