Spectral Analysis [The Cure, Part 2]

[a1enzo]

Once more, Enzo emerges from the Matrices' closet. "Mouse?" he calls. "You got everything? Did Oracle show up okay?"

Comments

[ami_imperfect]

"Good." That means they'll have plenty of time to hang out before he has to go.

[a1enzo]

Oh, plenty. Heck, she'll be spending most of that time here.

"And I already told Dot," he says, smiling up at the big sister in question, "that I'm gonna find a stable Door there soon as I can. So I'll still be able to come see... everyone."

[ami_imperfect]

She didn't miss that pause there, but doesn't say anything.

"You'd better, or I'll come back here and have someone take me to the Supercomputer so I could kick your butt."

[a1enzo]

Enzo smirks and folds his arms. "Hey, I'm gonna be taking combat training. I'll be able to kick your bitmap by then."

[ami_imperfect]

"Oh yeah? Well I'm gonna know more about using my powers by then." Who's gonna be kicking whose bitmap?

[nofileext]

"Are we going to have to separate you children?" says a mild, amused-sounding voice from the seemingly-empty doorway, and adds, "I take it this is Danielle, then?"

[command_dot_com]

"Yes, Dad." Dot is trying to hide her smirking under her hand. Honestly those two arguing about kicking bitmap is rather adorable.

[nofileext]

A small green-and-red blob slips into the room and approaches the bed. "Hopefully one more extra-small visitor won't overwhelm the patient? Hello, Dani," it adds, climbing the end table. "Welman Matrix, father to these two fine specimens. Enzo's told me a great deal about you."

[ami_imperfect]

It's Dani's first time seeing a null. But still, this is Enzo and Dot's dad. So she tries her hardest not to, well, stare.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Matrix," she says, politely. "Enzo's told me about you, too."

[nofileext]

He wouldn't blame her at all, but he would appreciate the effort if he could tell; vision isn't a null's best sense by a long shot.

"Professor Matrix, actually. Well, I was. I'm guessing that what with everything, my tenure probably doesn't hold anymore."

[ami_imperfect]

"Sorry," Dani apologizes with a bit of a giggle.

[a1enzo]

"Dad was professor of Quantum Data Structures," Enzo puts in. "I still don't know what that means."

[nofileext]

"It's about the fundamental workings of cyberspace," the null informs her, "but I won't inflict the details on you. It'd just wear you out, and then Hack and Slash would have to punish me, and since they still try to take care of me, I think the logic error would make them explode again."

[command_dot_com]

"Hubba Whutta?" Comes an in-stereo performance of confusion and mild fear.

"And then Phong and I would have to rebuild and try to upgrade their processing power again. Never seems to take." Dot finishes.

[ami_imperfect]

You know, that explains so much.

Dani feels another yawn coming and tries to swallow it down.

[command_dot_com]

Dot can spot a tired yawn 300 pixels away on Enzo, Dani's attempt at swallowing it is no match for the COMMAND.COM's maternal programming.

"Alright...now I think that's enough activity today for our recovering patient...everybody out."

[a1enzo]

"But...!" Enzo protests, and then he takes another look at Dani and softens. "Yeah, okay."

[nofileext]

"It has been a big cycle," Welman agrees. "I'd like to talk some more tomorrow, if you're up for it."

He would be entirely remiss as a father if he didn't get to know his son's girlbest friend better.

[ami_imperfect]

Dani nods. "That'd be great." Enzo's dad is cool, even if he does resemble a slug.

She lies back down. plumping up the pillow a little so it's more comfortable.

[nofileext]

The 'slug' bobs his front end in a sort of nod, and slips quietly down from the table and out of the room.

[a1enzo]

Enzo moves away from the bed, but pauses. "You want another pillow or anything?"

[ami_imperfect]

She shakes her head. "It's okay; I'm good," she answers tiredly.

[command_dot_com]

Dot stands in the doorway, holding the door open until Enzo is out.

"Rest well sweetheart." She smiles warmly before closing the door and giving the mookbots furthr instructions. Namely no watching any episodes of True Stories of Mainframe while on the job.