dens_tf_den | hsv and dv, Autobot Base and Wheeljack's Box Canyon, Lovebirds

Soundwave: *dodging the chaos of Sunstreaker, bittySideswipe, and Showtime, is looking for Wisp*

Ironhide: *has a wet towel balled up, throws this at Sunstreaker's head*

Soundwave: *doesn't blink when he's hit in the face with a wet towel ball* Target: out of range.

Ironhide: *blinks, then growls* That's what you get for being so sneaky. *turning back to the washracks and the bitty femme in the sink*

Carina: *Squeal, wiggle, click, 'talk' up a storm, and generally makes it difficult for Ironhide to get her clean from her latest "Color on yourself" episode*

Soundwave: *calmly offers Ironhide the towel back* Assessment of this unit's actions: Incorrect. This unit is attempting to locate Wisp.

Ironhide: Put it in the bin. And whatever you're doing, you're doing it sneakily. *nearly has a soapsquirt moment with sparklet*

Soundwave: *Calmly does so, before smirking behind his mask at Ironhide and Carina. Then he's heading out of the washrack area, and heading for the rec room in the off chance that Wisp is there*

Keepsake: *head stuck under the couch as she tries to find the kitten one of the humans brought for the sparklets to see*

WakeJumper: *sulking from where he's stuck on a nearby chair, wrapped in blankets again*

Soundwave: *headtilt, scans the room to see what Keepsake is looking for*

kitten: *is no fool. Saw how big those metal people are!*

Keepsake: *talking to the little scrap of fur, her butt wiggling comically*

Dion: *peeking under the couch as well, quiet chirrup to the kitten*

Soundwave: *Soft snerk once he locates the incredibly tiny(to him) organic*

bittySides: *comes charging into the room with a gleeful yell, Showtime and Sunstreaker hot on his heels*

Showtime: Someone catch that chibi!!! He slipped outta his leash when Ironhide threw a towel ball at us!

Keepsake: What the slaggin'.... *pushes further under the couch and gets stuck* Yeep!

Dion: *wiggles and crawls under the couch with ease, and then gently patpats Keepsake's cheek*

Soundwave: *keeping a sensor focused on the kitten, calls Thundercracker, and once the Seeker arrives in the rec room, both mechs carefully lift the couch up*

Keepsake: *looks at the sparklet and gives a sheepish snerk, then sighs and crawls out as the couch is lifted* Um... Lennox's cat's still in there somewhere.

Thundercracker: *once he and Soundwave have set the couch back down after gently scooting Dion out of the way, he's activating his holoform and lifting the couch cushions* Well, let's get it out, before it gets hurt.

Keepsake: No, it's underneath. In a hole on the bottom. *pushing slowly to her feet and picking Dion up*

Thundercracker: ...Oh. *de-activates his holoform, and, with Soundwave's help, carefully tips the couch so it's laying on its back with the hole exposed*

bittySides: oooo? *toddling over, after dodging Showtime's outstretched hands*

Keepsake: *moves to scoop up that bittybot too* C'mere, runt. They're tryin' ta get the kitty out.

bittySides: *Blink blink, headtilt*

Showtime: Keep ahold of Sideswipe... *activates her own holoform, which carefully reaches into the hole, and gingerly feels around for the kitten*

kitten: *is it a human? It doesn't smell like a human...* Mew!

ShowtimeHolo: *clicks quietly, and reaches to gently pet the kitten's head* Shhh, it's okay. I'm not gonna hurt you...

kitten: *comes to the hand, little claws hold on. He's just a baby yet*

ShowtimeHolo: *slight wince, carefully extracts the kitten from the hole and holds him close to her chest*

kitten: Mew!

Keepsake: 0.o Noisy little goober.

bittySides: *Squeal!!!*

Dion: *clicks to the kitten, and reaches his hand out for the kitten to sniff*

Keepsake: Maybe give 'im back ta the major? I really don't wanna see him get squished.

ShowtimeHolo: *nods* That sounds like a good idea...

Keepsake: *has a good hold on the bitties*

Dion: Kitty's gotta go bye-bye f'r now?

Keepsake: Kitty's gonna go back ta Annie, runt.

Dion: 'Kay... *slight pout*

bittySides: *Squeals again, is a bitty wriggle monster!*

ShowtimeHolo: Where is Major Lennox, anyways?

Keepsake: Uh... I don't know. Last I saw him he was out front talkin' to Ironhide, but it sounds like 'Hide's giving Carina a bath.

ShowtimeHolo: Oh no... did she color on herself again?

Soundwave: Affirmative.

Thundercracker: *Snerks and excuses himself*

Keepsake: *looks around as a thread of music comes down the hall* Heh, Wisp's at it again.

Soundwave: *perks, excuses himself, and heads toward the music's source*

music: *sweetly alluring, but with a strong beat and rhythm. It's plainly made to be danced to in the way that the little femme he seeks dances*

Soundwave: *as he heads towards the music, he retracts both his visor and face mask, before playing one of his newest pieces in response to what he's hearing. It's an invitation, with a steady backbeat, good rhythm, and an almost bouncy melody*

Wisp: *pauses and looks toward the back door of the base, then switches off her own music and starts to bounce and move athletically across the little back courtyard she's commandeered*

Soundwave: *opens the back door of the base and looks out, smiling a slightly shy smile*

Wisp: *leaping across her practice area on one foot, the other swinging from side to side in time to the beat*

Soundwave: *admiring smile as he watches Wisp dance, continues to play the music*

Wisp: *arms up and twirling, the lights dancing beneath her armor. Handsfree backflip and she goes across the area the other way with the bouncing and swinging*

Soundwave: *approaching and holding his hand out to Wisp in an offer: Shall we dance?*

Wisp: *twirls over into his arms* *quietly, as she looks up at him* We'll need a different song.

Soundwave: Agreed... suggestions?

Wisp: *optics absent for a moment, and then starts to play the human song 'Can I Have This Dance'*

Soundwave: *Smiles and moves to lead Wisp in a dance in time with the music*

Wisp: *showing him the waltz, her small hand steady in his larger one*

Thundercracker: *peeks out the door, and then he's hurrying off to try to talk Keepsake in dancing with him*

Soundwave: *Oblivious to the Seeker, is a quick learner*

Wisp: *indicates he should pick her up and stop stooping so much*

Soundwave: *Sheepish grin as he proceeds to do so*

Wisp: *hand still on his shoulder and in his hand, and her golden optics smiling at him*

Soundwave: *shy smile as he holds Wisp close and moves in time to the music*

Wisp: *playing the song softly, her happiness very clear*

Soundwave: *quietly singing along with the song, his optics showing just how happy he is*

Thundercracker: *is back, and is leading Keepsake out behind him*

Keepsake: *grins, her earlights flashing, then holds up her arms to TC*

Thundercracker: *grinning like a dork, carefully lifts Keepsake so she can put her hands on his shoulders*

Keepsake: *does that as the song starts over from the beginning*

Soundwave: *has something in mind for when the song Wisp chose ends, is enjoying dancing with Wisp regardless of the music*

Wisp: *her song winds gently to an end, and she looks at him quizzically to see what his reply will be*

Soundwave: *plays "Sway" and begins teaching Wisp how to tango*

Thundercracker: *Raised brow ridge at the communications officer's music choice, before he's tilting his head to Keepsake, asking if she'd like to dance to this song*

Keepsake: *grins at him. She already knows tango*

Thundercracker: *grins. Good, because he doesn't!*

Wisp: *learns quickly, like the born dancer that she is*

Soundwave: *moves incredibly gracefully for a slightly boxy-looking mech!*

Keepsake: XD

Thundercracker: *quick glance around to make sure no Wheeljacks are lurking in the wings, sneaks a kiss to Keepsake's cheek*

Keepsake: *pecks him right back, and not on the cheek*

Thundercracker: *Blink blink, BLUSH, is glee-ing on the inside!*

Wisp: *sighs as the second song comes to an end, then glances toward the door before giving Soundwave a quizzical look*

Soundwave: *Quietly, so Thundercracker and Keepsake do not hear him* Young lovers... *winks at Wisp*

Wisp: *soft chuckle*

Soundwave: *moves to gently set Wisp on her feet* Energon required?

Wisp: *settles on the ground and takes his hand* Energon would be pleasant.

Soundwave: *nods and moves to lead Wisp around Thundercracker and Keepsake*

Keepsake: *playing her own music now*

Thundercracker: *quietly, blushing up a storm* M-Maybe... I should... ask your Wheeljack... if I could... *blushing more*

Keepsake: *head against his shoulder*

Thundercracker: *quietly, still blushing* I'd... like to court you, Keepsake...

Keepsake: Ain't you ben already?

Thundercracker: *ducking his head slightly* I'd... at least like to know I'm not going to be shot at by an angry mech-creator...

Keepsake: *soft chuckle* Jack shouldn' be so bad now that Pacer's back.

Thundercracker: Still... *he's not scared, and you can't prove it!*

Keepsake: *looks up, optics twinkling* Want me ta come with ya?

Thundercracker: Please? *looking absolutely pathetic for a Seeker*

Keepsake: Sure. *pat pats his cheek*

Thundercracker: *nuzzles Keepsake* *quietly* I've still got Wake's PINpoint...

Keepsake: Now? *head back against his shoulder*

Thundercracker: *nod* The sooner we get going... the less time he has to shoot at me, right?

Keepsake: *chuckle* Right.

Thundercracker: *carefully shifting Keepsake so he can get to where he stowed the PINpoint* *and putting himself at risk for being tickled*

Keepsake: *cannot. resist*

Thundercracker: *SQUIRM*

Keepsake: *poky poke*

Thundercracker: Gah! *Squirms more, and nearly drops the PINpoint*

Keepsake: Eeep! *laughing*

Thundercracker: *gently headbutts Keepsake, and keeps his forehead gently pressed against hers* *softly razzes Keepsake* Thrrrrpt

Keepsake: *laughs harder, her hand patting at his face*

Thundercracker: *Snuggles, before fiddling with the PINpoint and frowning* Which one of these coordinate sets is the one for where we need to go?

Keepsake: *tells him* They're back at 'Jack's base, so the Dinobots don't wreck anything.

Thundercracker: *checks coordinates, until he has the right set* I see... Shall we go then?

Keepsake: Quit stalling, buddy.

Thundercracker: *ducks his head before activating the PINpoint*

Grimlock: *in full bellow as they appear in the box canyon*

Keepsake: Good grief!

Thundercracker: *wince* And I thought things were noisy back home...

Grimlock: Me GRIMLOCK AM KING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thundercracker: ... what's got him riled up?

Keepsake: Riled? He's happy and expressing himself.

Thundercracker: ... Could'a fooled me... *carefully setting Keepsake on her feet*

Keepsake: Trust me, you don't wanna hear him when he's mad. Hi, Sludge.

Sludge: *big muzzle in TC's face*

Thundercracker: Ack! *takes a small step back* Er... Hi...

Sludge: Hi. You am her, Keepsake's friend?

Swoop: *suddenly THERE* Her Keepsake friend?

Thundercracker: Yeah... I've been here before... Right after WakeJumper got stomped on by that one 'Con...

Swoop: Me Swoop remember! You her Keepsake BOYfriend!

Thundercracker: *BLUSH*

Keepsake: *facepalm*

Wheeljack: *from back door* Whatnow?

Thundercracker: *Resisting the urge to hide behind Keepsake, but only slightly* Er... *blushing more* I... I'd... like your permission to court Keepake...

Wheeljack: *narrow gaze* You would, would ya?

Thundercracker: *Stands as tall as he can, and tries to keep the shakiness out of his legs* Y-Yessir... I would...

Wheeljack: *glances at Keepsake, and then moves optics back to the Seeker* What makes you think I should give ya that?

Thundercracker: *tempted to be cheeky and point out that he's asking, and not demanding, decides that that's not the best route to go* *quietly, without blushing* I love her. I would do anything to keep her safe from harm, and to make sure she's happy.

Wheeljack: Why?

Keepsake: *eyes crossed and tongue stuck out at her creator*

Thundercracker: *crouching so he's closer to Wheeljack's level, tells the older mech exactly why he loves Keepsake. Yes, it's the long list*

Keepsake: *expression slowly changing to embarrassed, and then to 0.o*

Wheeljack: *face inscrutable as he listens*

Thundercracker: *once he's finished, he ducks his head, exposing the struts of his shoulders. He's halfway expecting to get shot at this point*

Wheeljack: ....

Thundercracker: *remaining silent and still, waiting for Wheeljack to say something*

Wheeljack: *continues to stare at him*

Pacer: *comes out to stand by her mate. Looks at TC, then at Keepsake, and then up at Wheeljack*

Thundercracker: *Still staying absolutely still and silent aside from the sounds of well-tuned systems running as they should*

Wheeljack: *stare* ....

Keepsake: *frown*

Pacer: *pokes Wheeljack*

Wheeljack: *slight flinch and then puts an arm around her* ...I don't think any mech wants ta know some 'a that kinda stuff about his creation.

Thundercracker: *very slight headtilt so he can meet Wheeljack's optics, but other than that, he doesn't move*

Wheeljack: You're just gonna stand there, aren't ya?

Thundercracker: *Quietly* Until I have an answer, either way.

Wheeljack: *looks at Keepsake*

Keepsake: He's dorky, can I keep 'im?

Wheeljack: *looks at his mate and talks to her via coms, then looks back to TC* Keepsake's kinda young ta be thinkin' about that kinda thing.

Keepsake: No I ain't.

Thundercracker: *quietly, almost submissive in his tone* I understand...

Keepsake: *small, impatient jounce* 'Jack, you don't need me for an assistant anymore! Clipsie's bonded, 'n she's built somebody already! We ain't that far different in age. And it's not like I'm a kid or anything!

Wheeljack: ...I dunno where you got that attitude, kid. Pacer's not like that at all.

Keepsake: I'm just like you! Except I can see who I care about before they're gone!

Wheeljack: *big flinch and his arm tightens around Pacer*

Thundercracker: *ducking his head again and cycling air as he tries not to think of how close he came to losing two people very dear to him*

Keepsake: *scowling at her creator*

Wheeljack: *sighs and shakes his head* I can't remember if I was like that at your age. *looks at TC* Get up, kid.

Thundercracker: *Gets up carefully*

Wheeljack: Like she said, she's an adult. And she doesn't work fer me anymore. Do what you want. *pause and voice lower* But if you ever hurt her....

Thundercracker: *Scowls slightly, oh, THERE'S a familiar look!* I'd put my own spark out before I'd ever hurt Keepsake.

Wheeljack: Whatever. *turns and goes back inside with Pacer*

Sludge and Swoop: 0.o?

Thundercracker: ... *Blink blink* Did he just...

Keepsake: He said yeah.

Thundercracker: *small smile, moves to gently scoop Keepsake up for a hug*

Keepsake: *glomps around the neck* Let's go home, buddy.

Thundercracker: *dorky grin, PINpoints Keepsake and himself back to the Autobot base in his reality of origin*

((co-written with

random_xtras))