[PCA] UNIVERSAL CONSTANTS

[skinstealer]

Maes takes a moment to acclimate, unused to...everything. Her ears twitch at slight noises, the unfamiliarity with both the environment and the situation only offset by Charon's presence.


MAES: ....you...really aren't mad?
MAES: I- I figured you'd...be furious.
CHARON: Why would I be?
MAES: ...I left you.
MAES: You...
MAES: You sounded like you needed me.
MAES: I couldn't face that after me causing the situation in the first place.
CHARON: I just want you to be okay, really...
MAES: ...but I want you to be okay.
CHARON: If you are, then so am I.
MAES: ...

She reaches out a hand.

CHARON: Mm?

Charon lightly grasps on, only for Maes to tug on his arm, gesturing for him to kneel.
He follows, ever-ready to take commands.

CHARON: Boss?

As soon as he's close, she leans in, giving him a gentle, shy kiss on the forehead.

MAES: ...for doing a good job.
CHARON: ...First time you've done that.
MAES: You saved a lot of people.
MAES: A lot of my family.
MAES: ...I'd be a bad boss if I didn't give you a bonus.

The corner of her mouth twinges into a subtle smile.

CHARON: Maybe I should save people more often...

[id: charon leaning over maes, nestling his muzzle into her hair to give her a tender forehead kiss. both of them are shyly smiling, a moment just for them in a surreal, dream-like library.]

The dog returns the gesture, muzzle pushing through messy hair as he sits up just enough to reach.
Maes purrs as she leans in closer, whispering right into his ear.

MAES: That's the first time I've done that,
CHARON: Is that really so?
MAES: Mhm.
CHARON: Well, maybe that's the first time I've had a little kiss on the head.
MAES: Surely not.
CHARON: Is that so hard to imagine?
MAES: You're very sweet.
MAES: Sweet people get that, don't they?
CHARON: Less so when you're a traveling swordsman.
MAES: Makes even less sense now.
MAES: Where's the sense of...whimsy, or something.
CHARON: Appears to be how it goes.
CHARON: Confident you can handle me?
MAES: I'll be sure to wield you well.
CHARON: Might have a initial curve.
MAES: I think I'm a fast learner.

The distance between them feels smaller and smaller.

CHARON:  I suppose you did adjust to the whole witch thing better than people expected...
MAES: And now you've taken me home to your magic castle...
CHARON: Mmhmm.. how are you taking that?
MAES: ...it's hard to say.
MAES: I...might be a little in shock.
MAES: This is a lot of new things, to say the least, and-

She gestures to the somewhat stained blanket around her legs.

MAES: I...am still in pain, admittedly.
MAES: While I can tolerate this much when my mind's busy like this...
CHARON: Mm... I'll call someone-
FLOR: I'm way ahead of both of you.
FLOR: Need a little first aid?

Flor makes their way inside, a pack of canned drinks in one hand and a medical kit in the other.

MAES: ...Flor.

Maes can't help but blush, looking...embarrassed as the proxy enters the room.

MAES: I-I'm sorry you have to see me like this-
FLOR: You're good, this one right here's had me patch him up from worse.
FLOR: Lemonade?
MAES: ...yes...

The proxy slides her a can, nicely refrigerated.

FLOR: Just tell me where it hurts.
FLOR: Charon will be my assistant today.
CHARON: Assistant?
FLOR: You're good at that sort of thing, yeah?
MAES: He certaainly is.

She can't help but smile, still hesitating before undoing the blaanket covering.
Her thighs are still scratched up  badly, half of the wounds still oozing...the other, beginning to scab already.

MAES: ...I...should not have gone as deep.
MAES: I heal quickly, but-
FLOR: You're going to have time to recover.
FLOR: Mr. Judgment?

The proxy hands the dog a few warm towels.

FLOR: Gonna clean you up first if it's alright.
MAES: M-mhm...
FLOR: Tell me if it stings.

The dog carefully gets to work on wiping away any remnant slime, Flor prepping the disinfectant.
Maes keeps her expression even, but the shame breaks through- one more unfamiliarity to this.

CHARON: You're doing good right now.
MAES: I wouldn't call slicing up my own thighs 'good', Judgment.
FLOR: You're accepting help, aren't you?
MAES: Help I could have avoided needing in the first place...
FLOR: Are you going to repeat that?
MAES: ...I can't guarantee anything.
FLOR: Does it help knowing you have a whole crew committed to picking you up after?
MAES: I- I don't-
MAES: ...it does help, I just-
MAES: ...sorry.
FLOR: You'll be safe, have time to relax and think about it all.
MAES: ...

She sighs, allowing herself to slump back on the couch.

MAES: You're certainly coolheaded about this...
FLOR: Maybe that's what you've needed?
MAES: It hasn't exactly been an option.
FLOR: And now that it is?
MAES: ...it's...new.
MAES: All of it is.
FLOR: Get used to it.
MAES: I am.
MAES: Months ago this would have been unthinkable...
CHARON: Lucky that Synna pushed you to put up that application, mm?
MAES: ...very.
MAES: I don't regret it for a second.
CHARON: Likewise.

She can't help but smile again, tiny but warm.

MAES: ...how are they looking?
CHARON: Good, should be ready.
FLOR: This is the part that stings.

Flor gets into position.

MAES: I can handle it.
MAES: I've-

She trails off, her voice unpleasantly small.

MAES: ...I've had to do it myself plenty.
FLOR: You're pretty tough then, yeah?

The proxy starts applying the disinfectant with care, watching her face for any wincing or gritted teeth-



-a slight tensing, but no other reaction.

FLOR: Mm, quiet.
FLOR: Usually we gotta have to keep folks from wiggling.
FLOR: You're gonna say something if need a break, alright?
MAES: I can take a lot more than disinfectant. Just stings.
FLOR: Still...
MAES: ....

She keeps her thighs still still, just leaning back and letting them work.

FLOR: Can I ask a question?
FLOR: Unrelated to this.
MAES: Mm.
MAES: Go ahead.
FLOR: What's got you making cute little faces around me already-
CHARON: Flor!

The blush immediately hits, the cat unable to shrink into the couch and get treated at the same time.

MAES: W-well, I'm not sure-
FLOR: I mean I appreciate it.. just wasn't expecting to find out I'm your type.
MAES: I'm still coming to terms with having a type, let alone multiple...
FLOR: Keep talking, I'm nosy.
MAES: It...hasn't been an option for me.
MAES: Felt foolish to consider.
FLOR: And now?
MAES: ...in some ways it still feels like that.
MAES: Like a beautiful dream that'll be over soon, but with no warning.
FLOR: And if I'm-.. if we're all there when you wake up?
MAES: ...I suppose that's an option.
FLOR: It'd be nice, right?
MAES: Dream come true...

The proxy moves on to bandaging things up, the wounds properly clean.

FLOR: Gonna have a nice rest after this and wake up in the castle.
MAES: I'm not used to sleeping in new beds, admittedly...but...
MAES: ...it is late, considering the day we had. You must all be tired.
FLOR: Not really.
CHARON: Stopped needing sleep over a decade ago, side effect of exposure to uncategorized radiation.
MAES: ....then, last night?
CHARON: Purely done for the comfort of it.

Her smile returns.

CHARON: Is that odd?
CHARON: To do something biologically redundant just because it feels nice?
MAES: Many species do.
MAES: Eating, sleeping, messing around...
CHARON: Suppose that's true...
CHARON: I didn't even realize it initially.
CHARON: Had to stay up for over 48 hours and it became obvious, cousin was worried.
CHARON: It's a perk but you still crave the restful warmth, moreso with company.
MAES: ...well...
MAES: I suppose we can both be mutated together.

She reaches out to pat his head.

CHARON: Go for it,

He positions himself in reach.

MAES: You're getting a lot of sweet out of me lately.
CHARON: That good?
MAES: Mm, but I worry about you forgetting your place.
CHARON: Am I now?
MAES: If you keep seeing me like this, you could lose respect for me as your dominant...
CHARON: Impossible.
MAES: Even now?
CHARON: Always.

She scratches behind his ears, letting out a warm sigh.

MAES: ...thank you.
CHARON: Of course.
MAES: I have a request, then.
MAES: ...as your boss.
CHARON: Mm?
MAES: I'd like to have dinner in bed.
MAES: ...my back is killing me, and I didn't eat at all when I got back...
CHARON: I can absolutely arrange that.
CHARON: Anything you've craved particularly?
MAES: Something simple, maybe a repeat...and a Rook to keep me company.
CHARON: Anyone specific?
MAES: Whoever can tend to me best right now.
CHARON: Flor?
FLOR: I wouldn't mind more time.
MAES: Then it's settled...