[PCA] UNIVERSAL CONSTANTS

[skinstealer]

Jester wasn't wrong.

Strange smears and clusters of bone litter the area, heaps in varying shapes and sizes-

-but not the only kind of marker.

More twisted humanoid figures, all carrying shock sticks...in different poses, all wearing different uniforms from the surface.

CHARON:  ...What would happen if I touch these?
JESTER: ...I...don't know.
JESTER: We're still being watched.
CHARON:  I'm weighing the risk attached.
MAES: ....If you do, warn us first.

 

Maes exhales.

MAES: I'll let you vote.
SYNNA: I vote we do it.
ROSETTA: ....egh.
SYNNA: Better to be aware of when we're pissing it off.
JESTER: I don't know if it'd like that, but...maybe be gentle?
SYNNA: Seems near-unanimous. 
SYNNA: Sorry Rose.
CHARON:  Mm.... Marking myself as a target, Mar?
MAR: On watch...

 

The dog approached a mass and started going through it.


Immediate rumbling in the chamber, its position unknown-

JESTER: B-back up for a sec-

 

The dog pulled away.

CHARON: Show your face.

 

The vibrations did not stop, the sound beginning to move-

and then ceasing again.

JESTER: ...it's closer. 
JESTER: I-
JESTER: ....I have a weird hunch- touch the figure.

 

He pressed his hands to it.

The noise slowed, calming.

JESTER: ...mm. 
JESTER: O...okay.
JESTER: This is going to sound- a little weird.
CHARON:  Lay it on me.
JESTER: Hit it.
MAES: Jester, are you fucking insane?

 

There was a clang, the dog backhanding it.

The noise stopped-

-only to be replaced with a strange, multi-layered-

 

[alt: Mar looms over a flesh scarecrow shaped like a ruffneck with a intimidating aura, from offscreen Charon's cloak sleeved arm extends and jabs it so hard little cartoon stars fly off like spit and blood spraying in a comedic way.]

JESTER: ...it's laughing.
CHARON:  You think it's funny?

 

The dog mockingly postured toward the figure, chest out and on his toes for added height.

CHARON:  You're looking at the man who busted Big Cigar Benny. 
CHARON:  You wanna laugh, buddy?

 

More cackles, in different volumes and cadences, as if many voices got scrambled together.

MAES: But-
MAES: Why would...
CHARON:  It's fine, I'm hardly a solo act. 
CHARON:  Mar?
MAR: I'd like to threaten some kneecaps I think.

 

A shuffling in the dark, the cold feeling intensifying.

JESTER: I-I think it's approaching-
CHARON:  There we go-

 

The knight suddenly cuts off, eyes and halo bright enough to make him out. The proxy rattles along, both gone quiet.