The witch slowly lifted the hair of the doll kneeling before her, a delicate screwdriver in her fingers, a jewelers loupe worn over one eye, her glasses dangling about her neck, to be retrieved later. With a soft hiss, the panel at the rear of the dolls head was released, revealing the gentle cacophony of ticking clockwork inside.
Sometimes it did seem her doll, her handiwork, was nearly human, but in truth she was anything but. This thing of cogs and gears, magic and crystal, crafted how she saw beauty in the world. With touch delicate enough to wash the porcelain tea set, and sharp edges enough to bury any who came to harm her witch, was not human.
"Ah- I have found the problem my dear doll- the mouse nesting in your mind bringing all that anxiety."
Delicately the witch reached her fingers in and plucked out the cotten and cloth, straw and dust, and yes the mouse too, that had been causing the fluttering self doubt and worry in her precious doll. She carried it outside and set it loose, for while such things did not belong in her doll, they do belong in the world.
"Now hold most still, my precious thing. I have to close you back up."
Sometimes it did seem her doll, her handiwork, was nearly human, but in truth she was anything but. This thing of cogs and gears, magic and crystal, crafted how she saw beauty in the world. With touch delicate enough to wash the porcelain tea set, and sharp edges enough to bury any who came to harm her witch, was not human.
"Ah- I have found the problem my dear doll- the mouse nesting in your mind bringing all that anxiety."
Delicately the witch reached her fingers in and plucked out the cotten and cloth, straw and dust, and yes the mouse too, that had been causing the fluttering self doubt and worry in her precious doll. She carried it outside and set it loose, for while such things did not belong in her doll, they do belong in the world.
"Now hold most still, my precious thing. I have to close you back up."