Merchandising Opportunities

“My god…” Elle exclaimed softly, her shoulders sinking as she beheld the small box between us. Other than the dull thudding, the room was silent. Elle’s eyes were quickly locked on mine, her dark pupils darting to the small box to my right. “Why..the box?”

“Come now, Mira’s always been focused on…” Holding up my hands, I waved them palms forward towards the petite woman seated beside me. “…The brand. I figured it would be funny.”

Her polite, tight smile twitching with each tiny shudder and muffled grumble from the pink container, Elle stared down into the clear window on the box. “This…is a huge deal Nicki…” Her throat bobbed, her skin blanching almost imperceptibly. “…uh…Ms. Cee.”

“You psychos… let me go!” Came a tiny, tinny voice muffled by the thin bit of cellophane. Reaching out, I flicked the pink edge with my middle finger. With a piercing squeak, the box shuddered back and forth. Counting to ten, I let my jaw relax.

“'Ms. Corcoran.'" I corrected. "You know how I detest nicknames.” Returning my gaze to Elle, I let out a soft sigh, locking my eyes on hers. “And indeed… it is.”

Elle’s eyes lingered on the box, the little thing inside slowly moving about in a heap at the bottom. “People are going to be asking questions…”

Holding up a hand, I nod. “The details are well in hand. She’s going to be a good doll, engagement will bring you back to the level you wanted, and I’ll be…compensated.”

Scooting her chair forward, Elle’s hands squeezed her pen. “Still though…”

A shock of red hair flashed about in the cardboard prison, the plastic stretching and pulsing as tiny fists pounded within. Reaching forward I grab my cup, taking care to be deliberate with my movements. The taste of Exelsa smoothing my mood. “If you’re having second thoughts dear, I’m sure Mira would enjoy having a… little… company.”

Elle shuddered, the mousey producer trembling in her seat. “Uh…no… it’s just… how am I supposed to take care of her?”

Shrugging I set my cup down with a heavy thud, the little figure imprisoned within jostled by the motion. In a moment though, the figure had practically plastered herself against the clear material again. “When I get out of here, I’m going to kill you, both of you!”

Tilting my head, I shoot the curvaceous little woman a micro-expression. My smirk fading, I put my hands in my lap. “That isn’t my problem sweetie, you’re a smart girl. I’m sure you can figure it out.” Returning my gaze to Elle’s I sigh softly. “For what it’s worth though, I had her properly scaled. I’m sure you can have a Dream-House set up in your bedroom. Or a ferret cage. My little Iva has her own nursery.”

Elle’s face creaked into a nervous smile, setting her pen down with a subtle tremor. Nodding, I cast my sight on the furious little coppertop. Green eyes shooting fire through her delicate prison. ‘A shame to lose this one. She’s so feisty…'