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

"It's fine," she said, and she meant it. It was more than fine. "I have a good excuse to give Skye, besides."

“That’s true.” Cor smiled softly, glad and more than a little relieved that even though the night before had ended in disaster… She had still enjoyed her time with him. Honestly, he had really enjoyed it too.

"I should get going," Nora said after a moment. "You need to get to work, I expect."

“Yeah. I do have a couple of searches to get started on… No rest for the weary.” Cor chuckled a little. “But you don't have to leave if anything is still bothering you.” he assured her.

"No, I'm fine," she assured him, sipping the last of her energy.

“All right. If you're sure.” he nodded before quickly finishing off his own drink. “I should probably clean up a little before I leave anyway… Umm, would it be alright if I stop by End of Line after work to see you?” he asked, his ears burning as his lines turned a soft steady shade of pink.

Nora smiled, a true, genuine smile. "Of course."

“Great.” Cor smiled, happy and relieved at her answer… and feeling a little silly that he had been nervous about it as his lines went back to normal. “Want me to take that for you?” he asked as he stood up, referring to her empty cup.

"Yes, sure." Nora gave him the cup and stood up as well, picking up the blanket and beginning to fold it; there was a sudden stream of No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, and a mysterious spiky pulsing within the folds. Nora quickly opened the blanket back up, and out zoomed Bit, who had somehow gotten caught. It circled Nora's head once and then zoomed off toward the kitchen before Nora could apologise.
"That rascal," she said with a hint of a smile, re-folding the blanket. "We should go get it before it gets into your energy."

Cor smiled softly as he accepted the cup, planning to take it back to the kitchen but he froze for a moment when Bit flew out of the blanket. “How did you get tangled up in that?” he asked, laughing happily at the situation. He shook his head as he headed into the kitchen when he realized… The blanket!!! THAT’S what Bit was trying to tell me last night! It was telling me to cover her up before I left! BIT-BRAIN!! he groaned, cursing himself as he nearly smacked himself for being so clueless.

"What is it?" Nora asked, puzzled at his expression.

“Nothing.” Cor shook his head as he set the cups down. Since it was something from last night and there was no changing it, he figured it wasn’t important to share. “Umm, would you like me to walk you out?” he asked, despite still looking a bit disheveled from sleeping.

"Yes, that would be fine," Nora said with a trace of a smile. "Bit, come here."
Bit, who had been investigating the energy cupboard again, reluctantly whizzed over to Nora.

“Alright.” Cor smiled softly back before deliberately running his fingers through his hair again, this time he actually managed to fix it a little. “Whenever you're ready.” He chuckled as he looked up and watched Bit. “What’s with you and energy anyway?” he asked, knowing from experience that a… strong interest in that stuff didn't always end well.

"Bit can't get drunk," Nora explained, "but energy makes it process faster, so it gets very hyper."
Yes, Bit concurred.

“Oh. So, it doesn't… “enjoy the buzz” the same way programs do.” Cor rationalized, nodding a little. He wouldn't admit it, but he was a little relieved that Bit couldn't get drunk. That would have brought back too many bad memories.

"No, thank Flynn," Nora said, holding out a hand; Bit alighted briefly and then whizzed off again. "I can barely handle a regular Bit."
Yes, Bit said happily, now zooming around Cor's head, messing his hair up slightly.
"Bit, stop that," Nora said, batting for Bit, but the only thing her hand closed on was… Cor's hair. Blushing slightly, she withdrew her hand. "Sorry."

“I noticed this one’s a handful.” he nodded. “Hey! I just fixed… Oh, never mind. I can never really get it to look like any other than a mess anyway.” Cor laughed, ducking slightly when Bit nearly flew into his hair. He froze for a moment at the unexpected contact as Nora grabbed his hair. “Uhh, it's ok.” he assured softly as his face flushed. “I just… didn't see that coming. It's alright.”

"Sorry," Nora said again, unsure of what to do. "Bit, come here."
Bit, who had been bobbing behind Cor's head, reluctantly came to Nora and floated next to her shoulder; Nora scowled at it.

Cor chuckled lightly and shook his head. “It’s ok, Nora. No harm done.” he assured her, casting a quick glance at Bit for hiding behind him. Though he was almost wondering if all that had been deliberate to get him and Nora closer… The thought made his light lines flash pink. “Ready to go?” he asked as he appeared to be nonchalant.

No, Bit said.
"Come on, Bit, we'll see him tonight," Nora said, grabbing the little ball before it could get any ideas about zooming off in order to stay longer. Over the string of No, no, no, no, no's, she said, "Yes, I'm ready."

Cor laughed a little at Bit’s reluctance for them to leave. “Come on, Bit. Me and Nora have jobs we have to do but I said that I would stop by the club after.” he reminded it before turning back to Nora. He smiled softly and nodded. “Ok. I’ll walk you to the street. Your lightcycle didn't seem to have any serious damage from the crash.” he said as he opened the door, letting her walk through first.

"Good," Nora said, relieved, her hand going automatically to her baton and rubbing the familiar scratch. "I'm not sure it could handle any more serious damage."

“With a trick like the one you pulled to go under that sign, I think either you have a great mechanic or that lightcycle is tougher than it looks.” he smirked. Just like you are…

"Oh, that? That was… Kaira did that." Her eyelashes dipped for a moment. "She was… mechanically gifted. Even for an ISO."
A brief memory flashed across her mind. Kaira tinkering with things, bits and bobs spread out across the floor, her visor and code gloves on. Nora's lightcycle, reduced to a framework of code strings.
Kaira's smiling face. We'll have it back to normal soon, right, Bit? Maybe even better than normal.
Kaira showing her how to work the gyros. Kaira showing her the other tricks. Kaira laughing. Kaira playing with Bit.
Missing crashed down on her in a sudden wave, and she inhaled sharply just to make sure she could still breathe.