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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 18, 2007 4:29:23 GMT -5
"Some find begging enticing," I replied with a grin, as the first needle got in. "Or so I'm told," I said hissing as the second hit settled in. "Though," third needle, "I doubt that you do." There was a few others, and it didn't bother me too much, though it would never have qualified as an entry in my book of pleasures.
It didn't really hurt, because Darien was being incredibly careful and slow, that I could tell. But the sting was there, and I knew moving was the worst thing I could ever, ever do.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 19, 2007 0:09:56 GMT -5
I registered her words, but this was not a point at which I talked. My focus was completely on my work and with the fluid movements of years at this, I imbedded the ink into her skin.
Slowly but inexorably, the tattoo blossomed on her flesh, as if it had always laid beneath the surface and I was just chipping away the covering.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 19, 2007 3:40:23 GMT -5
Darien was silent, and I respected that. I let my body sink in the working table, my mind wandering a little, and I thought of my father, of the green glades of the estate, of the laughing fits I had with Alice and Jeanne, of training with Jonas.
It was occurring to me that there were changes in my life, but they were more subtle than I expected. All in all, the City of Elua was turning out to be less traumatic than I thought it would be.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 19, 2007 12:07:32 GMT -5
Finally I straightened, dabbing away the last stray drop of blood as I did.
"Done," I said softly. "But don't move yet."
I flexed my fingers slightly, small detail work like this made them cramp a bit. "And no, I don't enjoy begging," I replied to her much earlier statement.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 19, 2007 12:38:52 GMT -5
I didn't move, and replied, smiling, "I didn't think you did, you strike me as the lovely, gentle person who would suffer from it, rather, if you don't mind me saying." I shrugged, then winced because the movement hurt a bit, "I've no idea what it's about, about anyway."
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 20, 2007 0:23:16 GMT -5
Brow furrowed, I leaned in to look at the ink. "Don't move," I repeated. "This needs to set before I can bandage it."
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 20, 2007 1:06:06 GMT -5
I lay very still. "I'm sorry, I got distracted," I replied, a little chastised, and embarrassed over it.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 20, 2007 15:00:08 GMT -5
"You're not the first or the last, I'm sure," I said, chuckling softly. "I just don't want you to have to pay for repairs if you don't have to."
Smiling I began setting my tools over to be cleaned then gathering the items to bandage her up.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 20, 2007 15:22:29 GMT -5
"I understand," I said quietly. I waited patiently for him to be done, not moving anymore, just resting.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 20, 2007 17:36:49 GMT -5
Returning, I set the items down before bandaging her up.
"Would you like to see before it's all covered?" I asked, smiling.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 20, 2007 17:56:37 GMT -5
"Yes, please," I said eagerly. I was curious, very curious of his work on me.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 20, 2007 21:05:26 GMT -5
With practiced ease, I positioned two hand mirrors so that the tattoo was reflected where she could see it and waited for her reaction.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 21, 2007 7:41:21 GMT -5
"It's beautiful," I said softly. "You have as much talent on skin as you do on paper, Darien."
I paused an instant, thinking. "How long will it be bandaged, before I can show it off?"
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 21, 2007 10:06:36 GMT -5
"It depends, but just a day or two at the most," I said as I set down the mirrors.
I began to carefully apply salve to the tattoo. "This will help it heal faster and manage any pain that might occur. Once the ink stops looking fresh, then it's fine to uncover it for good."
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 21, 2007 10:53:38 GMT -5
I nodded in understanding. "What happens, say, if I bump it in the meantime? I wouldn't do it purposely, but accidents do happen," I told him. I sighed lightly, thinking, espescially when it's me. I'm prone, it seems.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 21, 2007 12:41:44 GMT -5
"It'll be fine under the bandages, just try not to get them soaking wet or strain the skin too far," I told her as I began to bandage her up.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 21, 2007 13:24:01 GMT -5
I repressed a chuckle, and said, "Got it, I'll avoid a swim and a fight. I think I can do that."
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 21, 2007 15:36:21 GMT -5
"I'm not so sure with you," I said, chuckling.
I tied off the bandage and stepped back.
"All done, you can dress now," I told her as I began cleaning up.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 22, 2007 8:43:02 GMT -5
I stood, holding the robe to myself, and went behind the screen to put my shirt back on, but didn’t bother with the jacket, because lifting my arms hurt a little, and it made me concerned about the tattoo. “Well, I’ll do my best,” I replied as I dressed. “If you want, I can send you a note to confirm it, or visit you in a few days, to prove that I can stay still just long enough for your art to sink in.”
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 22, 2007 10:56:54 GMT -5
"Either one is good by me," I replied, smiling.
I had set the tools aside to be properly cleaned, and now leaned over to blow out the candles.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 22, 2007 15:40:11 GMT -5
I stepped out of the booth, and put the robe back where I'd found it. My hand reached for my purse, and I said, "Well... now, for the business side of things...."
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 22, 2007 17:50:11 GMT -5
"Ah yes," I said with a mock scowl. "Pay up or I shall wrestle you the table and change that tattoo to a cow or some such."
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 23, 2007 7:42:57 GMT -5
I laughed, raising my chin at him in mock challenge. “I’ll take you on it next time, when your work isn’t so fresh,” I said teasingly, “But beware! I am half your size, and you’ll still get a run for it !”
I pulled out the price, and set it on the table, hoping I had counted it right. In a jesting whisper, I said, “I surrender.”
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 23, 2007 11:45:01 GMT -5
"You are wiser than you look," I teased, sweeping the coins into a drawer.
I held out my hand to her. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you," I said, smiling wide.
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Post by Julie Deveroix (D) on Aug 23, 2007 12:22:44 GMT -5
"Likewise, Darien," I replied, grinning as I shook his hand with a good grip. "I'll be in touch, but I need to go now. Training beckons," I said, patting my sword.
With that, I gave a flourished bow, and left, grinning wide as I lept out of his Salon.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 23, 2007 19:13:16 GMT -5
Chuckling, I watched her leave before cleaning up completely.
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