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Post by Ghislain nó Jasmine (D) on Oct 7, 2007 5:28:56 GMT -5
Cassander had been exceptionally pleased with how my debut auction had gone. In short my price had gone high and that had pleased me greatly as well. Lessa my patron had been wonderful, kind, and gentle and I hoped greatly that she would return to me sometime soon. Thus I was in high spirits when I made my way into the marquist to start my marque.
I had worn a loose shirt easy to shrug out of and once in the door I paused to look about. My small almost feminine frame often making me easy to miss as I cast my doe like light brown eyes about the shop. This was a totally new experience for me so I was a little on the tentative side.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Oct 7, 2007 11:42:07 GMT -5
I was in the back when I heard the door open. Setting down the instruments I was cleaning, I moved through the doorframe and into the front room.
"Hello," I said with a smile to the adept standing there. I didn't know him and he looked young enough, and out of place enough, to either be starting his marque or not far along with it. Most adepts got an eager look when they entered after the first time or two. "Can I help you?"
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Post by Ghislain nó Jasmine (D) on Oct 7, 2007 12:26:53 GMT -5
I heard a voice and I turned and fixed my doe like eyes on the owner of the voice and I offered a pleasant and easy smile. "Hello, I was needing to start my marque and I was told this is the place to do it." I was assuming I was speaking with the marquist but well one never knows. He seemed to be a pleasing enough fellow with a pleasant disposition always a nice thing when one was looking to have ink forced into their flesh by someone.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Oct 7, 2007 12:36:34 GMT -5
"This would be one of the places," I said with a smile. "I'm Darien Kachine, marquist here."
He really was a little thing, likely a foot shorter than me. I was curious as to which House had claimed him.
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Post by Ghislain nó Jasmine (D) on Oct 7, 2007 12:40:32 GMT -5
I skipped closer and offered him my hand to shake with a bow and a flourish "Nice to meet you Darien. I am Ghislain nó Jasmine" I lifted my head and gave him an irrepressible smile. "I just recently had my debut and you know how it is" I shrugged "I guess its time to start."
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Post by Darien Kachine on Oct 7, 2007 16:02:02 GMT -5
His manner made me smile even more.
"Congratulations on your debut," I told him as I shook his hand. "Were you wishing to make an appointment for later or start now? I'm free now if you'd like to start now."
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Post by Ghislain nó Jasmine (D) on Oct 7, 2007 16:18:08 GMT -5
"Now will work fine if you are free" I grinned more "I imagine the start is the hardest part but on the bright side there is so little to me I should not require a lot of ink." I felt as if my face would split from smiling but well then I always felt like that "And thank you on the congratulations. Thinks went swimmingly well I think I really enjoy my work."
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Post by Darien Kachine on Oct 7, 2007 16:22:29 GMT -5
"Then I shall probably be seeing you often," I said, grinning.
I motioned to the back room. "The first step is measuring your back so if you would, all the work happens back there."
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Post by Ghislain nó Jasmine (D) on Oct 7, 2007 16:28:09 GMT -5
"We can only hope" I replied and stepped toward the back as I was motioned. Once there I slid out of Darien's way and waited for him to show me where he wanted me and what he wanted me to do. Though I was a bit apprehensive as I understood the procedure hurt a bit.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Oct 7, 2007 22:29:44 GMT -5
I followed Ghislain into the back.
"The first thing I need you to do is disrobe," I told him, motioning to the privacy screen in the corner. "There's a couple robes back there should you want one. When you're done, come lay on your stomach on the table."
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Post by Ghislain nó Jasmine (D) on Oct 7, 2007 23:04:26 GMT -5
"Alright" I grinned and went back behind the screen and undressed. I did not bother with the robe because it seemed to make little sense to me to have any modesty about this matter. Besides it is not like I am terribly a lot to look at. I am small, skinny, and have pale skin. Most think i look nearly feminine or I have heard the term willowy applied as well.
Once nude I simply stepped out from behind the curtain and went and laid on the table stomach down. "Is there any particular angle you need my arms at or what have you to keep from pulling my skin so it will mess things up? I kind of figure this first part is the most important."
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Post by Darien Kachine on Oct 8, 2007 19:13:45 GMT -5
"Folded under your head is best, it keeps the skin nice and taut for me," I answered as I finished lighting the candles in the corner.
I gathered the calibers and other things I needed before going to the table and looking at his back. There really wasn't much to him as he's said. I ran my hands over his skin lightly, feeling the texture of his skin.
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Post by Ghislain nó Jasmine (D) on Oct 8, 2007 20:37:54 GMT -5
I obediently folded my arms and laid my forehead on them making a space for my face. I could not really see what he was doing but I felt the smoothness of his hands as they slid over my skin. I knew very well the illness that had nearly killed me as a child had left me both small and with very soft and pale skin. I was not self conscious about it at all even if by male standards I was mildly feminine.
I let out a small sigh and did my best to relax. It was a new experience for me so like anyone else there was a bit of apprehension. But over all I tended to deal with apprehension and adversity relatively well. I did not waste words figuring Darien knew his business thus I would not presume to do anything other than what I was told.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Oct 9, 2007 15:01:56 GMT -5
It was short work to measure out the points on his back and I made notes on a scrap of parchment. When I was done, I stepped back.
"Did you have a certain amount you wanted marqued?" I asked.
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Post by Ghislain nó Jasmine (D) on Oct 9, 2007 15:09:19 GMT -5
I pondered as I rested my chin on my arms at last looking up. I had done alright but I had no intention of being one of those who poured all they had into their marque. What was the point of having funds if one obsessed over them? I at last looked back at him "First couple inches?"
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Post by Darien Kachine on Oct 9, 2007 17:22:58 GMT -5
"Alright, let me work up the numbers and then if you agree we can sign the contract and I'll get started," I told him, smiling.
I went to the counter and began working out a price and filling in areas on the contract.
"How well do you handle pain?" I asked him as I figured.
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Post by Ghislain nó Jasmine (D) on Oct 9, 2007 19:51:08 GMT -5
I propped myself up on my elbows and watched "Not sure to be real honest. I nearly died as a child and since then I have not had much experience with pain. I guess we shall soon find out."
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Post by Darien Kachine on Oct 9, 2007 22:50:22 GMT -5
His words stopped me mid figure. I turned and looked at him.
"What happened?" I asked. "If you don't mind me asking."
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Post by Ghislain nó Jasmine (D) on Oct 9, 2007 22:59:12 GMT -5
"When I was five an illness struck my family. Both my parents died and I became very sick and nearly died as well. I was taken to Balm House and they managed to save me." I gave a smile "From there it was decided I fit Jasmine best as after one nearly dies they tend to take the pleasures life has to offer pretty seriously." I did not mind him asking and I hopped it showed. I was pretty open about my life it was just what made me, me after all.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Oct 9, 2007 23:03:55 GMT -5
I was amazed by how well he seemed to have handled all that had happened to him. I had seen the same types of events ravage other people, they carried it in every line of their faces. He, on the other hand, seemed to have accepted it and the way his life had gone. It was impressive.
"Yes, I think I will be seeing you often," I said with a smile, then finished filling in the amounts on the contract.
I took it to him and offered it to him to read. The price for what he wanted done was on there and all it needed was his signature.
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Post by Ghislain nó Jasmine (D) on Oct 9, 2007 23:12:01 GMT -5
"We can only hope I try to make up with enthusiasm what I lack in size." I read over the contract it all seemed in order as I had expected it would be. So I signed and handed it back to him. As I did I looked up "I see so many people who let events try and shape them. They even try to be what others think they should be. Me well, I know each day I have is a blessing and I try to enjoy it. Elua after what I have been through I probably will not have a very long life."
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Post by Darien Kachine on Oct 10, 2007 13:52:50 GMT -5
"The way life goes, you'll outlive the most pampered cautious person out there," I told him, smiling as I took the contract and set it aside.
"You haven't had a lot to drink today have you?" I asked. "It causes more bleeding."
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Post by Ghislain nó Jasmine (D) on Oct 10, 2007 14:00:00 GMT -5
I shook my head no and settle back onto my stomach my head resting on my arms “Just some water and juice with breakfast.” I watched him a bit “How long does it take to heal up normally by the way?”
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Post by Darien Kachine on Oct 10, 2007 17:31:00 GMT -5
"Well, it all depends on how quickly you heal in truth," I said as I gathered up my tools and inks. "Anywhere from three days to a week is about normal."
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Post by Ghislain nó Jasmine (D) on Oct 10, 2007 18:37:23 GMT -5
"Alright" I simply hid my face against my arms and tried to prepare to deal with the unknown.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Oct 10, 2007 22:12:55 GMT -5
Once everything was arrayed on the table within reach, I looked at his back again. in my mind, I could already see how he would look when finished, the swirling lines and colors of his marque covering his back.
I dipped the bound bunch of needles into the black ink and held it just above where I would make my first strike.
"This will hurt," I warned him, my voice low and calm. "Try to breath slowly and don't clench up. If it's too much, just tell me and we can stop for a moment. Ready?"
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Post by Ghislain nó Jasmine (D) on Oct 10, 2007 22:16:22 GMT -5
I took a few deep breaths and willed myself to be calm and relaxed. Such a task is simpler when it happens naturally and you are not consciously trying to relax I noted. "Alright, I am ready" I spoke as I kept my face tucked into my arms and waited for the first sting.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Oct 10, 2007 22:24:40 GMT -5
Without waiting another second, I began. Letting the striker hit the taper, I pierced his skin and embedded the first ink of his marque in his skin.
Most of my mind slipped away, keeping only enough attention to be able to stop if he asked. The rest of me went into instinct, letting my body guide my movements, movements it knew better than my mind ever would.
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Post by Ghislain nó Jasmine (D) on Oct 11, 2007 5:29:02 GMT -5
I let out a little hiss at the first blow and tensed a bit but I soon managed to relax. Yes, it did hurt but it was not like slow and excruciating torture either. It was something I could and did manage. In fact I found myself relaxing more as the process moved on. My breathing regulated and I started to hum a bit softly in time to the strikes. Not that I was so happy I hummed but the act offered a chance to distract my mind.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Oct 11, 2007 13:59:13 GMT -5
In a manner fitting the early spring season, the beginnings of his marque bloomed on his skin. Only two inches now, but enough that, like the first green shoot barely peeking through the dirt, the promise of growth was there. With these two inches his life was set, never would his be unmarred for the rest of his life. Forever, no matter what happened with his future, his time as an adept would be held with more permanence in his flesh than fleeting memories of mind.
Finally, I straightened up and brushed away the sweat from my forehead.
"Don't move," I said softly. "The ink needs to set."
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