LLV. Various Locations. Bits And Pieces

[dens_extra_pups]

Continued from here



Sora: *crouching in a corner of the garden away from the other kids. Grasped firmly in her little hands is the baler twine dolly Mike gave her earlier, but she's not playing nice with it. In fact, she's currently bashing it against a rock and swearing in every language she knows, including the ones she learned recently* #$%$#%$#%$#%#$%#!!!


in Perceptor's lab


Perceptor: *mildly, as he shows Ultra Magnus how to use the injection molder with clear resin* I don't blame the child. Who would wish to eat something that smiles so sweetly?

Magnus: *quietly* Never buying those again... *hadn't expected Sora to try and attack him after she had gotten a good look at the teddy graham crackers that were part of today's snack time. Is still a bit rattled*

Perceptor: *look of compassion* At least she refrained from use of her blades.

Magnus: Thank goodness for that. *sigh*

Perceptor: *pats him on the arm with one gentle mechanical hand* I see that you have the technique mastered, so I will leave you to your project.

Magnus: *small nod, will work on embedding teddy graham crackers in clear resin so he can give them back to Sora*

Perceptor: *turns and walks over to his desk, his servo suit whisper quiet. Pokes the telephone connection on the arm and tells it to connect to Mr. Bates*

Legacy: *answers on the second ring, which means he's more than likely either cooking or is out in the garden and had to take his gloves off* //Hello?//

Perceptor: Are you currently outside the house, Mr. Bates? *yes, he knows where Legacy usually is when he's not inside or at the cottage in the garden*

Legacy: //I was just weeding the onions. Is something wrong?//

Perceptor: Would you be willing to look behind the grape arbour and check on little Sora?

Legacy: //I just did a little while ago, after I weeded the cabbage bed. What has her so upset?//

Perceptor: *quietly relates the snack time fiasco*

Legacy: *can you just see his wince?* //At least she didn't try to use her claws this time. I'll keep an eye on her.//

Perceptor: Indeed, I mentioned as much to Ultra Magnus. *more quietly* It is most fortuitous that young Michael gave her that doll that he braided from the baling twine. Methinks that it will do much to help Sora deal with her instinctive and trained responses to strife.

Legacy: //No kidding...// *quiet for a few moments* //She's beating the snot out of it right now. I'm not repeating what she's saying, though.//

Perceptor: I'm thankful that you refrain. *looks around* I had best be back to my work, I suppose. The time for evening classes is coming.

Legacy: //Yeah. And I need to start thinking about what to make for dinner. Awww, sweetie...// *and in the background, Sora can be heard mumbling quietly*


outside


Bea: *pushes her walker along the path till she sees Legacy and Sora. Excited grin, but that quickly changes to a look of concern that has her big tuxedo pit bull whining with sympathy as he looks at her face* Sora? Are you okay?

Sora: *wibbles and cradles dolly* *upset because dolly's head isn't the shape it was when Mike gave it to her, and she's pretty sure she hurt dolly*

Legacy: *soothing sounds and a gentle hand on Sora's back. Is trying to get a good look at the doll to see if he can fix it*

Bea: *pushes her walker along the path to come see the big orange doll herself, her dog a worried whine behind her*

Sora: *so much wibble, isn't sure what to do now*

Legacy: *more soothing sounds, has gotten a good enough look at the doll to see how to fix it* *gently* May I see your dolly, Sora?

Bea: *in reach of her small friend now. Reaches over to gently touch Sora's shoulder as Mr. Pits worries quietly*

Sora: *more wibble, will let the golden-eyed uncle see dolly*

Legacy: *gently* Dolly's special... He can heal, just like you. *will carefully tug the doll's hair until the head's the right shape again*

Sora: *big eyes are a go. Uncle helped dolly!*

Bea: *grins* Yeah, and he's made of tough stuff. Remember, Mr. Pits' chewie bone is made of that bale string too.

Sora: *small nod, will hug dolly close*

Bea: *softly* Do you want to come and play that game now? Remember, Miss Pax said we could this afternoon.

Sora: *small nod*

Bea: *tries to turn her walker, but isn't used to it really yet. Winds up on her knees with her dog worrying about her and trying to help her up* Ooopsie.

Sora: *startled sound, will fuss over Bea*

Bea: I'm okay. Just stuck. *laughing a bit as she tries to work out how to turn the walker once she's pulled herself back up with it*

Legacy: *moving to offer suggestions and to make sure Bea's not hurt*

Bea: *startled laughter as Mr. Pits, bulldog-like, sets his shoulder to the corner of her walker and helps her turn it*

Sora: *blinks a bit and moves so she's not in the way*

Legacy: *chuckles as he watches Mr. Pits* *knows the tuxedo pit bull is a former pull and push sport dog*

Bea: Thanks, Mr. Pits!

Mr. Pits: *grinning and wagging as only a happy pit bull can, his slightly shortened tail a blur behind him*

Sora: *itty bitty smile is a go*

Bea: *happy grin for little friend* Do you wanna ride on the walker seat?

Sora: *headshake* Wanna walk.

Bea: Okay. *grins at Legacy, but then jumps a bit as his phone starts beeping* o.O

Legacy: *startles and looks at his phone*

Bea: Did you forget to hang up, Mr. Bates?

Legacy: ... I think so. *will check to see if Perceptor's still on the line or not* *closes his phone with a sheepish grin* I'd better get cleaned up so I can start making dinner.

Bea: Who's helping today? *grinning again as she heads toward the house*

Legacy: I think it was Swoop's turn tonight.

Bea: *big grin* Her first cooking lesson. *happy and content girl. She likes how learning happens here*

Legacy: *nods* I think spaghetti and meat sauce should be a good start. How does that sound?

Bea: Yummy! *thoughtful* Do we have anymore of that neat mushroomy stuff that's like meat?

Legacy: We might. I'll check the freezer when I get into the kitchen.

Sora: Shroomy stuff's good. *nod nod*

Bea: *turns her grin to Sora* Yeah! Hey, do you want to open the game box? It's brand new and it's got paper to stick it shut. *thinking that Sora's bone claws will be good for cutting the paper*

Sora: *nod nod*

Bea: Okay! *looks from Legacy to Sora happily as they make their way to the house*


inside, the student rec room


Optima: *sitting on a hassock, showing Elly how to knit lace. Is learning as she teaches, book open on her lap* And now put the thread over... *glances up as the girls and Mr. Pits come in and smiles at them*

Elly: *doing her best not to get her fingers hopelessly tangled in the yarn*

Angel: *sitting nearby and following along with the lesson. Is having far better luck with it than Elly*

Optima: *turns back to her student and frowns slightly at her expression* Do you want to try something else, Elly? *absent hug for Bea as the little girl snuggles against her*

Elly: *headshake* Nope. I think I'm starting to get it... Oops. *spoke too soon, now has a tangled mess to deal with* *sheepish grin* Gimme a minute, Optima... *going to try and untangle the mess*

Optima: Alright. No rush. *looks toward where Sora is using one bone claw to open the box on the learning game and smiles at the little one*

Sora: *being very careful as she opens the box* *has her doll tucked under her arm*

Optima: *glances toward the patio door, which opens toward the backyard. Soft chuckle as she catches sight of Sheldon and Mike trying their hardest to get a blanket and saddle onto the pet Highland bull*

Wooly Bully: *just used his horn to scratch an itch and accidentally took the blanket off. Again*

Sheldon: *laughing muchly and scooting to try and grab the blanket again*

Mike: *frozen with saddle in his arms, and then falls over onto his back laughing*

Optima: *smiling as she turns her attention toward Angel to see what the quiet woman is doing*

Angel: *is sitting quietly on the ottoman, waiting for the next part of the instructions*

Optima: *smiles at her and then turns her attention to Elly, only to find that student with her head turned sideways as she reads the next line for herself*

Elly: *lips moving as she reads the next line*

Optima: *very soft chuckle and starts reading over the line as well*


student cafeteria


Ethan: *looks around as he comes in, sees Ultra Magnus sitting at a table surrounded by good things to eat as he writes in a notebook* *looks at his own notebook, then looks back to the teacher* Bryson, do you see a textbook anywhere?

Bryson: *looks around, headshake, is in the middle of nomphing a banana he was given by Mr. Bates*

Ethan: *uncertain frown, but heads over to the table, aware of Mr. Bates and Swoop making their way to the kitchen*

Magnus: *looks up* Oh, hey. *small smile* Grab a seat.

Ethan: *uncertainly as he complies* Isn't this Trigonometry, Mr. Magnus?

Magnus: *nods* Yeah. We're starting with a review.

Bryson: *annoyed groan*

Ethan: *absently opening his notebook up and getting out his pencil* Oh, is that why there's no textbook?

Magnus: *grin* Sure, we'll go with that. *will make sure Bryson gets seated and has everything, and then he'll start reading off equations to be solved* *came up with the equations earlier, and solved them on paper to prove that they were solvable, and now he's just trying to figure out where Ethan and Bryson are in terms of what they've learned so he can better tailor the lessons from here on out*

Ethan: *writing away, but his eyes keep straying toward that stack of candied carrots by his elbow*

Bryson: *hand sneaking towards the banana chips container he spotted to his right earlier*

Magnus: *as he reads off a particularly tricky equation, he's busy putting a couple of cake slices onto plates for the boys*

Ethan: *glances at Bryson, and then turns his attention to writing down the equation, resolutely telling himself that the noms must be for supper*

Bryson: *frowns and works on solving the equation* *surprised sound when he looks up next and sees that there's a piece of cake in front of him, and a piece in front of Ethan*

Ethan: *sweet smell calling him...* *glances up from his work and blinks* Huh?

Magnus: *solving more equations on paper, looks totally innocent?*

Ethan: Mr. Magnus?

Magnus: *as he writes* Go ahead. *grin*

Ethan: While we're doing a review? *eyes wide with surprise*

Magnus: Well, why not?

Ethan: 0.0 *grins and reaches for candied carrots to put on his strawberry shortcake* Thanks!

Magnus: *as Bryson digs in* You're welcome. *quick count of equations, decides to save the last two for later*

Ethan: *happily cruising through equations that normally would have left him stumped and bibbling to himself*

Bryson: *pretty sure of all but one of his answers*

Magnus: *finishes reading off the last of the equations he wrote up* Lemme know when you're both done. *reaching for some cake himself*

Ethan: *studies the very last equation and ponders how to proceed, then shrugs and writes down both ways that he thinks he can do it. Winds up with the same answer from both and looks up quizzically at the teacher, then flinches slightly as Swoop drops something in the kitchen*

Magnus: *looks over his shoulder towards the kitchen* What fell?

Legacy: Just a metal mixing bowl, nothing to worry about. *still sounds so chipper*

Ethan: *looks at Bryson's notebook there on the floor, and then looks around to see if he can see where his friend scooted to*

Bryson: *sheepish peeking from where he ducked and covered under the table*

Magnus: Okay. *attention back to Ethan and Brys-* Where'd Bryson go?

Ethan: *face palms with sympathetic embarrassment for his friend and points*

Magnus: *looks* *blink* Oh.

Bryson: *getting back up to his chair* Thatwasreallyloudandsoundedprettybad.

Legacy: *soft, startled sound. Just found out what happened to the butter he was looking for a moment ago*

Ethan: *curious glance that way as he offers his notebook to Magnus*

Swoop: *arguing that the butter tasted good, so there*

Bryson: *wrinkles his nose* Ewwww.

Ethan: *mildly* I ate butter when I was a kid.

Magnus: *as he checks Ethan's paper* So did I. It's still 'eww'. *raised brow, soft snerk as he sees that Ethan solved the equation both ways it could be solved*

Ethan: *perks at the snerk* What is it?

Magnus: You solved the last one both ways it could've been solved. *amused and pleased by that*

Ethan: Oh. *grin* So I did it right?

Magnus: *nod* Either way would count.

Bryson: *confused expression is a go. Didn't know there was more than one way to solve the problems. Is quietly muttering to himself at a high rate of speed*

Ethan: *happily has a large bite of cake and carrots to celebrate* ^_^ So what do we do now?

Magnus: Now we work on the stuff that might've been a bit fuzzier... *will start explaining one of the problems that both boys took a long time on, breaking it down into parts and using some of the snackfoods to help illustrate what he means. Will also explain why certain parts have to be done a specific way*

Swoop: *glances over there and makes a soft razzing sound, then returns to her task of figuring how much flour she needs for two and a half times a recipe* Math boring.

Legacy: *very soft snerk* Maybe, but it's pretty useful.

Swoop: *doesn't realize she's doing math as she busily calculates on the piece of pretty floral paper that he gave her* Thrrpt thrrpt. *doesn't look up as Tomoe comes in from the back way*

Tomoe: *quietly, as she lugs over a large square box* You've got mail, Legacy. Do you want to open it now?

Legacy: *looks over, and then he's moving to help Tomoe with the box* Might as well.

Tomoe: What is this? *studies the return address but doesn't recognize the name*

Legacy: *as he also studies the return address and reaches for scissors to cut the packing tape* ... I have no idea, but I went to school with the guy who sent it.

Tomoe: *slight concern on her expression as the outer wrapper falls away and she sees a label on the box that says "Dollshe"* Was he a friend?

Legacy: *surprised at the label on the box* Not really... He was one of the popular guys back then. *which means he was also one of the crowd that tormented Legacy on an almost daily basis*

Tomoe: *looks up* *slowly* Let me scan this and make sure it's not a prank.

Legacy: Alright. *trusts Tomoe's judgement*

Tomoe: *narrows her eyes slightly as she looks at the contents of the box, then blinks and blinks again* I think this is a doll.

Legacy: *grins and moves to get the doll out of the box* *blink blink at the fact that the hands, feet, and arm parts are all carefully tucked into sections of the top layer of the box* ... I bet I have to string the poor dear.

Tomoe: *surprised expression* Those are big hands and feet! They're larger than mine.

Legacy: *as he uncovers the lower layer of doll parts and sees the doll's torso* ...That's not all that's bigger. *slight blush* The poor thing needs clothes.

Tomoe: Here's something. *takes a plain cotton nightgown and pair of white underpants out of the bottom of the box, then catches at a crackle and offers the instruction booklet to Legacy*

Legacy: *small nod, is still blushing as he accepts the offered instruction booklet*

Tomoe: *finds a letter! Knows it's alright for her to read it, and so does so* *surprised sound* He says he saw you the other day with Optima-doll. He and his wife are just starting a relief job in another country, and they can't take this doll with them, so he told his friends that if they donated enough money he'd let her go. He's sending her to you with the hope that you'll take good care of her, because she was like his and his wife's daughter. And he says he's sorry she hasn't got more clothes, but she always wore his wife's stuff.

Legacy: *blink blink, so surprised* Awww.

Tomoe: *reaches into the box and pulls out a carefully bagged long blond wig, then stoops and picks up the doll's head. Starts to laugh softly as she sees the colour of the expressively crossed glass eyes*

Legacy: *puzzled expression is a go as he looks up from reading the instruction booklet*

Tomoe: *turns the doll's head to face him*

Legacy: *laughs as he realizes the doll's eyes are yellow*

Tomoe: Except for her Japanese features, she looks more like your daughter.

Swoop: *wanders over, picks up one hand. Studies it and then bends fingers so that an insulting gesture results, puts hand down and wanders back to her work*

Legacy: ... *face palm*

Tomoe: *surprised* What? You don't like the idea of her looking like your daughter?

Legacy: *nods head towards the hand* Swoop made it do a rude sign.

Tomoe: *looks* Oh brother. *sets down the doll's head and fixes the hand*

Legacy: *headshake, will turn attention to re-reading the booklet to make sure he understands how to put the doll back together*

Tomoe: *looks in the box again, and then looks around with a slightly confused expression* I don't see any tension cords to string her with.

Legacy: She goes together with pins. *looking for a bag with said pins now*

Tomoe: *pauses and scans, then picks up the head and shakes it gently*

doll: *even more cross-eyed now as the little package of pins falls out of her neck hole*

Swoop: *sniggerfit*

Legacy: Oh. *small smile*

Tomoe: Alright, now, this goes here... *sets the head on the neck and sets to work with doll assembly*


Danger Room


Sonny: *he, his brother, and Del have Grimlock and Slag down here for a reading lesson. Every NPC and item in the 'Mines of Moria' is now labelled carefully with the pertinent word, and the team of five are going through the difficult dungeon like a typhoon*

Swiper: Yeaow! Die, Commie! *just took down an orc*

Del: *laughing and cussing as he watches Slag beat the snot out of another orc*

Slag: *pauses with her hand around the warped creature's neck, then tips its head up and studies that neck for a moment before scowling* Hey, Teacher-dumb#&$@#&, you forget word here.

Sonny: Whut? *looks over from where he's just discovered that he can cling to the rough stone of one wall if he holds on hard enough* Oh. N E C K. Neck.

Slag: Ah. *satisfied expression as she twists said neck and then throws its owner aside*

Del: *cracking up even more as "corpse" appears on the orc*

Grimlock: New word! *bangs two heads together as he studies it* What the *explicative* that word?

Del: *looks after he's got his breath* Corpse. C-O-R-P-S-E. It means dead body.

Grimlock: Ohhh. *bangs heads together again, and then looks down in time to see a word* Crack! Me Grimlock know that one! *he's seen it flash around enough since the lesson started, after all*

Del: *snerks. Thinks the Batman-style sound effects are hilarious in the setting of the lesson*

Grimlock: Troll! *leaps toward said creature with a joyful bellow* This number two!

Sonny: *as he too heads for the hulking monster* Never realized this was going to be a counting lesson too.

Swiper: Sixteen! *ducks and then kicks the goblin that just sprang at him in the rear and rams its head into the wall*

Del: *as he spits a large ball of water at another goblin* Seventeen.

Slag: *as she smashes a small goblin flat with one fist* Why you losers even bother to count anymore? Me and him Grimlock got your *rears* beat.

Del: 'Cause it's fun? *shrug* *knocks another goblin mob off their feet with more water*

Grimlock: *just got a piece of the architecture and introduced it to the troll*

Swiper: 0_0 Ewwww! *laughter*

Slag: Troll kabob!

Del: *laughing and going "ewww" at the same time*

Grimlock: *mouth moves as he spells out a word, and then he's scowling* Why word say "Dango"?

Del: ... Dango?

Sonny: ...Because the computer's whacked.

Del: ... *shrug* Good enough for me.

Grimlock: This dead troll with metal stick through heart, not dango!

Swiper: *there is only one thing he can say to that* BALROG!!!!


Beach Room


Toku: *in a heavy cord hammock lined with a thin mattress and warmly covered with blankets. Also accompanied by a couple of Mike's braided dolls and a doll that Bea sewed out of a picture she drew on cloth. One Mike doll is made from a reel of orange highway ribbon that the young dollmaker ganked right under the amused nose of a construction boss, the other is strips from that T-shirt of Magnus' that everyone but Magnus used to hate*

Moonracer: *wearing her swim suit and sitting nearly under the hammock as she absently fiddles with a tiny Mike doll of unspun bull wool and watches Perceptor and Calypso*

Perceptor: *shooting pingpong balls from a nifty little cannon and lecturing about physics. Yay! Science!*

Calypso: *is working on getting her windsurfer ready to go out to the waves for an inertia demonstration*

Perceptor: *pauses with dismay as he accidentally shoots the brawny surfer* Oh, dear me!

Calypso: *doesn't even flinch, just looks over her shoulder* Ye missed. *grin*

Perceptor: *blinks and looks down at the ball bobbing in the water at her feet. Nonplussed and unsure of what to say*

Calypso: *stoops to pick the ball out of the water and lob it back*

Perceptor: *catches it and drops it back into the cannon, then uncertainly continues describing the equations for figuring out how fast the balls come back once they've hit the water*

Calypso: *finishes getting her windsurfer set up, is soon heading for the waves*

Toku: *small nod. Is glad for the visual aids, since that makes it easier to see how the equations actually work. Slight shift in position so he can try and watch the next ball's trajectory*

Moonracer: *looks up* Do you need to change how you're layin', Snakeman?

Toku: *sheepish expression is a go* H-hai... *small nod*

Perceptor: Oh dear. One moment. *turns away from the cannon and comes over, the sleek, shark-like colouring of his newest servo suit shining softly in the light of the mock sun*

Moonracer: *had gotten up to help, but knows that their teacher will be able to do the job very well on his own. So she steps back, absently tucking her doll into the front of her suit as she watches*

Perceptor: *gentle Japanese as he adjusts Toku's position* How is that?

Toku: *small nod* *quietly* Thank you.

Perceptor: *uncertainly picks up the three dolls with one hand as he adjusts the blankets. One of the Mike dolls is hanging upside down by one leg, its arms sprawled out in simulated surprise*

Toku: *will reach for the dolls, making a soft sound as he does so*

Perceptor: *bit of a start and offers the toys* Forgive me, I was not certain of what to do with them.

Toku: *small, sheepish smile as he holds the dolls close*

Calypso: *is that whoop as she gets airborn*

Perceptor: *startles and looks over his shoulder*

Moonracer: *cheering as she watches the TA*

Calypso: *looks to be in her element as she gets airborne over the crest of a large wave*

Perceptor: *watches for a wondering moment, but then remembers himself and activates his communicator* Calypso, are you ready?

Calypso: //Aye. Jes' waitin' on ye, Perceptor.//

Perceptor: *slight nod* Very well, Miss. Incoming. *last gentle pat for Toku and a slight smile that says that he knows somewhat of what the teen is going through, then turns to crank up the power on the cannon and start aiming pingpong balls at the target on Calypso's sail as he talks about inertia and calculating trajectory*


Out in the garden...


Ira: *checking for more potatoes, as he does every day*

Kimahri: *appears with a swish and a slight flash, then makes a small sound to Jenny as she clings to his leg. Looks around, sniffing slightly as he checks their surroundings*

Ira: *looks up from checking his potato plants* ... *raised brow*

Kimahri: *sees the bearded man and perks his ears, but doesn't move as he waits to see what the man will do*

Ira: *relaxes when he sees who showed up* Kimahri. *nods to the Ronso*

Kimahri: *relaxes slightly and feels Jenny let go of his leg. Steps toward the bearded man* Ira.

Jenny: *picks a dandelion flower and then scoots back to snuggle against Kimahri as she eats it and watches Ira with those wide, empty eyes*

Ira: Is there trouble? *concerned*

Kimahri: *shakes his head, then takes something from his belt and holds out the beautifully worked blue lampwork glass bottle*

Ira: *blinks a bit and moves to approach* What's this?

Kimahri: Guardian. *looks down at the bottle, which swirls with sparkling mist* Student.

Ira: ... *raised brow* A Guardian and a student? *not quite following*

Kimahri: *nods and moves the bottle slightly, urging the human man to take it*

Ira: *will do so. Is still confused as all get-out, but has a feeling he should bring the bottle to Optima*

bottle: *warm, feels alive. And there is a hint of wistful hopefulness that whispers softly across his mind as he touches it, a yearning for acceptance and love*

Kimahri: Break it when you're inside. *hunkers down to put an arm around Jenny and show her the button on his teleporter so she can bring them home*

Ira: *small nod, will head for the house* *pauses to thank Kimahri*

Kimahri: *nods as he and his wife vanish with a flash*

Ira: *small nod, heads inside*

Flynn: *sitting at the table in the staff kitchen, intently reading a stack of computer printouts. It looks like she's working, as always, but if Ira comes up behind her... he'll find that those are printouts of an adventure novel*

Ira: *resisting the urge to snerk* Where's Optima?

Flynn: *looks up from her papers and sees the twinkle in his eyes* *eyebrow* In the student recreation room, I believe.

Ira: *small nod, will head for the student recreation room*

Bea: *helping Sora read her instruction card after the little girl's playing piece landed on an action square, but looks up as she hears the door open*

Optima: *doesn't look up yet, is helping Elly untangle thread*

Angel: *looks up from her work, startling slightly*

Optima: *absently makes a comforting sound as she registers the flighty woman's start* There, Elly, I think we have this worked out. Maybe you need to put the knitting down till Dianne's done eating?

Elly: *sheepish grin* Prolly a good idea...

Dianne: *nomphin', Mama!*

Ira: *amused snort*

Optima: *slight smile for the small mother as she glances toward the snort* I think it's safe to say that she's got the same advanced manual dexterity as her father and older brother.

Elly: *as Ira moves to approach* That'll be fun when she's older.

Optima: *soft chuckle* You survived it with Lumen. Do you think you could supervise the girls while I step out for a moment? *glances toward Ira to let him know that she's seen him*

Elly: Sure thing. *grin*

Optima: *smiles and squeezes a tiny foot that waves at her, then smiles at Angel and gets up to go to Ira, her eyes soft with love as she looks at him questioningly*

Ira: *quietly* Kimahri brought us a student who is also a Guardian. *offers the bottle*

Optima: *gently pushing against his chest to move him out into the hall, then closes the door and takes the bottle. Gives it a puzzled look, and then raises her eyes back to Ira* They're in here?

Ira: *nods, amused at the fact that Optima's strong enough to push him*

Optima: Tell me more?

Ira: The student is a little girl. Probably not much older than Sora and Bea.

Optima: *compassion in her eyes now* And she's a guardian? Does that mean Guardian Fae? *looks down at those swirling sparkles*

Ira: Kimahri just said she's a Guardian.

Optima: I see. *slight frown as her hand moves to the jewelled stopper in the bottle, which looks like a dancing child in harem pants*

Ira: He said to break open the bottle in the house.

Optima: *startled as she looks up at him again* Break it?

Ira: *nod*

Optima: *looks at the beautiful bottle with a surprised frown, then uncertainly back to him* We should go to the kitchen.

Ira: *small nod, offers his arm*

Optima: *takes the arm, unconsciously giving it a light, affectionate squeeze even as her attention goes back to the bottle*

Ira: *will move to bring her to the kitchen* *quietly musing about where Kimahri found the Guardian*

Optima: *quietly* He does live in the Nexus. She could have come from anywhere.

Ira: ... *small nod*

Optima: *eyes study the bottle again, and she wonders about the child inside* This is like something from that old TV show you were showing me the other night.

Ira: *very soft snerk* I suppose so.

Flynn: *gone when they arrive at the kitchen. But one of the old novels that Ira had been looking for in used bookstores is laying on the table*

Ira: *steals a peek at the book on the table, surprised sound*

Optima: *looks over from where she's walked over to get one of the old rags that Legacy uses to clean the kitchen floor and keeps a clean store of in the pantry* What is it?

Ira: I've been looking everywhere for this book.

Optima: *comes over, absently wrapping the bottle in the rag* What is it?

Ira: *nods to the old Western novel* It was written in the seventies.

Optima: *brows rise as she sees the slightly faded cover of the book* *quietly, as she turns to the sink and throws the wrapped bottle forcefully into it* I hadn't realized that you read.

Ira: I do. When there's interesting things to read.

Optima: *smiles, but then gasps as she senses something from the bottle. Turns quickly and steps back as her eyes meet a set that shine like peridot and which are set in the thin brown face of a beautiful young girl who appears to be around twelve years old* Oh!

Ira: *attention going to the sink* *surprised expression is a go*

girl: *flinches slightly, her delicate face creasing in distress* Please, Ama and Aba, don't be frightened.

Optima: *blinks* I'm not. Only surprised. But, I'm not your mother, sweetheart.

girl: *lifts chin with determination, those softly shining eyes going from Optima's to Ira's* You are now.

Ira: *very quiet rumble. Is surprised by how protective he feels toward the girl*

Optima: *gently* But what about your parents?

girl: *softly* I never knew them. My brother doesn't remember them. We were put to sleep and hidden away the moment we were born. *perks, her knee length dreadlocks swinging slightly* But now you've set me free. *looks around, her face brightening further* I like this place. It feels good.

Optima: *quick look to Ira. She's not sure what to do or say*

Ira: *quietly* Do you have a name?

girl: *turns her attention to him, and he'll feel a whisper of affection* Faredot.

Optima: *perks slightly as she turns back to the girl* Gem?

Faredot: *nods shyly*

Ira: *small nod* That's a good name.

Optima: *puts up her hands and then lifts the girl, who is tall and slender, from the sink. Guides her over to the table and sets some cookies in front of her, then looks at Ira and indicates that she wants to talk to him in the hall*

Faredot: *watches her with those big eyes, and Ira will feel a hint of sadness*

Ira: *very quiet rumble as he gently pats Faredot on the shoulder before moving to head for the hallway*

Optima: *closes the door and moves a little way down the hall from it, then looks at Ira and speaks in quick sign* [What should we do?]

Ira: *considering look* [Kimahri brought her here for a reason. He said she's a student.]

Optima: [But...] *bites her lip* [She calls us her parents.] *blushes as her eyes ask him what he thinks of that and what they should do*

Ira: [She needs us. Needs the safety of this home.] *smaller hand movements* [I think this is the best place for her.]

Optima: [But...] *blush increases* [We aren't together... like that.] *more blush as her hand movements go very small as though she's whispering* [Yet.]

Ira: *moves to hug her* *softly* There's time for that. When it's the right moment.

Optima: *head against his shoulder, breathing in the comfort of being in his arms. But then her eyes fly open with startlement as she feels a soft thread of glee at their actions that isn't her own*

Ira: *startled, looks around*

Optima: You felt that too?

Ira: *nod* *quietly, blushing slightly* Sora's not the only one who likes seeing us hug.

Optima: *brows lift, and then shoot toward her hairline* That's Faredot?

Ira: *nod* *quietly* You told me Legacy can't broadcast, right?

Optima: He can't. *hand to her mouth as she blushes*

Ira: *small nod* Didn't think so... *is still blushing*

Optima: *quietly* Oh. *then makes herself take a deep breath* So then, we're... we're parents? Together?

Ira: *quietly* So it would seem.

Optima: *deep breath and hides her blush against his shoulder* How do you feel about that?

Ira: I just hope Legacy doesn't ask us when the wedding is. *mostly because he hasn't even put any thought into getting a ring yet*

Optima: *squeaks* *and then gasps and stares at him, wondering if that was his way of proposing*

Ira: *will fuss over you now, Optima* *only has fussing over girlfriend on his mind right now*

Optima: *blushes again and chastises herself mentally for being an idiot as he smooths her hair back* *quietly* We should get back to her.

Ira: *soft rumble and a nod of agreement*

Optima: *back inside, to find Faredot sitting quietly and playing with the stopper that had been on her bottle* We need to find you a room. And some clothes.

Faredot: *looks up* I don't need those things, Ama.

Ira: *puzzled expression is a go*

Optima: *slight frown* Why not?

Faredot: *sets down her stopper and then vanishes into sparkling mist, which swirls up and away before vanishing into a vent*

Optima: *gasp*

Ira: *boggles*

Faredot: *sweeps back in through the door, and when she reforms her outfit is different, though of similar colours to the first she'd been wearing* I'm not flesh and blood. And the house is part of me now, so it's all my home.

Ira: *blink blink* Huh.

Optima: *nonplussed and uncertain of what to do*

Faredot: *shy approach as they stand there together, then puts strong young arms around both of them in a hopeful and slightly pleading hug*

Optima: *another soft gasp, and hugs the little girl back*

Ira: *gentle hug*

Faredot: *shares a soft thread of happiness, and then looks up eagerly* May I go and play with Bea and Sora, Ama? *eyes flick to Ira as well*

Ira: *small nod* Sora might not be too friendly at first though.

Faredot: *little bounce of excitement as she steps back*

Optima: *can't help smiling as she offers her hand to the child, intending to bring her back to the rec room*

Ira: *chuckles and moves to hold the door open*

Optima: *talking softly to Faredot as she leads the child down the hall toward the room where the knitters and the little girls are. Finding out what tiny bit of her own history that the young genie knows*

Ira: *following along, a quiet rumble as he listens*

Bea: *looks up as the door opens, then sits up with interest as she realizes that Miss Prime has a new girl with her*

Sora: *looks up, itty bitty frown is a go*

Elly: *looks up from trying again to get the yarn to do what she wants it to do* *blink blink* Hi?

Dianne: *snoozin' in her basket*

Angel: *is focused on knitting*

Faredot: *shyly, to the lady who spoke to her* Hello. *and then she hides her face on Optima's hand*

Optima: *quietly* This is Faredot. She will be learning with you, girls. Faredot, this is Bea, Sora, Mrs. Johnson, and Mrs. Morgan. Oh, and Mr. Pits.

Mr. Pits: *sitting up and studying the new girl puzzledly, but with a friendly look. He's not sure what she is, but she doesn't smell or look bad*

Sora: *slight head tilt as she watches Faredot*

Angel: *looks up when she hears her name*

Ira: *quietly and a bit gruffly* Faredot is Optima's and my little girl. *can see how Sora's watching*

Optima: *glances to Ira with a bit of surprise at his announcement, but then glances toward Sora to see how the little one is reacting to the newcomer*

Sora: *so much itty bitty frown as she thinks this over*

Faredot: *tips her head just slightly and offers the tiny frowner a bit of a shy and friendly smile. Then lets go Optima's hand and moves closer to Bea and Sora before hunkering down* *softly* Hello, Guardian. May I help you protect this place?

Bea: *curious eyebrows. Looks at Sora*

Sora: *a bit more thinking, before she scoots over and pats where she was sitting. You sit here, yes?*

Faredot: *slight bow and a sweet smile* Thank you. *rises gracefully and moves to the seat, then reaches to offer to take the smaller girl onto her lap*

Sora: *will let herself be picked up*

Faredot: *lifts the little one gently, and then rests her cheek on Sora's fuzzy hair. Cuddle*

Bea: *grinning now and offering Sora the game spinner*

Ira: *soft, amused snort as Sora takes her turn*

Optima: *looks up at him with shining eyes, so pleased by how Sora and Bea have made Faredot welcome*

Ira: *small nod. Has a feeling that things will be alright* *very slight quirk of a grin as he watches Sora snuggle*

Optima: *up to her toes to give him a quick peck, and then comes to sit by Elly and pick up the instruction book again* *quick check on Dianne and then a glance at the boys, who are now both only butts sticking out from under the hood of Mike's battered vintage Chevy pickup as they perch on the edge of the engine compartment. Woolly Bully is grazing peacefully where he's tied to one door handle of the truck*

Elly: *grins as she finishes untangling threads*

Angel: *attention going back to her work, and then her fingers are flying as she knits*

Ira: *very soft chuckle. Will look to see what the boys are up to before heading out to see how the Automotives lesson is progressing*

Angel: *quietly, as she works* I wonder how Scattershot and Misty are doing?


NYC. Plaza hotel luxury suite


Lance: *hiding beneath the blankets*

Misty: *reading the book that Lance bought for her during their morning shopping trip. It is big, fat, and holds three novels within its paper covers. All are zombie stories. Is stumbling only slightly as she reads out loud. Pauses in the middle of a gruesome spot* Want me ta stop, Gorgeous?

Lance: *quietly, sounding a bit queasy* I'm okay... keep going.

Misty: *smirk* But we're supposedta do stuff we both like on our honeymoon.

Lance: But if you stop, I won't know what happened!

Misty: *snerks and starts reading again*


back at the mansion. Front drive


Tracks: *laying on the hood of his blue Corvette, his eyes closed as he naps in the sun*

Marty: *heading out for the garden with Blue following after. Will pause by Tracks' Corvette and reach to gently shake the winged man's foot*

Tracks: *surprised by the disturbance, since he knows that Raoul has gone to find out what the other boys his age are learning. Mutter* The deuce? *lifts head slightly and squints* Oh. Yes, Mrs. Johnson?

Blue: *small smile* Mail call. *offers a letter*

Tracks: *squint* ...Does it smell like perfume?

Marty: Not unless you consider a faint hint of wood smoke to be perfume.

Tracks: *both brows lift, and he opens both eyes and sits up slowly, still careful of his injuries* Wood smoke? *holds out a hand*

Marty: *nods and chuckles as Blue gives the letter* It's really hard to notice, but Sora was wrinkling her nose at it.

Tracks: *absent thanks as he studies the envelope and what's written on it*

envelope: *has "The Winged Gentleman" as the addressee, along with the mansion's address. The return address is that of a "D. MacKenzie", who lives in Queens, in the Flushing neighborhood. The handwriting is precise, though hints that the writer is a lady* *the envelope itself is a standard white envelope, and it looks as though the addresses were written with a black ball-point pen*

Tracks: *intrigued. Will very carefully tug on the flap to see if it's too well stuck to come undone*

flap: *comes up easily, revealing that it was held closed with scotch tape*

Tracks: *pleased grunt, and pulls out what was inside*

envelope contents: *a letter written on notebook paper, in the same precise, yet feminine, handwriting. The letter states that the writer's name is Denver, and that she saw the fight on the news. She wishes a swift recovery to the winged gentleman, and also asks if he'd be interested in becoming penpals, as the writer never thought she'd see real heroes on television*

Tracks: *thoughtful expression as he pulls out his smartphone, and then he's looking for a Denver MacKenzie in the NYC phone directory*

directory: *lists a few results for "Denver MacKenzie", but only one matches the return address on the envelope*

Tracks: *smirks and presses "call", then holds the phone to his ear as he lays back again. Slight wince and grunt as his ribs twinge*

Marty: *has moved to check on the nearby flowerbed. Meanwhile, Blue is absently humming something he heard on the radio earlier as he tags along and carries the watering can*

Denver: *answers on the third ring* *sounds a bit out of breath* //MacKenzie residence. Th's 's Denver speakin'.//

Tracks: *with lazy insouciance in his drawl* Hello, Denver, I got your letter today.

Denver: //... Who 's th's?// *curious and a bit surprised-sounding*

Tracks: *amused smirk grows* Why, how many heroes have you sent letters to recently, darling?

Denver: *surprised squeak that she'll probably deny doing later* //H-Hi.// *can you hear the grin in her voice?*

Tracks: *so much smugness in his smirk* Hello.

Denver: *awkward silence for a few moments* //Y'u got mah lettah?//

Tracks: *half closes eyes* I did.

Denver: //Ah... 'M glad.// *awkward silence number two. Isn't really good at phone conversations* //S-So... 'Re y'u open t' th' adeah 'f bein' penpals?//

Tracks: Actually, I seldom find myself with time to write, I'm sad to say. But would you care to meet me for dinner tonight?

Denver: //S-Sure. Ah've got th' nahght off. Wh're 't?//

Tracks: *quickly mutes the phone and cocks an eye toward the gardeners* Mrs. Johnson, do you know if there's a quick way of getting to the city tonight?

Marty: *looks over her shoulder from checking the hydrangeas* There is, actually. *will send Blue into the house to wash up for dinner. Then she'll move to bring something over to Tracks* Lumen gave me this. *will offer what looks like a very fancy wristwatch*

Tracks: *surprised look for the watch* Ahh...?

Marty: He said it's a teleportation device. *will show Tracks how to use said device* Once you set the coordinates for where you want to go, all you need to do is push the green button.

Tracks: Alright. *still skeptical, but knows that Marty is a no nonsense lady* I'll have it back to you by tomorrow morning.

Marty: Alright. *smiles* Have fun, and stay out of trouble.

Tracks: You hardly need to say that to me. *amused as he unmutes the phone* Have you ever heard of a slightly quaint little place called the Serenity Valley Bar and Grill?

Denver: //Ah 'ave. Th' Chief brings us meals fr'm th're sometahms, 'f 't's been a slow nahght.//

Tracks: *pause and a doubtful grimace as it occurs to him that if she's already eaten there that it's hardly a place that would impress her* Ah. What do you think of it?

Denver: //Ah lahked wh't Ah got, even 'f 't w's cold. Ah'd 'magine th't 't's bettah fresh.//

Tracks: Cold? What sort of place sends cold take away? *so much disapproval in his haughty voice*

Denver: //Th' Chief knows some'un who works th're, so 'e brings leftovahs f'r us.//

Tracks: *brows lift* Oh. I see. *smirking again, smug good humour restored* When could you meet me there?

Denver: //Ah c'n git th're bah seven.//

Tracks: And how will I know that it's you? *absently checking the envelope*

Denver: //Well... Ah look lahk th' picture Ah sent wit' th' letter.// *has indeed included a picture. The woman in the image is a tall, strong looking, short haired brunette with blue-green eyes, clad in firefighting gear and holding a helmet. The picture is a recent one, if the date stamped in the corner is anything to go by*

Tracks: *has that picture now, and his eyes have widened slightly as he studies it* You're a firefighter?

Denver: //Yeah. Been wit' th' station f'r six yeahs now.//

Tracks: *quietly, all trace of smugness gone from his voice* You were off the day of the... incident?

Denver: //Yeah. *quieter* Chief w'ldn't let me c'me in t' 'elp out.//

Tracks: *trace of anger* Why the deuce not?

Denver: //Ah'd worked sixteen-'our shifts each day f'r six days bef'r'and.//

Tracks: *brows lifted now* My word. You need some time to be spoiled.

Denver: *quietly* //Ah don' mahnd th' long 'ours. Ah love wh't Ah do f'r a liv'n'.//

Tracks: Still. Hours like that aren't natural. I don't even put in that many hours when we're behind on a shoot.

Denver: *quietly* //Ah guess...//

Tracks: But I'm taking up time that you could be using to get ready. *voice warm, though the lazy smirk hasn't returned* I'll see you tonight, darling.

Denver: //Alrahght. See y'u 't seven.//

Tracks: Looking forward to it. *hangs up, and then immediately makes another call and bullies the owner of the restaurant into giving him a reservation for their best table* *this done, he calls Raoul and lets the boy know that he'll be out. And then PINpoints himself and his car to NYC before the boy can come out and protest*


Later, just shy of seven PM, outside the Serenity Valley Bar and Grille


Denver: *looking around at the crowd, is trying to spot the gentleman she's meeting here. Has on a nice, white maxi-length dress with a few bright red flowers that look like they were painted on with watercolors, and a short, white cardigan for when it gets a bit chilly later. Did her makeup, and even put on a nice pair of red patent leather heels*

Tracks: *face down on his steering wheel and fast asleep there in the parking slot nearest the handicapped stalls. Seems he's not quite as recovered as he had thought he was and still needs rest*

Denver: *attention going to the vintage Corvette, will approach it and make an impressed sound. Has always had a soft spot for older cars, and this one's caught her eye* *soft, surprised sound as she sees the winged man inside the car*

Tracks: *sleeps on, one wing twitching slightly in response to a dream*

Denver: *concerned that the man might need assistance, will move to carefully tap on the driver's side window* Sir, 're y'u alrahght?

Tracks: *startles awake and looks toward the window with a flash of wide, icy blue eyes, then winces and puts a hand to his side* *grimace*

Denver: *slight start, recognizes the man now, will move to see if he needs medical assistance*

Tracks: *as she opens his door* What the deuce was I doing sleeping? I'm so sorry, darling. *squinting and rubbing his face*

Denver: *concerned* D' y'u need a doctor?

Tracks: No, no. I'm alright. *steps out of the car and straightens, and then his brows are raising with interest as he realizes that this lady, in her heels, is the same height that he is* *slight smile*

Denver: *not quite convinced* Alrahght... Lemme know 'f y'u change y'ur mahnd though.

Tracks: *mind shoots to a comment about playing doctor. And then he's a bit mortified to find himself actually blushing. Hasn't blushed in years* *somewhat confused* Ah. Alright.

Denver: *very slight smile* *quietly* We sh'ld 'ead 'nsahd.

Tracks: *absently but carefully closes the door of the car and locks it, then offers Denver his left arm instead of the customary right. No sense in bothering his silly ribs*

Denver: *takes the offered arm after only a moment's hesitation*

Tracks: *throwing on the charm as he leads her inside*

Denver: *just as confident in those heels as she is in her workboots, doesn't so much as wobble as she and Tracks head inside*

Marissa Fairborn: *arm in arm with a buff guy who doesn't look too comfortable in his leisure jacket* Magnus, wasn't that Jonathan Trach?

Magnus: ... I think it was. Who was that with him though?

Marissa: I don't know. I've never seen her before. *bit of a smile as she looks up at him, then. Is feeling a massive inner squee that she has finally managed to interest him in spending some time with her*

Magnus: ... Huh. *will ponder this mystery later* Let's go in and get seated.

Marissa: *again with that little smile* Alright. *walks inside with him, and is then mortified and a bit heartbroken to find out that their reservation was cancelled*

Magnus: Aww, seriously?! *sulk. Was looking forward to spending an evening with Marissa*

Marissa: *quietly as she frowns and thinks* Now what? *has the presence of mind to move Magnus out of the way of incoming people, however*

Magnus: I guess we try and find another place to sit and eat?

Marissa: I'm afraid a table will be impossible to get at this time of night. *mournful expression*

Magnus: *frown, thinks this over* ... I have an idea, if you're game.

Marissa: *perks* We could go back to my place and try to warm up something from the market.

Magnus: I've got a better idea. *has a bit of a grin going now*

Marissa: *lifts brows* Oh?

Magnus: *nods* C'mon. *will move to lead her back to the car*

Marissa: *follows, curiosity clear on her face* Aren't you even going to give me a hint?

Magnus: Nope. *grin is that innocently charming one he does when he's convinced he has a good idea, at least*

Marissa: *slight blush as she looks at that grin* *for the first time in her life her brain to mouth filter fails* Magnus, will you kiss me?

Magnus: *stops short, and turns to look at her with surprise, and a bit of a blush* S-sure...

Marissa: *her own blush is much more present as her mind catches up with her mouth and she realizes what she said. But she doesn't back down, instead she shyly lifts her face toward him*

Magnus: *will lean so she doesn't have to stretch too far* *arms around Marissa's waist, will gently kiss her*

Marissa: *closes eyes and sighs quietly, feeling like she could burst with happiness. Never expected to feel so comfortable in a situation like this* *and then she startles as a passing young man hoots at them*

Magnus: *also startles, will scowl at the young man*

Marissa: *hides her face slightly with her hands, but can't shake the feeling of happiness*

Magnus: *protective arm around Marissa's shoulders* *quietly* Let's go.

Marissa: *quietly, as she drops her hands and smiles a small smile at him* Alright.

Magnus: *will move to bring her to the car*

Marissa: *settles in the passenger seat and moves her light skirt out of the way of the door*

Magnus: *will close the door for her, and then head to the driver's side and get in* *quietly, as he starts the car* I can't promise it'll be as fancy as this place, but I can promise you a view you won't ever forget.

Marissa: *as she fastens her seatbelt* Well you've certainly aroused my curiosity.

Magnus: *small grin* *carefully pulls out of the parking lot after he's buckled up* Well, I try...

Marrissa: *gives him her slight smile and reaches over to pat him gently on the arm to show that she appreciates the trying*

Magnus: *bit of a blush, will focus on driving, making a stop at the nearest burger-and-shakes place*

Marissa: *surprised when they pull up in front of the place*

Magnus: This place is really good. Everything on the menu's organic. *grin*

Marissa: *slowly, as she reads the sign* Burger... Derp?

Magnus: *nod* It's one of the few places everyone can agree on. Well, everyone but Sora.

Marissa: Sora doesn't care for organic fast food?

Magnus: She's still getting used to things.

Marissa: *sobers* Is she having trouble adjusting to her new surroundings?

Magnus: *remembering the incident earlier in the day* A little... *rubs the back of his neck*

Marissa: Is she having trouble learning to be a human being? *remembering stories she's heard about feral children*

Magnus: No. Not at all. We're just hitting a few snags in terms of things that upset her.

Marissa: *quizzical look* What do you mean?

Magnus: *quiet as he tells the story about the teddy grahams and Sora's reaction to them*

Marissa: *hand goes to her mouth* Oh. I can't make myself eat those things either.

Magnus: At least you don't chase people who offer 'em to ya.

Marissa: *slight amusement* You don't look injured.

Magnus: One of the older students distracted her.

Marissa: Has she forgiven you?

Magnus: I'm not sure, but she didn't try to bite me when I offered her the teddy grahams after I embedded them in resin so she could keep them forever.

Marissa: *startled eyebrow lift* After you... *chuckles and shakes head* Magnus, you are a very surprising man.

Magnus: *confused now* Er... Okay?

Marissa: *pats him on the arm again* I think I enjoy that.

Magnus: *small smile is a go*

Marissa: *smiles back, but then frowns and looks through the window* Oh here comes a parking monitor. *opens purse and digs through it as though for change*

Magnus: *wallet out, credit card out*

Marissa: *without looking up from what she's doing* That won't work. You'd better go get our dinner while I find something to appease it.

Magnus: Oh... Okay. What do you want me to bring you?

Marissa: I enjoy beef. Surprise me.

Magnus: 'Kay. What flavor of shake?

Marissa: Vanilla. Or mocha, if they have it. *dig dig dig through the purse*

Magnus: I'll ask. *out of the car and heading for the ordering counter*

Marissa: *in a spirited argument with what's obviously a slightly malfunctioning parking monitor when he gets back* I know for a fact that this ID is as good as payment for any parking space in the city.

monitor: Please insert two dollars. Please insert two dollars.

Magnus: ... *moves to approach, carrying the cardboard tray with two shakes in it and a bag with both meals* Kick it and call tech support?

Marissa: *looks through the window at him past the wonky bot* Would you do the honours?

Magnus: Here. *offers the food and shakes*

Marissa: *carefully accepts the tray and bag*

Magnus: *once his hands are free, he'll give the monitor a good whap*

monitor: *pauses for a moment, then turns and looks at him* Good day, sir, may I help you?

Magnus: ... I think that fixed it.

Marissa: *holds out her ID*

monitor: *looks toward the movement* Ah. Hello, Miss Faireborn. Everything seems to be in order. Have a lovely evening. *turns and rolls away*

Marissa: *leans out of the window to watch it go, then looks back to Magnus* How hard did you hit it?

Magnus: Not very hard.

Marissa: Hmm. It must have been the angle. *turns her attention to figuring out the identity of the shakes*

shake 1: *marked with "Mocha" on the side, is indeed a mocha shake*

shake 2: *marked with "Strawberry" on the side*

Marissa: *eyes widen* These shakes are huge.

Magnus: They're good, too. *grin*

Marissa: Well, I shouldn't taste it yet. *lifts her brows, her expression wondering where they're going next*

Magnus: *will move to get in the car* *once he's buckled up, he'll get the car started and carefully pull out of the parking space* It'll be worth the wait. *grin*

Marissa: *here's an actual grin* Oh really?

Magnus: *nod* Yeah. BurgerDerp knows how to make good food. *driving and taking turns that might seem a bit random at times*

Marissa: I could see the traffic going in and out. I'm surprised they don't have a larger shop than that little old storefront.

Magnus: *slight shrug* I guess they just don't want to move.

Marissa: Hmmm. *looks out the window* Now you've gotten me turned around. I'm not sure which direction we're going.

Magnus: That's okay. I know where we're going.

Marissa: *glances over at him. Mildly* So you're trying to get me totally at your mercy, hmm?

Magnus: If I was, do you think I'd let you stay armed?

Marissa: *quiet chuckle* You're weapons resistant, if I remember rightly. I hardly think my pistol or tazer would do much more than make you angry.

Magnus: It'd still be distracting.

Marissa: *lifts a brow and watches him for a moment. Quietly* You're so serious all the time.

Magnus: *as he carefully takes a turn* I am?

Marissa: Well, every time that I've seen you. *still watching him with that slight smile*

Magnus: Huh... *another slight shrug* Well, at least you know me now, and not when I was a lot dumber.

Marissa: *lifts brow* Dumber?

Magnus: *taking a winding road that goes up into the hills* Yeah. Back before, apparently, I was a real idiot.

Marissa: Don't you remember?

Magnus: I remember, but I can't tell how people see me.

Marissa: I see. *again the slight smile* I'm sure you weren't that bad.

Magnus: Yeah, but I used to play football. *turning off onto a lesser-known road, is soon pulling over* We're here.

Marissa: *distracted from the conversation and looks around*

area: *overlooks the city, and all the lights can be seen*

Marissa: *soft gasp* Oh, Magnus, it's lovely!

Magnus: I promised a view. *grin*

Marissa: Should we sit on the hood to look at it? *sideways glance*

Magnus: *nods* Yeah. We can eat up there, too.

Marissa: *smiles and opens the door, then steps out into the coolness of the spring night. Little shiver and reaches for her coat in the back seat*

Magnus: *coming around to offer his coat*

Marissa: *smiles at him as she slips her hands into her own coat* I'll be alright with this. *then pauses and lifts a hand toward him hesitantly*

Magnus: *will help her onto the hood, after he puts his coat down so she doesn't get a dusty butt*

Marissa: *settles comfortably, making sure that her skirt and the skirt of her coat are behaving, then peeks into the lunch bag and makes a quietly surprised sound*

Magnus: *offers the mocha shake* Something wrong?

Marissa: *sets down the bag and extracts a massive burger wrapped in green paper* This is huge!

Magnus: *grin* That's my burger.

Marissa: I've never seen one this size. How many patties does it have? *offers it to him, surprise still on her face* ...And how do you get it into your mouth?

Magnus: Four patties, and a lot of veggies and cheese. *will reach for the offered burger, unwrap it, and carefully squish it down (not that it helps any) before taking a bite*

Marissa: *looks up from pressing down on her own two patty beef burger and lifts her brows* What sort of patties are those?

Magnus: *finishes chewing his bite before answering* Portabella mushroom caps. *grin*

Marissa: *surprised* You're joking.

Magnus: Nope. *shows her* Beef patties are good, but sometimes, I'm just in the mood for 'shrooms.

Marissa: *still surprised* I think I'm going to have to call in for a menu from that place.

Magnus: They have 'em. *grins and returns to his burger, pausing only to sip from his shake*


a short period of quiet small-talk, eating, and admiring of the view follows


Marissa: *chuckles at something Magnus said as she wipes her mouth and then sips the last of her shake. Glances over at him and takes the straw away* You've got some sauce on the corner of your mouth.

Magnus: *blinks and reaches to wipe at his mouth* Did I get it?

Marissa: No. It's a little lower.

Magnus: *tries again*

Marissa: *bit of a smile* Missed again.

Magnus: *has no right to look that cute as he pouts and offers a napkin* Can you get it then?

Marissa: *takes the napkin and gently wipes away the smudge of sauce, leaning close to see it in the light of the moon. Then starts slightly and lifts her eyes as she realizes how close she is to him*

Magnus: *blinks and then he's blushing as he realizes just how close Marissa is to him* Er...

Marissa: *impulsive and assertive woman! Snog*

Magnus: *so surprised!* *arms up to keep her from falling*

Marissa: *silent inner squee. He's a good kisser. Doesn't look away as a thump and a rustle comes from the other end of the car*

Magnus: *paying no mind to the thump and rustle from the other end of the car*

Marissa: *breaks the kiss and looks up at Magnus as the sound is repeated with enough force to rock the car slightly* I think Mr. Jones is getting bored.

Magnus: *sigh* I guess we should let him out then.

Marissa: We are a bit old for chaperons. *chuckles, though she doesn't really want to get up*

Magnus: *sigh* Yeah... *reluctantly lets her go before sliding off of the hood so he can let the winged pest out of the trunk*

Marissa: *also on her feet, gathering up the meal packaging and putting it neatly into the trash container in the car, then goes to watch the opening of the trunk*

Magnus: *walks around to the back of the car, will bang on the lid of the trunk* Oy, settle down. *ignores the indignant squawk that results. Will open the trunk*

Skylar: *looks pretty ruffled up* You suck. You absolutely suck! *faceplants as he gets out of the trunk*

Marissa: *mildly* I highly doubt that it was Magnus who put you in there, Mr. Jones. *then quirks a brow* Magnus? ...Is that a... toe tag he's wearing?

Magnus: ... *and now he's cracking up*

Skylar: *as he picks himself up off the ground* He still sucks. *trying to smooth his feathers down now*

Marissa: I contest your assertion. And don't you have somewhere else to be?

Skylar: Yeah. Away from you nutbars. *starts walking*

Marissa: ...You're going to walk all that way barefoot? *brow up*

Skylar: It beats being tossed around because Magnus can't freaking DRIVE.

Marissa: What about your wings?

Skylar: *scowl*

Magnus: *recovered from his cracking up* Skylar can't fly with 'em.

Marissa: You're joking. *looks up at Magnus with surprise*

Magnus: *headshake, pointedly ignoring the rude hand gesture Skylar aims at him* Nope. His flight's telekinetic.

Marissa: *looks at Skylar* You do realize that you can steer and propel yourself with your wings anyway?

Skylar: It's easier with my suit.

Marissa: Think of how the condition of your feet will affect Mrs. Jones.

Skylar: ... *more scowl*

Marissa: *eye brow*

Magnus: *calmly* Skylar, get your butt in the car.

Marissa: *quick little glance of protest, but then looks at Skylar again* *subtle waves of disapproval come from her now toward the winged ex model*

Skylar: *scowling darkly and looking like he's about to protest again*

Marissa: You are a sad little man. *reaches into the trunk to get her rubber boots that she sees there, then tosses them at him before turning to kiss Magnus*

Magnus: *pleased sound at being kissed*

Skylar: *cursing muchly now*

Marissa: *keeps the kiss tasteful, but prolongs it to the point of squicking Skylar out*

Magnus: *will pull Marissa closer*

Skylar: Get a *BLEEEP*ing room!

Marissa: *MORE kiss*

Skylar: *cussing sulfuriously, even as he works on putting the boots on*

Marissa: *finally breaks kiss and turns her head to face the former denizen of the trunk* Might I remind you, Mr. Jones, that you are the one who imposed yourself upon our private time and space, due to your ineptitude in using your abilities?

Magnus: *snickerfit* *totally didn't get most of that, but can tell it's insulting*

Skylar: *cuss, starts walking again*

Marissa: *glance of apology and a small smile for Magnus, then looks after the winged man* Get your molting backside into the car. The back seat.

Skylar: *feathers puffed up now*

Magnus: Get in there, or I'll put you in there myself.

Marissa: *arms folded sternly*

Skylar: *grumbles and curses as he reluctantly gets into the back seat*

Marissa: *looks sideways up at Magnus. The little grin has come back*

Magnus: *amused headshake* Should we take him home first?

Marissa: *sigh* Let's just call it a night.

Magnus: *small smile* Do you like microbrewed beer?

Marissa: *surprised. Had expected to be offered pop* I... 've never had it.

Magnus: *surprised* We should fix that then. Legacy's made some really good batches lately.

Marissa: I must warn you, though. I usually only care for Japanese and Korean beer.

Magnus: Well, we'll have to see what Legacy's got bottled up in the fridge then. *smile*

Marissa: *as she moves toward the door of the shotgun seat* What style does he make?

Magnus: It really depends on what's available for ingredients, and what he feels like making. But so far, it's all been really good. Even if Ira uses the mango beer on his cornflakes.

Marissa: *pauses with her hand in mid reach for the door handle* Mango beer?

Magnus: *nods as he heads for the driver's side* Yeah. It's really good.

Skylar: You're supposed to open the door for her, *beepity beep*.

Magnus: *as he turns and comes back* Skylar, shut up.

Skylar: *rude hand gesture*

Marissa: *as Magnus opens the door she's inside and has Skylar's knee in a vice-like grip* *quiet and mild* Don't ruin our evening any further, please.

Skylar: *meep*

Magnus: *cracking up now, kthx*

Marissa: *eyes holding Skylar's with a silent warning*

Skylar: *just a bit pale now*

Marissa: Are we in agreement, then, Mr. Jones?

Skylar: *nod*

Marissa: *lets him go and settles nicely into the seat. Smiles up at Magnus*

Magnus: *cackling muchly as he holds the door open for Marissa*

Marissa: *all settled. Skirt tucked in. Seatbelt fastened. Smiles up at him* Thank you, Magnus.

Magnus: *small smile* You're welcome, Marissa. *will head for the driver's side after carefully shutting the passenger side door*

Marissa: *reaches over and turns the stereo to light vintage jazz. Scatman Cruthers, to be exact* *settles back with a satisfied smile*

Skylar: *is that quiet groan from the back seat*

Magnus: *getting in* Oh, so that's where Optima's CD went.

Marissa: I've never heard this collection before.

Magnus: It's kinda hard to find. Only a few stores ever got any. Optima lucked out one time and met Scatman, and got his autograph on the disk.

Marissa: *eyes wide* Wait, is this the disk he had made to raise funds for the 9/11 victims?

Magnus: *nods* I got one, too. Didn't get it signed though.

Marissa: There were only a hundred of those disks made. They sold at auction. *is amazed and it shows*

Magnus: It was worth the bidding wars.

Marissa: *hand hovers toward the stereo* Maybe we shouldn't play this. The autograph might come off.

Magnus: Perceptor made a coating to protect the signature. *very slight smile as he remembers what Scatman told Optima, who was just a quiet little geek who was openly mutant at the time, and who donated a heck of a lot more than her disk cost her*

Marissa: *quietly and curiously* Why are you smiling?

Magnus: Scatman told Optima she was going to make a big difference to the world. And he was right.

Marissa: *brows lift* He said that?

Magnus: *nods* There's a picture on the mantle of Optima and Scatman, too.

Marissa: *again with the small smile, though it looks wistful now. Reaches back and puts a warning hand on Skylar's knee as she hears his sigh of impatience at the subject*

Skylar: *shuts up*

Magnus: *starting the car* It was a sad day when he passed. He was such a nice guy.

Marissa: *sighs and takes her hand back* I wish I could have met him.

Magnus: He would've charmed your socks off. *chuckles and backs away from the view*


a few minutes later, back at the mansion


Chris: *sitting on the roof with Will. Looks down in time to see Skylar emerge from Magnus' car* ... *head shake* Putz.

Will: Wonder how long he sat in the trunk before he got bored? *reaching for one of the stale loaves of bread that Legacy had designated as duck food*

Chris: *has another crunchy bite of the loaf in his hand, then jumps off the roof and lands right in front of Skylar*

Skylar: *girly shriek*

Magnus: *cracking up as he stands by Marissa*

Chris: *straightens up and crunches another bite off the loaf, then pokes Skylar in the chest with it* Five o'clock tomorrow. Danger Room.

Skylar: *cringe* Yessir.

Chris: *nods to Marissa and is nodded to, then slaps Magnus in the chest with the back of his hand and turns to walk off*

Magnus: *oofs and continues to crack up*

Skylar: *calming down after Chris leaves*

Will: *jumps down and lands behind Skylar*

Skylar: *SHRIEK* *FEATHERS EVERYWHERE*

Marissa: *spits out a feather and blinks, then closes her eyes and joins Magnus in mirth*

Will: *snerks* Fail. *heads into the house*

Magnus: *sputtering feathers as he laughs*

Skylar: *FUMING as he stomps over to where he can fly up to his window*

Marissa: *unladylike spitting sound from behind him as she inhales another down feather*

Magnus: *fussing over Marissa now, will move to bring her into the house*

Skylar: *dark scowl before he heads inside*

Skyfire: *looks up from their couch, his wings folded around TC, Melissa, and Mr. Bigglesworth on the folded out futon* Ach, vhat is vrong, Skylar?

Skylar: *moves to join family on the couch* I want snuggles. *sulk*

Skyfire: *opens his wings* You vant Melissa und Herr Bigglesvorth?

Melissa: *turns in TC's arms to look at her husband, expression worried*

TC: *brb, sleeping*

Skylar: I want snuggles. *moving to get situated on the couch*

Skyfire: *ears show his surprise, but then they're twitching in a smile as he gathers his brother into the family group*

Melissa: *snuggles close to husband*

TC: *insult for brother without waking*

Skylar: *soft sigh, snuggles*

Skyfire: *smiles and settles down to keep watch and listen to the house*

((Written with random_xtras))