The cruiser arrives at a short building with open bays and it lands inside an illuminated opening on the rooftop. Once the cruiser lands, it goes down an elevator to the ground level of the building and you look out the window to see several other cruisers landing and taking off on the floors that you're passing. Finally once the lift reaches the bottom, the doors open and stairs extend out from the floor down into the bay as you and Reylesh stand up and prepare to depart.
" We've arrived a couple blocks away from your destination. Once you exit the building, just head south down the road and it'll be on your right. Thank you for cruising B-Class, and remember, Praise Vol!! "
The pilot says as the both of you step off the cruiser. You turn back and nod your head before the doors to the cruiser close.
" Thank you. "
You say before exiting the cruiser. You walk off as if you're alone, paying no mind to Reylesh, and she struggles to keep up with you as you traverse the glowing futuristic halls of the building heading towards the exit. Once you step outside, you're greeted by the sight of hundreds of people all bustling through the street amongst others who are just standing against the shops and buildings socializing. You then look up and see the giant neon skyscrapers towering above you to the point that you can't even see the sky. You begin heading south and Reylesh grabs ahold of your hand and pulls herself close to you as if you're a couple. You immediately pull your hand away and look down at her questionably, but before you can say anything, she exclaims her reason for doing so in a polite tone.
" We gotta stay together. I don't want either one of us to get lost amongst the crowd… "
After you think about how much time it would waste if either of you got lost, you reluctantly hold your hand out for her.
" Fine. "
You say as she giddily grasps your hand and giggles before you both start walking again. As you both traverse the city street, you notice how the civilians in Voldoor are dressed. It appears that the higher class citizens are dressed modestly and the lower class citizens are dressed inappropriately. You see what appears to be several business groups, gang members, and crowds of other people all moving and standing together but there isn't anyone who's alone. You can tell that this makes you and Reylesh stand out since there's only two of you and she's shorter compared to everyone else, but you pay no mind to it as you continue heading down the street towards the club. Then, unexpectedly, you're stopped by what looks like an overweight food vendor wearing a sideways visor who puts his arm out in front of you as he talks to you loudly.
" Hey!! You two look awfully hungry!! Interested in some grub? I got the best Blastdogs in the whole city!! "
You nod politely as you respond.
" No thanks. I'm not carrying any money at the moment. I appreciate it though. "
The vendor looks at you peculiarly as he begins to question you.
" Money, huh…? You're not from around here, are ya? "
You give the man a serious glare as you answer.
" Respectfully, that's none of your business but I hope you have a nice night. Thank you for your offer. I'm sure your Blastdogs are great. "
You say before continuing to walk off with Reylesh. The man then shouts at you as you're passing him, obviously continuing to pry.
" Well since you're an outsider, how about I make you a deal. You can have a couple Blastdogs on me, free of charge!! I'll give you and your little lady one dog each as a welcome gift to our great city!! "
Several people immediately stop what they're doing and stare at you and Reylesh upon hearing that you're both outsiders, and you get a feeling that things are gonna start getting bad really fast if you don't deescalate the situation.
You turn back around to the man and make a remark to him in a friendly tone, attempting to win him over in front of the crowd that's watching you carefully.
" I never said that I was an outsider, but I'd love to try one of your Blastdogs if you're offering it for free. They do smell very delicious and you do have a good eye for hungry customers because I am indeed hungry myself. We'll take two, please. "
The vendor gives you a smug smile as he replies, preparing the food for you.
" Two Blastdogs, coming right up!! "
Reylesh then pulls your arm down and tiptoes up as she whispers in your ear. You can tell that she's trying to be discreet as she speaks to you.
" Don't eat his food. "
You look at her, puzzled, as you question her quietly.
" Why? What is it this time? "
" Just don't. I'll explain when we're in private. "
The vendor then picks up two sausage shaped tubes of steaming meat inside of a tray and hands them to you.
" There you go, bud. Tell me what you think! "
You grab the food from the man and respond to him politely.
" I think I'll wait for it to cool down. Thank you for your kindness. "
You say as you begin to turn back around and continue walking. The man calls out to you loudly again, obviously trying to cause a scene.
" What's the matter? I'm just looking for a little feedback here! You didn't lie about being hungry now, did you? Or perhaps you are an outsider and you don't approve of my Voldoorian cuisine! "
Even more people begin staring at you and you stop to look down at Reylesh. You consider taking a bite of his food to appease him, but you see her shaking her head disapprovingly with a nervous stare. You think it over a bit before deciding that trusting Reylesh is better than trusting a random guy in Voldoor, so you turn back around and attempt to intimidate him.
" We're going to have our Minder take a look at this food before we eat it, just to be safe. We're on a pretty important mission right now and we can't be too careful. "
You notice the faces of everyone in the crowd around you immediately go pale with fear and the street immediately goes quiet and still. As everyone is staring at you, you take notice of their ghostly eyes as they stand frozen. The food vendor begins sweating profusely as he stutters in response.
" Di- Did you just say- M- Minder? "
You're confused, but you don't crack your facade and keep a serious stare as you nod and respond.
" Yes. Thank you for the food. I'll be sure to come back and tell you how it was next time we're around here. "
You then immediately turn and pull Reylesh's hand as you walk through the crowd continuing towards your destination. Everyone's head turns and follows both of you as you exit the crowd and walk through a new area that's busy again. You look down at Reylesh beside you and ask her a question as you both continue traversing the street.
" What was that all about? I didn't think that they'd be intimidated that much by me simply mentioning a Minder… "
Reylesh speaks up and responds with a remark of her own that doesn't answer your question.
" Throw those away. I'm doing you a favor. "
" Why? "
You ask her and she immediately gives you a short reply, trying to be discreet.
" Can't talk about it here. Just do it. "
You see a trashcan up ahead and throw the Blastdogs into the trash as you pass. After you discard the food, Reylesh answers your question.
" There is nothing people fear here more than a Minder. They're looked at as mythical undying killers and they're above even the highest businessmen in the social heirarchy. There are many powerful people here in Voldoor, but every single one of them can still be killed by a Minder regardless. It doesn't matter who you are, how many credits you have, or what your influence here in this city is. Everyone, even presidents and gang leaders, can be killed the same as a lower class bum if a Minder decides to. "
Interesting. That explains why Gareth was so proud and egotistical when you first met him.
You look up ahead of you and see Tom and Gareth waiting outside of the club for you, and Tom immediately looks at you when you set your eyes on him. He smiles and reaches up, signaling as he calls out to you.
" Hey Donny!! How was the walk? "
You and Reylesh both squeeze into line with him as you respond.
" We got bothered by a street vendor, but it wasn't really anything serious. What about you guys? "
Tom puts his hand on your shoulder as he replies, looking at you happily.
" The wait wasn't too bad. We're up next to go inside. You guys made it just in time. "
Right as Tom says that, the people ahead of you get let inside the club and you all move up to the hulking bouncer at the front. He's tall and unnaturally muscular to the point that his head blocks the glowing neon sign on the top of the entrance as he looks down at you.
" Names and affiliations, please. "
You and Tom both look at Gareth as he steps forward, speaking up at the bouncer.
" Gareth, the Minder. These three are with me. "
A wave of disbelief immediately washes over the bouncer's face as he responds to Gareth in a skeptical tone.
" Minder, huh? What business does a Minder have here at The Devil's Den? "
Gareth looks up at the bouncer confidently as he steps forward and puts his hand on the bouncer's forearm. He smiles and grips it effortlessly. After feeling Gareth's grip strength, the bouncer looks down at him in fear as Gareth speaks to him.
" My business here is classified. You'll do well to let us through. "
The bouncer quickly and helplessly replies in the hopes that Gareth will release him, immediately knowing that Gareth was telling the truth based on his strength.
" Of course! Ack- Go right on inside! "
Gareth lets him go and pats him on the arm as he passes, talking to him in a nonchalant manner.
" Thanks, boss. "
As you, Tom and Reylesh follow Gareth inside, you look at the bouncer's arm where Gareth was holding him and see solid black hand shaped bruise. If you didn't know any better, you'd think that this city belongs to Gareth by the way he carries himself and the people here fear him.