slicings | ink written on your soul;

ink written on your soul;

[ dan feng will be arriving shortly, and yingxing can't help but to feel slightly nervous.

it's odd, for him, he's never nervous before his clients come in. he knows his worth, knows his own level of skill - he is one of the luofu's most sought after tattoo artists, most clients need to book well in advance, and yingxing is self-assured enough to never be anxious. but dan feng.. he's different. the moment he first laid eyes on the man, yingxing was entranced, and he knows for damned sure that he wants this tattoo to be up to his highest standards, to perfectly match the elegant, beautiful canvas he'll be applying it on.

they've only met in person once or twice now, to go over the design, most of their correspondence has been via email as yingxing worked on developing the piece, but to say he's got a stupid schoolboy crush would be an understatement. it's embarrassing, honestly, and unprofessional as well, so he's made sure to maintain the healthy boundary between them, even if the idea of seeing dan feng again is enough to get his heart fluttering against his ribs. ridiculous. he's well into his thirties, there's no reason to behave as if this man is his first crush, as if he's not a grown man with a job to do.

even still, once dan feng arrives it gets easier. something about the man simply puts yingxing at ease, calms his soul. he's just finishing sanitizing his station when dan feng appears in the doorway, and yingxing offers him a nod. ]

Come in. I'm ready for you.

[ he says, gesturing to the bench in front of him as he snaps on a pair of black nitrile gloves. ]

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[It's a bit strange, the way Dan Feng feels as he makes his way to the tattoo parlor he'd chosen to finally get a tattoo of his own. It wasn't as if he was worried about the pain people always tended to mention... so the only thing that could be causing a fluttering feeling in his chest is the tattoo artist himself.

Dan Feng honestly felt a bit silly, letting himself get distracted as if he were a teenaged boy still... but there was something about the other man that had drawn him in. At first it had only been his portfolio, the photographs of his work that more than proved his skill... but then they'd met in person for the initial consultation. He'd done his best to remain focused on the appointment and their discussion -- he only had so much time before the man's next appointment would arrive -- and yet his eyes had kept lifting to look at the man rather than his work.

His interest and those odd feelings hadn't gone away, either. Their second meeting had been brief, just a few remaining details to iron out before the actual tattooing... and that same fluttering feeling had settled into his chest yet again. It felt inappropriate, to get the odd butterflies feeling around someone he was only meeting for a job.

But that certainly hadn't stopped the feelings.

Still, he offers the man a light smile as he slips off his coat, does his best to behave properly -- to pretend as if he weren't feeling so strange. Beneath his light coat, Dan Feng is wearing a loose, wide-collared shirt.. something that would keep out of the way while Yingxing worked, and his long silky hair is tied back and held in place by a decorative hairpin.]

I know I've said it before, but I appreciate your willingness to work with me.

[His voice is quiet, conversation just between them as he settles. Not all tattoo artists were willing to work with someone who had something so specific in mind -- the style of dragon, there could be no alterations.. not for this particular tattoo. Dan Feng had spent hours looking through portfolios... and he'd loved Yingxing's work.. and in truth he had been worried that the man would refuse.]

[ dan feng shrugs off his coat, and yingxing has to look away for a moment to keep from staring at the alluring, elegant line of his clavicle, exposed in the shirt that he wears. good gods, what's wrong with him? he's seen far more skin than this, before. he tattoos regularly, sees plenty of beautiful men and women in varying states of undress, but he's undone so easily by the sight of one smooth collarbone. humiliating.

inhaling sharply through his nose, yingxing nods. he's got to keep a level head. this is work, and dan feng needs him present for it, needs him to give him the best tattoo he possibly can. ]

Hey, no problem. Sometimes you know exactly what you want.

[ most tattoo artists prefer to be able to put their own spin on their work, to make it something that feels like they did it, and yingxing is among them, but if you're creative enough there's always a way. yingxing's signature style will be there in the weight of the lines, in the curves of the dragon's body, in the watery shine of its scales. it'll still be beautiful, and it'll still be his.

once dan feng sits, yingxing sets to work cleaning the area thoroughly, the alcohol cool against dan feng's soft skin before he's carefully shaving away the soft baby hairs there, preparing the surface for inking. ]

I'm going to put on the stencil, then you can take a look and make sure it's perfect before we get started, okay?

[Dan Feng folds his coat in his lap as he gets comfortable enough -- he'll have to be in one place for the duration after all -- his long hair pulled further over his opposite shoulder. He'd put it up expressly for the purpose of staying out of Yingxing's way.. but it would be simple enough to ensure nothing shifted this way.]

Perhaps next time I'll leave the design completely in your hands.

[... next time. Dan Feng hadn't really thought of getting more tattoos after this one.. but the thought of working with Yingxing again, the thought of seeing what he had in mind, all of it was appealing in ways he really shouldn't allow himself. It was wrong, letting his mind wander and his heart flutter. He'd certainly been the recipient of unwelcome advances while at work, the last thing he would want was to become like those people...

Dan Feng hums quietly as Yingxing sets to work preparing his skin for the tattoo, bright seafoam eyes drifting closed for a moment. The other man's hands were warm through his gloves... and he needed to not think about that.]

Mm, alright. [His eyes open partway, even as he keeps himself still so the stencil can be applied.] Though I'm fairly sure it'll be perfect the first time.

[With as familiar as he'd become with Yingxing's work over the time they've worked together on this, he'd rather come to trust the man's sense of aesthetics.]

[ dan feng pulls his beautiful dark hair over his shoulder, and yingxing's gaze follows the gentle slope of his long, delicate neck, lingering far longer than is necessary.

ahem. once the skin is sufficiently cleaned and shaved, yingxing carefully applies the stencil behind that pointed ear and down the side of his neck, his long fingers gentle as he presses the stencil down, then carefully pulls away the paper backing. the linework is red against his skin, though of course, the tattoo itself will not be, once yingxing is finished with it. sitting back, he lifts a hand mirror to allow dan feng to check the design and the positioning both. ]

Look good?

[ he's so curious about the tattoo, wants to know the story behind it, the history. given how adamant dan feng had been about no alterations, yingxing imagines there must be some sort of backstory here.. but it isn't his business to ask, most especially since tattoos like this are often incredibly meaningful. it's his job to give his client the best work possible, not to ask prying questions. ]

If you're happy with it, go ahead and lay down on your side for me, and we'll get started.

[There is something about that gentle touch that feels nicer than it has any right to, and Dan Feng has to deliberately focus his gaze on the equipment within his field of view. Aeons but he really needed to hold himself together. Making the man uncomfortable at all, but especially at work, was simply unacceptable.

He catches the motion of Yingxing picking up the hand mirror, and his bright eyes shift over.. lingering briefly on the man's face before he accepts the mirror. Dan Feng takes his time -- not too much but enough -- to ensure he's satisfied. A tattoo was permanent, after all.]

I think this looks perfect.

[His keen eyes flick to Yingxing's brief reflection in the mirror as he goes to pass it back to the man, before he shifts to ease down onto his side. For the most part it's easy to feel how he's meant to lay, but even so...]

If you need me to move a little more, I won't mind if you guide me.

[He murmurs into the quiet space around them, eyes slightly lidded as he settles. Not everyone will simply move you into the correct position.. at least not unless you tell them they can put their hands on you, so just in case...]

[ dan feng seems to like it, so yingxing offers him a slanted smile and sets the mirror aside again. ]

Don't worry, you're perfect.

[ he meant - ah, well. it's not like it's a lie, no matter how he meant it. clearing his throat, yingxing peels off his gloves to replace them with a fresh pair. ]

All right, we'll get started. We've talked about this before, but the neck and ear are a sensitive place to get a tattoo, so if you need to take breaks just raise your hand for me.

[ rolling his stool closer, yingxing starts up the machine with a hum, and yingxing lifts the gun, leaning over his client. it's a tricky place for him to work as well, for there's no easy place to rest his arms, but it's certainly not his first tattoo in a place like this, nor will it be his last. he'll just need to be careful, and steady. spreading a thin layer of ointment over the stencil, he sets to work, falling silent as he begins to carefully, methodically begin the linework. ]

[Even knowing what Yingxing likely means -- knowing he's talking about where he's laying -- it doesn't stop Dan Feng's heart from fluttering in his chest. Aeons but he needs to hold himself together. Especially since they would be here for quite a while.

Dan Feng hums quietly as he's reminded of what they'd discussed, eyes drifting closed as he takes a slow breath. He'd done a fair bit of his own research when it came to picking where his tattoo would be and what to expect... but in the end he wasn't all that worried.]

I will if I need to, but I should be fine.

[There's something about the hum of the machine that's rather grounding in this otherwise quiet space, and Dan Feng allows his focus to drift between the comforting hum and the touch of the artist's hands. Ever since the accident, there hadn't been much pain that could get to him... and he's rather certain that this will be no exception.

That isn't to say there's no pain of course. It's simply... manageable pain. Other than a brief furrow of his brow when Yingxing begins, Dan Feng remains quite relaxed.]

[ once he sets to work, it's quite easy for yingxing to get into the zone, to fall into the mindset necessary for his work. he is, after all, a professional, no matter how distractingly beautiful his client may be.

his hands work smoothly and with assured certainty, blocking in the linework in delicate arcs and loops, varying the weight of the lines to give them attractive, elegant shapes. slowly but surely the dragon begins to take form as yingxing concentrates, his own hair pinned back as well, to keep it from falling over his shoulders. the hum and buzz of the machine is relaxing, and soon enough he's fallen into his own focus, bringing the dragon to life on dan feng's skin.

dan feng who is, of course, an excellent canvas, barely moving at all, save to breathe. soon enough the linework is complete, and yingxing sits back, wiping away the gathered blood and applying another thin layer of ointment, eyeing his work with a critical eye. ]

All right, finished the linework. Still with me?

[ rolling his stool back, he peels off his gloves to lift the hand mirror again, so dan feng can take a look. ]

[Yingxing isn't the only one to consider the hum of the machine relaxing, and Dan Feng allows his focus to shift inward for a time. It would've been ideal to have been able to get this tattoo while his parents were alive.. but to get it instead in their memory would have to be enough.

Traditionally, this tattoo would be designed by the parents, always following certain specifications.. but with a little personalization unique to the individual. He'd not been able to participate in that tradition... but he'd worked with his grandmother to take design elements from the tattoos his parents had. He'd never get them back, but perhaps this way he could still feel connected.

Yingxing's voice is easily enough to draw him from his thoughts, seafoam eyes blinking open and adjusting to the light in the room again.]

Ah, yes. I was a little lost in thought, sorry about that.

[He shifts carefully when Yingxing lifts the hand mirror, eyes focusing on the progress made so far. The linework was extraordinarily beautiful, another thing particularly unique to his tattoo compared to those of his elders. Dan Feng doesn't notice when his expression warms and softens.]

It looks beautiful..

[His voice is gentle as he speaks, his smile coming through in those quietly appreciative words.]

[ it's been a long time since yingxing was last nervous about pleasing a client. call him arrogant, but he knows his work is good, knows it's worth the price, but this one feels more important somehow, and he's a little bit anxious about dan feng's reaction.

but that soft smile says it all. yingxing's mouth curves into a slanted smile. ]

.. glad you like it.

[ dan feng looks truly, honestly pleased, and that pleases yingxing in return. and ah, that smile.. he catches himself staring for a moment, enraptured by dan feng's delicate beauty, by the warmth in his smile. but soon he takes the mirror back again. ]

Do you need a break before we push in the color, or?

[Does he need a break... well, if it's just about his pain levels or how long he thinks he can remain still, then he's certainly fine with continuing now rather than waiting. At the same time though, if a break would be best for his healing process -- and especially best for Yingxing -- then he'd not mind a break.

In the end he turns just a bit to glance toward Yingxing.. and does his best to ignore the way his heart flutters. When he'd relaxed during the process, he thought that perhaps he'd pushed the odd feelings away.

Clearly not.]

Well, if the only factors are my pain tolerance and how long I can remain still, then I don't need a break... but if you think it would be best, I'm not against taking one.

[He shifts just a little, considering any stiffness he could feel. Dan Feng certainly doesn't feel any discomfort that people had mentioned being a thing during their tattoo appointments as well.]

I haven't made any plans for the rest of the day, so I'm fine to go along with whichever you recommend.

[Dan Feng wasn't sure if Yingxing had any appointments after his today, but he didn't want to take up too much of the man's time regardless. If the artist wanted to push through to the end and get this over with, then he would do it.]

[ yingxing shakes his head. ]

It's just for your comfort. If you're good to keep going, so am I.

[ yingxing has certainly gone for much longer sessions than this, he's mostly just thinking of dan feng's comfort levels. this is his first tattoo, and it's in a delicate place, so if he needed a breather, yingxing wanted to offer him the chance. ]

Color might heart a little more than the linework had, but I'm sure you'll manage.

[ he's been excellent so far, staying nice and still for him, so yingxing doesn't foresee any problems. gesturing for dan feng to lay on the bench again, he pulls on another pair of gloves, and gets the colored inks ready. ]

[Perhaps he's gotten too comfortable in Yingxing's presence, something he blames on the way his heart has been fluttery ever since they met, but Dan Feng finds himself speaking before he can convince himself otherwise.]

I've experienced far worse discomfort, this is no trouble..

[His voice quiets just a little as he speaks, gaze shifting away as he moves to settle back down on the bench. It was dangerous how comfortable he felt. Certainly Yingxing hadn't given him reasons to be wary... but he'd not signed up for information on Dan Feng's life, either.]

Regardless, I'll be fine.. nothing to worry about.

[Dan Feng takes a slow breath, one that he sighs out as he lets his eyes drift closed again. He would continue talking if Yingxing wished, but he didn't want to risk making anything strange between them...]

[ yingxing is more than a little surprised by dan feng's candor, but he makes no comment on it, even if the idea of this man suffering in any way is upsetting. he doesn't know dan feng well, doesn't even know him somewhat well, but it's easy to see that he's a gentle, kind person. people like him shouldn't be made to suffer.

back to work, yingxing begins packing in the color, beautiful gradients of teals and blues, seafoam green and sparkling white, with just a dash of deep red around the dragon's eye. ]

You're pretty tough.

[ he murmurs after a moment, though he's still deep in concentration, pushing the needles along delicate skin as he applies the color in waves. it'll burn a bit more than the linework had, since he has to pass over the skin multiple times to saturate the color properly, but dan feng is a good canvas, and doesn't move. every minute or so he wipes the fresh tattoo to check the state of the color, before going in again, working carefully, methodically, but still quickly, so as not to have dan feng under the gun any longer than he needs to be. ]

Almost done.

[It's something of a blessing that he doesn't have to speak up much once the process has resumed, even if he did find an odd sort of ease in Yingxing's presence. They weren't friends -- they were barely acquaintances at this point. The artist didn't need to hear anything more than would be appropriate from a client, surely...

The color definitely hurts more than the linework, but once again the only way Dan Feng reacts is by furrowing his brow. Perhaps just a little more than the first time, but he remains just as still.]

Mm, sometimes people have to be.

[He murmurs carefully in response, certain not to move anywhere near enough to disturb Yingxing's work. As far as he was concerned, anyone could be tough if they needed to be. Dan Feng hadn't been, when he was a child.. but it was something that came to him with life experience... even if what happened shouldn't be called 'life experience'.

It doesn't feel like all that much time has passed before he hears Yingxing mentioning he's almost finished.]

Mm-hmm..

[Dan Feng breathes his acknowledgement, but otherwise keeps himself completely still. They would have time to talk once the artist was finished with the tattoo.. if Yingxing wished to speak any more, of course. He couldn't be certain if he would.

... why did he not like how that thought felt...?]

[ sometimes people have to be, indeed. yingxing certainly knows that much.

but he'll make no further comment. dan feng doesn't need to hear about his life, and honestly, yingxing isn't keen on talking about it, anyway, doesn't need anyone knowing what a failure of a man, a failure of a son he has been. but it roils in the back of his mind now, anyway, as he wonders just what it is that has made dan feng commit to this line of thinking. perhaps it has something to do with the importance of this tattoo.

he can't say. all he can do is keep working, his strong, nimble fingers moving over dan feng's skin as he adds the finishing touches, the translucent water winding around the dragon in smooth, elegant arcs and bursts of soft sea foam, splashed in like watercolor. the dragon dances with the sea.

with a soft hum, yingxing sits back again, giving the tattoo one final wipedown and looking over his work with a critical eye, to be sure that he hasn't missed anything, that it looks absolutely perfect. only once he's completely satisfied does he turn off the machine and set the gun down, before carefully wiping away the remaining droplets of clinging blood, and applying a thin coat of moisturizing antiseptic ointment. ]

.. all right. Ready to see it?

[ with a smile, he gestures to the mirror again. ]

[Similarly, Dan Feng isn't certain just how keen he is on the idea of sharing more than he already has. There's a lot of pain that still haunts him, a lot of regret.. a lot of wishing things had turned out differently.

His survivor's guilt still gripped him more often than he'd care to admit... and he still felt useless to this day that he hadn't been able to heal his parents. It didn't matter to him that he'd nearly died alongside them, just that he'd failed.

... but none of that mattered right now. What mattered was not making Yingxing uncomfortable.

Dan Feng doesn't open his eyes until he hears the hum of the machine fade away, his luminous eyes once again adjusting to the room around him as he remains still. There was an ache of course, he expected it could take time to fade, and it's easily something he can tolerate.]

Oh absolutely.

[His voice is still a soft murmur as he pushes himself upright, long hair still pulled forward over his shoulder as he settles in to look at the tattoo in the mirror provided.

At first, he is completely speechless, a gentle sort of awe in his expression as his keen eyes slowly take in every single minute detail. He has to swallow down the swell of his emotions, expression softening further.]

It's perfect.. I... thank you.

Yeah?

[ while dan feng looks over the tattoo, yingxing begins to clean up, tossing his gloves into the garbage bin, along with the bloodied paper towels and other things that need to be discarded. but it isn't long before he looks back to his client, seeing that warm, soft smile that makes his chest tighten.

yingxing is pleased. he likes happy customers. ]

I'm glad you like it. It suits you.

[ the colors go well with dan feng's overall look, and of course it hasn't escaped him that this young man is vidyadhara, carrying the blood of long. of course a dragon would be perfect for him, well suited to his scales. resting his elbows on his knees, yingxing smiles, looking over his work again, though it's really just an excuse to look at dan feng. ]

I'm going to wrap it up to protect it, but take the cellophane off once you're home. No soaking, no long showers, keep it out of the sun, and keep it moisturized. Ointment is your new best friend. [ he reaches to open a drawer at his workstation, pulling out a care sheet to hand over. ] It's going to itch like hell, but absolutely no picking or scratching.

[Dan Feng doesn't quite notice the way Yingxing is looking at him, his gaze still taking in every single detail. It wouldn't be something he would be able to simply look at whenever the mood arose after all, though he was sure he would admire it frequently enough.

Of course, just because his eyes are so focused doesn't mean he doesn't hear every word Yingxing says to him. It was largely things he'd read about during his research... and while it wasn't especially pleasant to not be able to soak even in a long shower, it would be worth it.

He's finally able to tear his gaze away from the tattoo when the care sheet is handed to him, his bright eyes looking over every instruction.]

I should be able to get what you recommend on this on my way home.

[As for how much it would itch... if he'd managed to get through bandages over itching, aching wounds, this would be simple enough surely. After a moment he chuckles softly, eyes lifting to meet Yingxing's.]

I promise you that I'll follow your instructions to the letter.

Good. Don't put that beautiful piece of art in peril, all right? Take good care of it.

[ everything he'll need to know is on the sheet, at least. how to keep it clean, how often to wash it, and with what, and the absolutely enormous importance of keeping it well moisturized. at the very least, vidyadhara are fast healers, from what he knows, so dan feng shouldn't have to baby it for long. ]

And keep it clean.

[ an easy smile, and yingxing winks, then draws back to begin seeing to his things again. his station and tools will need to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, of course, and that'll take a little bit of time. ]

I'll send the invoice up front for you. Oh - and if you post pictures of it anywhere, tag me, yeah?

[ it's free publicity, after all. as well as an easy way to talk to dan feng again. but he's trying not to think about that. ]

Oh I wouldn't dream of risking it, I assure you.

[Dan Feng is careful with the way he moves when he tugs his jacket back on -- only once the cellophane is in place of course -- testing what moving around would feel like while the tattoo healed. All things considered it's certainly not as bad as people complained it was.

He takes a moment to stretch his legs a little when he pushes himself to his feet finally after the entire appointment spent on his side, brushing his hair back over his shoulder finally when Yingxing speaks again. Dan Feng chuckles softly, the sound light and warm.]

Once it's healed, I do plan to post pictures.. I'll certainly tag you.

[Up front though.. well that was it, he supposed. It felt... strange that they wouldn't be communicating back and forth as they had been. But that was the nature of business.]

I'll be coming back here for my next tattoo, as well.. so thank you again.

[He lingers in the doorway a moment longer, but this is surely goodbye for a while. One last smile.. then he makes his way to the front to settle the invoice and make his way to the store.]

[ coming here for his next tattoo, huh.. yingxing hopes that's the truth, and not just a kindness in passing, though he knows full well that he shouldn't be too hopeful. dan feng is beautiful, but like as not he's barely even into his twenties, while yingxing is pushing forty. not only is it inappropriate in the workspace, he probably shouldn't be chasing college tail, right? right. so he puts it out of his mind as best as he can.

even if he can't stop thinking about dan feng - about his smooth voice and his cool skin, his eyes that yingxing could find himself falling into with ease, and all of that gorgeous dark hair. it's an infatuation, he thinks, that's all - soon enough it'll pass.

except he finds himself laying eyes on dan feng even sooner than expected. as an artist, yingxing is always keeping his skills honed, which means plenty of private study, yes, but also picking up courses here and there, as well as teaching a few himself. so when the local university calls him in to host a guest studio event, he accepts.

he enjoys it here in the studio, the large warehouse windows let in plenty of beautiful light, and the scent of paper and paints; it takes him back to his own school days, first learning to craft and paint, to bring beautiful things to life with his own two hands. he's instructed at these events multiple times, so he recognizes many student faces, just as they recognize him, and yingxing chats with them as he waits for the model to arrive, before taking his place at the front of the class, arranging his newsprint pad on the easel, and arranging his charcoal sticks. ]

[Dan Feng has never before had difficulty putting someone out of his mind... and yet ever since the day he received his tattoo, Yingxing has been on his mind in one way or another. At first he was certain that it was because he had the care of his tattoo on his mind -- because of how often he would find himself looking at it when he was at home.

But even weeks later he finds himself opening his phone to look at the photo Jingliu had helped him take of the tattoo to share -- to tag Yingxing as he'd promised once it was healed. Dan Feng even finds himself occasionally remembering the touch of the artist's hands on his skin... and subsequently considering getting a second tattoo sooner rather than later.

... but that's problematic. The man needs to be comfortable at his workplace. He certainly doesn't need someone possibly making him uncomfortable... yet Dan Feng can really think of nobody better for the job.

The artist is still on his mind on the occasions when he allows it to wander by the time he'd promised to be the model for a one day specialty course at his university. It wasn't the first time, but it was the first time he was told there would be a guest lecturer that day.

... he didn't expect that the guest would be the man who's been on his mind all this time.

Dan Feng doesn't know who it is until he makes his way into the room from a side office -- one that connected to the classroom next door so he would be able to change into the robe he would be wearing for this class. Really, he doesn't even know who the guest is until he makes his way into the room.

It's absolutely silly the way his heart skips and tumbles in his chest as he makes his way to the seat where he'll be posed... but he manages to give Yingxing what he hopes is a fairly normal smile.]

I didn't realize I'd be seeing you sooner than I expected to.

[That he expected to see him.. well, he'd decided that no other artist would do for his next tattoo. So he would have seen the man again eventually.]

[ yingxing is still working at his station at the front of the room when the model arrives, and he hears the pad of soft feet approaching, turns - only to find the eyes that have been haunting him looking directly into his own. surprise blooms across his expression, but only for a moment before he offers an easy smile. ]

Fancy meeting you here.

[ gods, he's just as beautiful as he'd been when he first stepped into yingxing's studio.. but he's got to keep it together. this only confirms his suspicions that dan feng was quite young. all the more reason to keep his thoughts and his hands to himself, as much as he is able.

dusting charcoal from his hands, he gestures to the comfortable chair that the model will be seated in, ignoring the warmth in his ears. ]

Have you modeled before?

[Well it was certainly nice to know he wasn't the only one surprised to see the other, and a flicker of amusement makes its way through Dan Feng's eyes. That it seemed to be a pleasant surprise for both of them as well made it feel even better.

Dan Feng can't help but feel like it's a bit of a shame that he's supposed to keep his back mostly turned to the room. Even turned slightly, he wouldn't really be able to see Yingxing well. He'd have rather liked to watch the man work -- he hadn't been able to with his tattoo either after all.

Perhaps that was for the best.]

Only for special events like this one, though I've been their model whenever I had the time available ever since I first began taking classes here.

[He hums quietly in thought, idly adjusting the robe around his shoulders -- it was loose, considering the way it was supposed to rest for this pose... but it meant he needed to hold onto it while he walked.]

It's been six or seven years now, I believe.

[He'd been seventeen still when he'd first enrolled, so at his estimation about seven years had passed.]

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