??????? ?????? | Wanderer x Reader

"Sir, please let me fix your hair!" The blonde woman fretted as Wanderer walked away from her; not wanting to be fawned over any more. He'd been stuck with her since this morning, Arlecchino insisting someone make sure he would look put-together enough for this evening's event.

"I can handle my own hair fine, thanks." He replied in a not-so-polite town; just wanting to be left alone. Your maid, however, did not seem ready to give up in the slightest. This was one of the rare times where she wasn't at your side; ready to handle whatever orders you might provide her with, and it seemed she was taking this temporary task a little too seriously; at least in the navy haired man's opinion.

"You have to look your best if you're to attend the show with Their Grace!" The maid, whom Wanderer remembered was named Claire, insisted as she followed him across the room with a bottle of hairspray in hand. He eyes it with a disgusted look but took a seat as she came over anyway; knowing there was no way he'd be getting out of this.

It was still frustrating, though. After all, he didn't actually want to impress anyone. He was simply here because Nahida had ordered it (and to stick it to the doctor). Claire seemed to finally breathe a sigh of relief as she went to adjust his hair again, making sure it would be perfectly styled for tonight.

"I know it's not a real relationship," she told Wanderer with a softer tone now, "But please try to look your best anyway. Y/n should only be seen in the best of company after all they've been through, so you need to at least look like you fit that description." The subtle jab at him didn't go unnoticed by Wanderer, who scoffed.

He could understand what she was saying, though. It seemed your personal maid was even more loyal to you than he'd expected; to the point where she'd probably wrestle him to the ground if he resisted her preening any more. You'd let her in on the plan without any hesitation; confident her knowledge of it would help, not hinder.

He still wasn't convinced, but he was in no place to argue right now.

"You seem to think very highly of them." He commented, meaning it as more of an insult than it came out as. Claire just nodded, pushing back more strands of his navy hair with floral-scented hair gel.

"Of course," she replied, "They've been through a lot and I'm more than willing to assist them in whatever they have planned now; no matter what it is." She sent him a look at the last part and he wondered if she showed such a fiery personality around you too or if this was just her particular animosity towards him coming out right now.

For a few more minutes, to the two of them remained in silence as she worked on his hair. He'd already gotten into the clothes Arlecchino had left for him; a stuffy purple suit that matched his hair while also bringing him back to the times when he'd been a harbinger due to its familiar color.

He hated it.

Finally, Claire seemed to finish her work because she took a step back any away from him, placing her hands on her hips as she allowed him to check himself out in the mirror.

"There; done." She said, "Now you at least look somewhat presentable."

"What ever would I do without you?" Wanderer mumbled as he stood from his chair and took several steps away from her for safety reasons. She hadn't exactly been gentle when tugging his hair into the slicked-back look it had now. Claire glared his way but he didn't back down.

"Trust me, once you see how gorgeous Their Grace will be looking tonight, you'll still feel underdressed and out of place in comparison." She replied with venom in her tone. Wanderer got the feeling she wished she could have been in his place and that that may have been where some of this unwarranted anger was coming from. A smirk made its way onto his lips but the woman just rolled her eyes.