Tathaln was lucky enough to be accepted into the famous White City University together with the best and brightest minds of Greadinall. However, being a son of a successful merchant also meant that his family couldn’t afford to get him his own personal lodging, so he had no choice but to apply for the communal ones instead, which he would have to share with two other students.

He hoped that, since he’s a high elf, the university administration would find it fitting to assign him to an all-elven dorm. He found the idea of sharing his daily existence with the lesser races quite … distasteful.

Alas, the administration didn’t agree with him, meaning that he was stuck with barbarians for the time being.

“FUCK!!!”

And that was one of them.

“MOTHERFUCKER!!!”

Thanks to the deep and loud voice, Tathaln knew it was his demonic … umm, acquaintance? For some reason, his people have a habit of talking loudly about sexual things whenever they’re annoyed or upset. They also use highly sexualized insults like: go fuck yourself. As if wishing sexual pleasure on your enemies is the worst thing you can do to them.

For the first time ever, the White City University had accepted two demonic students in its ranks. It had to happen on the same year Tathaln enrolled, and he had to have the privilege of sharing his lodging with one of them.

That being said, it wasn’t that bad. The demon looked scary, but not that much. He didn’t have horns or a pointy tail. He even had a proper, civilized skin color. Although, his cold, soulless stare always sent chills down Tathaln’s spine. Still, the demon was surprisingly courteous and pleasing to the eye, even though Tathaln would never admit that to anyone.

“What is he up to now?” Tathaln complained to no one in particular as he went to investigate.

He found the demon in the bathroom, facing the corner with his broad back turned towards the entrance. There was a small mirror in front of the demon, sitting on the cupboard. Some white, cloud-like thing covered a good portion of his lower face. It looked a lot like some kind of foam.

“What was that about?” Tathaln asked.

“Oh, nothing. I’ve just cut myself. Nothing to worry about.”

“How in the world did you manage to cut yourself in the bathroom?”

“I was shaving and got too impatient.”

“Shaving?”

“Yes, shaving. What, you elves don’t shave?”

“Is that when you remove your body hair?”

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“That’s right.”

“We elves don’t have any.”

“Well, good for you. I have a strong beard so I have to shave it frequently.”

“Oh yes! I do remember seeing a semblance of some beard on your face yesterday.”

“Well, I’m getting rid of it now. I got impatient so I tried cutting some corners. But instead of corners, I’ve only managed to cut myself.”

“Don’t tell me you’re using a knife to do it?”

“Uhh, not really. It’s something much smaller.”

“Do we need to get the healer? How bad is it?”

Tathaln stepped forward to take a look but his legs stopped involuntarily as soon as his eyes were set on the demon's face. Crimson blood gushed like a river from the demon’s upper lip, falling into the basin below, painting the water in it completely red.

The horrifying sight made him stumble.

“You … you need a healer … you need a healer … you need a healer!”

“Calm down, it’s not that bad. It will stop on its own.”

“On its own? Look at it! Your blood is pouring into the basin you fool!”

“It will stop soon enough. I won’t die from it,” the demon continued moving something up and down the upper part of his neck, unfazed, “besides, it’s not the first time. I’m impatient with chores like this so I cut myself all the time. I’ll live.”

“It’s not … wait, doesn’t it hurt?”

“Not anymore. Cutting myself hurt like hell, and that’s when you heard me swearing. But now it doesn’t hurt at all.”

As the demon moved the thing in his hand along the underside of his jaw, it made the cloudy foam sitting there disappear, revealing the smooth skin underneath.

“This … what is this white thing on your face?”

“Oh, I bet you’ve never seen it before. It’s a shaving gel.”

“Doesn’t look like gel to me.”

“It looks like this when you rub it into beard. Its purpose is to make hair moister, which makes it easier to cut.”

“Cut? But you’re not …”

“I know you high-elves have some superiority complex, but did you honestly think I’d shave with a knife? Besides, don’t you have scissors for cutting your hair? What makes you think there wouldn’t be a special tool for shaving your beard?”

“Is it that thing you’re moving along your neck?”

“Not the whole neck! I’m not a neckbeard! Here, take a look at it,” the demon extended the small tool in his hand,” It’s a small razor. It’s nothing special.”

“Is it sharp?”

“How do you think I’ve managed to cut myself? Yes, it’s small but very sharp.”

“And you got no issues moving that sharp thing up and down your neck?”

The demon considered Tathaln’s words for a moment: “Oh, I see what you’re getting at. I may cut myself, but it won’t be that deep. It will draw some blood but it won’t be deep enough to sever an artery.”

“But you’re …”

“See, it’s not pouring so much anymore. The bleeding will stop completely soon enough.”

“But …”

“I understand your worry, but you’re worrying over nothing my friend. That being said, I am touched by your gesture. I never thought a high-elf would be worried for a demon’s life.”

The demon’s snarky grin let Tathaln know he was being toyed with.

“That’s interesting. Weren’t you trying to explain how you’re not a demon ever since we’ve met?”

“Yeah, well, I’m not. I’m just messing with you.”

“So, do all … humans, right? Do all human males do this? Do all of you shave like that?”

“No, not all. Just those of us who want to have smooth skin. Some human males do grow their beards, but it would be a waste to hide a perfect, chiseled jaw like mine behind it. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Are you trying to flirt with me?”

The demon smiled, looking amused: “No, I’m just being unapologetically pretentious.”

“Good. Well, you do your best trying to kill yourself, I won’t stand in your way. In fact, I’m leaving because I don’t want to be here when they discover your body. I’ll be out until the evening.”

“All right. See you later!”

“I hope so.”