Nora got home and derezzed her Aurora suit, relaxing with an energy and watching the city. Bit turned on the TV in the background, watching a net drama, and Nora barely paid any attention.
Lazily, her thoughts turned to Cor. She wondered when he'd be back at End of Line.
"Bit," she said aloud, "we'd better go to bed."
Bit, absorbed in the show, didn't answer, and Nora found that she didn't care. Cor still drifting across her mind, she headed off to bed.
Cor drove up to the same alley where he got this job and derezzed his lightcycle before walking into it, searching for the other program.
"You're back already," said a voice from the shadows, slightly surprised.
“It was an easy job.” Cor answered in a bored tone, showing the data cube. “Maybe the next one will have a little more excitement to it.”
"That can be arranged," the program said stiffly, extending a gloved hand.
Cor smirked faintly and tossed the cube in the air once before handing it over. “Don’t forget the rest of my payment.” he said, almost a little flirty. “You know how to find me if something comes up.”
"I won't forget," the program promised before melting into the shadows and away.
Cor let out a quiet breath and turned away from where the program had stood and drove off, planning to go back to his apartment. Probably too late for a drink… Too bad, I could really use one right now. he grumbled, as he caught a glimpse of the End of Line club and thinking of Nora and her Bit. He actually kind of missed them.
Nora was in bed, but Bit wasn't. Floating to the window, it bobbed up and down a few times as though watching the city, a small white speck in a vast black building. It was only visible from the ground if you knew what you were looking for.
Being a creature that needed no sleep, Bit was awake - if you could call it being awake - all cycle, every cycle, and when Nora slept, Bit either watched net dramas or had… its own little adventures. It knew every single air vent in the Silver Building thanks to its nighttime excursions. Tonight, however, was not a night for exploring.
Bit slipped through the air vents up to End of Line and into Nora's office, watching programs from above. It almost seemed to be deciding whether or not to join the throng.
Cor had switched back to his regular outfit a short while ago when he was sure no one would see it, and was nearly home by now… But he stopped for a moment and just looked at the club. He didn't know if Nora was there or not, though he did want to see her and her Bit again. Her bluntness was admirable to him, unlike Aroura’s which almost came off as rude, and he enjoyed Bit’s mischievous nature, as long as it wasn't anything too extreme.
Bit bobbed up and down uncertainly in Nora's office. It could see no one it knew and decided joining the programs down below was therefore not worth it.
Cor let out a soft sigh, got back on his lightcycle and headed back to his apartment. It had been a long couple of cycles and he was tired. Especially since the shocking revelation on the job with Aroura.
The following evening, Nora was back at End of Line, sitting in her office and sipping a drink, watching the programs down below. Astra and Skye were on shift tonight, and both of them had found new boy toys; Nora was trying her best to avoid looking at them.
Cor smiled softly as he walked into the club. He didn't have anything better to do at the moment and he needed a good distraction from the thoughts about the remains of Clu’s actual army just sitting in a warehouse waiting for someone to activate them. Shaking off the brief shudder that it would be his fault, he headed over to the bar and casually looked around for Nora.
Nora was in her office, watching Bit zoom around the programs below. She wasn't in much of a mood to socialise, but Bit, as always, certainly was. She just needed to make sure it didn't get near any energy; fortunately, the crowd tonight seemed more intent on dancing than on drinking.
Bit, spotting Cor, whizzed excitedly toward him, circling his head. Yes, yes, yes.
“Bit!” Cor laughed, glad to see the energetic orb. “How are you? Staying out of trouble I hope.” he smiled. Flynn knows I have enough trouble right now…
No, Bit said playfully, circling his head again.
“Oh, really?” he smirked. “Anything serious?” he teased back.
Yes. Bit bobbed up and down happily in the air.
Cor raised a brow at the affirmative. “Very serious?” he asked a bit more worried.
No. Bit whizzed around his head again.
“Good.” Cor sighed in relief. “You must be giving Nora a headache though.” he chuckled softly.
Yes, yes, yes.
Cor laughed again and nodded. “Then she has my sympathy. Is she here tonight?” he asked, a little hopeful.
Yes. Bit floated a few feet away and then back again, like it wanted Cor to follow it.
Cor nodded, a little surprised, and happily followed Bit. “Is she busy? I don't want to bother her if she is.”
No. Bit floated up to Nora's office and bobbed in front of the glass.
"What is it, Bit?" Nora asked, standing up.
Yes. Bit whizzed in a circle.
"What?" Nora asked, looking down and spotting Cor. "Oh."
Pressing a button, the glass disappeared and stairs descended down to the floor. Nora hovered at the top of them, unsure of what to do - go down and meet him, or stay up here?
“Good.” Cor nodded when Bit flew up to get Nora’s attention and waited for the stairs. When he saw her, he gave a small smile and hesitantly stepped on the first step. “May I come up?”
Nora nodded. "I don't see why not." In truth, she didn't know what she was doing - she had never had visitors up here. Maybe she wanted to keep him away from Astra and Skye, despite their new boy toys? Or maybe it reminded her of Castor.
Bit floated happily into her office and immediately went over to the drinks cabinet.
Cor’s smile shifted into a more excited one as he walked up the stairs. “It’s good to see you again.” he said sincerely.