Once Gaudile was able to confirm that Aile was indeed fully recovered and wouldn't revert back to his injured state, any attempt at a proper schedule went right out the window. It took several hours to get Nana to let go of him long enough for Spider to start helping him accustom himself to having working legs again instead of a hover chair, and even then no one was in any hurry to start another mission. Instead, while X, Zero, Massimo, Spider, and Axl helped Aile through his hurdles, Marino, Cinnamon, and Octavia took Nana shopping.
The four were in their armor still, since there was no need to bring civilian clothes for this trip, as the main goal of it was helping Nana pick out a few outfits now that going out on real dates was on the table for her and Aile. "We've had a few cyber dates," Nana explained as they made their way to the shopping district, "and I've generated quite a few different looks for myself while within the Net Dive for when we were together. So I know a few I'll want to get to go on dates since I know what he likes..." Her voice trailed off as she blushed rosily.
Marino chuckled knowingly. "And a few you'll need to get your confidence up enough to actually put on your real body?" she teased, making Nana's blush brighten.
"Don't worry, Nana!" Cinnamon piped up helpfully. "We'll be getting a few like that for me, too. Marino might have plenty of outfits like that, but my opportunities to get that sort of attire has always been rather limited, and I don't want to fall behind her with Axl!"
"Girls, as happy as I am that my son's happy with the two of you, I'd prefer to keep the details I learn of his sex life to a minimum," Octavia spoke up tiredly. "After all, it's not like I can have one."
"In that case, why not live vicariously through us?" Marino purred playfully.
"Because he's still my son," Octavia countered flatly.
Marino let off a throaty chuckle. She then turned back to Nana. "Don't worry. We'll help ease you through that side of the store."
Before long, they found a store that catered specifically to girls of their build, given all three of the humanoid members of the group were of proportions that could politely be described as 'an enhanced hourglass'. No one was quite certain why the chain dedicated specifically to tending to those girls (mostly Reploid or Terran) with that sort of build went by the name of Gainax, but no one was really going to complain. As they entered, however, they caught sight of something completely unexpected.
A young woman of generous proportions even for this store's clientele stood before a set of mirrors, holding first one ensemble and then another in front of her as she judged them. She had bright - almost neon - pink hair, blue-green eyes, and a startlingly familiar voice. "Hmm, would this one get the message across?" she purred seductively as she held up a Playboy Bunny outfit. "Or would he just talk about his favorite animal?" She then held up a sinfully tight fitting yoga outfit. "This? Or would he just think I wanted to work out? Oh, this is going to be a fun challenge..."
"Ferham?" Marino gasped out in shock, reaching for her weapons.
"Oh, it's you girls," Ferham commented idly as she held up a skimpy two piece bikini. "What do you think, Octavia? Will this do, or is it trying too hard?"
Octavia blinked for a bit as Marino released her blades. "Picking something out to wear for Massimo?" she asked cautiously.
"Yup!" Ferham confirmed. "Any chance you could delay your next mission for a while? You already know we've only got two strongholds left, and you'll be going after the one I'm in charge of next. I'd like to get a chance to work on that giant before I have to fight you all."
"Umm...you do realize he didn't mean any of the innuendo he was saying, right?" Cinnamon asked carefully.
Ferham chuckled softly. "Before meeting him, boys could be divided into two categories for me," she explained. "They either thought I was easy, or thought I was too much woman for them to handle. He may not realize I was flirting, but by the time I get through to him he'll be used to me, and he won't make a fool of himself one way or the other. Besides, it's fun."
"We'll see," Octavia allowed. "For now, these girls were trying to pick out a few outfits. Especially Nana-"
"Oh, really?" Ferham gasped out in pleasure. Setting the outfits she was holding aside, she turned towards the group with a wide grin, sauntering right up to Nana. "Why don't you let me help you pick out a few things to get that...special someone going?"
Nana blushed brightly...more from the fact the 'outfit' - if it could be termed that - Ferham had been wearing while holding outfits up to herself looked like she belonged on a pole. "Uh...I actually have a good idea how to get him going from some Net Dives..." she managed to stammer out.
"Ooh, those are fun!" Ferham purred, steering Nana towards the more erotic area of the store. "I'm going to need details while we get you something he really likes!"
Marino smirked as she followed along. "Bet the things we've been up to with Axl will blow your mind," she gloated as Cinnamon eagerly kept pace with her.
"And maybe you could help me find something that's naughty without being slutty?" Cinnamon asked hopefully. "I think that's what he'd like on me..."
"And while you're all doing that, I'm going to find some scotch!" Octavia turned, ready to leave.
"You the parent?" a shop attendant asked as she held out a tray with bottles of various alcoholic drinks, marked 'Management's Compliments to the Chaperones'.
Octavia blinked at that for a time, then grabbed a glass. "I suppose I am..."
DAMMIT! I was enjoying that Dr. Pepper! And my ability to breathe I suppose... Now it's all over my screen and keyboard! *Cries.*
But seriously, I choked on my drink when I got to that. Wouldn't be the first time I tried to suffocate and drown myself at the same time... and likely won't be the last, considering the level of comedy you tend to churn out.
Edit: Huh. Would you look at that, first comment of the chapter. That don't happen often, considering it's almost five in the morning over here.
Octavia has officially been promoted to Team Mom.
8080020
8080046 Not a position many Tats characters get.
Convenient. In a good way.
I wonder what a drunk Octy would act like...
Don't worry Octy, just drink it all in nice and slow. You'll get used to it.
Least we know now Aile is gonna get physical.
Not sure whether to say Nana was shafted or Ferham.
Why, why isn't this real?!?
DAMMIT TATS!
Poor Octavia, but at least there's complimentary alcohol.
Don't worry Octavia your mare friend is waiting for you. You can get your groove on soon enough.
8080069 Mopey! Where's mine?
Never thought I'd see something that'd drive Octavia to drink!
poor Octi, just a little longer after your finished here in gigacity you can take a trip to mars and from there head home dragging the Grandkids/neices/nephews on a road trip to Equestria.
oh gawd I now know why Scarface is going to attack, he's going to go into protective big brother mode because Ferham is going to get hurt badly still and X with crew are gonna transport her for treatment to the central tower! A god damn communication failure on X's part. At which point someone is gonna hurt Scarface in the you're an idiot method.
I just realize is Wild Jango still locked up? they gonna return him at some point? Or will he become the victim of everyone just forgetting that they have him locked up....
confound these terrans...they drive me to drink
8080046 Wouldn't she have been promoted ages ago when she made Axl her son?
8080395
There's a difference between declaring yourself someone's mother and actually being a mom. Only now that she's been driven to drink by the antics of her compatriots can she truly claim the title.
Very nice chapter, made me laugh quite a bit after a rough day at work. I liked Ferham joining in, plus I can totally see all four humanoid girls getting together for more trips like this in the future... and if Ferham still suffers a certain injury I can see Massimo carrying her in his arms bridal style and the girls lather gathering around her as she recovers in a hospital bed and asking for details.
Now that is excellent customer service.
8080341 All these comments are pure gold, *Passes over a cookie* I can just imagine at the end of all the fighting Jango is still stuck in his cell bouncing a ball against the wall bored out of his mind.
that last bit. talk about convenient.
By the way: that won't work.
Hehehe
Out of curiosity, how old is Octavia again?
8081734
About 200.
OK when is Octavia gonna get someone for herself? her son has 2 girlfriends and her father figures have wives. She really needs a companion like they do.
I thought Ferham had a chemistry with Scarface in the game...
8082651 when she get home hopefully with a certin blue haired someone ( i ship it
8083015
Vinyl pushes the door open with her Mega leg, "Octavia, I've seen some s!"
The two stare at each other, armored Octavia is hammered.
"What happened to you?"
"I've seen something worse than war. It was a battle at two fronts... and they were okay with it."
"What happened?"
"My adopted son has a harem that mingle with other harems."
"Oh. My best friend died and I got his leg."
"What the hell, mare!"
now that's a compliment i would love
8208338
That store has everything!
Pour me a glass too.
9306341
I'll take 5 shots myself.
9443794
just some brain bleach for me.
That is what I call customer service.
well this is going well, and seems masimo is gonna be one lucky fella