Tycho answered that one. “You are un-activated, correct?”
The man frowned. “I don’t understand what that has to do with it?”
“The activated sensory system is different. Now, for example, out of the first five rows, who is attracted to Zera? Be honest.”
The folks in the first few rows blushed and raised their hands.
“Next five rows.” The grins were easier, and hands went up. The rest of the auditorium raised their hands, male and female.
“So, whatever their activation is, they know that they can find comfort and solace in her arms. When Zera is with you, she is entirely yours, even if there are more than one of you. Everyone is equal, and everyone is welcome. But that is bought with trust. And her fees are extreme because the kind of security that the escorts need doesn’t come cheap. Just the masks alone run into the high six figures, and there is one custom made for each escort.”
Ryma hugged her and propped her head on Zera’s shoulder. “She calls us her little distractions.”
There was silence, and then, a woman with dark hair and darker eyes said, “How do you get ready for a date?”
“Um, it can rank from a shower and a change of clothing to a fairly thorough overhaul. It is all outlined on the initial date contract. Each encounter is a separate event, separate contract.”
“What kind of thorough?”
“Waxing, shaving, enemas, lipstick in places you would not normally apply lipstick.”
“Enemas?” The girl’s eyes widened. “Why would you need that?”
Zera looked at her and cocked her head. “Um, one of the prerequisites for this is that you enjoy sex already, with variety. As for why it would be needed... when it happens, you will know.”
Hron was laughing his ass off, and Astel was snickering. Ryma grinned. “Don’t look at me.”
Naima just had her hand over her eyes as her shoulders shook.
She was suddenly between Torun and Tycho. There was an audible gasp from the folk in the audience. She pressed her hand to Torun’s chest, and when he dipped his head, she leaned back, and the moment he slid one hand to her breast, she reared back and struck him across the jaw with her fist. The auditorium froze. She had just struck the most popular team member on the planet, and he had staggered back. His eyes were blazing as he straightened. “Pardon, Zera. I forgot where we were.”
She put her hand on his cheek. “I know.”
She stroked Tycho’s hand wrapped around her waist. He had not tried to stop her.
The same dark-haired woman raised her hand. “So, you struck him and nothing? You aren’t even getting a charge?”
“If it escaped your notice, I was being subjected to a mild assault. I also have more than a passing familiarity with the team member in question, and he was not going to stop once he made contact, and I was not going to stop him. So, it was best to stop it before it starts.” She flexed her fist. “On the plus side, citizens, he is really fucking solid.”
He lifted her hand to his lips. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine, but I have to work with these people who now not only know that I have sex for money but that I abuse my ex-boyfriend.”
His eyes were hurt. “When did I become your ex?”
“I thought it was when I slept with forty-six of your team members. That does not scream commitment to me.” She sighed. “And now we are discussing this in front of an auditorium.”
He wrapped her in his arms, and Tycho addressed those gathered. “And now we get into the crux of being on the teams. You cannot have a normal romantic relationship. Any woman or man you can be in a relationship with is now a target for criminals, can be used to blackmail or extort your cooperation, and there is no guarantee that as your activation increases, they will be able to withstand it. You can’t have sex with your teammates because it messes up the dynamic, and one of you is usually not really into the other. Your team is your family, and you don’t fuck family. It is lonely, miserable, and you see the best and worst of the people around you. If you develop a craving that isn’t socially acceptable, things get embarrassing, and yes, you will pay for folk like Zera to take you in their arms and tell you that to them, you are normal, desired, and cared for. It is intense after being alone for so long. Being on a team is rewarding, but being with a Blind Date is the best reward ever.”
She smiled and did not tell the audience that Tycho liked to book her on the red days of her cycle if he was in town. Patron preferences were their business. Whatever it took to make them feel normal was normal.
The discussion came to a conclusion, all of the speakers were applauded, and Zera was pelted with questions about Blind Date Corporation by some of the other presenters. Her throat was sore, and her shoulders were tense as she was cornered and asked about services and rates. She told them all the same thing—contact management.
When she had a moment to herself, Alya came up to her. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Um, there is a literal non-disclosure agreement. If Torun hadn’t blown that out of the water, it would have been a shorter lecture.”
Alya blushed. “I just sent my application into Blind Date. Has management thought of going international with it? That way, there would be less stress on the local escorts and stop teams from clumping up.”
“Um, talk to management if you get through the interviews. You are a business major, right?”
“Yes. When I talk to management, I will propose a plan.”
“I think they will insist on you taking on a few
