[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/180428/81179b260873ea5d7d2bb904afb80c77.png[/img][/center][hr]Octavio warped the features of an illusion of himself, starting with more practical adjustments such as adjusting the locations in which its many, many knives were kept to ruffling its hair to [i]just[/i] the right amount. It was all in the details. 

[color=dde0c7]"Ehh,"[/color] he groaned, an answer to Chres' question in of itself. [color=dde0c7]"The problem with illusions is that it's far too easy to spread yourself thin and end up making a mess."[/color] He continued to make small changes to the figure, with care but none of the warmth the word implied. It was less like watching a person dress another one up and more like watching a sculptor working under a time limit. [color=dde0c7]"But on the other hand, my newest acquisitions are working well enough for me to go that far."[/color] He didn't go into detail, assuming his illusion sheltering them provided enough of an explanation.

He had made the decision to purchase a disorganized mess of accessories meant for illusion magic. Some of them were from skeevier sources than others, and he still wasn't sure which ones were the ones working at the moment, but he felt their power easing his mind. When it came to illusions, it was less about being able to store large quantities of energy and more about having the stamina to create them both consistently and competently. The tangle of amulets under his clothing and rings under his gloves served to provide him with a sort of support system that relieved him of the discomfort he'd usually feel. A support system he wasn't going to think too hard about. Like the plan involving the familiars.

[color=dde0c7][i]I can trust Syl. I can trust Syl. I can trust Sy-[/i][/color] 

A warcry rose above the rest for a second, snapping him out of his focused state. 

[color=dde0c7]"I think I can start on another one of... me, provided things don't crash and burn beforehand."[/color] 

His previous self would have referred to them with a lot more flair, but it didn't feel appropriate anymore. The word illusion would be good enough, he supposed. 

[color=dde0c7]"Dividing the attention would work. If it's a numbers game, then that reduces their advantage over us,"[/color] he told Týfurkh, pausing his efforts for a moment. [color=dde0c7]"But you're right. It's not an elegant idea. They could catch wind of us pretty fast." [/color]