Rumpleteasza: Evening, chickies. How's everyone tonight? Love to the reviewers as always - special shout to Enchantress, Kali and Wolfie and of course Tani, who are obviously excellent people and should be sent full sherbet supplies daily. Also a note to Itsumade, who I am almost positive is actually my good friend Sim in the cunning disguise of... a web-person! Come out, Sim, I know you're there! Of course if I'm wrong, just ignore that. Sorry.
Thanks for all your, er, unique suggestions of Matt's lollipop embarrassment... especially impressed by Kali's idea. 'Maybe he tried to... from behind...?' Quality response there! Also liked the 'impromptu hair gel' suggestion, thanks Wolfie... !
Xxxxxx
Chapter Ten – Hairdresser's Gossip
"Tip your head back, honey, that's it," the hairdresser intoned, swiftly and professionally gathering up Sora's hair and analysing it. "It's a formal Ball then, this dance?"
"Yeah," Sora replied nervously as the hairdresser, a pretty young woman who gloried in the name of Amber and who had obviously coloured her lips, nails and hair to match, started to run a basinful of warm water. This is kind of scary, she thought to herself. She'd never been in a hairdresser's like this before. Toni & Guy was a huge, spacious salon covered in modern art and sculptures, smelling like fruity shampoo and playing the latest music. It was a totally new experience for Sora, who usually either went to a tiny shop round the corner to have her hair trimmed or, if her mother wasn't busy, she'd cut her daughter's hair herself.
Sora, Mimi, Kari, Yolei and Jun were all seated in a row in from of the huge mirror lining the inside wall of the salon, all being tended to by their respective hairdressers. Mimi was talking animatedly to her hairdresser over a book of styles. Jun's hairdresser was staring critically at her, no doubt wondering how to tame her mass of bushy, spiky red hair.
"Ok, hon," said Amber, turning away from the basin and pulling out a thick picture book of styles and colours, depositing it on the table in front of Sora. "What sort of style did you want to go for? Do you have anything particular in mind? And what about colouring?"
"Well…" Sora licked her dry lips. "I'm – I'm not really sure. I usually look really plain, but that's not right for the dance. I was hoping you could just give me any style that would make me look great."
Amber beamed. "You're giving me free reign? Great!" She caught Sora's terrified look and laughed. "Don't worry, hon, I won't turn you into a monster. If don't like the cut I'm doing, or the colour, then by all means tell me to stop and we'll try something else. I'm not going to change the length, I think – it suits you, and if we go any shorter you'll have nothing left to play around with."
"Ok," Sora said, relieved.
"Now," Amber said, pulling the style book towards them and fingering a strand of Sora's hair expertly. "Your natural colour's nice, so we won't give you a different one – how about using a serum to make it shinier and more vibrant? Warm hair colours like red are very now," she said, tossing her auburn mane over her shoulder proudly.
"Go for it," Sora said, leaning back into her chair and closing her eyes.
Amber clapped her hands, surveying Sora's hair with a delighted look on her face.
The boys had temporarily abandoned their stalking, as Toni & Guy was way too big and out in the open for them to peer into for hours without being noticed. They were now all seated around a large table in Burger King, tucking in happily for the second time that day.
"Well, I don't care how good Toni & Guy are meant to be," Daisuke said flatly, "they will never be able to flatten my sister's rat's nest hair. If you can even call it hair," he added.
"I dunno, Daisuke." Joe raised his eyebrows. "Mimi's always going on about the hairdressers there, only she calls them 'miracle workers'."
"They must be, if they can do anything about Jun's hair," Matt said pettily.
Izzy leaned over the table. "Where are they due next, Tai?"
"Megami's Beauty Parlour," Tai read of his list. "That should be pretty easy, it's a small place, out of the town centre. We'll be able to sneak round there easy."
"I hope so," Cody said doubtfully. "That experience in the gym is not one I want to repeat."
Matt yawned. Tai frowned, looking at his watch. "Not tired already, Matt? It's only 3:51! And you'll be up late tonight for the dance!"
"Yeah, I know, I stayed up late last night practising my songs, and-" suddenly Matt broke off, his eyes growing wide. "Oh, shit! What time did you say it was?"
"3:51 – no wait, 3:52 now," Tai said. "What's up, dude?"
"3:52!" Matt groaned, grabbing his stuff and shoving back his chair. "How could I have forgotten? I have band practice for the dance tonight! I gotta go!"
Tai looked incredulous. "What, and miss the rest of Operation Girly Day Out?"
"Sorry man," Matt said hastily, "but the guys are gonna kill me."
"What time does practice start?" Joe asked.
"3:30."
"Oh."
"Seeya, guys!" Matt yelled back at them before disappearing off into the crowd.
"Well," Izzy said finally. "One down, six to go. Tai, shouldn't we get going if we want to get to Megami's in time for the girl's makeover?"
Tai cursed quietly. "Damn, it starts at 4:00, I forgot. C'mon, guys."
"But I haven't finished my fries!" Daisuke whined.
"Take 'em with you, then," Tai snapped. "Right, men!" he said briskly. "Move out!"
Rumpleteasza: Yet another shortie, and I'll compensate by posting another today. You know, I haven't actually finished this fic, and I'm posting it waaaay faster than I'm writing it... oops. Better shift my ass into gear.
