LLV. Pax School and Wynona Hills Academy. New Arrivals part 2

[dens_extra_pups]

Continued from here



Pax School


Kitty: *sitting in the gazebo and feeling mournful and confused. Fell while learning to roller blade a few days ago, and broke her tail so badly that it had to be amputated. Isn't sure that she didn't do something wrong*

Swiper: *has found wife! Proudly presents her with a beautifully wrapped gift*

Kitty: *too sad to even squeal and clap her hands, just thanks him and then carefully opens the lovely present. Finds a little black costume tail inside and bursts into tears*

Swiper: Ack! You don't like it?

Lance's pink jaguar: *arriving in the driveway with forty babies, toddlers, children, teenagers and adults around it*

Kitty: *head snaps up* EEEEK!

Swiper: *bounding out of the gazebo and heading over to investigate*

Wheelie: *bravely* Staying back's the best you can do. If you come closer Fuzzy'll puke on you!

Swiper: *stops short* Whut?

Wheelie: *waves woozie ferret*

Allie: *just fainted, a combination of stress and the shock of the travel method ganging up on her*

Natalie: *acks and tries to rouse the unconscious woman*

Oscar: *babydancing and trying to calm upset littles*

Lance: *hurrying over to Swiper* Go get Mr. Irons.

Swiper: *phone out, speed dial hit!* Ira, I think we got trouble.

Ira: //What sort of trouble, and where are you?//

Swiper: 'Shot just brought a bunch of people to the front drive. Teleported 'em.

Ira: //I'm on my way out.//

Neysa: *arm full of babies as she exchanges a confused and worried glance with her husband*

Kitty: Tom? *has come up beside Swiper* Sebastiano, that's Tom! He came from the same place as me!

Optima: *comes hurrying out from the direction of the student rec room, Grimlock and the other Dinobots trailing determinedly in her wake despite her orders to stay put*

Grimlock: Red! What the *beep* happen? Why you bring Hell rats here?

Oscar: It's not like we had a choice, Grimlock. Mistfire's orders.

Natalie: *trying again to get Allie to wake up*

Grimlock: *stops and scans the crowd, then growls* Where her Mistfire? WHERE?

Slag: Her Mistfire fight? Me Slag want fight!

Oriana: *sharply* Stand down, Dinobots!

Grimlock: *bleep* you. You not the boss of me Grimlock!

Natalie: *HISS*

Neysa: *panicky sounding* Don't fight! Don't fight!

Lance: Mistfire took the Enforcers at Hell and went to stomp the guys who attacked. *going to fib* She said to ask you if you'd help protect the kids, Grimlock.

Grimlock: You lying! Me Grimlock not baby sitter!

Slag: Me Slag not babysitter too! *snorts*

Lance: Well, Allie's hurt. She can't protect the kids right now.

Optima: *among the newcomers now, speaking softly to frightened little children and reassuring them that someone here can help their mother*

Natalie: *quietly* Even Tracie went to help...

Grimlock: *rears back on his heels* What? Her blind!

Swoop: *derisive snort, knowing that where Tracie is, her twin's close behind* Stupid Torque not know fist from foot.

Ira: *coming out now with his mask, as well as a few other masks* Dinobots, Scattershot. With me. *looks to Optima*

Optima: *looks up from the little scaly child who is clinging to her, her surprise increasing as she sees that the Aqua twins and the non-pregnant Seekers are with her husband* Ira, what is it?

Ira: Muster point.

Optima: Why? What's happened? *stands, the little one still held closely*

Lance: The Brotherhood attacked Hell.

Optima: *gasps, and then her phone is out and she's calling Elita, Magnus, Jazz, and Prowl* Give me a moment to change. *slips off her blouse and hands it and the child to the softly rambling Elly, who's followed her out*

deepdweller boys: *subdued and afraid, but know their manners. Polite catcalls for the lady taking off her shirt*

Ira: *Look for the boys*

Optima: *shocked and confused blush*

Oscar: They're complimenting you, Chief.

Wheelie: We're being good, appreciating the woman like we should. *nodding as he hugs his stinky new little friend*

TC: o.0 *not sure if she wants to open the wings she was using to cover her last minute zipper pulling or not*

Will: *dots* Okay then. *moving to see if there's anyone he needs to let the other medics know about*

Skylar: ... *slightly brain broken expression*

Will: *has come upon Allie and Natalie*

Natalie: *HISSS* *furpoof is a go*

Optima: *shrugs off her confusion and hurries away to change into her new uniform that she bought from the Nexus* *passes Jazz on his way out*

Jazz: M'here, Ironhide. What's the sitch?

kid: Ironhide!? Oh! *big eyes for Ira*

Ira: *to Jazz* Brotherhood attacked Hell. *will move to gently ruffle the kid's hair*

Jazz: *expression gets grim, and he looks up at Magnus as the taller and brawnier man comes up beside him* We rollin' out?

Ira: *nods*

Jazz: *communicator go!* Prowly, baby, hustle that booty. *knows he will pay for that later*

Prowl: //I'm hurrying, Jazz.//

Will: *letting Rachel and Flynn know about Allie*

Lance: *moving to stand close to Ira*

Elita: *bouncing on the balls of her feet, anxious for the upcoming rumble, and stoked from a cute quick goodbye kiss from Brandon*

Magnus: Ironhide, what's the situation?

Brandon: *coming out with Rachel to help with the sick lady. Perks and hugs the leggy cat boy named Tom*

Natalie: *protective of the Boss* *low, warning sound*

Grimlock: You, NatCat not growl at me Grimlock's mother!

Rachel: Easy, Grimlock. She's just worried. And she doesn't know me.

Luka: *barks*

Natalie: *startled hiss*

kid: She's got a little thing under her arm!

Allie: *soft sound*

Rachel: *puts Luka down*

Luka: *goes to see kids. And TELL them things*

Allie: *lips moving slightly as she talks to her kids in her dreams*

Optima: *running back in the comfortable and modest red, blue, and grey suit* Alright. Link hands, people. Who has the coordinates? *looks at Lance*

Lance: *nods*

Ira: *herding A-Men together* *knows Lance and Misty went to Hell*

Optima: *grabs Lance's hand on one side, and Ira's on the other* Remember, codenames. Roll out!

Lance: *will bring everyone once the team's linked arms*

Optima: *ducks the moment she arrives while the rest of the team scatter as trained, then whirls and stares with shock as she realizes she's standing on the rubble of a massive explosion*

Mistfire: *has hold of the front of the shirt of a man who looks to be in his twenties* SPILL!

man: *German accent strong* Ach, you're frightening me! Please! I'm only a child!

Ira: *hurrying over* Mistfire, drop him. Now!

Mistfire: *reacts instinctively by instant obedience and then a quick distancing herself from the man*

Wreck-Gar: *looks up from where he's sitting on a brawny winged woman and pounding her head on the ground* o.O?

Ira: *nods to the big man* Let her go, too. *will move to crouch next to the man Mistfire was yelling at* Blitzwing?

Blitzwing: *gives the bearded and grey-haired man a puzzled look* Ja... zhat ist me... *blue eyes search Ira's face uncertainly*

Wreck-Gar: No can do.

Torque: S-she iced T-t-tracie!

Ira: *rumbles quietly*

big guy: Slaggin' *bleep* opened fire the minute we got here.

Torque: *nods*

Ira: Casualties?

Misty: *voice tight* Tracie, Rockon, Crank, Twister, Rust, 'n Nobody.

Torque: I-Iceberg, R-Ransack, 'n T-Trouble w-wounded.

short, massive guy: *hides the mangled remains of his hand* I'm fine.

Misty: Stow it, Iceberg.

Ira: WakeJumper, tend to the injured.

Will: On it. *moving to do so*

Optima: *looks up from extracting shrapnel from a still form nearby* This woman's not dead.

Skyfire: *turns quickly and gasps, his wings flaring out*

Ira: *moving to come see* WakeJumper. Here.

Will: *hurries over, a frown on his face at Ira's tone*

Torque: *talking quietly to Tracie, stuttering badly as he tries to hold her hand*

Optima: *softly comforting to Torque* I think her mutation saved her. It stopped the bleeding.

Misty: *quietly instructs some of the enforcers to get some of that wire and tie the winged woman up*

Blitzwing: Don't hurt Blackout. Please?

Blackout: *spits and growls*

Jazz: *talking softly to the most injured of the enforcers, who is holding a hand to his side*

Torque: *shivering and fumbling over his words*

Will: *moving to see who else is injured, will instruct the less injured on how to help their fellows so they don't bleed out while waiting for medical attention*

Optima: What about Tracie, WakeJumper?

Prowl: *tersely, as Will approaches her and Jazz* This man's been nearly disembowelled by shrapnel.

man: I'm Ransack, 'n I'm fine.

Will: *shoulders set* You are not fine, Ransack. *heard you, Optima. Right now though, there're people bleeding out*

Ransack: *scowls at the guy in the dorky suit and the mask* Doctor Tracie.

Will: She's not the one in danger of bleeding out right now.

Skyfire: Shall I airlift anyvone?

Ransack: *ready to argue*

Iceberg: *uses his good hand to punch his brother in the head*

Ransack: *KO!*

Jazz: Heyyyy! *catches the injured man*

Will: *to Skyfire* Airlift Tracie and the guy with her. I don't think he'll willingly be separated from her right now.

Skyfire: *nods and goes over to the horribly wounded woman* She vill not bleed?

Will: Her mutation healed enough of the damage to stop the bleeding. I could see it working.

Torque: *going to scoot closer to Tracie, eyes wide as he tries to protect the woman*

Skyfire: Ah. Gut. *turns to Torque* *gently* Vill you help me to lift her? I vill bring her somevhere safe. Allie ist zhere.

Torque: *silent for a few moments, then he's responding softly* A-Allie is n-nice.

Skyfire: *gentle nod, his ears perked* Zhere ist a doctor who vill help Tracie too.

Torque: *moves to carefully lift Tracie, holding her close to his chest*

Skyfire: *holds out his arms* May I take her? It vill be safer. You may ride on my back.

Iceberg: *turns his head and scowls* You can't carry 'em both.

Jazz: Oh yeah. He can.

Prowl: *nods*

Will: *as he works on helping Ransack* He can.

Torque: *wibbles and tries to work this over in his head*

Skyfire: *wiggles his fingers encouragingly*

Torque: *will gently tuck Tracie into the winged man's arms, comforted by the unusual appearance of the other*

Skyfire: *smiles* Gut! *spreads his wings and turns his back* Can you hold on?

Torque: *nods and moves to climb on carefully, making sure not to put his arms around the winged man's neck*

Skyfire: You had better hug mein neck.

Torque: *hesitantly does so. Doesn't want to hurt the winged man*

Skyfire: Ja, like zhat.

Del: *encouragingly* You can't hurt that guy. He can fly with a car.

Skyfire: A bus, actually.

Del: ...

Torque: B-Bus?

Skyfire: *nods toward the ruined shell of a burned out motorhome* Like zhat.

Torque: ... *small nod*

Skyfire: *then hunkers* I'm going to jump now.

Torque: *braces himself*

Skyfire: *leaps high into the air, his wings snapping down and lifting them higher. Levels out in seconds, and then turns and arrows toward the school to a chorus of amazement from the Deepdwellers*

Ira: *will turn his attention to Blitzwing* *calmly* You have a lot to answer for.

Blitzwing: *wibbles at him, eyes wide and frightened* Who are you? Vhy are you picking on me und mein friends?

Ira: My name is Ironhide. And your friends attacked a neutral area. Hell was supposed to stay neutral.

Blitzwing: *utter confusion* Ironhide isn't old. He's not!

Blackout: *laughing derisively despite getting punched in the head for it*

Ira: I got older, Blitzwing. *stern look for Blackout* You, shut up. *attention back to Blitzwing*

Blackout: *just continues her mockery*

Optima: *looks toward Ira and frowns slightly at the very slight tightness she sees in his shoulders*

Blitzwing: *suddenly sits up straight with a growl, his skin thickening and turning red* Ironhide isn't old, you fool!

Optima: *startled scream*

Jazz: *as others react all around him, he's unprintable*

Ira: *frown* You slept a long time, Blitzwing.

Blitzwing: Liar! *suddenly cuts loose with superheated plasma from both hands* I'm not a fool!

Misty: *curses and turns to leap between Ira and Blitzwing as the fireballs erupt*

enforcers: *following Misty, ready to rumble*

Lance: Mistfire!!! *ditto that*

Ira: *cursing, barely had time to duck*

Jazz: *sound and light burst against Blitzwing's back*

Dinobots: *climbing out of the ruins, where they'd been looking for Brotherhood*

Blackout: *just ripped herself free from her wire bindings. Now cuts loose with an EMP before leaping into the air and flying away, leaving everyone in her target area stunned*

Grimlock: *unfazed by the blast, spits a gout of flame after the flyer* Swoop! You get!

Swoop: Stupid she not get away from me, Swoop! *will take off after the other flyer* Stupid she pay for hurting friends!

Grimlock: Burn she! *turns and looks around, his ugly mug showing relief as he realizes that Ira wasn't caught in the blast* Ironhide! You tell Dinobots what to do!

Blitzwing: *abruptly shifts to a sleek winged form and launches* I see that it ist time to depart.

Ira: Stop Blitzwing! *going to try and do the same*

Grimlock and Slag: *fire!*

Blitzwing: *dodges the flame, and then shoots a stream of water that freezes on contact with Swoop's wings*

Swoop: *shrieks as she falls, trying to get the ice off of her wings*

Jazz: *tries to break the ice with his ability!*

Ira: *CUSS* *runs to try and jump so he can catch the Dinobot before she hits the ground*

Swoop: *ice shards fly as she collides with Ira, and then she's doing her best to get airborn again* GONNA KICK STUPID HIM'S %$#%$#%#$%%#$% TOO!!!

Grimlock: *barely managed to keep his sister from landing too hard and hurting Ira, is bellowing with fury*

Ira: *lets Swoop go before she smacks him in the face with a wing*

Swoop: *MAAAAAD*

Optima: *sits up dizzily* Dinobots, heel!

Grimlock: *fire OFF. Pout ON*

Slag: *fire off. Cursing on*

Swoop: *wings tucked back in. Sulking on*

Will: *sitting up with a groan*

Del: *giving himself a shake* Ugh... What the *BLEEP*?

Rush: What he said. *moving to sit up and rub at his head*

Optima: *looks at her watch* That was an EMP blast.

TC: *settles to the ground nearby* They could fly faster than me and Screamer. *shaky and sad*

Skylar: *dark scowl on his face as he lands by his sister* What the *bleep*, Ironhide?!

Ira: *rumbles with displeasure*

Jazz: EMP? Oh no! Nessa!

Optima: What?

Rush: *on his feet, even with as dizzy as he feels* Nessa?! Nessa! *looking for his girlfriend now*

Nessa: *little saucer laying there quietly, her lights dark*

Rush: Nessa!!! *moves to pick her up* C'mon! Talk to me! *scared*

Will: *moving to try and get up* Nnng... We... We need backup.

Optima: We are the backup.

Ira: Blackout won't be able to do that again for awhile. We're safe. For now.

Optima: *looks at him* How long?

Ira: About five days.

Optima: *quietly* For now, we should go home.

Grimlock: But what about fight?

Optima: We'll fight after, when Mistfire and the others are alright.

Grimlock: Dinobots fight little bit before?

Optima: *shakes her head*

Grimlock: *grumbles and hits Slag for cussing*

Swoop: Him 'Shot hurt, too? *noticed the pink haired teen wasn't moving*

Optima: *softly* Yes. We have to take him and the others home.

Jazz: *gentle hand to Prowl's neck, and then a touch to her face* *softly* Don't cry, Rush, man.

Prowl: *does have a pulse. Even if the touch to her face elicits no reaction*

Del: *moving to get up to help his twin* *quietly* Let's get her to Tomoe and Legacy.

Rush: *wordless nod*

Optima: *startles and looks up as she hears jet engines and something like rotors*

hover jet: *will lower itself to the street*

Will: *looks up* *jaw drops*

Ira: *looks up* *obscenity*

jet: *lands, and then the door's opening*

Fury: *looks out, her face showing concern* Ironhide, what the *deleted* just went down here?

Ironhide: Blitzwing and Blackout.

Fury: What? *actually shows surprise*

Ironhide: I %$#%$#%$# you not.

Fury: *looks like her namesake. Says only* Get those wounded in here. I'll give you a ride home.

Optima: *looks to see what Ironhide says*

Ironhide: *small nod* *looks to Grimlock and his sisters* Let's get the wounded inside. *moving to get the worst wounded*

Del: *moving with Rush to bring Nessa to the jet*

Iceberg: Ransack's not breathing. *and he's going into shock himself*

Will: *curse, moves to try and get Ransack breathing again* Someone get a blanket or a jacket or something!

Optima: *looks around, and then waves her hand over her suit. Takes the part that detaches, ignoring the muffled sounds from those male enforcers that are still aware, and gives it to Will* This will keep him warm.

Ira: *in any other situation, he'd be openly admiring you now, Optimus*

Will: *nods* *to Iceberg* Lay down. I'll help Ransack. *will also cover Iceberg with the suit part*

Iceberg: I'm alright. *but he's also obeying and flinching slightly as the suit part wraps snuggly around him and his brother and warms up*

Optima: *busy lifting one of the injured and stunned enforcers despite her new bikini*


several hours later, at the school


Torque: *got made to sit in one of the kitchen chairs earlier. Hasn't left it since, and isn't saying anything either* *is just sitting and looking at the plate of food Legacy had set in front of him*

Optima: *walks in wearily, her robe making soft rustles as she talks softly to Oscar* *Faredot is mute and snuggling under her arm*

Oscar: *quietly* Thank you again, Miss Prime, for taking us all in.

Optima: *lifts her brows* *softly* What else was I supposed to do? The school is here to help mutants in need. *pauses as she notices Torque*

Faredot: *quietly* He's all alone and lost.

Oscar: *quietly* Tracie didn't make it... *moving to talk to Torque and try and encourage the big guy to eat*

Torque: *doesn't show any indication that he's heard you, Oscar*

Optima: *concerned as she walks over to put her hand on Torque's shoulder*

Faredot: He can talk to animals. He likes them.

Oscar: ... Where's Wheelie? *beginnings of an idea forming in his head*

Faredot: Wheelie's sleeping in the vents. We should get Torque his own animal.

Optima: No shops will be open now.

Mistfire: *from the door* On it.

something: MEEEER!

Torque: *flinch*

Oscar: *looks over*

Misty: *grimly triumphant smirk past her black eye as Lance holds a box of kitten stuff* Got 'is animal right here. *holds out a tiny black kitten with a white bib*

kitten: MEEEEEER!

Torque: *reacting to the cries of a scared baby* *starting to turn in his chair* *soft meow*

kitten: *as Mistfire brings her over and holds her in front of Torque* Meeeeer!

Lance: *holds his breath*

Torque: *will reach for the kitten* *more soft meows. You are safe, little one. Would you like some milk?*

kitten: *can hear another kitty calling with meows, and making reassuring sounds* *squeak?*

Misty: *carefully sets the bitty thing into his hand, then reaches into the box Lance is holding and takes out a tiny nursing bottle and a can of the special milk the woman gave her* *offers these to Torque*

Torque: *small nod as he holds the kitten close to his chest and accepts the bottle and milk*

Misty: *pulls off the can label and then carefully reads it to him*

Torque: *following the instructions for filling the bottle*

Oscar: *giving Misty a very surprised look. Didn't realize she knows how to read*

kitten: *looking for milk on the hand that's holding her, tiny mouth trying to suck*

Torque: *soothing sounds, and once he's got the bottle set up right, he'll present the kitten with the nipple of the bottle*

Optima: *softly closes the microwave behind him as she watches*

Torque: *calming considerably as he tends to the little kitten*

kitten: *tiny bittypurr as minute paws knead and good food goes into her tummy for the first time in what seems to the baby animal to be forever*

Faredot: *big sigh and a small smile for her mother*

Lance: *will set the box of kitten things next to Torque*

Torque: *small nod for the pink one*

Oscar: *small, relieved smile*

Optima: *sighs her own relief, then startles as a joyful whoop from Rush echoes from the direction of the hidden elevator*

Faredot: *grin* Nessa only needed to reboot.

Lance: Cool.

Oscar: ... Reboot?

Misty: *looking through the door toward the whooping*

Faredot: A little control that woke her up. She and Tomoe can't really be hurt by EMPs.

Oscar: Oh. That's good. The big guy looked like he was gonna cry.

Optima: *softly* Nessa is his girlfriend.

Faredot: *quiet, bright happiness* They'll be married as soon as Del's wife is out of the infirmary.

Misty: *quiet snort at that*

Lance: *will lean against you now, Misty, and put his arm around your waist*

Misty: *turns toward her husband, but then scowls and gently touches the marks on his face* *quiet ice* Better slaggin' not leave scars.

Lance: *quietly* They might... *small frown*

Oscar: *quietly* I can help fix that.

Misty: *shifts her frown over to Oscar* Huh?

Oscar: I can keep 'em from scarring.

Misty: *frown deepens* How?

Lance: *raised brow*

Oscar: *quietly* I can use my ability ta heal the marks.

Misty: *grip on Lance goes a bit protective* How's it work?

Oscar: It basically knits the cells back together, good as new.

Misty: So why didn' ya heal Allie?

Oscar: It takes a lot of energy, 'n she wouldn't let me try.

Misty: *really wants her husband fixed, but...* Needta tend yer own bases first.

Oscar: *seriously* Everyone's safe who we could get safe. They've all had a hot meal, and they've got someplace protected to sleep. The least I c'n do is take care'a someone who I can help with my abilities.

Misty: Why cantcha help Allie?

Flynn: *from the hall* Because he'd cripple himself trying.

Optima: *looks up quickly from Torque's kitten*

Oscar: *winces slightly as the truth comes out*

Lance: *pause* Wait, what?

Misty: *scowl* What's she talkin' 'bout, Red?

Oscar: *bites his lower lip* *quietly* Been fighting a genetic condition for a few years now.

Misty: What kinda genetic condition? Somethin' like what killed... *glances at Torque*

Oscar: *headshake* It'd leave me in a wheelchair. But I can fix little things alright.

Misty: *scowls at him for a moment, but then looks at her husband* Yer call, 'Shot.

Lance: *frowns and thinks, weighing the risks*

Misty: *and then her brows are lifting as something hits her* *bleep*, we can't let Mom see that.

Oscar: Here, gimme your hand. I'll keep your madre from kicking your butts.

Lance: She won't kick our butts. She'll end up torching something on accident 'cause she'll panic. *gives hand*

Oscar: *blink. Blink*

Misty: *firmly* Mom's special.

Optima: *sighs and slips past them out of the room with a soft apology, can hear Faredot singing softly somewhere in the walls. Looks around once she's out of the kitchen, but can't see Flynn. Decides to wander to the front door and see if Ira is home yet from his quick trip to pick up the young soldier that Director Fury told him about on the way home*

Denver: *surprised expression is a go at seeing Optima in the entryway* Ma'am. *polite nod*

Optima: *slight smile at seeing Denver standing by the door* *quietly* Hello, Denver. Are you waiting for your cousin?

Denver: *quietly* Cousins. Dal won' leave Debbie behahnd.

Optima: Oh. You had two cousins in that... uh. Is it called a regiment? *cheeks pink slightly at her lack of knowledge of things military*

Denver: *headshake* Debbie ain't a combatant. *quieter* She ain't even up f'r raisin' 'er voice.

Optima: *surprised look as she stoops to pick Sora up* *confused* But she was living with her brother? *pause* Sora, why do you smell like blueberry beer?

Denver: *headshake* Debbie w's livin' wit' Uncle Mason. *blinks at the question for Sora.

Sora: Tasted good. *nod*

Optima: *brows UP* When did you drink blueberry beer?

Sora: Papa Iron had, went to help Papa Chrome. *nodnod* Made a funny sound.

Optima: o.o Is that why Papa Legacy has a headache?

Sora: Mmmyup.

Optima: *deep sigh as she frees one hand and pinches her nose*

Sora: Then Aunty came and helped Uncle. *nodnod*

Optima: *knows the proper response* After she helped fix Aunty Nessa. Yes. *sigh*

Mike: *comes scooting across the foyer at this point* Miss Prime?

Sora: *looks to Mike with a small wave. Knows he's coming for his goodnight kiss from Aunty*

Optima: *brows lift, and she smiles at Denver before turning to go to one knee so that she can kiss the freshly scrubbed and still damp cheek that's offered to her* Have a good night, Mike. Please don't throw dolls at Sheldon. Ultra Magnus will come and talk to him about reading under the covers.

Mike: *chuckles* Aww. Okay. *grins at Sora, wondering if she wants to say goodnight too*

Sora: *will reach for cuddles*

Mike: *hugs the little girl, and then kisses her little sunbrowned cheek* G'night, Sora. Love you.

Sora: *cuddles* *quiet little string of Swahili*

Mike: *listens carefully and gets about half of that. Halting reply*

Sora: *more cuddles*

Mike: *snuggle love. Then lets her go and gently pats the head of her new doll, who is bigger than the old one and made of soft and sturdy thin cotton rope* G'night Sora's dolly. *not sure who the doll is being today, so just uses the usual dolly identity*

Sora: *will scoot back to Aunty now*

Optima: *hugs the little one and rises to her feet as she watches Mike slide on his socks across the floor. Hears him greet someone small as he vanishes into the hall and knows it has to be one of the little Deepdweller children* *turns back to Denver* Forgive me. You say your cousin Debbie is a retiring person?

Denver: *headshake* She ain't a fahghter 'r anehth'n' lahk th't. *quieter* She ain't even up t' talkin'. *expression hardens*

Optima: *sudden concern* Not even up to talking?

little bitty kid: *comes tippy toeing out, staying under cover as much as possible, then hunkers down once the nearer of the two chairs is reached and peeks out to watch*

Denver: *quietly* Th'... coward she w's livin' wit... 'E 'urt her, badleh. Th'n 'un day, s'meth'n' 'appened, 'n she ain't said a word since.

Optima: *hand to her mouth, eyes wide with sympathy*

little bitty kid: *watching that little black haired kid there. Watching... waaaaatching*

Denver: 'Er dad's been good t' 'er. Takes 'er outsahd evereh day 'n sits wit' 'er under 'er tree. Takes care'a 'er.

Sora: *bitty growl. Can smell someone else here*

Optima: *tentative smile* Her tree? *attention on Sora as she hears the growl* What's wrong, sweetie?

Denver: *nod* 'E 'n 'er Ma planted a tree f'r each 'a th'r kids. Dallas' 's an apple tree, 'is brotha's w's a pahn. Debbie's 's a flowerin' tree.

Sora: *looking around to see if she can spot the other person she smells*

Optima: *as she glances around to see what's alarmed Sora* Oh. I like that. Do you know what kind of tree it is? *sets Sora down as the little girl wriggles*

little kid: *hiding UNDER the chair after hearing that growl!*

Sora: *gonna go find you, other person!*

Denver: *as she watches Sora go* S'me kahnd 'f Wisteria, Ah th'nk.

Optima: *also watching Sora* Wisteria is pretty. I like the white and purple flowers.

little kid: *whimpers at realization of being found. Curls up and shivers*

Sora: *blink blink, head-tilty. Why you sneaking?*

little kid: *hiding!*

Sora: *quiet string of Swahili*

little kid: *little wordless sounds, and then dares to peek with golden eyes that show no white, like an animal's*

Optima: *softly, as she spots the little blonde toddler* Oh. How did they get under there?

Denver: *blink blink* Dunno.

Sora: *offers cuddles. Didn't mean to scare you. Just doesn't like peeps sneaking around*

little kid: *sees friendly talk! Crawls out and offers tiny, stubby hands, asking to be picked up by the (slightly!) bigger child*

Sora: *will try and pick you up for cuddles now!*

Optima: *watching, unaware of the little smile that's finding its way onto her tired face*

Denver: *small smile as she watches*

little kid: *lays little head still damp from bath time on Sora's shoulder and clings with tiny but tenacious strength. Soft little sound of happiness*

Sora: *happy sounds. Will carry you someplace where there are more snuggles happening, new friend!*

Optima: *soft chuckle as she watches the little yellow haired baby get lugged off down the hall. Turns shining, but amused eyes to Denver* I don't think we'll be able to let that one leave now.

Denver: *soft chuckle* Nope.

Optima: *startles slightly and takes her phone out of the pocket of her robe as it rings. Holds it to her ear* Hello? Oh. Director Fury, may I help you?

Fury: //Irons is being a stupid*beep* and won't answer his phone. Send someone out to Wynona Hills Academy to pick up MacKenzie's cousin. They'll court martial him for attacking people with his powers if you don't.// *is loud enough to be heard by anyone near Optima*

Denver: Wh't?!

Optima: Attacking people with his powers? *looks at Denver, her brows lifting*

Fury: //Yeah, bashed them around with some sort of wind based thing.//

Denver: 'E w'ldn't... 'E tested negative.

Fury: *heard that* //Yeah, well, so did his cousin. Who is this?//

Optima: That's Dallas MacKenzie's cousin Denver. She's staying at the school right now.

Denver: Gimme a way t' git t' Beau.

Optima: We'll take care of it, Director Fury. *pauses. Then, calmly* And if you stopped shouting at Ira about things that aren't any of your business he'd answer your calls more often. *hangs up and puts phone in pocket* Let me get something on, Denver.

Denver: *nod* *quietly* Beau tested negative. Whah w'ld 'e be show'n abilitehs?

Optima: *as she turns to run toward the teacher's hall and the staircase there* Director Fury said that Dallas also tested... *pauses and looks back at Denver* You know this other man?

Denver: *snerk* Beau ain't a man yet. 'E's jes' a kid, tahny bit youngah th'n BJ.

Optima: *eyes widen* He's in Cadets, then?

Denver: *nod*

Optima: You can't court martial a cadet.

Denver: 'E's still in s'me sort'a trouble. 'N Ah intend t' git 'im outta th're 'n fahnd out wh't 'appened.

Optima: *nods, and then looks at the door as someone thumps on it twice* Ira wouldn't knock.

Denver: *wary now as she moves to answer the door*

visitor: *huge, chocolate coloured, hairless, and looking like a bipedal sphynx cat in very badly fitting clothes* *perks massive ears and chirps at her, then shows the back of a hand and a tattoo there that says, "Fang"*

Optima: o.o

Denver: *blink. Blink* Er... 'Lo.

Optima: *comes back slowly and looks at the tattoo, then up at the creature* Your name is Fang?

Fang: Mrrp. *nods, his green eyes flicking between the two women* *opens hand and turns it palm upward*

Optima: *sees a mark there* You work for Misty... Mistfire?

Fang: *nod nod* *ear perk. Where is she?*

Denver: Er... Ah th'nk she's in th' kitchen. Saw 'er 'eaded th't way wit' Scattershot earliah.

Optima: *phone out, dial code touched*

Scattershot: *answering* //Kitchen, this is Lance.//

Optima: Do I want to know why you're answering Misty's phone?

Lance: //...Misty, I think our phones got switched around again.//

Misty: //What? I toldja gettin' matchin' ones was *bleeped*.//

Optima: o.O .>.<.

Denver: *snerk*

Fang: *looking curious as he looks at Optima's phone*

Misty: //Mistfire here. Sup?//

Optima: *slowly* Do you know a man named Fang?

Misty: *gleeful shout* //Fang's out? Yah!//

Optima: *holds phone away from ear, then puts it cautiously back* We're by the front door.

Fang: *looks happy*

Lance: *coming out of the kitchen a few minutes later with Misty*

Misty: *stops short as she comes out of the hall, her hand going up in front of Lance to stop him* That ain't Fang.

Fang: *nods and chatters, then makes a funny warbling sound*

Misty: ... Okay. He sounds like Fang. Stay here, Gorgeous.

Fang: *eyes show his surprise at what Misty just called that person*

Lance: *small nod, watching the cat-looking guy warily*

Fang: *looks down at Misty as she comes over, and then shows her his tattoos and several scars*

Misty: ... *scowls up at him* So you were *beeeeep* Mrrpt-Nyahh all along.

Fang: o.o;?

Misty: Yeah, I know about 'em, ya *bleeper*. *turns to walk off* I ain't lookin' atcha. You work for the boss now.

Fang: *ears droop, but he looks at Denver and makes an asking chirp. Who's the boss?*

Denver: *headshake, points to Optima*

Fang: *looks to Optima, ears up. Chirp*

Optima: *nonplussed* Can't you speak a human language? *slight, embarrassed blush* I'm afraid those are the only ones I understand.

Fang: *headshake, ears down*

Optima: *thinks, then makes a phone call and talks softly. Disconnects and looks up* Wait here. *vanishes with a flash and a slight swish*

Fang: *ears up* !

Denver: She'll be back shortleh.

Optima: *back as Denver finishes speaking, blushing and wearing dove grey cords and a buckskin jacket. Has her robe over her arm and something in her hand* Note to self. Dress before shopping.

Fang: *startled sound*

Denver: Wh't? *looks. Blink* Er...

Optima: *goes over and neatly folds the robe on the nearer chair, then comes back and offers Fang what looks like a medallion on a chain* I wasn't sure what style you'd prefer. The shopkeepers suggested "bling".

Fang: *ears back. Necklaces are a no-go for him. They're too easy for the other guy in a fight to grab*

Optima: *sighs at his reaction* Just take it, flip the switch on the back, and talk to me. *air of quiet and kindly command in her words*

Fang: *grumbles, but complies* So what's this thing supposed ta do?

Optima: *smiles at him*

Fang: *one ear up*

Optima: I'll get you a different style later, alright?

Fang: *boggles*

Optima: *quietly* Are you alright with that?

Fang: Holy *bleep*.

Optima: *sigh* I'll call someone to find you a room.

Fang: *hesitantly* Why can't I stay with you?

Optima: Denver and I have to go somewhere right now.

Fang: C'n watch yer back...

Optima: *realizes she's run into another man as determined as her husband* Alright. But please don't start any fights.

Denver: 'N mahnd yer P's 'n Q's.

Fang: *confused* P's and Q's?

Optima: *softly, to Denver* He may not know the difference between cursing and non-cursing. Misty doesn't.

Denver: *blink* *surprised at this*

Optima: *quietly* Let's just go. *holds out a hand to the woman and the other to Fang, the fringe on her new jacket waving gently with her movements*

Fang: *eyes wide, reaches for the fringe*

Denver: *soft snerk, reaches for Optima's hand*

Optima: *has interacted with Lumen* My arm, Fang, not the fringe.

Fang: *blink. Reluctantly reaches for the Boss' arm*

Optima: Hold on, and don't yell, scream, or say anything. *fixes him with a stern look*

Fang: *ears down* Got it, Boss.

Optima: *uses the hand of the arm he's holding to press the button on her watch*


Wynona Hills Academy


guards: *startled yelling as a group of people suddenly appear on the front drive*

Denver: *gasps*

Fang: *Yowwwwllll!*

Optima: *sharp look of displeasure for Fang!*

Fang: .>.<. *did not enjoy that!*

Optima: *quietly, but with disappointment* Is that how you follow orders?

Fang: *cringe*

Optima: *removes her arm from his hand, then gives him a gentle blow to the chest with her fist before turning to the guards* *hopes that the message that she asked Fury to send while she was in the Nexus was sent* We're from the Pax School. We've come for Beauregard MacKenzie.

Fang: *oofs and chatters softly, feeling reassured*

guards: *look at one another, then one is hurrying to call to confirm the woman's story*

Optima: *checks on Denver*

Denver: *lips pressed thin as she stares down the other guard*

Optima: *gently shakes Denver*

Denver: *slight start, gives the other woman a questioning look*

Optima: *gently* Could I have my hand back now?

Denver: *blinks, lets go*

Optima: Thank you. *looks at the guard on the phone* *absently* Don't loom so much, Fang.

Fang: *quietly* Sorry, Boss.

Optima: *stops herself from patpatting, knowing from her experience with the Dinobots that the action would only confuse him badly*

guard: Why isn't that thing on a leash?

Optima: :/ He's not an animal.

guard: Ah, oh. Ummmm...

Denver: *resumes staring the guard down as the other returns*

guard: They're bringing him and his belongings.

Optima: Thank you. *doesn't realize that she's doing a bit of a loom herself. Is feeling protective of Fang now*

Fang: *watching you, guards. No funny business now!*

Denver: *ditto that*

guards: *uneasy now*

Optima: *looks up as fine moisture starts to come from the sky. Pointed look at the guard not being stare downed*

Denver: *looks up, dismay coming to her face as she realizes it's beginning to drizzle*

guards: *scrambling to get the door open now*

Optima: Fang, keep Denver dry.

Fang: *shirt off and being held over the black-haired woman's head now*

Denver: *small nod of gratitude*

Optima: *now focused on the door*

another guard: *escorting a coltish-looking blond boy*

boy: *carrying a duffle bag and a box with "MacKenzie, B.A." on the front* *looks to be about the same age as BJ, though a bit softer in facial features*

Optima: Beau?

boy: *looks to the woman speaking* Yes'm?

Optima: I'm the headmistress of the Pax school for gifted students. You'll be coming to live at the school now.

Beau: *surprised expression is a go, but then he's nodding, firming his chin, and moving to approach*

Optima: *gently* And we'd better get back there before your sister gets wet despite Fang's shirt.

Beau: *blinks* Denver's 'eah? *will hurry over*

Denver: Ah'm alraght, Beau. *arms around younger brother's shoulders as he tries to both hug her and hang onto his belongings*

Fang: *cussing about only having a t-shirt, misses his leather jacket and thinks it'd work better to keep Denver dry*

Optima: Alright, Fang, hold onto them. *moves to put her beaded moccasin boot on the closer of the big man's feet*

Fang: *moves to do so, doing his best to keep the shirt over Denver so she doesn't get wet*

Optima: *presses the button*

((Written with random_xtras))

Continued here