Disclaimer: All KOF characters owned by SNK thanks though I wish I owned Ash heh (sick mind I have yeah)

This chapter describes more of Ash's daily beauty rituals. Meant to be descriptive, showing the Vain Side of him so skip it if you aint a sucker for details ;) And I think it does hint at Shen's masculine virile nature though nothing Yaoi.


Chap 2. Vanity Rituals

I opted for a shower this morning as a bath would probably just lull me sleep again... to the sweet beckoning of Morpheus promising me MissL... to another lucid dream... to another... Shen's snore brought me back to reality. I looked at the clock. 5 minutes. I had wasted 5 minutes standing there just daydreaming! I sighed and did the unevitable - shower. Nothing wakes the senses up better than a shower, dont you think?

I soaped myself, paying special attention to my face. My fans had always said the part they loved most about me was my face. (maybe its because they can't see anything else since I cover them all up, heh) I scrubbed it, exfoliated it making sure to slough off all the dead skin cells and oil (if any). Finally feeling good and refreshed I glanced at the mirror. I wanted to look youthful and glowing, nay I had to! It would please my fans, and especially MissL who made it known she's my Number 1 Fan!

Seems to me all the exfoliating helped... my skin now looked real fine & delicate. The cheeks appeared pink. As I stared into the face in the mirror it suddenly occurred to me I was staring into the face of a nymph. Better go now before I end up becoming Narcissus the 2nd... I shuddered as I remembered the tragic story of Narcissus, a pretty Greek youth who was foolish enough to fall in love with himself.

I went to my cabinet & pulled out my choice of clothing for the day. Black Trenchcoat (aka Matrix Style), a long-sleeved white V-neck t-shirt, and a nice pair of navy blue flare pants. I got dressed and donned my silver accessories.

8.30 am. Still 1 1/2 hr left to 10...

I applied sunblock on my face and lightly dusted some sheer loose powder to enhance the transparency & glow of my skin. Powdered my brows, curled & mascara-ed to "open up" my eyes.

Finally. The Hair. This part always takes the longest to do... I took 40 mins to style it and blow it dry. Finally all set and done. I felt particularly proud of myself. I had finished at 9.20am, earlier than what Shen had expected.

I donned my usual black faux nails. It was now my turn to wake him up. ;)

Shen stared at me wide eyed.

"What happened to you?" he demanded.

"Huh? I dont understand. Did I apply too much mascara? Oh I know I forgot my lipstick!" I reached out for it.

His hand intercepted mine.

"No, I mean you look great. You look fabulous. Is this your real face?" he asked in disbelief "So this is what you been hiding from me and Duo Lon all these months... under that heavy cakey makeup." Shen seemed to ponder.

I blushed deeply under his hot gaze. Suddenly, I felt naked to the eyes.

"More or less," I replied quietly, averting his eyes. He suddenly reminded me of a wolf intend on devouring a lamb.

"Let's go. This is going to be such a fine day." He smiled his dazzling sexy smile. I had no idea what he meant so I just said yeh yeh whatever.


A/N: Shen is described as a wild, sexy handsome man by Falcoon, the artist for KOF2003. Ash on the other hand strikes me as a very fastidious man, meticulous to the last detail on his appearance.