He made his way back to his little ritual place, setting his hands on either side of the vial again, looking over the blues he'd chosen. This should be nice and shiny, too, like the- hm, titanium? yeah, that seemed right. Magic flowed from his hands once more, and here he felt nearly tired, drained from all the work he'd been doing (even though it wasn't really work). Well- he didn't do this much magic at once, typically, so maybe that was it.

Just like last time, it took on a more dye-like quality, glowing slightly in its swirling form. It- it was like the Spire, of all things, starkly as though he had a piece of it in his very own home. This'd do very nicely, then, and he drew the finished vial close once more, swirling it around with his a quickly grabbed stick to make sure it was all mixed together.

The stick would do nice for the finer details, too, and he left little beads of the dye like water droplets across the slick skin he'd created, watching as it took a little bit longer to dry. Well, this one was a bit more magicky, not as hard, and he gently wafted air over it with his free hand, joining in with his mouth not a moment later. Hm... There, that was good, and he gave a nod, transfixed by his work.

Right, he needed to make it permanent, now, and he drew his hand up and over the skin to set it all in place. It wasn't easy going- he wasn't sure what he was doing, and after a few moments of straining (and looking like he was about to shit himself) he grumbled out a defiant little swear.

It hadn't worked. Was it not dry enough yet? Standing up, he wafted his arm in the air, looking like a right fool as he mimicked the bird he caught not long ago, flapping to get wind riding over it all.

This looked stupid. This was stupid. Grumbling, he went back to his vials and gathered them up, setting them gingerly in an urn with a cover so they didn't get rained in or... Something. They'd be useful later (and he used up most of that glowy one) but for now? Some organization would be nice, sir.

With everything set up, he finally put his focus back to his art, slapping his hand right on it to try and get a direct tie to it. Nope- nothing, and he grumbled. Had it gone through already, and he didn't know? No, no, he'd feel something if so, and his face contorted to one of frustration. Again, he tried, pulsing it in and in and wearing himself right out with a heavy sigh.

This was beginning to hurt, especially over his gem. Was it the form he'd put up on it interfering? If he failed this next one, he'd take it off, but for now with dogged determination he tried again.

'This time,' he promised, frowing, 'this time, I'll get it.' He forced his hand into his arm again, growling under his breath. Something sparked there this time, and he felt it in his soul- trying to wipe it away didn't work, and he let out a sigh of relief. Picking at it also left him a little bit of pain for a moment- but, hey! It worked!

Ogh, now he could take a break, and he flopped down on the ground onto his back, eyes closing briefly. He'd done it, he'd done some art, on himself, like Elspet! It was childish glee that drove him to slap his tail on the ground, arm raising straight out in front of him as he looked over the swirls he applied- he did that!

Oh, he could show his kids! Rolling over, he propped his arm up as though he was on a runway, grinning maniacally. Oh, he was proud, and he twisted and turned this way and that as it flickered in the lights above-head.

[ warning for vomit ]

When he tried to stand up, though, everything rushed to his head and he winced his eyes, stumbling. Oh- shit, that was draining, and he fell back on his ass while cradling his head in his hands.

At least the tattoo felt nice against his face, and he grumbled into it as he cradled his stomach. Nausea rose and he struggled to rush away from the camp, arms wrapped around his body. He barely got to the edge when he threw up the contents of his stomach- all two pieces of jerky, but still the remnants of bile.

Aw, shit. He groaned as he used a nearby tree to stumble up to his feet, weaving in place as his eyes blinked discordantly. Okay, that was too much magic- or had he poisoned himself with the dye? No, Elpset was fine-

He threw up again, interrupting his own thoughts as yellow bile came from his mouth. Ugh. Struggling to close his eyes, he stumbled back to his tent, thankful that none of the children ended up seeing all that shit. A grunt escaped him when he fell back into bed, immediately falling asleep without a care for what just happened. He'd eat later.

Maybe.

; exit Attikias via exhaustion