Thursday's (tonight's) SciFi shave honors Jedi Master Yoda...
In the heart of a weathered workshop, bathed in the soft glow of dawn, a ritual began. Not one of heat and fire, but of cool steel and fragrant lather. Today, the shave brush wasn't just a tool, it was a conduit, channeling the balance of the Force. The Yaqi, its 24mm black and white bristles swirling like galaxies in miniature, dipped into a Suribachi bowl, its rugged surface echoing the ancient temples of distant planets.
A weathered hand, strong yet nimble, scooped out a dollop of "Yin" soap, a powerful potion brewed by the Wizards of Murphy & McNeil, the antithesis of the Nightsisters of Dathomir. The black and white symbol on its canister whispered of duality, light and dark, Jedi and Sith. With practiced ease, the lather bloomed, a swirling vortex of silver and charcoal, mirroring the clash within the Force.
Master Yoda, however, was not a Jedi of convention. He wielded not one, but two blades. The Feather Hi_stainless, gleaming like moonlight, danced in the morning light, representing the clarity of the light side. Its partner, the Feather Seikan, a shadow forged in carbon steel, embodied the power of the dark.
"Size matters not," Yoda murmured, his voice a rasping whisper. "Judge by size do you?" He chuckled, a dry, rustling sound. "Both blades, tools they are. Both light and dark, they serve."
The Cx-Mokume razor, its surface a testament to ancient craftsmanship by Sean of the Carbon Shave, rested on its Sashimono wooden cradle. Its Mokume-gane, wood-grained metal of swirling copper and brass from the heart of samurai swords, resonated with the history of conflict and balance. Each stroke would be a dance, a negotiation between the two sides of the Force.
Master Pre-shave oil, rescued from the Grooming Lounge on Kamino, a gentle lubricant, was applied, a reminder that even the most potent forces need guidance. The lather, now a smooth, harmonious blend, was painted onto Yoda's weathered face, each stroke a meditation on balance.
The shave began, the Hi_stainless gliding effortlessly, its touch a whisper of light. Then, the Seikan, its bite sharp and controlled, a reminder of the power that lurked within. Yoda, eyes closed, focused on the dance, the symphony of textures and temperatures.
With each pass, the whiskers retreated, leaving behind a smooth canvas. The Force, light and dark, swirled in perfect harmony. It wasn't just the removal of hair, it was a ritual of self-awareness, a reminder that even the greatest Jedi must acknowledge the darkness within.
Finally, a splash of "Yin" aftershave, part of the M&M Yin spell yet amped up by Trandoshan manipulation for a more potent sting, its scent a calming blend of earth and citrus, settled the tingling skin. The shave was complete, not just a removal of hair, but a journey through the heart of the Force, a testament to the balance that resided within even the smallest of rituals.
Yoda looked at his reflection, a weathered face etched with wisdom. He smiled, a small, knowing smile. "Balance," he whispered, "a delicate dance it is. But even the smallest shave can remind us of the Force within."
And with that, the Master Jedi, his face smooth and serene, stepped out into the light of the new day, ready to face whatever challenges the galaxy might throw his way. After all, even the smallest shave could be a powerful lesson in the balance of the Force.
230219 by James Stikeleather, on Flickr
