forum ENCOM OS-12 | OxO | Closed unless you're a fellow Program/User/ISO | Stalkers get a free Light Runner

Started March 25, 2021 by @murphysgirl

tune

"Bit would," Nora said, almost without thinking.
Bit bobbed up and down happily. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

Cor laughed a little at that. “Well, thank Flynn that Bit wasn't involved in that deal… Though it might be safer under it’s control.” he joked, shaking his head to show he wasn't serious about that. He let out a sigh and looked at Nora thoughtfully. “But now I wonder… Since Clu and Castor are gone, as well as Castor’s first favorite; does that mean technically you have control of the Grid?” he asked completely innocently and out of genuine curiosity. He wasn't trying to offend her, it was just a random thought that seemed like a possibility.

Nora stiffened a little at that, then shook her head. "I was never a part of the deal. Besides, the Grid is not mine to control. I don't want to be another Clu. I just want to keep it safe."

Cor shook his head slightly. “I didn't mean to imply that you were like that. Keeping the Grid safe is more than enough… I just meant that since Castor played favorites, it makes sense to me that Gem would have been his second in command if he had succeeded. But since there's no one else, and if we're just going down his list, I mean he did give you the End of Line…” he tried to explain.

"I understand." She nodded. "Better me than Astra or Skye, in any case."

“Definitely.” he agreed with a small nod. “I can't imagine what this place would be like with one of them in charge.” Cor almost chuckled, having only a vague idea of that since he’d met both of them only once.

"It would be worse than if Bit was in charge," Nora said with a straight face, and Bit adamantly whizzed around her head. No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Cor nodded again, laughing softly. “Better Bit than those two.” he agreed.

Bit, deciding that it had taken enough abuse for one night, whizzed out of the office, leaving Nora and Cor alone. There was a moment or two of awkward silence, then Nora coughed softly and stood up, heading for the drinks cabinet. "Now that Bit's gone, we can enjoy a drink. Do you want one?"

Cor nodded and stood up with her. “If you're sure Bit won't get into too much trouble without us, sure.” he smiled softly.

"Bit knows not to get into trouble when Rika's around," Nora said, opening the cupboard. "She's one of the staff. She's a lot less lenient with Bit than I am."

Cor hummed in acknowledgment and glanced back in the direction Bit had left. “I just hope Bit doesn't hold a grudge. Though I don't understand why it reacted that way.” he admitted.

Nora shrugged. “What’s interesting about Bit is that it likes doling out abuse and chaos… not so much receiving it.”
She got out two glasses. “What sort of energy do you want?”

“What abuse?” he chuckled. “All we were doing was saying that we would rather follow it than Astra or Skye.” Cor shrugged. “Umm, I’ll just have whatever you have.”

Nora shrugged and got out a bottle of energy. "Bit takes things differently than you or I would. Do you want ice?"

Cor gave a brief hum and shrugged slightly. “Sure. I’ll have some.”

Nora prepared the drinks and walked back over to the couch, handing his to him. "Here."

“Thanks.” Cor smiled softly, accepting the drink and sitting back on the couch.

Nora sat back down and eyed the crowd, unsure of what to say. Conversation was never something that had come naturally to her, and the only topics she could think of were either too trivial or involved the hidden programs at the docks. It still was freaking her out.

Cor smiled a little, following her gaze as he sipped on the drink. Normally, he wasn't one for much conversation either since it was usually safer for everyone involved if he kept his mouth shut. But there was something about Nora that just made it so easy. “This room has a very nice view.” he said, sticking with, what he hoped were, more normal topics.

"It does, doesn't it?" she replied, still watching the crowds. "I had only ever been up here a few times before… before I took over."
She looked at Zuse's desk - her desk, now - and eyed the wall behind it. When rebuilding End of Line, she'd discovered that what looked like a wall was actually a cleverly hidden picture window.
"It's not as nice as this view, though," she remarked, getting up again and going to the wall, stroking it lightly with a finger. A faint blue glow spread out from where she had touched it, and then the wall slowly dissipated, revealing the glass behind it. Far, far below, sparkling like the stars above, was the Grid.

Cor nodded slightly, finding that believable that she hadn't been in this office very much before it became hers.
He raised a brow at her mysterious comment and turned his head to follow her. “Oh!” he breathed, seeing the wall disappear at her touch and walked over to join her. “That is a much better view.” he agreed with a genuine smile.

Nora nodded. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

“It really is.” Cor nodded, standing next to her.

Nora's eyes travelled to the docks, way out by the faintly shimmering water. A faint chill went down her back as she remembered what was out there. The thought of so many empty shells terrified her.
"The best part of it is," she said delicately, "it's safe… well, safer… now that Clu is gone. I don't have to worry about looking down there and wondering if innocent programs are being derezzed on my sector."