After a few more minutes of wandering around the citadel, they found themselves in de Lorraine's office. Unlike Lusignan's office, this one looked richer in its decor and resembled, rather, chambers in some kind of palace than actual office or a meeting room. However, even here the details typical of any office were not spared, namely, a wide table, comfortable chairs and a variety of different papers on the table.
From all this mass of gold ornaments and marble, however, something unusual stood out. The room was filled with small monoliths, bas-reliefs and all sorts of knick-knacks of obviously alien origin. Some of the monoliths even glowed purple, although this could only be a play of light from the lamps illuminating them. She was definitely very interested in collecting alien antiquities.
Juliette sat reclining on a huge couch near one of the monoliths and pulled Minna along with her.
"Luxury befitting the countess" – Lorraine had outfitted it to her own taste, without much doubt, but much more attention than the luxury and the unhindered beauty before her. The alien monoliths, or so she'd speculated, were not so unusual to have in an intelligence agency stronghold, but outside of secure and quarantined laboratories? Not so much.
Wilcke was about to question it, her lips already slightly agape to pose the inquiry... only distracted by Juliette resting them both on the sofa; Rheinlander wrapped her arms arouns the Gallic woman, casually and instinctively, expressing subtle affection in keeping the Countess close.
- - -
"We'll not for sure... but what are these stone murals? Safekeeping artifacts outside of contained laboratories is insecure."
I can guarantee they are safe. These are nothing more than just stones with history. Specifically, the closest one tells about the life of the race that created them. I have a certain craving for collecting these. In any case, we are not here to discuss the history of civilizations long gone into oblivion, are we?
She smiled innocently and touched the palm of Wilke's shoulder, holding the other in the lock with Minna's hand.
Juliette looks straight into her eyes again and Minna is overwhelmed by a feeling of tiredness and relaxation. Everything else now seems insignificant. Neither the previous purpose of the visit, nor even these monoliths. Only Juliette. Here and now. Minna desires her, but there is something strange about this desire. A slight feeling that something is not right.
Juliette pulled Minna slightly towards her, wrapping her arms around back, her gaze tho still fixed on Minna's eyes.
Something isn't right... Something wasn't, some primal instincts suggested, blared like sirens – danger! But, with the invoked distracting numbness of mind, Wilcke couldn't quite comprehend what was it or it's source, only Juliette's beautiful facade's sudden attraction was what mattered.
Minna's digits tightened the grip on Countess' digits, free wrapped around the waist and held Lorraine close. Waiting no longer, Direktor planted another kiss on these lips, greedy for more intimate affection, not just strictly business visits.
I can guarantee they are safe. These are nothing more than just stones with history. Specifically, the closest one tells about the life of the race that created them. I have a certain craving for collecting these. In any case, we are not here to discuss the history of civilizations long gone into oblivion, are we?
They finally merged in a new kiss. Juliette still behaved very impudently. Wilke's mind gradually began to blur, as if she was slowly sinking into a thick, heavy and impenetrable fog. Before finally losing consciousness, she felt something slip into her throat, and Juliet's eyes were enveloped in a barely perceptible purple haze.
"Sleep well, mon amour." - Juliette's voice was heard from the depths of Wilke's consciousness.
Wilke lost consciousness, plunging into a deep wonderful sleep. She dreamed of distant stars, incredible structures that looked like floating castles right in space, and clouds of all possible colors and shades. Space, in all its frightening depths. But Minna felt at home in all this.
Meanwhile, in reality, Juliette broke the kiss, covered the sleeping woman with a blanket and spoke out loud in a slightly distorted voice.
So be it. Such a fine addition to our family. The Elders would be glad to have you with us, my new sister...
When the distortion stopped, and the light in Juliette's eyes dissapeared, she walked out of the office, leaving Minna alone with her dreams and the transformation that was happening at that moment.
Minna's hazy mind eventually succumbed to the odd chant and collapsed...
Collapsed just to bear withness to surreal, borderline psychodelic visions confusing the mind. These had no good, not even proper explanation to Wilcke, now undergoing metamorphosis she, herself, was oblivious of and that was riddled by the thick veil of those visions, unexplainable and bewildering to generally strictly rational Direktor. Faced with utterly surreal ordeal, Minna had not fought the sheer confusion she'd found herself with, but went along with it, in hope at the very end, and end yet unseen and unimagined, explanation would come and new conditions were to become crystal clear.
From there, she'd devise the plan on how to act next. Once that haze wears off, and her consciousness returns...
