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 Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2020 7:50 am
Halloween was crazy among his co-workers. Being artists and creatives, not to mention typically leaning against social norms, Halloween was always a party occasion among his friends. Every year, he would get several invitations to bars, houses, or some carpooled road trip to the other side of town where something major was happening.
It was the same every year. He went cause the drinking was free, he didn't have anything else to do, and he felt pretty low to be alone for the night when everyone seemed to have such a great time. It wasn't awful but it did remind him that he wasn't a big partier. Maybe he liked watching out for his coworkers and friends to make sure they got into their ubers okay. It wouldn't be the first time he was a party mom.
He was lightly buzzed that evening, standing in a house his paycheck would never allow, on the other side of town. Nice houses. Family kinds he guessed though this place housed some artist from Splatter Scorpion Tattoos. There were a few people he met from other studios. Inkspot, Ichor Inc, The p***k. A few new joints too broken off from artists who had enough years and good credit to open shop. Good people mostly. Very drunk people at the moment.
He peeled off another touchy person, this time a enthusiastic woman with snake sleeve tattoos and a shaved pink cut who was amazed by his hair and wanting to work on his mostly barren arms. That was always awkward in these places. If you had free skin real estate, someone wanted to work on you. It helped when he was also larger than most people.
The place was packed and he felt too big just trying to squeezed through the place. Even his spot by the wall was getting invaded. Taking his beef, he moved his way, arms up, through the place out onto the back porch. The rush of cold air to his warmed face felt great and he shut the door with a big exhale. It wasn't unoccupied bit at least it was less than inside.
He set the beer on the railing and fished out his smokes.
"Crazy in there." He said to the back of the person with him before popping a cigarette into his mouth and lighting it.
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Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2020 8:21 am
Parties and social gatherings weren't his sort of things, they never really had been, and yet here he was watching as one of his co-workers got totally trashed. He really wasn't all that surprised. What was a surprise, for him anyway, was that he was even here. He hadn't planned on going, it wasn't his sort of thing, but he'd been pestered till he'd agreed to go and try and be social. It was, according to his co-workers, a good idea for him to go and meet others who worked in the city as well.
Aurora, a senior artist who did realism, was having a drink a few feet away. She'd been the one who had pestered him the most, as she had met a lot of people in the industry through parties and the like.
Rolling his eyes he shifted his weight and moved closer to a corner area where less people were. He was here...that was all they'd wanted - they hadn't told him he had to socialize and he wasn't planning to. it was too loud and too many people. All he'd needed to do, in his opinion, was introduce himself and maybe if asked mention what sort of work he did.
Not one for drinking, he didn't like the idea of losing any sort of control over himself, Hisoka had slinked his way out to the back porch where he could be away from the noise and the people. In a long sleeved shirt it was hard to tell how much ink he boasted which kept people in there asking whenever someone decided it was a good idea to get close to him. He was tired of pushing those questions off and mentioning his lack of interest in more ink. His ears also got a lot of attention...unwanted attention. He knew it would happen though, elf ears did that sort of thing, but it wasn't for attention that he'd gotten them. It was just what he found appealing and attractive for himself. He liked how he looked with them.
Turning his head as someone else came outside he nodded once. "Too crazy - too much noise." Soon he wouldn't have to deal with it all...but he'd also not have a job. Good and bad - lovely.
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Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 8:12 pm
"Yeah. I thought this was like, 20 people. This place is ******** packed." He said, taking a deep inhale and turning around to lean against the railing.
"Can't move without knocking into 20 people. This place is going to get the cops called on em at this rate." And he certainly didn't need more on his record.
"You a tattoo artist or just a friend of someone here?" He asked, taking another long drag as if he was looking for some salvation from the situation. At this point, he wasn't sure who was who at this place. A lot of friends got work done from their artist friends or relatives. He'd been introduced to so many people that he couldn't keep it all straight.
"Half the place is wasted won't even remember everyone they met." He chuckled as he took a drink from his beer.
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2020 9:00 am
That wouldn't surprise him, and he didn't feel like dealing with cops. He'd need to find a way to slip out of the place if they were called, it was more drama and noise then he'd wanna deal with. His co-workers knew he wasn't much for this sort of place and yet they'd convinced him to come anyway. This was all their fault, he was firmly blaming them, but they were likely right - it would be good for his career.
"Artist. I finished my apprenticeship recently." And he was only 21, as of a little over a month ago, A bit young, most would say, but he'd proven himself he figured. He knew what he was doing and did it well. "Signature Ink." One of the local places though it was small. It had enough good artists and had most styles covered by someone. He filled in the asian and kanji area that they hadn't had an artist for. They wanted someone for each style so a client could always find someone in the shop to do their tattoo, it made sense, and they were well on their way to having at least one person per style of tattoo. Maybe they'd find another for his style...it would be nice. Someone else he could learn from he hoped.
"That's true but I doubt they realize that right now." Despite that being why some of them came - including himself.
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2020 5:00 pm
Signature Ink, huh? I think my coworker Janice dated a guy from your place. Though that's kinda not saying much. These parties is just a lot of exes about. At least that's what I'm told whenever I'm used to block someone's view of someone else." He sighed as he took another breath. It was chill out but he felt like he could finally breath and the night was comforting and still out.
"Damn it's nice out." He leaned on the railing more but a creek made him straighten quickly. Blowing out a plume, he glanced back.
"I'm Kai. Work at The Splot. Used to be Ave 16 Tattoo but they changed the name." Got a new sign and design update too.
"You here to talk work or - like just talk?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2020 5:07 pm
"And yet somehow they all still get along." At least most of them did. It was rare, it seemed, to find exes in this group of people who didn't get along. At least that was good for business, it meant they didn't screw each other over. But it also meant visits from people who worked for other shops, it mean hook ups at events like this. It meant a lot of things...things he'd like to keep himself away from.
"It's better to block someone's view then to have to duck flying objects." It also tended to be healthier to not need to duck flying objects - like ash trays, displays, and other lovely things.
"Hisoka, and I was convinced to come for work but I don't see much of that going on...unless it's people wanting to see what ink I have on me so they can find free space to ink." Which he wasn't much into at the moment, he had more than enough ink - thank you very much. "I'm just glad people here aren't handsy with the ears. They just look and nod. Clients like to stare and other people try to touch." At least people here had some manners and an understanding of body modification and that while it was for show, of course it was, it was just a part of him and not something to poked and prodded at. He wasn't something on display to be stared at. It felt good in a way...even if there were still too damn many people here and most were drunk, or on t heir way to becoming drunk.
"What about you?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2020 6:57 pm
"Me? Well, they been trying to get me to another one of these parties for a while and thought it was best to come here tonight on a holiday than any other time. Rather this than freezing my a** on a porch for some Christmas party." He was usually good in cold weather but too cold and he felt even worse at these parties. "Didn't wanna feel like a prude I guess. Sitting at home like usual. I like it but - you get to askin if your livin and doin enough. Ya know?"
"But really - I think my friend wanted to hook me up. Been talking to a few people they were introducin. Keeping it all work and basic s**t but then it's like - you know those talks go when someone wants your number? I didn't come here for that."
He took a drink of his beer and finished it off.
"I don't touch people. Don't know where yer hands been. Get people trying to touch my hair cause it's long and cause I'm a dude. Like guys can't get pissed you're touching em. But saw em. Looks awesome. How do they do that?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2020 8:50 pm
That was a party he'd likely never make, not with the life changes he was planning to make. He wasn't even sure if or how he'd get into another studio without his portfolio possibly giving him away, or at least making him look suspicious. It was a worry of his but one he really wasn't sure hot to remedy, at least not at the moment. Even with new art his style could give him up, or at least throw shade on himself, and he'd have to apprentice again - damn it. That was the worst part. He couldn't use any past references or anything. Starting fresh.
"I know about that but I don't typically care. So long as I got a roof over my head and I'm enjoying my job I'm better than a lot of people." Who did jobs they hated or were miserable with. And he also wasn't homeless which was a good thing. He had enough to get by and he was fine with that. He'd like a little more but he wasn't greedy like some people. He also wasn't looking to make a name for himself like that idiot on the west coast doing single needle art that would just fade in no time flat - idiot.
"I get those talks from clients once in a while. I've had a few more since the ears...I don't get why." Well he'd heard what had been said, in some cases, but he didn't understand it. Personality mattered more, though looks did count for something, but seriously? "Something about being a freak, or standing out...they assume I'm into parties and such." Which he obviously wasn't, just most people who didn't talk to him assumed he was that sort.
"I don't know why people touch peoples are...or other parts. Doesn't matter what gender someone is - people don't like being touched." At least most people didn't like to be touched by strangers. Maybe he should touch the next person who touched him...and tell them he assumed it was just allowed, when they inevitably complained. That might be interesting and worth doing just for the reaction, not to mention the lesson taught to someone.
"They cut the ear, here." Pointing to about where the cut had been. "And they reshape the ear and stitch it into it's new place. They make it point by straightening both sides of the slice a bit...so it isn't as rounded."
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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2020 10:11 am
He moved over the short distance of the porch and turned his head to look at where Hisoka was pointing at. "s**t. That seems intense. Not something you get done in a shop. Real surgery there I bet. That's slot for a pointed ear? So like - gotta ask. Fantasy ear or those Star Trek dudes?" He said, trying to do the weird symbol he saw some fans due but realizing he didn't know it and giving up as quickly as he tried.
"AMen to just getting by. If I can make it a month without being on the streets, then I'm good to go. Can say I at least got that. And with how many people in this city want ink, doesn't seem any of us are going away soon. Honestly, most chill people I think. Don't think I could get a job anywhere anywho." He said, not with his record at least. They would think the worst of him and always suspect he was the one of anything went sour at work.
At the studio, no one thought that of him. They just expected him to work, keep clean, and don't bring drama at their doorstep. Records were kinda common for some studios.
He didn't leave this side now and instead took a spot beside the other.
"So what's your art style?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2020 8:10 pm
"Not real surgery, I was awake. They numbed the area, of course, but it was a body artist who did it - not a surgeon. He was trained by a surgeon though. It is a lot though...but I like it. I wasn't thinking either really. I was thinking it's an interesting look...petite and elegant...somehow it feels proper." Smaller and proper and dainty...all sorta of feminine terms but it was honestly how he'd felt. "I like it...it was worth it." Even though he'd had to save up for a while to get them and that had kept things tight for him.
"I'm with you, I had to save for a long time to afford my ears, and anything else I've had done. It's a labor of love and so long as I can get by I'll do that - so I can afford to live and look how I want." not for attention but so he was comfortable in his own skin and so he looked how he wanted to. He didn't care one bit what anyone else thought, they could all go ******** themselves for all he cared. His job after the initial shock of seeing his ears hadn't thought much of it. They'd helped him with wrapping and covering them so he didn't hit them while working, and so customers with their dirty damn hands didn't touch his healing ears. But otherwise they didn't give them much attention. It was a job he liked...because tattoos and piercings and such weren't stared at or questioned. Maybe a comment here or there but not much. It was all accepted and just shrugged off and ignored.
"Ink is popular, especially little things and single needle tattoos. But it's nice to see it's not taboo any longer, it's almost expected that everyone has or will have one. People aren't judged so much for a bit of ink." And he liked that. But he stood out for his ears and he had more ink than the average person but that was all ok. He might get some looks...but with ink being so common and piercings even...he got less looks than he would have ten years ago. He was sure of it.
"Asian and kanji. You?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2020 4:14 pm
"Well that is as good a reason as anything to do anything. Reason I do half the stuff I do." He said, blowing away from Hisoka as he spoke
"For what its's worth from.some random at a party. It - looks really good on ya. Like - suits your face." He said, taking a moment to really look at him before looking out to the yard.
"Yeah so, I do like - uh thick lines. Monsters. Creatures. Some graphitti knda wording. Some old toon stuff at times too."
He scratched at his beard before looking back over.
"You wanna drink or something?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2020 4:25 pm
"Thanks, I'm glad to hear it." It was better than some random person who said it, some of them he was sure didn't mean it and others just said it because it sounded good to say it. There were also the people who were obsessed with elves and fantasy things or those obsessed with the piercing, tattoo and body modification scene as like some sort of fad or something to show off...a trendy sort of thing.
"Sounds like the exact opposite of what I do. But I appreciate all styles - art is art." And it still took time and talent.
"No, I'm good. Thanks though. So how do you like the gathering? Aside from them all being drunk?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2020 4:59 pm
"Uh hmm. Well, I'm glad some of my friends are relaxing and will be happier at work. For getting out and meeting people. But as for me. I guess I'm glad to be here for them. Just so they get home. I don't really know the music. I can't dance for s**t. Don't do anything hard. Just a few drinks. Big places with strangers - worry about letting go. I mean - it's not like many people can drag my a** home." It was fear. He was afraid of waking up and regretting choices and hurting relationships with his friends. Or getting out of control. Getting angry. Getting arrested.
"It's not bad. Just - not me. But I like to play the game and come for the parties. Cause it's just what it feels I'm supposed to do." He shrugged, taking another drag.
"Sorry I'm rambling. But yeah. I mean. I met you today. s**t ain't al that bad. Silver lining." He shrugged again before looking up at the porch light.
"You?"
He was reminded of another reason why parties sucked. He was awful at conversations.
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2020 5:11 pm
"It could be better but this could all be worse. They'll enjoy themselves and be laughing and joking more at work tomorrow." Whenever they dragged their asses into the shop, due to hangovers. "I'll text them all tonight, at some point, and make sure they're home." Or at least in some bed or on some couch safe and sound. It wasn't that he worried but he gave just enough ******** to not want them dead. It wasn't caring, not if you asked him, but it was close enough to work.
"I'll agree about losing control. I'd rather not look like some idiot." And have one of his co-workers film it. No thank you. He was content being his introverted self and they could simply deal with it, which they all seemed to be doing perfectly well. He didn't mention that he couldn't dance and the smell of alcohol mostly bothered his stomach so he avoided it for other reasons. It was just a thing. If he drank it would be shots...that he could get down before the smell really hit his nose. But he figured to just avoid it - it was easier and he hadn't a ******** to give about drinking anyway.
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2020 6:20 pm
"Yeah. " He said, scratching the side of his face in thought as he looked around, searching for more to say to be able to hang out in the porch more. He really hoped he wasn't boring this dude. Maybe he was too buzzed.
"So what do you like to do when you're free - ya know for fun?"
This guy seemed.too good. Maybe he just didn't like associating with deliquents who had no place better to go. Then again, he didn't seem judgemental about the people here or much anyone for that matter. A more you-do-you personality maybe?
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