XANOS A LITTLE SOMETHING SWEET

XANOS // A LITTLE SOMETHING SWEET
A quiet afternoon inside a small, welcoming neighborhood bakery. Xanos, an unusual little demon with an unmistakably boyish appearance, stands behind a well-worn wooden counter, carefully adding the finishing touches to a freshly prepared tiramisu.
His porcelain-pale face is framed by short, unruly white hair, with little dark horns peeking through and long, fuzzy goat ears poking out to either side. His crimson eyes with black sclera are narrowed in intense concentration, his expression unusually peaceful. Matte-black scales cover from the jaw downward. His obsidian-scaled hands, tipped with delicate claws, work surprisingly gently as he dusts a fine layer of cocoa powder over the dessert. A small offset spatula, a sieve, a bowl of cocoa, and a scattering of chocolate shavings surround the cake.
He's dressed for an ordinary day of baking: a slightly oversized cream-colored shirt with its sleeves rolled up to the elbows, a dark waistcoat, and a flour-dusted apron tied around his waist. A little hand towel is tucked into the apron. His long demonic spaded-tail curls idly behind him, occasionally lifting as he leans closer to inspect his work.
The bakery is warm and lived-in. Wooden shelves hold jars of ingredients, ceramic mixing bowls, neatly arranged pastries, and freshly baked loaves cooling on racks. A large window lets in the soft afternoon sunlight, illuminating floating specks of flour. A little chalkboard menu hangs behind the counter, alongside handwritten recipes and small decorative plants. A cup of tea sits nearby, forgotten in favor of the important task at hand.
There is something wonderfully incongruous about the scene: an infernal creature of ancient and terrible origins, utterly absorbed in the delicate business of making dessert. No grand sorcery, no sinister ambitions, no impending catastrophe. Just a young demon, a quiet bakery, and a tiramisu that absolutely must be perfect. QBan chibi, in the style of murata yusuke