I get to the realm of the goddess alone. Vi is not with me at all. I feel the rush and intensity of contentment and love, and the feeling of my soul being hugged by Goddess Aruna. She then says in that comforting tone of hers, "She couldn't come tonight. Not that she isn't allowed, but the requirements for a non-light magic user differ. You will need to unlock your light magic and then infuse your power with her soul, so she has traces of light magic to travel with you." I sigh. If I weren't here, I would probably be frustrated because I am still having problems with that. Though, since I am here, I feel content with my circumstance, and I respond with no frustration in my voice, "That takes actually unlocking my ability. I am feeling like I am hitting a wall." The goddess replies as she lounges on a chaise in a spot I often see her, "You are on the right track. Keep following the feeling in your chest, and soon things will become clear."
I sigh at her cryptic answer. "How long do I need to stay at the castle? When should I leave to continue my mission?" She soothes, "You will know when the time comes." Another vague reply, but her voice keeps me calm. I change topics: "Tomorrow, I'm getting my first enchanted tattoo. Is there something you would like me to get for you?" The goddess nears me, "The princess knows a flower I love. Ask her when you wake. We're out of time; you didn't rest your soul enough before seeing me this time. Take longer between visits, and you can stay longer when you do." As she caresses my face, I say warmly, "Thank you, goddess. I'll keep doing my best. I love you." Instantly, my soul travels back to my body.
I wake before Vi and start my quiet workout. I recall I forgot to ask about blocking forbidden knowledge. That can wait. Today, I target the triceps and chest with dips and push-ups. After I sweat, I go for water, and Vi is awake, watching me. "You're quite sexy when you train." I laugh. "Oh, you're up! Sorry you missed the goddess visit. She said you could join if I unlock my light magic and infuse your soul with it before sleep, so you can travel with me."
Vi excitedly says, almost in disbelief, "You can use light magic?! I can't believe I never asked. I figured you might not have known since it wasn't fully awakened. Now we have to get it awakened. I know my father will be ecstatic. He has been searching for a light magic user the whole time he has been king to defeat the demon king." I replied, shaking my hands, refusing such a duty, "I did not come here to defeat anyone. I just came for peace. I can find other light magic users, though, so we can find more if your father really wants someone to go. I would prefer it if you guys would let me talk to the 'demon' king first." Vi replies, confused, "How will you manage that? They speak in the demon tongue. No human can understand the demon language."
I hesitate, then decide to trust her. Sitting on the bed, I squeeze her leg and say, "I can. I have a gift—I can talk to any living creature that uses language, including demons." Vi looks stunned. "That's a huge secret. My father would never let you leave if he knew—he'd use your gift for everything. I promise to keep it safe for your mission."
Remembering the goddess, I ask, "She said I should ask what the goddess's favorite flower is for my tattoo." Vi lights up. "The Daruna flower—it's divine here, infused with light magic. It's perfect for you. Where will you get it?" I point to my foot. "Left foot, like my first tattoo in my first life." Vi winces. "Ouch, foot tattoos hurt." I laugh. "It'll be fine. The tapping method sounds rough, but after yesterday's pain, I'm not worried."
Vi holds her chest, concerned. "Sorry again you went through that. Talking about it makes me ache for you. I'll be with you for the tattoo in case you need support. My father said the artist should arrive after breakfast." I nod. "Before Nat brings breakfast, I'll bathe. I don't want to be sweaty for the artist." Vi stretches. "I'll be here." I leave to wash up, Sir Stirling with me as a bodyguard.
After my bath, I return just in time to find the atmosphere changed to a more communal morning. The princess is already eating breakfast with Ash, who enjoys his meal from his little saucer. I'm reminded of how much I appreciate Nat, who always takes care of Ash without being asked. Smiling, I join them because I am starving. While eating, I reach over to give Ash a scratch on the head. Vi gracefully wipes her mouth before speaking, "Nat says that the ink artist has arrived and is setting up, and says that after you eat, you should go to the drawing room where the ink artist is set up. I believe mother and father will be there to watch as well. Just wanted to give you a heads up." Preparing myself mentally, I reply, "Thanks, Vi. I will put on my best smile when I see the queen and try to give her a warm and strong greeting. Keyword try. Guess I will find out. Wish me luck. She is already intimidating, but now I am scared." Vi reassures me, "Just smile and try to greet her. I will save you if she tries anything. I won't leave your side today. I am taking a day off from my princess duties today so I can be with you. I just know if I were to actually work today, she would try something. She has a way of not wanting to let go of her 'pets' sometimes." I shiver at the thought, "Ok. I will do my best." I say as I finish eating, and together we make our way to the drawing room.
The atmosphere subtly shifts as we arrive at the drawing room. The ink artist sits patiently, making last-minute preparations while a long sheet protects the chaise lounge from ink. Before approaching the artist, I glance around and spot the King and Queen seated to the side, sipping tea and reading the Hedia Herald as they await our arrival. With purpose, I approach them, offer my best smile, and say, "Good morning, your highnesses. I hope you are having a wonderful morning today." Standing this close to the queen brings back memories of the icy intensity from yesterday. I suppress a shiver—DON'T SHIVER. The queen perks up when she sees me and says in a sultry manner with eyes dripping in desire, "Good morning, Zoe." She glances at the Princess, sighs, and returns to her tea and reading.
THANK THE GODDESS.
I could kiss the princess right here and now, given how effective just her presence is, but I will contain myself. Though her looking over to the princess implies that if she weren't here, the princess's earlier assumption was spot on. I probably should try not be alone with the queen anymore if I can help it because of this. I need to be careful. I then walk over to introduce myself to the ink artist, "Hello. My name is Zoe." He greets me, "Nice to meet you. I am Felix. Hope we can get along." He says to shake my hand. In this world, instead of shaking someone's hand, they just grab the hand and hold it with the other hand, so that is what I do. Just like when I shook hands with Nat. Two times make a pattern. He asks in a very professional manner, "So what are we getting today?" I then say, looking down at my blank canvas of a foot, "A Daruna Flower on my foot in whatever style you specialize in." He then replies, processing the information of my request, "Ok. Ok. I can definitely do something like that, but for the type of ink I was told I'd be doing today, it might need to be a tad larger to come out right and get the detail you probably want. Not much larger, though." He makes his hands into a circle about the size of a rose in full bloom, which is larger than I was initially told, but that is fine with me.
In my first life, that would be considered a small tattoo for me, so I say without hesitation, "That works for me. Though if it will cost more money, you will need to ask his highness, since he is footing the bill. I don't want to make a decision that affects the cost without his say." The king chimes in while not looking up from reading the paper, drinking his tea, "Don't worry about the money. Get what you want." Felix says, clapping his hands once, excited for his new commission, "Got it. Now I specialize in a step below realism. I believe a good outline helps the ink last longer." I giggle, "You sound like someone I know who is in the same profession. Do you have designs for Daruna Flowers you like, Felix?" He says, "Let me whip up some drawings for you and see which one you like best." He turns to the princess, "Would it be possible to get an image of the flower so I can make sure it is accurate, princess?" Vi nods, "Certainly."
She immediately goes to the corner of the room, talks to Nat, and Nat hurries off somewhere to get what Felix needs. Within a quick minute, Nat is back with a book on flora and hands it to Felix. He opens it to a page with the Daruna flower and starts sketching. It takes him about as long as my tattoo guy back home. Each of them is equally beautiful, and I can't decide, so I ask him to pick his favorite. In my previous life, I had many flowers tattooed on my person, with several repeats at different angles, ranging from flower buds to full flowers in bloom. I can totally just get all of them for different tattoos. Then he says with a bright smile, "Alright, where are we getting it?" I reply, pointing to my foot, "On my left foot." He hisses like Vi did, "You sure. These hurt on the feet." I reply in a reassuring tone, "In my first life, I had ink on my feet. I think I can handle it." He says with uncertainty in his voice, "Ok. If you say so. Go ahead and lie down on the chair and get comfortable. This is going to take a while. Let me know if you need to take a break." I nod, "Ok."
He gets the colors he needs from receptacles near his station, grabs the needle, and starts tapping my feet. It feels just a tad more painful than the machines from Earth, but it is most definitely bearable. I stare in fascination at this primitive tattooing method. This is actually a dream come true for me. I always wanted to get a tattoo done with this primitive tapping method, but hardly anyone on Earth actually still practices it. It is most definitely an artform. As he continues, I love how it is turning out, and my chest is humming. I smile and hold my chest. Vi says, wearing a slightly surprised expression, "Now that is not the reaction I was expecting. Is your core reacting to getting the ink?" I reply, wearing a soft smile as I feel this warm hum make my chest feel fuzzy, "I was just thinking about how much I love how it is turning out, and my chest purred in approval." Vi laughs at my words, "Yeah, I don't think I have ever seen someone get a positive feeling from ink before. I have heard of people tightening, but not the opposite."
Felix joins in the conversation, "It isn't as uncommon as you think. Though you are right, more often than not, people tighten." He says, while not breaking focus, to continue tapping systematically and with artistic precision. He is actually freehanding this, which I have never done before. In my first life, I have always had artists use stencils. Though stencils probably don't exist in this world. He is doing a fabulous job without one. It takes him longer than it would back on Earth to complete the tattoo, since he is tapping, not using a machine. Instead of a 2-hour tattoo, it took 4 hours, which was about as long as a larger piece on Earth. Makes sense though. This body doesn't swell as much as my other body.
I love that.
When I thought that my chest burned hot, but still not quite enough to unlock my magic. Felix stops tapping, "Ok, I am finished now. Let me clean it off and moisturize it. This is everyone's favorite part." I ask Felix as he wipes my tattoo clean, "Is there a special skin care routine I need to do to care for it since it is enchanted, or will regular skin moisturizer work?" Felix says, applying the moisturizer, which feels so refreshing, "Yes. Enchanted ink is a little different from regular ink. You will need enchanted ointment to apply a few times a day to ensure your body doesn't reject the enchantment. You could get away with not using it, but it is not recommended due to the fact that if your body rejects the enchantment, amputation of the tattoo might be the only way to save you. Also, make sure not to keep it submerged in water for long periods. It will ruin the image. So no soaking in the bath," I feel the weight of his words.
Enchanted ink is dangerous if the proper steps aren't taken, unlike regular ink, and I will definitely need to be vigilant in my aftercare. "That sounds serious. We don't want to lose limbs. As for the water thing, I am already aware. You don't have to worry about that one." As I say this, he gives me a container filled with this enchanted ointment, and I gladly accept, "Thank you so much." Looking down at my foot, admiring his work of art, "I really love it. Where is your shop? I would love to visit you when I start my journey." Felix says as he starts packing up his supplies, "I am located a few days' trip away, just inside the border of Pacifica. There is a town called Haka on the border where my shop resides." I replied while making a mental note of what he said, "Good to know. I will definitely be coming to visit in the future. What is your going rate?" Felix replies, "10 gold per hour for regular tattoos, and if the tattoo is enchanted, it is at least 20 gold per hour. It all depends on the level of enchantment. Today was just a 20 gold per hour charge." I nod, understanding the pricing, "Ok. Noted. Thank you so much for coming out today." Felix replies, getting the last of his supplies packed away, "It was my pleasure. I got myself a repeat customer out of this." He says with a smile.
I stand up and shake his hand the Gaos way, "A repeat customer indeed. Do you have a catalog or pamphlet of different inks and enchantments?" Felix replies after patting his pockets and deflating, "Not on me, sorry, but I do have a catalog at my shop. Feel free to stop by whenever." I reply, feeling a little bummed out that I couldn't see all of their enchantments, "Bummer, guess I will just have to visit then." I say with a smile. Felix says, turning to King Juan, "I am now done, your highness, if you would like to discuss payment." The king gets up, slapping his hands to his knees, "Alright, follow me this way, and I will settle your tab. How much for today?" Felix replies as he follows King Juan, "80 gold." With that, they exit the room to handle business, and Vi says, "I don't know about you, Zoe, but I am starving. How does lunch sound?" My stomach growls as if on cue, and Vi giggles, "Sounds like you agree." I giggle too, "My stomach beat me to that answer, apparently, Princess Vi."
We went and grabbed something to eat, and when we finished, I went back to the library to research light magic, and Vi joined me. This is actually the first day she has spent so much time with me, and it's kind of nice. There are hardly any books that have anything on light magic. The little bit of books I am finding just have the generic stuff or talk about the Daruna flower I just got tattooed on myself. Apparently, it is the only plant in nature imbued with light magic. Though just as light magic users are scarce, a daruna flower has yet to be seen, apparently, in this world for centuries. The last reported sighting was in "demon" country. I sigh, closing the book and putting it back, and asking, "Are these all the books you have on light magic, Vi?" She replies, "Sadly, yes. I am sorry we don't have more, but it is a rare magic. If light magic souls could awaken more easily, then it wouldn't be so rare. There was a point when light magic users were just as prominent as other users, but I do not know how they were able to awaken like that. I am sure we will figure something out. Did the goddess say anything?" I replied, "When I asked the goddess, she just said I was on the right track and kept her answer cryptic. So, I guess I need to keep doing what I am doing."