You take a moment to gather up the confetti and put it on the shelf, making sure to put it back in its proper, mosaic shape. 
  

SEE: Mystery voice?

 
There’s no response, and you haul yourself onto the bed in order to press the button on the wall.
 

SEE: Hello?
INTERCOM: Hello, See. Do you have a question for us?
SEE: Can I ask questions while outside this room?
INTERCOM: No, you cannot.
INTERCOM: Please return to this room when you seek information and feedback, so long as the entrance is open.
INTERCOM: You have one question remaining in this trial cycle. 

  
Time to think of a reward...what would be good? There’s a lot of ideas rumbling around, but they’re all vague...you really wish you knew what even exists, how are you supposed to ask for anything...
 
You press the button again, keeping your voice as clear and composed as possible.
 

SEE: I’d like something to...write, with? And in.
SEE: I want to be able to put marks down like with the letters you give me.
INTERCOM: Will a journal and writing implement suffice?

 
You have no idea what a journal is. 

SEE: I guess?
SEE: Yeah, I think that could work.
INTERCOM: Reward available on hand. Dispensing…

 


Something tumbles down the chute, both a large thunking sound and a far tinier one echoing through it. Once it stops, you open it up to find what your mind confirms to be a journal and a pen.
 

INTERCOM: Since you do not have the writing skill, you will have to learn on your own.
INTERCOM: If you do not want to go through the manual learning process, consider asking for the skill with your next reward, or have someone else teach you.
SEE: ...someone else?
INTERCOM: Are you asking a question?
SEE: No, no, I’ll- I’ll figure it out.

 
You step off of the bed, flicking open the journal’s pages and looking at the blank lines inside. Weird...so you write in this? You’ll have to mess around with that later...for now, it’s time to check out what’s outside.
 

 
You tuck your journal under your arm as you walk outside, your pace quickening as the pillars start to descend behind you again. When you reach the end of the hallway, it’s completely sealed up, as if you were never there. Looks like wherever you are now, you’re going to have to stay until they let you back.

Looking forward, you’re in a large room, on top of a raised pillar. There are smaller pillars making stairs down to a clearing, where there’s a pool of something and… 
 

????: Oh, hello!

 
You have to raise your voice to make sure the TCP downstairs can hear you, but you do your best to yell across the room. 
 

SEE: Uh...hi!
????: Are you new? I haven’t seen you yet...
SEE: Yeah, I’m new...I don’t really know what I’m doing at all, or what I should be doing…
????: Well, do you have a name?
SEE: I’m See.
????: See...that’s a nice name.
????: I’m Suzanne!
SUZANNE: It’s nice to see someone new here, though I guess that means you’re going to have to learn how to make impressions and all that. It’s a lot to get used to…
SUZANNE: What type are you, anyway?
SEE: A molded chocolate type, I think? That’s what my head tells me, anyway.

 
Suzanne nods, clearly understanding. 
 

SUZANNE: I’m a chimera fish type. 
SUZANNE: Sometimes you just...know things like that. I get it.
SUZANNE: Do you know your ability yet?
SEE: Yeah, it was one of the first things I knew upon- spawning, I guess, that’s the word they keep using for it.
SUZANNE: Yes! We spawned here, all of us. I haven’t met a single person who wasn’t yet.
SUZANNE: My ability is strange, but I like it- I can release electrical charges and use it to sense my surroundings, which sure came in handy for a room or two.
SUZANNE: It works better underwater, though! Makes sense, considering the fish thing.
SEE: What’s electrical mean?
SUZANNE: Well, it’s- you might be best off reading a book on that, actually. I don’t know if I could do the explanation justice.
SUZANNE: All you really need to know is that I can sense things around me better than most people. 
SUZANNE: How about you?
SEE: Uh...I can...break pieces off of myself? 
SEE: And people can eat them???

  


She perks up immediately, clasping her fins together. 
 

SUZANNE: You’re a food type?!
SUZANNE: That’s perfect!
SUZANNE: Does your ability heal? Are there any extra effects?
SEE: Yeah, it can- something about an energy boost, too. 
SUZANNE: Oh, that’s wonderful...this could really help Max!
SUZANNE: But we can talk about that later- how are you holding up with everything?

 
Max...is that another TCP? You’ll have to ask her about that later.
  

SEE: It’s all a bit confusing…
SEE: What is this place, anyway? 
SEE: And what’s the deal with the weird intercom in my room?
SUZANNE: I’m not sure, really. I spawned here just like you.
SUZANNE: They call it the Maze Trials, which makes sense with how it’s laid out and what they’re expecting of us, I suppose.
SUZANNE: The rooms outside- like this one- change position and what’s in them between whenever you enter and leave your room, and the trials aspect comes into play with the whole impression system.
SUZANNE: From what I can tell, they want us to do things that interest them, so they can study us.
SUZANNE: The problem is, with every impression you make, the more they want to see something more and more stand out. 
SUZANNE: So...the trials are finding ways to do that, and using rewards to help enhance your impressions.
SUZANNE: The rooms out here can have all kinds of different stuff, but this one seems pretty straightforward. I was wondering if anyone would show up at the top of those stairs, it seemed way too convenient for just a platform. 
SEE: This is a lot to take in…
SUZANNE: You get used to it! Though there are some things I wish I didn’t have to get used to…
SUZANNE: As for the intercom, that’s how they speak to us. I don’t know who or what they are, but like I said, they’re studying us for some reason.
SUZANNE: And when it comes to that, anything goes, as long as it “makes an impression”.

  

 
She looks hesitant, her gaze falling.
 

SUZANNE: I...don’t like it very much. 
SUZANNE: But I’m getting good at it, and I’ve picked up quite a few rewards so far.
SEE: Is a writing skill one of them? We got a journal, but we don’t know how to actually write in it.

 
She lifts her head up to meet your eyes again. 
 

SUZANNE: Yes, actually! That’s an important one. 
SUZANNE: Come down here, and I can teach it to you!

 
You decide to go for style points on this one- screw the stairs, you’re going to jump for that water. You hold onto your journal tight and back up as far as you can before running for it and going for the biggest jump you can muster.

SUZANNE: Wh-
SUZANNE: SEE!

 


You are soaring through the air, and you feel so free.
 




Your health is now GOOD, down from PERFECT, and you are extremely sore. This may have been a miscalculation.

SEE: Ow.

  
Unseen speakers chime, and a familiar voice comes through. 

INTERCOM: See, you have made an impression. 
INTERCOM: You may collect your reward upon returning to your room.

 
The door upstairs opens back up again, but you don’t have any intention going back yet...not until you talk with Suzanne a bit, anyway.

Speaking of your new fish acquaintance, she’s scrambling over to your side. 
  

SUZANNE: See! What were you doing?!
SEE: Thought I could make it to the water...hi.

 


You extend a hand and she pulls you up, the size difference between you incredibly apparent.
  

SEE: You...are really big.
SUZANNE: Not as big as the others I’ve met here…
SEE: Like Max?

 
She nods. 

SUZANNE: He’s my friend, we both spawned around the same time and got to know the whole system together…
SUZANNE: He’s a behemoth type, so he’s really big and strong!
SEE: Will we be able to meet him, or do we just have to get lucky?
SUZANNE: Well, it seems like getting lucky at first, but I’ve figured out by now that it’s completely controlled by them.
SUZANNE: So...if we can figure out a way that they’d consider putting us in the same room “interesting”, they’ll do it. Maybe.
SUZANNE: I’ve been treating Max’s injuries, which they seem to like, so I’ve been able to visit him a lot.
SUZANNE: If we agree to use your ability on him, and make that clear that that’s something we want, we might be able to go help him the next time the rooms open up...but you’d have to be okay with that, I can’t ask you to help if you’re not comfortable with it.
SEE: Wait, wait- injured?
SEE: Did he jump off the stairs too?

 

 
Suzanne’s shoulders fall, turning away just a bit.

SUZANNE: No...he was put in a room with Monroe.
SUZANNE: Monroe is the only other TCP we’ve met before you, and I’m sure there’s more, but…
SUZANNE: They figured out how to make impressions easy, but not in good ways. 
SUZANNE:  Monroe attacked Max and injured him badly...we don’t know what type they are, but whatever they are, they were able to keep Max from using his ability and saving himself from harm.

 
You have no idea how to process this information- you’ve just now gotten hurt for the first time, and now you’re being told that other people can hurt you, or Suzanne, or anyone! 

And...the people here encourage it.

You shudder. 

SEE: Will Monroe try to hurt us, too?
SUZANNE: I think so. They’ve figured out that this can get them rewards, and I don’t think they’re planning on stopping.
SUZANNE: I don’t really know what to do about it...but getting Max help might be a start.
SUZANNE: Please, think about it…

  
Her voice grows quiet before she remembers what you came down here for in the first place.
  

SUZANNE: Right! The writing!

 


Suzanne places a hand on your head and concentrates, the weird feeling from earlier returning as your mind is flooded with knowledge on writing.

You have been taught WRITING.
  

SEE: Whoof, that feels weird.
SUZANNE: You get used to it...manual learning is always possible for us, but this is a lot faster if you have something in mind. 

 
You sit back down with your journal, the chimera fish type joining you as you take down some preliminary notes. May as well keep a record of each TCP you meet, giving them each two pages for information. 

SUZANNE- CHIMERA FISH TYPE- SHE/HER
MAX- BEHEMOTH TYPE- HE/HIM
MONROE- ????- THEY/THEM

[You will have to manually choose to write down information on TCPs in this journal, but it can be referenced at any time the journal is in hand.]

 

SEE: I’ll help you with Max-

Before you can say much else, the chimera fish type has you in her arms, swinging you around.
 

SUZANNE: Thank you thank you thank you!
SUZANNE: I’ve been so stressed at what to do about getting his health back up…
SEE: No...problem-

 
She puts you back down just as suddenly, looking more than a little embarrassed.
 

SUZANNE: Sorry about that... I’ve just been at a loss, and this whole Monroe thing upsets me a lot…
SUZANNE: I was so excited to try new things and learn about what we can do with Max, and I wasn’t there for him when he fought Monroe in the first place...I felt like I let him down.
SUZANNE: I still do. 
SEE: I’ll see what I can do, I guess. 
SEE: Is there anything else we can do to help him?
SUZANNE: Honestly, having someone else who he knows won’t hurt him could probably do him some good. Right now, all he’s got is me and himself. 
SUZANNE: Any allies are good, right?
SEE: Yeah! But…

  

 

SEE: What kinds of things are actually in these trials? Can we get hurt in them even without scary people there?
SUZANNE: Unfortunately, yes.
SUZANNE: I’ve only seen it once myself, but there have been trial chambers that contain dangerous elements between me and Max’s experiences- though it seems like they’re limited to things that you choose to interact with, for now anyway.
SUZANNE: Things like fire or spike pits that are easily avoidable…
SUZANNE: But if you choose to interact with it in one way or another, you can get impressions.
SUZANNE: I know I did by avoiding the spikes I got put with. They liked seeing how I’d react in the face of them, I guess.
SUZANNE: The big problem is, just because the obstacles are easily avoided, that doesn’t mean that someone else can’t push you towards them or use them in a fight. 
SUZANNE: That’s what happened to Max, he got sliced by some kind of swinging...blade...thing.
SUZANNE: He says on his own he could have easily stayed out of its way, but Monroe got the upper hand on him and pushed him into it. 
SUZANNE: It...nearly cut his arm off…

  
She grows quiet, and you pat her gently on the side. 
 

SEE: I’m gonna help as best as I can.
SUZANNE: Thank you See, really…

 

SEE: I do have another question, though-
SUZANNE: Go ahead! I don’t know everything, but I can try to answer.
SEE: Is the water safe? It was kind of an impulse to jump in, but now that I’m thinking about it, I should probably ask first.
SEE: Especially since of those traps and pits you mentioned…
SUZANNE: The water I’ve swam in should be fine!
SUZANNE: I use it for testing my ability and relaxing, it’s a lot of fun. 
SUZANNE: I don’t know how it’d work with you, though. Might be best to play it safe.
SEE: Got it…

  
Time to get to your ability...You pull up your jumpsuit sleeve as best as you can, the fabric resisting being moved. 
  

SEE: This really wants to stick to me-
SUZANNE: They do that.
SUZANNE: Here.

 
She leans over and helps hold the jumpsuit sleeve in place, leaving your arm uncovered. 
 

SEE: Thanks…

 
You steel yourself as you focus, trying to reach over to your exposed arm- but your body’s too wide.
 

SEE: Dangit...uh…
SUZANNE: Were you trying to get a piece?
SEE: Yeah.
SUZANNE: Why not your head? N-not the whole thing, of course!
SUZANNE: But just...off the top.
SEE: I guess that could work, yeah.

  

 
You reach up as high as you can go, doing your best to calm your nerves as you grip what you find there and pull, hard.
 
A chunk of chocolate pops off, leaving you feeling dizzy and a bit weaker. Your health is now OKAY. Suzanne only looks a little distressed by this, but you see her hesitate to take the piece.
 

SEE: There...now you can give that to Max in case I can’t come with you.
SUZANNE: Thank you!!
SUZANNE: That didn’t hurt you too much, did it?
SEE: No, I’m good-

 
The chime plays overhead, and the familiar voice comes through.
 

INTERCOM: See, you have made an impression.
INTERCOM: Suzanne, you have made an impression.
INTERCOM: You may both collect your rewards when you return to your respective rooms.

Another door opens up behind you, Suzanne perking up significantly. 
 

SEE: Guess I have two now.
SUZANNE: And one for me...that unlocked my room, too.

Suzanne reaches down to give you another little hug before you turn to clamber up those awful stairs, struggling to get up each one.

You hope you’ll get to see her again soon.

You are now back in your room, same as ever. The door-pillars close behind you, sealing you in with a vague sense of unease. You set your journal down as you hop up on the bed, the intercom crackling to life. 

You think over what to ask for...you definitely need guidance in terms of what things even exist...and on top of that, the fact that people can get hurt here is still really unsettling you. Your ability makes you wonder if you can focus on helping people, and if you can, what you could possibly use to achieve that.

Pretty much all of these words completely go over your head.

Uh...skill or item...you don’t really know the meaning of first aid either, but aid is a good thing, right?

The sound of something thick and heavy tumbling down the chute startles you, and opening it reveals a thick book, along with a new skill note. 

Opening the catalogue reveals what feels like a million new things, barraging you with information. There’s clothes like your jumpsuit (except way better and less itchy looking), colorful objects you wish you could touch, and even...boxes of what looks like your typing? You don’t know how to feel about that one.

Looks like it’ll be pretty useful, in any case. It’d be a good idea to read through it later.

[You may now suggest ANY GOODS FOUND IN A STANDARD DEPARTMENT STORE SHOPPING CATALOGUE when asking for rewards. You may also suggest looking at a specific section to see a preview of potential items, though you are not limited to those for rewards.]

You pick up the skill note and look it over, getting bombarded with knowledge on what first aid is, when it’s necessary, and how to perform it (both successfully and unsuccessfully). It’s a lot to take in and you feel disoriented for a moment, still woozy from even just skimming that catalogue.

You really need to stop picking things that’ll blast your mind like that.

Once you get a grip on reality and your situation again, a sense of unease settles in. You’re uneasy about your...overseers, and what their goals are. Learning about first aid both reassured you in your ability to help others and made you more concerned, seeing as, well…

Learning how to treat wounds meant learning about wounds themselves, and you are now acutely aware of how badly people can be injured. TCPs especially seemed so fragile, and while you think you’d need more information and experience to become a proper medic, even just this starting knowledge is enough to shake you.

You press the button on the wall.

There’s a moment of hesitation before the voice over the intercom responds.

You don’t think you like these people very much.

This response comes much faster.

Somehow, this doesn’t reassure you. 

 

You flop back onto your bed and grab your journal and pen, having tossed them up with you when you clambered up to mess with the button. You’re not going to bother putting any of the other stuff away yet, or handling the confetti mess...right now you should document the recent cycle with Suzanne.

As you write about the chimera fish type, you’re not sure what to think of everything- a feeling you’re getting used to more and more. This Monroe person seems like somebody you don’t want to tangle with, considering they’re some kind of dangerous individual...but surely there must be some kind of reason they’re doing this, right? You don’t know a whole lot about how people operate yet, but the idea of someone hurting others just to appease the voices coming from the walls just doesn’t feel right to you. You know, at the very least, that you could never do something like that.

After a bit of writing, the door to your room opens. 

 
You put the journal down and give it a pat, shoving all of your books onto the corner of your bed. You don’t want to lose any of your stuff, especially not when you’re just getting started with ‘em. Still...an idea strikes you and you fold up the first aid skill note, carrying it tight within your hand as you head for the door. Maybe you could teach someone and get a whole medic team going.

You leave your room, heading for the outside chamber. 
  

This cycle’s chamber is a ring shape with what looks like a large pit, much to your anxiety. You’d have to get closer to actually tell what’s in it, a prospect that makes you feel a little bit sick.

There’s a large, fairly imposing TCP sitting in the corner, playing with something in their hands. They have something strapped to their back as well- your mind tells you that it’s a backpack. 

They turn their head to face you with a slight tilt, their voice a bit hesitant as they call out. 

  

The TCP holds up some kind of shaped figure, to which your mind fills you in as a doll.

You approach carefully, keeping to the wall.

The TCP droops, as if some kind of sore spot’s been hit.

  

You sit down next to them, the large TCP scooting over to make room. They’re absolutely towering over you, and you’d be lying if you said you weren’t intimidated, but they don’t make any sudden moves- to hurt you or otherwise. 

It’s awkward for a moment as you think of things to say, but the doll catches your eye again.

More silence, but Monty starts talking this time.

Monty perks right up, getting progressively more invested in the conversation as they get to ramble.

They catch themself in the middle of it, looking embarrassed.

While Monty talks a lot- and you mean a lot, you get the feeling that they’re actually enjoying themself now. 

 

They gesture for you to scoot over, using the extra space when you do to slip their backpack off and rifle through it. After a bit of sifting, they pull out another doll, holding it out to you.

They look down at the ground, hesitating for a moment.

You pick up the doll, the toy much bigger proportionally to you than your large companion. 

Monty looks better immediately, their head gently swaying from side to side contentedly. 

Monty thinks it over, tapping their hand on their bag. 

Huh.

This is a lot to take in.