Create an Edward Gorey-inspired illustration depicting a gothic, skeletal figure adorned in elaborate, decorative armor and a witch’s hat. The figure should exude an air of quiet menace and beauty, captured through meticulous cross-hatching that emphasizes the intricate patterns of lace, metal components, and floral adornments. Render the skeletal hand and mechanical elements with fine, detailed linework to give them depth and texture. The expression of the figure should remain neutral and detached, evoking a sense of eerie calm. Use a minimal background with hints of symbolic elements--perhaps roses falling through the air or a crow perched on the hat--to suggest deeper, hidden meanings. Leave negative space around the figure to heighten the surreal atmosphere, balancing elegance with quiet unease. The final composition should evoke a sense of timeless melancholy, capturing both whimsy and darkness, hallmarks of Gorey’s storytelling.