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After I had a chance to tell Phil my story, after we had a great discussion on gender in traditional Maori matrilineal society, after Rangi told Phil about his approach to moko as a sacred practice, shepherding people on their journeys, Rangi said to me, “Why don’t you strip down to your underwear, and we’ll get started.”

And just like that, it began.

A quick flurry of activity got the room set up to begin, and Rangi asked me to stand on the table. He lifted the hems of my trunks, so they were more like briefs, and set to sketching the design on my body. I stood still for an hour, turning as he asked, hands on my hips, or over my heart, to keep them out of the way, breathing deeply, and calm.

Since Mark Dwyer, the videographer, was not there, Phil shot some photos and videos on my phone. Also managed lighting for Rangi.

Here’s one video, with the background R&B that Phil played.

Very chill.

And all I felt was happy.