"To start with, having a medium to express yourself and entertain others is something you've been looking for, isn't that right, Nash?" Myla began, causing the man in question to leave his stupefaction and prick up his ears.

"You want to learn how to present yourself, correct? But as what exactly? Well, from the way you interacted with us - a likable performer - and what better choice of a medium than one that required you to engage with people as relatable and enjoyable to be around?" Myla continued, speaking a script we had created just a few hours before, word for word, almost like a robot. Even with the scarily flawless execution, a human desire to aid them resounded in her tone. And judging by the contented Ohh Nash gave us - he understood the goal we had set for him.

"And Lily, we didn't forget about you, of course. Simply put, you wanted the ability to properly interact with people without your looks or fear of expectations, both those around you and your own, to become a hindrance. Well, guess what? Editing is what we call a faceless job. No one sees you or expects anything from you, but if you're good enough - they'll remember you."

"How so? From what I know, isn't the process just the compiling and processing videos?"

"In most cases, sure. But a good editor can insert themselves into the product just as much as the person in the video itself. Remember what Diana said earlier? You already have the fact that you're editing your partner's videos for them. You've given the audience a reason to be interested. Now it's just up to your personality and charms to keep them listening, not some surface-level expectations they formed just from seeing your face." I threw back with a poised grin, readily receiving her question with answer in hand.

"And while that's the case, the success of all of this still hinges on both of you. On how well you can play off each other's charisma and characters." My dear partner returned, beginning to reach the conclusion of our pitch.

"Yep, and even if you two are the main components of all of this, us, Diana, Caine, and probably even J.C. are all ready to help you. So, one more time, whaddya say?" Finally, after a filibuster's worth of advertising, I asked for the couple's approval with splayed limbs contrasting with my tag-team counterpart's composed arms. A vacuum appeared within the room, not allowing even a pin drop to surface in the void of stillness. My ears were so eager - ready to receive a response that no sound entered them, not even the short and shallow breaths I was taking reverberated in my skull. It wasn't until a sound of exhalation that came not from my expectant breathlessness but from the subdued man in front of me did the sound of waves and shifting fabrics of the couch he sat on reached me once again, together with a reply.

"Dude? Dudette? Like, everything you just said is crazy. Like, over the top is one thing - this feels like it came from under me and then jumped over the flagpost." Even with his seemingly unconvinced replies, my dear partner and I awaited with the same awaiting expressions - we held tightly onto our conviction. Bated breath remaining, Nash continued, gritting his teeth with a smile and looking up at us with glee.

"But goddamn if you don't drive one heck of a bargain! I still think it's a little much, but if you say it'll work, well..." He paused, turning to his better half, whose beguiling countenance shone with a contented look of joy, subdued and still - but radiating an aura that spoke of a thousand thankful words.

And it took a thousand words to earn. Talk about realizing an idiom. Now to work on genetically modified aerial swine, I guess.

The air finally left me in a half-laugh-half-exhale of relief, the weight of nervous anticipation whisked away by their smiles and the seaside breeze. I quickly glanced at Myla, who, while far less obviously delighted by their reaction - I could tell felt the same sense of repose as I observed her stiff posture loosen and her lips parting ever-so-slightly to allow a similar breath to exit her tightened chest.

"Then it's settled, Bridger? Myla? We accept your plan." Nash spoke with complete assurance in his tone, eyeing my partner and me with fire in his eyes which, like his hair, reflected an entrancing flame-orange. It's weird, I was so confident in the plan, going off on tangents about how we planned everything from top-to-bottom, but no matter how you slice it, this was a massive gamble. There were so many ways they could've misinterpreted us and our intentions, so many chances for their trust in us to falter just enough to cause them to shut us off. And if not for their faith in each other and general willingness to listen, I doubt any similar stunts would work. I guess it comes with the territory, and for that matter, any job, really. Luck dictates the winners in the game of life, be it career choice or love. But that's not to invalidate our actions here today, and definitely not those of the persistent couple in front of us - because, if anything, what was truly lucky was that we were given the chance to help them. The rest was all thanks to their own desire to change together.

And I don't think I nor luck have done anything to ruin that for them, so I'd say that answers my question. We don't steer the wheel - instead, just like a tiny push from Lady Luck, we make sure things run smooth where it looks like the road will be bumpy. Or something along those lines.

In the meantime, I was happy with the conclusion I'd come up with, and at the very least, it meant my head was in the game again after the past few days of carelessness. My senses returned as I opened my eyes after a moment of reverie in my subconscious. The soft orange glint re-entered my eyes along with the satisfied expressions of our clientele.

"Seriously, I know you guys like surprises, but like, damn. I still don't know what's more impressive, the idea itself or how you managed to make it sound convincing." Nash imparted more of his praises to us, standing up and wrapping his heavy arm around my shoulder.

Stop reminding me of my physical inferiority, please. I can't even get out of bed without back pains.

"In all honesty, I wouldn't have known how to respond. I couldn't decline it since you seemed so genuine in your delivery, but I had no idea how to go through with it if we accepted..." Lily similarly raised herself from her cushioned spot and had her elbow on her delicate hand -still a bit dazed even after adopting her role.

"Sorry for all that, but it would've been boring if we just told you without any buildup, right?" I replied, tapping the well-built fellow to release me from his self-worth-degrading grasp.

"It would've simplified the discussion - and reduced confusion is what you should be saying." My dear partner shot back, placing me into a different kind of suffocating hold right as I left one.

"Can it. Or better yet, save it for the trip back - since it is getting a bit late." I said, turning my attention to the sinking daylight over the horizon, only a glimpse of it remaining as our workday neared its conclusion.

"Woah, I didn't even notice it. You know what people say about why time flies." Nash spoke as the three of us looked out the clear windows into the pastel scenery, darker but nonetheless vibrant than it was just moments earlier.

"See? I found it fun too."

"Fun is subjective, and judging by the subject in question..." My dear partner quipped back before Lily wordlessly shuffled her way to the pine door and opened it to our withdrawal with a small smile, perhaps considerate of the fact this was our second stint having to do overtime for their sake. I looked at Myla and, with a shrug, I threw my head toward the direction of the exit. She promptly picked up the file folder from the table and walked to the breeze-blanketed patio of our couple's abode. I followed quickly behind and stood next to her before turning around to bid a final farewell.

"Welp, we'll keep in touch, and if you ever need anything, you got us and another three to look for, m'kay?"

"Gotcha. And, guys?" He paused - the cinders disappearing from his orbs and instead reflecting a glassy sheen of gratitude.

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

"Thank you." The siren continued his statement. And with that, we made our way down the familiar wooden steps, our feet touching the uneven terrain but feeling more light and comfortable than when we were on level footing. As the scenery once again provided us both a backdrop and soundtrack to our trek - I let out a long and hearty groan of simultaneous relief and exasperation as I tailed my nonplussed dance partner along the honey-hued waters of the shoreline. It seemed this well-deserved solidarity would remain until another set of fast and heavy footfalls began to resonate from behind us. It was Nash. Arriving from a full sprint to greet us, not looking at all winded from his jog.

"Hey there? You forgot somethin'?" I asked as he wiped the singular, perfectly shaped drop of sweat from his brow before answering.

Okay, okay, I get it. I'll go jogging on the weekends. You don't have to keep reminding me.

"No, no, nothing. I know you guys probably really want to go home. And - I mean, after everything today, you deserve it, but I really gotta ask." He faced us with a slightly flushed face looking more winded than when he was making his way to us.

"Ah, screw it. I gotta know, guys, what were ya'll and Lily talking about earlier?" The formidable fellow finally caved and let out his adorable little wish. I almost snorted, finding his urge humorous and endearing as my partner walked to my side. I turned to her with a chuckle, and she gave a signature sigh to my obvious amusement.

"As long as he told her an excuse to not make his intentions known."

"Aww, look at you! Looking out for him," I smirked as I found a second source of wholesome entertainment.

"Read the room, Blaithe. We make this short for both our sakes here."

"Alright, alright. I got it, ma'am."

"Well, I did tell her I just forgot something from the car, so..." And with an excuse and his heart in hand, we gave our client the verses of the siren.

"That's about where she left off. Happy?" I asked, quickly summarizing the retelling of Lily's first encounter with Nash.

"S-seriously? She said all that?"

"Yeah, pretty much. Why?" I asked as, along with the shades of the scenery, his face only deepened in color after I had finished the tale.

"It's just...Wow, I think I just fell in love again."

"Eh?"

"Hmm?" We were both puzzled by his reaction, but the young man quickly snapped out of it and shook himself.

"I rarely hear her talk about that with other people, and now I kinda feel bad that I cut her off at the best part." I remained in quiet intrigue, awaiting the continuation of verses only now given a voice.

"It was around this time too, getting late into the day and all, when we found ourselves at a cafe before we had to go home. I thought it was going great - she looked like she was having fun. And God knows I was having the time of my life, but when we were relaxing at the place, I remember her suddenly looking really worried. That was when I remember her looking me right in the eye and, with sincere concern and contentment, told me that she wanted me to find a different partner." I was taken aback by his last line. Seeing how attached Lily is to him and how he seemed to be the one making the decisions for the pair - hearing the meek lass say something so decisive seemed like an incredibly alien thought to me.

"Obviously, I was caught off guard. I mean, did I do something wrong? I mean, I don't think I said anything weird to her. It was the only time I felt like I genuinely double-checked every word and action I thought of before doing it, so I knew it couldn't have been that. Before I could ask anything, though - she just stood up and told me," He stared at the tumbling whitecaps dewy-eyed as he spoke.

"I don't think this would work out. You've been so kind and earnest, and all I've been is... I don't even know what I've been. I just know it's not me. All I've done is hide who I am in the hopes of you accepting me, but if I burden you with such a relationship, someone who deserves so much more than me, I wouldn't know what to do with myself. I apologize if I didn't meet your expectations. Farewell...Or somethin' like that." Nash ended his vivid recollection with a warm, almost joking smile. It seemed to make fun of how well he had remembered the story, almost sounding like a retelling verbatim. I doubt that he could've memorized every single word during the event, ignoring how intricate and extensive it was - it was more likely this was an event that both of them had looked back on over and over again.

"What happened after that?" I asked to which he seemed to react with abashed guilt.

"I hate to admit it, and it's sorta embarrassin', but I got frustrated. I wouldn't say mad - more annoyed since, like, yeah! Guess what? I'm not like this all the time either, but that's why I want to know you! Why I want you to know me! If anything, I want to be the one to be burdened, y'know? But after that, I lost all my confidence and quietly told her that if that's what she wanted. I'd respect her decision." He had a hand on his nape, reminded of a memory that held both regret and sentimentality as he gave us another smile.

"In the end, she became just as stunned as I was but decided to stick with me and try to explain herself. And we've been at it ever since."

"And you've done quite well for yourselves. Even with all of that on your backs, this is the first time you've requested assistance - if I recall correctly?" My dear partner spoke up, providing a nugget of information new to me. Our pair's relationship was littered with personal problems from the beginning, things they both had to face and overcome for each other. All the while maintaining their connection - or perhaps it was the act of facing those problems that were their connecting thread. They had done so much to improve themselves that I think our help not only wouldn't have degraded their achievements at all, and in fact, might've been deserved after all their work.

Guess I was giving us too much credit, huh?

And with that, after much trouble and turmoil, we parted ways with our peculiar pair. The sun was now nowhere in sight - cold blues and indigos only momentarily being hidden by the veil of harsh whites from the orderly appearance of streetlights lining the highway's roadside. Cold air filled the air around me and rushed into my weary lungs. I stared out into the empty black fields, contemplating over the days past when the white noise of air conditioning and the hum of the engine were interrupted by my dear partner.

"I doubt it's anything noteworthy, but you seem preoccupied with something."

"Aren't you just sweet?" I said teasingly, hiding my appreciation for her kindness.

"Is there anything that even has an ounce of importance that can come out of your mouth? Or does it all amount to an organ for gas exchange?"

"Your insults get weirder by the day, and for the record, plants do that too, and you don't see anyone complaining."

"Yes, but at least they're pleasing to look at."

"They're also pleasing to be with, making both of us losers." Our exchange of jabs led to a moment of consideration for me. While it was fun just trading blows with each other, I did see no harm in giving her an honest answer. Or at least as much as I was willing to share, given the distance that professionalism bound us.

"I was just thinking about how we had to repay Diana and Caine after this." I began with a separate question, testing the waters a bit.

"Ah, she already asked if we could visit her workplace tomorrow evening to chat."

"That convenience store at the mall, right? I don't see why not as long you're prepared to have your face on her socials again." I replied mainly to try and provoke her, but her subtle Hmm seemed to indicate she was interested in the idea.

She's actually pretty easy to read. Like an Eastern language with two hundred different dialects easy.

"...that and I guess I thought this wouldn't work out" I gave the basic gist of my worries, not really including how I thought that even if it did work, our actions could've just led to long-term ruin.

"I understand your past, but that shouldn't lead you to underestimate our clients or work," Myla replied quickly and plainly. Her eyes remained locked onto the lamplight-patterned asphalt as she gave a reply that reminded me of her loyalty to aiAI and their mission. I still didn't know the reason for her idealistic views and work ethic, but her statement rang true in this case - so I couldn't help but be impressed.

"For someone so cold, you're awfully optimistic about love, aren't ya?"

"I just put as much faith in our clients as I do in our ability to help them." She replied, and while I wanted to inquire further about her motivations, the day's toll had begun to take effect. And I found myself wanting to end the conversation there. I pulled on the car seat's lever to get a little bit of shut-eye before we arrived back at base, but it seemed there was just one last thing my dear partner had to inform me of.

"Oh, I forgot to mention,"

"Hmm?"

"Did you also receive a message from Keith?" Her question shot me back awake, causing me to pull out my phone immediately to reply to the introvert.

"Oh crap, you're right. I got one back when we were at the ball but forgot to tell you nor call him back, oops."

"It's fine. He messaged me and said he wanted to schedule a meeting with us in a week or so." I calmed down a bit, slowly placing my head back onto the headrest as she gave me the rundown of his calls. In all honesty, it was kind of cute to hear that. Getting a personal message isn't rare for us. But it was a pleasant surprise to receive one from him, especially since he struck me more as a call the company itself to get an appointment kind of guy.

"Ahh, isn't he just adorable? If he wanted to schedule something, he could call our office or even swing by and-"

"No, he messaged us personally for a reason." Before she continued, her gaze finally left the road for even an inch to look me in the eye.

"He said he wanted to meet us without Amanda Adler knowing."