[PCA] UNIVERSAL CONSTANTS

[skinstealer]

[image description: kettle, a proxy with a ghostly, costume-like appearance, clings onto a blushing maes. maes' ears are fully perked and she looks interested, if not a little embarrassed]

 

Rosetta gets close enough to loom over him, Maes and Kettle.

ROSETTA: Kettle, you said?
CHARON: Mm..

 

A follow up squeak from the ghostly figure.

ROSETTA: Judgment said you were nonverbal? 
ROSETTA: Can you read text?

 

Her voice is nonjudgmental, despite its firm tone.

Another little squeak of confirmation.

ROSETTA: Ginger, could you-?

 

The tabby karacel is already on her way over, gesturing for Kettle to take a look at her tablet. 
She points out some easy response buttons- hello, yes, no, maybe, good, bad, goodbye...

KETTLE: Hello.

 

The proxy is quick to get started.

ROSETTA: Good. 
ROSETTA: Would you want to look into loaning something like that?
KETTLE: Maybe.
ROSETTA: Are you okay with me asking Judgment for clarification for now?
KETTLE: Yes.
ROSETTA: Mm. 
ROSETTA: Judgment, is there any apprehension here? 
ROSETTA: Or issue?
CHARON: Why would there be?
ROSETTA: Just checking, what with the maybe.
ROSETTA: ...hm.
ROSETTA: Kettle, do you like working here? 
ROSETTA: Judgment can clarify.
KETTLE: Maybe.

 

Another strange noise.

CHARON: Mar has been the primary one working so she's had little to no experience operating during shift. 
CHARON: Mostly a observer.
ROSETTA: ...and what would she like to do?
KETTLE: Good.

 

A soft laugh at that.

ROSETTA: Very vague. 
ROSETTA: What are you good at doing then? 
ROSETTA: Specifics or not.

 

A long pause.

KETTLE: Don't know.
ROSETTA: ...hm.

 

Her tone is hard to read.

There's a bit of a sad little whisper, something personal hit there.

ROSETTA: ...

 

She kneels, face to face now.

ROSETTA: You haven't had experiences, then? 
ROSETTA: Or just...it's hard.
KETTLE: One.
ROSETTA: A bad experience.

 

Not really a question.

ROSETTA: Or at the very least, experience with something unpleasant.
ROSETTA: ...you wouldn't be alone in that here.
CHARON: My proxy manifested when we were young, result of enduring a great hardship.
KETTLE: Yes.
CHARON: Most folks only have a singular proxy however... rare case of plurality manifesting separately from the operator.
CHARON: Mar is the primary one I bring to work because her skillset and physique are the best fit most days. 
CHARON: Kettle serves as a bit of a emotional anchor amongst us...  not many opportunities to apply herself so far.
JESTER: Plur..ality-?
RUBY: More than one self!

 

Ruby pipes up for the first time, their voice excited.

RUBY: Fascinating! 
RUBY: To see it present so dramatically-
ROSETTA: ...I suppose that makes sense.

 

Maes shuffles a little, tail brushing against Kettle's ankle almost instinctively-
...her expression and body language showing she's clearly uncomfortable with so much questioning.

Kettle seems to react instantly, face buried in her shoulder and clutching on tight.

CHARON: I'd like to call a break if that's alright, think it's becoming a bit overwhelming.
ROSETTA: ...yes. Sorry.
ROSETTA: ...a break, then.
SMITH: You're too harsh, Rosetta.

 

Smith huffs, pulling her back over with the side of his tail.

SMITH: ...forgive her, she's nosy. 
SMITH: Wants to know anything and everything.

 

Rosetta doesn't protest.

CHARON: Mm, I can understand the curiosity but... we'll come back to this.
RUBY: Take ten, then!

 

Ruby tucks their clipboard into their coat and claps.

RUBY: Go on, scatter!

 

The other maybecats go back to milling around- the atmosphere far less tense than earlier, at least.

Maes doesn't say much, simply holding Kettle's grip close.

The proxy does its best to try and comfort her.

CHARON: Boss...
MAES: I- it's fine.
MAES: Ten minutes will clear me up.
CHARON: I'm sorry about all that, was hoping Mar could set the stage for others but-

 

The proxy whimpers with a distinct sense of guilt.

CHARON: I don't blame you at all, I-

 

Kettle cuts him off with a wobbly hiss.

MAES: **No.**

 

Her voice comes out firm.

MAES: Kettle, don't-
MAES: You're not to  blame here. 
MAES: Please.

 

Kettle hugs the cat like her life depends on it.

Maes doesn't flinch this time, choosing to instead return it- even wrapping her tail around the proxy's calves.

MAES: ...hm.

 

Her voice is warm, but...confused.

MAES: Is this what you meant by emotional anchor, Judgment?
CHARON: ...We tend to spend a lot of time holding each other.
MAES: I- I never really...*go* for things like this.
MAES: I was kind of shocked she would just, go for it...
MAES: ....

 

She rests her head against the proxy's.

MAES: It's different with you, Kettle.

 

There's a little nuzzle.

CHARON: We're all extensions of each other one way or another, a network of sorts. I think she's wanted this for awhile... hard to just watch your other selves become closer to someone and have to sit in the corner.
MAES: ...I'm sorry I've been so slow to meet you all, then...is it really so hard to wait?

 

A little noise of confirmation.

MAES: ...maybe, after work...
CHARON: It'd be nice.
MAES: I'll make it up to you then. 
MAES: Does that work?

 

Another faux purr.

MAES: ...I like her, Judgment.
CHARON: Oh?
MAES: I'm not sure. 
MAES: It's-
MAES: It sounds childish to say...but I like you, Kettle. 
MAES: I'd like to see more of you.

 

Kettle reaches for the cat's hand.

She returns it, giving it a light squeeze.

CHARON: Thank you for being so good to them...
MAES: ...it comes easily, with you all...easier than it usually does for me.
CHARON: Easier with vampires and giant floating dresses and-

 

Kettle cuts him off before he could finish with a indignant noise.

CHARON: I mean you *are* sort of a bedsheet ghost-

 

Again.

CHARON: Maybe bad timing but there's hardly a better description-

 

A growl.

CHARON: ....That's a formal occupational title that means something here... plus we can't afford 8 years of med.
MAES: ...all things I never thought I'd enjoy, but...
MAES: I'm glad.
MAES: ...should we tell people we're ready to resume?
CHARON: Mm, more than prepped.
MAES: Very well..

 

Maes waves back towards the other group.

MAES: We're good to continue.