mlev. /Ark/ base. Hugs, movies, cake, and paradox.

[random_xtras]

Grimlock: *looks at Silverbolt with first one eye, then the other* Hmmph. What you, silverbot, looking so shaky for?

Silverbolt: *doesn't know how to answer that question*

Grimlock: *rumbles, and then stoops down and offers Moonracer* Me Grimlock think you, silverbot need a hug. So me let you silverbot hug me Grimlock's girlfriend one time.

Moonracer: *rolls her eyes cheerfully as she's offered. Has already spent the morning playing teddy bear*

Silverbolt: *only seems to have the ability to look embarrassed and shaky at the moment* *won't object to a hug, though*

Moonracer: *gives him a gentle hug* *softly* I heard what happened.

Grimlock: *perk* You, Moonracer, make secret?

Moonracer: I think Silverbolt needs more hugs. C'mon, Grimmy, it won't make anybody think you're weak.

Grimlock: Hrrrm... *tilts head and studies Silverbolt*

Silverbolt: *deep, shaky breath and release*

Grimlock: Awww. *transforms and picks up both girlfriend and Aerialbot. Snuggle* You, silverbot should go see him Ratchet. Him Ratchet fix everything.

Silverbolt: *startles and becomes wide-opticked at suddenly being held*

Moonracer: *reassuring sound and rubs his shoulder* It's alright. You're safer with Grimmy than anywhere.

Silverbolt: *intakes and tries to relax*

Rosalie: *pauses on her way into the Ark. Looks up* Oh, hey, Grimlock. Can I borrow Silverbolt?

Grimlock: Huh? Rosie! Me, Grimlock give you, Rosie, him silverbot. *carefully sets Silverbolt down* *and takes Moonracer back*

Silverbolt: *almost stumbles as he is set down on the firm ground, and he looks at Rosalie* H-Hi. *little wave*

Rosalie: *smiles and blows her hair out of her face, then jerks her head at him. Come on inside* *turns and wheels into the downed ship, waving to Grimlock and Moonracer as she does, even though Grimlock's already hauled the green femme off*

Silverbolt: *will follow after a moment*

Rosalie: *once they're inside, she turns her chair and looks up at Silverbolt with a frown of concern* What happened?

Silverbolt: *stuttering and stammering* *also having a hard time keeping his optics on her or even unshuttered* I-I--I was--I was t-trying to find Fireflight, wh-who I'd-d thought had-had gotten dis-distracted again, and-and a huge, d-d-d-dark fl-flying cre-creature came out-out-outta nowhere and for--forced me to di-dive--

Rosalie: *winces and holds up a hand toward him* *soothingly* It's alright. Don't worry about telling me.

Silverbolt: *deep intake and release* *even if he hadn't hit the ground, it was still terrifying*

Rosalie: Should you be up and around like this?

Silverbolt: I-I-I've been r-resting. I-I just--

Rosalie: *reaches into the bag hanging on the back of her chair, then offers several video cases* Here. Don't worry about anything till you've watched those all four times.

Silverbolt: *kneels down as carefully as he can when he's this unsettled and takes the cases gingerly* *examines the titles*

movies: *cute little inexpensive silly Japanese cartoon versions of popular fairy tales like 'Cinderella' and 'Rapunzel'. Bunnies are included*

Silverbolt: *looks at them uncertainly, but they seem innocent enough . . .*

Rosalie: I mean it. Four times each.

Silverbolt: *nods*

Rosalie: *scoots her chair over to pat his leg* Don't worry. You'll be alright.

Silverbolt: *another deep intake as he puts the videos in a safe place until he can find a player* T-Thank you.

Rosalie: Do you know that trick that Tracks uses to watch disks?

Silverbolt: N-no? I don't think so.

Rosalie: Oh. Well first he... *techno-babble that makes sense to giant robots* *finishes that* And now he just opens the cases and reads the disks. And sometimes plays them with his mini holoprojector so Raoul and I can watch too.

Silverbolt: . . . *thinks on it* Oh. I t-think Slingshot has d-done something s-similar.

Rosalie: *grins at him, then reaches into her bag again and offers him a stuffed plastic grocery bag* Here. Movie snacks.

Silverbolt: *perks!* *Autobot popcorn!* T-thank you. *accepts the plastic bag*

Rosalie: *grins* There are a few of the plastic things the kids make in shop for Tracks, too. *so yes, it's a bag of packing peanuts and a few injection molded blue plastic things*

Silverbolt: *takes a peek and seems to perk more*

Rosalie: *gentle push on his leg* Go on.

Silverbolt: *rises a bit unsteadily, but he's improved a smidge* T-thank you. *grateful*

Rosalie: You're welcome. I'll see you later, alright?

Silverbolt: S-See you later. *smiles at her and gives a wave before he moves to do his assigned task*

Rosalie: *rolls on into the Ark and down the hall to where Gears has been left in the rec room in charge of Kia* Sorry, Gears, I ran into somebody else who needed the movies and treats more.

Kia: *pauses in mid go to get hug* Awww.

Gears: *aaaaaaaagggggggggggggghhhhhhh* *but that is on the inside* *very, very deep inside* . . .

Rosalie: So. We have two choices. TV, or we can to to town to catch a show there.

Gears: *looks to Kia to see what she's more up to*

Kia: Do you think there are any more pony episodes on TV? *such hopeful big eyes*

Gears: I think it's getting towards the end of the marathon . . . *AND WHAT A RELIEF*

Kia: *sighs and hugs him* I love ponies.

Gears: *knows you do, Kia, but Uncle Gears is still scarred for life*

Rosalie: *quick and startled look for the TV, and then a glance of understanding and sympathy for the red and blue minibot* Ponies, huh?

Gears: *mouths* You have no idea . . . *but is being a good sport for Kia*

Rosalie: I hear they're playing 'The Princess and the Pony' at the vintage dollar theatre. *rubs her nose*

Kia: *perk* A pony movie?

Rosalie: Yup. With a real pony in it.

Gears: Waaaaaay better than these ones. *not too sarcastic* *he's actually somewhat genuine about this!*

Kia: *excited little squeak, but then pauses* Do we need to ask Ratchet? He said I'm not supposed to wander away from the base.

Gears: Meh. This wouldn't be wandering, but we should check in with him anyway.

Kia: Okay! :D Do you know where he is?

Gears: *pings Ratchet*

Ratchet: *somewhat busy* *yes?*

Gears: *non-emergency* *where are ya?*

Ratchet: *Wheeljack's workroom*

Kia: *kneels down to ask Rosalie excited questions as she waits*

Wheeljack: //Hiya, Gears! Whoops, wasn't supposedta let on I'd hacked Ratchet's channel again.//

Gears: *about to relay information when he's interrupted by Wheeljack's interjection* . . . *grumpily* She's at it again.

Rosalie: *looks up* Who? 'Jack?

Kia: *hands to cheeks in "Oh noes!" face*

Gears: She hacked his channel again. Oh, and Ratchet's in her lab.

Rosalie: *facepalms and tries not to laugh*

Kia: *scolding little clicks, and then a hopeful look* What did he say?

Gears: . . . You just asked me where he was. *not as grumpy as normally is*

Kia: o.0 Oh.

Rosalie: *laughing. But without noise!*

Gears: *pings Ratchet again*

Ratchet: *present*

Gears: *question?*

Ratchet: *possibly*

Gears: *relays inquiry about going to a show*

Wheeljack: *says something about the newest environmental disaster movie she's heard is playing*

Gears: *imagines Ratchet would be face palming* *pings back: NOT THAT ONE*

Ratchet: *doesn't acknowledge her over comms* *after a moment* *which one?*

Gears: *a pony one*

Wheeljack: *is singing a certain song as she shuts herself out of the channel*

Gears: *tries not to let his annoyance show outwardly as he waits for Ratchet's response*

Ratchet: *asks to clarify the theater before going silent for a bit more* *okay, just make sure to report in every five minutes hour fifteen minutes half hour fifteen minutes, Gears*

Kia: *sees the look on Gears' face and pings Ratchet* //Ratchet?//

Ratchet: *sounding somewhat surprised* //Yes, Kia?//

Kia: //Why is Gears frowning so much? Did somebody do something?//

Ratchet: // . . . Wheeljack . . . just played a song that tends to . . . get on Gears' nerves.//

Kia: //Was it the pony song?//

Ratchet: //*well, she was the one who brought it up* . . . Yes.//

Kia: *deep sigh* //Silly.// *hopeful* //Can I go see the pony movie?//

Ratchet: //Sometimes. But he might actually have a good reason for it. . . . You certainly may. Just make sure Gears knows where you are at all times, okay?//

Kia: //Not Gears. Wheeljack was being silly. She knows he doesn't like the pony song.//

Ratchet: //My mistake. . . . I'm not sure she does, actually. But I could be wrong.//

Kia: *so much surprise in her voice* //Really? But he said he didn't like it really loud the other day when she was there.//

Ratchet: //. . .// *noises like he's about to respond* *and then* //So, is there anyone else going, or just you and Gears?//

Kia: *blinks for a moment, but then gets her brain back on the rails* //Rosalie's coming with us!// *so much happy chirp*

Ratchet: *grin's in his voice* //She is? That's great. I didn't realize she was back in town.//

Kia: //She just got here! But she gave the movies 'n goodies she brought to Silverbolt to make him feel better.//

Ratchet: *sounds relieved* //That was a good thing she did. He needs the relaxation.//

Kia: //I hope we can get packing peanuts in town.// *wistful*

Ratchet: //Should be able to. You can have Gears run by that one TV store with ya.//

Kia: //Okay! Do you think I'm old enough to let Rosalie ride in me?// *hopeful little voice*

Ratchet: //Not quite yet, Kia. Let Rosalie ride with Gears this time.//

Kia: *little sigh* //Oh. Okay.//

Ratchet: *reassuringly* //Don't worry, Kia. You're getting there.//

Kia: *perks, and it shows in her voice* //Yeah. I'm doing great for somebody who started out with no programming.// *happy little laugh* //I'll bring you back some of the crunchy stuff if we find it.//

Ratchet: *smile in his voice* //You're doing fine.// *chuckles* //I'll be looking forward to that.//

Kia: *more happy laughter* //I'll see you when we get back. Love you, Ratchet.//

Ratchet: *smile in voice turns to a grin* //All right. Stay safe. I love you, Kia. Goodbye.//

Gears: *appears to be distracted as Ratchet gives him an update on the conversation*

Kia: *hunkers down and talks to Rosalie for a moment, then turns and scoots out of the room. Sound of her light footfalls heading away down the hall at a run*

Gears: *ends the conversation just as Kia's leaving the room* Now where's she running off to?

Rosalie: *laughs and holds up a tiny doll with a big head, big eyes, and a fish tail* I showed her my doll, so she asked if hers could come and watch the show with us. I hope you don't mind if I said yes.

Gears: *sees the doll* Oh. . . . No, she's often bringing things like that along. *sounds like he's had babysitting duty before*

Kia: *tries to stop too quickly as she returns and winds up sitting by Rosalie and Gears on her butt on the floor after sliding there* o.o

Gears: *rushes into action, torn between making sure Rosalie's not directly in harm's way and catching Kia* Kia! Are you all right?!

Kia: *looks up, still surprised as she hugs her baby pony doll close with one hand* I think Jazz used too much wax when she fixed the floor.

Gears: *as he himself nearly slips in his attempts to help her up* Wup! . . . I think you're right. You should step back, Rosalie.

Rosalie: *rolls back, and then turns and goes to wait over by the door* Jazz washed the floor? *sounds a bit surprised and amused*

Gears: *tests the floor around him to see if he can find a not as slick place before helping Kia to her feet* Certainly looks like it! There we go.

Rosalie: What did she do that for? She doesn't seem like the housekeeping type.

Gears: *as he escorts Kia to the door, keeping a hand up in case she slips again* She was sprucing up the place and everything else in preparation for Daniel's birthday party.

Kia: *helpfully* And she's bored.

Rosalie: *sobers slightly* I thought you guys would be enjoying this break from fighting the 'Cons.

Gears: *once they reach the door, looking down at Rosalie* Don't worry. They are.

Rosalie: *rolls into the hall, then looks toward a little poof sound from down in the direction of Wheeljack's workshop* Was that supposed to be an explosion?

Kia: *laughing merrily at the small sound*

Gears: No, that's a mech. Don't worry, we already know about it.

Kia: *softly* Blue has the hiccoughs when she sleeps. Ratchet will find out why soon.

Gears: *seeming to remember something as he walks with them down the hall* Hopefully sooner rather than later.

Rosalie: *rolling along beside the two bots. Looks up* How long has she been doing it?

Gears: *curtly* A while.

Rosalie: *slight frown of worry, but then looks at Kia as another poof sounds and the youngster chuckles about it* Well... Kia's not worried.

Gears: *shrug* It's not life-threatening whatever it is. That much the medics have found out.

Kia: And it only happens when she's sleeping. Oh, right. We don't sleep. When she's in shutdown. *nods*

Rosalie: Who says you don't sleep?

Kia: Slingshot.

Gears: *grunts softly* Hoist says it's similar enough.

Rosalie: It's a time when you shut down to let your body repair and your mind rest. Sounds like sleep to me. *chuckles* And some of you guys even snore.

Kia: Really? o.0 *looks down at her smaller friend*

Gears: *also looks confused for a different reason*

Rosalie: Yup! I've heard them. *grin*

Gears: *unbelief joins the mix* *how'd she not?* *and then he grimaces* *absently* Awh, mech. I didn't get a wink of sleep because of his snoring!

Rosalie: Whose snoring, Gears? *carefully down a place where the floor drops a bit*

Gears: *still distracted* And all that coal dust got all up in my joints--*somewhat back on topic, but only a little* Brawn's snoring echoed throughout the cavern. *will likely go on in this manner for a bit*

Kia: Coal dust? What's that? *looks up at him with wide eyes as she walks beside him. Sure, she doesn't have far to look up, but she's looking!*

Rosalie: Coal dust is gross. I got into it once and it took weeks to wash it out of my pores. *makes a face*

Gears: *still going on* We were covered in the stuff. It also managed to get in our intakes. Took forever for Ratchet to get it all out--*still going on*

Rosalie: *and then it clicks* Wait. What did you say?

Kia: *gentle poke on the Gears*

Gears: I still occasionally hear grinding in places--*the poke brings him back to reality* Huh, what? *looks to Kia*

Rosalie: Brawn snores?

Gears: *still in complain mode* Yes, and quite loudly.

Kia: Oh. I thought that was the Dinobots.

Rosalie: *cracks up*

Gears: *trying to think about what she's referring to*

Kia: After Ratchet 'n 'Aid explained it wasn't thunder or a train.

Rosalie: *laughs harder*

Gears: *recognizes that "nickname" for Brawn's snoring* Oh. No. The Dinobots don't make noises like that.

Kia: Only when they're awake. *so grave as she nods*

Slag: *roars at somebody outside*

Gears: . . . *listening* It's still a bit different.

Kia: *thinks about that* Yeah, but some of the quiet growly sounds when they watch TV are almost like it. *pauses as they reach the front door and then peeks out as she's been taught*

Gears: *wincing as he remembers* The difference is more apparent up close. *checking the coast, as is the smart Autobot thing to do*

Rosalie: *shades her eyes with a hand* What's Jazz playing golf with?

Kia: We don't wanna know. *repeats the oft repeated line very seriously*

Gears: *slight quirk of what might be a grin* Kia's right. *transforms and opens his door*

Rosalie: *blinks, but gets herself into the passenger seat, then thanks Kia as the little femmebot gets her chair folded and loaded*

Gears: *waits with surprising patience* All settled in?

Kia: *shifts the chair around a bit in his cargo space, then steps back and nods* Yup.

Rosalie: *done fastening seat belt* Yup!

Gears: Good. *shuts the door carefully and turns on his engine, waiting for Kia*

Kia: *transforms, her stereo happily tootling away in some horribly chirpy children's song* Ready to roll!

Gears: All right. Let's roll out! *will lead the way*


meanwhile, in Wheeljack's lab


Wheeljack: *peering through the clear dome on her oven* It's rising, Ratch.

Ratchet: *from where he's working with wax* Good. *thinking that the preparations for Daniel's cake are going well so far*

Wheeljack: And it ain't turnin' any funny colours either. Or smokin'.

Ratchet: It shouldn't be. We just stuck it in there. *forming the wax into a number*

Wheeljack: Yeah, but remember how fast the first one smoked?

Ratchet: I think that might have been because someone knocked the temperature knob too high.

Wheeljack: Hmm. Dunno. *tilts head and watches cake bake* *quietly* How're you doin'?

Ratchet: *concentrating, doesn't realize the question is aimed at him*

Wheeljack: *looks over her shoulder* Ratch, quit broodin'.

Ratchet: *still working on the forming when the command snaps him out of it* *almost looks over, but stops part way when he remembers what he's doing* Hmm?

Wheeljack: 'Aid's gonna be fine. Quit broodin'. *fascinated watching of cake baking using X ray and magnification vision*

Ratchet: *turns back to the wax* I wasn't broodin'. *And somehow he actually wasn't, had been thinking about how the cake and candle will excite the little guy, but now that she mentioned it . . .*

Wheeljack: *turns head. Sees candle* Heyyyy! That's swell!

Ratchet: *snaps back out before his doubts carry him away despite the logical side of him* *fiddles with a few more things on the candle* It's not quite like what's found in the store, but I think it's something Daniel will like.

Wheeljack: Yer gonna use that coloured wax ta paint it? *leans over curiously, her hands behind her back* Hey, who has the kid today anyway?

Ratchet: *making sure everything's fine with the candle and moves slightly so Wheeljack can see better* That's the plan, but I think Grapple might do a better job. *looks up as he tries to remember* I think Elita took him to Optimus.

Wheejack: *perks* Hey, that'll keep Grapple from whinin' fer awhile. *then frowns* But Op's supposta be lookin' fer leads ta that nutjob with the organ.

Ratchet: The poor mech always has his buildings demolished. At least a candle is supposed to be used. . . *pushes down the feelings he gets from thinking about the cause of the recent problems and remembering how Optimus reacted*

Wheeljack: Yeah, 'n Daniel's an appreciative kid. *sudden perk of understanding* Optimus never slept last night, did 'e?

Ratchet: *little smile* He sure is. *absently* Or the night before. *thinking about it now*

Wheeljack: *checks the time and then starts chortling*

Ratchet: *pulled from his thoughts* What's so funny?

Wheeljack: It's Danny's nap time.

Ratchet: *checks the time himself* *chuckle* Elita's a smart one, she is.

Wheeljack: Sleepin' baby magic. *more chortle*

Ratchet: A relaxed kid helps people who need to relax do so too. *nod*

Wheeljack: So after we get this done, you better go lay down by Swoop. *opens the oven lid as it dings*

Ratchet: *watching the progress of his candle* I should see if Perceptor's come up with something first. *distracted by the ding* Is it done?

Wheeljack: Yup. Just gotta let it cool. Come up with somethin' fer what?

Ratchet: *decides the there's not much more he can do with the candle* Good. *stands up and makes sure the candle is in a relatively safe spot* That transportation device we were thinking about. *said a bit absently, as if not really acknowledging that Wheeljack is supposed to remember the information herself*

Wheeljack: *perks* Percy's lookin' inta that right now. Doin' research.

Ratchet: *nods*

Wheeljack: *thoughtfully scratches her faceplate* I've got some ideas too, now that I've had time ta think about it.

Ratchet: *drawn out of his thoughts* Really?

Wheeljack: Yeah. Me'n Percy should have a test model sometime tomorrow.

Ratchet: *looks relieved*

Perceptor: *appears in the room. Blinks, and then waves cheerfully and vanishes again*

Wheeljack: Percy called heads, so he's tester.

Ratchet: *startles* . . . He worked fast.

Wheeljack: Hey! I did as much as he did. *lights are cheerful as she says it*

Ratchet: . . . I just . . . didn't remember it being that far along . . .

Wheeljack: *grin* It ain't. Time's a dimension too. I gotta go work with him again after we finish this.

Ratchet: . . . *it's a bit hard to tell what he's thinking* *maybe he's confused too*

Wheeljack: *explains* He's time hoppin', Ratch. That's Percy from sometime tomorrow.

Ratchet: . . . Oh. *hopefully*

Wheeljack: *cocks head and then starts laughing*

Ratchet: . . . What is it?

Wheeljack: Listen. He's over in his lab gabbin' with himself.

Ratchet: *stops and listens*

Wheeljack: So much fer all his time paradox theories. *checks cake* All cool.

Ratchet: *shakes himself out of it* We can at least hope it's just theories. *this is why he went into medicine* *smile* Now we can put the frosting on it and then give Grapple the candle.

Wheeljack: Okay! *goes to get the sugar*



((Co-written with marsthewriter))