Page 9 of Claws and Controllers

Tomorrow, he vowed silently. Tomorrow, he would meet Elliot Madden properly. And maybe, just maybe, he’d unravel the mystery of why she had captured his attention so completely.

As the car wound its way through the bustling streets of Manhattan, Zy’s tiger purred contentedly within him as ifapproving of this plan. For once, man and beast were in perfect agreement.

Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.

THREE

Ellie’s eyes snapped open at 5:30 a.m., a full hour before her alarm. Sleep had eluded her for most of the night, her mind a whirlwind of excitement and anxiety about the second day of the convention. She pushed herself up, her dark red hair a mess of tangles, and padded to her kitchen.

As the coffeemaker gurgled to life, Ellie leaned against the counter, her thoughts drifting to the day ahead. The game demos and trailers of Infinite Odyssey at her booth had been a hit yesterday, but today... today was the real test. The showcase. A chance to truly demonstrate what her game could do.

“It’ll be fine, Ellie. It’ll be great,” she muttered to herself, pouring a steaming cup of coffee. “Time to show them what you’re made of.”

An hour later, Ellie strode into the convention center, her confidence growing with each step. She’d opted for a smart, casual look today – dark jeans, a yellow blouse that brought out the warm tones in her skin, and comfortable yet stylish boots. Her makeup was flawless, an armor of sorts against the scrutiny she knew she’d face.

As she approached her booth, she spotted Noa already there, arranging promotional materials with meticulous care.

“Morning, superstar,” Noa called out, her blonde waves bouncing as she turned. “Ready to knock their socks off?”

Ellie grinned, some of the tension in her shoulders easing at the sight of her best friend. “As ready as I’ll ever be. How’s everything looking?”

“Tip-top,” Noa assured her, gesturing to the demo stations. “I’ve run diagnostics on all the systems, and we’re good to go. Your adoring public awaits.”

Ellie snorted, but couldn’t help the flutter of excitement in her chest. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We’ve still got a long way to go before world domination.”

As they worked to prepare the booth for the day, Ellie’s mind kept drifting to the upcoming showcase. She’d been thrilled when the organizers had approached her about participating in a special competition to highlight Infinite Odyssey’s multiplayer capabilities. It was a golden opportunity to demonstrate what set her game apart from the crowd.

“Earth to Ellie,” Noa’s voice cut through her thoughts. “You’re a million miles away. Nervous about the showcase?”

Ellie shook her head, more to clear it than in denial. “A little,” she admitted. “There’s so much riding on this. If I can really show what Infinite Odyssey can do...”

Noa placed a hand on her arm. “Hey. You’ve poured your heart and soul into this game. It’s amazing, and they’re going to see that. Just be yourself up there, let your passion shine through, and you’ll knock ‘em dead.”

Ellie took a deep breath, nodding. “You’re right. Thanks. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Crash and burn, obviously,” Noa quipped with a wink. “Now go on, get out of here. Go dazzle them with your genius. I’ve got things covered here.”

With a final check of her tablet and a squeeze of Noa’s hand, Ellie set off for the showcase arena. As she walked, she mentallyreviewed her talking points, her fingers itching to get her hands on a controller.

The showcase area was already bustling with activity when Ellie arrived. Techs scurried about, checking connections and adjusting lighting. A small crowd had already gathered, industry insiders and eager fans alike, all buzzing with anticipation.

“Ms. Madden?” A harried-looking woman with a headset and clipboard approached. “I’m Jen, one of the stage managers. You’re on in ten minutes. We’ve got you set up stage left. Any last-minute requirements?”

Ellie shook her head, offering a smile. “I’m all set, thanks. Just point me to where I need to be.”

As Jen led her to the waiting area, Ellie’s gaze swept over the impressive setup. Two giant screens dominated the stage, ready to broadcast the gameplay to the audience. Below them, a pair of gaming stations were set up, equipped with top-of-the-line hardware.

Ellie’s heart rate picked up as she took her place offstage. This was it. Her moment to shine.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer’s voice boomed through the speakers, “please welcome to the stage, the founder of Madden Gaming and creator of the highly anticipated Infinite Odyssey, Elliot Madden!”

Taking a deep breath, Ellie stepped out into the spotlight. The applause washed over her, and she felt a surge of confidence. This was her element. These were her people.

“Thank you all for coming,” she began, her voice strong and clear. “I’m thrilled to be here today to show you what Infinite Odyssey is all about.”

As she launched into her presentation, Ellie felt the familiar rush of excitement that always came when she talked about her creation. She guided the audience through the game’s uniquecharacter customization system, her hands flying over the controls as she demonstrated.

“In Infinite Odyssey, the only limit is your imagination,” she explained, her eyes shining with passion. “Want to be a human with a 9-to-5 job who moonlights as a monster hunter? You can do that. Prefer to be a shapeshifting dragon who runs a bookstore? That’s an option too. From witches and wizards to werewolves and werebears, the possibilities are endless.”

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