Concerning applying him at damned_institute, among other things.

[maverickhunterx]

 If you keep worrying about it, you'll just stress yourself out. You put a lot of effort into it; stop worrying!

[He pauses, squinting out into the sea of faces that has become this place that he has known so well, before giving a smile.]

And...

[He pauses, awkward.]

Father, even though we've never met face-to-face, I hope today's been treating you well. 

Comments

[mega_maiden]

We have been trying our best. He will be happy you wished him a good day, though.

[maverickhunterx]

I'm glad, big sister.

[calling her that was still a strange feeling, no matter how much he did it. Most certainly not negatively so, but still...]

[corvus_veritas]

Do robots like you really have fathers? [Not meant in any negative way, mind you; Byrne's just curious, especially since his mun is so interested in robots.]

[maverickhunterx]

[Don't worry, he didn't take it that way.

He taps his chin in thought.]

Well, we're not human, so I guess it would be confusing. Technically speaking, Father would be my 'creator'...

[He tilts his head, humming a little.]

...but calling him that doesn't feel right, somehow.

[corvus_veritas]

[He nods.] That's understandable.

Ah, sorry if that question was a little rude. I've never really spoken to a robot before - well, besides one, but that's a different story.

[maverickhunterx]

[He smiles at him, shaking his head.]

It wasn't rude at all, don't worry. I'd probably wonder too, if I was in your position.

[corvus_veritas]

Hahaha, well, robots like you are only fiction in my time. We aren't quite so advanced yet.

[maverickhunterx]

Your time?

[Curiosity? Piqued.]

Where are you from, exactly?

[corvus_veritas]

Ah, 2011.

[lovesthepain]

I can't speak for a human, let alone one I'll never have the fortune of knowing, but... all the same, I feel he would be proud of you.

D'awww Harpy. I could pinch your adorable girlbot cheeks

[maverickhunterx]

[X stops a minute and then smiles. Really smiles; seriously, Harpy, your words absolutely touched him.]

I...I can only hope that you're right.

[All of the feels, Harpy. All of them.]

...And thank you, for your kind words.

But you'll mess up his makeup I mean

[lovesthepain]

There's no doubt in my mind. You've been a steady ray of hope through some of the most tumultuous periods the world has known, and your legacy is one that will echo through history long after your departure. Anyone would be proud.

[You're so cool, Master X. ]

Thanks... aren't necessary, Master X. I have nothing like a father, not in the sense that you do, but all the same... I suppose today is the most fitting day to thank the source of my DNA.

For that adorable, you earn hug!icon.

[maverickhunterx]

[X is beyond touched at this point. He doesn't even know what to say...Him, a ray of hope? He was barely able to bring his best friend back, to save those who couldn't help themselves...

He wasn't a hero, and yet this...this kind soul truly thought of him as such.

It lifted his heart, warmed him from the inside-out. Seriously, to have someone look at him this highly...it was a good feeling, though very embarrassing.

Especially since he's from so early in his life. he barely has an inkling of the things he'll do when he grows older.]

I...I...

I just do what I can, and hope for the best. So long as there is peace in the world, then that's all the legacy I need.

[Though his title for X suddenly sinks in.]

'Master'...?

[Oooohhhh no. nonononononononono, not having that. There was no way that he was going to treat X as though he was his better. They were both Reploids, and thus equals.]

You don't have to call me that. Just...just call me X, all right?

[Though wait. Hold the phone...]

Source of your DNA...?

[All Reploids were built from his designs, but something told him that wasn't what he meant.]

I have no hug icon so have this instead???

[lovesthepain]

Please don't misunderstand. I'm... if we wish to be blunt, I'm no longer a Neo Arcadian. I call you Master X not out of obligation or duty, but out of respect.

[In other words, good luck convincing a guy who takes his job this seriously to be casual about it. But this is drifting into "imminent tl;dr summary of the Zero series" territory, so...]

I imagine this will come up if we should happen to meet at that new game you mentioned. I'll spare you the details, but four reploids were built using your DNA. I happen to be one of them.

...So canon. *SHOT*

[maverickhunterx]

[Neo-what? X had heard the term in passing from his Mun, and from that other version of himself, but nothing ever specific. Still...it felt strange to have someone call him that.]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound rude or anything. It just...I'm not used to such formality, I'm afraid to say.

[Still, though. Not too good on this 'Master' thing. Still...his last words. X's eyes widened a bit, happy, happy realization hitting him before they softened considerably.]

...Then we're family.

ikr :')

[lovesthepain]

Family...?

[Congrats, X, you've managed to take Harpy by surprise with that one. He's definitely largely perceived his relationships in the context of work only, so this was not what he expected to hear from his Master.]

[maverickhunterx]

You were made from my DNA, right? Doesn't that by extension make us related? Like brothers, maybe.

[Or, X could be his father. But X wasn't a very old Reploid himself, so the thought of that was a little...]

[lovesthepain]

[BROTHERS. With Master X. With the legendary progenitor of reploidkind, the saviour of humanity, the founder of Neo Arcadia. X, you're blowing his mind, here. He won't deny he finds the idea incredibly flattering, but claiming such a close connection to such a significant robot... I'm telling you, dude: blowing his mind.]

Is... that how you see us, Master X?

[maverickhunterx]

[X is going to give him a nod.]

[lovesthepain]

If that's the case... I consider it an honour.

[He really is almost overwhelmed by it. This isn't a thing that happens often, X, so enjoy that. He feels, oddly enough, like he should be saluting, but of course that's not the appropriate reaction at all; he stops his hand halfway there, instead grabbing the front of his uniform top over his heart. Or... the... general vicinity of his heart-like machine part. You get where I'm going.]

Icon relevant.

[maverickhunterx]

[Should he repeat the gesture? How should he--

You know what? Fuck it. Have a hug, Harpy. A big, blue hug.

They were family, right? And family members had every right to hug each other, so he was going to take this and revel in it. He never got to do this sort of thing with anyone back home. Except maybe Zero. Once or twice.]

No, Harpuia.

[Hey, his mun was even kind enough to give X his name. Fancy that she was helpful for once.]

The honor's all mine.

then i srs'd all over dear_mun

[lovesthepain]

[This is more significant than you realize, X. Harpuia hardly knows how to react at first. Not because he's a stranger to acceptance or anything like that -- he's not the huggy sort, but his life was far from lonely.

It's more... well, he never had the benefit of a brink-of-death pep talk from X's future Cyber-Elf self. This is his first real chance to talk face-to-face with the real X. He took his whole betrayal of Neo Arcadia pretty hard; with his self-worth still stinging that badly, he wasn't exactly anticipating being held in such high esteem.

To hear about X's welcoming heart is one thing, but to experience his warmth firsthand... it soothes a wound he wasn't even all that aware was still hurting. If this is the nature of his Master's character, then he couldn't be prouder to serve X. Harpuia's struck by such deep gratitude that he isn't sure he has the words to convey it.

So instead... LET'S HUG IT OUT, BRO. ;__; ]

[unlmtdpotential]

[X blinks in surprise, and he actually has to squash down the impulse to get excited at the metnion of his father. Honestly, it never felt right to him to call Dr. Light "Creator" either.]

...How do you...? ...Where is he? Is he in a game here, or...?

[maverickhunterx]

[X shakes his head, sadly.]

...No. But in case he is out there somewhere, I wanted to pay my respects to him today.

[unlmtdpotential]

[And then it occurs to him! That's right! He had forgotten all about it! Ever since Cain passed away he hadn't thought about this day at all.]

Oh! Right, I see! It kind of makes me wish some of the capsules were still active. [softer smile] I agree ... wherever you are, Father, and you, Dr. Cain, Happy Father's Day.

[And he can't help but grin a little with some memories.] Zero and I used to do things for Dr. Cain on Father's Day. In fact, nearly everyone on the base did, every year.

[maverickhunterx]

['used to'. That's right; Dr. Cain was human. From where his future self was from, he was probably long-gone.

The thought of losing someone so close to him again...X didn't even want to think about losing Dr. Cain yet. He was the closest thing he had to a real parent, and he'd never met his father outside of those capsules.

He wasn't ready to lose him.

He nods, pushing the unpleasant thoughts aside.]

That reminds me; I should probably do something for him when I see him again.

[His eyes shimmered a bit with curiosity.]

Though I can't help but be curious; what kind of things?

[unlmtdpotential]

[X gives his younger self a gentle and understanding smile. Then, at the last question he grins again. Hmm, he wonders how much he should tell his younger self, it anything at all? After all, he's going to take part in a long list of things involving Cain.]

Weeellll~

I'd say everything from minor pranks to heartfelt gifts, outings, etc. When the entire base gets involved ... those are the best ones. Cain's reactions are priceless every time.

[sakugarne]

You don't know him too well if you're saying that.

[bitter little Quint here, sorry X]

[maverickhunterx]

[pffft. No apologies needed :P

X's expression is a mixture of things. Surprise, then irritaton, then guarded curiosity.]

...What do you mean?

[sakugarne]

He's very good at abandoning his "children".

[Then X, be prepared to get to know your grumpy pulled from the future then brought to the past older brother. why time travel capcom why]

[maverickhunterx]

[Abandoning. Ouch, Quint. For a split second, X looks like he'd been struck, before his face hardens with pure annoyance.

Oh, Capcom. Your storytelling talents are legendary.]

He doesn't abandon. Whatever happened, I'm sure he had his reasons.

[sakugarne]

Excuses, maybe. But no, no reasons. At least none that would make being brainwashed a good thing.

[Quint's tone is flat, even though he is enjoying X's reaction, because he's talking about himself.

Yet we still love them.]

[maverickhunterx]

Brainwashed?!

[Irritation was invaded by impossible-to-conceal concern, with a psychosomatic clenching that was unmistakable.

He...wasn't liking where this was going.

As sad as it is.]

[sakugarne]

Did I stutter? Yes, brainwashed, and re-weaponized too.

And Doctor Light didn't do a single thing to fix it.

[maverickhunterx]

[Okay...this was a bit much for him to take in. It smells of Capcom]

Maybe...

[His tone was slow, deliberate.]

Maybe you should explain this from the beginning.

[sakugarne]

Okay... How about we start with this.

[Offering a hand for X to shake now.]

Hi, I'm Mega Man. But I'm also Quint.