Bee 'verse. An empty mesa top. Lost no more.

[random_xtras]

Theodicy: *looks around with surprised curiosity as he and his mother and Tessera come out into an area of gentle mist, gauzy sky, and a soft sweet smell* ...This doesn't look like a castle.

Auspex: *she seems somewhat nervous, actually. The smooth stone ground has some patches of plants. She tries to remember the last time she saw this many plants in one place... and then wishes she hadn't, as it brings back a memory of someone probably lost to the multiverse. Shaking her head to dispel the thought, she steps carefully between stands of moss, peering up at the mist, feeling slightly overwhelmed* No, it does not...

Cloudtrader: Are you afraid of the plants? *fuzzes faintly into sight, then nearly fades back into the mist except for the big blue eyes that are looking up at Auspex curiously*

Auspex: *takes a moment to answer, still trying to take in everything at once* I am more afraid for them, than of them. They are very strange to me... but they are fragile, are they not?
And, ah... *she winces a little* I did not expect to... come here quite so quickly, and without proper goodbyes... *she's cradling Theodicy possibly a bit tighter than is necessary*

Cloudtrader: *looks down, then looks up again as a mild male voice speaks*

voice: *accompanied by emotions so faint that all the servants will be able to feel is that someone is there* You won't kill the plants, Auspex. If you do break them the pieces will be moved by the mist condensation and become new plants.

someone else: *feeling quietly, intensely excited*

Auspex: *puzzles over this for a moment, eyeing the ground dubiously. She doesn't understand who is speaking, but she trusts this place is safe - just strange - and this person probably knows what they're talking about. There's someone else here, also... and this is just all very confusing. She reaches for her connection to Primus, to quell her anxiety* I will... keep that in mind, then. *easier said than done, but she will make an attempt*

Cloudtrader: *as Primus offers comfort and encouragement to Auspex, the little free spark is grinning joyful welcome* Kigan! Starsong! Did you bring us here? We were going to the Castle.

Auspex: *she gasps, jerking her gaze up at the first name, optics wide. Well, that may be a common name somewhere, but given how Primus tends to work things out in her life, it's unlikely... also an alternate would be possible, but... she's not sure. It takes a moment for her voice to work* ...Kigan? Cureall's Kigan? *She's a tangle of hope and dread and anticipation and confusion. She's clinging to Primus as well*

Kigan: *familiar strange small white mech with blue trim flinches slightly as she asks the question, his bright eyes darkening for a moment. Quietly* Yes, I'm hers, even if she's gone. *looks up at her, his gaze holding pain, apology, and affection* She's got missions somewhere else right now.

Auspex: *she winces as she notices him flinch - she can't read him properly, but his countenance and the quiet voice and the choice of words - gone - and her hope fades, though not entirely... his answer is slightly ambiguous. She queries Primus - how long has Cureall been gone...?*

Primus: *gives a feeling of compassion for Kigan's waiting. He's been alone for a little longer than Theodicy has been alive*

Auspex: *optics flicker at the answer, her gaze lowering, brow pinched. Even longer than she's been in stasis... she sighs, coming forward a step* I'm sorry, I would not have asked... I'd hoped... *she trails off, shaking her head*

Kigan: *and then he startles and looks down before patting the little green trimmed pink arms that are wrapped around him just below his waist* Starsong, you wanted to see Auspex. Did you change your mind?

someone: *jag of eeek I'm hiding!*

Primus: *thinks that he's seen Auspex do that to him*

Auspex: *she looks up again as Kigan speaks, seeing the arms wrapped around him, and little else. She can sense they belong to the Cybertronian presence she hasn't yet identified. She blinkblinks at Primus's commentary, with a little nudge of playful indignation. The things that you can comprehend, my lord, that I cannot, are much better faced from behind you, than on my own. I hardly think you mind that!*

Kigan: *looking over his shoulder now* Starsong, your face is on my skidplate. What are you doing?

Starsong: *quiet, youthful female voice* I'm hiding!
*and then Auspex will feel the touch of a mind that is both familiar and alien. Cybertronian but not. There is curiosity there, a yearning to meet this person heard so much about, but also fright and a need to keep the familiar between self and this person*

Auspex: *tilts her head, optics wide, as the Cybertronian presence... strengthens? It feels different, with a clarity she usually doesn't receive. She balks at what she's sensing... and being sent?* Who... Kigan...? *She's hesitant to ask, afraid to assume...*

Kigan: *looks up again, his mouth curving upward at the corners as his eyes glimmer* This is Cureall's baby. Her name is Starsong.

Starsong: *one little translucent gemstone beautiful hand just let go of Kigan to wave shyly and then vanish behind him*

Theodicy: *thinks that's cute*

Auspex: *Is speechless for a moment, trying to find words, trying to detangle the conflicting pleased surprise (Cureall's sparklet!) from the disappointment (her creator is... missing), and it only makes it hurt more to think about how Kigan must feel so much worse... Auspex's voice is very soft, and she crouches, gently setting Theodicy down for now* I... am very pleased to meet you, Starsong...

Starsong: *projects surprise as she feels Auspex's pleasure, then peeks two blue eyes the same shape and colour as her mother's around the side of her dad's skidplate* Even though I remind you of someone that you loved who isn't here?

Kigan: *bites his lip as his little one responds to emotions as well as words, as she is wont to do, but his own emotions toward her are encouraging*

Auspex: *sighs softly, but makes an effort to smile encouragingly, though it's faint* That is what makes meeting you that much better. I am only sad that you probably don't remember her very well...

Starsong: *shakes her head, emoting comfort past her own shyness and apology* I was only small when she went away.

Theodicy: *sad sympathy as he absently hugs the sleeping Tessera*

Kigan: *encouragement for his daughter*

Auspex: *she is touched at how Starsong is projecting for her benefit, even when she's unsure, herself* I know she would be here for you if she could be... *Her optics flicker. It reminds her so much of her own long stasis, and not being there... she shoos the thoughts away before she can emote too much in that vein* You've been there for your father, though, and I imagine you've been of great help to him. *using the more organic-oriented terms comes a little easier, in dealing with non-Cybertronians*

Starsong: *looks at Theodicy as he starts to feel firmly encouraging, then back to Auspex* You're applying possessive feelings toward parental wording to yourself. *browplates lift, and she looks up at Kigan again* Dad, she's really sad about being gone so long.

Kigan: *takes advantage of the fact that she's let go of him to pull her gently forward and crouch with an arm around her. Quick, apologetic smile toward Auspex* Of course she is. I'd feel the same way if I had to be away from you. She's built for taking care of people, and she couldn't do it for a little while.

Starsong: *looks down* A little while. Longer than my while. *sighs and slips away from dad to come and offer a hug to Auspex, once more projecting that non-invasive comfort*

Kigan: *looks at Auspex, his brows drawing together as he hopes that Starsong's sometimes odd mannerisms won't frighten the servant* Sorry. She's not used to being around anyone besides me.

Auspex: Ah... *she also looks at Theodicy, her fondness for him mixing with the slight discomfort in the terminology* Theodicy was made to minister to my people when I could not. The method of his creation makes me his... mother, but it is not how mechs are normally created on my world. I am trying to adjust to the use of the word. *The feelings of a creator toward a construct, however, are something she seems agreeable to, despite her inexperience in that role*
*her gaze drops, regret in her aspect* It's been... a little more than a decade, in Earth measurements.
*She's confused for a moment... if Cureall has been gone longer than Theodicy has been alive, then how could Starsong have been created after Auspex had gone into stasis? She's not even sure she understands her own question, after she's thought it. She directs it towards Primus, anyway, a little uneasy at the implication that there was time between her undergoing stasis, and her construct's creation. She receives reassurance - it was only a matter of days. Time goes by very slowly for a sparklet... It's not something she's had experience with.
*She smiles at Starsong, propping herself up higher on her knees to accept the hug, glancing up at Kigan over the sparklet's shoulder. The smile wavers at his words, becoming a gently sympathetic one, instead* You have also been... asleep? In stasis? *there's a bit of confusion about the proper terminology, again* At least you have been together, and aware of each other...

Kigan: I'm not sure what it was. It's the same thing I did when I was in space. *looks down and shutters his optics for a moment, but then looks up quickly, his expression telling of the reassuring feelings he's sending toward those worried little blues that just turned toward him*

Starsong: *Auspex will feel a trace of the reassurance that she sends back to her dad, and then she's looking at the white lady again* Dad was trying to wait for Mama. But now he knows it's better to wait like other people do. *turns her head to look at Theodicy* Mama loved Auspex like a sister, so I guess you're my cousin.

Theodicy: *perplexed face* Nobody's told me that word yet.

Kigan: It's what you call your creator's sibling's creation.

Theodicy: Oh. *grin* I like having family.

Auspex: Ah... *she's looking up at Kigan again, her own concern evident - she remembers his story of drifting alone in space* I... understand. *she doesn't wish to say in front of Starsong, but she could see the allure of just... turning inward, and waiting... for the world to be right again - and why it is unhealthy. The accompanying emotions are probably less harsh than the words themselves*
*Her smile is back, at Starsong's proclamation* If you wish to think of us as family, I am not opposed to that.

Starsong: *reaches one hand and with her emotions toward the young servant*

Theodicy: *oh yes, you don't have to offer HIM hugs twice. Auspex now has two youngbots hugging her and love bombing her*

Auspex: *laughs softly, hugging both, with appreciation and content, though she's still a bit concerned for Kigan...*

Kigan: *rises to his feet as he feels Auspex wondering if he needs a hug too, then steps over to put his arms around the little group*

Starsong: *soft trill of laughter as her dad joins the hug, and then a soft bloom of happiness that doesn't infringe on the emotions of those who are feeling it*

Tessera: *just went from sleepy to very happy in 0.6*

Theodicy: *and he's laughing about that*

Auspex: *blinks, smiling, a little embarrassed, but happily indulging in the hug-pile she seems to have acquired. And there is Tessera, adding her own ineffable joy to the mix*

Kigan: Who... *steps back a little and looks to pinpoint on the source of all that happiness, then chuckles and reaches a finger to touch the little bot now sitting on Theodicy's head* Hello.

Tessera: Weeee!

Theodicy: *must let go the hug and plunk down on his bum to laugh*

Auspex: That is Tessera. She is a data-chip from another reality; her creator gave her into my care, many years ago now. She is rarely anything other than exuberant, about everything.
*She blinkblinks at Theodicy, slightly perplexed, but faintly amused. She puts a hand out to steady him*

Theodicy: *takes hold of his mom's hand with both of his, his eyes laughing up at her and his emotions smiling all around him*

Starsong: *steps back from the hug and leans over to look at Tessera*

Tessera: *laughter and then a zoom that brings her up Auspex's arm*

Kigan: *sadness is faded in the face of the tiny bot's content joy*

Auspex: *holds still as Tessera climbs up, watching her fondly, though she does give Kigan another glance. He looks content, at least, which is somewhat of a relief. He has at least as much reason to be sorrowful as she does. Thankfully, the younger mechs seem to be helping to take care of that, for the both of them*

female voice: *deep, sweet alto very similar to one Auspex has heard before* Here you are. I found her, Bob. You didn't make any mistakes. Kigan's awake.

Kigan: *turns his head* I guess I didn't think this through as well as I could have.

Theodicy: *looking up and up*

Starsong: *gonna hide behind Auspex for a change*

Tessera: Optimus!

Auspex: *Optics brighten as Bob's name is mentioned - but no, he is not here, not yet - and dim again, almost imperceptibly*
*she casts Kigan a puzzled glance, before turning to catch sight of the newcomer - whom Tessera has conveniently named, but which universe...? She blinks as Starsong hides behind her, but gives her an absent pat*

Optimus: *tall red and blue lady with warm yellow optics and the hilt of a sword standing up behind each shoulder looks down at the little servant, her blue lips curving in a smile where her face plate has retracted. Her emotions are full of greeting and reassurance*

Auspex: *looks up at the towering fem, brows lifting* Hello... Optimus? *she nods respectfully* You are a friend of Bob's?

Optimus: *nods* We work for the same boss, at least for some of my jobs. *goes to one knee and holds out a hand in greeting*

Auspex: *nods, taking the offered hand* I am pleased to meet you. *she smiles up at her. She's not met any alternates of this Optimus before. Her scale would be intimidating, if not for the warmth in her expression*

Primus: *warmth through the hand connection and a sense of an amused greeting*

Optimus: I've heard a lot about you. *eyes go toward the little golden mech by Auspex's side* But not about your friend. Why is Primus laughing about a secret?

Auspex: *blinks a little as Primus stirs, and pokes at his amusement absently with her mind* Theodicy tended my sanctuary while I was in stasis. He was formerly a prayer statue, actually. He was certainly a surprise to me. *she gives him a fond glance*

Optimus: *drops her voice* Ahhh. Unexpected offspring?

Auspex: *her optics flicker a little, brow furrowing* Er, yes, indeed. A leftover LOL, if you are familiar with the nature of the Nexus. It is inexplicable energy that does... unpredictable things. *her gaze drops to Theodicy again, mild amusement in her aspect, along with the warmth*

Optimus: I'm very familiar with the nature of LOLs. Personally. Right now my mate is walking into walls because he played with a Polaroid camera in the Backwater nexus.

Auspex: *blinks slowly* ...ah. Dare I ask? That is one aspect of the various nexii that I have not particularly missed. *her voice softens a little* However, it did bring about a blessing to my sanctuary, so I suppose there are good ones...

Optimus: At least the ones in the Backwater only seem to happen for a good reason. I just wish I knew what bringing Vector back to life serves. *shrugs one shoulder as something rustles, then looks up again* Would you like a portal to your destination?

Auspex: Ah... that... is good - I have seen some very bad LOLs. Your mate is Vector Prime? I wish him well, then... hopefully it will not last terribly long
*perplexity is written on her face* I... thought this was the destination? Where are we, then? *she glances back at Kigan, absently noting that Starsong is still hiding behind her - she offers her another little pat - then returns her gaze to Optimus*

Optimus: *starts to speak, but then looks around as Kigan gasps. At the same time a gush of excited, tearful joy washes over the group*

Theodicy: What...?

Kigan: Cureall!

Auspex: *her optics widen and flicker as she feels nearly bowled over by Kigan sending so strongly - what...?*
*She's all but whirling around to look at Kigan - where?*

Kigan: There! *points to where a small violet form is rushing out of the mist*

Cureall: *emotions a storm of joy and sadness and surprise and thankfulness as she cries and laughs at once* Auspex Sister! Oh, sister, you're back! I'm so happy!

Auspex: *Optics are very bright, very wide, and she's trying to process this - she'd not seen Cureall for a long time even before the long stasis - not to mention the riot of emotion coming from the minibot fem, and her own are overwhelming enough by themselves... and she can't speak, so she's just dropping to a crouch again and holding out her arms*

Cureall: *quick movement of one arm as she passes Kigan, and then she's thumped into Auspex and crying on her shoulder as she feels like she's home*

Kigan: *just made a very funny sound as he stares at what his wife put into his arms*

Starsong: BABY! :D

Optimus: *forgive her, she's laughing at Kigan, but it's good natured!*

Auspex: *hugging her friend close, rocking a little, brow pinched and voice soft* I'm so glad to see you, Cureall... it's been such a long time. *there is joy, regret, sorrow, and contentment, all at once...*

Cureall: *chokey static sob* I... I... have no words. *snugs and weebles, coming over a little dizzy*

Auspex: *her own intake hitches for a moment, but she pulls back just slightly, peering at her friend with concern. She rubs Cureall's shoulder with a kind smile, trying to hold her steady, but she's still wavering quite a bit herself, and Starsong's joy is blasting everyone, and Kigan is... bewildered? She looks up, blinking, brow furrowing at the new sparklet that Cureall apparently brought. She'd be chuckling, but her feelings are just so tangled...*

Kigan: Augh, no more kissing!

Starsong: *just baby ganked and is now laughing and continuing to feel like an amplified chiproach*

Cureall: *faintly* I never thought I'd see you again, Auspex...

Auspex: *brow furrows a bit more, slightly confused about what's happening over there, but her attention is instantly drawn back at the sound of Cureall's tone* I... was not sure I would see you again either, Cureall. *she pats her cheek fondly* My reality faltered and my portal closed. I was not even aware it had happened until I came out of stasis today... I am missing so much time... *her brow knits; she's been trying not to think about it very much*

Cureall: *optics flicker, and she leans her forehead against Auspex again, her emotions suddenly dragging as weariness catches up with her* We... shall have to... catch up. Oh... *slumps*

Kigan: *hurries over, emoting reassurance toward Auspex even as he reaches for his wife*

Theodicy: *concern concern*

Primus: *compassion as he thinks of what Cureall's been through*

Auspex: *she smiles at Cureall's affection, but gasps as she goes limp, reaching out to hold her shoulders, easing her carefully into Kigan's grasp with a little sigh* Primus is indicating that she's been through quite a bit... though no specifics, I'm afraid. *she glances at Theodicy, to corroborate*

Theodicy: *nods* He's feeling compassion.

Kigan: *cradles his wife close, resting his cheek against hers as she sighs* She was helping to save a colony world that was carpet bombed and then suffered a pandemic.

Auspex: *optics widen* Ah... for that much time? She is very dedicated... *she glances at her with concern, but there is a hint of a smile*

Kigan: *simply* She was needed.

Theodicy: *looks up then* Mom, you're faltering.

Optimus: *steps forward from where she'd withdrawn to give the family privacy, then goes to her knees again and reaches for Auspex*

Auspex: *blinks down at Theodicy, frowning slightly, hesitating* But... I am alright...

Theodicy: *gives her her own frown* Mom, we're on holiday, remember? You can rest.

Primus: *comfort comfort caaaaalm*

Auspex: *still hesitating, gaze darting from person to person, but pauses at Primus's prompting. Her optics flicker* What... will happen, if I recharge here...? *she glances back up at Optimus, seeing she's apparently prepared to carry her* You are taking us to this castle, then?

Optimus: *gives her a hand so that she can get into a more comfortable position* I'll bring you to the Castle. There's a berth for you there. I just need to open the portal.

Tessera: *happy... Yes, she's whispering*

Auspex: *blinks, but does shift into a sitting position with Optimus's encouragement. She reaches for Primus's presence, and Theodicy's hand, still a bit reluctant, still frowning ever-so-slightly*

Theodicy: *squeezes his mom's hand, then lets go to climb into her lap*

Auspex: *relaxes, feeling Primus's encouragement, and the reassurance that someone close to her is here. Her affection swells as she wraps her arms around Theodicy gratefully, leaning her helm carefully and drowsily against his head*

Optimus: Alright, Starsong, you might want to stay close to your creators so that your brother isn't frightened. I'm going to make some strange sounds and lights now.

Starsong: *looks at her parents, and then urges Dad over by Aunty Auspex. This done, she leans against all her bigs and looks up at the Guardian of Time and Space, her emotions signifying her readiness*

Auspex: *systems are settling softly; she's not quite out yet, but she's wrapping Primus's soothing presence around her mind, and focusing on Theodicy's own systems' sounds nearby, and Tessera's steady stream of cheer*

Optimus: Ready?

Kigan: *wondering, as he holds his wife close* Ready.

Starsong: *behind the bigs, she and baby are safe!* Ready!

Theo: *speaks for himself and mother* Ready.

Auspex: *hazy, drowsy, she hears the question, but is content for Theodicy to speak for her*

Optimus: Alright. *turns slightly away from them, her hands going up to the swords on her back. Draws both blades, and then slashes at the air in front of her. A glowing X of blue fire appears, and then opens from the centre to form a portal in the air*

Kigan: *wowwwwwww* *soft whistle*

Tessera: *you just heard the second silence from her in one day*

Starsong: Oooooo.

Auspex: *is just aware enough to see the spectacle and marvel; both at the portal, and the momentary silence from the chiproach. After a moment, she slips peacefully into recharge, hugging her equally marvelous construct with a contented sigh*

((Co-written with primus_seeress))