We follow Nirblob as he leads us down several back halls that head toward the signing room. As we get closer, I see a line of VIP ticket holders waiting to enter the reserved room that windsthrough the building and outside. The excitement in the air is palpable even from here.
“I love the smell of fired-up fans in the morning!” River says in a weird voice.
“What?”
He waves a hand dismissively. “Sorry. It’s a riff on a famous movie line. I’ll explain later.”
Nirblob guides us down a secret staff corridor that takes us to the back door entrance into River’s impromptu signing space. I’m relieved to see security stationed outside the door as we approach. They check Nirblob’s organizer badge and let us in.
The room is much like any generic conference room, filled with standard chairs and tables, but they’ve decked it out in style for River. A red satin table runner adorns the signing table, along with a beautifully painted sign hanging in front of it that has River’s name in big letters surrounded by stars and tentacles. Behind the table are easels displaying the winning fan art pieces from the exhibit we saw the other day, and in front of it by about ten feet is a red walkway carpet surrounded by pillions that goes all the way to the door, creating a clear place for folks to wait in line in an orderly fashion once inside the room.
Once we’re situated at the signing table, several of the hired security personnel stationed inside the room move to the door where Nirblob is preparing to unveil the event and admit the first dozen people into the room. He steps through the door, clearly using something to project his voice because we hear him loud and clear when he addresses the VIP fans outside.
“Good evening, my friends. Tentacular Tales Con’s VIP superfans are in for the surprise of your life this evening!”
Voices outside quiet down.
Nirblob continues. “It is my supreme honor and pleasure to welcome you to our event tonight—a surprise once-in-a-lifetime signing with none other than River Sullivan, aka KirklovesSpock4eva!”
There’s a brief moment of stunned silence before the line explodes with noise.
Nirblob’s voice resounds loud and clear again, quieting the fans again. “Our MVP of the night is eager to meet you all too. Please demonstrate patience. No pushing, shoving, or other inappropriate behavior is allowed. You’ll all get your turn to meet River as long as you wait courteously. We’ll be admitting you a dozen at a time. Have whatever item you would like our favorite author to sign ready to go. Now, let’s get this special event started!”
As the first VIPs enter the room, River puts on a little show for them and whips off his cloak, followed by a theatrical twirl and jazz hands.
“Hello, my fabulous friends!” he shouts. “It is I, the mighty River Sullivan, aka KirklovesSpock4eva, and I’msoexcited to be here with all of you.”
Gasps and squeals of excitement fill the air as people in line try to push forward before Nirblob shuts that down real fast. I’m grateful we have a handful of security personnel standing at attention in strategic positions by the door and behind River’s signing table. I don’t think any of these fans are truly dangerous, but I’ve learned I have to be vigilant where River’s safety is concerned.
I plant myself beside him as he takes a seat, leveling each person in line with my most intimidating gaze.
River gives them all a little wave. “Let’s get this party started, y’all.” He points to me. “By the way, this is my super amazing hubby-boo, Kai. As you can see, he’s also my self-appointed bodyguard for the evening.”
There are some giggles and sighs among the fans in line, and several of them are eyeing me in a disturbingly interested manner. I school my features.
“Isn’t he super fucking dreamy?” River asks.
“You’re a lucky man! Iyarans are so fucking hot!” someone cries.
“You nabbed your very own tentacled hero. Right on, River!” another cheers.
“You bet your sweet ass I did,” River replies with a shit-eating grin.
My cheeks warm, and River winks at me, his face alight with joy. He’s clearly loving this moment, so I’m more than happy to indulge him. One of my tentacles comes out to join in on the fun and coils possessively around River’s shoulders.
That sets his fans off as they scream encouragement at us—some of it not remotely appropriate for anyone underage, either.
River beams up at me and flutters his eyelashes. “Well fucking played, sir. I think you’re getting the hang of this.”
I cross my arms and shoot him a smug grin. “I have a few tricks—or rather, tentacles—up my sleeve.”
“So sassy, so damn hot,” he whispers.
Eventually, Nirblob brings back order and gets everyone settled down. For someone with such a small stature, he can be downright intimidating when he wants to be. River once told me Nirblob has his moments when he fully channels his inner Lord Vardox, and I’m starting to see what he means.
One by one, River’s fans step up to his table, gushing with enthusiasm. Some are on the more bashful side, and River, being the incredibly empathetic person he is, manages to make all of them feel at ease in his presence, smiling and joking with them as he signs books, T-shirts, and, in a couple of cases, bare appendages. Many of his fans stop to take photos with him as well, and they all leave elated and more than a little starstruck.
I don’t blame them. I secretly felt the exact same way when I first met River. Hell, I was half in love with him before we ever met. Like all of these people, I too was a fan ofThe Tentacular Tales of Captain Starblade.It was my one outlet and indulgence from the mountain of work I buried myself in most of the time. Now, I get to listen to him brainstorm ideas for where to take Captain Starblade and Lord Vardox next or am the first person to read his latest chapters.
