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 Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2022 10:43 am
It had already been a few weeks since Harika had started working at the bakery. The young seamstress was quickly learning how to handle orders, her playful interactions with the customers and obvious enjoyment of certain foods increasing some sales, and before she knew it the seasons were starting to change. She had never witnessed autumn before in such a way where the trees actually changed colors and the air became more crisp at night, the chill refreshing after a long day of work. Back in the islands it was usually just warm all year long and then in Oba it had been a desert heat the whole time so she never truly got to experience such a strange transition of seasons before. Harika found that she actually didn’t mind it and rather enjoyed the experience. It was a bit harder though to go back and forth from the clothing store she worked at and the cafe on certain days since it got darker a lot earlier, the shadows of the streets looming even though Harika kept her chin up to show no fear of whatever or whoever could lurk around the corner. Show no fear and kick hard if they even try. She repeated to herself each time before slipping inside of the bakery where she would tuck herself into storage for the night, the hybrid rotating between shops and places that she could stay the night until finding a more permanent location.
Today though she had arrived super early so that she could be at the bakery before dawn to work on a little project. Harika could never express how much she appreciated Aurick’s willingness to hire her and seeing all of the autumn changes and how some places updated their decorations had inspired her. She wanted to do something to brighten his day and so she spent some of her meager savings and limited sleep time to instead craft things for the bakery. There was still about an hour before the place opened and she was already busy going from table to table, draping cream colored tablecloths with little pumpkins and leaves sewn into the edges across the tables before plopping another decorative piece in the middle. They were twisting trees with autumn leaves and bats, others little pumpkins with faces and even a couple of spooky ghosts little paper mache white blobs with surprised faces that all fit perfectly in the center of each table.
“Now to just find something to stand on.” She tapped a finger against her lips thoughtfully. She could pull a chair over but would that be sturdy enough for her to use? After all, there was another bag of decorations that she was going to drape around the edges of the bakery with lace curtains sewn specifically to match the tablecloths as well. Another package was tucked beneath that one and Harika truly hoped it was something the others would like. She was already wearing her own version of a themed outfit, a maid’s dress decorated specifically for the autumn season with little bats on the apron. The package mostly contained aprons but they still had autumn themed embroidery along the edges with each upper pocket sporting something different that she hoped the others would enjoy.
[Harika 1]
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Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2022 11:46 am
Throughout the summer Aurick barely had a moment to himself. When he wasn't busy with the bakery, his siblings were coming over to visit and once again his house swelled with their energy. The little ones ran orders for the bakery, at first being distracted by the new face, before quickly falling into line. Those that were old enough started in on working in the back or even helping with sales when Harika needed some help or to cover her when she wasn't there. Keeping them in line with the influx of cousins could be a little chaotic from time to time, but they never interfered with customer relations and if anything it gave the space more life.
It was only when they returned to Valmon for the start of their classes that he really felt the loss.
Losing them the first time had been hard enough, but he understood the reasoning. This time around, however, Aurick just felt...lost. The days grew darker earlier and without anyone to go home to he sometimes didn't. Instead he would take naps in the back, go home long enough to clean himself up, and get back to work. Keeping up his smile was harder, but he tried.
For her memory he tried.
Having Harika's energy around the bakery helped. It was something new, something vibrant, and he found himself a little more at ease. Whenever he started to dip she was there to bring a real smile out of him, if even for a moment.
Still, that didn't mean every morning was saved. Normally he showed up much earlier than he was today, but Aurick was dragging. His hair had grown to the point that he needed to keep it pulled back and a fine layer of stubble covered his jawline. The man yawned as he walked toward the bakery, keys hanging limply in his hand and a drag to his step. If he could have had a few more hours of sleep...
He turned the key into the back door and stepped through with a frown. Was someone else already here? Nothing was baking so who would it be? Not even bothering to take off his coat, Aurick stepped through into the front room and his eyes widened.
"Harika?"
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Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2022 9:45 am
Have you seen the emerald greens and deep dark turquoise. Shimmering weeds swaying in the flow? Gleaming scales entice you as they swim below... Harika hummed a soft melody from her childhood while working on the first set of curtains which were by the back entrance. Her fingers were twisting the laces into place along the edge of the window, her body straining as she stood dangerously on the chair almost on tiptoe as she worked to reach the windows despite her petite form, and so she didn't really hear the backdoor open. What she did hear as she finished the final twist was the sound of her name and Harika let out a little gasp of surprise before losing her footing. "Au-Aurick!" The exclamation filled the air as Harika twisted in surprise towards the doorway, her body tumbling forward as she reached out and grabbed for the most solid support that she could find - Aurick.
Harika clung for dear life for a few minutes, her arms squeezing as tightly as possible around the much larger frame of her employer. Her gaze was still wide and full of surprise as she hanged by his shoulders for a moment, her face less than an inch away from his own. "You startled me." She managed after a moment, her cheeks flushing as she finally pulled back and attempted to wiggle down towards the ground. "I thought I would be alone for a bit longer....and well...my surprise isn't quite finished yet." She found herself rambling with a pout, her heart still racing in her chest as she dared to look towards him.
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Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2022 9:33 am
"Woah! Sorry about that." Stepping up to catch her had been instinctual and holding onto Harika's smaller frame felt less like holding onto a person so much as a tray of muffins. If anything it pulled his brows together and made him wonder if she was eating enough or if he should send her home with some dinner in the evenings. "Just...didn't expect anyone else here this early."
For a moment he was almost afraid she was going to fall because of the wiggling so Aurick held on tighter, but when it became obvious she wanted down he helped as best he could. When he was sure she was safe, Aurick took a few steps away to really look at the space. "...You did all this?" How did she....? And didn't she work another job in the evenings? "When did you have time to do this?"
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Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2022 11:44 am
Harika felt like her cheeks would leave a burning imprint on Aurick's arms before her feet finally touched the ground. Her heels clicked lightly as she took another step back and tucked a stray curl, honestly one of many at this point, back behind her pointed ear. The motion made the little pumpkin and bell earrings jingle and she couldn't help the small smile that crossed her lips at the distraction. "I work quickly?" She offered as she dared to look back towards Aurick. "The last week I had some spare time and materials so I worked on this." Her gaze darted about the bakery, Harika moving finally to work on the second package that she had brought with her. "I managed this as well." Her fingers fumbled for a moment before she managed to untie the strings and when Harika turned around she had an apron decorated with little pumpkins and twisting vines along the pocket for Aurick. "I hope it's okay. Obviously you don't have to wear it if you don't like it!" She quickly added, her cheeks flushing once more as she lowered the autumn themed apron that she had prepared for her employer. Was that too much? Maybe it would be taken wrong...but she had truly wanted to do something!
"I've just been really thankful for everything so I wanted to do something for you and the bakery." Had she just made more of a mess instead with only an hour or so before they had to start preparing for opening hours? The curtains she had tried to hang where halfway on the window, drooping down since she had fallen and there were several more things scattered on the nearby table to decorate the bakery with. Her expression fell as she realized maybe this wasn't something that the others would want. "I should have asked first...but I wanted to surprise you." Harika confessed as she glanced back towards Aurick with a sheepish smile. "If anything then I guess I can start cleaning up now."
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Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:48 pm
What else could she have had time to make? Aurick's eyes went from the space around them to the package she offered and he found himself taking a few steps forward to close the distance. When she showed him the apron....Well, Aurick was stunned. "I...." He slowly reached out for the apron and lifted the garment for inspection, unconsciously lifting her attached hands as well. The stitching was done with as much care as what he gave to his confections, and with a zest he hadn't seen since...
Well, since the last woman who'd cared to put this much time decorating the bakery.
Aurick wasn't even aware that he'd started tearing up until a few fell onto the apron. His cheeks were a ruddy sort of orange when he blinked and tried to brush past the sudden display with a deep, vain attempt to control his breathing. "It's beautiful." When he looked up the tears were free, but his smile was barely holding on. He felt it in his chest; that excitement and love for the season, but with it were memories that nipped at him. It was a mess he hadn't been allowed to work through yet and now...
Now it was staring him in the face in the most innocent way possible.
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Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2023 5:41 pm
Would he like it? Strangely Harika's stomach felt full of butterflies, more so than when she even shared her normal work with clients at the shop. Usually she was so confident in her work that she would fight tooth and nail to make her piece recognized, but for some reason she was terrified that Aurick would hate it. The very thought made the hybrid jittery as she nearly bounced from foot to foot while he held up the apron and inspected it. Maybe he would at least try it on? Harika's gaze watched Aurick with anticipation before realizing something....
he was crying.
Harika's mouth opened and closed as the world seemed to still around her, the only noise in the moment the rhythm of her heart as both seemingly tightened in her chest and drummed in her ears. "Beautiful." She found herself repeating his words, confusion crossing her features as he stood before her with tears in his eyes. Sometimes she could see someone crying whenever an outfit was presented to them, when a parent or even the intended saw their fiancé in a wedding outfit for the first time, but she had not expected tears from the ever smiling Aurick. It felt more painful, more bittersweet than any reaction she had imagined from him for some reason and she wished she knew why. Why had her apron brought such a reaction from him? She truly hadn't meant to upset him and Harika felt her own gaze burning at the situation.
"I'm sorry." The words were soft but sincere despite her confusion and Harika found herself reaching out to touch his shoulder, her head tilting slightly as she studied him. "If I overstepped, I'm really sorry. I just wanted to brighten the café for you and show you my appreciation. If I did something wrong please let me know so that I can fix it, Aurick. I never meant to make you cry."
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Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2023 12:07 pm
"No, no," Aurick tried to take a breath and calm his tears, but all that came from it was a pinched lip. He let go of the apron to press the heels of his hands against his cheeks to stem the tide and possibly to hide his shame. Every time he wiped them away to try and pull a smile out he just couldn't which left him feeling exposed.
"I-It's just..." The baker shook his head and looked down, unable to make eye contact with Harika in the least. "The last person to do anything like this...was mama." Aurick's voice dipped into barely a whisper and keeping his composure was harder than ever. His hands flexed without anything to occupy themselves with. They visibly shook when he reached for the apron again for something to hold onto.
When he looked back up his eyes were red rimmed and shining with tears. "She would have loved it. It really is beautiful."
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Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2023 12:09 pm
“Oh, Aurick.” Harika’s own voice was full of pain as she realized why he was crying. The seamstress had not been around to witness his mother’s passing but had quickly learned about the woman after joining the bakery’s staff. Everything she had heard about Aurick’s mother was wonderful and she could see the pain in his expression in certain moments before he went back to smiling once more. Her own loss had been years ago but Harika still felt that pain whenever she thought of certain things that reminded her of her own mother, she could only imagine how raw Aurick’s heart was feeling in this very moment. “I’m glad that she would have loved it.” Harika finally managed even though her own eyes were burning, the hybrid sniffling slightly as she rubbed a hand along Aurick’s shoulder comfortingly.
“You know…there’s still plenty of time before anyone else comes into the store.” Harika smiled up towards Aurick. “I can make us both a cup of coffee if you want to talk about anything or help me set up the rest of the decorations? Or I can simply sit still if you needed a shoulder.” She wasn’t going to force him to talk about his mother if he didn’t want to do so but Harika was definitely willing to listen if he did. The last thing she wanted was to see Aurick in such pain, not when she had intended upon this being a gift to help brighten his day!
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 2:16 pm
He missed her so much that every time Aurick was reminded of Mia his heart broke all over again. There were times when he thought if she'd just never gotten pregnant again and if she'd lived to her golden years that maybe it wouldn't hurt as bad, but he knew it would. Losing anyone that close was going to hurt, whether it was expected or not, and he just...hadn't really had a chance to mourn. Between picking up the pieces of his remaining mother to caring for the kids and then the bakery...he'd fallen to the wayside. Now it felt like it was slapping him in the face and he hated it.
"Uhm...c-coffee sounds good. I could help with decorating if you wanted? It's better if I do something." Aurick took as deep of a breath as he was capable of and raised his hand, then stalled. "Do you mind if I hug you?" He was so used to grabbing family members, even if they were working, for quick hugs and hair ruffles that it felt odd not to do that here. Still, she wasn't family and she might not have appreciated it, especially given the situation.
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 3:05 pm
“I would love to have your help.” Harika nodded, her heart aching so much that she was desperate to just do anything that she could in the moment to keep her hands busy. The woman was much better at busying herself with tasks so that her mind focused on something other than what was bothering her. She wasn’t the best with words but if she could prepare something to help Aurick then she would gladly do that. She was prepared to go and make coffee when Aurick agreed to the idea and the hybrid had even taken a step towards the kitchen before his next words caught her off guard. Harika blinked before slowly turning back to study the lightning baker. If she hadn’t gotten to know him over the last few weeks working here then she would have never expected such a gentle spirit within that large body. All of the other muscular crew that she had ever known were just brutes…maybe that was simply the island talking since things could be a lot harsher back out in the ocean. Still, seeing such a thing simply made her want to support Aurick even more because she was always touched by how kind he was to everyone else.
“Certainly.” Harika smiled after a moment, her teal gaze soft as she took a step back towards Aurick. “You don’t have to ask unless you plan to swing me around then I may need some warning.” She teased quietly as she tried to bring some light to the somber atmosphere surrounding them. Harika spread her arms out so that Aurick could come in for an embrace, the hybrid planning to stay in the embrace for as long as he needed. Coffee could most definitely come later and for once Harika was not in any rush to move, the woman giving her all to offer what comfort she could to Aurick.
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 4:35 pm
If there was a gap in time Aurick didn't notice it. The massive man was already on the edge of a full on break that his sense of self was tumbling and he had a hard time making eye contact with her, let alone noticing anything else.
"Thank you." His voice wavered before wrapping his arms around her and bringing the smaller woman in for a hug. For a moment he debated laying his head on hers, knowing full well the lengths she'd gone to to dress up for the day but ultimately Aurick ended up caving. He buried his face against her head, allowing the soft pink tresses to cradle him for a moment. The baker stayed like that for a while until his breathing leveled out and he didn't feel his body shuddering anymore. Still, even after it had passed he didn't break free of the embrace. Rather he straightened a little so he could look down at her instead and sniffle with a little awkward smile.
"Sorry about your outfit. It's going to be wrinkled now."
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 5:11 pm
Harika simply allowed Aurick to hug her, the hybrid wrapping her arms as tightly as possible around Aurick’s bigger frame. She didn’t say anything as she allowed him to take as long as he needed to regain his composure. If anything she just gave little pats on occasion, her hands rubbing along his back like she remembered being comforted a long time ago by her own family whenever she was down. It’ll be okay. Harika silently repeated as she closed her own eyes tightly before Aurick straightened and she opened her eyes to look at him. “My…my outfit?” She repeated before letting out a soft laugh at the concern. “I think it’ll be okay. I can always fix it up before the shop opens.”
“Though it will be hard to make coffee like this.” Harika offered with a small smile, the hybrid studying Aurick as she reached up to try to fix some of his messy hair. “I guess you could hold onto me while I shuffle towards the kitchen.” Despite her playful words there was obvious concern in her gaze as she looked up at him and his slightly swollen eyes that hinted at his earlier tears. “There was something that I was taught growing up. Just stay still, okay?” Harika stood on tiptoe, her hands carefully touching both sides of Aurick’s face as she placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. “Blessings be on you for better sunrises.” She murmured quietly after a moment, the petite hybrid slowly pulling back while she still stayed in Aurick’s arms. “My mother used to do that to chase away sadness. She always said that you’re allowed to hold all the cherished memories in your heart, even with some sorrow, but that you should always pray to the gods that the future will be much brighter.” Harika offered quietly even though her cheeks flushed from her actions. Chase a brighter tomorrow but never let go of those who helped you to become who you are. That had been her motto even though to think of her old home still brought a mix of various emotions, the place and the people there had helped shape her.
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 6:06 pm
Aurick's cheeks darkened and he let a little laugh slip out. "I don't think we'd fit through the door." While his voice still wasn't quiver less it was far better than it was earlier. He was starting to feel more like himself or at least a version of it. Aurick knew he must have looked like a mess. His eyes felt dry and wet at the same time, his cheeks were too warm and his throat itched. Maybe I should just stay in the back today. It wasn't as if he did much in the public view these days anyway, not since Harika had taken over, but what he did cover he could always ask a cousin to do.
Curiosity got the better at him. Something she'd been taught? "Okay..?" He wasn't expecting her hands on his face and then - His eyes widened. It was such a pure and unexpected gesture that Aurick didn't know what to think. For a moment he just stood there, letting it sink in before a small, soft smile crept up. "I like that...I don't have Gods to pray to, but maybe hope will be as good." Better sunrises, huh? Everyday was a little harder, but adjustments always were. "It sounds like she was a very wise woman."
Taking a deep breath, Aurick let his arms drop away from Harika and he let out a tired huff. "Coffee, then? I'd rather my cousins not see-" He motioned to himself. "-so a cup or two and some decorating should do the trick."
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 7:06 pm
Harika’s gaze brightened at the sound of the little laugh. “Maybe we’ll have to try sometime when we don’t have a lot of decorating to do.” She teased in return before she found herself slowly pulling away after giving him the little blessing. Harika’s own cheeks felt like they were on fire and her heart did skip a beat at the reaction. “I’m glad then. I truly hope it helps.” She knew pain like that would always linger in someone’s heart, an ache that came and went over time but never truly went away, and so the best she could do was offer him hope for a better tomorrow. “She was the wisest.” Admitted Harika with a soft laugh of her own, her own ache returning at the memory of her mother. She could only hope to be half the woman that her mother was one day.
“I’ll brew a whole pot.” Harika nodded. “If anything I can always stir up quite a bit of dust if they wanna start something.” The hybrid made a determined fist as if chasing away any potential thoughts from Aurick’s cousins, relying upon the idea of dust making both of their eyes water instead of them even thinking about the possibility of someone crying. Taking quick steps towards the kitchen the woman acted like a whirlwind, flinging about the cabinets as she found the stove-top espresso maker and filled the container for the grinds and the water at the bottom. Working with the stove so that a flame heated the surface, Harika quickly set the espresso pot on the surface so that the coffee would start brewing. “Some milk and sugar with your coffee?” She asked as she turned around towards Aurick, her movements finally slowing down since she had to wait on the coffee to brew. Then I just need your help setting up some curtains I sewed together with autumn designs…” A light blush decorated her cheeks. “I tend to bounce around quickly whenever I’m working on things.” That much Aurick probably knew but in this situation she wondered if it was appropriate to put her feelings into working overtime once more. Still, it was better than lingering on whatever made her heart skip....right?
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