mbv, The /Ark/, Minor Incidents...
'Boobopolis Battle Arena': *does not come up when the bookmark is clicked. Instead there is a blank page with a small note saying that the creator's fiancee hates the game, and he's decided to turn his attention to more worthwhile hobbies*
Wayne: ... Awww... *Sulk*
email: *ping!*
Wayne: *Still sulking, will reluctantly check his mail*
message with attachment from 'SVM dolls': *there in box, titled 'your friend Rachel sent you a gift'*
Wayne: ... The pit... *pokes at the message, wondering if it's a trick*
message: *opens up and shows a link to the Etsy store, as well as an explanation of what KiSS dolls are, and where to get the free program to use to play with 'Betty'*
Wayne: ... *Headtilt, a small smile tugging at his mouth as he gets everything set up*
program: *opens and shows him a cover page with instructions to read the 'read me' file under 'tools' first*
Seamus: *pauses, looks over his shoulder, and then slaps him in the head with Chum Buddie's fin before running off cackling*
Wayne: *Doing the most insulting thing he can think of to Seamus.... ignoring the frontliner*
Seamus: *distracted by brother's sheet of gyprock*
read me file: *talks about all the neat effects that come in this doll set, and where the buttons that open the different wardrobe sections are. Then mentions that if more doll fun is wanted that there's an expansion pack with over fifty additional clothing and accessory pieces available on the artist's Etsy store*
Wayne: *Curious, will investigate the expansion pack*
expansion pack listing: *shows all kinds of nice clothes. Including a skirt just like Meghan's that she wore the other day*
Wayne: *Checking his paypal balance* *pleased sounds, and then he's purchasing the expansion pack*
Meghan: *comes wandering in, a frost nipped pale blue carnation in one hand. Sees Wayne and walks over to see what he's doing*
Wayne: *Glee-ing and installing the expansion pack once it arrives*
Meghan: *leans an arm on his shoulder and absently waves the flower slightly* What are you doing?
Wayne: *buhohhai! Big grin as he points to the screen* Makin' Betty look almost as pretty as you.
Meghan: *blinks with surprise at the image of the pretty, shapely blond woman* Betty?
Wayne: *nod nod* Battle Betty's maker took the site down...
Meghan: What? Why? *frown*
Wayne: 'Cause his girlfriend didn't like it...
Meghan: ... What wasn't to like? *remembers the games she'd played on guest accounts*
Wayne: *Will pull up the bookmarked URL and show her*
Meghan: *reads it, and then reads the small print about legal action against anyone who tries to make a similar game or resurrect this one* ...That guy is going to have a really crappy married life.
Wayne: *leans back a bit and nuzzles* Sucks to be him, then...
Meghan: So this is your new game? *hand over his on the mouse to open the KiSS doll window*
Wayne: Yup... Rachel sent it to me
Meghan: *looks at the image of the new Betty, and the things surrounding her* ...Is this the character selecting screen?
Wayne: *Will explain about the doll*
Meghan: *listening, first with surprise and then with a grin. Thinks that Wayne is a derp. But he's her derp*
Wayne: *Has a Betty, has his pretty lady, is a happy Seeker*
Meghan: *will pull up a chair and tell him what parts of Betty's face to touch those little makeup applicators to. Is soon engrossed in playing dolls with her guy*
Elsewhere in the Ark
Ben: *finishing touches on his arrangements. Has invited his intended and her sisters and Warren over for snacks and visiting*
Susana: *carefully herding siblings with Sabrina's help*
Ben: *looks up from dropping pillows onto his sleeping roommate and gives Susana a grave smile, his dark eyes twinkling with welcome*
Warren: Oooooo, chipdip! *beeline for the little kitchen island*
Felicity: Oo, what type? *Over with her husband to see*
Scarlett: *Rolls her eyes at her sister*
Ben: *smile widens a bit, and then he pats one of the pilfered cafeteria chairs to show his guests that there's enough seating space despite the Harrison on the couch. That done, he'll walk over to offer Susana a hug*
Susana: *small smile, snuggles close to her intended*
Ben: *gentle squeeze, and then takes her hand and leads her over to show her the black keyboard sitting on its stand by one of the pilfered chairs. Standing on the music stand are some sheets of music*
Susana: *Surprised, and pleased, will hug him tightly*
Ben: *happy Seeker. Will pull out the chair and invite her to sit. Intends to save the rest of the gift for after he's given things to her sisters*
Susana: *Will sit, and squee about the music*
Ben: *smiling as he goes over to offer Alicia a small box that he takes off the coffee table*
Alicia: *Puzzled* What's this? *Will accept the box*
Ben: Gift.
Alicia: *Headtilt, squees when she sees the little red RC Mini Cooper*
Ben: *pokes the little car aside in the box to show the pencil beneath it*
Alicia: Ooooo... I was needing more eyeliner.... *Will take out the pencil, pull off the cap, and then make a surprised sound when she realizes it's a glitter pencil*
Ben: *smiles his grave smile and goes to set a largish box on the counter by the chip dippers*
Warren: *shifts Archie under his arm and looks at it with interest, then tilts his head to look at the writing on it that he can't read*
Felicity: *Curious clicks as she moves to read the box*
box: *shipping label says it's a doll kit*
Felicity: Oooo, a doll kit! *looking to see if there are pictures of potential dolls*
Warren: Doll kit? What kind? Look, Archie.
Felicity: *Small pout when she realizes there aren't any potential doll pictures* I dunno.... *Looks to Ben, hoping for an explanation*
Ben: *offers her an xacto knife*
Felicity: *Headtilt as she accepts the offered xacto*
Warren: Do you want me to open it? *ready to offer Archie*
Felicity: Sure... *Knows she's prone to slicing herself when she tries to open stuff*
Warren: *holds their doll out to her with one hand, taking the knife with the other*
Archie: *kinda folded in half as he flops over Warren's arm*
Felicity: *Will take Archie and cuddle him*
Warren: *carefully opens the box and takes out some plastic grocery bags used as padding. Then takes out a little booklet and looks at it before offering it to his wife* Instructions... wait! Untalkative Bunny's on that!
Felicity: *Chirr, will reach for the instruction booklet*
booklet: *shows how to use the precut socks in the package to make the Canadian cartoon character. Finished doll will be two foot tall*
Felicity: *Excited now, will point out everything*
Warren: *massive grin* And this is glue, right? We can use this to put him together? *looks at Ben* Thanks!
Felicity: *Happy rambling, shows the kit to Archie*
Ben: *smile is nearly a grin as he turns and offers Sabrina a hefty flat package*
Sabrina: *Blinks behind her glasses, but politely thanks him*
Ben: *waits for her to open it*
Sabrina: Heeey, this is the one I've been looking for! *Has opened her package and is examining the cover picture of the 1:24 scale hunter green Camaro*
Ben: *grins and nods, then looks around toward Susana. There seems to be no sign of a Scarlett gift...*
Scarlett: *A bit puzzled by the apparent lack of gift for her* Heeey....
Ben: *quizzical look, his brows lifting* *also lifts a foot to let the tiny Mini go past*
Scarlett: *A bit offended* How come everyone else got gifts?
Ben: *indicates the sleeping Harrison. Nice gift, no?*
Scarlett: ...
Ben: *eyebrows. But he's lousy at teasing. His eyes are showing humor*
Scarlett: *Setting up to pout*
Ben: *glances at Susana*
Susana: Ben's just teasing you, Scarlett....
Ben: *heads down the hall and disappears into his room. Shortly returns with a six foot tall ragdoll of soft tan broadcloth. The doll is pudgy, bald, has an endearingly hopeful 'hug me' smile, and is wearing heart boxers* *offers this to Scarlett*
Scarlett: *Surprised squeak, will reach for the doll*
Ben: *hands it over, revealing it to be nicely squishy and weighted just enough to help it sit in a chair*
Scarlett: *Surprises herself* I need to make him a shirt so he's not cold....
Ben: *small smile and goes to pull up a second chair by Susana after setting Scott's package beside the oblivious Warren and Felicity*
Scarlett: *Cuddling the doll, surprised sound when she spots the tag* He's a Snuggle Buddy....
Susana: *Soft chuckle, pops her fingers a bit before she begins looking through the sheet music*
Ben: *fingers on the keys, and then very softly but skillfully starts to play 'Music Box Dancer'* *here is the other part of his gift for you, Susana*
Susana: *Soft squee*
Ben: *shy smile and continues to the end of the beautiful piece*
Susana: *Snuggles against him, utterly content*
Warren: *talking to himself over by the counter. Repeating the instructions that Felicity just read to him as he works on the bunny's body and mouth*
Felicity: *Helping by assembling the bunny's arms, legs and ears, and by reading off the instructions*
Harrison: *sleeping soundly under his heap of pillows, doesn't even twitch at the whine of a tiny RC motor going beneath him*
Alicia: *Clicking quietly to herself as she tries to get the RC mini out from under the couch without disturbing Harrison*
Sabrina: *in her own little world as she works on carefully cutting the pieces of her new model out*
Ben: *finishes the music and looks at Susana*
Susana: *Contented snuggle*
Ben: *arm around her, and then gently puts her hand on the keyboard*
Susana: *Soft chirr, looks to him curiously*
Ben: *gently guides her fingers over the keys, producing part of the gentle, tinkling 'Music Box Dancer'*
Susana: *Paying careful attention, though she's almost certain she won't be able to play the music on her own...*
Ben: *finishes that part, and then reaches for her other hand. Is soon engrossed in thus manually teaching her the music*
The creche
triplets: *smacking each other around and yelling their readiness for supper ANY TIME NOW, yo!*
Scott: *sitting and hugging his knees as he watches the three smaller Seekers*
Raoul: *laying on his stomach on a squishy mat, Dion beside him. Is working on his schoolwork as a datapad shows Dion the names of colours*
Dion: *happily squeaking and pointing to the datapad*
Soli: *laying flat of back and spread eagle as she stares boredly at the ceiling*
Will: *peeking at Prowl and Xiaobei, and wondering why Prowl has a sharpie mustache*
Autumn: *Trying to keep things from getting too hectic*
Bert: *looking at the time and wondering if he should produce goldfish crackers, or wait till supper time. Has an Endstar under one arm as that bitty clicks and points to the triplets*
Sean: *sleeping with his face on his keyboard*
Naomi: *trying to coax Slipstream out of the place in the rafters that he's wedged himself*
Sven: *Passed out with Greg, has been playing with Chinook most of today*
Chinook: *his kids are a dog bed*
Destiny: *Trying to climb up to the rafters to poke at Slipstream*
Simon: *playing 'Pocket Frogs' with Ryan and with little Harmony Rabie* And then you feed them froggies the bugs...
Bert: *shakes his head and breaks out the crackers* Ember, Hotspot, Firebreak. You want some goldfish?
Ember: Fish noms!
Firebreak: *just shoved Hotspot bubby in with the koi, does that count?*
Hotspot: *FUSS!*
Autumn: *going fishing*
Firebreak: *crawly crawly to Unca Bert and pull on his pant leg as she tries to get her chubby little alt mode to climb up to where the crackers are*
Song: *looks over from where she's laying on Sidewinder's couch, then rolls over and falls on the floor before scooting over to see about this cracker business*
Bert: *passing out crackers. And gruff admonishments*
Destiny: *Has made it up to the rafters!* *Pleased clickstorm*
Naomi: Oh no. Desti, vhat are you doing? *ears perked toward her friend, and one hand going to where her doll's arms are tied around her neck*
Destiny: *Clickstorm! Transforms and scoots along the rafter towards Slipstream*
Naomi: *fuss fret, will make sure her young friend doesn't fall*
Ryan: ... *glances toward the clickstorm and gasps* Aunty, Autumn, look up.
Autumn: *Looks up* *Goes pale*
Bert: *also turns his attention upward from where he's now sitting on the floor surrounded by hungry little people* Oh crumbs.
Simon: *worry worry worry. Hug Harmony*
Sarah: *worried clicks*
Desinex: *Reaching to try and poke Slipstream*
Slipstream: *jerks and hisses at her, his optics bright and threatening*
Naomi: Stop that! You little fool! Don't make Desti fall!
Slipstream: *glowering and cowering*
Desinex: *Razz, scoots closer* Is time for snacky noms.
Slipstream: *optics lowered in proud and grudging submission* I don't want any. Go away.
Naomi: *gives him a stern look*
Desinex: *Clickstorm, will reach for Slipstream's arm, intending to bring the Seeklet with her so she can cuddle him*
Slipstream: *hisses again and pulls away from her* Go away! Go away!
Bert: *deep breath, and then another* //Skylar.//
Skylar: //What's up?//
Bert: //That #@$#@$@ kid of Sidewinder's is up in the rafters of the atrium, fighting with Desti.//
Skylar: //...Slaggit... I'll be right there.//
Bert: //Less talk, more walk.//
Starscream: *There in a swish and flash, and in root mode to boot*
Harmony: EEEEK! Cooooool.
Desinex: *Peeeeeks at Starscream, clickstorm!*
Autumn: Just be careful getting her down... *has an armful of Hotspot*
Song: *looking up* Would she squish?
Starscream: No, but Rachel would be mad at me if she got hurt.
Desinex: *Clickclickclickclickclickclick!*
Song: *intently watching her creche siblings up in the rafters* Squishing isn't that great anyway, unless you're oatmeal.
Raoul: *absently* Gross.
Dion: Thrrrrpt! Butt!
Raoul: *laying on his back now. Will gently put a hand over the bitty mouth*
Dion: *Squeak!*
Desinex: *decides Slipstream isn't very fun, will make her way over to the spot where she climbed up in the first place, is surprisingly acrobatic*
Will: *Watching the larger sparklet with wide optics*
Naomi: *goes with Desinex, watching her every move and ready to catch her if she needs to. But doesn't speak to her friend for fear of distracting her*
Desinex: *makes it down to floor level safely, will try pouncing on Starscream's foot*
Starscream: *Clicks to her, before turning his attention to Slipstream*
Slipstream: *huddled in a corner like an oversize bat, his murky purple optics shining in the fading light from the skylights*
Starscream: *Quietly, in Conehead* {Relax...}
Slipstream: *fierce pride shows in his baby face, but he's not going to speak when someone so important is here*
Starscream: *Gently* {You don't have to stay silent when I'm around, Slipstream.}
Slipstream: *still looking at him. Quietly* {I came here to be all alone.}
Starscream: *just as quietly* {It's not good to spend too much time alone... Just keep that in mind.}
Slipstream: *firm little chin* {They don't like me anyway, sir.}
Starscream: *Small frown, concerned* {Did someone say as much?}
Slipstream: {Most the other young ones, and the grouchy big one.}
Starscream: *Raised brow ridge* {What did they say, exactly?}
Slipstream: *hesitating. Even as a sparklet and after seeing the others' reaction to him there is still flock loyalty*
Starscream: *Gently* {I want to figure out what's going on, Slipstream... Even a simple misunderstanding needs to be resolved for flock harmony.}
Slipstream: *quietly lists off the other little Seekers' jeers, and Bert's exasperated cut off curses and gestures of frustration, along with the mech's alacrity in hauling him away from the creche after he's been fighting. Also speaks of how how Raoul and even Beau sometimes look at him, and the tendency of some of the Dinobots to call him stupid. And then mentions Naomi's use of the words 'little fool' and 'selfish' just now*
Starscream: *listening, and checking facts* *Gently* {Firebreak and her brothers torment one another as well... If they did not like you, they would make it a point to ignore you.... and Naomi was worried for Desinex's safety...}
Slipstream: {They and Thundersong ignore me. So do the other little ones.}
Starscream: *Quite familiar with the triplets' antics* {Have you tried giving as good as you get?}
Slipstream: {I came up here to be alone.}
Starscream: {They will continue to ignore you if you don't prove you belong with the creche.} //Brawn, just what has been going on here?//
Bert: *looks up* //What where?// *grumpy is go*
Starscream: *will relay what Slipstream has told him so far* //I'm trying to figure out something that will work for everyone...//
Bert: *sighs and grouches softly* //I've tried everything with that kid. You want to see the bite marks I'm still wearing?// *includes his mate in the conversation so that she can contribute*
Autumn: *Will point out various incidents as she gets Hotspot dried off*
Bert: *goes over and gently bumps Xaobei on the leg with the back of his hand, then drops another handful of crackers for eager sparklets*
Xiaobei: *Soft sound*
Prowl: *tightens his arms around his mate*
Bert: *thumps Prowl instead*
Starscream: //...I hope he wallops you for that... They're newly bonded.//
Prowl: *tries to move away from the thumps*
Bert: *frowns and pokes* //He hits like a human.//
Starscream: //Yeah, but he's got Nightbird with him now...//
Bert: *gives up with disgust* //These guys need their supper. We'll talk later.//
Starscream: //Where are Thrust and Sidewinder?//
Bert: *herding sparklets, but leaving Dion with Raoul since the little guy looks happy and the big guy's busy with lessons again* //Farmhouse.//
Starscream: //Alright...// *More gentle clicks for Slipstream, promises to bring him something to eat*
Slipstream: *firms that proud little chin again* {Is Thrust coming back soon?}
Starscream: {He should be... If he doesn't get moving, I'll drag him back here for forgetting you.}
Slipstream: *little fidget, and then a wordless baby ping aimed toward his mentor's channel*
Thrust: *Reassuringly* //{Sidewinder and I are on the lift now...}//
Slipstream: *quiet sigh of relief, but then looks down at Raoul and Dion, who are the only youngsters left in the Atrium*
Raoul: *suddenly puts his face against the arm of his jacket and coughs. Hard. And it sounds congested*
Dion: *Click click click* Bubby!
Starscream: *Attention on Raoul* *Small frown, transforms and moves to approach*
Raoul: *lifts his head and blinks at Dion* Whaat?
Skylar: Are you feeling alright?
Dion: *Reaching to poke Bubby in the back*
Raoul: *turns his attention to Skylar* Not so good as I was feeling a few minutes ago.
Skylar: *Concern grows, will put a gentle hand on the boy's forehead*
Roul: *flinches slightly at what feels like the chill of the Seeker's hand. Yes, he's running a fever*
Skylar: *Will carefully and gently lift both Raoul and Dion* Let's get you to one of the medics...
Raoul: ... You know I ain't a sparklet, right? *using his casted arm to keep bitty brother safe*
Skylar: Yes, but I'd rather not catch heat for letting you wander around with a fever... Your mother scares the spit out of me.
Raoul: Really? *surprised teen*
Skylar: Would you want to take her on when she's angry?
Raoul: I have.
Skylar: ... She wouldn't shoot you. *Will bring Raoul down to the med ward*
Dr. House: *looks up from talking to George as they come in. Straightens in his seat and then gets up* Skylar? What's the problem?
Skylar: Raoul's got a fever.
Raoul: *squints his face up and rumbles with suppressed coughs as he tries not to do it on anyone*
George: *silently worrying as he looks at Denver's son*
Dion: *Fusses and cuddles Bubby*
Dr. House: Here. Put him on the table here. Constable MacRily, will you take Dion to Major McKenzie?
George: *gets up and comes over* Yes, sir. *reaches for the sparklet*
Dion: *Wibble* Bubby....
Skylar: *gentle clicks as he carefully sets Raoul on the table*
George: *gently as he carefully lifts the sparklet and cuddles him* Bubby's going to be alright, Dion. You want to help me find your mama?
Dion: *More wibble* Mama?
George: *smiles* Yes, and Grandma. How about Grandpa?
Dion: *Quiet clicks*
Raoul: See you later, Dion. Watch your butt, okay?
Dion: Thrrrpt, butt...
Raoul: *chuckles as George carries his baby brother out of the room, then lays back tiredly after the door's closed behind them* Y'know, Uncle James. That stethoscope is really cold.
Dr. House: *absently, as he listens to the boy's chest* Sorry.
Russell: *Coming from telling Arcee that if she doesn't quit trying to push herself so much, he's going to tie her to the berth* *Pauses for a moment before approaching*
Dr. House: Could you roll over, Raoul?
Raoul: Yeah, I only got a broken arm. *frowns at his older friend's face, and then rolls onto his belly*
Dr. House: *stethoscope on his back*
Raoul: *can't help it. He squirms*
Russell: Here... *Will scan the teen and relay the results of the scan to Dr. House*
Raoul: *has quietly developed a chest infection. It's not pneumonia yet, but his lungs have plenty of goop in them*
Dr. House: *presses lips together* Does that thing pick up on germs, too?
Russell: Give me a few moments... *cycling through his on-board scanner's settings until he gets to the microbial contaminant level* Okay...
Dr. House: *looks at the screen to see if there's English, French, Spanish, or Japanese there*
Russell: *has all of those languages installed and more, changes the translation settings to English*
Dr. House: Viral. *mutter*
Skylar: ... *Small frown*
Raoul: Slaaaaag. *gently starts to bonk head on table padding, but then remembers head is grumpy and desists*
Russell: *back to normal settings* You'll need to take it easy...
Raoul: *snort* Forget me. Major Mac 'n Tracks're gonna flip. And Rose'll flip worse.
Russell: *small frown*
Raoul: *deep sigh and a slight rumble as he suppresses another tickle cough, then pulls out his seldom used cellphone as he pulls his shirt down and flips over* Yeah, hi, Abuela?
Hattie: *Concerned* //George brought Dion back 'eah... Did s'meth'n 'appen?//
Raoul: *guilty tone in his voice* I'm sick.
Hattie: //D' y'u want me t' bring y'u s'me soup?//
Raoul: *glumly* I need a plan.
Hattie: *Confused* //... A plan?//
Raoul: Think how Major Mac, Rose, 'n Tracks're gonna react to me hackin' crud.
Hattie: //Th'y's gonna fuss worse 'f y'u ain't 'ome 'n th'y don' know whah...//
Raoul: *impatient* I know that! *coughs*
Hattie: //Ah'll let 'em know... 'N duct tape 'em t' th' bed 'f Ah gotta...//
Raoul: *starting to feel a little pooped, and his ears are beginning to ring* Ask Doc Russ what I got...
Hattie: //...// *Can be heard talking to Russell over the radio, concerned sound*
Dr. House: *pokes himself in the ear* Hattie?
Hattie: //'Ow bad 's th't crud 'e's got?// *Worried grandmother, yes*
Dr. House: It's the very beginning of viral pneumonia.
Hattie: *concern grows* //Will 'e be alrahght?//
Raoul: *quietly* Where's Major Mac? Did she see Uncle George bring Dion home?
Hattie: //She's visit'n' Fahrstah 'n 'Nferno... Said s'meth'n' 'bout a fuzzeh babeh...//
Raoul: *soft heh* Our other George.
Hattie: *Begins asking Dr. House about remedies*
Dr. House: There aren't any cures for viral infections. The body has to beat them on its own.
Hattie: *More than likely has that stubborn set to her jaw that she gets sometimes when she's worrying about someone* //Well, shoot...//
Dr. House: We just have to keep him quiet and hydrated, and feed him zinc lozenges dissolved in red zinger tea.
Raoul: ...And kamboucha, and my iron stuff, and my cod liver oil.
Hattie: *Snerks*
Dr. House: If you can stomach those you're welcome to them. *bemused chuckle for the boy*
Skylar: *Making faces, or he was till Russell elbowed him in the gut and told him to quit being a pest*
Dr. House: Yes, Skylar? *mouth twitching slightly*
Skylar: *Giving Russell a dirty look, before he remembers he was going to get something from the mess for Slipstream. Then he's heading out of the med ward*
Dr. House: See you... *looks back down at Raoul* Let's get you into a private room.
Raoul: *grimaces*
Dr. House: And then we have to convince Usagi not to visit.
Russell: I'll let her know....
Dr. House: *helping Raoul sit up* How's Kriti's portable power pack coming?
Russell: I just need to find a suitable purse for it to be concealed in...
Dr. House: You need something special? *watches Raoul walk off down the hall the private rooms are on*
Russell: I need something that Kriti will like to carry around.
Dr. House: Are there any book or cartoon characters that she likes?
Russell: *Names off several*
Dr. House: *chuckles and pokes himself in the ear* Naomi, you know that bag that your Oma sent that you don't need? Could you bring it to the med ward? Okay, we'll be waiting.
Russell: *Small frown* At least let me get things cleaned up....
Dr. House: Hmmm? *looks at him*
Russell: I would rather not put Naomi at risk of falling ill...
Dr. House: *chuckle* She's loved and happy. Nothing is going to make that little kid sick.
Russell: *Slightly disbelieving look, even as he moves to clean things up*
Dr. House: Have you felt how hot her skin is? *smiling as he goes to check on Raoul* Human viruses and germs have no chance in her systems.
Russell: Huh... *Will clean now, and go over the schematics Merlin sent him for Kriti's new shell*
Naomi: *bounces in a few moments later, her doll on her back and a messenger bag with a vintage style Strawberry Shortcake on it in her hands* Here it is, Vader!
Russell: *chuckles when he sees the bag*
Dr. House: *comes back, smiling* So what do you think, Russ?
Russell: I think Kriti will be quite happy... *amused*
Naomi: Ohh, this is for Kriti? May I bring it to her? *hopeful ear twitch as her black eyes dance*
Russell: *Nod* She's working on making flashcards for Usagi... *more chuckle*
Naomi: *pauses, ears going back* Vill she be frightened by how I look?
Russell: She's seen me in my root mode... *In other words, not likely*
Naomi: Alvright. Vich room is it? *ears twitching again*
Russell: *Tells her the room number*
Naomi: *scoots down the hall just as the door opens again to admit Hattie*
Hattie: *is soon discussing something with Russell, and has handed the medic Raoul's blankets and stuffed shark*
Dr. House: *comes back into the main room after glancing into Kriti's and assuring himself that his daughter and Russell's are getting along well. Stands by Hattie and Russell*
Hattie: Beau's bring'n th'n's f'r Raoul t' drink...
Dr. House: *amused* His kamboucha and his iron tonic?
Hattie: 'N s'me 'f th' otha th'ngs 'e lahks...
Dr. House: It's kind of surprising to see a teenager so health conscious.
Hattie: Blame Tracks... *Said fondly*
Dr. House: *lifts a brow* Blame Tracks?
Hattie: *Nod* 'E's th' 'un who got Raoul stahted 'n th't path....
Dr. House: I suppose it makes sense. He seems like the kind of father that can get nitpicky about what's best for his kids.
Meanwhile, in Raoul's room
Raoul: *finger in ear* Hey, Major Mac...?
Denver: //Hm? 'S s'meth'n wrong, Raoul?//
Raoul: Don't freak out, okay?
Denver: //... Wh't 'appened?//
Raoul: Promise you and Rose ain't gonna freak out.
Denver: *A few moments pause* //Rose 's sleep'n...//
Raoul: You didn't promise. *sounds ornery*
Denver: *Would Sooooo be giving you a Look right now, Raoul* //Ah promise, Ah ain't gonna freak out 'n wake Rose.//
Raoul: Okay. *quietly* I got pneumonia.
Denver: *Concerned sound* //'As Dr. 'Ouse looked 't y'u?//
Raoul: Yeah. So's Doc Anderson.
Denver: //Alrahght... D' y'u want me t' 'ave s'me'un bring y'u s'me'a y'ur blankets 'n a few changes 'f clothes?//
Raoul: I think Abuela's doin' that. I already told her.
Denver: //Alrahght... Git s'me rest...//
Raoul: Okay. *sighs and then winces and coughs on his arm*
Denver: *Clicks quietly*
Raoul: Bleah. Anyway.
Denver: //Ah 'ope y'u feel bettah soon...// *Yes, she's worried, but she promised she wouldn't freak out*
Raoul: 'Course I will. God willing. And I dunno why He wouldn't be.
Denver: //Ah'll talk t' y'u later...//
Raoul: Good night, Major Mac. Raoul out.
Denver: //Nahght, 'on...// *Closes the connection*
Raoul: *sighs and stares at the door, noting to himself that the cruddy feeling is increasing, both physically and energy wise*
Russell: *brings the blankets and stuffed shark to Raoul*
Raoul: *perks* Thanks.
Russell: *As he offers the stuffed shark* Beau will be bringing your mini-fridge and its contents shortly....
Raoul: *blinks and grins* The whole thing? Sweet. *grin fades* Am I gonna be all by myself here?
Russell: If she doesn't stay confined to the bed, Alice will more than likely bring baby Maria by for a visit... and once she's able to be up and about, Kriti will no doubt be curious enough to stop in for a chat... And Destiny tends to sneak down here more often than not...
Raoul: *frown. It looks slightly uneasy*
Russell: I suspect Rachel has told her that I hide goldfish crackers in various spots around the ward....
Raoul: *bit of a chuckle, but there's a lonesome look in his eyes*
Russell: Serenity and the girls are down here every night, to help tuck Kriti in... Kriti is just across the hall...
Raoul: Yeah. *sighs and then coughs*
Russell: *clicks quietly, and gently drapes the blankets so Raoul can pull them up or push them down to his liking*
Raoul: Thanks. *looking a bit glum*
Denver: *Arriving in the med ward, has Dion on her back and Will following after her. Fully intends to spend the night keeping watch over her eldest son*
Raoul: *perks right up when he sees his mother is wearing the fuzzy dressing gown Tracks bought her and realizes she's here to sleep* Major Mac!
Denver: *As Russell goes to get some blankets for her* 'T'll be okay, Raoul....
Raoul: *trying to move over on the bed, and then starting to get up so he can go find another bed to push up close to his* *starts to reply, and then stops to cough. It's getting rougher sounding*
Denver: *over to gently get him laying back down*
Dion: *Scoots around so he can snuggle Bubby*
Will: *worried clicks as he moves to climb up and snuggle Raoul as well*
Raoul: *lays back obediently, then blinks and frowns as Dr. House pats Denver's shoulder and offers her a glass of orange juice and a couple of pills, nodding that they're for Raoul*
Denver: *nods to Dr. House, will offer the juice and pills to Raoul*
Raoul: *eyes the pills* What is it?
Denver: 's a couple 'f Tylenol...
Raoul: ... Can I have some kinda aspirin instead?
Dr. House: *surprised* Tylenol often works better.
Raoul: *shakes his head* Not for me. I hardly ever use this kind of stuff, and even aspirin makes me kind of stupid sometimes.
Denver: *purses her lips a bit, before offering Dr. House the Tylenol back*
Dr. House: *takes the pills and goes to quickly replace them*
Raoul: *moving over against the wall to make room for her* Beau's bringin' my fridge.
Denver: *nods and moves to carefully join the teen on the bed*
Raoul: *lifts the edge of his blankets and looks around for Russell*
Russell: *is now helping Beau bring the minifridge into the room*
Denver: *Helping Will and Dion get situated*
Raoul: *relaxed now. Has family and everything is alright in his world*
Dr. House: *standing behind the fridge movers* Need a hand?
Russell: That would be appreciated...
Dr. House: *runs off down the hall and comes back with a dolly*
Russell and Beau: *Carefully set the minifridge on the dolly*
Dr. House: *grins, and then steps out of their way, his hand going to the pocket of his white coat to get the aspirin bottle*
Denver: *gently smoothing Raoul's hair and clicking quietly*
Raoul: *dozing as he hugs baby brother* Doc back yet?
fridge: *just sat on Beau's foot*
Beau: *pained sound, biting his lip to keep from blurting out a cussword*
Raoul: ... *up on one elbow to peek over Denver. Very slightly raspy snerk*
Denver: *Worried sound*
Will: *peeking at Beau*
Russell: *Sighs and scans Beau's foot*
Beau: >.o
Raoul: You okay?
Russell: The bone is bruised, but not broken...
Beau: Still 'urts lahk th' dickens...
Raoul: *slight grin and then sighs as Dr. House comes over and gives him the aspirin tablets to go with his juice. Swallows those, makes a face and chugs juice, and then smiles as the doctor passes out yogurt cups and cinnamon toast* Supper. Sweet. Thanks
Dion: *Curious click*
Will: *Quietly thanks Dr. House as well*
Denver: *Soft chuckle*
Raoul: *chuckles a bit as he realizes the toast's had a cookie cutter used on it. Offers one of the warm buttery shapes to Dion* Careful about crumbs, okay?
Dion: *Happy babbles, talkin' to his toast now, kthx!*
Dr. House: *smiles in response to Raoul's slightly tired grin, then looks at Denver* How are you feeling?
Denver: Ah'm alrahght... Rose 's sleepin still...
Dr. House: Good. *smile for his friend* Is Tracks coming home tonight?
Denver: Ah th'nk so...
Tracks: *feels her question* //Of course I'm coming home, darling. What's going on?//
Dr. House: *looks toward the door* ...And where'd Hattie go?
Denver: //Raoul ain't feelin' so 'ot rahght now...// *To Dr. House* Ah 'ave no ahdea... Prolleh went t' drag Trevor 'eah too...
Dr. House: *understanding shows on his face as he glances at Raoul* I hadn't realized... That's why Raoul was looking so glum.
Raoul: *quizzical look over his cup of yogurt*
Tracks: //What's he done now?// *worry and exasperation*
Denver: //'E's caught a bug, 'n ain't feelin' well...//
Russell: *quietly arguing with Beau about taking shoes off or something*
Tracks: //What sort of bug?//
Dr. House: *goes and pushes the other hospital bed against the one Denver and kids are on, then leaves the room and returns with an inflatable bed* Now I know why you guys made these private rooms so big.
Denver: //Viral pneumonia... 'cordin' t' James, 's 'n th' earleh stages.... 'n Raoul'll be alraght, 'e jes' 'as t' take 't easeh, 'n stay hahdrated...//
Tracks: //Well that shouldn't be too hard. He's good about things like that.// *relief*
Denver: //Will, Dion, Beau, 'n Ah're stayin wit' 'im 'n th' med ward... 'N Ah'm guessin' Gran'ma'll be draggin' Trevor down 'eah 's well.//
Tracks: *sudden little spurt of humor* //You mean 'Gran'pa'?//
Denver: *Snerk!*
Tracks: //Don't tell me you haven't heard what the hoodlums call him.// *chuckles over their bond. He's getting closer*
Denver: //Bet 'e'd be brain-broke 'f Ah called 'im th't...// *is amused*
Tracks: //Please wait till I'm there to see his face.//
Denver: //Will do...// *Dirty rotten chuckle* //Y'u sh'ld call 'im th't too...//
Tracks: *snerk* //Ah no. I couldn't possibly.//
Denver: //Y'u w're considerin' 't jes' now...// *highly amused*
Tracks: *much amusement* //I have no idea what you're talking about, darling.//
Denver: *soft snort* //Ah'll bah th't wh'n Ah bah th' Brooklyn Bridge.//
Tracks: *appears with a swish and a slight flash right behind Russell* You doubt me? I'm stung!
Denver: *Eyes sparkling with amusement* Ah know y'u.
Dion: *Waves his toast slice at Bubby! Lookit what I have!* :D
Russell: *Gives Tracks a raised brow look, sincerely doubts the other mech is as innocent as he claims to be*
Tracks: *ignores Russell as he walks over to take off his shoes and settle on the beds by his wife, sons, and little brother. Hug for Denver and a gentle kiss on her hair*
Denver: *contented sound*
Beau: *moving to climb onto the the beds after he takes his shoes off as well*
Raoul: *just conked out, a hand still holding a half eaten toast circle to his mouth and the other hand holding his OJ glass*
Will: *Very quiet clicks, snuggles Raoul*
Raoul: *loses hold of the glass and over it goes...*
Will: *squeak, quick to snag the glass before it spills*
Raoul: *stirs and murmurs* Huh? Will..?
Will: *Gentle clicks, carefully leans over Mama and Papa to offer the glass to Dr. House*
Tracks: *snags the glass and passes it on*
Dion: *Will nab your toast now, Raoul!* *And he'll eat it, too!*
Dr. House: *chuckles at the sparklet as he takes the glass* You want some toast, Tracks?
Tracks: I don't think so. *turns back to his family and goes up on one elbow to make sure that Raoul's well covered. Gives Dion a gentle touch as he does so*
Dion: *trying to click with toast in his mouth*
Tracks: *chuckles* Denver, darling, look at Dion.
Denver: *looks, soft snerk* Dion...
Dion: *making with the cute!*
Tracks: *gentle tug for toast in the little mouth*
Dion: *Squeak! Doesn't want to let go of his nom!*
Tracks: *quiet chuckle* Don't get too many crumbs in the bed now. Those might make Raoul itch.
Dion: *Sounds funny trying to click with his mouth full of nom*
Will: *SnuggaRaoul*
Tracks: *chuckles again, and then looks toward the door as a thermos-bearing Trevor peeks in uncertainly* Well, now, it looks like the party's all here, Gran'paw.
Trevor: 0_o >_>
Denver: *Snickerfit*
Hattie: *Gives Tracks an amused Look as she comes in behind Trevor*
Trevor: *mutter, grumble. Hesitate right in the door*
Hattie: *Will gently usher him into the room*
Trevor: *embarrassed and a little apologetic as he's ushered* I don't know where he got that from. We're not...
Denver: Y'u mean y'u ain't 'eard wh't th' boys call y'u? *amused*
Trevor: *0_o look* No...
Will: *Peeks at Trevor* *Quietly* [Grandpa.]
Trevor: 0_0 *blush and looks at Hattie, the thermose gripped tightly in one hand* Er...
Hattie: *Amused, will gently patpat his hand* Y'u're part'a th' family now...
Trevor: ...You don't mind? They're kind of implying that we're...
Hattie: Ah'd say s'meth'n 'f Ah mahnded, Tray.
Trevor: *embarrassment fades, and he reaches toward her*
Tracks: *back turned to them. Is cuddling family*
Denver: *Snuggled close to her husband, is just going to rest her eyes for a bit...*
Dion: *Clicks as he snuggles Raoul*
Beau: *snagged some toast and a yogurt cup, intent on eating supper*
Hattie: *small smile, moves to lean against Trevor*
Trevor: *puts his arms around Hattie and gives her a snug, but then realizes he's holding a warm thermos to the small of her back* Whoops. What do I do with this?
Hattie: *Considering look, will move to grab one of those rolling tables she saw on the way here*
Trevor: *sets the thermos of soup on it and looks over toward the beds* Looks like everyone but Beau's asleep.
Hattie: *Soft chuckle as she moves to snuggle him again*
Trevor: *arms around her once more, and then gently rests his forehead against hers* *quietly* Thanks, Hattie.
Hattie: *small smile, will move to gently lead him over to the air bed since it seems the kids have the right idea*
Trevor: *follows and leans down to fix the blankets like he's learned she likes them* *glances toward the bed as he hears soft coughing. Frown of concern*
Hattie: *Quietly explains why Raoul's here in the med ward*
Trevor: *frown deepens as he sits on the bed* Can't they just give him a patch for his firewalls?
Hattie: Th't sorta th'n don' work f'r 'umans....
Trevor: Oh. Well darn. *turns his attention to arguing quietly with one of the cowboy boots Beau gave him this morning. It seems to have bonded with his foot*
Hattie: *Soft sound, will help with the boot removal*
Trevor: *watches with consternation as the boot slips right off* ...!
Hattie: 'S all a mattah 'f leverege... *amused*
Trevor: Huh. *will try the other boot now. And fall over backward*
Hattie: *Acks and moves to see if he's alright*
Trevor: *wry expression* I think I need different shoes.
Hattie: *patpat*
Trevor: *sheepish* I don't suppose you'd mind helping me with this one too?
Hattie: *Soft chuckle, will move to do so*
Trevor: *sigh of relief, and then moves over on the bed so there's room for her. Makes a few soft acks at the odd shifting of the thick air mattress*
Hattie: *more chuckle as she moves to lay down next to him*
Trevor: *arms around her after he's covered her with the blankets* *quietly* So you really want to take up with a common grunt?
Hattie: *Seriously* Th're ain't nothin' common 'bout y'u.
Trevor: Well there's nothing really cultured or special about me either. I'm just a tracker with no really fancy gimmicks.
Hattie: Y'u don' got 'n attitude... 'n y'u're 'onest.
Trevor: Attitude? *thinks about this* Heh. *rubs the back of his neck* I guess not. *bluff soldier is blushing a bit*
Hattie: *as she snuggles* 'N y'u're a good person... Wh't's not t' lahk?
Trevor: Well... we did just meet. *but he's gently rubbing a bearded cheek against her hair*
Hattie: *soft 'heh', snuggles close*
Trevor: *yes, he just met this lady. But he's one of those open and honest guys who can easily fall head over heels for the first woman who shows him favor. And right now his descent has begun in earnest* *softly* Get some rest.
Hattie: *starting to relax as the warmth of the blankets and the safe feeling of being held by Trevor combine to lull her into a slight doze*
Trevor: *sighs and closes his eyes, then drifts into dreams scented by Hattie's perfume*
Ark: *full of normal peaceful dinner time happenings, except up where Patrick just busted two jokers for trying to drywall him into his office*
((co-written with random_xtras))