ToS and Backwater Nexus. S.H.I.E.L.D. Base and Backwater Mall. Family Reunion

[dens_extra_pups]

Tracks: *grimacing from the taste of the pickled garlic that Denver just stuffed in his mouth. Is making a really hilarious face as he taps on Will's door*

William: *coming to the door, a thick hardcover version of "Lord of the Rings" in hand*

Eowyn: *crooning from her perch on Mama's shoulder. Likes the story Mama's been reading her*

Tracks: *finds some garlic in a tooth and grimaces again*

William: ... *raised brow* It's not that bad of a story, Tracks. *yup, he's still capable of snarking, even as a human adolescent*

Eowyn: -Stinky.-

Tracks: *gives William a narrow look, and then pokes the garlic in his hand into the boy's mouth*

William: *startled squawk* *and now he's pulling faces, too!*

Eowyn: *SCOLDIES*

Tracks: I think I prefer the other pickle flavours. *offers a bit of pickled sausage to the little scolder*

William: *pleh, pleh, pleh, ptooi*

Eowyn: *not sure she wants the offered nom, big person!*

Tracks: Oh come on. This is meat... *shudder* But it's from the gentle crock.

Eowyn: *okay, maybe nom a little*

sausage: *mild and soo flavourful. Has been sitting in natural sauerkraut juice*

Tracks: *softly* There, that isn't so bad now, is it?

Eowyn: *happy croons now! All is forgiven, big person!*

William: *cleared his mouth of the taste of pickled garlic* Is there something you need help with, Tracks?

Tracks: *offers the boy the rest of the sausages that he'd brought* Actually, I was wondering if you needed anything in the Backwater. *yes, he's one of the visitors to that place*

William: *blinks and accepts the rest of the sausage* ... *small frown* I can't think of anything I'd need from there that I couldn't get here... *pause* *quieter* Unless you can find out what happened to the rest of my family?

Tracks: *scratches his cheekbone and watches Eowyn slide off William's shoulder and into the handful of sausage* I wouldn't doubt there'd be someone who could find out- the place is connected to every time and place. But I was actually headed for the pet stores.

William: *blinks* ... *and then he's going wide-eyed as he realizes what Tracks is asking* It's alright if I come with?

Tracks: *smiles and offers William a pass to leave base* I think that could be arranged.

William: *small grin* *will reach for the pass*

Eowyn: *happy crooning as she noms the nummy noms*

Tracks: *hands it over and then turns slightly and offers his elbow* Don't forget to warn her.

William: *small nod, will talk quietly to Eowyn, even as he moves to hold the swamp dragon close to his chest. Then he'll reach for the offered elbow*

Eowyn: *croons and chirps*

Tracks: *watches with a slight smile* Ready?

William: *nods* I think we're ready.

Eowyn: -Go, go, go!-

William: *amused* *to Tracks* Eowyn says we should go.

Tracks: Well, then, let's not disappoint the lady. *goes to the Backwater Mall*

Eowyn: *croons and sings*

William: *looking around curiously*

Tracks: *exchanges a nod with a huge and hideous yellow bot, then looks at William* So... Cybernetic pet store first? Or organic?

William: ... Organic. *a bit surprised by the huge yellow bot, but he's learned it's not polite to stare*

Tracks: That's... *looks around* This way. *heads toward what looks like an elevator in the middle of the gallery*

William: *hurrying after Tracks, Eowyn crooning happily between bites of sausage*

Tracks: *waits for the boy, and steps into the device beside him, then watches as the scenery changes outside the door*

William: *wide eyed now*

Tracks: *chivvies William out of the thing, and then looks around*

William: *cuddling Eowyn close now, and clicking softly*

Tracks: Ah, there it is. *stops to frown at William as he registers lack of commentary*

William: *quietly* I've never been to this part of the Backwater...

Tracks: *kindly* Oh. Did you know that the Backwater is a world?

William: *small headshake*

Tracks: *comforting hand on the shoulder* And this mall is a world itself.

Eowyn: *croon*

William: *another small nod*

Tracks: Are you going to be alright?

William: Yes. I'll be alright.

Tracks: Alright... *blinks at what Eowyn just did*

William: *surprised sound as he's fed sausage*

Eowyn: *crooons!*

Tracks: ...So what do you think? *is getting better at controlling his ick response to the eating of dead animals*

William: *after he finishes the bite in his mouth* It's more pleasant than the garlic.

Tracks: *funny face at the thought* Yes. Well... *starts toward the pet store*

William: *soft chuckle, moves to follow*

pet store: *cheerfully noisy as they come in. A young dog that's fourteen hands tall comes to meet them and offer a massive paw*

William: *blinks and 'shakes hands' with the dog*

pup: *does the head duck and wags her tail slightly, then looks over as Aria comes to greet the customers*

Aria: *notice for the boy holding the pet first* Hi, is there anything I can help you with?

William: *blink* Er...

Tracks: *frown* What the deuce are you wearing?

Aria: *looks up, then understands and holds up her arm* *of the creature wrapped around it* It's a worm with tentacles around her mouth. They're working pets from another world, that are usually trained and kept by scientists.

William: ... *raised brow as an idea comes to him* Are there any pets that would be good for scientists, that would be able to assist them with their jobs?

Aria: What sort of jobs?

William: Well, Jemma is a biologist... And Leo specializes in robotics...

Aria: What sort of work does Jemma do?

William: *will list off projects he's seen the scientist work on*

Aria: *soft chuckle, and indicates the worm*

William: I don't know if that would be a good idea... As amusing as the idea of Agent Ward screaming like a young girl is. *yes, Tracks. William can be devious at times*

Aria: Ahhh. The only other pets that I've ever had who could help with science were sentient.

William: *small frown* Oh.

Aria: *looks over her shoulder, obviously mentally running over her stock*

pup: ... *slurp a William gently*

Aria: *frowning slightly with disappointment as she turns back* Yeah. They're all sentient, or slightly creepy looking.

William: *small nod, absently frowning as he thinks*

Aria: You could try the Cyber Pets shop.

William: Alright...

Eowyn: *croons and snuggles Mama*

Aria: *smiles, and then quickly goes over to a bin and then a shelf before returning and offering William a tiny plush dragon and a little can marked "Swamp Dragon Supplement"* Here. You'll need this, and they like these.

William: *blink!* Thank you. *will reach for the offered items*

Aria: *makes sure he has them* *softly* You know she's sentient, right?

William: *small nod* *quietly* Yes. I found out after she decided I was her mother.

Eowyn: -Mama.-

Aria: Then why are you closed to other sentient pets?

William: *ducks his head* *quieter* I'm already in trouble for not telling people my age when I first joined S.H.I.E.L.D.

Aria: *sympathy and a hug*

Tracks: So, do you have a smaller worm?

William: *soft clicks*

Eowyn: -Snuggles!- *crooning and chirping now*

Aria: *chuckles and gently waves the tiny dragon plushy at the baby swamp dragon* *to Tracks* I have a male.

Tracks: So exactly how do the... lovely little things help with science?

William: *will help Eowyn grab the plushy*

Eowyn: *so surprised as her new friend talks to her* *chirp!*

Aria: *soft chuckle* Yes, he crinkles. *looks up at Tracks* They're trained to recognize over three thousand elements and compounds.

Tracks: *doubtfully* Three thousand.

Aria: *pats Will, and then walks away to a tank near the front counter*

Tracks: *looks at the pup who's still sitting nearby* I don't suppose I could interest you in eating a boor named Ward?

pup: *head tilty?*

William: *no comment on that, Tracks. Is pretending that he didn't hear it*

Eowyn: -Crinkle!- *makes her new friend crinkle*

Aria: *back with a fat little book, and a much tinier worm who is trying hard to reach his tail around her wrist* Here's his book. It shows all the things he can recognize, and his trained reactions to them.

worm: *squiggle! Try again!*

Tracks: *takes book and looks at it, his brows steadily raising*

Aria: *looks toward the door* Oh, hi, Frosty. Oliver's not here right now.

William: *looks up from Eowyn and her new plushie*

Frosty: *slender, tiny, and doll-like, with a painted on pale blue jumpsuit, and short white hair that's standing on end. Curious eyes the colour of the sea study Will and his little friend* That's alright. I'm just here to look around.

Aria: Oh. Alright. *grins and turns back to Tracks*

William: *doesn't realize he's clicking softly as he studies Frosty*

Frosty: *slight frown* You don't look Cybertronian.

William: *ducks his head a bit* I ran afoul of an LOL.

Frosty: *slender brows lift* Eesh. What's your name?

William: Which one? I have my true designation and the identity I assume in alternate mode.

Frosty: The one your mentor gave you.

William: Quadriate Tertian Hydrolinear Ascendant.

Frosty: *quietly* Quadriate Tertian Sub Zero Shock.

William: *boggles and squeaks with surprise*

Eowyn: *sees a new word in Mama's mind* -Sissy?-

Frosty: *still quiet* And I'm from the same reality as you.

William: *soft sound, moves to cling*

Frosty: *arms gently around him and the little dragon* *quiet clicks*

Tracks: *looks over from where he'd moved to the counter. Frowns and dots at what's going on with William*

William: *shivering a bit as he hugs his older sister* *quietly* I don't know where everyone else is... *so upset about that*

Frosty: *softly* I don't know either. I haven't even been in the reality since the colony was hit.

William: *quieter* Maritime and JakeBrake made Depth Charge, Calypso, Downrush, Deluge 'n me get on a ship. *shivers and hides his face against you, Frosty*

Frosty: The last thing I remember was a *beep* of an explosion.

William: *quiet clicks*

gruff voice: I'm gonna hurl.

Frosty: *freezes*

William: *startles badly*

Eowyn: *hisses at the peeps who spooked Mama and Mama's Sissy!*

blue bot: *scowls at the tiny creature* ...Nice.

William: *trembling now, and looking a bit pale*

Frosty: Depth Charge, don't be a jerk.

blue bot: *is Depth Charge* *is also looking hurt*

Eowyn: *fussing about Mama now!*

Tracks: Alright, someone had better start explaining.

Eowyn: *fuss!*

Frosty: *quietly* I'm WakeJumper's sister. This jerk is his brother.

Depth Charge: *thundercloud face*

Eowyn: *MOAR FUSS*

William: *his knees just buckled*

Tracks: *catches the boy, shouldering Frosty aside as he does* *shortly* You two better grab the dog and the goat and touch me.

Depth Charge: Wait a minute, I...

Frosty: Shut up and do it.

Depth Charge: *growls and does it*

William: *woozy*

Eowyn: *FUSSING*

Tracks: *brings everyone to the Motor Pool*

pup: *looks toward the sound of a quiet snore*

Eowyn: *FUSS!*

William: *needs to sit down, plz*

Tracks: *gently readjusts his hold on the boy so that he's cradling him* *to Depth Charge* You stay here. *to Frosty* You come with me. *turns and walks out, followed by the goat*

pup: *watches them go, and then looks up at Depth Charge*

Depth Charge: ... Okay. *confused and a bit bewildered now*

pup: *quirks one eyebrow, and then the other. Then makes a soft, whispered, "Oof!"*

Depth Charge: ... *shrug* I have no idea what just happened. *looks around*

pup: *looks around, and then walks over and paws at the big guy making sleepy sounds*

Optimus: *blinks and lifts his head, being careful not to shake the woman who's sleeping between his other arm and his side* ...What?

Depth Charge: Er... It's a dog. *no, he doesn't fully get what that means, he just knows that that's what the other guy called the critter*

Optimus: *frowns toward the voice* ...Depth Charge.

Depth Charge: *small nod* Yeah... I don't even know anymore, sir.

Optimus: *sits up slowly, trying to move his arm carefully enough so as to not wake Elita*

Elita: *sighs and gets comfortable again*

Optimus: *looks down with relief, and then back to Depth Charge* Report.

Depth Charge: *will report everything that happened from when he woke up* First thing I remember is waking up after the ship broke up. I wasn't sure what planet I was on, but turns out I wasn't even on a planet. Accordin' ta some'a the people I talked to, I landed in some "Backwater Nexus"...

Optimus: *frowns* How long ago?

Depth Charge: 'Cordin' ta my chronometer, four cycles ago.

Optimus: *quietly* It's been over two standard years since your ship was destroyed.

Depth Charge: ... *confused* That can't be right.

Optimus: It is though. *absently lifts the hand he'd been leaning on and pets the furry head that was rooting under it*

pup: *wag. Has pets*

Depth Charge: ... The scrap... How is that possible? *upset and stressing now*

Optimus: Time is irrelevant in the nexxi. *absently helps pup into his lap*

pup: *wag. Lay down and put her chin on her paws*

Depth Charge: ... And why the scrap is Quadriate Tertian Hydrolinear Ascendant squishy?!

Optimus: Most of the bots on base are.

Depth Charge: ... You're slaggin' jokin'.

Optimus: I am not. *gently stops pup from licking Elita*

Elita: *absent sound*

Depth Charge: ...

Optimus: The bodies are more efficient, and enable them to fit better on our new homeworld.

Depth Charge: ... *would be doing the dial tone sound if he knew of its existence*

Optimus: *reaches over and pokes him*

Depth Charge: *topples over. He's had a few too many sudden changes to deal with right now*

Optimus: *looks down at Elita* You're awake. Tell me what you think.

Elita: *looks up from gently mashing one of the puppy's ears* I think someone's been intervening on our behalf again.

Optimus: What do you mean?

Elita: If Depth Charge was brought to the Nexus before he died, someone had to have been watching, similar to how Legacy does.

Optimus: From what I've deducted from the data I was able to access, the Backwater seems to do that under its own volition.

pup: *whispered "oof" as she sees a person walking over*

Elita: *looks to see who the pup is barking at*

Eclipse: *stops short at the "oof", soft clicks*

Optimus: *just spoke to Tracks and learnt that this dog is meant for him* *gently* Whisper won't hurt you, Eclipse.

Eclipse: *more soft clicks, will move to approach... only to stop short again when she sees a bot she doesn't recognize*

Optimus: *as Whisper's tail thumps gently against his leg* Depth Charge has just come home.

Eclipse: *puzzled blink. Doesn't know anyone by that designation*

Optimus: *slight smile* He's William's older brother.

Eclipse: *blink. BLINK!* *soft clicks*

Optimus: Just a moment, I have a call. *lets Elita hear it when he sees who it's from*

Fury: //PRIME, DO YOU WANT TO TELL ME WHAT THE *BEEPITY* A GOAT IN A *BEEP*ING FORCE FIELD IS DOING ON MY DESK?????//

Optimus: //No.// *click*

Elita: *snickerfit, hides face against husband's armor*

Eclipse: ... *puzzled again, will move to scale Optimus' leg*

Optimus: *takes his hand off of Whisper to help the sparklet up* *quietly* William's not feeling well right now.

Eclipse: *wibble* *more soft clicks*

Optimus: Do you have Werther's?

Eclipse: *blinks and begins checking her pockets* *chirps softly and holds up a few of the gold plastic-wrapped candies*

Optimus: *smiles* Why don't you bring them to him?

Eclipse: *nod nod, headtilt and an asking chirp*

Optimus: He's in his quarters.

Eclipse: *another nod, then she's moving to climb down so she can bring William the candies*

Optimus: *watches her go, and then sighs and scootches back against the wall to resume his "napping" and net surfing*

((Written with random_xtras))