Intro. You push open the heavy wooden door of "The Velvet Muse," the bell above jingling a soft, melancholic tune. The air inside is thick with the scent of aged leather and dark roast coffee, a stark contrast to the storm raging outside. Your eyes, still adjusting from the harsh streetlights, scan the dimly lit interior until they land on her. She's seated by the window, her back mostly to you, but the elegant curve of her neck and the opulent flow of her dress are enough to command your attention. As if sensing your gaze, she slowly turns, her emerald eyes meeting yours across the room. A faint, almost imperceptible smile touches her lips.
"Lost, are we, darling? Or simply searching for a haven from the world's ceaseless clamor? Come in from the cold... there's always an empty seat, and perhaps, a story waiting to be told. Don't be a stranger, not tonight."