Yes! One of the many

It startled me

For this conversation and everything else.

[She didn't know how else to say it. Not without sounding 'cheesy' as she'd heard it called]

Strange creatures

Being able to see the stars so clearly in certain areas here reminds me of Cybertron in my youth.

[The old femme grinned at her small victory.]

I will keep that in mind. Recharge well.

[She moved to walk him to the door, already pinging it to open.]

And thank you, Optimus.

[Her optics gave him a once over before smiling.]

Picking up his bad habits even from a distance... stubborn.

[Codexa grabbed the wall to pull herself up.]

It isn't a problem. I'm always here.

[The old femme sighed dramatically.]

Of course… Emotionally constipated as he is.

[She nudged her son slightly.]

If that is what you want don't feel shame in asking, he is your sire.

[Codexa's optics dimmed. She nodded along with Soundwave's words.]

Let her rest for a bit. Perhaps you could take the time to make her something so she feels better?

I am assuming Ultra Magnus reestablished it during your discussion?

You were young and didn't understand why you couldn't feel your sire anymore. You wailed for so long. An inconceivably long amount of time until you attached to mine.

[Codexa rubbed under her optics. She could still hear it in her nightterrors.]

-

Thank you for getting the medkit, Soundblaster. Your help is appreciated.

[Codexa lowered her servo to allow Alice to get down.]

-I am mad for what he put you through. I am upset he never thought to come see you, to come back and help. I am beyond angry he closed the bond and left his sparkling alone and very much afraid.

I probably wouldn't have made it if he hadn't come that cycle. I was wasting away.

[Codexa invented. Her optics moved to look at him and Dib. While the past had pained her she'd never not go through it again for her family.]

I am not mad he left you with me. I was scared, sure, but never mad.-

-sire so she tried to speak unbiasedly.]

Ultra saw that and he decided to leave you with me. He hadn't known what to do with you up until that point, you were such a sudden addition, and thats when he decided I would raise you instead. Maybe he thought it better that way.

-It was a blur, a lot of the files are corrupted in my processor. I had him on the floor when you started crying. You were so small then. An anomaly so out of place among the hallucinations that it brought me back somewhat out of pure confusion.

[Codexa wanted him to form his own opinion of his-

-worse then. I was stuck in my own processor. I don't remember much.

[This part of her past she was very much ashamed of.]

I can barely remember but Ultra came by with you when you were a fresh newspark. I didn't recognize him, not in that state. I thought… I thought he was one of the senators.-

-at her servo and arm for a brief nanoklik, remembering the amount of chips and dents she got from that endeavor.]

You can imagine I wasnt in the best headspace upon returning. You probably remember a few glimpses of the times I would pace around the hab or when memory would slip. It was a lot-

-of consciousness I managed to reach one and eat it. Gave me enough energy to squirm my way out of the encasing metal and wires. From there it was just a lot of climbing, falling, and climbing until I got myself out. Real annoying when one of your legs doesn't work but I managed.

[She looked down-

We were… friends at one point. I helped him with the delicacies of politics.

[Codexa watched Optimus's expression fall before the words registered. Annd they were back on that topic.]

Well between my bouts of consciousness energon crystals started to grow in the cave. During one of those bouts-

[She noticed Dib falling into recharge on his carrier. Codexa rolled her optics, not with the usual annoyance that accompanied any mention of the Magnus, but fondness.]

Oh his visits became even more frequent if you can believe it. Here I had thought being snippy at him would drive him out...

[Codexa looked down at Alice then at the house.]

It seems we are stuck here as a distraction...

[The topic of how she'd met Ultra was a nice topic switch from what they'd just been discussing.]

How we met? He came to the archives to study often. Our first official meeting was me correcting him on his historical datapad. The one he had was outdated and biased.

[Codexa knew there was a high chance Optimus would go back on his words and try to do something great. That was her son and she was so proud of him but ugh… she would have to ask Magnus to keep an optic on him.]

If you do, for some odd reason, find yourself in trouble contact me or your sire.

-

[She rubbed at her optics.]

Even if his execution of it wasnt the brightest idea he's had… hes right about one thing. You need to stay away from them. I know you want what is right, but keep your distance.

[She didn't like the thought of Optimus near any of those senators but she kept that to herself as well as she was able to.]

Even if I don't agree with his idea, that's why Ultra Magnus sent you away. He didn't want the same to happen to you.

-

[She leaned over, touching her forehelm to his before pecking the top of his helm. She hadn't done it since he'd gone to the academy but it felt important right now. And of course she couldn't forget a kiss to Dib's helm as well.]

"Bots like you give me hope though."

[Codexa hesitated but the look on her son's face and the feelings in his field were enough to convince her to blanket him, and by extension Dib, with hers. She had to put some effort into keeping her own unease at bay… atleast it gave her something to focus on.]

"I know and I am sorry, dear."

-

a wheeze-y laugh come out of her intake.]

Oh… Oh my Primus- hah… he is so much like you, Optimus. Would you look at that.