Writer's Note: A prompt from Seconlina!
Warning: Occurs post-series and contains spoilers.
"Cut it all off, Knives."
Mai made a face, her hands buried deep within masses of black hair. "Since when am I your maid?" she wondered flatly, wishing that Toph could see her expression in order to get the hint.
"Since you bitched about how messy my hair looked," Toph sneered, her milky eyes narrowing.
"It was messy. You haven't washed or brushed it in days. I can tell."
"What is it with you and hair? It's just hair. Who cares? Cut it off. I know you have the tools to do it."
Mai sniffed, tugging at the locks a little. "Hair is important. It may be stupid aristocracy talking here, but hair styled in a specific way speaks volumes about who you are. The way you have yours indicates laziness and sloppiness."
Toph's face darkened. "Then cut. It. Off."
Mai sighed, long-suffering, and reached over to the vanity's counter and grabbed her sharpest pair of scissors, the ones she used on her own bangs. "You sure? I've never done another person's hair before…well, okay, I have, but I don't think Zuko's hair counts."
Toph grinned. "Even if you did mess it up, I wouldn't know. Cut it!"
Mai rolled her eyes and complied, the snicks the scissors made the only sound between them for almost an hour. When Mai pulled them away, Toph reached up with a curious face, her fingers feeling and seeking.
Mai had to admit, it was a nice cut. It was really short – spiky, almost – and instead of making Toph look strange it actually emphasized the looks that she was slowly growing into.
Toph blinked slowly, now brushing her hair with both hands. "Huh."
"Well?" Mai looked at her nails, trying not to feel too much worry about it.
Toph's next grin was deadly. "My parents'll freak. This is awesome."
Mai decided to give up. Even though their priorities never matched, they were still usually on the same page about things. And pissing off one's parents with subtle gestures? That was something Mai could understand.
She ruffled the spikes with a smile. "Glad you like it."
