[PUNCH CLOCK ANIMAL] ASHTRAY

[skinstealer]

Rein simply nods before slithering away, leaving Bucket alone with Chelsea. The other demon is still leaning against the truck, trying not to look as bothered as she feels.

BUCKET: I'll be quite honest, I'm surprised that worked.
CHELSEA: What'd it go on about this time?

She grumbles her words, clearly out of sorts over the whole thing. 

CHELSEA: Couldn't hear any of it.
BUCKET: The usual banter, Spit's followers this and that as you'd imagine.

CHELSEA: It tell you I'm worse than the devil herself yet?
BUCKET: Would you be surprised it still has not tried such?
CHELSEA: Guess I'm just grateful you don't listen to it trying that...
BUCKET: What it sees and what I know have a very defined line of separation.
CHELSEA: ...thanks, Buck. 

She almost leans in for a kiss, stopping herself and settling for a pat on their back. Bucket turns bright red even with just the pat.

BUCKET: We'll save it for the rest stop...
CHELSEA: Y-yep. Good plan. Sorry.
BUCKET: I can't blame you for being eager.

Their tail wags just a little. 

BUCKET: But we're a tad too exposed…

Before she can get another word out, the back doors to Spit’s truck open up wide, a raggedy looking ruffneck standing there. 

????: You ladies ready to get going, or what? 
????: Plenty of room for you to gossip inside the truck. 
????: God forbid, maybe they'll leave without you! 

He smiles wide, no warmth to it. 

????: What a goddamn shame that'd be.

Bucket refuses to acknowledge him, Chelsea settling on an irritated glare. She was already sick of him the second he opened his mouth. 

????: Well, aren't you two a couple of livewires. 
????: Lil' miss horns over here already knows me, but-

He extends a hand to Bucket, practically waving it in their face. 

????: You, you're new to me. I'm Matthias.

Bucket grabs him by the wrist, going for a full arm shake. 

BUCKET: Bucket Judgment, licensed Master of All.
MATTHIAS: Well aren't you fancy? 
MATTHIAS: Me, I just run a cult.

He doesn't get phased for even a second, returning the shake. 

MATTHIAS: Guess I should have expected much from the fabled snake bride, mm? 
MATTHIAS: You've got a rep, you know.

Bucket raises a brow. 

BUCKET: Do I?
MATTHIAS: Oh, yes, all it took was the name matched to your face for me to realize just who you are.
BUCKET: I am...flattered?
MATTHIAS: You shouldn't be.
 

He gives them one more shake before dropping their arm. 

 
MATTHIAS: I've got a lot of people who want your head on a pike.
BUCKET: Does that include yourself?
MATTHIAS: Not for the next week, or however long this takes. 
MATTHIAS: After that, who knows!
BUCKET: If you'd like to be my sandbag well... it's a choice.
MATTHIAS: Ah ah ah, we're on a truce, aren't we? 
MATTHIAS: I'm pretty sure you don't want to disappoint your lovely porcelain partner with-

He raises his voice a few pitches, making a mocking whine. 

MATTHIAS: Uncontrolled behavior. 

He lets his voice fall back to normal, snickering. 

MATTHIAS: That's about right, yeah?
BUCKET: Defending honor is an occupational hazard, it'd understand.
MATTHIAS: Guess we better behave then. 

He shrugs before turning back towards the inside of the truck, feeling the engine start up. 

MATTHIAS: Time to get rolling!

BUCKET: Chelsea?

She snaps out of her daze, unclenching her fist. 

CHELSEA: S-sorry. That guy puts me on edge…

Bucket frowns, clearly concerned for their partner. 

BUCKET: I take it you two are very familiar then. 
CHELSEA: More familiar than I'd like to be…
BUCKET: Are you going to be alright for this?
CHELSEA: I'm going to have to hold up one way or another. 

Chelsea tries to scrabble and get up into the truck, struggling a bit. Bucket helps nudge her onto it, gently as they could. She scoots in, giving them a grateful look and holding out her hand. Bucket grabs on and pulls themselves up, no issue about it. 

BUCKET: Thank you!
CHELSEA: No prob, Buck. 

She keeps her voice low, reaching out to close the truck doors. 

CHELSEA: Let's hope the ride goes...as smooth as it can.