TINY CAT PEOPLE: THE MAZE TRIALS

[skinstealer]

 
SEE: I don’t-
 

Any protests you have fall flat in your head, your patience finally worn thin.

SEE: Fine.
SEE: I’ll pay you to help me in trials.
 

Minsky's entire face lights up.

MINSKY: Now that's what I like to hear!
MINSKY: You won't regret it, kid!
 

They hold out an eager hand.

MINSKY: Fork it over.

 

 

You reach up to the top of your head-

-popping off a chunk of chocolate.

Your health is now FANTASTIC, down from PERFECT.

SEE: I can give you this now, and later, I can give you one of my rewards.
 

You don't hand it over immediately, though.

Minsky grimaces.

MINSKY: Why would I ever want a chunk of your own head?
MINSKY: What am I supposed to do with this?
SEE: It's healing! And tasty, apparently!
SEE: It's a dessert!
 

You catch the snake craning its neck to listen as you talk.

 

 

Minsky places the chocolate chunk haphazardly back on top of your head.

MINSKY: No thanks, kid!
MINSKY: What do I look like, a cannibal?
MINSKY: I'll take that reward, though.
MINSKY: And no weaseling out when we finish up here; a deal's a deal!
MINSKY: You wouldn't try that with me, right?
 

What's...a cannibal?

SEE: I'm not gonna back out!
SEE: But I want you to show me what you can do, and I don't want any tricks.
SEE: No...raising prices just because I'm in trouble.
SEE: I want this to be fair.
MINSKY: I'm plenty fair, what're you worried about?
MINSKY: ...BUT-
MINSKY: I can't show you the whole shebang without actually getting paid.
MINSKY: We'll call that the deluxe package!
MINSKY: But for now, I can help you outta this jam, no problem.

 

 

Without warning, Minsky lifts you up with minimal effort.

SEE: H-HEY
 

The chocolate chunk falls off your head.

 

 

Minsky snags it before it hits the ground, handing it to you.

MINSKY: If that thing's valuable, then careful not to lose it!
 

Your proxy floats across to the platform with the switch on it and drops you down.

MINSKY: See?
MINSKY: Am I reliable, or what?
SEE: ....I GUESS that helps.
 

You sigh, trying to relax after the stress of being picked up by someone...a lot less courteous than the last couple of people who did just that.

SEE: Thank you, Minsky.
MINSKY: Hey, don't mention it, champ.
 

They lean against the railing.

 

 

You set the piece of chocolate down next to you, moving to pull that lever.

The lever clicks into the opposite position.

A chime sounds, little green lights popping up on all three elevators.

You call out to the other trialgoers, pointing at the elevator lights.

SEE: I think that's letting us go forward!
????(1): The '2' button is lit up in my elevator now, but it's red.
 

The other TCP looks over at her buttons.

????(2): Mine's red as well.
????(1): You should go check yours; see if it's any different.
SEE: Okay!

 

 

You pick up the chocolate, turning yourself around-

...the gap's still there.

 
 

 

You slowly look up at Minsky.

MINSKY: Need somethin', sport?
 

Their glee is palpable.

 
SEE: You, uh, haha...
SEE: Said you'd help me out of this...jam, right?
MINSKY: And I did!
MINSKY: Gotcha across the gap!
MINSKY: Need my help a second time?
MINSKY: Well, of course I'd be more than happy to extend my services again!
MINSKY: For the low, low cost of another reward.
 

You are going to-

 

 

No.

You don't even care anymore.

SEE: ...fine, another one.
SEE: This is what I was talking about with keeping things fair, though.
 

You raise your arms for Minsky to pick you up.

 
MINSKY: Fan-TAST-ic!
MINSKY: I knew you'd make the right choice!
MINSKY: Let's-

 

 
????(1): Actually-
 

The serpentine TCP raises its voice.

 
????(1): Uh.
????(1): ...I can help you out.
????(1): That chocolate heals people if they eat it, right?
SEE: ...yeah, why?

You lower your arms.

 
????(1): I can help you out instead, if you'll give me that piece.
MINSKY: HEY-!

 

 
The large TCP also raises its voice, as if to imitate the serpentine one.

 
????(2): What happens if you fall, anyway?
????(2): I can see the bottom of the pit from here!

 

 

????(1): I won't fall.
 

It speaks nonchalantly, confidently.

????(1): I can help. Promise.
????(1): ...And if that's actually healing, I uh...
????(1): I could kinda use it-
MINSKY: No, no, No-
MINSKY: Kid, you don't even know these clowns!
MINSKY: I'm the one who's here with You!
MINSKY: Hey-
 
 

 

They snap their fingers in front of your face to get your attention,
then crouch down to be eye-level with you.

MINSKY: Who's got your back, huh?
MINSKY: That's right! Yours truly!