Fire Brandisher had just finished cleaning his points when Monkey Jaw and Ten Peccary showed up. They looked determined and a tad bit frantic. Fire Brandisher knew right away that something was up. A lot of his customers, these two included, preferred to see him when they'd been drinking. And the two warriors seemed acutely aware of everything in his shop. "What can I do for you boys?"
Ten Peccary strolled up to him, Monkey Jaw had a look around. "We're looking for Snake Ink."
Ah, so they knew he'd been here. "You just missed him. He took his business to another tattoo artist two districts down."
Monkey Jaw stooped to pick something up from the floor. "Did he bring anyone with him?"
"No."
Monkey Jaw showed them a sliver of honey-drenched mango skewered onto a stick. "Then I suppose you consoled Snake Ink with a mango candy since you were unable to help him."
"I have a sweet tooth."
Monkey Jaw tossed the mango-pop away and started going through the sketches on his table.
"What's old Snake Ink done anyway?"
"He's wanted for murdering Zero Wolf."
Fire Brandisher was skeptical, "foolish of him to wait until he had wasted the better part of his youth to do it. If Zero Wolf had such a handle on his command not to be overcome until now he should have left him well enough alone. We'll never see another commander as fine as Zero Wolf."
Monkey Jaw and Ten Peccary locked their eyes on him. This was definitely weird. Monkey Jaw glared at him, "I'll be sure to use that in my eulogy." At that point Monkey Jaw looked down at the sheaf of sketches he held in his hand, the design was so tiny he could hardly see it. He brought it up to his face and smiled. He folded the sketch and tucked it underneath the strap that crossed his chest. He nodded at Ten Peccary and they both left.
Fire Brandisher looked through the mess they left – they'd taken the design he did for Snake Ink's daughter.
Ten Peccary asked, "What should we do about the tattooist?"
"Leave him. He didn't know what was going on."
"Aren't we going to see the other tattoo artist?"
Monkey Jaw handed him the sketch. Ten Peccary opened it up to see a delicate white snake; its jaws were open and the body curved away and stacked up over itself.
Monkey Jaw said, "It's just like Snake Ink's only it's made to wrap around a small arm or leg. And this is only an outline. The snake will no doubt get its spots when it's older."
Ten Peccary nodded, "Snake Ink would have been too impressed by this to seek out anyone else. We'll find him at his house."