[chapter_19]

Masen is always amazed at how much she eats.

It doesn't seem possible that she can put away twice as much as him and still be looking to snack on something an hour later, but that's how it is. Bella's metabolism must be a medical marvel. Her healthy appetite is thankfully matched by a healthy body, which is all he really cares about. He'd first thought she was slender, a slyphlike frame that could blow away when he wasn't looking, but much to his delight, she has luscious, soft curves that fit against him snugly. He's glad to be proven wrong, even gladder that Bella is not shy about eating around him anymore.

He finds a measure of satisfaction, of joy and pride, in seeing her eat so heartily. He doesn't say as much, of course, but he does make a point to remember her favorite foods and have snacks on-hand, both at home and the office. Apparently, he isn't the only one to have cultivated this habit specifically for the care of Bella, something he had been both pleased and perturbed to learn.

"I'm like a Hobbit," she'd joked the other day. "I need second breakfast and elvensies, so I just can't function. Leah always makes fun of me, but Alice -"

Masen had waited patiently for her to continue, chewing on a cheeseburger smashed between two waffles that was shockingly tasty. And she had, after a moment, drawing a breath and explaining that Alice always kept snacks in her bag for Bella, which is apparently one of a hundred other little habits Alice had that Bella missed.

He knows the resolution is halted, stuttered and smoking like an overworked engine. He knows Bella reaches out and that Alice does not reach back. He resents how much these facts hurt Bella, but he's also conversely gratified to learn the depth and scope of her feelings. For all that Bella might be more open than he is, she does have a habit of plastering on a pleasing smile instead of saying what she truly feels.

He likes to think she tells him what's really on her mind, but he can't always be sure. Bella would rather smile than cry, and given half a chance, that's exactly what she'll do, backed with mild manners and a general kindness to the world that is not, Masen knows, always kind back.

Masen wants to protect her from this conflict. Of course he does. But he can't and he shouldn't. Bella is strong enough to fight her own battles and she has her own methods, something he learned after being chastised about the way he handled Hive. He won't interfere, but he will support in any way she needs.

And right now, that means spending every spare moment he has trying to fill the gap that has been left by her friend. Food, one of Bella's favorite things and her primary coping mechanism, is just one way he replaces this vacuum. Which is why he's once again over at Esme's apartment for a mid-week homestay date, bringing with him two bags full of all kinds of wings. He basks in the way Bella's eyes light up as they unload the food onto the coffee table, taking in the dry wings, hot wings, honey wings, BBQ wings, ginger wings, garlic wings, and any other wing that was on the menu.

"This is too much food," Bella says with wonder.

"Maybe," he says. But he knows it's probably just enough. Even with seasoned fries and onion rings, two sample platters are the perfect amount to feed Bella now and give her leftovers whenever the mood strikes.

"We need drinks! Water okay?" she asks, bouncing up from the table.

Masen watches the sway of her hips until she rounds the corner. "Extra glasses," he says, shrugging off his denim jacket and folding it over the arm of the couch before settling in what is now his customary seat at the coffee table.

"Way ahead of you," Bella proclaims, coming back with a quart-sized Brita filter and two glasses. She nestles the glasses between the platters, pouring them each a generous amount of water, and then fetches the remote, which she hands to him before she sits down. "Your turn to pick."

"The Umbrella Academy," he says promptly. "Haven't seen the second season yet."

Bella gives him a sunny smile. "Me either. What a coincidence."

It isn't that much of a coincidence, although he isn't going to correct her on the assumption. He really hasn't seen the second season and he's been meaning to. But the only reason he picked The Umbrella Academy today is because he overheard a conversation between the Graphics department about the newest season, most importantly about how Bella hadn't had the time to binge. She playfully complained about avoiding spoilers online.

It's such a small problem that Masen can easily remedy - so why wouldn't he snag the first opportunity to do exactly that?

Bella becomes entranced with the show very quickly, her eyes never straying from the television screen as she reaches for wing after wing. She actually stops eating, one hot wing mid-way to her mouth, when the scene shifts into something building toward a climax - and when it hits, in a jump-scare of action that blazes across the TV as the characters are chased by assassins, the wing goes flying from her hand and lands right on his shirt. Masen flinches at the sudden contact and subsequently drops a piping-hot onion ring right on his collar. He hisses as the heat seeps into his skin, momentarily uncomfortable as both the wing and the onion ring fall onto the floor.

"Oh, no!" Bella cries immediately, abandoning her plate as she twists around, rolling onto her knees and bracing her hands against his chest, ducking down to peer at the grease-stained at the collar of his shirt. "Masen, I'm so sorry! Are you burned? Does it hurt? Here, let me see -"

Bella gasps, finally noticing that her hands are smeared with sauce and that his shirt now bears the imprints of her fingers all across the top of his chest. She raises her eyes to his, sheepish, a blush tinging the top of her cheekbones.

"You're not burned, are you?"

Masen shakes his head, lips twitching at the meek embarrassment in her tone.

"Your shirt, though…"

Masen straightens up, prompting Bella to lean away. He wipes his hands off, then reaches behind his neck to pull his shirt off, a feeling of smug pride running through his veins when she drops her eyes to follow the lines of his torso. With another gasp and perhaps the brightest blush he has seen on her yet, Bella averts her eyes, even going so far as to turn her body away slightly.

She reaches her hand back, not looking, and says, "Give me your shirt. I'll, um, go find another for you. And soak this one."

Masen wordlessly passes his shirt over, but he doesn't miss the opportunity to graze the length of her palm with his fingers as he pulls away. He's gratified to see the tiny shiver she gives in response.

As soon as she has the shirt, Bella pops up from the floor and flees the living room. Masen can't help but quietly laugh at her hasty retreat, even as he rewinds and pauses Netflix, cleans the grease off his collarbone, and neatens up the coffee table. He hadn't intended on losing his shirt in front of her so quickly, but the fact that he did and her bashful reaction makes him endlessly fond. He's even more endeared by her first instinct, which was to make sure that he wasn't burned, regardless of how implausible that might have been from an onion ring, of all things.

Masen is still smiling, a smile that hinges on a smirk more than anything, when Bella comes back. She takes one look at him, rightly assesses his entertained attitude, and tosses a wad of grey fabric at him. He unfolds the shirt to see the cardinal red stamp of the Stanford logo, but the size is far too large for Bella and it's been washed enough times to be soft and faded.

"Carlisle."

"He's here twice as much as you are," Bella says matter-of-factly, still not quite looking at him, or at least not looking at him directly. "He slept over last night."

Did he, now?

Masen obediently puts on the shirt, much to Bella's obvious relief, and waits for her to settle down next to him, their knees pressing together as a single innocent point of incredibly potent contact, before he starts the episode again.

His mind can't help but wonder, though, fixated on this idea that his brother is over more than Masen, when Masen knows full well he spends two or three evenings with Bella a week. Esme must be in town more than she anticipated, although why Carlisle and Esme don't stay at his place is beyond Masen.

Eyes narrowed in thought, he muses what he should do about this, if anything. Bella doesn't seem bothered by it, and it's not as if Masen doesn't want two of the most important people in his life getting along.

And yet, he feels unsettled somehow. Belatedly, he realizes it's because he's - covetous would be the closest word - of Bella's time. He wants to be near her constantly, like an itch under his skin that is soothed only by her presence. He can manage and prioritize, but lately it feels like the tension wired into his spine can only go lax when she is near.

His heart lurches as another realization dawns.

Masen side-eyes his Swansong, who is once again riveted and reacting to the show with animated expressions, and his only thought is, Undoubtedly, I am.


Masen
How often are you there?

Carlisle
Where is there?
I am many places regularly

Masen
You know

Carlisle
At the hospital?

Masen
No

Carlisle
At the headquarter offices?

Masen
No

Carlisle
At home?

Masen
You never were good at guessing games

Carlisle
You wound me, little brother
I'm afraid I have no idea what you're
talking about

Masen
Is that so?
Then why am I wearing your shirt?
Bella tells me that you have a drawer

Carlisle
I see what this is about
You're jealous I have a drawer
and you don't

Masen
I am not jealous

Carlisle
Not of my having a drawer at least

Masen
Not jealous

Carlisle
Okay

Masen
Stop going over so much

Carlisle
I KNEW it!You are jealous
Wow
I never thought I would see the day

Masen
Look
You have your own apartment

Carlisle
Esme's place is closer to the hospital
And I like being there
It's clean, fully stocked, and twice as
quiet as my place
Plus she has such a sweet roommate
Her roommates boyfriend, on the other hand…

Masen
...

Carlisle
You're not afraid I'm going to steal
your girl are you?

Masen
Of course not
Bella has better taste than that

Carlisle
Ouch!
It's a good thing I'm a doctor
I know how to treat burns

Masen
Why do I bother

Carlisle
Don't be like that, brother mine!
Masen!
Come on!
Let's talk!

Masen
(Read at 8:56pm)


Masen has taken the time to carefully reflect and he is confident in his conclusion: objectively, Bella is talented and beautiful, with an affable, pleasant personality and a humble manner that allows her to get along with most people. It comes as no shock to him to learn that she has quickly become something of a mascot for the company. He has observed, between conference calls and long hours hunched over his keyboard streamlining code, that she has managed to make herself indispensable to nearly everyone at Midnight Sun. From IT work and minor repairs, to being Alistair's literal right hand to pragmatic ideas that make the day-to-day work run more efficiently, Bella Swan is always puttering around the office floor. And while some of the employees were leery of a girl breaking up the bro-tastic nerd alliance that happened between break times, then she has already won them over with her breadth of knowledge and enthusiasm.

Simply put, Bella fits.

All that said, Masen is not remotely surprised when, on one round through the office early in the day, he happens across Alistair and Liam arguing over Bella. Literally. They are arguing over her head, and although neither are particularly tall, Bella looks small standing between them, her eyes darting back and forth as she keeps up with their rapid-fire bickering. In her hands is a tablet, one of the ones that each department has for the sake of convenience. Occasionally, either Alistair or Liam will point at the tablet, prompting Bella's brows to rise a fraction higher.

"You can't have her! I need her -"

"No, you're hogging her-"

"-until this bloody thing comes off! And I am not hogging her!"

"You are! You are and I've had enough! I need help-"

"She helps you enough!"

"-with the rendering of the-"

"Oh, I see her doing plenty, you twitchy git!"

"-and there's no way I can get it completed without-"

"And you think I can get anything done by myself?"

"Don't be selfish, Alistair!"

"I'm not being selfish! You're being selfish! Don't you think it's important for the -"

"Ha! Are you saying the animation isn't as importa-"

"That's not what I said!"

"Sounded like it!"

"It bloody well did not!"

"It did so, you silver spoon asshole-"

Masen comes to a stop, clears his throat with a pointed look. His gaze drifts around patiently, lingering on Bella when she greets him with a gentle smile tinged with frazzled stress. "Explain," he orders shortly, pinning Alistair and Liam with a flinty stare.

While Liam shrinks back, still not quite accustomed to Masen's mannerisms, Alistair meets him head-on. "This absolute walnut is insisting on taking Bella on as a permanent assistant to help him create the animated rendering, which I object to because he has Charles-"

"Charles has his own shit to do," Liam mutters.

"-and I clearly need Bella to help me finish the static base graphics because my arm is not operational. And because Bella's talents are obviously needed more in my area."

Masen makes a note of inquiry.

Alistair reaches for the tablet, taking it from Bella and giving it to Masen. With a brisk manner, Alistair unlocks the tablet and shows Masen the screen, which is a design of a cluster of smaller stone figures than the rest of the Menagerie characters. To Masen's eye, this illustration has a different flair than Alistair's usual style and he easily deduces that this must have been created by Bella independent of any instruction.

It's very good. Very good. They're good enough that Masen suggests they be used somewhere in the game, perhaps in the inventory window. When he says as much, he is internally delighted to see Bella duck her head to try to hide the blush blooming on her cheeks. However, on the outside, it seems like he has a problem to solve. The solution, for him, is simple.

"Are the principle designs finished?" he asks.

Alistair nods. "All the mains are complete. Charles is following behind to create the background. We start working on the effects with Programming in two weeks."

"And are the motion paths on schedule?"

"Barely," Liam grudgingly admits.

Masen passes the tablet back to Bella. "Are you comfortable switching between two tasks?" At Bella's nod, Masen finishes settling the dispute. "Bella will alternate exclusive projects each day. Today, Alistair needs help finishing the core designs. Tomorrow will be Liam's turn. Fair enough?"

There are nods all around. As much as Masen would like to loiter to watch Bella work - she is so diligent when she does, her head bowed, brow furrowed, lip snug between her teeth as she concentrates - Masen knows that he has other business to attend to.

Mainly he is haggling with new investors, who are so impressed with Pagan Immortals and who are excited to learn that production for Menagerie is underway. Masen has been gratified to attract the attention of investors who have been part of the gaming industry for decades and who have connections he plans to exploit - in particular, he has been hinting about the rumors surrounding Volturi at the moment and today he will find that his efforts have paid off. When an investor mentions that Volturi is head-hunting for fresh developers for the follow up to Dawn of Warcraft, Masen knows that he's on the right track. The investor promises to put in a good word for Midnight Sun at Volturi, which is the kind of personal connection that can mean the difference between being looked over or not.

A few days later, he receives a message in his inbox that leaves the taste of victory lingering in his mouth.

Midnight Sun has been selected for an in-person interview with the Creative Director of Volturi's game design department, along with one other candidate. Midnight Sun is to send representatives prepared with a pitch in San Francisco at the end of the week.

At this news, Masen calls a halt to all in-progress work and rounds the employees into the conference room. It's still morning, so many of them are still bleary-eyed, including Bella, who while still neatly perched in a chair is also on the cusp of falling asleep sitting up. Seeing this, Masen keeps his explanation short - and of course, when he announces that Volturi is planning to develop the Dawn of Warcraft sequel with outside game developers, he sees the room collectively perk up.

"We are one of two," Masen says seriously. "If we want this contract, then we need to be sure that the idea we pitch is unique and backed by innovative advances in gameplay. So, we're here to brainstorm. All ideas are welcome. Does anyone have any suggestions?"

A dozen hands pop into the air and Masen smiles with satisfaction.


Turing Is Our Hero

Squidward
I'm excited

Em Likes Pi
Have you told that to your face?
Because I don't think your face knows

Squidward
(eye roll emoji)

Peter Panda
Can we not roast Al for like 3 secs today
Let's just be jazzed that we're in the top 2
I didn't even know there was a list and we're
one of two right at the top

Em Likes Pi
Duuuuuuuude
Who do you think we're up against?

Squidward
Industry giant?

Em Likes Pi
Idk
If they're looking at us then maybe
they're looking at other start ups too

Squidward
Possible
Masen didn't seem to know

Mad Hatter
I don't

Peter Panda
Oh hohohohoho
Look who decided to join us

Mad Hatter
Bella went home

Em Likes Pi
So damn whipped
Like whip cream whipped

Mad Hatter
Did you not want to go to SanFran?

Em Likes Pi
What

Mad Hatter
Keep it up
Go ahead

Peter Panda
Alright!
Well!
Now that Masen is through with his
threats which have 100% follow-through
Let's talk about the other thing

Squidward
The Volturi rumors about this game?
Apparently they've been searching for months

Em Likes Pi
Man
Months of searching and they decided on us
So fucking cool

Peter Panda
Yeah yeah
It's cool and everything
But I'm talking about the other other thing

Em Likes Pi
Oh right

Peter Panda
Oh rite! Yes!
This has been bothering me!
Especially after watching Al and Liam
fight over Bella like a new toy the other day
Something has to give

Squidward
I did not

Em Likes Pi
Okay
And we didn't land on the moon

Squidward
Am I supposed to believe you Americans
actually accomplished that?

Em Likes Pi
Wtf of course we did
Armstrong's ass was on that moon

Squidward
Or on a very convincing sound stage

Em Likes Pi
You know I'm getting real sick of these
fucking conspiracy theories Al

Squidward
It's not like I said the earth is flat you fuckwit
I just have some skepticism

Peter Panda
You both suck
If we don't hurry we're going to lose Masen's
attention and then where will we be

Mad Hatter
I'm here
(Link Attachment to article debunking moon landing myth)

Squidward
Oh fuck off
Go snog your girlfriend

Mad Hatter
She went home

Squidward
(whip emoji)

Peter Panda
aNYwAyayyyy
Can we just get to the point
Okay great
Look
It's nice that Bella swans around all day
But I'm concerned
She needs a desk

Em Likes Pi
For once I agree with Pete
Lady needs a desk for all her lady things

Squidward
What kind of lady things do you think
she would put at a desk?

Em Likes Pi
Idk
Cute pens and sticky notes?
Her agenda to topple the patriarchy?

Peter Panda
Whatever she puts on it she needs one
It can't be comfortable having no one place
to be or whatever
She's just scrunched in beside whoever she's
helping atm

Mad Hatter
I see
A desk can be arranged

Em Likes Pi
Hold up there buddy
The desk needs to be in a centralized
location

Peter Panda
As in
Not in your office

Squidward
I second the motion
She needs to remain accessible

Mad Hatter
I will find a desk

Peter Panda
And put it in a central location?
Like maybe between graphics and the kitchen

Em Likes Pi
Or engineering
I could also use a hand occasionally
you intern hogs

Peter Panda
Fucking excuse me
I haven't used the intern once

Squidward
Well

Em Likes Pi
The printer would beg to differ

Peter Panda
Does that count?
Okay
I haven't used the intern for my ACTUAL work
Right Mase?
Masen
Mad Hatter?

Mad Hatter
(Read at 6:11pm)

Peter Panda
Unfuckingbelivable

Em Likes Pi
Oh leave him alone
He's either fapping or buying a desk

Squidward
Can you not use the word fapping

Em Likes Pi
What should I use then?

Squidward
How about you just don't

Peter Panda
That desk better be a work of art
That's all I'm saying


Masen wakes up an hour earlier on Friday morning. He takes care to double-shave, styles his hair to be pushed up off his shoulders, and steams a steel-grey dress shirt with charcoal color-blocking until the collar lays against his neck crisp and sharp. After strapping on a watch given to him by Thomas Cullen on his 18th birthday, a watch previously worn by his biological father, and straightening the cuff of his straight-legged dark wash jeans over suede sneakers, he carefully checks over the presentation Midnight Sun has been working on around the clock. Everything was dropped, all projects postponed until their presentation was completed. He doesn't think any of them have slept more than ten hours since Tuesday, but it's worth it.

Saved onto his hard drive, his external drive, and his cloud drive is the presentation Midnight Sun will give to Volturi in the hopes of securing that exclusive, career-making project. Masen had been adamant than any ideas they planned to pitch also be backed up by short demos to illustrate that their ideas, while lofty, are also possible. Even though it had been more work - a significantly larger amount of work, actually - everyone had stepped up to the plate once he explained his reasoning.

It is absolutely imperative that Midnight Sun is involved in this project. If done correctly, not only will this project launch Midnight Sun into the stratosphere, it will also create the kind of reputation that makes brands coveted and vied for by the big-time investors that run in the industry giant circles.

This pitch has to be flawless and extraordinary and full of innovative ideas. He's confident that this pitch is impressive, creative, and ambitious - he's certain these are the ideas that Volturi is looking for. And it is, in no small part, thanks to Alistair.

Or rather, Bella by way of Alistair.

During the brainstorming session, Alistair had mentioned that Swanning - Bella - had said something interesting during her last Twitch stream. She'd pointed out that the Dread Cave quest seemed to be an exploration at the edge of the map, where sea and air gameplay could be made possible. Alistair had insisted, much to Bella's red-cheeked embarrassment, that Swanning was right, that rumors about Volturi trying to expand the DOW map had been going around for years and that, right now, Midnight Sun was in the unique position of being able to do that. Because, as Alistair had reminded everyone, didn't Pagan Immortals have levels on the sea and in the air? Didn't Midnight Sun already have algorithms set in place that could be expanded and exaggerated and streamlined?

Alistair was right, and so was Bella.

Midnight Sun has created a pitch that realizes all of Volturi's dreams, with finesse and sophistication and advanced elements in the intelligence of the non-player characters, the life simulation options, and complicated, multi-tier quests. The cinch, he thinks, is the level of innovation that will be embedded in the software programming and engineering. Masen and Midnight Sun have plans to turn the industry on its head with faster technology that takes up less bandwidth without sacrificing any elements of gameplay.

All they need is the green light from Volturi.

Shouldering his computer bag, Masen goes downstairs and knocks on the three apartments below his. Peter immediately pops out of his room, limbs quivering with nervous energy, and while Emmett takes a few more minutes, he is also ready, a pinch at his lips belying his nerves. Alistair requires a secondary knock and Peter playfully threatening to drag Alistair out of bed, but he emerges within minutes as well, still patting down his hair and grumbling at Peter.

On the office floor, a few early-risers have already stumbled in, including Charles, who greets the four of them with a salute. "General. Captains."

Beside him, Liam rolls his eyes.

"What are we doing today?" Charles asks, rubbing his hands together.

"Boss-man?" Peter prompts.

"Return to normal projects. Deadlines are extended by three days," Masen says tonelessly. Bella, he notes, isn't in yet. Disappointing, because he would have liked to see her, but also not unexpected given the early hour. "We'll be back by three."

Ideally, they will be back with good news. He doesn't expect anything less.

"Good luck on the thing, I guess," Liam says, slinking to his seat without another word.

"See you later, General!" Charles calls behind them. "And Captains!"

"Captain Peter," Peter muses as they leave the office and unlock the new company car, which is neither silver nor a Volvo. "Has a nice ring to it, like, Captain Peter calls shotgun."

Emmett snorts. "What, are you twelve? Shotgun?"

Alistair ignores them both. "I'm sleeping in the backseat," he says, climbing in and arranging himself and his cast to do exactly that. He seems to drop off immediately, even though the jostling as Emmett and Peter bicker and buckle up.

Masen, in the driver seat, starts the car and spends the entire drive up to San Francisco outlining the points of their presentation. He wouldn't call it rehearsal, so much as making sure that every portion of their pitch is spot-on. Following the guidance of the GPS on his phone, they arrive at the Volturi offices an hour before the official start time of their meeting. Good. Being early is a sign of respect. It also gives them time to straighten themselves out before the drive and, in Peter's case, find the restroom.

The Volturi office building is grand, a reconstructed piece of architecture from the last century that, to the average passerby, seems like just a simple, but beautiful, old building. Inside is a feast of cutting-edge technology and clean, future-thinking lines, every portion of the offices constructed to be efficient and to use space creatively. Much of the interior is done in black walnut wood, with white and burgundy accents that match the proud Volturi logo, which finds a home on pens, frosted windows, elevator buttons, and the decorative stitching on the furniture in the lobby. After registering and passing security clearance, their group is directed to sit in a private lobby on one of the upper floors that holds two large conference rooms, which have windows secured by private black-out curtains.

With low murmurs and serious demeanors, Masen discusses the strategy he plans to employ to secure negotiations. He is met with blank stares that remind him that his friends, unlike himself, did not grow up at the knee of a ruthless businessman. Masen knows he needs to take the reigns on this one because impressing Volturi is the top priority. He's certain that they each know their portion of the presentation well, but he also knows that the majority of the pressure falls on his shoulders.

This pressure is magnified when the first company tapped for development emerge from the conference room and Masen is greeted with the sight of Eleazar Denali shaking hands with Marcus Volturi, Volturi's head-most Creative Director. Denali turns and delivers his most shark-like smile, which Masen returns with a perfectly polite smile of his own. He rises and greets Denali placidly, proving under the eyes of Marcus Volturi that, although much younger, Masen also possesses business manners.

"Masen Cullen, my boy! What a pleasant surprise to see you here!" Denali says, squeezing Masen's hand.

Masen withholds rolling his eyes at the tiresome display of male superiority and meets Denali's pressure with his own. "Likewise," he returns, dropping his hand.

Denali's gaze sharpens. He speaks with a patronizing tone. "Your enterprising team of young men are the promise of this industry's future. You must be impressive and make an impression to get this far. How remarkable that Volturi has extended this opportunity to you!"

Masen's pleasant smile doesn't crack. He does, however, note the increased interest coming from Marcus Volturi, who watches this scene from the door of the conference room. "As you said, we are enterprising," Masen replies. "We know a good deal when we see one."

Denali fairly twitches at the dig, because he knows just as well as Masen that the deal Denali Corps tried to give Midnight Sun wasn't a good or fair at all. It was practically highway robbery. Masen had been wily enough to see though it, and through Denali, who is flaring his nostrils in irritation even as his smile remains fixed.

"Uh, Boss?" Peter tries from his elbow. "Our appointment is about to start, I think."

"Mm. Until next time, Mr. Denali."

"Mr. Cullen," Denali returns frostily.

Paying no more mind to insignificant people, Masen leads his team through greetings with Marcus Volturi, who had made a name for himself as the helm as Volturi's most exciting and artistically pleasing games in the last decade, Dawn of Warcraft included. Marcus is a tall, sallow-looking man, quiet and mild in manners, with a long face and patient eyes.

"Mr. Cullen of Midnight Sun," Marcus greets with genuine respect, waving them into the conference room and signaling for an assistant to close the door as they settle around an oval-shaped, black-lacquered table. "I've heard many good things about your startup. Many good things. Midnight Sun is making a name for itself as a company to watch out for. I can't tell you how interested Volturi is with working with such an enthusiastic team."

"We've long been admirers of Volturi's unique games, particularly the golden standard you established for leading graphics and design," Masen says, gesturing to the others. "I and my teammates, Emmett, Alistair, and Peter, have been huge fans of Dawn of Warcraft since it first launched. To say we are thrilled to be here is an understatement."

Marcus looks interested. "You all have played the game?"

"We still play the game," Emmett corrects lightly. "Uh, Emmett McCarty. Sir."

"No need for formalities," Marcus says, waving him away. He is smiling now. "You're the first group we've talked to that claim to have played the game. I expect that your presentation will be…nuanced because of this."

"It is," Masen confirms. He passes Peter his laptop bag and Peter swiftly unpacks it, setting the computer between himself and Alistair so they can pull up the presentation. An assistant helpfully shows them the plug that connects to the projector screen. "Most of the employees in my company are current players on the NorCal server, many of them on the ranking lists. We understand the game and we believe we understand the vision Volturi is looking to capture with the sequel."

Marcus steeples his fingers. "Tell me more," he says.

Masen stands, and so do Emmett and Peter. Alistair remains seated, as it is his job to cycle through the presentation and pull up the demos.

"Let us show you instead," Masen tells Marcus, and then with all the confidence he has cultivated over a lifetime, he smoothly and steadily explains the Midnight Sun vision for the Dawn of Warcraft sequel.

Dusk of Warcraft is what they plan to call it, a grand creation that will triple the size of the current game map and introduce new avenues of gameplay that are have not yet been fully fleshed out in any other MMORPG.

"We plan to combine multiple genres to appeal to the widest customer base possible," Masen says.

"Action, adventure, life simulation, and strategy genres are our top four genres," Peter lists out with thinly-muted excitement. "But we also plan to diversify quests and uses these genres to make quests more exciting. Mystery quests, which would require skills built from action adventures, relationships built with NPCs from life situation, and choose-your-own strategy to make each quest unique for each player."

"We also plan to expand the environment to the sea and the air, as well as create life-like weather and day-night patterns," Emmett adds.

Marcus raises his eyebrows. "Those features eat away at the CPU. Computers won't be able to keep up."

"We believe we can create an optimization algorithm for the graphics chip that will cut the data and memory usage by as much as half of what is currently used in DOW," Masen says smoothly.

"That's quite a promise," Marcus comments.

Masen offers a genial smile. "We can deliver," he says with absolute conviction.

"Perhaps," Marcus says. "What of the graphic design? Do you have plans for that, as well?"

"Greater customization of the character, from the facial configuration to the color and texture of clothing, is also part of our plans," Alistair speaks up, clicking over to another portion of the presentation. "Part of the reason simulation games are popular is because they give players the ability to customize every aspect of the character. In Dusk of Warcraft, we plan to expand the current avatar controls, create new aspects for races and classes, and create the ability to have half-races, which will open new opportunities for customized moral-alignment quests."

Marcus listens to the rest of the presentation, occasionally peppering questions throughout that the team is happy to answer. Masen is unable to discern any judgment from Marcus' expression. Aside from being intrigued by the plans Midnight Sun has outlined, he does not seem to have any hard-set emotions by the time they reach the end. Instead, he says, "You've given me a lot to think about. My office will be in contact with you with an answer no later than Monday."

And with that, it's over. Masen and the others trail out of the Volturi offices, exhausted and exhilarated by turns. They stop by the nearest fast-food chain for lunch and then drive home. The entire time, Alistair and Emmett waffle between feeling that they had impressed Marcus Volturi and feeling that their ambitions had been too lofty; Peter, on the other hand, is optimistic, especially when he points out that their actual competition is Denali Corps and, by his words, there's no way those rat-faced bastards came up with anything half as cool.

Masen thinks that Peter is probably right. Creativity is not a strong suit of Denali. However, creativity is not necessarily good in business, either. Volturi might feel that they are safer with Denali than taking a gamble with Midnight Sun because while Midnight Sun certainly has ideas that will flood gamers with reasons to buy DOW2, there is also the possibility that Midnight Sun might not be able to live up to the goals they set. This is, of course, the exact reason why Masen had insisted on five-second demos of each of their more ambitious ideas, simply to prove that their pitch can be completed.

It's just that, as of right now, he isn't sure that they've done enough. He imagines, as always, what Grandfather Cullen might do in a situation such as this one, and he knows that Grandfather Cullen would opt for the safer bet, the one that guarantees at least some profit.

Masen hopes, perhaps foolishly, that the heads of Volturi will think differently. Surely they will realize that if they want to secure a new base and sway current Dawn of Warcraft players to the sequel game, that there will have to be something new to keep attention? This is what Masen is banking on - the absolute certainty that serious gamers want serious challenges and an immersive, real-life experience during gameplay.

Will Volturi realize that betting on the less-safe option has the greater ability to turn a profit? He doesn't know. It's just as likely as it is unlikely. Volturi, he knows, has always been an unpredictable business for that reason.

By the time they return to their building, the afternoon is setting in with a mild heat and Masen's legs are aching for a stretch. He parks the car and tells the others to go off without him. Masen takes a few moments to himself, breathing deeply as he leans back against the car door, hands in his pockets and neck bent back, eyes closed to the red stain of sunlight on the inside of his lids.

They've done all they could. While it would be a dream fulfilled to work with Volturi on this game, he knows that if Volturi passes then it only means Midnight Sun can develop their own game, a rival to DOW and whatever sequel Denali come up with. It would be just a matter of time and drumming up new investors from their mobile game reputation. They're halfway there already, he thinks, with the amount of money and returns on investment that is constantly passing through the Midnight Sun account.

If we don't get this contract, then we simply make our own game our way.

Either way, it will be Midnight Sun that will be dragging the industry into the future - this much he has absolutely zero doubts about.

It's as he's reflecting on these thoughts that two familiar voices filter through his hearing from across the street. He stays where he is, content to listen as Bella and his brother, who has dropped by the office for some reason that is a mystery to Masen, chat.

"I really can't thank you enough," Carlisle is saying.

"Really, it's nothing," Bella insists. "Honestly, you did me a favor! We're even now."

"I'd hardly think a few pointers on what, uh, viscera splatter would look like measures up to locating the spare key to my apartment."

Ah. Carlisle locked himself out again and must have come searching for Masen, who keeps a copy of Carlisle's key by habit just for situations such as this. Carlisle loses his keys often, usually because he's too tired to remember where he put them. They always turn up, just not when he needs them.

"We're even," Bella says firmly. "I found your key, and you found the right angle for the splatter. They're equally important."

"I suppose I have to believe you." Carlisle sighs, which shifts into a yawn. "Alright. I have to go and get some sleep before my shift starts."

"I'll remind Esme that you're a on a double," Bella offers helpfully.

"Thank you," Carlisle laughs. "I'd forgotten to tell her."

Bella giggles. "So now you really do owe me a favor!"

"I suppose I do!"

Masen feels a small, private smile turning his lips. He's gratified to know that Carlisle and Bella get along so well. It's satisfying to know, even, because they'll be in-laws someday if he has his way.

But that's another plan for another day. For now, he needs to set up an email alert for Marcus Volturi so he can know the results as soon as they are sent.


A/N: Update 4 of 5 this weekend! Just moving things along and setting up the next arc in the story. I wonder if everyone caught the important bits? If not, it all pieces together soon!

As always, be brutally honest. I can take it. Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay smart.

~Rae