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 Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 6:01 pm
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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:44 pm
Shadiya studied her reflection for a moment longer. The Oban had woken up early that morning after fighting all night with irritated skin, the strange pollen most likely the culprit, and while she had hoped that tomorrow would bring relief she did not realize that it would also bring changes. Everything looked different now and she found herself frowning as she continued studying her reflection. More vibrant hair and eyes which she didn’t even know were possible now belonged to her while others in the tavern below had been making a commotion meaning that she was not alone in this situation. “I do hope the others are alright or rather recognizable now.” She mused quietly, deciding that she would simply embrace the changes as long as they didn’t harm her like some illness. It wouldn’t be her first time staring at a stranger in the mirror though this time she had the feeling that the changes were a bit more permanent, as unbelievable as it was.
It was unfortunate timing though since she had just arrived in Sulburi to visit Omari. Shadiya had stopped at a tavern along the way, preparing to finish her journey into the city this morning, but now she wondered if she should have just continued forward even if it meant an evening arrival at her old family manor. At least then she would have already said her greetings to Omari and they could have dealt with these changes in the morning together. Now she just had to hope that he believed she was truly his mother!
[Shadiya 1]
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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:44 pm
Omari was a mixture of emotions, feeling both livid and baffled. He was already irritated because he had spent much of the night tossing and turning with how itchy his skin was from pollen, something which rarely showed up in Sulburi like this, but to see a different reflection the next morning? It was just too bizarre! The dancer leaned across his vanity, the Matori hybrid tugging at his hair as if checking to see that it truly belonged to him. He definitely felt the pinch as he pressed his fingers against his altered cheeks and those blinking ruby eyes reacted to every move he made, following his finger left and right as he watched himself in the mirror. “Can we not do this, please?” He addressed the ceiling with a soft sigh. What had he done to irritate On’os so much that the god of fortune would pull such a prank on him? “I suppose that it’s not terribly awful.” He still had his facial structure and everything else, the changes weren’t atrocious but he would miss how he looked before. Would his wardrobe need updated now too? The green would look nice with Oban purples…
“I can’t believe I’m actually pondering this.” Omari pressed his fingers against his forehead and drew them together, the points stopping at the edge of a crystal as he tried to get rid of the sudden headache. At least he had canceled his meetings for the next couple of days because of his mother’s visit. That itself was a blessing, so perhaps fortune was still somewhat on his side despite everything. Though he had gotten a bit distracted by his new appearance, so much so that time had slipped away. Would she be at the academy already? Omari reached over to pick out a new outfit, testing out the dark violet and golden silks that would hopefully compliment his new appearance. Once he had slipped into his outfit, Omari quickly braided his hair and clasped golden beads into it so that he kept up with appearances even while greeting his mother. Not that he expected less from her because once Shadiya entered Oba her whole attire would be adjusted accordingly, just because of the pressures from keeping up with noble appearances. He was so concerned with his own appearance that he didn’t even think about if his mother had also changed, the thought never crossing his mind even as he ventured downstairs into the main foyer.
[Omari 1]
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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:44 pm
Shadiya had finally arrived in Sulburi and was dressed in one of her favorite dresses, a deep crimson one that transitioned into a deep purple like the evening sky and clung to her body with a scattering of golden stars embroidered into it. She enjoyed that it matched her new appearance, the sight almost too perfect for a coincidence in her opinion. It felt like On’os was especially favoring her today, something she noted when she saw the distress of others who were not happy at all with the sudden changes brought on by the pollen. She still wasn’t upset, not even when she walked up to the academy gates and ventured towards the manor. Her old home had went from looking like some abandoned manor with nothing but dead grass and sand surrounding it to a flourishing building once more. The gardens were vibrant as ever with a mixture of desert plants and foreign plants sustained by underground water systems, a luxury in the city, and the walls were freshly painted with none of the cracks she had seen years ago upon first returning to Oba. It was amazing to see how far Omari had taken the place from what even she had done, her simple manor serving as a little school now extended into two more buildings with a small museum as well.
Though that made her think. If she looked different…could she have some fun? Shadiya smiled at the thought, adjusting her one satchel that she personally took with her while the rest would be carried over later from the tavern by others, and after a moment she made way towards the entry where one of the servants was. “Excuse me, I’m new here…could you assist me?” She teased lightly, watching as the Oban skimmed over her appearance and frowned as if wanting to recognize the older woman but failing to do so with such drastic changes.
“I suppose I can help, miss. But may I ask why you’re here? We haven’t opened for new students just yet and I don’t recognize you as a teacher…”
[Shadiya 2]
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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:45 pm
Even if Shadiya looked different, there was no way that Omari wouldn’t recognize his mother’s voice. The hybrid couldn't help shaking his own head at his mother’s attempt to confuse one of his staff members and normally he would be more tempted to play along, but not after waking up to such a drastic change. “Please don’t mess with my staff, mother. Don’t mind her, Aithne.” He called out from the top of the stairs, the hybrid gracefully descending after making his presence known. Of course at first he hadn’t fully seen his mother’s changes, but when he got close enough to notice all the details even Omari couldn’t help but to stop and stare. “Mother…”
[Omari 2]
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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:45 pm
The young Oban girl looked between the pair, confusion etched on her features. “Lady Shadiya?” She stumbled backwards with a flush on her own cheeks. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t recognize you!” She had even been the one to serve tea last time the Oban lady had visited! What a surprise! Then she looked towards Omari and let out another gasp. “You as well, sir!”
“Aw, I suppose you’re not in the mood for some teasing.” Replied Shadiya, her own heart skipping a beat at the transformed image of her son. She recognized him, how could she not? But it was strange to see the new appearance like this. “It’s alright, Aithne.” She promised the girl, giving a soft smile. “I don’t think anyone would have prepared for these changes. What a surprise, am I correct?”
[Shadiya 3]
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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:45 pm
“Honestly? I’m not really feeling pranks today, mother.” Omari managed finally, his shoulders lowering in defeat as his mother acknowledged both of their changes. Still, he was not about to falter in front of his own staff and so Omari simply nodded towards Aithne. “It’s alright. My mother is correct. It would be hard to deal with these changes, not when so many have been affected and without warning. Even your eyes are different it seems.” He commented, gesturing to his own eyes as he noticed Aithne’s gaze was more peachy and less golden than before.
“If you don’t mind preparing us tea then we’ll sit outside shortly. There isn’t any rush, please feel free to take your time preparing things.” Omari added, the girl flushing as she quickly nodded. It would also give her a chance to look over her own appearance, the comment concerning her eyes completely startling her. How had she not noticed?!
“Thank you, sir. I’ll do that right away.” She nodded respectfully towards both of them before darting away to leave the son and mother to their own conversation.
[Omari 3]
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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:45 pm
Shadiya watched Aithne rush away, the Oban looking back towards her son once the girl had disappeared around the corner. “If it helps, I think you’re still as handsome as before.” She managed with a small smile, Shadiya reaching out to gently tuck a stray strand of hair behind his ear. “We still have the same crystals it seems and you have your father’s darker hair at the ends here.” Not like she was worried about having some physical connection to Omari’s appearance. They knew that they were family, regardless of looks.
[Shadiya 4]
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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:45 pm
“I suppose.” Omari let out a soft sigh as his mother inspected him. “I’m just confused about why these changes happened. Do you think it was that strange pollen from before? I’m assuming you ran into it on your way here from Matori.” It had been like a dense cloud of dust coming through the city, forcing many inside for the day and even forcing the treasure hunters to stop with the excavations for the day. He had assumed it would just be a nuisance for a time, nothing permanent like this.
[Omari 4]
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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:45 pm
“You suppose?” Shadiya let out a soft laugh, amusement dancing in her now rose-hued gaze. “Well, I for one am confident about my appearance still even with the changes. How do you think your father will handle them? Or would he have changed as well?” She pursed her lips thoughtfully before the question about the pollen had her amusement slipping, the Oban truly considering the idea. “Based upon the reaction of others it does appear that pollen may have triggered this. What we all considered a momentary irritation actually had a lasting effect on many, not all but quite a few fellow travelers complained about the changes along the way to Sulburi.”
[Shadiya 5]
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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:45 pm
“You’re always lovely, mother. I didn’t even worry about that with those changes, you’re just more vivid now which is fitting. Though I don’t even want to think about who in the family may look different now. The next gathering will be pure chaos, as if it wasn’t chaotic enough with all of my nieces and nephews added to the mix.” His older siblings had quite a few children now, at least Kyril did, and each of them ranged in attitude with some being peaceful while others were quite the handful. “I think you should host in Matori, save me the trouble.” As if Sulburi was ever an option, his oldest brother’s partner hated this country so Matori was always the chosen location for larger family events. He winced slightly, the pounding in his head a reminder of how he was already frustrated from his own changes. “Maybe we should move outside towards the patio? Some fresh air may do us good…that pollen is gone, correct?” Gone while leaving so much chaos in its wake.
[Omari 5]
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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:45 pm
Shadiya beamed at the praise. “Thank you, I suppose it is more reflective of my personality. And of course we’ll host in Matori, I welcome the chaos.” She joked lightly before leaving her hand on his shoulder, worry crossing her expression at that wince. “The pollen is gone. Do you have a headache? Fresh air will do you well then.” She looked around a final time, admiring the newest decorations to the foyer, before giving a slight nod and heading towards the doors that would lead past the kitchen and into the back gardens. Despite the changes, she knew the layout of the manor like the back of her own hand. It was hard not to considering that she had grown up here and later resided here throughout the years as the schoolmaster before handing things over to Omari. As much as she loved the energy of the students and the city, Shadiya was grateful that she could linger in Matori more often now. The ocean country had become more of a home for her, happy memories there quickly replacing any of the darker ones from her younger years in Sulburi.
[Shadiya 6]
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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:45 pm
Omari simply nodded, following his mother as she navigated her way through the manor and towards the back gardens. Once the doors opened, Omari took a breath of fresh air and let out a sigh of relief. At least he could finally breathe again. The fountain further up the path provided a nice mist for their walk, the pair opting to take a stone table closer to it instead of simply sitting at the patio. The garden was a various arrangement of violets, ambers and reds this time of year, the softer colors not blooming until the cooler season when the desert sun wouldn’t scorch the delicate flowers. It made for a pleasant view with a soft floral fragrance wafting in on the fresh breeze, no longer contaminated by that nasty pollen. “This is better.” He admitted, gesturing for his mother to sit down before he joined her at the table, the hybrid crossing his legs as he relaxed and enjoyed their surroundings.
[Omari 6]
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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:45 pm
“I’m glad.” Replied Shadiya as she joined him at the table. “The tea should also help.” She glanced around, her expression softening at the sight of the garden and the familiar fountain there with its statues of dancing gods. “I’m glad you kept the fountain.” It had been so hard to restore but it was one of the surviving pieces that her parents had brought into the estate, Shadiya fondly remembering how she had picnics with her parents in the gardens like this before their passing. And now once more the gardens were full of life and laughter, the roaming students filling up the courtyards whenever classes were in session. “You’ve done well with the school. The estate is beautiful and I heard the last festival went well. Your students and their performances were applauded by many.” If only her parents could have been around to see how things had turned out. Then again she realized things always happened for a reason. Had she not run away all those years ago and experienced a life quite different from her noble one then Shadiya may have never thought to be bold enough to turn such a manor into a place for dancing and the arts. She probably would have been surrounded with suitors, choosing someone pleasant enough but not able to make her heart flutter like Dexurn did, and then they would help take over the business while only their family roamed these gardens and not students. It was a bittersweet realization, one that brought a sad smile to her lips as she looked around at the nearby flowers once more. This despite the sacrifices along the way was the much more ideal outcome in her opinion. Maybe it was refreshing to have her appearance altered in such a manner, a good way to embrace the life that she had chosen for herself which was so different from her childhood years.
[Shadiya 7]
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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:46 pm
“Thank you.” Omari’s expression softened as he watched his mother look around the gardens, he recognized that sorrowful look all too well. “I’ll gladly take you on a tour of the new expansion. Since you’ll be here for a couple of days we can also go to some of your favorite spots within the city, there should be plenty of time for that even while we review some plans and schedules for next year.” Even though he had taken over there were still matters that Omari liked having his mother’s opinions on and he was grateful to her for traveling to Oba when he was too busy for a trip into Matori where his family home was. It was easier to spend time together discussing matters in person than sending a flurry of letters back and forth, after all. And it was reassuring to know that they had experienced these weird changes together, Omari comforted to have some family near when he was stressed out by it all. Only time would tell how many of them had actually changed, but he was reassured that things would surely be alright especially since his own mother seemed so calm about it all. How could he cause a scene when she was sitting there looking about like that? A change in his appearance was initially distressing to him but it was nothing compared to the journey he knew she had endured in the past. They would adapt and recover from it, just as they always did with everything else.
“Ah, looks like tea is here along with some breakfast. Hopefully you’re hungry.” He noticed Aithne carrying a tray and stood so that he could help take it from her, setting up the table with pastries and fresh fruits while she poured tea for them. A well timed breakfast, one that he hoped would lift both of their spirits so that they could face this new day together.
[Omari 7]
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