[PCA] REMEDY HOUR

[skinstealer]

[id: an abstract cover art featuring maes artag, a cat furry with black eyes, along with smoke and geometric patterns.]

REMEDY HOUR
for (relatively spoiler free) content warnings for this project, click here.

 

 

 

[id: maes artag is standing in an office with charon judgment, a dog furry, and papaya, a bug-like robot. maes is wearing a green sweater and brown pants, and is holding a white cane. papaya has a blue sweater and prominent pink eyes, and charon is wearing a pink coat with a black sweater underneath. charon's hair is wild and curly, and gelled into a somewhat pompadour-esque shape. his eyes are distinctly unnatural, with "no entry" sign pupils and a similarly shaped halo above his head.]

It’s an atypical day at the Menagerie, Taverne’s largest medical facility, when Maes Artag isn’t on duty. Neither working in the surgical wards or in the secret underground facilities, the karacel finds themself tasked with a new goal- one that fills them with apprehension and…dread.
 
Maes sits in the newly-made waiting room with the handle of their white cane in a death grip, the device collapsed to avoid taking up too much room. They’re preoccupied on what feels like a dozen things at once, ranging from superficial worries such as whether their hair looks alright-

Of course it does, Charon helped me brush out all the tangles today, and I picked out the pulled back style-

-to much, much grander scale distress.

Am I doing the right thing?
My siblings need care, but…
Is…
Is letting someone know about this program so intimately the right move?
We have to go public eventually, but-
This is a good deal different than a press release. This is…

Maes realizes they’re digging their claws into the handle of their cane.

Fuck. Relax.
Therapy is normal. Lots of people go to therapy.
There are tons of therapists here. This one’s just specialized in…particularly complex trauma cases.
If I can pull this off, it’ll help people.
This is worth it. It has to be worth it.

With a shallow attempt at steadying their breath, they turn their attention to the room.

Sparsely furnished from my quick look around, but it makes sense.
We’re just borrowing the room for a few months. Chances are there’s not going to be much…personalized touches.
If this goes well, they’ll get a proper office.
For now, it’s just the three of us…
Myself, Charon, and-

MAES: ...when is this Papaya person going to be ready?
 

Their voice comes out more curt than they'd like, the surgeon almost immediately shrinking back and following up before their partner, sitting next to them, can answer.

MAES: S...sorry.
MAES: On edge.
 

Maes can hear the sound of Charon’s earring jangles as he shakes his head. It’s a familiar sound, one that immediately makes Maes untense, even with how small it is. Their canine partner was easily recognizable both from his voice and the various levels of noise he was accompanied with, his motions easily choreographed from his coat rustling, pocket contents shuffling, and metal limbs clanking.

He’d been working with Maes for months at this point, and Maes is pretty sure they’d give the world for him. Once simply something between an assistant and daily companion, now significantly more than that.

Not only is he Maes’ partner, but one of their two close friends.

 
CHARON: I know how much this matters to you.
MAES: I know, and- it is important.
MAES: Crucial, even.
MAES: I'm going to be holding them to standards I don't for anyone else.
CHARON: I don't blame you for wanting to test this yourself.
CHARON: You've never had a therapist before?
MAES: No. Never.
MAES: ...admittedly I've seen myself as...being able to handle things just fine.
CHARON: Mm... try not to shut them down immediately.
CHARON: These things tend to take some time and work.
MAES: I just don't get how a stranger is supposed to help me understand the situation better.
MAES: I understand it just fine-
 

They catch themself, trying to reel it back in.

MAES: ...but I know that attitude isn't good for me or my siblings to have.
MAES: I'm doing this for them more than myself.
CHARON: If this works out they'll be more than appreciative. Just hope that you get something out of this-
????: Pardon!
 

The two are interrupted by a nervous sounding voice.

????: Was handling a bit of a call, important to the business at hand of course.
 

My documents said they’d be a tall construct. Lots of eyes.
Dresses warmly and with cozy attire.
…good god, they smell like coffee. Must be a big drinker…

Maes stands up a bit too fast, awkwardly holding their hand out.

MAES: Dr. Maes Artag.
MAES: You're Papaya, I presume?
 

The construct reaches out and shakes with a slight firmness.

PAPAYA: Mmhmm.
PAPAYA: Sorry about the wait, needed to make sure the preparations are all set for this.
PAPAYA: Interfacing in a digital space is fairly complicated technology, especially with those of the non-synthetic nature.
PAPAYA: Pleasure to meet you!
MAES: Likewise.
 

They return it just as firmly, pulling away after a moment to gesture to Charon.

MAES: This is my assistant, Judgment-
 

While we're still keeping our relationship on the down low...
If their tech really is as advanced as I'm paying for, they're going to find out.

 
MAES: -and, ah, partner.
 

Charon gets up as well, a pause before he speaks.

Probably giving them the formal knight bow…

CHARON: I'll be here while the Boss handles the examination.
CHARON: Hope it's not an issue.
PAPAYA: Shouldn't be, it’s good to have someone to comfort you after in case a session is a bit intense.
PAPAYA: Did either of you read the documentation on how this process works?
MAES: Yes, though I have...questions.
MAES: This sort of technology is very new to me, and I want to make sure that I understand exactly what I'm getting into.
 

Papaya nods.

PAPAYA: Go ahead, ask away.
MAES: Exactly how...reflective, is the digital environment?
MAES: Your paperwork mentions that it shifts and changes depending on certain factors, but I had a hard time gauging how much is controlled by you and how much is by the other people within it.
PAPAYA: It's designed to be evocative, but it's never one for one and it can't recreate living things.
PAPAYA: I can't go much further than what you're willing to open up to.
PAPAYA: If you're adamantly pushing against it, the world will stay close to the default office setting.
MAES: ...mmmm.
 

I don’t know how I feel about this.
Considering everything, that just sounds like it’d make things worse.
But…

The karacel sighs, resigning themself to following along.

MAES: Easy to understand, I suppose.
MAES: Charon, do you have any questions before we go in?
CHARON: What do you do if a session is too much?
CHARON: Any killswitch?
PAPAYA: De-escalation, slowly shift the environment away from the trigger before disconnect.
PAPAYA: Abrupt disconnect in the middle of that's just asking to wake up to a panic attack so we try to prevent it.
PAPAYA: We also monitor stress levels to avoid hitting extremes as best we can.
MAES: Will there be any side effects from Charon being there?
PAPAYA: He won't bleed over at all if you're worried.
MAES: But...he will be able to see the environment reflect me, correct?
PAPAYA: If you allow it, then yes.
MAES: Mm.
MAES: Is there anything you, Papaya, think I should know going in?
 

Their look is stern.

PAPAYA: You have full control.
PAPAYA: This device isn't designed to and can't probe more than you're willing.
PAPAYA: If you need to stop, we'll stop.
MAES: Good.
MAES: And to be clear- this is a test for you, as well.
MAES: If you can't handle what my mind gives you, you need to voice that so I can act accordingly.
MAES: If I find you're covering up your own inability to take on this level of severity for the sake of a paycheck, I will make consequences for you.
MAES: ...my rehab residents deserve the best, and I am taking a gamble on you.
MAES: Your honesty with your own limits is necessary.
PAPAYA: I've been at this for a real long time and I did a little background research on this place.
PAPAYA: If I didn't think I could do this, wouldn't try to begin with.
PAPAYA: Promise you I'll let you know.
 

Maes’ posture stiffens up visibly.

There’s a lot of things that could mean.
It’s fine. We have a long history of achievements, it’s probably just-

MAES: What kind of background research.
PAPAYA: Previous management.
 

Maes’ fur bristles.

Fuck.

PAPAYA: When I got the details on who would be the primary clients for this, a colleague advised looking into it and well... I really hope the rumors aren't true, can't imagine going through that.
 

Don’t fucking look down on me, on us-

MAES: That information is currently confidential to those outside the facility, you shouldn't have been able t-
 

Their voice, laden with ice, is cut off by a warm, reassuring tone.

CHARON: Boss, I did a lot of the same myself, if you recall.
CHARON: Don't think it comes from ill intent here.
MAES: …
 

...he did.
And he did find details about Anya…
It’s…
I have to be ready for this.
Anyone I hire with qualifications for the rehab program has probably heard rumors…

They take a deep breath, letting it out as a sigh.

MAES: ...you're right.
MAES: I shouldn't expect my attempt at limiting information to be airtight.
 

Papaya speaks up.

PAPAYA: I've been under a lot of similar myself so... I just want the best for the people here.
MAES: Ah.
 
 

That gets them to back down a bit more, nodding.

That’s right.
They’re a trauma specialist with experience in mass tragedies.
Considering they’re from Plaza, that…tracks.
I picked them for a reason.

MAES: I...suppose that does give you a vested interest.
MAES: Very well.
MAES: I can try to work with that.
PAPAYA: Mm... I think for today we're going to start light regardless.
MAES: Finding something light to start with is...more difficult than you'd imagine with me, but...lead the way.
MAES: I have something in mind.
PAPAYA: The room is prepared.
PAPAYA: Ready to go live?
MAES: ...as I'll ever be.
MAES: Is there somewhere for me to sit?
PAPAYA: Up ahead.
MAES: Mm.
 

They wait for Charon to join their side, and then head forward.