The Incandescent | Standalone Story |

Chapter 28 ~ The Tiramisu Reverie

________________

~ Planet Monshalow ~

________________

Killian could not find a single reason to distrust Crimson. He intently watched him, his eyes like a laser cutting seams on a garment. His hands were folded across his chest, silently evaluating, scrutinizing, studying, analyzing.

He truly is trustworthy, Killian thought as he watched the young man calmly pour flour into a mixing bowl, adding the dry mixture to the wet mixture. This man has my approval to date my daughter. I don't want him to simply date her; I want this man to become Mara's husband.

And so, Killian mentally began planning Mara's wedding. Visions of a sparkly white dress and saffron roses appeared in his mind amid perfumed vanilla tea and amaretto cake, until Mara's voice interrupted his daydreaming. "Father, could you please hand me the plate on the high shelf?"

"Of course, my dear Mara," said Killian, easily reaching for the plate she needed. He smiled as he handed it to his daughter. A few locks of black hair fell into his face. He pushed his hair back, surprised when Crimson handed him a red ribbon.

"If you need to, you can use my ribbon. I sometimes tie my hair back in a ribbon when I work on my fashion design, or when I cook or bake," Crimson informed Killian. "If you want, I can tie your hair for you."

Before Killian could say a response, Mara cheerfully encouraged, "Please do! Father would appreciate it."

Killian felt Crimson's hands move through his hair, neatly tying his longish black hair with the red ribbon. His touch was warm; a Phoenix was never cold, always warm in body temperature.

Mara and Crimson stood together as they inspected Crimson's handiwork of Killian's hair, nodding in approval.

"I shall have to give you an emerald green ribbon, since that is your favorite color," Crimson said thoughtfully, making a mental note.

"And I shall have to take you to a hair salon for a haircut," Ireyna said to Killian, giving him a meaningful look.

"My grandfather does the best haircuts," Crimson advised. "My father refuses to cut his hair, preferring to keep it long and waist-length. My grandfather's hair is shoulder-length. I prefer my hair a little shorter, not long like my father's and grandfather's."

"He shall have to come to planet Monshalow if he wants to cut my hair, since I am banished from planet Iredescent," Killian said tersely. "Besides, I already have a hair salon for whenever I need a haircut."

Crimson considered Killian, thinking the banishment was no longer necessary, since Killian was no longer an Iredescent criminal. Mara had already explained her family situation prior to Crimson's arrival. Crimson felt Killian had a justified reason for the murder of Vinessa.

"As a Phoenix, I have the authority to revoke your banishment. If you desire, I can – "

"No," Killian said sternly, interrupting Crimson. "I have no desire to return to Iredescent. I am more than happy with my life as a human. Under no circumstance would I ever return to my former home planet. This is my home. I have everything I need here. I lack nothing."

"You lack a good haircut," Ireyna specified, running a hand through Killian's disheveled hair. "It is getting far too long. Perhaps Crimson could trim it stylishly."

"I would be happy to," Crimson said at the same time Killian said petulantly, "I'm still stylish."

After much fussing, Killian was subjected to a haircut. Crimson didn't cut much, keeping Killian's hair sorta longish, essentially just giving him a small trim. But everyone was happy, and Killian was relieved that Crimson didn't cut his hair too short.