llv. Various Locations. New Families And New Changes

[dens_extra_pups]

Optima: *has coaxed Ira into a black tux. Has his hair combed neatly and his beard trimmed and is gently laughing at his scowl as she brings him into where they'll be seeing the New York Philharmonic Orchestra play* *is herself dressed in a lovely silver gown with a shimmering scarf for a shawl*

Ira: *even with all his grumbling and protesting, he has been subtly admiring Optima and the way the gown she's wearing brings out her eyes* *stops short when he sees the crowd of well-dressed people in the foyer*

Optima: *is glad she thought to take his arm when they got out of the car. Now gently exerts her strength to urge him forward* Come. The first number is going to start soon, and I don't want you to miss it. *smiles up at him*

Ira: *grumbles and mutters under his breath as he's urged forward, feet almost but not quite dragging*

Optima: *gives his arm an apologetic cuddle as she firmly but subtly brings him across the foyer, then smiles to a few people she knows, though most of those are already inside, being the sort to come for the music and not to be seen* *softly, without looking up at Ira* You're going to like this, I promise.

Ira: *low grumble* After it's over, we're going straight home.

Optima: If you really want to. But the other pieces will be beautiful too. *gives him another smile as she gets him over to the entrance of the private box that she rented*

Ira: *still grumbling displeasure as he's lead over to the entrance of the private box*

Optima: *gently lifts her brows once they're in front of the door. Isn't going to embarrass Ira in this crowd by opening the door herself*

Ira: *moves to open the door so he can hold it for Optima*

Optima: *steps into the quiet, plushly furnished little room and walks over to open the curtains so that she can look down at the orchestra, which is in the silence just before the music starts* Oh. Hurry, Ira. They're nearly starting.

Ira: *makes sure the door is closed securely before moving to sit down* *soft rumble as he reaches to inspect the cooler he noticed*

cooler: *holds two bottles of his favourite beer, and a tall bottle of sparkling grapefruit juice*

Ira: *approving rumble*

Optima: *turns a shining face toward him as she lets her shawl drop to rest over the balcony rail* They're starting!

Ira: *getting one of the beers out and opening it*

Optima: *little grin as she watches the big man get himself a drink, loving his lack of class as much as she does the rest of him. Then gasps as the music starts with a soft brass intro before the drums come in and the tune becomes unmistakably 'Livin' on Prayer', by Bon Jovi* *eyes shining as she looks to Ira to see what he thinks*

Ira: *surprised expression is a go*

Optima: *reaches a hand toward him, inviting him to come and see. Eyes are shining with love, and with hope that he can understand from the message of this music that the two worlds that they come from are not so different as they seem*

Ira: *moves closer to Optima, and is strangly shy as he puts an arm around her waist*

Optima: *hand on his chest as she leans against him and lets the music flow through her. Other hand slips something into his hand with the beer*

Ira: *blinks and looks down to see what Optima put in his hand*

ring: *dark green jade, carved in the form of a fierce dragon*

Ira: *eyes widen, and then he's nearly fumbling his beer as he tries to remember which pocket he tucked the ring meant for Optima into*

Optima: *gasps and saves the drink, then watches him, her own eyes gone wide with surprise*

Ira: *shy and sheepish expression as he carefully kneels and offers the silver and blue band to Optima*

Optima: *gasps again as he kneels, but remembers herself enough to set the beer on the railing and offer him her hand*

Ira: *carefully putting the ring on Optima's finger, even as he's blushing*

Optima: *tugs him to his feet as the music reaches its triumphant crescendo, then throws her arms around his neck and gives him a joyful and tearful kiss*

Ira: *quietly pleased rumble deep in his chest as he's kissed*

Optima: *puts all her feelings into that kiss, and then pulls back to smile up at him with shining eyes*

Ira: *will smile down at her and then pull her close for a cuddle*

Optima: *breathless little laugh as she obliges him. Is unaware of the orchestra starting their second number*

Ira: *is just going to quietly rumble and hold you close for as long as you'll let him, Optima*


next morning, at the school


Sora: *is in chat mode today as Angel reads her the instructions on what to do in her "invisible ink" learning and activity book*

Angel: *more than happy to read the instructions off to the chatty little girl. Sora is pretty cute when she's not in "grrr" mode*

Cathay: *curled around Sora and acting as backrest for her while laying on the couch and reading a third grade level book about myths and legends. Is purring quietly and absently*

Sora: *talking to dolly and explaining what the pen does and what the lesson is for today* *chat chat chat*

Blue: *boggling at the steady stream of Swahili coming from Sora*

Sora: *happy babbling, telling dolly all about the nice Aunties that are helping her*

Jacki: *comes up behind Blue and pokes him gently in the spot that doesn't make him squeak* C'mon, we're supposeta be keepin' an eye on Bea while she watches this 'Transformers' movie 'n then works on the sticker book.

Blue: *quietly* Listen to Sora. *is still boggling a bit*

Jacki: *soft chuckle* I've heard 'er like that before.

Blue: I haven't...

Jacki: *listens and chuckles again* She's talkin' about what she's doin'. *takes her husband's arm, doing another mental spit take at currently being taller than him*

Blue: Oh. *still amazed at the amount of chatter coming from the six year old*

Jacki: *kisses him on the cheek and tugs him away to go watch the cartoon movie with Bea*

Cathay: *eloquent tail tip comment about the couple without looking up from her book*

Sora: *chatters away about Jacki and Blue for a few moments before what Aunty Angel says catches her attention again*

Mike, Sheldon, and BJ: *are sudden exclamations of amazement audible through the open French door from where they're sitting in the back of Mike's old truck working on their copies of 'How to Keep 10 to 14 Year Old Boys Quiet for Hours'*

Cathay: *tail tip comment on that is amused*

Sora: *giggles*

Angel: *very quiet giggle of her own*

Faredot: *watches for a moment from the walls, then goes to see what Perceptor is doing now that he's not knocking Legacy over with his happiness*

Perceptor: *in his lab tinkering away as the older teens, the Dinobots other than Slag, and Lucia work their way through a learning activity that he set up for the students. Is playing happy orchestra music as he works, since he can't whistle*

Toku: *double checking that he has his materials right*

Swoop: *working very hard on her assigned task*

Grimlock: *electrocuting himself. Again*

Misty: *ignoring that as she slowly reads instructions to Scattershot for the next step of their assigned task*

Scattershot: *following the instructions as they're read to him, an intense look of concentration on his face as he blows his hair out of his eyes*

Ethan: *carefully laying out a diagram of the next step of the project from the written instructions he was given. Is proving to be an excellent draughtsman*

Toku: *slight frown. Is relatively sure he's followed the diagram correctly, but he's also sure he's gotten something wrong somewhere*

Swoop: *tongue stuck out as she works*

Misty: *glances over to see why Toku's stopped working, automatically checking on the injured member of her team. Looks at what he's looking at, then frowns and points to something she thinks he's got different from the diagram*

Toku: *grateful smile and an attempt at a polite bow*

Scattershot: *waits patiently*

Misty: *frowns more deeply and looks to see where Bryson went since she can't hear him jabbering to himself*

Bryson: *sitting quietly, is hard at work lathing the metal rod that will be the body of their project*

Grimlock: *electrocutes self...*

Swoop: *looks to see if she needs to practice first aid on Grimlock again*

Grimlock: *steaming slightly, but unfazed*

Swoop: *attention back to her assigned task*

Misty: *reading again, correcting herself as Scattershot absently tells her the right way to say a word she reads*

Faredot: *feels happy that things are good here, will go upstairs to look in the staff kitchen at those happy feelings there*

Legacy: *still a bit fuzzy headed, but is giving Calypso a cooking lesson*

Calypso: *doing her best to follow instructions, has actually surprised herself a few times with how well things she's made have turned out*

Moonracer: *sitting at the table by Tomoe, intent on her correspondence First Aid course* *absently* Smells good, sister.

Calypso: Here's hopin' it tastes good, too. *shy little grin*

Tomoe: *looks up from organizing a list of Legacy's doll family* It should, it smells right.

Calypso: *more shy grin, returns her attention to her cooking at Legacy's gentle prompting*

Legacy: *pleased that Calypso took the basic recipe he gave her to start with, and made it something more personal. From the sauce tastes he's been given, he can tell the woman has learned her flavor profiles lesson well and taken it to heart*

Faredot: *solidifies and snuggles up to Legacy*

Legacy: *smile* Hey, Faredot.

Faredot: *softly, as she grins up at him excitedly* You need to turn your blocker on.

Legacy: *puzzled expression is a go* I do?

Faredot: *nods* *softly* Ama and Ada are married.

Calypso: *blink, whoop!*

Legacy: *wince at the sudden happybomb from Calypso*

Faredot: Oops. *bites her lip like Optima does*

Tomoe: *soft laughter*

Moonracer: *grinning but still focused on her work. No butting into the bigwigs' stuff*

Legacy: *searching the table for his blocker*

Tomoe: *gently catches his wrist and presses the button*

Legacy: *soft sigh of relief*

Tomoe: *pecks husband on the cheek and goes back to the table, still smiling*

Faredot: *big grin shows her youthful approval for the show of affection*

Calypso: *acks and gets her attention back on her cooking*

Legacy: *as he turns to walk to the table* How soon will they be back?

Faredot: Half an hour. *blinks and looks over her shoulder with a frown of concern*

Legacy: *slight frown* Is something wrong?

Faredot: Dr. Cristofson and Mrs. Johnson just found out that a new baby is coming.

Legacy: ... *brows up* Whose baby? *thought Optima was more careful than that...*

Faredot: *looks up at him* Sonny's.

Legacy: O_O

Tomoe: Sky's expecting?

Faredot: *nod nod!*

Calypso: *cheerfully rude*

Moonracer: *sniggers at the comment but doesn't look away from her schoolwork*

Legacy: ... Wow. This place is going to be busy.

Faredot: O.O Mrs. Johnson just thought a bad word.

Legacy: *facepalm*

Faredot: *confused expression* Why is she angry?

Legacy: *quietly* Because Sonny and Sky haven't even gotten married yet.

Faredot: That's bad? *winces* She went to the staff lounge and pulled Sonny's ear.

Legacy: It's not an ideal situation... but it happens from time to time.

Faredot: *wibbles and worries*


staff lounge


Marty: *very stern, has gotten Sonny by the ear* Young man, you have a lot to answer for!

Sonny: *Italian accent strong in his distress* Owww! Moooommm! What'd I do? I picked everything up!

Marty: Come with me. Now. *will lead Sonny to the infirmary, telling him exactly what he's in trouble for all the way*

Swiper: *watches his brother removed from the room, then grumbles and turns his attention back to the cartoons on the TV* Great. Sonny gets to get married. Why don't I get to?

Kitty: *lifts her head from where she's been laying on the couch beside him using his legs for a pillow, her expression full of utter incomprehension* You never asked.

Swiper: *stares at her, his eyes going wide as he realizes that he's in a serious relationship* Uh. Excuse me. I gotta go ring shopping. *gently pushes her aside and gets up, then jogs out of the room*

Kitty: *frowns with confusion, but then settles her fuzzy white kitty hat more firmly on her head and turns her attention back to the cartoons*


Tracks and Denver's room


Denver: *gently smoothing Tracks' forehead and talking quietly to him*

Tracks: *breath is rasping as he frowns at Raoul. Wants the boy to join the other young people in Perceptor's class, but is being exasperated by Raoul's refusal to comply*

Raoul: *clenches his jaw and scowls* You two need somebody to keep an eye on you.

Denver: No we don'. *careful reach with one leg to pull her chair a bit closer so she can sit*

Raoul: *jaw becomes even more stubborn*

Tracks: *exasperated sound that results in him going into a coughing fit*

Denver: *up to fuss over Tracks and help him get comfortable*

Faredot: *appears and frowns at Raoul* You need to listen to your Ada, so he can relax and stop worrying about your education.

Denver: *startles at that*

Tracks: *still coughing, his face scrunched with exhaustion and discomfort*

Denver: *doing her best to help Tracks get comfortable, even with how her hands are starting to shake*

Raoul: *sees her hands* You need to rest, Miss MacKenzie.

Denver: *quietly* Raoul, wah doncha go see 'f Swoop 'n Toku need 'elp wit' th'r assahgnments?

Raoul: *scowl deepens* You needta rest.

Faredot: Mr. Trach says, "Then get lost and let him!"

Raoul: *startles and frowns at the little girl*

Denver: *can't help the snerk that escapes* *gently* Go keep Grimlock outta trouble.

Raoul: *turns the frown to her* Grimlock ain't my business. Tracks is.

Tracks: *clenches fist and gasps for breath*

Denver: Grimlock listens t' y'u. *attention back on Tracks, her worry visible in her posture and the way she carries herself*

Faredot: *gives Raoul a very reproachful look, and then takes him out of the room*

Raoul: *yelp of surprise lingers*

Faredot: *reappears* He's in class now. *compassionate look for Denver* I promised I'd make sure you rested.

Denver: *small nod* *will move to try and join Tracks on the bed*

Tracks: *tries to get the blankets out of Denver's way*

Faredot: *goes over to the machine on the table and sniffs at it, then frowns and adds more Vick's Vapour Rub*

Denver: *too wiped to bother with getting under the blankets, not that she'll admit that* *carefully snuggles against Tracks' side*

Tracks: *tries to cover her, but he's feeling too shaky to be good for much*

Magnus: *yelps somewhere down the hall*

Tracks: *inadvertent snerk that gets him coughing*

Denver: *more careful snuggles and a soft chuckle before she's closing her eyes* *hates how much it wipes her out just to move about the room, much less anything like getting onto or off of the bed*

Faredot: *watching with her head to one side, thinking of everything she knows about Denver, and how Rachel is puzzled about why the woman is still ailing. Sudden perk and vanishes*

Chris: *gives his unmistakable double thud to the door a few minutes later*

Tracks: *grumbles without waking*

Denver: *bleary blinking as she tries to sit up*

Chris: Hello?

Denver: *quietly* Tracks 's sleep'n', Chris.

Chris: Got somethin' for you.

Denver: *puzzled* Ah'm decent... *meaning it's okay for you to come in, Chris*

Chris: *comes in, and then walks over and looks down at her with a concerned frown* BJ says fire makes you feel better. *just talked to the boy after Faredot came downstairs with her idea*

Denver: *slight frown* Ah remembah feelin' drunk aftah th't fahrball.

Chris: He says you sit on heaters.

Denver: *sheepish expression is a go* *quietly* Th'y feel nahce t' sit 'n. 'Specially 'n th' wintah.

Chris: *comes over and sets a tray table over her lap, then helps her sit up. Goes out. Comes back with a big eucalyptus scented pillar candle with three wicks, which he sets on the tray table and then lights* *figures this is worth a try after what BJ told him about Denver "perking up" after sitting on the heater*

Denver: *puzzled expression is a go as she tries to work out what's going on*

Tracks: *breathing quiets a little more as the scent of eucalyptus joins that of the Vapour Rub*

Chris: *takes a bite of Twizzler and frowns at Denver*

Denver: *hesitantly reaching to try and play with the flames from the candle*

Chris: *sticks his snack in his mouth, then reaches with both hands to roll her sleeve back*

Denver: *moves her hand so the flames dance along her forearm for a few moments*

Chris: *lifts a brow, slightly impressed with that. Offers Denver a Twizzler*

Denver: *reaches for the candy, already starting to get a bit of her normal coloration back*

Chris: *gives goody. Is smiling slightly* How you feel?

Denver: Bit bettah. *nomphs candy*

Chris: *thinks a moment, and then takes her free hand and puts it down on the candle flames*

Denver: *will focus on keeping the candle's flames from going out, even as she regains more of her normal coloration*

Chris: Yeah. Thought so. *takes his hand away from hers and starts rolling her sleeve a bit better*

Denver: Hm?

Chris: You're getting energy from it.

Denver: Huh...

Chris: You sit on heaters a lot, don't you? *gets himself another Twizzler from the package in his cargo pocket, then looks at her thoughtfully*

Denver: 'F 't's cold 'r raineh, yeah.

Chris: *suspects that she might seek out heat sources more than that without realizing it, but only nods*

Denver: *very slight head tilt as she plays with the flames*

Chris: *watching her for signs of overcharge as he placidly munches his snacks*

Denver: *starting to feel a bit fuzzy-headed*

Chris: *sees her eyes take on a slightly glazed look and takes the candle away*

Denver: *soft, disappointed sound*

Chris: You've had enough. *frowns at Tracks after blowing out the candle* Hold on. *carries it out*

Denver: *going to snuggle against Tracks, then*

Tracks: *turns his face toward her and sighs without waking*

Denver: *snuggles and admires Tracks as he sleeps*

Tracks: *finely sculpted face is peaceful now, and his breathing is only a faint rasp due to the medicine in the air and his state of relaxation*

Chris: *back with a scent warmer and some wax potpourri chips. Warmer is the plug in type, and he sets it up beside the steamer*

Denver: *very soft, pleased sound, even as she starts to nod off*

Chris: *chips in warmer, and soon the room once more mingles eucalyptus with menthol. Looks over his shoulder at Denver*

Denver: *head on Tracks' shoulder, has slipped into a light doze, but looks well on her way to deeper sleep*

Chris: *grins and comes over to skillfully and lightly fix blankets, then make sure that the aid button and some Twizzlers are in sight and in reach before slipping out of the room and softly closing the door behind him*

Denver: *soft little sigh as she slips deeper into sleep, resting peacefully at Tracks' side*


down the hall, in Marty and Jacob's sitting room


Sky: *gives her mom an embarrassed look as Marty comes in. Knows she's in for questioning now*

Marty: *definitely not amused with Sky or Sonny right now, and it shows* Just what were you thinking?

Sky: *sighs* It was right after the big fight. You remember how crazy Sonny and Swiper were by the time we got back.

Marty: *winces as she remembers*

Sky: *looks down, her cheeks darkening as she folds her hands and pushes her thumbs together* It was the only way I could think of calming him down.

Marty: *small frown as she nods* I see.

Sky: I know I wasn't thinking straight. *shuts her eyes as she remembers the outcome of that battle* But I'm not going to regret my son.

Marty: *another nod* We'll have to alter your dress if we don't have the wedding soon.

Sky: *wrinkles her hose and looks up* Dress? I'm not going to waste money on some stupid gown that I'll never wear again. If I could fit yours I'd wear that, but that's not happening. *thinks of how she looks down to see her mom when they're standing together*

Marty: *soft chuckle* It would be a bit short on you, I suppose...

Sky: Not to mention bigger here. *gestures to her chest, which has always been rather artistically flat*

Marty: Oh, I don't know... *slight headtilt*

Sky: *curious frown* What do you mean?

Marty: I don't think I've ever shown you my wedding dress, Sky.

Sky: *blinks* Uh. No. I was out here when you and TC were laughing about her trying to get into it in your room.

Marty: *soft chuckle, will move to go get the dress*

Sky: *gets up to follow, but then stops and looks over through the open door of the room, where she can see Sonny's back and bowed head*

Marty: *back with the dress* *pauses as she sees the worried look Sky's giving Sonny, and the way he's got his head bowed*

Sky: *blinks and looks toward Marty as she registers that her mother's stopped moving* *blinks* Is that white buckskin?

Marty: *blinks and looks down at her dress* Yes. My mother about fainted when she saw it.

Sky: *soft chuckle* You weren't joking when you said you were a rebel, huh? *eyes straying back toward the man in the hall*

Marty: As much as I could get away with and avoid being sent to a home for unwed girls.

Sky: *absently, still frowning and worrying* And you think it'll fit me, besides length? What about my wings?

Marty: It ties at the shoulders, and is easily adjusted.

Sky: *curious* Let me go hug Sonny, and I'll be right back.

Marty: *nods* Alright.

Sky: *strides out of the room and tries to put her arms around Sonny*

Sonny: *squirms away, and then walks off*

Sky: *wings droop with puzzlement as she watches him leave*

Marty: *slight frown as she watches Sonny go*

Sky: *turns and looks back at her mother, confusion and hurt very clear on her strongly sculpted face*

Marty: ... I'll go talk to him. *moving to hand the dress over to Sky*

Sky: *starts to say something, but then remembers how much her boyfriend looks up to her mother* Okay.

Marty: *moves to follow Sonny, worried about the young man*

Sonny: *up at the end of the hall, looking out the window with his head leaning against the glass*

Marty: Sonny.

Sonny: *jerks and turns to give her a wary look, his dark eyes full of hurt*

Marty: It's going to be alright. Go help Sky try on the dress. *tone is gentle, as is her expression*

Sonny: *tries to draw back* I didn't mean to make you mad.

Marty: Sky explained what went on. It's alright. *means what she says*

Sonny: *just looks at her, fighting to understand that she's not angry and disappointed with him anymore. His instinct is making it hard*

Marty: Come on. Sky is going to need help getting the dress adjusted. *offers her hand*

Sonny: *sad sound and turns away abruptly so that she can't see him cry*

Marty: *hesitates for a moment, then moves to put her hand on Sonny's back* *soothing sounds*

Sonny: *is trembling. Sky was right about him needing a hug*

Marty: *has hugs to give*

Sonny: *quietly* I'm sorry.

Marty: *soothingly* It's alright, Sonny. Everything will be okay.

Sonny: You and Poppa aren't mad at me?

Marty: *headshake* No.

Sonny: *deep breath* *and then that moment arrives and he suddenly goes rigid with shock* *stutter in shocked Italian that includes the word for baby*

Marty: Sonny?

Sonny: [*explicative deleted*, I'm a papa.] 0_0

Marty: *meep* Don't faint! I don't think I could carry you back to the room!

Sonny: *stares at her with wide eyes*

Marty: I mean it! You're too heavy for me to carry.

Sonny: *absently, still staring at her* I won't fall, Mama.

Marty: Alright... *still a bit unsure*

Sonny: *blinks* What's Sky looking at?

Marty: My wedding dress, I think.

Sonny: *relaxes visibly and takes a deep breath* I can marry her?

Marty: *nods*

Sonny: *sigh of relief and hugs her tightly but gently*

Marty: *hugs* Let's go help Sky with the dress.

Sonny: Alright. *grins at her as he straightens up, and then gives her a peck on the cheek and laughs*

Marty: *can't help it, laughs as well*

Sonny: What are we waiting for? *heads down the hall at his usual long-legged lope*

Marty: *amused headshake, moves to follow*


Meanwhile, along the road leading to the mansion


Optima: *taking a turn to drive as her new husband seems to doze in the passenger seat*

Ira's phone: *buzzes*

Ira: *awake, grumble*

Optima: *glances toward him as the phone buzzes again* What is it?

Ira: *grouchy as he answers his phone* This is Ira.

Nikki Fury: //What's this I hear about you showing up in a chapel in Vegas in a tux?// *sounds exasperated and amused as she wonders what kind of publicity stunt the old soldier was helping his new boss with*

Ira: *dryly* That's what happens when people get married.

Nikki Fury: *pause* *slight increase of exasperation* //Who got married?//

Ira: *smirk* Well, who do you think, Fury?

Nikki Fury: //If I knew I wouldn't be asking you, Irons.//

Ira: *trying to hide his disappointment that Fury won't take the bait* *quick glance to Optima, wordlessly asking for permission*

Optima: *curious brow quirk, but nods to him*

Ira: *decides he's going to try and make Optima blush* I did. To the most beautiful woman in the world.

Optima: *BLUSH. Keeps eyes on road*

Nikki Fury: *long pause*

Ira: *can you hear the smugness radiating off of him* We're on our way back home now.

Nikki Fury: *more pause*

Ira: *smirk* Don't sound so shocked, Fury.

Nikki Fury: *flatly* //You're married.//

Ira: I am.

Nikki Fury: //To that blue-haired kid.//

Ira: She's not a kid.

Nikki Fury: //She's less than half your age.//

Ira: So?

Nikki Fury: //How the *deleted* did you get that drunk, Irons?//

Ira: I wasn't drunk.

Nikki Fury: *flat again* //I don't believe you.//

Ira: I had two beers at the orchestra thing Optima brought me to, and by the time we reached Vegas, I was sober.

Nikki Fury: *more long pause*

Ira: Got a problem with it, Fury? *bit of a growl in his voice now*

Nikki Fury: *her namesake is clear in the quietness of her voice* //What did you do a stupid *deleted* thing like that for?//

Ira: *eyes narrow* *quietly, voice taking on that one tone it does when he gets truly irritated* Making it obvious that I love someone and want to spend the rest of my life with them isn't stupid to me.

Nikki Fury: //You know how long people other than Chrome tend to last around you!//

Ira: *coldly* I don't recall asking for relationship advice, Fury.

Nikki Fury: //You can spend your life around people without going to a chapel and looking like a clown!// *yes, she's shouting now. You're one of the few able to make her do that*

Ira: *growl* *hangs up*

phone: *buzzes*

Ira: *scowls at it and checks to see who's calling*

phone: *shows Marissa's number*

Ira: *considering look, phone back in pocket. Is in NO mood to deal with Fury or anyone who answers directly to her*

phone: *buzzes again*

Ira: *IGNORING THE PHONE*

Optima: *meeps as her phone rings softly and taps the dash* Ira, could you talk to them?

Ira: Don't want to.

Optima: Please? It could be something important.

Ira: Or it could be Fury trying to give me $#$#@$ over marrying you.

Optima: Please check?

Ira: *grumbles and checks*

dash display: *"unknown private number"*

Ira: *frown, answers the call* Hello?

Marissa: //Hi, Ironhide. I just want to know if I need to forward you the balance for that bet that you and Nikki made back in '73.//

Ira: ... *and then he's cracking up* *had forgotten about that stupid bet*

Optima: *startled glance*

Marissa: *amusement in her calm voice* //Hello?//

Ira: *regaining his composure, somewhat* Yeah. Put it in as a donation to the school.

Marissa: *chuckle* //Congratulations. I told you it was worthwhile. Talk to you later!// *click*

Ira: *quietly pleased rumble*

Optima: *curious glance, but doesn't ask*

Ira: *in a better mood now* *leans back against the seat after closing the call*

Optima: *softly* Everything's alright?

Ira: *nod* Yup.

Optima: *smiles* I'm glad.

Ira: Didn't even remember making that stupid bet. But now I'm glad I did.

Optima: What kind of bet?

Ira: *bit of a blush* *mumbles something*

Optima: *puzzled, but then her brows shoot upward* Ira, you weren't making bets about our honeymoon, were you??

Ira: *mumbles something that sounds suspiciously like "She thought I'd die a virgin."*

Optima: *slight asperity* I don't think it's any of her business.

Ira: *quietly, finding something just out the window utterly fascinating* This was back in 1973. *then* The money'll help out, at least.

Optima: *pulls over to the shoulder and stops, then face palms as she thinks of Magnus and Elita* We're probably going to be teased more when we get home.

Ira: *will hold her close* *quietly* Legacy'll probably be stoned.

Faredot: *brightly, from the back seat* He thought that you and Ama were already starting a baby.

Optima: Meeep!

Ira: *startled "ack", looks to Faredot with wide eyes*

Faredot: *uncertain now in the face of both parents' reaction*

Optima: *sighs and reaches a hand toward the little girl* It's alright, Faredot. You just startled us.

Ira: *soft rumble as he nods agreement*

Faredot: *perks and lets out a soft thread of contented feeling mixed with joy to see them again*

Optima: *pulls her close and adds her to the hug, still leaning against Ira*

Ira: *quietly* Why would Legacy think Optima and I were starting a baby?

Faredot: Because you were sleeping on the same bed. *curls up on the driver's side back seat once Optima lets go of her*

Optima: o.O *face palm* I never expected Legacy to assume things.

Ira: *slight frown, is just a bit puzzled*

Faredot: *hugs her knees* He doesn't know a lot about that kind of thing. But don't worry. He knows that the baby is Sonny and Aunty Sky's now.

Optima: :o

Ira: *jaw drops. Is very surprised!*

Faredot: *bit of a grin* Sonny and Swiper are going to marry their ladies on the same day.

Ira: *blink, blink, and then he's giving a very rumbly chuckle*

Faredot: Swiper hadn't realized that he had a girlfriend that he could marry till she told him. *amused by this in her child's way*

Optima: *pinches the bridge of her nose and smiles faintly*

Ira: *more chuckle*

Faredot: And Aunty Marty showed Aunty Sky her dress that she was married in.

Ira: *soft snerk. Just imagined the kind of dress Marty would've probably worn*

Faredot: It can fit on Aunty Sky, though it will be short.

Optima: *quizzical look for her daughter*

Faredot: *shares a mental picture of the dress*

Optima: o.o Ohhh.

Ira: *blink blink* Huh. *not what he was expecting*

Faredot: *looks up* The dark lady is trying to come here, and Uncle Magnus' lady is distracting her.

Optima: ...The dark lady? *quizzical look for Faredot*

Ira: *raised brow* Dark lady?

Faredot: *nods and looks at him seriously* You were just speaking with her.

Ira: Ah. Fury. *small nod*

Optima: Why does she want to come here?

Faredot: *tilts her head and listens* I can't hear that. It's not related to the home.

Ira: *slight snort and an eye roll. Thinks Fury's an interfering busybody*

Faredot: *affection. Thinks Ada is a hero*

Ira: *slight blush* *quietly* Let's get home.

Optima: Yes. *straightens herself out in her seat and reaches for the belt* Fasten yourself in, Faredot.

Faredot: *frightened look* I will be safe if I don't.

Optima: *pauses in putting the car back in gear to shoot a surprised look toward the rear view mirror at this atypical reply from the obedient child*

Ira: *blinks and gives Faredot a puzzled look*

Faredot: *shaking visibly* I... don't want to be bound again.

Optima: *shocked look over her shoulder*

Ira: *concerned*

Optima: *mind goes to the few stories she knows about genii and similar beings, and thinks she understands* *gently* Will you go home and wait for us?

Ira: *still very concerned, but will defer to Optima*

Faredot: *looks out the window, but then folds herself down small in the foot well behind Optima's seat* May I ride like this, Ada? If something happens I will return to my natural form and not be hurt.

Ira: *very quiet rumble as he thinks this over*

Optima: *looks at him and waits to hear what he says. Knows that he has more experience than herself, though she's still troubled at the thought of breaking the law*

Ira: How close are we to the house?

Optima: *softly* Five miles.

Ira: *more quiet rumbling. Then* Look at her.

Optima: *looks around to see Faredot, and blinks as she realizes that the child has resumed her natural state and is invisible* *quietly* Right. She isn't human.

Ira: *nod* Let's go home.

Optima: *turns her gaze toward him, brows lifting slightly. Then nods and once more sets the car in motion*


Later, at the mansion


Sora: *CLINGING to Aunty*

Optima: *sitting on her knees and hugging the tiny girl* It's alright, Sora. I wasn't lost.

Sora: *gonna cling to you for the rest of the night, Aunty! Things changed suddenly, and she wasn't expecting it, so she's scared!*

Tomoe: *surprised by the change in Sora* She was so chatty till you got back.

Optima: *softly, rubbing Sora's back* Were you telling good stories?

Sora: *peek, wibble*

Optima: *little smile* *softly* Uncle Ira bought you something.

Ira: *getting the gift for Sora out and setting the plush giraffe down where Sora can see it, and approach it on her own terms*

Optima: *smile grows a bit* Look! *points to the toy*

Sora: *watching the toy warily, will cautiously let go of Optima to scoot over to it so she can inspect it*

Bea: *fresh from her big test as she stands and leans against her walker. Looks up at Ira quizzically, with a bit of a grin* You got married?

Ira: *nods, giving Bea a small smile* We did.

Bea: *looks at Optima, who is talking quietly to Sora about the stuffed giraffe, then back to Ira* Did Mrs. Irons have a pretty dress? 'N did you bring a dolly for Faredot?

Ira: *blinks, a bit surprised by the question. Was expecting to be asked if he had brought Bea a doll*

Bea: *worried when she sees his expression* What's wrong, Mr. Irons?

Ira: *amused rumble as he shows a couple of packages* I got gifts for everyone.

Bea: *eyes go wide and her mouth falls open* Everyone?

Optima: *glances over and chuckles*

Ira: *nods and offers one of the packages to Bea*

Bea: *takes it hesitantly and turns it over in her hands* ...Thank you. *slightly overwhelmed with surprise*

Ira: *nod* You're welcome, Bea.

Bea: *looks up* *uncertainly* Do I open it now?

Sora: *rapid string of Swahili, encouraging Bea*

Optima: *soft chuckle as she watches Sora's anxiety vanish*

Ira: *nod* Go ahead, Bea.

Bea: *deep breath, but then sits down on the floor and reaches for Sora* Do you want to take the paper off?

Sora: *nod nod, scoots over to help Bea*

Optima: *rises to her feet and goes to stand by Ira as she watches the two little girls make short work of the store wrapping*

Sora: *distracted by how crinkly the paper is*

Bea: *carefully pulling the scotch tape off the box that was inside the paper, and then taking off the top to peek inside*

Pit bull plushie: *looks like Mr. Pitts, and even has a cheery grin on his face*

Bea: Ohhhhhhh. Sora, look! It's a little Mr. Pitts. *takes the toy from the box and sets the box aside*

Mr. Pitts: *looks over curiously, sees his master hugging a doll, and wags his tail*

Sora: *flapping her hand and growling at the scotch tape that's stuck to it*

Bea: *quick snatch and gets the tape*

Sora: *itty bitty grumble in Swahili, leans on Bea*

Bea: *cuddles* Will you show me your new dolly?

Sora: *nod nod, will show the giraffe to Bea*

Bea: *little squee, and then makes her dog talk to the giraffe*

Nessa: *looks in* Hey, there's a huge horse trailer at the gate.

Optima: *starts, but then turns a shining face to Ira* They're here!

Ira: *blink* They?

Optima: *so happy* The horses and ponies. And Sora's burro.

Sora: *looks up*

Bea: *excited wonderment as she hugs her new plushie* Horses? And a little donkey? *looks at Sora* You get a little donkey!

Sora: *so confused*

Bea: *pulls herself up with her walker and moves toward one of the chairs there in the foyer* Let's put the dollies here and go see.

Optima: *still waiting for Ira's reaction*

Ira: *just a bit uncertain. Remembers falling off of a horse at least once*

Optima: *takes his hand and tugs him toward the hall that will lead to one of the back doors*

Sora: *will set her giraffe and her dolly down and scoot after Aunty and Uncle*

Ira: *quiet rumbling as he's led*

Optima: *leads the way out the door and past the barn, then stops and watches as a tall man in a cowboy hat coaxes ten sturdy Icelandic horses, two larger horses with flowing manes, and one little black donkey with a white nose out of the trailer*

donkey: *over to the fence right away and crawls out*

Sora: *squeaks and hides behind Aunty and Uncle*

Ira: *soothing rumble for Sora*

donkey: *heard the squeak! Long ears perked as he squeaks himself. There is a child here! He wants a child. Where is it?*

Sora: *heard that squeak, will peek*

Optima: *softly* That's Simba. He won't hurt you. He's like Mr. Pitts.

Mr. Pitts: *speaking of whom, he's nose to nose with the little long eared newcomer now*

Sora: *much thinking going on in her head*

Bea: *over by the adults and watching*

Rush: *tries a cowboy whoop at the horses*

handler: Don't do that.

Nessa: *slaps Rush on the arm at the same time*

Rush: Ack!

horse: *red chestnut Icelandic mare walks over, sticks her head through the fence, and very firmly gives Rush's pants a jerk in the back*

handler: *ack! Pantsy!*

Rush: *startled yelp*

Sora: O_O

Ira: *long-suffering sigh, quietly displeased rumble*

handler: *sternly, as he leads a pretty little Arab mare with big dark eyes and a soft black nose from the trailer* She only does that if you act like an idiot.

Nessa: *laughing now*

Pantsy: *snorts and walks off*

Ira: *slow headshake and a mutter of agreement*

Optima: *hand on his arm in a gentle pat, uses other hand to get out her cell phone and press a number* Angel?

Angel: *answers on the first ring* //Y-Yes?//

Optima: *softly, a smile in her voice* Will you put on the khakis I gave you, and bring the children's steel toe boots?

Angel: //A-Alright. W-where are you?//

Optima: The horse paddock. *happy small chuckle* The horses are here.

Angel: *soft sound of surprise* //I'll be down there soon.//

Optima: Alright. *smiling as she hangs up* *then looks up at Ira*

Ira: *connected the dots, is chuckling softly now*

Optima: *softly* Do you want to meet your horse? *glances over toward the sound of laughter and sees three young boys riding on one woolly bully*

Ira: *raised brow, but nods*

Mike: *steers Bully over, reins of the bridle that's hanging loosely around the animal's neck held easily in his cybernetic hand*

Sheldon: Is Mr. Irons going to learn to ride, too?

BJ: *carefully leaning around Sheldon, since the taller boy is blocking his view. Isn't even sitting in the saddle, but doesn't look uncomfortable seated behind Mike and Sheldon*

Optima: *glances over at the boys again with a smile* I hope so. *smile widens slightly* BJ, Sheldon, would you like your own mounts?

Sheldon: *shares a puzzled look with BJ*

Optima: *translates what she said* Would two of you like to ride horses instead of Bully?

Mike: *laughs as he turns and looks at BJ* Then you wouldn't be sliding off the back onto your butt.

BJ: Oooh! Yeah! *moves to slide down*

Sheldon: *sheepish now* Er...

Mike: *looks at him* What's wrong, dude?

Bully: *tail swats the BJ*

Sheldon: *quietly, as BJ acks and falls on his butt* I... don't know how to ride a horse.

Mike: It's not that different from riding Bully, except they don't push their saddle off. These ones don't even look hard to catch. *glances over toward Sora and Bea and sees the little donkey standing with his nose on Sora's arm*

Sora: *giving Simba a cautious look even as she reaches to gently pet the donkey's nose, is replying quietly to Bea's encouraging words*

Sheldon: *blink blink* Oh.

BJ: *dusting his butt off, kthx*

Bully: *low, quiet "mmmm" to the boys*

Mike: You can have Bully, and I'll go ride a horse.

handler: *has been watching how the black haired boy handles the copper colour Highland bull* These horses are as easy to ride as that bull. *pets the Arab mare on the nose as she talks to him*

Angel: *out with the steel toe boots, is wearing her khakis and the boots Scattershot got for her*

Cathay: *sauntering along behind Mama, her ears perked as she watches the animals in the pen. Pauses and hunkers by Sora, then lands on her butt as the little donkey rubs against her affectionately*

Sora: *surprised squeak*

Angel: *soft little squeak* o_o

Lucia: *trying very hard not to laugh*

Cathay: *flattens ears with surprise, but then squeaks herself as Simba offers kissies*

handler: *looks over* *blinks* *then grins* Sorry, Miss. Simba thinks you're a kitty. He loves cats.

Arab mare: *heard "cat" and "kitty", whickers hopefully*

Angel: *starting to relax, will look around*

Optima: *comes to meet her* Let me help you put these down. *takes some boots and sets them down in a neat row on the ground* *then startles and looks over toward an unfamiliar sound*

Cathay: *laughing softly and voicelessly as she plays with the affectionate little donkey*

Sora: *blink blink, slight head tilt*

Simba: *forgets about being cautious and kissies Sora too*

Bea: *squeal of delight*

Mr. Pitts: *massive doggy grin*

Sora: *startles and blinks*

Simba: *love love!*

Sora: *hesitant pettings*

Cathay: *gently pulls a donkey ear and is wiffled at*

Bea: We need to brush him. I know where the brushes are.

Optima: *smiling as she turns back to Angel. Softly* Do you want to meet your horse?

Angel: *softly, as she nods* I would like that, Optima.

Optima: *sets down the last boot and calls to the boys to put theirs on, then straightens and gently takes her small blonde friend's arm. Eager but still gentle* She's white.

Angel: *small little smile as BJ scampers over to put his boots on*

Optima: *as Mike pounces on his boots with a play roar she's leading Angel over to the paddock, and then to the little white Arab mare*

mare: *talking softly where she's now tied to the fence. Wants a kitty*

Angel: *soft little gasp and a quiet squeal of delight*

mare: *distracted from wanting kitty, perks pretty little ears and looks toward the squeal. Soft squeal in reply*

Optima: *wide grin* She thinks you called to her.

Angel: *expression lights up as she moves to approach the fence* What's her name?

Optima: *slips something into Angel's hand* Cookie.

Angel: *blinks and looks to see what was slipped into her hand. Small smile as she sees the horse cookie, then she's moving to hold the treat out in an offer to the mare*

Cookie: *smells the treat and whickers softly, then takes it so daintily that Angel won't even feel the touch of her lips. Contented crunching as she talks. Recognizes this lady's scent now. It's the one she's been trained to take care of*

Angel: *happy little sound, will reach to gently pet Cookie's nose*

Cookie: *more soft talking as she turns her cheek in request of pettings there*

Angel: *happy to oblige*

Optima: *offers a brush from the bucket that the handler just brought over*

Angel: *small nod, reaches for the brush* Thank you, Optima. *smile*

Optima: *softly* Do you know how to use it?

Ira: *quiet rumble from where he just took a brush out of the bucket given to him. Is standing by a black Frisian mare who is quietly rubbing her nose on the fence. Glances over to make sure he took the right brush*

Angel: ... *small headshake*

Optima: *soft trilling whistle that gets an immediate response as a blue and white Gypsy Vanner mare turns and trots over* Here, let me show you. *gets a brush from the mare's bucket and starts working*

Angel: *will watch and imitate Optima*

Mike: *has caught two Icelandics and is offering a brush to BJ and Sheldon, waiting to see which friend will ride a horse and which will stick to Bully*

BJ: *grabs a brush*

Sheldon: *hesitant*

Mike: *pats Sheldon on the back and gives him Bully's reins* *then turns back to BJ* Want the black one, or the one that gives wedgies?

BJ: The one that gives wedgies. *grin*

Mike: *snerks and trades brushes with him*

Sora: *soft Swahili as she gives Simba scritches*

Lucia: *watching Angel interact with Cookie, has a smile on her face*

handler: *pauses by Lucia and offers her the lead of a blonde and white mare with blue eyes*

Lucia: *blinks* What's her name? *reaching for the lead*

handler: This is Goldilocks. She's met three bears.

Lucia: *soft snerk*

Goldilocks: *squints amiably at the person holding her lead, and then snorts quietly in reply to the snerk, which seems to be a snort to her*

Lucia: *gentle tongue cluck, will move to offer gentle scritches*

handler: *offers her the mare's brush bucket*

Lucia: *nods her thanks and accepts the offered bucket, will get to work brushing Goldilocks*

Optima: *gently nudges Angel and shows her what Lucia's doing*

Angel: *looks* *surprised sound as she sees that Lucia's got a horse as well*

Lucia: *glances over to Angel and gives her a smile*

Optima: *turns her happy grin toward her husband to see how he's doing*

Ira: *rumbling softly as he focuses on brushing his horse*

mare: *turns her head as he stops after finishing her side, gently catches his sleeve, and tugs his hand toward her belly*

Optima: *brows up*

Ira: *blinks and begins brushing the mare's belly*

mare: *back to rubbing her nose on the fence post*

Optima: *hand over her mouth to contain a little laugh as she resumes brushing her own mare*

Angel: *being very gentle as she brushes Cookie*

Cookie: *talking to Angel, little soft sounds and deep soothing rumbles*

Mike: *brushing and combing all done, grabs a hoof to see if it needs picking, and blinks with surprise as he realizes that the horse's hoof is totally covered by a green plastic boot* The heck??

Lucia: *looks over* 'Sup?

Mike: What's this? *looks at the other hooves, and then the other horses* What kinda crazy shoes are they wearing?

handler: The kind that are easy to replace. *laughs*

Lucia: *blink blink*

Mike: So... no hoof picking.

handler: Nope, not today.

Mike: Okay. *shrug* Where's the saddle?

handler: *opens the front of the trailer and shows the saddles, each nicely labelled with a small picture of the horses they go on. Most are simple and lightweight basic ones, but Optima's is a super lightweight endurance saddle, and Ira's is another big old cowboy saddle like Bully is wearing*

Mike: *thinks the saddles look silly and says so, but saddles his horse skillfully*

Ira: *rumbling quietly as he works on saddling his horse*

mare: *reaches back and grabs her saddle blanket before he can put the saddle on, then gives herself a little shake*

handler: *comes over* Did you move the blanket after you laid it on her back?

Ira: ... *small frown*

handler: *looks underneath* No. Never mind. I see the problem. How do you do this stuff, Trouble? *takes a giant diving beetle from between the mare's back and the blanket, then puts the blanket back*

mare: *rubbing her nose again contentedly*

Ira: *blink blink* *headshake*

handler: You can saddle her now. *walks off, his tanned face creased with amusement as he brings the big beetle over to show first to the boys, and then to the girls*

Mike: Cooooool. *big grin*

BJ: Wh't tahp'a bug 's th't?

Mike: It's a female giant diving beetle.

handler: *impressed* How'd you know it was a lady?

Mike: She's not shiny.

handler: *grins* You're right. *tilts the bug so that Bea can see it as she pushes her walker over to peek*

Sora: *scooting after Bea, will headtilt as she sees the bug*

handler: *holds his hand lower so that the tiny girl can see too*

Bea: Wow. I bet Perceptor would love that. He's got all kinds of aquariums and stuff in his lab.

Sora: *soft little sound, frown*

handler: *gently* What's wrong?

Sora: *wrinkles her nose a bit, trying to think of the words in English* *string of Swahili*

handler: Aww, I'm sorry. I don't know that language.

Cathay: *twitches her tail at him from where she stands behind the little girls*

Sora: *more frown, will gesticulate and point at the bug* Nom?

handler: *laughs as his face brightens with understanding* No. I wouldn't eat one of these. Giant water bugs are better, especially fried.

Sora: *thinking about this now*

Bea: *poking away at her iPod, and then turns it to show her smaller friend an image of the insect in question* That's what he means.

Cathay: *nose wrinkle*

Sora: *quiet string of Swahili, will study the picture*

Bea: *touches the screen, and then shows her another picture, this one of a plate full of round things on rice* That's them cooked.

Sora: *curious sound, looks interested in that*

handler: I'll see if I can find some land shrimp to bring for you guys. I'm staying on here to take care of the horses.

Sora: *perks up, soft chattering in Swahili, will scoot over to MamaCat and tell her about the good noms*

Cathay: *crouches down to listen in the intent way she uses when the children speak to her, her eyes showing her interest despite her dislike of the thought*

Optima: *calls softly* Bea, Sora, are you coming with us?

Sora: *would rather be carried by MamaCat. She's still not sure about Simba*

handler: *slight grin* Would you be okay riding on Optima's horse with her? I have a seat we could put on.

Mike: Do you have more than one? Then Bea can ride with me.

handler: Yup.

Bea: *just lit right up at the thought*

Sora: *looks a bit uncertain with the whole idea*

Cathay: *nuzzles her and makes a soft, encouraging sound*

handler: *slips the beetle into his hat, and then goes to get the seat for Bea and fasten it to the back of Mike's saddle. It's a wide and comfortable thing, with a high back and sides to keep someone safely where they're supposed to be*

Mike: *helps him get it on*

Sora: *soft sound, worries*

Optima: *leads her mare over* It's alright, Sora. You don't have to come if you don't want to.

Mike: Do you want to ride Bully with Sheldon instead?

Sora: *blink blink, will scoot over to Bully then*

handler: *laughs* Do you want the seat?

Sheldon: *surprised sound as Sora tries to climb up on her own* Er... I don't think she'll need the seat.

Cathay: *steps over and lifts the little one up*

handler: *laughing much now. He's got a nice laugh*

Sora: *gonna cling to Sheldon's back*

Sheldon: *BLUSH*

handler: *pats him gently on the shoulder, and then looks around and sees that everyone is pretty much ready* You need me to fix the bull's bridle?

Sheldon: *headshake* Bully follows leg cues.

handler: Wow. *gentle scritch for the nearer ear of the little Highland* That's a well trained critter.

Optima: *grins as she watches, then glances over at where Ira's mare is gently teaching him the right way to tell her to go*

black mare: *puffs her belly!*

Ira: *rumbling quietly and frowning*

Mike: *rides over* She wants you to squeeze her belly with your legs, Mr. Irons. *demonstrates on his own mount*

Ira: *continues to rumble as he gently squeezes the mare's belly with his legs*

mare: *steps forward at a slow and smooth walk*

Mike: Yeah. *grin* To make her go faster you squeeze harder, and to stop her you sit back hard. If that doesn't work pull on the reins. But not too hard.

Ira: *small nod, still seems a bit uncertain*

mare: *walks around the paddock, slow and easy, and barely rocking him at all*

Optima: *rides her own mare over* Ready? I'll help you along the way. *smiles at Ira, her eyes bright with love*

Ira: *small nod. Trusts Optima not to let him mess up too badly*

Optima: *softly, as she watches Mike lead the others out, with Angel and Lucia at the tail of the troop* Lady is trained to listen to verbal commands too. I asked Jimmy to train her especially for you, and he says she won't let her rider fall if she can help it.

Ira: *small nod, glances to where he can hear Angel reassuring Lucia*

Optima: *leans over and kisses him on the cheek, then urges her mare to go a little faster* Let's catch up.

Ira: *will try and urge his mare to go a little faster as well*

Lady: *steps forward sweetly, rumbling softly so that he'll feel it with his legs*

Optima: *bright grin, and off they go to ride*


later


Optima: *has a Sora in her arms as she comes into the house. Is laughing still at something cute which happened while Ira was trying to brush his mare*

Sora: *looks like she's about ready for a nap, is chattering softly in Swahili and English*

Optima: Yes. I told Papa Iron that Lady loved him, didn't I? *laughs softly again*

Ira: *rumbles quietly as he remembers Lady's reaction to his asking if she did love him. He honestly hadn't expected the mare to kiss him on the cheek*

Optima: *turns and pats him gently on the chest as she hears the rumble, her eyes shining as she looks up at him*

Ira: *looks a bit tired, but also very pleased with himself*

Optima: *offers him a kiss, knowing that Sora approves of such activities when done by her favourite elders*

Sora: *soft, happy sound as Ira kisses Optima*

Mike: *scoots past, with Bea on his back* Ewwww! *cackle*

Sheldon: Eww, grown-ups being mushy! *laughs and scoots*

BJ: *cackling as he brings Bea's walker inside*

Ira: *offers BJ a fake swat. Manages this without letting go of Optima and Sora*

BJ: *laughs and dodges the swat*

Sora: *sleepy peek* *grin*

Mr. Pits: *follows the kids!*

Simba: *standing quietly by Ira and Optima, waiting till he can get his master back*

Chris: *comes from the hall with a big gift box in his hands* Cathay got me to buy this for Sora. *holds out the box*

Optima: Oh. Look, Sora. Mama Cat got Papa Chrome to get you something. *grin*

Sora: *soft, curious sound*

Ira: *soft chuckle*

Chris: *grins and holds out the box so that Sora can reach it* Careful, it's heavy.

Sora: *soft, puzzled chirp as she holds the box*

Chris: *hands still under it* Open it. *grins at her*

Sora: *will do so*

something: *moves inside the box*

Optima: *eyes go wide as she hears that*

Sora: O_O

Ira: *raised brow*

Chris: It's alright. *more grin, his eyes twinkling*

Sora: *cautious peeking into the box*

in the box: *massive live lobster*

Sora: *boggling*

Optima: *softly* What is it, Sora?

Sora: *trying to figure that out, Mama Optima!* *head tilt one way, head tilt the other way* Is nom?

Optima: *blinks as she hears the movement again* Show me?

Sora: *lifts the lid off entirely* Bug nom?

Ira: *rumbly chuckling as he gets a good look at what's in the box*

Optima: *gasps softly, and then laughs* Yes, Sora, that's very good to eat. But you need to cook it first.

Sora: *itty bitty frown as she thinks this over* Cook with rice?

Optima: *nods* It will taste good with rice.

Chris: Want me or Legacy to cook it?

Sora: *think think* Papa Chris cook nom?

Chris: Sure, but Legacy'll have to cook the rice. *can only make rice pudding out of rice*

Sora: *small nod, then she's yawning and snuggling against Optima*

Optima: Give Papa Chrome the lobster, and he'll get it ready. *kisses the little girl's hair and smiles at her*

Sora: *will give the box to Papa Chris*

Chris: *grins and turns to go back to the kitchen*

Legacy: *emerges from the kitchen a few moments later* *gently, as he sees where Sora is and how the little girl's situated* Sora? What color of rice should I cook?

Sora: *sleepy thinkin's!* Black. Is nom.

Optima: Ohh. The black rice is good. That's a good idea, Sora.

Ira: So what's for supper for everyone else?

Optima: *brows lift quizzically. She'd like to know this too*

Legacy: *small smile* We're having a fish fry.

Optima: Oooo. Nice. *smiles*

Ira: *pleased rumble*

Optima: Do you need any help, Legacy? *has started to dance gently and soothingly for the little one in her arms*

Legacy: Chris and Calypso are already helping. *small smile as Sora snuggles close to Optima*

Optima: Oh! Ira, do you have that beetle Jimmy gave you for Perceptor? Calypso can bring it to him. *looks at her husband's face*

Ira: *nods and moves to get the box that the beetle got put into out of his pocket*

Optima: *grins* Can we borrow Calypso for a moment, to bring something to Perceptor?

Legacy: *chuckles and nods* I had her keeping an eye on the water for me. *will go get the soldier*

Ira: *chuckles* Kid c'n cook, given the chance.

Optima: *nods* Sometimes that competition between him and Chris worries me.

Ira: Chris is having fun.

Optima: *looks up at him* Are you sure? He looks so serious sometimes when he's gotten into the kitchen and is making something fattening, and Legacy tries to chase him out.

Ira: *nods* If he really wanted to stop Legacy, there wouldn't be anything Legacy could do about it.

Optima: *slight bit of a worried frown, but then turns as Calypso walks up*

Calypso: Legacy said ye got somet'in fer Perceptor, Boss?

Optima: *smiles and looks to Ira* Show her.

Ira: *carefully lifts the lid off the box that the beetle is in*

Calypso: *wrinkles her nose* Ew... What the 'eck 's it?

Optima: *chuckles* It's a giant diving beetle. Mike and Jimmy say that they're friendly things. I thought Perceptor would like it.

Calypso: *nod* Gimme. *holds out her hand for the box*

Ira: *will close the box carefully, and set it in Calypso's hand*

Calypso: *nods and heads off to give the bug to Perceptor*

Optima: *watches her go, and then turns back to Ira* *softly* Do you want to go sit on the couch in the living room till supper's ready?

Ira: Sure. *likes cuddling, even when there's a kid snuggling, too*

Sora: *or snoozing, in her case*

Optima: *smiles and gives him a soft, quick kiss, then goes with him to sit and watch the birds through the window and lean against him till it's time to eat*

((Written with random_xtras))