Nexus. Black Dog. Okonomiyaki and A Surprise

[dens_extra_pups]

Tracks: *stops short when he realizes that instead of leading out to the garden, the back door has deposited him in the Nexus* .... Well, isn't this just lovely....

cultured voice: *just dripping with amusement behind him* Isn't it, though?

Tracks: *turns to see who spoke*

dtTracks: *smirks at his twin from where he's sitting perched on a rather high stool*

Tracks: *brows up at the other man's style of dress.... and the ponytail* Especially when this blasted place decides to borrow a person.

dtTracks: *shrug* It's not so hard to get back if one really wants to. *swings a leg slightly as he studies the other Tracks* ...You're not the one I've met before.

Tracks: ... *a bit dryly* Dare I ask which of my alternates you've encountered in the past? *might be more effective at the sarcasm if he wasn't quite amused at his current predicament*

dtTracks: *smirk grows* Why, the one as handsome as us in one form. Can't say I think much of his others.

Tracks: ...Others? *okay, not the alternate he was thinking of*

dtTracks: Yes, he changes to some mechanical monstrosity with four wheels, and a mechanical man with the most atrocious red face. *snort*

Tracks: ... *blink blink* Hmm.... *intrigued by the notion* That doesn't sound like the one I've met....

dtTracks: You mean there are more of us who come here? *brow quirk of interest*

Tracks: *nods* Though I haven't been here for quite some time....

dtTracks: So what's that one you've met like? *slight frown, and then leaps lightly down from his stool* You look like you could use a seat, so let's go find a comfortable one, hmm?

Tracks: The one I've met is a mechanical being... His other form is quite the eye-catch, to be honest.... *and there's a hint of smugness in his voice* And Blackout found him to be enough of an eye-catch to combat-kiss him at one point... *slight frown* Do I really look that bad?

dtTracks: Well... I don't think any of us could look bad. But you do look a trifle wan.

Tracks: *a bit puzzled* Wan? *attempts to look up the meaning of the word, but catches himself in time to remember that he no longer has access to built-in wifi*

dtTracks: *slightly surprised* Ah... pale and poorly? *the rustic term sounds a bit alien coming off his tongue*

Tracks: ... Oh.... It's nothing to worry about. *bit of a dismissive hand wave*

dtTracks: Still. Hot food and a nice warm beer?

Tracks: Er... If I can get something other than beer.... *remembers, vaguely, what happened the last time he had alcohol... isn't sure he wouldn't do something that would embarrass Dixie, Raoul, Beau, and Golda if he had any more*

dtTracks: Ah... They probably have other things. We could ask for... buttermilk? *had to think before he could recall something sick people drank when they didn't want beer*

Tracks: *blink blink* ... Isn't buttermilk what goes into pancakes?

dtTracks: ...It might be. But I have no deuced idea what 'pancakes' are.

Tracks: 0_0 *will begin telling his counterpart about the wonders of the pancake*

dtTracks: Why... they sound something like griddle bread. *arm around his twin's shoulder and tries to guide the man toward the Black Dog*

Tracks: My wife makes them every Sunday, and more often than not includes blueberries in the batter.... *and now he'll talk about those as he's guided*

dtTracks: *listens as they go down the path and reach the massive building that houses the mechanoid tavern*

Tracks: *bit of a sheepish expression as his stomach reminds him that freeze-dried yogurt drops, though tasty, do not constitute a filling meal*

dtTracks: You sound as though you haven't been near the hearth recently. *amused by that slight rumble*

Tracks: *and now he's puzzled again* Haven't been near the hearth?

dtTracks: Er... I presumed you lived in a more mundane type of house. The brazier, then?

Tracks: *blank look*

dtTracks: Why, where the deuce does your wife cook, then?

Tracks: ... A stove.... Sometimes the oven, if she's making a roast....

dtTracks: Stove? One of those miserable little grids that you stand over a pot of charcoal? *had an epic fight with his stove this morning. Wet charcoal does NOT want to burn and heat water*

Tracks: ...Er... No.... Her stove uses electricity... Though I do believe Beau called the contraption he and Raoul were building out on the back patio a charcoal grill...

dtTracks: *frowns slightly as he tries to imagine how one could use electricity to cook, but gives it up with a slight shrug* Beau and Raoul, hmm? *over to the human size stairs*

Tracks: *as he moves to follow* Yes... They're quite the pair of hoodlums... *said with fond affection*

dtTracks: The Raoul I know doesn't seem to have ever gotten a chance to be any such thing. But his wife gets into enough mischief for the both of them. *glances back to see how his twin is handling the ascent*

Tracks: *stopped short* Oh, good gracious, I can only imagine what that must be like....

dtTracks: *resumes climbing* Kriti is a blue dragon, and young. Sometimes just watching her makes me feel like I've run a full campaign.

Tracks: *boggling now as he moves to follow* A dragon?

dtTracks: Mmm hmm.

Tracks: How....

dtTracks: How what? *last steps and he's standing and smirking up at a grumpy young blue bot*

Tracks: .... *facepalm* Lumen, go home.

hsvLumen: .... *bleary scowl for the two men* Bite me, Tracks.....

dtTracks: *huffy and stern* I beg your pardon...

hsvLumen: *slight squint* Not you, the other smarmy git.

Tracks: *sigh*

dtTracks: You kiss your mother with that mouth, boy?

Tracks: Don't encourage him....

hsvLumen: Nope. Dad says worse and kisses her anyway.

dtTracks: Well you're certainly an embarrassment to the name of Lumen, aren't you? *slight sneer, and still with the sternness*

Tracks: *one with his facepalm*

hsvLumen: *thrrpts the ponytail guy* You'd be cranky too, if you had Vi's voice singing the world's most annoying song on loop in your head.

dtTracks: No, I highly doubt that.

Tracks: *from behind his hand* Don't count on it....

dtTracks: Now why don't you just run along home and stop blocking the path of your betters? *airy and superior manner*

hsvLumen: *rolls his optics* Whatever.... *goes to leave a credit chit on the bar to pay for his drinks and then PINpoints home*

Tracks: *sigh* I will never understand where he got the attitude.... WakeJumper most certainly isn't full of attitude, and Eclipse doesn't have a mean strut in her frame....

dtTracks: Then your Eclipse is quite different from the one I know. *looks around for more bad attitude aimed his way, and then heads for the door*

Tracks: *moves to follow* Well, she is Bluestreak's daughter, and Bluestreak isn't the 'bad attitude' sort...

dtTracks: *thoughtfully* No, but she still gets the job done quite nicely. Where should we sit?

Tracks: Hmm.... *looks around*

dtTracks: I'm inclined toward the bar, myself. *eying that lofty eminence with interest*

Tracks: Lead the way, then.

dtTracks: *starts to do so, but then stops to give a quizzical look to the bright pink construct man who stops in front of him and his twin*

divaShot: Table, booth or bar?

Tracks: The bar, please, Scattershot. *not the least bit rattled by the pink mech's appearance*

dtTracks: It is you. Wherever is your dress?

divaShot: *blink blink* I'm wearing a different one today.... The apron covers most of it though....

dtTracks: Ahhh. And... is that a bow tie?

divaShot: Yup. ^_^ Here... *will move to lead dtTracks and Tracks to the ladder by the bar*

dtTracks: *checks on his twin as he follows the brightly coloured seater* So where is your... charming... wife?

divaShot: Taking the husks off of some corn, up behind the bar.

dtTracks: *slight frown* Corn?

Tracks: It's a vegetable.... It's very good roasted, in fact.... Though Dixie usually boils it in water....

dtTracks: Ah. I see. *clearly lost interest at the word 'vegetable'* I hadn't realized that the little lady actually worked here.

divaShot: *soft chuckle* She usually bosses me around.....

dtTracks: I've noticed. *pauses and looks up the ladder, but then frowns and turns to his twin* Will you be able to manage this?

Tracks: I believe so...

divaShot: *slight frown* I can go get Tarantulus.....

dtTracks: *glances at Scattershot, and then leans close to the other Tracks* Better not to strain yourself. If your wife is anything like mine you'll never hear the last of it, and the look on her face will make you want to crawl in a hole.

Tracks: .... *small frown, then he's nodding*

divaShot: *scoots to get the big mech*

dtTracks: *sniffs and looks intrigued* That smells lovely. I wonder what it can be?

Tracks: *sniffing the air as well* I'm not quite sure, but it does smell wonderful...

Tarantulus: *approaching a few moments later* Scattershot said you needed a lift?

dtTracks: My Name Brother does, yes. Could you tell us... what is that intriguing smell?

Tarantulus: *as he moves to help Tracks up to the bar* Rhinox is making okonomiyaki.....

dtTracks: *quickly starts climbing* And what does that mean?

Tracks: *as he's lifted to the bar level* Pancakes!

Tarantulus: I guess? *not very familiar with human food*

dtTracks: *climbs faster and soon joins his twin* Well, I know what I'm having.

Tarantulus: *makes sure Tracks is steady on his feet, then glances over as Galeas trips. Again* Easy, Galeas. *will help the young transmetal back to his feet*

Galeas: *sheepish but good-natured grin* Thanks, Tarantulus. *scoots off to clear a recently vacated table*

dtTracks: *heads for the nearest empty table, his head turning as he looks for the waiter. Pauses to frown at the tall, black-clad being that just blocked his way* And what the slag might you be?

Corsair: *narrows his optics slightly* The waiter. *juuuust a bit grouchy?*

dtTracks: Ah. Get me a tankard of dark ale, and my brother one of spiced buttermilk.

Corsair: *bit of a scowl as he jots down the order and moves to get it taken care of*

dtTracks: And while you're at it, you might want to tend to that stick. It's most unsightly. *once more aimed at table*

Tracks: *snickerfit as he moves to follow*

Tarantulus: *dryly, as he moves to take another table's orders* That stick's welded in place.

dtTracks: How sad for him. *grins then as he catches Rhinox's eye* How much of a wait is it?

Rhinox: You want this one?

dtTracks: *brightens, but then shakes his head and looks at the other Tracks* Ah, no...

Rhinox: It's big enough to share. *shakes head slightly*

Tracks: *checking his pockets for the Easter gift Dixie got him, a nice billfold*

dtTracks: Ah, I suppose it is. And we can always get another.

Rhinox: *shovels the big cake onto a plate, adds sauce and katsuobushi, and then asks Galeas to set it on their table*

Galeas: 'Kay! ^_^ *will move to do so, carefully*

dtTracks: *smiles as he smells the scent coming from the cake* My...

Tracks: Oh, that does smell wonderful.

dtTracks: *to Galeas, as he smiles at the young construct* Thank you.

Galeas: *big, sunny smile* You're welcome. Enjoy. *scoots off to help another table*

dtTracks: *bows his head for a moment, and then out with his dagger and cuts off a strip of the cake* Let's see how this tastes...

Tracks: *looking around for utensils* *hesitantly* Er... Might I be able to get some utensils?

dtTracks: *stops short and blinks at him, then blushes slightly as he remembers how he ate when he was young. Hesitantly offers his dagger to his twin*

Tracks: *blinks and carefully takes the offered dagger*

Rhinox: Phil, get some plates and cutlery over here. Not chopsticks.

Corsair: *bit of a grumble as he sets the drinks on the table before going to get plates and cutlery*

dtTracks: *looking very embarrassed now as he lowers his strip of okonomiyaki to the table* I... haven't been among cultured people in... some time.

Tracks: *puzzled* What do you mean?

dtTracks: Where I live now knives and spoons, and a piece of bread, are it for tableware. *so quietly mortified at seeming so uncouth*

Tracks: *blink blink* Well, it certainly would cut down on the amount of dishes to wash.....

dtTracks: Yes, it does. *doesn't look at the waiter as he brings the eating gear and a bowl of iron eggs*

Tracks: *curious expression is a go as he thanks Corsair before reaching for one of the eggs* What is this?

dtTracks: *looks up, and then quirks a brow* I have no idea. Some sort of egg?

Tracks: I believe so.... *will taste.... and pull the MOTHER of all funny faces at the strange flavor and texture*

dtTracks: 0_0

Tracks: *enjoying this very strange and unfamiliar treat very much, even with the faces he's pulling*

dtTracks: *realizes this after a bit, but is still utterly shocked to realize just what his friends and family are laughing at when he tries new things*

Tracks: *thoughtful expression* I should see if I can find similar back home.... I'm sure that Jake, Raoul, and Beau would enjoy these......

dtTracks: *looks over at Rhinox* Do you know what these eggs are called, friend?

Rhinox: *glances over as another happy customer ganks the current pancake* The iron eggs?

Tracks: *glad that Dixie has gotten him into the habit of carrying a small notepad and pencil with him at all times. Will jot that piece of information down and absently put the flat end of the pencil to his mouth as he thinks*

dtTracks: *takes his turn to provide entertainment as he has a bite of egg*

Tracks: *blink blink* 0_0

dtTracks: *epic faces as he reacts to the new flavour*

Tracks: *will reach to offer his counterpart the tankard of ale*

dtTracks: Thank you. *drinks deeply* I think I have to find out how to fix eggs like this. Some of my friends would love them.

Tracks: I'd have to borrow a datapad to do a search.... *bit of a sigh as he remembers, yet again, that he can't access any form of information network without using an auxiliary device*

dtTracks: ...I have no idea what that is. *sets down his tankard and then picks up knife and fork to eat his strip of pancake in a manner befitting a gentleman*

Tracks: It's a type of computer.....

dtTracks: *frowns, but then brightens* Ahhhh.

Tracks: *a bit distracted*

Rhinox: I'll give you the cook's recipe. Or you can just buy some of the eggs. *flip a cake*

Tracks: *absently* That would be lovely.....

Rhinox: You going to eat before that okonomiyaki gets cold?

Tracks: Hm?

dtTracks: *cuts his brother a slice of okonomiyaki and puts it on a plate for him*

Tracks: *blink blink* Oh.... Right.... Thank you..... *will quietly settle down to eat*

dtTracks: Now that I think about it, my daughter will like these eggs too.

Tracks: *looks up* *a bit muffled* Daughter?

dtTracks: Yes. Her name is Rose, and she's getting very demanding when it comes to solid food.

Tracks: How old is she?

dtTracks: She's a little over a year. *funny face as he tastes the dried and fermented fish on the cake*

Tracks: Ah.... That's about the same age as Ophelia and Allen Walker's daughter, and Starscream and Skyfire's sparklets.....

dtTracks: We don't have versions of those people where I come from. *nooo idea that there are actually two Starscreams at the tavern*

Tracks: Ah... *attention going back to the food*

dtTracks: She'll go to the hearth and rip pieces off the roast before it's ready if we don't mind her properly. *gets himself another strip of pancake, half of what's left*

Tracks: *very soft chuckle* She sounds quite headstrong....

dtTracks: She's her mother's daughter. Flashpoint got to where she is now by willpower. *fond smile as he eats*

Tracks: *blink blink* Flashpoint is your wife? *quite surprised*

dtTracks: *looks up without raising his head* She is.

Tracks: That is very different than back home.....

dtTracks: Who are you married to?

Tracks: Beau's aunt, Dixie.

dtTracks: Do you mean Beauregard Mac?

Tracks: Beauregard MacKenzie, yes.... *brow quirk*

dtTracks: That's my wife's brother, where I come from.

Tracks: *very slight chuckle* And where I'm from, Flashpoint is my niece.....

dtTracks: Hmm. The differences can be so amusing.

Tracks: *nod* Indeed....

dtTracks: So is the Beauregard you know courting a Bone Lord? *eat eat*

Tracks: ....Bone Lord? *puzzled expression as he eats*

dtTracks: *explains the term, and then describes the Bone Lord he knows* *also puts the last piece of okonomiyaki on his twin's plate*

Tracks: ....She sounds quite similar to the lady who co-owns the blanket factory here in the Nexus.....

dtTracks: *brows lift* Does she? *has another egg, and some of the pickles that Galeas brings over*

Tracks: *nods and describes Denpup*

Galeas: Oh, Den's a nice lady. She and Dennis usually come in once or twice a week to have dinner. ^_^

dtTracks: This is nukazuke. *distracted by pickles* Ratchet made this. It's from the Steel Empire.

Tracks: *blink blink* Steel Empire?

dtTracks: Yes. One of the Three Kingdoms.

Tracks: Huh...

dtTracks: They love things like these pickles made in porridge, and pickled plums that make even Ironhide pucker up.

Tracks: .... Pickled plums? *not sure that sounds all that appealing*

Galeas: *perks and scoots to get umeboshi*

dtTracks: Yes. Perceptor eats them like candy.

Tracks: .... How very.... different.....

dtTracks: *brow quirk as Rhinox provides them with another okonomiyaki* In what way? *cuts cake in half*

Tracks: I can't recall all the times Perceptor has been more interested in analyzing a treat instead of eating it.....

dtTracks: *laughs* You don't play with food at the tavern. It has a way of walking away if you try.

Tracks: *puzzled look for his counterpart* What do you mean?

dtTracks: If you don't seem to want it, someone else most assuredly will. *already has his half of the new okonomiyaki half gone, even with eating politely*

Tracks: Ah.... *very slight quirk of a smirk as he thinks about how quickly Jake, Beau, and Raoul can demolish a pizza, given the chance* *brow up as he sees how his alternate is eating* Well, I can see your appetite isn't shy.....

dtTracks: *blinks and blushes* It was a busy day.

Tracks: How so?

dtTracks: Flashpoint's still staying with Rose and our baby nieces and nephews, so I've been leading her warband. Today we were working in the Blight, and the dragons were especially crabby.

Tracks: *sympathetic wince*

dtTracks: I didn't die, but the same couldn't be said for some of the louts.

Tracks: .... *quietly* I'm sorry to hear that.....

dtTracks: Magnus will be over his XP debt soon. *shrug*

Tracks: ... XP debt?

dtTracks: Yes, it's what we call the recovery period after a death. Bumblebee managed to skip having one this time.

Tracks: ..... *so very confused now*

Rhinox: *gives them another okonomiyaki* They respawn. Like in a video game.

Tracks: .... Oh.... *still very confused, and just a bit brain-broken now*

dtTracks: *also confused, but tries to cover it by offering his twin a pickled cucumber*

Tracks: *quietly thanks his alternate, and then pulls another funny face as he tastes the pickled cucumber* Well.... That's certainly different from what the hoodlums love....

dtTracks: *absently* Is it?

Tracks: *nods* It's... *trying to find the right word* Milder.

dtTracks: Ahhh. Yes, they're milder than salt brined pickles.

Tracks: *blink blink* Salt brined pickles?

dtTracks: Yes, you know. Like the cabbage. Plenty of salt and a rock on top?

Tracks: *looks intrigued by the idea*

dtTracks: Our landlady sometimes pickles turnips and carrots too. I must say, those are much tastier than those cucumbers she had one year. *soft snort* Probably the lack of garlic.

Tracks: Ah... *knows what garlic is, thanks to Dixie's cooking* Garlic is good roasted and spread on crackers.

dtTracks: *pauses* ...Oh, I wager Flashpoint would just love that. Though I haven't seen crackers since I was a child. Rusks or toast should do.

Tracks: Rusks? *curious*

dtTracks: A certain sort of rye and barley bread, sliced and dried. It keeps for a long time but still manages to taste passable.

Tracks: Hmmm....

dtTracks: Even it's hard to get. I practically have to bribe Anna to make it.

Tracks: I wonder if the toast that Miles buys is similar....

dtTracks: *looks in his belt pouch and produces the chewed on rusk that Rose shared with him that morning. Shows it to his twin*

Tracks: *blink blink* That does look similar....

dtTracks: Well, it's good food for babies and invalids. Rose goes through a lot of it, and now Ironhide's older brother needs it too. *concerned frown comes to his face as he mentions the brother*

Tracks: *concerned* Is he ill?

dtTracks: *nods as he absently puts the rusk back into his pouch* He came down with pneumonia this past winter, and it hasn't fully left him yet. Deepdancer has him confined to his bed.

Tracks: Oh, dear.... I do hope he feels better soon.

dtTracks: *quietly* You aren't the only one. Gerard means a lot to most of the Company and the villagers.

Tracks: *bit of a frown as he thinks*

dtTracks: Ironhide even brought him an elixir that she bought here.

Tracks: Oh?

dtTracks: Yes. A syrup that usually costs a fortune because it's imported from the Steel Empire. You stir it into warm water.

Tracks: Hm.... That doesn't sound like anything I've heard of....

dtTracks: Ah? Well, I suppose different worlds have different sorts of healing potions.

Tracks: Perhaps....

Rhinox: *wrapping up the okonomiyaki grill for the day* Stick around. I'll get some things that should help.

Tracks: *chuckle*

Rhinox: *looks at Tracks* And I've got some things that should help you too.

Tracks: *blink blink* Oh?

Rhinox: Yeah. You're not keeping a lot down right now, are you?

Tracks: *a bit sheepishly* I'm still having difficulties with some of the more.... exotic flavors that my family enjoys....

Rhinox: You shouldn't be eating spicy things at all. When were you sick? *comes over to the table, wiping his hands as he comms Corsair to come get the grill and bowls and bring them to the kitchen*

Tracks: *as the grouchy waiter returns from wherever he went* It's been a few months....

Rhinox: Who's your doctor?

Corsair: *so much scowl* Isn't that Galeas' job?

Tracks: Ratchet, and Dr. McCoy....

Rhinox: *smacks the black clad mech upside the head* Not anymore, since you're so eager to let him do your job. *then turns back to Tracks* McCoy? Blue guy?

Tracks: When he's not in human form....

Corsair: *growls and grabs the grill and bowls before stalking off*

Rhinox: *frowns and ignores Corsair* You'd think he'd take better care of you. What made you sick?

Tracks: Dr. McCoy called it 'jiggered gin'....

Rhinox: ...Slag.

Tracks: I apparently had a BAC that frightened both Dr. McCoy and Ratchet....

Rhinox: ...What the slag did you do that for?

dtTracks: *watching the other Tracks with surprise*

Tracks: Powerglide dragged me to the reality where I was changed to this form.... And he was attempting to help me feel better about the passing of a dear friend of mine....

Rhinox: *facepalm* Are you eating a lot of fresh raw yogurt?

Tracks: *nods, a bit of an amused expression on his face now* In between the hoodlums' ambushing me with it every time I turn around, and my wife including it as part of meal time....

Rhinox: How about papaya enzyme?

Tracks: I don't think we have any of that at home....

Rhinox: *grumbles* I know you can buy it at a lot of health stores. And fresh papaya will help too, though not as well. And these pickles. What did you think of them?

Tracks: They were quite pleasant.

Rhinox: Find a source. Getting your own nuka bed would be best. And eat slimy keenie.

Tracks: *writing that down* Slimy keenie?

Rhinox: Yup. You get it from Swindle co.

Tracks: Ah... *will jot that down as well*

Rhinox: You're not eating or drinking anything caffeinated or carbonated, are you?

Tracks: *headshake* Dixie insists on herbal teas.

Rhinox: Which ones?

Tracks: Chamomile, catnip, nettle, peppermint... Oh, and lavender.

Rhinox: *rubs his chin* They're all pretty soothing. Add kombucha and kefir.

Tracks: *write write*

Rhinox: And all the clementines you can get your hands on.

Tracks: Clementines? *writing that down as well*

Rhinox: Christmas oranges?

Tracks: Ah....

Rhinox: *takes the pen and draws one*

Tracks: *blink blink* Oh.... Those are the fruits Jake, Raoul, and Beau get into slap fights over.....

Rhinox: They're mild, and a good source of vitamins and nutrients.

Tracks: *chuckles* The boys are fond of the flavor.

Rhinox: So am I.

Tracks: *more chuckle*

Rhinox: Anyway. Those are my suggestions. *looks over at dtTracks* And I'll get the stuff for your friend. *turns and walks off*

dtTracks: *thoughtful* I bet I could buy limes that weren't pickled here.

Tracks: *blink blink* I suppose so....

dtTracks: Those would probably help Gerard feel better. *brightens*

Tracks: Well, if you can't find it here, then it's impossible to find, from what I've seen and been told...

dtTracks: Lovely. *rubs hands together and smiles, but then pauses and looks up as a big shadow falls over them* o.0 ...Isn't that one of us?

Tracks: *looks up*

mech: *looks like a bayformer Tracks, but there is very little sentience in his optics*

Tracks: Er....

mech: *reaches to gently touch Tracks*

dtTracks: *hand on his sword hilt as he steps between the oddly behaving construct and his weakened Name Brother*

Tracks: *trusting the AVF, and the fact that Nemesis is good about keeping patrons safe* Er... Hello?

mech: *quietly* Master.

Tracks: .... 0_0

Rhinox: *back and frowning up at the mech* I didn't know you were a Pretender.

Tracks: .... A Pretender?

Rhinox: *frowns at him* Yeah, user of a big drone bot shell?

Tracks: .... *looks a bit uncomfortable at the idea* *or maybe he's just got a queasy stomach*

drone: *offers him a few little silver pellets* For master.

Rhinox: *brow ridges go up* You aren't yet. Someone just sent that for you.

dtTracks: *watching all this with a confused frown*

Tracks: ....I don't understand....

Rhinox: These pellets are the nanotech that would let you interface with the shell. Once they're integrated you'll be able to wear this shell and function as a Transformer again.

Tracks: ... To what extent?

Rhinox: *tilts head and listens* ...Your human body will be the spark in your larger body.

Tracks: .... Ratchet won't be happy about this.... *and there's a slight hint of his usual smirk*

Rhinox: *frowns and hands a boxful of stuff to dtTracks* Why the slag not?

Tracks: He hasn't quite gotten comfortable with working on humans when they're injured....

Rhinox: So what has that got to do with you using a Pretender shell?

Tracks: .... I live with three teenage boys.... I'm still amazed that I haven't been plowed into more often.

Rhinox: Still not seeing the problem.

dtTracks: Sorry to interrupt, but I had better be going. *left several gold on the table to pay for the meal*

Tracks: *simply* Ratchet is far too fussy sometimes. *looks to where his counterpart is leaving* Stay safe.

dtTracks: I'd better, I don't want to have to hunt down my corpse and hope no one else has looted it. *slight smirk as he walks over to talk to Nemesis about the things he wants to buy*

Rhinox: *waves to that Tracks, and then turns to the one holding the silver pellets* Give me your Ratchet's frequency.

Tracks: ... Er... *will check to see if he has the cell phone Beau got for him on hand*

Rhinox: *waits*

Tracks: *triumphant look as he finds his phone, and begins looking through the contacts for Ratchet's comm frequency*

Rhinox: *kicks Corsair's aft as the mech goes past*

Corsair: *startled blurt, and a dirty LOOK for Rhinox*

Rhinox: *balls up fist and makes a feint at the fancy gowned bot*

Corsair: *eeks and runs*

Rhinox: *back to Tracks*

Tracks: Here.... *offers the phone*

Rhinox: *looks and then takes out his own phone and calls the Ratchet of Tracks' reality*

hsvRatchet: //This is Ratchet.//

Rhinox: Rhinox here. Do you have a problem with Tracks using a Pretender shell?

hsvRatchet: //...A what?// *confused*

Rhinox: *explains what he means, and how Tracks would operate it*

hsvRatchet: //...I see. Let me contact Hank, and we'll get the things set up here.//

Rhinox: All he needs to do is swallow three pellets. The nanotech is self installing.

Tracks: *boggling now*

hsvRatchet: //.... Well, that will simplify things.//

Rhinox: It'll probably take about a week to fully integrate, but he'll be able to pick things up from the shell before then.

hsvRatchet: //We'll keep an eye on him.//

Rhinox: I know the maker of this shell. It should be pretty glitch free.

hsvRatchet: //Who made the shell?//

Rhinox: One of the Wheeljacks who spends a lot of time in the Nexus. She's just a schoolgirl, but she's very careful with her work.

hsvRatchet: //Ah... I've been to her shop.//

Rhinox: Don't be fooled by the submissive little harebrained Japanese routine she puts out.

hsvRatchet: *chuckles* //I know better. I've heard about the butt painting of Megatron, the mean girl.//

Rhinox: *chuckles* She's decided not to go back to public school.

hsvRatchet: //I'm not surprised.//

Rhinox: Me either. Do you want Tracks to wait to swallow these till he gets home and explains things to his wife and kids?

hsvRatchet: //That might be for the best. Especially with the way Raoul and Dixie both tend to fret.//

Rhinox: Alright. I'll let him know. Oh, and I suggested he eat these things. *recites the list*

hsvRatchet: //Most of those can be purchased locally.... And we can add slimy keenie to our usual SwindleCo order.// *sounds so amused* //Hank has been working on something far more complicated.//

Rhinox: *dryly* He would. Don't forget the nuka bed. Try to get an older one that's never had anything spicy added.

hsvRatchet: //I'll see what I can find. *chuckle* Perceptor, Kia, and Aria will likely be fascinated by it.//

Rhinox: Probably. *notices mate and bitties over there* I better get going.

hsvRatchet: //We'll get started on getting everything together. Stay safe.//

Rhinox: Always. *hangs up and puts phone away* *to Tracks* You can just go home. The shell will follow you.

Tracks: Alright... *will put a twenty dollar bill on the table to pay for the okonomiyaki*

Rhinox: ...Your tab's covered.

Tracks: *puzzled expression is a go*

Rhinox: *points to the four gold coins laying on the table* That's more than enough for what the two of you ate.

Tracks: *blink blink* Oh.... Alright.... *will put the twenty away, but leave a ten dollar bill on the table in its place* Then at least allow me to leave a tip.

Rhinox: Alright, but the gold pretty well covers that too.

Tracks: Humor me... *locating his PINpoint now*

Rhinox: *rolls optics and mutters* Fine.

Tracks: *is showing signs of that insufferably smug look as he PINpoints home. Takes the little container of umeboshi with him. Maybe the plums will let the hoodlums be the entertainment for a change*

((Written with random_xtras))