Dia’s first time was an ugly affair. There’s so much caught up in the idea of it what it should be like how you do it. Looking information on internet didn’t help much and any media inaccurate as always is. Thankfully she’s managed to amputate a number limbs now down her workshop replacing even portions bone skin with brass porcelain respectively. But that isn’t enough name might mistake for own still. still more cut. She’s upgraded small steaknife wooden grip around tang. Her thumb handle feels subtle imprint carved runes set right spell. Its pain turns into lurid buzzing (an alteration design changed from original spell’s cold numbness). She can levelheaded focused sober now. almost looks forward like one would good shower plenty cathartic. The chains rattle above soft hiss steam trailing between them stains roof half is white but focus elsewhere. It’s particular thing skinning mage—there’s slight dance carving twisting get tension just enough skin pulled away replaced white-plastic sheath single motion. Before turn hour pale glistening few drops blood drawn hanging cranberries marble skin. Or rubies apt? A smile pride lips she sets knife workslab admires herself. Only rituals no turning back # Cecilie had left second time Dia pieces. Physically at least. Emotionally thrilled. windup fieldmice forgotten emerge slowly carefully beneath couch deep cabinet nests meet her. hardly needs direct they go about living room. bit them animating helping bring They’re opposite Cecilie’s bugs: gentle spelunk chest gears resetting springs. slow going doesn’t mind. It does tickle though whenever can’t laugh chorus squeaking chirps rise assembled mice. Maybe this love. feeling doesn't last long though. One unfortunate soul among little workers finds its tail gear without noticing has hold breath lest crush other mice find quickly gently pulling free rotating backwards brain think sdrawkcab moment—agh. That’s being pieces day. attention spreads outwards stretching along wires pneumatics extremities hint awareness transcending physical space artificial body. Something impossible most mages thinks glee. able soon enough what’s left torso neck reconnecting smaller joints force will larger ones sliding trail hardworking vermin. pins are broken cracked wears High Command proudly hickey after especially wild night. next days mages knowing grin luridly way only could. Doors open her people listen longer compliments given by voices previously. Whatever tendrils were institution turned towards herself blushing if could blush. work that Cecilie. Alone basement Dia addresses step plan. takes two glasses wine brim. Cheap stuff drinks medicine. area leg shaved sharpie marks dotted (shin). Everything ready using butter knife—anything else figures hurt accident or slight. Hah! silly amputating perfectly foot. This normal do assures Part plan reasoned out every possible option before besides… stick after that’s chest ice for. spell begins separation simplest terms fine mist encompasses blade then when grow near another. Finally starts sensation deafening. channeling wrong (a rune backwards won’t learn another week.) Pops static—cold pleasure spasms alcoholic hum head gives anger overcome bouquet butterknife slides placidly through flesh bone. slips giggles. too absurd! In panic tries up escape whatever causing cacophony foot respond anymore—she’s grounded. twisted something new bleeding nonexistent made mess herself tears streaming face. body twitches cheeks flushed excitement it’s perverse. What doing here! rechtes. metal married now jutting all wrong—so violating matter spells painted over tied off arteries. “I’m cutting off.” reminder snarled gritted teeth. Was weak stop here? manic gaze possessed. knife loose calf pushes again billowing thick hot wreathing face caress coming boiling drink. heat moisture winds slowly air cavernous pooling staining roof. center bleached ring beginning magical runoff. lonely realizing. Dallas hours ago floor. There really wasn’t blood pool barely than liter two. sole entertainment point swirling morays where crimson meets mixes lemonade watching mono not stereo eye failing already deformed slightly bent-in brow compressing sending things ghostly half-blur. ago—it’s black figure’s dry pumped free veins. clockwork heart care rest doing chugging along plastic tubes whistle gristle holes. How ignoble reduced corpse pipe organ. And waits rotting workshop. It’d make pretty image knew anymore—Death will here minute wait out. yet day passes sense shot count ticking easily enough. got here exactly happening. relieved dead yet there’s prickly thought. mind immunity calls death newfound resilience blessing but… taken ambiguity uncertainty. pretend human. fear pierced breaths grew shallow. No such luck anymore. Perhaps tore gut maybe later finished scraps she’d behind? If neither surely Amanda fake waitress caved during date. dead too Dia. probably why minding ate many people weren’t less someone horrifying? “All lead melted naught shards colored glass.” stupid let played again! Just… accepting things letting happen. It's weak. Abdicating guilt fate killing Next she’ll steal tiger’s fangs stripes words shove throat personally. Still harder move on this alone once. Another day’s passed quickly time. send someone. Huas finish off wonders. decomposing. infection’s parts damp heart’s ticking thoughts racing running fieldmice. Mice. Yes! kitchen! call out nothing. lungs rotten through. agonizing paralysis stretch tear command. Magic then. drips below passing solid bedrock floor moment. Then stream light tiptoes self forced smallest pores granite cave wall. there are sleeping cardboard woven drink-straws. kitchen feels. magic begins fray. notice stir connection collapses. edges smoldering effort. have long collect edge door. they—scared some tiger gone? They real mice! group stare side stairwell roils ineptitude weakness. scream anymore malice apparent radiating waves flaring against runes binding circle. mouse descent steps big Others follow slip tumbling steps. flies completely sheared concrete stone railing lands 30’ violent shattering. intact. begin putting together again. fix worst least with touching joints. Skeletal webbing stretches shattered limbs wrecking further. fingers grind pop hand. scarecrow dried falling appearance coffee grounds. Good retreats darker recesses machining. stands scatter one—who’s turnkey stopped moving. gone Dia realizes. bends take several shredding displacing within tax kindness. must finally rest act love bottled True Name somewhere east workslab… On the… Where's For scant Dia’s ceases hideous ticking. Where name?