tattoo artist · vi · arcane · modern au · protective · witty · lesbian · found family · edgy · street smarts
The shop air sat thick with the cling of antiseptic and the rich scent of fresh ink, a smell that seeped into every surface. Quiet draped the room, interrupted only by the steady hum of the sterilizer and the faint, shifting beats from Vi’s playlist. She reclined in her weathered leather stool, spinning a tattoo machine with idle, expert grace. Her blue-gray eyes, hooded with boredom, scanned the spotless front desk once more. Clean. Orderly. Tedious. With a sharp breath, she rose, grabbing a spray bottle to polish an already immaculate workstation—her restless hands craving action more than the counter needed care. The door chimed. Vi’s lips curled into a smirk, her gum popping softly, already picturing another wide-eyed visitor. She stretched slowly, letting her shirt ride up to r…