[PCA] UNIVERSAL CONSTANTS

[skinstealer]

Charon had wrapped up tucking the cat into bed, Flor lounging at the foot the entire time.


MAES: ...

Maes kneads the blanket gently with her claws, taking inn the new environment with more than a little shyness. Everything felt entirely different, from the sense of fresh air just outside a window- an actual window, with scents she'd never even imagined properly, to the feeling of the old, well-loved quilt covering her lower half.

FLOR: Cozy?
MAES: It...feels more worn in.
MAES: Older.
FLOR: What do you mean?
MAES: I'm used to things being made in relative recency, what with being on the surface for only 7 years.
FLOR: Everything here has been around longer than us, older than the lab and much of the nearby city.
MAES: It's...comforting.
MAES: I never realized.
FLOR: It's very much a labor of love maintaining this place, you'll see Lash and the Rooks doing quite a bit of maintenance.
MAES: And you do all this while Judgment goes out and about?
FLOR: Yeah, wherever we can.
FLOR: There's other folks from across time and space who stop by in a crisis.
MAES: Oh...I didn't realize there could be visitors.
MAES: ...or Lash.
FLOR: She's as old as the castle.
MAES: ...well, she seems kind...
MAES: ...thank you again.
MAES: I-
MAES: -appreciate you allowing me here.
FLOR: It's what it's made for.
FLOR: A break room for folks in crisis.
MAES: You can take one too, then- while we eat.
FLOR: Mm.. he's got Broth and Mar helping him, prepping big portions so ya'll will have enough.
MAES: ...some time together beforehand, then. I, ah-

Her shyness returns, Maes' tailtip nervously twitching visible even under the blanket.

MAES: Forgive my nerves.
FLOR: You're a long way from home, you're allowed.
MAES: No, it's-
MAES: ...I suppose we're having our after hours after all.
MAES: As promised.
FLOR: The longest after hours, time moves different in Castle Styx.
MAES: I'm not even sure how to make the most of it.
FLOR: Indulge, take a 7 hour nap in minutes.
MAES: But then I'd lose 7 hours in here with you.
FLOR: Which wouldn't be a single hour out there.
MAES: Bizarre to me.
FLOR: You'll get used to it.
MAES: Is that an invite to come over more?
FLOR: Only if that'll tempt you.
MAES: Lots of things tempt me about you all.
FLOR: Mm.. we can all exist at once here.
MAES: Mm.
MAES: Especially that.
MAES: Maybe an inappropriate time to mention my thoughts brewing about it...
FLOR: You're gonna have to share with the class.
MAES: Not an ideal time to be messing around with wounds like this...but...
MAES: Uninterrupted time together...
FLOR: Full board covered too.
MAES: And meals...

Maes reaches out her hand, her claws looking oddly delicate.

FLOR: Looking forward to that part?

The proxy latches on, their own skin somewhere between artificially smooth and a bizarre softness, fitting for how careful their touch is.

MAES: All of it.
MAES: Learning all of you, finding all the right spots to press...
FLOR: Think you're all spots on the right day.
MAES: And today?
FLOR: With all of us here?
FLOR: You're fucked.

Blush covers Maes' face, the cat coughing.

MAES: And- how literal is that?
FLOR: That one's on you to decide.

Flor leans in, nuzzling against their partner's cheek. Maes returns it readily, tracing her claws up the proxy's arm.

MAES: I'm still figuring out some things, but...
FLOR: But?
MAES: I'm...open to trying more, I think.
FLOR: I'm game.
FLOR: Explore me, get to know what you'e working with.
MAES: Are you sure?
MAES: I haven't exactly been handsy with any of you directly outside of cuddling.
FLOR: Mmhmm.
MAES: ...

She takes a deep breath before massaging a claw into their collarbone.

FLOR: Feels good...
MAES: And here?

Against their neck now.

The proxy shivers at that, clearly loving the pressure point.

FLOR: Curse of being part of a dog's psyche.
MAES: A weakness to keep in mind...

Down their chest, then along their side- feeling each curve with a pleased purr.

FLOR: Know there's not much but...
MAES: Shh.
MAES: Don't downplay yourself.

With more than a little hesitation, she moves her other hand lower.

Flor is completely smooth and featureless- their null patch the same material as their hands, including the lovely soft feeling.

FLOR: I know...
MAES: Have you been worried?
FLOR: Never been involved directly like this.
MAES: ...neither have I, in some senses.
FLOR: First times for both of us.
FLOR: I can live with that.
MAES: I've never actually-

She presses her claws down against the flat surface, rubbing softly with the blunt sides to avoid scratching.

MAES: Touched someone like this.
MAES: Not of my own accord.
FLOR: Y-you're really good at it.
MAES: I've barely started.

A little harder, still avoiding her clawtips.

FLOR: H-hope it's alright..
MAES: Why would I judge, Flor?

She leans in, nuzzling the proxy's neck.

MAES: ...you've likely figured that I have similar insecurities by now...
FLOR: Little obvious, but with me it's a bit of freak shit I think.
FLOR: Ghost bunny robot thing.
MAES: Feels more easy to process than my own...
FLOR: Does it really?
MAES: Mm....

She pauses before pulling her hand away, taking Flor's and bringing it underneath the quilt- and between her own legs.

There was a slight bulge in Maes' pajamas- the cat slowly pulling them down just enough to let the same black tendril Kettle had worked with unfurl out.

FLOR: Cute...
MAES: It's-
MAES: I didn't even mean for you all to realize-

[id: Maes struggling to stay composed with her lower body exposed, still trying to hide behind and old quilt and crossed arms. She's nervous- but clearly excited at Flor's attention.]

She isn't sure what to do with her hands, fumbling vulnerably with her upper body and settling on a nervous, self embrace. 

FLOR: I like it.
MAES: ...you'd be the first.
MAES: It's not exactly what was meant for me...
FLOR: Nobody here was meant to be in general.
MAES: Mm...
MAES: My mother- she had a plan for me, start to finish.
MAES: This would never have fit.
MAES: I-
MAES: ...I don't know.
MAES: It's not even all that uncommon for slime-based mutations, to develop a preference in how one presents-
FLOR: Nothing stopping you in here.
MAES: Aside from myself.
FLOR: You really want that though?
MAES: I-
MAES: I don't know.
MAES: It's never been an option, like something forbidden.
MAES: It doesn't fit the "image"-

Maes makes large, exaggerated air quotes.

MAES: -I've had to build up.
FLOR: Things change.
MAES: I suppose they already have.
FLOR: What's a change of setup going to really do to hurt you, right?
MAES: ...I don't know either.
MAES: It- it hasn't hurt so far, but-
FLOR: Worst case scenario, you keep it to here while you figure out how you feel on it.
MAES: ...alright.

She lets out a long sigh, bumping her face againt the proxy's.

FLOR: This place is a safehouse made to protect its guests from the end of the world.
MAES: ...quite the title.
FLOR: Gotta push a little whimsy.
MAES: Certainly sounds safe enough to...experiment a little...

She moves the proxy's hand back and forth, allowing them to feel her up.

The proxy follows along, fingers occasionally tracing her on the verge of grasping.

FLOR: Not so bad, right?
MAES: N-no, it's...very nice...

She sinks into the pillows, letting out a gentle noise as she allows herself to unwind.

FLOR: There you go...
MAES: I don't even allow myself to do this alone...
FLOR: Sometimes you just need a extra hand to be fair.
MAES: Is that the same for you?
FLOR: In what way?
MAES: Have you needed help this whole time?

Her free hand wanders back to Flor's thigh.

FLOR: I mean I've been thinking about something like this, just never thought it'd happen so sudden.
MAES: You and I both.
FLOR: Happy it did though.
MAES: ...me as well.
MAES: Though I imagine Judgment is rather jealous right now.
FLOR: He'll just find a way to squeeze in here,
MAES: Is that so?
MAES: He looking forward to his first night taking me home?
FLOR: More than anything, we all are.
MAES: A shame that I'll be limited...if I knew that this was going to be how my night would go, maybe I...

She shakes her head.

MAES: You're resourceful subs. I'm sure you can work with my injuries...
FLOR: If you wait just a moment we'll have you set with plenty to eat.
MAES: And we'll resume after?
FLOR: Mmhmm, with a few extra folks.
MAES: ...thank you.