Chapter 396: Toward the Manticore Vault
Omilaena had always hated tribes.
They went by different names, depending on whether you were on Rosemount, Cloudspire, or Deadwaste. Sometimes they were called sects, sometimes guilds, sometimes even stranger names, but they were all essentially tribes. Bands of people grouping together for their own benefit, pretending that they cared about some abstract concept and would support one another.
"Thank you so much for doing this," Feida said. "It's nice to have another tribeswoman."
Case in point.
As they walked into the tent, Omilaena kept a fake smile on her face, as if she really cared about the Manticore tribe. They all had the same name and same tattoos, but the way they tore one another apart was proof of just how little their kinship meant. Feida pretended they shared some bond due to their sex - sisterhood as just another tribe - but would have betrayed her instantly, if she could get away with it.
"I'm surprised you want me to do this," Omilaena said as she set up the needles and mana ink. "I've only done a few tests."
"Anyone with your strength obviously has the capacity." Feida pulled off her robes as she lay down on the table, exposing her back. "Besides, some of those old tattoo practitioners tend to.... take liberties."
Omilaena was tempted to get handsy herself, just out of irritation, but restrained herself. She needed the full cooperation of the Manticore tribe, at least until she had everything she needed. So she just gave a sisterly smile, picked up her needles, and got to work.
Tattoos spread across Feida's back, more delicate than the male tattoos Omilaena had worked on - sometime she'd need to ask about whether that was personal reference or necessity. Mana didn't tend to be gendered, but you could never tell. Her job for today was simple: expand the black tattoo on the woman's back to connect with the serpents that stretched from her arms to torso.