DTC, Nexus and the Tavern, Family and Second Chances

[dens-extra-pups.livejournal.com]

Ironhide: Snarl, y'u lil' goober, git back 'eah! *running after baby with baby dress in hand as the little streaker heads for the door to the bathing room*

Snarl: *Issastreakin'!!!*

Old Mira: *Also giving chase, since Snarl was on her lap when he shucked his dress... again....*

Ironhide: *scoots through the door, and then pulls up short as she realizes that she is NOT in the bathing room* Wh't th' frozen slag...

Snarl: *Freezes in place, unhappy cheeps, beeline for Mama!*

Old Mira: *nearly runs into Ironhide* Ack!

Ironhide: *scoops her baby up protectively, all her senses on the alert. Without turning* Door closed behahnd us, didn' it?

Old Mira: ... *Turns to look, fearing the worst*

Snarl: *issahidin'!*

Old Mira: ... *low, drawn-out Dwarven curse*

Ironhide: Ah hate portals. *growling softly as smoke comes from her nostrils. Sticks nudie baby into her shirt to keep him safe. Then stuffs dress in as an afterthought as she scans their surroundings again*

Old Mira: So how do we get back? I don't have an amulet... *Squeaks when she sees what looks like a brightly painted construct approaching*

Ironhide: *looks up at the big being* Ah got mine... 'n if this's the place Ratchet tol' us about he'll be after us as soon as he knows we went.

hsvRatchet: ... *Raised brow ridge* I take it you mean an alternate of myself?

Old Mira: .... o_o

Ironhide: ... *eyebrow*

hsvRatchet: *Scanning the pair, plus the little reptilian hiding in the taller female's tunic* *Will compare coordinates* *Soft snort as he frowns* Well, you're not from any reality I'm familiar with....

Ironhide: ... *eyebrow*

hsvRatchet: *moving to get a spare PINpoint out of his storage compartment* I can help you and your companions return home.

Ironhide: Y'know, Ah thought our Ratchet was a tidge homely, but now Ah see Ah gotta rethink that.

Old Mira: ... *And now she's rolling on the ground and howling with laughter*

hsvRatchet: *Snort* I can do my job just as well as the next medic without needing to be concerned with my appearance, thank you very much.

Ironhide: *nods* Crabby as the next SOB.

hsvRatchet: *Smirk* Except I'm not a bachelor.

Ironhide: *eyebrow again* Y'u ain't?

hsvRatchet: Happily married, with a young son. *Smug*

Ironhide: Ah don' believe y'u. *gently pats the bulge in her tunic*

hsvRatchet: *gets a picture frame out of storage and offers it*

Old Mira: *Trying to get her footing and catch her breath*

Ironhide: *up on her toes, strong bare feet flexing effortlessly as she peers at the image*

image: *Shows hsvRatchet cuddling a white femme, while what can only be the son he mentioned clings to both parents and hams for the camera*

Ironhide: *surprised at sight of a baby construct person, but all she says is* Got 'is mama's looks, thankfully.

hsvRatchet: Thrrrpt....

Ironhide: *laughs, then sticks out a hand* Ah'm Ahrnhahd.

hsvRatchet: *careful as he reaches to shake Ironhide's hand* My designation is Ratchet.

Ironhide: Ah kahnda picked th't up, yeah. *incredibly strong grip*

hsvRatchet: *soft chuckle*

Ironhide: So 'f yu're Ratchet, y'all know a Chromia?

hsvRatchet: I do... Two, actually...

Ironhide: *doesn't even blink at that* Gals?

hsvRatchet: *Nods* And both happily married

Ironhide: Really? T' who?

hsvRatchet: To your counterparts...

Ironhide: *facepalm* Gross...

Old Mira: *making gagging faces behind Ironhide now*

hsvRatchet: ... I take it in your reality she's family?

Ironhide: Mah babeh sistah. *presses lips together*

hsvRatchet: *Raised brow ridge* Would it be less strange to know that they weren't related before they were married?

Ironhide: *shrugs* Ah've 'eard'a a 'Hahd th't wasn' related t' no 'Mias bef're. Still makes me feel lahk woofin' mah gutfull'a zombies.

Old Mira: ... Ewwwww. 'Hide, that's gross. *says the woman who can down almost as much booze in one go as Old Lumen*

Snarl: Thrrrpt. *Snuggamama*

hsvRatchet: ... *Raised brow ridge*

Ironhide: Wh't? *points to his tires* Y'all transform, raght?

hsvRatchet: Yes.... but I fail to see how that relates to undead.

Ironhide: *gently fishes Snarl and his dress out of her tunic, pauses to stare when she realizes that one is inside the other and that Snarl wasn't nomming his clothes again*

Snarl: *Cheep! Cling to Mamahand!*

Ironhide: *gives him a kiss* Y'u wanna go see Aunty Mira f'r a bit, babeh?

hsvRatchet: *Attention sharpening*

Snarl: *Wibblebibble, will cheep quietly until Old Mira tucks him into her tunic*

Ironhide: *steps away from her family, though still positioned to be able to protect them. And then she blurs and stretches and grows... And fans her wings as she leans her massive head down to look Ratchet eye to eye*

hsvRatchet: *Boggling just a bit*

Ironhide: *voice now a deeper alto, due to greater chest capacity* Ah do too.

hsvRatchet: *Scans*

Ironhide: *big. Warm blooded. Obviously predatory...* *also smirking at him*

hsvRatchet: *just a bit confused now*

Ironhide: Gotta prolum?

Old Mira: *Snicker* I think you broke whatever the equivalent of a brain is for him....

hsvRatchet: I... don't understand....

Ironhide: Understand wh't? *very amused as she dwindles back down to her human form* *then looks up and lets a little smoke come from her nose*

Snarl: *Cheep cheep cheep!!! Wiggles and reaches for Mama!*

Ironhide: *reaches for her bitty and croons to him* Yeah, yu're mama's big boy, anchu, Snarl?

Snarl: *SnuggaMama!*

Old Mira: *To hsvRatchet* 'Hide's a Dragonsoul.

Ironhide: *still focused on her son* Though not th' local kahnd. *pauses to eye this little creepy dragony thing that stopped to look at Snarl. Licks her lips*

creepy thing: *bolts!*

hsvRatchet: ... *looks to see what just bolted*

Ironhide: W's jes' a lil' dark dragon. *smiles at her baby* But anehhow. Th't's wah ma gut's fulla zombies.

hsvRatchet: I see.... *still a bit wierded out by that, but oh well*

Ironhide: *thoughtful* 'Ey, Mira, wh'n we git back y'u wanna split on a tureen 'a Sunstorm?

hsvRatchet: ... Sunstorm? As in the Seeker who thinks he's the mouth of the great Creator?

Ironhide: Ahrs w's a dragon. But yeah. Crazier'n a bungee spriggin.

Old Mira: *Smirk* And pretty darn tasty with the right amount of seasoning...

hsvRatchet: o.O;;

Snarl: Nom!

Ironhide: Yeah. Nom. Y'u are such a big boy! *cuddle* Y'u 'elp Raoul take care'a Skahfahr t'day? Huh?

Snarl: *happy cheep!*

hsvRatchet: .... Skyfire?

Ironhide: *looks up, her face bright with smiles* Mah youngest.

hsvRatchet: I take it he's not as independant as Snarl?

Snarl: *Cheep?*

Ironhide: 'E usually spends 'is days 'n th' basket with ma lil' 'uman niece. *looks at Mira* Y'u got th't picture buddy th're drew?

Old Mira: Lemme check... *Will check her pockets and withdraw a piece of parchment that gets offered to Ironhide*

Ironhide: Ah kinda got both mah hands full, Mira.

Old Mira: Alright... *Will offer the parchment to hsvRatchet, who handles it very carefully*

parchment: *shows a large basket from the top view. Inside are two swaddled infants. One is a little human with a shock of dark hair sticking out from under her bonnet. The other, curled around her with innocent protectiveness, is a light coloured dragonet*

hsvRatchet: *Recognizes features in the little human infant* *soft chuckle*

Ironhide: Rose 'n Skahfahr'r inseparable durin' th' day. *grin*

hsvRatchet: *Small nod, will keep his observation about Rose to himself*

Ironhide: Yur Tracks quit bein' emo yet?

hsvRatchet: He complains about his growing 'hoodlum' collection now that Denver's brother, and Mikaela's new boyfriend are living with Raoul... But I haven't seen him so calm in quite some time...

Ironhide: *lifts her brows* 'N Flashpoint?

hsvRatchet: She's currently working in a sibling reality with her husband, doing exactly what she does best.

Ironhide: *frowns* So she ain't with Tracks.

hsvRatchet: In my reality of origin, no... She's married to Air Raid...

Ironhide: ...'N who's that?

hsvRatchet: One of the soldiers... He's also one of the Aerialbots.

Ironhide: *shrugs and tickles Snarl's belly* Never heard of 'em.

Snarl: *Cheep! Squirrrrrrrrrm*

hsvRatchet: *soft snort, will move to carefully roll the parchment back up, pausing when he notices a quickly-sketched image on the other side* *Brow ridge raises as he realizes one of the people in the image is the lizard baby that's currently getting tickled* More of your family?

Ironhide: Hmmm? *looks up* Lessee.

hsvRatchet: *Will offer the parchment* Though I don't know who the stout man is...

Old Mira: *looking* Oh, someone drew a picture of Old Lumen...

Ironhide: *grins at the image of the sturdy dwarf* That's mah 'usband, Ol' Lumen.

hsvRatchet: ... *soft snort*

Ironhide: *lifts a brow at him, looking like she's thinking of getting peeved* Wh't?

hsvRatchet: I know a Lumen... And he's nothing but trouble.

hsvLumen: *pauses on his way to the bar* Only on days that end with 'Y'! *Cackle*

hsvRatchet: *facepalm*

Ironhide: *watches the blue bot* ...'N that's a Young Lu. Kin tell bah lookin'. *makes it sound like a 'Young Lu' is a separate and distinct breed*

hsvRatchet: *Giving hsvLumen a Look till the soldier scoots off to the bar* If not for the fact that neither of his parents are even remotely as much trouble as he is, I'd blame them...

Old Mira: ... You don't know Lu very well, do you?

Ironhide: *snerking, and then turning her head quizzically a full moment before the door reappears and disgorges an irate Dwarven Berserker in full riot gear, and a bearded human man in a brown robe with a massive ax on his back* *snerk* Hey, Lu. Guess who this is.

Old Lumen: *was just going to put his armor away and cuddle Sludge when Ratchet corralled him to go hunting for Ironhide, Mira, and Snarl* If it's not anyone I know... *Grump grump grump*

hsvRatchet: *Wondering to himself whether this Ironhide has precognitive abilities as well as her shapeshifting*

Ratchet: *nods to the tall yellow being* Brother. Thanks for keeping an eye on my sister in laws.

hsvRatchet: ... *small nod* I take it you and I are counterparts then?

Old Lumen: ... *raised brow* I'd heard that Flashpoint's got a construct counterpart...

Ratchet: Yes. I'm Ratchet. This woman is my Sworn sister, and also sister to my wife. And that woman is Sworn Sister to my wife and Ironhide here. Old Lumen is chopped liver.

Ironhide: Nah, 'e just likes eatin' it. *arm around husband's shoulders*

Old Lumen: Says the guy whose wife is capable of breaking a jade pipe with one hand... *chuckle and leans against wife*

hsvRatchet: *nod* *slight flinch* And it appears we're not the only visitors here today...

Snarl: *Cheep cheep cheeps at the tiny green construct that's poking the yellow guy in between his parts*

Old Mira: ...I didn't know constructs could have spirits...

Old Lumen: *raised brow as he watches another 'spirit' peek from around hsvRatchet*

Ironhide: *watching the little ones* These 'uns're alahve, Mira. People jes' lahk us. The Starsinger knows 'em.

hsvRatchet: *raised brow ridge* You can see them?

Ironhide: *chuckles* Dwarves kin see in th' pitch black. 'N Ah kin see 'em, 'n sense 'em too. *lifts her head slightly* 'N smell 'em...

Old Lumen: *nod* If Showtime, Bluestreak, Iste or Young Lumen were here, they'd probably be able to see the little ones as well...

Ratchet: *leans down and peers over Old Mira's head, trying to see if it will work the same as looking between a dog's ears*

Old Mira: *Will elbow you in the gut if you get too close, Ratchet*

Ratchet: *grunts and backs off, then sighs* I'm a demon hunter, but I can't see you. Well met, though.

Mira: *wide-opticed* -You know 'nother Mama?-

Ironhide: ...'Nother Mama? Whacha mean, darlin'?

Mira: *gonna scoot over to you, Ironhide. Will also point at Old Mira* -Primus 'n his Creator say she's 'nother 'me... 'n my Mama 'n Aunt-Mama're both Showtimes...-

Oppy: *quietly scoots over to see if he can touch the squishy-looking Ratchet*

Ratchet: *looks alertly toward that feeling of something there, but he still can't see the visitors*

Ironhide: *softly* Kin y'u hear 'em, Mira?

Old Mira: I wish... I can just see them...

Ironhide: She sez 'er mama's a Showtime. *brow quirk for sister*

Old Mira: *small nod, has a hunch why she's getting a brow quirk* So is my mother.

Oppy: *gentle patpat of Ratchet's leg, has an idea, will go get the shell big Oppy made for him*

Old Lumen: *is quietly snickering*

Ironhide: The lil' gal's y'u. *still brow quirking*

Mira: *attention on her counterpart* -Is her Papa a Sunstreaker?-

Old Mira: ... Only if her dad's a Sunstreaker as well...

Ironhide: *to both, as she smirks* Yup.

Old Mira: ...

Old Lumen: *laughs and gets a Look from his Sworn Sister*

Mira: -Cool!- :D

Ironhide: *amused as all get out* Ratchet, he left, y'u kin quit lookin'. Mira... when were y'u fixin' on tellin' anybody? 'N is that whah yu're always wearin' that tree oil? T' hahd yer scent?

Old Mira: *To Ironhide* Would you claim those yahoos as Sworn Parents?

Ironhide: ... *looks up and to the side as she thinks this over*

Oppy: *back, is wearing his tasting shell!*

Ratchet: At least they'll finally be out of the cold.

Old Lumen: Yeah... They'll just have to figure out how to make a good roof over both boots...

Mira: *gone to get her tasting shell!*

Oppy: *makes his shell wave*

Ironhide: *distracted from the waving botlet and her own waving son* ...Boots?

Old Lumen: Yeah... Ratchet got a pair of fur-lined Giant boots...

Ratchet: Not boots from a giant. Giant boots. It looks like someone hit them with some kind of expandy ray gun. *amused* They're fur lined, and they have thick soles.

Ironhide: ...o.0

Old Lumen: Pain in the keister to get 'em back... but they'll be warm, and easier to live in than the hut Sunny and Show have now.

Ironhide: *suddenly doubled over laughing as she holds Snarl close*

hsvRatchet: *Small frown, soft clicks* Their house isn't very warm?

Ratchet: Sunstreaker left things too close to winter, the daub and wattle walls are solid, but he's never been able to get a decent door or roof put on it, and he insisted on adding a window. And now the rats are trying to move in. Add to that the fact that Showtime's carrying four babies... *shakes his head*

hsvRatchet: *more frown*

Old Lumen: They were sleeping in the grain room of the barn beforehand...

Ratchet: They've been sneaking in there again, too. Once the village men finish the inner frames for the boots, and we find something light to put over the tops to keep the snow out they won't have to worry anymore.

Ironhide: *snorts and straightens, then holds Snarl so he can see Oppy*

Snarl: *Cheep cheep cheep!*

Oppy: *Shy little smile, more wave*

Old Lumen: *Frowns at brother-in-law* I didn't know they were sneaking back into the grain room....

Old Mira: *Frooown*

Ratchet: Ironhide knew.

Mira: *Back with her shell, squeaks as she trips*

Ironhide: *trained reflexes kick in, and the little one is caught before she hits the ground*

Oppy: *gonna fuss over sissy now!*

Mira: *Clickstorm*

Old Lumen: How long do you think the frames will take, Ratchet?

Old Mira: *going to fuss over the little constructs now*

hsvRatchet: *putting in a call to someone in the Nexus*

Ratchet: Not long.

Old Lumen: *small nod* Then we'll need to worry about helping them find a good roof...

hsvRatchet: Actually, I can help you with that... *nods toward a group of about four humans that are approaching* Just make sure Showtime's family is taken care of.

Ironhide: *looks up from playing with babies, no surprise in her expression* Sworn Sistah?

hsvRatchet: *small headshake*

Mira: Mama's still gotta sad from when I left...

Ratchet: *quietly* You don't need to have claimed someone to take care of them, Ironhide.

Ironhide: *wrinkles her nose* Ah know th't.

hsvRatchet: The Showtime of my reality is a friend...

Ironhide: *then blinks and shivers as she feels a rush of energy building up inside her* *quietly but urgently as she straightens up* Mira, take th' babeh.

Old Mira: *blink blink, reaches for Snarl, who continues to cheep at Oppy and the little Mira*

Mira: *headtilt, clicks*

Oppy: *Worried clicks*

Ironhide: *hugs herself* Wh't...

Ratchet: *turns his head from talking to Old Lumen and the other Ratchet* Ironhide?? *steps toward her*

Ironhide: Stay back! Alla y'u... *small licks of flame escape her mouth as she speaks*

Old Mira: *Scoots back several steps, eyes wide*

Old Lumen: *Worried* 'Hide?

hsvRatchet: *scans the woman in question*

Oppy: 0_0 *Gonna try getting Mira-sissy out of the way*

Ironhide: *lets out a yell as an arc of power shoots from her chest and hits the shells of both little freesparks. Then drops to her knees and hands and pants for breath* Wh't the frozen slag...?

Oppy: *Squeal!*

Mira: *Squeaaaal*

hsvRatchet: *moving to see what happened*

Old Lumen: *hurrying to help his wife*

Ironhide: *looks up* Lu... the babehs... *blinking with exhaustion*

Oppy: *clinging to Mira and shivering*

hsvRatchet: *Scans the sparklets* ... *Scans them again* ... They're both online....

Snarl: *reaching for Mama, cheepcheepcheepcheep!!!*

Old Lumen: *Will move to help Ironhide sit so she can lean against him* Something's happened...

Ironhide: *reaches blindly toward her son's crying* Ah... Ah th'nk Ah jes'... paid 't forwahrd.

Old Mira: *brings Snarl over, making soothing sounds as the frightened lizardbaby cheeps unhappily*

Old Lumen: *soothingly* Everything's going to be okay...

Mira: *Setting up to fuss just a bit, is scared, and doesn't understand what happened or why part of her's starting to hurt*

hsvRatchet: *Soothing sounds, scoops both sparklets up and gives cuddles and cookies*

Ironhide: *cuddling her baby and looking toward those two others with concern in her eyes*

Oppy: *Wide optics, kind of remembers feeling like this, but it's not a very clear memory*

Mira: *hiding against Oppy and clicking quietly once she finishes her cookie*

Ironhide: *softly and wearily* 'Ow 're th'y?

hsvRatchet: They're a bit spooked... but other than that, there's nothing wrong with them...

Denpup: ... Um... Tarp? *has the tarp, and three helpers, one of whom looks almost identical to her, except for the fact that said helper is male. The other two are tall men, both sporting waist-length, silver hair*

Ironhide: *head up and gives those silver-haired men a wary look. And a soft growl*

Ratchet: Easy, Ironhide.

Denpup: They won't try anything. There's an Anti-Violence Field, and they both answer to me.

Silver-haired guy #1: *scowls at Denpup*

Silver-haired guy #2: *Ignoring Denpup, and everyone else. Or at least, he's trying to*

Dennis: *reassuringly* Sephy and Sephiroth know better than to try anything Den and I don't approve of... If only because Leon, Aeris, and Squall can kick their butts.

Ratchet: *quietly apologetic* She's probably operating on instinct right now, and she's pretty protective.

Dennis: *Small nod, will move to help his counterpart and the two Sephiroths fold the plastic-bag blanket insulated tarp*

Old Lumen: O.o;; *Quietly* What... The... Slag....?

Ratchet: *has a look at that strange thick blanket, and then nods* I think this will work.

Denpup: Docbot said you needed something for a roof, and that you needed it really quick... This'll keep the rain and snow out, and the meltwater, too.

Old Mira: ... Wow. Denthe and Den Fallbretheren have a resourceful Name Sister...

Denpup: *blinkblink* Huh? *Distracted*

Ratchet: *slight grin* Your name's Den, right?

Denpup: *Nod* Yeah... Why?

Dennis: *curiously* Are Denthe and Den Fallbretheren alternates of this doof? *indicates Denpup and gets a kick in the shin for it*

Ratchet: Like Old Mira said, they're Name Sisters. Denthe is one of our local Necromancers, and Den Fallbretheren is our Bone Lord.

Denpup: ... I know what a Necromancer is... What's a Bone Lord?

Old Mira: Name Sisters, and nearly identical in appearance, except Den Fallbretheren's got all kinds of rune tattoos, and Denthe's hair's longer...

Ratchet: They use bones to make armor instead of animating whole corpses. *checks on Ironhide and Old Lumen again*

Ironhide: *struggling to stay awake. Still giving the Sephs the stink eye*

Sephy: *Stinkeyes right back*

Sephiroth: *Flatly* Can we go?

Old Lumen: *gently rubbing Ironhide's back*

Denpup: Yeah, just be careful heading back.

Sephiroth: *Small nod, drags his counterpart away*

Ironhide: *soft growl and a wisp of smoke, but then looks at her husband and blinks*

Denpup: *to Ironhide* I trust them not to harm customers. And before you ask, yes, I know about their darkness.

Dennis: *Quietly* Hard not to, ya crazy fangirl. *Winces as Denpup 'accidentally' stomps on his foot*

Ironhide: *quietly* Th'y stink worse'n Stoic's Undergoth.

Denpup: *seriously* Their darkness is what brought them to me. They can't go back to where they came from.

Ironhide: *suddenly looks toward the baby constructs* *quietly* Nether c'n th'y...

Denpup: *glances at Mira and Oppy* Yeah... They're usually with the ghost Showtime or the ghost Ratchet....

Ratchet: Isn't there anyone for them? *looks at his counterpart*

hsvRatchet: I'm not sure...

Ironhide: *and then her head snaps around and she's looking at that white and black guy with the chevron even before he solidifies*

Oppy: Uncle Ratchet!

tgRatchet: *grows up to the height that he wore when he died* *quietly* Oppy, Mira, do you want me to take you to the Black Dog?

Mira: *nodnod, reaches for tgRatchet*

Oppy: *Will go with Mira-sissy*

hsvRatchet: *Will gently hug Mira one more time before transferring the femmelet and her brother over to his white and black counterpart*

tgRatchet: *gives his yellow alternate a reassuring grin. Then nods to everyone else and carries the sparklets away*

Ironhide: *relaxes a bit* Kin we go 'ome?

Old Lumen: *looks to Ratchet* Would your amulet be able to bring us all home*

Snarl: *cheep cheep cheep, having a fit!*

Ratchet: *quietly* It doesn't need to. *nods toward the wall* I seem to be able to call this portal sometimes.

Ironhide: *gathering her feet under her, but she just has no oomph left* *softly to Snarl* Shhh. Shhh, bebeh.

Old Lumen: *helps his wife up with Old Mira's help* Let's get home then....

Snarl: *Wibblebibble*

Ratchet: *nods, and then looks back toward his yellow alternate*

hsvRatchet: *Will give Ratchet the piece of parchment* Stay safe.

Ratchet: *snerk* Not likely. But I wish the same to you.

hsvRatchet: With the nutcases I live and work with, not likely....

Denpup: Here... *Will offer Ratchet one of the business cards from the factory* If you ever need blankets, stop by.

Ratchet: Well try not to die too often. *looks at the card and then chuckles* Blankets are one thing we're never short of. But thank you. *will sell this card with the rest of his loot. Nods to everyone and follows his family through the door, dragging the roof tarp with him*

Ironhide: *blinking owlishly around at the inhabitants of the common room, then down at Flashpoint where she's sitting by the hearth* ...Gimme mah bebehs.

Flashpoint: *will get up and bring the basket that contains Skyfire over, has Rose currently getting a meal* Sludge's tucked 'n wit' Kriti 'n Raoul... *tips her head towards the chair*

Ironhide: *gently drops Snarl into the basket, and then blinks at the teens*

Raoul: *looking back alertly*

Snarl: *Snuggabubby*

Kriti: *snuggled close to her husband, is having a bit of a doze as she cuddles Sludge*

Ironhide: *can see that Sludge is happy, so she just nods and hugs the basket. And then moves out of the way as Ratchet carries the rolled roof out on his shoulders*

Raoul: o.0?

Flashpoint: *Raised brow* Wh're th' 'eck'd y'u git th't?

Old Lumen: *Quietly* We got it in that place between planes. *to Ironhide* Should we head for the loft?

Ironhide: *tired nod. Quietly* Kin Ah get a rahd?

Old Lumen: *nod, moves to gently lift her*

Ironhide: *holds her little sons close and sighs with relief as she lets herself relax into his arms. Knows this would be less uncomfortable if she'd given him time to get the armor off, but frankly, she's not sure she's going to make it to the loft before she falls asleep*

Old Lumen: *Will carry her out to the barn and work out how to get her up to the loft*

Wheeljill: *guilty look through the door of a stall. Wasn't snogging any husband in there and you can't prove it!*

WakeJumper: *Yes you were, his grin is the proof*

Old Lumen: *brief nod to Wheeljill, is more concerned with getting Ironhide up to the loft and to the nest area*

Wheeljill: *notices him looking up and frowns* Lu? What's up?

Old Lumen: *Quietly* It looks like Blackout gave Ironhide more than just a second chance... *Will recount the incident in the Nexus*

Wheeljill: *boggles, but then comes out of the stall* Here, let me help you get her upstairs. *gently takes the basket full of babies*

WakeJumper: *coming to help as well*

Old Lumen: *Quietly* Thanks, 'Jill, Wake...

Wheeljill: *shrug* That's what family's for.

Snarl: *Sleepy cheep, snuggles Skyfire and curls up*

Old Lumen: Let's get 'Hide up to the loft... the sooner she's comfortable, the better...

WakeJumper: Here.. *Will help Old Lumen get Ironhide up to the loft*

Chromia: *Soft, confused sound from where she's laying* *moves to sit up* 'Hahd? Lu?

Ironhide: *looks for her babies with one hand. Manages to pat WakeJumper on the chest instead of finding them*

Old Lumen: *Soothingly* Easy, 'Hide... *To Chromia* We'll be right over...

WakeJumper: 'Jill? C'mon... Just watch out for the beam....

Ironhide: *murmurs and snuggles. Since WakeJumper hasn't passed her back to Old Lumen yet, this could be amusing*

WakeJumper: *Blushing a bit as he ducks to avoid the beam on his way over to where Chromia is laying*

Wheeljill: *as she comes up* Since when have I ever hit that beam? Hey, who hung the pom pom spider from it? Niiiice.

Old Lumen: It was probably Thrrpt... *moving with WakeJumper, will get his armor off once Ironhide's tucked in*

Wheeljill: Yeah. She loves bugs. Hey, you know she's making another clockwork zombie? *following as her own bug peeks out of the back of the collar of her borrowed cloak*

Old Lumen: Really? Out of anyone we know?

WakeJumper: *Gets Ironhide tucked in next to Chromia, and covered with blankets*

Ironhide: *snuggles sister, looking for babies again*

Wheeljill: That dog that the miller accidentally ran over yesterday.

Old Lumen: *Winces as he remembers, but then he's nodding* At least Denthe didn't get there first...

Wheeljill: Denthe did. She grabbed it so nobody else ran over it and nobody decided to make soup.

Old Lumen: ... I bet it was tempting to keep it for herself.... But then again, she's been working off that huge XP debt....

Wheeljill: ...I haven't heard of too many undead dogs. Flaming ones. Intangible life sucking ones. Chrome ones. Ones with glow in the dark slobber. But not undead.

Old Lumen: ...Huh... *Will move to get his armor off so he can tuck the babies in with Ironhide and Chromia*

Skyfire: *lifts head and blinks sleepily* Cheep? *peers in his nearsighted baby way at Wheeljill, who grins at him*

Snarl: *snuggabubby*

Old Lumen: *Gentle clicks, puts his shucked armor in a pile in the corner and moves to grab the basket*

Skyfire: *DADDY! Daddy's HOME! Listen to him make happy noise and look at his head wobble!*

Wheeljill: *cracking up as she passes the basket* Doesn't Flash need that back for Rose?

Old Lumen: *chuckles and gently scritches Skyfire's head* You can take it back once I get Skyfire and Snarl tucked in...

Wheeljill: Okay. *looks at husband* *I am so totally not going to corner you somewhere else after that and kiss you. Nope*

WakeJumper: *I so don't believe you* We'll have to figure out how to get Kriti, Sludge, and Raoul up here later... *chuckle*

Wheeljill: Oh they'll come when they're ready. The girls have never had trouble getting Raoul up here before. *chuckles and side glances at husband*

WakeJumper: *nod, will move for the ladder. You'll have to catch me first, 'Jill*

Wheeljill: *grins and tucks the empty basket under her arm as she goes after husband!*

Old Lumen: Just don't go ticking Grimlock off again.

Wheeljill: *stop short. BLUSH! Flee*

Old Lumen: *snerk, tucks babies in with wife and sister in law, before getting situated under the cloaks and skins as well*

Ironhide: *murmurs and turns back to sister so she can cuddle Old Lumen and babies. Then settles down and sleeps like a log. A warm one*

Chromia: *conks out again, will dream of fighting battles, even as she turns towards the part of the nest that Ratchet usually sleeps in*

Snarl: *making happy sleep sounds*

Old Lumen: *kisses Ironhide's forehead*

Skyfire: *soft croon as he too conks out again* *loves you, Mama and Daddy and Aunty and Bubby*

Old Lumen: *Will stay awake till Thrrpt, Raoul, and Kriti bring Sludge up to the loft, then tuck his family in all safely and join them in slumber*

((Co-written with random_xtras))