Holly gently tugged on Ariel’s hand, guiding her away from the Moonlight Atlas booth and the press of fans forming around Kim Sy. Ariel moved as if in a daze, feet following out of instinct more than intention, her eyes still wide with wonder. The group found a quieter corner, a little alcove away from the convention floor’s loudest traffic, tucked between two tall banners for some indie roguelike.

  They stopped as a unit and, for a beat, nobody spoke. Everyone just watched Ariel, their smiles varying from gentle amusement (Jordan) to outright delight (Maddy, nearly vibrating). Lila’s eyes sparkled with affection, and Marissa was practically glowing.

  Ariel finally let out a breath, a stunned little laugh escaping her. “I… I can’t believe I just talked to Kim Sy,” she said, her voice half-whisper, half-disbelief. She shook her head, hand absently reaching up to touch her Executive pass as if to confirm the reality of it. “Like, I’ve dreamed about this for years, but I never thought..." Her eyes wandered to meet Holly's, "She actually listened to me.”

  Holly beamed, still holding Ariel’s hand tight. “You were amazing, Red. Did you see her face? You blew her away.”

  Maddy bounced on her toes, unable to contain her excitement. “You just gave her a lore masterclass, Ariel! And she was actually impressed. THE Kim Sy!”

  Lila hugged her tote bag, smiling shyly. “I’ve never seen you so nervous. But you sounded like you belonged there.”

  Jordan leaned against the wall, arms crossed but eyes soft. “Not many people could do what you just did. She’s a legend. And you didn’t just meet her. You taught her something about her own game.”

  Ariel blinked, her mind racing back over every word she’d said. “I was worried I was being… I don’t know, annoying? Like, what if she hated that I nitpicked the art?”

  Marissa shook her head, her voice warm and steady. “She didn’t hate it at all. She respected it. You could see it in the way she listened.”

  Holly squeezed Ariel’s fingers, pressing close. “You belong here. Not just at Willowbound, but here with these people; with these stories. You’re one of them now, whether you realize it or not.”

  Ariel laughed, suddenly bashful. “I don’t feel like one of them. Not yet.”

  “You’re getting there,” Jordan said, with that dry twist to his smile. “And after today, the rest of us are going to have to start bragging that we know you.”

  Maddy nodded emphatically. “Exactly! We’re your entourage now.”

  For the first time since the conversation with Kim, Ariel managed a full, real smile. Still a little dazed but warmed through with gratitude and wonder. She looked at her friends, at Holly beaming with pride, and let herself just feel it: the magic, the luck, the realization that this moment was real, and hers.

  “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “Seriously, all of you.”

  “Anytime,” Holly said, brushing a stray curl from Ariel’s cheek. “Now - how about we go find some con snacks and let you recover before your interviews? If you start floating away, I’ll just hold you down by your blazer.”

  They all laughed, the moment gently dissolving into the bright, busy flow of the day, but not before Ariel tucked the memory deep inside. A new constellation in the story she was writing, with the people she loved most by her side.

  Ariel and Holly returned to the Willowbound booth in high spirits, the remnants of a shared cinnamon sugar churro in Ariel’s hand and a bag of kettle corn swinging from Holly’s wrist. The foot traffic around the booth was thicker now, but Abigail spotted them as soon as they reappeared.

  She leaned back against the table, arms crossed, her lips quirked in a half-smile. “So, how was the break?”

  Ariel tucked a stray curl behind her ear, cheeks pink. “Um. Pretty good. I, uh, met Kim Sy.”

  Abigail’s brows rose with real interest, then she chuckled, a hint of admiration in her voice. “Of course you did. Kim never misses these things. No matter how busy she gets, she always makes time to come out and meet people. She’s a legend for a reason.” Abigail nudged Ariel gently. “I imagine you’re pretty happy right now, huh?”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Ariel grinned, unable to contain the sparkle in her eyes. “Yeah. I think I’m going to be riding this high for a while.”

  Before she could say more, the first journalist of the afternoon appeared, credentials in hand and recorder ready. “Ms. McIntyre? Do you have a moment for some questions about Wispwood Haven?”

  Ariel smoothed her dress, smiled, and nodded, settling into the small circle that formed as other reporters began to queue up. Holly took her place at Ariel’s side, quietly munching kettle corn, ready to be a shield if needed. It soon became clear, However, that Ariel didn’t need it.

  The interviews came one after another, each journalist bringing their own angle. Ariel shone with a warmth and confidence that surprised even herself. She joked about the challenges of balancing animal companion cuteness with real game mechanics. She fielded thoughtful questions about representation, talking about Willowbound’s diverse team and their intention to create a welcoming game world. When a reporter asked about her path from developer to director, Ariel grinned and said, “Mostly stubbornness, coffee, and a very supportive fiancée.”

  Each answer was peppered with her dry wit and the genuine enthusiasm that radiated from her when she spoke about Wispwood Haven. The journalists scribbled notes, a few asked for photos, and more than one complimented her insight and the warmth of her answers.

  Holly watched from Ariel’s side, eyes shining with pride. She hardly needed to do anything except offer a reassuring smile or a gentle squeeze to Ariel’s arm between questions. The sight of Ariel - her laughter ringing out, her cheeks flushed, her eyes bright - was something Holly knew she’d never get tired of.

  At one point, a journalist asked, “You look so comfortable here. What’s your secret?”

  Ariel grinned, glancing at Holly before answering. “Good people, a lot of support, and honestly? Letting myself have fun with it. Games are supposed to be joyful. We’re just sharing that.”

  The interviews wrapped up to smiles and thank-yous, a few more signatures, and several promises from the journalists to keep an eye on Wispwood Haven’s release. As the last one departed, Ariel finally exhaled, the nerves she’d carried that morning nowhere to be found.

  Holly sidled up and pressed a kiss to Ariel’s temple. “You were incredible. They’re never going to forget you.”

  Ariel squeezed Holly’s hand, a look of peaceful pride settling on her face. “Today just… felt surreal.”

  The con’s bright lights and cheerful chaos pressed on, but inside that booth, in that moment, Ariel felt more herself, and more seen, than she ever had before.

  The day had spun past in a blur with waves of fans, shared laughter with friends, and new games glittering from every direction. Ariel and Holly had snapped photos with a Mossy cosplayer and a team of magical girls from an obscure RPG. But now, as the crowds thinned and the hall lights brightened, the Willowbound booth was being packed up with care. Ariel folded up the last table banner, Holly tucked the leftover pins into a box, and Abigail double-checked the demo cases.

  Ariel was just taping a box shut when she heard a familiar, elegant voice behind her. “Ms. McIntyre,” Kim Sy greeted warmly.

  Ariel’s hand froze mid-tape, her heart leaping into her throat. She looked up and managed, “Hi - uh, hi, Ms. Sy.” She straightened, nerves and excitement mingling in her smile.

  Kim’s eyes crinkled in that same serene, knowing way. “I wanted to say I really enjoyed meeting you today. I appreciate your keen eye and your willingness to be honest about the details. It’s rare to find someone so attentive and respectful.”

  Ariel stammered, “Th-Thank you so much. That really... means a lot. I… I’ve always loved Celestial Symphony. I just… I wanted you to know how much it mattered to me. The details made it feel real.”

  Kim nodded thoughtfully, her voice gentle. “You were right to mention it. I’ve already spoken to my art director. The next time Celestial Symphony IV is on display, those details will be corrected.” She offered her hand again, steady and grateful. “Thank you for your honesty, Ariel. That’s a rare gift in this industry.”

  Ariel shook Kim’s hand, her nerves replaced by a deep, glowing pride. “Thank you for listening. And… for making the games that inspired me to do what I do.”

  Kim smiled one more time, then turned and faded into the last of the con crowd.

  Abigail, who had been watching from a safe but interested distance, walked over as soon as Kim left. She raised one eyebrow, her mouth curled in an amused grin. “So, Ms. McIntyre...what, exactly, were you so honest about?”

  Ariel blushed, glancing down at her badge, then at Holly, who beamed encouragement. “Oh, heh, um... Earlier, at the Moonlight Atlas booth, I noticed a few little lore errors in their demo art. Nothing big, just… stuff only a superfan would catch, I guess. Kim overheard me talking about it and asked for details. I just… told her everything.”

  Abigail let out a soft, surprised laugh. “You corrected Kim Sy on Celestial Symphony lore? And she thanked you?”

  Ariel nodded, still a little bashful. “I thought she’d be annoyed, but… she was really kind about it.”

  Abigail shook her head, clearly impressed. “That’s not just honesty. That’s expertise, and guts. I hope you realize what that means, Ariel. That’s the kind of attention to detail that makes great games and great leaders.” She patted Ariel on the shoulder, eyes sparkling. “Now, let’s get this last box closed up. You’ve had enough legendary moments for one day.”

  Holly, grinning, slipped her arm around Ariel’s waist. “I don’t know, I think she’s got a few more in her before we call it a night.”

  Ariel laughed, feeling the exhaustion and exhilaration of the day settling together in perfect balance. With the last box taped up, she stood for a moment, taking it all in: the lights, the emptying hall, her friends, and the possibilities shimmering ahead.