It’s hard enough to untangle her hair in civilization, with access to oils and larger mirrors. Now Genny has to wake up early to make it to the single camp mirror before Leon rolled out of bed and took one look at his smudged eyeliner. Not to mention the static from being outdoors in the cold for weeks on end.
Genny had accidentally shocked Valbar one morning and had felt terrible for the rest of the day. At least that time it hadn’t interacted badly with her magic and created some sort of lightning feedback. That had been an interesting morning at the priory…
She shook the memory off, concentrating on gathering together her precious supply of brushes and oils, wrapped protectively in an old scrap of blanket. Genny could do without many things, but she had to have her hair oils. What kind of healer would she be if she couldn’t see her patients, or worse shocked them.
With a sigh, Genny pushed out of her tent and crossed the frozen campground to where a tiny sheet of metal hung from a low tree branch. It swung slightly in a breeze and Genny’s heart sank as she realized someone else was using it. Hesitantly rounding the tree, she was relieved to see Silque. Of the many people occupying the campground, the cleric was most likely not to hog the mirror for hours on end. Still, Genny approached cautiously. It didn’t do to startle anyone needlessly.
She was relieved to find that Silque only took up half the mirror and happily slid next to the older girl. Lit by the dawn light they spent a few quiet reflective moments in front of the mirror, performing their morning ablations.
Silque had to count herself lucky. Her hair was fairly easy to take care of. That wasn’t always the case. In her childhood, she had longer hair, brushed by her mouth and always tied up in some ways, but it never lasted long. Short hair was easier to deal with. It could get tangled less than long hair could. Silque knew this by experience. Trying to make it through a brush and how she had to wait as her mother patiently untangled it from a branch.
It was easier to take care of, requiring less attention. Silque did not see it as a way to discourage vanity, exactly, but simply needing less time to worry about. Brushing her hair was necessary, but it was also relaxing sometimes. The simple strokes as it passed through her short hair, until any knots or tangles were gone. As a child, the shortness kept it from tangling on branches or getting into her face. As an adult, she had kept it the same out of familiarity and it’s ease.
She was already awake when she saw Genny coming over to her. She always awoke early. Neither of them were rather big people nor were they the kind to occupy a mirror to just themselves. She smiled at the young woman as she came over before turning her attention back to her reflection. She didn’t mind sharing the space with her.
Silque made sure that she was all set for the day, gathering her hat and placing it carefully over her hair. “Good morning Genny,” she greeted. “I am glad to see you so early. How did you sleep?”