The Incandescent | Standalone Story |

Chapter 14 ~ The Shapeshifter's Failed Investigation

Mara was trapped inside the Glittered Inktraitor's spaceship. While sleuthing, trying to uncover the mystery scheme of the glowing blue butterflies and their glittery master, Mara had uncovered the Glittered Inktraitor's ship.

Ireyna had telekinetically moved the Rose Wing so it was closer to Killian's home, parked in a cleared area behind the stable where Killian and Ireyna took the horses out for grazing and riding. The ship was near the edge of the forest, so the horses had plenty of room for pasture. The ship was protected via Ireyna's power, since Ireyna insisted on protecting it herself, rather than use the ship's security system.

It was quite an astonishment for Mara to find the Glittered Inktraitor's ship so close to their crash site. Along with the astonishment came the realization that the Glittered Inktraitor had followed them from planet Ghatom.

Mara pressed her hand against the ship entrance door, surprised when it opened for her. Mara cautiously entered the ship, withdrawing her Rose Dagger, but the Glittered Inktraitor wasn't inside the ship. The blue butterflies were nowhere to be seen, either.

Mara kept her hand on the Rose Dagger as she entered the ship, the door closing behind her with a slight clang that indicated it locked shut.

Mara slowly ventured further into the ship, unaware of the blue butterflies that watched her from above, hidden behind the bright lights. They silently relayed the information to their master, pleased when they sensed him smile in response.

Mara looked around the neat, organized space. The Glittered Inktraitor's ship did not have any clutter, nor was there any trash or food to be found other than in the trash bin and refrigerator. His food supply consisted mostly of fruit and salad, no meat. Not even fish, Mara thought sadly as she closed the small refrigerator. He needs to upgrade his food supply. He severely lacks protein.

Mara chuckled when she saw his tea collection, mostly green tea and chamomile. He definitely got that from Ireyna, Mara thought, wondering how well he knew her.

Her eyes widened when she saw the Monshalowan cakes and sweets he kept in a separate refrigerator. They were in glass containers labeled with ribbons. One of the cakes was tiramisu, Ireyna's favorite dessert.

Mara walked into the control center of the ship, the motion sensor lights turning on and illuminating the completely dark room upon her presence. Mara didn't touch anything, simply glancing around before walking back out.

In the Glittered Inktraitor's bedroom, Mara was nearly blinded by whiteness. Everything was sparkly white: the walls, the bed, the desk, the chair, the décor, even the floor. It wasn't just bright white; it was sparkly bright white.

The window had thin white curtains that allowed the maximum amount of light even in nighttime. He certainly hates blackout curtains, Mara mused, blinking amid all the white. Why does he wear shimmery black when he clearly likes everything bright and sunshiney? Does he want to match the shimmery black ink he stole from the ink factory?

Curious to see what kind of clothing he wore, Mara looked through the Glittered Inktraitor's closet. So he doesn't wear just black, Mara thought with satisfaction. Though one side of the closet was dedicated to the same shimmery black trench coat, there was a variety of clothing in colors of black, white, brown, purple, and blue. No green, yellow, certainly no orange. Erasmo would approve of his closet.

Erasmo. Oh no! I've got to return home before the Glittered Inktraitor returns to his ship. Mara hurriedly went towards the ship entrance door and tried to exit the ship, but the door refused to open, stating that voice activation was required to leave the ship.