He sulkily patted the backside of his head upon Hana striking it with a growl. A smile struggled across his face, enjoying the ruckus that he was unintentionally inflicting upon the mage. “Scissors don’t have anything on my claws, once I figure out how to lash them at you!” Briefly looking over his smooth fingernails he pondered if there was any sort of possibility to grow them into thick claw-like shapes.<br/><br/>“Oh, so you can magic up an animal to turn into a completely different, and might I say, uglier form, but you can’t get hair to look the way you want it to?” He complained jokingly, but before any sort of reply could be sent from Hana, Crone’s face lost its humour as he watched the gradually stretching smirk gracing across the girl’s face. “I am not a scaredy-cat! Water just smudges the beauty of art, blurs one’s perception on reality - it’s a valid concern-” He silenced his tangent as she begun to walk him down the hallway, looming behind her a few steps further than usual in thoughtful reluctance. As she described the events that were to follow, his mouth formed a hard,<span style="font-style: italic">please-don’t-make-me-do-this</span>line. The phrase ‘normal guy’ seemed fun though simultaneously disturbing. Never did Crone want to imagine that he would one day properly integrate into human culture; the very thought made his shoulders shudder. He eyed Hana as she promptly prepared the bathroom, looking down at the cold bathroom tiles to wonder how interesting it was for humans to be so organised about their lives. Every room in the house seemed to serve a purpose, every floor and wall material placed for a reason. A huge contrast to the underworld, wherein every act is made spontaneously and immortal spirits often thrive aimlessly, without a real goal in mind.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Without a real goal in mind...</span><br/><br/>“Come on, I promise it won’t bite~” her words beckoned and taunted, Crone grunting with a defeated sigh. If he wanted to make his obstacle as a mortal at least a moderately enjoyable one, he may as well act the part. He bent his head forward, oh-so slowly, eyes squinted as to not let any single drop dare enter his eyes as water begun to work its way through his hair. A long, agitated groan sounded from his throat throughout most of the process. “Coming from someone who lives in the underworld, this is worse than hell,” he complained, annoyed at the thought that Hana would probably find the situation amusing. After that comment, the man kept quiet as Hana tended to his mop, a blank, unamused expression donning his face.<br/><br/>Sinking into the living room chair as though the water had started to melt him, Crone shook his head about like a wet dog for a moment, glancing an eye to look back at Hana. “I guess it can’t get any worse than this...”<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>Boy, was he wrong.<br/><br/>Long hair pooled around Crone’s feet; the aftermath of an intense war between blade and dignity. One of the only things he appreciated about his human self, his long majestic hair, was now light. Fluffy. Cute?! “Oh gods, I look like a sheep! What’s with you people and cute animal-themed hair?!” He peered intently at the mirror Hana offered him, squinting his eyes at the initial shock of letting go of all of that weight... Before realising it didn’t look half-bad on him. Hair seemed to really change one’s aesthetic - this new cut flattered his frame, made him seem more youthful and well-kept. He tilted his head, ruffling the his hair in various places to spot the different layers Hana had placed for him. Turning to meet Hana’s face, he softly smiled. “On second thought, it isn’t too ba-... Uh, are you alright?”<br/><br/>Crone raised an eyebrow in confusion as she turned her gaze away from him. She seemed to appear more flushed than the last time he saw her. Was it something he said? Standing up, Crone pattered stray cut hairs away from his robe and neck, stretching out his arms before patting his hands on the girl’s shoulder. “Good job, by the way. You didn’t even have to use your fancy pants magic.” He awkwardly chuckled in an attempt to lift the silence, unsure of what to make of her so instead decided to ignore her reaction. “Anyway, since you’ve been warming me up to the idea of exploring... Do you have any clothes I could lend? My robe will probably be too cold for wearing outside,” he addressed, turning to the window and watching the town breathe life. He didn’t really want to talk to anyone, but he did miss the forest, the sights and the smells... He wondered where the nearest one would be from their location as a response slowly withdrew from the flustered Hana.