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

"You could always put it on autopilot," Nora mused, giving her bun a final tug. "I think you have to tell it which sector you're going to. Or I could drive it."

Cor laughed softly and nodded. “Autopilot sounds like a good idea.” he smiled before looking for the button and giving the truck his address.

Nora smiled softly at him as she pulled on her seatbelt. The truck began to move, by itself, back towards the city. Nora could just see the bright spire of the Silver Tower sticking up above the other buildings. How was she going to explain End of Line's sudden closure?

Cor sighed a little and leaned back in his seat, trying to relax despite the many thoughts and questions he had buzzing around his head. Did Cyrus only target End of Line? If so, why? How did he even manage to corrupt the energy? That stuff wasn't code. It was supposed to be pure… Even after filtration. He sighed again and looked over at Nora. “You ok?” he asked softly.

"I'm thinking about End of Line," Nora said. "Zuse bought some of the best security systems on the Grid. Unless Cyrus is a much better hacker than we give him credit for, he had to have had a partner to get in. Someone who works at End of Line. And I don't know when we'll be able to open again…"

Cor furrowed his brow slightly and nodded. “I… I wouldn't be too surprised if he was.” he admitted. “I’m honestly still trying to wrap my head around how he managed to do that much damage just by having programs drink energy. It shouldn't be possible to manipulate energy at all. … At least, not for us.” he added, even though he doubted that Flynn would even if he could.

"I don't know," Nora admitted. The words were strange and sour in her mouth. "I just don't know. Stars…"
She started rubbing the light strip on her chest, a nervous tic. The wave of emotion and anxiety that had been pushing at her since this whole thing started was starting to get to her.
Lightning flashed far away, throwing Nora's face into sharp relief for the briefest of moments. She caught Cor's face in the light, too, and took a moment to admire his features. It would be all right. She had Cor.

Cor nodded and looked over, sighing a little. “I know… I wasn't expecting anyone to, except him. I was just venting my thoughts.” he told her.
He almost chuckled when he noticed her little nervous habit. “Hey, it's ok Nora. We're fine. The other programs are safe and… I’m sure there's a way to help them.” he assured, smiling softly. Though his breath caught at the effect the lighting had on her face.

Nora looked at him, her nerves calming a little. They were back in the city now, the truck rumbling past programmes and bars and shops.
"There's got to be a way to help them," she echoed.

Cor gave another assuring nod, his smile growing, at her words. “Yeah.” he agreed softly. Though he wasn't sure how to help yet. They would either need the very best medic on the Grid or an expert hacker, though that option had a bit more risk.

The truck began to slow down; Nora looked around. "This is your building, right?"

“Yeah. That's mine.” he nodded, seeing his building drawing closer. “And we’ll finally be able to relax for the night. … You and Bit are welcome to stay as long as you want.” he added as his lights flickered pink again.

Nora's lights flickered pink as well. The truck beeped softly, and Nora looked at the dash.
"It looks like this truck doesn't have the auto-park function," she said. Surprising - Edison usually had the highest-end things. "I can park it, if you want."

Cor rolled his eyes with a smirk at the information but shook his head. “No. That's ok. I'm sure I can handle that much.” he said, carefully taking control of the truck. Though he kept it on autopilot for a little longer to get a feel for how the truck responded before turning it off.
It really wasn't that bad. It was definitely easier than flying a Recognizer and a lot of the same principles of driving a lightrunner did actually apply, allowing Cor to park easily enough… Though he may have accidentally bumped the curb a little.

Nora decided to keep her mouth shut about the curb bump, instead giving her bun a final tug to make sure it was secure before clambering out of the truck. Thunder rumbled. It was just starting to rain, fat drops falling onto Nora's pink hair and the sidewalk around her feet, pattering on the roof of the truck's cab.

Cor blushed a little as he turned off the truck. “Sorry about that.” he quickly apologized before climbing out of the cab. He raced around the front of the vehicle and joined Nora as he felt the rain starting. “Come on. Let's get inside.” he smiled, pulling his jacket up a little as he headed for the door of the building.

Nora smiled at the way he pulled up his jacket, hurrying after him. Bit was sheltering near her neck, underneath her chin, pulsing nervously.

Cor smiled back easily at just seeing her smiling. It made his code all warm and tingly in the best way that he couldn't find words to explain. But for now, he pushed that thought aside and opened the door for her and Bit.

(Don't we just love finals and roommates' creepy boyfriends who give you panic attacks)

Nora rushed inside, relaxing in the blast of warmth that enveloped her.

(oh, ouch! You ok?)

Cor quickly followed, letting the door close and shaking off some of the water. “Well, that was fun.” he laughed as he fixed his jacket.

(Well I tried talking to my roommate about it and she kind of blew up at me, and my dad, who's a lawyer, says he might help me get a restraining order on her if I need to because she's very verbally abusive and manipulative)

No, Bit beeped, floating out from behind Nora's shoulder, but ducking back behind at another flash of lightning.
"Bit doesn't like the rain," Nora explained, with a small smile.

(Yikes! … Well that's a… I'm glad your dad is going to help you.)

Cor laughed again and was tempted to shake some more water off towards Bit, but seeing the little rascal’s reaction to the storm he held back the idea. “Alright. Well, everyone's entitled to their opinion.” he shrugged with a smile. “Come on. Let's get upstairs and dry off.”

(Yeah. Fortunately, I have a week and a half left of having to deal with her, and then I can cut her out of my life forever.)

Nora nodded and smiled, heading for the elevator. She was cold. "Do you have a fireplace?" she asked, having forgotten if there was one the last time she was here.

Cor shook his head at the question as he hit the call button on the elevator. “Unfortunately not. Getting an apartment with a fireplace is a little out of my price range.” he admitted. “But I can warm us up some good energy and I got some nice warm blankets and towels, and a good viewscreen.” he smiled, apparently not bothered by what he did or didn't have.

Nora smiled, nodding. Curling up under a blanket with Cor… that sounded so nice.
The elevator slid to a stop in front of them and dinged softly, the doors sliding open. Nora stepped in, finger poised over the buttons. "Which floor are you on, again?"

Cor smiled back and followed her into the elevator. “Fifth from the top.” he pointed out, not surprised that she didn't remember considering her condition the last time she was in his apartment. “It’s one of those two-floor levels because of the loft space.”