April 22nd Writing Prompt: Tattoo

A naval officer went through most of their life not thinking much of themselves besides duty and honor. But after they receive a tattoo, everything changed. While the officer doesn’t have powers, the tattoo does. Every day the tattoo seems to change. Write about a day in the life of this tattooed naval officer, and show how they use their strange gift.

Ideas and questions:

Perhaps the tattoo’s power could manifest in the real world. Maybe an anchor image could grant the user immovable strength. A storm cloud allow them to call down lightning. Explore how the symbolism affects its abilities.
It could be that in addition to the symbol itself changing, its position changes as well. If the tattoo is more than just a piece of ink, perhaps the naval officer needs to know what it changes into, and has chosen certain people to look at the tattoo if they can’t easily see it in some cases.

What does the tattoo become each day, and is there a pattern to it? Maybe one day it’s a compass, the next a kraken, then a lighthouse. Is it trying to send a message, or is it reacting to the officer’s emotions or surroundings?
Who gave them the tattoo, and why? Was it a gift from a forgotten god, a favor owed by a sea witch, or something the officer got drunkenly on shore leave that turned out to be much more?
What happens when the tattoo stops changing? If one day it stayed the same, would the naval office be worried about it being an omen?

Challenge:

Write the story from the perspective of someone other than the officer—perhaps a crewmate, a rival, or even the tattoo itself. Explore how the officer’s changing mark influences not just events, but perceptions and relationships aboard their ship.