As if by magic, Gregori was followed by a group. He hadn't noticed the trickle of people assemble in front of the manor. It's not that surprising. Not only was he tired, but he lived in his head; often forgetting the world around him. As soon as he heard Wren speak, he was filled with a warm feeling of confirmation. Of course other people had been following this thread. This moment almost felt like a memory he had forgotten. 

Then he clocked the raven. His smile widened into a goofy grin. There was something special about this raven. All corvids were smart. But this one was also friendly enough that you could see it closely. He locked eyes with the bird. As a nervous voice in his periphery introduced themselves to June, Gregori winked at the raven. 

The group filed inside. The warm feeling in his chest continued to grow. It was a new feelings. A big feeling. Some of it was comfort. This place was cosy, comfortable, and smelt like joy. But something else stirred inside of him. He could feel the charts changing and his compass reorienting. Despite his fatigue, his mind still raced. He must examine the night sky! 

But more pressing matters needed attending. Like the loud growl that came from his stomach when he smelled of coffee and pastries. He had been hungry for some time. He shifted the weight of his bag, in front of him and held it up by the shoulder straps. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. He stayed like this for a few seconds. It was quite strange. Before anyone could say anything, he opened his eyes and exhaled smoothly. His hands now appeared to be covered by perfectly thin sheer blue gloves. And then they slipped off of his hands and floated straight up. They retained the shape of his hands as they lifted the bag quickly above him, narrowly missing the chandelier. His bag drifted smoothly to the top floor, reminiscent of a helium balloon. It hopped over the banister, and the ethereal hands hung his bag on a cornerpost. 

They drifted weightlessly down and Gregori stared at his beat-up boots. The hands went to either side of one shoe and undid the lace, loosening his shoe. They slid around the other shoe and fumbled for a moment. He furrowed his brow and stuck the tip of his tongue between his lips. The lace come undone and he knocked his shoes off and the hands set them on the shoe rack. Until now the hands had moved as a pair but now one hand and one shoe went either side of the McKinley twins to get past them and their stuff. 

Gregori's big toe stuck out of his sock completely; it has a big hole. The other sock has no heel. When Gregori notices his bare toe he frowns at it and wiggles his toe. He cuts through the group and their belongings, and goes straight into the kitchen. 

He heard a click. He felt it? He noticed something unseen occur. But he only had the expertise to be aware he wasn't noticing something. And he was only aware for a second before his mind discarded the notion when he locked eyes with Juniper, who was pouring a coffee. The warmth in his chest returning. Followed by a hollow pang. And a tummy rumble. [color=00aeef]"I'm not rushing to choose my room. But I am starving. May I?"[/color] He garnished his words with a smile, reaching for a plate. She nodded as he continued, [color=00aeef]"I'm really curious June. How much needs to be said?"[/color]

[color=8dc73f][i]“It seems you have someone - or something - to lend you a hand choosing your room… Pardon the pun.”

“Curiosity is the catalyst for creativity… Perhaps the question is less what needs to be said and more… What would [b]you[/b] like to say, Gregori?”[/i][/color]
June pours a coffee for Gregori and gently places it into his palm, served with a warming smile.

He welcomes the drink, holding it below his chin. It's hot. It reminds him of the warm feeling in his soul. He looks around contemplatively; smelling the rich black coffee. He responds after momentary rumination: [color=00aeef]"I'm very fortunate to live in a world surrounded by helping hands. It's the only reason I have made it here, today. It helps that I was born at an auspicious time." [/color] 
He samples his drink.
[color=00aeef]"Bitter. Earthy. Complex. Good coffee. Thank you... When will you reveal your offer? Your conditions? I am searching for somewhere to settle. Something told me to come here, even if I didn't know where 'here' is. Was it you?" [/color]
Juniper nodded pensively, locking her dark green gaze on his as she listened attentively. 

[color=8dc73f][i]“Helping hands often reach out when being reached for… I’m glad you’re here, Gregori. I sense you’ve been travelling a long while-“[/i][/color]

She pours herself a cup, pursing her lips to blow away the plume of steam.

[color=8dc73f][i]“Conditions? Oh, this isn’t a blood bond coven. Feels a bit Dark all of us offering a slit to the veins for loyalty, doesn’t it? Loyalty is cultivated from respect and dedication, not sacrifice. Both of which I plan to give to you all… And receive the same courtesy,”[/i][/color] June shrugged, taking a long sip from her cup. She hummed in agreement. [color=8dc73f][i]“Good coffee is the only kind. Anything less doesn’t make it past the Corinthia wards, trust me.”[/i][/color]

The Earth Witch’s eyes broke away, noticing the bouquet she’d arranged yesterday had gotten a little hot. She clicked her tongue, tutting at her own neglect. The petals were beginning to shrivel a little at the edges. She daintily pressed two fingertips against her lips then reached out and touched them to the flowers that had begun to wilt. Instantly, her skin contact revitalised them. The wrinkled petals became as good as fresh, their colours reigniting into a bright vibrant bunch.

[color=8dc73f][i]“I intend to do something a little like that to Witchhood, Gregori”[/i][/color] June explained,[color=8dc73f][i] “The Charmed have been ushered away from the light for too long. Centuries we’ve been punished for our power… And look where that’s got us? We’ve turned our back on Mother Earth. We’ve turned our back on our very own culture!”[/i][/color] She spoke with calm conviction, cradling the coffee cup in her hands. [color=8dc73f][i]“Corinthia is going to be the beginning of Witches who congregate. To thrive. Not just survive. We’ll teach one another. Expand our power. Learn the Ancient Practices as was once intended…”[/i][/color] She paused. Took a little breath. [color=8dc73f][i]“But I’ll explain more when we’re all present, of course.”[/i][/color]

Gregori's eyes sparkled as he watched June. Her words are uplifting, they reinforce his golden mood. [color=00aeef]"How fortunate. You have a grand vision. I can't wait to see what we can teach eachother. How well do you know the arts of the night sky?" [/color] His question ended abruptly and excitedly. He munched on a fresh pastry. His enjoyment was clear on his face.

[color=8dc73f][i]“I come from a long line of reputable Earth Witches… The Hawthornes aren’t celestial. Far from…”[/i][/color]

June gestured at the greenery that surrounded them. The evidence of Earth Witches past.

[color=8dc73f][i]“But I think there’s a lot we could teach one another, Gregori…”[/i][/color]

Gregori looked at the greenery, his gaze shifted between the numerous plants. Studying everything he looked at. His look returned to June. He was about to say something. But cut himself off when someone else walked in. It could wait.