(no subject)

[runningred]

{From here)

Jay runs the Hive, knowing Gav is with him.

George flies ahead of them, chirping agitatedly.

"That doesn't sound good." Jay mutters, slapping the button for the lift.

Comments

[street_sparrow]

Gavroche is already halfway through the door.

"Stock? Tell me what to do."

[runningred]

Inside there's a nest built of old shells and shredded fabrics. Inside are three black and white shapes. Not regular like the ovaloids of the others but plates of white over black hinges and joints.

Stock bumps gently against Gavroche's shoulder. ++You must calm them. You have the voice. Jay must to mend the unformed part of the female.++

"This one?" Jay guesses, pointing to the smallest of the three, a limb seeming to be sticking out at an odd angle and shaking.

Stock nods. ++If she dies, they all die++

[street_sparrow]

Gavroche drops to his knees, an infinitely gentle hand reaching to touch the little limb.

"~Hey, little sister. Be still, now.~"

[runningred]

Jay moves in at his shoulder to gently lift the hurt one up, cupping her in the palm of his hand. The other two cry out, pitiful and almost human sounds.

"I need my micro tools and light. Can I take her outside?"

Stock's answer is a very distinct no. ++She must stay close++ Even Jay lifting her away from her brothers is causing them so much distress.

[street_sparrow]

Gavroche soothes them with untranslatable impressions in the Speech.

"We can get light back here. I can make it if I have to."

[runningred]

"I think I can see the problem but I'm going to need to perform surgery on her. Gav, can you keep all three of them calm?"

George and Paul come in, carrying Jay's micro tool kit between them, John and Ringo carrying a magnifying light.

++We will sing also.++ Stock promises. Jay can't hear it but Gav will. A complex song of love and protection, projected more than sung aloud.

[street_sparrow]

"Doing my best", he murmurs, stroking the half-formed shells.

[runningred]

"Lean on me if you need to, Gav." Jay whispers, setting to work. The little one is like none of the other drones. Much more humanoid, so much more delicate. He works as fast as he can but as gently as he can.

Her leg is badly twisted, the wiring and joint turned around wrong. Jay does his best to unwind them, detaching as little as possible. Still he can tell every touch and movement causes her great pain.

[street_sparrow]

Gavroche keeps talking to them, almost singing her pain away from her and into himself.

[runningred]

Jay hits a spot he can't manipulate around and needs to detach. He reaches over to Gav, giving him a warning. "Hold on everyone." He gives the little drone a stoke, murmuring reassurance before starting.

He works as fast and as smooth as he can.

[street_sparrow]

Gavroche focuses on keeping the three close together, lifting the two males to their sister's side.

[runningred]

The two boys snuggle close into Gav's touch, rubbing their faces against his palm and calling to their sister in little beeps and whistles.

Jay rewires and realigns, aware of the pain he's causing the little drone. "It's okay, baby girl. It's going to be okay. We're almost done. I promise."

He slips the last panel back in place, screwing the cover down over her thigh. "Alright. You're done, I hope."

He glances over to Gav, bringing the little one back to her brothers. "Lets put them back and see how they do."

[street_sparrow]

He nods. "~The pain will be better now, little sister~", he promises her. "~And you will grow strong.~"

[runningred]

The boys croon and snuggle close to their sister.

Jay leans back on his heels, packing away his tools.

Stock bumps gently against Gavroche's shoulder. ++Thank you. They are stronger now. They are better++

[street_sparrow]

"Good", he says simply. "Now they'll have a proper chance."

[runningred]

"How are you doing, Gav? You took a lot on there."

[street_sparrow]

"I'm good." He straightens up and stretches. "I've had things demand more of my energy than that."

[runningred]

"Stock, what do the kids need from here?"

Stock circles the now snuggling little ones, scanning them watchfully. ++They need rest. A cycle at least. You are welcome to stay, or go back. They will come out to us soon. We will send for you.++

[street_sparrow]

"What do you think?" Gavroche asks. "Better to stick around, or go back to the party?"

[runningred]

Jay considers for a moment, clearly hesitating. "We should get back to the party. Give the kids some room to rest." He clearly wants to stay but is worried about crowding them.

[street_sparrow]

He nods. "We won't be far away, if they need us."

[runningred]

He reaches out to stroke Stock. "You'll call us, right? If you need anything."

Stock gives him a nudge. ++We will. Take the adolescents. They will only worry here.++

She moved to press into Gav's hand. ++Thank you++

[street_sparrow]

"You're welcome", he says, smiling. "I'm just glad we could help."

[runningred]

++You are family. As much as we. More. They are like you. Their shape. They will need you. To learn.++

[street_sparrow]

"Then they'll have us. They'll get walking down in no time."

[runningred]

"We'll look after them, Stock. Them and all of you. You have our word."

He slips out of the Hive, whistling to George. "Alrighty, kids. Let's get back to the party." He gives the fretful little drone a stoke. "Emcee with be worrying."

He turns to Gav and offer him a hug. "Thank you. That was- hard. I'm so glad you were there to ease their pain. Let me get you a drink."

[street_sparrow]

"You did as much as I did to help", he counters, but leans a little tiredly into the hug. "But I won't say no."

[runningred]

"You, need food. And a drink." He hugs Gav warmly. "They're our kids too. Let head up."