#milkiefresh

say, could you do a drabble where boco and gordon somehow babysit some kits and calves together in their breaks? could use diesel and steamer being parental figures with each other 💝

Oh hello! Of course! Drabble under the cut.

Gordon and Boco, who had taken advantage of their break to help watch over the younger engines, settle near the little engines as they play. Gordon made sure the kits weren't too rough on the calves, as he knew kits have needle like teeth that could potentially hurt the calves. Of course, the kits wouldn't do that on purpose though. They are used to rough housing with their own kind, not another type of engine.

Boco chuckled softly as the calves romped with the kits. He found the ways of playing were much different between the two types of engines. Of course, he made sure the calves weren't too rough on the kits. Sure, the kits were tough already, but no harm in making sure none of the little ones could potentially hurt each other.

"They certainly have a lot of energy for as small as they are." Gordon chuckled softly. At least the young engines had enough energy to keep with each other. Of course, it wouldn't be long before they would need to learn how to do everything an adult engine would be doing. He learned all too well how time just flies by as he got older.

"They sure do. Not that's a bad thing though. It's good for them to play together like this. Let them get to meet new engines and make new friends this way. That, and they probably needed something like this. It's good for them to go out every now and then." Boco smiled. Of course, if the calves ever wandered too far, he would call them back, and the young diesels would come racing back to him. He loved times like this. It was nice just to take some time off, and spend time with the little ones.

Gordon made sure to keep track of time. He had to make sure he would be on time for the express. However, he had to let the mothers take a break. He would honestly wait until at least one of the mothers would return before he would head off to the station. It would be wrong to just leave Boco alone with the calves and kits. Sure, Boco was used to it, but the old diesel needed a break from babysitting duties every now and then.

Both Gordon and Boco smiled as Mavis returned some time later. Break time was almost up. Mavis took her place beside the two engines and immediately her calves came racing to her, chirping excitedly, happy that their mother had returned. She chuckled softly as the calves settled down beside her, having grown tired from playing with the other calves and kits all this time.

"Welcome back, Mavis." Boco smiled. It wasn't long before Rosie returned and took her place beside Gordon. Her kits immediately raced over to her before quickly rough housing with each other. They certainly shared Rosie's energy.

"Are you alright with me leaving, or do you need me to stay behind? I will be needing to go to the station to pull the express." Gordon looked over at Rosie. Rosie smiled.

"No, you're fine. Go on and head over to the station. The passengers wouldn't be very happy if you're late." Rosie purred softly.

"Alright. Don't hesitate to ask me, Edward, James, or Henry if you need any of us to watch over little ones, alright? That goes for you too, Mavis." Gordon looked over at Mavis.

"Thank you. I'll be sure to remember that." Mavis relaxed as her calves fell asleep next to her. Gordon chuckled softly as he watched the calves nap next to their mother.

"I'll be off then. Perhaps we can do this again sometime, hm?" the big steamer looked over to Boco. Boco smiled.

Absolutely! Boco, Mavis, Edward, and Gordon often get along well. Even during the war between the two types of engines on Sodor, Boco and Edward respected each other.

Good question.

Electric engines are likely cursed, being omnivores, and being extremely tame and easy to handle.

Diesel tugs likely have the same curse, but not as badly affected. It was made specifically for steam tugs and engines, which is why the diesels and electrics wouldn't be so badly affected by it.

The curse itself has spread all over the world. This particular curse is a complex one. It is able to spread like a disease of sorts, changing the targeted machines into what we know of now. This is my excuse for letting people make OCs, including Riders.

Of course!

Both steamers and diesels are mammals. However, they do have their differences in development.

Steamies:

Steamer kits, or kittens, as they are called, come in litters of about three or four. Sometimes less, and on rare occasions, more.

Steamer kits are cared by only the mother, as their mate has long parted ways with her since the time the kits were conceived, meaning the mother is completely responsible for everything when it comes to the kits, from taking care of them to teaching them how to hunt, the mother does it all.

Kits are born blind and deaf, but eventually being able to hear and see when they reach around two weeks old.

Kits are able to recognize the trills of their mother.

Kits can hiss the moment they are born.

Kits often play fight with each other. This teaches them how to actually fight, and can help them with taking down prey.

Kits learn how to spit fire when they are around three months old, and are considered dangerous at just six months old.

They learn very quickly, able to learn from watching their mother.

Steamers are able to fend for themselves fairly early on in life, but usually don't leave their mother's side until they come of age.

Newborn kits are small enough to be held, if you're strong enough that is, and if the mother allows it of course.

Diesels:

Diesels all share the care of the young calves. The calves are better proteted under the safety of a group rather than just the parents.

That being said, diesels choose a mate for life, and both share responsibility for the care of the calf.

Diesels usually have only one or two calves at a time. Two is not so common, but it happens.

Calves learn from both parents, and are able to see and hear just a few minutes after being born.

In just a few hours, they are able to race around and play.

Like steamer kits, diesel calves stick with their parents until they come of age, then they leave their parents' sides to live on their own, still likely staying within the group of course.

Calves often roughhouse with one another. Like kits, this teaches them how to fight, which will prove useful in protecting their future Riders.

Calves are a bit more difficult to hold, being more energetic than kits at times, they can be quite the handful, or arms full.

Calves are able to recognize the calls of their parents just a few hours after birth.

Ask my character about their family!

"I've thought of the lad as my son the moment I pulled 'im from the water. I've raised 'im as best as I can, and I think he's grown into a fine young man and an even better hunter.

I'd be blessed the day I see 'im become Captain of The Inevitable."

"The Captain's been lookin' out for me since the day I was pulled aboard. I've always thought of the man as my hero, even if sometimes his temper can get the best of 'im.

I would say yes.

Diesels and electrics are compatible together when it comes to genetics. Steamers are a bit of a mystery.

:3

Not every machine.

The one who cast the curse, who I will be changing as the one who originally did it is a character for an entirely original concept of mine.

The one who cast the curse had the intent of cursing the tugs, which are steam powered, and it would be able to spread to the newer ones so they couldn't escape it by scrapping the older ones.

This had a bit of a side effect as the curse does not have any requirements for it to be able to spread. The curse has spread all over the world, and it has targeted the closest thing to the tugs, and that is the locomotives, as they serve a similar purpose in getting goods from place to place.

That's why the locomotives were affected. However, since the curse was designed to affect the steam tugs, steam locomotives have more similarities to the tugs, as they share a source of power, so the curse was able to change them like how it changed the steam tugs.