Masa con Papas: Proxy's Memory

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

THE SHOT, Part 2.
[Festive Session, Part 2]

CW: None

Perspective: Charon Judgment

You cling onto your proxy’s hand as it stares off into the distance with a stoic disposition. It was a jarring shift from the timid creature it spend the last two days but…

Despite what many would consider a return to form, you can’t help but feel bothered.

Styx: Charon?

Charon: Mm…

Styx: How are you managing after that scuffle?

Charon: To be honest with you?

Charon: I’m not sure, certainly not great.

Charon: I’ve never choked like that on the field before.

Styx: Mm.. I can tell it was getting too close for comfort pretty fast.

Styx: Pondered why you stuck with your choice of weapon knowing the nature of the clash first hand.

Styx: Parryblade and all.

Charon: Felt like it was my only option at that point.

Charon: Couldn’t think of an alternative in the heat of the moment. Lost my cool fast.

Charon: Point was to entertain anyway.

Styx: Don’t think you achieved that very well, crowd seemed genuinely scared by the point a conclusion happened.

Styx: They could see the panic in your eyes..

Charon: Appreciate the sentiment but..

Styx: I apologize.. Hardly an expert in addressing a situation like this.

Styx: That proxy of yours certainly has my interest.

Charon: How so?

Styx: That behavior is erratic and unusual. To be such a mouse of a creature and then returning to a slate like that..

Styx: Bothers me as a progression. It feels like a step back in some ways.

Charon: Hasn’t acted like that since back when we were all stuck in that pit.

Charon: It keeps changing.

Styx: Mm…

Charon: You have any expertise on the matter?

Styx:  I’m sadly at a loss.

Charon: Mm..

Charon: You’ve changed quite a bit yourself.

Styx: I… am processing a lot of feelings myself.

Charon: Care to share?

Styx: Perhaps when I have my thoughts more organized but…

Styx: I think if there’s any certainty, I regret that we met in such an antagonistic way.

Styx: To be an entity is to spiral and ground over and over again. I’ve built so much and I’ve burned down many more in my time and… just like your proxy, I don’t think I know who I am anymore.

Styx: I’m scared of the idea that perhaps… the worst of me is the most true to self version.

Styx: And.. though our pact is here now, once this is all over I’ll go back to forgetting everything but the hurt that clings.

Charon: You certainly weren’t quite the Styx I first met when you came back.

Styx: Because I’ve been living within you the whole time, dormant.

Styx: I think though… I choose for you to have my soul. At the very least until your time is done.

Styx: After that I don’t know what’s in it for me.

Charon: That’s a commitment.

Styx: If you can remain a whole person by me being around, it’s the start of making up for many horrendous acts. Maybe.

Styx: That’s not really for me to be the one to determine though I don’t think…

Charon: And the others?

Styx: Geezer I… don’t know if I can ever fully make things up to.

Styx: There’s part of me that’s glad that everyone around you despises me though.

Styx: If I’m to be part of your life like this… I’d prefer to have less chances to get attached to others.

Charon: It’s for them to decide if they’re willing to give you a chance.

Styx: Of course, I’m aware.

Charon: I don’t think most of them will ever fully trust you at this point.

Styx: Mm…

Charon: But… I don’t think that’s good for you either.

Styx: We’ll see…

Styx: It’s not like I’d be getting much here.

Styx: I know you’re reluctant to expand on contracts.

Charon: I am, if I don’t have to shake your hand again I wouldn’t exactly be upset…

Styx: And the idea of interacting with anyone with your form is..uncomfortable? For myself and everyone involved?

Styx: So I’m simply here to be the voice in your head.

Charon: Maybe you’ll get lucky and I’ll find another.

Charon: Company and such.

Styx: Maybe. Think I’d like to have say if you’re picking up roommates.

Charon: Picky?

Styx: To a degree, yes.

Charon: We’ll see then. Do you have a type?

Styx:... I’d rather you not play wingman for me. Besides, don’t get the sense you’ve been in many relationships.

Charon:...

Styx: Maybe I can help you with that….


You’re interrupted by the approach of a certain cat and her ghostly bat.

Opera: Charon, you okay?

Charon: Just waiting as I promised.

Charon: Any luck with…

Charon: What are you all up to actually?

Opera: Geezer and Zana went to go see if a witchy friends are in town. Something about a shop?

Charon: Right, they’re pretty familiar with the area.

Opera: Mmhmm! Something about a spicy rabbit? I dunno. That knight from earlier joined them too, think she feels bad about the whole thing..

Charon: Ah… This town is mostly rabbits, doesn’t exactly narrow much down.…

Opera: This one’s weird?

Charon: All rabbits are weird.

Opera: Geezer?

Charon: If you know him long enough.

Opera: Really… well something to look forward to!

Paige scoots off of Opera’s shoulder to check in on your proxy. You can hear it make little noises as she examines your friend.

Opera: You able to find out anything?

Charon: Not really. Asked Styx and he’s not familiar with the phenomenon.

Opera: Huh…

Opera: Paige is talking to it now. Says you two haven’t had much conversation.

Charon:... My proxy can talk?

Opera: Mmhmm.. You can’t hear it.

Charon: Not at all…

Opera: Wild. Maybe you’re just not doing it right?

Charon: Maybe. You’ll have to show me the ropes here.

Opera: I’ll do what I can?

Paige gives your proxy a little comforting pat on the shoulder, your proxy makes the first distinctive response it has in awhile.

Opera: Huh… Think I know what it is.

Opera: Was wondering as much…

Charon: If you have something, please tell.

Opera: Your proxy’s gotten fractured.

Charon:... Fractured?

Opera: Not really a thing that happens with Proxies from your world but.

Opera: It was never from this place. Rook was born in the angel pocket.

Opera: So it’s gonna be a little bit different because of that.

Opera: Seems to like being called that, but…

Opera: I get why you don’t like calling it that.

Charon: It’s… complicated.

Opera: I mean it’s not her, just like I’m not her…

Opera: It won’t hurt you…

Charon: I know. I’ll get over it.

Charon: If that’s what it wants, that’s what’ll happen.

Charon: But…

Charon: Continue on the whole fracturing dilemma.

Opera: So like…

Opera: The proxy wasn’t just tanking for you physically you know.

Opera: Took a lot of the mental load too…

Opera: Thing absorbed a lot of the shock and trauma you went through.

Opera: And… don’t take offense but. You tried to play it off too much.

Opera: Still do honestly..

Charon: I know…

Opera: Rook tanked a lot of it for you, and now well…

Opera: It’s going to change a lot regularly.

Charon: Is it… just going to exist unstable or..

Opera: No! There’s nothing wrong with it! It’s just..

Opera: How do I put it uh…

She starts patting your head.

Charon:... What are you doing?

Opera: Give it a second..

Rook zooms in to tackle hug you, appearance changed again again.

You feel a little surprised by how affectionate  it is, it presses its face up to yours.

Charon: W-What did you do?

Opera: Just prompted it a little.

Opera: Really surprised how fast that was though..

Charon: It’s like it’s a different person..

Opera: It is! Kind of?

Opera: So like…

Charon: You’re kidding.

Opera: Nope.

Charon:.. Are you saying that was going to happen to me?  I would’ve split without it?

Opera: Probably!

Charon: But… it will be okay right?

Opera: Long as you take care of it. Talk to it more, get to know it well.

Opera: Should be fine?

Opera: Maybe asking if any of them wanna be called something other than Rook actually.

Opera: Though for now I think that’s fine? We’ll see. Case by case.

Opera: You two got a lot to figure out, Geezer’s got a hook up maybe though so. You know.

You try hugging the proxy back… it feels nice…too nice. Both of you are resonating.

Maybe a tad too much.

You go in just or a little nuzzle and…

It’s mask lifts just enough to reveal a mouth.. You feel it press lips against yours.

Opera: Oh! Um….

Opera: Okay well…

Opera: Do you need me to break it off…? Too affectionate? I can um…

After the initial shock you return it, giving her an assuring gesture as you and the proxy continue.

Oh god is this allowed?

You can feel Styx cackling in your head a little.

You finally pull away, face red and the proxy resting its head on your shoulder.

Charon: Well…

Opera: You okay…?

Charon: I.. don’t think I was ready for that to be the first time I’ve kissed anyone like that.

Charon: Is this allowed…? Does that count…?

Opera: I dunno, never done something like that. Probably.

Opera: Kinda cute though….

Charon: Mm… maybe.

Charon: The others would’ve cooked me a bit…

Opera: You’ll be fine.

Opera: Think I’m gonna go check on them though, been long enough. You wanna still sit here and rest or…

Charon: I think I’m ready to move again, brought my cane.

The three of you depart, rook wrapped around your arm the whole way.