(backdated to ghost event)

[akito]

[ Akito has admittedly forgotten to check up on the network, if only because he spent so many years without communication that it's hard to adjust...

But he needs help, even if he's scared to ask. He's hiding out in the burrow he made for himself under the pond, so it's dark save for the light that Woo gives off.


Unfortunately the deceptively friendly-sounding ghost of the doctor who made him followed him into said normally cozy burrow. ]

How do you make them go away? This isn't normal, is it?

[ Rinta-ghost begins asking him for a blood sample (again) - 'wanting to see the effects of a new environment and diet on the potency of your blood', apparently. Akito also is sporting a few deep gashes, similar to what a scalpel would leave behind, but he's not going to mention those. They're going to heal by tomorrow anyway...

Dr. Minami is usually not very considerate of his status as a sentient being, but he at least used to be considerate enough to treat him like a particularly smart pet. Meaning nine times out of ten if there was going to be pain, he was given warning and treated kindly, if not anesthetized.

Whispered, somewhat panicked and... almost desperate: ]


He died a long time ago, so why won't he leave me alone?

Comments

[video]

[akito]

Meet me at the pond, if that's okay?

[video to audio to action]

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

On my way.

[The image cuts as he changes into his alt and heads out...but he doesn't cut the feed entirely. He keeps it open in case something changes. And so he can announce his arrival a short time later. Thank Primus for ground bridges.]

I'm here, kid.

[He's by the bank, still in car form, and door open for Akito.]

[akito]

[ akito is already waiting for breakdown, curled up near the edge of the pond, still wet from his resurfacing. He isn't surprised by the car form anymore, and though he heads over closer to meet him he makes no move to hop inside the car. Somehow he thinks it would be rude. ]

Hi, Mr. Breakdown.

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

Hey, kiddo. You want a ride?

[He waggles his door a little.]

[akito]

[ that actually makes him stifle some giggles, but he's equally as curious as he is amused: ]

Isn't it strange to have someone sitting inside of you?

FFFffff Too many cute feels, Ahk!

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

Heh. Very, actually, but not...in a bad way? I dunno. I'd never carried passengers before I got here and I've only done it one other time so far. Feels weird, but not bad.

[He'll wait with door open for Akito to climb in if he's going to.]

mr breadown, his robo friend!

[akito]

If you're sure it's okay...

[ he'll step closer as though to get in, but hesitates just to make sure it really is okay before doing so.

It's strange to think that he's sitting inside of Breakdown right now... yet it also makes him feel very safe. ]

Is it okay if I sleep for a little bit..? I didn't want to fall asleep by myself, with him there...

they're adorable.

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

I'm sure.

[Once Akito is in he'll close the door. As he said before, he can't promise to keep the spirit away, but at least the kid won't have to deal with it alone.]

Yeah, that's fine. You get some rest.

[He's gonna start back for his place....boy...Knock Out's gonna love this...]

breakdown returns home with a stray human can we keep him knock out??? plz???

[akito]

Un... Thanks, Mr. Breakdown. Wake me up when I need to move, ne?

[ luckily enough, akito does in fact have a blanket now, tucked safely away in his waterproof backpack. He pulls it out and curls up in it quite securely, hoping to catch up on rest before the doctor finds him again.

It says a lot as to how much he trusts breakdown that he's fast asleep only moments after he's tucked himself in comfortably. ]

So uh....found this kid, and uh....he's just gonna stay for a little while.....okay?

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[Wake him?! Naaah. Breakdown will take his time driving back to his place, avoiding the ground bridges so Akito can sleep without interruption for a couple hours. When he does get back, well...he still doesn't wake the kid. Instead he'll very carefully transform, making sure Akito ends up securely in his hand. That done, and assuming Akito doesn't wake up startled, he'll go sit and watch some TV with the boy cradled in his hand.]

SOME TIME LATER~~~~

[automobileenthusiast]

[Knock Out rolls his shiny ass in, picking branches and leaves out of his left shoulder. His paint's a little scraped up too OH IT'S SO TRAGIC.]

I swear, the next time some tortured soul wanders into the middle of the street while I'm driving, I'm going to... Breakdown, what's that?

[BUSTED, BIG GUY. What manner of critter do you have there?]

[akito]

[ akito is having a very nice, comfortable sleep; trusts breakdown enough that he doesn't stir at any movement except to get more comfortable in his sleep, perhaps. unfortunately that trust only goes so far, and the obvious presence of someone else in the room startles him awake so suddenly that he jolts up only to topple right back over against breakdown's palm. ]

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[Breakdown looks a little guilty for an instant, but then Akito is awake and he's shifting his hands to make sure the boy doesn't fall.]

Ah. This is Akito. He uh...is having troubles with a ghost, so I offered to um...keep him company. [Don't be mad.]

Akito, this is my partner, Knock Out.

[automobileenthusiast]

[Knock out rolls his eyes, flicking some leaves from his plating. Ooooh Breakdown you big softie.

And no he doesn't look sorry at all for waking the kid up. SHRUG. He does sort of nod a greeting in the little meatball's direction, though.]

Bringing home strays, Breakdown? How unlike you.

/shortest of shorts

[akito]

Hello, Mr. Knock Out.

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[Breakdown's engine sputters a little.] What? You're an Autobot now, right? And you're my partner so...

Isn't helping others what Autobots do?

[Sorry, Akito, don't mind the adults talking over your head a bit. Breakdown does kind of protectively cup his fingers a little more around the kid. Not that he believes Knock Out will hurt the kid at all, it's just...reflexive.]

[automobileenthusiast]

Yes, yes, hello.

[he kind of waves at the kid half awkwardly before crossing his arms. Sorry guys, he's going to be a bit huffy for a minute.]

You do realize I joined the Autobots largely out of convenience, right? Since when do you care what Autobots do, anyway?

[akito]

[ Akito notes Breakdown's protective gesture and, assuming that means the situation could be dangerous, he tucks himself securely beneath them, listening carefully to what's going on despite not understanding it at all. ]

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[He shifts in his seat a bit.] Yes...

[And he sighs.] Look, we're here, not at war anymore, I don't see any problem with helpin' others out.

[automobileenthusiast]

[UGH BREAKDOWN. Knock Out really can't fault him for being a big nice guy.]

Okay, okay. As long as his little ghost friend doesn't decide to haunt him back here, he can stay.

[akito]

I don't want to cause anyone trouble... I can just go back to my pond.

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

No, it's fine Akito.

And I can't promise the ghost won't show up here, but then we can't keep them out anyway. [He's got a ghost of Bulkhead that's been following him around, okay...]

[automobileenthusiast]

Why do you live in a pond?

[HOW HAS KNOCK OUT NOT SEEN THIS BULKHEAD GHOST wow he sucks at paying attention.]

Okay, fair enough. Just so long as he doesn't get underfoot, he can stay a while.

[akito]

Because I like water, and the location is convenient.

[ ... still gonna keep hiding under breakdown's fingers tho. ]

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

He sometimes has some kind of fin tail. [SORRY IF THAT WAS A SECRET! He's not forgotten the first time he spotted Akito by the pond.]

He won't get under foot. [If Breakdown has to constantly carry the kid, he'll make sure of it.]