ataraxion | [Video]

[After a moment's fiddling where muted swearing can be heard but precious little seen the feed flicks on to display one terribly bored looking tanned elf. Between the set of his jaw and the twist of his lips the displeasure he's been feeling for the last however long is quite visible, though he does his best to put on a charming smile for the ship.]

I know when we arrive on this very fine vessel we are given, without our consent, a mark for purposes in keeping tally of who is on the ship, translation, so on and so forth. And while it is a nicely done tattoo it is not precisely to my taste, mm?

[He turns his cheek to the camera, tracing a line up the black curves marked up from jaw to temple.]

These now, I like a great deal more and it makes me wonder if there is anyone else that would rather regain just a little bit of themselves by choosing a tattoo of their own design and placement to make up for what was graciously given without asking. I've skill and experience in the art and would be willing to lend my services to anyone interested.

My supplies at the moment are somewhat limited but depending upon what you would like done I am certain we could come to some sort of arrangement.

[Please. Someone. Anyone. It'll be something to do, some sort of project, something to focus on and while his expression is not quite pleading it is eager for some manner conversation centered around something he can understand for once.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Could've tattooed them on.

He was a dwarf. Dwarves, in my world, do not have facial tattoos unless they are casteless or a member of the Legion of the Dead.

Legion of the Dead? [ Sounds badass. ]

Okay, well -- he could've drawn them on.

He wasn't the most creative of dwarves. He had a favorite weapon that he called 'axe'.

Let me guess. It was an axe.

Surprisingly enough, no. It was a sword. He wasn't creative, but he was contrary.

Sounds like a Marine that way.

Is that what you are, Ser Grimm?

Yeah. Staff Sergeant John Grimm, Rapid Response Tactical Squad, United States Marine Corps.

That is quite a mouthful. Suitable for most any noble in an army that I've heard of.

[ That gets a snort. ] I don't know about nobles, but we shorten things down. Rapid Response Tactical Squad becomes RRTS, that sort of thing.

Typically the ones with the longest title are the ones with the money to pay for them, yes? Though I think your way of handling it is far more practical.

I prefer titles that have to be earned.

Those tend to be the more satisfying sort to hold.

And to deal with.

I find most nobles easy enough to handle so long as you envision them naked and replace everything they actually say with "I am a pompous ass who has no idea what I am actually doing, please kill me quickly."

[ He laughs. ] I might have to try that. Nothing like having to work with someone who doesn't know what the hell they're doing.

Usually we kill them first just to make the rest of the job go smoother. No one ever really complains afterward. I think that it might be deliberate.

Some of us don't get that luxury. Though threatening to kill them works just as well, sometimes.

Those that speak loudest tend to be the largest cowards- at least from this particular group. I've only ever met one that was sensible. And he got eaten by an ogre.

Same experience I've had. Some of them get it trained out of them, if they live long enough.

Most of those I know do not tend to live long enough to learn better.

I said "some", not "many".

Fair point.

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