"What about Sprout?" Elata suggested.
Roberto raised an eyebrow.
"I don't think so."
"Well, I like it."
"Of course you do," he thought to himself.
"Oh look, here we are."
Roberto looked up at "Madame Bella's Beauty Parlour" with some apprehension. When his parents told him Genovia had become a mutant haven, they weren't kidding. Mutants everywhere moved here a shamelessly used their abilities to make a few bucks. Do anything like that in most other parts of the world and you'll find yourself strung up and burnt at a stake or something. In his case, when his mutated started turning up, his parents had to start homeschooling him, due to the bullying of his classmates. They must have been so happy when Princess Mia's reign began.
No, that was unfair. He knew his parents loved him dearly, and wanted very much the best for their son, mutant or not. He supposed, in that, he was rather lucky to have such accepting parents. And in hindsight, he could see that they had missed plently of things in their homeschooling efforts. But he was studying hard to make up for the gaps.
Nonetheless, life in Genovia was very weird, although the culture shock was wearing off now. To a point. He still wasn't altogether with the 'mutant fashion' that was 'all the rage' in Genovia. Humans had actually decided that it was cool to have different coloured skin, eyes, hair, etc, etc. Probably the government had something to do with starting it. Or maybe he was just being cynical.
Still, his... friend Elata (if not a friend, then a hanger-on) was not only pro-mutant, but has fallen victim to this 'latest fashion' and otherwise a complete mutant wannabe. Elata wasn't her real name, but it was the name she picked as her 'mutant name' and insisted everyone called her by it. She often came to this beauty parlour, although this was the first time he had ever agree to go with her.
"Good day, Elata! Prompt as always for your appointment," Madame Bella greeted. "And who's your friend?"
"This is Sprout," Elata giggled.
Roberto rolled his eyes.
"I'm Roberto. Not 'Sprout'," he added pointedly.
"Nice to meet you. I am Madame Bella."
"I've heard a lot about you."
"All good I hope."
"Sure, sure."
Madame Bella was certainly a lot younger than he imagined.
"I think Sprout suits him. He's green and makes things grow," Elata put in with a grin.
Roberto sighed.
"Ahh, so you're a mutant, then Roberto? Or a gardener?"
"Mutant."
"What kinds of things can you make grow?"
"Once he made a wart grow on -" Elata began.
"Mainly plants. But I can do the odd pimple," Roberto cut in.
"It was a wart," Elata said gleefully.
It was an aptly picked name, Roberto felt. She was so often a happy girl.
"I see. Ready for your appointment, Elata?"
"Yep! I think I'll try purple this time. I though yellow might work, but I'm afraid it makes me look a little sickly."
"There are very few people that yellow becomes," Madame Bella agreed. "Well, have a seat Roberto, Elata and I are going to be a while. Feel free to look around."
"Yeah, thanks."