Page 333 of Light Leech

Without Naoma, I would have felt that most unsettling sensation of being alone in an otherwise crowded place. I didn’t belong among the elite. If they knew what I was, let alone what I was, I would have been sacrificed to one of the false gods of lucre that they prayed to.

“Oh. My. Light. Is that the Neon Idol?”

We turned back to the flamboyant voice of a middle aged man with two younger men at his sides.

Naoma let out an airy laugh like a child embarrassed to be recognized for her achievements. “Yes, it is.”

He embraced her with a squeal, though it was a light embrace to avoid pressing his sharp shoulder ornamentation into her face.

She wrapped her arms around him, but I could tell that it was with forced enthusiasm. “It’s good to see you, Lyler.”

He let go and sighed. The man on his right straightened Lyler’s jacket and ascot while the other pushed his hair back into the perfect glittery golden swoop.

I held back from using my neurospace to identify him, knowing that his face was familiar, despite me not knowing where to place it. He looked like most of the men his age in the room, except for the ocular band with hanging wires that passed through his septum like a piercing. While many of the people here had the cybernetic enhancement that reminded me of Tevon, I hadn’t seen anyone with the nasal connection.

“Please tell me you remember me, Nay.”

She smiled, more comfortable in her composure. “I said your name, didn’t I?”

“Not who I am, but everything that we’ve done together.”

“I was on your show only three times.”

“And far too few! I must have you on again, especially now that you’re back! Dear Light, until the news covered the popup, I thought you were–no, let’s leave that behind. How about next month? I have a slot on–”

She laughed. “I can’t commit to anything right now–”

“Of course! You must be so busy! Is there a new album? A new mindshow? Are you still with Nichely? I loved you in The Red Geisha, by the way. What. A. Masterpiece. Of course I flew to Arabasia to see it when I heard that you were in a side project. Or is it your main thing now? I don’t mean to offend. It was a delight though. When is that music coming out here? It’s a shame the show has been pulled from streaming and such, but– My. Light!“ He seized me by the hands and pulled me in. “Who is this? Is this the reason you’ve been on a little holiday?”

His eyes flashed. “My dear light. I didn’t expect to see both of you here so suddenly! Is this your boyfriend? Partner? A brief affair? An affair with a political influencer, hmm?“ He let go of one of my hands and took Naoma’s in the other. “Nay, you aren’t getting too into politics now, are you? War doesn’t suit you, girl.”

“Isn’t that what all this is? Politics?”

He laughed loud enough for the entire room to hear, which they would have, had this not been livelier than any club. “You are sooo right. Wait, I’ve never seen you at a Dynasty gathering.”

Naoma managed to speak in between one of his half second pauses to breathe. “Yes, it’s my first.”

“Why now? Surely you could have come anytime. You’re the zegging Neon Idol! Was it your manager? Oh, I was so sorry to hear about Anton. What a shame it was to see him go. Or was it a shame? Did we like him?”

“We had a complicated relationship.”

“Do tell.” He bit his fingertip.

“Not right now.”

“Oh, how foul am I to bring up such a vile subject. You must forgive me–”

“It’s nothing, really. I just–”

“Of course! You’re here to enjoy the event! Do you need a guide? Of course you do! I can remember how frightened I was my first time, If you can imagine that.” He laughed at himself, giving her a moment to speak.

“I think we want to just feel out the atmosphere and take it in slowly for now.”

“Of course! Dear Light, where are my manners? I’ve been keeping you for far too long! Go! Enjoy yourself! I’ll save a seat for the both of you for the Meat and Wine!”

“Save seats?”

“Girl, you don’t know? My Light are you in for a treat! We have like an hour until it begins! I assume you didn’t bring any fans then?“ He poked me. “Surely you don’t want to let go of this catch.”