[Beautyfest] Hair Salon

by **Magpie** on October 1st, 2013, 1:01 pm

Timestamp: Late afternoon, 68th of Autumn 513AV

The hair tent is long and spacious, with colored drapes around the front to minimize the breeze while still allowing fresh air. The back wall is a pattern of outlandish hair styles and fashionable women's faces. Half the tent has hard wood floor, and the other half is set on the grass. Quick observation will show that hair washing and coloring is all set on the wood, to protect the grass.

A row of mirrors and chairs line each side of the tent, each with a small stand of styling products. Women and men stylists work diligently on patrons, washing, cutting, coloring, and styling. A pair wind reimancers stand barefoot in the grassy area, manipulating the air to whip through patrons' hair for styling and drying. In the back, a set of ceramic curlers are set on coals, with another woman already getting a set wound into her hair.

There is the faint smell of dye in the tent, though any of the stylists will inform a patron that the hair dye provided will last for a few days only - always with the invitation to come back to the salon to purchase a permanent coloring. Conversation is light and joyous, tossed back and forth across the aisle as women comment on each other's style.

Hair styles of all varieties are created here: updos of outrageous curls and sparkling pins, riots of curls tamed into soft clouds of hair, smooth waterfalls of hair that cascade over the shoulders. Nearly anything can be styled here, if one has the imagination.

OOC Info :

by **Kirsi Winterflame** on October 3rd, 2013, 4:06 am

Kirsi peeked into the tent uncertainly, a fist full of carved wooden hair sticks in one hand. The whole of Beautyfest was a foreign concept to her, and she'd been much more excited about it before it had arrived. She suspected it had much to do with her new dress; she'd never worn anything quite so extravagant before. The supple woolen fabric had put a pinch on her mizas, but the finished product had been well worth it. Kirsi couldn't help but pet the fabric at her side, though she tried not to be obvious about it. It wasn't a fabric she'd worn often in Avanthal, being too finely made for practicality, and the smooth softness was such fun to pet.

Acknowledging that she was using every thought as an excuse not to walk in and fully commit herself to a day of beauty, Kirsi squared her shoulders and stepped into the tent. A quick glance around showed washing stations - no, not with her new dress on; besides, her hair was clean enough.

"Come in, come in!! Cut, color, wash or style?" The greeting caught her by surprise; an older woman bustled up to her, all smiles, and reached out to touch her hair. "Oh, no color, definitely! Vantha? Don't see many of your people out here. You have beautiful hair, dear, I couldn't possibly let you cover up this color! A wash? No? Style, then!"

The woman had carried the conversation on entirely by herself, Kirsi noted bemusedly, as she allowed herself to be ushered into a chair on the grassy half of the tent. "Yes, I'm a Vantha. Thank you," she raised her hand to her hair self-consciously; it was down, a waterfall of blue-black hanging midway down her back. Remembering the accessories she'd brought with her, she looked to the stylist questioningly. "I brought these; could we use them, please? I'd like something up - but not too tight. I usually just braid it," she finished, shrugging uncertainly.

It wasn't that she wasn't feminine; she just hadn't had much opportunity to pamper herself, or much reason, for that matter. But, having brought herself here, and made it to the styling tent, Kirsi was determined to fully experience everything the day had to offer. The other women subjecting themselves to the beautification process were giggling and smiling and enjoying themselves - today, she would do the same. Flashing the older woman in front of her a large smile, she forced herself to stop thinking so much and simply enjoy the free day of special treatment.

The weather was lovely and mild, the breeze gentle enough not to ruin any of the hair artistry being created. Inside the tent, a pair of reimancers worked to keep air flow moving, and Kirsi watched them with interest. Reimancy was not on the menu for today, but it lingered in the back of her mind. Since her discussion with Uleru, she'd been thinking more and more about the potential uses for such a skill. While she watched, a gust of wind from outside challenged their efforts momentarily, as the tent flaps parted to allow another woman entrance.

by **Favchean Hronis** on October 3rd, 2013, 2:23 pm

Favchean Hronis almost reluctantly enters the hair tent, though his face does not expose any emotion. Instead it was more of a set of his body as he moves the flap aside, jostling a woman who was just on the other side accidentally. A quick apology, terse but sufficient is given before he straightens to his full height. His dark skin, in the sunlight a deep shade of green but here within the tent it could pass for black stands out amid the bright colorful dresses - and now hair coloring on not some few- that the women in teh tent sported.

In his large square hands were three strands of beads. Each strand was more brilliantly colored then the next, in blue's green's and purples, clicking quietly as he nervously jostled them together. He preferred one on one greetings and meetings, but he did enjoy being out to celebrate femininity and the pampering of women. It is the women that are the hope of the world, no matter what race. For without them all races would cease, and none know this more then the all-male warrior race Akalak.

Years past he always participated with a certain flair, enjoying the light in a beautiful woman's eyes when he gave her a set of beads, enjoying watching the festivities as his brothers by race each competed for the attention of a particularly lovely woman. This year though, there was a taint to it. Not really a bad taint, but one all the same. In just a few years Favchean will be expected to have convinced a woman to bear him a child, if not by becoming his married partner then through contract and the Nakivak. It put a little more stress and emphasis on him, especially during such a festival.

However, he pushes these thoughts aside and smiles at a couple of women that if he did not remember their names out right he still recognized that he had met them in the past. Moving through, stopping and greeting a few women one human and another Konti before he glides to a stop near the chair where a dark haired lady sat. Immediately her coloring of her hair drew his gaze but soon enough his pale blue eyes dropped to her eyes that screamed Vantha. Their eyes had always entranced him, though he discards the potentiality of anything more then friendship with any female not Konti just for the reasons of danger to them, and their relatively short lifespans. However that did not mean that he could not enjoy their company, or their laughter and liveliness.

He does not presume so much to sit beside her, no instead he inclines his head, watching as the stylist gives a smirk towards him before resuming her work. "Good day to you." He murmurs, his deep bass voice grumbling from his throat. As was his way, he tries to keep his voice down to reduce the effect of the gravelly deepness. "I hope that you are enjoying the day's festivities" This last is said with a friendly grin, and a sweeping hand toward the rest of the tent.

by **Rinya** on October 3rd, 2013, 5:32 pm

Day 68, Season Fall, 513 AV

Rinya was rather reluctant to enter the tent at first. When she had decided to join Beautyfest, she really didn’t have any intent on actually trying to participate. But somehow after buying the dress and landed a date that wasn’t Jorin, Rinya firmly decided that she might as well enjoy the pampering while it was free. Besides, Beautyfest was something she was actually allowed to participate in without everyone looking down on her for her racial status in Riverfall.

The moment Rinya stepped into the tent however, she was a little surprised. She knew that Riverfall was excited over this festival, but she hadn’t realized to this extent. She watched people bustling by her, shouting and jostling women around the tent in all sorts of fashion. Rinya actually considered backing out of the tent for a moment before a young woman grasped her elbow gently and pulled her out of the way of the tent flap.

”Hello dear. Are you here to get ready?” Rinya blinked at her before nodding slightly. The girl reached out, brushing her fingers through Rinya’s hair, which she had left straight and unbraided. ”You don’t like the type of girl looking to dye your hair. Was there something specific you’d like done?” Rinya cleared her throat, glancing around the tent for a moment before shrugging slightly. Apparently she was easier to read than she first thought. ”Maybe just… trim the ends. And style it of course—something very simple!”

The girl nodded, smiling softly before gesturing inwards, keeping her hand on Rinya’s elbow as she led her to a station, sitting her down in a chair. ”I’ll be right back dear, then we can figure out what to do with your hair.” The girl ran her fingers through Rinya’s hair one more time before disappearing into the crowd behind her. Sighing softly, Rinya glanced off to one side and her gold eyes immediately recognized the girl next to her—though she had never met the Akalak speaking to her. Rinya had not seen Kirsi since the nearly disastrous swimming lesson almost a season ago.

”Hello Kirsi…” Rinya honestly tried to sound polite, completely gentle in tone. She didn’t hold anything against the girl; she had been the one who had acted rather rude towards her for jealousy reasons. But she wasn’t entirely sure if Kirsi might have held a grudge. She wouldn’t have blamed her. Rinya knew that Jorin still spent time with Kirsi at that, and she really should at least try to be friends with the girl.

Glancing up at the Akalak, Rinya debated on whether or not she should say something to him. After all, she did interrupt them, but generally she didn’t converse with Akalak outside of the Warren guardsman—for several reasons. Taking a deep breath, Rinya shot him a shy smile, before looking back at Kirsi. "I hope I'm not interrupting." She really hoped she wasn't. Rinya knew she wasn't good with large crowds, and she'd rather spend time speaking with someone she at least met once than complete strangers.

by **Jorin Ertihan** on October 3rd, 2013, 7:47 pm

Season of Fall, Day 68, 513 AV

Jorin found himself incredibly nervous as he walked into the tent, gently pushing aside the flap and nodding to the women who passed him by, as they bustled to wherever they were going, to do whatever they were doing. It reminded him of the Amphitheater, or the Thespians troupe, during the night of a big show: all hustle and bustle, and colorful costumes abounded, the murmur of conversation thick in the air and the occasional shout here and there.

In some sense, Jorin was in his element here. He thrived in situations where he could meet many new people, and as a natural entertainer he could generally find ways to improvise his way into making the most of a day like this. And he'd come dressed for the occasion. Sometimes it was a boon to be an actor; and the Amphitheater's de-facto inventory manager, no less.

He'd made sure, of course, that the formal shirt and dress pants he'd "borrowed" from the stacks were not in use in the next production before he'd taken them, although he felt guilty for having admonished other actors for doing the same thing on previous holidays. He would have to amend his rules later.

Jorin looked left-to-right, eyes searching for one face in particular. He was really only here for one woman, and his hand ran over the three sets of beads he had almost like a nervous tick. He knew that Rinya had promised to come to beautyfest with her partner from work, and so he was prepared for Rhys' presence here, but technically that was only supposed to be for the party later in the evening. For now, all men were free agents.

Jorin found who he was looking for, and she was talking to Kirsi of all people. Jorin was worried that the two women wouldn't reconcile; he remembered the hot jealousy Rinya had felt the first time the three of them had been together. Still, it looked like they were getting along tolerably well, and there was a large Akalak there too.

Jorin's jaw dropped slightly at the dress she was wearing though. It was a black shoulderless dress, with gold highlights; the gold of the dress bringing out the gold of her eyes. He'd never seen Rinya wear a dress like that before, and for a moment he was frozen. And then, with a brief shake of his head, he snapped out of his daze.

Jorin approached Rinya with a broad smile. "Hi Rinya," he called when he got there. Rhys was nowhere to be seen, so he decided to be a bit bold and leaned down to give her a quick kiss on the lips. "Having fun getting pampered?" he asked with a grin. Then he turned to Kirsi.

"Kirsi!" he exclaimed, "It's great to see you here too!"

Jorin took a deep breath. What he was about to do could be construed as an insult to Kirsi, given that she was supposed to be his date later that night. Nonetheless, at this moment he was a free agent. And his beads were supposed to go to the women, or woman, who he found the most beautiful. That was the whole point, right?

"Here," Jorin smiled, as he pressed the three beads he had into Rinya's hand. And honestly, it was rather inevitable that he would have done so.

by **Kirsi Winterflame** on October 4th, 2013, 4:24 am

As the friendly hairstylist buzzed around her, lifting sections of hair this way and that, Kirsi sat, focused, concentrating far too hard on relaxing to actually relax. Her hands restlessly smoothed imaginary wrinkles out of the deep green skirt of her dress. She was so intent on forcing herself to enjoy the experience that it took a few moments before she realized a large Akalak - well, but they were all large - had come to a standstill beside her.

He greeted her, in a voice almost too low to be audible; gravelly and masculine, but also entirely respectful and polite. As she looked up at him, she found herself answering his grin with a smile of her own, and she began to nod, catching herself only when the woman behind her cleared her throat pointedly. Reminded, Kirsi held her head very still as she spoke to the man, "It is a beautiful day, isn't it? And yes, thank you, I'm enjoying myself quite alot, actually." Though the words came out somewhat stiffly, as though she must hold them still as well, Kirsi's smile was genuine, and the violet hue fast overtaking the nervous green in her eyes was a subtle hint that she was happier than she sounded.

"Hello, Kirsi," a familiar, feminine voice greeted her from the opposite side. Kirsi swivelled her head slowly, just enough to catch a glimpse of the speaker, and her eyebrows rose in mild surprise as the other girl continued speaking.

"Hello, Rinya; you're not interrupting," or at least not interrupting much, she amended, silently. "I was just getting acquainted with..." Kirsi let her voice trail off. In her eagerness to be polite, she'd forgotten that she didn't yet know the name of the Akalak she was speaking with. That did make it difficult to introduce anyone. A small chuckle escaped her lips and she admitted, "I'm sorry, I don't think I caught your name yet, sir. I'm Kirsi. And this is Rinya," she extended her hand to the large man in a friendly greeting.

While pleasantries were being exchanged, another man joined their group - Kirsi saw with surprised that it was Jorin who'd wandered over. Apparently the hair styling tent was popular with the gentlemen, as well as the ladies. Kirsi noted the greeting between actor and Kelvic with little surprise; it was hardly a surprise to her that there was more between the two than a simple friendship.

"Jorin! Enjoying the day so far?" The lighthearted chatter came easily to her; of her current company, Jorin was the one she was most familiar with and conversation with friends was always easier than with strangers. Out of the corner of her eye, she couldn't help but notice Jorin hand his beads to Rinya, and though she wasn't exactly upset by the turn of events, it would have been nice to have been offered one, herself, even if only out of politeness.

A slight tug at her head drew her attention back to posture, and she straightened her neck, allowing the stylist to turn her head back toward the Akalak. A hand reached down for one of the hair sticks Kirsi had brought before slipping it, not ungently, around and into a swirl of hair at the back of her skull.

by **Favchean Hronis** on October 4th, 2013, 5:13 am

A flash of brilliant white teeth is given as the large warrior offers the Vantha a smile, the white contrasting drastically against the dark of his skin. He was much more at home in the Kendoka Sasaran practicing both with and without dagger, bruising and being bruised but happily honing his abilities then to be trying to make idle chit chat....in a hair salon...with quite a few women. His slight discomfort shows in his stiff set of his broad shoulders, in the stilted way he inclines his head toward the kelvic one brow raising but otherwise acknowledging her with a faint nod.

"Of course you are not interrupting." He says, cordially enough though there was little real warmth to his tones. His hand that was not otherwise engaged in trying to not toy with the beads nervously reaches to engulf the Vantha's hand she held in an introduction. While another man came in to favor the other with his affections and beads, Favchean acknowledges the human male with a faintly deeper nod of greeting then he had the kelvic before turning back to the seated woman. A slight squeeze, very careful to not crush, is given to her slender hand before the Akalak releases. "Favchean Hronis, my day has indeed grown more beautiful by the minute." Inwardly he cringes at his words, he definitely needs to heed the advice of his dark brother and perhaps spend a little time outside of the training halls. "Rinya..." He repeats the others name out of politeness, again giving the other a general greeting with a raise of his hand but he did not extend it. He waits for a moment, as she greets the male who had already exhausted his three strings of beads to the kelvic, who was pleasant to look upon in her own way. Idly Favchean draws his beads out along in his hands, knowing that he would have to deliver these to someone..

When the Vantha turned her head back toward him, he noted the difference in her eyes, and inspiration struck. Thanking Wsyar, for Favchean could not get around the fact that he was going to have to hand out beads but now a perfect opportunity has arisen, and the Akalak hoped that his attempt would not be quite as ...awkward as the first to speak. Drawing the beads that were a deep purple from his hand, he bowed formally, his body moving easily from years of physical training so that his brow was perpendicular to the floor before raising against, his hand extended toward Kirsi. "If you would be so kind as to accept this gift, Kirsi " He begins, his voice still low, and he is glad for such a dark skin coloring to avoid explaining any telltale reddening of his cheeks. "But I can not help but note the beauty of your eyes in the color of the beads." Indeed the deep purple matched well, though not exactly, the violet shade her eyes had turned. He knew they would not always match but he hoped that the words are taken as they are meant.

by **Dust** on October 6th, 2013, 3:35 pm

With all the bustle and excitement, Dust had to work to remember she was supposed to be 'competing' for this festival. Mostly, she failed. There was music and food and all kinds of people out on the streets, an engaged and positive crowd which enthralled the raven Kelvic practically just by existing. She had spent the morning going all through the city and checking out every interesting place and person she could find... which was most of them. After all of that, well, now seemed like a good time to sit down. Glimpsing a familiar profile headed into a tent, Dust swerved to follow after; where Jorin was, Rinya would probably be, and they could all chat while Dust rested her feet.

Jorin and Rinya were indeed within the tent, but both talking to someone else, and one of the station's attendants intercepted the new arrival before she could work her way back towards them. The woman remarked on the Kelvic's almost Konti-esque coloring, even as she directed Dust towards a chair. "Hi, Rin! Hi, Jorin!" Dust called, waving over towards them. Then she grinned a bit sheepishly at the stylist, letting herself be nudged to a seat. Asked what she wanted to do with her hair, the Kelvic had no opinion; she left it in the hands of the stylist, who proceeded to pluck out the hairband she had in and start brushing, musing aloud about the length (or lack thereof) of the woman's hair.

Meanwhile, Dust held the headband in her lap, where its blue beaded flowers nearly disappeared into the similar embroidery on her skirt. The dress she wore had a blue strapless bodice above a skirt which -- much like her raven form's feathers-- seemed almost white until put up against something which actually was. In keeping with the general theme of her wardrobe, the beads around her neck were all in shades of blue. "Hey, Rin!" Dust called again, because she had nothing to do just now but sit there swinging her feet, and she might as well say something to her friend. "You look really pretty!"

ledgerdress - 18 gm
sandals - 6 sm
headband - 4 gm

total -22.6 gm

by **Rinya** on October 7th, 2013, 4:44 pm

Day 68, Season Fall, 513 AV

Rinya nodded again to Favchean, though her attention was pulled towards the sound of her name being called elsewise. Jorin had snuck up on her apparently, but in the very least she was able to put on a genuinely happy smile. She had seen him this morning of course, but Rinya knew the day was going to be difficult enough for her so she had left fairly early to try and spend some time fishing out of the bay. She wasn’t one for attention anyways, unless it was from Jorin himself. So his quick kiss was easily received.

”Well getting pampered is… different that’s for sure.” It was the truth, Rinya never spent the time to let herself enjoy this kind of thing. The girl attending to her hair returned, brushing out her hair before informing her to keep her head straight—and Rinya tried her best not fidget. The last thing she wanted was to cause the girl to cut her hair at an odd angle. Jorin reached forward, pressing his beads into her hand and Rinya couldn’t help but blink at them. While she knew she was “competing”, she hadn’t actually thought about it much until his beads weighed heavily in her hands.

She actually felt a little bad. With Jorin going to Beautyfest as Kirsi’s date, she had actually thought perhaps she would receive a set of beads herself, but knowing Jorin he was letting his heart rule his head. For a moment Rinya considered offering one to Kirsi, but she couldn’t decide if that would improve things between them, or maybe perhaps make things more awkward. But Kirsi seemed to be preoccupied with the Akalak, and Rinya was saved much of the trouble of trying to decide when she heard her name—again.

Rinya would probably recognize that voice anywhere, even above the crowd. With the final snips to her hair completely, Rinya tilted her head to spy Dust nearby. Close enough to converse with at least. Rinya blushed at Dust’s comment. ”Thank you Dust. You look rather pretty yourself!” Compliments didn’t entire flow easily from her, but she did mean it. The shades of blue seemed to fit Dust, but in general Rinya thought Dust to have a natural pretty look about her, accentuated by her enthusiastic attitude.

”I have an idea for your hair my dear. What do you thinking about waves?” Rinya nodded slightly at the stylist’s offer. She liked waves, her hair often came out to them after she let her braids down, but she had never had it professionally done before. The woman scurried off again, and Rinya motioned to Kirsi beside her. ”Dust this is Kirsi—she’s one of Jorin’s friends. I’m afraid I don’t’ know her too well.”

by **Jorin Ertihan** on October 10th, 2013, 3:04 am

Jorin really did feel a little bad, not giving one of his beads to Kirsi. In truth this was a decision he'd spent Bells thinking about. On the one hand, Kirsi had done him a tremendous favor and he did owe her a debt of gratitude. And if the beads could only be offered during the evening, when he'd be taking her about town, he would have done so, if only for the sake of politeness.

On the other hand, at this moment, technically, all men were free agents. No one was really "attached" to anyone else, per se, and so it was perfectly legal for him to give all his beads to the one woman he found more beautiful than any other. And by that definition there was only one woman who could fit that description.

Jorin decided to turn to Kirsi when she asked her question about his day. He'd insulted her enough by paying so much more attention to Rinya, he didn't want to insult her further. "Yes!" he enthused. Honestly, now that he didn't have any beads to give anymore, it almost was like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. No more expectations, no more women batting their lashes at him in the hopes he'd give them a bead. Now he could focus on having fun, watching the festivities and mingling with folks.

"I was just thinking how this was just like the troupe, or the amphitheater, just before a big show," he explained. "Right down to the primping," he joked with a grin. It was true. Some actresses took upwards of two bells just to get ready for their night up on stage.

Turning to Rinya, he pressed her hand and smiled, then turned to Favchean. "Ho there, big fellow!" he grinned. "You look like you know your way around a fight. You know, I could really use a sparring partner in the Kendoka that isn't trying to kill me." Jorin winced a bit as he remembered the last few opponents he'd had to fight there. Not very fun when the opponent seems determined to separate his head from his shoulders.

"Hiya Dust!" Jorin was always happy to see the bright, energetic Kelvic, who always seemed to have a perpetual smile on her face. "I like your dress!" he mentioned. And it was quite pretty indeed, and kind-of reminded him of her plumage in bird form.

"Everyone looking forward to the party later?" Jorin asked, with a grin that was in actuality, somewhat forced. He'd have much preferred to have gone with Rinya to that particular celebration, but he would not belittle Kirsi by admitting that. Instead, he called upon his supposedly decent acting skills, hiding his emotions and projecting an image of a man absolutely eager to attend the festivities later in the day.

Open [Beautyfest] Hair Salon