Work Text:
Chasca barely had time to react as the claw of a riftwolf sliced at her neck. She managed to dodge it just in time, but not fast enough before it sliced the bind on her braid into pieces. She jumped back as her hair loosened, only to see a burst of green fall from the sky and that familiar claymore crushed the abyssal wolf underfoot.
Chasca took a breath as the monster dissolved into corrupted ash.
“Chasca, are you alright?” Kinich asked as he put his claymore away.
“I am now,” Chasca said lightly, “It's not often a monster can catch me off guard like that.”
“Agreed, I suppose they were right about the danger of that one.” Kinich said, looking at the pile of ash.
Chasca raised an eyebrow. “Did someone commission you to hunt abyssal monsters?”
“Yeah, I'll take any job I think suits me after all.” Kinich said, “Abyssal activity is still present so rogue saurians are not the main issue at the moment. Anyway, are you hurt anywhere?”
“Not really, I’ve been in worse fights.” Chasca mused as she looked over herself briefly, only to see her hair flutter into her face from a stray breeze. “Ah, the thing did slice off some of my hair. I suppose it was a bit of a close call.”
“Here, I can help with that.” Kinich said as he walked over, “If you don’t mind.”
“Be my guest, I can take care of it on my own, but I’m curious.” Chasca said with a small smile as she sat on the ground. “I didn’t know you could work hair.”
KInich shook his head as he gently grabbed her crimson locks. “I help braid Mualani and Kachina’s hair from time to time, it’s nothing big.”
“I see.” Chasca said as she sat quietly, letting Kinich braid her hair back to how she usually wore it. Looks like Ajaw was being rather quiet today for some reason. Well, she hasn’t seen him when Kinich took care of the monster, maybe the dragon was in ‘time-out’ again.
This was the first time Kinich had offered to braid her hair like this, did it look that bad? She couldn’t help but wonder, however, she enjoyed this kind of feeling. It reminded her of Chuychu, back when she would sit and fix Chasca’s hair after tending to her wounds, the whole while lecturing her about getting into fights and injuries and whatnot. She knows Kinich wouldn’t do something like that, but still… this feeling, it was nice.
“All done.” KInich said as he tied off a piece of sturdy twine to lock the braid in place.
“Wow, you did my hair better than even I can.” Chasca said as she looked at her new braid. She always had some frayed hairs where they shouldn’t be in the bundles, but Kinich made it look so much smoother than she ever thought he could. “Thanks.”
“It’s no problem, just be careful. There’s a few other commissions regarding abyssal monsters in this area I need to take care of.” Kinich said.
“I think in that case, I should accompany you.” Chasca said. “Two is better then one after all, not to mention we’ll get it done quicker.”
“You can take a third of the commission fee then.” Kinich said.
“You can take it all. I just want to give you a hand with your work.” Chasca said, “You’ve helped me out plenty of times with my work, just consider me repaying the favor.”
“My involvement was hardly as much though, you should get some of the commission fee.” Kinich said.
“Fine, fine, but then I’m using that to get you something to eat.” Chasca said.
“Ai… so many patients today…” Ifa sighed as he leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms. So many saurians and their owners needed patching up today. The recent storm had caused quite a few injuries to flyers and fledglings alike. Some ranging from relatively light scrapes to more serious gashes. Can’t even blame recklessness since the storm practically came out of nowhere.
Still, at least the day was done and he could finally get some rest. Although he still had some patient files he needed to review and check his medical supplies. Not to mention he needed to check over Kinich’s file to see how that abyssal corrosion medicine for humans is working out. Plus there was still the matter of-
Ifa was cut off as he felt a pair of hands on his head. He glanced up and saw Ororon fiddling with his platinum locks.
“Hey bro, I didn’t keep you waiting that long, did I?” Ifa asked as Ororon combed out his hair.
“Not at all, Cacucu and I just finished cleaning up the main area and getting your patients settled in for the night. Some of them are quite scared because of the recent storms.” Ororon said.
“I’m not surprised by that, storms mean unpredictable weather and wind. A threat to all saurians, especially those that rely on flight.” Ifa said absently as he leaned his head back to let Ororon continue messing with it. “Also, why are you playing with my hair?”
“A-ah, do you not like it?” Ororon asked, stopping his movement briefly.
“No no, I like it. It’s relaxing.” Ifa mused, “I was just curious.”
“Granny used to brush and do my hair whenever I got nervous. Saying that we can’t help having nervous ticks, but it’s good to brush and maintain your hair to get that energy out.” Ororon explained, “That and doing so supposedly has a calming effect. Like how you brush a saurian’s head or tail to help calm them down.”
“Mhm, that makes sense, it does feel nice.” Ifa said with a small breath. “Is the braid necessary for the effects though?”
“Huh? You can tell?” Ororon asked.
“I can tell based on your hand movements,” Ifa laughed, “I never braided my hair before, I’m surprised you know how.”
“It’s something granny taught me.” Ororon said, “Is it helping?”
“It's helping a lot, bro.” Ifa said with a smile. “Thanks.”
It wasn't long before Ororon finished, the two chatted for just a bit longer before Ororon left to head back to his tribe before the storms returned. When Ifa looked in the mirror, his usually unruly hair was neatly tied together in a small braid, keeping his hair out of his face.
“Huh, it does look really nice.” Ifa mused.
“Ororon, is your hair getting in the way?”
“Huh?” Ororon looked up from the flowerbed as Kinich walked over. “It is getting a little long, why do you ask?”
“Here, I can tie it for you.” Kinich said, “You can't work with the plants if you keep having to brush your hair out of your face. The dirt will be troublesome down the line.”
Ororon didn't know why, but he just decided to sit down on the ground, away from the planting bed as Kinich stood behind him and fiddled with his hair. Taking his hood off and pulling back some of the longer locks that were insisting on sweeping his face.
“I never noticed your ears too much before.” Kinich said as he gently brushed around them. “Do they give you a heightened sense of hearing?”
“They do, it can be quite annoying though. Having increased hearing just means I'm more sensitive to noise.” Ororon said, “And in that case, all the bustling of the marketplaces can be a bit overwhelming.”
“I understand, even without heightened hearing, the noise can be disorienting.” Kinich said, “Unable to tell exactly where you are and what exactly is happening around you.”
Ororon remained silent for a moment as Kinich combed his hair. Now that he thinks about it, this was the closest the bearer of ‘Malipo’ had gotten to him since they met. Not including the time he was sick of course. He didn't have a plan on trying to get close to Kinich yet, but this was unexpected yet welcoming. He trusts Kinich enough to allow him this close, and Kinich was comfortable enough with him to do this.
It made him happy. Though, now that he could feel Kinich's grip, he was very gentle…
“Kinich… where did you learn how to braid?” Ororon asked.
“Ah… I learned a long time ago, but I wasn't any good at it.” Kinich said, “I only got better because of Mualani and Kachina. They asked me to help braid their hair quite often.”
“I see, I learned it from granny, though she says I still have a lot to learn about.” Ororon said, he saw Kinich's hand in the corner of his eye as he grabbed another lock to comb back. Already he felt like his eyesight got better with the lack of hair insisting on invading his vision.
“There, you can undo it when you head inside, but this should keep the hair out while you garden.” Kinich said, stepping back.
Ororon felt the back of his head and felt the braids Kinich had woven. They actually felt a lot like the ones he put on Ifa not too long ago. Guess it was a popular style.
“Thanks.” Ororon said.
“No problem, consider it payment for those extra seeds you gave me a short while ago.” Kinich said, “I'm making more room for grainfruit, so the extra seeds you gave me were good for the occasion.”
“I'm glad I could help.” Ororon said, “But those were supposed to be a gift, you didn't need to repay me for it.”
“That's why I decided to clean up your hair a little.” Kinich said, “Consider it a gift of my own.”
“I see, thanks.” Ororon said with a small smile. He looked at Kinich, and felt like he saw the small twitch of a smile himself.
Damn it..
Kinich let out a grunt, a burst of fire blasted at him as he dodged to the attack and rolled across the ground.
“Once we had nothing more than trivial chatter, but now we cross blades every time. How did things become like this?”
Kinich just let out an annoyed grunt as he glanced at Enjou’s levitating form. His catalyst floating between his large claws and that heavily ornate helm hiding all expressions. If Abyss Lectors could have expressions anyway.
“Things are like this because you insist on invading my personal space.” Kinich said, grabbing his claymore.
“I already said my research with K’uhul Ajaw had practically finished, not to mention my research can only go so far with him.” Enjou said, “But I need to examine you! You hold the rest of the answers I am curious about. A dragon and his vessel, I already examined one half, it's only appropriate I examine the other.”
“Then you need to be ready to pay for that.” Kinich said, “You don't get it for free.”
“Ah… that's a shame, I don't have anything to potentially bargain with.” Enjou said, “But I'll be quick! Just a teeny tiny look.”
“No is no, Enjou.” Kinich sighed as he looked around the cavern. Damn it, where did Ajaw go? He lost his bracelet when Enjou jumped him and he didn't know where it landed. He knows he can handle himself without Ajaw’s powers, but…
Kinich snapped out of his thoughts as he dodged another burst of fire.
“Just hold still!” Enjoy shouted, “This won't take long! It won't even hurt!”
“Personal space, Enjou!” Kinich scowled as he sent a burst of Dendro at the Lector. He swung his claymore again, only for another burst of fire to fill his vision. He instinctively jumped back as the fire grew close, only to just narrowly dodge as a clawed hand shot out at him. The sharp ends cut through his yellow braid and slice off just a bit of his hair.
Kinich let out a grunt as those same dark hands grabbed his wrists and hoisted him up.
“Tsk tsk, why must you make things so hard?” Enjou tutted, he kept Kinich's wrists held together with one hand while the other fiddled with his hair. “Now I've gone and accidentally tampered with you! This wouldn't have happened if you just cooperated.”
“What did I say about personal space?” Kinich growled as he tugged in the Lector’s grip. He was even being held off the ground, he couldn't get much traction if any in this position. Sometimes Kinich curses his smaller stature in instances like this, an extra inch or two would be really helpful right about now…
“This won't take long! I promise!” Enjou exclaimed, “I do apologize for your hair, damaging you like that wasn't my intention.”
Kinich only glared at him as Enjou grasped his face and moved it side to side.
“Curious, your physical appearance is still no different than that of a human, yet I can sense something more intriguing under the surface.” Enjou said, “I've dealt with Vishaps who turned into humans. Your composition reminds me of them, yet you're completely different. How strange. It's a shame I can't really examine more because you-ACK!”
Enjou was unceremoniously cut off as a burst of Anemo shot at his back. A swirl of elements followed another shot and caused the Lector to drop Kinich on the ground.
“Get away from him!” Chasca shouted as her gun riled up for another shot.
“Oh dear, I suppose it's time for me to leave again.” Enjou muttered, “I'll see you later, Kinich!”
The Lector waved his hand and quickly vanished through an abyssal portal. Chasca landed on the ground, a familiar bracelet in her hand and ran over. Ajaw’s pixelated form soon materializing.
“Grrrrrr! That abyssal scum! Constantly disrespecting me and touching my property! I swear the next time we meet I will turn him to ash!” Ajaw shouted as he circled Kinich.
Chasca ran over to Kinich and looked over at him.
“Are you alright?”
“I-I’m fine.” Kinich said as he rubbed his wrists. He saw his hair fall in front of his face and quickly brushed it away.
“Ah… your braid…”
“It's fine. It's the only thing that got damaged. I can clean it up when I get home.” Kinich said, only for Chasca to set the bracelet down and move behind him. Gently grabbing the colored portion of his hair.
“Chasca?”
“You don't need to worry, I can fix it up for you quickly. At least for now.” Chasca said as she gently combed out his hair, using her nails to undo some small tangles. “Consider it repayment for doing mine not too long ago.”
“...Very well.” Kinich said as he sat still, “What are you doing out here?”
“This place is still in the bounds of the tribe, I was just doing my usual patrols.” Chasca said, “I sensed an unusual spike in abyssal energy here, so I came to check it out. I found your bracelet just outside of the cave. Ajaw appeared and told me everything that happened.”
“That cowardly, slimy, scum!” Ajaw hissed, “Striking us out so he could get at you! He knows he cannot defeat us together so he had to do such a backhanded move to make us weak! Nothing less from the Abyss I suppose.”
“What was that thing anyway?” Chasca asked.
“An Abyss Lector named Enjou.” Kinich said, “I ran into him before, he assumes a human form from time to time, but he doesn't seem interested in Natlan as a whole. He's not really a threat.”
“But this attack on you?”
“He claims to have an interest in me, even though I more than fulfilled our bargain from before.” Kinich said, “He won't accept any terms and tried to brute force his way. He crossed paths with the traveler before.”
“I see, will he be targeting you again?” Chasca asked as she braided his hair.
“There's a chance, but I think he's only doing it because his search into the Mare Jivari is coming up short.” Kinich said, “Once he's gotten a latch on the Mare Jivari, I'm certain he'll forget about me.”
“Tch, as if.” Ajaw scoffed, “Someone like that is someone who’s gone so far off the deep end they see nothing else but what's in their face.”
“Regardless, we should get back.” Chasca said, she finished off Kinich's braid And tied it off with a piece of twine. “There, that should hold until you get back.”
Kinich reached up and felt the braid, “Thanks…”
“I braid my hair just as often, sometimes I did it for Chuychu too.” Chasca said with a soft smile. “Come on, let's head back, I'll take you there. I need to see Uncle Wayna anyway.”
“Alright.” Kinich nodded and stood up.
“Hmph, how many times are you going to be a damsel in need of saving?” Ajaw asked with a scoff.
“I don't plan on being one.” Kinich said as he batted the dragon away lightly. “You didn't warn me when Enjou was about to strike.”
“Grr! Only because you were so narrow focused on getting through the commission you dolt!” Ajaw shouted, “I could sense abyssal presence from miles away, but you insisted on coming here!”
“You didn't specify, Ajaw. We are in an abyssal laced area. Just telling me that isn't going to tell me the difference between Enjou and a rifthound.” Kinich sighed.
Kinich ended up just feeling the braid again as he followed Chasca. He… not everyone gets to touch his hair. The only ones who could were Mualani and Kachina. This was the first time Chasca had done it. Still, he didn't feel bothered by it at all. In fact, it felt nice.