mbv. VT, and other locations. Goings on... Part 1
Rachel: Mia, I have a bone to pick with you.
Mia: *looks up from her homework* ?
Rachel: You made fun of me for playing with my little purple unicorn doll the other day. *hands on hips, sternface. Though she'd laughed at the time*
Mia: *raised brow, wondering where this is going* *isn't quite sure how to respond*
Rachel: *wicked smirk* And I'm going to get revenge.
Mia: ... *hesitantly moving to scoop up her homework*
Rachel: *plants an 11cm Obitsu doll on the table in front of her. The doll is customized to look like an adorable chibi Ironhide*
Mia: .... *blink blink blink*
Rachel: *shoulders drop slightly* Rats. You don't like him?
Mia: ... Th't... 's too cute.
Rachel: *grinning again* He's yours.
Mia: *grins and then she's reaching to begin playing with chibi!Hide*
Rachel: Vengeance is sweet. *sits down, pulls out her unicorn, and starts to play with her friend*
Sean: *watches this with a WTS expression, and then looks up at Patrick*
Patrick: .... *soft snerk, goes back to organizing books*
Sean: Uncle Patrick, I got a letter today.
Patrick: *attention on Sean* Who was it from?
Sean: My publisher. The guys who were going to put that novel I wrote into book form. *slight frown* They say they can't do it because someone's gone to court saying that I've stolen their character.
Patrick: .... Which character?
Sean: *quietly* Optimus Prime. They say he's a renamed copy of their giant alien robot.
Patrick: ... You've got all your notes and everything pertaining to the story, right? *frowning muchly now*
Sean: *nods* But this person's been writing about her character since before I started publishing 'Shifters'.
Patrick: *more frown* Did you know about the person beforehand?
Sean: *shakes his head* I don't read stuff with that rating.
Patrick: ...Then we'll need to talk to our lawyer.
Sean: I already did. She says that the case is heavily in the other author's favor. *more quietly* The only thing I can think of, since people know about us, is to have you or Uncle Joe come with me to her office in your root mode.
Patrick: *lips thin as he thinks about this* When's the soonest we can get a meeting?
Sean: This afternoon. She said that if I could bring my proof in she could give me time this afternoon.
Rachel: *looking over toward them with a frown, doll forgotten on the table in front of her*
Patrick: *nod* It might help if both Joe and I show up....
Sean: *shakes his head* No. They know about the robots. They don't know about the Nexus. Having two Optimus Primes would actually weaken the case, because they'd think somebody was making things up.
Rachel: So bring a Ratchet too, then.
Mia: 'N a Chromia. *eyes serious*
Rachel: *unicorn in purse, and then gets up and yanks Alex out of the illustrated cookbook section* //And an Ironhide!//
Mia: *quickly tucking chibi!Hide into her pocket, a big grin on her face*
Alex: *warily* //I didn't do anything this time, Rachel...//
Rachel: Listen to the common channel, dippy.
Alex: ... *raised brow as he does so*
Patrick: *small nod, chuckling as he sees the bitty Ironhide head peeking out of Mia's pocket* Alright.... *to Sean* Think this will be enough?
Sean: *slight hopeful grin* More than enough. Thanks.
Patrick: *gentle shoulder squeeze for Sean*
Sean: *deep breath and shakes his head slightly* //It just seems so weird to have someone say that I stole you.//
Patrick: //There's a phrase Sabrina pointed out to me in one of her books... "Wizard's first rule: People are stupid." I think it applies here.//
Sean: //I only like calling Uncle Quinn and Uncle Wayne names.// *faint grin*
Patrick: *chuckles*
Sean: *looks at his wristwatch to see what time it is*
Patrick: *gently* Go get some lunch, and I'll make sure the seats in the truck don't have books all over them...
Sean: *looks up* Doesn't Uncle BJ do that now?
Patrick: ... Right...
Mia: *snerks and pats Patrick's shoulder*
Sean: *this grin's a little stronger, and then he's going with Rachel on his way to the cafeteria*
Alex: *blink blinks when he sees the little doll in Mia's pocket* Huh?
Mia: Blame Rachel. *grins and moves to drag her husband off for lunch*
That afternoon, at the lawyer's office...
Lawyer: *boggling and trying not to let her jaw hit her feet*
Sean: *scuffs his foot slightly, but then grins* Yeah. See. I didn't make him up. This is Optimus Prime.
Ratchet: *slight smile as she watches from where she's standing with her arm through Chromia's*
Chromia: *smug grin*
Ironhide: *wondering to himself yet again just how he managed to get dragged along for this round of shenanigans*
Lawyer: *small nod, is just a bit speechless at the moment*
Sean: *quietly* He's my mom and dad's boss.
Optimus: *nods* The 'Shifters' character is based off of me...
Lawyer: *another small nod* I... think.... this may be more than enough.... *just a bit brain-broken. Never thought she'd wind up with four Transformers in her office*
Sean: One last thing, Mrs. Krieger.
Mrs. Krieger: *puzzled look*
Sean: *transforms* I'm Sundog.
Ratchet: 0_0
Mrs. Krieger: .... *blink. Blink*
Optimus: *quick glance at Sundog*
Sundog: *lopsided, big-eyed grin* So... there's really no way to contest my claim. Though... I'm not sure I'm ready to let anybody know my age yet, let alone my species.
Mrs. Krieger: *small nod, just a bit in awe, and a bit speechless*
Sundog: *uncertainly* Are you alright? Do you need anything?
Mrs. Krieger: *a bit uncertainly* I'll... be alright... I just... never imagined....
Chromia: *trying so hard not to look smug*
Sundog: No. I guess it isn't anything anyone would think of. *looks up at Optimus* ...I'm not sure how that other writer thinks their X rated character is like the Chief though. He's really not that kind of guy. *speaks with a good dose of the innocent frankness of youth*
Ratchet: *fit of the snorting giggles*
Chromia: *snickerfit*
Ironhide: *shoulders shaking with silent laughter*
Optimus: *facepalming at the reaction of the adults*
Mrs. Krieger: *trying so hard not to blush or snicker* We'll get the matter sorted out....
Sundog: *smiles as he transforms back to his alt mode* Thank you. *hesitates, but then goes around the desk and offers a hug* *it's pretty clear right now that he's not the twelve year old he seems to be*
Mrs. Krieger: *a bit surprised to be getting a hug, but will go with it, and wonder to herself why Sean doesn't act like a twelve year old*
Sean: *good and gentle squish, and then steps back* Phone me when you know anything?
Mrs. Krieger: *nods* I will.
Sean: *grins, and then turns and looks to Optimus for orders*
Ratchet: *humming 'Iko Iko' under her breath*
Optimus: *smiles and moves to try and usher everyone out of the office* Let's get back...
Chromia: *quick scan of the area, before she's nodding* We's 'n th' cleah...
Ratchet: *softly* We still don't transform till we get back to BJ. *pats her friend on the arm, and then looks at Optimus and starts to sing the Mardi Gras song instead of hum it* See that guy all dressed in green?
Iko iko an nay
He's not a man, he's a lovin' machine!
Jockomo fee na nay
Chromia: *gives Ratchet an amused look* Ah mean we ain't gonna 'ncountah nobodeh wh'n we git outsahd....
Optimus: ... *more facepalm as he hears Mrs. Krieger start laughing from her office*
Ratchet: *snerks* Ohh. Gotcha. *still humming as she exits the building*
Optimus: *making sure everyone gets to Kup safely*
Ironhide: *trying to gank chibi!Hide and getting bapped for it*
Kup: *watches Sean run off toward the school and then growls* Slaggin' knock it off. I don't want any shenanigans in my cab while I'm tryin' ta drive.
Ratchet: *brb, snorting giggles again*
Chromia: *snickerfit*
Optimus: *sighs*
Kup: *drives them out of town to change vehicles and modes, seeming to exude a silent growl as he goes*
In the trees just outside town.
Ratchet: *pops out of Kup, singing the verse about the man in green at a good volume and laughing as she does*
Ironhide: *getting out to chase after Chromia for something she said to him over comms*
Optimus: *long-suffering sigh as he gets out and transforms*
Ratchet: *pauses with her hands on her thighs where she'd doubled over in her laughter and looks toward the road, then hisses* Someone's coming!
Ironhide and Chromia: *on alert and on either side of the road, ready to intercept the threat*
Patrick: *scanning!*
brown sedan: *slowing to a stop... and then Judge Laura Hoffman is getting out to look around*
Ratchet: *surprised voice from that pincherry bush* Laura?
Laura: *attention going to the bush. Hesitates in answering, since the voice sounds like Rachel's, but has a metallic quality to it* Er... Yes?
Ratchet: *transforms and steps around the shrubbery* What the heck are you doing chasing us down little two track access roads?
Laura: *relaxing* I saw the news.... I was concerned...
Rachel: *concerned frown* Why didn't you call?
Laura: *quietly, and a bit sheepishly* I... kind of ran over my phone on accident....
Rachel: *hands over her mouth and eyes dancing* Oh dear. *eyes toward motion in the car* Are those your daughters?
Laura: *nods, a bit of a smile coming to her face* Yes... Maria's the one who's conked out, and Rosalin's riding shotgun... *chuckles*
Rachel: *grins, and then looks over her shoulder* It's safe, guys. She's the judge that stuck up for us during the case against Stark.
Kup and bigJack: *both transform*
Kup: *scowls thoughtfully down at the blonde woman as he absently chomps his cy-gar*
bigJack: Yo. *laid back grin on his scarred face*
Ironhide and Chromia: *are those transformation sounds, followed shortly by Mia's voice griping about burrs*
Patrick: *will step out from where he was hiding behind that tree by the road*
Laura: *raised brow*
Rachel: You caught us during a quick change. *slight grin* And then I was heading home with Kup. *nods to the old timer, who frowns* While everyone else went back to school with BJ.
bigJack: That's me. *optics twinkle*
Laura: I see.... *attention goes back to her own car as her eldest daughter opens the passenger side door and peeks out*
Rachel: *softly* Have the girls signed papers?
Laura: *quietly* Not yet...
Rachel: *glances at Patrick* Have you got any, Chief?
Patrick: I do. *getting them out of subspace now*
Rachel: *smiles at the youngster peeking, then gestures, inviting the little girl to come join her and Laura*
Rosalin: *hesitates for a moment, before she's getting out of the car and moving to approach. She's a bit on the lanky side, and string-bean skinny, with wavy, chestnut brown hair held away from her face with butterfly clips*
Rachel: *smile widens, and her blue eyes sparkle* Hi, Rosalin.
Rosalin: H-hi... *moving to hide behind her mom, kthx... Even if she is the big sister, she's still a bit uneasy around strangers...*
Laura: *gently, as she puts an arm around her eldest's shoulders* This is Rachel Ruteger... She's a friend of mine....
Rachel: *smile is gentle* Are you the daughter who like Lolita clothes?
Rosalin: *small nod* *quietly* I like Innocent World best...
Rachel: *soft chuckle* Sarah just got three of their jumperskirts from a brother in Japan.
Rosalin: *blink blink* Which ones?
Laura: *small smile. Knows that once Rosalin gets to talking about clothes, she's more likely to warm up to new people*
Rachel: *quirks her brow and glances up as she looks up the information* Viennese Waltz, Cayley, and Heart Rose.
Rosalin: Ooh, those are so pretty! *small little grin*
Rachel: *grins* Have you seen 'Baby, the Stars Shine Bright'?
Rosalin: *nods* It's pretty, but I'd be scared to wear it... 'cause I don't have any bloomers....
Laura: *biting her lip to keep from chuckling and giving away part of this daughter's birthday gift*
Rachel: They're easy to make, and not too expensive from Etsy.
Rosalin: *considering look before she nods, though she does look a bit uncertain*
Maria: *from the car* *sleepily* Mommy?
Laura: *moves to help Maria with her seatbelt* I'm right here, hon....
Rachel: *watches Laura and her younger daughter, then glances back to Rosalin* *softly* Has your mom told you anything about the Ark base?
Rosalin: *quietly* Just that there're lots of flowers along the roads around it, and that there're families with kids there... *and that's really all she knows*
Rachel: *nods. Gently* It's... kind of a special place. With secrets.
Rosalin: *blink blink blink* Oh....
Patrick: *offers Rachel a clipboard with the NDA forms and a pen*
Rachel: *takes them* Thanks, Chief. *turns back to Rosalin* Some people saw part of our secret today, but they don't know who we are, so they didn't need to sign a paper promising they wouldn't tell anyone.
Rosalin: *carefully reading everything over and signing where she's supposed to*
Laura: *coming back over with Maria, who looks like a younger version of Rosalin*
Maria: *sooo sleepy.... and almost too cute with her ponytails and heart t-shirt and shorts*
Rachel: Hi, Maria. *offers a hand*
Maria: *sleepy* Hi.... *rests her head on Mommy's shoulder and tries to figure out who this other lady is*
Patrick: *reminded so much of Sarah, small smile*
Rachel: *softly* I'm Rachel Ruteger, a friend of your mom's.
Maria: Oh... *small nod* 'Kay....
Rachel: *glances at the clipboard in her hand, and then looks at Laura, thinking that it would be better for her to explain to her younger daughter about the forms and the reason for them*
Laura: *reaches for the clipboard with her free hand* *quietly, to Maria* Remember when I told you about Mrs. Ruteger, hon?
Maria: *small nod, looks like she wants nothing more than to get back to her nap*
Laura: *quietly* Well, there're people who work and live where she works who we have to protect... We can't tell anyone because it's a special secret...
Maria: *sleepy confusion, until she's shown where she has to sign and has had the form explained as a promise that she'll keep stuff secret. Then, she's printing her name carefully and neatly*
Rachel: *smiles and makes a soft sound of approval*
Kup: *leaning down to look at Rosalin, and clicking to himself absently*
bigJack: *pokes him*
Kup: *sits up and smokes him one*
bigJack: Ow.
Rosalin: *startles and scoots closer to her mother and sister*
Laura: *looks up, worried*
Patrick: *facepalming* Kup, BJ....
Mia: *snickerfit*
Alex: *trying so hard not to laugh*
Rachel: *shakes her head* Don't worry about those guys, Rosalin. Kup's the local nap station.
Kup: *had snapped to attention slightly at the rebuke from Patrick, but now he's facepalming*
Rachel: *grins* He's one of our grandpas.
Rosalin: *considering this, small nod*
Maria: *sleepily, as Mommy hands the clipboard to the guy with glasses* You're a gram'pa?
Kup: *smiles slightly, his cy-gar moving to the other side of his mouth* Yup. One'a my granddaughters's only as big as you are.
Maria: *small smile* Neat....
Laura: *soft chuckle, rubs Maria's back*
Patrick: *to Rachel, over comms* //Should I tell Blaster and Teletraan to behave before our guests get to the base, or do you want to do the honors?//
Rachel: *as Kup digs through his storage compartments and subspace and mutters and scowls* //Already done.// *chuckle*
bigJack: *watching Kup*
Laura: *also watching Kup, though her reason for doing so is simple curiosity*
Patrick: *small nod* //Alright then.// *to bigJack* We should think about getting back on the road soon...
bigJack: Ready when you are, boss. *steps back and transforms to the white and green Humvee truck*
Kup: Aha, there they are.
Patrick: *to Laura and her girls* If not for the fact that I have to be back to work soon, I'd gladly come with you to give you a tour of the base...
Laura: *small nod* I understand entirely.... Duty before leisure.
bigJack: Has he even got a leisure mode?
Kup: *elbows the Humvee, and then sets one hand palm up on the ground to show Rosalin and Maria the two tiny pocket rag dolls he's holding* You guys want those?
Rachel: ...So you're the dork that raided my stash.
Patrick: *to bigJack* Hush, you. *would probably be more effective if he wasn't trying not to laugh*
Mia: Shotgun! *scoots for the passenger side*
Alex: Aww... *moves to follow his wife*
Laura: *quietly reassures her girls that it's alright*
Rosalin: *quiet* Thank you....
Maria: *sleepy little smile*
Kup: *grins as he makes sure both girls have a doll. Then looks thoughtful* Hey, Doc. Why don't I head back ta base on my own so you can catch a ride with... *looks at Laura, didn't catch her name*
Laura: *realizes she never introduced herself* I'm Laura Hoffman... *small smile for Kup*
Kup: *half grin* 'N yer a lady, right?
bigJack: *snorts as he drives off*
Laura: I'm a judge. *smile*
Kup: Oh. *slight scowl of confusion*
Laura: *chuckles* I am a woman though, so I suppose I am a lady... Sort of.
Kup: *confusion clears* Alright, ma'am.
Rachel: That's a pretty good idea, buddy. *looks at Laura to see what she says*
Laura: That's alright with me.
Kup: *nods and backs up to transform, then sits his holomatter driver on the driver's seat, makes it wave, and drives off*
Rachel: *chuckle*
Laura: ... Okay then... *will move to put Maria back in her booster seat, while Rosalin moves to sit in the back seat of the sedan as well*
Rachel: *quiet sigh, and then a soft chuckle as she gets a wordless little ping*
Laura: *glances over her shoulder as she works on buckling Maria in*
Rachel: *walking over to the car* One of my bitties is pinging me.
Laura: *soft 'heh'* How are your kids, anyways?
Rachel: *pauses as she settles into the shotgun seat, and then starts laughing* Ever multiplying.
Laura: ... *as she moves to go around to the driver's side and get in* How is the one you were expecting the last time we saw each other?
Rachel: *grins* Sven's fine. He and Greg got the dog they've always wanted, and Kup lets them train with the Wreckers.
Laura: *soft 'heh' as she glances in her rear-view mirror and makes sure Rosalin's buckled up* That's good, right?
Rachel: Well, he's a Dinobot, and all the Dinobots are battle units. *slightly sad smile* Even sweet Simon and Sarah.
Laura: *lips thin for a moment as she nods before changing the subject slightly* How are Destiny, Ryan, and Sora?
Rachel: They're adapting to the discovery of more family members. Oh, and Sora's married.
Laura: *brows up* When did Sora get married?
Rachel: *grinning* Last spring.
Laura: *blink blink* That must have been shortly after my last visit then....
Rachel: I think it was. It was the same day the rest of us got bridal dress pictures taken.
Laura: *eyes on the road* Bridal dress pictures?
Rachel: *nods, smiling* You know, white dress. Groom showing off handsome legs under his black kilt...
Laura: ... Your husband wore a kilt in your wedding picture?
Rachel: *glances around, and then lays her hand on her lap before calling up a tiny hologram of the picture*
Laura: *looks the moment she stops at a stop sign* ... *soft snerk* He looks so pleased with himself....
Rachel: He's only been courting for most of our lives. Though he didn't realize it for the first few million years.
Laura: ... Wow.... *focused on driving, but that doesn't mean she can't carry on a conversation at the same time*
Rachel: We were lab partners back on Cybertron. I was a medic, and he was an engineer and inventor.
Laura: *as she turns onto the road that goes past Lisa's farm* I imagine that must have been pretty interesting.... Especially since I've seen the man make zoodles spontaneously combust...
Rachel: *snerk* You should have seen some of the times he made his workshop spontaneously implode.
Laura: I can imagine.... *slowing down to turn onto the driveway now*
Rachel* *thinks about it* Though I guess the explosions were something too. Don't run over that barbie doll that's planking in the middle of the drive. *waves to the soldiers on guard duty at the gate, letting them know it's alright to open up*
Laura: Wait, what? *giving you a confused look now, Rachel*
Rachel: *as the gate opens, she points to the one-armed doll with the dark buzz cut that's laying face down on the road*
Laura: ... Do I even want to know?
Wallace: *currently getting chased by Marcia and laughing his head off just over there*
Rachel: *points to the cackling blond* That dork plays with dolls.
Laura: *looks* .... *raised brow* Okay then....
Darian: *is that pale, dark haired guy with the cigarette dangling from his lip who just popped out of the long grass in front of Wallace and punched him right in the face*
Rachel: *face palms and then sticks her head out the window* I'm NOT FIXING THAT AGAIN TODAY!
Wallace: *going to wallop Darian now, while Marcia points and laughs*
Rachel: *shakes head and rolls her eyes, but then perks as they go past the farmhouse and she spots Drift sparring with Road Queen... while in alt mode* *grins*
Drift: *looks like he's having the time of his life, even if it seems he's on the losing side... but maybe he's got something up his sleeves...*
Laura: *raised brows* .... Who....
Derrick: *coming out of the barn, stops when he sees Road Queen and Drift* .... *heads right back into the barn*
Rachel: Drift is one of my newest adopted. The big clunker he's playing with is Road Queen, BJ's wife.
Laura: ....Huh... *moving to park the sedan*
Rosalin: Who's that? *indicates Fire Robo, who has a Destiny sneak-sneak-sneaking up on him*
Rachel: *as one of the Aiders intercepts the big sparklet* That's Fire. He's one of my other new additions.
Laura: *chuckles as she parks the sedan* You weren't kidding about your family, Rachel...
Rachel: *slight grin* Wait'll you see the newest one I made.
Laura: *blinks and gives Rachel a curious look as she moves to get out of the car*
Rosalin: *watching Destiny fuss* The lady doesn't seem like she wants to be held by the white robot.... *small frown*
Rachel: *as she too gets out* She'll be alright in a few minutes.
Laura: *attention going to the fussing* That's Destiny, right?
Rachel: Yup. That's Desti. *watches Kriti run out of the barn with Usagi in her wake* And there's Sora's daughter.
Laura: *blinks and looks towards the barn*
Rosalin: *going to help Mom by getting Maria out of her booster seat*
Rachel: *calls to Kriti and waves*
Kriti: *looks over and waves to Grandmother, before she pauses as she spots Laura, Rosalin, and Maria*
Rachel: C'mon over here, Kriti. I want you to meet my friend. *grins*
Kriti: *hesitates for a moment before moving to approach, Usagi trotting at her heels*
Rachel: *gentle arm around Kriti's shoulders as she smiles at her* //Judge Hoffman is the lady who helped us in the Stark case.// Kriti, this is Mrs. Hoffman, and her daughters Rosalin and Maria. Guys, this is Kriti. And this. *looks for Usagi and finds the little one being one with the back of her skirt* Awww. Well, that's Usagi.
Laura: *gently* It's very nice to meet you, Kriti, Usagi.
Kriti: *very small nod* *is feeling just a bit uneasy but is doing her best to hide it*
Rosalin: *small little smile as she watches Kriti and Usagi*
Usagi: *peeks, goes wide-eyed, and then drags herself out of hiding and bows as she says a formal greeting in Japanese*
grey Sushi cat: *squeaks from the carrier on Kriti's back* *has sleeping brother's paw in his face*
Kriti: *looks over her shoulder and clicks softly to the grey Sushi cat*
Rachel: *soft, reassuring click for Kriti and Usagi, and then looks toward the driveway* There's Kup.
Usagi: *very softly as she crumples her kitty doll in her hands* Oji-sama went to bring the mair... mail.
Kriti: *small nod, moves to offer her hand to Usagi*
Rachel: *as Usagi takes Kriti's hand and hides against the older girl's arm* I think there might be something for you today.
Kriti: *small nod* *quietly* Grandfather asked me to meet him up here....
Rachel: Really. *grin* Great. *glances over to where the old soldier is now parked on the grass with his holodriver busily pitching mail out of the cab* *facepalm*
Kriti: *looks, and tries not to giggle*
Kup: *reading each name over comms as he throws the envelope or package*
Laura: *attention going to Kup, raised brow as she rubs Maria's back*
Rosalin: ... *slight frown* Should he be doing that?
Rachel: Nope. *lets Kriti go so that the two little girls can run over to Kup* No, he shouldn't.
Kup: *comes to a couple things that say 'fragile', and sets those on the edge of his truck bed. Pitches the next things*
Kriti: *moves to approach Kup*
Usagi: *scoot! Start picking things up like the busy, neat little soul that she is*
Kup: *sees that* Awwww, Bunny.
Kriti: *helping pick things up, glances to where Destiny is getting cuddles from one of the Aider Robos* *very slight smile*
Rachel: *as Kup too starts cleaning up his mess* Anyway. So that's my Sora's girl.
Laura: *small nod* How long ago did she arrive? *thinking that Kriti was born in the normal way*
Rachel: *very quietly* She was the subject of the Otasan case.
Laura: ... *quietly* Oh... *lips thin now*
Rachel: *turns toward the barn, a hand reaching back and gently wriggling fingers asking Rosalin and family to come with her* We've found another of Ryan's brothers just lately too.
Laura: *moving to guide her eldest over* Brothers?
Rosalin: *looking around as she follows her mother*
Rachel: *nods* Stark sold one to the Tokyo police department. *slight smile* Have you heard of the Brave Police program?
Laura: ... Brave Police program?
Rosalin: *slight headshake*
Rachel: They're trying to install robot detectives. Deckerd is the first of them. *leads through the coolness of the barn on the way to the elevator* Buzzsaw, don't even think of it.
Buzzsaw: *rustles feathers and turns so his back is to everyone*
Laura: ... *raised brow*
Rosalin: ... *quietly* A condor?
Rachel: *stops and looks up, then facepalms* What, a raven wasn't good enough? You realize condors don't even live on this continent?
Buzzsaw: Do too.
Rachel: *hands on hips* In this state, then.
Buzzsaw: Thrrpt.
Rachel: Where's your sister?
Buzzsaw: *slight shrug of wings* Dunno.
Rachel: *eyes narrow slightly* Where did you see her last?
Buzzsaw: Buggin' Blaster.
Rachel: //Blaster, where's Laserbeak?//
Blaster: //Being a thorn in my side... Red, quit laughing at me!//
Rachel: //Okay, good. Rachel out.// *turns to Laura and the girls* Sorry about that.
Laura: *raised brow* Is there any reason for that?
Buzzsaw: *rustles feathers and leeeaaans forward* *looks a bit silly*
Rewind: //Found round noms!//
Rachel: For Buzzsaw? His father finally managed to put his personality back together sometime this morning, so he's trying to make up for a few years of lost time. *goes over and lets the elevator scan her eyes*
Laura: .... Okay then....
Rachel: *leads the way into the elevator, then glances at the girls before looking at Laura* Would you guys like to see the crèche?
Rosalin: *blink blink* Er....
Maria: *sleepily* What's a crèche?
Rachel: *slight grin* It's where the babies and younger kids like to hang out during the day.
Frenzy: *falls through ceiling*
Rachel: *catches and cuddles absently*
Rosalin: ... *blink blink blink*
Laura: ...
Maria: *sleepy blink* What's that?
Rewind: //Rumble! Round Noms! With raisins!!!!//
Rachel: *looks down to see who she's got and then grins and offers him to the girls to pet* This is Frenzy. He's Buzzsaw's brother.
Frenzy: *pips softly and tries to wriggle a little, but is just too full of nom* *quietly* Yo.
Rosalin: *hesitantly reaches to pet Frenzy*
Maria: *leans just a bit, and is brought closer by Laura* *will also pet Frenzy*
Frenzy: *soft and happy little pips* Awww. T'anks, guys.
Rachel: *gently sets the little red hooded ferret into Rosalin's arms, and then hops up to look through the hole in the roof to see just exactly what he and Rewind are eating up here*
Rewind: *made off with a package of cinnamon raisin bagels and is sharing with her mate* *furpoof when she sees Rachel*
Rachel: You want to hand me the package for a minute? *reaches*
Rumble: *uncertain pipping, not sure if he's in trouble*
Rewind: *pips and tries to pull another bagel from the bag before Rachel grabs it*
Rachel: *snorts* I only want two. *gets them and gives the bag back* Don't make yourselves sick. *drops back down into the elevator* Laura, do you mind fingers on your bagels?
Laura: No... *chuckles* Is that what Frenzy was eating?
Rosalin: *cuddling Frenzy carefully, doesn't want to accidentally squish the ferret*
Rachel: *grins* He and his brother and sister in law love anything with a hole in the middle. *holds up the bagels* Girls, do you want some?
Frenzy: *snuggled against the nice little girl and totally limp in ferret sleep*
Rosalin: *small nod* *quietly* It's not strawberry stuff, is it?
Maria: Bagels.... *blink blink*
Rachel: Cinnamon raisin bagels. *concerned glance* Are you allergic to strawberry?
Rosalin: *small nod* I have to be careful not to eat 'em, or anything made around 'em....
Laura: *arm around her eldest's shoulders, gentle hug*
Rachel: *bounces around several pings, then relaxes* No strawberries in the mess or the crèche snack list today.
Rumble: *up above* I t'ink I'm gonna pop.
Rewind: *pouncesnuggles mate* *happy pipping*
Rosalin: *small nod, and a smile, before her attention goes to Frenzy* *quietly* Is he okay?
Rachel: *grins* He's full, warm, and happy. When a ferret, or a bot who thinks like a ferret, has all those the next thing he wants is sleep. And yeah. *gentle poke for the fuzzy sleeper*
Frenzy: *sleeeeep*
Rachel: That's how ferrets sleep. It worried me the first time I saw it, too.
Rosalin: Oh... Okay... *will continue to gently cradle the sleeper*
Laura: *soft chuckle*
Maria: *rests her head on Mama's shoulder*
Rachel: *takes a knife and a paper napkin out of her bag, then cuts the bagels each in half* Butter?
Rosalin: *nods* Yes, please....
Maria: *small nod*
Laura: That's fine.... *chuckling as she thinks about looking up information on ferrets, since Rosalin doesn't seem too intimidated by Frenzy*
Rachel: *fixes bagels with a mother's skill, and then passes around three pieces before adding brown and green sprinkles to her own*
Rosalin: *having a bit of difficulty, since she doesn't want to set Frenzy down*
Maria: *nibbles around the edges of her bagel half*
Rachel: Anyone want chocolate mint sprinkles?
Laura: *soft chuckle and a knowing look for Rachel. Remembers well the other woman's love of mint chocolate flavor*
Maria: Please... *holds her bagel out towards Rachel*
Rachel: *grins at Laura as she carefully applies sprinkles to Maria's bagel, then holds her elbow out from her body* Rosalin, you can stick Frenzy here so you can eat.
Rosalin: *hesitates for a few moments before transferring Frenzy over to Rachel*
Rachel: *pins him to her side with her arm and grins at the little girl as the elevator stops*
Tea: Twelfth floor, babies, boonies, and birds.
Rachel: Shut up, Blaster. *heads out of the elevator*
Laura: *raised brow as she moves to usher her family out* Okay then....
Rachel: Actually, since Blaster's currently being tormented by Buzz and Frenzy's sister... that might have been Tea. She's the base computer... among other things.
Laura: ....
Rosalin: ... *slight headtilt as she puzzles over this*
Rachel: Blaster and Tea are hardwired. They're pretty much the same person now, though you can sometimes tell which personality is stronger in the half that's giving you a hard time. It's nearly as bad as a fused set.
Laura: ... Fused? What does that mean?
Rachel: Well, you know about our sparks, right? *leading down the hall toward the atrium as she walks*
Laura: Yes.... *moving to follow*
Rachel: Well when two Cybertronians marry, they bond their sparks together. It makes them symbolically one spark in two bodies. Some bonds are just light, and some are deep enough for the couples to be able to hear each other through it. *slight grin* Tracks and Denver were settling a bond like that the last time you were here.
Laura: Is that why they were laying on that lounge chair?
Rachel: *nods* Yup. They hadn't figured out who went where and what belonged to who yet. It takes awhile. But for the rare couples that go even deeper... *pauses to watch Alice walk past having both halves of an argument with Stan as he holds his head and scowls* Um... it can be weird.
Rosalin: ... *blink blink*
Laura: .... *raised brows* Er.... I'll take your word for it then....
baby Maria: *riding on Daddy's back and yappin' away at Mama*
Rachel: Hey, guys, are you okay?
Alice: *frowning slightly now* We're trying to figure out what to dress our daughter in tomorrow.... But she's already worn the green outfit this week....
Rachel: *squints at Alice and finishes off her half bagel* You were arguing that loudly about what to dress Maria in?
Alice: ... *more frown, working through this in her head, or trying to... It's a bit tricky when you can't tell whose thoughts are whose....* Well.... When you put it that way.....
baby Maria: *babbles at Aunty!*
Rachel: *snags baby and skillfully extracts her from the carrier* You're going to be late for your shift, Alice. *gives bitty Maria a kiss on the cheek and some soft clicks*
Alice: *headshake* Today's a day off.... *frowns as her daughter's ganked* Heeeey.....
baby Maria: *yappin' away, can see Frenzy and peoples she doesn't know!*
Rachel: They're having gingerbread for morning snack. *slight grin. Everyone knows what the youngest Tringham thinks of gingerbread*
baby Maria: *perk, bwee!*
Stan: Okay, but you better give her back when we come to get her. We're going on a family walk.
Rachel: Well yeah. Maybe Autumn'll let you bring some along. *grins, and then nods toward Laura, introducing her to the couple*
Stan and Alice: Oh hey, we wanted to meet you! *stop and scowl at each other blankly*
Laura: Er... Hi....
Rosalin: *gonna hide closer to her mom, kthx*
Rachel: *soft head shake* Seriously, guys. Just go talk to Merlin and Kia. It'll help.
Alice: *rubbing her arm a bit now*
Rachel: *looking at her gently, mother love in those calm blue eyes* //Come on. It's not going to turn you into nerds, and Merlin and Kia will never make fun of you. You're hurting yourselves like this. I can see the headache lines around your eyes.//
Alice: *soft sigh at the same time Stan does* *quietly* Alright....
Rachel: *softly* Good. *squeezes Alice's shoulder* //Go now, okay?//
Alice: *small nod* //Are they both teaching today?//
Rachel: //They're in the infirmary. I can hear Merlin murmuring to himself on the common channel about the funny sound his keychain just made.//
Alice: *another small nod* *reaches for Stan's hand, will PINpoint to Merlin and Kia's*
Laura: o_o
Rachel: PINpoint. *shifts fat babby so that she's tucked next to sleeping Ferret and grins* Maria, this is Maria.
Maria: *blink blink, small little smile* Hi....
baby Maria: *babble!*
Rachel: *grins and kisses the sparklet's fuzzy hair, then leans down and sets her on her chubby little feet on the floor*
baby Maria: *gonna try and walk on her own.... and hang onto your leg, Rachel*
Rachel: *grins and offers Frenzy to Rosalin* Hold this guy for me?
Rosalin: *nods and reaches to cuddle Frenzy*
Rachel: *hands the sleeping recorder over, and then stoops slightly to give tiny Maria her hand, making sure that she doesn't bean the bitty with her bag in the process* Okay, Maria. These boots're made for walking! Let's see what they can do.
baby Maria: *babbles and takes a few steps, the little bells on her soft, blue suede boots jingling as she goes* :3
Rachel: *big grin, and the subspaces the pink bag so that she can give both hands to the toddler* Good girl! Okay, keep it up. *looks up at Laura as she goes*
baby Maria: *just yappin' away, pleased as punch*
Laura: *soft chuckle as she watches the babby's progress* *moving to follow, as is Rosalin*
Rachel: Maria is the second Maria we have living on base. The first is one of our NEST people, Maria Wesson. *grins again* She just became a mother this morning.
Laura: Oh, wow... *surprised. Isn't sure she met Maria Wesson the last time she was here or not*
Rachel: You didn't see Maria last time, but you saw her mister. That was the big black guy you ran into in the hall when TC was taking you back topside.
Laura: Huh.... I remember him...
Rachel: *grin* Did your nose get squashed?
Laura: *soft snerk* Yeah.... Just a bit....
Rachel: *chuckle* Maria laid claim to him a little while after that. *straightens and swings baby Maria into her arms, then poots the sparklet between the shoulder blades*
baby Maria: *squeak, clickstorm!*
Laura: *soft snerk* So what is Mrs. Wesson like?
Rachel: *grins as she hugs baby Maria close* Hmm. Portuguese.
Laura: *slight headtilt, inviting Rachel to elaborate*
Rachel: She cooks, she mothers John and their pets, she mutters to herself when she's stressed. And she's not a barbie doll. Oh, and she sleeps with a baseball bat under her bed. So she can protect John. *grin widens*
Laura: .... I want to meet her sometime. *sounds so amused*
Rachel: *grin* I'll see her and her husband and the baby later today. If you want to hang around you're welcome.
Laura: Well, we've got a reservation at a hotel in town, so we don't have to be anywhere for awhile... *smiles*
Rachel: *pleased* You're here to get to know us, huh?
Laura: *nods, smile growing* *teasingly* If that's alright with you.
Rachel: *quiet chuckle* Friends are good. *then perks and faces forward as she hears Bon Jovi's 'Living on Prayer' coming through the door of the atrium* I bet the Seeker femmes are dancing.
Laura: *chuckles* I remember Rain.... How is she doing?
Rachel: *grin widens* Also married and a mama.
baby Maria: *clickstorming at the open door, wants to see her aunties dance!*
Laura: *blink blink* Wow....
Rachel: She was courting Magnus back then already. *soft squeal then as she sees a little dark-haired guy in bibs making a break for it, a large round plush held on his head as he grins and scoots* Dion, what're you doing?
Dion: :3 *looks so pleased with himself*
baby Maria: *yaps at Dion*
Laura: *soft snerk at the glee on the little guy's face*
Rachel: *down on her knees and setting little Maria on the floor in front of her* Did you finally figure out how to carry Mr. Snail?
Dion: Yup! :)
baby Maria: *toddling over to the doorway, has a butt-meet-ground moment, but gets up on her own and makes it to the door frame, yaps at the peoples she can see in the atrium*
Rachel: *soft squee* *quietly, in her secret voice* Dion, look what Maria did!
Dion: *looks, and grins* *scoots over to his crèche sister*
baby Maria: *clickstorm!*
Rachel: Easy on the kissies, sport. She's not too steady and she's got her mama's right hook.
Dallas: *is that redhead who just scooped up Dion and baby Maria for cuddles*
Dion: *surprised squeak, and then happy squealing* Unca Dal!
baby Maria: *squeak! Babble!*
Rachel: *grins* Hey, Dallas, you stole my escapee. *then looks at Laura and the girls*
Laura: *soft chuckle* Hello there...
Rosalin: *hiding behind Mom again*
Maria: *blinking as she peeks at Dallas*
Dallas: *innocent grin* Well, I wanted to spend time with the kids before I go, Rachel...
Rachel: *soft snerk* Why go? You've got family right here. Oh, and this is Laura, Rosalin, and Maria. Girls, this is Captain Dallas MacKenzie.
Dallas: I've got leave time... *small smile for Laura and the girls* It's nice to meet y'all...
Laura: Likewise, Captain MacKenzie.
Dallas: *doesn't even realize that he's doing the smile that makes him look so charming*
Rachel: *chuckle* Is Denver dancing?
Dallas: Yup... *so amused* 'N wearin' Rose on her front.
Rachel: *laughs* That's how they learn. *rises to her feet* Alice and Stan are gonna want Maria back pretty soon.
Dallas: Aww... *slight pout, cuddles baby Maria a bit more* Are they still arguing in Alice's head, or did they get sorted out?
Rachel: They finally went to talk to Percy and Kia.
Dallas: Good... *acks as Dion kissies him*
Rachel: *laughs at him and then guides Rosalin and family past him and into the atrium*
Raoul: *butt sticking out from under the hood of a lovely old T-bird is the first thing seen*
Umeko: *reading him quiz questions and writing down his answers. Is dressed in the prince style of Lolita*
Ember: *is that clickstorm from up near the ceiling, managed to get all the way up there on his own without stopping! Can see you, Aunty!*
Rachel: *pats Raoul's butt as she looks up* Ember! *arms up* Hugs??
Raoul: *gripes and continues working*
Laura: *boggling just a bit as Ember lets go of the vine he's holding onto and drops into a slight free-fall*
Rosalin: *boggling, is shocked speechless. She wasn't expecting this...*
Maria: *blink blink blink, looks to the vines to try and figure out how the baby plane person got up that high in the first place*
Ember: *getting better at controlling his descent, will land on Aunty Rachel's back!*
Rachel: *leans forward slightly to give the little Seeklet a better landing pad, then reaches back and pats his skinny dark purple butt* Good job, slugger. *pauses and looks forward as Slipstream peeks around the back end of the T-bird*
Ember: *happy clickstorm, clings with hands and feets*
Laura: *just a bit flabbergasted now* Er.....
Rosalin: *peeking from behind Mom*
Rachel: *clicks back to Ember as she hopefully drops to a knee and holds out her arms to that dark eyed, dark haired little guy standing and looking at her so uncertainly*
Slipstream: *holds his little die cast Starscream jet close to his chest, but then screws up his face and darts toward the woman that the Air Commander says is his Grandmother*
Rachel: *joyful crooning as she lifts him up and cuddles him* Oh, you're such a good boy, Sirius. I'm so proud of you.
Slipstream: *eyes wide with amazement over this, and over getting his human name*
Ember: *lookin' at you from over Aunty's shoulder, Sirius! And clickstorming!* :3 *points and clicks at Bubby's jet, thinks it's awesome*
Sirius: *draws back a little from the other Seeklet, but then reminds himself that this is Starscream's flock son too, and therefor as much his brother as the little wriggler who gave him toothmarks on the foot this morning* *hesitant clicking*
Rachel: *beaming as she turns toward Laura* This is Sirius Jones, and this... *another pat to that skinny little metal butt* Is Ember Robertson.
Ember: *reaches to patpat Bubby's face and tell him that he has a neat toy*
Laura: *small nod, still a bit brain-broken* Oh....
Maria: *small little wave for Sirius and Ember*
Rachel: *pauses and lifts her brows when she sees her friend's face. As Sirius uncertainly talks to Ember over her shoulder* What's wrong?
Laura: *hesitantly* How did he get up that high earlier? *yes, that's a bit of worry for the Seeklet's safety that you're hearing, Rachel*
Rachel: Ohhhh. *very soft chuckle as she nuzzles Sirius' hair* Ember's a Seeklet. He can fly.
Sirius: *looks up alertly as his favourite topic is mentioned, his brows lifting with interest*
Ember: *nodnod, big smile* Fly like Mama and Aunties... 'N fly like Uncles.
Rachel: *watches Seamus trip over a bench and land in the koi pond, still holding his ninja finger puppets aloft* Just not like those uncles.
Sirius: *big eyes at the antics in the pond. He's more interested in it than the fish are*
Ember: *laughs* Uncle Seamus is fish food!
Rosalin: *quiet little giggle*
Laura: ... *snickering. After all the surprises of the day, this is just too absurd*
Maria: Oooh, there're fishies in there?
Phoenix: *just scooted up on a hobby horse* Yup! Big fishies. Like to play! *charming grin just like his daddy's*
Maria: *wiggles a little and tries to get a better look at the person speaking*
Laura: *carefully sets her youngest down and watches as Maria scoots over to Phoenix*
Phoenix: *perfect little gentleman, he gets off the wooden horse and then clings to it to stay on his feet* Ride?
Maria: *looks like she's considering it, before she shakes her head and offers cuddles instead*
Phoenix: *delighted! And cuddles as only a Seeklet can cuddle*
Rachel: *grinning widely as Ember abandons ship to go see if he can get some of that* Phoenix is Rain's son.
Laura: *soft 'heh'* Am I correct in guessing that Magnus is his dad?
Rachel: *chuckle* That's his daddy. And Dion's older twin brother. *gentle kiss for Sirius' hair*
Laura: .... *raised brow* But Dion's just a little guy....
Rachel: *nods as she turns toward the music* He was only a little shard of broken spark.
Laura: *wince* That... Sounds pretty serious...
Rosalin: *kind of scooting over to Umeko, is curious about the older girl's outfit*
Rachel: *watches Rosalin go, and then leads Laura toward the music* *quietly* We nearly lost Magnus, and Dion was frail for a long time.
Laura: *more wince as she follows Rachel* Poor thing.....
Rachel: They're alright now. And he'd have never caught Rain's eye if he hadn't needed fussing over. *slight smile that widens as she spots the four tall brunettes who are happily dancing to 'Disturbia'. Sky's long hair sets her apart from the others, swirling around her as she twirls, and little baby Rose is clicking up a storm from her front tied carrier on Denver's chest* D'awwwww, look. Song and Firebreak are dancing too.
Laura: *having a look, and chuckling softly, till she realizes something* One of the dancers has another Seeklet flying around them.....
Hotspot: *being a pest and buzzing Aunty Denver as she dances*
Rose: *babbling away and trying to grab onto the flying babby that keeps going by*
Rachel: *grin* Yup. Hotspot's an active little goober. He's a lot like his dad.
Samuel: *choked sputter from the pond as Seamus tries to strangle his wrist with a handful of pirate puppets*
Laura: *looks back that way.... and facepalms*
Denver: *shaking her booty as she dances*
Rachel: *without turning or lifting her voice* Seamus, Samuel. One.
Seamus: Meep!
Rachel: Two.
Samuel: *pulling himself out of the water and scrambling for safety*
Rachel: *kisses Slipstream's hair again, and then grins as she sees his mother coming to take him*
Sidewinder: *suspicious and wary look for this human stranger who is standing so close to her older son*
Rachel: Sidewinder, this is my friend Laura. *warning look*
Sidewinder: *nods in a slight bow and murmurs the English translation of a Seeker greeting, then looks at her son uncertainly*
Sirius: *gives her the same look right back. Mother and son have no idea what to do with each other*
Laura: *small nod for Sidewinder, though she's a bit surprised to see how Sirius interacts with the woman*
Theo: *is over in one of the niches, conked out and cuddling Razorwing*
Rachel: *to Laura, as she spots Theo and his younger son* Sidewinder is Sirius' mom. There's her husband and their younger son, Regulus.
Sidewinder: *lifts up startled eyes at hearing her sons receive their alternate names*
Laura: *another small nod, accompanied by a small smile*
Sidewinder: *excuses herself and slips away*
Rachel: *turns back to the dancers and chuckles as she sees the tall blonde in the baseball hat join them* And there's Sidewinder's sister, Comet.
Comet: *totally showing off for Blitzwing, and unintentionally upstaging some of the other dancers*
Rachel: *chuckles and glances over as she hears someone make the soft roaring sound that is the Seeker version of a wolf whistle*
Rain: *slaps Comet on the butt for getting in the way*
Comet: *slight stumble, GLARES at Rain*
Laura: *a bit unsure now, since Comet looks like she wants to wallop Rain.... Will look towards the source of the strange sound*
Blitzwing: *is that rugged, scarred old grey-haired guy who's getting up from where he'd been sitting by an ancient Japanese woman to break up the potential spat* *does so by slipping between the two women and bracing slightly as though expecting to be clobbered*
Rain: ... *poke him in a ticklish spot, and then run off!*
Storm: *goes with sister*
Sky: *cracking up*
Denver: *laughs and shakes her head, before heading off to another part of the base*
Comet: *scowls after Rain before moving to lean against Blitzwing*
Hotspot: *will pounce on Mama then!*
Laura: ... *glances to Rachel, hoping for some sort of explanation*
Rachel: *grinning as she looks at her new friend. Sees that glance* What don't you get?
Laura: What the heck just happened?
Rachel: *grin widens* The blonde Seeker is Comet. She and Blitzwing there are courting. The sound he made is the Seeker equivalent to a wolf whistle. *glances over to where the old multi-changer is standing behind the blonde with his hands on her shoulders as he speaks to her softly*
Laura: ....Oh... *watches the couple*
Comet: *just a bit sulky at having her rhythm thrown off by the butt slap*
Rachel: *nods to where Granny Ootera is sitting and peacefully sewing* That's Blitzwing's older granddaughter. You met his younger one topside.
Laura: *attention going to the elderly woman, small nod and a smile* Cybertronian families must get pretty complex, huh?
Rachel: *snerk* That's putting it mildly. Granny there is also Usagi's great grandma. *yes, she was talking about the little human girl as the granddaughter*
Laura: ... Wow.... *wasn't expecting that*
Rachel: *looks towards the door and then back to Laura* Do you want to come to the med ward with me? My shift is starting. *doesn't turn as Sky winds up under a sparklet pile which includes Laura's Maria*
Laura: Sure... *glances at the kidpile, and chuckles when she sees where her daughter is*
Rachel: I'll be over there while you tell the girls. *grins and heads over to check out a spot of colour she sees in a niche against the wall by the door*
Laura: *goes to let Maria and Rosalin know where she'll be, and to call her if things get to going too late... and then she's moving to join Rachel*
Rachel: *standing and grinning as she looks down at Tracks, who is sprawled on the bench in the niche, sound asleep as Magnus uses him for a pillow*
Magnus: *is also being used as a pillow by Raj, looks far too innocent while he sleeps*
Raj: *doesn't seem nearly as aloof and reserved in sleep as he does when he's awake*
Rachel: *eyes sparkling as she glances at Laura. Unspoken: See this cute? Is it not cute?*
Laura: *grins and nods* *amusement grows when Denver returns to put Rose on Tracks' chest, since Magnus' head is on the mech's belly*
Rose: *babbles and clickstorms before yawning and curling up for a nap on Daddy's chest. Can hear his spark and how calm it sounds, likes this very much*
Tracks: *slight smile in his sleep as his farther arm comes up and his hand rests on his tiny daughter's back*
Raoul: *glances over from where he's sitting by Umeko wiping grease off his hands. Looks down at self, then speaks to Umeko and comes over to flop by Raj and put his hands behind his head. Eyes closed after a grin at Rachel, Laura, and Denver*
Rachel: *chuckles*
Umeko: *behind them putting Raoul's school books into his backpack*
Denver: *chuckles and moves to add herself to the family nap pile after nodding to Rachel and Laura*
Sora: *arrives moments later and also nods to Laura and Rachel, before moving to lay her head on Raj's chest and get cuddled as the man dreams*
Rachel: *chuckles and turns toward the door*
Laura: *moves to follow, chuckling softly*
Rachel: *as she closes the metal mesh 'screen' door behind them* Centuries of living in cramped spaces, and an even longer time of losing friends and family because of the war has left us without much of a sense of personal space.
Laura: *wince* *quietly* Oh....
Rachel: *then gives her a curious look* And now I'm realizing that I just gave the usual explanation, but you never asked for it.
Laura: I had wondered.... But I didn't want to say anything that could've come across as rude....
Rachel: *slight shrug and a bit of a half grin* Hey, with us it's always better to know than to make assumptions. Ask all the derpy questions you want. After living around some of these guys since they were born I can take nearly anything. Samuel, I see you. Don't try it.
Samuel: *meeps and scampers off*
Laura: .... I don't think I want to know what he was about to do.
Rachel: *bigger grin* I know I don't.
Laura: *changing the subject, since she knows she'd likely get off on a tangent* How is Professor Ruteger doing? Has he made anything else spontaneously combust?
Rachel: *grin fades as she remembers what happened with Jack since Laura's seen him last* No. Well. He hasn't been cooking lately, but he did manage to blow up his oatmeal the other morning.
Laura: ...Do I even want to know how he managed to blow up oatmeal? *saw the grin fade, will ask about that shortly*
Rachel: He said he was trying to warm it up. The kids got a kick out of it.
Laura: I'll bet... *quieter* Did something happen to him?
Rachel: *presses her lips together slightly as she looks the way they're going* *quietly* Something he was born with caught up with him, and he wound up having a stroke. He's nearly recovered, though.
Laura: *quietly* I'm sorry to hear that... But I'm glad he's doing better.
Rachel: Me too. The derp nearly missed Missy and Hopesong.
Laura: ... You've had more kids... *not sure why, but this amuses her muchly*
Rachel: *mouth twitches slightly* Missy's the sparklet I mentioned making. Hopesong is the baby of my first little baby. *voice slightly sad as she talks about that first little baby*
Laura: *small nod* So you're not only a mother, you're a grandmother...
Rachel: *softly* I was a grandma when you first met me. Hope's daddy was just the first sparklet I was ever recorded as mentor to.
Laura: *quiet* Oh... *and yet again, she's reminded of how human the Cybertronians can be*
Rachel: First Aid died the day I arrived on Earth. He just left a few months ago. *face shows her sadness, though her eyes are shining*
Laura: *puzzled* Just left?
Rachel: *nods and tries a little smile past pressed together lips* You know how human ghost stories are all baloney? Well, we can, and do, hang around till we're darn good and ready to leave. 'Aid was waiting for his wife, who couldn't leave till someone rescued Hope.
Laura: ... Wow.
Rachel: *nods, but then stops and turns away slightly, the back of her hand pressed to her mouth as she fights the urge to cry*
Laura: *moves to put a gentle, supporting hand on Rachel's shoulder*
Rachel: *shudders and then breaks down, her fist clenching as it moves from her hand to the wall, which she thumps softly*
Laura: *just going to be quietly supportive for now*
Rachel: *cries a bit, but then manages to clear the static from her vocalizer* *wipes her eyes* I never even knew he was married till he was dead. This stupid fragging stinking war.
Laura: *small nod, understands entirely* *quietly* I know what you mean...
Rachel: *deep breath* And the slagging shuttle was a marked medical ship. *shakes head and sighs, then straightens and turns back*
Laura: *puzzled* Does that make a difference?
Rachel: *blinks and looks up to meet the eyes of the human woman* We were shot down. That's why I had those scars at court.
Laura: *wince* Ooh....
Rachel: There were five of us aboard. Nobody survived the crash.
Laura: ... *mental brakes screeching to a halt* Wait, what?!
Rachel: *slight, grim smile* Jack dragged my aft back across the veil.
Laura: .... *confused and concerned*
Rachel: It's history now. *slight head shake* I shouldn't have brought it up. *starts along the last stretch before the elevator*
Laura: *moves to follow* *quietly* You and yours have been through a lot, it seems like...
Rachel: Yeah. More than we ever dreamed we'd be able to survive. But we have. Thanks to God and our creator.
Laura: *small nod. Wonders to herself if the fate of the Autobots will one day become the fate of humanity*
Rachel: *then registers what she's sensing up there around the bend and pauses to put a hand on Laura's shoulder* There's somebody coming our way who isn't as scary as he looks. *pause* Okay, he is. But he's on our side.
Laura: *distracted from her musings* Huh?
Rachel: Cybertronians aren't the only ETs that hang around the Ark. There's a honking big armored lizard guy coming our way. You don't need to be scared of him.
Laura: Okay then.... *just a bit uncertain*
Grok: *swings around the corner then, bits of his uniform glinting softly under the lights and his tail making a dry rasp as he restlessly scrapes it against the floor as he walks. Sees the two women and salutes to Rachel, but keeps on going*
Rachel: *nods and watches him go, then looks at Laura*
Laura: ... *blink blink blink* You weren't kidding about him being big....
Rachel: *small, very slightly giddy, chuckle* Why would I do that? *starts toward the elevator again*
Laura: ...Good point.... *moves to follow, looking up as she hears a bit of 'keek'ing*
Buzzsaw: *found an alt mode he's happy with, is trying to find Laserbeak so he can show her*
Rachel: *watches the peregrine falcon zip past, then blinks as the keeking is suddenly interrupted by a cheery 'grok!' and the sound of an impact* *facepalm* Fail, Buzzsaw.
Buzzsaw: *string of cursing, and then he's trying to chase his sister around*
Rachel: *as cackling echoes through the hall* Eject, you're going to bust something if you don't stop laughing so hard.
Laserbeak: Neener neener neener, Buzzy is a weener.
Eject: *will get back to you on that, Rachel. Right now, he's laughing himself silly*
Buzzsaw: Get back here, Beaky!!!
Laura: ... o_O;;
Rachel: *just takes Laura's arm and leads her away* Laserbeak and Buzzsaw are twins.
Laura: Ooooh.... And Eject is a friend of theirs?
Rachel: *snerk* Beaky's unadmitted boyfriend.
Laura: ... I am not looking forward to when Ros is to that stage... *so amused*
Rachel: *just snerks again and then stops to press the elevator button with the hand not holding Laura's arm*
Laura: So, is there anyone else I should keep an eye out for, just in case?
Continued Here.