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Writer's pictureakatasphere

The Deal

"How did you even get here?"


A red bird with black tipped-wings and a white chest perched on top of a coffee table in her castle's foyer. Said foyer was more like a living room than anything else, cozy with tables and chairs and a peculiarly large TV. She gave her visitor a remarkably critical gaze through beady eyes. "I'm waiting for your explanation."


The ginger-haired woman with the orange and white clothing nervously pulled at her tresses. "I followed you," Asherah said.


"Yeah, but how?" Syl tilted her birdy head and did her best to keep her glare sharp.


"If I knew, I would tell you," Asherah muttered, looking down. "But now that I'm here, I don't think I can get back without your help. And I'd like to ask you a few things."


"I was expecting to go to bed, not to have company!" Syl grunted before sheepishly looking off to the side. "Not that I never have any company, mind you."


"You'll have to tell me about your company-"


"Hell no."


"Okay, fine, I was just curious." Asherah sighed. "You'll still have to take me back if you want me to leave."


"Fair enough." The celestial bird made a gesture with her wing like cupping her chin. "I guess I can handle a few questions before dropping you off."


"Thank you." Asherah unintentionally mimicked the thoughtful gesture. "Is it true you have access to the NexusNet here?"


Syl nodded. "It sure is getting popular, isn't it? Especially since they opened up applications for video streamers. Glad they got that part ironed out."


"I know. I was one of the initial applicants accepted," Asherah said.


"Oh really? What content do you make that impressed them so much? Give me the elevator pitch." The skepticism dripped off the bird's voice.


There was a pause as Asherah's face fell, her lips pursing and brows creasing. When she could finally call words up, she replied, "I tell stories of my dead world in hopes of keeping the memory alive."


"Oh." Another pause passed as Syl became acutely aware that she had committed a faux pas. "That is a worthy endeavor, yes."


"So..." The conversation was oozing at a sluggish speed. "Can I borrow your setup to stream on the NexusNet? I got approved and everything but my computer at home isn't that great."


"When I'm not using it, sure," Syl said with a quickness. "You've got a mission. It's a big deal when a world is finally, decisively declared lost. Do what you can to tell everyone about it."


"Thank you." Ash's voice carried a breathy gratitude. "You know, I don't think I ever got your name. I'm Asherah, but please call me Ash."


"Syl. That's my name." The bird flapped to the side of the table, and in a rush of starry sparkles, transformed into a petite humanoid form sporting a corseted dress with a four-pointed star motif. She held out her hand. "Nice to meet'cha."


The two shook hands and sealed the deal, at least until Asherah realized it hadn't quite been. "Wait, you gave me access to streaming, but what's the cost? What do I owe you?"


Syl shrugged. "You can grease some palms. People are drawn to you. I think it'd be nice if you did PR and outreach for me and yourself at the same time, don't you?"


"Grease palms?" Asherah blinked at the unfamiliar idiom but got the meaning after the statement was complete. "I can put in a good word for you, sure."


"Splendid." Syl clasped her hands together. "Let me show you how everything works. I'd like your debut to go off without a hitch, if at all possible."


As she followed the bird woman deeper into her abode, Asherah felt equal parts buoyant and strained. She was relieved that her negotiations had gone so smoothly, but she didn't quite know what it meant to do PR and outreach for whatever Syl did. The unknowns were her fault, seeing as she had impulsively followed the bird's teleportation trail, but she hoped that the benefits would pay off.


Perhaps there was hope for the memories of Aylith yet.

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