"The artist who did them was really good," Matt agrees, bouncing off good lines. "Took a couple sessions to finish Hanuman, and she was great."

He's already turning at the waist to offer Daniel a closer look at the tattoo on his shoulder, over the left shoulder blade. It's a severe-looking geometric configuration, enclosed by an outer circle. Words in ancient languages populate it: Greek, Aramaic, the obligatory Sanskrit.

He turns his head to try and catch Daniel's expression over his shoulder.

"Less fun," he says. "It's for protection against bad spirits."