“Contracts,” Ryan reminds him, plucking the notebook out of Jason’s hands. “Or no art.”
“You got it,” Jason says, smiling. “Now!” He slaps his hands on the table. “Let’s see those awful games and apps, and then we can start talking about next steps. I’m thinking posters and wallpapers and giveaways for the convention and on the website. My mind is just swimming with the possibilities.”
“I love how you follow my demands to see no crappy games or action figures with proclamations of posters and giveaways.” Ryan scowls. “If I see a coaster or a beer cozy, I am coming for you.”
My phone vibrates as the two of them start bickering again. I try not to look at it, but I can’t keep my eyes from darting down toward the screen.
“Alright, Mr. Famous,” grumbles Jason, pointing at the phone. “I know you’re a big deal now, thanks to your guest appearance in that video.”
It buzzes again, vibrating against the table. Eight messages. Eight little notifications taunting me as I glance down at the screen. It takes me a moment to realize Jason is talking about D1V’s stream, and that he actually watched it. Or at least, he read the email with me telling him about it. I’ll take whatever props I can.
“To be fair, I did get ManaPunk a shout-out on that stream,” I say, looking down at the phone.
“Yeah, I know. I don’t get you guys and those streaming videos, though.” He snorts. “Games are meant to be played. What’s the point of watching someone else play it, when you could actually play it yourself?”
“Why watch football or basketball or golf when you could play those things?” Laura asks.
“That’s not... No, that’s not the same thing,” Jason counters.
“Kinda is.” Laura shrugs. “Just because you don’t get it, doesn’t mean there isn’t worth there. Same goes for not liking sports. People are allowed to like things.”
“Point goes to Laura.” Ryan grins, snapping his fingers.
“Hey, are we even going over story stuff today?” I ask, the words tumbling out of my mouth before I can fully think them through. “’Cause if we aren’t, I can forfeit my turn with our app game and get going.”
Jason glares at me and the phone, shaking his head in disgust.
“It’s not just this,” I insist. “I have to...handle the office back home.”
I glance over at Ryan, who subtly raises his eyebrows in a silent question. I know he won’t blow up my spot, but I’ll definitely be hearing about this from him later, that’s for sure.
“I can get some writing done there, too,” I offer.
“Fine, fine,” Jason concedes. “We’re definitely going over story elements next week, though. I need that opening and introduction perfect if we’re gonna sell this based on a concept. In fact, email it to me when you get a second.” He turns to Ryan. “And I could really use some of the illustrated concept art scanned in.”
“Contracts,” Ryan says with a shrug.
“Yeah, yeah,” Jason snaps. “I’ll have them. But I need something in advance for the showcase.” He glances at me again. “Story.”
“You got it, great,” I say, knowing full well I’m going to get home and load up Reclaim the Sun as quickly as I can, story be damned. I studiously avoid looking my phone as I pack up my laptop and peer over at Ryan instead. He flashes me a sly grin and shakes his head. It’s all I need to know he approves of my nonsense.
I subtly open the game’s chat app as I make my way to the café entrance. Once I reach the door, I glance down to see the video transfer finished and D1V’s new messages.
D1V: Oh my God
D1V: You sent a video.
D1V: You’re ridiculous.
D1V HAS SENT YOU A PARTY REQUEST.
D1V: Oh, that’s right, you’re not actually at your computer, but in a coffee shop.
D1V: Well when you get back home, accept my party request.
D1V: I’ll be on all night.
D1V: Oh, and hey. Thank you.
I practically sprint out of the coffee shop and wave down a cab rounding the corner.
Reclaim the Sun: Chat Application
AARON: On my way home now.
D1V: Wait what? Now?
D1V: Aren’t you with your video game designer pals or something? Making the next Flappy Bird?
AARON: Oh, sooooo funny.
D1V: Or are you more of an Angry Birds fan?
AARON: You are about to get blocked.
D1V: You wouldn’t.
AARON: I wouldn’t. And no, they can wait. They don’t need me today.
D1V: If you’re about to say something sappy about me needing you, I will light my phone on fire.
AARON: What is with you and lighting things on fire?
AARON: Also, they literally don’t need me. It’s an art day. They don’t need my stories.
D1V: Oh.
AARON: I mean.
AARON: You could use a friend though, right?
D1V: THERE IT IS.
D1V: I KNEW IT.
D1V: (takes out lighter, holds up phone).
D1V: Goodbye, dear phone.
AARON: Okay you couldn’t type on your phone while setting it on fire.
AARON: Also it’s not like that. Just saying.
D1V: I’m just busting your chops.
AARON: Can we talk using the like, speakers in the game and whatnot later?
AARON: Your sarcasm is very lost in here, and you are the queen of it.
D1V: Hah, sure.
10
DIVYA
“He sent you a video,” Rebekah says deadpan. She’s staring at me from the little screen in the corner of my monitor, her mouth in a thin line.
“Yeah, it was actually kinda funny?” I dig for my phone.
“I don’t want to see it.” She rolls her eyes.
“Whatever, he’s a good one.” I slide the phone onto my desk. “He makes me laugh. We did some resource runs and talked a lot.”
“What do you even talk about?”
“Oh, nothing important, really,” I say. “Reclaim the Sun. The game he’s working on, which sounds pretty neat. What streaming is like. Bad movies. Nothing terribly...I don’t know, real?”
“Okay. That’s fine, just—”