No, Stephen. Don't break time. It's what keeps everything from happening at once.

He considers, tipping his head.

"It's blood magic, which is powerful all on its own. Mostly, it's just a matter of knowing how to direct it, and understanding how to channel power through foci. With tattoo magic, it just happens that your focus is alive and has its own aura." He shrugs, as though it's simple...which it sort of is, though it doesn't make it easy.

"The rest is a bunch of alchemy and other shit like that. And not poisoning yourself or accidentally winding up possessed." He grins broadly. Occupational hazards.