Solo Rose Colored

[Taurina]

Afternoon of the 91st of Spring 517

The eyes were so strange to look at. Not like the pretty indigo of the Ethaefal’s nighttime form, nor the brilliant blue of Jasmine’s gaze, and not even like the Stormblood ankal’s duel colored glance. No, these eyes held so much color, so many hues that all melded together to form something both extraordinary and terrifying. Taurina felt watched when her gaze was not on them and felt judged if she stared too long.

Such feelings were silly really, the eyes were just art. The work of likely Injal done many years ago when the man under Taurina’s hands had first bonded. Windmarks magnificent and beautiful, done with such a tender care and deep love. Taurina feared messing them up. She had no clue why Injal had insisted she do this today.

The big male Drykas who had come in this day was really rather boisterous. He had a loud mouth, a hearty laugh, and a way of teasing nearly everybody that reminded Taurina of Lodai with Azmere, only more cruel since those two at least knew each other well and this man hardly knew any of them at all. This man had more than once exaggerated both pain and dislike over the work being done on him despite the fact he had practically volunteered to be tested on knowing full well the artist doing it would not be as experienced as the others.

The Ethaefal found herself wishing he had refused. She also wished that the Lilacwinds would have given her a little more time to practice. That they had not thrown this on her so suddenly. Especially by giving her a client who seemed to enjoy making her face turn bright red and then laughing at her when it did. Her cheeks had been left stained crimson for the majority of the day.

Taurina wanted to blame Jarorra and Injal for this, she did blame them. She also blamed the male Drykas for not being kinder to her. It was their fault that the embarrassment refused to fade, that her doubts had been given a pathway straight to her mind. Her hands had at least not begun to shake, that would have made things even more miserable. No, her hands were at least steady. One positive in a sea of negatives.

“Ow!” the male shouted and Taurina found herself biting down on her lip in an effort to hold her tongue.

“Hold still,” she hissed with a harshness that was unusual for her.

The Drykas laughed and Taurina glared. At least he was on his stomach, back facing her, so he could not see the glare that threatened to shove daggers into his soul. Though, what was not so fortunate, Injal could see and he frowned at the sight. Just as he had been frowning at the assistant most of the day. Taurina wanted to reach out and slap his frown away. Slap the frown away and slap the humor from her client. He played like this was all a big game, but it was not. Nothing was a game in this world, but this was especially not. It was too important.

“Taurina..” Injal spoke low, warning in his voice.

The Ethaefal bit back all of her unintelligent words and vulgar signs at the sound, knowing they would get her no where. Just in trouble. Instead, she took the chisel in her hands and carefully moved it across the faded line of the windmarks she was repairing. The many needles attached to the chisel with tips full of ink were driven into the tanned skin of the big male. The Ethaefal desired to press harder and drive the tiny weapons deeper, but she refrained. Injuring a client more than what was expected or by accident would not likely do her any favors in getting raised into being an actual artist.

Actually, what would help with that was this work. Actually growing in her art and learning how to deal with human skin rather than just the animal hide she had been spent seasons practicing on. She had not felt ready for this yet, but this was just a repair job. Fix what had faded and bring color back to where it was missing. Injal had been with her the entire time, coaching and helping when she truly needed it.

For the most part the Eth had been left to her own devices, only being corrected when she drew too much blood by mistake or was uneven with her ink distribution in some way. Injal watched with calculating eyes, stretching the skin for her, and remaining mostly quiet except for his corrections and the occasional hiss to control herself. Dealing with the client had been left completely up to her and she had not been doing the greatest job of it. She did not like this man and everything about her face and posture screamed it. Her saving grace was as mentioned before, he was not able to see her.

Common | Pavi | 'Thoughts'

[Taurina]

Human skin was so much easier to penetrate than the various animals hides Taurina practiced on had been. Even this male’s skin, toughened from exposer to the elements and a hard life, remained softer than all the Ethaefal had worked with before it. Early on she had found that pressing even just a little too hard sent the needles of the chisel in her hands far below where she needed them to go to successfully trap the ink beneath the man’s skin. She had made him bleed, far too much. So many apologies had been given and a thorough cleaning of the wound preformed before they had continued on with the session.

Taurina found herself wishing now that the accident had been a deal breaker for the male. That he had decided her talents were not good enough, her knowledge not yet progressed enough for her to work on him, and demanded another artist. The big man had not gone that route. Instead he had made light of her mistake and let it roll off with a laugh. The Ethaefal’s cheeks had turned red then, but at the time she had been grateful that he had not blamed her. That he had been willing to give her a second chance and not judge her because of the miss-step.

When things had changed regarding her feelings towards him, the Ethaefal was not fully aware. She let herself think about it as she drove the chisel with forced gentleness into one of the faded areas. Black ink was being worked with at this time, filling in a pattern of vines that surrounded the hauntingly realistic eyes. The color seemed appropriate. It was a color one associated with brutality and cruelty. Taurina found the man to possess both, but she was not quite sure if he truly did or if she was just letting her dislike for his humor and constant teasing twist the way she saw him. Probably the later.

Needles deposited the black ink before being drawn out. Speckles of blood and excess ink spilled out over the man’s skin before Injal came almost and wiped the mess away with a clean portion of his dampened rag. This role reversal was strange to Taurina. Usually she was the one stretching skin and wiped away excess, not Injal. Today had brought a change in the usual way of things. Everyone felt it, besides -perhaps- the boisterous Drykas getting his windmarks repaired. Injal was quieter, not socializing as he normally did, more focused on the Ethaefal’s work.

Taurina was slow, slower than even Keil, with her work. She wished that she was not. She wished for knowledge and experience to just instantaneously fill her so that she might work with the same speed as Injal or Jarorra. Normally she would not have bothered wishing for such foolish and impossible things, but this day she wanted to get the man out. If she worked faster he would get out faster, but fast work was not within her abilities yet. The knowledge was not there yet. The experience missing because the time it took had yet to be fully logged. So the work was slow and it was going to remain so despite the Ethaefal’s deepest wish for it to speed.

“You alright there girl? You don’t talk very much,” Taurina could feel the rumble of voice deep in the man’s chest from where her hands were against his back.

She frowned. If Jarorra was around she would probably once more tell her that her face would freeze that was if she did not learn to balance out all the frowns with some smiles. Taurina would still take freezing against the alternative. The heat was as unrelenting as usual. Sweat filled every pore and had soaked through the clothes pulled over her figure. If she had not been at work she might have went searching for a body of water to cool off in. Maybe just lain out against the floor of her portion of the pavilion stripped of all the fabric that caused her added discomfort in the endless downpour of Syna’s unforgiving rays.

“I’m focusing,” Taurina remembered to reply, but her words came out with more of a snap than she wished them to.

The Ethaefal cringed at her own actions, but not because of what they had been. More because of that disapproving look the tone of her voice had once again earned her from Injal. She apologized the best she could with the look of her eyes, but she knew that it was not enough. She was causing more trouble than necessary within her interactions with the man beneath her hands. It was unclear besides his annoying picking at her what caused him to get beneath her skin so much more than anyone before him ever had. It was like a snake had slipped within her being and curled around her heart, causing only malice and hate towards this one Drykas thrive.

And she was letting it which only made things worse.

Common | Pavi | 'Thoughts'

[Taurina]

“Not easy to get on your good side is it? So snippy,” the male Drykas taunted.

Taurina felt her temper flaring within her core, threatening to come up and spill out. She swallowed her emotions, filling the chisel with ink before depositing the color beneath the layers of his skin. She would not let him see anymore of her distaste than she already had. She would not risk her job over a difficult client. These mistakes she had already made by letting her tone and some words give her away she did not wish to repeat. Such things were not the mark of a good business person. Not that she really was a business person, but she worked within a business. She was part of the face of that business and she knew one of her bosses was not entirely happy with the performance she had given thus far this day. A risk, such a risk.

“I apologize,” Taurina spoke with forced remorse and even a smile to help in raising her tone, “I’ve let my stress get the better of me today. I’m working on it.”

The Ethaefal almost promised not to do it again.. almost. She realized before the words formed on her lips that such a promise was not one she could be absolutely sure to keep. Some things just happened. Just slipped out without thought of the repercussions. Taurina liked to keep the promises she made. One had already been broken this season and despite being forgiven, to break more was not something she desired. The hurt she had caused.. The Ethaefal could not allow herself to dwell on it. The darkness that came with those thoughts would consume her. She could not afford to let it.

“Might want to try working on it a little harder. Not all are as kind as me,” the male pointed out with a twist of humor that convinced Taurina that he was grinning.

Knuckles turned a paler shade of white as the Ethaefal’s grip on the chisel tightened. He was mighty full of himself. She wondered if he would continue to be so if she buried the instrument in her hands into his spine between his shoulder blades. How much pain that would cause him. She bet he would not be laughing then. Course.. the risk… ‘Breath. Let it go.’ Taurina forced herself take a deep breath and release it. With the release she made each and every finger loosen from the chisel so that it was barely still gripped in her hand.

“I am working very hard,” Taurina assured, the fake smile plaster over her lips lifted her voice enough to make her sound genuine with some added effort.

A look toward Injal was met with the mentor’s approval. The Ethaefal had controlled anger, but not for the sake of the man she worked on. Not even for her own sake really. Much more it was for Injal, Jarorra, and maybe even Keil’s sakes. This was the Lilacwind’s pavilion, their labor of love. Their place not only of refuge, but of work and they opened it up for so many to come streaming in through the entrance. This place, these people, preformed such a vital role among their people and Taurina desired to be apart of it. To destroy their reputation because of a bad day with a worse client did not seem like a good way to keep what she had going with her work among those she considered both mentors and -most times- friends.

Several bells passed with not much change. Taurina kept slowly working at repairing the faded windmarks and the Drykas male kept teasing her as if he was trying to pull at all of her strings. She was convinced by the end that it was that very thing he was trying to do. What else could his goal be? What did he get out of winding her up and forcing discomfort upon her? He had to know that she was unhappy with his actions. That she had to force herself to swallow her emotions and even pride to keep herself under control. Maybe he just did not care. Maybe this was his way of getting enjoyment. She would be glad when she was done with him and hoped -as unrealistic a hope as it was- that she never had to deal with another like him.

Aside from all the troubles Taurina was having with keeping her feelings in check, the session had gone on for far too long of a time. Her untrained body ached all over. Her back seized up with pain every time she shifted and a dull ache remained as she sat hunched over the one she worked on. Hands cramped because of her hold over the chisel for so many bells and legs cried out to be stretched because of her hardly changed positioning throughout the day. She knew that her work here needed to end soon, her whole being knew it. The work she had left stretched out before her. Too much to finish with what remained of Syna’s light. Because of her slowness, it would take another session to finish this.

The Ethaefal really did not want this to stretch into another session.

Common | Pavi | 'Thoughts'

[Taurina]

It did not matter what she wanted for the world did not work based on people’s desires. At least, the majority of the world and the ones who ruled it did not work like that. In this case it was time who was the cruel dictator of fate. Though, the Ethaefal was not left completely unhappy. The ache in her bones wished for her to stop. To put the rest off until later. To tell him to come back so the task of filling in the faded work could be completed. He already had to return anyway when the wound she caused earlier healed, might as well leave what was left till then as well.

So with a heavy heart, but a relieved body, Taurina told the man that they were done for the day. Tools were set down to be cleaned later and ink jars sealed shut once more. The Ethaefal raised to a position that allowed her back to become straight and her legs to stretch out, all her muscles shrieking out with protest as she did so despite the relief the action brought her. The worst of it was in set in her shoulders and in the muscles surrounding the upper part of her spine. She winced slightly as she stretched out, arms moving upwards before uniting together as she twisted this way and that. She yawned despite herself as she brought her arms down, letting them spread wide before falling lax at her sides.

At least this day was near over. All she had to do was gathered what was owed for the work completed from the man and see him out of the pavilion. Then after she could gather Starfire and go home. There she could do whatever she pleased with the remainder of Syna’s light. All she desired was a way to cool down and to rest, maybe even sleep. That idea of stretching out with nothing on over the floor of her room was sounding more and more appealing. However, first she had the issue of finishing interacting with the annoying Drykas. The thought alone caused her to grimace.

“You ugly such a pretty face looking like that,” the male felt the need to comment.

Taurina’s caramel gaze turned to him and her eyes narrowed. There was a tick of hesitation before she was able to work up the strength for another false smile. Her lips curled up, but remained closed and cheeks raised, but eyes remained empty of light. She did not care what he thought, but she cared what he did as a result of his thoughts. She cared if he went out and bad mouthed the business she worked at, scared away potential costumers for both the other artists and herself. They did not need the grief he could potentially cause if he desired.

“Apologies,” with her thickly accented pavi, the word was spoken and the sign formed deepest apologies, “the mind tends to find the worst time to come up with unpleasant thoughts.”

There was another pause, the man opening his mouth to speak before he shut it as if thinking better of the words formed in his mouth. That was likely a first for him. A little sparkle formed in the Ethaefal’s eyes at that before she took the chance to launch into telling him of what he owed. There was grumble of distaste from him as he gathered his pack and fished out the coins.

“For this I should be getting a little more from you,” he grumbled as he handed over the coins.

Taurina ignored the words he spoke and gave the coins to Injal before the artist went to the back of the pavilion to deal with what he had to do. It was just Taurina and the loud mouth Drykas left in the front of the pavilion now. The others had left for other tasks long before. The Ethaefal was not really nervous, just unhappy with the situation and looking forward to getting the male out of the pavilion as well.

“Just keep the windmarks covered for a couple days with thin, clean clothe. Then gently clean with soap,” Taurina instructed him as calmly as she could, working hard to keep her head level, “keep clean and moisturized till healed.”

“And how do you suggest I reach my back to do such things,” one might have heard his words and thought him angry, but his grin and the playful nature of his voice suggested otherwise.

“Um I…” Taurina was flushed, that look on his face off putting, “you just find somebody.. somebody to help.”

“How about you? You have such..” Taurina squeaked when he reached out and took hold of her right hand, “gentle hands.”

Perhaps she should have feigned flattery, but the Ethaefal was just angry and she did little to hide it now. He spoke without bounds and his hold on her hand… she yanked away.

Common | Pavi | 'Thoughts'

[Taurina]

Perhaps it was Azmere’s voice rising up in her head to remind her of who she was. A whisper of the past, of the night when all had been right. Be proud. Be Brave. Or maybe it was some remnant of a past life resurfacing within her personality. Or even more simple an explanation, perhaps she had just been spending too much time with Jasmine. The Drykas woman with pretty blue eyes and Syna touched hair who always spoke her mind. Whatever the reason was, the control the Ethaefal had been forcing upon herself faded into nothing as she gave herself over to that which had been eating at her all day.

“Do. Not. Touch. Me.” Taurina spoke each word slow, deliberate, and clear.

She was small and would be easy to overcome by one so large like this male was. She hoped he would not try, but not because she feared a fight. Because she knew she would loose. It would be a challenge of whether or not she could get away from him, run to Starfire and get home where there were those who would protect her. A challenge she was not sure she was ready for, but braced for just in case. The fake smiles were gone now. The politeness and apologizes evaporated into the air like all the water in this heat.

“Oh come now,” the male let out a laugh, as if it were a joke before he let his face drop serious, “don’t be a fool.”

Taurina clenched her teeth so tightly that her jaw instantly began to ache. She refused to think herself a fool. He had reached out, grabbed her and while others had done the same in the past it had not been as this had been. This had been different. This had felt like the beginning of a game the Ethaefal did not want to play and she hoped he had the decency to respect her wishes.

“I think you should go now,” Taurina spoke with a controlled forcefulness, her temper flaring within her as she added a silent demand of leave.

Words formed in the Ethaefal’s head. Nasty words full of malice and hate that would have just made her look the fool he had already made her out to be. She bit down on the inside of her lower lip, teeth digging in hard to keep herself from letting that angry speech spill out. Her heart was thundering in her chest, her uneven pulse felt within the veins of her clenched fists. He needed to go. He needed to go now before all sense and control left her.

There was tension between them. The male looked offended that she had gone against him and not returned to her docile state. Nostrils flared, fists clenched, teeth bared. They were silent, eyes flickering as each tried to figure out the outcome of their next move. Taurina silently dared him to do something other than what she had requested. That part of her that defied herself wanted him to just try and harm her. To make her run and tell the watchmen in her home. See if he would still be laughing when they found him and fought for her, against him. She knew they would. Azmere had promised to always be there for her and unlike her, he had not broken that promise.

“Cultakh. You will see,” the male was angry now too, but he took a step back away from her, “you will see. This is not over.”

Taurina stood unmoving and silent. He stared at her a moment longer before letting his hands fill with words too fast for her to catch. Whatever he had said, whatever he had wanted her to know, was his farewell. He stormed out with a final sign and that one the Ethaefal caught. Geht Voune.

The Ethaefal snarled and signed the same sign herself, throwing it at the empty air behind the Drykas male. He was already gone and could not see, but she did not care. The meaning was there and she wanted to call him a great many more things. She did not care if others thought her over reacting. Did not care if she truly was being a zibri-head. If she had done nothing, went along, been polite she doubted he would have left. Maybe he would have. Maybe her mind had just ran away with her. She sighed and ran her hands over her face, releasing a stifled sob of relief. Fear dispersing. Whatever the male might have done or wanted to do had not happened. She was able to breath easy again.

After standing in place for several moments, Taurina willed herself to move once again. She moved around the pavilion and gathered all of her things before saying her farewells to Injal and heading out. Starfire awaited her, greeting her with a soft whiny. Taurina smiled upon seeing him as she let her fingertips stroke down his cheeks and her lips pass over his face. She was calmed to see him and she could have sworn it was relief that flickered in his eyes when he saw her too. With a small genuine smile, Taurina readied and mounted her stallion. Soon after the pair were off, headed to the one place the Ethaefal wanted to be. Home.

Common | Pavi | 'Thoughts'

[Rufio]

G R A D E

xp

Observation +2
Endurance +2
Tattoing +2
Philosophy +1
Socialization +2
Intimidation +1


lores

Practicing restraint with a difficult client
Tattooing: Too much pressure draws blood
Tattooing: Tapping ink into human skin vs animal hide
Tattoing: Large pieces take more than one session; for the client's sake as well as the tattooist's
Philosophy: Emotion colours one’s perception of reality
Intimidation: Revealing anger makes others hesitate

If you feel I missed anything shoot me a PM.
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