(no subject)

[runningred]

Jay comes up from the garage, cradling three little white figures in his arms. Several of the hive drones buzz around him, keeping a careful eye out.

Picking a nice safe booth at the back, Jay sets the three little figures down on the table top. They toddle around a bit, but one of them always stays close to Jay's hand.

Come over and meet the new members of the family.

Comments

[galen_erso]

"Oh," says a voice behind Jay, rapidly approaching. "I love your tiny droids. They look like babies, and are cute as porgs."

Here is one rather charmed Galen, going 'awww!' inside.

[runningred]

"Drones, not droids." Jay explains, putting a hand out to keep the one with the long ears from falling off the edge of the table." "They're intelligent, sentient beings." He chuckles. "If very young one."

[galen_erso]

"Our droids are intelligent and sentient as well," Galen says. "But these are drones. Got it."

He holds his hand out to one of the little critters.

[runningred]

"Hive drones is the name of their species, I guess. Or the name they've picked."

One of them comes closer, hesitant and wary.

Jay gives the little drone a gentle nod. "It's okay, little one. I won't let anyone hurt you."

[galen_erso]

"Hello, little drone," Galen says, touching it softly on the cheek.

[runningred]

The little one flinches back at first but then leans in to take hold of his finger, examining the swirls and whorls of his fingerprint with interest.

[galen_erso]

"That is a human finger," Galen says, earnestly. "I am human. My name is Galen."

[runningred]

"Galen." He squeaks out softly. "Human, Galen."

[galen_erso]

"Exactly!" Galen says, beaming. "Excellent! And what is your name?"

[street_sparrow]

"Hey, kids." Gavroche slides into the booth, then looks up at Jay. "Have they got names yet?"

[runningred]

"Gavroche!" All three babies call out, running over to him. Or hobbles over, in the little girl's case. Her leg is still stiff and doesn't bend as well has she'd like.

"Not yet." Jay smiles, supporting her. "I'm not sure if the Hive is waiting or if they want us to help them pick names."

[street_sparrow]

Gavroche scoops them all into his arms, frowning slightly at the girl's gait. He'll have to work on that later.

"What do you think, littl'uns?"

[runningred]

They babble happy noises, pressing against Gav's hand. One of the boys climbs up to fall into Gav's shirt pocket.

Jay chuckles. "You might end up as Pocket, little one."

[street_sparrow]

"Or coming home with me", Gavroche says, laughing. "At least for a while."

[runningred]

The little one in his pocket shakes his head and holds his hands out to his siblings.

"Hey, it's already." Jay soothes. "Gav won't take you away from each other."

[street_sparrow]

"Yeah, I meant all of you", he says hastily. "And not if you don't want to."

[runningred]

They look unsure and confused.

"Maybe not yet." Jay suggests, holding a hand out to support the little girl who looks tired already.

[is_the_motion]

"Oh my, I had no idea they would be so darling!" Bonnie says, approaching slowly to peer over his shoulder.

[runningred]

"Neither did I." Jay beams with pride, "They're a whole new form."

"Guys, This is Bonnie. She's a friend. You can trust her."

They trill her name in cute, high voices.

[is_the_motion]

Bonnie makes a little 'Aww' noise.

"I knew your mammas and pappas when they were still at the zapping me stage." she informs the little babies. "And what do I call you?"

[runningred]

The little girl looks up at Jay in puzzlement. "Stock zap?"

Jay laughs warmly. "Not Stock. George and John and Ringo and Paul and Stuart and Pete. You should ask them about it. They were very wild when we met them. Bonnie helped calm them down."

He gives one of the boys a little nudge. "Why don't you tell Bonnie your name?"

The little one looks up at her and hold his arms out wide. "Pocket!"

[is_the_motion]

"Pocket is a lovely name." Bonnie says. "Will they grow bigger, Jay, or always be pocket size?"

[runningred]

"If they're anything like their parents, they'll create new shells when they reach adolescence. Probably slightly bigger ones."

[is_the_motion]

"That's incredible." Bonnie says.

"Would they like to join the Scouts?"

[runningred]

Jay chuckles. "I never thought I'd that. I'll explain it to them when they're a bit more settled in. But I'm pretty sure they'd love the idea."