((Starfire, Garrison))  (D,A)

Starfire transmits: 'Ma'am? I'm supposed to report to you for classes and stuff. When would be a good time?'.
You transmit 'Just give me a little while to clean my house.' to Starfire.
Starfire transmits: 'Yes, ma'am.'.
You transmit ' I'll send for you when I'm done.' to Starfire.
You transmit 'I've tidied up a bit. You may come over here now if you wish.' to Starfire.
Starfire transmits: 'On my way, ma'am.'.
Starfire transmits: 'Um, where am I going, ma'am?'.
You transmit ' Go to the Civil District in Crystal City. My house will be the very small one.' to Starfire.
Someone knocks at the door.
A voice from inside calls, "Come in."
Oracle is finishing the last bit of cleaning she had to do. She looks tired.
Starfire stops in the doorway, looking curiously around, then slowly makes her way in. Uncertain of Oracle's rank, she gives her a generic salute, then stops. "Reporting as ordered, ma'am."
Oracle smiles, shaking her head. "You needn't be so formal. Although a Decepticon requested I do this job, I am not a Decepticon. I don't believe on making people stand on ceremony."
Starfire pulls a small datapad out of a side compartment and reviews her orders. "Let's see... You're a renowned Historian and Philosopher, according to Commander Diktat." She looks up again, fidgeting a bit, and asks, "What am I supposed to do?"
You say, "For now, just take a seat. Don't be too nervous. If it makes you feel any better, I'm no one important."
Starfire crosses the small room and pauses again by the chair, realizing that there's only one. "Um... maybe you should be the one to sit down, ma'am. I can..." She looks around for a blank space on the wall to lean back again, and finds none. "... can stand, thank you."
Oracle waves towards the chair. "No. I'm the teacher, I'll stand. You just make yourself comfortable."
Starfire shrugs and does as she's told, sitting down and fidgeting some more. Not necessarily nervous, just not used to being still. "I guess I'm supposed to learn about history... I have a datapad that Elita One gave me about the history of the war, but that might be biased and stuff."
You say, "Well, why don't you start by telling me your own history? If you prefer not to, we can skip it."
Starfire shrugs yet again. "Not much to it. I spent most of my life off planet with my mother and brother, searching for resources."
You say, "And, would you tell your own history differently than your mother or brother would if they were in this room with us?"
Starfire blinks at Oracle, her amber optics widening in astonishment at what sounds like an accusation. "Um... You're thinking that I'm lying?"
Oracle shakes her head. "Not at all. But they would remember different things. They would think differant things were important. Maybe they had the same experiances as you, but they would tell it differantly. Do you see my point?
Starfire frowns and tries to understand that. Her family was very close, and there was a noticeable unity or thought and purpose amongst them. "I... suppose they might think other things were more important. I guess... 'Cause we were all different people."
Oracle smiles. "But there were also similarities. Now, no one will say that the Decepticons and the Autobots are very similiar, right?"
Starfire says, "Actually, they seem pretty alike to me, except that the Autobots are silly."
You say, "Okay, here's a question for you. What do the Autobots value in your opinion? And what does your own faction value that is different?"
Starfire fidgets again, this time with reason. "I don't know many Autobots, so I can't really say." She frowns, trying to recall the hazy definition of the Autobot/Decepticon philosophical differences. "Something about them wanting to be weak and stuff, and the Empire wanting to be strong."
You say, "Okay, how about we find an Autobot to ask?"
Starfire shrugs. "They'll probably just say that we're all Evil Monsters and stuff."
You say, "Perhaps. But perhaps you might learn something. One thing I've learned is that everyone has something to say, about themselves and the world. Many times they are silly, or things you might not want to hear, but if you never listen, you might miss something important."
Garrison transmits: 'Of course! Why?'.
You transmit 'I have a student under my charge to learn history. I need you to help make a point. I'll tell you now that she's a Decepticon, so I would understand if you didn't want to come, though I would prefer it if you did.' to Garrison.
Starfire says, "It might be propaganda, too. I've listened to Autobots tell me stuff that isn't true. They've called me names, too."
Garrison transmits: 'Be right there.'.
You say, "That's true, many people don't tell the truth. But this is for three reasons. Sometimes they don't know the truth. Sometimes they get two truths mixed up, or sometimes they will even knowingly twist the truth to get what they want."
Garrison politely knocks on the door.
Oracle opens the door. "Garrison. It's good of you to come. Have a seat on the mattress if you want. Or you can stand."
Garrison nods, and takes a seat on the matress, "Many thanks, Oracle..." he peeeeers at Starfire, but says nothing.
Starfire rises slowly to her feet as the Autobot enters. Not quite nervous, but clearly uncomfortable now. She eyes the distance from where she is to the door, and doesn't think she'd make it.
You say, "Garrison, this is Starfire. Starfire, Garrison. Have you two meet before?"
Garrison nods, "Yeah, indirectly." he takes off his facemask, in order to speak better, "G'day, Starfire..." he says, in the nicest voice he can muster.
Starfire nods politely to Garrison, shifting from foot to foot. She says to Oracle, "I've seen him around," then answers Garrison, "Hello."
You say, "We were just talking about the differance between the Decepticons and the Autobots. Garrison, I would like you to give me a few things your faction values. Then Starfire, you do the same for your faction. Try not to put the other faction down while you're doing so."
She neatly folds herself into a Mini-computer, complete with screen, keyboard, disk-drive, etc.
Garrison nods, "Right, right. Well, we value freedom, I guess. Whether there's a government, or not, we value freedom. People's right to do what they want, as long as it's ethical, and constructive."
Starfire fidgets some more, knowing she's not the right person to speak for the Empire. She wishes Diktat were there... "Um, strength and honor. Expansion so that we can make ourselves and our people stronger, and prevent Evil Alien Monsters from taking over Cybertron again."
Garrison hmmms, and nods respectfully.
Mini-Computer hmmmms to herself as the words of each appear on her computer screen.
You say, "So, Starfire. If freedom is important to the Autobots, what do you think they would record in their histories?"
Starfire relaxes just a little, thinking that's a pretty easy answer. She gives Garrison a quick look, then drops her gaze again. "Stuff about freedom."
Garrison snickers, quietly.
You say, "Good. And, since your faction values expansion, would they focus on freedom very much?"
Mini-Computer gives Garrison a subtle warning beep.
Garrison ahems. He gives an apopligetic look.
Starfire frowns. "I'm not really sure what they mean by freedom. I hear 'em talk about how we're always enslaving people and stuff, but I'm not a slave and I've never seen one. At least not on Cybertron."
You say, "I think they mean their own freedom as well as the freedom of other peoples."
Garrison stays silent.
Starfire shrugs. "I still haven't seen any slaves. Not even Autobots."
You say, "A lack of freedom doesn't necessarily mean slavery. Many people aren't free to do what they want because their factions restrict them. But they aren't slaves."
Starfire sighs. "I want to go out and explore other planets, like I was designed and trained for, but they say it's too dangerous for me." She scowls and adds reluctantly, "They might even be right, but I'm not dumb, and I know what to do. That's a kind of restriction, I guess."
You say, "Okay, what else does your faction value, Garrison?"
Garrison nods, "Uh. This is tough, without discusiing my view of the Decepticon views, but... "
Starfire nods glumly in answer to Garrison's words.
Mini-Computer makes a few blipping noises. "Very well. Garrison, would you agree that Decepticons and Autobots would inclued different things in their history because they value differant things?"
Garrison nods, "Definatly. We would categorize Megatron as a villain, while they might write him down as a hero."
The mini-computer rapidly unfolds. Soon, instead of a computer, a small, black and green femme stands in it's place.
Oracle shakes her head. "Let's just pretend that all historians suddenly only told the truth. Even then, would they include different things in their histories, believe different things were worthy enough to record?"
She neatly folds herself into a Mini-computer, complete with screen, keyboard, disk-drive, etc.
Garrison nods, "I believe so, yeah... perhaps.... the Autobots wouldn't record the Speedshift incidences?"
Starfire blinks at Oracle in puzzlement. "You mean historians aren't recording the truth? That's... silly. How could anyone know stuff for sure, then?"
Starfire shivers at the mention of Speedshift and falls quickly silent.
You say, "Sometime we don't always know what the truth is. If I told a complete stranger my name was BlueStar, they would have no reason to disbelieve me. Then, if they told someone else my name was BlueStar, they would /believe/ they were telling the truth. Do you see my point?"
Garrison nods, "Of course."
Starfire says, "You would be telling a lie, but they wouldn't, 'cause they didn't know any better."
Mini-Computer makes a happy beep noise. "That's right. We record truth the way we believe it. But sometimes historians lie to make their people look good."
Starfire shrugs. "I don't know... Kinda hard, since there are lots of *ancient* people still around. Millions and millions of years old, and they were actually around for history stuff."
Garrison nods, "They still have different views, though. They might choose to forget something, and remember something else."
You say, "Ah. But do we always remember things correctly? Can you remember every detail of your life with complete acuracy?"
Starfire blinks at Garrison. "How do you remember something that didn't happen?"
Garrison sighs, "Oracle. I don't think I'm helping, here. Maybe I should leave."
You say, "As you see, there are many different reasons why history is often unclear."
You say, "Not at all, Garrison. You are helping marvously. But you may leave if you wish."
Garrison sighs, "I'm just... probably not the best one to ask..."
Starfire mutters, "Me, neither."
You say, "I need honest answers, not smart answers. Sometimes people are too smart for their own good."
Garrison nods, "Well, alright."
You say, "Starfire, next time bring someone you feel comfortable from your own faction."
Starfire says, "I'm not sure that would be a smart thing. Most of them don't like Autobots, and they'd just argue."
You say, "No, we won't have an Autobot next time. Next time we'll focus on your side of history."
Starfire says, "I could ask Commander Phalanx, I suppose, but he's busy a lot."
Garrison smirks. "Anyway... I'm heading... off. Thanks for letting me in, Oracle. Happy trails. G'day, Starfire." he slaps his mask back on, and stands up.
Starfire wavewaves to Garrison.
You say, "Thank you Garrison. I hope I didn't take up too much of your time."
Garrison shakes his head, "Happy to, anytime, Ora..." he says, quietly, and sheepishly, as he makes his way toward the door.
You say, "Bye."
*Garrison leaves*
You say, "Well, Starfire, which Decepticons do you get along well with?"
Starfire fidgets and finally sits back down again. "I don't know many people very well. I don't argue with them or anything, but I don't have any real friends, either." She makes a face, recalling a recent conversation on that subject. "There's Marauder, but he's silly sometimes. Commander Onslaught is probably too busy. Commander Ghost is definitely too busy. Governor Diktat might, but he's kinda..." She tries to find the right word for the Decepticon diplomat. "... Talkative?"
You say, "Is there anyone who would come, perhaps someone of lower ranks?"
Starfire says, "That's pretty much all the people I kinda know."
Mini-Computer thinks for a moment, making a computer whirring noise as she does so. "Do you know Darkraid very well?"
Starfire says, "Not really well.  He's Triage's brother.  He tried to convince me to drink an icee once.  Oh, and I kinda know Whiplash, too, but she doesn't like non-Decepticons."
You say, "I suppose that wouldn't be a good idea then. It's a pity you don't know Darkraid better; he's a good friend of mine."
Starfire says, "The only person I really know is Commander Phalanx."
You say, "Well, he's a busy mech. Just keep your eyes open. I'm sure you'll find someone who will come with you."
Starfire says, "I kinda doubt it. I'm usually here, not at Darkmount or Polyhex."
You say, "Or maybe you could ask Diktat for someone to go with you for a while. If not, I could always ask Darkraid, I'm sure he wouldn't mind doing me a favor."
Starfire nods. "I'll ask Governor Diktat. He knows lots of people."
You say, "Good. Do you feel you have learned anything at all about history today?"
The mini-computer rapidly unfolds. Soon, instead of a computer, a small, black and green femme stands in it's place.
Starfire sighs and rolls her optics. "That no one can believe what anyone else says."
Oracle smiles kindly. "It may seem that way. Another time I'll take you out and we'll talk to people, then you can tell me what you observe."
Starfire says, "Might be better if all history were just recorded on media, so that people can see for themselves what happened."
Starfire says, "And this datapad of history that Elita One gave me, is that all wrong, too?"
You say, "That's a good idea, but sometimes things aren't always what they seem. As our minds grow, we must learn to observe carefully and try to understand how everything works together. Our history is very important, but we need to learn to read between the lines. That is where real history lies, and I will try to teach you the skills you need to learn these things."
You say, "Not necessarily. I would have to look at it."
Starfire retrieves the datapad in question from a compartment, and hands it over.
Oracle takes the Datapad, glances at it. "Can I keep this for a while to look over?"
Starfire nods. "I started reading it. It's pretty sad. Lots of people get killed."
You say, "That is the sad thing about war, and that is why I would rather record history and not make it."
Starfire's gaze turns bleak. "I've seen sad stuff myself. Lots of us have died pretty recently, killed by Autobots. Then there was Commander Onslaught being killed, then not being killed, then being killed again, and unkilled again."
Oracle laughs. "Onslaught's history could fill volumes itself."
Starfire admits unhappily, "This stuff bothers me. I don't like it when people get killed."
You say, "I think you've had enough to think over. You may be dismissed if you wish. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me at any time."
Starfire sighs and rises to her feet. "Um, not right now, ma'am. There's not much you can trust, is there?"
*Starfire leaves*