video;

[virginprice]

[Alcuin is sitting at his console with a thoughtful look on his face. It's been long enough that he's settled in and now he has concerns beyond the absolutely necessary- and the money to take care of them.]

Are there any in the city who have a marquist's skill? The circumstances of my arrival left my marque in need of tending, and I now have the coin to pay for it- if none of those who have been brought here know it, I will look among the kedan, but I thought I would try my fellow exiles to begin with.

[He smiles.] If you know of anyone, pray tell me. I would be grateful indeed.

Comments

video;

[imaginate]

[Hello Alcuin, have a slightly scruffy looking twenty-five year old peering at the camera curiously.] You mean a tattooist, right?

video;

[virginprice]

[Oh, of course, different terms. He nods, looking slightly apologetic.] Yes, I think they are the same.

video;

[imaginate]

I can help you out there. Do you need a new one or just brushing up?

video;

[virginprice]

No, nothing new. [His marque is finished, after all, and getting another one seems... like a very strange idea.] My marque was damaged before I arrived- there is a scar that has crossed it and ruined the line and I would like it relimned.

video;

[imaginate]

[He nods.] It's doable. Do you have a design written down somewhere that I can look at?

[suoxi]

I remember you speaking about this. I hope that you are able to find assistance.

[ she's curious - she'd like to see it sometime. ]

[virginprice]

I believe I have already, thank you. It is quite a relief, I must admit.

[He'd show her if she asked- one former professional to another and all.]

[suoxi]

[ inara aint shy ]

I can only imagine. I should like to see the design some time.

[virginprice]

If you would like I could show you now. I have naught better to do.

[He shrugs, preparing to switch the feed to private- Inara is one thing, but the entire network is another.]

[tangentdarko]

What's a marque?

[virginprice]

I believe the word tattoo is more commonly used here. It is a tattoo that marks Servants of Naamah as sacred to her.

[tangentdarko]

Huh? What's a Nama and why does she have servants?

[virginprice]

Naamah is our goddess of pleasure. Her servants are those who are called to the path of bringing pleasure to others.

[video]

[poeticverses]

Marque?

[video]

[virginprice]

A tattoo? Those who are sworn to our goddess of pleasure at home bear them.

[video]

[poeticverses]

[Briefly, there's a look of concern--only convicts have tattoos back home--but Alcuin mentions a goddess and Jehan relaxes. A culture thing]

I am afraid I do not have that particular skill set, though I suppose that much was obvious. If I may, though, what do you mean by "sworn to your goddess"?

[video]

[virginprice]

One cannot expect to excel at everything. [Yes, he did imply that Jehan's poetry was excellent. You're welcome, Jehan.]

Those who become Servants of Naamah are consecrated to her. They... honour her desires, exchanging pleasure for coin, and some of the coin goes to limn their marque into their skin.

[In other words, prostitution.]

[cynisme]

A marquist as in a man of letters or a Lord? Either way I can't imagine you'll find either here.

[virginprice]

A tattooist is what I meant, Grantaire. And, in fact, I did.

[cynisme]

A tattooist. [He almost laughs at that, but it's more of a surprised chuckle.] You are a wild one indeed. I like it.

[virginprice]

[He looks amused.] Hardly. It is customary in Terre d'Ange, for members of my former profession.

voice;

[aenseidhe]

A what?

voice;

[virginprice]

A marquist. One who creates and inks marques- or tattoos, if you are more familiar with such a term.

voice; > video;

[aenseidhe]

Ah. Yes. [ switching to video to display the ink decorating the side of his neck - branches and leaves disappearing under the collar. obviously not done himself, but it's a practice the Scoia'tael pick up, the majority having some kind of marking. ] I can assist. Depending.

Are you human? [ Hello my name is Iorveth and I am an intensely racist one eyed elf. ]

video;

[virginprice]

Oh, that's lovely!

[Alcuin looks mostly human, but there's an edge to his features, a keen symmetry that lifts him up above the normal run of human beauty. The fall of pure-white hair over his shoulder helps with the more-than-human impression. He considers the question, wondering exactly what answer Iorveth wants.] I am d'Angeline.