Annotation:
This work examines the idea of the connection between people's life stories and their tattoo under the world setting of 'what if everyone is born with their life story tattooed on their body?' Instead of a record in the past, the tattoo in this world is a hint to endless future possibilities.
The concept itself is great for storytelling. The mystery of illustration brought by tattoos is a perfect media to unpack stories to the audience, leading them into different plots as a surprise/explanation of the meaning of symbols itself in the end.
Two sources inspire the writing style and stories: Subnautica (2014, Unknown Worlds Entertainment,) and World of Warcraft (2004, Blizzard Entertainment). Subnautica describes a survival story where the player discovers the cause of a ship crash via fragments of information, story and message in-game, while World of Warcraft uses small piece of writing (storybooks, tales described by in-game NPC) to enhance the atmosphere of the fantasy world.
Story 1
‘What does your tattoo mean?’
‘Oh, believe me, I want to know too.’
‘Oh, I’m so sorry! Would you like to tell me more about it?’
‘Sure thing! I think it means that life is all about balance. See that it is almost symmetrical? I think it is about life, balance, energy and universal chaos-’
‘Oh, that’s quite interesting. But to me, it also looks a bit similar to the room arrangement we are standing in.’
‘No it can’t possibly- Wait, it could be actually.’
‘Look, we are actually standing on the cross haha!’
‘Oh yeah! I wonder what it means -’
The chandelier suddenly dropped from above before they could finish their sentence.
Story 2:
This note is found next to a 31-year-old male body on a distant island, and it reads as follow:
‘My plane crashed, my legs are broken, and I can’t walk. Food had already run out four days ago. For my whole life, I have believed that my tattoo suggests me as the saviour of the world, and that’s how I got into religious work. The same religion which conference I am flying to attend. But in the end, it is just the last view I see of this world. There is no saviour.
Also, I am sitting by the second window on the plane. I am the only one who survived the plane crash until now.’
Story 3:
The following paragraphs are taken from the last page of an old, shabby diary
May 15th, 1926
Sunny
Dear diary,
[Kevin took my pencil case again!]
I can’t believe it!! It has been the third time this week! I’m definitely going to tell Ms Johnson tomorrow. I’m sure Kevin would LIKE more homework, haha!!!
Today we learnt our tattoos in class! I think I like mine the best! It looks so dreamy, and everyone is jealous! I am really happy knowing that I may have been a moon princess all along!
By the way, mom told me not to go out these days because there is where-woves? I am not sure what that means, but everyone looks so scared since yesterday, they do it every month and I’m getting TIREDDD.
Speaking of going out, I haven’t seen Jennifer, Mara, Lawrence and Timmy for a while. Dad said they moved out of town, but I don’t think that’s the truth! All those elders only tell me to shush when I ask where my friends are!! IT IS UNFAIR!!!! I heard that they have similar tattoos with me, but we agreed to show each other only next time we meet as a surprise!! uhh I should have shown them earli
The rest of the diary seems to be too shabby to read. The pages look like they have been soaked in dark red.