TINY CAT PEOPLE: THE MAZE TRIALS

[skinstealer]

 

SEE: I think that works, and...it’s giving me a lot to think about.
MONTY: Good things, I hope?
SEE: Yeah. 
 

Both of you sit in silence for a few minutes as you mull things over. It’s comfortable, even with the big empty room and the giant pit in the center. After a bit of quiet, you can’t help but make your doll walk over and peek around Monty’s backpack, getting a shaky giggle from the larger TCP as you make it wave at them. Monty makes Mint wave back, and it doesn’t take much for the two of you to make the dolls wiggle around and play together. You don’t really know what you’re doing, but it’s...fun. It’s genuinely fun, and you think you get Monty’s deal now.

 
SEE: ...I think I have a name idea for mine.
MONTY: Oh?
SEE: How about Sky?
SEE: Sounds good with my name, and now I want to see the outside world too.
MONTY: I love that...it’s a perfect fit.
MONTY: Did you know that the sky can come in completely different colors based on where you are outside? 
MONTY: Some places have blue skies, some have red, some have purple, some are dark all the time...
MONTY: ...sorry, getting on rambles again.
SEE: You don’t have to worry about that, okay?
SEE: And...I wanted to offer a hug, if that’s alri-
 

 

Monty nods before you can finish, and scoots their backpack to their feet to give you room. You clamber up into their lap, settling into a hug. Their body is cold and clammy even with a jumpsuit on, and shakes slightly...it’s frankly not the most pleasant feeling, but you can’t say you mind. They hold you carefully, and it’s hard to believe you were ever scared of them.

You shift into a comfortable position, and almost drop the skill note wadded up into your hand. 

 
MONTY: What’s that?
SEE: Oh, uh- it’s one of those skill papers.
SEE: I brought it with me so that I could teach whoever’s out here it.
MONTY: Okay, yeah...I have a few of those on me as well. 
MONTY: I can share if you want, they’re pretty basic though...I save the really valuable ones to me in my room, so that I know I’m giving them to people I can absolutely, one hundred percent trust. 
MONTY: I’ve got combat basics, cooking, and repair skills, though. 
SEE: You take ours too- it’s first aid.
MONTY: Thank you...I haven’t picked that up yet, I don’t think.
 

You cling on as they reach over to rifle through their bag, and papers are swapped and read.

You now know about COMBAT BASICS, COOKING, and REPAIR. Knowing about cooking in particular reveals some interesting details...you are made of chocolate, a food commonly seen as a snack or dessert. Huh. Kind of like ice cream. Not sure how to feel about that.

 
MONTY: ...thank you so much, See.
MONTY: I know we just met, but I really needed this…
MONTY: I have a friend I work with when we can meet up together, and he’s a great guy...but after a recent experience, I’ve been having a hard time opening up to him, even though we’ve known each other for a long time and none of it was his fault.
MONTY: I guess I just got it in my head that it’s dangerous to let people close…
MONTY: Having even a brief nice experience with someone new reminds me that it’s going to be okay…
 

They trail off, something clearly still bothering them.

 
MONTY: ...you’d probably like my friend. He’s a bit tougher around the edges than I am, but he appreciates things like food and toys too.
MONTY: But...I don’t know.
 

They pat your back carefully, their cold hand humongous yet gentle. 

 
MONTY: Being around either of us...isn’t the safest move anymore, I don’t think.
MONTY: ...sorry.
 

 

The intercom comes to life, startling the hell out of both of you.

 
INTERCOM: Apologies for the delay, our attention was elsewhere.
INTERCOM: See, you have made an impression.
INTERCOM: Monroe, you have made an impression.
INTERCOM: You may both collect your rewards when you return to your respective rooms.
  

Two doors on opposite sides of the ring open up. 

Monty is frozen stiff, and you swear you can feel their fear.