[PCA] UNIVERSAL CONSTANTS

[skinstealer]

[image description: Flor, a rabbit-like humanoid robot with segmented joints, wide hips, and a head with a transparent dome-like face holding a polygonal crystalized brain strikes a pose against a abstract, star patterned background.]

JESTER: ...you can do that?
JESTER: Wrangle, I mean.

 

Maes looks incredibly shy as Jester talks.

????: Not like, horses or anything.
????: People, yeah.
JESTER: No, I mean- that sounds like there's a place.
JESTER: Are you doing it somewhere else?
JESTER: Another room?

 

Jester tries to look behind it.

????: We all have to live somewhere, just uh... not on this plane I guess.
????: It's like in a cartoon when someone pulls something out of their pocket bigger than them?
CHARON: Hammerspace.
????: Yeah, we got one of those made for all of us to relax.
JESTER: HAH.
JESTER: See, Smith?
JESTER: Cartoons can give you real world info!

 

Smith snorts, rolling his eyes.

SMITH: You get that one.
????: More than you'd know, likely not to come up in practice for most.
CHARON: Mm... most.

 

The dog takes the glasses off to wipe them, the shift in his eyes jarring in the brief moment before putting them back on.

CHARON: It's rather spacious, though unfit for long term living if you aren't a proxy.
MAES: ...is it nice?

 

Maes finally speaks.

CHARON: I think so, Flor?
FLOR: Mmmhmm, I'd say so.
FLOR: Most of my days are in the library with some tea, maybe play a few records in my room.
MAES: ...mm.

 

Back to being shy.

FLOR: Did you want to join in sometime or...?
MAES: No, I-
MAES: ...I've never, exactly-
MAES: ...met, you-

 

She blushes.

The proxy looks over toward her.

FLOR: Well now's as good a time as ever I think.
MAES: Y-yes, I-
MAES: I'm not sure why I'm so shy.
MAES: Hello.

 

Flor offers her a hand a little flirtatiously.

FLOR: Is it really all that different with me?
MAES: I'm not even sure why.

 

She takes it, resting her claws gently in Flor's.

FLOR: Get a closer look if you've gotta.
MAES: ...

 

She rubs her thumb against the proxy's palm, softly smiling to herself.

MAES: I'll have to ask for a proper description later.
FLOR: But of course...

 

Flor turns toward the others and did a little bow.

FLOR: So?
ROSETTA: Y-
JESTER: You have a brain for a face!

 

Rosetta smacks Jester on the back of his head.

JESTER: H-hey!
ROSETTA: Forgive him, he's got no manners.
JESTER: N, no- it's because I've seen it before...

 

Jester grumps, rubbing the spot his sister hit.

FLOR: ...Have you?
FLOR: Was I that obvious or-
JESTER: No, I-
JESTER: ...I see stuff all the time.
JESTER: It's- really scary...
JESTER: ...but you weren't that bad- w- when I thought you were a ghost.
JESTER: Sorry.
FLOR: Closer to a ghost than anyone else is this room really, not a bad assumption.
JESTER: ...still.
JESTER: What do you like doing, then?
FLOR: Well... bit of a homebody if I'm real.
FLOR: You'll probably see me the least of the bunch if we're going to all be more open about this.
FLOR: Nothing against anyone.

 

Jester nods.

JESTER: You like staying, uh-
JESTER: In the hammer place?
FLOR: Mm.. bit into the scholar life, you know?
FLOR: Take notes, translate books, brew all evening.
FLOR: Typical busywork for magic weirdos.
JESTER: Brewing?
JESTER: Like?

 

His eyes widen.

FLOR: Cures and potions, nothing that exciting.
FLOR: Document findings for future reference.

 

From the look on Jester's face, potions and cures are *very* exciting.

FLOR: ...You seem real interested though.
JESTER: I've never heard about *real* potions.
FLOR: A witch has to do something all day, I'm big on the process.
JESTER: And what do they do?
FLOR: That's what I find out, a lot of old recipes that I cook up and test.
JESTER: ...does it ever go bad?
FLOR: Plenty of times but I walk it off.

 

Jester looks like he's talking to a rockstar.

FLOR: Maybe I can share some knowledge, stuff that'd help.
JESTER: ...maybe...
JESTER: Like, yes, I would LOVE that.
JESTER: But-

 

He makes a slight head gesture to Ruby and the massive maybecat looming behind him.

JESTER: You'd...have to make your case with the others.
JESTER: A-as much as I would want to...
JESTER: ...they're right about one thing. I can't just dive into stuff-
SMITH: ...his ranting about ghosts freaks enough people out.

 

Smith admits it first.

SMITH: People are skittish and he's enthusiastic, positive or negative.
CHARON: We'll at least keep it on the table, have a few talks on what's fair game.
RUBY: I *personally* wouldn't mind!

 

Ruby speaks up now, their voice chipper.

RUBY: I've been trying to get Maes to let me do classes and research for years-

 

Maes' ears flatten.

RUBY: -but I guess all it took was a little romance-

 

Rosetta lets out a guttural threat noise, loud enough to shut Ruby up immediately.

FLOR: Like I said, we'll have to see right?
CHARON: Have to presumedly get any potential courses tested and approved regardless.
MAES: ...I'll allow it.

 

Maes' voice is quiet, but steady.

MAES: ...with supervision and approval, yes.
FLOR: There we go!
FLOR: I'll have to let you know though most of these are of the home remedy type, things to cure infections and stings and all that.
CHARON: Mm... many of these are the type that never really tend to have much role in the lives of the average person.

 

Jester is practically bouncing.

JESTER: Cool!
JESTER: Oh, that's- that's awesome.
JESTER: Should I-

 

He shakes his head.

JESTER: We need to figure out the ghost thing.
JESTER: Sorry.
JESTER: Um, is there anyone else who wants to be introduced?
CHARON: Mm... Flor is it-
FLOR: Yeah, you're good.
FLOR: You'll all see me around soon enough.

 

The proxy gave everyone a little wave before reassembling into a large, bird-like living dress.

MAR: Sorry for the delay...