dli. Nexus and Pocket Realities. Family Reunions Part 2

[dens_extra_pups]

Continued from here



Jonas: *stops and turns back again* Yes, sir?

Denver: Wh't clothes d' y'all got?

Jonas: Our uniforms, and a whole bunch of these! *indicates his shorts*

Denver: *small nod, relays this to Ironhide*

Ironhide: -Isn't that enough?-

Denver: -Mebbeh a couple'a t-shirts t' go wit' th' shorts, f'r th' coolah days?-

Ironhide: -Right. It's going to be snowing in the nexus any day.-

Jonas: *still standing and waiting to see if Denver wants anything else*

Denver: *seriously* 'T's gonna be snow'n' 'n th' Nexus aneh day now. D' y'all at least got good coats f'r th't?

Jonas: Er. No, sir. I didn't know it snowed there.

Denver: 'T does. Doesn't last long, but 't does. *relaying that neither Char nor Jonas have coats for the snow*

Ironhide: *gets their measurements from her thoughts and relays that he'll get a couple*

Denver: *to Jonas* 'Hahd's takin' care'a gettin' y'all s'me snow geah. 'N th' 'ammock stand. Y'u sh'ld go git th' new camp sahte readeh.

Jonas: *surprised* Yes, sir. *turns on his heel and jogs out of sight*

Char: *grumbling in her sleep as her hand looks for the hand of her heart sister*

Denver: *will return to Char's side, absently humming something*

Char: *settles down and sleeps more, though she mutters something about her snow*

Denver: *snerk* No sittin' 'n th' coats th's tahm, Char.

Char: *quietly* My snow.

Denver: Th're'll be plenteh 'f th't 'n th' Nexus. *chuckling as she remembers the day Char piled as much snow as she could haul into a heap and sat on it, then dared anyone who was brave enough to try taking it from her*

Char: Ain't gonna melt you, Denny. *soft snerk without waking*

Denver: *snort* Ah know th't now, Char.

Char: *moves her head and grumbles softly at the ache in it, one hand going to her sheet covered belly as though to shelter a wound*

Denver: *gently puts her hand over Char's* *quietly* Y'u're alrahght, Char.

scars: *can be felt through the sheet. They're pretty severe, even with Hormah's doctoring*

Denver: *doing her best not to fret. Can tell, based on what she feels, and what her scans show, that Char will never have kids as a result of her injuries*

Ironhide: *is a feeling of working on clearing off the rock of the new site beside Jonas*

Denver: *fondness for husband, will sit so she'll be comfortable for awhile, isn't going to leave Char's side for the time being*

Ironhide: *busy work thoughts and feelings, interspersed with songs and the occasional grumbling snark at Jonas* -Idiot. He'd dug in here, waiting for some higher up to find him.-

Denver: *one with her face palm* -Th't idiot.-

Ironhide: -Isn't that how you humans train them?-

Denver: -T' 'n extent. But a good soldier's s'posed t' also be able t' th'nk f'r th'mselves 'f th're ain't a CO t' report t'-

Ironhide: -Maybe he's under too much stress.- *slight feeling of concern for the man working silently beside him*

Denver: -...'E mahght be.- *worried now*

Ironhide: *shares as he scans* -He's got more stress toxins than you did when we first got to the Nexus.-

Denver: -'N Char's jes' dealin' wit' bein' injured.- *small frown*

Ironhide: *looks at Denver's memories* -She always did have a mind like a brick.-

Denver: -She 'n Ah w're inseparable 's kids 'n growin' up.- *shares some of her memories*

Ironhide: -And you were the one that cared about everything. She only cared about staying near you. I was right.-

Denver: *snort*

Ironhide: -...She said she'd never be a mother, and that you could have kids for both of you.-

Denver: -Well, she'll get t' be 'n aunt, 't least.-

Ironhide: -Yeah. Found this idiot's scars. They're all in his mind.- *shares the scans*

Denver: *wince wince wince* -Sh'ld Ah talk t' 'un 'f th' Showtahms th't visits th' Nexus, th'n? 'R th't Rung gal th't works wit' 'Ormah s'metahms?-

Ironhide: -Would have to ask him. If he's already one of Hormah's he might be talking to Rung.-

Denver: -Yeah...- *still going to worry about the young man though*

Ironhide: *mental snort of laughter* -He's as old as you and Char are.-

Denver: -...Oh.-

Ironhide: -You're falling into Cybertronian thinking.-

Denver: *blink* -Ah am?-

Ironhide: *shows her how she's come to see part of his world view as her own*

Denver: -...Huh.- *not sure how to feel about that*

Ironhide: *gruff* -S'only fair, woman. You're doing it me too.-

Denver: *snerks*

Ironhide: *grumbles at her, and then feels of using a wish*

roof: *sparkles blue and vanishes*

Denver: *looks up*

trees: *hi, Denver!*

Denver: *snort*

Char: *eyes open as she blinks and frowns questioningly*

Denver: Ahrnhahd 'n Jonas're settin' up th' permanent camp.

Char: *turns the frown to Denver* What?

Denver: 'T's givin' Jonas s'meth'n' t' focus 'n. 'N th' new 'ammock'll letcha look out wit'out needin' t' squish th' sahds down.

Char: *blinks, and then understands* He's finally buildin' a house, huh?

Denver: Yup.

Char: *groggily takes her hand back to rub her face with* He was still waitin' t' go back.

Denver: *quietly* Y'all ain't gonna be goin' back. Y'all're Exahl, lahk 'Hahd 'n me.

Char: *with her usual calm indifference* Yeah. I know.

Denver: Jonas 's takin' 't 'ard. *quiet concern*

Char: I know. 'E's soft inside.

Denver: Wh'n y'u're up 'n 'bout, y'u'll 'afta keep 'n ah 'n 'im.

Char: *quiet snerk* Just gotta keep him busy.

Denver: *chuckles* Well, 'n a few moah months, 'e'll 'ave s'me'un else t' fuss ovah, too.

Char: *slight grin* I need to talk to that old rustbucket?

Denver: Don't maim 'im too badleh. 'E marriehd me b'f're knockin' me up.

Char: Kin remember the letters you wrote 'bout what a pain 'e was. *slight snerk*

Denver: 'E's a grouch. *chuckle* But 'e's mah grouch.

Char: *twitch of a grin, and then that questioning frown again* What'd ya marry 'im for?

Denver: We fell 'n love arguin' over th' old songs.

Char: Fell in love how? What'd you like?

Denver: *will name off some of the songs that elicited the loudest, most dramatic fights* *also reminisces about some of the quieter moments she and Ironhide had when they were both alive in their native reality*

Char: *frown deepens slightly as she tries to understand* But what'd you like? Why'd you marry 'im?

Denver: *bluntly* Ah lahk 'is shape.

Char: *perks. That she understands!* *then frowns again* 'E ain't the same shape anymore.

Denver: Rahght now, 'e ain't. But Ah lahk th't shape too.

Char: *rotten grin* Jonas said I had to marry it before I could admire it as much as I wanted to.

Denver: *SNERK*

Char: *expression says she thinks she understands her cousin's marriage now*

Denver: S'metahm, aftah th' baby's boahn, Ah'll show y'all s'meth'n cool.

Char: *lifts bows doubtfully* It's not another bunch'a pictures, is it?

Denver: *beep*, no.

Char: Good, 'cause I still don't see what was so excitin' about those little rats.

Denver: Th'y w're li'l 'n fuzzeh!

Char: 'N they wizzed all over.

Denver: Th'y w're babbehs.

Char: *wrinkles that strong nose with disgust*

Denver: Wh'tevah. Th' th'ng Ah'mma be show'n y'all ain't bunnehs.

Char: *frown* Yer talkin' about that black cat that's shed on you.

Denver: *smirk* Nope.

Char: *brows up* No?

Denver: Y'u'll jes' 'aft'a wait 'til th' babeh's born.

Char: *snorts. And then turns her head as something coos* Wanna dodo?

Denver: *raised brow* Dodo?

Char: *points*

Denver: *boggling*

Char: Got moas 'n elephant birds too.

Denver: *so very surprised*

Char: *as the dodo comes over and looks at Denver's boots* 'N Jonas was yakkin' about giant auks the other day.

Denver: Auks?

Char: More big extinct birds that can't fly.

Denver: Huh.

Char: Jonas read some book about an island with extinct birds when he was a kid, so he calls this place The Lost Island of Funk. *expression says she questions her husband's sanity on this*

Denver: *amused snort*

Ironhide: *appears with a swish and slight flash* I need that. *points to the hammock*

Char: *pulls down the side of the hammock to frown at him*

Denver: Th' 'ammock, 'r Char?

Ironhide: That piece of the parachute. We're not ready for Char yet.

Char: *frrroowwwn*

Denver: *frowwwwn*

Ironhide: *frowns too* What?

Denver: Char ain't up t' movin' too much, 'Hahd.

Ironhide: *frown becomes a scowl, but then he looks toward a call and nods* Jonas can pick her up.

Char: *scowls at the idea, independent as ever*

Denver: Char, 't ain't gonna be f'r long.

Ironhide: *scowl returns* What's the problem? She's not hurt too badly to be lifted.

Char: *grumbles in her sometimes sullen way*

Denver: She's lahk me. Stubborn 's *beep*.

Ironhide: *snorts* You never turn down a free chance to snuggle.

Char: o.O *actually blushes slightly as she stares at Ironhide*

Denver: *blushing a bit and looking away*

Jonas: *jogs up then, sees the expressions on both womans' faces and looks like he's blushing a bit too as he looks quizzically at Ironhide*

Ironhide: *grumpy shrug* No slaggin' idea what their problem is.

Denver: *quietly* Y'all ain't readeh t' move Char, so 'Hahd suggested 'avin y'u pick 'er up.

Jonas: *calms* Oh, is that all. *walks over and picks up wife, who doesn't make a peep!*

Char: *hand on her belly as she scowls and makes no protest*

Jonas: *stern and uncertain look, and then looks over at Ironhide as he moves out of the way*

Ironhide: *satisfied grunt, and then starts to take the hammock down and roll it up* You carry this, Flashpoint. I'll get the boxes.

Denver: *reaches for the hammock once it's rolled up* Alrahght.

Ironhide: *hands it, and then stacks the hammer box on top of the stasis box and lifts them both. And then he stops and looks at the craft material that Char dropped and grumbles* That stupid dodo's gonna eat that.

dodo: *peck peck?*

Denver: *moves to shoo the dodo away from the craft material*

Jonas: *bit of a worried frown* Can you grab that, sir?

Ironhide: I told you to knock off the sir. She works for a living too.

Jonas: *looks like he's blushing again* Sorry, s... *grumble*

Char: *snerk*

Denver: *can't help but snicker* *deep breath* Ah got th's.

Ironhide: *sets down boxes. Gets craft stuff. Puts it in the hammer box. Picks boxes up again* Let's get this show on the road.

Char: *stink eye for his tone*

Denver: *amused snort*

Char: *surprised look for Denver*

Jonas: *gets the show on the road by moving closer to Ironhide*

Ironhide: *PINpoints away with Jonas and Char*

Denver: *will PINpoint after she gets coordinates*

Jonas: *is tucking Char into the new hammock and then spreading the sheet over her loosely due to clear need to fuss*

Char: *giving him tired looks promising comeuppance as she lays there in the big mesh sling*

Denver: *can't help it, is going to snicker at that*

Ironhide: *has set down the boxes and is coming for Denver's load*

Denver: *will give what she's carrying in her arms ...and try and steal a kiss*

Ironhide: *pause, one arm sneaking around behind his wife as he gives so she can't steal* *happy rumble*

Denver: *pleased sounds*

Ironhide: *starts showing signs of forgetting he was doing something*

Denver: *squeaks as the baby kicks*

Ironhide: *breaks kiss and frowns at her*

Denver: 'E kicked. *hand going to her abdomen*

Ironhide: *frown is transferred to the belly and he snorts* Bossy little glitch. *turns and brings the piece of parachute over to the rest and reaches into his pocket for a wish*

Denver: *will lean against the nearest tree and tap along her armor shirt* *will also pull faces as the baby argues with the taps*

Jonas: *glances over from watching the parachute sparkle and become a whole sheet of doubled fabric* What's wrong, s... What's wrong?

Denver: Th' babeh's bein' fusseh.

Jonas: Oh. *sympathetic look, and then a glance at his wife before he goes to help Ironhide lift the parachute sheet over the first layer of palm thatch*

Denver: *going to try and get her son to settle down*

Char: *sighs from the hammock*

Denver: *moving to approach, still tapping and arguing with her unborn son*

Char: *laying there with her face turned to one side, sleeping soundly through Ironhide grouching at Jonas*

Denver: *very soft chuckle*

Hormah: *from behind Denver* The scrap's all t'is?

Denver: *startles and curses*

Hormah: *acks and says some words and beeping of her own*

Ironhide: Knock it the *beep* off. I'm trying to work here.

Denver: *massive stinkeye for husband*

Hormah: *her humanoid drone rests a gentle hand on Denver's arm* Best keep breat'in', b'y.

Denver: *will also mutter in Scottish Gaelic*

dHormah: Same t' ye, me son. *grin*

Denver: Wah're y'u 'eah, 'Ormah?

dHormah: *snerks* What? I's needin' permission now?

Denver: Wh't, Ah cain't be curious?

dHormah: *grin* T's time fer I t' take a lookit t'at Char t'ere 'n make sure she's after healin'.

Jonas: *is actually grouching back at Ironhide and showing every sign of a happy guy doing guy crafts as he and the older man get the moisture barrier the way that they want it*

Denver: *small nod* Gotcha. *tuning husband out, as he seems to be in a fairly good mood*

dHormah: *shrewed look* *quietly* Ye gonna be askin' I why I wasn' after tellin' ye 'bout yer sister?

Denver: 'M considerin' 't, but th't mahght get th' babeh even moah worked up th'n 'e w's bef're.

dHormah: *nods* Ye'da ben more purdled if Id'a jes' up in told ye she was hurt.

Denver: Who's th' glitch responsible?

dHormah: *snort* Who d'ye t'inks?

Denver: Ah mean which 'un 'f th'se slaggers.

dHormah: *small freckled face goes serious* Savoy. 'N 'is comeuppance is settled.

Denver: *frown*

dHormah: Ye's seen the glitche's endin' in ot'er 'verses.

Denver: *nod* 'Cludin' th' 'un wh're 'e got bugstomped.

dHormah: Yup. *rotten bit of a grin*

Denver: *talk of Savoy has reminded her of another family member she's missed* Ah keep meanin' t' ask, 'as th're been aneh word fr'm 'Ardeh?

dHormah: *sobers instantly* *quietly* He didn' disappear.

Denver: *dots. Then* Wh're 's 'e?

dHormah: *gently* Behind ye.

Denver: *turns quickly*

Hardy: *stocky, muscular redhead with a weathered face and eyes the colour of a quiet ocean cracks a slight grin* 'Ey now, Denny. It's been a long time.

Denver: ... *moves to pull her cousin into a tight hug*

Hardy: *squish is gentler than the ones he used to give, but it holds all the old tender affection* *quietly* I'm sorreh I couldnae come sooner, lass.

Denver: *responds to that by hugging Hardy tightly enough to possibly pop his back*

Hardy: *tries to stop her* Dinnae squish the babby ...why, what're ye wearin'?

Denver: 'T's armor. *gonna try again to pop your back, Hardy*

Hardy: *grunts and then laughs as he DOES pop*

Ironhide and Jonas: *look over there from their thatching, and then resume arguing and working*

Denver: *snerk* Wh're're y'u crashin' 't nahght, 'Ardeh?

Hardy: *lifts his brows and looks down at her* I was gonna go home. *pauses and looks toward the shelter with a slight frown* What's all this?

Denver: Th's 's Char 'n 'er 'usband's place.

Hardy: *frown deepens as he steps a little closer to see through the hammock without letting go of Denver* That's no house.

Denver: *simply* Th's place stays warm, 'n th't's th' 'mportant th'n'.

Ironhide: *flips the cover flap down over the opening without noticing anyone was standing there*

Hardy: *grunts and looks up*

Denver: *looks over, raised brow*

Hardy: *pushes the fabric away as he steps out of the hut* And who's that beauty?

dHormah: *soft deedles of laughter as she examines her sleeping patient*

Denver: Th't's 'Ormah, 'n she's taken. Th' gah wit' th' beard's mah 'usband, Ahrnhahd.

Hardy: *shows no surprise at hearing that Denver's married, though he shoots a measuring look toward the roof* Aye, that's the beauty I was talkin' 'bout.

Ironhide: *to Jonas as the man exclaims* Don't show that thing to Denver. She'll want to eat it.

Jonas: A spider?

Ironhide: *grumbles and growls*

Denver: *looks over* Wh't?

Ironhide: *gruff growl* Nothing. Never mind.

Denver: Bull*poop*.

Ironhide: *more growl* You can't have it!

Denver: *growl of her own*

Hardy: *giving her a puzzled look*

Ironhide: You're not eating a *bad word* bug!

Hardy: *brows UP*

Denver: *says something incredibly foul*

Ironhide: *curses right back, his voice an angry metallic screech*

Jonas: *quickly* It's gone. It ran off.

Denver: *hands on hips, dark look for Ironhide* Don' y'u dare wake Char up!

Ironhide: *snorts at her and goes back to work*

Denver: *mutters obscenities about Ironhide's habits and ancestry, scowls and moves to lean against a tree to tap on her armor again*

Hardy: *watching her with a surprised and questioning look* is wondering if he's actually looking at the same woman that he used to know. She never used to cuss like that*

Denver: *dark scowl, taps a bit more insistently on her armor*

Hardy: *stares at her for a moment, walks over, his hand going to his sporran and pulling out a fat sausage split and filled with spicy ground meat* Denny, if yer hungry... *offers the stuffed sausage*

Denver: ... *very soft snerk* *quietly, eyes a bit bright now* Still wearin' th' Clan colahs, huh?

Hardy: *slight grin as he continues to offer the food* Aye, some 'o the places I work, wearin' yer Clan's important. A man's no one if he's no Clan.

Denver: *will reach for the offered food*

Hardy: *hands over the big sausage, which almost looks like some kind of large breakfast sausage, except that the contents are very finely ground* That'll cure what ails ye. *grin*

Denver: *grins and proceeds to nom* *pleased sound at the flavor of the sausage*

Hardy: That's my friend Bathilda's special liver sausage, and some of Lady Yau's spiced meat hash.

Denver: *blinks, muffled* Y'u know th' gals, 'r alts 'f 'em?

Hardy: *brows lift* I know... *expression falls* I knew more than I do now.

Denver: *swallows the bite she's been chewing* Th're's a Batsy, Senaiji, Yau, 'n Tobias 'n th' Nexus. Senaiji runs a shop 't th' mall.

Hardy: *perks* Och, is there? Mebe that's why I was called to that nexus t' begin with. I knew it wasn't just for findin' you 'n Char.

Denver: 'F y'u're needin' new shirts 'n th' lahk, talk t' Senaiji. 'E'll set y'u up wit' good qualiteh clothes. Mahght be a bit skittish 't first, though.

Hardy: *sucks in his breath* Skittish? Senaiji? Why, lass? *and he's holding that breath now as he awaits her reply*

Denver: *quietly* 'Is realiteh went t' 'ell 'n back. But th't w's aftah 'is *beeeeeep* 'f a motha 'n th' aft'ats th't she ran wit' killed 'im.

Hardy: *strong man staggers as his breath comes out in a whoosh* *quiet, stunned, and thankful* They're alive...

Denver: Y'u won't see Batsy 'round th' shop yet, but Ah bet Senaiji'd be more'n 'appeh t' send y'u t' 'is 'ouse so y'u c'n visit th' gals.

Hardy: *pulls at his cloak, which proves to actually be a sleekly furred coat that he's wearing tied at his neck, and wipes his eyes on the sleeve as his shoulders shake slightly*

Denver: *moves to hug her cousin*

Hardy: *again that tender hug* *whisper husky with tears* All my loved ones're safe.

Denver: *hugs tightly. Not as tightly as she did before, but still tightly* *quiet sound as she notices that Hardy's coat is warm, and feels alive. Will scan it out of curiosity, brows going up as the coat also scans as alive*

Hardy: *quietly* What's th' matter?

Denver: *quietly* Y'ur coat's alahve?

Hardy: *lets her go, and gives her a slightly searching look as he nods* Aye. It is.

Denver: 'Ow c'me? *curious, but not frightened*

Hardy: *touch of a grin* Because I'm nae human any longer.

Denver: *amused snort* Th't makes two 'f us, th'n. *now she's starting to understand why Hardy's eyes have the look of one who has lived a very long time*

Hardy: *brows up* That's you I'm feelin', is it?

Denver: 'F 't ain't me, 't's 'Ormah, 'r 'Hahd. 'R mabeh th' babeh.

Hardy: Nae. I know Hormah's feel. She's Cybertronian 'n somethin' else. Yer... *bends head for a moment, and then looks up questioningly* 'Uman 'n Cybertronian?

Denver: Techno-organic. *nod* 'Hahd 'n th' babeh 're, too.

Hardy: *brows draw together as they do when he's interested in something very much* 'N how's th't happen?

Denver: 'Hahd wished 't.

Hardy: *frowns* 'N why?

Denver: *shrug* Ask 'im. All Ah know 's th't 'un day, we 'eaded int' th' Nexus t' do a supplah run, 'n 'Hahd got changed, 'n apparentleh, Ah got changed 't th' same tahm.

Ironhide: *gruffly and absently* -It's a lot easier to kiss you now.-

Denver: *BLUSH*

Hardy: *brows up as he grins slightly* And what's that about?

Denver: *quietly, still blushing* 'Hahd 'n Ah c'n 'eah each otha's thoughts.

Hardy: *soft laughter, though there's a touch of sadness in it too* Oh, so it's sweet nothin's?

Denver: S'meth'n' lahk th't. *stretches out of habit*

Hardy: *looks away with a sigh* *quietly* I'm Den-Ya.

Denver: *blink* Lahk Mama Yau?

Hardy: *soft snerk* Do I look like an Ifiri?

Denver: *snerk* No, but ye'd prolleh catch th' attention 'f at least 'un Ifiri ladeh wit' th't coat'a y'urs.

Hardy: Oh, so that's what the honey is? *amusement in his eyes now*

Denver: ... *brat grin* So 's she 'notha 'f Kae Yau's alts?

Hardy: *wryly* Aye. Though 'er sister's done her share o' lookin'.

Denver: *blink. Blink!* Th't 'un's gotta sistah?

Hardy: *nods* Rin Fei. Though most call th' bit 'o live wire "Fairy".

Denver: *soft snerk* 'F she's Ifiri 'n Kae Yau's sister, Ah c'n jes' imagine...

Hardy: Lass's a lot younger 'n her sister, 'n not alwehs in control 'o herself.

Denver: Aw.

Hardy: We're often treated ta unexpected bonfires. *slight grin* She's jes' commin' inta her own.

Denver: *amused snort* Ah bet she'd be a 'andfull anehway.

Hardy: 'N how. *snerk*

Denver: So wah ain't y'u 'n Yau 'n ahtem yet?

Hardy: *face darkens and he looks away* *quietly* M' 'eart was alreadeh full.

Denver: Aww. *hugs cousin again*

Hardy: *gentle arm around her* *quietly* I can feel that yer with th' right mon. It'll no kill me ta let go.

Denver: *quietly* Took me a long tahm t' git ovah y'u goin' missin, 'Ardeh.

Hardy: *face goes a little grim* I didn' go missin'. I was murdered.

Denver: *small nod. Had suspected that*

Hardy: D'ye remember that punk Savoy?

Denver: *growls as she connects the dots and her suspicions are confirmed*

Hardy: Aye. He was sweet on ye. Took me out one day 'n shoved me outta a plane over th' ocean without a 'chute.

Denver: *unprintable woman*

Hardy: *eyes wide at the language as he rubs her back to try and sooth her* Easy, lass.

Denver: *winding down as the baby protests her upset* *looks a bit queasy now*

Hardy: *more hug, and then an offer of another stuffed sausage*

Denver: *reaches for the offered nom, blinking a bit as she hears a voice pipe up*

little voice: -Nomma!-

Ironhide: *turns from where he was helping Jonas roll up the door flap* The slag?

Hardy: *looks back and forth questioningly*

Denver: Ah th'nk th't w's th' babeh...

Ironhide: *face clears, and then he's laughing*

bitty: *insistently* -Momma nomma nom!-

Hardy: *also starts laughing* Ye'd better listen ta the lad.

Denver: *snorts and rolls her eyes before digging in* *pleased hum as she thinks about all her nom experiments. Thinks the sausage is just what she's been looking for*

Hardy: *quietly* So yer the Piper.

Denver: *nods, expression serious as she works on finishing the nom*

Hardy: *bit of a grin* Fiona's successor's a lady too.

Denver: *confused* Fiona?

Hardy: *mischief shining now* Aye. Th' first War Piper.

Denver: *boggling as she realizes Hardy's met the very first War Piper in person* *is also very surprised to learn that that very first War Piper wasn't a man*

Hardy: She's ben retired fer years, but she 'n her husband keep a grand table. *more grin*

Denver: *shocked disbelief* Y'u et at 'er table?

Hardy: Aye. *more grin*

Denver: *unprintable*

Hardy: o.O; Denny, ye've changed.

Denver: Ah got oldah...

Hardy: So've I. But a hundred years ain't given' me a mouth like that.

Denver: Y'u ain't a Marine. 'N y'u ain't 'ad t' deal wit' th' th'ngs Ah've 'ad t'.

Hardy: *quietly lists some of the things he's dealt with, including watching a reality end*

Denver: ... *hugs Hardy again*

Hardy: *returns her hug gently, and it's clear he doesn't condemn her for her language. He's only a bit shocked by it and by the change in the happy and hopeful girl that he'd known*

Ironhide: *walks over to them* What's with the kilt?

Hardy: *without looking up from the hug* Trousers're oppressive.

Denver: *SNERK*

Hardy: Oh hush. *gentle squish*

baby: -Hugga!-

Hardy: What? Yer da too?

Ironhide: *ready to backpedal, his scowl ferociously forbidding*

baby: -Da hugga Momma too!-

Ironhide: *SCOWL*

Denver: *SNERK*

Hardy: *so serious, though he's got a twinkle in his eyes* D'ye wanna upset the lad? After his mother's jes' eaten?

Ironhide: ... *cuss, grumble, mutter. Hug wife. And cousin-in-law*

baby: *cheer*

Denver: Li'l goober.

baby: *issa dancin' now*

Ironhide: *lets everybody go and stomps off, growling*

Hardy: *dryly* He IS a beauty, isn't he?

Denver: *laughing muchly now*

Jonas: *standing and looking at all his guests, plainly wondering what he should do now*

Denver: *one last cousin squish* 'Hahd, 'ow close t' bein' done 're y'all?

Ironhide: *grumpily* We're done. And there aren't any peaches or clementines here, so let's go.

Denver: Le's git 'Ardeh t' Senaiji's shop, th'n git s'me peaches f'r y'u, th'n.

Ironhide: *dire scowl for Hardy*

Hardy: *grins, the light of battle in his eyes*

Hormah: Not here, ye pantywaists.

Denver: *moves to swat at husband*

Ironhide: *grunts and growls at wife* Back off, woman!

Denver: Make me, y'u ol' clunker.

Ironhide: *lowers head and braces legs, ready to try that*

Hormah: *reaches over and taps his PINpoint*

Ironhide: *gone*

Hormah: *sniggers and goes too*

Denver: *rolls her eyes and moves to bring Hardy to Senaiji's shop at the mall*

Ironhide: *leaning on the counter and talking to Senaiji about liver sausage*

Senaiji: *brows up* Bathilda stopped making it because no one would eat it.

Hardy: *glad shout* Senaiji!

Senaiji: *startles and looks to the source of the shout*

Hardy: *is coming in for the hug!*

Senaiji: *moves from behind the counter to meet Hardy halfway*

Hardy: *crushing bearhug for the big dragon!*

Senaiji: *hugging and crying on your shoulder now, Hardy*

Hardy: *pretty teary himself, and then he grunts as other arms squash him and Senaiji* Huh? TOBY!

Tobias: *hugging with all his might!* Family home!

Hardy: I'm that glad ta see you two! *HUG more, and tears*

Tobias: *purring now* Yau and Batsy better!

Hardy: *voice a bit rough* Are they? I'm glad!

Tobias: *nodnod* *more purr*

Senaiji: *nod* *quietly, voice choked with tears* Kae Yau doesn't remember much about before, but she remembers a few things...

Hardy: *suddenly freezes, his eyes wide* Oh. I have to call Lady Kae Yau.

Senaiji: *puzzled* Mama Yau, or a different one?

Hardy: *slight snerk* M' girlfriend.

Senaiji: *blink. Blink!*

Denver: *amused snerk, moves to pick out some shirts for Hardy. And a couple for Ironhide*

Ironhide: -I'm not wearing that slag.-

Denver: *absently* -Mhmm...-

Hardy: *standing a little away from his friends now, what looks like a seashell held to his ear* ...Aye. She's made a nest of fireplace matches, and she won't leave it. C'n ye come?

Senaiji: *sees Denver browsing, will get the things to wrap her purchases in*

Tobias: *moves to help, though he's soon distracted by a ball of string*

llvKae Yau: *arriving in a swish and flash* *cautious look around*

Ironhide: *growls at her from where he's skulking behind a display of baby blankets*

llvKae Yau: *says something pert in Mandarin*

Ironhide: *appropriate and very unprintable response in Scots Gaelic*

llvKae Yau: 'N yer anot'er. *smirk*

Ironhide: Get laminated.

llvKae Yau: Ye first, b'y.

Ironhide: *rude gesture and stomps off before Denver can yell at him and tick their son off again*

Hardy: *hand on Yau's shoulder at the same time*



Continued here