Valerian's New Colors (keeping eyes the same, so disregard if that's not the right pallet color)
Valerian absolutely adored flowers and was fond of working with them, the teen wandering the nearby fields of wildflowers that grew around his forest home to study and collect them. The last two days or so though had felt strange and he couldn’t quite understand why the air felt so thick as of late with pollen. “The season was earlier this spring for the flowers to be flooding the air like that.” Mused Valerian thoughtfully, glancing over the field below. What was different with this pollen? He remembered rubbing the tips of his fingers together with some of the pollen to try and figure out the strange substance, the teen swearing that the pollen felt like it was glowing in the sunlight, but it had vanished just as quickly as it appeared with the winds of late spring. Well, at least he had caught sight of the vines that he had been looking for over the last few days and now he could return home after camping outside once more in the nearby flower field. What he hadn’t expected though was to take a double take whenever he passed by the calm waters of the spring near their home, the reflection making him frown as he dropped his belongings and crouched to get a closer look. “What in the?” That wasn’t right, was it? Had his hair always been so bright and his skin such a warm hue? His crystals and eyes seemed almost the same, but honestly it was hard to tell when he was already distracted by his hair. Had his sister somehow found his camping spot and dyed his hair as a prank or something? Valerian simply couldn’t seem to piece things together before thinking about that strange pollen again. No way, right? Suddenly he was even more eager to return home, the teen worried about his family and what had happened overnight while he was away.
Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 11:59 am
Sabra Knight
(1/7)
Padma's Changes Skin: █ Crystal: █
It wasn't odd for Valerian to go off into the wilderness. For as composed and proper as he could be, he was still his father's child, and a bit of that wildness still called to him; even if it involved the urge to study the wilds, rather than prowl through them like his father and sister. Still, Padma worried for her boy, and so in the past few hours as it crept towards afternoon she hovered around the edges of their homestead, quietly fretting in as ... subtle a way as she could. Eujanie was off on an excursion to the nearby town again (something Padma had never expected, for her wildling of a daughter to be so drawn to people and society), and Uzumati was doing his patrols.
Padma expected the pollen from that morning to have left more of a mark; like mounds of the stuff over the wood of their home, or upon the crystalline grasses, but the wind seemed to have swept it along quickly enough, apparently with no effects. Eventually though, she heard the telltale sound of footsteps approaching home, and when she turned she hoped to see her husband or son.
Instead, from this distance, she saw what seemed to be a stranger. Unease filled her belly as she wiped her hands on her skirt. She was ignorant of the own changes in her; her crystals, which were on her face and unseen, had tinged a more red hue, and her skin was noticeably darker. Her hair and eyes, however, remained the same, as did the bright pastels of her typical outfit.
This stranger though didn't have her son's dark hair from his father, and the skin looked brighter from this far. "Hello?" Padma called, suddenly uncertain, because as the changeling approached she noticed, with a heart freezing realization, that it was wearing her son's clothes. She'd recognize them anywhere, she'd mended them enough times to be certain!
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Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 12:33 pm
Scarlett Arbuckle
At first Valerian was startled to see someone so similar yet different from his mother standing from afar. Logically he knew that outfit belonged to his mother and that voice seemed all too familiar, even the hair and the way she moved was just like his mother. His initial reaction was to dart away, the instinct that something wasn't quite right tugging at him, but Valerian was more of a scholar than to give into such urges. There definitely was something strange about that pollen. If he had not noticed changes in his own skin and hair then the boy perhaps would have been a bit more fearful, but now he was simply hesitant because he had the feeling his own mother hadn't noticed her changes. However, his changes were definitely noticeable...would she even recognize him? And worse...how many others had been affected by this phenomena?
"Hello." Valerian raised his hand, a bit awkwardly as he worried about whether or not his own mother would accept him. "It seems that there was something strange in the pollen today....that is you right, mother? You should look at your hands." He held out his own as if to demonstrate. Surely that was more than a tan for his mother else he would have noticed earlier! At least that was the hope, but Valerian truly hoped that she wouldn't panic....but if she did then what did he do? One step at a time, I suppose.
[2/7]
Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 12:47 pm
Sabra Knight
(2/7)
Padma wasn't superstitious, not as much as some wives in the towns. She still had a bit of fondness for stories from her mother, but most of her life her father had raised her, and he was... far too logical to consider such things plausible. She was superstitious in small, homey ways, that made her feel as if her home - like warm scented branches placed above the doorway to 'ward off evil', but in reality were just there to smell nice. Or leaving milk by the hearth around the solstice as an offer for house spirits, but was just a little game to involve the children with when they were young.
The concept of changelings wasn't unheard of; and yet she'd never given it any serious thought until this moment. The stories said, though, that they took babies, not... nearly grown young boys. So while she felt panic rise in her chest, as the boy stepped closer, and simply stated that 'the pollen was strange' - she felt a frantic little laugh bubble out of her, stifled by a hand to her mouth.
Which she immediately looked at, when he suggested it. She'd spent that morning in the garden, and hadn't given much thought to her skintone; her palms often got pink or flushed from washing laundry, or doing work. But this was completely different. Her tone was darkened by quite a bit, as if she'd sunned herself for days - and when she turned her arms, she saw the same on the other side, without any unevenness.
Compared to this boy, who had the face and voice of her darling son - she felt a bit faint.
"Oh." She giggled a little, airy and maybe a bit manic, pressing her hand to her heart for a moment, as if to will it to calm down from its frantic beating. "I know shifters change all the time, but this is -! Come here, let me take a look at you, sweetie."
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Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 1:18 pm
Scarlett Arbuckle
Valerian took a worried step forward before pulling back whenever his mother seemingly took her time to process the situation. He did expect it to be a lot for her, after all he knew about their little protections hanging around the house and had heard plenty of folktales to understand the concern. Sprites cursing people, even kidnapping children....there were quite a plethora of stories that floated around the nearby village especially during the autumn months when the wind grew colder and the night longer. What if such things did actually exist and come true? Anyone would already be concerned with the changes, but to add local superstition into the mixture would be even more upsetting. Valerian frowned at the thought before quickly shoving the expression away so that he could do his best to keep a calm expression should his mother panic more at his own worry.
"If it helps, I don't believe the moon did this to us so we shouldn't constantly change like the shifters." Replied Valerian finally, his gaze full of concern as he watched his mother. He hesitated only a moment before stepping closer to hold out his hands towards her. "I think my eyes are still the same, they match yours so surely you know it's me and not some changeling. Right?" He was close enough now to see the exact hue of her eyes, the familiar green giving him a sense of relief even though he was worried about how much she trusted in his words. What if she did believe him to be some trick? A spirit causing an illusion to make even her appear different? Valerian took a breath as he processed his options before offering more information, just in case. "I enjoy chamomile tea whenever I can't sleep and need ground ginger on trips when I get terribly motion sick. I fair a bit better on a boat, but the airship to Belrea was horrid for my stomach."
[3]
Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 1:36 pm
Sabra Knight
(3/7)
It did help. Constantly changing colors sounded exhausting. When she looked at Valerian again, his face was soft with worry, and when he came closer his hands were out, like he was soothing a wild animal. She felt it was probably a bit appropriate, but it immediately made her stomach sink guiltily. What sort of monstrous parent made their child worry this way?
Her cheeks went warm with embarrassment (and a bit of guilty defensiveness, despite herself) as he immediately began to placate her. "Well, you are handsome enough to be carried off to be someone's husband." She said, playfully, as he came closer, forcing herself to calm down for his sake. She'd already concluded she was being foolish, but when he followed up with a handful of facts... she still felt herself relax further, grateful, if sheepish.
She bit her lip, but finally reached to cup his cheeks, expression crumpling a bit. It was incredible, to consider being changed by some sort of magic, and yet - there was still a sadness she felt at how different her boy was. "I see you, baby, don't worry." Padma reassured gently, leaning close to press a little kiss to his forehead.
Then, she gently fluffed her fingers through his bangs, still looking stricken. The dark hair he'd inherited from his father was gone, and that hurt in a strange way. She hadn't realized how much she enjoyed seeing pieces of her and Uzumati together until this moment. But that wasn't important, right now. "Are you okay Valerian? You don't feel sick right now, do you?"
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Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 1:46 pm
Scarlett Arbuckle
Valerian blinked before actually laughing softly at the idea. "I think I've been told that I'm too dull for anyone's interest. So I wonder about that one, mother." He replied quietly, his green gaze full of amusement despite his earlier worry. The teen understood his mother was still processing, but at least she was trying and not simply running away from him. It was a good sign and one that he hoped meant that they could overcome these changes together. He just worried about his father and sister. Would they come home different as well?
The tension in his shoulders did disappear though at the familiar touch, the teen leaning into his mother's familiar warmth. Even as his cheeks flushed from the tender expression, Valerian simply watched his mother as she studied him. "I'm alright, just startled. Are you alright?" His brow furrowed as he studied her reaction, concerned by her troubled expression. Did he look awful now that he had changed? Then again who would be expected to simply accept that their own child had drastically changed overnight? Even he was struggling to accept that these changes were permanent for both of them...if they were actually permanent. "Maybe the pollen just triggered a reaction on us physically which could fade away within a few days." He offered, feeling a bit too optimistic for his own liking. It wasn't as if they had simply broken out in a rash, their whole appearance had been altered somehow and Valerian did not know if such a phenomena would ever occur again especially with the pollen having already blown away from the area.
[4/7]
Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 2:49 pm
Sabra Knight
(4/7)
Good! He seemed to relax now. Although - Padma let out an affronted gasp at his response, frowning, face scrunching up a bit. "What! Who said that to you? I have half a mind to --" She paused, then took a breath, smoothing a hand through her curls. "... not set their house ablaze, thank you." She paused a moment, then winked at her son, before approaching to inspect his changes.
He was such an attentive child, and such a kind thing, so of course he clocked on to her mood shift quickly. Padma puffed herself up and gently booped the tip of his nose with her finger, finally pulling her hands away once more. It was kind of him not to wiggle or fuss over her attention, this time. He was likely being patient with her, considering the circumstances. What a good boy he was!!
"A sweet thought, my darling." She sighed, smoothing her hand over her wrist. " But I think ... if this was temporary, I don't think it would be so... even? A few pieces of skin, maybe, like those with markings or birth marks, but not all over like this."
Yes, she wasn't a healer, but she'd been a nurse by her father's side at his clinic long enough to catch some things. "But don't you worry. We'll figure this out, and as long as you aren't hurting it can wait until we can get into town to see a proper healer. Perhaps they'll have some news for us too." She hoped it wasn't widespread, it was sure to cause a panic, so the longer they dawdled the better perhaps. And, maybe it WOULD fade, who knew??
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Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 7:18 pm
Scarlett Arbuckle
Though it was amusing to see his mother's reaction to the commentary, Valerian couldn't help but to be slightly embarrassed by it. Of course his mother would say that! She was biased, not that he minded too much, but still. "It's fine. Out of the village kids books still make the better company." He joked lightly, waving the comment aside with a soft chuckle at his mother's antics.
Rubbing the tip of his nose, Valerian simply shook his head. "I suppose that's very true, isn't it?" They would have definitely looked more like they had some sort of rash or something instead of completely changing like this. Valerian had rolled up his sleeves to check and even his covered skin had changed overnight. "A healer is a good idea. I'm just worried about Eujanie and Father...how do you think they'll take to this? Or will they be different also?" He was truly worried about them. Valerian was simply curious about the change, but he could only imagine how much more of a reaction any changes would get from the rest of their little family. Oh! Then there were also the cousins if the pollen went all the way to Belrea. Would it have though? There definitely were a lot of factors that he would have to investigate and document! Valerian had never heard of anything like this before in any of the journals he had ever studied so it could be a once in a lifetime event!
[5/7]
Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2023 10:35 am
Sabra Knight
(5/7)
Of course Padma would be upset for him! Those kids were ... were- oohh, he was probably lucky that they lived so far away, because she was sure she'd be stomping down to those kids' houses and making a scene!
Valerian inspected himself and, in similar fashion, Padma carefully pulled her sleeves down to peek at her arms, finding the same thing. Darker skin than she was used to, and no sign of it ever having been anything else. "I ... perhaps they will be different." Padma confessed, rubbing her mouth as the thought sank in. What would she do if Eujanie was vastly changed too? Valerian alone had already given her a heart attack, with his brighter hair. And Uzumati - would he be unnerved by the change in her, and his son? She didn't think so, but there was still a part of her that worried; her stomach twisted nervously at the idea of gazing into eyes that were different than the ones she'd grown so used to.
She also doubted he would be pleased with a brighter hair color, when his darker tone allowed him to blend in with the forest so well.
"I - well. You know how your sister is." Padma said, apologetically and with a little, helpless smile. She was likely to tease him, and be fascinated by the new look. If SHE changed as well, though, perhaps it would be easier for Valerian...? "Well." She exhaled and set her hands on her hips, "I'm glad you're home safely, sweetie. Goodness, your homecomings aren't usually so eventful!"
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Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2023 12:02 pm
Scarlett Arbuckle
"Well, physical differences don't change who we are." Replied Valerian with a confident nod. "I think it's easier to imagine father having slightly different hair or something than if he suddenly became eloquent and started acting like some of those Belrean gentlemen we saw before." With their stuffy looking outfits and snooty attitudes...ew. Valerian most definitely preferred their simple life out in the woods in comparison to some of the stuff he saw in those cities. Valerian knew he looked a lot different than before thanks to the changes, but he was the same person on the inside. That wasn't going to change because of some unusual pollen, right? Right.
But it didn't mean accepting the changes would be any easier, especially for those who were so familiar with something completely different. It definitely would be an adjustment, that was for certain. "Fair enough." Valerian made a face at the thought of his sister. He adored her, but sometimes she could be even more wild and reckless than their father. He could only imagine how much she would tease and question him if he was the only one to have changed.
"Well I mean..." Valerian started to protest playfully before shaking his head. He couldn't even deny that statement! "It definitely is the most eventful homecoming, isn't it?" It was hard to be upset at those who teased him, he truly did try to keep his life peaceful and quiet in comparison to some of his family. Which reminded him...."Maybe we can sneak home first and make something to distract them. Something sweet maybe or just food in general?" Familiar food to ease the strangeness of the whole situation did sound nice to Valerian at least.
[6/7]
Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2023 12:12 pm
Sabra Knight
(6/7)
Spirits, that was a terrifying thought! Padma looked at her son, then laughed, brightly, feeling more of the worries of their odd situation fall off her shoulders. She still worried what her husband would think. It wasn't a tiny, small thing to suddenly have something as inherent as their appearance change so mysteriously, but there were plenty of people in the world growing feathers and claws these days, so she supposed it could be worse.
"Mmm. Do you think, together, we can make something delicious enough they won't even notice?" A touch of mischief entered her tone at this, sharing with her son a secretive, playful smile as she ushered him along towards home.
She doubted it, but it was an amusing thought nonetheless, wasn't it?
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Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2023 12:43 pm
Scarlett Arbuckle
Valerian's own expression brightened at the sound of his mother's laughter. It gave him hope that everything truly would be alright. Certainly they would have to get accustomed to familiar faces looking slightly different, but the person was still the same. This was still his mother whom he adored more than anyone else in the world. Valerian smiled at the thought, his hand moving to hold onto Padma as they walked along back towards home. "Something delicious or super startling...delicious probably is better though cause I don't like wasting food. There's that one sweet bread which is really good or one of those cobblers from the wildberries that we picked the other day." They still had a basket or two of that left. Valerian nodded at the thought, his mind already swirling with the possibilities of what they could do rather than the changes that had happened overnight.
[7/7]
Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2023 2:57 pm
Sabra Knight
(7/7)
Thankfully, they were of the same mind. It wasn't as if they could just shrug off the changes, but continuing on without getting hung up on it was the best way to carry on. Padma smiled, but still found herself petting his hair as they walked, perhaps a little mournfully. Still, he was her little boy and the new color was pretty, if different.
"It sounds delicious, that's the one we'll do then!"
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 6:00 am
A Change Has Occurred!
A change has occurred resulting in surprising results.
Please see below for Padma's new swatch!
Skin || ██ Crystals || ██ Hair || ██ Eyes || ██
Please see below for Valerian's new swatch!
Skin || ██ Crystals || ██ Hair || ██ Eyes || ██
This will be reflected in their next growth's art, but may be considered as an immediate change in-character.
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