Year of the Boar, Thirteenth Month, Day 14.

 Hikari and Kiku invited me to take tea with them this morning. I was going to decline politely but then I realised that having some friends other than Kaede would not be a bad thing. Especially since I cannot keep relying on Haru. We have not discussed it since before we arrived at the House but I do not believe she has changed her mind about remaining in my network so I must find other ways to keep abreast of House news once I leave. 

Haru insisted I dress properly for the occasion so I arrived at the tea house clad in a shimmering sea green silk printed with silver peonies. Since my hair is too short to be dressed, I wore a peacock shaped pin just above my right ear; Haru deems this acceptable apparently, although she muttered incessantly about propriety and it being about time my hair started to grow. I kept my opinions to myself but I actually laughed out loud when I shuffled over the threshold to see the two of them sitting there with sleek, perfectly coiffed hair cut to just below their jawlines. Kiku wore a flower in hers while Hikari had opted for some sort of jewelled insect. 

They looked crushed when I began chuckling. Hikari ran her hand down the shortened length of hers and asked if I didn't like it. Haru shook her head slowly, looking absolutely baffled as Kiki burbled about how fetching they had thought my hair when we ate last night. More to the point, how much more practical it was not to have to have it dressed every time they wanted to leave their rooms. I told them that they looked absolutely marvellous and tried to explain Haru's horror at my choice to cut my own. The two of them looked at each other sheepishly before they confessed that they were not the only ones to have decided that long hair was no longer desirable. I laughed until I shed tears at the idea that I had unintentionally become a trendsetter at Silent Thunder. 

I enjoyed their company. It was very nice to experience what 'normal' life must be like when one has no cares. There is to be a concert of sorts tomorrow, when some musicians who are touring the Kingdom will play for the House. Kiku and Haru have invited me to attend with them. I believe I shall go.