[PCA] UNIVERSAL CONSTANTS

[skinstealer]

[id: broth approaching maes' doll box, their face and everything past the hips covered up in scribbled, permanent marker. "CONFIDENTIAL" is written in strong font on the side of the box, breaking the frame in an especially imposing fashion. broth looks deeply concerned, worried about the restrained doll inside.
......

The doll box is in its exact location as the night before, the Maes look-alike back in its zip ties and trapped behind the plastic window.

The only difference is the writing on the box, hastily scribbled permanent marker that Broth can't make out.

No time's wasted to open it up, just like before.

She falls out without much grace-
-an instruction manual taped to her back as she flops into its arms.

The skeleton takes a moment to read.



Most of it is similarly scribbled out, only a few words properly legible. 

Manufactured, Product, Licensed, Pleasure. 





Repayment Options.

Rosetta's words echo in the back of its mind, not helped by the doll laying limp in its arms.


I think something bad is happening aboveground.


It presses its face against her and squeezes her hand to check for a response, getting a faint noise of recognition before speaking.


...did
I do good?


Her words come out dazed, as if just waking up.


Perfect.. 


It's a little harder to lift the doll this time, Broth having to strain more than Charon did.


D-do I get
paid? You promised-


The doll lets out a muffled whimper, clearly not all there.


Paid?


Did
my end of it. 


As Broth hauls her up properly, it's clear her thighs have been stitched over- rips sloppily repaired in the same spots as her wounds in the real world.


Did my job


Who did this to you? 


It traces along her injuries, its voice worried.

...


The haze slowly pulls away, the doll jerking in its arms. 


B-broth? I
I didn't
Recognize you


You're okay, you're going to be safe once we're out together. Promise..


Have to do my job
All I'm good for and have to do it


I'm sorry. Trying hard


The proxy tries carrying her out, trying to push through trouble keeping itself steady. 


You don't have to do anything, we're going on a trip.


Maes feels particularly vulnerable there, curling up with what limited motion she has.


Are we on vacation again?


Mmhmm, I-hold on actually. 


The proxy levitates inches off the ground, able to pick up speed now. 


I can do that.


Full of magic
I was scared at first
But now I like it a lot I think


Good, gonna make this easier hopefully... I like your face.


It's all stitched up
And I can't make the smile go away


True, but... it kinda makes you look like one of us.


Oh
I do like that part


Should've been someone else here scooping you up though, I don't have a shell like the others..


Why would you be bad
I want to spend time with you more


Harder for me to keep you safe, shit's all... exposed.


I don't mind
I know you'll be gentle


True but.. I'm just glad nobody attacked us on the way out.


Are there reasons to be scared
I did the best job I could

The others are more defined I guess, feels safer... Mar's a fighter, Flor's built for the books, Kettle doesn't run out of energy and me... depends on the day really. 
Sometimes I'm the happy middle ground, and sometimes I can't get anything going. 
The other three are built off of my frame, so I guess I could do all the same things but... takes extra work as the actual bare bones.


Is that why you're shy


Mm... I want you to see me at my best.


What if I want to see you now
Regardless


Uh... I mean, I like theater, dressing up in costumes, and playing roles. I do a lot of fashion in general too, help Judgment come up with outfits. Try to look decent too..


Fashion sounds nice
My box says I can be dressed up
But I only come with one outfit and it hurts


One outfit?


A dress with leggings and heels that is too tight
But it came packaged with me
So I guess it's meant to be


Maybe I'll call dibs then. Trade you something that fits better.


I don't know what would
I haven't worn anything else
My robe I guess and underwear


We'll figure it out, find your range. Sometimes I like poofy fits, or dresses, or being a manic bedsheet ghost.


I just want it to not hurt


We'll find something.. does everything feel a bit tight right now in general?


Yes
It hurts a lot
The leg stitches make body tighter and it already hurt a lot


The proxy looks more carefully around the ever-shifting dream, pivoting towards a diner patched together from memories of disparate places.

Could take out some stuffing to loosen you, then properly fix you once we're a the castle.


It's all slimy
You can try, though.