[PUNCH CLOCK ANIMAL] ASHTRAY

[skinstealer]

 
Bazil steps into their motel room, slumping against the wall as Bucket makes sure the doors and windows are absolutely, completely sealed.
 

BAZIL: Is he gone? 

 
Bazil's voice is back to a familiar cadence, a raspy voice Bucket knows very well.
 

BUCKET: Mm..... tell me what's wrong?
CHELSEA: I'm sorry I wasn't there for you... 

  
Chelsea slides down the wall a little bit, completely exhausted.
 

BUCKET: It's alright, we have a moment to rest right now.
CHELSEA: He's never been...active, I guess, for that long. Usually I come back in a few hours. 

  
 
 
She glances up, face full of shame. 
 

CHELSEA: I left you alone with Bazil. With Matthias.
BUCKET: We'll be done with this trip sooner or later.
CHELSEA: Did he hurt you? Touch you at all?
BUCKET: No, but he does seem to be trying to complicate our situation more.
CHELSEA: And Bazil, he didn't hurt you either?
BUCKET: No.
CHELSEA: He was alright to you?
BUCKET: Mmhmm, is he alright?
CHELSEA: He... 

 

 
She touches her cheek, wincing at the sting. 
 

CHELSEA: Matthias did something to him.
BUCKET: Let me see.

  
She turns to face them, a cigarette burn clear on her cheek.
 

BUCKET: Did he do this to you on the truck?!
CHELSEA: Bazil says it was while you were talking to Rein.

 

 
Chelsea touches it again and hisses, flinching from even the tiniest graze. Bucket pulls her hand away, worry clear on their face. 
  

BUCKET: Let me get a closer look, I can patch you up.
CHELSEA: Help me on the bed first...

 

 
Bucket scoops her up and carries Chelsea over without hesitation. She hangs on tight, running a hand through their chest fluff.
  

CHELSEA: I don't think it's a normal burn, Buck...stings like hell.
BUCKET: I can fix infections.
CHELSEA: Go ahead, but be careful.