MBV, Nexus, NEST HQ and the Black Dog, Going Away Party
Rachel: *herding her brood toward their suite for their last night at the lodge. Is wearing a pretty knee length dress and a pair of her new flats. Is also reassuring the complainers that Daddy will be home any minute now*
Denver: *bringing a duffle bag that has clearly seen better days out into the hall, a bit of a sad look on her face as she moves to set it down next to the door to the suite she, Tracks, and the boys have been sharing*
Sora: *notices this and very gently touches Rachel's shoulder*
Rachel: *stops, absently using her elbow to stop Greg before he runs over her* Denver?
Denver: *startles* Oh! 'Lo, Dr. Ruteger...
Rachel: Is something wrong? *concerned brow quirk*
Denver: Jes' a bit distracted, 's all...
Rachel: You're going back tomorrow with the rest of the NEST people who aren't going to be staying at the Ark.
Simon: ...What? You Aunty Denver leaving?
Greg: *growl* Stupid Aunty.
Rachel: *shushes them*
Denver: Actualleh... Beau 'n me... We're 'eadin' back t' Quantico...
Sarah: *Wibbles* Why no stay?
Rachel: *arm around Sarah's shoulders* Shhhh, sweetheart. *looks back to Denver* Leave?
Denver: Till Ah'm called back int' service 'gain... Beau'll be startin' 'is Junior yeah 'a school 't Quantico Hahgh School th's fall...
Greg: What about him Raoul? *scowling blackly*
Denver: 'E, Will, 'n Dion'll be stayin' wit' Tracks... *a bit quieter* 'T's bettah th't way...
Destiny: *Frowwwn*
Sarah: *confused* Better how? Him Raoul, him Will, and him Dion you Aunty Denver's sons...
Simon: *quietly, from where he's standing and hugging Sandra* Need Mama.
Sandra: *Sleepy murmur of "Stupid Aunty"*
Rachel: *looks at her kids and frowns, thinking she needs to talk to Denver without them listening, but then starts as someone around the corner calls Denver's name*
Denver: *startles again, looking in that direction*
Storm: *rounds the corner and grins at sight of her friend, is wearing brand new jeans, a pretty shirt with peek holes for her shoulders, and a pair of nice flat sandals that go around her ankles*
Denver: 'Lo, Storm... *seems a bit confused* Wh't's wit' th' new outfit?
Storm: *grin widens* We're having a party. Hurry up and get ready.
Rachel: *eyebrow*
Denver: ... *raised eyebrow* Party?
Storm: Yeah. A girls' night out good bye party. We're going to see the band that's playing at the Black Dog, and maybe dance on the table again.
Rachel: *smirk*
Sora: *Soft snerk*
Denver: ... Y'all're gonna try draggin' me 'long regardless, aincha?
Storm: Yup. *grin*
Denver: *Sigh* Figgers... *moves to head back into duck into the suite, intending to change clothes*
Sora: *to Storm* Did Mia remember to get her a cowboy hat this time?
Storm: ...I'm not sure.
Sora: *silent for a few moments while she talks to Mia over comms, before she's nodding* Yup. A white one. *chuckles*
Destiny: *blink blink, doesn't get why that's funny*
Rachel: Why does Denver need a cowboy hat? *curious mother is curious*
Sora: Mia promised to get her one, and forgot the last time we had a party...
Rachel: Ahhhh. *nod*
Destiny: *blink blink, decides Simon needs cuddles, proceeds to give cuddles!*
Denver: *out of the suite now, wearing one of the new blouses she got for Mother's Day, a pair of dark wash jeans, and her combat boots*
Storm: *points to Denver's feet and shakes her head* Mia said that if you tried to wear those to give you these. *produces pretty pair of sandals with a toe strap and a strap that goes behind the heel*
Denver: ... *sigh* Ah am in NO mood t' argue wit' Mia... *sits down and proceeds to remove her boots*
Sarah: Ooo, them sandals pretty....
Simon: *frown* Her Aunty Denver got no toe paint.
Storm: Buh?
Denver: Ah nevah weah nail polish... 'S too much fussin' f'r s'meth'n' th't'll jes' chip off...
Storm: ...Nail polish?
Sora: *wiggles her toes, showing off the pretty red polish decorating the nails*
Storm: *notices the wiggly toes, blinks* Ohhhh. Uh. Don't worry. I don't think any of us have that.
Rachel: I should let you two get going. *gives the nearest son a gentle push* These guys need to get to bed. *pauses and looks at Sora to see if she'd like to go with Storm and Denver*
Sora: *considering look at her t-shirt and jeans, before she's moving to hurry down the hall to get a nicer top*
Destiny: Sister is going.... *yawwwwn, snuggaSimon*
Rachel: *softly* Wear your new shoes. *would offer some of hers... but she and Sora have differently sized feet*
Simon: *snugging two sisters, yawns too and rumbles sleepily*
Sora: *nods, ducking into the suite*
Sandra: *Asleep on her feet*
Sarah: *Blinking sleepily* Him Daddy be home soon?
Rachel: Yes. Daddy will be home any minute. *smile for Storm and Denver as she resumes steering the kids toward the suite and bed* Have fun, guys, but be careful, alright?
Denver: *nods* Yes'm.
Storm: *grins again, then pauses and pokes herself in the eye* I don't like this goop Lisa put on my eyelashes.
Denver: Huh? *attention on Storm now*
Storm: *has a mascara smudge now and is blinking* This goop on my eyelashes. I don't like it.
Denver: ... *snerks*
Storm: *frowns at Denver* What's so funny?
Denver: Y'ur mascara's smudged! *laughing, at least until Lt. Ross arrives*
Storm: *scowl* I want it off. *pulling out a tissue, determination in her dark eyes*
Lt. Ross: Here... *offers a baby wipe, having grabbed a couple extras from her own makeup bag*
Storm: Will you help me? I don't know anything about this slag.
Lt. Ross: *nods* Use the baby wipe to take it off... *will also offer a compact with a mirror*
Denver: *looks a bit mystified by this*
Sunshine: *comes around the corner, her hair loose around her shoulders* Storm? Are ve ready yet? *ears perk*
Storm: *scowls at herself in the mirror as she wipes the mascara off* Almost. Sora's coming too.
Lt. Ross: *turning her attention to Denver now, and isn't going to hear any arguments against her CO wearing makeup!*
Sora: *hurrying back, having changed into a black tanktop with silver embellishment around the empire waistline, and is also wearing her new sandals*
Sunshine: *watching Lt. Ross and Denver with one ear forward and one ear sideways. It's her version of 0.o*
Lt. Ross: There. Thank whoever that you've got naturally dark lashes, Major... *amused as she steps back, revealing that she managed to get Denver to hold still long enough to put a bit of chocolate brown eyeshadow on, as well as a pretty coral-toned lipgloss*
Denver: 'Ow th' 'ell y'all c'n stand fussin' th's much... *Grumble*
Sunshine: *shakes her head, and then puts her wings back and arches her back slightly in a stretch. She's wearing a halter top. And a pair of nice shorts*
Denver: ... *blink blink, resists the urge to gape at Sunshine*
Lt. Ross: ... Wow... You dressed up, Captain..... *amused*
Sunshine: Vell, ja. I could not go to something like this in mien uniform. *ears perk as she wraps herself once more in her wings*
Lt. Ross: Good point. And now John owes me fifty bucks. ^_^
Storm: *quizzical look* What does Tracks owe you money for?
Lt. Ross: Not that John... Wesson.
Denver: ... Y'u two.... *sigh*
Sunshine: *chuckling as she fiddles with a small, sparkling purse* Are ve ready?
Storm: I am. But I want to know why Lt. Wesson owes you money.
Sora: I am as well.
Lt. Ross: 'Cause he bet I wouldn't be able to get anything other than lipgloss on the Major. ^_^
Mia: *hurrying down the hall* Wait f'r me!
Rain and Sky: *coming up behind Mia, though at a more leisurely pace*
Sunshine: *turns to look at the three, and as she does it's clear that she's dusted her hair with some sort of fine glitter*
Denver: *resisting the urge to facepalm, even as Mia plunks a brand new cowboy hat on her head*
Sky: *long hair falling straight and shining down her back, except where it's twisted in two slender braids at the front and looped back. Wearing tight leg jeans and a loose sleeved top with a pair of knee high fringed moccasins* So you're a good guy? *grin*
Denver: *Snerks*
Mia: Ah jes' picked 'un th't Ah thought'd look good on 'er, Skah. *has a similar hat, though hers is clearly more worn and well-loved*
Rain: *thoughtful look at Denver, checking the human woman for ornaments*
Denver: *aside from the hat, the sandals she's now wearing, and her dogtags and cross necklace, she doesn't have much on in the 'ornamentation' department*
Rain: *offers her a long slender silk scarf* Here's some bling. *looking at Sora now to check for the same thing*
Sora: I've got bling. *indicates the embelishments on her tanktop, and her bracelet*
Rain: *offers Sora the little rhinestone butterfly hair clip anyway*
Denver: *Snerks and carefully loops the silvery-colored scarf through her belt loops*
Sora: ... You're going to insist if I say no thanks, aren't you, Rain? *gives the Seeker an amused look*
Rain: It's pretty, and you have longer hair than I do. *is wearing a pair of smallish hoop earrings, herself*
Sora: *chuckles and moves to fix her hair so the clip is shown off*
Sky: *grins* Okay, let's go. We still have to meet somebody by the sign before we go to the Black Dog.
Denver: Oh? *curious now, as Sora and Mia move closer*
Sky: Yup. *putting out her free hand to be grabbed* Ready?
Sunshine: Ready. *ears perked with amusement*
Storm and Rain: *voice their readiness*
Denver: Le's git goin' th'n....
Sky: *presses the button and brings them to the sign*
Archiva: *turns and looks toward the sound, is wearing a simple knee length black dress and pretty black boots*
Denver: ... *and then she's laughing with amusement*
Sunshine: *ears toward her friend as Archiva walks over* Vhat's so funny?
Archiva: *arching a brow at Denver, though those serious blue eyes are twinkling. As she turns her head there is the faintest of tiny tinkling sounds from the minuscule silver bells on her earrings*
Denver: 'F all th' people Ah w's 'spectin' t' meet 'ere... *chuckles and tips her hat* 'S been awhahl, Archiva.
Archiva: *smiles* I met Sunshine and James here a few days ago, and they mentioned you as we were talking. I said I'd enjoyed talking to you, so I guess Sunshine decided that I needed to come to your party.
Denver: *chuckles, giving Sunshine a fond look, before her attention goes to the Black Dog* Well, le's go 'n 'ave ourselves a party!
Sky: *stands tall and leads the way, though she soon falls back to walk among her sisters. Her head is still raised as they reach the porch of the Black Dog and large heads turn to look at the band of tall, strong women*
Lt. Ross: *looking a bit brain broken, even as Sora nudges her up the steps*
Denver: *Amused at Lt. Ross' reaction to the Nexus*
Sunshine: *herds her friends up the human size steps, under the bench, and then back out and through the front door. Once inside they're greeted by the sound of large instruments tuning behind a curtain* Ve have a table reserved. *looking around for the waitstaff*
Tarantulus: *moves to crouch down near the group after sighting them* Good evening... Is there anything I can help you with?
Sky: We have a table reserved for Captain House?
Tarantulus: I can take you to it. *holds out his hand in an offer*
Lt. Ross: *boggling slightly* Hey, this guy sounds like Joe! *acks as Sora tries to herd her towards the caped mech*
Sunshine: *ears perked toward Lt. Ross. Makes a small hand signal for quiet even as she nods to Tarantulus* Danke.
Archiva: *steps forward without hesitation and settles in the mech's hand*
Storm and Rain: *follow*
Denver: *also follows, as does Sora*
Lt. Ross: *very slight hesitation before she too, follows*
Tarantulus: *quick glance at a blue femme of similar tech when she passes by, before his attention goes back to the group*
Sky: *chuckles and taps on Tarantulus' hand* Hey. We're ready.
Tarantulus: *slight start, nods and moves to bring the group to the table over by the outer wall. He nods to the green mech by the human-sized bar* Rhinox, Captain House and her party are here.
Rhinox: *looks up from where he'd been sitting on a stool behind the bar, then settles something carefully into what looks like a shield on the floor and rises to his feet with a charming smile* Good evening, ladies, I will be your bartender for the night.
Tarantulus: *Carefully lowers his hand so the ladies can climb down easily*
Sky: *hops down like the being of heights that she is* Thanks.
Storm: *also hops down, and then heads straight to the bar to look over it and see what Rhinox put down* Our own private bartender, huh? Hey, babies!
Rain: What what? Lemme see. *goes to stand by sister and look*
Sunshine: *chuckles and gives Tarantulus' hand a pat pat* Danke.
Denver: *climbs down quickly and carefully, as Mia jumps down without hesitation*
Sora: *carefully climbing down as well, before she's helping Lt. Ross down*
Archiva: *also getting down skillfully, though being careful of her skirt* *also gives her thanks to the tall mech*
Tarantulus: No problem.... *attention goes to the bar when a red Bayformer femme shouts something that sounds like "Getcher own Aerialbot, Blackout! Th's 'un's MAHN!"*
Archiva: *looks over toward the bar with a slight frown as Blackout's laughter rises above the sound of the mostly female crowd* Blackout doesn't usually disturb connected men.
Denver: Th' gah's prolleh onleh courtin' th' gal trahin' t' protect 'er turf... *chuckles*
Archiva: *gravely* Yes, but from what I've seen Blackout sees that as connected. *looks over and gives a very slight smile as she spots an elderly mech hobbling in that direction*
Tarantulus: Looks like Flashpoint's had a few too many... *goes to try and help Air Raid calm the red femme down*
Sky: *startled expression as she looks over her shoulder from talking to Rhinox* Flashpoint?
Rhinox: Mmmhmm. *looking toward the altercation himself*
Denver: *calmly as she moves to sit down* Mah alternate... *yes, Beau told her about the other Denver's nickname*
Sky: Oh. *slight smirk* That's alright, then.
Sora: *blink blink*
Lt. Ross: ... Alternate?
Sunshine: Yes. Another reality's version of Denver. Just as Tarantulus ist another reality's version of our Joe.
Archiva: *moving to settle on a stool by the bar herself* He's also an alternate to my husband.
Lt. Ross: *looks well and truely brain broken*
Sora: *headtilt* Your husband is an Optimus Prime?
Archiva: *nods to Sora* Yes. I'm his second wife.
Sora: *working this over, nods as a brief flash of sadness crosses her face* I see.
Archiva: *concern* Is something wrong?
Sky: *eyes wide with delight as she looks at the drink Rhinox just made her*
Storm and Rain: *cooing over Lucky and Dinobaby*
Sora: *Quietly* Just... missing someone very dear to me...
Denver: *Attention going to Storm and Rain, and then she's chuckling a bit*
Mia: *also cooing over Lucky and Dinobaby*
Archiva: *puts a hand on Sora's shoulder* *softly* The war?
Sora: *small headshake* *very quietly* A group of humans working for a company called Stark.
Sky: *sucks in a breath and looks at Sora* You mean Hound?
Sora: *bites her lower lip a bit and nods*
Sky: *sober* I didn't know.
Sora: *quietly* They can't hurt him now... But I still miss him... He was a good person.
Archiva: *softly* Spark mate?
Sora: *Quietly* If we were... It was destroyed when he was offlined... and when Des and I split completely....
Archiva: *blinks as she realizes exactly who this is* Sharpshot?
Sora: *nods*
Archiva: *offers her a hug* I know your alternate. She's a good person herself.
Sora: *blinks a bit, but accepts the hug*
Rhinox: *busy polishing his bar, but turns his head as the curtains start to open* Here we go....
silver mech: *grins at the crowd* Wow, lookit you all. I suppose you wanna hear some music, huh?
Sky: ...That's gotta be a Jazz.
Denver: Ah'd eat mah 'at 'f 't wasn't.
Mia: *Wolf whistles*
Sora: Mia, don't encourage him! *chuckles*
Jazz: *grins toward the wolf whistle and winks one soft brown optic, but then addresses the whole bar again* C'mon, guys, if that was a cheer I must be goin' deaf. Don't you wanna hear some music?
crowd: *explodes into whooping and hollering and table pounding*
Archiva: *chuckle* Too late.
Sora: ... He's more of a ham than Javan. *amused grin*
Sunshine: *ears twitching in a big grin* Ve have not yet gotten Javan onto a stage.
Mia: An' we ain't gonna, either!
Denver: *Snerks and asks Rhinox what he reccommends in terms of harder liquor for humans*
Rhinox: *starts listing off what he's got. It's an impressive list*
Jazz: Now that's more like it! *big grin as he turns back toward the curtain* Alright, guys, hit it!
Lt. Ross: *Boggling slightly as she catches most of that list*
curtains: *sweep back the rest of the way to disclose a yellow femme at the drums, a camouflage mech who looks like a taller version of Jazz on the keyboard, a handsome sandy coloured mech on guitar, and in the back, shyly strumming his massive bass... Optimus*
Archiva: Look at the bass player! *whistle!*
Mia: *Wolf whistles in agreement!*
Sunshine: Und a Bumblebee at ze drums! *ears really moving now*
Denver: *considering look, before she orders a shot of Screech*
band: *launches into 'Livin' on Prayer'*
Jazz: *singing along, his deep voice carrying powerfully as he bounces across the stage*
Rhinox: *pours the shot and sets it on the bar with a flourish*
Sora: *pings Sky's comm with a bet about how long it will take Denver to get drunk enough to dance on the table again*
Rain: *dancing with Dinobaby in her arms* :D
Sky: *laughs and points out that they're all standing on a table. But now they have a bar....*
Sora: Fine then. How long before there's bartop dancing? *wicked grin*
Denver: *grins and knocks the shot back like an old pro*
Sky: //Thrrrpt// *knocks back the last of her own drink and asks for another*
Jazz: *back to back with the smaller guitarist now, both of them hamming up as he sings*
golden femme: *dancing near their table, a quilt wrapped bundle that sounds like a very young and very happy sparklet in her arms*
Lt. Ross: *looking at her CO like she's insane* o.O;;
Mia: *a bit of a challenging look in her eyes as she and Denver make eye contact, and then she too is ordering a shot of Screech*
Rhinox: *pours two and sets them down, then glances over at Lucky, who is doddling happily on Storm's shoulder and clicking at the music*
Denver: *Calls Mia something in Scottish that earns a snort, and then the two are settling in to what promises to be a spectacular drinking contest. It seems that Sora's bet will soon come to pass.*
Lt. Ross: Er... *feeling a bit confused and helpless now, isn't sure what to do*
Storm: *looks over at Maria, and then offers her Lucky*
Lucky: *new friend! Clickings of GLEE*
Lt. Ross: *holds Lucky carefully, before deciding to ignore what her CO is doing. She's soon swaying to the beat and clicking the sound she learned as "friend" from some of the sparklets back home*
Lucky: *doddles happily, his clickings and squeakings earnest and animated*
Rhinox: *glances over and chuckles* Would you like his blanket?
Lt. Ross: Sure... *moves to approach the bar*
Rhinox: *sets two bottles of Screech where the drinkers can get them, then stoops to pick up a soft blue blanket covered with yellow chicks* Here you go.
Lt. Ross: Thanks... *moving to carefully wrap Lucky in his blanket*
Lucky: *ohhhh, blankie! Loves blankie! Loves you, friend! Tiny fingers grasp Lt. Ross's*
Jazz: *singing a different song now, and shakes his booty at the crowd*
Storm: *lets out an approving yell, her grin wide. She's happy with her mech, but she'll approve of something pretty!*
Sora: *Approves of the booty-shaking, and lets it be known with a loud cat call*
Jazz: *grinning broadly as he turns and belts out the next verse of the song*
Storm and Rain: *whooping and hollering*
Dinobaby: *face hidden against Rain's chest as he calmly sleeps through all the noise, and hugs his doll*
*and now the bar will have Denver and Mia dancing on top of it*
Lt. Ross: *SO ignoring them*
Rhinox: *moves the bottles out of the way and looks at her* You want something to drink?
Lt. Ross: And miss out on being able to tell Major MacKenzie about this tomorrow?
Rhinox: I've got the soft stuff too.
Lt. Ross: Water's fine... Besides... I'm one of the drivers for tomorrow...
Rhinox: *gives her a tall glass of apple and lime juice, and then goes to the microwave and gets out a big plate full of what looks like chicken tenders covered in sauce*
Lt. Ross: Oh... Thanks... ^_^
Rhinox: It's the least I can do for somebody my son likes that much. *looks at how the tiny white bot is gazing up at her with those big blue optics*
Lt. Ross: *blink blink* He's your kid? *a bit surprised, but hey, she's dealt with odder things before*
Rhinox: *smiles as he nods* My own specs and spark. Though he looks more like his mother. *glances over at Archiva as the quiet woman applauds, then looks over at the stage*
Optimus: *has stepped forward to do a little solo bit in the song that's currently being done. Is actually dancing a bit and smiling as he does so.*
Lt. Ross: *amused chuckle as Sora catcalls again*
Rhinox: I didn't know Optimus had it in him. *chuckles*
Optimus: *finishes his bit and steps back out of the limelight*
Jazz: *urges the crowd to cheer*
Sunshine: *hollers!*
Sora: *more catcalls*
golden femme: *lets out a whistle, and then talks to the little one she's dancing*
Denver: *loud whoop, and then she and Mia both ack as they mis-step*
Lt. Ross: ... Good thing none of the guys are here, or Major MacKenzie'd never live that down.
Rhinox: *glances up at the pair dancing on his bar* Would anyone really remember?
Lt. Ross: Wesson would... he'd have the whole thing on film.
Rhinox: ...Sounds like a nice guy. *says this dryly*
Lt. Ross: Hey, he's good at what he does... and besides, he'd only have it on film because Jean'd do something even stupider while drunk, like try to kiss Rose... *chuckles a bit*
Rhinox: *leans an elbow on the bar* You're going to have to explain who those are. I'm not quite as omniscient as some bartenders. *says this with a grin that shows he's not snarking in the least*
Lt. Ross: Members of the team I'm on... *nods to Denver* She's the CO of my team...
Rhinox: *nods* I got that much, but why would kissing Rose be stupid?
Lt. Ross: Because, Rose would clobber Jean... well, she would if he hadn't gone and proposed to her while she's recovering from an accident... *a bit sad as she says this*
Rhinox: *shrewd red optics take in the sadness* *quietly* What's wrong?
Lt. Ross: *quietly, as she gently rocks Lucky* Back in February, Rose was on a mail run, and her SUV went off the road... She was hurt badly enough that she's not part of the squad anymore... I just... I miss having her around... It's been too quiet in the mornings without her calling Jean stupid for something or other... and even quieter since he's at the hospital she's at now...
Rhinox: *frown of compassion* How long have the two of you worked together?
Sunshine: *standing on a bar stool and dancing to the music. Belly dancing*
Rhinox: *glances at that, and then back to Lt. Ross*
Lt. Ross: About eight years... We joined Major MacKenzie's squad after Wesson did...
Rhinox: *quietly* Eight years can be a long time.
Lt. Ross: *nods* Major MacKenzie and Wesson've been a part of the program for ten years... You wouldn't know it watching the Major spar with people...
Rhinox: Why not?
Lt. Ross: She doesn't move like she's the age she is... *carefully shrugs a shoulder*
Denver: *startled sound as she runs out of bar to dance on, and then she and Mia are taking a tumble*
Rhinox: *doesn't move like the bulky being that he is either. Suddenly has a lady on each arm and is setting them gently on their feet* Better stick to the table for now, ladies.
Archiva: Are you alright, Denver?
Denver: ... Ah th'nk Ah'm drunk... *snickers about this fact*
Sunshine: *still dancing* Vhat makes you think that? *ear twitch*
Archiva: *not too sure how to reply to Denver now*
Denver: 'Cause Ah 'ad t' be rescued bah th' bahtendah! *laughs*
Mia: *is in the process of drunk-dialing her mate and crooning to him over her cellphone*
Rhinox: *looks at the two, and then goes over and gets the plate of buffalo dinobites* Food?
Sunshine: *snerks* You realize there vill be no video footage of this, Denver.
Denver: 'M still drunk, Sunneh....
Sunshine: *laughs and continues to dance*
Storm: Shake it! *wolf whistles at the stage*
Rain: *snagging some of the food and offering it to Dinobaby, who eats happily*
Lt. Ross: Maybe she and Mia should stick to water for the rest of the night... *not that she's not amused, mind you*
Rhinox: Trust me, this will help. *offers Denver the finger food again*
Sora: *Catcalling and wolf whistles for the camouflage mech*
golden femme: *dances over and leans down to talk to Sora, laughter in her blue optics* You're going to make him shy. Oh, and his name is CJ.
Denver: *blinks a bit, before thanking Rhinox and having a taste of one of the pieces of fingerfood*
Sora: *chuckles, amusement dancing in her eyes* Well, he's certainly easy on the eyes...
golden femme: Would you expect less of Jazz's son? *grin*
Sora: *more chuckles, shakes her head*
golden femme: *chuckles and clicks to the little one in the quilt, then turns back to Sora* My name is Elita One. I'm CJ's mother.
Sora: *blink blink, and then she's snerking a bit* Guess the realities really do have a lot of variants amongst themselves... My designation proper is Sharpshot... I go by Sora Akihabara when in this mode.
Elita: It's a pleasure to meet you, Sora. *glances toward the stage, sobering a bit for a moment as she looks from her gleefully dancing mate to the towering figure shyly playing bass in the back*
bitty in the quilt* *KERCHOO*
Elita: *startles* Oh! Bless you, Isaac.
Sora: *Blinks* Whose sparklet? *trying to get a better look at the little one*
Elita: *looks up from the little guy, and then holds him where Sora can see his bright optics and tiny face* He's Bumblebee and Sam's. Sam is our guitarist.
Isaac: *looks at Sora and laughs sweetly*
Sora: Awww! *clicks and talks to Isaac in sparklet* ^_^
Isaac: *squeaky and clicky. And laughs more. If she knows the meaning of the name she'll understand why he has it*
Elita: *nods toward the unused chairs by their table* May I join you?
Sora: Sure. I don't think the others will object... *clicks and chirps for Isaac*
Archiva: *looks over from watching the band, then glances at Sky*
Sky: *absent go ahead wave*
Elita: Thank you. *kneels on the chair and sets Isaac on the table so that he's sitting in his quilt wrapper*
Isaac: *smiles for Sora and laughs again*
Denver: *blink blink* Cute kid.... *working on making some more of the fingerfood Rhinox brought over vanish*
Rain: *feeding more of it to Dinobaby, whose little face is sticky now with sauce*
Lucky: *has noticed another baby! Is talking up a storm!*
Elita: Thank you. *smiles at Denver, then turns Isaac so that he can see Lucky as well as Sora*
Lt. Ross: *moves to sit down close to Elita, still clicking quietly*
Sora: Major MacKenzie's usually a bit more talkative... *chuckles* She and Mia are a bit overcharged...
Elita: It's no problem. *smiles at Sora and at Lt. Ross* *to Lt. Ross* Are you a member of NEST?
Lt. Ross: *nods* As are the Major... *nods in Denver's direction* And the Captain. *Nods in Sunshine's direction*
Elita: *nod, though her gaze on Sunshine is slightly curious as she wonders what race the gold and white woman belongs to and how she's come to belong to a human organization. Doesn't want to interrupt her enjoyment of the music, however, and so turns her attention back to Lt. Ross and Sora*
Sora: *reaching to nab some of the finger food for herself, only out of curiosity about the flavor*
Lt. Ross: *as she gently continues to rock Lucky* Any reason for asking?
Elita: The organization that myself and my fellow Autobots belong to is called NEST. I was wondering if your reality had it as well.
Lt. Ross: Ah... *attention on Sora as she coughs* Sora?
Sora: *makes a face at the spicy flavor of the fingerfood*
Rhinox: *head snaps around as Sora coughs, quickly mixes something up and offers it to her* There, try some of that.
Sora: >.o *thanks Rhinox before taking a few small sips of what was mixed up*
Rhinox: Strawberry milkshakes are pretty good at bringing taste sensors back to life. *slight grin. Then he looks to Lt. Ross* Could I get you one?
Lucky and Isaac: *talking up a STORM*
Lt. Ross: Sure. ^_^
Rhinox: *whips one up with flare and sets it in front of her* There you are.
Lt. Ross: Thanks. *happily proceeds to enjoy her milkshake*
Rhinox: *looks up at Elita*
Elita: I'm alright. Thank you, Rhinox. *smiles, and then looks up in time to whistle at her mate, who is... singing 'Teddy Bear'*
Archiva: *blinks as she realizes the song, then starts to laugh*
Denver: *blinks a bit, and then she's snickering and moving to rest her head on the bar* Ah th'nk Ah'm still drunk...
Rhinox: *looks at her* *gently* Probably. It usually doesn't fade that fast.
Sunshine: *leaps into the air, her wings snapping out once she's far enough up to not knock everyone flying with the back draft. She wants to dance in the rafters now*
Rain: *looks up* Oh not fair.
Mia: THRRRRPT!!!
Storm: *just shakes her head and orders a Cybertron Sunrise*
Rhinox: *produces the treat without looking away from Denver*
Denver: *snerks and sighs a bit*
band: *starting up the last song... 'Wakka Lakka'*
Denver: ... *facepalms* Raoul's slaggin' NUTS 'f 'e th'nks th't song's Tracks 'n mah song....
Archiva: *looks up from her own drink* Does he? *listens to the lyrics*
Denver: *sighs again behind her hand* *quietly* Ah'm gonna miss th't slaggin' punk....
Archiva: *sobers, attention distracted from the song* Why?
Denver: 'Cause... 'E, Tracks, Will, 'n Dion'll be wit' th' rest'a th' 'Bots.... *sounds a bit choked up now* 'N Beau'n me'll be 'n Quantico...
Archiva: *frowns* Did you and Tracks separate?
Denver: ... *Wibbles*
Lt. Ross: ...Aw *string of Portugese that might be obscenities*
Archiva: *turns the frown to Lt. Ross* I don't think the babies' guardians would like them picking up that language.
Lt. Ross: *bites her lower lip* *quietly* The Major's been in a bit of a fog since everyone started making plans to return to their homes...
Archiva: I don't understand.
Sora: *just as quietly as Lt. Ross* Tracks and Raoul normally live in California... Quantico is northeast of Blacksburg, Virginia.
Denver: *and now she's wibbling even more*
Archiva: *low voiced now herself, and sadness is showing in her eyes* So they are separating.
Sora: *headshake* *quietly* Long-distance relationship.
Archiva: *so relieved that she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath* *softly* Good. ...Good.
Lt. Ross: *mutters something in Portugese about Denver being a cuddle-addict*
Archiva: *cheeks pink faintly as her mind suddenly goes to the feel of a warm camouflage chest and the deep rumbles from the other side of its plating*
Dinobaby: Want cradle now. Sleepy. Grrrrr.
Rain: .... :\ *gives the bitty chibi back to Rhinox*
Lt. Ross: *Sighs* *quietly* And most of us, the ones not going with the 'Bots, are gonna be heading back to HQ till we're needed to intercept again... Things are gonna be boring for awhile.
Elita: So the Autobots and NEST don't normally work together? *had been listening to the smaller femmes talk*
Lt. Ross: NEST, back home, is the only thing keeping beings not of Earth-origin from being discovered and attacked or used for experimentation... *bites her lip a bit* We weren't exactly thrilled when we found out that three Cybertronians had been taken captive by a human company under our noses...
Sora: *taking a few deep breaths*
Elita: I see. *frowns and pulls Isaac close* *quietly* Did the bots survive?
Lt. Ross: *glances at Sora and reaches to gently rub her back*
Elita: *her optics stray toward Jazz as he now sits on the edge of the stage and shoots the breeze with Pooka, and they hold old pain mingled with relief*
Lt. Ross: *Quietly* Not all of them made it... and the ones who did... Will never be the 'Bots they once were...
Elita: I know how that feels. I buried my mate, after.... *can't go on*
Lt. Ross: *reaches to gently pat Elita's hand*
Elita: *slight start, and she tears her gaze from Jazz's where he'd looked over toward her* He spent some years as a night light.
CJ: *is coming over to see his mother, a tall, handsome young bot who strongly favors Jazz in his features*
Sora: *trying to fight the urge to bolt*
CJ: *reaches the table*
Elita: *recognizing Sora's expression, and putting a gentle hand toward her* Sora, I'd like you to meet my son, CJ.
CJ: *expression goes from concern to friendly grin* Hi.
Sora: *startles, giving everyone a wide-eyed look*
CJ: *soft meep for such a tall bot* Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. *softly, as he notices her body language* Hey, are you alright?
Sora: *silent for a few moments, and then she's moving to try and hide behind the bar, where it's darker*
Lt. Ross: Ack! *Startled string of Portugese*
Elita: Oh dear. Is there someone she trusts? *mortified* I'm sorry.
Lt. Ross: It's not your fault... She's... She's one of the 'Bots we rescued from Stark...
Elita: I guessed as much. I shouldn't have been talking about what happened to Jazz. *contrite*
Jazz: *pauses where he was coming up beside CJ* ...I played Genie?
Lt. Ross: *headshake* She... still has flashbacks... Something happened when she was there the first time that she absolutely refuses to talk about... and Destiny clams up about what it might be...*sighs* I don't think she's told Dr. Ruteger either...
Jazz: *understanding showing on his face as he gets a quick comm message from Elita, and then his odd hands are gently scooping Sora from her hiding place and drawing her close to his chest. When he speaks again his deep voice is a soft croon* Hey now, lil' lady. You go ahead 'n hide on ol' Jazz. You're safe here.
Sora: *has her eyes closed tightly, and is shivering a bit as she tries to keep from slipping into the flashbacks yet again*
Jazz: *gently rubs her back with one finger as a human would do for a frightened kitten, only it's him that's purring. The sound is soft and insistently comforting* Shhhh. It's alright. It's all good. All that's past 'n gone. The glitches won't getcha ever again.
Sora: *transforming reflexively and curling up even more*
Jazz: *turns and walks over to a booth that just emptied, where he settles on a seat and then slides over into the corner. Pulls up his knees and just settles down to talking to Sora and comforting her*
Elita: *watching, optics dark with memory* I should have been more watchful of what I said.
Lt. Ross: ... *feels like a heel now* ... *mutters something about foot fuel, before moving to bring Lucky back to his father*
Rhinox: *takes the white sparklet and kisses him on the head* Thanks.
Elita: *as Sunshine comes back* *quietly* What did they do to Sora... and the others?
Lt. Ross: *as she moves to sit back down* *quietly* From what we've been able to gather... They did some sort of experimentation on them... *bites her lip a bit before continuing* We couldn't get all the records of the experiments, but we got enough of them to prove that the "Adaptive Control" process... was basically... ripping out their sparks... Hound and Ironfist were the two that they subjected to that... Ironfist's spark was put into a shell with no neural network... but Hound... *headshake* A few weeks after Sora made contact with the Autobots... Stark recaptured her, and used the same process on her... only... Her personality matrix had fractured from whatever it was they did to her the first time... and her spark split into two pieces...
Elita: *shaking now as CJ takes Isaac* *very quietly* That... that's what they did to Jazz.
Lt. Ross: *goes quite pale*
CJ: *rubbing his bitty friend's back as he watches and listens* *tries to lighten the mood* And then when Doc found him and brought him home, and Ratchet put him in a new shell, he and Mom got me. *slight grin*
Lt. Ross: ... *blink blink* Huh. *glances at her fellow party-goers to see who's down for the count, and who's up for more partying*
Sunshine: *poking Denver*
Rain: *chugging something that's crackling*
Storm: *watching Lt. Ross and Elita*
Archiva: *also listening to Lt. Ross and Elita*
Sky: *telling Sunshine to quit. And laughing*
Denver: *wibbling and going on and on about how much she's going to miss Tracks*
Lt. Ross: ... *Facepalm*
Mia: *dangling from a blue Bayformer mech's hand as he brings her back over to the table* Y'u're a slaggin' liar!!! Ain't no way 'n Pit th't 'Jack'd evah be int' Blue!
Lumen: *Trying not to snicker* Hey, I think this one's yours?
Sky: *looks over and laughs harder*
Sunshine: Ah ja. Danke for returning her. *ears twitching*
Lumen: *Puts on his most charming grin* No problem! *gently sets Mia down next to the bar* What'd she drink, anyways?
Sky: Just a bottle of Screech. *looks at the bottle*
Lumen: ... Slag... No wonder she's overcharged... *snickering* That stuff's potent for organic beings....
Sky: ...That's Chromia.
Sunshine: *amuused*
Lumen: ... *Cracking up now*
Sky: And this is Stormsong, and the burper is Rainbird. Sharpshot's over there with that Jazz. *walking to the edge of the table and jumping off of it, then transforming to bot mode* *grins at him* And I'm Skywarp.
Lumen: *cracking up even more, which gets the attention of the orange and black Bayformer who was sitting at the same table as Lumen was*
hsvWakeJumper: *Sighs and gets up before moving to approach the table* Lumen, go see if you can get Air Raid and Flashpoint to stop kissing before Optimus winds up with a daughter in law who's even more of a spitfire than Ironhide.
Lumen: *laughing even harder now*
Skywarp: *introduces her foot to Lumen's aft, the move so lightening fast and rehearsed that she's looking innocently curious before the clank even reverberates through the bar*
Nemesis: No fighting!
Rain: *just snorted her drink out her nose*
Lumen: *still laughing, even after getting his aft kicked*
hsvWakeJumper: *face.palm* I don't know where he gets it. I was NEVER that bad as a youngling.
Sharpshot: *flinches and hides even more*
Sunshine: Ah, he ist yours, then?
Jazz: *looks over with a scowl* You guys wanna keep it down? We're talkin' over here.
hsvWakeJumper: *nods* He's my son... *looks over at Jazz with an apologetic look* Sorry about that...
Jazz: *cuddling Sharpshot close as he purrs for her* You better be.
hsvWakeJumper: *gives Jazz a very Ratchet-like Look for that, before his attention goes to Sharpshot, and his expression goes to one of concern* *moves closer* *Quietly* Is she alright?
Jazz: *gruff and protective* Shellshock.
hsvWakeJumper: *Winces and moves to scan the tiny femme to check her stress level*
Lt. Ross: *about to say something when she sights the badges on hsvWakeJumper's doors* ... I think he's a medic...
Jazz: So? *frowns and continues to gently rub Sharpshot's back*
hsvWakeJumper: *frowns at the results of his scans* ... It's not just shellshock...
Jazz: What?
Sunshine: Vhat? *ears back*
Elita and CJ: *look over with concern, as do Sky and Storm*
hsvWakeJumper: *quietly* She's got some scarring on her spark... And it looks like at one point, she may have had a bond with someone, but I'm not sure how she's still online, since it looks like that bond was broken at some point...
Jazz: *frowning* What kinda bond?
hsvWakeJumper: It almost looks like a twinbond... but there's also something that makes it look like she may have had a sparkmate....
Jazz: She's gotta twin. *looks over at the party table, one browplate quirking as he sees Rain tearfully commiserating with Denver*
hsvWakeJumper: *glances that way for a moment, raised brow ridge is a go, before his attention goes back to Sharpshot* I know her alternate in my home reality... That femme is a singular entity who goes by two designations depending on whether or not she has her spare armor on or not... *is trying to work this out, honest!*
Jazz: *gruffly* Ask them. I'm tryin' ta calm her down.
hsvWakeJumper: *frowns* *quietly* This sort of trauma... It's usually fatal.
Jazz: *gives him a Look*
hsvWakeJumper: *Sees your Look, Jazz. Will raise you a Stern Medic Look*
Jazz: Go. Ask. Them. *ignores you now, WakeJumper and focus on comforting Sharpshot*
hsvWakeJumper: *soft snort, attention goes to Sunshine, Sky, Storm, and Lt. Ross* ... *and then theres' an orange-haired man standing next to the bar*
Rhinox: *looks at him and quirks a brow ridge, then resumes tying his bitties into their cradle*
Sunshine: *gives the holoform a quizzical look from where she's trying to get Denver to have a drink of cold water*
Wake-Holo: *nods to Denver* Considering how drunk she seems... It's probably best if I don't appear to be looming over everyone.
Sunshine: She's used to it. She hangs out vith the Seekers.
Skywarp: *sitting in the booth now and watching her friends*
Wake-Holo: *pointedly* My root mode's bigger than the Seekers of her reality. *yes, he's done a bit of Nexus research, Sunshine*
Lt. Ross: *trying her best not to scowl at the holoform as she tries to help Sunshine with Denver*
Sunshine: So vhat vould you like? *coaxes softly as she tries with the water again*
Wake-holo: I'd like to know what caused the damage to Sharpshot's spark.
Sunshine: Stress caused it to split. I do not think I have the vright to say more now. She vill hear me.
Wake-Holo: *small frown, nods. Then the main body is getting something tiny out of a storage compartment and setting it on the table*
Skywarp: *frowns* What's that?
Wake-Holo: A Hershey's Special Dark chocolate bar.
Skywarp: ...What's it for?
Wake-Holo: Give it to Sharpshot. It'll help her feel better.
Lt. Ross: ... You're familiar with our reality?
Wake-Holo: The Ratchet from back home has mentioned your reality a few times... Only because the Sparklet Brigade keeps asking about it... *chuckles and flickers out*
Skywarp: *frowns and looks up at his root mode* Mentioned what?
CJ: *sitting by his mother now and rubbing a sleeping Isaac's back. His dark optics look thoughtfully at WakeJumper*
hsvWakeJumper: That you guys have mods that make him wonder about whether or not you're going to clog your fuel lines, and that he has an alternate who is a femme... *chuckles* And that your Red Alert got combat-kissed by Blackout once.
Skywarp: *thoughtful* You guys have any triplets?
hsvWakeJumper: Sunstreaker and Showtime's... *blinks* Waaaait. You're the Skywarp they met here! *laughs*
Skywarp: So you're from Mira's 'verse. *looks at Mia and then pokes her*
Mia: *tips over backwards*
hsvWakeJumper: *slight wince, nods* Yeah... *sigh*
Skywarp: Anybody got a fork?
Denver: ... *Snerks and then she's coughing as the water she was drinking goes down the wrong way*
Sunshine: Ack. *picks her up and gently thumps her back. Does so as if her friend weighs nothing*
hsvWakeJumper: *Concerned*
Denver: *manages to cough up the water that went down the wrong way* Ugh....
Sunshine: *turns Denver to look at her, ears perked sharply with concern and wings half furled* Are you alright?
Denver: *mumble* 'M fahn... C'n we go 'ome now? *wants to cuddle Tracks, but he's not here*
Sunshine: *looks at Mia and Lt. Ross for their opinion* Should ve go? The music ist over now.
Skywarp: Sure. I need to make sure I know where my kids are. *leaning back, relaxed and content even as she watches Elita and CJ talk to each other over their comms*
Rain: But we just got started.
Lt. Ross: It's probably a good idea to stop now, before things get too much more out of hand...
Rain: But that's not how parties work. :\
Storm: *looks at Mia and Denver* Yeah... we need three forks.
Lt. Ross: Oh, we do not. *To Rain* Trust me on this one... I think we should call it a night now, before something happens because of people being too drunk to know any better... >.>;; *Why no, she's not speaking from experience, not her...*
Skywarp: Okay, get everybody gathered up. *casually gets to her feet, her expression going to a smirk that it hasn't held in centuries*
Sunshine: *doesn't notice the smirk, is busy picking Denver up and supervising the getting of Mia and Rain* Skywarp, vill you get Sora?
Skywarp: On it.
Lt. Ross: *Helping with Mia, despite being a bit shorter than the other brunette*
Skywarp: *back with Sharpshot tucked in the crook of her arm, pats Elita on the shoulder and then looks around as the golden femme wishes her and her party a good night and brings her tall son over to where Jazz is sitting.* *looks at WakeJumper*
hsvWakeJumper: *watching the tiny femme, concern clear on his face*
Sharpshot: *hiding against Skywarp as well as she's able to*
Skywarp: *protective hand over her smaller friend as she gets everyone organized and PINpointed out, then winks at Rhinox and calmly climbs up onto the table, where she gives a very very brief flash of her spark compartment even as she PINs out herself. Skylar's probably going to headdesk when he hears she's 'mooned' the entire bar.*
((co-written with random_xtras))