New Career Opportunities

Freedom was slightly foreign to Sayane. Though she had true basic freedoms in her previous life such as the ability to vote or open a bank account, her career path had meant that she was as much a product as a person. Every day was planned by her agency in some capacity. Every outfit was picked for her. Every song was written by someone else. Her purpose was simply to take all of that and synthesize it into one packaged person that could help sell the commodity of entertainment.

So when she asked to help in Azag’s tavern, she expected the request to be denied immediately. To her surprise, Azag accepted after a brief pause of confusion.

“You want to help here? Is that not beneath you?” he had asked.

It was a strange question for Sayane. There was nothing about his work, tavern, or environment that felt beneath her.

After reaching an agreement with Azag, Sayane decided it was best to tell Attis. The complexities of the revolution and whatever this ongoing conflict was seemed well beyond her scope of understanding at the moment, and she felt it necessary to keep him updated. His presence had been comforting for her in the weeks since arriving, and he was a gentle spirit. Though she could not understand what the subtle friction was between Attis and Azag, she trusted them both and wanted to do what was right by them.

When she told Attis of her intention to stay and work at the tavern, his eyes all blinked in separate breaks as they looked in different directions away from her.

“Songstress, I must say… Nevermind. It is not my place. You are your own person and autonomy is of utmost importance. If that is your wish, I shall support you. Perhaps I shall stay here as well while I reconnect with The Council.”

“The Council?” Sayane asked.

“The leaders of The Revolution. They are scattered across the underworld now, hiding to avoid the spies and surveyors of The Silence. I am one of them,” explained Attis.

“You’re on The Council? You never told me you were important!” Sayane smiled.

“Not that important. Just a messenger. But yes, I am on The Council.”

Beyond that, Attis never even sighed a hint of concern or disappointment in Sayane’s decision. Returning to the main tavern hall, Attis had approached Azag and quietly spoken with him for a moment. Azag’s masked face was impossible to read, but Sayane had noticed an ever-so-subtle tension in his hands as the small fuzzy creature spoke to him.

Regardless, from that day forward, Attis stayed in the tavern sanctum as well, sleeping in the small cupboard across the hall from Sayane. He and Azag were polite enough to one another, even eventually exchanging pleasantries, but Azag remained the stoic, aloof, mysterious being that drifted in the shadows. Indeed, it took a few days for Sayane to even manage to corner him and ask him outright how she could help.

Attis was with her when it occurred. To her surprise, Azag glanced down at Attis before answering.

“What?” Sayane asked.

“Songstress, if you are going to do this, I’d like you to be discreet. I won’t try to stop you, no matter what you choose, but please understand just how important you are. Even if you don’t fully know why yet, trust me that you are more precious than any jewel or sacred text,” said Attis.

“I would like you to stay in the background for now, if possible. I’ve asked Azag to give you work that at least will keep you out of prying eyes,” Attis elaborated.

It didn’t feel pressuring, or controlling, or restrictive. It felt cautious, and Sayane could tolerate that. In her heart, she wasn’t even sure she was ready to engage with the vast scope of unfamiliar species that constantly snuck through the darkened halls of the tavern.

“He is not wrong in his concerns,” admitted Azag from behind them.

“The Silence has many spies. And regular enforcers who will show up on occasion. An unfamiliar she-hume will catch their attention, especially if the whispers of a songstress begin to spread.”

“Am I really that important?” Sayane asked in sincere confusion and curiosity.

Suddenly, she felt guilty for not wanting to do anything beyond help in the tavern. Music and singing were still painful, distant memories for her. Her voice was gone for the time being.

“You are. But I will not expect you to hide away in a vault for the rest of your days. Nor does Attis,” said Azag.

“No, I do not,” agreed Attis.

Azag reached under the counter and retrieved three small bands that held circular dials with floating gears that softly clicked in their casings.

“As such, I’ve made these for the three of us. You included, Attis. These are alerts. Please wear them. If I ever buzz them, I want you to hide immediately. Attis, as a member of The Council, you will also be a target,” said Azag as he handed the two of them their own bands.

“Well thought, lad,” said Attis as he marveled at the contraption.

Sayane also took a moment to admire the creation. Her leg brace was not yet ready, so this was the first of Azag’s inventions for her to ever receive. It was light, simple, yet complex. He had taken the time to give them all different dials and band sizes that complimented their wrists. Once Sayane fastened hers, she helped Attis, who was struggling due to his lack of thumbs.

When Attis’s band was fastened, he held it up in approval for Azag, who nodded and pressed the dial on his. Sayane immediately felt the buzz shake her wrist with a soft alert.

“It works!” Sayane and Attis said in unison.

“Good,” was all Azag replied.

“Now, songstress, I can use your help handling inventory. I don’t need you to lift anything heavy, I just need help keeping track of stock, creating request orders, that sort of thing. If you see anything beyond that which you feel interested in, let me know. As long as it doesn’t involve you being out front, I will support you,” said Azag.

“As will I,” said Attis.

And with that, Sayane had her first new job since being an idol. For the first time in a long time, she was excited to work. The newfound excitement caused her to involuntarily close her eyes and clap her hands swiftly while letting out a tiny squeal of joy.

It was honest, excited joy, and as it rushed through her veins like adrenaline, Sayane paused to appreciate that this was the first truly positive feeling she had felt since arriving. Attis laughed a deep, growling laugh as his tail slapped on the chair. Azag simply turned away and returned to his work.

Thus, Sayane’s days as an idol were officially over. The resume of her soul was updated with a new profession. Barback.