White Ink Painting

Kayla's bangle clinked when she moved her hand. Chiaki observed the pattern. 

"You like this?" she flipped her hand in and out to show the jangling movement, but Chiaki noticed a white ink painting on her palm. The motive was abstract, but it resembled paisleys and flowers. 

"The painting. The painting is so pretty."

Back then in her original world, Chiaki knew some cultures had pretty ink paintings on body parts. She never had someone to do it to her, so she could only admire the motifs from social media.

"I can do it for you," Kayla's dulcet voice spoke. 

"Really?" Chiaki tried to be neutral in her emotion, but her eyes betrayed her. They were full of excitement, her face beaming because she imagined how beautiful it would look on her palm. Or palms, if Kayla was generous to make more than one painting.

"I can do it, but I need to fetch my painting from the room."