The sky was pretty today. Lilith imagined it would be, to anyone who wasn't her. She eyed a silver of light peeking through the thick velvet curtains and peered through the window, and it was just enough to watch a burning orb rising into a blue expanse. It was an odd sight. She let out a yawn as she sat up from the invitingly soft sheets of her bed. Adjusting her nocturnal sleep schedule wasn't hard, but it hadn't fully settled quite yet. To top it off, she really shouldn't have stayed up so late reading, as she gently snuffed out the flame of a half melted candle on her desk. On most days, this would be her bedtime - but she knew that the Academy was of higher priority than that. She promptly continued along with the morning schedule she had planned : get up, take a bath, get dressed, get packed, and wait for the transportation. 

She walked over to the ornate mirror in her bedroom, and dressed herself accordingly with the uniform of a skirt, shirt, and jacket. Lilith also put on a long black pair of stockings; a pair of gloves made with a thin material, and donned a matching [url=http://cdn.luxurylane.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/2/1/210-132069-blk_1.1408522437.jpg]sunhat[/url] with a brim that cast a shadow over her face. Once she was done adorning herself, she grabbed her luggage that was packed the night before and filled to the brim with the usual materials and supplies. Opening her bedroom door with a resounding [i]creak,[/i], she walked out into a hallway of gold rimmed paintings and crimson walls. Save for the clack of shoes on the lacquered floorboards, only silence greeted her as she walked past closed doors and unused chandeliers. She was likely the only one awake in the entire mansion - and it was better that way. The quiet was the sweetest song to her ears. 

After dragging her luggage down a spiral of stairways, she began to make her way to the front door. Pulling open the door, she stepped outside onto the front porch. A daze came over her as sunlight poured into the doorway. She silently thanked no one in particular that she was sufficiently clothed and safe under the wide brim of her hat. Her scarlet eyes blinked as she did her best to adjust to the sudden brightness. She grumbled absentmindedly to herself as she balanced herself by grabbing the door handle with a free hand, feeling dizzy from the previous shock. "How does anyone even live with this... " 

Sighing, she continued along the path that led out to the expansive courtyard. A heavy aroma of roses hung in the air. Looking down at her watch, she figured it wouldn't be long until it was time to leave. Lilith stood in the shade of a tree for a moment, taking out a small bottle from her pocket. Taking a brief moment to admire the intricate engravings on the glass, she uncorked it and lifted it to her lips. Although she had just fed a few nights ago on some unfortunate rabbit, it didn't hurt to have a little snack before she left for the Academy. Licking the crimson liquid from her lips, she enjoyed the honey-sweet taste before placing the bottle back in her pocket. Peering up at the sky, she noticed a large silhouette appear. A griffon flapped toward her adorned with a saddle. It had sharp, bright yellow eyes and a muscular body covered in shimmering golden feathers. A caw greeted her as the trained beast dropped down in the center of the courtyard.

 “O-oh, why, hello there.” Having never seen a griffon in person before, Lilith widened her eyes and drank in the sight of the rather beautiful creature before her. She approached the griffon and loaded up her belongings before carefully climbing on its back. A hint of anxiety came up within her at the prospect of flying, but the griffon seemed rather intelligent and well-trained. She readied herself and the griffon gave a snort as if to ask if they could take off yet. She nodded, and the creature spread its wings, preparing to take off. Its claws scratched at the ground as it propelled itself upward into the air. Using her arms, she held on tight as the griffon rose higher into the sky. Looking back at her home, she noticed something at the corner of her vision. Two figures from one of the windows waved up at her. Lifting an arm, she waved back, but only for a few seconds as the griffon accelerated at a speed she never knew was possible into the sky. Sighing, she looked down at the ground until the manor was nothing more than a dot.

Lilith felt the wind toss at her hair as they tore through the air toward their destination. She closed her eyes and listened to the monotonous sound of powerful wing strokes beating at the air. She felt the warmth of the feathery body of the griffon pressed up against her as the air grew cold, and they neared the Black Gale. Lifting her head, she took in the sight of a profusion of other griffons with students on their backs. She began to wonder about each of them and who they were as they passed through the Black Gale. Looking forward, she noticed that the Academy was quickly nearing. The griffon surprisingly managed a graceful landing, despite having flown at supersonic speeds. The [i]click-clack[/i] of talons on pavement sounded all around her as other students began to land as well. She carefully slid off the saddle and took up her luggage. 

“Thanks for the ride.” She rubbed the griffon’s fluffy head in appreciation. The beast grunted in contentment. She then turned and looked about at the unfamiliar faces around her, wondering about how things would go at the Academy for her. She noted some of the foreign-looking weapons some of them were carrying, and assumed these were the students from Earth.