second;;

[changedthegame]

[This dream is much different than the last. That’s easy enough to see by the state of the Grid. Yes, you’re on the Grid again. But it’s not desolate like it was last time. It’s actually a pretty lively place. There are Programs and Users, alike, walking around, as well as a mix of ISOs and Basics. Tron City is still a bustling place fully in it’s

Comments

[whitleas]

[It's strange, the things dreams will make you believe. Instead of an experienced Pokemon Trainer, Whitlea's a relatively new User, making her way through the sea of Programs and fellow Users and just trying to figure out exactly where she fits in this strange new world.

Which is quite possibly what brings her to the bar, seated next to Sam as she looks around with a fascinated expression on her face. If only Cheren and Bianca were here with her. She had to tell them about the program she met sometime--what was his name again? N?

These thoughts and more run through her head as she tries to decide on what to drink.]

[changedthegame]

[Sam glances at Whitlea out of the corner of his eye and then holds up his hand to get the bartender's attention, pointing to his own glass. He doesn't say anything until the second glass arrives. It's the same bright, glowing blue liquid that Sam's drinking. He pushes the fresh glass toward Whitlea, turning to face her as he does so]

Here, try this.

[whitleas]

Hm?

[She looks at the drink, then smiles before taking a sip. It's...certainly different from any other drink she's ever tasted before, but in a good way.]

...Thanks.

[changedthegame]

[Sam smiles, himself, and leans against the bar, scooping up his own glass]

Your first time here?

[snipestress]

[The "fresh blood" isn't feeling particularly social today.

She sits at the bar, as distant as she could possibly be from the crowd of people, kicking her legs back and forth idly as she people- and program-watched. Yoko wasn't experienced enough to tell the difference, but she didn't really care enough to, either.]

[changedthegame]

[Sam turns his back on the bar and looks around at the mix of Users and Programs. It's only on his third look around the club, that he sees someone he doesn't really recognize. He gets up from the bar stool and walks over to where Yoko is sitting, leaning on the bar, next to her]

Most use this place for mingling, you know.

[Of course, Sam wasn't exactly mingling, but he doesn't feel the need to]

[snipestress]

[With a grin,] I know. That's why they're interesting to watch.

[She gestures to someone across the bar.] You see that guy over there, the one who keeps staring into his drink like he's lost something in it? He keeps looking over at that tall blonde in the booth over there. I'm waiting for him to gather up the courage to go talk to her.

[Chuckle.]

It's cute.

[changedthegame]

[Well, that wasn't what he expected when he spoke to her. Taking a seat next to her, he glances between the two that she's talking about] Is this what you've been doing?

[Sam turns back to Yoko and smiles] I don't think he'll do it.

[auncyenhalig]

[ If Aerith had been asked right at that moment to explain who she was, where she was, her lack of tech-savvy would have made her falter and stumble over the concepts of Users and ISOs and Programs. They were all people, right?

What she understood was enough to satisfy her: this was a place to get away from the real world and her heritage and all the things those two entailed. They didn't matter. She wasn't "the Ancient" here, just another girl in the bar. It made her happy, relaxed, and genuinely carefree -- evident by the drink in front of her. She didn't drink in real life. She still didn't drink much on the Grid, but she was willing to chance tipsiness. After all, she had yet to find her favorite drink. ]

Hey... [ She gives a small finger wave from just down the bar. ] Having a good night?

[changedthegame]

[Sam turns when he catches the movement out of the corner of his eye and he smiles when he sees who it is. He remembers her from somewhere, but he can't really place where. Not right now, at least. It doesn't matter though. He gets up from his seat and walks over to take an empty seat next to her] Quiet nights are always good. [He gestures around to the rest of the club and chuckles to himself] Even though it doesn't seem like this would be a quiet night.

[auncyenhalig]

[ She looks around curiously, then back at him. ] Are you expecting something to happen?

[changedthegame]

I always expect something to happen on quiet nights. I'm only wrong sometimes, though.