Page 133 of Light Leech

“Relationships?”

The woman pointed at us. “I mean these kinds of relationships, you plug?”

I must have looked confused because the half-man spoke again to clarify. “A lot of us were thinking you two were just a romance plot, something to stir up attention for Naoma to make her return that much more spectacular.”

“Because she’s never been with anyone?” I asked. “Publicly, I mean?”

The half-man shook his head. “Because she’s got this rebel mindset now, from what we’ve heard, and a Medislavian boyfriend would be an eye catcher with all the drama going on between your home country and hers. The relationship plots Shou and the dynasty have dealt us this year are nothing compared to this. Wait, you are from Arabasia, right Naoma?”

She ignored their question. “What do you mean ‘from what you’ve heard?’”

Another woman in the group spoke up with a mechanical voice behind a mask that covered her face below the nose. “3Rochi have been saying a lot about you since–”

“What have they been saying?” The woman was struggling to hold back the frustration in her voice. Betrayal seethed within me and couldn’t imagine the exponential anger building within her.

“That you’re set on doing your own thing.”

“Or is the rebellious plot also from Shou–”

“No,” I said calmly, giving Naoma a chance to breathe.

“Wait…” The large woman tapped Naoma’s nose. I was surprised Naoma didn’t punch her. “This is your first dynasty event, isn’t it?”

“Yes. None of these are Zhou’s plots.”

“I can tell, you still call him Zhou.”

“And?”

“His people address him as Shou,“ said the half-man.

She breathed in and channeled her fury into a cunning smile. “Then it looks like I need to make myself one of his people. And how could I ever get one of these plots if I’ve never met him?”

“Not all of us have met him,” said mask-girl.

“Is he that secretive?”

Half-man shook his head. “No. You’ll see him tonight, but not everyone has the chance to speak with him personally, you plug? Just like most people here haven’t actually talked to you. Your old manager was too protective for anyone to try to speak with you. Most of the plot points he gives us are from his Eunuchs.”

“I don’t want to speak to a Eunuch. I’m the Neon zegging Idol and I think I deserve to speak with him.”

Everyone in the group turned to one of the circle who hadn’t spoken. It had no clear sign of gender–or even humanity–behind a chromatic mask that encased its entire head. Violet-light pupils centered on Naoma as she made her declaration. It stepped forward, keeping its hands behind its back. Every inch of skin was covered, save a strip of neck, as if that was sufficient to prove that this thing was still human.

It spoke with a metallic voice, nothing as foul as hammered steel, but laser cut platinum with a crystalline ring. “Is this a formal request?”

“Yes,” Naoma said. “Preferably before the event.”

“Meat and Wine?”

“Yes. Send him 3Rochi’s rumors if you want to prove that I’m worthy of his attention. If he wants a good plot, I’m better than fiction.”

“He is well aware of the 3Rochi rumors.”

“Good. Then you should have no problem bringing me to him.”

The Eunoch stared, calculating behind that mask whether or not Naoma was right in her bold step forward.

“Let’s go.” She gestured towards him, pulling me with her.