[PCA] UNIVERSAL CONSTANTS

[skinstealer]

JESTER: Wh-
SYNNA: What's going on over there?
MAES: Jester-
JESTER: J-judgment just lit up, something's wrong-

 

The floor wet and warm, blistering winds indoors heading toward Maes' direction.




The proxy starts to spasm mechanically.







The karacel reels back, letting out a snarl as she readies her sword-

JESTER: MAES, THAT'S-

 

[Image Description: A hyper-stylized silhouette of Charon leaping with sword in hand at the mysterious creature, the background adorned with stars on a reddish background.]


Immediately a loud clash, the impact sparking light just enough to see just a glimpse of the action.


[Image Description: Charon makes a attempt to use his sword to fend off the creature, a living embodiment of space and void contrasting with the similarly colored star pattern of his cape. The point where the sword blocks the beast has a cutoff from the borders of the comic itself, magic of the void manifested in breaking and rearranging the medium of illustration and comics themselves to be used as a tool by the canine knight]


A large writhing mass of loose humanoid shapes poorly clinging to make a larger figure.




As Charon is thrown back, his proxy tags in- guarding against the attacker's weight what isn't quite Mar, hissing hymns- its presence too angry and threatening to be her.





The dog shifts to the opposite side to protect the others, audibly growling- light yet animalistic, with a electronic cackle.

MAES: WH-
JESTER: IT'S NOT THE GHOST-!
MAES: WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN IT'S NOT THE-

 

Ice, ice cold feeling floods the room, enough to make Rosetta shudder and lose her grip, convulsing and covering her ears from some unheard sound.



The figure immediately thrashes, the new proxy diving in to grab and slam it down toward the opposite direction.










The noise, the shaking from both fighting- unearthly, unknowable-

JESTER: It's- it's okay, it's-!

 

The mass looks to Maes.





And lunges.







It does not reach its target.



A colossal thud, enough to shake the room, echoes as a massive wall of flesh wedges itself between Jester, Maes, and the fight, shielding the two of them-




[Image Description: A sequence of events depicted in 3 panels, frames collapsing to represent the blur of the moment. In the first panel Maes, wearing the hazard suit, is being stalked by a mysterious creature, tendrils creeping into frame past the usual comic borders. Second panel is a cut depicting the creature directly above and about to lunge at Maes, a mysterious figure rushing in to interrupt the attempt to bite off her head. Third panel, largest of all, depicts Maes reacting to the figure, a very large feline creature with multiple heads layered around each other, taking the impact of the piecing monster. There is a unspoken sense of familiarity between the two. ]


-Eight glowing lights materializing on its form, different shapes, colors and sizes-











...eyes.



Just like Jester's.



Jester acts fast, snatching up Maes and leaping back as her breath gets labored.




It feels like the moment lasts forever, everyone but Charon and his proxy shielded by the twisted shield of karacel parts.








Pounding, sounds of metal tearing into bone and flesh, proxy screaming and dog howling.






Jester whimpers and clutches at Maes, squeezing his eyes shut as the rawest and most basic of urges rocking the entire floor.

Maes is frozen.

Rose breathes heavily, her hands shaking as her tail writhes from the noise.











An impossibly high pitched noise breaks through.









And then silence, a light so bright it could have been a blinding sun blasting from the other side.



Jester looks up, squinting- the shadows coming off forms all he can see.


[Image Description: A injured Charon with cracked lens and lip dripping with blood looking back at the party as he seals them off from the fight with the creature. In front of him a large humanoid figure with flowing materials growing out of her is holding a large banner on a pole. She faces off against the beast, a ultimate form of proxy against a shadowy fiend not quite fully developed. The entire panel being slowly swallowed by tendrils and square framings, cracking under the strain of being assaulted.]


Cracked outlines in the surrounding area reveal glimpses of something not meant to be encounter, feelings of divine hate no person could fathom on their own.





A sense of body and soul barely being attached, living briefly among the stars beyond.




Jester cannot look away.








And then a return to darkness.










Proxy still rattling.




There came a sound that could only be the attacker slinking away, its pathetic, pained cries like a kid who's knee had been scraped.







And then it's all gone, proxy trembling and dog whimpering remaining as the last sounds of struggle.

MAES: ...Judgment?

 

Maes' voice is shaky, snapped out of her shock.

MAES: J-jester, put me-
JESTER: Maes, it's-!

 

He keeps his grip tight on her, even when she thrashes.


The mismatched pupils turn towards the pair, a silhouette starting to become visible.

Not a wall, but a massive figure, more similar to an insect in body plan than the traditional bipeds found in Taverne-

...a twisted creature not unlike the one that attacked Charon, but both more and less identifiable in its features. A row of karacel heads devouring each other in a chain, forming a bizarre long neck tipped with a singular head. Its body reeks of decomposed flesh, its body and limbs made up of prehensile, matted tails- black sludge leaking from between the different colors of fur.

Each face seems to shift independently, but after a moment, it turns their attention to the trio in front of it.

It shuffles over, lowering its long neck to investigate.

A distorted, stretched calico face peers at Charon and then the proxy, eyes blue and wet looking.

The proxy sobs silently, while the knight's expression is completely lost.

[skinstealer]

MAES: JESTER, LET ME DOWN
????: ...

 

The ghost lowers itself to the ground, its countless legs folding into a loaf-like shape.

It leans its cascading row of heads over to sniff him, and then bumps into the proxy with its main snout.











...It smells fucking horrible.

MAES: JUDGMENT-!

 

Maes' voice cracks, pounding at Jester's leg.

MAES: Jester, what the fuck is going on?!
JESTER: I, I don't- the-

 

His breathing hitches, still frozen.

The dog is too tired to do more than cover his face with a sleeve, blocking out the stench of rot.






[id: The ghost, now fully revealed, sits in a loaf-like position- surprisingly kitty-like and sweet looking despite being made out of corpse chunks. It appears to comfort Charon's new proxy, nuzzling up. Its frontal head has wide, shiny wet eyes, and doesn't look like it fully understands what's going on.]





The proxy practically lunges for a hug, squeezing the mass of amalgamated karacel flesh.

A cascade of mewls, the creature fluffing up and half backing away, half clinging on back.

????: ....whh-hhhy?

 

After a moment, the proxy backs off, visibly embarrassed and apologetic.

The dog finally breaks the silence.

CHARON: That thing was a fiend... a-angriest one I've ever seen.
SYNNA: A fiend?!

 

Synna's voice goes shrill.

SYNNA: How the shit did we miss that?!

 

Jester finally lets Maes loose, only for her to trip on a stray tail- a rotting tendril stained with long-dried gristle.

MAES: FUCK

 

The proxy dives in to help her up.

CHARON: N-not fully formed, still in progress.
CHARON: Possibly a historical extreme...

 

Maes latches onto the rook in a death grip, trying to catch her breath.

MAES: But- what the fuck do we do about that?!
MAES: What did it even do!
JESTER: It w-went-
JESTER: It went after Maes.

 

Jester's throat sounds dry, shaky on comms.

JESTER: The- the ghost, or w-whatever it was, protected us while the others fought it.
JESTER: T-the fiend.
CHARON: You aren't its true fixation, but it hates you by association.
MAES: ...

 

Maes freezes.

MAES: ...hates...me?
CHARON: It recognizes your position.
ROSETTA: I-it knows you left.

 

Rosetta's tail hacks and wheezes inside her suit as she manages to kneel, finally lucid again.

ROSETTA: ...that you were the one that got special treatment.
MAES: .....

 

Maes makes a soft, stunned noise.

CHARON: : It can't trace you past this room... but it sees you as extension of her.
JESTER: B-but-
JESTER: That's not fair!

 

Jester interjects, his tone turning angry.

JESTER: Maes-
JESTER: Maes works really hard for all of us!
JESTER: She got us out!
ROSETTA: Yeah.
ROSETTA: Us.

 

Rosetta's voice is dull.

ROSETTA: ...Seems like these are the ones that didn't.
ROSETTA: Both the fiend thing, and-

 

Her tail thumps around until she bumps into the "ghost", the figure folding two of its paws in a surprised gesture.

ROSETTA: That.
CHARON: Neither have context.
MAES: ...I...

 

Maes tenses, feeling firm and shaking in the proxy's grip.

MAES: But-
SYNNA: ...Maes.

 

Synna makes a snapping sound on the other end of the line.

SYNNA: Snap out of it.
SYNNA: You can freak out when you're back, and not in its goddamn lair.
MAES: ...r..right.
MAES: You said- you said you found the ghost.
CHARON: Mm... the spirits that remain and the sentiments without closure.
SYNNA: ...Less flowery, please.
CHARON: ...it's a maybecat.

 

Jester reaches out a hand, the ghost sniffing it.

JESTER: ...looks...a bit meatier than I'd expect for a ghost.
CHARON: Manifestation is not an exact science.

 

Jester manages to scritch under its chin, getting a nasty, unsettling purr and a multi-eyed slow blink in response.

JESTER: Feels physical too.
CHARON: ...probably hooked onto any organic matter it can find.
CHARON: Ghosts seek vessels.
SYNNA: Looks like it got into Storage after all.
ROSETTA: Glad this one's friendly..
JESTER: Poor thing must have thought we were lab staff...

 

The ghost moves suddenly, multiple sets of hands grabbing at Jester's suit-

JESTER: H-hey!

 

-until the cookie treasures were stolen.

JESTER: Maybe we should bring it more sweets...
SYNNA: Oh, you're not bringing it anything except right back here.
SYNNA: How big is it?
JESTER: ...bigger than Smith, but not by a lot.
SYNNA: Workable for the large-class dorms?
JESTER: I think so...
SYNNA: Congratulations, we have a new resident.
CHARON: We should probably ask it what it needs accommodated.

 

It was already making grabby hands at Jester, patting him down.

JESTER: ...food.
CHARON: Suppose that's given... I think we should be safe to return without another struggle.

 

Maes shuffles uncomfortably as Jester takes a few of the beast's hands in his own, giving them a gentle squeeze.

JESTER: Let's get you home.


















MATTHIAS: Ohhhh, heeeeeere she is-

 

The karacel doesn't look up, keeping his gaze straight ahead at the gore-splattered wall.

MATTHIAS: The woman of the hour-
MATTHIAS: Cheeeelsea-
MATTHIAS: Smiles!

 

Chelsea's eye twitches as Matthias leaps in front of his gaze, a finger under his chin.

MATTHIAS: And what a frowner she is on this beautiful day.
CHELSEA: Can you not do that.
MATTHIAS: Not so feisty now that we're on even footing, are you?
CHELSEA: I'm not stupid, Matthias.
CHELSEA: Can't say the same for you, but-
MATTHIAS: Doesn't matter now, does it?
MATTHIAS: Youuuu can't blow me up.
MATTHIAS: And neither can your pretty attack dog.

 

Chelsea's eye twitches again.

MATTHIAS: Are you feeling lonely lately, Chels?

 

Do not engage.

MATTHIAS: All pent up about things?
MATTHIAS: After all-

 

He huffs smoke in the karacel's face, Chelsea doing his best not to blink as his eyes burn.

MATTHIAS: Can't imagine being apart for nearly three decades helps the sexual repression.
CHELSEA: ....
CHELSEA: Are you done?
MATTHIAS: Sure.
MATTHIAS: Sure, sure!
MATTHIAS: I just came to drop something off for you- the boss wanted me to pass along a little gift.
CHELSEA: I'm good.
MATTHIAS: I don't think you'll want to turn this one down!

 

His grin widens like a horrible mask as he whisks a photo out of his back pocket, shaking it wrong-side facing Chelsea.

MATTHIAS: Just for you!
CHELSEA: I'm not falling for the dead children bit again.
MATTHIAS: You sure?
MATTHIAS: This one's alive- or, well, all grown up...

 

He twirls it in his fingers, Chelsea's face paling as the image reveals itself.




[id:]Matthias, revealed to be a canine individual with a stitched face and jagged smile, sporting bicolor hair long hair and fresh, modern glasses. He holds out a photograph of a very familiar fiend- Charon's hair down loose, messy, and his eye markings visible.]

MATTHIAS: For now!

 

The karacel leaps out of his seat, stumbling as he tries to claw at the canine's eyes- only for Matthias to catch his emaciated arm, cackling.

MATTHIAS: Ohhh, THANK you for the confirmation!
MATTHIAS: Gonna be honest, you pulled a hell of a magic trick with this one!
MATTHIAS: Didn't think you had the equipment to knock her u-
CHELSEA: DON'T TOUCH HIM

 

His gravely voice cracks, tears welling up in the corners of his eyes before he can stop it.

MATTHIAS: What, you acting like you've got claim to some bastard kid you chucked at her parents?
MATTHIAS: Has he even met you?
MATTHIAS: Some kinda mommy you are.

 

His shoulders are shaking, breath coming out haggard.

CHELSEA: If you- if you even-
MATTHIAS: Do you really think I'd show you if I thought you could stop me?
MATTHIAS: Consider this a little equivalent exchange.
MATTHIAS: Since your dumb bitch just had to take my arm...

 

He leans in, giggling between syllables.

MATTHIAS: I'll do the same to your cute little spawn.
MATTHIAS: Of course, who's to say I won't get a little excited-
CHELSEA: Y-
CHELSEA: You-

 

Matthias throws the cat to the ground with zero hesitation, Chelsea falling flat on his back.

MATTHIAS: How many decades has it been, Chels?
MATTHIAS: Since you started to look down on me?
MATTHIAS: Kept me in check?
MATTHIAS: Go ahead.
MATTHIAS: Come after me.
MATTHIAS: Second you assert yourself as somebody who gives a shit about an incredible, powerful knight of such a prestigious family-
MATTHIAS: Your rep dooms him.
MATTHIAS: That's why you never visited, right?

 

Matthias mock pouts.

MATTHIAS: Didn't wanna give your baby boy a mark on his head.
MATTHIAS: Too late!
MATTHIAS: Now he's got a different one.

 

He clasps his hands, snickering.

MATTHIAS: Let's not make that worse.

[skinstealer]

[id: A photograph of a much younger Charon and a rose-headed figure next to him lays on a corkboard, pins and twine connecting more photos out of frame. Blood lightly trickles from his mouth.
Text reads:
UNIVERSAL CONSTANTS
Episode 7: Sel(ves) Love]







...Something was wrong.





He didn't know what, or how-
-but something had gone terribly wrong.












Gone.











When Charon had come out of the locker room, Maes had just- gone.

The usual spot at the break room table where she would wait for him was empty- no sign of anyone having even sat in the chair.

It was just a tiny thing. A small change in routine that they'd had for what felt like both such a short period and a long one, something that most people wouldn't even think of.










She had waited for him every time.









Maybe she was running late. Maybe she just- fell behind in her own decontamination. Needed a breather. She had looked like shit coming out of there, something hollow about her expression even through the visor.




He had tried to comfort her on the way to the elevator, only to get a complete non-reaction in the process.





He told her they could catch up after cleanup and get some well-needed rest together.














He waits and he chair remains empty.






Stay or go. If she needed him back at her place, he was neglecting her there. If she was just delayed, he would be leaving her behind. Was she going to be okay navigating after that? She had stumbled as she walked back to the rehab center, body shaking despite her attempts to cover it up.








No amount of chest pain and staring at the chair makes his partner manifest.













....

























He chooses to go to the apartment.







The hallways are the same. Every bit of floor tile and carpet and pristine, well maintained surface haven't changed at all, but there's a lump in his throat that grows. Passerbys greet him, knowing him as the charming knight who visits the Director and makes her smile-












Maes' door lays in front of him.












As Charon reaches for the handle, the door swings open- no one there.











The apartment door is unlocked.

CHARON: ...Boss?







 

No response.








He steps inside, tail plates audibly shifting around.

One of the kitchenette's chairs had been thrown to the side, other furniture jostled and shoved out of place, the bathroom door flung open-









-and a lump made of all of the blankets and sheets on the bed, tightly curled and making indiscernible noises.
Black sludge bleeds through, leaving dark, blotted stains.

CHARON: ....
CHARON: ...Is it okay if I stay with you right now?

 

The lump curls up tighter.

[id: A person-sized lump under black-stained blankets, Charon looking down at it with a deeply distressed grimace.]

CHARON: ...I can leave you alone too if it'd be easier.

 

Tighter, a little noise of distress.

The dog makes his way over, patting the side of the bed.

CHARON: Then I'll keep you company until you can come out.
MAES: Nnn.

 

Even then, she seems to untense just a bit.

CHARON: Felt wrong having you so scarce at the end of the day...

 

Her words are muffled, but clearly very, very unhappy.

CHARON: I was worried.

 

Fumbling, only for the cat to allow her snout to peek through.

MAES: I-
MAES: I already made enough mess.
CHARON: We all knew it'd be a risky job, I'm just glad everyone got out fine.
MAES: .....
MAES: This...isn't fine.
MAES: This is the exact- it's-
CHARON: Something we'll have to handle, and we'll do so together.
MAES: You could have DIED-

 

Her voice cracks.

CHARON: I know.
MAES: I-
MAES: I could have lost everyone, the whole program, residents, you, everyone, all because- b-because of my idiotic-
CHARON: We picked a crew that had the best chance of survival, made a crucial discover, and now can sit and assess how to navigate it in the future.
CHARON: What matters here next is how you're willing to address what was found.
MAES: H-how can you be so calm?!
MAES: I fucked up, Judgment!
CHARON: Days like these are a expectation I operate under, a occupational hazard no different than you having to bare the bulk of responsibility for this entire facility.

 

Charon sits himself on the side of the bed.

CHARON: But my expectations are a chosen torture, I signed up for this.
CHARON: You didn't get a chance to pick.
MAES: You-

 

Maes sniffles, a little trace of black sludge still on her lip.

MAES: You didn't sound like you s-signed up for this.
MAES: Not with that thing.
CHARON: If I had no idea there'd be days like this, I wouldn't be standing here right now.
MAES: And what if y-you had lost?!
MAES: What if you weren't standing?
MAES: What would have happened then!
CHARON: You wouldn't be here either, and I wasn't remotely willing to let that happen.
MAES: Willing doesn't mean you're i-invincible.
CHARON: No... but that thing and myself are the same type of being.
CHARON: If it could hurt me, I can absolutely do the same.
CHARON: What I wasn't expecting is something this full of targeted hate that even being associated sent it off.

 

She flinches.

CHARON: When two fiends clash, emotions meld for a moment.
CHARON: You are not its true fixation, but you're pretty close to the blast zone.
MAES: Too close.
MAES: People could have gotten- it's still down there-!
CHARON: Something to keep an eye on... it can't find its way out because it doesn't understand its real target is dead.
MAES: ..I can't bring back my mother for it to kill.
CHARON: You cannot.
CHARON: It's incredibly raw, still not quite fully formed, and desperately seeking catharsis.
MAES: Then what?
MAES: I can't have the program therapists come down and get disemboweled!
CHARON: I'll be the one to go down and reason.
MAES: Judgment.
CHARON: Now that I've fought it once, it can't jump me twice.
MAES: Judgment, you're-
MAES: You can't just-
MAES: What if you lose?!
CHARON: I've seen inside its head and it's looked into mine. As of now I am the one person who understand it most and it knows that.
MAES: I-
MAES: I can't just-
CHARON: We don't need to resolve this now.

 

Maes curls up tight, hiding her snout again.

CHARON: ..What would you want to do?
MAES: I- I don't know-

 

The blankets rustle, the movement catching Charon's eye. The dark stains on the sheets are especially prominent on the lower half of her body, freshly wet and smearing.

CHARON: ...Are you sick?
CHARON: ...Hurting yourself?

 

She makes an unpleasant whimper.

CHARON: It's okay, just... talk for now.