Eclipse Noir, the renowned nightclub, presented a striking yet serene sight during the daylight hours when its vibrant nightlife had temporarily faded. The exterior of the club, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, showcased the juxtaposition of its flamboyant nighttime personality and the calmness of day.
The grand, steampunk-inspired façade of Eclipse Noir stood as an architectural masterpiece, adorned with intricate details and polished brass elements that gleamed in the daylight. The bronze walls were embellished with clockwork gears and ornate patterns, representing the club's dedication to blending artistry with industrial aesthetics.
Massive arched windows, now closed, revealed their stained glass in full splendor, capturing the sun's rays and casting a mesmerizing play of colors on the ground. These windows had a captivating, kaleidoscopic quality that added a touch of mystique to the club's exterior.
Two imposing, meticulously dressed guards stood sentinel at the club's entrance, accentuating the sense of exclusivity. Their steampunk uniforms and well-maintained gear hinted at a commitment to both security and style, a reflection of the club's high standards.
The entryway, usually abuzz with anticipation, was now sealed with impressive double doors, each bearing the Eclipse Noir emblem. These doors were a work of art in themselves, featuring intricate etchings and patterns that promised an extraordinary experience to those who crossed their threshold.
"Uhhhh… yeah, boss… the kid is back," One of the guards chuckled wearily. And, it wasn't long before a disgruntled man with mocha-brown skin and a pair of shades walked through those imposing double doors.
"What the hell are you doing here? I'm paying for you to attend that academy, not for you to skip," Glover scoffed.
"Stuff… happened," Silas darted his eyes to the bronze street below him, the silent whooshing of cars and chatter of pedestrians humming from behind him.
"Alright… come in. You better have a good excuse."
Glover led Silas through the luxurious labyrinth of the upscale nightclub, an opulent haven for the city's elite, as it underwent its transformation from the daytime quietude into a nocturnal playground for the privileged. The club was in the midst of preparing for the evening's festivities, and the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation.
The entrance foyer, awash in the soft glow of chandeliers, was adorned with polished marble floors and mirrored walls that added an illusion of grandeur to the space. Velvet ropes and chrome stanchions indicated that it was here that the red carpet treatment began. Guests, impeccably dressed in their finest steampunk attire, would soon gather for a night of extravagance.
As Glover and Silas proceeded further into the club, they passed by the bar area, where skilled mixologists were already hard at work, meticulously preparing a plethora of artisanal concoctions. Steam-powered espresso machines hissed as they crafted meticulously crafted coffee beverages, while a wall of spirits and liqueurs glistened under dramatic backlighting.
The dance floor, the club's focal point, was being prepared for the evening's entertainment. A massive, polished wooden floor awaited the arrival of well-heeled guests, and state-of-the-art steam-powered lighting fixtures dangled from the ceiling, poised to create a mesmerizing display. The stage, adorned with industrial accents and adorned with arcane symbols, was ready to host live musical performances, DJ sets, and spellbinding acts that would leave the audience enchanted.
The seating areas surrounding the dance floor featured plush leather banquettes and cushioned armchairs, each separated by elegant screens for a sense of privacy. Steampunk-inspired coffee tables, adorned with intricate gears and gauges, held the promise of shared drinks and laughter.
A balcony overlooking the dance floor provided a perfect vantage point for the club's VIP guests, where exclusive seating and attentive servers catered to their every whim. The railing was adorned with ornate balusters, and a striking steampunk chandelier hung in the center, bathing the area in a warm, golden light.
Every element of Eclipse Noir was designed to provide a sumptuous experience, blending the timeless charm of steampunk aesthetics with modern conveniences. As the final preparations for the night's revelry were made, the nightclub exuded an air of anticipation and allure, ready to welcome the city's elite into its luxurious embrace.
"I never really got a chance to get a good look at this place before those rich dickwads came. It's really beautiful… almost gets my heart pumping."
"Yeah, well, you're not partyin' tonight, boy. Tell me, why are you here?" Glover sat down at one of the booths on the VIP balcony, looking over the railing. He almost seemed to carry the air of an understanding father as he called over one of his men to get him and the boy a glass of water. "Come on, have a seat."
"Sure…" Silas replied, sitting down opposite the man who nearly crushed him with an understanding pressure. It reminded Silas of his father. Just… maybe… gentler.
"So, were you kicked out already? Ran away? Got homesick?" The man sneered, his underling somehow already placing an ice-cold glass of water in front of the two.
Silas explained his day as soon as he parted from Glover earlier that morning, before finally getting to the meat of the topic. The real reason as to why he was here, as opposed to the separate dimension harboring his academic future.
"So, once I returned to my dorm room I found-" Silas caught his lips, unsure whether to tell him of the diary.
"Found what?" Glover leaned in, sensing the boy's unease.
"I found that the dorm room I got was the same one that I had before," Silas quickly continued, brushing off the intrigue that had set within Glover's eyes. "Even though I lost my memories, just before I was kicked out of the academy, I returned to my dorm and shit happened. Anyways, that's beside the point. A boy tried to kick my door down as I was trying to tidy up my room and so I jumped him with a few tricks."
"And…? Did you get kicked out because you beat the shit out of him?"
"No, I actually joined him on a little quest to retrieve an item special to him. Let's just say he had the wrong room due to a bad informer or traitor possibly… anyways, we found the right room, beat up a bunch of kids, found the thing he needed and I tried to strike a deal with him?"
"So it went south, huh? Got the item?"
Silas gently placed the shard onto the table, causing Glover's eyes to widen, the shiny rock's polished surface gleaming softly in the ambient light. It seemed like an ordinary piece, but as Glover watched, a peculiar phenomenon unfolded. The black spirals etched into the glass began to twitch and stir, like a living entity. They swayed back and forth, ebbing and flowing as if they were caught in a mysterious current, casting an eerie and mesmerizing aura around the shard.
"The kid who was tryna get this back. Was he a Coalgrave?"
"Yeah… how'd you know?"
"Man…" Glover's face twitched into an eerie grin, the octuple pupils behind his shades practically swirling in their mechanical bodies. "... you lucky son of a bitch. I'll let you party tonight kid. Till your heart's content! FUCK YEAH!"