Backwater Nexus. Black Dog and nkosDenver's place. Gathering of Dragons

[dens_extra_pups]

dtBlackout: *steps are loud on the porch floor as she stalks across it beside Flashpoint, her boot soles echoing in the silence as cybernetics and organics stop what they're doing to look at her* *calm amusement from behind her helmet* I thought you said they'd seen dragons here.

dtFlashpoint: *chuckles* Th'y know 'n Alpha wh'n th'y see 'un.

dtBlackout: You said that I have a name sister here. *pauses and looks up calmly as a black behemoth kneels in front of her*

bot: *big grin* Name's Dreadnought, Mama. Gimme a hug?

dtBlackout: *amused snort as she steps forward and hugs what she can reach*

Dreadnought: *happy sound*

dtFlashpoint: *more chuckle* Th't's 'un 'f 'er kids. *to Dreadnought* 'S yer Ma 'round?

Dreadnought: Nah. We got bugs ta stomp. I jes' hadta pick somethin' up. *grin for Flashpoint and Blackout*

dtBlackout: *pats him and steps back* Don't dawdle, bratling.

Dreadnought: *stands and salutes* You got it, Mama. *a last grin for the two of them, and then he's striding away*

dtFlashpoint: *laughs about that*

dtBlackout: *watches the boy go, wishing she could keep him*

dtFlashpoint: *as she catches her breath from laughing* Th' place looks 't th' local y'u, too. Jes' not 's much, 'cause th'y know 'er.

dtBlackout: Ah. *steps into the building and sweeps it with her gaze, causing silence and quizzical looks all around the room* *quirks a brow as she sees an ancient, white-haired woman's interested stare*

dtFlashpoint: *attention going to the white-haired ancient as the woman says something to the red and blue behemoth holding her and gestures to Blackout* ... *small frown*

dtBlackout: *to Flashpoint, without looking at her* Is the youngling here?

dtFlashpoint: Sh'ld be 'eah soon. Ah sent word...

dtBlackout: *nods and strides toward the old woman and the red and blue dragon man*

bbnsUltra Magnus: *frowns as he sees the tall strong woman in the spiky armour turn toward his table* She's coming this way.

Old Lady Yau: *small nod, moves to put herself between the approaching woman and Kriti*

bbnsKriti: *squeak!*

dtBlackout: *pauses at a polite distance and then shifts*

bbnsUltra Magnus: *chokes back a low-voiced exclamation of surprise* A Thetadrach!

Old Lady Yau: *sitting up a bit straighter as she realizes something* Deherre's mot'er.

bbnsUltra Magnus: *looks down at her sharply* What?

Old Lady Yau: *seriously* Look't 'er.

bbnsUltra Magnus: *does so, and then looks at his coordinate finder* *quietly, as he slips out of his chair and rises to his feet* Warlady. They remember you in the village.

dtBlackout: *sucks in breath* They live, then.

bbnsUltra Magnus: Yes. The Decepticons don't dare go into those mountains.

dtBlackout: *slow smile that holds satisfaction and sadness* Good.

dtFlashpoint: *bit of a frown* *to Blackout* D' y'u know th's gah?

dtBlackout: I know of him. *soft snerk* He's from the place that I left.

bbnsUltra Magnus: *gruff but kindly courtesy. To the black-haired woman who looks human* Who are you?

dtFlashpoint: Flashpoint o' Meadowbrook 'n th' Mountain Kingdoms.

bbnsUltra Magnus: *inclines his head* Autobot Ultra Magnus. *one hand back to the table* My wife and my youngest daughter, Kae Yau and Kriti.

dtFlashpoint: *amused snerk, eyes sparkling* Th' Yau Ah know's mah daughtah, 'n th' Kriti Ah know's mah niece. 'N yer Name Brot'er's a lout.

bbnsUltra Magnus: *dryly* That last doesn't surprise me. *looks at Kae Yau as he hears a small sound from her past Kriti's quiet chat*

Old Lady Yau: Yer the people me sister was arter talkin' about, the one as adopted anudder 'o us.

dtFlashpoint: *raised brow* Mama Yau tol' us wh't th' li'l bit needed t' be 'ealt'y.

Old Lady Yau: *small nod* She would.

dtBlackout: So what do they call you?

bbnsUltra Magnus: *emotion deepens his voice as he thinks of his wife's chosen fate* They call her the Living Fire.

dtBlackout: *quizzical frown as she senses the pain in his utterance*

Old Lady Yau: *quietly* The T'etacons've been dreamin' o' a livin' flame t'at was arter endin' the war on yer 'omeworld.

dtBlackout: *frown deepens* That's you?

Old Lady Yau: *nod* Aye. I's Ifiri. 'N I won't survive the battle.

dtFlashpoint: *soft sound of shock*

dtBlackout: *scowls* Give the baby to your husband.

bbnsUltra Magnus: *protective frown as he looks to Kae Yau*

Old Lady Yau: *will try and encourage Kriti to go to Ultra Magnus*

bbnsKriti: *squeakerfit!*

bbnsUltra Magnus: *remembers the anti-violence field and holds out his hand to the little one*

bbnsKriti: *squeak squeak squeak!* *will reluctantly go to Daddy* *and then she'll squeak sassily at Blackout*

dtBlackout: *soothing rumble to the baby, and then turns her attention back to Kae Yau*

bbnsUltra Magnus: *rumbles and absently puts Kriti behind his chestplate as he sees that Blackout's eyes have begun to glow*

Old Lady Yau: *small frown as she realizes Blackout's eyes have started glowing*

dtBlackout: *to Kae Yau* Hold still. Let me give you what you need to stay with him.

bbnsUltra Magnus: ... *deep and uneasy scowl*

Old Lady Yau: ... *raised brow, will sit as still as she can. She knows Blackout won't try to harm her, but she's still a little uncertain*

dtFlashpoint: *attention going to the young counterpart she invited to meet Blackout when the youngster approaches her*

Denver: *a bit uneasy now. She noticed a change in the air once she entered the Black Dog, and she's not sure what's going on*

Waterbaby: *clinging to Denver's back, only fingers, toes, fuzzy hair, and big eyes visible* *shrieks and ducks as a flash of light suddenly flies from Blackout to Kae Yau*

bbnsUltra Magnus: *shout of protest as his wings flare

Old Lady Yau: *startled curse as she bursts into flame*

bbnsKriti: *SQUEAKERFIT!*

Denver: *ditto on the shriek!*

dtFlashpoint: *calmly pulling the teen and her baby close for a reassuring hug*

dtBlackout: *pushes aside Ultra Magnus' wing to put her hand over the flame* Contain yourself, woman.

Old Lady Yau: *unintentionally says something pert in Ifiri as she solidifies, looking very spooked now*

dtBlackout: There. *moves her hand and steps back* *to Ultra Magnus* Stop being so tragic.

bbnsUltra Magnus: *shaking with protective anger and confusion as he stares at the Thetadrach woman*

Old Lady Yau: *going to fuss over you and check your hand, Ultra Magnus*

bbnsUltra Magnus: *can't help himself, she's been picked up and dropped behind his chestplate with Kriti before she's had time to say three words*

bbnsKriti: *squeaking muchly right now! Upset babby, is!*

Old Lady Yau: *trying to calm the bitlet down, startles herself by yawning hard enough that her jaw pops*

bbnsKriti: *saw teefs! Must talk about teefs!*

Old Lady Yau: *reassuring Kriti, even as she yawns again*

bbnsKriti: *squeakerfit, will snuggle Mama* *and hold up her new fuzzy leaf*

Old Lady Yau: *consternation as she yawns again*

bbnsKriti: *beeeeeg yawn , snuggles Mama and Daddy*

dtBlackout: *turns away from Ultra Magnus' rumbling concern over his family, her eyes dim with sadness for a moment before they land on Flashpoint's young alternate and light again. Walks over to study the girl and the child on her back*

Waterbaby: *no baby here!*

dtFlashpoint: *talking quietly to Denver, reassuring her that there's no danger*

Denver: *trembling very slightly*

dtBlackout: What are you shaking about, child?

Waterbaby: *looks up at that being of wild and savage beauty and then hides more*

Denver: *ducks her head and takes several deep breaths*

dtFlashpoint: *quietly* 'T's lahk wh'n Bitteh tol' us th' trut' 'bout 'er 'eritage....

dtBlackout: *soft snort* Take the baby.

dtFlashpoint: *reassuring nkosDenver, will offer cuddles to Waterbaby*

Waterbaby: *pouting look of enquiry for her not-mama* *does baby have to go?*

dtFlashpoint: *gently* 'S jes f'r a li'l bit whal Auntie 'elps y'ur Ma.

Denver: *quietly, still a bit spooked* G-Go wit' 'er.

Waterbaby: *so much pout as she reaches one wing arm to the lady who looks and smells like her not-mama*

dtFlashpoint: *reassuring hum as she cradles the little one close*

dtBlackout: *fishes out a piece of gold* Get her something. *to nkosDenver* Come with me. *turns toward the door*

dtFlashpoint: *nods and moves to bring Waterbaby to the bar for a treat*

Denver: *hesitates for a moment, then moves to follow, still looking very uneasy*

dtBlackout: *leads the way out to the field between the warehouse and the aspen bush, taking care to stay away from the MLP village and Ibrahim's house, then turns and faces nkosDenver again as she resumes her armour and human form* *reaches up to remove her helmet and then frown at the girl

Denver: *startled sound at the transformation*

dtBlackout: What's the problem? *helmet under her arm*

Denver: Y... Y'u're....

dtBlackout: A dragon. Yes.

Denver: *kind of dumbfounded right now*

dtBlackout: *snorts* Flashpoint says you picked a fight with your name sister.

Denver: ...She stahted 't. *bit of a sulk starting*

dtBlackout: How? *slight mocking in her tone*

Denver: She got 'n mah way 'n w'ldn't move.

dtBlackout: *snorts again* Did the crying afterward drain the fight out of you? Or are you going to jump on the next name sister that catches your eye?

Denver: *scowls a bit*

dtBlackout: You're a bitter little *girl dog*.

Denver: *more scowl* *bleep* y'u.

dtBlackout: *folds her arms, helmet in hand, and plants her feet* *sternly* You're not my type.

Denver: *eyes narrow and begin to glow, though she doesn't seem aware of that* Wasn't 'n offer, *bleep*.

dtBlackout: *the red flickers softly at the back of her own eyes, but she continues stern* And what gives you the right to call me that?

Denver: *more scowl* 'N wh't gives y'u th' rahght t' 'arass me? *shaking a bit now, but not from fright*

dtBlackout: So, if someone calls you to task, it's harassment. Yet it's right for you to shove others around because you're feeling sorry for yourself?

Denver: *low growl, eyes flashing. The air around her seems to be contracting and becoming charged with a strange energy*

dtBlackout: *quiet snort* And as the nearest Elder I have the right to call you to task. Something as young as you shouldn't have been left to yourself.

Denver: *through gritted teeth, is trying not to cry now* Fat lott'a good 'avin' 'n adult 'round'd do.

dtBlackout: You show your immaturity and ignorance with everything you say.

Denver: Ah've 'ad 'nough experience t' know adults jes' break promises 'n lah 'bout th'n's! *angry now, and the strange energy is swirling around her as a fine sheen of ruby-colored scales begins to appear on her arms*

dtBlackout: *even more sternly to cover how her heart aches at the girl's pain and the thought of how her own eldest daughter must have felt when she didn't return that day so long ago* Ignorance.

Denver: *as more and more scales begin to sweep over her body and the energy around her contracts even tighter* Ah ain't ignorant!

dtBlackout: *steels herself against compassion and gives a doubtful snort*

Denver: Y'u don' know me, 'r wh't Ah've been through! *lunges at the taller woman. The contracting energy finally releases in an audible snapping and crackling, and with the release of energy, the teenager is changing. She goes from humanoid in shape to a form that's long and sleek looking, covered in shimmering, ruby-colored scales from nose to the tip of her finned tail. It's clear that she's meant more for speed and maneuverability in the water as opposed to moving gracefully on land, but at this point, she's upset enough that she'd likely struggle either way*

dtBlackout: *shifts as soon as she sees Denver do it, then braces her legs against the lunge* And do you know what your Name Sister has been through? Or I?

Denver: *wasn't anticipating that the dark woman would turn into a dragon as well, and thus, she collides with Blackout. The result of the collision is that she's knocked loopy and is now having trouble getting back to her feet*

dtBlackout: *grabs the girl by the back of the neck and scowls into her eyes to make sure she's alright*

Denver: *gives herself a shake, and now she's trying to get out of your grip, Blackout. Oh, and she's growling and hissing as she squirms and thrashes*

dtBlackout: *relieved prayer of thanks even as she gives Denver a good shake* Do you know what it feels like to know that you will never see your child again till the worlds end? Do you know what it feels like to know that the only way to save those you love is to leave them? *shake!* Do you ?

Denver: *growls and hisses sound funny when someone's getting shaken! It's not just anger that's fueling her escape attempt, Blackout. She's panicked and freaking out at her very first shift*

dtBlackout: *compassion would show through the scowl now, if the girl could see it* *shakes her again* Do you know what it's like to be treated like extraneous garbage by your family, only to have them try and snatch you away from the family that you found to replace what they never were?

Denver: *low hissssss, writhes and then she's lashing out and trying to bite. Your words hit a little too close to home, Blackout. She's also crying a bit now*

dtBlackout: *last shake, though it's not as hard as the others, is hoping that wall that she can see Denver's built will be breached by this last dig* Do you think you're the only person in the multiverse to have trouble? Or maybe you're some sort of deity, so you get special privileges?

Denver: *soft sound as she goes still, thoughts going to Knockout and Waterbaby, as well as Jack and the other humans*

dtBlackout: *lifts her slightly and looks at her, then wraps her in a hug of arms and wings* *no words, just hugs*

Denver: *shivers and cries*

dtBlackout: *the smoldering coals of her own eyes are wet as she holds the girl, and she'll hold Denver and offer support till that torrent of hurt has all gushed out*

Denver: *cries for a very long time. As she cries, she trembles and her breath hitches a few times. By the time she's done crying due to wearing herself out, she's also started to hiccough softly, her head resting on Blackout's shoulder*

dtBlackout: *brow ridge starts lifting as the hiccoughs continue*

Denver: *wincing and hiccoughing, but is too worn out to do much more than lay still*

dtBlackout: *shifts Denver so that she can see the girl's face* *gruffly* How do you feel?

Denver: *quietly, between hiccoughs* Tahred.

dtBlackout: *nods* *quiet and gently stern* Are you going to be pushing people around any more?

Denver: *small headshake* No.

dtBlackout: Good. Here. *grabs Denver's muzzle, holds it shut, and then roars at her*

Denver: *muffled squeak!*

dtBlackout: *lets go the muzzle to see if the hiccoughs are still there*

Denver: *no more hics, at least!*

dtBlackout: *nod of approval* *quietly* I wish I could stay with you. But I sense someone nearby who can.

Denver: *tired confusion* Huh?

dtBlackout: I was only allowed to come here to speak with you. *quiet growl deep in her throat* I can't stay.

Denver: Oh.

dtBlackout: *hugs the girl again, letting Denver feel how much compassion she feels, how much understanding and empathy. And how much she wishes that she could be Denver's mentor*

Denver: *wibbles and tries to hug as well as she can*

dtBlackout: *holds Denver like the mother she is for a long moment, then looks up as she senses someone drawing near, the almost forgotten feeling of awe making itself known as she feels the power in him*

Denver: *lifts her head slightly to look, curiosity in her expression in addition to weariness*

Scattor: *silent quirk of browplates at the two women, and then a nod*

dtBlackout: *gruffly* One of the old ones.

Scattor: *amused* -Young one, though.-

Denver: *quietly* Old 'uns?

dtBlackout: Guardian Fae, like my ancestor.

Scattor: -I'm Changeling, but Guardian Fae. Blackout's ancestor was fullblood, long time ago.-

Denver: *quietly, eyelids beginning to droop* Oh. *doesn't understand what you mean entirely, but she's too tired to wonder about it too much*

Scattor: *sparkles and then changes to a cobalt blue dragon with a blunt snout and quiet eyes*

dtBlackout: *sighs and gives Denver's muzzle a last, gentle squeeze* *gruffly* Go safe, youngling.

Denver: *small nod* Y'u too.

dtBlackout: *gently hands her over to the blue dragon, and then steps back and dwindles down to human size before turning to walk back to the Black Dog, setting her helmet on her head as she goes*

dtFlashpoint: *coming out of the Black Dog to get Blackout. The red construct man came and relieved her of the baby, so now it's time to go home*

dtBlackout: *hand on the younger dragon's shoulder, and then the two are vanishing in a puff of smoke and swirling lights*

Denver: *soft little sigh, and a bit of a snuggle against Scattor*

Scattor: *gentle pat pat* -Change back now.- *image of her not fitting in her bed*

Denver: *small nod, will try and do so*

Scattor: *gentle mental guidance, showing her how to reach for her other form and wear it*

Denver: *trying to change back to normal, manages to get most of the way back to her natural form before she falls asleep. At least she managed to shrink down to her normal size?*

Scattor: *gentle pat for the sleeping girl, and then he turns his head as a single step brings them to the harbour. Studies that tiny house floating there, and then nods and answers Denver's dreaming wish*


the next afternoon


Knockout: *cracks open one optic cover and looks at the tiny child that was trying to peek under it* Hmmm? *yawns and stretches, his attention going to the strong rocking of the big mesh sling he's laying in* Oh, I can't move. Denver's using me for a mattress.

Waterbaby: *fuss! So hungry!*

Denver: *sleepy little sound, is starting to wake up*

Waterbaby: *squeal!*

Knockout: *hates to wake Denver, after what Scattor told him, but he can't move. Pats her gently on the back right above the base of her tail* Denver? Denver, the baby's hungry, and you're pinning me down.

Denver: *bit of a squirm followed by a quiet sigh. Is no longer using you as a pillow, Knockout*

Knockout: *scoops Waterbaby up and climbs carefully out of the hammock, then brings the little girl to find some of the food packets that Scattor made sure he knew the location of* Yes. I know. Good grief, you're more demanding than Megatron sometimes... *quiet complaining cuts off as a door opens and shuts*

Denver: *wiggles a bit and is soon occupying the space Knockout vacated, breathing in his scent as she slips back into a deeper sleep*


Half an hour later


scents: *fish soup and grits are making their presence known*

Denver: *starting to wake up again, bleary blinking when she catches the scent of good food* *squeaks as she accidentally tips the hammock and ends up landing on her belly*

Waterbaby: *little giggle from where she's peering over the raised edge around the circular opening in the ceiling to one side of the room*

Knockout: *face appears above the baby's* Denver?

Denver: *as she gets to her feet* 'M 'wake. *ish*

Knockout: *sharp and quiet in his concern* You're not bipedal in that form.

Denver: *bit of a grumble as she gets off-balance and has to go back to standing on four legs*

Knockout: *soft snerk* There's fuel, if you need it.

Denver: Fish soup 'n grits?

Knockout: Isn't that what you called your favourite fuels? *smirk*

Denver: *soft snort. Then she'll look around* Wh're 're we?

Knockout: *more smirk* In your house.

Denver: ... *disbelieving look*

Knockout: Well, that's what that big scaly blue bruiser called it. And I wasn't about to argue.

Denver: ... Alrahght, th'n. Wh're's th' kitchen?

Knockout: Well, the big one's up here. *smirrrk* Just follow your nose. *face turns away from the opening* Oh, and don't streak. I had enough trouble getting the baby back into her poncho.

Waterbaby: *pouty scowl*

Denver: ...D' th'y even make clot's f'r th's shape?

Waterbaby: *little hand over the solid railing as she points over to the far side of the room*

Denver: *blinks and looks where Waterbaby is pointing* ...Huh. *will move to inspect the net stuck to the wall and its contents* *surprised sound as she finds numerous outfits, all of which seem to be made for the shape she's currently holding*

Waterbaby: *argumentative squawking as nkosKnockout tries to pick her up*

Denver: *will work on getting dressed before she moves to exit the room*

Waterbaby: *starting to yell upstairs. Sounds like she's not right above the bedroom, so there must be more than one space up there*

Denver: *sniffs the air, and moves to follow the direction that the scent of good food is coming from*

port: *leads to a short passage with a door at each side, and a much smaller one at the far end. There is padding on the passage walls, and soft handholds to secure against the rocking of the house if it's needed. The flooring is a rough sort of carpet that provides plenty of grip. Walls above the padding is panelled in medium toned wood*

Denver: *instinctively moving in reaction to the rocking of the house, will make a surprised sound at how fancy the house is now. Moves to head to where the food is, inspecting different elements of the passage as she goes*

Waterbaby: *yelling is coming from the door to the right*

Knockout: *has stopped trying to comfort and started saying words*

Denver: *moves to approach the door, squeaking softly as it slides open automatically. She'll hesitantly enter the kitchen, making a surprised sound as she sees the warmly decorated and welcoming room*

Knockout: *looks up, his snitfit vanishing in mid rant* Oh oh.

Waterbaby: *sticks out lip!*

Denver: *wearing a red and black outfit, is looking around the kitchen with wide eyes*

Knockout: *she's not mad at him for losing his temper with the baby this time, phew!* *smirk as he goes to get the grits out of the warming oven*

Waterbaby: *signs to Denver, asking why she's noodle* *is tucked into a little seat on the side of the table*

Denver: *soft hum as she thinks of how to explain*

Knockout: *doubtful sniff sniff of the grits* ...What was that fleshy on? This doesn't smell like cheese.

Denver: *sniffs the air* ...Smells kahnda tart... but still good.

Knockout: *looks at her uncertainly* You want to eat it?

Waterbaby: *squeal*

Denver: *startles at the squeal*

Knockout: *put upon sigh as he puts the pot of grits into a holder on the table, then goes back to the stove and scoops a tiny bit out of a second pot. Puts this carefully into an untippable bowl, adds a spoon, and then sticks the tiny bowl to the table in front of Waterbaby with the suction cup on its base* There, you temperamental little yucksack.

Waterbaby: *megapout, and then a quick movement that leaves a splotch of broth on Knockout's plating*

Knockout: *shrieks and bolts out of the room*

Waterbaby: *pouuuut*

Denver: *frowwwwwn* *spots something on one of the cupboard doors, will move to investigate*

Waterbaby: *angrily bangs on the table with her spoon*

Denver: *attention going to Waterbaby, just grabbed the note that was stuck to the cupboard door* Th't's 'nough.

Waterbaby: *looks up. Scowly pout as she bangs the spoon again*

Denver: No.

Waterbaby: *wordless shriek as she flings the spoon*

Denver: *deep breath and decides to ignore Waterbaby so that the child can calm down, will turn her attention to reading the note and moving to sit where she can eat*

note: *tells Denver in blocky, lazy looking printing that if she needs Scattor to call his name three times. Also tells her that he moved all her things to the new house, and suggests that she rent out the smaller one over in the harbour* *is signed with a heart and Scattor's name*

Denver: *soft hum as she reads the last part, and a snerk at the heart. She'll have to look into how to rent out houses. Later though. She can smell good food. And now she's trying to figure out how to sit at the table. Surprised and pleased sound as she realizes the bowl-shaped bench is the right size for her to sit in and still be able to reach the serving pot and her bowl*

Waterbaby: *comment as she eats her soup with her fingers* *has already forgotten she was mad*

Denver: *humming as she gets situated, will soon be fumbling a bit with the serving spoon in an attempt to dish up some of the grits and soup*

soup pot: *starts sliding as the ship rides a larger than average wave*

Denver: *quick to brace the soup pot. Perks when she sees the holder, and then she's carefully moving the pot to its holder*

Waterbaby: *smacks as she sucks on her fingers, uses her other hand to rock her bowl on its gyro stand* Mrrrph.

Denver: *once she's gotten the soup pot into its holder, she'll try again to dish up some soup and grits for herself*

Waterbaby: *looks up from her bowl and watches till not-mama has servings, then pats her own bowl and signs a request for some more soup*

Denver: *sees that request, will carefully dish up some more soup into Waterbaby's bowl*

Waterbaby: *signs thanks and sticks her fingers in the soup*

Denver: *nods and settles into her seat to eat her dinner, chat to Waterbaby, and wait for Knockout to get over his panic attack and come back to join them*

((Written with random_xtras))