"You're so hypnotizing
Could you be the devil?
Could you be an angel?
Your touch, magnetizing
Feels like I am floating
Leaves my body glowing."
(ET - Katy Perry)

☆

Like Optimus, this was not how Venus Jones had expected her day to go.

Coming out of the city to the countryside for some time out had seemed like a perfectly lovely day trip idea. And it had been great! She'd taken a walk, ate a picnic, taken some pictures, fed some ducks, enjoyed the beginning of the sunset. Then been approached by a crimson red semi truck that definitely wasn't supposed to drive into a field like that. Have someone she couldn't see within ask her for directions...

Of course she'd been wary. She was a young woman alone in the countryside and suddenly a stranger in a truck approaches. Almost like the start of a horror film. Anybody sensible would be hesitant.

But then before she knew it, that truck was gone and a massive robot that looked straight from Hollywood was staring down at her asking for directions!

Within dragging moments she was on the floor. Her chest felt really, really tight. And the robot looked even bigger from down there.

What was she supposed to do?! What could she even do? This thing could squish her so easily, it looked at least as tall as a two story house. Why did it want directions?!

Venus' body seemed to think that staying still enough to look dead was a good survival instinct, and the girl was left wheezing breathlessly with wide, fearful eyes as she stared up at that creature hovering above her.

She watched it stare down back at her, and she swore it's 'eyes', assuming they were eyes - or cameras maybe - seemed almost concerned.

Her body refused to react and kept it's almost paralytic state even when the giant robot bent down and got onto one knee. Before its hands scooped her up like a little kid would scoop up an interesting little bug, holding her delicately.

Venus' breathing got even more wheezy as she felt herself get higher and higher from the ground, as the robot brought its hands to its chest like area. She assumed it was so it could see her better.

It appeared to be looking her over, she could see the white pupils of those massive eyes moving and examining her tiny form. It paused at seeing her chest. Because she was breathing erratically, her chest was rising and falling in a way anyone would be concerned about even if they didn't understand human anatomy.

It seemed to understand somewhat. Because, while still holding her carefully in one massive hand, the robot rose it's free one, and brought a large finger towards her. Her instinct told her to scream, but her wheezy chest refused that action. Venus' eyes followed the giant finger, as it rested carefully upon her chest. To her it felt like a weight still because of the size, pressure and its metal composition, but if it wanted to it would simply crush her by pushing harder...

Then she reliazed, meeting those massive eyes with her own. It must have noticed how unnaturally her chest was moving, and the wheezing perhaps. It was trying to make it stop.

Maybe this thing didn't want to hurt her?... Surely it would have by now. It could have easily ran her over before, or crushed her so easily underfoot or in its hand now. But instead it was trying to help her.

Venus met the robot's eyes, and any thoughts about it's possible dark intentions faded as she stared into those endless masses of cyan. They were incandescent, the bluest blue she'd ever seen. Her own eyes were the ocean blue of tropical seas, but the robot's were far more beautiful. A blue beyond planet Earth. It was like staring into vast galaxies, a million million stars shining with swirling light and life and beauty and somehow all that beauty and light was captured and made up into those two eyes staring right back at her.

Galaxy eyes.

How could something with galaxies for vision ever be anything but pure?

The sight of such beauty was calming. And Venus quickly noticed that her breathing had returned to normal, her chest rising and setting again at a normal, non erratic pace. The robot looked relieved, and after a moment it spoke once more, the mask like metal around where you would assume a mouth would reside, moving up and down in time with his speech.

"I did not mean to cause you harm." It apologised gently, obviously taking consideration with tone of voice and how loud it spoke. Based on its deep, masculine and baritone nature, Venus assumed that the robot was male. If robots had any concept of gender, that is.

Those galaxy eyes shone with worry still. She almost felt guilty herself for making such otherworldly eyes shine with anything but positivity.

"You didn't, I-uh, just panicked a little, that's all.." Venus responded slowly, slowly because she wanted to pick the best words for this giant robot, and because she'd barely got her breath back. Her gaze flickered to where his metallic finger was still applying delicate pressure to her chest, pressing against her faux red leather jacket.

A small smile of gratitude painted with red lipstick crept onto her face, and she placed her hand onto his finger to reassure him the deed was done. She wasn't sure if his meaningful gesture, or his hypnotic gaze was what calmed her. Either way, she felt comforted.

"Thank you for that." She spoke softly as her hand met the surprisingly warm metal. And she took a moment to just look up at him again. This was clearly no ordinary Earth robot. He held concern and curiosity and kindness. He was... Feeling.

"Do you have a name?" She asked curiously. Such a being had to have some form of name to call himself.

The robot, from her gesture, appeared to register that she was feeling better, as he removed his finger from that pressure point, and instead used that hand to cup her in his palm, holding her more securely, and more warmly in a way. His hands were definitely warm for metal.

The way his expression was, Venus was sure he would be smiling if he could. Perhaps he was under the mask.

"My name is Optimus Prime." Came his answer smoothly, and Venus felt herself smile. She'd expected something almost mystical. But it seemed to suit him. It was authoritive and powerful. 'Optimus' sounded almost Roman to her, like the name of a mighty general.

It came time to introduce herself naturally back, her lips pursed to speak her designation and trying to find a way to do so that was equally as captivating as he spoke. Her efforts trailed off, exhaled with her breath as she noticed Optimus Prime's gaze shift away from her face, downwards with a curious head tilt.

From the hand that had previously applied comforting pressure, a thumb curled back around her to her chest, Venus' gaze following unsurely, until it settled, touching the chunky golden metal of the necklace fixed around her neck. Carefully tracing the metal and attention on the cursive letters forming it.

Analysing them from gathered data. Reading them.

"Venus." He murmured questioningly, unsure of his pronunciation. The way he said it, his smooth vocals glided over every syllable flawlessly and it made the girl feel warm and admired.

"Yes, I'm Venus." The blonde girl responded softly, wonderstuck, with the brightest little bashful smile, and she noticed the robot she now knew as Optimus tilt his head ever so slightly, and he blinked. A quality of warmth almost seemed to seep into his gaze.

"A beautiful name for an iridescent being." Came his tender reply as he cupped her more carefully.

Crimson tinted blush bloomed across the girl's cheeks, and she couldn't stop her classic red lipped smile growing, complimenting her winged lined eyes that sparkled in the dimming light. He was clearly a gentleman, wherever he was from.

Speaking of that....

"Where are you from? Why did you come here?" She couldn't hold back from asking as she imagined the wondrous planet he must have come from. It must be much bigger than Earth to accommodate his height. She imagined it was beautiful and vast, the skies blue and filled with dazzling stars. A dozen galaxies glittering above that reflected in his eyes, and eventually became captured within them.

Optimus seemed to waver at her question, that warm gaze flickering as his eyes averted hers. Was it a sensitive subject?

That notion was confirmed when Optimus very carefully set her back on the grass. Venus felt the absence of his warmth immediately, but wouldn't protest.

Optimus knelt further down to her, so Venus wouldn't have such a hard time looking up at him. His eyes shone like two soulful cyan orbs against the backdrop of the darkening purple and red sky.

"Some time ago, I sent a comrade of mine to Earth to establish a base, so we could be safe from those who wish us destroyed." Optimus explained sonemly, and his gaze turned to the sky as he spoke, like he was visualising. Venus frowned at that, who would want to harm him? Why would they want to harm him?

"I have only a location name, and he is alone. I must find him. We must be ready. If we are not.." As he trailed off in a tone that was evidently more than worried, she got the idea that wherever Optimus came from, it wasn't as beautiful and idelic as she'd like to think.

"That's why you were asking for directions? Something Falls?" Venus queried softly, stepping a little closer to the imposing robot. It made sense that he would be lost. Anyone new to Earth would be.

His comrade was alone... But so was he.

"Brighton Falls." Optimus corrected quietly, gaze falling from her to the ground, his expression grave.

Venus recognised that look in his eyes. Desperation.

It was clear that Optimus was out of his depth. He'd just rolled up and transformed in front of her without a second thought! If it had been in front of anyone for the authorities, he'd be screwed!

He couldn't do this on his own, he didn't even know where he was going! He needed someone.

"Don't worry." Venus moved forwards to the robot, and placing a hand on the bottom of his massive foot caught his attention.

Optimus looked down to her, his galaxy eyes widening slowly with glistening hope.

"I'll help you find your comrade."