Saturday---here in the park

[Jazz]

It's not the fourth of July-- that anyone knows, anyhow.
The park is a lovely piece of greenspace that some outdoors loving politician probably had dedicated to him and his six zerglings before the evacuation. The new growth is hardly as wild as it would have been if this had been an ancient place.
In some ways, it's homey. Small waterfall nearby, sturdy picnic tables nearby to hold a pair of containers of that 'cuppa' someone mentioned.
Young bushes blooming in that riot of color that's a party for the optics.

Oh. And there's a Jazz there as well, sitting on another of the tables. Or is he crouched next to the river, studying the flow? Or perhaps he's testing the saplings for flexibility, toxicity and perfume?
It's a bounty of information, just like the language files that Jazz created to translate important information for the others. He did upload that, didn't he? He'd be disappointed if the others didn't get to read the adventures of Zblysck and Shaghan.

[Shanodin]

It really was a lovely park. A bit tame, a bit too sculpted even after this time of neglect, but lovely, especially given the wonderful music of the waterfall. Many tend to underestimate the importance sound plays on the overall feel of an area. The plants here were actually quite happy to listen to that rushing water.

Botanica pauses in her approach. Jazz really is as hyper sober as he is when inebriated, apparently, she thinks as she watches him bounce from spot to spot.

She can't help teasing, "Do you never stop Jazz? A bit of meditation and introspection might do you some good."

[Jazz]

Ah! The lady has arrived, and the rustling and investigation halts-- for now.

"Meditation? Naw. Sounds like something Ratchet would suggest." A light laugh from Jazz, as he wanders back to the tables. "And there's a lot more things to know out here than you'd suspect-- like these--"
Jazz makes a gesture, not quite brushing a thorny bush with a pale blue blossom. "This species of flower symbolizes a kind of patriotism-- loyalty to a family unit. The color is associated with a particular liniage--"
Babbling? Sure.
"There was some hints as to why, but I haven't found that section yet. It's written in an older language-- but that will have to wait until I have more time." Jazz smiles, as he pauses to offer a container to the Lilly among the thorns. "It's still fascinating though. They're fairly rare."

[Shanodin]

Botanica takes that offered cup and sips, using the gesture to hide her surprise. She can't quite keep the eager pleasure out of her tone when she speaks though.

"You've found some books on horticulture or herbology then? Fantastic! Knowing the naming protocols will help to better identify any unnamed species that might have grown up since the abandonment, and also inform of any dangers that might be inherent in them. I've had such a hard time with classifications on some, since it appears that many were transplants from another area, or perhaps not originally native to the planet at all. They aren't as happy, you see, since the soil isn't really what they need to thrive. I've been supplementing of course but...," Botancia trails off as she realizes she is dangerously close to falling into a Perceptor-esque bout of botany babble.

"I'm sorry, I doubt you invited me out for a botany lesson. But that begs the question...why such interest Jazz?"

[Jazz]

"A few texts," Jazz admits, "Not all the names are translating properly yet, and there are gaps-- "

Perceptor-esque botany babble isn't so bad! He might follow it slightly better, since plants were never really his forte.

"If you want, I can upload them to you. Maybe you'll be able to help fill in the missing parts. I don't know as much about organic life functions." That was somewhat difficult to admit for him. Not going to actually /show/ that, however. "Well, I did invite you out here just to talk. Botany lessons are talking."

Charming Jazzy smile, and at last he's settling down-- or at least not pacing.

"You're beautiful, and intelligent." Jazz sips a bit at his own ration. "How could I not have an interest? It's a flaw, maybe, my always wanting to know more-- but someone as unique and lovely as you... I can't help it."

And Botanica is an ally, and not likely to try to suck the life out of him for being curious.

.... not that the soul-sucking planet had needed to try hard to lure him in.

[Shanodin]

"I'd really appreciate that, and would be happy to offer whatever assistance I can. However," Botancia looks vaguely apologetic, "Uploading will have to wait till we're back at base and I can fetch a data pad, or perhaps you could add it to the archives?"

Yes, charming Jazz is charming, and Botanica's cheeks darken a bit when he names her beautiful. The faintest blush to offset the sudden wave of melancholy that hits her. She shakes it off, vines rustling.

"To me, you and your ilk are just as unique. For the most part, those here follow one basic body aesthetic...even my own reality's was the same before the reformatting. But your designs are so intricate, so many shifting pieces, and yet you still seem exposed. As if you were created for an entirely different purpose, from some other grand plan."

It hits her then that she has been looking Jazz up and down, quite critically and thoroughly. She takes a quick sip of her drink to hide her embarrassment, then smiles wanly, "At least we are closer in height than others have been. One gets tired of craning one's neck to look up or down."

[Jazz]

"I can do both," Jazz wasn't exactly expecting to just give all the information to her here. Besides, he's been storing it elsewhere. Can't dedicate so much of his system capacity to the data -- not in a place that has so many unknowns. Not when there are most certainly Decepticons in the area. "There are some that wouldn't be of as much interest to a non-scientific minded being that I can upload directly to you, and some with general information that might be of interest to the others."

Different levels of understanding and education. At least that's a universal constant.

If Botanica expects that Jazz would be uncomfortable with the critical and curious gazing.... she's be wrong. He's aware of the gazes, and doesn't mind being stared at. Seriously. This is Jazz. The sports car alt-mode that screams 'LOOK AT ME I'M SHINY'?

Not that he hasn't been studying Botanica himself. Last night's dance was a lovely chance to interact with someone with an entirely different way of being, who managed to move as gracefully as a butterfly on a light breeze.

Jazz smiles, watching Botanica sip.

"The AllSpark gave us life. A spark. Like any other race, we have design flaws, and obstacles to compensate for in our daily lives. The complexity of form is just one of them." And there's a chuckle at the height comment. "I'm used to being the short one, actually. Most go in for large and extra armored. I prefer light and agile."

A drink. No hangovers here. Someone was actually smarter than he acted. Either that or he's found a way to get around the effects of overcharging like that...
Pleasant company. Pleasant surroundings.
"What was the reformatting? You were there for it?" Or not. He's not asking for her age, just... almost gentle curiousity. "What is your reality like?"

[Shanodin]

"How very curious."

Botancia leans lightly against the table, head tilted, ooking at Jazz but thoughts her far away.

"Allspark. That is an old term, referring not so much to the Matrix as a physical item but to the place from which our sparks are born. It occurs to me that I need to make a correction to one of Kup's posts in the archive."

"I was there. I was one of the first. I was summoned back to Cybertron by a distress signal, a ploy on Megatron's behalf to flush out any remaining Maximals. I was driven quite mad by a virus Megatron planted; it locked me in my organic shell, and I reverted to the mentality of the creature I mimicked."

"If Primal had not realized I was a Cybertronian, not some alien monster...things might have gone quite badly indeed."

She takes another sip of her drink. "The entire planet has changed now, after Primal's sacrifice, Megatron's defeat. Though not everyone finds the end result as beautiful as I. I am biased toward plantlife and sunlight, biased toward the mildly chaotic nature of a technorganic world."

Botanica shakes her head, "Apologies, I rambled a bit. What of you Jazz? What is your Cybertron like?"

[Jazz]

"I did ask," Jazz reminds Botanica. "And with us, the AllSpark is just that. Some even said that our sparks would return there when we no longer function. I'm not certain what the theory would be once the cube was destroyed, however--"

Almost got a firsthand view of that one, didn't he? Ah well.
And Megatrons seem to be yet another constant of the universe, as nasty as they come. Always bent on doing something evil, driving folks stark raving mad...

"My Cybertron..." Any trace of the happy-go-lucky is pretty... distant right now. "It's been a long time since I was there. It was beautiful once-- not in the same way as this place, or the Earth. Chaotic? In some ways, but only because of the inhabitants..."

The smile returns.

"Primal... is he your world's Optimus? He sounds like it. "

Wow. He hasn't been pacing for most of the conversation. Something's got his attention, hasn't it? Or... someone.

[Shanodin]

Botanica nods, "Our sparks are said to rejoin the Matrix on our passing as well, and Primal confirmed such after one near death experience."

When Jazz talks of his Cybertron, Botancia reaches out automatically to try and soothe, to try and rest her right hands on Jazz's arm. "I am sorry. This war that seems a universal constant takes a greater toll than most realize. What it does to us is small compared to what it does to the planet."

"I hope, Jazz, that some way can be found for your world to be revived. Your Allspark may have been the vessel of creation, but I find it difficult to believe that such energy can be completely destroyed, any more than a Matrix could be completely destroyed. Broken yes, corrupted, yes, but not destroyed. Surely there is something...." she trails off. This is not her area of expertise.

After a few moments she continues, smiling fondly at the memories, "Yes, Optimus Primal. 'Optimus' is apparently another cross-time constant. I did not know him long enough, sadly. Rattrap or Airazor would be able to give your more detailed information on who he was; I can only speak of who he had become by the time of our meeting. He was very weary of the conflict, wanted peace and balance. But he did what was needed in the end."

"And your Optimus?" she asks.

[Jazz]

"In some ways, yes." Jazz doesn't seem to mind being touched. Really. Actually he's smiling, and why one four pronged hand is covering one of the hands resting on his arm now. "My Cybertron is dead, and according to the information that I've gotten from some of the others, we're beginning to settle on the planet where the AllSpark was destroyed. Perceptor and Kup seemed to think there was another way to restore life. I'm hoping that we'll be able to get it to our folks."

"Optimus was, and is one of the bravest mechs I've ever had the honor of meeting." The subject of Prime gives him a bit of pride. After all, Jazz was his chosen lieutenant. "He was prepared to give his life to end the war, and bring peace to the ones who would try to vivisect us. Fortunately it didn't require his sacrifice."

[Shanodin]

"Ah. More fortunate than my own Optimus then. And very similar."

Another wave of melancholy, but she manages not to show it. She thinks she doesn't, anyway. Remember her friends makes her remember her home, and that....that hurts.

She takes another sip, and her hands do not move from his arm. Comforting, a comforting touch it is.

A faint smile, "As interesting as comparing our realities is, perhaps a shift of subject might be in order. I know you've been working on the various translations. Have you found anything that might give us some clue as to what makes this planet so...unique?"

[Jazz]

Jazz is one of the luckiest transformers on the planet-- one of his friends is /here/ (albeit from slightly in the past); a few others from the future that he hasn't seen in ages have popped in.... and Jazz is alive, and still loving every minute of exploration.

But Botanica is distressed. Even in an overcharged state, he recognized the distress, so stone cold sober-- it's going to be a little more obvious. She's homesick. Jazz's hand strokes the one that's still on his with a gentleness that would probably surprise some. A change of subject is most certainly in order--
"I'm sorry." Jazz murmurs briefly, then brightens a bit at the mention of the translations, "I've found little so far, other than the presence of the planet that was destroyed. Haven't been able to find any minerological records, or translate some of the more esoteric texts. Still processing a few of them, and trying to access a few more encrypted files."

[Shanodin]

She nods, "Well, that would be too easy, I suppose, finding something this soon, or even at all." Botanica smiles, "But still, we can always hope fortune will favor."

This is...pleasant. They've been conversing for several minutes now, and she hasn't felt the need to slap Jazz, and he hasn't suggested she might have Creeping Cruxillia in her ancestry. Nor is he jerking back from her touch like it's poisonous. Pleasant. Mayhap a bit...quiet. But pleasant. Yes.

"Well, if you've enough of a start on the language to teach, I'd love to tackle any environmental texts you'd like to hand off. I never was one to like depending on others for my information."

---

OOC: Cute fluffiness is cute, and I love the interaction. But w/ Fireblade moving a mile a minute, are you ok w/ wrapping this one up? We can fade into "and they continue to talk and be adorable."

[Jazz]

Now why would anyone want to slap Jazz?
... Ok, there are some people who would. And for good reasons.
Either way, he's being good now-- and hardly thinks that she's poisonous.
But there's language to teach, and texts to share-- and the day is going to be full of all the things that make both of them happy-- hopefully.

Languages, science, and good company that doesn't think the other is babbling.

OOC: Fade out on the cuteness.