Page 67 of Light Leech
We all shared a light laugh, lifting the tension in the room.
“He better,” Naoma said.
Levity returned to Boyband’s voice. “Don’t try to butter everyone up like Ralia.”
“Oh, she can keep that position in the group.”
“And second?”
“Second because I think this could be important for finishing off your parents’ business.”
He sighed. “I never was that great at it, which is why they were hoping to have me apprentice under someone so high up, you plug? Look, I don’t mean to talk down to you, but you can’t really help in the production department, can you?”
“No, but–”
“Oh, don’t worry, Idol, I’m not going to discount your worth, but mine. Zeg my part in this. They put me into that zegging school just to have what you do–a connection to Reef. Why worry about me when we are already in with you? You plug?”
“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.
