TINY CAT PEOPLE: THE MAZE TRIALS

[skinstealer]

 
You can’t help but look embarrassed about your bickering with Minsky, but you figure you should make a good impression all the same.

SEE: Uh…hi!
SEE: Sorry about the arguing, we’re, uh. Going through it.
SEE: I’m See, and this is Minsky.
SEE: …y’all been here long?
 

The snake glances between the two of you and the larger TCP across the room.

????(1): ...I don't...know...?
????(1): I lost track.
????(1): ...what're you here for?
????(1): Why're there Two of you in there?
SEE: That's, uh-

 

 

Do you tell it about Minsky? About magic, proxies, the works?

You glance over at Minsky for help.

 

Minsky leans against the back wall of your elevator despite having little room to do so.

They begin whistling.

The larger TCP's expression furrows, not saying anything.

SEE: ...they're my friend. That lives with me.
????(1): ...they let you both come in together...?
????(1): Or-
????(1): Did you force your way in, or something?
SEE: N-no! No, we didn't force anything-
 

You give Minsky a proper look, gesturing for them to back you up.

Minsky whistles louder.

You let out an exasperated sigh, slumping over a bit.

SEE: We have kind of a...magic...agreement.
SEE: They come with me everywhere, I think?
SEE: So...package deal.
 

 
????(1): ...
????(1): ...uh-huh...
 

In no way does it look like it believes you.

????(1): Well... good... luck with that.

 

 

The big TCP seems to struggle over their words, but they finally speak up.

????(2): How did you get a "friend"?
 

You are fumbling this. Badly.

SEE: W-well! It was! Something I learned on the internet!
 

They nod... though, they seem displeased with this answer. Or more accurately, more unsure than before. It doesn't look like these two are all that talkative, but...

 

SEE: So, uh...weird looking puzzle room, huh?
SEE: Is...there even a puzzle?
????(1): There's a switch behind your uh... 'friend.'
 

Minsky stops whistling, freezing momentarily.

SEE: Oh, uh!
 

You walk back over to Minsky, trying to peer around them.

SEE: Minsky, could you move a little?
 

They roll their eyes and move to the side with great difficulty, bumping into you multiple times inadvertently.

You examine the wall behind them, choosing not to start shit in front of two new people. Again.

 

 

There's a small lever, just low enough for you to reach.

SEE: So I just...pull this?
????(1): ...is this your first puzzle room...?
SEE: N-no! I've done them before!
SEE: I just haven't done one like this!
 

You immediately go for the lever, feeling more than a little self conscious now.

 
 

 

A long, railed platform appears leading out from your elevator and up a small set of stair-like blocks.

You can't see what's at the top from where you are.

The glass doors of all three elevators open.

The serpentine TCP slides to the back wall immediately, as if it were about to be pulled out.

 

 

As for the large TCP, the new platform suddenly snaps them to attention. They turn their body to see it better, weight shifting onto their clawed hand and closed fist to stand up, and-

--you catch a look at something in their fist. Something small, and it looks like it has-

Limbs? A head? For a second...

...before they pull their arm in, holding the object closer to their body, obscuring it from view.

When they're upright, they're even taller than you thought, though their wispy body seems to be stretching upwards to get a better look.

????(2): Ohh. I see.
????(2): Could you make that?
SEE: ...make what?
SEE: Is there something over there?

 

 

You very hesitantly step out of the elevator, starting to make your way over.

 

Minsky follows you out, hands behind their back.

Once you get to the steps and start making your way up, you can see it- a gap between you and another platform, sporting a lever begging for you to pull it.

SEE: ...ah.
SEE: I...see.
 

It's...bigger than the jump you did in the last chamber, and with that funnel at the bottom...

You're not looking forward to this.

 
 

 

Minsky is behind you now, one step down from the top,
watching expectantly.

 
SEE: ...Minsky, you can float, right?
MINSKY: I can do a lot of things, kid.
MINSKY: If you pay me.
SEE: Are you seriously-
MINSKY: Look, that's how this works, bub!
MINSKY: Told you that first time we met!

MINSKY: You want my help without a payout?
MINSKY: Then gimme your best pitch.