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

The elevator whooshed to a smooth stop at their feet; Nora stepped inside, Bit floating next to her head, and selected the button for End of Line.

Cor slid into the elevator, still smirking as he leaned against the smooth glass next to her.

Nora noticed his smile, and her eyebrows furrowed. She suddenly realised she was still wearing his jacket, and her lights, as well as her face, flushed a deep pink.
"I didn't realise I was still wearing this," she said, shrugging it off with some reluctance and holding it out. "Here."

“It’s alright.” he chuckled, taking the jacket back… Though he didn't put it on yet. “It looked good on you.” Cor added with a roguish smile, hoping to make her blush again. Despite his teasing, he was being sincere, it's just this particular jacket was as much a part of his identity as his disk was… Which meant it was tied to his secret as Black Light.

Nora blushed again, smiling lightly. The elevator whizzed to a stop and dinged softly, the doors sliding open.
Only a few programs were there. Nora glanced at Cor, unsure if she should take his hand or not.

Cor chuckled at his success in complimenting her as the doors opened. Looking around, he couldn't remember the last time he saw this place so empty… But he attributed it to the fact that he hadn't been here this early before. Except for the night Nora reopened the club.

Nora let out a soft sigh of relief. Astra and Skye weren't here. Stepping out of the elevator, she started walking towards her office.

Cor stayed quiet but visibly relaxed when he noticed those two Sirens weren't around. Though Skye already believed that he and Nora had “been on a date”… Perhaps this wasn't a bad thing. As long as Nora was ok with that.

The bartender waved at Nora, who waved awkwardly back. The few customers already at the bar nodded at Nora appreciatively, and she smiled. The DJ's were just settling into their booth, and a few moments later, a thudding dance beat washed across the club.

Cor walked confidently beside her and lightly brushed his hand against her arm. He didn't want anything, just to reassure her that he was still here for her. A part of him felt like he was her personal bodyguard.

Nora smiled at him, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. The floating steps to Nora's office materialised, and Nora walked up them, her heels clicking faintly. Bit, meanwhile, unnoticed by Nora, floated over to the bar and inspected the bottles of what they had on tap that night.

Cor hesitated as Nora walked up to her office, unsure if she wanted him to… But he wouldn't deny that he still wanted to stay with her.

Bit, having decided there was nothing worth wreaking havoc about, floated back to them. Nora fairly glided up the stairs to her office and reappeared a few moments later with a bottle of Zuse's finest. She set it on the counter. "Two glasses, please, Markus."
Markus, the bartender, nodded and went to get two glasses. Nora sat down, motioning for Cor to sit next to her.

Cor smiled at the sight of Nora coming back down, and with a beautiful bottle of energy. He followed her back over to the bar counter and gladly took a seat when she offered. “Thank you.” he said softly.

Markus reappeared and poured two drinks for them. Nora, eyeing Bit apprehensively, sipped hers. "You're welcome."

Cor smiled back, nodding gratefully at Markus before quickly guarding his drink from Bit. “I hope it's not too strong for you.” he teased lightly as he took a sip for himself.

"It's not that strong," Nora assured him, though after sipping hers, her eyebrows raised. "Okay, it might be that strong."

“I noticed.” he chuckled, as he swirled his drink slightly. “Personally, I like this though.”

Nora nodded and smiled, batting Bit away from her drink again.

Cor smiled back before chuckling a little at Bit’s attempt. “Are you ever going to learn?” he smirked.

No, Bit said playfully, zooming around Cor's head, ruffling his hair slightly.

Cor laughed, throwing his head back a little as he covered his glass and playfully batted at Bit. Though he didn't really mind.

"Noraaaaaaa!!" said an excited voice, and there was a quick pattering of high heels and then Skye appeared, slinging her arms around Nora in an excited hug; Nora went stiff, her expression slackening.
"Hi!" Skye said excitedly, releasing Nora. There was a big, goofy grin on her face. "I haven't seen you in forever! How are you? Oh, hi Cor. Nora, are you on a date? That's so funny, I'm on a date too" - her grin became, if possible, even wider - "with Beckett! Beckett, come here, where did you go?"
Beckett, a slim, dark program, materialised out of the crowd and stood at Skye's shoulder. He was tall, in direct contrast with Skye's short stature, standing at least a head above her. He surveyed Cor and Nora curiously, a thin, almost distant smile on his face.
"This is Nora, my boss, and Cor, her - Nora, is he your boyfriend?" Without even pausing to let Nora answer, Skye prattled on. Nora raised her eyebrows almost imperceptibly and nodded vaguely.

Cor stiffened slightly when he heard Skye calling out and quickly downed the rest of his drink before forcing an easy smile as she joined them. “Hello, Skye.” he nodded, trying to keep an amicable attitude around her. At least she wasn't as bad as Astra and hadn't insulted him or Nora… to his knowledge. When the other program, Beckett, came up he gave a simple polite nod and slid on his jacket, trying to hide his lines from flashing at the question of being Nora’s boyfriend. Honestly, he didn't know what they were.

Eventually, after what felt like eons, Skye stopped talking, ending with, "So that's my night, Nora, but Beckett has been telling me that he's wonderful at dancing and I have to find out, maybe I'll see you later for drinks or something? Goodbye, Cor, you two have fun!"
With that, she disappeared back into the steadily thickening crowd, Beckett trailing behind her obediently. Nora let out a relieved sigh and batted Bit away from her drink yet again. Her cheeks had gone faintly pink at Skye asking if Cor and her were - well, more than just friends. Were they? Having never been in a relationship before, Nora had no idea what to call this. She didn't know what to say, either.
"Beckett seems nice," was all she said.