TINY CAT PEOPLE: THE MAZE TRIALS

[skinstealer]

 

You remember Monty’s words about your typing...and how people liked eating it. There’s a sense of unease that settles over you as this echoes along with Suzanne talking- especially when she mentions Max wanting to protect you. 

You can’t shake off a bad feeling about this. 

 
SEE: Does Max...usually want to protect people? Or are we special cases?
SUZANNE: Oh, no, Max wants to protect as many people as possible!
SUZANNE: He’s apparently one of the biggest TCPs in the trials, so he wants to use that strength to help gather people together and keep them safe!
SUZANNE: He says that once he’s recovered, he’s going to go all in on finding people who can all work together!
SUZANNE: When I mentioned how nice you were to me and how you want to help people, he thought you’d be a perfect addition to our little team.
SUZANNE: Like...you’re just a nice person! We need that!
 

 

TeeVee moves away from the wall and comes back over towards the conversation.

 
TEEVEE: So uh... I overheard.... this Max person sounds like he knows a lot about the trials?
SUZANNE: Oh, tons! We spawned around the same time and learned things together, but he’s way better at it than I am.
SUZANNE: He's been making impressions by solving puzzles and avoiding traps...
SUZANNE: Which is part of why it worries him so much that Monroe was able to actually attack him like that, pushing him into a swinging blade...
SUZANNE: He's usually so on top of things, so for someone to get the better of him like that, I don't know...
SUZANNE: They sound like someone who tricks people. That's how it had to have been for Max to get hurt.
TEEVEE: Do the trials get more dangerous as they go on? this is the most dangerous I've seen so far... but still not too much for me.
 

TeeVee makes sure to add that last bit.

 
SUZANNE: It depends...but Max says yes, he's been in some incredibly dangerous ones.
SUZANNE: If you want, you can come with us and talk with him about it!
SUZANNE: I'm sure he won't mind, especially since you helped us out!
TEEVEE: Well... it'd be a whole lot easier than getting back to my platform.
TEEVEE: Maybe I could help out somehow. Outside of the trial chambers, of course- I still gotta win.
 

 

Your unease only gets worse as Suzanne claps her hands together happily, what she said about Monty still hitting you deep in your chest.

SUZANNE: Of course! I'm sure that we can work something out! 
SUZANNE: Come on then, both of you!
 

She starts walking towards the open door. 

 

 

You hesitate.

 
TEEVEE: Yeah just one sec.
TEEVEE: See, you coming?
SEE: ...yeah.
 

 

You start walking forward, trying to play off your nerves. 

SEE: Just...taking my time.
 

TeeVee leans way down to gently punch you with a hand.

TEEVEE: You okay? Did getting hoisted up all that way freak you out?
SEE: Yeah, that's probably it...it was pretty scary.
TEEVEE: Well... feel free to take a break if you need. I wanna beat you at your best, not when anything is wrong.
SEE: I'll be careful.
 

You get the feeling that you better be.

 

 
 

You enter Max's room, the door staying open behind you and TeeVee- it looks like it either only opens and closes when the occupant leaves...or the people watching you want it to. It's barely decorated, but there's clearly spoils from trials here- books on the shelves, what looks like a weird box on his table, and a pile of what your first aid skill informs you is medical supplies.

Suzanne is already by the TCP's bedside- and she was right, he is big. Even just lying down, you get the feeling that he could pick you up with a hand with no trouble at all. 

Even though the thought of that was comforting back when Monty was doing it, right now, it just feels unnerving.

 
MAX: Ah, visitors...
MAX: You must be See. I've heard so much about you even from just one encounter with Suzanne...
MAX: Oh, and...who's this? I haven't heard of you before, I don't think.
 

Suzanne pipes up, not wasting a moment.

 
SUZANNE: That's TeeVee! She helped me and See out with getting it over here!
MAX: Oh, good, good!
MAX: More company, the merrier.
 

 

TeeVee waves.

TEEVEE: Hey... uh... 
 

For once, he looks out of his element.

MAX: No need to be shy, come on in.
 

He gestures with a wide arm movement, and your gaze is drawn to his other shoulder- heavily bandaged, with (presumably) fluid staining through. 

Fluid isn't something you've actually...seen, yet, but you know about it from your first aid skill, and the fact that most TCPs have it. Somehow, seeing your first injury just makes that knowledge more chilling.

TeeVee comes a bit more towards the center of the room, looking around.

TEEVEE: I've never been in a room other than my own.
TEEVEE: It's different.
SEE: Neither have I.
MAX: Well, there's a first time for everything! 
MAX: Once you get through enough trials, you'll become more confident in yourself and your new experiences.
MAX: Come! Sit with us, I'd love to know more about you both.
TEEVEE: Well, I'm not too worried about the trials, everything so far has been easy. 
TEEVEE: But sure, I'll talk.