hsv, Beau's house and Autobot HQ, Coping and New Arrivals Part 1
Tracks: *issa car. That that bird just splattered. Issa car*
Dixie: *coming out to see if Tracks needs anything, as she has a couple times each day* *pauses as she sees the bird mess, before she's going to get a bucket and some soapy water*
Tracks: *just a car. Only a car. Cars don't hurt. Even when they get their bumpers kicked*
Dixie: *coming back, also has a scrub brush. Intends to give Tracks a bath, and get the road gunk off from under his wheel wells*
Tracks: *doesn't notice the bustling human. Is busy just trying not to think*
Dixie: *being gentle as she cleans the Corvette, at least until she gets to a stubborn bit of tar just under the front passenger side wheel well*
Tracks: *sudden start and a horn toot* What are you doing??
Dixie: Trah'n t' git th't bit'a tah off'a y'u, hon... *scrub scrub scrub, frown*
Tracks: *jerks away* Stop it! Leave me alone!
Dixie: *raised brow, backs off. Concerned aunty is concerned*
Tracks: *trembling and seeming to draw into himself. Soft static as his processor calls up files of the times that Karen inadvertently or deliberately tickled him while she was polishing him*
Dixie: *soft, worried tone* Tracks?
Tracks: *static in his voice* Leave me alone.
Dixie: *firmly* At least lemme know wh't Ah did wrong. *isn't going anywhere until she has this information*
Tracks: *starts up his engine and rather clumsily puts himself in reverse, wanting only to get away somewhere where he can sit and remember in peace*
Dixie: Now wait jes' a minute! *going to scoot around so she's in Tracks' path. Hands on hips and a stubborn set to her jaw*
Tracks: Get out of the way. *static fades into tones of crisp asperity*
Dixie: 'F y'u won' talk t' me 'bout wh't Ah did wrong, th'n mebeh Ah sh'ld call Showtahm 'n ask 'er f'r 'er 'elp....
Tracks: *asperity increases* What you did wrong? Woman, you've been pestering the life out of me since you came!
Dixie: *gives Tracks a LOOK* Check'n 'n y'u twahce a day ain't pesterin'.
Tracks: It most certainly is. *engine gives an uncharacteristic growl*
Dixie: *deep breath, will go into the house and follow through with her threat of calling Showtime, though she has no idea what they look like, just that she was told that they would be able to help*
Tracks: *leaves strips of rubber behind as he exits the driveway*
Showtime: *suddenly right THERE, in root mode* Ack! *skitters/stumbles to the side, is still a bit derpy from residual bonding funk*
Tracks: *goes into reverse and spins to try and escape in the other direction*
Nightwish: *still human, and holding an armful of Sherlock Holmes* Ack!
Tracks: *stalls cold*
Showtime: *fussing and fretting as she hurries over, pauses as she sees Nightwish* Er....
Nightwish: *quirks a brow, and tries to shake her head so her bowler hat goes back the way it's supposed to* What the fragging slag, Show?
Showtime: ... You tell me. *moving to check on Tracks*
Nightwish: *frowning at the blue Corvette* He's stalled. Where is this? I was supposed to bring this guy to base.
Showtime: *recites the street name as she moves to put a gentle hand on the Corvette's hood* *will also offer a hand to Nightwish* I'll get you back to base.
Nightwish: *deep frown as she checks Holmes' mask and the portable life support equipment that she's wearing on her back* ...Not sure how he'll take teleporting. The 'Jack brats made a portal instead because they were worried about shocking his systems.
Showtime: *small frown, will fold down to alt-mode and call Ratchet then*
Hank: *comes over from where he'd been sitting under the weeping willow tree* What's amiss?
Nightwish: *frowns at him*
Showtime: *recognizes this guy from Allen's description of him* Tracks is stalled... and Nightwish's companion might not handle PINpointing to the base...
Hank: *comes over and gently examines the man in Nightwish's arms, then starts transferring the life support equipment to his own back*
Nightwish: *frowning* If you break him WakeJumper will slap you like a ##@$@#$%$%&.
Hank: I have no intention of breaking the gentleman, my dear lady. *now gently scoops the ailing man into his arms, and then turns to bring him up the driveway. Intends to use the equipment lately used for Karen*
Showtime: *soft 'heh', will return to root mode and move to gently fuss over Tracks a bit*
Nightwish: *watches Hank, but then turns her attention to the Corvette* ...Isn't this that #@$%&@!#&$y ground pounder 'Warp likes to make fun of?
Showtime: *softly* He's a friend, and Skywarp picks on all of us so-called 'ground pounders'.
Nightwish: Yeah, but with most of you it's just showing Wolf that he needs to be friendly. *looks around and checks for shadows, then sets out in the direction of the base* Speaking of 'Warp, I better go see what's got him all jittery.
Showtime: Well, if you come over here, I can PINpoint you and Tracks there.
Nightwish: *pause* Alright. But does the femme in the window know you're taking him?
Showtime: *blink blink, looks, small frown* I don't think she even realizes I'm here...
Nightwish: Well she looks pretty slagged off, so maybe you better check in with her.
Showtime: *small nod, will go over and talk to Dixie about borrowing Tracks for a little while, who she herself is, what her function is, and when she expects to bring Tracks back to the house*
Nightwish: *busies herself while waiting by shaking Tracks, and even lifting up one side of him. Frowns when none of this wakes him*
Dixie: *surprised cuss as she watches Nightwish, is soon getting an explanation of who the woman is, not that that helps any*
Nightwish: *heard that cuss, is looking over her shoulder now from where she's hunkered on the sidewalk next to the Corvette*
Showtime: *gently reassuring Dixie that Nightwish is a friend*
Nightwish: *hears mention of why Tracks nearly ran into her just now and turns back to look at the Corvette with a deep frown*
Showtime: *promising to take very good care of Tracks*
Nightwish: *reaches under the lower edge of Tracks' nearer door and digging her fingers into the space*
Tracks: *startled, half conscious yelp and is now laying on the side of the street in root mode!*
Nightwish: Oh slaggit! *tries to fold him back up*
Showtime: *startles and turns to see what's going on*
Dixie: *on her feet and hurrying out to make sure the strange woman isn't hurting Tracks*
Nightwish: Wake up, you stupid glitch. Everybody's going to know all about you. *shakes him and tries to get him transformed again*
Showtime: *quicker than Dixie, will PINpoint Tracks and Nightwish to base now*
Nightwish: *blink blink. Looks around. Looks at self* Still squishy? *grumbles and pushes her hat back*
Tracks: *shut down again*
Showtime: *calling Ratchet and telling him to please hurry*
Nightwish: *glances at Tracks with a frown, but then turns and jogs away down the hall in response to an increase in Skywarp agitation that she can feel over their bond*
Optimus: *opens the door of his office and looks out, then hurriedly sets Diehard and Hope on his shoulder and hunkers down next to Tracks* What happened?
Showtime: Dixie Lamont called me, and asked if I could talk to Tracks... *will recount what the human woman said*
Optimus: *also calls Ratchet even as he puts a hand on Tracks' shoulder and calls his name*
Hope: *big eyes as she hugs Poppa's smoke stack and watches what he's doing*
Diehard: *clickstorm from where he's watching on Daddy's other shoulder*
Ratchet: *just arrived, with equipment to jump-start Tracks if necessary*
Tracks: *spark strong, but everything else shut down*
Optimus: *frowning deeply as he scans the soldier*
Ratchet: *scanning Tracks and asking Showtime over comms what happened*
Optimus: *quietly* Ratchet, please take Tracks somewhere private before you wake him. *yes, he understands what's happening here*
Ratchet: *nods and gently shoulders the insensate mech*
Showtime: *quietly* I'll speak with him, Optimus.
Optimus: *nods* Thank you, Showtime. *straightens, his hand going up to where his sparklets are sitting*
Diehard: *gonna inspect Daddyfingers now*
Showtime: *small nod, moves to follow Ratchet down the hall*
Optimus: *watches them go, his spark feeling heavy as he considers Tracks' grief and the news that he obtained from Frenzy a few days earlier* *then sighs and asks Bumblebee, Trailbreaker, Jazz, and Powerglide to go looking for Eclipse, Lumen, WakeJumper, and Keepsake*
Arcee: *forwarding a flying radar ping to Optimus, is also trying to discourage Hot Rod from jumping off the roof. Again.*
Optimus: *turns his head, frowning and gently stopping Hope from kissying her brother overmuch* //Hot Rod, report to the inn and start peeling potatoes. Arcee, could you repeat that message?//
Hot Rod: *meeps over comms before quickly scooting off to do as ordered*
Arcee: *repeats the message about the incoming flying radar ping*
Optimus: *as his game character frowns at Hot Rod's his RL visage's frown also deepens* //Can you tell me anything about the incoming vessel?//
Arcee: //Er... Would you give me a few moments, please?// *is checking every possible visual feed she can find*
Optimus: //Standing by.// Diehard, if you kiss your sister she will kiss you.
Diehard: *blink blink*
Arcee: *slight frown in her voice* //It's a lightweight prop plane... Make unknown...//
Optimus: *rumbles* //Skydive, Slingshot, are you functional?//
Draco: *climbing Uncle's leg*
Skydive: //I am, Optimus.//
Optimus: //Please stand by, Skydive. Slingshot, do you read?//
Slingshot: *the only answer is a soft snore, and mumblings about rainbow-colored ponies*
Optimus: *pinches the bridge of his nose and sends the sound of his airhorn over the commlink*
Slingshot: *AWAKE! And on the floor if the low mutterings of obscenities is anything to go by*
Optimus: //Slingshot, respond.//
Slingshot: *grump mood is a GO. Was snuggling Garnet* //I'm up...//
Optimus: *tells both Slingshot and Skydive about the approaching flyer, and orders them to investigate* //Utilize caution.//
Skydive: //Yessir, Optimus.//
Slingshot: *gonna be a grump about it, but will also acknowledge the order and get moving*
Optimus: *and then he's pinching his nose again as a call from Bobby Epps lets him know that Lumen has been located... in a cell at the local police station* *orders Bumblebee to go get the youngster*
Bumblebee: *acknowledges, is clearly trying not to snicker*
Optimus: //Jazz, please go to (X) and (Y) and assist Eclipse in returning to base. She is currently in human form.//
Jazz: *acknowledges cheerfully*
Optimus: *sighs and then reaches down and gently pulls Draco away from his leg. Adds his nephew to the impromptu rookery on his shoulder as he heads back into his office*
Elsewhere in the base
Nightwish: *walking along the familiar halls, musing on how different they look from down here... and then snerking as Epps nearly breaks his neck swerving around her after bolting out of the human mess*
Thundercracker: *just a bit unnerved by how intently Skywarp is staring at the doorway*
Miracle: *happy sounds as she's held by the blue guy*
Sunhalo: *head tilts, and then she looks at back at the tiny human sparklet in Thundercracker's hand* Lumen's back.
Thundercracker: *small nod, a slight smile coming to his face* And so are Wake, 'Clipsie, and Keepsake.
Snarl: *from where she's gnawing on Uncle Derp's foot* Her, Keepsake-Mama home?
Sunhalo: Aunty Clipsie'd be having a fit if she wasn't. *attention goes to the door now*
Skywarp: *almost bouncing in place*
door: *slides open to admit a tall, dark-skinned woman in a Victorian man's suit and bowler hat, and a slightly battered looking dark silk corset*
Sunhalo: o.0?
Skywarp: *scoots over on his skidplate, slight headtilt as he studies the woman, though a slightly goofy grin is firmly on his face*
woman: *wide grin as she walks forward confidently, then pauses in front of him and holds up her arms*
Skywarp: *suspicions confirmed, will scoop up the woman and gently nuzzle her*
Nightwish: *soft clicks as she cuddles* So how do you like me now?
Skywarp: *smirk* I can carry you in my cockpit. *nuzzle* *quieter* I missed you.
Nightwish: *gently rubs her hand over his faceplating* *softly* Yeah, but I can't kiss you stupid.
Snarl: MUSHY!
Sunhalo: *snrrk*
Skywarp: *cuddle, nuzzle* I can wait.
Nightwish: *cheek rub, and then lifts her head and looks through the open door of Starscream's room*
Skywarp: *quietly* Stormfire 'n Starfire.... 'N Ophi's baby is being held by TC. Her name's Miracle.
Nightwish: Wait. Don't humans carry for a long time? *looks up at mate with a frown*
Skywarp: She got LOL'd on accident.
Nightwish: ...So it's gonna go back in?
Skywarp: ... I don't think so.... *gonna pester Ratchet about that now. Is quite fond of Miracle*
Nightwish: *pokes him* I can't tap into the comms.
Miracle: *happy little sounds as she looks around*
Skywarp: Pesterin' the Hatchet about it....
Nightwish: *leans over to look toward the little sounds* I know. And I can't hear you.
Skywarp: *gently rubs mate's back*
Thundercracker: *carefully lowers his hand so Nightwish can see the human baby*
Nightwish: *eyes widen* She's bigger than the one the Percy back in London has.
Thundercracker: *blink blink* That... might have something to do with the LOL... Ophi's hair is longer, too.... But she's napping with Starscream right now, and we volunteered to take care of Miracle so she could get some rest...
Nightwish: *leans against Skywarp and watches the baby with interest*
Miracle: *excited huff! Sees someone new!*
Nightwish: *lifts eyebrows under her hat* What?
Skywarp: *grin* Cool. She likes you.
Nightwish: You don't even know me. *chuckle*
Miracle: *soft little squeak and a small smile*
Nightwish: Awwww. *chuckle* You're nearly making me want something like you.
Skywarp: *blink blink*
Nightwish: *and then turns her head to smile at Airwolf, who grins back*
Snarl: *huff* Her-Mama home too?
Nightwish: *looks over* I don't know. She should be soon.
Snarl: *sulk*
Thundercracker: *clicks softly*
Nightwish: *shrug* We got scattered. It's not my fault she and Eclipse couldn't aim their nerd machine.
Thundercracker: ... Why am I surprised?
Nightwish: *blinks and quirks an eyebrow* You are?
Thundercracker: I am.... but only slightly.
Nightwish: Weird. Thought you knew your broad better than that.
Thundercracker: *slight look* Keepsake isn't a 'broad'.
Skywarp: Naw, she's just scary.
Thundercracker: *Look turned on Skywarp now*
Nightwish: *absently pokes at a stitched up rip on the shoulder of her jacket*
Skywarp: *slight nod* Hatchet says that LOLs that make new life or help it along seem to stick for good.
Nightwish: *grins* Great. *finger through the rip* Oops. Eclipse's gonna flip. Again.
Thundercracker: *raised brow ridge* Why would 'Clipsie flip?
Nightwish: Well... because as fast as she sews this up, I stick my finger through it.
Thundercracker: ... Oh.
Skywarp: *snerk* *pause* Wait, where did the rip come from, anyways?
Nightwish: Oh, I forgot to take my jacket off when I was pushing this mail coach back up on its wheels. Nearly ripped the sleeve right off. *frowns at the mark*
Thundercracker: *looks to Skywarp* ... And you think Keepsake's scary?
Skywarp: *seriously* Nightwish doesn't invent things that can hurt in multiple ways at once.
Nightwish: No, but I can hurt multiple henchmen at once.
Thundercracker: Which is why I'm glad you're not an enemy.
Nightwish: *grins, then looks thoughtful* Have you guys ever heard of a squishy named Moriarty?
Thundercracker: ...That's the antagonist in the Sherlock Holmes saga....
Nightwish: *nod* Yup. He made it over the falls.
Thundercracker: ...
Nightwish: But then I smacked him.
Thundercracker: ...
Skywarp: *blink blink* How hard?
Nightwish: He squished.
Thundercracker: *subsonic cuss*
Nightwish: He wouldn't stop sitting across the street and aiming at Holmes' window.
Thundercracker: .... *looks positively brain-broken now*
Nightwish: *looks up at Skywarp*
Airwolf: *looking very proud of his mom*
Skywarp: *cackling now* Niiiice!
Nightwish: *snerk* *but then sobers* Holmes nearly took the big shutdown anyway.
Thundercracker: *wince*
Nightwish: We brought him back. That squishy guy that transforms has him.
Thundercracker: *nod* Hank.
Nightwish: Yeah. Him. *stops and looks down as a sound comes from the direction of her mid section*
Airwolf: *going to crack up at that*
Skywarp: *raised brow ridge*
Nightwish: I'm hungry. Again. *grumpy*
Skywarp: *soft click, moves to get up* I'll see if I can find you some fuel then... Maybe we can gank Bobby's pizza pockets.
Elsewhere
Slingshot: *still griping as he flies*
Skydive: *mostly tuning his brother out, is focused on trying to spot the unknown flier. Is also doing a comm sweep on every frequency he can think of, including ones he had to get from Powerglide*
Powerglide: *rolls slightly as he pulls close to the younger jets, a sleepy looking Keepsake in his cockpit* //You guys looking for that white prop plane?//
Skydive: //We are... Did you get a visual?//
Powerglide: //You see that white spot up there behind us?//
Slingshot: *cuss!*
Skydive: //Oh... Thanks for pointing that out, Powerglide.// *will turn and begin climbing, attempting to make contact with the white plane*
white plane: *blindingly white, and built with such a light framework that it's easy to overlook on standard sensors. Is just sailing along at a steady pace, odd wide delta wings rippling softly in the wind of its progress. Makes a startled seeming little motion as though noticing the red and black jet for the first time* //...I'm telling you, Uno, turn the... oh. There. Better. Iaconia Praecipuus Septem Alarum Vigoratus requesting permission to fly through Autobot airspace.//
Skydive: //This is Autobot Aerial unit Skydive. What is your intended destination?// *is being sincerely friendly*
femme: //We're trying to find the Autobot base.// *slows and drops slightly in altitude, revealing two small figures tussling in the cockpit*
Skydive: *soft sound of surprise* //I can escort you there, and if you are in need of any additional assistance, please say so.//
femme: //Thank you. I may require assistance when I first transform.// *pause* //You have only one designator? Or is that your local name?//
Skydive: //I only have one designator.... There is a reason for that, but it required that you speak with the Autobot leader.... That can wait until one of the medics on base has been able to see you though.//
Slingshot: *dives close and then away* //Hey, you're made with a lot of Earth stuff.//
femme: //Yes. I've been here many years.//
Skydive: //Do you have a secondary designation that would be easier to pronounce?// *will explain the reason for his question after landing*
femme: //Ah. Yes. I'm known as Tsubasa. My daughters are Uno and Doozy.// *rocks slightly from side to side as the scrapping in the cockpit gets violent*
Skydive: *flying spotter, just in case* //It's a pleasure to meet you, Tsubasa, Uno, Doozy.//
Tsubasa: //... Please forgive them. They haven't been online long.// *shakes a little more, but is ignored by the two little white bots, though there's a flash of blue optics as one takes a quick peek outside*
Skydive: *soft chuckle over comms* //I'm pretty familiar with youngsters...//
Tsubasa: *surprised silence for a few moments, then* //Are you?//
Ariel: *up ahead, tearing out of the compound like a pink bat out of ...*
Dion: *is that orange shape that just took off after Ariel*
Orion: *is nowhere in sight... is currently holding his baby sister!*
Slingshot: //Hey! You stupid little glitches!// *off after the departing younglings, his mission forgotten*
Dion: //Just help me CATCH HER!//
Skydive: //Yes. My brother, Slingshot, and the rest of the ones who live on base.//
Tsubasa: //You're a youngling?//
Skydive: //I am. I've only been online for a few years....//
Tsubasa: //Oh. ...But then you should still be in a sparklet protoform.//
Skydive: //I was made to be a combat unit...//
Tsubasa: //Ah. Of course.// *falls silent as she circles over the Autobase*
Skydive: *circling and descending, is also alerting Optimus and Ratchet*
Tsubasa: *uncertain. Decides to try landing on the basketball court, since it looks smoother than the roadway*
Skydive: *comes in for a landing, and then he's mobbed by many brightly colored, tiny Cybertronians, with a bright yellow one leading the charge* Ack! Cragbuster!
Tsubasa: *startled, and winds up flipping on the basketball court as she lands*
Cragbuster: Bwee!!! *scoots over to the white plane* *clickstorm*
Skydive: *acks and hurries over to try and right Tsubasa*
Ridgeback: *chatter*
Silverstreak: *yappin' away!*
Rap: *ditto!*
Tsubasa: *gets her door open, and suddenly two little femmes have bounded out and are clicking up a storm as they offer to rumble. Other than the opening door and some shuddering Tsubasa herself makes no movement*
Skydive: *fussing and trying to get Tsubasa turned back onto her wheels as several of the sparklets clamber all over him*
Silverstreak: *yappin' away from his perch on Skydive's head! Hi little femmes! You look TINY from way up here!*
Doozy: *wallops Cragbuster, just to see what happens next*
Rap: *halfway up Skydive's back. Pauses to look down at the sound of that wallop* o.o
Tsubasa: *transforms slowly and carefully, then reaches for what looks like two poles that fell out of a storage rack* Doozy, restrain yourself.
Cragbuster: *squeak, smack!*
Ridgeback: Oooo? *scoots to greet Uno and show her his dollies*
Uno: *flails her arms in her attempt to catch her balance as she aborts a planned leap onto Cragbuster* ...Little paper bots?
Doozy: *boxes a Buster audios!* :D
Cragbuster: *squeal! SMACK*
Tsubasa: *sticks her arms into the tops of the poles, and then uses them as crutches as she slips free of Skydive and goes to stop the budding battle between her daughter and the little yellow mechlet* Doozy, such behavior is unacceptable.
Doozy: But... wanna play! *wriggling and fussing*
Skydive: *soft, concerned sound as he moves to offer assistance to Tsubasa again. Is surprised to see the crutches*
Silverstreak: *yap! Hi, pretty lady!*
Cragbuster: *scooting around juuuuust out of striking range. Is totally baiting Doozy*
Ridgeback: *nodnod* My dollies. *offers to share dollies with Uno*
Uno: Ohhhh. Dolls. I have one. *looks up at her mother* ...I'll get her later.
Tsubasa: *scolding softly in beautifully accented Iacon Cybertronian as she attempts to dissuade the insistent Doozy from the sparklet's desire to rumble with Cragbuster*
Doozy: *wants to PLAY!*
Cragbuster: *shakes his BOO-TAY!*
Rap: *catcall!*
Ridgeback: 'Kay. ^_^
Uno: *gentle pat pat for Ridgeback, and then flying tackle for Cragbuster!*
Tsubasa: Ack! No!
Cragbuster: *startled mid-booty-shake, WHAP WHAP WHAP, SCOOT!*
Skydive: *quick comm call, is being insistent, and then there's a dark blue femme appearing nearby with a swish and flash. Said femme is quickly snagging Cragbuster by the scruffbar and holding him at optic-level*
Cragbuster: *fuss! Was playing!*
Skydive: *sigh*
Silverstreak: *yaps about Cragbuster being in trouble*
Uno: *pat pats the blue lady's leg* Excuse me, please. I was beating that boy up.
Tsubasa: *would facepalm if she could*
blue femme: *calmly* He started the fight, didn't he?
Skydive: o.o;;
Uno: Oh no. My sister hit him first.
Doozy: I wasn't done, either! *wriggles and fusses*
Tsubasa: *huge sigh*
Skydive: Desinex, I... think it would be a good idea to let them finish....
Cragbuster: *wiggle, wiggle, escapes Aunty's grasp!*
Desinex: *startled blurt of static, was certain she had the little stinker in a secure grip!*
Tsubasa: *lifts her head and stares at Skydive with blue optics wide with shock*
Skydive: *quietly* If they don't get it out now, we'll have to keep them separate till they get past us....
Tsubasa: I don't know how sound that theory is. My daughters started fighting the moment they were put into their shells, and it has yet to end.
Skydive: *soft chuckle* That's something else I'm familiar with.... Especially with Slingshot and Air Raid...
Tsubasa: *soft squeak as she drops the fiercely wriggling Doozy, and then a wince as the little femme lands right on top of the brawlers* Oh dear...
Cragbuster: *havin' the time of his life!*
Uno and Doozy: *hitting each other too!*
Ridgeback: *gonna scoot back over to Mama and visit Bubby now, kthxbai*
Ratchet: *just arriving to see to the newcomer, pauses when he sees Cragbuster walloping unfamiliar sparklets*
Desinex: *soft snort, wanders past the stunned medic, pats him on the arm* They're in your hands now, medic. *gone to spend time with Hound*
Tsubasa: *looks over toward the flash of yellow, and then steps forward, brawling sparklets forgotten* *says Ratchet's Cybertronian name in a tone of hopeful surprise*
Ratchet: *startled out of his shock over his son's actions* Er... Hello.... I'm not sure I quite recognize you....
Tsubasa: *quietly but clearly* Iaconia Praecipuus Septem Alarum Vigoratus. I was in your last class before the Medical Academy was destroyed.
Ratchet: *surprised expression is a go* It's been quite some time.
Tsubasa: *crutches lightly toward him, her optics shining as she looks up to meet his* It has, sir. It's pleasing to see that you've survived.
Ratchet: *getting information from Skydive* My designation on this planet is Ratchet. The natives tend to have trouble with long designations, so it's generally advised to stick to four syllables or fewer... Skydive mentioned that you go by Tsubasa?
Tsubasa: Yes, it's the nickname my human mentor gave me. *bit of a smile*
Ratchet: *nod* If it's alright, I think that it would be best to introduce yourself as such to everyone stationed here.
Tsubasa: Yes, sir. *shifts her crutches, and then frowns and looks down at the brawl, which shows not one bit of sign that it's abating*
Ratchet: *sigh* I see you've already met my son, Cragbuster.
Tsubasa: *dryly* Well, my daughters have, at any rate.
Ratchet: I have lost count of the number of times he has escaped whomever was supposed to be on crèche duty, only to find him in the med ward with my mate and myself.
Skydive: *quietly* He managed to escape Desinex's hold on his scruffbar as well, sir.
Tsubasa: *startles and returns her gaze to Ratchet* You're bonded, sir?
Ratchet: *nods to Tsubasa, before giving Skydive a slightly disbelieving look*
Skydive: I saw it myself... And I know how firmly Desinex can hold onto things, because of Air Raid and Slingshot sharing it over the gestalt bond...
Tsubasa: I also witnessed it. *gentle but firm poke for the brawlers with a crutch*
Uno: *Cragbuster in a half nelson* Mooom!
Cragbuster: *protesting the poke muchly*
Doozy: *sits up* *to Cragbuster* Is there a place for the little kids?
Ratchet: Usually, the children and whoever is on shift as the babysitter congregate in the recreation room of the base.
Doozy: *looks uuuuup at that big yellow mech. Sternly* Excuse me. I was talking to this boy. *smacks Cragbuster on the head*
Ratchet: *as Cragbuster wallops Doozy* Cragbuster doesn't say very much when he talks....
Uno: Oh, I see. *to Cragbuster as she tightens her nelson hold on him* Let's go to the kids' place.
Cragbuster: *chatter yap squee*
Uno: *lets him go and turns to her mother* Mom, may I have my doll?
Tsubasa: *reaches into her storage compartment and takes out two little toy airplanes, then stoops carefully to give one to each daughter*
Uno and Doozy: Thank you! *look to Cragbuster and the other littles to show the way*
Silverstreak: *climbing down to show the new friends the way to the toys!*
Ridgeback: *scoots! Clickstorm*
Rap: *playing music as he zips through the door*
Tsubasa: *watches the little ones vanish into the base, then shifts on her crutches with a sigh and looks up at the two tall mechs who are standing to either side of her*
Ratchet: *checks with Sunstreaker and finds that he's getting snacks for all the little ones* *small nod, then he's turning his attention to Tsubasa* May I? *offering to scan*
Tsubasa: *thin brows lift* Alright. *tries to straighten fully, but stifles a soft groan as her lower back protests*
Skydive: *soft fussing, moves to help*
Ratchet: *concerned, scans. And then he's frowning slightly, and quietly listing off the injuries the white femme has sustained* Damaged lower back strut, leg servos dislocated, connectors damaged beyond repair....
Tsubasa: I landed awkwardly when I first arrived. *gives a slightly startled glance to Skydive, absently wondering if this is really the first time she's been supported by someone larger and stronger than herself, or if it's just the first time she can remember*
Ratchet: I can repair the back strut, and the leg servos... *doing a quick check of inventory, and silently thanking Perceptor for the scientist's insistence on organizing EVERYTHING, even though it does mean he has an idea of just how little the base actually has of specialized parts...*
Tsubasa: *shakes her head* Scan the metal they're made from, sir. I don't think you'll have any on hand.
Ratchet: *raised brow ridge, will do so, before sighing quietly* You're right... And I'm not sure we can get any at the moment...
Tsubasa: It's metal from the heart of a comet. At the time I was built it had never been recorded before, and it's never been found again.
Ratchet: *slight nod, though he does suspect that he could possibly purchase similar in the Nexus, if he wanted to risk running afoul of LOLs....* If I may, who was it that built you?
Tsubasa: *mildly surprised expression* It wasn't on my records at the Academy? I'm the last of Shockwave's experimental models. *slight weeble as the wind gives a mighty gust, and then shakes her wings and flips them down to fold them compactly against her back*
Ratchet: .... *very soft snerk, and then he's moving to hold the door open* Well, that certainly explains the designation.... Though I will tell you now, you are no longer the last of Shockwave's creations... *is very obviously amused*
Skydive: *quietly offers to help Tsubasa inside*
Tsubasa: *soft thanks for Skydive, then turns back to Ratchet* But I thought his experimentation was declared illegal.
Ratchet: *chuckles* It wasn't an experiment that lead to his current brood... *putting in a call to the Decepticon base* And officially, the war between Autobots and Decepticons is over... There is an alliance that has stood strong for the past few years...
Tsubasa: *optics brighten as she unconsciously leans against Skydive's supporting arm* Really?
Ratchet: *nods* Shockwave is the current Lord High Protector.
Tsubasa: *stops stock still with surprise and stares up at the taller medic*
Skydive: *small nod* It's the truth, and there have been times in the past when he's been the only one who could convince incoming Decepticons to put their weapons down.
Tsubasa: I can see that I have missed a lot during my years on this world.
Ratchet: *small nod, continues to hold the door open so Skydive can help guide Tsubasa indoors*
Tsubasa: *remembers herself and lets herself be assisted* ...I watched Megatron's destruction on the news.
Ratchet: *nods* It was shortly afterwards that this property was given to the Autobots, and we've since expanded the base...
Tsubasa: *looks around* Corrugated sheet metal construction... *and then gives a startled little squeak as she notices the brawny black bot who is sitting in the hall with his head leaned back against the wall*
bvIronhide: *soft whirr of a snore*
Carina: *is that spot of lilac cuddling a golden sparklet and snuggling against bvIronhide*
Tsubasa: *scans the mech as they draw near to him, her expression showing her concern* He shouldn't traveling around when his spark is so weak...
Ratchet: *quietly* I wouldn't be able to stop him if I wanted to....
Tsubasa: But... *frowns* Sedation? Restraints? You taught me about those methods of ensuring patient safety.
Ratchet: *quietly* That wouldn't stop Ironhide. I've seen him go charging out onto the battlefield after having his arm ripped off, despite leaking from several places... *pauses as he hears a familiar engine rumble* *pings the local Ironhide's comm* //Your brother has Carina and Nova.//
Ironhide: *as he drives slowly into sight from the side corridor* //Hrmm. I'd meant to come nap with the girls, but he beat me to it. I need to have words with Springer for being late relieving me from monitoring the survey map catalog.// *has spent most of the morning making sure there aren't any doubles and that things are in proper alphabetical order. Right now the brainwork interests him, though he's only got energy for doing it for a short time*
Ratchet: *calmly* //There's nothing stopping you from joining them.... And we have a new arrival. One of Shockwave's.//
Ironhide: *pauses and scans the white femme as he notices her* //...That's that little thing you were telling me about once.//
Tsubasa: *also scanning the Topkick, and frowning with concern*
Ratchet: *nods* //Her Earth designation is Tsubasa... She's Shockwave's seventh and last experimental model... Shockwave is on his way here with the better-behaved of his brood, and quite possibly Fangfire...//
Ironhide: //...// *moves closer, transforms slowly, and starts poking his brother till the other old mech unshutters bleary optics to look at him quizzically* *the two talk in the near silent way of twins, and then both take to their alt modes, one with Nova and Carina in the cab, and make their way toward the quiet sanctuary of a private living room for the rest of their nap*
Tsubasa: *looks up from Skydive to Ratchet, wondering what just happened*
Ratchet: *soft chuckle of amusement as Skydive's expression brightens into a smile* The local Ironhide has an alternate who is staying here until he is recovered enough for his family to return to their home reality... At current, there are several Autobots here who are giving assistance in the sibling reality...
Tsubasa: *optics brighten with surprise* Sibling reality? Alternate? I hadn't realized such things were reality.
Ratchet: *nod* There is another reality that we have ties to as well.
Skydive: Most of the people we've met have been either alternates of people we already know, or people who have no alternates in this reality... But in general, there are always some differences...
Tsubasa: And moving from one reality to the next causes no harm?
Skydive: Perceptor's been working on a theory with his mate as to why that is...
Tsubasa: *brightens* The Chief Science Officer of Cybertron is here. *has never met the mech, but read every one of his publications when she was young*
Ratchet: *nods* And I had better return to the med ward... If only because it's nearly impossible to get Perceptor and Kia to take shifts there, and I want to talk to Perceptor before they slip away again.
Tsubasa: *nods* Yes, sir. It was pleasant speaking to you again. *smiles her quiet smile, but her sky colour optics are shining*
Ratchet: Take care. *moves to return to the med ward before Shockwave's kids arrive and decide that they want to nom on his paint. Again.*
Tsubasa: You as well. *puts a crutch down and leans on it as she watches him go*
Skydive: *watches the medic go, before his attention goes back to Tsubasa. He's concerned by her injuries, but there's also something about her that intrigues him*
Tsubasa: *unaware of his gaze as she shifts slightly and absently pats his arm, then smiles and turns her head at the sound of young voices raised excitedly as one of the crèche sitters puts a new disk into the DVD player. Face is delicate, and very humanoid, but has a strong cast to the small, pointed chin*
Skydive: *quick glance towards the crèche, before his attention's going back to studying Tsubasa's features... and then he's startling as gleeful teakettle sounds come from a nearby door*
Tsubasa: *optics whiten with surprise as she looks around for the source of the sound*
Shockwave: *has several xenoformer babies on color-coded leashes, is stumbling slightly, since the kids are very excited*
Fangfire: *grumbling and trying to unwind the little monsters, who are gleefully hopping at her and hissing loudly*
Tsubasa: *mouth falls open at sight of the familiar tall purple form* Shockwave!
Fangfire: *looks up, her browridges rising as she spots the little white femme who is holding the Aerialbot's arm*
Shockwave: *looks up from untangling babies, optic widening slightly* Iaconia Praecipuus Septem Alarum Vigoratus... It has been far too long.
Tsubasa: *lets go of Skyfire, and crutches rapidly toward her creator, her whole face alight* Yes, sir. It has.
monster babies: *what? What? New friend? She smells funny! Gonna hide behind Papa and Mama!*
Shockwave: *soft clicks for the monster babies, before his attention is going back to Tsubasa, and he's gently fussing over her* *is quite concerned by the crutches, and very displeased that his work has been damaged* How long have you been in this sector?
Tsubasa: *pauses in front of him, looking up with her old calm frankness* On this world? Twenty five years.
Fangfire: *quick startled look, and then resumes untangling her sparklets*
Shockwave: *surprised look*
Tsubasa: *leans on the crutches, absently aware of Skydive's footsteps approaching behind her* I left Cybertron the day that Megatron declared himself, and worked my way across the galaxy.
Shockwave: *soft sound of surprise*
Tsubasa: *quizzical look, wondering at his response*
Shockwave: You were alone? *worry worry, fret*
Tsubasa: I usually traveled between worlds alone, though surrounded by the passengers and crew of the ships that carried me. But while planetside I usually had some companion or other. *sadness shows in the darkening of her optics* My Cybertronian physiology prevented longer friendships.
Shockwave: *small nod* *quietly* Such is the fate of our race....
Tsubasa: *nods, her face lowered. But then looks up again* *quietly* My last companion assisted me in overcoming the problem.
Shockwave: *see? Even mono-optics can go 0_0* Oh?
Tsubasa: Yes. I have two young clones who regard me as their mentor and refer to me by the American human term 'Mom'.
Shockwave: *very surprised, though he'll nod* And you are no longer the last of my creations...
Tsubasa: *looks down at the strange little monsters around his feet* So Ratchet told me...
Shockwave: *small nod, moves to indicate Fangfire* And this is my mate, Fangfire.
Tsubasa: *raises optics with surprise at the brief name being used, but then looks at the tall femme and is startled and intrigued by her strange, metallic optics* Hello.
Fangfire: *draws back slightly at being noticed, her instinctive nature making itself known* Hello.
Tsubasa: *wonders at that reaction, and then looks down again as one of the odd sparklets sniffs at and clicks to her foot*
Shockfire: *hisss, sniff sniff sniff, headtilty*
Tsubasa: *slowly, wondering even more at the strange little being than at her femme creator* Hello, what's your name?
Shockfire: *headtilty the other way* Am Shockfire.
other babies: *have all paused and are watching/listening with great interest*
Tsubasa: *lowers herself carefully to her knees, a soft creaking coming from the damaged area in her back* I am known as Tsubasa. *lays crutch aside and offers a hand to the little being in exchange for the foot she'd been talking to*
Shockfire: *does like her mama and uses her tongue to greet*
Tsubasa: *startles as the little tongue wraps around her wrist*
Shockfire: *is gentle and careful, but the tip of her tongue just gets right into those little seams...*
Shockwave: Shockfire will not harm you. She is among the gentler of her siblings.
Tsubasa: *reassured by her creator's words, but still puzzled by the sparklet. Lays her second crutch aside and uses her free hand to gently touch Shockfire's little flat head above her single optic*
Shockfire: *happy little hissing sounds*
Skydive: *small smile as he watches Shockfire and Tsubasa. He knows that Shockfire's a very good judge of character despite being a sparklet, and seeing how quickly she warmed up to Tsubasa is actually pretty cute*
Tsubasa: *soft clicks for her baby sister as her fingers turn to gentle rubbing of the small back* This is a lovely marking on your head. Did Shockwave apply it for you?
Shockfire: Mmmmyup. *nuzzle*
Tsubasa: *will now pull the little one into her lap with the impulse of one who has worked with many children of many races in her life. Once Shockfire is there she will be cuddled and clicked over as Tsubasa speaks to her*
Fangfire: *ack! Baby ganked! Moves to reclaim her young one, but then stops and shrinks away as Sunstreaker and the other crèche sitters lead the rest of the sparklets out of the rec room and off in the direction of the gym*
Firespark: *excited hissing* Babiesssss! Babiesssss!
Firewave: *hisssssssss!* :D
Firefang: *quiet and intense argument with self*
Shockfire: *happy hissing, snuggles*
Shockwave: *glad that his family is getting along* *gently* Perhaps now the recreation room will be quiet enough for conversations to be heard....
Firestorm: *sniffs sister sitting on the funny smelling one. Tries to join her in lap*
Tsubasa: *meep!* *looks up from lap full of squirming, eager little sisters* Ah, yes. Good idea, sir. *and then her face changes as she realizes that both hands are full, and that she is quite stuck*
Skydive: Here... *will move to carefully lift Tsubasa and the babies*
Shockwave: *would be raising a brow ridge if he had one*
Tsubasa: *slight startle, and then a thankful smile for the tall Aerialbot* Thank you, Skydive. Girls, can you say thank you?
Shockfire: *licks Skydive*
Skydive: *soft chuckle*
Tsubasa: *puzzled expression as Firestorm fails to respond to her words. Inquiring glance to Shockwave*
Shockwave: Firestorm cannot process audio data.
Tsubasa: Ahhh. Have you an alternate method of communicating with her? *cuddles little sisters close*
Firestorm: *cuddles back with soft little clicks*
Shockfire: *nuzzles Firestorm* Sissy.
Shockwave: Tactile, mostly.
Tsubasa: *just got that expression that her creator might remember from when she was very young. The one that says she's thinking on the solution to a problem* Ah. *soft touch for both babies in her arms, and then looks up at Skydive* I suppose we should retire to the rec room. *is ready to be set down*
Skydive: *nods, and glances to Shockwave*
Tsubasa: *surprised as she's carried into the rec room, but can't find it in herself to reject the service. Her trip has tired her out, and she's still grieving the loss of her human friend and mentor. Being held is comfortable and comforting*
Fangfire: *will grab the crutches and bring them along*
Shockwave: *moves to try and herd the rest of his family into the rec room. Is planning talk to you later, Skydive*
((co-written with random_xtras))
Continued here.