[Leo]
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Rainbow asked me. She was carrying me through town, looking for a specific store. "Wouldn't Conner's healing abilities close up the hole?"
<<The way we figured,>> I explained from my perch atop her, <<if I give it some time between getting them and my next healing, then the holes will become my new normal. If nothing else, I can always leave some studs in when we need to fight.>>
"And your needle fear?" Rainbow asked as the parlor came into view.
I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. <<I'm a big girl. I-I can handle it.>>
"If you're sure..." Rainbow trailed off as we entered the building. We came into a small waiting room, pictures hanging on the wall of the resident tattoo artist's prior works. A counter sat along one wall beside a door, a display case built into the front of it. A sign declaring that "No tattoos will be done over cutie marks" hung on the door.
<<How are tattoos done here?>> I asked Rainbow as we approached the presumably grey pony behind the counter. I couldn't quite tell from all of her ink. <<Is it like permanently dyeing your fur?>>
"Good morning, welcome to Etch's Sketches!" The mare chirped. "Are you here to set up an appointment?"
"Nah, we got one for today." Rainbow placed me on the counter.
"Your names, please." She asked, pulling a book up from under the till. I let Rainbow talk to her while I looked over the earrings and piercings on display. My gaze drifted over the rings and hoops until I spotted a pair of studs. They were little silver things, with the front parts shaped like little feathers.
"Leo? Equis to Leo?" I jumped, whipping around to look at Rainbow. She chuckled at me with a small shake of her head. "Found a pair you want?"
I nodded and began pawing at the glass over the studs. The mare smiled at me. "These ones for the wittle cutie? You wanna match your Mommy?" She cooed, pulling the pair out for Rainbow to take a closer look at. She just missed our matching blushes. "I just need to take these back to Etched Steel so that he can prep these, as well as his equipment. Take a seat over there and I'll let you know when he's ready."
I hopped onto Rainbow's back before she floated us to the couches. Expecting a long wait, I started looking around for something to occupy myself with. My gaze landed on the little magazine table. <<Hey, Rainbow? Is that Fluttershy?>>
My mare looked over at the magazine I was pointing at. "Oh, hey! That is Fluttershy. Geez, I completely forgot that she modeled for a bit."
<<How does someone so shy work up the courage to do that?>> I shook my head with a smile.
"Eh?" Rainbow shrugged. "I think she did it for Rarity? I don't know the full story."
Further musings were cut off when a nearly white stallion with a purple top hat entered the shop. As he looked around, I could see that he had part of a tattoo done up on his left shoulder. He finally stopped looking and made his way over to us. "Excuse me?" He pointed a hoof towards the desk. "Is Sharp Point in the back?"
"Yup." Rainbow confirmed as I nodded. "She's just getting our studs set up with Etched."
"Oh? What are you getting pierced?"
"Just our ears." Rainbow pointed. "First time getting a piercing though, so we're a little nervous."
"You're getting one for your dog as well?" He sat down on the other couch. "What made you decide to get piercings?"
"Leo's an Eevee." Rainbow corrected. "And... Have you heard of Rarity?"
"I think so?" The stallion scrunched up his face in thought. "Didn't she design the dresses she modeled?" He finally asked while pointing at the magazine Rainbow and I were looking at prior.
Wow. Almost no one remembers that part... I mused.
"Yup, that's her." Rainbow instead answered. "She also designed dresses for the last Galloping Gala for us. We-"
"Wait, wait." He interrupted. "You've been to THE Galloping Gala?!"
"Yup." Rainbow started to boast, but her memories dampened her mood. "I don't want to brag, but I'm friends with the Princess's personal student, and I got a ticket because of it. For what it's worth," Rainbow sighed, "it wasn't that good. A lot of nobles jockeying for political position, barely any good food... I'd say that the most exciting part was when the animals came in from the garden!
"Anyways! The dress Rarity made for me included a pair of earrings. Traditional earrings." Rainbow rubbed the back of her head. "I had to get them swapped out for clip ons, and those didn't look as good. Leo, here, had an admirer gift her a pair as well, so we figured that now would be a good time to do this."
"Huh." The stallion paused. "Who'd...?"
"You here to finish off your shoulder, Right Hoof?" At the now named stallion's nod, she nodded at us. "You're going to be right after these two. Speaking of..." She waved us towards the door. "Etched is ready for you two."
Rainbow and I swept into the studio. Wait, I mentally paused as we walked past a minotaur statue. Is it called a studio? Or is it an operating room? I think the tattoo part happens in a studio, but what about the piercings? Seeing the chair, I jumped off of Rainbow so that she could climb up and get comfortable. I hopped up and settled in beside her. Whatever, it's not that important.
"You two ready?" A voice boomed from by the door. I jumped when the statue started to move. "Hey, there. I'm Etched Steel. As I understand it, this is your first time?"
Rainbow and I nodded. "Didn't know that a minotaur lived in town..." Rainbow trailed off.
"Been here long before Iron Will came through." Etched chuckled as he rolled a chair over. "Keep mostly to myself though, so I'm not surprised you haven't seen me before. Anyways, do either of you have a phobia of needles?"
I raised a paw. He reached over and started rubbing behind my ears. Ooooh my Arceus... I never thought I would miss Luke's fingers this much...
"Okay, I've got a gel I'll rub onto the spot you'll be getting pierced that'll numb the pain. Would ya like that?"
I mutely nodded. I flinched slightly when something chilly touched my ears, but the rubbing I was getting soothed my nerves. I almost dozed off from how comfortable everything was. I barely even felt the light tugging on my ears.
After some time, I felt a pair of hands scoop me up. "I know the chair's comfy, but I got other clients to see today."
<<But...>> I blinked owlishly at Etched as he placed me on Rainbow's back. <<Don't you still need to give us our piercings?>>
"Now remember," Etched led us to the door, "Your ears are going to be sore for a while. This is normal. When they stop hurting, then your holes are more or less permanent. Just remember to put something in every now and then, otherwise the holes'll heal up. Have a good day, you two!" He waved us off as we left.
<<Bye, hands...>> I murmured, waving back. I slowly pulled myself out of the mental haze I had been left in. <<Did we get the piercings?>> I finally asked.
"Yup." Rainbow glanced back at me and stifled a laugh. "You must've been very out of it. You didn't even react when he pierced you. And.. and..." She burst out laughing. "I'm sorry, but your ears!"
<<What about them?>> I whined, trying to fold them back.
"They're just flopping about!"