The Diego Diaries: Ho-Ho-Ho? (dd6 534)
-0-Home that evening
"That was a great time."
"It was. Thanks for the slagging cow, Ratchet. I wanted one since Pudding but I didn't think you wanted another dependent."
Ratchet grinned at Ironhide as he set the little soft bed for Robby by the berth room window. He had put Robby's things around after they got home. Kids were going here and there so only the big kids and Halo were home. The run up to Christmas Surprise with kids being purloined here and there had just begun. "I knew how much you wanted one. He's yours to care for, Ironhide."
"I'll use him as a comfort cow. Pudding and Flipper are comfort cows. The kids love them on Cybertron. I can use Robby the same way." Ironhide smiled as the little cow walked in a circle, lay down, then flopped over. He was out like a light right away. "What a low maintenance slagger."
Ratchet laughed. "He is. Quite unlike me I would add."
Ironhide glanced at Ratchet with a tender expression. "I don't mind."
Neither would Halo who would laugh loudly and bounce in her bassinet. She would recharge in Prowler's room.
-0-Morning has broken …
"That's a great cow, Ada. Do you think we can bring him to school to show? I like his little horns," Fireball said as he leaned over to pet the little animal who was staring upward at them hopefully.
"Might not be a bad idea," Ironhide said as he sat eating breakfast. "Right now, I want to know what you're doing today. First Saturday and all ..."
"We're going to the club this afternoon. They have another dart tournament and we want to watch Tru win it again," Genesis said with a grin. "I really like Tru, Ada."
"You like him like everyone else or do you like him like Fireball and Lumi?" Nosy aka Ratchet asked.
He thought a moment, then sort of 'blushed'. "I think I like him like Lumi and Fireball."
Fireball grinned. He was pleased. "That's great, Gen. We can do things together."
"You already do," Ironhide said with a grin.
"I know," Fireball said with a big smile.
"We approve, infants, in your friendships. Just keep it simple for now," Ratchet said. "If you have anything you need to know, ask your father here." Ratchet smiled a dazzler to Ironhide who frowned.
"You're the doctor, slagger. Doctor," Ironhide said. "I'm going to the armory, then the water park to inaugurate the cow. Who's coming?" Ironhide asked.
Everyone would.
-0-Turbine and Raptor
They stood before the Well as their amma made his morning prayers. Raptor held Hero, Orion and Praxus. They watched Amma Tub Tub murmur softly as he said a prayer for Cybertron's continued protection, the return of everyone lost and one for the dead.
"Amma Tub Tub doing?" Orion asked as he pointed to the big mech with dark armor, a mellow personality and a spine of the hardest titanium. He would be off the main morning round of prayers for Cybertron for a few orns, then back on again with the Temple priests and a number of his own Elder Clan who were now here.
"Amma is saying the good word for everyone. Words have power, imp. You say and do good and good comes to you. You say, think and do bad and that's what you attract. Amma is telling the Pantheon and The One that we want our people back. He's making good so that good will come. That's what prayers are supposed to do," Raptor said.
The three stared at him then leaned in to hug him. "I love Amma Tub Tub. I love you, Appa Tap-Tap," Praxus said with a smile.
"And thats why you will never have a bad orn, imp," Raptor said with an ocean of emotion and love.
It was a quiet interlude in the Temple that morning before they would meander to the Water Park to join a sonny boy and his cow for the ride of their lives.
-0-Hard Drive and Delphi
They sat in their booth at The Diner On The Corner eating breakfast with the Night Watch and all the usual crowd. Most of them were in awe of the two being Immortals and all and they loved listening to their stories and enjoying their auras which were amazing.
"Abba," Smokey said as he sat in the booth next to both. "What were the Quintessans really like? Did you ever see them very much?"
Hardie considered that. "They were hardly ever seen because being organics, they knew eventually we would see them as weak and rebel. They had huge ships shaped like big giant corkscrews. They were powered by that sort of shape, I believe. Its a very smart shape for deep space travel. It can generate gravity and power. I never believed that they were very technically advanced when they came. Not as much as we were. It think they gained a great deal when they overran us. We weren't ready for them and they lied. I don't appreciate liars to this orn."
"I saw them myself though they tried very hard not to be seen. They were weird aliens, organic and had several faces with different expressions that resided on their bodies … like medallions. Whatever they felt would be the face you talked to. They could turn to show the face that would talk.
"They hovered somehow and had long tentacles. They were to me very ugly but then that can be colored by my feelings. I try not to judge, infants. Judgment is forbidden by Primus. Its the hardest thing not to do," Delphi said as he sipped his drink.
"If judgment is bad … what about us? We have to do that on the Watch," Smokey said as several youngsters nodded. They were listening to the two like they were speaking holy writ and to some extent they were. They did after all have closer contact with the Pantheon than anyone else there.
"Judgment is a various thing. Deciding you don't like a certain color or food is one thing. Doing your job and deciding what to do about it, using discernment and judgment as a Watchman is one thing. What we're suggesting here is judgment of others in a different manner … with a negative intention. Especially if it is based on personal bias or falsity.
"If you see a beast mode and think ugly, then that sort of judgment is what we're talking about. Judgment based on personal prejudice is bad. Very bad. Even if I don't care for someone I'm old enough to try and find a way to either understand them or I walk away. Having judgment in your spark about others is a negative thing and brings your energy down. Try instead to be a neutral observer. Watch what happens, listen, then have no judgment. Just observe it without getting into a negative mindset. Very little that happens directly affects you. If it doesn't, then walk away. You will in the long run be glad you did."
"Your auras are really light and bright, Amma," Smokey said.
"Because we choose to try and be accepting and good to others until they show us that it isn't in the cards. You do know that you don't have to have an opinion on everything? That there are entire swathes of life and events that don't need you to have or hold an opinion? I think if more knew that, if they knew that you don't have to hold opinions on everything that happens they would be a lot happier with their life. I also think that they would attract more love and happiness into their lives."
It was silent a moment, then Smokey leaned in closer. "What about old … friends?"
Snickers greeted that as he glanced up and around.
Delphi quashed a grin. "That's a test, infant. Life sets challenges and you can meet them with love and forgiveness or you can meet them with a head butt. Which do you think will make you feel better?"
Smokey stared at them, two gods of his personal professional pantheon. "The first. It's hard though. I want to PUNCH SOMEONE'S FACE!"
Hot Rod who was sitting nearby paused his fork to his mouth, then frowned. He saw Hardie looking at him with a slight grin, then began to eat faster.
It was intensely fun at the Diner. When Hardie and Delphi headed to the Water Park nearly everyone else followed them.
-0-Blackjack, Alor and Scout
They left the apartment at the Performing Arts Center after having breakfast with Scout and Trooper. They were finalizing the last staging of a major play that would debut there in two orns. When that final rehearsal was over they would head for the Water Park and the Fam. Walking to the train to board, they found a seat and sat. Scout stood on Alor's lap to look outside. Grinning at him, he glanced at Blackjack. "What do you think about infant's cow?"
"That's a slagging fine cow, Alie. I like his hair and his horns. Now Pudding and Flipper have a new playmate. Maybe we can start a business when we retire and babysit animals. I heard that there's a lot of tiny horses in the colony and a few more cows. Think about that for a moment."
They both did and it was awesome.
-0-Bumblebee and First Aid
"That little cow of Ironhide's is so cute."
"I know. Do you want a cow, Bee?"
"When we have more time. I think a little cow and a little horse would be fun."
"They would. Just say when, Bee."
Bee grinned. "I will," he said as he squeezed First Aid's servo. They walked down to the Metro heading for the Water Park and destiny.
-0-Ravel and Company
They hurried through the clean upthen walked to the door. It would take a while to get to the Water Park but they would make it in time to see a train of Praxians hit the water hard from the big slide. Each of them would be holding a cow. Walking to the group sitting on chairs in the lounge area of the park, they sat at a table, hugged babies, then ordered a snack and drink. Ravel smiled. "My, what a nice orn this is turning out to be."
Alor laughed. "I know. The cowboys are having a great time."
They bobbed up with bellowing cattle, then swam toward the side. Gently putting the three sodden little cows on the sidelines for the chair brigade to watch over, they swam madly for the steps and the climb back up.
Robby shook himself, his hair drying immediately when he did. The other cows stared at him, then walked over to where Dawg and Bob were laying. Plunking down, they fell into recharge. Robby stared at them, walked over, was scoped out to his great annoyance by Bob and Dawg, then joined them in a big pile. Snooze was achieved immediately.
"That is the cutest pile up I've ever seen," Docker said as she stood up. "COME ON, BABIES! TO THE BABY POOL!" She began to slowly run forward as every baby and infant child in the area including several that weren't theirs began to follow as swiftly as their baby legs could manage.
No one would mind. It was too cute.
-0-Squad Land
Proteus finished his work at the Halls, then spent a while chatting with Heatout about a type of pottery associated with the Primes that his family had collected. It was now a question whether it still existed in the smoking rubble of his home district on Cybertron.
It was covered in Primal Vernacular and was said to hold the secrets of the universe. Heatout had collected it as well but it was intensely expensive. Given that both were wealthy high castes with differing viewpoints at the time, it was nice to know they did share this common interest.
If any still existed for Proteus back home, he was going to donate it to the Museum and the Temple to keep. They would now belong to everyone.
He walked out into the bright light, transformed and drove to town. When he arrived Madura and Rugur in his carry case would be standing on the sidewalk waiting. He transformed, hugged both, then they walked to the Metro nearby. The Water Park beckoned them and when they arrived, the Squad and their dependents would be there.
They would include Lucien, Cargo and Keystock.
-0-TBC 12-01-18 edited 12-22-18