mbv, NEST HQ, Unexpected Happenings part 2
Continued from here.
Tracks: *looks back at her, his puzzlement still showing* Curiosity can be an admirable attribute. But what are you curious about?
Denver: *mumble* Wings...
Tracks: Yes, dear. But what about them?
Denver: *looks up at being called 'dear'* Er... *completely lost her train of thought*
Tracks: *watches her patiently for a moment, then ventures a suggestion* You're wondering why a robot who turns into a car has wings?
Denver: *sheepish, nods* Er... yeah....
Tracks: *slight smile* Why that's very simple. It's because I can fly.
Denver: ... *raised brow* Seriously?
Tracks: I'm dead serious. *then winces and looks a little ill at his inadvertent choice of words*
Denver: *patpats Tracks' hand, a small smile on her face* That sounds like it'd be interesting to experience...
Tracks: *proudly* I've flown against Starscream and come out the victor.
Denver: Starscream? *no, she has NO clue about Skylar's real identity*
Tracks: He was once one of the mightiest Decepticon Seekers ever built. Megatron's Air Marshall. *slight sniff* I'm told he's one of us now.
Denver: ... Can he be trusted then?
Tracks: Optimus and Ratchet seem to think so. *shifts his weight again, cautious as he tests the give of the mattress beneath him*
bed: *is firm, with a very slight amount of give*
Denver: ... *small headshake* They're taking a risk, trusting a Decepticon... *Yes, she knows about the Decepticons. She payed attention during her debriefing*
Tracks: *silent for several second, but then looks up* Actually, given Decepticon honor and the reason that I've heard Starscream left for... he might be one of the most trustworthy bots in the base.
Denver: ... *Raised brow, inviting Tracks to elaborate*
Tracks: I've actually heard very little, but I was given to understand that he objected to Megatron's methods in trying to mold the Transformer race to his ideals.
Denver: *considering look, even as she absently patpats Tracks' hand*
Tracks: *looks down at her hand* ...I'm afraid I still don't understand why you've decided to pay attention to me. I'm not even... well. *not human*
Denver: *isn't quite sure how to say what she means, settles for simply keeping her hand on Tracks'*
Tracks: *uncertain look and then drops his optics to his legs* I wonder what Raoul has gotten into by now.
Denver: *Quietly* I can send someone to find out, if you'd like... *No, she's not going anywhere*
door: *flies open, and then Raoul is standing and looking at Denver's hand on Tracks', his eyes showing a perfect 0.o under the fresh shiner he's sporting*
Tracks: *moving to get up at sight of that bruise*
Denver: *up and coming over to Raoul* What happened? *Worry, worry!*
Raoul: Hey, man, Tracks! Don't you get up! *blinks at Denver* Huh? Oh, nothin'. I was just playin' ball with Greg.
Denver: *frown, moves to gently usher Raoul to the chair near the bed, before going to get a washcloth wet with cool water*
Raoul: Hey, I'm okay, alright? Don't let Tracks get up!
Denver: *Coming back with the washcloth* Tracks... *offering Raoul the washcloth, will make Tracks lay back down if she has to*
Tracks: *settles back against the headboard* I want to know what happened. Were you fighting with Ratchet's son?
Denver: *will sit down beside Tracks once Raoul has the washcloth, her attention firmly on the teen as she waits for an answer*
Raoul: *grumbles that they're ganging up on him, but is surprised and not really upset about it*
Tracks: Raoul....
Raoul: Fine, whatever. Yeah, we had a little fight after I got the ball stuck in the rafters.
Tracks: *angry* Raoul, what have I said about fighting? Why am I paying for boxing club if you're still insisting on attacking anyone that looks at you the wrong way?
Denver: *about to add her input when someone knocks on the door* *slight scowl as she gets up to answer it, has had just about enough of people coming to the door for today*
Greg: *pouting, his arm held firmly by his brother* Me Greg am sorry. BUT NOT FOR FIGHTING!
Raoul: *biting off a snigger*
Sharpshot: *also trying not to snigger, even with the Look she's getting from her twin*
Sarah: *small wibble* No fight friends!
Autumn: *slightly bemused expression* Major MacKenzie isn't the one you need to apologize to, Greg... Remember?
Greg: *sullen* Me Greg apologized already to sisters. No need apologize to stupid boy.
Raoul: *muffles his next snigger with the wash cloth*
Denver: *raised brow, shares a Look with Autumn*
Simon: *shakes brother* You Greg need apologize!
Sarah: No fight! *gonna wibble more and hide against Destiny and Autumn now*
Simon: *gently* Me Simon not fighting, Sarah. Me Simon shaking him Greg.
Sarah: *still hiding, but will peek out at Simon*
Greg: *trying to get away from his brother, scowling darkly*
Sharpshot: *Gently* Greg... C'mon... *gives him a gently pleading look*
Greg: Me Greg did! *getting loud from exasperation*
Raoul: *speaks up then* Hey, man. It's cool. Me 'n Greg, we're cool. Alright?
Simon: *doubtful look for Raoul*
Sharpshot: *Blink blink* *Small shrug, moves to offer Sarah cuddles*
Denver: *is going to chalk this up to boys being boys now, kthx*
Tracks: *is still giving Raoul a disapproving look, though inwardly he's surprised by the teen's actions in response to Simon and Sharpshot*
Autumn: Alright... I think we're done here then...
Denver: *looks over her shoulder at Raoul for a moment, before returning her attention to Autumn and her charges* *small nod*
Sarah: *has spotted Tracks, as has Destiny, and is now giggling a bit*
Autumn: *Raised brow at the girls, moves to gently usher them out of the room, pauses when she sees Tracks* ... Tracks?
Tracks: *looks up and frowns just a little before he places her voice* Bumblebee? Is that you?
Autumn: Yeah... Umm... Why are you in a bed?
Tracks: Medic's orders, I'm afraid. Staying out in that unheated shed's left me with a minor health problem. Nothing really to worry about, and it'll be gone soon. But you know how Ratchet... Rachel, is.
Autumn: *nod, concern clear on her face* We'll leave you alone then...
Sarah: *Slight wibble, will come over and offer a gentle hug*
Tracks: *surprised* Ah... I don't even know your name, darling.
Sarah: Am Sarah. Him Simon and him dummy Greg brothers. *nodnod*
Tracks: Oh. You're Ratchet and Wheeljack's sparklet. *gently pats her back as she hugs*
Sarah: *nodnod, snuggles* Am sister to her Destiny and her Sharpshot, too...
Tracks: *looks toward the entryway* Are you really?
Sarah: *nodnod* Mama say so when her Destiny first wake up. *and here she is now, to try and gently coax Sarah into letting go*
Sharpshot: *leaning against the wall, watching Sarah and Destiny*
Tracks: *slight smile for the twin he hasn't met yet even as he gently and kindly tells Sarah that he thinks Autumn and her brothers are ready to go*
Destiny: *succeeds in coaxing Sarah, only to become the target of Sarah-snuggles* *slight smile for Tracks as she moves to guide the younger-looking girl back to Autumn*
Tracks: *watches them go, nodding farewell to Autumn*
Raoul: *has the cloth spread out over his face. Can't see anything*
Autumn: *small smile, gently ushers the kids out into the hall, intending to take them back to the gym*
Denver: *closes the door once everyone's out, leans against it with her back and slowly slides down till her butt meets the floor* *Sigh*
Tracks: *heard the sliding and the sigh* Denver?
Raoul: Hey, you okay, Major?
Denver: I'm fine... I don't get how Miss Thompson can seem so chipper all the time though...
Tracks: ...Do you mean Bumblebee?
Denver: ... She's a Cybertronian? *Didn't know that*
Tracks: Yes. One of our most trusted scouts, though I see she's gone back to her first function.
Denver: *Raised brow* Babysitter?
Tracks: Creche guardian. Back in the old days they raised most of Vector Sigma's output.
Denver: ... *getting up so she can move to sit on the bed again* What's Vector Sigma?
Raoul: *seriously, as he gets up to go cool off the washcloth again* The computer that used to make all the new Transformers.
Tracks: *nods, leaning back wearily* Like he said.
Denver: ... *gently helps Tracks lay back* *quietly* Get some rest, Tracks.
Tracks: That actually sounds like a good idea. *lifts his head slightly to see Raoul giving him a quizzical look, but only smiles at the teen and then settles his head on the pillow and shuts down to give his tired spark a rest*
Denver: *gently tucks Tracks in and moves to sit on the floor nearby, knees drawn to her chest, and back to the wall*
Raoul: *watches her, his brow furrowing* Major? Why're you sittin' on the floor?
Denver: *slight start, was kind of lost in her own thoughts* Huh?
Raoul: *comes over and hunkers in front of her* Why're you sittin' on the floor? *'And why were you sitting there on Tracks' bed like that?' his eyes add*
Denver: Just thinkin' about stuff.... *no, she's not going to answer the other question... unless she has to*
Raoul: *gently* You want me to go get you some socks and a shirt?
Denver: Er... If it's not too much trouble...
Raoul: Will they let me in?
Denver: Maybe not... *Frown, gets up and goes to the door, wondering if Lt. Wesson is nearby*
Raoul: *worried for this friend, sort of tagging after her a little*
TC: *in the hall, dumping pureed banana and oatmeal out of his pants*
Denver: *Slight snerk*
TC: *startles and yanks pantleg down, then pauses and raises an eyebrow at her quizzically*
Denver: At ease... *considering look* Would you be willing to help me out with something, Mr. Watson?
TC: Sure. *straightens, frowning at her attire* What do you need?
Denver: You've got clearance over the entire facility, including the barracks, right?
TC: I do? Oh yeah, because I'm Autobot. *nods*
Denver: If you would wait here for a moment... *goes to get Raoul*
TC: *once more yanks his pant leg up as he waits*
Denver: *slight start as she almost runs into Raoul*
Raoul: *had nearly been standing right behind her*
Denver: *takes a few deep breaths to calm down* I found someone with clearance to get into the barracks... *gets her room key out of her pocket and holds it out to Raoul*
Raoul: *takes it* Okay. I'll be right back.
Denver: TC Watson is out in the hall... He'll escort you.
Raoul: *nod nod*
Denver: *will step aside so Raoul can leave the room*
Raoul: *out he goes, only to yelp and hop sideways a bit as he steps in oatmeal and sticks to the rug*
TC: *wincing* I'll clean that up when we get back.
Raoul: *says words, but then jogs off down the hall by the tall man's side*
Denver: *Closes the door, returns to where she had been sitting on the floor, resumes sitting and getting lost in her thoughts*
Tracks: *murmurs in sleep and moves his head slightly*
Denver: *looks up, before getting up and moving over to the bed to gently smooth Tracks' forehead, worry for the mech clear on her face*
Tracks: *protesting something softly in Cybertronian, his brow furrowed.*
Denver: *Gently, falling back into her accent* Easeh, Tracks... Ev'rythin's gonna be okay...
Tracks: *gasps air into his intakes, and then he's sobbing in his sleep*
Denver: *soothing sounds, continues to gently smooth the mech's forehead*
Tracks: *murmurs again, and the tears continue, though less wrenchingly*
Raoul: *runs into the door as he tries to get it open. Not used to sturdy doors like this that you need to turn the knob on*
Denver: *looks toward the door, torn between going to let Raoul in, and comforting Tracks. Her desire to comfort Tracks wins out, and she again focuses on soothing noises and gentle touches*
Raoul: *in he comes, shirt wrapped around socks in his hands. And then he stops short in dismay as he hears the sobbing* Oh $@#$#@, not again.
Denver: *Quietly* 'elp me calm 'im down?
Raoul: *quietly, as he comes over* You can't calm 'im down. All you can do is be there for 'im.
Denver: *small frown, nods, continues to gently smooth Tracks' forehead*
Raoul: *hesitates, but then moves over to the other side of the bed and kicks off his shoes so that he can sit next to his mentor* *troubled expression, he's embarrassed for Tracks that someone's seen this*
Denver: *Quietly begins humming a lullaby that her mother used to sing to her*
Raoul: I.... Look, I'm not even sure he really knows just how bad he gets when he's sleepin'. Maybe you could, y'know, not mention this when 'e wakes up?
Denver: *small nod, continues the humming*
Raoul: *remembers his errand and offers the bundle, leaning to one side so that he can reach into his pants pocket to get out her necklaces*
Denver: *pauses in humming to thank Raoul, then she's sitting on the floor and wincing as she gets her boots off. In the process she reveals the mess she's made of her feet already*
Raoul: *wince wince wince* @$#@$#@, lady. You tryin' to get gangrene or somethin'?
Denver: *small headshake, the only indication that she might be in pain being that she's squinting slightly* Get the first aid kit that's in the bathroom, would you, please?
Raoul: *gives her a Look as he slides off the bed* You sound really stupid when you talk like that. *upset by Tracks' tears and acting out from it*
Denver: ...*soft 'heh', before she's checking how bad her feet really are* *Quietly* Ah suppose Ah do....
Raoul: *back with the kit, and with a warm wet washcloth*
Denver: *Quietly thanks Raoul, works on getting one of the popped blisters cleaned up and bandaged, will also bandage the other blisters and torn areas of her feet*
Raoul: *gravitates back to the bed and sits with a hand on Tracks, then watches Denver in silence*
Denver: *sudden sharp curse as she accidentally gets a bit of antiseptic in a popped blister*
Raoul: *only slightly quirks a brow. His attitude at this moment says 'street child': very still, utterly silent, and watching*
Denver: *Grits her teeth and continues to clean and bandage her feet, before putting socks on and getting her boots back on. Even though it's clear she's in pain, she gets her shirt on without a word, before patting the pockets in search of something*
Raoul: *holds out his hand*
Denver: *looks up from searching her pockets*
Raoul: *is offering her her crystal 'Lord's Prayer' cross and her dogtags*
Denver: *small, relieved smile as she reaches for her necklace and dogtags*
Raoul: *gives them to her, and then glances at Tracks and gives him a pat as the sobbing starts up again*
Denver: *quietly* To $#^$# with going on duty... *moves to sit by Tracks*
Raoul: *quietly* This happens all the time. Aren't you gonna at least call your boss or somethin'?
Denver: *soft sigh* Ah probably should...
Raoul: *gravely* Tracks can really raise #$#$#@ if you don't do stuff like that.
Denver: *soft snerk, gets up and goes to the desk where there's a telephone. Soon, she's discussing why she's not reported for duty to her commanding officer, stating that she's got a family emergency and that she's unsure when she'll be returning to active duty*
Colonel Franklin: *surprise in his calm, quiet voice* //You didn't get my voice mail? You're directly assigned to Tracks and Raoul till further notice.//
Denver: ...Er... Ah... *checks her pockets for her cellphone* *Sheepish* In all'a th' fuss, Ah left mah phone in mah quarters, sir...
Colonel Franklin: //Understandable. Do you feel up to this assignment?//
Denver: *Stands a bit straighter* Yessir. Ah do.
Colonel Franklin: //Alright then. Your men still answer to you. Is there anything else?//
Denver: *quick glance around the room, checking to see if there is anything that's needed* S'more blankets f'r th' beds, 'n 'un'a th' spare beds 'r cots 'f 'ny 're left... *not mentioning that she might need someone to look at her feet later on*
Raoul: *looks around* What do we need another bed for?
Colonel Franklin: //Alright. I'll see what we have for cots and air mattresses.//
Denver: Thank y'u, sir.
Colonel Franklin: //Thank you, Major MacKenzie.// *hangs up*
Tracks: *sobbing has calmed, but now he's shivering slightly*
Denver: *hangs the phone up, moves to sit next to Tracks again, resumes quietly humming the lullaby*
Raoul: *leaning against the red-faced mech* *quietly* What do we need another bed for?
Denver: F'r me t' sleep on.
Raoul: *gives her an odd look* But you got your own room.
Denver: Th' Colonel assigned me t' y'u 'n Tracks till furthah notice. *The unsaid "So I can protect both of you" hanging in the air*
Raoul: *frowning* Then we jes' need to move to another room.
Tracks: *shudders and falls into a quieter sleep*
Denver: *attention back on Tracks now, a bit of a fond look in her eyes*
Raoul: *quietly* You are sweet on 'im.
Denver: *looks up, eyes wide, and a blush forming on her cheeks* Wh't?!
Raoul: *innocent frown*
Denver: *blushing even more as she thinks back, and realizes exactly what she feels for the mech laying in the bed*
Raoul: *looking over toward the window and pretending not to see what she's doing*
Denver: *Quietly, almost as though she's in shock* Ah... Ah nevah intended t' fall f'r 'im....
Raoul: *still looking toward the window* *quietly* He said you didn'; that you just liked his alt.
Denver: *quietly* Somewhere 'long th' lahn, Ah stopped carin' 'bout 'is alt... 'n started carin' more 'bout who 'e is undaneath....
Raoul: *chin firm, refusing to let himself hope* Even though he's a robot?
Denver: *gives Raoul a bit of a puzzled look* Th' outsahd 'f a person don' change who th'y 're on th' insahd, wh'ch's wh't matters th' most t' me.
Raoul: Might make it hard to get up to the funny business.
Denver: *BLUSH, hides her face, wasn't even thinking of that till you said something, Raoul!*
Raoul: *blushing too, and still not looking at her* 'N he kin be a real vain 'n prissy $#@$#@ sometimes.
Denver: *Mumbles something that sounds like "'E's not intimadated bah me..."*
Raoul: *sideways glance* You ain't scary.
Denver: *Soft snerk* Tell th't t' th rest'a th' male population... Most'a th' guys Ah dated wh'n Ah was still datin' w'uld be petrifah'd'a me once th'y learned th't Ah'm a Marine....
Raoul: *snerks* Wimps.
Denver: *deadpans* Tell me about it. *headshake and noise of displeasure*
Raoul: *pokes himself in the black eye, which is swelling shut nicely*
Denver: *going to gently fuss over you now, Raoul*
Raoul: *shrugging off her concern* I'm okay. I got worse'n this on the set lotsa times.
Denver: Still... *Yes, Raoul, she's stepped into the mother role*
Raoul: *slight flash of impatience* Hey, Tracks nearly died, 'n now he's layin' there cryin'. What're you fussin' over me for?
Denver: *quietly* 'Cause Ah know wh't t' do f'r a shahner...
Raoul: Well if you're gonna stick around us you better learn what to do for him, too. *stops, eyes widening a bit at how roughly that came out, then scowls and gets up to go to the bathroom*
Tracks: *is murmuring in Cybertronian again, one hand clenched on the edge of the blankets covering him*
Denver: *reaches to gently pat Tracks' hand, making soothing sounds as she does*
Raoul: *running cold water on his wash cloth in the bathroom, says a foul word as someone taps on the door* *over he goes and yanks it open* Whaddya want already? He's sleepin'!
Lt. Wesson: *sheepish rumble* Dr. Ruteger told me to bring these for Major MacKenzie.
Raoul: *silent for a moment, and then breaks into a fit of the snorting giggles*
Denver: Raoul? Wh't's goin' on? *Worry worry*
Raoul: *gets the door closed and comes around the corner with a pair of slippers made to look like plush husky dogs*
Denver: ... *Soft snerk* Wh're'd those come fr'm?
Raoul: That guy said the lady doctor wants you to wear 'em.
Denver: *raised brow, small shrug, works on getting her boots back off without wincing*
Raoul: *watches* Take the laces out all the way.
Denver: *soft snerk, de-laces her boots and gets them off*
Raoul: *hisses through his teeth and hunkers down to look at one of her feet, then grabs it and starts working the sock off*
Denver: *tries to hold still, grits her teeth as the sock gets peeled off*
Raoul: *looks at the blood stain on it, then tosses it aside and reaches for the first aid kit* You need some more gauze on that, lady.
Denver: Ah thought Ah had 'nough... *aaand now her feet are really hurting, but she's not showing much reaction*
Raoul: *silent as he removes the bandage, using his wet washcloth to soak the gauze off so as to not cause any more pain than he has to. Hisses through his teeth once he has it off, and then looks in the kit for ointment*
Denver: *still gritting her teeth, though her lips are pressed thin. This is the only indication she's giving that she's in pain*
ointment: *is right on top, as Denver used it earlier*
Raoul: *picks up the little envelope of Tylanol and holds it out to her without looking up, the gesture abrupt and commanding*
Denver: *takes the envelope and gets it open, before taking the painkillers without a word*
Raoul: *waits a few moments, the wet washcloth over the wound to keep it from drying out and hurting worse. Then he removes it and uses some gauze to gently dab the sore spot dry before applying ointment and starting to rebandage it*
Denver: *barely winces, though her attention does go to Tracks after a few moments*
Tracks: *having a quiet moment, though his face still looks sad*
Raoul: *tapes the finished bandage, then gets up to go wash the sock out in the sink*
Denver: *grabs one of the slippers and raises a brow upon discovering how much padding is in the soles of the slippers* *is used to thin-soled slippers that resemble ballet flats*
Raoul: *sticks his head out of the bathroom* You want this sock back right away?
Denver: *headshake* Nah... It c'n drah...
Raoul: Okay. *hangs it on the towel bar over the heat register and then looks at the bathtub before shrugging and coming back out, turning off the light as he does so*
Denver: *works on getting her other sock off, has already slipped the bandaged foot into one of the slippers. She seems amused at the slippers' appearance*
Raoul: *sniggers when he catches sight of them again, then plops down on the floor and crosses his legs*
Denver: *amused* Ah think Dr. Ruteger's gotta strange sense'a practicality...
Raoul: *looks up* I saw her husband in the cafeteria the other day, he was wearin' pink bunnies.
Denver: ... *SNERK*
Raoul: Seriously. That was nearly as bad as that red-haired dude 'n his bubble pop thing.
Denver: Y'u talkin' 'bout Professer Percia? *amused grin*
Raoul: I dunno. The red-haired guy that's always goin' pop pop pop.
Denver: *Nod* 'E's a professor at Virginia Tech... 'n so's Dr. Ruteger's husband, fr'm wh't Ah've 'eard...
Raoul: So real big processors, huh?
Denver: Ah guess... *small shrug*
Raoul: *slight fidget and looks around* Guess I better go get the rest 'a my @#$#@@#. *not sure he should go alone*
Denver: *gets up and hobbles toward the door* Ah'll see 'f Ah c'n get 'un'a mah men t' escort y'u, Raoul.
Raoul: Wait. Maybe it'd just be better if one of the guys went. I mean, I don't wanna worry Tracks or nothin'. *frown*
Denver: *small nod, goes to look out into the hall for one of the soldiers under her command*
Lt. Wesson: *very embarrassed as TC firmly cleans spilled baby food off the bottom of his boot*
Denver: *waits until TC is finished cleaning, clears her throat*
Lt. Wesson and TC: *both snap to attention*
Denver: Lieutenant Wesson, w'uld y'u 'n Mr. Watson retrieve Raoul's belongin's 'n bring them t' this room?
Lt. Wesson and TC: Yes, sir.
Lt. Wesson: *gives TC a funny look, but shrugs it off as the Autobot finishes cleaning up the rug and then nods that he's ready. Both men walk off down the hall*
Melissa: *from the other end of the hall* There he is, Skylar. But I think he's busy.
Skylar: *Raised brow as he watches TC go* Wonder what he's doing?
Denver: *attention goes to Melissa and Skylar, gives the pair a curious look, as she's not seen much of them in the lodge*
Raoul: *pokes head out next to her and looks around, frowning*
Melissa: *clutches Skylar's arm* That's the boy who stays with Tracks.
Skylar: *Raised brow, arm around Melissa's shoulders in an offer of reassurance* *Quietly* Should we go say hello?
Melissa: Sh... should we? *has explained to her husband as best she could what the red-faced mech had done for her the day the Axalon started breaking up*
Skylar: *Small nod* *quietly* He was worried about you...
Melissa: He was?
Raoul: Hey, it's that girl.
Denver: *blink blink* Who is she?
Raoul: *very quietly* The one Tracks saved the day their ship fell apart. That guy's wife.
Denver: *considering look at the couple* Think 'e mahght wanna talk t' 'er?
Raoul: From what I seen she don' really talk to people. *frown* But they're comin' this way.
Denver: *small nod as Skylar gently guides Melissa closer*
Raoul: *pauses as he hears Tracks shift on the bed, and then is back inside*
Denver: *looks over her shoulder, worry for the mech clear in her actions*
Skylar: *small frown as he sees Denver's actions*
Raoul: *telling Tracks who's out in the hall*
Tracks: *as he sits up and winces at a slightly groggy processor* Moonshadow, do you mean? I haven't seen her since the day we arrived. How's she doing?
Denver: *remembering her manners, hobbles aside to let Melissa and Skylar in* *Gently, to Melissa* C'mon in... Tracks is awake now...
Melissa: *startles and pauses halfway in the process of hiding against Skylar to shoot Denver a frightened look as she wonders why Tracks is in here sleeping*
Skylar: *soothing and protective. Denver's not a threat worth worrying about to him*
Melissa: *too scared to ask the question, though.*
Skylar: *Will now gently usher Melissa into the room, while keeping an eye on Denver at the same time*
Tracks: *rubbing his forehead, but looks up as they come in* Oh, hello, Starscream.
Denver: ... *hobbles back over to stand beside the bed after closing the door*
Skylar: *nods to Tracks*
Tracks: Won't you have a seat? We've only got one chair, but the other bed's free right now. *pays no mind to Raoul as the boy hovers protectively on the opposite side of his bed*
Skylar: *small nod, moves to gently guide Melissa over to the chair* *quick glance to Denver* She really should be sitting down... *ignores the Look he gets from the Major*
Tracks: *frowns slightly and looks at the human woman himself* Denver? Is something wrong?
Raoul: *quietly* She screwed up her feet pretty good.
Tracks: What? How?
Denver: 'M fahn, Tracks... Jes gotta be careful how Ah walk f'r a li'l whahl...
Tracks: But what did you do?
Melissa: *watching this interaction from around Skylar's arm*
Denver: *small shrug* Jes ran 'round without socks f'r a bit....
Tracks: Well, have a seat. It won't do for you to go out of commission.
Denver: *moves to sit down on the side of the bed*
Skylar: *raised brow at the interaction* *focuses, instead, on the mech laying on the bed* So what'd you do to finally get dragged inside?
Tracks: *breezily, as Raoul tenses* Oh, just experienced a slight malfunction.
Skylar: *raised brow climbs even higher*
Tracks: *lifts a brow of his own in return, though he's wondering if the Seeker's got strong enough scanners to pick up on the damage he's sporting or the state of his spark*
Skylar: *yes, he's picked up on it, but he's not wanting to scare Melissa* What? Did your fuel lines get water in 'em?
Denver: *keeping her attention on Skylar, though she seems focused on gently patting Tracks' hand*
Tracks: Something like that.
Skylar: *soft snerk*
Raoul: *scowls at the snerk*
Melissa: *hides from the scowl*
Tracks: Raoul....
Raoul: *frowns deeply, and then sits on the floor between the wall and the bed*
Skylar: *Resisting the urge to give Raoul a dirty look, lest he frighten Melissa even more, clicks and gently rubs her back*
Tracks: *too quietly for the humans in the room to hear him* Have a care, Starscream. He's only a child, and he's had a most trying morning.
Skylar: *Just as quietly, in Cybertronian* [I'm trying, Tracks... but my first priority is my mate, and her feelings...] *gentle cuddles for Melissa*
Denver: *seems focused on checking the bandages on her feet*
Tracks: And that's quite admirable. But you need to learn how to do it without running roughshod over the feelings of others.
Skylar: *soft chuckle* [Skyfire says the same thing...]
Tracks: Well, you'd do well to pay attention to him. He seems to be a mech of discernment.
TC: *back and thumping on the door, to Lt. Wesson's dismay*
Denver: *moving to get up*
Raoul: *on his feet and heading that way* I got it. You sit down.
Tracks: *head turns* Raoul! Show a little respect!
Denver: *bemused look as she sits back down*
Melissa: 0.o
TC: *peeks in as Raoul takes his stuff, sees Skylar* I didn't do it. It wasn't me.
Skylar: Uh-huh... *doesn't believe TC in the least* *Snuggles Melissa*
TC: Would I have just been dumping banana goo and oatmeal out of my pants if I'd put a spoonful down your shirt?
Skylar: ...*blink blink* Is that what you're talking about?
Denver: *ducks her head with a snerk*
TC: ...You're mad at me for something else?
Skylar: ... *confused mech is confused* Um... unless you were doing something incredibly risky and/or stupid... no...
TC: ...Oh. Okay, then. *gonna leave now*
Skylar: *is just gonna focus on cuddling Melissa for now, and trying to get her to talk to Tracks*
Raoul: *has set his books on the desk and his shark and his spare clothes in a drawer, is smirking as he goes back to his sitting place*
Denver: *mumbles in Mexican Spanish* [I don't know who was more confused, Mr. Watson, or this guy.]
Raoul: *in his Spanish* [You got me, Aunty.]
Tracks: So how has your stay here been so far? *looking at Melissa as she hides*
Skylar: *quiet, soothing clicks, gently rubs Melissa's back, will try to convey that it's okay to talk to Tracks*
Melissa: *just can't do it, though she manages a slight nod*
Skylar: *Small nod, won't press the matter. Will continue with the gentle backrub though*
Tracks: That question was for both of you, Starscream.
Skylar: *Quietly* We've had a pretty quiet time of things... It's been nice...
Raoul: *muttering very quietly about them being lucky. Most humans wouldn't be able to hear him back there*
Tracks: *slight nod* I hear your trine has grown.
Skylar: *nod* Skywarp and Sunstreaker's sparklets...
Tracks: *marvelling* I never would have thought those two would get together.
Skylar: *soft chuckle* Well, I never expected Wheeljack and Ratchet to get together...
Tracks: *small smirk* Oh, there were those of us who'd seen that one coming for a long time.
Skylar: *snerk* Well, obviously I wasn't one of 'em.
Tracks: You weren't exactly in the loop.
Skylar: *small frown, snuzzles Melissa*
Tracks: I suppose I should ask... what names are you using for your alt modes?
Skylar: Skylar and Melissa Jones... *shows Tracks his wedding ring*
Tracks: *looks at it and nods* Are Skywarp and Sunstreaker raising their sparklets in the Decepticon way?
Skylar: I think so...
Tracks: *gently* How are you finding parenthood, Melissa?
Melissa: *looks at Skylar, asking him wordlessly to answer for her*
Skylar: *quietly* She's happy... The kids are part of her family.
Tracks: *smiles* I'm glad to hear that.
Skylar: *Gentle nuzzles for Melissa, wordlessly asking if she'd like to leave*
Melissa: *slight nod, and a shy, frightened peek and glimpse of a smile for Tracks*
Tracks: *smiles back at her gently*
Skylar: *Quietly* We'd better get going...
Tracks: Thank you for dropping by. I'll probably be seeing more of you now that I've been ordered to stay in the lodge.
Skylar: *nods* *Serious* If there's anything you need that I can help with, don't hesitate to ask.
Tracks: *noncommittally* Thank you, Skylar. I'll remember that.
Skylar: *another nod, before he's moving to help Melissa to her feet*
Melissa: *holding his arm and hiding, but feeling happy despite her usual fright of being in this big, busy place around so many strange people who insist on talking to her*
Skylar: *gentle arm around her shoulders, is proud of her, and it shows as he guides her out of the room*
Tracks: *waits till the door clicks shut behind them and then sags back against the headboard slightly*
Denver: *gently pats Tracks' hand, before moving to make sure he's comfortable*
Tracks: *quietly* That's Starscream. Do you still suspect him?
Raoul: *crawling around the end of the bed to go check the room on the other side of the connecting door*
Denver: T' be honest, not realleh...
Tracks: *nods and smiles slightly, then sighs* Raoul, what are you doing?
Raoul: We don' need no stinkin' cot, man. There's a whole 'nother room here for Major Mac to sleep in.
Denver: *Raised brow, moves to get up*
Raoul: See? *shows her the other room, which is slightly larger than the one they're in and holds a couch and a table and chairs as well as the two beds*
Denver: *hobbling over, frowns a bit, mind already working out worst-case scenarios and making a list of how to prepare for those* *small nod*
Raoul: And we got this door here if we need to go back and forth quick. *pats it*
Tracks: *watching them, and then startling slightly and looking embarrassed as his tank beeps a warning that it's empty*
Denver: *nods, moves to hobble over to the door with the intention of getting Tracks more fuel*
Raoul: *in her way and giving her a stink eye* You're gonna mess up your feet!
Denver: *frowns, tries to get around Raoul*
Raoul: *catches her arms, his expression stern* I mean it, Major Mac.
Tracks: *watching with astonishment*
Denver: *Studies Raoul for a few moments before hobbling to the chair* See 'f y'u c'n flag down Wesson.
Raoul: Sure, fine. Or I can go myself. There are too many people here for anybody to try anythin'.
Denver: 'T th' verah least, Wesson c'n escort y'u.
Raoul: Whatever. *looks at Tracks to make sure he's alright, and then jogs out of the room*
Tracks: I understand this is a tense situation, but Raoul shouldn't be being so rude. *frown. Hasn't realized that Raoul will boss him the same way if he can get away with it*
Denver: *Soft snerk* Raoul's got bettah mannahs th'n some'a Beau's friends...
Tracks: That's no excuse. *shifting on the bed restlessly*
Denver: *reaching over in an attempt to patpat Tracks' hand* Some'a it's 'is age... 'n some'a it's jes' 'im reactin' t' wh't 'appened.
Tracks: *gives her an uncertain look, though he's firm on the subject of his protege* Still, I shouldn't let him do it.
Denver: *gonna try and move to sit on the edge of the bed again*
Tracks: *moves over a bit to make room for her, wincing as his tank beeps again* Though he was right about your feet. Please, don't feel you have to damage yourself on my behalf.
Denver: T' be honest.... Ah di'n't even notice th't mah feet were torn up till Ah went t' put socks on...
Tracks: *tsks at her, and then turns his head to see if he can't hear Raoul returning*
Denver: *quietly* Y'u 'n Raoul 're close...
Tracks: *doesn't look back at her* It's a natural reaction for children who've been in the situation that Raoul came out of.
Denver: *small frown* 'N th' situation bein'...?
Tracks: *hesitates, his brows drawing together slightly* He was living on the street when I met him.
Denver: ... *Quietly* Y'u rescued 'im fr'm th't lahf... *no, it's not a question.*
Tracks: *face goes expressionless* No. He rescued me.
Denver: ... *confused* Ah... Ah don't understand...
Tracks: There isn't a lot to do for an alien being on an isolated world. And after I got here I'm afraid I didn't have very much will to do anything. Once I'd scanned an alt mode I more or less drifted from place to place.
Denver: ...*small nod, might be starting to understand, gently pats Tracks' hand*
Tracks: *still looking toward the door* And then one night three different groups tried to steal me within hours of one another. I finally lost my temper at the third attempt and chased the perpetrators. I clipped a building and smashed into a dumpster. And a few moments later someone made a forth attempt to steal me.
Denver: *Wince* *quietly* W's th't wh'n y'u met Raoul?
Tracks: He was the would-be thief.
Denver: *Small nod* Ah see...
Tracks: I spoke to him. He repaired me, and then sold me to the bosses who were paying for stolen cars. I called the police from their warehouse, and their operation was broken up.
Denver: *small chuckle* Bet th'y were 'bit peeved 'bout that...
Tracks: To put it mildly. Raoul is still on their hit list, even three years later. Thankfully they don't dare come to the cities we frequent most.
Denver: ... *small frown* *Quietly* D'y'u know anythin' 'bout Raoul's life 'fore 'e 'n y'u met?
Tracks: Yes, I managed to piece together bits from what social workers have told me. *yes, he's somehow managed to become the boy's legal guardian*
Denver: *slight headtilt, inviting Tracks to share if he so chooses*
Tracks: He's been in the system since he was a toddler. I don't know what put him in that situation, but I know that it was the stubbornness of an elderly grandmother who insisted on maintaining her rights as guardian even though she was too infirm to be able to care for him herself that kept him there.
Denver: *Frowns, isn't quite sure what to say*
Tracks: From studying the subject I know there are many fine foster homes in the country, but Raoul doesn't seem to have found any of them. He was on the street by the time he was nine years old, and at eleven he says he just never went back.
Denver: ... *is now digging her nails into her palm with how upset she is*
Tracks: *perks as he hears the familiar footsteps returning*
Raoul: *comes in with a tray heaped with ham and tuna salad and chicken sandwiches*
Tracks: *expression flickers at sight of the organic fuel, though he's careful not to let Raoul see it*
Denver: *Amused chuckle, will move to get out of Raoul's way so the teen can set the tray down safely*
Raoul: *does so, then takes a couple sandwiches, grabs one of the three glasses of orange juice, and goes to sit in the chair*
Tracks: *offers Denver a ham sandwich, knows nothing of some peoples' opinion of cafeteria ham*
Denver: *headshake as she reaches to grab one of the tuna sandwiches* Ah trah t' 'void th' ham 'ere 'f Ah c'n... th'y don' know 'ow t' cook it rahght...
Tracks: *looks at the ham sandwich and then sets it down and chooses one like Denver's* Really...?
Denver: *nods, finishes the bite she's working on before explaining* Th'y jes heat it till it's cooked throughout, 'n stick it inna brahne solution... Th' reallah good stuff's smoked slowly.
Tracks: I have to confess I really don't know a thing about human fuels. I've only been able to process them for a week. *sniffing his sandwich and pulling a slight face*
Denver: *small chuckle, helps herself to one of the mugs of coffee*
Raoul: *bows his head for a moment, and then eats with surprising restraint for a boy his age*
Tracks: *eating and finding that whatever this stuff is, it's not that bad*
Denver: *eating and thinking about what she'll need to do when her brother makes it up to visit her during his Spring Break*
Raoul: *feeling more content than he has in a long time, despite his fear for Tracks. It looks as though one of his dearest prayers is being answered*
((co-written with random_xtras))
Tracks: *looks back at her, his puzzlement still showing* Curiosity can be an admirable attribute. But what are you curious about?
Denver: *mumble* Wings...
Tracks: Yes, dear. But what about them?
Denver: *looks up at being called 'dear'* Er... *completely lost her train of thought*
Tracks: *watches her patiently for a moment, then ventures a suggestion* You're wondering why a robot who turns into a car has wings?
Denver: *sheepish, nods* Er... yeah....
Tracks: *slight smile* Why that's very simple. It's because I can fly.
Denver: ... *raised brow* Seriously?
Tracks: I'm dead serious. *then winces and looks a little ill at his inadvertent choice of words*
Denver: *patpats Tracks' hand, a small smile on her face* That sounds like it'd be interesting to experience...
Tracks: *proudly* I've flown against Starscream and come out the victor.
Denver: Starscream? *no, she has NO clue about Skylar's real identity*
Tracks: He was once one of the mightiest Decepticon Seekers ever built. Megatron's Air Marshall. *slight sniff* I'm told he's one of us now.
Denver: ... Can he be trusted then?
Tracks: Optimus and Ratchet seem to think so. *shifts his weight again, cautious as he tests the give of the mattress beneath him*
bed: *is firm, with a very slight amount of give*
Denver: ... *small headshake* They're taking a risk, trusting a Decepticon... *Yes, she knows about the Decepticons. She payed attention during her debriefing*
Tracks: *silent for several second, but then looks up* Actually, given Decepticon honor and the reason that I've heard Starscream left for... he might be one of the most trustworthy bots in the base.
Denver: ... *Raised brow, inviting Tracks to elaborate*
Tracks: I've actually heard very little, but I was given to understand that he objected to Megatron's methods in trying to mold the Transformer race to his ideals.
Denver: *considering look, even as she absently patpats Tracks' hand*
Tracks: *looks down at her hand* ...I'm afraid I still don't understand why you've decided to pay attention to me. I'm not even... well. *not human*
Denver: *isn't quite sure how to say what she means, settles for simply keeping her hand on Tracks'*
Tracks: *uncertain look and then drops his optics to his legs* I wonder what Raoul has gotten into by now.
Denver: *Quietly* I can send someone to find out, if you'd like... *No, she's not going anywhere*
door: *flies open, and then Raoul is standing and looking at Denver's hand on Tracks', his eyes showing a perfect 0.o under the fresh shiner he's sporting*
Tracks: *moving to get up at sight of that bruise*
Denver: *up and coming over to Raoul* What happened? *Worry, worry!*
Raoul: Hey, man, Tracks! Don't you get up! *blinks at Denver* Huh? Oh, nothin'. I was just playin' ball with Greg.
Denver: *frown, moves to gently usher Raoul to the chair near the bed, before going to get a washcloth wet with cool water*
Raoul: Hey, I'm okay, alright? Don't let Tracks get up!
Denver: *Coming back with the washcloth* Tracks... *offering Raoul the washcloth, will make Tracks lay back down if she has to*
Tracks: *settles back against the headboard* I want to know what happened. Were you fighting with Ratchet's son?
Denver: *will sit down beside Tracks once Raoul has the washcloth, her attention firmly on the teen as she waits for an answer*
Raoul: *grumbles that they're ganging up on him, but is surprised and not really upset about it*
Tracks: Raoul....
Raoul: Fine, whatever. Yeah, we had a little fight after I got the ball stuck in the rafters.
Tracks: *angry* Raoul, what have I said about fighting? Why am I paying for boxing club if you're still insisting on attacking anyone that looks at you the wrong way?
Denver: *about to add her input when someone knocks on the door* *slight scowl as she gets up to answer it, has had just about enough of people coming to the door for today*
Greg: *pouting, his arm held firmly by his brother* Me Greg am sorry. BUT NOT FOR FIGHTING!
Raoul: *biting off a snigger*
Sharpshot: *also trying not to snigger, even with the Look she's getting from her twin*
Sarah: *small wibble* No fight friends!
Autumn: *slightly bemused expression* Major MacKenzie isn't the one you need to apologize to, Greg... Remember?
Greg: *sullen* Me Greg apologized already to sisters. No need apologize to stupid boy.
Raoul: *muffles his next snigger with the wash cloth*
Denver: *raised brow, shares a Look with Autumn*
Simon: *shakes brother* You Greg need apologize!
Sarah: No fight! *gonna wibble more and hide against Destiny and Autumn now*
Simon: *gently* Me Simon not fighting, Sarah. Me Simon shaking him Greg.
Sarah: *still hiding, but will peek out at Simon*
Greg: *trying to get away from his brother, scowling darkly*
Sharpshot: *Gently* Greg... C'mon... *gives him a gently pleading look*
Greg: Me Greg did! *getting loud from exasperation*
Raoul: *speaks up then* Hey, man. It's cool. Me 'n Greg, we're cool. Alright?
Simon: *doubtful look for Raoul*
Sharpshot: *Blink blink* *Small shrug, moves to offer Sarah cuddles*
Denver: *is going to chalk this up to boys being boys now, kthx*
Tracks: *is still giving Raoul a disapproving look, though inwardly he's surprised by the teen's actions in response to Simon and Sharpshot*
Autumn: Alright... I think we're done here then...
Denver: *looks over her shoulder at Raoul for a moment, before returning her attention to Autumn and her charges* *small nod*
Sarah: *has spotted Tracks, as has Destiny, and is now giggling a bit*
Autumn: *Raised brow at the girls, moves to gently usher them out of the room, pauses when she sees Tracks* ... Tracks?
Tracks: *looks up and frowns just a little before he places her voice* Bumblebee? Is that you?
Autumn: Yeah... Umm... Why are you in a bed?
Tracks: Medic's orders, I'm afraid. Staying out in that unheated shed's left me with a minor health problem. Nothing really to worry about, and it'll be gone soon. But you know how Ratchet... Rachel, is.
Autumn: *nod, concern clear on her face* We'll leave you alone then...
Sarah: *Slight wibble, will come over and offer a gentle hug*
Tracks: *surprised* Ah... I don't even know your name, darling.
Sarah: Am Sarah. Him Simon and him dummy Greg brothers. *nodnod*
Tracks: Oh. You're Ratchet and Wheeljack's sparklet. *gently pats her back as she hugs*
Sarah: *nodnod, snuggles* Am sister to her Destiny and her Sharpshot, too...
Tracks: *looks toward the entryway* Are you really?
Sarah: *nodnod* Mama say so when her Destiny first wake up. *and here she is now, to try and gently coax Sarah into letting go*
Sharpshot: *leaning against the wall, watching Sarah and Destiny*
Tracks: *slight smile for the twin he hasn't met yet even as he gently and kindly tells Sarah that he thinks Autumn and her brothers are ready to go*
Destiny: *succeeds in coaxing Sarah, only to become the target of Sarah-snuggles* *slight smile for Tracks as she moves to guide the younger-looking girl back to Autumn*
Tracks: *watches them go, nodding farewell to Autumn*
Raoul: *has the cloth spread out over his face. Can't see anything*
Autumn: *small smile, gently ushers the kids out into the hall, intending to take them back to the gym*
Denver: *closes the door once everyone's out, leans against it with her back and slowly slides down till her butt meets the floor* *Sigh*
Tracks: *heard the sliding and the sigh* Denver?
Raoul: Hey, you okay, Major?
Denver: I'm fine... I don't get how Miss Thompson can seem so chipper all the time though...
Tracks: ...Do you mean Bumblebee?
Denver: ... She's a Cybertronian? *Didn't know that*
Tracks: Yes. One of our most trusted scouts, though I see she's gone back to her first function.
Denver: *Raised brow* Babysitter?
Tracks: Creche guardian. Back in the old days they raised most of Vector Sigma's output.
Denver: ... *getting up so she can move to sit on the bed again* What's Vector Sigma?
Raoul: *seriously, as he gets up to go cool off the washcloth again* The computer that used to make all the new Transformers.
Tracks: *nods, leaning back wearily* Like he said.
Denver: ... *gently helps Tracks lay back* *quietly* Get some rest, Tracks.
Tracks: That actually sounds like a good idea. *lifts his head slightly to see Raoul giving him a quizzical look, but only smiles at the teen and then settles his head on the pillow and shuts down to give his tired spark a rest*
Denver: *gently tucks Tracks in and moves to sit on the floor nearby, knees drawn to her chest, and back to the wall*
Raoul: *watches her, his brow furrowing* Major? Why're you sittin' on the floor?
Denver: *slight start, was kind of lost in her own thoughts* Huh?
Raoul: *comes over and hunkers in front of her* Why're you sittin' on the floor? *'And why were you sitting there on Tracks' bed like that?' his eyes add*
Denver: Just thinkin' about stuff.... *no, she's not going to answer the other question... unless she has to*
Raoul: *gently* You want me to go get you some socks and a shirt?
Denver: Er... If it's not too much trouble...
Raoul: Will they let me in?
Denver: Maybe not... *Frown, gets up and goes to the door, wondering if Lt. Wesson is nearby*
Raoul: *worried for this friend, sort of tagging after her a little*
TC: *in the hall, dumping pureed banana and oatmeal out of his pants*
Denver: *Slight snerk*
TC: *startles and yanks pantleg down, then pauses and raises an eyebrow at her quizzically*
Denver: At ease... *considering look* Would you be willing to help me out with something, Mr. Watson?
TC: Sure. *straightens, frowning at her attire* What do you need?
Denver: You've got clearance over the entire facility, including the barracks, right?
TC: I do? Oh yeah, because I'm Autobot. *nods*
Denver: If you would wait here for a moment... *goes to get Raoul*
TC: *once more yanks his pant leg up as he waits*
Denver: *slight start as she almost runs into Raoul*
Raoul: *had nearly been standing right behind her*
Denver: *takes a few deep breaths to calm down* I found someone with clearance to get into the barracks... *gets her room key out of her pocket and holds it out to Raoul*
Raoul: *takes it* Okay. I'll be right back.
Denver: TC Watson is out in the hall... He'll escort you.
Raoul: *nod nod*
Denver: *will step aside so Raoul can leave the room*
Raoul: *out he goes, only to yelp and hop sideways a bit as he steps in oatmeal and sticks to the rug*
TC: *wincing* I'll clean that up when we get back.
Raoul: *says words, but then jogs off down the hall by the tall man's side*
Denver: *Closes the door, returns to where she had been sitting on the floor, resumes sitting and getting lost in her thoughts*
Tracks: *murmurs in sleep and moves his head slightly*
Denver: *looks up, before getting up and moving over to the bed to gently smooth Tracks' forehead, worry for the mech clear on her face*
Tracks: *protesting something softly in Cybertronian, his brow furrowed.*
Denver: *Gently, falling back into her accent* Easeh, Tracks... Ev'rythin's gonna be okay...
Tracks: *gasps air into his intakes, and then he's sobbing in his sleep*
Denver: *soothing sounds, continues to gently smooth the mech's forehead*
Tracks: *murmurs again, and the tears continue, though less wrenchingly*
Raoul: *runs into the door as he tries to get it open. Not used to sturdy doors like this that you need to turn the knob on*
Denver: *looks toward the door, torn between going to let Raoul in, and comforting Tracks. Her desire to comfort Tracks wins out, and she again focuses on soothing noises and gentle touches*
Raoul: *in he comes, shirt wrapped around socks in his hands. And then he stops short in dismay as he hears the sobbing* Oh $@#$#@, not again.
Denver: *Quietly* 'elp me calm 'im down?
Raoul: *quietly, as he comes over* You can't calm 'im down. All you can do is be there for 'im.
Denver: *small frown, nods, continues to gently smooth Tracks' forehead*
Raoul: *hesitates, but then moves over to the other side of the bed and kicks off his shoes so that he can sit next to his mentor* *troubled expression, he's embarrassed for Tracks that someone's seen this*
Denver: *Quietly begins humming a lullaby that her mother used to sing to her*
Raoul: I.... Look, I'm not even sure he really knows just how bad he gets when he's sleepin'. Maybe you could, y'know, not mention this when 'e wakes up?
Denver: *small nod, continues the humming*
Raoul: *remembers his errand and offers the bundle, leaning to one side so that he can reach into his pants pocket to get out her necklaces*
Denver: *pauses in humming to thank Raoul, then she's sitting on the floor and wincing as she gets her boots off. In the process she reveals the mess she's made of her feet already*
Raoul: *wince wince wince* @$#@$#@, lady. You tryin' to get gangrene or somethin'?
Denver: *small headshake, the only indication that she might be in pain being that she's squinting slightly* Get the first aid kit that's in the bathroom, would you, please?
Raoul: *gives her a Look as he slides off the bed* You sound really stupid when you talk like that. *upset by Tracks' tears and acting out from it*
Denver: ...*soft 'heh', before she's checking how bad her feet really are* *Quietly* Ah suppose Ah do....
Raoul: *back with the kit, and with a warm wet washcloth*
Denver: *Quietly thanks Raoul, works on getting one of the popped blisters cleaned up and bandaged, will also bandage the other blisters and torn areas of her feet*
Raoul: *gravitates back to the bed and sits with a hand on Tracks, then watches Denver in silence*
Denver: *sudden sharp curse as she accidentally gets a bit of antiseptic in a popped blister*
Raoul: *only slightly quirks a brow. His attitude at this moment says 'street child': very still, utterly silent, and watching*
Denver: *Grits her teeth and continues to clean and bandage her feet, before putting socks on and getting her boots back on. Even though it's clear she's in pain, she gets her shirt on without a word, before patting the pockets in search of something*
Raoul: *holds out his hand*
Denver: *looks up from searching her pockets*
Raoul: *is offering her her crystal 'Lord's Prayer' cross and her dogtags*
Denver: *small, relieved smile as she reaches for her necklace and dogtags*
Raoul: *gives them to her, and then glances at Tracks and gives him a pat as the sobbing starts up again*
Denver: *quietly* To $#^$# with going on duty... *moves to sit by Tracks*
Raoul: *quietly* This happens all the time. Aren't you gonna at least call your boss or somethin'?
Denver: *soft sigh* Ah probably should...
Raoul: *gravely* Tracks can really raise #$#$#@ if you don't do stuff like that.
Denver: *soft snerk, gets up and goes to the desk where there's a telephone. Soon, she's discussing why she's not reported for duty to her commanding officer, stating that she's got a family emergency and that she's unsure when she'll be returning to active duty*
Colonel Franklin: *surprise in his calm, quiet voice* //You didn't get my voice mail? You're directly assigned to Tracks and Raoul till further notice.//
Denver: ...Er... Ah... *checks her pockets for her cellphone* *Sheepish* In all'a th' fuss, Ah left mah phone in mah quarters, sir...
Colonel Franklin: //Understandable. Do you feel up to this assignment?//
Denver: *Stands a bit straighter* Yessir. Ah do.
Colonel Franklin: //Alright then. Your men still answer to you. Is there anything else?//
Denver: *quick glance around the room, checking to see if there is anything that's needed* S'more blankets f'r th' beds, 'n 'un'a th' spare beds 'r cots 'f 'ny 're left... *not mentioning that she might need someone to look at her feet later on*
Raoul: *looks around* What do we need another bed for?
Colonel Franklin: //Alright. I'll see what we have for cots and air mattresses.//
Denver: Thank y'u, sir.
Colonel Franklin: //Thank you, Major MacKenzie.// *hangs up*
Tracks: *sobbing has calmed, but now he's shivering slightly*
Denver: *hangs the phone up, moves to sit next to Tracks again, resumes quietly humming the lullaby*
Raoul: *leaning against the red-faced mech* *quietly* What do we need another bed for?
Denver: F'r me t' sleep on.
Raoul: *gives her an odd look* But you got your own room.
Denver: Th' Colonel assigned me t' y'u 'n Tracks till furthah notice. *The unsaid "So I can protect both of you" hanging in the air*
Raoul: *frowning* Then we jes' need to move to another room.
Tracks: *shudders and falls into a quieter sleep*
Denver: *attention back on Tracks now, a bit of a fond look in her eyes*
Raoul: *quietly* You are sweet on 'im.
Denver: *looks up, eyes wide, and a blush forming on her cheeks* Wh't?!
Raoul: *innocent frown*
Denver: *blushing even more as she thinks back, and realizes exactly what she feels for the mech laying in the bed*
Raoul: *looking over toward the window and pretending not to see what she's doing*
Denver: *Quietly, almost as though she's in shock* Ah... Ah nevah intended t' fall f'r 'im....
Raoul: *still looking toward the window* *quietly* He said you didn'; that you just liked his alt.
Denver: *quietly* Somewhere 'long th' lahn, Ah stopped carin' 'bout 'is alt... 'n started carin' more 'bout who 'e is undaneath....
Raoul: *chin firm, refusing to let himself hope* Even though he's a robot?
Denver: *gives Raoul a bit of a puzzled look* Th' outsahd 'f a person don' change who th'y 're on th' insahd, wh'ch's wh't matters th' most t' me.
Raoul: Might make it hard to get up to the funny business.
Denver: *BLUSH, hides her face, wasn't even thinking of that till you said something, Raoul!*
Raoul: *blushing too, and still not looking at her* 'N he kin be a real vain 'n prissy $#@$#@ sometimes.
Denver: *Mumbles something that sounds like "'E's not intimadated bah me..."*
Raoul: *sideways glance* You ain't scary.
Denver: *Soft snerk* Tell th't t' th rest'a th' male population... Most'a th' guys Ah dated wh'n Ah was still datin' w'uld be petrifah'd'a me once th'y learned th't Ah'm a Marine....
Raoul: *snerks* Wimps.
Denver: *deadpans* Tell me about it. *headshake and noise of displeasure*
Raoul: *pokes himself in the black eye, which is swelling shut nicely*
Denver: *going to gently fuss over you now, Raoul*
Raoul: *shrugging off her concern* I'm okay. I got worse'n this on the set lotsa times.
Denver: Still... *Yes, Raoul, she's stepped into the mother role*
Raoul: *slight flash of impatience* Hey, Tracks nearly died, 'n now he's layin' there cryin'. What're you fussin' over me for?
Denver: *quietly* 'Cause Ah know wh't t' do f'r a shahner...
Raoul: Well if you're gonna stick around us you better learn what to do for him, too. *stops, eyes widening a bit at how roughly that came out, then scowls and gets up to go to the bathroom*
Tracks: *is murmuring in Cybertronian again, one hand clenched on the edge of the blankets covering him*
Denver: *reaches to gently pat Tracks' hand, making soothing sounds as she does*
Raoul: *running cold water on his wash cloth in the bathroom, says a foul word as someone taps on the door* *over he goes and yanks it open* Whaddya want already? He's sleepin'!
Lt. Wesson: *sheepish rumble* Dr. Ruteger told me to bring these for Major MacKenzie.
Raoul: *silent for a moment, and then breaks into a fit of the snorting giggles*
Denver: Raoul? Wh't's goin' on? *Worry worry*
Raoul: *gets the door closed and comes around the corner with a pair of slippers made to look like plush husky dogs*
Denver: ... *Soft snerk* Wh're'd those come fr'm?
Raoul: That guy said the lady doctor wants you to wear 'em.
Denver: *raised brow, small shrug, works on getting her boots back off without wincing*
Raoul: *watches* Take the laces out all the way.
Denver: *soft snerk, de-laces her boots and gets them off*
Raoul: *hisses through his teeth and hunkers down to look at one of her feet, then grabs it and starts working the sock off*
Denver: *tries to hold still, grits her teeth as the sock gets peeled off*
Raoul: *looks at the blood stain on it, then tosses it aside and reaches for the first aid kit* You need some more gauze on that, lady.
Denver: Ah thought Ah had 'nough... *aaand now her feet are really hurting, but she's not showing much reaction*
Raoul: *silent as he removes the bandage, using his wet washcloth to soak the gauze off so as to not cause any more pain than he has to. Hisses through his teeth once he has it off, and then looks in the kit for ointment*
Denver: *still gritting her teeth, though her lips are pressed thin. This is the only indication she's giving that she's in pain*
ointment: *is right on top, as Denver used it earlier*
Raoul: *picks up the little envelope of Tylanol and holds it out to her without looking up, the gesture abrupt and commanding*
Denver: *takes the envelope and gets it open, before taking the painkillers without a word*
Raoul: *waits a few moments, the wet washcloth over the wound to keep it from drying out and hurting worse. Then he removes it and uses some gauze to gently dab the sore spot dry before applying ointment and starting to rebandage it*
Denver: *barely winces, though her attention does go to Tracks after a few moments*
Tracks: *having a quiet moment, though his face still looks sad*
Raoul: *tapes the finished bandage, then gets up to go wash the sock out in the sink*
Denver: *grabs one of the slippers and raises a brow upon discovering how much padding is in the soles of the slippers* *is used to thin-soled slippers that resemble ballet flats*
Raoul: *sticks his head out of the bathroom* You want this sock back right away?
Denver: *headshake* Nah... It c'n drah...
Raoul: Okay. *hangs it on the towel bar over the heat register and then looks at the bathtub before shrugging and coming back out, turning off the light as he does so*
Denver: *works on getting her other sock off, has already slipped the bandaged foot into one of the slippers. She seems amused at the slippers' appearance*
Raoul: *sniggers when he catches sight of them again, then plops down on the floor and crosses his legs*
Denver: *amused* Ah think Dr. Ruteger's gotta strange sense'a practicality...
Raoul: *looks up* I saw her husband in the cafeteria the other day, he was wearin' pink bunnies.
Denver: ... *SNERK*
Raoul: Seriously. That was nearly as bad as that red-haired dude 'n his bubble pop thing.
Denver: Y'u talkin' 'bout Professer Percia? *amused grin*
Raoul: I dunno. The red-haired guy that's always goin' pop pop pop.
Denver: *Nod* 'E's a professor at Virginia Tech... 'n so's Dr. Ruteger's husband, fr'm wh't Ah've 'eard...
Raoul: So real big processors, huh?
Denver: Ah guess... *small shrug*
Raoul: *slight fidget and looks around* Guess I better go get the rest 'a my @#$#@@#. *not sure he should go alone*
Denver: *gets up and hobbles toward the door* Ah'll see 'f Ah c'n get 'un'a mah men t' escort y'u, Raoul.
Raoul: Wait. Maybe it'd just be better if one of the guys went. I mean, I don't wanna worry Tracks or nothin'. *frown*
Denver: *small nod, goes to look out into the hall for one of the soldiers under her command*
Lt. Wesson: *very embarrassed as TC firmly cleans spilled baby food off the bottom of his boot*
Denver: *waits until TC is finished cleaning, clears her throat*
Lt. Wesson and TC: *both snap to attention*
Denver: Lieutenant Wesson, w'uld y'u 'n Mr. Watson retrieve Raoul's belongin's 'n bring them t' this room?
Lt. Wesson and TC: Yes, sir.
Lt. Wesson: *gives TC a funny look, but shrugs it off as the Autobot finishes cleaning up the rug and then nods that he's ready. Both men walk off down the hall*
Melissa: *from the other end of the hall* There he is, Skylar. But I think he's busy.
Skylar: *Raised brow as he watches TC go* Wonder what he's doing?
Denver: *attention goes to Melissa and Skylar, gives the pair a curious look, as she's not seen much of them in the lodge*
Raoul: *pokes head out next to her and looks around, frowning*
Melissa: *clutches Skylar's arm* That's the boy who stays with Tracks.
Skylar: *Raised brow, arm around Melissa's shoulders in an offer of reassurance* *Quietly* Should we go say hello?
Melissa: Sh... should we? *has explained to her husband as best she could what the red-faced mech had done for her the day the Axalon started breaking up*
Skylar: *Small nod* *quietly* He was worried about you...
Melissa: He was?
Raoul: Hey, it's that girl.
Denver: *blink blink* Who is she?
Raoul: *very quietly* The one Tracks saved the day their ship fell apart. That guy's wife.
Denver: *considering look at the couple* Think 'e mahght wanna talk t' 'er?
Raoul: From what I seen she don' really talk to people. *frown* But they're comin' this way.
Denver: *small nod as Skylar gently guides Melissa closer*
Raoul: *pauses as he hears Tracks shift on the bed, and then is back inside*
Denver: *looks over her shoulder, worry for the mech clear in her actions*
Skylar: *small frown as he sees Denver's actions*
Raoul: *telling Tracks who's out in the hall*
Tracks: *as he sits up and winces at a slightly groggy processor* Moonshadow, do you mean? I haven't seen her since the day we arrived. How's she doing?
Denver: *remembering her manners, hobbles aside to let Melissa and Skylar in* *Gently, to Melissa* C'mon in... Tracks is awake now...
Melissa: *startles and pauses halfway in the process of hiding against Skylar to shoot Denver a frightened look as she wonders why Tracks is in here sleeping*
Skylar: *soothing and protective. Denver's not a threat worth worrying about to him*
Melissa: *too scared to ask the question, though.*
Skylar: *Will now gently usher Melissa into the room, while keeping an eye on Denver at the same time*
Tracks: *rubbing his forehead, but looks up as they come in* Oh, hello, Starscream.
Denver: ... *hobbles back over to stand beside the bed after closing the door*
Skylar: *nods to Tracks*
Tracks: Won't you have a seat? We've only got one chair, but the other bed's free right now. *pays no mind to Raoul as the boy hovers protectively on the opposite side of his bed*
Skylar: *small nod, moves to gently guide Melissa over to the chair* *quick glance to Denver* She really should be sitting down... *ignores the Look he gets from the Major*
Tracks: *frowns slightly and looks at the human woman himself* Denver? Is something wrong?
Raoul: *quietly* She screwed up her feet pretty good.
Tracks: What? How?
Denver: 'M fahn, Tracks... Jes gotta be careful how Ah walk f'r a li'l whahl...
Tracks: But what did you do?
Melissa: *watching this interaction from around Skylar's arm*
Denver: *small shrug* Jes ran 'round without socks f'r a bit....
Tracks: Well, have a seat. It won't do for you to go out of commission.
Denver: *moves to sit down on the side of the bed*
Skylar: *raised brow at the interaction* *focuses, instead, on the mech laying on the bed* So what'd you do to finally get dragged inside?
Tracks: *breezily, as Raoul tenses* Oh, just experienced a slight malfunction.
Skylar: *raised brow climbs even higher*
Tracks: *lifts a brow of his own in return, though he's wondering if the Seeker's got strong enough scanners to pick up on the damage he's sporting or the state of his spark*
Skylar: *yes, he's picked up on it, but he's not wanting to scare Melissa* What? Did your fuel lines get water in 'em?
Denver: *keeping her attention on Skylar, though she seems focused on gently patting Tracks' hand*
Tracks: Something like that.
Skylar: *soft snerk*
Raoul: *scowls at the snerk*
Melissa: *hides from the scowl*
Tracks: Raoul....
Raoul: *frowns deeply, and then sits on the floor between the wall and the bed*
Skylar: *Resisting the urge to give Raoul a dirty look, lest he frighten Melissa even more, clicks and gently rubs her back*
Tracks: *too quietly for the humans in the room to hear him* Have a care, Starscream. He's only a child, and he's had a most trying morning.
Skylar: *Just as quietly, in Cybertronian* [I'm trying, Tracks... but my first priority is my mate, and her feelings...] *gentle cuddles for Melissa*
Denver: *seems focused on checking the bandages on her feet*
Tracks: And that's quite admirable. But you need to learn how to do it without running roughshod over the feelings of others.
Skylar: *soft chuckle* [Skyfire says the same thing...]
Tracks: Well, you'd do well to pay attention to him. He seems to be a mech of discernment.
TC: *back and thumping on the door, to Lt. Wesson's dismay*
Denver: *moving to get up*
Raoul: *on his feet and heading that way* I got it. You sit down.
Tracks: *head turns* Raoul! Show a little respect!
Denver: *bemused look as she sits back down*
Melissa: 0.o
TC: *peeks in as Raoul takes his stuff, sees Skylar* I didn't do it. It wasn't me.
Skylar: Uh-huh... *doesn't believe TC in the least* *Snuggles Melissa*
TC: Would I have just been dumping banana goo and oatmeal out of my pants if I'd put a spoonful down your shirt?
Skylar: ...*blink blink* Is that what you're talking about?
Denver: *ducks her head with a snerk*
TC: ...You're mad at me for something else?
Skylar: ... *confused mech is confused* Um... unless you were doing something incredibly risky and/or stupid... no...
TC: ...Oh. Okay, then. *gonna leave now*
Skylar: *is just gonna focus on cuddling Melissa for now, and trying to get her to talk to Tracks*
Raoul: *has set his books on the desk and his shark and his spare clothes in a drawer, is smirking as he goes back to his sitting place*
Denver: *mumbles in Mexican Spanish* [I don't know who was more confused, Mr. Watson, or this guy.]
Raoul: *in his Spanish* [You got me, Aunty.]
Tracks: So how has your stay here been so far? *looking at Melissa as she hides*
Skylar: *quiet, soothing clicks, gently rubs Melissa's back, will try to convey that it's okay to talk to Tracks*
Melissa: *just can't do it, though she manages a slight nod*
Skylar: *Small nod, won't press the matter. Will continue with the gentle backrub though*
Tracks: That question was for both of you, Starscream.
Skylar: *Quietly* We've had a pretty quiet time of things... It's been nice...
Raoul: *muttering very quietly about them being lucky. Most humans wouldn't be able to hear him back there*
Tracks: *slight nod* I hear your trine has grown.
Skylar: *nod* Skywarp and Sunstreaker's sparklets...
Tracks: *marvelling* I never would have thought those two would get together.
Skylar: *soft chuckle* Well, I never expected Wheeljack and Ratchet to get together...
Tracks: *small smirk* Oh, there were those of us who'd seen that one coming for a long time.
Skylar: *snerk* Well, obviously I wasn't one of 'em.
Tracks: You weren't exactly in the loop.
Skylar: *small frown, snuzzles Melissa*
Tracks: I suppose I should ask... what names are you using for your alt modes?
Skylar: Skylar and Melissa Jones... *shows Tracks his wedding ring*
Tracks: *looks at it and nods* Are Skywarp and Sunstreaker raising their sparklets in the Decepticon way?
Skylar: I think so...
Tracks: *gently* How are you finding parenthood, Melissa?
Melissa: *looks at Skylar, asking him wordlessly to answer for her*
Skylar: *quietly* She's happy... The kids are part of her family.
Tracks: *smiles* I'm glad to hear that.
Skylar: *Gentle nuzzles for Melissa, wordlessly asking if she'd like to leave*
Melissa: *slight nod, and a shy, frightened peek and glimpse of a smile for Tracks*
Tracks: *smiles back at her gently*
Skylar: *Quietly* We'd better get going...
Tracks: Thank you for dropping by. I'll probably be seeing more of you now that I've been ordered to stay in the lodge.
Skylar: *nods* *Serious* If there's anything you need that I can help with, don't hesitate to ask.
Tracks: *noncommittally* Thank you, Skylar. I'll remember that.
Skylar: *another nod, before he's moving to help Melissa to her feet*
Melissa: *holding his arm and hiding, but feeling happy despite her usual fright of being in this big, busy place around so many strange people who insist on talking to her*
Skylar: *gentle arm around her shoulders, is proud of her, and it shows as he guides her out of the room*
Tracks: *waits till the door clicks shut behind them and then sags back against the headboard slightly*
Denver: *gently pats Tracks' hand, before moving to make sure he's comfortable*
Tracks: *quietly* That's Starscream. Do you still suspect him?
Raoul: *crawling around the end of the bed to go check the room on the other side of the connecting door*
Denver: T' be honest, not realleh...
Tracks: *nods and smiles slightly, then sighs* Raoul, what are you doing?
Raoul: We don' need no stinkin' cot, man. There's a whole 'nother room here for Major Mac to sleep in.
Denver: *Raised brow, moves to get up*
Raoul: See? *shows her the other room, which is slightly larger than the one they're in and holds a couch and a table and chairs as well as the two beds*
Denver: *hobbling over, frowns a bit, mind already working out worst-case scenarios and making a list of how to prepare for those* *small nod*
Raoul: And we got this door here if we need to go back and forth quick. *pats it*
Tracks: *watching them, and then startling slightly and looking embarrassed as his tank beeps a warning that it's empty*
Denver: *nods, moves to hobble over to the door with the intention of getting Tracks more fuel*
Raoul: *in her way and giving her a stink eye* You're gonna mess up your feet!
Denver: *frowns, tries to get around Raoul*
Raoul: *catches her arms, his expression stern* I mean it, Major Mac.
Tracks: *watching with astonishment*
Denver: *Studies Raoul for a few moments before hobbling to the chair* See 'f y'u c'n flag down Wesson.
Raoul: Sure, fine. Or I can go myself. There are too many people here for anybody to try anythin'.
Denver: 'T th' verah least, Wesson c'n escort y'u.
Raoul: Whatever. *looks at Tracks to make sure he's alright, and then jogs out of the room*
Tracks: I understand this is a tense situation, but Raoul shouldn't be being so rude. *frown. Hasn't realized that Raoul will boss him the same way if he can get away with it*
Denver: *Soft snerk* Raoul's got bettah mannahs th'n some'a Beau's friends...
Tracks: That's no excuse. *shifting on the bed restlessly*
Denver: *reaching over in an attempt to patpat Tracks' hand* Some'a it's 'is age... 'n some'a it's jes' 'im reactin' t' wh't 'appened.
Tracks: *gives her an uncertain look, though he's firm on the subject of his protege* Still, I shouldn't let him do it.
Denver: *gonna try and move to sit on the edge of the bed again*
Tracks: *moves over a bit to make room for her, wincing as his tank beeps again* Though he was right about your feet. Please, don't feel you have to damage yourself on my behalf.
Denver: T' be honest.... Ah di'n't even notice th't mah feet were torn up till Ah went t' put socks on...
Tracks: *tsks at her, and then turns his head to see if he can't hear Raoul returning*
Denver: *quietly* Y'u 'n Raoul 're close...
Tracks: *doesn't look back at her* It's a natural reaction for children who've been in the situation that Raoul came out of.
Denver: *small frown* 'N th' situation bein'...?
Tracks: *hesitates, his brows drawing together slightly* He was living on the street when I met him.
Denver: ... *Quietly* Y'u rescued 'im fr'm th't lahf... *no, it's not a question.*
Tracks: *face goes expressionless* No. He rescued me.
Denver: ... *confused* Ah... Ah don't understand...
Tracks: There isn't a lot to do for an alien being on an isolated world. And after I got here I'm afraid I didn't have very much will to do anything. Once I'd scanned an alt mode I more or less drifted from place to place.
Denver: ...*small nod, might be starting to understand, gently pats Tracks' hand*
Tracks: *still looking toward the door* And then one night three different groups tried to steal me within hours of one another. I finally lost my temper at the third attempt and chased the perpetrators. I clipped a building and smashed into a dumpster. And a few moments later someone made a forth attempt to steal me.
Denver: *Wince* *quietly* W's th't wh'n y'u met Raoul?
Tracks: He was the would-be thief.
Denver: *Small nod* Ah see...
Tracks: I spoke to him. He repaired me, and then sold me to the bosses who were paying for stolen cars. I called the police from their warehouse, and their operation was broken up.
Denver: *small chuckle* Bet th'y were 'bit peeved 'bout that...
Tracks: To put it mildly. Raoul is still on their hit list, even three years later. Thankfully they don't dare come to the cities we frequent most.
Denver: ... *small frown* *Quietly* D'y'u know anythin' 'bout Raoul's life 'fore 'e 'n y'u met?
Tracks: Yes, I managed to piece together bits from what social workers have told me. *yes, he's somehow managed to become the boy's legal guardian*
Denver: *slight headtilt, inviting Tracks to share if he so chooses*
Tracks: He's been in the system since he was a toddler. I don't know what put him in that situation, but I know that it was the stubbornness of an elderly grandmother who insisted on maintaining her rights as guardian even though she was too infirm to be able to care for him herself that kept him there.
Denver: *Frowns, isn't quite sure what to say*
Tracks: From studying the subject I know there are many fine foster homes in the country, but Raoul doesn't seem to have found any of them. He was on the street by the time he was nine years old, and at eleven he says he just never went back.
Denver: ... *is now digging her nails into her palm with how upset she is*
Tracks: *perks as he hears the familiar footsteps returning*
Raoul: *comes in with a tray heaped with ham and tuna salad and chicken sandwiches*
Tracks: *expression flickers at sight of the organic fuel, though he's careful not to let Raoul see it*
Denver: *Amused chuckle, will move to get out of Raoul's way so the teen can set the tray down safely*
Raoul: *does so, then takes a couple sandwiches, grabs one of the three glasses of orange juice, and goes to sit in the chair*
Tracks: *offers Denver a ham sandwich, knows nothing of some peoples' opinion of cafeteria ham*
Denver: *headshake as she reaches to grab one of the tuna sandwiches* Ah trah t' 'void th' ham 'ere 'f Ah c'n... th'y don' know 'ow t' cook it rahght...
Tracks: *looks at the ham sandwich and then sets it down and chooses one like Denver's* Really...?
Denver: *nods, finishes the bite she's working on before explaining* Th'y jes heat it till it's cooked throughout, 'n stick it inna brahne solution... Th' reallah good stuff's smoked slowly.
Tracks: I have to confess I really don't know a thing about human fuels. I've only been able to process them for a week. *sniffing his sandwich and pulling a slight face*
Denver: *small chuckle, helps herself to one of the mugs of coffee*
Raoul: *bows his head for a moment, and then eats with surprising restraint for a boy his age*
Tracks: *eating and finding that whatever this stuff is, it's not that bad*
Denver: *eating and thinking about what she'll need to do when her brother makes it up to visit her during his Spring Break*
Raoul: *feeling more content than he has in a long time, despite his fear for Tracks. It looks as though one of his dearest prayers is being answered*
((co-written with random_xtras))