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| Chapter 28 | Book 5 • Chapter 29 | Chapter 30 |
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Ramshackle Dorm - Lounge
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How long are you all going to congregate in the lounge? ...And what are these stacks of boxes? |
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Epel's family sent him some apple juice, which he has been kind enough to share. |
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I-it doesn't have any added sugars! Or preservatives! And, um, it's not going to last for very long, so...you're welcome to have some too, Vil. If you like. |
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Hmm. Is that so? Perhaps if the mood strikes me. But it's just about 10 o'clock. That means lights out for you spudlings. |
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You expect us to go to bed at 10 p.m.?! What are we, grade schoolers? |
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Perhaps so, if your mindset moves you to equate an early bedtime with being a child. You need a MINIMUM of seven hours of sleep a night to maintain lustrous skin and hair. Speaking of which, I've been meaning to ask you... What products do you use for hair and skin care? |
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Uh, what do you mean, care? |
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My hair tangles easily with repeat washes, so I use hair oil...but I don't put anything extra on my skin. |
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My attendants back home always slathered me in moisturizers, but I haven't done any of that since I started school here. |
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You strip away your natural oils and then leave your skin gasping for hydration? Are you mad?! I'm giving each of you a set of my personally formulated skin care products. Apply them every morning and evening after you wash your face. |
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Ooh, you make your own cosmetics? Neat! |
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I shouldn't be surprised. Of course the Pomefiore housewarden would be an expert in herbalism. |
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Epel and I have been naught but smooth and supple since we started using Vil's products. |
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Yes, and he makes other things, too: sunblock, setting powder, lip balm, hand cream... He dumped—ah, I mean, gifted me—a bunch of it. |
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By the way, I see a lot of bottles here. How do you use all this? |
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Must I explain everything? Fine. I'll start with the facial cleanser. Kalim, you'll be my model. The rest of you, pay close attention. |
| Y-yes, sir. |
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Kalim, what do you use when you wash your face normally? |
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Water! |
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Out of the question! First, work up a lather with this loofah, then massage your face with the foam. NO hard scrubbing. |
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Aha ha! This tickles. |
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Once you've finished washing, use a refining toner. Apply it gently to your skin with a cotton pad. |
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You have to wipe yourself down again right after rinsing the foam off? |
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This is a secondary step for removing dirt from your pores. Next comes the moisturizer. Rub it into your palms and press down firmly with it to ensure it permeates the skin. |
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Ooh, it smells all flowery. This is nice! |
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Next is the milky lotion. Boys our age secrete a lot of sebum, so applying too much could backfire. |
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Aha ha ha! It's kind of funny when you say "our age". |
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...Would you care to elaborate on that statement? |
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I just mean, you're so mature compared to all the other juniors I know. |
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Good. I was ready to come to blows if you had intended to call me old. Anyway, moving on... What I just went over was the order of operations for your morning and evening care routine. This container here is a facial cream meant to be used once every three days for added care. Apply it before you go to bed. Work this oil into the ends of your hair before using a dryer. This body milk here is for use after showers. Apply it meticulously to your knees, elbows, and the heels of your feet. |
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This is as hard as a Potionology practical. |
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Ooh, my skin's already feeling silkier after getting the Vil treatment. See, [MC]? Feel my cheek. |
| It's squishy. | It's springy. |
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Hey! Get your grimy hands off his clean face! Hands are a breeding ground for microorganisms. |
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In some ways, our housewarden's got nothin' on Vil. This is nuts... |
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Shhh. He's right here. |
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Hey, Vil? Question. You became housewarden because you're good at magic, right? Do you know any spells that can skip all this stuff and just magically gussy up our hair and skin? |
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Magicians like yourselves should understand that most spells and potions are not permanent. Magic might create a temporary illusion of beauty and allow someone to indulge in a brief dream... But I have no interest in spells that fade when the clock chimes midnight. What I seek is genuine, authentic aesthetic perfection. Like the Fairest Queen who earned the Magic Mirror's recognition. |
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If that legendary mirror still existed, I have no doubt it would recognize your excellence, Vil. |
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...Perhaps. That talk ran a bit long. All of you, to your rooms now. And don't forget to follow the skin care routine before you go to bed! |
| Y-yes, sir... |
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| Chapter 28 | Book 5 • Chapter 29 | Chapter 30 |
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