Nora retrieved a bottle of energy and set it on the counter. "Thank you."
She poured them both drinks and joined Cor at the window.
"You can see Argon from here," she noted softly, pointing. The city was a smudge of light on the far horizon.
Cor smiled as she stood beside him. “Thank you.” he said, accepting the drink and sliding his free hand into hers.
Argon… He had to admit the thought of going there and look for some specialized help with the docks had been buzzing around his head for a while. “It’s quite a sight. Have… have you ever been there?” he asked.
Nora shook her head. "I've never been off-Grid." She peered up into his eyes, squeezing his hand gently. "Have you?"
Cor smiled softly and squeezed her hand back affectionately. “Off-Grid, yes. Argon… No.” he admitted before taking a sip of the energy she gave him. “That Recognizer I told you about, the one that Hermes crashed… Yeah, that's pretty Off-Grid but I don't get to go to other sectors since most of the messages I deliver stay local.”
Nora nodded. "How far off-Grid is it?"
“Far enough that most programs wouldn't feel comfortable or bold enough to drive out there.” he admitted with a shrug. “Even I was nervous the first time I went out that far.”
"I've heard it's just a cold, icy wasteland out there," Nora murmured, staring into the distance, at the Argon lights and the dark shapes of mountains.
“Well, it depends on where you are. It can be cold and blizzards out there are terrible.” he admitted. “But it's not all ice and cold. It is empty but… I find it peaceful. Being the only one around for further than you can see, it's actually beautiful.” Cor told her.
"It sounds nice," Nora said softly. Her whole life, she had never been truly alone. Even when she was 'alone' in her apartment, there was always the club upstairs, the pounding of shoes and dance beats.
Cor smiled a little as he looked over at her. “If you’d like, I can take you there sometime.” he offered.
"That would be nice," Nora said. "You'll have to take me out there to get to Hermes anyway, I suppose."
“Right.” he nodded, remembering that she wanted to come with him when he got the tools for her. Cor did make occasional trips out to the Recognizer but not enough that the place looked lived in… He’d have to come up with something for that.
"I've never actually driven my cycle off-Grid," Nora admitted. "Kaira modified it, though."
“So you're able to and just choose not to?” he assumed. “It’s not really that bad being Off-Grid. I actually found a natural, pure energy spring once.” Cor smiled a little at the memory.
"Really?" Nora asked, surprised. Pure energy sources were incredibly rare, and ones untouched by bottling plants were even rarer. "Where?"
“Near the crash.” he admitted, taking a small sip. “I think that it's still unknown because of the Recognizer.” he told her with a small smirk as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vial. “Because I don't go out there very often, I have a stash of that energy hidden at my place. But I always keep a shot of it with me.” he smiled, holding the vial out to her.
Nora took it with a sense of wonder. Even Zuse had had a hard time getting raw, unfiltered, pure energy straight from the source. The soft blue glow lit up her face, illuminating her cheekbones and lips, reflected slightly in her eyes.
Cor’s eyes widened at the breathtaking sight. The glow of the energy highlighted Nora’s features and reflected in her dark eyes… Flynn, she's beautiful… He cleared his throat and smiled softly at her. “Go ahead and try it. It tastes better like this than when it's processed and bottled.” he assured her.
Nora looked at him, unsure, then unstoppered the vial and raised it to her lips, drinking it deeply and in full. Her eyes widened, a blue light flickering in them briefly.
"Wow," she whispered.
Cor chuckled softly and nodded at her reaction. “Told you so.” he quipped lightly.
Nora gently stoppered the vial again and handed it back to Cor, her light lines pulsing faintly as their fingers touched. She was unsure of what to say. What do you say when someone gives you the most valuable substance on the Grid?
The only thing that tumbled out of her mouth was, “I don’t think we should let Bit anywhere near that.”
Cor hadn't expected that comment but nodded as he accepted the vial, tucking it back in his pocket. “Yeah… the little rascal would go nuts on this energy.” he agreed with a fond chuckle. He had a general idea how valuable pure energy was which is part of the reason he kept its source a secret.
Yes, Bit agreed, zipping around Cor's head.
Cor smiled softly as Bit buzzed around him, gently pulling Nora closer to his side.
Nora, after a moment's hesitation, leaned towards him too, resting her head on his shoulder, her bun tickling his chin gently. She closed her eyes. She hadn't felt this safe in, well, forever.
Cor sighed softly and rested his head on top of hers, kissing her forehead. He hadn't been this naturally relaxed in cycles. Or this happy since Tetra… He sighed again and let his eyes close contentedly.
Nora felt as if she should say something, but there was nothing to say, just the subtle warmth of his hand in hers. She smiled when he kissed her forehead, breathing out a happy sigh.
Cor hummed a little in response and held her a little closer, enjoying the proximity. “I… I haven't really spent time like this with anyone in such a long time.” he admitted in a near whisper.
"Neither have I," Nora admitted softly.
Cor chuckled softly and kissed her cheek. “I’m so glad I met you.”