mv. various parts of /Ark/ base. Children
Anne: *sitting on the back of the new big armchair, her knees hugged to her chest as she gazes out at the sunlight snow. She's thinking; being quieter than usual, as she has for the past three months*
Vato: *making a beeline for the roof, since Seamus and Samuel have found one of the patches of snow and decided to use it as ammunition* *hisssss*
kitten: *hears Dad! TALKS*
Vato: *fumbling with the outer catch to one of the windows, a combination of his natural form and the cold working against him just slightly*
Anne: *blinks and looks around, then hurries to let him in*
Vato: *slips into the room once the window's open* *Shakes a bit*
Anne: *closes the window and then puts her arms around him* *quietly* What were you doing out like this?
kitten: *will climb pants now*
Vato: *nuzzle* *Soft warble that his translator interprets as "The twins startled me..."*
Anne: Come and lay down. *checks his feet and pulls off his boots, then catches his hand and pulls him over to the mattress in the middle of their living room floor*
Vato: *soft sigh, will go where led*
Anne: *moves kitten to his arms, and then piles blankets on him before hunkering on the side of the bed and wandering off mentally instead of joining them*
Vato: *Soft chirp*
Anne: *blinks, turns head and gives him a quizzical look*
Vato: *Concerned expression*
Anne: What's wrong? *puts a hand on him to check his temperature*
Vato: *soft chatter, "Something's bothering you?"*
Anne: No. *frown* *sigh* I don't know.
Vato: *Gentle headbutt, wordlessly supportive*
Anne: *weebles and inadvertently sits on him*
kitten: *excuse to bail out and go sit on the back of the chair and talk to the things out the window!*
Vato: *Surprised, reaches to pull Anne close*
Anne: *automatically snuggles against him under the blankets, her petite body generating its usual plentiful quantity of warmth. But her golden eyes are still distracted and distant*
Vato: *cuddles, and wonders what's troubling her*
Anne: *quietly answers the thought* Just... thinking about something Constable MacRily said during that games night we had at Christmas. Remember, I wound up playing that goofy European game against him while you were playing Doomtown with Dr. Ruteger and Lt. Wesson.
Vato: *Small nod*
Anne: He was talking about family, and asked me about mine. He was upset when he found out it was just you and Pitter, and that I was the only piece of K'vk'ar in this reality.
Vato: *Soft 'hmm', gentle nuzzle*
Anne: *quietly* He told me to make sure to have lots of babies.
Vato: ... *ears going to flat*
Anne: *quiet grumble* I'm no mother. And I don't even know if I could have kids.
Vato: *more gentle nuzzles* *soft chatter*
Anne: *closes her eyes and leans her forehead against his chest* But I just can't get his words out of my head.
Vato: Hmmm... *remembers how JDs are very family-oriented*
Anne: Yeah, I know. And Mom's people aren't even native to this reality, as far as I know. But am I being selfish by not trying to pass on the genes?
Vato: *Gives her a slightly bemused look, because he's wondered the same about himself at times*
Anne: *blinks* There are a lot of you guys, though.
Vato: *Small head shake, soft chirps and squeaks "We're spread few and far between... even the largest villages have less than fifty individuals... And most choose to only breed within their home communities... Small gene pool..."*
Anne: *frowns* That's not safe.
Vato: *Small nod*
Anne: *head against his chest again as she thinks* But I'm just not mother material
Vato: *soft kitty chuckle, tips his head towards Pitter*
Anne: *snorts without looking up* He goes and does whatever he wants. A baby would be totally dependent on me.
Vato: *quiet purr*
Anne: The thought of being tied down and not able to go someplace if the urge hits scares the crumbs out of me.
Vato: *Small nod*
Anne: *glances up* Change to littler you and tell me what you think?
Vato: *Soft chuckle, shifts forms* *Quietly* I think that if a child is not something you are comfortable caring for, then that is your choice.
Anne: But what about the genes? *eyes on his*
Vato: There are humans who choose not to pass their genes on. It is a matter of choice.
Anne: *nods* And it's not like mine are pure. There's freakin' leopard in there somewhere. :p
Vato: *Soft chuckle, cuddle*
Anne: Though, if I ever did have a kid... it'd be yours.
Vato: ... *Blink blink, blush, nuzzle*
Anne: *arms around him* Hey, you're my husband...
Vato: *small nod, snuggle*
Anne: *and there's the little cheek rub that's been missing, and the soft purr*
Vato: *contented snuggle*
Elsewhere
Nightwish: *watching her husband run from Seamus* o.0
Starpounder: *watching her husband chase Quinn* *snerk*
Seamus: *Rebel yell as he chases Quinn*
Quinn: *DOES NOT WANT!*
Starpounder: *notices Nightwish's wibble and gives a summoning whistle*
Seamus: *Stops short and looks* ?
Starpounder: *grins at him* You're still wearing your snowboots.
Seamus: Oh... *Will go and get his snowboots off after handing her his Chum Buddy*
Quinn: *Will go snuggle Nightwish after kicking his own boots off*
Nightwish: *looks up at Quinn, and then checks him all over for injury, her small hands quick over his clothes*
Quinn: *gentle nuzzles, isn't hurt, but really doesn't like Seamus*
Nightwish: Mate come home.
Quinn: *nod nod* *Will move to gently guide her down the hall*
Nightwish: *squeezes his hand and smiles at him* Love Mate.
Quinn: *Small smile, cuddle*
Starpounder: *watches them go, and then looks at the Chum Buddy before hauling it home and draping it over the back of the armchair, much to Silas and Daniel's delight as they lay in a nest on the seat of the chair*
Seamus: *making funny faces for the babies now, kthx*
Quinn: *over the open channel* //At least my kid never peed on a cop!//
Seamus: *Sputter* //Go slag yourself, Quinn!//
Quinn: //Putz!//
Seamus: //Takes one to know one!//
Raoul: //What are you, rejects from the eighties?//
Seamus: //THRRRPT!//
Tracks: //Don't make me assign extra patrol duties, Sideswipe.//
Seamus: *Signs off with a click*
Starpounder: *gentle hand on his back* What were you chasing Quinn for this time?
Seamus: Stupid glitch bought a better battle dragon...
Starpounder: I thought Blackout was the best dragon in your game?
Seamus: Better than the one he had...
Starpounder: *slight frown* But not actually in the whole game?
Seamus: Yeah... It's still little though... *Scowl*
Starpounder: So why are you angry?
Seamus: Because I've seen the way he kept the last one he had. *Scowling darkly, will explain*
Starpounder: Ohhhhh. *deep frown*
Seamus: *Grumping and calling the Seeker all manner of names, none of which are things that haven't been said over comms anyways*
Starpounder: *quietly* Lets bring the boys to the creche, I think you need a back rub.
Seamus: *Small sulk, nod*
Starpounder: *gentle kiss, and then gets to her feet to scoop up her little sons and bring them back to their father*
Silus: *DADDY! FLAIL*
Daniel: :D
Seamus: *Snuggles babies*
Starpounder: *brings family down to the creche and grins as youngsters come to say hi and admire the twins*
Bert: *awed* You mean they're coming to visit? *he gets to hold those little soft guys?*
Seamus: *small nod*
Meryl: *Toddling over* Baby?
Bert: Yeah. Little babies. *holds out his arms for the little half Cybertronian boys* I'll be careful with 'em.
Seamus: *Snuggles Daniel one more time before gently transferring him to Bert, will do likewise with Silas*
Meryl: *Gonna climb up Uncle Bert's back and say hello*
Bert: *chuckles at the soft coos that the little boys give to their dad* Do you know when you'll want them back? *clicks to twins*
twins: *watching Daddy, little hairless eyebrows quirking*
Seamus: *Glances to Starpounder to see what she says*
Starpounder: Sometime before morning. *grins*
Bert: *grins* Alright. //Autumn, we get to keep Daniel and Silas for a few hours.//
Autumn: //Awww!//
Seamus: *Gentle clicks for his sons*
Daniel: *talks back*
Silas: *watching Mama put the diaper bag on that shelf there*
Bert: We'll take care of 'em, Sideswipe. Don't look like your best friend died.
Simon: *wanders over and tries to stuff candy in Seamus' pocket*
Seamus: *Squawks* *Squawk interrupted* Hey! Noms! :D
Bert: *slowly shakes his head as his audios ring from getting that squawk both off and on comms*
Simon: Yup. Is maple candy. From clean white snow. Somebody made it last year in Canada.
Seamus: Cool... *nom nom nom, will poke some of the candy at Starpounder's mouth now*
Starpounder: *will have an obliging nibble, then thank Simon and Bert before clicking gently to her sons and leading Seamus out of the creche*
Meryl: *leaning down to gently kissie the forehead of the closest baby*
Starpounder: *grinning at the cute as she shuts the mesh door, and then leads her husband up via the roundabout way. That is, the stairs. Passes the med ward just as Dallas is coming out of it*
Dallas: *Surprised to see Starpounder and Seamus sans babies* *To Seamus* Taunting land sharks is generally ill-advised.
Seamus: Thrrpt. *snuggles wife*
Starpounder: ...Land sharks? *looks from the redhead to her husband*
Seamus: He's talking about my Chum Buddy...
Starpounder: He doesn't taunt his shark. *looks through the med ward door* Who's that?
Dallas: One of Beau's college friends...
Starpounder: They're hurt? *hugs husband with one arm*
Dallas: She's got a fever, 'n she's important enough to Beau that he felt she would be better treated here...
Starpounder: *small smile as she watches the little scene inside the med ward, and then turns back to Dallas* Who prepared the evening meal?
Dallas: The Wessons. *grin*
Starpounder: *expression holds interest. Looks down at her husband* Are you hungry?
Seamus: Sure... Maria's a good cook...
Starpounder: *grins and tosses him over her shoulder, then nods to Dallas and sets out for the mess at a long-legged lope*
Seamus: *Grinning like a loon, even as Dallas' cackling echoes down the hall*
Meanwhile, in Patrick's office...
Seaspray: *sitting on one of the comfortable chairs, his arm around the slender shoulders of a pink and grey femmebot with delicate pointed ears as a younger femme, tall and strong, stands behind their chairs and looks at the assembled people with lively curiosity* *optics are twinkling as he smiles above his face mask*
Autumn: *Grinning as she leans against Patrick's desk*
Patrick: *also grinning* Welcome to the Ark base.
Seaspray: *in that soft, gargling voice that they remember so well* Thank you, friends. *curious and searching look at that dark-haired femme leaning against the desk. The grin is familiar, but he's not sure who she is* It's good to see you again.
Patrick: My name, in this form, is Patrick Oberson.
Seaspray: So you use different names for your different alts, Optimus?
Patrick: Just on worlds where we have to blend in with the locals... *chuckle*
Russell: Very few of us have designations that would fit within the normal definitions of human names... *chuckling softly as he glances at Autumn*
Autumn: *Saw that glance, Russ. See her ignore you for now?*
Seaspray: *turns those bright optics toward Russell as he nods* Yeah, the Colonel explained that we need to hide here, Red Alert. What's your local name?
Russell: Russell Anderson. I work at the local college in the wellness center during the daytime...
Seaspray: *nods, and then looks at Autumn* I know that grin... but I don't have a voice to match it yet. *lifts his brow ridges quizzically, his optics still smiling*
Autumn: Autumn Smith... *Will transform*
Seaspray: *on his feet with a happy shout* Bumblebee! Little sister! *arms out as he steps forward*
Bumblebee: *moves to pull Seaspray in for a hug* *clicking excitedly all the while*
Seaspray: *gentle squish and rocks her slightly* Oh, it's good to see you again!
Bumblebee: It's been too darn long! *hug!*
Seaspray: *squish squish! Then pushes her back to look at her* As pretty as ever. *soft click*
Bumblebee: *ducking her head a bit* Brawn seems to think so too...
Seaspray: *blinks* What?
Bumblebee: *Sheepish grin* Brawn's my mate...
Seaspray: *startles* Oh... Congratulations. *surprise is clear in his voice*
Bumblebee: *Quieter* And there's a creche again...
Seaspray: *softly* The Colonel told me. *glances over at the femmes that he brought with him* My own sparklets are kind of too old now to need one.
Patrick: Actually, if it's not too much trouble, maybe introductions are in order?
Seaspray: *perks and looks over toward him, then laughs as he lets Bumblebee go and turns to gently pull the seated femme from her chair and smile at her* This is my wife, Alana. And this... *looks at the metallic blue and silver femme behind the chairs* That's our youngest daughter, Sea Star.
Alana: *tilts her head and lifts a hand in greeting* Hello.
Sea Star: *is grinning, and it's her father's bright optics coupled with a wide and cheerful grin. If Seaspray had a mouth his grin would probably look like this*
Russell: *nods to both femmes, attention going to the door as a bitty voice babbles happily* *amused facepalm* And it looks like Liadán is starting to imitate Destiny... *Will go pick up his daughter*
Bumblebee: *hands over mouth* Oh, no... *blinkblink as Serenity comms her, relaxes* Oh... Red, your mate is sneaky.
Seaspray: *tilts his head* Sneaky?
Bumblebee: She got Liadán from the creche... Without Brawn noticing...
Liadán: *Happy babblings as Daddy brings her into the room, has a bit of Russell's looks to her*
Seaspray: *offers the little one his hand* Hello, Liadán. I'm Seaspray.
Liadán: *biiiig eyes, clickstorm as she reaches for Seaspray's hand*
Seaspray: *takes that tiny hand and shakes it very gently* It's nice to meet you.
Alana: *soft chuckle as she watches*
Liadán: *Will jump over to see you, Seaspray*
Russell: *Chuckle*
Seaspray: *has baby. Cuddles and clicks*
Liadán: *Snuggles happily*
Bumblebee: *Soft chuckle, stretches and returns to alt-mode*
Patrick: If you need someplace to stay, there are family quarters here, and there are also houses on the base property...
Ratchet: *looks in and chuckles* Family quarters like the suite Autumn got ready for you when she first heard you were coming.
Seaspray: *looks at Bumblebee, one hand gently rubbing Liadán's little back*
Autumn: *Sheepish grin* *Quietly* I was just excited that you were coming....
Seaspray: *takes his hand from Liadán and puts it on Autumn's shoulder* *softly* Thank you.
Autumn: *grin*
Ratchet: *leans on the door frame* So what's the story with this second branch of the family here on Earth?
Russell: *Will databurst Ratchet the details regarding Carter* Major Trach is looking into her foster care records...
Seaspray: I can tell you one thing. She's not one of Sky Boat's kids.
Russell: *Quieter* I was hoping we could search the waters around where Miss McKenzie was found...
Seaspray: About fifty years after Sky Boat came here some of his friends went to look for him. And Sky Boat's sister Sea Sparkle went with them.
Ratchet: So you think Carter's descended from Sea Sparkle?
Seaspray: *nods* *quietly* Sea Sparkle was small, and she had grey optics.
Russell: ... That sounds like Carter...
Seaspray: Can I see her?
Russell: She's in the med ward at the moment, sleeping off a slight fever... but as long as you're quiet, I don't think it would be a problem...
Seaspray: *nods. Then turns and hands Liadán to Alana* Show me the way?
Russell: *nods and moves to do so as Liadán clicks and snuggles against Alana*
Seaspray: *walks beside Russell silently as they head toward the elevators. Then looks at the other mech sideways* Am I going to have to give up my hoverboat and take a human alt mode?
Russell: You won't have to give it up... If Tracks can keep his Shelby Cobra alt mode and take on a human alt mode at the same time, and Joe can go between a fire truck and his human mode, then it won't be too much of an issue...
Seaspray: *blinks with surprise* Tracks's taken a human alt mode? *heard of the mech before he left Cybertron*
Russell: *nods, chuckling* His mate's a local woman, and two of his sons are human as well...
Seaspray: *0_o as he walks along. And then double takes again* Two alt modes?
Russell: *nods* He works as a stunt vehicle in movies... And Joe's our 'tough'... Springer's here as well, but he's only got one alt mode right now. I'm not sure how long that will last once he's recovered enough to support a secondary alt mode...
Seaspray: ... So a lot of people are doing it.
Russell: It's more common now than it was when you left Cybertron... but most of us only have one alt mode... *acks as Rewind runs past, clutching a box of Froot Loops to her chest and cackling about ganking 'Round noms'* ... *Facepalm*
Frenzy and Rumble: *doing the ferret inchworm at high speed in her wake!*
Russell: *Dryly* And there goes the peanut gallery.
Seaspray: 0_o
Russell: Three of Blaster and Soundwave's symbionts... *Will hold the door to the elevator open, checking for birds or cats as he does*
Seaspray: *looks up too, and then all around* ...Soundwave's here?
Russell: *nods* As are a good number of former Decepticons... Including Nightbird.
Seaspray: *straightens, his brow ridges lifting* The holovid ninja?
Russell: *Chuckle* Yes... She's the Destron Warlady now... And Prowl's mate.
Seaspray: Prowl... Prowl... *trying to recall the name*
Russell: He was a strategist back on Cybertron, and often worked with the police...
Seaspray: Ahh. I never had much contact with the police. *glances toward the changing numbers just as the elevator chimes softly and stops*
Russell: He's one of Optimus' seconds now... As is Elita. *Will lead the way to the med ward*
Seaspray: And Ratchet? *noticed the way she looked so comfortable there*
Russell: *chuckle* Still bossing Optimus around like she used to do when he was a new Prime... *Quieter* And keeping Wheeljack running...
Seaspray: I remember Wheeljack. He blew up a whole city block once.
Russell: *Dryly* I still have nightmares about that. *Attention going to Jack as the inventor makes his way out of the med ward* ... Jack, give me my goldfish crackers.
Jack: Thrrpt. *chuckles and hands the carton over*
Seaspray: *watching this with a slight tilt to his head*
Jack: *notices Seaspray, grins... and it's a slightly lopsided grin, but it's sincere and warm* Seaspray! Never thought you'd show up...
Seaspray: *grins* There are some kids that haven't called home in awhile. So I had to come find out why.
Jack: *nod* That's what Patrick said... You here to see Granny Rabie?
Seaspray: No. I'm here to see Carter.
Jack: Ah... Gotcha... *chuckle* Beau, Raoul, 'n Naomi are sittin' with her.
Seaspray: I've got no idea who they are, but I guess I'll find out pretty soon. *grin*
Jack: *Nod* Beau 'n Raoul are Tracks' hoodlums, 'n Naomi's Dr. House's kid, but she's staying over here for awhile. I'll get outta your way though...
Seaspray: *watches him go, then glances at Russell* He finally stay too close to the explosion?
Russell: *headshake* *Softly* Processor stroke
Seaspray: *winces* That's no good.
Russell: He's still with us... and he's Ratchet's wordmate, so he's being taken care of... If not for that, he likely wouldn't be up and about the way he is...
Seaspray: Hrrm... *looks through the door of the med ward and perks as he sees a small group of young people on and by a table near the desk*
Russell: *soft chuckle as he watches Beau sit up a bit straighter*
Raoul: *gently rocking an armload of Naomi and Dion. Looks toward the door and lifts his brows slightly when he sees the stranger standing by Russell*
Russell: Beau, Raoul, this is Seaspray.
Beau: *Small nod*
Seaspray: *chuckles as the little golden and black girl in Raoul's arms points one ear toward him* It's a little Raumfee.
Naomi: *lifts her head and looks at him quizzically*
Raoul: *frown* Raumfee? She's a Wust Fee.
Beau: Wh't's a Raumfee?
Seaspray: She's a dock walloper on one of the stations. Looks a lot like this little girl, except that she's grey with lighter grey hair and eyes. And she's got big wings the colour of her hair. She goes off the station without a suit and transfers cargo for ships that didn't come in time to get a berth.
Beau: *Blink blink*
Naomi: *nods* My moeder's been in space vithout a suit. But ve never realized that there vas another Wust Fee in this reality.
Dion: *Clickstorm as he sleeps*
Beau: Wonder 'f Aunt Sunshahn knows 'er?
Naomi: I don't know. *shakes her head, and then perks her ears toward Carter* Och, I think ve vere too loud.
Beau: *looks, concerned*
Carter: *soft sound as she opens her eyes and blinks at him with bleary uncertainty*
Beau: *Soothing sounds* Easeh, Carter... 'T's safe 'eah...
Seaspray: *softly* She looks just like Sea Sparkle, except her skin's a different colour.
Carter: *hears that funny gargling voice and looks over there with a little frown*
Seaspray: *nods to her* Hello.
Russell: *Gently, to Carter* This is Seaspray...
Carter: *quizzical look for the medic*
Russell: His daughter, Sea Sparkle, is related to you...
Carter: *blinks and pushes herself up to sit* Related t' me? How d'ye know? *wonders why she feels drawn to the odd looking stranger with the kindly eyes*
Russell: You look very similar to Sea Sparkle... It's likely that she's your birth mother...
Carter: *sucks in air as she turns those big grey eyes back to Seaspray* But... yer all metal. How kin yer daughter look like me?
Seaspray: *gargly chuckle* Because when I was younger I didn't always look like this. And Sea Sparkle's mother was born organic.
Carter: *squints one eye and rubs her forehead as she tries to let that sink in*
Beau: ... *Raised brow*
Seaspray: *lifts a hand and triggers his holo emitter so that an image of a tall, dark-haired man with pointed ears and a cheerful smile shows standing on his palm* This was me.
Beau: *Blink blink* ... *Can see the family resemblance between the image and Carter*
Seaspray: *lets that image fade and then calls up another. In this one a petite and lovely young woman with dark hair and grey eyes grins her father's grin as she packs a baby sister on her hip* And this was Sea Sparkle.
Carter: *blinks and stares*
Raoul: *soft whistle as he looks from the image to the girl*
Dion: *Soft squeak, squirms a bit*
Beau: *boggling a bit*
Russell: *Quietly* I think... That may be the answer you were seeking, Carter...
Carter: *rubs the back of a hand over her eyes* *quietly* So t'en why'd she t'row me away? *then scowls as Seaspray lets the image fade and tries to pick her up* Stop t'at! *elbows the mech and wriggles away*
Seaspray: *steps back hastily, his optics wide with surprise at the rebuff*
Russell: *Gently* That's what I'd like to try and find out...
Seaspray: *confused and uncertain. Excuses himself and slips away*
Carter: *breathing heavily and scowling all over her face as she glares at the door*
Raoul: *frowning at her*
Naomi: *ears back in a frown at Carter as she rubs Dion's back*
Russell: *quietly* Seaspray and his remaining family only just arrived...
Carter: *turns the scowl to Russell and adds a frown to it as she tries to work out his meaning*
Russell: *Explains* They came to find one of their own named Sky Boat... Sea Sparkle and some of Sky Boat's friends showed up on Earth some time ago, for the same reason... If Sea Sparkle gave you up, it was for a very good reason... and it was likely the last thing she wanted to do.
Carter: *hand goes to one ear, and then she's looking down at the scars between her fingers as the fire goes out of her expression* She jes' dumped me...
Russell: *Quietly* If she's still alive, and living in an aquatic environment, then it was likely that you weren't able to survive there...
Carter: *deep breath, and then lays down and hides her face on her pillow so no one can see her tears*
Dion: *Quiet clicks. Lady has a sad?*
Naomi: *starts to put the sparklet on the table, but then remembers Carter's rejection of Seaspray's cuddle and pulls him close again*
Raoul: *quietly, to Beau* Think I'm gonna take these guys to bed.
Beau: *nod*
Russell: *quietly pinging Seaspray's comm* //I know where Carter was found... I want to search the waters in the area, as I believe Sea Sparkle is still alive...//
Seaspray: *watches Raoul go past with the little sparklet in his arms as Naomi trots along beside him* *quietly* //Give me the coordinates, Red Alert. I'll find her.//
Russell: //I'm coming with you.// *Will transmit the coordinates, even as he grabs his field kit*
Carter: *hears the bustle of the medic running around, and then the silence after he quits the room. Thinks she's alone and lets herself cry*
Beau: *Quiet, gentle clicks*
Carter: *gasp and goes quiet again*
Beau: *Will move to gently rub her back* *Softly* Y'u ain't gonna go through th's 'lone... Ah promise y'u th't...
Carter: *stiffens at his touch, but then relaxes again and just leaks tears into her pillow*
Beau: *gentle back rub, clicking softly all the while*
Carter: *finally gets hold of herself and prays a bit. Then takes a deep breath and lifts her head enough that she can use her handkerchief on her eyes and nose* *quietly* Talk about touchy-feely.
Beau: *Quietly* Ain't noth'n wrong wit' crah'n...
Carter: *turns onto her side facing him, one hand trying to pull her stuck blanket up over her* I's meanin' how yer all so quick wit' t' touchin'.
Beau: *blink blink, soft chuckle* Guess Ah'm jes' used t' bein' 'round Cahbertronians...
Carter: *quizzical frown, and then lifts her head and wriggles to try and get the blanket free*
Beau: *Will help with that* Th'y's pretteh tactahl people.... S'me moah th'n othahs...
Carter: So when Mr. Spray t'ere was tryin' t' pick me up...
Beau: 'E w's trah'n t' be comfort'n, 'n reassur'n.
Carter: ...He don't even know me. *frowns and settles under the blanket*
Beau: *Small shrug* Y'u're family t' 'im, 'f Uncle Russ 's rahght... 'N 'e kahnda seems lahk th' tahp t' comfort people anehways...
Carter: *squares her jaw, and then closes her eyes* Oh.
Beau: *Gently* Git s'me rest...
Carter: *small hiccup* Yeah, I's workin' on it, b'y.
Beau: *will gently tuck the blanket around her*
Carter: *wry little quirk of a mouth corner* Yer jes' as bad as he is.
Beau: *Grins, despite the fact that Carter won't see it* Ah'm worse, 'cause Ah've gotta Southern gran'ma, 'n a JD uncle.
Carter: *turns her head a bit to see him better* ...JD uncle?
Beau: *Will explain what a JD is, and what their views regarding families are*
Carter: *eyes wide again as she wonders just how many races there actually are in the universe*
Beau: 'N th' JDs 're jes' 'un 'f th' races NEST knows 'bout... *Small frown* *Quietly, as he pokes himself in the ear* No, Will ain't down 'eah, sis... Didj'a check wit' Uncle Bert? ... 'S 'e wit' Tracks?
Denver: *Going to check with Tracks then* //Tracks, 's Will wit' y'u?// *Was getting Rose from Hattie and Trevor*
Tracks: *from the family's laundry room* //No. He's not with Mrs. Lamont and Trevor?//
Denver: //Ah w's jes' th're, gett'n Rose...//
Tracks: //WILL?!//
Will: *Soft squeak*
Russell: *Faintly* //... I thought I saw something following me...//
Tracks: //What? Where are you, Red Alert?//
Russell: //Just outside Port Aux Basques, Newfoundland... Will's here with Seaspray and myself.// *Mix of frustration and a hint of amusement in his tone* //He wanted to help with the search...//
Tracks: *silence, and then a few choked sounds over the channel*
Denver: *Reassuring Tracks, will bring Rose to him, and then go get Will*
Tracks: *shaking with suppressed fury and concern as he holds Rose and Dion close*
Raoul: >\
Denver: *Just a bit twitchy as she goes to get the youngling*
Seaspray: *standing and looking into the water as it foams and slaps heavily against the rocky beach, leaving ice in its wake*
Russell: *Keeping a good grip on Will's wrist as the youngling clicks and protests*
Denver: *Arriving in a swish and flash, strides over to where Russell and Will are standing, making a soft 'gerk' sound when she realizes how cold it is. Quickly brings Will home*
Seaspray: *still standing and looking out into the water*
Russell: *Transforming to root mode and moving to approach the water's edge* *Quietly* Shall we?
Seaspray: *still and silent*
Red Alert: *Scanners on high as he looks into the water*
Seaspray: *blinks and moves, then turns to head east* They're coming to the point.
Red Alert: *Surprised, moves to follow* Were you speaking with them?
Seaspray: *as he strides through the fog* Yeah. It's something I kept when I stopped changing to a Tlalakan.
Red Alert: ... Huh... *continues to follow, sticking close to Seaspray*
Seaspray: They haven't been able to change for all this time.
Red Alert: *Quietly* Because what they used to change forms was taken from them many generations ago...
Seaspray: *fist clenches at his side* And they couldn't even call for help.
Red Alert: *even quieter* If there's a way to help them now, we'll find it.
Seaspray: You bet your carburetor we will. *pace unabated as he moves through the fog and over the large and tumbled rocks*
Red Alert: *Absently wonders to himself how someone of Seaspray's build can move so quickly, decides to ponder that puzzle another time, will scan the area*
Seaspray: Don't worry, the humans won't come out here in this ice fog. *pauses for a moment with his feet in the freezing and restless water to look out to sea again*
Red Alert: It's not humans that worry me...
Seaspray: The 'Cons would have to be crazy to be out here in this. Make sure you've got enough energy to keep your joints de-iced.
Red Alert: I still have the carton of goldfish crackers Wheeljack tried to make off with, and my fuel levels are still in the green.
Seaspray: Then don't spare the juice. *starts out again*
Red Alert: *moves to follow again*
Seaspray: *at a place where the beach rises up into a promontory he turns sideways and slips along a tiny shelf of land coated with ice and battered by the sea*
Red Alert: *Carefully making his way along the shelf, and reassuring Serenity that everything's alright*
wave: *slaps him up against the cliff, and then tries to take him with it when it goes back*
Red Alert: *Startled blurt, scrabbling for a handhold*
Seaspray: *closes a hand around his arm and holds him steady*
Red Alert: *Just a bit rattled by the wave*
Seaspray: *leads him along a little further, and then steps out into the ocean*
Red Alert: *upping his heat output to keep from icing over as he follows*
Seaspray: *softly, as he stares into fog as thick and bitter as loneliness at midnight* //There they are.//
Red Alert: *looking and scanning*
scans: *show up nothing at first. But then suddenly there are heat signatures, and figures approach from the whiteout. At their head is a small woman with a weathered face and wide grey eyes*
Red Alert: *surprised*
Seaspray: *holds out his free hand and nods as the woman takes it* //How many people can that teleporter move?//
Red Alert: //As many as it needs to, as long as they're all holding hands or touching one another.//
Seaspray: *as the people in the fog link together in a strong huddle* //Alright. We're ready.//
Red Alert: *Nods and brings the group to the med ward*
Carter: *just fell off the table and right on Beau* *scrabbles for a hold and then curls up*
Beau: *Startled blurt of a Scottish cussword as he holds Carter close*
Seaspray: Easy, youngling. *twinkling optics as he glances toward Beau, and then he looks down at the woman who is standing and holding his hand* She's right there, Sea Sparkle. They tried to make her look more human.
Carter: *just stopped breathing, and her eyes are enormous*
Beau: *Blink blink*
girl of about twelve: *just as pale and petite as Carter, but with icy blue eyes and flaming red hair* *darts out of the group and over to where Beau and Carter are. Puts a small, webbed hand on the wide-eyed older girl's back and clicks softly*
Carter: *turns her head and stares*
Beau: *Quietly* She looks lahk she c'ld be y'ur sis...
girl: That's because I am.
((co-written with random_xtras))
Vato: *making a beeline for the roof, since Seamus and Samuel have found one of the patches of snow and decided to use it as ammunition* *hisssss*
kitten: *hears Dad! TALKS*
Vato: *fumbling with the outer catch to one of the windows, a combination of his natural form and the cold working against him just slightly*
Anne: *blinks and looks around, then hurries to let him in*
Vato: *slips into the room once the window's open* *Shakes a bit*
Anne: *closes the window and then puts her arms around him* *quietly* What were you doing out like this?
kitten: *will climb pants now*
Vato: *nuzzle* *Soft warble that his translator interprets as "The twins startled me..."*
Anne: Come and lay down. *checks his feet and pulls off his boots, then catches his hand and pulls him over to the mattress in the middle of their living room floor*
Vato: *soft sigh, will go where led*
Anne: *moves kitten to his arms, and then piles blankets on him before hunkering on the side of the bed and wandering off mentally instead of joining them*
Vato: *Soft chirp*
Anne: *blinks, turns head and gives him a quizzical look*
Vato: *Concerned expression*
Anne: What's wrong? *puts a hand on him to check his temperature*
Vato: *soft chatter, "Something's bothering you?"*
Anne: No. *frown* *sigh* I don't know.
Vato: *Gentle headbutt, wordlessly supportive*
Anne: *weebles and inadvertently sits on him*
kitten: *excuse to bail out and go sit on the back of the chair and talk to the things out the window!*
Vato: *Surprised, reaches to pull Anne close*
Anne: *automatically snuggles against him under the blankets, her petite body generating its usual plentiful quantity of warmth. But her golden eyes are still distracted and distant*
Vato: *cuddles, and wonders what's troubling her*
Anne: *quietly answers the thought* Just... thinking about something Constable MacRily said during that games night we had at Christmas. Remember, I wound up playing that goofy European game against him while you were playing Doomtown with Dr. Ruteger and Lt. Wesson.
Vato: *Small nod*
Anne: He was talking about family, and asked me about mine. He was upset when he found out it was just you and Pitter, and that I was the only piece of K'vk'ar in this reality.
Vato: *Soft 'hmm', gentle nuzzle*
Anne: *quietly* He told me to make sure to have lots of babies.
Vato: ... *ears going to flat*
Anne: *quiet grumble* I'm no mother. And I don't even know if I could have kids.
Vato: *more gentle nuzzles* *soft chatter*
Anne: *closes her eyes and leans her forehead against his chest* But I just can't get his words out of my head.
Vato: Hmmm... *remembers how JDs are very family-oriented*
Anne: Yeah, I know. And Mom's people aren't even native to this reality, as far as I know. But am I being selfish by not trying to pass on the genes?
Vato: *Gives her a slightly bemused look, because he's wondered the same about himself at times*
Anne: *blinks* There are a lot of you guys, though.
Vato: *Small head shake, soft chirps and squeaks "We're spread few and far between... even the largest villages have less than fifty individuals... And most choose to only breed within their home communities... Small gene pool..."*
Anne: *frowns* That's not safe.
Vato: *Small nod*
Anne: *head against his chest again as she thinks* But I'm just not mother material
Vato: *soft kitty chuckle, tips his head towards Pitter*
Anne: *snorts without looking up* He goes and does whatever he wants. A baby would be totally dependent on me.
Vato: *quiet purr*
Anne: The thought of being tied down and not able to go someplace if the urge hits scares the crumbs out of me.
Vato: *Small nod*
Anne: *glances up* Change to littler you and tell me what you think?
Vato: *Soft chuckle, shifts forms* *Quietly* I think that if a child is not something you are comfortable caring for, then that is your choice.
Anne: But what about the genes? *eyes on his*
Vato: There are humans who choose not to pass their genes on. It is a matter of choice.
Anne: *nods* And it's not like mine are pure. There's freakin' leopard in there somewhere. :p
Vato: *Soft chuckle, cuddle*
Anne: Though, if I ever did have a kid... it'd be yours.
Vato: ... *Blink blink, blush, nuzzle*
Anne: *arms around him* Hey, you're my husband...
Vato: *small nod, snuggle*
Anne: *and there's the little cheek rub that's been missing, and the soft purr*
Vato: *contented snuggle*
Elsewhere
Nightwish: *watching her husband run from Seamus* o.0
Starpounder: *watching her husband chase Quinn* *snerk*
Seamus: *Rebel yell as he chases Quinn*
Quinn: *DOES NOT WANT!*
Starpounder: *notices Nightwish's wibble and gives a summoning whistle*
Seamus: *Stops short and looks* ?
Starpounder: *grins at him* You're still wearing your snowboots.
Seamus: Oh... *Will go and get his snowboots off after handing her his Chum Buddy*
Quinn: *Will go snuggle Nightwish after kicking his own boots off*
Nightwish: *looks up at Quinn, and then checks him all over for injury, her small hands quick over his clothes*
Quinn: *gentle nuzzles, isn't hurt, but really doesn't like Seamus*
Nightwish: Mate come home.
Quinn: *nod nod* *Will move to gently guide her down the hall*
Nightwish: *squeezes his hand and smiles at him* Love Mate.
Quinn: *Small smile, cuddle*
Starpounder: *watches them go, and then looks at the Chum Buddy before hauling it home and draping it over the back of the armchair, much to Silas and Daniel's delight as they lay in a nest on the seat of the chair*
Seamus: *making funny faces for the babies now, kthx*
Quinn: *over the open channel* //At least my kid never peed on a cop!//
Seamus: *Sputter* //Go slag yourself, Quinn!//
Quinn: //Putz!//
Seamus: //Takes one to know one!//
Raoul: //What are you, rejects from the eighties?//
Seamus: //THRRRPT!//
Tracks: //Don't make me assign extra patrol duties, Sideswipe.//
Seamus: *Signs off with a click*
Starpounder: *gentle hand on his back* What were you chasing Quinn for this time?
Seamus: Stupid glitch bought a better battle dragon...
Starpounder: I thought Blackout was the best dragon in your game?
Seamus: Better than the one he had...
Starpounder: *slight frown* But not actually in the whole game?
Seamus: Yeah... It's still little though... *Scowl*
Starpounder: So why are you angry?
Seamus: Because I've seen the way he kept the last one he had. *Scowling darkly, will explain*
Starpounder: Ohhhhh. *deep frown*
Seamus: *Grumping and calling the Seeker all manner of names, none of which are things that haven't been said over comms anyways*
Starpounder: *quietly* Lets bring the boys to the creche, I think you need a back rub.
Seamus: *Small sulk, nod*
Starpounder: *gentle kiss, and then gets to her feet to scoop up her little sons and bring them back to their father*
Silus: *DADDY! FLAIL*
Daniel: :D
Seamus: *Snuggles babies*
Starpounder: *brings family down to the creche and grins as youngsters come to say hi and admire the twins*
Bert: *awed* You mean they're coming to visit? *he gets to hold those little soft guys?*
Seamus: *small nod*
Meryl: *Toddling over* Baby?
Bert: Yeah. Little babies. *holds out his arms for the little half Cybertronian boys* I'll be careful with 'em.
Seamus: *Snuggles Daniel one more time before gently transferring him to Bert, will do likewise with Silas*
Meryl: *Gonna climb up Uncle Bert's back and say hello*
Bert: *chuckles at the soft coos that the little boys give to their dad* Do you know when you'll want them back? *clicks to twins*
twins: *watching Daddy, little hairless eyebrows quirking*
Seamus: *Glances to Starpounder to see what she says*
Starpounder: Sometime before morning. *grins*
Bert: *grins* Alright. //Autumn, we get to keep Daniel and Silas for a few hours.//
Autumn: //Awww!//
Seamus: *Gentle clicks for his sons*
Daniel: *talks back*
Silas: *watching Mama put the diaper bag on that shelf there*
Bert: We'll take care of 'em, Sideswipe. Don't look like your best friend died.
Simon: *wanders over and tries to stuff candy in Seamus' pocket*
Seamus: *Squawks* *Squawk interrupted* Hey! Noms! :D
Bert: *slowly shakes his head as his audios ring from getting that squawk both off and on comms*
Simon: Yup. Is maple candy. From clean white snow. Somebody made it last year in Canada.
Seamus: Cool... *nom nom nom, will poke some of the candy at Starpounder's mouth now*
Starpounder: *will have an obliging nibble, then thank Simon and Bert before clicking gently to her sons and leading Seamus out of the creche*
Meryl: *leaning down to gently kissie the forehead of the closest baby*
Starpounder: *grinning at the cute as she shuts the mesh door, and then leads her husband up via the roundabout way. That is, the stairs. Passes the med ward just as Dallas is coming out of it*
Dallas: *Surprised to see Starpounder and Seamus sans babies* *To Seamus* Taunting land sharks is generally ill-advised.
Seamus: Thrrpt. *snuggles wife*
Starpounder: ...Land sharks? *looks from the redhead to her husband*
Seamus: He's talking about my Chum Buddy...
Starpounder: He doesn't taunt his shark. *looks through the med ward door* Who's that?
Dallas: One of Beau's college friends...
Starpounder: They're hurt? *hugs husband with one arm*
Dallas: She's got a fever, 'n she's important enough to Beau that he felt she would be better treated here...
Starpounder: *small smile as she watches the little scene inside the med ward, and then turns back to Dallas* Who prepared the evening meal?
Dallas: The Wessons. *grin*
Starpounder: *expression holds interest. Looks down at her husband* Are you hungry?
Seamus: Sure... Maria's a good cook...
Starpounder: *grins and tosses him over her shoulder, then nods to Dallas and sets out for the mess at a long-legged lope*
Seamus: *Grinning like a loon, even as Dallas' cackling echoes down the hall*
Meanwhile, in Patrick's office...
Seaspray: *sitting on one of the comfortable chairs, his arm around the slender shoulders of a pink and grey femmebot with delicate pointed ears as a younger femme, tall and strong, stands behind their chairs and looks at the assembled people with lively curiosity* *optics are twinkling as he smiles above his face mask*
Autumn: *Grinning as she leans against Patrick's desk*
Patrick: *also grinning* Welcome to the Ark base.
Seaspray: *in that soft, gargling voice that they remember so well* Thank you, friends. *curious and searching look at that dark-haired femme leaning against the desk. The grin is familiar, but he's not sure who she is* It's good to see you again.
Patrick: My name, in this form, is Patrick Oberson.
Seaspray: So you use different names for your different alts, Optimus?
Patrick: Just on worlds where we have to blend in with the locals... *chuckle*
Russell: Very few of us have designations that would fit within the normal definitions of human names... *chuckling softly as he glances at Autumn*
Autumn: *Saw that glance, Russ. See her ignore you for now?*
Seaspray: *turns those bright optics toward Russell as he nods* Yeah, the Colonel explained that we need to hide here, Red Alert. What's your local name?
Russell: Russell Anderson. I work at the local college in the wellness center during the daytime...
Seaspray: *nods, and then looks at Autumn* I know that grin... but I don't have a voice to match it yet. *lifts his brow ridges quizzically, his optics still smiling*
Autumn: Autumn Smith... *Will transform*
Seaspray: *on his feet with a happy shout* Bumblebee! Little sister! *arms out as he steps forward*
Bumblebee: *moves to pull Seaspray in for a hug* *clicking excitedly all the while*
Seaspray: *gentle squish and rocks her slightly* Oh, it's good to see you again!
Bumblebee: It's been too darn long! *hug!*
Seaspray: *squish squish! Then pushes her back to look at her* As pretty as ever. *soft click*
Bumblebee: *ducking her head a bit* Brawn seems to think so too...
Seaspray: *blinks* What?
Bumblebee: *Sheepish grin* Brawn's my mate...
Seaspray: *startles* Oh... Congratulations. *surprise is clear in his voice*
Bumblebee: *Quieter* And there's a creche again...
Seaspray: *softly* The Colonel told me. *glances over at the femmes that he brought with him* My own sparklets are kind of too old now to need one.
Patrick: Actually, if it's not too much trouble, maybe introductions are in order?
Seaspray: *perks and looks over toward him, then laughs as he lets Bumblebee go and turns to gently pull the seated femme from her chair and smile at her* This is my wife, Alana. And this... *looks at the metallic blue and silver femme behind the chairs* That's our youngest daughter, Sea Star.
Alana: *tilts her head and lifts a hand in greeting* Hello.
Sea Star: *is grinning, and it's her father's bright optics coupled with a wide and cheerful grin. If Seaspray had a mouth his grin would probably look like this*
Russell: *nods to both femmes, attention going to the door as a bitty voice babbles happily* *amused facepalm* And it looks like Liadán is starting to imitate Destiny... *Will go pick up his daughter*
Bumblebee: *hands over mouth* Oh, no... *blinkblink as Serenity comms her, relaxes* Oh... Red, your mate is sneaky.
Seaspray: *tilts his head* Sneaky?
Bumblebee: She got Liadán from the creche... Without Brawn noticing...
Liadán: *Happy babblings as Daddy brings her into the room, has a bit of Russell's looks to her*
Seaspray: *offers the little one his hand* Hello, Liadán. I'm Seaspray.
Liadán: *biiiig eyes, clickstorm as she reaches for Seaspray's hand*
Seaspray: *takes that tiny hand and shakes it very gently* It's nice to meet you.
Alana: *soft chuckle as she watches*
Liadán: *Will jump over to see you, Seaspray*
Russell: *Chuckle*
Seaspray: *has baby. Cuddles and clicks*
Liadán: *Snuggles happily*
Bumblebee: *Soft chuckle, stretches and returns to alt-mode*
Patrick: If you need someplace to stay, there are family quarters here, and there are also houses on the base property...
Ratchet: *looks in and chuckles* Family quarters like the suite Autumn got ready for you when she first heard you were coming.
Seaspray: *looks at Bumblebee, one hand gently rubbing Liadán's little back*
Autumn: *Sheepish grin* *Quietly* I was just excited that you were coming....
Seaspray: *takes his hand from Liadán and puts it on Autumn's shoulder* *softly* Thank you.
Autumn: *grin*
Ratchet: *leans on the door frame* So what's the story with this second branch of the family here on Earth?
Russell: *Will databurst Ratchet the details regarding Carter* Major Trach is looking into her foster care records...
Seaspray: I can tell you one thing. She's not one of Sky Boat's kids.
Russell: *Quieter* I was hoping we could search the waters around where Miss McKenzie was found...
Seaspray: About fifty years after Sky Boat came here some of his friends went to look for him. And Sky Boat's sister Sea Sparkle went with them.
Ratchet: So you think Carter's descended from Sea Sparkle?
Seaspray: *nods* *quietly* Sea Sparkle was small, and she had grey optics.
Russell: ... That sounds like Carter...
Seaspray: Can I see her?
Russell: She's in the med ward at the moment, sleeping off a slight fever... but as long as you're quiet, I don't think it would be a problem...
Seaspray: *nods. Then turns and hands Liadán to Alana* Show me the way?
Russell: *nods and moves to do so as Liadán clicks and snuggles against Alana*
Seaspray: *walks beside Russell silently as they head toward the elevators. Then looks at the other mech sideways* Am I going to have to give up my hoverboat and take a human alt mode?
Russell: You won't have to give it up... If Tracks can keep his Shelby Cobra alt mode and take on a human alt mode at the same time, and Joe can go between a fire truck and his human mode, then it won't be too much of an issue...
Seaspray: *blinks with surprise* Tracks's taken a human alt mode? *heard of the mech before he left Cybertron*
Russell: *nods, chuckling* His mate's a local woman, and two of his sons are human as well...
Seaspray: *0_o as he walks along. And then double takes again* Two alt modes?
Russell: *nods* He works as a stunt vehicle in movies... And Joe's our 'tough'... Springer's here as well, but he's only got one alt mode right now. I'm not sure how long that will last once he's recovered enough to support a secondary alt mode...
Seaspray: ... So a lot of people are doing it.
Russell: It's more common now than it was when you left Cybertron... but most of us only have one alt mode... *acks as Rewind runs past, clutching a box of Froot Loops to her chest and cackling about ganking 'Round noms'* ... *Facepalm*
Frenzy and Rumble: *doing the ferret inchworm at high speed in her wake!*
Russell: *Dryly* And there goes the peanut gallery.
Seaspray: 0_o
Russell: Three of Blaster and Soundwave's symbionts... *Will hold the door to the elevator open, checking for birds or cats as he does*
Seaspray: *looks up too, and then all around* ...Soundwave's here?
Russell: *nods* As are a good number of former Decepticons... Including Nightbird.
Seaspray: *straightens, his brow ridges lifting* The holovid ninja?
Russell: *Chuckle* Yes... She's the Destron Warlady now... And Prowl's mate.
Seaspray: Prowl... Prowl... *trying to recall the name*
Russell: He was a strategist back on Cybertron, and often worked with the police...
Seaspray: Ahh. I never had much contact with the police. *glances toward the changing numbers just as the elevator chimes softly and stops*
Russell: He's one of Optimus' seconds now... As is Elita. *Will lead the way to the med ward*
Seaspray: And Ratchet? *noticed the way she looked so comfortable there*
Russell: *chuckle* Still bossing Optimus around like she used to do when he was a new Prime... *Quieter* And keeping Wheeljack running...
Seaspray: I remember Wheeljack. He blew up a whole city block once.
Russell: *Dryly* I still have nightmares about that. *Attention going to Jack as the inventor makes his way out of the med ward* ... Jack, give me my goldfish crackers.
Jack: Thrrpt. *chuckles and hands the carton over*
Seaspray: *watching this with a slight tilt to his head*
Jack: *notices Seaspray, grins... and it's a slightly lopsided grin, but it's sincere and warm* Seaspray! Never thought you'd show up...
Seaspray: *grins* There are some kids that haven't called home in awhile. So I had to come find out why.
Jack: *nod* That's what Patrick said... You here to see Granny Rabie?
Seaspray: No. I'm here to see Carter.
Jack: Ah... Gotcha... *chuckle* Beau, Raoul, 'n Naomi are sittin' with her.
Seaspray: I've got no idea who they are, but I guess I'll find out pretty soon. *grin*
Jack: *Nod* Beau 'n Raoul are Tracks' hoodlums, 'n Naomi's Dr. House's kid, but she's staying over here for awhile. I'll get outta your way though...
Seaspray: *watches him go, then glances at Russell* He finally stay too close to the explosion?
Russell: *headshake* *Softly* Processor stroke
Seaspray: *winces* That's no good.
Russell: He's still with us... and he's Ratchet's wordmate, so he's being taken care of... If not for that, he likely wouldn't be up and about the way he is...
Seaspray: Hrrm... *looks through the door of the med ward and perks as he sees a small group of young people on and by a table near the desk*
Russell: *soft chuckle as he watches Beau sit up a bit straighter*
Raoul: *gently rocking an armload of Naomi and Dion. Looks toward the door and lifts his brows slightly when he sees the stranger standing by Russell*
Russell: Beau, Raoul, this is Seaspray.
Beau: *Small nod*
Seaspray: *chuckles as the little golden and black girl in Raoul's arms points one ear toward him* It's a little Raumfee.
Naomi: *lifts her head and looks at him quizzically*
Raoul: *frown* Raumfee? She's a Wust Fee.
Beau: Wh't's a Raumfee?
Seaspray: She's a dock walloper on one of the stations. Looks a lot like this little girl, except that she's grey with lighter grey hair and eyes. And she's got big wings the colour of her hair. She goes off the station without a suit and transfers cargo for ships that didn't come in time to get a berth.
Beau: *Blink blink*
Naomi: *nods* My moeder's been in space vithout a suit. But ve never realized that there vas another Wust Fee in this reality.
Dion: *Clickstorm as he sleeps*
Beau: Wonder 'f Aunt Sunshahn knows 'er?
Naomi: I don't know. *shakes her head, and then perks her ears toward Carter* Och, I think ve vere too loud.
Beau: *looks, concerned*
Carter: *soft sound as she opens her eyes and blinks at him with bleary uncertainty*
Beau: *Soothing sounds* Easeh, Carter... 'T's safe 'eah...
Seaspray: *softly* She looks just like Sea Sparkle, except her skin's a different colour.
Carter: *hears that funny gargling voice and looks over there with a little frown*
Seaspray: *nods to her* Hello.
Russell: *Gently, to Carter* This is Seaspray...
Carter: *quizzical look for the medic*
Russell: His daughter, Sea Sparkle, is related to you...
Carter: *blinks and pushes herself up to sit* Related t' me? How d'ye know? *wonders why she feels drawn to the odd looking stranger with the kindly eyes*
Russell: You look very similar to Sea Sparkle... It's likely that she's your birth mother...
Carter: *sucks in air as she turns those big grey eyes back to Seaspray* But... yer all metal. How kin yer daughter look like me?
Seaspray: *gargly chuckle* Because when I was younger I didn't always look like this. And Sea Sparkle's mother was born organic.
Carter: *squints one eye and rubs her forehead as she tries to let that sink in*
Beau: ... *Raised brow*
Seaspray: *lifts a hand and triggers his holo emitter so that an image of a tall, dark-haired man with pointed ears and a cheerful smile shows standing on his palm* This was me.
Beau: *Blink blink* ... *Can see the family resemblance between the image and Carter*
Seaspray: *lets that image fade and then calls up another. In this one a petite and lovely young woman with dark hair and grey eyes grins her father's grin as she packs a baby sister on her hip* And this was Sea Sparkle.
Carter: *blinks and stares*
Raoul: *soft whistle as he looks from the image to the girl*
Dion: *Soft squeak, squirms a bit*
Beau: *boggling a bit*
Russell: *Quietly* I think... That may be the answer you were seeking, Carter...
Carter: *rubs the back of a hand over her eyes* *quietly* So t'en why'd she t'row me away? *then scowls as Seaspray lets the image fade and tries to pick her up* Stop t'at! *elbows the mech and wriggles away*
Seaspray: *steps back hastily, his optics wide with surprise at the rebuff*
Russell: *Gently* That's what I'd like to try and find out...
Seaspray: *confused and uncertain. Excuses himself and slips away*
Carter: *breathing heavily and scowling all over her face as she glares at the door*
Raoul: *frowning at her*
Naomi: *ears back in a frown at Carter as she rubs Dion's back*
Russell: *quietly* Seaspray and his remaining family only just arrived...
Carter: *turns the scowl to Russell and adds a frown to it as she tries to work out his meaning*
Russell: *Explains* They came to find one of their own named Sky Boat... Sea Sparkle and some of Sky Boat's friends showed up on Earth some time ago, for the same reason... If Sea Sparkle gave you up, it was for a very good reason... and it was likely the last thing she wanted to do.
Carter: *hand goes to one ear, and then she's looking down at the scars between her fingers as the fire goes out of her expression* She jes' dumped me...
Russell: *Quietly* If she's still alive, and living in an aquatic environment, then it was likely that you weren't able to survive there...
Carter: *deep breath, and then lays down and hides her face on her pillow so no one can see her tears*
Dion: *Quiet clicks. Lady has a sad?*
Naomi: *starts to put the sparklet on the table, but then remembers Carter's rejection of Seaspray's cuddle and pulls him close again*
Raoul: *quietly, to Beau* Think I'm gonna take these guys to bed.
Beau: *nod*
Russell: *quietly pinging Seaspray's comm* //I know where Carter was found... I want to search the waters in the area, as I believe Sea Sparkle is still alive...//
Seaspray: *watches Raoul go past with the little sparklet in his arms as Naomi trots along beside him* *quietly* //Give me the coordinates, Red Alert. I'll find her.//
Russell: //I'm coming with you.// *Will transmit the coordinates, even as he grabs his field kit*
Carter: *hears the bustle of the medic running around, and then the silence after he quits the room. Thinks she's alone and lets herself cry*
Beau: *Quiet, gentle clicks*
Carter: *gasp and goes quiet again*
Beau: *Will move to gently rub her back* *Softly* Y'u ain't gonna go through th's 'lone... Ah promise y'u th't...
Carter: *stiffens at his touch, but then relaxes again and just leaks tears into her pillow*
Beau: *gentle back rub, clicking softly all the while*
Carter: *finally gets hold of herself and prays a bit. Then takes a deep breath and lifts her head enough that she can use her handkerchief on her eyes and nose* *quietly* Talk about touchy-feely.
Beau: *Quietly* Ain't noth'n wrong wit' crah'n...
Carter: *turns onto her side facing him, one hand trying to pull her stuck blanket up over her* I's meanin' how yer all so quick wit' t' touchin'.
Beau: *blink blink, soft chuckle* Guess Ah'm jes' used t' bein' 'round Cahbertronians...
Carter: *quizzical frown, and then lifts her head and wriggles to try and get the blanket free*
Beau: *Will help with that* Th'y's pretteh tactahl people.... S'me moah th'n othahs...
Carter: So when Mr. Spray t'ere was tryin' t' pick me up...
Beau: 'E w's trah'n t' be comfort'n, 'n reassur'n.
Carter: ...He don't even know me. *frowns and settles under the blanket*
Beau: *Small shrug* Y'u're family t' 'im, 'f Uncle Russ 's rahght... 'N 'e kahnda seems lahk th' tahp t' comfort people anehways...
Carter: *squares her jaw, and then closes her eyes* Oh.
Beau: *Gently* Git s'me rest...
Carter: *small hiccup* Yeah, I's workin' on it, b'y.
Beau: *will gently tuck the blanket around her*
Carter: *wry little quirk of a mouth corner* Yer jes' as bad as he is.
Beau: *Grins, despite the fact that Carter won't see it* Ah'm worse, 'cause Ah've gotta Southern gran'ma, 'n a JD uncle.
Carter: *turns her head a bit to see him better* ...JD uncle?
Beau: *Will explain what a JD is, and what their views regarding families are*
Carter: *eyes wide again as she wonders just how many races there actually are in the universe*
Beau: 'N th' JDs 're jes' 'un 'f th' races NEST knows 'bout... *Small frown* *Quietly, as he pokes himself in the ear* No, Will ain't down 'eah, sis... Didj'a check wit' Uncle Bert? ... 'S 'e wit' Tracks?
Denver: *Going to check with Tracks then* //Tracks, 's Will wit' y'u?// *Was getting Rose from Hattie and Trevor*
Tracks: *from the family's laundry room* //No. He's not with Mrs. Lamont and Trevor?//
Denver: //Ah w's jes' th're, gett'n Rose...//
Tracks: //WILL?!//
Will: *Soft squeak*
Russell: *Faintly* //... I thought I saw something following me...//
Tracks: //What? Where are you, Red Alert?//
Russell: //Just outside Port Aux Basques, Newfoundland... Will's here with Seaspray and myself.// *Mix of frustration and a hint of amusement in his tone* //He wanted to help with the search...//
Tracks: *silence, and then a few choked sounds over the channel*
Denver: *Reassuring Tracks, will bring Rose to him, and then go get Will*
Tracks: *shaking with suppressed fury and concern as he holds Rose and Dion close*
Raoul: >\
Denver: *Just a bit twitchy as she goes to get the youngling*
Seaspray: *standing and looking into the water as it foams and slaps heavily against the rocky beach, leaving ice in its wake*
Russell: *Keeping a good grip on Will's wrist as the youngling clicks and protests*
Denver: *Arriving in a swish and flash, strides over to where Russell and Will are standing, making a soft 'gerk' sound when she realizes how cold it is. Quickly brings Will home*
Seaspray: *still standing and looking out into the water*
Russell: *Transforming to root mode and moving to approach the water's edge* *Quietly* Shall we?
Seaspray: *still and silent*
Red Alert: *Scanners on high as he looks into the water*
Seaspray: *blinks and moves, then turns to head east* They're coming to the point.
Red Alert: *Surprised, moves to follow* Were you speaking with them?
Seaspray: *as he strides through the fog* Yeah. It's something I kept when I stopped changing to a Tlalakan.
Red Alert: ... Huh... *continues to follow, sticking close to Seaspray*
Seaspray: They haven't been able to change for all this time.
Red Alert: *Quietly* Because what they used to change forms was taken from them many generations ago...
Seaspray: *fist clenches at his side* And they couldn't even call for help.
Red Alert: *even quieter* If there's a way to help them now, we'll find it.
Seaspray: You bet your carburetor we will. *pace unabated as he moves through the fog and over the large and tumbled rocks*
Red Alert: *Absently wonders to himself how someone of Seaspray's build can move so quickly, decides to ponder that puzzle another time, will scan the area*
Seaspray: Don't worry, the humans won't come out here in this ice fog. *pauses for a moment with his feet in the freezing and restless water to look out to sea again*
Red Alert: It's not humans that worry me...
Seaspray: The 'Cons would have to be crazy to be out here in this. Make sure you've got enough energy to keep your joints de-iced.
Red Alert: I still have the carton of goldfish crackers Wheeljack tried to make off with, and my fuel levels are still in the green.
Seaspray: Then don't spare the juice. *starts out again*
Red Alert: *moves to follow again*
Seaspray: *at a place where the beach rises up into a promontory he turns sideways and slips along a tiny shelf of land coated with ice and battered by the sea*
Red Alert: *Carefully making his way along the shelf, and reassuring Serenity that everything's alright*
wave: *slaps him up against the cliff, and then tries to take him with it when it goes back*
Red Alert: *Startled blurt, scrabbling for a handhold*
Seaspray: *closes a hand around his arm and holds him steady*
Red Alert: *Just a bit rattled by the wave*
Seaspray: *leads him along a little further, and then steps out into the ocean*
Red Alert: *upping his heat output to keep from icing over as he follows*
Seaspray: *softly, as he stares into fog as thick and bitter as loneliness at midnight* //There they are.//
Red Alert: *looking and scanning*
scans: *show up nothing at first. But then suddenly there are heat signatures, and figures approach from the whiteout. At their head is a small woman with a weathered face and wide grey eyes*
Red Alert: *surprised*
Seaspray: *holds out his free hand and nods as the woman takes it* //How many people can that teleporter move?//
Red Alert: //As many as it needs to, as long as they're all holding hands or touching one another.//
Seaspray: *as the people in the fog link together in a strong huddle* //Alright. We're ready.//
Red Alert: *Nods and brings the group to the med ward*
Carter: *just fell off the table and right on Beau* *scrabbles for a hold and then curls up*
Beau: *Startled blurt of a Scottish cussword as he holds Carter close*
Seaspray: Easy, youngling. *twinkling optics as he glances toward Beau, and then he looks down at the woman who is standing and holding his hand* She's right there, Sea Sparkle. They tried to make her look more human.
Carter: *just stopped breathing, and her eyes are enormous*
Beau: *Blink blink*
girl of about twelve: *just as pale and petite as Carter, but with icy blue eyes and flaming red hair* *darts out of the group and over to where Beau and Carter are. Puts a small, webbed hand on the wide-eyed older girl's back and clicks softly*
Carter: *turns her head and stares*
Beau: *Quietly* She looks lahk she c'ld be y'ur sis...
girl: That's because I am.
((co-written with random_xtras))