[PCA] UNIVERSAL CONSTANTS

[skinstealer]

MAES: ...there.

 

Maes drapes the quilt over the throne's seat and arms, making sure to feel around and get full coverage. The fabric is worn, both from age and repeated washing in a desperate attempt to remove stains.

MAES: It's...old, but...

 

It was one of the only things she had brought up from the depths, a desperate teenager wanting even just a few comfort objects from her childhood prison.






...and now-

ROSCA: It's nice..

 

The throne vibrates with excitement before settling down, the husk body nearby purring in anticipation.

ROSCA: Sit with me for a bit?



 

The chair, clearly thrilled to be spoiled...




And the husk, desiring touch...

MAES: How would you like to do this today?
ROSCA: Whatever you're feeling up to, I'm just happy to have you over..




 

Hmmm.





Maes approaches the husk on the bed carefully, scooping it into her arms and bringing it back to the impromptu armchair.

MAES: Like this?
ROSCA: ...Not what I was thinking- that's quite wonderful...

 

Rosca sounds surprised, touched even.

ROSCA: You're too kind...

 

Maes takes a moment to get her settled, adjusting the husk to find the most comfortable position for it to recline.

MAES: It's...comfortable, to be with multiple forms of you.
ROSCA: Quite a few by technicality.
ROSCA: And yet you still always make time for someone who shouldn't be here to begin with...

 

Maes frowns, her brow furrowing as she caresses the husk's cheek.

MAES: Don't say it like that.
ROSCA: It's a truth, my status as one of the others is honorary at best.
MAES: I don't agree.
ROSCA: I never got the feeling you did, no.
ROSCA: That's why I like having you around.

 

The throne shifts, choosing a new posture for the husk- making room for Maes to sit. She had only considered the husk in the situation, but-

ROSCA: A lot to talk about..


 

[id: maes and rosca cuddling in a starry, cozy quilt- in their own safe nest of blankets. it's faded, warm, like a comforting memory.]

Maes doesn't hesitate to snuggle up, breathing in the husk's scent and petting its hair.




It was so easy, so much more than she would have expected-

MAES: What's on your mind, then?

 

The husk's tail reflexively moves in for Maes', the orb at its tip tickling against her legs.

ROSCA: I want to tell you everything, but I don't know where to start.

 

Maes coils hers in turn, exhaling at the pleasant sensation. The calm it brings, it's...almost sedative, a feeling of being protected even now.

MAES: Something nice about your world, maybe?
ROSCA: ..It's hard to say, those memories are mostly hers and not mine.

 

The husk leans into her shoulder.

ROSCA: I didn't exist until the first time we were displaced and after that it was mostly just when I was needed.
ROSCA: More a extension of my Charon's needs at the time than anything else.
ROSCA: Never got to really spend time with her friends while they were around, mostly just felt anger when they were gone.

 

Maes reaches to massage the base of the husk's ear, leaning back onto it.

MAES: ...I didn't have much in the way of friends either, before I met Charon and you all.
MAES: I mean- I had Synna, but...we've...grown apart, somewhat...
MAES: Our history feels like an echo.
ROSCA: It's not too late, is it?
MAES: No...but...I would have so much to catch her up on.
MAES: This is a completely different world than the one she knows, too.
ROSCA: Think she'd adjust, we know plenty of people like her out here and there.
MAES: Maybe...



 

Her voice grows quiet.

MAES: ....it scares me, sometimes.
MAES: And I hate that it does.
ROSCA: What part of it?
MAES: To be...honest....
MAES: Telling people about this, all of this.
MAES: Our relationship, my life with Devil's Advocacy, my mother-
ROSCA: We're all in this together though, don't you think?
ROSCA: A castle of the most storied people you'll ever meet.
MAES: ...and I love it.

 

A gentle purr against the husk's hair.

MAES: I love all of you.



 

The words come out of her easier than she could have expected, meant in every syllable.....

MAES: I just...know that other people won't- not if you end up under the same scrutiny I am.
MAES: Not even anything to do with yourselves, who you are, but the fact that you aren't what they would expect for me to be associated with.
MAES: It's-
MAES: It's cruel.
MAES: I hate the idea of subjecting you all to that.

 

The husk gently nudges against her, as if trying to comfort her back.

ROSCA: Does it have to be that way?
ROSCA: Not too long ago you were settled on living life taking on the sins of world, working yourself to the bone, and dying alone.
ROSCA: Those were the cards handed and you played them to the best anyone could...

 

The husk reaches for her hand.

ROSCA: Now that doesn't seem guaranteed, right?

 

She lets herself take it, squeezing its limp fingers.

MAES: ...you're right, but...I struggle to see it.
MAES: I'm still learning all about these things myself, the alternate worlds, proxies, all of it-
MAES: If I'm directly exposed to this and I'm still adjusting, even with all the love I have for you all-
MAES: ....

 

Her chest tightens.

MAES: I don't know how much the others have told about the world out there.
ROSCA: It's about as scary as any other out there.
MAES: ...I'm sorry to hear that.
ROSCA: Lot of it wonderful to hear about, just as much that makes the idea of getting to see it proper feel impossible.
MAES: ...what appeals to you the most so far?
ROSCA: Well you obviously but.. getting to see people again in general really.
ROSCA: Being attached to this husk though means I can't show the way the other rooks do, and bringing her out there is a risk.
MAES: Even just to our apartment?
ROSCA: Nobody would break in?
MAES: It was my mother's.
MAES: So-
MAES: No.
ROSCA: Everyone really that scared even without her around?
MAES: More in that it'd take a god itself to break in.
MAES: A basic key at its front, but...given the right safeguards, it can be locked down just as well as anything in the basement.

 

The husk's ears perk.

ROSCA: ...Really?
MAES: The circumstance had come up a few times.
ROSCA: And you're sure?
ROSCA: I mean the answer is yes either way but-
MAES: I would lock it down for as long as you stay.
MAES: I'd want as much time as possible with you.
ROSCA: A whole day even?
MAES: Mhm.
MAES: I'll have Charon teach me how to make you food in advance.

 

Maes makes an amused noise as the husk tightens the tail coil, fluffing up excitedly.

ROSCA: A-ah, you'd cook for me too?!
MAES: You haven't had that, have you?
ROSCA: No, the others share obviously but I usually don't take the offer..
MAES: Well...

 

She plants a gentle kiss on its head.

MAES: That was one of the first things Charon did for me.
MAES: It...I had never had it before.
MAES: It'd have to be something simple, but...
ROSCA: It'd still be a big deal, I know it'd be a lot for you too..
MAES: I've been meaning to learn even just simple meals.
MAES: You'd have to be a bit of a test run.
ROSCA: Test run?
ROSCA: Are you afraid you'll poison me?
MAES: More that I'll use too much salt...
ROSCA: It can't hurt me anyway, liver will grow right back~
MAES: But you'll hate the taste..
ROSCA: And what if the fiendish palette likes that?
MAES: ...well, we'd be a match made in heaven.

 

She can't help but laugh.

MAES: ....thank you.
ROSCA: No, thank you!
ROSCA: I know it hasn't been all that long but...
ROSCA: ...you know?
MAES: ...I want it to be long.
ROSCA: Me too..

 

Maes clutches the husk close, nuzzling against the throne's blanketed arm in the process.

MAES: I promise, then...