hsverse, Autobot Base, Changes in the Lineup...

[dens_extra_pups]

Keepsake: *bringing energon, sedation tabs, and spare parts to her sister's base*

Sideswipe and Sunstreaker: *following, bored out of their processors as they carry big boxes of parts*

Eclipse: *trying to help WakeJumper, Magnus, and Showtime corral a determined Denver, who is still currently LOL'd*

Keepsake: *stops short and blinks*

Twins: *put down boxes and step forward, flexing their hands*

Show: *Drops to a crouch as Denver takes a swing at her* :/ Denver! Stop it! We're just trying to help you!

Magnus: *gets kicked in the midsection as he tries to grab Denver while she's distracted by the smaller femmes*

Twins: *leap! Pile on!*

Keepsake: ... :o

Sunny and Sides: *Were waiting for their cue, which they get, and then Denver's got two sets of twins on her*

Denver: *panicked flailing and cursing, along with a few insults she had to have learned from a few of the mechs*

Streaker: Ow, glitch! That better not leave a dent.

Swiper: *holding on like grim death and grinning like a fool*

WJ: *carefully moving to help pin the large femme* Hi Keepsake, if you could sedate her, that'd be great!*gets punched in the face*

Eclipse: *latches onto Denver's feet and holds on for all she's worth*

Keepsake: *grabs a tab from the box and hits Denver with full strength*

Denver: *struggles for only a brief moment, and then ceases in her escape attempts*

Streaker: *lets go and stands up* Great, it slagging did. 'Berto's going to have a fit.

Magnus: *pulling himself out of the Magnus-sized dent in the outer wall, resigned expression as he realizes what happened* Was sedating her really necessary this time?

Swiper: Hey... somebody get her off me?

WJ: *getting up and helping Eclipse to her feet* She would've been halfway to Reno by now, Magnus...*quietly* I hope to Primus that this LOL wears off soon...

Show, Sunny, Sides: *working to lift the sedated femme*

Streaker: *helps, frowning down at her sister*

WJ: *sighs* The fragging LOL wouldn't be so bad if it had just stopped with the new sparklets... *nods to Magnus, who picks Denver up and heads for the medbay*

Sunny: ...*raised brow ridge, nudges Show and Sides and nods to the other set of twins*

Streaker: *helping sister up and grumbling about a couple dents on her too* Well, at least that'll get you some Red sympathy. But 'Berto'll have a glitch.

Keepsake: I can take them out before he sees you. *looks at Eclipse* New sparklets?

Eclipse: *nods, followed by a small squee* You should see them! They're so cute! Carina looks almost exactly like Chromia, but you can tell she's also Ironhide's daughter and Optimus and Elita have a little mech named Diehard, it's so cute to watch them playing with him! Oh! And Lumen's going to be transferred to his new protoform in a couple of hours, so he'll be bigger than me but probably not bigger than Wake, but that's okay, because he's been looking forward to it since we started working on the protoform's skeletal structure!

Keepsake: *blinkity* You have a Diehard now? And... OHHHHHH! *hands to face as her lights blink excitedly* He's not going to be little anymore?

Sunstreaker: Hey, Keepsake. What do we do with this stuff?

Keepsake: *brought to Earth and frowns up at the taller femme, then looks at Eclipse*

Eclipse: *curious headtilt* What'd you bring with you? *coming over to have a look, even as Show herds her bondmate and sibling back inside*

Keepsake: *tells sister the full parts and supplies list* I didn't bring bio diesel this time. But there's a lot of mid-grade energon from our reactor.

Eclipse: *Looking surprised and pleased, and, after discussing where to put stuff with WJ, suggests the medbay and the overflow medical storage room* Oh! Lumen's playing with Dion and the others, but they're all in the common room, so it'll be easy to find them! ^^

Optimus: *steps out of a doorway further down the hall to see what's going on, Diehard tucked in the crook of one arm, then smiles and goes back into the room*

Keepsake: *makes sure the twins are steered the right way, and then brings her own boxes to where they should be* Wow... you guys have a lot of the little ones. And two to replace the guy that's getting big.

Eclipse: *helping with the boxes, nods a little* We'll have a few sparklets still...*quietly* Orion Pax isn't going to be ready for a full protoform for awhile...*looks sad about this*

WJ: *quietly cycling air, and remembering that he promised he'd try to keep calm*

Keepsake: *gives them both a concerned and quizzical look*

Streaker: *nearly runs into Ironhide and kisses him on the cheek in passing*

Ironhide: *freaked, and grumbling*

Sweep: *Darting from the common room*

Lumen: *Trying to follow, has a bittyTC clinging to him*

Chromia: *frowning, even as Carina clicks and snuggles close to Mama*

WJ: *soft sigh, goes to retrieve his brother and son*

Eclipse: Did Dreadnought tell you about Ophi?*quietly*

Keepsake: *shakes her head as she enters the right room and puts her boxes down. Twins follow and do likewise with the boxes they have that go in here*

Eclipse: *Quick scan to locate the woman in question, nods a bit when she finds Ophi and Allen in the common room watching over the rest of the littles* Long story short...*small frown* Starscream...somehow found out that she had a spark fragment in her somehow...nobody's been able to figure out how, or why...but she, Allen, and Denver had that in common...and well...Starscream thought he could use them to build a new army...

Streaker: *highly uncomplimentary but strangely censored comment on Starscream*

Keepsake: *hands to her mouth*

WJ: *returns, is now being clung to by two blue bitlets. He has a grim expression, as he was one of the ones who responded to the SOS Ironhide put out* He nearly killed Ophi, trying to get to Orion Pax's spark...Denver and Allen were in pretty bad shape too, but Ophi...apparently, she was...subdued...much more violently than the others...

Streaker: *more not-cussing as Swiper looks ill*

Keepsake: *passes out cold*

Swiper: oops

WJ: *startled blurt, moves to catch Keepsake*

Lumen: *Distressed clicking*

Eclipse: *moves to help her sister*

Streaker: ... *herds her own sister out of the room and heads to find the med bay and deliver the rest of the stuff*

Keepsake: *groan*

Eclipse: *gently patting Keepsake's hand* Keepsake?

Keepsake: Huh? Ohh. Not again.... *rubs face with free hand* Sorry.

Eclipse: *concerned* Are you okay?

WJ: *About to ask what Keepsake meant by "Not Again", gets ninja-pounced by a trio of sparklets*

Keepsake: Yes. I'm fine. The thought of damaged humans just.... *breaks off as her optics flicker*

Dion: *headtilt, clicks once at Keepsake, before resuming his quest to pounce on bittyTC and Lumen*

Ariel: *curious chirrup*

Draco: *wanders in in Sunhalo's wake*

Ophi: *getting helped out to the hall by Allen* Oy! Wait up!

Orion Pax: *toddling after Draco*

Allen: *amused headshake*

Eclipse: *gentle pat pat for her sister* *quietly* Would you like to meet Ophi?

Keepsake: *getting to her feet* Sure.

Draco: *arm around Orion Pax's shoulders as he solemnly watches the strange femme*

Eclipse: *Smiles, and gets up, before going to gently lift Ophi, earning herself a smart-alecky comment from the diminuative woman*

Allen: *follows Eclipse as she brings Ophi over to Keepsake*

Keepsake: *standing again, her earlights sky blue with curiosity* Heyya! :D

Ophi: *glances back and forth between Keepsake and Eclipse, a small frown crossing her face* ¿son hermanas?

Keepsake: *replies in flawless Spanish that they are indeed sisters, though from different realities*

Ophi: *glances at Eclipse, then back to Keepsake* I believe that... ¿Wheeljack es tu relación compartida?

Orion Pax: *Cuddling Draco, watching the femme who looks kinda like Auntie 'Clipse*

Keepsake: Sí. Wheeljack es mi creador.

Sunhalo: *sits on WakeJumper's head and looks at Lumen*

Ophi: *nods, mischevious grin* ¿Dejarme conjeturarte… tienen su suerte también?

Eclipse: Ophi! Be nice! *Earns a bit of laughter from the woman in her hands*

Lumen: *moving to ninja-pounce Sweep, who is busy watching Keepsake and Eclipse*

Keepsake: No hacemos saltar como los individuos de otras realidades.

Ophi: *Laughs*

Allen: *trying to hide his own snickering*

Keepsake: So, I've got time. Wanna go sit 'n visit?

Eclipse: *nods* Sounds good.

Draco: *points* It's this way.

*Meanwhile, in the medbay...*

Clarion: *busy tagging after Ratchet with a box in her arms, and then starts at a clanging against the door* Yike!

Ratchet: *Frowns from where he's working on carrying a box into the supply room* What now? *Meanwhile, Magnus is quietly talking to Denver, and reassuring the sedated femme that she'll be alright*

door: *clanging changes to thudding*

Clarion: *shaking, the box slipping from her hands as she heads for a flashback*

Ratchet: *Curses, puts his box down to go to help Clarion, gives a remote command for the door to open*

Magnus: *a rare scowl crosses his face as Denver lets out a soft whimper*

Twins: *enter*

Streaker: Where do you want this stuff, Ratchet?

Clarion: *gone, intaking rapidly as she loses hold of the box completely*

Streaker: ...Oops.

Ratchet: *stinkeyes the twins, before trying to get Clarion calmed down, has his link cable out and ready*

Magnus: *Gently pats Denver's hand, before going to get the box that Clarion dropped*

Clarion: *is gonna need that link*

Twins: *gonna just stand and be quiet and wait*

Ratchet: *attatches his link cable to Clarion's port*

Sideswipe: *watching this with wide optics. Looks at her sister* -Ratchet has a girlfriend?-

Sunstreaker: .... -Looks like it. He's not as obtuse as ours, I guess.-

Clarion: *back in her ship as the 'Cons tear into it, a hollow clanging echoing through the corridors*

Ratchet: *oblivious to Magnus's return, is focused on finding Clarion and helping her*

Clarion: *tries to fight. Tries to protect her crew, and is captured. In that memory place a big 'Con carries her offline form right past Ratchet*

Ratchet: *follows*

'Con: *snerking as he tries to open panels he has no right to access*

Ratchet: *Saws out, and spinning at full speed as he rushes the 'Con* -GET YOUR SLAG-SUCKING HANDS OFF OF HER!-

'Con: *startled yelp, and then tosses the femme aside to lower his head and open out a cannon that's way impractical in these halls*

Ratchet: *angry medic is angry! Lunges at the 'Con, aiming to either relieve him of his weapon permenantly, or worse

'Con: *can't shoot, tries fists instead. Loses a fist!*

Ratchet: *using the fighting skills he learned from Ironhide, and fighting like a mech posessed* -You. Will. NOT. TOUCH. CLARION!-

'Con: *returns creative trash talk* Die, Autobot! *tries to attack, but is hampered by hall... and then trips over the femme*

Ratchet: *String of vitrolic that would more than likely shock even Desinex, rushes to knock the 'Con away from Clarion*

'Con: *is knocked tip over teakettle*

Ratchet: *Sawblades spinning, going for whatever parts he can get to, including but not limited to, optics, fuel lines, hydraulics, limbs*

'Con: *fights back, manages some damage, but since Ratchet knows it's a dream the damage proly doesn't stick. Is ultimately carved*

Ratchet: *once he's taken care of the 'Con, he goes to check on Clarion*

Clarion: *unconscious, as she remembers being that day. Also scared spitless and cringing as she waits for the hurting to start*

Ratchet: *Quietly* -Clarion...it's okay...I'm here...I won't let them hurt you.- *crouches by Clarion*

Clarion: *startled, her optics open and stare up at him*

Ratchet: *offers Clarion his hand* -Let's go...-

Clarion: -.... Ratchet....-

Ratchet: -It's okay...I'm here.- *Won't leave Clarion behind*

Clarion: *suddenly off the floor and glomped onto him, her relief and gratefulness probably nearly overwhelming to the medic*

Ratchet: *holds Clarion close, quietly reassuring the femme, even as the scenery around them changes to the lookout near Tranquility*

Clarion: -You came to get me....- *yes, he's already done it several times since he's promised to help her, but he's never fought off the memories so strongly before. Again she inadvertantly bombs him with her feelings*

Ratchet: *isn't quite sure what came over him this time* -I couldn't leave you behind.- *wants to keep Clarion safe, would fight for the rest of eternity if that's what it took*

Clarion: *Snuggled and hiding in his reasurances, but then looks around and blinks* -Huh?-

Ratchet: *Gently rubbing Clarion's back, also looks around* -The lookout...It's near Tranquility...I used to come here a lot, before everyone arrived...- *Yes, even he needed time away from everyone once in awhile*

Clarion: *quiet wonder at this strange world that she didn't see much of on the day she arrived and hasn't been out to look at since*

Ratchet: *quietly admiring the view, and remembering the day Optimus put out the call for any remaining Autobots*

Clarion: *he'll be able to hear her remembering when she and the silver femme who became Kia heard that call as they snuck through space*

Ratchet: *quiet* -So much has changed since that day...-*Thinking of the first few new arrivals, and how they had brought sad stories of total annihilation of their teams, and then of the incredible arrival of the gestalt team that would bring WakeJumper and the three surviving Aquabots, Downrush, Deluge, and Calypso, and shortly thereafter, Wheeljack's arrival, followed closely by Bluestreak and many others*

Clarion: *thinks of her crew, who will never come, and hides her face*

Ratchet: *quietly thinking of the plans for a memorial to those who have returned to the Well of All Sparks*

Clarion: *grief goes whispering around them, and the bad dreams flicker on the edge of vision* -Bury Clarion there too-

Ratchet: *rubs Clarion's back* -Then we'll have to bury that old Diplomat as well...-

Clarion: *curls against him again* -That femme... that captain. She's gone. ...The diplomat was kinda handsome....-

Ratchet: *quiet* -The diplomat is gone as well...He thought the captain was lovely...even if he was too overcharged to focus on how lovely she was when they met......

Clarion: *blushing, and then sighs* -...I still can't remember that day, unless you bring me there.-

Ratchet: -Would you like to go there? or would you prefer to go elsewhere?- *doesn't want to upset Clarion, but will bring her back to that day if she wants to go back there*

Clarion: *makes herself let go of his chestplate* -Wasn' there somebody waitin' back in the real world?-

Ratchet: *thinking* -I don't know...I remember Ultra Magnus was with us in the medbay...-

Clarion: -Somebody made a noise.- *head cocked as she tries to hear what's going on outside their minds, though she's loath to leave this safe place*

Magnus: *comms First Aid as he gently moves Clarion and Ratchet to a nearby exam table*

Clarion: -...'N I jes' felt somethin'-

Ratchet: *also listening, then he remembers* -Alternates of Sunstreaker and Sideswipe...at least...I think that's who they are...-

Clarion: *looks up at him* -Who's that?-

First Aid: *hurries in and starts to scan his CO and Clarion, after a startled look at the femmes by the door*

Ratchet: -Sunstreaker and Sideswipe are a set of twin-sparked mechs...Sunstreaker is sparkbonded to a femme named Showtime, and because of the twin-bond, Showtime is Sideswipe's sister...They're not bad mechs...but they tend to get attention wherever they go...-

Clarion: *listens to him, but then unshutters her optics and looks up at First Aid* -Whoa! Doc... they must be worried.-

Ratchet: *Small frown, also unshuttering his optics* -Magnus probably put us on the table...-

First Aid: *blink* Ratchet? Can you hear me, sir?

Ratchet: *nods, turns his head to check on Clarion*

Clarion: *looks back at him tiredly, her arms creeping up to hug herself as she mentally snuggles against his reassurances*

Twins: *still by door, only fidgeting a little*

Ratchet: *Carefully shifting position so he can lay on his side and offer Clarion a place to snuggle against him if she would like*

Clarion: *hesitant about doing so in the real world, especially with so many people to see. But she finally hides her face against him and just clings to his feelings like a blanket*

First Aid: *head tilt, awaiting orders*

Sideswipe: *WILL. NOT. SNEEZE. Will make stupid faces instead....*

Ratchet: *holds Clarion close, even as he comms First Aid* //Get those two out of here...I'm worried that they'll scare Clarion again.//

First Aid: *nods and turns toward the twins, his hands going up to herd them out*

Sunstreaker: *quietly* Don't chase Ratchet's new goodies out. There's stuff in these boxes he'll like.

First Aid: *hesitates and looks at his CO*

Ratchet: *small scowl, slight tilt of his head towards his office, indicating that they can put the boxes there for now*

Sunstreaker: *nods and brings her load there*

Sideswiper: *following, still making faces*

Sunstreaker: *carefully unloads the boxes, then takes Sideswipe's and sets them down before leaning forward and blowing the dust out of her sister's intakes*

Sideswipe: *wince wince wince... sigh*

First Aid: ...o.0 *studying these odd Lambos*

Ratchet: *cradles Clarion close to him, comms Magnus, who nods*

Magnus: //'Aid, Wake's told you about alternate realities, right?//

First Aid: //Yes, sir, he has. I've spoken to Dreadnought and the tiny Bumblebee, too.//

Magnus: //Those two are alternates of our own beloved pains-in-the-skidplate...// *gently touching Denver's cheek*

First Aid: //I thought they might be... but they're so quiet....// *very puzzled by this*

Sunstreaker: *comes out of the office and goes to Ratchet, comming him the list of things they just brought and of the things that Keepsake and the others just put in the other storage room*

Ratchet: *slight nod, more concerned with making sure Clarion feels safe*

Magnus: *quiet sigh as he picks up Denver* //Not all realities follow the same kind of paths...I'm going to go take Denver back to my quarters...I wish we didn't have to sedate her...//

First Aid: //I knew that, too. It just seems strange.// *sighs as well, his gentle optics full of sympathy as he watches Magnus take Denver out*

Sunstreaker: *looks at the femme and then back to Ratchet* //Don't worry. We won't scare your girlfriend. We have a son... little human... and loud stuff scares the slag out of him.//

Ratchet: *small frown, hadn't realized others thought Clarion was his girlfriend* //I appreciate that...//

Sunstreaker: *gruff pat to the medic's shoulder, and then she turns and herds her sister out of the room*

WJ: *comms a short while later* //'Aid? Is everything alright in the medbay?//

First Aid: //Yes. Clarion had a flashback, but she's laying beside Ratchet now and she's calmed down.//

Ratchet: *shuttering optics, before he remembers what today is* *quietly* First Aid...see if Eclipse would be willing to have Lumen's transfer done in her lab, or if Perceptor and Kia would allow the use of their lab...

First Aid: //Yes, sir. You're unavailable for the rest of the cycle?//

Clarion: *awake, thinking thoughts as she watches Ratchet's*

Ratchet: *nods* //make sure Lumen's new protoform gets to where the transfer is going to be done...// *thinking about dimming the lights once the medbay is empty, and trying to hide how tired he is from putting off recharge during Denver's last escape attempt/panic attack*

First Aid: *goes to get protoform* //Yes, sir.//

Clarion: *notices one particular Ratchet thought and perks, studying it thoughtfully*

Ratchet: *quietly giving the remote command to dim the lights once First Aid has the protoform and has left the medbay. It's been a rough past few days, but Ratchet's glad that there are sparklets again, and that WakeJumper's and Eclipse's sparklet is growing up, even though he's a bit sad about that as well*

Clarion: *tips her head back and studies his face, noting to herself how there's no way it could be called handsome now*

Ratchet: *blink blink, wasn't paying too much attention to Clarion's thoughts about his current appearance*

Clarion: *hesitantly musing on Sunstreaker's overheard words*

Ratchet: *remembering what Sunstreaker said, slight blush, isn't sure what Clarion thinks of him as*

Clarion: *hesitant... uncertain... bit scared... and bit wistful* -I think I could live with that....- *hides her face again*

Ratchet: *Blush, quiet murmur of agreement*

Clarion: *shutters optics and once more leans on his feelings and reassurances as she gives a little shiver*

Ratchet: *gently* -would you like to rest, Clarion?-

Clarion: -You're tired. I can feel it.-

Ratchet: -I'll be alright...It's just been crazy the past few days...- *more concerned with Clarion's well-being*

Clarion: *peeks at him* -Doc... I'm hooked right inta your brain. I can feel what you're feelin'.- *hesitant concern. Girlfriends care, right?*

Ratchet: *Quiet sigh, won't admit to being tired, despite the fact that he is tired* -Alright...I'll rest...- *gentle helm nuzzle for Clarion, Ratchet is glad she's here with him*

Clarion: *slight startle, but with that much mech next to her, and that much protective reassurance coming at her over the link it would take an air raid to scare her. Or a bad dream* *shutters her optics and leans her face against him again, one hand cautiously stealing out to rest against him. She's... glad to be here too. And grateful for all that reassurance.* -Can you show me someplace else?-

Ratchet: *nods* -Anywhere in particular? I've seen a few places on this planet that are very different from Cybertron and any other planet I've been on...-

Clarion: -Someplace nice.- *trusts him*

Ratchet: -Alright...though it's a much nicer place in person...-*thinking of the beach a few hours' drive from the base, when he brought Ophi there shortly after she had recovered enough to go on short outings. Then, there are birds flying overhead, and the sound of the waves breaking on the beach, and a short distance away at the water's edge, in a wheelchair, is a short woman with red hair and blue eyes. She's got her shoes off, and on her lap is a little red sparklet who watches the water approaching with fright*

Clarion: *looks at the woman and the little bitty and flinches, feeling herself react to the sparklet's fear. Everything else seems fine... but that scares her*

Ratchet: *gently rubs Clarion's back* -Keep watching...- *remembers how this turns out*

Clarion: *looks up at him uncertainly, then turns her optics back toward the pair*

Memory-woman: *quiet chuckle as she reassures the sparklet, before locking the wheels on her chair, and scooting forward enough to put her feet on the sand, even as the waves pull sand away*

Memory-sparklet: *tilts head, looks at the woman, and then back at the water, before clicking at it and pointing as the water sends shells skipping down the sand*

Clarion: *once more, here in the safety of thought, clinging to Ratchet as she watches*

Memory-woman: *nods, smiling, even as the sparklet carefully climbs down off of her lap and holds onto her leg as the next wave approaches*

Clarion: *sparklet is little... and water is big. WORRY*

Memory-sparklet: *Surprised squeak as the water touches him, but then he's pouncing on a shell and bringing it back to the woman, clicking and chirping his delight, and telling the woman about what the water feels like* :)

Clarion: *little shiver as her fingers close over the edge of one of Ratchet's plates, but she's smiling just slightly at what the little one is doing, and at Ratchet's reaction to the memory

Ratchet: *watching with amusement, even though he remembers being worried at the time*

Memory-woman: *Laughing as she watches the sparklet go after shells, before carefully transferring down to the sand so she can be closer to the sparklet's level*

Clarion: *bit of a rare smile as soft music starts to play* -What are they? The things he's goin' after?-

Ratchet: -seashells...some organic creatures have the ability to build armor around themselves using minerals such as calcium and silicon. in some cases, they continue to grow and add to their original armor, and in other cases, they utilize the shells of creatures that have passed on...-

Memory-sparklet: *inquisitive chirrup as he brings a small, white-ish stone to the woman*

Ratchet: -Ah, he's found a moonstone...I'd forgotten about that...-

Clarion: -Moonstone?- *small pang of sadness*

Ratchet: -It's a type of rock formed from an underwater volcano...they're very pretty to look at, but tricky to catch in the surf...-*Yes, he's tried to catch one*

Clarion: *tilts her head and listens to his memory of doing so*

*A short ways down the beach from the pair is Ratchet's holoform, up to his waist in sea water, and looking quite flustered as he tries to catch one of the moonstones, as he's certain Perceptor would like to study them*

Clarion: *blinks as she notices this, then watches him with curiosity, wondering at the idea of trying to look like an organic being*

Holoform: *grumbling and saying things that shouldn't be repeated in polite company, as yet another attempt at grabbing a moonstone only produces a handful of sand*

Ratchet: -Sand is a painful thing to get in joints...That was the only reason I was using my holoform that day...-

Clarion: *flinches at his memory of the feeling, then makes a little pat pat before looking up at him and looking around at the other side of the beach away from the water*

Young man: *watching the woman and the sparklet by the water's edge, has a little pink sparklet peeking from behind the young man's long, blond hair, and near that pair are a tall woman with short, black hair, and a little orange sparklet curled up on her lap*

*Nearby is a blue car, bearing a white autobrand on its hood*

Clarion: *notes all this, and then looks at the scenery... she's looking for somewhere good to recharge*

Ratchet: *quietly* -Should we head back to where we recharged last time?-

Clarion: -There's no place here?-

Ratchet: *Points to the blue car, which just transformed into a wincing femme, who is now shaking sand out of her joints* -Even in the parking lot, sand gets everywhere...Showtime learned that the hard way that day...as did I...-

Clarion: -Okay. We can go to that other place.-

Ratchet: *gentle backrub, as the scenery changes to the quiet and peace of quarters*

Clarion: *peeks out from under the tarp, feeling a little surprised at the feeling that she's home*

Ratchet: *gentle reassurances. This is home. It is safe*

Clarion: *just barely thinking of the girlfriend thing as she snuggles close and feels that safety* -Get some rest, Doc.-

Ratchet: *quiet rumble, nods a bit as he starts to power down for recharge*-you too, Clarion...-

Clarion: -Mmmm hmm- *gonna watch his dreams a little first... like she did the last time they lay down to recharge. Rests her face against his chest and listens to his spark... and feels content*

Ratchet: *starting to dream about simple things, such as watching Lumen and Sweep play, or playing chess with Eclipse when she was still a sparklet herself*

Clarion: *watches, and becomes part of those dreams, and knows some peace*

*Meanwhile, when the twins left the medbay*

Sunstreaker: *going to see if she can't have a look at that other Sunstreaker*

Sunny: *currently in the common room with sibling and mate, and getting used as a pillow by Showtime as he dozes*

Sunstreaker: *stops, she and Sideswipe blocking the doorway as they look around. Streaker is looking at her alternate. Sideswipe is blinking at the sparklets and preparing to run if need be*

Desi: *glaring at the trine on the couch, even as she gets used as a sparklet jungle gym by Dion and Ariel*

Orion Pax: *clicking and scribbling in a coloring book someone got him*

Ophi: *keeping an eye on the sparklets, even as she cuddles against Allen*

Draco: *watching the other little red mech's work with interest*

Hound: *gentle pat pat, one hand on each of the femmes in the doors' backs* 'Scuse me, ladies.

Twins: *blink and move to let him in*

Sunhalo: *hanging from ceiling by feets*

Sunhalo: *and chewing finger*

Desi: *attention goes to Hound for a brief moment, and then she's watching Sunhalo, not sure whether to climb up to the ceiling as well, or whether to continue to let the two sparklets on her play*

Hound: *glances around in quest of a seat, his easy going smile on his face. And then he's down on his stomach by Orion Pax and Draco and talking to the little mechs softly*

Sunhalo: *lets go and zips over to stand on Desinex's head* Thrrpt!

Desi: *razzes Sunhalo a bit, chuckling and reaching up to offer cuddles to the Seeklet*

Orion Pax: *happy clicking, offering crayons to Hound and Draco, and wiggling a bit*

Sunhalo: *will snuggle Mama, and click at her small friends, especially Dion, who isn't so noisy as Ariel*

Hound: *carefully takes one of the tiny wax sticks and holds it as he grins and watchs Draco begin to gravely colour*

Dion: *clicks back to Sunhalo*

Ariel: *climbs down off of Aunt Desi, and goes to pounce on Sweep, who just came darting back into the common room*

Sunstreaker: *comes in, and pokes her alt* Hey.

Sunny: *Low growl, unshutters one optic* Don't poke me.

Show: *shifts position slightly, but doesn't wake*

Sunstreaker: *quirks a brow at him* Then wake up and talk.

Sunny: *grumbles something under his breath and gently shifts Showtime so she's not laying on her doorwings anymore, makes room for the other Sunstreaker to sit if she wants to* Talk about what?

Sunstreaker: *shrugs as she sits* I'm curious. What's another me's life like?

Sideswipe: *down on the floor with Hound and the sparklets, though still ready to flee*

Sunhalo: *watches Ariel, hugs Dion, and snuggles Mama*

Sunny: *Raised brow ridge* Which parts?

Dion: *happy snuggle, wishes his Mama was feeling better*

Streaker: Everyday stuff. Life.

Sunny: It's been kinda dull lately...the Decepticons and Autobots are allies here...which means I don't get to kick skidplates as often as I'd like to...but, that's kinda a good thing...*glances down at the blue femme using his lap as a pillow*

Streaker: The war's over for us, too. I was talking about the important stuff. *also looks at the femme, her expression quizzical*

Sunny: *gently touching Showtime's cheek* My bondmate.

Streaker: *a little surprised* Yours? How'd that happen?

Sunny: *reaches to bap the red mech who's currently using his feet as a pillow* *quietly*This glitch-head went for a joy-ride while overcharged, and got sideswiped by a fragging semi...we nearly lost him...and kinda pulled Show into our bond without realizing it...until he nearly went out...

Streaker: *blinks and looks at the other Sideswipe, then back to her alternate* She had to have been close before that already, or she wouldn't've been caught.

Sunny: *smirk* We've been partners for awhile.

Streaker: Ah. *once more looks at the other Sideswipe, frowning slightly* What about him? *her voice continues to be low, calm, and even throughout the conversation, and her movements smooth and lacking suddenness*

Sunny: What about him? He's my twin. Show's his sister.

Streaker: No sparkmate?

Sunny: *shrug* I dunno if Show'd count as that or not...probably not...but I could be wrong.

Streaker: Doubt it. So that's your whole family, huh?

Sunny: Aside from the rest of the lunatics stationed here, yeah. *Smirk*

Streaker: Huh. *unconciously looks around for someone, then remembers they're not here and turns back to him*

Sunny: What about you? You got someone?

Streaker: Not a mate, no. Swiper's the one with the bond.

Sunny: *headtilt*

Streaker: *slight smirk* We adopted a little human kid awhile back. A boy. He needed a male role model, so we found him one. *yes, the little guy is the reason for that quietness to her*

Sunny: *slight frown, remembering the other femme Sideswipe he met* Lemme guess...Red Alert?

Streaker: *surprise* Yeah....

Sunny: *gently repositions Showtime* We met...an alternate recently who was bonded to her reality's Red...

Streaker: Ahhh. Sl... wow, so it's not just my Swiper. Must be meant to be.

Sunny: *debating telling this alternate about what he learned from the other alternate Sideswipe and her mate* I wouldn't say that...

Streaker: *turns back from watching Hound and the little mechs and frowns at her alternate* Why not? Two Swipers made the same match.

Sunny: *Quietly* The other Sides' Red...was originally bonded to that Sides' Sunstreaker...

Streaker: *frowning deeply now* How the fluffle did that work? You can't bond that deeply with more than one person.

Sunny: That Red...made a sibling bond with his Sides...and something happened to deepen it...

Streaker: *quietly insistant and confused* Still wouldn't have made her his mate if he had a mate bond with the other Streaker.

Sunny: I don't get it, personally...but maybe if you see 'em sometime, you can ask 'em yourself.

Streaker: *mutter* Slap some sense into my alternate.

Sunny: I wouldn't...one of our alternates was a real glitch-head to that Sides...said some pretty fragged-up stuff to her.

Streaker: I'm not going after the Swiper. I'm going after the Sunstreaker.

Sunny: *cringe* She's...offline...

Streaker: *there's nearly the sound of screeching brakes* 0_0

Sunny: *quietly* I didn't wanna say anything about it...

Streaker: ...They brought him into the twin bond too, didn't they. Like what you and your brother did to her. *shaken*

Sunny: He went willingly.

Streaker: Yeah, well, Red's a suck that way. *sigh and rub face* Yeah, it makes sense now. He would have just stepped over into the hole that... the other Streaker had been in.

Sunny: *quietly rubbing Showtime's back* When Sides nearly went...he almost brought Show and me with him...

Streaker: Getting bashed by a truck? Yeah... other Streaker must've gone quietly, or she would've done the same thing.

Sunny: I think that's what happened...i dunno though...

Streaker: *folds arms across chest and shoots a protective look toward her sister, then rolls her optics* Swiper, don't eat the red crayon, you dope.

Sideswipe: I'm NOT. I was reading the paper.

Sunhalo: *baby snerk*

Orion Pax: *Clicking and chirping, while waving a blue crayon about*

Sideswipe: *clicks back at him and pays attention*

Desi: :p that stuff will gunk up your tank...

Orion Pax: *happy wiggles, clicking up a storm*

Sideswipe: *without looking away from the sparklet* I only ate one ONCE. That's it. I may be ditzy but I'm not stupid. The red colour just smells good.

Desi: *giving Sideswipe a "Mo-RON" look, headshake*

Hound: *looks over at the table, then grins and gets up to take something from it and bring them back* Keepsake brought some of those cookie things. And this one's got red on it.

Sideswipe: ....0_0 Cookies for us?

Orion Pax: *wiggles till he's close enough to color on Uncle Sides*

Hound: *reaches over and offers the little guy a cookie*

Sideswipe: *examining the one Hound gave to her and blinking as she contemplates whether she trusts him enough to taste it*

Draco: *sits up and holds his toes, watching with interest*

Sunhalo: Cookie! *zoom!*

Sides: *twitches as Orion colors on his foot*

Hound: Hey, Orion, look. You want a cookie? *still offering*

Sunhalo: *sitting in the plate and chowing down*

Orion Pax: *looks* Cookie! *crawling over to Hound*

Streaker: *watching all this, then turns back to her alternate* So, you ever been to Italy?

*and at the same time, in Perceptor's lab....*

Eclipse: *Fussing over her mate, and asking Wheeljack just how strong the sedation tab he used on WJ was*

Keepsake: *doesn't look away from Lumen* It was just a red one. Relax.

Eclipse: *razzes Keepsake a little, before resuming her fussing*

Keepsake: *grins at Lumen* Gonna give the old man a run for his money once we're done here, huh?

Lumen: *nod nod*

Wheeljack: *helping First Aid get the protoform up and running, and amazingly, nothing's blowing up!*

Keepsake: *gently smooths Lumen's helm, then offers him a tab that will put him into stasis* You wanna do the putting you to sleep thing?

Lumen: *considers the tab for a moment, and then nods, snuggling against Keepsake*

Keepsake: *cradling the little guy* Alright. You touch it to your neck... right here, and then press. I'll help you if you need it.

Lumen: *quick glance at Eclipse, who, once satisfied that WJ is alright, has come over to offer a bit more comfort* 'Kay...

Keepsake: But only when you're ready. This is your party, kiddo.

Wheeljack: *quietly, to First Aid* Ratchet rechargin' like he keeps sayin' he would?

First Aid: *checks everything, then looks up* Hmm? Oh, yes. He's on a table in the medbay with Clarion.

Wheeljack: *smiling a bit, though it only really shows in the tilt of his optics* Good...I think she's gonna be good for him, and vicea-versa...*attention goes to Lumen, Keepsake, and Eclipse*

First Aid: *blinks* What do you mean, Wheeljack?

Lumen: *Snuggling against Eclipse a bit more and watching WJ for a few moments, before nodding and applying the tab*

Keepsake: *watches, one hand slightly lifted in case her nephew needs help, her earlights a little purple with concern*

Lumen: *shuttering his optics and going limp against Eclipse as the tab takes effect, and soon, he's in stasis*

Wheeljack: I mean that I think there may be something between Clarion and Ratchet...She trusts him...

First Aid: *watches Keepsake come over and have her own look over of the new protoform* She's his patient.

Wheeljack: There's more to it than that...

Eclipse: *gently holding Lumen close, her head down to gently nuzzle the sparklet's head one last time*

First Aid: *gives the older mech a quizzical look and lets Keepsake push him away from the table* If you mean the fact that they sleep together I can assure you they aren't doing anything other than Ratchet helping Clarion feel safe.

Wheeljack: I know...but sometimes, that's all it takes for a friendship to grow into something more...*thinking of Ophi and Allen now*

First Aid: He's a medic. He'd never take advantage of a patient's trust that way. *mild frown*

Keepsake: *satisfied that the protoform looks alright and looks over at her sister*

Wheeljack: I don't think he's taking advantage of her...I think...they're helping one another.

Eclipse: *bringing Lumen over and gently setting the sparklet down close to his new protoform, before going to Wheeljack, who has his arms open in an offer of a hug*

First Aid: ...You mean because making sure that Clarion rests necessitates Ratchet laying down and resting himself?

Keepsake: *watches sister, protective hand on Lumen as she waits*

Wheeljack: *nods, turns his attention to his daughter*

WJ: *trying to get to his feet now, mate needs comfort!*

First Aid: *unconvinced and a little scandalized at the suggestion*

First Aid: *goes to catch the stoned junior medi-bot*

Wheeljack: //If it were Foxtrot and you in that position, wouldn't you do the same as Ratchet?//*gently rubbing Eclipse's back*

WJ: *still trying to make his way to Eclipse*

First Aid: *face suddenly very very hot as he supports WakeJumper* //That doesn't mean... I...//

Wheeljack: //What? You wouldn't try to offer her security and comfort?// *knowing look* //If it were Foxtrot, you'd do what Ratchet's doing in a sparkbeat.// *bringing Eclipse to WJ and going to help support the triplechanger's weight so it's not entirely on First Aid*

First Aid: //That doesn't mean I'd wind up in a personal relationship with her because of it!//

Eclipse: *cycling air and calming down, glances at Keepsake and nods*

First Aid: //...I'll have to warn him.// :\

Wheeljack: //You do, and I'll tell Sunny, Sides, and Show about Foxtrot.//

Wheeljack: //You know whatever Sunny and Sides could cook up would be nothing compared to Show fufilling her duties as a counselor-bot.//

Keepsake: *opens Lumen's chestplate and looks at the little spark that she put into this shell, then swiftly and carefully transfers it to its new home*

First Aid: //Wheeljack, this is different! Foxtrot is mearly someone I like to spend time with. There's no danger to either of us from the interaction.//

Wheeljack: *raised brow ridge*

Keepsake: *closes the new shell's chest, and then applies the program to bring Lumen out of stasis* Wheeljack... stop picking on First Aid.

First Aid: *blinks and looks at Keepsake*

Wheeljack: I wasn't picking on him...I really think Clarion and Ratchet can help each other... *attention goes to Lumen as the mech powers on*

Keepsake: *blink* You're matchmakin'?

Wheeljack: *headshake* Just observing a situation that I have no hand in.

Lumen: No hand in what now? *confused*

Keepsake: *turns attention to her nephew* Wheeljack's bein' weird. How're you feeling, kiddo?

Lumen: *small smirk that could be from either parent* Wheeljack's always weird...I'm fine....

Keepsake: Well at least mine doesn't try to matchmake... and aren't you guys supposed to be doing patient confidentiality or somethin'?

First Aid: *blushing again, this time from shame*

Lumen: ...*blink blink, glances at his creators* ...Who drugged Dad? *trying not to laugh*

Keepsake: Wheeljack. You wanna sit up?

Lumen: *mutters something that sounds like "Figures...", before nodding*

First Aid: *quietly excuses himself and leaves the room*

Lumen: *puzzled expression*

Keepsake: *looks after the young medic, then looks at the others* Somebody gimme a hand here?

Wheeljack: *over to assist* He'll probably be talking to Ratchet soon...*not worried about this in the least*

Keepsake: *takes Lumen's hand and braces her feet* Talking to Ratchet?

Wheeljack: *moving to support Lumen as the younger mech sits up* 'Bout Clarion and his relationship.

Keepsake: Who's Clarion? *checks Lumen over again once he's up*

Wheeljack: She 'n Kia arrived together...Apparently, she used ta be a captain...

Keepsake: 'N she's Ratchet's girl? *looks over at her sister and brother in law*

Wheeljack: She might be...if she chooses to be. *Shrugs*

Lumen: *is showing signs of being tired, and needing fuel, but overall, he's fine*

Eclipse: *fussing over WJ, who's still under the influence of the sedation tab Wheeljack nicked him with earlier*

Keepsake: *grabs one of the cubes she brought in before the operation* So she's not like the First Aid of my reality, huh?

Wheeljack: Can't rightly say...All I know is that Ratchet's been resting more since he started trying to help her get used to bein' around other mechs 'n femmes... *shrugs and goes to take care of WJ*

Keepsake: *gives Lumen the cube* Nope. Not like. I hear First Aid follows our Ratchet around like a puppy.

Lumen: *happy just to sit quietly and drink his energon*

Wheeljack: Clarion doesn't let Ratchet outta her sight, from what I've seen.

WJ: *once the sedation's been negated, he lets everyone know that Wheeljack is a fragger*

Keepsake: *glances at WakeJumper* Yeah, so? *turns back to Wheeljack* Our Ratchet wouldn't admit he liked First Aid, because she's young. Now everyone says she's his girlfriend but him... hey, you wanna go back to your quarters to recharge, buddy?

Lumen: *glances over from where he's giving his dad a "Are you serious?" look* ?

Keepsake: Doesn't need fancy medical scanners to see you're pooped.

Lumen: *sheepish smile, nods* Yeah...

Eclipse: *now coming over to fuss over her son*

Keepsake: *steps back, and then tips her head slightly* Slag. I gotta go. Sludge's been eatin' rocks again.

Lumen: *Frown* He'll be okay, right?

Keepsake: Oh yeah. We just gotta vacuum 'em out. *lights blinking with amusement* He probably wouldn't do it anymore, but Swoop likes feeding him things.

Lumen: ...*headshake* Those dorks...I bet Grimlock'll be confused the next time I see him...

Keepsake: *pause* Awwww. Yeah, probably. Hope he doesn't get upset. He likes you.

Lumen: *nods, even as his creators and grandfather help him off of the table* Maybe I'll stop by sometime soon... ^_^

Keepsake: Looking forward to it, buddy! ^_^ *waves and heads out to make sure the twins have the spare PINpoint before she goes back*

Lumen: *Getting helped to quarters, where he'll settle in for some recharge*

First Aid: *standing at the end of the hall and looking through the window*

Magnus: *quietly heading out of his quarters, where Denver's still resting, pauses when he notices First Aid*

Magnus: *quietly* First Aid?

First Aid: *miles away, his expression troubled*

Magnus: *Small frown, moves closer to try to get First Aid's attention, via one finger getting poked into the medic's side*

First Aid: *squeaks and looks up at him with surprise* I'm sorry, sir. Did you say something?

Magnus: *has a feeling this will turn out to a similar situation as if Denver were the one he was checking on* Something's bothering you, I can tell.

First Aid: Oh. *looks back to the window* Yes. I'll be alright, though, I think.

Magnus: *frown* It's about Clarion, isn't it?

First Aid: *blink* No, sir. It isn't.

Magnus: ...*okay, now he's gotta try to figure out what's going on* It's not?

First Aid: No, sir.

Magnus: *regarding the medic for a moment, before pinging First Aid's comm, just in case Sunny and Sides are looking for material to blackmail with* //Foxtrot?//

First Aid: No, sir.

Magnus: ...I always was lousy at guessing games...

First Aid: *looks up at him again, his expression serious* I breached patient confidentiality today. It's something I'll have to talk to Ratchet and WakeJumper about.

Magnus: *raised brow ridge* Well, did you mean to? or did whatever you were trying to keep confidential kinda slip out?

First Aid: I didn't realize that what I'd said was overstepping the line. But it did, anyway.

Magnus: Well...If it were me, I'd explain what happened to Ratchet, and apologize...Not right now though...

First Aid: *quietly* That's what I'm going to do. But not now. He's resting.

Magnus: *nods, before glancing back at his quarters for a brief moment*

First Aid: I should organize the store room. *slips past the larger mech and heads that way*

Magnus: *nods and lets the smaller mech go on his way, before heading to the common room to have some energon and to try to think of a better way to help Denver*

((co-written with random_xtras))