get the chop (open)

Indigo was in desperate need of a trim, and the place he usually went to in Hogsmeade was closed due to staff change around (whatever that bloody meant). So, he ended up going to Horizont to the barber shop.

It looked like a fairly fine establishment. He couldn't envision the layabouts of society going there, as they would likely pay five sickles for a Leaky Cauldron renter and end up with lopsided sideburns.

All appeared to be going quite well, except for the fact that the place was rather busy. The person doing his hair was doing several others at the same time, which gave him a rather bad feeling. When they had finished the job, Indigo scrutinised his reflection and immediately recoiled in horror: "No. No, definitely not. This won't do. Look here: there's an entire chunk you've missed out!" He indicated the strands, annoyed.

Miriam was at the barber's shop to get her color touched up and a small trim; she had been noticing some split ends, and she liked her hair to be presentable. Plus, she and a pair of scissors did not get along.

She was reading one of the older copies of Witch Weekly that was collecting dust amongst all of the other newspapers and magazines the shop carried for waiting.

Glancing at the person beside her, she asked, "Why do you have to be so rude?"

@Indigo Macmillan

Indigo glanced at the woman sat beside him. Throughout the process, they hadn't really made eye contact until now. His haughty eyes narrowed. He would have loved to retort with something about how she clearly was too easily satisfied: but she was such a beauty, he found it very hard to pick at her.

So, instead he said: "I'm not being rude. I'm a paying customer, and I don't want a rag for a head." Looking at the barber, he told them: "I want more off here, there's still a lot of hair around the ears. The top isn't exactly what I'd asked, either. Do it over."

@Miriam Baptist

Indigo spread his legs out in front of him, lent his elbow on the arm rest of his chair and curled his hand underneath his chin. He sighed at her. The barber had gone to fetch something, and was out of earshot.

"Do you really think these people will get the message if you're easy on them? No, they will keep making simple errors." He glanced about the place. "I'm not going back here again. It's not my usual place, anyway. This is what you get for desperation."

He puckered his lips and looked down at her copy of Witch Weekly in vague interest.

@Miriam Baptist

Not his usual place? "Shouldn't you be more understanding then? They aren't familiar with how you like your hair."

@Indigo Macmillan

Indigo pursed his lips but said nothing in response to that. They clearly were not going to come to an agreement here, and he had pretty much made up his mind that the barbers were just slacking.

"That would suit you." He said, pointing at the wide-brimmed hat that was worn by the model in the magazine. "You don't usually get women in a barber's shop. Do you usually go to Hogsmeade as well?"

@Miriam Baptist

Miriam glanced at the hat and nodded. "That is a lovely hat. Would be wonderful for the sunny days at Blackrock!"

"I tend to go here actually. I find the prices to not be as steep, and I find it important to support family-owned businesses."

@Indigo Macmillan

He couldn't say much about Blackrock, having only been there a handful of times. He preferred a more isolated location for sunbathing, and his brother seemed to have a fascination with the place. That was more than enough reason for him to be put off.

"Oh really." What a surprise. What a monument to society.

... how he loathed that sort of talk.

"What is your profession, then?" He asked, raising his head as the barber came back and started on his hair.

@Indigo Macmillan

Indigo immediately flushed. He turned his head a fraction to disguise it, but the barber gently eased his head back to forward facing again. This person... they probably had it out for him now, he thought, bitterly.

"Wow, well..." He cleared his throat, "I plan to join the Ministry myself."

He had to admit it now. A high-ranking Ministry employee sat right next to him...

And there was he thinking they were all batty old wizards down there in that department.

@Miriam Baptist

Chuckling at the other, Miriam briefly looked at the mirror to check her reflection. Her hair was looking spiffy so far; she didn't mind waiting due to the current rush.

"In which department? Each one has different requirements."

@Indigo Macmillan

"I'm hoping to join the Obliviator team," He said, and she would likely know the associated department. "Currently I am at university studying charms."

@Miriam Baptist

"Yes, of course," He agreed, and suddenly felt quite warm towards her now. "I can't wait to get there, actually. I'm very much done with being in a classroom."

@Miriam Baptist

"What made you decide to choose this path?"

Small talk was always nice, especially when it was someone who definitely had goals.

@Indigo Macmillan

"I've just always wanted to work for the Ministry," Immediately, Indigo had that look on his face. He always looked forward to talking about himself, particularly if it was about his choices in life. He made a very good example, he believed. "My Father does, and his Father before him did too. I always grasped Charms quicker than I did anything else, so I went with my strengths."

He didn't see the barber roll his eyes, but it was probably better that he didn't.

"Obliviators are a skilled work force, so, naturally, they are paid quite decently. I want job security, financial security and personal security. I believe that's what everyone should be aiming for in life, really."

"That looks better." He told the barber, admiring the sides of his hair.

@Miriam Baptist

Going along with it, Miriam nodded. "I see, I see. I do hope it is something you genuinely enjoy. It never hurts to be a good sportsman either."

@Indigo Macmillan

"I'm sorry?"

Was that an insult?

@Miriam Baptist

“Nor would I.”

It was a bit of an odd thing to say, he thought, so he gave her a bit of a funny look.

"Do you have any siblings? I'm the eldest myself/"

Miriam decided to change the topic as it was getting a bit awkward.

@Indigo Macmillan