10 ☄ Video ☄

[waterformybath]

[ After three days, he finally decides to emerge from relative obscurity and make a public post. The first thing anyone who knows him will notice is that his hair is no longer black. In fact, it's-- ]

Brown.

[ He says the word despondently into his communicator. There's a dramatic sigh and then he rests his forehead on the table, giving everyone watching a very good few of his newly-coloured hair while he moans: ]

Why brown... It's so dull...

Comments

[eldestdaughter]

You did say it was mud colored once.

[waterformybath]

Yeah, once. There's a reason I dyed it.

[eldestdaughter]

Well I think it's fetching.

[She understands why there's more to worry about over a change in hair color here. Besides, it's alright to stroke his ego once in a while … especially since she blames herself for making them both gobble the past few days.]

And you're just looking for a reason to complain.

[waterformybath]

Am not.

[ He sighs. At least he's not sulking as much as he was when his hair was turned black. ]

Brown is the most ordinary hair colour in the world. Blonde - even black! - is more striking than... [he gestures listlessly to his head] This.

[eldestdaughter]

You'll always be far from ordinary Howl, no matter your hair color.

[waterformybath]

[ He scoffs, but he does seem a little placated. Best way to cheer him up: praise. Well done, Sophie. ]

Do you think it looks strange though? I'll have to find new clothes...

[eldestdaughter]

Does this mean I can cut up your old suits for scrap?

[Yes Howl, she's teasing you.]

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[deceases]

[ ... his tone doesn't really sound annoyed when he speaks up, despite the content, maybe more just.. bored, perhaps? ]

Are you seriously complaining about the color of your hair?

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[waterformybath]

Yes. I can't believe the man I'm supposed to be replacing has such a generic shade of brown for his hair.

[ Whoever the person talking to him is, he doesn't look up from where his position. ]

[deceases]

I saw someone on the network who had to regrow an eye because of the rulers. [ a scoff, but it's only a slight one. ] Compared to that, you have it pretty easy, only having your hair color changed.

[waterformybath]

[ He puts his head in his hands and-- is that a whimper? A relatively small one compared to the despairing fit he threw earlier in the year. ]

An eye... My denizen only had one eye as well, I think...

[ Sob. ]

[deceases]

[ normal people might offer sympathies. but then again, natsuno isn't really like that. ]

See, then they could've changed that about you instead. I don't see any reason to not be glad about just one small dumb chance instead of that.

[waterformybath]

That's-- That's true.

[ He resignedly lifts his head and stares at the blank screen on his communicator. There might come a point when he also doesn't want to show his face. ]

I hope someone finds a way to escape this island soon. These changes don't carry over to our original worlds, do they.

[beautifulmemory]

It could be worse.

[Mia could mess with you, like she did many of the players in The World, and turn your hair orange. Or pink.]

It's not that dull.

[Says the bright purple cat.]

[waterformybath]

[ Dear gods, no, not orange. ANYTHING BUT ORANGE. ]

It doesn't stand out. Plenty of people have brown hair, [ he moans ]

[beautifulmemory]

I could find something more interesting.

[waterformybath]

Such as?

[ This is really not a good idea, Howl. ]

[beautifulmemory]

If I tell you, it won't be a surprise.

[waterformybath]

Well, as long as it isn't dangerous and doesn't turn my hair orange...

[ This all sounds very dubious, but he'll give Mia the benefit of the doubt this once. He hasn't forgotten about the prank spells he made for her. ]

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[naltorian]

[ From her spot, lying down under the blankets in her room: ]

It's not dull, Howl. You're just being dramatic again.

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[waterformybath]

It is, what could be more dull than brown?

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[naltorian]

Death.

[ being blunt. ]

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[waterformybath]

[ That...that shocks him pretty quickly out of his self-imposed misery. ]

Death-- Death isn't a colour...

[ A pretty weak response. But at least he's a bit more sober now. ]

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[naltorian]

But it is dull. Howl ...I do not understand why you mope. You are an incredibly handsome young man. And you look attractive with either yellow or black hair.

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[waterformybath]

But young girls prefer blonde men...

[ Or so he's been deluding himself. ]

Maybe I was beautiful with black hair, but brown? No...