Valerianne Syhéonne took a graceful step toward the center of the hall. Rain still trickled slowly down her porcelain-pale skin, tracing bright lines that slid between her full breasts and continued along the generous curve of her hips. The black dress clung to her body like a second wet skin, outlining every inch of her form with almost obscene precision.
She tilted her head slightly, her amber eyes gleaming with elegant hunger, and spoke in that velvety, husky, deliciously slow voice:
— Velmoure… — she murmured, savoring the name as if it were rare wine. — Ah, my darlings… if only you knew how beautiful this city is.
Valerianne took another step forward, the dress sticking to her wet curves as she continued:
— Imagine a city where time seems to sigh slowly, beneath an eternally overcast sky — silver-gray and melancholic. A fine, constant rain falls every day, making the narrow, winding streets gleam as if paved with wet obsidian. Gas lamps spill a soft golden light through the mist, creating long, romantic shadows that dance across the facades.
Her red lips curved into a slow smile.
— The buildings are tall and graceful, in the most classic Victorian style — dark brick, arched windows, wrought-iron balconies, and sloped roofs that seem to guard ancient secrets. Giant clocks toll the hours with deep, grave sounds that echo throughout the city, like a slow, ancient heart.
Valerianne slowly licked her lips, her amber eyes shining as she looked at me and then at Lila.
— A wide, dark river cuts through the middle of the city, its black waters reflecting the flickering lights like a mysterious mirror. Elegant bridges, always wrapped in dense fog, look like doors to another world… especially at night, when delicate silhouettes are said to walk upon them.
She lowered her voice, making it even more intimate and seductive:
— Black carriages still glide along the main streets, while cozy cafés with red velvet armchairs and ancient libraries coexist with exclusive clubs full of forbidden luxury. And in the narrowest alleys, hidden from the eyes of the elite… there are illegal markets where everything is traded: rare blood, potions of ecstasy, secrets worth more than gold. Secret societies gather in underground salons, where masks fall and the darkest desires take shape.
Valerianne took one more step, almost pressing her wet body against mine, and whispered:
— Velmoure is beautiful in a dark, romantic, and dangerous way. A city meant to be felt on the skin, to be tasted slowly… especially when the rain falls and the fog swallows everything.
She looked at both of us with a slow smile full of promises.
— So… do you want to go with me to Velmoure for a few days?
Lila gave a small hop in place, her feline ears perking up suddenly as her green eyes sparkled with pure excitement. Her tail swayed rapidly from side to side, almost as if it had a life of its own.
— Wow… that sounds so cool! — she meowed, her voice sweet and full of animation, almost trembling with excitement. — Velmoure looks so beautiful… the constant rain, the shining streets, the golden lamps in the fog, those mysterious bridges… oh, I'm so excited about this!
Lila turned her little face toward Isolde, looking up at her with bright, expectant eyes, her tail still swaying nonstop.
— Isolde… — she meowed, a little softer now, but with a voice full of affection and contained desire — you want to go too, right? Please tell me yes… I really want to go with you. I want to get lost in that city by your side… I want to see how you become even more dangerous there in the rain and the fog…
She took a small step closer to Isolde, looking up with the face of someone already imagining a thousand naughty things.
— You'll go with me, right? Please… I'm so excited my heart is beating so fast. I want to experience this with you…
Isolde watched Lila for a moment, the corner of her mouth curving into a slow, dangerous smile. Her dark violet eyes gleamed with clear hunger as she saw the little cat-girl so excited, tail wagging and cheeks flushed.
She took a step forward, raising her hand to gently caress one of Lila's feline ears with her thumb, before answering in that deep, husky, authoritative voice:
— Yes, Lila… I want to go.
Isolde leaned down slightly, bringing her face closer to the nekogirl's, her voice dropping to a more intimate and possessive tone:
— Actually, I want it even more than you think.
Before any magic happened, Isolde turned to Élodiane, Madeleine, and Rosamund — and the others who were watching.
With a calm, firm, and deep voice, Isolde spoke:
— We're going to Velmoure for a few days. Valerianne invited us, and we accepted. It's not a final goodbye, but we'll be away for a while.
She looked especially at Élodiane and added:
— Take care of the house while we're gone. Don't worry about us. When we return, we'll bring news… and probably some interesting stories.
Beside her, Lila was visibly nervous but excited. Her little ears trembled slightly and her tail swayed quickly from side to side. She clasped her hands in front of her body and meowed in a sweet, shy, slightly trembling voice:
— It's true… we're going with Valerianne to Velmoure.
I'm really excited, but also a little scared…
We won't be gone long, I promise! Just a few days…
I'm going to miss you all… especially Madeleine's cooking.
Lila looked at Madeleine with an apologetic little face and continued meowing softly:
— Take good care of everything here, okay? When I come back I want to eat everything again… and tell you all about it.
She took a small step closer to Isolde, almost brushing her arm against hers as if seeking support, and finished with a cute little meow:
— We'll be back soon… I promise.
Élodiane nodded with a serene smile, though her eyes showed a faint glimmer of concern. Madeleine crossed her arms and gave a provocative little grin, while Rosamund simply watched everything in silence.
Valerianne, satisfied with the farewell, elegantly raised one of her pale hands.
— Now that it's settled… let's dress you properly for Velmoure.
The dark violet magic began to swirl around Isolde and Lila.
The violet light mixed with the pink of the bats. Everything became bright for a moment.
And then… the hall of Maison Éternelle was empty.
When the light and the bats disappeared, they were no longer in the mansion.
They were standing in the grand hall of a magnificent residence in Velmoure.
The place was breathtaking: towering ceilings supported by dark gothic stone arches, black crystal chandeliers hanging like drops of night, walls lined with intricately carved dark wood, and tall arched windows letting in the soft gray light of Velmoure's constant rain. The polished black marble floor reflected the flames of the candelabras, and deep red rugs added a touch of warmth to the somber, luxurious atmosphere.
Valerianne opened her arms slightly, welcoming them with a warm smile.
— Welcome to my residence in Velmoure.
She looked at Isolde and Lila with affection and desire.
— What do you think?
Before either of them could answer, the silence of the mansion was gently broken.
From afar, echoing through the high corridors and spiral staircases, came soft but constant sounds. Several feminine voices talking quietly — light laughter, gentle murmurs, intertwined whispers, and the occasional clink of glasses or delicate chains. They were different voices, some deep and seductive, others sweet and melodic.