Nexus: Black Dog: Cake, Wishes, and Repercussions

[mosaic_archive]

Jester: *has decided they need a break from all this seriousness, and they haven't yet been to the Black Dog he's heard about from Lizzie... so he's bothered the other puppets all morning until they finally gave in*

Lizzie: *hanging on his back at the moment, looking bored to tears but probably really sleeping*

Shade: *fan-like tail waving in the air* -Cake at Black Dog! Kitty like cake.-

Jester: *even with Lizzie on him, is practicing sneaking a bit. He wants to make sure he's not too out of the habit for what's coming*

The rest of the puppets: *also practicing being as unobtrusive as they can*

Shade: *looks up and over toward where the Warehouse sits on the other side of the park* -Still up there. Frozen buggy.-

Torch: -Still?- *looks up*

Waspinator: *frozen in time*

Jester: *exchanges a look with Blade* -The time here can be strange-

Blade: -It's a relief to know it's not just us, at least not yet.-

Shade: -Nexus is a fairyland.- *thoughtful tail swish* -All mad here.-

Jester: *idly wondering what will become of Lizzie after they're gone, until he hears Shade* -Ja, Cheshire Cat-

Shade: *perks ears and nods to something invisible, then looks back to Jester* -Baby remember cake?-

Jester: -You said there was a giant one, ja? Is that the one you mean?-

Tunneler: -You can keep the cake, Shade. It's no use to us.-

Shade: *wiggles ears cheerfully at Tunneler and nods to Jester* -Yeah. Kitty cake.- *thoughtful ears* -Some of cake. Cake bigger than our house!-

Pinhead: -That's a big cake.-

Blade: *like most of the others, still quietly thinking over things, and hoping he hasn't gotten out of practice*

Jester: *all this quiet is why he insisted they needed a day out*

Shade: *looks up at the Predacon suspended in space and time again* -Babies had cake when squishy?-

Jester: -Ja, sometimes. Not very often.-

Shade: -Awwww.- Mrrp. *slurp Jester*

Jester: *scritch the kitty* -What, no other answers? Blade? Judging from how you looked before, I have always thought you had a fondness for sweets...-

Blade: *quiet hiss* -There's no use thinking of such things now, Jester.-

Jester: *fights a sigh... it's like they're dying by inches. Or, given relative size, by millimeters*

Shade: -Always good to remember happy things.- *stretches out neck and sniffs Pinhead* -Still smell sweet?-

Pinhead: -Yes... though I have never understood how. I don't understand how we hear or see, either... our eyes are painted on-

Jester: -That is why they call it magic.-

Shade: *looks like he's going to taste Pinhead's sweater, but then pauses and looks up as a fifty foot black-grey behemoth steps over them and heads off down the path* *kitty brows lift with interest*

Puppets: *all press against rocks and into corners, avoiding feet out of what long ago became habit*

Blade: *remembering strategy, and how someone passing would be when he'd slash at a leg, or Pinhead would grab an ankle... bring them down to where they could be attacked. Though, it wouldn't work against those Transformers... and not here in the Nexus. These weren't enemies*

Shade: *soberly, as he starts trotting down the trail again* -Blackout sick. Poor Blackout. Big bot that walk over is Requiem. Him bring Blackout good noms.-

Tunneler: -Sick? What do they get sick from?-

Blade: -I would have no idea. Rust?-

Pinhead: -I hope they get better.-

Shade: -Blackout is mama. Was sick from hurt, now baby make sick.- *pauses as they reach the low hedge beside the path that surrounds D'Coda's garden and goes over to sniff the little clipped bushes nearest the path* -Kitty hopes too, Pinhead baby.-

Jester: -It is strange to think of robots that have babies.-

Pinhead: -Rick would have liked to see that.-

Shade: *glances at Jester* -Strange for them too. New.- *then comes galloping toward Pinhead in a mock charge that veers off at the last moment*

Pinhead: *braces himself, startled*

Jester: -Well, I hope no one ever decides on such an upgrade for puppets. Imagine Leech with morning sickness!-

Other puppets: *try to stifle varying amounts of amusement at that*

Shade: *scoots back, tail lashing, then rolls over on his back in front of Pinhead by way of apology for the startlement* *glances at Jester with his tongue stuck out at the thought of what he just said*

Pinhead: -I remember she was seasick on the boat to America.-

Leech: -I couldn't help it. I've always gotten seasick.-

Shade: *wriggles and shows belleh* -Kitty urks on boats too.-

Decapitron: -I remember the leeches were dead, I suppose because you weren't feeling well.-

Pinhead: *kittyscritching*

Torch: *someone's got to say it* -Are we there yet?-

Shade: *is sneezy kitty laughter* -See biiig building there, with bots on porch?- *twists head to look toward the massive building across the trail from the garden*

Torch: -Yes... but I'm slow and have short legs, remember?-

Shade: *wriggles away from Pinhead and rolls over* -Who wants kitty ride??-

Jester: *laughs* -You walked right into that one, Torch- *gives Shade a scritch* -Then we would not all arrive together... and the others might sneak off on me!- *he's teasing gently because of how hard it was to convince them to come*

Torch: *to the cat* -No... thanks-

Shade: *more kitty laughter, and then he turns, spinning out on the dusty path, and roars away to leap into a snowdrift and wallow across it on his way toward the building*

Torch: *trudges through snow... finds himself almost missing being picked up and carried*

Jester: *definitely missing being picked up and carried*

Tunneler: *to Jester* -You had to choose to do this when there was snow..?-

Jester: -We must take our chances where we can. Especially now. By the time the snow is gone... well, we may not be here ourselves.-

Shade: *looks over his shoulder, and suddenly the puppets are walking on an invisible bridge over the snow*

Pinhead: *crouches to poke at it, puzzled*

Jester: -It cannot be much farther. Come on, I will race you!-

Torch: *shares a glance with Pinhead, since one of them will be last... probably him*

Blade: *almost doesn't, but... ah well, why not*

Shade: -Magic carpet ride!- *bridge rattles slightly as it breaks up* -Hold on!-

Jester and Blade: *halt their race when the bridge rattles, not wanting to fall*

Shade: -Babies holding on?- *standing with ears perked and head lifted as he watches them*

Blade: -Hold on with what?- *trying to get his hook around invisible bridge*

Jester: *holding on, puts his other arm around Blade* -I have you.-

Others: *all trying to find invisible edges and grab hold, eventually suceed*

Shade: *makes a hole that the hook slips through. Also makes an edge of the invisible surface bump into and curl around Blade's other 'hand'* -Okay now?-

Blade: *nods*

Jester: *lets go of him so the other puppet can salvage what's left of his pride*

Shade: *bits of bridge start to move slowly, so that the puppets can get their balance* -Ready?-

Tunneler: -As ready as I can be-

Pinhead: -just nods-

Jester: -You know, we really need to get a puppet sized car-

Shade: *looks at Jester* -Hold thought.- *then turns and streaks away as the invisible "magic carpets" follow him*

Puppets: *all holding as tight as they can... and now they all miss being carried around, even Torch*

Shade: *stops under the massive front steps and gently lets the carpets settle to the ground* Mrrp? Mrr?

Leech: *urp..urk.. pukes up a leech*

Shade: *tail droops* -Ooops. Kitty sorry.-

Leech: *once she's not queasy, goes to hugsnuggle Shade to show she's not upset with him*

Jester: *scouting, stays to cover and peeks around the edge of the stairs, Lizzie a silent lump on his back*

Shade: *snuggle. Purrr. LoveaLeech*

Jester: *watching for feet, and for safe access, planning to tell the others when it's clear, so they can dart in*

Shade: *then looks at Jester* -Not that way in.-

Jester: *looks to Shade and hops back down from where he was scouting*

Shade: *looks toward a vent there on the wall under the steps* -This not used for heat anymore.-

Jester: *nods happily... this is what they're used to! Vents and secret passages*

Puppets: *file in*

Blade: *goes in first, followed by Jester...*

Six-Shooter: *brings up the rear, just in case*

Shade: *trots after them, and uses a paw to pull the vent back over the opening. There's a tiny click as it catches*

Jester and Blade: *carefully peek out when they reach the other end*

Hrafni: *glances toward the vent by the end of the counter, then flicks an ear toward it when she realizes there's someone there. Busy working with a wok over a flaring flame, just a little black girl with her cardinal red hair tucked under a hair net. And the only other clothes she's wearing is a pair of faded cut off jeans* *looks all of maybe eight or nine years old*

Blade: *notices the glance, and gets his hook around Jester's arm, pulling himself and the other puppet back a bit* *stays far enough back to be hidden, checking out the counter layout... then, when he thinks Hrafni's not looking, darts for the counter area and a place to hide.*

Shade: -Hrafni good. Shade friend.- *doesn't add that he's pretty sure she's already met Jester. Knows the puppets are just practising, but he said this for Hrafni's benefit too, to let her know what's happening*

Jester: *to Shade, quietly* -But it is no fun to make it too easy- *carefully removed his cap and folded it so it won't jingle, making not a sound... watches for his chance and then joins Blade in the next hiding spot*

Shade: *whispery mental laughter*

Hrafni: *carefully not looking. Meeps as she catches herself on fire. Calmly puts out the flames*

Tunneler: *goes next*

Decapitron and Leech: *go together*

*then Pinhead, then Six-Shooter...*

Torch: *stalks across the area expecting to be spotted. He's just not designed for speed*

Hrafni: *fire on!* *clucks tongue with irritation and takes the wok off the stove, then goes and washes the cooking oil off herself at the sink* *to Torch, in passing* Excuse me. *up onto the counter and into the sink*

Torch: *sighs* -Well, I feel useless- *is joking, but really... what's he supposed to do when he gets spotted, and the person who did it just set themselves on fire?*

Shade: *laughing now* -Hrafni Schattenfee. She have flamethrowers built in when all grown up.-

Jester: *also laughing, pats Torch on a shoulder when he reaches them*

Shade: *then looks up at the counter at the end of the room. Reverently* -Cake.-

Puppets: *turn to look*

cake: *is only a third of the massive organic new year cake, but still impressive. Also wonderfully fragrant and enticing as only a cake made by Guardian Fae can be*

Pinhead: -That is a big cake-

Torch: -And we can't eat any of it.-

Shade: *lifts head and sniffs* *big happy sigh*

Pinhead: *chuckles and scritches the cat*

Shade: -Let's go up and look.- *kitty kiss for Pinhead, and then he's climbing the side of the counter*

Six-Shooter: *looks up at the giant counter, scaled to Transformer size* -Might as well...- *is the best climber, so heads up first*

Hrafni: *comes over and hunkers down by the others* *whisper* Vould you like ze step stool?

Blade: *sigh* Yeah...

Hrafni: *sympathetic kiss to the little puppet's forehead, and then runs to get the library ladder type thing rolled over into place*

Six-Shooter: *still making his way up there like some cowboy-shaped spider*

Jester: *once the ladder is in place, heads up, followed by the others*

Blade: *bringing up the rear this time. they're practicing formations... one of the better combatants in front and back, and the scout near the front*

Six-Shooter: *takes up guarding position at the top as they stick to formation...*

Jester: *looks for cover as soon as he's up, as do the others*

counter: *holds... the cake!*

Shade: *and the cat nibbling the cake*

Blade: *hates ladders, but makes it up*

Jester and Pinhead: *give the cake an amazed look, at least for a moment*

Torch: *just gives it a half glance*

Other puppets: *fan out on the countertop, establishing perimeter as if they were watching for Totems*

Leech: *stays close to Decapitron, since her 'weapon' is almost useless unless the target is immobilized*

Borrower man: *blinks at them, and then scoots away with his box of cake*

Jester: *sees the napkins. They're made of something he doesn't recognize, but... he takes one, balling a piece of it up and then throwing it at Blade while the other puppet is looking the other way*

Blade: *turned just in time to spot something moving towards him fast, and brings his blade up to block*

Jester: *is relieved... they might feel tired, but it hasn't affected speed too badly yet.*

Shade: -Om nom nom!- *happy bombs the puppets, and then shares flavour with them*

Torch: *actually seems upset by this, rounding on the cat* -Don't do that again!-

Jester: -He didn't mean any harm, Torch-

Shade: 0.0

Torch: *stomps to the edge of the counter*

Shade: *kitty wibble* *catloaf*

Pinhead: *scritches the cat*

Jester: *also scritches Shade, and tries to explain* -He has not been like this as long as the rest of us. Not even close. And sometimes the reminders hurt him, like reminding him that none of us can eat any of the cake-

Shade: *looks at the cake, sadness in his golden eyes*

Tunneler: *looks guilty about something, and staying away from Torch for the moment*

Lizzie: *lifts her head and looks around* -Uh..?-

Torch: *looks down, then looks away*

Lizzie: *sees cake* *sleepily* -Wish yeh could eat some 'o that, Jes'?-

Jester: *chuckles* -That was so long ago, I would probably choke... I have been a puppet longer than I was ever human.-

Torch: *sulks a moment longer and then gets back up to trudge over to Shade* -I'm sorry, cat. It's just... I haven't had anything but 'puppet food' in over a decade now. I wish I could have some cake, but puppets can't.-

Shade: *startled yowl as cobalt blue sparkles suddenly surround Torch* 0.0

Lizzie: -Ack!-

Jester: -Torch!- *without thinking, reaches for him intent on yanking him out of what must be some attack...*

Shade: *thoughtful look now, looks at the other puppets. And then fans the sparkles toward them, knowing as an almost Puppet Master he has a little say over them*

Puppets: *don't know what's going on, and on guard... and then...*

Lizzie: *falls to the counter with a clatter* 'Ey! *scowls, but then stares upward* -...Jes'?-

Comments

[mosaic_archive]

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *dizzy, the shift in balance had made him fall, and Lizzie sounds... too quiet* -Lizzie?- Pushing himself up, ends up staring at his hands...*

*most of the puppets were knocked over, due to various changes in shape or balance, as they start to get up...*

John Wade/Six-Shooter: *has trouble getting up, as he keeps trying to use arms he doesn't have any more*

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *confused, his proportions seem wrong to him, and...*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: *shakes his head to clear it, putting one hand to it... and freezing when he feels buzz-cut hair instead of the base of his drill*

André Toulon/Decapitron: *tried to protect Leech, so she's the first thing he sees... and he realizes what happened* Elsa?

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *recognizes none of them like this. He'd been born decades after they'd 'died'. Fingers go to his forehead, as if checking for the hole...*

Konrad Hess/Blade: *stares at this and mutters something to himself in quiet German*

Lizzie: *confused sound, and then starts to cry*

Shade: *over in the corner by the cake purring for all he's worth in attempt to comfort*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *reaches to carefully pick up Lizzie, if she'll allow it* -Liz...- Lizzie?

Lizzie: *gasps and looks up* -Jes'?-

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *nods, confused and shaken*

André Toulon/Decapitron: *helping Leech to her feet*

Elsa Toulon/Leech: *to Decapitron* Darling, what's happened to us?

Konrad Hess/Blade: *trying to recognize the earlier puppets, as some he'd never met when they were human.*

John Wade/Six-Shooter: *has managed to get up*

Lizzie: *turns toward the sounds of the others getting up. Sees a cowboy hat* -Six-Shooter?-

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *to Jester* -Jester?- ... Hans?

John Wade/Six-Shooter: *adjusts his hat... after a try that involved a missing limb* -Miss Lizzie? Where are you?-

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *playing confused catch-up... if that's Jester, and Pinhead and Tunneler were somewhat recognizable. Decapitron was obvious, as was Leech. And Six-Shooter was the one in the cowboy hat, then that left...* -Blade..?- ... ... You're wearing a bow tie.

Lizzie: -I'm here. Jester's got me.- *sounds wibbly and scared, and she is*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *holds Lizzie close to protect her*

John Wade/Six-Shooter: *goes over by Jester* You all right, kid?

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: Blade is wearing a bow tie. ... I need a drink.

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: No, you don't

Konrad Hess/Blade: *seems in shock, checking where he was stabbed, not finding any injuries*

Lizzie: *says something they've never heard from the tough little hoyden* -I'm scared outta my blasted senses.-

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *admits* You are not the only one.

Elsa Toulon/Leech: *pardon the pun, clinging to Decapitron*

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: How did this happen?

André Toulon/Decapitron: Please, my friends, try to stay calm. Whatever has happened to us, I'm sure there must be an explanation.

Shade: -Torch made wish.-

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: *looks to Torch and almost says something before he sees the tears, looks away again.*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: A wish did this to us? I... I feel so strange.

Shade: *quietly, still purring* -Not forever.-

Lizzie: *little hiccoughing sound. Has hidden her face against Jester's chest*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *shaking slightly, like someone who just walked away from a bad accident* How... how long?

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *looks around at the others again, and then... goes over to get himself a piece of cake*

Shade: -Less than month? Not know. But know not long.-

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: Less than a month... *standing there with a hand to his chest... though he seems just as shocked as the others, the fear is missing from his expression*

Shade: *picks up on that and suddenly looks up with perked ears* Mrrrr...

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: Does anyone else want cake? As long as we're like this... it seems a shame not to.

Shade: *softly* -Torch want cake? ...Patrick want cake?-

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *blinks at his former name being used, looks to Shade* Cake? This happened because of the cake..?

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: *blinks, looks at the cake* I don't even know if it's kosher... *starts to chuckle in a slightly unhinged way as the stress and shock get the better of him for a moment*

Hrafni: *from where she's now crouched on the edge of the counter behind them* Ja. It's kosher.

Shade: *hurries to strop against Tunneler's legs* *to Patrick/Torch* -You wished.-

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: *about to say Hrafni doesn't look Jewish, drops to a crouch to hug Shade*

Shade: *kitty kisses and purring for Tunneler. Much soothing purring*

Hrafni: *concerned frown for the man, and then scoots closer without standing to put a very warm little sympathetic hand on his leg*

Lizzie: *peeks* *soberly* -I ain't th' only one wiggin' out.-

Konrad Hess/Blade: *tries to pull himself together for the sake of the team* ... ... No one is injured?

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Nein

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *chokes trying to take a bite of cake, but recovers*

John Wade/Six-Shooter: I'm missing four arms, but other than that, no.

Elsa Toulon/Leech: I... no, I'm not

André Toulon/Decapitron: Neither am I

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: I'm fine.

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: No, sir... Blade.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *goes over to Tunneler, still carrying Lizzie* Are you certain? You are not running a fever? *and he'll continue to cup one hand around Lizzie and hold her close, while the other hand goes to check*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: *blinks at him* Jester... Is this what you looked like?

Hans Seiderman/Jester: I don't know, do you see a mirror here? Though... I would assume so. Everyone else looks... like they were before.

Hrafni: *concerned look up at the tall man, and then turns and leaps off the counter without using the ladder*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *heard Jester* Blade really looked like that..? *because he still can't get over that*

Konrad Hess/Blade: Ja, I did. *doesn't have access to a mirror, but uses the same logic Jester mentioned, and Jester's comment... not to mention the shock*

Hrafni: *back with another leap and a bit of scrambling* *stands to offer Jester the little pink pocket mirror that she's holding, and then offers Tunneler a blanket*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *helps Tunneler with the blanket, one-handed as he's not putting Lizzie down unless she insists. He'll glance at the pink mirror before managing a small and somewhat forced smile to the girl* I didn't really need the confirmation

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *seems to realise the rest of his team isn't coping as well, regroups over by Tunneler and Jester*

Hrafni: *nods to Jester, and then offers him a blanket for himself and Lizzie*

Rhinox: *climbing the ladder now. Deep voice is a quiet and soothing rumble* Alright now. What's going on here?

André Toulon/Decapitron: That is a very good question. We seem to have had an... accident.

Rhinox: Well I know it wasn't an LOL, because everything back here is safe.

Shade: -Scattor did it.-

Rhinox: *facepalms around his armload of blankets

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: I wished I could eat cake, and we were turned human

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *tucks blanket around himself and Lizzie*

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *helps Jester with the blanket, concerned* Are you going to be ok, Hans?

Hans Seiderman/Jester: I don't know. Eventually, I suppose so...

Rhinox: *reaches the counter top and offers blankets to a few more of the confused and uneasy looking people* Let's get you all back down to floor level.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Lizzie..? *is worried about her... focusing on someone else has always helped him*

Lizzie: *turns her head slightly, but can't tilt it back* -Yeah, Jes'?- *still sounds subdued and wibbly*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Are you going to be all right?

Lizzie: -Yeah.- *hides again* -I'm listenin' t' yeh runnin'.-

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *manages a chuckle at that, as he realizes she means he'd have a heartbeat*

André Toulon/Decapitron: *his attention back on Leech, stroking her hair and kissing her on the forehead...*

Rhinox: *gently starts chivying them toward the ladder* Come on now.

Hrafni: *back off the counter, and then carrying in a human size table, which she puts over in that nice space under the work table*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *heads for the ladder, and tries not to look down... it was better when he was pretty sure falling wouldn't kill him*

The others: *willingly herded that way, staying close together*

Rhinox: *soon has everyone safely back on the floor*

[mosaic_archive]

Hrafni: *scampers over and leaps up to the counter again. Can be heard moving around up there*

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *has a concerned frown on his not-handsome face, as he looks at the rest of the team*

Rhinox: Here. Come sit down and catch your breath. My daughter's getting some lemonade.

Lizzie: *muffled* -Don't bloomin' breath.-

Hans Seiderman/Jester: I hope it is not too hard to catch, I haven't needed it since 1936

Rhinox: *big hand squeezes Jester's shoulder gently as he smiles slightly at the attempt at humour* Is lemonade alright? We can get you something else.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *nods* It makes little difference. I can't remember what anything tastes like

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: Lemons are sour... but lemonade has sugar in it

Rhinox: *pauses and taps his chest* Hrafni, bring the cool tea instead. These guys aren't up to strong flavours. *looks at Pinhead* Well, ours has honey. But it's still sweet. *didn't offer warm tea because he didn't want people hurting themselves. And some of these guys don't look like tea men*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: Nothing alcoholic... *he flicks a glance at Torch*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: What, are you my babysitter now?

Rhinox: Don't worry. It wasn't on the menu. *turns to take glasses and pitcher from Hrafni, and then turn back. Sets honey on the table, white sugar, milk, and some lemon slices. Then sets down the glasses* Alright. Who wants some? *looks at Tunneler* It's kosher.

Hrafni: I vill haf to vash the special dishes again after zis.

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: I would like some, please. *using manners to cover the remaining shock*

John Wade/Six-Shooter: *just nods*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Ja, thank you...

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: I would like some too. Thank you.

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: Why not.

Konrad Hess/Blade: This... is really happening, isn't it? *still trying to focus* Yes, I'll have some too...

Hans Seiderman/Jester: .... Herr Toulon..? *looks over*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *also looks over, to see Decapitron and Leech clinging to each other* Do you two need to get a room?

Hrafni: *back, ears perked over a stack of plates that looks too large for a child her size* Vhy? Zey aren't being as mushy as Vader und Moeder are zometimes.

Rhinox: *face palm*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *helpfully* They were asking if we wanted some tea...

Elsa Toulon/Leech: *blinks a bit, then nods* Yes, please

André Toulon/Decapitron: *nods as well*

Rhinox: *shows them the pitcher* It's cold tea.

Hrafni: *is now holding that stack of plates with one hand as she passes them out*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: You know, I just have to say it... *looking at Leech* You really don't look a thing like my sister.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Ja, we told you so...

Konrad Hess/Blade: *just mutters something about insanity*

Rhinox: *pouring tea and offering sugar, honey, and such*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *kind of watching the others. For him, this is almost like waking from some really long nightmare - not the parts involving Rick and Susie, of course... but anything involving spending over a decade as an ugly metal doll... But for the rest of them? He's starting to realize that for them it's the other way around - It's like it was for him when he first became Torch... only without the overlay of insanity due to a crazed zombie Puppet Master*

Erstwhile Puppets: *having to figure out from trial and error what they might want in their tea, as they can't quite recall what their preferences there once were... it's just been too long*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *only has similar problems because really didn't drink tea that often*

Lizzie: *little wriggle there in Jester's hand. She's hesitantly trying to see what's going on*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *looks down at her, then readjusts his hold so he's holding her in a cupped hand and she can look around*

Lizzie: *clings to his fingers as best she can with her little mitten type hands, then peers up at Rhinox, who is pouring tea for Jester at just that moment*

Hrafni: Who vants cake?

Konrad Hess/Blade: So, about this cake...

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *snickers* Jinx...

Hrafni: *laughs, her ears flicking*

Rhinox: *shakes his head and gives a slow smile*

Lizzie: *is a quiet little laugh there in Jester's hand*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *serious expression* I guess that's what we're here for. *thinks he'll change back after that, given the exact wish involved... but doesn't want to put the rest of the team through this*

Hrafni: *brings over a big plate holding cut pieces of cake of various sizes. And this is where Tunneller might notice that the child is wearing gloves as she handles the food and dishes, and that Rhinox is too*

Konrad Hess/Blade: *awkward with the silverware, trying to remember exactly what to do about having fingers*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *trying to recall the last time he had cake... probably the birthday he'd had not long before he'd died*

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *trying to remember how to chew solid food*

Rhinox: *to Pinhead, as he sees the big man fumbling* Here, drink some tea first. It might help.

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: Dziękuję... *will try that*

André Toulon/Decapitron: *looking around at the others* I think it's best if we all keep in mind that this is just a temporary matter. It has no real effect on our plans except as another delay.

Rhinox: *responds in quiet Polish to Pinhead, and then looks over at Decapitron as he nods* Yes. This isn't permanent. As a matter of fact... *tilts head and frowns carefully at Blade, who is currently in front of him* *brow ridges lift* Huh...

Konrad Hess/Blade: *suspicious* What?

Rhinox: When I look at you out of the corner of my eye, I can still see your natural forms.

Konrad Hess/Blade: Technically speaking, these would be our natural forms.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Which I suppose would explain why Lizzie was not affected as well.

Rhinox: *shakes his head* Not anymore, they're not. *doesn't add that there is no other image of Patrick*

Shade: *wanders in, tail tip twitching* Mow. Mow. Mow... *complain, gripe, complain!*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: Yeah, I guess not. *starts in on eating cake*

Konrad Hess/Blade: It is strange to think, but I suppose given enough time I could see where... this just isn't us any more.

Shade: *hops up on that last empty chair and folds his tail around his feet* *grumpy face!*

John Wade/Six-Shooter: *reaches to give the cat a scritch*

Shade: *turns the grumpy face up to Six-Shooter and seems to sigh sadly*

John Wade/Six-Shooter: *oh, hello sinking feeling... and he hasn't even adjusted to the last disaster yet* More bad news, cat?

Shade: *blinks, and then bunts his head against the hand* -No. Kitty just mad at Scattor.- *PURRRRRR*

John Wade/Six-Shooter: I don't blame you for that one bit

Rhinox: You're the one that waved the wish over, Shade.

Shade: -Didn't know it wasn't just for little while.- *shakes paw and spits quietly*

Lizzie: -Oooo, whatchoo said!-

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: Someone needs to teach him the difference between someone really wishing for something and just talking. *thinking he could have done without having salt in this particular old wound*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: What do you mean it is not just for a little while?

Rhinox: It's still not going to be for very long. *frowns at the mooncat*

Shade: -No. But more than one day.- *angry tail twitch*

[mosaic_archive]

Elsa Toulon/Leech: That means we can't just sit here and wait it out.

André Toulon/Decapitron: You're right. We'll have to make whatever preparations we might need to take care of ourselves until we're back to our normal forms.

Shade: *looks up* -Beds and stuff in our house.-

Lizzie: -The house's too bloomin' small.-

Shade: -No. House! Little house in basement. House is big!-

Hans Seiderman/Jester: I suppose we will have to spread out a little then

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: Look, it'll be all right. I remember how to live like this. We stick together, and we'll get through it. Just like always.

Lizzie: *voice an alarmed little squeak* -Spread out??-

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Or we could all get sleeping bags and pile around the house... *actually likes that idea a little better*

Shade: -House has beds. Three beds. One bed is big. And two couches! And reclining chair.-

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: Someone else can have the beds... *slight uncomfortable reminder that the last time he slept in a bed he died there*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: *looks uncomfortable for a sec, because it's not hard for him to guess why Patrick would have that aversion*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: I still think sleeping bags would be fun. It would make it like camping. An adventure, ja?

John Wade/Six-Shooter: *chuckles* And what's one more adventure, right kid?

Hrafni: *leans on the table top beside Decapitron's elbow* Does anyvone vant anyzing else?

Erstwhile Puppets: *are quiet for a good bit, as their memories of food - at least food they would eat - are pretty old and hazy...*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *after a bit, speaks up, remembering something Rick would fix often... though it didn't have the same ingrediants every time* Do you have any stir-fry?

Hrafni: *twitches ears in a grin* Ja. But I don't haf zhe tools to make it kosher.

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: That's all right. I can just stick to the cake.

Konrad Hess/Blade: ... perhaps a salad?

Hrafni: Vhat kind? *more happy ear twitch* I haf some fresh cucumbers. I could put oil und lemon juice on zem...

Rhinox: *head over in the special little fridge, which is really a stasis box* Gefilte fish?

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: *that seems to tweek at some memory, and he nods with a smile* Yes, please

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: What fish?

Rhinox: Alright. I'll warm it up. Hey... there's strudel in here too. Hmm? *looks at Pinhead*

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: There is?

Konrad Hess/Blade: There won't be for long. May I have some too?

Rhinox: *gets the goodies out and uncovers the special microwave to warm them*

Hrafni: *scooting to make stirfry. Knows Rhinox will get the salad*

Rhinox: *quickly throws salad together, and then looks into the special fridge again as the microwave whirs over the strudel*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *going over in his head the things they'll need to take care of during this, determined to make sure the team comes through it ok... especially since it's his fault*

Rhinox: What's this... Latkes!

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *brief chuckle to himself at the thought that... this sort of makes them even, as far as that old matter was concerned*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *looks to him, curious* What?

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: Nothing...

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: Did someone mention latkes?

Rhinox: Yes. And they're still fresh. These were delivered this morning. *turns with the goodies in his gloved hands*

Hrafni: *calls from where she's busy working over on the huge stove* Zhe apple sauce is zhere too, Vader.

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *before things get too far out of hand* Think there's a way we can bill Scattor for this?

Rhinox: *gruffly* It's covered. *takes out strudel and puts the latkes into the oven. Brings strudel and apple sauce to the table*

shield on Rhinox's back: *makes a little baby giggle*

All but two of the Erstwhile Puppets: *looking that way like a cat that heard a jingle ball*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *didn't have as much background in childrens' entertainment as the others, so it's a little longer before he looks*

Konrad Hess/Blade: *also not as quick to glance over, but smiles slightly when he does*

Shade: *to all the puppets, and Lizzie* -Rhinox is daddy. Babies on back. Older kid not on head today.-

Rhinox: *sees the looks and lifts his brow ridges quizzically*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *with some slight embarrassment, tries to explain* We spent some time in Berlin entertaining children. I suppose it is habit for us to react when we know one is nearby.

Rhinox: *both brows lift, and he shakes his head at himself slightly before stripping off a glove and turning his back toward the table* Someone grab the shield and I'll unstrap it.

Lucky: *chatters in a mixture of human and cybertronian sounds and words*

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *gets up to do so*

Rhinox: *unfastens the straps that cross his chest, and the shield and its contents are now in Pinhead's arms* Watch out for Dinobot when he wakes up. He can be a little snappish. *heads for the microwave as it pings, pulling the glove back on as he goes*

Lucky: *sees you, new person!* Hiiiiiii! :D

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: Hello *biig smile right back as he goes to sit back down*

Dinobaby: *sleeps through this, his face hidden against his denim and rope cat doll*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *leans over a bit to look at the babies, waves to Lucky*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *a little relieved when the presence of a tot soon has the rest of the team mostly distracted from their current problem*

Lucky: *laughs and sits up, careful not to disturb his brother* *reaches for Jester* Pick me up?

Elsa Toulon/Leech: A very adorable baby. What is the name? *not sure of the gender of the little white bundle of parts and does not want to offend*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *works out how to do so and not put Lizzie down* All right, little one.

Rhinox: *as he tends to latke and fish dumplings* That's Lucky. He's my firstborn son, even though all his siblings are older than him. *chuckle*

Lucky: *smiles up at Jester, but then looks concerned and puts a thin little hand on Lizzie*

Lizzie: -Gerroff. Oh.- *looks up* -'Ello there.-

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *looks puzzled by that* Is that a funny Nexus time thing?

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *gently* Be careful... That's Lizzie. Lizzie, this is Lucky.

Hrafni: *looks over* Oh no, herr Pinhead. Ve're all adopted! *chuckles and hops down with big bowl of stirfry*

Rhinox: *bringing over the other kosher goodies* *nods his head* What she said. Lucky's the only one that wasn't adopted.

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *just nods at that*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: I suppose you could say we were also... in a way

Rhinox: *grins* Yeah. In a way. *glances at Shade, who is washing Six-Shooter's hand* I'll get the non-kosher dishes for that stir fry. *heads for cupboard after glancing at Lizzie and Lucky, who are regarding each other with curious interest*

John Wade/Six-Shooter: *skritching the mooncat*

Lucky: *finally leans down to give Lizzie a gentle touch with his mouth, which is accompanied by a tiny squeaky kiss sound*

Lizzie: *tired sounding giggle* -Gerroff, ye silly kid.-

Patrick: Well, I guess the first thing will be to find out if the electric works in the rest of the house.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *chuckles* I think it does, at least in the room with that one lamp... *thinking about all of the different sounds that will set off a clap-sensitive lamp*

Patrick: It still wouldn't hurt to check for shorts and things, right? *is thinking it will give Tunneler something to do so he won't think too much about all of this*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: I can do that. I think I know where the fusebox is.

Lucky: *just scooted around the table and gave Tunneler something to do. Sit on shoulder. LOVE LOVE!*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: *just laughs at that* Hello.

Hrafni: *checks glasses* Ze whole subdivision has ze electricity, but jah, checking vould not hurt.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *to Tunneler* Strange, to be big enough to have someone on your shoulder instead of the other way around, ja?

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: Lizzie's almost small enough.

Lizzie: *razz sound. Is looking as droopy as a little wooden doll can look, even after Rhinox brings back the dishes and gives her a little wooden cookie*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *is still worried about Lizzie*

Rhinox: *to Lizzie* You have a taste of that cookie. It'll help you feel better.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *has heard about the 'doll food' Lizzie'd mentioned to him. It's strange how such things can exist, but... he's hardly going to think on that for long. He's seen far too many strange things in his life for that one to be very high on the scale*

Lizzie: -No thanks, guv. I don't feel too interested in sweets right now.- *offers the cookie back*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *sighs* I am sorry for this, Lizzie. At least it is not permanant.

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: And it's not your fault, Jester. If anything, I should have watched how I said things.

Rhinox: It's not anyone's 'fault'. *sets the wooden cookie on the table and then helps Hrafni dish up the food to those who want it*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *quietly* Does this bother you so much, what we were?

Lizzie: *looks up and then wraps her tiny arms around him as best she can* -No! Blast, no. I love yeh however yeh look.-

Rhinox: *turns his head and quirks a brow at what the little doll just said*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *puppets don't blush, but he's turning an interesting pink now!*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *stifles a snerk*

André Toulon/Decapitron: *one raised eyebrow over here*

Hrafni: Don't vorry. Dolly love isn't icky.

Rhinox: *shakes head at daughter* Who wants fish?

Erstwhile Puppets: *can't answer for a moment, as most of them are too busy either laughing or trying not to, and Jester is doing both that and looking like he'd like to crawl in a vent and hide from the gentle teasing*

Lizzie: *hiding her face in her hands now as she realizes what she just said*

[mosaic_archive]

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: *just shakes his head at this, and finally raises a hand* I would like the fish, please.

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: I thought the rest of us were having stir fry.

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: And latkes *grins*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: ... Just what is a 'latke' anyway?

Rhinox: *as he gives Tunneler a heaping plate of fishy and potato and apple sauce goodness* Potato pancakes.

Hrafni: *ready to start serving stirfry! Just offer her a plate to fill!*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: Potato... pancakes? *holds out his plate for stir fry as he tries to think of what that would be like*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: Yes, potato pancakes.

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: They're good. *doesn't really remember what they taste like, but does remember that*

Rhinox: *gives Pinhead a couple latkes on the side of his plate as Hrafni fills the rest with stirfry*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: Well, I guess I could try them...

Rhinox: *will tease about how that was said* Since we twisted your arm. *hands over one of the goodies*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *laughs at that*

Rhinox: *hands him a latke too*

Lizzie: *peeking now to see what all the talk is about*

Konrad Hess/Blade: *chuckles* I think he's used to... less persuasion from the rest of us, since usually he has a flamethrower and we're made of wood.

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: You know I wouldn't do that. ... *grin faulters, and adds* Barring insanity

Konrad Hess/Blade: May we all avoid that again

Hrafni: *sets down stirfry in front of Pinhead and hugga Torch!*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *unaccustomed to hugging, and now it's his turn to be an interesting shade of pink* Careful, kid. I'm not the most cuddly person around

Hrafni: Zat's alvright. *last gentle squish, which is still surprisingly strong for such a skinny little kid, and then lets him go and picks up the stirfry bowl again*

Dinobaby: *reacts to the smell of stirfry by suddenly stretching and sighing*

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *watching Dinobaby, openly curious*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *pokes at the stir fry a bit with a fork before carefully trying a bite*

Dinobaby: *opens his eyes, and then blinks as he sees that he and his bed are being held by someone he doesn't know* *head tilt*

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: Hello

Dinobaby: Rrrrrn hello. *sits up, absently hugging his doll*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *about the latke* Ok, these aren't that bad.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *a smile for the other baby, now that Dinobaby's awake, but doesn't say anything*

Dinobaby: *looks over, and then sniff sniffs. To Pinhead* Ffffeed me!

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *blinks, and will promptly do so, feeding Dinobaby bits of his latkes and stir fry*

Rhinox: Here, let me get him out of the cradle* *lifts the little bot by one arm and takes away the shield, then settles Dinobaby into Pinhead's lap*

Dinobaby: *munching happily as he hugs his doll*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *about Pinhead feeding kids* Brings back memories, ja.

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *chuckles*

Lucky: *sees what you're doing there, bubby! Pokes Tunneler gently on the head and clicks hopefully, too excited to remember to talk*

Lizzie: *was watching Pinhead with the attitude that says she's smiling, but is now distracted by Lucky's clickstorm*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: *confused* What?

John Wade/Six-Shooter: I think he wants fed too. Why don't you come over here, little guy? *offers Lucky a bit of latke*

Lucky: *pauses, then gives Tunneler a kiss and abandons ship to go see Six-Shooter* Okay!

Rhinox: Yes, he eats organic food too. *chuckle*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: *thankful smile at Six-Shooter for getting him out of that potential corner*

Rhinox: *gloved pat to Tunneler shoulder, and then excuses himself to go see what's happening at the bar, since he doesn't like how quiet it sounds out there* *leaves gloves on the special fridge/stasis container*

John Wade/Six-Shooter: *has no problems feeding the bittybot*

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *doesn't mind either, is actually happy doing this*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Watch out for his teeth, Herr Strauss. They look sharp.

Dinobaby: *totally focused on sharing Pinhead's dinner* All the better to eat you with, my dear.

Hrafni: *ears perk at little brother*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *laughs*

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *smiles down at Dinobaby* But you would not bite me, would you?

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *quiet, to Dinobaby* He probably tastes awful.

Dinobaby: *looks up, munching mouthful of food* Hrrrn. Not today.

Konrad Hess/Blade: That sounds reasonable. *smiles, thinking back... that was exactly what Toulon had said about whether or not he'd send the other puppets to kill him when they'd had that talk before he'd died. Not today.*

[mosaic_archive]

Hrafni: He likes to vread. Zat vas a quote from vone of ze not Shakespeare stories he likes.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: I thought it was from Little Red Riding Hood...

Hrafni: It is. But Mr. Shakespeare didn't vrite zat story. *twitches ears in a grin*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Red Riding Hood was one of the last stories we did as a play on our way to America. We were entertaining some of the children on the boat we were on.

Dinobaby: *actually stops eating and turns his head when he hears that* Rrreally?

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *nods* I had to wear a fur costume.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: We almost didn't get to, because of Leech being seasick, but she was feeling better that evening.

Elsa Toulon/Leech: I'm glad I was. Imagine a version of the story where Red Riding Hood vomits a leech onto the wolf...

Dinobaby: *such dirty rotten mischief in his laughter*

Hrafni: Ewww. *chuckles*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *chuckles as well*

Lizzie: -Serve the rotter right.- *absently snuggled back against Jester*

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *to Lizzie* Not when it's me, wrapped up in fur

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Well, a leech could not bite through the fur anyway

Lizzie: -No. Guess not.- *activates her seldom used emoticons to make a smilie face appear over her head aimed at Pinhead*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: Can we quit talking about vomiting leeches while we're having food?

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *just chuckles at that* Would you rather we talked about setting things on fire?

Dinobaby: *looks from face to face, and then down at the little doll Jester's holding. Curious frown as he opens his mouth for more food*

Lizzie: *shivers at the idea of fire, her smilie face vanishing* -Blast no!-

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *Holds Lizzie close* I'm sorry...

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *tense* I wouldn't do that

Dinobaby: *looks at Jester. Mouth rather full* Isss ssshe talking?

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *nods* Ja. Fire scares her.

Elsa Toulon/Leech: I can't say I'm fond of it myself... *shiver*

André Toulon/Decapitron: *has an arm around her*

Dinobaby: *thoughtful* Hrrrn. Don't like either. Lots of fire when I rrrrrn died.

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *gently* You died too?

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: It's not like I even know why that lunatic designed a puppet with that weapon. He made it pretty clear it was useless to bring anything back fried...

Konrad Hess/Blade: He was insane. Or perhaps he meant to use you to keep the rest of us in line.

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: Like that would have worked

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Let's not discuss him in front of the children, ja?

Dinobaby: *growls at what Blade said, but then demands more to eat*

Hrafni: *to Jester* Dinobot saved ze human vrace, a long long time ago.

André Toulon/Decapitron: Afzel claimed once that... we were meant for a similar pupose. We thought we'd already fulfilled it.

Konrad Hess/Blade: I still cannot think of anyone else who might have sent that assassin, unless they were associated with Sutekh or his cult

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: We do have a very short list of possibly surviving enemies

Hrafni: Zere veren't very many humans yet vhen Dinobot did it. *looks over at brother, who is too busy eating to pay attention to what she or anyone else says*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *just gives them a look, as this isn't a very good topic in front of the little ones either, in his opinion. So he'll try to change it... to Dinobaby* You are fond of Shakespere, ja? Which is your favorite play?

Dinobaby: *notices that! Thoughtful growl as he wipes his mouth on his doll* Hamlet.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *quoting* This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man. *thinks Hamlet an odd choice for a child, and isn't much for the dark and brooding tragedy himself.* My own preferences tend to lean towards Midsummer Night's Dream, or Twelfth Night.

Dinobaby: *nods, his expression saying that he's remembering* *softly murmurs the quote that he said as a farewell to his friends, then looks up at Jester*

Hrafni: He doesn't like comedies.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: I understand. They can become hard to relate to, when ones own experiences are... not so amusing. But for me, that's one of the reasons I try to remember, it is not such a bad thing to laugh.

Dinobaby: *noms on his doll instead of food for a moment* Was warrior. Fought with honour.

Hrafni: Und now you bite tails. *chuckles and twitches ears*

Dinobaby: *growls at sissy!*

Lucky: *clickstorm at sissy and bubby* Be good.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *admits* I was a spy. Mostly. But I hope for all the right reasons. *trace of a smile* Honor is important, ja?

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: It was for the right reasons, Hans.

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: We all did what we could.

Lizzie: *turns and leans back to look up at Jester with curious surprise. Knew what he did from his own references to it, but had never put those activities together with the tag 'spy' before*

Dinobaby: Yes! Honour isss important.

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: Nazis didn't have any. Honor.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *notices the look from Lizzie, faint smile, quietly* And they did not like spies. Especially spies who might tip off people they wanted to hurt. *easing up a little about saying some things in front of Dinobaby now, since if the kid's read Hamlet... well, as long as no one gets graphic about things*

Dinobaby: Hhhrafni hasss kicked Nazi *explicative deleted*

Lucky: *clicks and points at bubby* :o

Lizzie: *laughing uncontrollably now*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: So have we.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Well... maybe not that exact part.

Dinobaby: *curious look for Lizzie. Then looks around at the erstwhile puppets* Do you want to rrrrr hear the ssstory?

Lucky: *forgets cussword in favour of one of his favourite words* Story!

Hans Seiderman/Jester: If you wish to tell us.

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *nods* I like stories.

Decapitron and Leech: *had been having a quiet discussion, but put it aside to listen to the story*

Dinobaby: Hhhhrafni tell!

Hrafni: Ja ja. Just let me see if anyvone needs anyzing. *checking plates, her ears perked and her tail curved alertly now instead of wrapped around her waist* *sees that everyone still has a satisfactory amount of food and drink and goes over to an empty spot at the table to rest her elbows on it* It isn't much of a story.

Dinobaby: Isss too.

Lizzie: -Quit bein' modest 'n tell us already.-

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *translating* Lizzie says to quit being modest and tell us already

Dinobaby: Yeah! *growly, then looks at Pinhead and opens his mouth again*

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *promptly puts food in Dinobaby's mouth*

[mosaic_archive]

Hrafni: *shrugs her shoulders* It vas a reality vhere ze Nazis had von some battles zat zey usually lose, because ze found a vay to power ze Vratt.

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: What is that?

Hrafni: Ze Landkreuzer P. 1000 Ratte. Over 1800 metric tons. Primary weapons: two 280 mm guns, a single 128 mm gun, eight 20 mm Flak 38 anti-aircraft guns and two 15 mm Mauser MG 151/15 guns. 360 mm of armour plating. Six 1.2-meter tracks vith three tracks per side. Power from two 8500 hp MAN 24 cylinder Diesel marine engines or eight 2000 hp Daimler-Benz 20 cylinder Diesel marine engines.

Lucky: Mousie!

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *just stares a moment in horror*

Konrad Hess/Blade: *has gone a bit pale*

Most of the others: *also look disturbed by that description*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *wasn't around for WW2, and so it's more history to him than something he's thinking about what it would ever have been like to face* So, basically it's a giant tank

Hrafni: Ja. Vone of my freunds vears it for her alt mode.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *gets a thoughtful look for a moment*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: *notices and grins* Thinking of ways to sabotage one?

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Well, you know what they say... the bigger they are...

Hrafni: I shadowdanced into ze engine. *ears twitch* Vhile it vas vrunning.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *laughs at that... he doesn't know that one word, but he can guess it was not good for a tank engine*

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: What is 'shadowdanced'?

Hrafni: *steps sideways... and vanishes into Leech's shadow* *then reappears behind Jester* Zat.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *blinks, but recovers quickly* Interesting

Hrafni: Und I vas harder zan ze moving parts. *goes back to her place at the table* Ze Vratt... died of a tummy ache.

Dinobaby: *rotten chuckle*

Erstwhile Puppets: *there's more laughter at this*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Like the old marbles in the gas tank trick... only on a larger scale.

Hrafni: Ja! *ears twitch, but then go back* Zen ze Nazis decided to burn a ghetto.

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *his grin is now completely gone - as are most of the others - but in his case it goes even further, to a scowl that actually makes him look dangerous... and he glances briefly down at Dinobaby almost protectively*

Hrafni: *quietly* Zat's vhen I kicked afts. Und zen I tore down ze vall und vent in to get ze people out.

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: I could not have torn down a wall. All I could do without trouble to everyone was sneak food to the little ones when they would come out to meet me. I am glad you were able to do this.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Even with the wall down, where could they go? To this place?

Hrafni: No. Zey live in Haven now. Ze Jewish families haf moved to ze far side of ze vriver, so zey can be kosher.

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: *starting to think a little more about just how far from managing to do that he probably is* *and doesn't really want to consider it...*

Hrafni: Und zen I took some fire, und vent to visit some important Nazi buildings. *ears flick* Sings like zat vill be easier vhen I get my fire tracks.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Torch was not with us until decades afterwards, or I am certain we would have added arson to our crimes against the Reich.

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: There was that fire in Krauss's office.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Ja. And the one I set in my own

Hrafni: *ears twitch gleefully* Not all feur ist bad.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Sometimes it is necessary. But... it is also something to be careful of, when one is small and made of wood.

Hrafni: You can't burn anymore. You've got a Guardian Feen vatching over you.

Dinobaby: Desssert?

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *looks for the strudel*

Hrafni: *reaches toward the center of the table and pushes the strudel toward him*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Perhaps Tunneler should tell a story in trade? If this little one was a warrior *meaning Dinobaby*, then you could relate, ja?

Dinobaby: *looks up from admiring strudel* Yessss!

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *will start feeding Dinobaby strudel*

[mosaic_archive]

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: *slightly embarrassed* I hardly thought of it as that. It just.. needed done. When the second world war started, America declared neutrality. I was on a boat the same day, and enlisted in England when I arrived there.

Dinobaby: *growls around a mouthful of nom*

Hrafni: He doesn't like it vhen people call cowardice 'neutrality'. *intently waiting for the rest of the story*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: They didn't want to think of it as their problem. I knew better. *brief pause, and continues* After basic training, we were sent to a place called Calais. We had some warning of what we were heading into. There were rumors. Someone in one of the squads had talked to the daughter of some Brigadier and she'd supposedly said that 'you're going out there and you won't be coming back.'

There was already a retreat in progress in the area. We were supposed to destroy the harbor installations and reinforce the troops already in position, so the retreat could continue.

Dinobaby: *so intent now that he's forgotten to open his mouth for more strudel*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: Some of the Royal Ulster Rifles were supposed to be with us, their trip was cancelled. The first real action I saw came on the way into the harbor. Two mortar shells exploded on the jetty above our destroyer. The jetty was well above us and there weren't any casualties, but we were quick to disembark after that. And while we were getting off, other troops were in just as much of a hurry to board.

Hrafni: *softly* I vremember zat.

Dinobaby: *growl* Shhhhh!

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: For the next three days there were small ships evacuating the Allied troops. They never brought in any fresh troops, not after us. We were supposed to meet up with the French Marines, but they weren't there. We finally found them the Sunday before we were captured. They were at the railway station, drunk.

Hrafni: *face palm*

Dinobaby: *says something that sounds very unpleasant... whatever language that is*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: That same Sunday in the afternoon, after seventy-two hours, we were finally taken prisoner by German infantry.

Hrafni: *lowers hand to look at Tunneler, her crimson eyes bright with concern*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: They didn't ask a lot of questions, just gathered us up and we started marching. Days of it. From there, to Belgium, then Holland, and then the next border would be Germany. Guards were changed and the group split up along the way. My eventual destination was Stalag VIIIB, also called Lamsdorf.

Dinobaby: *shocked look for sister as she growls*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: It wasn't as bad for prisoners of war in a Stalag or Oflag as it was for those in the other camps I heard of later. Though it was bad enough, even with the occasional Red Cross package. When we arrived we were photographed. They shaved our heads, and then photographed us again. There was a roll call in the morning, and one in the evening... and not much else unless you were assigned to one of the labor subcamps.

After my first escape attempt, I was given seven days in solitary. Red Cross packages were to be withheld, and I was assigned to one of the subcamps. Z E72 Beuthen. It was a salt mine.

Hrafni: *wince. Ears go back*

Dinobaby: *mutters about no honour*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: I'd earned my 'nickname' long before I fell in with this group. *bit of a smile at that, then continues* After my second escape attempt, I was told that if I tried it again they would shoot me. When they transferred me to Gurschdorf, I decided to take my chances anyway and escaped again. That time, they didn't catch me.

Dinobaby: Rrrrrr good!. *bites his doll on the head*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: *nods* I fell in with a Partisan group who wanted to smuggle me back to the States, in the hopes I could cluebat some people there into doing something. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling well, and... things didn't go as planned.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: I've noticed they almost never do for you.

Hrafni: *concerned look as her ears go back*

Dinobaby: *looks back and forth between the two of them as he gnaws on the doll's head*

Lizzie: -Get on wit' t' bloomin' story.-

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: I'd caught typhus in camp, before I'd escaped. Six-Shooter there ran the safe house I was hidden at, and he was a friend of Andre Toulon's from the first World War. Toulon - Decapitron now - had been a doctor for a while in Paris, so John sent for him for help.

John Wade/Six-Shooter: *just gives a nod at that*

Lizzie: *shrank back at mention of typhus, and now she's a little curled up*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *hugs Lizzie carefully*

Lizzie: *snuggles* -I'm alright.- *sounds sad though*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: I don't remember some of that time very well, because of the fever, but they thought I was worth breaking their cover for... it was Jester and Pinhead who took care of me while I was ill.

Dinobaby: *gives Pinhead a snuggle, but is still gnawing on his doll's head*

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *will carefully pet Dinobaby, trying to soothe... not sure this story is a good one for kids*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: Before I was well enough to resume travelling, the location was compromised. We managed to deal with the ones that came in to raid the place, but John and I both got shot.

Hrafni: John? *ears perk*

John Wade/Six-Shooter: *tips his hat* He means me, miss.

Lucky: *looks up. Hugga friend!* XD *no... he hasn't been listening. The buttons on Six-Shooter's shirt are more interesting*

John Wade/Six-Shooter: *pat-hug back, has been distracting Lucky with streudel bites*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: The next thing I clearly remembered, I was an inch short of being two feet tall and a new addition to the strangest group of subversives in Nazi Germany.

Dinobaby: Good story. *sits up, and then quietly, and with few words and fewer growls tells the story of his experience on Earth so long ago* *it's very clear from the story that he was not the person he is now*

Lizzie: *was already wibbly from Tunneler's story. Now she's hiding her face and crying*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Ah, Lizzie... *just hugs her* It is all right. *looks like he might cry too, just because she is*

Lizzie: *tiny hand pat pats him, and then she rubs her face. Speaking only to him* -Me mum died 'o typhus. They buried me wit' 'er.-

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *also privately, though given the nature of their connection the other puppets would hear it as whispering* -Gott in himmel... I'm sorry-

Lizzie: -Shade got me out. I... guess they wouldn've done it if they knew I wos alive. But Mum 'n me thought we had'ta keep the wish secret t' keep it.-

Dinobaby: *finishes his story with the Hamlet quote and looks around*

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *tearfaced, will give the kid a pat* You did good

Dinobaby: *leans back against him and looks up* Rrrrn. Made Vermin cry. *optics twinkle at that*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *listening to this as well as to Lizzie, but still talking to her* -So a wish is how you are this way. Since we are telling such things... would you like for me to...- *trails off* *out loud* We always cry... even when we know it will not be permanant. There is always the chance it will be.

Dinobaby: Vermin's jussst a ssssuck. *plainly doesn't think Pinhead is*

Lizzie: -Think the kids'd like it?-

Hans Seiderman/Jester: -Perhaps not, then... He seemed to like Tunneler's, but I am no warrior.-

Lizzie: *snuggle* -I love yeh fer bein' silly.-

Hans Seiderman/Jester: -I love you too, Lizzie.-

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *to Dinobaby* Maybe he is. But he must have cared about you, if he cried.

Dinobaby: *looks down at his doll, but then nods* Yes. Brothers at arms.

Hrafni: Who tried to kill each ozzer often.

Dinobaby: Yup! Fun.

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: Sounds it. *only slightly sarcastic, thinking that with him and the others you could remove the 'tried to' and 'often' and pretty much end up with how he became one of them*

Dinobaby: *looks at Torch, and then turns his attention to Six-Shooter* You tell story now.

John Wade/Six-Shooter: Well, Tunneler already told you how I ended up part of the team, so... lemme think. Heh heh... All right. Now, back in the first World War... *launches into a story that soon has Hrafni running away to pee after laughing too hard*

[mosaic_archive]

several hours later


Hans Seiderman/Jester: *just finished up telling what happened when Rick took some of them to a comic book convention... which had resulted in poor Blade being 'peace-bonded'* And he had to spend the entire time with this big yellow bow tying his arms down...

Konrad Hess/Blade: *pink with embarrassment, but snickering anyway... in retrospect it was funny*

Lizzie: *face hidden against Jester's arm as she drapes over it* -Oooo, I'm glad I don't pee. You lot would'a had me dress swimmin'.-

Hans Seiderman/Jester: I'm glad you don't pee either, I'm still holding you.

Hrafni: *hides face as she remembers how fast she'd had to run away after Six-Shooter's first funny story*

Dinobaby: *will laugh at what Jester just said from where he's cuddled comfortably in Leech's arms*

Elsa Toulon/Leech: *just laughs, and rocks Dinobaby gently*

Hrafni: *looks up at the clock, then turns and perks her ears* Vader?

Rhinox: *walking over to the table* Well your house is ready.

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: Ready?

Rhinox: Yup. Food in the fridge in the main kitchen, and a kosher kitchen downstairs. The beds already had bedding, but now you've got blankets for the other sleeping surfaces too, and some changes of clothes. *looks over Pinhead's shoulder at sleeping Lucky and chuckles*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *not sure what to think or say about that* ... Thanks.

Konrad Hess/Blade: I do not mean to be rude, and I am thankful, but... why are you doing this? Why help us?

Rhinox: *rubs his cheek* It's my job. *more quietly* Why I came back. *yes, here's another guy who died at one time*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Hands up, anyone in the room who hasn't died?

Hrafni: *hand up*

Lizzie: *hand up*

Shade: *paw up*

Rhinox: Lucky hasn't.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: It is still a minority

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: For maybe the only time ever...

Hrafni: I might not die before ze Trumpet.

Rhinox: *snorts* There are a lot of us in the Nexus.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: This is what happens when Heaven misfiles the paperwork?

Rhinox: No. This is what happens when we're still good for a few more chapters. *brow quirk, his optics holding amusement*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Ah, joy. I am so looking forward to that. *there's a bit of sarcasm*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: Like we didn't already know we were in for another 'sequel'.

Hrafni: *mutter* I could use some hilf vith zoze Nazi snots.

Rhinox: *goes around the table and points to sleeping Lucky* May I?

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *gives Hrafni a smile, half hopeful and half sad, then offers Lucky back*

Konrad Hess/Blade: *reminded of something he said to Toulon, back before his death. To Hrafni* Perhaps in another time... we could have worked together, and done great things.

André Toulon/Decapitron: *puts a hand on Blade's sholder, recognizes that line*

Hrafni: *perks and looks at Blade, her ears pointed toward him and her eyes saying she's heard the line before too* *looks at her father*

Rhinox: *shakes his head at her*

Hrafni: *slight sigh, but then perks and grabs her gloves* I'll pack zome cake for you.

Konrad Hess/Blade: Danke.

Rhinox: Do you guys need anything else? *absently baby dancing Lucky. Seems to be holding the little guy for comfort*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *getting up, shaking his head* I think we'll be all right. I remember this a little better than the others do.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Thank you for your help.

André Toulon/Decapitron: *nods* We've become unaccustomed to altruism. It's comforting to see it still exists.

Rhinox: *looks down at his son* It's more like restitution, in my case.

Hrafni: *calls down without looking off the counter* Vader, stop being moody!

Rhinox: *face palm. Snerk* Razzafrazzin' kid...

Dinobaby: *cheerful growl*

Elsa Toulon/Leech: *gives him a last gentle hug*

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *reaches to give Dinobaby a pat, too*

Dinobaby: *holds Small Cheetor up to Leech's cheek, as though the doll is giving her a kiss, then grins at Pinhead before looking at Decapitron* *SO much mischief* Gonna marry lady when I grow up.

Elsa Toulon/Leech: *blushes and laughs* I'm sorry to disappoint, but I'm already married.

Dinobaby: I can fix. *baad bad baby. Is trying to tease Decapitron*

André Toulon/Decapitron: *just smiles* It's been tried

Dinobaby: *bops him with Small Cheetor* No fun. *looks hopefully up at Rhinox*

Elsa Toulon/Leech: I'm sure you'll find someone. And you'll know when you do.

Dinobaby: Hrrrn. Too little. *cheerful anyway as he watches his dad come around the table toward him*

Elsa Toulon/Leech: I meant when you're older, of course. *smiles*

Rhinox: *reaches for little guy* If he gets older. *stops and looks at Pinhead's sleeve* Did he bite you?

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *had avoided mentioning it, didn't want to get the little guy in trouble... but the holes in the clothing is a giveaway* I'm not hurt. He just chewed my clothes. And he had a mouthful of strudel.

Rhinox: *as he hefts Dinobaby up by one arm* I can tell. There's a laundry room at your place, though.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *snerks* I will have to un-modify the dryer so it works for clothing again...

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: Do I want to know what you did to the dryer?

Lizzie: *snickerfitdie*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *cannot answer for similar reasons to Lizzie*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: *to Torch* That means you don't.

Lizzie: *laughs harder*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Trust him, he knows me too well...

André Toulon/Decapitron: I doubt it's anything worse than the modifications to the laundry chute.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *admits* A little worse than the laundry chute, but nothing that can't be undone.

Rhinox: ...Has this got anything to do with the lack of pillows on your beds?

Lizzie: *flails a hand and giggles more*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *laughing again*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: *facepalms* I think that's a yes

Rhinox: *looks at the pair of mirthful young people* You two are a pair of a kind.

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: What were you two doing, tumble-drying yourselves in there?

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *collapses laughing at that, but keeps careful hold on Lizzie*

Herman Strauss/Pinhead: *chuckles too*

Lizzie: *flails both arms, her giggling audible now due to how hard she's doing it*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: You were, weren't you? *it's clearly a rhetorical question* You could have broken yourselves...

Hans Seiderman/Jester: That's what the pillows were for!

Lizzie: -Shade supervised th' paddin'.-

Shade: !! *suddenly washing his face very intently*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: If I was not careful when it mattered, I would have died a long time ago...

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: And you did, remember?

Hans Seiderman/Jester: I meant again...

Lizzie: *repeats* -'N Shade wos there.-

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *nods*

Shade: *WASH wash wash wash...*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *shakes his head* Let's just get home.

Lizzie: *little whisper of a sigh at the backs of their minds* -It's gonna be quiet t'night.- *nobody to play with, she means*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *sighs and just hugs her*

Rhinox: *gently* Patrick's right. Go on home. But come back if you need anything.

Hrafni: *jumps off counter and offers Torch a box the size of a shoebox*

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *nods* Thanks again *accepts the box*

everyone: *out through the barroom, since they don't fit in the vent anymore*

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: *as he steps outside* ... I'd forgotten how cold snow is...

Hans Seiderman/Jester: ... *slow grin* Snow...

Lizzie: *looking back as they reach the door* -Ever'body's still bigger than us.-

Konrad Hess/Blade: *noticed something in Jester's tone...*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *as they reach the bottom of the front steps* I am so used to it, I barely noticed. *crouching to make a snowball with one hand... still holding Lizzie with the other* *to Lizzie* -Suggest a target?-

Lizzie: *peek. Mental squee that only Jester can hear* -Six-Shooter!-

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *snowball away!*

John Wade/Six-Shooter: *splatted with something colder than he's experienced in decades* ACK! What in tarnation...

Lizzie: *laughing hysterically again*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *helpfully* Snowball!

John Wade/Six-Shooter: Oh yeah, you little troublemaker? We'll see about that... *crouching hurts a little, and he hates that his arthritis is back... but there are going to be more snowballs!*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: As if you could hit me. Come on, take your best shot, friend! *runs to dodge when Six-Shooter throws a snowball, and ends up running into a big sandy gold foot. He bounces off into a snowbank, and calls up* Excuse me!

Konrad Hess/Blade: Maybe we should get away from all the giant feet before you start a snowball fight, ja?

massive Cybertronian with two huge guns on their back: *hunkers down. Voice deep, but unmistakably that of a young girl* Mousie zorry. Ist freund hurt?

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Nein, just chilly... *got some snow down his shirt!*

Lizzie: *wriggles and grumbles*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *checks on her*

Lizzie: *unhurt, but covered in snow*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *tries to carefully clean the snow off*

Mouse: *offers a huge hand to help Jester out of the drift* Mousie hilf?

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *looking at the huge hand for a moment, with a wary expression that seems odd from him*

Mouse: *deep rumble* Mousie sorry.

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *remembers hearing the name before, now* It is all right... *will reach for, accepting the help.* I have had people pick me up and throw me before, among other things.

Mouse: Mousie never hurt organic person. *very careful help out of the drift, and then slowly moves her hand so she can set him by his friends*

Konrad Hess/Blade: *watching Mousie closely*

John Wade/Six-Shooter: *likewise, protective of Jester... even when he's being a hyper little pain in the rear*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: I am not normally one of those

Lizzie: -'Ey, that was kinda fun!-

Mouse: *blinks* Ach. LOL?

Hans Seiderman/Jester: Something of the sort. A wish that got out of hand.

Mouse: Ach! *yes, that great big being just wibbled*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *smiles at Lizzie, and nods* I always liked being carried around at home, but... I was picky about who I would let do that.

Konrad Hess/Blade: *to Mouse* The effects are supposed to be temporary. We'll survive. You shouldn't worry yourself about that.

Mouse: Not vorry. But ist job to do gut.

Lizzie: *looking wayyyyyyyyyy up*

Shade: *is a tail sticking out of a snowdrift* -Home.-

Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler: *has snow in a boot, not fun*

Shade: *sticks head out of drift* -Bye bye, Mousie! <3-

Patrick Bramwell/Torch: *just chuckles and shakes his head*

Hans Seiderman/Jester: *waves bye to Mousie* Danke

Mouse: *smile* Bitte! Mousie stay still till freunds gone.

Shade: -Babies hold hands!- *yup, going to use this PINpoint that he just dug out of this drift*

erstwhile puppets: *gather round and do so... some of them feeling a little odd about having hands, and Jester ending up on an end because he's not about to put Lizzie down*

Shade: -Brace selves. No urk!- *takes them all away with a swish and a slight flash*

***CREDITS POST***

[mosaic_archive]

random_xtras - Dinobaby, Hrafni, Lizzie, Lucky, Mouse, Rhinox, Scattor, Shade

whitedove01s - André Toulon/Decapitron, Elsa Toulon/Leech, Hans Seiderman/Jester, Herman Strauss/Pinhead, John Wade/Six-Shooter, Joseph Sabenstein/Tunneler, Dr. Konrad Hess/Blade, Patrick Bramwell/Torch, Waspinator