Nexus. Isamu.

[dens_extra_pups]

Bandit: *issa runaway sheep! He's running across yards and between houses, and he's going fast!*

Lumen: Bandit!!! Get back here! *chasing his sheep*

Bandit: *can you hear the theme music, Lumen? Is your new name Smokie?*

Lumen: *not-cussing as he continues to chase Bandit*

Bandit: *suddenly skids to a stop as he comes to that little white house on the corner of the lot full of little Japanese houses. Has noticed somebody he doesn't know!*

Lumen: *awks as he trips over Bandit and faceplants*

Bandit: *whirls and head-butts Master!* *and then looks at the new person again as the new person makes a surprised sound* sees the person looking at him and Master and wondering if they should run away or come over*

Lumen: *picking himself up and giving himself a shake now* *bibbly sound*

light voice: Are... you hurt? *trace of a Tokyo accent there, but the English is very good*

Lumen: Naw. I'm alright. *dusting himself off a bit, will look at the speaker*

speaker: *five foot three in sneakers. Is wearing a little girl's T shirt with a rude saying on it, and sparkle butt girly jeans. Looks very pretty in them with that little heart shaped face with the serious big eyes and the unstarched mohawk hair style*

Lumen: 'Sup? You just move to the neighborhood? *curious*

speaker: *perfect face creases into a frown* I'd like to. But I don't know the rules. I've only been here one night. *wary look for Bandit as the sheep comes over to sniff*

Lumen: Well, the rules're pretty simple. As long as you're not taking land from your neighbors, and as long as your butt's covered, anything goes. Including round houses. *points to Den's house*

speaker: *looks that way* So I have to build a house? *attention down again as Bandit gives their hip a gentle push*

Lumen: If you can't find anything unoccupied that you like, or the Real Estate Fairy doesn't have anything that catches your interest, you can build a house. *nod* I built my wife a house, and my boss built a house because she could.

speaker: *frowning deeply at Bandit, but turns attention back to Lumen as the tall boy speaks* Do you know if this house is empty? *soft grunt at the continued pushing*

Lumen: Last I knew, it was. I checked this morning before I went to get my paycheck at work. *to Bandit* C'mere, dummy. Quit trying to push everyone over. *will reach for Bandit's collar*

speaker: *watches the sheep trot toward the lion man, and then looks up at that man again* You checked? Does someone want it, then?

Lumen: Well, it wasn't here last night when I came home from work...

speaker: *brows lift slightly, and they look up at the little home* ...They come and go?

Lumen: Houses and buildings appear. Most of the time, they stick around.

speaker: *relieved nod* Alright. Good.

Lumen: I'm Lumen, by the way. The wooly dummy's Bandit.

speaker: *eyes widen with slight dismay* Oh. Sorry. I'm Isamu Toshira.

Lumen: *nod* Nice to meet you, Isamu. Do you have any furniture yet?

Isamu: *slight frown* No. All I have is the clothes I'm wearing. My suitcase didn't come with me.

Lumen: *small frown as he considers this* Well, there's the Nexus Mall, and the Blanket Factory... You could get pretty much everything you'll need to make your house comfortable at the Mall and the Blanket Factory. And you could get more clothes, too.

Isamu: *quiet dignity* I don't want to trouble anyone.

Bandit: *pulls Master's leg fur with his teeth*

Lumen: *about to suggest asking for work, awks at the fur pull*

Bandit: *perks his ears and calls*

Estel: *calls back, sounding slightly frightened over losing Master*

Lumen: Aww, hang on a moment, Isamu. I have to go rescue my other sheep.

Isamu: *concerned* Alright.

Lumen: Bandit, stay. *will go get Estel and reassure her that she's safe as he leads her back to where Isamu is*

Bandit: *promptly moves three foot to the side and starts nibbling grass*

Isamu: *is watching Bandit when Lumen comes back. He smiles slightly when he sees that the lion man has returned, though his big eyes show surprise as he looks at Estel* I've never seen sheep like these before.

Lumen: Bandit's a Jacob's Sheep, and Estel's an Awassi ewe. *grin*

Isamu: *slowly, hoping he won't offend* So you're a farmer?

Lumen: Sorta. My wife and I raise vegetables, mostly for our own use, but we've been getting a lot more than we can eat on our own, even with a growing kid, so we trade for things we need. I actually work at the Blanket Factory as a delivery guy.

Isamu: *the turning of his head tells that he knows where the blanket factory is* Ahh, I see.

Lumen: We can always use more delivery people, and if you know how to knit or crochet, you can do that there, too.

Isamu: *quietly* I'm an engineer. *though the look in his eyes says he didn't want to be, and that there's a sad memory attached to the title*

Lumen: Okay, so you have a few options, then. Definitely ask around at the mall though, and check at the Blanket Factory. Den keeps an eye out for job postings and shares 'em on a big board outside the Blanket Factory, if anyone in the area wants to check 'em out without having to go to the Mall.

Isamu: Thank you. I... will? *head turns and his brows raise as Ironhide, Denver, Ana, and Ibrahim walk past on the street*

Lumen: *waves to the Enforcers* Those guys're awesome. *dorky grin*

Isamu: *softly, as his eyes follow the group* Who are they?

Lumen: The really big lady's Ana. Her husband owns a clothing store at the Mall. The guy with the sword's Ibrahim. He's really nice. The black-haired lady's Major MacKenzie, even though she's not in the Marine Corps anymore, and the guy with his arm around her shoulders is her husband, Ironhide.

Isamu: Why are Ironhide, the Major, and Ibrahim carrying weapons? *watches the group as they turn the corner and walk away toward the Question Square*

Lumen: *watching the group as they turn the corner* If I had to guess, I'd say they just got done with a mission.

Isamu: *gives the taller man a funny look* A mission?

Lumen: *nods* They help keep the peace in some of the realities that have ties to the Nexus. They're called Travellers.

Isamu: ...So they're police? Or soldiers?

Lumen: Mercenaries. They just happen to be the good guys.

Isamu: *frowns slightly at the word "mercenaries"* *quietly* I see.

Lumen: They usually only go on missions when there's no other way, and only in places they've been told to go by Charlie, who is sort of a cop.

Isamu: *brow clears* Then they aren't mercenaries. *and then he's giving a quizzical look to the sheep as they both turn and look at his stomach*

Lumen: *soft snerk* You been to the Black Dog yet?

Isamu: *turns that quizzical look toward Lumen* Ah... no. *startles slightly and frowns at Bandit as the wether snorts at a second soft stomach rumble*

Lumen: *chuckle* Let's go then.

Isamu: *quiet courtesy* I don't know what that is.

Lumen: It's kind of like a pub and a dive bar, but better. The food's awesome.

Isamu: Ah. I'm sorry. I don't have time to go.

Bandit: *snorts again*

Lumen: *blink blink. Isn't entirely sure what to make of that, Isamu* Er...

Isamu: *and then he focuses on someone behind Lumen a moment before Lumen's tail gets an upward jerk*

Lumen: YIPE!

Isamu: *eye brows go up just slightly despite his best efforts*

Rodimus: *laughing, and then laughing harder as Bandit snorts and shakes his horns*

Bandit: *bad bad, scared master. Gonna thump you! Really!*

Lumen: *smoothing the fur on the end of his poor, abused tail, brb*

Rodimus: What's shakin', bacon? *cheesy grin*

Lumen: *as he finishes smoothing his fur* New neighbor. Rodimus, this is Isamu. Isamu, the jerk's name is Rodimus.

Rodimus: *looks down at the tiny man, and then offers a hand* Rodimus Prime. Hi.

Isamu: *startles very slightly* Rodimus Prime?

Rodimus: Yup. I take it Lu hasn't explained this place yet.

Isamu: Ah. No, he did. I just didn't realize.

Rodimus: *brow quirk* Hey, you need something to eat. Let's go to the Black Dog.

Isamu: Ah, no, I...

Rodimus: You'd honour me by being my guest.

Isamu: ...I would be honoured to be your guest.

Lumen: *grin* *will fuss over Estel and rein Bandit in so the Jacob's Sheep doesn't try to headbutt Rodimus* Think that other tiny you'll be there too, Rodimus?

Rodimus: *bored face* I hope not. I don't have time to feed him fun things.

Lumen: *snerk* What about the one from the yellow Ratchet's reality?

Rodimus: I suspect he's been welded down again.

Lumen: ... Did Ratchet finally snap? *nope, he hadn't heard the news*

Rodimus: *smirk* Ratchet got an LOL kid.

Lumen: ... *and then he's cracking up*

Rodimus: Yup. She's not old enough to get hitched yet, but she's getting him trained for the day.

Lumen: *laughing so hard he has to stop and catch his breath*

Isamu: *politely waiting as he watches them and wonders what the joke is*

Bandit: *thumps master for being so loud*

Lumen: Awk! Bandit!

Rodimus: *fully utilizing his turn to laugh. Also points at Lumen as he does so*

Legacy: *as she walks past with a basket of vegetables* Rodimus, quit bullying my husband. Lumen, quit picking on Rodimus.

Lola: *issa gigglefit bouncing after Mama!*

Rodimus: *instantly sober* Yes, ma'am.

Lumen: *straightens from gently bonking his forehead against Bandit's* Yes, dear.

Legacy: *pauses to give Isamu a friendly smile* Welcome to the neighborhood.

Lola: *bounces over to say hi to the new person*

Isamu: *courteous bow* Thank you. *and then looks down with curious confusion at the little furball* Ah... hello?

Lola: Hi! *happy ears* My name's Lola. What's your name?

Isamu: *manages to control his surprise* Hello, Rora. I'm Isamu.

Lola: *grin* Hi, Isamu!

Legacy: *small smile*

Isamu: Do you live nearby, Rora?

Lola: Yup. *nodnod* With Mama and Papa.

Isamu: Oh. Is Lumen your Papa?

Lola: Yup! *more grin* Married Mama when Grandpa Ken married Grandma Aoife.

Isamu: *looks at the fuzzbutt's outfit of T-shirt and shorts with ruffled skirt* Did you have a beautiful dress?

Lola: Yup! *likes this new neighbor!* I got to carry the flower basket, too!

Legacy: Lola, let's get going... You were wanting to give the extra vegetables to Hrafni, remember?

Lola: *blink!*Oh! Yes, Mama! *will bounce over to Legacy's side, pausing to look over her shoulder* Bye, Isamu! :D

Isamu: *bows* Goodbye, Rora, it was nice meeting you. *is smiling*

Rodimus: Seeya, Legacy and Lola. *is smiling an open and honest smile*

Lumen: *bit of a doofy grin on his face as he watches Legacy and Lola depart*

Isamu: *quietly, as he looks up at Lumen* You have a very lovely wife.

Lumen: *blink, soft chuckle* Yeah... I still don't know how I managed to have the luck to catch her eye though.

Rodimus: *as he turns toward the Black Dog* Really? You're serious?

Bandit: *SNEEZE!* *wipe nose on Master*

Lumen: Awk! Bandit! *shakealeg*

Estel: 0_0 *at Bandit*

Bandit: *shakes his head, and then perks his ears and looks up quizzically to see what Master wants*

Lumen: Nutbar sheep. *cheerful grumbling as he wipes his leg off*

Isamu: *looks from Lumen to the departing Rodimus, question in his eyes*

Lumen: Let's go and get you something to eat. *will get a couple of leashes out of his sporran*

Bandit: *rope! Turns to run away*

Estel: *anxiously calling to Bandit the moment she saw her leash*

Lumen: *calls over his shoulder as he moves to catch Bandit* Rodimus, wait for us!

Rodimus: *snerk is heard clearly as he stops and looks back*

Bandit: *dodging like a rugby player!* *tossing his head and offering to butt Master as he does so*

Lumen: *not-cussing, is also laughing and trying to dodge headbutts*

Isamu: *hand darts out as the wether gets near*

Bandit: *ears up and eyes wide with shock as he feels himself stopped short*

Isamu: *other hand grabs the wether's second upper horn, and then he's looking toward Lumen*

Lumen: *blink! And then the big man is laughing and moving to snap the end of the leash onto the loop on Bandit's collar* Thanks, Isamu. *grin*

Isamu: *grave smile, though his eyes are dancing as he lets go of Bandit and gets his hands sniffed* He could use obedience lessons.

Lumen: I don't even know where I'd find someone who could teach Bandit... *attention going to Estel, will gently cluck his tongue and move to approach the ewe*

Estel: *walks right over. Will follow Master anywhere. Like she always does when given the chance*

Bandit: *gentle sniffs for Estel's face, and then puts his head against Master's leg and pushes lightly*

Lumen: *soft thrrpt for Bandit* Brat. *amused headshake, will snap the end of Estel's leash onto her collar* Okay. Let's go.

Isamu: *falls into step with the taller man as much as he's able* This one acts more politely. *hand indicates Estel*

Lumen: *adjusts his stride so Isamu doesn't have to run, is clearly used to adjusting for a much smaller person's stride* Estel's breed has a stronger herd instinct, so she doesn't like to get too far away from me. Bandit's breed, on the other hand, is more independent. And he's a ram, so it's kind of given that he'd be more anti-social.

Bandit: *nose in the air in response to his name. It's a trick it took him awhile to learn, but now that he gets it he'll do it on cue*

Estel: *soft call as she hears her name, telling Master that she's here*

Lumen: *chin scritches for Estel, other hand going to rub Bandit's head between his horns after the leashes are secured to his belt* *soft chuckle*

Isamu: Ah, I see. *studies the sheep as he walks along* They're pets? Not farm animals?

Estel: *hears "pet" and looks toward the friendly word*

Bandit: *playing an anchor as he tries to stop and eat a weed*

Lumen: They're both. I get wool and milk from Estel, and wool from Bandit, but they're also pets. *hand going to belt to keep the leashes from coming untied as Bandit tries to stop*

Bandit: *snort snort snort snort. Tries to get this weed instead*

Estel: *calls to him*

Bandit: *looks up and goes to heel*

Isamu: *nods his understanding* You like sheep?

Lumen: I like wool, and Lola needs milk.

Isamu: *looks up, surprised question in his eyes* You like wool?

Lumen: Yeah. I like to spin it into yarn, and I also like to play with felting it, too.

Isamu: *brows go up with surprise at finding out that this large, strong, man likes such crafts* Ah. I see.

Lumen: *as he walks and leads his sheep* I've also got a Racka sheep that should be arriving soon. I got a red one. *grin*

Isamu: What do Racka sheep look like?

Lumen: They've got longer wool than Estel or Bandit, and their horns twist like corkscrews. *more grin*

Isamu: *is curious and interested, and it shows* Is the new one male or female?

Lumen: I got another ewe. I haven't thought of a good name yet, but I have all the things I need to make sure she has a good life here.

Isamu: *smiles, and then shakes his head* I'm surprised they let you have sheep in a town.

Lumen: *slight shrug* This is more the outskirts, really. Most of the time, they're with me anyway, and I clean up after 'em, so nobody's really said anything against 'em.

Rodimus: *from where he's fallen in on Lumen's other side* I don't think there are any laws against farm animals around here. And Myriam's got more sheep than you do.

Lumen: Rodimus, those're goats, not sheep.

Rodimus: Really? They look just like Estel. *playing with something in one hand as he goes*

Lumen: Goats are different from sheep. There's the occasional hybrid though, and those are cute.

Rodimus: *amused* They look just like Estel.

Isamu: *quietly respectful* They make different sounds, Rodimus-san. And their tails are different.

Lumen: See? *grin*

Rodimus: I'm not looking at their butts. *nope, is still looking at his hand. But Lumen will be able to hear the chirping in it*

Lumen: *snerks as he hears the chirping* You've got a chiproach with you, huh?

Rodimus: Yup. Lousy little stowaway. *smirks and pokes the happy little thing* I think this one thinks I'm Lazerbeak.

Isamu: *quizzical look*

Lumen: Rodimus' reality is at peace. *looks to the Prime* Is your reality another one where 'Beaky is or was a girl?

Rodimus: *snerks again* Nope, he's a guy. Head of the family.

Lumen: Ah. *nod* Gotcha.

Rodimus: Even though Rumble's head of Galvatronian security. *poke bug and get chirped to*

Isamu: *brows draw together slightly as he wonders what "Galvatronian" means. Doesn't feel it'd be polite to ask, though*

Lumen: ...Dude. Rumble? Seriously? *amused*

Rodimus: Yup. He's the most qualified. *smirk*

Lumen: *snickerfit*

Rodimus: *sobers then* Well Buzzsaw and Frenzy kicked the bucket. Ratbat's busy being sneaky like Laserbeak, and I think the two dinosaurs finally lost themselves permanently.

Lumen: ... Bummer. :/

Rodimus: Only for the people who find them.

Isamu: *slight eyebrows lift*

Bandit: *Master is nosewipe*

Lumen: Awk! Bandit!!!

Bandit: *looks up quizzically*

Rodimus: *chuckles as he closes his hand around the chiproach and looks down*

Lumen: *fond exasperation* Bandit, you are such a brat.

Bandit: *snort. Wipe nose again*

Lumen: Awk!!! *shakealeg*

Isamu: *watching a conversation over there as they walk* There are people here that look like animals?

Rodimus: *"did you just ask that?" look*

Lumen: *surprised look for Isamu* Uh... Yeah.

Isamu: *slight nod as his eyes track over toward something else* But pets are popular?

Bandit: *gets horn hooked under Master's plaid kilt. Flips his head to get it free*

Lumen: Yeah. *and then he's awking and trying to keep from flashing his butt to the Backwater*

Isamu: *gives him a surprised look* What happened?

Rodimus: *humming and looking the way they're going*

Lumen: *as he re-adjusts his kilt* Bandit got a horn stuck under my kilt. *if he looked like a normal human, his face would be very red now, Isamu*

Isamu: *eyes widen slightly* Oh. *and then he's making a startled meep and grabbing the big black furry trunk that just poked him on the nose*

Rodimus: *cracking up*

Lumen: *looks up* Oh, hey, Kid. *grin* She won't hurt you.

Kid: *happily moving her trunk to "fight" with the nice new friend as she makes cute little sounds. Is in a leggy stage right now*

Rodimus: Hasn't Blackout said not to sic mammoths on humans, Pink?

Pink: Huh? She was saying hi! *is sitting on her pet's head*

Isamu: Mammoth? *surprise shows clearly now*

Lumen: Yup. She's a young one, but she's a mammoth.

Isamu: *looks up at the big creature with amazement plain to see as he lets go of her trunk*

Kid: *soft sounds of concern*

Pink: *leans down over Kid's forehead* Mister, are you hungry?

Lumen: *distracted as what appears to be a Siberian Husky puppy cannonballs into his legs*

Isamu: *startled from the little girlbot's direct question. Steps forward to try and stop the puppy. Gets squished between two big furballs* Ugh!

Lumen: *laughing and gently discouraging puppy kisses* Lu, settle down!

"Lu": *excited wiggle, yip, bounce around*

Rodimus: *reaches over and extracts Isamu from his predicament* Rule number one. Lumen can defend himself.

Pooka: *sitting and watching with concern a little to one side* He was try'n ta protect Lumen?

Rodimus: Yeah. *gentle poke for wheezing human*

Pink: *worriedly* Does it mean I'm not taking good care of the puppies if somebody other than them got hurt?

Isamu: *tries to assure the girl that he's alright, but can only squeak*

Lumen: I think Lu's a bit wound up still... Did he get into some candy or something?

Pink: Uh. We were running laps in the empty part of the field.

Lumen: *as he fends off more puppy kisses* I think he needs to run around some more.

Pink: Oh. Okay. Hey, Lumen! I bet Kid can run faster than you!

Kid: *distracted from worrying about the man. Gives a little trumpet of challenge*

Pooka: *up and play bowing* 'N I can too!

puppy Lumen: *ears perked, excited barking, will bounce around and try and pounce Pooka*

Pooka: *yammers back softly in Malamute speech, and then whirls and bounds away toward the field by the aspen bushland, seeming propelled by wagging tail*

Kid: *trumpets and shoots after Pooka, her little ears standing out from her head*

puppy Lumen: *is a bolt of black and white that follows after his friends*

Lumen: *sigh of relief* Cute kid, a bit bonkers sometimes, but still cute.

Rodimus: *distractedly* Just like his namesake, huh? *still focused on Isamu*

Lumen: *thrrpts Rodimus, will scope the crowd out on the Black Dog's porch*

Rodimus: *looks over at him with a worried frown* Do you know the last time this guy ate?

Lumen: ...He said he arrived last night. No suitcase.

Rodimus: Holey scrap, look at these bruises. *has lifted Isamu's shirt away from his back*

Lumen: Wait, bruises? *concerned, will move to take a look*

Isamu: *looks like he's been bashed but good*

Lumen: *wince* *seriously* My dad's a doctor... I think it might be a good idea to call him.

Rodimus: *as he finds a broken rib* No. Call his local alternate.

Lumen: Ah. Right. *nod. Cell phone out, and making a call*

Rodimus: He's got a bruise on his head too. *frowning more deeply*

Lumen: *expressive tail tip flick as he asks someone to come to the Black Dog area for a medical situation*

Rodimus: This guy must have iron self control or Legacy would have flipped.

Lumen: *ears up as he comes to the same conclusion* *tells whoever he's talking to on the phone to please hurry*

Rodimus: *startles as someone puts a hand on his arm. Looks up to meet the concerned, slightly glowing eyes of a worgen woman*

Mirden: *was working and getting pictures taken earlier, got a slight nudge to come over this way* What's the situation, Rodimus?

Rodimus: *blink blink. Slow grin of recognition* Mirden. *looks down at the man he's holding* Can you tell me anything about where this guy came from?

Mirden: *slight headtilt as she listens for what she can hear* *will quietly begin telling what she's been told is okay to share* He was born premature, and his mother died giving birth to him... He was raised by his father, who was a practicing Samurai. He tried to join the Army, and then the police force, but neither would accept him. Even though he trained as an engineer, he was unable to find work in his native country. Shortly after he was hired by a company in China, he was walking along a Hong Kong street when a suicidal man hit him. The jumper survived. *has NOOOO idea where China is*

Rodimus: *frowns* Hit him?

Mirden: Landed on him.

Rodimus: *winces and scowls, then looks down at Isamu* Bushi, huh?

Mirden: *nod*

light voice: Don't *bleep* me off, hairball.

Rodimus: o.0; *looks toward Lumen*

Lumen: *wide eyed* Wouldn't dream of it.

Mirden: *attention going to the voice*

femmebot: *tiny and mostly purple, with a big scowl and snapping blue eyes* What the *nope* are you gawking at? Didn't you *bad words* call for a doctor?

Rodimus: *slow smile* No slaggin' way.

Mirden: ... *raised brow* And you are? *feeling a bit protective of Isamu now*

femmebot: *growls and says something very unpleasant* A doctor, you jack*aft*! What do you think?

Rodimus: *smile grows a little more*

Mirden: *serious Worgen is serious* That does not tell me your name.

Lumen: *using Rodimus as a meatshield now, has Estel and Bandit behind the Prime as well*

Bandit: *very interested in the person who scared Master*

femmebot: *growls and mutters* Nickle! Now can I see the *beep word* patient??

Mirden: *not sure she trusts you, Nickle, but she will step aside. And keep watch. And loom protectively*

Rodimus: //WakeJumper?//

WakeJumper: //Busy! Yeow!!!!//

Rodimus: //Who's this little spitfire?// *interested listening after that yelp*

WakeJumper: //One of the med-OW!!! Slaggit, Ironhide! That is NOT how that part is supp-*yelp*//

Rodimus: //Alright.// *snerk* //Carry on.// *looks at Mirden* She's legit.

Nickle: And you're an afthat.

Mirden: Very well. *will stop looming. Somewhat.*

Rodimus: *gently lowers Isamu to near ground level, going to one knee so as to give the smaller man better support*

Estel: *worried, sad little sounds*

Bandit: *wants to get closer to that one that scared Master!*

Lumen: *does not want to get closer*

Nickle: *swiftly scans Isamu, then scowls even more darkly* We'd better get him back to the hospital ASAP. Ratchet needs to look at him.

Rodimus: *lifts brows even as he stands and shifts his grip on Isuma* Wouldn't it be better to go to Hormah instead of calling in a Ratchet?

Nickle: *insults his IQ*

Lumen: *blink!* That's right! Lulu said that MamaHide's husband is working at the hospital now.

Rodimus: *incredulous expression* "Mama 'Hide"?

Nickle: Less talk and more walk, jack*aft*s!

Mirden: *low growl*

Lumen: *looks to Rodimus* You remember where the hospital is, right?

Rodimus: Yup. *vanishes with a swish and a slight flash*

Nickle: 0_0

Mirden: *feeling a bit smug now* You've never seen someone travel with a PINpoint?

Nickle: *blinks, then gives a dark scowl and some unpleasant words before turning and bolting away toward the hospital*

dliIronhide: *gruffly from behind Mirden* What was that about?

Bandit: *snorting and shaking his head angrily*

Estel: *wants to say hi to the nice old man*

Mirden: Your new squadmember, Ironhide. Rodimus took him to WakeJumper's hospital.

Lumen: Hey, Ironhide.

dliIronhide: *deep frown for the Worgen woman, who he'd been thinking of inviting to fill one of the vacant spots left in his squad after the tiny Showtime and the local lady Logan left* My new what? *turns frown to Lumen* What?

Lumen: Estel wants to say hi, and I need to go get Isamu something to eat so Ratchet doesn't grief Rodimus and me for not thinking of that, so would you keep an eye on my sheep for me while I do that?

dliIronide: *gruffly* They've got food at the hospital. *goes to one knee to gently rub the ewe's face, his attention going toward Mirden as he waits for her to explain what she just said*

Mirden: Isamu Toshira. Currently an injured rurouni *Nexus translator provides: Wandering Samurai*, and an Exile.

dliIronhide: *frown* How'd he get injured? *soft murmur and a cuddle as Estel nuzzles him*

Mirden: A suicidal man jumped from a roof of a building and landed on him.

dliIronhide: *startles, his frown becoming a scowl* *absently pats Estel as she turns to go back to her master*

Lumen: *trying to discourage Bandit-originated shenanigans toward dliIronhide*

dliIronhide: *absently elbows the wether in the head and then stands* *to Mirden* Is him joining your idea, or...

Mirden: The Boss'. I'm just the messenger this time.

dliIronhide: *back to a frown as he considers* Because Denver wanted to ask you.

Mirden: *headshake* It would not work out well. Besides, this way, you get my family as allies for when our specialties are necessary in addition to your own team's strengths.

dliIronhide: Hrrrm. *frown*

Mirden: *a bit stiffly* You're also responsible for one of the Horde.

dliIronhide: *frown deepens* Huh?

Mirden: You rescued an orc warrior. From a reality very similar to my own.

dliIronhide: ...So?

Mirden: He's loyal to you, and from a point in time where Worgen are a known member of the Alliance. He would try to kill me on sight.

dliIronhide: *scowling again* I gotta go kick some sense into him. *walks off*

Lumen: ...I'd pay to see that.

Mirden: *to Lumen as she moves to return to work* You would very quickly be broke.

Lumen: *thrrpt* *grunts as his sheep hits him*

Mirden: *chuckles and moves to head for the Black Dog* You know I'm right.

Lumen: *razzes again, and then goes find his wife and daughter and plot housewarmings for Isamu*