[.001 -- VIDEO]

[systmadmin]

 [The video clicks on. It's noticeably dark in the room, yet there's movement as CLU sits down within the frame. The black suit that the program wears is lined with circuits that glow a brilliant golden hue, and the self-emitted light splashes up to illuminate the expression on his face: faint contempt, a mouth quirked down in a frown. The first

Comments

[Video]

[vfranklinmott]

[Franklin just stares in disbelief. CLU might notice similarities between him and Jarvis, though there are enough differences that he might miss it. Such as a slightly different voice] Oh god not those outfits again. Probably a silly question, but, are you from the same place as Rinzler?

Re: [Video]

[systmadmin]

[And the program stares back at him. This person looks very familiar--almost like a certain bald-headed, sycophantic assistant program--but he can't seem to place it just yet. The accent doesn't help.]

Yes, I am.

[Stare. Stare. Stare.]

...Who are you?

[Video]

[vfranklinmott]

[Franklin would win that staring contest. Vampires don't have to blink, after all.]

Call me Franklin if you want. But enough about me, I'm curious about you. [Why yes, he presumes you will tell him.] And this 'Grid' of yours. For instance, is there really a need for all the lights on the suits?

Re: [Video]

[systmadmin]

[This is the first User to show an interest in the Grid, and CLU takes a break from squinting intently at Franklin's familiar face to answer.] There is no light within the Grid except what's produced from the circuits on suits, or from the buildings themselves. [Or, on the rare occasion that the Portal lights up. Which hadn't really happened all that much within the last 900 cycles.]

So yes, there is a need.

[Video]

[vfranklinmott]

[Franklin's posture is entirely relaxed. CLU is someone new and, most surprisingly of all, actually interesting. It's not as if there's anything else to do.]

You've lights on your buildings? That must be quite the show. I've only seen the suits. [Pause, pause.] Why the helmets? Its not as if programs need to breathe. Do the particular colors, clear or black, have any significance? [Next would be why so much black, but he doesn't want to overwhelm CLU with too many questions at once.]

Re: [Video]

[systmadmin]

Yes. [CLU leans back in his seat, one corner of his mouth upturned.] They are part of the suits, and can be used in sync with suit armor while in the Games. [Though, they usually didn't help much in the Arena. A solid hit in the head or chest from a disc was an easy way to get derezzed, helmet or not.]

The helmet colors have no significance.

[Video]

[vfranklinmott]

Huh. [Jarvis's helmet didn't seem to be in sync. It was, if he could recall, a separate piece. Maybe a wireless sync, then. For as long as he'd been on the Barge, he was able to believe just about anything. He quirked a brow in interest.] The Games?

Re: [Video]

[systmadmin]

[Jarvis's was more a transparent visor fastened to the top of his head than it was an actual, workable helmet like CLU's.] The Grid Games. [He pauses. How to explain it to a User.]

Competitive games played between programs. [...that almost always ended up with a loss to the program's life--which was CLU's happy little addition to Flynn's initial creation.]

[Video]

[vfranklinmott]

[Head tilt. Once he got over the whole 'programs are sentient' thing, he supposed the fact they would compete would've been the next logical step.]

So, what, you have your own Grid version of frisbee? [Sarcastically spoken, of course. Then he paused, as if reconsidering.] Actually, that would be convenient, wouldn't it? You carry the rings around with you all the time.

Re: [Video]

[systmadmin]

[Frisbee. CLU had heard Flynn refer to it that way once or twice in the past, as a joke. Back then, though, the Games had been friendlier.

A slight smirk.]

You could say that. Though the Grid Games are a little more hazardous to all involved.

[Video] - gosh you and cee make me want to try and watch this film again. :>

[vfranklinmott]

[That drew his interest even more. Violence and games, the best combination.]

A dangerous game of frisbee, then? [A grin. He's kidding. Mostly.] Well, go on, you can't just tease me like that and not elaborate. Rather unfair, you know.

Re: [Video] - you totally should, it's good :D

[systmadmin]

[Amusement slips into his expression. Lethal would be an even more accurate descriptor.]

Yes. The discs are used as weapons and both the Disc Wars, or frisbee as you called it, and Light Cycle games are played until the combatant's deresolution at their opponent's hand. Participation in the Games is nearly always fatal. [And not usually voluntary.]