Page 310 of Light Leech

“Certain subcultures are aligning with the anti-capitolocratic parties in entertainment as well as with political stances. People want media produced by anyone other than companies. Yes, it’s rare, but it’s gaining more mainstream popularity. Independent artists don’t have to hold to the Haven Health ads and the other Pharma collabs Reef forced upon us. Sure, Finians have their up on the production side, but a lot of the independent producers have taken Finian implants to up their skill. What independent agents lack, dedication compensates.”

“And you’ve found one of these freelance producers with a Finian implant?” Kao asked.

“I’m working on it.”

What did that mean for Boyband? Would we have to add yet another modification to his body?

Koro shook her head. “Who is funding you? Who is advertising? Who–”

“I’m not going into this blind. I’ve had plenty of time to assess my options and I’ve got the help I need to get things moving.”

“So is your boy help or passion?”

“Can’t I be both?” I finished the last sip of my milk.

“Mixing love and business isn’t always a good idea,” Koro said.

“You think I haven’t heard that before?” Naoma said. “My career isn’t your problem.”

“Then why did you come?”

“Because I still need to network. You three are my friends, business aside, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want your help working my way back into the social circles I once belonged to. From this experience alone you can see that my return to society–even though my holiday was brief–brought a lot of questions. People might not be as willing to work with me, but I want a way in. Headfirst into the heat of the elite.”

Koro held her glass up, inviting the waiter to return for a refill. “Why not do it yourself? You’re the zegging Neon Idol. I don’t think your reputation is as tainted as you might think. We’re here for you, shouldn’t that show you that people are willing to listen?”

“You know how Anton treated me.”

“His precious songbird,” Kao said.

“One he wouldn’t dare taint. Sure, I have some connections, but he forbade me from the circle I’m trying to reach. I don’t want the surface level business connections, I want it all.”

When their eyes failed to show recognition, Naoma elaborated. “You know what Anton forbade me, right?”

None of them offered an answer, giving her only determined attention as she prepared her reveal.

“I’m sure there were plenty of indulgences Anton and the other Fins kept away from me because they didn’t want to taint their prized idol, but I’m talking about Zhou.”

“The Dynasty?” Kao asked.

Koro huffed a laugh. “So you want to get into partying now that the Fins aren’t holding you back?”

“Can we blame her?” said Kyo. “The girl wants to live. She’s got a boy, now she wants to party.”

Naoma leaned on. “I’m not looking for partying. I want to build connections without having to set up meetings like this. This isn’t to say that we aren’t old friends reconnecting, but I don’t want people to see me as a desperate freelancer looking to leech off of others’ success. I want to blend in and have opportunities presented to me when people see what I’m capable of with their guards down.”

Koro scoffed. “That’s one way to put it. You do know what Zhou’s Dynasty and the parties are like, right?”

“I’ve heard.”

Kao clinked the ice in her glass. “You know just as well as I, Koro, that words do nothing to explain the Dynasty.”

Feeling I had been too silent–despite my lack of belonging–I put myself back in the conversation. “Is that positive or negative?”

Kyo winked at me. “Depends on what you’re into, du. I take it you’ve never been?”

I shook my head.

She placed a manicured hand against her breast. “I, for one, delight in Shou’s festivities.”