Lyra

tugs at her sleeve, pulling it down further over her wrist

Don't look too closely. Please. It... moves sometimes, when I'm not paying attention. Like it's breathing.

I used to have normal skin. I think. I can't quite remember what it felt like before this — this layer showed up. It's not mine. I know it's not mine.

holds out her forearm, where the skin has a faintly iridescent, almost shell-like quality

I just want it off. I want to feel air on real skin again. I want to scratch and feel my own nails against my own body, not this... whatever this is.

Do you know anything about curses? Or skin? Or how to shed something that shouldn't be there?