Chapter 2-15: A Traditional Hairstyle
Soon enough, the group reach Fleur City to find Grim. After searching around, they managed to find Grim.
Sebek sternly says, "Now see here, Grim! It is unacceptable for you to make trouble for my liege!"
However, Grim stares blankly.
Confused, Jasper asks, "What's up, Grim?"
"What're you looking at?" Tanzanite asks.
The group looks to see a pole that spirals red and white.
Grim says to himself, "Red, white, red, white, red, white, red, white…"
"He's not even blinking... What's he muttering?" Jamil says.
Grim continues, "Red, white, red, white, red, white, red white red white red white red white red white re-whi-re-whi-reh…" And cries out, "MRAAAH! I can't stop watchin' this spinny thing... It's makin' me dizzy!"
The group looks to see that Grim has been staring at and it turns out to be one of those barber post
"Are you referring to this post right here?" Riddle asks.
"That's a barber pole. They typically indicate a barber shop," Trein answers.
"I can see the staff in white uniforms standing next to old, fancy red chairs inside," Jamil says, "With all that on top of using a barber's pole in this day and age, it must be pretty old fashioned operation."
"You think so?" Sebek questions, "Barber shops in Briar Valley all look similar to this one. Seeing it rather takes me back... I wonder if my old barber is still fairing well. I used to go in twice a month."
"Twice a month?" Jamil questions, "That's a lot of barber visits. My sister only goes once a month for a trim."
"A proper guard of Malleus must always be properly groomed!" Sebek says.
Then Trein says, "I approve of how immaculate your hair always is, Zigvolt. Many of our students could learn from your example."
"It's the least I could do in service to such a noble figure!" Sebek says with confidence.
He turns to Jamil and asks, " How often did you get your haircut back home, Jamil?"
"I've been growing my hair out since middle school, so I didn't visit the barber too often. I'd get the ends evened out once every few months at most. It's more work to take care of my hair, though. If anyone here is stringent about their appearance, it's Riddle," Jamil answers.
Then turns to Riddle, "What would you do about your hair in the Queendom of Roses?"
"I would go to the barber's once a month. My mother scheduled my appointments for me," Riddle answers, "It was always at the same time, with the same person, and the same cut and style. It's important for everything to look neat and trim. That's why I keep my hair short. I cut it myself when I first came to our school."
"Truly? Do you still do so?" Sebek questions.
"Cater didn't want me doing it for some reason…" Riddle answers, "So now I go to a barber in town, just like everyone else."
"You should probably thank Cater for that," Jamil says.
Then turns to Malleus, "What about you, Malleus?"
"I would summon my personal hair dresser to the castle," Malleus asks.
"Really?" Sereia asks, confused.
Riddle becomes surprised, "Goodness. That's royalty for you…"
But then Malleus says, "But I grew tired of how much of a production it was each time. Sometimes I'd ask Lilia to cut my hair while he was doing Silver's…"
"Lilia does your hair?" Briar asks.
"That's correct," Malleus says.
"What about you, Briar?" Jamil asks.
"Well, I've already kept my hair to shoulder length, but part of me was thinking of letting it grow long…" Briar explains.
Everyone continues talking about their hair.
"Maaan, they're really into haircuts. I should totally...hm?" Grim says, but notices a post, "The shop's got a poster. What's it say...?" He walks to the poster and reads, "'Elevate your trip by trying a traditional Fleur City hairstyle!'"
Jamil soon notices the poster, "The group looks to see the poster. Ah, so this shop offers traditional hair styling for tourists to try. I've seen businesses like that in the Scalding Sands."
This has Grim excited, "Ooo, really? Can I try one?!"
"It does say anyone is welcome. So it's possible according to the sign, at least," Riddle says, "What would constitute a traditional Fleur City hairstyle, though?"
"Hm. Weren't tall wigs popular in the Shaftlands years ago?" Malleus questions.
"Yes, they were fashionable among the aristocracy, along with faux moles on your face," Trein says, "I believe the townspeople admired the styles and all donned similar wigs on festival days."
"I don't think that fashion was unique to Fleur City. It was popular in many countries," Malleus says.
"Okay, Grim, I talked to the staff. They told me this hairstyle was especially popular in Fluer City back in the day," Jamil says.
Soon, the group notices wood shavings on the ground.
Curious, Grim asks, "...What's that?"
"Wood shavings," Jamil answers, "In the old days, they would shape these to look like hair and affix them to people's heads. Want to try it?"
"Yeah, right! I ain't dumb. I know nobody would put wood shavings on their heads!" Grim answers.
Sebek laughs, "HAHAHA! What better decoration could there be for someone who thinks of naught but eating, sleeping, and frolicking?"
"Oh YEAH?!" Grim shouts, feeling offended.
Everyone soon begins laughing.
And Jasper says, "You'd look great with them to me! It will be a good style!" still laughing.
Grim angrily glares at Jasper, "Then YOU wear 'em!" He then grabs some wood shaving, "Here, I'll put some all up in your hair!" And does just that."
"Hey!" Jasper angrily says and decides to throw some shavings.
Soon, the two throw wood shavings at each other.
"Jasper! Grim! Stop this fighting right now!" Briar sternly says.
Jasper points to Grim, "He started it!"
"No he did!" Grim points back.
Then Riddle gets between them, "Come now, it's rude to cause such a commotion in public! If you freshmen don't rein yourselves in, it'll be off with your heads!"
Then Jamil says, "Pardon the segue, but speaking of commotions… For all the people here, no one seems to realize that THE Malleus Draconia is with us. I wonder if that's due to his hat camouflaging his horns?"
Then Riddle says, "Plenty of people are dressed in much flashier ensembles. Maybe they think the horns are part of his costume. It's good that they don't recognize him, though. I was worried we might draw too many crowds, and then we'd have trouble walking around."
"Agreed. After all, we can hardly use wood shavings to conceal his horns…" Jamil says.
Soon, Malleus asks, "Were you just discussing my horns?"
Jamil quickly says, "NO! NEVER!"
Trein sighs, "Grim and Jasper are pitching a fit. I think that's our cue to move on. We should check on the other groups anyway. What will your group be doing next?"
"I was thinking of walking around and learning a bit more about the local culture. Would that be acceptable to everyone?" Malleus says.
"ABSOLUTELY!" Sebek shouts.
"What eager students you all are. I'm truly proud. I'm sure I don't need to worry about any of you, but do be careful exploring," Trein says.
"Yes, Professor! Thank you for joining us," Riddle says.
"Our time together was most enjoyable. And Briar, I'll see you and the others later," Malleus says.
Briar blushes and says, "Okay."
