[PCA] UNIVERSAL CONSTANTS

[skinstealer]

[image description: maes, charon, and the bizarre geometric knight charon had summoned in battle- all sitting in an office, and all looking varying degrees of tense.]

Maes' office was the same place as it was before...though feeling more intimidating with every step. Most people in this part of the facility had gone home by now or retired to their own rooms to handle paperwork, leading the halls to feel far more empty than they had been with his interview.

It isn't too long until he reached the door. He'd made sure to clean himself off thoroughly in advance, anything less- is likely asking to be grilled.

He gave three knocks on the door, polite but audible.

MAES: Come in.

 

Her response is immediate, cutting.

Charon makes his way in, door closing just as quick as he opened it.

CHARON: Boss.
MAES: ...Judgment.

 

She's back in the same outfit in he had seen her wear during the interview, albeit more hunched over than expected- her posture no longer straight and rigid.

CHARON: I'm here as promised.
MAES: On time, as well.

 

She sighs.

MAES: Passed the first test, I suppose.
MAES: Sit.

 

He follows along, getting situated.

CHARON: So...
MAES: ...

 

She takes a deep breath.

MAES: ...as I said.
MAES: It would be highly impractical to fire you, as upset as I am.
MAES: I have many issues with how that went.
MAES: I have many issues with how you handled this, and what you chose to withhold from me.
MAES: However.
MAES: I recognize that I have also caused issues for you, in ways that do not match the standards of how I treat the people I work with.
MAES: We have a conflict of needs.
MAES: I want to hash that out before either of us do something reckless, as stressful and agonizing as this conversation may be.
CHARON: I understand so far.
CHARON: It's... difficult, if I'm honest.
CHARON: Not just withholding information which I will accept fault in but.. it feels necessary.
CHARON: Survival.
CHARON: You are hardly the first case of this happening admittedly...
MAES: And what did you do in those situations?
CHARON: I finished the job and took the pink slip.
MAES: Is that your plan here, as well?
MAES: Because if so, I'd rather not waste my time.
MAES: I'm offering you the opportunity to avoid that.
MAES: Are you willing to work with it?
CHARON: I'm willing.
MAES: Mm.
MAES: Well...the fact that you have history with this means we have something to analyze, at least.

 

She leans back.

MAES: ...and my own history as well.
MAES: A....compromise, can likely be found.
MAES: ...how should I...refer to...the whole...matter, before.
MAES: With the other being.
MAES: You said that it's not a "thing", so what should I call it?
CHARON: She goes by Mar.
CHARON: Proxy, extension of self manifested.  
CHARON: It's old magic but incredibly powerful and I owe her my life.
MAES: ...she.
MAES: Understood.

 

She nods, taking a moment to process.

MAES: ...I've heard the word proxy before.
MAES: We've had some cases come up, particularly when horror mutation interacts...negatively.
MAES: But I generally pass along those cases, due to inexperience and difficulty acquiring experience.
MAES: While you have been saved by magic- I abhor it.
MAES: It has been nothing but-

She shakes her head.

MAES: Specifics don't matter.
MAES: But here I am, working with a magic user, and one who requires it for aid.
MAES: As much as I loathe the topic at hand...it would be cruel to prevent you from utilizing something like that.
MAES: I'm far too aware of that myself.
MAES: ...can she be...summoned, or something?
MAES: You called her out during the fight, I'm assuming.
MAES: I'd...rather have her here for this, as well.
MAES: If nothing else, I may as well get used to it while not fighting for my life.
CHARON: I can ask h-
MAR: I'm here!
 

Mar appears without making a single noise other than her voice.

MAR: I've been listening in, figured I should.

 

Maes does her best not to look startled, claws still digging into the desk a bit.

MAES: ...I'd like to propose that we find a way of announcing that less abruptly.
MAR: Sorry...
 

The dog clears his throat.

CHARON: Mar is pretty quiet, doesn't really make much of a noise when she moves or manifests.
MAES: While that's appreciated in many respects, I...hm.
MAES: Perhaps just.
MAES: Lower enthusiasm is fine.

 

The dog and knight mumble amongst themselves.

CHARON: That's something to account for..
MAR: We can troubleshoot a solution, it's no bother..
CHARON: Hopefully...
 

Mar turns toward Maes.

MAR: I hope its alright that I manifest more often as well if we're trying to get you used to this...
MAES: I was about to ask for as much.
MAES: Acclimation will be...difficult, but even aside from that, I'd also rather address someone directly if given the chance.
MAR: Of course.
MAR: Here's a thought, are you familiar with digitized constructs?
MAES: Yes.
MAES: Again, not my specialty- but I have helped them get acclimated with Synna and her department before.
MAR: Maybe think of me as closer to that?
MAES: ...hm.
MAES: So...
MAES: You are a person.
MAES: Undoubtedly, at this point- but you exist...in a different state, a different context.
 

She raises an eyebrow.

 
MAES: Am I following?
MAR:: Mmhmm.
MAE: Now imagine if that construct was just stored on a drive in someone's pockets, and could project into a physical construct on a whim.
MAES: That's...fasc-
 

She clearly tries to hide her sudden intrigue, covering her muzzle with a hand.

MAES: ...very curious.
MAES: I suppose that works for an analogy that I can understand.
MAES: Knowing how things work takes the edge off, for me.
MAR: That's how a proxy works in a way, at least in my context... sometimes magic is just science under a different set of rules?
MAES: ...hm.

She continues to think in silence, taking a good few awkward moments before speaking up.

MAES: I'll admit that it hits a personal note, and not a good one.
MAES: There have been instances where our prior management has attempted to justify unsavory "experiments" under that excuse- that it is science, and that it is thus noble to pursue it. Necessary for advancement, for success.
MAES: Despite my position, and despite my interest in such fields..
MAES: Something being qualifiable as that does not make it any less dangerous, in my eyes.
MAR: I... suppose I can se-
CHARON: Mar's existence isn't dangerous.
CHARON: She's the best of me and the reason I stand before you today.
 

She seems a bit taken aback at the firmness in his voice, but does not protest.

MAES: ...understood.
MAES: ...my apologies.

 

There's something in her voice that seemed...regretful, even if only for a moment.

MAES: It...was not my intent to imply that.
CHARON: It's... she formed out of circumstance, one that was the result of horrors likely not unlike those that seem to haunt your older staff.
CHARON: I've dedicated much of my life toward this career in the hopes that horrors I can never truly recount never reoccur.
CHARON: I don't mean to snap but if.. I wish I could even begin to convey it.
MAES: ....

 

She turns away, a little bit. Thinking it over, unsure what to say.

CHARON: Sorry...
MAES: ...no.
MAES: Don't apologize.
MAES: We're...more similar than I realized.
CHARON: Mm?
MAES: I know you did your research.
MAES: You listened to rumors, you've...heard Ruby address me.
MAES: You've put pieces together, you're fast on the uptake.
MAES: Surely you must know my position to the rehabilitation program, at least some semblance of it.
CHARON: I've heard plenty, yes.
CHARON: Know the people you work with and all..
MAES: ...then you can imagine I can relate to the idea of being considered dangerous, just for being made.
CHARON: Mm.. then we do share plenty of common stigma.
MAES: ...
 

She takes a moment.

MAES: ...then we would be best to be allies.
MAES: I think we've...misunderstood each other, at minimum, me towards you- and Mar.
CHARON: I never thought you antagonistic in nature if that's what worries you but... I agree.
MAES: If you are willing to work with me further on communication, and allowing me to feel out what's needed for accommodations- I'll do the same for you.
MAES: ...
MAES: I will have high standards.
MAES: Very high, considering how delicate this operation is.
MAES: But-
MAES: It would be a good idea for me to have someone alongside me who understands the gravity of this, even on the cursory level we've mentioned here.
MAES: I never thought I would meet someone who could even conceptualize that.
CHARON: Hopefully it's the best kind of surprise for you.

 

Maes raises a brow.

MAES: The best?
CHARON: Rather that then the worst, no?
MAES: I'm more interested in what your definition is, there.
CHARON: As in one that turned out beneficial?
MAES: Hmm.
 

She nods, her expression almost...amused.

MAES: We'll see.
MAES: And...how does...Mar, feel about this?
CHARON: Uh..
MAR: I'm still here!
MAR: I mean, I'd like to know more about you, and I've enjoyed working with you so far?
MAR: So I can agree to this myself...
MAES: ...more about me?
MAES: ...
MAES: Well...
MAES: I suppose it-
MAES: It would be ideal to get more familiar, if we're to be working together closely.
MAES: It would help me understand your situation, at least.
MAR: Of course!
MAES: Let me propose this, then.
MAES: We're currently off hours.
MAES: I want to keep things...as professional as possible, when on the job.
MAES: But I will allow time to familiarize with each other.
MAES: Either here, or...I suppose my apartment would be fine, provided you're willing to be a respectful guest- guests.

 

Mar turns her attention toward the dog.

MAR: Charon?
CHARON: Mm?
CHARON: I think you should be the one to pick all things considered.
MAR: I mean I can be polite but.. would that really be okay?
MAR: Your apartment?
MAES: Considering how your companion reacted during our interview, I would have assumed it'd be exciting for you to see my extremely boring abode.

 

The tiniest smirk.

MAES: But, if you would prefer an office chair-
MAR: Hmmm we could just play it by ear.
CHARON: Mm... I suppose we could stick here a bit longer and figure out the rest of our evening from there.
MAES: That's acceptable...then, what are your terms for this venture?
MAES: What do you consider important things to cover?
MAES: Things to avoid?
MAES: I'll warn you in advance- I'm not the type to socialize.
MAES: At all.
MAES: So...I may as well have something to go off of.
CHARON: Mar and I are pretty open to a lot, but we'll let you know if anything comes to mind.
MAR: Basic courtesy is usually plenty.
MAES: ...then I suggest this.
MAES: To start, we'll do a little, game, or something.
MAES: We ask questions back and forth, see what comes of it.
CHARON: I wouldn't mind.
CHARON: Both of us?
MAES: ...that's true, there are three people here.
MAES: Very well-
MAES: You'll each answer a question of mine...
MAES: ...and you can each ask me your own.
MAES: Shall we begin?