naughty

“Haha, you got that right!” Mizi agreed, but he also felt like he needed to interject with a bit more ‘cat-knowledge’ that he had picked up over the years. “Actually, I used to have a cat when I was a kid that would just get into everything, even the toilet! Her energy was so high..it was wild!”

“I’m offering cheap haircuts. A decent price for a work of art. But if you want to be clean shaven -- I’m offering a special to do my part.”

“Aw, well…when it comes to cats..I’m not really picky about the type! I just–…” He paused for a moment, his eyes shining as he glanced up; pondering the thought of different cats. “–…cats are so cute…aren’t they? It doesn’t matter what they look like either. They’ve just got this…aura about them! Right?”

“I know, right? …It’s been awhile since I’ve had a cat or…any pet really. But…I think I’m finally ready to own one again.”

 “Yes…”

that smile is unnerving. 

 “Perhaps some peace ad quiet would do…”

“Peace and quiet to contemplate what one enjoys.” He continues to smile.

“What’s the harm in trying new things? For instance, what harm could a new haircut do? I can change your hair to something more pleasing to the eye.”

Lapis used to not care about colors, and then when she did, she didn’t wanna like blue. It was the color of Earth’s ocean and sky, but it was also the color of her oppressive Diamond. Lapis decided to favor gold ever since then.

“Beard? Hehe, sometimes I want one, but all my powers to change appearances are kinda…pfft…” She blew and raspberry and turned her thumb down. She then thought for a moment, perking back up.

“Lazulis come out of the ground with short hair, or it all tied back. We don’t want it in the way when we’re flying, ya’ know. But now that I can do whatever I want, who says I don’t want something new!” She smiled at him.

He was weird, but she kinda didn’t mind. “If you’re a barber, would you consider taking care of this?” She gestured to her hair, messy from her swim, it also had several layers of dried saltwater in it, as she did all her swimming here in and ocean, and hadn’t rinsed it out in a while.

This was interesting, hearing her talk about herself -- and her kind -- emerging from the ground, but Fred wasn’t ever one to judge.

“Flying? So you are capable of taking to the skies?” Fred would be interested in hearing about that -- but the topic was of hair, not flight. He returned a smile.

“It is always nice to be able to do what one wants -- I’ve found that my stay in this city has allowed for substantial new freedoms from former landlords. And to try something new is part of living life!”

For a moment he paused to evaluate her hair, looking it over. He kept a distance from her, to be respectful. There was a lot of saltwater and it seemed like it might be a challenge to clean up -- but Fred knew about hair.

Lapis stared at him for a moment –just a human, by the looks of him. Her guard lowered, as did her shoulders as she finished drying off said hair, leaving it messy as she tugged her pants back over her swim suit.

“Eh, I can’t take much credit. I just use whatever’s cheapest.” She reached for her hoodie next, imaging the night air would be chilly on her damp skin if she could feel it.

“And no one dresses my hair, it came out blue when I popped out of the ground. The rest of me is blue too, have ya’ noticed? Or do you only care about hair?” She felt safe enough to step towards him.

“Ah, the color blue. I enjoy all colors.”

“Out of the ground? Now, I’ve never heard of such a thing.” That was definitely interesting, it got his attention.

“Well, hair is something I specialize in. I’ve always had a passion towards cutting hair. Short hair, long hair, hair that grows everywhere.  A bouquet of beard, eyebrows to envy.” Offering a polite smile, Fred introduced himself.