[OTA, tag Data]

[andrelative]

K-9 left the botanical gardens sopping wet, though it wasn't his fault. Well, not entirely. With Varsh trying to satiate his curiosity by exploring the new space, the tin dog couldn't be left behind. And said dog found his doom when Varsh attempted to calculate the amount of weight one of the giant lily pads could hold

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[empirical_data]

Give a boy a dog, and inevitably said boy could find a way to get in trouble with it. Data noticed the slick spot left by the trailing dog as he walked to catch up with Varsh. When he stepped in it. And slid along the floor for a bit.

But, like any good android, his sense of equilibrium kept him from toppling and flailing about wildly. He more glided for a few feet, arms slightly extended and regained his footing. Not like the person behind him who let a hearty whoop! and fell onto their back, feet flying up into the air comically.

Data took a moment from pursuing Varsh to return and help that person up. He would catch up in a moment.

[andrelative]

The sound of feet sliding along the floor caught Varsh's attention and he turned around just in time to see his father aiding some poor soul who'd got caught in that trail of water.

Varsh knelt beside K-9, laying a gentle hand on the dog's neck. "You're placing people in danger," he explained. "Wouldn't it be more beneficial if you were lifted above the floor so as not to deposit more water?"

K-9 went silent, the red visor of his visual sensors dimming. He was having the robotic equivalent of a sulk. And all the while, the puddle he found himself in was steadily growing.

Varsh sighed, knowing that it was nearly impossible to talk to K-9 when in a pout. He approached Data instead, calling out a friendly "Father!" to catch his attention.

[empirical_data]

The poor soul didn't really thank Data, just stood and quickly left, guarding the wet splotch on his back.

Data turned to Varsh as he came up, adjusting his nice new clothes and considering the boy carefully. "I was wondering if I could have a discussion with you... Perhaps while... drying out his circuitry..."

He had a vague memory of sinking in water once while hiding from Klingons, of it seeping into all of his gears and servos, and how Geordi had dried him out. He had his robotic equivalent to a sulk too. As he remembered Geordi smiled more than he ever saw him do it before; especially when he tilted his head and water poured out of his ears.

[andrelative]

Varsh was about to say something but K-9 talked over the beginning of the android's sentence. "That would be acceptable."

Varsh merely snapped his mouth shut and scratched at the side of his head, a gesture mimicking the Doctor when he was stymied by a difficult problem. Without waiting for a hint of protest from the dog, Varsh lifted K-9 with ease, toting him to the nearest table and setting him atop it, not caring about the water seeping into his pullover and his shirt.

"What would be the topic of our discussion, Father?"