Black Snow

Snow fell from the sky in small turrents. It was not the pretty white coating you see on the cover of Christmas cards that looks like a blanket. This snow was ashy gray and turned to slush and dangerous ice the moment it hit the ground.
Can we go outside? Koraki asked.
"It's revolting out there." I protested. "Besides, all I need is to slip and fall. Sarah would have me put away for good."
True. Koraki mumbled. So we just continued to watch from our window. Down below I could see who was clearly that Pernie fellow. His cape fluttered out in the wind behind him as he walked.
"Clearly not all of the lights are on upstairs with him." I muttered.
Says the woman talking to a crow. He pointed out.
I laughed.
"True. He may very well be magic. How would I know? Perhaps I will offer to read his tea leaves sometime." We continued to people watch the people below.

"Is there such a thing as magic?" I asked. "Is that what this is? Is that what you are? Bond to the body of a bird by some unearthly force?"

I would not know. Is it magic? Or something natural? Could what we call science be another name for magic? Or vice versa? Koraki asked.

"I would not know. I truly would not know."

Souls

No word from the Italian yet. I just hopped he was watching his back. He wouldn't like to end up dead like the poor man I was looking at now. He was a boxer, or so I was told. I didn't really keep up with such human matters. He had caused quite a stir in the building this morning. I was nearly run over by Kent Something-Or-Other. I don't think he saw me through his tears.

"Poor man..." I sighed as I watched the clean up crew take thier time with cleaning up the boxers remains from the bench where I was sitting.

He will be alright, Koraki shrugged, He is not really gone you know.

"Oh?" I asked.

No. When you die you become a crow. Only after you die as a bird do you go on to any afterlife. I used to be a great man. He said proudly.

"I don't doubt it, for you are a great bird as well." I smiled. Suddenly overhead there was a whirlling of wings and I looked up. Pigeons by the hundreds were flying by.

Stupid creatures, Koraki huffed. I made no comment and continued to watch.

There! Koraki suddenly cried. I was confused for a moment, but then I saw it too. In the middle of the flock of pigeons was one black crow.

"And so a newly departed soul takes flight."

(I know we are not supposed to write notes but too many of responces to my post have been wrong. Corbie is an old lady. Not a boy or an old man. And her crow only talks to her. Nobody else.)

Suspicion

My visits to the rooftop always made me happy. It was the few times I liked to close my eyes and pretend that I was a bird myself. They lived so much better than we did, used so much more wisdom... I could be in my own world up there. I was not interrupted from my thoughts since the half hour before when I caught the gothic girl staring at me. I smiled and waved, but did nothing further. I preferred my own company to humans. When Koraki saw that I was not in a speaking mood he would fly away to do what birds do best: watch and learn to soak up more and more knowledge. He did not come back for a long time, but I wasn't particularly worried. Despite what many people thought, Koraki was not my pet. I went inside when it became chilly and heated myself up some tea. Nearly an hour later, Koraki flew back in, looking ruffled.

"Koraki, what happened?" I asked him.

Something very bad. He said. I saw a man, Italian I think, and I got a very bad feeling about him...

I frowned and finished my tea before peering down at the leaves.

"A bag." I frowned. "and a dagger."

A trap. Danger.... Koraki translated. I bit my lip and grabbed a pen and paper, writing a quick note and attaching it to his leg.

"Can you take this to him?" I asked. Koraki nodded and flew away. The note was simple and anonymous: YOU ARE IN DANGER. TRUST NO ONE.

The Black Garden

I often go for walks for a change of scenery as I knit. Watershed Heights is too interesting to not go outside and people watch. One of my favorite places to do so was the wild overgrown rooftop garden on the top of my building. I liked to call it the Black Garden. It gave a mystical sound to it. I sat on a bench beside the parapet and watched the people on the street below.
"They look so small from here," I observed.
Indeed they do, Koraki agreed, Everything is small from someone elses veiwpoint.
"How so?" I asked.
Well, nobody elses problems are as big and important as you are, or so it seems to humans. Your own self interest dominates over others. Koraki explained, ruffling his feathers. Take for example that man down there. I followed his line of sight and saw a naked man sitting in the childrens playground across the street. Once someone sees him, they judge him for being the way he is. Nobody stops to wonder what he went through to get there or what hardships he has faced. All they know is that he is an inconvinence to them.
"I never thought about it like that. We humans are rather selfish creatures aren't we?" I asked.
Most humans. But not all of them, He said, pecking me on the cheek affectionatly. You're not like them.

Weekly Visit

She will be here soon, Koraki said from his perch. I did not respond as I rocked slowly back and forth in my chair, slowly clicking my knitting needles.
She will try to take you away again, he persisted. I nodded slowly. Sarah was my only child, who visited me once a week for an hour. I was very happy she came to see me at all, but I also hated the fact that to her our visits were nothing more than an unavoidable piece of her schedule. Sarah was a busy young woman who loved nothing except her job. She was 43 with no family or prospects of one, content to spend her career as a lawyer alone. The only thing keeping her from her job 24/7 was me, and it seemed that she was set and determined to send me off to a retirement home where she could be sure I was getting the care I needed. That way she could reduce her visits to once every few months. I sniffed reproachfully. This was the thanks I received for bringing her into this world?
She comes! Karaki cried. Sure enough, moments later I could hear the clack of her heels against the floor outside in the hall, followed by a rapt knock on my door.
"It's open, dear," I called out to her. Sarah came sweeping in like the plague. Her smile was as fake as her chest, her dye-blond hair sculpted into place, and acrylic nails poised like claws.
"Hello Mama," she smiled. But as she looked around her smile faded slightly. I kept my place as clean as any old woman could keep a small apartment with 78 years worth of stuff could, but apparently she was not satisfied.
"You know Mama, this place really isn't the best place for a woman of your age..." She began.
Here we go, Koraki sighed.
"I saw a whole group of hobos on my way in. Imagine! And that strip club? I really don't feel comfortable leaving you in this neighborhood." Sarah proclaimed with a shake of her head.
You don't care! You never cared! Koraki said with an audible screech. Sarah looked at him in horror.
"Ugh! A raven!" She screamed.
"He is a crow," I corrected her. This didn't seem to help.
"Shoo! Shoo, you nasty thing!" Sarah said, waving her fingers at it, refusing to get any closer. Karaki did not move. I laughed, finding that the whole thing looked rather silly.
"Do you see? This is why you should move!" Sarah said hysterically, "Vermin like this all around the place! It is disgusting!"
Vermin! He cried again.
"Hush." I told him, and both he and Sarah fell silent. My daughter assumed it was directed at her, and she became offended.
"Fine," She huffed, "I know when my opinion isn't wanted, and I won't stay here knowing I can't speak my mind." She spun on her heel and left, slamming the door behind her. I sighed, squeezing my eyes shut.
Good riddance. Koraki huffed.