Page 282 of Light Leech

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you if you’re involved in the production side, I just assumed they did it all with the Neon Idol ownership and such.”

She laughed.

“You can keep petting David, you know.”

She glared at him a second, then they both broke into laughter.

“You shac.” She shook her head. “No, you’re right. Sure, I might be able to provide a connection to Reef, but we need to finish listening to the message first to see what they actually want.”

“Sure, David–”

“But”—she pulled his shoulder so he faced her—“I’m not trying to put on a kind act. I’m actually interested in your talent. That is, if you have any.”

“I mean, I’m not that bad. Why?”

“Because I have no desire to remain with Reef and when this is over, I’ll have to make a living somehow, right? I’ve got the talent. Use some of your spare time to touch up the talent you were making and we can work out a little partnership, you plug?”

“You’re zegging me.”

“Fine, if you don’t want–”

He grabbed her shoulders and shook them. “Of course I want to produce for the Neon zegging Idol!”

“Good.” She pushed his hands off and grabbed his sleeve and wiped the David juice off her arms with it.

“You’re not zegging with me, are you?”

“Do you have better plans when this is over?”

“No… I guess I never really saw this ending, or at least with me coming out alive.”

“Well, it’s time to change that.”

“But you don’t really know anything about my talent. I’m not a Finian, I’m not a professional, and I’m sure you could find another–”

“Shut up, Devóne.”

He looked up at her.

“You might not have the talent I need now, but we’ll grow together. Who knows how good I am without Reef, but I would rather trust you than any shac who will try to manipulate and use me like those Fins. I trust you. Is that enough?”

“I…I guess so.”

“Good, because I’m counting on it. I fix your promise on the front of my neurospace interface.”

“Zeg, that’s a lot of pressure.”

“More than saving the world from some hidden god and his network of conspirators? Nah, du, music is nothing compared to that.”

“Alright.” He continued stoking David.

“And you won’t be alone.” She looked back at me. “We’ll need someone who can navigate the socials, right? How else can I advertise? Who better to choose than a former social titan?”

The thought of returning to such a path frightened me. I didn’t want that, but if it was for someone else, I think I could do it. If it was for Naoma, of course I could.

“I mean,” I shrugged, trying to keep my smile tame, “if you really need me.”