mbv, NEST HQ, Connecting
Tracks: *backtracking from the gym to his room, methodically searching for any sign of Denver after being told by her people that she hasn't arrived to work out with them yet* *all he sees is a peacefully sleeping Raoul in a tumbled nest of blankets. Frowns, and starts looking again, trying the longer route*
Denver: *looking a bit unsteady as Pandita helps her sit down on one of the benches near the gym* *muttering* Whoevah invented th't thing needs t' be shot...
Pandita: *apologetic* If I knew who invented PINpoints, I would gladly direct you to them...
Tracks: *hurrying forward* Denver! Where were you? I've been looking everywhere!
Denver: Took a wrong turn 'n wound up inna place wit' th' ugliest sahgn Ah've evah seen...
Tracks: *pauses, frowning* I don't understand.
Pandita: She wound up in the sign Nexus...
Tracks: *frown deepens* This is no time for that place to be kidnapping people. *takes the last few steps and holds out his arms to Denver*
Denver: *gets off of the bench, is still a tidge unsteady*
Tracks: *holds her close* *gently, unmindful of Pandita's being nearby* Are you alright?
Denver: Jes' a bit dizzy's all... Ah ain't too impressed wit' th'se teleportin' things...
Tracks: *gentle kiss to her hair* Maybe you should wait another day before you try working out.
Pandita: *surprised, quietly excuses himself with the intention of delivering the cookies that he was sent to the Nexus for*
Tracks: *absent nod to the other mech, and then leans back slightly so that he can see Denver's face*
Denver: *other than a faint blush that's creeping its way onto her cheeks, she looks alright*
Tracks: *a slight smile tugs at the corners of his mouth* *quietly* Raoul said I'm probably not very nice to hug.
Denver: *quiet chuckle, leans against Tracks a bit* Ah don' mahnd...
Tracks: *rests his cheek against the side of her head* But would you rather I wear my new alt mode? It's softer....
Denver: *isn't sure what she should say. On the one hand, Tracks is right about his new alt mode being softer... but on the other, she still feels bad about suggesting that he take on a human alt mode in the first place*
Tracks: *leans back to look at her again, then steps away and transforms*
Denver: *Soft sound of surprise as she finally gets a good look at Tracks' new alt mode*
Tracks: *puts his hands on her shoulders and lifts his eyebrows* Better?
Denver: *quietly* Wow....
Tracks: *now closely resembles one of the newest James Bonds. His small smile, however, is still all Tracks* Is that a yes?
Denver: *small nod, moves to step closer, startled noise as she feels her knees go weak*
Tracks: *catches her, his smile changing quickly to a frown of concern* You're not ready to be so active yet.
Denver: 'M fahn... *won't object to being held though*
Tracks: *gently* You aren't though. Surely you can't still be dizzy from the teleport? *moves to scoop her up*
Denver: *As she's scooped up* 'M not dizzeh, Tracks... *will put her arm around Tracks' neck though*
Tracks: *twists his head so that he can look at her face. Frowns* Well you were looking plenty shaky.
Denver: *a bit firmer* 'M fahn. *small smile, even as she blushes a bit*
Lt. Ross: *attention was on Tracks and Denver. Loud thump as she walks into the glass door that leads to the pool room*
Tracks: *brow had quirked at Denver's blushing and her smile, but now he starts and frowns toward the thump*
Denver: *attention goes to the thump, and then she's blinking and has both brows raised*
Tracks: Isn't that one of your people, Denver?
Denver: *nod* Lt. Ross...
2nd Lt. Havoc: *helping Lt. Ross to her feet and asking her what distracted her*
Tracks: *lips thin as though he's looking at some kind of yucky bug* *quietly* And there's her friend who wanted to make sure I didn't 'break your heart'.
Denver: *soft chuckle* 'E'll be doin' chores 'round 'ere f'r th' rest'a th' month... 'E alredeh got 'is list'a duties... Ah made sure'a th't...
Lt. Ross: *waving Havoc off and heading into the pool room*
2nd Lt. Havoc: *glances at Tracks and Denver, raised brow, and then he's shaking his head with a grin and saying something to Lt. Darby*
Lt. Darby: *slaps him upside the head and goes into the pool room, her freckled face an expression of vinegar*
2nd Lt. Havoc: *acks and has the good grace to look admonished*
Tracks: *hiding his face against Denver as his shoulders shake with mirth*
Denver: *soft snerk*
2nd Lt. Havoc: *goes to spot ENS. Falman, after watching Lt. Darby for a few moments more*
Tracks: *quietly* Well she certainly put him in his place.
Denver: *small nod* Lt. Darby's good 't wh't she does... 'Cludin' keepin' 'avoc 'n lahn...
Tracks: *sighs slightly, and then he's looking Denver in the eye* Something was making you shaky. I think I should bring you to the med ward.
Denver: *Wonders to herself if Tracks knows how attractive he is like this* *Out loud* 'M fahn, Tracks.
Tracks: *insistent, though his tone is gentle as those icy blue eyes meet hers* I just need to make sure. People who are fine don't wobble like that.
Denver: *soft sigh, has a feeling that it won't do any good to try to argue* Alrahght....
Tracks: *moves to kiss her on the cheek*
Denver: *Blushes a bit, squeeing on the inside*
Tracks: *gives her the gentle kiss and then rests his face against hers for a moment* *softly, as he turns toward the halls leading to the med ward* Good.
Denver: *quiet murmur about shopping as she rests her head on Tracks' shoulder*
Tracks: Hmmmm? Do you need something, darling?
Denver: Not f'r me... Still gotta get y'u s'me slacks...
Tracks: Oh yes. And shoes. I've been looking online, but I'm not sure of just what you meant. I'm afraid human clothing is something I've never really paid much attention to.
Denver: *small nod* Ah'll 'elp ya wit' th't...
Tracks: *gives her his slight smile* Thank you, darling. I don't want to be an embarrassment or anything.
Denver: *quiet chuckle as she snuggles against Tracks* Y'u ain't evah gonna be an embarrassment t' me...
Tracks: It's kind of you to say that. *eyes are soft and he bows his head slightly as he walks so that his cheek is near her face*
Denver: Ah ain't sayin' it t' say it... *seriousness mixed in with the fond expression on her face*
Tracks: *softly* Let's make sure you're alright. *starts and looks around at sound of a resounding thud*
Denver: *also startles at the thud* Wh't in blazes...
Patrick: *Concerned* Scarlett?
Tracks: There seems to be some sort of clumsiness virus going around this morning. *brows quirked with surprise*
Scarlett: *Waving Patrick off, and rubbing at her eyebrow, sheepish expression firmly in place*
Denver: *ducks her head a bit, trying her hardest not to snicker*
Patrick: *looks in Tracks' direction, raised brow*
Tracks: Well I certainly didn't do it, so you can just stop giving me that look, Op... Patrick.
Patrick: *headshake, amusement on his face as he moves to guide Scarlett to the cafeteria for a baggie of ice*
Tracks: *haughty sniff as he turns away... and runs into another Aerialbot* What is it with you people??
Susana: *Acks and backpedals a few steps, looking sheepish* Er... *blushing profusely*
Denver: *Shaking with silent mirth now*
Tracks: *cold look for Susana* Excuse me. *going to continue toward the med ward now*
Denver: *can't help it, snickers*
Tracks: *walking along in silence for several moments, but then tilts his head and gives her a quizzical look* What's so funny?
Denver: Y'u reallah don' know 'ow good y'u look, do y'u?
Tracks: .... *eyebrow up*
Denver: Y'u picked 'n alt mode th't's attractive 's heck... *chuckles*
Tracks: ...Is that why all those females are....
Denver: *nod, blushing a bit* 'N whah Ah w's a mite unsteadeh earliah...
Tracks: *slows* Oh....
Denver: *blushing more* W's th' first tahm Ah'd evah 'ad th't 'appen...
Tracks: *blinks slightly, and then flushes lightly himself* Well... I feel like a fool.
Denver: *confused now* Whah?
Tracks: *offers to set her on her feet*
Denver: *headshake. Doesn't want to be set down*
Tracks: But... you're not sick. *quizzical look and then another wince as he hears yet another thud* Will you stop that!
Emi: *Stinkeyes Tracks while trying to keep ahold of a very squirmy Soli, her armful of books are now scattered about her on the floor*
Tracks: Oh... sorry, Elita. I thought you were another Aerialbot walking into a door.
Emi: ... Why are the Aerialbots walking into doors? *trying to keep Soli from squirming out of her arms again*
Tracks: Because they're not looking where they're going!
Soli: *notices that that big lady is being carried. STARES* >:\
Emi: ... *giving Tracks a good look, snerks* Well, I wonder why? *amused*
Tracks: If I have to bow to local fads I might as well wear the best.
Emi: *chuckles, putting two and two together regarding why Denver's being carried* If you were single, you'd have more than just women walking into doors to worry about....
Tracks: *quizzical, slightly affronted looking frown* What do you mean?
Denver: *ducking her head a bit and giggling*
Emi: If you were out in public like that, you'd have a lot of women following after you and giving you their phone numbers. I don't understand it myself... *Then again, she is engaged/word-bound to Patrick...*
Tracks: *blinking slowly, and then gives Denver a look that says she is coming with him everywhere*
Denver: *gently rubs Tracks' shoulder a bit, offering reassurances*
Soli: *squeak!* *arch back!*
Emi: *Acks! Focuses on keeping Soli in her arms, calls Patrick!*
Tracks: *small smile for Denver, but then he's regarding the tiny sparklet with concern* What is her problem? She cries all night, and now she's still being unpleasant.
Soli: *wriggle, scowl, squeak!*
Emi: I'm not sure, to be honest... *clicking quietly to Soli*
Soli: >:\
Tracks: *looks at Denver, silently asking her what she'd like to do since he's kept her from her workout and she doesn't need to see the doctor*
Denver: *quietly suggests that they head to the gym, since there won't be anybody there for a little while*
Tracks: *nods* *also quietly* Alright. Er.... *fidgets a bit till he can activate his comlink* No, Raoul, we're fine. Yes, we are. Yes, please go eat. The sounds your stomach makes are disgusting. Alright. *looks at Denver again, his eyes dancing slightly* Raoul's going to breakfast, and then he'll join the creche.
Denver: *small nod, chuckling a bit*
Tracks: *nods to Emilia and the now furiously wriggling and squeaking Soli* Maybe we'll see you later, Elita.
Emi: *absent nod as Patrick arrives*
Soli: *Daddy! Even madder sounds now!*
Patrick: *Soothing clicks as he cradles Soli and gently rocks her in his arms*
Tracks: *carries Denver toward the gym* The creche will be going to the gym after breakfast.
Denver: *nods, chuckling quietly as she thinks of what she noticed the last time* Bumblebee's got 'er 'ands full, seems lahk...
Tracks: I don't think she'd have it any other way. Though.... *shadow passes over his face* *quietly* She'd probably like having Cliffjumper to help.
Denver: *Doesn't miss that* Cliffjumpah?
Tracks: Her brother. He was assigned to the same ship as I was.
Denver: *slight wince, nods*
Tracks: *arms tighten just a little around her* He's not coming back.
Denver: *soft sound, nods, hiding her face against Tracks' shoulder a bit* *Quietly*D'se Bumblebee know 'bout 'im?
Tracks: I don't know. I... 've been too afraid to tell her.
Denver: *small nod* Mahght be best t' tell 'er soon... Ah'd want t' know 'f s'methin' 'appened t' mah brothah....
Tracks: *swallows and nods, then sidesteps another Autobot without looking at them and continues toward the gym*
Serenity: *distracted from her conversation with Russell, acks as she trips over her own feet, only to be caught by Russell*
Denver: *Resists the urge to facepalm*
Tracks: *didn't notice this time. Just continues till they reach the gym and then walks across the big room to where the exercise machines sit next to the wide patio windows*
Denver: *indicates that she wants down, intends to do reps with the free weights*
Tracks: *sets her on her feet and gives her an absent kiss on the hair, then turns his eyes toward the outside world, which is freezing bright and white, except for the black of a raven who's sitting on the railing and happily eating out of the bird feeder*
Denver: *has some of the lighter free weights, focuses on doing reps*
Tracks: *broooood*
Denver: *switches to slightly heavier weights, as she's not really working up a sweat like she intends to* *absently humming a song she picked up from somewhere*
Tracks: *startled sound and steps back as the raven flies away*
Denver: *looks over* Tracks? 'S s'methin' wrong?
Tracks: That bird just gave me a bronx cheer!
Denver: *blink blink* Bronx cheeah?
Tracks: That rude sound that Raoul makes at television commercials.
Denver: ... Oh... *had no idea that that was what the noise was called*
Tracks: *staring after the bird. He knows nothing about ravens* ....
Denver: *about to say something, when she hears a ruckus out in the hallway* ...
Tracks: *mindful of the two dead Decepticons recently found. Transforms as he hurries across the gym toward the door*
Seamus: *in a headlock, courtesy of Pandita, is laughing about it though*
Pandita: *is actually scowling for once, and telling Seamus off for spreading rumors*
Tracks: *face palm* Do I even want to know?
Pandita: I'm not quite sure, to be honest... *still scowling at Seamus*
Tracks: Is he still saying stupid things about me? *yes, he knows about what Seamus has been saying. Raoul filled him in*
Seamus: It's not stupid if it's true! *acks as he's put in an even tighter headlock*
Tracks: Yes, but even so, is it really any of your business?
Seamus: It's not my fault you two were cuddling in the cafeteria that day!
Tracks: Oh, so then it's perfectly alright for me to broadcast to the world that you probably still have green beans stuck up your nose from your little encounter with Ember's lunch the other day?
Seamus: ... You fight dirty.
Tracks: *cool smirk* Tit for tat, Sideswipe.
Seamus: ... *Smirks until Pandita gives him a good shake* Ack!!!
Pandita: You need to stop taking things so literally, Seamus.
Tracks: *thoughtfully* If I wanted to stoop to your level I could let people know that you're only making such a fuss because you don't have any female company.
Seamus: ... You slagger!!! *will try and get out of the headlock, but won't have much luck*
Tracks: *unmoved by his ire* Either way. It's still not your job to spread rumors.
Seamus: *scowls darkly*
Tracks: *implacable look back at him*
Pandita: *calmly, to Tracks* If you would like, I can escort Seamus to Patrick...
Tracks: Will that really be necessary? *optics on Seamus*
Seamus: *more scowl, headshake, giving Pandita dirty looks*
Tracks: I thought not. *turning to go back inside*
Denver: *bemused expression, is still doing reps*
Tracks: *sighs as he transforms* I'm sorry, Denver.
Denver: Ain'cher fault th't th't gah's 'n idiot.
Tracks: No. But I know you're quite capable of taking care of yourself in such matters.
Denver: *Chuckles* Yeah... But d'ya realleh think th't gah'd listen t' me?
Tracks: He does seem to listen to Skywarp. Unhappily, Skywarp has little training in propriety. *settles on the bench and absently lifts the weight bar with one hand*
Denver: *sets the weights she's using down where they're supposed to go* Ain't lahk 'e can't go 'n talk t' 'un'a th' single ladehs 'ere...
Tracks: *snort* He's far too immature yet to even think of such a thing.
Denver: *chuckles, stretching out with her arms above her head*
Tracks: *small smile that looks uncertain* I'm not well versed in the styles of human beauty... but I like how you look.
Denver: *blink blink, BLUSH, ducks her head sheepishly, though she does have a small smile on her face*
Tracks: *blushing himself now and fiddling with the weight bar* Raoul tells me that human females like flowers that've been taken off the plants and tucked into a small container.
Denver: Cut flowers? Th't depends on th' girl, 'n th' tahp'a flowers she lahks best...
Tracks: *slight frown* I hear roses are popular.
Denver: *nods, gives a quiet chuckle* They're popular 'cause they're pretteh 'n smell nahce... Mah gran'ma grows roses 'round 'er 'ouse.... 'n not aneh'a th' moah modern versions, neithah...
Tracks: *mystified* There are different kinds?
Denver: *Nods* Ah ain't 'n expert on 'em... but Grammy's garden's got a few tahps th't she's proud'a...
Tracks: ...Do you like them?
Denver: *nod* Ah uset'a spend mah summah mornin's workin' in 'er rose garden, jes' takin' care'a all'a 'er rose bushes... *chuckle* We won a garden competition 'few summahs inna row 'cause'a all'a th' care she'n Ah put int' 'er garden...
Tracks: *looking bemused at thought of a garden competition, but then startles as someone comes in*
Autumn: *is partially bundled up* *pauses when she sees Tracks and Denver, blink blink*
Tracks: Ah, are we in your way, Bumblebee?
Autumn: *Relaxes* Oh, no. I'm just getting a ball so the kids can play with it while we're outside... ^_^
Tracks: Ah... is that safe?
Autumn: Major McHale's squad is going to be outside with us.
Denver: *snerk* Jes' don' let 'im get talked int' bein' th' ball...
Tracks: Actually, I was thinking of the temperature. *blinks and glances at Denver*
Autumn: We're only going to be outside for maybe twenty minutes, and I won't let anyone out until they've bundled up... *blinks at Denver, confused*
Denver: Jerreh tends t' do dumb stuff fr'm tahm t' tahm... *remembering the most recent incident of 'dumb'*
Tracks: Please be sure that Raoul is especially well dressed. He's not as sturdy as the other youngsters.
Autumn: *nods* I'll make sure of that. *goes to get one of the basketballs*
Tracks: *watches her, the expression in his eyes troubled. Then he glances at Denver*
Denver: *moves to put her hand on Tracks', offering wordless support*
Tracks: *quietly* Bumblebee... there's something I have to tell you. But... I'm not sure if this is a good time.
Autumn: *blink, has a basketball* Hmm?
Tracks: *hesitates, unsure of how to proceed*
Autumn: *concerned frown* Is something wrong, Tracks?
Tracks: *looks at his hand and Denver's* *quietly* Ah.... It's....
Denver: *will reach with her free hand to gently rub Tracks' back*
Autumn: *gently, as she moves closer* Tracks, if there's something bothering you that I can help with...
Denver: *Quietly* It's 'bout y'ur brothah...
Autumn: *lips now a thin line, nods* *Quietly* He's not coming to Earth... I knew that awhile ago....
Tracks: *starts and looks up at her* Then you... were bond siblings. I'd wondered.... He... spoke of you before.... *swallows and squeezes eyes shut*
Autumn: *quietly* I was on Cybertron when he passed... He and I were crechemates...
Tracks: We made sure he was properly buried. No Decepticon will be recycling him.
Autumn: *small nod, moves to give Tracks a hug* [Thank you for doing that for him, Tracks...]
Tracks: *free hand goes to her back, and then his shoulders are shaking*
Autumn: *Quiet clicks, gently pats Tracks' shoulder*
Denver: *gently squeezing Tracks' hand*
Tracks: *gets himself under control quickly and pats Autumn gently on the back* The sparklets are going to be destroying things....
Autumn: Not if Bert has anything to say about it... *soft chuckle*
Tracks: Oh right. I forgot about him. ...Strange to think of Brawn as a creche guardian.
Autumn: He does a good job at it...
Tracks: *slight nod* Raoul likes him.
Autumn: Sarah's really fond of him as well... *and if Tracks is listening carefully enough, he might catch the slightest hint that Sarah's not the only girl fond of Bert*
Tracks: *quick startled look at the young femme's face as he catches that*
Denver: *gives Autumn a knowing look*
Autumn: *Blushing now, and making an excuse to leave*
Tracks: *lets her go and watches her exit the room, then sighs and rubs his face*
Denver: *soft chuckle* She's got it bad f'r 'im...
Tracks: It's that serious already? *looks the way Autumn went, and then frowns and looks through the window for that odd black bird*
Denver: Prolleh not, but th' way she w's blushin'... 'S prolleh a safe bet t' say th't she's gotta crush on 'im...
Tracks: He's at least three times her age. *sudden startled look at Denver*
Denver: *Blink* Wh't?
Tracks: Ah... I'm probably not in the best position to be talking about age.
Denver: *soft snerk* Ah may be young c'mpared t' y'u 'n th' otha Autobots, but Ah am no spring chicken.
Tracks: *gently pats her hand with his free one, hiding the sad light that wants to come to his eyes at thought of how few years she and Raoul have to look forward to* But still beautiful.
Denver: *Blushing a bit now* *quiet* We sh'ld prolleh go 'n get s'me breakfast, 'fore th' cafeteria stops servin' it...
Tracks: *small smile as he rises to his feet and then offers the support of their clasped hands to help her stand more easily*
Denver: *will gladly accept the offer of help, but not because she's feeling tired or anything like that... She just likes holding your hand, Tracks*
Tracks: *thinking of an order that he sent to a florist chain which boasts of delivering anywhere* What is today? Sunday? Ah. Waffles.
Denver: *nods, grinning a bit* Ah jes' 'ope they don' run outta syrup... *chuckles*
Tracks: With Melissa in the kitchen? *slight chuckle as he leads her toward the door* I hope there are still some energon bars left.
Denver: *soft snerk* Considerin' th' fact th't Pandita w's sent t' get cookies, Ah'm guessin' there mahght be a few energon bahs left... *is gladly lead toward the door, still chuckling over the oddness of what the Autobots consider breakfast foods*
((co-written with random_xtras))