Hair

Roxanne had always loved her wild, full hair. The tight black curls bounced with each step she took. Most people back in Vault 101 appreciated it, some of the women wishing they had such beautiful hair. When she was younger, Roxanne would stand in front of a mirror and jump, giggling louder each time she saw her curls move with her.

Not many can tame her mane, not even herself most days. It was difficult. One wrong cut and she will drive herself crazy trying to fix it, only making it worse. James tried to cut it once. Only once. One time was all it took for him to realize it was impossible for him to even shape it correctly. Snowflake in Underworld is one of the few people who currently can work properly on Roxanne's hair. For not having real hair, the ghoul cut hair rather well.

"So much hair! You thinkin' you may be giving some to me someday?" he would sometimes ask.

Roxanne would chuckle and reply back, "Not a chance!"

Although Snowflake working on her hair right about now would be ideal, Roxanne has been stuck at home in Megaton sick. There was absolutely no way she would risk getting attacked by mutants that usually litter the streets over some hair. Having Charon carry her all the way to Underworld was an option, but not a bright idea.

The day had hardly begun, so Roxanne was still in bed with Dogmeat curled up near her feet. She leaned up to run her fingers through Dogmeat's fur. Dogmeat lifted and turned his head to lick her forearm, causing Roxanne to smile.

"Good morning, boy," she croaked out. Sore throats were the bane of her existence; living in the wasteland only made sickness more common for Roxanne.

The movement of Roxanne's feet caused Dogmeat to get up and hop off the bed. Roxanne leaned into the bed and stretched her legs, releasing a satisfied moan. Stretching became her favorite part of waking up in the mornings. Her muscles were less tense and she felt more awake by the time she walked downstairs to see Charon, who returned her wave when she caught his attention.

Roxanne leaned against the wall next to the workbench he was currently at, working away at a possible modification for his shotgun. "Charon, I have a question. Have you ever cut hair?"

Charon stopped fiddling with parts and gave her a confused look. "Sometimes, yes. I used to cut my own."

Roxanne coughed and then grinned. "Well! Grab some scissors and help me out. It's past due for a trim for me." She didn't give him a chance to find words. Roxanne was already on her way to the kitchen for a chair.

When Roxanne returned, Charon had scissors in hand while Roxanne had a hand mirror in hers. "Roxanne, are you sure about this?"

"Absolutely." She placed the chair on the floor where there was not much clutter around. Sitting down, she still had a smile adorning her face, excited to get her mess of hair fixed up.

Charon got up from the workbench. He approached where Roxanne was sitting, then he closed his eyes and sighed. Sure, Charon had cut hair before, but not hair as thick as Roxanne's. Before becoming a ghoul, his hair was straight and fairly easy to maintain. If she couldn't cut hers the right way, what makes him think he can do any better? Still, he wanted to try. He did not want to disappoint her. She did give him the freedom to express discomfort with things she asked of him, but he wanted to try this.

So, Charon began cutting. He started with the left side of her hair, just cutting enough to get the dead ends off. Charon notched at her hair, getting it as even as he possibly could. It was a somewhat difficult task, but he managed.

"I'm done," he grumbled.

Roxanne looked in her hand mirror. She studied as much of her hair as she could with just the small mirror. 'Not bad at all,' she thought. It really wasn't bad. Charon didn't do as great of a job that Snowflake would, but he still managed to keep her hair even while cutting nearly half an inch off.

"I might have to come for you again next time I can't make it to Snowflake!"