mbv, The /Ark/ and a Bookstore in Blacksburg, Mushy Stuff...
Ben: *comes wandering into the large public lounge in the Ark, his eyes scanning the people sitting or sprawling in various places in the atrium like room. Spotting Susanna sitting by the koi pond intent on homework, he walks over in his silent way and waits to be noticed*
Susana: *Sighs and sets her homework aside, intending to come back to it when her processor's not feeling like mush*
Ben: *brows raise just slightly as he holds out two tickets*
Susana: *Blink blink, reaches for the tickets curiously*
Ben: *gives them to her and stands at parade rest*
Susana: *raised brow as she studies the tickets, and then she's squealing and latching onto Ben when she realizes he managed to get tickets to the piano concert that she was wanting to go to*
Ben: *startles, but then actually laughs softly and puts his arms around her to make sure she doesn't fall* Yes? *yes, he has a voice. A nice one*
Susana: *NODNOD, has no words to express her joy*
Ben: *shy grin, but he hasn't got anything else to say himself. Instead he'll just stand and be clung to and feel happy about it*
Sabrina: *looks up from her book at the squeal* *headtilt*
Ben: *after a moment he reaches into the pocket of his jeans, and then offers a piece of paper with information about a reservation at a sweet Japanese restaurant. The time is well before the concert*
Susana: *Surprised, more squeal and hug!*
Scarlett: *Saw that!* Susie's gotta boyfriend!!!
Felicity: Huh? *looks up from her geometry homework*
Ben: *gives one of his silent frowns to Scarlett even as he returns the hug*
Warren: *groggily trying to pull himself out of slumber where he's flopped in the corner of the nook where he and Felicity are* Uh?
Susana: *Tells Scarlett off over the gestalt bond as she snuggles Ben*
Felicity: I think Ben's courting Susana...
Warren: o.0 No way. *manages to sit up and look, and then his mouth falls open* Whoa....
Felicity: It sure looks like he's courting her....
Warren: Um... yeah. He's hugging her, and she's got her head on his shoulder.
Felicity: Aww! ^_^
Warren: *think think think. Scootch closer to Felicity and put his arms around her*
Felicity: *happy sounds, snuggles close*
Warren: *the words slip out of his mouth before he thinks about them* You're mine.
Felicity: *Blink blink, small smile* And you're mine.
Sabrina: ... *Surprised*
Alicia: ... Wait, what?!
Scarlett: *Startled blurt*
Susana: *blink blink*
Ben: *looks over and nods that he saw it*
Comet: I saw it too. *is lounging in one of the armchairs nearby*
Sidewinder: *with angry pride from where she's settled in the chair next to her upside down sister* I saw nothing.
Scarlett: ... I saw it.
Susana: *letting Patrick know what's going on*
Warren: *relaxing at this show of support from one of his new wife's sisters* *quietly* Thanks, guys.
Alicia: ... *Off to sulk about not being the first to be married*
Sabrina: Just ignore her... She's just jealous that she wasn't the first to get married... *small smile for brother-in-law*
Ben: *quizzical head tilt and looks to Susanna to explain Sabrina's words*
Susana: Alicia was the first of us to be engaged to be married...
Sabrina: And she figured she'd be married first, because she's been engaged longer and courting longer.
Ben: *nod of understanding. Thoughtful expression*
Warren: *meanwhile. Can has wife! ...Now what?* *hugs Felicity and looks dumb*
Felicity: *Happy snuggles*
Warren: *grins again as he forgets his question, and then decides to try and steal a kiss*
Patrick: *soft throat-clearing sound as he draws near*
Susana: *Startled squeak, clings to Ben*
Ben: *looks at her quickly and quizzically*
Felicity: *Startles and clings to her husband*
Warren: *head spinning slightly* Duh.....
Scarlett: Sheesh, take it easy, you two... *rubbing at her forehead*
Ben: *just a little bit of challenge in his eyes as he looks at Patrick. He wants this treasure and is willing to fight for it*
Patrick: *Studying Ben and Warren with a neutral expression*
Warren: *is one with his happy and stupid grin*
Felicity: *Snuggling, has a very Deer-in-Headlights look to her*
Patrick: *Small nod* *To Ben, over comms* //You're prepared to cope with Susana's Acrophobia?//
Ben: *shrugs. He knows she can fly when she needs to*
Sidewinder: *has called Starscream and reported the wordbonding and the courting gifts. Her pride is pricked and made defensive by the Prime's presence*
Patrick: *Studying Ben with a bit more scrutiny*
Ben: *looks right back without fear or flinching. That slight challenge is still there*
Patrick: *nods*
Ben: *quietly* Thank you. *turns his attention to the girl who is clinging to him*
Warren: *just fell off the nook seat*
Felicity: *Squeaks as she topples with him*
Ben: *didn't see that*
Patrick: *attention going that way for a few moments, relaxes when he sees Felicity fussing over Warren*
Warren: *sitting up and blinking* Uh, did we have an earthquake? Hey, do you want to come watch some 'Untalkative Bunny' reruns?
Felicity: Sure! :)
Warren: *happy grin as he scrambles to his feet and catches her hand to lead her to the nearest door*
Felicity: *Happily chattering away about what the last episode was about*
Warren: *hoping he can remember where they were on the DvD he got from ebay!*
Ben: *watches them go. Soft chuckle*
Patrick: *heads off to do what he had been in the Ark to do anyways, which is visit with Rachel and see how Jack is doing*
Susana: *Watches Patrick go* *Quietly* He blames himself...
Ben: *blinks and looks at her, his brows drawing together in a slight quizzical frown*
Susana: *Quietly* For what happened to Jack...
Ben: *deep frown, and then a quick head shake. It's not Patrick's fault.*
ENS. Falman: *blinkblinking as he enters the room and does a quick headcount*
Ben: *glances at the organic, but then lets go of Susanna and offers her his arm like he's seen the human guys do on TV*
Susana: *Small smile, slips her hand into Ben's*
Ben: *quiet smile and a farewell glance for the other Aerialbots, and then he leads his intended from the large lounge*
ENS. Falman: ... *Soft huff, leaves the room*
Rose: *scooting down the hall in her wheelchair, nearly runs him down* Hey! Vato, watch where yer goin'!
ENS. Falman: *Startled, jumps back a good six feet*
Rose: *soft snerk* How'd you keep from doin' that before?
Ens. Falman: *a bit embarrased now* I.... was not unaware of my surroundings.....
Rose: *amusement turns to a slight frown* You okay, Vato?
ENS. Falman: It's nothing...
Rose: *gives him that Look. The one that makes her husband nearly pee his pants*
ENS. Falman: *is mostly immune to that Look*
Rose: Spit it out, Vato.
ENS. Falman: *Crud.* *sigh* *Quietly* Do you remember the day that I had catnip thrown at me?
Rose: *scowl* Yeah.
ENS. Falman: Susana and Felicity were the ones who stayed with me until I was myself again... *bites his lower lip just a bit* And now it seems... they're spoken for...
Rose: *mouth falls open slightly* What...?
ENS. Falman: I saw Felicity and Warren leave the room... and Susana and Ben were behaving in a manner consistant with courting couples....
Rose: *softly* But, Vato, you never cared about that before.
ENS. Falman: *hunkering down a bit* *Quietly* I know... I don't understand why I've started to care about it now....
Rose: ...Is this why you've ben avoidin' Johnny and Maria, too?
ENS. Falman: *small nod*
Rose: *reaches for him with both hands* Oh, Vato. C'mere.
ENS. Falman: *hesitates for a moment before moving closer to Rose*
Rose: *pulls him down with her wry strength and then gives him a big hug*
ENS. Falman: *Silent for a little while, before he chuckles softly*
Rose: *chuckles and gets him in a gentle/rough headlock, then shoves him away and digs a twenty dollar bill out of her pocket* Here. Go have some fun in town.
ENS. Falman: ... Very well... *a bit reluctant to accept money from a friend*
Rose: Don't look like that. I can give you presents if I want to.
ENS. Falman: *Gives her a mildly amused look that would be accompanied by a flick of an ear if he were in his true form*
Rose: *scowly* Go on. Git.
ENS. Falman: Yes, Rose.... *heads down the hall, feeling a bit better*
Rose: *grins and heads for the community mess*
Biggest bookstore in town about half an hour later
ENS. Falman: *browsing the aisles, no particular book in mind*
blond woman in sunglasses: *looks up and sniffs as he passes behind her, then peers after him with a frown*
ENS. Falman: Excuse me... *is being careful not to bump into the woman*
woman: *turns to look at him more fully, making sure to keep her eyes covered with the glasses* You come here often? *voice is husky and sounds laid back*
ENS. Falman: No... I've been chased out of my office, since I'm apparently working too hard.
woman: Hmm. Too bad. I was hoping to ask you for a recommendation. *nods toward the magazine rack in front of her, which holds travel magazines* I'm trying to learn about the area.
ENS. Falman: What would you like to know, Miss?
woman: *shrug* Just general stuff. The good things to know. *tilts her head* Somebody told me there are giant robots around here.
ENS. Falman: *blink blink* Ah, you mean the defensive prototypes that've been on the news lately?
woman: Yeah. That's what they call 'em. I don't believe it. *folds her arms over her chest*
ENS. Falman: *raised brow* Oh? *checking the woman's scent as subtly as he can*
woman: *is human. But her scent is partly masked by that of her clothing, which is not of Earth origin* *eyes narrow behind her sunglasses when she sees what he's doing. Steps away from the air conditioning vent* Yeah, you can't tell me the government's paying for giant toy lizards.
ENS. Falman: *more raised brow* You won't believe something unless you've seen it with your own two eyes, correct?
woman: I've seen them. The big longneck was asking people for fish. *snort*
ENS. Falman: *Soft chuckle at the mention of Sludge asking for fish* What other ones did you see?
woman: This.... *stops to look for the word* Bat thing. And one of the soldiers said this noise I heard was a Grimlock.
ENS. Falman: You mean the Pteradon one then... Grimlock's the T-rex's name... *chuckle*
woman: *shrugs* Big toy lizards.
ENS. Falman: Sentient robots designed for defensive purposes. You've only seen three of the ones there...
woman: *expression hardens* Slaves.
ENS. Falman: *his own expression hardens slightly* No, not slaves. Grimlock and Sludge were built to protect their creators in a time of crisis, and they, as well as their younger siblings, are about as far from slaves as you can get.
woman: Any sentient being that's owned by another is a slave.
ENS. Falman: *really starting to dislike this woman* Nobody owns the Dinobots, just like nobody owns the Seekers. They don't have to fight if they don't want to, and nobody makes them fight if they choose not to fight.
woman: That's not the impression I got from the newsfeed, and the little spiel they gave us at the gate.
ENS. Falman: Well, I'm sorry if you were unintentionally mis-led.
woman: *seems to hesitate as she eyes him through her shades, but then very quietly tells him he's a dump crab in galactic common*
ENS. Falman: *calmly informs her that she's mistaken. He's no dump crab. He's a soldier.*
woman: *straightens* ~What are you doing here?~
ENS. Falman: ~In this bookstore, or on this planet?~
woman: ~I'm nosy about the first, but the second is more important.~
ENS. Falman: ~I live here, and I work on the base you visited.~
woman: ~Do the locals know what you are?~
ENS. Falman: ~The majority do not. The organization that I work for, on the other hand, is well aware of what I am.~
woman: .... ~And what organization is that?~
ENS. Falman: ~We call ourselves NEST.~
woman: *tension visibly drains out of her* ~Thank the Starsinger.~
ENS. Falman: *Slight headtilt* ~You know of our organization?~
woman: ~They talk about it in the bars on the stations sometimes. NEST people are supposed to help you if you find yourself unexpectedly on Earth.~
ENS. Falman: *nods* ~That is our main purpose.~
woman: *presses lips together a little* ~Well I could use some help.~
ENS. Falman: *offers his arm to the woman* ~My name, in English, is Vato Falman. I am an ENS. with the United States Coast Guard, and I am one of many who work and live on the NEST base just outside of town.~
woman: ~My name is Anne Smith, and yes, it's the one I was given at birth.~ *looks at his arm* ~...I'm not sure I should touch you. I've got fairly strong contact telepathy that I can't block.~
ENS. Falman: *small nod* ~Very well, Miss Smith... We should go where the walls do not have ears or audios...~
Anne: *slight grin* *quietly* Though I really wouldn't mind knowing what's on your mind. You're... an interesting guy.
ENS. Falman: ... *blink blink*
Anne: *quirks an eyebrow* What? ~You're at least part human. I can smell it.~
ENS. Falman: I've never been called interesting before... *Quick look around to make sure nobody can overhear him* *quietly* ~In your travels, have you encountered the~ *says the name his people call themselves. It sounds very cat-like*?
Anne: *pronounces it perfectly* ~I've never run into them. But I've read about them.~
ENS. Falman: *small nod* ~That is what race I belong to.~
Anne: *lowers the shades just enough for him to see her golden eyes that have slit pupils and lack visible whites*
ENS. Falman: *slight headtilt, curious now*
Anne: *softly, too low for regular human ears to pick up* ~Genetically enhanced human, on both sides. Though they were different races from different realities.~
ENS. Falman: *Very slight nod* ~Let's get back to NEST... Col. Franklin will need to be alerted... And I believe Mrs. Jones made chili today...~ *smile shows his opinion of "Mrs. Jones"' chili*
Anne: *perks* Chili? Is it real chili? And not this flavorless sludge that was in the cans I bought?
ENS. Falman: *nods* Mrs. Jones is an excellent cook.
Anne: *grin* Good. Because I'm hungry.
Back at the Ark, in the community dining area...
Autumn: *trying to rein in boisterous mechs* Sunstreaker, that is NOT supposed to be launched from a spoon!
ENS. Falman: *Using his tray as a shield, is clearly used to this*
Anne: *shield held vertically in one hand as she shovels chili from a large bowl into her mouth with the other. She's not even batting an eye*
ENS. Falman: Sunstreaker does this every single day... Sideswipe's not been doing it since he's trying to set a good example for his sons... *is halfway considering shifting to try and knock some sense into the golden frontliner, but he's not sure it'd be worth angering Sky*
Anne: He got a screw loose? *eat eat eat!*
Sky: *reaches over and slaps mate in the back of the head* I was feeding that to the babies.
Starpounder: *takes Sunstreaker's chair just as he goes to sit*
Sunstreaker: *Yelps as he topples to the floor*
Seamus: Dude, fail... *focuses on eating his chili*
Silas: *blows a bubble and then sticks his bitty tongue out as he watches Uncle be on the floor. But then he notices what Daddy is doing and his tiny mouth opens*
Starpounder: *sits in the absconded with chair, then dips her finger in her chili and lets both of her sons taste it*
Daniel and Silas: *are happy babies. They'll suck their fists and enjoy the chili flavor for awhile now*
Anne: *watching this*
Seamus: *Clicks and fusses over his family, looking pleased as punch*
ENS. Falman: *As he watches Sunstreaker get up and go to find another chair* I'm not sure, but the current betting pool says he does.
Anne: *frowns* No way to fix it?
Sky: *feeds Sunstreaker too as he returns* Just settle down, okay? *follows the food with a kiss*
Sunstreaker: *Happy mech, will behave, for now*
ENS. Falman: Well, we could always toss him, headfirst, into a battle... if we could find one.
Anne: ...Wouldn't that be kind of a permanent 'fix'?
ENS. Falman: *Deadpans* He's a frontliner. They're apparently the Cybertronian equivalent of cockroaches.
Anne: Ah. *picks up bowl and licks it as she lets her tray settle softly to the table*
Comet: *Sneak sneak sneak.... Will attempt to gank Ember now, kthx!*
Sky: Hey! I'm feeding that! *leans back in chair and aims foot at Comet's side*
Ember: *Laughing and clicking happily*
Comet: Oof! *twists so she lands on her butt, Ember landing on her lap*
Sky: *leans over, grabs her son by the arm up by his shoulder, and lifts him back to his chair* *then offers him a nice bite of nommy meat*
Ember: Oooo! *Clickstorm, nommameat!*
Comet: *Sulk*
Starpounder: *grins at her*
ENS. Falman: *Doesn't even bat an eyelash at that*
Anne: *done eating. Wipes her face on the napkin and folds it up before setting it down. Then looks up at Vato quizzically*
ENS. Falman: Seekers like to cuddle babies... Their own, and others'... It's commonplace to see someone making off with someone else's child around here, because everyone knows everyone else. And since Seekers are notoriously protective of things and beings that hold their interest, the only safer place for a child is either with Autumn and Bert, or with the child's creators. The Seekers also consider all close family members to also be the child's parents.
Anne: Cool. *looks in his bowl to see if he's done*
ENS. Falman: *offers Anne his bowl, which he hasn't hardly touched.*
Anne: Not hungry? *frowns at him*
ENS. Falman: *holds up the MASSIVE cinnamon roll he nabbed*
Anne: ...Yech.
ENS. Falman: *chuckles*
Anne: Sorry. One thing I got from my mother other than the eyes and the size. Cane sugar can kill me if I wind up eating too much of the stuff.
ENS. Falman: *Small nod*
Anne: *makes his chili vanish. It's been awhile since she's had anything really good to eat*
ENS. Falman: *Chuckles and eats his cinnamon roll*
Anne: *intent on her bowl* So... just how cat are you?
ENS. Falman: *in between bites* Enough that catnip affects me even in this form.
Anne: *uncertain look up at him. She's not sure what that is* So... you like a good cuddle?
ENS. Falman: ... *faint blush*
Anne: Uh... did I just ask something taboo?
ENS. Falman: *headshake, checks to see if he's touching her, because he doesn't recall saying anything of the sort*
Anne: .... Well... I said something. *wondering why he blushed and if she's done a faux pass*
ENS. Falman: Well... that is... *quieter* Yes.... *if he were in his true form he'd be trying not to show interest at the mention of cuddles. As it is, he's trying not to look too hopeful*
Anne: *sees his expression and perks* I haven't had a decent cuddle since I lost Mom and Dad. So... *lifts brows*
ENS. Falman: *Quick glance around* *Quietly* Not here, or neither of us will be able to walk down the halls without Seamus or Samuel being pests...
Anne: Is there somewhere warm and sunny? Maybe with a good hammock or mat?
ENS. Falman: *nods* The farmhouse... Lisa entrusted me with a key to the house, and the upper floor has matresses on the floor, as well as plenty of windows...
Anne: *smiles, unconsciously being careful not to show her teeth* Sounds good.
ENS. Falman: *gets up and moves to carefully pull Anne's chair out so she can get up as well*
Anne: *last scrape for her bowl, and then gets to her feet with it in her hands* So where does this go?
ENS. Falman: *moves to grab the trays* The dishroom... I think it's McHale's squadron on dish duty this week....
Anne: Okay. *puts bowl on tray, then blinks and looks up at him as their hands brush*
ENS. Falman: *having an inner squee at the idea of cuddling*
Anne: *blinks again as she processes what she picked up from him, and then she's gently rubbing her knuckles against the side of his hand in a quiet version of a soothing and happy strop*
ENS. Falman: *blink blink, small smile*
Anne: *lets her purring become audible for a brief moment, and then steps back to let him handle the trays*
ENS. Falman: *Would be purring if he were in the right form for it. As it is, he'll take the trays and bowls to the dish room, before he's hurrying back out to guide Anne to the lift*
Anne: *careful not to reach out to him while they're around everyone else, though she'll lean over for a quick peek at those two little tiny blue babies that Seamus is holding as they go past him. She's grinning as they go down the hall and into the elevator*
ENS. Falman: *Getting the key to the farmhouse out of his pocket* Lisa has a rule about shoes in the house, but the porch is enclosed, so our shoes will be safe.
Anne: People steal shoes here? *looks up at him as the elevator whirs softly*
ENS. Falman: Only Seamus and Samuel. And the shoes usually turn up in odd places, like on the barn roof.
Anne: *slight frown* Yeah, they're weird.
ENS. Falman: It's just how they are... but Lisa's gotten it through to them that the porch is off-limits for shoe-related pranks.
Anne: So Lisa's a headwoman?
ENS. Falman: She's just a very good shot. She's apparently one of the best sharpshooters on the Autobot side.
Anne: *as the elevator stops and the door slides open* Ohhh. *Then pauses as she spots a brawny, dark-haired man sitting on the floor in the upper foyer, apparently deep in conversation with a massive white turkey*
ENS. Falman: *very soft chuckle* Hello, Simon.
Simon: *looks up as Nosebiter purks a greeting to the tall ensign* Hi, Uncle Vato. You working?
ENS. Falman: Actually, I was just about to go on break... Is something wrong?
Simon: *shrugs and looks at Nosebiter as the turkey yanks on his shoelace* *quietly* Me Simon only worried about them family.
ENS. Falman: *as he moves to gently pat Simon's shoulder* I saw Russell in the cafeteria earlier... He mentioned that Jack was snuggling with Rachel and that he's stable... and Major MacKenzie sent an e-mail earlier, saying that she, Raoul, Beau, Will, Dion, and Tracks made it to her Aunt Dixie's house safe and sound...
Simon: *nods* But him Greg and him Sven still unhappy. And her Sarah and her Sora still scared.
ENS. Falman: *concerned, even as he moves to give more reassuring pats* Simon, are you up here alone?
Simon: No. Him Uncle Bert stepped outside to discuss something with him Uncle Wayne. Them not be long.
Destiny: *from where she's commandeering a beanbag chair* Uncle Wayne's a derp.
ENS. Falman: ... *resisting the urge to snicker as he nods* Alright.
Simon: *looks over at sister* Destiny, that not nice. We sparklets not supposed to call names.
Nosebiter: *unties ENS. Falman's boot*
Destiny: Is not name calling if it's true. *playing with the doll Wesson gave her*
ENS. Falman: *gently shooing Nosebiter away from his boots now, will re-tie the laces that got untied*
Nosebiter: *tilts his head, and then goes to give Vato one of the painful 'kisses' he's been named for*
Simon: *frowning thoughtfully at sister as he ponders her words, so he doesn't notice the turkey*
ENS. Falman: *Startled sound, tries to avoid getting his nose bit*
Nosebiter: *bites hand instead, and then looks at friend curiously*
Anne: o.0
Simon: *fussing at Nosebiter now*
ENS. Falman: *wincing and shaking his hand*
Destiny: *is that dark-colored set of eyes watching you, Anne*
Bert: *comes in licking his knuckles and scowling* Okay, kids, let's go see what they've got in the mess.
Destiny: Uncle Wayne is a derp who did a derp. *fighting a losing battle with the beanbag chair as she tries to get up*
Bert: *walks over to give her a hand up, using the other in the meantime to say hi to Vato and Anne by means of a small wave*
Simon: But is still name calling. *scoops Nosebiter up and stands to walk over to Bert*
Destiny: Thrrpt.... *attention going to her doll and now she'll have a conversation with it in sparklet*
ENS. Falman: ... Alright then....
Bert: *will nod to the ensign, and then lead his charges into the elevator and down to the mess to eat*
Anne: *watches them go, and then turns to look up at Vato* What was that all about?
ENS. Falman: Wayne's a Seeker... When they were getting brains, he and his brother thought they meant 'rains' and stayed home... Obviously, he said or did something that Bert objected to...
Anne: *blinks* You mean he beat him up?
ENS. Falman: Wayne tends to get himself into situations where he's beat up regularly... Generally it's because he runs his mouth.
Anne: *winces as she starts toward the door* And nobody does anything about the beating up?
ENS. Falman: Skylar will find out what it was about, and more than likely agree with Bert's line of reasoning....
Anne: Oh.... *looks around as they step outside*
Wayne: *is that guy that's slinking off*
ENS. Falman: Simon is one of the Dinobots... He's the one who was asking for fish...
Anne: Wow... that's a big size change. *watches the slinker*
ENS. Falman: It has something to do with subspace, which, from my understanding, is similar to hammerspace....
Anne: Ahhh. I'm familiar with it. *pats the small bag that hangs over her shoulder*
ENS. Falman: *chuckles*
Anne: Nothing like a good Bag of Holding.
ENS. Falman: I wouldn't know.... Even with my newest form, I don't have subspace capabilities.....
Anne: I've slept in this thing. *eyes go up to the clouds in the sky*
ENS. Falman: ... *raised brow*
Anne: *notices the look* What? And which way are we going?
ENS. Falman: It's starting to sound like I may have to see about getting a Bag of Holding for myself..... *then he points to the farmhouse* There...
Anne: *quizzical chuckle* Why? You have somewhere to stay. *heads for the interesting building*
ENS. Falman: It would make grocery shopping easier, especially when it's my turn to get food for cookouts... *moves to follow Anne*
Anne: Oh. Yeah, it would take a lot of food for a meal like they were having downstairs.
ENS. Falman: We get deliveries at the main NEST base, which get brought here via PINPoint, and subspace... It takes a few trips to get everything that isn't bought in the Nexus....
Anne: And it's all kept from the locals?
ENS. Falman: *nods* The base that is visible is mostly for the human, and disguise-as-human personnel who do not wish to live within the walls of the Ark. There are Autobot families who live in Blacksburg, but most of the Autobot personnel, and to my knowledge, all of the Decepticon personnel here on Earth, habitate the Ark.
Anne: ...Why not just move the whole outfit to the Nexus or a pocket reality? You wouldn't have to hide there.
ENS. Falman: That would not prevent Megatron from stealing Earth's resources... We recently destroyed solar energy collection mirrors that he had placed around the sun.... It's only a matter of time before he will find out about this, and retaliate.
Anne: *slows down as they reach the porch* ...So you have to stay here, despite the risk of discovery.
ENS. Falman: There are more opportunities here.
Anne: *looks around* Huh.
ENS. Falman: The Autobots were exiled from their world. I came to Earth for a better life, since my world doesn't have the resources to support more than hunter-gatherers....
Anne: *quietly* Hey, at least you have one. *goes up the steps*
ENS. Falman: *is now giving the impression of ears down as he follows Anne*
Anne: *senses that and turns back to give his arm a hug* I didn't mean that as a snark.
ENS. Falman: *quietly* You have a point....
Anne: I think having someplace that you came from is a great thing. *absently rubs her cheek on his arm and lets her purr become audible*
ENS. Falman: *moves to put an arm around Anne's shoulders, intending to snuggle a little bit*
Anne: *cuddles close, her eyes closing as she sighs with what nearly sounds like relief*
ENS. Falman: *Would be purring if he had the vocal chords for it. Can has pretty lady!*
Anne: *realizes when her hand is reaching around to his back to knead the muscles there that they should probably go find that mattress he was talking about*
ENS. Falman: *quietly, as he moves to get his boots off* We should head upstairs....
Anne: *lets him go reluctantly, then bends to remove her own footgear* Yeah.... *still purring softly*
ENS. Falman: *once he has his boots off, he's unlocking the door and holding it open for Anne*
Anne: *steps through and looks around, the habit of being aware of her surroundings is well trained into her*
kitchen area: *has dishes in a dish rack, notes taped to a calender on the fridge, and a table and chairs, as well as a bench and the usual kitchen things, including a walk-in pantry and a doorway that leads to a den just off the kitchen area*
Anne: *tests scents, and then looks up at Vato*
ENS. Falman: The scent that smells more like machinery and oil is likely Lisa, though Rodney also works on cars with her.... If it's got an undercurrent of vanilla, it's Lisa's.
Anne: They really don't mind us coming into their house?
ENS. Falman: *Quietly* My cousin Gavin and I are the only members of NEST, besides Major Trach, Lt. Wesson, Lt. Ross, Captain House, and Col Franklin, who Lisa gave copies of the key to.
Anne: ...So you're family?
ENS. Falman: *nods*
Anne: *nods too and looks around again, seeing if she can spot the stairs*
stairs: *are just off the 'living room' area that has doorways to the front entry way/family room, and bathroom*
Anne: *sees them and heads in that direction, her bare feet nearly soundless as she walks*
ENS. Falman: *follows after he makes sure the door is shut and locked, so no hooligans, aka Seamus, Samuel, Quinn, or Wayne, can do anything*
Anne: *kneeling on the edge of the mattress when he comes up, one hand pushing at it thoughtfully as she sets her Bag of Holding aside with the other*
ENS. Falman: *moves to shuck his overshirt and flop on the soft mattress*
Anne: *slips out of jacket and folds it before tucking it into her bag. As she does so her arm vanishes to the shoulder into the small-seeming container*
ENS. Falman: *Chuckles* Yeah... I should get one of those sometime....
Anne: I can show you where they sell them. *closes the flap and then stretches out on the edge of the mattress* *chuckles* They have linings to sew into pockets, too.
ENS. Falman: ... *chuckles and moves to snuggle close* So in theory, I could create the semblance of subspace when I shift forms....
Anne: I guess so. *smiles and rests her head on his arm, but waits to see how he wants to do this. Her purring has gotten louder, but it's pretty clear that she's no thunderpurr specialist like certain other felines on the base*
ENS. Falman: *moves to pull her closer to his chest so he can cuddle properly*
Anne: *arms go around him as she rubs her cheek against his chest, and the fingers of one hand start to knead at his back again* Hmmmm. *relaxing and feeling relief at the friendly contact that's sharp enough to nearly hurt*
ENS. Falman: *quiet, contented rumble*
Anne: *nuzzles and inhales his scent* Man... I needed this.
ENS. Falman: *soft, curious sound*
Anne: Hmmm? *looks up quizzically*
ENS. Falman: *thinks he might've mis-heard* It's nothing... *Snuggles*
Anne: *reaches up curiously to touch his face and see what he's thinking*
ENS. Falman: *considering shifting to his true form, but dismisses that thought with one about how it's not too cold right now*
Anne: *frowns a bit* You were wondering about something, and now I'm curious.
ENS. Falman: Just about what you meant earlier....
Anne: Ohhh. About needing the cuddles? *hand on face moves to his side*
ENS. Falman: Yes.
Anne: I haven't had anyone to cuddle with since my mother... went wherever she went. I've got her need of being close to people.
ENS. Falman: Oh... *more snuggles*
Anne: *quietly* You know how it feels when you've been out in the heat all day without any water, and then you have a chance to have some?
ENS. Falman: *nods*
Anne: That's how this feels.
ENS. Falman: *understands what she means, to a degree. He'll reach to gently smooth her hair a bit, hoping that she realizes he understands what she means*
Anne: *closes her eyes and leans into the touch, then nestles against him as her hand continues to knead his back* *slight nod and a contented sigh that doesn't interrupt her purring*
ENS. Falman: *content to snuggle*
Anne: *is too, and is soon deeply asleep as the contact and the warmth of the sun relax her completely*
ENS. Falman: *will follow her into sleep, dreaming of snuggles and scritches*
Elsewhere...
Wesson: *leaning on the bar of a little place in town, where he stopped with Maria for a few moments while they wait for an order to be filled. Shakes his head at the pretty black lady who just invited him to her party on Saturday night* My wife 'n I have plans.
Maria: *Coughs as she accidentally inhales a peanut from the bowl of beernuts she was snacking on*
Wesson: *straightens and turns quickly to look at her, thus exposing her to the other lady's view* *frowns and pats her on the back*
Maria: *waves her hand and reaches for her soda*
Wesson: *hand goes to her shoulder as he watches* Be careful.
Maria: *faint blush as it starts to sink in that she's been claimed*
Wesson: *frown softens and his hand rubs her shoulder gently* Hey, what's wrong, Maria?
Maria: *more blush* N-Nothing...
Wesson: *frown deepens once more, but then he looks at the waitress who comes to tell them there's a table open now* C'mon. Let's go eat.
Maria: Y-yeah... *reaches for Wesson's hand*
Wesson: *takes her hand and squeezes it gently, then makes sure she's off the stool safely before turning to follow the waitress. Once they're at the little table in the fairly quiet corner of the oddly built small place he pulls out her chair for her*
Maria: *Sits and begins to think over whether or not she should get Wesson a ring, and if she does, what sort of ring he might like... Something simple and masculine, maybe...*
Wesson: *pushes the chair in a little, and then settles across from her. Waits a moment and then realizes she's miles away. Poke*
Maria: *Startles*
Wesson: *slight chuckle* You gonna order? *glances to the waitress*
Maria: Y-yeah.... *Orders some tea to drink, and a turkey club sandwich*
waitress: Black tea, white tea, or green?
Maria: Black, please.
Wesson: *as the waitress nods and turns to him* Large fries 'n open face sandwich, 'n water with no ice.
waitress: *nods again and smiles* I'll be right back with your drinks.
Maria: *Small nod, back to musing about a ring for Wesson*
Wesson: Maria, what's goin' on. You weren't like this when we got in here. *pokes her again* Those beernuts have something in 'em?
Maria: I-I... *Blush* {I wasn't.... expecting you to call me your wife....}
Wesson: *startled blink, and then he's blushing a bit himself, though it's not visible* {That's the closest human word for it.}
Maria: *Blushing more and reaching to gently squeeze his hand*
Wesson: *returns the pressure as he says a word in Decepticon* {It's the mate you chose, but that you're not tied to. It's a little stronger than being engaged is for humans. You can walk away from it, but only if you both agree.}
Maria: *small smile*
Wesson: {Except I didn't do the claiming. But that's okay.} 'Con {women are strong like that.}
Maria: *blink blink, more blush*
waitress: *sets down their drinks and slips away, so as to not interrupt*
Wesson: *glances after the woman, and then looks back at Maria. His eyes hold sadness, but they're happy too*
Maria: *more gentle hand squeeze*
Wesson: *quietly* {I... don't think thoughts when I look at you. But I'm not leaving you.}
Maria: *and now there's a bit of confusion in her eyes*
Wesson: *stammers a bit for the first time since she's known him, wondering if he just put his foot in his mouth* {I... uh... um....}
Maria: *wondering if she did something wrong*
Wesson: *and then he recalls something he's seen Tracks do and lifts her hand so he can kiss the back of her fingers* *quietly* You're a beautiful woman, Maria.
Maria: *BLUSH*
Wesson: *looks down at the table, not too sure what to say now and vaguely wondering where their lunch is*
Maria: *oh, hey, tea! Drinks and blushes, ears red*
Wesson: *startles slightly as plates are set on the table, but then grins his thanks to the waitress, who gives him a knowing chuckle and walks off toward the bar*
Maria: *chooses to focus on eating her sandwich, stealing the occasional glance at Wesson*
Wesson: *quietly, as he uses fork and knife on his sandwich* You want that fancy stuff with the white dress?
Maria: *small headshake* *Quietly* Even though my mom would love that for me...
Wesson: Just get 'er one of those pictures like the Major got for Miss Hattie.
Maria: *small smile* You'd look good in a suit....
Wesson: *blink* I forgot that part.
Maria: I don't expect you to wear a suit if you don't want to.... *offers a bite of sandwich*
Wesson: *slight grin* Maybe we should go window shoppin' after we're done here.
Maria: Sure....
Wesson: There's a suit place here somewhere. *quietly eats more, and then slips a hand across the table after her tea*
Maria: *Sees what ur doin' thar, Wesson*
Wesson: *eyes start to twinkle. Hand still sneaking!*
Maria: *sets her sandwich down and reaches to snag the sneaking hand*
Wesson: Awww, now you got both of 'em. How'm I supposedta finish my fries? *chuckling*
Maria: You were going for my tea. *Amusement sparkling in her eyes*
Wesson: No idea what you're talkin' about. *grin*
Maria: ... *Snickers*
Wesson: *wears his innocent face*
Maria: *leans to kiss him on the cheek*
Wesson: *squeezes her hands* *quietly* I love you.
Maria: *blink blink, blush* *just as quietly* I love you too.
Wesson: *quiet smile, and then takes one hand back to offer her a bit of his sandwich*
Maria: *small smile, starts to discuss plans regarding the picture taking*
((Co-written with random_xtras))