Ruby (TFP)

Chapter 5

“It is a really good idea, Prime. Ruby will benefit from that, as it would strengthen her legs and wings if she has somewhere to learn to swim while having fun. But you should take her outside eventually, though you already knew that.” Fowler poured the mixture into the bottle to fill it to the top before placing the bottle into the microwave to heat it up. “But it is only the first day, so there is no rush. Though you guys don’t really waste time, as I’m very impressed by what you have achieved so far.”

“Good to know, Agent Fowler. If we can somehow do things that are beneficial to her naturally, then I will certainly consider it for her benefit. Even if it means we have to put something of ours on hold for her.” Optimus smiled as he saw Ruby looking at him and she jumped around in a circle excitedly to show how much she excitement she has, but it also seemed she was trying to get him to join in. Though Optimus knew he couldn’t really join in, but he smiled at her as she spun around excitedly again. “Though I do understand that we are all learning more about her, even on her first day alive.”

“We certainly are. Good enrichment will be good for her. Otherwise she will get bored and she might become destructive. Especially when her teeth come through.” Optimus had not considered that as a possibility, but it made sense to him that she would feel that way. The microwave dings and Fowler grabbed the bottle out to check the temperature. “I think we have learned a lot about the dragon in a short time, so I think it will be a lot easier than you think.” Fowler put the top on and walked over to the stairs to walk down them. “This is ready for her. She may not be as hungry as yesterday, so one bottle might be enough.”

Optimus nodded as he was glad that Ruby would not have to wait long to be fed. Fowler reached the bottom of the stairs and hands the bottle to Optimus before he walked over to the tap. Ruby was pawing at the puddle that had been made from the water so she was not paying attention to the approaching man. When Fowler turned off the tap, the dragon flinched and looked up in surprise as she didn’t expect it to be turned off.

She looked at Fowler before she squealed and lifted her paws to the top of the tap to try and turn it, but they were slippery and she was unable to get a grip. “Ruby.” Ruby’s ears twitch when she heard Optimus, but she did not look at the mech straight away. “Ruby...” The dragon grumbled and looked at Optimus with a frown only to notice the bottle. “Are you hungry?” Ruby squealed excitedly and she jumped up and down before slipping suddenly. She giggled and scrambled back to her feet. Optimus looked at Cliffjumper. “Can you find a towel, Cliff? Or a cloth? She doesn’t have grip yet with her paws, and she might feel the cold soon.”

“Luckily, I’ve seen some. I’ll be right back.” Cliffjumper quickly walked away to one of the hallways to get the cloth Optimus requested.

Ruby walked over to Optimus and she placed her paws on his right foot, though her front paws slipped underneath her and she felt onto the top of the metal surface on her chin, making her grimace a little, but she shook her head and looked up at Optimus. She began to cry hungrily at him as she wanted to drink the milk, but Optimus did want to wait for Cliff to return with the cloth to dry her off. Optimus knew she will get a bit frustrated since he wasn’t picking her up straight away to feed her.

Optimus lowered his hand to the dragon and picked her up as he decided to not just let her slip on her own feet, as he knew that would happen a few more times before Cliff came back, and he did not want to risk Ruby getting injured on her first day. Ruby nuzzled his palm gently with her cheek happily and she gasped as she slipped onto her right side suddenly. She let out a low purr as she was a little worried, but as Optimus had a good hold of her she would not slip off his hand. She looked at the bottle and began to gesture to it and chirp loudly as she wanted to fill her stomach.

Optimus smiled at her gently. He knew she didn’t understand as her whimpers and whines were quickly growing louder as she was hungry and she was growing more impatient quickly. He gently rubbed her back with his thumb, which made her smile a little and purr before she resumed whining loudly and gesturing with her paws at the bottle eagerly. She looked at Optimus with a confused expression and looked back at the bottle.

Cliffjumper walked back into the lobby quickly with the towel in his hand and moved it over to Optimus as the mech placed the bottle down to grab the cloth. Ruby murmured softly as Optimus began to rub the cloth over her body to dry her. The texture of the fabric tickled the dragon’s scales lightly as Optimus gently rubbed it over her body. Ruby sniffed the cloth curiously and tried to nip at it, but Optimus kept the cloth away from the curious dragon’s mouth as he knew that it would only slow the process. But it didn’t take long for Ruby to be dried enough that Optimus was confident that she would not slip anymore.

He placed the cloth down and grabbed the bottle. Ruby squealed excitedly as she reached out her paws towards it as she laid on her back in Optimus’s palm. Once the bottle tip was against her lips, the dragon latched on and began to drink eagerly with her paws on the bottle. Optimus was just glad that the dragon didn’t have to wait so long to be fed. And it would never be that way again.

“She is so adorable. I’d better go and finish up with Ratchet before I head off, Prime. I’m sorry I can’t give more ideas on how to entertain Ruby, but I do believe you will figure it out. She will let you know by her actions of what interests her and what doesn’t interest her.” Fowler turned around as be walked towards the hallway. “You should take pride that you have done a good job so far, Prime.”

“I think we should wait at least a week before giving me that compliment, Agent Fowler. I do not think I have earned it yet.” Optimus stood up and turned to look at Fowler as the man walked away. “However, I do appreciate the confidence.”

“As you should. Now we need to figure out how to entertain this dragon so she won’t bother the doc. He will be very cranky if we don’t...especially since he is already complaining about how much time we have wasted worrying about her.” Cliffjumper hummed lightly as he folded his arms and drummed his fingers lightly before he seemed to think of something. “Hmm...I might have an idea...it doesn’t involve anything much though...”

Optimus looked at Cliffjumper curiously. “Should I be concerned?” Cliffjumper immediately shook his head and Optimus just smiled slightly. “Until you tell me, I will not know.”

Cliff chuckled lightly. “I haven’t really thought about everything, but I honestly was just going to sit down and go from there...I haven’t thought of everything honestly.”

“I see...well...” Optimus looked back at Ruby to see her eyelids were half closed while she enjoyed the breakfast and looked back at Cliffjumper. “That is something I could do as well. It might be a case of making it up as we go along.”

Cliff nodded in agreement. They all were still very much learning about Ruby. Caring for her seemed to be relatively easy, but Optimus knew that they should not underestimate the amount they would have to do to take care of this dragon. Especially as Ruby will get more needs as she matures. Hopefully, Fowler’s knowledge and guidance will be enough to ensure they would be on the right path.

Even though I’m currently on a cruise, I still made time to write another chapter. Especially as Ruby is more of a very casual story that I have, but I know you readers have enjoyed what I’ve written so far. I shall return from my holiday soon.