mbv, The /Ark/ and a Park in Tokyo, Family Reunion
Rachel: *washing her husband's face* C'mon, Sport. You had to do this on the morning when I'm already in a hurry, and Skylar's having a snitfit?
Jack: *sheepish, is trying to help clean things up* I was just trying to heat it up without using the microwave....
Rachel: *gets him in a headlock* Hold still. *scrubby!*
Simon: *finally comes out of shock* Me, Simon, am blue spotty.
Sarah: *blink blink. Soft giggle*
Greg: *eating the oatmeal off the table, unfazed by blue spatters*
Sven: *looking up at the ceiling and blinking at the globs of blue oatmeal up there*
Sandra: *grumping a bit as she scoops oatmeal onto her toast*
Rachel: You realize that if Desti were here she'd have been having a fit? *more scrubby!*
Jack: *squirming a bit* Yeah....
Missy: *looks at Hopesong*
Hopesong: *blinking from where she's leaning back in her high chair* *softly* Moo...
Missy: *snort*
Sven: Noms on ceiling....
Rachel: *looks up and sighs* I don't have time to get them right now, Sven.
Greg: *finishes licking the table and looks up speculatively*
Sandra: *shares her toast with Greg... by poking it at his mouth*
Greg: *growls at her and calls her a stupid sister as he munches*
Simon: You, Greg, not call her Sandy stupid.
Sandra: *razz Greg, goes to share toast with Sven, Simon, and Sarah*
Rachel: *suddenly looks up from the hubscrub* Oh no. Sarah, sweetie, what does your dress look like?
Sarah: *in between bites of toast* Dress hem spotty.... *small frown at this fact... She hid behind Simon, so if all that happened was that the hem of her dress got a bit spotted...*
Rachel: *has a good look at which dress Sarah is wearing, to see if she should be worried. Already knows that there were none of Sarah's children on the table this morning. Sandy's best friend on the other hand...*
Sarah: *wearing one of her blue dresses, the one with the white polka dot pattern*
Greg: *licks Sandra's canvas dog*
Sandra: *wallops Greg*
Rachel: *as Simon intervenes between Sandra and Greg* Sarah, how about you take off that dress and put it in the bathtub with water and baking soda? Do you remember how much water and how much soda to put in?
Sarah: *nods and moves to scoot for the bathroom*
Rachel: Good girl. *tone changes to gentle warning* Sandy...
Sandra: Hmmph! *takes her dog and goes to sit down at the table again*
Jack: *scooting to snag another washcloth so he can continue to clean up*
Bubba: *runs into the fridge, beeping gleefully and waving one of his frog toys over his head*
Chance: *chasing Bubba and yapping about it!*
Rachel: *steps over Bubba and Chance on the way to the sink, then stops and blinks into it* Fred, sweetie, I don't think this is a good office to do crosswords.
Simon: o.0 *laughs*
Jack: *acks as Bubba and Chance get underfoot*
Rachel: *looks over her shoulder as she lifts Fred and his bright pink crossword book out of the sink* Are you okay, Sport?
Greg: Me Greg got him. *arm around Jack's shoulders*
Jack: Yeah... *giving Bubba and Chance a Look*
Rachel: Lyra, Moofie, can you get these guys to settle down?
Moofie: *deedles and moves to herd Bubba out of the room, using a string dolly*
Lyra: *smacks Chance on the rump and beetles off with the dog drone scampering after her*
Sarah: *back in the kitchen, changed to one of her other blue dresses*
Rachel: *gives Sarah a kiss and washes her hands at the sink* You guys be good in the crèche, today, alright?
Sarah: *nod nod* Will be good.
Sandra: *harumphs and cuddles her dog*
Sven: *still staring at the noms on the ceiling*
Jack: *glad he doesn't have to go in to sub today*
Rachel: *glances at husband* I was talking to you too, Sport. I told Bert and Autumn you'd be in today.
Jack: *soft chuckle* I've got Minecraft on a datapad....
Rachel: You'll have wall to wall babies. *chuckles, then looks at her watch and goes back to the table to pass out kisses*
Jack: Some of them'll be watching me play. *small grin*
Sarah: *hugs for Mama*
Sandra: *grumps a bit about not being able to go this time, but will also hug Mama*
Sven: *distracted from the noms on the ceiling*
Rachel: *hugs Sven too after being rebuffed by a Greg intent on licking the wall* Try to play with the little guys a bit, okay, Sport?
Jack: Alright... *will likely be buried in babies by the time you get back, Rachel*
Rachel: *knows this well. Gives him a last kiss, and then gently boots Fluffy as he beetles past. Laughs and PINpoints away as he plays a razz track at her*
Just around a corner from a Tokyo park....
Raj: *looks up as Rachel arrives, has an arm around Sora's shoulders to keep her from going too early*
Sora: *anxious and wanting to get going*
Kup: *over on one knee, talking to a group of Japanese middle school girls about the fighting they'd seen on TV*
Destiny: *stopped from wandering off after stray cats by the strap on her wrist that leads back to Kup* *clickstorming rapidly*
Rachel: *goes to offer Sora a hug* Sorry I'm late, sweetheart.
Sora: *quietly* What blew up this time?
Rachel: *presses lips together to try and not smile* My kitchen looks like Jackson Pollock hit it with blue oatmeal.
Sora: ... *blink blink*
Raj: *very soft snort* I don't even want to know what Jack was working with.... *gentle squeeze for Sora's shoulder, glances at Destiny and tries not to snerk as he watches the overgrown sparklet clickstorming and trying to make grabby hands at some birds... which are way above her head on the power line*
Destiny: *wants to pet the birds, Papa!*
Kup: *bows and watches the girls walk away toward their school, then turns and gently tugs on the leash* Hey, Destiny, whaddya think you're doin'?
Destiny: *squeaks and tries to reach the birds again. Pretty birdies are over there!*
birds: *totally not fazed by the person below them*
Rachel: *goes over and offers the excited youngster a hug* Hey, baby.
Destiny: *clickstorm* *distracted from the birds by the hug* *squee, hugs Mama*
Rachel: *chuckles* Are you ready to go meet to go meet the boys?
Destiny: *clickstorm! Scoots over to Papa and scales his arm so she can sit on his shoulder*
Kup: *grins and straightens as she reaches her perch, one hand going up to gently cover her legs and make sure she stays up there* *as he chomps his cy-gar* So what're we waiting for? Let's get this show on the road.
Sora: *nods* *to Kup* You have a language pack? *is just checking*
Kup: *looks down at her and grins. Thumb quirk after the girls* They weren't practicin' their English skills.
Sora: *small smile, nods as Raj moves his arm to around her waist* *glances to Rachel*
Rachel: *mother smile for the younger woman, and then turns and heads toward the park, aware of Kup's heavy footsteps striding along behind her*
Destiny: *clickstorming happily*
Sora and Raj: *fall into step alongside Rachel*
Rachel: *leads the little group around the corner, aware of curious looks from the people they pass, who are mostly seniors out for walks or children on the way to school* Bleah. Foo. *rubs nose* I forgot to turn my intake filters up.
Sora: *deep breaths as she walks*
Raj: *reassuring her quietly*
Destiny: *looking around and clickstorming happily*
Kup: I've smelled worse.
Rachel: So have I. I still want my filters up. *rolls her eyes slightly*
Kup: *ignores her and looks ahead as they turn the corner and enter the park*
Power Joe: *looks over there* *blink blink, big grin* ~Hi!~
Destiny: *blink blink blink*
Sora: *slight pause*
Deckerd: Power Joe, finish planting the flower before you do something else.
Power Joe: ~Okay...~ *will get back to work*
Dumpson: *warily watching the big green guy, since he doesn't recognize him*
McCrane: *nods a greeting to the group, giving Rachel a friendly smile before returning his attention to the task at hand*
Rachel: Hey, guys. *head tilt* What are you doing?
McCrane: *soft chuckle* ~Power Joe saw the flowers in their pots waiting to be planted, and wanted to help out... We're helping with that as well.~
Sora: *hesitantly moving to approach the group* *if she was in root mode, her optics would be nearly white*
Rachel: *chuckles* You guys crack me up. *then puts a gentle hand on Sora's shoulder*
Deckerd: *stands slowly, his optics fixed on that little dark-haired Japanese woman and his expression serious and a bit apprehensive*
Destiny: *squeal, gonna scramble off of Papa's shoulder and try and make a beeline for Deckerd*
Kup: *snags her* Hey, hey. Remember what we talked about, kid.
Destiny: *fuss, clickstorm!*
Dumpson: *frowns and looks back and forth between the fussing woman in the green guy's hand and the woman that's approaching Deckerd*
Power Joe: *gonna scoot over to say hello to the fussing woman* ~Hi there....~
Raj: *looking like he wants nothing more than to stay close to Sora, but knows he has to stay back for now*
Sora: *very softly* ~Deckerd?~
Deckerd: *quietly* Yes. We... can all speak English, if it would be easier for you, ma'am.
Sora: *small nod* *softly* It's nice to meet you... *trying so hard not to get choked up, as she can see Deckerd's resemblance to Hound*
Rachel: *quietly* Deckerd, this is your mother, Sora, your stepfather Raj, your aunt Destiny. *looks up at Kup with a bit of a grin* And your grandpa, Kup.
Deckerd: *slight gasp, and then bows*
McCrane: *looks over, surprise clear in his green optics*
Destiny: *gonna try scooting over to Power Joe now, kthx*
Kup: *still has a tight grip on Destiny* Pleased ta meetcha, kid. *chomps cy-gar thoughtfully*
Rachel: Guys, this is Deckerd, that's Power Joe, McCrane, and the red guy that's frowning is Dumpson. *wide grin of grandma pride as she introduces the triplets*
McCrane: *bows* It is nice to meet everyone.
Dumpson: *soft 'hmph' as he nods a greeting*
Power Joe: *slight pout, wants to hold Aunty*
Destiny: *fussing and reaching for Power Joe, wants to sit on his head*
Rachel: *looks up* You better set her loose before she pops a gasket, Kup. She won't go too far. Not with all these other kids to play with.
Kup: *frowns, but then unhooks the leash before setting Destiny on the ground*
Destiny: *scales Power Joe and sits on his head, clickstorming happily*
Power Joe: *looks a bit funny now, since he's trying to get a good look at Destiny without dislodging her*
Deckerd: *has dropped to one knee to be more at Sora's level. Gentle finger touches her face as he studies her*
Sora: *very soft clicks as she looks Deckerd in the optic. There is sadness in her eyes, though there's also a lot of pride as well*
Deckerd: *quietly, and gently, with an innocent sweetness that is too old for his years* I'm sorry for what happened to you, Mother.
Sora: *very, very slight quirk of a grin, very similar to when Dumpson smiles* *softly, as she reaches to gently touch Deckerd's cheek* ~Being given the opportunity to know the family I have... Is more than I could have ever hoped for.~
Deckerd: *gently offers to pick her up, as he does so often for Yuuta*
Sora: *moves to sit on Deckerd's hand*
Dumpson: *arguing softly with Power Joe, and accusing the yellow mech of hogging Destiny*
Destiny: *leeeaaaaning and reaching to patpat Dumpson's cheek* *clickstorms*
Kup: Hey, you two rapscallions stop arguing now...
Deckerd: *carefully cradles Sora, then stands and turns to show her to McCrane*
McCrane: *reaching to gently smooth Sora's hair, a bit of sadness in his expression. He did some research this morning, after Deckerd had explained about having family in the USA... And found the video that told about the trial of the Stark company employees and what the charges against them had been. Though most of the information was classified, what he was able to access was saddening*
Sora: *very soft clicks for Deckerd and McCrane. Would be clicking for Power Joe and Dumpson as well, if they were closer*
Destiny: *loving on the two mechs in her sister's stead*
Deckerd: *tries to say something, but turns his face away slightly instead as his chin wibbles*
Sora: *reaches to gently touch Deckerd's cheek again*
McCrane: *gently touches Deckerd's shoulder*
Deckerd: *holds Sora close, the gesture both comforting and asking for comfort, a blend of child and man in his actions*
Sora: *very soft clicks, is doing her best to give comfort*
McCrane: *going to try clicking as well.... It's a bit awkward, but he's trying, at least*
Destiny: *squeals and points, indicating that snuggles are happening, and she wants in on it!*
Kup: *startles and then follows the pointing finger. Starts to laugh*
Power Joe: *so confused, looks back and forth between Kup, and Deckerd and McCrane*
Dumpson: *scowls at Kup, will go over to McCrane to see what's going on*
Kup: *gruff and gentle hand on Power Joe's back* There are snuggles happening, Lad. Don't miss them.
Power Joe: Ooooh.... *will head over now*
Destiny: *clickstorming, will jump over to Dumpson's shoulder once Power Joe gets close enough*
Rachel: *absently leaning against Raj and hugging his arm as she watches* *quietly* Poor kids.
Raj: *small nod* *softly* I wish we could bring them home with us... But their place is here...
Rachel: Yeah. This is their world. They were born wanting to do their job. After the nap.
Raj: *softer* Maybe someday, they'll get to see the old world....
Rachel: Maybe. Even cops get holidays, right?
Raj: *slight quirk of a grin* According to Pietro, they do....
Rachel: *soft chuckle, and then looks up as she hears Deckerd speaking again*
Deckerd: *quietly, as Kup pats his back* *to Sora* Grandmother said that we have other siblings?
Power Joe: Sisters and brothers? *hopeful*
Sora: *nods* Yes... Ridgeback, and Kriti...
Destiny: *soft huff* Locky-sissy too!
Kup: Naw, kid. Locky's your sister. Not theirs.
Destiny: *more soft huff*
Dumpson: *raised brow ridge* *soft snort. Likes Destiny already*
Kup: *looks at the detectives* I adopted Lockdown after somethin' happened to her personality matrix. She's not quite as advanced as Destiny here.
Power Joe: *concerned expression is mirrored in his brother's expressions now*
Destiny: Locky-Sissy at home... *slight sulk*
Kup: *gently* They'll get to meet her later. We didn't wanna dump too many bots on them to begin with. *looks at the detectives. Quietly* Lockdown's okay. There's nothin' wrong with starting over.
McCrane: *small nod, though he doesn't look reassured*
Sora: *reaches to gently patpat McCrane's arm and click softly*
Kup: *and then his optics twinkle* And it saves you guys from havin' to arrest 'er.
Deckerd: *surprised expression as he looks up*
Power Joe: *blink blink* Huh?
Dumpson: *now it's his turn to look confused*
McCrane: What do you mean?
Kup: Well... let's just say the old Lockdown didn't walk on the side of angels.
McCrane: *very slight frown, but nods*
Destiny: Locky-Sissy good.
Sora: *very soft chuckle*
Deckerd: But how did she lose her personality?
Kup: *hesitates, not sure how to explain this*
Deckerd: *looks down at Sora* Do you know, Mother?
Sora: *small headshake, lips pressed thin*
Raj: *moving to step forward slightly, can feel Sora's sudden tension*
Kup: You know? I have no slaggin' clue.
Rachel: *face palm* Well, I lost that bet.
Destiny: *clickstorms at Sister*
Power Joe: *looks to Rachel* Bet?
Rachel: *mouth twitching and eyes twinkling* Yes. On whether or not Grandpa would remember not to swear.
Kup: *frowns down at her, and then face palms himself*
Power Joe: *snerks* That's a swear word?
Sora: *quiet chuckle* It is....
Power Joe: *attention back on Sora* But Dumpson's said worse things than that... *acks as the mech in question elbows him in the mid-section*
Destiny: *fuss!*
Deckerd: Dumpson, you frightened Aunt Destiny. *frowns at red brother*
Dumpson: *ducks head a bit*
Destiny: *scolding clicks for Dumpson, reaches over and baps him* Bad, bad.
Sora: *coughs to hide her snicker*
Deckerd: *gently trying to prevent the bapping* No. Don't hit him.
Power Joe: *snickering and trying not to dislodge Destiny as his shoulders shake with the force of his amusement*
McCrane: *trying so hard not to look amused*
Deckerd: *inspiration!* Mother, will you tell us about our sister and brother? *looks around for somewhere good to sit*
Sora: *nods, even as Destiny clickstorms at Deckerd* *to Rachel and Kup, over comms* //Desti's getting restless just staying put...// *will get a datapad out of subspace and pull up a photo album's worth of images*
Rachel: *pulls a bright coloured oversize ball out of her subspace and rolls it past Destiny and Power Joe*
Deckerd: *doesn't notice the ball, has decided to lead everyone over and sit on the grass here by the flower bed he and his brothers were working on*
Destiny: *squeal! Ball! YAY!* Ball!
Power Joe: *big grin, and then he's chasing after the ball as Destiny clings to his head and clickstorms happily*
McCrane: *will move to sit down close enough to be able to see the images*
Dumpson: *half-watching Power Joe, half-watching Sora flip through images until she finds the ones she's wanting*
Sora: *calls up a holo-image of a young man who looks a bit like her* This is Ridgeback in his alternate mode.... He goes by Ryan Ruteger when he wears that mode... *will also call up an image of Ridgeback in root mode and hesitate as she tries to figure out how to explain*
Deckerd: *softly* I like this colour of green.
Sora: *quietly* So did Hound....
McCrane: *gently* Hound?
Deckerd: *optics go to Sora's face as he waits for her answer*
Sora: *quietly* The other half of your spark coding... *even quieter* He passed on.... but Ridgeback uses his shell now....
Deckerd: *optics flickering with surprise* Ridgeback... is in our father's body?
Dumpson: *scowling now*
Sora: *small nod, eyes down* His spark was in one of the evidence boxes... Along with the rest of the sparks made from Hound and me...
Deckerd: *sits up, the corners of his mouth turned down as his hand goes up absently to McCrane's shoulder in a comforting gesture* Was our sister there too?
Sora: *headshake, glad for the slight change of subject* No... *will pull up an image of a girl who looks a little older than Yuuta* She was living with a human who was posing as her mother... *quieter, with a slight edge to her tone* That woman lied to her about her origins....
Deckerd: *frown* Has justice been served?
Sora: *small nod, eyes showing a degree of the anger that's more visible on Dumpson's face* *quietly* Kriti wanted to come with us today, but we didn't want to overwhelm everyone with too many new people at once...
McCrane: *softly* But they should be here. It's not right that they are away.
Deckerd: *nodding silently*
Sora: *reaches to gently patpat what she can reach on McCrane, the anger fading quickly from her eyes* She'll be here to visit next time....
Dumpson: *looks at Kup* If you use that thing Deckerd says you have it won't take long for you to get them and bring them here.
Deckerd: Dumpson, don't be rude.
Sora: *blink blink blinking just a bit* *to Rachel over comms* //Was I really like that when I was young?//
Rachel: *soft snerk* //Ohhhh, yeah.//
McCrane: *to Dumpson* They wouldn't be able to stay... Their home is in the USA...
Dumpson: Well, but Okaasan and Kup Ojii-sama aren't staying either.
Sora: *small smile, glances to Kup to see what he thinks of his new title*
Kup: *doesn't seem to have noticed. His frown has escaped and is aimed at Dumpson* Now listen here, you punk...
Deckerd: *blink blink*
Rachel: *hides face with hand. Will NOT laugh*
Destiny: *clickstorms at Papa! Can see you from where she's playing, so is being good, yes?*
Sora: *can't help it, starts laughing at the scolding tones in Destiny's clicks*
Dumpson: *sticking his chin out just a bit, a stubborn look clear in his optics*
Kup: What makes you think you can just give orders and have people jump? *hands on hips as he scowls down at his red grandson. Looks just as the Kup native to this reality used to look when giving Hot Rod and Springer a piece of his mind*
Dumpson: *getting ready to smart off*
Sora: *quietly, with a bit of the authority she used to have in her voice* Dumpson, stop.
Dumpson: *sulk*
Deckerd: ...Grandfather, you called my brother a punk.
Kup: *startled look for Deckerd*
Sora: *glances at Deckerd* *gently* He calls Hot Rod and Springer worse... *small smile on her face as she says that*
Deckerd: *attention goes to his mother. With slight confusion and a bit of ire* But it's not right.
Sora: *gently* That's just how Grandfather is....
Kup: *rubs the back of his neck* I don't mean anything by it.
Dumpson: *harumphs and crosses his arms in front of his chest*
Sora: *to Rachel* //It may be a good idea to call Kriti and Ryan after all...//
Rachel: *squishing Raj's arm in her effort not to laugh* //Ahhh. You think?//
Sora: //I do... and I also think you need to let go of my mate's arm.// *eyes sparkling with amusement now*
Rachel: *looks up at Raj*
Raj: *very slight look of discomfort from having his arm squished*
Rachel: *clears throat and lets go of him. And then snerks*
McCrane: *looks over to Rachel* Yes, Grandmother? *is still a bit concerned about the confrontation between Grandfather and Dumpson*
Rachel: *looks up at the quiet young detective* Hmmm?
McCrane: *gently* Did you need something?
Rachel: Oh. No. *chuckles* I was just laughing at your grandpa.
Kup: *sighs and grumbles, chomping cy-gar*
Power Joe: *runs after the ball as it rolls back towards the entrance to the park, Destiny clinging to his helm and squealing gleefully*
Ryan: *appears with a swish and a slight flash right in front of them, then looks up, yelps, and grabs up Kriti to book out of the way*
Kriti: *startled shriek*
Power Joe: *acks and does a bit of fancy footwork to avoid the pair*
Destiny: *squeal!*
Rachel: Wow! *hurries to comfort any youngsters needing it*
Ryan: *sets sister down once they're out of danger, then turns and looks up at the big yellow bot, his dark eyes quietly curious*
Kriti: *deep breaths out of habit as she hides her face against her doll's hair*
Power Joe: *crouching and apologizing profusely*
Destiny: *clickstorming and having a fit now*
Ryan: *turns more fully and holds his arms up* Shhh, Aunty Destiny. Do you want a hug?
Power Joe: *blink blinks as Destiny darts to Ryan and clings to him* *quietly* You're Ridgeback?
Ryan: *looks up from hugging his young aunt* Well, not right now. But sometimes.
Power Joe: *puzzled expression is a go*
Kriti: *peeks at Power Joe now*
Ryan: When I'm in alt mode, like right now, I'm Ryan. *gentle hand for sister's shoulder, but doesn't let go of Destiny*
Power Joe: Ooooh.... *headtilt* Huh.... *glances to Kriti* Hi....
Kriti: *quietly* Hello....
Ryan: *clicks to Destiny, and then glances around quickly before gently shoving her away and transforming* *there, now he's Ridgeback*
Destiny: *taking that as a cue, will transform and cling to Ridgeback-bubby*
Power Joe: *blink blink blink*
Rachel: *looks over* Oh crumbs.
Kriti: *looking a bit nervous now*
McCrane: *very carefully and gently nudges Deckerd and Dumpson, optics a bit wide now*
Deckerd: *glances at McCrane from his intent conversation with Sora* What is it, McCrane?
Dumpson: *scowling at his brother now*
McCrane: *nods towards where Power Joe and Destiny are*
Sora: *looks* *quietly* Kriti and Ridgeback are here....
Deckerd: *turns his head and startles* Oh. Look, Dumpson. Stop scowling now, they're here.
Dumpson: *looks, and then his expression is brightening* *will scoot over there, only to oof softly as Power Joe plants a foot in his midsection to keep him from startling people*
Deckerd: Grandmother doesn't look very happy. Were Ridgeback and... what's her name now?
Sora: Desinex...
Deckerd: Ridgeback and Desinex weren't supposed to change?
Sora: *small headshake* Not that that would stop Desinex... *quietly* She's as headstrong as I used to be....
Deckerd: *gently sets his mother down, and then goes over to hunker down and speak to Ridgeback and Desinex* Big Brother, Aunty, Mother says you aren't supposed to change now.
Ridgeback: *looks up at him with surprise, then looks over to Sora and Raj*
Raj: *keeping a watch out for any humans that may stumble upon the scene*
Sora: *moving to approach, with McCrane bringing up the rear*
Desinex: *clickstorm, clings to Ridgeback*
Kriti: *quietly* C'mon, Des...
McCrane: *quietly* Why shouldn't they change?
Rachel: We don't want the humans to know that we're here. Cybertronians are still mostly a secret, and I think it's safer for us that way. *glances up at the tall young bot, her expression serious*
McCrane: *puzzled now* But Deckerd told us the park was going to be closed today....
Rachel: *stops and turns right around to face him* Whatnow?
McCrane: Nobody without authorization is supposed to be in the area for a one block radius around the park....
Rachel: *startled blinking and then turns and looks at Deckerd*
Deckerd: *serious look back at her* You said that Grandfather couldn't take human form, so I didn't want your secret to be discovered.
Desinex: *clickstorm*
Kriti: *a bit wary of Dumpson, will slowly edge over to Rachel now*
Raj: *surprised glance for Deckerd, though a small smile crosses his face*
Kup: *chuckling* Well how about that? The kid's got Sharpshot's mind alright.
Rachel: *brows up as she puts an arm around Kriti* Oh. Well... alright, then, I guess. *glances down at Kriti and quirks a slight grin* You've got your big doll.
Kriti: *quietly* Usagi insisted.... *still a bit uneasy about playing with such a nice doll*
Rachel: I'm glad to see you playing with her. *kisses the sparklet on the hair*
Ridgeback: *looking at Sora, to see what he should do*
Sora: *moves to gently rub Ridgeback's back and reassure him that he's not in trouble, but to double-check with her or Grandma next time*
Rachel: *as Ridgeback asks what he should do now* *to Kriti* I was starting to think I'd picked the wrong baby for you.
Kriti: *softly* It's a very nice doll... *and now she's a bit unsure about telling Grandma that she doesn't want to ruin the nice doll by playing with it... Especially since this is the first doll she's had that was out of its box*
Rachel: *tilts her head slightly to see Kriti's face better* ...What's wrong, sweetheart?
Kriti: *sheepishly* I.... I don't want to ruin the doll.....
Rachel: *blinks* Ruin it?
Kriti: *hunkering down a bit* *quieter* By playing with it.....
Rachel: *startled expression* But she's made to be played with. *gentle back rub for Kriti, and doesn't look up as Power Joe bounces the ball off Dumpson's head*
Kriti: *biting her lower lip. Still remembers the pretty dolls that Patsy Otasan had... and how she was never allowed to play with them*
Rachel: Really, sweetheart. There are even other outfits for her and stuff. *seems oblivious to the grouch and laugh session going on over their heads*
Kriti: *very soft clicks*
Rachel: *pulls her close in a reassuring hug* But we can get you a different one that you feel better about playing with. *glances up suddenly* Dumpson, don't.
Kriti: *glances up at Dumpson, who is setting up to sulk*
Power Joe: *laughing again*
McCrane: *moves to crouch so he's closer to Kriti's level* *gently* Hello....
Rachel: *glances up and smiles, then looks back down at the child in her arms. Quietly* Kriti, this is your younger brother, McCrane.
Kriti: *small nod* *quietly* It's nice to meet you, McCrane...
McCrane: *going to give some of the sounds he hears Desinex making a try...*
Kriti: *very small smile*
Rachel: *inward d'aww* *softly* McCrane is the quiet, thoughtful younger brother. *smiles up at him* The only one that wasn't trying to jump out of the cryo unit before I had his body ready.
Kriti: *very quiet snerk*
McCrane: *quietly, to Rachel* Why hurry? *optics are twinkling a bit*
Rachel: You know, I've asked people that. They usually just kept on running. *glances over to see what the other three are cackling about and realizes that Ridgeback is sharing some of Hound's memories about Raj*
Raj: *has the good grace to look embarrassed*
Sora: *gently teasing her mate*
McCrane: *glances at his siblings and chuckles softly. He likes seeing family members happy like this* *softly* Sometimes, all we can do is try and keep up...
Rachel: I'm a medic. I've found stun rays, and bribes to the local police force help a lot.
McCrane: *blinks a bit and looks to Rachel, a surprised expression on his face*
Kriti: *quietly* Sometimes that doesn't stop Uncle Pietro....
Rachel: *amused huff of a sigh* I never did manage to drag Prowl in for checkups unless he was good and ready to come. Having coffee on hand helps now.
McCrane: He likes coffee?
Rachel: I think most of what runs through his tubing is coffee. *amused*
McCrane: *very soft snerk* Much like Uncle Toudou....
Rachel: *looks up* Really?
McCrane: *nods* He usually has one when he arrives in the morning, one around an hour later... at least one with lunch.... *soft chuckle* and then several during the course of the afternoon...
Rachel: *chuckling* I see. *looks down at Kriti to check on her*
Kriti: *watching Deckerd, Power Joe, and Dumpson now, a bit of uncertainty in her eyes*
McCrane: *gently tries to engage Kriti in conversation by asking her about her doll, will also offer her his hand*
Kriti: *hesitates for only a moment before she's moving to sit on McCrane's hand*
Rachel: *smiling widely now, love and pride for the two youngsters showing in her face. Which then twists up in humour as she hears herself mentioned in the story about Hound that Ridgeback is now telling*
McCrane: *will move closer to his brothers only after making sure Kriti won't fall*
Power Joe: *laughing at the story*
Dumpson: *trying not to look amused. Is failing*
Kriti: *very Sora-like smile as she hears the story Ridgeback's telling*
Rachel: *looks over at where Sora and Raj are sitting on Deckerd's shoulders, and then moves to go sit by Kup*
Kup: *glances down at her, though he's still listening* Is this what was supposed to happen?
Rachel: *smiles softly as she nods and tucks her feet under her skirt. Then sighs and leans against the old Exile as she too settles down to listen and remember*
((written with random_xtras))