Riza Hawkeye stared at her own reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were a lovely shade of copper this evening, but instead of the reflection of themselves the rested on the blonde locks clinging to her shoulders. Her hair had been the chapters of a book to her. So many memories were attached the coiled cells. Unknown to many, Riza took great pride and consideration. The fascination had begun when she was younger. Long hair was her forbidden fruit back then.
The nanny clucked as she looked Riza up and down. "Tut, tut, such a pity. You have such lovely hair and are really quite a pretty girl." She said as she began to comb it back to be cut, yanking a little too hard so Riza had to tug forward to keep straight. The nanny paused in her disapproval as she saw the master's reflection in the long mirror. It looked as if he was frowning, but with Master Hawkeye it was always hard to tell. After a few moments he spoke, his voice raspy from lack of use.
"Riza doesn't need to be a pretty girl. She's beautiful the way she is. Smart, determined, and strong. Pretty girls are damsels in distress. No daughter of mine will be a damsel."
Riza couldn't help but feel her chest swell with pride. Words from her father were rare enough, praise was almost unheard of. He went as far as to step beside her and ruffle the half cut mop.
Regaining her bearings the nanny continued her mindless banter. "The master is always such a hypocrite. He has long hair doesn't he. The late mistress, if I recall had short hair though."
He words fell on dead air. Riza gulped and flicked her eyes back and forth between the two. Her father had turned toward the window where the light came in gray when just moments ago it was gold. The nanny clearly noticed her mistake and decided to finish cutting the youngster's hair in silence.
"It used to get in her eyes, so she kept it short." Were the last words Hawkeye said before leaving the room. Riza swore she could see a few wet spots on her father's cheeks.
After that he stopped watching her get hair cuts.
It probably reminded him too much of Mother.
Then again, so did everything else.