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

“Yeah… These things are pretty big.” he agreed. “But… they were designed to carry a whole platoon of soldiers and weapons. Not to mention other supplies. Oh! Watch your step here.” he warned quickly.

Nora stepped delicately around the obstacles, her fingers still entwined with Cor's. They were almost shoulder to shoulder, very close.

Cor's lights flickered pink for a moment before settling down. He really didn't mind the closeness. “A… Anyway, I have some plans for this old machine.” he admitted as they made their way past more of the wreckage.

"You do?" Nora asked, surprised. "Not to get it flying again, surely?"

“No. No, I don't think this will ever fly again without a User fixing it.” Cor laughed. “It’s more of an emergency plan that I hope never has to happen. But with how big it is… I could remodel this into a shelter for all kinds of programs if…” he trailed off.

"If…?" Nora pressed gently.

“If the worst happens again.” he admitted softly.

Nora's eyebrows furrowed. She didn't know exactly what he meant, but something told her it was a tender topic, so she didn't press.

Cor shook his head when he noticed her expression. “I just mean that if someone tries to… take over the Grid again.” he explained. “This place could be a haven for programs who need to escape or want to help others.”

Nora nodded, her expression clearing. Sidestepping a large piece of debris, she said, "That makes sense." Maybe she could bring programs here, anonymously, as Aurora, if such a thing happened. Cor wouldn't mind… right?

Considering that was what he was planning to do as well, if he knew, he wouldn't mind her help. “I know it's a little paranoid but I would rather be prepared.” he admitted as he started to smile before leading her around a corner with a familiar blue glow. “Besides, we have plenty of energy to go around.” he finished proudly. The makeshift exit had broken off during the crash and lead to a carved out section inside the mountain where a beautiful, full spring of pure energy sat completely undisturbed.

"Holy cubes," Nora said softly, staring at the spring. "Do you know how rare that is?"

“Very.” he nodded, gently leading her closer. “When I crashed, I was in pretty bad shape but finding this saved my life. It took me a while to carve out some of this so I could reach it better but it was worth it.” he smiled.

Nora stared at the energy, transfixed by the shimmering, glowing blue liquid. It was beautiful. It was the exact same colour as Cor's eyes, she realised, and moved her gaze to the latter. That stare had the same effect on her as energy did.

Cor's smile widened as he lead her up towards the edge. He couldn't help the feeling of pride as he showed off the source. Yes, it has been just dumb luck that he had found it but he had worked hard to hollow out this spot without disrupting the flow. “I don't come here very often, because I don't want others to find it unless it's necessary, but if you ever… If I’m not at home or at one of my jobs, you can find me here.” he admitted, taking a seat near the edge of the liquid.

Nora nodded and sat down next to him. The soft blue glow highlighted her face, the curve of her cheekbones, her dark liquid eyes, her full lips.
"If I can find my way out here again," she said, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth for a split second, "I'll come out."

Cor felt his breath catch as he looked at her. He could have just stared at her like this for cycles. To him, she was absolutely stunning. “I… It's not that hard. You… You just gotta look for the mountain and your heading in the right direction.” he tried to assure her, though it had taken him a few scouting trips to get here and back the first few times.

Nora looked at him sideways. "It's a good thing my cycle can go off-Grid."
She didn't notice Bit, who was floating behind her, inches from the energy pool.

Cor shifted slightly as he made himself look away when he thought she caught him staring. “Yeah. That's really useful out here.” he chuckled before catching sight of his favorite rascal about to make trouble. “Hey! Bit, don't you dare!”

Nora whirled around. "Bit!"
She lunged for the little cuboid, but it whizzed away; swiping for it again, she lost her balance and toppled into the energy pool with a loud splash. She emerged a few moments later, her pink hair plastered to her scowling, dripping face.
"Oh, cubes," she muttered, beginning to climb, somewhat ungracefully, out of the pool. "Bit, look what you've done!"

Cor couldn't help but burst out laughing at the sight of Nora as she started climbing out of the pool though he had been sincerely worried about her when she fell in. “Here, let me help.” he offered, reaching his hand down for her to grab. “I’m sorry. I… I was just trying to get Bit away from the energy.” he explained as he tried to stop laughing. “Are… Are you alright?”

Nora peered up at him through her bangs and took his hand, her own slippery with energy. At first, when she saw the smile on his face, she thought he might be laughing at her, in a mean way… but when she saw the look in his eyes, she couldn't help but feel the same way. A smile broke out across her face, and she laughed as well, allowing him to help her out of the pool.
"Yes, I'm fine," she said, shoving her sopping-wet bangs out of her eyes and scowling up at Bit, who was floating innocently near the cave ceiling. "You little rascal."

Cor kept a strong but gentle grip on her hand as he helped pull her out, still smiling at the situation. He was not a mean-spirited program and would never laugh at Nora in that way, it was just too funny. “Well, I'm glad you're ok.” he nodded, glancing up at Bit once she was safe, agreeing with her comment. “That Bit just lives for trouble, doesn't it?”

Nora grinned and nodded. "Yes. Yes, it does."
She was suddenly aware of how cold she was. "Do you have a towel? Something I could dry myself off with?"

Cor hummed for a moment and gave a thoughtful nod. “I have some blankets you can use.” he said as he slid off his jacket. “Here. You can wear this until I get back.” he offered, already draping over her shoulders.