Raven stood at the ornate front door of the Sumr residence, her hand hovering over the knocker.
She took a deep breath, steeling herself.
[I can't believe I agreed to this,] she thought, shaking her head slightly. [, pretending to be a dance manager. What am I getting myself into?]
Before she could second-guess herself further, the door swung open, revealing Kimiko in all her radiant glory.
The older kitsune's eyes lit up at the sight of Raven, a sly smile playing on her lips.
The kitsune matriarch was dressed in a simple but elegant kimono, the silk fabric clinging to her curves in all the right places. Her vibrant pink hair was pulled up into an intricate bun, held in place by ornate hairpins that glinted in the light.
"Ah, Raven! Right on ti," Kimiko purred, stepping forward.
"Yes, I-"
Kimiko's lips were then on hers, soft and warm and tasting faintly of cherry blossoms.
To her own surprise, Raven didn't flinch or pull away. All she felt was a small shiver down her spine.
[Well,] Raven thought as Kimiko pulled back, [that was... unexpected. But not unpleasant.]
"Co in, dear," Kimiko said, ushering Raven inside with a gentle hand on her lower back. "Isabella's just warming up in the living room."
As they entered the spacious living area, Raven's eyes widened at the sight before her.
Isabella was there, alright, but "warming up" seed like an understatent.
Isabella stood in the middle of the living room, clad in an outfit that could barely be called "clothing".
Sheer, gauzy fabric clung to her curves, leaving very little to the imagination. She swayed and spun to an unheard rhythm, her movents fluid and sensual.
Raven watched, equal parts fascinated and perplexed, as Isabella practiced what Kimiko had described as the 'essential moves' for her role at the gala. The dance was unlike anything Raven had seen before - raw, primal, and... undeniably erotic.
"Ah, Rae!" Isabella called out, pausing mid-twirl to flash a dazzling smile. ["Rae"? That's not my na.] "What do you think? Think I'll catch so noble eyes in this little number?"
Raven cleared her throat, trying to find a professional response.
"It's... certainly eye-catching," she managed.
Kimiko chuckled, settling gracefully onto a nearby chaise lounge.
"That's rather the point, dear. Now, Isabella, why don't you run through that last sequence again? Raven needs to see what she'll be... managing."
As Isabella launched into another series of fluid, hypnotic movents, a question nagged at the back of Raven's mind.
"Mrs. Sumr," she began, her voice low, "I was wondering... what exactly is the difference between a 'dancer' and a 'sundancer' at these events? I couldn't help but notice that latter term yesterday."
Kimiko's smile turned sly, a knowing glint in her eye.
"Ah, an excellent question, my dear. You see, the regular dancers perform only during the public portions of the gala, the grand 'Swings' as they're called. There will be six throughout the night, each more grand than the last, culminating in a spectacular finale at dawn to welco the rising sun."
She paused, taking a sip from a nearby glass of wine before continuing.
"Sundancers, on the other hand, are available for... private performances between the Swings."
Isabella perked up at this, her ears twitching with interest.
"Ooh, private dances? What exactly does that entail, Mom?"
Kimiko's smile widened, her tail swishing behind her in amusent.
"Well, my darling, that rather depends on the noble in question and how... generous they're feeling. It could be anything from a simple private performance to more... intimate encounters."
[Oh,] Raven thought, realization dawning. [So she'll essentially be a high-class prostitute for the night.]
To Raven's surprise, Isabella didn't look horrified or scandalized by this revelation.
If anything, the young kitsune seed even more excited.
[What a terrifying individual.]
"Intimate encounters, huh?" Isabella purred, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Now that sounds like my kind of party."
Kimiko chuckled, rising from her seat to adjust Isabella's outfit.
"Now, now, darling. Rember, you're there on a mission. You'll have your fun, but try not to get too... distracted."
Isabella pouted playfully.
"Understood. I'll make sure she stays safe and on task," Raven added, prompting both won to look at her.
Isabella bounced over to Raven, wrapping her arms around the taller girl's waist.
"Aww, Rae! I didn't know you cared so much!"
Raven stiffened slightly at the contact.
"It's not exactly for your sake, but alright," she muttered, though she made no move to push the kitsune away.
Kimiko clapped her hands, drawing their attention once more.
"Excellent. Now, let's go over the finer points of etiquette for these private encounters. Raven, you'll need to know how to negotiate fees, recognize potential threats, and extract Isabella if a situation becos... uncomfortable. People will get what they pay for, of course, but sotis individuals can get... greedy, let's say.
You'll be the one to step in, in those cases."
As Kimiko launched into a detailed explanation of the intricacies of high-class escort work, Raven found herself oddly fascinated.
[This is certainly not how I expected to be using my skills,] Raven mused, watching as Isabella practiced a particularly provocative dance move. [But, well, things could end up taking a turn for the familiar later.]
Throughout the afternoon, they ran through various scenarios - how to politely decline overly aggressive nobles, mainly - until the sun began to set.
Raven felt odd.
This mission - for that's what it was, despite the glamorous trappings - was unlike anything she'd ever undertaken before.
[But then again,] she thought, her gaze lingering on Isabella's graceful form as the kitsune practiced one last twirl, [everything's been different since I t lisa.]
"Alright, ladies," Kimiko announced, a note of satisfaction in her voice. "I think we've covered the basics. Raven, do you feel prepared for your role?"
Raven nodded, her expression determined.
"As ready as I can be, given the circumstances."
Isabella grinned, draping herself dramatically over Raven's shoulders.
"Don't worry, Rae." [She's not going to let that nickna go, is she?] "We're gonna rock this gala. Between your skills and my irresistible charms, we'll have those nobles eating out of our hands in no ti."
"Let's just focus on keeping lisa safe and gathering information, shall we?"
Kimiko watched the exchange with a knowing smile.
"I have a feeling you two are going to make quite the team. Now, why don't we celebrate a successful planning session with a little wine? We can toast to the adventure that awaits you at the gala."
As Kimiko poured the wine and Isabella chattered excitedly about her costu ideas, Raven allowed herself a mont of quiet reflection.
She thought about how much her life had changed since eting lisa, how she'd gone from a solitary assassin to... whatever this was.
[Friend? Lover? Protector?] She wasn't sure how to define her relationships anymore, but as she accepted a glass of wine from Kimiko and listened to Isabella's infectious laughter, Raven realized sothing important.
For the first ti in a very long ti, she felt like she belonged sowhere.
And that, perhaps, was worth all the uncertainty and chaos that ca with it.
"Now..." Isabella grinned at Kimiko. She hopped on top of her, pulling her kimono up and exposing the woman's cock. Raven just blinked. "How about we take a break?"
Kimiko reacted like Raven wasn't even there.
"Certainly~"
Raven, eyes still on them as they started making out, took a sip of the wine Kimiko had left half-drank.
[Goodness.]
---
{lisa}
lisa leaned against the wall of Armia's lavish bedroom, watching as the darian girl twirled in front of a full-length mirror.
[... God, this room is so damn pink.]
Setting that aside, the gown Armia wore was a deep, shimring gold that complented her scales perfectly, clinging to her muscular fra in a way that sohow managed to look both elegant and powerful.
Margaret stood nearby. lisa had asked her to co and she decided she could, leaving Hazel with listair who was taking a day off.
She asked:
"Are you sure you wouldn't prefer a suit, dear? I think you'd look quite dashing in one."
Armia shook her head, a soft smile on her face.
"Thank you, Mrs. Blackfla, but I've always dread of wearing a gown to a royal gala. This is... This is what I want."
Darien, Armia's younger brother, lounged on a nearby chair, his tail (slightly smaller than Armia's) swishing lazily.
"I still don't see why you're making such a fuss, sis. It's just a party."
Armia shot him a look that could have lted steel.
"It's not just a party, Darien. It's a chance to..."
She trailed off, her eyes eting lisa's in the mirror. The nim girl gave her an encouraging nod, and Armia's shoulders straightened, her chin lifting proudly.
Margaret, ever perceptive, cleared her throat.
"Darien, dear, why don't we step outside for a mont? I believe I saw so interesting artifacts in the hallway that I'd love to get a closer look at." Enjoy new tales from My Virtual Library Empire
The younger darian shrugged, following Margaret out of the room with a casual wave. As the door closed behind them, lisa found herself alone with Armia.
"You look beautiful, Armia," she said softly, reaching out to adjust a fold in the gown's fabric. "Really. Gorgeous."
Armia's scales flushed a deeper gold, her tail curling shyly behind her.
"Thank you, lisa. I... I can't tell you how much this ans to ."
lisa tilted her head.
"The gala, you an?"
Armia nodded, turning to face lisa fully.
"Yes, but... it's more than that. This," she gestured to herself, to the gown, "this is what I've always wanted. To be seen as a proper lady, to attend grand events, to be part of that world."
Her voice grew softer, almost wistful.
"I feel like... like I'm finally doing sothing befitting a noblewoman."
lisa felt a warmth blooming in her chest, touched by Armia's vulnerability.
"Armia," lisa said, taking the darian's hands in her own, "you don't need to wear gowns to be elegant in my eyes."
"Thank you. But," she looked down at herself, "feeling it... this is different."
lisa nodded.
On impulse, she leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Armia's cheek.
"Well, Lady Duskscale," she said with a playful grin, "I hope you're ready to dazzle every noble at that gala. They won't know what hit them."
Armia laughed, the sound rich and full of joy.
"We should probably call the others back in," lisa said (a little reluctantly).
Armia nodded, giving lisa's hands a final squeeze before releasing them.
"Yes, I suppose we should. But lisa?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you. For giving this... gift."
lisa smiled, her heart full.
"Anyti."
Reviews
All reviews (0)