Backwater Nexus. Black Dog. Family Reunion

[dens_extra_pups]

Megatron: *head is lowered so that he can catch the two little voices that are chirping from the nest of his arms. Doesn't look up as he walks into the Black Dog. His eyes are blue, and there are no scars anywhere on his body*

Pax: *strongly built bronze coloured baby is chatting a mile a minute as he cuddles close, his cute little grin hindering his conversation not at all*

Diehard: *much head nodding interspersed with the occasional agreement or comment from the black and silver baby*

Torque: *practically dragging her bubby along*

Viisaus: *calmly talking to Orion as he's brought to the Black Dog*

Pax: *pauses in mid chat to squeal and point* VISSY! Are you my friend? Did we have nom together?

Diehard: *looks over, blue eyes fixing on Torque's face as he smiles with recognition*

Megatron: *looks from babies to the people that the babies are talking to, his expression serious, questioning, and holding youthful wonder and shyness*

Viisaus: *attention going to Pax, and then he's smiling* Hello again, Pax, Diehard.

Torque: *fuss, wants noms NOW, Bubby!*

Pax: flail of joy* Vissy. My daddy woke up. When I went home he was talkin' to dumb Unca Mini.

Megatron: quiet rumble of disapproval* *softly* Pax, that isn't nice.

Pax: *rebellious look* Neither is Unca Mini.

Orion: *curious smile for the darker baby as he wonders why the child looks so familiar**

Viisaus: I'm not sure if we have a Minimus Ambus...

Torque: *studying the big mech now* *looks over her shoulder* Meggy, it's another you!

pteMegatron: *soft snort of amusement as he approaches, Terminus in a headlock*

Megatron: *spots that alternate, and his eyes brighten with surprise*

Orion: *shakes off trying to recognize the dark baby and smiles at this Megatron, who looks younger than he is himself* Hello.

Pax: *notices that red and blue guy for the first time* *blink!* Another Oppamus.

Orion: *gently* My name is Orion Pax. Are you a friend of Viisaus'?

Viisaus: Pax and Diehard were here the last time Torque and I visited.

Orion: Ahh. *smiles* Would you care to join us?

Megatron: *uncertain frown* I'm here to get out of First Aid's hair... that she hasn't got.

pteMegatron: *snerks* We're having a party. There's always room for more.

Megatron: What does that mean? *looks to the little ones he's carrying, and is shrugged at*

pteMegatron: *will let Terminus go, and move to gently herd his counterpart toward the table he can see Blaster at*

Megatron: *expression shows his uncertainty as he's herded. He's studying the other Megatron from the corners of his eyes, the childlike action looking out of place on that strong face*

Pax: We're gonna eat some botaghetti, 'cause Daddy never ate botaghetti yet 'n Ambulon ate the last can before Daddy came outta the big jar.

pteTerminus: That's what we're here for, too. *herding Torque now, because the big girl is fussing*

Megatron: *stops and studies the red and yellow bot at the table, his expression going to an uncertain frown**

pteMegatron: *nods to Blaster* This is Blaster. He's mostly harmless, unless you don't like loud music.

Megatron: turns head to look at his alternate* *quietly* He's your friend?

Pax: He's not a dummy?

Diehard: *is reaching for Torque**

Torque: *sees babby reaching, will reach for babby*

pteMegatron: He's from where I used to live, and we got along while I was there.

Viisaus: *trying not to laugh at the question about Blaster being a dummy*

Diehard: snuggles the lady and chirps to her softly* quietly* You like botaghetti? *pauses and studies her* You're itchy?

Megatron: *questioning look for Blaster, asking if he's welcome here*

Torque: Botaghetti's noms. *nodnod*

Blaster: grins and holds up a little white and blue bot who is liberally spattered with rust sauce* Tailgate'll even kiss ya, if it makes ya feel more welcome.

Tailgate: Whaaaat! *squirm* Blaaaster.

Megatron: *promptly holds out his son* Pax likes kissies.

Pax: *KISSIE!*

Tailgate: AWK! *hysterical giggling*

Torque: *gonna park her butt in one of the chairs and click to Diehard*

pteMegatron: *amused rumble is a go*

pteTerminus: *snorts and herds the rest of the group to the table*

Tailgate: *flaily!*

Blaster: Awk! pulls the minibot back as he nearly drops him* How'd you get so greasy? awks again as Pax scampers over his lap*

Tailgate: **spoonful of grease sauce for that cute little baby grin**

Pax: **stops short, little mouth working as his eyes go bright with wonder**

Torque: *gonna poke at the menu, looking for noms*

Blaster: *grins for the large girl, and then shoves a platter across the table toward her* Gotcha this. Should help those metal cravin's.

Torque: *clicks and looks to see what is being offered*

Tailgate: as he feeds Pax* It's called marauder. And it's in crude oil sauce. **looks up at Blaster** It's not grease. It's crude oil.

Blaster: Xp

Torque: *much click, will have a taste of the noms*

Tailgate: It's really crunchy. ^_^

Megatron: looks at the big platter in front of Torque and his expression goes startled and unsettled as he realizes that there's a recognizable piece of a cybernetic creature on that plate* **is still standing up by the end of the table**

pteMegatron: *quietly* Torque is going through a growth spurt, and needs the resources.

pteTerminus: Earlier, she was eatin' scraplets.

Megatron: blink blink!* thud*

Pax: *checks on Daddy, but doesn't stop eating*

Diehard: **spits out the crude sauce Torque just gave him in his surprise**

Blaster: ... *blink* Megs, did you just faint?

pteMegatron: *stinkeye for Terminus, will move to tend to his counterpart*

Torque: *making the noms vanish at an alarming rate*

Viisaus: *moving to help with the younger Megatron*

Stardrive: pauses and looks down with concern. Came in late because she stopped on the porch to give Whirl a spanking for something she said* **uncertainly** Bubby? Do I need to help?

Viisaus: *to Stardrive* We may need a medic.

Megatron: *small shiver as his optics switch back on. Looks around, his expression now making it very clear just how young he is now**

Stardrive: *softly, as she lets Whirl join the rest of Orion's team at a table behind the one she's standing near* He looks scared.

pteMegatron: *soothing rumbles for his counterpart*

Viisaus: *quietly* He may be a bit frightened.... *worried*

Megatron: *hand out to try and push himself up to a sitting position* I... I'm alright. Where's Pax?

pteMegatron: *quick check for the bitty* He's on the table.

Pax: *without looking around* Wif Tailgate.

Diehard: I'm wif Torque.

Torque: *click*

Megatron: circulates deeply, then looks up at the two bots who are kneeling next to him* **quietly and shamefacedly** I'm sorry.

pteMegatron: *gently* You have done nothing to be sorry for.

Viisaus: *nod of agreement* *gently* Would you like help standing?

Megatron: I...I can get up. gathers his feet under him. Is still plainly confused and embarrassed*

Blaster: quietly* Hey, Viisaus, maybe you 'n the Meggies should sit over there. **gestures to a smaller table a short distance away from the booths**

Viisaus: *as pteMegatron helps the younger mech, he'll look to see what the seating situation is, then nod* Very well.

Blaster: You okay with the babies stayin' here, Megs?

Megatron: *quick look for his older alternate. What does he say?**

pteMegatron: *will check on the babies*

babies: *both intent on eating as much as their chosen meal companion is willing to put into their mouths**

pteMegatron: *soft chuckle, nods and looks to his counterpart*

Megatron: also nods, and then rises to his feet* **eyes brighten and he glances over as something explodes softly at the other booth. Listens to Windcharger's earnest scolding for a moment, then cracks a slight smile and looks at pteMegatron and Vissaus to share the humour**

pteMegatron: *attention going over to the boom, then he's snorting*

Viisaus: *chuckles* Oh, dear.

Megatron: *quietly and earnestly* It's only a toy. Optimus gave one to Pax and Diehard.

Viisaus: Ah, I see. *amused*

pteMegatron: It didn't sound like a Chromia going off, at least.

Megatron: What's a Chromia? Isn't that Nova's mother's name?

pteMegatron: There is a drink named after Nova's mother. It is something that is meant to be handled carefully, or it will blow up in your face. Terminus had one once. *bit of a smirk tugging at his mouth now*

Megatron: *perks with horrified amusement* It blew up in his tank?

pteMegatron: *headshake* It blew up in his face, and he was so startled, he fell off his seat and landed on his skidplate.

Megatron: *uncertainly* Is that funny?

pteMegatron: *as he moves to pull a chair out for the youngster* He was trying to flirt with a waitress when it happened. She'd even warned him to be careful. He wasn't physically injured, so it was amusing.

Megatron: *quiet belly laugh* Optimus ran into something yesterday while he was trying to flirt with Elita.

pteMegatron: *chuckles* I'm not surprised.

Viisaus: *as he moves to sit* An incident such as what Terminus went through is amusing only so long as no actual damage occurs. Much like the pranks that Jazz likes to pull. They are amusing because no harm comes of them.

Megatron: *notices the chair and sits down* Like the noisy toy?

Viisaus: *nods* Yes.

pteMegatron: *as he moves to sit* I have heard humans swear by the mantra "Confuse, do not abuse" when it comes to pranks.

Megatron: *startles as the menu pops up on the centre of the table, then frowns at it curiously**

Viisaus: *small smile as he explains that the menu shows what the fuels look like. He's happy to explain in further detail if need be*

Megatron: *hesitantly, as he studies those pictures* Pax said we were here for botaghetti.

pteMegatron: I think we have enough for more than just that, if you'd like.

Megatron: *simply* I don't know what any of it is. I'm too new.

pteMegatron: *will poke at one of the images and pull up the description so he can study it himself* Energon, minerals... *bit of a frown as he reads*

Megatron: *startled wince as something hits him on the face by his mouth, then puts a finger up to find out what it is**

Pax: I shared my botaghetti, Daddy!

Stardrive: You really aren't supposed to throw food. *but apparently, she's supposed to sit on the older Megatron**

pteMegatron: *also startled when the botaghetti was thrown, but then he's rumbling a chuckle once he's figured out what happened*

Megatron: glances at the older him, then to Vissaus, before sniffing at the finger he used to wipe off the splat and then tasting it* **brows up** This is strange, but I like it.

Pax: *wave of apology as he resumes nomming**

pteMegatron: *will order botaghetti, and Cybertron Sunrises for everyone*

Megatron: *such a curious look for pteMegatron and Stardrive* There's space right there.

Stardrive: **confused look as she snuggles and lays her head on pteMegatron's shoulder**

pteMegatron: *soft rumble of a chuckle* Stardrive intends to court me when she is old enough.

Megatron: What does that mean? *rest of the botaghetti on finger, finger in mouth as he waits for the reply**

pteMegatron: When Stardrive is old enough, she wants to marry me. *and from his expression, he's not against the idea*

Megatron: perks and takes his finger out of his mouth* I'm married. I remember her. **wistfully** She's pretty.

Stardrive: *interested* What kind of pretty? Is she tall?

pteMegatron: *soft rumble of a chuckle. Knows who his younger counterpart is talking about*

Megatron: No. She's just little. Bigger than the guy Pax is kissing though. And she's yellow.

Stardrive: Yellow's pretty. *looks at her Megatron for his opinion**

pteMegatron: *nod of agreement* Yellow is a nice color.

Megatron: *softly* She died to keep me safe when I was hurt.

Stardrive: *face crumples toward sympathetic tears as she takes it to mean that the younger Megatron's wife is gone**

pteMegatron: *gentle patpat for Stardrive* *to Megatron* Is she keeping First Aid busy?

Megatron: *puzzled as he watches the tall girl hide her face and snuggle* She's not on the ship. I won't see her till we get to where she's waiting.

pteMegatron: *small nod* I see.

Megatron: *moves his arm as bowls are set on the table* Is she alright?

Viisaus: *as pteMegatron moves to give more comfort to Stardrive* She will be. *quieter* She's expressing sympathy that your wife is not here with you.

Megatron: *pauses in passing a bowl to Viisaus, his brows lifting again. Looks at pteMegatron to see if this is also his thought on the matter**

pteMegatron: *rumbling softly for Stardrive, will give his counterpart a small nod*

Megatron: gently pokes Stardrive with the bowl he'd been going to hand to Viisaus* Don't cry. We'll see each other soon.

Stardrive: frowning peek at the poke, but then straightens and accepts the bowl* *quietly* I'd feel broken if Megatron was gone.

Megatron: **shakes his head and offers another bowl to pteMegatron** I can feel her. We're not together, but we're not apart, either.

pteMegatron: *quietly thanks Megatron for the bowl* *thoughtful frown is a go*

Megatron: *and now THIS bowl for Viisaus* Will you show me how to eat it?

Viisaus: Of course. *will demonstrate and explain what he's doing*

Megatron: watches, and then picks up the big clear spoon and tries to emulate what the young clerk is doing*

pteMegatron: *will consent to being fed*

Viisaus: *gentle encouragements for Megatron*

Megatron: I think Optimus would like this. It's rusty. *eat eat**

pteMegatron: *between bites* We could always order some for you to bring back for him to try.

Megatron: surprised glance* Really? **looks down at his bowl and is silent for a moment. Then** It might be hard to carry.

Stardrive: *surprised glance, but she doesn't interrupt when her Megatron's talking to someone about something important** *stirs the fuel in the bowl, and then gives herself a spoonful**

pteMegatron: There are containers that are used for fuel transport.

Megatron: Oh. Good. almost smiles, but it seems he's too serious right now* **then he's giving his alternate a curious look** You didn't become evil?

Stardrive: **o.O at her fuel**

pteMegatron: *hesitates for a moment, then* I was the leader of the Decepticons. *quieter* I was known as a tyrant, among other things...

Megatron: **expression droops** Like me. **looks down at his bowl** I don't know why I was so stupid.

pteMegatron: *quietly* Anger can make one act rashly.

Megatron: **looks up, his youthful expression once more clashing with the ruggedness of his face** Is that why I did it?

pteMegatron: A lot of it, yes. Anger at injustice, anger at the society that let the injustice go unpunished...

Megatron: But I tried killing whole races of people. I killed so many people that they called me a butcher. **sets his spoon down**

pteMegatron: That came from becoming addicted to power... And from being angry that people weren't seeing things your way. *looking down at his plate* It became easy to kill when I stopped thinking of them as people... *regret makes his shoulders slump*

Megatron: **hides his face** I shouldn't have been sent back.

Stardrive: **frowwwwns and looks from her Megatron to her brother**

pteViisaus: *gently* There was a reason you were sent back. And a reason your counterpart came to my reality.

Megatron: **looks up uncertainly** ...For Pax?

pteMegatron: *small headshake* *quietly* I never had any children.

pteViisaus: This is your opportunity to learn from the past, and to give and receive forgiveness.

Megatron: I don't remember the past. I only know what Minimus Ambus told me.

pteViisaus: You have a brother you can ask, as well. *nods toward pteMegatron, who is frowning at his plate now*

pteMegatron: *thinking pteViisaus' words about giving and receiving forgiveness over*

Megatron: Brother? **uncertain and slightly confused frown for his older alternate**

pteMegatron: *looks up at that* Hm?

Megatron: Are you my brother?

pteMegatron: *surprised expression is a go... mixed with a bit of hopefulness* If you would like me to be.

Megatron: **quiet and still uncertain** Would you mind sharing me?

Stardrive: I share my bubby. **shrugs and pokes nom at her Megatron's mouth while he's not using it**

pteMegatron: *was about to answer verbally, but now he's got noms poked at his mouth signing with one hand* "I don't mind sharing."

pteViisaus: *translating* He doesn't mind sharing.

Stardrive: Oops. Sorry. **wide-eyed apology as she looks around at the men**

Megatron: **absent pat pat as he thinks and comms his brother**

pteMegatron: *finishes what he got fed* Thank you, Stardrive.

pteViisaus: *amused chuckle*

Stardrive: **relieved smile as she feeds herself**

Megatron: **mouth turns up at the corners** Optimus says he wants to meet you soon.

pteMegatron: *small nod* That should be easy enough to arrange.

Megatron: But he said "again"?

pteMegatron: *bit of a smile* We met him once before. When we met Pax and Diehard.

Megatron: Oh. I see. **glances toward where the babies are still making like tiny eating machines, his smile returning**