Comb from the past

"So miss, now we had known what going on, I think we can start going back to where you come from. I guess your father would have some idea about what going on, it would be better if we can exchange our information with each other." Said Vaterian.

"And maybe you can sell me off for a better price?" Viridiana mock Vaterian, still unhappy being forced into an unfair agreement.

"Calm down Miss Viridiana, It's just a negotiation. Eventually, you will be forced into an agreement by others, it's better to have an agreement with me, at least I had good faith." Vaterian replied.

Viridiana didn't respond, she just turn her head away, the scene fall into silence.

The first person who broke the silence, no surprise, was Igor "Miss Viridiana, if you don't mind, maybe we could have a walk along the street, It's the main street, after all. We should be able to find something you are interested in."

"But before you went out, you better tidy up yourself. Unless you want to let the passer-by thought you just finish cleaning up the Landfill." Igor look at Viridiana, the blonde hair had been tangled together, tied up as twisted fishtails don't help either.

Igor passed a comb to Viridiana. It was surprisingly simple, made of plain wood, the only thing that special about this comb maybe is the name being carved on it, Katerina. Sadly is also being carved very badly.

Viridiana saw Igor handing over the comb, she stall for a while and take it from Igor, might be curious why he bring it with him. She loosen up her hair, the tied-up hair fell firmly on her shoulder and she start to comb her hair.

"Is not so common for an Alpinian to had blonde hair, did one of your parents come from another nation?" Asked Igor. "My mother came from Lendzia, one of the clans from Carpathian, you know those barbarians always had blonde hair, but luckily she gets educated enough to not behave too barbaric." Viridiana looked at Igor's hair and quickly change her word. "I only refer to those Carpathian, you know."

"Never mind about that, it seems like we had a lot of things in common, my mother also had hair that shine like the sun." Said Igor. "Katerina?" Asked Viridiana, "Sorry, wrong answer. Maybe try again next time." Igor laughed and take a bite on the dish in front of him.

As Viridiana finish combing her hair, she was suddenly stunned and looked at her hair. "What happened, miss? You have any trouble?" Asked Igor. "No Miseur, is all fine." Although she said she had no trouble, but depending on the movement of her hand, she faced huge trouble. She doesn't know how to tie up her hair.

After about 10 minutes, Viridiana finally tied up her hair, if you can ignore all those poorly tied knots and the hair that stick out from the braids.

Igor tries to hold his laughter, it was not a good idea to laugh about a lady hairstyle. Vaterian, who looking at the situation the whole time, stood up and walk beside Viridiana.

He took the comb from Viridiana hand and loosen her hair, her hair falling upon his hand, it's as smooth as the silk from Hellandia, but he didn't pay much attention to it. He started to make Viridiana's hair, according to her previous hairstyle.

Surprised by Vaterian's action, Viridiana was stunned for a while, as soon as she knew what was going on, she hold Vaterian's arm try to push him out and halt his actions.

Vaterian stop his action and raise his hand, he look at the girl who turned around and stared at him. "Miss Viridiana, I not sure what you thinking about in your mind, but this comb won't leave a cut on your throat."

"If you would trust a man that just threaten you a couple of hours ago, then I would consider letting you touch my feet." Said Viridiana.

"As I said, it is a negotiation, how I behave during it had no connection with my personality." Vaterian put down his hand, as the girl soften her stance.

"Or you just want to stay as a toddler and blame the others for your failure, then I would just let you walk out with us with a bush on your head. I believe a proud Alpnian won't accept they have a worse sense of fashion than the barbarian, or you can just lie to those "uncivilized humans" that it's the newest hairstyle from the north. Of course, those fools would believe you right?"

"You still have a steady performance Sir, I doubt you haven't into any relationship because of your words. Being so rude toward a lady is a great way to keep them 1 mile away from you, but you are lucky that you convinced me, so I will grant you a chance to have contact with me." It seems like Viridiana is rather easy to be convinced by words. Although holding some opinion about Vaterian, but not being sloppy is far more important.

"Thank you for the privilege's you gave me then, miss." Vaterian ignored the hostility in Viridiana words and start his work.

Surprisingly he might have better skills than a lot of barbers. He wield the comb as smooth as the baton from a world-class conductor, Viridiana hair quickly became tidy and prepared for the last steps.

"Seems like you always can bring me a lot of surprises, Sir Vaterian. I'm not expecting a man that harsh toward women like you would know how to satisfy a lady. Maybe you try to satisfy someone? But that was not enough to keep her with you." As sharp as always, just like other things she said to Vaterian.

"crack" Viridiana heard something crack behind her, she turn her head around, she saw Vaterian face, full with anger and the comb had broken in half, she knew it better to remain silent, and that was indeed what she did.

Vaterian take a deep breath to calm himself down and he apologized to Igor "Sorry, I have broken your comb, later I would find someone to fix it. but it seems like Miss de Montferrat must go out with such a hair."

"Never mind, is not a big deal. You might ask the owner of this shop for some assistance. Don't look at me like that, I promise if I went close to the father, I won't able to see the next sunrise." Igor accepted Vaterian apologized, as he make a purpose to Vaterian.

"I will go for it then." Vaterian walked away quickly toward the bar, quickly some noises come from there, obviously, the owner is not that willing to help, despite Vaterian is not the one who flirt with his daughters.

Now the table only had two persons remain, Viridiana asked her question carefully." what happen to him? why he so sensitive about it?"

"Miss Viridiana, you better check your word, try to not let him recall back his mother. I can't tell you much about it, but if you pay respect and remain silent on this issue, he will remain as a gentleman. If you somehow made him mad, nobody can stop his wrath, not even me." Igor replied, but not much information is given.

"I'm sorry about my friend being so rude and aggressive during the negotiation, but that's how he grew up. I promise that he is a very nice person in private life, definitely won't bring any trouble during the trip." Igor also apologized to Viridiana.

"You so sure that you could solve the problem? seems like you guys had in common is extreme self-confidence."

"I call it self-understanding Miss, I trusted on him, and I hope you will also do so," Igor answered Viridiana's question and finished his beer in the mug.

"Seems like you guys having some friendly conversation, not bad, considering you don't talk much since we come to this city. However Miss de Montferrat, please stay away from this guy, he's not the person you want to spend your time on." Vaterian was back, with a new comb in his hand. He had already calmed down.

"So let us continue Miss, we need be back to your place before the sunsets."