Hermann wasn't particularly happy with his clothes. He thought he looked ridiculous in the black tuxedo he was wearing. His bow tie was black, which wasn't that bad. At least it wasn't red, he thought, looking at some of the other men. He wasn't enjoying the party much. He would rather be in a Zoid, or relaxing, or doing something with O'Connell.

"Is something bothering you?" President Camford asked her son.
"I'm just not a fancy party person," Hermann replied honestly.

"There's something else bothering you," President Camford said. Not much got past her.

"Well... you see, I'm worried about O'Connell. His family had to go somewhere for Christmas, so now he has to spend Christmas all alone on his farm. I feel so sorry for him," Hermann explained.
"Why don't you call him? See how he is?" the President suggested.

"Yeah, okay. I'll do that right now," Hermann said.

"I'm glad you are concerned by your subordinate's happiness as well as his wellbeing," President Camford said.

"I have to. He's my best friend," Hermann replied as he went to his room.

O'Connell had eaten a small dinner and was resting in front of the fireplace with Lucky and Gingernut when the phone rang. He was feeling considerably better, but was still concerned by his predicament.

"Hello?" O'Connell asked.
"Hey O'Connell. It's me, Hermann. I rang to see how you were," Hermann said.

"Uh..." O'Connell said.

"Is everything alright?" Hermann asked.

"Um yeah... no, actually," O'Connell said.

"What's wrong?" Hermann asked, aware that his mother had just entered to see if everything was all right.

"Well, it's like this... I met a wolf on the way home, and now it's in my living room and I don't know what to feed it, and it's with my cat, who was just savaged by the farm dog, who has gotten away, and now I don't know where it is, and I need to find the stupid mutt before I come home, because it's the farm dog. Seriously, it doesn't do much to help. Old Skidder used to, but not Bourke... and now I don't know what to do!" O'Connell blurted out, considerably upset.

"Hey, calm down... you have a wolf in your living room?" Hermann asked, just realising what O'Connell had said. He saw his mother give him a shocked look.
"Yeah. His name is Lucky. I've got Skidder's old collar on him. I suppose I should just feed him some raw meat? I bandaged up Gingernut. I think she'll be okay. Do you think Bourke will come back when he's hungry? He doesn't really know my because we were given him after I joined the military..." O'Connell replied.

"I'm sure Bourke will come back. Hey listen, do you want me to come over to help?" Hermann asked, glancing at his mother. She nodded.

"No, you don't have to..." O'Connell began.

"Hey, it's no problem. I'm not really having much fun here anyway. I'm not a fancy party person. Come on, let me come over! My mum doesn't mind. Besides, I want to meet Lucky. Not everyone has a pet wolf," Hermann said.

"Yeah, about that... how do I tell mum we have a pet wolf?" O'Connell asked.

"That might be a bit difficult, considering they won't be home until after you're gone... I'm sure I can let you stay a day longer. You can see your family, and Lucky can get used to them," Hermann said.

"Really? Thanks Robbie, you're the best!" O'Connell said, calling Hermann by his first name.

"I'll be right over," Hermann said.