The music around you is pounding, and it's getting a little hard to focus between the relentless EDM and the neon-drenched walls. You ask if Ember or Georgia have noticed anything else.

Now that I think of it…Ember and I saw Matthew slinking around town the other day.

Oh shit. I almost forgot about that.

He was our manager in the Liquid Steel days. Huge asshole, a complete and total scummy, skeevy scumbag. Only ever cared about the money. I don't put up with that shit, so I kept my interactions with him to a minimum, but he really did a number on Laura. She wasn't a walk in the park, but I couldn't entirely blame her for how she acted, with him at the wheel.

He pushed her way too far.

Total douchebag. I'd throw him off a bridge any day.

I'm just glad I didn't sign a contract like Laura did. Not to brag, but I'm doing pretty well for myself since I got away from Liquid Steel…Honestly, I'm sure Matthew was at least part of the reason Laura went off the deep end and got into that bad magic, too.

Your ears perk up at this, but Ember casually sips her bright pink cocktail and gives you a look that immediately deflates any hope of getting the juicy details.

…Don't get too excited. I don't really know much about what happened there. All I know is that she had magic, she got into some bad shit, and now she doesn't have magic anymore. Most people don't know about it at all.

A lot of people don't know a lot of things about Laura.

Georgia shrugs, and Ember swirls her glass for a moment, looking thoughtful. She sets it down on the glossy table in front of her and leans forward, her elegant fingers now steepled between her knees.

I know I give her shit, but I still care about her, of course. And she's done really good for herself in the past few years. I'm proud of her.

And I'm glad she's got that goofball Ken with her. That alone is enough to keep me from worrying too much, if the past is any indication of how much he cares.

Let me know how everything goes.

You nod and thank the two of them for their time, sliding a few nuyen onto the table to buy them both another drink. It's the least you can do. They both give you a respectful nod.

Thanks hun.

See ya.