Welcome to Gaia! ::

It had taken Namini a few days of "You'd feel really refreshed!" and "Don't you want to look a bit more put together?" but finally her stubborn redhead agreed. Initially Prajna saw absolutely no point in losing even half an inch of hair. The hair was simply going to keep growing; cutting it did little except delay that inevitable process. Yet Namini would not shut up about this "salon" and how it could work wonders on one's locks. The final push was when Namini was running her fingers through Prajna's unruly hair one day and stopped at the tips.

"Wut?" Prajna hissed.
"Oh. Nothing. Just split ends."
"....What?" came the more timid response.
"It's just a sign that your hair is poorly taken care of. Some might say ... it's a sign of weakness?"

There was a sinister giggle and Prajna tore itself from Namini's tender fingers. For the next hour and a half, it locked itself in the bathroom and, after confirming that it did indeed have hairs that seemed to split or crinkle in a disgusting manner, it agreed to go in for a trim.

However, when they arrived at the business, Prajna was having second thoughts. Running its fingers through its jagged tendrils, it began to wonder if this was really going to be okay. Namini had said it was a painless process but something felt trapped, fluttering wildly inside Prajna's chest. Was it excited? Anxious? Whatever the feeling was, it was immediately replaced with repulsion as they entered the establishment.

"What is that disgusting smell?" Prajna growled, pulling a crimson sleeve up to its sensitive nose. Namini made an apologetic face, explaining, "It's the chemicals. Some people come here to change their hair color or--"

"Chemicals?!" Prajna was put on the defensive. It glanced around suspiciously, as if the shampoo bottles and brushes were prepared to eat the Frei alive. That's when it saw her. Remaining just as tense, Prajna's frosty gaze caught sight of an ombre Frei, a female it had never seen before, not even in passing. Prajna put a hand on Namini's shoulder and pushed her forward, towards the receptionist's desk, creating a small barrier between the foreign Frei and itself. Namini, oblivious to her Star's locked gaze and simply taking its odd mannerisms as first haircut jitters, turned to the receptionist, smiled and then proceeded to schedule their dual trims.

"Hi, yes. I called earlier and made an appointment. Names: Namini Nao and Prajna Nao," Namini explained to the receptionist, ignoring Prajna's tightening grip on her shoulder. At one point, the brunette even took to tapping Prajna's fingers, annoyed. But when someone nearby called out in their direction and motioned suddenly to a tearful girl in one of the salon chairs, Namini's attention was redirected. Raising her eyes, Namini's cerulean gaze fell upon an interesting Frei, a female. She had what looked like dip dyed hair, with her roots a rare blend of blueberry purple and sapphire blue, fading to tips of turquoise. She looked so regal yet obviously panicked. Namini turned to look at her own charge, taking the stranger as the reason why the Star had been clinging so fiercely.

Prajna's face however held no sign of hostility or fear as the young girl's did. It actually looked a bit confused, almost indifferent, though the hand on Namini's shoulder indicated its distrust. Namini was about to say something to the Frei but suddenly had an idea. She turned her back to Prajna and quickly said to the receptionist, "I know we came for trims but is there enough time to get two scalp massages, please? For Prajna here and for that young lady over there."

Namini tilted her head in Revontulet's direction, smiling brightly. Behind the elegant Frei stood a worried looking woman, a woman with a maternal knit in her brow that indicated to Namini that she had to be the foreign Frei's guardian. The young girl waved, hoping the duo would approach but Prajna made the first approach, disinterested in Namini now, even going so far as to remove its hand from her shoulder. It floated a bit closer to the panicked Revontulet, growing ever more nauseous by the pungent smell of hair dye and shampoos. It stopped within a yard of the Raevan and took her in.

She looked so mature and Prajna had to be honest, it found her hair to truly be one worth concerning over. If the Star had her hair, perhaps it would have continued to be reluctant about coming for a trim but Prajna was Prajna.

"You do know that's what this place is for, yes? To cut hair, to remove splitted ends and signs of weakness, as Namini says, yes?" Prajna asked, its voice flat. She had to be young and yet something was interesting about her. She didn't seem to trust the humans yet she tried to warn and protect Prajna. She had to be either remarkably stupid yet kind like Namini... or tricking Prajna. For now, however, Prajna went with the first assumption.

Immediately, the moonlit Frei refused Prajna's attempt at comfort and the Star, surprisingly, did not take offense. The androgynous soul merely watched the newborn and her guardian interact, carefully taking in their relationship. As Prajna witnessed Doucette reach out and tenderly caress Revontulet into submission and calm, Prajna firmly concluded that Revontulet was a new Frei, still distrusting and suspicious of this new human world. Prajna remembered its first few days. Perhaps the female was weeks, maybe even months old now, and somewhat accustomed to Gaia but Prajna knew it was still hard to adjust. It glanced downwards. Yes, it was still hard to feel part of this place without legs...

As Doucette continued to reassure her charge that no harm was to be done, Prajna turned, a bit disinterested now by the young Frei's panic. There really wasn't anything Prajna could or would do to calm her itself so it thought best to leave the duo...but just as it turned, the regal female called after the Star, "You do not mind then? Having it removed? How does hair contain weakness?"

Instinctively, Prajna whipped back around. She had said the magic words, erm, or at least asked Prajna the right thing. Revontulet had asked the genderless redhead a question, a question indicating its superior knowledge and maturity. Smirking, Prajna nudged its head towards the woman in the chair with the new bob and explained, "Namini tells Prajna that hair has weakness in its ends. That lady? The miss over there? She probably cries because she feels better, more relieved. Probably realizes how far she has come and how strong she is now, yes. Yes."

Prajna floated closer and, without asking, flipped Revontulet's tips over to examine them. Then it released its own ponytai and revealed its jagged and split ends, comparatively. "Namini explains that hair can show weakness. See? Edges, tips of hair can seem splitted and fragile. No good looking weak, either, new girl. If weak, anyone can take advantage of you" Prajna stated proudly. "Prajna is here today to remove split ends. Be strong. Like Prajna!"

It smirked and nearby, Namini couldn't help but smile too, relieved. At least the Star wasn't misbehaving. That's when she spotted the other guardian sliding up to her. Her smile widened and gestured to the woman that they take seats nearby. The receptionist had silently gave her an "OK!" sign, regarding the massages, now all they had to do was wait.

"Don't worry about it. I'm Namini, Namini Nao by the way. The redhead you see over there is Prajna. It's been a while since I first got Prajna but, I remember how edgy it was when I first got it so it's alllll good," the brunette stated as she slid into a cushioned seat nearby. "You are?"

To both questions, Prajna gave a single powerful nod, an act similar to that of a proud child’s. Prajna released its hair and again, introduced itself, “Yes. Is Prajna.”

At one point, the wily redhead picked up a sense of confusion from Revontulet. She had released her name to the Star but turned away, her eyes looking elsewhere. It made Prajna think of some movies it had watched where a noblewoman who was tore in her romantic feelings or overwhelmed with confusion would look away, puzzled and faint. Tilting its head in piqued interest, Prajna floated closer and further examined the beauty of Revontulet’s features, looking for some clarification. Had Prajna done something? Perhaps she was merely trying to wrap her head around the concept, seeing as she was a newborn?

In an attempt to sympathize, Prajna warily extended a hand and, albeit somewhat rudely, slipped its slender fingers under Revontulet’s chin and turned her face back towards its own. A full on smile didn’t seem manageable but a smirk? Much more do-able. With that thought established, Prajna offered the girl a trademark curl of its mischievous lips. The Star stated, “Revontulet… is a nice name. Befitting of a nice face. …Would like to sit by our lady-folk?”

Namini couldn’t contain her happiness at running into another kindhearted guardian, though her eyes rarely left Prajna and Revontulet… in case something were to happen. But at the word “handsome”, Namini returned to Doucette and chuckled, “Sorry. I don’t mean to laugh at your comment. Prajna… is difficult so that’s why I find that compliment amusing. My brother and I started raising Prajna a few years back, but… you know? Prajna has never once answered our question about its gender. I think it thinks it’s all a game, to be honest.”

Mimicking her Frei, Namini placed a gentle hand on Doucette’s and offered the woman another smile, “Revontulet is gorgeous. Her skin is like porcelain! Even at three months… wow… Raevans are always so full of surprises.” For a moment, Namini seemed to space out, her eyes tracing Revontulet’s silhouette before asking, “So! What have you guys done together so far? Do you live here in Durem, or just visiting?”

A coolness on the back of Prajna’s pale hands. The Star’s frosty gaze fell upon the hand Revontulet offered, her slender fingertips tracing the veins on the back of Prajna’s own extended hand. As the foreign Frei hesitatingly released her carefully selected words, Prajna remained silent. Its eyes continued to stare at the Moonstone Frei’s delicate hands for a few seconds longer before trailing its eyes up her arm, along the curvature of her feminine neck, over the edge of her frail jaw line to her effortlessly peach-stained lips. Prajna quickly forgot about their guardians and inched closer unconsciously, drawn in by Revontulet’s supple lips. Something about her was just mesmerizing, almost nostalgic…

“Revontulet is like smooth rocks. Once, Prajna went shopping with Namini and in this store, there were pretty stones, different colors. Cool, smooth, shiny rocks… Revontulet is like them and Prajna thinks she is so pre—”

Before Prajna could finish its compliment, having closed the gap between them a few more inches, its eyelids drooping slightly with a romantic anticipation, a petite woman approached them, beaming. For a moment, the redhead considered pushing her away but it realized where it was: the salon. It sighed as the woman motioned for the two to follow her to what looked like odd beds connected to a sink. She called out to Namini and Doucette, still smiling, “I’ll be taking these two over here for the scalp massages!”
Namini waved at the woman in recognition and approval, but quickly returned to her conversation with Doucette. There was a pause as the woman looked at Prajna’s androgynous face. “You’ll be getting a trim too right, sweetie?” she cooed. Prajna nodded before allowing the stylist to lead the way to the awkward massage beds. The Star took hold of Revontulet’s small hand and gestured towards the lady with its head.

“Come with Prajna, yes? I have seen mass-oo-juss on television and no weapons, no fighting. It is safe, Revontulet.”

“Gambino? So far… though I agree, it IS like paradise. We visit every so often. The beaches there are just to die for,” Namini sighed, remembering the crystal waters and the pristine sand that squeaked when you ran through it. At the explanation of the lava lamp mystery, Namini took a moment to ponder.

“Is she allowed out at night? Prajna wanders around in the night and sleeps usually in the early morning for a few hours before springing back up again. We tried getting it to stop, seeing as it’s dangerous but Prajna… doesn’t exactly like rules,” Namini explained.

With little hesitation, the woman motioned for the two Freis to the beds. She ran one well-manicured hand against the smooth leather surface of the bed, smiling still, “Just lay yourselves down on the beds. Try and place your neck in the groove here.” The young woman pointed to the opening curve of the black marble sink. The lack of a lower torso did not seem to bother the girl too much. “If you need me to help you lay down, I can too.”

Prajna gave her a dismissive hand and turned to Revontulet, ignoring a set of approaching blonde women. One possessed beach-perfect waves while the other proudly displayed straight locks, punched with magenta tips. They walked over and positioned themselves at the base of the sinks. The Star could only assume, from their lack of jewelry and by the smooth but prominently veined appearance of their hands, that they would do the washing, the pampering it had witnessed people on television receive, in commercials and dramas. The usually suspicious redhead eventually concluded that yes, this procedure would all be fine and safe. Even if it weren’t, Prajna wasn’t going to let Revontulet be unsettled quite yet. Until a more obvious threat made its appearance, Prajna was going to continue seizing this knightly opportunity.

With the turquoise Frei’s dainty palm still in hand, Prajna attempted a smile. Nothing soft or graceful but something of the enthusiastic, almost reckless sort.

“Come Revontulet. Will be alright. Will feel good. Promises” Prajna purred, squeezing her hand lightly for emphasis. It had overlooked the small storm that had built up in its companion’s eyes, ignorant to the cliffhanger it had left her at. …Or had it? Suddenly Prajna floated closer, its crow-like wings beating once, twice, hard. One could even say passionately. The woman who had guided them there had long gone and the two blondes watched in a bit of romantic anticipation. Prajna did not care. If anything, it enjoyed the attention.

The Star brought itself within a few inches of Revontulet’s face before using its free hand to tuck some loose waves behind her ear, still smiling. It gestured then to the bed, “Prajna can help lay Revontulet down if wanted.” There was a small devilish glint in its eye.

Namini’s eyes too were twinkling now! She imagined the warm beach, the exfoliating sand between her pruned and painted toes. She thought of the Gambino waters, endlessly sparkling and pleasantly cool. The young brunette could only begin to consider the summertime beverages the bars and restaurants must have served now, drinks laced with sugar, pineapple or in coconuts. Unintentionally, she let out a yearning sigh, “We would looovee to visit, Doe. Is it alright if I call you “Doe” as well? Ah.. man, it’s been so long since I went to the beach. I don’t know if Prajna particularly likes it but it’d be a nice experience, I bet.”

As Namini finished, she noted the other woman’s contemplative expression and listened intently as Doucette explained her Frei’s mannerisms. Nodding now and again, Namini felt like she could relate so much to her new friend. “Prajna does too! It just kind of..wanders at night! If Prajna gets lost too, I had it memorize my cell phone number. I tried giving it some money once, for taxi fare, should it ever get lost but it kept going out and buying trinkets with that so I stopped. But…school… I had never thought to take Prajna to my nursing classes. I’ll have to keep that in mind!”

Prajna’s androgynous features could not hide the amount of surprise it felt with Revontulet’s reaction. The Star was not flustered or irritated but genuinely, wholeheartedly surprised. It seemed as if she had understood the Star’s offer yet, as she lay a few of her svelte fingers against her porcelain chest, Prajna had to wonder if she really did understand what had been proposed. Otherwise, why was she touching her chest in such a suggestive manner? Its cerulean eyes heavy with thought, Prajna realized it was best not to question the newborn, for fear of either hurting her pride or the Star’s own. If there was a misunderstanding somewhere here, Prajna felt it would be better to simply redirect its companion’s attention to avoid any conflict.

Running its fingers through Revontulet’s satiny tresses yet again, Prajna let out a small laugh, a jingle of an infectious giggle. Its voice was neither mocking nor fake, a rare sound. Smiling, the Star suddenly slipped its hand behind the girl’s neck and, in one swift motion, pushed her downwards towards the bed, with its other arm cradling her partially developed side. It was an attempted dip that seemed to fail a bit, simply because the two Freis lacked the weight necessary to make for a smooth transition. The blondes chuckled a bit as they turned to slip on their aprons and prepare the shampoos.

As the women turned their backs, Prajna’s smirk widened as it unrestrainedly yet tenderly nuzzled the side of Revontulet’s cheek, apologetic, “Not trying to scare, Revontulet. Prajna just trying to do as t.v. does.”

It relaxed its hold on its newfound friend and tried to lay her down as gently as possible, minding the Frei’s wings. “Is okay?”

Namini nodded a few times, a bit too enthusiastically. Just as she was about to answer though, another stylist approached them, “You have the appointment right? Can you follow me?” Namini flashed the woman a smile and stood up, but her eyes revealed her yearning to stay by Doe’s side. The brunette motioned to her redheaded friend as she followed the stylist to a nearby chair.

“Come, come! Talk to me while I get my ends trimmed. It shouldn’t take long,” Namini begged as she took a seat nearby in a large, leather salon chair. As she was cloaked and her curly brown curls examined, she continued her conversation, clearly unfazed by the distracting hair stylist’s motions, “Yes! I study nursing. I’m still just a student but I really like working with people. The occasional kid throwing up on you and the long hours can be a bit much to get used to but I’m used to working hard so I’m okay. What do you do, Doe?”