Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ The Together Arc ❯ Dye ( Chapter 4 )

Dye
Little Arlen and Cedes (no, not like that) ficlet by Setsuna Jikan
Word count: 575

Swish. Swish.

It was mostly dark in her little room, thin little pieces of sunlight slipping around her shades preventing it from being pitch black. Appropriate, seeing as she was in mourning.

Swish. Swwww--

With a frown, she dabbed her brush into the small tin of turpentine, closing it before the smell could permeate too much. Before, she didn't have to worry too much, but now...

"Umm...Mer...Mercedes?"

Now there was someone else to look after.

Sighing, she set her palette and brush aside, turning to the door with a gentle smile.

"Yes, Arlen?" she asked, not wanting to scare her. The poor girl's nerves were hair-triggered, and she didn't need any of Mercedes’ angst or anger. Arlen ducked her head, fingers clutching at the door frame.

"Uhm...ah, my...my hair..." she fingered a small auburn patch nervously, tugging at the short strands before running across a shaved patch. Mercedes got up, brushing her own dark hair back.

"Okay, I know. C'mere." Arlen walked in slowly, stopping a few feet away, toeing the ratty carpet with her socks. Cyan. Must have been in that bundle Chloe had given them. "Sit down on the stool while I get the dye and scissors, okay?" Not waiting for her to move forward, Mercedes walked out of the room, crossing into the small bathroom. Crouching down, she opened the small cabinet and pulled out a plastic bag, digging out the few things she would need. Holding the box of dye she paused, staring at it. The fact that they needed this, that she needed this...

Clenching her fist, Mercedes stood. She couldn't dwell on these things, she needed to focus on the here and now. Or else she'd go insane.

"Here we go, Ar." Arlen glanced over quickly, ducking her head and cringing. Mercedes frowned. "What? What is it?"

"I'm sorry...." Her voice was barely above a whisper, fear lacing every word. Mercedes stepped forward, dropping to her knees in front of Arlen.

"What are you sorry for?" she asked, confused. Arlen flinched and gestured at the canvas.

"I looked at your painting. I'm so sorry. I know you don't like people looking at your artworks. I'm sorry." The girl was trembling now, curling into herself. Mercedes heart squeezed painfully.

"Oh, Ar..." she whispered, hugging the trembling girl, running comforting hands through her hair and down her back. Arlen seized up, too frightened to move. After a few moments she clung to Cedes, holding on tight. Mercedes pulled back, smiling slightly.

"See, Arlen? It’s okay. Now, let's try to fix some more of your hair, hmm?" Arlen nodded dumbly and Cedes stood up, grabbing the dye.

Talking softly, Mercedes spread the dye onto Arlen's uneven hair, covering each patch. Every once in awhile, Arlen would laugh at what was said, but those were few and far between. After the dye had set and they'd rinsed out the excess, Mercedes took up a small pair of scissors, evening out the worse of the chunks. When she was done Arlen stood up, bowing slightly before thanking her and dashing out of the room, shoving a familiar maroon sock hat onto her head.

Mercedes sighed and turned back to her painting, picking up the brush and palette.

Swish. Swish.

Maybe the next time they did this Arlen wouldn't be so afraid. Maybe next time things would be better.

Mercedes shook her head, orchid eyes bleak and flat as she dipped her brush in her oils.

Here and now.

Swish. Swish.

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AN: Blegh, I think this is crap but I'm going to post it anyway. I don't think I conveyed this right. Man my wrist burns. >.@
Yeah, this is during EwB at some point. I like Arlen. She's a very strange character. She's also changed on me quite a bit since I created her, but all for the good.
Cheers.

Sets, out.
::end transmission::