The newly made elf stumbled embarrassingly on her taller, longer-limbed and more curvaceous frame as her five senses were overwhelmed with extra input. Her jade eyes stung and welled with tears as she found her retinas taking in rays of light visible to her dull human vision, she looked upon the world in colors she’d never perceived before. Likewise, her pointed ears twitched on the side of her head as the wind buffeted her tresses. The sound and pressure of the wind, the chirp of every grasshopper and the song of every bird in the forest rang in her ears. Every nerve by which she could experience the sensation of touch flooded her body with sensory information, the speed of wind in all directions and the grass between her toes. Michelle cupped her ears and shivered in the wind as she dropped to the ground, curled up into an overstimulated ball.
“Oh god… what’s happening?” Michelle winged as her nude body shivered. “I’m dying, or maybe this is a fever dream? Tripping this bad out in the woods with no one to help, it might as well be the same thing…” Michelle mumbled to herself, hoping that the sound of her own voice would steady herself. Instead, she heard a voice that was her own, but breathier, lilting, and accented in such a way she could only describe as absurdly sultry.
“You are not dying stranger, you have never been more alive in fact.” Michelle’s attention darted upwards in a sharp turn of her head. She saw the most beautiful creature she’d ever seen in her life standing in front of her. She was tall, much like herself now, her skin was rich, smooth, and a warm caramel tan in color. Her face was youthful, but her refined features carried a weight and weariness that portrayed ageless wisdom. The sweeping pointed ears were a giveaway that she was the same type of elven creature she had just become. It came as some small comfort that she seemed to be walking about without any issue.
She left little to the imagination with her attire, wrapped in a marigold top and a skirt cut so high at the leg that loincloth might be a more appropriate description. A scarlet scarf rested on her shoulders and cascaded down her back like a cloak. Her low cut top presented an enticing display of her ample cleavage, and a golden necklace with a thumb sized garnet in center of the disk shaped medallion rested delicately on her breast. Her midriff was exposed, proudly flaunting a slim waist and toned core. In her right hand she held an ancient looking wooden staff, the grain of the wooden shaft worn smooth from age, at the head a shining piece of tourmaline seemed to glow with an inner fire, held fast to the staff with four brass fittings.
“You will survive, and you will thrive, but your body is acclimating to the sensitivity of an elf. It will become second nature in time, but you are not safe out here in the open. We must not be seen by your erstwhile human kindred.” The elf’s almond shaped amber eyes shone with pity and sympathy, and her voice was clear, gentle, yet matronly. There was magic even in her casual speech, and even the newly changed Michelle could detect the comforting power in it.
The tan elf leaned down, pulling a strand of honey-brown hair back from her face like a veil. She extended a hand adorned with gold rings and bangles toward her. Michelle blinked her tearful eyes dry and nodded once to the strange elf. She took her hand and the other elf stood her up with surprising strength. “T-thank you… but who are you? Where did you come from? Can’t I ever go home?” She asked.
“I am Aramella Amberhand, my mentor sensed the magic released onto Earth by your transformation and sent me to aid you.” She dusted Michelle off slightly and looked the elf over cryptically. “You took to the changes rather well too, many become ill or succumb to a bout of delirium.” Aramella placed one slender hand on her shoulder on Michelle’s shoulder and sighed. “I am sorry, but there is a pact between powerful forces of Earth and Arcadia, people who are secret to you but who hold great sway over your realm. You cannot stay on Earth, not until you have learned to walk unseen here anyway.”
She waved her other hand, and glittering sparks leapt from her fingers, forming into a swirling, mist-shrouded gate. “I promise, you will be welcomed and embraced by my kind. We will extend every hospitality, teach you to harness whatever gifts you may now possess, and treat you as one of our own.” She tugged on Michelle’s arm gently. “Please, come with me.”