Video: Day 22

[maxwellsdaemon]

Uh, hi...

[Duo gives a slightly lopsided, almost nervous looking smile. He lifts one hand in a brief wave and then sighs.]

Look, this is gonna sound dumb. But does anyone have a hair tie? Even a ribbon?

[He holds up the remains of his hair tie, clearly snapped into two pieces and gives another sad sigh.]

That's a bad sign... Damn thing flew across the room!

Uh yeah, if anyone can stop by cabin A in sleeper 4 with something I can tie my hair with, you'll have a bestfriend for life!

Comments

[marriedanidiot]

[ Her eyes twinkle ]

Your normal style? We'd call that a child's braid - the first, the easiest braid. The one that says that you are old enough to braid your hair, but too young to have it mean anything yet!

But let me see. We could easily put in braids for a young man, perhaps one that signified a trade if you have one! And if you are fancying a courting braid, you certainly have enough for that! Or I could use the one for devoted to my calling instead.

[maxwellsdaemon]

A childs braid...?

[Duo had to laugh at that. It was the nicest way to tell him he was basic. The rest amused him even more though.]

Trade? Uhh... I don't think I've got a real trade. I guess pilot is as good as anything? Hah I'm not courting anyone so don't need that one!

... What do you mean 'devoted to my calling'?

[marriedanidiot]

There's definitely one for pilot! Although in our case we mean on the sea, and yours might be different, not that there is anyone here who knows the difference other than my kinsfolk. And that one is used by those who choose to follow their Art above all else, including relationships - it isn't that commonly done, obviously! And it isn't binding, but often those who chose to declare so are either young and idealistic, or old and have rejected company.

[ Or they're Findis, who went off to become a hermit in great part out out of frustration with her family ]

[maxwellsdaemon]

Uhh... yeah, that last one isn't me. [Duo laughs and rubs the back of his head]

I don't have a 'chosen art'. Before comin here I didn't know what I was gonna do with myself! I mean, after the war, what the heck do you do when all you know if how to fight and everyone wants peace? So maybe the sailor braid would be easier. Sea pilot? I like that better than sailor!

[marriedanidiot]

[ She frowns ] I know Men age faster than we but you still seem far too young for such things. But I suppose... you are young, and have room to grow - you have time, I think, to choose what you want to do.

[ A nod ] I can certainly do so!

[maxwellsdaemon]

[He gives her a sad sort of smile here.]

I was way too young, 'Danel. But it couldn't be helped, y'know? Someone had to do it. Why not me?

[Duo gives a better smile now.]

Well, I guess whenever you've free time, maybe... maybe you could do that?

[marriedanidiot]

[ She tips her head a little at the name, wondering if she misheard ]

Why not, indeed. [ She murmurs ] Sadly true of many griefs, I suppose.

[ But on a brighter note ]

I can do that! Where are you, Duo? In your own room?

[maxwellsdaemon]

Yeah, in my room. Unless you want me to come to yours?

[He could easily do that, if she wasn't busy of course. He didn't want to take up too much of her time.]

[marriedanidiot]

No no, I will come to you! I will be there shortly.

[maxwellsdaemon]

Uhh, well I'll see you soon then! [He grins]

[marriedanidiot]

[ And shortly thereafter he'll have a tap tap at the door ]

[maxwellsdaemon]

[With some nervous energy, Duo hopped up from where he'd been sat on his bunk and went to answer the door to Nerdanel and gave her a wide smile.]

Hi! Uh, come on it! Everyone's out doing things I guess...!

[marriedanidiot]

Hello Duo!

[ She smiles at him ]

Thannk you for trusting me to do this for this.

[maxwellsdaemon]

[Duo's cheeks were tinged pink and he looked more than a little nervous, but he still stepped aside to allow Nerdanel into the room.]

Yeah, no problem. [He laughed and rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a little awkward]

Don't usually let people mess with my hair. This is kinda weird for me.

[marriedanidiot]

[ She smiles quietly at him ]

I understand. Would it help if I told you my people have very similar cultural views? Hair is for those closest to you - your dearest friends and family. You honor me greatly by allowing this.

[maxwellsdaemon]

It helps... I'm just not used to it.

[He laughed, but her smile started to settle him and he decided to hell with it. He trusted her, she was nice, and his hair was clean dammit! Duo reached for the end of his braid and removed the yellow ribbon Mami had tied to the end and pulled it off to unravel his braid.]

[marriedanidiot]

That's fine.

[ She smiles, sitting down on the bed and patting the spot next to her ]

Just tell me if it becomes too uncomfortable, yes?

[maxwellsdaemon]

[Duo nodded as he loosed his hair. He looked after his hair and it was obvious. It fell down his back, well past his butt, in silken, chestnut brown waves. Taking a breath, he sat himself down on the bed beside Nerdanel and gave her a soft smile]

It'll be fine. I'll be fine. I'm just being dumb. But I trust you.

[marriedanidiot]

Thank you, Duo.

[ She smiles at him, and starts brushing out his hair carefully, making sure it falls without tangles before she starts to braid ]

[maxwellsdaemon]

[Duo sat with one leg curled under him and closed his eyes when Nerdanel began to brush his hair.

It... brought back memories he tried very hard to push down. Bittersweet memories of the last woman who had done this for him, when he was very young. He'd always found comfort in it. And he found some comfort in it now.

Soon the memories were just the good ones, and Duo was able to smile.]

[marriedanidiot]

[ Nerdanel hums softly as Duo relaxes, the lullabies and melodies of Tirion long ago. Her hands carefully check for knots as she works, braiding the loops and patterns that to the Amanyar proclaimed that the one who wears them is a sea captain, one of those whose heart is given to the wind and waves, as wild and free as the waters they love. ]

[maxwellsdaemon]

[He liked that, the humming. It wasn't the same as the hymns Sister Helen would sing to him but they sounded lovely, and Nerdanel had a really sweet voice. Duo relaxed all the way then, his head lowering just a little and a soft smile upon his lips.

When she began to braid his hair he held himself still and idly wondered what it would look like by the end.]

[marriedanidiot]

[ It's soothing - she's done this for all her boys in their time, and her husband as well as her close kin. This particular braid isn't one the Noldor really use, but Earwen wears it sometimes, for the High Queen of the Noldor honors still her Teleri roots, and she taught it to her law-sister.

Once the braid is done, it will look like a sea shell ]

There!

[maxwellsdaemon]

[It felt... sort of strange. He couldn't see what she was doing but he could feel how she was gathering his hair and curling it in a way that he'd never done with his hair before. At least not this way. Sometimes he'd been forced to bunch his braid up to stuff it under a helmet or down the back of something to keep it out of the way. But never like this.

When she was finished, Duo tipped his head and looked over his shoulder at Nerdanel.

How's it look? Can I check?

[marriedanidiot]

Of course!

[ She smiles and hunts around for a mirror ]

We don't have any of the shells or pearls to denote rank, but no one other than my kin here will know how to read it, so that's fine.