In a land far away from yours, a large, wooden home stands over an ocean cliff. Around it are multiple gardens, staffed by porcelain, gilded dolls which move about them as if in a dance. Within the house's deep, twisting halls, is a study, with the witch deep inside. A kobold, who has grown from the magic that's flooded through her over years, works inside, etching yet another alchemical circle onto the oft-replaced floorboards. Its obvious she's given a lot for her study of the alchemical arts, as each of her limbs are porcelain replacements, flexing around gold ribbons that make their body. These gold ribbons- the best magical conduits one can have- make up her tail as well.
As she etches into the ground, a doll watches, its gemstone eyes full of much more life than one would expect for a construct. It was once a person, who fell on hard times, and needed someone who could help. And thus, it gave its body, to gain a new one from its now creator, the witch Yumi. Though, as it watches her work, the doll is... sorrowful. In the never-ending hunt for mastery of alchemy, its witch has given so much. When it became a doll, she still has her arms! It fears that its witch will destroy herself entirely in this hunt.
But thats why its there, no? To activate the systems that capture its soul originally, just in case the worst happened. "But Witch Yumi is the best, isnt she? She created me, after all..." It thinks.
The ritual circle activates, in another attempt to bring life to the gone. A dead rat in the center, deceased only a few days ago, and multiple reels of gold surrounding it, complete with fragments of other living things. The materials were consumed, and the rat...
'Another failure..' The witch mumbles to herself, shaking her head. The rat was... alive? Maybe? It more resembled a tumor, pulsating on the ground for a few moments before it stopped. The dead thing oozed blood on the circle, soon breaking it.
The doll moved to act. The witch always used a lot of energy to do life-based alchemy. Before she crumpled to the ground, it caught her under the arms.
'Careful, Mistress.' It speaks, and Yumi weakly nods. In this state, her arms dangle loose, the energy that held them together faint. The interior mechanics of the legs became visible between gaps in the ribbons; just a backup to ensure its user could walk when spent.
The witch thanks her doll- one of nearly two dozen that worked across the sprawling home and the land around it. She cared for them all, and helped them be more than what they had in life. Despite their servitude, they had all the time they needed to live beyond life. And, in turn, they loved their witch.
The doll quietly helps Yumi to her bedroom next door to the office, and into the plush bed within. She weakly falls into the bed, and uses what energy she has to get comfortable. That life magic was her best chance at getting stronger, both in the arcane and physical matters...
But, as the doll drew the curtains and stepped from the room... that's for tomorrow.A form I created for myself that Ive been loving, and forgot to post when I made it several months ago. Seasonally fitting now, no? c: