Marius "Matching Tattoos"/Rewards

Story Summary

This story takes place in Year 1. Marius is not yet in a relationship with the MC.

During Stellis' "World Culture and Arts Week," the main character and Kiki Bennet attempt to redeem a limited-edition mascot doll by collecting stamps at the fair's various experience exhibits. Their plans are foiled when one of the stamps requires them to get a tattoo, something neither of them want to do. They run into an incognito Marius, who frightens the pair about the dangers of tattoos; Kiki takes it especially seriously and makes an excuse about splitting up to collect stamps separately, leaving the MC with Marius. The MC is about to leave too when Marius says he's here to see the tattoo artist, old friend Tobias Becker, and that there might be another way to get the stamp.

Inside the exhibit, the MC meets Tobias. Marius tries to bargain for an exemption from the stamp rules, but Tobias says the rules are being strictly enforced, and he can't help despite his history with Marius. After a long vague discussion, they settle on a semi-permanent tattoo, and Tobias says another artist will have to do the tattoo and they'll have to wait in line again. They leave to wait in line, passing the time with their usual banter.

When they reenter the exhibit, Marius and the MC find Tobias has taken over the semi-permanent tattoo station despite. He then claims he's allergic to one of the materials used in this type of tattoo, and that the MC can either wait for the regular artist to come back or allow Marius to draw the tattoo on her. Marius starts to protest but is struck by inspiration and agrees to the plan. The MC resists, so Marius draws a tattoo on his own arm first to prove his skills -- an intricate purple grandiflorium flower.

After seeing Marius' tattoo, the MC agrees to let him draw her own. After Marius completes the image -- another grandiflorium flower -- he explains that he's drawn the MC's tattoo in the shape of the Greek letter "alpha," and his own in the shape of the Greek letter "omega." He explains further that, when combined, the two form an "infinity" symbol. Combined with the grandiflorium's meaning in the language of flowers, he says the intended meaning of the tattoo is "My love for you is true and unyielding, from now until forever."

Marius explains his history with Tobias at Florence College of Art. He speaks extremely fondly of their small group of friends who would exchange ideas and hold small contests among themselves, but he's interrupted by an important phone call. Tobias returns with the MC's stamp, praising Marius' talent and hard work and thanking the MC for helping him relax; the MC realizes that Tobias roped her into this long process simply as a way to help Marius. Kiki texts the MC saying they've missed the redemption period, and the MC invites Marius to do other experience exhibits with her instead.

At home after the exhibition, the MC laments not taking a picture of the combined tattoos since she probably won't see Marius again until they've faded. Marius calls her with an update on Tobias, then asks why she sounds down; when she explains her regret, he tells her he got a picture. He also offers to redraw the tattoo whenever she wishes, insisting it would never be a bother for him and asking the MC not to push him away.

Illustrations

Secret StampThe enchanting worries in the dim sunlight of spring -
"My love for you is true and unyielding, from now until forever."

Video Call

Video Call		Marius: Matching Tattoos (After Story 6)

Video Call script

Marius: Good evening, are you... dyeing something?

Marius: Preserved flowers? What made you want to make that? Didn't you say that it was too hard?

Marius: Oh, you didn't want to ruin the tattoo design I drew? How about I draw it for you again?

Marius: If you want a dried flower, I can have Pax's handicraft factory make you one. I'm sure you'd like it.

Marius: It was a joke? Man... I was so moved, and it was just a joke... Miss, you're such a bully!

Marius: Haha, I'm just kidding. I wouldn't get mad at something like this.

Marius: But you have to tell me the real reason why you're making dried flowers.

Marius: Trying to do something you're not good at? Hmm... I am quite fond of that reason.

Marius: This applies to many things. People resist a certain idea, only because they don't know enough about it.

Marius: But once you try to understand and experience it, you begin to realize that there's a unique purpose and enjoyment in it.

Marius: Take me along the next time you try something new and exciting.

Marius: I will always be there, no matter what you want to do.

Marius: Something that even I'd be scared of? Hmm... I haven't ran into anything like that yet.

Marius: You don't believe me? We have a lot of time ahead of us. I'll prove it to you.

Story Locations

Stellis
Outside the Experience Room

Stellis
Inside the Experience Room

Stellis
Inside the Experience Room

Main Character's Residence
Your Residence

Story Characters

Marius von Hagen

Kiki Bennet

Tobias Becker