Red's Tattoo: OPEN

[medusae-x.livejournal.com]

After listening to a message on her voicemail from Red, Duce bolted down to the shop directly after class. Red sounded upset, and that was a new and disturbing development. He was normally so laid back and stoic, to hear him sounding disturbed, really bothered her.

Opening the shop, she flicked on the lights. The red and blue neon of the "Open" sign lit the window with a kaleidescope of colours.

Small paws thudded down the stairs, and she was tackled by two nervous and not so happy cubs. She spent a long time soothing them, petting them until their short attention spans were focused on play time rather than Daddy-worry. Once their energy had been re-channeled, Duce threw a ball for them to pounce and chase. Keeping the cubs occupied kept her own mind from churning.

Comments

[persian-eunuch.livejournal.com]

*comes in, dragging Han in with him*

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

Han's got a look on his face like he's not sure what he's getting into, but he follows anyway.

[medusae-x.livejournal.com]

Duce looks up, an eyebrow quirking. "Can we help you?" She looks vaguely amused. It's not every day someone gets dragged bodily into the store.

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

Han doesn't let go of what looks like a death-grip on Bagoas's hand as he turns to start looking at earrings. "It was his idea," he mumbles at Duce.

[medusae-x.livejournal.com]

Duce nods, and asks encouragingly, "And it was his idea to do.. what?"

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

"Get our ears pierced," Han blurts. He makes an effort to look brave.

[medusae-x.livejournal.com]

Duce ahs, "Well, Red's the piercist, and he's not here right now, but we can answer any questions you might have about it." She pauses, and adds, "Red will need you to provide a picture ID with your age on it. State's requirement is that you be 16 for piercing."

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

Han looks distinctly relieved. He pulls out a wallet from his front pocket and starts rifling through the many cards. He finally sets down an ID in English, which lists his age as 16, and his birthday in late July.

"Do you do it by needle or gun?" he asks.

[medusae-x.livejournal.com]

Duce takes the ID and slips it into a very small photocopier.

"Needles. There's significantly less tissue damage and a less likely risk of infection. The standard procedure is to put a hemostat on the area until it's gone numb, then slip the needle through the target area, following it by the jewelry of your choice. Most standard jewelry for that area would be a barbell or a captive bead ring." Spinning the jewelry display to the body jewelry section, she displays the surgical steel. "Standard virgin piercings are done at a 14g. You can stretch the hole later if you want to go larger. We don't recommend it for newbies, though. Were you thinking of one ear or both, and were you thinking a lobe piercing or a cartilage?"

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

More relief. It's obvious the idea of a gun of any sort near his head is not something Han likes.

He looks at the jewelry. "Lobe, one ear for me." He nods to Bagoas. "He's picking the jewelry."

[medusae-x.livejournal.com]

Duce nods. "We don't know much about the jewelry.. That'd be Red's forte. He should be back soon."

[persian-eunuch.livejournal.com]

*smiles at Han* *looks eager*

[medusae-x.livejournal.com]

(ooc: er.. until Red shows up, I'm kinda stuck. Pause til he shows?)

[persian-eunuch.livejournal.com]

*just keeps trying to distract Han with jewelry until Red gets there so he doesn't back out*

[http://users.livejournal.com/_red_xiii_/]

((see below))

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

Han squeezes his hand then eases off. He's less nervous now. "What were you going to get?"






[[ooc: completely forgiven. *bg*]]

[http://users.livejournal.com/_red_xiii_/]

Red's mood was not any better than when he left that morning. It looked like it would be a long night at Town Hall and he was not a happy mayor. He headed back to the shop to check in with Duce and the cubs, possibly get something to eat as well.

Pushing in the door, he saw there were customers. Putting on a pleasant face, since there was no reason to be in a grouchy mood to others when they weren't the cause, he trotted up and sat down in front of the counter. "Afternoon, Duce. Thanks for picking up the slack."

[medusae-x.livejournal.com]

Duce nods over at Red, "Hey Red. Han here would like to get his ear pierced. We already got a copy of his ID."

[persian-eunuch.livejournal.com]

*points out to Han the jewelry he's picked for him (http://www.monstersteel.com/prod.itml/icOid/646)

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

"I'm going to look like a real pirate in that one. Whatever you say."

He looks at Red. "Where should I be?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_red_xiii_/]

Red nodded over to what looked like a dentist chair in the corner at the front of the shop. "Have you decided which ear?" he asked as he trotted over to his table to push it over.

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

"Does it matter?" Han asks. "Is there any specific meaning here? Where I come from, it's a location thing." He thinks a minute. "Left. It's the tradition on the Southern continent."

[persian-eunuch.livejournal.com]

*moves onto Han's right once he's decided* *takes his hand*

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

Hand holds his hand, trying not to squeeze. "What were you going to get done, Beautiful?" He covers the nervousness with talking.

[persian-eunuch.livejournal.com]

Same as you. We match.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_red_xiii_/]

Red listened to their interaction and kept working. He loaded his contraption that would hold the needle and put his paw in the middle of Han's chest to get him to relax back.

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

Han sits back, but doesn't quite relax. The big paw on his chest is actually comforting, the fur smell reminding him of Chewbacca. He braces himself and closes his eyes.

[persian-eunuch.livejournal.com]

*whispers to him how good it's going to look*

[http://users.livejournal.com/_red_xiii_/]

Holding to the machine, Red adjusted a few things with his mouth before he looked up. "Just relax. This will be over in a moment."

There was some spraying and soft clicking sounds before Red was back up and bearing down on Han's chest. Cold metal touched Han's cheek, followed by a couple of more clicks.

A fast tug on Han's ear and when Red pulled back, he had the earring in his ear.

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

"That's it?" The sting wasn't even too bad. He turns to face Bagoas. "How do I look?"

[persian-eunuch.livejournal.com]

*big grin* Like Hero of Spaceways.

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

"Your turn?"

[persian-eunuch.livejournal.com]

*nods* Same for me.

*produces ID, stating age 18*

[http://users.livejournal.com/_red_xiii_/]

Red looked at the ID and nodded. He waited patiently for Bagoas and Han to switch places, getting his machine ready with a new needle.

[persian-eunuch.livejournal.com]

*gets into the chair once Han vacates it* *doesn't appear nervous in the slightest*

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

Han holds his hand anyway

[http://users.livejournal.com/_red_xiii_/]

The same procedure, repeated. If Han watched over Red's shoulder he would see the specially designed machine for Red's piercing endeavors.

Tweaking, turning, a spray and once more, Red bore his weight down to hold Bagoas in place while the needle was inserted.

Just as soon as he started, it was finished, the final earring in his ear.

[persian-eunuch.livejournal.com]

*doesn't even flinch*

Thank you, Red.

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

"It looks beautiful. Perfect on you."

Han steals a kiss before turning to Red and asking "What do we owe you?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_red_xiii_/]

"For the both of you, $40," Red said. He inspected both ears one final time and was satisifed. "If you have any problems, contact me."

[persian-eunuch.livejournal.com]

I pay. *fishes out 2 twenties from his pocket*

[http://users.livejournal.com/_red_xiii_/]

Taking the money, Red trotted over to his stool behind the counter and leapt up on it. He stuck the money under his keyboard and turned to look at the two. "Anything else for you this afternoon?"

[persian-eunuch.livejournal.com]

*looks at Han, curious if he wants anything else*

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

"I'm fine. Anything else you want?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_red_xiii_/]

Red grinned at them both. They were so cute together. "You know where I'm at if you want anything. You can always come back! Even if it's just to chat."

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

"I think we're good, Red. Thanks." Han hesitates.

"And I'm sorry about that scene at the meeting last week."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_red_xiii_/]

Red's tail waved. "Not to worry. I hope things worked themselves out."

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

"They did, sir." He wraps one arm around Bagoas and turns for the door. "See you later."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_red_xiii_/]

((ooc: Sorry to crash and burn on you. If needed, we can pick up tomorrow.))