Well, I certainly hope that the process of getting an ordinary tattoo isn't quite so full of tension, aggression, and drama, because I'm saving up for my own tattoo.
I absolutely agree that it's a matter of identity. It took a shift in my own identity for me to decide to go ahead and actually do it, after being fascinated by the idea for years. I got diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes about two weeks ago. Luckily, they caught it really early, so I don't have any vascular damage yet (which means I might well never, if I continue to manage it), but it's a huge change to my daily habits, my eating, and how I see myself.
It would be awesome if the tattooist could just rip the tattoo off and take my diabetes with it, but I somehow think that's not going to happen.
Anyway, I really liked this story. Everything was exactly on point. I particularly loved how Tiger himself had to act as the intermediary between those who desired what his tattoo magic could give them and the transformation they longed for, but couldn't partake himself. He was still stuck with his scars when the others got to be "perfect." That said, I really felt for Tiger. Most of the trans people I know seem pretty happy with their bodies, however they ultimately turned out.
I suppose that ultimately leads into my one critique of the story: if I were trans, I'd be a little bit annoyed at the assumption that just because he had a medical, rather than a magical, transition, Tiger has to view himself as scarred and imperfect and gets consumed with jealousy at the people who are - presumably - going to have it better than he does. For all that I liked Tiger as a
wounded healer, I would have liked to get at least a little slice of where his damage comes from, other than just his transgender identity.
It wouldn't have taken much - maybe just a reference to some particular abuse or trauma, something that could have evoked the difficulties in his life thus far. Perhaps the author could have made it clear that he was still saving up for the "bottom" surgery and was particularly annoyed that he could give people this transformation for cheaper and felt compelled do so (damn you, human compassion) even though it delayed his own procedure. Something.
I know that's the kind of information that you would never ask an actual trans person for, but when it comes to this character, I felt like it left a bit of a gap. In the absence of that information, it seemed like he was just damaged because he was trans... and I don't think that's how it works. Transitioning isn't harmful - it's the jerks who give you a hard time or the oppressive upbringing that makes it a struggle. Or at least, that's how I understand it from talking to my trans friends.
But the story was so beautifully written, so lovely in every other way, that I can't really say that it seriously hurt my enjoyment of it. It's just something that occurred to me later.