LLV. The Mansion and Hell. Newcomers

[dens_extra_pups]

((OOC Warning: There is use of the word 'boobies' in this log.))



Misty: *quiet and morose as she slides behind the wheel of Lance's shiny hot pink Jaguar F-Series V8*

Lance: *carefully getting in on the passenger side. Had to be bullied into giving up the keys, and is now sulking a bit as a result*

Misty: *car into gear and pulling out of the garage without even registering what it is that she's driving* How old're you again, Gorgeous?

Lance: I just turned eighteen. Why?

Misty: *turns her head to frown at him as they cruise down the drive* If you just turned eighteen, then what'd you haveta write ta yer parents fer permission ta get married for?

Lance: Well, I didn't want to send Mother into another one of her fits... And this way, Father can't say I didn't warn him.

Misty: Fits? *out of the drive, and down the road*

Lance: *nods* She's always been a bit prone to panicking at the slightest thing...

Misty: *soft snort, and then lifts an eyebrow as a MASSIVE bumblebee splats spectacularly on the windshield*

Lance: Ack! *flailspazz* What was that?!

Misty: *louder snort, this one of amusement* A bug.

Lance: ... Run the windshield wipers... Or it'll dry on there and be impossible to remove.

Misty: Yeah right, I've seen yer carwash bill. Anybody that charges that oughtta be able ta wipe off dried bug. *runs the wipers anyway, causing the big yellow splat to turn into a BIG YELLOW SMEAR*

Lance: *wince wince wince as he sees the smear*

Misty: *keeps the wipers going till the smear finally vanishes, then shuts them off just in time for another bumblebee to die* What're these *explicative deleted* things doin' out, anyhow? It's *bleeping* January.

Lance: They're probably confused...

Misty: *cleans that one off too, scowling* Some *bleeping* mutant stirrin' 'em up. Whatever. I ain't takin' ya anyplace that serves booze.

Lance: Good... I'd hate to think of the trouble we'd be in then.

Misty: *snorts, but she doesn't seem to be noticing him now. She's scowling and brooding again. And flipping that big farmer in the grain truck the bird*

Lance: *quiet for a short while, then* So where are we going?

Misty: Hell.

Lance: *mental breaks screech to a halt* ... Hell?

Misty: *grim and absent* Yup.

Lance: *frown* Seriously, where are we going? *thinks Misty's being sarcastic*

Misty: *scowl deepens* Hell.

Lance: ... *will be quiet for the rest of the drive*

Misty: *registers silence after a few moments and looks at him quizzically* Gorgeous?

Lance: *looking out the window now* Hm?

Misty: What's wrong? *looking at him with a frown of concern as she turns onto the road that will lead to NYC*

Lance: *looks at her* *quietly* You're mad about something?

Misty: *blinks, and then growls and looks ahead* Yeah. I guess. *insulting hand sign to the guy in the Solstice that's staring at their car*

Lance: *quietly* Is it something I did?

Misty: No. *frowns* I'da told ya if ya *censored* me off.

Lance: *small nod, bites his lip a bit as he thinks*

Misty: It's that #@$&*$# fight. *scowl* I'm supposta be part'a this bunch now, accordin' ta the old fart. But they left me behind with the kids 'n went 'n got their #@$%$# *bleeps* kicked.

Lance: *frown* Didn't the news say a couple officers got killed in the fight?

Misty: Four. 'N two more #$@&$#@ up.

Lance: *more frown as he thinks* And Chris got beaten up, too...

Misty: *scowl darkens* Yeah.

Lance: *quietly* The others're trained for combat... They went in knowing they might lose.

Misty: *gives him the scowl* You think I can't fight? I ain't shown you half what I know. *pride just got poked*

Lance: They might have been thinking of keeping us all safe. Mr. Bates isn't a fighter, and everyone else is younger than us... They must've thought it would be better to leave someone who can fight with the people who needed protecting...

Misty: *scowl turns to impatient look* The Lambos were doin' that.

Lance: Yeah, but they scare most of the kids. Heck, I think they're scary.

Misty: *looks ahead again with a moody grumble* I'm useta bein' at the head'a the pack.

Lance: *confused expression is a go*

Misty: *glances toward the silence and sees the expression* What?

Lance: *decides to think about it more another time* What's Hell like? *expects to be given a surprised look and then be told the truth of where they're going*

Misty: *shrug* Deepdweller place. Above ground, though.

Lance: ... Deepdweller?

Misty: *look is surprised now* Yeah. The throwaways.

Lance: *so confused* Throwaways?

Misty: *gives him a long stare of disbelief* You don't know about Throwaways.

Lance: *small headshake*

Misty: *brows lift toward her buzzed scalp, and then she faces forward again* It's all the freaks that'd never pass and got thrown out. We got our own place, down below and behind everything else.

Lance: ... *quietly* That's just mean that anyone'd throw anyone else out...

Misty: *shrugs. She still doesn't understand what he means by "mean"* It's how things go.

Lance: Still... *troubled expression on his face* *quietly* Did you get... did you get thrown out?

Misty: Yup. *pulls onto the freeway and sneers at a tough looking guy on a motorcycle*

Lance: *more frown* But why? You look totally normal.

Misty: The old man wanted us tough. *reaches out the window as they come to a stop light and slaps that biker so hard the his helmet falls off. Smirks then and drives forward*

Lance: ... *so much frown as he tries to comprehend this*

Misty: *heads through the part of town he knows, then through the business district, then through a poorer living area, and then... garbage and dead cars on the streets*

Lance: ... *starting to get worried now* *quietly* Misty? Are you sure this is the right way?

Misty: Yup. *drives on, and now it's abandoned buildings and empty lots with big holes in them, and skinny girls on street corners interspersed with gangs of toughs*

Lance: *very worried now* *looking around warily*

Misty: *pulls up to a chain link gate and scowls at one of the massive mutants that is guarding it, then smirks as he and his partner jump to swing the rusted portal open*

Lance: 0_0 *startled squeak*

Misty: *drives through along a fairly even road that's overshadowed by cammo netting*

Lance: *looking around, is just a bit nervous now*

Misty: *around an old cinderblock wall, and there's a few fancy cars parked in front of a warehouse from which music is coming. Parks the car by itself and opens the door*

Lance: *hesitantly gets out*

Misty: *looks at some guys standing a little ways away as she shucks her jacket and tosses it back into the car* Hey, you losers watch this car. Nobody, not even Nobody, touches it. Understand?

guy: *nods* Right, Mistfire. Got it! We'll protect it!

Lance: *blinks a bit and looks to Misty* *quietly* Mistfire, huh?

Misty: *as she turns and offers him her hand* Yup.

Lance: *moves around the car to reach Misty*

guys: *watching with confused and fearful curiosity as she wraps her arm around Lance's waist and leads him toward the warehouse*

Lance: *still a bit nervous, and it shows*

Misty: Relax, Gorgeous. What're you afraid of? *glances at him, one brow lifting as she smirks*

Lance: *quietly* Are you sure this place is safe?

Misty: *snorts* Noplace is safe. *smirk goes lazy* But nobody's gonna mess with me.

Lance: *quietly* A-alright...

Misty: *faces forward and watches the people hanging around the parking lot scurry out of her way. Most of those people seem to be kids*

Lance: *just starting to boggle*

Misty: *up to the door*

white girl: *looks only vaguely human. She's got snow white skin, a long and leonine tail, feet like large cloven hooves, and a face that looks like nothing so much as a horse* Ooooo. Pretty. *hand on Lance's arm*

Lance: 0_0 *meeps*

Misty: *very dangerous look for the girl* Mine. Hands off, Neysa.

Neysa: *pouts* He probably wouldn't mind having more than one girl.

Misty: *quietly* You probably wouldn't mind keepin' yer boobs.

Neysa: *backs away fast, her arms going up to protect the very noticeable body parts in question. Carefully curled hair falls over her eyes as she lowers her head and cringes*

Lance: *clinging to Misty now and looking just a bit terrified*

Misty: *leads him along a graffiti decorated corridor that goes sideways from the entrance, and then around the corner again...*

*and they step out into a large open space where music booms and the dance floor is alive. Beings dance in the rafters, and up on the huge speakers to ether side of a stage where a massive singer bellows something metal punk without needing a microphone*

Lance: *notices band first: a pale teenaged boy with a serpentine lower body on bass, a winged girl on drums, and a pretty lady on guitar, all backing up the massive, scaly guy doing the singing* *can see a mix of kids and rich students. The majority of the crowd is visibly mutant, aside from the obviously rich*

Misty: *pauses to smoke her fist into the gut of this huge leering brute, then leads Lance past him* Booth or bar?

Lance: *quietly* Bar...

Misty: *looks over and quirks a brow* New 'tender. Don't know that guy. *leads Lance toward the sturdy bar, which looks as though it was hauled out of some place decorated in the seventies*

Lance: *wrinkles his nose a bit as he sees the bar*

Misty: *gets him settled on a stool, and then moves to take his fur coat off* Two Monster Mashes, kid.

tender: Don't know what I did, that you're calling me a kid. *cheerful grin as he stoops in his special wheelchair to rummage under the counter. Is a cheerful young carrot top who looks like a twelve year old small for his age. Has no legs*

Lance: *blink* *looks to Misty* Monster Mash?

tender: All the koolade you can drink, with enough of this to make your brain shrink. *sets down two cans of Monster energy drink and then goes for his tools*

Misty: *sets the fur on another stool, and then puts her foot up against the rail and leans against the bar* What he said, Gorgeous.

Lance: ... Huh.

tender: *works quickly, and juggles a few things along the way, then sets two tall glasses of green stuff in front of them* O boy, drink and enjoy!

Lance: *looks to Misty, even as he reaches for one of the glasses*

Misty: *busy picking up the other glass, and then slamming back the contents*

Lance: *will imitate Misty then* *sputters his drink a bit*

Misty: Two more the same. *gives glass back* Whadda they call you, kid?

'tender: You wanna know what they call me? I'm Wheelie, can't you see?

Lance: *slight headtilt* Makes sense...

Wheelie: *big grin as he mixes the next drinks*

Misty: *turns her back to the bar and puts her elbows on it as she looks toward the stage* *snerk* 'Least Grimlock's still here.

Lance: *frowns at his nearly empty glass* Grimlock?

Misty: Big grey 'n brown guy up there singin'.

Lance: Oh...

Wheelie: *sets down the new drinks, and then grins and goes to fill a few other orders*

Misty: *looks over her shoulder at Lance* You alright?

Lance: *quietly* This place is so different...

Misty: *quirks a brow* Guess it is. Yer useta places like the school.

Lance: *small nod*

Misty: *other brow goes up as she sees the uncertainty in his expression* No?

Lance: *quieter* Even the school's a bit rougher than I'm used to...

Misty: *surprise actually shows on her face* That's rougher 'n yer useta?

Lance: *sheepish expression as he nods*

Misty: *looks ever so slightly bewildered* Oh.

guy: *stops by Lance. Looks at Lance. Looks at the mark Misty drew on Lance's arm, which shows through the mesh of his bright pink top. Leaves fast*

Lance: ... *raised brow as he watches that guy leave* Huh. Wonder what he wanted?

Misty: *snags her new drink* You don't wanna know, Gorgeous.

Lance: ... Okay then. *will turn back to his drink, though his attention goes to the stage a few moments later as the music stops. Sees the band coming down for a break, the bassist being carried over the singer's shoulders as the singer argues with the drummer* Huh.

Grimlock: *grouching at the tall, rangy winged girl as he heads toward the bar, but then he glances over at it to see who he's going to have to slap off his stool and stops short as he spots tri colour pastel hair and tattooed arms. Squints, then elbows his sister* Hey, Swoop.

Swoop: *slight start at being elbowed* What? *totally tuned out Grimlock's grouching*

Grimlock: *deep voice a low rumble* Look at me Grimlock's stool.

Swoop: *puzzled frown, will look* ... *tilts head, the chain leading from either side of her nose and around behind her neck rustling softly* Is either pretty boy or ugly girl with Mistfire?

Toku: *barely lifts his head* Huh?

Grimlock: Huh? Somebody with Mistfire? *looks* *had been totally focused on confirming that his boss had indeed returned* ...That not ugly either way. Not as pretty as me Grimlock's girl. But pretty.

Toku: *quietly* All I see is pink...

Swoop: Us Dinos go talk to Mistfire?

Grimlock: *deleted* yeah, we talk to Mistfire. Why you Swoop always say stupid stuff?

Swoop: Me Swoop not always say stupid stuff! *huffs and kicks at her brother with her left leg, the decorative chains suspended from her belt and encircling that leg now taking their turn to rustle*

Toku: *keeping his mouth shut and just letting Grimlock haul him wherever the big guy wants him to be*

Grimlock: *as he resumes his walk toward the bar* Do too.

Swoop: *more huff, moves to follow. Will also fuss and fret over Toku, since he's still not feeling very good*

Grimlock: You stop stupid nagging!

Swoop: Am not nagging! Him Toku not feeling good!

Toku: *trying to focus on not urking on Grimlock, kthx*

Grimlock: You nagging make anybody puke.

Misty: *just grinning as she watches all this come closer*

Lance: *looking just a bit worried now*

Swoop: You Grimlock being mean to him Toku.

Misty: Grimlock's mean ta ever'body, Swoop. 'N you know it.

Swoop: *huffs*

Grimlock: *meanwhile grabs Lance by one arm and lifts him to squint at that arm* *explicative deleted* Is guy! Is Mistfire's guy!

Lance: *meeps as he's lifted* Er... Hi?

Swoop: *boggling now* Me Swoop thought you Mistfire no like guys...

Toku: *awake with a jerk, then he's groaning* Too much pink.

Misty: Gimme that. *retrieves the Lance and pulls him close with his back to her chest* 'N I never said I didn' like guys. I jes' don't like *******. *nuzzles that bright pink hair* Always did like pretty stuff.

Grimlock: *boggling even as he puts up a hand to give Toku a rough pat*

Swoop: *puzzled headtilt* There difference?

Toku: *manages a weak chuckle*

Misty: Seems like it. *rests her chin on Lance's shoulder and rubs his chest soothingly as she feels him trembling*

Grimlock: Meh. She Moonracer prettier.

Misty: Moonie's yers. This's mine.

Swoop: And him Toku mine. *grin*

Misty: *looks up with brow quirk of surprise* Yers? Since when? *studies the slender stranger now*

Swoop: Since him Grimlock find him Toku and bring home.

Toku: *just a bit pale and looks as though he's been through a recent rough patch, but under the mop of dark hair, he's got good bone structure and might be considered attractive if his lower half looked even remotely human*

Misty: *reaches over Lance's shoulder to push Toku's hair away from his face and run a thumb along his cheek* *frown* He's too hot.

Swoop: Him not feeling good... Got kicked out of house... *and now she's starting to fuss over the bassist again*

Misty: *slight scowl, and turns head to order something warm, mild, and soothing from the now happily singing bartender*

Lance: *frowning muchly as he watches Toku nod off again* He needs a doctor.

Swoop: Me Swoop AM doctor.

Grimlock: Yeah. Her Swoop been giving him medicine. Wheelie, me want Brain Rot.

Wheelie: Hup hup hup, just wait a minute, it's coming right up!

Lance: What sort of medicine?

Misty: *takes warm drink and hands it to Swoop*

Swoop: *as she reaches for the mug* Vodka. It supposed to be good for cleaning ouchies.

Toku: *even in his dozing state, he hears the evil word that means he'll be sat on and force-fed fiery liquid* *awake and trying to get away now!*

Grimlock: Whoa, what the *bleep*? *grabs the bassist and pins him against his chest* Where you, *deleted*, going?

Misty: Where the *bleep*'d ya get vodka?

Grimlock: Truck rolled over after it hit me Grimlock passed out in road. Not all bottles broken.

Toku: *trying desperately to get away, doesn't realize he's started to cry. Does not want any more of the 'medicine'!*

Lance: *biting his lower lip* He needs something different...

Swoop: *notices what's going on with Toku, will fuss over him a bit more and try to get him to drink the warm drink*

Toku: *confused by the gentle scent and warmth coming from the cup. Too out of it to try and figure out what he's being offered*

Misty: *deep scowl as she holds Lance and watches Toku*

Grimlock: *as he takes his criminally caffeinated drink* You, Mistfire, got other stuff where you are?

Misty: *looks up at him and raises her eyebrows slightly* Yeah. So?

Grimlock: *confused* We Dinos going with you to new headquarters, right?

Swoop: *paying no mind to the conversation, is trying to get Toku to drink what's in the cup*

Toku: *putting up a heck of a fight until Swoop grabs his chin and holds his head steady so she can help him drink*

Misty: *comforting Lance as she feels him reacting fearfully to what he's seeing* I don't got headquarters, Grimmy. I'm an enforcer myself.

Grimlock: *scowls* Well me Grimlock still you, Mistfire's enforcer.

Swoop: *finally manages to get Toku to drink most of the cup's contents, will continue to fuss over him even as the young man coughs and tries yet again to make an escape*

Lance: *quietly, wide-eyed with fright* Isn't there a doctor at the school?

Misty: *turns head slightly to look at Lance's face* Three of 'em.

Grimlock: *growling and giving Toku a bit of a shake and a snarl in his face*

Lance: *frightened and worried* One of them... They might know what to do...

Toku: *trying to push Grimlock's face away from his own, keeps missing the big man's face*

Grimlock: *another shake* You, Toku, hold *****ing still!

Toku: *one last attempt at pushing Grimlock's face away from his own before he suddenly goes limp*

Lance: *meeps and starts spazzing*

Swoop: *trying to get Toku to wake up by gently patting his face* You Toku need to wake up!

Grimlock: *nearly drops the guy* Me Grimlock not *deleted* shake him that hard.

Misty: *cellphone out and calling the school*

Will: *answers on the first ring* //Hello?//

Misty: *frown* Doc Johnson?

Will: //... Misty? What's going on?//

Misty: We gotta sick guy here. He jes' passed out 'n he's too hot. Grimmy, stop shakin' 'im.

Will: //... Where is 'here'?//

Misty: *firms her chin as she thinks of the trouble she's probably in now for breaking parole* *calmly* Hell.

Will: //... Where are you?// *disbelief clear in his voice* //And can you get coordinates?//

Misty: *actually blinks at his reaction, and then shakes her head at herself* It's a Deepdweller hangout. *gives him the street address*

Will: //Alright. I'm sending Lumen to come get you.//

Misty: *clenches jaw angrily at the thought of her and Lance's night being cut short* Whatever. *then looks over Lance's shoulder with surprise* Uh... this guy's havin' some kinda fit.

Will: //... Lu! Hustle!//

Lumen: //On it!// *will arrive right outside the door to the club*

Lance: *spazzing and panicking*

Grimlock: Oh *cuss*! Me Grimlock broke him!

Swoop: *trying to keep Toku from hurting himself* Stupid Grimlock shook him Toku too much!

Moonracer: *pale green woman with white hair and white leather clothes, hurrying up beside the statuesque brunette who plays keyboard* What happened?

Misty: *not thinking as she grabs Lance's shoulders and gives him a shake as he shivers and gasps slightly for breath* Can it, Gorgeous, I gotta think!

Lance: *squeals and then just flat out loses whatever composure he had left by bursting into hysterical tears*

Grimlock: *head snaps up at the squeal* Mistfire, you break your guy!

Misty: *wincing as she grabs Lance's coat and wraps him in it, then starts rocking on her feet as she hugs him and soothingly curses him out under her breath*

Lumen: *is that big furry guy who just appeared in the middle of the club in a swish and flash of light*

bouncers: *moving in to break up the minor riot that just happened in response to that appearance*

Misty: *looks up. Angry bark* Train, you hit that *bleep* and I'll be on you like ugly on a ape!

Lumen: *automatically dropped down into a crouch, claws out and at the ready and teeth bared, the way Ira and Chris taught him. Will slowly move so he's standing upright before approaching Misty's group*

Misty: Grimmy, heel. He's ours.

Grimlock: *scowling at Lumen as he backs away from helping his sister hold Toku down*

Lumen: Dad's getting a bed in the infirmary set up. *to Misty, as he puts a gentle hand on Toku's shoulder* Need a lift?

Misty: *shakes her head, then nods toward the Dinos and the brunette* They do. I gotta bring the car back.

brunette: I got stuff I need ta do here, Boss. *glances toward Train*

Misty: *gives the dark haired girl a cold look* You go with this guy, Black Betty.

Black Betty: *sullen look but nods*

Misty: And I'll see you in the Danger Room tomorrow. *voice like ice*

Black Betty: *fear in her eyes*

Lumen: *small nod* *acks as Toku starts struggling again* Hey, someone help me hold onto this guy!

Swoop: *helping!*

Misty: Grimlock, get 'im.

Grimlock: *grabs Toku, then picks the sick man up and once more pins him against his chest* Me Grimlock got.

Toku: *breathless mumbling as he tries to get away and fails*

Lumen: Everybody who's going, hold hands or grab on... Just not my tail, okay? *hand on one of Toku's*

Swoop: *holding Toku's other hand and wibbling*

Moonracer: *watches the others all link up, and then grabs the lion boy's tail just as she sees his finger moving for the button on the thing on his wrist*

Lumen: *startled yowl as his tail's grabbed*

Lance: *flinches at the yowl*

locals: *laughing as the echoes of that yowl continue in the rafters a few moments after the group has vanished. Are soon dancing, eating, flirting, picking pockets, and quarrelling again*

Misty: Shhh, Gorgeous. *rocks on her feet some more*

Lance: *hiccupping and clinging desperately. This experience really rattled him, though was it because of Toku getting sick, or because the pretty little bubble he lived in just got shattered?*

Misty: Hey. Breathe. *tips his chin up so she can see eye to eye with him*

Lance: *shaky breaths*

Misty: *gently pushes hair away where it's fallen over his face, then frowns slightly as she looks into those wide and panicked blue eyes* Hey... what's wrong?

Lance: *can only manage a headshake*

Misty: *frowns, and then leans forward to see if she can calm him down with a snog*

Wheelie: Ooooooo. *giggles and rolls off*

Lance: *starting to relax as he's snogged, is still a bit shaky as he stops to breathe*

Misty: *nuzzles his cheek and then kisses it as she strokes his hair* *softly* That's it, Gorgeous.

Lance: *nuzzle, cling*

Misty: *snuzzles more and then goes for another snog* *seems to be trying to join him inside his coat*

Lance: *quiet rumble as the snog session resumes*

Allie: *coming to see what all the commotion's about, stops short when she sees Misty snogging an unfamiliar guy and ignoring Wheelie's cheerful gag motions*

Wheelie: *sees his General and waves cheerfully, then throws a small bag of cheezies at the customer who calls for them. Laughs when he gets the guy in the face*

Allie: *nods to Wheelie, will move to break up the snog session* Okay, Mistfire. I know you found something pretty to kiss, but you're gonna gross out the kids.

Misty: *black scowl, but then sees the dark-haired girl and snerks* *bleep*, ya grew up.

Allie: Yup. *smirk* I found my own pretty to kiss, too. Oscar's keepin' the kids company.

Misty: *cuddles the big-eyed, doll-like being in her arms, laying his head on her shoulder* Anythin' named 'Oscar' can't be pretty.

Allie: Wanna bet? *cellphone out, pictures pulled up, phone offered* *smug lady*

Misty: *lifts one brow slightly as she looks at the little screen. Isn't going to take her arms out of Lance's coat*

latino boy with curly auburn hair: *giving the camera a shy smile and hugging one of the kids in the Army* *has a bit of a baby face going on, and is clearly on the short side, as the kid he's hugging is one of the older ones*

Misty: *snorts, and then extracts an arm from the pink fur coat to turn Lance's head so that Allie can see that heart shaped face and the big eyes that are closed as he snuggles*

Allie: *chuckles* Like I said, we both found pretty.

Misty: *nuzzles Lance as she once more adds herself to his coat* So how's @$&%$#@ ben since I went ta the Big House?

Allie: Interesting, to say the least.

Misty: *brow quirk*

Allie: Oscar and I keep hearing rumors of something called the Brotherhood here, and when we go out searching. *bit of a frown on her face now*

Misty: *low sound that might be a growl as her eyes narrow and her lip curls in a sneer* Those *really nasty curse*.

Allie: *blink blink, surprised at the curse from the young woman she's never known to show anger* ... That bad?

Misty: They @#$%&#@ed up some a' my bunch. *tone says that the Brotherhood is very much on her bad side*

Allie: *wince wince wince* I see.

Misty: *turns her focus to Lance. Quietly* I've gone clean, Allie.

Lance: *juuust a bit jittery now, thanks to all the caffeine and sugar he had earlier*

Allie: ... Like the A-Men?

Misty: *brow quirk* A-Men? Who's the dumb*bleep* callin' 'em that? What're ya shakin' for now, Gorgeous?

Allie: That's what all the news channels're calling 'em...

Lance: *quietly* Stuff's shaking...

Allie: ... What did he have?

Misty: *snorts, then leans her head back slightly and tips Lance's up so that she can see his face* Most've a Monster Mash.

Lance: *as Allie shakes her head* Most of two Monster Mashes... I think. *definitely looks jittery*

Allie: Good grief. First timer?

Misty: *looks over her shoulder and sees that he did indeed start on his second drink* Yeeeahhh. Gorgeous, y'know that's jes caffeine 'n sugar, right?

Lance: *small, quick nod*

Allie: Yeah, but if he's never had the stuff before, it'll really mess with him.

Misty: *doubtful look at Allie* No way.

Allie: Oscar had the same reaction his first time.

Misty: *incredulous head shaking, and then looks back to Lance. Brow quirk* He's vibratin'.

Allie: He'll prolly pass out once the crash hits.

Lance: *mumbles something about being right here*

Misty: Y'sure ya are, Gorgeous?

Lance: ... Ish?

Allie: *facepalm*

Misty: *phone out again, hits the redial and puts it to her ear*

Ira: *is the one who answers, sounding a bit cranky (when isn't he though?)* //Hello?//

Misty: 'Hide, Lance's hopped up on two Monster Mashes. I gotta lay low here till he comes back ta earth.

Ira: //... Where are you?//

Misty: *brow quirk of surprise as she realizes Will didn't tell the guy in charge of overseeing her parole her location* Hell.

Ira: //... *snort* Good. Talk to Allie.//

Misty: Allie's right here. Y'wanna talk ta 'er?

Ira: //No thanks.//

Allie: *snerk, headshake. Totally heard that*

Misty: Alright. Gonna go hole up in a back booth now. I try drivin' home 'n Gorgeous'll puke in the car.

Ira: //Baking soda will help. Stay safe.//

Misty: Whatever, Old Man. *smirk* I'm always safe.

Ira: //Cheeky brat. Ironhide out.// *hangs up*

Misty: *shuts off phone* Old fart. *phone in pocket and then looks at Allie* What's bakin' soda?

Allie: You ever see those yellow boxes in stores?

Misty: ...No.

Allie: *not surprised. Will go fishing behind the bar*

Wheelie: *offers her a marshmallow mini cone. His grin says he's made supper out of them*

Allie: *chuckles and thanks the bartender* Have you seen the baking soda, Wheelie?

Wheelie: The fizzy for burp, and the soothing for urp! *points to a funny old cookie jar he fished out of a dumpster awhile back*

Allie: *snerks as she reaches for the Big Boy cookie jar* Goofball...

Wheelie: *thoughtful finger taps his chin as his bright eyes twinkle at her* *and then he's off to fill a drink order, and sing and juggle bottles as he does so*

Misty: The *bleep* ya get that one from?

Allie: Which one, Wheelie or the cookie jar?

Misty: *looks over shoulder. Sees cookie jar* o.0

Lance: *squeaks as he spills part of his second Monster Mash*

Misty: *attention back to Lance* Careful, Gorgeous. *takes glass away from him and downs the contents, then sets it on the bar*

Allie: ... *sigh* Wheelie... *fishing candy packages out of the baking soda-filled cookie jar*

Wheelie: *quizzical look over his shoulder, and then laughs* That's mine, I believe. Watch out for Steve!

Allie: ... Steve? *blink. Blink!* Oh. *fishes the plastic ninja out as well*

Wheelie: *wide grin*

Misty: *incredulous look to Allie*

Allie: Wheelie, go put Steve where he belongs. And no more candy for today.

Wheelie: *befuddled look* Mom, you are wrong, you can't tell a Ninja where he can belong!

Allie: *Look*

Wheelie: *hands up. He's in earnest*

Misty: *starting to snicker*

Allie: *getting THAT tone of voice* Wheelie.

Wheelie: *wibble* Mom, be fair. Steve lives everywhere. Bet your bling, it's a Ninja thing.

Allie: I don't let Sadie or Michael hide their toys all over the place, Wheelie.

Misty: Bet Steve'd like ninjain' in Allie's pocket.

Wheelie: *glances at her, then perks and looks at Allie hopefully*

Allie: *chuckles and nods*

Wheelie: Aw, thanks, Mom. Um scuse me now, gotta mix a bomb. *scoots his wheels toward the customer that just called*

Misty: The *censored* was that about? *amused*

Allie: Wheelie knows he's not supposed to hide his toys in food or anything used to make food.

Misty: ...Y'mean this's a regular thing?

Allie: Yup. It wouldn't be, if Oscar didn't encourage him. *said with amusement*

Wheelie: *scoots back, happily chattering at the cookie jar by name and telling it to come help him make the bomb*

Misty: *jaw drop*

Allie: *offers the cookie jar*

Wheelie: *takes with thanks and goes to finish the drink*

Lance: *giggly hiccups*

Misty: The kid cracked 'er somethin'? *turns back to Lance* Don' even think'a pukin' on me.

Allie: I have no idea... I just know nothing ever really gets him down.

Lance: *hic* *giggle*

Misty: You got that stuff ready, Allie? *eyeing boyfriend warily*

Allie: Just a sec. *will grab a glass, put the baking soda she grabbed into it, and add water* *offers the glass once the baking soda has been mixed in* Here. Give him this.

Misty: *grabs glass and pokes it at Lance's mouth* Drink that.

Lance: *squeak! Then he's pulling a funny face as he tastes the glass' contents*

Misty: Drink up. 'N I better not wear any.

Lance: *bit of a sulk going as he drinks*

Allie: *watching this with a quietly contemplative expression. She knows how rough and tumble Misty was before, and that the gang leader never showed affection except possibly for her twin sister*

Misty: *as the glass empties* Good. *sets it down and then tips up Lance's face so she can use her thumb to wipe the corner of his mouth. Doesn't make any cracks about him being a slob though, because she's seen the hysteric tears that result from that sort of comment*

Lance: *bit of a squeak that might be a burp*

Misty: *stifles a snerk. Instead quirks a brow at him* How ya feelin'?

Lance: Stuff's still shaky...

Misty: *looks over her shoulder at Allie* Any 'a the far booths empty? *sees the older girl's expression* What?

Allie: Should be... Also, you two are freaking adorable. *smirk*

Misty: *face goes blank with shock* Huh?

Allie: *phone out, picture snapped! RUN LIKE HECK!*

Lance: 0_0 *squeak*

Misty: *gobsmacked* The *bleep*? She never useta use. *thinks Allie's on drugs*

Lance: *slowly* I... have no idea.

big guy: *all muscle, bone, and hardened skin* You guys seen Axel?

Misty: I don't even know who that is. *indifferent*

guy: He's my son. Neysa said he was in here. *walks off looking for Allie*

Lance: *didn't even manage a squeak that time*

Misty: *pushes away from the bar, taking her arms from his coat* Looks like Neysa's dumped more brats on Allie.

Lance: *bit of a squeak that time, will try to follow Misty's lead*

Misty: *leads him across the big room, ignoring the bunch of kids who have gotten up on the stage and are playing 'Dare to be Stupid'. Locals who see her get quickly out of her way, some of them with faces pale with fear*

Lance: *will go where led, and give himself a bit of a shake as he walks*

hulking brute: *standing in their path, but almost before he's finished turning to scowl at them he's squeaking and backpedaling before he turns and bolts back into the crowd*

Lance: *quietly* They're scared of you?

Misty: *looks at him, then looks at the latest retreat* Yup. Here, this place looks good, but I gotta use the can. Sit so that mark on yer arm shows.

Lance: *small nod, will move to do so*

Misty: *pats him on the cheek and walks away*

Lance: *will look around while he waits for her to return*

Waitress: *walks past and gives him a glass of lemon water*

Lance: *eying the lemon water for a few moments before putting his head down on the table*

small hand: *touches his arm*

childish voice: You sick, bud?

Lance: *slight start, looks toward the speaker* Had a couple 'f Monster Mashes...

child: *can't be more than four, with a pinched little silver pixie face and big eyes, one of blue and one of green* *puzzled frown* Yer sick on that?

Lance: Never had 'em before... *and now he's starting to get what Allie was talking about when she mentioned crashing*

child: *thinks about this, those pupilless eyes thoughtful. Then looks up at him again* Bet a fiver I can pick yer pocket.

Lance: *quietly* At this point, wouldn't be much 'f a bet... *maybe it's a good thing he's already got his head down on the table*

child: *disappointed tone in that light voice as Lance's cellphone is offered back to him* So no bet?

Lance: No bet.

child: *censored* Want me ta watch yer back while ya crash? Just a fiver.

Lance: *quietly* Misty'll be back soon...

child: *perks* Misty? Y'mean Mistfire? The chick that torched Lockdown?

Lance: *small nod* *frown* Wait... Torched?

second child: *husky little guy, carries past a bundle nearly as big as he is* Allen, where's Mom?

child: *looks over his shoulder* Here somewhere. Oh *bleep*, a new one? I think she went that way. *back to Lance* Yeah, she set 'im on fire 'n roasted 'im. 'N Blade fried 'im.

second child: *resumes lugging the softly vocalizing newborn in the direction that Allen indicated*

Lance: ... *just went very pale*

child: He figured he was gonna sell 'em ta some *bleep* in Africa for soldiers.

Lance: *boggling, doesn't notice he's starting to shake just a bit, and not from too much caffeine*

child: He didn' blow up like the first guy she roasted, though. *scratches nose*

Lance: *quietly* When did she do that? *sounds a bit ill now*

child: When she took over the Pitborn. The old General was twenty somethin', 'n she was twelve. They faced off, 'n she cooked 'im.

Lance: ... *silent now. Mostly because he just passed out* *has had too much culture shock in a very short time*

Misty: *is that hand shaking his shoulder* Gorgeous? Lance? Hey.

child: He just splatted. I didn' do anythin'!

Allie: *coming over to see what's going on, has the newborn on her hip* Misty? What's wrong?

child: He splatted, Mom!

Misty: Dunno. This ain't what happens after a crash. *frowning as she shakes Lance's shoulder again*

Allie: *frowns at the soft whimper Lance lets out* Maybe you should take him outside for some air, Misty...

Misty: Neysa's out there bein' a *bleep*.

Allie: I'll go talk to her. *heads that way*

Misty: *absently* Some guy was lookin' fer Axel.

Allie: *as she goes* Axel's in bed, asleep.

Misty: *sits by Lance and lifts him off the table. Pats his cheek* Hey...

Lance: *trying to wake up, isn't having much luck*

Misty: *gets the water, eats the lemon, and tosses the rest in his face*

Lance: *awake with a startled shriek*

Misty: Whoa. Hey. *frown* Kin ya hear me?

Lance: *shaking and crying now, not that he notices*

Misty: *hugs him close, frowning her confusion* Did somebody say somethin', Gorgeous?

Lance: *clings and mumbles something about roasted people*

Misty: Oh. That was years ago. *frowns and rubs his back*

Lance: *deep, shaky breaths and a mumble of someting about Africa*

Misty: Yeah. That's what I was in the Big House for. *still cuddling and back rubbing*

Lance: *trying to make himself calm down, is failing miserably*

red-headed girl with cat ears, a military jacket over a white t-shirt, and a hole in her pants for her tail: *coming over* Hey, Misty, is he okay? *concerned*

Misty: *looks up with a frown, but then relaxes and looks back to Lance* Not sure, NatCat.

Natalie: This his first time here? *just unobtrusively set a fiver on the table*

Misty: *absently* Yeah. *pushes Lance's head up and smooths his hair away from his face* C'mon, Gorgeous. Aincha done yet?

Natalie: *wince* It's prolly culture shock...

Lance: *hiccupping again, eyes puffy and red*

Misty: *scowls at Natalie* What? *shrugs and turns back to Lance* Hey. C'mon.

Natalie: He's one of the rich kids... I can tell. Here... *offers an unopened package of pocket kleenexes*

Lance: *going to cling a bit more, but at least he's done crying for now*

Misty: *looks at the Kleenexes blankly, then frowns at Natalie quizzically* Yeah, that pink car's his.

Natalie: *blink blink* He's got a pink car? *grin* That's awesome! *will set the kleenexes on the table and scoot off to see if she can get a look at the car*

Lance: *quietly* Better not touch my car...

Misty: Nah, Nobody 'n the other *bleeps* 're protectin' it. *rubs his back*

Lance: *small nod, will lean on her for a bit*

Misty: *cuddles him close* We kin rest here, where it's quiet.

Lance: *small nod, closes his eyes and sighs, his deathgrip relaxing considerably*

Misty: *moves around in the booth till they're laying on the worn vinyl seat, and she's protecting him between her body and the back of the booth* *quietly* Git some sleep. I got ya.

Lance: *snuggles and sleeps*

short Latino guy with curly auburn hair and a bit of a baby face to him: *comes over a few moments later with water*

Misty: *absent warning scowl*

slg: *after setting the water on the table* Allie's with the rest'a the younger kids, but said ta tell you two lovebirds if ya need a bed ta crash on, there's room.

Misty: We're good.

slg: *smiles* Okay. I'm gonna be around in here, so if ya need anything, just holler or ask one of the others for Oscar.

Misty: Yeah. Sure. *intent on Lance*

Oscar: *heads off to check on some of the other patrons of Hell*


meanwhile, back at the mansion


Toku: *just urked as he was brought to the school's infirmary*

Will: *startled at the size of the group that arrived, but will move to get the ailing teen onto a gurney*

Grimlock: *growls at him warningly* Who you?

Will: Doctor William Johnson. Misty called ahead and said there was someone who needed medical attention.

Lumen: That's my dad, Grimlock.

Swoop: *bit of a scowl going on now*

Grimlock: *glowers down at Lumen* Me not know you either, furball.

Lumen: Name's Lumen Johnson. *nope, not intimidated by the glower*

Grimlock: That tell me *beep* all.

Lumen: Tough *bleep*. *looks to Moonracer* You can let go of my tail now.

Toku: *slipping back into unconciousness*

Moonracer: *challenging look to Lumen, but then turns her head as someone comes in* Jazz!

Grimlock: *lowers his head, displaying the row of small spike shaped implants that march down the centre of it. Growl* Me didn't do it.

Swoop: Me not do it either. *wide-eyed now*

Lumen: Hey, Jazz. *tips his head towards Grimlock* You know these guys?

Jazz: Yeah. Known 'em all my life. *grins at the pair of tall reptilian siblings and Moonracer* These're the Dinobots. Grimlock, Swoop, 'n Moonracer.

Swoop: Her Slag not here. Still in Big House. *sadface*

Lumen: *blink blink, SNERK*

Jazz: *comes in slowly and patpats Swoop as he looks at Lumen* What's so funny, Lu?

Lumen: Just stuff I've heard in the Nexus... *bit of a grin* So who's this guy? *indicates Toku, who Will is trying to tend to without ticking Grimlock off further*

Jazz: Dunno. I never saw that cat before in my life. *concerned frown* You better give him ta Doc, Grimmy.

Grimlock: *scowls and growls and does so*

Will: *carefully laying Toku on the gurney*

Swoop: That him Toku... Him Grimlock find and bring home.

Jazz: He don't look so good. *frowns*

Grimlock: Her Swoop crappy doctor.

Swoop: *will slug Grimlock for that* Am not crappy doctor!

Will: *getting an IV ready* We might need Flynn...

Grimlock: Well me Grimlock didn't break him!

Jazz: Lemme know if yer sure, Will. She's sleepin' upstairs.

Swoop: Then why him Toku hurt when you Grimlock bring home?!

Will: *nods as he studies what looks like a pretty badly infected gash on Toku's lower body* I have no idea what he might have picked up... And any help I can get in getting him stabilized will be appreciated.

Grimlock: *scowl deepens as he turns his big head* You, Jazz hurt. No walk around so much.

Swoop: *upset squawk, will fuss over Jazz now*

Jazz: Ack! Hey, it ain't that... Ouch!

Lumen: I'll go get Flynn. *PINpoints out of the infirmary*

Swoop: *fuss fuss fuss*

Jazz: It's jes' a broken arm. See? *shows strap on cast*

Swoop: *wibble*

Will: *not-cuss* I'll have to cut his clothes off...

Jazz: What? *turns his head to look at Will*

Will: *shows Jazz what he means: part of the skinny guy's shirt seems to be stuck in such a way that removing it by the traditional method just won't work*

Jazz: *winces and bites his lip* Maan...

Will: Keep an eye on him. *will go get scissors*

Grimlock: *knife out. Cut fabric. Knife back away*

Jazz: Hey, Will. Looksee.

Will: *looks, has found scissors* ... That works too. *puts scissors back, gets what he thinks he'll need to get the rest of the fabric removed, and returns* *bit of a frown* This would be a bit easier if I had access to his medical records, so I could know what's safe to give him and what blood type he is...

Grimlock: *frowns, but then perks and offers Toku's wallet* This thing help any?

Will: It should at least tell us who he is... *will set down everything he grabbed and reach for the offered wallet. Pulls out a Learner's Permit* Toku Hoshide. No medical alert... so no known allergies to medicines.

Jazz: That a blood donor card?

Will: *fishes it out* *snerk* AB Positive. *frowns as a school ID tumbles out* He went to the Academy... and that's a student visa...

Jazz: So he ain't even American?

Grimlock: What? We gotta send him back somewhere?

Swoop: But him Toku family not claim... *wibble*

Will: We'll help him get citizenship here.

Grimlock: *snorts* No other Dinobot got it.

Jazz: No. Slag does now.

Grimlock: Since when? *surprised scowl*

Swoop: No fair. Why her Slag get citizenship?

Will: *tuning the two Dinobots out for now, will work on getting Toku cleaned up and carefully turned onto his side in case the teen urks again*

Jazz: So she could get meals 'n stuff in the pen.

Swoop: *blink blink* ... Oh.

Grimlock: This place look like Big House. *looks around, scowling*

Jazz: Whaddyou know about the Big House, Grimmy?

Grimlock: Not much. They bring me Grimlock. Me Grimlock no like. So me leave.

Will: ... That must've been the prison break I'd heard about on the news... *still working on cleaning Toku up a bit*

Grimlock: Yeah, it broke when me Grimlock walk through wall.

Jazz: *hand to his forehead as he tries to stifle snickers*

Swoop: *headtilty as she watches Will*

Will: ... I have no comment. *bit of a headshake, is actually smiling about the mental image he got*

Prowl: *from the doorway* Alright, what did I miss?

Jazz: Meep! *peeks at her around Grimlock*

Moonracer: *curious look with her pale blue eyes*

Prowl: *attention on Will as she enters the room* *to Grimlock* Was there trouble at Hell?

Jazz: Nah. The Dinos're jes' bringin' in this young cat who's havin' some problems.

Grimlock: *rumbles a growl* *abrupt bark* Who you?

Prowl: My name is Prowl.

Grimlock: Never heard of you. *snort*

Prowl: *very slight smile* I've heard of you though. You're Grimlock. Leader of the Dinobots.

Grimlock: And lead singer.

Jazz: Whut? *looks up and blinks*

Swoop: *nod nod* Me Swoop drummer.

Grimlock: And she Moonracer on other guitar. *turns head* Where her Black Betty go?

Prowl: ... I can go look for her, if you'd like.

Black Betty: Right here, ya *bleeps*. *standing over in the corner, quiet in her dark clothes*

Prowl: *looks that way* Ah. It's nice to meet you, Black Betty.

Black Betty: *beautiful face closed under her bobbed black hair* Hmmph.

Grimlock: Her got a stick...

Jazz: Hey now, we don't wanna hear that.

Grimlock: ...About the fuzz. *frowns at Jazz*

Prowl: *slight shrug, turns attention to Jazz* Back to bed.

Jazz: I ain't sleepy, Prowl baby.

Moonracer: *quietly to her husband* Baby?

Grimlock: *shrugs* Him call everybody that.

Prowl: *amused fondness in her expression* You might not be, but I am, and you still owe me snuggling.

Jazz: *expression brightens up to pleased surprise* You knew you was doin' that?

Prowl *so much amusement dancing in her eyes* Of course, I knew.

Will: *working on attempting to drain the abcess that accompanies the gash on Toku's side, and trying not to gag at the smell*

Jazz: *starts to say something, but then meeps and turns green*

Grimlock: Oh, you not puke in here, *bleeper*.

Prowl: *lips pressed thin, will move to herd Jazz out the door* *is trying not to urk*

Flynn: *comes in as they go out, her face showing very little sign that she just bawled on Lumen's shoulder after he'd startled her out of a dream other than a tear streak that she missed* What's the situation, Will? *pauses to look at the Dinobots* Could you people please wait in the other room?

Swoop: *frown* Who you?

Flynn: I'm the oldest doctor here.

Will: *quietly and seriously as Swoop's expression darkens into a scowl* This young man has a badly infected cut, and I'm starting to suspect that that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Flynn: *shoving Grimlock out of the room despite his growling and threatening stance* That's a very bad infection.

Will: *small nod as Swoop hurries after Grimlock* Add in the fever, possible dehydration, and the fact that part of his shirt seems fused with his body...

Flynn: *discovered Black Betty and shoved her out too, then closed the door* Prep for surgery.

Will: *nods and moves to do so* We also need to get him citizenship.

Flynn: That's beyond my circle of expertise. *comes over to study their patient with that slight squint that says she's looking right through him* *brows lift*

Will: *as he continues surgery prep* We can worry about that later, after he's well.

Flynn: If he gets well. *leans forward and looks a little closer*

Will: ... *pauses in mid-prep* What do you mean?

Flynn: I mean he's still mutating, and this mutation would have had a large chance of killing him even if he'd had optimal care.

Will: ... *moving that much faster to finish prep* What type of mutation are we dealing with, Flynn?

Flynn: His body is changing from pure mammal to pseudoreptilan, including major changes to his internal organs and skeletal structure. His brain is rewiring itself. And that infection has spread through most of his body.

Will: ... *curse*

Flynn: *turns away to start scrubbing up herself*

Toku: *very slight twitch and quiet mumbling in Japanese*

Flynn: *washed up, gets gown, mask, and gloves in place* I've dealt with similar cases in the past.

Will: *making sure his own gown, mask, and gloves are in place* What happened to those cases?

Flynn: They were all different. *turns to prep the patient*


in a nearby observation room


Tracks: *startles as something slams into the door, his wings flaring out as he snaps awake*

Raoul: What the heck? *out of the rocking chair and heading for the door* Hey, stop bouncin' that guy off the &$#%$#& door. My old man's tryin' to sleep.

Jazz: Grimmy, don't you throw Lu at Raoul.

Lumen: *growling and trying to free himself from Grimlock's grasp*

Prowl: *sternly* That's enough.

Moonracer: C'mon, Grimmy. I know yer frustrated. But wouldn't findin' someplace warm 'n snugglin' be better than messin' up the furball?

Grimlock: *distracted from ire as he feels his wife lean against him* *expression of deeply weighing options*

Jazz: I got jes' the place! :D

Lumen: *trying to free himself all the more*

Raoul: What's to think about, you *bleep*? Grab the senora 'n go make out.

Tracks: *from inside* Raoul!

Prowl: *facepalm*

Lumen: *growling quietly* I swear, if my girlfriend comes down here and you scare her, I'm kicking your *bleeping* aft!

Grimlock: *seems to have forgotten about Lumen as he looks at Moonracer snuggling his arm* *mumble that sounds like "boobies"*

Jazz: *facepalm* *then uses his good hand to reach up and pull Lumen away from the distracted bruiser*

Grimlock: Pretty hair...

Moonracer: *grins at him*

Grimlock: Pretty eyes.

Jazz: *stifling sniggers*

Lumen: *trying to smooth his fur down, kthx*

Prowl: *hint of an amused grin on her face*

Jazz: *looks at Prowl* Yeah, he really does think that slow.

Grimlock: *silent for a moment, and then puts an arm around Moonracer's shoulders as she pokes at his bull ring* Where this place to make out?

Prowl: *ducks her head to try not to snicker, but her shoulders are shaking*

Jazz: Right this way. *leads them to the room at the end of the hall and the opposite side of it from Tracks'*

Grimlock: *ducks to go inside, and then pauses to open and shut the door and marvel at the silence and easy movement of the hinges*

Jazz: *coming back to the group in front of the winged guy's door* There. That'll keep 'em outta trouble fer awhile.

Raoul: *exchanging stink eyes with Black Betty*

Jazz: Betty, you 'n Swoop kin bunk down in any empty room ya see here. *gestures down the hall*

Swoop: *bit of a nod, glances over her shoulder at the door to the room where Toku is* *quietly* Him Toku be alright, yes?

Jazz: *starts to say "sure", but then stops* *quietly* The docs'll do what they can.

Swoop: *more nod, will head off down the hall to find an empty room*

Black Betty: *is scowling as she accompanies the other girl*

Jazz: *sighs as he sees them go into the room across from Grimlock and Moonracer's, then droops slightly as he turns to Prowl* You okay, Lu?

Lumen: Yeah... I'm gonna go find Kimahri and spar with him a bit before I get Leggy... She prolly knows somethin's up though.

Prowl: *as she moves to put her arm around Jazz's waist* It wouldn't surprise me if she did.

Jazz: Yeah. Lu, you gotta understand these cats. They ain't from the same world you are. *looks up at the tall youth earnestly*

Lumen: *as he moves to head for the upstairs* Neither is Kimahri.

Jazz: *sadly* Bet his don't include midnight runs ta get the babies outta the dumpsters.

Prowl: *quiet as she hugs Jazz*

Lumen: *just before he reaches the stairs* His included the possibility of having to stand by and watch as his kid sacrificed herself to save their world.

Jazz: *quietly, as he nuzzles against Prowl's hair* She had a choice.

Raoul: *frowns at them, and then closes the door and comes back inside... to find that a little girl is now sitting on Tracks and studying him with an absent scowl*

Tracks: *watching the child with a quirked brow as he wonders who she is and what she wants*

Sora: *headtilty this way and that as she tries to figure out the strange winged person*

Tracks: ...Hello?

Sora: *frowny frown*

Tracks: *tries other languages on a whim* *knows many*

Sora: *blinks when she hears French*

Tracks: *pauses when he sees that blink* Bonjour?

Sora: *slowly* Bonjour...

Tracks: [May I help you, Miss?]

Sora: *bit of a frown as she tries to work out what this big is saying. Understood 'help you', but isn't quite sure on the rest* *will poke the big* [What you?]

Tracks: *brow quirks again at her accent* [A man, of course.]

Sora: *more frown* *points to the big's wings, then pokes him again* *repeats her question*

Tracks: *gently taps the claws on one small hand* [I am a man as you are a child.]

Sora: ... *so confused now. It doesn't help that she doesn't know most of the words the big used* *switches to Swahili, as that's more familiar to her and is more comforting* ~You got wings. Angel?~

Tracks: *both brows lift* ~No, child. Only a person like you.~

Sora: *so much frown on that little face. Totally isn't convinced that the big isn't an angel, since his wings are pretty and white like in the picture books she saw being handed out once* ~You wings not big like grey wings. But grey wings not as pretty. What you name?~

Tracks: ~They call me Tracks. What about you?~

Sora: ~Name Sora.~ *slight headtilt* ~Why you name Tracks?~

Tracks: ~Why?~ *slight shrug that won't jostle his bruised ribs* ~I don't know. It just is.~

Raoul: *makes a sound as he plonks back into the rocking chair*

Sora: *startles and growls*

Tracks: ~Raoul's alright.~

Raoul: *hands up to show he's peaceful*

Sora: *so much wariness in her expression*

Tracks: ~He's my son.~

Sora: ... *and now she's thinking hard about something, just before she moves to climb down*

Tracks: ~Careful.~ *offers her a hand, but then winces*

Sora: *already halfway down on her own, blinks a bit* ~You hurt?~

Tracks: ~Just a little bit.~ *sounds just a wee bit strained*

Raoul: *sitting forward. Wants to check on Tracks, but doesn't want to scare the little girl*

Sora: *frowny frown. Will climb down the rest of the way and beeline for Raoul*

Raoul: *freezes and watches her uncertainly*

Sora: *careful with her claws, will try and pull Raoul up onto his feet*

Raoul: *lets himself be pulled up, his expression hesitant but quizzical*

Sora: *insistant tug towards Tracks*

Raoul: Oh. Okay. *follows her, smiling slightly now*

Tracks: *watching with a slight smile of his own, though his face is still pale from the pain of moving the wrong way*

Sora: *will scoot around behind Raoul once she's sure the teen understands where he needs to go... and then she's moving to climb onto his back*

Raoul: *stops and turns his head* Huh?

Sora: *skinny little legs soon wrapping around Raoul's waist as she rests her chin on his shoulder*

Raoul: Uh. Hi?

Sora: *gonna be a bit quiet now... and attempt to sneakily peek down the back of your shirt, Raoul*

Raoul: *understands, and decides not to confuse the little girl by mentioning that he's adopted* ~I don't got the wings. Different thing for me.~

Sora: *blink blink, small nod, will stay where she is though*

Raoul: ~See there that radio?~

Sora: *looks, small nod*

Raoul: *expression goes intent, and suddenly the little electronic stereo is playing music* *grins over his shoulder at his passenger*

Sora: *wide-eyed now*

Raoul: ~It's called...~ technopath. ~I'm not so great with it.~

Sora: *thinking this over* ~Practice?~

Tracks: ~He's good at it. It's just that his gift isn't really focused on controlling machines and electronics. He's a car doctor. The gift is for seeing what's wrong and repairing it.~

Sora: *tiny frown as she works this over in her head. Cars are still kind of scary to her, so she's not quite sure fixing them's a good thing*

Raoul: ~Tracks is stunt driver. I fix the cars.~

Sora: ... *blank look*

Raoul: Uh. What?

Sora: ~What stunt driver?~

Raoul: Um... *tries to think how to explain*

Tracks: ~Have you ever seen a movie, Sora?~

Sora: ... *blank look*

Tracks: ~Why don't I show you what that is... in the morning. It's pretty late now.~

Raoul: *concerned frown* Yeah, you need sleep.

Sora: *nod nod* Sleeps.

Raoul: *grins* Yeah! Where do you sleep?

Sora: Sleeps... ~in good spot... Good shelter, good door.~ *nod nod*

Raoul: *about to ask if she'd like a ride to her room when a tap at the door makes her look over there*

Tracks: *turns his head quizzically*

Sora: *wary expression firmly in place now*

Raoul: *goes over and opens the door*

Rachel: *looks tired, but she's smiling* There you are, Sora.

Sora: *relaxing when she sees who was at the door* ~Angel hurt.~

Rachel: *apologetic sigh* No Swahili for Mama Ray, remember?

Sora: *bit of a frown. Not sure she has the right words in English or any other language she's learned so far*

Tracks: She says that I'm hurt, Doctor Cristofson.

Rachel: Oh. Yes. But only some bad bruises.

Tracks: *translates*

Sora: *small nod* *frowns as she hears a word she doesn't recognize* *will repeat it, slowly* Bruises?

Tracks: *tells her the Swahili word. Also explains that he's got a sprained wrist and a slightly sore one as well, and had a bump on the head*

Sora: *wibble-bibble*

Rachel: *reaches for the little girl* Mr. Trach will be okay.

Sora: *will go to Rachel and snuggle with a small nod*

Raoul: She was gonna go to bed.

Rachel: *nods to Raoul, then quietly to Sora* Papa Chris is awake.

Sora: *perks up* See Papa Chris?

Rachel: He asked for you. *grins*

Sora: *nod nod, smiling brightly now*

Rachel: You go see him. I need to look at Mr. Trach.

Sora: *itty bitty pout, but then she's snuggling Mama Ray one last time and indicating she wants down*

Rachel: *sets her down and gives her a last gentle squish, then lets her go*

Sora: *scoots to go see Papa Chris*

Chris: *turns his head as she steps into the critical care room, and then his craggy face is lighting in a slow smile* *gruff voice quiet and not sounding very strong* Sora.

Sora: *gonna scale the side of the bed* Papa Chris wake. *itty bitty smile*

Chris: *turns his hand to show a one bite brownie* ~Saved you one.~

Sora: *will join you on the bed, Chris* ~Am glad Papa Chris okay.~ *snuggle*

Chris: *concerned frown* ~Little cake?~

Sora: ~Little cake, then sleeps?~

Chris: *tiredness shows* Yeah.

Sora: *will reach for the brownie* ~Saw angel in different room... Pretty white wings.~

Chris: ~Don't know white wings.~

Sora: *as she begins splitting the little cake in two* ~Prettier wings than screechy grey wings and big grey wings.~

Chris: *tries to open his eyes, but he's nearly back to sleep now that his belly is full and his favourite little person is here* Heh...

Sora: *will poke half the little cake at Papa Chris' mouth* ~Angel gotta son, too.~

Chris: *eats the half brownie without waking* Huh.

Sora: *nibbles on her half of the treat* ~Angel son make radio talk.~ *bitty yawn*

Chris: *soft snore that makes Luka bark from her basket by the wall*

Sora: ~Night, Luka.~ *will snuggle against Papa Chris and go to sleep*

Chris: *slight smile on his face as he sleeps*


upstairs


Jenny: *snuggled on the side of Elly's bed and watching her with those wide orange eyes*

Elly: *feeling a bit restless, but not entirely sure why*

Lumen: *dancing with Lola in his arms, hijacked his mom's cd player radio and has it playing 'Airship Pirates' by Abney Park*

Lola: *fussing because she's tired and wants to go home for sleeps*

Kimahri: *looks in, his eyes studying the two women in the bed* *quietly but firmly* Lumen, Legacy. Come out.

Lumen: *blink blink* ... Okay? Will move to usher Legacy out of the room*

Legacy: *worried expression is a go as she's herded*

Kimahri: *hand on Lumen's shoulder and smiles at him* Dance in hall.

Lumen: *small nod, continues to herd Legacy out into the hall* *thinks Kimahri just thinks he needs more room to babydance* *is soon singing along to the CD*

Kimahri: *soft rumble of a chuckle as he watches for a moment, but then he turns back to Elly*

Elly: *just a bit confused, goes to ask why Lu had to go out to the hall, and then she's gasping and wincing*

Kimahri: *nods and gives her foot a comforting squeeze through the bed covers* Yes. She wants to see the music.


downstairs


Oriana: *starts awake where she was sitting on one of the couches in the student's lounge, hugging Bea and leaning against Ironhide* *gasp*

Bea: *pat pat without waking*

Ira: *quiet rumble, arm around Oriana's waist*

Oriana: *looks at the closing credits of the second movie, then looks around at the staff and students who decided to take part in movie night* Oh Marty and Jacob, I chose movies without scenes like that on purpose.

Jacob: *meep!* *grin*

Marty: *blush*

Sheldon: *sleepily* 'Re they bein' mushy again?

Sky: *laughs at her parents from where she's laying on the other couch with Sonny* Yup.

Mike: Thrrrpt. *doesn't open his eyes to say this*

Sheldon: *about to reply, get interrupted by a massive yawn*

Swiper: ...Trying to catch bugs?

Sheldon: *sleepy razz and then pokes Ethan, who is intent on schoolwork there at the end of the couch that Bea, Ira and Oriana are on*

Bryson: *quietly rambling about how late it is*

Tomoe: *stretches from where she was using her husband for a pillow*

Legacy: *sleepy murmur as he tries to get more cuddling in*

Sky: Quick, Sheldon, turn the sound back on. This is important to the plot. That's Thanatos.

Sheldon: *will do so, rubbing at his eyes a bit*

Sky: *grins through all that, and then grabs the remote and fast forwards* And THIS is.

Sonny: *chortle* Schwarma!

Legacy: *sleepily* 'M not making that right now.

Tomoe: *soft laugh and a kiss on his cheek*

Oriana: No. I think it's time we all went to bed. *turns head as the Johnson twins thunder past again in their quest to express brotherly affection with a plastic wiffle bat* *eyebrows* Ira, what are Rush and Del doing?

Ira: *shrug* Being brothers.

Sonny: *snort* I don't chase my brother around and hit him in the head with a bat.

Sky: No, because he doesn't run and your fist is handier.

Jacob: *quiet chuckle*

Marty: *amused headshake*

Legacy: *bit of a frown now*

Oriana: What's wrong, Legacy?

Tomoe: *looks at him with her gentle concern*

Legacy: I'm not sure... Something just feels different.

Tomoe: But no one's hurt or upset?

Legacy: *quietly* I'm not sure... *attention going towards the upstairs*

Mike: Well, if we wind up needing to evacuate, me 'n Sheldon'll be in our beds. *massive yawn*

Sky: *snerks and gets up to walk over and get Bea*

Sonny: *grumbles and sits up, but then grins and pounces Sheldon*

Sheldon: *squeak!*

Bryson: *GONE*

Sonny: *laughs* As long as you keep doing that, I'll keep doing this. *then blinks and looks up* Oops.

Ira: *annoyed grumble*

Sonny: *gets to his feet with Sheldon under one arm as he offers Mike a hand up* At least he didn't... *also pauses and looks upward*

Swiper: *thoughtfully gazing toward the ceiling as he lays on his back by the recliner chair*

Legacy: ... *moving to get up*

Sonny: *grins* It's alright. Everything's fine.

Oriana: What's alright, Sonny?

Sonny: *grins and lopes out with armload of kids*

Sky: *shakes head and follows with Bea*

Legacy: *bit of a smile, moves to help Tomoe up*

Ira: *growl* Report.

Legacy: *quietly* Dianne's here now.

Oriana: *soft gasp* Will's downstairs working with Toku.

Ira: Kimahri's there.

Jacob: *sits up* Here comes Lumen.

Jacki: *sits up from where she was conked out with Blue* What'd I miss?

Legacy: Your granddaughter's birth. *winces as he picks up on how excited Lumen is*

Tomoe: *presses the button on Legacy's new blocker, then looks toward the door*

Lumen: *spazzing as well as he can with an armload of Lola and girlLegacy* I'm a brother!!!

gLegacy: *looks a bit out of it, but has a grin on her face*

Jacob: How is she? What does she look like? *rising to his feet with the help of his cane, and helping Marty up as he does*

Lumen: She's little and cute and she's got Dad's nose and she's already got hair! *gleeeeeee*

Jacki: *snaps mouth shut and bolts from the room to go see her daughter*

Blue: *waking up as he feels the cooling spot where Jacki was*

Lola: Fat babby!

Jacob: Fat? But Will said she'd only be five pounds at the most.

Lola: Fat! :D

Lumen: He thought I'd be born after nine months...

Oriana: ...You weren't?

Ira: *snort*

Lumen: Naw. I was three months early.

Blue: *scooting to check on Elly now*

Oriana: *wonderingly* So you don't just look like a lion.

Lumen: *puzzled expression is a go*

Stephan: *from where he's wrapped in blankets on the big rocker recliner* The gestation of the modern African lion is approximately 110 days.

Lumen: ... Huh.

gLegacy: *nod nod*

Jacob: Well, Marty and I better get to bed after we've checked on Elly and had a glance at Di. *grins at everyone in his gentle and cheery way*

Ira: *nods*

Lumen: Where's Aunt Caly?

Marty: She's that heap of afghans over by Stephan's chair.

Lumen: *looks* *snerk* I think she likes ya, Percy.

Stephan: *rueful smile as he blushes slightly* Indeed, I've come to that conclusion myself, Lumen. *starting when she hauled his weary form downstairs, cocooned it, and stuck it in this chair*

Jacob: *chuckles as he nods to Ira and then leads Marty from the room on his arm*

Lumen: Good luck getting her to leave ya be now. *grin*

Stephan: *lifts his eyebrows* I've calculated the possibility of such an event and the odds in favour proved to be quite insignificant.

Lumen: ... *blank look*

gLegacy: *quietly* He knows Caly's not leavin' him...

Lumen: ... Oh.

Ira: *amused expression is a go as Bryson returns to the room*

Bryson: *stops short when he sees that Lumen's holding something that looks like a My Little Pony, and that there's a tiny blonde girl leaning on his arm*

Stephan: Ah. *smile* Bryson has returned. It is good to see that you failed to interact violently with the features of the house this time, my young friend.

Lumen: *understood THAT, at least* *snerk*

Bryson: *trying to figure out how to ask about the dark, furry critter Lumen's holding*

Lola: *turns her head and sees Bryson. Squeal!* Hi!

Oriana: *startles and looks up from where her attention had dropped to her and Ira's clasped hands* *grins at the excited fuzzy toddler*

Bryson: *blink blink* Er... Hi? *for once, his brain's not working faster than his mouth!*

Lumen: This is Lola. And this lovely lady is her mom, Legacy. *arm around girlfriend's waist*

gLegacy: *blush*

Bryson: ... *silent for a few moments* *then* Wait,howcanshebeLegacywhenLegacyisaguyandmarriedtoTomoe? Thatdoesn'tmakesenseatallandwhatisLola?

Oriana: *mildly* Slow down, Bryson.

gLegacy: *quietly* He and I are alternates of one another from different realities... The guy is the local one... I'm how my reality said 'Legacy'.

Lola: *boggling at the speed that Bryson spoke at. Then... * Issa Blurr!!! :D

Lumen: *frown* Dude, I told you about Leggy.

Bryson: ...

gLegacy: *quietly, as she leans against Lumen a bit more* You need to speak quickly next time, Lu...

Lumen: ... I'll keep that in mind.

Oriana: *smiles and glances at Ira to see what he thinks of the conversation, and/or if he's even noticed it*

Ira: *amused headshake*

Oriana: *squeezes his hand and then stifles a yawn that makes her jaw crack* Oh!

Ira: *attention back on Oriana* Bed time.

Stephan: *also looking toward her, a bit sadly though smiling* I second Mr. Iron's suggestion.

Oriana: Hmm. *stands* I think that's a good idea. Don't stay up too late, please, Bryson.

Lola: *giving Bryson kissies as her parents tell about her*

Bryson: *distracted nod*

Oriana: *slight head shake, looks over at the recliner* Good night, Stephan.

Stephan: *quietly* Goodnight, Miss Pax.

Oriana: *looks at Ira, whose hand she's still holding*

Ira: *moving to get up* Might as well make Rush and Del be useful...

Caly: *sits bolt upright* Del, get your *bleep* head out of the toilet 'n stop singin' that!

Oriana: *startled look for Caly* You're not in water...

Caly: *starts laughing, then shakes off the last of sleep funk* You tell 'em, Willy. *blink* Huh?

Lumen: *blink blink* What the heck was that?

Oriana: *slight startle as Ira puts his arm around her shoulders, then looks at said arm before turning back to listen to Caly's reply*

Caly: ... I heard Del singin' somethin'.

Stephan: *looking at her now with eyes alight with curiosity* I wonder if it might have something to do with your state of consciousness. *plainly wants to find out!*

Caly: *just a bit wary now* Gotta be careful... Willy's workin' on someone...

Stephan: *gently* The testing would only involve your sleeping and your brothers submersing their heads and attempting to communicate with you. There would be nothing invasive or harmful. And I concur that tonight is not the proper time at which to proceed.

Ira: Could just knock Del and Rush into the pond again. *gives Oriana a curious look at her lack of response to Del having his head in the toilet while singing, while she did react to Calypso hearing him while not submersed*

Oriana: *sees the look. Blushes slightly* I'm not surprised by anything Del and Rush do anymore.

Ira: *snerk, amused headshake*

Oriana: *looks down shyly, but then lifts her free hand and puts it on his chest as she leans against him in a hesitant show of affection*

Caly: ... When'd you two start gettin' sweet on each other?

Ira: *gruffly* Not your concern, Caly. *protective of Oriana*

Caly: *blinks a bit as she understands now why Stephan had such a lost puppy look on his face that morning around lunch time when she found him outside of Oriana's room and put him to bed*

Lumen: *chuckles* About time you two went public with it.

Oriana: *head snaps around to look at Lumen. 0_0*

Lumen: Leggy's an empath. She had it figured out before I did.

Oriana: *winces and rests her forehead on the hand on Ira's chest, shaking her head ruefully* I only realized it myself today, Lumen. *amends as she thinks of the time* Last night.

Lumen: *small nod* *more chuckle* Bet the local Legacy was relieved.

Ira: *Look for the teen*

Oriana: But I... Oh. *looks up at Ira. Softly* You've felt this way for awhile.

Ira: *very slight blush as he nods*

Stephan: *busy trying to extract himself from his cocoon so that Caly will fuss and distract him from the sight of Oriana and Ira looking at each other that way*

Caly: *not only will she fuss, she'll make darn well sure Stephan gets to bed safely... By carrying him there herself*

Lumen: Just remember not to get too mushy. *noticed Stephan's expression, but won't say anything. He's pretty sure Calypso will take care of the scientist*

Oriana: *little startle and looks at Lumen, then closes her eyes slightly and turns her face down and to the side as she blushes* *can't think of what to say in reply*

Lumen: Go get some rest.

Ira: *half-hearted grumbling about young punks, will move to bring Oriana upstairs*


several hours later


Flynn: *carefully guiding a Will who is stumbling along dead on his feet* We're nearly there, William. Don't fall asleep yet. *glances at him* Don't go into deep sleep yet.

Will: 'M tryin'...

Flynn: Try hard. I don't have the physical strength to carry you, and you wanted to sleep beside Elly. *staggers slightly as Will rests his full weight on her for a moment*

Will: *trying to get back to vertical orientation* *quietly* Rush 'r Del...

Flynn: I don't hear any sign of them. *pauses and looks up as that big blue fellow comes out of Will and Elly's room and walks over to them* *brows lift*

Kimahri: *carefully holding out the tiny baby in his hands* Dianne.

Flynn: *quietly* My goodness...

Will: ... *quiet* And I missed her birth...

Kimahri: *softly* Helping someone sick. *will gently tuck Dianne in her father's arms and pick up said father*

Will: *slight start*

Flynn: *okay, that's surprised her. Eyes slightly wide as she watches*

Will: *nod, soft sigh*

Kimahri: Rest now. *showing no signs of strain as he moves to bring Will to Elly*

Jenny: *looks up as Kimahri comes in. Sees the big man who stays so close to this new mother and smiles, then tries to wriggle out of Elly's arms*

Kimahri: *soft rumble as he sees that Elly is reluctant to let go of Jenny, amusement twinkling in his eyes*

Jenny: *makes a small sound and turns her head, then reaches to pat the new mother's face. Soft calling sound*

Kimahri: *brings Will and Dianne over to the bed and carefully does a Will-plus-baby for Jenny exchange*

Elly: *clings to Will as she sleeps*

Jenny: *sighs and snuggles, but then looks up at her big one as she points toward the baby*

Kimahri: *very soft rumble* *quietly* Someday.

Jenny: *wrinkles her muzzle slightly, and then points again. Looks up at him appealingly*

Kimahri: *gently* Someday. *gentle nuzzle*

Jenny: *understands by the nuzzle that he won't give her what she wants. Sighs and wrinkles her muzzle further, but then leans against him and closes her eyes. Sleepy little wiffle*

Kimahri: *gentle backrub, is considering staying a bit longer, since this place doesn't have the proper Guardian that he can sense it's supposed to have*

Sky: *peeks through the open door* *quietly* How are they? And what did you do to Red Alert?

Kimahri: *quietly* Sleeping. *will get up and go see what Sky means*

Flynn: *staring blankly at the wall, the tears that earlier soaked Lumen's shoulder pooling unfallen in her eyes*

Kimahri: *soft, concerned rumble*

Flynn: *blinks and looks up at him, suddenly blank again* I don't believe we've met. *doesn't react to Sky's soft coo from Will and Elly's room*

Kimahri: Kimahri.

Flynn: *lifts brows, indicating that this doesn't enlighten her*

Kimahri: *quiet for a few moments as he thinks* Lumen second father.

Flynn: Ah. I've heard of you. You came with Lumen, then?

Kimahri: *nod. Is now really uncertain if he should head home. This woman's emotionlessness worries him*

Flynn: Thank you for helping Elly. Did someone show you a room where you can sleep?

Kimahri: *small headshake*

Flynn: I'll do that now. Do you want to be near the Johnson family?

Kimahri: *nod*

Flynn: *scans the hall thoughtfully, and then nods toward the last room on the hall* That one's small, but it has a bed, as I recall.

Kimahri: *nods his thanks, will move to bring Jenny to that room* *making a mental note to ask Aoife if there's a Guardian who could come here*

Flynn: *watches him go, taking note of the way that he's holding the tiny purple female. Then turns and looks into Will and Elly's room to check on the newly enlarged family*

Will: *deeply asleep and being dolly cuddled by Elly while Dianne sleeps peacefully in his arms*

Flynn: *slight frown. Goes to her own room to get something that she'd bought for Elly. Returns and slips Dianne away from Will*

Will: *doesn't even notice, is that deeply asleep*

Flynn: *carefully tucks Dianne into the little plastic and steel basket with the hoops protruding from the top, then gives her back to Will. Satisfied that tiny baby is safe from being crushed, she turns and leaves the room to join Swoop at Toku's bedside*

Swoop: *fell asleep at some point, is slumped over the bed rail*

Toku: *all the equipment he's hooked to is quiet aside from the soft beeps of the heart monitor*

Flynn: *will see if she can't convince Swoop to move to the futon that she's put on the floor by the back wall of the room*

Swoop: *wakes up enough to relocate to the futon, and then she's out like a light again*

Flynn: *covers the girl, and then takes her place in the rocking chair. Will sit there and watch over both of them for the rest of the night*

((Written with random_xtras))