MBV. Denver's office in /Ark/ Base, Ruteger House. Boxing Day Dinner
Jean: Maria, I'm telling you! I didn't give you guys those dolls! I don't even buy dolls!
Wesson: Hey, Denver. Remember Osk Lindel from bootcamp? That blonde that was taller than you? *looking at paperwork and oblivious to wife mayhem*
Denver: *looks over from chuckling as baby Rose lovingly noms on her little purple dolly's head* Yeah, Ah r'membah 'er....
Wesson: She had to drop out early on because of her mom dying, didn't she? *catches big Rose's hand as she tries to jab him in the ribs*
Denver: *nods* Yeah....
Wesson: *pushes Rose's wheelchair away*
Rose: *snorts and goes to poke Tad, who's sound asleep in Denver's office chair*
Tad: Yeep!
Wesson: Well she rejoined. And they're sending her our way.
Denver: *raised brow* Huh.... Wondah wah?
Wesson: *slight grin* She's the secretary you applied for.
Denver: *soft chuckle* Jes' 's long 's she don' go runnin' off, scream'n....
Wesson: Yeah, she was kinda girly. *watches Jean go running off screaming*
Anne: *had just been coming in with Vato* What the heck?
Vato: *soft rumble* I'm not sure... *is holding Clarity close to his chest, and has wrapped her with his scarf as well*
Jean: *hides behind him* I didn't give Maria and Wesson those darn dolls!
Caine: *looks up and shakes his head*
Vato: *small frown* It wasn't me....
Caine: *tilts head quizzically. Wants to know what Jean and Vato didn't do*
Vato: *signs with one hand* [Someone bought Johnny and Maria dolls, I'm guessing...]
Caine: *brightens* [Chief.]
Vato: *soft snerk*
Wesson: Chief? You mean Denver?
Denver: Ah d'n't bah 'em....
Wesson: *brows up* Pat?
Vato: More than likely.
Caine: *nods, smiling*
Denver: *chuckling now* Th't doofus....
Anne: *to Maria* You're trying to wedgie the wrong guy.
Maria: I'm sure Jean'll do something to warrant a wedgie soon enough.
Anne: What kind of dolls were they, anyway? *walks into the office and reaches to gently poke the tiny purple thing that's in little Rose's pudgy fist*
Maria: *as she moves to follow* Magnetic photo dolls....
Rose: *squeaks at Aunty from beneath her bunny towel*
Anne: *grins and pokes the little purple doll again, then glances at Maria* ...Photo dolls? Like those things Wayne got?
Maria: I guess... *chuckles at little Rose's squeaks of protest*
Anne: *as she gently smooths the baby's bunny hood back so that she can see* Well, what do they look like?
Maria: They're Fairy Tale style dolls of Johnny, Kitty, and me.... And the dolls' faces're pictures of the three of us....
Denver: .... *snickerfit*
Vato: *soft snerk*
Anne: *thinking this over with a slight frown as she gently moves the finger that little Rose has gotten hold of*
baby Rose: *that's what you get for poking her babby, Aunty!*
Maria: *SUCH a Look for her CO and friend*
Anne: So you don't like them?
Maria: It's not that.... It's just... weird... I guess...
Anne: Why? What are the dolls dressed as?
Maria: *quieter* A knight in armour, a princess... and an angel....
Anne: *blinks* *looks over at Vato, her eyebrows asking him to explain to her the problem, since she thinks those costumes fit the people they're for*
Vato: *doesn't get what the problem is* *slight shrug, will gently fuss over Clarity a bit more*
Anne: Okay. *turns back to Maria* I'm not seeing the problem here. You two are Johnny's princess and angel. And he's totally knight in armour when it comes to you two.
Wesson: o.0 *as he looks at the paperwork*
Maria: *blushing now*
Rose: *hand over face to try and hide snerking*
Denver: *has to leave the room* *hear her cracking up out in the hall?*
Rose: *loses it*
Vato: *if he were in his natural form, he'd be doing an amused ear flick right about now*
Caine: *grinning and looking at Jean*
Jean: *snickering*
Tad: *sleeps right through the ruckus*
Bitsy: *looks up at Mama, and then chirps and curls up again in her carrier*
Rose: *laughs harder*
Jean: *more snickering, nods* Yup. Pretty much, Bitsy.
Caine: *goes and looks for Denver, gives her a gentle poke when he sees her*
Denver: *cycling air and chuckling still, so amused as she looks to Caine*
Wesson: *clears his throat and holds up a paper* So. They refused that supply request. What were you requesting?
Denver: *slight frown* Ah put 'n a request f'r moah office supplahs....
Rose: Aww. We can get better around here anyway.
Denver: Ah know, but we's s'posed t' be gett'n stuff lahk th't through th' red tape maze....
Wesson: If Dumb 'n Dumber would stop borrowing all the erasers we wouldn't have ta ask for so many. *writing on the rejection paper*
Rose: I saw you eatin' the last ones too, Johnny.
Wesson: *glances side to side* No idea what you're talking about.
Maria: Johnny.... *headshake, so amused*
Denver: *blink blink* Ah w's talk'n 'bout th' papah clips.... Ah slagg'n got shot wit' 'un.
Rose: Well Streaker's off on his big poster tour, and Swiper's ben watchin' out fer new family. ...What do we need those things for anyway? *holds up the stapler that doesn't use staples*
Denver: Those're 'cause th' spahklets w'ld eat th' staples. 'N not all'a th' papahs need stapl'n'....
Rose: Hrrrm.
Wesson: *swoops papers into the holder on the side of the desk* We done here yet? Oh, and anybody hear how Blaster's doin'? That was pretty loud yesterday.
Anne: What was? *frowns. She and her family had been in town the day before when Mungbean had come into the world*
Denver: 'E, Tea, 'n MB're doin' well.... *chuckles* Blastah's still a bit derp...
Maria: *gives her CO a look* I thought Blaster was a derp anyway....
Wesson: Yeah, well. Remember when I hauled you and Kitty back outta here when we heard that screaming?
Rose: *wince wince in sympathetic remembering of the sounds*
Maria: *wince wince wince, nod*
Wesson: He was feeling Tea's labour pains. *face grim with sympathy as he thanks God that he's not wired to anyone like that*
Denver: *sympathy wince. Remembers just how long she was in labor with her daughter*
baby Rose: *click?*
Anne: *scowls slightly, but then looks up at her snuggle partner* Vato's been there.
Vato: *nods and checks on Clarity again* *fussy dad is fussy*
Wesson: *frowns* You guys didn't have any labour. It was just the couch gas.
Vato: *quietly* It still hurt.
Wesson: *looks at Maria, remembering how badly the experience of Kitty's coming into being had affected her* *quietly* You never said that's what got you.
Maria: *small frown as she thinks* *quietly* I don't even remember.... It must've been a bad dream or something.....
Wesson: Yeah. You blocked it. I wasn't sure why till now.
Rose: You and your crazy aft pain tolerance. *blows through her lips at Wesson*
Maria: *slight shrug* *doesn't really think it matters anymore, since she can't remember why she panicked, or what triggered said panic*
Denver: *concerned look for Maria*
Kitty: *decides then to reach over and poke little Rose*
baby Rose: *squeak! Clickstorm at Kitty!*
Kitty: No! *clicks right back, scowly pouting*
baby Rose: *thrrrpt*
Anne: Nice. *looks around* Isn't there a party some of you guys are late for?
Denver: 0_0 Oh, slag! Th't's rahght! *gonna scoop up her bitty and head for the door then*
Wesson: *laughing, and then laughing and holding up a hand as Rose pelts him with thumbtacks*
Out front of the Ruteger dwelling....
gypsy vanner gelding: *running through the falling snow, his black patches showing up against it startlingly and his luxurious feathers flowing around his legs in the rush of his movement*
baby Rose: ...Kitty.
Denver: *blink blink* *soft chuckle*
gelding: *sees Denver and stops to look at her with perked ears, then turns his head to see where his new master is*
Mist: *trotting over, her white fur and clothing accented by a red velvet hat with white fur trim. Waves to Denver*
Denver: *waves to Mist and moves to approach*
Mist: *ASL go* "Sister! You come to this house too?"
Denver: *nods* *signing* "Yes. For the party. You have a new friend?"
Mist: *glances at the gelding* "Red hat day gift."
Denver: *chuckles and nods* "Name?"
Mist: *pokes herself in one pointed ear* "Ears."
Denver: *more chuckle* "Good name."
Mist: *nods her fist* "He tells there is a noise I need to know about."
Denver: *nods, smiling*
Mist: *looks at the horse as he bumps her in reaction to a squeal from inside the Ruteger residence, then glances quizzically at Denver* "No see trouble."
Denver: *slight frown* "I will check." *moves to head inside*
Rachel: *looks around and grins as she enters, then resumes demonstrating her abilities with headlocks on Scarlet*
Denver: *snerk* *will give Rose to Jack. Ducks out to let Mist know that it's just Rachel telling someone off*
Mist: *relaxes* "Oh, good. I play now." *turns away and goes leaping off through the snow with her horse thundering in her wake*
Denver: *laughs and heads back inside to watch Jack play with Rose*
Rose: *razzing Jack* Thrrrpt thrrrpt thrrrpt
Rachel: *finally lets Scarlet go, and then passes out presents in between going to check on the Christmas dinner that she has invited Patrick and Emilia to join her little family for* Tracks, those are ornaments, not food.
Tracks: I had no idea. *rolls eyes and sniffs, but gently hangs the little scented wax shape back on the tree*
Bubba: *just lost his mind with glee after discovering the froggy wand in the gift for him* *happy beeps!*
Technobots sans one: *gift opened and are now crowded close together as they study the thick book of trivia that was inside*
Stephan: *making Seekers and birdies from the wrapping paper!*
Patrick: *baby dancing with Velocia while Emilia does likewise with Soli*
Felicity: *playing with Sarah and Sarah's dolls and the brand new lampwork carousel Jack made for his daughter's Christmas gift*
Warren: *sitting and hugging Archie as he watches videos with Simon and Ryan*
Carter: *holding her gift box to her chest and scolding Beau in lightly accented English as she tries to get away from him. According to her it'll be a cold day on the grill when he gets a kiss*
Denver: *shaking with suppressed laughter at Beau being a derp*
Beau: *has mistletoe hat for a reason, Carter!*
Carter: *swat swat* Lemme open my gift, you aft.
Beau: Awww.... C'mon..... *pout*
Sabrina: *fussing over Missy and Hope*
Missy: *grinning and chatting and chuckling*
Hope: *gravely trying to get a pretty little coat on her doll baby*
Little Denver: *helping Hope with the jacket, expression intent*
Ravage: *laying next to little Denver's big knitted doll and the little girl's new and unopened gift. Tail tip is twitching slightly in anger as she thinks of rotten old Laserbeak being a mom before her*
Steeljaw: *trying to wash Punky's ears, though the young cat is making that task difficult*
Punky: *needs no washin's!*
Raoul: *sips from a cup with 'reindeer' antlers as he looks around, trying to count all the orange cats*
Pumpernickel: *batting at Sven's fingers* *gonna get the wiggly thingies!*
Pumpkin: *draped himself around Mom's neck like a furry scarf, purring up a storm*
Raoul: Okay, I think there's four. But they keep movin'. *amused smirk as he returns attention to his nog*
Kup: *glances around from where he's helping Will with a building toy that needs to be bolted and screwed together. Counts, chuckles and shifts his cy-gar to the other side of his mouth, and then returns his attention to the project
Will: *soft clicks as he works* *still looks a bit sleepy after waking up from his nap after the day's training with Blitzwing*
Dion: *running around with Mr. Snail on his head, gleeful as his little hands grasp the round plushie's new carrying harness*
Justice: *eyes intent as he looks at the instructions to Will's toy* It's time to connect his wings now.
Will: *soft clicks as he searches for the parts in question*
Rachel: *pauses to watch the building of the Tracks model. Glances at Denver* I was kinda worried that wouldn't go over well.
Denver: *soft chuckle* *quietly* Ah got Will s'me 'f those Kre-O toys fr'm th' Nexus Mall..... *had a similar train of thought to you, Rachel*
Rachel: *chuckles and nods to where Patrick just found his gift under the tree*
Patrick: *chuckling as he unwraps his gift* *and then he's laughing and looking to Rachel with a grin on his face as he finds the brightly coloured deluxe 'Shifters' Optimus Prime action figure*
Rachel: *grins back* It was Jack's idea.
Jack: *looks over from giving Rose one of the blue plaster cookies*
Patrick: Thank you, Jack.
Jack: *grins* I thought you'd like it.
Scarlet: *surprised sound as she unwraps her gifts and sees two Monster High dolls, Clawdeen and Ghoulia*
Rodney: *crooning to Lisa in one of the highland dialects he learned while he, Alex, and Jack were in South America*
Lisa: *is one with her blush*
Rachel: *tosses a large soft gift over Drill's head so that it bounces off Rodney's*
Rodney: *startled what-might-be-a-curse*
gift: *crackly and nice and says Lisa's name*
Lisa: *blink blink, will proceed to unwrap the gift*
Destiny: *issa sneaky sneak on a mission to give hugs!* *gonna try hugging Drill!*
Drill: Meep. o.0 *then signs and rolls his eyes theatrically as his girlfriend laughs at him* Fiona, show some respect.
Fiona: *hugs Destiny!*
Destiny: *happy clicks and hugs!*
Lisa: Awww! *happily comparing her new Hot Rod plush with Rodney now*
Rachel: *watches them and feels glad that she's already sent Autumn and Bert's gifts to the infirmary, where the pair are sitting with the new Cliffjumper*
Drift: *searches the house for Lockdown so he can give the girl her Christmas present from the Nexus*
Lockdown: *sitting down in the first basement, hugging her knees absently as she watches Greg and Sean play a game on the TV*
Drift: *gentle clicks as he approaches and offers the red velvet bag*
Lockdown: *looks up, and then, surprisingly, she speaks* What's this?
Drift: *surprised by the speaking, but will answer* Something from the Christmas elf.
Lockdown: *curious perk and takes things out of the bag, then unfolds it completely and sets the Santa hat on her head* *soft snerk* Nice.
Drift: *headtilting slightly, wondering at the sudden change*
Lockdown: *studying the things she'd taken from the bag and smiling* Misty 'n Boulder 're gonna love this.
Drift: *puzzled blink blink* Who're Misty and Boulder?
Lockdown: *looks up, smile fading slightly and a flash of sadness showing in her optics* My mate 'n daughter.
Drift: .... Huh.... *just a bit confused here*
Lockdown: *mouth twitches at one corner* Somebody sent me a wish yesterday. I wished fer the most important thing I'd lost. Seems that was my mind.
Drift: .... *both brows up as he works through this* ....So you're going to be leaving then?
Lockdown: *pensive frown as she closes her hand around the gifts and once more hugs her knees* Don't really wanna. Got family other than just the kid and old man for the first time...
Drift: .... *small nod of understanding* Destiny will still be upset, I'm guessing....
Lockdown: *frown deepens* I'd go lookin' for her, but I don't wanna scare Prime.
Drift: ...Hang on. *hurries back up the stairs*
Rachel: Dinner's ready, Drift. Wanna tell the guys downstairs?
Drift: Sure... Where's Desti though?
Rachel: Check Fire's head. *chuckle*
Drift: *soft chuckle, will go get the big sparklet*
Destiny: *just a bit hyper... Isn't sitting on Fire's head, is using the Machine Robo as her personal jungle gym*
Fire: *talking to her quietly about gummi ham with sparkles and musterd sauce* *looks down at his Robo Master* I think she might already have eaten enough, Drift-kun.
Drift: *soft snerk* Hyper sparklet.... Fun.... *looks up* Desti, c'mere.... Locky wants to show you what she got for Christmas...
Destiny: *clickstorms at Drift-Bubby! Then she's scrambling for the ground*
Fire: *hands gently help the descent* What did Lockdown get?
Kup: *looks over* Tell 'er it's time ta eat, alright, kid?
Drift: *quiet little smile* It's a surprise.... *nods to Kup*
Fire: Ah. *then turns his head and gets to his feet as Rachel tells him to get his butt into the kitchen to get his supper*
Destiny: *gonna cling to Bubby's back now!* *clickstorm!*
Drift: *chuckles and moves to bring Destiny down to the first basement* *to Sean and Greg* Food's ready....
Sean: Alright. Let's pause here, Greg.
Greg: Me Greg not need stupid turkey and stuffing and sauce and veggies and pudding.
Sean: Then it's a good thing we're having ham, black eye peas, and greens. And it's all energon stuff. *grins as he scoots for the stairs*
Destiny: *off of Bubby's back, beeline for Sissy!* *glompcling, clickstorm*
Lockdown: *arms around her little sister as she grins at the big sparklet* *softly and with affection* Hey, kid.
Destiny: *blinking a bit and snuggling*
Lockdown: I kinda remembered somethin'. Drift thinks that's gonna make you sad.
Destiny: *headtilt, click* ?
Lockdown: Like all the stuff I remembered before I got ta be your sister.
Destiny: *confused now* *click*
Lockdown: *slight grin* Wanna see what the elf gave me?
Destiny: *gonna focus on what she can understand, and nod*
Lockdown: *looks up* Uhhh... after we eat? *looks at Drift* Or you wanna bring us some?
Drift: Let's eat first..... *moving to offer assistance in standing*
Destiny: Noms.... noms....
Lockdown: *as she stands it's clear that she's still uneasy about going upstairs*
Drift: *gentle clicks*
Lockdown: *deep breaths as she hugs Destiny and tries to steel herself to do this*
Upstairs
knock: *sounds at door*
Rachel: *looks to see who's closest* Wanna grab that, Chief?
Patrick: Alright.... *moves to answer the door*
big green mech: *turns as the door opens and frowns at the guy who opened it*
pink, lilac, and cornflower femme: *lifts brows over purple optics*
Patrick: *boggling a bit at that green mech, and then he's grinning* Boulder?
green mech: *blinks* ...Yeah?
Patrick: It's been a very long time.... *will transform so that crèche brother can recognize him*
Boulder: *optics flash and widen* Optimus. You're the guy I was looking for. What the slag'd you do with my mate?
Optimus: .... You'd better come inside... *moving to usher Boulder and the tricolor femme into the house*
Boulder: *frowning now* ...What did you do?
femme: *wary look in those purple optics now*
Optimus: *seriously* Ratchet can explain what's going on better than I can.... I only know what happened was partially due to Soundwave.....
Boulder: *crosses his arms over his chest, scowling now* Explain what you can.
Optimus: Alright... *will start from when Lockdown showed up at the lodge and go from there*
Destiny: *rapid-fire clickstorming as she sees Boulder* *hi, new person!*
Boulder: *optics pale with quiet rage as he listens to Optimus, but then he blinks at the clicking and looks toward it*
Destiny: *happy clicks! Loves on Sissy too*
Drift: *blinking a bit as he studies Boulder and the tricolor femme*
Boulder: *clenches jaw to try and keep from wibbling at sight of his mate*
Lockdown: *quietly, as she hugs Destiny* Oh suck it up, frag brain.
Optimus: 0_0
Destiny: *scoldy clicks* Bad word!
Lockdown: *quietly* No it ain't. His processor's always fragged.
Boulder: *blinks* ...Locky?
Destiny: *frowny frown as she puzzles over this* *click*
Optimus: *looking just a bit spooked now*
Lockdown: *snaps at Optimus* Get over it. *looks at Destiny and then points to Boulder* That's my mate.
Destiny: *soft clicks as she works this over in her head*
Lockdown: I think 'e needs hugs.
Destiny: *lets go and scoots over to give 'em!*
Boulder: Ooof. *hugs the youngster back, and then winces and chuckles as his mate hugs him from the back and kisses him on the side of the head* You don't sound mind wiped.
Optimus: *trying to figure this out*
Drift: *going to go talk to Rachel now*
Lockdown: Wishes fix weird stuff sometimes. But you still finally got a father in law ta watch for. *smirk*
Destiny: *clicky talk at the pretty femme*
Lockdown: *reaches over to pull the tricolour femme closer* Desti, this' my baby. Mistfire.
Destiny: *headtilt* Sissy-baby?
Lockdown: Yup.
Mistfire: *amused* I ain't a baby no more.
Lockdown: Still my baby. All I'm gettin'. *gently scuffs her daughter's head, optics holding affection*
Destiny: *hugs for Sissy-baby then!*
Mistfire: *snerks at the scuff, and then gives Destiny a whole-hearted hug* Hey.
Boulder: *deep sigh and turns so that he can rest his head on Lockdown's shoulder, one hand curling gently around her arm as he does*
Lockdown: *looks at Optimus, her expression frank and enquiring*
Optimus: ..... *quietly* Holy slag....
Destiny: *soft razz* Bad word..... *snuggles Mistfire and purrs happily*
Lockdown: *ducks head and sniggerfitdies*
Optimus: I.... I honestly don't know what else to say.....
Destiny: *more razz* No cuss.
Rachel: *calls toward the door* Try, "Come on in and grab a plate!"
Boulder: *quizzical perk*
Optimus: *will move to try and herd everyone to the table then. Maybe good fuel and watching Kup haze Boulder will help him get over his shock*
stunticons: *antics out in the yard will provide the evening's entertainment*
((written with random_xtras))