Snowdrop's World. Various places. Epic Dream Adventure 7

[random_xtras]

continued from here


the next morning

Auspex: *waking without the aid of a chronometer to tell the time was a bit of a strange experience, but the sleeping space brightened at the time corresponding to morning on the outside, as a glance out the window once Auspex woke and went downstairs (carrying the still very much unconscious Tessera) soon confirmed. Foresight has come down before her, and is apparently concluding some sort of calisthenics routine. Auspex can only assume there are benefits to such a thing, for organics as well as mechs*
*Now that older servant has arrived, they work together to get dressed*

Foresight: *looks over at where Auspex is fiddling with the belt on the new travel robe, then turns her gaze downward as she tries to tuck her second foot into her legging/boots. Small squeak as her balance deserts her and leaves her hopping wildly across the small room on one foot. Grunts as she hits the couch and then sticks her head in the bookshelf* Ugh. I'm alright.

Tessera: *sits up and goes :o*

Auspex: *Said getting dressed is another experience, but they manage (Auspex is very glad for the practice with the robe that Columba provided), though she's not sure how she's going to get the leg coverings and the boots on yet. The belt is not so bad, though getting the buckle fastened is a bit tricky... she looks up as Foresight loses her balance, hissing softly as she collides with the furniture* Do you need assistance...?

Foresight: *as she uses hands and wings to right herself* I'm alright. *sheepish and amused*

Tessera: *slowly and uncertainly* Why don't you sit down to dress your feet?

Foresight: *blink. Face palm* Yes, that is a good idea. Thank you, Tessera.

Tessera: *rush of worry* Ummm...

Foresight: *drops her hand to give the tiktok a concerned and questioning look*

Auspex: *she shrugs lightly, with good humor, though a hint of concern remains for the fragility of the organic body*
*She looks down at Tessera with even more concern... such negative emotion is very rare from her. Her brow furrows* Are you alright, Tessera...?

Tessera: *looks up fearfully* Tessera's not talking again. I'm afraid she's broken.

Foresight: *confusion joins the concern as she looks from the tiktok to Auspex*

Auspex: *her eyes widen as she recognizes, first of all, that the tiktok's manner of speech has changed... second of all, that she has no idea how Tessera's presence here is really being achieved at all, considering she's not been brought here with Guardian Fae energy, as she herself has been. This is raising some uncomfortable questions... a note of alarm is rising in Auspex's aspect. She answers slowly, trying to avoid asking a barrage of questions* ..."again"?

Tessera: *bobs her tiny head* The time she did it before this she nearly fell out of that lady's dress. *points to Foresight* But I yelled, and she started working again. This time she doesn't hear me yelling.

Auspex: *she blinks owlishly at the tiktok, taking stock of the evidence, at least of the nature of the creature in her hand* Ah, so... you are an actual tiktok, and Tessera is... along for the ride, then? I assume this was a mutual agreement on your parts...? *She doesn't think her chiproach companion would hijack someone else's mind, and the apparently separate entity here seems amenable to the sharing, but it's best to be sure...*
*...she'll worry what the chiproach's absence might mean in a moment...*

Tessera: *voice squeaks with concern* Yes! Tessera said she'd take me to the city so I could find a friend and live with 'em like she lives with you. *little hands going up toward her eyes as though she's going to cry, and there is distress coming from her now*

Auspex: Ahh... *She smooths the tiktok's head, hoping to calm her a bit; she's not panicking as much, herself, though she's definitely wary* Well... I am asleep and dreaming in my world, and Tessera was using her telepathic abilities to access the dream through my mind, I think. It could be she's dropped off to sleep in her own dream, and is no longer sharing mine. That's the most logical explanation...

Foresight: *eyes widen slightly, and she looks quickly to Auspex* Do you have a bond with Tessera, Aunt?

Auspex: *She gives Foresight a very confused glance* You know of platonic bonding practices? The only ones I know of are made in other realities, not ours... I am surprised you are aware of them. But no, I don't have any bonds of that sort, save for a bond-brother from Tessera's reality.

Foresight: Yes. Some of my friends have deliberate platonic bonds.

Auspex: *her eyebrows raise in curious surprise* From the newly-arrived colonies, I take it? Interesting that they would have worked out that this can be done, when the main population of Cybertron has not. Perhaps it will catch on...

Foresight: *looks at the little robot, then closes her eyes and opens her senses. Auspex might feel a slight brush of something other than emotion against her mind* Not sleeping. Oh.

Tessera: *little twitch and happiness floods out* Sorry sorry, Sissy. There was a buggy walking on Auspex at the castle, and I had to chase it away. *looks up at Foresight* Wow. You're almost like me.

Auspex: *Her brow furrows as she encounters something with her mind, that must be Foresight's own mental presence. She's not sure if that's a general ability the younger servant has, or if that's by virtue of her being related to Auspex... but Tessera's statement seems to imply the former*

Primus: *related sparks resonate. And Foresight is special*

Auspex: *Ah... she'd suspected that, at least. Both, then*
*Tessera is still speaking in the more complete sentences of the tiktok herself, despite the fact she appears to be talking to the latter. This is getting confusing... still, she's gently amused* Er, thank you, I suppose...

Tessera: Stupid bad Blaster buggy. *and she's SO happy as she says it*

Auspex: *something about the cheer mixed with the rivalry in her aspect, and the mention of Blaster...* Ah, a datasprite? How did it get into the Castle?? I thought she didn't let anyone in unless they should be there... but I'm not sure any rules can hold down tiny data-bots... *she gives Tessera a very pointed look*

Tessera: ^_^ *can you see the halo, Auspex? And feel that laughter?*

Foresight: *soft snerk and then settles to finish clothing her bottom half*

Auspex: *She's not buying it. At all. Still, she scritches the chiproach/tiktok's head fondly* I'm glad you made a friend here, and I was happy to meet the resident tiktok while you were away.

Tessera: *contentedly, attention wandering* Sissy's nice.

Auspex: *She's a bit distracted, herself, looking out the window at the campsite; everyone she can see seems to be awake, though she's not yet paying close attention to what they might be doing. She frowns slightly as she glances at the tiktok* You're not calling her by name, I don't think... what is her name?

Tessera: *looks up with a little :o of surprise* Tessera.

Auspex: *Ponderous blinking ensues* Did she... not have one, before she met you? Or was that somehow always her name?

Tessera: She's just new. She likes Tessera. *nod nod* *and there is a little hint of affirmation from that other little personality*

Auspex: Ahh. I have no idea how tiktoks come about or live, so I was not sure. I'm glad she... you...? likes the name, then. *She offers a kindly smile, acknowledging the duality she senses there*

Tessera: We can go out? :D

Auspex: *She looks up to see how the younger servant is faring* If Foresight is finished dressing. I will take my boots and my... foot-coverings with me, I think. *she reaches to gather them up*

Foresight: *wiggling her toes and contemplating the door*

Auspex: Are we... hopefully presentable, then? I think both of our outfits are in reasonable working order... nothing that can't be put to rights by someone more experienced, I hope... *She shrugs in uncertainty, eyeing the door herself*

Foresight: *looks at her aunt and nods* Your chest and your skid area are covered. Those seem to be the parts that Blackout was most concerned about.

Tessera: *giggle fit and happy flails* BUTT.

Foresight: ...?

Auspex: *She nods* The general torso area is meant to be covered, so I understand. I am not completely clear about limbs, however - I believe it depends on the culture, and I'm not sure how this world's people feel about it. I suppose it varies, considering how different my clothing is from our currently human people, and yours also. I would rather not worry about it, but I don't wish to shock any locals... I think we're both alright, though.
*she blinks at Tessera, mostly unfamiliar with the term, but...* I'm not sure that's a polite term amongst organics...
*Tiktok, and now footwear, in hand, she approaches the door. She hesitates for a moment before opening it, eyebrows raising at the shimmery haze that greets her on the other side of it* We simply... walk into that, I suppose?

Foresight: *looks* It's a portal. *steps through, transmits WEEEEEEEOOP! and is gone, though feeling amused and repulsed and sympathetic out there somewhere*

Tessera: O_O Stinky's ruder than butt.

Auspex: *She blinkblinks as Foresight steps through and is gone, without much fanfare. Alright, that didn't seem so bad...*
*She glances down at Tessera* Is it? That one seems more utilitarian, but I'll take your word for it...
*With that, she steps through the door. There's a bit of a rushing feeling, like being pulled through a wind tunnel...*
*...and she finds herself standing back in the camp clearing, next to a tree stump, on which sits the little vessel that holds the subspace pocket. The air is damper, and thick with mist and a pleasant smell of growing things, compared to the more sterile air of the apartment. She lingers as she takes a moment to adjust*

Kup: *nearby, holding his nose and lecturing Boulder. Sounds and feels disgusted and irate*

Boulder: *laying with front paws over his nose, feeling embarrassed and horrified*

Tessera: *tiny voice of amazement* Oh. Yup. That's a rude stinky.

Auspex: *She finds herself facing away from her party, though she can sense them behind her - and most of the impressions aren't positive. She turns to see what the matter is, and makes a bit of a strangled sound at the unpleasant odor that assaults her olfactory senses. Judging from Kup's disapproval toward Boulder, and the giant feline's mortification, the latter has... done something to cause it? Is he alright...?*

Blackout: *upwind of the smell as she sits in conference with Greatshot, Atara, and Covil. All four of them feel very intent*

Ruth: *rolling around in front of the dogs, who look very confused as they make stinky faces*

Auspex: *Blackout and the others seem intent on their discussion, and she doesn't wish to intrude at the moment. The smaller feline and the non-sentient canines are not doing anything she can comprehend right now, so she leaves them be as well. She notices Uzshak and her young warg are nowhere in sight, though she can sense someone's content a little beyond the camp borders, and surmises they are the cause of it*

Avril: *dancing all alone with no audible music. Perks joyfully when she spots Auspex and dances brightly over* Good morning, Lady! Lady Blackout says I'm to help you with your stockings, shoes, and hair.

Auspex: *Avril nimbly approaches, and she favors the little girl with a smile and a nod, though she's squinting through the sensory overload of the awful stench* Ah, I would appreciate that; I'm afraid I'm quite useless with fabrics and hair, for the most part.

Avril: *reaches Auspex, then pauses and sniffs. Holds nose and gives Boulder a LOOK*

Boulder: :(

Auspex: *She notes the little girl's disgust, and Boulder's further misery* What... happened?

Avril: *reaches to take Auspex's arm* Let's go this way. We won't smell it there.

Kup: *notices Auspex and is horrified and protective as he abandons Boulder and hurries toward her* I'm really sorry, Lady.

Foresight: *is already OVER THERE*

Tessera: *pretending to hold a nose she hasn't got*

Auspex: *giving them all a very clearly bewildered look, she allows Avril to lead her away, though she manages a weak smile for Kup's earnest concern as he comes closer* I'm rather sure it's not your fault...

Kup: *sigh. Sadly and with a bit of ire* It was my chili he ate.

Auspex: *She's still very confused, but some connections are being made, at least* He ate something that... caused that? Some kind of... fuel processing issue?

Kup: Yup. That's gas.

Avril: *little grumble, and then reaches for the stockings and boots*

Auspex: *She shakes her head, baffled, though she quickly finds a place to sit, setting Tessera down before she offers the footwear to Avril with a grateful smile, though she's still preoccupied with trying to understand the situation* But... it was something generally considered edible, I assume? I had no idea the organic body could... generate something that unpleasant from ordinary food...

Kup: Well... beans do that to a lot of organics. I seem ta be useta 'em, but Boulder's not.

Auspex: *She makes a small sound of bemusement* You ate them also, with no effect? Just when I think I understand a little more clearly about how organics work, I find there's more complexity than I can readily grasp...

Boulder: *coughing as he suddenly bounds to his feet and bolts, determined to make the stinky go away*

Tessera: *watches the massive cat go, then flops on her little round bum and rolls around*

Avril: *finding the garters, and then checking the lady's feet for dirt*

Auspex: *She hisses softly as the feline darts away* Poor Boulder. He's so embarrassed... he didn't know that would happen, either.
*She eyes Avril's scrutiny of her feet with some self-consciousness* I hope I've not done something to make this difficult. I... wouldn't know, if I have.

Kup: *grim sympathy as he watches the big grune* I told him it wouldn't be good for him.

Avril: *looks up, one slender hand dusting the bottom of the foot absently as she does* I was just making sure you hadn't hurt your feet.

Foresight: *hmmm. Nomph. WOUCH, spicy*

Kup: *looks over and then hisses and goes to save the young Aerial from the chili*

Auspex: *She marvels a bit, that Kup must have learned all of this... odd trivia after working with the Ghost Squad. She's feeling rather out of her league with her experience being almost exclusively Cybertronian. She sighs softly, turning her attention to answering Avril's remark with a little shake of her head*
I don't think so... It is a long story, but I suppose I'm really not any more experienced than a baby, when it comes to taking care of my physical body. I would know if I was in pain, though not why... but there's only a little ticklishness. Feet are surprisingly sensitive for something you walk on...
*She glances up again as Kup hurries away, eyes widening as she sees Foresight nibble on... probably a sample of whatever that problematic food is. Oh dear...*

Avril: Blind people use their feet to see with sometimes. *satisfied pat pat for the last foot she looked at, and then she's getting a stocking and looking at it with wondering delight before carefully bunching it up and putting the end over Auspex's toes. Pulls it up, ties the garter, and then gets the other stocking*

Auspex: *With rare exceptions, "blind" is generally not a problem for a race of easily repairable mechs, and it takes a moment to identify the term. She blinks in surprise* More so than their hands...?
*she watches carefully as Avril puts the first stocking on. Getting it onto her foot and leg doesn't seem so hard, really, but the tying continues to elude her* Could you... do the other knot more slowly? Perhaps I can learn...

Avril: *funny look as she gently dusts the second foot* People don't walk on their hands, Lady.

Auspex: *she smiles with gentle humor* People don't walk with their eyes, either...

Avril: *as she slips the stocking in place and fishes the garter out of a boot* No. But they can feel the ground and tell if they're on the right path with their feet. *pause. Look into the boot* ...When did you get in there?

baby mushi: *squeak squeak*

Auspex: I imagine the sense of touch would be very important in general, yes. I suppose hearing would, also.
*She blinkblinks down at the little mushroom sprite, with a quirk of her eyebrow. Ah. She'd wondered why there seemed to be more than one source of chiproach-esque joy nearby. It's from more than just Tessera*

Avril: *carefully fishes the baby out of the boot and checks it over for injury, her emotions stern and very maternal. Decides it's alright and sets it down, then blinks with surprise as the little thing promptly and cheerfully rolls away*

Tessera: *rolls after the baby mushi* XD

Avril: *uncertain look for Auspex, asking with her eyes if this is alright, or should she put a stop to it*

Auspex: *she blinks again as well, brow furrowed in perplexed amusement, more at the mushroom sprite's method of locomotion than anything... she chuckles softly as Tessera follows suit. Well, they're both round... She watches for a moment, to make sure they're not heading toward any danger - but they seem to be making their way toward the dogs, and Tessera is aware enough of their surroundings to be safe, and keep the sprite that way* They'll be fine.

Avril: *accepts the adult's judgement without question, her attention going back to her task* Alright. See, this is how you make a bow.

Auspex: *She intently watches what Avril's fingers are doing with the thin strip of fabric, and how one end is twisted under the other, then looped, while the other is wrapped around and pulled partway through; she nods as she concentrates*

Avril: *gets the boots and looks at them thoughtfully, then swiftly unfastens a row of hooks along the inside of one and turns to slip it onto Auspex's foot*

Kup: *stream of scolding and comfort as he walks back with his hand tangled in Boulder's fur*

Boulder: *ugh, the world is blucky. Grass is blucky*

Scorponok: *gets up from by Blackout, then trots over and offers Boulder kissies*

Boulder: ...

Auspex: *She boggles, as Avril finds a series of hooks in the boot, that look to be easier to manage than the laces Auspex undid the night before. Well, she notes with some rueful humor... that would have been convenient to know about. Ah well...*
*She glances up at the series of unfavorable impressions as the emoters thereof approach, wincing in sympathy. Mechs can purge a tank of unprocessable fuel, but it's not pleasant - probably not so for organics, either, however that's done. She calls softly* I'm sorry, Boulder... I hope you will feel better soon.

Boulder: *looks at her wistfully, but then closes his eyes and sighs grateful happiness as Foresight gets up from the stump she was sitting on to gently pull the thick fur on his cheeks*

Blackout: *from where she's sitting with the others* Seriously. You and your family don't need to roam anymore. Go across the bridge and talk to the troll woman. You'll be safe on the willow tree's holding.

Covil: *wistfully* Would it truly be safe? We've never crossed the bridge because people say it's wild country.

Atara: We've been on the road since my first husband died.

Blackout: And you're not made for it. Give your youngling a better home than just a pile of weeds in some campsite by the road. Has she even ever had a doll?

Avril: *suddenly distracted as she works on hooking the first boot*

Auspex: *Now that she knows about the hooks, she unhooks the second boot herself and manages, after some trial and error, to work it onto her other foot and re-hook it, as Avril takes care of the first one. She half-listens to the others' conversation, somewhat preoccupied with trying to tighten the boot-cords, with moderate success*
*The Chagin family has been wandering without need, apparently? She can imagine Atara's trauma after the death of Covil's father, and how much it's influenced how she lives, and her children's childhood. She glances up as Avril pauses, giving the girl a sympathetic smile*

Kup: *and now his emotions turn to shy hopefulness as he looks over at Auspex around the last few mouthfuls of his ration, which are in a small white tray that looks like paper*

Auspex: *Picking up on Kup's interest, she lifts her head to meet his gaze, offering him a smile filled with warmth and affection; the hope he's projecting is touching, and welcome*

Kup: *as Avril gives Auspex a big-eyed look of excitement he crumples his empty food tray with one hand and comes over almost without realizing he's done it, his eyes brightening and that heartbreaker grin flashing out brightly as he hunkers down next to the lady in white, gold, and blue*

Auspex: *She looks back at Avril, struck by how the simple idea of merely having a toy brings her so much happiness; how much has this dear child been missing, that younglings should have? Her heart goes out to the entire family, and what they've lacked...*
*She feels a bit breathless as Kup crouches beside her, and gives her that grin again... she huffs softly, looking away with sudden bashfulness as she fumbles for his hand without looking*

Kup: *inner meep, and then a rush of apology and protective love as he takes that hand and squeezes it gently. Softly* What'd I do, Lady?

Avril: *distracted by thoughts of doll to give him a, "You are such a dummy" look before returning her attention to the boot*

Covil: *meanwhile* She did. But straw doesn't always last very long, and I was never in a place to work for more.

Blackout: *impatient snort* Do as I say. Go today. Uzshak can keep up now that you've made her that crutch.

Greatshot: *mildly* We could always tell her you're making life more difficult for yourself than you need to. Orc women are known for using any weapon at hand to emphasize their stronger emotions.

Atara: *inner amusement joins her uncertainty*

Auspex: *Really... Kup doesn't know, even with the lingering empathy? She hides a smile at the look from Avril, leaning slightly to press her shoulder against Kup's, pulling his hand closer to clasp it in both of hers as she softly replies* You've done nothing but be yourself... I'm... not sure I can articulate it. *Heart full, she studies Avril's progress with boot-fixing instead*
*Her eyes widen a bit, overhearing Greatshot's "threat". Oh dear...*

Kup: *bit of bewilderment as he snuggles, then a frown as he looks toward Greatshot. Quiet mutter just to her* ...Organic Destron?

Auspex: *There is the barest whisper of consternation from her as she studies him for a moment... surely he can sense how his feelings make her feel? But... maybe it was what he did, specifically, that eludes him. With a tiny smile, she reaches to tap him gently on the mouth* Your smile. When you grin at me like that... I feel so much. *She looks away again, with a soft chuckle*
*She nods at his comment, though she's looking at her boots* That's exactly the impression Uzshak's people gave me...

Kup: *explosion of ohhhhhhhh! mixed with slight consternation as he thinks of a few ladies' collisions with door frames and such and realizes why they'd done it. SO MUCH BLUSH and sheepishness as he nods to her reply, but he's a bit tongue tied right now*

Auspex: *she can't help the gentle laughter at his reaction, squeezing his hand fondly* It's not only me, I take it, who's been waylaid by that smile. You must be careful with that...

Avril: *looks up from finishing with the hooks. Looks from one blush to the other, and then laughs softly and bounds to her feet before running away to plunk down in Covil's lap*

Kup: *that has made him blush more*

Auspex: Er... *her brow furrows in confusion, as Avril dashes away before she's tied Auspex's boots. Why...? Well, she's not moving just yet; she supposes there's no hurry until Blackout is ready...*

Kup: *blushing more now, but he can speak. Still quietly* She didn't wanna interrupt us. You want me to finish with your shoes?

Auspex: Ahh... *she pauses contritely* I did not say anything I felt needed privacy to say... but I am not accustomed to speaking around children, either. I hope I didn't embarrass her...
*She looks down at the boots with a sigh* If you can tie better bows than I can... that is, at all, other than the brief demonstration from Avril. Again, I feel sadly lacking in skills not common to Cybertronians... *and it seems her companions have all learned them*

Kup: *another squeeze for the hand he's grasping, and then he gives her a comforting peck on the cheek before letting go the hand and kneeling by her feet to slowly and carefully finish fastening that boot*

Auspex: *Her eyes close with an appreciative sigh and smile for the affection, even through her chagrin. She watches attentively again at the second demonstration of bow-tying, before trying it herself on the other boot. Cross one end under the other, loop, wrap around and pull that loop through. It takes a couple of false tries and subsequent detangling, before she gingerly completes a bow, tightening the loops with exaggerated care. She defers to him, slightly self-conscious* Is that acceptable, do you think?

Kup: *critical and honest study, then nods* It's prettier than mine. I never can get the tails even.

Auspex: *He'll likely see how much she values the objectivity. She nods slowly as well, with relieved satisfaction, and a hint of wry amusement* Ah, well, I will settle for functionality, but I suppose attractiveness is a plus.

Kup: *turns that honest appraising look to her face* Well, I think so.

Tessera: *giggle fit after rolling all the way over and hiding her face on the ground*

Auspex: *She blinkblinks at this swift turn in the conversation, as she realizes he's not talking about the boots anymore. She ducks her head, with a soft chuckle, brushing a lock of still-messy hair out of her face self-consciously* That's not... I'm... not sure you're being entirely objective anymore.
*Her gaze drops to the tiktok as Tessera rolls into view, brow furrowing, though traces of a smile linger on her face*

Greatshot: *as he gets to his feet* Come on, Kup. Let's scout the road ahead.

Kup: *starts to get up automatically, but then hesitates*

Greatshot: Come on. *looks over with a sympathetic grin* You can be mushy later.

Tessera: *ded of giggle and glee*

Auspex: *She shoos away some very slight disappointment, with a vague sense of wanting to hold on to Kup's favor and affection while she has it... but it's a selfish wish, and there's work to be done. She gives them both a nod of affirmation, still with light humor* I have yet to do something about the hair in my face and take care of filling my stomach... go on.
*She scoops up the giggling Tessera, moving a little closer to the others and finding a new seat*

Kup: *tries to project his love to Auspex as hard as he can, not realizing that she might be a little overwhelmed by just how hard he does manage to send those feelings. Even as he does so, he's turning to follow Greatshot to see what's ahead*

Auspex: *She's just started to sit, when Kup successfully conveys his sentiment... it becomes more of a controlled fall than an actual purposeful placement of her person on the stump she's selected, as she's practically bowled over by the intensity. She turns to look back at him with wide eyes, blinking back sudden tears at the beauty of how he feels about her. If she can only learn to return a fraction of that... Trembling, she attempts to collect herself and sit more properly*

Blackout: *is an arm around her shoulders and a hand on her chest carefully guiding her into place. Gruff amusement and affection* Easy. Here, hold this.

Baby: *looks up with curious big eyes and content affection as he's tucked into the crook of one of Auspex's arms*

Auspex: *With something of a watery chuckle, she accepts her friend's steadying assistance with gratitude as she settles herself on the stump. She blinks as she suddenly finds her arms and lap full of the Aliat baby, but she smiles indulgently at the tiny boy, cradling him with care* Hello, little one. I trust you slept well?

Baby: Auo? *wide smile, and then he's distracted by that enticing little shiny wiggly thing. Gets Tessera in both tiny hands and gives her kissie of lovie*

Tessera: Eeeeee! *SO happy*

Blackout: *snort* Can you get a hand free for your breakfast? I need to fix your hair. ...And where did you get this dress?

Foresight: *pauses on her return from a short trip to get the hairbrush. Chuckles, feeling of amusement*

Auspex: *She eyes both of her living burdens, unsure if she should be concerned for the safety of close contact between... both, or neither. They appear to be fine, so far, at least. Making sure the baby is secure (she trusts Tessera will be unhurt and can manage herself if he lets go of her), she nods, carefully reaching out a hand*
*Ah, she'd forgotten about the travel robe. She'd half-thought Blackout might already know, but that answers that* We received a visit from Columba before we went to sleep last night... apparently, the dress I was given was not meant for travelling, and she learned of the sort of style one might wear on the road and brought it for me. It's a bit less cumbersome, which I am grateful for.

Blackout: *snorts as she hands Auspex the drinking box with straw already in place. Makes sure the younger woman has it, and then walks around behind her and starts to unfasten the ravelled braid*

Foresight: *pulls a stump over to sit next to her aunt, curious eyes studying the older servant's face. Is thoughtful and wondering strongly about something*

Auspex: *She shrugs apologetically, though Blackout seems unfazed by the error*
Thank you... *she accepts the smoothie box graciously and pauses to take a sip from it, watching uneasily as the baby attempts to put the tiktok into his mouth. Tessera seems as happy about this as anything else, so she leaves them be, but there is a faint note of anxiety present in her aspect*
*She sits still, allowing Blackout to manipulate her hair, with a faint anticipatory wondering at how strange it will feel when it's brushed*
*Foresight's curiosity catches her attention, and she regards her with a gentle, questioning look* Hmm? I will answer whatever you might ask, if I can...

Foresight: *quietly* You and Kup were conversing without words.

Auspex: *she tilts her head thoughtfully, looking at nothing in particular as she considers this observation* It... appears that he is picking up on my emotions, here. I thought something was odd when he attempted to reassure me about a concern I had not voiced... then it was very apparent when Blackout told me privately about his difficult past, and he knew when I was upset by it. I... assume it is the nature of dreamscape, and being a... not entirely realistic scenario.

Foresight: In the real worlds, it's how those with the bonds that I mentioned to you sometimes communicate with their mates. *more quietly* It's how I communicate with mine.

Tessera: Heee! Squeaky!

Baby: *lifts little eyebrows and goes on squeaking his gums on her bum*

Auspex: *She hesitates, brow furrowing as she meets the younger servant's gaze* I... can only imagine it being because this is a dream, or perhaps some other more esoteric reason, such as the Fae energy which allowed it. Inadvertent bonds, especially, cannot be forged in such a short time...
*She quirks an eyebrow in amusement at the baby and the tiktok. She sees the child has no teeth, so he can't be doing any damage... and Tessera seems to find it all very funny. She resumes drinking her smoothie; far be it from her to interfere*

Foresight: Hmmm. *suddenly, soundlessly in Auspex's mind* -That could be the reason.-

Auspex: *She lifts her head to make eye contact with Foresight again, eyes round with surprise... there is that mental touch again, unmistakably clear this time, and that is not something she's inherited from either creator. Is that because of the River, or simply something new, from whatever method that would have created Foresight, had reality not been mangled... or something else entirely? She doesn't know. She's not sure what to say, either, but she is accustomed to communicating silently to Primus - so she simply sends her construct the mental equivalent of a nod; she sees her gift, and acknowledges it*

Foresight: *meets her gaze squarely, though it's clear she's a little uncertain about Auspex's reception of what she's just done and why she once more can't fully read her aunt. Nods back, and then* -I learned to communicate with thought and emotion while I was communing with the Starsinger in the River. It's still my first language. My sister with multiple bodies seldom communicates in any other way, but cannot send.- *and there's a feeling that she is intent on hiding this information from the Blackout who has started to brush Auspex's hair*

Auspex: *It dawns on her then, that her thoughts about Foresight's origins are as unclear to her construct as her emotions are. It's a relief that she doesn't have to shield them, but again, she chafes at the necessity of it. She can, at least, send feelings of apology for the lack of clarity, even as she senses Primus's similar sentiment, and the reminder of the promise that the reason will be told later on. There's an additional sense of approval for how it helps Kopher to communicate* -It's good, then, that you can send to her so clearly...-
*She adds acknowledgment and compliance for the wish to hide this ability, though she doesn't understand why. Meanwhile, Blackout has been gently detangling her long hair, and the result has been rather soothing for the most part, though there's evidently no feeling in hair except for the base, creating a curiously detached sort of sensation. She flinches almost imperceptibly now at the feeling of the brush running through the ends of it, finding it a bit more tickly than fingers*

Blackout: *pause* Did I pull? I thought I got all the monsters out.

Foresight: *quiet acknowledgment and acceptance of the apology and reminder* -Very few people respond positively when faced with structural aberrations such as I have.- *eyes go up to Blackout*

Auspex: *She hides a smile as she senses Blackout's concern and affection, and shrugs slightly, trying not to move her head very much* I'm fine... It isn't painful, or even unpleasant. It simply feels... very interesting. *she chuckles softly at her own reaction* I have nothing to compare it to.
*Foresight's reasoning evokes some rather complicated emotions, and she doubts they're all getting through to the younger woman, as some are very much because of her relation to her... though perhaps explainable by virtue of being Hallow's sister. Why anyone would fault her for her unusual talents... well, it's not beyond her understanding, as there are some who are mistrustful of the more typical empathic servants for the same reason. The addition of telepathy could cause some strong negativity... though she highly doubts Blackout would be very much disturbed, or even surprised, considering all that she's seen and experienced. Still... Auspex is touched that Foresight is trusting her with the knowledge of it, then*

Tessera: *little giggle* -Silly Foresight sissy.-

Foresight: *falls over with a blast of flat footed shock*

Blackout: *pauses in the brushing to peer over Auspex with a scowl of concern and gruffness*

Auspex: *she makes a little bemused sound, as Tessera "speaks" up in her mind, for the second time since she's arrived. It's still a rather foreign experience for her... and it's obviously caught Foresight very much off-guard, which she regrets* Are you alright?
*She hesitates as Blackout's concern makes itself apparent, unsure what she can say that will not betray Foresight's trust. Blackout does know that Tessera has such abilities, at least...* Ah, Tessera just broadcasted a thought at the both of us. I don't think Foresight knew she could do that. *her gaze flicks back to the younger woman, offering an explanation* She has mental powers much like her creator's creator, Soundwave, does... though she doesn't often use them so overtly in her native form.

Blackout: *snorts amusement and goes back to work* Yeah, the little scraps don't read very often, but you get a comment once in awhile.

Foresight: *pushes herself up to sitting and then gazes at the upside down tiktok for a while, her emotions a quiet whirl as she thinks this over. Then she looks up at her aunt* No. I didn't realize that she could, though now I remember what you told me earlier.

Tessera: *meeps quiet amusement as the baby falls asleep the rest and drops her on her head*

Auspex: *she thinks to nod, but stops herself, mindful of Blackout's resumption of her hair-brushing. Instead, she attempts to reassure her construct* -You are not alone, Foresight, though telepathy is a rare thing for servants to have.-
*She drops her gaze carefully (to avoid moving her head) as she feels something bump her leg... she draws her conclusions upon seeing the sleeping baby and the fallen tiktok* Oh... are you alright, Tessera? Babies sleep very much, don't they...? *and lose their grips when they do, evidently...*

Tessera: M'okaaaaay! :D -'N Blackie wouldn' care 'bout sissy's head stuffs.-

Blackout: *absently, as she works* Sometimes I wish mine slept more.

Foresight: *thoughtfully scratches at one cheek, her eyes unfocused as she thinks this new and surprising fact over and does her usual praying about it*

Auspex: *between the smoothie and the child and holding her head still, she's a bit indisposed to pick Tessera up again, so she leaves her be for the moment, though she responds to the mental comment, in case either or both telepaths are still "listening"* -No, likely not... but I can't blame Foresight for wishing to be cautious.-
Ah... *she offers an amused smile, though Blackout likely can't see it from her current vantage point* Does she actually recharge less, or does it merely seem so?

Blackout: Paean's part Jazz, and all bay tech. There are days she never naps at all. *and being part Jazz, the baby would never dream of just laying still and listening to the world for awhile, as her mother likes to do at night*

Auspex: Ah... right, I'd forgotten those of your construction generally don't recharge. Perhaps it's different for sparklets... but not so much that yours will be still. *the continued fond humor is evident in her voice*

Tessera: *rolls over and pushes herself up with her hands to grin at Foresight*

Foresight: *still thoughtful as she holds out her hands and offers to take the sleeping baby from Auspex*

Auspex: *She blinks as Foresight holds out her arms to take the baby, sensing the concern her wayward thought about having her hands full probably caused. She shrugs carefully* I'm alright, I think, unless Tessera wishes for me to pick her up again. I think it might be useful to become more accustomed to holding him, if... there's another emergency, for example. *she winces at the thought of another fight, but it's possible...*

Boulder: Mmmmmmmleeeeaaaahhhhhh!

Blackout: The scrap? *looks that way, then snorts*

Auspex: *The odd sound from Boulder causes a twitch of alarm in her aspect... until a glance with her eyes reassures her that he's simply yawning hugely, with a dramatic stretch to match. She chuckles softly, taking a moment to resume sipping at her breakfast*

Foresight: *nods and sits back again, then looks toward her furry friend with an amused smile*

Boulder: :p ... *MOAR stretch and mleah*

Blackout: How do you want me to do this up, Auspex?

Auspex: *she blinkblinks at Blackout's query, with another little shrug, more bewildered this time* Er... I have no idea. It was fine as it was originally, in the plait... it did come somewhat unraveled after awhile, but I'm not sure how to prevent that. As long as it isn't too much in my face... it tickles. *she "heh"s with a touch of sheepish amusement*

Kup: *talking away about something as he and Greatshot come back and start checking over Boulder's saddle. Feels eager and excited*

Greatshot: *interested in what the younger man's got to say. Also intent on the job at hand even as he keeps an eye out for danger*

Uzshak: *and there she is, young warg trotting at her side as she walks easily with just her remaining leg and the specially constructed wooden crutch hooked to her arm stump. Good hand holds a brace of fluffy purple animals*

Avril: *runs to meet her, even as Covil drops what he was packing and also comes over*

Auspex: *She lifts her gaze to the two men as they come back to camp, aspect lifting with curiosity and warmth, as Kup is obviously animated about something. She also brightens to see Uzshak up and about, eyebrows lifting in happy approval at the very nice prop that Covil's made her to aid her mobility. The dead furry creatures receive a cursory glance, before she's looking away again. She'll stick to her plant-based smoothies, thank you...*

Blackout: Alright I'll try... this? *hands suddenly withdraw from Auspex's hair even as Foresight's eyes widen with wonder and surprise*

Kup, Greatshot, and everyone else in the area: *staring at something behind and beside the white clad woman*

Auspex: *She stops still and her own eyes widen, as the general emotional air suddenly dissolves into startled amazement, and all eyes turn to something outside of the range of where she's been able to turn her head while Blackout's been tending to her hair. Her friend has let go for the moment, so she does carefully turn to look now* Oh...
*There is a very large creature standing there (well, not as large as Boulder, granted, but not many organics are), and it's very still, neck stretched over and apparently scenting her hair curiously. At a cursory glance, she recognizes it as a horse, like Blazer's altmode. Or very similar... It's more powerfully built than what she would expect of one, though it's somehow graceful and muscular at the same time. Most of it is a lovely reddish-brown color, with golden-colored long hair on its neck and tail and lower legs. The large head has an elegant stretch of white extending from nose to forehead... from which grows a long, beautiful, golden spiraled horn*
*Oh. Studying it, in all of its very organic glory, stirs a deeper recollection, of one of her first multiversal charges: Perceptor of the truce reality, she remembers, was changed into a creature like this, having asked to see the world through the eyes of something timeless and innocent... and his daughters began life in a winged version of this form. The memory fills her with bittersweet melancholy. This is a unicorn. She remembers speaking to Theodicy, only just before she'd gone into recharge... he mentioned seeing one, but the word "unicorn" was not familiar enough to immediately recall, and his description was quite different... apparently, there are different kinds. But seeing this one brings back the understanding, along with the memory of pain, but also wonder...*
*The admittedly limited number of unicorns, horses, and similar derivatives that she's known could speak; does this one? Seeking to find out, she greets the unicorn, though her voice is soft* Hello, friend...

unicorn: *soft wiffle, and then a gentle lipping of her hair that is plainly a greeting before bottomless dark eyes that seem softly alight with stars gaze into hers as a friendly rumbling sound comes from the strong chest. At the same time comes a soft wash of approval and affection. The unicorn can sense the newness of Auspex in this world and the light that rests on her, and she likes it and approves of Auspex*

Primus: *what he's feeling now can best be translated as "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"*

Auspex: *Whether the creature can't speak, or simply doesn't wish to, is an idle musing, but not an important one; she can read the unicorn quite well anyway. She smiles slowly, almost shyly, though she speaks with a hint of apology to her words - she's not sure the form she's in is not misleading, somehow* I'm... afraid I am not so new as I appear, as my race lives a very long time. But I serve a lord of light, and he... says hello. *Her smile widens as Primus's enthusiasm comes to her very clearly*

unicorn: *shakes her head and blows loudly in response to Auspex's apology and explanation. She knows what she's looking at, thank you. Oooo. Child! Dips that great head as Avril creeps over with a little bit of left over cattail porridge, then nibbles it to humour the beautiful little one. Eyes go back to Auspex as she does so, and those eyes are sparkling with the laughter the unicorn feels at Avril's timid bravery*

Auspex: *She chuckles softly at the unicorn's reaction to her would-be disclaimer; at least that's clear, then. She beams as Avril comes forward to interact with the creature, feeling some sort of camaraderie with the unicorn as it meets her gaze - they seem to both treasure the honesty and the guilelessness of the very young* She likes you, Avril.

Avril: *looks up with shining eyes, her emotions blooming with joy, then squeaks and squints her eyes shut as the unicorn gently lips her forehead*

Atara: *gasps and drops her pack to put her hands over her mouth, her eyes filling with tears at sight of her child receiving such a blessing*

Uzshak: *glances at Covil, then puts the animals down so she can put her arm around him. There there, Covil, don't cry*

Auspex: *she smiles gently, seeing how happy it makes the family to be favored in such a way. She grasps that she doesn't quite understand what it means, having no frame of reference, other than a vague idea that unicorns are creatures of light... She idly queries Primus, wondering if he knows any more, as she quietly looks on*

Primus: *protection. The kiss is protection*

Auspex: *Ah... that is, indeed, a great blessing! She is all the happier for the child to have something to keep her from danger, when there is so much that can hurt an innocent...*

unicorn: *the kiss is now on Auspex's forehead*

Auspex: *She gasps softly, as the unicorn turns to bestow the same blessing on her own self. She ducks her head with a serene smile, as her eyes close* Thank you, my friend, for thinking of me... I still have my lord's own blessing and protection, but his power is very limited here. I very much appreciate the extra safeguard.

unicorn: *gives the baby a kiss, then gently boops Auspex's nose with her own and follows that with a very fond feeling and a soft whiffle of excuse me before turning to walk over to where Uzshak and Naz are showing affection to a quietly laughing and slightly embarrassed but happy Covil. Reaches right over Uzshak's shoulder to kiss Covil on the forehead*

Covil: *flails, his senses exploding with shock and wonder*

Uzshak: *yelps and falls over as she too is kissed*

Auspex: *She smiles down as the baby in her arms receives the same treatment, then laughs gently as the unicorn noses her face. She murmurs another "thank you", bowing her head gratefully in return as the unicorn moves away, beaming as the older children also receive the unicorn's favor. She is purposefully refraining from examining the unicorn's criteria very closely; the creature has a right to bless whom she will, and it may only cause Auspex pain, to examine who is and is not*

Blackout: *surprise and question* What'd you do, bug?

Tessera: *much laughter* Daddy gave MY kiss.

Atara: *squeak of shock as she too gets a kiss*

Blackout: What about the other kid?

Tessera: Unicorn proly can't read bots. *tiny hands up in a shrug, and then she's distracted by a big beetle and goes after it*

Auspex: *she listens quietly, inferring that the "other kid" is Tessera's tiktok host. So, Laserbeak is Tessera's protection, or perhaps the indestructible nature that he bestowed on her and her siblings. The tiktok might be a bit more breakable, but she has the advantage of small size on her side, as well*
*All things considered, the unicorn is being very generous. Auspex finds consolation that the others she's overlooked can protect themselves, at least from physical attack. Again, she doesn't wish to wax philosophical on the necessities of war at the moment...*

Blackout: Alright now. Hold still and let me finish this. *hands back in the hair as the unicorn says hello to everyone as she passes them on her way toward the source of that eager and young feeling that's hidden in the bushes across the way*

Scorponok: *blown away by being given a kiss on the nose by a pretty girl!*

Auspex: *She blinks, pulled from her reverie* Ah, alright. *she sets the now-empty smoothie box down carefully (so as not to jostle the Aliat infant) before resuming her still, straight posture. She follows the unicorn attentively with her eyes as she appears to be taking her leave, reaching out her senses as the creature goes, enough now to catch the hint of a presence she's left behind; another unicorn? Probably a young one, by the youthful air. She smiles, glad for the likely mother, with another echo of nostalgia for things remembered and gone*

Foresight: *softly* There's a baby with her.

Blackout: Yup. She won't bring him out where we can see him. *fingers skillfully make two braids and then wrap them around Auspex's head*

Tessera: *little round body in a boxer's pose as she faces off at the big stag beetle. SO much glee*

Kup: *starts talking to Greatshot again as they help Boulder lift the saddle onto the big grune's back*

Greatshot: *is thoughtful and reflective as he works and listens to the younger man*

Atara: *she and her family are busy hugging each other and trying to get past shock and wonder to talk*

Ruth: *sudden urge to make like Tigger!*

dogs: ... *look at each other, then go to help the family be overwhelmed*

Auspex: *she nods absently (carefully) at Foresight, still watching the unicorn go with an air of wistfulness. She's grateful for the help, and she'll not soon forget that meeting*
*She directs her gaze to the others as Blackout works on her hair. She regrets that she still may not be grasping the significance of the unicorn's visit as well as the natives are, but she's trying. She suspects it might be a matter of being so much older, as well as the nature of her function as a servant of a protector... she's not sure*

Blackout: *lifts up her voice* Atara, now you've got no excuse not to cross the bridge and find a settled home in the willow country. I mean it. Stop wandering.

Atara: *looks over, her expression and feelings a little deer in headlights. But then she understands what the tall woman said and is nodding quiet agreement before looking at her son, who is also nodding*

Auspex: *She brightens as she realizes how the promised protection will help give the family some confidence to venture where they've never been (that and Uzshak's potential disapproval, heh...). She offers them an encouraging smile*

Blackout: *ties a bow behind Auspex's head with the string she braided into her friend's hair, then stands back* There.

Auspex: *She moves her head again at Blackout's pronouncement, lifting a hand to prod carefully and curiously at her hair's new configuration. It seems her friend has both plaited it and put it up around her head, so there's none trailing behind her back as before. She appreciates the practicality* Thank you, Blackout. You've certainly learned many skills in your travels.

Blackout: *soft snort, feeling amused and pleased* That should stand up to Kup's hamhanded handling, too.

Foresight: *oh here we go again. Soft snort of her own*

Tessera: *laughing and squealing as she flees toward Auspex with the beetle in pursuit*

Auspex: *she blinkblinks, before laughing softly as she bashfully averts her gaze, amused but conflicted* Ah, likely so...
*In dipping her head, she gets a good look at the incoming tiktok, and the rather large insect giving chase... her eyes widen* Tessera, please don't bother the wildlife...!

Blackout: *steps around Auspex and scoops Tessera away from her irate playmate* Those things are harmless. They eat dead weeds. *foot gently flips the beetle so it's facing away*

beetle: *pauses for a split instant of shock, and then opens his wings and departs with a loud buzz*

Kup: *ducks as it flies past his head* Hey!

Greatshot: *laughing without mockery*

Foresight: >.o

Auspex: Ah... no need to disrupt their business, still... *she "eep"s softly, all bemusement and faint humor, as it takes flight and narrowly misses Kup's head. She reaches a hand out to Tessera, but stays put, unsure if she wants to attempt standing while holding the baby*

Blackout: *stoops and deftly does a swap of innocents, then straightens and cuddles the tiny Aliat as he sighs and snuggles. Head lowered over the baby, she walks to meet her husband*

Tessera: *looks over the edge of Auspex's hand and laughs, then turns that happy gaze up to her big friend's face*

Auspex: *She nods, accepting the chiproach/tiktok in exchange for the baby. She feels accomplished, having gained a bit more confidence that she wouldn't somehow drop him, but she'd as soon not try too much at once. She favors Tessera with a little smile, with only a hint of exasperation* It didn't like you...

Kup: *warm hand on Auspex's shoulder as he leans a little to smile down at Tessera and feel like he's home*

Auspex: *She reacts to Kup's touch with a very subtle tremor, hesitating for a moment before slowly reaching up to trail her fingers across his hand, leaning her head to rest on his arm*

Kup: *beams and puts his other hand on her other shoulder, the grip feeling like a snuggle. Quietly, his voice warm* Ready to go?

Auspex: *She pauses again, taking a moment to tip her head up to him in response as she leans back very slightly, simply enjoying the warmth of his presence and his sentiment. Soon enough, she nods and climbs to her feet* Yes... we have a baby to bring home, still.

Kup: Yeah... *lifts his head and looks toward the little guy, wondering absently what it would be like to stay organic, and to be parent to a little baby with Auspex's eyes*

Boulder: *looks at Auspex and makes soft though still loud calling sound. You come ride now?*

Foresight: *distracted from half watching her aunt by the call. Gets up and goes to talk to her friend and climb onto his back in front of the saddle*

Auspex: *She catches a hint of idle wistfulness from Kup that she can't entirely comprehend, though it's loving, sweet and perhaps slightly regretful, all somehow associated with her, and indirectly about the child. She gently sweeps her thumb across his hand in a gesture of consolation for... whatever that was, before letting go of it with a final careful squeeze. She approaches Boulder as he calls to her, lifting Tessera toward the pouch around her neck with her other hand as she addresses her* Back to your hiding place, then?

Tessera: Okay! *giggles and dives in head first*

Kup: Ack! *hand goes toward the pouch before he stops himself*

Auspex: *she chuckles as Tessera takes another dive into her hideaway, before glancing up to blink at Kup's interjected hand; she offers a reassuring smile as she gently directs it back to his person (with what might be a furtive caress)* It did not hurt her before; I'm sure she'll be fine.

Kup: *slightly embarrassed, but grinning despite himself* Sure. ...Do you need help getting up in that thing? *looks over his shoulder toward Boulder*

Boulder: :p

Auspex: *She pauses to raise an amused eyebrow at the combination of Kup's phrasing and Boulder's reaction* I assume you mean the platform, and not the feline... but yes, that would be welcome. The new robe is shorter and less awkward, but it's still a great deal of fabric.
*She approaches the giant cat, reaching down to gather her skirts once again. She's absently grateful for the reduced amount of cloth-wrangling required*

Kup: *as Boulder puts a massive paw back, underside uppermost, he's clambering aboard and then leaning down to offer his hand* I've seen ones with even more than your other robe.

Auspex: *After securing the fabric in one hand, she steps up on Boulder's offered paw, reaching for Kup's hand with her free one as she winces* Oh dear. I can only imagine the sort of... strange concoctions organic clothing-makers might dream up...

Kup: This *starts to say a word but cuts himself off*... This was on a bot. *gets her safely aboard the howdah, and then steps aside so she can get settled*

Auspex: *With a careful grip of skirts and railing, cautious foot placement and Kup's support, she gets mostly up and over the side, making a startled noise as he clarifies (and staving off a bit of rueful amusement at his aborted possible description choices)...* What?? Really? Was this on your world? *A hint of laughter laces her voice* You'll have to tell me someday...
*She moves to sit, adjusting and smoothing the dress out as she does*

Kup: My old world. *frowns up as a light rain starts to fall, then turns his attention back to Auspex and pulling her hood up for her*

Atara: *getting her family organized, and then herding them toward a wide, low growing tree as they wave goodbye to Auspex's party*

Auspex: *Her breath hitches very slightly as he feels the need to make that distinction, her aspect a mix of slight regret and subtle joy* Yes, of course...
*Her brow furrows as she feels drops of moisture, with a slight twinge of the anxiety that thoughts of rain would usually bring, before she remembers it's generally not harmful on organic planets. She glances up to watch the drops fall, until white fabric partially obscures her vision. Charmed by his concern, she smiles up at Kup as he lifts and arranges her hood, tiny bell jingling to cheer her*
*She watches as the Chagin (and orc!) family assemble themselves, as she hopes for a proper farewell to the sweet natives*

Blackout: *wanders over, pack in place, and the upper part of her kilt spread out to cover the baby cuddled in the crook of her arm* You want to take leave of that bunch before we go?

Ruth: *rolling in the wet grass and singing about wonderful thing about tiggers*

Auspex: *she nods, somewhat apologetically; she has, after all, always been about people, even if it's always been related to her function. Her purpose cannot be the same here in this world, but the ease of investment in others' well-being still comes naturally to her* Please? I would like that.

Blackout: *nods, then walks over to gently slap Boulder on the cheek* You heard the lady, kid.

Boulder: *cheerful grumbling sound as he does his careful getting up job*

Foresight: He's not an infant caprine.

Blackout: *frowns at her* Are you being deliberately obtuse?

Auspex: *She watches silently as Kup hops down over the side of the platform, stills herself as Boulder gets to his feet again, then leans over the railing a bit, on the side facing the natives. She does stop to blink over at Foresight and Blackout first, however. Judging from her aspect, the former is taking the latter's words quite literally. She shakes her head very slightly at Blackout, a subtle indication that she thinks it's not purposeful*
*she turns her gaze back to the family, as Boulder approaches them leisurely, apparently enjoying the rain. She watches them for a moment, standing under the tree with their arms around each other, still musing on the wonder of the unicorn's blessings, and she can sense their content in their new goal* Thank you, for sharing your camp and your company. I wish you all joy and good health, and peace and safety! *she offers a kind smile, and a fond wave*

Atara: *looks up as Avril peers out of the folds of her skirt, her shy smile blooming slowly* Thank you, Lady. *more quietly and hesitantly* I'll pray for your quest. I hope you'll be able to return to your own world soon.

Blackout: *quirks a brow and feels amused at the quickness of the Chagin woman's mind and perceptions*

Naz: Wuf!

Uzshak: *balances on her one leg so she can boot the pup in the rear with her crutch*

Naz: *wags about that*

Auspex: *She surprises herself with a bit of melancholy, about... what she knows will likely end when the dream does, but now is really not the time for that, and so she focuses on other things* Ah, thank you, very much. It's... been a good experience, for the most part, all things considered.
*She chuckles at the orc girl's warg companion, and her method of keeping the canine in line. She's so glad to see her strong and carrying on, and knows it will continue*

Atara: *bows her head slightly as her son does the same and Uzshak makes a gesture with clenched fist* Easy roads, Lady. God bless you.

Auspex: *she smiles gently, nodding her head in return* Likewise, thank you... goodbye! *she gives them a final affectionate wave, before she turns to glance at Blackout - where are they going now?*

Blackout: *head turns toward the south as Greatshot leads the way in that direction, but then she stops with a grumpy sound and reaches into her belt pouch, which is emitting a soft tune. Takes out the mirror and looks at it* What do you want, Oppy? *scowls and feels very irritated and protective* She doesn't need any missions. She's just here for a holiday. *deeper scowl as she walks along beside Boulder* Yeah, I know about them. They don't need rescuing. No. They're happy and free from politics and scrap. ...If Primus wants them back there, why didn't he tell me?

Primus: *you weren't listening...*

Blackout: Shut up, I was too. *startled concern as she looks up* I wasn't?

Primus: *nope*

Blackout: *sighs and puts the mirror away*

Auspex: *She watches, listening to this one-sided exchange with the mirror with a bit of bemused confusion. She sends an absent bewildered query to Primus as his intent is mentioned, then nearly flinches as Blackout addresses him aloud, and rudely... until she realizes it wasn't intentional. With her own sigh, and a rub at the bridge of her nose, she asks Blackout directly, as well* Is everything alright?

Blackout: *looks up at her with doubtful concern that holds much more uncertainty and hesitance than she'll have seen from the Warlady recently, then reluctantly replies* I just hope this won't ruin all the holiday's done for you.

Foresight: *looks over her shoulder and frowns*

Auspex: *She blinks for a moment, sitting back with a frown. She's touched by her friend's sentiment, even as she's alarmed by it. What could have happened...? Still, she's sure of part of her answer at least, whatever the circumstances, and she answers with confidence* The holiday... was to give me time to come more to terms with the loss of access to people, and entire realities, that I have come to love. I've had a little time to tell their stories, to reflect and to mourn... and I've discovered new joys. Though it will take more time to fully learn to appreciate them, that can happen anywhere. Tell me, what happened?

Blackout: *grouchily* There are a couple of Cybertronians living on this world in human form. I'd thought they could live their lives out here in peace, but Primus wants them back to their original reality. Oppy just called to ask me to bring you to them after we've delivered the baby.

Auspex: *Her eyes widen hugely as she takes in this new information, hissing softly as she looks down at her hands in her lap* Oh dear... I see. Give me a moment...
*She takes the time to commune with Primus, asking him why he might wish them to return to where they came from, when she's served so many in the Nexus who'd relocated to a new reality because of strife or prejudice, or simply not belonging there anymore... though taking on the form of a different species is new and strange to her. He essentially cautions her, however, to focus on the task at hand; more will be made clear later on. She makes known her concerns about this, and, a little at a time, he gently soothes them away. It's several minutes before she speaks again*
Alright, then. Primus wishes me to go, and I will go where he sends me, when this task is finished. This is a surprise, but not at all unheard of. *she indulges a moment of dry amusement* I can safely say I've never served someone while in a dream, though.

Blackout: *quiet grumble, which quickly changes to a soft croon as the baby startles and then stretches* Let's just get to the portal.

Auspex: *She frowns with concern, as Blackout seems rather displeased by the whole thing, more so than she is, herself. Perhaps that will be clear later on, as well. She nods quietly in compliance*

Foresight: *suddenly stiffens slightly and looks ahead searchingly* -Aunt, do you feel that? Someone's waiting for us up ahead, but it doesn't feel like a threat.-

Auspex: *She blinks, not entirely surprised Foresight's telepathic abilities extend to organics, but rather that she's sharing what she's sensing, this time, assuming she's been exercising that ability regularly. She concentrates on the road ahead, trying to sort what she can sense now. She "hmm"s in dismay* A... large amount of fear and anxiety... but hope also. The timbre, for lack of a better word, I think is not human? No hostility, at the moment, at least...

Foresight: *nods* -Easier to hear than humans.-

Blackout: *frowning up at Auspex now* What're you talking about?

Auspex: *she blinks, nearly forgetting that Foresight had not spoken aloud. She takes a moment to clarify* There is someone up ahead, though I'm not sure how far. They are alone, but they're emoting quite a bit.
*She also thinks at Foresight* -Ah, I suspect your telepathic abilities work differently than my, uh... "borrowed" empathic ones. I'm unclear how the impressions are different, myself, only that they are.-

Blackout: *glances at Greatshot, who strides ahead*

Boulder: *stops as Blackout absently puts a hand on his nose, then sticks out his tongue*

Blackout: Lick me and lose it.

Boulder: *shakes slightly with mirth as he puts his washer away*

Kup: *comes to stand on the other side of Boulder, hovering protectively near Auspex*

Ruth: *sits behind Boulder and sings about big butts*

Auspex: *She raises an amused eyebrow at the exchange between Blackout and Boulder, even as she watches Greatshot go on ahead. She's more concerned for the stranger than themselves at this point, but it's likely good to be cautious. She spares a glance for Kup as he comes alongside, grateful again for his vigilance*

Kup: *smiles at her, and then looks ahead again*

Boulder: *thinks things over, then rubs his cheek on Blackout instead*

Blackout: *shifts baby to one arm. Elbow the cat. Elbow*

person ahead: *sudden loss of hope that's followed by despair*

Greatshot: *reassuring!*

Foresight: *turns to give her aunt a concerned look*

Tessera: *pops her head up out of the bag to go :o toward the sources of the emotions*

Blackout: *grumbling sigh, and then looks up at Auspex*

Auspex: *The individual and Greatshot are both out of sight at this point, but the emotions are changing. She hisses softly, eyes distant as she concentrates, absently rubbing Tessera's head without looking, as she picks up on it too* The hope is gone, and they are... despairing, about something. Greatshot is trying to encourage them, I think, but I'm not sure it's working...

Blackout: It's a young freneer woman that's budding out of schedule. She sensed us and thought you were a leader of her people because you're made from the same fungus that freneer are. *more quiet grumble* It looks like she'll be coming through the portal to the city with us so that she can try and convince the mycelium guard to make her bud into a person.

Foresight: *deep frown* Why wouldn't they? And how can a child be not a person?

Blackout: *as Greatshot comes into sight with an arm around a slender figure with a bowed head* Freneer biology's weird. So's their culture.

Auspex: *her eyes snap down to Blackout in surprise* Ah... I take it you're in communication with Greatshot somehow? That is useful...
*So, "mushroom" is "fungus", she's learning new terms... and they have a biological element in common with her own current body. But it sounds as though they have little else in common, unless there's more to Dolls than Auspex realizes...* Ah... it sounds a little like building a shell without having a spark...? She's... growing a potential new entity that needs outside help to become one? And she's not confident they will...
*She trails off as the being in question comes into view, along with Greatshot. She looks on with clear sympathy*

freneer woman: *looks to be little more than a girl. Is slenderer than a human, her complexion a pale golden tan colour. Large eyes that dominate a thin face are closed as she accepts Greatshot's assistance, golden tendrils as fine as hair fall past her shoulders to her upper thighs, and flat strips of tissue hang from either side of her head like long ears. Under her simple dress of rough, undyed silk her body bulges*

Greatshot: *looks up as they reach them* Do you mind her riding with you, Auspex? Foresight? She's not making the trip under her own power, even with the portal.

Blackout: You told her to keep her trap shut?

Greatshot: Yeah yeah. *still looking at the servants*

Kup: *such a deep frown as he looks worriedly at the young woman*

Foresight: *looks at her aunt, and then to Greatshot* Has she a name?

Greatshot: *quirks a slight grin* Sybil. *looks back to Auspex* She's from the same mat your flesh came from.

Auspex: *She watches the willowy (young?) woman with interest as she approaches, though she gasps softly at the state her body seems to be in. If she has a standard humanoid build, she seems burdened heavily with a swollen belly. That is budding, then? Putting aside her troubled reaction, she offers the freneer a kind smile* No, of course I don't mind...
*She blinkblinks at the name, taken aback... one of her female creator's names was Sibyl! She darts a glance at Foresight, sure that Hallow would have mentioned their creators and mentors to his students at some point. How curious to find an organic with a similar one!*
*Though, she's not certain of the terminology Greatshot just used* ...Mat? Is that where fungus is grown?

Foresight: *absently nods in response to her aunt's look, her brow still furrowed with concern*

Sybil: *manages to lift her eyelids, exposing pretty eyes that look more like the optics of a Cybertronian than the eyes of most flesh and blood creatures. Very softly and wearily, her voice sounding gently woodwind reedy* It's where the first buds came from, Lady.

Auspex: *She frowns dubiously at how tired Sybil obviously is, though she nods patiently, answering gently* I see. I'm... sorry I'm not who you were expecting me to be. I do hope that we can still help you, somehow...

Sybil: *sweet, though wan smile that shows how truly exhausted she is* He says you can. *tired brows that look tattooed on draw together slightly as she sees the giant cat lay down and the other man scale his side partway and then turn to hold out his arms*

Kup: *ready to help the poor young lady up onto the saddle, his emotions full of pity so strong it's nearly painful. Is too choked to speak, and praying hard*

Foresight: *also leaping down, ready to help*

Ruth: *has stopped singing and is also praying and feeling as though she's crying*

Tessera: *so much sympathy*

Auspex: *She responds softly* Ah, good. I'm glad for that.
*She waits for Boulder to finish moving, before she scoots to the front of the platform, leaning forward to help however she can. She reaches out to gently grip Kup's shoulder with one hand, struck by the intensity of his compassion; the other, she holds out to Sybil*

Sybil: *she tries to help herself be lifted, but the poor thing can barely move. She's so light, though, that it's no trouble at all to lift her aboard the howdah for the three strong people and Auspex*

Blackout: Here. *offers to toss up a spare plaid* Wrap this around her.

Auspex: *She's aware her contribution is more symbolic than anything, but she takes the young freneer's hand to steady her, and (giving Kup's shoulder a thankful squeeze before withdrawing it) wraps the other hand around Sybil's shoulders once she's up, carefully guiding her to sit facing sideways (so Auspex can engage her better) at the front of the platform, as she relocates herself more towards the back on the opposite side*
*she reaches for the fabric as Blackout offers it, unfolding it to carefully drape around the woman's shoulders, tugging the front gently around her body and tucking it in loosely* Is that at all comfortable, I hope...?

Foresight: *as Sybil nods wearily and Kup very gently lovebombs Auspex, she's up on the saddle, helping with the tucking to make sure that the pregnant lady is fully wrapped in the warm, slightly scratchy wool. Stands back then to see how her aunt is feeling and if anything else needs to be done*

Sybil: *quiet buzz of a sigh. And then, as though moving on autopilot, she lays down with her head on Auspex's lap and goes limp. Fright and worry and weariness vanish, and instead she feels of comfort and rest*

Foresight: *startled by how fast the organic girl went to sleep, she scans her face with her eyes, wings half spread*

Blackout: *doesn't snark. Instead she kicks Ruth*

Auspex: *The heaviness of Sybil's emotions in her exhaustion are the focus of her attention (though one might glimpse a faint, absent thread of joy in her aspect for a moment, by way of Kup's affection), and her eyes widen as the freneer unexpectedly utilizes her position to very quickly lose consciousness, and Auspex finds her lap once again partially occupied* Oh dear. She must have been barely awake... *she reaches out hesitantly, before carefully resting a hand on the fine, hairlike tendrils of the young woman's head. She takes a fold of the fabric Sybil is swathed in with the other, and holds it above her head to shield her from the continuing drizzle* I would be surprised that she is comfortable enough to lay like this... but I suppose something about the fungus, makes me feel safe to her, somehow?

Blackout: *as Boulder carefully rises to his feet* She's barely old enough to be an adult, and in the state she's in a child's instinct to stay close to family probably manifests without her realizing it. And freneer are warm people, except their fraggin' guards. *looks down at the baby and sees him nomming a fist and looking up at her with wide eyes. Snorts and boots Boulder in the hock by way of telling him to carry on, then pulls a mesh shopping bag out of her belt pouch. Inserts baby into this, and then puts her arms in the straps so that the little Aliat is hanging against her chest, where he wiggles a bit to get comfortable, then snuggles and resumes fist nomming. Snorts at this, and then bounds up to do her cling to the side of the howdah stunt so that she can speak more easily to Auspex*

Foresight: *decides to walk, and see if she can get to know the calico cat that is rolling around on the forest floor and murmuring in a strange soft language*

Auspex: *She loosely holds on to the girl as Boulder changes position, before absently watching the business of getting the baby secure and comfortable while leaving Blackout's hands free, as she mulls over the information with a concerned frown* How... does a freneer normally end up in this condition? It's usually scheduled somehow? What would have caused this to happen to her apart from that, then?

Blackout: Some chemical or other triggers it. It's so secret that I can't even find what it is on the multinet. It's supposed to be something that doesn't happen naturally, so I have no idea what could have caused her... *pulls out the mirror and swipes at it, then holds it close to her face and murmurs to it. Brings it back and frowns at the screen, then lifts her eyebrows with pitying surprise* The kid's already practically an outcast according to those *deleted* guards. She was born out of schedule, and is the first sentient bud from a mat in a few hundred years.

Auspex: *Her brow knits with bafflement as she looks down at the deeply sleeping girl* Would that not mean that the individual who budded her was also off-schedule, or am I misunderstanding? If this isn't even supposed to be possible, that is quite the mystery... and a very hurtful one.
I take it you don't think very highly of these guards, for a reason...

Blackout: *looks up to give her friend a fierce look* They're controlling, over conscientious idiots. *then softens and looks down at Sybil, her anger and disgust changing again to pity that's now accompanied by possessive protectiveness* A dog dropped a bud slated for food on the mycelium. Nearly half the guards wanted to kill her before she woke up.

Auspex: *she "hmm"s thoughtfully* It certainly appears so, if their people have no procreative freedom...
Buds are for eating, also? How strange... and if they are so protective of this mat, one wonders how it went so very awry.
*She hesitates before voicing her next question* What... convinced them to allow her existence?

Blackout: *snort* The minority still feels that killing anything is wrong. So she got sent out here to a fruit orchard in bucksnort nowhere instead.

Auspex: Hmm... at least it must be a vocal minority, then...
*She gingerly pats Sybil's head as she contemplates the pleasant, if rather alien, face in her lap* And now she needs to ask these same guards to do something about her condition? Or does she need to... finish whatever process she's going through first?

Blackout: She's hoping to convince them to let her bud become a person. *fist clenches and then loosens* She hasn't got a chance, but the kid'll be alright if I have to beat the help out of one of the Guardian Fae.

Auspex: Yes... but... I assume the bud comes directly from her body, somehow, judging by her condition. I know mammals carry their children in such a way for awhile... is it like that? Must the guards alleviate her condition for her, or does it happen on its own? If they will not, can we get her to someone who can, such as the Guardian Fae? *She frowns unhappily*

Blackout: It'll be separating from her soon, automatically. *points to Sybil's belly* That's it there. Without the sentience stuff, it'll just stay a round lump of fungus flesh like yours. And yeah. *fierce feelings that don't show except for the light in her dark eyes* We can get her to someone that can help just as soon as we finish this mission.

Auspex: *she sighs lightly* Alright, then. I am relieved we don't need to rely on them to help her separate from her bud... and that we will have alternate means to... supply it with sentience, somehow, if the guardians of the... *she hesitates, trying out the strange word* mycelium?... are as stubborn as usual. I take it the bud can wait for awhile, once it is gone from her?

Blackout: *nods, scowling now, but then perks as Greatshot, who is walking ahead, turns to wave* The portal's ready.

Ruth: *plunks her butt down to guard the rear as Boulder walks past her, looking up and explaining quietly to Foresight that they don't want somebody to see the door*

Foresight: *listens, then nods and looks around*

Kup: *looks around too, a fully alert security guard on duty*

Auspex: *She glances up from watching over Sybil to regard Blackout for a moment, sorry for the emotions the conversation provoked, though she knows it's not her fault for them. Auspex is not angry at the freneer for seeming unreasonable, herself, but she is disappointed. Still... at least they can be circumvented, if Blackout has anything to say about it*
Ah? *her gaze shifts around expectantly* I assume it's hidden somehow...?

Blackout: Nope. *points to a faint shimmer in the air ahead of them* Right on schedule, even with all the interruptions.
*turns her head* Ruth, you go through last.

Ruth: ...Door gonna shut in kitteh face, right?

Blackout: It's not like we'd get rid of you if it does.

Ruth: Thrrrpt. *squeaks as Foresight cuffs her gently*

Auspex: Oh. It only appears at certain times, then? *she winces internally at the byplay, but shows no outward reaction*

Blackout: Oppy set it up to appear. *nods to Greatshot, who turns and cautiously vanishes through the shimmer* Alright. It's safe.

Boulder: Hrrrrmblle... *lifts his head to sniff, but steps through, bringing his passengers with him*

Auspex: *She nods absently, peering at the vague shimmer with detached interest (she's had quite a bit of experience going through portals, after all), eyebrows raising as Greatshot leads the way through and disappears (she hasn't had as much experience watching others go through them)*


continued here


((Co-written with primus_seeress))