Everett and the Chrysalis
Upon leaving the machine, he ran eagerly to the mirror. He expected to see himself stronger, with deep brown hair and yellow eyes - just like his brother. Instead, as he looked at himself he saw a leaner figure, toned and lithe, with silver hair. It was still long, but nearly completely silver, the last two inches or so tipped in a deep royal purple. His eyes had changed from a shimmery ocean blue to a glittery violet. Changes so drastic that he no longer recognized or felt like himself. He felt as if he was now the same person in the wrong body.
Shock overcame him and he slumped to the floor. Nurses rushed over to attend him and helped him to a chair. “This can’t be happening. This isn’t right. I’m broken.” His mind tried to make sense of what just happened. A nurse left and returned with Everett’s doctor. “This isn’t right Doctor Kaperia. You know my family. Something went wrong. Change it back. Fix it!”
“No, Everett. The Chrysalis doesn’t make mistakes. This must simply be what you are best suited for. The Crescent Order for you.” A self satisfied smile played on the doctors face, pride at another successful Chrysalis. Everett just wanted to wipe it off of his face. “Rest. Get dressed. Your family, and the rest of your life, are waiting for you.”
Everett obeyed and then made the short (and yet, somehow, unbearably long) walk down the hallway toward his family. He had dressed in his families work clothes, now even baggier than before, expecting to fill them out and immediately go join his family in their work. He tied his hair up as expected. It was allowed to be long providing it didn’t get in the way of the machinery. His heavy boots mimicked his heart beats, and the sound echoed off the walls, furthering his anxiety as he trudged along.
At first his family took no notice of him as he arrived to the waiting room. Why would they? Everyone expected what he had. His mother noticed first, and her reaction was worse than expected. Not just disappointment, but fear and shame played across her face. His father caught notice next, only because of his wife's reaction, and one by one Everett got to see the shock, confusion, and sadness play across their faces. They all knew what this meant for the future. Everett was lost to them in a way. The Crescent Order had their own goals, organizational roles, strengths and rules. All of it meant that he had no place among the Fire Blooded any longer.