middaeg | [ CATCH-ALL ] we're nocturnal creatures

[ Six full moons have waxed and waned since he arrived. Six full moons, and it’s finally happened – the Arachne limbs are beginning to permanently emerge from his back. For now, Stiles only has two to contend with; they’re located just below his shoulders, in the meat of his shoulder blades. But their size makes them intensely frustrating to deal with on a day-to-day basis. And so, after some internal debate, he decides to pay a visit to a business he hasn’t been to since the battery exercises the month that he arrived in Aefenglom: Inkchanted.

Walking through the front door, it’s clear how nervous he is; a palpable restless energy rolls off him in waves as he browses the designs on display, not yet interacting with any of the employees. When eventually he gathers his nerves, he approaches the front desk timidly – extremely out of character for someone as bold and irreverent as Stiles Stilinski.

He really hates needles. ]

Uh, hi.

[ The little bell on the door chimes, announcing the presence of a customer; the scent of the sea breeze outside wafts in alongside the unpleasant prickle of sharp anxiety in the air that instinctively makes his shoulders tense. Waver looks up from his paperwork. ]

Hello.

[ There's a faint pang of... familiarity? Waver can't place it yet. He glances down at his desk again, grabbing a folder and flipping it open to scan the calendar real quick before looking back up. No scheduled appointments he forgot about, as he thought. A walk-in or a browser, then. But why does he look (and smell) so nervous? ]

Are you here to make an appointment or is there something else I can help you with?

[ Waver asks politely (he's been working on his Customer Service Demeanor) as he sets down the folder, still open, in front of him on top of the ledger he'd been writing in before. ]

[ With a great, heaving inhale of air – as if he were preparing to break bad news to Waver – Stiles musters up the courage to get straight to the point. ]

I want a tattoo. [ Except his voice makes it clear he really doesn’t want one. ] Do you guys have any openings soonish? Because if I don’t get this done today, I’m totally going to chicken out and never come back and then I’ll be stuck with these stupid spider legs getting stuck in doorways or not letting me sleep on my back or –

[ Stiles pauses, taking another breath. ]

Wow. Sorry. I just…don’t like needles.

[ In fact, he fainted the one time he watched his ex-best friend get a tattoo. That was fun. Not. ]

You can call me Stiles, by the way.

[ Wow. This guy is really freaked out, huh? Waver takes in his appearance, realizing he's still going through his transformation into an Arachne, and he's truly sympathetic. That looks very frustrating, not to mention uncomfortable. So he patiently hears him out, not interrupting as he waits for him to get a hold of himself and explain what he actually wants.

What he didn't expect was...

Oh. Oh, no. It's him.

Waver's eyes widen in surprise at the name, and for some reason, he suddenly goes bright red. ]

R-right. Ah. Stiles...

I'll see what I can do about arranging it soon, but there are some things to decide first. And maybe--

[ Oh, this is going to keep distracting him. Waver looks down, realizing he's shuffling papers around on his desk nervously and actually covering up the notebook he needs instead of doing anything useful with it. Damn. What was he doing again? Appointments. Right.

Waver clears his throat. ]

I'm sorry. I have to ask. You work at Worse Dragon, right?

[ thank god there's no one else in here. ]

[ This certainly isn’t the reaction he expected when he explained himself, but at least it has the effect of making Stiles calm down as he tries to puzzle it out. Brows rising in his perplexity, he stares openly at the young man as Waver stumbles through a response. What’s up with this guy? It looks like he swallowed a cayenne pepper whole. Just before he can ask if Waver needs medical attention – maybe it’s a spontaneous aneurysm, who knows? – the Turnskin finally pops a question that leaves Stiles even more flummoxed. ]

Hey, if you’re about to tell me you won’t service me just because I work at a sex store, I’ll have you know that’s discrimination. [ A beat as he realizes that perhaps he could have worded that better. ] Uh, service me as in… Well, whatever, you know what I meant.

[ Holy shit, phrasing. Waver looks like he has now swallowed two whole cayenne peppers.

His whole form seems to wilt, ears and shoulders slumping and elbows on the table, his beet-red face sinking slowly into the palms of his hands to hide there in insurmountable shame. Oh, he was not prepared for this. He shouldn't have asked. He should have kept his stupid mouth shut.

AAAHHHHH...

Slowly, Waver shakes his head. ]

N-no. That's not-- No. It's fine. Don't worry about it.

I just--

[ It's way too late to go back and ignore it now. Stupid Waver. Stupid! ]

I didn't expect to meet you in person like this, so...

[ Tentatively, he manages to lift his head a little and peek up at Stiles, ears lifting again one after the other. ]

We spoke on the phone. The- the watch, I suppose it's called here. But that's irrelevant. Just took me by surprise.

[ Deep breath. ]

It doesn't matter. I'm happy to answer your questions.

[ He looks more ready to sink through his chair straight into the earth than 'happy' but. close enough. ]

[ Still bewildered, he watches in vague alarm as the Inkchanted employee seems to wither like a flower in the dry, desert heat. By this point, he’s confident that this guy must have seen his video post to the network and takes offense to his line of work – Stiles thought that this place was run by a bunch of Mirrorbound, but maybe the young man is a native to Aefenglom with more delicate sensibilities? But then Waver tries to dissuade him of the idea. Suddenly, things are beginning to make more sense. ]

Oh, cool.

[ A beat. Stiles – a true professional who would never make his customers uncomfortable ever (while on the job) – is beginning to look like the cat that got the cream. ]

Well, let’s start with your name. That should answer a few other questions for me.

[ H e h . ]

[ ...ah. He was afraid that might be his first question.

There's really no avoiding it, though. Especially since he actually has been intending to reach out to Stiles for those classes after discussing it with Iskandar. If only it wasn't so embarrassing.

It's so much easier dealing with this stuff with the convenient distance of just texting. He can't believe he didn't realize who this was when he came in instead of embarrassing the hell out of himself with that reaction. Waver stifles a groan.

What a mess, and it's entirely self-inflicted. ]

I'm Waver. [ he confesses finally, as though admitting to some great and shameful sin. ]

I inquired about... some demonstrations at your store.

But that's not--! That's irrelevant right now!

Waver…

[ Mouth pursed, he scans his memory for which Worse Dragon customer, or potential customer, Waver might have been; Stiles met many Mirrorbound on opening day. After a moment, he realizes that’s why he’s having difficulty remembering the young man – Waver wasn’t a day one customer. This is the – ]

Oh! [ he exclaims suddenly, voice rising in his excitement at having put two and two together. ] The rope bondage guy!

[ The silhouette of someone passing by outside the window of the store pauses, then hurriedly moves along. ]

Hey, did you and your partner still want to move forward with that? Mila taught me how to do it. I should be able to instruct you two pretty well now.

[ There’s no filter on this one, Waver. Good luck. ]

K-keep your voice down!

[ Waver yelps, shooting up out of his seat as though he might just vault over the desk and try to slap his hand over Stiles's mouth himself. He looks utterly distraught. ]

This isn't the time nor the place!

[ So the answer isn't apparently a simple 'no.' So that's telling, isn't it? In fact, another, less vocal part of him is relieved to hear that. If Waver ever gets over his embarrassment enough to actually receive instruction. Or face Stiles ever again. ]

Didn't you come here for something else? If you want to buy an enchantment, you should get on with it.

[ so much for practicing his customer service. ]

[ Pausing dramatically, Stiles makes a point to look around the store at all the other customers that don’t exist to eavesdrop on their not-so-very-private conversation about shibari. Ultimately, it’s the distant reminder of what the Worse Dragon owners told him prior to opening day that keeps his mouth shut on the subject further – don’t embarrass the customers, don’t harass anyone, don’t be your usual obnoxious self. Fine. Even if he’s not on the clock, Stiles can play by the rules. For now. ]

Yeah, yeah. Don’t get your panties in a twist. [ …After one last teasing jab. ] I’m not totally sure how this works. Am I buying an enchantment separately from the tattoo itself?

[ Stiles is lucky there's no Yelp in this world!! ~~the employee came to MY business and embarrassed ME! 1/5 stars!! products are good tho, i guess~~

Waver scowls at him, no longer quite so sympathetic to his nervousness from earlier. ]

You tell me what you want. I'll figure out how to work out the combination of services and the payment.

[ He snaps sourly, finally sitting back down and folding his hands on the desk, back straight. He is not above adding a few extra charges here and there. For emotional damages. ]

Something about your Arachne features?

[ With a mental shrug, Stiles makes himself comfortable by leaning forward on the desk, fiddling with any loose pieces of paper he can get his figurative paws on. He’s not trying to read anything – it’s more force of habit for restless hands. The agitation is slowly creeping back up on him now, though he’s trying to hang on to a thread of good humor from at least knowing whom he’s speaking with. ]

Bingo. I want something that’ll transmute them to a smaller size. Uh, I’m pretty sure transmutation is the right spell class, anyway. [ He sat in on a few Coven classes, but it’s not like Stiles could put any of that theory into practice. ] I could probably go with an enchanted amulet or something, but I figured a tattoo would be better in…emergencies?

[ Less likely to be ripped off him, at least. ]

Do you mind?

[ Waver grabs one of the papers he's messing with right out of his hands, shoving it into a folder. A restless habit, he can understand, but it doesn't seem to endear him any further to Stiles at this point. ]

You're correct that what you're looking for falls under transmutation.

[ He stands up, finally coming around the desk to meet Stiles, and gestures to a few glass cabinets lining the walls as he walks over to them to show him the displayed jewelry, stones and precious metals and gems inside. Part of it is definitely to take Stiles's attention away from his paperwork. ]

Paired with one of these, a tattoo will last you much longer on top of being a more secure measure. I have example designs I can show you in the catalog, but the exact design will depend on the spellwork itself woven into it, and we'd need to discuss that with my Witch business partner. Cú. He's the one who would be doing the tattoo.

But I can give you some idea of what you could expect and the kind of results you'll get.

A transmutation spell to alter size is fairly simple, but the fact it's being performed on living tissue and that it needs to be sustained indefinitely makes things a bit trickier. With the battery, you shouldn't need help recharging it for some time, but occasionally, you will need to come by again for upkeep.

Oh, and for a 'passive' spell like that -- as in, you're not actively casting something and drawing on the magic inside the battery constantly -- you don't have to worry about needing to take it off to shower or whatever. It'll hold. How long is going to depend on the complexity of the spell and design, probably, but you'll need to work those details out with Cú.

[ Hands up in the air like he’s surrendering to an officer of the law, Stiles steps away from the desk and all the tempting pieces of paper, even as they’re filed away in a folder where his fingers can’t rifle through them. When Waver comes around the desk – if the man wasn’t such a pipsqueak, Stiles might have felt intimidated simply due to the bad energy he’s sowed since entering the shop – he lowers those hands back to his sides slowly. The sound of Cú’s name has him biting his lip hard to keep from laughing, and if asked to spell it he would surely get it wrong. That aside, he does listen attentively to Waver, eyes trained on the batteries thoughtfully. ]

Okay. So, ink with a backup battery is the best option. Got it.

[ There’s one emerald that immediately catches his eye, similar to the one that he recently received from Créia and gifted to his boyfriend Jonas. Would it be cliché to have matching amulets? Maybe, but he’s considering it anyway. ]

I’ll do that, then. What next?

[ He is a pipsqueak, and the cute fuzzy ears and curly tail probably don't help him cut a very intimidating figure, either. But it's probably good of Stiles not to point that out, considering how defensive he's already proven to get at the drop of a hat.

Talking business seems to relax the Turnskin somewhat, though. He's far more in his element with this than trying to talk about embarrassing things. ]

You can choose some sample designs and I'll go see if Cas- ah, if Cú is available right now. You said you want it done as soon as possible, right?

[ Waver shows him to the waiting area near the door, where a small couch and a couple of mismatched chairs cluster around a turquoise-tiled coffee table. On top of the table are a few leather-bound sketchbooks containing painted sigils and runes, as well as other drawings to show various design options. ]

Wait here. Look through the catalogs.

[ He pauses before he turns away. ]

Any other questions?

[ Eager to get the show on the road before he loses his nerve, Stiles nods vigorously as he takes a seat in the waiting area. The second he sits down, the Arachne limbs are reaching for the sketchbooks to flip them all open, an unconscious gesture that he doesn’t notice until he’s already browsing one. With a scowl, he pushes a spider leg out of the way and then gives Waver a look as if to say, “See!?” like the appendages are currently the most obnoxiously troublesome part of his being. (Stiles has moments of self-awareness; this is not one of them.) ]

Cas Cú? [ he mutters skeptically under his breath, before raising his voice. ] Uh, nope. I’m good. Thanks, dude. I’ll just be…here. Waiting. Not touching anything I’m not supposed to. Or talking about stuff I’m not supposed to.

[ Stiles winks conspiratorially. ]

[ Listen, he's still getting used to calling Caster by his actual name... Waver catches the mutter, but luckily it doesn't lead to another argument. He'll let Caster introduce himself at this point.

Being called 'dude' gets an eyebrow raise and a stern look. ]

I'll take your word for it. Please behave.

[ And with that, he turns around and disappears down the hall to go get the guy who can actually do the tattoo. ]

[ Waver doesn't even get to disappear very far because— ah he actually walks at Cú being just... right there. In delighted mood, grinning. He puts his hands on Waver's shoulders to turn him around, and then gently steer him back into the room ]

Hey, see anything you like? [ In half-year of operating they've amassed quite large sets of designs. And a varied one at that, since turns out, Iskandar likes to draw ] Since this is now-or-never deal, you're really lucky because someone just canceled.

[ Ah yes, that's how long he's been around here ]

Waver got it all covered, though I'll add a suggestion that you might want to consider gradually expanding on the tattoo design.

[ The larger it is, and the better quality of the batteries, the long spell is going to last. Also can get some quality-of-life upgrades if something doesn't work as it should. ]

[ In the brief span of time that Waver tries to locate Cú only to be dragged back to the waiting area by said man, Stiles does in fact find a design that resonates strongly with him. As he stares at the page, barely noticing the two employees approaching, he’s struck by a sense of rightness. If he has to get a tattoo, he should at least get something he won’t regret. And this design speaks to him in a way the others simply don’t. The delicate line work may hurt more than something simple like what Scott got, but… ]

Someone cancelled, huh…? [ he repeats distractedly, then seems to shake himself out of his thoughts, actually glancing up at the newcomer with a curious look. So, this must be Cú? ] Uh, hi. I had nothing to do with the cancellation.

[ No one accused him of foul play, yet here he is – defending himself anyway. Just in case. ]

…Let me start over. Hi. You can call me Stiles. I like this design a lot, [ a finger taps the open page of one of the books, ] but as a heads up, I’m afraid of needles.

[ What the hell? Was he just lurking back here?!

Waver does nearly bump into him, and shoots the Witch a withering glare as he's turned back around, only saving him the out-loud scolding because of Stiles being there. He's lost his decorum enough times for the duration. And he doesn't want to bring attention yet again back to his earlier outburst-- which he's now sure Caster heard.

His face definitely goes a shade redder when he realizes, though. Goddammit. Ignore it for now... or forever, hopefully.

He glances up at Caster again at the mention of the cancellation, brows rising as if to say really? ]

No one was implying you did. [ He sighs. This has been an awkward enough client meeting without Caster deciding to have a little fun with Stiles jumping to that conclusion for some reason. ]

As for the needles, if it's that bad, I have a potion for anxiety. We also have alcohol. Things will go a lot smoother without you panicking the whole time, so if you want something... No one will hold it against you.

[ Even if he had been a rude jerk. ]

[ Cú walks closer to take a glance at the chosen design. Ah, yes that one. It usually goes on arm, but could be easily adapted to go along the spine, to get as close to the limbs in question. Then the battery in form of a chain or necklace, and good to go.

Though it's probably going to hurt more than on arm, due to the location. But alas— ]

...and there is always a charm spell that can put you to sleep, if you agree. [ That kind of spell is also a part of Enchantment school, after all. Though using it comes up rarely ] If no option fits, the room can be made soundproof, if you turn out to be a vocal type. So your secret is safe with us.

[ Waver seems to be fidgeting a bit, and he was absolutely right that Caster would yank on that "i did nothing" chain if he was allowed to. Nice save there. ]

Name's Cú, but people also call me Caster— [ A vaguest of shrugs as he finally finishes the introductions properly. ]

Edited 2020-07-25 20:38 (UTC)

I’ll take a shot of whatever you have, [ comes the immediate response, even if Stiles generally is wary of drinking alcohol around strangers. ] Just one, though. If I ask for more, ignore me.

[ It shouldn’t be an issue; he’s not such a lightweight that a single shot of hard alcohol is going to turn him into a jackass. Still, it doesn’t hurt to set boundaries – and there’s no way he’ll consent to being put to sleep magically. Too many unknowns. Magic makes him vaguely uncomfortable on a good day, never mind when he’s already this keyed up by the prospect of needles. Put simply: Stiles is paranoid. ]

Okay. [ His hands clap his knees. ] Waver. Cú. Uh, Caster? Caster. This design, the raw emerald amulet on the shelf, and a transmutation to make the spider legs smaller. We good to rock and roll?

[ Unsure if he pays now or after, Stiles pulls out his wallet with a questioningly cocked eyebrow. ]

[ Waver holds a hand up. ]

We don't take payment until the enchantment is complete.

[ It seems fair. He does, however, calculate out loud for Stiles how much each part costs and explains what the final sum will be. ]

I'll throw in the alcohol for free. You sure about only the one shot?

[ Waver goes over to a cabinet behind the desk, where a bottle of gin in a decanter and some etched glasses sit mostly decoratively. He doesn't have shot glass, but he measures out about two fingers' width before handing it over. ]

The enchantment works best when placed closest to the part of your body you'll be using for it or that it's meant to affect. Looking at where your new limbs are growing, I'm guessing Caster is about to recommend your back.

[ A glance at the Witch in question. ]

...so if it makes you feel any better, you won't really see the needles.

Just one shot after this whole mention of needles and fear? To Caster, it sounds like just something to give a bit of boost to courage. Fair enough.

Yeah, definitely on the back. Do you prefer to sit up or lie down? [ They've got both options covered as the chair they invested plenty in is adjustable and able to be reclined to almost any position, between upright and laying flat. ]

And if you need a distraction, you can always instruct Waver about that rope bondage. [ Trying to lighten the atmosphere with a joke ] Two birds with one stone.

[ CATCH-ALL ] we're nocturnal creatures

Inkchanted | mid-Juril

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