Strange Lands, Strange Journeys, Part 4

[primus_seeress]

((Part 4 - Auspex learns about Kup's past, there are some unexpected hostilities, and the party collects the objective to be transported.))

((Continued from here))

Greatshot: *lets go of Scorponok's ear and follows the cat*

Kup: *here he comes too, while staying away from that edge*

Auspex: Thank you, lady... *she answers the troll instinctively, though she's distracted by the scenery again as Boulder moves forward - the new bell is rather pleasant to hear, which she appreciates. She eyes the others on foot speculatively - at least there doesn't seem to be much danger of falling; the bridge is wide. She can't see all of what's down there from this vantage point yet, but it is a rather long bridge...*

Blackout: *quietly* What've you learnt about the kid?

Auspex: *still watching everything with slightly wary interest, she's somewhat distracted still* Hmm? *her reaction is a bit delayed as she finally turns her head to glance back at Blackout* Ah, who...?

Blackout: *crooks a thumb at the Kup who is walking along with his stick in one hand and a handful of still attached grune fur in the other*

Auspex: Oh... *she turns a little to the side again, so she can talk to her friend without twisting her neck so much. Her voice is subdued as she struggles a bit to answer* Well... ah. What, specifically? In this dream, or altogether? I've... not known him terribly long, really.

Blackout: Altogether. I saw how you looked at him at the campsite, and then just now when Tessera said the bleepwords.

Auspex: Ah. *she reflects silently for a moment, and decides to start at the beginning of her experience with him* Well... I have seen some... unusual behavior from him. When I first awoke, he was not in the sanctuary, which Theodicy found unusual. When he did return, and I met him for the first time, he was... feeling quite a bit of guilt, though I could not pinpoint what it was - there were quite a few other things I was sensing from him, and it can be difficult to detangle that sort of complexity. He... perhaps seems to hesitate that what he feels is right, and blame himself for things that could not be his fault.

Blackout: *brow quirk as the wind from the chasm blows her short hair* And?

Auspex: *blinks in distraction as a few tiny strands of hair come loose from her braid in the same wind; she brushes them away with slight annoyance* Ah... and, I don't understand why he seems to frequently second-guess himself. I am unsure what you might know about him, aside from his existence and his current function; Primus told me he is an Exile who died in his own reality, and that he worked with Vector Prime's people for a time. He had... very few emotional ties in his native world. I... have had a previous dream in which I spoke to him, and he'd said he worked in espionage... it was not for a lack of wanting bonds, apparently, if the dream is to be believed - as I said, I do take them rather seriously.

Blackout: *quiet exasperation as she looks toward the young man, who is inhaling the moving air with curious interest as he takes in the scents it brings* I know all about him. It's not hard to do in the Backwater.

Auspex: *she nods slowly* I thought you might... the more I hear about your Nexus, the more I realize that you have access to astounding resources and knowledge. *and that's a bit of an overwhelming thought - the temptation of learning so much would be distracting for her. Even now, on a small scale, she's tempted to discover what her friend might know about Kup that she has yet to learn. Shaking her head at her wandering thoughts, she continues* So, the guilt, the mysterious emotions, the hesitation... and he seems to be very concerned of his place. I tried to give him a gift that he refused to take until I physically put it in his hand. This dream is the first time I have seen him this... uninhibited, I suppose. But still, it persists in other small ways, even here. It... hurts to see it, honestly.

Blackout: To start with, he never should have been recruited for espionage. He's a security unit. That's a big part of the self doubt. For another, his mentor had stupid aft ideas about rank and class. But he might have made it alright anyway if this one skidplate at the place where he worked security for a cover hadn't decided that Kup was getting favourite treatment because of the absences he had to make for his other job. Rust for brains started telling stories, and there wasn't anything Kup could say to refute what he was spreading. So no friends.
*looks down to make sure Kup's still busy, then checks on the others before turning back to Auspex*
The skidplate started getting abusive, and Kup couldn't risk catching the eyes of the authorities, so he took it.
*quiet burn of protective anger*
That went on for years. And then one day the glitch managed to set himself on fire.

Auspex: *she listens carefully, frowning in slight confusion at first - she'd been told that security was his function (and that is obvious, that's why he's serving in that capacity in her sanctuary!), and she had wondered about the disparity, but attributed that to simply not knowing anything about espionage. He'd been put in the wrong position in the first place..?*
*She listens to the rest with an ever-deepening frown. There is the concept of hierarchy being important at all; even if it was where he'd been, it isn't anymore...! She hisses softly at the idea of someone spreading unfair rumors about him... she knows him well enough already to imagine how much that might hurt him... and apparently, it got even worse*
*...and, moreover, for a long time. Her expression grows more distressed...*

Blackout: *reaches one foot to boot her gently in support, hiding the gesture from the mech they're discussing. Quietly* The donkey engine caught the whole room on fire with his running around like a blind petrorabbit. The fire was so hot and he was such a glitch that no one wanted to go in after him. But then Kup arrived to see what the commotion was. *presses her lips together as her emotions surge and she chokes up* He got the skidplate out. But he left the room by the longest road.

Auspex: *she'd likely not find that gesture to be of terribly much comfort from anyone else... but she appreciates the thought all the same. Her eyes widen with horror at the severity of the situation, and that the mech was so terrible that no one was willing to help him... except for...* Oh no. *she breathes the words, tears in her eyes, and she bows her head, grieving for his noble spark... it's at least a small consolation, that he's here now, safe and whole... in body, at least*
*But how unfair his death had been... and how proud she is of him, for saving the mech he had every right to hold a grudge against, for making his already unhappy situation that much worse! She aches for him, and for what all that hurt has apparently done to his emotions... she knows Theodicy worked with him on nightmares (no wonder!), but he likely doesn't know all of this...*

Blackout: *looks over the side of the howdah, then leaps over the opposite rail as Kup comes swarming up the side of the grune to crouch by Auspex and pull her into his arms*

Kup: Lady, Lady, I'm right here. *hug, comfort, love* I'm alright. *voice catch* Don't cry.

Auspex: *Oh. Her eyes widen in shock as Blackout abruptly vacates the platform, and Kup is just suddenly there... again, he's picked up on her feelings when she hadn't voiced them. She knows there is no way he could have inferred them, and specifically about him, without something very out of the ordinary happening - either because of Fae energy, because of this world, or simply the fundamental nature of dreams. If he can sense her emotions here, that does, maybe, explain a few things about his openness... and maybe she should be guarding her feelings more carefully, if it causes him to react this way...*
No, no... I'm not... *She takes a deep, shuddering breath as she leans in close, wrapping her arms around him, and nestles her head under his chin* But... ah... *she glances down to see where Blackout has ended up - she's gone on ahead and is conversing with Foresight. It seems she's allowing her time to talk to Kup... and she's tremendously grateful. Now, if she can just find the words...*

Kup: *slowly lowers himself to his bum so that Auspex doesn't have to reach. Quietly, his voice soft with concern and affection* You're upset. Did I do something?

Auspex: *she shifts aside to allow him room to sit, before maneuvering to face him completely, close enough to press against a knee. She takes both of his hands in hers, drawing them up to clasp them close to her. Bowing her head over them, she contemplates them quietly, caressing his knuckles with her thumb*
*She shakes her head vehemently without looking up, tears prickling her eyes once more as he... questions himself again* No, nothing you've done... it's what's been done to you. This... might likely upset you, but...
*she sighs, pausing another long moment before she lifts her head to meet his gaze, and the deep concern there is clearly visible - the rest that he might sense is very complex* I, ah... *she steels herself, but her voice is whisper-quiet* ...Blackout told me how you died.

Kup: *gently squeezes her hands, then feels of confusion and concern as she shakes her head so hard. Then he holds his breath as she pauses, only to stiffen and flame with chagrin, mortification, and shame* I... what... why? *so strongly is he feeling these emotions that he's fighting back tears of his own now*

Auspex: *She hisses sharply, reacting viscerally to his emotions as they come to her. She lets go of his hands, surging forward on her knees to gently cradle his face in her hands, with more adamant head-shaking. It hurts to watch this!* No... Stop that, please. I can't stand you being ashamed of what you have no control over. And you have no idea how proud of you I am! How many I have counseled, and how few would even approach your bravery and your kindness and your inner strength for doing what you did! *she huffs a watery, humorless chuckle* How can you call pulling someone from certain death when no one else would clumsy??

Kup: *stares at her, his eyes wide and glistening with tears as his emotions flipflop and whirl. Tries to speak, gulps, and then finally gets the husky words out* But I got myself killed.

Auspex: *she stares back for a moment, before she sighs, deflating slightly, and nestles closer to loop her arms around his neck. She reaches up slightly to run fingers softly through his hair as she murmurs soothingly* But, you gave someone else their life... someone who made yours utterly miserable. There are so many who would have been tempted to let him suffer, and might even have taken pleasure in it. It is not right, but it is a base sentient instinct. And you chose to do what is right.

Kup: *confusion and wonder are followed by doubt*

Tessera: NO. Auspex tell truth!

Kup: Yiiiiiii! *just about propelled himself, Auspex, and Tessera right off their seat*

Auspex: *She doesn't expect him to accept it all at once. She can't just demand he see reason and have it happen. But she can hold him, and she can tell him and show him how much she believes in him. Perhaps, someday, it will be enough*
*But she's forgotten Tessera. She's been so quiet since she made herself at home in the pouch around Auspex's neck, other than the usual constant barrage of happy emotion... until, apparently, she can't stand Kup's balking anymore, either. The chiproach/tiktok's outburst prompts a startled yelp from the servant as well, gritting her teeth as she clings to Kup and attempts to stay put and not pitch over the side of the platform somewhere. After a moment of quivering and generally recollecting her wits, she withdraws a shaky hand from the embrace, to pat Tessera's head* Yes. Indeed.
Kup, please... *her free hand returns to his face, to carefully smooth his cheek* If there is any way I can make you see how wonderful and selfless you are, and... worthy of the title of Hero that Primus and those that matter bestowed on you... as long as it takes, I will try. *her smile is as sweetly earnest as it is poignant, and she means it*

Kup: *gasping for breath after the shock of that sudden empathetic comment, he gives her a long look that is wide-eyed and blank before suddenly crumpling as his eyes squeeze shut and the tears, undammed, gush forth*

Auspex: Kup... *she makes a soft, mournful sound of dismay as he slumps, delicately sliding the hand on his face back around his head, to guide it to rest in the crook of her neck and shoulder; the other arm coaxes the rest of him to lean against her, after taking a moment to carefully nudge Tessera's pouch out of the way. She strokes his hair, planting a kiss on his temple as she speaks gently*
I'm sorry... I'm so sorry you had to go through that, and for so long...

Kup: *his only reply is a quiet, strangled cry that sounds as though it were ripped out of him. Paramount in the churning storm of emotion that is buffeting him are bewilderment aimed at his reaction, the struggle to believe, a crying out to anyone who can hear and help him...*

Boulder: Mow. Mow. Mow. *must cry. So sympathy. Ow sad*

Auspex: *There are tears in her own eyes that she's trying her utmost to keep in check as she holds him close, continuing to kiss his face and run her fingers through his hair. She attempts to encourage him in low tones, though she's struggling not to choke on her words* Kup, you've needed this, needed to grieve... You were not where you belonged. Primus himself placed you where you are now, and he and I will never let anyone move you unless you wish it...

Kup: *shudders and gasps, then sobs hard enough to shake both of them and make Boulder's crying sound funny. More stormy weeping is followed by another gasp that sounds like, "Stiff upper lip."*

Auspex: *She hisses softly in response, gently nuzzling him* You can't do that forever... it's not sustainable; this is what happens when you wait too long. Please try this for me. Please don't keep these things to yourself anymore. Please allow yourself to feel what you need to feel...

Kup: *denial flames briefly, but is washed away as the storm surges. Grief, frustration, loneliness, and futility rise up and wash out*

Auspex: *She can't keep her own tears back anymore, and lifts the hand not cradling his head to brush them away. She tenses for a moment as that denial of his flares up again, but then it's gone again, and she presses another kiss to his cheek, murmuring affirmations* This is good, this is healthy, this is nothing to feel shame for. I will always be here for you, as will Theodicy, and your new friends, and you are understood and loved...

Kup: *just made Greatshot cringe and fall back a couple metres with that wail, and scared Blackout a little*

Boulder: *this is the emotion that accompanies a fur poof*

Foresight: *quiet prayer*

Auspex: *she cringes a bit herself, before she gently lifts Kup's head with a hand to his jaw, so she can press her forehead against his, squeezing her eyes shut as a few more tears of her own escape* You are so strong, and you've endured for so long... and I am so joyful that you are here with us now. I hope you know that...

Kup: *gasps at the forehead touch, and then his arms come up and he's crushing her to him, clinging as if to a lifeline. Old rejection wells up and is washed away on the river of tears, hurt and repressed longing, and the feeling of never being good enough*

Auspex: *Her eyes widen in momentary surprise, but she hugs him tenaciously in return, feeling all the love and acceptance and esteem she can, knowing now that he will sense it, here. Her joy adds to the swell of emotions as Kup silently answers with gratitude and tenderness, moving to kiss her; she leans in to return it, lingering with heartfelt warmth, before withdrawing enough to lay her head against his, as she's slightly overwhelmed by the shared sentiment* Please believe that you will always be enough, for your function and for those you love...

Kup: *eyes closed as he holds her and rocks, his emotions steadying. They don't cling to Auspex's, but they resound with grateful love and deep affection, and also support and acceptance for what she is too shy to speak aloud. With all the hurt inside him, he isn't needy, his heart is bent, but not broken. He's still not fully able to believe what she's been telling him, but the self condemnation is gone*

Auspex: *She sighs softly, sensing the change in his aspect, as he finally begins to calm. Relaxing a bit, her hands trail to his shoulders, and as she's struck by a trace of whimsy, she briefly kisses his nose* Thank you...

Kup: *blink, blush, grin* For wha...? *breaks off, his head jerking upward as something screeches* OH HOLEY SCRAP! *and he's gone, diving over the back of the howdah to football tackle Scorponok into the bushes as a large creature hurtles over the place the little equine had been with only inches to spare between the beast and the pavement*

Auspex: *her smile is slow and warm; she's so thankful that he trusted her (and the others, second-handedly, Foresight especially) with those emotions. Before she can open her mouth to say so, however, the air is shattered by a screech, and Kup reacts with practiced reflexes. A large something swoops nearby with a rush of wind, and she picks up on a surge of protective anger from her friends - she scrabbles to the edge of the platform to look over with huge eyes, urgently trying to see if everyone is safe... what was that??*

Foresight: BOULDER, PROTECT THE LADY!

Boulder: *barks a clear reply and then swiftly drops and crawls under the shelter of a large weeping willow that's growing a few feet from the road, twisting, a big handpaw comes up and back, and Auspex is removed from the howdah and settled into the crook of the grune's foreleg as he peers through the branch whips. From their cover, Auspex has a clear view of what is happening back on the road*

Auspex: *She flattens herself on the platform as Boulder dashes away into the trees, squeaking and clinging to his foreleg as he sits up and sweeps her close to his chest. She clings to handfuls of fur, horrified and tense as she gets a good look at the creature that swooped in a moment ago... it looks fierce, and it's angry...*

griffin: *creature as big as a horse and covered by a blend of feathers and fur in tawny and chestnut screeches again as it dives at the bushes, only to make a shocked mewling sound as a white-clad fury leaps at it with outspread wings*

Foresight: *beats the monster on the head with... well, it's a cluebat... then leaps away out of its reach as it strikes back*

Auspex: *She can't help but cry out as Foresight - her construct! - dives in and gives it a mighty whack in the head with some kind of bat, and it narrowly misses her as it retaliates with claws...* Boulder... I can hide if you need to help...??

Boulder: *looks down at her and huffs quietly with amusement, his emotions reassuring and confident, before turning his attention back to the battle as Blackout and Greatshot arrive, the former swinging her sword like a propeller as she gives a screech of her own and the latter holding his massive claymore with both hands as he circles and grins*

griffin: *lashes out with terrifying claws, then strikes like a snake with that gleaming curved beak*

Blackout: *dances aside with a mocking laugh*

Greatshot: *belts the griffin in the rear with the flat of his blade, seeing if the threat can't be driven off*

Auspex: *She clings harder to the giant cat, nestled up on his curled-up foreleg as he half-sits, gritting her teeth as she watches. They're all experienced fighters, she knows that intellectually... but she feels so utterly useless in this. She reaches out her senses to Primus, holding on to him resolutely as she prays for her companions' safety. He can't affect the griffin, but he can watch over his children, and she can sense if something goes wrong that someone else might miss...*

Boulder: *coughing roar as a second griffin, this one much larger and sporting a mane, hurtles from the sky toward Blackout. Then he looks down quickly as a squeak heralds Kup and Scorponok's surreptitious arrival under the willow tree. Urgent talking as his emotions flare up with what's clearly the urge for Kup to go out or let him go out*

Kup: *stands and looks back at the fight as Scorponok shakes and comes to stand by Boulder, then frowns and turns his attention to Boulder before glancing at Auspex* Can you understand him, Lady?

Auspex: *she groans in dismay as another creature bursts on the scene, but blinks and glances down as the other two arrive. She frowns at the question, attempting to sort Boulder's emotions as he vocalizes* Ah... he feels that one of you should go help, either him or you... I'll... be all right, I think, if you're both needed. I... take it Scorponok is not in a form well-suited against these opponents. Just... whoever goes... be careful.

Scorponok: *looks up* No. Only cute and fuzzy today.

Kup: *hesitates as Boulder moves to gently set Auspex on the ground, not wanting to leave her when it's possible she might be in danger*

Auspex: Ah... *she holds still as Boulder lowers his front half down again, stepping out of the crook of his foreleg as he straightens it. Once she's on her feet, she pats him thankfully and steps out of his way. She sidles over to Kup and Scorponok, giving the latter a tentative pat of his own in sympathy*

Scorponok: *kissies her fingers, then looks up watchfully as Boulder removes the howdah and leaves the shelter of the willow tree before returning to the road with a bound and a roar that makes the ground vibrate very faintly* ...Wow.

Auspex: *She blinks, not expecting the affection from Scorponok, but she smiles hesitantly in response. She glances up as well, belatedly wondering if she should help with Boulder's harness, but it's already off and the great cat is bounding away before her eyes finish widening in response. 'Wow', yes*

Kup: *anxious look, asking her if she'll be alright or if she needs him to stay* He probably put you here because it's safe...

Auspex: *She reaches to give Kup's hand a quick squeeze* I think so. It will not be the first time I've been on-site during combat... I'll stay out of sight and out of reach. Don't worry about me.

Kup: *quietly* It's hard not to. *quick peck, and then he's brandishing his shillelagh as he bellows at a third griffin that is in the act of reaching to strike at Blackout's back as she and Greatshot fight the first beast*

Boulder: *locked in a whirling, cuffing snarling battle with the largest griffin, who is flaming with territorial hate*

fourth griffin: *nearly as large as the maned one, it now hurtles into sight aiming right at Foresight where she stands and watches for an opening*

Auspex: *She sighs softly in response to Kup; she feels the same way, especially right now. She watches as he goes, cringing as yet more of the large angry creatures arrive... this is territorial?? How does anyone travel this road with these beasts living here? She steps backwards a bit, cautiously laying a hand on Scorponok's spine for hopefully mutual moral support - though for very different reasons. She resumes praying*

Foresight: *hand whips up, and there's a rush of sound as something shoves the eaglecat back the way it came!*

Scorponok: *anxious and restless, but as he looks up at Auspex he sparks with excitement* Good fight!

Auspex: *She makes a surprised sound, blinking owlishly as another of Foresight's abilities makes itself known - Jetstorm could still the wind, while she seems to be creating it - but it is most definitely related. A sad smile graces her features for a fraction of a second, before it's gone again*
Ah... *she scritches the pony carefully* It's... certainly a fight, yes, and it appears to be going well...

Scorponok: *he leans reassuringly against Auspex, then lashes his ears back and makes an approving sound as Boulder locks with his antagonist*

Boulder: *snarls and crushes the spitting, screeching alpha against his chest, then tosses it down and pounds it repeatedly in the head with one fisted sledgehammer of a paw*

Blackout: *punches her griffin in the face, then screeches and kicks it in the gut*

Foresight: *with the wind shoves her opponent and whirls it around as it screeches and shrieks, then her other hand goes up too and there is a resounding bang as something shoots from the sky and strikes the suspended griffin, causing feathers to fly in all directions*

Auspex: *She twinges with anxiety at the brutality of it all, but the creatures are furious and savage, and her friends are responding as they must. Foresight is proving to be every bit as powerful as her co-creator, as wind manipulates her opponent, and brings lightning-charged clouds that she causes to strike it. Auspex watches in wide-eyed, awed silence*

Scorponok: *uncertain little wiffle sound, then a reassuring tug on her skirt with his lips. Is worried about Blackout and Blackout's mate, but also confident that they will be able to nullify the threat*

Kup: *yells as he dodges and parries his creature's attacks, then whoops as a wind whooshes over his shoulder and knocks the creature into an oak tree that barely moves with the impact*

Auspex: *She looks over at Scorponok at the sound, offering another pat* I'm just glad they've had experience with their current forms. *She's more concerned about Kup and Foresight...*
*...but they seem to be holding their own, Foresight especially. Her tension eases very slightly as another native creature is knocked away, even if it's only temporary*

Boulder: *picks up the now limp form of the alpha and then does a quick visual check on Auspex before turning his back so that she can't see the griffin. A cracking sound follows, and then he roars and hurls the dead body at the next largest griffin*

Auspex: *she backs away a few more steps to press against the trunk of the willow as she catches sight of Boulder collecting the unconscious one, glancing directly at her first. Sensing his intent, she turns away, bracing herself. Auspex shudders at the sound with a little squeak, staying put, eyes clenched shut. She reaches up to cradle Tessera's little pouch, taking comfort in the steady murmur of happy emotion the little one is feeling even as she hides and prays*

Scorponok: *dismay as he sees Blackout's friend hiding, and presses against her reassuringly as he makes small sounds*

Auspex: *her voice is soft as she reaches out to scritch Scorponok's mane* Thank you. I'm... not built for combat, or for dealing with the aftermath very well, either, I'm afraid.

Scorponok: *expression says he has NOOOOO clue what you're talking about, but that he will love on you anyway*

Auspex: *She sighs softly, seeing she's lost him - he has no context, and it wouldn't be the first time she's confused someone with too many words. But she appreciates his willingness to be sympathetic, especially considering his nature. She smiles at him weakly, with another pat of gratitude. Still not turning around, she listens for sounds of fighting: is it over yet?*

strong arms: *go around Auspex and squish her gently but firmly. They're too dark to be Kup's. The arms are accompanied by firm affection, assurance, and concern*

Auspex: *she reaches up to gratefully pat the arms, recognizing them as Blackout's. She turns slightly to look up at her friend, questioning her in a subdued tone, expression drawn, but hopeful* ...are they gone, then?

Blackout: *voice low and gruffly comforting* The survivors've all run off. Boulder's hauled the leftovers away and gone to check the den for any more of them. I think Kup's losing his scrap though.

Tessera: Oh holey scrap! :D

Auspex: *she grimaces at the thought of a body - but that's quickly derailed by the mention of Kup and his state. She quickly turns fully around to blink at Blackout with a wide-eyed stare, absently patting Tessera's head without looking* What...? What's wrong...?

Blackout: I haven't been near him, so I've got no idea. But he's not injured. He just came over stupid, and when Greatshot offered him something to get his blood sugar up he nearly purged.

Foresight: *feeling of calm concern and desire to comfort*

Kup: *no no, do not want, I'm okay. Wooooah*

Auspex: *She gulps nervously, feeling very much out of her league. She fervently hopes Blackout will have a better idea when she gets a closer look at him; she is the one who has experience with organic metabolism and bodily functions...*
Ah... everyone else is alright, then, otherwise...? *Foresight's aspect seems well enough, though Kup's strikes her as rather... vague. She begins to step out from under the willow, edging around Blackout, with another thankful but somewhat distracted pat to her arm*

Blackout: Yeah. *supporting arm as she accompanies her friend back to the road, and then a quick grab as Kup nearly takes a faceplant to the paving stones*

Kup: *had been doubled over with his hands on his thighs, but now he's being settled to his bum on the road by Blackout and Greatshot's grips on his arms* I'm sorry. ...Sorry.

Blackout: *lets go of him as Greatshot moves behind him to help him stay up, then puts her hand into her pouch and pulls out a small drink pouch. Rips the tip off the spout on this and presses said spout into Kup's mouth* You drink this now.

Auspex: *She approaches quietly, grazing fingertips on Kup's shoulder worriedly. Her brow furrows as Blackout offers him something, her friend's gruff demeanor causing the servant to frown slightly, though she doesn't otherwise comment. She focuses on what Blackout's attempting to... persuade Kup to ingest* What is it...? Do you know what's wrong?

Blackout: *has had a better look at Kup now* Exhaustion. He used more energy than he had. He'll be alright after he fuels and rests. *feels a bit impatient with the young man, but her hands are gentle as she holds the drink pouch while he slowly sucks in the contents*

Auspex: *She carefully lowers herself into a crouch beside Kup, reaching up to gently rub his shoulder. She can sense Blackout's slight exasperation, but she's grateful for how much patience she is exhibiting in this. She winces slightly as she recalls the moments before the creatures' attack. Her voice is softly regretful* Ah. Well... the um... emotional upheaval can't have helped with that...

Foresight: *turns as Boulder huffs quietly* Have you finished checking the den... wait... Oh dear. They left an infant behind?

Boulder: *more huff, and then a tiny griffin with closed eyes and a coat of pure fluff gets tucked into Kup's arms*

Kup: *blink blink, hug the tiny. Try to drink more and look confused when nothing happens*

Blackout: Get your thing back on. He won't be able to walk. Auspex can tend him as we travel.

Boulder: *nods and goes to where he left the howdah, Foresight and Greatshot following as Blackout moves to support Kup instead*

Auspex: *She gasps softly as Boulder drops a baby... whatever those things were into Kup's grasp. She watches it with hugely wide eyes* It... the, er, mother won't come back for it...? *She'd rather not go through... anything like this again very soon*

Boulder: *terse talky as he comes back with cinches still being tightened, his feelings holding finality and indignant disgust*

Foresight: She's left it. She took her last grown daughter and is making her way back to her natural range. *absent nose rub as she finishes with her cinch and turns a questioning frown to Blackout*

Auspex: *she gives first Boulder, then Foresight a worried glance, and senses the assurance behind the younger woman's words* You... saw this? *she turns back to gaze sadly at her exhausted bodyguard and his... sudden fuzzy companion* Oh dear.

Blackout: We can leave it with Gavin. It'll make him feel better about giving up his.

Auspex: *She frowns up at Blackout, eyebrows raising in concern* ...what? That is... something to do with our errand? Er... *Well, they are in the middle of the road at the moment, not getting anywhere like this, and Blackout is impatient as it is. She shakes her head dismissively at her own question* I will find out, I suppose.

Blackout: We're just four miles from the pickup point. Let's get him aboard.

Boulder: *lays down with a floomph that gets a yelp from Greatshot* :3

Foresight: *walks closer, ready to help*

Auspex: *She nods, giving Kup's shoulder a supportive squeeze before standing (mindful of her skirts) and approaching Boulder... eyes widening as the cat flops on Greatshot; but he seems all right, so she makes no comment. She sighs as she looks up at the platform, starting to gather her skirts again as she reaches up to grip one of the bars; she glances at Foresight as she approaches, seeing her intent* Ah... thank you...

Foresight: Let me go up first. Boulder will give you a boost.

Boulder: *huff of agreement*

Auspex: Alright. *she nods, stepping aside for a moment as she continues gathering her skirt and underskirt*

Boulder: *reaches across and back with one big paw hand, the open palm inviting Auspex's foot. Talky sounds as he urges her to step up*

Foresight: Let me get up here, silly. *looks up, thinks about it, and then flaps her wings and jumps*

Auspex: *She squints as Foresight's wings create a strong backdraft, causing Boulder's fur and the bits of loose hair from her braid to billow; she quickly tries to brush them out of her eyes with one hand as she drapes her skirts over the other arm, freeing her legs up somewhere between ankle and knee. She gingerly steps onto Boulder's waiting paw, bracing herself against his side with her free hand; she reaches for the rail of the platform with the other, careful not to let the excess fabric slip off that arm*

Foresight: *reaches to catch Auspex's hands*

Boulder: *gently lifts her up*

Auspex: *she grabs for Foresight's hand with hers that's not wrangling skirts, and manages to get a foot up on Boulder's side. After dumping the bit of excess fabric onto the platform, she takes Foresight's other hand, and much struggling gets her free leg over the railing. With Foresight's support of her arms and upper body, she detangles the other leg and gets it safely on board as well. Another moment or two of maneuvering has her finally seated, and she scoots to the back of the platform as she attempts to get the skirts in order*

Foresight: *hunkers down with her knees up and helps to arrange the skirts* Do you want to hold Kup? I think he's going to be recharging.

Auspex: *She offers the younger servant a grateful smile for the assistance, and nods decisively at the question* I would like that... I think he could use the support. *her smile remains, but is tinged with sad sympathy for Kup*

Blackout: *as she totes the young Barbarian over* It's sleeping, you hick.

Foresight: *whatever* I stand corrected.

Auspex: *she huffs a soft chuckle at the exchange* We are not all yet accustomed to thinking like organics, you know.

Blackout: *snorts and pokes the front end of Kup up for Foresight to grab and haul aboard, then goes back for the baby griffin, which has started a sad soft squeaky mew as it finds itself all alone in the road beside Kup's weapon* Stop crying, you little piece of scrap. Go back to sleep. Stupid little gross bag. What a disgusting lump. *busy scratching tiny ears as she speaks and brings the cub over to Boulder*

Foresight: *looks over quickly from laying Kup with his head in Auspex's lap, her slow temper flaring up in indignation that Blackout would speak in that way to something so helpless*

Auspex: *She's distracted for a moment, arms outstretched to help arrange Kup comfortably on the platform with her, though she's half-listening. She senses Foresight's reaction, and speaks quietly to encourage her* You mustn't take her words to heart - her aspect much more clearly defines what she really feels. Her ideas of endearment can seem... odd, at times.

Kup: *turns his head, blinking* Didn'... I have... fuzzy thing?

Auspex: *she looks down as Kup speaks, lifting a hand to gently stroke his cheek, her other arm draping loosely over his torso* The little one is coming - do you want to continue holding it, then?

Kup: *shuts his eyes and frowns in the effort of thinking, dropping in and out of sleep as he does. Finally* Gotta protect it...

Foresight: *abashed look for Auspex, and then a closer look at Blackout*

Auspex: *She peers down at Kup's exhausted face as she continues to brush her fingers over his cheek, a slow, charmed smile appearing on her own features: of course he would want to protect the helpless creature. Not that it will be terribly effective if he's not conscious, but the idea is there, and she's touched by his kindness all over again* I will help, so you can rest...

Blackout: *kicks Boulder as she reaches him* Get off my husband, so he can stop hitting you.

Boulder: *huffs and lifts his back leg just enough for Greatshot to crawl out. Feels so amused. Also feels sad and concerned for the little baby*

Auspex: *She shakes her head slowly at the antics going on below, though there is amusement in her aspect. She reaches out to briefly pat Boulder's side as she senses his feelings for the infant creature. She feels a bit of anxiety about it herself, but is willing to try taking care of it until they reach their destination*

Foresight: *leans over the railing and accepts the little griffin* What do we call this?

Blackout: *as she hands it up* She's a kitten. Feels like she just hatched.

Foresight: *examines the baby in her arms with curious interest* What are the signs that tell you that?

Blackout: Feel how she's still slightly damp? And how round her gut is? That's the slime from out of the egg, and that bulge is the remnant of her yolk sack. She's got to digest that.

Foresight: *quick look of dismay* Will she mess on Kup?

Blackout: *grunt of disgust* No. She'll need washing before that happens. Bonehead probably knows how. *thumps Boulder*

Boulder: *grunts and washes his paw, still with the amusement and concern and sad, but yes, he feels he'll be able to help baby til they get her to her destination*

Foresight: *nods her understanding, then notices Kup getting restless and leans to give him the newborn animal*

Kup: *sighs with relief, and then wraps the baby in his arms before snuggling Auspex and passing out*

Auspex: *She listens intently as Blackout explains the situation with the kitten, though she doesn't entirely understand the terminology or the process of hatching, or what Boulder needs to do for the creature... but it seems simple enough at the moment: she will watch over Kup, one hand stroking through his hair, as the other rests over his chest, while the baby kitten will stay safe in his arms. She offers him a smile as he falls asleep, though there's a trace of regret for his exhaustion*

Blackout: *reaches up and squeezes Auspex's foot* He'll be alright. Do you want me or the kid up there to talk to you?

Foresight: *protest, bemusement, and slightly exasperated amusement at Blackout as she hops out of the howdah. NOT a baby goat!*

Auspex: *She looks up as she feels Blackout's hand on her foot, and she nods solemnly; she's glad it's only a matter of time and rest, then. She hesitates for a moment at the question* Ah... I'll be all right if either of you would rather walk, but... perhaps you could tell me more about what's happened in the multiverse...?
*There's more to it than that, of course; she's not certain how much she can talk with Foresight without being overtaken by yearning, either to see her brother again, or to tell her offspring that she is. Conversation with Blackout may be... less painful, at this point*

Blackout: Alright. *pat pat for Foresight that leaves the younger woman blinking, and then hoists herself up onto Boulder's neck, patting her backside at a husband hoot along the way. She talks to the big grune, and then looks over her shoulder and takes Kup's shillelagh as Greatshot hands it up. Rests this crosswise in front of her and does a quick check of everyone. Finds out that Scorponok is being quiet because he's gobbling flowers, nods, then turns and looks over her shoulder* Brace yourself while we're getting up.

Auspex: *She blinks as well, though she smiles slightly at the gruff affection Blackout is showing her construct, before nodding at the warning* Ah, yes. *she reaches out to grip the platform railing, holding tight to Kup's shoulders with the other arm as she does, hopefully to minimize the jostling to his person*

Blackout: *turns to face the front* She's ready.

Boulder: *soft huff, and then some gentle rocking as he works to get his legs under him, followed by a smooth rising of both ends at once*

Auspex: *She holds herself and Kup steady, though, as before, Boulder keeps the jostling to a minimum, and it's a relatively smooth transition. Once he's on his feet again, Auspex relaxes her grip across Kup's shoulders, and returns her free hand to his head, carding her fingers somewhat absently through his hair as she curiously peers at the animal in his arms* What kind of creature is she? I'm not sure you've said.

Blackout: *slightly surprised look as she turns to ride side seat* The kitten? It's a griffin baby.

Boulder: *settles into his easy walk, singing under his breath as his bell chimes sweetly*

Scorponok: *ack! Hurries to catch up as he realizes everyone is now a few metres down the road*

Greatshot: *laughs at him, then walks ahead to talk to Foresight*

Auspex: *she 'hmm's thoughtfully as she studies the quietly sleeping baby. She'd never guess it was birthed by something that fierce* I see. They were certainly very aggressive... I take it they were not expected to be there.

Blackout: *snort* No. This isn't their usual range. That first one went after Scorponok because horse is their favourite meal. Then the big male got territorial.

Scorponok: Thrrpt! Thrrpt! Thrrpt!

Blackout: *amused and disgusted* That better have come from your mouth.

Auspex: *Her expression is very much on the horrified end of things* It was hunting? I didn't see why Kup dived over so fast... oh dear.

Blackout: *protective anger* Yeah. They're something like Boulder.

Boulder: *eats a slug*

Auspex: *she blinks again as Boulder resumes eating the landscape. Her tone is troubled* With the exception that they don't seem to find it worth bothering to know if their food is sapient... I'm glad no one was hurt.

Blackout: They aren't sentient themselves. *reaches up with the stick to bat a bunch of grapes off an overhanging vine so that it falls in front of the great grune. Watches it get vacuumed up, then looks back to Auspex* Hormah's got an alternate.

Auspex: Ahh. I thought perhaps they were, since the mother made the decision to leave the little one...
*And that train of thought is suddenly derailed by Blackout's next statement. She gives her friend a wide-eyed look* What?? How? Doesn't that mean... there is an alternate of you, and Iceberg, also...?

Blackout: The kitten wasn't hatched when the mother saw it last. She probably forgot all about it. *and then she snorts with laughter* I've got a lot of alternates, and so does he.

Auspex: *She blinks thoughtfully - she knows so little about maternal instinct in organics. She decides to let it be*
Ah, that is not hard to believe; that's not what surprises me. It's just... two mechs from different universes encountering the circumstances that might result in offspring is remarkable enough... but two alternates of those mechs meeting, and also in such circumstances?? The odds of that are probably astronomically low! Do you know how it happened? Did you meet her?

Blackout: I've met my alternate. She's an organic creature called a dragon, though she usually wears human form. Iceberg was a different kind of organic called a dwarf... similar to the people that made your body.

Auspex: *That earns a good long solid stare from Auspex, for several moments. Her mouth opens a few times, but it's awhile before the words come* They're not even mechs?? Are they from the same universe? How does that work?? *the origins of her current form might be interesting to know, but her mind is far too occupied trying to get around the concept of alternates of mechs who aren't even the same species*

Tessera: *squeaky sneeze, then a giggle*

Auspex: *She blinks down at the pouch around her neck, and the little tiktok inside. She lifts her hand from Kup's hair for a moment to rub Tessera's tiny head absently*

Tessera: *tiny tiktok kissies for the nice rubby hand, and then an eep and another giggle as she slips down inside her bag*

Blackout: *cracks a slight grin, feeling both sympathy and amusement at her friend's reaction* The reality they live in runs by chaotic rules. You can get more than one native born version of the same person in the same place at one time, and they're not the same race, or the same species. And you wind up with strays from other realities sometimes. My alternate's one of those. She blew herself out of her own reality and wound up in that one, met Iceberg and married him, then lost him and nearly died birthing her Hormah. *snorts to deny the fact that she's a bit choked up, then knocks down more catfood*

Auspex: *She glances down as Tessera's giggle heralds her head disappearing out from under her fingers - she seems to be alright - but she quickly resumes boggling at Blackout* More than one alternate at a time? In the same reality??
*she sobers at the rest of the alternates' story, and she's not fooled by Blackout's deflection, of course* Ah... so they were actually a couple. Very different circumstances, then...

Blackout: *bats down a big soft fruit for herself, then sucks the soft pulp out of it before feeling sufficiently in control of herself to nod* She's still got her Skywarp. He's an idiot.

Auspex: *She winces a little, with a sigh of sympathy as her hand slowly returns to thread gentle fingers through Kup's hair, as though to remind herself that he's there. Her voice is soft* I see. That's... happy news, I suppose.

Blackout: *snort* Her Requiem's female. *knocks a large, nosey, and non sentient grasshopper into Boulder's path*

Auspex: Ah, she has one. I wondered. *She's not really fazed by the idea of Requiem being female, considering how much more boggling the organic part is. Her eyes widen as a large insect (well, not nearly as large as the Bee, but still sizeable) heads straight for Blackout's head, and she blinks as her friend casually knocks it out of the air* Does she have any other offspring in common with yours?

Blackout: *nods, feeling gruff again* She had Deherree first. But she'll probably never see her again.

Auspex: *her brow furrows* Her offspring came in a different order? Odd... your Deherree is the one that came from the Megatron under Unicron's control, yes? He has a non-mech alternate? What... happened with them?

Blackout: My alternate's people have some old fae blood. Most of them don't have much power anymore, but she was born strong. So she was slated from early childhood to be the chief of her tribe's wife when she grew up. *quiet snort of amusement* The chief was a good and wise old dragon named Megatron.

Auspex: *she blinks in thoughtful amazement* I've... never met a Megatron that did not have some sort of craving for power... interesting. But I've never met one that wasn't a mech, either, for that matter. But obviously things did not go as planned, at least, not in the end...

Blackout: She was Warlady, his right hand. So when Decepticons invaded the world and sent a giant Scorponok to wipe out the hill villages she went to meet him. And she let out such an outpouring of fae energy that she blew herself out of the reality and left a smoking crater that's still there, over a vorn later. *not choked up. Nope*
They still sing songs about her back there, and her Deherree is Warlady now. She'll lead the tribe soon, since Megatron's getting too old for anything.

Auspex: Ah. *she gives her friend a sympathetic glance, tone respectfully quiet* And that is how she ended up in a different reality. I see. These Decepticons... were they also something other than mechs?

Blackout: *shakes her head* They were Cybertronian. But they took some of the natives' eggs and mutated them into monsters. *very strong feelings. She's plainly keeping back something even worse than the damaged children*

Auspex: *she's silent for a moment, looking at Blackout with concern, and sorting her impressions. Revulsion, anger, sadness... and a reluctance to upset her. Oh...* I can imagine the result... though perhaps not the reason for it. I hope, then, that your alternate thwarted them thoroughly...

Blackout: *slight, quick head shake* She just destroyed their super weapon. It was another woman's outpouring of power that recently drove them off the world completely. *inhale, exhale, no losing the cool and upsetting the gentle friend. ...Or waking up her mate to be and making her cry*

Primus: *feeling of sadness abruptly interrupted by a spurt of amusement. Stop that, Blackout*

Auspex: Ah... but that certainly would have helped, I'd think. At least it prevented more death... *And she's mindful of the irony of this 'superweapon' being an alternate of Blackout's own symbiont... but there's really no use discussing that; she's sure her friend is aware, and she'd rather not agitate her further* It's good to know they are gone from there somehow, then.
*She pauses at the sense of amusement from Primus. A query as to the specific nature has her blushing slightly and ducking her head, sending a complex, wordless expression of bashful/fear/hope/sadness/really?? back to him*

Primus: *sent Kup for a reason. Blackout shouldn't push so!*

Blackout: *sniggersnorts*

Auspex: *Her head still down, she sends a mental gesture very like hiding her face in Primus's arms, unable to express that emotional complexity any further than she already has. The tumult of her reaction stills as he sends her his understanding and soothing, and the reinforcement of being very much unhurried, alongside his mild protest at her friend's behavior. Blackout appears to pick up on it, which gives Auspex pause - she'd had an inkling that this happens to her friend sometimes, but this is as direct a confirmation as she's seen*
*After a moment of hiding in Primus's presence, she recovers sufficiently to continue the conversation, making no outward acknowledgment of the inward pause* You seem to know your alternate fairly well, then.

Blackout: We're sisters. She does for that place where she is now as I do for the Backwater. *interested pause as she turns her head toward a crack and sees Greatshot coaching Foresight as they have a brief sparring session*

Scorponok: *supervising!*

Auspex: Ah... it's good to hear that. The multiverse needs more people who care as you do...
*she trails off, her attention also diverted to see what Foresight and Greatshot are doing below. After a long moment of watching silently, her gaze turns back to Blackout; she attempts to speak, though her voice is a bit hoarse* Blackout...? You... how... how did you learn about Foresight? I... assume you know her heritage...?

Blackout: *looks back frankly* You can learn anything in the Backwater, if you know how. And I'm the one that brought her to your world after the Big Boss let her out of the River and gave her back to Primus.

Auspex: *She takes a deep, calming breath and bows her head, framing Kup's face in her hands as she does so, seeking comfort in his presence as she struggles to speak* You did?? But... how? When? She's been alive for so long, already, and we never even knew she existed...!

Blackout: *gruff compassion and affection* Not all my missions happen in what's the present in a lot of realities. For me, Foresight went to your brother's place a little while ago. And she was asleep, so she doesn't remember I brought her.

Tessera: *is an itty bitty tiny hand pat patting Auspex through the side of her bed*

Auspex: *her head still bowed, she lifts a hand from Kup's face, to clasp it around the little pouch where she can feel Tessera offering her comfort* Even... when the reality was closed? I... there's so much I don't understand...
*Her voice gives out for a moment, and she sits in silence, drawing strength from Primus and the presence of her friends, before she calms sufficiently* Do you know anything about how she came to be?

Blackout: I brought her a long time before it closed. *watches with a frown of concern as Auspex loses her voice, then shrugs one shoulder* I guess she was a might have been. I've found files about her as a sparklet, cuddling with you and Jetstorm.

Auspex: You... *She can't keep her composure at this, pressing her hand to her face as her eyes well with tears. She shudders, unable to really comprehend the sense of loss she feels. The idea of being somehow... robbed of sharing something like that with a mech she had cared for so much... it's deeply painful. It's not something she even knew she would have wanted, until she'd learned it hadn't happened*

Blackout: *watches and nearly says something, but then snaps her mouth shut and shakes her head as Primus pushes at her gently. Instead she just watches Auspex with sympathy*

Tessera: *pat pat. Pat pat!*

Auspex: *And herein follows much sniffling and brushing away of tears. She feels Primus stirring in communication with Blackout, can sense the slight admonition, but he simply offers Auspex his compassionate presence while she sits and trembles for a little while, finally lowering her hand to gently pat at Tessera's small form in return*
*Though the loss of that might-have-been connection with Jetstorm, for both herself and her construct, still hurts - and likely always will - at least Foresight is in her life now. This will require a good deal of prayer and commune at some point, but for now she simply focuses on Primus as he coaches her to breathe slowly and evenly, until she feels a bit steadier*
*After a moment of relatively calm thought, she has another question* What, then, is the River? And where did you find her?

Blackout: The River's a place in the timestream. *pauses, feeling awe and wonder as she thinks of that place, and then praise in her heart for the One that feels so close there* Some of the time guardian female Optimus's bunch visit there a lot. *slight shrug* She was laying on one of the islands under the River. And Primus was having a fit.

Primus: !!!!!! *no dignity for me today*

Auspex: *She tilts her head, full of curiosity at Blackout's aspect - something about the place is deeply peaceful, evidently* Ah... I take it Primus's presence is clearer there, or do you sense him directly, as I do?
*Speaking of which, she does send Primus a tentative query at his response, and receives an impression of joy at finding something lost - something else she will wait until she is alone with him to discuss later on, in the quiet*

Blackout: *gives her friend a quick look as Primus pokes her, then checks on everyone else before looking forward for a bit without turning her body to the front. Quietly* Can feel Primus really strongly there, and his Creator, too. But I hear Primus all the time. So do most of my brats.

Auspex: *She reflects on that for a moment, mildly surprised* Ah, I see; I wasn't entirely aware that it was constant for you - or at all for the others, besides Hormah, of course.
So, you found Foresight in this River... were you sent to find her there? I imagine it's not easily reached...?

Blackout: *simply, about her creations* They were all born in his service. *and then she's thinking of the River again as she absently bats down another big grasshopper* No. But Charlie sent me to Optimus's base, and then she brought me to the River. The teleporters won't work except at Ghost Squad's bases.

Auspex: *She remains silently thoughtful for a moment, accepting this answer with thankfulness for Blackout's giving spark - before her brow furrows at the next large insect. Aimless things...*
Ah... 'Ghost Squad'? Is that what Vector Prime's people call themselves? Kup did not mention the name; nor did Primus. I suppose that's... somewhat appropriate, for most of them. *she glances down at Kup as he sleeps, with a momentary poignant smile* Foresight was not awake to meet them, from what you've said.

Blackout: Yes to both. *thoughtfully watches the young woman spar with Greatshot* How did a paladin come from you?

Auspex: *she glances up, startled at the question; the bittersweet expression remains, though it shifts to something more nostalgic. She chuckles softly, sadly* You've not had an adequate look at Jetstorm, then; he was exceedingly powerful, as a Unicronian reformat. Ah... circumstances caused him to lose some of that power, but he was still a very formidable warrior, and incredibly sturdy. *she too looks down at her construct, the helpless wonder clearly written on her face* He, also, could generate lightning and manipulate air currents.

Blackout: *scowls to herself, then looks back* And to his warrior is added your cleric, and that makes paladin. *nods, then pulls little mirror out of her belt bag and fiddles with it, then watches something* Unicronian reformats are very chaotic. That also explains some things.

Auspex: *It takes a moment to identify the more unfamiliar term, but then she nods* Essentially, yes. I've not known many servants of that nature in my reality, but there are a few. To be the progenitor of one is... more than I ever expected. *the smile is joyful, this time*
*She makes a very soft, almost strangled sound at her friend's next comment, and her eyes squeeze shut* Ah, yes... he... *she hesitates, instinctively wishing to protect Jetstorm's privacy as her charge even now, before realizing that Blackout can likely easily find out for herself, anyway - maybe already has, as Auspex catches sight of the little mirror, remembering the one that's recently shown her visions, after all... After a long, pensive moment, she relents, voice soft and pained* He came from a world where Unicron won, and being separated from the source of Chaos almost destroyed his mind; he was nearly lost. I had to heal him, with help from Rodimus Prime and the Matrix. He was... deeply grateful for what I did.

Blackout: *looks up, compassion on her gruff face and in her emotions. And then she holds the little mirror up so that Auspex can see the screen*

Auspex: *She's not entirely certain she wants to look... but she does so, very reluctantly. There was the isolation cell in the medbay of Autobot City, and there she stood, holding fast to both the Matrix-bearer's hand and Jetstorm's shoulder, deep in commune as she channeled power to cleanse his spark from the terrible hold Unicron's Chaos had on him. The sight of the scene fills her with deep regret, and longing for what's been lost, in spite of herself; she has to look away as her breath catches, tears flooding her eyes*

Blackout: *gently reaches back and squeezes Auspex's foot, her compassion welling up and choking her throat, though little shows on her face and in her body language. And along with the compassion is empathy and understanding*

Auspex: *She chokes on a sob, pressing a hand to her face once again, and fumbling to pat for a moment at Blackout's hand with the other. She manages to speak, but her voice is strained and wrought with sorrow* He didn't... have feelings for me then, yet, though his gratitude was always strong... and he was holding so much inside for the sake of his brothers, forcibly merged as they were. We were all so... utterly relieved when they finally received their own bodies, and had their own thoughts to themselves again. He channeled so much of that joy into the way he felt about me... and of course I was drawn to that. He could not stay, I know; the lack of purpose was killing him, almost as much as the Chaos was...

Blackout: *nods* The servant Galvatron's the same way, as are his brothers and sisters. *nods to the mirror, which shows a scene with mistletoe* That was the day the might-have-been started.

Auspex: *she nods slowly, mulling that over* It's similar, yes. That much power needs an outlet... *How much she dearly wishes Jetstorm might have found such purpose in a place not so far beyond her reach, remains unspoken*
*She winces, hardly daring to look again... but she does, hesitantly, and huffs a tearful chuckle at the image of Jetstorm surprising her with a kiss in the Nexus* Most likely, yes... he'd only given me a vague notion of his feelings before then, when he'd had a relapse and was not entirely sane. I was... unwilling to believe it until then.

Blackout: *squeezes the foot again, and then nearly jumps right off her seat as she startles at Kup's sudden shout and jerk*

Tessera: *head pops up as she squeaks with surprise and curiosity*

Auspex: *She gasps and flinches at Kup's outburst, her attention immediately and totally drawn to him. She hisses, her tear-tracked face peering into his worriedly. He seems to still be asleep...! Nightmares, then. He'd said he didn't have them anymore... but considering the circumstances, perhaps it's understandable...*
*She curls her arms around his shoulders, hugging him gently, before reaching to stroke his cheek, speaking to him softly* Kup... you are dreaming, you are safe...

Kup: *whimpers, struggling for a moment toward wakefulness before he turns on his side, curling around the kitten as one hand goes up to clench gently on Auspex's skirt. Comforted by the scent and sound of her and the warmth of the baby animal, he settles back into deeper sleep*

Blackout: *hand over her heart as she grumbles and tries to get her KILL IT ALL instinct under control*

Greatshot and Foresight: *very silent as they walk along and watch the Warlady*

Scorponok: *walking sideways. He'd FELT that eek from Blackout!*

Auspex: *she watches over Kup carefully as he stirs, relaxing slightly when he settles again, and covers his hand with hers when it comes to rest on her skirts, giving it a light squeeze. The baby griffin remains thankfully oblivious*
*After a moment of observation, satisfied that whatever Kup may have been dreaming has subsided for now, she looks up at Blackout again; her brow furrows with a bit of alarm as she senses her aspect, and the others' varying responses. Greatshot seems ready to offer comfort, Foresight is wary, and Scorponok is out of sorts. Boulder is singing again... and Tessera continues watching curiously. Auspex responds with sympathy, herself* I'm sorry, Blackout...

Blackout: *very gruff* Why? You didn't do it.

Auspex: *she shrugs lightly* No, but I can offer my sympathy, anyway...

Blackout: *sheepish start* Sympathy. Right. *reaches for the Auspex foot, calming as she seeks to comfort and show appreciation*

Greatshot: *relaxes and cuffs Foresight upside the head*

Foresight: *automatic right to the jaw*

Scorponok: Yayyyyyy!

Auspex: *She offers Blackout a tiny, understanding smile, before blinkblinking as her attention is diverted to Foresight and Greatshot, eyebrows raising at the 'attack' and subsequent retaliation. She isn't entirely successful in hiding the wry turn her smile has taken, even as she dries her tears from the moments before*

Blackout: *also looks at the pair as Foresight apologizes with wry amusement and helps Greatshot back up* ...Reminds me of Silverbolt.

Auspex: *The smile remains, but the sadness is creeping in again. Her response is low and quiet* I suppose there is a reason for that; though... *she hesitates for a moment, sighing softly* Jetstorm was more like him after I healed him, but... he could not be the same again, of course.

Blackout: *nods, then nods toward Foresight as the younger woman gives a bright and cheery laugh in response to being menaced with a claymore* That's like Air Raid. Nothing scares that idiot. And her calm nerdy attitude reminds me of Skydive.

Auspex: *She shakes her head at Greatshot's behavior, slightly exasperated in her amusement, but Foresight's laughter warms her*
*Her brow furrows with a light frown as she ponders Blackout's observations* Well... I suppose there could be a tendency to inherit personality traits from the brothers... they were intertwined in ways I'm not sure even they knew. Otherwise, I'm simply inexperienced with how derivative sparks work. I'm not entirely comfortable with being that much of an influence on someone else's personality...

Blackout: *turns and looks at Auspex with understanding and calm* Don't worry about it. Even if they show parts of their donors, they're still their own bots.

Foresight: *flashes into motion with a flurry of arms and legs so graceful as to seem like a dance*

Greatshot: *counters and parries skillfully, a fierce grin on his face*

Auspex: *she nods slowly, thoughts on the past, though she soon finds herself distracted, emotions intensely complex as she raptly watches her construct resume sparring with Greatshot*

Blackout: *also watches* Trust me, you're better off meeting her now. I love my scraplet, but having them so little and unformed is processor breaking. *cocks a questioning glance toward a squeaky Tessera sneeze*

Tessera: *had been trying to peek through the weave of her bag!*

Auspex: Yes... I've never been very comfortable with the idea, and their vulnerability concerns me - but I am very fond of the sparklets I do know. I have an inkling of the appeal of them, if not the reasoning as much. But if Foresight had been a sparklet, I'm not certain I could endure the stress of worrying about her. *she chuckles ruefully*
*She blinks down at Tessera's pouch, lifting her free hand to peer inside* Hello in there?

Tessera: *joyous shock* I got dizzy from lookin' at the weavy stuff too close, and it sounded like a sneeze!

Blackout: *chuckles*

Auspex: *she quirks an eyebrow, with an amused smile* You are used to being able to sneeze, and it's probably habit, perhaps...?

Tessera: *merrily* Oh, probably! *rests her elbows on the edge of the bag and looks around with interest*

Foresight: *just pinned Greatshot down with his arm behind his back right in front of Boulder*

Boulder: *steps over them and keeps going*

Blackout: *calls pointers, then turns back to Auspex* Yes. They get in enough trouble when they're delivered complete. *rueful old amusement*

Auspex: *She can't help but beam and scritch Tessera's head fondly, simply pleased to be having conversation with her*
*The beaming continues as Foresight apparently gets the better of Greatshot, at least temporarily. She can't help but think of how pleased her construct's other co-creator would be about her strength and aptitude... though she's soon squeaking apprehensively, as they're right in Boulder's path. She 'heh's softly; he's tall enough to step right over them, and so he does*
*She chuckles softly at Blackout's remark* I know... at least they're physically and mentally able to cope, it's simply the experience they lack. *She's silently thoughtful for a moment* At least, typically. Theodicy is by no means a sparklet, but he is so tiny in stature... that does cause me some concern.

Blackout: *gives her a slight stare, feeling a little confused* The little jabber bug's smaller.

Auspex: *She pauses, then nods* That is true, but apparently she and her siblings are almost indestructible - Blazer has told me stories of people who have tried, and failed miserably; I think she can survive nearly anything. Theodicy is sturdier than I am, I think, almost standard; but he is so small. He has more speed on foot, but he has no altmode, either. He is a servant, and has Primus's protection as such... but I think I understand the sort of concern the progenitor of a sparklet might have.

Blackout: *lifts her eyebrows wonderingly* I'd never thought of that with mine, but you're right. The size and inability of other sparklets and hatchlings make my circuits crawl.

Auspex: It is a comfort to me that Theodicy has no lack of ability to make his own decisions - how much more unease would I feel about his safety if he could not? I have nothing but admiration for the mechs and organics that successfully raise sparklets and infants. Though still... *she hesitates, with very mixed feelings* ...I regret that Foresight was evidently a sparklet, herself, and could not have us with her as she grew.

Blackout: *turns away to hide choke, which doesn't show in her voice but for slight gruffness* Not to slight you two, but she had better.

Auspex: *she smiles sadly, bowing her head a bit* I am not certain how time works in the River, if at all... enough for her to grow, at least. But yes, spending her entire growing period in commune with Primus and the Greater Creator would have done immeasurable good, more than we ever could have... that is my consolation for what she and I and Jetstorm collectively have missed.

Blackout: *leans to glance back at the others, who are following Boulder, Foresight with Scorponok's head braced against her backside as he helpfully pushes her along, then looks her friend right in the eye and feel rueful* Teething, colic, losing the blasted thing, night terrors, having idiots think it's cute and steal it to play with, mud in the joints, fluff in the joints, having it eat things you need to keep...
*continues listing as she thinks of all that Paean has accomplished in her short life*

Auspex: *she winces with sympathy* Some of that probably depends on the reality the sparklet is from... and some of those things happen to the newly-sparked of the fully-formed variety, as well. But I doubt you would tell me it was not worth it, in the end...

Blackout: *thinks of new Hormah nearly crashing her own processor after stealing copies of her mother's library files. Snorts*

Auspex: *she tilts her head to study her friend, receiving that as an interesting mix of wry amusement, recalled irritation, alarm, and disgust* What are you remembering?

Blackout: *snorts again* Remembering when Hormah nearly killed herself after hacking my files and stealing copies of my entire library.

Auspex: *she grimaces, feeling her own rueful amusement and slight exasperation at that* As I say, difficulties are not exclusive to sparklets, or lapses in judgment that can only be learned through experience, for that matter... but they learn, thankfully.

Blackout: Most of the time. *fond ire and amusement* Have you ever met a Barricade?

Auspex: *She gives Blackout a somewhat sheepish smile* Well... one can hope, anyway.
*she pauses, attempting to identify the name, but she shakes her head at the question* Not that I recall, no...

Blackout: *nod, thought so* He lives to fight. Doesn't care if he gets the scrap beaten out of him so long as he had a fight. Was pretty smart otherwise, and I counted him as a friend. *pauses a beat, once more the fond ire and amusement* Sparta's just like him except for the smart part.

Auspex: *she raises her eyebrows, with a mix of dismay and humor. She imagines the ones doing Barricade's repairs were not terribly amused by that...* Ah. So he must be your Sparta's co-creator. And I imagine Sparta is hard to keep out of trouble...

Blackout: *sigh* He's usually following Paean around now, and when he's not he's following her around. *holds up the mirror to show a massive slab of grouchy purple ladybot with a heavy tire at each shoulder like wings*

Auspex: Paean is the sparklet? I would hope that would temper his possible warmongering a bit. Or maybe this other fem? *she looks a bit dubious about her latter comment, however, seeing how solidly built the fem appears to be*

Blackout: Grumbler would just as soon step on him, and yes. Paean's the little scraplet. *swipes at the mirror with one finger and then holds it up to display an adorable six foot tall baytech Jazz replica sitting on top of a massive multilegged war droid*

Auspex: Ah. I hope that does not encourage him to do foolish things to possibly impress her...
*A little smile appears on her face as Blackout shows her the sparklet* Ah, I have seen her... the mirror in the castle where I am staying showed you to me, and she was with you... though I had no other information about her. *She does not comment on the robotic creature, though it's obviously not Cybertronian, or at least not from any reality she's familiar with*

Blackout: *pauses and lifts her eyebrows* ...That the day she was dancing on Greatshot?

Auspex: *Blinkblinks, mouth a little 'o' of surprise* I think that's what she was doing, yes. The mirror showed me several people I've met throughout the multiverse, and you were among them. Primus actually communicated to Galvatron with the Matrix, that I could see him. Did he give you some sort of indication as well?

Blackout: It wasn't Primus. I can just tell when someone's looking at me. *turns suddenly as a slightly fuzzy sounding voice calls out softly in greeting*

Auspex: *she winces slightly; it wasn't her doing, of course, but she's not sure how she'd feel about being watched like that, especially if she could sense it... she starts to say as much, when a new voice speaks up, and she senses emotions from at least two new presences. Both seem friendly, at least - one is excited, the other happy and wondering. She peers down, abrim with curiosity*

Foresight: *stops short and makes Scorponok squeak as she blinks in startled surprise at the one who has hailed them*

man: *very tall, looks almost like a soft furred human from the waist up, but his lower body is like that of a massive deer. Has gentle amber eyes, twitching human type ears with little points, and hair in a slightly ragged mohawk of a mane that grows down his neck to his shoulders. He's light brindle in colour, but the brindle of the tiny long-legged baby who is clinging to his right foreleg is a gorgeous chestnut red* Blackout?

Blackout: Gavin, right?

Auspex: *She tries not to look too much agog in amazement, having never seen such creatures before, but her inquisitive interest is likely plain to see. Is this who they were meant to meet?*

Blackout: Here, we've got something for you. *gets up and steps over the railing to kneel and take the kitten from the sleeping Kup*

Boulder: *talking, and then lays down carefully*

Blackout: Thanks. *stands and steps over Kup to offer the little griffin to Gavin, who has lifted his baby and come over*

Kup: *frowning in his sleep*

Auspex: *She blinks up at Blackout, slightly confused for a moment - but then she recalls that Blackout was going to leave the griffin kitten at their destination. This is likely to make Kup restless... she strokes his hand with her thumb as Blackout takes the baby. She braces herself as Boulder lowers his body to the ground, but again, the jostling is minimal*
*She watches, brow furrowed, as carries over the young creature of his own species, and Blackout presents him with the little griffin. She's not entirely certain what's happening, but from what Blackout said before... well, she doesn't quite believe she's understanding right. She remains silent, observing, though she glances down at Kup for a moment, and begins to smooth her fingers through his hair again when she sees his frown*

Gavin: *soft sound of wonder and gladness as he takes the fuzzy newborn monster and tucks it under one arm, but then he pauses as he looks from one baby to the other and muses about something*

Blackout: Here. *reaches down, grabs the little longlegs by one arm, then lifts him and stands him on his feet beside her* There you go, runt. What do you think of that?

baby: *blink blink* Bvvv?

Blackout: *snorts and turns to talk to Gavin* We've got a lot of food for him. Are you sure you can do this?

Gavin: *sad, but also happy and excited* Yes. His brother is only a few months older than him. It's too hard on Annaliese to feed two babies at once. And Hawise and Orin haven't got any babies. *and thinking that makes him sadder, the compassion directed toward the two he's mentioned*

baby: *meanwhile, is staggering uncertainly between Kup's back and the railing, his big newborn blue eyes focused on Auspex's face as he emotes wonder and curiosity and hopeful affection*

Auspex: *her eyes widen as she listens to this exchange... apparently, she is understanding right. He is... giving up his child? She watches with astonishment and apprehension as Blackout sets the infant quadruped with the humanoid torso on Boulder's back, beside them, before Auspex turns to regard Gavin with an owlish gaze. He explains the situation, that the child is meant to go to another couple... and she exhales softly, tears pricking her eyes as she senses his aspect. She's amazed at his generosity; even if the baby is a possible hardship, it's his, and she can feel his love for him. She swallows, looking away...*
*And, inadvertently, straight into the gaze of the baby. She blinks at him for a moment, smiling tentatively* Hello, little one.

baby: *earnest little squeak as he sparks with joy at making a new friend. Then comes surprise as he forgets those long legs and winds up in a tumbled heap against Kup's back. Looks for his legs, to see where they went*

Auspex: *she 'eep's quietly, lifting her hand from Kup's, to reach out to the baby, though she hesitates to touch him and possibly startle him* Ah, be careful...

baby: *looks up at her sound, and then perks and reaches toward her hand, feeling hopeful. This sounds like a mama, can she fix this puzzle?*

Auspex: *she chuckles softly, carefully wrapping her fingers around the outstretched hand. She senses his confusion, though she's not sure what can alleviate it - she's reasonably certain infants can't understand words yet, but she tells him anyway* You fell. Your legs folded up.

Tessera: *powerful curiosity as she peeks out of her bed* :o

Auspex: *she senses Tessera's interest, and glances down to see her peering out of her pouch* We have a new passenger...

baby: *little wiggle, one leg coming up to put one of those slender cloven hooves to the deck of the howdah as he squeaks again. Then he stops and feels uncertainty nearly to the point of fear as Kup stirs*

Kup: *starting to move. He's lost something and his dreams are getting anxious*

Auspex: *she pats the little hand consolingly* It's alright, it's just Kup; he's sleeping. Or he was...
*She lets the baby keep her hand for the moment, but turns her attention back to Kup as she slides her other hand from his hair to cradle his cheek, bending closer to him as she attempts to softly reassure him* Kup, please relax, we are all safe; the one you protected is safe, and delivered where she needs to be. Please rest.

Kup: *registers her voice and wakes partially to look up at her blearily* ...Baby?

baby: *little head snaps up. Someone wants baby?* Bvvv?

Auspex: *she peers down at him with a gentle smile, and nods* Yes, the baby griffin has been delivered, and we're transporting a new baby... and this one is someone's child. He is behind you, if you'd like to see him. *she glances up for a moment, as the little one responds to the word - he appears to know that one, at least*

Kup: *perks sleepily as he notices the little warmth against his back, then rolls over carefully and blinks at the baby as the tiny blinks at him. Cracks a slow smile as his hand comes up to gently touch the little shoulder* Hey...

baby: *big grin in return, and then wriggles over to snuggle*

Kup: *gathers baby close and settles onto his back, murmurs softly as the little one squeaks quietly. Then he tips his head back to turn the grin to Auspex, feeling content and relaxed*

Auspex: *She moves her hand to Kup's shoulder as he turns himself, watching quietly as he makes eye contact with the young child. She withdraws her other hand from the baby's for the moment, letting Kup draw him closer; she chuckles softly, finding this very charming and uplifting. When Kup is settled, his arms are around the baby, the little one's legs mostly folded under himself, though one sprawls out behind him, and his tail is wiggling adorably. He lays his head on Kup's chest, while the latter looks up at her*
*She meets his gaze, beaming back at him, and at how content he seems to be. She rubs his shoulder affectionately as she rests her hand on the little one's head, content to watch over them both for as long as they need*

someone: *from over to the left, just roared up with self righteous rage and affrontedness that feels very familiar*

Foresight: What? Is someone over there, Gavin?

Blackout: *looks at her sharply, then looks to Gavin*

Gavin: *follows the pointing finger. Dismay, wondering, and compassion* Er, yes. There's a whole village over under the cliff. But you can't visit it. The king and queen have ordered it locked.

Auspex: *she hisses softly, looking up with wide-eyed alarm at the outraged bellow, tucking herself and her arms a little closer in to Kup and the child* That... someone is radiating a frightening level of rage and self-righteousness. It feels... much like the captive man near the bridge. How many people in this place are that... unhinged?

Gavin: *perks and looks at her earnestly and hopefully, feeling a little spurt of relief* What captive man?

Auspex: Ah... *she blinks down at Gavin when he asks, a bit puzzled at what she's sensing from him, and instinctively wishing to defer to Blackout, since this is her expedition; she glances at her friend for a moment, before addressing the quadrupedal man* The troll woman had a man in her custody, who was shouting about wanting to marry a willowmaid - forceably, if necessary, by the sound of it.

Blackout: *slow suspicion* Dark-haired. Wanted to cut her tree down so she could come with him. Said she was going to bear his children.

Gavin: *deep sigh* Roger's safe. Good.

Auspex: *Gavin's relief is met with a moment of troubled silence* ...if tethered to the wall of a house is 'safe', I suppose he is. Certainly, everyone else is safe, even if he cannot understand why he is being held.

Gavin: Yes. *sigh* He's safe there, though it might seem cruel.

Blackout: *eyebrows* You know the idiot.

Gavin: Yes. He's one of my charges. I'm a sheriff, you see, and I and my wife make sure the people of that village are safe. We live up there. *points to where a towering wall of rock shows through a space in the overarching tree branches and foliage. High up near the top of the face is what looks like a small dark crack*

Auspex: *She listens quietly, brow furrowed in concern. Now that she has more information, she understands Gavin's viewpoint quite well, having cared for quite a few individuals of dubious judgment or mental stability in her capacity as a servant of Primus. Her goal is more to heal what causes the behavior, if at all possible. Sometimes, however, the best that can be done is to keep an individual out of trouble; it does not, however, make it any easier for her to witness the measures that must be taken to ensure that. She sighs regretfully*

Blackout: So you've got a village full of mentally glitched?

Gavin: *blinks* It's deliberate training, I'm afraid.

Auspex: *She gasps as Gavin admits... the entire village is like the captive man?* What? What happened to them?

Gavin: *sadly, as he looks down at the baby griffin* Their beliefs tell them that they are gods, and that they have the right of mastery over anyone or anything else.

Blackout: *SNORT*

Foresight: *angry protest inside, mixed with prayer. On the outside there is only a line between her brows*

Kup: *also frowning slightly, his head turned to look toward Gavin*

Greatshot: *contemplating a fat pheasant and wondering if he could eat that*

Auspex: *She 'hmm's softly, brow furrowing, head bowing in regret* That is not so different than living without any sense of a higher purpose - I am more surprised that they can coexist at all, then. How do you keep them from killing each other if their wills clash?

Gavin: *winces at the question* That is one law they obey. The "enlightened" are not to be killed, though everyone else exists to serve them.

Kup: *dire mutter*

Auspex: *She nods soberly, eyes downcast* That... is something, then, I suppose. Can nothing else be done with them?

Gavin: Not yet. *sad and disappointed, but hopeful. His cheek fur has also puffed slightly*

Auspex: *She feels and looks close to tears - but if he is hopeful, she'll not say anything to refute that. He knows the situation better. If this were her lord's people, she might better understand his optimism. As it is, she feels utterly lost in this world at the moment... her eyes close, and she seeks comfort in Primus's mental presence, and Kup's and the baby's physical presence*

Kup: *reaches up with one hand to take hers and squeeze it gently*

Auspex: *She manages a tiny, appreciative smile as she feels Kup's hand on hers, gratitude in her eyes and aspect as she opens them again to meet his gaze for a moment*

Blackout: *reaches down and smooths Gavin's nearer cheek* Any smarten up?

Gavin: *nods and looks over his shoulder* Yes. There aren't actually that many left in the village anymore. *looks back* I have to go. You're sure you have what the baby needs?

Blackout: Yeah, unless he's got a favourite doll or something.

Gavin: No. He's too young to notice dolls. He can't even dance yet.

Auspex: *She sighs, feeling a slight bit of relief at Gavin's words; that not everyone in the village stays there, lost to that magnitude of... malignant self-righteousness. She looks over to give the man a sad, sympathetic smile. She doesn't envy him his job, or how it must feel to give over his offspring...*

Blackout: Alright. *gruffly* You want to say goodbye?

Gavin: *cheeks puff more* No. Go ahead while he's sleeping. *looks at Auspex and Kup. Softly* Take care of him, please.

Auspex: *She meets his gaze with compassion, nodding gravely* Of course. Please, take care of yourself and your family, sir.

Gavin: *nods, then turns to trot away*

Blackout: *clears her throat, then jumps down to sock her husband in the ribs*

Foresight: *such deep thought as she stands and communes and prays*

Boulder: *deeep quiet groan as he lifts himself to his feet again, then a massive sigh that has Kup snerking as they're rocked gently*

continued here!


((Co-written with random-xtras))