[TINY CAT PEOPLE] VOID SESSION: ACT 4

[1011686]

I agree that giving some grand speech through Dad probably wouldn't be the best way to go, though i think we should still give some advice to her, tell her that right now, the most important thing is deescalation. Raw is clearly disturbed at the new things he's learnt and the sudden change in worldview he's experienced, so it might help Dad to tell him that he will still have Writhe and the other tcps, his siblings (do they think of themselves as siblings? they all seem to think of Spit as their mother so far, at least). Possibly getting Writhe to talk to Raw might help, however, I'll leave that up to Dad's judgment. We can't provide much help beyond saying things to her, and she can probably come up with better things to say to Raw in this situation than we can.
Since we're not actively involving ourselves in the current situation, we should spare a moment for other things. Quickly switch to Jasper, see if they're able to move yet and ask them how they're doing if they can respond. Also, not sure whether this is a thing we can actually do, but it'd be good if we could quickly zoom out to see if that 5th tcp was nearing our location. And while we have the brief window of time, we could also hear if Eastwood, Miller, or Wretch have anything important to tell us right now. They're probably using the groupchat, so we could just listen in and hear what's going on without saying anything.

[Shifter55]

De-escalation is important, but I doubt anything is going to go back to normal with so many new TCPs here, this all started when Spit's TCPs pulled two of ours down, should that be pointed out to Raw? Death doesn't remove the knowledge Dad has given Raw...

[seppawku]

i.. do believe in dad but i don’t like the idea of sitting calmly back and watching her get hurt cos she can handle it.. we may not be able to do much ofc but i dont think being so passive is the way to go. can anyone help her? or can type skill get raw to put her Down.

[Guest]

This has escalated pretty far, and while no physical harm has happened, it's possible that it might. While I advise against it unless absolutely necessary, we did teach our tcps self defense, specifically Dad knows Kung Fu. Perhaps disengaging before further words?

[King-Clod]

I don't particularly like it, but we do sort of have something Raw wants. He wants Spit back, right? He just can't hear her without the collar? Dad could tell him about how the collars work, and try to work something out with that.

[Verager]

We're (unironically, truly) Sorry, Raw, but we can't trick you with what you already know. It can't be the same as it was, no matter what you do now. But it can be better. And we want better. For you and everyone else. We aren't here to fight you, we're here to save you. We want a happy ending, for everyone. We can help, but only if you let us. No one has to hurt anymore.

I believe in Dad, but she doesn't have to do this alone.

Make the attempt, but if the heat gets too bad, get out of there, however you can. We have a real chance here, but we can find others if we have to.

[skinstealer]

You tell Dad that you trust her completely, and believe in her ability to handle this- any decisions she makes from here on out are her own, and that all you can offer is advice. She gives a tiny nod to this, just enough for you to notice- you can’t help but feel a little bit of pride at her stealth. You don’t have long to think on this, quickly suggesting what you can- supporting Raw right now when his worldview’s been so shaken will be crucial, and there’s always the option of talking about the sanctuary-

Dad picks up conversation immediately after you give your advice, managing to choke out that the other TCPs here, they’re still here for him- Writhe and the rest of his team aren’t going anywhere, even with all of this new knowledge in his head. Not everything is going to change.

She doesn’t mention the sanctuary, and you remind yourself that you have to trust her judgment on it. You watch with baited breath as Raw processes her words, a tight feeling in your chest swelling as you see her begin to squirm and try to get away, a burn spreading across her cheek. Dad’s health decreases, but is still at GOOD, and she is now lightly BURNED.

Before Raw can launch into a hissing rant, Dana steps forward, her hands shaking as she readies her stun gun. It’s not quite like the tasers you’re used to, more like a literal gun- but you’ll have to take Miller’s word on it that it does what it’s supposed to, alien tech or not. Her voice is just as shaky as her grip, saying in the bravest voice that she can muster that Raw should put Dad down, now, or she’ll shoot him. She’ll shoot him and he’ll be out cold again. 



She’ll do it. She swears she’ll do it. 



Raw drops Dad and lunges.



Dana shoots.



Raw takes the bullet and collapses, falling just barely in front of Dana. He is now STUNNED. The heartsea type steps back slowly, trying to get a grip- she really just did that. She shot the enemy. 

Dad struggles to get back to her feet, her health thankfully not knocked down from her fall. She thanks Dana with a gruff noise of affirmation, looking back at the fallen burn type. He’s going to be pissed when he gets up. Dana whispers that the alternative was Dad getting possibly killed, and she wasn’t willing to take that chance, even if this was definitely, absolutely the scariest moment of her life.

Writhe makes a grating whine behind the two of them, Dana rushing towards it and trying to make soothing coos. It’s okay, it’ll be okay, he’ll get back up, he’s just knocked out for a little bit, like what Jasper did earlier...



Writhe doesn’t seem calmed down at all, babbling that it doesn’t want anybody to get knocked out or hurt anymore, it just wants things to be okay, and for Raw to stop being so mean to people, it just wants everybody to be friends… 

Dad glances away awkwardly, not sure what to say. Dana’s just as stumped, trying to pat Writhe and calm it down...until she gets an idea.

She approaches Raw’s unconscious body, creating a few blossoms in her hands. She very gingerly places them on his neck, creating a small vine to hold them all in place, almost like a collar. There...he’ll feel better when he wakes up, now. Does that help, Writhe?

Writhe wobbles up and down in an almost comical nod, saying that the flowers really did help it out...maybe it’ll help Raw out too. 



You try to pull away and zoom out, checking the room- but nothing seems out of place, it’s just the same big central area with a firepit, no other TCPs to be found. Coast is clear. 

VOIDSY: Status report?
EASTWOOD: You first.
VOIDSY: Raw’s knocked out again...Dana did it.
MILLER: What?! Is she okay?!
VOIDSY: She’s okay, really shaken up, but she did it to help Dad out. Dad got burned, but it would have been a lot worse if she hadn’t stepped in.
MILLER: God...okay. Okay. And she’s unharmed?
VOIDSY: Not a scratch on her. Cross our heart.
MILLER: I don’t think I could handle losing another TCP…
VOIDSY: Wait, losing? Isn’t Seaspray still alive?
MILLER: Yes, but...I don’t know, they look so terrible! We got them through the bag, but to see them so messed up is really messing with me, too.
MILLER: I knew that it’d be rough going in, but-
EASTWOOD: Chitchat later. Tell them what else is going on.

Miller sniffles a bit, but presses on. 

MILLER: We got a sample from the vial over as well- we didn’t take the whole thing, out of fear of it spilling.
EASTWOOD: Confirmed it as a healing agent, one that can rapidly restore fluid as well. Why they were giving it to Seaspray is beyond me, but that’s what it is.
WRETCH: poppy sucked up the damage from gettin shit through the bag
WRETCH: dude’s at GOOD now but he should be fine and he can heal up on his own bein a food type and all
WRETCH: lil trooper
VOIDSY: And the wand?
WRETCH: sent it thru too
MILLER:  Bryce took it. He’s at GOOD as well.
WRETCH: primus n slop are gettin buddy ready for surgery...slop asked if primus wants you there for it but he says hes got this and that he knows he can do this
WRETCH: hes a good lil cat 
WRETCH: so we got things covered there
EASTWOOD: Miller and I are still en route to Spit’s. She had to tear her attention away to check on Seaspray, but thankfully her TCPs seem pretty competent at navigation. 
MILLER: We’ll be there soon, we’re just now passing by Wretch and I’s bases...I’m glad that this world is so relatively tiny, and our vehicles are so fast-
EASTWOOD: Miller. Chitchat.
MILLER: Sorry…
WRETCH: dude lay off
WRETCH: yr fine mills
EASTWOOD: ...point is, we’ll be there shortly. We have no idea what to expect from Spit’s base, and I don’t like the look of that hell spiral. 
EASTWOOD: Your job right now is to get shit set up there so we can do a proper rescue mission. Look for a pickup point, get the TCPs situated. When we’re here, we’ll need your help navigating to where you’re at. 
EASTWOOD: If we work together and try to figure out where the outside is in relation to where the TCPs are now, we should be able to make this go smoothly. 
EASTWOOD:  So for now, get your shit together and help guide the TCPs. Give Marvel some of this healing shit that Spit’s got brewing, let’s see if we can get him walking again.
VOIDSY: Are you sure that’s safe?
EASTWOOD: Drug tests say it’s clean. Worth the risk.
VOIDSY: We’ll try our best.

You take a look in the other room, relieved to see Jasper coming to. You tell them you’re so happy that they’re okay again, and ask how they’re doing. Jasper shakes off their grogginess, floating off the ground once more. They’re...alive, and that counts for something. Looks like you got backup, too…

They stretch out, grabbing their chain. What can they do to help?

[victorianflorist]

Jasper, you're on recon.

We have a rescue team incoming composed of some of our friends, your job is to use your abilities and skills to scope out the rest of Spit's base so we can execute the rescue mission and extract you, the rest of the forward team, and Spit's victims. I.E. her team.

Try to restore your health however you can, some of the fluid Spit was using on Seaspray is apparently a healing agent.

We're counting on you, Jasper. We know you didn't ask for this responsibility but you're strong, kind, and resilient. You should be proud of yourself and even if you don't want to hear it, we're proud of you too.

[1011686]

Good to have you back, Jasper. There's nothing urgent going on right now, though Spit's 5th tcp is still unknown, Dad and the others can catch you up on the details. There was something you wanted to talk about earlier, and we've got a bit of time, so we can talk about it now if you want. The medium-term plan is to get to a spot where the others can rescue us, or, well, rescue Writhe and Marvel, since they won't be able to fit through the bag. You don't have to if you don't want to, but Writhe would probably like to talk to you, since you were quite possibly the first person to ever show them kindness with no strings attached. If anyone needs healing, I think it would be safer to get it from Crunk's jelly through the bag than the potion Spit made, it just doesn't seem likely to me that it's simply a straightforward healing potion, despite what the drug analysis said.

How are you going Dad? Your ability didn't really seem to be working there against Raw, do you have any ideas about that?

Miller, can you tell us about Bryce's weight gun? His ability to make things lighter plus the magic wand might be our best way of getting Writhe out of the pit, since there's no way they'll be able too climb the steps.

[IamPANKANK]

Writhe might like to get a hug from Jasper, or they can rest and recover for the inevitable fight when the 5th comes into play, sending her off on her own when so much is happening to keep track of won't help right now. Don't split the party when we don't need to at this point, focus on extraction and next adventure we can return with all of the Spit team members safe. We are proud of you Jasper.  Dad try to get Writhe to take Raw with you back to Jasper and the others.

[Dzib 9001]

some of the fluid Spit was using on Seaspray is apparently a healing agent.

Give Marvel some of this healing shit that Spit’s got brewing, let’s see if we can get him walking again.

It may be healing agent, but i don't trust it. something about it seems off. It may have passed the drug/poison test, but that doesn't mean nothing's wrong with it.
Think about it, why would Spit give Seaspray a clean healing agent? What benefit does it give her? I don't trust it. Eastwood what kinda test's did you put the liquid through? Do we know what it's made of? how does it work? Until we know for sure what it does, we shouldn't use it.

[Verager]

Yes on Jasper scouting if they're up for it.

"worth the risk' - Can we get more info on what this drug test is? We might want to save the mysterious chemicals that were explicitly used in torture for emergency healing only.

[cosmo]

i think we should still give marvel the healing agent if eastwood insists. in the end, marvel’s on eastwood’s team and i don’t want our friends to feel like we won’t respect their wishes in a situation as intense as this one. still definitely voice our concerns and stuff but in the end idk if it’s our choice to make really. we can only hope to convince eastwood but i think directly refusing to do what he asks is a bad idea.

[skinstealer]

You tell Jasper that you need them to do some recon and help look for a way out. You have allies on the way that are going to help them get out of there, but they need to start moving too. The hard part is, well...your goal is to get everyone out, Spit’s team included. It’s going to be a lot of TCPs on the move.

Jasper seems hesitant at this suggestion, asking if they’re going to need to use force...they don’t think Hark or Raw are too inclined to come with them, even if Writhe is. This is kind of what they wanted to get at earlier- you stop them to say that you actually wanted to bring that up yourself, so now’s a perfect time.

Jasper mimics taking a deep breath, trying to find the words. They just...feel like it’s kind of cruel, to befriend these people. They’re still the enemy, and it looks like it’s going to go either with them being forced to befriend and ally without it being genuine, or getting their hopes up when they inevitably have to fight. It doesn’t feel right.

[suggestions from the last update remain tallied/in effect, and will be used as soon as this conversation is completed]

[IamPANKANK]

Jasper your right this is cruel, but the alternative is to leave them with a monster who preys on them and others for fun, sometimes to help someone you have to offer a hand, sometimes you need to show them another way, and sometimes they are too far gone.  We didn't plan on attacking Spit inside her base and having to tear them away without talking to them first, its truely horrible that we are doing this to them.  HOWEVER look around you and ask if you think this place is ok in anyway , this isn't a home its a torture chamber designed to hurt people who know nothing else and make you beg for the slightest sliver of affection from the only person you know to give it, warped and twisted in pain to make you think that this is good and normal.
(it might be nice for Jasper to talk with Wax TCPs after this they are still young compared to everyone else and got rushed into things, they might be helped by seeing a perspective that isn't on our team.)

[Lilium Mortem]

You personally don't have to like them, you don't have to get close to them. I'm asking this of you because, well, even if we do end up fighting, even if it does go bad, I'd rather have given them every chance I could then not. Everyone deserves a chance to grow beyond how they were born, how they are, into something better. It might fail, there might be no redemption, But I'd rather live in that world, where there's hope for everyone, than take the easy way out and close my heart to those that might hurt me, or get hurt because of me.

We might just be an idealistic fool, you might be right. Still, despite that, will you help us?

[victorianflorist]

Jasper, it's not cruel to do what we're doing. What's happening here, in this base, it isn't like what we do back home. This isn't a home. This place, this team, our enemies, they have been manipulated and groomed into the people they are today. They weren't given the opportunity of choice like you have. Right now, at any moment. You could choose to go rogue and leave our team, you have that freedom. But Hark, Raw, and even Writhe, they don't have that freedom. They don't even know they get a choice. It would be cruel to leave them here, to be used.

And, thinking pragmatically, removing them, taking this team away, it disarms Spit. Spit wants to torture her enemies and unfortunately that's us. She had Seaspray chained to the wall and was harvesting their fluid for lords sake. Without her TCPs, she can't hurt you as easily.

[cosmo]

I think trying to “force” them to ally might be the kindest possible outcome here. since like... well I don’t know what spit does to her tcps when she wins but I can’t imagine it’s good. I know trying to.... win trust like it’s some kind of prize is like. I mean it feels bad and in most situations it probably is bad. and I think it speaks to your kindness and empathy that you are worried about this. but if the only choice we have is to leave them to their fates or... you know, directly harm them i think this might be the best path to take. it still sucks though.

[1011686]

At the end of the day, this is a bad situation Spit's tcps are in, and we want to get them out of it. It can be tricky, incredibly tricky sometimes, to save someone from something they might not want saving from, to give them something they might not want, and to know that you're doing the right thing against their wishes. But c'mon. I feel confident saying this is one of the few times where the situation is pretty black and white.
Your concern is entirely valid though, and we can still change how we go about the exact process even if we don't change the end goal. Can you think of any ways of going about this that would be better, less hard on Spit's tcps?

[Verager]

You make an excellent point, Jasper. And they really can't be our friends just yet. They don't have the agency. They are part of a cult. And while, in this world, that's a strange line, it fits. They've never been allowed freedom. One of them, at least, was never Taught to speak. If we leave them here, where we have little power, Spit will fight everything we try with words in their minds and physical reinforcement, and we'll just have to kill them.

But there's another way. The first steps of deprogramming, followed by exit counseling once they have any semblance of choice in their lives. We can Teach either(if you ask), but the first one can be... unpleasant in some circumstances. It will be necessary here, though, as death threats, torture and abuse will keep her TCP's from seeking help, and their god is a consummate expert in all. And all of her TCP's are going to try and kill you, or as this lab has shown, forcibly mutate you into monsters that will kill everyone you've known. They will be free once they value themselves as individuals, and we have no expectation for them to stay with us if they ultimately decide not to.

The problem is that Spit doesn't value her TCP's as individuals with thoughts, hopes and dreams. We do. We want to empower them to be themselves first, and really really hope they'll still be our friends, freely, afterwards.

Thank you for questioning us. Continue to do so whenever you feel the urge. Keep us honest. Does that address your worries?

(echoing 1011686's offer for Jasper's feedback on what they feel would make this better)