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

Nora quickly - and gratefully - hurried in after him. It was bigger than she had expected; the sound of her footsteps echoed softly. Bit whizzed off to explore.

“Be careful, Bit. As big as this place is, we don't want you to get lost in here.” he called after the curious rascal. Cor shook his head with an endearing smile before turning back to Nora. “Hope it doesn't get into too much trouble.“ he teased, more hoping that he wouldn't have a big mess to clean up and organize later.

"I think it's just exploring," Nora said, returning his smile. "I hope it doesn't scare Hermes."

“It won’t,” he assured her. “Come on. Tools are over here. Unless you’d like to explore a little as well?” Cor asked, more like offering to show her around if she wanted to.

"Hermes isn't fazed by much, then," Nora said, following Cor. As curious as she was, she needed to get her helmet fixed, and as quickly as possible.

“Not by curious Bits, at least.” he chuckled, leading her to where he kept the repair equipment. Honestly, he was still debating on telling her the truth about Hermes being an old alias… But he was worried that she might think he was too much like Castor if he did. Though that had been becoming a personal concern as well.

(Ok but I found their song(s))

Nora laughed softly, glancing around as she followed him. It was bigger inside than she'd thought it would be. And call it intuition, but something told her it hadn't been touched by a program in what felt like hundreds of cycles. Deciding not to impart this particular thought to Cor, she kept an eye - and an ear - out for Bit instead.

(what do you mean? What are the songs?)

Cor smiled at her laugh as he continued to walk through the familiar passageways. It may have been a while since he had last been here but he still knew his way around. “So, what do you think of this place so far?” he asked to fill the silence.

(Rapture by Alok and Neon Lights by Lodato)

"It's bigger than I thought it would be," Nora said honestly. "I can see why Hermes likes it. It's unique."

(I know Neon Lights and I love it! It totally fits. Especially Nora. Though I don't know Amok… I’ll have to check it out later.)

“Yeah…” he nodded, thinking about how many programs and equipment this Recognizer had carried on average. It kind of made the size of it make sense. “Unique… I never thought of it that way.” he admitted.

Nora smiled softly. It was then that Bit came whizzing back to them, circling Nora's head a few times before zooming ahead of them.
"I think Bit likes it too," Nora said.

“Really? Explored everything already?” he asked with a chuckle. “You sure move fast.” he teased.

Yes, Bit beeped happily.
"Hermes must not have noticed it," Nora said, though how someone could not notice Bit was a mystery to her.

“Maybe.” he shrugged, still not sure if he should tell her. “Or he just might not be here right now.” Cor offered as a more believable option for now.

"Hermes must trust you a lot, if he lets you come out here and use his things," Nora commented, looking around the work room.

(ok. Just heard Rapture and you were right. That song totally fits Cor’s feelings towards Nora.)

“Yeah. He trusts me.” Cor nodded, blushing a little. He didn't like the feeling he was getting from keeping the little fact from her. Maybe he should tell her…

(Me listening to that song for the first time: Okie this is a vibe
Me listening to that song for the second time: This reminds me of something but idk what
Me listening to that song for the third time: lightbulb appears wAiT iT's CoR aNd NoRa -)

"Remind me how you know him, again?" Nora asked, looking around at all the tools. Something told her that Hermes and Kaira would have gotten along very well.

(It really is!)

Cor froze for a moment at that question, not having expected it. Though he probably should have. “We, uh, we've met at work a few times. Then started to hang out for drinks and…” he shrugged. This was getting complicated…

Nora nodded, faintly curious at his hesitation, but didn't pry. Rezzing in her helmet, she took it off and set it on a table.

Cor paused at the table as she took off her helmet before turning to some of the nearby storage containers. “Right. Tools should be around here somewhere.” he told her.

"Don't let Bit get into anything it shouldn't," Nora said, with a faint smile.

Cor chuckled at the obvious warning regarding Bit’s behavior. “Definitely. We don't want Bit to become destructive.” he agreed, teasingly. Though he was glad for the lighter mood.

Yes, Bit beeped, zipping around Cor's head once before floating back to Nora.

Cor smiled a little more at Bit’s actions and went back to his search. “Glad you agree.”

Nora watched him look for things. She wanted to help in some way, but wasn't sure how to, or even how to ask.

“Ah! Knew I left them in here!” Cor exclaimed happily as he pulled out two types of repair tools. One being for more general repair and the other for fine-tuned details.

Nora looked at the tools curiously. She was vaguely familiar with this sort of thing - Kaira had always been fiddling with tools.

Cor didn't even notice his little slip of the tongue as he brought the tools over to the table. Without another thought, he set the tools down and pressed a button on the side of the table causing it to illuminate just enough to make their task easier.

"When you say you left them in here…" Nora said, something shifting in her subconscious, watching the lit table with interest.

“Sorry, what was that?” Cor looked back up at her, not having heard the comment fully.