downtown strip

@im jaebum She took a look around again the place was awfully quiet now that he mentioned it. A small hiss coming out from her when the ink pen touched her skin again as he led it to work along the curves and lines of what he's done so far. "So it's only you working in this parlor? No others?" she asked. Jihyun would have thought there were at least maybe a few other tattoo artists working with him too. "As the pain started to grow a bit stronger from Jaebum pressuring the needle into her skin she bit her lip trying to endure as much as possible - and listen to him talk at the same time - although in pain she could still smile and let out a small laugh or two. That was of course to help her ease down a bit from the pain, "23 is a lot for me. Can I ask a weird question? I've just been curious about this for a while." She looked at him sort of hesitating because his impression of her might change but she was just dying to ask. Now she's in front of an tattoo artist so why not? "Has anyone ever got tattoos done in like very intimate areas of their bodies?" her doe eyes blinking and if they could you could see a glimmer at how inquisitive she was.

@kang soyou The tattoo artist shakes his head at Jihyun's question. "No you're not talking too much. I actually like talking to my customers, it's so quiet here when it's just yourself you know?" He says to her as he dips the needle into the coloring and return to Jihyun's wrist. He carefully colors in the outline of the black cat this time. While he's working on this, he responds back, "23 isn't a lot really. I want to have over 50 of them." He presses down firmly on the girl's skin, murmuring a "sorry" as he does this. Jaebum hadn't took Jihyun as the type of person to get tattoos though. Now that he thought about it. When she was younger she was shy, to his perspective, and apprehensive to almost everything. Now just several years later this once shy girl was more open-minded and making decisions that most girls wouldn't dare do.

@im jaebum "Sorry am I distracting you from talking so much?" she asked wanting to know if it was a bother. Jihyun lifted her wrist up to look at the result of what he's done so far, hissing quietly as she felt the area throbbing. The outline of her skin red and looking bruised from the small jaggered marks of the needle that colored into her layered skin. While listening to him she placed her wrist back down once he came back from the refill of ink and to work on the rest of her tattoo. "That's a lot of tattoos..23..," she said not too loud in her own train of thought but still hearing his voice. As he explained where the tattoos where located on his body she held in a small gasp. "I actually want one on the back of neck, underside of my , and maybe behind me ear. A lot of people I know says getting tattoos are addicting."

@kang soyou The question hadn't thrown Jaebum off from his work. He smiled a little that Jihyun was talking to him, usually customers would sit in the chair and stay quiet for a whole 3 to 4 hours. They'll talk here and there, but it wouldn't become an entire conversation. The auburn-haired male hummed at her question and stood up from the stool to go fetch the colored ink he needed for the Sailor Moon designs surrounding the black cat. "I have around 23 tattoos in total," He places the colors of ink on the side table next to him and changed out the needles. While he was doing this he continued his earlier statement. "I have two sleeves on both arms, a complete torso, a tattoo on the back of my neck, and I'm plan on getting one on my ankle next."

@im jaebum Her gazed moved back and forth from focusing on him to the posters hanging on the walls, pictures and what not. They just kept catching her attention for some odd reason, deciding to keep her talking on the minimum so Jaebum can keep his sole focus on her wrist. The pain was of course pretty bad but she kept her composure, even though tears were literally threatening to fall. She had to it up like a big girl, as she kept watching him ink her wrist the whole process was interesting. Her lower lip was hanging hearing his story of how to become immune to the pain of getting tattoos. "How many tattoos do you have exactly, Jae?" she asked him in curiosity taking a look at her left finger nails. Jihyun was into nail art, it was something she liked to keep tabs on as a hobby on the side. Being slightly OCD seeing a chip off one of her gel coated fingernail made her cringe, moving her hand back down to avoid it before she ends up peeling it off. Which was bad as gel polish needed to be soaked off.

@kang soyou Jaebum hardly paid attention to Jihyun as she rambled on and on about her tattoo. He was concentrated on making sure her tattoo comes out perfect. If it was ruined then he was ruined. To every tattoo that Jaebum gave to a person he had a sentimental value to them. He wanted for the person to treat it with care and come back to him only to get the tattoo re-done again. Although it wasn't like the auburn-haired tattoo artist was going to actually say it. He just wished they would come back. Only a handful did; he thought of them as being loyal. Hopefully Jihyun would be one of those few people that would return in the future to him. As a customer and tattoo artist way. "The pain will wear off as soon as you become used to getting tattoos." He murmured, tilting his head to the right and strands of his hair brushed on her skin. He dipped the pen back into the ink and went back to completing the outline. "When I was younger, and I got my first tattoo, it hurt like hell. I got over it after like..." He pauses to think about it and continued. "My fifth."

@im jaebum Jihyun made a face seeing the pen being filled with ink, the fear was coming back. Wanting to badly pull her hand back but his grip was tight and it would be bad to chicken out now. "Oh my god..I can't look. Jaebum can you like spray some numbing thing on my wrist or something?" she asked looking away from him. "That sounds worse over a needle actually piercing my skin at once. Okay. I need to stop being a chicken ." she talked to herself trying to calm her nerves over this slightly dreadful decision she made. Her eyes still closed with head turned the other way, feet tapping on the floor as he made a count down of when the ink pen will touch her skin. Her teeth baring into her lower lip anticipating it but once he began it didn't feel as bad. Jihyun opened her eyes one by one turning her head back to look at him work on her wrists, the nerve wrecking stage done and over with. "Eh it's not that bad..it hurts but bearable."

@kang soyou Jaebum chuckled at her fear of the tattoo and he reached beside him to dip his needle into the ink. He wanted to make her feel a bit comfortable so he came up with a joke. "You shouldn't be scared just think of it as getting a shot from the doctors. Except that the needle won't be going into your veins." He held her wrist firmly. The first thing Jaebum was gonna have to do was trace the image on her wrist and then trace it over again but in reverse. "Alright 1... 2... 3." He presses the pen down on her wrist and begins to get to work on the tattoo. First he traces the cat in the middle which took him around 30 minutes and he went on to work on the Sailor Moon charms surrounding the black cat.

@im jaebum A smile curled on her thin rosy lips with peeps of her pearly whites, she was fondly amused that he felt that way. Jihyun did quite enjoy seeing Jaebum get all rigid once her identity was said. "I see, I just don't want you uncomfortable around me. It wasn't a pretty when we last saw each other - especially me - don't tell anyone though. I now have an image to hold," she joked while moving about to sit on the desinated chair. She was growing anxious as seconds passed, watching him prep to begin the procedure. "Thanks, it's one of my prideful possessions." Jihyun placed her other hand abover her chest, giving it soft pats to calm her thumping heart. Remembering to capture the moment of her first time getting tatted, she pulled out her phone to snap a picture posting it on her various different social media apps. "Hashtag breaking my tattoo ity!" she yelled out to release some tension.

@kang soyou The tattoo artist tensed when she asked him a dreaded question he wasn't expecting to hear. He couldn't lie to her about it. His body language gave it all away. The forced smiles, rubbing the back of his neck, and being brief when he spoke. He straightened himself up, letting out a short exhale when she had him cornered – metaphorically. "Yeah, I'm just really surprised to see you again Jihyun. Sorry if I'm acting all weird. It's just the last time we met," He gestured for her to sit on the chair while he went to put on the black gloves and get his station ready. While he was preparing, Jaebum continued, "We ended off on a bad note. I guessed I must have thought that after all these years you still bore those feelings towards me." He grabbed his stool and sat next to Jihyun on her right side. A sigh of relief escape from his shoulders and his voice unintentionally became deeper. "But you look great now. A bit of junk in your trunk." He joked around. He wanted to keep the atmosphere light-hearted. Jaebum cleaned off Jihyun's wrist with an anti-bacterial cleansing wipe.

@im jaebum Jihyun noticed the change in his behavior, thinking to herself maybe she shouldn't have had said anything. Being pretty blunt at times when needed, she straight forwardly wanted to asked him. "You aren't feeling some type of way from seeing me again are you?" The tease in her voice could be heard, in attempt to lighten the awkward-ish mood around the two. She wanted to set things straight, Jihyun may have liked him 5-6 years ago but not anymore. People change through a course of time and she certainly is not the same girl she was before. Coming out of her box as a shy little girl, she's grown more open as a person and relaxed around others she didn't know of as well. Meeting different people during different occasions has led her social life to another level. "Don't worry, I don't have those feelings left for you anymore. So loosen up a little eh?" she took back her debit card after he handed it back, then shoving it into the side pocket of her purse. "I'm scared and excited," she mumbled looking around as she followed behind the lad into a seperate room with much more light. It almost blinded her.

@kang soyou Jaebum nervously waved off the apology with his hand and chuckled tensely. "You don't have to apologize it's fine, really." He said to her, his eyes reverting to the computer's screen of he pending purchase he had to complete whenever she handed her card to him. This was shocking, awkward, and nerve-wracking for Jaebum. An old high school crush shows up after just 5 to 6 years still habouring that same admiration she had for him in the past. The auburn-haired male thought she would have been over him. At least dating with someone but it looks like she won't ever get Jaebum out of her head. He hesitantly looked back up at her smiling meekly when she talked about the past. "Yeah the past is in the past," He said quietly and takes the debit card out of her hand when she held it out. He didn't swipe yet until she asked him a question about the payment arrangements. "Actually here at Worldwide Ink, we ask for our customers to pay beforehand, because in the past we had a few customers run out on the bill. It left us in huge debt on the revenue tax." He explained briefly to her and places the card into the slot. He typed in the estimate amount of time along with the tattoo and the price added up to $187.50. "Alright... Jihyun your total is $187.50," He deducted the transaction on her card and handed the plastic back to her. Jaebum walked out from the behind the counter and flicked his hand for her to follow him to the back of the parlour.

@im jaebum The girl faked an offended scoff from his statement, her lips pursed shaking her head. "You're supposed to say 'No, you still are very womanly in my eyes' or something along that sort y'know?" she retailiated back with a click of her tongue. She too caught him staring for a brief second, making her feel all flustered but thankfully the lighting was bad and he couldn't see Jihyun's cheek turn beet red. Hating the fact that he still had that strong effect on her. "Hey! I didn't mean to rudely interupt you earlier. Sorry, Jaebum." saying as she held her hands together, clasped, and against her chest. "Aww that's so nice of you, thanks." she followed after him, grabbing her notepad she took out earlier to place back into her bag. "Do you still remember me? That little girl who shamelessly followed you around for weeks and confessed just maybe too late. That's me! But no hard feelings. That's history now," she flicked her wrist to cooly brush off the topic before holding out her debit card. "And I will be paying with debit, but wait- do I pay beforehand or after it's done?"

@kang soyou Jaebum in his breath, playfully nodding his head at the girl, "Yeah you sound like my 11-year-old cousin and she's a huge fan of Sailor Moon too." He joked around with the customer. He laughed heartily, rubbing the back of his neck while still grinning charmingly towards the young girl. He paused for a while staring at her and when he caught himself he immediately looked back down at the notepad. "So anyways like I was going to say before someone interrupted me." He pointed a good-natured judging finger at her and skimmed his eyes on the yellow piece of paper. "Usually I charge people around $150 to $200 an hour for a tattoo, but since I find you to be unique I'll charge you the lowest which is $75. So in the end you'll possibly pay just... approximately $200 plus tax." He nodded his head firmly and went over to the cash register typing in the purchase into the computer. "Are you paying with cash, credit, or," He was cut off again when the girl introduced herself as Jihyun. Jihyun... he remembered that name from somewhere. Jaebum stood there his eyes narrowed in deep thought at the girl until he looked intensely into those soft brown eyes. He nearly fell to his knees when the flash back of her face covered in tears imaged in his mind. It was Kang Jihyun. The high school girl that had a crush on him, but in the end sadly she was heartbroken when he was dating another girl. Jaebum swallowed, "Debit." he finished his earlier sentence. He never expected to see her again. Not after the pain he put her through. He hated seeing people cry especially females because there was nothing he could have done to stop it. Nor could he comfort her.

@im jaebum "Do I seem child like from my Sailor Moon idea?" she asked with a chuckle while scratching the side of her cheek. Jihyun thought about getting more than one tattoo earlier before she had came but she knew she wouldn't be able to bear with the pain if she got another one on the same exact day. "In terms of price I'm willing to pay anything, I just want it to turn out nice," she wanted to say beforehand. Oh god, he took off the shades. Jihyun was not prepared at all to see his charming smile once more after these few years. What girl can forget her first love? Or rather first one-sided love. "U-Um well it's me Jihyun, hi." She shyly waved a hand to him, silently cursing herself for being an awkward turtle. There it was again that nervous feeling everytime she was in front of him. If anything she would say he's got even more hotter through the past years but she'll keep those thoughts to herself. That one heartbreak was more than enough but she's glad she went through it. It's helped her keep up her walls against aimlessly falling for men who want nothing but something of her in return. Not saying Jaebum was a man like that, it's just she's seen and experienced enough while blooming into a woman.

@kang soyou The auburn-haired male nodded his head and then chuckled at the suggestion of Sailor Moon. He wasn't much of an anime fan though, the only animes he watched were Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, Bleach, Death Note, and his all-time favorite Attack on Titan. These five were the kind of animes he considered to be legendary. "The Sailor Moon suggestion is cool. After all each tattoo describes the person and has a meaning. Nice choice you've picked out there." He grabbed a small note pad from behind the counter next to the pencil and pen holder. The tattoo parlor he worked in charged just $150 an hour for a tattoo while for a custom it was $200 an hour. Fortunately for this young vibrant girl Jaebum was going to cut her a deal. The lowest he could charge for her would be just $75 an hour. Any lower than that he'd have to say good bye to his favorite job in the world. "Since I find you to be quite unique, I'll charge you," He was cut off when the girl asked who he was and he gave her a curt nod. He grew curious as to how she knew him though. "Yeah I'm Im Jaebum." He took off his eyeglasses, placing them on the counter and grinned flirtatiously at her. Having no idea she was a part of his dark past. "Why are you an old classmate from high school or university?" He asks her his interest in her high.

@im jaebum Jihyun tilted her head a tad bit while listening to his suggestions about her tattoo, nodding as she tried to pitcure how it would look. "That acutally sounds like a really cute idea!" she exclaimed with a wide smile. "Instead of a quote maybe some beading designs off sailor moon inspired as the bracelet lining, I do have a thing for the anime. Like the different symbols for each sailor moon soldier." Getting a closer look up front to him, Jihyun almost gasped out loud. It was him, Im Jaebum, the first guy she held a crush over during the last year of highschool. Not exactly sure whether she should mention that they know each other, he probably won't even remember. The horrid memories flashed back of her failed heartfelt confession towards him and ending up with her crying like a baby. Yet, again it would he sort of shady if she didn't say anything either. "Are you Jaebum?" she finally asked after fighting over and over with her angels and devils. Silently praying inside, she doesn't embarrass herself again even if she already feels like it. Badly wanting to bang her head against a wall at this moment.

@kang soyou Jaebum rubbed his hands together as he leaned over the counter to get a better look at the drawing. It was a silhouette of a cat sitting down and a red bow was the "pop" of the piece. He nodded his head at the choice and a small pleased smile grew on his face. Personally, Jaebum thought the tattoo was adorable. He had a cat of his own back at his apartment. He looked at the girl when she couldn't think of where the canvas could be placed at on her body. The place where Jaebum believed the tattoo would fit would be her wrist. He thought of another design that she might like as well. "I think it would look great on your right wrist," He gently took her wrist in his hand examining it for ideas. "And I wanted to know if you want for the look to resemble a bracelet. I was visualizing the cat being right in the middle of your wrist," he turned her hand so it was facing up, "Then going around it would be a quote, it can be a quote you'd want to choose from our portfolios or one you can come up with." He explained to her and then pointing to the books they had on the counter. "The quote is totally optional you know?"

@im jaebum Upon hearing his voice Jihyun had a thought it sounded oddly familiar, but she simply shook it off not thinking much of it. Like the person it reminded her of would come to mind anyway. Although the light was dim she could tell the man behind the counter had tattoos all over himself, it was actually interesting. If only she could see them clearly, Jihyun wasn't planning to become too addicted though. She knows herself that she is a big baby. Only planning to get a small itsy bitsy tattoo today. Her first and maybe her last.

"Well I'm looking around to get my very first tattoo, I want to go to someone trust worthy and will get it done the way I like it. Since it's going to be something permanent, I'm taking particular extra care." she explained sort of rambling off. One of the things she tends to do while talking, Jihyun took out a small notepad from her bag and flipping through the first few pages to get to her sketch. "I want a tattoo exactly like this," she showed him shining the paper against an area with more light for him to see better. Her drawing had the silhoutte of a cat sitting down, the focal point which was the red bow only colored in, and it's tail slightly curled out. It symbolized her love for her pet cat ChiChi. "I'm not exactly sure where I want the tattoo to be, maybe my wrist? or back?"

@kang soyou Jaebum combed his fingers through his auburn-colored hair as he stood inside of the restroom at the tattoo parlor he worked in. Today had been a slow day since not that many people were looking to have a tattoo done. Nor was anyone looking forward to having a tattoo re-done. He wore a black v-neck shirt, torn denim jeans, black combat boots, and black-rimmed eyeglasses. Jaebum checked himself out in the mirror. He was covered in tattoos from head to toe. The man had sleeves done on both arms, his upper body covered in ink, and a tattoo of his mother's name on his neck. Each and every day Jaebum would admire his tattoos with a warm smile. Why? Because to him they were cool and each described him.

He returned back to the front of the store, taking a seat at the counter and pulling out his sketch book. He started to sketch a design he wanted to use on someone. As he was seated at the counter the sound of the chimes caught his attention. He lifted his head up from concentrating on his sketch to the woman that entered the store. Jaebum smiles at the girl nodding his head, "Sure thing," he responded, closing his book and he stood up from the stool. "What do you need help with ma'am?"

@im jaebum In the late night where the crowd goes, Jihyun was among the chaotic facade. To come down to this place alone wasn't an issue to her or majority of the population residing in this type of environment. There were many shops still open cafes to clothings stores and most importantly the nightlife. But today that wasn't Jihyun's goal, she was looking to perhaps get a bucket list check off. To get an tattoo. It's been on her mind for a while now, with enough courage and bravery she is finally going to take the challenge up. Of course having a few ideas in mind of her own sketched drawing of what she wanted. She just needed the right person for the job.

Jihyun walked into one of the well known tattoo places, inside was dark and eery. Almost like a night club, it had the same feeling at least. But not quite. Spotting someone behind the counter she walked up to him, since it was pretty dark inside she had a hard time fifuring out how he looked but it was most definitely a male. "Hey, exuse me. Do you mind helping me?"

@kim taeyeon /On this peculiar night, Jennie sighed heavily as she reached for a damp towel to wipe the counter in front of her. This wasn't her work night here at this bar, but the manager called in and told her that they were in need of a good barista since a group of stockholders were going to come in to check out the place. Sometimes being the best came with a burden. Jennie didn't mind, but her shift from her full-time work place had tired her to the point where she was falling half-asleep during the time of no customers.

Jennie immediately darted to the chiming bell, alarming the workers that a customer had walked through the doors. She put on her best fake smile to conceal her tiredness before greeting the female customer. "Welcome to Starlight! What can I get for you tonight, ma'am? oh-" Jennie chuckled softly before nodding her head firmly. "Of course you can!" She replied, reaching over to the chilling fridge to pull out on of their best beers. Jennie popped open the beer bottle before setting it on the serving counter with a few sliced lemons on a dessert plate. "Is there anything else I can get you, beautiful?"

@choi ren He smiled, feeling a bit relieved that you might have the book he was looking for. He followed you closely examining the shelves to help you look for it. "Ah, that, well, um..it's for my students. Im a personal tutor. I was supposed to teach English tomorrow but I forgot that I dont have the book to teach." He looked at the shorter boy and asked timidly. "This was the only bookshop open in this area. You guys usually open till this late at night?

@choi ren He was a bit startled when an unknown voice came from behind him, alerting him that he wasnt alone. He turned around and saw a boy. Or at least he thought it was a boy. A very pretty boy indeed. Great, now he had to engage in a human conversation. Not that he hates the other nor is he part supernatural creature... He's just really awkward around people in general.He smiled politely and scratched his head looking around at the interior of the bookstore avoiding the other's eyes. "Hi there... umm, yes, Im actually looking for a revision book. For 11th grade english? Prehaps, do you have it here?"

@kim jennie /After a harsh, exhausting day of producing instrumental tracks for upcoming summer albums, I decide to take a long, well-needed break. As a way to relieve stress and music-related burdens, I always find myself strolling beneath a dark, cloudless night sky, moving alongside neon signs lighting up buildings of the downtown strip. It was soothing, having the distraction of nightlife away from work. This night, in particular, my motives encompass more than just having a late night walk. I decide that alcohol would be a fitting way to escape my problems, even if only for a few hours.

Approaching the closest bar, I shove one hand in my pocket, while the other grips onto the door handle. I have been to several other bars before, but this one was one I have never set foot in. A smile tugs onto my lips as I travel over to the bar counter, eventually sitting comfortably down on the empty stool in front of me. Now was my chance to lose some judgement and let loose. Raising a hand slightly up, I flag you over./

Can I have a beer please? I am going to start off slow. Thanks.

@choi ren Sunggyu was a responsible adult. At least, most of the time, he was. It was only this one time did he became a little panicky because he forgot to buy an important material for his class next morning and only remembered it when he was about to go hit the sack earlier. It was clearly already night time- almost midnight, but there he was running around town, searching for a bookshop that was still open. He felt really lazy that night too but he still managed to get his out of bed somehow. He couldnt help but smiles like a crazy person when he finally did see a bookshop, still operating at this hour. Despite the unfimiliar road he is in now.