[center][h1][color=c4df9b] ๑  JɄ₦ł₱ɆⱤ ๑[/color]
⋰ ⋱ ⋰ ⋱ ⋰ ⋱ ⋰ ⋱[/h1][/center]

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[sub] ๑ Chapter 1 - Welcome to Corinthia ๑
Friday 6th February
6:05am[/sub]
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The warm embers of sunrise were what stirred Juniper from her deep, plentiful slumber. Malachite eyes fluttered open, squinting against the fragments of amber light that palmed their way through the thick folds of lush curtains. Juniper’s bedroom was the only occupied room in the Corinthia Manor House. A relic of a building, the shell of which had stood for centuries, reinforced and repurposed to strengthen old foundations. It was once an aristocratic household, full of wealth and brimming with privilege. Then, a beloved, bewitched Hawthorne Scullery Maid had inherited the property from a childless bachelor in the Victorian era. It had remained in the family ever since. 

This house ached for company. The wasted potential of 10 bedrooms spread over 4 floors; Vacant bed frames and deserted wardrobes cried out to be filled. This was not a building destined for a sole occupant. It was a small tragedy that for now, Juniper Hawthorne was the rightful owner and only inhabitant of the grand manor. But it would not remain this way for much longer. Juniper had spent the months since her family left Corinthia Manor spreading the word that the Coven was searching for Initiates. Hours had been spent planting seeds of hope amongst the South London Witching Community, hoping the whisperings of Resurgence would reach the [i]right[/i] Witches. It was no easy feat passing messages to recipients unknown. How could she possibly recruit Witches she’d never met? Especially when The Elder way still gripped the minds of so many Witches. The newly revised Corinthia Coven was already a topic of controversy amongst the community. June’s family had seen to the Corinthia name being muddied on their way out. Brainwashed. Blindly loyal. Corrupted. The Hawthorne Witches, despite all their power, were so beneath the thumb of the Elder’s that they’d rather abandon Juniper at the manor than stand by and watch her rebuild. Now at the helm, drinking down the pressure of Leadership in gulps, Earth Witch Juniper Hawthorne became the Head of the Corinthia Coven by default. The Elders dubbed these Witches High Priestesses but Juniper preferred the term High Sorceress. Priestesses were puppets for the Elders. Corinthia Sorceresses dreamt of tearing them down.

She rose from bed, pulling her sheets neatly before standing at the French windows to bask in the glory of sunrise. Earth Witches centred themselves around the sun, the moon and the Earth. There was little June revelled in more than sharing a Sunrise Prayer. The curtains hissed in protest as Juniper threw them back, flooding her bedroom with glorious sunlight. She breathed in deeply through her nose, nostrils whistling. Rays of morning sun kissed her cheeks, warming her slow smile. The sunrise smelt like promise and last night’s incense. A mix of oud-laced musk and morning dew. The Witch keenly clicked the window open despite the cool air that immediately barrelled its way through the gap. Chilling her skin, Juniper embraced the winter elements, smile still lingering on her sleep-riddled face. 

The underground messaging service was about playing the long game. Juniper had laid so much groundwork; Whispering in the ears of fellow Witches, passing notes to messengers and hosting Seances with the Spirit World in the hope that the wildfire of rebellion would reach the ears of willing Witches out there. She’d wished she could scream it from the rooftops, adorn a T-Shirt that said “Join the Corinthia Resurgence!” and set up a Facebook group but not only were humans still totally unaware of Witchhood’s existence but The Elders would be quick to stamp out the sparks of anarchy. Until Juniper’s new Coveners arrived, she was on her own. Alone in this mission. Alone in this house. Alone since her family had fled into the arms of the Elders.

A whip of cool air cracked across Juniper’s silk pyjamas, the naked treetops groaning with the push and pull of the winds. The breeze and branches danced with one another, twisting and twirling on that Winter morning. The Earth Witch placed both palms on the windowsill and leant forward, leaning into the cold embrace of Mother Earth. 

[quote] [color=c4df9b][i]“Mother, I greet you. Grant me the strength to welcome my brothers and sisters today. Mother, I meet you. May I channel your wisdom to those seeking out Corinthia. Mother, I speak you. Gift me the words to keep us guided in Earth’s name…”[/i][/color][/quote]

The words fell from Juniper’s lips, spoken in barely a whisper, yet laced with power. The familiar feeling of energy awakening within her coursed through her veins. Like a spark, her Magic burst into life, filling her bloodstream and invigorating her like a match to a flame. Her eyes shone a bright green, pupils melting into that signature fluorescent glow of power. Palms tingling against the wood of the window pane, Mother Earth breathed into her and she heard the layered whispers of the Wild, calling to her. Aislinn, the Raven who she’d been gifted as her Familiar, could be seen gliding over the distant rooftops. Her midnight black wings so at contrast with the red sky, June extended a hand so the bird could take her perch atop her fingertips. The sound of feathered fluttering wings filled her ears as the Raven clamped her claws around June’s fingers and shifted into position.

[quote] [i][color=8dc73f]“They’re on their way, Juniper”[/color][/i] Aislinn’s voice spoke sharp and clear in the Earth Witch’s mind. The bird’s pinprick black eyes stared back at her, wings ruffling as the pair shared a conversation only they would ever be privy to.[i][color=8dc73f] “They travel from far and wide. But they heard your call. They know today is when Corinthia’s doors will open. You’ve done it.”[/color][/i][/quote]

Juniper let Aislinn’s words of congratulations resonate in every bone. The undressed trees framing Corinthia’s gardens rattled, the sound of creaking branches like an applause from Mother Earth. In a matter of hours, Corinthia Manor would have the life of Witches breathed back into it. No longer would the bedrooms be sat empty, begging for occupation. The new Corinthia Coven would be born today and Juniper would be here, as she had been for many months, awaiting the company of Witches sharing her mission for change. Together, they’d grow. Together, they’d fight the oppression of the Elder Way. They would no longer be ushered into the shadows. Instead, they’d stand together as Brothers and Sisters, orchestrating the unravelling of Ancient Rules enforced by Witches who wished to silence unharnessed power. Aislinn cawed in approval, her beak snapping open and shut in agreement and tail twitching in mutual anticipation. 

[quote] [color=c4df9b][i]“Well, Aislinn… Let’s turn this house into a home, shall we?”[/i][/color][/quote]