"Transform, and roll out!"

Being in a car, let alone a truck the size that Optimus had chosen, was a completely different sensation. She could feel the bumps and hear the way rocks crunched underfoot. And with her head out the window, she could see the occasional rock get sent flying if it was pressed under the tire just right.

She hopped onto the floorboards and went backward to get down from the stairs leading up to Optimus' chassis, shaking herself off before backing up.

A sneeze followed the kick up of dust as Prime transformed, followed by a giggle.

"Oppi dusty!" And he couldn't be the only one. Without hesitation, Gibbous took a moment to roll herself in the dust until her own fur and vest had a 'healthy' layer. The particles trailed behind her as she spun herself in a circle.

The warm sun and dry heat was a welcome feeling. Having recently shed her winter coat, the thinner summer one could withstand the heat just a bit longer. Meaning plenty of time to play as she raced after Ash as best she could.

A finial slid slightly back.

"Bless you." At least- he believed that was what organics generally said when their engines backfired. It was what he had witnessed once or twice at the base- though his opticridges crinkled ever-so-slightly, gaze falling to his own plating. Indeed, he was now covered in a thin layer of dust...enough that his paint no longer fully reflected the sun, instead hued in a dull, beige-brown that swallowed up his vibrancy.

His glossa clicked against the roof of his intake. But it was already far too late- and, honestly, it crossed his processor as he'd been about to speak...research he'd done in the twilight hours of this world, concerning Gibbous'... Could one call it a 'base' species?- At any rate...a layer of dust seemed rather normal for her kind. His intake drew shut, a low hum rumbling in his pipes.

"It would seem you are not much better." He would have to walk slow during all this.

Ash's walk sped up a hint as they caught sight of the kid tailing them. At first a speed-walk,...then a jog,..faster, faster to outpace the child, a playful yelp echoing through the canyon.

"Oh scrap-- not if I get t'th'rock, y'ain't!" They weren't sure if she was chasing them, or was after the same rock they were- but they were plotting to get there first. Dust was kicked up with each step, feeling the surface layer give away by the faintest fraction, the barest touch of a slide. Since they knew it was there,...

They weaved. Dodging left to 'escape' their pursuer, only to bolt right- hands outstretched for their prize as it grew larger and larger the closer they got.

"Nearly there--- nearly there---!!!" Ash giggled. Kinda nice, to just- goof off. Once they were close enough, they dove. Jumping, feeling their front collide with the ground and sliding forward- fingertips just grazing the rock. They were just about certain their entire front was coated in a thin film, but that hardly mattered. "---safe-!"

Fay eyebrows furrow in confusion as she listened to ash's explanation on what a 'boyfriend' was, yet Fay couldn't even still understand. Wasn't that the same thing as loving a friend just in male terms? Doesn't everyone romantically care about their freinds or was there something deeper?

Fay couldn't even understand. Maybe it was a special title for close ones?

The fairy couldn't help but feel slight jealousy against the blue mech it was unfair how come he got a special title when fay was always there for ash! Why can't fay get a special friend title!? Fay doesn't understand if she hates the blue truck or is simply jealous that her love wasn't matched along with ash.

Looked like it wasn't exactly getting through...Ash gave a faint, apologetic smile- though it faltered as the tiny fairy dashed away to break down. They released a quiet breath, a hand shifting to rub against their temple. Why,...

The faintest glimmer of annoyance bubbled in their thoughts. Quelled after a few moments. She was young. She didn't understand. And that was fine,...that was life. They plucked a few extra tissues from the box and stood up.

"Hey,...y'need some tissues?" They weren't about to guess as to what had gotten under Fay's skin- they were beginning to notice that they really didn't have a single clue what went on in the fairy's mind. The options felt rather narrowed given the topic of discussion, but they'd not jump to any one conclusion.

He was biased. He knew that. It was one of his many flaws, and one that wasn't going to disappear no matter how much time had passed. The saving grace here was that the being currently towering over him didn't attack. Didn't threaten him, didn't even make a move except to speak.

And that alone clued the hero in to what he already knew. There was no danger here.

"Not that little." He had taken some small offense to that, but he knew it was also technically true. Regardless, he forced his body to relax as he took a closer look at the one in front of him. He hadn't seen anything like them. Far too slick to be something of Robotnik's, to say nothing of the way they talked and looked back at him.

Note to self: do not use 'little' or 'small' to describe this one. It wasn't hard to detect a faint note of annoyance in the other's tone.

"My apologies." Best not to let that fester. The mech resisted shaking his helm. The other seemed to have relaxed his stance, but it was still wise not to move...suddenly. So, he was an alternate of that character...

"No, but it would be a true statement all the same." If he had to guess, the other was another traveler. "I am not from this planet, but I am from this universe.- To a degree, I could claim the same as you." A faint shift of his optics. "I am Optimus Prime. It is an honor to meet you, Sonic the Hedgehog." Forgive him for not offering a bow. "If you would be willing,...I am certain my base would be more comfortable than the elements."

He wouldn't push the issue, however. The two were far enough away from human civilization (at present) that it hardly mattered. All it was, was gentle courtesy.

Was this giving away more of their world’s dynamic, yes, but the Autobots had proven they were trustworthy. As had Ash and Raf, who the toddler was peeking at over the side of the table she sat on with her dah. Her tail wagged at the idea of all of them being able to play hide and seek.

“Why don’t we take turns hiding with Gibbous.” Another proposal before they got started. This would ensure the pup wouldn’t try to get at her bandages and that she wouldn’t try to move around too much. The pup looked over at him, listening for the full translation of everything that was being said. While she did give a pout, she soon nodded and pointed up.

“Gibbie wan hide wit Rash-it.” That settled that. Light gave a snort and picked the pup up, long enough to pass her off before jumping down from the table. For anyone else, it might have been dangerous, but the former soldier landed with a graceful roll and dusted off his jeans and jacket.

"Ah...so, kinda-playin, kinda-trainin'." Ouch...they weren't going to comment all that heavily on the fact that it was apparently meant to prepare the kids for patrols, but...ow. What came to mind were a few older cartoons concerning the Sonic franchise...none of which had- good worlds. At least they were able to school their expression back.

Ratchet, for his part, paused- optics snapping down to the small mobian. He wasn't given much choice in the matter, given Light was picking her up and offering her out- and he wasn't of the processor to turn him down. He reached out, gently letting his digit tap against the magnet in the little one's vest- before drawing her close. She was set close to his pauldron, for the moment.

Once the game properly got underway, however, he planned to sneak her into his cabin. At least she'd be close, if anything went wrong. A mental note of Light's statement was made. That'd be easy enough- he could pass off Gibbous when the time came.

"The time should be set to at least ninety Earth seconds. That should be enough time for all of us to hide." A few glances went the medic's way.

"Ninety,...okay." Arcee lowered her helm, a servo raising to rub at her temple. "I'll turn off a few of my sensors to make the initial hiding fair."

"Time to scatter?" They were resisting glancing to one of the corridors. Arcee was big, but her scanners would certainly make it more difficult to hide...oh well. It was an excuse to explore!

They weren't...entirely certain how the 'bots would all hide.

Shadow carefully moved to allow Omega to hold the teenager - mostly so his own arms didn't get tired holding her if they were there for a bit - before turning towards their new companions. "I am Shadow the hedgehog. Jasmine's father." He stated, a gentle glance given towards Jazz.

"I AM E-123 OMEGA." The robot introduced himself. "FAMILY COMPANION."

No response,...but the two didn't seem anywhere near as worried as they'd been before. Orion vented atmosphere, willing his circuits to calm.

Jazz's sire...well. If his initial reactions hadn't made sense before (they had), they certainly did now. If anyone had taken a sparkling that was in Orion's care, he would've gone just a bit postal...

"You're welcome.- We weren't entirely sure what happened to bring her here, either...but I'm just glad you guys showed up." He wasn't sure how many more solar cycles Jazz could last...this planet was as toxic for organic life as it could get. The fact she'd lasted as long as she had was nothing short of a miracle. "And it's interesting to meet you both- just wish the circumstances could've been better."

Essentially threatening wasn't...exactly the best meeting form. But at least they'd not all come to blows. He'd take that win.

It crossed his processor that, in all likelihood...this was going to be the first and last time he would meet Shadow and E-123 Omega. Chances were, it would be the last he'd see of Jazz, as well. There would be little need for Omega to return (he wasn't entirely certain if the 'bot was running on an emotion inhibitor or what), and Shadow and Jazz couldn't without moderate risk to their health.

The thought had his EM Field dragging in, closer to his frame.

Yes I need to get better at coloring and backgrounds I know

“No again.” She flicked her ears back and raised them. “Loud.”

Even though the chassis had muffled the sound of the horn, it was still loud to the pup’s ears. That wasn’t to say she wouldn’t want to do it again, just not right now when they were getting close to their destination.

Her tail wagged, gently swatting Ash in the stomach. It couldn’t be helped, she was so excited for their little adventure with Ash and Optimus out with her on a walk.

After a few more minutes of gentle pelting, Gibbous jumped back over to the passenger seat to look out the window. Light happy taps growing in intensity as the canyon walls grew to either side of them.

"Fair 'nough." It had barely registered. Not in that it was sound, but...the pain of it- hadn't occurred to Ash at all. Let alone how loud it must've been for Gibbous. No doubt it was quieter in here than if the two were outside, but...still.

A few minutes passed in tranquil silence, broken only by the heavy tear of dust and pebbles under the Prime's tires- and the faint music Ash could just-barely detect coming from his radio. It would seem he'd selected a station to play from, but it was rather quiet. Compared to the sound of his entire frame, it may as well have been a small fly.

"It'd be nice t'stretch my legs, yeah." They weren't sure how long they could take direct sunlight out here. But- small price to pay. Optimus rolled to a slow stop, doors on either side clicking to allow the two their exit. "Freedom!" And yet, they still exclaimed like they'd been trapped in some box when their shoes hit the dusty ground below. They dashed a few feet away- giving Optimus ample room to transform.

The Prime waited until he was sure both organics were clear, before allowing himself to shift. Feeling the standard clicks and whirs as his frame was altered, as plating maneuvered about and his mechanics were displaced. In a few moments, his peds were resting in the dust- though the rest of his paint now had a faint layer of it.

"Please warn me if you begin to feel you are overheating." He'd not risk either suffering heatstroke. He shifted, allowing the faintest stretch of a leg strut. He couldn't get the joint to pop, but being able to move it more freely...was certainly welcome. The sun beat down from above, the walls of the canyon- and Optimus' shadow- the only reprieve from its burning embrace.

From what he'd been able to find, this canyon seemed to loop back on itself a few times...plenty of room for beings as small as Ash and Gibbous to explore, and with enough ground for him to dodge (whether in vehicle or bipedal form) if the three were attacked.

Ash was already moving, eyes on a nearby rock. It seemed small enough to climb without worry- and they admittedly just wanted to try it.