Runic Tattoos [7/2] Rune Mastery

[15:03] Ardith sets up shop at the table, putting down her bottles of ink and a few needles. Medical needles, but they should totally work for tattoos right?

"Who's going first?" she asks with a too-wide smile.
(Ardith)
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[15:03] Sima Kang says, "Honestly? It doesn't sound all too surprising."
[15:03] Sima Kang says, "Buuuut... Tahl, you first."
[15:03] Tahldrig says, "Well, I guess that means me first."
[15:03] Tahldrig asks, "Do.. I just give you my wrist?"
[15:04] Ardith says, "Yeah, sure."
[15:04] Ardith asks, "We're doing the broken chains thing, right?"
[15:05] Sima Kang says, "Yeah, around the wrists."
[15:06] Ardith says, "Yeah. Fork over that rist and I'll get started. It's going to hurt though. Fair warning."
[15:09] Pain? Oh well! Tahldrig has been through more pain than most even know. She sets her right hand upon the table, which displays the large scar in the center of her palm. "I don't think it'll be too bad, not compared to a few other things." There's a small giggle from her, but maybe that's because she's a doctor whos treated absurd injuries.
(Tahldrig)
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[15:10] Ardith shrugs. Good thing her hand's a whole lot steadier than her legs, otherwise she would've made an absolute mess of Tahldrig's wrist.

Like a true professional she grabs hold of her friend's wrist, bottom side facing up, and starts preparing to hand poke the tattoos starting with the blonde.

"Black ink okay?"
(Ardith)
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[15:11] Tahldrig says, "Black ink is perfect."
[15:14] Good. Because black is way better anyway. Everyone knows that.

Ardith dips the needle into the well of ink and first traces the desired design.

She's gotten to be a fair hand at this sort of thing apparently, because sure enough the traced image looks exactly like what it's supposed to. Now it's just having the patience to hand poke it all in. Ugh.

One poke. Two poke. Three. It's time consuming and not all that comfortable.

"So. While I do this, talk about your research. What's it like being cooped up in that tower all day, Sima?"
(Ardith)
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[15:17] Tahldrig looks over to Sima as the poking begins. Compared to a large crystal being slowly shoved into her hand and twisted around by Calista, the poking is little more than a mild discomfort. A smile adorns her face, but due to the nerves within her wrist she can feel her fingertips twitching at random times. "S-sorry, can't help that." But then she waits to listen to Sima, what all had he learned, it had to be a whole bunch! Part of Tahldrig wanted to apologize to him right now for not spending time with Bubbles, but.. she never came around and she didn't know where to find the drakanite.
(Tahldrig)
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[15:20] The Kang's fingers drum lightly against the table as he watches the procedure. Needle to ink, then the design...

Kraus, he wasn't sure how to feel about this after all.

Leaning up against the table he'd cup his own head in his hand. What was it like being cooped up in the tower for years? Sima's face scrunches up as he begins to speak.

"It was boring at first. Scrounging about dad's research, trying to begin piecing it all together... At first I thought we had to, y'know, commune with the star constantly buuuut…"

He'd trail off, tilting his head from side to side. "It's more so... Enacting what they are, what they want... I missed the beach during it all though." A dreamy little sigh escapes him as he stares off into the distant wall.

The first steps onto those sandy shores were divine.
(Sima Kang)
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[15:22] Every couple of pokes she returns the needle to the pot of ink, then a few more. Back and forth.

It's a monotonous process, yet somehow strangely...soothing to her. A repetitive motion that takes intense focus to administer properly in a right patter.

"Sounds like you've gotten some headway. I've been helping Esh with some of his research too. If you need a hand? You know I'm down for it."

Absorbing, learning, growing, evolving. She's gotten a knack for these things.

When the first tattoo is done she wipes away the excess ink and covers the design in a coarse bandage.

"Since it breaks open the skin, all that poking, give it a few days to heal. Then wash it really good. Alright?"
(Ardith)
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[15:26] There's a nod of her head as she listens to Sima. "Studying is really boring, but once you get past that hump things tend to be enjoyable. Do you know what Iota wants? Skine revealed everything to me after his last test." That was a harrowing event.. Skine has showed her an entirely different universe, one where all of her friends simply hated her. She has to use her various flaws, as well as notice the flaws that Skine had given the visions, his flaws, his destructive nature, his desire for more, everything.

There's a nod of her head as the tattoo is done, that wasn't so bad. "Got it Ardie, thank you. When you said it was going to hurt, I expected it to be worse, it was like a burning itch combined with some pinching." She then stands up so Sima can take her seat.
(Tahldrig)
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[15:26] Ardith says, "You've probably had worse. C'mere, Sima. You're up."
[15:28] Tahldrig says, "Yea, I'm sure you saw the scar on my hand, that was probably the worst."
[15:29] "Cancri."

He's quick to correct the rising Gehennan. It's odd, but again he'd been cooped up in a lighthouse for nearly two years. Rising from the stool with a grumble he'd take Tahl's seat, placing his wrists before the Occultist.

"Buuuut… It's appreciated, Ardie. As for what they want?" A brow rises, a glance shot towards the blonde. "Courage and proper fairness. It uhm… It's weird and it's going to be extremely hard for me to carry out honestly."

"Ready when you are though." The Kang flashes a smile towards Ardith.
(Sima Kang)
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[15:30] Ardith asks, "Left or right? And black ink okay?"
[15:31] Sima Kang says, "Left- And uhm... Yeah"
[15:32] Tahldrig says, "..."
[15:32] Tahldrig squints at Sima. the last time she said Cancri Sima corrected her to it's first name..
(Tahldrig)
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[15:32] Ardith wipes the needle off, dipping it into a bottle of astringent before returning it to the ink pot once more. Look at that. The medical training's made her a little more health conscious. Who'd've thought?

She does the same to his left wrist as she'd done to Tahl's, tracing the design lightly with the ink before starting the hand-poking process.

"It's gonna pinch," she says with a snicker.

"So all stars are like that? They want you to do stuff that they like and they give you power? Just like that?"
(Ardith)
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[15:34] Tahldrig says, "I think you can do it Sima, you've always been fair and couragious."
[15:34] Ardith asks, "So when you moving out of Leven?"
[15:34] Ardith asks, "Or are you actually gonna stay there after all that shit?"
[15:42] Sima lets out tiny hisses and winces of pain as the needle goes about its work. Unlike his Gehennan friend he was far less tolerant to pain. It should be noted as well that he said Iota was Cancri's first name, and that it preferred Cancri over all.

Yet, his brow furrows at the position of all the questions. Falling silent for a time he'd eventually speak up.

"All stars are kind of like that, yeah, and we're all bound to one no matter what. But uhm… They give power to those that care to listen and attune to them first."

With a little nod he quickly continues. "I'm... Going to get my dad's help first, get all the stories I can from them over there, and then figure out what I'll do. It's definitely uhm… Definitely changed."
(Sima Kang)
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[15:45] "Huh...Never knew that."

Everyone tied to a star? Does she have one? What's it like? Her head already buzzes with questions, but she's got to keep it in the game so she doesn't completely botch her friend's tattoo. That'd be a good way to make everyone mad.

Much as she'd done for Tahldrigs, she wipes off the excess ink that's leftover and winds a bandage around Sima's etched wrist.

"Like I said for Tahl. Heal a few days, then wash it real good. Got it?"
(Ardith)
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[15:51] As the tattoo is slowly finished he lets out a tiny huff of relief. Honestly it was good work, but the Kang oculd only wonder what questions his family would have.

"Yeah! It's uhm… It's like our cleanser for the next life. It washes us of our magic and lets us start anew."

Nodding twice to himself he'd hold a tiny smile. He was proud of what he'd learned, yet now he needed to apply it somehow. Application always was his stronger suit of the two.

"Buuut… Yeah, yeah! What about you, Ardie? Doing your own tattoo?"
(Sima Kang)
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[15:53] Tahldrig says, "Washes us of our magic, and the corruptions spread by life itself to ensure a pure start to the next life. That's my understanding of it."
[15:54] Sima Kang exclaims, "Mhm!"
[15:57] Ardith asks, "Cleanser for...the next life?"
[15:57] Ardith says, "Huh."
[15:57] Ardith asks, "Oh. Yeah. Guess I should, huh?"
[15:58] Tahldrig says, "I'd offer but I don't think I could really do it that well. Inflicting pain isn't my strong suit."
[15:58] Ardith says, "Nah. It's fine."
[15:58] Ardith says, "I can do it. It'll just take me a little longer."
[15:59] Tahldrig says, "I wonder if you put lax essence over the area.. if it'd be completely pain free"
[16:00] Cleanser for the next life. She's got some reading to do, and more research. Still no sign of Eshmun's return...

That means, in accordance with his wishes, the research has to continue on without him.

For now though she's got a tattoo to do, putting her wrist bottom up onto the table. She huffs at Tahldrig's offer.

"I'll be fine. Won't kill me," she reasons, dipping the needle into the well and beginning on her own similar marking.
(Ardith)
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[16:01] Tahldrig says, "Noo I wasn't saying it would! I was just thinking out loud."
[16:02] Tahldrig says, "Suppose I should.. uhh, tell both of you. I sent a letter to Ashalle."
[16:02] Ardith asks, "...Why the fuck you do that?"
[16:02] Sima Kang says, "..."
[16:03] Tahldrig says, "Because I intend to sit down and talk with her. I made no mention of Elyon and Eshmun, just stated that a lot of time has passed since we last talked and I'd like to catch up."
[16:04] Ardith says, "..."
[16:04] Ardith says, "You're gonna die."
[16:04] Tahldrig says, "Nah."
[16:04] Tahldrig says, "I know a few tricks in regards to her, things I've asked her in our meetings."
[16:04] Tahldrig says, "Back when I was a little girl."
[16:05] Sima Kang says, "I."
[16:05] Sima Kang says, "Don't get it."
[16:06] Tahldrig asks, "Get what?"
[16:06] Ardith says, "I ain't either."
[16:07] Sima Kang says, "At all. She's joined the Fallen Angel, now holds a few of our friends hostage, and burned Crafthold down."
[16:07] Sima Kang asks, "Yet you still want to talk with her?"
[16:07] Tahldrig says, "Mhm. I want to see if there's anything that I can give to her, to make it so our friends can come home."
[16:07] Ardith says, "Stupid."
[16:07] Ardith says, "Abso-fucking-lutely stupid."
[16:07] Tahldrig asks, "Laemor died, that's the person Ashalle cared most about. If we just sit around and try nothing, what do you think will happen to our friends?"
[16:08] Ardith says, "Good. He was a fucking idiot."
[16:09] Ardith says, "He'd sit outside Dawn, waiting for kids to cross through to attack them."
[16:09] Ardith asks, "That the kind of people you wanna indulge, Tahl?"
[16:09] Tahldrig says, "No, not at all, but I do want to keep Eshmun and Elyon safe."
[16:10] Ardith says, "I do too, but these people ain't play by logic."
[16:11] Ardith says, "Just ask old man Sugar, or old man Tot. Or Saba or Kab."
[16:11] Ardith says, "They'll all tell you the same shit."
[16:11] Tahldrig says, "Oh I know Ardie. I've known Ashalle since I was ten. I know how she is."
[16:11] Sima Kang says, "I don't... Think Ashalle would ever listen to reason."
[16:12] Tahldrig asks, "Who ever said I intended to reason with her?"
[16:13] Vimilha knocks on Ardith's door.
(Vimilha)
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[16:13] Sima Kang says, "How else are you going to get them back? Ashalle isn't just going to... Y'know, hand 'em off."
[16:13] Ardith says, "I mean...ain't sound like you're gonna get much."
[16:13] Sima Kang says, "Especially with Laemor dead."
[16:13] Ardith says, "Think your fish is here, Tahl."
[16:13] Ardith shouts at the door. "EY! C'MON IN!"
(Ardith)
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[16:13] Ardith looks up from hand poking her tattoo, nodding to Vimilha.
(Ardith)
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[16:13] Tahldrig says, "Dunno, but I've got to at least try. There has to be something she wants."
[16:14] Vimilha says, "Hm?.."
[16:14] Tahldrig says, "If we at least know what she wants, that can help us."
[16:15] Sima scrunches up his nose.
(Sima Kang)
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[16:15] Ardith asks, "So you wanna...give her what she wants?"
[16:15] Sima Kang says, "She'll want something bad. I don't uhm... I don't think you should trust her."
[16:15] Ardith scrunches up her nose too and snorts, one of her hooves tapping the floor irritably.
(Ardith)
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[16:16] Tahldrig says, "Not neccesarily. If we know what she wants though, maybe we can use it against her."
[16:16] Ardith asks, "And what, piss her off more?"
[16:17] Tahldrig asks, "If we get our friends back, who cares if she's pissed?"
[16:17] Ardith says, "Hnf..."
[16:18] Tahldrig says, "Don't misunderstand Ardie, it'snot about getting Ashalle what she wants, it's about getting our friends back."
[16:18] Sima Kang says, "... Still can't say it's a good idea."
[16:18] Tahldrig says, "There are no 'good' ideas Sima.. There's only a few options other than burn Briar to the ground and kill everyone.. in which case she'll just kill our friends anyway."
[16:18] Ardith says, "...Well. So we save them. Then kill 'em and burn it to the ground."
[16:19] Ardith says, "Duh"
[16:19] Tahldrig says, "Exactly, first step is saving them."
[16:19] Sima Kang says, "Isn't she already sort of doing that?.. You remember the fallen angel on the beach-- Laemor was with them."
[16:20] Sima Kang says, "I just- I just don't think it's a good idea. I'unno."
[16:20] Ardith says, "No good's coming outta' Briar."
[16:20] Ardith says, "She might just capture you too, y'know."
[16:20] Sima Kang says, "Maybe it's because I was locked up in the tower for so long."
[16:20] Ardith asks, "Then what?"
[16:20] Tahldrig says, "She can try to capture me."
[16:20] Ardith says, "Famous last words."
[16:20] Ardith asks, "Vi. You wanna talk some sense into Tahl here?"
[16:21] Ardith asks, "Maybe?"
[16:21] Tahldrig says, "People seem to forget that I'm really good at fighting, I beat both Eshmun and Sugarboy with little trouble."
[16:21] Vimilha says, "Huh?.. What's she want to do?.."
[16:21] Sima Kang says, "Go talk to Ashalle, Vi."
[16:22] Tahldrig says, "Sit down and talk with Ashalle to see if there's anything we can do to get Eshmun and Elyon back."
[16:22] Ardith asks, "And where you gonna do that? In Briar?"
[16:22] Ardith asks, "Where she can slit your throat? And WILL?"
[16:23] Tahldrig says, "Nah, somewhere neutral. Ashalle has never once been mean to me, I've never given her a reason to."
[16:23] Sima Kang says, "Doesn't mean she won't be mean to you now. It's not smart, Tahl."
[16:23] Ardith asks, "Where the fuck is gonna be neutral to her?"
[16:23] Ardith says, "She's waging war against literally everything."
[16:24] Tahldrig says, "There's a few abandoned spots where nobody goes around the island."
[16:24] Tahldrig asks, "And sure, maybe it'snot the smartest thing to do, but what is in this case Sima? Sitting around and hoping that she just releases them? Waiting until they get attacked enough times to the point where they kill our friends?"
[16:29] Ardith sighs and shrugs. She finishes poking in her own tattoo, wiping the skin clean and bandaging it.
(Ardith)