Vai tested the blade with his finger. It was nice and sharp.

He folded it back into itself, placing the razor down on his bed. Fenrin's attempts at grooming had been laughable and Via was torn between dislike of the man and an impulsive need to correct a job badly done. As always in his dilemmas, he turned to what his job was. He had been asked to serve both the princess and her uncle in any way. The real question was whether Fenrin would be upset by the offer or not. It wouldn't do to put the man on edge, he clearly wasn't entirely well.

Nevertheless, surely such unkemptness would reflect poorly on Her Highness. He picked up the blade again with determination. If anything he would be a shameful servant if he let such a mess stay. When it had just been wild, it had seemed Fenrin's choice, but now that an attempt at appearance had been made, it needed to be done properly.

Decision made, Vai entered Fenrin's bedroom. He cleaned the basin and filled it with water. Finding none available, Vai retrieved the shaving oil he'd brought for himself. Fenrin razor was also unfit and in need of sharpening and oiling. Vai tutted, his pride swelling a bit.

He brought a chair in from the kitchen and laid out a towel. He hung another over a steaming pot of hot water, letting it warm and peeked out the window.

Fiona was looking upset and stepping forward and back, her 'sword' abandoned on the ground. Fenrin was back to chopping the log and Vai guessed the lesson hadn't gone as planned. Fiona would be disappointed.

Calming his nerves, Vai stepped out and walked over to where Fenrin was hacking at the wood. "Begging your pardon, might I have a moment of your time?"

Fenrin looked up surprised and Fiona stopped her shuffling. Fenrin glanced past Vai at his niece and shouted, "I didn't say you were done! Keep going until I tell you to stop or this will be the last lesson we do."

Fiona frowned but began her stepping again. Forward, back, forward, back.

Fenrin rolled his shoulders and put the axe down. Vai turned and Fenrin followed him in the house.

As soon as the door was shut, Fenrin asked cautiously, "What is it? I thought you wanted her to learn? It may not look glamorous but she's too weak to start anything real yet."

Vai shook his head. "My apologies for the misunderstanding. I have no place questioning your methods and leave that aspect of her education entirely to your discretion. I merely wished to offer my services to you."

Fenrin raised an eyebrow. "Look I thought we already..."

Vai pulled the razor from his pocket and gestured to Fenrin's room where the chair was in place, a towel hanging over it. "If I may?"

Fenrin started a bit, considering. There was an awkward pause and then the man shrugged. "Why not? It's true I'm out of practice."

The awkwardness continued as Vai sat Fenrin down and began examining him. With light delicate fingers he moved Fenrin's face and began cleaning his shave. Once he got started, the tension lessened as Vai moved with confidence and Fenrin began to relax despite himself.

It was like magic and before he knew it his eyes were closed. The warm towel and the soft scratching of the razor on his cheek was like a trance. When Vai paused he opened his eyes. The golden skinned man looked down at him, a pair of scissors in his hands.

"May I do your hair?"

Fenrin clenched his jaw, the sight of a blade so close to his face putting him on edge but he also felt a bit of an exchange here. Almost like a peace offering, so he muttered, "Sure."

He sat up and stared fixedly at the wall as Vai stepped behind him, running fingers through his hair, detangling it and trying to pick a shape out of the mess. Fenrin was beginning to relax again when Vai loosened his headband.

Flinching forward to the edge of the seat, Fenrin’s hand held the cloth on his forehead.

"Don't touch that. It stays," he growled, his anxiety transforming to anger as he snapped at Vai. He reached back and tied the knot, considering leaving, on edge once again.

"As you wish," Vai said with such calm that it helped Fenrin.

He lowered his hand from the piece of cloth, quickly moving it to his lap to hide the trembling and slid back into the chair. Obediently, Vai worked around the band and the air was filled with the quiet snipping of the scissors and the gentle tugging of the comb.

"Finished," Vai said softly and brushed stray hairs off Fenrin's shoulders. Vai took the mirror off its peg and handed it to Fenrin, who willed himself to look in it.

He looked back at himself. The scars were still there, his eyes still tired, but he looked more alive. Vai had tamed his hair and combed it back. The silver at his temples looked more refined and blended into the brown nicely. His beard was clean, even, and made him look much younger—nearly his actual age.

He handed the mirror back.

"Thanks," he muttered and then stood up and left before Vai could turn down his thanks.