Wandering Firebender

Thirty Six: Not A Date

"You know, Elio, if you just looked around a little, I'm sure you could find a place to get your hair cut." Sri pointed out.

Elio stood in front of the mirror one night with a knife in his hand. It had been months since the last time he had fixed his hair; now it had grown out on the sides, becoming disheveled. The hair on the top of his head was beginning to drape down sloppily.

"Yes, but I have a very specific way that I like it. I'd rather just handle it myself. Could you pass me the oil please?" He requested. Sri gave him a small vial of fine oil that he had purchased himself. Elio opened it up and poured it all over his head.

"So what are you thinking of doing?" Sri asked curiously, observing him.

"I have a specific style I like. I cut it short all around and leave a lot on the top. Then I brush it backwards." Elio explained, using his knife to begin cutting hair off the right side of his head, leaving only a short layer.

"Right. That's how it looked back when we first met. Now you just look mildly depressed." She teased lightly, taking a few strands of his oily hair between her thumb and forefinger and tugging at it gently.

"I'm always mildly depressed." Elio replied with a chuckle as he continued.

"So where did you get this look from?" Sri asked curiously. Elio shrugged.

"Just experimenting. Cassian and I got bored of the traditional looks when we were young, so one summer we decided to try new styles out every time we needed a haircut. Eventually he settled on keeping his hair long, kinda like mine right now. Meanwhile, I settled on this look. I've had it for years now." He answered.

"That's fun... You haven't mentioned Cassian in awhile. How've you been doing?" She asked in a softer tone. Elio let out a long exhale through his nose.

"I've been thinking a lot...not just about Cassian but about home in general. I left a lot behind in the Fire Nation, and I do miss my family. And Cassian... I don't know if I'll ever truly recover from what happened. I just have to try and continue on." He answered solemnly.

"Yeah... Well you know that I'm here for you when you wanna talk. Or even if you don't." She said with a comforting smile. Elio smiled faintly, looking at her in the mirror and nodding.

"Thanks, Sri... You know, this is kinda embarrassing to admit, but after Cindra left, I was kinda missing having someone to talk to," He admitted. "Thanks for making this whole process easier." He said sincerely.

"I could say the same thing to you. We make a pretty good team," She chuckled. "I'm sure one day you, me, and your girlfriend Cindra can all get together and hang out. I'll even invite Alger." She commented with a laugh.

"Haha, very funny. She's not my girlfriend." He rolled his eyes.

"But you like her, don't you?" She asked. Elio hummed.

"Hmm... I guess. She is very pretty." Elio answered nonchalantly, playing off his answer.

"Uhuh," Sri raised an eyebrow at him and smiled sideways. "I'm gonna head to bed. I'll see how good or bad your hair looks in the morning. Goodnight." She said, pressing a hand on his back before turning and leaving the room.

"Goodnight, Sri."

Much to Elio's relief, he was able to come in for work the next morning with a nice and fresh haircut. It had been so long since his hair had been presentable. It felt very good to be able to sport his favorite look once again.

"Elio! That's a real trendy looking haircut you have going on there." Mr. Fo greeted him as he came into work.

"Why thank you, Mr. Fo. Did it myself." Elio smiled.