[Video][Transmitting from the Junk Pile]

[mccrane]

I might have accidentally started the fireworks early.

[The edges of his plating are singed, and just behind him the very flaming carcass of an automobile is roaring in its death throes.]

Energon, it seems, is not a viable replacement for gasoline. [He is grateful he didn't try consuming it before this test, and even more grateful that he managed to start the vehicle from a distance.]

[Since. Ah. It exploded.]

I don't suppose anyone has any suggestions? Or a way to convert us to a different fuel source?

Or some wash-cloths and soap?

Comments

video [will be action in next tag]

[not_halfbaked]

Holys--McCrane!

[She eyes the flaming carcass behind him.]

I'm coming over to put out that fire, okay?! [Was on her way to the junkpile for Gunmax's fireworks festival anyway.]

And I've got a water bottle--I don't have soap, but I can still rinse you off. [And she could use her pelt for a rag. But oh, that was a good point--Korra should find soap later. ...Come to think of it, when was the last time she bathed?]

Are you hurt? Did you contact Ratchet?

video [YAY ACTION]

[mccrane]

That would be appreciated, Korra.

[It really would. Its been burning for a while, now, and it doesn't seem interested in going out. He hadn't realized how horrible burned car would smell, and he really hopes that smell is only coming from the car, and not him.]

[Wait. Water?]

[Please be his new best friend. ;-; Its horrible being all sooty like this. He's worried that the metal might have gotten strained, and he won't know until after the burn marks are gone.]

Ratchet and I are talking. Is that water something you can afford to spare?

[Practicality first. Practicality. And if it is water freely offered, then he will take it gladly.]

video-->ACTION

[not_halfbaked]

[Korra arrives, gasping. She quickly scans the fire, and with a bending gesture, begins to lower the fire. It shrinks, and then finally just dies, leaving a smoldering wreck behind. She turns to face McCrane.]

It's not a problem, I can bend any of the gunk out when I'm done.

[Korra has tied the bottle to her waist with her pelt, until she finds something like a waterskin with a strap. She uncaps the bottle, and bends the water out, beginning to rinse McCrane.]

Try to stay still, okay? I'll let you know when I'm done.

ACTION

[mccrane]

[McCrane stands back, letting the expert of fire-control tame the fire. He hasn't seen her control it in person, yet, so all he can do is stare.]

...

[Wow.]

[He is more than a little startled when she begins, however, and takes a step back before she manages to give her warning.]

...!

[He's not been washed like this, before.] Would it be easier, if I were a crane? [He feels a little embarrassed, to do it this way, though he isn't sure why.]

Re: ACTION

[not_halfbaked]

Um.... [She'd never been asked something like that before.] Whatever makes you comfortable. [She tries to give a reassuring smile.]

ACTION

[mccrane]

Y...yes.

[He transforms quickly, feeling much less self-conscious to be washed when he's a vehicle. He couldn't possibly describe why, but there it is.]

Thank you, Korra. I feel like we haven't been able to maintain our standards of appearance, since we came.

[This is really, really appreciated, especially right now.]

I didn't realize how dependent we were on humans, until the humans we depended on were not around.

Re: ACTION

[not_halfbaked]

It's not a problem, McCrane.

[Korra begins to bend the water into a pouring shower over McCrane.]

[mccrane]

I don't wish to make you late to meet with Gunmax.

[He holds very still, now, making sure his doors are tightly sealed.]

[not_halfbaked]

Don't worry, I won't be late.

[Korra increases the flow of water, gushing it over McCrane, trying to get the deeper stains out.]

Will you be able to make it to the fireworks tonight...or have you had enough of those?

[mccrane]

I want to clean up, here, when you are done with me. I should still be able to make it on time.

[Or be only a little late.]

It's something that I can do with the other Brave Police. I would not miss it, for anything.

[Which makes him wonder.]

Is there anyone that you wash, on your world?

[not_halfbaked]

Do you need help with clean up?

Oh, I--well, I wash Naga, she's a polarbeardog. And I've helped Pema wash Meelo a couple of times--Meelo's a little kid, not an animal. Though he acts like one sometimes. [Korra smiles at the memories, though her stomach twists at them too. Homesick, again.]

[mccrane]

I will be alright.

[He'd feel worse if he made you late, really.]

Korra...

What is a polar-bear-dog?

[not_halfbaked]

[The question actually makes Korra laugh.]

Okay, do you know what dogs and polar bears are? It's a cross between those, though it's as big--or bigger--than a polar bear.

[mccrane]

[It sounds incredible! And McCrane won't question how you can cross-breed a dog with a polar bear and end up with something larger. According to the physics of his world, this makes perfect sense.]

Your world must have contained some very powerful scientists.

[Where else would a bear-dog come from?]

[not_halfbaked]

Yep, we've got some great scientists! Lots of cool inventions like the Satomobile-- [And now Korra thinks of its inventor, Hiroshi. Uncomfortable reminder.]

...Um, what do scientists have to do with polarbeardogs?

[mccrane]

Satomobile... [He trails off, wondering at the name.] Is that similar to what I am right now? [In crane mode, he means.]

Polarbeardogs are crossbreeds, aren't they? That would require some intensive knowledge in the genetic field.

[not_halfbaked]

Hmmm, I guess you'd be sorta connected, but I think you're just a crane right now.

They're mixes, yeah--'genetic?'

[mccrane]

[He wiggles one tire, testing...]
What is the difference?

[And then, if the washing is done, he decides to return to robot-mode.]

Genetics. The programming code of organic life that tells your cells whether to be a polar bear, or a dog. [He is only now starting to be confused about how you can not know this.] If they are combined, then you can produce a mixture of the two.

[not_halfbaked]

A crane does something other than drive. Satomobiles just drive, or race around, which is super cool, Asami--

[Korra caught herself off. She didn't want to think of home right now. She stands back as McCrane changes back. Her mouth drops slightly, it's still something to behold.]

...Okay, you lost me. [Crosses her arms.] Sorry, I"m not much a of a scientist. What's a 'programming code?' 'Cells?'

[Korra shook her head.] Are you just wondering where polarbeardogs come from in my world?

[mccrane]

Asami... [He caught that trail off, there.] He owned a Satomobile?

[He crouches down, minimizing the distance between them for conversation purposes. Already, he feels much better just for having been washed.]

Cells are small building blocks that, when put together, form organic life. You are made up of cells, in a similar way to how I am made of parts, all of which make us individual.

In my world, scientists could use those blocks to cross...anything. Humans and fish, for instance, to make a mermaid.

[Or a mermaid...fairy.]