When All Lights Go Out I (TFP)

Azura stretched her limbs as she woke up from her recharge. She smiled a little as she opened her optics and rolled onto her stomach, laying her right cheek on her pillow. She was not sure what time it was, but she knew it was the morning, and Optimus would come into her room soon to greet her. It has been a few days since she and Bulkhead had sometime together, and both she and Bulkhead have bragged about having a successful mud fight. Ratchet and Optimus did not fully understand it, but the humans did. Miko was jealous that she as not there, but understood that Azura had wanted to spend time with Bulkhead without her present. She was not offended by that, so it would be okay.

Azura was getting used to her crystal being a part of her body too. She had woken up the last few days with a slight start because she could not feel the necklace around her neck anymore. As the crystal could not be removed, she has had to get used to it. And while she still was not sure if she was happy about it, Azura has noticed something. Around the crystal, each more and night, it itches. She hasn't figured out why it would be the case, but assumed it might just be the reaction of her body. She hasn't told Optimus or Ratchet about it yet, as the itching hasn't bothered her too terribly.

Even now it was itchy. She scratched her chassis around the crystal at the subtle itchiness bothered her slightly. She only had to scratch a little until the itchiness subsided, and she would be fine until night. She still did not know why it did that, but regardless, it was not hurting her and she felt it was not necessary to mention it to Optimus or Ratchet. If they happen to notice and ask about it, she would be honest about it.

Azura remained on her stomach for a moment before she grabbed her Stitch toy and hugged it against her side. She smiled to herself as she was quite happy that she has gotten used to having plush toys. She did end up making several more dolls too, but Ratchet was unhappy she had cut up pillows to make them, but she had not made a huge mess so it wasn't such a huge deal to the medic. Optimus found her creativity to be enjoyable. He enjoyed watching her create things.

Azura sat up as she held the toy against her chassis before she stretched her legs and stood up to climb down from her berth. She wanted to check on her fish to see how they were going. She hummed softly to herself as she walked down the stairs happily and jumped to the floor once she reached the bottom of the stairs. She walked over to the fish tanks and looked into them to check on the fish.

She smiled as she saw nothing seemed out of the ordinary, until she spotted several dead rainbow fish. She gasped as she was not expecting that. And these fish were some of the longest living fish she had. She felt tears in her eyes as that meant they died of old age, or something changed in the water, whether it is the PH or something else. She knew crying over a fish might seem silly to the autobots, but these animals were her pets after all.

She let out some sniffles before she grabbed a bag and scooped the dead fish into it. She tied the bag and sat it on top of the table, staring at the fish to see what they could have died from. She saw no fin rot, no physical damage or sign of parasites, which meant it could be old age or a change in the water. But it certainly hurt to know she has lost several fish that she had bought three years ago.

"Azura?" The sparkling jumped and turned her head to see Optimus walking into the room with a concerned expression. "I heard you crying. Are you okay?"

Azura shrugged as he walked towards her and she picked up the bag to hold it up. "Several fish died. These were the ones you looked after, daddy. I think they got too old for fish."

"Oh, I had not realized." Optimus lowered himself onto one knee and leaned down to look at the bag. "That certainly seems like they have been here a long time. I am sorry you had to wake up and find them dead." He eyed off the bag as Azura sniffled while looking at the fish. He sighed and looked at her with a smile. "We did very well for the little animals, Azura. They did not have a bad life. I was not sure how long fish live in this world, but their lives are far shorter than humans it would seem." He gently moved his hand to place his palm on her back lightly. "We gave these fish a good life, Azura. They got a clean tank, excellent food and they never got sick. You shouldn't feel sad because of that. Know that they had a good life."