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 Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2023 2:21 pm
Changes
Despite feeling awkward the first few nights after reuniting with Nicias, Reina was actually happy to be traveling together. It had been a long time since she had spent time with her childhood friend and Reina was even more delighted that they could spend some time outside of the capital. It had been surprising to see him, especially considering how she couldn’t even imagine returning to the palace for a time, but Reina hoped that Niciais would understand that she was still the same as before. She had just needed some time away to mature and to learn her magic, to better protect him as heir to the throne of Oba. “This, however, may take a bit of an adjustment.” It seemed that their relationship was not the only puzzling thing today. After traveling from Tale back towards Oba, the group had encountered a weird pollen that was unusual for the time of year which left a haze in the air and made it uncomfortable to try to sleep at night. Reina had been up almost until dawn, tossing and turning with how uncomfortable and itchy the pollen made her feel. Even summoning a breeze hadn’t alleviated the irritation, the pollen had already gotten to her. It seemed the pollen had gotten her even more than she thought now that she was looking in the mirror that was hanging from her inn room. The reflective surface showed her face but the eyes were not the same shade as before, in fact they were almost a peachy color now, and her hair…her hair! “It’s so vibrant.” Reina twisted the strands in her hands, her expression completely baffled as she simply stared at herself in the mirror. What in the world had happened overnight to cause such changes? Her fingers slipped from her hair as another thought occurred to her. Nicias. Was he alright? Not even caring that she was in a simple dress with her hair in a messy braid that she slept in, her daily outfit and formalities forgotten, Reina rushed from her room to knock at Nic’s door. Would he even recognize her like this? Reina’s heart twisted at the very thought. Surely not!
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Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2023 5:14 pm
It had almost been like a dream to finally be reunited with Reina and traveling with her. When they were younger, they had such grand plans to travel around and see all these things but as he had grown, those plans had changed to dreams as he realized what his lot in life really was. It was a harsh way to think of thing sometimes but he knew he was also blessed. Sometimes it was hard to think of it that way, like when Reina had initially left. At least they had the chance now to do a little bit of traveling before they went back home. Although he had not traveled much, the amount of pollen in the air was like nothing he had ever seen before, or even heard of! It had caused him to have an itchy nose that made him want to sneeze but otherwise the young man slept well. A knocking at his door woke him from his dreams of his childhood. Not thinking too much of it, he walked slowly to the door, not bothering to dress properly. Shirtless and bleary eyed he opened the door. Nicias blinked his slightly itchy eyes while he tried to get his mind to work. "Yes?" His voice was a little scratchy after sleeping and he cleared his throat while still trying to clear his eyes. "Reyna?" He finally asked, confusion clouding his eyes as he took in her appearance. Realizing that she was her but also not her found him alarmed. Nic rushed forward and took her head in his hands and gently turned it from side to side. Her eyes were lighter, more pale like his own. But her hair was vibrant and Nicias thought that if her soul had a color it would be this one. "Did someone do this to you? Are you okay?" He asked gently, still holding face though not fully aware that he was.
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Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2023 6:20 pm
Reina had spent two years in Tale dealing with all different types of earthlings, some of the locals dealing with work in the heat of summer the best that they could, so it wasn't necessarily the first time that she had seen a shirtless man. However, seeing Nicias like this and having him touch her face while she was already flustered did nothing to help the deep flush that bloomed across her cheeks. She truly had just woken him up then! Not like she was in the best state of dress herself, but Reina considered this quite the emergency. "I think...I'm fine and I don't think anyone did this. My room was never breached since going to sleep last night, I checked the locks." Reina managed after a moment, her no longer crimson gaze studying his face and softening at his obvious worry. "But I may not be fine if your escort see me in the hallway like this. What if they think me some stranger trying to barge into the prince's room? May I come in?" Thankfully she didn't see anyone in the hallway at the moment, but the last thing Reina wanted was for someone to see either of them like this! But she also didn't want to simply return to her room, not when she wanted to make certain Nicias was also safe. So far though he looked the same, her gaze darting up and down his body to check over him. "You appear to be alright." Relief washed over her body before she remembered her own predicament. What if they had returned to Oba both looking completely different? Talk about a challenge if no one believed their identities!
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Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2023 7:31 pm
Nicias took another couple of seconds to study her expression and nodded his agreement. Reina had a point, that would be a little bit more difficult to explain. Finally, he realized he was still holding her face and dropped his hands quickly. His gaze roamed the hall quickly before putting his arm around her and ushering her inside. Once they were both safely inside his room, he closed the door quickly and leaned on it for good measure. "I feel okay, a little bit of an itchy nose and eyes but nothing...life altering. Are you sure you feel okay? Should I go find a healer?" Nic left the door and walked towards where a small mirror was propped against the wall on a small night stand and took a look at himself. He looked just the same as he had always. "Have you seen yourself?" He asked softly, gesturing for her to sit on the bed before he sat himself. Nic extended the mirror to her, wondering if she had seen her eyes yet.
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Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2023 8:34 pm
A soft sigh of relief left Reina's lips as she entered the room behind Nicias. Here was hoping that they had at least another hour or so before anyone checked in on either of them. It was still early, right? Reina frowned thoughtfully before blinking at Nicias when she registered his words. "A bit of an itchy nose and eyes....that strange pollen. Do you think that could have triggered this? Some sort of strange magical phenomena?" None of her lessons had ever covered such a thing nor did Reina think this was some simple illusion or potion. Who would even want to prank her like that? Well, at least no one at this particular inn. Such things would be more believable once they returned to Sulburi though, that was for certain.
Taking the mirror from Nicias, Reina made a soft hmm as she inspected her face. "Well I'm still me, just with different hues of hair and eyes." She finally stated, her lips twisting into a thoughtful expression. "Do you think it also affected my crystals? I can't see them well like this though..." Her cheeks flamed as she looked at Nicias. "Would you mind looking?" There were normally deep golden crystals along her upper back but she couldn't quite twist enough to peek at them. All Reina could do was hold her hair to the side to see what Nicias saw if he did offer to take a glance at her skin, the very thought bringing back the flush to her cheeks.
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 7:31 am
Nicias sighed and rubbed a hand down his face. Magical pollen? He'd never heard of anything like that before. "I've not heard about anything like that in Oba's history before. But...we're not in Oba anymore so I suppose anything is entirely possible." The question was now why had it affected her and not himself? "I can't think of any reason why it would affect you and not....uh...well, what if it was because you have some magical aptitude? If we're thinking the pollen itself is magical?" He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "At least you still feel okay right? It's just changed how you look."His face turned puzzled when she asked about her crystals. "From what I've read, almost nothing has ever changed an earthlings crystals. If you would like for me to look then I definitely can." Nic stood again, this time behind Reina as she moved her bright braided hair out of the way. His fingers gently moved a couple of stray strands that had escaped presumably while she had slept. When he saw the crystals along her back his hand froze. "Rei?..." He said softly as his free hand tentatively touched one of her crystals. "They've changed their hue as well..."
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 12:38 pm
"There's a first time for everything. After all, history has to be made somehow." Replied Reina with a small smile, feeling slightly amused now that the initial panic had settled. It truly wasn't as if she was that upset by the changes...surely it could have been much worse than a lovely shade of hair like this and perhaps it was a sign that she was washing away her old self before returning to Oba. Would have of the people lingering around the palace recognize her like this? "Honestly, I didn't feel anything magically charged when we noticed the pollen yesterday but it was the only strange thing that I can consider." Everything else had been normal, even the food served at the tavern was familiar with fresh bread and a roast that they both shared. The fresh greens and fruits were even local, things Reina had been eating for the past two years while studying in Tale. That pollen though...it definitely had been unusual for so much to be around, especially this time of year.
Honestly, the strongest emotion she was feeling at the moment was something different from panic. Her cheeks were warm, her heart racing but it wasn't because of the changes. It was because of how close Nicias was, his fingers brushing across her back to touch a crystal. Perhaps she should have considered her request before opening her mouth. The realization was too late though as Reina found to stay still, taking a soft breath as she slowly nodded. "I had the feeling that they could be different also. I wonder if I'm the only one affected. Maybe only certain earthlings are more susceptible to the changes and we'll see more dealing with this once we leave the inn." She forced a small laugh despite the fluttering feeling in her chest that came from having Nicias so close. "I look different enough now that maybe I should return with a new name and pose as some great lady returned to Oba. Maybe that'll keep others in awe instead of trying to pick fights with me when I return. Though I'm certain they would question the relationship this stranger has with their prince." She teased lightly, daring to twist her head just enough to peek at Nicias. "Truly I feel fine, it's just going to be an adjustment to recognizing myself with this new appearance. The hair isn't quite so bad, is it? I rather like the vibrant colors."
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 12:50 pm
"Mhmm..." Nic said softly as he listened to her thoughts. They made sense. The pollen was the only thing strange to have happened. But still, he had to wonder why they weren't both affected. "Why would you want to pose as someone else when you're perfect the way you are?" He almost hadn't realized he had said his thought aloud and then suddenly felt awkward and in need of clarifying himself. "Not that you weren't perfect before this strange pollen incident but well..." Nicias cleared his throat and stepped away, a slight blush playing on his cheeks. In order to hide it, he turned away from her and made a show of ruffling in his trunk to pull out a deep red shirt. He pulled it over his head and shook out his dreads before turning back to her. "I think the hair matches you well, Reina. I had a thought when I first saw you, that if your soul had a color, it would look like this. Bright. Lively. Unapologetically you." A small smile tugged the corners of his mouth upward.
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 1:07 pm
Reina's breath hitched in her throat, her cheeks flushing even more. "Careful, your highness. One may misunderstand if they heard such flattery, but thank you. I appreciate the compliment, it was expressed in such a lovely manner. How do the ladies not swarm you back home?" She teased as Nicias stepped away, an attempt to cover her own flustered state. It was so hard to not have her heart twist in her chest when he paid her compliments like that! But there was still part of Reina that was nervous about the future, that damn fire etched into her memory from when she realized she had magic and lost her temper all those years ago. Nicias was sweet, he was kind to everyone...so she shouldn't look too much into a compliment, right? Even Reina knew better, she was just making excuses because she wasn't certain if she was prepared for what a next step would mean for them. What if she ruined their friendship that had just been rekindled after she had vanished from Oba to go study magic? What if she just disappointed him by not being able to keep up with the politics and games that surrounded the court? Reina had taken lessons including etiquette growing up, but even she understood that there was a wildness about her spirit that was hard to hide. So much so that she wondered if the effects of the pollen had simply brought out her inner personality with these new colors! Reina's expression warmed despite herself, her lips curving upwards into a small smile as she twisted a strand of hair and pondered Nicias' words along with the new color.
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 1:27 pm
"I don't care as much about what others think as I once did." He said in a matter of fact tone. "They don't swarm me since I'm mainly hiding in the royal library." He laughed though it had no real feeling to it. "What do you think your family will think? I'm sure Miss Varinia will just be happy to have you home. I think Hana will probably be jealous of your hair." His thoughts returned to what would happen when they returned home. Would they start looking at marriage prospects for him again? Nic couldn't help the small sigh that escaped him. "Maybe I should have hoped that mysterious pollen would have changed me..." Nic sighed once more.
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 1:56 pm
"Pfft. It seems certain things haven't changed." Replied Reina with a smile towards Nicias. "I used to have to steal you from the library just to make certain you would get fresh air, almost like taking a plant out for sunlight." She joked lightly before pausing at the thought of her family. There were certain members she would gladly see while some rumors were stirring up a bit of trouble for the family name within society. Still, she would be happy to see most. "I'll be happy to see mother as well. We've sent letters, but I haven't been back to Oba in years. It'll be strange to see a desert landscape again when I've been surrounded by trees for so long."
"Who knows? I hope Hana and the rest haven't been affected by this...or if they have that they're faring alright with the changes." She expressed quietly, her arms wrapping around her waist as she resisted the urge to reach for Nicias to comfort him. That wouldn't be proper, would it? "Do you want to change or simply stay away from Oba? I ran away once before and despite how freeing it felt at first...over the years I found myself eaten up by guilt and frustrations because I knew I had left behind so many responsibilities and you. If you have something bothering you then I don't mind listening." Reina replied after a moment, her expression thoughtful. "I'm honestly nervous to return to Oba, but I promise that I won't be running away again. As long as you want me by your side, I'll stay." Her cheeks flushed at the thought, realization about how many different meanings that could take but Reina was resolute. "That is I mean...I'm good for listening and maybe giving advice if you need, right?"
Some noise caught her attention, the Oban making a face as she realized the moment was almost over now that others were waking up. It seemed that she would not be the only one affected by this change, after all. "I should go to my room, but we can talk more later..." She added softly, glancing towards Nicias almost wistfully before hiding the expression. It would only bring them trouble if she was found like this in his room. There were already rumors from before and this would only add to the fire!
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 2:06 pm
Reina was right but also very wrong. Nicias felt like he himself and his habits had not changed very much. He still studied more often than not but now he did have some army duties he had to do so he at least went out side with that. But the fact that she hadn't been there for so long meant that a lot about his routine and what he looked forward to had changed. "Do you think it would have made it all the way to Oba?" It was a worrisome thought and a small sense of worry made a home in his heart for his family. "Home has...been a lot. We can talk about it some other time." He decided, not wanting to scare her off of coming home again. "If nothing else, home hasn't felt the same since you left. So having you back will help a lot of things in my opinion." He said softly as he heard others waking up as well. "Are you sure you're okay? I can call for a healer to meet you in your room if you would like..." His main concern was her but if she said she was alright, then he would try to not worry as much.
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 2:25 pm
"It's possible." Reina replied, her expression full of concern. How much chaos would this pollen cause? There would definitely be a lot of confused and fearful earthlings if they woke up looking like a completely different person as she had this morning. Still, Reina found herself happy with the changes as long as it didn't affect her health. She just hoped others felt the same or else there would be a lot of upset strangers on their journey back towards Oba.
Her expression softened with Nicias' explanation. "I see." A mixture of conflicting emotions crossed her features before his next question had a sigh escaping her lips. "I promise I'm feeling fine. If anything changes then I'll let you know." She did hesitate a moment, wondering about that consequences of this change. Would it make her sick? Was there more to come after the color changes? What if she went to her room and fell ill on the spot? Reina's stomach knotted at the very thought. Surely not. But maybe the idea of illness and her new vibrant colors made her feel a bit more reckless than usual, especially since she was alone with Nicias with no one else to judge her. "If all else fails and somehow this does become more serious, know I cared for you deeply." Reina found herself whispering, a light kiss being placed on Nicias' cheek before she darted back towards the doorway, raising a hand in farewell as if nothing had happened despite the heat on her cheeks and the racing of her heart. "Don't worry so much though. I promised I wouldn't run away again, right? So no pollen will be keeping me away, not if I can help it." And just like that Reina slipped from the room to dart into her own as the rest of the inn came to life, a flurry of protests and accusations erupting as others discovered their own altered appearances.
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Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2023 3:32 pm
In the end, Nicias knew he just needed to trust her to know what was best for her, even if he was still worried about her. That was, until she made a quiet confession that he wasn't sure if it was a jest or a truth. Yet the light kiss she placed on his cheek lead him towards the later. He stared after her in quiet shock as he watched her leave his room. His recent worries set aside now for something else to ponder.
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2024 7:08 am
A change has occurred resulting in surprising results.
Please see below for Reina'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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