i'm confused by the shapes in the dark
the thoughts in my head
i know i'm alive, i thought i was dead

There is a part of her that feels like she's betrayed someone or the swamp itself for leaving. Terrastella and that swamp had treated her well for nearly a year. The house she kept to herself in had its own voice and feelings too and it broke her heart to leave.

But she had to, she had no choice.

After the terrible tragedy in the forest when Hāsta was torn apart, she had to find justice. She wanted to find the culprit and - well she didn't know what she would do. Hex them? Maybe. Trying to reason or understand their motives is highly unlikely at this point.

Seasons have passed now and unfortunately, no luck on that front. With a heavy heart, she decided to leave Terrastella and her home behind to settle down in the Dawn Court. She isn't sure if it's temporary or not yet, but it's as if Hāsta is keeping her here. Something about her spirit is telling her the forest is where she's meant to be right now.

And since everything, Corr has stitched Hāsta back together in some horrid attempt to preserve her. Even as she sets up her windchimes and various lawn decorations, she talks to the bird. Corr's sanity has not been the same since it happened, but her grip on reality has slipped so far already. To her, the crow still speaks and so she talks back. Just like old times.

The crow is giving her sass about her choice of decorations and so Corr snaps back, "You have no sense of style, you old bird!" and insists on putting up her wreath of garlic on the door. "This is fashionable and functional. It keeps the vampires and evil spirits away." The mare steps back to look at her door and nods with approval. The smell of the garlic is still as strong as when she first picked it.

She can hear footsteps behind her and it makes her ears twitch. She spins around and sees a woman before her and suddenly gets flustered.

"Oh, hello! Um, have you come for a reading? Oh wait, I'm not set up here…" she trails off, realizing she hasn't quite built a client base in Delumine just yet. She considers herself a talented psychic, but isn't sure if her name has gotten around too far yet. Corr realizes she's been pacing back and forth in front of the woman. "Ah, can I help you?" She offers a smile and stops her pacing.

Hāsta (or what's left of her- she literally looks like a stuffed crow) has been propped up against the house facing them. However, she now appears to have slumped over slightly. In Corr's mind, the crow is mocking her, so she looks over and glares. Typical Hāsta.

"Speaking."

i'm confused by the shapes in the dark
the thoughts in my head
i know i'm alive, i thought i was dead

Much to Corr's delight, it seems the woman is interested after all. The psychic's usual spark returns and her silver eyes seem to sparkle. This is what she lives for, not just doing readings, but teaching others about her craft.

"Oh, no, no, you didn't intrude at all, dear! I read a few things- cards, runes… I've dabbled with throwing bones a bit, but it's primarily tarot cards that I look to," she explains, recounting her one experience when she first tried bone divination. Either she predicted her death or some day she's going to grow an extra wing, she's still not too sure to this day. Tarot and the spirits are where she shines the most and is able to gain the most clarity, so that is what she'll stick with.

When Elena compliments Corr's house, she turns around to look at it again. It's nothing like her house in the swamp, but it'll do. She's slowly made it her own and it has its own characteristics she's come to enjoy.

"Thank you! I've moved more recently, but it's coming along," she says, turning to Elena with a toothy grin. "I'm Corrdelia Maude, resident psychic and crow witch as they call me." She bows in greeting and in her mind, Hāsta is doing her usual grumbling. Every time she uses her title, the crow groans in some way because she thinks it's unnecessary.

"Oh hush," she snaps back at the bird, giving her a sideways glance. The sad body of Hāsta just seems to slump down further against the side of the house. "That's Hāsta, but don't mind her, she's just a grumpy old crow that likes to make silly comments about everything." Corr rolls her eyes, but really she finds it amusing. After all, the crow wouldn't be her bonded without all this back and forth. There had been a time that was gone and it didn't feel right. She doesn't like to think back to that time.

"Have you traveled far? Maybe I should set you up inside with a nice cup of tea," Corr offers and opens her front door. Instead of waiting for Elena's answer, she's already gesturing her inside. Quickly, she makes her way to the kitchen to get her tea kettle ready.

"Speaking."

i'm confused by the shapes in the dark
the thoughts in my head
i know i'm alive, i thought i was dead

The curiosity in the woman's voice has Corr feeling giddy. Doing readings for others brings her joy, but so does having others feel genuinely interested. She can tell this woman is one of those and it makes her smile. At the question of seeing the future, she chuckles.

"In a way, yes," she answers. "Tarot is more of an intuitive art; a window into the soul. However, the other forms of divination out there can be helpful in getting an idea of the future. There are some whose magic even allows them to see visions, but I just use my divination tools, empathy and intuition."

Corr's title is quite long, yes, so it doesn't surprise her that Elena doesn't want to call her the entire thing. Although, when the woman asks where she moved from, she realizes she left out another part of her title. She'll have to start getting used to saying "resident psychic and crow witch of Delumine".

Corr places the kettle by the fire to heat up the water inside. "I used to live in the swamp of Terrastella. Since the time I came to Novus, actually. I-" she starts to explain, but her mind goes fuzzy when thinking back to exactly why she moved. Had something happened? Had it just been fate bringing her here like it did before when she arrived in Novus? Her head hurts the more she tries to remember this piece of it, so she just leaves it out. "I'm starting to get used to forest living, although it's certainly much different."

Thankfully, Elena agrees to a cup of tea, although Corr had already set everything up either way. It's a drink that's good for the body and mind, which she feels she could use right now for herself anyway. This way at least, she can share a cup with her new friend.

While waiting for the water to be ready, she realizes that Hāsta is still sitting outside and hasn't joined them. The silly bird didn't even hear the compliment that Elena gave her! Corr quickly steps back outside to bring the bird in and helps her perch onto the counter. "Our new friend complimented you and you're being rude!" she chastises the bird, shaking her head. Of course, there is no actual response from the crow, but in Corr's mind, her companion is grumbling as usual. She pays no mind to it and goes back to prepping the tea.

Once the water is all set, she pours it into two mugs and places the tea in them to steep. It's her own personal blend of lavender and vanilla, so she hopes that Elena will enjoy it as much as she does. As she walks over to serve the drink to the mare, Elena asks about getting a reading of her own. It makes Corr so happy that she almost spills the drinks onto the floor.

"Oh! Yes, of course! I would be delighted," she says, still holding the drinks while moving over to her table. "Come, come." She sets the drinks down on the side and gestures for Elena to come take a seat. The table is from her old house and has intricate patterns resembling constellations. She has newer cushions for seating that are a deep shade of purple.

Corr brings out two decks of cards with their faces turned down so only the simple design of the back can be seen. "I hope you don't mind the cards as I have my other supplies still packed away somewhere," she says, feeling a bit embarrassed. Normally she's a lot more organized than this. "At least I can still give you a choice here though! Now, I can use the traditional deck which I like to think is more intuitive and a chance to reflect on yourself, but I also have one I can use to help you seek out your animal spirits. They act as guardians and can share important messages. Which do you feel most drawn to?" She knows it's not an easy question for some to answer, but something tells her that Elena possesses a little intuition herself. "Also, if you have a question you want to ask the cards, think on that or you can say it out loud."

Corr can hardly wait to find out what Elena chooses.

"Speaking."

i'm confused by the shapes in the dark
the thoughts in my head
i know i'm alive, i thought i was dead

It's always interesting to her - those with the psychic ability, that is. Deep down, she is not psychic, but merely in tune with the world around her and is able to read signs that others may not. She cannot predict the future, but sometimes Spirit has a funny way of warning of future events. Still, this does not make her discredit those who truly have this gift of future-telling.

Corr's ears twitch when Elena says she's from Terrastella. It's a shame their paths did not cross then, but perhaps that's why they have crossed now. She's a lovely girl, Corr thinks, and even if it seems delayed, maybe she has found a new friend. "Everything happens for a reason!" she says, feeling chipper. "Although we did not meet in Terrastella, I'm glad that we have met now. It was fate, I would say." The mare thinks back to her house in the swamp, feeling a pang of homesickness. "I do miss the swamp, but the forest is lovely here too."

To Corr's delight, the woman enjoys the tea she's made for them. She takes a sip herself while Elena makes her choice of which deck she feels called to. Although there was no wrong answer, Corr is almost happier to hear her choose animal spirits. It's always fun to tap into the messages from the creatures around them. Sometimes it feels more forgiving than the energy tarot can bring.

"What am I supposed to do?" Elena asks. In reality, it's a common question Corr gets from clients, but it's no problem. Many come to her for direction, so it's only natural to ask such a question.

Corrdelia takes a moment to close her eyes and focus on her breathing. With each inhale and exhale, her mind slowly clears. She allows herself to tune out everything around her so she can be a vessel for the messages that Spirit brings. It's an important exercise she must do in order to hear everything more clearly for her clients.

She opens her eyes to pick up the deck and starts shuffling. Closing her eyes again, she continues to work on her breathing exercises while also focusing her attention on the cards. There really is no right or wrong way to shuffle, but she tends to listen to her intuition until she feels compelled to stop. When that moment comes, she lays out three cards onto the table. The first card is placed a little higher than the other two.

"The first card - or animal guide - will help us get a clearer understanding of the situation you're in and what you might be able to learn from it. I like to think that it can be a representation of ourselves," Corrdelia explains, glancing at Elena for a moment before flipping the card around. The image shows a group of salmon swimming upstream. The strong current of the water is displayed in the artwork and it makes Corr smile. It's a very literal symbol of the water element, but it seems very fitting to this woman's personality.

"Our first animal guide to speak is Salmon, or Fish. They are an animal of movement- nothing pleases them more. This is in line with their element of water- always moving, sometimes changing course, but otherwise 'going with the flow'. Fish remind us of our intuition and want us to follow our true path. Salmon in particular are strong swimmers and have an ability to swim upstream, taking a journey back to the rivers of their birth."

Corrdelia pauses a moment, closing her eyes again and reaching out to the Spirit realm. She can almost feel the current of the rushing water. At the same time, she can smell the salt and brine of sea, feeling the ebb and flow of the waves and hearing them crash against a cliffside. It reminds her of Praistigia Cliffs back in Terrastella and she wonders if this has a particular meaning for Elena. It feels somber, despite Elena's aura shining through like a summer sun.

"By Salmon making an appearance, it tells me that there is some uncertainty of what your true path is. There is restlessness, maybe feeling lost in the current of things. It could also mean slippery relationships- either with ourselves or others. You may be lost without clear goals or intentions," she explains, opening her eyes again. She feels for Elena. It's not easy to know what ones true purpose is, but hopefully they can find a sense of direction today with the help of the Guides.

She is drawn to look to the other cards first before looking deeper into these messages, so she flips the second card over. It reveals a mountain lion standing on a rock. They do not stand tall, but rather slightly hunched down. Corr's expression lights up as it starts to make more sense in her mind.

The message of the feline feels much stronger than the calming flow of water that the salmon swims through. This is some combination of earth and fire and it comes to her with much more force. "Now Salmon is speaking to your goals and true path, Mountain lion speaks to this too. However, they encourage you to keep these hidden. They are mysterious creatures that hunt at night and are usually more solitary beings. They speak to holding on to what your goals are until they are rooted and ready to be unveiled. If you were to reveal them too early, it might dilute their true potential. You want to give yourself time to think about what your aspirations really are and build up confidence on them. Open up only when the time is right and when you can welcome the feedback of others. Follow the Mountain lion's solitary nature by only keeping a small circle of people around you. Make sure they are trust-worthy and will help you grow in the right ways. You must avoid those who are judgmental."

She does not hesitate when flipping the final card over, which reveals a colorful image of a Chameleon. This is when Corr now finds herself taking a second to gather her thoughts to make sure she can listen to their message closely.

"Chameleon reflects on energy and how that energy flows. It speaks to the magic of empaths. Chameleon changes color in response to their surroundings and this is similar to how us empaths will shift energy based on our mood, or the mood of those around us. There are many ways to manipulate this energy and what Chameleon is saying here is to not lose yourself. You want to be more aware of your life force, be mindful of the energy you project and absorb. Chameleon wants you to know the difference between adapting to an environment and trying to fit in. They ask you, 'are you changing your own color to please someone else? Is what you're feeling authentic or are you carrying the baggage of others?'" It's strange just how much this message resonates with Corrdelia and perhaps the Guide is speaking to them both. It makes her wonder if this woman shares the same empath magic she inherited when she came to Novus.

There is the smell of the river in the air for a moment and the crow witch's eyes drift back to the card of the Salmon. She circles back to what was revealed at the start. "Salmon understands all this for you and wants you to look inward. Take time to think about the path you're currently on. They ask if you are following your intuition or if you're simply letting the current take you. Do you feel as if you're struggling to swim upstream and getting nowhere or are you forging your own path? By following your intuition and listening to Salmon, you may find yourself coming to a place you couldn't have even imagined, but this is a good thing."

There is one last message that the fish brings before she can imagine it swimming away. "You can find some clarity by spending time with lunar forces. Do you feel any inspiration by the night- by the Moon? You may find that it will bring you peace and soothe your soul and help you on this search within yourself."

She gives a silent thanks to the cards and the Spirits before picking the cards up and placing them back in their home of the deck. With a soft smile, her eyes move to the woman of gold. There is always a rush of emotions to be felt after giving a client a reading, so Corr will not be surprised if this time is the same.

"Well my dear, do you have any questions?" Her voice is calm and she keeps her own questions to herself until she's sure Elena feels content. However, the curiosity is still there to know if the woman is an empath too. Maybe they can both learn from each other in their shared abilities.

"Speaking."

i'm confused by the shapes in the dark
the thoughts in my head
i know i'm alive, i thought i was dead

Elena seems to have many questions during the reading and Corr isn't surprised. Her clients usually do before, during and after readings, sometimes long after the reading even happens. It's the nature of it and, sometimes, she doesn't have all the answers. She likes to think she does and try to help them, but a lot of the time, they have to figure things out on their own. They need to listen to what the universe is trying to tell them and really watch the signs that appear. Not everyone is attuned with that ability.

"Yes, our true path. Not always clear, but everyone has a purpose," she starts to explain, although Elena may not still understand it yet. "You just have to trust your gut and it will help you understand many things- who to trust, what to do, and well…" There is just something about this woman that speaks empath to Corr. It reminds her so much of herself and how easily she picks up on emotions. She can't really explain it, such is the nature of her magic too. "I think your purpose might be to help others, in some way." The crow witch leaves it at that. If she hasn't figured out her magic yet, she doesn't want to spoil it for her or steer her in the wrong direction if her hunch isn't right (she's pretty sure it is, though).

Corr can tell Elena is a bit jumbled about the reading (again, a natural reaction), but she thanks her and Hāsta. The dappled mare nods with a soft smile before Elena comes over to touch her cheek as a goodbye.

"Of course," she says, appreciating this new friendship she's formed. "We'll definitely come visit. I know Hāsta will complain the whole time, but we'll be there." She laughs, looking at the bird who is always grumpy about traveling.

She then watches as the palomino leaves and it's quiet again. Corr can still feel the warmth from the woman's presence and enjoys it for as long as it lasts while she cleans things up. Hopefully they will meet again.

"Speaking."