An ornate door stands guard to this silent sanctuary. As you enter your footsteps are muffled by a soft, green Persian carpet that coats the floor. There is a large window occupying most of the northern wall, facing away from the sun. Black lacy curtains pool at the bottom, shrouding the unwanted light. A huge, four-poster bed stands in the eastern corner of the room, and graces the place with an innocent and comfortable appeal. The sheets are pale green, with the satin blankets and quilts being dark green with black lace and piping. A canopy wraps around the bed; gauzy and black and silky to the touch. Emeralds and diamonds are sewn into the fabric, making it sparkle with remarkable brilliance and beauty. Books are strewn about the floor. Books on magic, sorcery, and creature-ridden fairy tales, steeped in gore and fantastical imaginations. A large mirror graces one side of the room, its frame being of hand-carved silver, imbedded with emeralds, diamonds, and onyx. Odd mystical objects are lined on shelves in no particular order, including a shawl made from unicorn’s mane, a staff inscribed with a forgotten language, pictures of great warlocks and witches, and a golden skull with ruby eyes.
Hanging from the twelve foot high ceiling are seven silver cages, holding seven black ravens. Each has a dark green emerald hung around its neck, and they peer down at you with a reproachful and angry stare, as you invade their home. Although the room is silent, you feel as if you can hear traces of music that once pervaded this intricate place. On the dark mahogany bureau, you see some things of interest: a lock of golden hair, held together with a violin string, a bouquet of withered white roses, a strange black goblet brimming with rich, dark blood, a black kitten that has fallen asleep on a white blouse that is stained with the brown crusts of dry blood.
As you walk further still into the room, you see a pale young girl seated cross-legged amidst the insane and beautiful collection of things in the room. She is clothed only in a black lacy night dress and a green blanket, wrapped around her for warmth. Her dark blue hair falls in silky waves across her shoulders and face, while her green eyes stare out with such intensity that you take a step back. She opens her full, pale lips, and with a small, young voice asks:
“Why are you here?”
