Chapter 12

CHAPTER TWELVE

“Over here. Please, remove your clothing and lay face-down.”

Nijello was gesturing to a faintly blue platform of force energy in front of him. At his side, a large selection of colored pigments were at the ready. Some, Olivia noted, seemed to be faintly glowing. He had a display projection of all her existing tattoos hovering in the air in front of him, parts of them highlighted with notations she couldn’t understand.

“No sense being shy,” she muttered, shedding her clothes and carefully climbing onto the floating energy field, the scent of the two men still clinging strong and alluring in her sinuses. This man, she noted, lacked any such smell.

Olivia rolled to her belly and lay flat. The energy field supported her weight easily, and, unlike a masseuse’s table, when she rested her face down on the device’s projected power, it simply molded around her without any additional pressure to her cheeks, forehead, or jaw. It was, for lack of a better analogy, akin to floating in a soothing pool of water, only she could breathe without any difficulty.

“I have mapped out the areas of your existing artwork where I will be able to incorporate the required runes.”

“You’re going to change my ink?”

“Some of the designs you have are in locations I cannot work around, unfortunately, so yes, I will make some modifications. But as I can see my test area from yesterday seems to have accepted the pigment without issue, I do not foresee any trouble with the rest of them. I will, however, be required to use particularly powerful pigment for a few locations, so there may be some irregularities as a result. Do not worry about those, they will heal just fine, I am confident.”

“I trust you,” she replied, her body quite literally in his hands as he began the process.

“I would normally apply a soothing energy field as I work, but as I do not know how your physiology might react, I am afraid I will have to keep the use of it to a minimum, and only if the discomfort becomes too distracting for you.”

Olivia chuckled. “Don’t worry about me. Back on my planet, we do all of this without anything like that. Maybe some numbing gel for some people, but I’ve never used any.”

The Skrizzit let out a little gasp. “You had all this work done without anything to numb the pain?”

“Yep.”

“But my scans show your designs were applied with a needle penetrating your flesh rather than directed force energy placing the pigment in its desired location and requisite depth.”

“That’s how it’s typically done.”

He shook his head in disbelief. “You must have a very high pain threshold.”

“No higher than most, I think.”

“Well, you can rest assured, my instruments are not so barbaric.” He flushed. “I’m sorry. I mean no offense.”

“None taken. Believe me, I’ve only been here a couple of days and I can see how my world would seem utterly primitive to you guys.”

“Yes, perhaps so, but that is no excuse for rudeness.”

“Don’t worry about it, I don’t take it personally.”

The tension in Nijello’s shoulders eased. “Thank you for being so understanding. If you’re ready, I will begin.”

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she said, taking a deep breath and relaxing as best she could.

This was going to be a long session, from what she’d gathered from past tattooing experiences, and this was going to entail applying runes all over her body, fine lines interconnecting them for whatever mystical reason these people believed. It wasn’t exactly something she’d ever wanted, though she had plenty of ink of her own, but all that mattered was that when Nijello was done, she would be in compliance with the law, and thereafter free to move about without fear of drawing the ire of the Dotharian Conglomerate.

The process tingled and burned in a way she’d never felt before, but it wasn’t even remotely as uncomfortable as a traditional tattooing. The man took longer on the areas that were already tattooed, carefully incorporating the rune symbols into her existing work with extreme care. The Infala rune on her chest was the most uncomfortable of the lot, but even that wasn’t too bad, and in only a few hours the Skrizzit ceased his work.

Olivia turned to look at him. “Time for a break?”

“A break? Oh, heavens no. That was the final rune.”

“Wait, that’s it?”

“Yes. What did you expect?”

“I don’t know. It just takes a lot longer back home is all.”

“I can only imagine. The artist who applied your designs must be very skilled among your people. To craft such impressive artwork with no more than needles to work with is most impressive. And I have done my best to ensure your runes will not alter their work.”

“About that. What exactly are these runes, anyway?”

Nijello pulled up a force-chair and took a seat next to her. “The designs are standard enhancing runes used across the systems. Each race has their variations, naturally, but the basic design is the same.”

“So, it’s just decorative stuff required by law?”

“Oh, heavens no. The runes are very powerful, each one providing the wearer enhancements depending on their own physiology, as well as the power and quality of the pigment used.”

“Enhancements? What does that mean?”

“Well, for instance, some runes might increase one’s strength. Soldiers, for example, often receive additional runes on their limbs that allow them to perform better in combat. Other runes might improve one’s sight or hearing. Really, it varies wildly from person to person. Some do not have any enhancements at all. Some begin showing signs at once, others take time. That is the way of the runes. Only the Infala is universal, though it grows to maturity faster in some.”

“That’s this one, right?” she asked, pointing at the new tattoo in the middle of her chest.

“Yes. Should you be fortunate enough to meet your bonded mate, both of your Infalas will grow to match one another, linking you forever as Infala mates.”

Olivia wasn’t too keen on that last one, the idea of a tattoo telling her who she loved or didn’t not exactly meeting her expectations for a lasting romance. She sat up and slid off the platform.

“Do I need dressings on these?” she asked as she gathered her clothing.

“The area has been micro-bonded with a protective sealant. It is clear and will simply wash off as the dermis heals. Judging by how the test area is already healing from yesterday, I do not think it will take you long. But you will need some rest for at least a day. The initial bonding of the pigment to your body can sometimes be a bit taxing.”

“Noted,” she replied, slipping on her clothes. “I guess that’s it then.”

“It is. Be well, Olivia. My assistant, Lithos, will be waiting outside to escort you to your quarters.”

She slipped on her shoes and headed for the door. “Thanks. That wasn’t bad at all.”

“I am glad to hear it.”

Olivia exited and followed the young understudy quietly waiting for her to a different lift platform than the one she’d arrived by. As they descended, she noted that while her sense of smell had somehow strengthened from just the prior day, this young man did not seem to possess any interesting scent beyond a vague hint of sweat.

Once they hit the surface and stepped out into the air, more scents became clear to her as they walked. They’d surely been there all along, but now she somehow noticed them much more easily.

I wonder if this is the sort of thing Nijello was talking about , she wondered.

Fortunately, it would be a relatively short walk to her place, and once there she could better assess herself. The thing was, she felt pretty good, truth be told, but the idea of just sitting alone to take in the sensation of the new tattoos and any ways they might be affecting her was an appealing one. The way her skin tingled a bit. How some areas felt tight, while others did not. How she could smell things much clearer than before. It was all part of the process, she knew, logically. But accepting her new reality on a deeper level was different than a calculated, mental note.

Her guide took an unexpected left turn.

“Hey, is this the right way?”

“We are almost there,” Lithos replied. “I just thought you might like seeing the meditation pond on the way.”

“There’s a meditation pond?”

“It’s quite popular, but at this time of day it tends to be less crowded,” was the reply.

Olivia could smell the water before she saw it, a fresh, clean scent that made her whole body feel rejuvenated.

This enhanced smell thing? Yeah, I think I could get used to this , she mused. At least, so long as I steer clear of any trash dumps and teenage boys , she added with a quiet chuckle.

Dozens of men were seated around the scenic pond, quiet in their meditations, seemingly oblivious to her arrival. All but one, that is.

A familiar whiff smacked into her senses before the man even rose to his feet to come greet her. Olivia felt an electric twinge in her belly as a powerful sneeze erupted without warning, making her nipples harden like rocks and her legs tingle with a most disconcerting but pleasant sensation.

“Arkness,” the young man quietly called in greeting, though a good many eyes were now upon them, courtesy of Olivia’s sneeze.

“Lithos, my greetings. And Olivia, it is good to see you up and about from the Skrizzit’s work so soon.”

She swayed a little, his scent almost overwhelming now, not in its strength, but in the way her body reacted to it. It was like the new runes had revealed an ability she didn’t know she possessed, sort of how a wine connoisseur could detect the faintest hints of tobacco or berry in a wine anyone else would say smelled like just plain old grape juice.

“Are you all right?” he asked, gently placing his massive hand on her shoulder to steady her.

She shook it off, breathing deep through her mouth instead of her nose. “I’ll be fine. I just think the whole tattoo thing wore me out a bit more than I thought, is all.”

“I see. I will not keep you, then. But, if you are amenable to the idea, perhaps we could share a meal tomorrow. I would be honored to show you more of our fine city, and perhaps the hills surrounding it, should you feel up for an excursion.”

Olivia liked the sound of that, but right now his scent was just too distracting. She needed the peace and quiet of her own space to sit, focus, and think.

She gave the best smile she could manage, given her discombobulation. “That’d be nice. But right now I really need to get back.”

“Of course. Rest well.”

Lithos led the way, Olivia close behind, all of the men watching her leave, but none so intently as Arkness, the unexpected bulge pressing against his trousers surprising him with the speed and ease of its arrival. He shook his head and returned to his seat, breathing deep as he slipped back into his meditative state.

“We are here,” Lithos said as they arrived at Olivia’s domicile.

“Thanks, Lithos. I appreciate it.”

“Is there anything you need before I leave you?”

“No, I’m good. Do thank Nijello for me again when you see him.”

“I will. Goodbye, Olivia.”

Olivia keyed open her door and stepped inside. “See ya, Lithos,” she called back, then shut herself in. “Hey, is it normal for someone getting runes to sense things really, really strongly?” she asked the AI.

“ It has been known to happen, yes. But if it is too much, I can perhaps help by providing a session of full-spectrum healing while you unwind. ”

“What does that entail?”

“ You just make yourself comfortable and I will direct the energy to wherever you have selected. ”

Olivia liked the sound of that. “Works for me,” she said, stripping in a flash and flopping down on her bed, the energy of it soothing her skin unlike the roughness of actual sheets or a mattress would.

“ Beginning now. ”

The waves of sensation running over her body were odd but delightful as her skin was gently soothed with healing light and sound similar to what had purged her the prior night. Increased oxygen density of the air around her also aided the restorative process, flushing her lungs and sinuses while hyper-oxygenating her bloodstream until she felt her arms and legs tingle in a wonderful way.

“ The red wavelengths will now stimulate tissue healing and mitochondrial health, while the alternating vibratory frequencies will aid in increasing blood flow to all areas. This will all help your new pigment set properly and heal faster. ”

“Okay,” she mumbled, reveling in sensations.

She lost track of how long she lay there, but when the treatment ceased and she sat up, she felt like she could leap tall buildings in a single bound.

“Wow. That was amazing.”

“ I am glad you found it restorative. ”

“And then some. Thanks.”

Olivia rose and walked to the area where a projection of herself hung in mid-air. It wasn’t a true mirror though, as the image was aligned as if she was actually looking at herself rather than a backwards reflection. She studied the new markings on her body with interest, noting how the Skrizzit had done a marvelous job integrating his designs into her existing artwork. The man was truly skilled, and with his fascinating equipment, he’d managed to do all of this work in a fraction of the time it would have taken someone on Earth.

Her fingertips gently touched the new rune that looked almost as if it was slightly glowing where it rested, nestled in the middle of her chest. The Infala, they’d called it. There was no pain. No crusty blood or ink. Just slightly tender skin, and from what she could tell, that would be healed in no time.

She slid her fingers along the lines connecting her new Infala with the rest of her runes, the slight friction sending jolts of pleasure through her body as she grazed her erect nipples.

Oh, damn , she thought, giving her breasts a gentle squeeze, testing how her body would react. “Ffffuuuu ” —she gasped, her clit pulsing with delight, her belly warm and churning with a tingling ball of joy quickly spreading to her limbs.

Olivia slipped her other hand lower, first applying pressure, then gently rubbing small circles on her swelling nub. The speed and force of her arousal was startling, leaping from zero to one hundred in mere seconds.

“Oh my God,” she groaned, dipping her fingers lower, between her folds.

She was so wet she dripped down her legs as she pushed two fingers inside, her body a furnace of churning bliss sending shivers through her body when she pressed the most magical of spots. Olivia’s vision blurred, stars appearing as the orgasm ripped through her from head to toe. Her muscles rippled and spasmed, clenching hard as her legs went weak. She toppled over as she lost control of her body, but she didn’t care. This was too good. Impossibly good.

“Holy hell,” she muttered as her senses slowly returned. “What just happened?” she wondered, surprised when she realized she was floating inches above the floor.

“ You fell. The automated safety system caught you. ”

“But what was that ? Is that normal? Oh my God, please let that be the new normal.”

“ For some, this does happen, yes. The runes affect everyone differently. Some unlock new skills or senses, while others do not. As yours are so new, it may take a little time to properly discern exactly what yours will be, ” the disembodied voice replied in an utterly clinical manner.

Olivia liked the sound of that. If this was what the new pigment could do for her, she was all for it. She climbed to her feet and walked to the fruit held in its stasis bubble and grabbed what she now knew was a tart berry. She popped it in her mouth and nearly spat it out in surprise. Not that it was bad, but that the flavors were so much more pronounced.

“Wow. So, that’s a thing, I guess.”

“ What is? ”

“Enhanced taste to go along with enhanced smell,” she replied, selecting several other treats with which to test her new ability. “Hey, can you have some early dinner brought to my room? I think tonight is going to be quite interesting.”