The next few hours involved them going from panel to panel on equality in representation, useful costuming, and practical makeup for the on-the-go gamer.
Nyssa had panels set up the following day regarding programming and character design, but tonight was about why people liked the unrealistic dimensions of people who lived on the screen and fought tiny wars.Mik just went where she directed because that was what she had agreed to.
* * * *
Arwell and Dorn werewalking through the convention, looking at the different gaming booths.Ryo and Morven were running escort, and tonight, they were all wearing their other faces.
A beta in a costume looked and waved.“Hey, Arwell.”
“Mik?I know I suggested it, but geez!”
A red djinn was standing with her.Mik made introductions.“Arwell, this is Nyssa and her ward, Dina.Dina, this is Arwell.She owns the company that owns the servers, which let the programs run uninterrupted.”
A child in red clothing from the game came forward.“Hello, ma’am.”She stood next to Nyssa and leaned against her.
Dorn stared.“Dina?”
She tensed and nodded.“Yes.Hey, Dorn.”
“Are you ready for the test on Monday?”
Dina bobbed her head, shutting down.
Dorn fidgeted as a bunch of adults watched, and then he smiled.“There they are!Arwell, can I go with the twins and Tamara?”
Arwell looked at Dina, but she was pressed to her guardian.“Sure.Just let me talk to Iris first.Please excuse me.”
Arwell went to where Iris was standing with her trio and a bunch of kids: a set of twins and what seemed to be a female alpha tween.
“Hey, Iris.Dorn wants to hang with your group.Are you ready for one more?”
Iris sighed.“They are self-propelling at this stage.Sure.Hey, is that Dina?”
Tamara’s head whipped around.“Where?”
Dorn frowned.“She’s just a nerd, Tam.Why do you pay attention to her?”
Tamara looked at him.“Because she needs it.Because despite the fact that she is super smart, she’s scared a lot of the time.She slows us down, but there is a lot of stuff going on that she can see that makes the world better.I am going to see if she wants to hang out.”
Iris said, “Tamara, wait until we clear that with Venka.”
Tamara fidgeted and waited while Iris sent a text.
Iris grinned.“Venka says gogogo.”
Tamara grinned.“I will see you later, guys.”She darted off.
Arwell looked to Dorn.“You good?”
“Yup.We may join Tamara later.”
“Be polite.Dina is shy.It is rough being an omega heading for puberty.”Arwell touched his cheek.
Dorn’s eyes got huge.“She’s an omega?”
“Not yet, but she will be.”Arwell smiled.“Have fun, and I will find you later.”
She watched Dorn join the twins with glances back toward where Dina and Tamara were talking quietly, as Nyssa and Mik were standing and talking.
