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 Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2023 8:00 pm
Xylia Changes
I absolutely despise you.
Oh, I know. How could I forget?
You a**.
Mmmhmm.
An entanglement of limbs, the ragged covers of a bed pushed askew, a couple of empty bottles of strong ale left along the floor and the shimmer of dust orbs in the morning sunlight that flickered in through the stained windows of a tavern room greeted anyone who opened the door. That and a dagger, which fortunately for the server, went straight into the wall next to his head instead of his actual skull as he peeked into the doorway. “M-my apologies!” The Oban boy left a wooden tray of breakfast foods, mostly bread and cheese, on the ground and allowed the door to quickly slam behind him. Meanwhile Xylia had detached herself from another nuisance and was reaching for her shirt, the Oban hybrid tugging the leather material over her body with a groan. She felt like absolute garbage, the slamming of the door and even the smell of freshly baked bread made her stomach queasy while her head screamed at her. “How do others actually enjoy these indulgences?” She moaned, standing and tugging her leggings on next now that they had finally dried after a quick scrub in the bowl of soapy water provided by the tavern last night. Both grime, pollen and blood had gotten all over her clothing after last night’s debacle and so she had stripped down to clean everything that she could since her own hideout was not accessible at the moment. Thankfully the deepest cut from last night had been along her upper arm, something easily bandaged, so the overall outfit was redeemable after being scrubbed clean. That did remind her though that she had to inspect the rest of her body for any additional wounds that she may have missed last night. There would be a few new spots but nothing that was related to the particular battle last night with smugglers. While that was something she was not really wanting to dwell upon, the drinking from last night was what really was bothering her at the moment. Xylia rarely indulged in any of that since she was more focused on honing her skills than drinking around a table with others and just a couple of drinks last night had been enough to mess with her. She had needed it to ease her nerves, to allow her to act the role of lover as proposed by her distasteful partner, but even Xylia hadn’t been prepared for how hard that fancy liquor would hit. It had done its part though since she had managed to get through the night without murdering the other person in the bed…speaking of which. “Will you get up already or do you plan on sleeping all morning?” She kicked towards the sheets, her feet still bare since her boots were in a heap on the opposite side of the room. Xylia rubbed at her temples, not concerned by the lack of shoes and instead opted to continue on her way from the edge of the bed towards the tray of food to see if she could stomach anything on it.
[Xylia 1]
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 2:46 pm
Valek Changes
Mmm. Well, it definitely wasn’t the worst set of pillows that Valek had ever slept on. While the bed was a bit more lackluster than some of the finer mansions he had visited before, Valek appreciated one that was decently clean and not covered in mildew like some of the seaport lodgings. It was surprisingly firm, the dark wood not creaking too horribly despite all of last night’s movements and Valek could find himself taking another hour or two to just catch up on the sleep he had missed most of last week. That was until someone woke up grumbling and kicking at the bed. “The ale wasn’t that strong, I’ve had some real pirates’ rum that’ll kick you into the next week.” He replied, wiggling deeper into the sheets until another kick had him tumbling from the bed to gather his own clothing. A series of bandages were wrapped around his torso, the results of last night’s fighting showing in the dark stains and medical ointments that had been hastily applied to stop the bleeding. It was a shame that they didn’t have the stronger drink, Valek could have used that after watching the sinking ship go down in the harbor where they couldn’t recover the goods while most of the smugglers got caught by soldiers with the few who jumped into the ocean to avoid capture. It was hard to question those in the city’s dungeons, though he did gander he could try despite that rousing suspicion should he be caught in the lower levels full of criminals. It wasn’t as if he could just say he was helping to take care of the problem nor could Xylia even with both of their connections, if anything that would make things even more complicated. Not that he was supposed to know about Moon’s connections but it was hard to not learn more about the vigilante he continued running into, the pair forming unlikely partnerships multiple times over the last two years since her appearance in Oba. Valek just thought it best to not say anything, allowing her to live her mysterious life the best that she could despite him having connected the dots to her familial connections.
Still, for now he just was thankful that they had gotten some justice even if it didn’t result in finding out the actual mastermind behind the latest illegal activities happening between Sulburi and Jatine. Taking the cargo, getting rid of a few men…surely that would sting whoever was behind these recent events. Rescuing noble children was a lot simpler, maybe I should look back into that work. He thought, dragging his hand through his unruly hair to try and tame the wild locks. Would there be pollen and grime lingering there still? He had tried to wash up a bit last night while Xylia helped bandage the wounds, the pair of them rinsing their bodies free of everything including that frustrating pollen that had not helped at all last night by leaving footprints and such everywhere. It was worse than walking through damp sand with how heavy that stuff came along in the evening winds! It clung to everything, the crates, their clothing and it was hard to cover their tracks when it marked every step they took along the docks last night. A surprising gust of pollen and an exposed set of footprints had been enough for one smuggler who was straggling behind the others to raise the alarm, causing a fight which both had been hoping to avoid while gathering more information. After that fiasco divers would have to try to find the wreckage and get the precious gemstones that had been stolen over the last few months, shimmering garnishments for the ocean floor now instead of being held in someone’s treasury. Grabbing his pants, Valek finally rose from the floor to start pulling together his own clothing. “Could have slept a bit longer, Moon. I guess I should have worn you out more.” Oh it was too hard not to tease her after last night’s stunt, the pair getting a bit more involved with each other than originally intended. Not that Valek found himself complaining, it was a nice change of pace from her trying to stab him for once. The act should have been plenty to keep their cover as a pair of tipsy lovers tumbling into the tavern, wanting a place to spend the night together away from the prying eyes of their families.
[Valek 1]
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 2:46 pm
Just breathe, Lia. The hybrid closed her eyes, her fingers tightening on a roll as she silently counted in her head instead of throwing a dagger at Valek’s face. Even if she had some fun last night it wasn’t like she wanted the reminder that she had spent the night with this nuisance! It was even worse to consider that she had actually gotten carried away herself, with or without the aid of alcohol! When Xylia felt like the murderous rage was reduced to a shimmer, the anger no longer boiling to a dangerous point, she finally turned to face her partner. “That was a simple act and you should know that I…..” She started, her words lashing out at him and the woman fully intending to hurl insults at him, but then the sight of a different looking Valek had her taking a defensive step back. “What in the hells? Did the shadows finally take over you?” Her furious expression softened to confusion and then concern as she dropped the bread roll and moved so that she could touch Valek’s cheeks. His crystals looked normal, they were still the deep amber that she knew and his eyes were still fully Yaeli, but his skin and hair looked like they had been significantly darkened almost as if the shadows had finally merged with the man who constantly surrounded himself in them. Xylia’s fingers rubbed across the smooth crystal thoughtfully, her expression surprisingly gentle for the first time since meeting Valek. Was this some sign of sickness? How could such a change happen overnight?
[Xylia 2]
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 2:46 pm
“Know that you fully enjoyed yourself? I have quite a few extra marks that weren’t from the fight.” Valek replied, an eyebrow raised with amusement before he froze as Xylia rushed towards him. Was she going to smack him or what? There wasn’t a dagger in her hand this time, her swords were on the small table in the corner where they had hid their weapons under cloaks, and so he didn’t think it was necessary to dodge her movements especially as she slowed down to gently cup his cheek instead of slapping him. What was this? Maybe it was best if he slapped himself since she hadn’t, just to make certain he was truly awake and not having some strange dream. “What do you mean?” At the same time, Valek realized that there was something a bit different about Xylia now that they were close enough and standing together in the sunlight. Her own dyed hair normally was pure white, but it looked like a shimmer of something was starting to show through the dye. It wasn’t red or brown as expected, but rather pinkish? Valek found himself momentarily distracted, the reveal of her true hair color actually startling him. So that wasn’t shifter blood or something, after all. She truly was an Oban and Alkidike hybrid as expected despite her strange markings that were black instead of the traditional teal. “You’re not going to suddenly confess deep feelings for me or something, right? I totally understand if my charming ways finally got through to you. Is that the reason you’re touching me so much now?” He found himself teasing, still oblivious to the changes in his own appearance as he looked over her hair and pondered his newest observation of the other hybrid. “Pink hair suits you, I’m surprised you don’t leave it be.” He admitted quietly, his voice almost a whisper as her gentle reaction completely caught him off guard for once and the hybrid simply stayed put as Xylia inspected him.
[Valek 2]
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 2:46 pm
Xylia let out a huff, her breath moving a stray bang away from her face as she listened to Valek’s stupidity. “Stop talking and look at yourself.” She pulled away from him with a frown, her soft words replaced by frustration. “Conceited jerk. I’m actually concerned about you for once.” She pushed him towards the one little mirror hanging on the wall, the round brass surface slightly distorted with age but functional enough to reveal the darker hues of Valek’s hair and skin. Though after she did push him away, the hybrid reached up to twist a strand of hair thoughtfully. What did he mean by pink hair suiting her? “Why pink?” Xylia replied after a moment of hesitation. “That’s so random. You’re not pranking me, are you?” Surely not. Between escaping the ship, getting to the tavern, last night’s activities after they cleaned up and sleeping in this morning there was no way he could have pulled such a stunt easily. Did he just go and mess with dyes while she was sleeping? Was that what he meant with such a statement?
[Xylia 3]
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 2:46 pm
“Maybe you just aren’t seeing things properly because of the hangover.” Valek offered even as he found himself being shoved towards the mirror. Frowning, the hybrid glanced over his reflection and tugged at his own hair as he tried to compare it to what he remembered. Was the mirror that distorted? Though Moon did seem awfully concerned. “Maybe there was more to the smuggler’s loot than we realized.” He offered after a moment before smirking at her. “As for pink, your dye isn’t holding….unless? Did you get affected by this as well?” Whatever this was. He shrugged as he looked over his appearance one final time. “It’s nice to have something changed on occasion, right? Damn, I’m still really attractive. You can be thankful for that.” Despite his teasing there was some worry, but Valek didn’t feel unwell. If anything, seeing his traits changed had lifted something from his shoulders. It was like the change had cut ties with those that he didn’t want to remember, the shadows taking over his coloring and making him look less like the woman he didn’t care to think about. It was a shame that the rest of his Yaeli traits couldn’t just disappear, but it was what it was.
[Valek 3]
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 2:46 pm
Xylia’s gaze narrowed, the urge to go over there and actually grab some of her weapons increasing by each moment she dealt with Valek. She would show him how to change something, alright! To think she had been concerned while he was still calm and joking about everything! “Something in the loot? The only abnormal thing about last night…well that happened in the cove was the pollen that nearly got us killed.” Everything had been abnormal last night, spending the night with Valek afterwards had just been one of many strange things that kept piling on each other lately. This change though was new and definitely concerning. Xylia walked up to the mirror, bumping her hip into Valek to move him out of the way as she studied her reflection. “My hair is not supposed to be pink.” Her one eye also seemed a bit off. It wasn’t such a deep red anymore, rather it looked like it had more violet in its hue or something. She couldn’t make it out perfectly thanks to the mirror being distorted and the poor lighting in the room didn’t help either. Still, Xylia understood that she was also different now and there was no hesitation as she started towards the basin in the room to scrub at her hair with the special soap she carried. As she continued rinsing the short strands of hair, the water grew murkier while the pink color became more prominent with each rinse. “Dammit. Well, if I visit home…they’ll definitely notice some changes.” She mused, her expression conflicted as she glanced over her tinged fingers. All of her Alk heritage was still there, so why had her Oban traits been so affected by whatever this was? Figures. I leave one part behind to help others and that’s the part that won’t leave my appearance no matter how much I refuse to follow that path.
[Xylia 4]
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 2:47 pm
Valek took a step to the side, giving Xylia plenty of time to take care of her appearance while he finished rubbing down his own body with a damp cloth and some soap. Eventually he felt refreshed, the grime and sweat from last night completely gone now that he had taken the time to swap out clothing and rinse off with water from the other jug in the room. “Well, like I said you do look nice with pink hair.” He offered with a playful whistle that earned him another death glare. “As for what you said earlier…maybe it was the pollen.” He frowned thoughtfully, tying up the laces of his boots. “In that situation we’ll probably be hearing a bit more chaos once others realize. There’s no way it was just the pair of us that have changed.” What would be the chances! If so then he really could poke at her about being soulmates the very concept of romance and such despicable in Valek’s eyes even if he did joke about such things just to watch Xylia’s reactions.
[Valek 4]
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 2:47 pm
Xylia kept her back to Valek as they both refreshed and got prepared for the day. Even as her mind swirled with the realization that she was different now, Xylia felt better going through some normal motions as she tried to process this new look. It was easier to focus on a cloth going up and down her arm, her hands twisting into gloves and then her boots being tugged up her calves, rather than on the fact that the mirror showed a woman with similar features but pink hair and a strangely colored eye. As if she didn’t already have to deal with looking so odd as it was! “I’ll find whoever released that pollen and cut them all down.” She muttered with a frown as she finally turned to look back towards Valek. “Regardless of how attractive any of these changes are, I don’t like things happening without my approval!” Oh how she hated feeling so helpless in situations like these. Even if she didn’t have to technically dye her hair anymore, the whole vigilante disguise had been easier with certain changes to her appearance, it was strange to think that pink was her new thing.
[Xylia 5]
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 2:47 pm
“Good luck fighting mother nature.” Valek shook his head as he glanced over at Xylia. “You know in addition to looking lovely, we also benefit more since we can use the chaos of the changes to keep suspicion away from us. It’ll be easy enough to slip away when the whole city should be freaking out within an hour or so.” At least he hoped that was the case, surely at least a few earthlings would be altered by whatever strange phenomena had done this to them.
[Valek 5]
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 2:47 pm
“Damn your optimism, but it’s not a bad idea.” Xylia let out a sigh as she went through her belongings, leaving a few coins on the table for whoever came through to clean up the bloody mess that they left behind. “What do you propose then? Do we just stroll out the front door and go on our separate ways? Or the windows as usual?” She glanced towards the windows on the other side of the tavern room, their position on the roof almost too perfect for climbing across the top of the building and climbing down to the back alley there.
[Xylia 6]
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 2:47 pm
Valek smirked, glad that Xylia had asked him the question. “Well, actually…” He glanced over at her and then tugged at his darker hair thoughtfully. “We do look different so why not enjoy the day for once?” He walked towards Xylia, willing to risk losing a finger or another good bruise for wrapping his arm around her shoulder. “Have you ever been on a date? I haven’t, but I figured it’s safe to ask out someone who despises me. You know I’m not one for those romantic notions, so we’ll be fine. I hear there’s some really nice areas towards the center city, we could venture there for some food and just enjoy a day for once instead of fighting.” He had the feeling that she didn’t really even know how to relax, so why not try something together while they could safely mingle before others caught onto their new looks?
[Valek 6]
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 2:47 pm
One, two, three… Xylia closed her eyes and counted quietly before opening them again so that she didn’t just knock Valek on his feet for touching her. Admittedly she was already flushed from the stress of the situation, her pale cheeks not hiding much whenever she felt flustered, but the fact that she enjoyed Valek’s warmth for the briefest of moments made her want to rage. He was the most obnoxious, arrogant and despicable type that sneaked around in the darkness. It was hard to fathom why she was gaining a positive feeling from his presence and Xylia felt so…unnerved by it. She was truly starting to rely on him showing up during missions that it was…well she didn’t know! But a date? “Why would I want to go out and linger around the city with you?” She hissed before thinking about it and then letting out a soft sigh. “You’re wanting to track someone and it’s more natural to move about with a partner, a date.” That was surely it. The hybrid glared over at Valek before giving a slight shrug. “Fine, but you’re paying.” And she would make certain to get as many expensive gifts for herself as possible, regardless of if she could normally afford it or not. Removing Valek’s arm from her shoulders, Xylia grabbed at her cloak and headed down the stairs since for once she wanted to leave the typical way instead of in the thief’s fashion.
[Xylia 7]
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 2:47 pm
“Damn, you’re getting really good at understanding me.” Mused Valek with amusement as Xylia called out his intentions. It was best to figure out the next target in plain sight, especially if they didn’t realize who they were looking at thanks to all of the changes. It would also give them both an idea of how deeply this pollen affected the city. Valek was certain a lot of the underground would have mixed feelings about it, especially since even passcodes and such would be trickier to trust until one found out who looked like what now. “Just don’t break my savings! I would like to sleep in a nice room for the next month instead of in the streets, Moon.” Valek called out playfully after her, the man grabbing his own belongings and darting downstairs to join his companion so that they could venture out on their date together.
[Valek 7]
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Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2023 7:27 am
A Change Has Occurred!
A change has occurred resulting in surprising results.
Please see below for Xylia's new swatch!
Skin || ████
Markings || ██
Hair || ██
Eyes || ████
Please see below for Valek's new swatch!
Skin || ██
Crystals|| ██
Hair || ████ Ombre
Eyes || ██
Sclera || ██
This will be reflected in their next growth's art, but may be considered as an immediate change in-character.
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