Mv. /Ark/ Base. Pets and Family Time

[microbots]

Rachel: *standing and looking at Scarlett as she lays tucked in bed, surrounded by sisters, and with two tiny sparklets cuddling each other beside her as her sisters' little human children speak to them softly*

Kagerou: *very quietly comforting bubby's baby, who is sad because he can't see his daddy*

Scarlett: *feeling miserable and still a bit loopy* *wants Shadowmaru here, and he's not, which is making her even crankier*

Felicity: *making quiet, happy sounds*

Rachel: Ali, you already fixed Scary's pillow. She's alright. *lifts head, her face brightening* Here are the boys.

Alicia: *just a bit loopy thanks to Scarlett sharing the love* Still needs fixed...

Sabrina: *slight frown at her book as she realizes she just read the same passage six times and didn't make any sense of it*

Deckerd: *peeks into the room and grins, Tomo a happy clicker in his arms, then looks down the hall* Everything's fine, Shadowmaru. He's the same colour as Kagerou!

Shadowmaru: *hesitating just outside the door. Is slightly scared to go in, and he's still feeling a bit fuzzy in the head*

Drill Boy: *is that impatient whine in the background*

Deckerd: *sets Tomo free to toddle into the room toward his Aunty Ferdy, and then grabs Shadowmaru as he wobbles*

Gunmax: Hey, Baby, don't block the door! *shoves the young ninja inside*

Shadowmaru: *startled 'ack' at the shove*

Deckerd: *faceplanted now* ??

Drill Boy: *laughing muchly now* Owned! Deckerd got owned!

Felicity: *happy squee turns into a 'meep' as she leans too far to try and pick up Tomo and ends up halfway off the bed*

Rachel: *catches Felicity and sits her in the empty rocking chair, then parks a Tomo on her lap along with Archie. Back to Shadowmaru to scan him and make sure he's steady*

Kagerou: Maru! Maru! Maru! MARU!! *bubby must come and take away the baby's sad!*

Shadowmaru: *slightly zonked, but will make his way over to Scarlett's side to fuss over his newborn son and his brother*

Kumori: *big frown at this big guy talking to him*

Shadowmaru: *gentle clicks*

Scarlett: Hey, 'Maru. *reaching for the ninja to plant one on him*

Kumori and Kagerou: *gleeful clamour of approval as they see the display of affection*

Tomo: *agrees with other babbies!*

Mark: *he and his human cousins agree!*

Deckerd: *over the sound of baby glee* Drill Boy, stop jumping on my head and yelling. I want to get up.

Felicity: *happy clickstorm is a go*

Shadowmaru: *is now a quiet, contented rumble*

Dumpson: *will grab Drill Boy's scruffbar, being mindful of Fay on the youngster's shoulder, and pull him off of Deckerd* Knock it off, Drill Boy. *grump*

Drill Boy: Ahhh! I wanna see! *flails the arm that Fay's not sitting near*

Fay: *scared!* Oh!

Dumpson: Then quit squishing Deckerd. *will let the pest go*

Drill Boy: *big pout as he cuddles Fay* I wanted to see. You stupid stink head.

Power Joe and McCrane: *helping Deckerd to his feet*

Deckerd: *slightly dazedly* Thanks, guys.

Nancy: Are you alright?

Drill Boy: *suddenly clues in* Oh no! Are you hurt, Deckerd?

Dumpson: *one with his facepalm*

Deckerd: I think I'm okay.

Drill Boy: *is a big wibble*

Nancy: *lifts Rachel up*

Rachel: *scans* Yeah, you're not hurt. Just smack him upside the head, Mikky.

Power Joe: Why can't I do it?

Rachel: You hit too hard, PJ. *chuckles*

Power Joe: *sulk*

McCrane: *carefully whaps Deckerd upside the head*

Deckerd: *winces and reboots* Thanks, McCrane. *will stand on his own now and put an arm around his wife, only to realize that he can't hear or see Gunmax and hurriedly excuse himself to see where his brother's gone*

Destiny: *is that gleeful clickstorm in the hallway that can be heard over Gunmax's protesting*

Deckerd: *pauses* *but then chuckles and goes to visit with his young aunt*

Gunmax: Hey! Let me go. Deckerd's going to... *bleep* *scowl at brother*

Destiny: *clinging to the green guy's helm and clickstorming to her heart's content. She's up high, and this guy sounds like Sissy's babbies!*

Sora: *quietly* She must really like you...

Gunmax: *startles at that quiet voice and stops cursing to look down* Huh?

Deckerd: *stopped short and holding his 'breath' as he watches the meeting*

Sora: *small smile* Destiny only uses bigger people that she likes as jungle gyms.

Destiny: *peeking at Sissy now, and biting her lower lip* *will repeat the word Gunmax used earlier*

Gunmax: *uncertainly, as he looks down at the small woman* You look like her.

Sora: *small nod* She's my younger twin sister.

Keagan: *peeks around Sora and gives the tall green guy a calculating look*

Gunmax: Then that means you're...

Deckerd: *cuts him off* She's your mother, Gunmax.

Gunmax: *BLEEP* I'm not supposed to see you yet. No freaking out the preggers mama.

Sora: *quietly* I already knew about you, Gunmax... Not very much, but I knew you existed...

Gunmax: *pauses, his expression showing vulnerability despite himself as he wonders why she didn't come to see him*

Sora: *hesitant step towards the young mech*

Gunmax: *shoulders squared as he stands there and looks lost and scowly*

Destiny: *worried little trill as she watches Sissy*

Sora: *another hesitant step closer*

Deckerd: *quietly* Do you want me to pick you up, Okaasan?

Sora: *very small nod. Is trying to hide the slight tremors in her hands as she takes a few deep breaths*

Deckerd: *slips past Gunmax and Destiny to stoop and gently offer Sora both his hands cupped together*

Sora: *will move to carefully sit in Deckerd's hands, reaching for Keagan once she's seated comfortably*

Keagan: *scoot. Going to protect Mom!*

Destiny: *very soft clicks* Wants to see all her babbies...

Gunmax: *absently and quietly* I'm not a baby.

Destiny: *headshake* Are too. One of Sissy's babbies. *nod nod* Like Ridgeback-bubby, 'n Deckerd-bubby.

Deckerd: *WON'T smile, even though he now realizes that there's a LOT of Destiny in Gunmax* *carefully lifts Sora and Keagan up to where they can see Gunmax's face comfortably*

Gunmax: *frozen. Doesn't know why he can't move*

Sora: *very quietly, trying not to wibble* You look like Hound, too...

Gunmax: *manages to frown* Hound?

Sora: *small nod* *still quiet* Your father... He... He passed on awhile back.

Gunmax: He's dead? *chin firms as his jaw clenches*

Sora: *small nod, shuts her eyes and takes several deep breaths before transforming as her alt mode begins to feel too constrictive*

Joan: *decides to make Mama's belly ping with a mighty kick! Even if it doesn't sound too loud right now*

Gunmax: *startled out of silence* Whoa, man, the baby!

Deckerd: *o.o at baby sister obstreperousness*

Sharpshot: *small taps over her belly panel, distracting herself from scary thoughts by trying to calm Joan down*

Joan: *'talking' back, ping ding!*

Destiny: *gigglefit* Sassy babby.

Gunmax: *worriedly* What's wrong?

Sharpshot: *quiet intake hitch* *then she's looking up, her optics slightly brighter than normal* Joan is expressing herself...

Gunmax: What's that mean?

Destiny: Bein' sassy! *more giggling*

Joan: *seems to be agreeing with Destiny. Just made Mama's belly sound like a steel drum band*

Deckerd: *quietly* Like you do, Gunmax.

Dumpson: *back in Scarlett's room* Hey, he urked on Drill Boy. I like this kid.

Drill Boy: *wails*

Sharpshot: *startles badly*

Gunmax: *takes her without thinking and holds her protectively close as he turns toward the sound*

Keagan: *on his feet on Deckerd's hands. Hey! Hey now! You give her back!*

Deckerd: It's okay. Everything's alright.

Sharpshot: *shivering and fighting back flashbacks*

Joan: *doesn't like the sounds Mama's making now, will protest!*

Destiny: *trying to get down to Sissy so she can give hugs*

Gunmax: *catches Destiny and tucks her in beside Sharpshot. Holds both femmes close as he scowls and tries to figure out what the *beep* is going on back there*

Destiny: *hugging Sissy and making soft crooning sounds*

Keagan: *Kup ire explosion! Without sound!*

Sharpshot: *hands shaking as she tries to calm down*

Joan: *really making Mama's belly ring now!*

Gunmax: *relaxes* Hey, the coast is clear, Mama. *charming grin* Come on, snap out of it and give me a smile.

Sharpshot: *very quiet clicks, hides her face against her son's chest*

Destiny: *will rub Sissy's back and continue to croon lovingly*

Gunmax: *soft crooning of his own. Yup, he's singing her an Elvis song*

Deckerd: 0.0

Nancy: *stifling laughter against the wall from where she's come to check on Deckerd and Gunmax*

Keagan: *so mad!*

Destiny: *headtilty, and then she's scooting away from Sissy*

Gunmax: *pauses and eyes her, then turns Sora's face away from him. Still singing, though*

Sharpshot: *very quietly* I need down, please... *sounds a bit queasy*

Gunmax: *turns and hands her to Deckerd*

Deckerd: *very slowly lowers her to the floor* Obaasan, Okaasan is ill.

Rachel: *hurries out and grabs a bucket. Arm around Sharpshot's shoulders* Darn. I was afraid of this.

Keagan: *quiet now, though he walks over and kicks Gunmax on the ankle*

Destiny: *gonna cling to Gunmax's helm again* Sissy's gonna urk... *wibble*

Gunmax: *hand over mouth* Me too.

Deckerd: *hustles him out of the room*

Sharpshot: *at least she didn't miss the bucket*

Nancy: *kneeling and helping Rachel with Sharpshot* Shhhh, Okaasan. It's alright.

Sharpshot: *shivering this time is due to the force with which she urked*

Joan: *not pleased with this! Ping!*

Sharpshot: *gag*

Rachel: *gentle and stern tap for the belly* Settle down.

Sharpshot: *circulating and trying to will her fuel tank into settling*

Joan: *might be sulking now*

Rachel: Here, Sweetheart. Come see your grandson. *will hand Nancy the bucket and try to gently guide Sharpshot down the hall* There are two beds in the room. You can get some rest.

Sharpshot: *very small nod* *quiet* Gunmax is okay?

Rachel: *gently* He will be. His brothers are looking out for him.

Sharpshot: *another small nod* *softly* He's a lot like Destiny...

Rachel: Yeah, he is. *gets her back to Scarlett's room and brings her over to the empty bed*

McCrane: Mother? *gives armful of little humans back to PJ and comes over with a frown of concern*

Power Joe: *soft sounds of glee*

Sharpshot: *quietly, as she lays down* Thought morning sickness was supposed to hit earlier...

Rachel: Sometimes it lasts. *gently strokes her helm and pulls the blankets over her, then looks up as McCrane's big finger gently touches Sharpshot's shoulder*

Sharpshot: *small nod, shutters her optics* *quietly* She's full of sass...

Rachel: Want some calcien?

Sharpshot: *another nod* Please.

Rachel: *hauls out little heart shaped tablets from her subspace and offers them* Cinna?

Sharpshot: *very slight smile as she unshutters her optics so she can reach for the tablets*

Rachel: There are good side effects of Tracks being so set on spoiling Denver. *grins as she gives the goodies*

Sharpshot: *very quietly* There are more to being one of his sisters... *nomph*

Rachel: Ohhh. So you've had these before.

Sharpshot: *nod* *quietly* Last time, he dipped them in choccy.

Rachel: !!!! He hasn't given me any of those.

Sharpshot: *very slight shrug, is currently nomphing*

McCrane: *softly* I'll stay with her, Obaasan.

Rachel: *remembers herself and carefully lifts Keagan onto the bed* Thanks, Mikky. *pats him on the hand and then goes to take a last look at Scarlett and little Kumori*

Slingshot: *transformed to root mode. Is now conked out and using Shadowmaru's lap as a pillow*

Rachel: *satisfied. Will go settle at her desk now and catch her breath*


Outside


Sixshot: *has been watching Drift PINpoint in and out now for several minutes and getting more and more amused* I don't think the elephants are going to stay gone even if you have taught them commands since they first followed you here.

Drift: *bit of a sulk* It's worth a shot. *still can't believe that the twin mammoths kept following him home after that last time he visited the Clarksons while they were there*

Sixshot: *slaps him on the back* Let's go do a sim training battle. That'll cheer you up. Right, Rocket?

Rocket: *happy little hiss*

Drift: *as one of the twins continues to inspect his arm* Might as well...

Sixshot: Your PINpoint or mine?

twins: *both grab onto Drift at the word*

Drift: -_-;; Yours.

Sixshot: *laughing as he brings everyone down to the interactive holodeck* Have you had them here before? *watches Wing fly up excitedly*

Drift: Yeah... Where do you think I tried training 'em?

Sixshot: *chuckles* Alright. Hmm. Should we go against some hard hitters?

Drift: Might as well... It'd be good practice.

Sixshot: *calls up the program that will have them going up against actual heavy multichanger drones* The pets know to stay out of the way, right?

Drift: We've been working on that...

Rocket: *headtilty, sniff sniff sniff*

Sixshot: *chuckles, and then looks up as Wing starts circling over one spot in the trees* ...What's he doing?

Drift: *smile* Showing us where the enemy is. *drawing his swords*

Sixshot: *out with his own sword, but then his grin turns to surprise as the mammoths suddenly trumpet and charge toward where the wingcat is circling* What the... ROCKET!

Rocket: *hiss, will also charge*

Drift: *face. Palm*

Sixshot: Wait wait. Rocket! *so worried about her as he runs after her*

Rocket: *confused now. Hissss?*

Drift: *hurrying after the twins*

Sixshot: *up onto a ridge just inside the trees, and then stops short beside Rocket and stares at the mayhem being enacted below* ...Drift, look at this.

Drift: *looks* *jaw drops* Wow.

mammoth twins: *tiny ears flared out as they hunt as their mother taught them to hunt. Tossing the tank mode drone over and over, headbutting it, and stamping on it as they trumpet and roar*

Sixshot: ...Holey socks.

Drift: *soooo getting footage of this to show to Nightbird later* Holey socks is right... *will probably also show the footage to Tunnel Rat and Heavy Duty the next time he goes to see the team*

mammoth twins: *pause a moment as the quarry transforms, but then charge again, knocking it off its feet and trampling it, then tossing it and trying to find a weak spot to gore*

Sixshot: It's... beautiful.

Drift: It's epic. *grinning now*

Sixshot: Don't get rid of those things!

Drift: Not gonna. I just need to teach them to stay put...

twin one: *stops as the drone's head flies off. Gets head and tastes it, then turns and brings it to Drift. Small sounds. Quarry is dead, boss brother!*

Wing: *lands on Drift's shoulder and curls his tail around his paws*

Drift: *laughing muchly now*

twin two: *calling softly. Kill is here, boss brother*

Drift: *will head over to look*

drone: *very dead. The panel over the chest is shattered*

Drift: *gleeful cackling* *databursts the image to Sixshot*

Sixshot: *looks up from where he's kneeling and scratching Rocket's chin* Whoa... they actually know how to kill? I thought those were plant eating animals.

Rocket: *blissssss*

Drift: The ones that used to exist here might've been, but the ones on Gordon's planet help their families by hunting.

Sixshot: So they eat meat?

Drift: *headshake* No, but they kill it.

Sixshot: Ahhh. *gravely* You can't leave them unnamed. You've got proof of their prowess right there at your feet.

Drift: *nods and thinks, tilting his head a bit as he does so*

mammoth twins: *suddenly alert as Wing flies up again. Know it's alright to hunt more than one of these things that aren't made of meat, because they've seen boss brother do it*

Sixshot: *curious to see what will happen now. Tells Rocket to stay close*

Drift: Wait! Heel!

mammoth twins: *stop as they were turning toward where Wing is now circling, and go to stand behind boss brother, small ears moving curiously as they make little quizzical sounds at him*

Drift: *will lead the twins over to where Wing's circling* *points at the drone* Get him.

mammoth twins: *alert, tense, trying to see what boss brother just said*

Drift: Get him. Go. *nod*

mammoth twins: *trumpet and charge*

drone: *transforms at the approach, but then winds up flying into the air!*

Drift: *'scuse him, he's busy laughing his skidplate off*

Sixshot: *whoops and fist pumps, then glances over as the door opens*

Prowl: *stopped short in the doorway when he sees that the room is being used*

Wasp: *so much scoldies!*

Nightstrike: *keeping an eye on Prowl as per the Warlady's orders*

Sapphire Blast: *looking over his shoulder now, her optics bright with curiosity*

Sixshot: *grins and waves from the ridge* Prowl, sir. You have to come see this.

Prowl: Er... Alright. *will move to head for the ridge. Can hear trumpeting and roaring, as well as Drift laughing*

Wasp: *huff, scoldies as she follows Dad*

Nightstrike: *follows as well, Sapphire Blast a quiet wing rattle beside her as they flank the older bot*

Sixshot: *looks down from the ridge as Prowl reaches him and winces* There went its arm. They're getting better.

Drift: *shouting encouragement to the twin mammoths*

Prowl: *boggling*

Sixshot: He says the people where they come from train them to hunt. *not what Drift said, but that's what he understood*

Drift: Get him, Knockout! Get him, Goretusk!!!

Prowl: ... *blink blink*

Wasp: *still scolding Dad*

drone: *whine of servos as a tusk actually pierces its chest. Goes still*

Knockout: *just snapped the tip off his tusk. Oops, doesn't look just like Goretusk anymore*

Sixshot: ...They're going to need a weapons upgrade, Drift.

Drift: *nods, moving to make sure the twins aren't hurt* I'll see what we've got to work with...

Prowl: *quietly* Maybe some metal to cover their tusks?

Sixshot: *curious look* What do you mean?

mammoth twins: *back to boss brother and touching him with their trunk tips*

Wing: *sitting on partner and washaface... Partner's*

Prowl: They're like the battle elephants I saw images of once...

Drift: *acking and trying to discourage face washin's*

Sixshot: *intrigued* Show me?

Nightstrike and Sapphire Blast: *sound of a rumble over that other ridge*

Prowl: *trying to find the images in his processor, will databurst said images*

Sixshot: Niiice. *grin*

Wasp: *distracted by watching Sissy and Other Sissy*

Sixshot: Drift, come here and look at this.

Drift: Huh? *will saunter over to see what Sixshot wants him to look at*

Sixshot: *makes the images stand on his hand*

Drift: Oooo, cool. *grin*

Sixshot: Prowl says humans used to use elephants for battle. *absently pushes a curious trunk tip away from the image*

Prowl: *startled as he gets snuffled* Big...

Drift: *chuckles* They're only about four years old now...

Sixshot: *surprised* They'll get bigger?

Drift: I think so.

Sixshot: *impressed*

Prowl: *quiet for a few moments, then he's reading off the report he found on mammoths and pointing out just how big the ones from Earth could get*

Drift: *blink blink* Holey socks.

Sixshot: Drift, you have great pets. *scratches a Rocket chin as it appears on his shoulder*

Rocket: *happy hiss, snuggles Master*

Drift: *grin* Yeah.

Prowl: *sends Sixshot and Drift footage Sunstreaker sent him after a trip to the Nexus, showing Blackout's mammoths*

Sixshot: *optics widen* Those have four tusks. And they're huge.

Drift: ... I remember seeing that person in the Nexus, the first time I visited it.

Sixshot: Did you see the mammoths?

Drift: The smaller one, yeah...

Prowl: *quietly* They're plasma weapon proof...

Sixshot: Are these?

Drift: I'm not sure... *not really wanting to find out right now*

Prowl: Probably not. You'll need to get them defensive fields.

Drift: *nod of agreement*

Sixshot: *looks at the brown and white beasts thoughtfully* And some way to decorate 'em properly. *spent part of yesterday etching a delicately intricate and beautiful pattern on Rocket's blind face*

Rocket: *content where she's snuggling on Master*

Prowl: *considering look as he studies the white marks on the xenoformer* *he's felt Nightbird's desire to ensure his safety many times, and has often considered discussing the matter with her, but for some reason, every attempt has been interrupted in some way*

Drift: I can make designs on their tusk caps... And on the armor I make for them.

Sixshot: *thoughtful* So you're giving them something besides just the energy field? *then touches one of the tusks* You could make a pattern on this too. *sputters as he gets a trunk kissie*

Drift: Yeah, but what could I use to make the design stand out that wouldn't hurt them?

Prowl: ...Soot.

Drift: ... That wouldn't hurt them?

Sixshot: This one doesn't seem to be in pain from losing the end of that tusk. *slaps Knockout gently upside the head and gets offered that broken off tip as a toy*

Knockout and Goretusk: *so thrilled to be hanging out with the guys*

Prowl: What about plant-based dye? Or blueberries? Those stain...

Sixshot: *mammoth head under arm now as he wrestles with one of the beasts* They do? Easy, Rocket, it's just playing.

Rocket: *hsssssss*

Prowl: *nods, thinking* So do mulberries...

Drift: ... Darnit, now I'm hungry.

Sixshot: *grunts as the other mammoth gently pokes him in the lower back with a tusk* I don't even know what those are.

Prowl: Food.

Drift: Good food. *wants bananas now, too*

Sixshot: Hmmm. Should we train a bit more first? Or go see what's in the mess? *calls toward the racket over the other ridge* Aim for the chest!

Nightstrike: Yessir. *grunt* *sounds of mayhem increase and then go silent*

Drift: Let's go get food. :D

Prowl: ... Sometimes, I forget you're still a youngling, Drift.

Drift: *brat grin*

Sixshot: *as Nightstrike and Sapphire Blaze come back to the group* Are these two house trained? *is now scratching Rocket's chin as she squats on top of Goretusk's head*

Drift: They're pretty good about letting me know when they need out.

Sixshot: Uh. I forget. Are furry things allowed in the mess?

Drift: Should be, since I've seen the cats there, and that silver fox of Wesson's...

Prowl: As long as they don't make a mess...

Goretusk: *beeps Prowl's nose*

Prowl: *startled sound*

Sixshot: *holds in a snerk. Doesn't want to insult an officer*

Drift: *cracking up now, kthx*

Wasp: *fussing over Dad, clickstorm!*

Rocket: *puzzled hiss*

Sixshot: *shakes his head and transforms to human alt, then calls to Rocket to come to him*

Goretusk: *trunk kissies for Wasp. Why you so excited?*

Wasp: *startled squeak, more clickstorm!*

Sixshot: *arm around Rocket's neck* Okay. Let's go.

Drift: *grin* Haaai. *will use his PINpoint to bring everyone to the mess, since the hallway expansions for the base are still in progress*


just outside the mess


Skystrider: *has Whiplash pinned against the wall* She doesn't like me, she doesn't like you. *bangs the smaller Seeker's head on the wall again* Is it in your processor yet?

Whiplash: *skreeking and trying to fight back* Leggo, slaggit!!!

Skystrider: *bangs his head again* Does it compute?

Whiplash: *says something rude in a different language* *heard one of the NEST soldiers use it and claim it was how the Irish settle arguments*

Skystrider: *bangs his head again!* She doesn't like me, and she doesn't like you. *has been repeating this for hours already*

Quickstrike: *pokes his head out of the mess* Quit that. *scowl*

Skystrider: I have to get this data input. *hits Whiplash's head again*

Quickstrike: *growl* You're giving me a headache, glitch-aft.

Skystrider: *fist lashes out and KOs Quickstrike* There, now you're okay.

Nightwish: *comes out of the mess and grabs one Seeker male in each hand* *bangs their heads together repeatedly* Whiplash, stay the slag away from that femme. And YOU, stay the slag away from my mate and brother! *bangs their heads again*

Whiplash: *startled skreek*

Nightwish: What am I telling you to do? Repeat it!

Skystrider: Stay away from dumber and dumbest.

Whiplash: Stay away from pretty femme...

Nightwish: Which pretty femme?

Whiplash: *cringe* CatScan.

Nightwish: Good. *lets them go. Then startles and looks down at her feet as Rumble and Rewind run past*

Rumble: Rocks fall, ever'body dies! *cackle*

Rewind: *gleeful cackling*

Skystrider: *blink blink* *looks at Whiplash* Fried bananas?

Whiplash: *nod, picks himself up off the floor* If the Warlady's son hasn't eaten them all...

Skystrider: We're not gonna run out. *grins and grabs Quickstrike as he and Whiplash go into the mess*

Nightwish: *shakes her head and follows. Is soon busy feeding lovely fried banana to little gorgons*


infirmary


Rachel: *grins at the two femmes standing in front of her desk* Sure we had something important happen while you were gone. But you said you were too busy buying booty shorts to be disturbed.

Xiaobei: *Look* What happened?

Rachel: *cheerful smirk, and then looks over at the bigger tables, one of which holds a curled up Drill Boy with Fay in his carrying hold, and the other holds a Gunmax sprawled face down with his arms hanging over the sides*

Emilia: Rachel, don't make me pull rank.

Xiaobei: ... *slight headtilt*

Dumpson: *comes out then with Kumori and Kagerou in his arms* They want to play, but 'Maru and the others are asleep. I have to get back to work. *sees Emi and Xiaobei and perks* Here. *gives babbies*

Xiaobei: *blink blink, will cradle Kagerou and the sparklet she doesn't know in her arms*

Emilia: ... *will scoot to check on Shadowmaru and Scarlett*

Rachel: :D See you, Sonny.

Dumpson: *nods and glances over his shoulder before moving to check on Drill Boy*

Xiaobei: What is this little one's name?

Rachel: *still grinning that wide, smug grin* Kumori.

Kagerou: *gives Kumori kissies*

Kumori: *laughs and pushes Uncle's face*

Xiaobei: *soft chuckle* It suits him. *will baby dance*

Rachel: *hears Emilia returning and holds up a hand* I was following orders to leave you two alone.

Emilia: *soft razz* *looks over her shoulder with a small frown* Sora's pretty twitchy...

Rachel: *sighs* She insisted on meeting Maxi. They were both urking by the end of the meeting. *waves to Dumpson as he calls a farewell before going*

Emilia: *wince wince wince*

Xiaobei: *concerned* She will be alright, won't she?

Rachel: *softly* She will if Keagan has anything to say about it. *slight wibble* Kup was a darn cute kid.

Xiaobei: *very small nod*

Destiny: *snuck away from nepphies to seek out Mama cuddles*

Rachel: Hey, Sweetheart. *cuddles Destiny* Don't mind Maeve. She's decided it's sit on Mom's foot day. *then turns attention back to the Warlady and Emilia* Scarlett had Maru so stoned that he forgot he could follow scent trails.

Destiny: *will click to Maeve-Sissy*

Xiaobei: *would facepalm, but she's got her arms full of son and grandson*

Emilia: *doing plenty of facepalming to make up for that*

Rachel: But they figured out the freaky dead car-bots. *strokes Destiny's hair*

Xiaobei: Good.

Destiny: Sissy's babby is noisy. *nod nod*

Rachel: *soft chuckle* So are you, Sweetheart.

Destiny: *thinking hard on this now!* Nuh-uh. Not tappin' on Sissy belly...

Rachel: *more chuckle and kisses the big sparklet's hair* No. Not like that. *looks up at the ladies again* So?

Xiaobei: It sounds like we missed quite a lot...

Emilia: *slight headtilt, is discussing something with Patrick* Elijah just socked Patrick. Again.

Rachel: *sigh* Is your little sister still walled up in the closet?

Emilia: *checking* *headshake* Erin just grabbed Elijah and tried hauling him off though.

Rachel: *slight perk* At least she's stopped fortifying herself.

Emilia: *nod* It took a bit longer this time for Patrick to get socked, too.

Rachel: Good. *looks at two tiny fist gnawers in Xiaobei's arms* There are fried bananas and tamales for lunch.

Xiaobei: *chuckles* Then I had better go make sure Drift doesn't try to make off with the banana crate again.

Rachel: *snerk* Crates. We put in an order at the Black Dog.

Xiaobei: All the more reason for me to make sure he doesn't try to make off with all of the bananas. *smiles and heads for the door*

Rachel: *grins and looks at Emi, brows lifting quizzically*

Emilia: I'll go get some lunch then... *will also check on Erin and Elijah, more than likely*

Rodney: *holding the door open for Xiaobei, will bring a sleepy-looking Lisa into the infirmary*

Rachel: What's wrong, Roddy? *concerned frown over the Junior Mint she just poked into her mouth*

Rodney: Lisa's been pretty sleepy today... *concerned about the blonde, who is now leaning on him muchly*

Rachel: *has a look at Lisa's tummy without getting up from under her daughters*

Trailback: *snoozin' much, is oblivious to the fact that it's time for him to come out and see the big bright world*

Rachel: *chuckles* Are you having a home birth, or doing it here?

Rodney: Bhuh? 0_0

Lisa: *sleepily puzzled expression is a go*

Rachel: *grins* Go on down to the first room and get her tucked into bed. You'll be playing with Trailback in an hour or so. I suggest having a nap in the meantime.

Rodney: *small, shocked nod, will help Lisa to the first room*

Rachel: *chuckles and cuddles Destiny, then snerks at Maeve's expression where the little grouch is still sitting on her foot* You'll have to let me up sometime, you know...


Annadale, Virginia


Murphy: *jogs over to where Beau's sitting in the sun on top of a picnic table with his girlfriend and his cat* Oh good, you're here.

Beau: *looks up from trying to offer Gloria bits of meat from his sandwich* 'Ey, Murphy. *smile*

Gloria: *soft calico talking as she sees her other person. Is laying by Beau's leg and purring to him*

Carter: What's up, Murph?

Murphy: *grins at Carter, then holds out several printed sheets of yellow paper to Beau* Have you ever heard of this game?

Beau: *as he reaches for the sheets, his mind goes to the game his sister just texted him about* *will read the papers, and then he's grinning* Sounds sorta lahk parkour...

Murphy: *grins back* Only with a lot more mud.

Carter: *amused* Now what crazy crud're you after? T'is sounds as bad as t'at roller derby your sister was just textin' about.

Beau: 'Ow long 'til th' race?

Murphy: It says there. I didn't look. *twists his head to try and see the papers*

Beau: *flips back through the papers and points out the date*

Murphy: *pleased* Oh. Plenty of time for training.

Beau: Yup. *much grin*

Carter: *pokes him in the ribs* Training for what?

Beau: *offers her the papers*

Carter: *take. Read* 0_0

Beau: :D

Carter: ...You do t'is for fun?

Beau: *more grin* Yup.

Carter: *gives him a long stare, her eyes slightly wide*

Beau: *innocent expression* Wh't?

Carter: You're...

Beau: *brows up*

Carter: *hands up* How can t'is be fun?

Beau: ... 'T is fun though...

Carter: But you could get hurt. *not arguing. Trying to understand*

Beau: C'ld git 'urt walkin' up th' staiuhs.

Carter: We don't do t'at for fun.

Murphy: Carter, it just is. *big grin* We can go! And move! And make a mess!

Beau: 'N not git yelled at f'r makin' a mess!

Murphy: Or for jumping over things, or for knocking them down because they weren't made for climbing on!

Beau: *GRIN*

Carter: *slowly* So what clothes does t'is sport need? *already promised to sew a dress for Denver to wear while doing roller derby*

Beau: Stuff th't won't weigh us down...

Carter: *thinks* ...Surf suits.

Beau: *grin*

Murphy: You can make those?

Carter: No. But I knows where to buy 'em surplus.

Beau: Awesome! *already planning out training days*

Carter: Knee lengt' or ankle? *Miss intensely practical is now on the trail of a useful bargain*

Murphy: *looks at Beau*

Beau: Knee length'd work...

Carter: If t'ey got different colour accents which do you want?

Murphy: Green. *grin*

Beau: *nod nod of agreement*

Carter: *knows Murphy's favourite shade of green* Team colours, huh?

Beau: Yup.

Carter: Alright. *takes out her little notebook with the spring loaded metal cover. Takes notes!*

Murphy: We get running gear for our hobby. Carter gets the notebook for hers.

Carter: *snorts at him without looking up*

Beau: *chuckles* Ah did good.

Carter: Did good wit' what? *still jotting notes*

Beau: Ah got th' refills f'r th' notebook papah bookmarked. :)

Carter: *sputters laughter and looks up at him with an expression that mixes incredulousness, amusement, and affection*

Beau: *doing that doofy grin he does that he knows makes people laugh*

Carter: *laughs harder and shakes her head at him* Eat your lunch. Murphy, make yourself at home. *back to notes*

Beau: *gleee, back to sammiches!*

Murphy: *curious look for the contents of the picnic basket to see if there's anything that would agree with him. Knows Beau loves his meat* *perk* There are cake sandwiches here.

Beau: Yup. Th' kahnd wit' th' unsweetened cream. :3

Murphy: *has one in his hand and is unwrapping the reusable wrapper* And Mrs. Jones' lemon cake. Oooo. I didn't know you ate this stuff. I thought your favourite food was meat.

Beau: Mrs. Jones makes th' best cake. *grin*

Murphy: *mouth is now full. Can only nod his head in agreement. Totally loves the flavour of the stiff, unsweetened cream with the delicately tart lemon cake*

Carter: *doesn't look up from note taking* She didn't make t'at one. Her new daughter did.

Beau: *blink blink* 'Er new daughtah?

Carter: *looks up with surprise* T'at Chinese girl. I can't remember her name.

Beau: *very surprised*

Carter: Don't your people tell you any local news? *gets regular letters from her baby sister and from her young cousins, who are all part of the base crèche*

Beau: ... Sis don' tell me much...

Carter: Hmm. I'll let you read my letters when we get back tonight for homework.

Beau: *perks* Okay.

Murphy: *nom nom nom. Starting on second sandwich*

Beau: *back to nomphing sammiches and soon starting on dessert*

Carter: *puts away her notebook and resumes yummy cheese and cucumber salad munching* Sunday's St. Patrick's day. T'ere should be a sale on t'ose suits.

Beau: *nod nod, still nomphin'*

Carter: *finishes salad, and then starts on the pickled herring. Had a hard time getting herself to eat fish, but admits she feels better since she gave up the vegan diet*

Beau: *bit of a nose wrinkle at the pickled herring, as he always does*

Carter: *sticks a bit toward him, as she often does* Rawr!

Beau: *acks and nearly topples off the picnic table*

Murphy: *laughs at his friends as Gloria sits up and frets at them*


back in Blacksburg, at the police station


Frenzy: *conked out in the Chief's lap and twitching at dreams*

Chief: *trying not to be amused at Javan getting ready to get yet another pencil stuck in the drop ceiling*

Javan: *looks totally innocent as he does it, too*

Frenzy: *wriggles and rolls on his back, little paws spinning out as he chases things in his head. Soft pipping*

Chief: *attention going to the furry pest in his lap, will gently poke the ferret's belly* Hey, what's so exciting?

window: *shatters at that moment as someone throws in several sticks of dynamite wired to a timer*

Frenzy: *off the lap and staring around in confusion*

Javan: *CUSS!*

Chief: *on his feet and trying to get back*

bomb: *about to blow!*

Javan: *getting everyone out of the building* *cussing up a storm, too*

Frenzy: *and then he sees the bomb! Stops short and his fur fluffs up*

Chief: Oh, %%$#%#$^#$. Frenzy, here!

Frenzy: *transforms then. Small hands fly as they stop the countdown and remove the detonator* *is cursing a blue streak as he does so*

Chief: *boggling muchly now*

Frenzy: *then sighs and slumps with relief before going and peeking out the window with narrowed optics* I kin smell yous, you...

Chief: ... If you're gonna chase the guy down, take Javan with you.

Frenzy: *meeps and turns back to him. Guilty expression* Uh... hi.

Javan: *coming back* *will ding Frenzy's comm* //Got any ideas on who's behind this?//

Chief: I already know about Jazz.

Frenzy: Uh. Yeah. I know yous do. Uh... Does dis mean I can't sleep on yous no more? *woebegone*

Chief: Just don't get donut crumbs on me.

Frenzy: *involuntary grin* Round noms! *then turns head as Javan arrives* Da boss sez ta take yous wit' me 'n track dese jerks.

Javan: *nod* Everyone else is safe, Chief.

Chief: *nod* Good. Now get going.

Frenzy: *big wibbly eyes* 'N round noms when we git back?

Chief: Yeah.

Frenzy: What're yous waitin' for, Jazz! *out the door and gone, transforming along the way and then spinning out all the way down the hall*

Chief: *to Javan* Those other two ferrets are bots too?

Javan: *sheepish grin as he heads for the door* Yup. Frenzy's twin brother, and Rumble's mate... *after the ferret*

Chief: ... *looks at the defused bomb on the floor and then at the broken window. As what just happened fully sinks in* Holy %#$%$#%$#.


back at Ark Base


Rachel: *wanders into the mess hall with a Maeve aping her every move and preceded by the excited clickbomb that is Destiny. Sees Hattie sitting by the Dinobots and some other kids and goes to join the Granny, gently crooning to the dark brown and silver sparklet in her arms as she goes*

Trailback: *yap babble yap, flirt!*

Rachel: Is that so? *gives him a kiss on the head, and then grins at Hattie* Is this empty chair claimed?

Hattie: 'T 's now. *grins* Whose bitteh?

Rachel: *sits, then gives a wide grin and holds the little guy up against her chest so he can see everyone. Nuzzles his head* Roddy and Lisa's.

Simon: What? Guys! Him Trailback come out!

Trailback: *babble, gleeful crowing*

Sarah: Him Trailback out now? *scooting to see*

Greg: Stupid sparklet. *eats tamales*

Hattie: 'Ow're Lisa 'n Roddy?

Rachel: *as she hands the newspark to Sarah and then scoops Missy into her arms* Sleeping. Oooo, bananas.

Missy: *leans back against Mama and reaches up to feed her*

Destiny: *clickstorm chirp*

Simon: *cuddling Destiny now and showing her the huge bowls of food on their table- one of fried bananas, and the other of corn husk wrapped, steaming tamales*

Destiny: *happy sounds*

Trailback: *chirp?*

Rachel: *reaches to help Sven not drop some of his next handful of food, then grins at Hattie*

Hattie: *chuckles as Trailback starts babbling again* 'E sounds jes' lahk 'is Ma.

Trailback: *thinks you guys have good stuff, wants in on that!*

Rachel: And he's already exploring like his dad. *chuckles, then peeks into the tortilla caddie and makes a pleased sound at finding what are obviously freshly made flour tortillas* Guys, look. You can make nanner burritos, and then they'll be easier to eat.

Greg: *now has a Maeve sitting on him and leaning back in comfortable expectation of sharing his meal* What? Nanners can be burrito??

Destiny: Oooo, 'nanneritos! :D

Sarah: *telling Trailback all about the good noms and the nice lady who made them*

Sven: Nanneritos... *blink blink*

Rachel: *grins at Sven encouragingly* You know how to fold burritos, slugger.

Sven: Nanneritos... *thinking this concept through*

Greg: *busy folding* Like pie... Maeve, you put finger there. *fold fold*

Rachel: *grins at Sven* You like pie sometimes.

Sven: *reaching for nanners and tortillas*

Rachel: *chuckles, and then looks at Hattie* Who's cooking today?

Hattie: *chuckles* Arnie's wahfe. 'Er name's Maria. *very much amused*

Rachel: Who's Arnie? *blinks as little Denver comes over to snuggle against her, a happily munching Kirk in her arms*

Hattie: Th' Corporal fr'm Ireland.

Rachel: *running over personnel roster in her mind* Oh, our newest green shirt?

Hattie: *nods as she moves to offer little Denver some 'nanneritos'* Yup.

Rachel: I hadn't realized he was married.

Hattie: *more nod* Yup. Met 'is Maria down 'n Mexico, when 'is car broke down outside 'er village. Th'y fell 'n love, 'n got married a li'l whal latah. Lotta th' rank 'n fahl wahves 'eah don' lahk 'er though...

Rachel: *frowns even as she absently puts her other arm around a Thomas with an armload of Miranda Fern, then shifts slightly as the little girl joins Missy on her lap* Why not?

Hattie: Th'y all th'nk she jes' married Artie f'r a green cahd... But she's 'ead ovah 'eels f'r 'im.

Rachel: *frown deepens* Married him for a green card?

Hattie: 'Cause she wasn't a citizen 'f th's countreh b'f're.

Rachel: Marrying people for green cards is a common thing? Or are they just being old cats?

Hattie: *slight shrug* 'T 'appens... But Ah th'nk th'y's jes's bein' b-wordeh.

little Denver: *shocked eyes toward Grandmother, but then a laugh for the baby brother in her arms as he decides to kissy Missy*

Rachel: *shakes her head* The girl's obviously a treasure. *looks at the fresh bowls of good food that have just come to replace the ones the kids emptied* *then grins at Jean and thanks him for the delivery*

Jean: Welcome. *grins and heads back to where Rose is sitting*

Hattie: She fits rahght 'n wit' our nutbar group. *smiles*

Rachel: Does she know any English?

Hattie: She comes t' class.

Rachel: Good. *then blinks as an itty bitty sparklet in doll clothes comes walking down the table* Who are you?

sparklet: *headtilt as he considers the question*

Rachel: *quizzical glance to Hattie when the little guy doesn't reply*

Hattie: *confused, has never seen this kid before*

sparklet: *finally* Reset.

Rachel: *and then it clicks* You're Eject and Laserbeak's little guy.

Little Denver: *will reach for the little guy since Kirk made off with her doll*

Reset: *surprised sound*

Rachel: *gives Little Denver a tamale and a grin, then turns to Hattie as she absently eats and feeds her lapfull of little people* *softly* How's your family doing? *meaning Thomas and Little Denver, mostly*

Hattie: *quietly as Little Denver turns her attention to offering part of the tamale to Thomas* They're doing better.

Rachel: *still soft* I'm glad. *glances at Thomas* He seems a lot like Raoul.

Hattie: *quietly* Onleh wit'out th' 'tude.

Rachel: *nods* He hasn't even got Tracks' attitude.

Thomas: *eyes shining as he carefully folds a nannerito for Little Denver and the bitties she's feeding*

Little Denver: *shy little smile*

Hattie: *very soft chuckle as she watches the youngsters*

Rachel: *wide grin, which widens further as Jack comes over with Judah in his arms to mooch a kiss* There are my most handsome guys.

Trevor: *came in with Jack, and now has his hands on Hattie's shoulders as his babies squeal and reach for him and Little Denver comes for cuddles*

Greg: Me Greg help you with that. *stands long enough to reach past Trevor and gank Judah, then sits down as Maeve snuggles the one person she'll let get cuddly near to her and clicks to the frail youngster as he resumes feeding himself and Maeve*

Rachel: Ack! *looks over there with surprise*

Hattie: *blink blink*

Jack: *surprised sound as Judah is ganked from him*

Little Denver: *worried expression is a go* *in French* #Is there trouble?#

Trevor: *quiet chuckle as he picks up the little girl and the sparklet she's holding* No. Greg just surprised his parents. *gives Little Denver a kiss on the cheek* It's okay.

Little Denver: Ees bon?

Trevor: *grin* Très bien.

Little Denver: *small smile as she relaxes*

Jack: Heeey, banana burritos! *sounds so pleased*

Rachel: *laughs as she gets up with her armload of little people so that he can become a seat cushion*

Jack: *will move to sit down so he can be a babby couch*

Rachel: *today he gets to be wife couch too! Settles comfortably and then leans against him. Is sitting sideways so that he can see past her, and she can see Hattie and the other kids* *griiin*

Jack: *chuckles and cuddles wife and kids*

Rachel: *feed a husband and bitties!*

Trevor: *hopeful look to his wife* That looks kind of comfortable, Hattie.

Hattie: *nods in agreement* 'T does. *grin*

Trevor: *to the little girl in his arms* Should I put you down so Granny can sit on me?

Little Denver: *considering look, glances to Aunty and Uncle, and then she's nodding with a smile* Oui.

Trevor: *grins and sets her down, then lifts his eyebrows to Hattie, his eyes twinkling*

Hattie: *moves to sit on Trevor's lap*

Little Denver: *will move to cling to Grandfather once Grandmother is seated comfortably*

Reset: *do not want! Will escape and scamper off to find Mom*

Trevor: *arm around his little human heart daughter as he kisses her granny and then happily settles down to lunch and family time*

((Written with random_xtras))