I turned my gaze toward Natalia, raising an eyebrow in playful skepticism. “It’s . . . subtle.”
Natalia chuckled, her heels clicking assertively against the cobblestones as she led the way. “Just wait.”
Inside Vinifera, the air was alive with the quiet hustle of renewal. The tavern’s classic charm—dark wood panels, soft jazz tunes trickling from hidden speakers, low-hung amber lights—mingled with the energy of rejuvenation. Workers moved with purpose, their hands carefully polishing aged wood surfaces, applying fresh coats of deep, rich paint, and adjusting the newly hung lights that added a warm, modern glow.
I walked by a striking new addition near the bar’s end—a floor-to-ceiling wooden and metal shelf, an artful construction designed to cradle an extensive collection of wine bottles. Its blend of rustic charm and contemporary elegance seemed to embody the spirit of Vinifera’s transformation.
Nearby, a small wine cellar, its walls of glass framed in sleek black metal, caught my attention. The sight brought an unbidden blush to my cheeks, as memories of my and Max’s clandestine adventure in my parents’ wine cellar flickered to life. The cellar, with its inviting display of vintage and rare wines, was like a transparent treasure chest, radiating the promise of shared secrets and discoveries.
The tavern, in the midst of its transformation, felt like a bridge between the past and the future, keeping one foot in tradition while stepping confidently forward into a new era. It was in this space, between the old and the new, that I found myself reflecting on the journey I’d embarked upon—a journey of new beginnings, unexpected friendships, and a world of possibilities waiting to be uncorked.
Natalia guided me toward the back, where an immense bookshelf reached from floor to ceiling. Without hesitation, she pressed a seemingly random compilation of spines, and with a hushed creak, the bookshelf swung open, revealing the threshold to the Mirage Guild.
Stepping through, the atmosphere shifted palpably. Here, the sounds of construction and the old-world charm of the wine bar gave way to something from another world.
We stepped fully into the Mirage Guild, enveloped by a world that seamlessly wove the whimsy of a vintage circus with the plush, opulent elegance typical of a high-end lounge. The immediate view was dominated by bold, emerald greens, lavish gold accents, and sultry, velvety reds, establishing a setting that was at once inviting and thrilling.
We stood on an elevated entry, giving us a panorama of the alluring spectacle below. In the room’s center, a large, circular stage commanded attention, adorned overhead by extravagant striped fabric cascading from the ceiling, creating a tent-like aura. It was as if we had stepped into a clandestine spectacle, a hidden world where the unexpected was the norm.
I descended the few steps, my hand gently gliding over the polished mahogany rail, my eyes wide and darting about, drinking in every detail. The chairs and loungers encircling the stage were low, fashioned from rich, dark wood, and upholstered with sumptuous, jewel-toned fabrics, all facing toward the stage in anticipatory arrangement, awaiting an event, a show, a reveal.
Gilded light fixtures hung low over each table, casting a warm, intimate glow over each seating area. It was as if every seat promised its own private viewing of the impending spectacle, despite being part of a larger audience.
I whispered, still gazing around, “It’s like stepping into another era. This is incredible, Nat.”
The walls on either side of the circular stage boasted halls filled with doors, each distinct, yet uniformly exquisite. Some sported polished brass knobs, others intricate carvings, suggesting that behind each entryway lay a unique experience waiting to be uncovered. It whispered of mysteries and adventures yet to be embarked upon, each door a portal to a different facet of the Mirage Guild’s offerings.
At the room’s far end, an expansive bar stretched elegantly, immediately catching my eye. Mercury glass mirrors fractured yet somehow whole, lined the back of the bar, reflecting and refracting the warm, ambient light.
Natalia leaned in, her voice a melodic whisper, “Every detail, every piece here tells a story, Izzy. Isn’t it thrilling?”
My eyes twinkled, reflecting the fractured light from the mercury glass. For a moment, my previous apprehensions seemed to melt away, absorbed by the fantastical charm of the Mirage Guild. It was a realm where we could craft stories, adventures, and experiences not just for ourselves, but for everyone who stepped into this enchanting spectacle.
There was magic here, and we were now a part of it.
“Can’t you just see it coming to life?” Natalia asked as I continued to take in my fill, my eyes scanning every surface of the room.
“Yeah, actually, I can,” I responded with a small smile on my face.
The stage was set up in a way that everyone in the room could see it. It was for performance. For show. Whoever ended up on that stage was going to be seen. I could picture some of the events they might host here. I’d been doing some reading on educational elements their members might enjoy and I found myself way more into it all than I thought I’d be.
I could plan a workshop on Shibari, or a sensual wax play, there could even be themed burlesque shows, or live erotic art performances. I felt confident I could reach out to the DeLorenzos to find artists to work with and bring them here, to the Mirage Guild.
But I didn’t want to just utilize the stage. The tasting events that I’d worked with Max on were equally as intimate and sensual. Private tasting experiences could definitely be incorporated into the corners of this room.
“So the space will kind of act in two parts,” Natalia said. “Back here is where the sexy things will go down.” Nat shimmied her shoulders as she spoke. “And up front in the tavern is where anyone can come for a drink and listen to music. There will be a bar in this section as well, but this space is mostly for enjoying the stage and reserving a room.”
“And where will Max be?” I asked the inside thought out loud.
Natalia had a sly grin on my face as she eyed me. “So Max will basically be the sommelier available for private events. He’ll bounce around from Vinifera to the Mirage Guild throughout the week, depending on where he’s needed.”
I simply nodded like it was routine information I needed, but I knew Natalia saw right through me. But for now, it still felt safest to keep what had happened to myself. For now, it was fun, and it seemed like it served as a release for both of us. It didn’t need to mean anything more than that.
I took another look around the space as Natalia took measurements for a few things. New furniture would arrive next week to fill the open floor space around the stage and new lighting would be wired in shortly after that. They were putting their mark on this space, and I was happy to be a part of it.
I enjoyed the vibe of the Mirage Guild; it felt cozier and more intimate than the lounge at the Prism Society. I could see myself at home here and the thought of that both thrilled and terrified me.
“Oh, are you coming out for Jules’s birthday tomorrow night?” Nat asked as we headed back through the tucked-away bookshelf and into the crew working inside Vinifera. “She’s basically demanding anyone involved with the new space come out dancing so we can all hang out before things get even crazier.”
