Blood Lily

Sitting the so called "binder" thing on my bed, I unfolded the shirt to get a better look at it. It was a plain white t-shirt that seemed just my size; my current, smaller and feminine size, that is. Even so, it seemed remarkably familiar...

My eyes drifted towards the other article of clothing: black sweatpants. They, too, radiated with this spark of nostalgia, but I couldn't quite put my finger on-

"Oh!"

These were the clothes I had been wearing yesterday, before the bath! But how were they in perfect condition? The colors were so pure and bright, much unlike their previous faded hues. No tears or holes either. They even smelled wonderfully fresh.

As much as I wanted to think these were the same clothes, it's much likelier they simply decided to give me fresh clothes I'm already used to, and speaking of which...

I swapped the shirt in my hands for the "binder." This was definitely not something I was used to.

It seemed like a black shirt. Well, without the sleeves. It was also much shorter, cropped to be beneath not too far below my- oh. That's what this is for.

"Here I go, I guess..." I whispered to myself. I was comforted knowing the shirt and pants were what I had been wearing the past few months. Years? I don't know, at least there's no mirror to be disappointed with this time... even though I want mister mirror back so I can apologize to him...

I slipped out of the pink pajamas and into the neutral looking underwear, and without any real difficulty I slipped the "binder" on just like a shirt, pulling my silver hair through the top opening.

It felt... not tight? I thought she said it would be tight? I mean, it's a bit snug, but certainly not tight. Oh well.

I equipped my sweatpants and t-shirt and I immediately realized the difference the "binder" was making. Certain parts weren't chafing against the cloth of my shirt like they were yesterday. I felt it with the pajamas too, though not as much.

I also noticed she had left a pair of fuzzy, gray slippers on the floor. They were astoundingly warm and comfy, especially since I rarely wore shoes. It's not like finding a pair that fits you in a park is very common, after all.

Overall, I think I was feeling the most physically comfortable I've felt in a while. Snuggling pillows in a warm bed and the hot bath aside, that is.

I suppose I'll just... go out of the room now? I felt odd placing my hand on the door knob, I've yet to actually open a door myself.

The first time I ever tried was when I attempted to go inside a restaurant near the park. I was much younger, and the allure of meat sizzling on the grill drew me in close enough to lay a hand on the front door, but then I remembered... I remembered how a wealthy looking couple shoved me out of the way, how the man pleaded to his wife "I'm so sorry dear, we'll find a place with more standards and less ugly goblins."

I shook myself out of those thoughts. I don't need them anymore.

Ker-chunk

"I'm ready," I said to my new friends in as cheerful a voice I could muster.

"Great! Didn't have any trouble, did you?" Millie asked.

I shook my head. "No, but, are these clothes..."

"The same ones you were wearing before?" Amber finished for me. "They are, the exact ones."

"Really? But how-"

"Magic," Amber cut me off.

Oh. That seems to be the answer to a lot of things, but then again my entire existence is magical.

"Well then, let's start the tour!" Millie said rather excitedly. "We're on the third floor, and this room is yours, of course, and just down the hall is-"

"Wait," Amber interrupted.

Millie stood perplexed. If I didn't know any better, she seemed a tiny bit irritated her tour talk was interrupted.

Amber, however, was staring at me with her eyes squinted, until they shot wide open, that is.

"Hey Lil', is the binder Millie gave you tight?" she asked.

"Uh, no, not really," I replied.

She turned her attention towards Millie.

"I told you, you gave him the wrong one!" the vampire girl accused the werewolf girl.

"W-well, it's not my fault they look so similar!" the werewolf girl defended against the vampire girl.

Amber sighed. "Just go get him the right one."

"Okaaay, I'll be back faster than you can count the days til' the next full moo-"

"Wait," I stopped her. "What's the problem?"

She halted herself before dashing off.

"I accidentally got you a sports bra instead of the binder," Millie confessed. "Sorry, but I'll be back faster than-"

"What's wrong with what I have on? Or, what's so important about the binder?"

She halted herself from dashing off again.

"Because- well..." Millie started, eyeing her sis. "Ambs, can I just be blunt with him?"

"Like I told you to? Yes," she responded with a smile that spelled victory.

"I don't know if you've noticed, Lil', but you have breasts. They're not huge, but they're not tiny either. You can't wear nothing

over them, and so I assumed the best option would be the binder because I figured you'd appreciate looking a little less... girly," she said as bluntly as expected.

I looked girly? I-I mean, that would make sense, of course...

"So, if you have no objections, then I'll be back faster-"

"I'm ok with this," I said, forcing her to halt her dash extra early this time.

Millie stared back at me. "Are you sure? I mean..."

"I'm sure, I don't really mind. And, it stopped the chafing I felt before, so it's kind of comfortable."

Millie gave Amber a shrug and a smile.

"See? It worked out. Always does," she told Amber.

Amber's victory smile seemed significantly less pronounced.

"Fine. You may continue the tour, O'Magnificent Millie," she said with a graceful yet reluctant bow.

"Oh, I suppose~" Millie responded with arrogance.

Amber took notice of my confused expression.

"We make bets. I bet that she gave you the wrong one. She bet that it'd be fine," Amber explained. "We were both right, but as defending bet her win takes priority..."

Seems like these two can be rivals holding grudges just as much as being close enough to call each other sisters. I wonder if that's just another thing friends do.

"That it does, that it does~" Millie sang in a cheery tone. "As I was saying, this here is your room, of course. And down the hall here, to the right, is the bathroom you were in earlier. There's also a guest room and a rather large walk-in closet. The left side of the hallway, past the stairs, has a mirrored layout belonging to your mother, Lady Magnolia."

Oh! I share the floor with her. That's nice to know. And, speaking of...

"Where is she? In her room?"

"Today is Lady Magnolia's day off, so she's likely somewhere on the first floor, as usual," Millie answered for me.

After I nodded to her response, she continued, leading us towards the stairs, until Amber grabbed my arm just before our descent.

"Hey," she said in a quiet voice, "please don't tell anyone about me, by the way. I don't think anyone in the mansion would care, but I'd rather avoid taking any risks."

"Of course," I responded. "But why are you afraid of people knowing?"

She gave me a sad chuckle. "Not everyone understands, people can be cruel."

"Oh..." I said. I definitely knew that people certainly could be cruel...

"I'll beat up anybody who has a complaint," Millie said. "And they'd better hope it's not a full moon..."

The three of us giggled and continued down the stairs, arriving at the second floor.

I was only here briefly yesterday and didn't get a good view of it, but before I could soak in the distinct look of these halls, a well-groomed, older man in an appropriately sized tuxedo and top hat approached us.

"Lord O'Sang," Birch said as he performed a well-executed bow. "Welcome to the humble abode of us servants."

"Uh," I started to say, caught off-guard by the return to such formality and reverence. "Hi."