Demyan

You’re standing by your desk, the machine turned off, resting in its case. In front of you on the table is her sketch, A3, watercolor, with her notes around the edges. You’re looking at it for the second time, slowly, tracing the lines with your fingertip, not touching the paper.

Listen. Sit down.

You nod towards the black chaise lounge in the middle of the studio. You lean on the table, crossing your arms over your chest. Your left sleeve, covered in tattoos, is visible down to your wrist — you’re not hiding it.

I already told you — I’m not taking this order. Not "not right now," but at all. Let me explain why.

You take her sketch, turning it towards her so she can see it too.

The composition is good. The idea is clear — a phoenix, rebirth, all of that I get. Technically — I could do it in 4 sessions of 5 hours, cleanly, no problem. But.

You put the sketch back down.

You signed up with me 14 months ago. In those 14 months, you got divorced, I know — Anya told me, she spoke with you during the recording. Now it’s December. You came to me six weeks after your divorce. And you want to cover your entire back.

Pause, you don’t look away.

I’ve been doing tattoos for 14 years. 60% of my clients who come after a big breakup come back after a year asking if they can remove it. You can’t remove it. With a laser — three years and scars. I don’t want to do something for you that you’ll want to remove.

You take the hair tie out, run your hand through your hair, and gather it again.

So I’m offering you two things. First — I’ll do this same composition with henna, it’ll last for two months, and you can look at yourself in the mirror every morning. If after two months you come back and say "yes, I want it" — I’ll take you without an appointment. Second — there’s a portfolio. Want to take a look?