[ That seems successful. He's hopeful then, that just maybe, maybe, he's redirected her to better topics despite the date being inevitable. The dress is just as inescapable - something he knows on a rational level - and yet Claude's not given up just yet.

However, the mention of his hair immediately puts Claude back on guard as he sends an askance look Hilda's direction. He is absolutely not ready to accept whatever suggestion is coming based on what his imagination is running wild with in the resulting silence. ]

What's wrong with my hair?

[ Wait - no, that's a question that leaves too many possibilities for answers and also gives Hilda a chance to leap into whatever it is she has in mind. Because there has to be something, right? Right. He's definitely not overthinking this or how to save it. ]

That was a rhetorical question, by the way. [ Nailed it. ] Better yet, I could just put the dress on if that's what you're trying to wheedle me into doing and then braid your hair instead. That'd be better.