The Diego Diaries: Stuff (668)

=0=Morning

Ratchet put the dishes in the washer as Ironhide stared from his chair at the infants getting down from breakfast. He and his elders were going out when they came by to steal the kids for 'their orn out' or as it was known on the calendar as First Saturday, part of the weekend.

The big kids left already to go to the meet up in front of Watch Substation #4. All of the mechs who were going to be racing and half their sisters including Chromia were going to take them with from there.

Ironhide finally arose as the door opened and Raptor peeked inside. "Ready?" he asked. "Everyone is waiting downstairs."

"On it," Ironhide said as he turned to the kids. "MOUNT UP!"

Kids froze in place, then ran screaming into their berth rooms to get the appropriate dollies. They came out dragging onesies, various cute little togs and proceeded to get ready. It was comical in the extreme but they managed. Staring upward at the adults who were standing in the doorway with grins on their faces, they grinned back.

"I GOIN'!?" Halo asked.

Ironhide picked her up. "Yep," he said.

The infants were scooped up, slag was traded, then they left to begin the first orn of weekend together as usual.

Ratchet watched them go, then looked around. "I'm alone in the house. Again." He grinned. "Praise be to Primus." With that, he walked to the door and left himself.

=0=On the street

Ratchet ambled down the sidewalk heading for the Diner On The Corner. He entered, walked to the back and sat. Grinning at his partner in crime, Ratchet ordered. "What's up?"

"Nothing much," Prowl said as he sat back with a smirk. "I have to be at the office in about a joor. That means we get to the point. What do you know?"

"I know that Agnes is walking and Cliffjumper is beside himself. I know that Marvelle and Duesy are getting close to bonding. There's a lot of talk in the family and a friend of a cousin who takes care of their elders when Duesy is working the night shift stretch said that the signs are imminent."

"Interesting," Prowl said with an appraising nod. "Hostel told me that Maris and Whimsy are still together. They had to change apartments due to a spat with a neighbor. Apparently, a former high caste is throwing shade and wants them to move. Something about smells."

Ratchet frowned. "Slag. That again. I was hoping that Whimsy could get that promotion and it would help."

"You and me both. However, things being what they may … they're looking for an apartment in City Six of Crater District 1. It might help given that their sister-in-law is having so many problems," Prowl said.

Ratchet nodded with a grim expression, then sat back. "I really love that soap opera. Thanks for catching me up."

"Don't mention it. The other one clashes with my viewing schedule and even taping it for a while is hard to fit in. By the way, I'm glad Agnes is walking. I haven't seen Cliff on the docket since bonding with Buzzie," Prowl said with a grin.

"I know," Ratchet said with a smile. "Do you want me to keep watching 'Howland' and tape 'Home's End' or what?"

"Keep taping 'Home's End'. I have to know what Whimsy does. The other … can you tape it, too? I have a bet with Smokescreen about Duesy."

"You got it," Ratchet said as their food came. They would sit and eat it companionably while discussing their favorite shows.

Optimus who didn't have time to keep up would be glad that they did.

=0=A little while later

Ratchet watched Prowl head for the office and secretly applauded himself that he wasn't that big of a wanker. Considering the day yawning out before him, he decided to take a hike. Heading for The Fortress as well, he disappeared into the crowds heading for work, coming from work or goofing around.

=0=A little while later

He walked through the embassy waving to the punters. Heading out to the huge double doors, Ratchet walked out onto the tarmac. The usual crowds were there to watch the cars outside and a cheer went up when they saw him. He curtsied to the punters, then walked to the edge of Autobot territory to kneel. "Hello, little people. Sup?"

Huge laughter.

"What are you doing here, Ratchet? Is there something going on?" someone asked.

"Nope. I came to see the base, hang out a little bit and swim. Where is everyone?" Ratchet asked.

"Everyone is either on Mars or back in the world. We're alone and very lonely," a big kid from somewhere said to huge laughter and agreement.

"Aw," Ratchet said with a grin. "Sort of dead here, too? Nothing's going on back on Mars. I like the sun here."

They chatted a bit, then Ratchet rose. "I think I'll take a walk." With that, he carefully stepped around the group and headed down the middle of the base toward the other end. He as tall enough to see over buildings. Lots of different ships were in and so were their crews. Lots waved and he waved back. He passed the barracks, then moved onward.

Standing on the porch of the Officer's Club, several humans watched him. Most of them were friendlies, those who were well acquainted with most of the bots. Some didn't know them. Colonel Marchand of France waved to Ratchet who slowed, then walked their way.

He knelt. "Bonjour, Francois. How's that for an accent?"

Everyone laughed.

"I think its pretty good, Ambassador. Especially coming from a four wheel drive."

Ratchet laughed. "That's me," he said with a dazzling smile. "Who's in there? Anyone I know? Anyone who hates me?"

"No," Colonel Luis Esperanto said. "Cameron Frazer lives on Mars now."

More huge laughter.

Ratchet chuckled. "You little people are *so* cute," he said as he stood. "I'm going to the beach to work on my tan. See ya around. Nes pas?"

"If you say so," Marchand said to huge laughter.

Ratchet nodded then ambled along, a massively big and tall pied piper to a long line of human 'mice'. They watched him go, then joined the crowd as he walked along heading for the beach. It would be crowded itself.

=0=A few moments later

He walked out of the water, itself shedding in mass quantities as he did. Staring at the ground, the number of humans watching was amazing. He grinned, then knelt. "What's the gossip around here?"

Everyone glanced at each other, then him. "There's not much going on. A delegation from the United Nations is coming here shortly. They want to see how things are going with you and us together," someone, a civilian said.

"We didn't hear that. Thanks for the heads up," Ratchet said as he sent a message to Prowl to check out and get back to him. "Friendlies? Not?"

"There's no intel one way or the other. They want to see about cost cutting. You know how it is," someone else said.

Ratchet nodded. "I do.