An Offer they can Easily Refuse: Humorous Scene from "Game Over"
Story by Spiders Thrash on SoFurry
So here's an amusing scene from "Game Over" in which I decided to riff on Mass Effect's "Fornax" magazine just for the hell of it. The setting is a costume party on a space station, where the characters are meeting a potential client.
The full novel (originally posted here under the title "Arena") is serialized at Tapas Media: https://tapas.io/series/GameOver1
And if you enjoy my work and would like to "buy me a coffee," that can be done here: https://ko-fi.com/feel_boss
"I caught a glimpse of him a moment ago." Vivian nodded toward the bar and led the others across the room. Cora slipped her hand into Dylan's and they intertwined their fingers. Grishnag put her arm around him and let her hand rest on his ass. In the corner of her eye, Zilaka and Nishara joined hands as well. As they stepped up to the bar, a zorai dressed as Ahsoka Tano and speaking with the human and the Five Nights synths appeared to notice them. She turned around and offered her hand in one smooth motion.
"Well, hello there. I'm Ghurza Wilkinson. I'm a talent scout for Eridanus Publications."
"Ah." Cora arched a brow and smirked. "I just looked them up. Porn producers, if what I've found is correct."
"We specialize in a variety of erotic xenophilia content including print, direct downloads, audio and video, and full-sensory stimulation. I couldn't help noticing the three of you appear to be 'together' and was hoping you might be interested --"
"We're here on other business," Dylan said. "As intriguing as your offer may be, we're kind of on a clock, here."
"Perhaps I can give you my contact information, then, and we can speak at a more convenient time. We're always keeping an eye out for fresh talent." Ghurza motioned at Dylan and Cora. "Human-on-synthetic stuff is particularly popular right now."
Cora rolled her optics and Dylan appeared to be struggling to resist the urge to tell Ghurza to fuck off. Grishnag stifled a laugh.
"That's great, but I don't think any of us would be interested in fucking on-camera." Dylan glanced around at the others and Ghurza raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, you're all together? Now that is intriguing."
Dylan appeared to stifle a sigh and nodded at Cora. "Okay, give her your contact info and we'll get back to you if we're interested. But we really do need to be on our way."
"Of course. Whenever you're ready."
"Fire away." Cora held her comm up.
Ghurza flicked her hand at Cora's comm. Cora nodded.
"Got it. We'll keep your offer in mind."
"Thanks. Pleasure to meet you."
Cora nodded again and fell back into step with Vivian and Desmond, and the others followed.
"Huh," Dylan muttered. "She didn't use a comm."
"She did, actually," Vivian said. "A lot of people have cybernetic implants that connect to communication devices and can send and receive files with a hand gesture. I figured that'd be a big step for someone who's still catching up on modern tech, so I got you all handheld sets instead."
"I assume it'd be an expensive procedure, anyway. But awesome."
"Heh. What's not awesome is that 'talent scout' trying to recruit you." Viv shook her head and grimaced. "I really hope you're not actually …"
"Take it easy, Mom." Dylan held his free hand up. "I've already put it at the top of my 'to-don't' list. All of us having sex is not for total strangers to see. It's just for us."
Grish aimed a shit-eating grin at him. "What if we really need the money?"
He snorted. "Maybe I'd consider some 'suggestive' poses. Holding hands, cuddling, stuff like that. Romantic stuff. But I'd prefer our introduction to the late twenty-second century not be images and videos of us humping it out. I don't want anyone's first impression of me to be the goofy look on my face when I come inside one of my girlfriends."
"Ugh!" Vivian's grimace twisted up even more and Grish burst into laughter. "Did not need that goddamn image in my head."
"Huh," Nishara muttered. "I'm just mystified by the idea of having an audience. We watch each other make love because it's part of sharing ourselves with each other. But there are people with no connection at all who watch others mate for entertainment?"
"Eh … people like to fantasize about someone they find attractive while they masturbate, and stuff like this fills that need." Dylan shrugged. "Now that I have the real thing, I don't have any interest in letting just anyone watch us."
"Can you not talk about this in front of your parents, please?" Vivian rubbed both hands over her face and sighed. "Jesus Christ."
"Okay." Cora laughed. "On with business, right?"
"Yes, please." Viv motioned at a guy in a blue jumpsuit. Among the patches and insignia on it was one with the words, CON-AM 27. "Here he is. Guys, this is Malcolm Takahashi."
The man turned around and smiled as she introduced them to him.
"Glad to meet you." He shook hands with each of them and turned to Dylan. "Your parents and I go back a few years. They told me what you've just been through and it blew my mind. Sounds like a story that needs to be told." He grinned and chuckled. "Any 'finder's fee' I get from the news outlets certainly helps, of course."
"Of course." Cora smiled politely. "Desmond also told me that you might be in need of a lift."
"Ah, yes, I'd be grateful. He said you have a ship and it's available."
"It's very old and needs to be upgraded with modern equipment, but if that's not a deal-breaker, I'd definitely be interested in hearing more."
"Cool." Malcolm stepped aside and waved a hand behind him. "We can talk over the details in private."