The Diego Diaries: PAR-TAY! (dd6 200)
We are indeed passing part 200 for the sixth time, emmajade32439. LOL! HERE WE GO!
-0-At a party in the Central Labor Hall
Lucien found a seat, then sat to watch the show. Laslo was having an animated conversation nearby with Madura and Edict, two mechs he, himself had never seen so open before. In fact, Madura was like a wraith previously, only visible when the conditions were right it seemed. He never liked to step out of his home and milieu. Something about discomfort around crowds, he was told. There was none of that here, right now.
Along the wall, seemingly miles of food items were placed, items that he had researched before coming. It was a habit of his work life, to know about and be prepared for anything and everything. He didn't want to make a social mistake, something that all of them of his station and level of leadership had as a personal habit.
Laslo had made salads, two heaping salads of some consequence. It would appear that they were favorites among humans on Earth, one a fruit concoction of some type and the other a delicate layering of tender type plants, some fruits, all manner of other things, and a light 'dressing'. It was all new so he applied himself. If anyone made a social faux pas here, it wasn't going to be him.
Partition was nearby, a tall femme with him holding his servo. It was startling to see, then he put it into a file to ruminate on later. Standing nearby, having a conversation with other younger mechs and a femme, Inweld and Morius were having a happy moment, too. They weren't anyone he knew, the individuals with his children. He looked around and saw many he knew, some of them aware of his recent humiliation and others who didn't know about that. He would try to avoid one group and speak to the other. It was a minefield, sitting here in this place he didn't want to be. It was disconcerting and odd to him to feel embarrassment but he did. The court was an ordeal.
A big mech walked toward him beer in hand, then sat down across from him. Setting a second beer on the table, Praxus Black Label no less, he shoved it forward. "Have a beer, Lucien. It helps in awkward social situations to hold something in your servo," Raptor said with a grin. "How is your family? From your point of view, that is."
Lucien stared at Raptor coolly, this big mech who was smart, tactical, crafty, and something he wasn't, beloved by nearly everyone who knew him. "You tell me, Raptor. My family has pretty much gone their own way. I'm a spectator in my own home."
"You choose it," Raptor said. "I find that you get what you wish for, Lucien. If you wish to be a whiny cry baby and expect terrible things, they will find you."
"Processor over matter, is that it?" Lucien asked as he took a sip. It was cold and delicious. "They have the formula right about this beer. I don't usually drink beer but this was the exception to the rule."
"The original brew masters are here making it," Raptor said. "All of the good labels are here, most of them, making their magic. It is processor over matter. Think about the law of attraction. You act an aft, you make your own life miserable, you expect nothing good … the universe listens to you and gives you want you want."
"The universe," Lucien said. "The universe listens."
"Of course it does," Raptor said. "The universe, the universal underlying energy that creates all … Primus and The One if it makes more sense that way … the force underlying all things listens and gives you what you want."
"I don't want this," Lucien said. "I'm not looking for trouble or problems. I don't want bad things."
"Then think about what you really want," Raptor said. "I only wanted my family together and the chance to help our world recover. I wanted my grandson. I never knew about the babies. We worked all this time hoping and dreaming that my grandson would be found and he was. I can't tell you what it felt like knowing Ironhide had survived. Then the babies … there are no words but I know that I asked The Universal Underlying Force That Animates All Things for him and he was given back to me. The children were a bonus, a very great surprise. The law of attraction, Lucien … as long as you're a whining sourpuss, then universe will feed you that."
"Well, that was edifying. Thanks for the chat," Lucien said as he sipped his beer. He glanced up to notice Hobbes and Proteus watching them. "Do come over. I was having a philosophy lesson from Raptor here."
Proteus smirked, then walked over with a wary Hobbes. Behind them, hesitating for a moment, then joining them at the table, Burris sat. "What are we talking about?" he asked.
"Processor over matter," Lucien said. "Something about the laws of attraction."
"You know about them, too?" Proteus asked Raptor.
"I do," Raptor said. "Old Whiner here, he has no idea that his intentions sent his reality. If you want to change your reality, change your intentions."
"What does that mean, pray tell?" Burris asked. "Philosophy is not my cup of energon."
"It means, Burris, that with your words and thoughts you create your life. If you're an aft, a whiner, a cry baby, someone who never believes that life can change and get better, someone who hates yourself, believes there's no good anywhere, then that's what the universe serves you. On a platter," Raptor said. "It gives you what you send out. It grants your wishes."
They stared at him, then Proteus grinned. "You sound like Heatout. He's firm about the idea of mind and body together, that you create your reality by what you believe and do. Think your life into the light or dark. It's in your hands."
"Not everyone can make that leap," Burris said.
"Of course, you can," Raptor said. "You just have to want it and most importantly of all … you have to BELIEVE it."
"Are you going to get in line?" Alor said as he walked up behind the group.
"I was hoping you'd feed me," Raptor said with a grin.
"Aw, do you want me to chew it first for you, too?" Alie asked his father-in-law.
"That crossed my mind," Raptor said as he stood up. "Off your backsides, recruits. Food waits for no mech."
Burris stood and so did Proteus. Hobbes and Lucien took longer but soon they were standing in line to get their turn through the heaping buffet. Around them, children and infants were being fed as their genitors either waited to get food or someone was getting them a plate. The room was almost completely full but not oppressive and the buzz was light and happy.
Standing in front of them, Smokey of Praxus moped slightly. Glancing around, he looked for Hot Rod but the big mech wasn't here or not seen through the crowds. Smokescreen nudged his grandson. "Move forward, infant. If he's coming, he can't speak to you until we resolve this anyway. You're invoked. Do you understand your responsibility?"
Smokey sighed dramatically. "I do, Appa." He turned to look at Smokescreen with angst filling his face, an altogether adorable look for him. "BUT IT'S STILL FRAGGED!"
A number of diners glanced at him with a smirk or smile depending on who knew and who didn't. Apparently, the news had gotten around, though Smokey didn't know that. Devcon who was talking to his son-in-law, Moda, Smokey's ada, glanced back at the smoldering sulking grandson of his waking dreams. "Eat, infant. A soldier never knows when he's going to get called."
"I'LL EAT!" he said, then frowned. "That's not the problem," he said. He looked around. "I don't see any pie, Amma."
"I have some at home. The door is open 24-7 for you," Dev said.
Smokey wilted slightly. "Thanks." He looked at Dev. "You don't seem mad about this, Amma. You know … at Hot Rod."
Dev grinned. "Your appa is taking care of the legalities. I'm taking care of you."
Smokey leaned against Devcon as they inched closer to the start of the buffet. "It's so mixed up, Amma."
"I know," Dev said. "You're young."
"Does it get better with age?" Smokey asked hopefully.
"No," Dev said with a grin.
"Frag," Smokey muttered as Dev handed him a plate.
"Fill up, infant," he said as he began to fill his own.
Smokey would.
Nearby, sitting with heaping plates and cold beer, Cyclonus and three of his mechs, all of them major scholars at the Monastery began to eat. They had a festival like this coming up in three orns at the Monastery, then they would dedicate the school where their acolytes and scribes would be trained. It would also teach the philosophy of The Guiding Hand to their people, those who wanted to learn more. The functions of the Monastery in Upper Tetrahex were being added as they regained teachers, monks, their learning tools, and time. Cyclonus and his three mechs were hunting the Omega Keys and managing everything else so he delegated.
It was exhilarating.
Nearby them, eating together themselves, Mraz, Templar, Gravitas, Alpha Trion, Chevron, Lauren, Lady Sela, Chrome, and Eronus congregated. Any number of individuals, some religious, had helped them get their food and settle. Rather than arguing against a good deed, they had gratefully accepted the assistance. Gratitude was a major pillar of their belief system.
Sitting down the table from them, Ravel and Tie Down helped the babies as everyone began to come back with heaping plates and drinks. Sitting among the children, they helped feed them, listen to their convoluted stories, prevented Praxus, Orion, Kaon, and Solus from licking condiments that were on the table for use, and other novelties.
"AMMA! I DOING THIS!" Orion said as he pointed to the 'sugar' bowl sitting near him.
"No, Orion. Eat your food," Amma Corr said with a grin.
Orion stared at him, then his plate, then Amma Corr again. "Amma bad one," he said.
Ratchet who was walking to his place balancing food paused over Orion. "Orion is the bad one and if he doesn't settle down and eat, he goes into the corner."
Orion looked straight up in surprise, then smiled his cheesy big smile that he used when cornered. He picked up his fork, then picked up a bite. Ratchet moved down the table to sit among the big kids as Orion watched. He frowned slightly. "Ada bad one," he repeated in a tiny whisper. Then he began to eat, forgetting his beef almost immediately like most little kids did.
Ironhide followed Prime, Raptor, Hard Drive, Blackjack, and Hercy to a table to sit. Behind them, following with their own food, Burris, Kup, Lucien, Proteus, and Vinn made their way to the same tables. Finding seats, settling in, they began to eat.
"Buns and butter. Potatoes, turkey … warrior food," Ironhide said with a grin. "I, IRONHIDE, LIKE THANKSGIVING FOOD!"
Laughter greeted that remark as the room noshed away. It was awkward a moment before more joined them. Lon and Bezel, Partition, Lancer, Inweld, Morius, Aunt Lissie, Flint and his boyfriend, Stu-RT, Chromia and Maelstrom, Magnus, Jetta, Arcee, and Elita sat down on the chairs around them, settling in to eat. It was quiet a moment, then Lissie glanced at Proteus. "How are you doing these orns, Proteus? I hear you work at the Halls of Order."
"I do, Lissie," Proteus said with a grin. "I enjoy it a great deal. It's always interesting."
'I'm glad to hear it. How's Madura? I heard that he's out and about now," Lissie said. "That's always good to hear. Everyone grieves their own way. But the time comes when you have to fish or cut bait."
Proteus grinned as he glanced over a few tables. Madura was sitting with Joon, Edict, Anders, several femmes that he didn't know, and a number of mechs as well. "Truer words never spoken, Lissie."
Lissie grinned. She looked at Lucien. "I understand that your sons are going on tour with Raptor and Hardie. I imagine they find it interesting to be home again?"
"I would hardly use that word but they're seeing how it is there," Lucien said.
"It's awful," Lissie said. "It will get better. Effort will make it so. Consider that, Lucien, when you have flights of fancy. That ship sailed."
It was awkward a moment, then Raptor grinned at Lissie. "I gave him the lecture on the law of attraction."
Lissie nodded. "That law is hard and fast, infants. What you believe about yourself, that's what you become. You hold in your servos the keys to the kingdom. It mystified me how many never use them." She looked at Ironhide. "I want that new baby, nephew. What about it?"
Ironhide glanced around noting that Prowl had Halo. "Old tight aft has her."
"Then go tell Ratchet to hand her over," Lissie said with a wink.
Prime would laugh loudly and long. Proteus would be gratified, Burris highly surprised, Vinn would join him, and Lucien would watch with a sneaking sense of sacrilege. Primes never laughed, danced, drank, or carried on in his experience.
It was clear to himself that he needed more experiences.
-0-TBC 11-25-17 edited 11-26-17
-0-NOTES
nosh: to eat