TPF. Dallas' House and Autobot Outpost Omega One. A Family Affair

[dens_extra_pups]

Happens later in the day from this log



David: *absently picking at the lunch Dallas made for him, even as he listens to Mira trash-talking Breakdown as the two spar out in the back yard*

Mira: *says something incredibly crude*

dKO: *bored sigh at the vulgarity. And then a languid and slightly wicked smile as he stabs a beef strip and waves it in front of Rundown*

Rundown: *birdy impersonation!*

Dallas: *demure expression. Swift kick for dKO's ankle* *to David* So, how are things at the Autobot base?

David: *expression a bit blank. Didn't hear the question*

dKO: *martyred puppy look for wife, and then blinks at her brother. Reaches over and gently pokes the beef strip at David's mouth* *softly* Wakie wakie...

David: *startles, giving dKO a wide-eyed expression*

Dallas: *concerned by how often David's been spacing during the course of the meal* *slight frown* You're sure you're alright, David?

David: E-Er, y-yes. *back to picking at his meal*

dKO: *looks at Dallas* Should I call for doughnuts?

Dallas: *small headshake* Not yet.

dKO: *points to David's doll, which is wearing some of what David dropped* The teddy bear is eating more than he is.

David: *slight start, and then he's sheepishly apologizing and cleaning up the mess from the pale blue fuzzy cat*

Dallas: *biting her lower lip. Is just a bit upset at seeing how David's acting, and at having her perceptions of her older brother as someone greater than human shattered so drastically*

Mira: *rebel yell, charges right back into the fight*

Ultra Magnus: *down on his chest to look in through the patio door and check on David*

kitten: *bounces over to greet the big talking car!* Merow. Mrrrp? Meow! Mow!

David: *getting a bit flustered and upset with himself*

Ultra Magnus: *softly, through the open door* Breathe, David.

David: *deep breath*

Dallas: Do you want some more tea, David? *noticed brother's glass was empty*

David: *looks up quickly* *small nod* P-Please.

Dallas: *will move to refill the glass with more sweet tea*

Ultra Magnus: That's the way, David. *grin of approval* *then glances back as his mate trips over his legs*

Mira: *picking herself up. Doesn't care that she's gotten some rather spectacular dents and scrapes. She's having fun*

Breakdown: *pauses to share energy with his mate. Gets slugged upside the head. Laughs*

dKO: *picks up dropped sippy cup and returns it to an earnest clickerbug* Disgusting little scraplet, aren't you?

David: *moving to sit back down and sip at his tea. Will give dKO a very slight frown for saying something mean to a baby*

dKO: *doesn't notice, continues trash talking Rundown as the baby laughs and chats back at him*

David: *very confused by this, but won't say anything about it*

Mira: *fine, break time? She'll pester her mate*

Ultra Magnus: *grunts as he's sat on* Knockout, do you really think that's appropriate conversation for a new spark?

dKO: *epically blank look*

Mira: Kid's prolly heard worse. *going to try and see if she can make you cuss, Ultra Magnus. Seems the old game's back on again*

Dallas: *rolls her eyes* He's always like that. Rundown knows Knockout loves him. And that's all that matters.

dKO: *shocked and mortified look for wife* I wouldn't go so far as that, goodie.

Rundown: *sighs and rubs his optics, then asks Daddy to pick him up*

dKO: *shifty eyes*

Dallas: *smug wife is smug*

David: *looks over his shoulder at Ultra Magnus and Mira, then he'll look back at Dallas and dKO* *very small frown as he silently wonders about something*

Ultra Magnus: *trying to elbow Mira without letting David see it, but her fingers are causing discomfort!*

dKO: *pretends he sees no baby! Attention to his lunch*

Rundown: *yawns and curls up in his highchair*

David: *quietly* T-There's a l-lot of d-different eye colors, I've n-noticed...

dKO: *looks over quizzically* Yes, humans are strange that way.

David: *small headshake* M-Meant w-with t-the A-Autobots.

dKO: *confused frown* I've only noticed blue.

David: M-Mira's a-are k-kinda greenish?

dKO: *frowns toward the door and then smirks as he gets a horrid face pulled at him* And far too uptight. That woman needs a link.

David: ... Link?

dKO: Mmmhmmm. *distracted by dissecting his last piece of beef*

David: ... Why? *concerned*

Mira: *CUSS, shriek! Flail!* No fair!!! *guess who just got pinned?*

dKO: To calm her down, of course. *examines a shred of beef*

Dallas: *absently brushes her leg against her husband's* *flatly* The big guy looks like he needs to learn to relax.

David: ... I-Is it h-hurting her n-not to be calmed down?

dKO: *distracted by wife and leers at her, but then glances at the mate-lecturing Magnus* Yes, he's in the same state she is.

David: O-Oh. *attention back on picking at his food*

dKO: *sudden perk as he thinks of those disgusting things his wife makes and tries to feed him. Gets up and goes to the kitchen and the big side by side fridge. Comes back with a huge garlic cucumber pickle and sets it on David's plate* There. Good for what ails ya. *is hoping this will be amusing*

David: *startles. Blinks, boggling at what was just set on his plate* ...

Dallas: *worried now that dKO just did something out of line*

David: *and then it starts. Very quietly at first, but getting louder and louder* *snickering*

dKO: Uhhhh...

Ultra Magnus: *stops squishing mate to look through the window as he hears the sound*

David: *so overcome by the sheer absurdity of "suddenly, pickle!" that he just has to laugh*

dKO: *glances at his wife to see what he's missing. Didn't think it'd be that funny*

Dallas: *worriedly* David?

David: *trying to regain composure* *murmur* Dancing pickles.

Dallas: 0_0 *and now she's cracking up*

dKO: ...This isn't a dirty joke, is it?

Dallas: *headshake, shoulders quaking as she laughs*

David: *very small, shy grin as he looks to his sister*

dKO: *blink blink* You mean pickles are a joke?

Ultra Magnus: *snort*

Dallas: *nods, catching her breath* David used to raid Ma's fridge for 'em, and would make up silly songs to have them dance to.

David: *ducks his head, blushing*

Mira: Isn't Larry a pickle?

Ultra Magnus: No. He's unpreserved. Goliath is the pickle.

Dallas: ... *raised brow* You guys watch 'VeggieTales'. *surprised*

Ultra Magnus: *confused by the question* Yes. David asked me to find one of the holos for him.

Dallas: *soft snort. Remembers watching the cartoon with David as a kid*

David: *very softly singing the opening theme song from the show*

Rundown: *snaps awake and makes happy sounds, then starts singing. Has no idea of tune yet*

Dallas: *soft chuckle*

David: *small smile as he watches Rundown*

dKO: *looks from David to Rundown, and then gives Dallas a slightly gobsmacked look*

Dallas: *slight shrug, and a small grin*

Breakdown and Eve: *singing in the yard now*

Mira: o.0

Ultra Magnus: *smiling at David and ignoring the bodyguards*

Mira: *juuust a bit weirded out. Will move away from Breakdown and Eve*

David: *ducks his head a bit, still smiling*

Breakdown and Eve: *start singing 'Song of the Cebu'*

Dallas: *facepalm, snickerfit*

Rundown: *wordless and tuneless singing along!*

David: *trying to remember the words, fumbling a bit*

dKO: *stabbity the spinach, and a little holographic display appears flat on the table by David's plate... with the words on it*

David: *blink blink* *and then he's singing along*

Dallas: *raised brow look for husband, accompanied by a small smile*

dKO: *smirks and shows her murdered spinach*

Dallas: *rolls her eyes*

Mira: *ignoring everyone else, stretching a bit to make sure sparring didn't knock anything out of alignment*

Ultra Magnus: *turns and looks at the bodyguards as 'Song of the Cebu' comes to and end and Breakdown falls to his knees in front of Eve and starts singing Larry's song to his manatee soap opera sweetheart*

David: *hand over mouth to muffle an already quiet snicker*

Dallas: *one with her facepalm*

dKO: *sighs and facepalms too*

Rundown: *LOVES IT!*

Ultra Magnus: *is frowning thoughtfully as he watches Breakdown give Eve languishing looks which cause the femme to laugh hysterically and try to knock his block off*

Mira: *wincing at a kinked cable, mutters impolite things as she tries to reach it on her own*

David: *absently picking at his lunch again and watching Breakdown and Eve without really seeming to see them. Is, at least, eating*

Ultra Magnus: *finger jab to straighten the cable, still watching the bodyguards*

Mira: *squawk!*

dKO: *frowns and goes to look at the green femme. Absently* CJ, drop the cat.

CJ: *was bringing kitty to kitty's Daddy, pauses and cries uncertainly, then checks with his mom*

Dallas: Down, CJ. *wants you to lay on the floor for now, pup*

CJ: *headtilt, but lays down nicely*

Mira: *grumbling at mate, and rubbing where she got finger jabbed*

dKO: *to Ultra Magnus* Lift me up there and let me see her shoulder.

Ultra Magnus: Ratchet or WakeJumper will take care of it when we get home.

dKO: You're going to make her travel like that? What kind of mate are you?

Mira: *scowls at dKO* He's my mate, and you'd better remember that I'm a Wrecker.

dKO: What? Wreckers aren't supposed to care about how their mates feel? *hands on hips at the end of dramatic gestures to accent his speech*

Mira: *optics narrow, getting a bit brighter in the process* It means I'm not made of glass. I don't want or expect special treatment just because I'm a femme.

dKO: *flatly* So I suppose if he were malfunctioning you wouldn't care either.

Mira: *growls* You think I don't give a scrap about my mate?!

David: *startles at Mira's tone and volume* o.o

Dallas: *pinching the bridge of her nose*

dKO: So then why shouldn't he give a scrap about you!? *hands on hips*

Breakdown: *looks over* Hey, Knockout, you told me not to let you skip your afternoon nap, remember?

dKO: *massive blush and shifty eyes*

Mira: *to dKO* Get dented. *rude gesture, stomps off*

David: *a bit spooked now*

Ultra Magnus: *disapproving look (tm) for dKO*

Dallas: *sternly* That's enough. Both of you.

dKO: *grumpily folds arms like a sulky child* They started it.

Dallas: Well, I'm finishing it.

Mira: *is the sound of transformation and speeding off*

Ultra Magnus: *head turns toward those sounds with dismay* //Patch! Come back here!//

Mira: //Not while that walking scrapheap is running his glitched mouth. He has NO idea. No idea. I didn't keep my side of the bond closed off for slags and giggles. I did it because the thought of bringing you with me if I went...//

Ultra Magnus: //He was just angry at me for not protecting you. He doesn't understand women who can protect themselves.//

Mira: //Doesn't give him the right to say the slag he said.// *so much upset and hurt in her voice*

Ultra Magnus: //Come back. David needs us.//

Mira: //I'll wait for you at the gate. Don't wanna take on Breakdown, Eve, and Knockout all in one round...// *this is her trying to keep her temper in check, Ultra Magnus*

Ultra Magnus: *big bot sends a helpless look toward his partner*

David: *hiding his face again, shoulders shaking as he tries to keep calm*

Ultra Magnus: *back down on his front, causing dKO to yelp and hop out of the way* *gently* Breathe, David.

David: *softly* C-Can w-we g-go home? P-Please?

Ultra Magnus: *still gentle* Breathe, alright? *glances at Dallas*

Dallas: *quietly* Let me pack up some dessert for you to take home, alright? *gentle hand on brother's shoulder*

David: *deep breaths, small nod*

Ultra Magnus: *quietly* I apologize, Miss MacKenzie.

Dallas: *absent wave of her hand* There'll be other lunches.

dKO: *trying to be his usual airy jerk of a self, but he's peeking at his wife as he comes back inside to see if she's angry at him. Absently picks up sleeping sparklet and baby dances*

Dallas: *quietly* Help me pack up some dessert for David?

dKO: Of course, goodie. *steps forward*

David: *feeling bad for his reaction to Mira's upset* *hiccoughs quietly*

Ultra Magnus: *tentatively reaches inside*

CJ: *grrrrrrr*

Dallas: *sternly* CJ, down.

CJ: *issa quiet*

kitten: *bounces over to his new person and sits pretty, asking for attention*

David: *gonna try and scoop the kitten up so he can hide his face against the soft fur*

kitten: *purring instantly, but snags the stuffie with his paws on the way past so that it comes with him*

David: *hiccough*

kitten: Mow? Mrrrp? *chatter, chirp. PURRR* *drops dolly*

Ultra Magnus: *gentle touch for David's back with his fingers*

CJ: *watching in concern, but staying down as told*

David: *going to try and climb onto your hand now, Ultra Magnus*

Ultra Magnus: *gently curls fingers around David, kitten, and doll, then brings them out of the house before sitting up and holding them close*

Dallas: *coming back with dessert in a container for David* *frowns as she doesn't spot David right away. Scans and then looks up* There you are. *blinks as she realizes that she just successfully used for the first time the scanning ability that Knockout had mentioned*

Ultra Magnus: *without looking away from his partner* David's tired. Would you bring it out to the deck?

Dallas: Alright. *will move to do so, wondering at the fact that she's starting to be able to do more outside of her Pretender shell*

Ultra Magnus: *gently shifts David, but then pauses to rub his back with a finger as he startles*

Dallas: *frowns as she realizes that David is acting and being treated like a small child. Isn't sure what to make of it*

Ultra Magnus: *slowly tries taking one hand away again*

David: *deep breaths*

Ultra Magnus: *quiet, approving sound as he reaches down with the freed hand* I can take the dessert.

Dallas: *will carefully set the container in Ultra Magnus' hand* *seriously* Drive careful.

Ultra Magnus: *also serious (when isn't he?)* Of course. *offers the dessert box to David* Look, David. Do you want to hold this while I walk to the driveway?

David: *peeks, small nod*

Dallas: You can bring the container back the next time you come visit, alright?

David: *another small nod*

Ultra Magnus: I'll help him remember, Miss MacKenzie.

Dallas: *quietly* Don't forget, the reunion's coming up.

Ultra Magnus: *lifts brows* Reunion?

David: *quietly* F-Family R-Reunion.

Ultra Magnus: What does that mean, David?

David: *quietly* A-All the M-MacKenzies... T-Together.

Ultra Magnus: *brows raise* Ah. A meeting of your family members.

David: *small nod*

Dallas: I'll only stay for a little while. Beau's going. *rolls her eyes*

Ultra Magnus: *sits a little straighter* Colonel MacKenzie.

Dallas: *minor exasperation* Fancy title or no, he's still Beau.

Ultra Magnus: *bewildered expression* ...Of course.

Mira: *inadvertently leaks some discomfort over the bond*

Ultra Magnus: *distracted frown in the direction of the gate*

Dallas: *to David* Don't be a stranger, David.

David: *small nod* A-Alright. *looks to Ultra Magnus, worry crossing his face*

Ultra Magnus: //Mira?//

Mira: //I'm still by the gate.// *sounds a bit crabby right now*

Ultra Magnus: //Something's wrong.//

Mira: //It's nothing Ratchet or WakeJumper can't fix.//

Ultra Magnus: //Hrrm...// *looks down at David* How long do you want to drive before we access the bridge?

David: *quietly* I... I didn't g-get to s-see much on the d-drive out. *because he was sleeping most of the way*

Ultra Magnus: *gently* It is the kitten's first trip.

Dallas: Here. *went to get one of her quilts* *and to rat Mira out to her husband. Seems the Wrecker's shoulder is a bit more messed up than she let on* *offers the quilt*

Ultra Magnus: David, do you want a seventh blanket? It may not fit in your hammock, but you have the chair where the dolls are.

David: *peeks, slight wibble* *quietly* T-Thank you, D-Dallas.

Dallas: *will move to try and get the quilt tucked in with David*

Ultra Magnus: *gently lowers hands and their contents, then frowns as he sees Knockout pushing a flatbed trailer toward him*

Knockout: My wife is convinced your wife needs a ride. *smirk as he stands up* How about it, big guy?

Ultra Magnus: ... *no idea how to take this bot*

David: *worried about Mira even more now*

Dallas: *raised brow as she finished wrapping her brother up* When did we get this trailer?

KO: *airy laugh* Oh, goodie, you're funny.

Dallas: *eye roll* That doesn't answer my question though.

KO: *slightly pleading look. Go along with it!* This is the one from the garage, without the junk Breakdown piled on it.

Dallas: ... We really need to get more shelves installed there.

KO: *smug smile* Eventually. It's not like we really use that garage. *pushes the trailer toward Ultra Magnus* Look at that! A perfect fit!

Ultra Magnus: ...

Dallas: I'll put it on the projects list. *chuckles. Wonders what's going to happen when Mira sees the trailer, but won't voice her concerns just yet*

David: W-Will M-Mira b-be safe on that?

Ultra Magnus: Would it be legal for her to use it? *doing a search over wifi*

Knockout: *facepalms* Yyyeeesss. I can get you some bungie cords if you're so worried.

Dallas: *'hmm's softly* Maybe some ratchet straps would work better. The bungee cord hooks might scratch her finish.

Knockout: ...Those are mine.

Dallas: Oh, good grief.

David: *fretting just a bit*

Ultra Magnus: *looks toward the house at the same time as Knockout does*

Knockout: The baby's crying.

Dallas: *hurries inside*

Knockout: *folds down as his drone also rushes to comfort the sparklet*

Ultra Magnus: *stands slowly and turns toward the driveway*

Breakdown: *hurries up* Wait.

Ultra Magnus: *quizzical frown as he turns slightly*

Breakdown: *holds four blue ratchet tie downs with black stripes* These're for you.

David: *fretting a bit less now at the sight of the ratchet tie downs*

Breakdown: *carefully tucks them into the hands beside David, then grins and walks back the way he came from*

Ultra Magnus: *turns and walks toward the driveway, pulling the trailer behind him* //Mira, come back, I can't carry this comfortably all the way down the road.//

Mira: //Fine. But if Knockout runs his mouth, I'm kicking him and scratching his finish.//

Ultra Magnus: //The sparklet started crying and he and Dallas ran to comfort him.//

Mira: //...Oh.// *slight discomfort*

Ultra Magnus: *standing on the drive and wondering why Eve's looking hopefully toward the gate*

Mira: *eventually makes her way back up the drive, on foot. One hand's on the injured shoulder, and her expression is stormy at best*

Eve: *steps forward quickly and offers the shorter femme three big jack pumpkins that she just cut from the vines that are going crazy down by the river* Here. These are a lot of fun.

Mira: *blinks a bit as she moves her good arm to accept the pumpkins* ... What do I do with them? *so confused*

Eve: *shy grin* You can do a lot of things with them. And if you save some seeds you can grow more, too. *peeks at Ultra Magnus, and then leans close* My favourite things to do with them is toss them or jack lantern them.

Mira: *raised brow* Jack lantern? *thinks it sounds like fun, but wants to know how to do what Eve is talking about*

Eve: *nod nod!* Google it.

Mira: ... *slightly blank expression as she proceeds to do so*

Eve: Dallas cooks them, too.

Mira: ... Huh.

David: *pleading look for Ultra Magnus. Can see Mira's hurt*

Ultra Magnus: *throat clearing sound*

Eve: *meeps*

Mira: *looks to mate*

Ultra Magnus: David would like you to ride on this trailer. *nudges it*

Mira: ... *looks to David*

David: *wibbles at Mira*

Mira: ... You two fight dirty. *moves to transform, wince, discomfort, has to abort the attempt*

Ultra Magnus: *frowning deeply with concern as he offers the tie downs* Can you sit on it?

Eve: *watching with concern*

Mira: Think so... *moving to sit on the trailer* *reaches for the tie downs*

Ultra Magnus: *makes sure she has the tie downs, then gently sets David and all his accessories on the ground before transforming and backing toward the trailer* *stops when he's in position and wonders how to fasten it*

Eve: *leans over and fastens it, then stands back again*

Mira: *trying to get strapped down with one hand*

Eve: *slender hands reach to offer assistance*

David: *fretting silently*

Mira: *frustrated sound*

Eve: *hooks one tie down, extends it, then hooks it to another one and extends that, extends another and hooks it on, then does the same with the last one and pulls up the slack. Looks at Mira to see what she thinks*

Mira: Huh. Didn't think to try that.

Eve: *pulls out more and makes it so Mira's got one band around the front of her waist and hooked behind her, and another band hooked around the back of her waist and hooked in front of her* There, now you're steady.

Ultra Magnus: *impressed with the Vehicon femme*

David: *satisfied Mira will be safe on the trip back* *will move to try and get everything gathered up again*

Ultra Magnus: *notices David and opens his door*

Eve: *hunkers down near David* *very softly* Do you need assistance, Lord David?

David: *startles* I-I'm n-not a l-lord.

Eve: *ducks slightly* You're Lady Dallas' brother.

David: *not sure what to make of that*

Eve: *again* Do you need assistance?

David: *small nod* *gently hugs the kitten closer*

Eve: *picks up the quilt and folds it nicely, then puts it into Ultra Magnus' cab. Picks up the dessert box next and puts it on top of the blanket*

David: *will move to approach the cab*

Eve: *puts a hand between the step and the ground so that David can step up without grabbing the rail*

David: *grateful look as he steps up*

Eve: What's this box on the seat? *gentle poke for the kitten carrier once David's up*

David: *quietly* Th-The k-kitten's c-carseat.

Eve: Oh. I see it now.

David: *will move to put the kitten into the box*

kitten: *issa talkin'!*

Ultra Magnus: Do your employers not have something similar for the dog?

Eve: No. CJ has a harness that hooks to the seatbelt.

Ultra Magnus: I see.

David: *moving to get buckled up*

Mira: *waves with her uninjured arm*

Eve: *steps back, waves shyly to Mira, and then turns and runs away*

Ultra Magnus: *makes sure family is secured, and then slowly pulls out down the drive*


two hours later


David: *snoring softly in the sleeper. Made it most of the drive without falling asleep this time!*

Mira: *doing her best to avoid complaining, but her shoulder's really bothering her now*

Ultra Magnus: *glad to be pulling through the space bridge as the soft distress of the kitten grinds on his audios and that of his mate abrades his spark*

Euroclydon: *steps forward and quickly unstraps the small green femme* *voice a youthful but beautifully modulated deep alto* Are you Mira?

Ultra Magnus: *wondering who that is, and who this blue and metallic boy who looks like Predaking and who is grinning at him is*

Mira: *startled before she could stop herself* Er... Yeah?

Euroclydon: *gentle hug* Prima says to call you "Mama".

Ultra Magnus: Huh?

Mira: *blink. BLINK!* *so surprised* Bhuh?!

Tidal Wave: *deep voice full of the sound of grating rocks, but also a youngling's hope* I am to call Ultra Magnus "Dad".

Ultra Magnus: ...I'm Ultra Magnus.

Tidal Wave: I am aware. May I assist you in offloading Uncle David and the kitten?

Ultra Magnus: *sounds brain broken* I think your hands are too big to offload the kitten.

Tidal Wave: *looks at hands* D:

Ratchet: *coming over to see why Mira was on a flatbed* *will patpat Tidal Wave's leg in passing*

Euroclydon: *offers Mira to the medibot* Mama is broken.

Tidal Wave: *looks that way* D:

Ratchet: *scanning Mira as the Wrecker sputters*

Euroclydon: *soft clicking and words of comfort in Drach as she drops to a knee to make Mira easier to reach*

Ratchet: *frowning and moving to gently manipulate the femme's shoulder*

Mira: *just taught the kids a new obscenity*

Tidal Wave: *looks far down, and then stoops to get kitty box* Thank you.

Ultra Magnus: *transforms and winds up with David cradled in the crook of his arm as he frowns in concern toward his mate*

David: *incoherent mumble*

Ratchet: *listing off just what Mira did to her shoulder, and no, it's not pretty* *sigh* Though I really shouldn't be surprised that you managed to injure yourself so soon after being reformatted.

Ultra Magnus: *quiet and serious* You can repair her?

Ratchet: We have everything necessary to do so. *frowns as something occurs to him* Did Knockout refuse to repair her?

Ultra Magnus: *face goes blank* He offered. We refused.

Ratchet: ... Do I want to know why? *moving to sedate Mira so he can work on her shoulder without risk of being clobbered*

Ultra Magnus: *confused frown* I don't understand.

Ratchet: *as Mira squeaks then sags against Euroclydon* Why did you two refuse?

Ultra Magnus: *even more confusion in that frown*

Ratchet: *will scan Ultra Magnus as well*

Ultra Magnus: *alright but for running a bit high from stress* You think we should have let Knockout work on Mira?

Ratchet: It would have prevented Mira from aggravating her injury.

Ultra Magnus: *slowly* It was he who provided the trailer.

Ratchet: Yet you did not consent to having him repair Mira? *moving to show Euroclydon where to set the insensate Wrecker*

Ultra Magnus: We... did not trust him. Or know that we should.

Ratchet: He, at least, would have done the repairs. As for trusting him... It's wise to be cautious around him.

Ultra Magnus: *silent for a moment, then* He had to put the sparklet to bed.

Ratchet: *soft snort* He'd die to protect Rundown and Dallas. *going to start working on repairing Mira's shoulder*

Ultra Magnus: Shouldn't you take her to the infirmary?

Ratchet: I can repair most of the damage here. She's lucky that there's only one part that needs replacing.

Ultra Magnus: *relieved* *then frowns* I find that hard to believe about Knockout. I remember his history from Cybertron. He cares only about his appearance.

Ratchet: *quietly, as he works on fixing connections* Nobody told you about what happened the day Lockdown tracked him down, I take it?

Ultra Magnus: *hesitantly* No...

Ratchet: *as he works, he'll tell the story, pausing only to indicate that it's time to move to the infirmary*

Euroclydon: *moves obediently where Ratchet tells her to go*

Ultra Magnus: *pauses to wonder where the kitten and the blue boy went, but follows Ratchet*

Ratchet: *will indicate a repair table* Set her here, Euroclydon.

Euroclydon: *does so carefully and then backs away*

Ratchet: *nods and works on replacing the part of Mira's shoulder that needs it, finishing the story about what happened that day ten years ago*

Ultra Magnus: *quiet doubt and surprise* You saw this happen?

Ratchet: I saw the aftermath. Torque, Rockface, and Arcee saw the tail end of the fight.

Ultra Magnus: He killed his own body... *shakes head with disbelief*

Ratchet: No, not killed. Disabled the higher functions, leaving only essential functions necessary to maintain his spark.

Ultra Magnus: *quietly* I'm still amazed. *then frowns and looks around* Where did that boy take the kitten?

Ratchet: *will ping Tidal Wave's comm and ask*

Tidal Wave: //The kitten site said that when he first comes home he needs to be in his own house so he can get familiar with it. I'm in Mama and Dad's room letting him attack a piece of paper.//

Ratchet: //Alright.// *chuckles* Tidal Wave brought the kitten to your quarters.

Ultra Magnus: *relieved* That's good. It was getting overwhelmed. *pauses and looks down* Ratchet, why do your dogs look just like the dog we saw today at Knockout's base?

CJ: *just hopped up and gave the big blue guy a greeting bark* *is glad to see you, blue guy!*

Ratchet: Because CJ and Knockout's puppy are both clones of their father, Cody. *amused at CJ's swishy tail*

Ultra Magnus: *still watching the white dog sit on his foot and pant* You gave one of your own pets to Knockout.

Ratchet: He wanted a pet for Rundown. It seems he's been reading parenting books, and came across information that stated that infants develop better in households that have pets.

Ultra Magnus: *looks up with surprise* Do they?

Ratchet: *nods as he finishes repairs and secures Mira's arm against her chest with a temporary restraint* From what I have observed with Colonel MacKenzie's daughter, and from my own experiences, it would appear the research is sound.

Ultra Magnus: *turns his head and watches a little four wheel vehicle go past the door, driven by a Hot Rod with a Sam on his shoulder, and with a Panacea riding on the back of the seat and pulling Sam's tail* o.0

Ratchet: *looks to see what Ultra Magnus is looking at, chuckles* Sam is such a tolerant cat.

Ultra Magnus: *slowly* Are your sparklets benefited by the cat?

Ratchet: *nods* They are. Hot Rod watches where he puts his pedes, to make sure he doesn't end up accidentally kicking Sam, and Panacea, even when she's pulling Sam's tail, is gentle with him.

Ultra Magnus: Didn't I see Hot Rod with Sam's tail in his mouth yesterday?

Ratchet: *chuckles* Probably. *will bring Mira out of stasis*

Ultra Magnus: ????

Ratchet: It's not that uncommon to see Sam's tail in either sparklet's mouth.

Mira: *groggy and confused as she wakes up*

Ultra Magnus: ...Why are they attempting to consume their pet?

Ratchet: They're not. They're showing affection and utilizing all of their senses to learn about their environment.

Mira: *muzzily* Who is?

Ultra Magnus: *attention to Mira* Ratchet's children.

Mira: *blink* Oh... *will try and sit up*

Ratchet: *assisting with that*

Ultra Magnus: *free hand gently on her shoulder, though without moving his dog-bearing foot*

Mira: *looks to mate*

Ultra Magnus: You should rest, Patch.

Mira: *frowns* 'M fine.

Ratchet: You're also going to rest.

Ultra Magnus: *quietly* Euroclydon, please bring Mom to the room where your brother is.

Euroclydon: *slight frown* Tidal Wave is not my brother.

Ratchet: *chuckles* They're a pair. They're waiting to become mates until they're older.

Ultra Magnus: *blink* I see. Will you bring Mom to the room where your boyfriend is?

Euroclydon: *gently moves to pick Mira up even as she searches for the word "boyfriend"*

Mira: *has a bit of a sulk going on now*

Euroclydon: Mom? Are you in pain?

Ultra Magnus: *worryfrown*

Mira: No. I feel fine.

Ratchet: She's just moody because she's being made to rest when she doesn't want to. But if she wants to get better, she has to rest.

Ultra Magnus: *brightens* If we all have a rest it will give us time to bond with the youngsters.

Ratchet: *absently* Speaking of bonds... How long is it now that you two have been a couple?

Mira: ... *blinks, wondering what the medic is getting at*

Ultra Magnus: *deep frown, and then makes a guess at the date*

Ratchet: I see. *small nod. Chuckles as he spots David* Has he been asleep this entire time? *nods toward the human*

Ultra Magnus: Since shortly before I called for the space bridge. *looks down at his partner*

David: *expression is relaxed and peaceful. The rest of him is limp as he sleeps deeply*

Ratchet: *softly* He's certainly fond of you.

Ultra Magnus: Er. Yes.

Ratchet: *quietly* His average heart rate has lowered noticeably since his arrival. It's still above the upper range of a healthy heartbeat, but it's not as dramatically so.

Ultra Magnus: That's good? *looks around and sees Mira's been taken from the room*

Ratchet: *nods* Human hearts aren't meant to maintain extremely high pump rates for extended periods of time.

Ultra Magnus: *frowns* Is David in danger?

Ratchet: *headshake* He's in good physical condition, and with his heart rate beginning to fall toward healthy averages, he's going to be just fine. *is silently conversing with Optimus, letting her know that both Ultra Magnus and Mira are showing signs of high stress levels*

Ultra Magnus: That's good to hear. *looks down as he feels someone climbing his leg and sees that the dog has gone and...* *face goes blank* ...Aerial?

Aerial: *grins* Hey, Dion! Miss me?

Ratchet: ... *amused snort* You're getting better at stealth, Aerial.

Aerial: Huh?

Ultra Magnus: *strained voice* Ratchet, I'm malfunctioning. You'd better take David.

Ratchet: I didn't even hear you come in. *startles and scans Ultra Magnus, even as he reaches for David*

Ultra Magnus: *teetering on the edge of mental shutdown from shock*

Ratchet: *will gently set David on the table, and move to make Ultra Magnus sit on one of the other tables* Circulate, Ultra Magnus.

Ultra Magnus: *gasps*

Aerial: *still holding onto his brother's leg, a frown of deep concern on his face*

Ratchet: *scanning* Keep circulating, Ultra Magnus.

Mira: *on alert, is reacting to mate distress without realizing it*

Ultra Magnus: *still gasping* How... how.. how... *gasp!*

Ratchet: Keep circulating. The Well is active again.

Ultra Magnus: But... Aerial... DEAD. I... SAW. *gasp*

Ratchet: Some of the old group came back. You're going to get Mira worked up.

Ultra Magnus: I'm sorry. *REBOOT*

Ratchet: *sigh* *makes sure Ultra Magnus is laying comfortably* *pings Euroclydon's comm to ask about Mira*

Euroclydon: //I think she is cursing. But it is hard for me to tell while she hugs Jazz so tightly.//

Ratchet: //Cursing is normal for her. How bright are her optics?//

Euroclydon: //They appear the same as when we first met.//

Ratchet: //Alright. If they get any brighter, let me know right away.// *looks over to the table David is on as the chaplain moves to sit up*

Aerial: *quietly* I broke Mags?

Ratchet: *quietly* Ultra Magnus has been under a lot of stress as of late.

David: *quietly* K-Knockout s-said he and M-Mira're both l-like that...

Aerial: *climbs up onto the table by Ultra Magnus and looks over at the human* Patch is stressing out? I mean, Mags is always uptight, but Mira laughs it all off. Or blows it up.

David: *small nod*

Ratchet: If I recall correctly, Ultra Magnus' optics weren't always that light...

Aerial: *pries up an optic shutter and peers underneath*

Ratchet: And I remember meeting Mira once, when she first joined the Wreckers. Her optics are lighter now than they were back then... *about to drop the proverbial bomb on Aerial* But that's the effect prolonged stress on a sparkbond can have. Especially one that never settled properly.

Aerial: o.0 They're bonded?

Ratchet: *nods* They have been for a few million years. And they've both kept their side of the bond closed for just as long.

Aerial: I knew he was stupid. *sits crosslegged and holds his toes*

Ultra Magnus: *without moving* And you're another.

Ratchet: *sputter!*

David: o.o;;

Aerial: You're too stupid to even trash talk right.

Ultra Magnus: Who's the one of us who survived to older age?

Aerial: :p

Ratchet: *sharing a feed of this with Optimus* //There's still a part of him that's Dion.// *so amused*

Optimus: *amused* //He's talking without waking up.//

Ratchet: //Just like he used to do as Dion. I remember it scared me the first time I was witness to it.//

Optimus: //And then I had to stop you from making him order takeout on his credit account while he was in shutdown.//

Aerial: *squeaks as he's set aside by Tidal Wave*

Tidal Wave: *getting Dad like Mama told him*

Ratchet: //Too bad that won't work nowadays.//

David: *just a bit uneasy now*

Optimus: //Ratchet, you have more in your bank account than he does.//

Tidal Wave: *has Dad. Reaches for the human* Will you come too, Uncle David?

Ratchet: //This is true...//

David: *small nod* *hesitantly moves to sit in Tidal Wave's hand*

Ratchet: *quietly*//Ultra Magnus and Mira both need to be someplace where they can connect and possibly relax. Either that, or they need to link regularly for at least a month...//

Optimus: *dryly* //Good luck with that. Chromia, don't kick Ironhide there.//

Ratchet: //If you have any suggestions, I'm all audios. And will I need to repair Ironhide later?// *musing out loud about ways to get Ultra Magnus and Mira to relax*

David: *quietly* M-My p-parents have a farm...

Optimus: //This isn't the first time he's rolled on the ground and cursed. Though it is the first time it's been Megatron who comforted him.//

Tidal Wave: *pauses to let Uncle finish his conversation*

Ratchet: //I see.// *blinks and looks to David* Hm?

David: *ducks his head a bit* I-It's in t-the sticks... Th-They'd have room to spread out... I-It's quiet there.

Aerial: It can't be any more boring than Mags is.

Ultra Magnus: Thrrpt.

Tidal Wave: o.0 XD

Ratchet: Ultra Magnus, you and Mira need a vacation.

Ultra Magnus: ...No.

Ratchet: Yes. It will do you both a lot of good, and it will give David an opportunity to see his parents.

Ultra Magnus: *snore*

Ratchet: *rolls his optics* *to Tidal Wave* Go ahead and take him back to quarters.

Tidal Wave: Okay, Grandpa. *turns and carries David and Ultra Magnus out*

Ratchet: *will move to go watch the Lob match* //David came up with a solution. We just have to wait and see if Ultra Magnus remembers it.//

Optimus: //We'll just have to make sure he does.//

((Written with random_xtras))