Electronian Culture/Traditions

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by NoDipSherlock

by NoDipSherlock

Much of the Electron Clan's culture remained largely unknown, however due to Kilowatt's journey across Cybertron, much was revealed.

When a sparkling is born in the Clan, it is automatically taken before a statue of Primus and prayed over by a selected member of the race, who would ask the entity to bless the sparkling, it's health and future. Then, a name would be selected by the carrier and sire and then a solar cycle later would be carved into a metal plaque. The name would remain there until death, then crossed out with a symbol indicating the best aspect of him or her.

Femmes and Mechs had equal rank in their society, though femmes often took on roles in the clan such as caregivers and teachers. Though warrior-femmes were not uncommon as well! Femmes were generally leaner than the mechs, and would have a part of their Energy Core* sticking out of the back of their helms, described as a 'ponytail' or 'pigtail' by humans while mechs generally had 'sashes'. Both mech and femme are, however a neon colour with silver trim and details or, for the Royals they retained a simple silver or much darker colouring.

(*the energy core was a unique trait inherited from their ancestors, which allows them to control their electrical powers)

Training in their secret fighting arts began when the sparkling was five vorns old, including methods such as slapping barrels full of ion to gain strength, learning strikes and cleaning. All of these added onto later training as the mech or femme grew older. All Electronians, despite some choosing roles in the Clan that did not require the training were all taught the Arts as a way of preserving and keeping the heritage. No matter how slow a pupil was, if they made it to ten vorn's training, then they were allowed to quit and choose an apprenticeship early.

Fifteen vorns was considered 'of age' in the Clan, and once a mech or femme reached that age, if they were warrior-class they would be put through several trials to test their skills and endurance. If they were not warrior-class, then only two trials were used. When completed, even if ending in failure the Clan celebrated with a feast and the Electron was marked with symbols of strength, prosperity, luck and good fortune. It was also at that age when a mech or femme could be courted and bonded to another. Interfacing outside of bonded relationships were forbidden, as being 'pure' until united was considered a major part of the courtier-courted's relationship.

Courting in Electronian standards differed from the Courting of other Cybertronian Clans (i.e. Polyhexians, Kaonians, Iaconians).

The mech or femme who wished to earn the right to their intended's servo would have to gift her, firstly with something that represented what they found the most endearing and beautiful of them. They would need to also perform a ritualistic energon-pouring ceremony* for the sire and carrier of the one they wished to bond to. Once complete, they would have to be accepted by the mech or femme whom they wished to court. If rejected, they were free to try for another's servo, but if accepted then they were to remain in the courtship until either bonded or rejected. Usually a set date was placed for when they could have a bonding ceremony.

Visits were expected of the courtier, and the courted was also expected to give a gift in return (though at a much later time, such as closer to the ceremony's date). Often the parental unit of the courted would supervise the visitations, however some acceptions were made.

When the date arrived, often there would be a grand ceremony organized by the Clan. The courted would be dressed in an elaborate robe-like garment (something like a kimono to humans) decorated with crystals and adorned with jewels, having their lips and even faceplates painted to make themselves look prettier. The courtier would dress in something similar, only much shorter in length and much plainer, as well as wearing a special engraved decoration over their spark.

The ceremony would be something akin to a human marriage. Guests would stand on either side of an aisle before the altar in front of the Primus statue, and the sire of the courted would be walked down to their intended. Afterwards, the current Majestrix/Majestrixia would have them recite promises to each other, and then would bind their wrists with a metal cloth, symbolizing their unity to each other. Afterwards, all would leave as they bonded their sparks together, and would wait for the pair to exit. When they did, a great feast would be held in their honor.

* The Energon-Pouring ceremony was an elaborate test to see if the courtier was dutiful, respectful of them and truly loved their intended. First they would be asked to prepare a special hot energon for the carrier and sire while kneeling, then would pour and repeat for both parental unit of their intended's. Afterwards they would be asked to give an answer to why they chose their sparkling to be their intended, what they could provide for him/her and why they think they are worthy of his/her spark. If their answers suited the parental units, the courtier was to present a token of their respect to them. Then the intended would be called in and would be allowed to choose whether they wished to be courted by him/her or not.