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

“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.

"I'll see you around, I suppose," she said, stepping into the elevator, making sure Bit was with her. "End of Line should open soon. You'll come?"

Cor nodded with a brighter smile. “I’ll be there and I hope to see you again sometime.” he said sincerely. “You too, Bit.” he added with a light chuckle.

Yes, Bit said happily, drifting towards the doors as though to zoom around Cor's head again, but Nora reached out a hand and batted it back. "I'm not losing you again."

(Skip to the next vigilante scene? You can set the stage for this one. Pre-End of Line opening.)

Cor sighed softly as he derezzed his lightcycle and walked into a seemingly random building. The information he was after was two buildings over and a couple floors down from the top level. It was just another job with some valuable information on the line, one of his favorite types, and a sizable reward for it. Once he was sure he was alone, he made his way to the top floor and quickly changed into his Black Light costume before leaping towards his actual target.

Nora was in her penthouse, sipping energy and looking out over the city, when she spotted a furtive movement. Someone was up to something. Frowning, she realised it was - she'd never gotten his name, but it was the other vigilante. What was he doing?
She'd watch him for a little bit, she decided, and see what he was up to.

Cor managed to get into the building on the right floor with minimal issues. He may have almost slipped once but he wasn't going to admit to it. He hummed softly to himself as he strolled through the equipment. This wasn't much of a stealth job, even though he would have to be careful of any guards. As he came to the right terminal, he pulled out his disc and the other tool for hacking as he started to work.

He was definitely up to something, Nora decided. She couldn't remember if she had binoculars or not, but that didn't really matter right now, did it? Whatever he was doing, he didn't want to be seen.
She smirked lightly to herself. Well, she could see him, all right. Somewhat.
"Come on, Bit, let's see what this guy's up to," she whispered.
No, Bit said.
"What do you mean, no?"
No.
"Fine, stay here if you want." She left Bit bobbing up and down in the living room, hoping that it didn't have any mischievous reasons for wanting to stay home. "Behave yourself."
Yes.
And with that, Nora left the apartment, sneaking past the bartender and slipping into the shadows of the building whatshisname was in, activating her Aurora code, her suit morphing to black, an iridescent white cape flowing from her shoulders.
What are you up to? she wondered, beginning to make her way up to wherever he was.

Cor continued to hum softly, almost dancing in place at times, as he worked. He was completely unaware of the fact that he had caught the attention of the other vigilante. In fact, his whole demeanor was extremely casual as if he didn't have a single care about what he was doing. This sort of thing had become almost routine for him but he still enjoyed the small thrill of the potential danger of getting caught.