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 Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2023 1:55 pm
After a week on the farm Aurick’s visit was ending, but not before the annual summer bash. Ocie had worked tirelessly the day before getting as ready as she could before the family shifted their attention to decorations. Aurick had personally volunteered to help cook for the event, but Ocie had only accepted his help on one condition; that he didn’t spend the entire event working. She didn’t miss the way he and Harika had been spending time with one another all week, despite his argument of being here for ‘family’.
Well before the sun started to set neighboring farms started to arrive, and with them came a variety of dishes. Many old friends stopped by to greet Aurick and specifically his new friend. A fresh face was always welcomed! So, by the time the music had started near their impromptu dance floor, Aurick was being pushed away from the food stalls by his sister, Astra. She may as well have been a twin for how close they were in age and while she wasn’t as big as he was she looked mighty intimidating with that wooden spoon.
“Go. Have fun! I can handle it.”
So, with a nervous laugh on his lips, Aurick went out to find Harika. He’d done his best to dress nice for the event; as nice as a clean, pressed shirt could be, but…well, he wasn’t nearly as well kept as some of those Belrean boys.
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Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2023 1:56 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
Harika had expected some activity when she agreed to visit Aurick's family farm, but she had not been anticipating the flood of earthlings that continued coming and going from the place. So much for quiet countryside. She commented silently, a small smile on her lips as she waved back at another family friend. Honestly, it wasn't as if she minded the attention and the energy of the family and local community. It was nice to feel so welcomed and seeing such a large family that got along well, despite some pranks and teasing, was truly touching. It was also nice getting to spend so much time with Aurick...even if there was definitely some teasing about the situation between family and friends. All Harika could do was blush and shake her head before making some joke or comment on something completely different to avoid the topic. Though such thoughts did tend to linger even if Harika didn't directly address them and as she prepared for tonight's festivities it would be a lie to say that she hadn't put a little more effort than usual into her appearance. Her pink hair was curled and tucked partly upwards into a crown of flowers, braids twisted with rosegold accessories that matched her bracelets and necklace, a small gemstone hanging from the front and carved like a flower. She went with a more comfortable blouse, cream colored with just a subtle flower embroidery along the top, and a layered skirt that was fun to spin around in with the cotton material dyed in various colors of blues and green swishing about her ankles as she moved throughout the crowd. While Harika hadn't wanted to get in the way of the others working, her earlier attempts brushed off by the others who kept encouraging her to enjoy the event instead, the hybrid also had declined several offers to dance. Even now she was politely shaking her head to decline another offer, raising a half empty glass of wine to use the drink as an excuse before moving back towards the food stalls.
Was Aurick still busy? Should she bother him? Harika chewed on her bottom lip hesitantly before shaking her head and moving forward, her gaze brightening as she spotted him. "Oh hey!"
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Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2023 1:59 pm
[2]
The moment Aurick saw Harika he felt his heart stop. His face lit up with a dopey sort of smile that made his heart swell. Everything about her from the way she moved to the light in her eyes and the personal touches on her outfit…It just spoke of so much warmth and life that it took his breath away. How could he feel anything other than excited when someone who shined that much brightened herself when looking at him?
“Hey! You look…Wow.” For a moment he didn’t say anything, just let his blush talk for him before clearing his throat. “Sorry, I meant you look good. Better than good.” The baker saw some movement over her shoulder and noticed a Geian watching over the two of them, a disappointed turn to the young man’s face before he eventually walked away. Aurick would be lying if he didn’t feel vindicated by it. “Are you busy? I was thinking if you weren’t we could try a dance or two. Can’t promise I’m any good at it, but…”
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Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2023 2:00 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
Harika could not resist teasing Aurick, especially with the way his expression shifted at the sight of her. While she could be somewhat evasive when it came to facing certain things even Harika wasn't dense enough to ignore the fact that she did bring a smile to his face. "I look wow, hmm? Is this another Belrea expression I should learn?" She joked lightly even as her cheeks darkened with a faint blush as she was happy to receive a compliment from Aurick. He looked nice as well, the baker cleaned up fairly well even if he didn't dress in complicated or fancy outfits. Definitely handsome. Harika admitted before blinking at the question.
"We did mention dancing before, so as long as you have the time then I'll be free for you." She agreed with a bright smile, holding out a hand for Aurick. "And it's alright! As long as we're having fun together I don't mind a few bruised toes, I can show you some island dances even." Harika was hoping for some up beat melody, watching as others even did some dances by swapping partenrs around and spinning about the huge open space reserved for dancing. The strings and other instruments were pretty energetic in the moment, the thought making her hopeful for another one of those dances that looked like so much fun.
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Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2023 2:01 pm
[3]
Aurick’s skin flushed to a deep permission hue. He laughed a little, his gaze shifting away from her as he shifted himself awkwardly. “No, just me being…me.” Was flirting usually this painful? When he mentally replayed the words Aurick couldn’t help cringing at just how awful it sounded. Growing up the only real influences he had were his family members and all of them had been married long before he’d even been a thought.
Reaching out, Aurick hesitantly took Harika’s hand and led her closer to the dance floor. “I’ll do my best to keep up. As long as you show me the moves I’ll give it a crack.” Which may or may not be a terrible decision, but Aurick was already here so best to just keep going. As bodies looped arms infront of him, shifting from one partner to the next, the current song built to a crescendo. Sooner, rather than later, It ended with the dancers being split into two clapping sides. A general sense of elation came from the dance floor that admittedly was infectious enough to calm some part of Aurick; at least, until the music started anew.
“Are you ready?”
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Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2023 2:04 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
She could only smile at his awkwardness, it truly was endearing. Harika reached out to pat one of Aurick's broad shoulders, the petite seamstress gently brushing off a stray piece of dust as her hand settled there for a moment. "You're fine." She promised quietly. "I was just teasing, thank you for the compliment. You look wow as well." She replied playfully before allowing him to lead her onto the dance floor.
"The most important thing? Just have fun." Replied Harika with a wink, the music and energy of the crowd encouraging her own playful spirit. She nodded at the question before lining up as the music began to swell again and the dancers began to move. All she could do was send Aurick an encouraging grin, the hybrid playfully dancing between other women before coming back forward to reclaim her partner's hands so that they could twist around and then clap some more before darting away for the next part of the song. By the end of it there may have been a bruised toe or two, but Harika didn't mind. If anything she only smiled more at Aurick before interjecting a few of her own dance moves, little sashays and twists that somehow blended in with the harvest dances more traditionally for the music currently floating about the area. Eventually though as another song ended, a slower one with strings began and she found that her flushed cheeks weren't only from the exhilaration of moving...it was from the fact that this was a couple's dance where others were already pressed tightly together to move to the slower rhythm.
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Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2023 2:15 pm
[4]
If these had been strangers then it may have taken Aurick some time to open up. As it stood most of the dancers were old friends, family or like minded folk who were only too welcome toward the newest dancers. There were a few moments when he came too close to one of the other men, reached a hand out too quick or lost his rhythm, but Aurick was having fun. He never had to worry about losing Harika in the crowd. Slight as she was, her hair was akin to a sunset on the warmest of summer days.
The first few times he'd spun back around to take her hands it was with a nervous sort of smile, as if Aurick were afraid she would change her mind, but by the end of it the man was genuinely smiling. His skin was flushed and warm bringing with it a sense of eagerness to keep going-
-until everything slowed and now it was a couple's dance. Aurick took a shallow inhale before stepping forward to take her hand in his and chastely placing the other on the small of her back. "How did spin so much without falling? It almost looked like you didn't have feet for a moment or two."
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2023 12:52 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
"Honestly? It almost felt like I didn't." Joked Harika with a smile. "I suppose those dances really did put some wind into our sails around the islands. You didnt do so bad either, we survived so far." She teased lightly even as she took a step closer, pressing up against Aurick as the music changed. They truly threw a twist didn't they? Harika glanced towards the musicians, narrowing her gaze as she tried to see if a familiar face from his family had been the culprit before focusing on Aurick again. Either way did it matter? She still felt flushed from dancing earlier and it was nice to catch her breath, even if her heart still felt like it was running a marathon.
What did she do? The last few days together had really locked in the fluttering feelings that had been floating around ever since she settled in at the bakery. She felt comfortable with Aurick even in the most awkward of situations and his family had been far more welcoming than some of her own. It truly made Belrea feel like home. "You know..." She began thoughtfully, peeking up at Aurick through long lashes as she pondered what she should even say before finding some courage thanks to their current situation. "I think this is usually the best part for couples, especially those who want to confess their feelings to each other." She mused almost like it was a passing thought rather than her own confession for the moment.
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2023 1:06 pm
[5]
Aurick stumbled in his footing before catching himself and muttering an apology under his breath. Was he more nervous now that it was just the two of them? Horribly so. Even though they were still surrounded by a sea of dancers the intimacy of the current routine made it so that he almost couldn’t breathe.
“It makes sense. With all the dancing it’s easy to forget you’re only tempo-arily in another world.” Aurick couldn’t help the smile that slipped out anymore than he could hold back the awkward laugh. Normally the baker was calm and jovial, but now with Harika this close….And this conversation! “Harika, you…you’re a lot like cinnamon.” Feeling his cheeks warm, Aurick momentarily clenched his muscles as they made a turn and unintentionally pulled her closer. “It’s warm, is usually used in comfort foods, and always takes center stage compared to other flavors. Cinnamon also has enough heat to keep you guessing and I just…I like that about it. About cinna- about you. I like you a lot, Harika.”
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2023 1:57 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
Harika couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips at the pun. Even if sometimes they could be horrible, the jokes always did bring a smile. Her gaze did widen though as Aurick actually admitted how he felt about her. A deep flush covered her cheeks and tears burned in her gaze. "I....I like that." She had never imagined being compared to a spice before but cinnamon, especially once Aurick described its connection to her, had her heart fluttering in her chest.
"I...i feel the same." Harika admitted quietly, her voice wavering despite her earlier bravado. "I may not be a baker, but I recognize the comfort and warmth of a hearth. You brought a light and helped me to rest comfortably when I was struggling..." She laughed softly and rested her head against Aurick's shoulder. "Sheesh, listen to us. It almost sounds like we're sharing vows already." Harika closed her eyes as the music finally started to fade, yet she didn't move away from Aurick even when the next and more energetic song started back up. "Do you want to get some fresh air away from the crowd? Maybe some drinks and we can take some time to enjoy the night more?" Even she didn't know exactly what she was asking but her heart was fluttering so much that it was hard to keep behaving here, not with Aurick so close and not with what he had just confessed.
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2023 2:09 pm
[6]
“…You think I’m like cinnamon?” As the pair maneuvered around passing couples Aurick thought he saw Astra in the crowd, but when he looked for her the image was gone. He was vaguely aware of those closest to them stealing looks toward the two, but Aurick’s attention was being monopolized by Harika.
Honestly, as the music continued, Aurick didn’t move much. Once she laid her head against his shoulder the Belrean only seemed to shift from side to side so he could enjoy it for as long as possible. “No vows,” He murmured, “Just giving a voice to something that seems to have been biding it’s time.” If she felt the same way he had then Aurick had to wonder how long she’d been hiding it. He wasn’t nearly versed enough in flirting to be able to pinpoint the moment his own heart had shifted, let alone hers.
“Yeah, let’s go.” Now he knew Astra was on the dancefloor because his sister was making her observations very obvious. She was ‘casually’ gushing over the sight with a few cousins, and only turned away when he made eye contact. “The lake’s close by; how does a walk and a bottle of apple wine sound?”
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2023 2:50 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
"Well, maybe not cinnamon but similar. You'll have to show me some more spices if you truly want me to settle on one for you." Harika replied with another soft laugh. Still, the feelings Aurick brought were similar to what he had described. Maybe he didn't realize it but he did have the energy and charisma to take attention, even if it was for another pun or something like that. Regardless, Harika felt happy and safe with Aurick even when there were eyes watching their movements now. "A walk and some apple wine sounds lovely. Maybe we can add a bit more ale to it so that we stay warm. The evening is getting a bit chilly." Though that could be a good excuse to nestle against the much warmer man, something Harika made certain to do even as she helped to grab the drinks. Tucking them into her satchel that had been nestled by one of the stalls for safe keeping while they danced, Harika grabbed back onto Aurick's arm playfully. "Okay during this next dance when the crowd is moving we run for it. Gotta avoid wandering eyes somehow, right?" She grinned mischievously and as the music started to increase with the dancers moving again Harika tugged Aurick after her away from the crowd and the lights. A laugh escaped her as she finally slowed and twisted around to look at her companion, a stray curl loose from her braids and a flush on her cheeks. "Well...do you think we're safe?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2023 3:17 pm
[7]
Aurick wasn't much of a drinker, but a bit of ale to harden the apple wine didn't sound terrible. When she snagged the drinks he grabbed a few snacks as well and handed them over to Harika to stuff into her satchel. "It's a long walk back if you get hungry." Honestly he wasn't even aware of what he'd grabbed; only that they were small and easily stolen.
"Just run when you get the chance or they'll catch up." Aurick couldn't help , but to laugh at the thought. He knew his family well and while they surely wanted him to have fun they also couldn't help themselves. As soon as the signal was given Aurick took Harika's direction and slipped away from the summer festival. For a while it seemed as if the music was chasing them down the woodland path until it began to fade and sounds of the forest took it's place.
"I do," Aurick gave her hand a tug to stop her and moved the other up to brush the curl away from her face. "Would you mind if I kissed you?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:05 am
[Sabra via Discord]
Eee! He was so close and then the question! Harika had always laughed along with other seamstresses when it came to watching the excitement of lovebirds and giggling over crushes had always felt so silly to her. Now that she was in this situation though? She couldn't blame the other girls at all for seeming so giddy. Her heart raced, her cheeks flushed but Harika didn't hesitate to nod at the question. She had already leaned into the hand brushing the curl away from her face, the warmth of Aurick's hand a relief from the chill of the evening air and it didn't take much for her to tilt her lips up towards him. "I thought you would never ask." Harika managed with a small smile before pressing forward. All she could hope is that no one had managed to track them down here, not like it truly mattered to Harika. This was quickly becomming home and the family was more than welcoming, even if they tried to embarrass the pair with teasing but even that didn't matter as Harika happily melted into Aurick's arms.
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Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2023 6:13 pm
[8]
Aurick leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. There was a moment in his life where he'd imagined what this moment might feel like, but there had never been a face to the feeling. Now that Harika was here he couldn't imagine being in this position with anyone else. There had been crushes, of course, faces that he'd been drawn to in the past, but never anyone he'd brought out in front of his family.
And he knew that no matter what happened from this point on that she was family. Even if this went no further than this trip Harika had engrained herself into their group and he wanted the best for her, even if it turned out not to be him. Until that time came, though, Aurick would do his best to keep himself in her heart, just as she'd held onto his.
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