Salvation 2035

Chapter 43- Hello and Goodbye

『Tsuki』

     "So where exactly did you want this tattoo again?" Raf, who is a person I trust and also someone who knows how to tattoo, is going to help me out a bit today. Well, he doesn't exactly know that, but for me, it's a step towards moving forward. I have a scar on the inside of my thigh from where I was branded, and I've never quite worked up the courage to do something about it. But I've been making a lot of progress lately, so I figured it was time to make a change. Besides, Raf has seen the mark from yesterday, and also my bare face, so I really don't get embarrassed around him.

     "On the inside of my leg," I point to the spot. I bought some shorts specifically for this.

     "What happened here, anyway?" he asks, noting the remnants of the brand. "Seems like a weird place to get an injury."

     "It's from a burn," I reply vaguely.

     "Alright," he answers generally. "Let's get started, then."

     We begin the tattooing process by cleaning off the area with a bit of rubbing alcohol. Next comes the stencil, and then he begins to ready the tattoo machine.

     "So, do you do your own tattoos?" I inquire.

     "Some of them are," he informs me, "but most of them are done by others. They're my designs, though."

     "I see," I nod.

     "Actually, me and a few other people from around the city work out of this place here," he explains. The room we're in is on the bottom floor of the office building, so it's pretty accessible, I suppose. From what I can tell, the equipment is of good quality, which is kind of unexpected for an underground practice like tattooing. "I'll get started now."

     A prickling sensation begins to radiate on the spot. It's nothing I can't handle, though. It's not that my pain tolerance is high, it's just that not all pain is bad. If a doctor causes you pain because they're trying to disinfect a wound, that pain is just something you feel. They're not purposely inflicting it on you, it's just part of the process. Just like now. I know Raf doesn't want to hurt me, so it's no big deal. Also, the tattoo is pretty small anyway. I just wanted a crescent moon over the mark. My name means 'red moon,' so I thought it would be fitting to get something related to it. Some time passes, and it seems like it's all done

     "How are you feeling?" Raf inquires.

     "Pretty relaxed, actually. It's been kinda nice just lying down," I admit.

     "Good to hear. Do you want to take a look at it in the mirror?"

     "Yeah," I heave myself off of the chair. Well, there it is. Even though it's just a tattoo, I feel like it's a step towards me getting back my own autonomy. Now there aren't any physical traces of my time at the brothel left on me. Nobody's in charge of my body now except for me. It's liberating. "It looks really good!"

     "Thanks! Sorry about this, but I'm gonna need you to sit down again since I have to do some of the aftercare stuff," he instructs.

     "Ah, no problem."

     Soon, he applies some ointment and a bandage to the area. I can take it off in a few hours since it's only small, but for the next little while, I need to wear loose clothes so it doesn't get irritated.

     "So how much do I owe you?" I ask.

     "Nothing. You letting me have the reward for that last job is definitely more than enough," he replies. Since I won't be sticking around, I figured there'd be no point in me taking claim in money I won't be there to collect, even though we agreed to split it. Raf insisted that he'd put some aside for me, but I let him know that logistically, it just wouldn't make sense.