Obsidian Azlin

She was a brave sort, he would give her that.

She had yet to even flinch at his jarring and abrupt changes of demeanor, instead remaining unflappable and unafraid even though he had no doubts that she had at least some inkling as to what he had been.  Theron smiled and released her hand, turning to slide a piece of paper and a pen across the glass countertop towards her.

“I’ll make in one of my priority sales.  If you’ll just fill out the paperwork, I’d be more than happy to have it sent directly to your offices,” he explained, gesturing for her to pick up the pen.  “However you decide to pay, I will only take a twenty-five percent deposit for the moment.  You will receive an invoice for the other seventy-five once the gem is in your possession.  It could be a dicey procurement, in the event that it takes longer than anticipated I don’t want payment for an item you’ve yet to receive…call it a personal policy of mine.”

Originally posted by imaginepace

A smile spread across her lips, equally as devious as the man before her. There was something almost cat-like in his smile. She could almost hear him purr with pleasure at what he assumed had been an easy mark. It was a beautiful thing, being underestimated. She looked like a simple woman, no older than her early 30s. She was far more than that. It was the beauty of her gift that kept her unassuming. 

“Sure, I can do that,” she said reaching for the paper and the pen he had offered her. Filling out the paperwork was easy. Her handwriting was crisp and clean, cursive and old. She’d clearly not grown up in the culture of computers and tablets. Her accent only told a small tail of her upbringing. “My office isn’t too far from here,” she said jotting down the address and name of the little office she owned ‘Cresent City Counseling’.

“I think I have the cash to pay you right now,” she said digging in her purse. She had been expecting to hire him after all. She didn’t make it a habit to carry $2500 in cash on her, but... “I’ll get a receipt right? Don’t want you running away with my money. Not that you would do something like that.” 

He could see her pondering his words, watching his movements like a hawk, just as he intended her to.  There was no point in hiding it at this point and he was pleasantly surprised when she didn’t simply turn a quick about face and leave, but rather held her hand out to him - a handshake to seal his proposed deal.  Theron’s demeanor shifted once again with the speed of a striking snake.  The predatory gleam in his dark eyes melted back into cat-like mischief and his smile no longer concealed metaphorical teeth.

The antiquities dealer accepted her hand, grasping it in a firm, but not painful grip and gave it a firm shake.  “Excellent!  Then we have a deal, if you’d be so kind as to follow me to my office I’ll draw up the paperwork.  I’m assuming you’d like the gem delivered to you in person - do you have any time constraints I should know about?”

He barely managed to suppress a chuckle, eager to see how she would react to the sudden change again.  He did so love keeping people on their toes.

Originally posted by shipstership

The second his hand slid into her’s, her magic reached out to cradle his mind, digging as deep as she dared in the few short seconds they had touched. Not much was gleaned from the small bit of contact, but enough was now known of the man to know that he was neither as kind as he seemed nor as innocent. Red filled her vision for a flash, the scent of blood, metallic and sweet filled her nose. The moment the vision cleared she was left with a knowledge she was not sure she wished to have. This was a man she would have no trouble using her powers on. 

She let go of his hand, her face refusing to betray the sudden feeling that had rooted in her belly. He was not the first nor would he be the last creature she encounters with a bloody and horrendous path. Indeed his wasn’t even the worst mind she had walked through. That didn’t speak volumes for the minds she had treated, but it said plenty about his troubled mind. “I have no real time constraints, though I would like it sooner rather than later as I’m sure you’ve figured. You look like a smart man.” Looks could be deceiving though. He was also extremely handsome and well put together, one would never suspect that this man was a cold-blooded murderer. 

“Would you prefer that I pick it up from your place of business or can I have it delivered to my office?” She hadn’t even flinched when his behavior had changed. Clearly, he thought he was getting what he wanted. She’d make sure to set him straight when the time came. 

He could see it clearly on her face, the incredulity at being offered such a gem at such a seemingly low price.  His hazel eyes sharpened and took on a predatory gleam.  He smiled, but it stopped short of his eyes which were positively leonine as he turned his back on her, walking towards his desk.  He’d been waiting for this moment to strike, and now his sleek charm had fallen away to show the dangerous creature beneath.  He was no hunter anymore, but he’d never been able to fully get rid of that streak of viciousness that lifestyle had bred in him.  

“Well, not quite,” he purred, casually plucking an object from one of his many curios.  It was a small leaf bladed dagger, unremarkable aside from its clear age.  In truth it was quite a fascinating piece he’d…liberated from a necromancer while he’d been on holiday in Europe.  The metal was cold iron, older than he cared to count and woven with more enchantments than he dared to test.  “Ten thousand is the price for procuring the gem.  In order for me to then sell it to you, I’ll need a little something extra.”

He thumbed the blade, testing its edge.  He’d barely touched it, but it sliced a small, but deep cut into his digit.  A drop of blood ran down the blade’s edge and then disappeared, seemingly becoming absorbed into the metal.  In a blink the cut on his thumb was nowhere to be seen.  A trick of the light, gone in an instant.  Had he crossed her path years ago it would have only taken a quick flick of his wrist to send that knife into her heart…but those days were long gone and he had different interests to appease him now.  He was never one for toying with his food when he’d been a hunter…but nowadays he did enjoy holding the little mouse by its tail over his gaping maw only to let it scurry away at the last second.  A little thrill to get him by.  

“When it comes to dealing with certain baubles…this blade for instance, or the gem you’re looking for, there are far more important things than money,” he chuckled, putting the dagger away again into its dark shelf.  “What I want from you is a favour.  Nothing in particular mind you, nothing that I need right away…but the assurance that some time down the road I might need your help with something and you will give it to me.”

Originally posted by devilsqueen98

Something about the man before caused a prickle to run through her spine. The way he spoke, the way he behaved, it was unnerving. She’d been too caught up, when she walked in, by her own needs to truly focus on the man before her. He was handsome and well spoken. It was easy to accept him at face value. Her eyes drew to the dagger as he plucked it from the shelf, bright blue taking in the gleaming metal of the dangerous weapon. Immediately her mind spun and worked overtime. This was no ordinary purveyor of the rare and hard to find. Warnings flashed in her mind and her back straightened just a little more as she stood there watching the handsome man with his weapon. 

She wasn’t accustomed to feeling threatened while she was in the process of doing business, but she could not deny that the sight of the blade set her on edge. She wasn’t a witch with magic that helped her in a fight, not really. She could prevent one if she had time, but he was holding a knife and she was just a simple mortal. She watched as he thumbed the blade, watched as blood ran down it and vanished. Watched as the cut he had given himself disappeared. 

Her fingers drummed on the glass case as he spoke and she dropped the shield around her magic. She had spent years perfecting the ability to block those who would bombard her with thoughts and memories, but for the moment, she wanted his thoughts and memories. She didn’t always need the benefit of touch to get an image of the person she was mind surfing. This man, as strong as he was, as intrinsic to the shop as he was, had left plenty to work with. The second her block was dropped and her fingers touched the glass of one of the cases, her magic was working. Picking up little things about the man. Solitary. Incandescent. Predatory. The word hunter flashed through her mind as her finger ran along the seam of the case. 

This man was not to be trusted. She kept the block down, letting her magic fill her senses while she interacted with him. If she hadn’t needed the stone so bad she would have walked out of the shop and never looked back. She’d had enough dealings with hunters in her sixty years of life. She would have preferred never to deal with them again. “A blind favor, hmm?” She asked, her eyes watching the blade as he put it back. “That’s not exactly something you can put a price on, but,” she held her hand out to the man, “if that’s what it takes.” Most would balk at his request, she imagined. Turn him down or expect something nefarious. The difference between then and Obsidian was that she knew there was something insidious about the man, knew around about what it was but also knew that through her gift, she could erase her very existence from his mind should she need to. 

Theron clicked his tongue, mulling over potential producers of the stone and time frames for procuring it.  Poudretteite ran about three thousand dollars per carat and by the way this woman had been describing her needs, she’d need something of substantial size and purity as far as gemstones went.  “Obviously the amount you’re willing to spend will have an impact on how long it will take to acquire…I do have a few options in mind.  I think I can procure a three carat gem for you within a reasonable amount of time - if that quality will suffice you’re looking at a price of about ten thousand by the time everything is all said and done.”

He watched carefully to gauge her reaction.  It was a hefty price tag, but if the Scot was worth her salt and at all knowledgeable about what she was after than it shouldn’t be much of a surprise.  Poudretteite was one of the most expensive gemstones on the planet after all and acquiring it from such a volatile region only added to the expense of getting it.

“If that works for you, we can start doing some paperwork?”

She’d walked into the shop not expecting much when it came to requesting the search for her gem, but had, in the back of her mind, along with her hope, a price she was willing to pay for such a procurement. A smile graced the redhead’s lips and she stepped a bit closer to the man. Before she’d spent time hanging back, ready to leave should the need arise, but it seemed that a business transaction was in the making and it would serve her to create a presence within the shop, not simply on the outskirts of it. 

“Three carats, Ten grand?” She asked. She knew the cost of a carat, three that was nine grand easy. “Your cut is only one?” Either he was being kind or he wasn’t a very good businessman. He could potentially lose money on this deal. “If that’s your price, I accept.” She would give him a chance to change it, if he wanted. She didn’t know if he was being clever or dumb, but it was his choice. 

Abigail nods, pencil sketching at the book with gusto. Abbi enjoyed tattoos like this. The personal state to it. How it would only be on them and only them. Sure, she had pre-made designs, but hardly anyone she worked on chose to neglect her artistic skills. This redhead was going to enjoy this piece if it was the last thing Abigail did.

“Thanks. Most of the work hung up is mine. A some of the other artists in the shop have made it on the wall but I’m picky about what to showcase. All the framed pieces aren’t for re-tattooing. They are singular designs that only exist on one person ever. I like it that way.” She continued working on the sketchbook, the design for the knot etched into her memory much like many other occult and paganistic symbols she had studied or even had on her own skin.

Turning the sketch book toward the other woman, Abigail pointed with the tip of her pencil. “See how the thorax holds the knot? I’m going to shade it a bit better so it looks as if it is natural and maybe have the knot have ends that trail down its abdomen to the tip of its tail and have it connect there. I could even put in some other designs in the wings, if you’d like?”

Sid watched with quiet concentration as the artist set to work on a basic design. She hadn’t really meant to put the woman on the spot and she certainly didn’t want to make her feel watched, but it was hard not to focus on the way her hands moved across the paper or the way the lines gave way to an image. Obsidian had never been able to draw, it was the one area she had always lacked but wished she didn’t. She wasn’t an artist the way this woman was. She was skilled in the way of the mind, not in the way of art and beauty. It was evident by the way she dressed. 

Shabby and boho were all words that people equated with her sense of style. She quite frankly didn’t think she had a sense of style at all. She simply wore what was comfortable, which tended to be flowy dresses and skirts with taking tops to beat the heat in this overly humid climate. She liked to be comfortable in her clothing, especially considering that most of her job put her and her clients in uncomfortable positions. 

To distract herself from what the artist was doing, Sib looked around the room, taking in and dissecting the art a bit more than before. She liked the idea that all of the art was on someone as well as on the wall. She liked it even more that none of it would ever be on anyone but the one person it belonged to. “That’s coo,” she said with a nod. “I was kind of worried about that. I don’t want something everyone else has.”  

She leaned over the counter when the woman drew her attention back to the drawing, her eyes sweeping over the image before her. “I really like that,” she said honestly. The image called to her. “Can you make it colorful? Blues and greens, maybe? I do like the idea of designs on the wings. Or maybe just a knot in the shape of the wings?” She was getting excited about her tattoo. 

Abigail smirked, tilting her head to peer at the redhead once again. “I can do dragonflies.” Flipping the page on her sketch book, she took her pencil to the page once again, beginning a messy design. “I can do a detailed dragonfly with a Celtic Knot shaped carapace or something a little less detailed that will easily portray that Celtic knot?” Shrugging softly, she began sketching out a knot from memory. She had done many, she even had a couple on her own body, hidden by the clothing she wore.

“That’s the rough side of this job. People have certain images in their head and its my job to get as close to it or hit it on the head. This is why I work with people, so I can get as close to the image in your head as possible.” Abigail turns her attention back to her, lifting her free hand to point at a nearby rolling stool. “Have a seat, I’ve got some time until my next appointment. Lemme see if I can hook your interest.”

Sid could show her, it was a simple process of transferring the image from one mind to the other, but it was also extremely invasive and not something she would do to an unsuspecting person. She couldn’t risk using her magic, though. Not even when it was with other witches. So many sat in hunters pockets it was disgusting. Not that she could really say anything about that. She’d spent a great deal of time and energy in getting thralls clean for the hunters. She’d taken their money and chalked her role in all of it up to a public service. Junky thralls on the street were bad press. 

“Detailed sounds good,” she said with a nodded. She was looking for something beautiful and showy, something that spoke to her and felt like it belonged to her and only her. She didn’t want what everyone else had. She wasn’t everyone else. Sib embraced her differences and accepted that she wasn’t like others. Her magic was different than others, her talents were her own. Even her accent was different than the others around her. 

“I’m sure you can,” she said happily as she moved to take a seat. “If the drawings around the shop are any indication, I’m sure I’m in the right place.” The woman had come highly recommended by an EMT she’d met while doing a psych eval at the local hospital. He’d never actually met the woman, but the witch had assured her that he knew what he was talking about. 

He could see her pondering her next words and could tell that she was trying to put it in a way that would sound innocent and mundane.  If she truly was a witch as he suspected she was, the pretty red-head was likely using it for a spell of some kind.   Poudretteite was not just a pretty gem for the wealthy - it could hold an immense amount of magical energy.  Hunters were supposed to eliminate supernatural creatures, but in order to do so they had to study them and their practices.  He was familiar with many kinds of spell craft (and had a grimoire or two stashed away at his apartment) and it wasn’t exactly hard to figure out.  Still, he doubted it was for anything particularly dark - the stone’s nature wouldn’t allow a spell like that.

“Hmm, well if it’s a relatively small stone you’re looking for I can procure one of high quality,” he mused, tracing his jaw thoughtfully.  Witch or not, he’d already decided she was a client. “Do you have any time constraints with regards to acquiring the stone?”

His answer pleased her and a blinding smile graced her delicate lips. “Well, I’m pleased to hear that,” she told him brightly. It was always a gamble walking into a place around the quarter in the pursuit of something magical. Sid had spent a lot of time scoping places out and learning the different groups of people in the area. She didn’t know this guy much beyond the fact that he was incredibly handsome and seemed to be far more intelligent than your average shopkeeper. Research on him and turned up very little, which admittedly was a bit suspicious, especially when paired with the fact that he lived here in New Orleans. Still, he was the one that would be able to get her what she needed so she was taking a chance. 

“Nothing too pressing, though I would prefer it not take too terribly long. Of course, I understand that a stone like this is very rare and can take time. I am of course willing to pay you for your time and efforts as well as the stone itself.” She knew this would not come cheap, but the spell she had in mind was extremely important. Something prickled in the back of her mind, warning her that she needed this protection. The stone would be instrumental in that. “Do you have an idea how long it will take to track down my little gem? Or price range that you believe to be fair for your troubles?”  

Understanding a character’s flaws is key to making them well-rounded and believable, so send me a number (and a character, if there’s more than one option) and I’ll tell you:

a trait they have too much of  (ex. too much pride = arrogance)

a trait they don’t have enough of (ex. too little pride = insecurity)

a trait they express in the wrong way

a trait they’re ashamed of

a trait they’re not ashamed of (but maybe should be)

a bad habit

something they do that hurts themself

something they do that hurts others

a reason (or excuse) they haven’t improved on any of the above OR

1. Are looks important in a relationship?

2. Are relationships ever worth it?

3. Are you a virgin?

4. Are you in a relationship?

5. Are you in love?

6. Are you single this year?

7. Can you commit to one person?

8. Describe your crush

9. Describe your perfect mate

10. Do you believe in love at first sight?

11. Do you ever want to get married?

12. Do you forgive betrayal?

13. Do you get jealous easily?

14. Do you have a crush on anyone?

15. Do you have any piercings?

16. Do you have any tattoos?

17. Do you like kissing in public?

20. Do you shower every day?

21. Do you think someone has feelings for you?

22. Do you think someone is thinking about you right now?

23. Do you think you can last in a relationship for 6 months and not cheat?

24. Do you think you’ll be married in 5 years?

25. Do you want to be in a relationship this year?

26. Has anyone told you they don’t want to ever lose you?

27. Has someone ever written a song or poem for you?

28. Have you ever been cheated on?

29. Have you ever cheated on someone?

30. Have you ever considered plastic surgery? If so, what would you change about your body?

31. Have you ever cried over a guy/girl?

32. Have you ever experienced unrequited love?

33. Have you ever had sex with a man?

34. Have you ever had sex with a woman?

35. Have you ever kissed someone older than you?

36. Have you ever liked one of your best friends?

37. Have you ever liked someone who your friends hated?

38. Have you ever liked someone you didn’t expect to?

39. Have you ever wanted someone you couldn’t have?

40. Have you ever written a song or poem for someone?

41. Have you had sex so far this year?

42. How long can you just kiss until your hands start to wander?

43. How long was your longest relationship?

44. How many boyfriends/girlfriends have you had?

45. How many people did you kiss in 2012/2013?

46. How many times did you have sex last year?

47. How old are you?

48. If the person you like says they like someone else, what would you say?

49. If you have a boyfriend/girlfriend, what is your favorite thing about him/her?

50. If your first true love knocked on your door with apology and presents, would you accept?

51. Is there a boy/girl who you would do absolutely everything for?

52. Is there anyone you’ve given up on? Why?

53. Is there someone mad because you’re dating/talking to the person you are?

54. Is there someone you will never forget?

55. Share a relationship story.

56. State 8 facts about your body

57. Things you want to say to an ex

58. What are five ways to win your heart?

59. What do you look like? (Post a picture!)

60. What is the biggest age difference between you and any of your partners?

61. What is the first thing you notice in someone?

62. What is the sexiest thing someone could ever do for/to you?

63. What is your definition of “having sex”?

64. What is your definition of cheating?

65. What is your favourite foreplay routine?

66. What is your favourite roleplay?

67. What is your idea of the perfect date?

68. What is your sexual orientation?

69. What turns you off?

70. What turns you on?

71. What was your kinkiest wet dream?

72. What words do you like to hear during sex?

73. What’s something sweet you’d like someone to do for you?

74. What’s the most superficial characteristic you look for?

75. What’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for you?

76. What’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever done for someone?

77. What’s your opinion on age differences in relationships?

78. What’s your dirtiest secret?

79. When was the last time you felt jealous? Why?

80. When was the last time you told someone you loved them?

81. Who are five people you find attractive?

82. Who is the last person you hugged?

83. Who was your first kiss with?

84. Why did your last relationship fail?

It wouldn’t have been the first time Abigail dealt with the anxiety people had when it came to tattoos. Especially those that were getting their first. While she had no idea what may or may not have been inked into the redhead’s skin, the way she acted and spoke, he mannerisms, her demeanor spoke waves of just how inexperienced she was in a place like this. It was cute. 

“I’ve done many Celtic crosses and knot combos. I even have a few pre-drawn, but you look like you might want something that is a little more personal than something that others might have.” Abigail reaches for her sketch book again, opening it and flipping through pages to find an empty page. “Did you have an idea on where you would want it? How big? Any kind of intricate designs aside the knot? I kind of have an idea of the knot branching out into a weave design along the inside of the cross…” Abigail trailed off, reaching for her pencil and beginning to lightly sketch out a messy design. “Personally, I’d like to see a cross somewhere that isn’t on an upper arm or upper back but that’s just my opinion.”

Sid had an issue. As soon as she started telling the woman about the ink she was considering getting, a different image flashed into her head. It was a simple one, just a bug, really, with pearlescent wings the color of cobalt and teal. “Can you do dragonflies?” She asked suddenly.  The thought was errant and random, a sudden change in tempo and conversation. She wasn’t prone to outbursts of thought, but for some reason, this particular image spoke to her. “Maybe make it with the Celtic knot as a base?” She had an idea in her mind but she couldn’t exactly articulate it. 

“It would be so much easier to explain if I could just show you,” she said with a sigh. Her fingers tapped the counter and looked around, wondering if there was anything that she could use as an example but there wasn’t anything. “I really wish I’d paid better attention in art,” she mumbled. “I’ve no artistic ability whatsoever.” 

“Poudretteite?” Theron repeated, raising his eyebrow in cat-like curiosity.  He was familiar with the stone - it was highly prized world wide, both because of its beautiful pink hue and clarity, but also for its rarity.  The most common source, of course, were far flung places like Myanmar - but, there were other sources if one had the right connections.  “Yes, I’ve had the pleasure of handling several pieces with it over the years.  Are you looking for any particular cut of stone, or in any particular piece of jewelry?  Certain styles are harder to acquire of course…”

He paused in his musing, turning his sharp hazel eyes back onto her, narrowed ever so slightly in sudden suspicion as he realized that not once had she mentioned the stone in conjunction with any sort of relic or piece of jewelry - she seemed far more fixated on the gem itself.  His Hunter instincts made the hair on the nape of his neck prickle and he seized her up more carefully under the gaze of a pensive smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.  The sixth sense that had been cruelly drummed into him over the years was telling him that this was not a simple human - if he had to guess, he would say she was a witch…that said she didn’t feel particularly threatening and he decided that it would be safe to at least listen to the details of her request.

“Now, if you don’t mind the form it comes in, I do have connections to the old  Mont Saint-Hilaire quarry in Quebec where it was first found.  They can put me in touch with miners in Burma if you need something of particularly high quality.  Could you give me more specifics?”

She could see his curiosity turning in his mind, this was not a simple mortal that knew nothing of the world around him. The sharpness of his glance wasn’t one that came from just wanting to know more about the stone but one of calculation and risk factors. He wanted to know what she planned to do with the stone. That, however, was between herself and client of hers. She was being paid good money for this particular spell and she’d keep it between herself and her client and no one else.

This man; handsome and clever, was not privy to this information, though it was likely she could give it to him regardless. After all, at the end of the day, his mind was free for her taking. She could erase this encounter with little effort. She did not want to do that, though. It was always such a shame when she had to use her powers for things that weren’t part of her position held in the psychological community.

“I have no preference on whether it is set into a piece of jewelry or if it's a simple stone. I only ask that it be a solid stone and not shards of a stone.” The ring she had for the stone itself was small, the magic the stone would hold was strong even in a tiny amount because the beautiful stone help to amplify it. It was part of why she needed this specific stone. None others would do. Small as the ring was, the size of the stone was important to her for the simple fact that even in the small amount she needed, it was hard to find a solid stone. “High quality would be best, but I can settle for a medium quality so long as its solid.” Cracks in the stone meant to no magic could be stored.

With his business done and now significantly less annoyed than he had been a few moments prior Theron took a moment to study his potential patron.  She was a pretty thing, fiery auburn hair and sharp eyes.  Paired with her Scottish burr she was certainly an interesting creature and he was curious as to what she’d come here looking for.

He raised an elegant eyebrow at her question.  He dealt with jewelry quite often, rare pieces and sometimes magical ones if the price was right - gem stones on their own, however, weren’t something he was commissioned to find very often.  It wasn’t beyond reason, but it certainly raised a few questions.  If she was looking for one stone in particular, a rare one at that, than she must have had a singular purpose for doing so.

“You are correct, I don’t have anything like that here on hand,” he said smoothly, taking a moment to straighten his tie.  “But I can certainly track it down for you, or at least find out whom you should talk to.  I’m assuming it is a unique item?  Could you describe it for me?”

She was indeed only looking for the stone itself, however, in jewelry or out, it was of no consequence. She would remove the metal easily enough. “I’m not particular in what form it comes in beyond the fact that I require it to be a solid stone and not simply shards.” She had found a few shards here and there, but she needed it to hold a certain amount of magic and a shard just wasn’t enough. “Do you know anything about the stone Poudretteite?” Few had heard of it, it was that rare. Often found in Myanmar, a single stone could sell for a few thousand dollars. Not to mention the brokerage fee this man was likely to change.  Obsidian had known, walking into this store, that she could very well be on the hook for several grand. 

“It’s a beautiful pink,” she emphasized the color because a clear Poudretteite could also be found. She was not interested in the clear stone, though. She required the pink. “But also very hard to find without the right resources. Sadly I don’t have those, but I am hoping that you do, Mr. Athanasios.”

Abigail pulled her pencil away, setting it on the counter in front of her and closed the book she had been sketching in, sliding it next to the pencil. Smiling still, Abbi gave the redhead a smile, lifting a hand to drive home her words. “That would be me.” Even the palms of her hands were clustered with tattoos. The inked palm lines and the small occult symbols that rested between them clearly visible with the small wave she gave before dropping her hand to her lap.

Tilting her head at the other woman, she gave her a quick look over before clearing her throat and pushing herself to her feet. “So, what did you have in mind? Do you already have a design or did you want to work with me on one? Depending on how extensive it is going to be, my prices will vary.” Her lips part as her smile widens. “Feel free to peer around as well. Most of the pieces on the walls and in the design book I already have pre-made stencils for so those have set prices.”

A sweet smiled graced the redhead's lips when the woman at the counter told her she was the one she was looking for. “Well, that’s lucky,” she said pleasantly. She didn’t really know anything about the shop, though perhaps she should have done a bit of research. Maybe there was another artist in the shop that would be better suited for what it was Sid was looking for... not that she had any idea if Abbi wasn’t. She was just worried. Though, she was pretty sure that was more the fact that she was in the shop and actually maybe doing this tattoo thing. 

“Well, I... can’t draw to save my life, but I have a vision of what I want.” Not that she could really show the woman. That was always a shocking endeavor. Few liked having their mind entered. It was like downloading pictures to a hard drive only that hard drive was the brain. “I wanted a Celtic Knot in the middle of a Celtic cross. It sounds so basic but...” Finally putting it into words it just seemed so silly. Like everyone had these things, there was nothing special about her request. “I’m sure it’s something you’re asked to do all the time.” She was starting to second guess herself, but not because she didn’t want the artwork. She really did. It just sounded so trivial to her ears when telling someone else.

Believe it or not, stick figures were a great starting point when it came to art. The detail that came after, however, was hours and days and weeks and months and years of practice. Not to mention the practice it took to take one medium and shift it to another. For example, from paper with a pencil to skin with a needle. Abigail was much like others, when she first started out. But with the manifestation of her magic, she devoted herself to learning.

Abigail sat quietly, pencil gliding along a sketchpad she held in her hands. Her feet were propped up on the corner of the counter she sat behind, her thighs not so much a proper table as the sketchpad rested against them. The small bell above the door that rang shifted her attention, the flash of red hair catching her eye as she peered at the woman. Shifting her left hand, Abigail peeks at the palm of her hand, a small pentacle that was inked between the second and third knuckles of her index finger giving off a slight glow. Magic. Possibly another witch. Dropping her palm on her thigh, Abigail clears her throat. “Welcome, how may I help you?”

Sid’s eyes landed on a pretty woman who was reclined back behind the counter. She hadn’t had much time to look around, but she could feel that she was in the right spot, though it was more magical than gut. She smiled at the woman on the other side of the counter when she asked her her purpose in the place. “Well, I was thinking about getting a tattoo,” she said honestly. The Scottish accent hadn’t gone away in the twenty years she’d lived across the pond and it wasn’t likely to ever go away. “I think I’m in the right place. I was told to talk to Abbi.” 

Marc, an EMT that lived down the street from her had recommended the artist His body was covered in ink, though from what he said, the majority of his had been done by the few Hawaiian tribal witches left. A nod to his ancestry and his past, which seemed to be a big deal for the seerer. She wasn’t sure if Marc actually knew Abbi or if he had just seen Sid getting the tattoo from Abbi and set the whole thing in motion. Seerers were a special breed of confusing, even for witches. “She came highly recommended.”