[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190120/b458a81531631a6916fa9413063c5f80.png[/img][/center][right][sub] Interacting with: his mom <3[/sub][/right]
Ugh, there it was, that [i]if[/i] again. [i]If[/i] he entered Varis’ service. The thought of surgery was far from comforting, but it was that [i]if[/i] that gnawed at him most. For the moment, though, Aaron remembered what he told himself and pushed the thought to the back of his mind. He could brood over it later; in the meantime, Varis had apparently made his choice, and it was time for Aaron to accept the unpleasant reality of this ‘marking’ business. He eyed the tattoo shop warily as they stepped inside, casting aside his former optimism in favour of hoping Varis’ taste in ‘adornments’ was at least less disturbing than his Lady’s. 

Inside, the shop was clean and tidy, though the artwork plastered all over the walls did loosen it up a bit. Aaron, of course, was anything but, the casual atmosphere doing nothing to quell his dread. The receptionist bade them to wait, but Varis clearly had no intention of obeying; Aaron was glad for the command to escort the other client out, if only because it gave him something to do. With an apologetic smile, he gestured for the mage at the counter to follow him, opening the door for him as he politely ushered him outside. 

Aaron waited a moment for the door to close behind them before offering the mage a somewhat more sheepish grin. [color=f0d705]“Sorry about that, I hope we didn’t interrupt anything important.”[/color]

The mage blinked between Aaron, his scabbard and the tattoo shop for a moment, looking a little dazed. His hand still teased at his pocket, apparently still debating pulling out his phone. [color=#b2b2b2]“O-oh, no problem,”[/color] he finally rushed out, accented by something like a laugh. He shot Aaron a nervous smile and offered a wave as he turned to leave, a partially completed sleeve tattoo on display. [color=#b2b2b2]“Uh, have a good night!”[/color]

Aaron smiled and nodded as the other mage took off, ducking into the first door he reached. He re-entered the tattoo shop just in time for the receptionist to give him a weird look, glancing between him and her screen. Aaron had half a mind to make sure his tie wasn't tied inside-out or something, but the receptionist seemed to catch her composure quickly, returning to her exchange with Varis. [color=AD50C8]“Did Mr. Starag need to select an earring?”[/color]

[color=f7976a]“No, he does not. Just see that he gets through this as quickly as possible.”[/color] Varis might have almost sounded kind if not for his tone and clear impatience. He placed a box on the counter for the receptionist to appraise; Aaron guessed that the contents were those ‘adornments’ Varis had mentioned. The receptionist seemed satisfied, and Aaron was more than a little curious. He supposed he’d find out about them soon enough.

Varis snapped his fingers at him again, and it looked like he’d be free of the vampires for the rest of the evening. Aaron sat down where he was indicated, taking a moment to remove his scabbard from his hip and balance it against his knee, and set a quick alarm for 5:45am so he wouldn’t miss his 6am curfew. Roughly two hours to himself, minus however long this appointment took. Not bad, maybe he’d have time to see Salem after all. For the moment, though, he was more concerned with his appointment. The receptionist said ‘earring’, so that meant he was getting his ear pierced, right? Probably the right ear, since Varis apparently didn’t want to do his left. Just an ear piercing, that couldn’t be too bad. Surely it wouldn’t hurt much, though he wasn’t really concerned about the pain; it was just that something about poking holes in oneself and sticking jewelry in them always sent a shiver up his spine. But women got their ears pierced all the time, how bad could it be? Much better than those ones Lady Sinnenodel’s mages had had in their faces, or the one Vanessa had on her back. Right?

He was fighting a losing battle with his nerves when his watch and phone buzzed in tandem, his watch face displaying a phone call from “Mom”. His phone displayed a candid shot of a smiling older woman, with his same blue eyes and silvery blonde hair twisted into an elaborate braid. He was caught between perking up and sinking down at the sight, both happy to speak with her and dreading whatever she might ask. But it wouldn’t do to keep her waiting, so he quickly answered the call, speaking more brightly than he felt. [color=f0d705]“Hey mom, how are you feeling?”[/color]

[hider=A call from mom][color=ffae3d]“How is it that after all this time, that’s still how you always answer my calls?”[/color] His mother demanded, though a quiet chuckle betrayed her amusement. 

Aaron smiled, looking down at his lap. [color=f0d705]“Force of habit I suppose,”[/color] he replied. [color=f0d705]“How are things at home?”[/color]

[color=ffae3d]“A little hectic since you left, but we’ve finally gotten all your duties straightened out,”[/color] his mother reported. Though it may have been mean-spirited, Aaron couldn’t help but feel smug that it took them some time to get his responsibilities covered. [color=ffae3d]“But how are you? You leave for the first time and don’t call for three nights, I didn’t know you had such a wandering spirit.”[/color]

Aaron laughed with his mother, though he was happy she couldn’t see his face fall. [color=f0d705]“Yes, forgive me, I wanted to video call but I haven’t gotten the chance.”[/color]

[color=ffae3d]“Of course, it’s a lot of changes in a very short time, I’m surprised you have any time for me,”[/color] she reassured him. 

Aaron smiled sadly. [color=f0d705]“Don’t worry, I always have time for you.”[/color]

[color=ffae3d]“Oh hush,”[/color] his mother gently chided, [color=ffae3d]“you can do much better things with your time than worry about me.”[/color] Silence stretched between them for a moment, and when his mother spoke up again, she was quieter. [color=ffae3d]“Everything is going well, then?”[/color]

[color=f0d705]“...Like you said, it’s a lot of changes,”[/color] Aaron reasoned. He knew he’d have to do this dance, but he worried all the same. [color=f0d705]“I’m sure I’ll catch on soon though.”[/color]

[color=ffae3d]“I have no doubt.”[/color] Aaron swore he could [i]hear[/i] his mother’s smile, the same sad one she’d given him when he’d left, and it tightened his throat even now. There was another pause on the line before his mother cleared her throat, forcing some brightness back into her voice. [color=ffae3d]“And your partner? We’ve all been dying to learn who it is, but of course Her Royal Highness is tight-lipped on the matter.”[/color]

[color=f0d705]“I bet she is.”[/color] Aaron closed his eyes for a second, letting his head fall back onto the couch. Of course it would be up to him to break the news, though he almost wished Princess Ryner would have spilled so he didn’t have to. Should he just tell her now and get it over with? Wait for a better time, a better place, more privacy? He felt like a child admitting to doing something bad, running through every worst-case reaction he might get. [color=f0d705]“Well…” [/color][/hider]
[color=AD50C8]“Mr. Starag, Jacob is ready for you.”[/color] As if on cue, the receptionist called Aaron up, gesturing to the back of the tattoo parlor. Aaron had not expected to be [i]relieved[/i] to head back for his appointment, but it was definitely the better alternative to what he was about to say. 

[color=f0d705]“I’m sorry mom, I have to go,”[/color] he excused hastily, standing and balancing his phone on his shoulder so he could clip his scabbard back onto his belt. [color=f0d705]“Say hello to everyone at home for me, and I’ll talk to you soon, okay?”[/color]

He was sure his mother was less than impressed, but she didn’t let it leak into her voice. [color=ffae3d]“Of course. I love you, Sunshine.”[/color]

Aaron smiled, despite himself. [color=f0d705]“Love you too, mom.”[/color]