TINY CAT PEOPLE: THE MAZE TRIALS

[skinstealer]

 

You can’t seem to get your eyes off that laptop. It has so many features...and that weird squishy thing on the bottom looks really fun to touch. 

You press the intercom button.

 
SEE: For my reward, I’m thinking the…”Oak T-480 Laptop”.
SEE: Does that work? It’s in my catalogue.
INTERCOM: Reward on hand in your size. Dispensing…
 

There’s less of a thunk this time and more of a loud sliding noise, as if they were more careful sending your prize tumbling down.

Inside the chute is a big box, which you can just barely squeeze out of the opening. Weirdly enough, you swear the chute got bigger on the inside to accommodate. You shake off thinking about it too hard, dust the confetti off, and open your prize up.

Inside is a laptop and charger. You have no idea what a charger is, but it seems important…

 
[INTERCOM]: To summon a power outlet, tap on a portion of the wall three times in quick succession. 
[INTERCOM]: You are allowed five power outlets at a time. 
[SEE]: ...thanks?
 

 

Opening the manual for the laptop sheds some more light on the subject, and you tap the wall next to your bed three times. Part of the wall slides away and reveals a power outlet, just like that. Plugging in the charger takes a bit of force, but you manage to get it in and charging.

 
SEE: Says to wait five minutes minimum to get it a charge…
 

You get busy reading the manual for your device as you wait, your head hurting a bit with all of the new knowledge...but it’s pretty cool, too. All of these words are fresh and mysterious to you, but there’s kind of a rush from getting something so...complex. It makes you curious and eager for more.

 

 

You can’t help but feel a bit excited as your laptop finally boots up, making a little jingle. The bottom half of the computer is covered in what your manual calls a doughboard, a universal input device for the laptop. You flick a latch on the side and it puffs out, ready to be kneaded and squished around.

Immediately, you’re in love with the thing. It feels amazing to use, and you spend a good minute or two shoving the doughboard around to make things pop up.

There’s a couple programs already installed, looks like...you check your manual.

 
-Domain Web, an internet browser. It says you need that wifi thing to use it, though.
-Spectral Pinball, a game that comes free with pretty much all Domain OS computers. 
-Domain Office, a document editor. You could probably write digital journal entries or something in this?
-MessiRoom, a chat client. Says you need wifi again. Damnit.
-Scribbler, an art program. You could make digital drawings in this! That’s kind of exciting...
-Scrap Solitaire, another game. Has to do with something called cards.
 

It’s kind of overwhelming, but in a fun way. There’s so much to do on this thing!

 

Before you can click on anything though, the intercom makes its usual noise.

 
INTERCOM: See, you have made an impression.
INTERCOM: You may collect your reward at any point within this room.
INTERCOM: You have also earned an additional question.
 

As if that weren’t enough to process, the door to your room opens up.

 
INTERCOM: You may also now leave your room.
INTERCOM: Please enjoy your time outside.
 

Oh god, so much to do.