[k!ngk3s]

Originally Posted by Beck

[ quoting these because this is what I'm referencing ]

It had been one zipped-folder* of a cycle for a certain mechanic. He'd finally worked up the nerve to talk with a certain medic-turned-occupation-commander to consider taking the night off for a quiet chat over some energy.

Tron had chided him when the secret eventually came to light, but eventually relented as he saw Beck's intentions. The program was in love-- and even he, the warrior of the Grid, couldn't stop the Renegade from pursuing this wild idea.

How could a repurposed program be convinced to fight for the uprising? Tron had argued.

Paige was different; she hadn't been repurposed. At least, from what Beck could tell.

She was just... misguided. She had all the right intentions, she was just... fighting on the wrong side.

Beck sighed as he tried combing his hair to the opposite side he normally kept it on, only to find that he preferred the original style.

But would Paige?

He set down the comb with a frustrated huff, glaring at his reflection.

Should he get a new lightsuit for the occasion?

No, it was casual. Right? That was what they'd agreed to, wasn't it?

Yes, they were just going out for drinks at the diner. Nothing fancy.

He examined the dark circles under his eyes with a scrutinizing brown gaze, regretting the fact he hadn't been getting much sleep. Being the only hero in the streets of Argon was tiring business, especially when you worked every other waking moment at Able's garage.

Tron cleared his throat from behind him, and he jumped in surprise.

"Didn't see you there," Beck managed to say, embarrassed.

"Then you'd be derezzed where you stand. Use your peripheral vision more; utilize reflections like that. It helps when you're not actively looking for them." Tron emphasized the last part, stressing the fact Beck was totally clueless of his own surroundings. "You know, of all the basics on the Grid, you choose a firewall as your date?"

"Better than an ISO, I guess," Beck muttered, annoyed. "And it's not a date, it's just a... friendly chat over energy."

"Yes, a chat over energy between you and a woman, and no-one else. Definitely not a date," Tron joked.

"Tron, I'd appreciate it if you didn't humiliate me further."

"Oh, I don't even need to. You're doing a pretty good job all by yourself."

Beck rolled his eyes. "Just... make sure that Argon's under control for the rest of the night so I don't have to reveal my identity to a sworn enemy, alright?"

"Have fun," Tron smirked, but Beck didn't notice. He was too busy making sure the little odds and ends of his hair were behaving. "And this time, take your bike, not mine."

"I will, I will! Users above..." Beck snatched his baton from the main room, and departed, lightcycle leaving a cloud of silvery dust in its wake as he sped out of the Outlands.

*zipped-folder: a reference to Cyrus's prison, like an underworld of the Grid. Kind of an equivalent to "heck".

Originally Posted by cmdR_Paige

"That would be great; she's such a nice program," Skye replied. "She and Amber get along pretty well, too."

"They do. Table for two!" Chris said. He held Skye's hand, and waited for the waitress. "Sure is busy. Sorry, I know you wanted something less crowded. " Chris shuffered his feet, and had slight purple lightlines. He mumbled to himself for not preparing for this date. You dummy, you always prepare for things like this! Chris had a panic attack mentally. Calm down. You got this. You got this. He gently squeezed Skye's hand.