TINY CAT PEOPLE: THE MAZE TRIALS

[skinstealer]

SEE: Minsky…
 

You struggle to find the right words, torn between so many things you want to say.

SEE: Look, just…
SEE: I’m sorry. I don’t want to erase you, and I won’t hold it over you.
SEE: I just wanted to see if there would be a way to like…disconnect us, so we could both get what we want.
 

You’re quiet for a moment.

SEE: I wanted a proxy to get stronger. I didn’t think this through, and I didn’t expect you to be a whole person…
SEE: But you are a whole person.
SEE: And I’m not going to use you like a tool!!
SEE: I’m not…I’m not going to be like the way you’ve been so far.
SEE: I know you don’t care about friendship, and all you want is the money-
SEE: -and…if we really need to figure that out, I’ll get you some-
SEE: -but I’m not like that. 
SEE: I’m not trying to manipulate you. All I wanted when I saw that you were you, a full person, was, just…
 

 

You think about Monty.

About TeeVee.

About Cayden.

SEE: …a friend who could stick by my side. 
SEE: One that wouldn’t get pulled away.
 

All of a sudden, you feel a deep sadness- it’s almost overwhelming.

You realize there’s a chance you might never see those people again in the trials.

Sure, you could message the gamers, but- what if they die? What if you never find out?

 

 
SEE: …all I have is you.
 

 

Minsky watches you intently, not really making much of a face.

 
MINSKY: ...Nope.
MINSKY: Not true.
MINSKY: You got more than me, kid.
 

They reach over, picking up Sky and holding it up for you.

 
MINSKY: What about this one?
 

  

You take it slowly, holding it close.

 
SEE: That's true...
SEE: But I can't take Sky with me. What if the rooms get dangerous?
MINSKY: Well, you're still alive, aren't you?
MINSKY: You don't need to bring Sky with you.
 

Minsky notices your expression, and leans in a little.

 
MINSKY: What, you don't think you have what it takes?
SEE: I...don't know.
SEE: That's why I wanted a proxy, to help be safer, to help keep other people safe...
SEE: ...I think what I want right now is to play my game. 
SEE: You can watch, if you want...but you don't have to.
 

Minsky lays back again.

 
MINSKY: Well, knock yourself out, then.
MINSKY: ...Try to lighten up a little, while you're at it.
MINSKY: Things are gonna be fine, now that I'm around.
MINSKY: You'll see. 
 

 

You sigh and reach for your handheld, booting Fields of Red Grass back up. You may as well try to get a bit more done...

You get some seeds from Kade...

 

 

And start tending to your farm, following the directions you were given earlier in the tutorial. You really like the music, and how it feels to control, and-

 

 

The door to your room opens.

INTERCOM: You may now leave your room.
 

 
MINSKY: Welp!
 

Your proxy hops up, stretching.

MINSKY: Break's over.
 

They hold their hands up and spread them apart in an emphatic gesture.

MINSKY: It's showtime!
MINSKY: You're good to go, right?