On mun's discovery of an online lightcycle game.<33333

[namesram]

Look at it this way. You're getting better with every match, and since the MCP's not in charge, I'm pretty sure no programs are put in harm's way when there's a crash.

Especially me.~

Now let's see you win a couple more times after you tackle that tag, okay?

Comments

omg lightcycles! <333

[mailerdaemon]

No programs may be hurt, but it's quite funny to see the faces my User makes when she crashes into the wall. Is that how the old system used to be, program?

Yesyesyesyes! :D

[namesram]

[chuckles] Mine's pretty hilarious too. -- Yeah, it was a lot like that, only really low-power.... You had to make the same split-second decisions though!

Now if only I could stop crashing into the wall.

[mailerdaemon]

[Sneeerk.] It's no wonder you older programs all wear helmets, then. Crashing in that version must hurt something fierce!

It's funniest when everyone crashes into each other in the first two seconds. XDDD

[namesram]

[not that Ram's did much good at the end, but.] Better than nothin'. That model was a really sweet ride off the Grid, though. Took curves like nobody's business. And I kinda miss the cover when it rains.

XDD

[mailerdaemon]

[It hides his adorable curls.] ...We should race one day. Nothing feels quite like driving a lightcycle. It feels... it feels like flying.

[namesram]

[Definite disadvantage.~] You're on! [understanding smile at the simile] ..Yeah. There's really nothing like it.

Hey.... mind if I ask your name? Mun's been misplacing a lot of my memory files lately and I'm not sure we've actually met.

[mailerdaemon]

You're on. [She cracks a little grin.]

Hmm? Oh. Designation Exim. Function is mailer daemon. -Means I run messages. And you? Who're you?

[namesram]

[and he cracks a somewhat bigger grin.~] I'm Ram; I'm an actuarial program, or was back in the beginning. I work in Stats now, monitoring power management. Nice to meet you!

[mailerdaemon]

Nice to meet you, too. [Yeah, somebody's programmer kind of skimped on the "personality" flowchart. She's a little stoic.] I didn't think there were any programs left from the old system. I hope that you've been treated well.

[namesram]

[#things that won't stop Ram from cheerfully befriending her. good thing programs can learn and grow outside their base format!] Well, it's kind of a long story. I did get the Grid upgrades... but it's a lot better now that the system is free again. How long've you been here? On the Grid or... out here, whichever.

[mailerdaemon]

Out here? It's been... goodness, I think the User term is "a year". It was originally a different platform, but my User moved us here after some nasty upgrades happened. If you mean the Grid, it's been many cycles.

...So it's free, then? Did the Creator- did the User- did- [Exim trips over her own words for a moment or two in anxiety. She takes a few deep breaths to calm herself down.] -Did Clu finally fall?

[namesram]

[grimace] Oh yeah, I remember that. [it was no fun.]

[nods readily, a hint of grim satisfaction in his smile] Yeah. Couple versions of him have come back, but he's lost control of the Grid. Tron's in charge now.

[mailerdaemon]

Terrible time, really. [Hooray for escape routes!]

...Tron? Then he's alive after all. [Now she just looks relieved.] I'll have so many people to deliver that news to. Trace and Jazz and Anon and... oh goodness, here I am running my mouth. Apologies, Ram.

[namesram]

[absolutely. however narrow or unlikely they may be!]

[surprised] Jazz? Redhead, music program -- or are you thinking of someone else? [hasn't heard that name in a long, long time.] ..Hey, it's okay. I'd be excited. [reminiscent look] I was, when I heard.

[mailerdaemon]

Red hair, music program, tends to be at the End of Line? -Wait, you know her, too! That bit-for-brains, she caused Trace and me so much trouble. [Harsh words, but there's no bite behind them.] ...Do you think... could I... come home? To the Grid, I mean.

[namesram]

Yeah, that's her! We were friends from back before the Portal opened. [beams! she had a serious issue with leaping before she looked, but Ram's missed her quite a bit and hoped that she's okay, wherever her mun is keeping her these days.]

[the new tone makes him tilt his head, and he holds out a hand hopefully.] Pretty sure you could.

[if nothing else, they owe each other a lightcycle race!]

[mailerdaemon]

[There's a long pause, while Exim looks down at her feet. Then she glances up at Ram through her eyelashes and takes his hand in a firm handshake.] Then I will. If for no other reason than because I miss racing across the Grid.

[Little miss adrenaline junkie, right here. The race is everything.]

[namesram]

[shakes her hand cheerfully; whatever was making her hesitate, it shouldn't stop her from coming home.]

[eyes twinkle] We've got some great tracks around and through Tron City. [Ohhh yes. Ram can definitely relate to that.~]

[mailerdaemon]

[It's more nerves than anything. After so long spent driving and delivering messages and rebelling, to finally have real peace is a lot to take in.]

[One side of her mouth quirks up.] Then I'll have to take a look. And hopefully I'll see you there.

[evolving_unaware]

I think I'll sit this one out, I'm unfortunately embarrassingly terrible at lightcycles.

[namesram]

[oh hey.] Need some more practice? Or is there something else you like better?

[ja307020]

Not the same without a partner.

[Look who escaped the plothole!]

[namesram]

Gotta have the right team.~

..Hey. [the cocky smirk turns into a more genuine smile; friendly handclap on both arms. that plothole had better be treating you well, ok?] Been waiting for you.

[ja307020]

Yes.

[The clasp is returned, though Tron's smile is as always a touch more shy.

It's a plothole. It's boring and he'd rather go home.]

Stuck. Not my fault.

[namesram]

[gonna have to do something about that. doesn't press meanwhile, but yeah.

Ram can relate.]

Happens. I'm a little stuck too. ..Well. Make that a lot.

[they did get rid of that thing monster perversion twisted nightmare ..thing, didn't they? and everyone made it through, right?]

[ja307020]

Mun babbling about literal hole.

Wish Anon was favorite again.

[Tron. Tron don't be mean to the beta. It's just a plothole and you know Anon had a really crappy September and large portion of October.]

[namesram]

[rueful smile. muns, huh?] Want to say hi to him for me? [since they never met and all. which... isn't impossible out here, but best friend comes first.]

I really hope they don't really make it a literal hole. We're overdue for some good stuff happening.

[ja307020]

Sure.

[Assuming he can drag the beta away from his collection of clues. Watching Anon try to analyze Abax is exhausting.]

We are.

Ought to make truma-ban in-game months.

[Snorts, but at least it's amused now.]

[namesram]

[yay!~ always had something of a fellow feeling with that kid.~]

[smothered laugh] That'd be a good start.

Need a hand with anything? [plz say yes.]

[ja307020]

[At least the rookie's little drawings are funny. The flock of no-bits chasing Clu was good.]

Should make demands. [There's a snicker in the words.]

Always.

[Especially if there really is going through with the other plan.]

[namesram]

[..Anon's been drawing Bits? GIVE. :D]

We could! What should we demand? More Users? I/O upgrades?

[long slow smile. that's all he ever wanted -- to help you and the others be happy.<3] Just say the word.

[ja307020]

[He'd probably draw on the walls if no-one was looking.]

Peace and quiet.

Maybe safety measures on Arena from that AU.

[Hey, consequence-free smashing up lightcycles also sounds fun. Not for the mechanics, for everyone else.]

Will.

[the_gamesmaster]

Jangeron? Man, this seems like a cool idea. I wonder what game engine it uses.

[namesram]

[snicker] Don't ask me, I'm not a User.

[the_gamesmaster]

I know that, man. You're Ram. [He smirked.]