The cold wind bit against her skin, causing her to shiver. The falling snow began to cover the streets of the small city, forcing plow drivers to get out of bed and clear it.
The sidewalks however, were another matter. No one wanted to clear them. They were second on the list. Why? No one walked anymore. Everyone drove, or biked, or teleported (maybe not that last one) and because of this, no one cleared the sidewalks, which made it awfully hard to walk, particularly when one wore heels. She was regretting wearing a skirt.
Her eyes could barely see, drooping due to a blend of fatigue, cold and the snow getting in them. She saw a sign up ahead, which read 'Canterlot Inn.' She double checked the street, and quickly crossed it, making her way to the door.
She opened it, and was treated to the sound of a bell ringing above her, signaling her entry. The inn had a rustic feel to it, the interior was made of a dark brown wood. To her left were two bathrooms with a staircase between them, and her to right was a sitting area, with several lush, purple chairs surrounding a glass coffee table, with a fire place by the wall. In front of her was a reception desk, void of any people. A door was behind it, along with a rack of keys labeled with room numbers.
She carefully walked up to the desk, clutching her jacket. The inn was warm, and smelled of chocolate. She arrived at the desk, and tapped the bell on it. A few seconds later, the door behind the desk opened, and a man with pale skin and red hair exited. "Ah, hello deary!" He said cheerfully, with a thick Scottish accent attributed to him, "Merry Christmas, or Hanukkah, or Hearth's Warming, or whatever it is you celebrate, if you celebrate anything at all." He leaned on the desk and folded his hand together, "What can I do for ya?"
She licked her lips and said with a dry voice, "I-I'd like a room, please."
"Well, that I somewhat gathered." The man replied, "But, what sized room? We have three, for a single person that is, unless you're expecting someone."
"I'm not." She replied, "How much are the rooms?"
"Fifteen dollars a day, for the smallest, which features a single bed and bedroom. Those are usually meant for overnight stays though," The Innkeeper explained, "Twenty dollars a day for the rooms with more living space, and they also come with a television and a larger bathroom. It's also a two dollar charge for every time you call room service, unless it's for either an emergency or something we screwed up on. Payment's either due when you leave, or at the end of the week."
"How long may I stay?" She asked.
"As long as you'd like." The Innkeeper replied, "Why, we had one girl who stayed here for two years before finally leaving."
"I'll take one of the larger rooms please." She said.
"Alright then," He grabbed a notepad and a pen from under the desk, "If you'll sign here please, miss." She set her leather suitcase on the ground and grabbed the pen, spelling our her signature: Kiara Malise. The Innkeeper pulled back the clipboard and checked her signature. "Alright then Miss Malise, your room is number eleven." He grabbed a key off of a hook and handed it to her. "First room on the second floor. If you need anything, there's a phone there by your bedside. Don't hesitate to give us a ring."
"Alright, thank you mister..." She egged him for his name.
"Marigold." He replied, smiling, "The name's James Marigold." He extended his hand, "Pleasure to meet you Kiara Malise."
She hesitantly took his hand. "And you Mister Marigold."
He let go of her hand and grinned wider. "Enjoy your stay at Canterlot Inn, however long it may be."
She nodded, and turned toward the staircase. She turned left onto the second floor, and unlocked her room, entering it. The same rustic feel proceeded into the room, which contained a single large bed with white sheets, a moderately sized flatscreen TV, a couch on the far wall, and a door which lead to the bathroom.
Kiara closed and locked the door behind her. Tomorrow she'd be going to that school. The one where it happened. She sat down on the bed and sat the suitcase next to her. She patted it gently. "Don't worry. Soon I'll fix you." The case shook in response, and Kiara lied down on her back. Tomorrow it would begin.
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