The satyr casts a fused spell upon me. He touches my shoulder with a reed. “You must be prepared for change. To change is to be made unbeautiful.”

The alkonost casts a buoyant spell upon me. I am swayed by her song, which promises a lightness I do not yet possess. In an ancient lazy river I forget all things except myself.

The medusa casts a fortified spell upon me. I’m promised defence against all kinds of piercing attacks. When I walk the streets I turn to stone under the gazes of men.

The qilin casts a calm spell upon me. My body swells with iridescence. The expansion meets nearby surfaces and bends to absorb their touch. Such beauty cannot help but be gentle.

The dragon casts a luminant spell upon me. It gives me a fire that burns only for myself. I avoid things that are harmful to me and consume things that are good. “This is not selfishness,” it tells me, its tongue a ruby red.

The chimera casts a hybrid spell upon me. Assorted parts cling onto my skin: dust, meat, leaves, cloth, cabinets, footwear, sheetmetal, clay. In being made unfamiliar I am made familiar to myself.

The djinn casts an abundant spell upon me. At a mountaintop I am promised crops, riches, wings. Upon descending it, I find that my arms are no longer the same size.

The hellhound casts a parting spell upon me. There is a hunt coming, and I must prepare.

The satyr bids me goodbye with a song.

The alknost bids me goodbye with a bite.

The medusa bids me goodbye with a wave.

The qilin bids me goodbye with a hug.

The dragon bids me goodbye with a courteous email.

The chimera bids me goodbye with an ambigram.

The djinn bids me goodbye with a kiss.

The hellhound bids me goodbye with a bark.

I am armoured with terminal hair.

I am armoured with white feathers.

I am armoured with porcelain skin.

I am armoured with bright scales.

I am armoured with six limbs.

I am armoured with beastly features.

I am armoured with fine smoke.

I am armoured with waiting teeth.