Masa con Papas: Proxy's Memory

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[image description: Manzana having a call on a cellphone placed up to her ear, hair covering her face.Little stylized diamonds poke out from the cell phone itself.]

You watched Manzana reach for her phone as she headed outside.

Platino: I'll handle things for now I guess. You know what you'd like? Don't know if you're familiar with current food.

Styx: Plenty... I've got a bad feeling about today if I'm honest.

Platino: Nothing we can't handle honestly, worry about breakfast for now.

The mammal grins at you. You feel a cold airy chill in your chest.

Styx: People like you exist in every era I suppose..

Platino: Yeah? What's that mean?

Styx: Eccentric oddities. Bold folks who take up jobs like these on a dime..

Platino: Someone's gotta. Not like there was a better option for us anyway...

Styx: A story perhaps?

Platino: Keeping it brief? Ali picked us up off the street. We were good at doing DIY witchcraft using random junk. Made a lot of our money that way I guess. She saw that and went "Your talents are wasted, I can offer you a chance to see the world beyond" and well... yeah.

Styx: And.. things were worth it?

Platino: Eh... wouldn't undo it but there was a lot we wish we didn't have to go through. Ali is... very tough love.

Styx: Abusive. Exploitative..

Platino: If you wanna be blunt. Though from what I've heard you're a real piece yourself. Honestly had it coming a little, no offense.

Your ears pulled back immediately.

Styx: I... I wasn't my best self, no.

Platino: Turned a perfectly good dog into a child soldier, wild to me.

Styx: He wasn't just a soldier, he was a weapon.

Platino: What's the difference?

Styx: He wanted to be useful at any cost. Where I came from, a soldier is capable of being worthless during a crucial moment. A weapon always has a place.

Platino: That... sounds worse?

Styx: You're certainly not wrong... it was something I preferred though myself. Certainly not a good thing to pass along...

Platino: You made that kid a ball of anxiety. The amount of times he told me in DMs that he felt like he had to be useful to be worth keeping around-

Styx: I know.

Platino: If you hadn't been through so much already I'd slap you on his behalf but... you're like me.

Styx: Mm?

Platino: Think back, forum days..

Styx: I.. didn't particpate-

No, you absolutely did. Mostly dormant or not, you were there.

Styx: Remember having a bad day, talking about not feeling like myself. Wondering if I ever really came back from that void. You and a couple of other friends were in that chat.

Platino: Keep going.

Styx: It felt.. wrong. Coming back to the things I missed I mean.. for how much I found myself clinging onto the idea of safe return, I'm not sure I really did make it back.

Platino: Had to fake it for a long time.

Styx: Still sometimes do... in my mind I'm still there, and everything I see is merely a looking glass. It's unfair, irrational. Everyone pretending things are fine while my skull is burning. Having to smile but rarely meaning it.. and I could never really explain it to anyone. They'd just never get it.. felt crazy...

Platino: I tried my best but...

Styx: You always did, and.. in your own way you understood.

Platino: Maybe. Not the same but.. a lot of what you said really made sense to me.

Styx: Mm...

He rubbed his nose for a moment, processing things.

Platino: Gonna try something quick. don't freak out.

Styx: What are you-

Platino: Charon?

Your body jolts. You're reacting to it as if it were your own name.

Platino:.. Yeah.

You accidentally let out a ugly noise.

Platino: You're gonna be okay.

Styx: ..I don't think I know who I am anymore.

Platino: You'll figure it out, went through the same shit.

Styx: And...? What happens?

Platino: You're a remnant of two people who once existed separate, you'll figure out which parts you resonate with more. For me? I think I like myself as Manzana with a little sauce.

Styx: That's a way to phrase it...

Platino: If you know, you know.

Styx: It's something sexy-

Platino: Yep. For your sake avoid my after dark.

Styx: I don't know what that is.

Platino: Good. Now uh-

He pauses, his ears twitching.

You.. also feel something. You pick up the signal of a nearby phone.

Manzana: You told them I was taking a sick day??

Needle: Had to cover for you somehow, is that like-

Manzana: Mission's gonna wanna drop by my place to check on me...

Needle: Oh god are you in trouble or-

Manzana: Not if I'm there but... I had plans and I-

Needle: I can cover you if you send me instructions, that's fine.

Manzana: Yeah okay uh.. gonna text you to look into a few files on our caseload. Receipts regarding Southeast Plaza Bay as well. Recent auctions and-

Needle: I'm gonna stop you right there and say use the alt. Think someone's listening.

Manzana: That's probably just Plat but.. yeah, okay.

Needle: I'll got you. For now go back, prep. I see them wrapping up their inspection..

Manzana: Alright..

Needle: You need to catch me up on a few things also. Family, the date.. curious about that one a lot actually.

Manzana: Y-yeah, yeah okay. Once we've got things sorted?

Needle: Yeah... I'll get going over here.

Manzana: Mm... see you soon then?

Needle: Yeah, don't get into any trouble til then.

Manzana: I'll do my best, later.

The signal cuts off. You look out the windows and watch Manzana come back through the door.

Manzana: We got a situation-

Platino: Heard everything. You go back, I'll grab food here for you. Gives us a alibi if I'm picking up breakfast for the two of us..

Manzana: Mm.. hope to god Mom's not around. Styx?

Styx: Also filled in.

Manzana: I... oh god was that you?

Styx: Not intentionally, entity quirk..

Platino: That's on me...

Manzana: Right okay well... so we're all filled in-

Mission: Excuse me, you all ready to order?

Everyone turns sharply, the entity in full waitress attire giving the three of you the most smug of auras.

You snarl at them on reflex.

Mission: Relax, I'm not hear to start anything. You did spare my life after all..

Styx: Don't make me regret that so soon..

Mission: I think you're a bit too soft to make good on that threat these days... but I'm actually here to ask your group for a big favor.

Their voice and posture soften.

Mission: I'll do whatever I can...

Styx: The audacity after all you've-

Platino: Gonna need you to back down dude, they're serious.

Manzana: Yeah I.. don't know what beef you two have but I've known her for a long time...

Styx:...I'll hear you out then.

Mission: Ali's been incredibly desperate, sloppy, reaching some kind of endgame... I need you to save her from herself.