Elowen was cleaning up her chair at the salon, sighing slightly as she organized her scissors, brushes, and bowls. Her last client had been a woman who appreciated the silent appointment option - a mother who found her time with Elowen to be her only quiet moment of the day.

Elowen looked up when she saw Laura looking through the appointment book. "Do I have anything else?" she asked softly, walking over to the front desk.

"No, honey. You can either head home or stay and take some walk-ins," Laura smiled, placing a comforting hand on Elowen's upper back. "You've worked hard the last few days."

"It's fine, Laura," Elowen chuckled, leaning into the woman who had become like a mother figure to her. "Looks like a walk-in is coming over anyway. Can you ask him what he wants while I run to the bathroom?" Already knowing the answer, she hurried off.

Elowen reappeared a few minutes later, drying her hands with paper towel and throwing it into the trashcan as she walked back into the main salon area.

"Was just talking about you, darling," Laura said. "This gentleman here would like a silent appointment and I mentioned I had the perfect stylist. He has some sensory issues too, but I'll let him explain to you directly."

Elowen nodded, watching as Laura grabbed her bag. "Heading out?" she asked, reaching for her hair tie to pull her long hair back.

"Just grabbing us coffee. See you in a bit, doll," Laura waved as she walked out, her heels clicking on the concrete steps as she headed down the street.

"Well, why don't you come sit down and tell me what you want," Elowen said, pulling out the salon chair and pumping it higher to accommodate the man's taller height.