I'm a new soul

[krypticfactor]

Who: Krypton and whomever happens along
Where: The Light Ways (The Grid's above-ground passenger railway/monorail equivalent)
When: Generally now-ish
What: An ISO unexpectedly drops in.
Warnings: None so far, will adjust if anything happens.

Comments

[yorisearching]

When possible, Yori avoided the confines of public transport. This millicycle, though, walking had new risks she wasn't quite ready to deal with yet.

She had chosen a seat very near the door, trying to inconspicuously watch inside and out at once. The shuddering Portal-built code near the compartment's floor had her instant attention--it could be anyone, anyone--

Yori managed, barely, not to reach for her disk, acknowledging with an internal grimace that she was badly spooked. The green circuitry was a tremendous relief, and she'd knelt beside him almost before his unfocused eyes blinked in confusion and awareness. "Hey," she greeted softly, "you're safe now."

[yorisearching]

Yori's grin widened for a moment, celebrating a kindred spirit in at least this small way. "As for lightjets, I will race you any time."

She noted the unhappy reaction and made a guess at its cause. "I'm registered for analysis projects myself." Gentle, if not quite casual. "With the Portal bringing in programs this way, it's hard to know who's around without some kind of list. And Anon's in charge of Security--the Monitor who fought that virus?--I know he'd be happy to see any Bostrumite."

"And that's right!" Some fragments of the smile returned. "Aadi's recently put together an art gallery, if that interests you."

[krypticfactor]

For a moment, Krypton forgot that Yori was a Basic in the competitive thrill that hummed through his circuits. "You're on," he said with a slight grin, returning challenge for challenge.

Well, if everybody had to register . . . "So that's his name, huh? He rescued me from the Infected who used to be my friends. He seemed like an okay program." Krypton relaxed, just slightly, at the implication that Grid Security was now more to do with keeping the system safe than in enacting Clu's vendetta.

"I was never the art type," Krypton admitted, calculating the information to be harmless. "All I know is whether or not I like it. Artistic merit is entirely lost on me. But yes, I'd like to see it. And meet Aadi."

[yorisearching]

Pleased that the wary new arrival was finding some cause for hope, Yori confirmed, "Anon's good at his job, and very fair. Which is of course why Clu murdered him as quickly as possible back when the coup began." She grimaced. "Another reason to be grateful the Portal's grown so strange."

Maybe now he'd be willing enough to answer. "What's your name, by the way? You haven't said."

[krypticfactor]

He was, just barely. "Krypton. It's nice to meet you, Yori." The courtesy was more automatic than anything, but it came accompanied by a genuine smile. "It's definitely good to meet another lightjet pilot. The Grid is gorgeous when seen from above - something all too few programs know. Now there's art I can appreciate."

Speaking of art, which one was their stop? Krypton glanced out of the window, seeing little more than a blur of black and neon.

[yorisearching]

"Always has been beautiful, and still is," Yori agreed. One thing Clu hadn't quite managed to ruin. In spite of Arjia's loss.

She noticed his glance. "Not long now--the next platform. Don't worry, we'll be there soon."