Everybody learns from *somebody*

[lordmegatron]

Passing the doors into the library, Megatron was pleased he had gotten the schedule correct as he saw who was sitting at the desk. If it had been completely necessary due to his own schedule, he'd have come here when he could. But since he didn't have to...

Ignoring the faint itch interfacing hadn't properly gotten rid off, Megatron approached the librarian at a lazy, casual walk. It was a pity he hadn't seen any signs at all that the surprisingly fine-lined truck-alted mech had the inclination he was looking for. Things would have been a lot easier (and, really, pleasing) if he had.

As it was, since there was no one left in the current arena circuit that he trusted with what he had to hand over, perhaps he would have to avail himself of one of the clubs. It made an irritable twitch slither down the treads on his shoulders, the thought that he'd have to do that.

It was ages since he'd had to go to an open venue like that to simply get his needs properly taken care of.

And he really would have preferred the librarian. Orion Pax - it hadn't taken anything to find out the designation when to found the schedule - was witty, somehow diplomatically argumentative and didn't give in if he knew he was right or wanted to stand for his opinion, actually had some smarts to go with said use of words and Megatron wanted to know more.

More, and more personally (most of the earlier he'd simply learned over the few times he'd been in the library when the mech was, but hadn't actually approached him). So this time, he decided to actually use the librarian's assistance in what he was looking for... and perhaps get something more out of it.

"Excuse me?"

Comments

[ichooseboth]

Well, he was certainly polite. He wasn't asking for anything very interesting - but the fact that a gladiator was asking for such data in the first place was. His day was looking to be more entertaining already!

Orion smiled and nodded, stepping out from behind his desk and gesturing down the rows.

"Of course. I can still show you where they are, and I can see which would be the best volumes we have in stock. Are you looking for any era in particular?"

[lordmegatron]

Waiting for Orion to come around, Megatron let the librarian take the lead - and not just to indulge a shade and get a better view from behind. While he was pretty sure he knew where Orion was going, if he led that would sort of defeat the point of asking.

"I'm going to be difficult," Megatron said, pausing briefly to smile as he came up slightly beside the librarian. "From as early as you have to recent. That is, obviously, a lot of data, so perhaps starting with a limited span of time would be more expedient." He did of course not really believe the library - any library, would have a complete and thorough (unedited) overview of what he was asking, but he had to start somewhere.

"Looking for any era in particular without a wider context wouldn't be of much use, after all."

[ichooseboth]

Orion glanced over at the gladiator, both his first impression and curiosity rising. If he didn't know better he'd say the mech was putting together some sort of report. Perhaps he was involved in some sort of legal struggle and found his own representation lacking?

Perhaps he would find out. Orion was endlessly curious, no matter how often it got him into trouble.

"Well, at least you admit it, but it is hardly a difficulty." He chuckled, reaching for the shelves the moment they reached them.

"Let's see...this is one of the more accurate over-views of the known history, though you would do well to check some of the more recent sources as they were known for their biased opinions." He pulled the datapad out, stacking in on a waiting table. Then he began pulling out pad after pad, adding to the stack.

"With law, going backwards tends to necessitate constant back-referencing anyway, so it would likely be best to start as early as possible These are the Primary Reference volumes for the First Era, used by the modern courts with the current wording of upheld laws." It was a stack fully the height of Orion's entire torso, dropped with ease in front of Megatron. But he wasn't done yet, and moved on to single out individual volumes, seemingly at random.

"This one is generally considered the most researched law-filings from the First Golden era, though this one-" he grabbed another, "encompasses all of the Tyrian Accord Age up through the beginning of the Second-Era, and has a number of court proceedings later stricken from the record of the first..."

[lordmegatron]

Optics dimming as the rush of words were let loose, Megatron's helm tilted and he folded his arms over his chestplates. No matter what it might look like, the gladiator was listening, quietly slotting the information as it came, eyeing the pile with acceptance.

"I assume, given the amount of texts here, these would have to remain."

Truly, if it had been smaller he had questioned the library's availability of texts... or the librarian for treating him as an unformatted drone. And he was pretty sure the answer would be 'yes' to his comment, since he didn't have the privilege of loaning more than one or two datapads at once... and anyway, if someone else might want access to these, it would be awkward if they were lent out at the same time, so Megatron didn't exactly begrudge the rule.

It was just annoying to have such an artificial obstacle put in his way; he learned fast and easily from nearly any topic he put to reading or practicing, and technically he didn't need to stay a gladiator... for now, he would.

"And you'd honestly say the current society, government and judicial system doesn't have it's own biased opinions that might influence texts or cases?" There might have been faint amusement in Megatron's tone as he sorted through the stack of datapads himself.

Not that, so far, Megatron had noticed anything truly untoward in their current situation, but that didn't mean they weren't there - he'd seen them when he'd gone digging and asking a few pertinent... questions.

[ichooseboth]

Orion grimaced a bit, gesturing down at the stack.

"Unfortunately so, for the majority at least. We try not to let the general reference and history texts slip out more than a few at a time. They need to be accessible for everyone, but you're welcome to look through them at a reading station here for as long as you need each day."

He'd worked up to a charming, 'that's just how the library works' smile as he spoke, though at Megatron's second question it turned rather wry.

"I would say that there are often...conflicting views...in various history accounts. That is why we have a number of different volumes written by different chroniclers. Even ones that may be...out of print."

Out of print and found no where else, discarded by the mainstream history and disavowed by the government. But Orion hardly knew all the seedy details - just that it was a Bad Idea to go discuss such things in certain places. It was better for Alpha Trion's library to remain safely off the radar.

[lordmegatron]

Gesturing dismissively in the air at the explanation, as he'd not expected anything less, Megatron looked up at the last part of Orion's comment. The upper edges of his optics sliding upwards, Megatron felt a tiny, pleased smirk tug on his lips.

"It'll take me a bit longer than otherwise, but I don't really have anything against sitting here and reading. If nothing else there'll be a lack of... distractions." He actually had a pretty good apartment - he wasn't one of the champions for nothing, thank you, and you got treated reasonably even as a lower-rank gladiator, but it was hard to avoid all the people who might want this and that.

Or, in some cases, the politicians, nobles and wealthy merchants that might want to... buy time of various sorts.

"... Well, I'd certainly be interested in those, if they aren't included here already. If nothing else, I prefer to be thorough in all my endeavours," Megatron murmured, glance going from the pile of datapads to the librarian who had supplied them, glancing Orion up and down before meeting his optics.

[ichooseboth]

"Of course," Orion nodded, his own smile turning more and more genuine as time went on.

"I'd hoped you might want to manage a proper comparison." He gestured down to the already unwieldy stack.

"If you pick where you want to start, I can locate the other, time-appropriate cross-reference materials as you go along, if you need them. Just so I don't bog you down with even more stacks all at once."

[lordmegatron]

He barely kept a smile of his own inside at seeing the genuine slant to Orion's smile, though his optics deepened slightly with his pleasure. Megatron looked through the stack again and picked out the overview volume plus the first few primary reference volumes for the first era, stacking them in their own little stack off to the side of the still-big larger one.

"Here, I believe. I would assume the overview would be useful to get a brief, overarching idea and then start from the beginning?" He had already decided, yes, but he made it a question to see if Orion, who was turning out to be quite pleasant to talk with and obviously knowledgeable about the subject, would agree. Or even decisively give him another tack to use (in a way he almost hoped for it).

What he wanted, Megatron found, was to put the librarian in a setting where he wasn't working, and talk about these things some more.

See if he'd say other things, explore if that genuine smile could be lured out some more... and maybe other things.

[ichooseboth]

The librarian nodded, pleased. "Exactly. This one is a fairly accurate, if basic, overview of the policies and politics of the historical eras covered. It should also link to the more relevant and expanded full volumes in the series for each section. You should be able to narrow down your search for...whatever various specific bits of data you're looking for."

Orion was curious, but given the often sensitive nature of Cybertron's political history - and the possibility that this mech might be poking his faceplates into areas he probably shouldn't - the smaller mech was content to allow the gladiator confide in him...or not, voluntarily.

He gestured toward the cozy reading nooks hidden away in the stacks.

"Just let me know if you need anything further. There are intercomms at most of the research booths."

[lordmegatron]

Oh, he wasn't poking where he shouldn't be... yet, anyway, and so Megatron's response to that inquiring comment was a shake of his helm and a twitch of the treads on his shoulders.

"I'm not looking for anything in particular, yet anyway. Merely to... acquintain myself with all parts of our history to get a sense of where we've come from and why we're here." Pausing, the gladiator tapped the edge of the datapad he was currently holding against his lips, red optics dimming slightly toughtfully before he briefly glanced over at Orion.

"Of course, I'm not looking to get a simple, cursory view of things. I want deeper, so sooner or later I suppose the libraries won't be enough. At least not by what's available to the public." Megatron smiled, open and bland, the sharpness hidden deeper than the easy admittance of possible future behaviour that might not be looked mildly upon by those on charge.

But well, the library was nearly empty besides the two of them, the other visitors not close to their location at all, and given what Orion had said, unless he was supposed to look out for unfavourable opinions - which, really Megatron didn't believe their government was that zealous to do - he seemed quite safe to confess to.

[ichooseboth]

"Of course, of course."

Orion paused mid-turn to head back to his desk. His grin flickered, wavering between professional distance and coy satisfaction.

He'd had the right measure of the mech all along, it seemed. There was something of a social rebel under all that government-sactioned armor and weld-scarring.

Only time would tell how much so, but Orion was never one to bar anyone from 'forbidden' data or history. His mentor had instilled a great number of concepts in his student that went against 'standard'.

"But until we can no longer provide anything, I'll do anything I can to assist with your search."

And even if it was just some mech trying to poke his olfactory sensors in places they didn't belong...well. At least he was pleasant to look at.

[lordmegatron]

"Excellent." Megatron's smile at that was wide and pleased, his voice underlaid with a particular little flair that would later make any number of mechs feel like he was addressing them, alone while speaking to a crowd.

For the moment, however, as he took the first few datapads to sit down, all that intense attention was levelled at an audience of one, however briefly. Orion kept being the focus of Megatron's attention during not just that visit, but the coming as well, pulling the librarian's attention away when he wasn't seemingly doing anything (important) to ask a question here, recommendation there...

Which led to putting a cube of energon on Orion's desk, a few energon goodies bobbing in the swiling liquid - he'd only picked up on what the mech preferred through the times they'd had energon together (and the credits to use them for that), but he'd picked up on when Orion got in need of some fuel by paying attention to cues the mech probably wasn't aware he was broadcasting.

It wasn't even completely intentional; Megatron was simply used to doing that, and while Orion hadn't yet - or perhaps "still", diappointingly enough - really shown any inclinations of the type that would require Megatron pick said things up, anyone appreciated a bit of unexpected assistance now and then, didn't they?

"You look like you need this."

[ichooseboth]

The strange mech's intensity was unexpected, but Orion simply met it head-on with an intrigued smile before returning to his own work. His curiosity could wait.

He should have known it would not be as simple as all that.

The huge gladiator quickly became a staple figure of the library, always showing up to continue his ever-expanding research, even if his schedule was not always the same. He was a...oddly pleasant diversion from the usual monotony of sterile librarian life. And a pleasantly fierce debater.

So the cube arriving on his desk just as he was getting irritatingly hungry enough to seek one out himself was like a gift from Vector Sigma.

"Oh. Megatron! Thank you." He took the cube with a thankful grin, already working out a plan to treat the mech the next time they went out together.

"How did you know?"

[lordmegatron]

He'd honestly been somewhat surprised when Orion turned out to not just be knowledgeable enough to challenge him on certain points of opinion, philosophy or fact, but that the small librarian didn't simply fold when it got heated.

He admitted he'd expected that would happen, but it seemed suitably 'wrong' opposition just seemed to make Orion dig his heels in. It had been quite thrilling - and interesting - the first time it happened, as it hinted at more than just a pleasant people-pleaser.

A bit more steel, besides a sharp mind that wouldn't just give in for apparent superior force (not necessarily that Megatron was always right, but he was both larger and stronger... he'd known mechs with greater physical prowess than Orion who'd stopped arguing with him after a certain point).

"I've... been paying attention," Megatron said after a tiny pause, arching the upper ridge of an optic slightly and tilted his helm. He wouldn't really have said anything about how he was used to picking up small cues like that from his doms before they could express the need - Megatron wasn't subservient or submissive in that way necessarily, but it usually pleased dominants, and that could lead to more interesting and pleasant situations...

So it was a skill he'd cultivated.

"I believe I got the contents right, and you're due for a break about now, aren't you." It wasn't really a question, Megatron was relatively sure Orion was, and anyway... he felt he could put that demand on Orion's time and attention by now.

So said, Megatron pulled out another cube, which lacked any embellishments in its contents, but the quality of the mid-grade was perfectly decent. He did have access to more funds than he necessarily always used, even if they often got turned into taking care of his weapons or armour more often than not.

By 'unhealthy' he means 'stalking' haha :V

[ichooseboth]

'Paying attention'? Orion felt unexpectedly cheered and flattered by the comment as much as he was perplexed by it. He hadn't noticed any...unhealthy levels of interest from the larger mech, so perhaps he was just observant? Orion cocked his helm in silent question, before letting the comment pass in favor of tasting the cube-blend.

"Mmm. Just what I needed! Thank you again." He beamed, crushing up an energon goodie with obvious relish. He silently noted Megatron's own cube, pleased that the mech wasn't putting himself out for his sake.

"And I am going one break right now. You have anything in mind?"

P: Oh, no, nothing bad! XD

[lordmegatron]

Catching the intquisitive tilt of Orion's helm, Megatron smiled dryly and shrugged, gesturing towards the doors out into the street at first.

"A walk, unless you had something you needed to do. I'm currently free for another joor, so I have the time." A pause and then the smile turned into a smirk. "And it doesn't take too much processor power to notice what you've chosen to drink when you've had the funds the times we were out."

Of course, some may not care to even spare said attention and memory-space, but Megatron didn't even really need to think much about doing it to be able to access the information later when he wished to do so.

At least his new... aquintaince? friendship? with the librarian had been able to redirect some of his energy and attention towards that and away from the frustrating lack in his current interfaces.

Really, what he wanted, needed, didn't even have to be tied to interfacing, but the overall dearth was starting to wear a bit.

hehe~

[ichooseboth]

Orion stood up as soon as he finished crunching through the goodie, scooping up his gift in a hand to eat along the way.

"Well then. How could I turn down an offer like that from someone who brings me my favorite cube?" He chuckled, optics bright with unexpected pleasure. He stepped out from behind his desk, gesturing to Megatron.

"Lead the way."

In his view, Megatron was rapidly progressing from 'library patron' to 'acquaintance' and now to a proper friend.

...And it helped that the larger mech was a pleasure to look at, front and back.

;D

[lordmegatron]

And Orion would get to see just how nicely that behind was to look at, as he did as asked with a smirk given and a bit of a flourish to lead the way, taking out his steps just enough to be able to stand in the doorway and stop it from closing to let Orion pass before he went up slightly in front of the other mech again.

Some might think it was pure arrogance and from a satisfaction of being acknowledged in his ability to lead that caused the swagger in Megatron's step, but not really. Not that he didn't hold those opinions, because lead he was perfectly capable of doing and enjoyed it as well...

No, it was simply nice to have the pleased curl of that particular feeling along his circuits... even if it was somewhat wrong to take that from Orion when he was unaware of what he was giving.

"Any particular view you'd want? Otherwise I'm going to take us to the park nearby," said Megatron, glancing down and to the side to catch Orion's optics in question.

He wasn't really aiming for the park because he enjoyed it's beauty or anything, though Orion might... No, it was more because of the maybe possibility of showing off a few moves that Orion might enjoy.

<3

[ichooseboth]

"I could think of a few," Orion said, chuckling. He certainly did enjoy the walk- but the view directly in front of him was the best, and he could idly think of a number of alternate ways to view that frame that he wouldn't mind.

Many were perfectly innocent, of course. Megatron was unusual enough to the sheltered librarian that just viewing the way he moved and the layout of his unfamiliar alt were both visual treats. A few, however...

"But the park is quite agreeable. I have not been there in some time." He met Megatron's optics readily enough, audial nubs twitching as he smiled.

[lordmegatron]

Those twitching little audials made him want to reach out and tweak them, and while he almost did so, Megatron managed to keep his hand to himself.

But that did make him wonder how Orion would react to have them... stimulated.

"Hmm, like what?" A smile flickering to life as he met Orion's own, Megatron then lengthened his steps slightly, coming to a natural, near-predatory sashay that he knew was quite... interesting, to watch.

Megatron, being laid to drawing in an audience to watch him, had of course early noticed that the way you moved your frame drew interest, and had cultivated that. Being a successful gladiator wasn't only about being good at combat, after all.

"And yet you're quite close to it. Find the archives so interesting?" Gentle teasing, since Megatron found Orion's passion for nearly anything contained in the library both interesting, charming and useful.

[ichooseboth]

Tweeking Orion's audial nums unexpectedly would more likely drop the smaller mech to his knees with unexpected sensory overload; likely in direct contrast to most of Megatron's desires.

Though he would not remain there for long...

"Hn, there are a number of museums and galleries nearby, of course. As well as one of the smaller crevasses that lead to the sonic cannons, if you want something a bit more exciting," Orion clarified, grin flickering with distraction as he tried to focus on his own words rather than Megatron's sashaying. Did he always walk like that? Was he just now noticing?

"But like I said, I haven't been here in sometime and look forward to seeing it with fresh optics. Yes, even if the archives are more interesting to my processors." He chuckled, trying to keep his focus on more than just Megatron's hips.

[lordmegatron]

A bit contrary, yes, but he'd never say no to something that caused such an impressive reaction, really.

"Perhaps the crevasses next time, if you feel up to it, what with being a librarian and all." He didn't turn around more than a very briefly glance sideways, but the smirk on his lips was perfectly audible in his voice as well.

"Wouldn't want to push you too hard out of your comfort zone," Megatron said, amusement curling around the words as they entered the park, the main path made with pressure-sensitive singing metal... which meant with their differing weights, he and Orion created different sounds, and he hadn't quite been ready for the soft, inobtrusive sounds.

Glancing down and taking the next step a shade slower, Megatron shook his helm and then lenghtened the steps again.

He knew of that particular metal alloy, of course, but he'd never actually walked on it before.

Still LOVE the musical metal!

[ichooseboth]

"Librarian or not, I am still classed and rated for off-road exploration," Orion snorted, mock-defensive. "I would enjoy a good drive-hike."

His near-stumble at the unexpected sounds coming from under their feet almost made his words doubly ironic, but Orion recalled that particular feature of the park at the last moment.

The tones were oddly complementary, and Orion's smile quickly returned despite a brief flare of embarrassment.

"...Ah yes, I remember when they found these during the park restoration project. It's actually why I stopped coming by - the curious crowds made coming through on a refueling break impossible...and the music of so many feet was not exactly pleasant listening."

c8 seemed like a good idea~

[lordmegatron]

"Hmm, yes, it seems somewhat inadvisable for a great crowd to go through here at the same time." Megatron was frowning thoughtfully as they walked, listening to not just their accumulated and, yes, somehow complementary 'music' but also the individual differences and the tones themselves.

He could, perhaps, use this.

And then he smirked and turned around, briefly walking backwards as he looked Orion up and down in a lingering flick of his optics.

"I believe you're right, you are, indeed, capable of it... I suppose it just slipped my mind." He turned back around again as they came into a small clearing with fine gravel and a circle in the center with more of the musical metal flagstones. "The way you speak sometimes makes it easy to forget."

It wasn't meant to be condescending, merely honest; Orion simply spoke (usually, anyway. There were times...) in a way that was more reconciliatory and unassuming than one might expect...

He also didn't use the full depth of his vocaliser, which, given his work, was understandable, but outside of it left Megatron wanting to poke him into exercising it.

<3

[ichooseboth]

"It was a horrid cacophony that didn't die down until the entire neighborhood started complaining," Orion agreed, though their current sounds were quite pleasant to the audial. Megatron's footsteps, though they rang deep, were unexpectedly in tune with his own, more bell-like ringing.

That that it stopped him from raising a half-challenging optic ridge.

"And what does that mean?" He teased, crossing his arms over his chest. "My voice hardly makes my frame inconsequential."