Chapter 8 - The Weaver

🎶"Once upon a time, a little man,

Walking down the streets of Verbindung,

Playing with a litta gun, A little bit o' fun,

He's tha man the Besta Boi"🎶

Matthew strolled down the narrow streets of Verbindung's Entertainment District. In Alpencia, the entertainment districts embodied a delicate balance between vibrancy and societal order.

Bars, casinos, nightclubs, and arcades were integral to the country's cultural fabric, contributing to its allure as a tourist destination. The government, recognizing the economic significance of these establishments, had instituted a regulatory framework overseeing their operations.

The underworld often legitimized itself through such establishments, providing a front for illegal activities. Authorities turned a blind eye as long as public safety wasn't compromised.

'Unseen Underworld, Unfelt Tremors; Keep the Shadows Silent'—that was the code of the underworld.

Stringent guidelines maintained a sense of order and responsibility within these districts. Licensing requirements, regular inspections, and age restrictions were in place to ensure compliance with safety standards.

The commitment to fostering a thriving yet controlled nightlife was evident in the collaboration between the government and law enforcement agencies to monitor activities and curb illicit practices. Taxes levied on these establishments contributed to national revenue, funding public services.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Matthew arrived at the night club.

"Riviera Stellata" stood tall and glamorous across the street, a shimmering jewel in the evening cityscape. Adorned with dazzling lights, the building exuded an aura of exclusivity.

Sleek obsidian walls reflected city lights, giving the club a luxury allure. A red carpet guided patrons into the opulent haven. Tall, polished glass doors framed a neon chrome sign proclaiming the club's name. Large windows offered a glimpse of the lavish interior—a symphony of low lights, plush furnishings, and rhythmic beats.

Matthew entered. Inside Riviera Stellata, energy pulsed through the atmosphere. A spacious dance floor took center stage, bathed in a soft glow. On either side, bustling bars lined the walls, expert bartenders crafting concoctions amid the clink of ice and laughter.

Opposite the dance floor, the DJ commanded attention from a raised platform, orchestrating beats that became the night's heartbeat. Music weaved through the air, setting the rhythm for the evening.

Secluded booths in the corners offered a retreat for intimate conversations, dim lighting providing privacy amid the lively ambiance.

A door marked "VIP" for those seeking an elevated experience, promising exclusivity and luxury. Adjacent there was a door labeled "Restricted Access".

Matthew took a moment to absorb his surroundings, the rhythmic beats of the music vibrating through the air. His gaze swept across the dimly lit club until it landed on Sophie.

Sophie sat at a bar stool, grooving to the music with a drink in hand. Matthew smoothly slid onto the stool next to her and ordered an Allaghash White. The bartender presented the drink in a wide-mouth goblet with a lemon slice. Matthew took a sip, relishing the refreshing, slightly spicy flavor.

Sophie, ever the social butterfly, initiated the conversation. "Didn't take you for a man who liked beer," she remarked, her eyes assessing the newcomer. "Enjoying the nightlife, are we?"

Matthew looked at her with a hint of amusement. "Oh? What do I look like I prefer?"

"You seem more like a whiskey guy to me."

Matthew grinned, enjoying the crisp notes of his beer. "Well, appearances can be deceiving. Whiskey has its charm, but I prefer beer."

Sophie's eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned on the bar, continuing the banter. "A man of surprises, then. What brings you to this corner of the city? Looking for something, or just taking in the sights?"

Matthew chuckled, his gaze momentarily wandering around the venue. "A bit of both, I suppose. New to the city, trying to get a feel for its rhythm."

Sophie raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "New in town, huh? Well, welcome. I'm Sophie, by the way."

"Matthew," he replied, clinking his beer glass against her fruity cocktail. "Nice to meet you, Sophie."

As the night unfolded, their small talk evolved into a captivating exchange of stories and experiences. Sophie, with her outgoing nature, effortlessly drew Matthew into the rhythm of the conversation. They delved into shared interests, discussed the intricacies of city life, and found common ground amidst the pulsating beats of the music.

Sophie's laughter echoed through the dimly lit bar. "You're not what I expected," she admitted, a playful glint in her eyes.

Matthew smirked, a glimmer of mystery in his gaze. "Appearances, as I said, can be deceiving. There's always more to discover."

"Yes, there is," Sophie agreed subconsciously.

"Like, for example," Matthew continued with a playful smile, he leaned in, his gaze locking onto hers. "I didn't expect the infamous Weaver would be such a lively young lady."

Sophie's eyes widened, and her pupils dilated for a moment, but she quickly composed herself. The air around her shifted, shedding the facade of the carefree woman at the bar. "Who are you, and how did you find me?" she demanded.

Matthew maintained his smug demeanor. "I have my ways, of course," he replied, deliberately sidestepping her first question.

Sophie's face twitched hearing his arrogant tone, her curiosity battling with caution.

"The only thing you need to know is," Matthew continued, his tone unwavering, "I need your help with something only you can do, and I will make you an offer you can't refuse." Matthew wasn't bluffing; in this world, Alpenas held substantial value, and 10,000 Alpenas were not a small amount.

Sophie eyed him, scrutinizing. "Follow me; this is not a place to discuss 'official business." She paid for their tab and led him toward a secluded booth in a corner of the club.

Matthew was surprised by her lack of fear, considering the situation. He couldn't help but ask her, "You don't seem scared. After all, I could have come to kill you," he probed, his voice turning a bit colder at the end.

Sophie didn't answer directly. Instead, she pointed at the bouncers following them with purpose. "This is my 'lover's' club," she stressed the word 'lover' for some reason, "and, seeing how you haven't noticed them keeping watch on us, you don't seem to be a professional killer," she said nonchalantly.

Matthew was a bit taken aback as he looked at the bouncers, and eve if he was nervous he didn't let it show. He entered the booth with Sophie.

"So, what do you need my help for? Are you one of those?" Sophie asked.

"One of those?" Matthew inquired, seemingly waking out of a trance.

"The ones who attracted too much attention and now want to disappear. Seeing as you are new in the city and obviously have a fake foreigner name despite looking like a local, I thought you were one of those."

Matthew was surprised again. 'This lady is too perceptive,' he thought, composing himself once again. "Oh! Quite the contrary, actually. I need you to create an identity for me—one that will seamlessly blend in. I am pretty much a ghost currently; it's like I didn't exist before a few days, so I need an identity. Not a new one but the first one ever."

Now it was Sophie's turn to be surprised. She believed that Matthew wasn't lying, judging by the look in his eyes. Having no records, and I mean no record, is virtually impossible. There will always be some kind of proof for your existence. That's why even though she thought he wasn't lying, she didn't believe him.

"I don't believe you," she said straightforwardly.

"You don't have to," Matthew retorted. "You just have to help me. I heard you are the best, and I know you love a challenge."

Sophie's curiosity about the young man in front of her peaked, but she didn't show it on her face. "Well, the task isn't exactly easy. But I am called 'The Weaver' for a reason, and I can certainly help you, even though it's a bit troublesome," she kept stressing how the task was really 'hard' for her. "But the question is, why should I?" she asked, a playful smile on her lips.

"I can pay, of course. Double or even triple whatever you usually charge for your 'services.'"

"Money is always abundant," Sophie continued, still wearing that playful smile. "I need something more, something that doesn't have a monetary value."