RP:Portfolio-First Tattoo

Summary: Celaeno goes to Meri's tattoo shop to get her work done and comes out with new ink and insight.

The Rebel Room

Celaeno had researched, puzzled, and written over the combination of characters she would use for her tattoo, what sorts of enchantments would accomplish what she wanted. Eventually she did settle on something and drew it out as promised. The only issue left was venturing into Larket in its present status. She took care, though, to put her hood up as she had been doing, keeping her silver, gauntlet-like prostheses tucked inside her sleeves. The young enchanter made it through to The Rebel Room with only a racing heart, though and puffed out a sigh of relief as she slipped through the door and closed it behind her. “Hello?” she calls, glancing around to see if she would catch sight of the artist in question or interrupt her in the middle of something. “Miss Meri?”

Meri as well has done a bit of reading up in the books that Celaeno left with her. Care has been taken with the items, but at some point due to drama around Larket, the books have migrated back to the Rebel Room. They are not laying out in plain sight, Meri will still have to go and retrieve them. Catching a glance of the artist would not be hard, the woman was within an easy line of sight as she has posted up behind the counter. Business is slow. Many people are leaving Larket and for those who are staying, well they have many matters on their mind right now. Most Larket citizens are not concerned with tattoos and painting, marking Celaeno a lone guest today. “Heeeeey, come on in. How is it going? I am guessing that you have come up with a little something something since we last talked?” Meri finds her footing and closes the distance between herself and Celaeno, only to motion for her to follow Meri further back into the shop. Toward lone chair Meri dedicates to tattooing. It is a nice, cushioned chair, as one would hope.

"Yes, I suppose you could call it that." Celaeno follows as directed, digging through her bulging pack to pull out a cylindrical case meant for scrolls. When she pulls it out, a rolled up piece of paper lay inside, a bit smaller than its container, but protected nonetheless. She hands that to Meri as she bites her lip somewhat uncertainly. Opening the scroll, the artist would find two geometric diagrams shaped like a cone someone had laid flat. Inside would be the horizontal rows of runes, all whose shapes she would find familiar enough from perusing those reference books--rather neat and wooden like Cela's writing style, but clear. "Feel free to stylize them some, if you'd like. My writing tends to be for utility, so lacking in aesthetic." There seemed to be mostly enchantments for a very specific shape and type of barrier, as well as assorted pyromancy bits and other essentials she had put into her gauntlets. From the looks of things, the designs would go all the way around the half-elf's forearms, just as they discussed. "Um...I also forgot to mention the purpose for these at our last meeting." She reaches under her left gauntlet and loosens the leather harness holding it on. When she removes the odd armor, it reveals that the area in question that Meri was supposed to ink stops at the wrist, covered by a black stocking. "I've been finding that my...hands for lack of a better term have been falling off lately. The leather seems to be getting old. So I wanted to come up with an alternative, just in case."

The expression on Meri’s face probably says it all. Normally if one puts a design in front of Meri she is quickly consumed by the details of the art. The design seems to get very little of Meri’s attention, at first. Celaeno’s explanation about the purpose of this enchantment. Her hands are falling off? Surely she must be referencing the armor covering her hands, right? The gauntlets? And the little leather strap holding them in place is getting old? Which only causes Meri to wonder why Celaeno would not just replace the little leather strap, because that has to be the easier and most cost effective route, right? Surely Celaeno did not mean that her actual hands would be falling off, did she? “Uh...” Meri stammers out at first before pointedly looking away from Celaeno to study the runework laid out before her. “I would rather not stylize the linework itself.” Meri has already expressed her thoughts on that, she would take utility over aesthetics when it came to tunes that were meant to function any day. “But we can play with colors and outlining.” So long as the base pattern remained exact. “Do you have any colors you lean toward? Any that you hate?”

"Colors and outlining seem nice." Her cheeks did flush a bit at the stammering, but the feeling passes quickly as Meri's attention redirected itself. The fact that a belated memory of going over the exact topic of stylization comes back and makes Cela realize she had repeated herself does not help matters, but she follows the artist's lead and keeps those thoughts to herself. Regardless, the half-elf stood a bit relieved that being a twice amputee in that area wouldn't pose a problem to the tattooing process--she unfortunately hadn't read about the finer points of that in her preparations and had a tendency to overthink. "Black and gray is nice, as are reds, oranges, yellows. Purples, blues, and greens don't seem to agree with me very well, though."

"So you would prefer warmer colors over cooler colors?" Red lips find an easy smile. In truth, Meri and Celaeno had not discussed the amputee situation prior. It will all depend on the skin though, it is possible to tattoo people who have been scarred or burned, so it does not seem improbable to Meri. This will be a first time affair, a bit experimental but Meri was seasoned enough of a tattoo artist to know if skin was going to be problematic and may not take the ink. "Alright, please have a set." If it was not obvious which chair Meri wanted Cela to claim, the woman gestures to it with a tattooed hand. I am going to mix up the ink first," Meri is already en route to do this, moving to a work space and pulling out vials up powder which are then mixed into a liquid. Other supplies are gathered while Meri explains how this process will go for Cel. "I will first paint the tattoo on you in a temporary ink so that you can make sure you are satisfied with the details of the design and then we will go ahead and make it permanent. Depending on your tolerance for pain, we can break the session up if you wanted to. We can do the outline first and then come back in during a later session to take care of the coloring."

"Yes, that would do very well." Celaeno takes off her pack and gingerly sets it at the foot of the chair, somewhere she estimates it wouldn't get in Meri's way. If directed otherwise, she would shift course and set her baggage where she was told to. Then she slides into the chair, glancing at both arms. Considering her right is her more dominant hand, she gets to work removing that gauntlet and stocking first, setting both of them in her lap. When she rolls up her sleeve, it reveals most of the skin on her arm is relatively unaffected, save for healed over burn scars along the top of where her wrist stops. "I have a relatively high tolerance for pain, I am fine with doing at least the outlining in one session, depending on how much time you have. I don't have much else to do apart from my studies."

Scars are not an unfamiliar sight to Meri, so there is little reaction now that the stocks are off. All the required equipment is laid out onto a rolling cart and Meri's rear end is planted in her stool. As she explained to Cela, it would not be the needle that she encounters first. A thin-tipped paint brush is taken up and dipped into that vial of temporary ink. Meri does not warn Cel for this part, she just begins to paint on the design on one wrist at a time. It starts with her left, the artist moving with a swift but steady hand. Some people had a knack for drawing lines straight, others did not. Meri was an artist, one might hope that she can manage a straight line. The woman would not be silent while she works, but Celaeno may not appreciate the line of questioning. It could be considered invasive, but this is probably not the first time the woman has had to deal with this line on inquiry. "So what happened to your hands?" And some point, depending on how long Cela's response in, the left wrist is traded out for the right.

"I grew up with a magic mentor who studied dark arts, which eventually led him to necromancy," Celaeno begins, seemingly unphased by Meri's line of questioning. She realized that, given the positioning of the ink she wanted, it might be inconvenient and inappropriate for both of them if she were to spend the chunk of time they had together with a book propped in her lap. Given that they did not know each other very well, going into more detail than usual about the tale might also be considered too revealing. "We still had a close relationship, however, so I assisted him without question in whatever he asked. Most of the time it wasn't anything too questionable, aside from occasional grave robbery. He never went into too much detail, since I was only an assistant, and hadn't 'earned' an apprenticeship. Then a tragedy made him determined to ressurect a loved one, and whatever ritual he used required a sacrifice or tribute of some kind. I wasn't quite sure because by then he'd slipped me a potion to keep me pliable and next I knew, slice." She pauses, only to assist in unstrapping the right gauntlet and removing the other stocking with her teeth and set them with their mates. "Suffice to say, I took my leave of him after that."

If Celaeno's preference was to have her nose in a book, Meri would ultimately not have objected provided Cel could figure out how to position it in such a way that it was not in Meri's way while working. And there best be no fussing if Meri's efforts to tattoo Cel blocked view of the page. Of course, how was Cel to be aware of any of this? "I hear there is little in the dark arts that comes without cost or sacrifice...Still, it is unfortunate," responds Meri, a short time after Celaeno's story is completed. Maybe in another realm, Meri might have been shocked by talk of grave robbing, but considering the events that tend to transpire in these lands? The woman hardly bats a lash. "It was his price to pay and not yours." It's not long before Meri has the design painted onto Celaeno's skin, giving the woman a rough estimate of how the tattoos will be in both size and appearance, not so much color. Celaeno has her chance to inspect while Meri trades out brush for needle. Here is where the real fun begins. The needle is dipped into the black ink but that Meri waits, wanting final approval from Celaeno before this next step begins. "I do believe I know a gal that you should meet with though."

“That goes for any magic, really. It maintains the balance of things, in theory. I do appreciate the sentiment.” She watches as the design comes together and the different lines and curves of the characters are brushed on. A giddy fit of butterflies starts in her stomach, making her mouth more apt to rest in a grin rather than its usual line, but she stays still until the final parts are laid out. She takes the opportunity to examine both her forearms with the same critical eye she uses on her own work before going ahead with final engravings. Everything seems in order, no lines off kilter, the rows neatly in place. She beams and bobs her head. “This is good. Very good.” She would wait for the artist’s direction as to what to do next, but her eyebrows go up at the suggested introduction. “Oh? Who would that be?”

There would be no actual instruction that comes next, Meri simply does a countdown from three, two, one, and then Cela would feel the bite of Meri’s needle. The woman was neither for heavy handed nor was she a featherhand. Just enough pressure to get the job done, a mark of a seasoned tattoo artist. Black was solely the ink of choice for now because it was the linework that needed to be solidified before the colors could be added in. Slowly the details were made permanent, following the same pattern that Meri did before. First it would be the left and the right would follow, pausing only when the pain seemed to be too much for Celaeno. The conversation was not struck right back up either, Cel was left in wait. Meri first wanted to make sure that the woman was tolerant of the pain before continuing on. Some handled it better than others. The artist has dealt with her share of screamers. Finally Meri would explain, “Her name is Khitti. She has a talent for the dark arts as well. Not really the dark and creepy sort though. I mean as far as necromancer go at least, dealing with the dead is always a little creepy.” If may be a matter of opinion. Meri has seen some things from Khitti that could be labeled dark and creepy. Not her story to tell though. “I don’t know why but I think the two of you would get along quite well.” Little did Meri know.

The countdown lets the half-elf tense in preparation as she watches Meri’s device. Despite the time that had passed between her injury and the present, her moderate tolerance holds as her face screws up at the first minute or so of the odd new sensation. Her features do smooth out after a few more minutes of growing accustomed to the consistent piercing so she only grits her teeth when it’s particularly sharp. She does seem to be holding on well enough to conversate, though as her eyebrows go up at the name Meri mentions. “Yes! Miss Khitti. We have met, already. ” She smiles wide, making it obvious any interaction the two had was positive. “And I very much agree with you. She’s very refreshing. She was instrumental in me joining the Guild, actually. How do you two know each other?”

Meri's focus was starting to slip from the conversation. First response would be a smile and a nod but there would be no answer until Meri has cleared one of the more complicated sections she is working on. Pride was taken in Meri's work, so hopefully Celaeno would be able to pick up the conversation where Meri was lacking. If she even wanted to -- every client was different. Still Cela would get her answer, but the story was not that remarkable or impressive. "I invited myself to her table one evening while I was visiting Frostmaw. She and I have been friends ever since. It wasn't entirely out of the blue, I had seen her around a couple of times at some of the Warrior's Guild meetings, so I felt inclined to introduce myself." Again, from here out it would be Cela that would have to pick up the conversation. Even those couple of sentences came at a slow and measured pace. Painting the design on Cela was an easy task, the brush flowed smoothly over the woman's skin. The needle was a different story, an hour each wrist for the line work, with pauses to wipe up excess blood and ink using clean white rags. Time passes more quickly for Meri than it does for Cela, without a doubt, but that time would pass and soon it would be time to give the tattoo a bit of flair and personalization with some color.

“Funny, I first approached her as well. She was in the middle of discussing the rebuilding of the bakery and the conversation proceeded from that to jobs, then eventually to dark arts and the corresponding Guild. The entire thing worked out very well, really.” The enchanter was starting to form a habit of indulging in small talk when with others, and it reflects in the idle chatter she goes on about as Meri works. Occasionally she pauses when a particularly tender area is passed over, but she takes a few soothing breaths until the worst of it passes and continues on. “It’s not often I see magic users who also learn combat arts. Or artists for that matter. Everyone I have met so far has been so impressive and accomplished. I wonder if it’s something in the land that brings it out or attracts those who are capable. Perhaps both.” She would spout a bit more about the nature of the lands, the fascinating history she had been studying, while watching Meri’s process with evident interest, and occasionally doesn’t catch herself staring. "Art was a hobby when I was younger, now that I am older it is a means to keep food on the table and a roof over my head. Anything else I can do? It's a means of survival." To help pass the time of tattooing, Meri gives Celaeno a few examples of some of the more dramatic incidents she has witnessed during her times here. There is a small account about how Meri was attacked within the forests of Kelay-Sage not once but twice. Both incidents, despite being at least two years apart in occurrence, involved illusionists. The first with a drow, the second someone who is not amongst the living any longer. There are other stories, bar fights, werewolves attacking Cenril, the lands were briefly plagued with an oversized bug problem with the warrior's guild addressed. Finally we get to more modern times, curses running rampant, Kahran attacking the lands, even in Frostmaw they often have problems with wars. There stories lend to the point that Meri is trying to make about the lands while also filling time, taking Meri and Celaeno from the outlining stages of the tattoo to the shading stages. Black is traded out for those warm colors and after cleaning Celaeno's arms of the excess black ink, Meri begins to blend the colors together by inking them into Cela's skin. "So while these lands may attract people of skill, I also think that it is a brutal dog eat dog world. Only those who have honed their skills will be able to survive. Unless they're total charmers and have protectors around every corner. These lands can be a brutal place for some, I think this place weeds out less capable beings."

Celaeno listened to these stories at first with a gleam of childish fascination to her eyes, but then it came to a name she had heard a few times with fear and uncertainty, of fiendish attacks and destruction she’d only glimpsed the after effects of. That’s perhaps when a genuine comprehension hit her of how harsh these new lands could be, despite the adventure she’d found so far. Along with friends and bright new faces she’d found a whole new dread and looming tragedies. Even in her short time in the lands, she had already found a great deal more good and bad than she had growing up. So Meri’s insight seemed to strike a chord as she watches with a pensive frown. The bite of the needle again after the black was washed off was a welcome reminder of where she was, bringing her back down from all that thought. “That...does make a great deal of sense. I appreciate the insight, Miss Meri. Here’s to hoping when my luck runs out I’ll be one of the ones strong enough to still be alive.”

Plenty of good things could be found in the lands, definitely new and exciting things, but there was definitely the share of doom and gloom. Of course on the average, Meri would not have even brought up such subject matter. Such was the nature of their discussion. It would be nice if Meri would follow that topic up with a subject change but frankly the woman’s mood is a grim one in the wake of Valrae’s death. At least vibrant and warm colors were being inked into Celaeno’s skin, and Meri is nearing completion. Just the final touches on the woman’s second arm. The woman felt close enough to finish that she began to explain how Cela would care for her new ink from here on out. “Two weeks. No prolonged exposure to sunlight. No swims. Bathing is fine but it is prolonged exposure to any of the elements that we are trying to avoid. Except air. You should lotion it up twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. You do not want to use too much or too little, and it should be plain and unscented. I little bit of flaking is normal but if your skin starts to flake too much it is a sign that you may need to apply lotion. Finally and most important.” These instructions come just as Meri is giving the tattooed areas a final clean down. “It will itch during the healing process but you must absolutely not give in to the urge to itch. It will just irritate the skin and increase the likeliness that it will not heal properly, which may cause the ink to not take evenly.” Instructions are finished and Cela is free to inspect the finished product, a runic design on her wrists spiced up with some warm and summery colors.

As Meri’s client watched the progress of the runes being inked onto her arms, it’s apparent that the bubbling enthusiasm that had peeked up before started burst out on the young mage’s face. Her broad smile manages to stay on, even as she focuses on listening to the artists directions. “That shouldn’t be a problem. I usually keep them covered to prevent chafing from my gauntlets. I have a twice, daily ritual of washing them and letting them breath, but I’ll adjust it to only exposing them indoors and lotioning them after they’re washed.” The most important direction is observed with a bit lip and a slow nod. “Understood about the itching. I’ll make sure my fingers behave themselves.” As Meri finished cleaning off the excess and lets Celaeno inspect her handiwork, the half-elf flexes her elbows, observing the somewhat reddened flesh around the inked design. She would have to wait to enchant it until it healed, she figures, just to be safe, and with the weather the way it was, she might wait longer, just in case. Finally the giddiness manifests itself as the pitch of her voice goes higher. “They look amazing, thank you!” Her cheeks go red at the outburst and she clears her throat to govern her tone better. She does offer yet another grateful bow of her head though. “I emphasize I cannot thank you enough. Any business I can send your way, I will. Ah, there is a pouch with your payment in my bag, the far left pocket on the side.”

Meri offers a warm smile to Celaeno at the mention of sending business her way, “Thanks, but there may be a chance that I will be closing down the Rebel Room. There are a lot of things up in the air. So you may not want to spread word to too many people.” Because they may not have a place to go. “And no, it’s not a matter of gold.” Which Meri was collecting from Celaeno’s bag, far left side, as she was assuming that those were instructions for her to do so. “Let me know how everything works out sometime, yeah? I am curious to know if it works as hoped.” That pouch of gold is tossed aside once collected so that Meri could start cleaning up ink and disinfecting tools. “Which means you will have to pay me a visit sometime soon.” If she does not close up shop that is. “It was nice meeting you, Celaeno.”

Celaeno did mentally note that she had to venture out into a hostile environment to escape Larket so she might enjoy and properly enchant her new ink. It didn’t pass her attention that the woman who lived and did business in such a place just tattooed magical writing on her and showed no qualms about it. It couldn’t have been easy doing so under present circumstances. “I understand. I hope whatever you do, it goes smoothly and safely.” She takes a bit longer taking the first black stocking between her teeth and tugging it onto her right arm. From there, though she managed to shimmy the covered forearm into its gauntlet and tighten the straps in a similar manner. From there, the runes upon the silver armor lit up and she assembled its mate with more ease. “As soon as its healed and I have done my part, I’ll ask Miss Khitti where to find you and show you the results!” She hops out of the chair, flexing her phantom fingers, the joints clicking together as normal. Her smile remains as she pulls her hood over her head anew and hefts her pack onto her shoulders. “Likewise, Miss Meri. I hope we may do it again soon.” With a final bow of her head, she tucks her gauntlets back under her sleeves and ducks out the door, back into the street.