Dashing back through the crowds after my little altercation with a strange but all be it hot man, I grab my kit and finally make it through the crowds to the doors.
"What the hell was that about?" Roxy hisses at me, while Jesse watches me closely with those no bullshit eyes of his.
"Honestly?" I start "I don't even know. Just some touchy feely random guy asking about me" I say to them, shrugging it off.
People are slowly being let through the big steal doors of the red brick building that's currently housing more artists than you can imagine. Graffiti is sprayed on every inch of he silver steal, good quality work. The kind that makes you stop and appreciate it. I smile to myself taking in the raw talent.
The doors, I can see now are guarded by a security guy.
"This is it" Jesse mummers with quiet excitement "we're here and its happening"
"Get a grip" I say with a laugh, digging him in the ribs.
A large hand presses against my shoulder, my eyes rake up to meet the owner of it "Lets see your artist passes please guys" he says in that drawl that's had me captivated since we got here "cant let you in without them."
We flash our passes at him keenly. His blue eyes narrow as he smiles with genuine kindness. I smile back, flipping my hair over my shoulder "Thanks" I call as we walk away. He replies with a a two fingered salute.
I'm smiling to myself as I turn towards the main hall of the building, coming to an abrupt stop.
We are so unprepared. This is a convention on steroids!
People have their sections set up in impeccable condition, tables strewn with work or guns and ink. Expensive black tattoo chairs are positioned for easy viewing of work yet to be done. Temporary walls with work pinned to it are used as dividers. They even have people doing promo for them.
You name it, they have it.
At the far corner of the room a stage has been set up, girls in leather bikinis with heavy belts and chainsaws are rehearsing for a show.
"Well doesn't this make us look piss poor" I snap "you dragged us all here Jesse without even being prepared!" I stamp my foot like a little child in the hight of a temper tantrum "we don't even have a fucking table! Let alone chairs and walls!"
Frustration courses through me and I almost want to cry with shame. How on earth would any of us ever win now? Luke would have had a field day if he could see this.
"Chill the fuck out bitch features" Jesse snaps back at me "how was I supposed to fore see this! I don't have a crystal ball!"
Before I can retort Roxy, the voice of reason buts in between us "lets just get set up the best we can okay? We don't need all that bullshit, let our work do the talking okay?"
Dragging our kit over to one of the far corners, too far out of the way for my liking we begin to set up.
Jesse is the first of the three of us, to join the line that stretches along the back wall. I'm in the middle with Roxy to my left.
We have a basic plastic table and chairs that have been provided for us. One chair with arms and one without. At least that's something.
Roxy and Jesse start about setting up their patch, while I try and get my shit together.
I stick the table and the chair that has arms in the centre with the table on the right side of me allowing for the fact I'm right handed. I unpack my gun and ink, setting them up to mimic my studio back home as best I can.
Pulling out the work I've prepared already, I lay them out on the floor. Stepping back into the walk way that's been created by the tables of others, I take in the crappy effort of my section.
"As always, this is as good as its gonna get" I say laughing.
I'm sitting on the worst of the two chairs provided for us, making sure everything's okay with my gun, twisting the mental hoops this way and that when the sound checks seem to be complete and music floods the hall.
Mumford And Sons.
Well at least he music will be good.
We all look at each other as people start to flood the aisles of the hall and the noise level picks up.
"I'm gonna go get a drink" I say and quickly head off for the stand. Bollocks to standing around looking like I'm desperate.
Sipping the cool beer I stroll back to our corner. Walking past the other artists I take in their work. If I try hard enough i can almost pretend I'm not involved in the competition.
"Sarah!" a desperate voice bellows and Jesse seems to materialise from no where. "Christ hurry up, its manic" he grabs the beer out of my hand, and slams it down his throat.
"You cheeky-"
"Shut up Sar!" Jesse cuts me off and drags me through the people back to our sections. "You're wanted" he states with a smirk.
People are huddled around our sections, talking loudly over the music.
"They want you to ink them, like now!"
I'm speechless as I make my way back and just stand in awe.
"I want that one!" I recognise the girl- Ruth I think the guy said her name was. "Sarah Black" she calls while holding up a simple black and white sketch of a hand mirror and roses "I hope you can fit me in" she questions, trying to hide what I think is disappointment.
"Uh" I stutter "I uh- I don't have any bookings" I say simply.
She and a few others within ear shot, look at me as if I've just grown a second head. "But i can do it though. About an hour and it'll be done"
"Hell yeah!" Ruth, calls out and makes her way over to the chair. "I like ya' style honey. Very basic. That;s all ya need see. None of this fancy crap"
"Well its defiantly basic "I snigger as I pull on tight black gloves. "I've got some transfers all ready done. For the most common parts of the body anyway"
"I want it here" Ruth points. The limited space she has left between her other pieces is right on the curve of her forearm.
Shaking my head I admit "That's not gonna work. You can't have a mirror curving around with your arm, it wont be right. Plus there isn't enough space"
She smirks at me "Any artist worth their salt darlin' knows what's best. How about here?" she gestures to the inside of her other forearm.
"That'll work" I nod. She rests her arm on the arm rest of the chair, facing it upwards.
Gently I shave away any fine hairs with a disposable Bic and apply the transfer. After confirming her approval of its placing I start up the gun, pressing my foot lightly on the peddle I dip the needle in the black ink.
The fine needle pricks her skin and the ink floods out. And I loose myself to my work.
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"Fucking amazing!" Ruth says almost breathlessly.
"Shit, calm down" I laugh "Its not that good. Its just a simple black tat!" I spray the Detol over her skin swiping away excess ink and blood.
"No Sarah, this is far from simple" She pulls her arm away without even waiting for the okay from me. Her thickly lined eyes narrow as she inspects it. "I love it!"
"Well let me make sure it stays clean" I pull her arm towards me and wrap it. "I'm guessing you don't need me to tell you how to care for it?" I grin.
"No ma'am I don't" she laughs.
"Call it seventy five pounds- I mean dollars" I call to her as I snap the gloves off and head to the bin.
Stopping in my tracks I feel my body warm with rage "What are you doing?!" I demand to the guy who's currently riffling through my private drawings with his big fat hands.
His eyes snap up to mine skewering me with a look that makes my mouth dry.
He smirks at me. Instantly I recognise him and want to slap the smirk off his face.
"I want you to tattoo this" he thrusts the paper towards me "on my back."
Its the pencil sketch I've been working on. The one I was drawing on the plane. Half a man's face and half a wolfs face merged together.
Snatching it out of his hands I hiss "Having trouble keeping your hands to yourself today are we?" before turning my back on him I add "And no is the answer."
I'm immediately distracted as cool hands press a wad of notes into my hand "Thanks so much" she smiles.
"Take good care of it" I say, before Ruth rushes off to where someone's waiting with a camera to take pictures.
I jump, my grip instinctively tightening on the money in my hand as I feel warmth blow over the skin on my neck "Name your price" he rumbles from behind.
"You'd never be able to afford it" I laugh harshly as I turn to face him "this is not for sale"
His dark eyes bore into mine "everything's for sale if you name the right price sweetheart."
My eyes dart between his hand that now rests on my shoulder, and those eyes of his before my own narrow on reflex.
"One thousand dollars" I say, raising to his challenge.
"Done!" he says with finality.
Before I can react he rips his shirt over his head and straddles the chair in front of me.
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"So you're sure about this?" I question "It is only your second tattoo"
"I said I'll be fine" He snarls.
I can feel his body vibrate beneath my finger tips as I run them over the smooth plains of his broad back. I assume its with anticipation. A back tattoo isn't always the easiest to bear.
It takes longer this time to get started, since I don't have any transfers for this prepared already. I repeat my earlier actions with the razor before smoothing the transfer onto his back.
Slowly I peel it away, leaving only the purple outline and I admit "Suites you"
"You would know" he throws the cryptic comment over his shoulder with a cocksure smirk.
"Riiiiight" I say before snapping on the gloves and situating myself behind him "ready big boy? This might hurt."
"Don't hold back" he growls over the buzz of the gun.
And I Don't.
Its been awhile hasn't it?
Review if you like.