Starter for @seakiumi
The city outside her apartment window was busy and bustling, honking horns and people talking, shouting, laughing, singing, and the like. Violet eyes looked out over what she could see of the skyline while sitting at her computer Aurora seemed to sigh trying to come up with more ideas for an upcoming novel under her pen name Vivian Solice. “Uncovered” a story with a busy city and an underbelly of mystery the main character what been thrust into. Half ignoring the music coming from the speakers of her computer she almost hasn’t noticed the ding from the incoming email from her editor with some well needed information.
“V, I’ve got some good news! I was able to get you an in! You’ll be starting at one of the local tattoo shops down on the lower east end. I’ve included the address. I hope this helps with you recent novel research. And I look forward to seeing your draft when you’re able to get back.”
Sitting much more upright in the arm chair she had been using as a computer chair. Aurora read over the email jotted down the address, phone number and the name of the shop informant willing to help her get an apprenticeship. Several days had passed since the email came in, contact had been made to the shop and she’d be starting at the end of the week. This didn’t give her much time to find clothing that would better fit in rather than wearing the mostly business casual clothing she currently owned. Opting instead for the “biker chick” aesthetic. Jeans and leather pants, cropped tops and leather jackets.
Looking in the mirror Aurora stood turning from side to side looking at her new cloths on herself. Damn she looked good, dare she think better than her usual clothing.
Several weeks had gone by and she’d been learning quite a bit about the small shop, and it wasn’t long before most people knew her as beauty. And honestly she didn’t bother to correct anyone, feeling damn good about it. Someone stumbled in through the door looking for a “tattoo”. Another client like their usual clientele. But something didn’t feel right when she’d been called to the back to grab their “special” ink.
“Alright let’s do this.” Everything seemed to be going normally, Aurora would watch from over the artists shoulder and the client sitting bare chest cover in a simple “flash stencil”, one it seemed most of the clients knew about but wasn’t on any board or in any book.
It didn’t take long for the client to begin foaming at the mouth and shaking violently. “Damn it all… not again…” was commented under the breath of the artist. “Oi Beauty, go grab the black book under the reg and call the third number down. Tell em we’ve got another one down and get back here.”
Doing as asked Aurora found his words strange and seemingly out of place for a shop that seemed in good standing. But still did as asked without hesitation. She may not have known exactly what was happening but did know enough to act quickly. Finding the book and getting the phone to call out felt like it had taken hours even though it was more like seconds. Ringing sounded, and with each one Aurora paced at the desk. “Come on…come on come on come on, pick up…” a hand raked through her hair. As soon as the other end picked up she spoke her lines in a rush and hung up to get back to let the artist know she’d called. “Good no get outside and keep watch for a tall blond!”
“But shouldn’t we get the hos…”
“Don’t be stupid! Now get outside and wait!”
While it was still unclear what was really happening Aurora did know at least enough to know the client had been ODing. She’d heard and read about the signs but at this time she hadn’t a clue that this would have been tied into the tattoo gun and ink itself. Sighing and half pacing hand back in her hair she waited.
