Backwater Nexus. Main Hub, Visitor's Center, Black Dog, and Safe House. Random Reunions

[lumina_mechnics]

Nexus: *snarfs up a wandering Random*

Random: . . . !!!! . . . *looks around to see if the portal that brought him here is still there*

portal: *noope*

Random: *checks to make sure he's got his PINpoint* *yep, he's got it*

teletubbies: *run past jabbering, being chased by what looks like an average American working woman in a modest 'fairy' theme two piece outfit*

Random: 0_o *doesn't recall ever seeing those things here before*

little green Andalite: *pauses to eye him with all four eyes, and then stamps a hoof and bolts!*

Random: *raises an optic ridge before turning around, feeling like something's missing*

Requiem: *pauses by the Visitor's Center and frowns down at the Autobot, then stretches and rolls his shoulders before heading off toward the Black Dog while looking half asleep*

Random: *recognizes Hormah's brother from the times that he's seen him* *aaaaaaaand then it hits him that the Sign is no longer here* . . .

Nexus: *nope. No sign. No whales either, but you missed those completely, Random. You might, however, notice the moon up there in the twilight "sky"*

Random: *shutters his optics a few times* Um, what the heck happened here? It did not look like this when I was here yesterday.

human guy: *looks over the arm of the couch he's laying on* Beats me. Why don't you ask at the Visitor's Center?

Random: . . . Since when has there been a Visitor's Center?

human guy: Beats me. *muffles a yawn* I just got here.

Random: *raises an optic ridge as he looks down at the man* . . .

human guy: *looks rather the worse for wear, though mostly just bruised and scraped. Is filthy dirty, and apparently already nearly asleep*

Random: . . . Two things: One, it doesn't bother you that you're in a interdimensional hub?!?!? . . . And two, do you need some help?

human guy: Sleepin'.

Random: . . . Well, I guess I can't argue with that.

human guy: *sleeps*

Random: *makes sure that nothing's going to happen to the fantasy adventure dude before turning and checking this "Visitor's Center" out*

Visitor's Center: *looks pretty quiet, but there's a light on in there*

Random: *looks at it skeptically, absently reminded of the time in what used to be Blue's and is now the Black Dog when he landed up there late one night* *walks up to the door and enters*

Visitor's Center: *bright and clean inside, with a white lino floor and aisles of shelves and racks that hold books, pamphlets, and souvenirs. To the left of the door is a comfortable looking couch that might fit human size people. Oh, and this place is a lot bigger on the inside than on the outside*

someone: *humming toward the back of the room, where a counter may just be seen around the shelves*

Random: *shutters his optics, not quite expecting it to be so bright* *he now knows what happened to the Sign* *once he's in, he finds himself turning around in circles as he realizes that it did not look this big outside* *hasn't really noticed the humming yet*

someone: *deep and cheery voice* Somebody there?

Random: *STARTLES* Ah! *INTAKES* *slowly lets air out* Uh, yeah.

someone: *chuckles* You alright?

Random: *turns to walk to the counter, so he can get a better view of the speaker* *sarcastically* Oh, yeah. Startle all the time. Good way to exercise the fear muscles.

someone: *silence that seems startled*

Random: *takes the silence to mean that he inadvertently hurt feelings* . . . But, um, I know you probably didn't mean to. *or at least he hoped the person didn't* And, I am a bit jumpy. So, uh, don't worry about it. *makes it to the end of the shelves*

burly green mech: *startled blue optics over an interrupted game of Solitaire* Random????

Random: *wide optics as he takes a step back at being so forcibly recognized* Uh, yes? *and in the back of his mind something tells him that he knows this mech somehow*

mech: *hand to his mouth as his optics go bright* Slag... Wait. *grabs a coordinate scanner and checks* Yup. It's you!

Random: *kinda creeped out that the mech that is Somehow Familiar knows what his reality coordinates looks like*

mech: *expression falls slightly* Have I changed that much? Keg? Remember?

Random: *doubletakes* Keg?! What? I-- *looks the mech over, trying to figure out why he didn't see it before* *no, not a new shell--the scars from when Random had to patch him back up are still there and man, he did not want to remember that aspect--. . . just what looks like a lot of wear on his old one* *looks defeated* . . . I'm very confused.

Keg: *quizzical expression* Confused why?

Random: *waves his hands vaguely* Because you're here, and the Sign's gone, and I'm not sure of what any of this means! *clearly, there's more to it than that, but Random can't really express it for reason of not being able to physically and also because he's not sure if he should be bringing up things with the One Guy*

Keg: *blinks* Right. The sign. I haven't put the new one up yet.

Random: *speechless*

Keg: *frowns, and then reaches over to where a set of glass looking containers hold all kinds of treats. From one of the biggest jars he takes a softly glowing orange and yellow chunk of sweet smelling goodness, then waves it under Random's nose*

Random: *that sparks some life into him and he follows the treat around*

Keg: *rumbles a chuckle and reaches over the table to get Random's hand and deposit the Sunrise bit in it*

Random: *stares down at his hand* *will nibble on the Sunrise bit*

Keg: C'mon, Random. Did I turn out that sketchy? *slight frown returns, and a hint of the eager youngbot that he once was*

Random: *distracted from his nibbling* Huh? Um, no? . . . I have no idea what you're talking about.

Keg: You kind of look like you've seen a ghost.

Random: But you're--*starts with the vague hand waving again, somehow keeping a hold on the bit* Old--der.

Keg: *blinks* Well, yeah. It's been twenty four vorns.

Random: O_O

Keg: *optics also lighten in answering surprise* Uh. What?

Random: *a few, very long moments later* . . . This is a Nexus thing, isn't it. *thought he had this Nexus thing down pretty pat* *apparently was wrong*

Keg: ...What is?

Random: I was in here yesterday, and the Nexus looked how it always looked since I've come--well mostly. It's got daily changes. But, anyway! I get kidnapped by it today and the Sign's gone and I find you where I'm not expecting you, what else could it be?

Keg: *flabbergasted* Yesterday?

Random: *not so confidently* Well, what I thought was yesterday. My reality's yesterday, I guess I should say.

Keg: *blinks his optics a few times, and then opens up that treat jar and stuffs three of the Sunrise bits into his mouth with the air of a bot taking a stiff dose of medicine*

Random: o_o? *uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh*

Keg: *holds the jar out to him too*

Random: *will hesitantly help himself to a handful, bringing back the handful slowly and picking one out to nibble gingerly on*

Keg: *finishes his mouthful, and refills, slowly shaking his head and looking as though he's trying to refrain from cussing or notcussing aloud in his flabbergast*

Random: *continues to nibble* *not really sure what else to do*

Keg: *finally intakes deeply* Okay, I think I can compute it now. But holey socks, what a... Well, at least you never had to miss me and Mom.

Random: . . . Well, that part actually happened a few weeks ago. >_>;;;

Keg: *shakes his head slowly again* Weird.

Random: That was the expected part. . . . Just . . . not what I found out today.

Keg: *slowly* So you don't know anything about any of what's gone on here in the meantime.

Random: Uhhhhh, no. *nibbles some more*

Keg: *looks around* Well, it's technically, as of a couple weeks ago, not even really the Nexus where we first met you. It peeled away from the original. That's why I have to put up a new sign, and why we have the Center.

Random: . . . So I've been kidnapped by a different Nexus? *trying to compute*

Keg: *thinks about it* The old Nexus' kid.

Random: >.<.!!!!

Keg: Well at least the scenery doesn't change all the time anymore.

Random: *nope, don't think about it* . . . I guess that could be a . . . plus.

Keg: And there are established neighbourhoods. I live in one now. *slight grin*

Random: *not sure what he thinks about living in the Nexus*

Keg: *concerned by the silence and Random's expression* Random, are you alright?

Random: *can't seem to get words to form*

Keg: *frown of concern, but then perks and turns to call over his shoulder* Amy, can you take the counter? I have to go out.

woman's voice: Sure, Keg. No problem!

Keg: Thanks. *lifts the gate and steps out from behind the counter, then lowers the gate and turns to Random* Let's go to the Black Dog and sit down over a cube of something.

Random: *watches as Keg moves from behind the counter* Uh, all right.

Keg: C'mon. *hand on his friend's arm* A drink and a sit down will help.

Random: *certainly hopes so* Lead the way.

Keg: *hesitates* Do you want to PINpoint? Less new stuff to take in?

Random: . . . That'd probably be best. *he has enough to think about*

Keg: Okay, hold on. *sticks out his elbow as he lifts a panel on his lower arm*

Random: *will grab a hold of that thar elbow then* Ready.

Keg: *slight jerk, and they're standing on the front porch of the Black Dog*

hsvOptimus: *sitting on the bench by the door* Good morning, Keg. *yes, despite the moonlight and the not yet brightened sky, it is morning*

Keg: Morning, Optimus. This is my friend Random.

hsvOptimus: *brows perk* *in that deep, peaceful voice of his* Hello, Random. It's nice to meet you.

Random: *wasn't sure which part of the Black Dog would PINpoint to, so he's slightly disoriented until he realizes that they're on the porch* *recognizes Optimus' tech as being the same as the other Optimus he had a few conversations with, but the next reveals that this is an alternate of his that he hasn't met yet* *manages a nod in greeting* Sir.

hsvOptimus: *smiles at the Lumina bot* You're here for breakfast?

Random: *tries to remember what time of the day it was when he left home* Uhhh. I think I might have already had that.

hsvOptimus: *grave and kindly humour* More than one never hurts.

Random: . . . I suppose that's true, sir.

hsvOptimus: Keg's mentioned that you like energon candy. Have you tried this type? *takes a small, very dark blue lump out of a bag that's sitting on a blanket bundle which is laying on his lap and offers it*

Random: *will accept it* *studies it* I don't think so. *will take a nibble of it* *and hope it doesn't mesh too much with the Sunrise bits he's been having*

choccy: *smooth and sweet, compliments the tangy goodness of Sunrise*

Random: Mmm. It's quite good. *but not as good as his Sunrises, hah!* Thank you, sir.

hsvOptimus: *smiles again* I'd offer you a bite of my cookie, but I don't think pickle flavour goes well with choccy.

Keg: *snort* Nosir.

Random: *distracted from having another taste of choccy* 0_o Pickle? Like the human food thing? *can't remember which item it is though*

hsvOptimus: No. More like the petroleum and energon based treat item.

Random: *is soooooooooooooooooo confused*

Keg: *pats Random on the shoulder with gruff sympathy* We've got a lot of fancy fuel mixtures now. You don't need to worry about most of 'em.

Random: *headshake* *don't think about it* O-okay.

Keg: Though I can think of one I think you'd like. Come on. *urges him inside, waving to hsvOptimus as he does*

Random: Huh? *will let himself be led inside* *too distracted to think to say bye to hsvOptimus*

Keg: *gets Random seated in a quiet corner booth, and then orders him a tall cube of hot choccy*

Random: *raises an optic ridge at Keg, but doesn't protest* *if the liquid form is as good as the candy, then it'll be good* *and it might help him calm down*

Keg: And I'll have fizzy. *grins at the pretty white baytech waitress, all the charm that he used to display as a newbot still very much in evidence*

Archiva: Alright, Keg. No scrambles this morning?

Keg: *nods to Random* He's having a bit of culture shock.

Archiva: *soft sound of sympathy and a gentle smile for Random, and then she goes to get their order*

Random: *thinks he remembers having one of those--the drink Keg just ordered, but he won't know for sure until it gets delivered* *he then blinks at "scrambles"--more human food terms?* *aaaaaaaaaaaaand now he kinda looks embarrassed* *he's not a newbie!--Or he wasn't* *he's not sure anymore*

Keg: *sees his expression* Random?

Random: *trying to get over it* Yeah?

Keg: What's wrong? *offers him the bowl of cheap energon pellets that was sitting on the table*

Random: *looks at the bowl and then absently picks one up and looks at it, thinking back to another similar conversation in one of these booths* *and the mention of "fizzy" reminded him of the Kia he meet in here some time ago* *and then Keg was here, in a vastly different function here than he used to be* *oh, the memories this place holds for him, and he hasn't even really been coming daily* *speaks what comes easiest--as he's been doing this entire time* I thought I knew what was what. *well, he's kinda getting closer*

Keg: *sympathy* *gruff and kindly* Time wrinkles will do that.

Random: *puts the goody back and nibbles on one of the Sunrise bits that was still in his hand when he PINpointed* . . . I suppose I've forgotten that the Nexus was sort of a shock in the first place . . . Even if I didn't realize it at the time.

Keg: *nods* *quietly* I still see Kia sometimes.

Random: *doesn't realize that he's talking about the actual Kia* Her alternates keep finding me. I helped one get home yesterday. *stops* Or, what I thought was yesterday.

Keg: *slight grin* *quietly* Ours is all grown up now.

Random: *nods, absently, not really hearing what Keg said* . . . *doubletakes* Wait, what?

Keg: *grin widens just a bit* Kia's all grown up. She's alive, and made sure I knew who she was when I got back here.

Random: *settles back against the seat, looking shocked*

Keg: She wound up in another one of the big chin realities, with a Ratchet and his mate to take care of her.

Random: *struggles to process this* *knows what someone from a "big chin" reality looks like; that's not bothering him* But what does this mean for-- *but then he remembers that she probably doesn't remember and stops*

Keg: *lifts brows quizzically* Mean for what?

Random: *sighs and tries to muster up the courage to put into words what's been bothering him, even if he wants to find out more about his Kia* . . . The reason you guys left the Nexus in the first place.

Keg: *face falls* She's gone.

Random: . . . *had been wondering that* . . .

Keg: She... She faded away.

Random: *not sure what to make of that*

Keg: *slight head shake, and then rubs his face* It was so long ago. I can barely remember what she looked like, or what happened.

Random: . . . It at least wasn't the slaggin’ 'Con, was it? *the poor femme had enough trouble from that one mech to last a million lifetimes* *and even though Sneaker would be upset at his choice of words, he's saying it anyway*

Keg: No. Her reality rejected her. Her story ended.

Random: *takes a bite out of his last Sunrise bit* *. . . Well, it wasn't the 'Con, but that . . . sounded pretty harsh* *and he knows what it feels like to be ostracized*

Keg: Mom doesn't talk about her anymore, but she keeps a holo of her.

Random: *Sunrise bit eaten, fiddles with the remaining choccy bit in his hand* . . . I don't blame her. She put a lot of energy into caring for her. Losing her had to have been hard.

Keg: *silent nod and pokes at the energon pellets, but then looks up with a smile as Archiva returns with their orders*

Archiva: *sets a large cube full of frothy, fragrant fuel in front of Random*

Random: *glad for the distraction* *thanks Archiva and then he's taking a drink, letting the warmth and flavor help settle his "nerves"*

Keg: *watches her go, then sips his pink fizzy, burps and blushes* Whoops. >.o

Random: *and nope, his fizzy was blue* *yeah, "oops"* *takes another drink*

Keg: How is that? Okay? *hint of worry for Random in the question*

Random: *sees he's talking about the drink mid-drink, so he thumbs up*

Keg: *grins* Good. *sips his own*

Random: *sets his drink down and starts to look thoughtful*

Keg: *watches him*

Random: *keep watching, Keg, he might do a trick!* . . . So, Kia . . . ? *not sure how to finish*

Keg: *wide grin* Beautiful. *grin fades* Thinks of me as a brother.

Random: *absently* She was pretty before. Not sure how she could have become anything but. . . . *chuckle* I'm the wrong person to talk to about relationship advice. *takes another drink* *looks thoughtful again as he realizes something* . . . I've only met with her once.

Keg: *reaches into subspace, and then offers a picture*

Random: *is distracted from the conundrum that is his wanting to hear about Kia to see what Keg is handing him* *takes the picture and studies it carefully*

picture: *shows a petite, slender femme with big blue eyes and a sweet grin standing between a much taller bright pink femme and an average height white femme with red and pink accents. The tricolour femme has a practical air about her, while the other looks like she's trouble*

Random: *yep, the one in the middle is his Kia* *she's still got the smile he was given at some point during the conversation* *doesn't recognize the other two femmes* Who is she with? *like, he'd know who they are*

Keg: That's her younger sister Athena, and her friend Magenta. Athena's made from the local Ratchet and Arcee.

Random: Ah. *looks at the picture some more before reluctantly handing it back to Keg*

Keg: You can keep that one. I've got others.

Random: Thank you. *things have changed, but she seems to have remained about the same* *subspaces the picture*

Keg: *rueful sigh* It's Athena that's trying to court me. And... well... *shakes his head*

Random: *in the middle of picking up his drink* *raises an optic ridge knowingly* Not your type?

Keg: *shakes his head* No. She's beautiful and nice. Just... too organized. And I know there's a temper in there somewhere. Her dad and older brother have it.

Random: *finishes his sip and sets his drink back down* *studies the remaining contents* . . . It'd probably come out if you messed up her stuff.

Keg: I don't have the ballbearings to try.

Random: *as he was about to pick up his cube again* Yeah, best not to incur a femme's wrath. *shudders* *takes a drink*

Keg: Well, I've gotten into some pretty good rumbles with Magenta when she's here, but she's a soldier model anyway. Her parents are Neutrals.

Random: *raises an optic ridge* A soldier model from Neutrals?

Keg: Her parents are bounty hunters and weapons for hire.

Random: Oh, that kinda Neutral. *about to take another sip, but frowns when he realizes there's not much left*

Keg: What's wrong?

Random: 'Bout out. *finishes up the cube*

Keg: *chuckles* No problem. *lifts a finger toward the waitress* Yeah, that kind of Neutral. Though they mostly work with the Earth based Autobots of their reality.

Random: *as if just now remembering* Oh, yeah. They do that here. *makes his cube vanish with a flick of a finger* Ah. 'Though if their reality's anything like mine, I don't think they'd have much to do in terms of bounty hunting there.

Keg: There are still rogue Decepticons, and bots that don't pay their debts. *takes the next cube from Archiva and then sets it in front of Random*

Random: Thanks. *starts working this one* . . . But of all of the places they could go to, why choose a place where there's already bots?

Keg: Not sure. I think Scattershot liked the place, and had a base there before he met Mistfire.

Random: *looks slightly confused for a moment before he realizes* Um, I meant the rogue Decepticons and debtors. It doesn't seem like a smart idea. . . . Unless Scatterfire and Misshot . . . or whatever their names were commute a lot.

Keg: Ohhhh. *chuckles* Yeah, they work all over the galaxy. Their ship's an Omega unit, so he can really travel.

Random: *remembers Omega Supreme's space flight capabilities* Ah. *takes another sip of his drink*

Keg: *nods* Magenta's a member of the police force of the city of Detroit on that Earth. *drinks some of his fizzy and then gives Random a slightly shaky but still reassuring grin*

Random: *as he's setting his cube down* A permanent one? Or just on call? *he's sorta getting caught up on this stuff*

Keg: She's a Detective. Full time.

Random: . . . With the human police department. *doesn't sound too terribly shocked* *bots in his reality cooperate with humans, but they usually keep Prime as their CO*

Keg: In that reality everyone born on Earth is an equal citizen of Earth. In Detroit, anyway. But they have a bot being favoured for the next President.

Random: . . . *looks kinda confused* But, uh, don't they have some kinda rule about becoming President? *he just can't really remember what it is* *but it's some kinda restricting one*

Keg: Steelsong was born on Earth, a resident of the United States. She's served in office and all that stuff. *shrugs* I don't know all the rules, but I know she's eligible.

Random: . . . *going to add this to the list of things not to think about and goes back to his drink*

Keg: *sees his expression* That's not the kicker. The kicker is, Stella's made from Jazz.

Random: 0_o . . . Why is that the kicker? Jazz is pretty good at PR. . . . Or at least the one in my reality is.

Keg: *grins* So are most I've met. But most people don't seem to ever take that into account.

Random: *is still confused* *sips his drink*

Keg: Anyway. So yeah. *chuckles* Kia might have gone into politics, but she decided to stick to science.

Random: *distracted by confusion* Hmm? . . . She went into science? *has not heard about any of the grown up ones*

Keg: Yup.

Random: Huh. *taps his fingers on the table*

Keg: But she's still pretty easy to understand when she talks to people. Well, unless it's other scientists.

Random: *referring to the last part* Um, that's pretty much a given. *as he comes out of his distraction* But I'm glad she lets the rest of us understand what's going on.

Keg: *slight shrug and a bit of a smile* I don't think she'd be Kia if she didn't.

Random: *chuckle* Sounds like it. *from what he remembered of the one meeting with that one*

Keg: *nods. Then, uncertainly* So...

Random: *small sip of his drink* *then looks at Keg expectantly* Yeah?

Keg: No time pass at all, huh? *finds that a bit hard to get his processor around*

Random: *looks somewhat confused again* . . . You mean between now and when I thought I came in yesterday?

Keg: Wow.

Random: I mean, I always come back like the instant I leave my reality, but that's the only real time difference I've noticed. Well, the time of day isn't always accurate. But the night I came into the bar it was also late at night in my reality.

Keg: *slight head shake* I've seen time wrinkles and stuff before, but never a difference that pronounced. *still trying to brain it fully*

Random: Maybe it's always done these types of time jumps. . . . I've just never thought to ask. *rubs what on a human would be his 'temples'* This is making my processor hurt.

Keg: Yeah. Mine too. Subject change. *expression invites Random to introduce the subject*

Random: *somewhat distracted as tries to Stop Thinking About It* Subject change. Right. Uhhh . . . So where's Blue living now?

Keg: Right now? The Castle Outside Time.

Random: 0_o The what?

Keg: It's a pocket dimension where people can chill and rest for a little while.

Random: *not sure what to think about that* . . . All right. . . . So, uh, what's she doing out there?

Keg: *looks into his drink* *quietly* Resting.

Random: . . . *shutters his optic shutters in a blink* Right. That should have been obvious.

Keg: *slight smile* Well, she's also playing guide and hostess. She lives there now.

Random: Ah. I see. *sips his drink again*

Keg: She had a little runin with some things awhile back. It was kind of the last straw with her feeling really comfortable anywhere.

Random: . . . *thinking on what he's seen in the Nexus and having to run from 'Cons yesterday* . . . I can kinda see why she'd feel that. *afraid to ask for specifics*

Keg: She's just got some scars now. But she's healing, physically.

Random: *distracted nod* *takes another drink*

Keg: *looks over to check the level of that drink* Oh, and Blackout doesn't kiss mechs anymore.

Random: *getting kinda low, but his tank's getting kinda full* *brought back to the present* Uh, why the change?

Keg: She's married.

Random: *thinking of what he's heard of the femme, processor-breaking things that would seem to contradict why she'd stop, . . . and then he decides that it's better to just accept it* Ah.

Keg: She's also not a 'Con anymore. Oh, and do you remember Hormah?

Random: *the first fact gets a raised optic ridge of disbelief* *and then it turns into one of a different type of disbelief* How do I not remember her? She helped me escape back to my reality after a 'Con followed me and was blocking the portal back, despite being a 'Con herself! *and then helped with a few other situations, but that one came out first*

Keg: She didn't have a Primus Sanctuary back then, did she?

Random: 0_o A what?

Keg: There's a Sanctuary of Primus here in this Nexus. *grin* And Hormah is the Servant.

Random: That's what I thought you said. *doesn't know what to think of that either* . . . Ookaay.

Keg: Her mate and creations and servant work with her. They've saved a lot of lives.

Random: *and the rest of that is also news to him* Ah.

Keg: Blackout's got a daughter in the ministry and a daughter behind the bar. *nods to Nemesis over where she just punched a pushy customer back to the right side of the bar* And it's not the 'tender that cusses.

Random: I'm fully aware of Hormah's cussing tendenacy. Haven't heard enough words outta Nemesis' mouth to know that she didn't though.

Keg: *shakes his head* You have to be a real pain in the skid to make her say something out of line.

Random: *remembers the incident he had in here* *looks sideways* Glad I've not done that. *takes a small sip of his drink*

Keg: *doesn't look toward the bar* And she's not throttling that Sunstreaker. He tends to fuel too fast and choke. She's shaking his passages clear.

Pooka: *in dog form, up on the bar and laughing at funny funny Sunstreaker*

Random: *wide-opticked expression as he finally notices what's going on in the rest of the bar shame on him for not keeping an optic on the rest of it!* You could have fooled me.

Sunstreaker: *staggers back then, flailing one hand slightly and wheezing* *coughs a bit, and then steps back to the bar with a friendly head butt for Pooka before sharing his plate of fuel with the pup*

Random: *shutters his optics a couple times in a 'blinking' fashion*

Keg: See?

Random: That's what it looks like. *agrees*

Keg: That Brawn, however, just got his nose busted. *shakes head and gets up to go have words with the obstreperous baytech minibot*

Random: *will stay and mind the table as he watches Keg leave*

Keg: *heaves Brawn right through the door after making sure he wasn't hurt badly, then turns and comes back to the table* Sorry about that.

Random: *holding up his cube as he decides whether or not to finish it* *looks up from it when Keg comes back* Still bouncing?

Keg: *slightly embarrassed chuckle* I can't help it. And the local bouncer's away right now because his kids have solar flare again.

Random: *shrugs* Just asking if you still do it regularly. I don't see you as the type to settle for a desk job.

Keg: *laughs now as he settles back in his seat* The Visitor Center's no desk job. Don't worry.

Random: *raise an optic ridge again* It's not?

Keg: No. It's a people job.

Random: . . . *think on that* I suppose it is.

Keg: And besides. It's just my down shift job. *grin*

Random: . . . Your "down shift job"?

Keg: Yup. I work straight security during my up shift.

Random: *well, that answered that question* Ah. For who?

Keg: *chuckles* The Cybertron Elite Guard.

Random: o_o *that sounded pretty impressive* Wow.

Keg: *mouth moves slightly* That one's the one I have to worry about keeping it from being a desk job.

Random: *taken from his slight shock* They don't let you do much?

Keg: Oh. Nah. It's just they seem to figure the head of a division needs to sit in front of monitors and tell people what to do.

Random: *looks confused* Like what sort of "head of division" are we talkin'?

Keg: *totally intent on his drink suddenly* Head of Security...

Random: o_o . . . *then after a few moment's pause* . . . I'd still think that'd kinda depend on the establishment.

Keg: *slight grin as he peeks up over the drink* I manage alright.

Random: *looks skeptical* You sure?

Keg: Yup. Do you want some other kind of fuel?

Random: . . . Well, I suppose it keeps you from rushing into things. *looks down at his cube, which is close to empty but not quite* Um, I think I must've had breakfast at home. Tank's about full. *nope, still doesn't remember when he left*

Keg: No it doesn't. *grin* But I have a cloaker now.

Random: . . . *somewhat mischievous* It's not a sort to let you just sneak out?

Keg: *puzzled* Sneak out of what?

Random: *realizes what he's actually saying and promptly blames it on yesterday* . . . Stupid idea. Nevermind.

Keg: *reaches over and pat pats him* Maybe you need to go home. This has probably been a lot to process.

Random: *dryly* And have everything switch on me again? . . . It just doesn't help that I had 'Cons chasing me up and down a suburb yesterday.

Keg: Things usually don't work that way. Even after time wrinkles. But I'm set to work here in the Nexus for awhile, anyway.

Random: *trying to think about what he was even doing when the Nexus kidnapped him*

Keg: *concerned frown* Maybe you need a rest before you go back.

Random: *as his processor starts hurting again* *shutters his optics shut* Yeah, that's what I was thinking. If I'm going on shift, I wouldn't be able to process correctly.

Keg: There's a safe house behind the bar here. *gets to his feet after knocking back the last of his drink* I'll bring you there.

Random: I'm hoping that it's as safe as the name implies? *pauses in the act of getting up to stare down at his cube, as if trying to decide what to do with it*

Keg: Oh yeah. No trouble goes in there. *pause* What's wrong?

Random: *hope he's right* Good. . . . Aaand that's part of what I'm trying to figure out.

Keg: *frowns a bit* What're the symptoms?

Random: *still frowning down at his cube* I don't think that has anything to do with it.

Keg: Mech, even distraction is a symptom. *comes over to put a hand on Random's elbow and offer to help him out of the booth* You look like something hurts.

Random: *looks over to give Keg a raised optic ridge* You mean other than my processor? 'M trying to remember what I usually do with fuel I get here.

Keg: ...Drink it?

Random: *rubs his face with his free hand* No, when I'm ready to go.

Keg: Ohh. *gently moves the blue mech out of the booth* You can bring it to the safe house and save it for when you wake up.

Random: *stares at Keg briefly, like he's a genius* That'll work. *will grab the cube before Keg moves him too far way from the booth*

Keg: Can you walk alright? *hand out to make sure Random's got the cube safely*

Random: I would think so! It's just my processor giving me issues.

Keg: *slight amusement* Sometimes that's the surest sort of trouble to knock you off your feet.

Random: *yeah, and if Keg were to let him go, he'd sway a bit* *looks at him in disbelief*

Keg: *amusement clear now, though not fully masking his concern* Let's get you to bed, old man.

Random: *raises an optic ridge* "Old man"? That's a new one. . . . Unless you're calling me cranky like one.

Keg: *might be a fully grown mech himself, but there's still a hint of the kid he was when he grins like that*

Random: *dryly* You haven't change a bit, kid.

Keg: *laughs* I yam what I yam. *moves to guide Random toward the door if Random will let him*

Random: *doesn't have a reply to that* *allows himself to be lead towards the door*

Keg: *brings him out onto the now sunlit porch, exchanging a few greetings with bots along the way as he goes, including the massive grey-black guy who is sitting on the bench where the Optimus had been and scratching the head of a behemoth of a black mammoth for all the world like a human and their big dog*

Random: *absently sees if he at least recognizes the tech of the bots Keg greets, not expecting to know too many of them, but he does recognize Requiem and recalls that he saw him just a bit ago*

Requiem: *still looks a bit sleepy. Is in the warm sun with his furry critter. Life is good* *seems to smirk at Random despite not having a mouth* Long time no see, bot.

Random: *blinks a bit* Uh, yeah. Long time.

Requiem: *smirk grows* Hormah's brother.

Random: *thinks for a bit* I think I knew that part.

Requiem: *snerk*

Keg: Come on, old man. *moves toward the steps*

Random: >.<.! *will be moved*

Keg: *down the steps. Past the bot who talks like a surfer and who is currently talking like a surfer to his gun, which apparently has a name. Along the side of the Black Dog building, to the building behind it*

Random: *surprisingly doesn't stumble down them* *manages to raise an optic ridge at the surfer bot and then lets himself be lead to the other building*

Keg: *through the door, and then turns his head toward the sound of sweeping* Hey, Fireflight.

Fireflight: *turns from his chore. Is G1 style and smiles at sight of the burly bot* Hi, Keg. Oh. What's wrong with your friend?

Keg: Random's just tired. *smiles reassuringly at the Aerialbot*

Random: *well, there's a familiar face* *just not the one he knows* *would have a protest to Keg's assessment, but with his processor the way it currently was, it works*

Fireflight: Do you need a blanket, Random? *leans on his broom slightly as his gentle optics rest on the blue mech's face*

Random: *blanket?* Um, no, I'm good.

Keg: They don't use 'em in his reality.

Fireflight: *optics seem to widen slightly* Ohhh. Sorry.

Random: *shrugs* It's fine.

Keg: *checks the first of the cubical type rooms that line the larger main room* This one's empty. It alright, or you want one further from the door?

Random: *doesn't look so sure* Depends. How often do people come through here?

Keg: Hey, 'Flight, how's traffic? *looks over his shoulder*

Fireflight: Hmm? *looks up from where he'd been sweeping again* Oh, this place is pretty quiet. Nemesis wouldn't like it if it weren't.

Random: *thinking* Um, how about another one down. *just so he doesn't get someone looking for a room on the first go*

Keg: No problem. *checks the next one* Hmm. Door's locked. Next one, then!

Random: *heh, someone had his idea*

Keg: *next room is open, so he brings Random inside. Room has no ceiling, and holds a well padded berth and a desk with a chair* Here you go.

Random: *looks way up at the inside of the warehouse roof far above where the ceiling would be if this room had one* *looks around* I take it people find themselves living here, too?

Keg: Usually not for too long. They find somewhere more permanent pretty fast. *helps Random sit on the berth, careful of the cube the Lumina bot is holding*

Random: Oh. *is helped onto the berth, glad to be sitting down*

Keg: *straightens and steps back* There are whole neighbourhoods here.

Random: *looks for a place to set the cube* Yeah, you said you lived in one, right? *said a bit absently*

Keg: Yup. *slight grin* The desk's right there.

Random: *looks* *oh, there* *sets the cube down*

Keg: *concern showing again* Get some rest, Random.

Random: *doesn't seem to notice it* Yeah, probably should. *moves his legs onto the berth*

Keg: This is my comm frequency, if you need anything. *recites it quietly*

Random: *takes note of it* *and sends a test burst* Think I got it . . . Thanks for the help.

Keg: No problem. And don't worry. This place has guards too. About the scariest thing that happens here are Fireflight's broom mishaps.

Random: *lays down* *thinks about the trouble the Fireflight at home sometimes has* Ah.

from outside the room: *clunk*

Fireflight: Whoopsie.

Keg: XD

Random: *startles slightly, not as much as he would if he were less processor-broken*

Keg: *pats him on the shoulder* Okay, lock the door after me so nobody comes in by accident. *turns to go*

Random: *how he remembers this, no one knows* There's a way to do that from here?

Keg: ... Never mind. I'll do it for you.

Random: *somewhat sheepish* Sorry.

Keg: It's okay. *locks door and looks over his shoulder with a slight grin* Sleep well. *gone with a flash and a slight swish*

Random: Thanks. *looks somewhat confused that he locked it from the inside when he needs to get out* Bye, Keg. *aaaaand then Keg PINpoints* . . . Now I get it. *waits for a few moments to make sure everything seems right, and then he lets himself enter recharge . . . and then be somewhat confused when he wakes up without the cube in his own reality some time later*



((co-written with random_xtras))