Nexus. The Black Dog, Sandstone Cut. Changes

[dens-extra-pups.livejournal.com]

Chromia: *gently tapes a note to Ironhide's forehead where the old black mech lays sleeping in his bed of sand, then kisses him softly on the cheek and glances over at the blanket nest that is Lumen before turning and creeping out of the cave*

Nexus: *as always, an interesting place*

Chromia: *slipping from cover to cover and studying the strange new world she finds herself in. Finds herself culture shocked by the multitude of life here after so many years of hiding underground on war torn Cybertron*

blonde human: *runs past* YEEE!

blond human: *chases his friend, has armed himself with an industrial-strength super soaker*

Chromia: What the... *catches the guy with the gun and holds him up to frown at him*

Dennis: Ack! Hey!

Chromia: Just what do you think you're doing?

Dennis: Playing. Den got me with a bucket of water earlier.

Chromia: *blinks* ...Playing? *looks like she's trying to digest an alien concept*

Den: *laughing her butt off just over there now* Dennis got owned by a Chromia!

Dennis: *ignores Den* You know... Doing things for the heck of it?

Chromia: *looks toward the other organic and narrows her optics as she wonders how it knows her name* *then goes wide-eyed as she spots the furry beast who sneaks up behind it*

LionLumen: Boost Okay! *runs!*

Den: LUMEN!!! GET YOUR FURRY BEHIND BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!!! *CHASE*

Dennis: ...I almost feel sorry for the guy.

Chromia: *looks down at him* ...That's not playing?

Dennis: Den hates it when people sneak up on her. It triggers a fight-or-flight response.

Chromia: *sets Dennis down and starts after the pair, her face set with concern*

Dennis: Don't worry. The AVF'll keep Lu from getting too pounded.

LionLumen: *in the distance* I FOUND THE BELLS! I can die fulfilled...

Dennis: ... There are days that I swear he's more blond than I am.

Chromia: *glances down at him, well and truly confused*

Dennis: Lumen's a dork who thinks it's funny to shove people by their butts, and he and Den pester and tease one another constantly. He's seen how uneasy Den gets when she can't get her back to a wall or solid object....

Chromia: *deep frown* Sounds like I need to help her catch him.

Dennis: Naw. She'll get even with him when he comes back to the factory... *chuckle* She's pretty good at placing water balloons...

Chromia: Alright... *looks after the two* ...Bells?

Dennis: *more chuckle* Den and I like to jingle wherever we go. *pulls his key chain out of his back pocket and jingles it*

Chromia: *quirks a brow ridge, waiting for more clarification*

Dennis: We like shiny things, and things that make noise when they move. Keys, keychains, bell-sandals, hip scarves with metal medallions... if it's shiny and makes noise when it moves, chances are, it's gonna be liked.

Chromia: ...The bells he found were on her butt?

Dennis: *snerk* No... They're on her feet... She jumped, and he saw where they were.

Chromia: *gets it now* Oh. *last glance in that direction* How'd she know my name?

Dennis: There're other versions of you that frequent the Nexus.

Chromia: Ah. *frown* They'd be better off staying and helping their sisters while they still have the chance.

Dennis: ...Not all realities are like the one you're from, just FYI....

Chromia: *quietly, as she turns away* I got that. They still have Chromia in them. *starts to walk away toward the bright bar sign*

Dennis: *shrugs and goes to film Lumen-related chaos*

Chromia: *head lowered as she walks along the trail. She doesn't notice the beautiful, well planned garden in the field beside her path*

puppy Lumen: *play-fighting with his dad. Both mechs are in alt-mode* *yip yip bark bark bark!*

Chromia: *stops to watch the two of them*

mWakeJumper: *bounce bounce, play growl, feint, headbutts Lumen, and then acks as the sparklet charges, transforms, and tackleglomps him*

mLumen: Gotcha! :D

Chromia: *slight grin. She's reminded somehow of the boy at home by these two bots*

mWakeJumper: *laughing now, and moving to transform in the strange way that bots of his tech do. Will cuddle mLumen and get cuddles in return*

Chromia: *watches them, but then stiffens slightly as she sees a very tall, dark-skinned organic walking up behind them*

D'Coda: WakeJumper, will you bring something to the little Showtime for me? *voice slow, sweet, and deep alto*

mWakeJumper: *nods* Sure thing, D'Coda... She should be stopping by to talk to Rhinox later today.

D'Coda: I haven't seen her lately. Is she going away from us?

mWakeJumper: I think she's still getting used to her new shell...

D'Coda: *surprise shows in those deep entish eyes* Hrrrmhoom. Her new shell?

mWakeJumper: *nods, chuckling* She got tired of being too little to properly cuddle people.

D'Coda: *slow smile* Hoom. Has she someone to cuddle now, then?

mWakeJumper: *nods* A Mirage... And from the looks of things, one who never had to deal with war.

D'Coda: *wonderingly* Do such places exist?

mWakeJumper: It's likely... This is a multiversal hub, after all...

D'Coda: *softly now* Hrmmm hoom. Yes. I guess I must not talk to enough people, hey? I only remember the stories of war, and all the wars I have seen.

mWakeJumper: *reaches to patpat D'Coda's hand* Hey, at least you're alive to remember 'em....

D'Coda: *slow smile that is sweet with memory and sadness* Yes, but there were not always only two entfolk, WakeJumper.

mWakeJumper: Ah.... *slight wince*

D'Coda: *gentle touch for his shoulder* I can hear my apple trees calling me. *offers the neat leaf packet of seeds* Thank you, my friend.

mWakeJumper: See you later, D'Coda. *carefully storing the packet*

D'Coda: *smiles and gives a sweet green apple to Lumen, and then nods to the watching Cybertronian woman before turning and walking back along the lovely gravel and chamomile path toward the heart of her garden. Is singing softly as she goes*

mLumen: *thanks D'Coda before beginning to nom the goodie*

Chromia: *optics slightly dark as she thinks about what she just overheard. Is pondering how it would feel to be the very last of your people, and feeling thankful that she isn't in that boat*

mWakeJumper: *stretches and moves to head into the Black Dog, acks when a blue femme suddenly appears* Sheesh, Showtime! A little warning would'a been great!

tShowtime: *sheepish* Sorry, sorry....

Chromia: *looks at that little femmebot and gasps softly as she takes in the delicately sculpted, translucent beauty of her shell*

mWakeJumper: *rolls his optics a bit and heads inside with tShowtime following hesitantly in his footsteps*

mLumen: *is that happy laugh that comes from inside moments later*

Chromia: *mind thousands of light years away as she absently follows the trio of bots into the building. Doesn't even notice that massive femme with the feathered critter on one shoulder who is sitting on the bench by the door*

fDinobot: *slight headtilt as he studies Chromia with one optic, and then the other*

Locket: *quirks a brow plate as she watches the distracted femme wander into the Black Dog*

Chromia: *not really aware of her surroundings*

sgShowtime: *approaching* Table or bar?

Tarop-tim: *cuddling mLumen and clicking happily*

Chromia: *startles and blinks at the femme who just spoke to her* Ah...

sgShowtime: *smile* Do you need more time to decide?

Chromia: *slight heating of her cheeks* What was the question?

sgShowtime: *no mockery in her expression or optics* Do you want to sit at a table, or at the bar?

Chromia: *looks around* I... don't know.

sgShowtime: Alright... *will move to see if any of the tables she's waitressing need anything*

Chromia: *frowns as she continues to look around. The urge to come that she felt so strongly this morning has faded now, and she's not really sure why she's here*

hsvChromia: *is that black-colored shape that's sitting at a nearby table and laughing about something one of her companions just said*

hsvShowtime: *giving her mate a Look that would probably work better if she wasn't grinning as well. Has a silvery sparklet on her lap that's currently cuddling a big teddy bear*

hsvSunstreaker: *has a blue sparklet riding on his back, has a smug grin because his joke went over so well*

Chromia: *soft ack as a big, dark coloured bot comes in and pushes her aside*

hsvChromia: *looks over, and then she's acking as the yellow sparklet she was holding decides he wants to see the pale blue lady* Hot Shot!

Chromia: *head snaps toward the call, and then she spots the little yellow bot and moves quickly to hunker down and try to catch him as she's reminded of the tiny back at the cave*

Hot Shot: *happy babbles* Hi! :D *snuggle*

hsvSunstreaker: *getting up and coming over* Sorry about that... Hot Shot, you know you're supposed to stay with Aunt Chromia....

Hot Shot: *thrrrpts at Daddy*

Chromia: *looks up, and then straightens slowly* Chromia?

hsvSunstreaker: *nods towards the black-colored femme, before he does a double take as he realizes who he's talking to*

hsvShowtime: *snickerfit*

Chromia: *looking toward the black femme, her optics showing surprise and hesitation* Really...

hsvSunstreaker: *nods* Yeah... The one from Show's and my reality.... *wonders to himself if he should try ganking his son back or not*

Chromia: *slight frown as she cuddles the little yellow guy close. Wonders if she should go and greet that femme who might be another version of herself. Her stance doesn't show the usual Chromia bull-headed confidence, and some of her scars are still very apparent*

hsvSunstreaker: C'mon over... We've got room at the table... and if Hot Shot's gonna be a goober, I'd rather he be within arm's reach...

Sideburn: Goober! *clickstorms at brother and gets clickstormed at in return*

Chromia: *hesitates still* I should give him back. *looks down at the little one*

hsvSunstreaker: *getting that slight pout that usually works to get people off his case, but also works for getting what he wants. Sometimes*

Chromia: *looks up in time to see that pout and blinks again, her optics going slightly white with surprise* Sunstreaker?

hsvSunstreaker: *slight nod, is still pouting slightly while hsvShowtime rattles with suppressed laughter*

hsvChromia: C'mon ovah 'n sit f'r a spell...

Chromia: *glances at that other her, but her feet are already carrying her over there. Unconsciously holds little Hot Shot close as she goes*

Hot Shot: *happy sounds, snuggle snuggle*

hsvSunstreaker: *will pull a chair out for the blue Chromia*

Chromia: *settles onto the chair numbly, her whole attitude showing her uncertainty* *quietly* Thank you.

hsvSunstreaker: *carefully pushing the chair in, saw those scars the blue Chromia has*

hsvChromia: *studying the pale blue femme, will offer some of her plate of poutine* 'Eah, 'on... Y'u look lahk y'u need th's moah th'n Ah do...

Chromia: *blinks at the plate of strange brown stuff, and then looks quizzically to the other femme* What is it?

hsvChromia: *as Hot Shot reaches for one of the fibrous strips* Energon poutine.

Chromia: *energon she understands, and she's got a suspicion this is some of that stuff you chew* ...I have a lot of gaps in my dentae.

hsvChromia: Th'n use a strip t' eat th' sauce... 'S jes 's good th't way.

Chromia: *bows her head for a moment, then does as told, her optics brightening with surprise at the flavour of the fuel*

Hot Shot: *is content just to nibble on the strip he ganked* *oh, and purr happily*

silvery sparklet on the blue femme's lap: *clicks a quiet greeting to Chromia*

Chromia: *looks over at the little silver guy* Hello. *tentative smile*

silvery sparklet: *small little smile that might look familiar* *snuggles against his mama*

Chromia: *puzzled frown as she sees that little smile* What's your name?

silvery sparklet: 'M X-Brawn.

Chromia: *leans back with slight disappointment at the unfamiliar name* Hello, X-Brawn. Is this your brother?

X-Brawn: *nods* Yup. So's Sideburn... *happy sound as Mama scritches an itchy spot on his back*

Chromia: *looks around the table as she slowly eats more, seeming merely to pick at the food* Is Sideburn here?

X-Brawn: *nod nod, points to the blue sparklet that just scrambled around to sit on Sunstreaker's lap*

Chromia: *startles* Oh, there you are. *needs a moment to recover from that shock now*

Hot Shot: *snuggle, purr.... splatsleep*

Chromia: *startles again, her optics going slightly white. Then shuts them off and circulates deeply, gripping the sleeping sparklet like a lifeline* *mutter* I shouldn't have come...

hsvChromia: *gently* 'Re y'u okay? D' y'u need a medic?

Chromia: *shakes her head, but then to her chagrin feels tears start down her cheeks*

hsvShowtime: *hesitantly reaches to gently rub Chromia's shoulder, clicking softly all the while*

Chromia: *startles, and then she's crying in earnest. Tries to give Hot Shot back so that she can get up and get away from where all the bots are*

Hot Shot: *fusses at the movement, which woke him up from the splatsleep*

hsvChromia: *softly* Wh're's y'ur Ahrnhahd? *is worried*

Chromia: *twists her face up as she realizes she can't offload the sparklet* *quietly* He was never mine.

hsvChromia: *optics flash with surprise*

Chromia: *bows head over the sparklet in her arms* My fault. So slagging... stupid! *shoulders hunch as she flashes back to the day the Ironhide of her reality had proposed and she had refused him*

hsvChromia: *moving to get up so she can give comfort to this alternate of hers* *will move to gently lead Chromia over to the washroom*

Hot Shot: *clinging with all his might. Aunty is sad and needs hugs!*

Chromia: *once away from the crowd she breaks down completely and sobs and statics bitterly*

hsvChromia: *soothing clicks and gentle back rubbing*

Chromia: *shakes and hiccups, gripping Hot Shot as though the little guy were a lifeline. Flinches as she remembers the day she'd felt that Ironhide die and realized what it was. Nearly wails as the old desolation echoes through her empty spark*

hsvChromia: *will pull her smaller alternate close and hum quietly while shutting her own optics off so she won't start crying as well* *could never imagine life without Ironhide*

Hot Shot: *loves upon both Aunties*

Chromia: *finally quiets, mostly because of sheer exhaustion. But her grip on Hot Shot is still strong*

hsvChromia: *has been gently backrubbing the entire time*

Hot Shot: *snuggle, love, purr*

Chromia: *small static sound and staggers slightly*

hsvChromia: *gently* Easeh... Ah've got y'u...

Chromia: *quiet and shaky* I have to get back. I have to make sure he's still there. *sounds nearly beside herself with worry and exhaustion*

hsvChromia: *small nod* C'mon... Le's getcha a PINpoint so y'u c'n git back t' 'im sooner... *will move to help keep her alternate steady*

Chromia: *dazedly, as her knees threaten to give out* I... have one.

hsvChromia: Alrahght... *gently, to Hot Shot* C'mon, kiddo... Y'ur Mama 'n Papa'll be worrehed 'f y'u don' come back....

Hot Shot: *sulk*

Chromia: I... have to... *knees quit and she goes limp*

hsvChromia: *moves to carefully pick up both alternate and Hot Shot*

Hot Shot: *fuss!*

Chromia: *still murmuring brokenly about getting back. Making sure he's alright*

hsvChromia: *will bring Hot Shot back to his parents and stubbornly insist on trying to find where Chromia's staying on her own*

Chromia: *reaches for the bitty as he's taken, but then brings out her PINpoint and fumbles with it. Optics are flickering and hands are shaking as the rest of her body trembles with exhaustion induced fear*

hsvChromia: *soothing clicks, will help with the PINpoint* Easeh... Let's getcha back t' y'ur friend....

Chromia: *intakes rasping as she shuts her optics off and tries to get ahold of herself* Sorry...

hsvChromia: *gently* Ain't noth'n t' be 'shamed'a.... *understands far too well what her alternate is going through. Too many loved ones had met their demise during the war, and it hurt when they passed... But to see this reaction so strongly... The other Chromia must have very recently lost her dear friend...* *will use the other's PINpoint to bring her to the caves*

Mira: *is that upset fussing nearby*

Ironhide: *startles when the two femmes arrive, which just upsets Mira even more*

hsvChromia: *surprised expression is a go, quickly scans this Ironhide for coordinates before she nods and moves to gently set Chromia down next to the black-colored mech*

Chromia: 'Hide... *armor rattles softly with her trembling*

Ironhide: *reaches to pull Chromia close as the black-colored femme vanishes in a swish and flash* *quiet rumbles*

Mira: *fussing quiets down as she realizes that both of her bigs are here now*

Chromia: *hides her face against Ironhide's chest, her arms going around little Mira as she circulates deeply. Shaking calms as she relaxes*

Ironhide: *silently thanking whoever is listening that Chromia was brought back safely* *more quiet rumbles, and a gentle helm nuzzle*

Mira: *decides that she wants noms now that she's got her bigs*

Chromia: *hears the little squeaks and tries to respond, but her hands still don't want to listen to her* Ugh... sorry, little one...

Ironhide: *gentle clicks as he moves to carefully poke a piece of cinna cookie at Mira's mouth*

Mira: *slight fumble, nom nom nom*

Chromia: *deep intakes as she nuzzles Mira's helm. Then looks up* ...She's gone?

Ironhide: *small nod* She left very quickly.... *nudges the blanket bundle that is Lumen with his foot and get a groggy clickstorm in response*

Chromia: *quietly, as she looks toward the clicking* That was me.

Ironhide: ... *quietly, as he nods* She looked familiar....

Chromia: *repeats herself softly* That was me. *looks up* Was that what she looked like?

Ironhide: *quietly, a sad light in his optics* Not nearly as sizable, nor as dark... But her face was the same....

Chromia: *hiccups and hides her face on Mira, then looks toward the entrance as sensors made sharp through years of running pick up a sound*

Ironhide: *tenses and looks towards the sound*

Chromia: *tries to wriggle free with the idea of checking things out*

Ironhide: *scanning, and trying to get Chromia to hold Mira so he can go to meet the potential threat*

Chromia: *frightened* 'Hide, wait...

Mira: *wibbles and begins to fuss since her bigs are all tense and scared*

Ironhide: *with quiet firmness* Stay here with Mira and Lumen.

Chromia: *soft gasp, and then bows her head over the sparklet as she kneels in the sand. Is too run down and shaken to react as she normally would* Be careful.

Ironhide: *moving almost silently as he approaches the entrance, weapons charged and at the ready*

Sunstreaker: *scoping the entrance disbelievingly. This can't be a Transformer base...* *then stiffens as he senses the bot that's approaching from the inside* Oh. Slag.

Showtime: *quickly reminding Sunstreaker that he HAS to present himself as non-threatening* *is holding a box of supplies that's just big enough to prevent her from getting a good look at things*

Sunstreaker: *promptly throws himself facedown on the ground and puts his arms and hands in full sight* *is right in his mate's path*

Showtime: *startled yelp as she trips*

Ironhide: *all but charges out of the cave.... and then stops short as he sees the couple on the ground*

Sunstreaker: *FLINCH! And then a frantic clickstorm. I'm peaceful, I'm peaceful, notice me and not the femme!*

Ironhide: *taking a step backwards and cycling air rapidly as his armor rattles. He knows he saw these two die.... What the Pit is going on here?!*

Sunstreaker: *okay, there's no growling, and no shooting...* Sorry, sorry, sorry... *peek*

Ironhide: *optics nearly white with distress as he tries to work this out*

Showtime: *moving to carefully sit up*

Sunstreaker: *clicking stops short as he sees the expression on this Ironhide's face* ...'Hide?

Ironhide: *knees just gave out... skidplate, meet ground* *clang* *Sunny, you broke Ironhide*

Sunstreaker: *darts over there without thinking, his thoughts snapping to the condition of the Ironhides at home* Whoa... Easy. Just... circulate deeply, okay, 'Hide? It's alright. It's okay.

Ironhide: *flinches and tries to move away* *quietly, his voice rough* [No... I saw you die....]

Sunstreaker: *blinks, and then hunkers down and shakes his head slowly* [No... old man. You didn't see me die. You saw the Sunny from your reality die.]

Ironhide: *cycling air and shaking. Just had a very good scare... and is a bit stuck*

Sunstreaker: *turns his head* Showtime, gimme one of those bottles of that fancy low grade that we packed for him.

Showtime: *digs through the box and lobs one of the bottles*

Sunstreaker: *catches it, and then opens the top and presses it into Ironhide's hand, clicking reassuringly as though to one of his sons instead of to a version of the one mech that can still scare the oil out of him*

Ironhide: *takes a few moments to register the bottle in his hand. Looks a bit confused now, but still has far-too-bright optics*

Sunstreaker: *worried now. Ironhide has a drink in his hand and isn't drinking it* Um... Show?

Showtime: *slowly approaches, her hands out and palms up to show Ironhide that she's not a threat* *gently, to the old soldier* The energon's in a more portable container than cubes...

Ironhide: *still looks a bit spooked, but will slowly inspect the bottle and its contents before giving it a cautious taste-test* *surprised by the flavor, and a quiet, pleased rumble escapes him as he realizes it's low grade. Suspects Mira would like this as well*

Sunstreaker: *slight, hopeful smile* Better?

Ironhide: *still a bit wary of you, Sunstreaker, but will nod and work on finishing the bottle's contents*

Sunstreaker: *quietly* Chromia asked us to bring some stuff for you guys. *looks at that dark crack in the bank and frowns slightly* ...She didn't tell us you were living in a hole in the ground.

Ironhide: *feeling a little better now that he's had a bit of breakfast* It's defensible.

Sunstreaker: *has a hard time seeing that, but knows better than to argue with an Ironhide* How do you keep the dirt out of your wiring?

Ironhide: *just a bit stubbornly* The walls are sandstone....

Sunstreaker: My bad. How do you keep the sand out of your wiring?

Ironhide: *frowns, but has no retort*

Sunstreaker: *glances at his mate* -Um. Think I need to dodge?-

Showtime: *watching Ironhide's body language* -No... You might if he starts to get up though...-

Ironhide: It's defensible, and comfortable enough...

Sunstreaker: *startles at the old mech's voice and looks back to him* Okay. *and then catches or has the stray thought to wonder where this guy's been living if this place seems comfortable to him* *epic sadface*

Showtime: *doorwings droop as she tries not to wibble* -We can't just leave them here, Sunny....-

Sunstreaker: -But what can we do? We already have two Ironhides, and he looks pretty set on staying here...- *head snaps around as he hears something from behind Ironhide* 0_0 Is Mira here?

Ironhide: *tenses up*

Sunstreaker: *epic backscoot, taking Showtime with him!* Never mind. Sorry, sorry, sorry...

Ironhide: *doesn't quite understand the sudden surge of fright he felt at this Sunstreaker mentioning Mira*

Showtime: *soothingly, as she watches the black-colored mech* We aren't here to take her from you, Ironhide... *to Sunstreaker* -I think this Mira is an alternate of our daughter... And there may be another bot in the cave...-

Sunstreaker: Another Mira... who's still little and hasn't got a hundred stories of beating Lumen's head in told about her. *face softens*

Ironhide: .... *raised brow ridge* What are you talking about?

Sunstreaker: Uh. This other Mira we've heard about in the Nexus. She got old.

Ironhide: .... *frowns* *without glancing over his shoulder* Lumen, you're supposed to stay with Chromia.

Lumen: *sleepily, soooo not awake* You... Gotta refuel, Mentor....

Sunstreaker: *creak as his mouth falls open*

Showtime: *doorwings up with surprise as she sees the dark blue youngling*

Ironhide: *quiet rumble, pinches the bridge of his nose a bit* Go back to Chromia and Mira...

Lumen: Not till you refuel.... *leans on Mentor and conks out*

Sunstreaker: *has a soft chuckle surprised out of him*

Ironhide: *quiet grumping, but will move to reposition Lumen so the youngling is snuggled against his chest*

Sunstreaker: *quietly* There are other places, here in the Nexus. Garages and stuff...

Ironhide: *blank look. 'Garages' isn't in his vocabulary*

Mira: *YELLS in the cave. Wants Papa and Lumen-Bubby to come back for snuggles!*

Sunstreaker: Oh holy scrap, you better get back there quick. 0_0

Showtime: *doorwings up even more* She'll bust her vocalizer if you don't hurry! *fret fret fret*

Ironhide: *moving to get up and hurry back into the cave*

Chromia: *nearly runs into him as she weaves unsteadily toward the entrance with mad bitlet in arms* 'Hide... Oh!

Mira: *ceases fussing when she sees Ironhide and Lumen-Bubby!* *reaaach, clickstorm! Wants Mama to scoot closer to Daddy!*

Chromia: *has propped herself against the wall of the passage, is now trying to move away from the wall and continue her journey*

Sunstreaker: *peeeeeeeks in behind Ironhide. Trying to be VERY quiet*

Ironhide: *moving to try and gather all of his family up at once*

Showtime: *followed Sunstreaker with an armload of the fuels that were in the box*

Chromia: *stiffens slightly, but then relaxes* Sunstreaker, what... *clears static from vocalizer*

Mira: *blink blinks at the bright yellow person* *clickstorm*

Ironhide: *displeased rumble at being followed, but will continue to try and get all of his family gathered up*

Showtime: *gently* 'Mia asked us to bring you guys some fuel...

Chromia: We... have fuel. *thinks of the oil bar supply they'd been left with when the strangers had brought them here*

Showtime: How much? *is scanning the surroundings and sharing what she's found with Sunstreaker. The walls and floor are indeed sandstone and sand... and she can just barely hear a bit of grinding on Ironhide... The old soldier's got sand in his joints*

Sunstreaker: *worried face* Ironhide, c'mon. We know a spot that hasn't got any sand in it. And it's defensible!

Chromia: *can't remember the condition of their fuel dump, but is derailed from the question by Sunstreaker's words. Frowns at him*

Sunstreaker: *meep! Ready to do the quail chick defensive manoeuvre*

Mira: *hiccups. Squeaks about that, and hiccups some more*

Sunstreaker: *blinks at the sparklet, and then looks at Ironhide again* C'mon... for your family.

Ironhide: *slight scowl for Sunstreaker. Can't remember the guy he knew ever fighting that dirty*

Lumen: *sleepy clicks, snuggles against Chromia and Ironhide*

Chromia: *quietly, her tired processor looping back to the Black Dog* They had three little boys. Yellow, blue, and silver.

Showtime: *nods* *quieter* We have a daughter as well, but she lives in another part of the Nexus....

Sunstreaker: *tone echoing his mate's* Our Mira.

Ironhide: *very quiet rumble as he thinks about this*

Mira: *squeaks and hiccups at the rumble*

Sunstreaker: *still quiet* Look, 'Hide, you know what that sand's going to do to you. And what if Mira eats some and gets something else with it?

Chromia: *grip on sparklet gets more protective*

Ironhide: *looks positively terrified by the thought*

Showtime: There are other Cybertronians in the area, and it's right by a road....

Sunstreaker: *nodding. Remembers scoping out the neighborhood from down the Lost Highway before that race he'd entered* *then stops and looks down at Showtime* Hey, remember that set of old human buildings we saw? The ones that had somehow wound up sized for Cybertronians?

Showtime: *doorwings up, nods* Yeah... I did some research about the springworks building in our reality one time....

Sunstreaker: I think I remember you telling me about it... but I was too busy trying to stick Swiper's head in that boiling tar. *scratches head*

Ironhide: ... *raised brow ridge*

Showtime: *nods* Yeah, right before you two ganged up on Ultra Magnus....

Sunstreaker: *suddenly remembers how that ended... and clams up*

Showtime: *reaches to patpat mate's arm*

Chromia: Springworks?

Showtime: *nods* It looks like it was displaced from another reality... The original building was in Edmonton, Alberta, in Canada.... *will use her holoform emitter to show an image of the building, complete with sign*

Ironhide: *studies the image, making note of the windows, doors, and other features, wonders to himself just how secure the building would be*

Chromia: *looks at the hologram even as she shakes her head slightly* I've never heard of places by those names on Cybertron.

Showtime: They're places on Earth in several realities...

Ironhide: ... Earth?

Chromia: *blinking, and then bowing her head over Mira's tiny one as her shoulders shake in renewed grief*

Sunstreaker: Buh?

Ironhide: *ack, must soothe! Rumbles and holds Chromia close*

Showtime: *moves to gently rub Chromia's shoulder and click softly. Will also share with Sunstreaker what she's learned in the Nexus about how most Basic Tech Ironhides die*

Sunstreaker: *facepalm* The shuttle to Earth that never comes back. Right. But these buildings aren't on Earth. And the old fuel dump has a basement.

Ironhide: *small nod, is more focused on trying to be comforting for Chromia*

Chromia: *quiet whisper about it being her fault, but then straightens as Mira's upset squeaks pierce her tired haze*

Sunstreaker: *frowns* Show could stay with Mia and the kids while I show you the places.

Ironhide: *quiet as he considers this. Knows how upset Mira and Lumen were the last time they traveled by PINpoint, and knows how loud Mira can get when she's very upset*

Mira: *fussing again, since Mama's spark sounds unhappy*

Lumen: *groggy blinking, is kind of wanting to hide behind Chromia, since he's spotted the yellow mech and the blue femme... and he remembers them*

Chromia: *tries to lift her head, but then quietly conks out with a sigh*

Showtime: *sees her go limp* Eeek!

Ironhide: *quietly, as he moves to carefully reposition Chromia and Mira so he can hold them both, while Lumen scoots to hide behind him* You mentioned other Cybertronians....

Sunstreaker: Yeah, a guy named Lugnutz, and this other guy with a cat that we don't know. Oh, and that bunch that looks kinda like cats and lives with those... wrinkly guys with the big ears.

Showtime: *absently* The wrinkly people are called Mrrpt-Nyaah, Sunny. *to Ironhide* They're metalworkers, and they're friends with the Primus Servant that lives in another part of the Nexus.

Ironhide: ... Primus Servant?

Sunstreaker: Uh, yeah. The femme that's raising... raising our Mira.

Ironhide: .... *still has no idea what a Primus Servant is...*

Sunstreaker: ...Don't tell me you don't even know who Primus is.

Ironhide: *quietly* The being that allegedly created the whole of the Cybertronian race...

Sunstreaker: *frown* Allegedly?

Ironhide: The Prime, Optimus, and I spoke about the matter once... He said that Primus was a myth....

Sunstreaker: o.O Well he was talking through his aft.

Ironhide: ... *very slight scowl that has a bit of uncertainty mixed in*

Showtime: *just put a not-so-casual elbow in her mate's midsection*

Sunstreaker: Hurf! @_@

Showtime: Primus isn't a myth, Ironhide... Primus Servants help others become better acquainted with him.

Ironhide: *very soft rumble, small nod*

Sunstreaker: *giving his mate a reproachful look, but then turns back to Ironhide* Anyway. About that place... I bet it won't leak when it rains, either.

Showtime: -You know how loyal Ironhides tend to be. He wasn't sure about what the Optimus he knew said, but he was about ready to argue about what you said.- *moves to see what all needs to be packed up for the trip out to the Lost Highway*

Ironhide: *quietly* How large are the buildings? If they're too large, it would be easy for Mira to get lost in them....

Sunstreaker: *pouting a bit as he hunkers to help pick up supplies* I only went in the springworks. It's all one open space except for this little room to one side that was the office.

Showtime: The fuel dump has a main room, what looks like a kitchen area, a storage room, a basement, and then there's a big room up on the second level that looks like it might have been living space at one point...

Sunstreaker: *looks at her, and then looks at Ironhide*

Ironhide: *considering, before he's nodding* And how big is the office? *thinking about possibly knocking down walls to add more space for Mira to crawl around in*

Sunstreaker: Big enough for me to spin around in the desk chair without bashing anything.

Ironhide: ... *nod* *quietly, to Lumen* get the blankets....

Lumen: *small nod, scoots to get the blankets, Mira's alligator, and his turbofox plushie*

Sunstreaker: So the kids are coming too? *looks at Ironhide* Can your alt mode carry them?

Ironhide: *glances to Mira, sees she's conked out. Will try and carefully transfer her to the cubby where she sleeps most nights*

Lumen: *quietly* I can keep up with Mentor.

Sunstreaker: *shock* Mentor? Him?

Lumen: *hunkering down a bit* Yes.

Sunstreaker: Oh... *wibble*

Ironhide: *rumbling quietly as he realizes that Chromia's not giving Mira up so easily*

Chromia: *growls softly without waking*

Sunstreaker: *is suddenly five foot further away!*

Showtime: *soothing clicks* We'll PINpoint there...

Ironhide: *looks up* That would upset Mira....

Showtime: Oh... *frowny as she tries to think of a way to make this work*

Sunstreaker: *comes and puts his armload in the box* BRB. *PINpoints away. Is going to gank Major Lennox's new trailer that's made from the bed of an old pickup*

Showtime: *suggests pestering Ultra Magnus as well*

Ironhide: *slight start before he can help himself. Is still not used to people coming and going via PINpoint*

Sunstreaker: *back with a beautiful big flatbed trailer that's padded with a TF size mattress instead of the trailer he'd gone for. . Also has another care package* 'Mia's still packing things. There's even some energon ham steak in this one. ...Warmed up on our 'Hides.

Ironhide: ...Energon ham steak?

Sunstreaker: :D *reaches into the box and pulls out one of those huge green slabs of savoury scented goodness* Yup! Salty flavour.

Ironhide: *both brow ridges up as he catches the scent of the green stuff. Really wants some of that!*

Sunstreaker: Here, put 'Mia and Mira on the trailer and eat some of this while it's still warm. *dad mode, whut?*

Ironhide: *moves to carefully put both femmes on the mattress, making a surprised face at the squishy texture*

Lumen: *quick to scoot over there and join the femmes. Soon has the blanket nest situated*

Sunstreaker: *hands over the steak, and then pulls out a second one just as big and offers it to Lumen*

Lumen: *peeks from under one of the blankets, clicks hesitantly*

Ironhide: *taste-testing.... and then he's all but inhaling the steak*

Lumen: *blink blink blink.... reaches for the steak Sunstreaker's offering, though he still seems a bit wary of the yellow frontliner*

Sunstreaker: *quiet clicks as he helps the youngling get the treat* Careful... It's a little greasy.

Ironhide: *as Lumen begins to eat, he's moving to check the box for more steak*

Sunstreaker: *looks over and grins* Eat up. There's lots, and the kids worked hard to get it all warmed up. There's warm cinnabuns, too.

Ironhide: *dig dig dig, bumps the package of cinnabuns. Pause. Blink. Blink. Sniff sniff* *reaches for the package*

Sunstreaker: Nonono. Dessert last. *stops and realizes who he said that to, and cringes*

Ironhide: *blink* Dessert?

Sunstreaker: Er... The sweet stuff. That smell in the package.

Ironhide: Ah... hrrrm.....

Showtime: Cinnabuns can be breakfast, Sunny....

Sunstreaker: Oh, right. But 'Mia wrapped them so they'd stay warm longer than the steaks.

Showtime: So? *chuckle*

Ironhide: *will snag one more steak and eat it* *pleased rumbles*

Lumen: *quiet clicks for Sunstreaker. You have more nom?*

Sunstreaker: *checks to see how the little guy's doing with his gummi ham steak* Yeah, there's a lot. And it's all for you guys.

Lumen: *mostly finished with his steak. Will probably be full soon*

Sunstreaker: *gets a cinnabun out and shows the delicious delicacy to the youngling. Winds up with icing dripping onto his hands* You want this next?

Lumen: *can smell the cinna. Big optics are a go as he nods*

Ironhide: *moves to bring a steak over to Chromia, will gently shake her shoulder*

Chromia: *doesn't react at first, just holds Mira and sleeps hard*

Ironhide: *moves the gummy steak to where Chromia can smell it, quirking a slight grin as Mira squeaks in her sleep*

Chromia: *frowns and makes a soft sound that's a mixture of moan and sigh as that delicious smell causes her to dream as she tries to wake up and find it* Hrrrrm....

Ironhide: *will gently shake her shoulder again* *softly* There's fuel, 'Mia....

Chromia: *gets optics online* Wha...?

Ironhide: *will gently poke a bit of gummi ham at her mouth*

Chromia: *mouth works slowly, and then she gets the taste and is trying to chew it up without biting her tongue* What...?

Ironhide: Energon ham steak.... *no, he has no clue what 'ham' is, other than that it's pretty tasty*

Chromia: *shudders slightly at the flavor* S'good.... *tries to sit up without letting go of Mira. Wants more of that. But she's so rundown...*

Ironhide: *moves to help 'Mia sit up, will poke more gummi ham at her mouth*

Chromia: *leans against him and chews carefully, savouring that flavour* *then thinks of the sparklet in her arms and looks down at Mira*

Mira: *snuggled and starting to purr as she sleeps*

Chromia: *slight frown* I should give her some too.

Ironhide: *getting a drinking tube out of one of his storage compartments since he remembers the good low-grade he had earlier*

Chromia: *curious look even as one hand reaches for more of the good green chewy stuff*

Ironhide: I had some low grade earlier... I think she'll like the flavor... *quieter* The tubing will help her take in the fuel... She was having trouble with the cookie earlier, I noticed....

Chromia: *concerned look for the little bit of tech in her arms*

Ironhide: *slight start as Showtime comes over and helps him get situated, but gives the femme a polite nod of thanks. Will gently poke the end of the tubing at Mira's mouth, clicking softly when the little sparklet wakes up*

Mira: *recognizes the tubing... will try and blow it up!*

Sunstreaker: *hears that sound, looks over, and nearly drops Lumen's cinnabun for laughing*

Chromia: *shoulders shaking silently as she facepalms*

Ironhide: *amused rumble for the sparklet*

Mira: :3 *settles down to drink, and then she's squeaking as she tastes the good fuel*

Lumen: *leaning over the edge of the trailer, snagged the cinnabun before it could fall too far... but now his butt is sticking up as he happily noms*

Sunstreaker: *looks at the youngling. Remembers how Sunhalo used to treat the Lumen at home* Oh sheesh! *pulls blanket over little blue butt*

Ironhide: *raised brow ridge as he watches Sunstreaker, before turning his attention to Showtime when he hears her armor rattling*

Showtime: *too amused*

Lumen: *sleepy blink blink for Sunstreaker, has the cinnabun mostly finished, and looks ready for a nap*

Sunstreaker: *going to carefully reposition the little guy, making sure that the stuffed animals are near him since he's not sure which one is his, or if both are* It's okay. Just take it easy.

Lumen: *curls up under his blanket with his turbofox plushie*

Ironhide: *reaches for the alligator, will wrap Mira in it once she's done taking in fuel*

Mira: *nom nom nom, beeeg yawn, nom, snuggle*

Sunstreaker: *blinks* That is so... *looks at mate, wondering where you buy a stuffie like that green thing*

Showtime: *slight shrug, will search the Multinets*

Sunstreaker: *then looks at Ironhide* *quietly* Um... you're gonna have to pull the ambulance, big guy. Show and I are too low in the wheelbase. We can push it, but we can't pull it.

Ironhide: *small nod to show he heard you and understands what you're saying, Sunstreaker. Will wrap Mira up in her alligator and set her on Chromia's lap, since the sparklet's stopped drinking*

Mira: *full tank, warm, sleepy, happy*

Chromia: *could use more of that energon ham steak, but is tired and moves to lay down with Mira... and looks like she's going to fall over*

Sunstreaker: Ack!

Ironhide: *helps Chromia lay down, clicking softly*

Lumen: *snuggles against Chromia and sleeps*

Sunstreaker: *grinning silently at the cute*

Showtime: *sends Sunstreaker a link with the alligator on it* *moves to pack things up and stow them in subspace*

Sunstreaker: -Think the boys would like it?- *settles the box more firmly on the trailer by Chromia and the youngsters*

Showtime: -I think they would... Mira might like one too...-

Ironhide: *making sure Chromia is comfortable and that Lumen and Mira are wrapped up enough to be warm*

Sunstreaker: -I dunno. She's proly already got a favourite doll...-

Showtime: -Well, we won't know till we ask...-

Sunstreaker: -Yeah...- *looks at Ironhide* -Eesh. That's cute. Since when is anything to do with Ironhide cute?-

Showtime: -Carina's cute, when she's not biting people.... Nova's cute too...- *soft chuckle as she watches Ironhide fussing over his family*

Sunstreaker: -They're not 'Hide, though.- *goes to nose around the front of the trailer*

Showtime: *small nod, and then she's moving to offer to lead the way*



A bit later, along the Lost Highway


Sunstreaker: *as he lifts the old garage door* ...Forgot how good this place smells. *intakes deeply of the scent of the oil impregnated old building*

Ironhide: *soft, approving engine rumble, slowly pulls into the building once the door's open enough for him to do so*

Sunstreaker: *grins and moves to unhitch the trailer and push it around so that he can aim the back of it at the door that Ironhide went through* You want to make beds for them first?

Ironhide: *transforming the moment the trailer's unhitched, will nod and move to assist with the bed-making* *is soon opening the other two garage doors before moving to clear space on the floor in one of the corners. Pauses when he sees what looks like spare body parts* .....

Sunstreaker: *looks over at the sudden silence, had totally been slacking and not helping so that he didn't get scuffed* What? Ohhh. Nobody died. They were never alive.

Ironhide: ....You're certain of that?

Sunstreaker: Yeah. They're just cars, like the natives drive on Earth. Though Ratchet likes making pets out of 'em.

Ironhide: ... *disbelief is clear on his face*

Sunstreaker: *looks at his mate, and then has an inspiration* Look, see? No spark chamber anywhere, and no trace of energon.

Ironhide: *will scan, and then he's blinking a bit and nodding, though he still has a slight look of disbelief on his face*

Showtime: *soft chuckle* The Ratchet we know only started being interested in cars as a hobby recently.... One of the natives was talking about how much money they made at an auction selling a rare model....

Sunstreaker: *shakes head* He keeps complaining that they can't respond like the non sentient machines from Cybertron.

Showtime: *moves to inspect something on one of the walls, doorwings fluttering just slightly* -No, he just grouses that they can't be bred to get new ones.-

Ironhide: *headshake, attention back to clearing room for his family*

Sunstreaker: *blinks and looks at the picture on one wall, then hastily takes it down and looks around for a trash can* Dude... what were these guys thinking? That's just rude. *blushing about the 'Female Firefighters' calender*

Showtime: *moving to see if there are any more 'questionable' posters or calendars that need to be removed*

Sunstreaker: *finally just takes the calender, and that other picture there of swimsuit girl, out to the concrete in front of the shop and sets fire to them*

Showtime: *has only found car calendars and posters, databursts Sunstreaker an image of an older version of her alt mode*

Sunstreaker: *head snaps around and he wolf whistles. But then he's blushing again as he wonders if he was bad*

Ironhide: *looks over his shoulder at Sunstreaker, raised brow ridge*

Showtime: *doorwings up and fluttering rapidly, is trying hard not to laugh and wake anyone up*

Lumen: *still peacefully asleep, doesn't even twitch*

Mira: *if she heard the whistle, she isn't showing it. Is still snuggled against Mama and has managed to get her thumb in her mouth*

Chromia: *just absently smooths Mira's tiny back with her hand, and puts one arm around Lumen. Doesn't wake*

Ironhide: *satisfied that he's cleared enough space, will go over to the non-sentient, non-living machine and relocate it so as not to frighten anyone*

Sunstreaker: *shows Ironhide the car pictures* You want these?

Ironhide: *puzzled look at the car pictures, before he's shaking his head*

Sunstreaker: Okay. *absently dumps them in his storage for the humans back home*

Showtime: *just got an idea for something that may be more of interest... will hurry out and head to the Nexus Mall* -Datachips so they can teach Mira and Lumen....-

Sunstreaker: -Shouldn't you ask him first?- *watches mate go with the usual pangs of separation anxiety*

Showtime: -They don't have very much, Sunny.... And unless their Mira is just new, she should be trying to talk, if not already talking...-

Sunstreaker: *sudden dismay as he turns toward the burly mech who is gently off loading the trailer* Sheesh, you guys don't even have a mattress to sleep on.

Ironhide: *puzzled look for Sunstreaker* Mattress?

Sunstreaker: *pokes the one attached to Ratchet's ambulance trailer, his optics flashing slightly as he remembers that he didn't even know about these beautiful anti-scuff aids till he came to Earth* Yeah. Like this.

Ironhide: *slight shrug, attention back on not disturbing his family's sleep while he moves them*


Meanwhile, at the mall


hSunstreaker: *sees blue in the reflection of the toy store window he's perusing and looks over his shoulder* Oh hey. Showtime!

Showtime: *stops short* Bhuh? *blink blink*

hSunstreaker: *grins and turns away from the window to come over, 'Too Sexy for My Life' playing over his stereo* Where's my stupid alternate?

Showtime: *recognizes this alternate of her mate now* *small smile* Helping an Ironhide and his family relocate to the springworks building over by the Lost Highway.

hSunstreaker: *slight frown* What're they going out there for?

Showtime: Well, they were living in a sandstone cave before... And that Ironhide has a youngling and a sparklet with him as well as a Chromia of a different tech....

hSunstreaker: But that old place isn't fit to live in. Why don't they go for the one across from it? Or come live with us?

Showtime: ...You really want an Ironhide at your place? *has heard stories of the parties in the cellar there* Especially one with two kids? *raised brow ridge*

hSunstreaker: 0_0 Er. No. But still. There's a better place right there!

Showtime: He was worried about the sparklet crawling off someplace and getting lost. The springworks is one big room, so she'll be easier to keep track of once she's crawling and walking. Besides... I'm pretty sure this Ironhide's a tribal bot....

hSunstreaker: *blank look* ...Tribal bot, buh?

Showtime: *nods and explains what she's found through searching the Multinets*

hSunstreaker: Whoa... he was a 'Con. *snerk* And that tribal thing explains why Ironhides are so backward.

Showtime: Ironhides aren't backwards, Sunstreaker... They just have a different way of doing things....

hSunstreaker: *snerk* They're total hicks.

Showtime: *Look*

hSunstreaker: *just snerks more* Anyway. I have to get something for the resident rugrat. See you. *turns toward the toy store, but then stops with a frown and fishes out his credit card* Here... lemme transfer you something for those guys.

Showtime: I'm just getting datachips so the sparklet and youngling will have what they need, programming wise... Plus a few extra that they might find entertaining.... *quieter* They need all the help they can get...

hSunstreaker: They have any toys? Who're the kids? Anybody I'd know?

Showtime: I only saw a couple plushies in the cave.... *cycles air* *quietly* The youngling's a version of Lumen... And he really is a youngling... *even quieter* The sparklet's another Mira...

hSunstreaker: *optics wide* Lumen and Mira? But... I never even met Show till we got to Earth.

Showtime: *quietly* Different realities don't always flow the same way as the one you come from, Sunstreaker...

hSunstreaker: Whoa. *shakes head to clear it of thought* Gimme your card and I'll transfer some.

Showtime: *card out* *off-handedly* I know of an alternate of mine who's bonded to another version of Desinex....

hSunstreaker: *nearly drops his card, then gives her a look like she just said something too gross for words as he takes hers*

Showtime: His Desinex likes to cat-pounce him....

hSunstreaker: *groan* His? Great... now I need a processor wipe. Yuck.

Showtime: That's what you get for assuming things, Sunstreaker... *quietly smug grin that gets bigger as she hears a familiar chuckle*

hShowtime: Sorry, Sunny... But she's right...

hSunstreaker: I wasn't assuming anything. But the thought of a guy version of a gorgeous femme is tank churning. *offers Showtime back her card*

Showtime: *chuckle that matches her alternate's perfectly*

hShowtime: *thoughtfully* I just got done telling another alternate of ours that if the mech she's trying to court isn't getting the hint, she could always try sitting on him and feeding him cookies... Rhinox wasn't too amused that I suggested that.... 'Course, the poor girl looked so mortified at the idea...

hSunstreaker: *distracted from eww by happy gossip* Which you is that? Have I met her?

hShowtime: The sister of the tiny spitfire that usually sits on Rhinox's head.... She used to be tiny like that, but she's in an artist-made shell now.... Really delicate and pretty.

hSunstreaker: The one that got in fights with that little Desi that hung out with the furry Eclipse? *clearly surprised by what's happened since he got booted out of the Black Dog for jumping up on Nemesis' bar and singing his favourite song*

hShowtime: *nod* That Desi's their sister.... Anyways, the little me that's in the artist-made shell's apparently trying to get the Mirage that got her the shell to realize that part of why she wanted a shell upgrade was so she could cuddle with him easier....

hSunstreaker: Mirage? Good grief. I thought all yous had good taste!

Showtime: *shakes her head and moves to go get what she came here for* -Sunny, that derpy you really is a derp.-


Back at the springworks


Sunstreaker: *crouching up on a counter to avoid the big dog that's wagging its tail at him down on the floor* -What do you expect? He isn't nearly as brave and good looking as I am.- Down! I don't need dog slobber on my finish.

Neapolitan mastiff: Orrrooo! *wag wag wag! Will go to say hi the bigger guy then. Wag wag wag wag!*

Ironhide: *eying the organic warily, but curiously. Will hesitantly reach out to touch it with a finger*

mastiff: *slurp! Wag wagging gets faster! Ears back and head down as she grins*

Ironhide: *well, it certainly seems friendly....ish.... Now what?*

Showtime: -He didn't even realize that not all realities like his are exactly like his... So I told him about the guy version of me.- *dirty rotten chuckle*

Sunstreaker: Ewwwwwwww! It drooled on you! It's as bad as that thing of Miles'. *Showtime will get his feelings about dog slobber by way of reply*

Ironhide: *blink blink, slight shrug, doesn't see the problem*

Showtime: -...There's a dog there? What type?- *curious. Is fond of dogs, as long as they're not too little*

Sunstreaker: *shudders as he transmits an image of the beast to Showtime*

mastiff: *soft whine as she nuzzles a small blue hand that's come out of the blanket nest*

Showtime: -Awww! It's like Mason! Only Mason's a boy, and that one's a girl!-

Lumen: *freezes. Wary clicks as he peeks, then he's got wide optics as he sees the organic creature that's almost as big as he is* 0_0

Ironhide: *soothingly* It won't hurt you, Lumen...

Sunstreaker: -Only a lot bigger and wrinklier.- *ewww ewww blick* Yeah, it's how people on Earth say turbo fox.

Lumen: *clicks warily, isn't quite sure about this organic thing, especially since it's bigger than Mira*

Showtime: *amused* -I'll be back soon.... Found out that tiny alternate of mine's trying to court a Mirage...-

Sunstreaker: *quiet cackle fit. Thinks that's great*

Ironhide: *puzzled look for Sunstreaker*

Sunstreaker: -See you soon, Babe.- I'm talking to Show. *turns a frown toward the dog*

mastiff: *licks her lips, grins some more, and then turns and runs out of the springworks toward the building catercorner to it across the highway*

Ironhide: *surprised. Didn't hear any comm chatter....*

Lumen: *gives Ironhide and Sunstreaker a slightly spooked 'Now what?' look*

Sunstreaker: We're deep bonded. *frowns after the dog*

mastiff: *can soon be seen returning, and in her mouth is one of the reasons she was dumped by her masters back in the reality of her birth; a fat, black, half husky puppy*

Ironhide: Oh.... *attention going back to the dog, brow ridges raising* An organic sparklet?

Sunstreaker: *jaw drops* Puppies.

mastiff: *here she is! Goes to the bed and tries to give her baby to what she thinks is a child* *children like puppies, yes???*

Lumen: *blink blink blink* *quietly* It's little.... Little'r than Mira... *this is a fascinating thing... Will clickstorm at the puppy and move to get a better look*

mastiff: *gentle big paws up on his side as she lays the puppy on his chest. Then gives the little blind crawler an affectionate nose bump, and looks to see what the little one thinks. Is good? Is she good dog?*

puppy: *crawly crawly*

Lumen: *clickstorming, and hesitantly reaching to gently touch the puppy's head*

mastiff: *whiine! Turns and runs out again*

Sunstreaker: *frown* That might not be safe. There are races along here sometimes, and the racers can't always pick up organics.

Ironhide: *worried now*

Showtime: *just returning, stops to squee about the dog and offer it gentle pettings*

mastiff: *wag wag! Hi hi! Duck head and grin and wag*

Ironhide: *quiet rumbles, moves to make sure the dog is safe*

Showtime: *happy clicks as she gently scritches the mastiff's ears*

mastiff: *so much wag, but goes from what seems to be a lady back to the big man as he comes over. Yes? You needs dog?*

Ironhide: *quiet rumbles for the mastiff, will scan for the presence of other organics in the area like this one*

five little squeaky voices: *audible from over by the building across the way*

Ironhide: *moves to approach that building, clicking softly as he gets closer*

Showtime: *surprised, will follow Ironhide*

mastiff: *goes with the big big man, her excitement visible in every line of her body*

puppies: *cuddled together on a heap of old garbage bags and stuff. Three more black ones, a really fuzzy brindle, and one that's the same beautiful ghosty grey as their mama*

Showtime: Awww, more puppies!

Ironhide: *worried expression is a go. He's not sure he could safely lift the tiny organic beings*

mastiff: *grabs the brindle baby, and is ready to go. Can has puppies in the place with people, yes? Please, big man? You want dog? Is still pretty much a puppy herself*

Ironhide: *soft rumbles, moves to carefully pick up the mastiff*

Showtime: *blinkblinks a bit, and then she's activating her holoform, and using it to gently pick up the remaining puppies*

puppies: *wriggle and cry and bump her with their little blunt, wrinkled muzzles*

mastiff: *watches, her grip on the brindle baby sure*

holoShowtime: *soothing clicks, will bring them over to Ironhide and mama mastiff*

mastiff: *concerned about puppies, but is very reassured to see the lady who looks like the kind of people she's used to. Though she doesn't smell like those people*

Ironhide: *blink blinks a bit, glances to Showtime, quite confused*

Showtime: Holoform. It's styled after the main native sentient species on Earth...

Ironhide: ....Ah... *will move to bring the mastiff back to the springworks, with holoShowtime sticking close, and the femme herself following shortly thereafter*

mastiff: *puts her baby down in the big hand during the short trip, and then puts her head down wearily and sleeps. Feels safe now that there's a gruff voiced man like the one who was there when she was small. She lost that man somehow, but he never confused her or let her down like the other man after him did*

Ironhide: *scans the springworks for something like what the puppies were laying on, intends to make a comfortable nest for the mastiff and her puppies*

Sunstreaker: *comes out of the office, holding something wrapped in plastic* The Nexus is freaky. Look at this.

Showtime: Hm?

Sunstreaker: It's a brand new dog bed for a honking big dog.

Ironhide: *blink blink* Set it near where Chromia, Lumen, and Mira are.

Sunstreaker: It's made to fit in a corner, but... *rips the plastic off and wads it up, then moves to stick it all in his mouth without sharing*

Ironhide: *bluntly* Then find the nearest corner.

Sunstreaker: *rolls optics as he sets comfortably padded bed near where Chromia and the youngsters are laying, makes sure that the raised sides are properly plumped up*

Ironhide: *moves to gently set the mastiff and the brindle puppy in the bed, then moves so holoShowtime can set the rest of the puppies in the bed as well*

Lumen: *clickstorming at the puppy in his hands*

mastiff: *startled. Lifts head and looks around*

Ironhide: *quiet, gentle rumblings, will carefully touch the mastiff's head*

mastiff: *looks up and wags her tail, then sighs and noses her puppies around till they can eat. Laying on her side like that it's clear how thin she is*

Ironhide: *more rumbles, glances over as Showtime vanishes in a swish and flash... Looks to Sunstreaker as though asking 'Is this normal for her?'*

Sunstreaker: She's getting food for the dog. *looks around, his expression saying that he thinks the inside of the springworks is a bit icky*

Ironhide: Ah... *moves to sit down, attention going to Lumen as the youngling moves to bring the puppy that was set on his chest over to the mother dog* *soft clicks of approval*

Lumen: *clicking softly as he gently sets the puppy where it will be able to get food*

puppy: *snuzzle. Root. Drink*

Lumen: *headtilt* There's already something in the fuel tanks.... *so surprised at this*

Sunstreaker: *looks over* Uh, no. Organics have separate tanks for their own fuel, and the fuel they make for their kids.

Lumen: .... *blink blink blink... Totally new concept for him!*

Ironhide: ....Organics are very strange.... *not that that's a bad thing, necessarily....*

Sunstreaker: You'll have to teach the little ones not to eat toys and blankets too. *remembers hearing Major Lennox talk about this back when the man had bought Annabell her beagle puppy*

Ironhide: *small nod... Remembers the cycles of having to teach newsparks that back on Cybertron... Kind of looks forward to the day that he'll have to start doing that with Mira*

Sunstreaker: Oh yeah, and they pee on things.

Ironhide: *puzzled* Pee?

Sunstreaker: Like leaking oil, only it's some kind of liquid waste... *glances at Lumen and goes to the usual Ironhide channel* //...That stinks a bit like Speedhead.//

Ironhide: *slight optic flash. He remembers the one time he encountered the drug during a supply run... And how he warned all of his tribemates about the substance and its effects...*

Sunstreaker: //It's really weak. All organics from Earth put it out. Um. All the ones I've met, anyway.//

Ironhide: *soft rumbles, isn't sure he wants to visit Earth any time soon*

Showtime: *as she returns* Earth's actually a lot safer than Cybertron was...

Sunstreaker: *voices her next thought* The acid rain just polishes your finish.

Ironhide: ... *blink blink, disbelieving look for the couple*

Sunstreaker: Oh, and it's mostly [water].

Ironhide: *blink blink* [Water?]

Showtime: *nods* A substance made of two atoms of hydrogen joined to an atom of oxygen. It makes up approximately 70% of the Earth's surface, and all the organics living there have a high content of it in their bodies.

Sunstreaker: Add the right chemicals, and it's nearly as good as ozone for having a bath. *big grin*

Ironhide: *blink blink, puzzled look for Sunstreaker*

Sunstreaker: *looks back with clear disbelief*

mastiff: *chooses that moment to make a soft begging sound as she smells the food in the big bag Showtime's holding*

Showtime: *slight start, will move to get the rest of her purchases out of subspace. Soon has a bowl of dog food set where the mastiff will be able to reach it without moving too far from her puppies*

Ironhide: *has no idea what you're talking about with ozone and baths, Sunstreaker*

Sunstreaker: *just shakes his head sadly* Do you at least know what 'bath' means?

Ironhide: *nods* There were washracks in each family's quarters in the tribal area....

Sunstreaker: ...You mean you didn't just haul around metal teepees?

Ironhide: .... Teepees?

Showtime: *boot to mate's rear*

Sunstreaker: *yelp! And then clam up and sulk with arms crossed over his chest*

Ironhide: .... *so confused now*

Chromia: *soft sound and a fretful frown as she moves her head in her sleep*

Ironhide: *attention going to Chromia, moves to carefully crouch next to her and gently smooth her helm, clicking softly*

Chromia: Hmmm. No... Nnnn. *bad dream*

Ironhide: *soft rumble, will carefully lift Chromia, Mira, and Lumen and hold them close*

Lumen: *soft clicks, snuggles like he hasn't done since he was very young*

Sunstreaker: *sulk fading as he looks at his mate* ... -Should we leave them be for now? There's lots of fuel here, and this place is pretty safe. There's the dog now too.-

Showtime: *small nod, doorwings fluttering slightly* -We can always bug Ratchet to come check on them, later on...- *could hear the grinding in Ironhide's joints, and is concerned, but knows the old soldier doesn't need them being worrywarts*

Sunstreaker: -If we can pry him away from that sister he's so worried about.- *rolls optics even as he turns to Ironhide* We have to go. You gonna be alright?

Ironhide: *small nod, is focusing on comforting Chromia and the kids*

Sunstreaker: *looks at the dog, who is drinking like she's going to burst* ...

Showtime: *doorwings buzzing softly, before she databursts Ironhide information on caring for a dog and puppies*

Ironhide: *very slight nod as he receives the databurst*

mastiff: *noses the food bowl over by her bed, and then lays down with a sigh and eats in bed as the puppies snuggle*

Sunstreaker: *snerks and scoops mate into arms* *is reminded of people he knows*

Showtime: *surprised squeak*

Ironhide: *very soft snerk*

Sunstreaker: *smirks at mate* Your PIN or mine?

Showtime: *facepalm, will bring her derpy mate home*

Chromia: *startles slightly at the flash and unshutters optics dark with weariness*

Ironhide: *soothing rumbles* *gently* Get some rest, Chromia.... I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere....

Chromia: *thinks they're in a different place. It's brighter... and smells good. But she's too tired to see anything about it. Instead she holds her younglings close, turns her face toward Ironhide's chest, and sleeps*

((Written with random_xtras))