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

Cor smiled a little, tempted to let her know their one song was over but dancing was easier than talking right now. Especially after how he embarrassed himself. Maybe one more song wouldn't hurt.

Nora swayed in perfect time to the music, and then suddenly realised it was a new song, a different rhythm, a different beat. She paused for a moment, then continued. She hadn't danced in so long, and it felt good.

Cor smiled at her, glad she hadn't gotten upset about dancing to another song. Aside from the fight with those Iris members earlier, this was the most fun he’d had in a while.

Nora noted him smiling, and raised her eyebrows, immediately somewhat cynical. "What?"

“Nothing. I'm just having a good time.” he said sincerely with an assuring smile.

Nora eyed him for a moment, then nodded and went back to dancing. It was a few seconds later that, even over the noise, she heard a familiar No.
Scowling, Nora shoved her way through the crowd to find Bit floating indignantly above her and Cor's drinks. No, no, no, no, no, no.
The bartender, who appeared to have been about to take their drinks away, narrowed his eyes at Nora. "Get your Bit out of here."
No, Bit said, floating over to Nora, who folded her arms and looked threateningly at the bartender. "No. I'm not going to."

Cor raised a brow and quickly followed Nora. He picked up on Bit's tone as they got closer to the bar. “Just back off of the Bit.” he said, almost glaring before grabbing both their drinks. “We were coming back for these. Bit was keeping an eye on them until then.” he explained keeping his voice fairly calm.

The bartender scowled at them, narrowing his eyes, and then went off to serve some new customers. Nora sighed and picked up her drink. "Thanks, Bit."
Yes, Bit said, bobbing up and down above her head.
"He's not usually that aggressive," Nora noted, almost to herself, keeping an eye on the bartender's back.

“I’m just glad he didn't get more aggressive.” Cor commented, letting Nora take her drink. “Though if he keeps that up, he's going to lose more customers once End of Line reopens.” he said a little distastefully. He wasn't going to go into specifics but Cor knew a lot of programs through his alias and was more than capable of hurting this bartenders reputation.

Nora smiled slyly and sat down. "If End of Line puts him out of business, I know who I'm not hiring."

“I’ll drink to that.” Cor chuckled, taking his seat beside her.

She raised her glass. "To dancing."

“To dancing.” he agreed, lifting his glass to hers.

Their glasses clinked; Nora sipped hers, dainty, but despite that, somehow drained it all in one go. Setting her empty glass down on the counter, she sighed and smiled grimly. "That's the last drink I'll ever have from this place."

Cor downed the rest of his drink like a shot and nodded. “Let me know when you open the best club on the Grid. I’ll be there for the grand opening.” he promised, wondering if she was ready to leave too. There was really no point in staying too much longer.

"If I can find you," she said shortly, "then I'll let you know." She stood up. "I'd better go home - I'm tired."

“I guess I do kind of blend into a crowd.” he chuckled, standing up with her. He didn't mind that fact since it was safer that way. Especially when he let himself stand out so much as Black Light. “May I walk you out?” he asked with a gentle smile.

"Not so much out as up," she said, flicking her gaze to the ceiling. "I have the top three floors to myself." There was a trace of bitterness in her voice, though she felt bad for feeling it. After all, shouldn't she be grateful for what Castor had left her? She had it all: the best club in the city and two penthouses, with more bits than she could spend, and an actual Bit. Friends? Who needed friends? Bit wouldn't betray you.
She'd let him walk her to the elevators, she decided.

Cor's eyes widened at the news, looking up at the ceiling. “Wow. You actually live up there? No wonder that guy is so jealous.” he said in awe. Of course, he knew who owned that place before… but Nora didn't seem anything like that traitor so until proven otherwise he wouldn't compare her. “That actually makes you one of the highest class people I know.” he complimented.

Nora glanced sideways at him. Was he being genuine? There was something in his eyes that told her he was. Usually when programs learned how… well… fortunate she was, they tended to schmooze her, but this one was different.
"Thank you," she said, the ghost of a smile lighting her features. The words felt wrong in her mouth, like she hadn't said them in some time… which she guessed she hadn't. She wanted to add how it wasn't all great, how you couldn't have what one could call "conversation" with Bit, how it was lonely being up there alone, but somehow the words wouldn't come.

Cor smiled softly back when he saw the gentle expression on her face for a nanosecond. It looked nice on her, though telling her that might not be the best idea. They didn't even know each other that well and she didn't seem to like compliments very much. At least not from a perfect stranger. “You’re welcome.” he told her.

Her eyelashes dipped briefly, not knowing what to say, and then she stepped towards the elevators. "You can walk me over there."

“Alright.” Cor nodded as he caught up to Nora and walked beside her. Tonight had been an interesting one for a few different reasons. Including meeting that orange-caped program, with the slight attitude problem, who probably saved him from getting corrupted.

Nora pressed a long finger against the up button, checked that Bit was still with her, and nodded briefly at Cor, the smile hinting at her face again. "It was nice meeting you."

“It was nice meeting you too.” Cor smiled softly back.