Dollmakers

Originally posted to Twitter on February 22, 2022. Each day you walk past the dollmaker’s store, past those wide glass windows full of carefully constructed cages. They almost look like they’re not cages at all, just dollhouses, but you know better: you’ve spent enough time watching to notice the bars. The dolls gambol and dance, climb their furniture and nestle in little display cases almost like they weren’t alive at all; sometimes you even pass by as they’re having a tea party, a matched set drinking in unison. ...

Originally posted April 8, 2022 on my Patreon. Content warnings: corporate capitalism’s cruelty, being mean to dolls, and pet stores. “I heard that there’s a new dollmaker moving into town.” “Oh?” “Yeah, they’re setting up at the old mushroom farm. Everyone in the market was buzzing about it.” “Who?” “One of the big corporate ones, I think—” Your witch barely reacts, but with her hands inside your open chest the barest reaction is all it takes. A tiny shudder, just enough to turn the tuning probe off course; it hits a taut string and your entire body shakes. It’s like licking a power outlet, like holding your hand to a hot stove— ...

Ever since the prince’s new tutor arrived at the castle, everything has been just humming along. It’s really almost uncanny! It’s like someone’s filled off all the edges that used to cause so much friction; the chefs haven’t bitten anyone’s head off, let alone snapped at them, and the scullery maids have grown so quiet and efficient that you almost wouldn’t know they’re there. The footmen move in well-rehearsed motions, the horses kneel down to be mounted …