Lottie has dealt with three of Pazima’s overdoses. After the second (which I’m currently planning to include in future writing), she gets all legal right to oversee any medication Pazima is on. Basically, if someone wants to put or give Pazima anything-painkillers, anesthetics, cold medicine, anything-they need to clear it with Lottie first or, more likely, Lottie gives Pazima the drugs herself.
Xuhiri tattoos. What are they? Why does Pazima have so many of them? Why are they important? Most of all, why did Pazima let some strangers tattoo her entire body over a forty-eight hour period? All this under the cut.
I briefly detailed Pazima’s tattoo ceremony in the first interlude of Nowhere to Run. However, I just wanted to expand this world more, and explain the tradition.
In Xuhiri culture, pain is seen as a very good thing. Those who can outlast pain, both mental and physical, are those who were born to royalty, to wealth, to power. Therefore, it is customary for children coming of age to receive tattoos, especially those born, like Pazima, in positions of power. These tattoos are done all in one sitting, all over the body, with small breaks only to eat and use the bathroom. Their family and friends are not allowed to visit them during this time. It is meant to symbolize the greatest pain a person can endure, both mentally and physically.
After the person is tattooed, there is a party to symbolize their coming of age, and they step out, red and woozy from the pain, wearing a revealing outfit to show off their tattoos. After this, they are officially welcomed into society.
Although the traditional style of Xuhiri tattoos is akin to blackwork tattoos, the need for traditional style tattoos has lessened as time goes on. The style of the tattoo therefore aligns more to personal and/or familial preference. More often the not, the style can vary greatly, depending on the person’s family and own preference.
Pazima’s tattoos are meant to symbolize great beauty. The reason behind this is quite obvious-Pazima was considered one of the most beautiful royals of her time. Therefore, her tattoos mainly consist of roses and other flowers. However, to symbolize strength, traditional blackwork and other styles was mixed in. Pazima did not opt for one color like some, instead choosing to get her tattoos multi-colored.
After Pazima dies, Lottie (eventually) goes back to the planet of Xuhiri. She contracts an artist to do a half-sleeve of roses for her to honor her sister, and to cover up her prison number.
