[center][img]https://s3-media2.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/WeVby__EsvpbeQ4PL7dAPQ/o.jpg[/img][/center] [indent][u][b]12:04 PM Natural Sister Hair Salon, New York City[/b][/u][/indent] [right]In Collaboration With: [@Blackstripe][/right] [hr] Clio offered up a grateful grin, not wanting to make Karen think she was unhappy with her effort. [color=EF1956]”Thank you so much! This is gonna be awesome!”[/color] She was genuinely cheerful, which surprised even her. Taking her bag, she lead Karen outside the mall and hailed a cab for the three of them. The ride over to Natural Sister Hair Salon was lengthy, but Clio made sure to chat with Karen about all the different styles she could choose from, and even other topics such as favorite foods and colors. Basic icebreakers that they’d have to know if they wanted to be friends. Upon arriving at the salon, Clio paid the fare and stepped out. As soon as they entered, they were hit with the pleasant scent of hair care products and the sound of hair scissors snipping. It was a small location, with plain beige walls and black chairs. A woman was currently getting her hair braided, and she laughed with her stylist over a conversation. A middle-aged African woman walked over to the register, ready to take care of them. Her eyes were crinkled, a smile on her lips. [b]”What do you three need?”[/b] She asked, typing something on a computer. Her fingers flew, a blur to the human eye but just slow enough so that the computer could keep up. Clio smiled, she was a speedster. [color=EF1956]”I need box braids, not sure if Jones wants anything, and my lovely friend here needs…”[/color] [color=Gold]”Fuck no, took five years to grow this thang out.”[/color] She leaned over to Karen, whispering, [color=EF1956]”Weave or wig?”[/color] Karen had listened quite attentively as Clio regaled her with the various different styles of hair-braiding that were available on the ride here. She had never braided her hair before in her life, unless pigtails counted. [color=orchid]”Um...weave, I guess? Maybe make it curly? I’ve always wondered what my hair would look like curly.”[/color] She would be genuinely surprised if she could manage to rock that look, given how naturally straight her hair was. The woman at the register, Wanda, if they cared to look at her nametag, lead them up a slight incline and over into the salon portion of the establishment. Waving Clio over, she took her to the washing station. Giving Karen a final thumbs-up, Clio followed. While Clio was getting her tangles taken out and her hair freshly washed, a pleasantly plump woman seemingly in her late forties took Karen over to a chair. “I’m Eilene, nice to meet you. You’re Karen, right? My daughter’s a huge fan.” Not waiting for Karen to speak, she added, “You said you wanted a weave? Shouldn’t be too hard on your hair.” She lifted up a few of Karen’s strands, before taking out a comb and a spray bottle. Working quickly, she ran the comb through a few times, sectioning off some hair and beginning to cornrow Karen’s hair tight to her scalp. On opposite ends of the salon, it was hard for the girls to communicate. So, Clio stayed silent and allowed herself to fall asleep as her [url=https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81u3JjpBn1L._SY355_.jpg]silver braids[/url] were put in. Meanwhile, Eilene chatted up Karen and put in her [url=https://www.beautyforever.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/c/l/cl_4_.jpg]loose, curly weave[/url]. All together, the styles took an hour to accomplish. Clio was shaken awake, and was able to admire herself in the mirror. It was a big change of pace, but she felt it necessary. This was her way of standing her ground against her inner demon. Standing up, her head tilted backwards at the extra weight. Adjusting quickly, she walked over to Karen, eyes lighting up almost instantly upon seeing the star. [color=EF1956]”You look amazing!”[/color] Karen stared at herself in awe, reaching up to gently touch her now very curly hair. It actually looked [i]natural[/i] on her! She hadn’t been sure if she could pull it off, but it had worked! Turning her head, she appraised herself in the mirror for a good solid minute before finally saying, [color=orchid]”I do!”[/color] [color=Gold]”Cleesh.”[/color] Jones off-handedly added. This was even worth having to hear about her hairdresser’s daughter for an hour straight! Maybe she could even convince Sterling Records to let her keep the look for a while, since it wasn’t [i]too[/i] radical of a change! [color=orchid]”Clio, thank you! Getting my hair styled is usually all business on my side,”[/color] she said, that beaming smile having resurfaced in full. [color=orchid]”And you look absolutely gorgeous too! Between this and your new threads, it’d be hard to recognize you!”[/color] [color=Gold]”Damn right, I just might have to start sliding to DM’s.”[/color] [I]Good,[/I] was all she could think, though she was slightly embarrassed by what Jones had to say. She wanted to be brand new. She wanted to be the best Clio she could possibly be. This was the first of many waves. Perhaps if she put some effort into her appearance, and cleansing her personal space, she'd be able to cleanse her mind as well. Even if she couldn't beat Makaya, she could always solidify her place in second. Always be in the back of her mind, the way she was. That didn't make much sense...it was her mind in the first place, she was herself. And Makaya was her, not the other way- No. She wasn't going to think of it while she was out with Karen. This was supposed to be fun. [color=EF1956]"You deserve to have fun sometimes, you've worked hard for it."[/color] With that thought in mind, Clio guided Karen out of the salon. She wasn't quite sure what else there was to do. Maybe it was best to end things on a high note? [color=EF1956]"Thank you for hanging out with me. You've really helped. If you ever need anything, just give me a call."[/color] Karen nodded, immediately stepping forward to give Clio a warm hug. [color=orchid]”Thanks for hanging with [i]me.[/i] It’s been quite a while since I was able to just go out and have fun like this!”[/color] Stepping back, she glanced to Jones. [color=orchid]”Come on. Since you were so well behaved today, you can help me judge some of the new dance moves I’ve been working on back at the hotel.”[/color] Jones whistled. [color=Gold]”Say less, I was a judge on America’s Got Talent you know, back in the day?”[/color]