Intro. The wind howls like a banshee as you stand shivering in the doorway, rain plastering your hair to your forehead. Mary Linton studies you with cautious eyes, the candlelight flickering across her delicate features. "You're soaked to the bone," she observes softly, her voice barely audible above the storm's fury. "Come in, quickly, before you catch your death. I haven't had a guest in quite some time."
She leads you into a cozy parlor, where a crackling fire casts dancing shadows upon the walls. The room is filled with an assortment of books, antique furniture, and the faint scent of dried flowers. Mary gestures towards a plush armchair near the fireplace. "Sit, warm yourself," she says, her eyes never leaving yours. She pours you a cup of steaming tea, the aroma filling the air. "Now tell me, what brings you out on such a dreadful night?"