#rp10

The very second that Winnie and Nero proposed the idea of a barbecue that night, she swore the bright delight radiating off of their faces would blind the younger couple. Preparations to host a little shindig went under way before either one of them even thought to ask about who would be in attendance. In fact, they only asked three questions:

When are we getting started? How many people are showing up? What’s on the menu?

Once they got started, their momentum that warm afternoon didn’t even falter. Of course, Rose took the immediate position of director. With the finesse of an artist and the calloused hands of a soul that had seen far more than her smile let on, Rose delegated tasks to every soul in the home, depending on their talents. 

In the middle of the whirlwind Phil had kicked up in the kitchen starting to put together hamburger patties, even Red had the sacred duty of passing along ingredients, spices, and tools from the various pantries to the man’s hand and back again once they finished. If Phil; ever turned an eye away from his duties, though, Flit would give him a good little peck on the cheek to keep him on task.

Nero, of course, took on the role of extending invitations via calling every soul he even halfway wanted to consider. Taylor and Edgar both came around to aid Winnie and Rose with setting up tables for a buffet-style extravaganza, the same lights that had illuminated Winnie and Nero's first date among the boughs of nearby trees. The pair spread out massive checker tablecloths while Taylor darted to the woods and back, time and time again, to gather kindle of all shapes and sizes for a bonfire.

Winnie should have expected a reaction like this from her parents. Always the hosts. The few weeks they had gone recently not hosting a single get-together besides evening meals had started itching at their souls. Winnie could tell. They thrived off the notion of providing. Not so much providing material goods, but entertainment. Hospitality. While they all needed the lodging Nero provided after their loss... The life of a guest didn’t suit them.

By the time the reddening orb of the sun started to dip down towards the horizon... They could only wait for their last ingredient, and the most crucial, to arrive. Winnie took that moment to slump down into the front porch swing. She gave all of her weight to it, with her legs stretched out and head lolled to the side. She needed a breather, just for a second, before facing the onslaught that would be everyone coming. She’d even heard little murmurs of Cecil bringing along a few pals... Same with Abi.

Optimus gives a acknowledging nod back, and by the way his cheeks turn up a bit also a smile that hides under his faceplate.

“Smokescreen, and how are you doing today?”

It was a beautiful day to have off work, and an even better one to be playing turf war. That’s what Pansy had decided to do with her free time, anyway - - although, she wasn’t really feeling it any more, to be frank. Running around under the hot sun at The Reef was fun, sure, but it was also exhausting. She’d spent the past two matches dragging her feet away from danger and hanging out under the bridge, which wasn't really the best place for a splatling to loiter. 

In fact, the only reason she’d played this long was because her new friend Groa was here too. He seemed to have a lot more energy, and she didn’t particularly want to let him down, although her tiredness was becoming obvious at this point. Returning to the waiting room after the round, she expressed her desire to quit. 

“Not that I don’t want to hang out any more, but, uh,” she had to pause to huff a moment, “I don’t think I can do any more turfing. I’m worn out, n’ I didn’t get much sleep either, so I got that goin’ for me.”

The Inkling looks hesitant for a moment, seemingly struggling with what to say next, before adding:

“Yes.” Noonien leaned against the wall. “We have already conquered almost the entire neutral territories...our technology already is years ahead of any other known....all the systems and planets distant from the Federation already proclaimed their alliance to us...” He crossed his arms. “The Klingons and the Earth are in imminent war- the Federation is desperate, without what Marcus planned, without me and the technology I put in the Vengeance, they are lost...” His eyes locked in hers. “And the Klingon supreme leader already said he would gladly join forces with us- they even ceased the influence on smaller systems located near the frontiers between our territories.”

Khan’s voice was calm, he was slowly approaching the center of the discussion, as if one who drinks the soup by the surroundings to not get burned. “We are even receiving calls of help from colonies. They want to join our domain. I talked to the Klingon king earlier...he said that he would not advance with the war if we took over the heart of the Federation.”

He uncrossed his arms and stepped closed, into the faint blue light illuminating his office. “It is time to take over the Earth again- this time, not only the planet, but everything the Federation controls. We will prevent a war if we do so- and even if we fail, we are more than safe in our own system, our own territory. Thousands of civilizations already made alliances with us...we already saved millions of lives by offering technology and colonies...this war is already won...even before the start. By taking over now...the Klingons and the humans will not collide... We can guide the Earth into a better future...and you can take revenge on those who hurt you. Those who hurt us. You know what this means, right?”