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Changes

Azreal rubbed at his eyes, the mage bothered by the pollen that had been in the air yesterday. He had recently arrived from the north after studying at the academy in the capital, and while he had hoped for some rest it appeared that nothing was giving him a break since returning. Even last night had ben disturbed, his sleep ruined by the stinging sensation in his eyes that he had eventually gotten some control over thanks to a damp cloth across his face. Now though it appeared that they were still giving him issues, Azreal deciding to venture into the first floor washroom to splash fresh water on his face. Of course his plan was ultimately delayed as he realized someone else was already in there and the mage let out a soft sigh. "What are you moaning about Ziya?" He asked his cousin, already having a feeling he knew the answer. It seemed he was not the only one dealing with the aftermath of the pollen, the other hybrid rubbing his face with water as Azreal lingered in the doorway.

“Through sheer will and patience…” Started Azreal before frowning and reaching out to grab Ziya’s face. “Hold on…why are your crystals and skin brighter than before?” He wasn’t crazy, right? Something definitely seemed off, especially when he saw some flakes of old skin falling away from his cousin’s cheeks!

[Azreal 2]

“Bad?” Azreal frowned, not fully understanding Ziya’s issues since the boy never shared it with many, but seeing his cousins’ concern made him stop questioning things. It was best to just let him know else he would have to deal with more panic than he wanted. “I think it’s fine. You seem brighter but still that soft blue, more lively if anything. It’s not too crazy of a change…you could have had some sort of nasty new green skin coloring or something.”

[Azreal 3]

“Definitely strange pollen.” Azreal moved Ziya to the side so that he could scoot in by the wash basin, the hybrid frowning as he stared at his eyes in the mirror there. Thankfully his family had some vanity items throughout the estate, courtesy of what remained from his grandmother and his father’s own tastes when they had stayed here for a good portion of his childhood with his father bringing in newer items to decorate the place, and unlike some of the brass mirrors in taverns this glass mirror showed colors vividly. “They’re not blue anymore….I have gray eyes now.” Or was it a purple hue? They seemingly shifted in the light so it was hard to pinpoint. “I suppose it’s not the worst.” Azreal murmured before splashing some water on his own face to try to shake off the itchiness. “And I’m not certain. It’s definitely something that requires some investigation.” If only he had thought to collect some!

[Azreal 4]

“You would say something like that.” Azreal simply shook his head as he wiped off his face and walked past Ziya to back out into the hallway. At least there was more space here near the great hall, the crackling of the fireplace echoing throughout the stone walls through where he could see the main dining room through the arched doorway. “I suppose food wouldn’t be too awful.” He did acknowledge though as he simply started that way. It was probably the pair of them for the day, the rest of the family out and about doing their own things until evening since it was already well into the afternoon. The only other person who might just now be stirring would be Branna, but Azreal would let him emerge at his own pace since his brother was such a night owl.

[Azreal 5]

“Stew is fine.” His aunt mostly ate vegetables and fish so Azreal was used to such courses while living here unless his cousins cooked some fresh game that they hunted. “There should be plenty of fresh ingredients on the counter, I helped carry boxes inside last night.” That had been part of the issue since normally he would have been cooped up in a guest room studying the tomes that he had brought back with him while visiting. Ever since Zakia had left for Jahaur it was all he did over the last couple of days - read, take notes and emerge for a bite of food before retiring to his quarters again. If he hadn’t been carrying the boxes yesterday then perhaps he would have been spared from this ridiculous pollen incident.

[Azreal 6]

“Don’t worry about it.” Azreal waved a hand as if to dismiss the matter. “The itchiness will eventually pass and we’ll deal with our changes. Just focus on making that stew before we feel even more miserable.” For once he did agree with his cousin. If they couldn’t change anything about this then at least they could make a meal and prepare themselves for whatever else awaited them today.Too bad he didn’t realize it would involve discussing a very personal matter and something that would shove him in a completely different direction than expected. Unfortunately for him though, the stubborn gene apparently ran especially stronger in the Shifter side of their family and Ziya had fully inherited it.

[Azreal 7]