Vane: Preparing for the Tax

[gorgonfondness]

Mia has a routine.

Every other Friday, she goes to the salon and has her hair trimmed.

This should be the first thing that tips Draco off that something is up, though it likely won't be what it actually is.

"Draco, I'm going to the salon to get my hair cut. Would you like to come along?"

Comments

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Draco set down his paperwork, and eyed her curiously.

"Rather early isn't it? It can't be that they were booked then."

[gorgonfondness]

"Something came up for me at the end of the week, so I have to get it done now."

Which is true, even though she's omitting the fact that the something that came up requires the haircut in the first place.

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Draco approached her with concern, "Oh? Is everything all right? I thought the inquiry matter was settled finally."

[gorgonfondness]

He's worried and she hasn't even told him yet? That's got to be some sort of record.

"The inquiry is over and everything checked out all right for everyone, though the council didn't like a few choice words of mine."

Not that she's sorry for them. Not at all.

"This is just when I have time to get my hair done."

She takes his hand.

"And you don't have to sit bored in the salon if you don't want. Though I do know you like the occasional manicure."

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

He studied his nails thoughtfully, "Well, they could use one... and all right."

[gorgonfondness]

She takes his other hand and tugs.

"Looks like you're coming along then."

She takes him down the familiar path to the salon she's been visiting ever since she started caring about her hair.

As soon as they arrive, they're each swept away.

"Majesty Mia! You're here early, but we can take care of you. Now how can we take care of you today? The usual trim? Something more playful?"

"Something daring," Mia says before whispering the instructions.

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

A team of attendants also descended on Draco.

"Master Draco, your usual? Would you care for a facial to go with it?"

Draco considered, "Please, and the paraffin treatment again." It softened up his hands so nicely.

"Of course, right this away."

[gorgonfondness]

"Your husband's going to take longer than you are, Majesty Mia," the attendant taking care of Mia's hair said.

"I don't mind if it makes him happy," she replies. "Besides, I have an errand to run afterward. I can probably have it done before he's finished."

Not to mention all of that will do a wonderful job of distracting him from just how much of his wife's hair is landing on the floor.

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Oh he was very distracted with getting his face massaged, and masks applied as he settled back in his chair contently.

Mia's lucky he doesn't rack up more of a bill than he already does.

[gorgonfondness]

It's the money he makes from his potions shop that pays for that. Mia's busy doing practical things with her money.

And it's not long before she is done, not that Draco can see with everything going on for his facial.

"I have an errand to get done, dear," she tells him from behind. "Do you want me to go while you're busy or would you like me to wait so you can come along?"

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Draco waved his hand, since he now had slices on his eyes to reduce puffiness.

"Oh that's all right dear, you can run along if you like. Shouldn't be too much longer."

He clearly sounded distracted.

[gorgonfondness]

She gives him a kiss on the crown of his head before leaving.

"You're a very lucky man to have her for your wife, Master Draco," one of the attendants says.

"And she looks so cute with her haircut!" another adds. "You won't even recognize her."

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

He'd blink if he didn't have slices on his eyes.

As it was, Draco paused.

"......................What haircut? Didn't she get her simple trim?"

[gorgonfondness]

"What, a woman can't get a haircut?" yet another attendant replies.

"Yeah, since when do men get more pampering than their wives?"

"Next thing you know we'll be doing highlights for you while she balances the checkbook."

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

"Er, she's welcome to be pampered as much as she likes." she usually just doesn't ask for manicures.

"And what's wrong with highlights?"

[gorgonfondness]

The attendants titter with laughter at this.

And well, Mia would ask for a manicure if she didn't think her nails might get roughed up during the tax.

"Oh, we're sorry, Majesty Draco, we thought Master Mia was the woman in the relationship."

By this point, everyone in the salon is giggling.

In the meantime, she's on her way back to the salon to see if Draco is finished, her new staff collapsed for the time being. She's changed into her sparring clothes as well to be prepared.

She'll just wait outside until the laughter dies down.

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Draco grumbled, "Can't a man also look good?"

[gorgonfondness]

"Whatever are you complaining about, Draco?"

Wait, who's that alluring woman with short hair and what has she done with your wife?

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Draco went silent at the voice, and he turned.

She was gorgeous...

Wait... What the Merlin??

"..............Mia?"

[gorgonfondness]

She smiles brightly at him.

Yep. Definitely Mia.

One of the attendants elbows Draco and says, "Told you that you wouldn't recognize her."

"Well, what do you think?" she sheepishly asks.

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Draco barely took note of the attendant's dig, all of his attention focused on his wife. He got up, and approached her. His hand reached out to touch her hair.

"Beautiful as always, but why so short, luv? I always liked your long hair."

[gorgonfondness]

There's a quiet, collective coo of "Awwww" at the scene. They'll forgive him for being so girly since he's a romantic.

"A number of reasons," she replies after thanking the salon employees and tugging at Draco's hand to leave. "One, it's cute. Two, now my hair won't get in my face when I'm trying to work. Or when I'm trying to admire you, so three. Four is it makes my ears, my neck, my shoulders so much easier to kiss without worrying about tugging hair out of the way. Sounds to me like most of this is to your benefit."

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Draco took her hand, and as they left the salon he whispered in her ear.

"Rather convincing argument, but perhaps we should take this somewhere where you can further convince me privately."

[gorgonfondness]

"That does sound like a good idea," she replies. "And I do think I can fit you into my busy schedule. And while I know you probably won't like it, I will have to tell you why my schedule is so busy."

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Draco stopped in his tracks along the path.

"Why wouldn't I like it? What's going on, Mia?"