The Diego Diaries: Thanksgiving (dd8 578)

=0=At the dinner

They stood in line, the big mechs who commanded and guarded an empire that spanned space. Anyone who didn't know how informal (most of the time) and how integrated everyone was to the new concept of no hierarchies and everyone is one (most of them) would still find it strange that the monarch of Cybertron would be standing in line snarking with his buddies as he watched his sweet genitors decide what to eat out of the bounty before them.

And bounty is was. All of the human celebration dishes were present including some from India (Chicken Tika Marsala, rice dishes from Asia and all manner of sides from Europe, South America and points everywhere). They were nestled with Cybertronian celebration foods that were standard fare in most houses when they could afford it. All manner of drinks were available for all manner of street legal status, chilled or not, decanted or not, ready for thirsty mechs and femmes.

The children had been corralled by appas, ammas and those who doted on kids in general and were sitting at three tables just for them surrounded by adults ready to turn around to assist. Their genitors had joined the lines, chatting and snarking as well as they slowly made their way along.

Sitting nearby eating their dinner together, Burris, Proteus, Lucien, Borealis, Partition with Lancer and Hobbes were having a good conversation, nodding and laughing together over who knew what. Sitting nearby, Edict with Bron-E, Anders, Madura with Rugur, Lim-Lee, Docker and Joon were having the same. All around the room there was laughter, eating, drinking and happiness. Across the room by the door on long tables a veritable cornucopia of candy lay on display.

"What did Ratchet make, Ironhide?" Prime asked as he heaped his plate nearly to gravity-defying heights.

"He won't say. He covered it. I'm assuming its either the greatest thing ever or a wild aft concoction of whatever he had in his secret stash."

Both chuckled as they filled up, grabbed a couple of brews, then walked to their table to sit with Kestrel and Tagg. Other elders were there on the long table with seats for Prowl and Ratchet who followed next. Everyone sat, then dug in.

"This is good turkey, Prowler. When are you going to make it yourself? I personally have conquered turkeys, ducks and chickens," Ratchet said with a dazzling smile.

Slag went around the table as the door opened. Typhoon peered in, then entered followed by his family, friends, the kids and a startling addition, identical facsimiles of some of the mechs, most notably Caminus, Metroplex, Fort Max and Corsair. Typhoon waved. "HELLO! I CAN SEE YOU WAITED FOR US!"

Huge slag followed as they set down their entries, then walked toward Prime's table. The mechs behind them drew startled stares as the local version of the four entered behind them. Standing side-by-side like bookends, they looked incredible, but their energy felt off to all the adults there.

"I want to introduce some mechs that are here visiting. I thought it might be weird to introduce to you the alternative dimensional counterparts to my brothers, but then I remembered the crowd and tossed that concern into the bin," Ty said to tremendous laughter. "This is Metroplex, Caminus, Corsair and Fort Max. They live in another dimension and are the dimensional counterparts to us. Given that we come and go across dimensions, it was only a matter of time before we crossed paths with ourselves, though I will say few can reach the calling for handsome that I have personally conquered."

Bedlam broke out as the room applauded the newcomers who grinned in spite of themselves. They looked at Prime, then bowed to him.

"Lord Optimus, we understand the import you have been to our people and the esteem our leader holds you. We are honored to meet you at last," Alt Metroplex said.

Prime rose, then nodded the proper way. "I am honored to have you here and you are welcome in my House."

They stared at him, the personal dissonance showing a moment, then bowed.

"We are honored to be here," Corsair said simply.

"Then you will join us for dinner and amusements," Prime said gesturing to the buffet and bar nearby. "It is an honor to have you here. Typhoon will assist you."

"Slag right," Ty said with a chuckle. "Let's go and see the bounty. Its wondrous," he said as he led the way. The big mechs went with him as the kids gathered behind their family, hugging them.

"Appa thought it might be good for the visitors to see things and see how you rule, Lord Optimus," Saber said. "I think so, too. We can have both Thanksgivings at the same time together."

"I'll drink to that," Ironhide said. "Better get some grub. Growing boys and all."

They grinned at him and with hugs walked over to join the line.

"Such handsome boys," Ratchet said. "Good boys from a good family."

Everyone agreed, then the meal picked up as the big mechs and kids got food and drink, then went to tables to sit. The adults congregated near Rainmaker and Starscream while the kids bee-lined to the table where the kids their age were sitting. The ball would roll ever onward.

=0=Dancing at Unidad Terra 1

The place glistened in the light of decorations and candles. Thousands of humans had come and were chatting, mingling or dancing together. The bar was going great guns and snacks that covered tables lining one wall with centerpieces of great beauty every few feet were busy as well. Everyone was having a good time.

Lennox, Epps and Graham were standing by the window watching the show as they sipped beer. Soldiers were heading their way, many of them from the new garrison, all of which were having their first gathering since their arrival.

Jackson Davis paused beside the window, then grinned at the trio. "This is the most spectacular party I've ever been to."

"Carly really knows how to throw a party," Niall said. He nodded to a group sitting at a table nearby. It included Owen Harris, Kyle Davis, Hamilton Brown and a man they didn't know, the newish guy who was head of security at Earth2. "Who's that with Harris?"

Everyone glanced that way.

"I don't know. I heard he whips the mercs hard. None of them like him but he's made friends with the Daniels and Galloway. Harris likes him. I don't know him," Epps said. "I could ask around."

"Do," Will said. "I want to know more about him. Something about him is off."

"Well, Owen Harris did hire him," Niall replied.

"I wonder how Cindy likes him? Maybe I'll ask," Wills said as he glanced at the crowd nearby. "If I can find her in this."

They would chat by the window for a while, then everyone would follow Graham, Epps and Lennox to an office nearby with a comm channel.

=0=At a party getting into its groove

The chat level was high, children were getting sleepy and all was well. Sitting at their table on their fourth beer, the Messiah and his Disciples were feeling no pain. That was when the huge monitor at the end of the room, the part directly behind Prime's table came on. The logo of Unidad flashed on, then it shifted to a room crowded with humans. The mechs and femmes in the room roared and laughed as it did.

Prime shifted to look. "William. You are here."

Will laughed. :We wish we could but we have a huge dance going on here."

"I love to dance," Prowl said wistfully. He was feeling no pain.

"We can come and join you," Prime said as he half rose from his chair.

His father gripped his arm gently. "Perhaps later, Orion."

Prime glanced at his father, melted around the edges with love for him, then sat. "That might be wise, Atar."

Tagg patted his arm as everyone took an awww moment for the big mech and his sweet father.

:Hello, Tagg. Nice to see you and Kestrel again: Will said. It was.

"Hello, William. I hope you and your friends have a wonderful Thanksgiving dance," Tagg said in his deep soft voice, one that was nearly identical in tone and pitch to his son.

:The same to you, too: Will answered. :When is the contest?:

Everyone glanced at Ratchet who gave his best smile. "I don't know," he said through it.

Huge laughter greeted that.

:I was hoping we could watch. I want to see Hercy win again," Epps said.

Applause, nodding of helms and general agreement was had before Prime grinned. "Can you come here?" he asked.

:I wish we could but we have to stay here: Will replied. Prime was on his way to Drunk Land.

"Then you can watch. I, Optimus Prime decree that," he said. He grinned. "I can do that in case you did not know."

The humans grinned at him.

"We know. Can you signal me when it starts? We can watch on the monitor. I'd cut everyone in but that's about 20,000 people and you might be too shy and retiring to want that."

A Vesuvius of laughter greeted that. Discretion was given to Will. They chatted a bit, then signed off. Sitting back in his chair, Will grinned. "That, my friends, is a gent."

Everyone in the room agreed.

=0=Nearly a joor later

"RAP! RAP! RAP!"

Everyone turned around to the front of the room where Blondi was rapping on a table. "Now that I have your attention, will the ruling members of the Former Decepticon Committee come forward to judge?"

HUGE laughter and hoots, snark, insults and palm slaps greeted that as the baddest collection of former killers walked to the front table to sit. Rainmaker and Starscream were members but declined due to being with the next round of judges, the Seekerkin Clan Council. Blondi greeted them, then turned to the group stretching out through the huge hall. They sat grinning with pleasure as they waited to eat candy.

Hard detail.

"Tonight, these fine mechs … Nitro, Payload, Scar, Havoc, Tremor and Revo are going to be the first judges of the entries. They will sample each, score it independently, then when all the data is confirmed the 20 highest scores will go into the final round. The prizes will be third place, second place, first place, most improved, best in show, grand champion," she said, then grinned. "'And Prowl'."

The place nearly burst into flames.

Prowl glared at Ratchet. "I hate you."

Think about it, Prowler. You could be The Prowl this year if you're lucky, you and your caterer."

Roar!

The monitor came on behind everyone.

"HEY, LENNOX! DID YOU HEAR THE CATEGORIES?" Cliffjumper said from the middle of a crowd of Stanixians of which the Empress, the Deacon and several queens with families were seated nearby. Buzz held one of their two children, their son, and beamed at Cliffie like he was platinum.

"Allow me," Ratchet said as he rose to curtsy. "There's the first three, one, two and three, then comes

most improved, best in show, grand champion and last but not least, the prestige position of the event … The Prowl"

The humans had a come apart in the office.

:THE PROWL!? I WISH I ENTERED! I WANT THAT ONE MYSELF!" Epps said as the entire room nodded.

Prowl was staring daggers at Ratchet. "Its not The Prowl. Its the Ratchet's Failing Mental Health award."

"There, there, Prowler. Just shine. Its your time," Ratchet said before he got a fist in the face.

Every Amma in the room who wasn't laughing loudly tut-tutted with Ravel and Miler. The others including the humans were laughing too loud to join in. That was when the entire event went live on the overhead monitors on the Grand Concourse that were lowering from the ceiling as the punch landed.

=0=TBC 11-29-2022