stuff us in boxes that's where you want us

cardboard is boring, we brought our matches - look how it burns

Harley couldn't help it, she found herself interested as to what the fae king had to say, what he might reveal about himself and how. People were so much like puzzles. Some only looked deceptively easy until you sat down and got into it. It wasn't every day that a king waltzed into her shop, let alone one that didn't send her metaphorical hackles rising. A king was the very epitome of the example of authority, after all. Dorian only seemed to order his people around. The Were imagined she would not get along well with most royals, simply for that superiority complex thing they had going on. Gemstone violet eyes drift across the ever-youthful face of the Monarch as he spoke, right over the rim of her coffee cup like a dawn sun peering out from the horizon. She hadn't expected such a well-rounded answer from him, so much so that she paused drinking her coffee, lowering the cup as all that focused attention remained upon Dorian and his unfolding answer. A story about anger and how it could corrode and reduce one into a despairing bitterness. Anger certainly had its uses, she would have been lying if she said she hadn't used it to survive. Yet how easy it could consume you if you let it. It was like fire, the same fire that forged her iron will. It was a terribly effective tool, turning her into a veritable wild cat when she needed to call on it. Those claws had become literal in every sense. She never considered the damage and havoc it could have created within her or how it shaped her. But she had used it as fuel for so long. Did carving out your own slice of happiness truly help? Yet how many times had she tried, only to be disappointed? But who didn't want happiness? Even people like her, with her thorns. Wasn't that why so many threw themselves to oblivion for the mere chance of it? Destroyed themselves, maybe like Dorian's father did. How often it came with some sort of catch or a pretty little lie that she had grown near sceptical of it. But whoever told you they didn't want the real deal was lying right through their dishonest teeth... Harley dipped her head slightly as she considered Dorian's story, features crinkling slightly in a way that made her look younger than she was.

"Its not easy to break out of that cycle. Seeing what you didn't like and then changing it, not many have those kinds of balls, facing the hard truths in themselves." She met his silver eyes from across the room, studying him for a moment as something silent transpired between them before that conversation naturally altered its course.

Dorian was pulled deeper and deeper under his artistic spell, the conversation drifting as he began to unleash his skill upon the paper. It was interesting to see another artist in their zone, to see how it differed from her own. He hardly paused until the use of his powers as they were imprinted with magic, swirling and blooming across that drawing as it practically came to life beneath his hands. Harley could only strain to see various hues meshing together that she was dying to see up close. So, when that offer inevitably presented itself, she practically leapt off her proverbial perch with an agility that was entirely catlike. Boots meeting the faux wood floor, knees bending to brace the impact of leaping from that table countertop. Wasting little time, the panther-woman easily strut to meet his side, just to peer down at the drawing of her with curious eyes, both pleased and smug at the same time. How she would not forget the bloom of red to his cheeks as she declared he had made her look smoking hot. It was the absolute truth. She was almost shocked that he had captured so many details in so little time. Noticing what many people missed, like that smile that was all her, that devious twinkle within her eye and well... all her other attributes that he clearly had to look at to get just right. Kudos to him, she hadn't even noticed his assessment. But most importantly, this was so going up on her wall.

Eventually, Harley inquired why he didn't draw his own portrait. This seemed to cause the king's mood to shift and yet she couldn't quite read it or quite understand why. It was clearly a sore subject but not quite too much to sour his mood entirely. Such a thing seemed a very difficult task to do. But it was certainly a change from rainbows... to well this. Guilt wrapped around her tightly as she attempted to cheer the guy up. It was impossible to know what would have done it when she didn't even know him. Surely, he had a kind soul, so long as this wasn't entirely some guise. Although, the woman was usually really good at looking through that. Of course, she was certainly not so naïve to imagine him perfect, everyone consisted of complex layers.. good mixed with the bad. No one was perfect. Usually far from it. Perfectly human was more like it. Dorian then claimed that perhaps she thought too highly of him. A single brow rose as she cocked her head to view him better. "That's not what I meant. But... I think that humbleness is probably a good thing to hold on to." She answered honestly, wondering if she should elaborate for a little moment before throwing caution to the wind like always. "I didn't say that because I was trying to kiss ass or trying to compliment you. You just seemed kind of bummed about it. The whole not being able to draw your own aura. Although, I'm sure you will be able to draw it one day. It will just click, man. I mean.. it happened to me. Not with auras and all that.. but something else." It hardly seemed the same, but on some level it sort of was. It happened with her animal. The moment that she accepted her.. it was like an understanding she didn't have before. It made her powers and everything else come easier too. She made a loose gesture, it was likely that those two things were entirely different. Powers were fickle on any given day.... Unique only to each person. "But what do I know?" She tacked on and shrugged. That was between him and himself she was sure.

The conversation changed again, back to the topic of auras and how the king's curious powers worked. Maybe it was better off not knowing. Especially with disturbing thoughts of trapping someone within a paper prison. Were you bathed in darkness the moment that book closed? So many questions.... No one should hold that kind of power and yet.. it would certainly come in handy to solve her little... vampire problem. How part of her almost wanted them to try something just now... just to see if it would. Especially with that impenetrable wall of security surrounding the place. Even the likes of Darcy would be unwilling to risk anything with a big, burly supernatural squad like that. Right? She didn't allow those thoughts to run away with her despite how tempting they were. But could you blame the fantasy? It wasn't every day she had an opportunity like this one. But then again, even though she hardly knew the guy, she decided she actually liked him. He might have been the calmest person she had ever met. At least it was enough to keep him from reckless, fantastical ideas that could wind them both in a load of shit.

That was why part of her wanted to give him something in return after he gave her such a beautiful portrait. Maybe it was time he broke out of the tried-and-true boundaries just a little bit more, let loose, and try something new. He did step into her domain and expressed interest in it... earlier. In fact, he already said he wanted to see her tattoo machine. Maybe he had forgotten. Yet she hadn't quite expected the king to be so sceptical, maybe she really did have that sketchy kind of air about her. The thought made her want to grin. She liked keeping people on their toes. But the scepticism practically leaked and exuded from his pores. Fine... She sighed, before finally filling in those blanks of what she intended. Curious if he would still display the same interest from earlier on.

Once receiving the go-ahead, Harley moved quickly, took out the natural leather, supplies and cracked out her trusted wireless tattoo machine from the hard zippered, protective case. She placed those various supplies on the table before him before revealing her pride and joy. That near-confused look upon the monarch's features was... unmistakable. Yeah... Maybe she should have known better than to think he would get it. Dorian eyed the machine within her hand before he claimed that it was .. lovely and pointed. That remark caused Harley to snort derisively.

"You know.. it's not going to get its feelings hurt." She teased. The guards were looking at her like she was suddenly some kind of major threat and yet that hardly stopped her. This was her domain after all. They were wound up so tight that it was painful, although she supposed they had to be that way. Apparently, Lucas didn't appreciate this little show and tell. It caused her to sigh deeply. But she was in too deep and Dorian at least seemed curious enough. "Think of it as nothing more than.... Uhh.. a big pencil but with more working parts." Harley said loud enough for Lucas to hear it too. It was a good thing she didn't pull out the piercing equipment. That was sure to stir up a frenzy.

She did not deter from her task as she began to lean over that desk, eyeing her canvas. This was better to show. Easily flicking on the machine as it buzzed to life like she had done a million times before, she hovered over that blank leather canvas as she decided on a clean design of roses and decorative thorns. Her features pulled into that deep look of concentration she often got when tattooing. The look was hardly there long, simply because it did not take long to finish. It was simple enough, a design she could do in her sleep without the use of a reference. It took her no time as she wiped away the remaining ink as she would upon that skin so the black would not stain the tan hide. A few moment's later, she was done. She stood up as Dorian uttered.. Meraviglioso... uhh what? The tone of his voice seemed like it was a good thing.

Light violet peered at him in confusion. What the hell was a... mera-whatever? It almost reminded her of something a magician would say after they revealed their trick. "That sounds like one too many syllables of I'm not sure what you just said." She admitted wryly.

Why not make this day just a little more memorable? She was actually kind of shocked he agreed so quickly, even with the serious looks she was getting from his bodyguard. But it wasn't the looks from Lucas that made Harley pause. Oh no.. It was the king himself who seemed to speak., rather candidly. Surely with an expert to guide him and all his helicopter guards around.. But the more he talked the more doubtful she became.

Was this guy from back in time? It certainly seemed that way. Especially as he didn't seem to know the proper name for a microwave... Going so far to say it was sorcery. This was how she got sued, she was certain. The woman grew dubious, wondering not for the first time if this guy was for real or not. He must have been the only man who didn't. Maybe this was him joking.

"Nice one." Yeah... haha... He didn't look like he just made a joke and that was the most alarming thing. Alright, she would roll with it. He did admit he didn't do this very often, making meeting people like this difficult. Dorian must have possessed a different kind of humour. "You mean a microwave, right? Definitely not sorcery... It's just the wonderful world of electronics and the key to unlocking the potential of survival in the modern era... or TV dinners if that is your thing." She smirked, that iconic sarcasm was back in action. "What happened with your microwave debacle? Leave some tinfoil on?" Oh yeah she definitely did that once or twice.

She drew her attention back to the device, putting on her very best serious face. "This is easier than that, I will explain everything." He seemed interested enough before deciding to offer him a 'stab' at the machine. Even against her better judgement, she handed it to him off and how one would hand over a knife, not stabby end first, she wasn't a psychopath.

Surely nothing could go wrong, right? He knew how to use a pencil and that's exactly what this was... a very thick pencil with moving parts.

Harley confidently explained those basics, step by step, keeping it simple as she watched him closely to make sure he understood. It was almost too easy to nerd out over it. It wasn't every day she got to speak to another fellow artist. This was just another extension of art, was it not? Even if it was not Dorian's chosen medium.

Harley was as hands-on as she could be, aiding him in turning the tattoo machine on and filling it with ink.... The guy seemed deep in thought, taking this very, very seriously. He was slow and deliberate as he brought the tattoo machine to the leather and she swore she held her breath, even though she knew better. She was almost curious about what he would attempt to draw... But the moment he pressed the buzzing needle to the leather he pulled it away just as quickly. One could not fake the absolutely ecstatic energy he was radiating with. She expected him to back in and try it again, only he didn't. Instead, he asked Lucas to take a photo to show it to his husband. All over a dot. Hey... to each their own.

If he actually had a disaster with a microwave, she was certain that his husband would condemn her for this. Regardless, Dorian seemed thrilled, even as Lucas already moved to take the photo. She easily stepped back allowing them to do their thing. Not that it took the guard long.

"Did you want to attempt to draw something else? Or are you good?" She inquired, willing to take back the machine from him if he felt satisfied with his.... dot. It was then that she looked around, unaware of the crowd that was forming outside that shop as they were pretty concealed within her tattoo room. Surely that was a sign that their time was almost through. But Harley's mind couldn't help but drift back to the warlock. It prompted the question that burned within her mind. Surely a man that had practically been able to read the souls from people's auras would know something about this.

"Hey Dorian?" She paused, waiting for those silver eyes to meet her own, Harley then leaned against the table, partially sitting on it, arms loosely folded beneath her chest. "Have you ever seen or heard of a fiery soul? Do you know what that would mean in the world of auras?" Why was she lowering her voice like it was some kind of secret? She had been purposefully vague, clearly not mentioning a person and yet it was too specific a question to truly be out of the blue.

Harley Westward