mbv and Nexus, Rachel and Jack's house and Black Dog, Return to Life
Rachel: *gets home and flops onto the couch on her face, where she drops into recharge without remembering that she's supposed to be sleeping by Jack*
Lyra: *comes beetling into the room, pauses when she sees Rachel, before she deedles curiously and moves to gently nudge the older female*
Rachel: *no response. Not even an arm coming out to pull the little drone close for a snuggle as usually happens*
Lyra: *Beeps, nudging Rachel again, before startling at a thump from the hallway* !!!
Moofy: *Deedling and all but running circles around Jack, who is trying to get back up to a standing position and failing miserably*
Fred: *beeps his alarm and tries to help Jack, but he's just too tiny*
Brawn: *running up the stairs from the basement* Jack? Rachel? What's going on?
Jack: *clicks to Fred, sounding like he's just starting to wake up, before he answers Brawn* Rachel wasn't there when I woke up...
Moofy: *chirps and tilts his head, is Mama missing?*
Brawn: *comes down the hallway, his optic band flashing with alarm as he goes to his friend and offers him support* You'd better get back to bed. I'll see if she left a message.
Jack: *leaning on Brawn, gives a small nod* Alright... *worry shows clearly on his face*
Fred: *throws his arms around Bubba to keep him out from underfoot*
Bubba: *snuggles Fred, beeping quietly*
Moofy: *moves to head for the living room, having heard Lyra beeping*
Brawn: *grim as he feels the servos of his drone shell shaking under Jack's weight, but he manages to help his friend back into the bedroom and to the bed*
Jack: *apologizing for being such a pain in the skidplate*
Brawn: *snorting sound* Whatever. Here, how do these cloth things go? *tugging awkwardly at the blankets once Jack's on the bed*
Jack: *reaching to get the blankets situated, sighs quietly* I hope, wherever Rachel is... that she's alright...
Brawn: You worry too much, Wheeljack. *then pauses and turns his head as the shrill beeping of distressed drones reaches his audios*
Jack: It's my job to worry about her... *frowns as he hears the beeping as well* What's got Lyra and Moofy worked up?
Brawn: *starting toward the door* There goes Fred, too.
Fluffy: Help help!
Brawn: *runs*
Meanwhile...
Russell: *fixing himself an omlette-wrap and humming a song off-key, looks over at the phone when it starts ringing, before he sighs and goes to answer it*
Brawn: //Red? Bra... Bert Smith here. You need to come to Jack and Rachel's.//
Russell: ... What's going on? *moving to turn the burner under the omlette skillet off, scoop the cooked omlette into a tortilla, and head to where his medic's bag is*
Brawn: //Rachel's asleep and she won't wake up.//
Russell: *pauses to grab his keys and helmet* I'm on my way over.
Brawn: //Is there anything we should do in the meantime? Other than keep Jack in bed?//
Russell: If she's got a fever, put a cool, wet washcloth on her forehead... and make sure she's got at least one blanket.
Brawn: *momentary silence, then* //What's a fever?//
Russell: Elevated temperature at least three degrees above what's normal for a specific person to be... overheating, in other words. *strapping his helmet on*
Brawn: //Alright. I'll do that. Bra... Bert out.// *hangs up*
Russell: ... *eats his omlette wrap quickly, before getting on his scooter and heading to Jack and Rachel's house*
Brawn: *waiting at the door, his face doing the best frown it's capable of as he watches for the medic*
Fred: *cuddling Rachel on the couch and stroking her hair*
Fluffy: *with Jack*
Moofy: *returns from the linen closet with another blanket, deedling quietly*
Lyra: *clinging to Fred and fussing*
Jack: *Worried about Rachel*
Fluffy: *in Jack's own voice as he sits by his creator* Russell should be here soon.
Jack: *small nod, listening for Russell's scooter*
Brawn: *glances back into the living room and then looks through the door again* Come on, Red. Hurry up.
Russell: *pulling up in front of the house, and parking his scooter, before heading for the front door at a brisk pace*
Brawn: *door open* Even the drones squalling around isn't waking her up.
Russell: *Curses quietly and hurries inside*
Fred: *looks up from where he's sitting by Rachel's head and makes a worried little beep*
Rachel: *laying on her back now, her eyes closed and her face weary and still*
Russell: *Sets his bag down and scans Rachel*
Rachel: *he'll see clearly now her scars, and also that her body has simply shut down due to strain. Everything is on standby but her self repair*
Russell: *mutes vocalizer just as he's about to cuss again, before grabbing his bag and getting out a sedation tab*
Brawn: *standing by him* What is it?
Russell: *quietly* Systems strain... *scans deeper, hoping to find what's causing the strain*
Brawn: She never really recharged all the while Jack was down.
Russell: And that was what... Eleven days? *shakes head and sighs*
Brawn: She was trying. *settles down to one knee and puts a hand on the unconscious medic's head, his expression grave and concerned* But every time she dropped off she'd yell and wake up again.
Russell: *small nod, concern for the older medic clear on his face* Maybe she'll sleep better if she's next to Jack...
Brawn: *looks at the heap of blankets the drones have got on her and frowns*
Moofy: *Quiet deedle, holds up his latest retrieval*
Brawn: I think she's got enough, kid.
Moofy: *Deedles and then offers Brawn the blanket instead*
Russell: *small smile, before he's focusing on easing some of the strain on Rachel's systems*
Brawn: *awkwardly folds blanket and sets it aside* Will it help if you hook her up to some of those machines she had on Jack?
Russell: It might... though I think most of those are just monitors....
Brawn: She said something about a couple of them running his systems for him. *taking blankets off Rachel now and folding them* Why's she so warm?
Russell: *blinks* Did she say which ones did that? As for why she's so warm... system strain causes overheating...
Brawn: *stares at him* You don't know?
Russell: I'm just a medic... I'm more familiar with monitors and repairs...
Brawn: *facepalms and goes to the master bedroom* Hey, Jack, do you know what these machines do?
Jack: *Blink blink* Besides the monitors? There's... *glances at some of the machines* pump regulators, temperature regulators... *pauses* Why?
Brawn: Because Red thinks Ratchet needs the system support ones. *looking at the machines helplessly*
Jack: ... *moving to get up and out of bed again* What happened?! Is she okay?
Brawn: *jumps up and holds him down* Her systems are strained, and it's making her overheat.
Jack: *still not strong enough to put up much fight, will settle for wibbling a little*
Brawn: *grim* I think we need to call Perceptor. You said he helped you with Ratchet after the crash?
Jack: *nods* And he invented the machines that you asked about.... I helped him build them...
Brawn: Alright. *perks, but then looks around* Now where did I leave the phone?
Russell: *carrying Rachel carefully in his arms, with Lyra clinging to his shirt* Use mine... it's in my bag. *moves to set Rachel next to Jack gently*
Brawn: *jumps off the bed himself and goes to look in the bag. Finds the phone he had been using on the way, and then pauses as Fluffy tells him off and lets him know he's already SOSed the scientist*
Fred: *small sounds as he perches on the footboard and watches Jack and Rachel and Russell*
Lyra: *Deedles worriedly*
Brawn: *back to the bedroom* The answering machine already called him.
Fluffy: *THRRRRPT*
Russell: ...
Jack: Fluffy, be nice.
Fluffy: Nice is my middle name. Punk.
Jack: *rolls eyes and moves to gently cuddle Rachel*
Bubba: *earns a startled beep from Moofy when he runs into the younger drone*
Brawn: *starts, and then picks both of them up before returning to his concerned frowning at Rachel* Weren't the kids supposed to come back today?
Jack: ... Slag... that's right...
Bubba: *SnuggaBrawn*
Russell: Maybe I'd better let Patrick know about this.... Should I also call Autumn?
Jack: *distractedly* Would you, Russell? *gently smoothing Rachel's hair*
Brawn: *grim* Neither of you two are fit for duty. I'm in better running condition than you are, and I'm dead.
Jack: *gives Brawn a Look*
Brawn: It's true.
Russell: *going to get his cellphone, startles when the doorbell rings*
Fluffy: Open the *bleepin* door, ya slacker!
Jack: *soft sigh, nods, and continues to gently smooth Rachel's hair while Russell lets Merlin into the house*
Fred: *runs up as fast as his little legs will go and grabs hold of Merlin's pant leg beseechingly*
Merlin: *stoops to pick the drone up, clicking as he does* I was informed there was a medical emergency... *moving to head to the bedroom*
Russell: Rachel's systems are strained... She didn't rest much, if at all, during the time that Jack was out of it...
Merlin: Oh dear...
Russell: And I'm afraid she's shut down.
Brawn: *looks around as they come in*
Merlin: *scans Rachel, pursing his lips slightly*
Brawn: Red's got no idea what to hook up to her.
Merlin: *nods, and points to a couple of the machines* At the very least, she'll need a spark monitor, a pump regulator, a temperature regulator... *names two other pieces of equipment, pointing to the machines as he names them off*
Brawn: *looks at Russell, tilting his head as though to say 'well'?*
Russell: *moving to get the named machines hooked up to Rachel*
Three days later.
Rachel: *soft groan and frowns in her sleep*
Fred: *freaks out and falls off the bed rail*
Jack: *awake now, clicking and gently squeezing Rachel's hand*
Lyra: *Worried deedle, climbs down off the bed to make sure Fred's alright*
Fred: *bit rattled but still freaking*
Rachel: hmmmm? Jack? *opens eyes and blinks at him groggily* What's wrong with Fred?
Brawn: *ditching his rummy game with Merlin in the living room to go investigate the thump*
Jack: *gently kisses her forehead* Fred was worried about you... same as everyone else...
Rachel: *frowns again, her eyes blinking back toward sleep* Worried? Why?
Merlin: *following Brawn, concerned*
Brawn: *sees Rachel talking and pauses just inside the door to watch her*
Jack: *quietly* they found you on the couch, and you weren't responsive... that was three days ago...
Rachel: *starts and tries to get her eyes to stay open* Three days? Slag, I have to get to the Nexus.
Jack: *raised brow* Why?
Rachel: Other Ratchet. Going to fix Brawn. *faint arm motion as she tries to remember how to get up*
Jack: We can send someone else, Rachel... you need to rest.
Merlin: *blink* Another Ratchet?
Rachel: *makes a swallowing motion as she realizes that her breathing pumps haven't been working, then lets out a small sound* Alternate. Knows someone that can repair the dead. Black Dog. Cookies for.... *sighs and fades into a doze and dreams she's telling Merlin the rest*
Merlin: *raised brow, glances at Jack who has resumed smoothing Rachel's hair, glances to Brawn*
Brawn: She wants cookies for the kids. *sounds a bit gruff, and is holding Fred and Lyra close*
Merlin: *considering look, thinking about who could go... thinks of Russell* Perhaps Russell would like to accompany me...
Rachel: *twitches and moans slightly, then murmurs*
Brawn: *cuts a glance at her* I guess someone has to go. Ratchet seems pretty set on it.
Merlin: *nods* I shall see if Russell is free....
Rachel: *gasps and blinks at Jack confusedly as Merlin steps out of the room*
Jack: Shhh... it's getting taken care of... *gentle forehead kisses for Rachel*
Rachel: *shaking slightly as systems try to start up. Turns her face toward him* What happened, again?
Jack: *quietly* You went into shutdown... your systems were strained...
Rachel: *winces* Merlin took time off to help?
Jack: *nods, chuckling a little* One of the substitutes covered his classes... I think, aside from Sean, his students were relieved...
Rachel: *closes the hand that's laying across her chest* Didn't do this on purpose.
Jack: *reaches and gently strokes Rachel's hand* I know... It'll be okay... we both need the rest, anyways...
Rachel: Your job. Gonna be.... *frowns*
Jack: I have over two months of vacation time built up, Rachel... and this is about the only time I've used any of it.
Rachel: *blinking heavily as her systems give up on the trying to come on* ...Dork.
Jack: *chuckles again, gently squeezing Rachel's hand* You would be disappointed if I wasn't one.
Rachel: *ghost of a smile and she sleeps*
Jack: *keeps a close watch on Rachel, until he can no longer keep his eyes open and falls asleep holding onto her*
Brawn: *in the other room calling Lisa and asking her if she can stay at Jack and Rachel's house till he gets back from somewhere*
Lisa: //No problem, Bert... Want me to bring another casserole, or are you all casserole'd out?//
Brawn: I don't think anyone's been eating what we have. Merlin's usually too busy reading wikipedia or playing with that keychain.
Lisa: //Oh... well, he needs to remember to eat sometimes too, otherwise he'll get sick and Russell will grouch about having to take care of someone who doesn't know how to take care of themselves even though the guy's a genius and could probably tell me exactly how that keychain works without having to take it apart and all that...//
Brawn: Blue. I have to go. Merlin and Red are going to the Nexus to talk to somebody that can repair the dead.
Lisa: //oooh, are you going with them to make sure they don't get lost or distracted by all the neat things there?//
Brawn: I don't know. I guess I'm just curious. I'll talk to you when I get back, alright?
Lisa: //'Kay! Oh! If you see an orange femme named Hormah, tell her I said 'Hi!'!//
Brawn: Sure, Blue. Bra... Bert out. *hangs up and looks around as the sound of popping bubble wrap and soft talking precedes Merlin's appearance from the kitchen*
Russell: *knocks softly on the door*
Brawn: *puts the phone down and goes to open it*
Russell: What's this Merlin said about a Nexus trip?
Brawn: Rachel's got an appointment she can't keep.
Merlin: *coming from the kitchen, pressing the bubblewrap buttons on a small, square keychain*
Brawn: *turns and looks at him and snorts*
Russell: ... *headshake*
Brawn: *looks back and forth between the two living mechs* *quietly* I'm coming with you.
Merlin: *Blinks, pausing mid-pop* Is that possible?
Brawn: *frown* Why shouldn't it be?
Russell: *nods* Alright... but first... *clips something to Merlin's back belt loop and ties the other end to his own belt loop* I am NOT going to be the one who has to explain that we managed to lose Merlin, just because he saw something interesting. *Smiling, even as Merlin gives him as dirty a look as he can manage*
Brawn: Uh huh. I guess that means I better keep track of you in case we pass any displays of obscure comic books.
Russell: ...
Merlin: *Snerk*
Brawn: *gives both of them an impatient look as he hears Lisa's car coming to a stop in front of the house, due to Merlin's car being parked in the driveway*
Merlin: *getting out the PINpoint he grabbed on his first, and only, excursion to the Nexus*
Brawn: *goes to let Lisa in*
Lisa: Hi, Russell! Hi, Merlin! Hi, Brawn!
Brawn: *gruff* Yeah, hi. *looks at the other two* Well?
Russell: *nods to Lisa, as Merlin reaches for Brawn's hand*
Brawn: *gives Merlin a look and moves his hand out of reach, then puts it on the other mech's arm*
Merlin: *small sigh, before he's pressing a few buttons on his PINpoint, and activating it*
Nexus
Russell: *making a point to not look at the Sign*
Brawn: *does look at the sign, and then finds himself blind as he looks away from it* Slagging pit....
Russell: I knew I forgot to warn you about something...
Brawn: *just grabs Merlin's sleeve and goes :\*
Merlin: *Starting to wander towards the big yellow mech near the Black Dog*
Brawn: *goes along*
Russell: *Stumbles a few steps, before following*
Kia: *laughing softly at her little daughter, who is cuddled in Ratchet's brawny arms and chattering a blue streak*
Ratchet: *rumbly chuckles as he clicks and converses with Aria, before his attention goes to Brawn, Merlin, and Russell*
Kia: *also looks toward the newcomers, and tilts her head shyly as she studies them*
Ratchet: *scans the mechs, raising a brow ridge once he's scanned Brawn* Friends of Mrs. Ruteger, I presume?
Brawn: Who? *turns his head as though looking at Merlin*
Ratchet: *raised brow ridge goes even higher*
Merlin: I believe he means whomever it is that Jack has.... *realizing where he's going with that, eyes widen* Oh goodness, have Jack and Rachel finally become bonded?
Brawn: .... Word bonded. Yeah. You didn't know?
Kia: *hiding her face with one hand in embarrassed sympathy for their confusion*
Merlin: *shakes head* I had no indication... though I had noted that they seemed to be more openly affectionate with one another...
Russell: *Facepalms, mutters* Dork...
Aria: 'Dork' is a derogatory term. Are you sure you wish to affix it to your friend? Especially in the presence of strangers?
Brawn: *shaking his head and muttering*
Russell: ... *gives Merlin a Look* She speaks like you...
Merlin: *reaching behind himself to unclip the leash that Russell affixed to his belt loop earlier, so he can move a little closer to the group of unfamiliar 'bots*
Kia: *softly and shyly* She speaks like her father, Perceptor.
Aria: *nod nod* Indeed. Skywarp oft states that Mama and Papa are the only ones able to understand me. But he speaks facetiously, because Uncle Ratchet, Starscream, and Skyfire understand me as well.
Merlin: ... *blinking with clear confusion*
Ratchet: *soft snerk, has a hunch who the red headed man is*
Russell: ...*giving Merlin a baffled look now* Since when do you have a sparklet?
Kia: *pauses and scans the small mechs* Oh!
Merlin: *Stammering something about his multiverse theories*
Brawn: *gives Russell a smack in the back of the head* We just met another Ratchet. And Rachel's talked about Skylar meeting another Starscream. You think Microscope Man's unique or something?
Aria: *winces and wibbles at the clank*
Kia: *hides behind Ratchet, looking dismayed*
Russell: Oy! Watch it! *wincing and rubbing where he got smacked* The pain sensors there are very touchy!
Ratchet: *resisting the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose*
Merlin: *transforms, intending to scan Aria so he can gain a better perspective of sparklets from other realities*
Kia: *rallies* *softly* Maybe... maybe we should go inside and sit down as we speak?
Brawn: *ignoring Russell's protest* Sounds good to me. *even though he can't drink anymore*
Russell: *Scowls at Brawn, before sighing and transforming as well*
Ratchet: *nods* That sounds like a good idea, Kia... *moves to lead the way inside the Black Dog, and once inside, glances at the bar, even as he chooses a booth in the corner away from said bar*
Kia: *also glances toward the bar and sees the massive femme known as Blackout sitting and talking to a G1 style Sideswipe who seems drunk enough to fall from the place on the bar where he's sitting* Oh dear.
Brawn: *looks up sharply as he waits to get into the booth himself* What's wrong?
Ratchet: Someone got combat kissed. *moving to carefully sit*
Red Alert: ... Combat kissed?
Ratchet: *nods towards the femme at the bar and the red mech* That particular version of Blackout likes to kiss mechs stupid... and then she laughs about it... *small smirk* Ultra Magnus learned that the hard way....
Perceptor: ... *blink. blink*
Kia: *blushing and ducking her head as she gently holds hands with her little daughter*
Red Alert: ... *boggling* O_O That's a femme?!
Ratchet: Shhh! Don't catch her attention!
Brawn: *visual scanners clear now, he watches as the Sideswipe is lifted up and kissed again* I think she's busy with that guy.
Kia: *tucked behind Ratchet so she can't see. Bluuush*
Red Alert: ... Riiiight... *moving to usher Brawn and Perceptor into the booth as well*
Brawn: *once everyone's seated, either on the seats, or on smaller chairs on the main table, he leans back and looks at the two strangers* So.
Ratchet: *Squirming slightly due to sparklet fingers getting under plating in ticklish spots* My designation is Ratchet. *nods to Kia* This is Kia, the sparkmate of our reality's Perceptor, and this little bundle of parts... *glances down to Aria, a small smile on his face* is their daughter, Aria.
Aria: *grins up at him, unaware that her curious exploring is causing him discomfort*
Kia: *nods shyly and murmurs a greeting*
Perceptor: *Glances to Brawn and Red Alert, before introducing himself* My designation is Perceptor....
Brawn: *grumpy sound* And this is Red Alert. *grim* And I was Brawn.
Ratchet: ... *blink*
Brawn: What?
Ratchet: ... A Red Alert that doesn't fritz...
Red Alert: ... I beg your pardon?
Brawn: *looks at Red Alert* You should see him when he's slept in and has less than twenty clicks to start his shift.
Ratchet: *Snerk* You should see the one I know when he has to be forcibly removed from his post after working a double-shift... Eclipse is very good at what she does, but he still gets paranoid...
Brawn: Yeah... that doesn't sound much like our boy.
Aria: Uncle Ratchet, Mama, may I go and make the acquaintance of our new friends?
Brawn: 0.o
Ratchet: *glances to Kia, with a brow ridge raised in question*
Kia: *softly* I have no objection, if ...Perceptor and the others have not.
Perceptor: I-if you have no objections, Miss Kia....
Kia: *gentle shy smile* *softly* She won't come to any harm.
Aria: *excited wriggling and clicking*
Ratchet: *Amused expression as Red Alert carefully moves to hold his arms out towards Aria*
Aria: *looks up at Ratchet and goes still as she waits to be put down*
Ratchet: *clicks gently as he sets Aria down*
Aria: *up on tiny feet and beetles over to the offered arms, where she snuggles happily*
Brawn: *watching gruffly*
Perceptor: *curious, but trying his best to not appear overly so*
Red Alert: *Clicks quietly to Aria, noting the structural differences in the sparklet's construction compared to sparklets from back home*
Aria: *studying him too as she clicks in return, her big optics bright with intelligence and curiosity.*
Kia: *quiet throat clearing sound* Now then....
Red Alert: *Blink blink, attention partially on Kia, and partially on Aria*
Perceptor: *attention on Kia and Ratchet again*
Kia: *overcome by shyness and leaves it to Ratchet to bring up the subject of their meeting*
Ratchet: *small nod, withdraws a tiny container with a shard of something metallic-looking inside* From my understanding, Rachel was interested in the Allspark shard...
Perceptor: *small nod* *quietly* In order to restore Brawn...
Red Alert: ... *raised brow ridge*
Kia: *looks at the freespark curiously* I understand that the process can be rather disorienting. Also, there is a high possibility of losing data.
Ratchet: *regards Brawn with a serious expression* Ultimately, it's your choice...
Brawn: *looks back with determination* I can't go to the Well. I'm needed on this side. I can handle a little lost data. *voice drops* Already have been.
Perceptor: *concerned expression as he regards Brawn*
Brawn: *notices his friend's look* *quietly* My processor's gone. So's most of what's in it. I'm running on spark memory.
Perceptor: ... *quietly* I see... *worrying now, kthx*
Ratchet: I trust there's a protoform available that would be better suited for housing a spark than the one you're currently in?
Kia: *softly* The procedure usually works best with the mechanism in question's original shell, I understand.
Perceptor: *optics downcast* *Quietly* Brawn's protoform was all but destroyed in the crash that offlined him...
Brawn: Ratchet and Wheeljack are our best builders.
Red Alert: *quietly* If we could get the necessary parts... They'd be able to build a new protoform, I believe...
Brawn: *frowns at him* Red, what are you on? They can't build right now.
Kia: *concerned expression as she watches them, and then she looks up at Ratchet*
Red Alert: I'm well aware of that, Brawn... The only way we'd be able to get the parts would be if we were able to find them... and seeing as the fuel dump was the only time we located any parts of Cybertronian origins... *sighs*
Ratchet: There are parts available here in the Nexus... If you know who to speak to, and are able to pay for them.
Brawn: *looks at Perceptor* Blaster's got money.
Perceptor: From a legal source, I hope?
Brawn: His job. He does something called dealing at a place called a casino.
Ratchet: *Snerk* That seems better-suited for Smokescreen....
Sideswipe: *falls off the bar*
Blackout: *laughs*
Ratchet: *bemused headshake*
Perceptor: *nods to Brawn, before looking to Ratchet* I do hope I'm not over-stepping my bounds by asking this... but you mentioned parts... Might you happen to know of someone who sells them?
Ratchet: *quick glance towards the Sideswipe who just fell, and to Blackout*
Kia: *glances that way with concern and winces as the big femme picks the overcharged mech up by one arm to poke at him*
Red Alert: *Frowns, follows Ratchet's glance*
Aria: Blackout sells parts.
Red Alert: *Small nod, moves to transfer Aria to Perceptor* I see...
Aria: *tiny gleeful squeal as she reaches for Perceptor* Hello, Uncle Percy.
Perceptor: *Blink blink, arms out to hold Aria* Hello, Miss Aria...
Aria: I don't think I should be 'miss'. I'm a family member.
Brawn: *tuning out the nerd talk* What're you doing, Red?
Blackout: *lays Sideswipe on the bar and starts arranging him as though for a funeral*
Red Alert: *pauses from where he's moving to get out of his chair* I intend to ask Blackout about the parts she sells... *totally oblivious to the arrangement of Sideswipe*
Brawn: .... *looks at Perceptor*
Perceptor: *Too busy nerding and conversing with Aria, expression filled with his wonder at speaking with a little femme who is the daughter of one of his alternates*
Brawn: *facepalms*
Ratchet: Ask at your own risk.
Red Alert: I'll risk being kissed, if it means getting a definite answer regarding parts.
Kia: *hides against Ratchet*
Ratchet: *small shrug, attention goes to Kia, and then he's talking to her quietly*
Red Alert: *Gets out of his chair and makes his way to the bar*
Blackout: *carefully ornamenting her 'dead warrior'*
Scorponok: *Scuttles down to chitter at Red Alert and spin his claws... which look rather suspiciously grubby. He's been in the rat pits again*
Red Alert: *raised brow ridge at Scorponok* Er... Pardon me...
Blackout: *looks down and makes a quizzical sound as the little arachnid bot scoots back up her leg*
Red Alert: *Attention back to Blackout now* I was told you're the one to speak to regarding the buying and selling of parts... is that correct?
Blackout: *reaches down and lifts him up onto the bar beside the carefully laid out Sideswipe* That depends on what kind of parts you want, Autobot.
Red Alert: Parts to build a protoform from scratch... including a spark chamber... *trails off as he gets a good view of Sideswipe* Er... is he alright?
Blackout: *smirk* He's feeling no pain. *leans her chin on a fist as her hand goes to Red Alert's back* I have that stuff. Not Cybertronian make, but just as good.
Red Alert: ... *now aware of where Blackout's hand is* Er...
Blackout: You want enough for a runt like you? *thumb rubs his back*
Red Alert: *nervous swallowing sound* Er... T-that is to say...
Blackout: *smirks down at him, thumb still rubbing his back*
Red Alert: *trying to answer in the affirmative, and only managing to stammer and stutter*
Blackout: *takes her hand from her face and reaches to one side, where a little pink and grey femme only about Red's size eagerly hands her something. Shows this baggy of silicon chips to the flustered Autobot* Glitchmouse in the vocal processor?
Brawn: *flails as he strains to get free and have a 'talk' with the arrogant big 'Con*
Ratchet: *calmly holding Brawn back in order to prevent an incident* *quietly* She won't hurt him. This is neutral territory, even without taking the Anti-Violence Field into consideration.
Brawn: *offers to hurt Ratchet*
Perceptor and Aria: *oblivious*
Red Alert: *flustered, mutters something and shakes his head* I'm f-fine...
Blackout: If you say so. *shakes the bag at him* So what do you need? *thumb still moving*
Red Alert: *regards the bag with curiosity before answering with a list of components that go into making a standard mech protoform*
Blackout: Thought so. Your bunch all runts? *rumbles at the little pink one, who beeps and flies away*
Red Alert: *slight frown* Just because a smaller form uses less energy....
Blackout: Uh huh. Sure. *takes the nearly coffin sized box that's handed to her and sets it down by him* Here. Everything you need's in there. Five hundred creds.
Red Alert: *Boggles* F-Five h-hundred?! *looks very shell-shocked now*
Blackout: Mmmhmm. *leaning on fist again as she waits to haggle*
Red Alert: *totalling the credits he has stored in subspace. Expression falls when he realizes he's about one-hundred fifty credits shy of Blackout's asking price* Perhaps we could work out a deal of some sort?
Blackout: *lifts a browplate as she wonders just what kind of reality this mech's from* *rumble* What sort of deal? I don't take 'layaway'.
Red Alert: I have three-hundred fifty credits I can access right now... *pulling out a few crystals he picked up in his travels* As well as these...
Blackout: *scans the crystals as he takes them out*
crystals: *crystaline forms of various minerals such as quartz, gypsum, corundum, and minerals not found on Earth*
Blackout: *snorting sound* That kind don't even taste good.
Red Alert: ... taste?
Blackout: *narrows one optic to give him a very odd look* Yes. Taste.
Red Alert: ... *lost*
Blackout: *amused* Don't tell me you thought those were weapon grade?
Red Alert: ...
Blackout: *glances at the femme behind the bar, who is a shorter, stockier, dark green version of herself with russet-coloured optics*
Nemesis: *shakes her head* I've never taken anything like that in payment.
mech down the way: *asking for some fire opal powder for his drink*
Red Alert: *looking a bit uncertain now*
Blackout: *dawning understanding* You don't even know what crystals are good for.
Red Alert: Er... other than seeing things on television... no....
Pink: *settles down by Blackout's elbow and munches on a tiny nubbin of Seekersalt flavored dried energon dough, which smells heavenly*
Blackout: *actually turns her head to look over at Ratchet as though asking where he dug this out of*
Red Alert: ... *quick glance at Pink when he catches a whiff of the scent*
Ratchet: *one-shouldered shrug, nods to Perceptor and Brawn, indicating that Red Alert came with them*
Blackout: *scans the other two small mechs, and then turns back to the one in her grasp* Crystals are minerals. Minerals make energon taste better; make it stronger. They also feed our self repair systems.
Pink: *friendly whistle at Red's glance, continues to munch*
Red Alert: ... *raised brow ridge, curious* Really now...
Blackout: Uh huh. *drops him on the floor* Now go mooch some extra credit off your friends.
Red Alert: *startled sound as he lands, before he's picking himself up off the floor and hurrying back to the table*
Ratchet: *doing his best not to snicker*
Kia: *compassionate and concerned look*
Aria: *telling Perceptor she loves him*
Brawn: >_<.
Red Alert: *quietly* I'm one-hundred fifty credits shy of what she's wanting for the parts... *trying his best not to blush*
Brawn: Don't look at me, buddy. I'm broke. *and squished under a giant finger!*
Ratchet: *calmly getting out some credits, as well as a few mineral packets he confiscated from Sunstreaker and Sideswipe*
Kia: *gives the yellow medic a hopeful look, and then reaches across the table and gently taps Perceptor on the shoulder*
Aria: *tips her head back to look at her femme creator* :o
Perceptor: *Startles*
Kia: *starts as well and ducks back, but then says shyly as comfort comes across her sparkbond* Please... do forgive me. I only wanted to ask if you happen to have any credit on hand.
Perceptor: Oh! One moment... *searching a storage compartment and bringing out a few credits* Would this be sufficient?
Kia: *looks at what Ratchet has, and then to Perceptor's contribution* I do believe it is.
Red Alert: *Grateful look to the contributors, carefully picks up all the credits and the mineral packets, before heading back to the bar*
Blackout: *is busy decorating Sideswipe. Ignores Red*
Ratchet: *calmly, as he considers what cookies to buy* Blackout's bored... this should be interesting.
Kia: *looks up at him with surprise*
Perceptor: Oh dear...
Red Alert: *throat clearing sound*
Nemesis: *looks over the bar at him* What?
Red Alert: I've got the credits... as well as these... *Holds up the mineral packets*
Nemesis: *lifts a brow ridge* At this rate I should start just renting minerals to those idiots.
Red Alert: ... I'm certain I'm going to regret asking... but which idiots?
Nemesis: I sold those to a Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, and their Showtime. *reaches down to take the packets and check them for holes or impurities*
Red Alert: ... Not ours then... Our Showtime hasn't been seen in ages.
Nemesis: Whatever. You want to sell them back?
Red Alert: Actually, I was hoping to trade them, as well as the credits, for the parts...
Nemesis: Blackout won't trade for these minerals. She doesn't want her minions started on expensive habits that impair performance.
Red Alert: ... *curses quietly*
Nemesis: *patient boredom* Dork. I said I'd buy them back.
Red Alert: ... Oh...
Nemesis: They're worth forty eight credits.
Red Alert: Alright... *small nod*
Nemesis: *hands it all over on one plastic chit*
Scorponok: *tries to help Red with that chit by grabbing it*
Red Alert: Ack!
Scorponok: *all ur plastic belongs to Scorponok! Or to Blackout.*
Nemesis: *flips the obstreperous little bot with a bar towel*
Blackout: *giving the younger femme a very dirty look*
Scorponok: *sulking on Blackout's leg*
Red Alert: ... *wondering why he even agreed to come along*
Blackout: *grumbles at Nemesis, and then reaches for him*
Red Alert: *moving to offer the credits to Blackout*
Blackout: *counts them and puts them away, then nods and leans on her fist as she watches something on the other side of the bar. Her other hand goes back to Red's back*
Red Alert: *quietly, and trying his hardest not to blush again* Thank you...
Blackout: *attention snaps back to him, and suddenly she's in a much better mood* I like thank yous.
Red Alert: *small smile, is going to blush a bit anyways* W-well, it's only polite to thank someone who has helped you...
Blackout: Of course. *finger rubs his back at the shoulders, and then she picks him up*
Nemesis: *as she wipes the bar* Dumbaft.
Red Alert: *realizing slowly just what's about to happen, is all wide-opticed now, and blushing furiously as he wiggles and tries to get away*
Blackout: *grip is unbreakable as she lifts him to her face and plants a kiss on him*
Red Alert: *helm lights flicker and flash as he goes slightly limp due to being very dizzy. Then he's blinking and appears to have forgotten what he was doing*
Blackout: *a bit disappointed as she draws him back to look at him* A submissive one. Great.
Red Alert: *blink blink* ... Er... hi? *doofy grin*
Blackout: *brow lifts. There might be entertainment here after all* *pokes him in the belly with her free hand*
Red Alert: Gah! *Squirms*
Blackout: *deep but feminine chuckle* Your girlfriend mustn't be a very good kisser, Autobot.
Red Alert: ... I don't even have a girlfriend...
Blackout: *browquirk* Really now....
Red Alert: *small nod*
Blackout: *pokes him again*
Red Alert: *very undignified sounding squeak as he tries again to wiggle away*
Blackout: *chuckles and pokes him again*
Red Alert: *acks and squirms more*
Blackout: *very amused and continues to torment the overcharged minibot for a few moments*
Red Alert: *squirming and putting up a fuss to the point that he's starting to fritz*
Blackout: *grinning as she starts to rub his back again*
Brawn: *over at the table scowling blackly and squirming angrily* Why doesn't somebody go rescue Red?
Ratchet: *not letting Brawn go* I'm not about to go and upset that Blackout... her alternate in my reality of origin is bad enough.... Besides, she's not actually hurting Red...
Red Alert: *fritzing is starting to cease, and he's making a soft, contented purr*
Blackout: *regarding him with her head tilted slightly as her optics twinkle and her symbiont chitters with amusement* You like thanking people properly, don't you, Autobot?
Red Alert: *blinking* Huh? *blink blink, nods*
Blackout: I thought so. *kisses him again, not putting quite so much of a charge into it this time*
Red Alert: *diiiiizzzzy, and then he's gone limp due to shutting down*
Brawn: D: !!!!
Ratchet: *Amused chuckle as he shakes his head*
Blackout: *turns and looks at them, holding out the box and the insensate medic* Here, you want this?
Pink: *giggling and beeping her little pink and grey butt off*
Kia: *hiding on Ratchet*
Aria: *picked up on Mama's concern and is emulating her*
Perceptor: *Clicking and doing his best to offer comfort to Aria*
Ratchet: *Getting up and letting Brawn go before heading over to the bar to take the box and the insensate mech, still chuckling with amusement*
Blackout: *eyes the yellow medic and perks a little as she sees that she doesn't know this one. But then she catches the sound of his spark and loses interest, turning back to the bar and tucking a crumpled napkin between Sideswipe's folded hands like a flower*
Ratchet: *Heads back to the booth, and carefully sets Red Alert and the box down on the table, before scanning the mech and chuckling anew* He really needs a girlfriend.
Brawn: *goes to one knee by his friend and shakes him gently* Red? Buddy, can you hear me?
Kia: *also scans* Oh, he's going to be uncomfortable when he wakes.
Perceptor: *small frown as he scans Red Alert as well*
Ratchet: He's going to feel a bit hungover when he wakes up... *far more amused than he probably has a right to be* He'll be alright though.
Brawn: *gives Ratchet a hairy eyeball* And what's so funny?
Ratchet: *sees Brawn's hairy eyeball and raises him one Amused Medic Is Amused Look* He's not getting decorated like the other mech is.
Brawn: So? *acting like he's still the strongest Autobot on Cybertron*
Kia: *softly intervening* Brawn, Red Alert is unharmed.... *flinches as someone bangs into the building*
Sunstreaker: *comes all but storming into the bar, which would probably be more impressive if he weren't weaving slightly*
Kia: 0.o *catches her startled sparklet as Aria leaps across the table toward her and then hides on Ratchet again*
Perceptor: *surprised noise once he realizes that he's no longer holding Aria*
Ratchet: *Raised brow ridge, tracks the progress of the tipsy Sunstreaker as he makes his way to the bar*
Blackout: *ignores the approaching mech. Busy arranging bowls of energon pellets around Sideswipe*
Sunstreaker: *low growl when he spots Sideswipe* What. Did. You. Do. To. Him?!
Blackout: *looks down disinterestedly* What? You think I should give him a red flower instead?
Pink: *giggle*
Scorponok: *also amused!*
Nemesis: *leaning on the bar and watching*
Sunstreaker: *scowls, brow ridge twitching* I can't feel him. What did you DO to my brother?!
Blackout: Want me to show you?
Brawn: *turns his head* Nobody's that stupid....
Ratchet: *bluntly* It's a Sunstreaker.
Sunstreaker: ... *trying to act nonchalant about it, nods*
Blackout: *scoops the yellow mech up and plants one on him*
Brawn: ...I was wrong.
Sunstreaker: *squawks and flails, trying to get away, though it's a bit uncoordinated*
Blackout: *uses her other hand to hold him better. Kisses him dizzy and then drops him on the bar to see what he does next*
Sideswipe: *from this angle his grin is visible*
Sunstreaker: *THUNK, and he's down for the count*
Blackout: They just don't make Autobots like they used to.
Nemesis: *starts wiping the bar again* You sure went through that two pack fast.
Ratchet: *ducking his head and snickering*
Brawn: *face. palm* *looks at Perceptor* We got what we came for?
Perceptor: *nods* Though I am curious about the Allspark shard... *glances towards Ratchet, who nods and carefully opens the container before just as carefully removing the shard*
Brawn: *straightens a bit without getting up to try and see it himself, and then yelps and flies backward a bit as the shard suddenly glows with heat and hits him in the chest with a beam of energy*
Kia: *gasps*
Ratchet: *Startled by both the shard becoming hot, and by what he just witnessed*
Perceptor: My word! Brawn, are you alright?! *getting up to check on Brawn*
Brawn: *shaking, his optic band flickering and then going out as circuits made to function on their own under the direction of a dead spark suddenly burn out when faced by the power of a live one*
Kia: Ratchet, he's dying!
Ratchet: *Up out of his seat and tucking the shard back into its container before he's scanning Brawn, and doing his best not to curse while Aria's within audio range*
Brawn: *spark beating strongly, but showing distress as he stops moving. A thin trail of smoke comes from inside his drone body*
Ratchet: *getting tools out and muttering not very polite things with his vocalizer muted*
Perceptor: *Asks Ratchet what he needs, and is quick to pull various pieces of equipment out of his subspace*
Kia: *calm now, and making suggestions as she ponders aloud if Ratchet's spare parts will be compatible for Brawn*
Perceptor: *speculating out loud about the size differences, even as Ratchet sets to work on Brawn*
Kia: Many of our people are smaller than yours, Perceptor. *helping Ratchet remove the redundant parts needed for a rough spark compartment*
Aria: *clinging to Mama's front out of the way, and watching closely*
Perceptor: *blink blink* I... I'm not sure I understand completely...
Ratchet: *As he works* She means the sparklets of our reality.
Kia: No, Ratchet. I mean the symbionts and ones such as Ravage's nanobots. *still busy*
Ratchet: *small nod, and then he's working on carefully getting to Brawn's spark*
Perceptor: Ah... *Concerned* You speak as though you are on familiar terms with the Decepticons...
Kia: *gives him a slightly surprised glance* The war is over. Ravage is often at the base when he accompanies Soundwave on that mech's excursions to see Miss Wisp.
Perceptor: ...I see...
Brawn: *spark stabilising as it's surrounded by the spark compartment. He's in stasis now but undamaged*
Kia: *soft words of encouragement to the unconscious mech*
Blackout: *now has both twins laid out in state*
Ratchet: *continues to work, making sure that Brawn's current shell is able to keep the mech's spark alive and well*
small red faced mech: *enters the bar, speaking sternly to the scruffy Hispanic teen at his side* No, Raoul, it may be easy money, but it's too easy. I'd much rather stay on the right side of the law.
Raoul: *earnestly* That's easy for you to say, man. You just plug into the wall socket. I gotta eat! Besides, this ain't hot. It's legal.
rfmech: *fastidiously* Still....
Perceptor: *surprised look, glances over, thinking he's hearing things* Oh my...
Kia: *glances at him* What is it, Perceptor?
Perceptor: If I am not mistaken, that mech over there... is someone I have not seen for many vorns...
Kia: *watches the mech in question exchange looks with Blackout, who then snickers and ignores him* Isn't that a version of Tracks?
Perceptor: *nods* And if it is the Tracks I am acquainted with... he should have a rather difficult-to-spot patch on his person... I remember applying it...
Kia: *slight frown even as she continues to assist Ratchet* The only patch I can detect is the one on the left side of his skidplate.
Perceptor: *nods* Then it is the Tracks I know... *glances to Ratchet and Kia to check their progress* Might it be alright if I were to go and speak to the mech, or is there need for additional assistance?
Kia: *glances at Ratchet*
Ratchet: *even as he continues to work* I think we're almost done here...
Kia: *offers Perceptor her daughter, who is getting a bit overwhelmed by her watching of the operation* Will you bring Aria with you? I fear she'll be fussy tonight if she stays and observes here further.
Perceptor: *nods and moves to hold Aria close* But of course. *carefully gets off the table by way of the booth seat*
Ratchet: *soft snerk, even as he continues to work*
Aria: *clinging and curled up. Makes little sparklet purrs as she hears the familiar spark song of the mech holding her*
Tracks: *flirting gently with the tall white waitress who has stopped by he and Raoul's table*
Raoul: *smirking and rubbing his nose*
Perceptor: *clears his throat* Ahem...
Tracks: *irritated frown as the waitress excuses herself to get their order. Turns to bestow that frown on the interrupter, and instead gasps* Perceptor?
Perceptor: I'm glad to see you are doing well, Tracks... It has been quite awhile, has it not?
Tracks: *optics widening* It has! But if you're here then.... *looks at Aria and frowns* That's not a sparklet from our reality.
Perceptor: Oh goodness, no... She is the daughter of a very lovely femme named Kia and the version of myself from their reality.
Tracks: *mouth falls open* Some version of you has a mate and offspring?
Raoul: *face behind his hand so nobody can see the snicker*
Perceptor: *Dryly* And I'm certain there is a version of yourself living in a similar status.
Tracks: *closes mouth and draws himself up* Hardly. I could never bear to look at anything less beautiful than myself in that light.
Raoul: *other hand to face*
Perceptor: From my understanding of the multiverse, there may very well be a version of yourself who has found someone he or she considers more aesthetically pleasing than theirself.
Tracks: Impossible. Now are you going to waste my time with your silly theories, or are you going to have a seat and tell me where the others are? You were on the Ark. Does this mean it survived?
Perceptor: Most of the others on the Ark were able to make it to Earth safely... We're currently living around the campus of Virginia Tech University, and most of us are either in attendance there, or working there... though Jazz, Prowl, and Arcee are currently employed with the local law enforcement, Blaster works at a casino, and Bluestreak runs a vehicle repair shop... *small sigh* Regrettably... First Aid, Windcharger, and Huffer were offlined due to their shuttle falling prey to a Decepticon...
Tracks: *staggered slightly* I have to say the world's probably a better place without Huffer's incessant whining, but... Ratchet was very fond of First Aid.
Perceptor: *small nod, sighs again* We nearly lost Ratchet in that attack...
Tracks: Were all the Ark's medical personnel on the same shuttle? *frowning and trying to hide his distress at the news*
Perceptor: Red Alert was on a different shuttle... *quick glance over to the booth, hoping that the mech is starting to wake up*
Tracks: I mean the real medical personnel. Not the hacks.
Perceptor: *a bit sharp* Red Alert and I are far from being hacks, as is Wheeljack.
Tracks: Whatever. *looks away, supposedly to check for his order, but Raoul sobers as he sees how bright his guardian's optics are*
Raoul: *gives Perceptor a dangerous look*
Perceptor: *Sighs* As for the Ark, it would be adviseable to speak to Bluestreak, or perhaps Optimus Prime, regarding its location...
Tracks: *without looking back* It doesn't really matter whether I know where it is or not. I haven't got any business there.
Perceptor: *considering look* No, I suppose not... but perhaps it would be wise to inform Optimus that you are functioning... It has been quite awhile since we had contact with any of the other ships, and it was only upon the discovery of Miss Moonshadow that we were even made aware that more Cybertronians had arrived safely on Earth.
Tracks: *head swivels* Moonshadow's on Earth?
Perceptor: *nods* And happily bonded to Starscream.
Tracks: *expression darkens* That poor little chit.
Perceptor: Starscream saved her from the human who was keeping her as a slave... and if not for his assistance, we would have been captured by Megatron's forces.
Tracks: *doubtful expression as he remembers the last time he'd had a meeting with the hot tempered Seeker*
Perceptor: He has changed quite a lot in the time I have been acquainted with him, Tracks... moreso since he and Moonshadow bonded.
Tracks: I'm surprised she isn't frightened of him. *thinks but doesn't say* Because I am.
Perceptor: From my understanding... The human he saved her from treated her the way one treats non-living, non-sentient property...
Tracks: *angry scowl* That's how most humans see machines.
Perceptor: *quietly* He was using her as a means to earn money... by attempting to appeal to human males and their hormonally-driven desires...
Tracks: *blink blink. ...Blink* There are men who would go after a robot that way? *brainbroken and bewildered expression*
Raoul: *silent 'ewwwww' and a snerk*
Perceptor: Only if said robot appeared to be human...
Tracks: *blinks* Appeared to be human?
Perceptor: *nods* Her alternate mode is that of a young human woman.
Tracks: How utterly bizarre.
Perceptor: *amused* How did you suppose we were able to integrate ourselves into the general population of the University's campus and staff?
Tracks: *another blink* Honestly I didn't think about it.
Raoul: *makes a face at his guardian from behind his hand, and then winces and clutches his leg as Tracks lightly kicks him beneath the table*
Perceptor: *concerned glance to Raoul*
Raoul: I'm okay, man. Just knocked my leg. *kicks Tracks back*
Tracks: >:|
Perceptor: *doesn't buy that for a moment, but will continue with the explanation* Most of us chose alternate modes that fit the alleged statistical majority of the general populace.... Jazz, on the other hand... *amused chuckle*
Tracks: *kicking again, though his gaze never moves from Perceptor* Do I want to know?
Perceptor: He chose his alternate mode's appearance based on the statistically accurate racial majority. His alias is Javan del Sol...
Tracks: *loses interest slightly as he fends off another kick* Oh. He's black.
Raoul: *uses the other foot >:D *
Kia: Perceptor, Brawn is ready to return.
Tracks: *looks that way*
Perceptor: *looks relieved* I do apologize for the abrupt end to our meeting, Tracks, but I must be going.
Raoul: *abruptly starts laughing about then* Oh man! Blackout got a set 'a Lambos!
Tracks: *ignores the boy, though he's smirking a bit. It fades quickly as he looks back toward the table where Brawn and the others are* What's the matter, Perceptor?
Perceptor: Red Alert, Brawn, and I were running an errand for Ratchet.
Tracks: *watches as Kia gently lifts both disabled mechs, his expression showing his concern* Don't tell me they ran afoul of Blackout.
Perceptor: Oh, goodness no... Red Alert was the only Blackout-related casualty. Brawn was simply in need of repairs.
Tracks: Then why didn't our Ratchet repair him?
Perceptor: Because she is recovering from a bout of systems strain due to over-taxing herself.
Tracks: *sits back in his chair, not noticing the plate of solid fuel that the white waitress sets in front of him* *quietly* Very little keeps Ratchet down.
Raoul: *sees his own food. Renders it absent*
Perceptor: She will be alright... She simply needs rest and time to recover.
Tracks: *calls the waitress over and gives her an order, then indicates that she should bring it to the table where Ratchet and Kia are* *turns back to Perceptor* I'm sending her some of the solid fuels that they sell here. They have a slightly organic look to them, but they're good and they stay with you.
Perceptor: *small nod* The appearance will be no problem... considering those of us who landed in Virginia have modifications that allow us to consume the same things humans do...
Tracks: *looks mildly revolted* That can't be good for your fuel lines. *pause* Be careful, alright?
Perceptor: It has yet to cause problems, Tracks... *Dryly* Though there is a running bet on whether or not Jazz will find some way to render the modifications useless with what he willingly consumes... *nods* And you as well. If you are ever in the area, do not hesitate to visit. Bluestreak has more than enough room on the farm she resides at if you wish to move about in your natural state.
Raoul: And if she's a mechanic she'd probably drool over your alt mode.
Tracks: *kicks him again as he nods to Perceptor*
Perceptor: The last I knew, she, Chromia, and Elita One were working to restore a vehicle from the late Sixties... I'm not quite sure what the make or model is, however...
Raoul: Tracks here is.... *rest is muffled behind Tracks' hand*
Tracks: Perceptor hasn't got time to talk cars. Not that he'd be able to appreciate the beauty of my alt mode anyway....
Perceptor: Perhaps we shall see one another soon... Best of luck to both of you... *heads back to the table*
Ratchet: *reaches down to carefully lift Perceptor and Aria back up to the table*
Kia: *has Red Alert and Brawn laying quietly side by side. They look a little like Blackout's trophies except that they're undecorated*
Perceptor: *after gently undoing the tiny fingers clinging to his frame, he carefully offers Aria back to Kia, before moving to check over Brawn and Red Alert one last time*
Aria: *whimpers and squirms, her optics blinking uncertainly*
Kia: *cuddles her and clicks softly*
Brawn: *resting comfortably*
Red Alert: *Also resting comfortably, though odds are good he's not going to be a happy camper when he wakes up*
Kia: *sets the box of parts by them*
Perceptor: Thank you for your assistance, Miss Kia, Ratchet.
Kia: You are most welcome. *word spacing sounds like her mate's talking through her*
Ratchet: Be careful when you return home.
Perceptor: *nods* I shall ensure Red Alert and Brawn do not come to harm.
Kia: *looks up from her little one* God bless.
Back at Merlin's house
Patrick: *raised brow as Perceptor, Red Alert, and Brawn suddenly appear in the living room* ... Oookay then...
Sean: *peeks from where Merlin keeps the books* :o
Brawn: *soft groan*
Patrick: *concerned, moves to kneel by Brawn* Brawn?
Brawn: *turns head slightly* Op... Optimus?
Patrick: *nods* Yeah... are you alright? What happened?
Brawn: *takes a moment, but then winces and puts a hand to his chest*
Sean: *gets ice and puts it on Red Alert... what? Dad told him to do it to Uncle Swiper!*
Patrick: *realizes there's a box, will ask about it later* What happened? *scans Brawn, and startles*
Brawn: Hit... with truck.
Perceptor: *fussing and fretting, and starting to ramble a bit about what happened during the Nexus excursion*
Sean: *poking ice in uncomfortable places on Red Alert's neck plating*
Red Alert: *Awake now! Flailspazzfritz*
Patrick: *resisting the urge to facepalm, mutters something about Rachel and Jack picking a fine time to be bedridden, sighs and tells Sean to go get a blanket off of one of the couches*
Sean: *jumps up and runs to get it and bring it back*
Brawn: *face turned toward the noise Red's making*
Patrick: *reaches for the blanket and uses it to cover Brawn with* Easy, Brawn. You'll be alright.
Brawn: Yessir... Opti... mus.
Sean: *hunkers by the ailing bot, his young face creased in a concerned frown* He broke his drone body?
Perceptor: *Quietly* His spark is back online... He needs a proper protoform...
Sean: *gasps and goes wide-eyed, then carefully tucks the blanket around Brawn and goes to get him a pillow too*
Brawn: *fading offline again*
Patrick: *Quietly* I know where there are spare protoforms...
Red Alert: *rubbing at his forehead, pauses* ...
Perceptor: ... *Blink blink*
Sean: *tuck tuck. Pat pat. Looks up at the silence* ??
Red Alert: You mean to tell me that I just spent three-hundred fifty credits, plus what was loaned to me by Perceptor, and the mech alternate of Ratchet, and got kissed by a Decepticon to get a box of parts, when we had protoforms available?!
Sean: 0.o
Patrick: ... *doing his best not to stare at Red* I wasn't aware that you three had gone to the Nexus in the first place.
Red Alert: ... *grumbles* As if my processor didn't ache enough...
Sean: *doesn't look around as his dad comes in, attracted by the yelling* You kissed a Decepticon?
Samuel: ... Who kissed a Decepticon?
Sean: *glances at him and then points to Red*
Samuel: ... Wow. And here I thought you were doomed to die without being kissed once. *smirk*
Red Alert: *Glaaaaaaaaaaaare* I did NOT. She kissed me. Twice.
Samuel: Uh-huh... sure...
Perceptor: Red Alert is telling the truth. The femme in question did indeed kiss him twice...
Sean: ...Just grabbed him and kissed him? For no reason? *big eyes*
Red Alert: *Blushing slightly* I thanked her for selling us the parts...
Patrick: ... *no, he's not snickering, and you can't prove it!*
Samuel: ... *Cracking up now and plotting mischief*
Sean: Man... it must suck to be so little.
Perceptor: Blackout is far more sizeable than the local Decepticons...
Sean: *big eyes again at that thought*
Samuel: ... Really now? How much more sizeable?
Perceptor: She appeared to be twice the size of the mech we had gone to the Nexus to meet... and he was roughly five feet or so taller than Starscream...
Sean: *scrunches small and hugs his legs, just a quiet little Seeklet doing his quail chick impersonation*
Samuel: *soft snerk* And the AVF?
Perceptor: She wasn't actually doing harm to Red Alert...
Red Alert: I'm right here, Perceptor. *rubbing at his forehead again*
Sean: ...She kissed you for saying thank you? *watch a polite child become a little less so*
Red Alert: *Blushing more*
Patrick: Alright, let's leave Red Alert alone about what happened in the Nexus.
Samuel: You have to watch out for those Decepticon femmes. *nod nod*
Red Alert: *acerbically* How would you know, Sunstreaker? It's not as though yours has ever kissed you.
Samuel: *Scowl, calls Red Alert a rude name, and heads out of the room*
Patrick: *Face. Palm*
Sean: 0.o
Brawn: *soft groan*
Patrick: *quietly* Shhh... Get some rest, Brawn...
Sean: Permission to speak, sir?
Patrick: *glances up from where he's kneeling and nods* Permission granted.
Sean: Should we put him to bed? *uncertainly looks from Patrick to Perceptor*
Perceptor: *nods* Though, the sooner a protoform is provided, the better off he'll be....
Patrick: I'll get into contact with the other person who knows where there's a spare protoform...
Sean: *gently scooping up the blanket wrapped Brawn, clicking to him softly and then looking to Perceptor for directions after he's on his feet*
Brawn: *winces a little, but then closes a hand around a fold of blanket and goes still as he listens*
Perceptor: *leading the way to the bedroom at the end of the hall, and reminds himself to call Lisa and check on Rachel and Jack later*
Sean: *looks at Patrick as though to make sure he's got permission to go, but then reminds himself and follows his teacher*
Patrick: *sighs and goes to make a phone call*
((co-written with random_xtras))