I suppose I am a child, Predaking thought. I am new. And yet, I feel as though I have more calm and wisdom than those who came before me.
He did not believe he needed to learn how to think. It was only factual knowledge he lacked. Inside the classroom again, the Predacons learned pieces of Cybertronian geography, nature, weather and climate during the "review period". For the first time, they glimpsed Iacon on a map. It sat near the top of the world while Kaon sat at the bottom. And Dominus Ambus was quite happy to point out every other place the Predacons had been in response to Darksteel's prompts.
After passing another break lying down in beast form, the final period was a hands-on lesson. Containers sat by each student's desk full of metal pieces. An instruction manual was presented on the main screen to aid the students in constructing "adjustable chairs". Assembling the furniture was another first for Predaking, who had only ever moved construction supplies. Something about piecing everything together made him feel a part of society. He never held the tools or created anything. Though he wasn't as swift as his experienced classmates, he felt a great sense of pride successfully following along with Dominus Ambus until his chair was completed.
"Great work," said the teacher to the Predacons.
The other students created more chairs and then, all their furniture was taken outside and set on the yard in front of the school. Other classes set out more chairs and tables.
"And that's how a normal school cycle is," Dominus Ambus told the Predacons. "If you are interested in a make-up lesson, you may join me now. I promise to make this one special for you."
Before they could reply, ground bridges opened in front of the school and some of the students raced toward them. From one of the portals, Whirl the lanky Wrecker stepped through. The smaller Whirl Jr. launched at him as he spread his arms. He embraced her, lifting her up. She hugged his neck and excitedly chattered, "Hi, papa! You got to see my new classmates! They're huge! And they're Predacons! Do you know what Predacons are?"
Whirl stared at Predaking and his brethren. "Ya-huh… Papa… works with them in Iacon."
He glared a warning at them but relaxed his eye into a friendly crescent when Whirl Jr. looked back at him.
"You had a good cycle?" he asked her and started to walk away into New Spark, still holding her. She chattered on.
Dominus Ambus murmured to the Predacons, "Are you all alright?"
"Fine…" Skylynx turned around. "Let us do the make-up lesson."
The classroom was much quieter and emptier without the other students. And this time, Swoop only lingered outside the door.
"I am going to introduce you to Cybertronian Sign Language," Dominus Ambus began. "It will allow you to communicate in beast form through gestures."
The Predacons sat up.
"Such a language exists?" Predaking gasped.
"It was constructed as a military and police language. But of course, other sign languages had popped up naturally among deaf and mute bots. Because of the War however, CSL has taken over. Nonetheless! A planetary sign language taught in schools would create greater accessibility for deaf and mute bots. Or bots like you who cannot speak in beast mode. Wouldn't it be great if we could all communicate no matter the circumstance?"
"It certainly would be," Predaking rumbled. "Please, I implore you to teach us."
Dominus demonstrated simple signs such as go, come, help, stop, safe, danger, and I understand. Each required only a small movement with one hand. Excitement flared in Predaking's spark and he desperately wanted to learn more.
The teacher added, "And the language takes into consideration that not all Cybertronians have the same number of digits or range of motion!"
Dominus Ambus taught them a few more words and how to fingerspell Cybertronian letters. Once he deemed that their first lesson was complete, Predaking signed, [I understand. C-S-L good. I like].
Dominus Ambus smiled. "I knew you would! Now, how about I request a ground bridge for you… right in front of the Iacon Hall of Records? They may have a book on CSL you can borrow."
Predaking did not think he had ever been so eager to go through a ground bridge. With bows of their heads, the Predacons thanked their small teacher at the entrance of the school. Then, they hurried through the portal once it came.
After cramming through the doors of the Iacon Hall of Records, they rushed to the front desk where the grey Autobot they had met before stood.
"Hello… Can I help you?" he softly asked.
Predaking suddenly noticed a lack of insignia upon this bot. He had only assumed he was an Autobot before, but perhaps he was one of those Neutrals.
Ripclaw announced, "We're looking for Cybertronian Sign Language."
"I think we made a book for that…" the librarian said. "Let's have a look."
And one book was procured. The Predacons sat around a library table, turned on the datapad, and flipped through the first electronic pages.
"It is sorted by subjects," Skylynx remarked. "Perhaps 'description' words would be best."
"Wait, let's see what else is there…" Darksteel flipped through the table of contents. "Oh! Slurs. We have to learn those and use them on the cops!"
Ripclaw snorted.
"Let us learn everything," Predaking said.
The book provided helpful videos of bots demonstrating signs. The Predacons mimicked them and tested each other, cementing their knowledge. Predaking jolted however when Bumblebee's voice suddenly came through his comms.
"Hi, I was just checking in… How was your first cycle of school… with the Dinobots? "
"Troublesome," Predaking replied. "But we will return, thank you."
Bumblebee tried to ask more, but Predaking shut him down.
"We may speak later. For now, we shall study."
And so they continued, until the grey librarian found them and said, "You can borrow that book and take it home, you know."
"Can we?" Skylynx gasped.
Due to Skylynx's enthusiasm, Predaking allowed the book to be checked out in his brother's name. It would go to their address regardless.
The four Predacons hopped outside, transformed, and hurried home. Predaking turned his neck around, waved a forefoot for attention, pointed one claw at them, then tapped his head, and touched one claw to his chest.
[Do you understand me?]
They raised their forefeet and curled all their claws in the answer [Yes].
Predaking purred and flapped his wings faster. They never transformed once they returned home. At the doors, Predaking signed, [We go to hot… O-I-L?]
He did not know the sign for oil or bathhouse.
[What?] Darksteel signed. [Go where?]
[Hot O… I… L…] Predaking slowly moved his claws.
[O-I-L] Skylynx signed back.
[Yes] Predaking replied.
Skylynx growled happily. [I understand!]
[What?] Darksteel signed. Skylynx tapped the keycode and placed the book inside their house.
[Come] Predaking waved his forefoot.
To the bathhouse they went, and once they slipped into the relaxing hot oil, they signed to each other.
[Hot. I love.] Darksteel expressed.
[Hot good-good-good.] Ripclaw answered along with a soft growl.
[Want drink?] Darksteel asked.
Ripclaw pointed at the bubbling oil incredulously. [This?]
[No-no. Drink O-I… M.] Darksteel attempted. He pointed away at the wall.
[Drink O-I-L?] Predaking turned his head. Maccadam's, he assumed.
[Yes!] Darksteel nodded.
The others bobbed their heads happily and signed that they understood. Tails swished under the oil. Soon they climbed out, dried off, and flew to Maccadam's. At that point, Predaking regretted transforming. Being able to stay so long in beast form without transforming to speak had felt so freeing. Yet they did and went inside, squeezing past bots standing with drinks. Tonight, all tables were taken.
Wandering up to the bar, the Predacons asked for mugs of oil and were handed them. And while chugging down the rich dark fluid, Predaking caught a flash of Skylynx's twisting wrist.
[Good!] Skylynx proclaimed while silently drinking.
Predaking caught Darksteel peering over the crowd and seated bots for police officers to sign at. There did not seem to be any tonight, at least, none they recognized.
Predaking swallowed. "I will tolerate whatever crude behaviour we face at that school. What we learn there is much too valuable to miss."
His brethren nodded earnestly in agreement.