Original Writing

The Tattoo Artist

Art has always been a passion of mine. And as soon as I heard about tattoos, I was ecstatic. I had graduated from my apprenticeship long ago and was now a full fledged tattoo artist. Over the years, tattoos developed and increased in styles and complexity, I guess thats what made them so alluring to me in the first place. I heard the soft dinging of the shop's bell ringing. The front desk referred the client to my room, since I was the only one who could give what most wanted. This is a story in a world of permanent body art, magic, war, and mayonnaise. Don't think they go together? Well, let's find out.

"So whaddya want?" I said, popping a lollipop in my mouth and rubbing my eyebrow piercing in annoyance. My headache was killing me so I decided to give a consultation now and do the tattoo in a day or two.

"I'd like a snake on my bicep and a cooking incantation on my forearm. My partners' been nagging me because I can't cook." My client said sheepishly from the adjustable tattoo chair. I gave my best 'no of course you're not annoying me with the most exhausting tattoos ever. Its not tiring at all to remember the entire cooking encantation and do all the shading for a snake tattoo in the same session.' smile.

"Alright then! Lets see, check out my portfolio to see which one catches your eye, and then we can talk about the placement and the unique elements you'd like." I said, handing him my folder and rolling my stool to the other side of the room snatching a sketch book out of the file organizer on my wall along with a blue pencil to sketch a concept out with. He browsed for a few moments before doing the classic double take on one page.

"What about this one?" He asked showing me a black and white photo. This one I can do, it was simple, not too much shading, and was only on one side of his arm. Meaning it doesn't wrap around his arm like a lot of people expect. I nodded and asked where. He pointed to the inside of his left bicep, I gently gestured to the area where it would work best and gave him the price range consult. He agreed and I got to drawing a rough sketch on one side of the sketch book. Satisfied with how it looked and flowed, I showed him, giving me a few critiques, I nodded and fixed them. He was super excited and I got to work researching on my laptop the correct cooking incantation and wrote it out on a corner of my paper. After a good 45 minutes we both decided the date and time of the actual session.

Finally my shift ended and I drove to the nearest gas station on my way to my apartment. Picking up the cheapest meal I could find and a pack of painkillers, I went home and clicked on the lights. Shrugging off my jacket I placed my bags on the kitchen counter and grabbed a clean glass from my cabinet to fill with water for the pills.

While I waited for the pills to kick in I went and changed into some comfortable pajamas. With all my tattoos now on display from my black tanktop I walked back into my living room to watch some anime only to be met with somebody standing in my livingroom. I live alone and make sure every window, door, and closet is locked when I leave the house. They haven't even turned around yet so I got ready to summon my combat knife, its edge never dulled and it never broke. When they turned around. I froze where I stood only to be greeted with a kind, yet surprised smile.

"Hello! I'm Toni, your new flatmate!" The woman chirped. I blinked in shock before I finally remembered the ad I had put out for a roommate and who I had accepted.

"Ah, right, yes I remember now. Sorry for acting all weird, I honestly totally forgot I gave you a key and all. Well, let me now formally introduce myself, I'm Camryn, your new roommate, but you can call me Cam. Welcome to New York!" I said, grinning and holding out my hand for a handshake. She took it and gave a nice to meet you too. I helped her bags to her room and helped her unpack.

"That should be it but don't worry if some stuff is still in boxes, I just moved here a couple months ago." I said.

"Why did you move if it's more expensive here, Cam? Especially with more rooms if you lived by yourself before?" Toni asked.