Mercury's face reddened as she realized she was visualizing Taiga's name wrong. At least she had only thought it. This artist deserved better from her customers. Mercury would try to get it right from here on out!

Taiga thought about it for a moment. Usually, she would ask her customers to rest for a few weeks to let their tattoos heal before getting more, but Mercury seemed like a strong and sturdy woman, so she didn't doubt she could do it. "It might hurt and take a while, but it's definitely possible. I think we can do both in about 3 hours if we use a machine and 5 hours if we handpoke it, would that be fine by you?"

She turned away from Mercury and wheeled her chair and table containing all her tattooing materials towards them. She started sanitizing Mercury's shoulder and smiled at her gently. "Which one would you prefer? The machine or the hand poking?" She was beyond excited to get started with the project because she could already envision the final product on Mercury and she just knew it was going to turn out great.

Having just tattooed Mercury yesterday, Taiga was beat and wasn't supposed to come into the shop today. However, she received a call from Pauly, her assistant, saying that someone was at the shop looking for the artist. She had been training Pauly to mimic her style but he hasn't fully completed his lessons yet, so Taiga decided she would just come in and do it herself to ensure that the tattoo would turn out well. Although she was a bit tired, she always found tattooing people somewhat therapeutic so this wasn't a chore for her at all.

Arriving at the store minutes later, she smiled at Jay-Gatsby while she extended her hand. "Hello, I'm Taiga. I will be the one doing your tattoo today. Please, take a seat." She asked the man, pointing him to the tattoo chair while she washed her hands thoroughly and wore gloves. She sat next to him and picked up her tattoo gun in one hand and her poking needle on the other. "Would you want it to be machine or hand-poked?"

Mercury toughed it out and had both done at the same time. It was worth the wait. There was now a semblance of a balance. Her Tribal Orchid had been brought back to life! 

Thanks Taiga! They are beautiful! I'll be sure to take care of them! You've got a customer for life, Mercury said. Once these heal, I'll surely be back for more.

Mercury paid for her tattoos and gave Taiga a generous tip. Thanks again, she said as she left.

She went back out into the dark streets of Detroit. It was time to head to the Yach Club and rest. She would look up Rain before her flight tomorrow.

Taiga smiled and bowed her head as Mercury thanked her for the tattoo. Before she left, Taiga took out her polaroid camera and politely asked her if she could take photos of her and her tattoos because it was some of the best shading work she had done. After flashing a picture or two, she sincerely gave her thanks to Mercury and gave her some aftercare tips. As soon as she left, Taiga hoped she'd come back one day because she was such a great customer and a trooper at that! Not a lot of people can manage two tattoos in one sitting, and of course, Mercury was also very nice to her so there was that too.

She closed up her shop for the day and started walking back to the hotel, feeling the weight of the day drag her down. Despite this feeling of fatigue, she smiled as she was finally doing something she loved for a living.

Mercury was back in Detroit. She couldn't stop thinking about her new tattoo and how spectacular it was. She had gotten several compliments on it. The new one had healed nicely. She was ready to talk to Taiga- about another. She entered the shop looking for the owner.

"Miss Taiga, Miss Mercury is here to see you!" Taiga heard Pauly shout from the front with a booming voice, causing her to jolt in surprise and ruin the painting she was in the middle of. She converted her office in Sinsana to a makeshift studio for her art, and she often went here when she needed a creative release. Stepping into the main part of the store, she smiled kindly at Mercury before narrowing her eyes at Pauly. "What did we say about shouting, Pauly?" The young man smiled apologetically before bowing out of the conversation, heading to the back to leave Mercury and Taiga to discuss between themselves.

"I'm glad to see you again, Mercury! And so soon too, I hope your tattoo's healing nicely! What can I do you for today?" Taiga asked with a bright smile. It was always nice seeing a friendly face walk into her shop.

"Sinsana Tattoo" read the brightly lit neon sign.

A little figure with silvery flowing hair and dressed in a pale blue dress was watching the sign from the shadows of a nearby alleyway. Her thin fingers painted with a matching blue nail polish was holding a lighted cigarette while her small lips exhaled some smoke into the air. She had chosen this place for a quick smoke before going into the shop as well as not be to disturbed during this glorious moment when she satisfied her crave for nicotine. She was wearing blue stilettos and thus added a few inches to her height. This was an usual routine to make up for her short stature. 5 feet was not an usual height for a 28 year old woman.

The alleyway was almost deserted except for a little kitten. When their eyes met, the kitten came purring towards her and tried to lick her toe. But with one kick, the kitten was flung to the nearby wall. She watched as the kitten limped away.

"Fucking pests" she groaned. 

She threw the cigarette butt to the ground and stamped on it lightly while making her way to the shop.

She was amazed by the decor of multiple paintings of tattoos which were so brilliantly done.

"This place is good" She said to herself as her dark red eyes searched for someone to ask for help.

Cleaning around the shop and doing paperwork the whole day, it was shaping up to be a slow afternoon -- or so she thought. Taiga whirled around as she heard a small voice behind her. She was surprised to find a rather delicate-looking woman with extremely unique features looking at the decorations on the wall -- she looked so young, Taiga almost mistook her for a teenager. "I'm glad you like my work," Taiga said with a smile, approaching VenomousBlackBeetle and extending a hand. "My name's Taiga and this is my tattoo shop. Would you be in the market for some ink...? I've got a few hours to kill before my next appointment if you're up for it."

Sosa and Victor enter first then after looking things over Victor walked out side and waved them in.  Devante enters with Carlos and Beans.  Devante gives them a nod and they all walk outside leaving Taiga- and Devante in her Tattoo Parlor.  

Hello Taiga- how have you been?  I was in the area and saw that you owned this joint and that the lights were on.  I thought I would come check up on you.  Doing anything later?  We can have dinner unless you got plans after all It's kinda last minute for you.  

Devante looks at a book with tattoos in them.

Soon enough Beetle was approached by a beautiful lady with a sense of authority. Beetle deduced she must be the one in charge and her suspicions where confirmed when she said it herself that she was running the place. Her name was Taiga-.

Such a great talent! Beetle took a moment to study her. She was a patron of talent. She loved spending time in the art galleries.

The lady approached her extending her hand which she took and gave a firm shake. She smiled and replied to her question.

"Yes, that's right Miss. My name is V.B Beetle. I came here all the way from New York. I would like to get tattoo'd right here on the wrists." She raised to show her clean wrists. "I want my name to be inked. Beetle"

Then she paused as she looked around the amazing paintings of tattoo works hung on the walls as she spoke again

"Did you make them, Miss?" 

"What a unique name... I love it!" Taiga said as she shook VenomousBlackBeetle's hand. "Oh, New York..." she trailed off, smiling wistfully as she remembered her old home. "I loved the Big Apple. Living there is simply unparalleled, the people, the food, the unmistakable stench of urine as you walk down the street..." She joked, letting out a lilting laugh. She was glad life was returning to the ol' NYC. It was high time that it did -- the city had seen too much bloodshed recently and it was time for a new breed to make it their own.

She nodded and looked at the woman's delicate wrists. "A wrist tattoo... it might hurt, but I'm sure you're up for it! Would you like both wrists done or just one with Beetle on it?" As she heard Beetle ask about the paintings and tattoos, Taiga blushed. "Er... yes. I'm a bit of a frustrated artist, as you can see. I take it you're an art connoisseur yourself?"

She had just finished up her last appointment when she heard the door close behind her. She was cleaning her tools and was had her back turned to the door, so she didn't see who was making a surprise entrance at the end of the day. "We're closed for today, please co---" Taiga's words were cut short as she heard Devante's familiar voice. She whirled around and flashed a beaming smile at him. "Devante! Thank you for checking up on me. I'm actually just closing up now, but I can make an exception for you if you'd like something done..." Taiga told her friend as she saw him browsing through the design book. "If not, I'd definitely be game for dinner. Just give me a few minutes to close up, my assistant had to leave early today because of an emergency, you see."

Beetle stifled a giggle at the "stench of urine" comment because she knew the truth behind the statement. NY was a city known for good things as well as something like this. 

As Taiga- mentioned that her wrists might hurt from the tattoo, Beetle wholeheartedly assured her that she was up for it. She listened all the while when she said how she was a frustrated artist.

"I wonder why. The paintings are so beautiful" she thought to herself as she wondered what could make her say so. Maybe she wasn't getting many customers?

"Uhm, I don't know what you are going through. But you seem talented." She brightened up with her eyes shining before she said "Haha! I am not an art connoisseur. I just like hanging out in the galleries. It gives me peace."

She also pulled out a paper from her purse in order to display the font she would like her name to be written in. 

"Thank you for your concern Miss. But do not worry. I'll be fine. I would like the name to be written in this font" - as she handed the little piece of paper to her "If you can use some color it would be very pleasing. But black would also work for me." She smiled politely "As you are the artist I would leave this to your discretion".

Hi Taiga-. It is completely healed. Mercury replied. I am in the market for something that will connect the two tatoos. I am open to suggestions whether it is a full piece that connects them or vines or some type of weave. It doesn't have to be tribal but it could be. Do you have any suggestions? she asked

Taiga nodded thoughtfully as she looked at the piece of paper. "Of course, I'll get it done. For such a dainty font, I'd recommend the machine over handpoking so it's more precise. If you don't mind me asking..." Taiga started as she gestured for VenomousBlackBeetle to take a seat in the tattooing chair, "do you bring this paper all the time? Or were you truly determined to find a tattoo artist today? Either way, I'm glad you walked into the shop, and even happier you like my art."

She turned from Beetle to gather her supplies, but continued the conversation. She always enjoyed getting to know her clients, but Beetle was particularly interesting because she had this unmistakable aura of confidence to her. "I understand what you mean about galleries and peace. If I had a bad day, you would 100% find me in a museum by the end of it. I'm actually hoping to open one down in Seattle... get my art out there, you know?"

Taiga returned with her tools and started stenciling the tattoo on the woman's wrist after giving it a good cleaning. "If this looks good to you, we'll proceed with the actual tattoo. Luckily, I still have enough to make a nice silky dark blue color like what you've shown me." The name 'Beetle' had been drawn onto her customer's skin in bold strokes like in the image Beetle showed her.

"I'm glad to hear it!" Taiga replied to Mercury. It always picked her mood right up whenever her customers would give her updates about their tattoos, even moreso when they come back for more. "Ah, so this one's going to be a bigger piece... I was thinking of a tribal piece adorned with more flowers, just to balance it all out. Kind of like this..." Taiga took a few silent moments as she drew a quick sketch of what was going through her mind. She held up a colored sketch for Mercury to peruse and ponder on. "What do you think?"

"Haha! Now that you ask me" Beetle let out her usual friendly laugh "I have my own business back in New York. It's a toy store." she chuckled "We specialize in handmade stuffed animal - all kinds, and any and every you can think of" Before she would start to rant about her own store, she realized she must keep it short and simple "A few days ago, a lady walked in to my store. She owns this huge Amusement park and casino. Very incredible and powerful lady. She had this tribal orchid tattoo and I was instantly drawn to it" 

The memory also made her sad.

A few days ago, Beetle had come to know about the unfortunate demise of this same powerful lady named Mercury and she momentarily closed her eyes to pray for her soul.

"Anyways so that is how I came to you about you. I made it part of my agenda to visit your place when in Detroit."

Beetle sat down on the tattooing chair. Her heart was pumping faster than usual. She was going to get inked! 

As Taiga- gathered her supplies she also told Beetle how she was going to open her own gallery to which Beetle was most intrigued. She assured her that she would definitely support her in every way she could, be it advertisement or donations.

The moment was drawing near now. Taiga had stenciled the outlines of the tattoo on her skin in silky dark blue color. Beetle turned her hand in order to view it from various angles. She was happy Taiga had chosen this color since blue was what the entirety of Beetle's wardrobe consisted of apart from a very few which she would hardly wear. Most of her dresses were hand sewn by herself and they were some shade of blue. When she was confirmed that the placement was okay she noticed that Taiga had exactly replicated the font which she had brought to show her. "So talented!" She smiled "Miss Taiga, this looks awesome. Let's go!" 

And with that Beetle was ready! Let the inking begin!

"Here we go. Deep breath." Taiga said gently before the needle first broke the skin. In her experience, it was always the first few minutes that hurt the most, but after a while, her customers relaxed. Perhaps everyone gets used to the pain at some point -- but VenomousBlackBeetle seemed to be handling the tattooing process much better than most of her patrons. For such a fragile-looking woman, she was one tough cookie, and Taiga admired her for that. Of course, the feeling of needles poking through your skin over and over again can't be all that pleasant, so Taiga thought she might as well distract Beetle for a bit and get to know her in the process.

"A toy store! I'm amazingly fond of animals, I've got an exotic pet shop set up in New York, perhaps we can make a business deal of some sort where you can sell your stuffed animals at a gift shop of some sort over there!" Taiga wondered with a smile. She was sure to visit Beetle's store and get some for herself -- she'd been looking for a stuffed unicorn for a while. Her smile faltered though when a familiar tattoo was mentioned. "A tribal orchid tattoo, yes. It was only as beautiful as it was because the person with the tattoo was beautiful herself. She played a huge role in the designing process too. It's a shame we never got to finish her next piece..."

A few beats of silence passed, with only the whirring of the machine filling the air. After a while, Taiga broke the silence as she made good progress on the woman's tattoo -- Beetle. "So Beetle -- is that a nickname or your last name? I've always found beetles to be quite... intimidating to say the least." Taiga said with a smile. The name was apt for the young woman, whose piercing gaze commanded anyone in the room. Intimidating indeed.

For the first time, instead of sitting on her stool next to her wide array of tools, Taiga sat on the plush tattooing chair with a grim look on her face. "C'mon Pauly. You've had months of training at this point. You can't possibly fuck this up." The woman told her assistant in a gentle but somehow menacing voice. In his trembling hands were his handpoking tools -- a pallet and a stick with a needle attached to it horizontally. "B-boss... can't I practice on someone else?"

"Absolutely not," Taiga replied curtly, extending her arm out once more, urging him to begin. "I will not have my customers practiced on and the name of this fine shop dragged through the mud. Do it once and do it right. After that, you'll be good to go. Now start." At this point, it was best to again draw attention to the fact that Taiga had no exposed tattoos -- she only had one at the base of her neck which was always partially hidden by her clothes or her long hair. But now, she decided to get one on the inside of her forearm -- small, but very visible. It was the baybayin text for "free" -- malaya. This tattoo is definitely a big deal for her, so the fact that she'd left this in Pauly's hands must mean she really trusted him.

After a few more minutes of convincing, Pauly finally garnered the courage to begin. It had been so long since her last tattoo that she yelped in pain at the first poke, causing Pauly to withdraw quickly and spew an endless stream of apologies. "No, no, you're doing great. Continue." Taiga clenched her jaw as each drop of the hammer pushed the needle into her skin, but after a while, she kind of spaced out and relaxed. She didn't even realize that Pauly was halfway done when he spoke again. "How are you, boss? I've been hearing from the boys back at Exotique that... that you haven't visited since..." She clenched her jaw again, but this time not in pain. Not physical pain, at least. Pauly must have picked up on Taiga's unsubtle change in demeanor because he quickly backtracked. "I'm sorry, that was out of line--"

"Yes, yes it was out of line," Taiga replied, averting her eyes and looking outside the glass panels at the busy street outside. They sat in awkward silence for another hour or so as Pauly finished up the tattoo. As soon as he was finished, Taiga smiled and looked at the three characters which snaked down her forearm. Malaya -- free. "You did well, Pauly. And... sorry for being touchy about things that happened back in New York. I guess I'm not fine yet. I've licked most of my wounds, but getting disowned by my own sister... well that takes a while to heal." She replied, never meeting his eyes but instead staring at the tattoo blankly. "Tell the boys down at Exotique that I'll drop by soon. Just... give me time." Pauly nodded and gave Taiga a polite smile. He was a bit of a goofball and sometimes a klutz, but he was a good kid. He reminded her of Thalia most times -- stubborn, impulsive, but bright. 

"Alright, now stop sitting there and open the shop. I've got some paperwork to do. You're on tattoo duty today -- you're ready, kid."