[PCA] UNIVERSAL CONSTANTS

[skinstealer]

[image description: a plush version of maes stuck in a plastic toy blister pack, with an exaggerated hourglass figure and zippers on her breasts and crotch. her eyes have been replaced with buttons, and her mouth a forced embroidered smile. a cloth hangs over the newly-revealed box, the box itself adorned with a heart symbol  and stripes.]


His heart races.

CHARON: Maybe we'll find a nice place to hide together.. can't imagine you care for being boxed up.

 

A place to hide?




That's right, this place is dangerous.



Charon knows that better than anyone else.





...her button eyes, completely unchanged, look almost fearful now.


He carefully repositions the doll to get a better look, hand sliding toward the crotch zipper.   

CHARON: If it's alright, just going to check what's inside of you. Bit heavy for a doll..

 

Shy. 
Maybe-




Still a bit scared.







The warehouse feels stifling.



Carefully unzipping, keeping a close eye even as his breath hitches.

CHARON: Feels like you can hear me...





It'll hurt...




CHARON: ...Maybe we need safety before doing this, then.

 

He stops, pausing before starting to lift the doll with him.

CHARON: Really does feel like slime in there.


It's not good




I'm sorry

 

Her weight feels heavy in his arms, but- almost clinging.

There's too much of it
It's too tight


CHARON: I could help..

 

He presses his teeth to her neck, inhaling the scent of clean, well-loved fabric in the process.

CHARON: Give me a spot to drain.
CHARON: Just like last night.


Too exposed



People will see and take me away




Need somewhere safer

 

He envelops the two of them in his cloak, like a bat tucking in for the night.

CHARON: You're safe.


They can't see me like this?


CHARON: No.


You'll protect me?


CHARON: Mhm.. I'll get us out.


Okay



You can take from my neck


It hurts my head so much

 

He doesn't hesitate, ducking his head under the cloak and keeping her out of view.


Slime, slime for certain.

He pulls away after a few moments, trying to catch his breath a bit.

Her unblinking button eyes stare back at him.

CHARON: ...You look almost like a mascot.


Property of the Menagerie
May as well be


CHARON: Not if I steal you from them.


I'm due to be sold anyway
They put in a special order


Wouldn't like you taking me much


CHARON: I'll make it hard for them to claim you back.

 

Maes' head lolls back, the amount of slime drawn out making her far less stiff.

Why do you want me to be safe so badly?


CHARON: Why not?


I'm just a toy


CHARON: As am I, really.


You're a knight


CHARON: I'm allowed to have a job too.


I was made to be used



This is my purpose


CHARON: Is that really what you want?


It's all I am




Money needs to be made


CHARON: Unfortunate then to tell you that I am an experienced cat burglar, and this is hardly my first auction. 
CHARON: So when I walk out in front of everyone with you, I'd like to know where you'd like to dine.




 

Silence, but a warm one-

..what happens when I can't get the money


 

As if considering it, but afraid.

CHARON: I've got plenty of favors I can call in.


More than you can bring


CHARON: For you it's worth trying.


...



I like your cooking best


CHARON: Mm?


That's where I'd like to dine.
With you.


CHARON: So be it...

 

The cloak coils tighter around the doll, pushing the two of them close together as it cuts itself away from the fiend, fashioning itself into a a dress- similar in style to the one she normally wears- before retracting.

CHARON: This will mark you as being under my protection, nobody will be able to stop us from walking out.


It feels so soft



Thank you


I haven't been dressed up in years


CHARON: Just for now, when we're wrapped up we can let you pick some outfits for yourself..

 

He traces his hand around her face.

CHARON: You do look good like this, admittedly...


....


Do you really think so?


CHARON: If it's not weird to say.



I don't know


It feels different from you


CHARON: Makes me want to hold you.


Most would go to something different


Says as much on the packaging
That I'm made for it and all


CHARON: I saw as much...




....



 

Quiet unease, with a bit more of that shyness.

CHARON: I can't deny seeing you up close puts touch on the mind, but I don't want to push any boundaries either.


I get scared

I can't even move myself like this


I can't defend myself or anything


All I have is holes and a tagline




..............



.................................







but it's different with you

 

He goes for a hug, the doll's squishy body conforming pleasantly to his touch.

CHARON: I'll do whatever I can to keep you safe.

 

It can't hug back, but feels almost...warm, getting more intense the tighter he squeezed.