Prepare for the #LodanRespawn2024 Existing characters may choose to be displace from/have memories of different timelines, thereby allowing returning members the option to retcon their whole character. These changes are the result of the "Unnatural Fog" plot device that is running between now and the Respawn. The plot is simple: no matter where your character is, that place is shrouded in a thick fog that suspends time, but not thoughts or memories, so even if they're repeating the same day over and over again, they continue to remember, so each time feels like a new day. For those retconning OCs; this is where new versions of themselves have the opportunity to replace the old versions. Official lore and tree updates will be announced asap
Post by Lasair Landevier Lupen on Jan 19, 2016 4:00:03 GMT
As the tattooing began, he bit down on the inside of his cheek. The pain wasn’t as bad as he was expecting, and he quickly got used to it. Besides, if it became unbearable, he could always cast some deceit to trick himself into forgetting the pain. But he’d rather save his magic for demonstrating to Syd tonight.
Allergies? That’s what Lasair assumed from his statement. While people being allergic to foods was not unheard of, it certainly wasn’t a common trait. He quickly thought of an easy way to work around that, though. “I know the city well. How about you tell me what your favorite food is, and I’ll find us a nice place that serves it?” Pausing, he felt the way the device moved across his back. And then another idea came to mind. “Or even, do you cook? I know ingredients are hard to find with the war and all, but I know some places, some people. I could find what you need if you’d want to make something yourself.” Nothing was more private than the comfort of your own home, after all.
Post by Syd Croswell-Miklos on Jan 19, 2016 4:52:26 GMT
Lasair's willingness to accommodate him was endearing. Others tended to tease him for his eating habits though in many cases it was eat it or die. He refused the meat every time and should he ever be forced to consuming the commodity it always wound up making him heavily sick. Brought back to the questions, Syd fell silent as he relished in the kindess of this stranger he'd only met the day prior. Lodan really was far better than Ronuvia by every stretch thus far.
"Yes. Since, well, I do not eat out because I cannot often I have picked up cooking to compensate. What foods do you favor? If you acquire me any vegetables, rice, and maybe some fish I might be able to cook us a meal. Would you prefer to have dinner tonight or tomorrow," inquired the artist. Since they were only working with the lines and the designs were not too complex the process seemed to be breezing by. He'd finished the lower half of the weight and was now beginning to work his way up toward the top of the weight and chains.
Post by Lasair Landevier Lupen on Jan 19, 2016 5:08:55 GMT
“Tomorrow would be better; gives me a chance to get everything together. Do you have any favorite vegetables?” His mind drifted to where he could acquire each food from; fish was still being sold at the ports; he would have to wake up early to get there right as the catch came in to get the best selection. There were a few crates of rice in the stores of MI so that would be easy to get too. But the vegetable, that would depend on which one. Some were out of season right now, others were also crated up in MI.
He was tore out of his thought as the needle hit a soft spot, causing him to suck in a breath through his teeth. It wasn’t so bad as to make him cry out, but still hurt more than the rest of his back had been. For a change of pace, he decided to ask, “What has been your favorite tattoo you’ve created?”
Post by Syd Croswell-Miklos on Jan 19, 2016 6:04:17 GMT
"I do not. I will eat just about any vegetables really so you should make that pick of what you would like. I think I have cooking wine here somewhere so you would not need to worry about that... ginger. I think that and maybe mushrooms are really the only two things I need. Anything else you could bring if you want it and I will pay you for everything when I see you tomorrow. Is that alright? Or, no, I can give you some money for groceries before you leave." He frowned when the other drew in a breath as sharply as he did. The spot he hit had bled unlike the others were it was just plasma so he quickly took up the towel to dab it away then pressed on. Just as quickly as he had finished the lines for the bottom of the weight, he was soon finished with the top half and moving onto the chains.
The question asked of him made Syd blush though he would not allow it to distract from his work. How does one explain that his favorite tattoo he'd ever created was his first made out of adolescent stupidity of the words Sweet and Sour tattooed on his breasts? He could lie--but that was dishonest. "Promise you will not laugh...?" He could still do it. He had plenty clients in Ronuvia he could choose from, but many of those had only sought gang relation marks and such. "Uhm, well, you see. Uh, I, er..." he cleared his throat then decided he should just spit it out, "My favorite tattoo I ever created has to be, uhm, well..." His voice died a little but he continued, "Sweet and Sour on my chest..." He could only continue working and wait for the judgement that would inevitably hit him.
Post by Lasair Landevier Lupen on Jan 19, 2016 7:04:23 GMT
Ginger and mushrooms. Those added to the other three would be easy enough to find, especially given that they preserved easily. Right, Lasair knew where he’d get each ingredient from. “Payment? Oh no, I couldn’t accept that. I’m supposed to be paying you for this tattoo,” he countered, relaxing as the sharp pain faded away. He could feel Syd gradually making his way up higher and higher, it would only be a short time until he would have to transition to Lasair’s front side.
Syd didn’t initially answer his question about favorite tattoo, leaving Lasair to assume it was because he had trouble deciding. So when the requested promise came, it took him by surprise. “I promise,” he replied, getting ready to bite his tongue in case it was something highly humorous. But the way Syd stumbled over his words again, the way he sounded so nervous, the ander doubted he would actually laugh at the answer.
And he didn’t, only raising his eyebrows instead at the odd answer. Definitely not what he expected to hear. “I’d like to see them,” he decided while wondering if Syd had any other tattoos hidden away on his body. “I figure if I can get a look at them, I can see why they’re your favorite too.” Did that help his request make sense? He wasn’t sure, but it didn’t matter too much to him.
Post by Syd Croswell-Miklos on Jan 21, 2016 2:04:24 GMT
"Then I will deduct it from your cost of tattoo." He would not receive anything free. It would not be right by him. The chains had taken a lot more concentration than the weight did but that was because the details were smaller in comparison and required more precision so he took his time as he made his way up Lasair's left shoulder. "You would... like to see them..." Naturally, people always wanted to see his tattoos when they found that there were more other than his arms. There was no issue in showing people his tattoos and he only ever took care of what people saw of his arms at times due to the scars--those he could not help being ashamed of. "I suppose I can show you them if you would really like. They are my favorite because I was young and stupid and the memories behind them are fond. Their original creation came to fruition when a naval soldier and his very elderly grandmother came in to my tattoo parlor. The grandmother was telling the soldier about how his grandad--her husband-- had the words tattooed on his chest. Then because the grandfather was dead she began to cry because she was sad so the soldier got them to commemorate his memory for her. I got my own one drunken night when I remembered how funny and grand I thought it was then to watch the soldier's face at how awful of an idea it was."
Post by Lasair Landevier Lupen on Jan 22, 2016 3:34:24 GMT
“Then I’ll add the money back in towards your tip to get the price back up to full,” he countered with out missing a beat. There was determination to give the artist the payment he was due. This was a big project, not to mention that Lasair was his first customer. The man needed the money from this job whether he wanted to admit it or not. When Syd began explaining the charming words on his chest, Lasair listened closely, as if he needed to memorize the words. “A soldier and his grandma, huh? Seems like an odd place to take inspiration from, but I suppose I shouldn’t complain. It’s good to hear you haven’t regretting getting the tattoos done. I’ve heard some scary and funny stories about bad tattoos. Names misspelled, numbers reversed, pictures messed up. But it didn’t really detour me from getting my own.”
As he finished speaking, he record took an odd turn as an interesting song played. “What’s the name of this song?” he asked after it played for a few moments.
Post by Syd Croswell-Miklos on Jan 22, 2016 6:17:37 GMT
"No," he stated firmly. "That is not how I operate," protested the Ronuvian. "A meal is shared and I do not accept free--even tips. If you insist then I suppose I will go to the market tomorrow and by the items so you may not." Stubborn. Syd was stubborn when he wanted to be and on matters of money he usually was. "But yes, a soldier and his grandma. She was an interesting character that woman. Did many things in her lifetime. And the soldier--he may look scary but he was so kind to his mother and really looked after her. As far as bad tattoos go I have seen some that I have had to design works to cover up the mistakes which is always challenging and fun. Some people like to get phrases tattooed in a different language and they think it is poetic or something when really it is something as silly as the word Anus."
Several songs had come and pass since they had begun their work and a slow transition was made from the classics to something more recent. "This here is called Soul Of A Man and I really enjoy it. Here, I am done with the back side," claimed the Ronuvian who then set the gun aside and stood to move his belongings to Lasair's front. After situating the stool, he then held a finger up to motion the other to wait before he disappeared behind the curtains. The music suddenly stopped and there was silence. A few moments later and the song changed.
"Hit the road Jack, and don't you come back no more, no more, no more!" began to play along with a more rhythmic music style before Syd stepped back in from behind the curtain. "This is one of my favorite songs I think," he explained as he took his seat in front of Lasair then took up the gun once more.
Post by Lasair Landevier Lupen on Jan 22, 2016 6:46:22 GMT
“Hmm,” Lasair thought to himself for a moment, wanting to steal a glance back at the one behind him. “I’ll find a way to pay you back, somehow,” he said after a moment, unable to think of any other way to force his money onto Syd. He’d think of something later, yes, he was sure. Spend it on a gift, perhaps. When Syd proclaimed that he were finished, Lasair immediately twisted to try and look over his shoulder. Unfortunately, he was not flexible enough to see anything. Turning forward when the music changed, he raised an eyebrow as the tune came to his ears. “I haven’t heard this one before, but it’s catchy,” he commented when Syd returned. "Do you have a favorite cover up story you'd like to share?" A follow up question, to continue their conversation.
Now that Syd was in front of him, Lasair couldn’t help but look down at the man, trying to see his eyes from behind locks of hair. The ander wanted to know what the artist looked like when he worked, so stealing glances was his best chance. Hopefully it wouldn’t unsettle the other, if he even noticed. He just couldn’t help it, Syd was too interesting.
Post by Syd Croswell-Miklos on Jan 24, 2016 6:10:35 GMT
"You do not have to. I owe you anyway for cutting you and had originally planned to repay you with a meal or a drink or whatever else you may want. I do not wish to be further in your debt, Mister Lupen. As far as cover up stories go, no, I don't--at least none off the top of my head right now but I promise should I recall one you will be told. I am glad you enjoy the song." While Syd worked he kept his eyes focused on the lines and allowing the needle to be guided over its destined path. The ink left behind was bold and crisp in color. Thin auburn brows were drawn together over the bridge of his nose in concentration though upon feeling the other's gaze his brows relaxed and he looked up at Lasair. "Is everything alright, Mister Lupen?"
Post by Lasair Landevier Lupen on Jan 24, 2016 6:55:10 GMT
No stories to share? Well that was alright, he was busy doing the tattoo anyway. The way he concentrated was interesting; nice even. Lasair knew he should look away from it, but he couldn’t help himself. It had been a long time since anyone was this close to him, actually giving him a chance to see the details of their face clearly as opposed to the blur he was used to. But then Syd looked up at him.
The ander tore his eyes away, mildly embarrassed. “Yeah, everything’s fine.” He probably should have said more. Like, ‘I was just looking at the lines’ or something, but he was at a loss for words in that moment, looking at the curtain instead.
Post by Syd Croswell-Miklos on Jan 26, 2016 5:44:00 GMT
Syd's brows relaxed when the artist looked up at his customer but soon his brows quickly furrowed in seeing the expression written on his face. Misinterpreting it, the Ronuvian feared he had offended the other in some manner though how he could not fathom. Maybe he had begun to bore the man? It was possible. He was not the most entertaining nor shared interests common to others. Resolving to give Lasair a break from his voice, Syd fell silent and returned back to his work though a frown tugged at his lips. In his own quiet thoughts, Syd had to wonder what was so important about the emblem he was currently outlining and what the colors each stood for. It looked like a scale of sorts but certainly was not. Or was it...? Just an odd sort of thing. "Lasair, what is this emblem," he mused out loud.
Post by Lasair Landevier Lupen on Jan 27, 2016 4:12:38 GMT
Seeing as Syd did not immediately respond to his hasty reply, the talk between the two of them faded in favor of music. It was nice, soothing in a way, Lasair paid close attention to each song and even tried to memorize the words (when there were words at least). But then he was torn from the task by the sound of the other’s voice. It was a welcomed thing, however the question was one he had been hoping wouldn’t come up. At least he had a prepared answer for it, having expected it to be asked the first time he came.
“It’s the emblem for this group I’m in. It’s sort of like a club, but they’re really secretive about everything. It’s become a big part of my life, and even helped me in a lot of ways. Ways I didn’t expect. When trying to come up with this design, it only felt right to include the symbol in it. I’m proud to be a part of them, even if I can’t talk about it to people.” Nowhere in that explanation was a lie spoken. It was the honest truth, just some parts were flipped around a little so that he didn’t say ‘it’s a guild for of anders and the EIRAL would love to bust us.’ No. Secret Club sounded much better.
Post by Syd Croswell-Miklos on Jan 27, 2016 4:45:12 GMT
The idea of emblems for organizations and tattoos went hand in hand for Syd and so he understood all to well when the other gave his explanation though he had to admit he was surprised to receive as thorough of an answer as he had been given. A secret group... The idea made Syd's heart sink a little as his thoughts drifted to his cousin and this man. Was Viktor apart of this secret organization? What did it entail? Were they hoodlums and bandits? No, this man did not strike him as such--but neither had the Wizard though he had made him uncomfortable for other reasons. "I see," offered the Ronuvian quietly after some time, feeling he owed Lasair that but did not add more. If that was the case then perhaps he should express more caution, he mused in his thoughts. The last thing he wanted was to be taken back.
A soft clearing of his throat and Syd drew the needle gun away from Lasair. All that was left was to connect the chains from the pendent to the chains leading over his shoulders and they would be done for the day. What other things could he say to offer conversation between them...? If he was to express caution then perhaps he should say nothing and keep conversation to a minimal. The thought saddened him but it was for the best, he resolved. After a moment of hesitation he returned back to the needle work beginning first with the chains on Lasair's left.
Post by Lasair Landevier Lupen on Jan 27, 2016 6:13:47 GMT
A short answer and then back to silence. What had happened? They were so comfortable talking before and now suddenly it felt like the music was just an excuse to keep voices from filling his ears. Did he say something wrong? Did Syd want to know about his group? He didn’t know; the other wasn’t saying anything.
But Lasair was just starting to like him, just starting to relax. He didn’t want it to be quite just yet—even if the tattoo was almost done. “Hey, that wizard friend you mentioned before, you said he could do magic that let him teleport places?” Lasair asked, hoping he remembered the story right. “Were you with him when he did it? Did you ever teleport with him?”
"All you need is love." -John Lennon
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