The precipitating event of the night was punctuated by the gargantuan nimbus clouds over their heads. They loomed eerily–as if to warn them of how catastrophic their night would get. Despite this, the two seemed to be preoccupied with other matters.

As the car rolled along the highway, one would mistake it for a leisurely ride... But the energy inside was anything but. The moist temperature of the swamp invited itself in, the further they strayed from the badlands of Coalint.

So,

Clyde has never had trouble making small talk for SHORT periods of time. Peril only begins when the conversation drags.

: So,

... Is all it takes for the dialogue to start. The last thing he needs is one more person nosing into his life, and one more person he has to entertain.

Thunk.

Clyde says nothing; Nuru reiterates.

: Hem. Hem ! So!

: You still didn't tell me. A Private Security company? Seriously?

: I mean-- We're the same age… right? I… think. You... do look kind of…

A pause.

: ...Not that it's a bad thing!

: We are the same age.

: Aw! I knew it! I feel like we're getting closer already! Since we’re already friends, why not tell me about the Private Security company, Clyde?

: … Are you... not aware? Don’t you have… I don’t know, a big book of Clyde… Or… Something…???

: The guild has files on everyone. Be-sides, is there something so wrong with learning about your new friend?

: ...

Tap.
Tap.

Thunk.

It was a long way from the Jawhinge Gorge; the abundant foliage made it clear that they were fully out of the region. There's nothing but rows of street lights acting as their guide.

: You should've joined a guild. They have great dental.

: … I don't think I'd fit in. Guild people seem kind of... self-important… And... I... never graduated.

: You don't need a diploma! Besides; plenty of us are kind!

: I am fine.

: With what I’m doing right now.

: I can put in a good word! Hey, my office buddy even got expelled last week! They’d love you! More than-

: I don’t need a new job.

: Then…

: You don’t mean… No, surely you couldn't... Clyde, you enjoy risking your life…

: For absolutely, positively, NOTHING?!

: ...

: Work with me, please.

...Not only is Nuru unrelenting, but so is the rain. The tires seem to skid on the road; all the accumulated water from the storm pose trouble.

Lightning flashes.

Clyde takes a moment to pray.

: What I'm getting from... all of this,

: Is that you took a bad job. Ended up completing it, and... now you regret it?

: Death is a part of this world. A day will not go by without people killing each other. It’s our job to protect the ones who need it, Clyde.

: Then stop bothering me. Go be a hero.

: I could say the same to you. You seem like you only wanted to help people.

: ...

Nuru continues to smile.

She's still driving the car,

And there's still rain hitting the windshield.

: It's not very common for someone as...

: Young as you to have kids.

: Why did—

Another pause.

: ... Nevermind.

(She works at a guild.)

: So?

: ...They just needed help.

: I'm not going to let those kids run around that Coalint without a home.

: ...I didn't want to see them get hurt.

It’s quiet.

: … But I don't see why that’s any of your business.

Too quiet?

: ...That's very kind of you.

Her inflection scratched at the back of his brain. No matter. It wasn't enough to care for.

Clyde was far too annoyed to read too much into it. He didn’t want to know what might happen if he refused to comply- guild workers can be unpredictable. It was easier to go along with what she wanted. Most Augazians are well aware.

... But she was nice; Nicer than he'd like to admit.

: ... Is it my turn to be invasive?

: Oh!

: Well, I figured you were the listener! You know, that sort of… no-talking kind of person!

: I... guess.

: What do you want to know?

: Why me?

: It made the most sense at the time.

: There were a few other options.

: More risk. Less rewards. …However the phrase goes.

: Ha! I'm not a philosopher, you know?

The rain is loud.

: ... Why him?

: You know better than anyone else this maniac needs to be stopped.

... Clyde looks outside; fingers tapping frantically to the rhythm of the raindrops. The water running down the window renders his expression unclear. Salsa peaks over the horizon.

: There's a bounty on his head. Our job as agents is to clear them.

: Uh. ...

: I know that,

: But—

: But! We're clearing the bounty because…

: That man is one of the world’s most wanted criminals. Everything he does endangers each and every one of us. Especially people like you and your family.

: ... Why are we on this case?

: We took the job in Center. THEN we went to Caldra. Now we're going all the way down to Choux—

: Is this just... The whole country's business now? Uh,

: We're only two people. Why aren't we more prepared?

: You have to trust me. He’s not nearly as dangerous or crazy as you’d think.

Nuru taps the steering wheel with her manicured fingers. The radio is playing what sounds like muddied guitars; as if the band were constantly looking down at the pedals.

: You're tense as a brick. Relax.

: If everything goes to plan... It’ll only be two of them. We're evenly matched. Therefore, we’ll be fine as long as we stick to what we know.

: ...

: Oh, come on. I’ve seen you fight before- I know you can hold your own against anybody!

: I know my newest friend isn't a wimp. Don’t tell me you’re scared!

: I am not. ... I just don’t understand why he- They're doing this. All this... senseless... violence.

: ...Maybe you can ask him yourself when we get there.

Nuru hums to herself as she turns up the volume, and focuses on the road.

---

The resort casino is in sight.

Salsa had a reputation for sucking visitors into its bewitching tourist traps. Every street was lined with bustling restaurants, flashing neon lights and towering casinos. The city was conceived as an entertainment hub, offering relief to miners in the nearby Northern Badlands in its early days. Its offerings had only grown since, the city nearly tripling in size.

Each building was uniquely themed; no expense was spared in constructing hotels styled after the finest castles of old, or underwater themed strip malls, complete with real sea life. Clyde was no party girl, but even he was left in awed silence by the sheer scale and design of downtown Salsa. Even since his last visit a few years ago, businesses had continued to spring up. The only sign he recognized, ‘CLUB RADISH’, sat atop a boarded up building. The notice on the door indicated it had been shut down for months and would soon be replaced with the trendy new ‘ROOT’ boutique.

If the nightlife wasn’t for you, there was the bomb-shaped weapons store that definitely hadn’t been blown up several times in the past. Weapons Street had all you could ask for.

Trying to imagine all that went on here exhausted Clyde.

Nuru beckons him inside a big, orange building. The exterior is just as glamorous as the rest of Salsa’s casinos, with large plastic orange sculptures “hanging” off the main building. The inside is shockingly stark- minimal furniture decorating the entrance. Additionally, the walls are all completely white! As the fluorescent lights flicker and hum, its glow seems to frame her as she walks… A notably strange sort of feeling clouds his mind. ...Especially when he notices the way the few potted plants turn and follow her. Something about this place- beyond the lack of decor- befuddles him.

...There must be something waiting for him.

The silence of the first floor is a welcome respite from the eternal party raging outside. The loudest noise inside is the receptionist slurping on coffee. Groups of tired party-goers murmur amongst themselves. It’s an oasis in comparison to the height of the tower, the pizzazz, the flashiness of it all...

In reality, it’s all empty. An empty throne polluting the skyline as a show of dominance; there's so much competition that it’s practically baked into the city culture. Businesses rapidly grow and are shortly shuttered within months- sometimes even weeks. White-collar crime rates are higher here than anywhere else in the region.

The only thing waiting for you upwards are the rooms for your rest, and the iconic tropical skyline advertised in every penthouse view.

: Okay. People typically gravitate to the 5th floor.

: ...I know.

: I’m sure you don't go outside much, but don’t be scared. I'll do the talking.

:

: Aw, don't give me that look-!

Ding.

... Thankfully, the doors opening and the instant flood of sound stops anything even more embarrassing from happening.

To Clyde.

This is the kind of environment that he would come to enjoy. Not for the gambling and illicit activities happening, no, but because of how easy it is to fade into the crowd. Everyone is busy. Everyone is focused. He doesn't think there’s a need to stand out.

Nuru squints at the floor map posted by the elevator. They must be on the wrong floor, he thinks, observing the way her finger traces across the map. It's only after a minute that he realizes she never really told him about her whole plan, nor where their targets would be.

She leads him through the crowd of mindless casino-goers. Clyde doesn’t think to ask her where exactly they’re headed- after all, he doesn’t think he’d do much help to her.

As they rush through, they happen to get a glimpse of the evening show. The pair swiftly disappears the moment she attempts... and fails her high note. This is something that would shatter many Augazian eardrums, if they weren't so focused on jackpots. Clyde wishes the integrity of music was respected in this day and age.

Here’s what confuses him: to go up, you must first go down. When you find another elevator, only then can you go up to the floor you’d be looking for. It’s like some sick trap the gods devised just to get you to throw your life away on games you’ll never win. As they traverse the maze that is the elevator system, Nuru “kindly” educates Clyde on Salsa’s historic casino industry. He “loves” every minute of it.

Nuru talks with the intention and clarity of a radio host. Every word is thoughtfully chosen just for Clyde.

Her confidence radiates,
but it still feels like forever.

They search and search.

Once they make it to the hotel section of the building, Clyde feels as if he can finally breathe. ...That is, until she tells him there's no time for relaxation. Every so often, Nuru is sure this'll be the one... but unfortunately, 30 minutes of searching and yielding no results would make both of them doubt her tactics.

It can't be a red herring, she thinks to herself; No, it really couldn't be, because her sources have never been wrong--

: Oh,

It's only a matter of time until she's proven right.

Lucky for them, the 803st door opens to the egregious pink bob Nuru’d been looking for.

---