Poisoned Rose (Heatwave x Quickshadow)

1. The Discovery

Her pedes left only the slightest indentations in the soft grass as she padded through the forest, her sky blue optics half-lidded in contentment. Her attuned audials picked up every little sound the forest gave; the birds chirping and singing, the quiet footfalls of the deer grazing nearby, the flowing river and the wing beats of the great blue heron, his catch held proud in his mouth. Her white frame glowed bright in the rays of sun that shone through the tall tree canopy, throwing golden-green light all around her. She knelt at the riverbank, running her digits through the thick mud that caked the edges of the crystal-clear water. A small waterfall cascaded nearby, fish jumping happily up into its sparkling spray. The femme smiled, her optics catching sight of a gorgeous cardinal perched in a tree nearby. She stood and padded slowly towards the tall pine, her pedesteps making barely any sound on the thick layer of pine needles under them. She stopped at the base of the trunk, staring at the pretty red bird. It cast its beady black gaze towards her, flapping down to land on her shoulder plates. It looked at her curiously before soaring back into the sky, soon disappearing into the wisps of clouds that hung in the blue abyss.

Suddenly a cry shattered through the calming sounds of the forest, making her head snap up in surprise. Her optics fully lidded now, she followed the loud, obnoxious sound to its source.

A rosy pink newspark lay in the middle of the clearing, helplessly wailing its despair. Energon was scattered all around it, but it's owner was nowhere to be found. The newspark's cries echoed around the forest, chasing away the creatures the femme had been so intrigued with before. She narrowed her optics in suspicion and drew closer to the small bundle, its cries subsiding slightly as it sensed a warm spark nearby. It reached out to her, and she found her own baby blues staring back at her from inside the bundle of covers. Small servos reached out for hers, and she stood there, frozen in place, her own optics locked with those of the newspark's. She felt her spark melting as the tiny gray servos wrapped around her digits, those gentle blue orbs still enrapturing her.

She didn't know what, but something compelled her to pick up the little bundle and cradle it close to her chassis lovingly. The newspark snuggled close to her, kneading her longingly in hunger. She stifled a giggle and shook her helm sympathetically. "Sorry little one, but I don't have any fuel for you." She murmured, stroking the top of the small helm gently. The tiny--femme, yes--nuzzled her digits approvingly, the coolant dry now. She wiped the remaining moisture from the sparkling's faceplates, smiling warmly at her.

'Now, what shall I name you?' She asked herself, sitting down at the base of a thick oak. She glanced down once again at the recharging form in her arms, shifting slightly to make her more comfortable. Everything about this newspark was fragile and gentle; her unusually small frame, her baby blue optics that nearly matched her caregiver's, her light pink rose color--

Rose.

She had always found those flowers beautiful. They were so intricate, layer upon layer of petals. She knew nothing about this newspark, or how it came to be born, or what in the name of Primus happened to its carrier--but that was all waiting to be unveiled, just like peeling the petals off of a gorgeous crimson flower.

'Rose. I like it.'

She smiled again at the sparkling, who was sucking her tiny thumb digit in her recharge adorably. She knew she couldn't take care of Rose all by herself, at least not until she tracked down the creators. That is, if they were still alive.

The sleek white femme made a decision and pressed two digits to the side of her helm. Her com beeped for a moment or two before a familiar accent filled her ears.

"Quickshadow? To what do I owe the pleasure, lassie?" The sea-bot asked.

"High Tide. Do you recall the time when you offered me a lift?" She asked, her British-accented voice soft to avoid waking Rose.

"Of course, my dear." Quickshadow rolled her eyes as he cut out. As rude as the old megabot was to everyone else, he seemed to have a certain respect for her. Apparently because she 'was righteously good-looking and not an insubordinate pain in the aft'. Quoting High Tide directly, of course.

Quickshadow stood slowly, careful not to jostle the peacefully recharging bundle in her arms as she headed towards the ocean.

She was going to see Heatwave again.