"TOM, THIS IS STARSCREAM..." Pacific Northwest A mixture of level plains and vast forested mountain chains compose much of the northwestern regions of the United States. Shrubby low-lying deserts alternate with forested and occasionally tundra -- or ice capped -- mountains. The most prominent of these are the Rocky Mountains, extending in full from Canada to New Mexico. Another mountainous chain, known as the Cascade Range of Oregon and Washington is a lofty range with a complicated geological history, one which includes several alterations due to the nature of volcanic activity. These areas present the last refuge of many of the big game animals that have been a favorite of human hunters over the years: elk, pronghorn, moose, deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, timber wolves, and in some remote areas, brown bears Tomcat skips another rock across the surface of the water, finding some sort of strange satisfaction as it reaches about ten feet out before stopping. He is just about to try and beat his record when the familiar whine of jet turbines catches his attention. Slowly he turns around and glances back the way he came.....expecting to see one of the Aerialbots that he's seen walking around the mountain. Unfortunately, the hill is just tall enough to block his view of Starscream's transformation....and he glanced back too late to see the jet....at the moment. Starscream pulls up and tranforms in the air, then lowers himself down onto the forested hill, not far at all from the young human. He surveys the area, bleary-eyed and weary, and pulls a large datapad from subspace. He squints down at the instrument, tapping out commands and muttering irately under his breath. He looks as if he's been at this sort of thing for far too long. Candice exits out of the gaping maw constituting as the main enterance to the volcanic mountain...very well intent on staying *much* closer to base this time than she had the last she was out. She flickers a glance around her and inhales deeply, enjoying the air. Much less *stuffy* than inside the base. She takes a step away from the enterance and wonders where Tom is. One of the marines mentioned he had seen the boy going out "for a hike". She hopes he didn't stray too far. She didn't tell him of her encounter with a Seeker several days ago, not wanting to worry him, really. She glances within the direction of Crystal Lake. The lake happens to be her favorite spot. At least not too much has happemed there....well, save the incident with Bombshell. And yes...then there's that time with Magnus. Well, she decides to begin a trek there anyway...for olf time's sake... Tomcat catches sight of some movement this time, near the top of the hill anyway. It's not hard to tell its a transformer......then again, he can't see all of him either. Although he knows it was a jet.... "Fireflight?" he calls out hesitantly. It dosen't occur to him that maybe he should have checked first.......but, then again.....he didn't expect anyone this far in. Although it was the same thing with Ravage that one time before too...... Starscream's head snaps in the direction of the human voice, optics narrowing in irritation. "Oh, wonderful." He says aloud, obviously not in a good mood to begin with, and heads in the direction of the voice. Starscream . o O(*Fireflight*?! I was mistaken for *Fireflight*?!) OOC: Tomcat thinks I insulted `im. :) Tomcat grows more uncertain as he gets no answer....although he hears movement again. There's such a thing as when people get a bad feeling.... it usually isn't too far off. And right now Tom is starting to get a queasy feeling to his stomach......like really REALLY shouldn't be here right now. He takes a step back.....thinking he should hide......but curiosity as to just who the heck it is seems to be winning over... Starscream makes his way down the hill, datapad clamped under one arm, scowling as he kicks through the underbrush, looking for the human that called out.. Candice plays a game of hopscotch in the grass between the pebbles and rocks as she enters the forested area between the main road the Autobots usually use and the lke. Since she's lived here awhile she also knows some of the shortcuts. Of course, any Autobot catching her using any of these "shortcuts" would probably...er...blanch -- due to thier interesting nature. So...good thing she hasn't told them. Besides...she's small enough to avoid the pitfalls and foliage. Tomcat hmmms....as he decides its best to use a -bit- of caution. He proceeds to approach the nearest tree and begin to scramble up the trunk, seeking to hide himself in the brush near the top if possible, then try and get a good look at this transformer. ROLL: Tomcat's random Skill roll fails. OOC: Tomcat says, "Oh crud." OOC: Candice says, "Nice one, kid ;)" OOC: Starscream is *not* taking anyone with a broken leg to a hospital. ;) Tomcat gets up the tree somewhat, maneuvering around the branches. He can tell by the rustles that the big form is getting very close. Unfortunately....in his distraction, he misses the next branch. Time appears to freeze for a split second as he gropes wildly for a purchase......then, with a cry of despair his body tumbles and falls from its perch to the pine needled ground below. *THUD* Starscream's optics narrow as he hears the cry and the thud just a little ways ahead, and sidling past a particularly overgrown tree, heads into the ame area. Tomcat didn't -mean- to. It was the darn code! :) Candice says, "Uh, huh... :)" Tomcat now lays at the base of the tree, having been knocked out for a few seconds. Slowly....he groans and shifts his body a little bit.....feeling the pain from the impact shuddering through his whole body. The 'visitor' is momentarily forgotten in his daze...... Candice pauses...thinking she heard somethjing up ahead. She blinks... wondering if it was some animal or some such. However...as she looks ahead she could have swoarn she saw some type of huge shadow. She wonders which Autobot it may have bene. After all, they visit the lake frequently as well to have some peace and quiet. She continues on, slightly picking up her pace. Although, she still offhandedly wonders where Tom is. She's a bit concerned about him...especially since what happened alst night. Starscream squints down at the small body lying at the foot of a tree, and makes an exasperated noise. He lowers himself into a crouch, setting the datapad down next to him after turning the screen off, and prods the tiny form with one finger. "Well? Are you functional, or no?" He sounds as if he half-hopes for the latter. Tomcat groans again, rolling over at the prod. His vision blurrs....then struggles to focus, as he glances up at the red form nearby. Starscream was one Decepticon that Candice never did show him a picture of.....so he dosen't recognize the seeker commander right away. In his daze he forgets to check the symbol too. "Uh....I think so...." he says quietly, grimacing. "Fell....outta the tree...." Starscream seems to find the idea of a human falling out of a tree amusing. "Indeed." He glances around, half expecting to see an Autobot hovering somewhere nearby; they seem to enjoy acting as caretakers to their pet humans. Finding none, he reaches one hand down, intending to pick the boy up.. Tomcat dosen't react right away. Maybe its because he dosen't realize what Starscream is doing. Even though the fogginess is starting to clear up...... Starscream picks the child up with one hand, but fairly gently, and not in the 'dangling' fashion that most Decepticons seem to prefer when dealing with humans. He lifts the human with his fingers, and then rolls his hand palm-up so that the boy lies on the flat of it. Candice acks as her jacket gets caught by a twig. She pauses to untangle the fabric and soon finds herself leaving immediate wooded area and entering a small clearing by the lake's waters. From her position she can't see that her charge is in a bit of trouble. But she probably is falling more and more within earshot as she strides along the water's edge...trying to find a good place to sit and contemplate. Tomcat gives a bit of a startled squawk as he's lifted nonetheless. As the hand turns palm-up he finds it somewhat more stable for him to sit up, rubbing at his head gingerly. "W..what're you doin?" he asks, still not recognizing this one. It definetely isn't an aerialbot. He briefly tries to remember all the bots he saw that turned into jets..... OOC: Candice says, "Powerglide maybe?" OOC: Candice runs! OOC: Tomcat LOL! OOC: Starscream is going to 'accidentally' drop Tom fer that! OOC: Candice says, "EEP!" OOC: Tomcat AIIIES! Starscream lifts his hand up near his face so he can get a better look at this human, and fixes him with a practiced glare, although anyone who knew him would be able to tell he was really quite amused. "What were you doing climbing that tree, hmm? Spying on someone, perhaps?" Tomcat stares back at the glare sort of dumbfounded........feeling somewhat uneasy. "W..well I heard ya comin through the trees....and I just wanted to make sure you weren't a...." he catches the words in his throat as the realization sets in.......his eyes trace towards the seeker's wings, already knowing the usual places that the symbols are placed.... Candice kneels by the edge...glancing at her reflection for a brief moment. Her private thoughts are interrupted as she beging to hear...voices? But from where? And who? She glances at her surroundings trying to discern. As the voices continue decides on the direction and begins towards them... out of curiocity more than anything. Tomcat's eye's noticably widen as he confirms it. His stomach threatens a full somersault..... OOC: Starscream says, "Ick. Don't puke on me. Spike did that once, and I was *not* pleased. ;)" OOC: Starscream's cockpit stunk for a week. Starscream's good humor improves as he finishes the boy's thoughts, "A Decepticon? And if I was? What would you do then?" Tomcat gulps and glances back. "P..pro..bably nothin...." he answers. Despite his nervousness....his mind kicks into overdrive in an attempt to think of someway out. Then again this isn't New York.....and these certainly aren't the streets.....but still... "Cause you'd be holdin me in your hand?" his eyes trace to the ground below. "Really...high up?" Starscream widens his optics, his equivalent of an eyebrow-raise. "You wish to go *higher*, human? Well.. " He straightens, and stands, snagging his datapad with one hand and returning it to subspace, "That *can* be arranged.." He does, however, hold the hand with the human in it perfectly level. Tomcat eeps. "No...no I mean....I don't wanna....here's just fine....I mean...." Candice pales as the voices become more recognizable and picks up her pace. She rounds a steep embankment which had been blocking her view and ends up coming from behind the seeker by a few yards. "Starscream!" she blurts before even thinking. Tomcat .oO(Aw crap....) Starscream takes a half-step and turns, so that he may see the owner of the voice behind him. "Greetings, Candice." His lips are fairly twitching in amusement. Tomcat pales noticably. "Candice?" he fairly whispers, peering over the edge of the hand... Candice ulps as she looks *up* at the Decepticon, eyes widened as saucers. They widen further as she notices just where Tom has actually been all this time. Doesn't he know enough not to go along with strange jets. "Uh...hi..." she returns abit weakly. "I...uh...see you met Tom." Candice . o O(And Tom has met Starscaream. Oye vey...) Tomcat gazes towards the arm. Wondoring what he chances would be. After some thought....he decides now would not be the best time...... Starscream grins darkly at the figure in his palm, "I suppose I have." He glances back at Candice, "I gather you two know each other?" Candice forces a nod in answer. Her complexion pales a shade further. "You could say that." She doesn't state the nature of the relationship. The Decepticon would more than likely find that she's his guardian highly laughable. "Could you...I mean...would you mind putting him down gently?" Somthing about the situation prodes the young woman to add, "Please?" Starscream remarks offhandedly to Candice, as if he hasn't heard what she just said, ".. Tom.. here, was just expressing an interest to go *higher*. Weren't you, Tom?" He throws a dangerous smile in Candice's direction. "And I *do* like to indulge children." Candice is becoming a bit more frightened by the moment...as well as angry. But not for her sake. "You wouldn't?" But then...of course he would. "Please...put him down. He hasn't done anything." Starscream adds conversationally, "He fell out of a tree. I believe next time he should take a *safer* route skyward." His grin has turned positively sharkish. Tomcat gulps. He flew enough in Blurr.....although he wouldn't mind doing it with an aerialbot or Skyfire......or someone preferably of the good guys. "I uh......can I take a raincheck?" Candice perks an eyebrow. "I thought *Autobots* were your mainstay to aleave boredom. Change your standards?" Starscream looks down at the tiny figure in his palm with mock-dissapointment. "Lost your nerve?" He glances towards Candice as she speaks, and shrugs, "When opportunity _falls_ into your lap, you don't refuse it." Candice frowns openly. "What is it your doing here? Are you bored like you were last time?" Tomcat mutters something about keeping his sanity, not his nerve. Starscream evades the question, glancing around the clearing once again, perhaps looking for Autobots. "I might as well ask you the same thing, human." Candice refrains from rolling her eyes at *that* question. "I *live* here. And so does Tom. We were both...just out for a walk." Not a short flight. Not a fright flight. A walk. hear that? A walk... Starscream's optics now pan the sky. "Mmhm. A 'walk'. Which is why your little friend was attempting to spy on me from a treetop. A walk." Tomcat gacks. "How was I supposed to know!?!?" he protests loudly. He immediately shuts up, seems his mouth reacted before his brain this time. Candice sighs. "He was probably just curious. He didn't mean any harm." Tomcat catcalls. "Starscream's a bully!" :-) Starscream says, "Of course I am." Starscream sorta likes kids. Well. 'Likes' would mean that I find them less irritating and more interesting than most other humans. ;-) Starscream, satisfied that no Autobots are in the immediate vicinity, glowers down into his palm again. "One doesn't have to *mean* harm to do harm." Someone perceptive might notice that however grim Starscream's face is, his optics are glinting with amusement, and something approaching the mischevious. To put it simply, Starscream's playing. Candice chews on her lower lip. Her worrying may be preventing her from seeing the Seekers odd sort of playfullness. "But intentions should count. Sheesh, there's no way he could hurt you. Please, put him down -- gently." Shouldn't it count she hasn't called for Autobot assitance? But then...she well knows what would happen if she did. Starscream looks from the ground, to the boy, putting on a show of considering this request, and then shrugs, grasping the child with the fingers of his other hand, now actually *dangling* him, nothing between the child and the ground but air. One might think he was about to drop Tomcat. Tomcat gives an outright wail this time as he's dangled in mid-air. His feet dangle at the air, peering straight downwards to that ground far below....... Tomcat however seems -quite- convinced that he's going to be dropped. Then again....he -is- the one being dangled at the moment. The boy closes his eyes tightly........trying to overcome the euphoria from seeing the ground below..... Candice tries to calm herself down a little. As she does...something begins to occur to her. She offers the Decepticon look which borders on disgust. but she still knows well enough to be careful. Starscream...can be a "loose cannon" if provoked. She exhales slowly. She tries a differnt tactic. "You were asking me questions last time. Um...now would be a good time to get a differnt opinion...if you're collectiong. Tom might agree if you set him down and stopped scaring him to death." However, instead of dropping the child, Starscream sinks into a crouch, and lowers him until his kicking, dangling feet meet the ground, and then releases him. He throws a smirk in Candice's direction. Tomcat opens his eyes as his feet meet the ground....almost unbelieving that he made it down in one piece. As if in some sort of daze...he steps forward a few paces, almost tripping once as he slowly starts towards Candice on very shaky legs.....his eyes are still wide. Afraid that if he bolts......Starscream will snatch him up again. Candice rushes to Tom's side and tries to keep him calm the best she can after he's lowered. An arm wraps behind his back for support as another holds him close. "Are you done?" She asks the seeker with a small grunt. She whispers , "Try to stay as calm as possible. *Don't* bolt." to Tomcat. Starscream remains in the crouch, resting his forearms easily on his legs, studying the reaction of the two humans with some interest. Now that he's closer, and the crisis past, you can see that he is really quite weary, as if he's been at some tedious, unpleasant task for far too long. "Perhaps," He says, still observing the two, feeling that his 'break' is coming to a close. Starscream points at Tom, addressing Candice, "What is he to you? Most humans would have long since fled, attending to their *own* safety, rather than his." Starscream . o O(Most Decepticons as well, for that matter, were the child one of them and I the monster.) Candice retains a gently but firm hold on the lad...afraid of letting him go. "I'm his legal guardian, Stascream," she explains simply. "Something I just...wanted to be." Tomcat just holds onto Candice for support.....his body trembling slightly from the previous fright. That...and Starscream's presence remaining here dosen't help it any. Every instinct in him says to run for it, to get as far away as possible......but instead he stays put, unwilling or unable to move. Starscream seems to be a bit puzzled. "Legal guardian?" He makes a face of disgust, "Is he your.. offspring?" Candice blinkyblinks at that. "No...he's not," she responds...trying to find a way of making a long story short. "He was...abandoned." The confusion on Starscream's face is deepening. "Abandoned? By whom? Why?" Tomcat dosen't contribute much to the conversation.....just sort of staring wide-eyed. He listens intently as he continues to shiver despite his best efforts not to do so. Starscream peers down at the child. "Did he prove somehow unsatisfactory? He did not appear non-functional." Candice holds Tom tighter, all to aware of his fear. "By his parents. And, I don't know. Even...he doesn't. He was too young at the time to remember. They just...didn't want to take care of him." Tomcat winces at that -last- comment by Starscream. Even through his fear.......that hurt......deep down. Starscream muses on Candice's response. "You humans are a strange, inefficient species. Why throw away something you have spent resources on creating? It's no wonder you remain so primitive." Candice gives Tom a concerned glance and then back up The Decepticon. "No one *ever* said we made sense, did they? All some humans care about is their own personal taste. If they don't like it it goes out the window whether it be someone or something." Starscream seems somewhat surprised by Candice's strong words, and gives her an appreciating glance. "I concur. It would take a great deal for me to destroy my creations." His tone turns insinuating, "By your words, I'd think you despised your own species." Tomcat's grip noticably tightens. Then there's the cases of those who go and save the ones that were tossed out that window.... Hound [dawg] pages: Does the widdle biddy human need some help against the big bad seeker? ^_o Candice perks an eyebrow at *that* one. Seems as if the Seeker is a bit perceptive on his own accord. "I think stating that I depised much of what my species does would be a little more appropriate." But it's word play That's all it is. Word play. Word play is one thing that Starscream excells at, and so he banters the conversation right back at her, almost smiling. "Would you say then that you dislike what Decepticons *do* then, and not Decepticons themselves?" Candice grumbles inwardly, as she tries to think of a way to answer. "I don't personally *know* enough Decepticons to rightly answer that," she says somewhat evasively. Tomcat actually speaks up for once. "Ain't that what its all `bout though? Hatin what one guy does? Not what he is?" His voice is cracked....and shaky....but nonetheless he speaks. Starscream's smile broadens. "But you don't personally *know* the whole of your species, and yet claim to despise their actions, not the perpetrators. You and I have had a few conversations -- now if I *had* dropped your charge, would you abhor my clumsiness, but remain charitable towards me?" Candice sighs, finding that she more than likely wouldn't. "No," she answers. "I wouldn't." Tomcat winces again at the seemingly casual suggestion. Starscream's optics glint, having wrung the answer he wanted from Candice, and pursues. "Yet you'd forgive the ones who abandoned your charge and left him to fend for himself. How very.. fair.. of you." Tomcat frowns now. "Who the heck said anythin about forgiven...?" he starts... Candice narrows her eyes. "You placing words in my mouth. You asked about my species as a whole. Now your asking abotu specific individuals. Which is it?" Tomcat falls silent again.....but its obvious a soft spot was touched. He has no intentions of forgiving those from his past. Far too many bitter memories are starting to return to him, his fear starting to fight for its position against anger. Starscream shrugs, optics trained intently on Candice. "It doesn't matter. It's all semantics. You said you despised the *actions* of your species, but not the people themselves. From what you've said, I may infer that multitudes have done the same with their creations as his creators did with him. Judge the individuals, or judge the masses, it makes no difference." Candice hmphs. "Think I would be here if I choose to blame an entire race for something done by a few...or even more? I could easily hate all Cybertronians. It is *your* war here on Earth. Not ours. But the fact is I don't." Starscream points back towards the mountain. "But you are *here*. Amongst the Autobots. *Not* amongst your own species. One would think you'd desire the company of your own kind." 'Not if they want you dead,' the young woman thinks but doesn't say. "Why are you asking me this?" she suddenly asked. Starscream has definately hit a very sore point. Starscream's face splits into a sly grin. "Because, Candice, *I* have a personal abhorrence of hypocrisy, and I believe you *do* judge, your comments to the contrary aside. You've fled your own species because you cannot stand living amongst them, and you accept the Autobots because you blame the ills brought here and perpetuated by the Cybertronian species on the Decepticons alone." The Seeker cannot disguise his amusement. "In short, Candice, I doubt you are a very charitable person at all." Tomcat blinks at that last part. What? Not charitable!? He turns his head to stare at Starscream. A torrent of an insult on the edge of his lips...... Actually, it's alot more complex and complicated than that. "That's not true," Candice blurts. "The human race itself bears alot of the blame. Don't you think I'd want to live among my own kind if I could? I..." She then shuts her mouth quite promptly, obviously having said much more than she wanted to. Starscream stalks after Candice as keenly as any predator ever pursued its prey. "And why can't you, Candice?" Tomcat says quietly, "Can we go now? Or you gonna just off us both right now?" its sort of a blunt statement.......but he speaks it nonetheless. He dosen't like the fifty questions that's being put forth. Starscream's eyes remain fixed on Candice's face, but he spreads his empty hands in reply to Tom. "I am not keeping you here, and I see no reason to harm either of you." Candice immediatly takes a step back taking Tom with her, perhaps even getting him somewhat off balance. She's quite shaken by his last question and doesn't yet know how to respons to it. "So...you'll...let us go?" Starscream shrugs, remaining balanced in a crouch. "Of course. Why would I detain you? If you're *uncomfortable* with this conversation, by all means, go." Tomcat tugs a bit on Candice's arm after the step back. He furiously whispers, "C'mon......let's get outta here. Please?" Candice swallows hard and nods furiously to the boy...more than ready. She takes another step back...and then another...taking Tom with her...but mindful so he doesn't fall. "Yeah...co'me on...let's go..." she says rather shakily. The Decepticons words seems to have done more damage than any amount of armament ever actually could. From afar, Starscream [scream] decides he ICly likes Candice. It's fun to mess with yer head. ;) Long distance to Starscream: Candice tttttttttttbts :) Tomcat moves at the same time, turning and taking the lead now, tugging insistently on Candice's arm right now. Obviously wanting to be anywhere but here..... Starscream watches the two leave, smiling to himself, looking like the cat that swallowed the canary. Finally he stands, joints creaking from disuse, and brushes himself off. Candice gives a wide-eyed glance back to the former scientist and then ahead...not minding to where Tom is actually leading her. There are no words of consolation towardsoff the boy at the moment as they hurry. Candice...can't offer any. She's near the verge of tears as it is. Starscream sighs as if remembering something unpleasant, and momentarily retrieves his datapad from subspace, clicking back to his place, and looks at it in dismay, before giving up and returning it. He begins to rise into the air, seeking someplace less populated.. Tomcat continues to tug Candice away, putting some of his knowledge of hiding places to use. He dosen't want to risk pursuit at the moment..... so he aims for an area that goes under a large overhanging tangle of tree roots and a large boulder. The instant he leads her there he stops and turns back, glancing at the woman. "Candice...?" he says somewhat hesitantly. Candice's characteristics betray just what the mind-games preformed by the Seeker had done to her. She blinks back her tears as she catches her breath. "Are you...did he...hurt you?" she manages. Tomcat stares back into her eyes, easily able to see the so far unshed tears. "No..." he says quietly. Other than the brief moment of free-dangling....he's unharmed. And he'll probably have another bruise on his head to add to the others he's experienced over time, but relatively unhurt. "But.....what bout you?" Starscream transforms, making a slow arc skyward, until his engines are but a fading, distant roar.. Candice sucks in a breath of air, not knowing how she can honestly answer that one. "Been...better," she states upon turning her gaze away. Tomcat continues to stare. "Don't let him get to you Candice......he's just tryin to...." he says reassuringly.....trying to give as much support as he can. Candice brushes her hangs from her forehead, angry with Starscream... angry at herself for that matter. "Yeah...I know that....or should. But...what he said is true...isn't it?" Tomcat blinks. "Bout humankind not wantin ya?" he says quietly. Candice nods to that, barely able to find her voice. She sinks down and rests herself on a nearby rock. "Yeah...that..." Tomcat says as he moves over near her again, "Alotta people are jerks anyway Candice. That's why they went and decided they didn't want ya in the first place. They don't know what they're missin." Candice glances towards the ground, idly kicking at some of the pebbles. "Would be nice for things to be somewhat...normal," she muses. Normal? What *is* normal? She wonders if things ever could go back to normal...if if there were ever such a thing in the first place. "Sometimes I just get tired living like this." Tomcat stares at the ground in turn....then back up again. "Ain't got much of a choice do ya?" Candice shakes her head and closes her eyes. "No, I don't," she conceeds. That much she's been able to accept...althought it's still painful to acknowledge. "There...were times when I guess I could have done something to have prevented it." But to do so would have meant she would have had to betray herself as well as others. And that she couldn't do. "But I doubt I would have changed it even...if I could have..." Tomcat nods. "That's what makes you special Candice. Cause even for the promise `o some kinda.....easy life, you still wouldn't go against those you care bout.." he smirks. "Least you don't gotta live it alone anymore..." Candice, being touched by the lad's words,looks up at that and offers the bear hint of a smile. "Thanks. That...means alot right now." Tomcat smirks. "Hey....you been helpin me out all this time. I....." he shrugs, "just.....wanna return the favor." Candice nods slowly. "Are you sure you're ok?" She didn't see his fall from his perch. She only saw him within the Seeker's grasp. She scans him for some injury., but her question is towards his emotional status as well. She felt the course of emotions running through him as some of the conversatiuon took place. "He didn't hurt you or anything?" Tomcat rubs his head. "Nah.....just when I fell outta the tree is all," he dismisses it somewhat nonchalantly. He dosen't want her to worry. Candice blinks. "Tree?" Oh, the Decepticon *did* mention something about that. She doesn't comment about the fall...but she maintains concern over it. She stands back up to her feet. "I guess...I better report Starscream being here. this is...his send time within a matter of days." She sighs at that and gives Tom a gentle hug. "Don't stop being you, kay?" Tomcat smirks and hugs back fully, grateful to see her back to normal. "Only long as you stay you too..." Candice gives the boy a loving squeeze before pulling back. She sighs, gesturing they should probably head towards the mountain. "This might mean some of the hikes might have to be put on hold..." she states sourly. Tomcat nods. "S'ok......kinda.....can see why."