Room 1512, Vermillion Suites Hotel, Sakura City
06:10 PM, Friday, March 19th
Theo had just finished taking a long, hot shower after spending hours walking around PrimCon. Even with his enhanced physique, the exhaustion of the day had caught up with him, and the soothing warmth of the water had worked wonders. Now dressed and resting on the bed, he scrolled through his phone, replying to a text Ayia had sent earlier.
A moment passed as he considered calling her, but a glance at the clock reminded him that she was likely in the middle of the dinner rush at The Spark. He could easily picture her commanding the kitchen, her voice steady amidst the flurry of activity, orders coming in, and dishes going out. He shook his head with a smile. "She'll be busy until ten. I'll call her when I land back in Elffire."
With that decision made, Theo turned his thoughts to the group of indie developers he'd met earlier in the Artists Alley at PrimCon. They had caught his attention with their innovative game concepts and raw talent, and he saw in them the potential to fill the gap at his game studio, Genesis. "Maybe I should call Sam," he mused, thinking about his business manager. Sam was the right person to handle negotiations and explore whether these developers could be the people he had been searching for. Checking the time once more, he realized he still had a bit of time before he and Aurora needed to leave for dinner.
Picking up his phone, he found Sam's number and dialed. The familiar ringing sounded for only a moment before her efficient and energetic voice came through the line.
"Hey, Theo! How was PrimCon? Find anything interesting?" Sam asked, ever curious and sharp as usual.
Theo chuckled. "You could say that. It was pretty overwhelming, to be honest. But I actually found a group of indie game devs I think you should look into."
"Really?" Sam's voice perked up with interest. "Tell me about them."
Theo shifted on the bed, adjusting the pillows behind his back as he explained. "They're working on this independent game-it was at one of the smaller booths in the Artists Alley. What caught my eye was the demo they were showing. It's an RPG, but the level of detail, the atmosphere, and the mechanics were way above what you usually see from indie developers. The art style was incredible, and their world-building was impressive. You could tell they've got talent, real talent."
Sam was silent for a second, taking it in before she replied, "Okay, you've got my attention. What's the team like? How big are we talking?"
"They're small. From what I gathered, it's just a core group of ten people, but the lead ones are a lead programmer, a lead artist, a lead writer, and a creative director. They've been working on this project for over a year, but they lack the funding and resources to take it to the next level. What struck me most, though, was their passion. They weren't just doing it for money or recognition-they were deeply invested in their game."
Sam hummed thoughtfully. "That's a good sign. You know, sometimes the smaller teams are the ones that can really push the boundaries creatively, especially when they've got the kind of drive you're describing."
"Exactly," Theo agreed. "They reminded me of what it felt like when I first started cooking- wanting to make something new, something extraordinary, even if no one else believed in it." "That's a big endorsement coming from you," Sam teased, though there was seriousness behind her words. "So, what's the plan? You want me to reach out?"
"Yeah, I'd like you to contact them," Theo said, his tone steady. "I didn't tell them who I was or anything about Genesis. I wanted to keep it low-key and get a feel for their work without influencing them. But now that I know they've got the talent, we need to see if we can bring them on board. If they're as good as I think they are, they could be a great addition to the studio."
"I'll handle it," Sam replied confidently. "I'll look into their backgrounds, check their portfolio, and reach out to start negotiations. We'll see if they're a good fit for Genesis-and if they're up for the challenge."
"Thanks, Sam," Theo said, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. "I knew you'd know how to handle it."
"Of course," she replied warmly. "You've been searching for a while, so it's about time we found some solid talent. Let me know if there's anything else you think I should focus on when talking to them."
"Just be honest with them," Theo advised. "I want them to know that we're offering them a real opportunity-not just a paycheck, but a chance to make something special. If they're in it for the long haul, I think they'll be perfect for us."
"Got it," Sam said. "I'll keep you posted once I've made contact."
"Thanks again," Theo said as he glanced at the time. "I need to get ready to head out for dinner, but I'll talk to you soon."
"Enjoy dinner!" Sam replied. "We'll get this sorted."
Theo ended the call, feeling a sense of excitement. After months of searching, he finally felt like he was on the right track with these developers. If all went well, his dream of creating groundbreaking games could soon become a reality. He stood up and stretched before looking at the clock. It was almost 6:30 PM, and he and Aurora had dinner plans with Rio and some of the other staff from Tokyo Studios.
"Hey, Aurora!" Theo called out as he knocked on her door, "Are you ready? We need to head out soon."
Aurora opened the door, looking fresh and relaxed after her own shower. "Ready! Just let me grab my bag."
A few minutes later, the two of them were standing in the lobby of the Vermillion Suites Hotel, waiting for the cab they had called. The evening lights of the Sakura Tree Tower twinkled in the distance as it towered above the skies of the megacity, and there was a pleasant buzz of activity in the hotel as other guests came and went.
Theo smiled as he looked over at his sister. "Today was pretty amazing, huh?"
Aurora nodded enthusiastically. "PrimCon was everything I imagined and more. I can't believe how many incredible things we saw. And you-finding those indie game developers? That's awesome, big brother. I hope it works out."
"I think it will," Theo said with a quiet smile. "But for now, let's just enjoy the evening. We've got a nice dinner ahead of us."
As the cab pulled up in front of the hotel, the two of them got in, ready to continue their night. The vibrant streets of Sakura City awaited, and though their time at PrimCon had come to an end, there was still plenty to look forward to.