[PCA] UNIVERSAL CONSTANTS

[skinstealer]

[image description: Ginger, a orange anthropomorphic cat with one large central eye, wearing a shirt and baggy shorts, holds out an encyclopedia. She points to a photograph in the book of a desert animal. Strapped to her hip is a carrying bag with a assistive tablet poking out of the opened flap. Charon Judgment, a dark haired canine with cloak and large glasses is engaged in conversation with her with a small, excited smile across his face]

Ruby's instructions when it came to Ginger had been brief, but simple. She needed more conversational practice with her tablet, and it could be anything- but the company was needed, especially if he could stick around for a while.

Ginger's room was down in the residential blocks, a converted cell turned into a surprisingly cozy living space- looking more like a well-loved dorm room than a former prison, including actual paint and new flooring.

The karacel inside sits at her desk, tail idly swishing as she looks over a tablet- something high tech, judging by the touch screen she keeps messing with.

Charon gives a little knock on the doorway, gesturing at the cat.

CHARON: Handling check-in today.

 

Her ears perk up, Ginger turning around in her rolling chair. Upon noticing him, she blinks her singular, huge eye and grabs for her device, the screen displaying an array of buttons for her to press.

GINGER: Hello.

 

The voice comes out of the tablet in a pre-recorded sample, her cyclopsian eye looking back up at him.

GINGER: My name is Ginger.
GINGER: What's your name?
CHARON: Judgment, I'm the boss' assistant.

 

A fancy little bow.

It takes her a moment to hit buttons in sequence, assembling a full string.

GINGER: Are you new here?
CHARON: I am, hopefully folks don't mind too much.
GINGER: What is your job?
CHARON: General assistant, security during the refurbishing process.
CHARON: Officially speaking I was hired through a knight's contract.
GINGER: Do you like it?
CHARON: So far I'd say I like this job, working with Maes as well.

 

The name gets some recognition, Ginger nodding.

GINGER: Are you scared?
GINGER: Scared of Devil's Advocacy.
CHARON: Not at all.
GINGER: Are you scared of me?
GINGER: Are you scared of my siblings?
CHARON: Not even a little, no.
CHARON: Should I be?
GINGER: The laboratory is dangerous.
CHARON: What do you mean?

 

She swivels in her chair, tapping the side of the tablet while thinking.

It takes her a moment before she thinks of a good way to say it.

GINGER: Scary family.
GINGER: Lots of secrets.
CHARON: Heard rumors of such. I'll do what I have to for myself and everyone else to remain safe.

 

She nods, leaning onto one arm and resting her tablet flat on the table. Her gaze flits between Charon and the tablet's buttons as she types, clearly having familiarity with the device's layout- but wanting to be sure.

GINGER: You are brave.
CHARON: And why is that?
GINGER: My family is sick.
GINGER: Devil's Advocacy is big.
GINGER: What do you know?
CHARON: A number of rumors and speculations regarding old management, stories of cult interactions.
CHARON: Suppose I've taken a personal interest in cutting he threads of the latter away from people.
GINGER: Do you believe it?
CHARON: Even if its not, I believe at the very least there's some basis and... my limited time here at the very least confirms something did happen.

 

He adjusts his glasses.

CHARON: Ultimately, taking care of the people who've been hurt takes priority.

 

She pauses, giving him a shrug.

GINGER: Good enough.
GINGER: I am sick too. Working on it.
GINGER: I am learning how to talk again but my tablet helps.
CHARON: Mm.
CHARON: Do others use tablets as well?
GINGER: Sometimes.

 

She grimaces, shaking her head.

GINGER: Tablets cost lots of money.
GINGER: I share this tablet.
GINGER: Sometimes other siblings need it more.
CHARON: Understood.
CHARON: I have a few friends living with a similar situation.
CHARON: Please let me know if I can do anything to make things easier for you.

 

A pleasant smile.

GINGER: What do you think?
CHARON: I'm willing to accommodate needs, engage in hobbies and interests, aid in any personal pursuits you may have.
CHARON: I can't guarantee anything but...

 

He does a little showy gesture with his cloak.

CHARON: A jack of all trades like myself will consider most things.

 

She holds up a finger before tucking her tablet into the bag on her hip, rolling over to her nightstand, grabbing a book and scooting herself back- extending it to him.

An encyclopedia of wildlife in the area surrounding the nearby city of Mockery, all manner of desert plants and animals.

He takes it carefully in hand.

CHARON: Bit of a biology enthusiast?

 

A very enthusiastic nod.

Upon closer inspection, there are sticky notes peeking out of the top, marking places.

CHARON: I'm a bit of one too, comes with the territory of being a traveler...

 

He carefully flicks through the pages, getting a good look at things.

The vast majority of the flagged pages are animals suited towards the cities of the zone- both ruins and active ones like Mockery itself. Things that learned to adapt, to be around people even in the harsh environment.

CHARON: Can see you have some favorites.
CHARON: Urban evolution... might I interest you in a book from my own collection?

 

Even more enthusiasm.

He carefully offers the book back with one hand and reaches into his own cloak with the other.

CHARON: Excuse me a moment, I'm carrying around here somewhere....

 

She tilts her head, trying to peek at what he's doing.

He tries to cover up a little bit more before pulling out another book on a literal silver platter.

A locally written encyclopedia from Plaza, edition just a couple of years old documenting the wildlife of the city-island region.

CHARON: Hopefully this is up your alley.

 

She narrows her eye and raises her brow, keeping her eye on him while pulling her tablet back out.

GINGER: You're hiding secrets.
CHARON: I'm a magician on the side, can't help but show off when the chance appears.

 

He does a little sweeping gesture to prove it's empty.

More narrowing.

CHARON: Not convincing?
GINGER: No. I believe you.
GINGER: Magic is bad here.
GINGER: My siblings do not like it.
CHARON: Mm... perhaps I've been reckless today.
GINGER: No.
GINGER: Do not hide secrets.

 

Ginger gives him a very stern look, shaking her head.

GINGER: Be honest.
GINGER: Be careful.
GINGER: My family does not like lies.

 

He gives a nod in return.

CHARON: It feels important to be transparent of my own nature if I'm to be working so closely with others.
CHARON: And as you can see, I'm hardly typical of this place and the surface alike.

 

Ginger looks him up and down before giving him an exaggerated, knowing smirk.

CHARON: You're welcome to borrow that book as long as you'd like, on a side note.
CHARON: If you find yourself bored I've got plenty more.

 

She flips open the book and starts skimming, thinking to herself as she takes note of the marked pages.

GINGER: What things do you like?
CHARON: Ah, that's a bit of a long list...
GINGER: What are your favorite things?
CHARON: ...I have a soft spot for cooking.
CHARON: Don't tend to get to as often as I'd like lately but making meals for others is almost therapeutic in a way.

 

She nods, thinking it over.

GINGER: My family is very hungry.
GINGER: I am too.
CHARON: I suppose could make a little extra and bring some for you next time I cook.
CHARON: Any allergies

 

She shakes her head again.

GINGER: I don't know.
GINGER: Probably no.
GINGER: Tell me more about food.
CHARON: Ah, well, believe it or not, I do actually have the licenses needed to vend.
CHARON: A large common part of knight work is relief and restoration of community, so they're always looking for people who can operate soup kitchens.
CHARON: Got a good number of hours under my belt in such environments...