Title: Most Precious of Treasures: Chapter 1: Arrival
Rating: K+
Continuity: AU G1
Chapter 1: Arrival
His armor was dusty and worn, paint scratched and faded. His gait was slow, but it was even and practiced; an efficient step that would get the walker where he wanted to go quickly. Doorwings flared from his back, still and stiff. Amber-gold optics glowed faintly from under a brilliant red chevron.
A few optics tracked his progress down the street, but not many paid him attention. He was just another traveler, coming here to trade, perhaps, or maybe just passing through. Most people did that, nowadays, after all. Not very many wanted to stay in a town ruled by a draken.
Prowl, though, was not thinking of a draken, or of passing through. He was thinking of his younger brother, and the home he had promised to find, and wondering if he had maybe, finally, found somewhere.
It was while he was contemplating this when he bumped into the small, silver mech.
“Whoa, mech,” the silver mech chuckled, lifting four-fingered, claw-tipped hands. “Sorry.”
“No, it is I who should be sorry. I should watch where I am walking.”
“Ah, a gentlemech on the streets down here? That ain't somethin' ya find every orn.” The silver mech leaned to the side slightly, peering around Prowl, staring at his doorwings. “An' a Praxian t' boot. What're ya doin' here, mech?”
“I do believe that is none of your business.”
“Hey, Ah was jus' askin'. No need t' get snappy.”
Prowl vented heavily. “I am sorry. I have been moving for a long time, and I am exhausted.”
“Mm, understand'ble. Ah'm sorry fer intrudin'. Mah creators say Ah'm too curious fer mah own good, an' they're usually right.”
Shaking his helm, Prowl glanced around, golden optics skimming over the crowded streets. A few people shot them curious or amused glances, but no one paid them much mind. “I... Curiosity in itself is not bad. It is when you let it get away from you and control your actions when it becomes problematic.”
The silver mech stared at the black and white for a long moment before chuckling quietly. “Ah like you,” he stated, grinning widely.
“... Pardon me?” He... liked Prowl? After knowing him for less than a breem? It made no sense.
“Yeah. Ah like ya. Yer... funny wit'out tryin'. An' ya ain't tryin' t' impress meh. Ah... It's... nice.”
“I... understand?”
The silver mech smiled. “Eh, ignore meh. Ah'm... Primus! Ah don' even know yer name! An' ya don' know mine. Sorry. Ah'm Jazz.”
“I am Prowl.”
“Nice t' mee'cha, mech.”
Prowl dipped his doorwings and helm in a nod. “Likewise. However, I must find a place to stay for the night-”
“Mah place is open.”
Jerking back in open surprise, Prowl's armor rattled. “I do not believe-”
“Oh, Primus, not like that! Eh heh... Ah'm sorry. Ah didn' mean it like that. Ah've got a spare room, an' Ah lend it t' whoever needs it. Ah... Ah 'pologise fer soundin' so forward.”
After a second of regarding the silver mech, Prowl nodded. “Very well, then. One night, I believe. Next orn, I will find a place of my own to stay. I do not like to impose.”
“No trouble 't all, mech.”