Scissors and Hearts (Part 1) - Commission for Whimsycal
Story by Sir Thaikard on SoFurry
An ongoing commission for Whimsycal, this is a story about a human hairdresser named Helen who befriends a shy and anxious Australian Shepard named Lily. Through her skills as a stylist Helen helps Lily become more confident in herself and perhaps, awakens something.
There was a greater focus on character development and I look forward to working on this piece.
The telltale chiming of the door signified a customer and Helen immediately spun around to greet them.
“Hello hello! Can I help you? Do you have an appointment?” She flashed a quick smile before she realized her luck and unconsciously smiled even wider. Before her stood a wide-eyed and nervous Australian Shepard.
“Don’t be shy my Dear! Come in come in!” Helen’s heart raced. Furries were a secret fascination of hers and she had always wanted to work on one. Finally, an opportunity to do so had literally walked through her doors.
“Were you looking for something in particular? A trim? Perm? I could do wonders with these.” The furry slightly winced as Helen’s hand playfully tossed up a bang. It also allowed Helen a chance to get close and better observe her potential client.
The Aussie’s hair was long and unkempt, which was probably intentional as it shielded most of her face. The clothing was drab and baggy. Oversized hoodie, old yoga pants, ancient sneakers. But the slouching was what caught Helen’s eye the most. That and flinching from any sudden sound or movements.
Helen pursed her lips and tutted. “You’re doing yourself a disservice sweetheart. But I think I can help.” With a flourish of an arm she lead the furry into the shop. “Have a seat anywhere you like and we can get started. Is that ok?” Her customer meekly nodded and sat at the first spot available.
“Hmmm…. Actually, get up. Up up. How about we get a wash first?” The Australian Shepard hesitantly stood up and allowed herself to be seated at one of the sinks to the back. Helen began running the tap while fussing over an array of bottles.
“Oh, and a name please. I can’t just keep calling you “customer.” I’m Helen, I’ll be your hairdresser today.” She peeked over her shoulder anticipating an answer.
“I’m… I’m Lily.”
“Pleasure to meet you Lily! Now what shall we do for shampoo. I love the lilac, but you seem more like, like a hibiscus. Oh what am I doing, do you have a preference? I have quite the variety!” The mere sight of the Aussie tilting her upside down head to get a better look at the shampoo sent Helen in a fit of giggles. “You’re adorable!”
It took all of Helen’s concentration to hear the request. “I’ll take the mango.” Lily whispered, barely audible above the sound of running water. Helen immediately set out to rinse the waiting hair and form a thick mango-scented lather.
As her fingers worked through her client’s scalp she felt the Aussie relax and audibly sigh. “Careful now Dear, I don’t want you falling asleep on me.” Embarrassed, the furry’s eyes immediately shot open. “Relax, relax! It was just a joke. Come now!” Helen resumed the head massage with increased fervor.
A quick rinse and fluffy towel found it’s way around Lily’s head as she was directed back to a chair. Her eyes were wide as Helen whisked an apron out of nowhere onto a terrified body.
“Sweetheart please! I’m a stylist not an executioner. Never gotten your hair done by a professional before Love?” Helen had begun circling the chair like a vulture. If vultures were capable of holding shears and hair clips.
“N-no. Mum used to do my hair for me at home. When I used to live at home.” Lily had quietly opened a nearby styling magazine and was trying to not have her eyes linger too long on any particular model.
“Oooo…. This would look cute on you!” Helen stabbed a manicured finger directly into the model’s face, “Baby bouffants require just a bit of maintenance but maybe, maybe something a bit more sleek. Oh!” Helen gasped and nearly squealed as a trembling furred finger pointed to the opposite page.
“What about t-this one? Do, do you thin-”
“Of course my Dear! Oh this is just precious. Come come! Let me work my magic!” But a second later Helen stopped. “You know, you’ve taken mostly good care of yourself here.”
“R-really?” Even under the fur Lily’s blushing at the compliment was apparent. It was taking all of Helen’s willpower to not squeal in delight again.
“Really my Dear! There’s a few split ends that I’ll need to trim away but I think I can mostly spend our time styling.” Helen began snipping away but not before muttering, “And getting to know you better sweet thing.”
The shop was dead quiet, save for the soft click of scissors and Helen’s humming as she worked around the Aussie’s head. “So! What brings you in here? I don’t recognize you, new in town?”
Lily was silent for a painful moment before she finally whispered, “Yeah.”
And then it was silence again asides from rasping of the hair brush. “Give her a moment Helen…” She thought to herself, “Don’t force it, tease the information out of her, tease it…” And she almost sighed in relief when Lily spoke again.
“My mum, I mean Mother didn’t approve.” Helen simply nodded eagerly as she began working around with the curling iron. Click, click, clack, click, release. “S-she thought I should have studied somewhere in the State, you know, be close to the family.”
“Go on.” It was taking everything to not simply cradle the poor girl in her arms. Helen began counting her breaths and insert pins one by one, waiting for Lily to continue.
“But, I was tired of constantly being under her wing, you know? I wanted to get out, explore, and be free. Do things on my own and experience life! I’m in my mid-20’s for God’s sake, I’m not some teenager!” Lily had almost stood up from the chair in her rant and upon realization went completely still and slumped back down. “Um, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean. Oh my god, I’m so embarrassed.”
“No no! Sweetie! Relax! I think your Mother should be proud of you! You should be proud of you!” The pins had come out now and Helen had begun teasing the curls, “You were very brave to come out and do this on your own. Not many could have gotten up and done it you know.”
“You think so?” Lily suddenly turned around and stared. The puppy dog eyes peeping out from the curled bangs almost gave Helen a heart attack. She turned Lily’s head back to resume fluffing and choked out a response.
“Of course I think so! My Dear, you should have more confidence in yourself!” Helen was almost too rough with the brush now in an attempt to conceal her trembling hands. Lily barked out a laugh.
“Well, that’s kind of why I came here you know. Mum would never have approved of paying for a haircut, let alone one from a human hairdresser.” Helen snorted and continue to make minute adjustments to each voluminous curl.
“Pfft, well I for one am very glad you came in to visit today Lily. I’m almost done so just hold on…” A spritz of hairspray was liberally applied and the apron thrown off in a flourish as Helen pushed a mirror into the Aussie’s paws.
“Oh, oh!” The lack of words were all Helen needed to hear, another satisfied customer. She watched as Lily examined herself from all angles, gingerly poking at the coils of styled hair.
“I’m glad you like it! At least, I think you like it. Do you like it?”
“Oh course I like it!” Lily had finally stood up, curls bouncing and looked Helen in the eye. “Look at me! I looked so gross before, but now, but now…” She grinned and Helen did a tiny bow. “I’m glad you liked it my Dear.”
But as they approached the front of the store Lily hesitated, “Um, I probably should have mentioned this but um.”
“Oh don’t worry about that! I’m guessing you’re a student? 10% off for students! And this is your first time here so I can give you an extra $5 off! And I like you! So your total comes to… this. And here’s a stamp card for when you return.” Both women visibly exhaled at the final price and as Lily left with a wave Helen chided herself.
“Still too soft you silly old thing…”