Erythropoiesis 2.8
Stepping onto the threshold of the shelter, I immediately noticed a luxurious car parked at the entrance. A good testament to the wealth and influence of those who had come to me with the "offer of a lifetime".
Judging by everything, Vought decided to act more subtly this time. Most likely, these were no longer just random agents and unlikely to be ordinary supes, because the corporation should have remembered that such a tactic didn't bring success last time. It's even interesting what they came up with. Hmm...
I immediately turned on my blood vision, examining the arrivals. Two people, without superpowers. Already more interesting. Two women, one about twenty-three years old, the second significantly older. The state of both of their bodies was in order, without any particularly dangerous diseases.
The first one was a little nervous, judging by her slightly elevated pulse, while the second was calm and simply talking to someone, as I could notice by the slight tension in her neck muscles. Practically the entire Doutle couple was also in the house, with the exception of Jim—the guy seemingly just didn't care about the arrived guests and he continued working on the farm, currently tending to a cow.
By the way, I'll need to tell them to change the feed, because it's not having a completely good effect on her body...
"...which is exactly why such a contract will bring maximum pro... Oh, and here is our star!"
I opened the door and saw two women in the hall. Right in front of a clearly bored Mary stood a very young red-haired girl, only about ten years older than me. She had clearly left college quite recently. I suspect she was someone like a helper or an assistant.
But the second lady was already a true "businesswoman"—in a black-and-white business suit, holding a phone in her hand, and with a slight smile, she was actively telling the two shelter owners about something. However, the moment I appeared, she sharply turned in my direction, and a much wider and more "friendly" smile blossomed on her face. She controlled her facial expressions well, however, I am not easy to deceive. Thanks to my abilities and already existing experience in determining people's true feelings, I felt the falsehood with my entire being.
"Ashley! Come on, quickly hand me the tablet."
The woman reached her hand back, and the girl standing behind her immediately handed her the tablet. Taking a few steps forward, she approached me, holding it out. Meanwhile, I was observing Bob and Martha, who clearly didn't understand what was happening. Mary, on the other hand, leaned forward, making it seem as if she had figured everything out a long time ago and was now just enjoying the show. Robert tried to introduce the guest to me, but she quickly interrupted him:
"Mark, this is Miss..."
"You can just call me Margaret, dear. I'm sure we will become friends, so I don't see the point in any formalities and strictly official names. I didn't come here as some scary and formidable witch," she slightly spread her arms to the sides, as if parodying someone, "but to give you the best offer possible! And also, I became curious to see the little miracle who can already be called a hero. Believe me, dear, what you have done already surpasses the deeds of many 'professionals' who chase only after popularity. And therefore I came to you with a truly unique offer—I will show you the way to the truly big leagues, I will literally lead you by the hand to world fame. You wouldn't mind starring in your own series and a couple of shows, would you? I already have so many offers..."
I examined the woman, surprised by her enthusiasm. It seemed as if there was a full-fledged engine somewhere inside her, that's how energetic she looked. And that made me look all the funnier, standing absolutely calmly and not having uttered a word yet. Except the more she talked, the clearer it became that she wouldn't stop until someone simply shut her up. And so I decided to seize the moment when she started listing some popular programs where I could be invited.
"This is undoubtedly an interesting offer. It will need to be discussed with my parents, but I can tell you right away that I have a few... hmm, let's say conditions," I answered.
She raised an eyebrow in surprise, clearly not expecting someone my age to start talking about such things. But, after a couple of seconds of thought process, it seems she understood something.
"Ah, yes, of course, dear, of course! I am in a position to give you access to resources that are unavailable to practically anyone else. How about starting with a symbolic ten thousand dollars for participating in your own series and five thousand for each episode in a show? Of course, part of this will go to your parents, then to me, as your agent, but when you become old enough, you are the one who will get access to this money. And by then you will have accumulated a full-fledged fortune, which some might not even earn in a lifetime," she winked at me for some reason, leaning in slightly. "Besides, money in show business is just like the wind. Here today, gone tomorrow, and if you want it, there can always be more. What's much more important is who I can introduce you to. Tell me honestly, who do you like more—The Deep or Translucent? I'll tell you a secret, but they are also my clients and, to reveal a little more to you, they don't complain that they chose me. After all, I am the one who brought them into The Seven, and I promise that you have the potential to surpass even them."
She pronounced the last phrase with an undisguised smile, and now I perfectly understood her confidence. A true mastodon, a titan of show business, possessing truly serious connections and influence, had come to me.
An agent of The Seven's level, even if we are talking about their most unpopular members, is still very, very good. It's an indicator that Vought is truly interested in me, having seen my potential. Potential in terms of how much money I could bring in, true, but that is also important.
However, even despite her status and level of influence, I had no desire to yield to her, let alone grovel for a piece of fame and wealth, and therefore I immediately started pushing my own agenda.
In such negotiations, one must show from the very beginning that I am not going to bend under their opinions and desires. I had prepared for this moment, read books about such corporate culture in show business. Show weakness just once, and they will take advantage of it, drink all your juices until there is nothing left of you that cannot be sold. You need to show from the very beginning that you cannot be played with or somehow twisted. The only way to make a deal with me is to offer what I demand.
"I'm not talking about that. First, I know the rates of real actors and stars, so you can drop the attempts to hustle me and immediately multiply the size of my salary. Second, I am not going to spend all my time on this 'activity'. I agree to film in a series and shows, however, the details will need to be discussed here too, and I will be the one choosing when, where, and what I will be doing. I will not participate in everything you point to, simply because it's required. If I need to do something that goes against my principles, I will simply refuse. Besides, I also have responsibilities," I shifted my gaze to Mary, Bob, and Martha, who continued to follow our conversation with interest, "and I am not going to abandon them. No amount of money will change that. I will help those who need help. And there is no need to start a new speech about the opportunity to get a drop of fame—I myself can suggest to you how to develop my 'brand'. And I am even sure that my ideas will be even more effective than yours, because only I myself know what I am capable of. But I'm not a fool and I understand how much more experienced and knowledgeable you are in all this, which is why I am always ready to listen to your advice and suggestions."
Judging by the assistant's uncomprehending look and Margaret's frown, they strongly disliked my behavior. I suspect they simply aren't used to "clueless children" like me not just being happy about the opportunity to gain a moment of fame, but also wanting something serious.
Although from the outside I might have seemed like just a capricious child, the agent's cold gaze betrayed that she hardly believed it.
"Dear, understand, you are asking for rather a lot," her voice changed sharply, becoming more serious. "I realized from the first glance that you are truly smart, and that is exactly why I sought you out. I see that if necessary, you will bend your parents to the decision you need, and everyone who stands in your way. Because I know, dear, that you understand everything much better than many adults. Your eyes give it away. However, understand, business is not conducted this way. You are aware that I can simply pick up and leave, right? I am, by the way, a busy woman, and I have another hundred kids like you who only dream of me taking them on, leading them by the hand to fame."
"Like me? I doubt you have even a single one capable of replacing me. One photo of me healing a snake, one post from a popular blogger, and a few touching stories from people were enough to make me famous. But do you really think that this is the limit of my capabilities?"
I chuckled, looking at the woman's face, which was becoming increasingly thoughtful. This only gave me more confidence, which is why I finished my speech on an even higher note.
"I doubt you even remotely understand how my ability works, let alone the details and subtle methods of its use. I know that my powers are unique enough for sharks of your level to grab onto them. Yes, you are influential and have earned a name for yourself working with first-magnitude stars, however, I know myself well enough to know one thing—one day I too will reach their level and even surpass it. And how long will the golden age of your 'heroes' last? Not that surpassing Translucent or The Deep would be particularly difficult, in any case. Tell me honestly, is it true that the latter talks to fish?"
The assistant turned her head in confusion, shifting her gaze from me to her boss. Even a fool could tell that the former was clearly very annoyed right now and, to put it mildly, out of sorts, however, I saw something much deeper.
I felt the beating of her heart and the general reactions of her body, which allowed me to play on the edge. She burned me with her gaze for a few seconds, but the result was predictable. After ten seconds of staring, she gave up and, sighing in defeat, placed a hand on her temple.
"...fine. What else do you want there? Come on, lay it all out at once, we'll break it down piece by piece. And so we don't just stand in the doorway, maybe we can go somewhere and sit down?"
She cast a glance at Bob, who nodded belatedly, realizing the hints were addressed to him. I smirked, seeing the stern woman's defeat. Although it was hard to even understand here, who won more? I will get Vought's support, access to huge resources, and the opportunity to become truly independent of their will in the future. But her benefit is much more obvious - fame, influence, and money, coming along with my promotion as a star.
From the very beginning, I allowed myself such a bold tactic because I knew how strongly Vought wanted to make a new, previously unseen brand of a "healer-hero" out of me. And this particular "lady", who had come very close to the top but hadn't yet reached the peak, suited me perfectly as an agent. The Deep and Translucent were the most unpopular members of The Seven, and she had room to grow. She has the connections and experience I need, and I am the opportunity for her to rise even higher.
Hardly anyone counted on surpassing Homelander, but even the rarely appearing Lamplighter with the elderly Marathon were more famous than her duo. Largely, of course, because the fish-man and the invisible man possessed not the most "marketable" powers, but, hey, it's not for me to say that, right?
I somehow managed to sell a horror movie villain's power to the masses, which means anything is possible. And I literally felt the ambition in her blood, which is why I knew she wouldn't refuse the opportunity to grab onto a potentially very tasty fish. And so now I could go all out and start setting terms without being shy. The main thing is not to sell myself short...
. . .
I returned home a few hours later. The entire conversation discussing the details took another hour and a half, for Margaret tore out every one of my proposals and discussed it at length, subtly calling me a fool simply for the thought of proposing such a thing. However, I was a tough nut to crack and continued to push my own agenda.
Besides, everything now was merely a formality, because it was still a long way before concluding a full-fledged contract, and my parents' approval would definitely be needed there. But something told me that Indira and Paul were unlikely to go against my opinion. Especially if this opinion was connected to my desire to work for Vought.
Reaching home by bus, first I used my powers to make sure everything was fine. Paul and Indira were already inside, and at the entrance stood another pair of some agents, frustratingly trying to persuade my adoptive parents about something.
Apparently, these ones also tried to make a deal regarding my career, except doing it behind my back was critically wrong. A critical mistake, since my adoptive parents are not fools and, in principle, don't particularly like it when someone tries to use their son for profit.
And especially considering the fact that this was far from the first and not even the tenth such attempt over the years of our life together, and my parents were already used to politely sending the arrivals far away. Therefore, I calmly walked past them, slamming the doors right in front of their noses. Paul and Indira looked at me in surprise at first, however, before they started talking, I took the floor.
"I have news..."
Next was a brief retelling of the whole story, how I found fame and once again met Vought representatives. Except this time I placed much more emphasis on the fact that the conditions were an order of magnitude better, and I lose practically nothing and retain my freedom.
Curiously, during my speech I felt a rather unusual reaction from Indira. Both her facial expressions and whole-body reactions said one thing—she is genuinely worried about me. Not even the most brilliant actor could fake reflex muscle movements or changes in heart rate.
Paul, on the other hand, was rather surprised that I had become a "star," but he was always simpler—he just liked that I was doing the right things, helping those in need. Over the years, I was able to finally convince myself—he is definitely not connected to Vought, supes, and other secrets in any way. But Indira... she remained a mystery. She was the first to start speaking, and judging by her cautious tone, the words didn't come easily to her.
"Mark... I... We will support whatever decision you make, as long as you are happy. If you want to do this, then let it be so. We know that you are smart enough to avoid many traps of such a life, however, still, I just want you to know—abilities do not make a person a hero. I work with many professionals and know perfectly well that their life path is wrong. But I believe that you will be better. Perhaps, exactly a person like you is what they need."
After her words, silence fell for a while. Each of us thought about our own things, including me. Her words... For some reason, they seemed as sincere as possible right now. And to somehow change the atmosphere and make it more positive, I decided to drop another piece of news.
"...by the way, I forgot to mention, but they also sent me an invitation to study at Harvard, but we can discuss that later, right?"
Judging by their widened eyes, I now got exactly the reaction I expected.