Dusty memories

Let me explain. You know about fairy dust?

...

This is the quickest way to get it alright! I needed a magically conductive material to mix with the ink and I am not doing a repeat of my escape attempt.

After collecting a pile the size of my head, I go ahead and cast a spell.

[PURIFY]

The pile glowed as it floated gently off the table and slowly started separating itself into two piles.

At first it was fine, well within my limits. But as it went on I started to strain. It wasn't even hard, it just kept going.

'Why is this taking so long?'

I thought as I felt my whole body start to burn.

I honestly could've taken a break and finished later, but it would have been more trouble than it was worth at that point.

After several minutes, the glow faded and so did the burn.

"Ahhhh"

I sighed in relief as the spell finished.

I turned my attention to the piles and was shocked at what I saw.

The purified pile was great, perfect really. I pinched a tiny bit between my fingers. The specks of dust looked like a powder finer than any I had ever seen.

As a small test, I dropped it above the floor. The dust split into particles smaller than anyone could feasibly make with a knife as it floated down.

On the way there, the dust particles glowed with magic. For a brief moment, you could see a small galaxy before it was consumed into the aether.

"Wow..."

I couldn't help but say in awe at what just happened.

'This is the most amazing pile of dust I have ever seen.'

I then turned to the other... pile?

It wasn't really a pile anymore as it had compressed into a ball of grey mass. Just by looking at it, I could tell that nearly all of the original pile went into forming it.

'Wait what if the reason why the dust is so pure is because of the pile of filth!'

I was reminded of painting with acrylic and how hard it was to get thin pieces of paint off of the pallet compared to thick layers.

'I loved that class. The way it felt spreading a long line of paint across the canvas. Richter kept getting in trouble with the teacher for getting it everywhere. Han kept complaining about stuff getting in her hair.'

I paused.

'Huh, I never put that together before. I wonder where they are now...'

...

I threw the ball in an empty drawer and went back to what I was doing.

I gathered all of my stuff again, mixed in some of the dust, and started drawing.

I couldn't be bothered arranging my tools anymore.