hnmv,ydv. Sparkplug's, and the /Ark/. Updates on the Situations.

[dens_extra_pups]

Raoul: *leaning against the corner of the garage, a cigarette smoking in one hand as he contemplates the compact kitchen thing that he and Kriti just brought home with the creeper*

Kriti: *went to get Hattie to show the resident grandmother what she and Raoul found. It took some searching, but they were able to find something really similar to what Hattie had described. And all in one piece, too!*

Hattie: *coming out to see what Kriti and Raoul found, pauses when she smells the tobacco smoke. Will approach Raoul* Wh't brand 's th't?

Raoul: *frowns at her, and then looks at the tube between his fingers* ...Basic. They didn' have Marlboro.

Hattie: *small nod of understanding* Kriti said y'all tracked down a kitchen?

Raoul: *nods toward the white thing sitting on the creeper* Right there.

Hattie: *nods again and moves to inspect the white thing* *pleased sound as she sees the three electric burners*

Raoul: That's a fridge underneath. 'N the sink works.

Hattie: Th't's good. Means less work f'r me t' git set up.

Kriti: There's a drawer underneath the fridge, too.

Raoul: Yeah. *draws on his cigarette*

Hattie: *nods* Th's'll do nahceleh.

Raoul: *grins, and then blinks as his smoking material vanishes from his hand* Aww, Ratchet.

Ratchet: *snorts at him and goes back inside*

Hattie: *snerk*

Raoul: *grumbles* You want us ta park that thing, Abuela?

Hattie: Yeah. Le's git 't all set up.

Raoul: *walks over to go behind the creeper so that he can hold it up and push, as he did on the way over here from Sadie's and Fast Johnny's*

Kriti: *moves to get in front of the creeper so she can pull, as she did on the way back from the shops*

Raoul: *straightens the appliance, and hears the pans in the drawer clink against each other*

Hattie: *humming happily as she moves to help get things set up*

Raoul: We got pans 'n kitchen *stuff*, too. Hey, Kriti, watch where yer steering.

Kriti: *thrrpt*

Raoul: *grunts as he runs into the wall on the way into the bottom floor of the former closet*

Wheeljack: *comes and looks out of the control room, his earlights dim with concern*

Kriti: *looks to Wheeljack as she helps get the kitchen into the room* 'Sup?

Wheeljack: You guys alright? Need a hand?

Raoul: I'm good. *steering more carefully now, a hand to either side of the kitchen*

Kriti: Any news on our 'Con guest? *attention on steering, both servos on the kitchen to keep it from swinging wildly*

Wheeljack: Her processor's started workin'. ...Er, yer runnin' over the rope on the front 'a that.

Raoul: *grunts*

Kriti: *startled squeak*

Hattie: *moves to get the rope out of the way* 'Er processor startin' t' work's good, rahght?

Wheeljack: Means she's alive. *watching as the white appliance is moved over to the wall where Hattie wants it* What is that thing?

Raoul: Kitchen.

Wheeljack: Isn't a kitchen a room?

Raoul: *snort*

Hattie: 'T's a compact kitchen. *grin*

Wheeljack: ... Yous are not gonna fit in there.

Hattie: ... *Look for Wheeljack* Jes watch me.

Raoul: *snort* We're IN the kitchen, man. This's the kitchen appliances all stuck together.

Kriti: Yeah. All the things that the catalogs show kitchens needing are right here.

Raoul: Step outta the way. *has hunkered down and put his arms around the appliance*

Hattie: *moving out of the way*

Kriti: *clicks softly and moving out of the way*

Raoul: *soft grunt as he lifts the compact kitchen, then straightens fully and moves over to set it down where Hattie wanted it*

Wheeljack: *soft whistle as he watches*

Kriti: *startled squeak*

Hattie: *boggling now*

Raoul: *settles the appliance nicely, then gets the cord and brings it over to the outlet that Ratchet installed while he and Kriti were out*

Wheeljack: Looks like you're integrated pretty good, Raoul. *sounds happy*

Hattie: ... Integrated?

Kriti: *forgets herself for a moment, is an excited click and chirpstorm!*

Wheeljack: Yeah, his nano-circuitry. *chuckles and clicks to Kriti*

Raoul: *wryly amused look for Kriti as he hunkers by the plug in*

Kriti: *clickstorm!*

Hattie: Ah... *wondering about herself now*

Raoul: *slight smirk for his girlfriend as he straightens up. Then turns to Hattie* You need anythin' else?

Hattie: *headshake* Ah'll let y'all know wh'n th' food's readeh.

Raoul: Micky went ta buy some stuff to cook. *looks at Kriti and jerks his head at her* Let's get to work.

Kriti: *nod, clickstorm*

Hattie: *reminded yet again that Kriti isn't as old as she appears*

Wheeljack: *watches the two young people head for the front, then kneels down to look into Hattie's little ground floor room*

Hattie: *will move to get pots and pans out so she can inspect them* *pauses as she sights the enamel pots decorated with a mushroom design, right down to the mushroom-shaped knobs on the lids* ... *SNERK*

Wheeljack: What's in that box there? *such a curious big tin man*

Hattie: Funneh-lookin' pots 'n pans. *old lady is amused*

Wheeljack: *pauses, distracted from the box* They are?

Hattie: Th'y's 'shroom-y. *laughs at her bad joke*

Wheeljack: *chuckles* I get it. *no he doesn't*

Hattie: *chuckles and sets to work unpacking all the pots and pans so she can organize things to her satisfaction* *surprised sound* Th're's s'me duplicates.

Wheeljack: Is there? What's that mean?

Hattie: Means Ah don' gotta fuss too much f'r bigger meals.

Wheeljack: Ohhhh. That's good! :D *clueless*

Hattie: Yup. *will open up the box, then she's cracking up as she sees the mushroom-shaped china canisters and salt and pepper shakers*

Wheeljack: Now what's funny? *leans down further to try and see. Nearly has his head in the kitchen*

Hattie: *holds up one of the canisters*

Wheeljack: *eyes flash* That looks like a smurf house!

Hattie: *DED*

Raoul: *calls down the hall* The *bleep*, Wheeljack. Stop tellin' Abuela crummy jokes.

Hattie: *helpless laughter*

Wheeljack: SHE told the joke, ya crank!

Hattie: *wiping at her eyes and trying to get her laughter under control*

Raoul: *must've just done something else interesting, to judge from what Kriti's saying now*

Wheeljack: *shakes his head and then scrunches down and tries to see into the kitchen again*

Hattie: *once she's recovered* Th'se two... *small headshake* Ah'm glad Denver's got friends who've 'ad similar experiences.

Wheeljack: *interested perk* Huh? Whaddya mean?

Hattie: Fr'm wh't Ratchet tol' me, Raoul's 'ad similar th'n's 'appen 'n 'is lahf.

Wheeljack: Ohhhh. Right. But Mikky 'n Denny never got scrapped.

Hattie: ... Scrapped?

Wheeljack: Yeah. Couple days after Tracks got shook apart, Raoul got squashed.

Hattie: ... *just went pale*

Wheeljack: Meep. Your heart sounds funny. *worried!*

Hattie: Ah... need t' sit down.

Wheeljack: *offers a hand!*

Hattie: *manages to sit down in Wheeljack's hand, is very pale and unsteady currently*

Wheeljack: *trying to think of what to say as he draws her out of the kitchen and scans her* ...He's alright now.

Hattie: *taking shaky breaths as she tries to calm down*

Wheeljack: *kneeling there, sitting on his heels and looking down at her as he holds her near his chest* Er. What's wrong, anyway?

Hattie: *deep, somewhat shaky breath, quiet murmur about squashed humans*

Wheeljack: *confused* But he's alright now.

Hattie: *still a bit shaky and pale* *softly* 'T's th' whole ahdeah...

Wheeljack: He helped the police catch these guys, 'n their friends didn' like it.

Hattie: *wibble*

Wheeljack: *worried frown, but then perks* Hey, will ya show me how this new doohicky works? It's whirrin'. *nods toward the compact kitchen*

Hattie: *slight start, will move to check the kitchen over to find what's making sound* *pause, relax* 'T's jes' th' fridge.


meanwhile, in the front room


Scattershot: *in Halcyon's dream, poking her* -Wakie, wakieeeee...-

Halcyon: *growls and tries to swat at the pink nuisance, can't really move too well at this point*

Scattershot: -Heyyyy! You twitched!- *pokes her again*

Halcyon: *trying very hard to swat the pink pest away* -Leave me alone!-

Scattershot: *>XD* *poke poke poke!*

Halcyon: *so much growl! Though to be honest, it's kind of weak sounding* -I swear, I will tear you limb from fragging limb!-

Mistfire: *pops into sight behind her husband* -Sorry, Toots. Somebody beatcha to the punch.-

Halcyon: *cussing you now, Mistfire*

Mistfire: *snerk* -Ya cuss like 'n old lady.-

gDesinex: *remaining invisible for now* -Her mom didn't know any good cursewords.-

Scattershot: *poke poke poke poke!*

Halcyon: *wakes up mid-obscenity*

Raoul: *yanks his girlfriend away from her* Whoa...

Kriti: *startled squeal, doorwings UP*

Halcyon: Ugh.

Raoul: *frowns at the battered orange bot, his slightly glowing blue eyes wary as he continues to unconsciously protect Kriti*

Halcyon: Slaggin' pink glitch...

Raoul: *eyebrows lift slightly as he looks around* The ghosts're here? *frown* Don't see 'em.

Kriti: *also looking around, doorwings buzzing softly from her startlement* I don't see them either...

Halcyon: *optics dim to the point of nearly being off, attention going to the voice she heard*

Raoul: Hey. Can you hear me? *steps a little closer to the orange 'Con*

Halcyon: *weak scowl*

Kriti: If you start cussing, I'm muting your vocalizer.

Halcyon: *SUCH a Look was never leveled at Kriti before!*

Kriti: *shrinks back a little behind Raoul*

Raoul: *roughly, as he gives Halcyon a look that promises danger* Hey, you watch it.

Halcyon: Get scrapped.

Raoul: *voice still harsh* Ben there. Done that.

Halcyon: *gearing up to unleash her full vocabulary, optics dim even further* Nnnn! *feeling weak and dizzy, plus she has no idea who this human is, and she's not used to anyone standing up to her*

Raoul: *grim finality in his voice, these are the terms and no negotiation* You want your *butt* repaired, you watch your step.

Halcyon: *weak growl that fades to silence. The Decepticon femme is just too weak to do much of anything at this point*

Optimus: *pushes up the door and comes in* What's happening?

Kriti: She's awake. *points to the orange 'Con*

Halcyon: *very soft intake hitch when she hears Optimus, falls silent upon seeing the mech she had a bit of a crush on*

Raoul: *nods and looks up at the Prime as he steps out of the way a little* Ain't really said nothin' yet.

Optimus: *comes closer and hunkers down to look at the orange femmebot's face* *quietly* Hello. Are you able to respond?

Halcyon: *softly and a bit sullenly* Yes.

Optimus: *slight nod. Is kindly but stern* Will you tell me your name?

Halcyon: *silent for a few moments as she considers* Halcyon.

Optimus: *brow plates lift* "A past time of peace and happiness"?

Halcyon: *very slight scowl*

Kriti: *trying so hard not to snickerfit*

Raoul: *surprised to learn the name and its meaning, but doesn't let that surprise show. Instead he continues scowling, presenting a strong front*

Optimus: That is one of the meanings. The other refers to a species of native wildlife.

Halcyon: *blank look. Didn't really pay any attention to that sort of thing*

Kriti: *interested* It does?

Optimus: *nods without looking away from the owner of the name* Do you remember what happened to you, Halcyon?

Halcyon: *very slight twitch as she tries to stick her chin out* I dealt with idiocy in the Decepticon ranks.

Optimus: *slight frown* Please explain.

Halcyon: *slight scowl* I blew up the HQ. Starscream's an idiot anyway.

Optimus: You were attacked for doing so?

Halcyon: *scowl* Scrap, no. They left me alone after that. Serves them right, standing by and letting Megatron kill Desinex.

Raoul: *frowns at the monitors, then looks up again* She shouldn' talk too much, Optimus.

Optimus: *attention goes to the teen, and then back to Halcyon* Very well.

Halcyon: *weak grumbling and optics dimming further*

Kriti: *clicking softly and hugging one arm with the other as she wonders to herself about Halcyon and her relationship to Desinex*

Optimus: *rises to his feet as Raoul turns to go back to work*

Raoul: *abrupt pause and turns back to look at something behind the Prime* Who're you? You ain't one of our ghosts.

gDesinex: *to Raoul* -I'm another version of Desinex. Can I talk to this guy or not?- *points to Optimus*

Optimus: *has turned and is looking curiously from Raoul toward the space that the boy's talking to. Is wondering why he can't see this ghost*

Raoul: *slight scowl* You need me ta translate?

Kriti: *doorwings up as she sees gDesinex*

gDesinex: *slight smirk* -Only if he can't hear me.- *will reach to poke Optimus*

Optimus: *startles and looks at her* Primus was hiding you.

Primus: *laughing now too*

gDesinex: *snerk* -Dunno anything about that, but if he was, then okay.- *serious in an instant* -Halcyon's mother is another version of me. In their reality, that Desinex was given orders by Megatron to help increase the amount of soldiers in the Decepticon ranks. She was amongst the first few generations raised and trained to be fully Decepticon.-

Optimus: *frowns deeply* Desinex was raised as a Decepticon?

gDesinex: -Yes. She wasn't even an hour old when she was taken by the Decepticons. She was raised and trained amongst others taken from Vector Sigma around the same time.-

Optimus: *frown deepens further* Where is she?

gDesinex: -Megatron killed her for her perceived rebellion. She's not in the Song. Right now, she's hiding in that reality's Teletraan-1.-

Optimus: *quietly* Why isn't she resting?

gDesinex: *quietly* -She hasn't let go yet. She's still hurting and confused, and that stubborn streak that pretty much all versions of me have in spades isn't helping any.-

Optimus: I see. *attention flicks toward Halcyon*

gDesinex: -This kid's Sunstreaker's, too. She decapitated Megatron, and dropped his head into a sewage processing plant, before she gouged Starscream's wings to the Pit and back. After that, she took off and was on her own for awhile. She used to throw moltov cocktails and cherry bombs at the Autobots for a laugh, but that was the worst she'd do to them.- *pauses for a moment, as though she's gearing up to give very unpleasant news*

Optimus: *attention back to her, his air circulation pausing as he waits to hear the next part*

gDesinex: -One day, she decided that the Decepticons were too stupid to live, so she loaded herself up with as many explosives as she could fit into her own frame, grabbed a few more for good measure, then drove into the Decepticon headquarters and detonated them.-

Optimus: *sucks in air and shuts his eyes off as he catches the ferrybot's thoughts of how the orange femmebot had been starving* *quietly* How old is she?

gDesinex: -Younger than Kriti. Probably no more than eight years old.-

Optimus: *softly, sounding sick* Younger than Kriti...

Raoul: *jerks a look upward, scowling deeply*

Kriti: *doorwings vertical* 0_0 *squeaks as her visor drops in reaction to her startlement*

gDesinex: *quietly* -Her mom disobeyed the medic's orders to keep her files sealed, and to not talk to the developing spark... That's the only reason Hal is sentient and intelligent enough to think for herself.-

Optimus: ...

gDesinex: *will share what the young Decepticons in Halcyon's reality of origin were like, and the reason for that*

Optimus: *feels grief for those children who were denied the right to sentience and life*

gDesinex: *softly* -Primus has them now. And Halcyon's gotten a second chance here. She'll be wanting her comfort item soon, though.- *mental image of the pumpkin bucket the young Decepticon favors*

Optimus: *startled* She wants a trick or treating bucket?

Raoul: *glances to Kriti*

Kriti: *blink blink* Do we have one of those somewhere?

Raoul: *points to the top shelf of the cupboard, where the leftover (never shared) candy is kept*

gDesinex: -She liked it because it was orange like her, and she could stick it on her hood and go driving to scare humans late at night.-

Optimus: *disapprovingly* She'll need to learn how to interact properly with humans.

Kriti: *will go get the bucket*

Halcyon: *speaking of her, she's conked out and is sleeping*

gDesinex: -That's part of what she's going to learn here. She's getting the chance to have a childhood. A real one.- *pause, then a flash of amusement* -You might be playing catch with a few cherry bombs in the future. She admired your counterpart.-

Optimus: *facepalm* As if Chromia isn't bad enough.

gDesinex: -...- *wicked amusement* -What'd Chromia do to you?-

Optimus: *calm and stoic* Many things over the years.

gDesinex: *so much amusement* *attention going to where Kriti's dumping candy into another container* -Odds are, Hal'll be drawn to Kriti. Kriti's her older sister.-

Optimus: *nods* *quietly* I've seen how related sparks are drawn to one another.

Raoul: *mutters as he works on removing a wrecked part*

gDesinex: -She'll be alright. Primus brought her to where she'd have a chance to be who she was really meant to be. And this time, she'll have a full life.-

Optimus: Good. *glances back at the door as Mikaela hurries in with a big paper bag that's overflowing with things from the nearby street market*

Mikaela: Hi, Optimus! Are the others back yet?

Optimus: I don't think so, Mikky.

Mikaela: Oh. Well, I'll go bring this to Granny anyway. *heads for the back*

gDesinex: *amusement* -If you get stuck, the Boss is always listening.-

Optimus: *looks up again* I know. *rumbles a sigh* Is there anything else you need to tell me?

gDesinex: -She respects you. She'll be stubborn, and will definitely try and test your limits, but don't be afraid to stand firm. She'll find someone to mentor her on her own. Don't try to influence things.-

Optimus: *wryly, as he glances at a Kriti with a finger poised to jab Raoul as soon as the teen's not doing something critical* I wouldn't dream of it.

gDesinex: *soft chuckle. Then* -The local Desinex and Showtime are in the Song. They're at peace. So are Scattershot and Mistfire, but they're just the sort that can't let go while their family still needs them. They'll visit fairly regularly.-

Optimus: *nods his head* I've noticed the visits. *looks down again as Raoul grunts*

Raoul: *quizzical scowl for girlfriend as he looks up from his work*

Kriti: *innocent grin for boyfriend, will offer the plastic bucket*

gDesinex: -Things'll work out, Prime. Don't get glitchy.- *will walk away from you now, Optimus*

Optimus: *startles as he hears a yelp and the soft echo of non-existent laughter*

Raoul: The dorks are here. *attention back to his work after shrugging at the bucket*

Kriti: Desinex is gone though. She bapped Scattershot and left. *looks a bit uncertain as she fiddles with the bucket*

Halcyon: *optics flickering a bit as she wakes up. Soft sound as she sees the pumpkin bucket*

Optimus and Raoul: *look toward the orange girl's face*

Halcyon: *intent on the pumpkin bucket* *very slight twitch*

Optimus: Halcyon? Are you awake?

Halcyon: Yes. *still intent on the bucket*

Optimus: *frown* Is something troubling you?

Halcyon: *frustrated growl as she realizes there's no way she can get HER bucket*

Optimus: Halcyon?

Halcyon: *more frustrated sounds*

Kriti: *doorwings flick, then she's making a decision. Will walk over and tuck the pumpkin bucket into Halcyon's newly-installed hand*

Halcyon: ...

Optimus: *watches this in silence*

Halcyon: *very slight o.0 look for Kriti. Is trying to make sense of what just happened*

Optimus: Do you know the meaning of the word "sister", Halcyon?

Halcyon: ... Sister?

Optimus: Yes. You and Kriti share coding.

Halcyon: *very slight frown as she works this through in her head*

Raoul: Kriti, claw. *points to something fused and needing to be worked free*

Kriti: *single claw out, will carefully work on getting the part that needs worked free taken care of*

Halcyon: *raised brow ridges*

Optimus: *watches Halcyon, waiting to see how she will respond*

Halcyon: ... Desinex? *optics a bit brighter than before*

Optimus: *nod* Kriti was partly made from the local Desinex. *gently* You aren't in your original reality anymore.

Halcyon: *small scowl* Slaggin' knew that already. *intakes shakily*

Kriti: *doorwings up with worry*

Optimus: *frown* Getting agitated isn't good for you. You need to relax.

Halcyon: *quiet, shaky growl*

Kriti: *going to get the sedative gun. Has a bad feeling she'll be using it shortly*

Optimus: *sternly* You can relax, or you can be sedated.

Sparkplug: *as he hops out of Hoist and goes back to adjust something on the tow rig attached to a baby blue rag top Cadillac* I'd listen ta him.

Spike: *is a scowl from where he and Carly just stopped to look inside. Is home for lunch*

Halcyon: *optics bright, is gearing up to protest. Then she's boggling and her optics are dimming*

Kriti: *tagged her sister with a low-level sedative. Is prepared to raise the sedation level if necessary*

Optimus: *sighs and turns toward the back* Hoist, please make sure that she didn't hurt herself worse.

Kriti: *tucks the sedation gun where she can get it quickly if necessary*

Halcyon: *groggy muttering*

Hoist: *from where he's tucking the Caddy into place over the work pit and humming to himself* Of course, Optimus. Right away.

Optimus: Wheeljack, why are you laying on the floor?

Hoist: *soft snerk as he comes over to scan the orange girl*

Halcyon: *falls quiet as she studies Hoist through optics that are starting to cross from the effort of fighting the sedation*

Hattie: *looks out into the hall from where she's working on butchering the chicken Mikaela got her* 'Lo, Optimus.

Optimus: *hunkers down* Hello, Hattie. How are you feeling today?

Wheeljack: Ugh! That's its internal wiring, Mikky!

Mikaela: Guts, 'Jack. It's guts. We don't eat this part. *drops the mess in Hattie's new sink*

Hattie: *ignoring Wheeljack and Mikaela for now* Ah'm doin' alrahght. 'Ow're y'u?

Optimus: *tired eyes twinkle in a smile* I too am doing alright. Have you heard from Jake and Matthew yet?

Hattie: Th' last Ah 'eard, th'y w're work'n' 'n gittin' mah belongin's back. *small scowl* Matilda's eldest sold mah 'ouse.

Optimus: *gravely* Will you be able to get it back?

Hattie: Ah've alreadeh got mah kitchen back. All Ah'm realleh worrehed 'bout 's the th'n's mah Ma gave t' me th't 'er Ma gave t' 'er 'n 'er weddin' day.

Optimus: I see. *and then that big head lifts as he looks toward the door and Ironhide's resounding bark of greeting and warning* Someone is asking for Denver, but Sparkplug is telling them she's asleep.

Hattie: *frown. Will move to wash her hands so she can go see who's asking for Denver*

Witchblade: *is a soft squeak behind her as the green, black, and cream femme comes out of Denver and Tracks' room with Magenta*

Wheeljack: Sorry, Witchy, lemme get outta yer way.

Hattie: *comes out of her kitchen area drying her hands*

Witchblade: *slight perk* Granny. What's going on?

Magenta: *mumble that includes "NanNan" as she rubs her face on her aunty's shoulder*

Hattie: S'me'un's 'eah t' see Denver.

Witchblade: *looks over her shoulder, and then back down to Hattie* Oh...

Sparkplug: *voice can be heard. He's arguing*

Optimus: *looks that way with a frown*

Hattie: Ah'll show 'em th' doah. *moves to gently patpat Witchblade's leg* 'Ave y'u et?

Witchblade: *nod nod* I think I had too much.

Magenta: *self satisfied sound from the bitty. Can you guess what she's been doing, and how much bio diesel is left for her parents?*

Hattie: *blink. Blink. Soft snerk* Oh, Magenta. Didja feed Witchblade all'a th' food?

Magenta: *without lifting her head* Ah'm not crimmynatin'.

Wheeljack: *chuckles and goes to see what there is for fuel in the store room*

Hattie: *laughs and shakes her head* Silleh girl.

Sparkplug: *voice raised in argument again*

Hattie: *frown. Will move to head for the door*

Sparkplug: *blustering at a pale woman with long silvery hair and dark sunglasses* Denver's asleep, I tell ya.

woman: *quietly* My orders are to give it only to Denver.

Sparplug: I toldya...

Hattie: *hands on hips* Who're y'u, 'n who sent y'u? *so much frown*

woman: *turns toward her with a slight start*

Sparkplug: *also turns toward Hattie, frowning* She says she's got mail for Denver, but she won't leave it.

Hattie: Denver's sleepin'. *so serious* Who're y'u?

woman: *slight smile* Nexus mail. But I can give the parcel to you, too.

Hattie: *bit of a wary look in her eyes as she studies the unfamiliar woman*

woman: *slight, shy smile as she holds out a package wrapped in brown paper that seems to be addressed in Denver's own handwriting*

Hattie: *surprised blink, will reach for the offered parcel*

woman: *hands it over, and then... just isn't there*

Sparkplug: Ack!

Hattie: *startles*

Sparkplug: *turns toward Hattie with wide eyes* Did you see that??

Hattie: *wide eyed as well* Ah w's jes' 'bout t' ask y'u th' same th'n'!

Witchblade: *wonderingly* She wasn't a ghost. But she seemed kinda sparkle-y.

Hattie: ...

Magenta: *is actually smiling as she looks at where the woman had been*

Ironhide: *comes out, and then sniffs where the woman had been and whines*

Hattie: *will study the package*

package: *return address says that it's from "D Irons"*

Hattie: *blinks, trying to remember why that seems familiar... and then she's snerking* *to Sparklplug* Ah know who sent th's.

Sparkplug: Yeah? *slight frown as he takes off his cap and rubs his head*

Hattie: A friend'a th' famileh.

Sparkplug: *frowns* That doesn't explain what just happened ta that lady that brought it.

Magenta: Go 'ome.

Hattie: *slight shrug* Ah guess.

Magenta: *pout* Go 'ome!

Witchblade: Oh yeah. Mikky wants to know what to do with the chicken guts.

Hattie: Ah'll cook up wh't ah c'n, 'n th' rest'll go t' th' dog 'n cat.

Sparkplug: *as he turns to go inside* Good luck makin' them eat 'em.

Bumblebee: *looks over from where he and Windcharger have the TV and the Telstar set up to one side of the door* *chuckles*

Windcharger: *just meeps as he misses keeping the little pixel ball from going past*

Hattie: *a bit puzzled by Sparkplug's response, but will head back to the kitchen*


meanwhile, in another place and another time


Mauler: *just paused in mid-charge and looked up at nothing as he fell on his bottom. Clicks to the smiling lady he can see*

Optimus: *frowns that way watchfully* Desinex?

gShowtime: *is that gentle touch to your hand, Optimus. Have a snippet of the Song and a friendly greeting*

Optimus: *quickly turns his head* Who are you?

gShowtime: -My designation is Showtime. I don't think there's a version of me in this reality, though.-

Optimus: *gravely* In this reality?

Mauler: *can you see me waving?*

gShowtime: *as she twinkles her fingers and flutters her doorwings in a wave for Mauler* -There's more than one reality. Different stories go different ways, maybe someone turns left instead of right... Perceptor could explain it better.-

Optimus: *blinks* I see. Why are you here? *glances toward a baby chortle*

gShowtime: -I was confirming something a friend of mine mentioned, and Primus asked me to begin explaining about the multiverse, as well as bring you news of Halcyon.-

Optimus: *sucks in air* Halcyon is dead.

gShowtime: *gently* -In this reality, she is. Primus intervened and took her to a similar reality, where she's getting a chance to be a child as she should have gotten to be.-

Optimus: *optics dim* That's... possible?

Mauler: *pauses to frown up at him*

gShowtime: -It is.- *will share images of Halcyon interacting with a version of Raoul who has unusually-colored eyes for his ethnicity, and a dark blue femme with purple optics*

Optimus: *sadness suddenly tempered with wry humour* That pail...

gShowtime: *slight exasperation* -One of the other ferrymen has already warned your counterpart about the cherry bombs.-

Optimus: *sad again* She was only a child. And she never actually harmed us.

gShowtime: -That was the part of her coding that was Autobot coding. And now she's going to be around people who are better influences than the Decepticons were. She's safe.-

Optimus: *quietly* I'm glad. *then lifts his chin slightly* You spoke of... "ferrymen"?

gShowtime: -Yes. We guide those who are ready to join the Song.-

Optimus: *surprised and concerned* I had thought that Primus called the dead to himself.

Mauler: *bouncing on his butt* Uh, uh, uh. *exercising baby*

gShowtime: -Sometimes people get lost on their way to Primus, or sometimes they have unfinished business.-

Optimus: *frowning* I see. *then glances toward the door as a wail of terror comes from the other side of it*

Sunstreaker: *retreating into the distance* Doooon't leeeet heerrr geeeet meeeeeee!!!

gShowtime: -She's still hiding. She's not ready to join the Song yet.-

Optimus: *quick acknowledgement of her words, and then he's striding across the room to pick a little black bitlet with silver trim out of the box that the tiny had been sleeping in* Shhhh, Diehard. Everything's alright.

Diehard: *wibbles and clings*

Mauler: *encouraging talk for his friend*

gShowtime: *partially fading from sight as she listens and asks Primus if there's a version of herself here or someone who can come and help Sunstreaker*

Primus: *Sunstreaker's help will be born soon.*

gShowtime: *surprised, asks if she has permission to share the news*

Primus: *thinks it would be best to just say someone's coming who will help*

gShowtime: *small nod, focuses attention back on Optimus, Diehard and Mauler* Someone is coming who will help Sunstreaker. They'll be here soon.

Optimus: *looks up curiously from where he's down on one knee rocking his son* Who is it?

gShowtime: Primus hasn't said yet, just that they'll help Sunstreaker, and that they'll be here soon.

Optimus: I see. *looks back down at the bitty he's holding* Can you tell me where Desinex is?

gShowtime: *listening for a moment to make sure of the location, and to see if she has permission to reveal that* *quietly, feeling a bit sad at the memories the Decepticon ghost is focusing on* Desinex is inside Teletraan-1. She's not yet aware of my presence here.

Optimus: 0_o What's she doing in the computer?

gShowtime: Letting go.

Optimus: *softly, as he looks down at his son again* Ah.

gShowtime: Give her a few more days, then go talk to her. She'll be more willing to listen then.

Optimus: *quiet and gruff* Alright.

Mauler: Yabba babba doo! :D

Optimus: *snerk. Can't help it*

gShowtime: *soft chuckle* Everything will be alright. Things are changing for the better.

Mauler: *Barny Rubble yuck yuck*

Optimus: *wipes away a tear, and his voice holds quiet laughter* Good. I'm glad.

gShowtime: *gentle patpat on your arm, and then she's fading and leaving the reality*

((Written with random_xtras))