It's beginning to feel a lot like...

[go_endeavour]

Dev dwarfs the multitude of cardboard boxes that are littered about one corner of the main room of the hangar, but she works with a level of patience and precision that would probably surprise any of the other Autobots who might be watching

Comments

[random_xtras]

"A half grown Alaskan Malamute," confirms Ratchet. "I couldn't find another cat."

[go_endeavour]

She reaches out to scratch the dog under his chin with the tip of her finger.

"Does he have a name?"

[random_xtras]

"His previous owners called him George."

The pup tilts his head and looks at him alertly, then yammers softly and waves his tail.

[go_endeavour]

Dev grins slightly. "You're awfully cute," she murmurs, running a finger along George's back. Then she looks at her daughter.

"I don't think he can hurt you," she says. "For one thing, you're bigger than him, and you always will be."

Columbia stares at George and then at her mother, and finally comes around to get a closer look at the dog.

[random_xtras]

"Would you like to hold him?" asks Ratchet softly, offering the pet to his daughter.

[go_endeavour]

Of course Columbia is the type of child who will try anything after her father's reassurance that it's okay, so she sits herself down on the floor and holds out her arms.

"'Kay," she says, twitching only slightly.

[random_xtras]

He carefully sets George in her lap, then hunkers to watch what happens.

The pup, for his part, doesn't hesitate to put his front paws up against Columbia and yammer at her, his tail going faster. This one sounds like a kid! The other pup in this new pack?

[go_endeavour]

Columbia leans down to get a closer look at the animal, then giggles enthusiastically as George's tongue passes over her face plates.

When she starts to laugh George jumps clear off of the robot, then crouches down on the floor, bottom high in the air and tail wagging in the typical okay-let's-play stance of dogs.

"Well, now what do I do?" she asks quietly, looking at each of her parents in turn.

[random_xtras]

"I... don't know," admits Ratchet.

"Crawl after him," suggests Rap, then looks over his shoulder and chuckles at his parents, who are involved in a PDA by the front door.

Chromia takes a picture of said PDA, then takes one of George and Columbia.

[go_endeavour]

Columbia tilts her head and then assumes the same stance as the dog, crawling forward such that she and George are almost nose-to-nose.

George barks and tries to jump on Columbia's head, while Columbia herself shrieks with mirth and collapses into more giggles.

[random_xtras]

Ratchet's a little surprised by the exchange, but Columbia seems happy, so he merely slips an arm around Endeavour's waist and watches.

"Try growlin' at 'im." Rap pats Honey's hand as she scrambles onto his back, then hunkers down to watch his friend and the pup.

Chromia takes another picture of Bee and Jazz, then gets one of Ratchet and Endeavour.

[go_endeavour]

Columbia hides behind her hands and growls in what she hopes is a menacing manner, then looks up to see what George thought of the entire spectacle.

Meanwhile, Dev is scowling at the camera. She's not a picture 'bot whatsoever.

[random_xtras]

The pup goes into a paroxysm of excited yapping, then puts his head down and his tail up with another yorble.

"MERRY SLAGGING CHRISTMAS, ARCEE!" roars Ironhide abruptly from the courtyard, causing sparklings and pup to scatter in all directions in shock. "AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR, WHILST WE’RE AT IT!"

[go_endeavour]

Dev snorts as George jumps up into her arms, and looks at Ratchet.

"Do I want to know?"