[PCA] UNIVERSAL CONSTANTS

[skinstealer]

[image description: Various decaying structures and pieces of machinery from the slaughterhouse lingering in the dark. Pipes, concrete, massive hooks and railings with the occasional loose cable make up the area ahead.]

 

MAES: ...we'll be close soon. 
MAES: It won't have long to go.
MAES: ...any questions?
CHARON: One, but... it's something I'll save til after this.


 

There's a metallic chirp from the bird.

 
CHARON:  It's starting to deploy something, we'll see it once we catch up.

 

The group proceeds, the massive doors labeled INTAKE looming ahead.

JESTER: ...we're here.

 

Jester's voice is quiet.

JESTER: ...are we ready?

 

Maes unsheathes her sword, taking a moment to swap out her cane.

Rosetta puts her own cane away, strapping it to her side and allowing her tail to sweep
the area, almost in a sniffing motion. 

ROSETTA: We should get this over with. 
ROSETTA: Judgment, get by my side. 
ROSETTA: A few feet away tops, I don't usually work with guides and I don't even know you that much.

 

The knight positions his hand on his flashlight, Mar taking lead as if she's' a walking shield.

MAR: We'll keep it quick as possible. 
CHARON: Mm.. in and out of here.

 

Maes and Jester push the doors, having to use their shoulders to brace against it.

Jester's not kidding about the smell, the scent of long-since rotted corpses hitting the group all at once- Charon taking the full, unsuited brunt. 

The dog coils the coat around himself, trying to protect himself from the stench.

CHARON: Flor-
MAR: Odor's too bad for them to cover up, I think...
ROSETTA: ...are you good for this, Judgment?

 

Rosetta sounds more irritated than concerned.

ROSETTA: If you can't take it-
JESTER: Rose, lay off.

 

Jester huffs.

JESTER: It's horrible and he needs a second. 
CHARON: I'll be fine, just keep going.

 

Jester and Maes head inside, Maes notably tensing more than the other.

MAES: ...do you sense anything yet, Jester?
JESTER: ...sort of. It's- here, I think.






 

Charon feels...watched.

JESTER: ...but I don't know where.





 

The dog's fur stands up.

CHARON: It's absolutely here.


 

Maes tenses further.

MAES: Is...can you detect anything?


 

Indiscernible energy echoes through the slaughterhouse, its position and intent unknown to Charon- but Jester's grimace is visible through his suit's visor.

JESTER: Nn...


 

The dog remains quiet, Mar's tiled dress beginning to rattle.

MAES: Jester? 
MAES: J-judgment?
JESTER: It does not like Judgment.

 

Jester swallows.

JESTER: It- uh-
JESTER: It can tell.
MAES: ...tell what?
JESTER: ......he's not family. 
JESTER: It knows.

 

The dog widens his stance.

CHARON: It gets one warning.
JESTER: Don't- don't aggravate it. 
JESTER: Maybe if we just...

 

Jester takes a step forward, trying to keep his stance even as he raises his voice.

JESTER:  We're- we're not here to hurt you. 
JESTER:  He's a friend! 
JESTER:  And-

 

Scrambling to pull out his  bag of cookies.

JESTER:  I b-brought treats! 
JESTER:  The ones you like! 
JESTER:  If you come and get them, we can take you home!












Empty, dread-filled silence. 












CHARON:  You should all get out of the way.
JESTER: No, it's-



Jester makes a whine. 


JESTER: It's okay. 
JESTER: I think it- 
JESTER: I think it's more scared than anything.
ROSETTA: How can you tell? 
ROSETTA: It's a fucking ghost.



Rosetta hisses. 


JESTER: I...just can.
CHARON: I'm not family...



The dog keeps his stance. 


CHARON: But the others are, yes?
JESTER: Yes. 
JESTER: It- it can tell.
MAES: Get on with explaining whatever your plan is Judgment, I'm getting Synna on the line.


Maes tapped the side of her visor.


CHARON: You've mistaken me for a invader have you? 
CHARON: I'm not that exciting unfortunately, a mere servant really.


The proxy stops rattling.

Maes' tail twitches, her voice strained. 


MAES: Y-yes. 
MAES: He's...more of my aide.
MAES: A tool, even. 
MAES: Unable to disobey me.
SYNNA: ...dude.


Synna's voice comes through, grimacing. 


SYNNA: Way to tune me in at a weird time. 
SYNNA: You talking to the ghost?
CHARON: I will not strike unless given command or reason to believe you'd hurt the others here.


The feeling in the air fades- but not entirely.


JESTER:...it's content to watch, now.
MAES: Are you sure?
JESTER: As much as I can be.