As the group beamed back to base, Zero was stunned at the applause greeting his return, not to mention a full fledged welcome back party having been set up. "Wow," he managed. "I didn't realize you guys missed me so much." Recovering from his shock, he grinned widely. "Or are you just that happy Octavia's not moping about me being offline anymore?"
Many of those gathered laughed, though there was a tinge of hysterics in their laughter. Zero quickly moved into the party to mingle and laugh, while X took Octavia to bed. She was dead on her hooves, to the point that Varia was keeping her moving. As soon as Varia disengaged from her, she slumped over into slumber. She didn't need a blanket that night, though, since Classic and Piano curled up around her, giving her firm support and a pillow of fluff.
When he returned to the party, Zero stopped him. "Hey X, isn't Tavi going to join us?" he asked in concern.
"She's dead tired," X replied. "She hadn't been sleeping well since you went offline, and she's been pushing herself really hard after Serges swiped your parts. She just needs to catch up on her sleep now that you're back and active. Speaking of, how are the upgrades? Serges mentioned restoring you to full capacity?"
Zero blinked at the change of subject, but shrugged. "Well, I certainly feel stronger now. A lot stronger. Two powerful busters and a beam saber...not bad equipment. Though I think I might redirect power more towards the saber after I get used to it."
"So that's your full power?" X asked curiously.
"No...not even close," Zero answered, frowning. "I...still feel incomplete. And...Serges told me he was only able to restore me to 37% of my original specs."
X whistled in surprise. "I hope Dr. Light has more armors in store for me," he joked. "Otherwise, you're going to leave me behind."
The pair shared a good natured laugh. "Like you wouldn't enjoy having more of an excuse to spend more time with Tavi," Zero teased.
"No more than you," X countered back. As the laughter faded, he sighed sadly.
"What's bugging you, X?" Zero pressed, nudging his friend.
"It's just...I know you're right that Octavia isn't a child anymore by age, and she's advanced well beyond any child her physical maturity in terms of how she thinks and what she knows..." X waved his hands, seeking the words to express his thoughts. "I just...it feels like she hasn't really gotten a good childhood. Does that make any sense?"
"Worried she didn't have enough time to play and make friends?" Zero clarified. "Yeah, I see what you mean."
"I just...I know I didn't have that either, any more than most reploids...but I want to give it to her if I can." X shook his head in exasperation. "Even if it's probably too late..."
Zero smirked, twisting his head fast to smack X in the face with his long, golden tresses. "As if! Sounds like you both could just use a vacation."
X blew angrily, trying to clear the bit of hair that got in his mouth as he rubbed at his face. "Don't do that," he scolded. When Zero's words got through, he blinked. "A...vacation?"
"Yeah," Zero confirmed. "When was the last time you took Octavia outside HQ except on a mission?"
X fell silent. He had to admit, Zero was right. The last time he'd taken Octavia outside HQ other than to hunt Mavericks was before Sigma went Maverick. He had felt like he had to be responsible for her safety, and the safety of the whole world...and had forgotten he also had to raise her right. "So...what would you suggest?"
"The beach!"
X's eyebrow climbed up under his helmet. "Seriously? The beach?"
"Yeah!" Zero affirmed. "You've got the sun, the surf, the sand, people looking to have fun and relax...and you've got two friendly robo-dogs for instant bonding and fun activities."
"Classic's a wolf," X indicated.
"Wolf, schmulf," Zero drolled, dismissing X's concerns with a wave of his hands. "As long as he's friendly, it doesn't matter. Besides, folks of all ages will go nuts over Piano. Everyone loves the big fluffy dogs, they're like giant teddy bears!" Seeing X's hesitation, he continued, "And that's a good thing."
"Well..."
Seeing X's continued hesitation, Zero smirked. "Why don't I see if Alia wants to come along?" he offered. "However old she is, Octavia will need adult supervision, even if she's invited to join a bunch of young girls and their Moms to play. And maybe Alia has a new swimsuit she'd like to show off?" Zero quirked his eyebrows suggestively...and then struggled not to burst into laughter as X's face took on the coloration of a tomato. "I'll take that as a yes."
He sauntered off happily to find Alia. He had noticed the way the spotter had made sure to be around whenever X was, and knew she'd jump at the chance for a way to casually catch the Light-bot's eye in a 'more than friends' way. This was going to be just perfect...
Octavia couldn't help but giggle as she floated in the sea, her purple one piece suit designed to keep her undercarriage protected. Classic swam in the water beside her, casting bemused glances at the shore. Varia hovered above her, her amusement showing in the pulse of her light. Their eyes were on the rest of the group, up on the shore.
Alia stood in a rather flattering pink one piece suit and flip flops, arms crossed across her chest and glaring at Zero. Zero stood in his black speedo, scratching the back of his head nervously. "This was not the plan..." he muttered yet again, his eyes wandering over to X.
X was sitting in a beach chair in his blue swim trunks, Piano at his feet being his adorable self. X's face was red as a tomato, however, as he was absolutely surrounded in what Zero would describe as 'beach bunnies': human and reploid girls and young women in excessively flattering bikinis, all cooing over Piano and his master. Piano had led them all there after being asked to 'find something fun to do'.
Octavia was highly amused. Alia was not.