Nothing But Requiem

Chapter Two: [Neo Casablanca]

At the center of Vinea was a town square from which the streets branched out like vines. The area was lined with government buildings and had a solemn and respectable atmosphere. In one corner of the square was Neo Casablanca, and it was even more crowded than usual during the music festival. Neo Casablanca was also a regular gathering place for the nobles living in Vinea, and right now, Leila, one of the most popular DJs in the world, was about to begin performing.

The stage overlooked a large dance floor; in the middle of it all, surrounded by equipment was a tall figure, her blonde ponytail swinging in time to the rhythm. From her radiant smile to her flashy attire, everything about this woman was stunning.

"Good evening, everyone! Are you enjoying the music festival?!" Her rousing voice boomed over the club speakers. The crowd responded with a resounding cheer. Nodding in satisfaction at the audience's energy, Leila walked up to the music equipment covered in keys and knobs. A hypnotic beat that resonated to the heart began to pulse through the room—when Leila's melody was added to the mix, the crowd went wild, dancing and jumping in time to the heavy bass. There was a whirlpool of joy in the music.

Just as Leila's set was reaching its climax, a figure started pushing through the crowd towards the VIP room. 

"Hey! Zeb! I thought we told you to come in through the back so you don't scare off paying customers with that ugly face of yours!" A tall bodyguard shoved Zeb on the shoulder. Two more bodyguards converged behind him, crossing their arms.

"Hey, come on guys... You don't have to say it like that." Zeb faltered as the bodyguards surrounded him. From the other side of the door to the VIP room, a monotone voice could faintly be heard.

"Understood." The guards backed away and let Zeb pass. Swallowing his fear, Zeb stepped through the door to face the owner of the voice.

Don Nicolas sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, dressed in a navy-blue suit becoming of the regal air of a Vinean government official. He was slim and brooding, but his piercing eyes could make even the most stalwart foe crumble under their gaze.

"I'm tellin' ya, she had a magic gun! With a J-Jade Skull! A girl with a piece of the world is in Vinea!" Zeb wailed as he attempted to relay what happened earlier.

"Calm down, Zeb," Don Nicolas said in a bored tone. "I can't stand a man who lacks composure."

 Zeb stopped talking immediately and jolted upright, his body rigid as a pin. Though Don Nicolas gave the appearance that he was unaffected by this news, something had changed in his expression. He stood up and looked through the two-way glass window in the VIP room that allowed him to view the entire dance floor. Leila had just finished her performance. "Bring Miss Leila in here," Don Nicolas said to no one in particular without breaking his gaze.

The bodyguards instantly exited the VIP room at Don Nicolas's command. Zeb continued to stand at attention with an unmoving bewildered expression, silently thankful that, for the moment at least, he was being ignored. A few moments later, Leila entered the VIP room. She lined up next to Zeb, her face steeled for whatever was about to come. Don Nicolas continued staring out at the dance floor.

The silence created an unspeakable tension that dominated the atmosphereof the VIP room. Neither Zeb nor Leila dared move a muscle. Once Don Nicolas had fully composed himself, he turned slowly and began to speak. 

He started off by addressing Leila. 

"Miss Leila... What happened with your setlist tonight? Did you forget what I told you? You are to play music in my club the way I tell you. Do you understand? If not, I can ensure there will not be a next time." The tone of his voice was quiet and measured, but the feeling it generated was comparable to having a knife held at one's throat.