dtc. Secrets and Surprises Part 1

[dens_extra_pups]

Sideswipe: *looks up from getting a pea out of Hot Shot's ear, then frowns as he sees how serious Chromia looks as she comes into the common room*

Chromia: *just came back from getting her sister out of the woods after Ironhide hid there* *looks around, seeking someone specific*

Sunstreaker: *sets down the basket he was making for Den F's big Spectral Lichbone Warframe* What's wrong, Boss?

Chromia: Wh're's Ratchet?

Sunstreaker: *points to the bar, then looks over there* ACK! Mira! Put clothes on!

Mira: *rumbled while dancing in her boonies on the bar, see the little elf tot jump and run!*

Ratchet: *slowly shaking his head as he turns toward his wife* What's wrong, 'Mia?

Chromia: Ahrnhahd needs 'elp.

Ratchet: *startles slightly, then slams back the rest of his drink and leaves the mug on the bar* Where is she?

Chromia: *reaches for husband's hand* Th' loft. Ah carried 'er th're mahself.

Ratchet: *takes her hand, his face creasing with concern behind his beard. Turns toward Sideswipe, and then thanks the Lout for bringing his black bag* Let's use the back door.

Chromia: *nods and moves to lead the way* *quietly* 'Ow's Ol' Mira?

Ratchet: *moustache moves slightly* She bapped Ironhide.

Chromia: *soft snort* Stahtin' t' wake up?

Ratchet: I'm not sure, but that sure looked like an aimed fist to me. *smile as he remembers his brother's wedding to the lady Dwarf on the last day of Summer the previous year*

Chromia: *small nod* We'll fahnd out soon 'nough.

Ratchet: *head turns toward the hall just as he's stepping out. Shoulders are shaking with laughter as he walks across the corner of the orchard toward the gate that leads to the stable*

Chromia: Wh't's so funneh?

Ratchet: You know that sound my brother makes when Old Mira gets him by the ears?

Chromia: *snort* Yup.

Ratchet: I heard it just as we stepped out.

Chromia: *soft chuckle* Ol' Mira'll be alrahght.

Ratchet: *quietly* And so will that Ironhide now. What's wrong with your sister? *crossing stable yard now, followed by friendly hens*

Chromia: *quietly* Remember wh'n she left?

Ratchet: No, I was checking on Old Mira. I know she was really restless last night.

Chromia: ... *small nod* Well, Ah found out wah. 'N wah she's been 'voidin' Ol' Lu all wintah long.

Ratchet: *head snaps up with sudden suspicion* Is the baby alive?

Chromia: *quietly* Yup. *soft chuckle* 'E's got Ol' Lu's curls...

Ratchet: *starts running*

Kia: *startled squeak as she hears footsteps thunder past. Slips on the ladder and sits on her husband's head*

Chromia: *nods to the couple in passing, follows Ratchet*

Ratchet: *up the loft ladder, and then tiptoes softly over to where he can see Ironhide tucked into a nest of her fur cloak and hay* *softly* Shhh, Skyfire. I'm here to see your mother and new brother.

Skyfire: *croons and trills softly, then peeps and nuzzles Mama*

Chromia: *will keep guard, humming quietly for the babies*

Ratchet: *gentle inspection of the newborn and his mother, and then a startled chuckle as the pudgy newborn boy makes angry sounds at him and waves little clenched fists*

Chromia: *amused chuckle*

Ratchet: *carefully wraps them up again and turns to look at Chromia* *quietly* I think they're all alright. But Ironhide's in the brooding sleep.

Chromia: *small nod* Ah c'n keep watch.

Ratchet: Should we bring Skyfire to Flashpoint?

Chromia: *small nod* 'T least f'r t'nahght. *knows Flashpoint still has milk, has seen the little pink-haired child being shown where to get a good meal by Rose*

Ratchet: *pauses and looks at Chromia as realization hits* Has Ironhide been feeding Skyfire lately?

Chromia: *headshake* 'T's mainleh been Flashpoint.

Ratchet: No. Now that I realize it, she's been doing her hiding thing so we wouldn't notice. She has been doing it. *gently tries to take the baby platinum from the nest, only to startle as Skyfire squeals* Could you get Skyfire? He won't let go of Ironhide's tunic.

Chromia: *soft rumble, moves to approach the nest*

Skyfire: *huddled close to Mama and his new brother, eyes wide and head down as he clings*

Chromia: *soothing sounds, will reach to gently smooth bitty dragon's back*

Moonie: *cheep cheep cheep from where she's snuggled against Aunty!*

Ratchet: *looks over his shoulder as he hears the cheeping, then smiles slightly at Flashpoint as he sees her looking over the edge of the loft*

Chromia: *gently* C'mon, Skahfahr, Moonie's wantin' t' 'eah a storeh.

Skyfire: *wibbles and clings harder*

Moonie: *cheeep! Tries to wiggle in her sleeping wraps, can smell her friend!*

Chromia: *quiet, soothing rumble. Will protect Ironhide and Ironhide's baby. Needs you to protect Moonie, Skyfire*

Skyfire: *peeks, then lifts his head and looks worriedly toward Moonie* *looks back at Aunty. Moonie is with Aunty. Is safe?*

Moonie: *cheeping and calling to Friend. Wants story and snuggles, please!*

Skyfire: *sighs and lets go of Mama. Moonie will wake her up* *trills to Moonie, telling her that he's coming and she must be quiet. New baby is here!*

Moonie: *peep? New baby? Where new baby?*

Chromia: *more gentle back strokes for Skyfire, will gently lift the dragonet and offer him to Ratchet*

Ratchet: *takes the little guy and brings him to Flashpoint*

Moonie: *happy little trill, will snuzzle Friend and peep quietly*

Skyfire: *shy little kissies for the girl. Is very much Old Lumen's son, despite being adopted*

Moonie: *gonna tuck her head under your wing, Friend*

Ratchet: *smooths both dragonets' backs, then nods to Flashpoint* Ironhide's in the brooding sleep.

Flashpoint: *frown* Wh're th' slag's Ol' Lu? *protective instincts are beginning to flare up*

Ratchet: *quietly* I don't know. He didn't know she was expecting, Flash. No one did.

Flashpoint: *quiet rumble of displeasure that has Moonie cheeping at her softly*

Skyfire: *headtilty at Aunty. Should babbies hide?*

Flashpoint: We'd best keep Ol' Mira fr'm goin' out aftah 'im 'gain. Ah'll round up th' louts 'n see who we c'n send t' fahnd 'im.

Ratchet: Tracks and Kriti are already out looking. I think Ultra Magnus and Jazz are too.

Flashpoint: *soft rumble as she nods*

Moonie: *cheeps at the rumble*

Ratchet: And Ironhide will keep his wife quiet. *looks at the little cheeper* You'd better take these back to the common room. Don't tell anyone about Ironhide, alright?

Flashpoint: 'Pon mah honor. *nod* *will move to bring Skyfire and Moonie to the common room*

Skyfire: *talks all the way. So much talk!*

Ratchet: *turns and goes back to the nest, where the bright blue eyes of the newborn boy frown at him reprovingly*

Chromia: *soothing sounds*

baby: *frowns at her too, but then closes his eyes with a sigh that has his sleeping mother rumbling softly*

Ratchet: *gently fixes the fur cloak to make sure they're warm* *quietly* It always scares me to see Ironhide this weak.

Chromia: *quietly* She'll git bettah. Th' Greatest Creator ain't readeh f'r 'er t' join 'im yet.

Ratchet: *bit of a grin, and then settles down in the hay to watch over the newborn and his mother*

((Written with random_xtras))

Continued here