//------------------------------//
// Black Coat 
// Story: Asylum Function: Secrets of Equestria 
// by SulliedInk 
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	Immediately, the grandeur of the place struck me with awe. The great castle doors parted sideways and unmasked the massive expanse hidden between these white stone walls. A diamond chandelier hung above the heart of the floral patterns that traversed the marble floor; the brilliance of the crystal structure's light seemed powerful enough to serve as a sun on its own. To my left, I heard the rustling of water; outside, there stood a pool from which the mountain's overflowing tears could escape and cascade on towards the heart of the world. As if I stood by the river itself, I saw my reflection stare back at me through the floor beneath my feet. That devious grin of mine put out certain inexplicable worries brewing inside my very being. I had entered a goddess' domain not as a stranger but as a scholar under her guidance. I, the boy who just a few days ago had all the troubles in the world being recognized by those around me, was personally selected to be here. Between my pride and disbelief, a single question of the utmost importance arose inside my head: why?
I rubbed my eyes, still trying to collect myself; I felt my heart bang furiously against my chest. What in the world could I possibly be nervous for? By now, I should be used to transferring from school to school. I never left anything significant behind, yet I expected nothing great in the days to come. If such a statement was true, then why am I making such a big deal out of this? Am I feeling... Nervous? My hands... They shake like trees in the middle of a powerful storm... 
A few early-bird students, cloaked in denim blue apparels, brushed by my side silent as shadows. I turned around, a little surprised by the color of their uniforms; they had the same overall proportion, design, and school insignia, but for some reason, my clothes were black instead. I surveyed my surroundings to check and see if this was perhaps some sort of unique exception; it turns out, everyone else in the lobby also had blue uniforms. Huh? Why are they all wearing blue? On that note, why are my threads black then?
"May I help you, sir?" I heard a soft, gentle voice ask from behind me.
I looked over my shoulder at the person who spoke just now; it was a middle-aged woman dressed in a rather tight blouse and skirt. She fixed her long, chestnut hair and adjusted her glasses, as I turned to face her properly. 
"Sorry, I was just looking for some sort of administrative personnel. You see, I wished to address a little error regarding the spelling of my name on my uniform, but now that I'm standing here, I'm not quite sure I have the right uniform at all!"
"Oh, uniform colors vary depending on the grade and house of our students." Shortly after finishing her sentence, she walked over until we both stood less than a foot apart; then, the strange secretary-woman started inspecting me from head to toe. "Hmm... Although, if the color of your uniform is indeed not a mistake..."
"Umm... May I ask why you're examining me like that? I feel like I'm being strip-searched right now..."
"Sir, may I ask your name?"
"...M-My... N-name?"
"Yes, indeed; your name?"
"S-Salutem C-C-Clavis."
She extracted from underneath her blouse what looked like a scroll; when she unfolded it however, a holographic display appeared between the two rolled-up ends of the document. Oh, it's a holographic tablet. I see they have some rather exquisite technology here.
"Let me see... Hmm... Salutem Clavis: registered as a Black Coat under the guidance of the Oracle herself. Interesting indeed." She folded up her tablet and stored it away. "My name is Katelyn," she introduced herself with her hand held out towards me. "Formally, I serve as the secretary of the Oracle Sisters' seventh Apostle, Allison; however, I am also the assistant supervisor of the Black Coats: Celestia's carefully selected elite from across Equestria."