Model F seemed indignant.
'There's no way Atlas would let herself live in a place like this! There's gotta be a mistake!' he said. Dex tried shushing the Biometal, even though nobody else could hear him.
"Maybe she got hurt or somethin', I dunno." he whispered. He caught up with his mom. "Are you sure great-grandma lives here?" he asked. Mom nodded, double-checking something on her SubPET.
"I'm sure. I've only met her once or twice. I get the feeling you'll like her." she said. Dex pointed at the building.
"But, a nursing home?" he asked. Mom sighed.
"Dex. Both she and great-grandpa live here. They're old, honey, and probably don't move as well as they used to." she said. Model F snorted. Dex ignored him. Gutsman scratched his head.
"Do you think your great-grandparents like Navis, guts?" he asked. Dex took out his PET.
"I dunno. Lan's gramps does, so probably." he said. He followed Mom into the entrance, and waited as she talked with a secretary. The secretary sighed.
"Oh, visitors. The Jinens' are in room 57." she said. Dex crossed his arms, fidgeting. How as he supposed to meet somebody this old, and in a place like this? Mom would probably be talking the whole time, and about things he didn't quite get. Model F might not even be able to talk to his original Chosen One.
"What if she's like old-old?" he whispered. Gutsman punched a fist.
"They're the great Dex's great-grandparents, guts! They're gonna be awesome, guts!" he said. Model F laughed.
'Course they will! They will.' He mumbled at the end. Dex slowed down a bit as Mom got to the door. She knocked twice. Something fell to the ground, and heavy footsteps charged to the door.
"Dear!"
"If it's that nurse again-" The door swung open, and Mom seemed surprised. Dex was surprised too. This lady, even though she had white hair, looked really fit. She raised an incredulous eyebrow. "Huh? Do I know you?" she asked. Mom smiled.
"Grandma Atlas! It's me, Hotaru." she said. Atlas stared.
"Hotaru?" she asked. A big, wild grin appeared on her face. "Oh! You're so big!" she said, hugging Mom. Dex heard something pop in his mom's back. Mom smiled, a little concerned.
"I remember that hug." she said.
"Don't keep me waiting in here!" another voice called. Mom waved to somebody inside the room.
"Grandpa!" she said. She brought Dex forward. "This is my son Dex. He was interesting in meeting some of the other people in the family." she said. Atlas looked down. Dex looked up. She looked tough! Atlas seemed to size him up for a minute, before nodding.
"Yeah. You're related. You've got that blazing spark my whole family's got." she said. Dex puffed up a bit in pride.
"Thanks!" he said. Atlas motioned for him and Mom to come in.
"Sorry it's cramped. Your gramps needs some of the care here, and I just keep the annoying doctors out." she explained. Model F cheered.
'Woo! I knew you wouldn't be goin' down so easily!' he said. Atlas blanched.
"Huh?" she whispered. While Mom started talking with great-gramps, Dex took out the Biometal and his PET.
"This is Gutsman! He's tough, just like Model F!" he said, trying to talk quiet. Atlas stared for a minute, then smiled wide.
"You really are my great-grandson, aren't you?" she said, and brought him up into a hug. Dex felt his back pop. He winced.
"Yup, Grams is tough." he whispered. Model F laughed his head off.