synopsychic | (no subject)

I see barbers on Jaunts.

[ When most of the people he knows are teenagers, scholars, warriors, or all three... ]

Yes, but what if those aren't available? There certainly weren't any this last go round, and I want to look impeccably groomed now.

You could always ask someone to bridge you over onto the walkabout if the jaunt has no barbers. If one doesn't have hair people, the other might have them.

Are people generally willing to do that for haircuts? I mean, I certainly understand the importance of personal hair care, but it doesn't seem a top priority to that many people. [He sounds faintly disapproving yet resigned to this.]

Everyone has different priorities.

If nobody thinks your priority is good enough you just need to find something to trade for a lift.

Fair point. Though the kinds of things I can offer probably wouldn't be of any value to someone who doesn't care about hair and clothing. I suppose I'll just have to get creative.

Sometimes people want something in return that doesn't require skills but only time, or age, or a certain appearance or position in life, or such.

...And you could always learn how to do it yourself.

Ugh, no. I could likely manage a spell for that, but it's just not the same. Besides, if I cut my own hair, I have only myself to blame if it goes horribly wrong, and I like to spread the misery around.

[There is the impression of a mental eye roll.]

Learn how to bridge, stupid.

No need~ [cheerfully] I found another little girl to serve my purposes.

Show me the disaster that's your hair afterwards.

Then I wear a hood.

[ His creativity extends mostly to the utilitarian. Efforts in appearance only accompany a mission to blend in or con someone. Shame, really. ]

Oh, god. No.

[ He resists the urge to roll his eyes, even if no one would see. ]

A hat?

I really don't see the point in treating the symptoms, instead of curing the problem.

It is only a temporary measure. You cannot always rely on another person.

My hair might be ridiculous without a cut, but it isn't that ridiculous. I'm sure I can manage with enough product.

[He is kind of amused with how serious you sound about all this, Altair, even if you are not actually taking it seriously. You're adorable.]

[ He is a serious person. For someone who usually wears his hair short, shaves cursorily, and calls it a day, he takes Jaunt disguises very seriously. ]

It is a disadvantage in a fight, I'll admit...

Oh ... right. You're one of those people. [No judgment in his tone, just a sudden realization of something.] I don't actually make many fashion choices based on if it might get me beat up or not - I stopped doing it around age 15 when I figured out I was going to get beat up anyway.

You surely will, with that spirit. Have you thought of taking lessons? Traveling can be dangerous, and we have no say where we will end up.

Oh, you misunderstand. I thought that way when I was in middle and high school. [little chuckle] It's not exactly an issue any more, and when it is, it's not my hair that's the problem. I'm a magician.

There are some Jaunts where flaunting strange powers might get us killed.

[ There's a flat, sort of disapproving feeling that comes with his words, like he's had to tell others this before. ]

Who said anything about flaunting? I might have a flare for the dramatic, and I suppose some people have called me ostentatious (people with no taste, of course), but I'm not an idiot.

In theory, how would you explain escaping a fight unscathed?

Trade secret. [pauses] Do you actually know how to fight?