TINY CAT PEOPLE: THE MAZE TRIALS

[skinstealer]

 

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.