“Of course I have.”
He turns to face her; lips curling into a smile, one hiding something perhaps indescribable. Yet, he answers with certainty.
“I’ve said it before. . . Out there is our Destiny. Something real, something tangible beyond mere code and preconceived —
Pride swells.
He’s so incredibly happy that she already adores the Grid he’s worked so hard to control; so hard to maintain into the semblance of perfection he’s crafted, yet there are lingering doubts.
Darkness hiding away in his gaze that threatens to overtake the —
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— anymore), and when she speaks, it’s in a tone that holds emotions yet unearthed.
“it already is, clu.”
and she means it.
Eyes close for a fraction of a second; another breath drawn in as his features reflect the absolute bliss, though with her hand in his?
He’s guiding her toward the exit.
“I’ve had enough of the games. Why don’t we get you settled in, find you a place of your —
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— against a sleek background, she smiles again, drawing nearer to him.
“( he ),” she repeats, “may never understand. but just know this: i do. i have much to learn, but i’m ( willing ) to learn. . . the right way.”
Drawing a breath in through his nose; a calm, almost pleased smile would spread across his features at her remark.
Finally someone who sees things his way.
“Oh, Tay. . . You have no idea how long I’ve needed to hear that.”
Turning to face her; the program seems —
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— all the while. . . but this is a fixed course, it seems, and she doesn’t want to upset him by diverting from it.
“you’ve done amazing things here,” she mentions, voice low and soft. “this place wouldn’t be perfect without a little sacrifice and change. but you did it.”
🕷: Apologies to everyone waiting on replies. The New Year’s been rough on me but I’ll try to do the responses I owe.
“It truly is.”
The earnest joy seems to fade. A serious almost calculating scowl forms as he watches programs fight to survive.
“Had it not been for me, for the Black Guard, it would’ve fallen to chaos.”
His posture has changed. Once more he returns to his —
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— exists here is them, the games before them, and this overwhelming sense that she’s right where she needs to be.
this is the life for her, experiencing all the grid has to offer. she opens her mouth to speak, but only a few words come.
“this is extraordinary,” she breathes.
She need not thank him.
Fortunately for her, their meeting benefits him more than she realizes.
Sure it’s nice to have company that doesn’t simply worship or fear him; but to genuinely enjoy him, it’s a welcome change.
Though her earnest thanks, it his him harder than he —
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— any she’s had before.
her head tilts back to the scene before her, and she goes quiet, save for a brief murmur to clu:
“thank you.” it’s a thanks for everything: his mercy, his kindness and hospitality, his promise for answers. . . she owes him the world, she feels.
He pauses.
The last User who came to the grid was split between two worlds, constantly leaving in favor of the ‘real world’; so this was new, it was strange.
“I’m glad you’re choosing to stay.”
Surely it was different. Surely it was difficult to adjust, but Clu was —
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— heart. she breathes out a shaky sigh, and then she smiles: softer than before, the worry absent from her face in mere moments.
“Hm?”
His attention snaps. Finally broken away from the games and toward the guest occupying his presence, his eyes slowly blinking as if coming down from synthetic adrenaline high.
“What is it, Tay?”
His voice is soft, gentle. Afraid she’s going to up and —
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— something else which catches her attention.
him.
she allows her gaze to linger on him. the questions in her head remain unspoken for a time, and then, very quietly, she speaks:
“clu?”

