RP:Portfolio

Summary: The artist meets Celaeno, who inquires about getting some work done.

The Rebel Room, Larket

To say that this was a day like any other day would not be accurate, Larket has had a grim feel about it ever since the attack that Kahran lead upon it. Nothing went according to plan that night, for anyone...except maybe the being attacking the city. Tonight was an especially quiet night in the building, there was not a single customer in the store and none of Meri's help was there tonight. But the front door was open and the lights were on suggesting to your average person walking by that maybe the establishment was open? All one would have to do is step inside and callout, the main entrance was wide open. Meri was there but she would not be immediately seen, she was down an isle of her shop, hidden by countertops for she was on hands and knees scrubbing away. Larket had been dealt a fair amount of damage and while Meri's shop had managed to avoid a bulk of it, there was still a thin layer of soot that needed to be tending to as a result of the fires from that night.

Celaeno had been walking the streets, her hood drawn low over her face and her hands tucked deep in her sleeves. She moved somewhat wraith-like in the night time, drawing on the grace of her father's elven blood--one of the few things she acknowledged from the unpleasant man. Originally, she'd visited to check up on the people she'd helped a few times and had grown somewhat attached to as a result. It was upon passing a particular shop, however, that she stopped in her tracks to gawk at the door. Some nearby had exchanged some idle gossip about inking and tattoos and pointed toward it, so that little idea started nagging her. She'd jotted down some runes on a whim one day after being inspired by another person's peculier tattoo. So she tested the door, and, finding it open, creeps on in. "Hello? Is anyone here?"

Meri stopped her cleaning project upon hearing the voice of another, a customer in the store was not fully expected and yet the invitation was left as wide open as the front door. Scrub brush and rag are deposited into a bucket, the blonde woman taking the time to dry her hands on her pant legs and then to her feet she goes. Celeano would be greeted with a blonde haired woman who was usually more professionally dressed. Today Meri's blonde hair was lazily tied up and covered with a bandana to keep it out of her way, she wore a loose fitting black shirt that was suitable for cleaning. You know, the sort that was comfortable but still hide the stains it was acquiring from the process of cleaning. What is part of her more normal every-day attire is the black pants and dirt-stained boots. "Heeeeeey. What's going on? Sorry about the mess, still trying to get all cleaned up." After Kahran's attack on Larket. "What's up? What can I do for you?" Meri's attire was not that flashy or impressive, but her numerous tattoos had a way of commanding attention. Both of her arms were covered from knuckles to shoulders in full-sleeve tattoos that were full of color, one arm was devoted to a kraken destroying a ship and the other a lovely mermaid.

Celaeno 's eyebrows went up at both of the shop owner's colorful arms and she leaned forward a bit as she inched in and eased the door shut behind her with her foot. Her arms stayed tucked against her stomach as she glanced up at the blonde woman. "I...do not mean this as a slight on your trade," she said, throat suddenly going dry as her lack of experience with ink parlors reared its head, "how neat is your penmenship? Do you have examples of...commissions you have done that involve words or foreign characters?"

Meri's lips twitch up into a short-lived smirk. Meri was a human, make no mistake, but it's about to be made known to Celaeno why her other-half often refers to her as a she-devil. The blonde could be quite a handful, but based on her tone this is nothing more than light-hearted antics. "Mmm, so I guessing...what I can do for you is that you are hoping to get some information about tattoos, eh? " A brow is lifted. "My name is Meri. I own this shop. So I sure hope that I can produce a portfolio, otherwise I probably have no business owning this shop,, hm?" Meri winks and then promptly turns heel and moves toward the back of the shop, where there is but one single chair set up for this was clearly not your run-of-the-mill tattoo parlor. "Prior to owning this place I worked out of a parlor in Rynvale. SoulsKin. Owned by Lita. Also a fabulous artist if you find you would like to research and shop around. I would not be offended at all, I have done tattoos for Lita and she has done them for me." A portfolio is produced, it's got a bit of weight to it for there are a lot of pieces collected. "I have done work for Oline, Eirik, Emilia, Khitti, Brand, Lita, Brennia, Artia, Tyler, and eve n more..."

Celaeno seems taken aback a moment, her shoulders tensing before what can be seen of her mouth quirks up in a sad kind of smile. She-devils were enjoyable company, pleasant reminders of the past. She hesitates a moment as Meri strides away, but after that slight consideration she follows to see what the owner had to show her. Her arms tense some as she glanced uncertainly toward the door and the portfolio is held out. Artia's name coming out seems to relax her some and she reaches for the collection, exposing the silver gauntlet-like armor around her hands. Glowing runes are etched evenly around almost every inch of the metal limbs, with penmenship to impress any professional scribe. Cela flips through, glancing at each of the pieces. "I stumbled upon someone who had enchanted these sorts of markings to aid them in their work. I intend to do the same, although I'd need someone to...paint them on? Is that the right term?" Her mouth makes an impressed little "o" shape at a few of Meri's pieces. "I would need most of my forearms covered from wrist to elbow. I figure an artist's touch would be good so that space can be adequately used up and things can be arranged in the most efficient way possible so all of the runes fit."

Meri nods, familiar enough with the request that her answer sounds almost rehearsed. This was not the first time she has had to explain this, "I myself am not capable of imbuing tattoos with any sort of enchantments or magical properties. Though I understand that some symbols themselves are what lend to such abilities, but still...I have circled around this one enough that I want to make it clear straight out of the gate. I don't enchant, I just tattoo..." Celaeno would be given ample time with the portfolio, and when she was done looking Meri would collect her work and tuck it safely away for next time it needed to be referenced. "It's sort of like painting, except I use a needle and poke you with it repeatedly. A paintbrush would be far kinder. A paintbrush would also be temporary. Tattoos are definitely not temporary." A break in her words, but Meri is quick to find them again. "It's hard for me to give you an exact idea of how much work on your forearms would be. I would have to have a better understanding of the design, and if you are doing runework or any sort of symbol like that...I would high recommend sending a reference book here with what you want tattooed marked for me so I can study it." One wrong line can change the meaning of things.

Celaeno nods, a knowing smile coming to her face. "Of course. I would do the enchanting. It's a specialty of mine. As much as I figure a needle poking my skin repeatedly would sting, at the very least, it sounds better than ritually scarring myself--the other option I considered." She pats her backpack, a heavy thing hanging across her shoulder that jingles some when it moves but buldges, showing the sharp corners of the books inside. "I can leave the references with you beforehand if you wish and describe the functions I'm looking for. Much of it will be similar to these." She gently closes the book, and when Meri took it back she extends her gauntlets to give Meri a better visual idea of what she's looking for. "While my own work doesn't have much artistic flare, I am precise with it. I can draw you exact diagrams, whatever you need. I'm good at following direction, at the very least." She takes a moment to breath when price is brought up. She suspected as much going in and her composure stays as a result, though the shadow of her hood helped things. "Whenever an estimate is reached, whatever it is, I will pay it up front and not expect any work done until the debt is paid. I understand you are running a business, not a charity.:'

Meri beams a smile toward Celaeno, pleased that they were so easily able to establish this understanding. Usually Meri had to send people back out for the means to research the means to enchant their own tattoos if that was something they wanted, Celaeno's specialty will make that aspect a breeze. "Leave whatever you would like to leave whenever you are ready to leave it. Obviously we will not be able to do the tattooing aspect tonight. If you want to leave the books tonight, then great. I promise I will treat them with care." This was a business deal, Meri would not want to give her client reason to complain about things like damaged property. "You are also more than welcome to draw them up yourself, for me to copy off of. People submit their own drawings to me a fair amount, so whatever is easier honestly. So long as I have something to make sure I get the spacing and fine details just right?" It was important. "Off the cuff I am speculating two-hundred gold per arm, no way it could be more than that." This is said as she is examining those gauntlets meant to give her a visual.

Celaeno purses her lips, stroking her chin in some thought, the gauntlet fingers clicking together as if hollow inside. "I will draw something up, but leave you the books just in case. Given your disclaimer, I'm sure you're highly aware it's delicate work." She slings her backpack back over her shoulder, gripping the straps tight and wincing as she guessed the weight wrong. One of the gauntlets goes crooked, an unnatural angle as the leather straps holding them in place slip. She catches the backpack with the other hand though and grumbles under her breath as she sets the pack on the ground and straightened the prosthesis before digging in. Four tomes are taken out in a neat row, some wear around their leather bindings from being opened too often, but in good condition nonetheless. She cradles them in her elbows, keeping them steady with her metal fingers instead, and holds them out for Meri. "Here, the two on the left cover a couple more common alphabets while the third has the characters used by my mother's tribe. The fourth is a tad more obscure, so take extra care with that one please. There should be a chart with precise diagrams of all the runes in each."

The stack of tomes is taken and tucked beneath Meri's arms neatly, she would give them closer inspection shortly after this conversation is finished. "They'll not stay over here, wine and paint often make for a messy combination. I'll study them at my home." Which is immediately next store, so it's not like Meri would have a hard time retrieving them when it comes time to return them to their rightful owner. "We'll plan to meet sometime in the near future, whenever is good for you. I don't really have too much lined up. Most of Larket is trying to get their lives back in order after the recent attack." So no painting classes and no tattoos for Meri for the time being. Even Meri and Callum had their own mess to deal with. "On that note, I guess we'll be in touch....? You got my name but I did not get yours..."

Celaeno 's cheeks flush a bit. In all her excitement, however subtle it may seem, she had forgotten a proper introduction. She holds out a hand, a proper accord for a business deal as well as a first meeting. "Celaeno. Pleased to make your accuaintance, Miss Meri. I have heard of the tragedy." She pauses, perhaps to shake hands with the artist if she's willing. She bites her lip a moment, considering her next words carefully. "If...there is any help you might need, I have been lending supply aid here and there, where I can. Mostly tools. If you're interested, let me know. It's been challenging work, thus far, so I welcome more of it. No price, given the times and the great favor you're doing me. Given that, I am also in no rush."