“I’ll consider myself lucky then, that I caught you on your second offense rather than your first.” Zinnia murmured as her fingers moved carefully, coaxing another thorn to loosen its spiteful hold. She wasn’t sure why Padmore constantly kept bringing in plants (and animals!) whose prime focus it seemed to be to attack people, but she wasn’t on the committee so she didn’t get a say.

She tapped her head. “I’m sure your curls suit you. Though I suppose I might feel differently if it were my scalp at stake instead of yours.” She hadn’t seen his face yet, but it wasn’t like curls were dreadful or terrible to look at. The thorn finally slid loose under her coaxing, and she gave a soft, satisfied hum, fingertips brushing feather-light as she checked the next snarl.

It only took her a few more tries before Zinnia finally felt the last stubborn thorn give way, although as it pulled free, she wasn’t sure if it left a scratch or not behind. She gave a triumphant little hum as she was pleased with her work before easing her hand back from his hair. “There. Give it a shake to make sure I got them all.”

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