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

No, Bit said playfully, zooming around Cor's head, ruffling his hair slightly.

Cor laughed, throwing his head back a little as he covered his glass and playfully batted at Bit. Though he didn't really mind.

"Noraaaaaaa!!" said an excited voice, and there was a quick pattering of high heels and then Skye appeared, slinging her arms around Nora in an excited hug; Nora went stiff, her expression slackening.
"Hi!" Skye said excitedly, releasing Nora. There was a big, goofy grin on her face. "I haven't seen you in forever! How are you? Oh, hi Cor. Nora, are you on a date? That's so funny, I'm on a date too" - her grin became, if possible, even wider - "with Beckett! Beckett, come here, where did you go?"
Beckett, a slim, dark program, materialised out of the crowd and stood at Skye's shoulder. He was tall, in direct contrast with Skye's short stature, standing at least a head above her. He surveyed Cor and Nora curiously, a thin, almost distant smile on his face.
"This is Nora, my boss, and Cor, her - Nora, is he your boyfriend?" Without even pausing to let Nora answer, Skye prattled on. Nora raised her eyebrows almost imperceptibly and nodded vaguely.

Cor stiffened slightly when he heard Skye calling out and quickly downed the rest of his drink before forcing an easy smile as she joined them. “Hello, Skye.” he nodded, trying to keep an amicable attitude around her. At least she wasn't as bad as Astra and hadn't insulted him or Nora… to his knowledge. When the other program, Beckett, came up he gave a simple polite nod and slid on his jacket, trying to hide his lines from flashing at the question of being Nora’s boyfriend. Honestly, he didn't know what they were.

Eventually, after what felt like eons, Skye stopped talking, ending with, "So that's my night, Nora, but Beckett has been telling me that he's wonderful at dancing and I have to find out, maybe I'll see you later for drinks or something? Goodbye, Cor, you two have fun!"
With that, she disappeared back into the steadily thickening crowd, Beckett trailing behind her obediently. Nora let out a relieved sigh and batted Bit away from her drink yet again. Her cheeks had gone faintly pink at Skye asking if Cor and her were - well, more than just friends. Were they? Having never been in a relationship before, Nora had no idea what to call this. She didn't know what to say, either.
"Beckett seems nice," was all she said.

Honestly, Cor had never been in a serious relationship either. There had been a few flings but they never meant much… And certainly never as much as Nora meant to him now. “He didn't seem to say much but, yes, he did seem nice. I hope he can keep up with her, for his sake.” he added with a chuckle before sipping at his refreshed drink. “Skye definitely spoke enough for all four of us. Is she always like that?”

"She must be a little drunk, to be perfectly honest," Nora confessed in a low voice. "She's usually not that… excited."

Cor chuckled a little and gave a small nod. “I’ll take your word for it. After all, you know her better than I do.” he said in a similar tone of voice.

(Hi! Sorry I haven't been very active lately, a lot of stuff happened suddenly.)

Nora looked around, eyeing the crowd apprehensively for Astra's distinctive brown-and-purple hair. Fortunately, Astra was nowhere to be seen. Letting out a relaxed breath, she turned back to Cor.

(It's ok. Are you alright?)

Cor smiled a little when he noticed her action and gently place his hand on her arm. “Don’t worry.” he assured her.

(Yeah! Life just got crazy.)

"About what?" Nora asked, a puzzled little smile appearing on her face. Cubes, he was intuitive. It was a little startling sometimes.

(Ok.)

Cor shrugged. “You just looked tense about something and I… Well, I didn't want you to worry.” he admitted. “What was on your mind?”

"I was looking for Astra," Nora admitted softly. "But I don't think she's on shift tonight."

“Ah.” he nodded, understanding why that woman was such a concern. “Well, even if she was… I’m not planning to leave your side tonight until it's time to go home.” he smiled. “I came in with you and I would like to leave with you. Only you.”

Nora blushed, but before she had time to think of anything to say, Bit let out a string of indignant no's and bumped against Cor's head repeatedly.
Nora smiled. "Apparently you'll be leaving with me and Bit."

Cor laughed a pushed away Bit’s attacks. “Hey! Of course, Bit’s coming with us. I wasn't going to leave it behind either.” he shook his head, ducking slightly to avoid another bump. “I was just trying to be assuring.”

Nora smiled, a true, genuine smile, as she watched Cor and Bit. Bit had really taken a shine to Cor.
"Relax, Bit," she said. "You'll come too."

Cor smiled and nodded. “See? Nora won't leave without you either.” he pointed out, still teasing Bit.

No, Bit said, nestling in next to Nora's neck, underneath her chin. Nora raised an eyebrow.
"Searches continue for the escaped convict, Cyrus," said a screen nearby. Nora turned to look at it. The now-familiar picture of Cyrus was displayed on the screen. Nora felt a shudder run through her code. He was eerie.
"No sightings of Cyrus have been reported since his escape several microcycles ago," the news program continued. "It is suspected he may be hiding in the Outlands. The Black Guard are continuing their search."

Cor chuckled at the cute action and took another sip of his drink. When the news came on, he paused, followed Nora’s gaze, and glared at the screen. “Well, that put… a downer on this night.” he grumbled softly before noticing Nora’s reaction and gently placed his hand on top of hers. “Don’t worry, Nora. Even if they don't find him, I wouldn't let him touch you.” Cor promised, his voice dropping slightly out of reflex.

Nora turned to look at Cor, the surprise in her eyes at his sentiment evaporating quickly into cold, hard protectiveness. The same kind of responsibility she felt for protecting the Grid as Aurora, she felt for Cor, she realised. He was a part of her life now, a big part.
There was a steely and determined, yet somehow loving tone in her voice as she said, "I wouldn't let him touch you either."
And she meant it. She meant it with all of her code.

Cor smiled back softly, though his eyes didn't lose any of his resolve as he met her gaze. “We might get each other's way then…” he could help as the tease slipped out easily. “Though I would like to see you wipe that smirk off his face with your light staff.” he chuckled, reaching his hand up to brush a stray pink lock of her hair behind her ear as the rest of the club seemed to fade away.

Nora blushed softly as his fingers brushed her skin. "That would be something I would enjoy."

Cor chuckled again and nodded. “And, no doubt, deserved on his end.” he added. “I don't know, there's something about him that just rubs me the wrong way. And not just his criminal record.” he admitted with a sigh.

"He's…" Nora hesitated. She didn't really want to say evil, that was what, too harsh? "He rubs me the wrong way as well."

Cor smiled a little at their shared opinion of the wanted program, subconsciously leaning a little closer to Nora. “Is it a bad thing that part of me almost wants to run into him just so we can kick his cubes?” he asked softly despite knowing how dangerous that situation would be… and he really didn't want Nora to get hurt. “Sorry.” he said, shaking his head quickly. “The drinks must be getting to me.”

Nora looked him in the eyes, dark brown boring into bright blue. Steel-cold determination clawed its way up her spine. "It's not a bad thing. I'd like to kick his cubes as well."

Cor smirked, a little mischievously, and nodded as he felt… almost a chill go up his spine. But it certainly wasn't a bad feeling in this case. “I’m both glad and surprised that you share my more reckless thought on this. Remind me never to tick you off, my feisty Siren.”

Nora's cheeks flushed a deep pink. Feisty. She liked that word.
"I'll try never to tick you off, as well," she said, touching his hand lightly with her fingertips.

“You would have to actively be trying in order for that to happen.” he assured her as he gently moved his hand closer to hold hers, struggling to think of anything she could do to get on his bad side at the moment.