ailingsoul | (no subject)

[he's not the most soothing individual]

I have to thank you - this is one of my objectives. It's rather nice that what I've done for most of my life is also something I can benefit from in Court.

[left hand resting on Soramaru's chest and right hand aiming the needles like a pool stick, there's a short pause before he starts inking. it stings slightly, but tolerably]

[ he draws a sharp breath at the sting, glancing away. ]

The challenge is one of mine, and it ties in well with a second one.

Ah, so being marked is an objective?

[it feels like what you might expect from needles going into the skin but not hard enough to break it and bleed. it's a steady sensation with pauses as Ryuuhou wipes off excess and refreshes the ink]

[ a nod. ]

...Pain is, too, so...

Is it...

[a nice, solid outline is emerging. the stinging swells as he works and jabs Soramaru over and over, fading somewhat between pauses]

Pain is an interesting thing. I wonder why it would be part of our objectives. Is it so we'd appreciate the times when we're not in pain? Or to help us find a way to enjoy it?

Who knows the way Court works.

It's strange... but perhaps exciting at the same time.

[keeps inking, building the design with needle pricks on top of needle pricks - one thrust goes particularly deep, sharp and sudden]

[ he can't help but gasp, at that, body jerking upwards and hands grasping tightly on the sheet below. ]

Edited 2015-02-12 05:57 (UTC)

Ah - did that hurt?

[and then the needles are gone, leaving a small bead of red mingling with the ink]

D- did you just do that on purpose...!

I would be an awful tattoo artist if I harmed my customers.

[sincere? or unnerving? It's hard to tell. he presses the towel to Soramaru's chest, pushing down]

My apologies. It won't happen again.

[ hhhff... lets out a sigh, and lets him keep going. ]

[lifts the towel away. he rinses the brush out before going in to ink again, and the rest of the outline is no trouble.]

...Mm, I think that should do it for the outline.

[which looks neatly done and very much how Soramaru wants it to look]

...Ah...

[ it looks so good... ]

[smiles, taking that as approval]

So the colors - red and yellow, is it?

[ he gives a small nod, relaxing back. ]

That's right.

[changes tools to one with a larger "brush" of needles, prepping it and yellow ink]

You're doing well so far for your first time.

--It hurts, but not any worse than fighting seriously.

Do you fight very often?

[taps the brush gently against the ink pot before setting it against Soramaru. when Ryuuhou starts he digs in firm and sharp and uncomfortable, but perfectly measured so it isn't deep enough to bleed.]

[ he winces, shifting uncomfortably. ]

Somewhat-- I train every day, and it's "serious", but--

But?

[he works with a steady and quick rhythm. the pain that comes isn't one that is sudden and unexpected, but a growing wave. Soramaru may feel anxiousness rise in echo, his heart rate picking up from the quiet attack on his skin]

[ --ah. it hurts. it hurts and it makes him want to squirm, but he knows that moving would mess it up. so he just grits his teeth through it, breathing deeply - ]

Training seriously is different than fighting a fight that you may die in.

Ah, yes.

I hope training is all you need to do for a little while longer.

[he pats the design dry again as he refreshes the ink, giving Soramaru a moment of respite]

[ there's no need to get this guy involved in everything entwined around him, so he just--- looks away, and stays quiet. ]

[he doesn't mind working in quiet. the pain fades off for a while, hovering at a low-grade ache - some might find the feeling satisfying, like the ache of sore muscles after an intense workout. it isn't long until the yellow is done and Ryuuhou gets the red ink ready]