A lone Kirin stood before a tall iron gate. The gate was black and intricate floral shapes had been welded into the bars. Off to the side was a speaker, with a small red button at its center.

About a mile away stood a mansion. The mansion was white, seemingly made from marble, and appeared to be well cared for. Despite this, however, the sky around it was dark, stormy, and the air cold.

The Kirin adjusted the bag on her bag, seemingly trying to draw out having to press the button. She gulped then raised a shaky hoof.

She pressed the button and waited. When a voice didn’t immediately come from the speaker, the Kirin blinked. Her blue eyes filled with confusion.

After a moment the Kirin lifted her hoof to press the button again. Then a booming screeching came from the speaker. The Kirin's heart nearly jumped from her chest. Before she could fully regain her composure, a voice then followed up the noise.

“Name?” The voice demanded.

“Lily E-Ember!” The Kirin answered. She blushed a bit at her stuttering but tried to focus her mental energy on the current situation. She was unable to.
The voice disappeared for a moment then returned with slightly less aggression.

“You may enter.”

The gate slowly creaked open on its own. Lily Ember watched the gate till it was fully opened then she began to head towards the mansion.

As she approached she kept her eyes on the ground. The soft warm dirt road turned to cold cobblestone. The air also seemed to grow colder and colder as she drew closer. She had never been more great-full for her orange mane as she was now.

Lilly Ember noticed that the entrance of the mansion had eight large bushes, four on the left and four on the right. While she admired the bushes, a sudden movement from beneath the closet bush on the right caught her attention. Lily paused for a moment.

Her dark yellow scales began to itch, as they always did when she got cold chills. She felt a twinge of curiosity. She tried to force it down but then more movement. Her curiosity overwhelmed her and she soon found herself heading towards the bush.

Suddenly, the mansion's doors were slammed open. Lily Ember jumped at the loud noise. The band on her crescent-shaped horn glowed slightly as it charged a magic blast reflexively.

In the door frame stood a blue unicorn. His icy blue eyes framed by dark glasses were focused intently on Lily. The unicorn then let out a sigh and he adjusted his clothing.

“Sorry for having frightened you, young miss. I grew worried when you hadn’t arrived at the allotted time.” He said in a forcefully calm voice.

Lily Ember stared at him for a moment. She noticed he wore a dark vest and white dress shirt. From this and his formal speaking, she gathered he must be the butler of the estate.

This was the first time she had heard about an allotted time for arrival, however, so that gave her pause. Instead of questioning this outwardly, Lily decided to ignore it.

“Oh uh, it’s fine.” She said in a slight whisper. The unicorn nodded and stood beside the door, holding open with his horn.

Lily then approached the door. Lily took a moment to take in the mansion. In front of her was an entryway that was framed on either side by stairs. The stairs led up to two sets of hallways full of rooms. At the center of the room sat a marble sculpture of Queen Celestia.

Once she was satisfied with checking things out, lily turned to the unicorn. He still stood within the doorframe. Lily noticed and shivered slightly at the deep hatred carved into his face.

The unicorn then shut the door and turned back to lily.
“I am Aether Weaver, the butler of this estate.” He announced.

Lily quietly cheered within her mind at the fact she had called it but outwardly simply nodded politely.

“Queen Twilight Sparkle alerted me to your then-upcoming arrival and has also ordered for me to help you get settled.” He added.

Lily Ember nodded. “Um, thanks!” She squeaked out. Aether weaver bowed his head slightly.

“Alright then, let’s head over to your room.” The unicorn walked up the stairs on the right, then down the hallway and Lily followed him quickly.

As they made their way down the hall, Lily Ember noticed the portraits that peppered the marble walls.

They were from many different eras which sparked Lily’s interest. From before Queen Luna’s fall to Queen Twilight’s ascension.

Excitement bubbled in her chest. She would have to check these out later.

Far sooner than Lily wanted, Aether led her to a Brown door. His horn glowed with blue energy and he opened the door.

“This way please.” He stated as he entered.
As lily entered she noticed a familiar movement in the corner of her eye. She turned but saw nothing. Lily lifted a hoof and scratched her scaled shoulder. Aether noticed.

“Lily Ember?” He asked, drawing her attention.

Lily blushed furiously and quickly made her way into the room.

“I’m sorry I j-just thought I saw something!” She stammered.

Aether gave a resentful look at the door.

“It’s far more likely you did see something. But eventually, you’ll grow used to it.”

Though his words were meant to be more comforting, the noticeable cold resentment within his voice rattled Lily slightly.

Aether noticed this.

He coughed into his hoof then asked.

“Do you need help with anything?”

Lily responded, “oh no, I’m good. I’ll just be putting all my things away.”

Aether nodded. Then he pointed out a speaker on the side of the door.

“If you need anything, just press this button and I’ll answer as soon as I am able.” He stated.

Lily nods and Aether begins to leave the room.
Lily then realizes something. She grabs the unicorn’s shoulder quickly.

Aether’s eyes grow wide in shock and he turns to Lily. Lily notices his discomfort and quickly apologizes.

“Oh I’m so sorry, I just wanted to thank you for your help.” The young Kirin blushed and stared at the floor.
Aether chuckles and gives Lily a comforting pat on the shoulder.

“Don’t fret about it. It’s quite alright.”
Lily looks back up at Aether and for a moment they lock eyes.

Aether’s face becomes unreadable. He excuses himself and leaves.

Lily stands in the door frame for a moment and then returns to the room, closing the door softly behind her.

Now that she was alone, Lily decided to take the moment to check out her new room. It was sparsely furnished. At the room's center was a brown canopy bed. Off to the side was a matching wardrobe, and at the foot of the bed was a storage bench.

A sudden wave of exhaustion flowed through Lily. She decided to simply put most of her things in the storage bench. She was sure she would have plenty of time to sort everything tomorrow.

Lily pulled back the covers and snuggled into the bed. She yawned and soon began to doze off.

In a distant corner, hidden within darkness, a dark miasma coiled within itself like a snake. In its center was a crimson, cat-like eye.

Once lily was within the room, the eye closed and the miasma slithered into a crack in the wall, a dark chuckle left in its wake

Author's Note

Hope you guys enjoy this story :)