Nexus. The Black Dog. Meeting of Like Minds

[microbots]

mvKup: *still catches himself absently flexing joints and watching how smoothly his new body moves sometimes. Like now, as he walks into the Black Dog* *checks for puppies and sees them over by the stage playing with that skinny kid Mirage and that smiling punk Link*

jvKup: *having a bit of R & R, mostly because his PINpoint won't let him head back to check on Perceptor and Johnny right now*

mvKup: *grouches at this burly blue punk that shoves past him* Watch where yer goin', ya jackass. *growls and scowls and chomps the piece of plastic tubing in his mouth*

hsvLumen: *looks around the stack of cookie boxes he's carrying* Sorry.

jvKup: *frowns as he hears the exchange, looks toward the blue punk*

mvKup: *a bit surprised by the apology. Looks after the kid with a slightly bewildered expression. Then shrugs and turns back to the room, wondering if he wants to go to the bar. Looks kind of dead over there- no Army bots at all* *frowwwwn*

jvKup: *low, drawn out curse as he sees that other version of him*

mvKup: *heard that curse! Looks toward it with a quizzical scowl, and then cracks a grin around his fake cy-gar* Huh. Guess I am as ugly as everyone says.

jvKup: *scowl* Yer one to talk. *it's kind of hard to pull off cranky old grouch when one has a half-eaten CinnaSeeker in hand*

mvKup: *big grin* Hey now, I'm all squeaky clean and brand new parts. *flexes an arm* I even had a polish this mornin'.

jvKup: *not impressed* Big whoop.

mvKup: *cheerful shrug* Beats bein' stuck in an outta date shell with severe solar radiation damage.

jvKup: *frowns and raises a brow ridge* Solar radiation damage?

mvKup: *as he heads for his twin's table* Yup. Fried my processor too.

jvKup: *much wincing is a go* Eeesh.

mvKup: *shrug* The guys back in my old reality found a way ta counter it, and now the lady Ratchet where I live now's taken care 'a it. *pauses by the table and points at the cookie* You had the garlic ones?

jvKup: ... Lady Ratchet? *snerks and shakes his head* Cinna.

mvKup: *crack out the handy dandy new holo-projector! And show an image of Ratchet trying to wash soot off Wheeljack's face as Maeve, Destiny, and Missy look on*

jvKup: *snerk* Who're the kids?

mvKup: Theirs. Except that one. She's mine too. That's Destiny/Desinex.

jvKup: Desinex, huh? Yours much of a fighter?

mvKup: *gruff affection in his rough old voice* She's a sparklet. But if she's gotta fight she will. *shows the video of Desti's first sniper mission*

jvKup: *snerks at how quickly the big sparklet dispatches the foes* Sparklet, huh?

mvKup: You gonna offer me a chair, old man? *quirks a grin*

jvKup: Sitcher can down then.

mvKup: *snorts and does so, then lifts two fingers to the waitress before turning back to his handful of holo movie. Shows the other Kup Sharpshot up on the barn roof shooting at the feral pigeons* That's Desi's twin sister.

jvKup: Sharpshot, right?

mvKup: Yup. Or Sora, when she's in alt mode. *shows an image of the woman curled in a corner of a couch with her baby twin as they lean against Drill Boy's head*

jvKup: *raised brow ridge* Who's that? *indicates Drill Boy*

mvKup: That's Sora's youngest son, Drill Boy. He works over in Japan on the police force there.

jvKup: Huh...

mvKup: *another holo still... TOMO!* And that's my great grandkid.

jvKup: Cute kid. *chuckles and gets out the holos of Johnny and Rala*

mvKup: That doll useta belong ta his Uncle PJ. *chuckles, and then leans over to look at those holos* Yours?

jvKup: Johnny and Rala... Rala is Nroo, and still a kid. Johnny's got part of my coding.

mvKup: *grin widens slightly* Yours, then. Who's his... wait. *looks up* You have females where you come from?

jvKup: ... *cautiously* Yeah... A few...

mvKup: *relaxes and takes his drink from Bet, then shoves the other can toward his twin* Who's his ma? *drink*

jvKup: *as he reaches for the other can* Perceptor.

mvKup: *spittakes all over him*

jvKup: ... *grumbles and reaches for a napkin to wipe his face*

mvKup: *sputters and pounds himself on the chest, is still squinting and scowling as he looks up at the other Kup* Lady Perceptor?

jvKup: *scowl* Yeah. What's yer problem?

mvKup: o.0 0.o *thinks it over* *makes faces* *thinks more* *and then starts laughing*

jvKup: ... *trying to figure this guy out* What the heck is so funny?

mvKup: *deep intake* *and then another* The Perceptor I know now's a guy. And he's practically hardwired ta his wife, so there ain't really two of 'em any more. *finds his fake cy-gar and puts it back in his mouth, then chomps on it a bit as he wipes the table with another napkin*

jvKup: *wince* Hardwired, huh?

mvKup: Fused, anyhow. *holds up hand and shows video of Merlin popping his keyring*

jvKup: ... *SNERK*

mvKup: *further video- Merlin teaching a class*

jvKup: *more snerk* He and Perceptor would get along...

mvKup: *and then the other video Sean gave him- Kia teaching the same class, the day Merlin leaned against the barn and got stuck in fresh paint while popping his keyring*

jvKup: *brow ridges up* Huh...

mvKup: Yeah. *closes hand, and then picks up his drink without saying he didn't think Perceptor was his type*

jvKup: *sipping at fuel before responding* People who spend a lot of time together tend ta get to know each other really well.

mvKup: *expression goes a bit absent as he thinks of his own team* Don't gotta tell me that. *still isn't saying he doesn't think Perceptor's not their type* Your Perceptor still a science bot?

jvKup: Yeah... Where we're living now, she's been able to set up her lab again.

mvKup: *absently, to his drink* Good. 'Cause the first one I knew kinda lost it after some creep blew him up. Decided ta be a sniper instead.

jvKup: Sniper... *frown* Perceptor will shoot, but only if she has no other choice.

mvKup: *quietly, as he frowns at the memory* This guy gave up science for it.

jvKup: *so much frown*

mvKup: *then opens his hand and looks at more Destiny pictures to make the sadness at the memories of his old reality fade away* *sips his drink as he does*

jvKup: *studying the pictures and sipping at his drink* *quieter* You got anyone?

mvKup: *glances at him quizzically, then nods to the pictures* Those're my kids. *calls up an image of Hot Rod buried in the lavender bin after harvest*

jvKup: *SNERK* *won't comment on the fact that the guy looks like Rodima*

mvKup: Yeah, Hot Rod decided that he'd rather sleep in the bin instead'a helpin'. So two 'a Tracks' kids filled 'im in a little. *smirk*

jvKup: Tracks passed his code on? *surprised*

mvKup: *laughs* Yeah, he did. But those two're adopted humans.

jvKup: ... *raised brow ridge* Yer slaggin' kidding me.

mvKup: Nah, I'm serious. He 'n his wife have a little girl. *finds picture of Desti using Rose for a doll and shows it*

jvKup: *chuckles as he sees the little baby* Who does she take after more?

mvKup: *frowns as he thinks about it. Rubs chin and chomps fake cy-gar* *finally* It's hard ta say. She's a lot like both of 'em.

jvKup: So who's her ma? *thinks it's the Sharpshot from where his alternate lives, going by the looks of the baby*

mvKup: Lady by the name 'a Denver. I hear she was born human. *slight scepticism on his face as he says it*

jvKup: *mental brakes screeching to a halt* Born human?

mvKup: Yup. *calls up an image of Tracks and Denver waiting in line in the mess, him in his root mode and her in her human alt mode*

jvKup: ... Huh... *still trying to work over the 'born human' thing* So sort of like what happened to Orion Pax, but in reverse... *absently notes how much smaller the Tracks in the image is compared to the alternate sharing the table*

mvKup: *looks up sharply* Happened ta Orion Pax?

jvKup: *nods and begins recounting the story*

mvKup: *gobsmacked by the end of it* Rodima Prima??

jvKup: *nods* Kid doesn't think she's cut out ta be Prima. Give her a few vorns though.

mvKup: *shakes his head* And she bonded with Hot Spot. I kin just imagine what Lisa'd have ta say about that.

jvKup: ... Who's Lisa?

mvKup: *shows image of the cute little blonde standing with her arms around another cute little woman who is identical except for black hair and goth/metal looking clothes* Our Bluestreak.

jvKup: *quick flash of sadness crosses his face. Heard from Prowl what fate befell the friendly gunner back home*

mvKup: *frowns* What's wrong?

jvKup: Your reality's Bluestreak's still alive, huh?

mvKup: *frown deepens* Yeah. She just found out she's carryin' a little guy. Got her upgrades ta make that easier the same day I got this body.

jvKup: ... Upgrades? *has a feeling he'd better pay attention, since it's likely Perceptor would find it interesting*

mvKup: Yeah. *chews cy-gar* Somethin' about makin' it so her body makes a tank fer the little guy ta grow a body in. It's supposedta take longer, but hurt less when he's done and ready ta come out.

jvKup: *surprised jerk as he double takes*

mvKup: *scowl* Now what? Sheesh. *drinks deeply to cover his own startled reaction to his twin's abrupt movement*

jvKup: A tank? *has never heard of such a thing* How the heck does that even work?

mvKup: *more scowl* I don't know. I ain't a nerd. *distracted as his holo image changes and there are Joe and Rodney with their arms around Bea and Lisa from behind as all four grin at the camera* *grins*

jvKup: Heh... You got anyone you're seein'?

mvKup: *looks up from the image* Whaddya mean, "seein'"?

jvKup: Lady company.

mvKup: Ohh. *slight snerk* Mech, we never even had ladies where I come from.

jvKup: *small nod, thinking of what Perceptor and other ladies like her had to do just to survive. Doesn't really look too surprised at mvKup's words*

mvKup: *then finds the image he's looking for and shows his twin a holo of a massive pink slab of muscle glowering at the picture taker*

jvKup: ... *blink blink* What race is she? *guessing that's mvKup's lady friend*

mvKup: No slaggin' idea. There aren't enough of 'em off their homeworld for 'em ta have a Common name. *next picture. Jael vs Decepticon out in the Outback*

jvKup: *impressed whistle*

mvKup: *next picture! Jael tearing an annoying looking minivan apart with her bare hands*

jvKup: *snerk* Why'd she waste her time with that hunk of scrap?

mvKup: It needed breakin' down for salvage. *nods to the Destiny sitting on the hulking alien woman's shoulder*

jvKup: Huh. *nod* Makes sense.

mvKup: *next holo!* *and a incoherent exclamation of surprise as it turns out to be one of Jael holding him and kissing him stupid* How the slag'd that get in there! *fumbles to make it vanish, and gets another similar!*

jvKup: *laughing now, and slapping his leg*

mvKup: *faceplates heating, though part of him is wondering why he's so slagging embarrassed. Switches the picture and finds Jael conked out on the couch and hugging him as Destiny sleeps draped over Jael's side* Slaggit!

jvKup: *far more amused than he probably has a right to be. Knows not that some of the human JOEs have snapped pictures of him being cuddly with Perceptor, conked out cuddling Perceptor, and being used as a jungle gym for the more active babies at the Pit*

mvKup: *makes pictures go away and then buries his face in his drink, still grumbling*

jvKup: *still chuckling as he sips at his drink, mood much improved now* *then, once his chuckling's died down a bit* How long've you two been together?

mvKup: *spittakes his drink but catches it, optics going wide with shock*

jvKup: What? It's a fair question.

mvKup: *low curse, his optics still wide with shock* *quietly* Slaggin' pit, I've ben livin' with the woman for months! *and just now realized what it could mean*

jvKup: ... *snickerfit, facepalm*

mvKup: *bewildered expression now as he sits there*

jvKup: *as he goes to have a longer pull from his drink* If it helps ya feel better, Perceptor and I lived together for years before we got hitched.

mvKup: Yeah, but you realized what you were doin', right?

jvKup: Nope. Was just bein' the pilot of the ship she was livin' on, and bein' her bodyguard. *long pull from his drink*

mvKup: *facepalms and mutters about coming from a unit number of idiots*

jvKup: *says something that sounds suspiciously like "Didn't even know she was a lady..."*

mvKup: *drops his hand and stares at his alternate*

jvKup: *finding his drink very interesting right now*

mvKup: So... *looks for fake cy-gar* What made you two decide ta tie the knot?

jvKup: *seriously* The Combaticons ambushed us... And I realized just how much she meant to me.

mvKup: That when you found out she wasn't a guy?

jvKup: *nods, expression darkening a bit as he remembers the fight*

mvKup: *thinks and drinks. Looks slightly lost, and he is. He's just discovered that he's pretty much in a relationship, and he has no cultural norms or anything similar to fall back on*

jvKup: *muttering impolite things about the Combaticons under his breath*

mvKup: I have no slaggin' idea what I'm doin'. 0.o;

jvKup: *distracted from grouching about Combaticons* *snerk* Welcome t' the club.

mvKup: *looks up with a scowl* At least you guys have relationships where you come from.

jvKup: Not for a long time, we didn't... Tyrannous declared women useless and ordered them killed.

mvKup: You still knew what they were! *snorts and drinks, but then pauses and glances to the side as he hears another Kup voice*

dvKup: *arm around the waist of a plain little tawny femme with a pug-nosed face, talking to her cheerfully as he looks for an interesting place to sit*

jvKup: ... *looks toward that voice* *snerk*

mvKup: *frowns slightly* Think I've seen the local version 'a that femme back at home. *then wrinkles his nose as he studies this bay tech alternate* Gah, I thought I was ugly in our tech.

jvKup: The 'Cons of that tech are uglier.

mvKup: 'Cons're always uglier. *pauses as he thinks of Nightbird, Black Betty, and Nightwish, and how they're renowned for their appearance* Okay. Not where I live now.

jvKup: *snerk*

dvKup: *spots those guys there!* Hey, zat a private party, you mooks? *grin*

jvKup: *smirk* Getcher can over here, glitch-head.

dvKup: Hey, watcher mouth around my mate. *grinning as widely as his bay tech features will let him as he leads the little femme over and helps her into a chair*

Chip Dancer: I'm sure I've heard it all before, Kup. *fond head shake for her mate, and then turns and smiles at the others*

mvKup: *confused now. This femme looks like she could be the bay tech twin of Wander, and even sounds like her. But she isn't acting like her at all* What'll you have?

jvKup: More'a this stuff. *indicates the drink he's just about finished with* And maybe some gingersnaps.

mvKup: Not you, glitchhead. *orders that anyway*

dvKup: What you're havin' looks good. Dancer wants a blue fizzy.

Chip Dancer: *nods and smiles, patting her mate's hand*

mvKup: *orders those too, but now he's frowning* Dancer?

jvKup: *slight headtilt. Remembers someone with that name or something similar back on Cybertron. It's been awhile since he thought about the planet, though*

Chip Dancer: Yes. Former archivist in the Hall of Free Access Records on Cybertron.

mvKup: ...You're a librarian. Uh. Okay. Guess I gotcha confused with somebody else.

jvKup: *considering look, decides Dancer is different from the person he was thinking of. Then his attention's going to where a red, winged woman of identical tech to dvKup is arm wrestling with a silver and teal man of identical construction. Snerks*

dvKup: *distracted!* You gotta be slaggin' kiddin' me!

Chip Dancer: *looks over, and then laughs behind her hand* She does seem to be another Kup, dear.

mvKup: *head jerks around* She?

jvKup: ... *looks*

tfanKup: *chomping on something that looks similar to mvKup's cy-gar, and wearing an unimpressed scowl on her face as she scans the bar*

jvKup: ... Wow. *not even sure how to react*

Chip Dancer: *calls toward the other femme* Kup?

mv and dvKup: *ack and give her wide-eyed looks for doing that*

jvKup: *ditto!*

tfanKup: *raised brow ridge* *turns to the femme currently sticking close enough to almost be a shadow and nods toward the table*

tfanPerceptor: *peeking out from behind tfanKup, and then she's blinking a bit as she sees what her friend is indicating. Is interested in moving a bit closer*

Chip Dancer: *so much sympathy on her plain little elderly face* You look like you could use a drink and some good company, dears.

tfanKup: *bit of a scowl returning as she hears Chip Dancer, moves to herd tfanPerceptor over to the table* *bluntly* Who the slag're you?

tfanPerceptor: *bit of a blush at her friend's language*

dvKup: *scowls* Hey, now. Watch how you're talkin' ta my mate.

Chip Dancer: *unpreterbed by Kup originated scowls or cussing* *cheerfully* My name is Chip Dancer. I was a librarian back on Cybertron.

tfanKup: *massive stinkeye for dvKup that doesn't quite hide the brief flash of pain crossing her face as old memory files surface for a moment*

tfanPerceptor: *just quietly studying everyone at the table and making notes about the differences in construction*

mvKup: *optics narrow slightly as he watches this strange female version version of himself* *quietly* What's yours? *half lifts hand in preparation of ordering*

Chip Dancer: *waits till that question is answered before she speaks further. Also pokes her mate for scowling back at the lady Kup*

tfanKup: What's good in oil? *moving her cy-gar from one corner of her mouth to the other as she looks to mvKup*

tfanPerceptor: *soft, surprised sound as she's offered something to study* *and then she's focusing on the piece of metal she was handed by one of the mech versions of tfanKup*

jvKup: *amused expression is a go as he watches what he guesses is another version of his wife studying something new*

mvKup: ...Oil? You don't want that crud, lady.

tfanKup: Well, what else is there? *sticking her chin out a bit and chomping on her cy-gar*

mvKup: *shoves his half drunk can of botbeer over to her* Try that. *looks up at Bet as the drone comes over in response to the half raised hand*

Chip Dancer: *orders tangy sweet oil for herself and the little red lady*

tfanKup: *eyes the can warily for a moment before reaching to have a swig of the contents* *raised brow, snorts* What's this stuff called?

mvKup: Botbeer.

dvKup: *distracted from mate protecting* I'll have that.

tfanKup: *snerk* Got anything stronger?

mvKup: *pauses and frowns* If you're useta drinkin' oil you don't want anythin' stronger.

Chip Dancer: *face palm*

jvKup: *ditto that*

tfanKup: *so much scowl* Don't tell me what I do or don't want.

mvKup: *scowls right back at his female alternate* Fine! You want somethin' stronger? *looks at Bet* Bring a high grade Chromia.

dvKup: Heyyyy. *hopeful grin*

Chip Dancer: No.

dvKup: Awww.

jvKup: ... *resisting the urge to facepalm again*

tfanPerceptor: *now talking quietly to herself as she makes a list of all the physical and chemical qualities of the metal sample she's studying*

Bet: *refills the botbeers, and then goes to the bar for the other drinks*

bar: *soon has explosions happening*

Chip Dancer: *to the lady Kup* Kup, I think you should reconsider your choice of drink. No one here will think less of you for it.

tfanKup: *scowl* Says you. *attention going to the explosions* ... The slag....

mvKup: *comfortably sipping his botbeer and smirking* That's your drink.

dvKup: *wistfully watching the explosions as he drinks botbeer*

jvKup: *has a feeling that he'd be in for trouble if he ordered an identical drink, and not just courtesy of his wife!*

Bet: *returns with the sweet oil for Perceptor and Chip Dancer, and offers tfanKup a piece of paper and a pen*

tfanKup: *amused snort* What's this for?

tfanPerceptor: *sooo not paying attention to her surroundings, since there's a new material to study!*

Bet: *in his robotic voice* It is a release form. You must sign it before I can bring your drink.

mvKup: *SMIRK*

dvKup: *sigh*

jvKup: *decides it's not worth the hassle*

tfanKup: *blink blink, snorts and moves to sign the release form* *totally plans on having tfanPerceptor take her to Red Alert if anything happens*

Bet: *takes the form away. Explosions at the bar continue*

dvKup: So, did you ever know a version of Dancer here?

tfanKup: *so much scowl is a go* Yeah... Long time ago. *chomps on cy-gar and considers telling the mech to mind his own slagging business*

mvKup: *catches a note in lady Kup's voice that he recognizes and frowns toward her with concern even as he bumps Perceptor's drink against that oblivious female's hand* *quietly* What happened?

tfanKup: *so much dark scowl on her face now* Haven't seen 'er in awhile. She had ta go inta hidin' from Megatron and the Decepticons.

mvKup: *slowly* Wander?

Chip Dancer: *quizzical look back and forth between the two*

tfanKup: *small nod, pensive mood is a go as she remembers the past*

Chip Dancer: *softly, as she too taps Perceptor to try and interest the happy scientist in her drink* Did something happen to my alternate?

tfanPerceptor: *slight start, blinks a bit and gives everyone present a wide-opticked look behind her glasses*

tfanKup: Just that she's gotta stay off world, 'cause of the data she's hidin'.

mvKup: *quietly* She don't even remember bein' Chip Dancer anymore, does she?

Chip Dancer: *optics widen slightly*

dvKup: *frowning and looking between mvKup and tfanKup*

tfanKup: *quietly, finding the table surface a bit more interesting than before* She doesn't remember being in boot camp with me any more. Barely remembers me except when she sees me, and then it's only as someone she likes to talk to. Terrible with names...

dvKup: *optics widen slightly with dismay as he hears that, and a protective hand goes to his mate's shoulder*

tfanPerceptor: *quietly, paying no mind to the sweet oil in her hand* I was not aware of that, Kup...

dvKup: If she's in hiding that means nobody probably is. *gruff kindness in his voice* *arm around his quietly dismayed mate now*

tfanKup: *big sigh, looks to see if her drink's coming or not*

Chip Dancer: *quietly* I'm sorry, Kup. Losing a friend is hard enough. But if there's some part of them still present, it must be even harder. *reaches to pat the grey and green femme's hand*

mvKup: *clears his vox* At least it ain't her kid livin' in her shell.

dvKup: *looks at him, a bit spooked*

jvKup: Huh? *confused and a bit spooked himself*

tfanPerceptor: *blink blink* *quietly, in her monotonous voice* What do you mean?

mvKup: *as a cloaked mech comes and gingerly puts a fuming and frothing drink on the table in front of tfanKup* *quietly* I mean the Hound where I live now's dead. But there's a young spark with part of his code in his shell. The kid gives me the heebie jeebies sometimes.

jvKup: ... *boggling now* *says a word his wife would not approve of*

Tarantulus: Be careful when you drink that, and don't shake it, either. Things won't end well if you do.

dvKup: *too distracted by what the guy with the cy-gar just said to comment on that, or to notice the favourite drink sitting there in front of somebody other than him*

Chip Dancer: *pat patting mate and speaking words of comfort to boggling Kups*

tfanKup: *bit of a nod, absently noting that the cloaked mech sounds familiar. Then she's reaching for her drink*

drink: *bangs and swirls angrily as it's moved*

mvKup: *distracted now by the sounds* *perk. Snerk!*

dvKup: *huh?* *grin* Bottoms up.

Chip Dancer: *just kicked her mate under the table*

jvKup: *snickering now*

tfanPerceptor: *fascinated by the drink her friend has. Totally forgot she's got a drink of her own*

tfanKup: *SO much scowl for the mechs. Then she's doing something not so smart, not that she realizes it, and knocking back the Chromia*

drink: *gives an almighty bang on the way down!*

dvKup: *winces with sympathy*

mvKup: *ditto*

Chip Dancer: .>_<.

jvKup: *agreement wince!*

tfanKup: *giving herself a bit of a shake as the drink kicks back hard, bangs all the way down, continues to give sound effects even after it arrives at her fuel tank, and causes a burning sensation* *says something incredibly rude and unprintable*

tfanPerceptor: 0_0 *BLUSH*

dvKup: *starts a countdown to see how long it takes his female alternate to hit the floor under the table now*

Chip Dancer: *kicks him again*

dvKup: *keeps counting* One, two, three...

tfanKup: *slurring badly* Knock it... The sssslag off... *wobbling now*

dvKup: Four, five, six...

mvKup: *face screwed up with sympathy now*

tfanPerceptor: *will examine the cube that tfanKup's drink came in, and then startle badly when the old soldier faceplants after trying and failing to take a swing at dvKup*

dvKup: Six. *gets up to move over and rearrange his female alternate more comfortably in the chair and see if she's running alright*

Chip Dancer: *fussing about the stubborn idiocy of Kups even as she knocks back some of her sweet oil to ease her frustration*

tfanKup: *down and out for the count, but didn't hurt herself when she faceplanted, at least*

tfaPerceptor: *has completely forgotten her own drink in favor of worrying about tfanKup*

dvKup: *gets tfanKup settled, and then returns to his seat* She's fine. Gonna have a doozy of a headache tomorrow, though. *pauses to consider* Or the next day. Whenever she wakes up.

mvKup: *shaking his head as he drinks his botbeer. Glances toward jvKup*

jvKup: *reaching to gently nudge tfanPerceptor and show her the sweet oil waiting for her*

tfanPerceptor: *slight start, is beginning to retreat into her mental shell that she gets into when she's outside of her comfort zone and tfanKup isn't around* *quietly* T-thank you...

dvKup: *somehow scoots his mate's chair around so she's sitting right by the little red scientist*

Chip Dancer: *meeps, but then pat pats Perceptor* *softly and kindly* The oil's very good, dear.

tfanPerceptor: *small nod, even smaller sip at the oil*

Chip Dancer: *soothing hand on the back. Is a very comforting presence despite her odd bay tech* What brought you to the Black Dog today?

mvKup: *looks at the other guys* Bot scream?

dvKup: *perk* What is it?

jvKup: *blink blink* Bot... scream?

tfanPercy: *quietly puzzled look for Chip Dancer*

mvKup: *looks around. Sees no Bet, and so waves at the guy in the cloak for attention*

Tarantulus: *coming over to see if the Kup table needs refills*

mvKup: White bot scream for everybody here. With blue glitter.

Tarantulus: *chuckles* Alright. *heads off to get the bot scream*

dvKup: You never said what it is. *deep frown, but he's curious. The waiter's reaction suggests it's something harmless and nice. And blue glitter's okay. Sometimes*

jvKup: *giving mvKup a frown now* *and making sure tfanPerceptor has some more sweet oil*

mvKup: *happy grin that hides nothing* You'll see.

Chip Dancer: *shakes her head, and then turns to Perceptor* So what brings you to the Black Dog today, dear?

tfanPerceptor: *quietly* Kup insisted I come with her. After Red Alert strongly suggested that she tend to her own needs instead of staying close to Rodimus Prime for a few cycles.

dvKup: *distracted from wondering about bot scream. Turns head to give the little femme a look of concern* What's wrong with Hot Rod?

tfanPerceptor: *quieter* Rodimus Prime has been recovering from a case of cosmic rust...

dvKup: *deep frown* Doesn't your Ratchet have the antidote for that?

tfanPerceptor: *nod* Rodimus Prime was cured, but he has yet to return to functionality.

Chip Dancer: *sucks in air* *softly* Comatose?

tfanPerceptor: *small nod*

mvKup: *shakes his head* You mean Red threw her out on her can for hovering. *sighs and rubs his face, then reaches over and gives Perceptor a gentle pat on the shoulder* How'd she drag you inta a place like this?

tfanPerceptor: *quietly* She and I are friends.

mvKup: *looks over at jvKup* Guess that goes with you 'n your Perceptor bein' close.

jvKup: *soft chuckle* I guess...

tfanPerceptor: *blinks a bit and looks to jvKup curiously*

mvKup: The Perceptor 'a his reality's a lady too. And they're an item.

Chip Dancer: *so surprised* Is that so?

jvKup: *nods and gets out the images of his family again*

tfanPerceptor: *curious as she studies the images*

Chip Dancer: *sees an image of the other Kup laying down with the little red femme and the sparklet tucked beside him and laying on his chest* Ohhhhh. *hands to mouth. Shining optics toward mate*

tfanPerceptor: *slight headtilt as she studies the image. She's either comparing the tech again, or pondering what the purpose of the small bot in the image is. Or maybe something else entirely*

Chip Dancer: *softly* How long have you been together, Kup?

jvKup: *slight tilt of his head as he thinks* Just together, or do ya mean bonded?

Chip Dancer: *quizzical look* There's a difference?

tfanPerceptor: *puzzled blinking*

jvKup: My wife and I travelled together after I pulled her out of what usedt'a be her lab... That was a few million years ago though.

Chip Dancer: Ohh. I understand. How long have you been bonded? *looks at the image of the nap pile again* What's your sparklet's name?

jvKup: We've been bonded for about two years now... Our son's name is Johnny, until he's old enough ta choose for himself.

dvKup: *looks up with surprise* Johnny? A human name?

mvKup: *wonders what the problem is. And also where the dessert is*

Tarantulus: *back with the bot scream*

jvKup: *giving dvKup a puzzled look* What's wrong with the name Johnny? The human he's named for had a good singing voice.

dvKup: *blink blink* Yeah? You got any files? *looks at the bowl now in front of him* Oh hey. This looks interesting.

Chip Dancer: Oh look, Perceptor. Doesn't this smell lovely? *to Tarantulus* Thank you, dear.

Tarantulus: *as he sets the remaining bowl in front of tfanPerceptor* You're welcome. Enjoy. *heads off to see if he can help Showtime with anything, and then to see if Nemesis needs him to do anything*

jvKup: *studying his bowl of bot scream and deciding to make an attempt to record some data about it for Perceptor* *to dvKup* Got a lot more than I did before the sudden trip ta Earth..

mvKup: Let's hear it, mech. *eating all the whipped creme off the top of his dessert first. Has also poured the last of his botbeer into the bowl*

jvKup: *calls up one of the files Jazz found for him and begins playing it*

dvKup: *looks up from botbeering his bot scream* Heyyyy now. I like that.

jvKup: *botbeering his bot scream too. Might as well get data that's actually interesting!* *chuckles* For the longest time, I thought Johnny Cash was a JD.

mvKup: They do have pretty similar voices to humans. *checks on tfanPerceptor*

tfanPerceptor: *looks almost gleeful as she studies the bot scream, glitter, and whipped creme*

mvKup: *is a father. Knows what to do here* *gets tfanPerceptor's sweet oil. Pours some on her dessert, and then grabs the spoon, fills it, and pokes it at her mouth*

Chip Dancer: *gives him a startled look*

tfanPerceptor: *slightly startled expression, and then her optics are going comically wide as she tastes the treat*

mvKup: Yeahhh. See? *grin*

Chip Dancer: Kup, do you realize you sound just like an organic father?

mvKup: Yup. I got that from one. *eating his own good dessert now, but watching Perceptor*

tfanPerceptor: *just got a spoonful of whipped creme. Is going to analyze it with all her senses, including taste* *soft, pleased sound*

jvKup: *quiet chuckle as he watches*

dvKup: Wait wait. I just realized. We're missin' something here. *looks around for the waiter*

jvKup: *puzzled look is a go* What're we missin'?

dvKup: I'll show ya in a click. *sees Showtime. Hopeful wave*

Showtime: *moving to approach after sticking a hand in her mate's face to get him to quit being a suck for a few minutes*

dvKup: Do you got anythin' like a strawbaby, only more like a cherry?

Showtime: I can check. Do you mean more like a cherry as in flavor, or as in shape?

dvKup: Well, I don't know. But I think there's supposed ta be somethin' red on top of stuff like this? *points to his half vanished and customized dessert*

mvKup: *perk* Oh hey. That's right.

Showtime: *chuckles* I'll go get you some strawbabies then.

jvKup: *making sure tfanPerceptor has napkins within reach*

dvKup: *to Showtime* Thanks. *looks at his alts and table mates*

Showtime: *nods and heads to get the strawbabies*

mvKup: *poking a spoonful of bot scream at the mouth of his passed out female alternate*

tfanKup: *doesn't seem to notice the bot scream, is still out of sorts*

tfanPerceptor: *analyzing the glitter and bot scream now, and continuing to make little pleased sounds as she does*

jvKup: *changing files once the first one has finished playing, and nomming bot scream*

Chip Dancer: *quickly wipes tfanPerceptor's chest as she drips* Oh, careful.

tfanPerceptor: *slight start, looks down to see if she dripped anywhere else*

Chip Dancer: I think you're good, dear. *smiles at the smaller femme*

dvKup: *rises out of his chair to look for the blue waitress. Needs a berry on top of the desserts!*

Showtime: *back with strawbabies!*

dvKup: Now we're talkin'. Thanks, Miss. *takes the bowl*

Showtime: You're welcome. *smiles and then she's moving to get another table's order*

jvKup: *will reach for one of the strawbabies*

dvKup: Hey, hold yer horses. Ladies first. *offers to his mate and tfanPerceptor*

tfanPerceptor: *curious about what she is being offered, will study it in the same manner that she's been studying the bot scream*

dvKup: Here. Put it here. And then eat it. *sets it on top of the remnant of her whipped creme*

Chip Dancer: *daintily nibbling her strawbaby*

mvKup: *getting a strawbaby for himself now*

tfanPerceptor: *will try the suggestion, then. And boggle comically again*

jvKup: Mmm...

dessert: *soon gone*

dvKup: We should get back. *looks at his mate even as he takes out his credit card to pay for their drinks and dessert*

Chip Dancer: *absently, as she wipes tfanPerceptor's hands* Yes, dear.

jvKup: Maybe by now, this slaggin' thing'll let me go home... *indicates his PINpoint, even as he reaches to get credits out to pay for his drinks and dessert, as well as tfanPerceptor's, since he has a hunch the passed out alt of his is the one with all the money in that group*

mvKup: *growls at jvKup* I got you covered. Put that the slag away.

dvKup: Here, take the rest of these strawbabies for Johnny. *offers the candies, tipped out of the bowl into his hand*

jvKup: *as he accepts the offered candies* Thanks. I bet he'll have a lot to say about 'em. *chuckles*

dvKup: I bet. I've heard some'a the kids in our sister reality. They kin really chatter.

Chip Dancer: *smiles* Especially Rap. *will wash tfanPerceptor's face now*

tfanPercetor: *surprised at having her face washed, and it shows*

jvKup: Sister reality?

dvKup: *as his mate makes soft apologies and soothing sounds* Yeah, the way bots jump back 'n forth between 'em you'd think it was two houses on the same street. *chuckle*

jvKup: Huh... *files that piece of information away for now*

tfanKup: *out of it enough that she's sleep talking. At least most of it is nonsense*

Chip Dancer: *concerned look for the two tfan-tech femmebots* How will you be getting home?

mvKup: Don't worry about that. I'll help 'em. *just paid for everything*

jvKup: *chuckles and checks his PINpoint*

tfanPerceptor: *blinking a bit and sheepishly thanking mvKup*

mvKup: It's no problem. *nods to dvKup as the mech rises and helps his lady up* *thinks of Wander and wonders if she really used to be like this demure and precise little female*

Chip Dancer: *thanking everyone for the lovely company and hoping to see them again some day soon*

jvKup: Keep yer nose clean. *now who is he saying that to?*

mvKup: *looks at him, and then snorts* You should talk. Look in a mirror when ya get back.

Chip Dancer: *glances toward jvKup as her mate snerks* Oh dear...

dvKup: You don't have time ta wash his face. We gotta get goin'.

jvKup: ... *reaches for a napkin to wipe his face, will head home as well*

mvKup: *looks at tfanPerceptor once the others are gone* You ready ta go back?

tfanPerceptor: *small nod, attention going to trying to wake tfanKup*

mvKup: *gentle and gruff* That won't work, kid. Here. *gets up and comes over, with intention of picking his female alt up. But then he stops and looks at a tall purple Seeker who just paused by their table and is looking at tfanKup and Perceptor with strangely gentle red optics. Absently notes that the Seeker's not wearing any badges*

Seeker: My name is Bob. I'm a servant of Primus. May I help?

tfanPerceptor: *soft, startled sound as she notices the Seeker*

mvKup: *slight smile up into those gentle and slightly frightened but determined optics as he feels a brush of happy tingles in his circuits* There's a little ghost here, isn't there?

Bob: *surprise shows slightly, and then he looks around and nods* Why yes. There is. I think he came here with the ladies.

tfanPerceptor: *blinks a bit and tilts her head* A ghost?

Bob: Yes. *slight smile as he looks down at the little being* His name is Cloudtrader.

mvKup: Oh ho, another one of those, huh?

tfanPerceptor: *so puzzled now* What do you mean by 'another one of those'?

mvKup: I've seen a couple of his alternates around here before. One's even alive. *grumbles and pokes himself in the ear* What? Why'd you let her do that? Razzafrazzen... *looks back to the others* *gently, to Perceptor* This guy's from your reality. Do you mind if he helps you 'n Kup get home?

tfanPerceptor: *quietly* I do not mind.

mvKup: *gentle squeeze of Perceptor's thin shoulder, and then a stern look that has Bob flinching but not looking away* You better take care of these guys... gals. Or you'll hear from me.

Bob: *slight, tremulous smile* They'll be safe, sir. Don't worry.

tfanCloudtrader: *will snuggle the nice Percy lady, like he's done many times before*

tfanPerceptor: *blinks a bit and then there's a very slight hint of a smile on her face as she feels a familiar reassuring tingling sensation in her sensors*

tfanKup: *snoooooore*

mvKup: Maybe I'll see you two later. Don't worry if she doesn't wake up today. That was a lot of energy and minerals she took in.

tfanPerceptor: *small nod* At what point should I begin to worry?

mvKup: *scratches cheek and thinks* Maybe the day after tomorrow.

Bob: o.0

tfanPerceptor: *small nod* Very well.

mvKup: *smiles and goes to finish paying the bill, then PINpoints away*

((Written with gentle_seekers and random_xtras))

Continued here