Sign Nexus. Assorted Areas. New Beginnings

[firra]

The girl was surrounded by warm darkness that seemed to comfort. There was nothing here but herself, and it seemed that there had never been anything here but herself, but it also seemed that her memories were just starting.

No. Not starting. Starting over.

Autumn: *lying on her side, her yellow eyes flutter open, but don't seem to register what's around her. She blinks, and then again, but doesn't speak*

deep voice: *seems to come from within her mind, but also from the surrounding darkness* -Can you hear me?-

Autumn: *her eyes slowly drift closed* -Yes.-

voice: -Do you remember who you are?-

Autumn: -...I'm not sure.-

voice: *gentle despite its hard gravel edge* -Who do you think you are?-

Autumn: -I feel like... two people...-

voice: -You were put back together from the floating atoms left behind when your reality ended. There were parts that I couldn't work with.-

Autumn: -Oh.- *there's not much else to say at a time like this*

voice: -Do you have any questions?-

Autumn: *her hand curls into a loose fist* -Am I dead?-

voice: -No. You aren't.-

Autumn: -Oh. ...Then, what will happen now?-

voice: -That depends. Will you do something for me?-

Autumn: -Yes.-

voice: *non mocking amusement* -Without asking what it is?-

Autumn: -What else can I do?-

voice: -I can set you free in a place between worlds, and you can find your own place. Alone.-

Autumn: -Is that the choice? I'm alone, or I do what you ask?-

voice: -You won't be alone for long, in that place. But your companion would wake with you if you choose the other option. He... needs a keeper.- *hint of rueful amusement in the voice*

Autumn: -Someone else? Someone... someone needs us?-

voice: -Yes.-

Autumn: -Then yes.- ...We will help. *a smile pulls on the edges of her mouth, then dies*

voice: -Thank you. What kind of clothes do you want?-

Autumn: *there's a rawness in her voice, an edge* Something... pretty. *her brow furrows* -No, no, something comfortable. Something no one will notice.-

image: *a dress, loose and flowing, with a crochet yoke and a tiered skirt of soft green*

Autumn?: *that smile comes back* Make it yellow and we'll talk. It brings out my eyes.

image: *dress becomes two shades of yellow, soft and bright, with small flowers scattered across the softer one*

voice: -How long?-

image: *dress to feet, dress to ankles, dress to calves, dress to knees*

Autumn?: Knees. -Feet! Feetfeetfeet!- *smile* ...Calves, fine.

voice: *laughing* -Do you need a tie breaker?- *untroubled in the least by the two voices*

Autumn?: *as though this is monumental* I'm already compromising for her.

voice: -Alright.- *still rumbling with chuckles* -Bikini or brief?-

Autumn?: I have to wear- -BRIEF!-

voice: -And what kind of shoes?-

Autumn?: -Something we can run in.- Yeah.

voice: -That covers a lot of styles.-

image: *soft boots, sneaker type day hiking boots, soft shoes, moccasins, knee high laced moccasins, sandals*

Autumn?: *weakly points to the knee highs* That'll keep her happy.

voice: -Alright. Your companion will be confused. Just let him know that he smacked into a mountainside, and pretty much wrote himself out of his reality.-

Autumn: -...Alright.-

voice: -Any other questions?-

Autumn: *there's a pause as 'they' consider* -No.-

voice: *amused again* -There's one you should be asking.-

Autumn?: I don't follow. It's gone, right? That hole we lived in? -H-hey...- It's gone? What's there to ask? *mental whimper*

voice: *gentle rumble* -My name is Charlie.-

Autumn?: Hi there, Chuck. *she grins toothily, but it doesn't reach her eyes* Haylin. She's Autumn. -H-hello...-

voice: *still gentle* -I know. And if you call me I'll answer, no matter where you are. Alright?-

Autumn/Haylin: -O-ok.-

voice: -Alright. Brace yourself.-

Autumn/Haylin: *there's a moment of hesitation before her eyes squeeze shut*

huge metallic hand: *closes around her gently and carefully sets her on her feet on what looks to be a massive floral couch*

voice: *slightly wibbly. Male. Young* Careful. It's pretty squishy.

Autumn: *squeaks in surprise at the hand, bending her knees and curling in on herself as though she can fold up and get away* *she looks up at the owner of the hand, her eyes wide and staring(as her hands close automatically around the small plush doll that appeared with her)*

*stares up at this massive red-and-white... golem?, her eyes catching on and darting from his huge shoulders to the spire on his back to his glowing yellow eyes. She manages not to scream, but she can't seem to find her voice*

yellow eyes: *dim slightly* Please don't be afraid of me. I won't hurt you. Even with all the things I've accidentally wrecked, I've never hurt a human.

Autumn: *She's unusually tall for a human woman, with pale skin and long black hair. Her skin is almost translucent and etched with a spiderweb of black veins. Her eyes, mostly hidden in her hair, are the color of mustard.* *She whimpers and clutches the doll to her chest, a gesture that looks a bit out of place on a woman who must be in her twenties*

yellow eyes: *go out as the being bows his head* I'm sorry. I... I'd go away, but I'm not sure where this is. And if I move my team might not be able to find me. *peeks down at her with a soft shine of yellow* *softly* I'm Fireflight. What's your name?

Autumn: *she nearly chokes forcing herself to speak* N-n-n-n-no! I h-h-have t-to... *she swallows, fighting to keep herself talking* Aut-t-tumn. M-my name is Aut-t-tumn. Y-y-you-... wh-when I w-w-w-w-was unc-...unc... *trails off, stuck on the word*

Fireflight: *worry shows plainly on his mostly featureless face, and those big, gentle hands creep near to her* Easy. Take a breath and try again?

Autumn: *she throws him a hopeless look - she's trying her best!* W-when I w-was unc-c-... asleep, there was a v-v-voice. W-were y-you somew-where before? I-I kn-know how c-c-c-c-crazy that s-sounds...

Fireflight: *tilts his head very slightly* Yes. I was flying over Redwood park with... *heating of faceplates is plainly visible* Uh... I was flying over this really pretty forest and mountain park. Why?

Autumn: I-I-I... *there's a sparkle of tears in her eyes, as though just speaking for so long is causing her physical discomfort* I-I-I'm s-s-so s-s-sorry, but I think... I think you h-hit a m-muh... m-m-mountain!

Fireflight: *eyes flash with surprise* Oh no! Not again! Air Raid's going to kill me!

Autumn: *whimpers, her eyes full of sympathy and pain - if only he could hear what she had heard* I d-d-don't th-think they'll ha-have t-t-to...

Fireflight: *blink blink* What do you mean?

Autumn: *she sniffles* I'm suh-so... *the next whimper comes out a sob* I'm so sorry!

Fireflight: *soft eek as his hands cup her gently* What's wrong? Is it something I did?

Autumn: *sob* N-no... I th-think... I th-think you d-d-died... *she falls to her knees on the couch, crying into her soft toy*

Fireflight: *goes totally still after a flash from his eyes* *the gentle thrum from inside him continues, however*

Autumn: *sobbing* I'm suh-suh-sor-ruh-ry...

Fireflight: *eyes blink, and then he turns his head slightly to look at her again* But... but my systems say they're running perfectly. I thought we left those behind when we went to the Well of Allsparks. *sooo confused*

Autumn: *shakes her head* I-I don't know! I'm sorry! Wh-when I w-was asleep, s-someone told me th-that I would find you, and you had hit a m-m-mountain... and y-you were... I'm suh-so sor-r-ry! *wipes at her tears with the back of her hand*

Fireflight: Oh... *bewildered note to that gentle voice* Oh. I see.

Autumn: I-I know th-that it sounds c-c-cuh-c-crazy... I'm s-sorry.

Fireflight: It... doesn't sound crazy. *soberly* And I know that's crazy.

Autumn: *sniffles and looks up at him, one eye visible through her hair* R-really?

Fireflight: *softly and sadly* Yeah, I can feel that you're telling the truth. *takes his hands away from her as his chin drops to his chest. And then those broad shoulders are shaking slightly*

Autumn: I-I'm so sorry. I-I-I don't kn-know wh-why this is ha-a-appening... *she hesitates, then carefully slides herself over and puts her hand gently on whatever surface she can reach* I-I'm sorry... *she looks up at him*

Fireflight: *hand gently comes down to cup around her again when she touches his leg* *quietly and tearfully* I... I did something bad. This happened because of that.

Autumn: O-oh... *she puts the toy down and rests her other hand on one of his fingers* N-no, it can't b-be that... I d-don't think it's y-y-y-your fault...

Fireflight: Slingshot said I'd go to hell if I looked at the girl 'Cons, and I kissed one. This doesn't look like hell, but... *shuts eyes off and cries some more*

Autumn: O-oh! Oh! N-n-no! *she shakes her head - through her hair she's blushing* N-n-no, it's not like that, I'm s-sure! A-and you won't g-g-go to h-huh-hell f-for that!

Fireflight: *sudden gasp and looks around, then sighs* Oh good. Thundercracker isn't here. That means she didn't hit the mountain too.

Autumn: *as though she's ashamed of this* I-it's j-j-j-just you and I. *her head pops up, banishing whatever though she was having* ...I-I b-b-bet we could find some people i-i-f-ffuh... if we have a l-look around, though!

Fireflight: *blinks at her* Are you lost too? *seems to wibble despite lack of mouth* Did you die too?

Autumn: *shakes her head* I d-don't know. Th-the v-voice said... said m-my reality... *blinks back fresh tears* I d-don't know.

Fireflight: *softly* Can I pick you up? I think you need a hug.

Autumn: Y-you too. *she makes an effort to smile* Y-yes.

Fireflight: Yeah... I do. *gently lifts her up, cupping one hand beneath her and the other behind her as he brings her up to his chest. Close to that chest, the thrumming sound is even louder, nearly like a giant heart beating steadily. His plating is warm... and it feels alive and comforting*

Autumn: *leans against his chest, feeling her heart beat in time with his thrumming*

Fireflight: *silent again for a moment, but then he looks down at her* Why are you sorry?

Autumn: Thu-this m-must be h-hard for you. And... i-if you d-died... I'm sorry for th-that.

Fireflight: *quietly* Oh. *moves the hand that he was sheltering her with and gently touches her back with a finger* Thanks.

Autumn: *she turns slightly to put a hand on his finger and smiles gently* Y-you're welcome.

Fireflight: *eye colour softens in a smile, and then darkens slightly into a frown as he looks over at something that's been bugging him since he woke up, but just now registered as a really annoying bright light* *sees... the SIGN* Gah! My eyes!

Autumn: *squeaks, turning towards the light and peering through his fingers* Whuh-What is it? *glances back up at his face* A-are you alright?

Fireflight: *blinking eyes on and off rapidly to refocus them* It's bright. *squints toward it again* ..."Ask A Question"?

Autumn: W-what? I-is it tuh-talking to y-you?

Fireflight: The words on it say, "Ask a Question". *looks down at her again*

Autumn: *she looks out at it and squints* O-oh. ...S-sorry, I... that w-was stupid. D-do we ask f-from h-here? O-or should we... go over th-there?

Fireflight: Hmm. *tilts his head in that thinking way* ...Let's try here.

Autumn: O-okay. Wh-what are you g-going to ask?

Fireflight: What do we need to ask? Where this is? And... *blinks as he looks straight up* o.0;

Autumn: O-OH! *she backs into his chest, staring up at what could only be whales 'swimming' through the sky*

Fireflight: *very very softly, his voice just a rumble in his chest* Think they poop?

Autumn: *chokes, then starts giggling very, very quietly into her hands* I-I hope n-not.

Fireflight: *still whispering* It's not funny, Autumn. Bird poop is bad enough!

Autumn: I-I'm s-sorry! *keeps giggling* I-it's f-funny, though! M-maybe we should m-move out from uh-under them?

Fireflight: ...Yeah. But... there are a lot of them up there. *startles and looks down as a voice speaks near them*

woman: *forty foot tall and looking like a 'Van Helsing' werewolf* Don't worry about the whales. The only thing you have to worry falling off them is stoned Mrrpt-Nyah hunters.

Autumn: *peeks out from between Fireflight's fingers* Um... huh-hello...

woman: *smiles and hums softly as she takes in the girl's uncertainty and the boy's wide-eyed wonder* First time in the Nexus?

Fireflight: *wordless nod*

Autumn: Yuh-yes... *she fiddles with her skirt*

woman: *gently, as she hooks her thumbs into the heavy belt that supports her loincloth* I won't hurt you. Nobody can, actually. There's an anti-violence field around here.

Fireflight: *blinks at that* How does that work?

woman: Nooo idea.

Autumn: Oh-ok. D-do you know wh-what's h-happened to us?

woman: No. Don't you? *ears perk, and her concern is clear*

Autumn: I-I know... I know I h-heard a voice, and it said... *she squeezes Fireflight's finger* I-it s-s-said m-my reality is... g-g-gone. A-and he... *she glances back up at Fireflight* H-he... he m-might have... he might h-have d-died in his...

woman: *concern changes to compassion* You're Exiles. You'll need a home.

Fireflight: *quietly* Exiles?

woman: Yes. Someone who belongs to no reality.

Autumn: O-ohh... *she hangs her head*

Fireflight: But... we're alive?

woman: Oh yes. *ears move, and she's clearly smiling* I'm Seaspray.

Fireflight: *startles*

Autumn: *her face breaks into a wide smile* You're a-alive! *she looks up at Fireflight with tears in her eyes* You're a-alive after a-all!

Fireflight: And she's Seaspray. *looks down at Autumn, boggling slightly*

Seaspray: *hums laughter* Not the one I guess you know.

Autumn: Wh-what is 'the Nexus'? Wh-where are we?

Seaspray: This is the Nexus. It's a place between times and realities. Everyone from everyplace and everywhen can come here. Including different versions of the same person. And you're in the Sign Square.

Autumn: *boggles* Wh...wow.

Fireflight: *looks around for the first time at the people scattered around the square and makes a soft sound of surprise as he sees the variety of races and species*

Autumn: *looks down* O-oh! ...I th-thought we were alone! *she shrinks slightly*

Seaspray: *gently* Come with me. I know someone who can help you find somewhere to stay.

Autumn: *looks up at Fireflight* I-I think we sh-should...

Fireflight: *looks back at her, so serious* Do you want me to carry you?

Autumn: I-if you l-like. *she looks away* ...I f-feel safer up here.

Fireflight: Okay. *stands smoothly and then looks at Seaspray*

Seaspray: *soft humming of amusement* I just can't get over people, especially men, that are as tall as me.

Autumn: *lamely* H-he's v-very tall. ...Wh-where are we going?

Seaspray: *points along a wide path between two brownstones* Do you see that sign at the other end of the path? The one that's as bright as this one?

Fireflight: It says, "Black Dog".

Autumn: Wh-what is it?

Seaspray: A pub. A good, safe place to eat. And the bartender knows a lot about what's available to live in.

Autumn: *nods* O-ok. ...P-people like us... this h-happens oft-t-ten?

Seaspray: Pretty often. I've met a lot of Exiles here. Including a few who did it on purpose.

Autumn: Wh-why would you do that?

Seaspray: *slow head shake as she starts leading the way down the path* Some people have situations that stink so badly that they need to leave.

Fireflight: *softly* Like when the older Autobots had to leave Cybertron. *so careful as he carries Autumn close to his chest and protects her with his free hand*

Autumn: *she puts her hands on Fireflight's finger, steadying herself as they walk* O-oh, I see. That would be... I see.

Seaspray: My people didn't have to come here. But it was someone that one of the Lu of the Rock met here who helped we drifters find our own Rock on another world in a different reality.

Autumn: Do you... do you th-think we'll be a-alright?

Seaspray: I do. *glances toward the smaller organic with a reassuring smile* Nemesis is a tough $@#$#@, but she doesn't let anyone stay out in the cold.

Fireflight: *eyes go white* Nemesis???

Seaspray: Not the one you know, remember? *gentle pat*

Autumn: Wh-what? Who is Nemesis?

Seaspray: The bartender. In some realities Nemesis is the name of a tyrant's warship.

Fireflight: *nods soberly* Megatron.

Autumn: *up at Fireflight* Someone very bad?

Fireflight: *quietly* He nearly killed Cybertron. And my creator.

Autumn: Cybertron is w-where you're f-from?

Fireflight: I was born there, and the ship I was made from came from there. But I lived on Earth my whole life.

Autumn: A sh-ship? I-I th-thought you w-were a g-g-golem... *shakes her head* This is a-all s-s-s-so new t-to me.

Fireflight: Golem? No, I'm an Autobot. A Transformer. I'm... *pauses and sighs* I was an Aerialbot.

Autumn: I-I'm sorry, I don't know wh-what those w-words m-mean.

Seaspray: Autobots are one faction of the Cybertronian people. Transformer means that they've got at least two natural shapes. Aerialbot means he turns into a... *checks Fireflight's kibble* Jet.

Autumn: A what? J-j-jet? I-I'm sorry, we d-don't h-have anuh... anyth-thing called that on m-my w-world. *she looks helplessly between the two of them* I-I'm s-s-sorry...

Seaspray: Oh. It's alright. A lot of people don't. *smiles up at Fireflight* He's a flying machine.

Fireflight: *very very quietly* Jazz used to say I was a kissing machine, too.

Seaspray: 0.0 XD *sputter*

Autumn: *shocked* O-oh! *giggles* Oh really? Y-you must be v-very proud.

Fireflight: *actually, he looks mortified. Plainly he'd been accidentally thinking out loud!*

Seaspray: *hand over her eyes as she fights back the urge to hum with laughter*

Autumn: *keeps giggling* I-It's ok! Ah... *trying to change the subject for his sake* S-so, you fly?

Fireflight: *nod nod* Y... yeah. *SO ded of blush* It's... um. I was doing it when I... uh. Crashed.

Autumn: Oh... r-right. S-sorry. Ah... I-I can't fly.

Fireflight: *curious look* Humans don't.

Seaspray: *surprised as she moves her hand and studies Autumn politely* You're human?

Autumn: N-no I'm n-not... um, wh-where I... was... e-everyone can fly. Um. *she looks a bit embarrassed now that it's come to this* Ah... we all h-have w-wings. *she takes a deep breath. The veins in her back pulse, then pull towards the center before two large, leathery wings unfurl from her back. The wings have an odd feather here and there, and generally look as though they never decided to belong on a bird or a bat.*

Fireflight: *so surprised!* You're a Transformer too! An organic one.

Seaspray: But you can't fly?

Autumn: I n-never really learned h-h-how. I-it's h-h-hard. ...P-people stare. *her feathers rustle as she wraps her wings around herself*

Seaspray: *reaches between Fireflight's fingers to gently touch Autumn* There are people here that can help you learn. *nods toward something on the porch of the huge building they're approaching*

figure: *tall and strong woman, nearly six foot tall. Her shapely body is clothed in a simple sleeveless and short legged one piece outfit. Has red skin, green hair... and massive green draconian wings*

Fireflight: *just nearly stepped on Seaspray as he gazes at the interesting person up there*

Seaspray: Ack!

Autumn: Oh! I... I don't w-w-want to cause t-trouble. *she pulls her wings in tighter*

Seaspray: If someone offers, it won't be troubling them. *amused look for the blushing and apologizing Fireflight*

red woman: *leaps powerfully into the air. Her wings crack as they sweep downward, and then she's off and away*

Autumn: O-ok... *doesn't sound sure. At all.*

Fireflight: *leans over her a bit* You can ride in my cockpit if you want to fly.

Seaspray: ...Just don't smack into any mountains. *up the steps!*

Fireflight: Oh yeah. *sigh*

Autumn: *smiles up at Fireflight* I would l-like th-that, very m-much.

Fireflight: I might have to let you steer, since I don't seem to do it so well. *droop*

Autumn: O-oh, d-d-dear, I don't know i-if I would be a-any good at that!

Fireflight: *quietly* Well I run into mountains.

Autumn: N-not oft-t-t-ten, r-right?

Fireflight: *guilty look*

Autumn: ...Oh. Um... we'll th-think of s-s-something. Maybe if w-we flew ab-bove the m-muh-mountains.

Fireflight: *softly, as he follows Seaspray up the steps* Birds. Other planes...

Autumn: Oh. *clearly running out of ideas* W-we can d-do something else, then. F-f-f-for now.

Fireflight: *smacks into another bot with a clang and a grunt, and then lifts his head to apologize only to blink and grin shyly at the pretty white femme of strange tech instead* Hi.

femme: *smiles back, her blue optics twinkling* Hi. Do you need a seat?

Seaspray: I've got them, Archiva.

Archiva: Oh. Alright. *smiles at Fireflight again, and then walks away*

Fireflight: *watch a girl*

Autumn: *smiles, clearly amused* Sh-she seemed n-n-n-nice.

Fireflight: *softly and dreamily* So pretty...

Autumn: *giggles*

Fireflight: *blink blink. BLUSH. Peek at new friend*

Autumn: Th-th-thinking out l-l-l-loud?

Fireflight: *nod nod* *then looks up and meeps as he comes nearly face to face with another femme who is of the same tech as the white one. This one's so dark a green as to be nearly black, with russet optics and a broad build*

femme: I'm Nemesis. You're Fireflight, Autumn, and Haylin?

Fireflight: Uh...

Autumn: *blushes uncomfortably* H-H-H-H-Hayl-l-lin isn't h-h-here right n-n-now... B-but I'm Aut-t-tumn.

Nemesis: *frowns* Not here? Or not talking?

Autumn: *shakes her head* S-she a-and I... wh-when sh-she's here, I g-g-go aw-w-way. I-I'm h-here n-now.

Nemesis: Ah. Separate facets. Not different people. *looks from her to Fireflight, then offers a human size purse that matches Autumn's dress. Your boss said he forgot to give you that.

Autumn: *seems relieved to not have to explain herself further* Oh, th-thank you. *accepts the purse*

Fireflight: *curiosity much!* What's in it, Autumn?

Autumn: Oh, um... *opens the purse*

purse: *contains a mass of papers saying they're good for a very large amount of the money of her previous reality*

Autumn: *SHOCK* Oh! O-oh! I-it's m-money! I think? *looks up at Nemesis*

Nemesis: Yeah. And he said you need somewhere to live, too.

Fireflight: *just watching now, his eyes bright and giving him a wide-eyed expression*

Autumn: Oh dear... *she closes the purse and hugs it to her chest as though it will protect her* Y-yes... I d-don't h-have anywhere to g-go...

Nemesis: *nods* *gruffly* It's lousy with Constructicons right now. You want to eat something while you wait? *includes Fireflight in the question*

Fireflight: *falteringly* Constructicons?

Nemesis: Not the ones you knew.

Autumn: O-ok, i-if that's b-b-best. *looks up at Fireflight* Wh-who are C-C-Con-n-nuh-nstruc-c-c... *she pauses, rallying* ...tic-cons?

Fireflight: *uncertainly, looking very lost* Where I come from they were a group of Decepticons who combined into a big bot named Devastator. They liked to build things and wreck things.

Autumn: *deeply confused* Dec-c-cep... Um... D-Deceptic-c-cons?

Fireflight: Well, where I come from, they were the Cybertronians who wanted to take over everything.

Nemesis: That about sums it up.

Autumn: O-oh, I see. *she nods*

Nemesis: *nods and then jerks her head to tell Fireflight to follow her over to the bar*

Fireflight: *does so, uncertain and a little overwhelmed by his busy surroundings* *quietly* But... I don't eat food.

Autumn: Sh-she's s-s-sort of l-like you, right? S-s-so they might have wh-whatever you eat?

Fireflight: She's a Transformer, but her tech is so strange. It looks like her armour shrank.

Autumn: S-s-s-Seaspray s-s-said she was different from yours, right? S-so... maybe that's why?

Fireflight: Yeah. *looks around* I see a lot of different kinds of tech here. *bumps into a bar stool* Ouch! My gearbox. *wince wince*

Nemesis: *snerk*

Autumn: *jostles* Oh! *clings to his finger* B-be careful!

Fireflight: *small whimper* Yeah. *gives the stool a reproachful look, and then sits on it and carefully offers to put Autumn down on the polished surface of the bar*

Autumn: *carefully steps onto the bar, eying her reflection in the varnish. She adjusts her skirt self consciously*

Nemesis: *back from the end of the bar, offers a human size chair and a round table* Know what you want to eat?

Autumn: I d-d-d-don't know what you h-have...

Nemesis: Nearly anything. Special today for organics of your bio is barnacle soup. Or you can get the poutine for fifty cents a pound.

Autumn: *mild alarm* B-b-barnacles?

Nemesis: Yeah... *quizzical look*

Autumn: I-I didn't know you could eat th-those...

Nemesis: People seem to like the ones off the flying whales once my cook gets done with them.

Fireflight: *has found the soup on the menu* That's a bargain meal. Do we need to buy bargain meals, Autumn? *looks down at his friend*

Autumn: Um, n-n-no! *smiles* M-m-my treat!

Nemesis: Well there's the fancier menu. *points*

Fireflight: *reads* Steak, dinoburger, pasta and meat sauce, pasta and white sauce, planked salmon, lobster, all kinds of shrimp things, salads... Oh, and the steaks are different weights.

Autumn: U-um, Salmon sounds good... i-i-it says if you eat it a-all, it's free... b-but I c-c-can't do that. *she laughs*

Fireflight: No... that's the big steak. *reads more* There's the planked salmon, salmon pasta, salmon salad, smoked salmon, salmon sashimi, salmon maki, gravid lox, raw whole salmon, salmon roe... hey, this menu brings up more options when you pick one.

Autumn: I think that st-steak is b-b-bigger than m-me! *eyes the menu* I th-think I would like th-the salmon salad, p-p-please. But wh-what k-k-kind of muh-magic makes the menu d-do that, do you think?

Fireflight: *studying the menu* Huh? Oh, it's not magic. It's a computer.

Nemesis: Want the salmon cooked?

Autumn: A c-c-c... I d-d-don't think w-we h-h-have those, where I'm from. *to Nemesis* And yes, p-p-please.

Nemesis: Dill, teriyaki, or keenie pickle cooked on the salmon? Spinach or mixed leaves? And what dressing?

Autumn: *slightly overwhelmed* U-um! Um... dill, p-p-please. A-and oil and v-vinegar p-p-please!

Nemesis: Alright. *looks at Fireflight*

Fireflight: *helplessly* I don't eat. I charge up in the charging berth.

Nemesis: Alright. I know what to give you. *turns and walks toward the door to the kitchen*

Autumn: *sits, folding her hands in her lap. She smiles at Fireflight* I-I'm sure they'll h-h-have something f-f-f-for you.

Fireflight: *doesn't hear. He's staring with bright-eyed shock at another bot sitting a few stools down the bar*

bot: *sitting and shoving what looks like a salad into his mouth with chopsticks*

Autumn: *turns to look at him* M-maybe he's a d-d-different kind?

Nemesis: *back* Nope. That's oil, minerals, and energon.

Fireflight: 0.0 Oh...

Autumn: So... y-you can eat it?

Fireflight: Yeah... energon and oil are fuels. And we need minerals for our self repair...

Nemesis: Pizza, right?

Fireflight: *startles and then turns to stare at her* There's pizza? For bots?

Nemesis: Yup.

Fireflight: Yes, please!

Autumn: *smiles* I th-thought they might have s-something for you!

Nemesis: *snort* This is a Transformer bar. What do you expect? *polish bar top with towel*

Autumn: *blush* R-right.

Nemesis: Want a drink while you wait?

Autumn: U-um, yes... d-do you have iced tea?

Nemesis: Yup. What kind of tea, and what in it?

Autumn: *stare* Um... b-black tea... with lem-mon?

Nemesis: Orange Pekoe, or Earl Grey? *grabs two cans and lets her smell* Or this Rooiboos?

Autumn: Earl Grey, p-p-please. U-um, c-c-could it be without lemon, but with milk and sugar in it?

Nemesis: English. Got it. *barks an order and pitches the tea tin toward a stocky little green bot that's around seven or so foot tall*

bot: *grins, and then sets to work brewing tea and making it into ice tea. He doesn't look as mechanical as the other bots Autumn's noticed so far*

Fireflight: *doesn't notice this. He's watching that pretty femme over there...*

bot: *skillfully steeps the tea and cools it, then mixes in the requested flavourings. Pauses to retrieve the milk from a tiny brindle being with a blue face* Dinobot, I need that.

Dinobot: Rrrrrr. My milk!

bot: Dinobot....

Dinobaby: Stinky Rhinox!

Rhinox: *goes to get another container of milk*

Dinobaby: *chugalug!*

Autumn: *smiles, giggling into her hands*

Rhinox: *back and sets a little tiny white baytech bot next to Dinobaby* Here, Lucky's got Small Cheetor.

Dinobaby: *lowers carton and blinks, then helps the other bitty tip the canvas and rope cat doll up. Soon has bathed the cat in milk as he gives it a drink*

Autumn: *bites her lip - it's so cute!*

Dinobaby: *tips up the carton and drains the rest of the contents, then burps loudly*

Lucky: *flails his little arms and laughs!*

Autumn: *suppresses the giggles as best she can*

Dinobaby: Hungry now. Nem! Hungry now!

Nemesis: Whatever. *brings over a plate heaped with some softly glowing shapes on it*

Dinobaby: Cookies! Rrrrrr. Thanks! *stuffs cookie in Lucky's mouth*

Lucky: *squeal! Laugh. Crunch*

Rhinox: *brings over the pitcher of tea and a glass mug that looks like a canning jar* Tell me if I've got the sugar and milk right.

Autumn: *snaps out of her baby-watching* Oh! *blushes* Um, o-ok! *smiles awkwardly*

Rhinox: *pours her some with a flourish and then presents the mug*

Autumn: *accepts the mug and takes a delicate sip* I-it tastes w-wonderful, th-thank you!

Rhinox: *grins, then looks up at Fireflight* ...What's he watching? *tries to follow larger bot's line of sight, then facepalms* That femme's name is Vituperation. Trust me, Fireflight. You don't want to get any closer to her.

Autumn: H-he s-s-s-seems to d-d-do th-that... *she takes another sip, and under the table her toes wiggle in her boots*

Fireflight: *caught that conversation and is blushing again* Sorry.

Rhinox: *gives the kid's arm a pat, and then runs to save the cookie plate from being Dinobot's dessert*

Autumn: I-It's ok... Um... *considers* I th-think it's h-h-healthy? For y-young m-m-m-men? Th-that's what I've heard.

Fireflight: *leans hand on face* As long as they're not flying toward mountains.

Nemesis: *nips back to the kitchen and comes back with a small plate and a huge one. Little one for Autumn, and big one for Fireflight*

Fireflight: *eyes flash at the smell coming off his meal* Ohhhh. This... wow.

Autumn: *smiles, happy he's distracted* Th-thank you.

Nemesis: Let me or Rhinox know if you need anything else. *over to one end of the bar to punch a boisterous patron who just decided to climb over the bar in quest of loots*

Fireflight: *cringes a bit at the hit, but then turns his attention to bowing his head for a moment before carefully picking up a wedge of pizza and tasting it* 0.0

Autumn: *smiles, then tucks in delicately. She pauses, then tips her head back as she chews* Mmm~

Fireflight: This tastes soooo strange. *another bite... how he's doing that with his mask is anyone's guess*

Autumn: Th-this is really g-g-good...

Fireflight: Yeah. Why didn't Wheeljack and Ratchet ever think of something like this? *wedge of pizza gone, next one being picked up. He even eats like a teenage guy*

Autumn: I-I d-don't know... muh-maybe th-this place is b-better at... um... I-I don't know...

Fireflight: Yeah. I guess. *glances down at her, his optics twinkling in a smile*

Seaspray: *back* Okay, guys. I have to go, but I left something with Nem to make sure you get what you need. Maybe we'll meet again.

Fireflight: Oh... Okay. *sounds a bit like a lost kid*

Autumn: U-um... okay... s-see you l-later...? *she seems entirely lost, and hides her expression in a bite of her salad*

Seaspray: *gently* Nem will take care of you guys. Don't worry.

Fireflight: *hand slips over to touch Autumn's back* Okay...

Autumn: *she glances at Fireflight and smile bravely* O-okay. W-we'll be f-fine. *she puts her hand on Fireflight's finger* Right?

Fireflight: Right. *squares shoulders, his optics brightening into a hesitant but sunny smile*

Seaspray: *slaps him gently on the arm, and then reaches down to gently touch Autumn with one warm finger tip* *softly* God bless you both.

Nemesis: *snorts* Get any sappier and I'll hurk on you.

Fireflight: Hey, that's mean... *frowns at the bartender*

Nemesis: *chuckles and shoves a rolled up, slightly glowing thing at him*

Fireflight* Ooooo. *sniff sniff* *NOM!*

Autumn: *giggles, then turns back to Seaspray* Th-thank you, for everyth-thing.

Seaspray: *smiles and hums softly* You're welcome. *turns then and walks away* Give Autumn a cinnamon bun too, Nem.

Autumn: Oh! Oh, n-n-no, I'm f-f-fine! Th-thank you. *she flushes slightly*

Nemesis: Get finer. *sets down a small plate with three little coiled biscuit dough cinnamon buns on it, then walks off to answer a call for a drink*

Autumn: O-ohh... *she looks at them sadly* O-okay... *she takes a dainty little bite of one*

Nemesis: *as she comes back on her way to yell into the kitchen* I've called in a debt and got some mooks working on a place for you. Give it a few more clicks and you can go settle in.

Autumn: Th-thank you... *another wee dainty bite, just to show she's eating it*

Fireflight: *picks up his empty plate and tastes it*

Nemesis: *blink. Facepalm*

Autumn: Nuh-nuh-no! D-don't eat the p-p-p-plate!

Fireflight: *meeps and sets it down hurriedly* Sorry.

Autumn: *stage whisper* P-p-plates aren't f-for eating!

Fireflight: *looks so sheepish as he leans down and whispers back* Okay.

Autumn: I-It's ok-kay. Y-y-you're n-not used to f-food.

Fireflight: No. *then sits up and looks at his hands* Um. I think I need to wash up. I have pizza stuff on me.

Autumn: *wideeyed, suddenly very small on the bar* O-okay.

Nemesis: *back* I'll make sure she's safe. *glass of water without ice and with a slice of lemon for Autumn*

Fireflight: *hesitates* Will that be okay, Autumn?

Autumn: O-okay. *she shrinks in her seat, like a turtle withdrawing*

Fireflight: *touches her gently with a finger un-food-smeared, and then gets up and heads for the men's room*

Nemesis: Do you like little furry things? *polishing the bar as she glances at Autumn for a reply*

Autumn: Y-y-yes? *she takes another teeny bite of her bun*

Nemesis: *looks down at the floor by her feet* How little is little for you?

Autumn: *she holds her hands out, about a foot and a half apart*

Nemesis: *to her feet* You're too big. Go get Lumen.

child's voice: Aww. Okay.

Nemesis: *watches somebody head for the other end of the bar and then return, then stoops and stands to offer an adorable half husky pup that's somewhat bigger than what Autumn indicated but adorable* Here. Lumen will sit with you.

Lumen: *waggatail!*

Autumn: *tiny, strangled squeak of joy* Oh! Th-thank you!

Nemesis: You don't get to keep him. But he'll be your friend forever if you scratch his ears. Right, Lu?

Lumen: Yup! *wag wag!*

Autumn: *squeak* H-he can talk! O-ohh! H-hello! Um, I-I'm Aut-t-tumn!

Lumen: *comes and leans against her leg as he's set down* M'Lumen. M' friends with Pooka.

Autumn: *pets him gently* It's n-n-nice to meet you, L-Lumen. Wh-who's Pooka?

Lumen: The other little Maximal. Aunty Nem's son.

child's voice from the floor behind the bar: The one that's too big.

Autumn: *mortified* O-oh! Oh, I'm s-s-s-so sorry! Y-you can c-c-c-come o-out t-t-t-too! I'm s-s-s-s-sorry!

Nemesis: *soft snort. Reaches down and then brings up a massive black Malamute with bright blue eyes, white toes, and a white chest* You sure?

Pooka: *puppy eyes as he hangs from his scruff*

Autumn: *blushing furiously* Y-y-yes! I'm s-s-sorry! O-oh, I'm so s-s-s-sorry! I-I'm j-j-j-just r-r-r-really sm-sm-small a-a-a-a-a-a... *she whimpers, unable to get the words out*

Pooka: *comes over as he's set down and gives her a gentle kiss on the knee* It's okay.

Lumen: *snuggle*

Autumn: *pets the puppies, looking deeply guilty*

Pooka and Lumen: *cuddle and look very happy*

Nemesis: *nods and gives Autumn a bit of a gruff but reassuring smile*

Autumn: *she smiles back, but doesn't look entirely convinced*

Pooka: You better finish your noms so you grow up big and strong.

Nemesis: *facepalms* Kid, sometimes I wonder how you can be made from me.

Autumn: Y-you m-made him? *petpet*

Nemesis: He's my son.

Autumn: *blank look* Oh! *she smiles, but clearly has no idea how to respond to the giant robot parenting the puppy*

Pooka: *has seen that expression before* I'm a baby Transformer. This is my alt mode.

Nemesis: What he said. *goes to answer a drink call, and to put Dinobaby back behind the bar so he can't bite patrons*

Rhinox: *back up on top of the bar and looking just a little bit dazed as he walks over to the small tables* Everything alright here?

Pooka and Lumen: *much giggling!*

Autumn: *to Pooka* I-I didn't know you c-could be a-animals, too! *she looks up at Rhinox, suddenly aware he's there* Um, y-y-yes! I-I'm fine! *looks at the puppies* D-do you want an-n-nything?

pups: *shake their heads. They're still laughing at Rhinox*

Rhinox: That's what Maximal means, Miss. We're the Transformers that turn into animals. *pause* Well. We're most of the Transformers that turn into animals.

Pooka: The good guys. *giggle* You got kissed!

Rhinox: *snorts at the pup*

Autumn: *nods, mentally filing 'Maximals' away* O-okay. *blushes at the reference to kisses* Um... c-congratulations?

Rhinox: Err. Thanks. Excuse me. *goes to one of the other little tables as the people there push their plates away*

Pooka: *more giggling* Aunty Spazz does it all the time.

Autumn: *head down* Th-th-that w-w-was the w-w-wrong thing t-t-t-to s-s-say...

Pooka: *curious look with tilted head and perked ears* It was?

Autumn: I-I think s-s-so... I-I'm not v-very good at t-t-talking. *changing the subject* ...Um, who's Aunty Sp-pazz?

Pooka: Uncle Rhinox's mate.

Lumen: *licking the floor and wagging his tail* Wife.

Pooka: Right. That. :D

Autumn: *smiles* Oh, th-that's n-n-nice.

Pooka: She makes computer games. And voices in glitches heads.

Lumen: *giggle*

Autumn: *nods and smiles, clearly not understanding*

Nemesis: *is the sound of another face palm over there as she looks toward the men's room*

Autumn: I-Is s-something wrong? *turns to look*

Fireflight: *hand on wall over the head of a pretty, delicately made lady bot as he smiles down at her winsomely*

Autumn: *she looks a little sad* O-oh. ...I was beginning to w-wonder where he was... B-but th-that's ok, isn't it?

Rhinox: *looks too* It won't be if Starscream thinks Fireflight's trying to pick up his daughter.

Autumn: ...I-is Starscream v-very big?

Rhinox: Big enough to put a smack down on an Aerialbot. You better call him back.

Autumn: O-oh... *she gets up and walks to the edge of the bar timidly* I g-g-guess that's m-muh-my job... *she stares out at the room, very tiny and surrounded by very big things* U-um... h-hellooo...

Fireflight: *continues talking to the girl bot*

Autumn: *whimpers* F-fireflight? Fireflight!

Pooka: *standing beside her alertly* No, you gotta get louder, not quieter.

Autumn: I-I'm sorry! I'm n-n-not g-g-g-good at th-th-thuh... *blinks back tears* F-f-f-firef-f-f-f-fliiight! F-f-fire-f-f-fuhh... F-f-f-f-fuh-... F-f-f-f... *a deep blush starts to spread across her face* F-f-f-f-fuh-fuh-FIREFLIGHT!

Autumn?: *her voice has entirely changed, her yellow eyes narrowed to slits. She firmly plants her hands on her hips, barely noticing as the hem of her skirt swirls and rises to her knees* Fireflight! You gonna leave a girl hangin' or what?

Pooka and Lumen: o.0 *oooo, she's even more interesting now*

Fireflight: *head whips around* Oh no! I'm sorry, Autumn! I'll... I'll talk to you later, Beryl. *already turning to come back to the bar*

Autumn?: *she shakes her hair behind her shoulders and crosses her arms with a grin* You're not a very good date, Eff.

Fireflight: *blinks at her as he reaches the bar* Date? I don't understand.

pups: *giggling again. Baby bots are very amused at you, Fireflight*

Autumn?: *leans back theatrically* Girl buys your metal butt supper, watches your back all night, and you leave her to talk to other girls? An' face-like-a-potato back there tells me her daddy wouldn't have been too happy with you if you'd stayed, so I'm still watching your back.

Fireflight: Ah... *hangs head sheepishly* *small voice* I'm sorry.

Autumn?: *waves her hand* Ehhhhhh, you'll make it up to me. *her eyes dart* ...Huh. Charlie did do a number on me. *grin* I don't wanna punch you.

Fireflight: *optics flash with alarm* You'd hurt your hand, Autumn!

Pooka: That's not Autumn. *more giggles*

Fireflight: Huh?

Autumn?: Do I look like the milksop? *she flutters her wings, upsetting napkins at the next table over, then flaps once, rising into the air. She lands delicately on the table and stretches her wings* I'm Haylin. You've heard of me.

Fireflight: Ohhh. Um. Sorry, Haylin? *so sheepish for such a big guy*

Haylin: Ehhh, forget it. But maybe watch your aft end, huh? I don't wanna break a nail putting out optics. *grin* Not yet, anyway.

Fireflight: *softly* Okay. *puts over his hands in offer of picking her up*

Haylin: *snags a bun off the plate and takes off, ignoring his hands altogether and landing on his shoulder* Don't get all goopy on me, Eff. *takes a big bite of her bun*

Fireflight: *looks at his hands* Goopy?

Haylin: *sits, swinging her feet* Stop gettin' all sad about it!

Fireflight: Ohhhh. *tilts head at her* I can't hug you?

Haylin: Pfft. Save it for when shrinking violet comes back.

Fireflight: *wibbles shows despite his mask* Okay...

Haylin: *eats her bun, looking around the bar* Me an' you are gonna live together, yeah? Okay. But you gotta watch out for who you're bringing home, you know? You bring fights to our door, we're gonna have problems.

Fireflight: o.0 I thought we couldn't fight here.

Haylin: Wait what?

Fireflight: Beryl said something about an Anti-Violence field?

Haylin: ...In the bar, or, like, all over?

Fireflight: Uhhhh.

Pooka: *calls up, tail going like a rotor* A'most all over!

Haylin: *frowns* Seriously. *she stands up and calls down to Rhinox* OI. YOU. Y'told me he was gonna get creamed, what're you pulling?

Rhinox: *looks up* There are plenty of ways around the AV field for a determined father. Trust me, I've invented some of them.

pups: *are laughing again. They've seen some of those ways demonstrated*

Haylin: Pfft. Fine. I'll just have to find some too.

Fireflight: *got you, Haylin! Big hand brings her gently to his face so he can give her a gentle kiss on the head*

Haylin: GAHHH! *the remains of her bun smoosh into his faceplate as she kicks* Knock it off!

Fireflight: *meeps and quickly sets her down* Sorry!

pups: *on their backs and kicking their feet with the force of their giggles now*

Rhinox: *didn't snerk and you can't prove it*

Haylin: *glares at him, black fire beginning to crackle at the edges of her body... and then she laughs* Okay, okay, you got me. Just don't do it again! *licks bun off her fingers, then goes to get a fresh one from the table. The only one remaining is the one Autumn was eating*

Nemesis: *comes back* Pooka, don't even think of licking her. Your place's ready, kid.

Haylin: Great! Let's see the digs, then. *wolfs down her bun*

Pooka: Don't forget that bun. *sitting and looking so innocently at his mama*

Nemesis: *hands Haylin a little paper card with... coordinates?... written on it*

Haylin: *takes the paper, not actually paying any attention to what's on it. She glances at the bun, then picks it up and passes it to the puppies* Have fun, fluffy.

Pooka: ...That's Autumn's, isn't it?

Haylin: She won't miss it. Barely touched it. Wasn't hungry for it. Eat the sugar and bug your mom.

Pooka: *tilts head* Nuh uh. Not unless Autumn says it's alright. I ate one of Hothead's treats once cause Random said it was okay, and it wasn't.

Haylin: She doesn't want it, though. So, I'm giving it to you.

Pooka: *shuffles his front paws and backs away*

Haylin: Guh. *she peels off the part Autumn had been eating and devours the bun*

Pooka: *looks at Lumen*

Lumen: I guess Autumn got it too.

Pooka: Yeah. *tail starting to wag again*

Haylin: I'll tell her the sugar crash is from you. *winks*

Pooka: *giggles and squishes Lumen, who wriggles adorably*

Haylin: Okay, okay, are we leaving? *looks up at Fireflight*

Fireflight: *head tilt* Are we?

Haylin: Don't you want to see the new place? Kick the tires? Complain about the curtains?

Fireflight: Ohhhhhh! Yes. Is it ready?

pups: *are laughing again*

Rhinox: *just facepalmed from where he was over mixing a cube of energon bigger than he is*

Haylin: Sheesh, Eff... you're hopeless. You know, you're lucky I'm around. Anyway, can you read coordinates?

Fireflight: Sure I can. And I can take you to them, too. *optics sparkle*

Haylin: Good. Then this is your job. *holds out the paper*

Fireflight: *big fingers very carefully take teeeeeeny paper and bring it up for him to read* Okay! That's not far from here.

Haylin: Great! *she leaps into the air, flying up over his head, and alighting gently on his nosecone* Then let's go!

Fireflight: *freezes* You're sure you won't fall?

Haylin: Eff, I can fly. There's no such thing as falling.

Fireflight: Okay... *turns toward the door* But I can fly, and I've fallen lots of times.

Haylin: Then it's a good thing I'm not you, isn't it?

Fireflight: Yeah. I guess so. *head turns to follow the path of a pretty pink femmebot as he walks*

Haylin: *whistles* She's cute. *calls after her* Hey, baby! His name's Fireflight an' he's on the prrrrowl! Call 'im!

femme: *turns her head, sees the cute young flyboy, and grins and winks*

Fireflight: o.0 She just databursted me her comm frequency.

Haylin: *pats his nosecone* Stick with me, kid, we'll go places.

Fireflight: *grin is plain just in the happy and bouncy way he's walking. Till he sideswipes the door frame. Then he focuses on where he's going*

Haylin: *laughs uproariously*

Fireflight: Okay, so I go back the way we came down this path. *totally unflapped by the laughter happening up behind his head. Or by the stumble as he trips over something while watching a hefty bayformer girl go past*

Haylin: Oof - she's a whole lotta woman! Shake it sweetheart!

bayformer: *opens out a very big cannon and points it by way of reply*

Fireflight: Meep!

Haylin: *laughs* Sorry sweetie, didn't mean any harm!

bayformer: *snorts and turns away to go into the Black Dog*

Fireflight: That was a big gun.

Haylin: She was a big girl.

Fireflight: Well... yes she was. But I've never seen anybody with a gun that big! *reaches the sign square and turns right*

Haylin: *sits down* Ehh, some girls have all the luck.

Fireflight: *as he strides past what looks like an ancient Greek temple with a large black robot cat sleeping on the steps* What do you mean?

Haylin: Big thing like that? It's firepower, Eff! Girl's packin'! She's gifted! She's stacked to the ceiling!

Fireflight: Ohhhhhhh. *wistful note to his voice* Thundercracker had some nice guns.

Haylin: I wondered if you'd forgotten her already or what!

Fireflight: *stops short with surprise and turns his head to try and see her* I'll never forget Thundercracker. She was so beautiful.

Haylin: You sure moved on quick, though.

Fireflight: ...Moved on? What does that mean?

Haylin: Already looking for other girls.

Fireflight: *puzzled head tilt* I'm always looking at girls.

Haylin: Ready to go flying through the mountains holding hands and kissing, then?

Fireflight: Uh... I don't understand.

Haylin: Ehh, forget it. I don't know how robot romance works, anyway. And I don't, ok? Awful lotta clanking, I'd guess.

Fireflight: Clanking? *sounds so lost*

Haylin: *laughs* Forget it.

Fireflight: Uh. Okay. *starts walking again and is soon going down a normal suburban street lined with houses and condos of various designs*

Haylin: ...You suppose we're going to have to get jobs?

Fireflight: *slight startle* I don't know.

Haylin: I hope not.

Fireflight: I don't really know a lot of useful stuff.

Haylin: *shrugs* We'll figure it out.

Fireflight: *uncertainly* Yeah... *then stops as a small flying creature buzzes him and holds out a microphone*

critter: I'm doing a project for school. Can you tell me the best advice you ever got?

Fireflight: Oh, sure! My sister Slingshot said to never ever tell Motormaster "Bite me."

Haylin: Flap harder.

critter: Okay, thanks! *buzzes away*

Fireflight: *starts walking again*

Haylin: *groaning* Are we there yet?

Fireflight: It's right at then end of this street. *sudden freeze* Constructicons!

Haylin: Constructi-who-now?

Fireflight: *quietly* The big green bots over there by our new home.

Constructicons: *high fives all around as they stand by the pretty barn*

Haylin: So? Didn't that chick before say they weren't like your Constructiwhatnot?

Fireflight: *slowly* She did?

Haylin: Yeah, Bar-lady.

Fireflight: So it's safe? *watches the big bots turn to walk away, punching each other and laughing as they go*

Haylin: I dunno. But they probably won't shoot you on sight.

Fireflight: Oh right. And there's the no violence thing, too. *starts toward the barn* That's our house.

Haylin: Ugh, don't remind me... *distracts herself with the house* Alright, alright, nice.

Fireflight: *steps onto the path and then goes inside through the door at one end, only to stop and look around at the big open space with a table and chairs to one side and an enormous comfortable bed to the other* ...Is this for me?

Haylin: Well it sure isn't for me.

Fireflight: *looks around, and then points to a cast iron spiral staircase by the head of the big bed* I bet yours is up there.

Haylin: Oooh! *she takes off from his back and flies upstairs to see*

barn loft: *comfortable, beautiful, girly apartment with many gauzy curtains breaking it up into rooms*

Haylin: Uuugh. *droops* They made it for her.

Fireflight: *calls up the stairs* What's wrong?

Haylin: Nothing, nothing. *shrugs* I'll find something I can do with it.

note: *flutters on a nearby table*

Haylin: *picks it up*

note: "Don't miss the other half."

Haylin: Oh really? *takes a good look around, moving from room to room*

bathroom: *just off the part of the apartment that holds the big gauzy canopy bed. And there are TWO doors leading out of it*

Haylin: *strides through like she owns the place*

room on the other side: *big, echoing, like a dojo with a patterned metal floor. A rolled up camping mat and sleeping bag lay propped against one wall*

Haylin: *grins widely* Aww, they remembered little old me, too.

Fireflight: *voice comes from where the second spiral staircase is* Haylin?

Haylin: *sticks her head down* Yeah?

Fireflight: You have two ways up.

Haylin: I've got two minds, it fits.

Fireflight: Okay. *hand to his mask as soft static like a yawn comes from his vocalizer* Whoa...

Haylin: You sleepy, big guy?

Fireflight: *rubs his optics* Yeah... All that new food. My systems aren't used to it yet. And I think I got more energy today than I usually get.

Haylin: Eh, you had a big day. Get some shut eye.

Fireflight: Will you be okay?

Haylin: I'm always ok.

Fireflight: *sweet grin despite his lack of face* Okay. *turns and heads back toward that bed*

Haylin: *Goes back through her room and through Autumn's room, trailing her fingers on the curtains as she makes her way out onto the balcony. She leans against the railing, admiring the view* *she smiles that unpleasant smile* ...I'm gonna own this place in a week.