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Post by Miss Mandy on Mar 16, 2008 9:27:39 GMT -5
Blizzard sighed in relief.
Thank you so much.
She retreated back into the office.
~*~*~*~
Starscream growled at Dissever, "I do not enjoy being in pain, thank you very much! I am nothing like Nightstrike! If you must know, Shaba did this while we were fighting. She took me off guard."
With a scowl, he carefully watched every move Dissever made, still remembering being welded to the ceiling and not totally trusting the medic to not do it again just for a laugh.
~*~*~*~
Raven could sense Rewire’s reluctance to play this dangerous game well before he moved. For some odd reason it angered and irritated her far more than it should have done and she compensated for it by matching his move so she was once again lined up perfectly with him.
Yes, it is dumb. Why do such fragile beings want to do something that could end their lives?
She knew the irony of the statement she had just made against her actions.
She did not care.
Fully aware of what would happen if she moved too late, she continued to race towards Rewire. In fact, she sped up.
Closer... Closer... Little bit more...
NOW!
In a matter of seconds, Raven transformed from her vehicle mode into robot and leapt high into the air, just barely clearing the top of Rewire as he sped beneath her. Panting and shaking from fright and the sheer excitement of what ha d happened, Raven crouched low for a moment before slowly standing and turning to face Rewire with her hip cocked and her arms crossed over her chest and a smug look on her face.
~*~*~*~
Redstar did not recharge, but he watched Cloudburst unflinchingly as he held her to his chest. When she was awake again, he was going to take her to see Ratchet. There was no two ways about it. Something was very wrong and it frightened him to see her this way. It also made him feel so helpless. He had no idea what was wrong with her and she seemed unable (or unwilling) to tell him much of anything.
Aw, hun, we gotta get you taken care of.
Patiently, he watched and he waited.
~*~*~*~
Red Alert had sat watching FireBond for a moment while finishing off his cube. Once done, he moved over to where he was falling into recharge and gathered him into his arms, cradling the more or less asleep sparkling against his chest.
He sighed as he thought about Cloudburst’s reaction. It had been justified and he did not blame her for not wanting to believe as they had been in this place before. This time, though, was different. A part of him was desperate for a change, desperate to be able to reach out to others and not be isolated anymore. It scared him, though. Being that open to others had never been his way. Considering his own history it was not surprising that Red Alert had a hard time trusting others.
Well, come Hell or high water (to use a human phrase) things were going to change.
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runyasan08
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when you believe in things that you don't understand...
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Post by runyasan08 on Mar 16, 2008 11:52:36 GMT -5
You're enjoying this, aren't you? Not the songs, my own of torture. You put the boom-boom into my heart You send my soul sky high when your lovin' starts Jitterbug into my brain Goes a bang-bang-bang 'til my feet do the same But something's bugging you Something ain't right My best friend told me what you did last night Left me sleepin' in my bed I was dreaming, but I should have been with you instead.
Wake me up before you go-go Don't leave me hanging on like a yo-yo Wake me up before you go-go I don't want to miss it when you hit that high Wake me up before you go-go 'Cause I'm not plannin' on going solo Wake me up before you go-go Take me dancing tonight I wanna hit that high
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cetus
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Post by cetus on Mar 16, 2008 12:06:09 GMT -5
Rewire, while slightly impressed with Raven’s little acrobatics, was more than displeased about her sudden recklessness. He skidded through an e-brake 180 and returned to her, transforming and skidding to a stop on his heels.
His fuel pump was thudding wildly and he just felt shocked, angry, and on some level, hurt. What the frag, Raven? If I’d hurt you I’d- What’s going on?
--------------
Cloudburst shifted around in her recharge cycle. Something wasn’t right. Her thermals spiked and she rolled away from her spot nestled against Redstar’s chassis. A low rolling ache started in her chest and intake rates shot up as well. She woke as a soft mewl escaped her vocalizer. Whatever was wrong, it was building.
The helicopter frowned and rubbed at her chest. Lying there, she still felt burnt-out, and exhausted like she never been before. Normally, she somehow managed to deal Redstar’s family situation. But it had been different lately; she was drained and just unable to cope. She quickly decided that, considering the recent drama, it was not surprising that she felt – ‘off.’
Unfortunately, whatever it was did not care about her explanations. The pain ratcheted up sharply and Cloudburst rolled to her side, curling in a ball and clutching at her chest.
Ragged intake, hold, pant…
Panic swept through her when she felt tendrils like a vice-grip around her spark. Tighter and tighter; she couldn’t move, couldn’t think. It felt like she was drowning in hot oppressive darkness. It grew to mask everything around her until she felt utterly alone, just her distress and this bizarre anguish in her chest. Completely overwhelmed. It seemed like the pain was never going to plateau until finally, there was a parting stab to her spark and energy crackled across her frame with a ghosting sensation. Then the feeling dropped off precipitously, leaving her to kickstart her intakes and lie panting on the berth. Something about that energy discharge…
---------------
Ironhide groaned. “The only consolation I have is that you have to listen, too. So on some level, yes. I’m enjoying your torture, it’s keeping me sane.”
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runyasan08
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when you believe in things that you don't understand...
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Post by runyasan08 on Mar 16, 2008 12:12:42 GMT -5
SkyDork? Oh, that was rich. Thundercracker had to fight back the smirk that was trying to find its way onto his faceplates, covering it up with his attempts to tug Chimera off of his leg. "Well, that's good, but yes, he is wrong. Skywarp is far from being the best flier here. Although he is considerably better than Starscream." He tugged at the sparkling once more. "Now come off of my leg, and you might be able to sit on my shoulder. I can't walk with you down there."
---
Sadistic masochist. Would explain why you're always getting blown up in battle. You're almost as bad as Wheeljack is, congrats. Yo listen up here's a story About a little guy that lives in a blue world And all day and all night and everything he sees Is just blue like him inside and outside Blue his house with a blue little window And a blue corvette And everything is blue for him and hisself And everybody around Cos he ain't got nobody to listen to
I'm blue da ba dee da ba die... Gives you a new reason to hate the color blue, doesn't it?
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Post by Miss Mandy on Mar 16, 2008 12:17:14 GMT -5
Oh, I'm fine! You didn't hurt me! See, I'm still all in one piece.
Raven, for whatever reason, was spoiling for a fight.
~*~*~*~
Redstar's worried peaked into panic as soon as he heard Cloudburst's cry and panting. Helplessly, he watched as her agony grew, desperately trying to reach her through their bond, but feeling nothing but pain and emptiness. Then, almost as soon as it had started, it was over. Grabbing her to his chest he questioned her.
Wh-what's wrong Cloudburst? What was that? We need to get you to Ratchet right now!
~*~*~*~
Chimera leapt off of Thundercracker's foot and reached her arms up.
"Oh! Yes Uncle Cracker that would be good!"
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runyasan08
Gunner
when you believe in things that you don't understand...
Posts: 828
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Post by runyasan08 on Mar 16, 2008 12:25:10 GMT -5
'S'what I thought,' the Seeker thought to himself, leaning down and picking the femme-sparkling up with one hand. They were so predictable. Setting Chimera on his shoulder, Thundercracker eyed her. "Pull on one wire, and I'm never going to pick you up again, understood?"
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Post by Miss Mandy on Mar 16, 2008 12:29:54 GMT -5
Chimera squealed when picked up and idly kicked her feet once on Thundercracker's shoulder.
"Aw, Uncle Cracker! Why would I do that to you? I like you! So, where are you going to take me?"
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cetus
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Post by cetus on Mar 16, 2008 12:31:34 GMT -5
A snorted chuckle. "I don't go into battle trying to get damaged, but to cause damage. And liking to fight, even though it comes with pain, I don't think you or your twin have any right to say anything."
Ironhide listened for a while and cocked an optic ridge at the song. "And a new reason to hate blue? What are the old ones?"
--------
The femme felt utterly wrung out. She groggily tried to figure out what had just happened. Her processors flagged that she had felt something similar before, significantly milder, barely even noticeable, but she had felt it before. She looked at her sparkmate through bleary optics while she checked over her subroutine and status logs.
I… I d-don’t know…
And if she did, she would tell him. He was her bonded. All her systems were keyed to him. She would never have another.
Redstar would be her last, but he was not her first.
She realized that the strange feeling only ever cropped up while she was in a relationship, and the copter quivered when the logs confirmed a nagging suspicion. Cloudburst had had other lovers, not many, but some; as a youngling, or someone special at a few of her old posts. She’d been lax again, bad habit, always had been, but it never seemed to catch up with her. The femme often forgot to disable her sparkling subroutines – and for a while now it had been slipping her processors.
Pieces slowly clicked into place. The exhaustion, feeling overly emotional, then the terrible pain in her spark that ended with an energy discharge and a hint of a whisper through her... Was it possible it had been happening all her life? How many times might she have actually...? Could there simply be something wrong with her? And was there anything that could be done? Or would it always fail?
Not that they were ready. Not by a long shot. But someday? What if it wasn’t possible?
She burrowed into Redstar’s chest while a crushing thought marched through her – That she had been carrying Redstar’s sparkling… until something went wrong and the little ball of energy dissipated through her systems.
----------
But it. was. dumb! Raven, I just don't get it. Rewire threw up his hands in exasperation and walked off a few steps.
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runyasan08
Gunner
when you believe in things that you don't understand...
Posts: 828
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Post by runyasan08 on Mar 16, 2008 12:55:22 GMT -5
"Mmhm, just be careful up there." Looking around the common room, the Seeker shrugged with the shoulder the sparkling wasn't sitting on. "We could walk around the base, if your mother says it's okay."
---
Oh, don't throw Ratchet's arguement at me; I don't have Sides here to back me up. Besides, we get the job done. And yes, 'Hide, a new reason to hate the color blue. Like the reason to hate this song: Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof) (woof, woof, woof, woof) (woof, woof, woof, woof) (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof) Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
(woof, woof, woof, woof)
When the party was nice, the party was jumpin' (Hey, Yippie, Yi, Yo) And everybody havin' a ball (Hah, ho, Yippie Yi Yo) I tell the fellas "start the name callin'" (Yippie Yi Yo) And the girls report to the call The poor dog show down How did you like that?
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cetus
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Post by cetus on Mar 16, 2008 13:07:29 GMT -5
Ironhide quirked an optic ridge, then leaned back against the wall, shifting and stretching his legs. "Fantastic, Sunny," he growled. "I don't know who to thank, the humans for making it, or you for sharing it."
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runyasan08
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when you believe in things that you don't understand...
Posts: 828
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Post by runyasan08 on Mar 16, 2008 13:11:31 GMT -5
Could do a joint-thank. If it weren't for me, you would've never heard 'em. When I dance they call me macarena and the boys they say that I´m buena they all want me, they can´t have me So they all come and dance beside me move with me jam with me and if your good i take you home with me A la tuhuelpa legria macarena Que tuhuelce paralla legria cosabuena A la tuhuelpa legria macarena Eeeh, macarena A-Hai Now don´t you worry ´bout my boy friend the boy who´s name is Nicorino I don´t want him, ´cause sent him he was no good so I - hahaaaa Now, come on, what was I supposed to do ? He was outta town and his two friends were soooo fine
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cetus
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Post by cetus on Mar 16, 2008 13:43:37 GMT -5
"Primus," Ironhide groaned. "Obnoxious in other languages."
------
Prime nodded. "Agreed, I'll call a meeting to inform them once everyone is available." In essence, once Sunstreaker, then more for Ratchet's sake, and Ironhide were out of the brig.
He smiled, tipping his helm. "And you are welcome, my friend." A light chuckle. "I would be lax if I failed to hunt down and check on my CMO. Though that concern extends to my other subordinates as well." Optimus gave the medic a conspiratorial look. "Now, whatever you did to Sunstreaker, it is all easily reversed, correct?"
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Post by Den on Mar 16, 2008 15:22:03 GMT -5
Bluestreak rolled his optics a little, but soon drifted off into recharge, nestled up against Wheeljack's chassis.
---------------------
Skywarp took the opportunity presented with Chimera's attention diverted to Thundercracker, and made a break for the medbay. He scowled when he spotted Starscream, but chose to remain silent, and hope that he wouldn't be noticed.
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Post by Miss Mandy on Mar 16, 2008 15:22:20 GMT -5
The agitation and pent up anger that Raven had been feeling suddenly went out of her like a gust of wind. A feeling of guilt swept over her instead and she went after Rewire, gently touching his shoulder.
I'm sorry Rewire. It was dumb and I am so very sorry. I only wish I knew what was going on. Lately I've just felt like... nothing. I seem to be nothing more than a sparkling-sitter or your bonded or Twilight's mother, and please, don't think that I dislike any of those things, because I do not. It's just... I don't know. I feel like I've been lost in the shuffle. Ignore me. I'm just being stupid. Come on, we might as well get home.
~*~*~*~
Chimera wrapped an arm around Thundercracker's intake to steady herself.
"Mommy! Uncle Cracker's going to take me for a walk around the base!"
Nightstrike sighed, "I thought he told you to *ask* first, which you failed miserably at as you have just *told* me that you were going. Try again."
"Why should I?"
"Because I told you so."
"That's not a reason."
"Look here little miss! I will use a little trick I learned from Dissever and weld you to the medbay ceiling if you don't do as I tell you!"
Chimera gave a little growl that Nightstrike missed and then looked the picture of innocence as she politely asked, "Please may I go with Uncle Cracker?"
"Much better and yes you may."
Have fun, Uncle Cracker.
Nightstrike's optics twinkled at the blue Seeker.
~*~*~*~
Redstar rubbed his helm, utterly at a loss. Cloudburst seemed fine now, but what had just happened was not right.
Do ya wanna go see th' Doc?
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cetus
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Post by cetus on Mar 16, 2008 15:53:37 GMT -5
Rewire turned and cupped Raven's jaw with his hands, stroking her cheeks with his thumbs. Pain flitted across his features.
Why didn't you say something sooner? he asked softly. You're my world, I can't just ignore you. If you felt forgotten, that's my fault.
-------
Cloudburst slumped against Redstar, working on resettling her systems. The pain was gone, as was that fog of just feeling helpless, but she wasn't sure if she was ready to move.
Yes... no. I don't... she murmured through the bond. It's passed. I think it- I'm not sure... sure if I can handle confirmation what it was... Soon. Later.
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Post by Miss Mandy on Mar 16, 2008 16:07:31 GMT -5
Raven shuttered her optics and sighed.
Darlin', it wasn't your fault, it couldn't be helped. There was so much going on that you had to take care of. You did what you had to do. I don't hold it against you.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest.
~*~*~*~
Yer scarin' me. What do ya think it was Cloudburst? If there's somethin' I can do ta help ya, I wanna know.
Redstar held her tightly and stroked her back.
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cetus
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Post by cetus on Mar 16, 2008 16:30:55 GMT -5
The engineer circled Raven's back with his arms and leaned his chin against her helm.
I love you. I just want you to be happy. You're a warrior, it's tough bein' held back.
He simply held her, realizing that soon enough Twilight would want her adult protoform, and Raven would not need to be a sparkling sitter anymore. Trying to stay in the here and now.
-------
Primus, how does she say this? Cloudburst clutched at plating and looked at her mate. Barely a whisper.
Redstar, I. So sorry. I'm worried I- may have been having a, but something... A sparkling, hun, carried and lost a sparkling. She trembled, burying her face against his neck.
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Post by Miss Mandy on Mar 16, 2008 16:42:16 GMT -5
I'm sorry, I've been selfish. Warrior or not, I should be happy with what I have. I love you so much. I can't even imagine being without you or Twilight now.
Raven squeezed him a bit and tilted her head back so her chin rested on his chest and she looked up at Rewire.
~*~*~*~
A spark-
For a moment, a flash of joy shot through him. Oh, he hadn't really thought about being a father, not yet, but he loved Cloudburst and the thought of a sparkling - their sparkling - made him just about the happiest mech ever.
Then reality set in.
There would be no sparkling. Not this time. A surprising wave of grief washed over him. Not so much for himself, but for Cloudburst. It was obvious that it had upset her greatly as she trembled against him. Gently he stroked her helm, sadness in his own spark over the little one lost.
Shh... You couldn't help it, hun. Couldn't help it in th' least. Doncha be sorry for anythin'. We got all th' time in th' world. Sparklin's will come when th' time's right.
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cetus
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Post by cetus on Mar 16, 2008 17:09:45 GMT -5
Leaning down, a gentle kiss on her brow and a low purr from his engine. Rewire held Raven close and rubbed her shoulders, slow soothing moves. Happy with what you've got is fine. But if you need somethin' else from me, say it. I'll do whatever's in my power to get it done. Alright?
----------
Cloudburst nodded slowly. Someday, maybe. But here and now, somehow she still felt like she, or her frame, had let Redstar down. The strange sense of guilt made her frown against her bonded's neck.
I know hun, but if that's really what it was, I still feel awful about it. She stretched and tried to settle herself more comfortably, eventually moving to lay on the mech's chest, her spark above his, feeling that comforting energy. Laying her cheek on his shoulder, she let her optics shutter again. Still can't believe how tired I am.
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Post by Miss Mandy on Mar 16, 2008 17:20:52 GMT -5
Raven smiled up at Rewire and kissed his chin. She loved the feel of his hands on her. Always had done, always would do.
Just have to name it, huh?
Her optics twinkled wickedly as she slowly slipped her hands beneath the armour at his hips.
Got a name for that, then?
~*~*~*~
Don' be silly. I'm sure it happens all th' time. Has to, right? You get some recharge and we'll go see Ratchet when yer up to it, ok? He can check ya over, make sure yer alright.
His hands kept gently running over her back, doing his best to comfort her, to reassure her that he felt nothing but love for her.
I love ya, ain't nothin' gonna change that.
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