"Of Sparks and Cons"
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Renegade sat beside Dunestar, watching as she played with Wildcharger. The little mech had been awake far longer than anyone else and was still going strong. At the moment, Dunestar had him straddling her lower leg and she was lifting him up and down to his infinite glee. It seemed almost otherworldly that they had only known Wildcharger for a little over a week's worth of cycles. In fact, it seemed odd to even consider the fact that, up until that week, he had been living alone with his sparklings aboard Naomi on Chartahain. Even with all his years, it still amazed him.
"Pretty soon, he's going to be too big for you to do that with," Cascade's comment drew Renegade's attention and he smiled over at him.
"At that point, then it will be you doing it with him," Renegade stated and Cascade chuckled at that.
"You are probably right about that, Rene," Cascade nodded, his attention refocusing on his data pad. The stylus was loosely dangling from his right servo beside his faceplate as he leaned his chinplate against the back of his fist. Since that tense night with Quicksilver, he had started to regain his composure around her. It made Renegade hopeful for them both.
Turning back toward Dunestar and Wildcharger, Renegade stopped in mid swing of his helm when he caught movement from the far storage area. He watched silently as Quicksilver, a data pad held tightly in her hands, followed by Duskwalker, trotting along in her quadraped form, emerged from the opening. He caught Quicksilver's optic, smiled and nodded. The youngling offered the barest of a smile in return, looking slightly embarrassed. Ever since the slight episode in the corridor outside following the encounter with Soundbyte, Quicksilver had been cautious around him. Seeing her avoiding his gaze made his spark hurt. She'd been doing well up to that point.
"Cascade?" Quicksilver's soft voice pulled him from his thoughts and he heard Cascade shift. Duskwalker stepped up beside Quicksilver and smiled over at Renegade before turning her attention to the bronze and red mech.
"Yes?" Cascade's tone was deceptively casual. Renegade wondered if Quicksilver could hear the undertone in it. If she could she gave no physical sign. Whenever she spoke with him now she was tense and overly cautious. It was often painful to watch.
"Dusk and I… we've been thinking ever since we finished cleaning the storage areas for Renegade," Quicksilver started, stopping when she lost her nerve slightly. Looking up at her, Duskwalker frowned a little and bumped into her leg.
This seemed to push a little more courage into the youngling and she released air through her vents raggadely before continuing on, "We think we found a way to reorganize them so they are easier to use… but we need someone to build a number of shelving units in them… and, well…"
"You're the best builder on this ship!" Windsplitter piped up, her helm appearing behind Cascade from over the back of the couch he was sitting on. His optics flashed and widened at the sight and sound of her and a smile erupted on his faceplate.
"Thank you sweet spark, but where did you come from?" Cascade asked as he turned so he could pull her over the back of the couch.
"I've been there for awhile," Windsplitter stated and she turned to the other two young femmes, "That's why you asked dad, isn't it? Cause he's the best."
"Words right out of our mouths," Duskwalker intoned and Renegade contained his small amount of laughter, making certain his faceplate was calm and relaxed. Only those close enough to Duskwalker to understand her undertones would know that she was being slightly sarcastic. Not enough to hurt anyone's feelings, but enough so that it was clear it was not what she had been planning upon saying at all.
A glance at Dunestar told him that she had caught it as well and was having a hard time maintaining the same calm as he was. A loud holler of indignation gave her an opportunity to turn it into something else as she grinned down at Wildcharger who had been momentarily forgotten.
"Let me see the data pad, you two… bunch of flattery to get me to do what you want," Cascade held his servo out, a smile on his faceplate as he said it. Quicksilver moved forward after a small push from Duskwalker from behind. When she was within reach, she held the pad out and waited for him to take it. Cascade looked at her for a moment, his gaze narrowing when she came no closer to him, but took the pad gently none-the-less.
"Thank you," the gratitude was clear in the youngling's voice as was the relief at being able to speak to him without either of them getting worked up during it.
"You're welcome, Silver," Cascade nodded his helm and a small light of hope flickered deep in Quicksilver's optics at the nickname.
"How long have you two been in there?" Dunestar asked and Renegade answered for her.
"Since about the same time that one got up," Renegade stated, pointing at Wildcharger's grinning, laughing faceplate.
"How is it that I didn't notice you?" Dunestar asked with a smile.
"We were being quiet, we didn't want to wake anyone," Duskwalker explained as she trotted over to them and climbed up. Crossing Dunestar's lap, she made her way over to Renegade and sat down on his thigh armor, smiling up at him.
"I noticed them when I stepped out for a break from the blasted mechanics of that engine," Renegade explained at her curious look, "Silver was seated in the middle of the storage area, jotting down notes and making lines for the design apparently while Dusk ran about and did all the measuring."
"It was easier for me to reach the higher areas… the crates could hold my weight better," Duskwalker offered, "Silver tried, but nearly toppled to the decking when a stack wobbled trying to support her."
"We decided it would be safer if Dusk used her claws from then on," Quicksilver stated softly as she stood between the two couches at the end. Renegade watched her for a moment before turning back to Duskwalker.
"That was very wise of you both," Renegade praised, glancing up at Quicksilver iin time to see a ghost of a smile, "Now, have you refueled?"
"Yeah," Wildcharger's announced, his voice rising and falling with the movement of Dunestar's leg, "Silver got us all Energon and made sure we refueled… she's really good at thinking about stuff like that."
"Thank you Silver," Dunestar thanked the youngling and Renegade thought she would argue that it had been common sense, but she seemed to think better of it and remained silent.
"If everyone is refueled and ready, then I suggest we make our way to the training center," Renegade suggested and Wildcharger nearly fell off of Dunestar's leg in his excitement at the pronouncement.
"Easy there Charger, you don't want to get hurt before you get to start your training with Breakdown again," Dunestar cautioned him and Renegade watched as the mechling, with every bit of caution he could summon, very carefully climbed down and got to his own two pedes. For a moment, he was unsteady, trying to rid himself of the sensation of going up and down.
"I'm ready!" Wildcharger announced the moment he regained his equilibrium and Renegade laughed as the mechling charged for the door. When it did not open to his approach, he spun around and stared at them all, moving his hands urgently. No one moved right away and this seemed to agitate him further as he darted over to where Quicksilver stood and began to push against the front of her legs. To his annoyance, this did little more than make the larger femme sway slightly on her pedes.
"Come on!" Wildcharger shouted and Renegade stood up, lifting Duskwalker to his shoulder plating as he did so.
"Easy now Charger, we're coming. Breakdown will not disappear in the time it takes us to get to the training center," Renegade reassured him, though the mechling looked as though he doubted his words.
"Dad, who do I get to train with?" Windsplitter asked and Renegade glanced her way before looking back down at Wildcharger as the mechling ran over to him and jumped up in order to grab at his servo. Dangling there for a moment, the mechling released a loud sigh and dropped back down to the decking with a clang.
"You'll be working with Dunestar," Cascade stated and Windsplitter made a whining noise.
"But that's no fun, I'm always with Dune!" Windsplitter's complaint caused a number of sighs to be vented around the common area. Wildcharger rolled his optics and grinned up at Renegade when he noticed the mildly scolding look he gave the mechling.
"Not now Windsplitter, we'll discuss this later," Cascade stated firmly and Renegade looked back at him approvingly. The younger mech frowned but nodded at the look.
"But Dad," Windsplitter whimpered and Cascade turned his gaze back to her.
"No buts, little one. If you argue, you will be staying here while everyone else goes to the training center. I can wait to work on the course until they get back," Cascade stated firmly and Windsplitter scowled at him, crossing her arms and sticking her glossia out at him before looking away.
A helpless look crossed Cascade's faceplate as he looked to Renegade for some assistance and Reneged moved his servo, indicating they should leave. If Cascade did not feel the need to scold her for her disrespect, then that was his decision. However, Renegade was not going to make the others wait any longer. If he did, Wildcharger may start to run around them in circles. As it was, the little mech was moving back and forth on his pedes.
With the fleetness of one ready to pounce at any sign that they are about to get what they want, Wildcharger watched the silent sign and hollered before spinning on his heel and rushing the door. Renegade watched him with interest as he slid to a stop and nearly hit the still closed door. After Windsplitter's hasty exit on Quicksilver, Renegade had reset all of the external doors to remain sealed at the approach of a sparkling. As they proved that they could be trusted, he would reprogram the doors to open for each individual sparkling later on. At the moment, however, only Quicksilver was capable of opening the doors. Something Cascade had vehemently been against.
"Dunestar, would you mind approaching the door before Wildcharger chews his way through it," Renegade suggested and Dunestar chuckled slightly before doing so. She reached down and gripped Wildcharger's servo before the door fully opened to keep him from charging out.
"Stay with us, Charger, or you'll be carried there," Dunestar warned and Wildcharger vented a sigh but nodded and obeyed. As they all gathered at the exit, Renegade looked back over his shoulder and noticed that one was missing.
"Youngling, come on or you'll be left behind," Renegade called and Quicksilver's helm swung around. There was a great deal of fear and worry in her gaze and he felt bad for her. This was to be her first training session with Dreadwing. Over the past few cycles, the big flyer had been unable to attend and Renegade had worked with her himself. Aside from the incident with Soundbyte, she had been doing well.
Several seconds passed before she finally turned to face them completely and began to walk toward them. Renegade was glad to see that her steps were steady, if measured. When she joined them, standing far enough back that she could avoid anyone trying to reach out to her, he nodded and turned. Exiting the residence, they made quiet the sight, he was sure. But no one bothered them, aside from to offer greetings. Most of the drones focused on the sparklings, particularly Wildcharger.
Halfway to the training center, Renegade overheard Windsplitter asking to be let down. He listened to Cascade as he bent down and let her onto the decking with a warning to behave herself. As soon as she was loose, she ran straight to Wildcharger and tackled him, nearly sending him to his knees. Both started to laugh loudly and Windspltiter released him, starting a game of chase that circled around and through the adults' legs. Only Quicksilver was safe, as she remained a short distance behind them.
"This is going to be an interesting 'training session'," Dunestar stated as she stopped before she tripped over Windsplitter. The game was starting to impede their forward momentum and Renegade stopped as well, waiting for them to get some of the excess energy out of their systems.
"If they keep this up they won't have energy to train," Renegade commented, watching as Windsplitter missed in tackling Wildcharger, stooping down and catching her in his arms. A squeal of surprise echoed through the corridor as she started to giggle and squirm in his grip. Moments later a similar squeal escaped Wildcharger as Cascade caught him in a tight hug.
Laughing, Cascade joined Renegade and Dunestar at the front of the group, "I think, we should carry them to the training center. Otherwise, we will have two sparklings in recharge long before they do any kind of training."
"Agreed," Renegade chuckled, adjusting his grip on Windsplitter so that she was resting in the crook of his arm. She giggled when he started to tickle her side slightly, stopping when she pushed his servo away. Once Cascade had Wildcharger settled, he indicated that they should continue along their way. By the time they reached the trainging center, Windsplitter was fidgeting and pushing at his hands, wanting to get down.
"Hold tight little one, as soon as we get into the training center the two of you can get down and play," Renegade promised. Windsplitter looked up at him but did not reply. Instead she leaned back and crossed her arms over her chestplate.
Entering the training center several minutes later, Renegade made good on his promise and released Windsplitter from his grasp. The moment her pedes touched the decking, she ran to Cascade and begged him to set Wildcharger down as well. Much to the femling's disappointment, however, Wildcharger bolted, running for the big blue and white mech with a red faceplate standing a short distance away.
Wildcharger's shout to the former wrecker echoed about the training center, causing the big mech to turn on his heel, only to be tackled just above the knee joint. Bursting out with laughter, Cascade stepped up beside Renegade and set a servo to his shoulder plating.
"Good to know he pummels other mechs as well," Cascade grinned and Renegade chuckled.
"Yes, it is," Renegade nodded as he raised a servo in greeting to Breakdown. The mech nodded and lifted his servo as well before bending down and peeling Wildcharger from his leg armor.
"Duskwalker, are you ready to go with Dunestar?" Renegade asked as Breakdown turned away and carried Wildcharger to another section of the training center.
Pulling herself up onto his shoulder armor, Duskwalker offered one of her feline smiles, "Yep. Dad, how long will you be here for?"
"Not long, I want to observe Quicksilver with Dreadwing, and then I have to get back to the engine," Renegade stated, and keep pretending I can't fix the thing. Even though it really needs about ten upgrades and a few other adjustments.
"Oh, okay," Duskwalker accepted, her voice betraying her disappointment.
"Sorry, Dusk, but I need to get that engine repaired if Lord Megatron plans upon getting to Altera in a timely manner," Renegade apologized, "Besides, you enjoy training with Dune."
"It's all right, Dad, I know you need to repair the engine," Duskwalker forced her voice into a happier tone and he resisted the urge to vent a sigh as he lifted her up to his faceplate to settle her against it for a moment. After a few seconds, he bent down and set her to the decking. She immediately ran over to Dunestar, smiling up at the tall, sand-colored femme.
"If you are fine with the others, I will go and get to work so I can finish before the dark cycle," Cascade stated, standing near to Renegade's left side. As he spoke, Windsplitter turned and ran toward Dunestar, her arms flung wide. She overtook Duskwalker easily and nearly toppled the little femling by bumping into her by accident.
"We're fine. I'm glad you're aiming to get back before the sparklings go into recharge, but do not push yourself, Cascade. You are not replaceable," Renegade cautioned and Cascade gave him a sardonic smile.
"Are you sure I'm not?" Cascade joked, though there was something in his gaze that did not reflect his tone.
"Yes, I am," Renegade stated firmly, looking over at Windsplitter and Dunestar. Duskwalker finally caught up to them and climbed up to Dunestar's shoulder plating.
Cascade's gaze followed his and the young bot nodded, "I suppose… though there are times I'm sure she thinks she would be better off without me."
"She loves you, Cascade. But she's a typical sparkling and tends to exaggerate," Renegade stated mildly.
"Yes, Dusk does none of those things," Cascade reminded him and he smirked slightly before shaking his helm.
"Dusk is different in many ways, you cannot compare the two," Renegade stated, "Perhaps, instead of trying to make Windsplitter into a clone of Dusk, you should get to know Windy better."
Cascade's yellow optics moved back to where his sparkling stood beside Dunestar, waiting. Her fidgeting was beginning to escalate. The sound of someone entering through the main door jolted the younger bot out of his thoughts and he turned to see who had entered. Renegade followed the direction of his gaze and nodded to Dreadwing. The large flyer returned the silent greeting as Cascade turned to look back Renegade once more.
"You're too wise for your own good at times," Cascade quipped before walking away, his pace slow but steady as he made his way to the partially completely structure that was taking up half of the space.
Renegade watched him go, his gaze never wavering from the bronze and red form, even when Dreadwing joined him. When Cascade disappeared around the edge of his current project, Renegade turned to face Dreadwing. The flyer and he were on equal ground when it came to height, but Renegade was still broader and far more heavily armored.
This was a casual observation for the big mech and he merely moved on from it, "Dreadwing."
"Renegade," Dreadwing nodded in greeted and his gaze moved to the youngling. She stood a short distance away, her optics focused on Dunestar, Duskwalker, and Windsplitter. A small fight, if you could call it that, broke out between the two sparklings and Renegade watched as Duskwalker ran over to Quicksilver, clearly upset. Dunestar was too busy scolding Windsplitter to take notice of their attention on the young ones, but when she looked up, she offered a small, half-smile to Renegade.
"I trust that the youngling has experience with the course?" Dreadwing asked and Renegade turned his attention back to the yellow faceplate.
"Yes, I've had her flying manuveurs through it over the past few cycles," Renegade acknowledged. The question was in regards to a series of rings that were suspended from the ceiling on thin cables. Each hung at a different height in a circular course, all swinging independently of each other. A few times, he had worried that Quicksilver would injure herself passing through them without the ability to transform, and ultimately make herself smaller. But she had handled the test professionally and passed through each with very little difficulty.
"Very good… she had no issues navigating without the aid of transformation?" Dreadwing asked and Renegade would have chuckled had he not had control of his emotions.
"None," Renegade responded. A curt nod was his only answer and Renegade watched silently as Dreadwing approached Quicksilver and Duskwalker. He followed only after the big mech had greeted the youngling, not wanting her to seek refuge behind him. Dreadwing was to be her teacher and she had to respond to him and accept that she would be spending a great deal of time with him. There were times when it was better to let her deal with her fear alone.
"Hi dad," Duskwalker greeted him once he was closer, jumping from Quicksilver's shoulder to his outstretched servo. A small glint of hope lit in Quicksilver's optics and he offered a small smile of reassurance to the youngling.
"I understand that you have experience with the course, this cycle I am going to test your speed against maneuverability while in a confined space," Dreadwing informed her and Quicksilver looked away from Renegade. He was glad to see curiosity and interest in her expression. If Dreadwing managed to continue piquing her interest, then the two would be fine until he moved onto a more personal level that would require she actually approach him in training, such as servo-to-servo combat and team coordination.
A small shiver ran through Duskwalker's form and Renegade held her closer, keeping a watchful optic on the pair of flyers as he settled his sparkling's fears. He would have to ask Dunestar what had occurred between the two femlings before he left for the engine room. Duskwalker would never tell him, feeling that in doing so she was telling on one of the others. She was a sweet femme, often to the point that she allowed herself to get hurt so that others would not be hurt as well.
"Take to the air youngling," Dreadwing's order drew Renegade's attention back to him and he stepped back to give Quicksilver adequate space to ignite her thrusters.
When she was in the air, she hovered a short distance above them and Renegade watched her wings as she made minute adjustments, nearly invisible to the optic, in order to maintain her position. Everything she did while flying was instinctual. That was something he had discovered by asking her a few questions about what she was doing and why. Dunestar had not been bothered by the responses and had simply stated that some flyers were aware of every little reaction they had while others were not. He'd accepted it without concern. He was old, but he was no fool.
"I want you to pass through the course as fast as you can without catching the edge of any of the rings. If you must go beneath one, do so. I do not want you to harm yourself trying to fly through one that would require you to veer off course and slow down. This is purely for speed," Dreadwing stated and Quicksilver nodded deftly.
"Yes sir," there was a distinct tone of apprehension but it was buried beneath a layer of excitement. There were many times when Renegade would have liked to share a bond with her to truly sense all of the emotions she was experiencing right at that moment.
A nod and slight wave of Dreadwing's servo had her shooting into the air above their helms. After a few warm up maneuvers that she performed each time Renegade and Dunestar had asked her to do a flight exercise, Quicksilver made her way to the course that Dreadwing had set up. By the time she reached it, she was more difficult to see, her colors blending with the stark gray of the ship's walls.
"She's graceful," Dreadwing commented and Renegade had to agree.
"Dad, can I go back home?" Duskwalker drew Renegade's attention when Quicksilver began her first run through the course. He looked down at her with worry.
"Are you not happy here with Dunestar?" Renegade asked and she shook her helm quickly.
"It's not that, I just… don't want to get in the way," Duskwalker explained and Renegade smiled at her fondly.
"You're never in the way, Dusk," Renegade reassured her, glancing up at Quicksilver and watching as she deftly avoided a ring that was showing her its side instead of the opening in its center, and turned toward Dunestar.
"When the others are training I am," Duskwalker argued and vented a sigh, "I'm too small to work with them."
"There are advantages to having a smaller bot in the team," Renegade stated firmly, "It will simply take time for the others to realize this and appreciate it."
He felt bad having to tell her that she needed to be patient with the other sparklings. If there was a way fro him to convince them to be more open-minded, he would do it, unfortunately that was not as easy as he wished.
"I know," Duskwalker stated sadly and Renegade stroked her helm.
"Once I complete this round of repairs, you can come assist me. But, until then, I'd like you to remain with Dunestar at all times. With us scattered throughout the ship, it's far more difficult for us to keep a watchful optic on all of you," Renegade spoke gently and Duskwalker nodded solemnly.
"I don't want anything to happen to you or anyone else," Duskwalker agreed, "I'll stay."
"Thank you, Dusk," Renegade thanked her and set his lipplates against her helm before straightening up once more and reaching Dunestar's side. Windsplitter sat on the decking, her optics wide as she stared up at the ceiling high overhead.
"You're welcome Dad," Duskwalker transferred to Dunestar's arms and made her way up to the femme's shoulder plating, curling around her neck and watching as Quicksilver hit one of the rings with her wing. A loud clang and subtle curse reached their audios but she pushed on.
"That had to hurt," Dunestar commented before turning her attention to Renegade, "Are you leaving us so soon?"
"Hm, it would seem that Silver is focused on her task. I don't believe there will be any issues this cycle… let me know if Reclaimer chooses to appear," Renegade stated and Dunestar nodded. The tall mech had not approached him since their short battle. But he knew he was still interested in working with the youngling on her combat skills. Renegade was leaving that decision up to Dreadwing when the time came.
"Dreadwing seems to understand that keeping her at a distance is a good way to start. She'll be comfortable around him in less time than you'd think, at least in here she will be," Dunestar stated and Renegade silently agreed. The corridors would be a different story, but as to the training center, she would be fine with the big mech.
"Now, what I'm curious about is what happened earlier that sent Dusk to Silver," Renegade stated, focusing on Windsplitter. The sparkling's optics flicked toward him quickly before she refocused on Quicksilver's training.
"Windsplitter said something she should not have," Dunestar explained, "She's in time out until I tell her to get up."
"Understood," Renegade responded and reached out to cup her faceplate in his servo before removing it and stroking Duskwalker's helm, "I will see you all after training."
"Have a good cycle, Rene," Dunestar stated and he smiled down at her easily before lowering his servo and turning to walk away.
When he reached the door, another clang and slightly louder cursing fit reached his audios and he turned to watch as Quicksilver regained her momentum. He would have to do something about her cursing later. For now, he was simply glad she was not curled up in a corner, shaking from fear.
Duskwalker watched Renegade until he left, venting a small sigh as the door sealed behind him. Carefully moving around until she was sitting on Dunestar's shoulder plating, she looked up and watched as Quicksilver made her final pass through the end of the course. When she looked down, she could see Windsplitter, still seated on the decking, watching the training happening above them.
"Dune, I'm going to wander a little bit, is that okay?" Duskwalker asked and the femme looked over at her in mild surprise.
"You don't want to train with us today?" Dunestar asked and Duskwalker shook her helm.
"I don't really feel like it. I'm going to go and practice climbing," Duskwalker stated and Dunestar nodded with an understanding look.
"Be careful and stay on this side of the training course. I don't know what Cascade is doing this cycle," Dunestar warned gently and Duskwalker nodded so she knew she had heard her. Making her way to the decking, she trotted past Windsplitter, ignoring the noise of annoyance the femling made, and made her way to where a secondary set of targets was set up next to the far wall. At this point, she was directly beneath Quicksilver, to the left of Wildcharger, and in front of Windsplitter. If she had stopped there, she could have watched all three without hindrance.
Instead, she made her way to the targets and climbed upward. The higher she went, the more interesting the wall of the training center became. There were squares that stuck out of the smooth surface, offering footholds as well as handholds. Each was wide enough that she could easily fit her entire body on them. And they were close enough together that she could jump from one to the other without danger of falling.
By the time she decided to look back down, she was halfway up to the ceiling. Far below her, she watched as Breakdown knelt down and corrected Wildcharger's form. The mechling was sober and serious for a change as the big wrecker spoke to him. She had never seen Wildcharger so focused before, even when her dad had been trying to show him the best way to escape from a full grown mech. Windsplitter was now up and moving, Dunestar watching her and attempting to catch her. Each time the femme would reach out to grab Windsplitter, she would dart away, laughing. The sound reached her all the way up there just as easily as though she were still down on the decking beside them.
Turning from the scene, she continued along her way. Her tail twitching as she landed on the next platform. One of her paws slipped and she felt her spark beat frantically at the sensation. Curling up into a ball for a moment, she vented heavily through her vents, allowing herself time to calm down before continuing on. It was late into the training cycle by the time she reached the highest point of the wall. Just above her, she could reach the beams that stretched from one side of the space to the other, supporting the walls and ceiling. With one deft jump, she wrapped her paws around the beam and dug her claws in so she could pull herself up. Straining, she dragged her lower half up, finally managing to get a grip with her rear paws. Once she was on the beam, she looked around and smiled. The beams were like a maze, crisscrossing and covering the entire distance of the floor below. This was her type of training ground.
As she moved through the trusses, she watched the tiny figures down below, feeling big for the first time in her life. They were little more than colorful dots and she could hold a paw up and feel as though she were holding them. Wandering the trusses was great fun, but she started to get a little tired and decided to lay down. Her chosen spot gave her an optimal viewpoint of Quicksilver's rings. And th femme was now doing maneuvers through them that seemed rather dangerous.
Watching, she smiled as Quicksilver managed to pull off a move that allowed her to pass through two rings that had swung away from one another in an awkward angle. Then she was coming toward Duskwalker's hiding spot and her optics shot wide at the sight of the little femme.
"Dusk?!" Quicksilver's shock broke her attention and she did not adjust fast enough to avoid the wall. The thud and resulting clang were deafening and Duskwalker rushed to where she had struck. She was not fast enough and Quicksilver fell back, recovering soon enough to slow her decent and flip over, landing on her pedes.
Making her way down the wall was far faster than going up. By the time she reached Quicksilver's landing point, Dreadwing, Dunestar, Breakdown and the sparklings were gathered around her, all of them speaking to her with concern. Guilt clouded Duskwalker's processor and she sat back far enough that she was out of the way, watching. Fearful that Quicksilver would yell and declare her hatred for her.
"Where's Dusk? Is she okay?" Quicksilver's question caught her off guard as she ignored all the adults' concerns. When her gaze fell upon Duskwalker, the youngling vented a sigh of relief.
"She's fine, Silver," Dunestar assured her, "We're more worried about you, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, I've fallen further into harder surfaces," Quicksilver assured her, getting to her pedes shakily and crossing her arms over her midsection, clearly uncomfortable with all the attention.
"I still recommend you take her to Knockout," Dreadwing stated firmly and Dunestar nodded.
"I agree," Dunestar turned to Duskwalker and knelt down, "Come on Dusk, let's get Silver to the medical bay. Windsplitter, you too."
"Ohhh, but I wanna stay! Stupid Duskwalker, always getting in the way!" Windsplitter stomped her ped and pouted and Duskwalker fought the urge to cry, running to Dunestar's open servo and climbing up to hide behind her neckplating.
"Stop it Windsplitter, it was my fault, not Duskwalker's," Quicksilver snapped and Duskwalker stuck her nose out around Dunestar's neckplating, "I should not have allowed my focus to wander. So stop blaming her for everything, you spoiled little thing."
"Quicksilver!" Dunestar scolded and Quicksilver looked away, her optics still bright with anger.
"This, ma'am, I leave to you," Dreadwing excused himself and walked away. Breakdown collected Wildcharger with a promise to return him later on and turned to leave as well.
"Now, we will go to speak with Knockout. And if he declares that you can come back to the residence, we are all going to have a long discussion about how we are to speak to one another, is that understood?" Dunestar demanded and both Windsplitter and Quicksilver answered in the affirmative. Neither one looked at her, however, and Duskwalker had a sinking feeling that they were both about to get a lecture when they got home.
"Come on," Dunestar picked Windsplitter up and set her servo to the back of Quicksilver's neckplating, leading her from the training center. As they left, Duskwalker looked back at the others, all of them were watching them leave, clearly amused.