RP:A Tattoo For A Lost Love
Summary: Pilar gets a tattoo on her right arm dedicated to love she believes to have recently lost to death.
SoulsKin
There is a faded message painted across this shop's front door which reads, abandon all Hope. It may be just cryptic enough to pique your curiosity... Two glass display cases dominate the center of the room, filled with trinkets and jewels from around the world. In the back corner, beneath the stairs that lead to a second floor, there is a bookshelf with a comfy armchair next to it. A low work table lines the entirety of the western wall, a couple of chairs and a bench sitting in front of it. There is a curtained partition, for those that might wish to have their ink work or body modifications done in privacy. The work table is usually littered with bottles of ink in various colors and sketches of viable tattoo designs. Feel free to chat up the artists who might be working if you're interested in having some work done.
Meri sent word to Pilar by bird informing her that the concept was complete and that she should make her way out to Rynvale to check out the design and perhaps get the tattoo done. This time in particular was suggested but there was always room to suggest another date and time if not convenient -- one never knows. Presumably Meri received word with confirmation that she was okay with the proposed data and time. Meri would be at the front desk to greet Pilar by the time she arrives, sketchbook resting on the counter and opened to the piece that was designed for Pilar. It was the Xaliois tree, at sunset, as discussed. There was a soft glow of blue about the tree while the heart in the trunk glows a deeper and more intense shade of blue. Perhaps glows is not the most accurate word for the ink itself will not actually glow, it was just the impression of a glow.
Pilar entered the shop in her dark blue halter dress and white sandals. Her metal right leg was completely visible, as was the tattoo on her back. She had a satchel draped across her body, and smiled to Meri as she approached the desk. "Miss Meri. It's nice to see you again." She looked down at the concept and gasped. "Dioses mios, it's beautiful! It looks just like the tree..."
Meri issues a warm smile to Pilar after the woman has had the chance to inspect the tattoo. It always pleases her when clients appreciated her work and this time she has actually make a trip to the tree to make sure she captured the details of it accurately. "Well if there is nothing that you would like to see changed then please feel free to have a seat at one of the tattooing stations." While she may give Pilar the impression she has the choice to pick, Meri is actually motioning to a station in particular -- as she has already taken the time to prep and set out the supplies knowing that she had an appointment on the books today. "I just need to know if you would rather have it on your right arm or your left arm and then we can get started this this process."
Pilar headed over to the station Meri indicated. "My right is good," she said as she sat down. At least this time she'd remembered to dress for the occasion.
Meri lets Pilar settle herself before Meri will set about her work. This will be completed in very much the same fashion at the first tattoo Pilar receives. First will come the rough outline that is painted upon Pilar's right arm, the piece being set above the elbow. Meri starts from the top of the design and works her way down, the brush likely tickling Pilar's skin. As this is nothing more than a concept to give Pilar an idea of the size of the tattoo. "Do you want me to explain what I am doing step by step or do you recall how this goes down? I don't mind explaining if that is your preference, for some it can be more comforting to know what I am doing as I am doing it."
Pilar said to you, "It's fine, I remember." Pilar watched as she carefully painted the sketch onto her skin. "Thank you, though."
Meri smiles and nods. After the completion of painting temporary ink to skin, Meri holds up a mirror so that Pilar can given final approval on the size and the location. Assuming that Pilar voices no objection to anything, Meri will trade out brush for the actual ink and needle. Even if Pilar does vocalize the want for changes, Meri would make them accordingly and the brush would still be swapped out. The outline would be the first to be completed. Instead of working from top to bottom though, Meri starts with the trunk of the tree and radiates out to the branches and the details of the leaves. Silence falls over the two while Meri works, but the artist does seek to break it with some harmless questions like, "So where abouts do you live? And what sort of things do you do for work?"
Pilar sometimes had a problem making idle chitchat. It was often a drain on her energy, but Meri was sweet and professional, and Pilar felt relaxed with her. "I currently live in Frostmaw, at the fort, but I'm looking for a place of my own. I work with animals, both the Eyrie's mounts and at Frostmaw's stables. I also do some veterinary work, and I'm looking to expand my abilities into magical healing."
Meri was usually better about the idle chit-chat thing, but there was this nervousness that she might ask something that would upset Pilar in the wake of her most recent tragedy...Yet she also did not want Pilar feeling like Meri was trying to tip-toe around her. Meri was familiar with that uncomfortable sensation, people treating you like you need to be handled with kid gloves. There would be a pause between what Pilar says and Meri's response, the distraction coming from the fact that that the artist is concentrating and hard at work. The outline of the tattoo was taking shape and Meri would predictably stop to clean up excess ink. "So if my horse ever gets sick? You would be the one to go to, eh? I have had her for three years now or so, and she has been pretty healthy, but it is good to always have the name of someone in mind, no?"
Pilar smiled softly. "I do a lot of work with horses. I'd love to meet her, though I hope it wouldn't be because you need a vet. But yes, if she ever gets sick, feel free to send word. If I move I'll even make sure can reach me. Least I could do."
Meri finished off the outline, after probably forty-five minutes of work. The black is traded out for color now, the tree would get the emphasis first. Browns for the trunk, golds and silvers for the leaves, the sunset is inked into place with dimming hues of oranges and yellows, and deeper shades of blues and purples. "Hopefully our paths will cross at a time when I have her in tow and you will gain the chance to meet her. I have named her Kadence. Very friendly mare." Applying all of these colors to Pilar's skin would be no quick process. Pilar would be sitting for at least another hour while Meri worked. The blue glow, to both trunk and heart, would be the last detial that Meri inks into flesh.
Pilar smiled. "Kadence. Lovely name. I don't have a horse, but I have quite a few other animals. A dog, an owl, what used to be a badger, a drake, and a couatl. Emielle, my couatl, is actually waiting for me outside. Would you like to meet her?"
Meri considers the question, gaze briefly tearing away from her work so that she can look out the window and judge the time of day. "Maybe real quick hello. I do have another appointment after this so I need to make sure that I leave time for the clean up and then to prep things for that client." Speaking of clean up work, finishing touches are put on the tattoo and then Pilar's arm is given a through wipe down, so there are no traces of excess ink. Next Meri reaches for a jar full of salve that is applied to Pilar's arm, not too liberally but it would aid in the healing process and also keep the tattoo moisturized. Once more the mirror is held out for Pilar, "So, tell me, do you recall my instructions for how to care for your new tattoo? What you should do? How often you should apply a salve to it? And how long you should keep the tattoo from being exposed to the elements."
Pilar looked at the tattoo, a tear coming to her eye. "It's even more beautiful than the drawing... Thank you." Then Meri asked the million dollar question. Pilar smiled sheepishly. "A... refresher would be nice."
Meri places the mirror back down onto the cart. Hands are freed up to apply light bandaging to Pilar's arm, as there will still be some slight bleeding. Most clients do not appreciate having their clothing mucked up by blood or ink, so they bandaged. While she does this, she explains the rules for Pilar again. "Twice a day. Morning and night, you do not want to under moisturize but you do not want to over do it either. No swimming for about two weeks, no prolonged sun exposure. Obviously you can bathe, we are just concerned about extended time in the water. Especially saltwater. Your tattoo make flake a bit during the healing processes, that is perfectly normal. Just do not pick at it and do not scratch at it." A beat to let this all sink in. "I believe we agreed on two hundred for this piece?" Or maybe they just roughly danced around the price -- so many consultations Meri is finding it hard to keep track of those details.
Pilar nodded along as Meri explained the aftercare. At the mention of a price, Pilar said, "I remember three hundred." Plus the tip. Once she was free to move, Pilar picked her satchel up from the floor and pulled out a hefty bag. Gold was hella heavy. "Here you go. There's a little extra in there, too. Because your work is amazing."
Meri snaps her fingers as Pilar corrects her, at least the woman was honest. Some sop out of Rynvale would have easily taken advantage of Meri and her error in price. "I should really start writing these details down." The gold is not counted out, Meri has learned some clients find that to be rude plus Pilar was not a first timer. There was a certain level of trust built with returning clients. "So...this beasty of yours.." but before Meri has a chance to make the suggestion that they move outside for this meet and greet, the door swings open and her next client walks in. Some burly sailor. "I think I will have to take a rain check. But maybe we can meet up soon and I can bring Kadence along? You can meet my friend and I can meet yours!"
Pilar smiled. "I'd like that." She gave the sailor a polite nod before returning her attention to Meri. "I'll see you soon, then, hopefully. See you later, Miss Meri!" Pilar passed by the sailor and out the door. Emielle, who had been hanging on the roof contemplating existence, flew down and allowed Pilar to get on. ~How did it go?~ the couatl asked telepathically. "Wonderfully. The tattoo is gorgeous. As soon as it's healed I'll show you!" With that, the pair took off into the sky.