Circ.u.mventing Fate

Author : Okay, let's resolve this like reasonable peop- beings.

Lei Xing : *scoffs* Just let him go, it's not like he can do much damage anyway.

????: Animals have rights! Animal abuse is illegal! 

Lei Xing : You're an insect ????

????: Insects are animals too!

Lei Xing : Whatever floats your boat ????

????: You will go to jail!

Lei Xing : Highly unlikely.

????: You - You will be fined!

Lei Xing : *Yawns* I think you have a better chance of being dissected.

????: W-Wh-What? 

????: A life-size talking ???? isn't something you see every day...I'm sure I can find some people who will pay good money for you ????...

????: ??????

Lei Xing : You want to be a Star, don't you? Want to stand on a pedastal for the world to admire, right?...How about a spot in a science exhibit at the musuem? You get your own stage and everything...or if you don't want that, we can always just have your brain featuring in a -

????: ????...

Author : That's enough *glares at LX* ????, While I'm sure all that sounds wonderful, I do believe we can come to some sort of agreement that is mutually beneficial, right?

????: ...but...

Author : Of course, you can go try to sue her for the accident...but you wouldn't get much, if anything...it was just an accident so just let it go.

????: ...S-She tried to kill me. *Points at LX, who is leisurely relaxing in her chair*

Lei Xing : *narrows her eyes at ????* It was an accident.

????: You tried to strangle me and then tried to smash me!

Lei Xing : You were in the way, I didn't notice you...sorry ????

Author :  There, she has apologized, problem solved!

????: No, it's not! I'm still going to sue!... I'll go to the media! Yes, expose you all for being abusive and discriminatory to your employees!

Author :????...Fine then, how about a payout?

????: That's negotiable ????

Author : How much?

????: How much do you have?

Author : ???? Lei Xing how much can you pay?

Lei Xing : *scoff* zero

????: ????

Author : Be serious!

Lei Xing : I am serious, I'm broke. 

Author : What about all that silver? 

Lei Xing : That's all in an investment account, can't be touched????. Why don't you pay?????

Author : Why should I?! ????

Lei Xing : *Shrugs* An accident isn't exactly a crime, especially not in this case and the media stuff sounds like your problem so...goodluck? ????????‍♀️ 

Author : ????

????: Well, then I guess we have no deal, you shall get my notice on the front page! ???? *turns to the door*

Author : Fine then, go ahead...Try, sue and fail...make headlines, that'll blow over quickly...and then what? What's next for you?

**???? freezes**

Author : ????...Go back home to the colony?...As a failure?...With dashed dreams?...Live your days foraging on a line?...Unfulfilled? Depressed? Have you forgotten how it was? *long understanding sigh*....You and I both know you have potential, but like anyone you need a stage to shine...I can give you that stage, I want to give you YOUR stage!

**???? turns and looks at Author**

????: My stage?

Author : Yes, YOUR stage! You will be a Star! You are a star, THE STAR!! ????

????: Star? ????

Author : Yes, stay and soar...or go and return to the assembly line...Your choice!

Lei Xing : Hey, how come I didn't get a choice?   **Author is currently conveniently temporarily deaf**

????: Soar????...

Author : *whispers in ????'s ear* To the sky and beyond...

????: *looks at Author earnestly* Really? ????

Author : Truly! I have it all set up for you...You're on way to the top!????