[PCA] UNIVERSAL CONSTANTS

[skinstealer]

[image description: Abstracted visualization of a glass screen peering into a slaughterhouse filled with old lumps of dangling flesh lined up like meat in a locker.]

ROSETTA: JESTER. 

 

Rosetta lets out a rumbling gasp, even Smith making a low growl.

 


SMITH: Man, you said you'd stop going out there-
CHARON: Keep talking.
JESTER: I-I'm sorry! 
JESTER: I'm sorry, just, I-
JESTER: S...something keeps...
JESTER: ....it's like I hear something that needs help...
CHARON: I could go take a look for myself. 
CHARON: Boss?

 

Maes' fur is completely on end.

 


MAES: We checked the entire old lab.
JESTER: I know-
MAES: Regularly. 
MAES: There's nothing out there.
JESTER: B-but!
CHARON: I can handle the expedition on my own if needed.
MAES: Judgment!
RUBY: Maes, let him do it.

 

Ruby's voice is surprisingly firm,  lacking their usual lackadasical tone. 

Maes shrinks.

 


CHARON: This is my field, if it's causing distress to the people living here I have to look into it.
MAES: I-
MAES: But-
CHARON: ...It doesn't have to be today.
MAES: ...
MAES: ......
MAES: O...okay. 
MAES: Fine.
MAES: We can discuss- we can discuss a trip out this week.
CHARON: Mm... is that alright with folks?
 

The room's atmosphere has changed, but...
Folks nod.

Ruby taps their clipboard.

 


RUBY: I can discuss readying a survey team with JB.
CHARON: I want a list of hazards to prep for as well.
RUBY: Right. 
RUBY: Jester?
JESTER: ...they're just going to yell at me...
MAES: Out with it.
JESTER: ...it's...in Intake-
SMITH: DUDE COME ON
ROSETTA: WHY ARE YOU-
CHARON: Completely new for me then.
MAES: And not somewhere you should be going. 
MAES: Or ANYONE should be going.
 

Maes' volume rises, clearly strained.

 


JESTER: But! 
JESTER: S-something-
JESTER: Something might need help-
MAES: So it's okay to wander around a slaughterhouse? 
MAES: We haven't finished cleaning there yet! 
MAES: There's still machinery!
JESTER: I...I know-

 

The proxy starts to rattle a little, slaughterhouse... 

 


CHARON: What's the smallest crew possible for a job like this?

 

Maes' posture shrinks further at the rattling, her fur puffing up even more to compensate.

 


MAES: N-no one should-
SMITH: ...hard to say.
 

Smith cuts in.

 


SMITH: You should take at least one large class. 
SMITH: Which...is me, next biggest being Rosetta.
ROSETTA: I'll go.
 

Rosetta's tail thumps loudly.

 


ROSETTA: Smith's stronger, but-
ROSETTA: ...that means he can protect the rest of the family. 
ROSETTA: I'm more well suited towards an offense.
CHARON: You say that like there's something running rampant in there.
SMITH: ...there probably isn't. 
SMITH: We'd have found that by  now, like Maes said.

 

Smith crosses his arms and leans back.

 


SMITH: ...but it's not worth the risk. 
SMITH: If something's slipped by, it's likely smart.
CHARON: We don't even know if it's hostile.
SMITH: Mm. 
SMITH: But if it's asking for help...
SMITH: ...likely scared. 
SMITH: Scared and this place is a bad combo.
CHARON: If we're separated, could you fend? 
CHARON: I can almost guarantee safety of the crew while they're close but...
ROSETTA: ...Mm. 
ROSETTA: A fair point...
ROSETTA: I have my cane,  but-

 

She taps the aid on her hip.

 


ROSETTA: It's not like I'm all that familiar with intake as an adult.
ROSETTA: ...it's a mostly open space, and I can find and keep to the walls if I need to. 
ROSETTA: Basically just a square, it'd be less hard *not* seeing me in there.
CHARON: I'll do my best to keep you safe then... you, JD possibly as well. 
CHARON: Should that be enough?
MAES: ...I-

 

Maes takes a deep breath.

 


MAES: I'll go.
MAES: I-
MAES: I should.
CHARON: You don't have to if-

 

She lets out a soft warning growl.

The dog covers his face with the cloak around his sleeve, hiding his expression.

 


CHARON: It's really that serious..
RUBY: ...unfortunately so...

 

Ruby's tone is grave.

 


RUBY: ...maybe we should call it early today.
RUBY: If it hasn't done anything dangerous yet and hasn't caused trouble, we have time to get supplies together. 
RUBY: I can handle arrangements with JB and let you know what our gameplan is tomorrow.
CHARON: That'd be good, everyone could use some time to rest.
MAES: ...right.

 

Maes tries to untense.

 


MAES: ...I'll- swing by your office, Ruby. 
MAES: We can discuss it before I go up. 
MAES: The two of us.
RUBY: ...thank you.

 

Maes turns to Charon, still looking uneasy and unsure what to say.

 


CHARON: We'll meet up, we both got talks we need to have before we can retire for the day.
MAES: ...right.
MAES: I'll meet you up top, then.
CHARON: Good luck to you.
MAES: ...you too.

 

She follows Ruby, the rest of the maybecats starting to pack up.

Ginger pauses before heading back, taking her tablet back out and giving him a tired smile.

 


GINGER: It was nice to meet you.

 

She pauses, thinking over her next button presses carefully.

 


GINGER: And you. 
GINGER: And you. And you. And you.

 

The proxy gives a little bow in return, followed by a series of gestures mimicking the others.

She gives a proper grin at that, giving Charon a light shoulder punch before waving goodbye to Broth. 

Jester hesitates to follow, unable to make eye contact.

 


JESTER: ...is...is it really okay that I-
CHARON: I think so but... maybe don't wander into dangerous spots as much.
JESTER: ...right. 
JESTER: I-
JESTER: I never *mean* to, but...
JESTER: ....I'll...maybe feel better when I know what's out there.
JESTER: ....and if it's okay.
CHARON: We'll have it resolved quickly. 
CHARON: Don't beat yourself up, alright?
JESTER: ...mm.

 

He doesn't look very convinced.

 


JESTER: ...I should go make sure R-ruby has all the information. 
JESTER: Thank you.
CHARON: Enjoy your evening..
JESTER: You too...

 

Smith has already cleared out, making sure Ginger and Jester had help getting back-
-leaving Charon, Broth and Rosetta.

 


ROSETTA: .....
CHARON: I made a promise, ready whenever.
ROSETTA: ...right. 
ROSETTA: Just...

 

She wraps her tail around her ankles.

 


ROSETTA: ...I'll be likely talking out of my ass. 
ROSETTA: I've never been aboveground or anything, never talked to any outsiders that haven't worked here. 
ROSETTA: All I know's this stupid  basement.
CHARON: Doesn't make your concerns any less legitimate.
ROSETTA: Mm...
ROSETTA: ...
ROSETTA: I think something bad is going on up there, that she won't tell anyone about.
CHARON: ...What do you mean?
ROSETTA: ...I can only give firsthand from the sparse conversations I've had with her, but my other siblings tell me things. 
ROSETTA: She struggles with her back and sometimes even walking, and avoids certain things in-

 

A displeased, unsure rumble in her throat.

 


ROSETTA: -in ways some of us recognize, from before the rehab center. 
ROSETTA: But she refuses to answer any questions about it and denies any concerns.
CHARON: She's a downplayer, can't deny that.
ROSETTA: Mm. 
ROSETTA: Unfortunately.
ROSETTA: ...could you keep an eye out? 
ROSETTA: None of us can go up with her aside from JB, and-
ROSETTA: I'll be honest, I don't think he'd know how to go about that delicately.
CHARON: As much as she'll allow me.

 

The dog lingers on those words for a moment, a honest pause.

 


CHARON: Admittedly there's a lot I still don't know...
ROSETTA: The same goes for a lot of us, and she doesn't take well to direct questioning. 
ROSETTA: You'll be one of the few people aside from Synna who's able to go between both sides of this whole mess, so...maybe you can be support we can't. 
ROSETTA: I don't know.
ROSETTA: ...and...I'm sorry for the rough time earlier. 
ROSETTA: For all of you.
CHARON: Protecting family, right?
ROSETTA: ...mm. Yes. 
ROSETTA: I guess that does sum it up.
CHARON: Then it's a sentiment I can approach with, I am a guest in your world.
ROSETTA: ...I'd like to visit yours. 
ROSETTA: My studies are almost to the point where they think I'm ready to go soon.
CHARON: They're in Wonder, bit of a trip.
ROSETTA: ...I  meant more the surface in general, but...
ROSETTA: I'll have to look it up.

 

She sighs, a bit in relief.

 


ROSETTA: ...thank you. 
ROSETTA: I know this is a lot to ask- 
ROSETTA: I just...hope having someone looking after her helps. 
ROSETTA: I give her shit, but...
CHARON: I'll protect her with my life, I swear on that much.
ROSETTA: Already so dedicated?
CHARON: Would you have it otherwise all things considered?
ROSETTA: ...no. 
ROSETTA: I just never saw her as the romantic type.
CHARON: I never expected to meet someone here.
ROSETTA: Is it nice?
CHARON: Yeah.
ROSETTA: Good.
ROSETTA: ...that's...all I have.
ROSETTA: Just a request for someone to look after her.
CHARON: Consider it done.
ROSETTA: Thank you.
ROSETTA: Will you all be on your way? 
ROSETTA: It sounded like you had a date planned.
CHARON: Mm.. you enjoy the rest of your day, we'll be meeting up again soon.
ROSETTA: ...good luck.