TINY CAT PEOPLE: THE MAZE TRIALS

[victorianflorist]

Sorry, you won't accept the chunk and I've already removed it, I can't reattach it. So I'd rather take my hard earned healing chunks elsewhere.

Toss it over to the snake

[MarxzVulpez]

Yeah, let's give the chunk to the snakelike tcp

Post this trial we're going to have to figure out the exact parameters for Minsky because as we've just seen, this is super unsustainable. For now though, we'll take help we can reliably get.
Though the thought has occurred that since we've got 4 people here, the trial might require the cooperation of all parties involved, but we'll figure that out when we get there (hopefully because of not too dire of a situation...)

[skinstealer]

 
You turn your gaze up to your proxy, weighing the chocolate chunk in your hand.

SEE: Here’s the thing, Minsky.
SEE: You don’t get to say shit.

Minsky looks genuinely taken aback momentarily,

Then their brow furrows.

MINSKY: 'Scuse me...
SEE: Right now, my options are either giving you a second reward, or-
 

You turn to the snake-like TCP.

SEE: What's your name?

The snake looks back and forth between you and the clearly upset proxy.

????(1): Uhh...Leti?
SEE: Thanks-
SEE: I could give this chunk that I already pulled off my head to Leti.
SEE: I can't reattach it, and you wouldn't take it, and I don't know when I'll see Leti again to heal it.
SEE: I can give you a reward at any time, so like-
SEE: This is the better deal.

 

MINSKY: So you're choosing...
MINSKY: ...this, thisthis-
 

They gesture in Leti's direction.

MINSKY: -Con Artist, over ME?!
SEE: Minsky! I want to be your friend!
SEE: I want to trust you! And work with you!
SEE: I want to meet you halfway!
SEE: But you're trying...you're trying to manipulate me here, and I can't work with that!
MINSKY: MANIPULATE you-?!
MINSKY: Kid, do you EVEN REALIZE how-

MINSKY: . . .

MINSKY: You know what?
MINSKY: You wanna play it THAT way, huh?

 

 
They throw their arms up.

MINSKY: Fine, then! GOOD!
MINSKY: See if I care!
MINSKY: We'll just see what happens when you really need me!
MINSKY: I'm not gonna come rushing to your rescue!
MINSKY: Not a CHANCE!
MINSKY: And trust me, you'll be BEGGING for my help before long, you just wait!
 

Minsky folds their arms and faces away.


You think you can see them...shaking a little.
...Probably out of anger, you bet.



 
Within a second, they disappear from sight, leaving you alone on the platform.

 

 

LETI: So um...we have a deal, then?
SEE: ...I...guess so, yeah.
 

You sigh, slouching a bit.

SEE: Hope they're not...nevermind, just...
 

You turn to the other TCP.

SEE: I should probably get your name too, while I'm at it.
 

They seem to startle at being addressed, seemingly caught up in watching.

????(2): Oh, uh, Rhyker.
SEE: Got it...
SEE: Sorry for all of this, uh, chaos, to both of you-
RHYKER: I get it. But, uhh
RHYKER: How is Leti supposed to help you over there?

 

 
The snake already has its bag set down against the side of the elevator, rummaging through it.

SEE: I...am not sure, honestly.
SEE: How are you going to help me over?
 

Rhyker pipes up in her bafflement.

RHYKER: Wait, you don't even know??
RHYKER: How do you know it's even trustworthy??
RHYKER: I mean, no offense to Leti, but--
LETI: I've...got it, it's not a problem.

 
 

 

It removes a long, thin wire-like cord from its backpack, with some kind of claw attached to the end.

The serpentine TCP clasps something onto the wire just below the claw, drawing it down forcefully until it’s nearly flat.

With that finished, Leti holds the claw up, closing one of its eyes as it finds just the right position to hold it.

Leti presses a button on the side.

 

 

The device extends in an instant, flinging the claw up into the air where it loops around the railing of the walkway before wrapping around the wire itself, creating a solid knot.

 

The snake tests the knot's strength with a few good tugs, then ties the other end of the thick wire to the side of its elevator.




After a quick breath, the snake reaches its arms over and hangs down from the wire, shimmying all the way across and climbing up over the railing.

 

 

It drops down onto the platform across the gap from you.
Leti takes a breather, then positions itself in front of the gap, arms out and ready.

LETI: Okay, uh...be careful, but go ahead and jump.
LETI: I've got an extra rope if you'd rather not risk it, but I don't think we need it.
 

You do your best to take this in, but all you can manage is an impressed clap.

SEE: I- wow!
SEE: What even is that stuff?
LETI: It's...well-
 

The snake scratches the back of its neck.

LETI: -lots and lots of different things.
LETI: ...I only ever get trap rooms, so I've used my rewards to get...way, Way too many gadgets and ropes and...stuff like that.
LETI: It's more of a hassle than anything impressive, but...
LETI: ...beats being sawed in half or set on fire.
 

The TCP idly rubs one of the bruises on its arm, apparently having bumped it while climbing over.

Seeing Leti up close now, it's somehow covered in more bruises, cuts, and scrapes than you'd realized.

LETI: You should jump, though.
LETI: ...My arms are pretty tired.
 

You back up as much as you can on the miniscule platform, and with your anxiety high-

 

-you jump.

 

 

The snake catches you with a grunt.

It turns around and carefully sets you down.

LETI: ...there. See?
LETI: No big deal.
 

Leti leans heavily against the railing.

LETI: Alright, um...
LETI: ...can I-
 

It gestures at the piece of chocolate.

SEE: Y-yeah! Yeah, of course-
 

Still rattled from the jump, you pass the chocolate over with shaky hands.

 

 

The snake does its best to stay polite, but hurriedly shoves the piece into its snout, hardly chewing at all.

As it does, you notice that some of its cuts seal ever-so-slightly, and its bruises begin to fade. You're caught up in the awe of it- you've never actually seen your powers at work before.

SEE: How...is it?
 

Leti doesn't seem to hear you.

Its eyes are partially closed, face turned skyward, showing a little blissful smile.

 

 
From the other side of the room comes Rhyker's wide-eyed, impressed tone, her arms falling behind her back.

 
RHYKER: It just works like that? No strings attached?
RHYKER: I can hardly believe it.
SEE: I-I mean, it's not...that special, haha....
 

The mix of emotions going through your head right now is almost overwhelming.

Leti snaps out of it.

LETI: ...Thanks, that-
LETI: I've never eaten anything before.

It looks over itself, seeing the healing progress.

LETI: No offense, but...wasn't expecting that to Work.
RHYKER: Me neither...
RHYKER: It DOES give me an idea, though.
SEE: ...what's the idea?
 

She brings the clawed hand to her chin.

RHYKER: I should... probably save it for the end.
RHYKER: Just in case...
RHYKER: But I think it can help both Leti and me.
LETI: Dunno what you've got, but...might be good to hear about it ahead of time.
 

Your snake friend climbs over the railing again, shimmying back across the wire to its elevator.

LETI: See, you should check your elevator now, see if anything's different.
LETI: I'm guessing it will be when we're all in.

 

 

You nod and hurry on back, stepping into your elevator and examining the panel...

Sure enough...

SEE: Button number 2 is lit up!

[Lilium Mortem]

hope that the idea isn't violently ripping you in half and divying up your magical healing corpse. you probably don't have to worry about that.  just in case ask what the idea is. argue that hearing about it now would give you more time to think about it, or prepare yourself if it's anything action-y.

Try to endear yourself to them by explaining a bit more about your ability- that it takes some rest but you regenerate chocolate. also you're hoping to become a medic and help people, you already have skills for it! in the unlikely event that someone would want to kill you you're worth far more alive and as an ally ha ha.

[King-Clod]

Oh, no, we have to lie here. Mention that food type abilities are interesting - we can take off chunks of our body to give to others, that they can eat for a healing effect, but the healing of which depends on how large the chunk is, and who removed it. If a TCP doesn't know us as intimately as we know ourselves, which, few do, the chunks have no healing effect. So basically - we have to give it willingly, or it won't work.

We can even offer to give Rhyker or Leti both another piece at the end of all this, when we know we can go home safely and replenish our food stores. They both could really use it, especially Leti, but we need to make sure we're safe too, y'know? (And that way, they won't need to risk seeing if we're telling the truth or not. They can just take the free piece we're offering for the end of the trial. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, after all.)

Also, mentally? Lets tell Minski we're really sorry, but we need it to come back soon.

[skinstealer]

 

You hesitate to hit the button, leaning back out of the elevator.

SEE: So, uh…before we go up…
SEE: I’m really curious about that idea. Yknow, just because it might give me more time to think about it.
SEE: Or if it’s something action-y, I’ll be able to be prepared. Stuff like that.
RHYKER: Um, well.
RHYKER: I'm worried that uhh, if I say it now, I'll get unlucky and then it can't happen.
RHYKER: It happens all the time because I have really bad luck.
RHYKER: I'll tell you when it's safe to, okay?

This....is not helping you feel less anxious.

 
SEE: Okay! That's...that's fine!
SEE: But, uh-
SEE: There are some things you should know about my ability! And how it works!
SEE: If it's related to that!
RHYKER: Nope! Don't worry it has nothing to do with your ability. No problem there.
 

There's a pause.

LETI: ...we should probably know, about...both of those things, though.
LETI: If you don't want to share, er, Rhyker, that's fine, but-
LETI: ...See, I'd like to know, at least. About your ability, I mean.
 

 ...time to bullshit.

 

 

SEE: So, uh...food type abilities! They're interesting!
SEE: I can take chunks off my body, like I did for Leti- and I can give them to others!
SEE: And then it heals them! But!
SEE: Healing depends on how big the chunk is, and who removed it.
SEE: If somebody just, takes it without asking, they won't get healed at all.
SEE: It's gotta be given willingly. O-or it won't work.
 

Rhyker nods along to all this, seeming completely convinced.

RHYKER: Interesting, that's good to know!
RHYKER: Not that uh, not that it would come up at all.
LETI: Mm. Okay.
SEE: S-so, yeah! We ready to do this?
 

Leti nods, and hits its button. Rhyker follows suit a moment later.

You rush back in, only to hesitate before pressing yours.

Minsky, if you can hear me...I'm really sorry.
I didn't mean to hurt you-
But I really, really need you to come back soon.








No response.






You press the button, your posture slumping.

For now, you're on your own.
 

 
Your elevator's doors close, and from a look outside the glass, so did Leti and Rhyker's.

All three elevators head up, leaving you to think for a few moments.

Minsky's gone for now. Leti and Rhyker probably want to eat you, and you have no idea if Leti's buying your coverup. Rhyker seems to be, at least...but....

Before you can get to into it, the lift stops, and the elevators open. You turn around and-

Oh god, what is that.

There's a giant pillar floating in the center of the trial chamber, with, this time, a path connected to Rhyker's elevator. From what you can tell, it snakes around the pillar, ending at a switch in front of you- too far to jump, but...

 
 

 

Rhyker steps onto the platfom before her, scoping the rest of the chamber. She leans against one side of the caged platform, then the other, looking in the pillar's direction - then stops to point to the switch.

RHYKER: I can see that. It doesn't look so bad from here. But...
RHYKER: Is there something behind the pillar?
LETI: It's just a path that gets thinner as it loops around the pillar.
LETI: You'll... have to watch your balance, a bit.
LETI: But I think you can do it just fine.
SEE: Leti's right, there's a little path back there...
SEE: Just be careful!
RHYKER: If you say so.
RHYKER: Alright, I can do this.
 

After a moment to gather herself, Rhyker begins on the path, gaze trained on the floor beneath her, so far so good. She hesitates at the first corner but crosses it, each step smaller than the last in increasing carefulness.

Then she disappears behind the pillar, and a much more uneasy Rhyker emerges at the other side. She hesitates at the next corner. She crosses it, sighting Leti's elevator; she stares for a moment, pulling her arms closer to her chest.

 

 
Rhyker is a little way onto the next section of the platform before-- she wobbles, and gasps. Her body stumbles forwards and Rhyker lands on the path, propped up on her elbows and knees now, her expression wide-eyed with panic. She grips the thing in her claw-less hand tightly, its limbs appearing to flail before her grip relaxes.

RHYKER: I'm fine. I'm good!

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Oh fuck that's a person..

Suggest crawling on her belly to avoid falling again. It'll be slower but less risky.

[skinstealer]

As you watch the limbs peeking out of Rhyker's massive hand flail, you feel an ice cold sensation go down your back-

That's a person.

 

How or why Rhyker has another TCP in her grip is beyond you, and you're not sure you want to find out the hard way...

...but that just means their life is in danger right now, too.

SEE: T...try going on your belly!
SEE: I-it'll be safer!
 

She gives you a look of frustration in response. It's clearly not what she wants to hear, but...

RHYKER: Okay. I'll try.
RHYKER: Ughh. I can do this.
 

She recomposes herself anyway, pulling the critter in her hand to her chest between her arms as she begins to excruciatingly inch forward. Her head lowers to the path, seemingly embarrassed - but at least she's past the halfway point.

...At the next corner, she lifts her head again. Her chilling stare pierces you.

RHYKER: ...Why are you looking at me like that.

 

You notice Leti has its mouth covered, but is saying nothing.

SEE: J-JUST
SEE: WORRIED
SEE: JUST WORRIED
SEE: DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT
SEE: I'VE GOT THAT COVERED
RHYKER: Worried? Covered? What?
RHYKER: Is something wrong?
 

Her head shakes and lowers again.

RHYKER: Nevermind.


 

LETI: Uh-
LETI: Might... might be difficult to... crawl through the whole thing.
LETI: May want to stand up. I think. Maybe.
SEE: T-this is slower, but it's less risky!
 

You force yourself to avert your eyes from the TCP held to her chest.

SEE: Less risk is good! Great, even!
 

Her arms stop at the corner, the contradicting sides clearly tripping her up.

RHYKER: Is there a difference between risky and difficult?
RHYKER: I'm getting mixed messages here! Which one should I do?
 

By now the snake adjacent to you is looking concerned.

LETI: RHYKER. RHYKER PLEASE STAND FOR-
LETI: THERE'S... NOT ROOM TO DO THAT LYING DOWN.
 

You flinch at its stern tone, immediately deferring.

SEE: M-MAYBE JUST LISTEN TO LETI-
RHYKER: Fine! I can get up!

 

 

Rhyker rises onto her knees, but stops, seeming kinda lost. It's not easy to find a place for her hand on this narrow of a beam...

Especially not with a passenger. One of her arms is wrapped around them, obviously trying to obscure them from view. Her cageyness doesn't unsettle you any less.

You are trying extremely fucking hard not to stare at this point.

When you can't help it, though, you sneak another glance in, and Rhyker has managed to wobbily rise to her feet--

 
 

 

Your mind stops for a moment, your whole body locking up. You're mortified to see her whole body sway off-balance to one side.

But she steadies, now side-stepping around the corner. Her body faces towards the pillar and away from you, obscuring her passenger from view. You can clearly see, however, her arms squeezed very tight against her body.

You can only imagine what they're going through right now.

 

 

She reaches the switch eventually, struggling to pull it towards herself with her foot. Her vision scopes out the entire pathway that she just came from.

RHYKER: I really hope I don't have to go the entire way back.
 

As the lever's pulled, the lights above Rhyker and Leti's elevators turn green- you can only assume that yours does as well.

...unfortunately for Rhyker and her "companion", nothing else changes.

Looks like she's gotta do it.

[knux400]

Well... You tried two different ways going forwards. Which felt better to you? Just... Do what's more comfortable for you going back.

[Lilium Mortem]

Are we sure that's not a plushie tcp Rhyker has? It/they are completely limp.

Reassure Rhyker, tell her she's doing a good job and that she's just got this little bit more to do.

[Guest]

Hm...She could be connected to that plushy in a interchangeable way. What happens to it, happens to her in a worse way.