Darkness. Voices … agitated voices … the rhythm intensifies… you don't understand anything. You sweat. Your heart is pounding. The stifling smell of smoke swirls around you like a snake ready to suffocate you. You almost feel the bitter taste of death, but you struggle to deny it. Quietness. You don't feel anything anymore. Is it the end? ... A silhouette is foreshadowed ... The initially obscure face seems to become clearer and clearer. Yes ... It's the clairvoyant. However, her eyes are completely dark and she seems to be totally absent. You breathe again and you feel the floor, realizing that you're back from the dreadful journey. Alive. You smile. And you almost feel like screaming. But wait ... do you really have reasons to be happy? What did she see?

Borca, between Christmas and New Year. I am going to meet Nicoleta and I am really looking forward to. This is our second collaboration and I felt her impressive potential right away from the beginning. The goth style, dark accessories and unusual tastes that I find attractive in the Romanian mainstream society. In other words, a definite fit for the North Raven concept. We prepared the meeting with some time before, when I was still in Sweden and she was in Cluj, and we used the winter holidays as the occasion to meet, both being at home. I knew she would bring a few things, as we had discussed, including an old set of tarot cards, a hand-made head wreath, and 2 black candles.

But I was a bit nervous. She told me the night before the photo shoot that she was not feeling well, but that she would try her best to be present, especially since we would not have had another chance to meet.

But there we are on the “stage”. And she was more lively than I expected. Even though we had to walk up the hill for 10 minutes until we reached an abandoned barn, somewhere in Sabasa. I had looked more closely at the place some time ago and I knew it was a good one. It had just snowed, and it was very cold. But the view was wonderful.

So we started arranging the interior and we warmed our fingers using the candles flame. For the main idea of the photo session we went for “the search for prophetic answers”. And I couldn't help but think about the Oracle of Kattegat, from the Vikings series. Her new raven tattoo on her arm was also in the spotlight. And then we ended up with some more photo ideas around the construction.

When I got home, I had a feeling of nostalgia for a world I had never experienced before, but in which I seemed to have taken part thanks to this encounter. I can only say now that I want a next collaboration with Nicoleta and I can't wait for the discussions regarding the chosen topic. What will it be this time?