They were an elf, over 500 human years of age, yet their hair was cropped quite short, always. When asked why, they merely smiled and twitched the edge of their rather practical clothing and stated calmly "It's easier to take care of this way, and a lot cooler in the warmer months, too." -- Anon Guest
Hair has always been a mark of status amongst Elvenkind. They have measured their experience and perfections by how long they wore their hair. They judged each other by feet and inches, by the complexity and messages woven into their braids. They have done such since the dawn of history.
Even in the Age of Humans, and the dawn of the Age of Understanding, it was more than a shock to see an Elf with short hair.
Therefore, Ylthebb received a great many double takes as she went about her business in Aldelyn. Then again, most people bustling about Aldelyn didn't see her in what she would call her "natural environment".
The streets and shops of Aldelyn were merely where she went to obtain what she needed. Food, fresh leather gloves or aprons, the occasional new helmet, and a lot of various metals. Once in a long while, Ylthebb would linger over some interesting tools.
A member of the Watch, obviously new to the city, followed her on one of her expeditions. It took her quite a while to notice. All the way up to the door of her workshop/residence, in fact.
"Oh good day to you, officer," Ylthebb chirped. "Are you here for a gadget or gizmo?"
"I'm more interested in what you did wrong," said the officer. Their nameplate declared them to be Pembroke. "Why's your hair so short, Elf?"
As if in answer, Ylthebb opened the door to her workshop. Banked fires, grinding gears, and moving mechanisms almost filled the space. "I'm a tinkerer, artificer, and engineer of some moderate measure," she said, gesturing at all her works and all her works in progress. "With all of this everywhere I happen to be... would you have long hair?"
Officer Pembroke instinctively guarded their cloak and sleeves. They didn't want to risk getting caught on anything in there. "Oh. I see. Practical reasons."
"Very practical reasons," agreed Ylthebb.
[Photo by Malcolm Lightbody on Unsplash]
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