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"Looks like keys to the SDU hall and the atrium, as well as an employee badge for the natural history museum."
"All things we could use." They put a claw to their face in thought.
"...How're we doing this?"
"I think I have an idea."
"This might be too far-fetched, but hear me out:
If you can step across the pit and reach the edge, you should be able to grab the pillar and - sort of - step over."
"Already hate it.
Continue."
"But, you'd be starting next to me, near the switch.
Then I could pull the switch with one hand, and hold your cloak in the other as you step across.
Once you're secure, if you lean forward over the button, we might be able to use your cloak as a net to catch the keys in.
Then you'd just step back, and I'd guide the stuff to safety.
...Theoretically."
"You're right."
"You think it'll work?"
"Nope.
Definitely too ...far-fetched.
Not all of it, though."
"How so?"
"I don't think it's a good idea for me to try and fully stand on... that.
There's barely anything to it. Way too easy to slip if I'm completely on it.
And if I slip," they held up the end of their cloak. "...I don't trust that this is going to hold up my entire bodyweight without ripping.
Don't know if you can hold me with one hand and not drop me, either.
Let's not test that.
...But," they took a shaky step forward, surveying the hole.
"...I could put one foot across the gap, on the edge there, and keep my weight mostly back here.
That way, I could lean forward just a little, hit the button, and just catch them with my hands.
You hold onto my cloak - just like you said - and if I start to slip, you pull on the cloak to fix my balance.
It's still a little risky - I may not catch everything - but it's safer for us. ...For me.
And if I catch at least one, we can make progress.
And I won't ...fall to my ...death.
...Hopefully."
"Alright."
"Okay then." They looked over the pit again, instinctively pulling back a little.
"Let's do it quick. Get it over with.
Before I change my mind."
You nod, and get into position.
You start by pulling the switch over and holding it, then you turn your body sideways; stretching out slightly to hold onto Roux's cloak.
The tube begins to lower.
They step forward towards the hole.
The chorosy lifts their foot up an inch, then hesitates, avoiding looking down.
"...You...
...You've got me?"
"I've got you."
"...okay."
The tube stops moving, now as low as it could be.
"...quick and easy...
Just..."
They lifted their boot, and stretched, before placing it as far onto the ledge as they could; only a couple of inches.
Roux wavered suddenly, raising their arms to keep their balance.
You pulled their cloak a little tighter, just in case.
They breathed a quick puff of air out of their filter, then took a deep breath.
Their movement steadied, though their breathing seemed to speed up.
"...Quick. And easy.
O... kay."
As slowly as possible, they leaned forward, getting their arms closer over the button.
They placed a claw on it,
then pushed down.
The cap opened
Everything dropped
Roux raised their claws up
The keys and card were suddenly caught by something wide and metallic, leaving Roux grasping at nothing.
"I'll take those, thank you."
The chorosy wobbled, and you quickly tugged hard on their cloak, pulling them away from the pit.
They stumbled aside, both of you now looking upward.
Your eyes quickly processed the object.
It was a large, metal hand, attached to an incredibly-long metal arm.
Though, it rapidly shortened now, being drawn back to its owner.
A figure had appeared in the - now open - west vent.
![[Image: GM4DVmV.png]](https://i.imgur.com/GM4DVmV.png)
You could just barely make out 'CERULEAN' on their shoulder.
Their head and arms were sticking out, one of which now held your prizes.
They dangled them in front of you, a pleased look on the amerveille's face.
"I appreciate you saving me the trouble.
I'm not sure who--" The stranger's eyes went wide.
Roux had the shovel in hand - you hadn't even seen them grab it.
Their body was already in motion, practically flinging themself in the cat's direction.
They swung, hard; metal clanging against metal as the amerveille's hand was struck.
The shovel cracked in half from the impact.
What was left of the handle - now just a stick - clattered to the floor, while the rest was flung away, including your prizes.
Everything was scattered, many objects slapping against the wall and sliding across the tile floor towards the pit.
The card - thankfully - landed safely in the corner,
but one of the keys fell into the hole along with the shovelhead,
while the other key teetered precariously on the edge.
Roux paid no attention to any of that.
"You--!
I have half a mind t--"
The amerveille cut themself off again, starting to scramble back into the vent.
The chorosy was quick to follow, seemingly running on adrenaline.
They jumped up, got a grip on the edge of the vent, and scrambled upward.
In no time, they'd lifted themself into the vent, only their cloak and legs hanging out now.
"All things we could use." They put a claw to their face in thought.
"...How're we doing this?"
"I think I have an idea."
"This might be too far-fetched, but hear me out:
If you can step across the pit and reach the edge, you should be able to grab the pillar and - sort of - step over."
"Already hate it.
Continue."
"But, you'd be starting next to me, near the switch.
Then I could pull the switch with one hand, and hold your cloak in the other as you step across.
Once you're secure, if you lean forward over the button, we might be able to use your cloak as a net to catch the keys in.
Then you'd just step back, and I'd guide the stuff to safety.
...Theoretically."
"You're right."
"You think it'll work?"
"Nope.
Definitely too ...far-fetched.
Not all of it, though."
"How so?"
"I don't think it's a good idea for me to try and fully stand on... that.
There's barely anything to it. Way too easy to slip if I'm completely on it.
And if I slip," they held up the end of their cloak. "...I don't trust that this is going to hold up my entire bodyweight without ripping.
Don't know if you can hold me with one hand and not drop me, either.
Let's not test that.
...But," they took a shaky step forward, surveying the hole.
"...I could put one foot across the gap, on the edge there, and keep my weight mostly back here.
That way, I could lean forward just a little, hit the button, and just catch them with my hands.
You hold onto my cloak - just like you said - and if I start to slip, you pull on the cloak to fix my balance.
It's still a little risky - I may not catch everything - but it's safer for us. ...For me.
And if I catch at least one, we can make progress.
And I won't ...fall to my ...death.
...Hopefully."
"Alright."
"Okay then." They looked over the pit again, instinctively pulling back a little.
"Let's do it quick. Get it over with.
Before I change my mind."
You nod, and get into position.
You start by pulling the switch over and holding it, then you turn your body sideways; stretching out slightly to hold onto Roux's cloak.
The tube begins to lower.
They step forward towards the hole.
The chorosy lifts their foot up an inch, then hesitates, avoiding looking down.
"...You...
...You've got me?"
"I've got you."
"...okay."
The tube stops moving, now as low as it could be.
"...quick and easy...
Just..."
They lifted their boot, and stretched, before placing it as far onto the ledge as they could; only a couple of inches.
Roux wavered suddenly, raising their arms to keep their balance.
You pulled their cloak a little tighter, just in case.
They breathed a quick puff of air out of their filter, then took a deep breath.
Their movement steadied, though their breathing seemed to speed up.
"...Quick. And easy.
O... kay."
As slowly as possible, they leaned forward, getting their arms closer over the button.
They placed a claw on it,
then pushed down.
The cap opened
Everything dropped
Roux raised their claws up
The keys and card were suddenly caught by something wide and metallic, leaving Roux grasping at nothing.
"I'll take those, thank you."
The chorosy wobbled, and you quickly tugged hard on their cloak, pulling them away from the pit.
They stumbled aside, both of you now looking upward.
Your eyes quickly processed the object.
It was a large, metal hand, attached to an incredibly-long metal arm.
Though, it rapidly shortened now, being drawn back to its owner.
A figure had appeared in the - now open - west vent.
You could just barely make out 'CERULEAN' on their shoulder.
Their head and arms were sticking out, one of which now held your prizes.
They dangled them in front of you, a pleased look on the amerveille's face.
"I appreciate you saving me the trouble.
I'm not sure who--" The stranger's eyes went wide.
Roux had the shovel in hand - you hadn't even seen them grab it.
Their body was already in motion, practically flinging themself in the cat's direction.
They swung, hard; metal clanging against metal as the amerveille's hand was struck.
The shovel cracked in half from the impact.
What was left of the handle - now just a stick - clattered to the floor, while the rest was flung away, including your prizes.
Everything was scattered, many objects slapping against the wall and sliding across the tile floor towards the pit.
The card - thankfully - landed safely in the corner,
but one of the keys fell into the hole along with the shovelhead,
while the other key teetered precariously on the edge.
Roux paid no attention to any of that.
"You--!
I have half a mind t--"
The amerveille cut themself off again, starting to scramble back into the vent.
The chorosy was quick to follow, seemingly running on adrenaline.
They jumped up, got a grip on the edge of the vent, and scrambled upward.
In no time, they'd lifted themself into the vent, only their cloak and legs hanging out now.
MAP:
![[Image: NeEIgM1.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/NeEIgM1.gif)
