In a quiet part of the Nexus ... Christmas gfts were prepared ...

[endless_azure]

Quite beside himself with evil contentment -- and with a Santa hat perched incongruously on his shaggy head -- X plotted the last required set of coordinates into the PINpoint he'd picked up just for this purpose and tucked the widget away into subspace

Comments

[_megaman_x]

Said younger other X was currently in an area of the Nexus with a good deal less traffic than around the sign and question area. This section of the Nexus was somewhat park-like and had a number of trees and bushes scattered among the ever-present random furniture.

X was stretched out on a couch in the shade of an oak tree. Although it was winter in his world, here it seemed as though the park area was in late spring or summer. It was a nice change from the snow covered city.

Zanzibar was enjoying the the change in weather as well. The bronze firelizard didn't like the snow or cold. He was flitting among the treetops, not worried about staying too close to X.

[endless_azure]

And -- as luck would have it -- X was headed in just that direction. It wasn't long at all before he came across his other self, and ambled amiably in the younger reploid's direction.

"Taking a break, mm?"

"I have something for you --"

[_megaman_x]

As luck would have it... X didn't hear a word his older alternate said. Even though he hadn't intended to when he first stretched out to relax, he'd inadvertently dozed off under the rustling of the trees.

Now he lay on his back, one arm tucked behind his head, and his chest rising and falling rhythmically as he slept.

[endless_azure]

Now this, this was much too good to pass up ...

Somehow managing to suppress a chuckle of pure evilness, X padded closer and simply watched his other self sleep for a moment or three.

Then he reached out and delicately tickled him under the chin.

[endless_azure]

"Oh, definitely!"

"They up and left for two months, and then settled into work like nothing had ever happened. Stubborn like that, really -- and great to see again."

Time for another pet on the shoulder, as X winced in sympathy.

"'Extra workload' is never a good thing in our line of work. Good to hear it's slowing down again."

[_megaman_x]

X smiled a little. "It wasn't anything to do with Hunting, really. Sort of a... personal task I undertook. But it's definitely worth it, even though it ate into my free time."

[endless_azure]

"I hope you're planning on allowing for decent holiday time, regardless! This kind of sanctioned playtime only comes once a year, after all."

[_megaman_x]

X grinned a little. "Of course. I'm looking forward to it."