[Blessed Icons Tattoo Parlor] From Bones, to Steel (Job hunting, Mod)

[Ilista]

Third of Ponutis
the Season of Winter
Era XV

Ilista had passed the tattoo parlor in the early candle marks of the day on her way to the docks, but now that she was back on land and dry, the telera was standing outside the humble shack. It has been some time since she picked up a needle and put ink to flesh. There were, things, pretty things, painted upon the sign, she has seen similar creatures, smaller in the colors of cream and butter. She drew from time to time for the amusement of her Mistress, but she missed the thought of her images living on in the flesh of her customers. But she was skilled with the tools of her trade that were bounty of warm seas. She had not dared asked to learn the tools of those in Herozzal although she had seen dark elves with skilled markings inked into their skin.

And while she had freedom and was searching for a way to assist the survival of her family, she still wanted to use the skills of a trade she loved, and hopefully it would be profitable serving under a Master. So the little woman entered the ram shambled shop and indeed was surprised. The inside was clean and was clearly a workshop.

A fairy fluttered before the telera with wings of black and flames like the butterflies drawn outside, the fairy smiled sweetly and welcomed the sea elf into the shop and asked how the smaller woman could be of assistance.

Ilista bobbed her head at the fluttering woman, “I am hoping to find employment, here, as an assistant. Is the Blessed Icons in need of another hand?”

[Dignitas]

The fairy giggled a bit at the some implied joke about needing another hand. Nodding her miniature head in the affirmative she spoke quickly, in such a high pitch. "We're always looking for new talent. Do you.....I mean, have you...um.." she said, tilting her head to the side "Have you done tattoos before?" she asked innocently. The workplace was very clean, and art hung on its walls like a brilliant testimony to the form of the business. The sparkling eyes of the small women looked to Ilista. Although merfolk were not a rare site in Imperia; very many came into the tattoo shop. Word was they had their own ways of doing such things below water, with different tools although the buzzing girl didn't know how they could do that exactly.

Although, it wasn't really suprising after all, on second thought. The elf kin of the ocean waves were known for a certain prosperity towards art and culture; even if it was usually a different sort then those that appeared in those twisted city. Hovering in the air, even so small as she was, Ilista could see the markings of ink over the small ones body, like paint on a peach canvas the black marks not only decorated but served to be the teller of stories. Exactly who but another on of her kind could tattoo the small elf remained elusive, for if it was another humanoid much like Ilista or her dark masters it would likely prove to be a trail of skill at best.

[Ilista]

Ilista smiled, being asked about her skills rather than her visa, was something she could deal with a lot easier than battling her pride and ego, it was unbecoming of one of her, 'station' as many sought to remind her in the past.

"I am but a novice of this art. My first master was a teleris and while I have done at least one complete tattoo, I believe the tools I was taught with, as well as even the basic ingredients for my inks are very different from those used here. But I am a quick study." The telera gave a small smile, she was a beginner, all over again, she wanted a job here, although Ilista could go to other places, as surely she could do a variety of tasks, but the art of ink and flesh made her happy, was one of her passions, and one
that she wished to pursue now given the luxury once more.

[Dignitas]

"Ah." was the high pitched response from the mini maiden. "So you will need to learn the art as it applies here." she said with a simple smile. Nodding her head in thought her eyes darted here and there as she considered the situation. Flying over slowly to a large book that laid on a wooden shelf nearby, she used her strength of flight and what little physical strength she possessed to open the book up, flying up to open the tome. Browsing over a page she hovered there for an instant before turning back to her visitor.

"Well, I've never been one to not take a chance!" she exclaimed happily, giggling a bit. "Bruto is coming in for another tattoo later this month. You learn what you need to by then, and work on him. If he approves your work, you're hired!" Spinning in a little circle mid-air she laughed once more. Floating back down to the wooden shelf she gingerly took a seat on the edge and crossed her legs tilting her head to the side. "Until then, you can use this place and its supplies to practice on. I'm afraid I cant offer pay until your officially hired though." At the least, no visa was asked for and the small one appeared to be taking a chance on Illista.

[Ilista]

A smile lit the teleras face, while the no pay would have been perhaps disappointing to another, she was being given the chance to learn new skills to an art she loved, with no coin from her pocket, which was good since she had neither pocket nor coin, but also with the possibility of later on being hired.

Ilista simply had to either become a better fisher, or find some reliable nets to borrow from and her family would not starve, it was doubtful they’d starve even without her contributions, but if your not contributing to a group, your killing it.

“Thank you so much, for this opportunity. I was beginning to lose hope when I realized I was in a different climate and didn’t know the aquatic life here. Really, I’ll be a quick study and I’ll practice as much as I am able… Miss…” Really what the girl was going to say was Mistress, but that might be a tale tell sign, but still, introductions had yet to be done and with a careful bow of her head the telera spoke once again.

“I am known as Ilista, teacher, what may I call you?"

[Dignitas]

"Quixi" is what most people call me around these parts" she said with a small smile. Truth be told, it was much easier on the tongues of most people then her true name. A surname or given name wasn't obvious. All the same the small energetic shop woman assumed a name was but a name at the end of the brightening. Swaying gently as if a small invisible gust of wind came through she kept her eyes on the one who introduced herself as Ilista. "Well, I'm sure you'll do just fine." she added a strong head nod for emphasis. "There's really nothing to it! I'm mean, besides not permanently messing up someones skin, or hurting them to much, or your hand moving when a gust of air comes through this place after someone opens the doors.." she said in dismay gazing at her own small delicate hands before laughing. The troubles of a small fairy tatoo artist was something most people would never know. "But I imagine you won't have to worry about that last one."

"First of all....I'm afraid I can't allow you to practise on my customers quite yet. Here...." she said, raising up of the wooden shelf and going in the back somewhere concealed by a nicely hanging printed parchement showing various tatoos and designs. "Your first task will be to go down to Hope Street Market and pick up some fruit." Flying around quickly she held a banknote rolled up in her hand. It was for the amount of 5 crowns and Quixi handed it to the young aspiring ink artist. "Buy the fruit with the smooth skin. This is what you can practice on. You'll see why exactly when you start working on them. Besides, its much cheaper then having some mage conjure up some flesh or such." she said with a look of disgust on the end of the sentence. "And we can have some fruit to eat for tommorow too if you'd like!"

For all intents and purposes this Quixi seemed a very caring and good natured girl; perhaps a fantasic boon to the hopeful tattoo artist.