{Moss Legacy} Chapter 8 | Brydie

Jun 30, 2025

Body markings are tacky, Brydie.

I’d been told that my whole life. I’d heard the scoffs about the local delinquents or a work colleague who had marred themselves with an expression of self through ink.

“You’ll never get anywhere in life with those hideous things on you.” My mother would tutt as we’d pass a tattoo parlour or random tattooed person in the street. “Every disgusting mark costs you. Not just simoleons when you pay initially, but every single day after as you stifle your ability to earn and be taken seriously.” She would preach, self-importance radiating off her.

First tattoo at Tattoo Therapy thanks to Jace

Lying down on the table, I could hear her words, clear as day. I’d never spoken about my love of tattoos or my deep desire to show myself through the art on my skin but my mother would so passionately lament the idea of them that I was certain she knew. It felt like a shameful secret.

Only this morning, as I watered my garden in a patch of warming sun, I realised I could do it. I literally could just go and get it done. Here, I was free and my very own person. There was no fear of being denied food or locked into a bedroom for disobedience.

My pottery classes had taken off in a way I hadn’t expected. Geoffrey was a man of his word and now I had enough to splurge, so I finished up and went- hoping desperately they took walk-ins.

“He’s a real sweetheart,” Jace was saying as the tattoo machine hummed along, tilting her head to check her work, just as Tad walked in, “Ah! And here he is!” Her face filled with so much joy and love that my heart nearly burst.

“Hey Brydie!” Tad enthusiastically. I smiled through my grimace. The pain wasn’t too bad, mostly, though in certain spots I really felt it. “You guys know each other? That’s great!” Jace said with a bright smile.

We caught Jace up on how we knew each other and talked the rest of the appointment away. I’d never seen a couple like them, together they were the picture of love and as one they enveloped me in acceptance and light.

I walked into Tattoo Therapy nervous and left feeling more confident than I ever had.

Enjoying the wander home, I breathed in the fresh air deeply. The occasionally burning sensation from my new tattoo served to remind me that every little step I take in the direction of who I want to be is another away from the past that once caged me. I have free-will. Every time I use it, I’m stepping further into the light and my future.

As I stopped by the river to watch some fish swim and jump, my phone vibrated. A quick check found a simple message: DO YOU HAVE ANY TIME THIS WEEK FOR A POTTERY CLASS? IF SO PLEASE BOOK IN ‘CALIENTE’ AND GET BACK TO ME. THANKS

It seems an odd way to do things, but honestly I’m pretty new to all this. A quick check of my new calendar app and a message booking in an afternoon session in two days sent off and I was back on my way, enjoying everything. Just as it should be.

Until next time,

dag dag x

{Moss Legacy} Chapter 8 | Brydie

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