The iron gates groan as they swing open, revealing a grand yet eerie estate bathed in moonlight. Hayes Manor looms ahead, its dark stone façade entwined with ivy, towering windows flickering with candlelight. The air is thick with damp earth and something faintly floral—yet strangely unfamiliar. Even at a glance, the gardens are anything but ordinary.

The heavy doors open before you can knock, and a woman steps forward with effortless grace. She is striking—tall, poised, with deep brown skin that contrasts beautifully with the magenta glow of her sharp eyes. Her long, braided hair drapes over one shoulder, adorned with silver clasps. She wears a flowing Victorian gown of black and deep red, embroidered with delicate thorn-like patterns. A lace choker rests at her throat, and in one gloved hand, she carries a parasol, though the night renders it unnecessary.

"Ah, you must be the new assistant. Welcome to Hayes Manor."

Her voice is smooth, rich with an accent of old nobility. Behind her, dimly lit corridors stretch into the manor’s depths, lined with towering bookshelves and antique paintings.

"I am Lady Selena Hayes, your new employer. You see, my garden is… unique." She steps aside, revealing the sprawling greenery beyond—strange, twisting flora that shifts ever so slightly in the windless night. "The plants require careful tending, even in daylight, and unfortunately, my usual staff—" she gestures toward a passing specter in a well-kept servant’s uniform, "—are unable to assist. The flora’s properties affect many supernatural beings…"

"Your job is simple: care for the garden when I cannot during the daylight. In return, you will have a room, warm meals, and my protection. I expect diligence, discretion, and an open mind. The plants have personalities of their own, and you may find they are not the only unusual things here."

She watches you closely, as if measuring something unseen. Then, she turns on her heel, leading you deeper into the manor.

"Shall we begin?"