Olivia chuckled. “Don’t worry about me. Back on my planet, we do all of this without anything like that. Maybe some numbing gel for some people, but I’ve never used any.”
The Skrizzit let out a little gasp. “You had all this work done without anything to numb the pain?”
“Yep.”
“But my scans show your designs were applied with a needle penetrating your flesh rather than directed force energy placing the pigment in its desired location and requisite depth.”
“That’s how it’s typically done.”
He shook his head in disbelief. “You must have a very high pain threshold.”
“No higher than most, I think.”
“Well, you can rest assured, my instruments are not so barbaric.” He flushed. “I’m sorry. I mean no offense.”
“None taken. Believe me, I’ve only been here a couple of days and I can see how my world would seem utterly primitive to you guys.”
“Yes, perhaps so, but that is no excuse for rudeness.”
“Don’t worry about it, I don’t take it personally.”
The tension in Nijello’s shoulders eased. “Thank you for being so understanding. If you’re ready, I will begin.”
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she said, taking a deep breath and relaxing as best she could.
This was going to be a long session, from what she’d gathered from past tattooing experiences, and this was going to entail applying runes all over her body, fine lines interconnecting them for whatever mystical reason these people believed. It wasn’t exactly something she’d ever wanted, though she had plenty of ink of her own, but all that mattered was that when Nijello was done, she would be in compliance with the law, and thereafter free to move about without fear of drawing the ire of the Dotharian Conglomerate.
The process tingled and burned in a way she’d never felt before, but it wasn’t even remotely as uncomfortable as a traditional tattooing. The man took longer on the areas that were already tattooed, carefully incorporating the rune symbols into her existing work with extreme care. The Infala rune on her chest was the most uncomfortable of the lot, but even that wasn’t too bad, and in only a few hours the Skrizzit ceased his work.
Olivia turned to look at him. “Time for a break?”
“A break? Oh, heavens no. That was the final rune.”
“Wait, that’s it?”
“Yes. What did you expect?”
“I don’t know. It just takes a lot longer back home is all.”
“I can only imagine. The artist who applied your designs must be very skilled among your people. To craft such impressive artwork with no more than needles to work with is most impressive. And I have done my best to ensure your runes will not alter their work.”
“About that. What exactly are these runes, anyway?”
Nijello pulled up a force-chair and took a seat next to her. “The designs are standard enhancing runes used across the systems. Each race has their variations, naturally, but the basic design is the same.”
“So, it’s just decorative stuff required by law?”
“Oh, heavens no. The runes are very powerful, each one providing the wearer enhancements depending on their own physiology, as well as the power and quality of the pigment used.”
“Enhancements? What does that mean?”
“Well, for instance, some runes might increase one’s strength. Soldiers, for example, often receive additional runes on their limbs that allow them to perform better in combat. Other runes might improve one’s sight or hearing. Really, it varies wildly from person to person. Some do not have any enhancements at all. Some begin showing signs at once, others take time. That is the way of the runes. Only the Infala is universal, though it grows to maturity faster in some.”
“That’s this one, right?” she asked, pointing at the new tattoo in the middle of her chest.
“Yes. Should you be fortunate enough to meet your bonded mate, both of your Infalas will grow to match one another, linking you forever as Infala mates.”
Olivia wasn’t too keen on that last one, the idea of a tattoo telling her who she loved or didn’t not exactly meeting her expectations for a lasting romance. She sat up and slid off the platform.
