Enzo's third birthday - family

[a1enzo]

As soon as classes let out on Enzo's birthday, he goes to loiter near the Academy gates. He chats with his fellow cadets and accepts their well-wishes, but his eyes are on the sky, and he grins when he sees Dot's minivan coming in for a landing.

Comments

[command_dot_com]

"The labs finally made the breakthrough for making our own chocolate. Not copying, but real creation of it."

Just as good as her own personal stash. And she's cornered the market for Mainframe again in production.

[a1enzo]

"No way! Alphanumeric!"

Mmmmm, chooooocolate.

[notascreensaver]

AndrAIa unfolds herself from the car and lifts down Analog, who promptly runs over and attaches herself to Enzo's legs, chattering. The mother follows at a more sedate pace.

"Happy birthday, Sprout," she says, reaching up to ruffle his hair.

[very_anti_virus]

Ana's given just enough time to give her greeting before Matrix comes along to peel her off his copy's leg.

"So. Another week older, eh?"

Enzo gets a one-armed hug across the shoulders.

Because it's more manly and not as mushy as a full hug is.

Matrix has Images To Maintain.

[a1enzo]

Enzo flails at AndrAIa's ruffling hand, then counters the hug with a light punch to the shoulder. Because machismo.

[nullofscience]

Meanwhile, it did NOT take a while for Welman to gain access to his exo-suit. Easily able to go up sheer surfaces as need-be, the null-scientist made his way up to the roof uninhibited, and then when he was amidst the two mook-bots, he said...

"Pause."

...to make them stop for a bit as he entered the suit, and sat up. Then, as he got down from the van roof...

"Resume."

Welman checked the movements of his exo-suit and them proceeded over to give his son a heartfelt dad hug.

"Happy birthday, Enzo."

[a1enzo]

Enzo returns the hug happily. The exo-suit may be a bit unyielding, but it's also uncrushable. "Thanks, Dad."

[command_dot_com]

"Do you want your present first, or dinner first?" Dot smiles, standing up a little on tiptoe to hug her younger brother. "Either way it means everyone has to get back into the car."

[a1enzo]

Enzo considers as he hugs back. "Present," he decides, trying to contain his excitement.

Considering the minivan helps with that. "Man. First time I've ever rode in here with everyone. How bad is it?"

[command_dot_com]

"I haven't had to use the compression feature yet..."

[very_anti_virus]

"I already feel compressed, after being in that minivan," Matrix snarks quietly.

[notascreensaver]

AndrAIa, who can hear him just fine, rolls her eyes. "We can't all be giant slabs of man-meat."

[very_anti_virus]

Still quietly: "Yeah, well...



Next time I'm taking the bike."

[command_dot_com]

"Mhmm...alright...everyone back into the van, we've got a specialist to get to."

"OhOH can we visit St. Eizbaht's Home for Distressed Nulls?" Slash pipes up from the roof hopefully.

"After all the partying and gifting and stuff!"

[a1enzo]

"Right! Let's do it!"

Welman's exo-suit is reaffixed to the roof, they all (with some effort) pile back inside, and Enzo directs them on their way to the well-regarded 'specialist' establishment known as Pings and Needles.