[It has been a few days, since the Oracle trial concluded. Normally, she would have contacted Yuri about this the next day, perhaps the next after that at the latest, but... Things were different this time. In many ways.]
Yuri Leclerc.
[... or, "Regulus", she supposed.]
I wonder if you are available for a brief conversation.
[ That Hayame has contacted him individually comes as a surprise to him, but Yuri quickly reasons that she must have a purpose in doing so. Hayame's never struck him as one for chit-chat. ]
I am indeed. What did you want to discuss?
[ She used the word conversation, and that could entail all manner of possibilities. ]
[She has not seen him since the Oracle trial, since they all woke up back in their own beds as if they had never left them days past. He has not seen what she looks like now. He would not be able to guess...
Is what she would normally thing. But there have been... newspapers. Tabloids. Pamphlets. Posters. She does not know how much he knows... and so she speaks as if he knows nothing, because that is what she wishes-]
You are a man who seems... well-groomed.
[... Is that a compliment, or?]
I would ask you to recommend a hairdresser in Springstar.
[ Yuri can't help but sound surprised. He knows full well of course that his personal grooming is impeccable simply because he makes a point of maintaining it. His looks are another weapon in his arsenal, often far more effective and useful than he'd like to be the case. Having known it so long, he's reconciled with this.
But the acknowledgement from Hayame, who prides herself as a warrior, is what stands out to him. He has no doubt that she likely views him as more feminine, hobbies included, even though she has acknowledged him as capable...
Still, she's right that he would be a good resource for such things. ]
I actually do it myself. Byleth's too, since it can be difficult to trim your own. The back, in particular.
[ Something he's been reminded of since his hair has abruptly ended up shorter than it had been in years. ]
[At first, she just repeats it solemnly, like he might not have heard her correctly, but. Oh. He did.
... And oh. He cut his own hair. As capable as he had proven himself in the field, he kept himself so properly coiffed that she had still assumed that, when able by virtue of coin or time, he must employ some sort of... stylist.]
I see. That is practical.
[Still, she cannot be annoyed for having made such a mistake. It was... a small thing. And since "I cut my own hair and also sometimes my mercenary comrade's" is a far cry in her mind to "I cut other people's hair"...]
If you happen to know someone who might be able to recommend a reputable person, I would appreciate word. Otherwise, I apologize for wasting your time.
[ Does he know someone who'd know about these things...? Rin comes to mind, but that would mean Highstorm, so he discards the thought quickly. Besides, the solution seems simple. ]
Why don't I just give you a hand?
[ He and Byleth had already ended up hunting down special scissors for his especially resistant hair. It was apparently an effect of discord, as Yuri understood it, and he had dulled several blades the first time around. Diverse as the peoples of Kenos are, however, they found the right tool for the job.
Hayame would surely find scissors a more acceptable option than using knives, even though that remains what Yuri is most accustomed to for his own. ]
It may not be my trade, but I haven't had any complaints so far.
[ He is, after all, quite particular about his own. ]
The is a long pause. Perhaps... She had been hoping for someone more removed from the situation to do it, thinking they might not ask questions. But after finding out the labyrinth had been... "broadcast"... Maybe no one was an ignorant party any longer.
So.]
What would you like in return? I can provide something.
[ A soft hum as Yuri considers this. He doesn't particularly think she needs to repay him, but he knows full well that he himself is compelled to repay favors. Being even takes a certain learned sense of pressure away, even when he trusts the other party's intentions. Perhaps it's the same for her. ]
Give me some pointers in archery sometime, if that wouldn't be an imposition? I haven't had much chance to practice since my academy days.
[ He'd been told he had a talent for it, perhaps for the same reasons he never misses when throwing weapons. Between his pursuits within Abyss and the war, there was neither time nor instructor for him to build on any such natural ability. ]
Though, seeing as a trim demands little of me, I naturally don't mean to ask for full lessons. Advice would do.
[Supposedly “friends” are not supposed to need to owe each other things. But is that what they are? They might just be allies, or comrades united in a shared cause and secret. She doesn’t-]
I am amenable.
[He says just advice… maybe if she asks about that, then she can offer proper lessons as tender…]
[ Yuri is never one to assume friendship, even when it's clownishly absurd not to. People always have to tell him, if not reiterate or hammer it into his head. As such, he wouldn't necessarily think Hayame would count him.
Just the same, he knows he likes her, and that's enough for him. ]
In this case, how about I come to you? Alenroux is less...noisy than the city has become.
[ He had enjoyed his relative anonymity while it lasted. ]
Good to know. I usually stick around the forest, so I may not have realized.
[ He didn't tend to stray near people unless they were in apparent need of assistance, after all. Funny how things have shaken out now that Meridian has more Oracles than Zenith does.
At least it's not open hostility for now. ]
Rather wish they hadn't turned us into a spectator sport without notice... Anyhow, be there shortly.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
POST-HARBINGER ORACLE ➳ 切り髪の結い方
Yuri Leclerc.
[... or, "Regulus", she supposed.]
I wonder if you are available for a brief conversation.
no subject
I am indeed. What did you want to discuss?
[ She used the word conversation, and that could entail all manner of possibilities. ]
no subject
Is what she would normally thing. But there have been... newspapers. Tabloids. Pamphlets. Posters. She does not know how much he knows... and so she speaks as if he knows nothing, because that is what she wishes-]
You are a man who seems... well-groomed.
[... Is that a compliment, or?]
I would ask you to recommend a hairdresser in Springstar.
no subject
[ Yuri can't help but sound surprised. He knows full well of course that his personal grooming is impeccable simply because he makes a point of maintaining it. His looks are another weapon in his arsenal, often far more effective and useful than he'd like to be the case. Having known it so long, he's reconciled with this.
But the acknowledgement from Hayame, who prides herself as a warrior, is what stands out to him. He has no doubt that she likely views him as more feminine, hobbies included, even though she has acknowledged him as capable...
Still, she's right that he would be a good resource for such things. ]
I actually do it myself. Byleth's too, since it can be difficult to trim your own. The back, in particular.
[ Something he's been reminded of since his hair has abruptly ended up shorter than it had been in years. ]
no subject
[At first, she just repeats it solemnly, like he might not have heard her correctly, but. Oh. He did.
... And oh. He cut his own hair. As capable as he had proven himself in the field, he kept himself so properly coiffed that she had still assumed that, when able by virtue of coin or time, he must employ some sort of... stylist.]
I see. That is practical.
[Still, she cannot be annoyed for having made such a mistake. It was... a small thing. And since "I cut my own hair and also sometimes my mercenary comrade's" is a far cry in her mind to "I cut other people's hair"...]
If you happen to know someone who might be able to recommend a reputable person, I would appreciate word. Otherwise, I apologize for wasting your time.
no subject
[ Does he know someone who'd know about these things...? Rin comes to mind, but that would mean Highstorm, so he discards the thought quickly. Besides, the solution seems simple. ]
Why don't I just give you a hand?
[ He and Byleth had already ended up hunting down special scissors for his especially resistant hair. It was apparently an effect of discord, as Yuri understood it, and he had dulled several blades the first time around. Diverse as the peoples of Kenos are, however, they found the right tool for the job.
Hayame would surely find scissors a more acceptable option than using knives, even though that remains what Yuri is most accustomed to for his own. ]
It may not be my trade, but I haven't had any complaints so far.
[ He is, after all, quite particular about his own. ]
no subject
The is a long pause. Perhaps... She had been hoping for someone more removed from the situation to do it, thinking they might not ask questions. But after finding out the labyrinth had been... "broadcast"... Maybe no one was an ignorant party any longer.
So.]
What would you like in return? I can provide something.
no subject
Give me some pointers in archery sometime, if that wouldn't be an imposition? I haven't had much chance to practice since my academy days.
[ He'd been told he had a talent for it, perhaps for the same reasons he never misses when throwing weapons. Between his pursuits within Abyss and the war, there was neither time nor instructor for him to build on any such natural ability. ]
Though, seeing as a trim demands little of me, I naturally don't mean to ask for full lessons. Advice would do.
no subject
I am amenable.
[He says just advice… maybe if she asks about that, then she can offer proper lessons as tender…]
Where do you want me?
no subject
Just the same, he knows he likes her, and that's enough for him. ]
In this case, how about I come to you? Alenroux is less...noisy than the city has become.
[ He had enjoyed his relative anonymity while it lasted. ]
no subject
… Less. But remember, many of the citizens here consider themselves aligned with Highstorm.
Just be mindful.
[Her Meri neighbors were fonder of her now. The others, well.
Thankfully, she’d already grown accustomed to being disliked.]
no subject
[ He didn't tend to stray near people unless they were in apparent need of assistance, after all. Funny how things have shaken out now that Meridian has more Oracles than Zenith does.
At least it's not open hostility for now. ]
Rather wish they hadn't turned us into a spectator sport without notice... Anyhow, be there shortly.
no subject
[She is sure he knows that.
But. She goes to prepare to host.]