harley westward

No black magic can control me and no curse can let you own me

Harley cocked her head slightly as she listened in considering quiet to the woman's meaning of that tattoo she wanted. She offered the fox girl her complete attention even despite the standoffish start. It was clear the woman was not here for a fight and Harley wasn't going to bring her one, not without reason. Even Ace appeared to naturally settle with the moods shift, lowering his chin upon his front paws, falling asleep and yet not quite dreaming. She wasn't sure which part that did it, but somewhere along the line, something seemed to thaw some of that ice she constructed between them even if that guarded demeanour remained. The were-panther couldn't help that subtle thaw, even in spite of herself. Maybe she had a weakness when someone was willing a moment of vulnerability? Everyone had a story, even she knew that. Harley was many things, but she hadn't quite been completely consumed by the monsters at her door. It was that slightly playful warning that left her lips that only earned a slight smirk from the other woman instead of triggering those earlier nerves, perhaps something shifted in her too. Does that mean she would do it? Alexis questioned. Harley swore that there was a garnish of hopefulness within the other were's voice. It took a lot of balls to show up to her own domain and sit in her chair even despite her own ever-apparent thorns. Harley had to give the woman that. No one from that pack had attempted that one. It didn't take more than a simple moment for the raven-haired woman to bob her head in certainty. "Yeah, I will. It's not going to be cheap, with its size and detail though. But all we have left to do is come up with a sketch that you need to approve of and then we are golden." Harley added in a level tone before she took the following moment to expand.

The were-panther usually encouraged people to take a walk when she worked on the sketching part, so she could draw in uninterrupted peace. But when she was on a roll, when that image had etched itself within her very mind, there was little to stop those wheels from turning. It surprisingly didn't take very long with that image fresh in her mind, giving a glimpse of what she had envisioned even though there were many unspoken considerations taken into account, buried beneath the surface of the artist's mind. The body was full of grooves and curves, the way a tattoo was positioned on it was near everything. Movement, also had to be taken into account. It was not as simple as drawing on a stagnant piece of paper. Of course, that was what separated artists. Between what was just a good tattoo and a great one in her opinion.

It was then Harley's stone face that softened the moment the pencil hit the paper, with the exception of a delicate pinch of her dark, shaped brows. She possessed a 'look' when she concentrated or so she had been told. It was so different from the sarcastic mask she normally wore. One that so few saw beyond those mere glimpses when she worked. Yet after a little time, the sketch had come together, there was much that would be added within the tattoo process itself.

It was the moment of truth, as she brought the sketch to the waiting woman. Harley was fully prepared for either reaction, in truth, it was quite possible that Alexis could hate it. But it was the way she so easily grinned that gave it away. Guess that meant she approved. Harley's unique violet gaze shifted and fell upon the were-fox, that declaration that it was perfect almost seemed to satisfy her, her own lips curling into a slightly smug grin. Oh yeah, that went straight to her ego, just a little. She loved that feeling when she got it right, the first try. "We can start now. See how far we get if you are good to go. You are my last appointment for the day. Lucky for you, it means we are not pressed for time." The raven-haired woman said with confident ease, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear that had fallen into her face before she rolled her shoulders to relieve some of the tension that had built from work.

"Alright, I am going to need you to find a position you are comfortable in and remove any clothing that's in the way, I am not sure how your shirt sits on the back, you might not need to. You are going to be my canvas for a bit, so the more comfortable you can get, the better it will be. Can't have you squirming like a wet noodle when I need you to be still." Harley instructed lightly as a smirk danced upon her lips at the imagery she had crafted for herself. At that, the woman then turned, pivoting upon the balls of her feet to meander her way to the cabinet to prepare for work and in turn, offering a semblance of privacy. She pulled her hair into a long black ponytail. "If you need more privacy, let me know.." She offered with an edge of easy indifference, really nothing phased her about anyone anymore. But Weres and nudity seemed to be a part of the gig, so few seemed to be shy with a little bit of skin.

Regardless, she afforded her the chance anyways while she dove into her cabinet of colours and those tools of the trade. One by one she placed them in a somewhat orderly fashion upon a wheeling cart while giving the other woman some time to get situated with a hum of a melody that seemed to stick within her mind. She paused to speak the following bit, doing her own due diligence.

"Last chance to back out or to take some time to think on it. You wouldn't be the first one to do so if you did.." Harley offered the woman one last time, a chance to change her mind before that moment of no return.