Page 348 of Light Leech

“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.

Blue flashed in the Eunoch’s pupils for half a second. “Shou would like to know why you are requesting a meeting.”

“I want to integrate myself into this, just as–”

“That is not specific enough. Please clarify your request or I will not relay it to Shou.”

Gongtide. The word rested on the edge of my tongue. If spoken, would that secure our success or condemn us as its enemies? Had Nichley already spoken with Zhou? What if we spoke of the Luxists? Was Zhou the Beacon or merely a name close to the Beacon?

“Nichley wants me back,” she said. “Can Shou make a better counteroffer?”

Was her mind following the same track?

A moment of silence. Its eyes pulsed with blue again. “Please follow me.”

The others in the circle watched us depart, but it was hard to gauge our fate based on their range of curiosity, pleasure, and unease.

Though there was plenty happening throughout the palace, increasing in excitement the higher we ascended, everyone we passed found the Eunuch walking with Naoma to be the peak of entertainment. This was far from the only Eunuch scattered throughout the party, but one guiding Naoma produced a chemical reaction worthy of attention as if it was sensed before seen. Had there been some announcement broadcasted to all who were already acquainted with Zhou? Had they been waiting for Naoma to eventually join them after her dramatic departure from Reef? Perhaps, but they did not ignore me either.