[PCA] UNIVERSAL CONSTANTS

[skinstealer]

[image description: the cover of the episode, titled: Universal Constants
Episode 6: The Artag Inheritance. it is black and white silhouettes, featuring Maes kneeling on the floor amidst a giant scalpel, multiple of Charon's bizarre geometric spells, and cross-like structures. Mar stands in a flash of light, the rest of the room covered in pitch black.]


Charon stands tall on the platforms of the auction house stage, relics buried under curtains glowing with the twinkle of the manufactured sky. 


A place intended to sell off everything held sacred in this world to the worst people he can imagine, now nothing more a permanent installation in his dreamscape. 








He hopes it stays that way.



Crossing through the rows upon rows of curios, all gotten through means he tries to this day not to think about, keeping his head down-



Only to stumble, his eyes meeting a familiar relic looming above him.

 

[image description: a dreamlike room with stars visible overhead, along with curtains and an ethereal looking ornate eye. multiple boxes are in view, with the most prominent being covered by a tarp.]



The dog nearly jumps out of his own skin, the case and its covering unmistakable. If he squints, he can even make out a cat-like silhouette inside, bringing a stream of haunting memories...and longing for lost opportunities.. 

CHARON: ...What are you doing here? 
CHARON: I'll figure out a way to bust you out..
CHARON: You shouldn't be...

 

The silhouette under the tarp doesn't move, locked into an almost artificially even position.


The tarp itself drapes over a large box-like structure- a glass case, no doubt, the figure contained within shadowed against the fabric. 





Perfect for an auction display...

CHARON: Let me get you out of there, come here...


 

He quickly pulls down the tarp to get a better look at things. 










It is not a glass case.








Underneath is a massive toy blister pack, a person-sized plush with exaggerated proportions-




.....no, plush wasn't apt.




Despite the tag on the thigh looking more like what you'd find in a playful toy pile, the zippers on its breasts and crotch say otherwise. 



This is a sex doll, and a very, very familiar looking one.




The dog's breath hitches briefly.


Is this fine to think about? The two had- still, even if it's a dream...she's still his boss, and her like this...


He can't keep his legs still.


Is this what she looks like under it all? There's ragged, handmade stitching along where he had felt scars. Surely-




The cardboard backing catches his eye.


"LAB-GROWN LOVER", with faded, crackled hearts on the print. 

A tagline listed "Made just to your tastes!" advertises her further, actual product features scratched out in frantic ballpoint pen. 




There's a slight gap between the plastic blister and the cardboard backing.


He grabs for it, tearing the packaging open enough to get a grip on the doll's arms to help her out. 



Is it bad to look up close-




A snuggle at least-





If she ever finds out she'll kill me...

CHARON: Not used to you being in one of these like this... hope the air is nice.

 

She collapses into his arms, the doll heavy-



Full of slime, maybe?



He gives the doll a hug, helping them both balance before sitting the two of them down together. He carefully gives her hand a squeeze.

CHARON: We should find you something to wear.

 

She does look a bit cold....


Her head flops on his shoulder, button eyes blank and face embroidered into a somewhat uncanny smile.

CHARON: Hate how cute you look this way...

 

He rubs around her back, enjoying the feeling of whatever filling moving underneath.

CHARON: You're welcome company at least, better than the alternatives for sure.

 

She lolls further onto him, head on his chest now. 


....why is she here, anyway?

At...
An auction.
The auction.