Optimus grows silent for one moment, an awkward veil of quiet draping over them as he stares at the ground. Attempting to collect his thoughts. He wasn't close to Verity by any means, but he'd often stretched his spark to encompass all of humanity. He had to keep his distance--or it just worked out that way--but he truly cared about the human race. Verity...moreso than she knows. His eyes narrow, a rare emotion bubbling up in Optimus's spark.

Anger.

"Prowl always has a reason for what he does. But I can't think of one that justifies this." And whatever it was, it didn't justify attacking her--attacking their friend. His eyes go back up to her, a fire lit in them now. "There's a lot you haven't deserved, Verity. Many of which I think we need to discuss now that you've been found. But...this I'll handle."

Prowl, despite what HE might think, is Optimus's responsibility in many ways. He helped create what Prowl is, if unintentionally, and now he has to look out for him before he takes it too far to even justify it for himself.

"Do you know why he attacked?"