Kiki Shaving Happy Hour

As I slowly stirred from my slumber, I could hear a sweet humming ring through the air as I pulled myself out from my bed. As I wiped my eyes of sleeping sand, I could see a feathery tail swaying to and through in the mid morning light. While it was only a mere glimpse, I knew my dear wife was diligently sweeping the floors with care. I could not help but stretch my arms up to the ceiling as I tossed myself out of the warm comfort of my bed as my feet made contact with the cold hardwood floors.

Almost on cue, the humming stopped, in the corner of my eye, I could see the feathery tail swiftly disappear around the corner as her head poked out. Her eyes were as blue as sapphires framed by her fluffy long ears that draped down her head. She placed her hand out on the wall as she peered in, “Oh, it is so good to see you awake now, honey. I was almost about to wake you myself.”

I could not help but smile as I relaxed my arms, I mumbled, “Normally you don’t let me sleep in like that.” It was odd for Narabel to let me sleep in like this, rarely does she let me sleep in as I request her to keep me on schedule.

With her soft warm eyes fixated on me, she softly replied, “I could sense that you were completely exhausted from yesterday. A few extra hours of rest does no harm, but refresh the soul and body you know.” She gently tucked away her broom as she made her way towards me with open arms to embrace me. I pulled her in tight as my arms wrapped around her as her arms reached behind my back. She sighed in my arms as I felt her melt in my grasp with her head buried in my shoulder. I could not help but take in her scent of sandalwood and wildflowers, both sweet yet modest.

She pulled her head back as she piped up, “Master, do you know what day it is today?”

I took one hand to my face as I scratched my stubble in thought, “No, I could not say what day it is today.”

“Today is Barber Day.” she cheerfully announced with eyes as deep as the sea trying to swallow me whole.

“Ah yes, how could I forget? I will get ready then.” I calmly say. I pull her in for a kiss. After our lips parted, I sent her on her way to get ready with a light tap on her rear.

As I took my hot shower to clean myself for “Barber Day” I had quell the slight shudder that ran down my spine. As much as I loved Narabel, she had her own way to complicate this grooming event, but I had to be strong for her and myself and show no fear. I shut off the taps with affirmation that there was nothing to fear. I towel dried myself while leaving my hair damp and pliable for what was to come.

I tied up my bathrobe and strolled out into the main hallway, rounding the corner to where Narabel was awaiting me. She was dusting off the chair I was going to sit in like it was a throne. She looked up and saw me come in, gently gesturing for me to sit down in the chair as she patted it softly. I gave the chair a quick spin before stopping it with one hand and sit down, then turned myself toward the mirror. The parlor setup was similar to barbershops or hair salons, with all of the tools proudly displayed on the counter top, gleaming in the light of the room with holders on the sides for a hair dryer and an electrical razor. On the middle shelf all of the grooming supplies were kept, from hair creams to shaving cream.

As Narabel’s eyes connected to mine with the mirror, she humbly asked,“What kind of haircut would you like today, master?”

“The usual, I am not doing anything special this week.” I say calmly as I slump back in the chair.

Narabel turned to the side and elegantly pulled out some paper wrapping and tied it neatly around my neck before draping and securing the barber gown on me. She bended over and grabbed the electric razor and attached a number four head to it. With a loud snap, the razor came to life and she got to work by trimming down the sides of my head. While there was not much to trim off, it was important to maintain one's appearances with a haircut now and then to remain sharp. She quickly moved on to trimming around my ears, tickling the skin around them lightly. Finally she tilted my head down as she trimmed the back of my neck. I let out a deep breath as I took in the sensation of the razor’s vibrations as Narabel careful sculpted my hairline. She gently removed the razor from my neck and turned the machine off with a loud click.

She tucked away the electric razor and grabbed a pair of scissors and a comb. I could not help but glance at the scissors and their almost comical size. I looked in mirror to view Narabel’s face. As she inspected the scissors, her eyes were static and her mouth was unchanging, fixated with the same smile that greeted when he walked into the room. With a voice that ran like cold honey, sticking to one's ears, she calmly said, “Let us continue, master.”

I remained stoic, much like the lone mountain on the seas, having to endure what was thrown at it. It was hard to relax when she started to get excited. I was confident that she would never run towards me with those scissors because she could easily impale me with them. I forced my shoulders down to help me relax as a loud popping sound came out.

“My oh my, master, you sure had a rough week, but rest easy, I will make it all better.” Narabel said as she held the comb up to her face in a concerned fashion.

The sound of clipping filled the air with the sound of humming of an old maid song as Narabel went to work. Much like a craftsman, her movements were quick and precise despite the massive scissors she wielded. I knew if I winched, I would run the risk of her missing her mark and possibly nicking me, so it was best just to stay still and let her do her magic. She made short work of this task and carefully cleaned the scissors before placing them back on the counter. Grabbing a fluffy brush, she gently swept across my face and neck, clearing off any debris that would cause any irritation. Finally, as a finishing touch, she took out the blow dryer and groomed my hair. Yet another perfect haircut.

I almost pull myself out of the chair, but I felt her soft hands hold me down, pinning me to my seat. I ask in a confused manner, “Did I forget something?” while trying to remain cool.

In a playful tone, she replied, “Yes you did silly, you forgot to shave, but don’t worry, I did not forget.” as she then kissed me on the cheek.

I was hoping to get off the hook today, however she is very insistent on shaving my facial hair herself.  My ploy to feign forgetfulness failed.

She began prepping the shaving cream, collecting hot water in a mug she picked out just for this job and began infusing it with oils and shaving soap. She then began to mix the ingredients like whipping cream with the shaving brush until the foam became thick and ready to be applied. Like a painter, she gently applied the foam on my skin like it was a canvas, covering every nook and cranny of my stubble, cutting the foam off from my side burns. I take a whiff of the foam slathered on my face, it smelled nice as always but I could never pin down what the concoction was because she kept changing it each time with various oils.

As the foam sat on my face, being soaked in by my hairs and skin, Narabel began massaging my shoulders. I almost felt like melting into the chair from how she was kneading out the knots in my muscles as she hummed her songs gently in my ears.

After five minutes had passed, Narabel gently lifted her hands up off my shoulders and began reaching for her straight shaving razor. With finesse and grace, she flipped it open like a pocket knife revealing it out in the open air. It was not a razor despite what the label said, it was a kitchen knife in disguise. She then proceeded to sharpen it as she began singing one of my favorite songs. I could not view her face because she was facing away from me, but she was always far to calm about prepping her razor.  After the sounds of metal abrasion ceased, she turned around with her big blue eyes, ready to consume my being whole.

Her motions were slow and well thought out as her voice danced around me and filled my ears with its sweetness. My eyes were locked with hers as she occasionally looked away to focus on her blade. The blade glided over my skin, gently slicing the hairs in its wake and leaving my skin smooth. As Narabel made her way to my cheeks and sideburns, she tenderly spoke, “Don’t you just love how intimate this is? How close we are? The bond we share? I would never trade this experience for the world.”

I did not nod, nor did I speak, I allowed nature to take its course and gave my well being into her hands.

After squaring my sideburns she stood up and got behind the chair, she tilted my head back saying with a hint of glee, “Time for the finishing touch, shaving your neck.” Much like a pose-able figure, I tilted my head back as he positioned my head. There was no point in stopping this now, she was to far into her job to listen.

Her hands did not falter nor shake as she caressed my neck with the blade, deliberately being slower as to savour this moment of weakness in her master. Her master’s life in her hands as one wrong slip could cut a major artery, a dance with death all the while singing her master’s favorite song again.

One moment in the chair felt like an eternity as my field of vision was consumed by her gaze as she looked lovingly upon me. I could hardly break eye contact with her, or even blink as her stare mesmerized me as the coldness of the blade crept up my neck.

After doing some finishing touches, she cleaned her razor and fetches a warm towelette to clean me off. I sit still in the chair as she wipes my face of the soapy residue my eyes are still locked on her. As she placed down the towelette, the room was silent, with the occasional sound of tool clinking as she began cleaning up. In the dead of this silence, I snuck up behind her, pulling her in by the waist while turning her around. I move my arms up her back back press her body against mine in hug entwining our bodies.

I whisper into her ear, “I love you Narabel.”

“I love you too…”