Carve my skin [Wriolette]

First layer of ice

The sunlight was cast from outside into the building lit by various lights, creating an atmosphere typical for a tattoo parlor. The checkered floor was like a chess board reflected in purple and pale eyes, the other black, the other white.

The dark-haired man, whose ears were filled with piercings as was the corner of his brow, rose from his station by the counter and put on a welcoming air as he welcomed Neuvillette in, "Welcome to Meropide! Your business?" The man walked to Neuvillette, who had entered the parlor like a client and studied him oddly. There was a playful air to him even if he was a bit taken aback by the natural beauty in front of him in a place like this.

Neuvillette's mind was suddenly blank as some weird demon inside him blurted, "I want a tattoo". Surprised at his words, he sealed his mouth shut as he immediately regretted the words. Maybe the talk with Aether back then got too much into his head?

The other man raised his eyebrows in small surprise as well as if not believing this man who exuded a natural classy air was here for a tattoo. He looked Neuvillette over again before inviting him further in, "In that case, follow me to the counter please". His tone was amused like he had just found something that piqued his interest anew. 

Neuvillette watched as the man sat behind the counter again and warily followed him. He wasn't quite sure how to back out of the situation and the child was still somewhere. Where did she disappear to? Not 15 minutes ago he was still in his own shop talking to that old woman, now he was getting who knows what permanently on his skin.

"Did you have a pre-scheduled appointment?" The dark-haired man asked as he pulled out a laptop, whose cover was covered in band stickers but a few weirdly cute stickers stood out. The man's nails were also painted black, slightly chipped as he typed something into his laptop.

As Neuvillette's focus was elsewhere he forgot to respond and the other man chuckled as he remarked, "Guess not?" Neuvillette shook his head and redirected his gaze at the man's face instead in full attention. He was a bit embarrassed by his spacing out and even more so when he saw the man's amused face as he clearly tried to hold back a wide smile.

"No appointment, apologies", Neuvillette confirmed and apologized for his behavior. And no appointment should be made! Neuvillette thought but for some reason, he couldn't open his mouth to say it. The man nodded as if he knew the answer the moment Neuvillette had stepped into the parlor.

Suddenly, he stood up courteously and extended his hand, "I'm sure I'd like to know my new client then. The name's Wriothesley". Neuvillette stilled and stared at the hand for a while, it would be his last chance to back out, or that's what his anxiety was telling him. His hand instinctively shot up to shake the other.

Well, I guess that's it then... "Neuvillette", Neuvillette said as he felt the rough handshake fling him slightly. Wriothesley finally let the smirky smile escape as he retracted his hand and sat back down.

"Do sit down," Wriothesley said and nodded at a chair close to Neuvillette. Neuvillette did so and gripped his sweaty hands together. "Well then, first time getting a tattoo?" Wriothesley asked as he seemed to write a new information sheet for Neuvillette acting as a memo. 

Neuvillette nodded slightly, "First time". His palms were sweating as he gripped them, his nails pricking his skin like a bad habit.

"Glad to be your first then", Wriothesley said with a wink but as he saw no reaction from Neuvillette he guessed the man didn't quite get it. Though, that fact alone made him smile to himself. "Soooo, what kind are you looking for?" He diverted his attention and tapped his pen on the edge of the notebook.

Neuvillette hadn't thought of this situation or this question so he naturally had no real answer. He fiddled with his hands for a while before coming up with an idea, "Do you have any preset designs?" Wriothesley gave him a studying look but nodded and went to find a folder with the designs. That gave Neuvillette time to gather himself and let out a breath he was unknowingly holding. His eyes darted around the place and he could hear a distant noise of a tattoo gun somewhere in the back and low chatter.