RP:Tattoo Consultation
Summary: Brennia seeks out a way to control her enchanted ink better and figures she has to fight fire with fire. We catch up with her at her tattoo consultation.
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 is present and visible within the shop, but she is not the first face that Brennia would see. She would first be greeted what is essentially the shops receptionist for the time being. More than likely he is an apprentice, trying to learn the ropes of the ink world and so the ladies have them doing all of their easy day-to-day work to get him used to things. Meri herself is posted up in a chair a bit further back into the shop in what would be one of the 'booths' that was not partitioned off for privacy. Meri herself was tall, blonde, and definitely had enough tattoos to even give sailors a run for their money -- most notable is the full sleeves she has on both arms. Both vibrant in color and both nautical in their theme. It would seem it is a quiet morning at the shop in Rynvale and Meri looked bored out of her wits. Brennia will be her savior for the day, saving her from a day of boredom and no customers.
Brennia lands outside the establishment with much grace and the only thing that would clue other's in was the gentle thud on the ground from her soft leather boots. She folds her large onyx shaded wings around her like a cloak and what an expensive looking cloak it is with the shiny velvety black feathers seemingly reflecting hues of deep blues and forest greens. Surely, she garners some odd looks from the townsfolk as someone of her status usually wouldn't spend their time on this island and she would offer a kind smirk to any on lookers before a tattooed hand opens the door to SoulsKin. Oceanic blue optics take in the décor of the establishment with appreciation before she made her way to the receptionist, "Merry meet," that sultry alto timbre swims in the air of the quiet store, "I would like to schedule a consultation with one of your more proficient artists, please." The way she talks screams of royalty, but her clothes and kind demeanor would make you think otherwise. She tucks some of her silky raven hair behind an elongated pointed and pierced ear in wait for the woman to help her.
Meri :: "We've only got one artist in at the moment. Our other artist and the shop's owner, Lita, she is out and about at the moment. You are welcome to browse both of their portfolios to see if their work is up to your standards." And as the receptionist is explaining these details, Meri is already rising to her booted feet, closing the distances between herself and Brennia, and swooping up that portfolio that the receptionist was referencing en route. The portfolio is treated with much care for it guards all of Meri's actual work done in this establishment. Sure she had a sketchbook that could serve as evidence that she was in fact artistically inclined, but it didn't have the same clout as 'these are pieces that I have actually done' would. The portfolio is not a bound book but rather two pieces of hard cover leather lashed together with little strings of leather so that the artist could add pieces as she did the work. "And if my skill level is not to your satisfaction then I am happy to make recommendations to other artists." Each client had different tastes and styles and Meri has learned over time that she can't be offended when her own style does not match with that of a prospective client. "Have a seat," Meri motions to any of the numerous chairs in the shop for Brennia to help herself to. "Take a peek. And then tell me a little bit about what you are looking for and where you are looking to get it."
Brennia let those large blue eyes be absorbed onto Meri and weather she was taking measurements or just checking the female form out no one really knows. Once Meri got close enough to the Avian she would easily pick up on her most favorite scent emitting from Brennia. Her tattooed arms reach out to grasp the book offered to her before she did take the seat offered, "Merry meet." She addresses Meri before she smiles back at the receptionist as to not seem rude, "Thank you, sir." She opts to take a seat away from the ear shot of the receptionists as her wings slightly shift in order to allow Brennia to sit without her actually sitting on the impressive wings. She opens the book with care and flips through the sketches in keeping in mind to only use the very edges of the pages. A soft and pleased, "Mhm…" is given before that gaze locks to Meri in a sincere, "You have quite beautiful work, miss-?" She awaits the woman to introduce herself in leaving a pause there. Once she gets a name her plump lips would spread into a brilliant smile which exposes perfect pearly whites and dimples poking into her cheeks; such a smile could melt stone hearts. "I was wondering…" Her tone became gentle and in a lower decibel, "What do you know in the way of enchanted or enchanting tattoos?"
Meri finds a seat immediately next to Brennia, positioning herself so that her knees were angled toward the woman -- as one might expect when having a private one-on-one conversation with someone. Body language was also important when dealing with clients, had to appear interested and attentive....Not that Meri really wasn't, for Brennia had spoken the words 'enchanted tattoos' and that always meant this piece was bound to be more of a challenge, and thus more interesting. "I do have abilities outside of being an artist, psionic in nature, that being said they do not really lend to the actual enchantment of tattoos and so if that is what you are seeking to do? We may have to seek aid from a third party, and that research will be left entirely up to you. I have done pieces, for example, where the ink has been altered, enchanted, or created specifically for the tattoo I am doing. I guess that really just depends on what you are seeking to do....and who you decide to enlist help from...." A beat, her gaze shifting toward the receptionist who she calls out to at a slightly louder than normal volume. "Hey, why don't you take your lunch. And do you mind picking me up something while you're out? I'm starved." Obviously Meri would pay the guy back, but mostly she was just trying to afford Brennia some additional privacy. Once the apprentice is out the door, Meri attempts to delve a little deeper. "So can you please tell me in more depth what you are hoping to achieve here?"
Brennia watches the man leave and offers a kind wave of goodbye before her attentions were back on Meri. She gently closes the book to either hand back to Meri or set down so she may stand up. Once she did her wings opened up, but stayed folded close to her curvaceous form and her outfit was exposed. She wears a simple blue wrapped shirt with black suede leggings and all of it accents her curves marvelously, but mostly one would be drawn to the fact that she is covered in ink, the darkest ink anyone may have ever seen and it's intricate, yet elegant pattern captures the eye in wonderment. The tattoo pattern around her temples mimic the pattern as well and it would be hard to understand why she would want more ink work done, "Where I am from, tattoos mark your house and the more noble the house you were born into the bigger the artwork." She starts with a light back round, "The ink in my tattoos was tampered with. It changes me and had taken on it's own sort of agenda." She wasn't going to say how or who because it's a bit odd to even say. "Sometimes I cannot control it and I was looking for a piece that acts like a lock to it. Maybe it will allow me to access it on my own, but I cannot have this out of control in front of the bard's guild or any of the Bardic Arts College students." A real concern was evident in her tone and painted the expression on her face. "Do you have any suggestions on what we should do?"
Meri accepts the book back from Brennia only to be the one to place it on a nearby stand herself. When Brennia stands, Meri does as well, doing a slow circle around the avain woman to take in the details of her present artwork. There were many questions that Meri still had but most of them she would not actually voice out of respect for Brennia. Meri could be obnoxious in her personal life but she did strive for a high level of professionalism here in Lita's shop. "To be honest, Brennia, there are a lot of variables you are not explaining -- and I am not going to ask you to. That is why I am putting this research mostly back on you. You know what plagues you better than anyone else and you know the faces around these lands that you trust. I think that if your ink has been tampered with then it stands to reason that we can tamper with my ink to at the very least...keep it at bay." The symbolism of the lock, yes. Meri gets it. At this point Meri moves to retrieve some black ink, still in its most raw and unmixed form. The powder is contained within a small glass jar and it is offered over to Brennia. "Ink takes best to the skin when it is mixed at the time of tattooing. If we mix this too soon and it takes you...say a month to find the means of enchanting this? That ink will not be fresh enough." At least not by Meri's standards. "Ideally they can do something with it in this form and I can mix it in the shop. But if you find you need instructions on how to make it, please let me know? I would suggest you seek out, perhaps an alchemist? Or someone of magic that would typically be viewed at the opposite magics that were used on you? But I am not a mage so....I really lack the knowledge in that area. I am but the artist." A sheepish smile, Meri wished she could be of more help. "Now, where would you like this lock? I think a side piece would be super cute." Meri motions along Brennia's side, right along the ribs. That would feel pleasant. But Brennia gets ultimate say.
Brennia felt her kind smile shift to a smirk of sorts as she would usually say something perverse, but she keeps it under wraps for now anyway as not many take kindly to her playful nature and accept her type of humor. Those large black wings seem to preen just slightly under Meri's inspection of her tattoo work. She forces her kind smile to return, "I have a few people I can consult with and maybe even ask my dear friend to cast a spell over the ink." She would mention that her friend is a witch, but that seems to be a touchy subject throughout Hollow as of late. She looks at the powder with a thoughtful expression and crossing her arms under her perky bust, "Hm… So, what you are saying is that I should find an enchanted liquid mixture to add to this powder?" Deep blue eyes travel back to lock to Meri's once more, "That sounds doable." She was looking at the powder a moment as the pieces start to click together in her mind allowing a pregnant pause between the women. She places a soft and warm hand on Meri's shoulder while looking down at the woman being six two and all, "You have been a great help to me today and I will send word as soon as I get into contact with the others… I may have to bring a bard to keep the ink and myself subdued." She warns, "I didn't catch your name though?" That brilliant smile returns.
Meri would not have minded, in all likeliness. Short of blatant insults, it is quite hard to offend Meri and she can find humor in many things but it is admittedly sometimes better to play is safe. Especially in business dealings. Another sheepish smile is displayed across those ruby red lips. "Oh man. My manners sometimes. Meri is my own name." There is a small beat. "Yes, something like an enchanted liquid to mix into it could be absolutely perfect. Or a secondary powder to mix into it, whatever is clever really." No sheepish smile this time, a full on grin springs across Meri's lips."While you are working on your piece of his puzzle, I will design up a few concepts. Just to confirm? We are good with a little number on the side? And maybe lock and key sort of design?" Meri once more studies the space on Brennia's body that she is thinking of working on. Checkin' you out, Bre. Naw, it is purely professional and through the eye of the artist. "And to confirm, just black? No color?" All very important details the artist needs to hash down before letting Brennia out the door. "If I have got that right, it won't run you more than 100 gold." Chump change, really. No wonder Meri was broke all the time. "And you are more than welcome to bring whatever company you want for the official tattooing session. Bards are especially welcome. Raphaline is a dear friend of mine. I have a soft spot for you lot. Please wear comfortable and loose fitting clothing that does not hide the area I need to work on."
Brennia shifted one of those hypnotic great smelling wings out of the way for Meri to come closer and inspect her canvas and she even lifts the shirt to expose the supple caramel skin under it. Among the impressive swirling design there would be a perfect space right where Meri wants to place her artwork and of course Brennia would not mind in the least if this woman checked her out, she's in an open relationship with a woman herself and already checked out Meri from the beginning. "In your professional opinion, do you think it should be in color as to differentiate from the rest? We have to make this as opposite as possible, no?" A quirk of her brow would be given when she mentioned the price and chose to ignore such an insult to artwork, "Yes, agreeable, 100 gold for the consultation and 500 gold for the application. This is harder work for you after all." A soft wink would be given and the kind smile on her face would prove the suggestion was not out of charity, but appreciation for the arts. "If you like bards so much you should visit us in Schezerade at the Bard's Art's College. Maybe take a little vacation, there are beautiful gardens and a hot spring next to the castle, we love visitors." It would be evident now how she is so well liked among the students for her demeanor garners respect but her kindness offers no judgments and security to all she meets.
Meri almost goes slack-jawed at the offer that Brennia turns back to Meri. Well, well, well. The artist is definitely not going to object, that is another one of those social tips she has picked up upon: don't argue with people on how to spend their money. "I think that the contrast would be very symbolic. In that case what I can do is include some highlighting in white and we can apply various shades of blue in it as well." Blue was very likely selected as it was the color of Brennia's eyes, but make no mistake if Brennia voiced another color, Meri would adhere to that request. Though they are now delving into the realm of color, Meri does not even dream of tacking on an additional price hike. Brennia has more than sufficiently covered the cost of any additions, removals, redraws and then some. "I would love to come out and pay the academy a visit. That would be a real treat for my ears, I highly suspect. If I do not hear from you soon, I will come out to get your approval on my designs." And even if Meri does hear from Brennia, one way or another the artist would make it out.
Brennia nods thoughtfully, "You are the artists and I give you creative freedom with that." She lowered her shirt now and bent the wings back the way she had them before, "I will send you directions by my messaging owl in a few days. In our time apart I will work out a way to come up with an enchanted catalyst and you will conjure up some sketches." He extends a hand in their parting to shake Meri's, "It was a pleasure to meet you." A quirk of her brow as those deep blue eyes take in the form before her, "Merry part until we merry meet again." She would bow her head softly while handing over the 100 gold agreed upon before exiting the establishment once more and looking up to the skies. Once she plans her course she opens the large wings and with magnificent force she shoots off into the skies.
Meri reaches out with her own tattooed hand to shake Brennia's offered hand, as if to seal the deal so to speak. "Great, I will look forward to receiving these directions and I will be there. It was a pleasure meeting you as well." Within moments of Brennia's departure, Meri is already into diving into her sketchbook, charcoal piece in hand.