mbv, Various locations, Blessings...

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Anne: *arms around Vato's neck as she hangs off his back and sleeps while he does monitor duty*

Vato: *Content, and paying careful attention to all the monitors despite being quite relaxed. Part of the reason he's so content is because of Anne's presence, and the fact that she speaks his own physical language. Since her arrival a couple of weeks past he's become less territorial, and more like his normal, laid-back self.*

main monitor: *beeps softly with an incoming audio/video call*

Anne: *stirs at the sound and snuggles closer without waking*

Vato: *rumbles quietly as he moves to answer the call*

Col. Franklin: *smiles slightly as his face appears on the screen* Ensign Falman, are you busy?

Vato: Other than monitor duty, I have no urgent duties, sir.

Col. Franklin: Then you have time to take care of some business?

Vato: Yessir... Blaster and Teletraan should be here shortly to take over monitor duties...

Teletraan: *from the speaker* Who do you think redirected this call, buddy?

Vato: *Soft chuckle, moves to get up carefully, trying not to disturb Anne too much* Blaster's getting junkfood again, isn't he?

Teletraan: Nah. Dry roasted wasaabi flavor edamame.

Vato: *Shakes his head and chuckles a bit more, before his attention goes back to Col. Franklin* Where am I needed, sir?

Col. Franklin: Anywhere that you're comfortable that can take this call. *has noticed the petite blond clinging to Vato's back and his mouth is curving upward very slightly at one corner*

Vato: *raised brow, moves to sit back down just as carefully as he got up* Sir?

Col. Franklin: It's come to my attention that you're in a relationship now. I need to get the paperwork pertaining to that sorted.

Vato: *more chuckles, relaxes* Understood, sir.

Blaster: *saunters in, eating some of his dry roasted edamame as he heads for his favorite monitoring spot*

Tea: *wanders along beside him, engrossed with peeling a soybean*

Col. Franklin: *looks at them, and then back to Vato before picking up a pen* So what do you call your status now?

Vato: *considering look as he thinks of the word his people use, and tries to translate it to English* The closest term would be cohabitation...

Tea: You mean 'snuggle buddy'.

Vato: *to Tea* Yes, but that's not the legal terminology.

Blaster: *Snerk*

Tea: Huh.

Col. Franklin: *doesn't look up from his writing* Snuggle buddy?

Vato: Anne and I are both tactile people, sir. We both find comfort in physical contact with another being...

Blaster: They're both cuddle junkies.

Col. Franklin: So that's important to you. *glances toward the sound of little Franklin chatter, and then looks back at the screen*

Vato: Yes, sir.

Col. Franklin: And it's a normal arrangement for your people?

Vato: *nods* We have a word to describe such a relationship... *quietly says the word*

Col. Franklin: Then I'll see to it that it's respected. Do you want Anne on your health plan?

Vato: If it's not too much trouble, sir.

Col. Franklin: *slight smile as he writes, but then sobers a bit* And in regards to your estate?

Vato: Split it between Gavin and Anne.

Col. Franklin: Alright. *writes more, sobered as he realizes how serious this snuggle buddy business must be for Vato's people*

Anne: *sighs, inadvertently blowing warm air across Vato's neck*

Vato: *Soft sound, turns his head slightly to check on Anne*

Anne: *snuzzles and starts to purr in response to his thoughts of checking*

Vato: *Small smile, turns his attention back to Col. Franklin*

Col. Franklin: So Anne and Gavin are next of kin?

Vato: Yes, sir.

Col. Franklin: *writes more* Anything else?

Vato: Not that I can think of, sir.

Col. Franklin: Alright. What's Anne's last name? And is she civilian or military?

Vato: Smith... and she is civilian, I believe... *very gentle nudge so he can ask her*

Anne: *small tickle in his mind and then a feeling of a question. This isn't the first time he'll have felt this, but it is the strongest*

Vato: *will ask her about that later* *Quietly* Anne, you're a civilian, correct?

Anne: Hrrrm. Wanderer.

Vato: *Soft chuckle*

Anne: With the memories of both military parents. So... dunno. Militia?

Vato: *soft, considering sound*

Col. Franklin: Have you ever taken orders from a superior officer?

Anne: Well... I've taken orders, but then I worked alone as I acted on them.

Vato: Freelancing?

Anne: No. I'm a Wanderer. We are an organization. But... eh. Say civilian.

Col. Franklin: *looks at her thoughtfully, but writes*

Vato: *soft chuckle*

Anne: *rubs her cheek against Vato and purrs softly*

Vato: *quiet, contented rumble*

Col. Franklin: Alright. I think I've got what we need. *looks up and hesitates, wondering if you congratulate someone for this sort of relationship*

Vato: *small nod, considers heading for the atrium*

Col. Franklin: *slight shrug at his uncertainty* Congratulations, Ensign.

Vato: Thank you, sir...

Col. Franklin: *smiles* Dismissed.

Vato: *small smile, will head for the atrium*


In another part of the Ark


Sidewinder: *walking thoughtfully around Reggie*

Reggie: *Nervously watching Sidewinder*

Sidewinder: *circles again* I saw you pursuing that human femme.

Reggie: *Hunkering down a bit* *with a bit more boldness than he's feeling right now* L-Leave Meghan alone.

Sidewinder: I'm not interested in the human. I'm interested in you.

Reggie: *nervously* W-why?

Sidewinder: Because I want a mate.

Reggie: *Going a bit pale* B-But I'm already c-courting Meghan... *And now he'll try and back up a bit so he can make a break for it*

Sidewinder: Never mind. *turns and starts walking away*

Reggie: *Sags with relief*

Theo: *wondering what's got Reggie in a panic, is heading towards his trinemate*

Sidewinder: *starts to give him an absent stink eye as he passes her, but instead gasps and staggers against the wall as pain lances through her spark* Nnngghh!

Theo: *Alarmed trill, will grab Sidewinder and try and help her to the medbay, since it seems she's hurt*

Sidewinder: *teeth clenched* Nnnno! Don't... don't touch me.... *breathing rapidly, but then winces again and grasps at his shoulder as the pain happens again*

Theo: *remembers that he's got a PINpoint, will use it to bring Sidewinder to the medbay quicker*

Sidewinder: *staggers as they arrive, and then disorientation hits from the teleport and from the sense of another mind trying to control her circuits. Down goes the proud warrior. Splat*

Theo: *RUNS to drag Red Alert in*

Red Alert: *Acking as he's dragged, but then he scans Sidewinder*

Sidewinder: *shaking as she works on locking down her systems and encrypting her data. Inside her chest her son is pulsing angrily in response to his mother's actions*

Red Alert: Sidewinder, I need you to transform. *will hurry to get one of the Seeker protoforms that he, Merlin, and Kia built*

Sidewinder: *lifts her head and looks around blearily to make sure she has enough space to follow his order, but then groans and curls in a ball* Nnnnn. Stop it! Stop!

Red Alert: *Back with the protoform*

Theo: *clicks quietly and moves to see if rubbing Sidewinder's back will help*

Sidewinder: *reaches out blindly, her hand closing on Theo's arm even as she tries without success to call for her Lady and her sister*

Theo: *Trying to be soothing as he gently rubs her back* *Quietly* The medic needs you to transform....

Sidewinder: ...Trying. Sparklet... interfering.... *bites her lip*

Theo: *concerned sound* Do you need help?

Sidewinder: *tense nod*

Theo: *bites his lip a bit* Tell me how...

Red Alert: *will help Theo trigger Sidewinder's transform, and then the two of them will help her settle onto her back*

Sidewinder: *shaking, battling grimly against weakness and her own fear of that weakness even as her spark pulses with distress and further agitates the sparklet*

Red Alert: *gently getting Sidewinder's chest plating apart so he can get to the sparklet*

sparklet: *sudden dart behind his mother's spark, to which he is still fairly solidly attached*

Wanda: *pings Red's comm*

Red Alert: //Yes, Wanda?//

Wanda: //Something funny's going on in my chest.//

Sidewinder: *hisses as her son hits a circuit*

Red Alert: *Pings Merlin and Kia's comms with a message to go to Wanda and Pandita's apartment with a sparklet protoform* //I'm sending Merlin and Kia to help you, Wanda.//

Wanda: //Okay. Um... hey, somebody's singing, and it ain't me.//

Red Alert: //That's more than likely your sparklet...//

Wanda: *startled silence, and then a chuckle* //He's singin' the song Pandy sings me.//

Red Alert: *as Merlin PINpoints in, grabs a sparklet protoform then PINpoints to Wanda and Pandita's apartment* //Just remember to stay calm for Pandita's sake, alright?//

Wanda: //Stay calm? Am I supposed to be not calm?//

Red Alert: //Never mind... How is Pandita doing?//

Wanda: //He's sleepin'. *quiet chuckle* I think he hears the singing too.//

Red Alert: *Chuckles over comms, even as he works to try and coax Sidewinder's sparklet out from behind his mother's spark* //Has your sparklet told you his name yet?//

Wanda: //Whoa... he just did. Endstar. 'Cause of how lousy I am with the little stars when I'm role playing.//

Red Alert: *more chuckles* //It's a good name.// *will gently offer Sidewinder's sparklet some energy in an attempt to coax it out from behind the femme's spark*

sparklet: *wants none of that. Will scoot out of sight, sparking angrily as Sidewinder grits her teeth and clenches her fists*

Wanda: //And now he's singin' again.//

Theo: *Frowns and transforms to scold the sparklet in Seeker*

Sidewinder: *startles as he transforms, which angers her offspring even more. Squirms and closes her hand around Thrust's wrist, unaware of how hard she's gripping*

Thrust: *soothing sounds, will gently patpat Sidewinder's shoulder, even as he continues to scold the sparklet for causing his mother pain*

Sidewinder: *shutters her optics* Madness! Make it... stop!

Thrust: *A glimmer of challenge in his optics as he watches the sparklet's spark* *Roughly, in Conehead Seeker* {Oh yeah? You wanna deal with me, you gotta come out and get me, runt.}

Red Alert: *Moving to get one of the Seeker pain override tabs*

Sidewinder: *sits up suddenly as her defiant offspring hits a circuit hard* Ouch... *passes out*

Thrust: *More scolding, mixed in with some cursing as he moves to reach into Sidewinder's spark chamber. He's stopped by Red Alert, and the two mechs argue for a few moments before Thrust resumes his earlier attempt, this time after covering his hands with a forcefield. He's also being instructed by Red Alert*

Red Alert: *While he's instructing Thrust* //How are things going, Wanda? Have Merlin and Kia arrived to help you?//

Wanda: *laughing* //Star popped out right into Doc's face. Now he's trying to figure out where Doc wants him.//

Red Alert: //Good... At least he's being cooperative...// *Will show Thrust how to safely shock a sparklet into letting go*

Sidewinder's son: *tries to hold on anyway! ...But then tumbles down into the bottom of his mother's spark compartment*

Red Alert: *Muttering all manner of impolite things as he and Thrust work to corral the little brat*

Sidewinder's son: *pulsing weakly, but still letting out a few sparks and fizzes*

Wanda: *transmits the sound of a tiny voice singing wordlessly but very much in tune*

Thrust: *going to scoop the brat up and put him in the waiting Seeker shell*

Red Alert: //Congratulations, Wanda.//

Pandita: //Now all we have to do is teach him the lyrics...// *Sounds amused*

Wanda: *happy laugh* //Hey, how's... what's her name? Doc said she was delivering too.//

Seeklet: *takes form, and then starts complaining angrily at the discomfort and weakness he's feeling from the shock*

Red Alert: *Scans Sidewinder* //Her son's complaining...// *watches as Thrust tries to feed the Seeklet a piece of gingerSwindle*

Sidewinder: *is going to need rest and quiet after that ordeal. Is barely conscious, but has finally managed to call for her trine*

Seeklet: *just bit Thrust*

Thrust: *Squeals and cusses as Comet and Xiaobei arrive in a PINflash*

Seeklet: *cusses back!*

Xiaobei: *Sharply, in Decepticon* [That's enough.]

Seeklet: *the Voice!* *cowers*

Comet: *Moving to take care of Sidewinder*

Xiaobei: *Studies the Seeklet, seriousness in her eyes*

Red Alert: *to Wanda* //Sidewinder will be alright, once she rests.//

Thrust: *Cowering a bit as well. The Warlady's SCARY when she uses that tone of voice!*

Seeklet: *clinging to Thrust now, and hiding his face against the older mech. Instinct programming is telling him this must be family, and so he's busy imprinting here as he hides*

Xiaobei: [You. What is your name?]

Seeklet: [Sidewinder.]

Xiaobei: [That is your carrier's designation. You need a different one.]

Seeklet: [Me Sidewinder!] *turns fierce blue optics toward the War Lady*

Xiaobei: *narrows her eyes slightly* [No.]

Seeklet: [Me Sidewinder!]

Thrust: *Hesitantly, doesn't want to face Xiaobei's full wrath* [S-Slipstream.]

Seeklet: *turns that scowl up to Thrust* Buh?

Xiaobei: *approving nod* [It's similiar to Sidewinder's, but still unique.]

Thrust: *To the Seeklet, feeling a bit braver since the Warlady approves* [You. Slipstream.]

Comet: [Slipstream... I like it... It's a good name for a warrior.] *is still caring for Sidewinder*

Seeklet: *uncertainly* [No.]

Xiaobei: *firmly* [I will not call you by your carrier's designation, Seeklet.]

Seeklet: *proud little face scowling back despite his uncertainty and his powerful grip on Thrust* [Me designation!]

Xiaobei: *going to use her authoritative voice on you again, Seeklet* [Your designation is Slipstream.]

Seeklet: [No!]

Xiaobei: *Will get you by the wing then*

Thrust: *Protective, hisses when Xiaobei gets him by the wing too*

Seeklet: *hisses as well, his grip on the older Seeker intensifying*

Xiaobei: *Sharply* [Submit, or I'll ground you both!]

Seeklet: [NO!]

Sidewinder: *jerks slightly at the shout, and the unshutters her optics and tries to sit up*

Comet: *will transform and lay on you, Sidewinder* [Your offspring's as stubborn as you are, Sidewinder... The Warlady's peeved...]

Xiaobei: *Tightens her grip. She's got a long way before she'd have to transform to discipline you, Seeklet*

Thrust: *Shuttering his optics tightly, will NOT let the Warlady hear him whimper!*

Seeklet: *cusses!*

Sidewinder: [Stand down, you defective scraplet! Or I'll send you where junk belongs!]

Xiaobei: *Will give both Thrust and the Seeklet a good shake*

Seeklet: *resolve drains away into terror, and he shutters his optics and hides his face against his protector*

Xiaobei: *Firmly, in the same tone of voice she used when she first got Sidewinder onto her team* [You will submit to your carrier and to me, or there will be consequences. Do I make myself clear?]

Seeklet: [Clear.]

Xiaobei: [Good.] *loosens her grip slightly* [Your designation.]

Seeklet: *quietly and without emotion* [Slipstream.]

Xiaobei: *relaxes her grip even more* [You are Sidewinder's offspring, and part of my team. I will not tolerate insubordination. Remember that.] *Will move to push Slipstream and Thrust closer to Sidewinder* [For now, rest, and refuel. Training will begin when you and Sidewinder have recovered your strength.]

Thrust: *Goes where he's pushed*

Slipstream: [Clear.] *face still hidden, and baby that he is he's holding himself rigid so that he doesn't shake*

Xiaobei: *To Comet* [Get them to their quarters, and make sure they have fuel.] *will go to report the birth to Patrick, since Red Alert's a bit too dumbfounded to say anything*

Comet: *nods* [Yes, Warlady.] *once Xiaobei's left the med ward, she's clicking quietly and moving to try and get Slipstream and Thrust closer to Sidewinder*

Slipstream: *won't look at the clicking one. Won't look at his creator. Only clings to Thrust and ignores the ache in his tank*

Thrust: *will hesitantly offer the gingerSwindle again*

Slipstream: *looses one hand to take the fuel and stuff it into his mouth*

Thrust: *Quiet, encouraging clicks, steals a peek at Sidewinder*

Sidewinder: *blinking blearily as she struggles to stay awake*

Comet: *Soothing clicks as she brings the group to Sidewinder's quarters* *Gently, to her trine sister* [Rest. I've got your six covered.]

Sidewinder: *faint scowl as her optics fall on her creation, but then there's a soft clank as her head settles to the floor*

Thrust: *hesitantly moves to scoot closer to Sidewinder*

Comet: *Will keep watch over her trine sister, Slipstream, and Thrust. She's seen how Thrust has admired Sidewinder from afar*

Slipstream: *quiet for several minutes, just listening to the sound of Thrust's systems and spark, and of the world around them. But then wriggles and looks up*

Comet: *soft chuckle* [Not tired?]

Thrust: *Watching Slipstream and Sidewinder, is having a silent gleefit*

Slipstream: *soft clink as he leans his head against Thrust and gives Comet a wary stink eye*

Comet: *more soft chuckle* [You're going to fit in just fine...]

Slipstream: *glances up at Thrust*

Thrust: *quietly, in Conehead* {She's not the scary one...}

Slipstream: *also quiet* {Who is?}

Thrust: *Tips his head towards Comet* {She's part of your carrier's trine... Her name is Comet.}

Comet: *Gently, even though she's not as fluent in Conehead as Sidewinder* {Aunt.}

Slipstream: *turns that wary look back to Comet, his expression a tiny spitting image of Sidewinder's* {No like carrier.}

Comet: *Slight headtilt* *Quiet clicks*

Thrust: {Your carrier was upset... The Warlady is Trine leader....}

Slipstream: {No like!}

Thrust: *Very quiet clicks, will check Slipstream's wing over for injury, since his own wing is still tingling where the Warlady grabbed it*

Slipstream: *flinches and hisses as Thrust touches the spot*

Thrust: *Soothing sounds, and then he and Comet are gently working on fixing the dent* {We'll fly later...}

Slipstream: *perks, his big optics going swiftly to the Conehead's face*

Thrust: {For now, rest...} *For someone who has never really cared for younger Seekers, he's doing a good job, right?*

Slipstream: *little frown, but then starts to snuggle before hissing and looking toward that knock on the door*

Thrust: *attention on the door as Comet gets up to see who's there*

Skylar: *peeks into the room once the door's open* *Quiet clicks*

Slipstream: *frowns and presses close to his protector, that wary look back on his little face. Here are no happy sleepy baby clicks, only pride, and anger, and watchfulness*

Thrust: *Watching Skylar warily*

Comet: {Wingleader.}

Skylar: *To Slipstream* [What is your designation, Seeker?]

Slipstream: *tightens his grip on Thrust* *replies in Conehead* {Slipstream.}

Skylar: *Approving nod* {Primus welcome the new warrior.}

Thrust: *Blink blink, wasn't expecting that*

Slipstream: o.0

Thrust: *trying to remember the proper response*

Comet: [Praise be to Primus.]

Slipstream: *looks at Comet* 0.o

Comet: [Primus is the creator of all Cybertronians.]

Slipstream: *nods, but then looks at Skylar again, blinking* [Praise be Primus.]

Skylar: *chuckles* {Amen. Welcome, Slipstream. I look forward to seeing you in the air.}

Slipstream: *tilts head so that it leans against Thrust. Not sure what to make of chuckles and acceptance. But then he hisses as Sidewinder stirs slightly in her sleep*

Skylar: *Attention on Sidewinder, concerned*

Thrust: *Relaxing, since Skylar officially welcomed Slipstream*

Sidewinder: *shudders slightly and then tries to push herself up* What...? *confused and shaky*

Comet: *over to make Sidewinder lay back down* You need to rest.

Sidewinder: *frowns up at sister* Berth...?

Comet: *Small nod, will carefully lift Sidewinder and carry her to her berth*

Sidewinder: *blinking, but then suddenly scowling* [That sparklet was a mistake.]

Comet: *small frown* [I don't think he is....]

Sidewinder: [Did you see what he did? He challenged the War Lady.]

Comet: [You did too, when you first met her, Sidewinder.... Or did you forget about the smackdown she gave you?]

Sidewinder: [I was a grown warrior! It was my duty to challenge her.]

Comet: [Slipstream's your offspring. He's as headstrong as you are. He just doesn't have the experience you do to know better yet.]

Sidewinder: *scowls*

Comet: [Give him time. He'll learn, or he'll get scrapped by someone stronger than he is.... I think he'll learn though... He's already a bit wary of Starscream...]

Sidewinder: *frowns and looks back toward the other room* [The Air Commander's seen him?]

Comet: [Yup. And already given his blessing and the traditional welcoming.]

Sidewinder: *surprised* [Then the scraplet'll have to be kept.]

Comet: *Soft chuckle* [To be honest, you would've had a hard time getting him away from Thrust... I never knew a Conehead could be such a good caretaker....]

Sidewinder: [...How did Thrust get him?]

Comet: [He was there when Slipstream got his shell, I guess... You'd have to ask him...]

Sidewinder: [Is the Air Commander here still?] *tries to see past sister, and then blinks and her optics widen slightly as she spies someone looking in through the front door*

Blitzwing: *talking to Starscream about angel cake that he wants to get for Usagi*

Starscream: *recommending a bakery that delivers, since he has a feeling Blitzwing won't want to adopt the current 'trend' regarding alt-modes*

Blitzwing: *no no, he wants cake from Starscream's mate*

Sidewinder: *mouth actually twitches slightly at the corners* [Sister, look at the door.]

Comet: [Huh?] *Looks and lets out a surprised squeak*

Starscream: *will ask Melissa if she has a recipe for angel cake*

Sidewinder: *lowers her head, optic shutters drooping with weariness* [Better go speak to him...]

Comet: *Bites her lower lip, considering her options, before she's moving to cover Sidewinder with a blanket and scooting out to the main part of the quarters*

Blitzwing: *looks up as the femme comes in, and then he's grinning* Comet.

Comet: *Faint blush* H-Hello, Blitzwing...

Thrust: *Don't mind him, he's just gonna cuddle Slipstream for a bit while he rests his optics...*

Starscream: *Sharing his observation that Comet seems to have a crush on Blitzwing with Melissa, is amused by what he's seeing*

Melissa: *lets him know she's heading for the Ark kitchen to make that cake. Is happy that something is amusing him*

Blitzwing: *steps inside, his arms going out toward the white and blue femme* *quiet and gruff* Good to see you again.

Comet: *Small nod, moves to approach the old soldier* I-it's good to see you as well, Blitzwing...

Blitzwing: *pulls her close and rests his cheek against her helm, shuttering his optics and smiling slightly as he does*

Comet: *Hear that, Blitzwing? You've got her purring quietly! She's glad Blitzwing is still around, and happily snuggles close to the old mech*

Blitzwing: *pleased by that soft, happy sound. Tightens his hug in a little squish* Congratulations.

Comet: *Internal gleefit* *Quietly* Thank you, Blitzwing...

Blitzwing: Looks like a good strong sparklet. *looks over to where the little black Seeklet is sleeping as he clings to the maroon Conehead*

Comet: *nods* He's definitely Sidewinder's offspring....

Blitzwing: Oh? *turns his attention to the petite (to him) femme in his arms*

Comet: He challenged the Warlady....

Blitzwing: ...The slag you say.

Comet: *headshake* I witnessed it.

Blitzwing: *shakes his head slowly* I remember how crazy his mother was at that age. Looks like his other creator's code isn't good for slag.

Comet: *quietly* Actually.... He has no other creator....

Blitzwing: *blink* How'd that work?

Comet: *Explains the situation as well as she can, given her understanding of the circumstances*

Blitzwing: ...What the slag made her think she needed to make a sparklet? *scowl*

Comet: I wish I knew... Sometimes, she's hard to read....

Blitzwing: *shakes his head and looks over at Thrust* You. Are you just here as a nanny to that little bundle of scrap?

Thrust: *Sticks his chin out a bit* Promised we'd go flying later.

Comet: Slipstream's not moved very far from Thrust at all....

Blitzwing: *looks at the Conehead's attitude* He courting Sidewinder?

Comet: He wants to, but I don't know if she'll impress or not....

Blitzwing: Hrrrm. Surprised she hasn't hooked herself to one of the top flyers in the wing.

Comet: Dirge claimed Mistglider, and Ramjet's courting one of the human lieutenants... And Whiplash is too engrossed in that stupid game he plays on the information network to realize when a femme is showing interest in him.

Blitzwing: Yeah, but Alpha squad's here. That means Beamrider and Heatseeker. And Thundercracker and Quickstrike.

Comet: She got turned down by both Beamrider and Heatseeker... and Thundercracker and Quickstrike already have mates.

Blitzwing: Oh ho ho. I knew that pride of hers would get in her way.

Comet: She tried for Skyfire as well, but he was already courting Wander....

Blitzwing: *squints one optic shut as he imagines how the race-proud femme probably handled all that rejection*

Comet: *even quieter* She also tried Sideswipe, but Skywarp and Sunstreaker told her no as well...

Blitzwing: A groundpounder! Talk about scraping the bottom of the vat.

Comet: Sideswipe's got a mate now... A Dragon Elf woman named Starpounder....

Blitzwing: *actually blinks at that* The star warriors still exist?

Comet: *nods, a small smile coming to her face* And Sideswipe had a hand in creating two new ones...

Blitzwing: .... .... .... Alright, you better explain that one....

Comet: *Explains what she knows of the gas that was apparently purchased and used*

Blitzwing: So they're really part Autobot.

Comet: I think so... Sideswipe's almost overprotective of them.... but they're so little and cute....

Blitzwing: Huh. Who was stupid enough to pair up with Quickstrike?

Comet: Nightwish... I don't know the whole story there... just that they're together now....

Blitzwing: *startled* Slag.

Comet: Either she's damaged, or he really managed to impress her or something....

Blitzwing: It's got to be damage. There's no way that crosswire could impress anyone, even if he is a hot shot in the air.

Slipstream: *small sound of complaint at the talking*

Thrust: *Scowls at Blitzwing and Comet*

Blitzwing: *scowls back, but then looks down at Comet* Talk to you later, kid.

Comet: Alright....

Blitzwing: *gently chucks her chin, and then turns and leaves*

Starscream: *Amused headshake, will go and help Melissa make cake*

Comet: *Silent for a few moments*

Slipstream: *fussy little sound as he moves, but won't loose his grip on Thrust*

Thrust: *Soothing clicks, isn't going anywhere*

Slipstream: *lets himself be soothed, though he watches Comet for a long time before he settles back to sleep*


The Havoc home


Rose: *pausing on her way into the living room to gaze dully at the picture of the miniature pintaloosa gelding who'd been her friend for the past ten years*

Jean: *At a loss for what to say or do. It's painful for him to watch Rose, knowing that he can't help her, unless by some stroke of Creator-given luck, a miracle happens*

Rose: *recalls herself with a blink after several minutes and turns her chair to continue her trip, only to blink when she sees him standing there* What?

Jean: *offers a box of bacon chocolates*

Rose: *looks at the coveted treat and shrugs* Lemme go out into the living room.

Jean: Alright... *Will move so she can go to the living room*

Rose: *rolls out and parks herself at the end of the couch, but doesn't move to it as she usually would. Instead her eyes have gone to the window and are staring blankly at the last roses that are obstinately defying the snow to show pink through the gathering dusk*

Jean: *Silently prays, though he's not sure that anyone is listening, for a way to help Rose, even as he moves to gently rub her back*

Rose: *startles a bit and frowns at him, then remembers and reaches for the candy box* Lessee.

Jean: *hands the box over. It's not even been opened, which may be a bit surprising*

Rose: *reads* 'Maple bacon roses, dipped in rich, dark chocolate.' Nice. Thanks.

Jean: *will gently hug her and nuzzle her hair a bit, still at a loss for words*

Rose: What're you so cuddly about? I ain't seen anythin' broken.

Jean: *Quietly* Since when do I need a reason to cuddle?

Rose: *listlessly* Ain't that Johnny on the step?

Jean: Huh? *looks*

Wesson: *is indeed standing on the doorstep, looking like he's waiting for Jean to come out for a chat*

Jean: *will gently squeeze Rose's shoulder before going to see what's on Wesson's mind*

Wesson: *grins at him* There you are. What, you gave up smoking toothpicks too?

Jean: *absent shrug* There're more important things to worry about right now....

Wesson: *sobers* How's Rose? I saw the truck leaving the barn.

Jean: She didn't even make a joke about the bacon chocolate being dinner...

Wesson: *frown* I didn't realize Buster meant that much to her.

Jean: *Quietly* She's realized just how limited she's become....

Wesson: :\ It's hitting her that hard.

Jean: *nods* *quietly* I wish some of the miracle Tad, the Major and I got would'a come her way too....

Wesson: *moves his head a little, his expression grim and concerned* Everybody got it that was suppose to.

Jean: I just... I don't know what to say or do... I can't help her, and it's killing me inside...

Wesson: Man, she's strong. She'll get through this. *then he thinks of all the strenuous exercises that Rose used to call outdoor sports and her hobbies, and his face falls slightly* I could've cleaned out Buster's pen and fed him.

Jean: *small nod, attention moving back to the house a bit* Yeah, but he was a show horse. He needed fancy stuff.

Wesson: Wish she didn't hate housepets.

Jean: ... We could always get a hairless cat....

Wesson: Mini Vato. *snerk* *but then shakes his head* They shed too, just like you guys do. *rubs his nose* Oh yeah, and he's official now.

Jean: *soft snort* Didn't know 'Cuddle buddies' was a legal term....

Wesson: *says the word Vato told him* The Colonel wrote 'em down as cohabitating, 'n made Anne 'n Caine his next of kin.

Jean: *blink blink* ... *tries to repeat the word, messes up the pronounciation a bit*

Wesson: *snerk* Means 'warmth at my back' or somethin' like that.

Jean: *soft snerk* Figures Vato's people are mushy romance types.... *Says the guy with a romance novel collection*

Wesson: They're cats. *grin and shrug* *but then looks thoughtful* You guys ever thought of havin' kids?

Jean: *headshake* We haven't even talked about it....

Wesson: Hmmm. *looks up into the starlit darkness and then turns to go* See ya.

Jean: ... Okay then... *will head back inside*

Rose: *gazing blankly out the window again, the box of chocolates unopened in her lap*

Jean: *quietly moves to rub her back again*

Rose: *blinks at him and sets the box aside* Guess I better make dinner. What do you want?

Jean: We've got those burgers that can be heated up.... And I can make a salad....

Rose: *wrinkles her nose at the thought of frozen burgers as she wheels toward the kitchen* I'm makin' noodles. Wanna get the flour?

Jean: *Chuckles and nods* Sure... *will move to do so*


About an hour later


Rose: *hanging the last of the extra homemade egg noodles on the clothes drying rack. Can smell the spicy, apple-based sauce on the stove and knows it's ready* Jean, you dumb aft, get those noodles outta the toaster. That ain't gonna dry 'em any faster.

Jean: Awww... *pouts and complies*

Rose: You can start some toast, though. *rolls over to start garlic butter*

Jean: Gotcha... *Will get started on that*

Rose: And don't forget to flip it. *stops and looks up as a rap comes to the front door*

Jean: Who could that be? *moves to see who's there*

Wesson: *looks up from something in his arms, then gently shoves the bundle at Jean and walks away*

Jean: *Blink blink* Hey! John! Come back here!

bundle: *wriggles and clicks, then squeaks unhappily*

Jean: ... *moves to bring the bundle inside the house* Um... Rose?

Rose: *sets the sauce on the counter and turns* What'd Johnny want? *sees bundle* What's that?

Jean: Johnny just gave this to me... *looking a bit lost, even as he moves to gently set the bundle in Rose's lap* I think we've just been given a kid....

Rose: *voice squeaks a little, as it does when she's very surprised* What? *quickly opens the bundle, and then gasps at sight of the tiny Cybertronian who looks up at her with big blue optics from a rounded silver pixie face*

bitty: *clicks and squeaks and fusses*

Jean: *brain-broken expression* Er....

Rose: *grabs a note that was in the bundle* She can eat organic food. ...And she's only a few minutes old? I'm gonna kick Johnny's #@#@@# aft.... *cuddles the little one as her fussing gets more insistent* Shhh, baby. Shhh. It's alright.

Jean: ... *Going to get some of the bread that hasn't been toasted yet. Will offer it to the bitty, clicking the sparklet word for 'Friend'*

bitty: *looks at the bread, then looks at Jean with wide optics as she clicks and asks where her parents are. Little hands are reaching even as she does so*

Jean: *continues to click, using some of the sounds he's heard the kids in the creche use, and that he has no idea mean 'guardian' or 'parent', will gently poke the bread at the bitty's mouth*

bitty: *noms obediently, and then stops with wonder at the funny sounds caused by clicking around a mouthful of bread*

Rose: *soft chuckle*

Jean: *small smile, glances at Rose*

Rose: What's your name? Huh? *pushing the blanket down the rest and making sure the tiny femme is safe*

bitty: *shrugs and clicks around her bread. Big noms happening*

Rose: Can we give you one?

bitty: *looks up intently, softly clicking the femme parent sound to her*

Rose: *looks at Jean* ...She's a person, ain't she?

Jean: Looks like it.... An itty-bitty person....

Rose: You think she's Transformer? Or somebody like Doc Ruteger's little guys?

Jean: I have no idea... *considering look* Wonder if Doc Anderson's busy?

Rose: You wanna call 'n see? *more softly* Elisabeth... Bitsy.

bitty: *clicks inquiringly as she grips her slice of bread. Is that her?*

Jean: *Goes to radio Russell* *is soon telling the medic to come up for a change of scenery*

Rose: *intent on feeding Bitsy and softly scolding the little one for clickstorming right through the exercise*

Bitsy: *justatalkin'!*

Jean: *hanging up on Russell* He'll be up to visit soon....

Rose: Listen to this kid. She's worse'n you after you read a new book.

Jean: *Razzes Rose*

Rose: *grabs the wooden spoon and belts him upside the hip with it*

Bitsy: *laughs*

Jean: *yelps and bites his lip to keep from cussing as he skitters back a few steps*

Rose: *unaware that that's the first swing she's taken at her husband since she first realized she wasn't going to be able to do the things she'd loved to do. Just gives him a Look and then uses the spoon to scoop up some sauce to offer to the tiny being on her lap*

Jean: *Rubs at his hip and pouts at his wife*

Bitsy: *om nom nom!* ^_^

Rose: You wanna get out the plates 'n stuff, Jean?

Jean: Sure... *moves to do so, pauses when someone knocks on the door* And that's probably Doc Anderson....

Rose: Come in!

Bitsy: IN!

Rose: Eeee!

Russell: *enters the house, heading straight for the kitchen* *pauses when he sees Bitsy, one brow climbing ever so slightly as he scans the little femme*

Bitsy: Eeee! In! *click storm!*

Rose: *soft surprise* She's talking!

Russell: Well, that's not surprising... Any sparklet her age is able to talk... Most just choose to use the sparklet language....

Jean: *setting plates down to fuss over Bitsy*

Bitsy: *clicks more* In, in. ^_^

Rose: I... didn't realize. Wait. Where'd Johnny get a Cybertronian baby?

Russell: Her coding's similar to Rumble and Frenzy's... She may very well be related to them, as well as related to Wesson and Soundwave....

Rose: *freezes a bit* So that means Johnny got her from Soundwave? He's their creator, right?

Bitsy: *urrrrp* o.0

Jean: *Small frown*

Russell: That's true... But Soundwave is protective of his creations... He wouldn't trust them with just anyone, I don't believe.

Rose: The note says she was only a few minutes old when Johnny brought her to us. *rubs Bitsy's back and pats it to see if there's anymore air in there*

Jean: *Will get a towel to drape over Rose's shoulder*

Russell: ... *Slight smile tugs at the corner of his mouth* I hope you two can tolerate having Rumble and Frenzy as family....

Rose: I ain't really seen a lot of those two. *thoughtful as she pats the tiny back and ponders how it feels to have Bitsy snuggled against her* What do we need to know to take the right care of her?

Russell: She's got the same modifications that all of the resident Cybertronians have, so she can eat organic foods, as well as things that will seem strange to you and Jean...

Rose: *frowns slightly, her hand pausing in the patting* What kinda things?

Bitsy: *sneeze! Clickstorm!*

Rose: *checks her and looks back to Russell*

Russell: Bath fizzies, scented soaps, energon, carbon, sidewalk chalk, chalkboard chalk, candles....

Rose: o.0 *then laughs a bit* Energon, I get... that other stuff won't hurt her?

Russell: Her spark's strong, so she'll be in no danger by eating any of those... Oh, and also, there's a specific shade of blue paint that the sparklets love... It's a treat, but it's a harmless one, so if she has some, don't worry.

Rose: Which one's that? *looks toward the hall and raises her voice a little* Jean! They're in the bathroom closet!

Russell: *gets out a washcloth that has some of the paint in it* *will offer the washcloth, dry end first, to Rose* Lisa knows the exact color name.... and so does Autumn.

Rose: *takes the cloth and sets it on a plate on the table, then calls to her husband again and checks on Bitsy* Okay. Anythin' else we need to know?

Bitsy: *nose rub. Nose rub rub rub* >_<

Russell: She may try to eat crayons.... If she does, bring her to the medbay, since crayons tend to upset sparklet tanks....

Rose: *bit of a wince* Gotcha. *looks down at the little nose rubber*

Jean: *Brings the towel*

Rose: Thanks. *puts it on her shoulder, and then pats Bitsy some more* Will she be able to transform?

Russell: She should be able to, but she doesn't seem to have an alternate mode yet....

Rose: How soon do you guys get those?

Bitsy: *BRAF* 0_0 *squeak!*

Russell: It varies from person to person....

Jean: *snerks at the big burp, then he's gently patting Bitsy's back*

Rose: *offers him the bitty one as Bitsy clickstorms* I think she wants some more to eat.

Jean: *Will carefully cradle Bitsy and then get some of the pasta and poke it at her mouth*

Bitsy: *om nom nom. Click click click!*

Rose: *gives the sparklet a concerned look* But we don't understand what she's sayin'.

Russell: Right now, she's just enjoying her meal... *chuckles and offers Rose a few datachips* These have the whole of the current American English language, minus the words that are impolite.

Rose: *takes the chips and looks at them, then back to Russ* What do we do with them?

Russell: Give them to her, but not all at once. *Will guide Rose through the process*

Rose: *offers one of the chips to Bitsy, clicking softly to catch the little one's attention*

Bitsy: *huh?* [Mama!] Ooooo. *takes the chip and looks at it closely, it looks large in her tiny hands*

chip: *has data on it, from words, to how those words sound*

Bitsy: *sticks a corner of it in her mouth and gnaws as she reads it*

Rose: Oh no. *snort of laughter and goes to stop the sparklet*

Russell: *Chuckles* That won't hurt her...

Jean: *Trying not to snicker, since Bitsy looks adorable gnawing on the chip*

Rose: What about the chip, though?

Russell: They're easy to recreate. Blaster and Teletraan have the data stored safely.

Bitsy: *gnaws and watches the big bots, then frowns and fusses slightly as she realizes there's nothing else that she doesn't already have on the chip. Waves it, and then thumps it against Daddy's hand* In!

Jean: *Chuckles and reaches for the next chip*

Bitsy: *sees it and drops the one she has* Want that, Daddy.

Rose: *sucks air in through her teeth with startlement*

Jean: *Boggling slightly as he offers Bitsy the next chip*

Rose: *looks at Russell* Daddy?

Bitsy: *gnawing away again*

Russell: *chuckles* That's one of the words that was on the chip...

Rose: ...But ain't Soundwave her daddy?

Bitsy: *throws chip and clicks, giving Jean an adorable look with her big optics*

Russell: Soundwave is her creator, yes, but you and Jean are her parents. *See how complex Cybertronian families can get, Rose?*

Rose: *frowns, not getting it* ....

Russell: It's similar to how Will was created by different people than Denver and Tracks, but he calls them his parents.

Rose: But they adopted him, didn' they?

Russell: From my understanding, he started following Raoul back to the family quarters when we were still at the lodge...

Rose: Well, yeah. I saw that. But there was some kinda paperwork. You can't just take in a kid like a stray dog.

Russell: *blink blink* Paperwork?

Bitsy: *nomming on chip number three. Sleepy optics*

Rose: *puzzled* Yeah... making them legal guardians and all that.

Russell: By Cybertronian law, they are legal guardians... They could have turned him away the first time, and they chose to keep him....

Rose: *flabbergasted*

Jean: .... *Brain broken expression*

Rose: *finally* ...Oh.

Russell: There were only ever orphans when creches were too full to take them in, or nobody wanted to care for a sparklet or youngling, and I can count the number of known orphans on one hand..... That's over the course of several billion years....

Rose: But... we ain't Cybertronian.

Russell: If you want to fill out the paperwork, you're free to do so....

Bitsy: *tosses the third chip and fusses* Mama? Mama!

Rose: 0_0 *looks at the little one*

Jean: *Will set Bitsy on Rose's lap again*

Russell: *small smile*

Bitsy: *cuddles and clings, her optics shuttering as she clicks softly and makes tiny purrs*

Rose: What's wrong? *looks at the chips left* You didn't read 'em all?

Bitsy: Sleepy....

Russell: She'll need time to sort through all that data... *will get a couple of baby carriers out of subspace... why yes, ones that Rinny made*

Jean: ... Everyone has those...

Russell: *Shrugs* They're easy to make.

Rose: *looks up from covering Bitsy with the towel and blanket, raises her eyebrows* Ain't she kinda tiny for those?

Russell: I've seen Dion tucked into them when he was brand new...

Rose: *slight chuckle* *then looks back down at the little one on her lap* ...Sweet mercy... I'm a mama?

Russell: *Chuckles* Congratulations, Rose. Congratulations, Jean.

Jean: *bites his lip to keep from cussing*

Rose: S... unshine, we don't got anythin' for a baby!

Russell: *calling Autumn* Autumn can help you with that.

Jean: *And now he's doing floor time, since it's sunk in that he's a Dad*

Russell: *Facepalming and moving to help Jean sit up*

Rose: What the @!#$#@?? *looking at husband on floor, then realizes what she said and goes white as she covers her mouth and looks down at Bitsy*

Bitsy: *sleeping purrs and the occasional little click*

Russell: *chuckles* Autumn will be by soon with everything you'll need... *gently pats Jean's shoulder before moving to gently pat Rose's shoulder*

Rose: *shakes head slightly with wonder and a mental promise to kick John Wesson's butt* Thanks, Doc.

Jean: *Quietly* Holy crap.... I'm a dad....

Russell: If you have any questions, just call. *nods to Rose before he heads out*


Meanwhile, in the Wesson residence in the Ark barracks


Wesson: *sleeping on the couch. Yes, really sleeping*

Maria: *carrying groceries so she can cook a good, traditional Portugese meal for herself and John, silently thanks whoever it was in the Autobot ranks who came up with keyless touchpad entry for private quarters as she puts her hand on the ID scanner*

Wesson: *doesn't even twitch. His comfortable, boneless sprawl continues*

Maria: *Frowns and moves to set her groceries in the kitchen area before she'll come to check on Wesson*

Wesson: *yup, Mr. Awake At All Hours is really asleep. He hasn't died.*

Maria: *Will put her hand on his forehead, even as she reaches to flick her radio on to call Russell*

Wesson: *hand closes on her wrist and one brown eye opens to look at her with humorous inquiry* Whaaat?

Maria: You feeling alright? *Concerned*

Wesson: I'm fine. *sighs and stretches, and then sits up to give her a sleepy grin* How was shoppin'?

Maria: I got everything to make Caldeirada....

Wesson: *perks* Need me to clean the fish?

Maria: *Nods* Do you want toasted bread, fried bread, or should we just tear it off the loaf?

Wesson: *chuckles as he shifts his weight to get off the couch* Surprise me. Oh, 'n if Jean or Rose call I ain't here.

Maria: *chuckles, then pauses and gives him a Look* Did you dangle Jean from a flagpole again?

Wesson: *up and heading for the itty bitty kitchen* Nope. Jes' gave Rosie somethin' to love instead of Buster.

Maria: ... *moves to give him a hug from behind*

Wesson: *leans into the hug slightly, grinning* Hey... what's that for?

Maria: *Quietly* You're a suck... *snuggles*

Wesson: *gently pats her hands* Rosie was gonna make herself sick. She just realized what that leg's gonna mean.

Maria: *Quiet as she nods*

Maria's phone: *rings*

Wesson: *chuckles and wriggles loose* So not here.

Maria: *snerks and moves to answer her phone* Hello?

Rose: //Tell that dumb a...ft husband of yours to turn his f...lipping phone back on!// *yes, Maria, Rose is watching what she says*

Maria: He's not here, so I can't, Rose...

Rose: //Bul...ony.//

Maria: I just got home, Rose. He's not here.

Rose: *to a background of tiny clicks* //Maria, I can tell when you're tellin' a whopper, 'n you know it. No, sweetheart, that ain't a datachip.//

Maria: *blink blink* Who's that clicking over there?

Rose: //That is my daughter. You wanna say hi, Bitsy?//

Bitsy: *dead silence on the phone*

Maria: Awww... It's okay, sweetie...

Rose: //Huh. She even talks in her sleep. Dunno why she stopped then.//

Maria: Oh... She was asleep...

Rose: //No, she was, but she woke up when Mrs. Smith came over.//

Maria: Huh... *Small frown for a few moments* I'd better go... I was gonna make Caldeirada for John for when he gets home...

Rose: //Tell him his baby sister's doin' alright. No thanks to him and Soundwave.//

Maria: Will do... Talk to you tomorrow, alright?

Rose: //Sure. G'night.//

Bitsy: *issa clickstorm in the background!*

Rose: //.... *snerk*// *hangs up*

Maria: *amused headshake, will proceed to the kitchen*

Wesson: *talking to a dead fish, and making it talk back*

Maria: *Snerks* Rose says Bitsy's doing alright....

Wesson: *sets down the fish and looks incredulous* What kinda name's 'Bitsy'?

Maria: It's prolly short for something... Elisabeth maybe? *Shrugs and moves to start chopping onions*

Wesson: *cuts off the fish's head and then tips the guts out into the bucket where he's put the rest* ...Rosie's mama was Elisabeth.

Maria: Huh.... *continues to chop onions, moves onto the tomatoes once she's gotten them rinsed*

Wesson: *scrubbing the shellfish now, growls at one for pinching him*

Maria: *chuckles and shakes her head as she moves to work on the potatoes*

Wesson: Since when do they sell bluegill at the fish market? *amused*

Maria: I got it from the farmer that brings fish for Sludge and Swoop.

Wesson: He give you these carp, too?

Maria: *nod* I'm going to see if the Rutegers want some Caldeirada too....

Wesson: Never seen Simon 'n their sisters 'n brothers turn down fish. Desti might not be too keen on it.

Maria: *Soft chuckle* That kid.... *Sobers, thinking of what she saw when she checked on Jack and Rachel* *Quietly* Raj brought Sora to the med ward for a little while....

Wesson: *looks up from scrubbing scallops, his expression showing his interest and concern*

Maria: 'Parently it was on Mrs. Ruteger's orders... 'N she had Sora link up with her for some reason....

Wesson: *nods* *quietly, as he resumes scrubbing* We can talk mind to mind that way. Right now Professor Ruteger's livin' inside his mind.

Maria: .... Oh... Guess Sora was talking to the Professor then....

Wesson: That'll do her good. *sets the last scallop into the pot and then takes a peek at the clams* Which kinda long necks are those? *will start on the smaller clams first, leaving the elastic banded monsters to sit in their bag a little longer*

Maria: *Finishes peeling and cubing the potatoes, gives John a slightly confused look* What do you mean?

Wesson: It's like when you link two computers, or like how Annie can hear people think when she touches 'em. *offers her a clam*

Maria: I meant what do you mean about it doing Sora good? *will work on cleaning the clam now*

Wesson: *gives her a mild, 'did you just ask that' look* She got to talk to her dad.

Maria: ...Oh... *Feeling a bit like a derp now*

Wesson: *leans over to kiss her on the forehead, and then opens the bag of long neck clams and goes .>_<. as one spits water right in his eye* ...Knew that was gonna happen.

Maria: *mutters something in Portugese and goes to get a towel*

Wesson: *chuckles as he gets fussed over, and then settles down to a quiet evening of preparing supper with his lady*

((Co-written with random_xtras))