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[l33t_mouse]

There's a purple, red-headed computer sprite outside, reclining on a big rock by the lake. She's not far from the edge of the forest. There are no seasons in cyberspace - no sun or clouds either - and Mouse enjoys experiencing them every so often

Comments

[a1enzo]

Enzo feels much the same about seasons and weather, as well as other elements of nature such as User trees. He comes cruising in over them, and descends when he spots Mouse.

"Hey, Mouse!"

[l33t_mouse]

Mouse sits up and smiles. "Hey, darlin'." She takes a closer look at him and makes a few quick mental calculations. "I think you're gettin' a little too big for that thing." She mimes a sniff and wipes away an imaginary tear. "They grow up so fast!"

[a1enzo]

As he nears Mouse, Enzo's expression changes, passing rapidly through realization, bug-eyed interest, and discomfort. He fixes his attention on his boogie baud and hopes she hasn't noticed.

"Yeah, I guess so. I mean, it's still bigger than a zipboard or a User skateboard." There's a lot of overhang when he tries to lie on it, though, which he ought to be able to do.

[l33t_mouse]

Mouse notices. She always notices. She doesn't get similarly uncomfortable, but for now she suspends her usual adherence to the maxim "flaunt it if you've got it." Not exacerbating the problem is the least she can do.

"Well, as ya may remember, I made this thing t'be upgraded at some future date. I guess this is the future date."

[a1enzo]

Enzo sincerely appreciates it. He knows-objectively, up 'til now-what kind of flaunting she is capable of, and he's been getting enough of that at school.

This is a nice distraction, anyway! "Oh, yeah! Really?"

[l33t_mouse]

"Yup. I'm gonna need some time an' some tools, though. I'll have it back to you b'fore th'end of the second." Which is, for the uninitiated, a sprite week. "Th'upgraded version is sized for Matrix. Not that it means he c'n use it. You tell 'im I said that."

[a1enzo]

He grins. "Will do!"

He hops off the baud, minimizes it, and hands it to her.

[l33t_mouse]

"Thanks, sugar," Mouse says, clipping it to her belt. "Y'might want t'pick up some safety gear. 'Specially so neither of us gets reamed by your sister."

[a1enzo]

"Hey, my uniform's already armoured."

[l33t_mouse]

"Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. But still..." Mouse taps her head. "Helmet. Ray says surfbauds don't handle the same as zipboards, an' they're faster. If ya crack yer head open while on a joyride Dot'll de-rez me."

[a1enzo]

"Aw, c'mon! I'm not an alpha version."

That's more or less an automatic reaction Still... he grows thoughtful. "Maybe I could armour that cap Guppy gave me."

[l33t_mouse]

"He's a User, ain't he? That cap made of, y'know, actual matter?" Because that could be a problem: it's certainly possible to digitize the thing, but that could alter its physical properties just enough to make it ineffective. Assuming Enzo can even make it work in the first place.

[a1enzo]

"I already digitized it." What does she take him for?

[l33t_mouse]

"Good. But don't just fix some metal on it, sugar - ya need somethin' that'll break on impact instead of yer head." Mouse frowns. "Spam. Now I sound like yer sister."

[a1enzo]

Enzo snickers. "Don't worry. If I can find good helmet material anywhere, it's at the Academy."

[l33t_mouse]

Mouse nods in agreement. "Do cadets get shop class? It'd make a good project."