Bewildered but alive

[fonmaster]

Who: Ion and all the people!
Location: The plaza
Time: January 2nd, morning
Style: Anything works
Status: Wide open!



...friend...

[Ion tries too hard to draw in breath and gasps, sputtering. Oh, good, he'd managed to finish his sentence after all. Wait.]

H-hello?

[Utterly confused, he pats himself. How could he be wet? They were just in a volcano!]

Anise? Luke? Tear?

[He looks around. The city is beautiful, almost unnatural. It's possible that this could be the afterlife, isn't it? But he's all wet, and so cold! That doesn't seem right at all.]

Is anyone here...?

Comments

[beautifies]

[Hajime doesn't say much more until they arrive at the shop. He inspects the racks without picking anything out, occasionally glancing back at Ion. After leafing through every garment, he snatches an outfit consisting of simple slacks, a loose shirt, and a light jacket off the racks.]

Wear that.

[fonmaster]

[Ion shrinks back a little. Why is he so intense about this? He takes the clothes and goes to change. When he comes back, he looks much more like a boy, obviously lacking a woman's hips and waist when he's wearing pants. His hair still hangs in two pieces like twintails, though.]

This is much better, Sir Tounomine. Thank you!

[beautifies]

[He crosses his arms and looks away.]

You don't need to thank me. Do something about your hair already! It's misleading!

[fonmaster]

My hair?

[Ion lifts up a piece of his hair.]

I've always worn it this way...

[beautifies]

You'll be mistaken for a woman if you leave it like that. Come here!

[He can do hair. Let him play with your hair. NOT THAT HE WANTS TO OR ANYTHING!!!]

[fonmaster]

You think I'll look less girlish if it's done another way?

[He's all too happy to go over to Hajime. He's giggling, even. Ion still has the soft hair and skin of a child, so most any style is possible.]

[beautifies]

If I'm the one doing your hair, then it can definitely be achieved.

[Because for anybody else, that might be impossible. Hajime isn't exactly gentle. He treats the hair delicately but he doesn't hesitate shoving Ion into place. If he had materials, he'd be able to do a proper styling but he'll just have to do with what he has on his person. He pulls out a hair band from his pocket and gathers all the hair into a low ponytail in the center of the scalp. It's not much but at least it doesn't look like pigtails. As for the rest of the hair, he brushes it into place with his fingers, careful not to frame the face too girlishly.]

There.

Now I might have to get a paid. I do have some low ponytail Ion icons, orz

[fonmaster]

[Ion looks at his reflection in the shop window, then smiles up at Hajime. There's a hint of the man he now has the chance to become.]

I think you're right. I like it very much! You're quite good at fixing hair, you know. I've never been able to get it to not part in the back.

AHAHAHAHAHA

[beautifies]

[A huff of satisfaction. Yes, this is much better now.]

You won't improve unless you practice every day.

Why you laugh at me?! Noooo! Paid accounts are srsbznss!

[fonmaster]

[Practice doing hair? Ion looks incredulous.]

Doing hair is something you have to practice?

Sure but it's worth it if you plan on using it.

[beautifies]

Of course! Did you think it was easy? Styling hair is not something that can be achieved without great effort!

[HE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS. DON'T TRY TO FIGHT HIM.]

[fonmaster]

I'm sorry! You made it seem so easy, I didn't mean to offend you!

[Wow. He takes this hair business really seriously, doesn't he? Ion won't judge him, he's just surprised.]

[beautifies]

Don't think you're anywhere near my level. I've trained diligently in order to attain these skills!

[fonmaster]

I don't, really!

[Ion bowed in an effort to pacify the older boy.]

Thank you for fixing my hair, Sir Tounomine.

[beautifies]

From now on, you must practice this hairstyle ever day until you achieve perfection!

[HE WILL MAKE SURE YOU'RE DOING IT TOO.]

*sends Ion to hair bootcamp*GIVE ME FIFTY FINGER WAVES, BOY!

[fonmaster]

Ah, umm, yes!

[Ion looks determined. Hajime helped him out, so if he wants him to practice putting his hair in a ponytail, he'll do it!]

Just wait until Hajime teaches him to French braid.

[beautifies]

I'll check up on you every day to ensure you're doing it properly. Be prepared. I won't go easy on you just because you're a child!

[fonmaster]

[That makes Ion smile.]

Really? You'll check on me every day?

[beautifies]

I told you before not to make me repeat myself.

[HUFF. He is so serious about this. Hair is serious.]

[fonmaster]

[Congratulations, Hajime. Ion has officially decided that you're his friend, now. This makes him feel secure enough to decide he can venture out on his own a little.]

I'll do my best to not let you down, then. Thank you again for all your help. Since everything is free, I think I will try to find some supplies now.

[beautifies]

This is only a farewell for now. Get some rest.

[Marching off! Don't say embarrassing things like that. It's not like he's helping because he wants to!!]