Chapter 48: A Meeting with the Creators

Miki, in her role as Ectiqa’s manager, transforms into a terrifyingly efficient machine. The week following the announcement is a blur of phone calls, emails, and contract negotiations. She moves with the serene, unstoppable force of a glacier, ensuring every detail of the Nexus Games partnership is perfect.

"They want a preliminary design meeting at their headquarters on Friday," she announces to Rina and Hana during a planning session at the studio. "I have already confirmed our attendance. I also sent them our standard list of technical requirements and green room specifications. They tried to book us a standard room, but I insisted on the VIP suite. Your status demands it."

"You are so cool, Miki-chan," Hana says, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

"It is just business," Miki replies, pushing her glasses up her nose, but I know she secretly loves it.

On Friday, Team Ectiqa- Rina, Miki, and Hana- venture into the lion's den: the Nexus Games corporate headquarters in the heart of Tokyo. The building is a gleaming tower of glass and steel, a monument to digital dreams. The lobby is a museum of gaming history, with life-sized statues of famous characters and concept art adorning the walls.

They are escorted to a high-tech conference room on the 30th floor, with a panoramic view of the entire city. Waiting for them are the three key members of the 'Aethelgard Ascendant' character design team. There is the lead designer, a cool, stylish woman in her late thirties named Ms. Ayane. The senior designer, a quiet, scholarly man named Mr. Kenmochi, who seems to know the lore of the world down to the molecular level. And the junior designer, a young, nervous but incredibly passionate man named Haruto, who looks at Rina with the same star-struck awe as Kenji.

After the introductions, Ms. Ayane projects a massive, high-definition image of Seraphina, the Dawnlight Oracle, onto the wall screen. The artwork is breathtaking. Seraphina is a vision of grace and power, clad in flowing white and gold silks, with delicate, bird-like filigree on her armor.

"She is beautiful," Rina breathes, her artist's soul completely captivated.

"We want her to be more than just beautiful," Ms. Ayane explains. "She is the emotional core of the game. She is strong, but she is also burdened by her duty. She is a symbol of hope, but she carries a deep, personal sorrow."

For the next hour, they do not just talk about the costume. They talk about the character. Rina's questions are sharp and insightful, impressing the entire design team.

"The patterns on her silk," Rina asks, pointing to the screen. "They look like ancient script. What do they say?"

Mr. Kenmochi's eyes light up. "An excellent question! That is the ancient Aethean prayer for the fallen. She wears the memory of those who sacrificed themselves for her cause. It is a symbol of her burden."

"And the filigree on her armor," Rina continues, "it is shaped like the wings of a swallow. In folklore, swallows are a symbol of hope and the coming of spring. Is that intentional?"

The young junior designer, Haruto, nods vigorously. "Yes! That was my idea! I am so glad you noticed, Ectiqa-sama!"

The designers are blown away. They are used to working with models who only care about looking pretty. Rina wants to understand the character's soul. This is why she is the best.

As the meeting is wrapping up, Ms. Ayane smiles. "I cannot wait to see your interpretation of Seraphina. We are so incredibly excited about the dynamic you will have on stage with our Dusk Queen. The contrast between the light and the dark is going to be legendary."

Rina, Miki, and Hana all nod in agreement, their minds filled with images of the in-game character, Morwen. They have no reason to suspect that Nexus Games has hired another cosplayer for that role. They think they are the sole focus of the campaign. The dramatic irony is a ticking time bomb, and the fuse has just been lit.