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 Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2023 10:10 am
Crystal Change
Harika loved spending the harvest season with Aurick’s family. Ever since they had started their own family the tradition was even more special to Harika since she could see how much Aurick’s relatives loved the younglings. It was a good break away from the city where everyone enjoyed the countryside and family time while celebrating with plenty of food and drink. This year though felt different, the season seemingly warmer than normal and while the sun was out and about there was an usual haze of pollen in the air. Despite that everyone proceeded as normal, harvesting the fields and having fun in the evenings with dancing and drinks. “At least it was only for one day…feels like I can breathe easier now.” Murmured Harika, twisting in the bed as she slowly removed herself from Aurick’s side now that it was dawn. She still struggled with getting proper sleep, the seamstress was so accustomed to running back and forth between two jobs while now helping with their children, but it did help that she had her own workshop in the little home that they had made for themselves in the city so that she only needed to leave the house to visit the nearby bakery. Their home was a bit of a work in progress but so far their renovations over the years had proven helpful as the little townhouse expanded to become cozier for the family of four. Despite every day being busy, Harika found herself happier than she had ever been before now that she had settled into Belrea and gained a new family. And now she was even happier to have fresh air to breathe again, the pollen seemingly gone as she leaned over to open the small window to let in the morning breeze. “That’s nice.” Harika smiled before turning back so that she could wake up Aurick, the petite hybrid reaching down to tousle his hair. “Hey sleepy-head. You should probably get up if you want some time before the children or cousins come around.” She teased quietly, Harika bending down to press a light kiss to his forehead with the morning sunlight coming in from the opened window to reveal slight differences to her appearance that she had yet to notice.
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Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2023 10:22 am
Aurick's changes
Flip flopping his eye colors. Teal on the right, purple on the left.----------- The thicker pollen felt a little [i[off to Aurick. He would have expected as much in the Spring, but since it was getting cooler out he had to wonder just what plants were giving off so much? There were a couple of discussions between family members about it, especially when it seemed to choke out the sun at one point, and left his eyes itchy. It came as quick as it settled so for the most part Aurick was content to let it pass. He'd rinsed out his eyes before bed that night, downed a poultice to help with the irritation and slept peacefully by Harika's side. When morning's light came round Aurick was even content to sleep through it until his lady love decided to break through it. The baker gave a little murmur, and turned into her touch, a touch of a smile breaking through the fog of sleep. "Mmm. I'm up, I'm up," He mumbled and started to lift himself up into a sitting position. When Aurick opened his eyes he was quick to blame the sight before him on early morning brain fog, but after giving his eyes a rub he couldn't help staring at Harika. The differences might have been easier to pass off if he didn't know her body as well as he did, but for Aurick... "Harika? Did you...did you dye your crystals?" Was that even possible? Was it paint?
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Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2023 1:52 pm
"Mmhmm, fully awake." Teased Harika lightly, the hybrid perching on the edge of the bed as she rubbed Aurick's back. It was a habit to try to ease him into waking up and it would be a lie to say that she didn't enjoy the physical contact herself....that was until his question had her pulling a hand back in confusion. "I'm sorry, what?" She reached up to touch her own face, the crystals there feeling the same and not sticky like they had been painted or such. "I don't think I could dye my crystals, surely it's just the light playing tricks on you." She replied quietly with a chuckle, getting out of bed so that she could slip away from her nightgown and get into today's outfit.
However, as Harika thought about Aurick's question she hesitated and instead walked over to the one mirror in the room. Standing in just her chemise, Harika leaned close so that she could stare at the crystals on her face. There was more sunlight now since it was just past dawn, the sun quickly rising for the day, and the closer she looked the more she realized that her crystals were actually more of a violet or pink and less of the deep purple that she had always known. The chemise quickly discarded, Harika turned around to inspect all of her body in shock. Each and every crystal was now that color! "Aurick...I don't think my crystals were dyed." She murmured, her startled gaze going towards her lover in a panic. How was this even possible?! Harika rushed over to her travel bags, the hybrid taking a dress out of her belongings and slipping into it quicker than usual. "Nothing else looked unusual about me, right? I think my hair is fine and my eyes...my skin..." She held out her hands and let out a sigh of relief. Why her crystals? And if she had changed..."Aurick, what about you? Let me inspect you."
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2023 12:51 pm
"No, love, it's not the light." He didn't want to worry her, but there was no way Aurick was seeing things. If it were just a glint or a few shades off then maybe, but this...Something was going on.
The baker picked himself up off the bed, the older mattress creaking now that it was free of his weight and stood in his sleep pants. For a moment he did little more than watch Harika process it all. In that quick moment when she tossed her chemise to the side his heart sped a beat, but it was overshadowed with worry. Harika didn't seem ill or in pain; just shocked by the changes.
"Just your crystals, nothing else looks different and-" Aurick reached out to grab her arm, hoping to bring some calm to his lover, but oh she was on a roll now! "Harika,, love, breathe." He made sure she was watching him before taking in an exaggerated breath and letting it out slowly. "Do they hurt? Do you feel sick?" Just because she looked okay didn't mean she was and that was what he cared about most.
What he looked like didn't matter. It wasn't even so much as a thought compared to her health.
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 11:04 am
Harika was normally an energetic woman and could be a whirlwind when working on a project, but never before had she experienced panic of this type before. It made her want to race about the room, trying to find any clues as to what could have inspired such a change in her own body. What if there was something strange about her crystals changing? "Is there some sort of Belrean illness that does this?" She asked Aurick, her gaze widening as he asked if she felt sick. As Aurick instructed her to breathe, the hybrid had to take a moment to sit down on the edge of the bed just to try to mimic him even though her first attempts were definitely a bit more ragged and far from calm. "I know they say that children can change you, but it's been a few years..." She started before shaking her head, a hand reaching out for Aurick. "Okay, so if it is a Belrean disease...how long do I have?" She asked, her teal gaze pleading with her beloved as she prepared herself for the worst news.
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Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2023 6:22 pm
An illness? Why was she - Oh, because he'd brought it up. "No, there's-" Trying to get a word in around her panic was hard, especially since she looked like she might take off at any moment! With Harika's hand reaching out for his own, Aurick took it with both of his and gave her delicate, yet work calloused fingers, a comforting squeeze.
"I only asked because I don't know what this change is," He did his best to keep his voice lowered and steady. "You felt fine before you saw anything so I'm sure it's not a disease, but we can check with a healer if you'd like? You don't have a fever, you didn't feel nauseous before, so I don't I'm going to lose you anytime soon."
At least, he hoped he wouldn't. It had certainly been a fear when she'd gotten pregnant, considering the track record of his family, but Harika had been as healthy yesterday as the day he'd met her. So, he doubted it was anything medically worrisome. Which left him wondering what it could be?
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Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2023 7:45 am
"There's no time?" Breathed Harika, her gaze widening even as Aurick tried to calm her. If she hadn't given him her hand then the hybrid may have actually darted about the room in a flurry, trying to figure out everything and how this change had occurred. Was it something in Belrea that didn't settle with her? She knew others could have certain reactions to foods, but she hadn't had anything upset her stomach save for that one fruit in Oba but everything at the harvest festival had been as usual! So what would have triggered this other than some sort of disease? She had even heard about one that made your skin rot and your crystals shatter...the very thought made her body shiver in fear.
The squeeze brought her back to attention, Harika desperately trying to cling to Aurick's words as she sought to calm her panic. She had just found her own family and didn't want to leave them behind! Aurick had already suffered pain from loss, Harika didn't even want to think of doing such a thing to him once more. She swallowed and tried to nod with his reasoning. She did feel alright, just a bit fatigued but that was surely from dealing with so many family members the night before with dancing and drinking as well. The only thing that had made her feel a bit miserable this harvest season had been that nasty pollen. Wait...she had been thinking about a reaction to food, but what about an allergic reaction to that?! "Could allergies change crystal colors?" She found herself musing, her gaze wide as she looked to Aurick. "Does Belrea have a history of unusual pollen giving earthlings more than simple sniffles?"
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Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2023 12:01 pm
"There's no history of it, at least not that I know of." His mother or grandfather might be able to track down some information, but Aurick had a feeling this wasn't something they could find a book. Whatever had happened here seemed like it would have been talked about more if it had occurred in the past.
"That pollen, though...it was unusual for this time of year. I've never seen it that thick before so maybe it had something to do with it? I guess it depends on if anyone else has changed or not." What if his siblings had changed? His Aunts, Uncles and Cousins? It'd be like having breakfast with strangers...
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2023 8:43 am
"I...I see." Harika managed quietly, trying to remember everything strange that could have possibly happened over the last day or so besides the pollen. So far though all she could think about was that nasty fog of shimmering stuff that had made everyone get the sniffles for the evening, the family no where near ready for something so unusual in fall to occur like that. Her gaze did widen with concern though as she shot a glance towards Aurick. "Others could have changed..." Her lips pursed in a thoughtful line. Was there something different about Aurick? Harika reached out to touch Aurick's arm, her fingers tracing along the skin there and looking at the nearest crystal. "Your skin and crystals are the same...so is your hair." She frowned as she studied him. Something just felt off though and she found herself leaning closer again. "Hmm. It just doesn't make sense that pollen would only affect me and not you. Something just feels off, Aurick."
Did that mean their children would be affected or not by this? If she had changed...oh spirits! Harika let out a soft gasp. "Do we go ahead and wake the children? It's still so early..." What if she woken them up in a panic and just made things worse? Harika bit her bottom lip nervously. Usually she was always calm to try to help support her family, but today it was truly hard not to feel jittery with something so unexpected changing their lives! Or at least their appearances, even if it was only temporary it was disturbing to know that she had no control over such a change.
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Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2023 9:56 am
Without acceess to a mirror himself, Aurick had no choice but to rely on Harika's keen eye to pick up any differences. If anything was amiss then she would be able to tell, but so far it looked like he'd come out of things untouched. "Huh, guess I'm plain enough to leave alone." He didn't want to ask the obvious questions of 'why just her?' or 'was it because she had foreign blood?' on the off chance it set Harika off again.
Well, until she opened the book herself and then Aurick was able to let some of his concerns loose. "Maybe it's because you weren't born here? That's the only difference I can think of between us beyond the obvious physical ones." Which, again, they wouldn't really be able to figure out until they saw someone else who had been effected. The thought of it making his children this upset, though... "Maybe we wait on them to wake up first? If you're not in pain then they wouldn't be either and they did have a late night."
Giving her arm another squeeze, Aurick leaned forward and gave Harika's forehead crystals a chaste kiss. "Just...take a moment to breath? I'll get us some water." His Aunt had a habit of keeping fresh water on the nightstand just in case and while Aurick was up he just happened to pause by the mirror.
And his change was so obvious to him that the Lightning man immediately snorted, then let out a chuckle. "Harika, love, you really don't see anything different about me? Eye definitely can."
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Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2023 4:50 pm
Harika pouted, her gaze narrowing at Aurick's statement. As if! The hybrid only flushed more at her companion's observation, Harika immediately rejecting the very idea. It didn't make sense, right? "It's not like seasonal allergies where I'm just adjusting to a new region. This isn't normal anywhere!" She protested though her expression softened more as they thought about the children, the woman slowly nodding at Aurick's suggestion. She did suppose it wouldn't hurt to let their children sleep a bit longer...it would give her time to figure out her own tangled emotions before addressing the million questions the younglings' surely would have about this situation.
But just like that Aurick was giving her that little kiss, her frustrations ebbing away with the gentle gesture that melted her heart. How could she stay frustrated with him even if she strongly disagreed with the idea that she was from overseas and more susceptible to some strange, magical pollen? If anything the pollen may have just bounced off that hard body of his....Harika's gaze lingered, a flush decorating her cheeks before Aurick made a comment that had her frowning. "I'm sorry?" She asked, her head tilting with confusion before she moved from the bed to look at him again. Leaning forward, Harika placed her hands on Aurick's shoulders and stared....then stared some more. "You have to be kidding me....did your eyes swap colors, Aurick?" She let out a huff, her disbelief making her cheeks darken along with the embarrassment that such a detail had escaped her notice. Maybe if she hadn't been so frantic? Either way! "That's just....it's like your body is in sync with your sense of humor. That's really all that changed for you?"
And then despite all of the frustrations and worry, Harika just began to laugh. It was so silly! At least she wasn't the only one to change, but seriously just his eyes to match the exact shades as before but mirrored? What were the chances of that?!
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Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2023 5:13 pm
Aurick couldn't help it; he let out the stupidest, loudest snort-chuckle that any one man could produce. It was such an idiotic way for his body to respond that that man could barely breath! He doubled over, one hand on Harika's shoulder and the other pressed onto his thigh. "Th-they switched!....Out of all the....Pffft." The mother of his children had undergone life changing changes and his eyes just swapped chairs!
"I just...nothing else...just this...." He snortled again and tried to pick himself up, but by the way Aurick's eyes glistened it was only a matter of time before he laughed again. Why would he even be mad? Technically he was still the same man he'd been when he went to bed! The mirror always flipped things around anyway!
And then she started laughing so he popped and Aurick's laughter began anew. "Don't tell anyone....let them....let them figure it out..."
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Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2023 5:18 pm
At least even Aurick realized how ridiculous the swap was! Still, Harika could not find it in herself to be angry, the hybrid simply going along with the laughter until her sides ached and she had to lean against her beloved for support. "Sure, we'll see if they ever do." She managed after a moment, catching her breath before shaking her head in disbelief at all of this. "I swear, if you have like one crystal changed somewhere....this is just...well anything is possible, isn't it?" Her gaze was bright, a bit too mischievous as she looked over him. "I suppose there's only one way to truly make sure the rest of your crystals haven't changed." She teased lightly, Harika seeming more like her normal and playful self despite her earlier panic. If fate could have fun with Aurick's eyes with such a simple swap then surely everything would be alright in the end, right? She just had to hope and pray that their children would be okay as well. No matter what Harika would always love her family, color changes or not.
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Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2023 5:25 pm
"Well, we did say we were going to let the children sleep in." And now that the mood had lightened it was as good a chance as any to get 'reacquainted' with Harika. It wasn't as if they had anywhere pressing to be that morning so he didn't see the harm in letting her check for 'new crystals' or whatever she wanted to call it.
"Let me just go put a chair under the knob." His Aunt may not have believed in locks, but a well placed seat could prevent any unwanted visitors.
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Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2023 9:04 am
A Change Has Occurred!
A change has occurred resulting in surprising results.
Please see below for Harika's new swatch!
Skin || ██
Crystals|| ██
Hair || ████ ombre
Eyes || ██
Please see below for Aurick'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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