[spa visit catch-all, closed]

[soupguy]

Who: Shadowmaru, Mando, Boober, and Riz
Where: Cherrygrove City
When: Backdated to the start of March
Summary: Shadowmaru decided it's time for some relaxation
Warnings: None in the body of the post, individual threads marked as needed


[Personally, Boober was perplexed when Shadowmaru said they all should go to Cherrygrove's spa for self-care. He would argue that they each care for themselves, and each other, in all the most important ways. Mando keeps everyone safe, Riz keeps everyone prepared, and he keeps everyone fed and wearing clean clothes! But Shadowmaru seems to know a lot about this specific sort of thing, so he probably has a point? And he's pretty nice and means a lot to Mando... That all is what gets Boober on board. Clearly the other two had their reasons as well, because now, here they are: Cherrygrove City.]

(ooc: Any threads for the trip can go below!)

Comments

For Shadowmaru: Haircut nerves

[soupguy]

[Even for Boober, there comes a time where a haircut is necessary. And, frankly, he's been at that point for at least a few weeks now. They're at a spa... No time like the present, right? Of course, he was tense from the moment he decided to look into it: It's no coincidence that Boober always not only wears a hat, but keeps his bangs over his eyes as much as he reasonably can. There is a vulnerability in intense eye contact that makes him deeply uncomfortable. But somehow, he'd not changed his mind and actually made it into the spa's salon.

But things almost went well! He felt stressed and unhappy all throughout the haircut, but the stylist didn't accidentally cut his ears, and he didn't end up with shorter hair than he'd planned on. There was, however, a close call when the stylist suggested going for a bigger change and taking some more off the end. A lot of stammering and choppy breathing later, Boober had turned down the idea with no more hair cut away than initially... He just still felt dizzy from the suggestion. So much so, that he couldn't find his way back to the others and had to sit down in a hallway to try and calm down. He did a doubletake on seeing someone he recognized coming up the hall, and though he waved as Shadowmaru approached it was a very timid gesture - even for Boober.]

[sassymaru]

[Fortunately for everyone here, Shadowmaru had decided he needed a hair trim as well. Nothing dramatic, his color is holding fine for the moment, no touch ups, no huge cuts, just cleaning up some stray hairs here and there. So he'd been in the process of getting up anyway when... that happened. It wasn't really a commotion, but it was enough to get his attention.]

[And keep an eye on Mando's kid while he'd left.]

[He'd followed, naturally, especially after hearing the stylist's explanation. He trails after at a decent distance. Not enough to crowd the kid, but enough to keep an eye on where he goes. Not too difficult a task for a ninja.]

[Once he sees Boober take a seat, he hangs back. Just keeping an eye on him for a few moments longer. Letting the kid get his bearings back, or calm down. He has no idea why this just occurred. Hopefully he isn't intruding on something. He waves back, before he sits on his heels a few paces back.]

Greetings.

[soupguy]

Mmm. [It's not that he's upset with Shadowmaru for coming over - he actually appreciates it, he's just not in a good place to express that right now. But, after a moment, he sighs.] I know, it doesn't make sense...

[sassymaru]

[He tilts his head. The gesture curious, more than anything.]

What do you mean?

[soupguy]

I didn't need to get so nervous, right? It's not like my hair ended up shorter than I wanted it to be.

[sassymaru]

Was that what you were concerned about?

[Keep your voice neutral. Like you're talking to a nervous suspect. No judgment allowed.]

[soupguy]

[Boober nods.]

I feel safer with it like this. That's why I always wear a hat, too, it's-- [He hesitated, searching for the right words.] I like being at least a little hidden.

[sassymaru]

And you were concerned your mask would be taken from you.

[More of a confirmation than a question. It's sort of funny, in a way. He should prefer the same thing. Prefer to stay out of sight. And yet, here he is, in this world, vastly preferring the opposite.]

Well, I think that's a valid concern for someone freshly human. The next time, we'll just have to trim you up ourselves and save you the trouble.

[soupguy]

[Boober is quiet for a moment. A mask, huh? The initial thought that comes to him with that is pretending to be someone else, but... A mask can also be about obscuring identity instead of replacing it.]

Yeah, that's the concern. It's easier when people get to know me more slowly...

[He hesitates, because he doesn't want to be insulting when Shadowmaru is being understanding, but--] Are you good at it? Cutting hair?

[sassymaru]

[Ah, so, a social recluse - no. What was the word? Introvert. That was better. More accurate. But... understandable.]

Given our closeness with the dashing Mandalorian, I'd say mask-wearing is a very accepted trait in your household. Nothing to be ashamed of.

[The question, though, makes him laugh. And gesture at his current hairstyle.]

I should say so. I cannot always spend a day at a shop to make this work.

[soupguy]

I guess not, but-but Mando's brave. It's different. If that kind of thing happened to him, I don't think he would've felt like I'm feeling now, he'd just-- Not let it happen.

[But he does smile a bit when Shadowmaru elaborates on the subject of hairstyling.]

You keep up with that yourself? I just figured.... Huh. Well, if it wouldn't be a bother, yeah. That would be okay, if you helped me with it, I think.

[sassymaru]

From what he's told me, I sincerely doubt his mask is for bravery's sake. And while yes, he may not allow it to happen... he may still feel fear.

[Seriously, he thinks Mando is amazing - but everyone gets afraid.]

I do. It's not always feasible to go to the stylist. [Because sometimes you can't leave your pack of dog pokemon alone or they'll chew your furniture.] I'm more than willing to assist you, in the future. A simple trim, you have my word.

[soupguy]

[Boober sighs softly with a shrug.]

I don't always mind feeling fear. There's a lot to fear! It's just, uh, I don't know, sometimes it's a lot.

[It can be overwhelming to feel so afraid so often!]

[sassymaru]

You mean that the fear itself is? Or the amount of things you find yourself afraid of?

[Please help him understand, because he is a bit confused! Anxiety in AI is a weird... concept.]

[soupguy]

Both, I guess. I mean, mostly how afraid I get. Because it's better to think about how most things might be dangerous or bad, anyway. At least, I'd say so. That way, you're more likely to stay safe.

I want to see those risks in things, I just don't want to only see that part, and forget that sometimes things aren't so bad.

[sassymaru]

[Wow this is way beyond his programming capacity here. But!! He's got to try!!]

Then, I might suggest experiencing those frightening things with your trusted companions.

If they are unafraid, perhaps that will help ease your own concerns?

[soupguy]

I... Think so? I'm not exactly sure how you mean I should do that.

[sassymaru]

Well... like your hair, for example.

Having someone you know will not cross your boundaries do your trims.

[soupguy]

I'm not sure that'll always, um, apply, but... It's not a bad idea. Having friends I trust around helps, especially the ones who make me feel safe.

[sassymaru]

It's worth a try, isn't it?

Of course it can't always be the case, but when it is... I think you should try.

[soupguy]

[Boober gives a soft sigh, one that sounds relieved, and nods.]

Okay... Yeah, okay, I'll try. Thanks for- Well, for all of it.

[sassymaru]

It's certainly no trouble.

You are one of my dear Mando's wards, after all.

[soupguy]

[Boober's nose scrunches up; he just finds that way of putting it very formal-sounding. But then, Shadowmaru has his way of speaking. It is what it is, even if it's very odd to a Fraggle's ear.]

Well, I like that he knows you, too. [Of course, this is largely because Mando seems so happy with Shadowmaru, but there is another factor that's very important to Boober.] It's nice having someone else in the group who respects clothing.

[sassymaru]

[Sorry, buddy. He's just Like That. If anything, the dramatic way of speaking has increased over the years here.]

I'm doing my best with him.

[In regards to the whole clothing respect thing.] But alas, there's only so much one can do with a suit of armor... And that won't be changing.

[I'm not going to force him to go armor-free, in other words.]

[soupguy]

Yeah. [Honestly, Boober wouldn't want to make Mando change his ways either. But then again... Mando wasn't the main person on his mind.] And at least he seems to care about his armor! Because Riz, he wears such cool clothes--

[Boober is probably one of very few people who would describe Riz's fashion as cool, but he sincerely thinks so.]

--and I don't think he cares at all what happens to most of them!