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.

[Lilium Mortem]

"I don't want that Minsky. I don't want to have to argue and barter my way into a friendship, that's not how it works!"

so tell them we're going to try the jump. if we fail we fail. it's not an ultimatum or a threat(even though if we die so do they), but it's more a resolve that if Minsky isn't offering their help in good faith, we're not going to take it, we'll just have to do it like we've done it before.

[victorianflorist]

I will pay you with a snack from my chocolate and later I will pay you with one of my rewards. *Pause for effect* with interest

[King-Clod]

Alright Minsky, fine. In trials I'll pay you to help. You've mentioned that as something important to you, and I wouldn't want to ask things of you you don't want to do. And I'm probably going to need your help more and more.

But. I have no idea what you can do. You've mentioned you can do anything I like, I just gotta pay you, but that gives me nothing to work with. I'm not sure what things should cost, or what is harder or easier for you to do. I don't want you to raise prices for relatively simple things when my life is in danger because you know I have no other choice. So.

I'd like you to show me what you can do, and what your prices are for them. Like...for this chamber and this chamber alone, could you show me one low cost ability, one medium cost ability, and one high cost ability? Just to give me an idea of what we're working with here. And I won't ask for anything free from you again. Make a show of it, if you like.

Really sell it to me.

[knux400]

I- look, I don't have anything on me, and you haven't been very specific about what exactly you can do. How about we call this chamber a free trial? Once we're back in our room, I can pick out rewards and I'll have something to pay you with in the future, and by then I'll have a better idea of what you can do and I'll probably trust you a bit more.

[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!

[King-Clod]

Minsky should know by now we make our own decisions.

"...I'd be glad to trade you the chunk for some help across. What are your names, by the way?"

[knux400]

Here's the thing, Minsky.

Right now my options are having you help me at the cost of a second reward, or having- what's your name? Having them help me at the cost of this chunk that I already ripped out of my head and can't stick back on. You also just told me you didn't want said chunk, and I don't know when or if I'm going to see [serpentiny friend] again considering how these trials are- so this is my one shot at spending it. I can give you a reward at any time since we're literally bonded.

So the obvious choice is having [snek] help, since they're cheaper and not as readily available as you are. Buuuut, if you're genuinely concerned about my safety, and not just in it for the money, we could include carrying me back over as part of the first deal. Whaddaya say?

[[obviously once we know the name of the first TCP we can swap out the stuff in brackets for their actual name]]

[Lilium Mortem]

Minsky you don't get to say shit. If you want me to accept the whole paying for things thing, then I'd be a fool to not take a better deal when it comes up.

I want to be your friend, I want to meet you half way. But you're making that very hard. relationships are built on trust and honesty, and you've broken my trust and tried to manipulate me. Think about that and we'll have a long talk once we get back to the room.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

WELCOME TO ECONOMY, LOW BALL OR NO BALL.

[victorianflorist]

Sorry, you won't accept the chunk and I've already removed it, I can't reattach it. So I'd rather take my hard earned healing chunks elsewhere.

Toss it over to the snake

[MarxzVulpez]

Yeah, let's give the chunk to the snakelike tcp

Post this trial we're going to have to figure out the exact parameters for Minsky because as we've just seen, this is super unsustainable. For now though, we'll take help we can reliably get.
Though the thought has occurred that since we've got 4 people here, the trial might require the cooperation of all parties involved, but we'll figure that out when we get there (hopefully because of not too dire of a situation...)

[skinstealer]

 
You turn your gaze up to your proxy, weighing the chocolate chunk in your hand.

SEE: Here’s the thing, Minsky.
SEE: You don’t get to say shit.

Minsky looks genuinely taken aback momentarily,

Then their brow furrows.

MINSKY: 'Scuse me...
SEE: Right now, my options are either giving you a second reward, or-
 

You turn to the snake-like TCP.

SEE: What's your name?

The snake looks back and forth between you and the clearly upset proxy.

????(1): Uhh...Leti?
SEE: Thanks-
SEE: I could give this chunk that I already pulled off my head to Leti.
SEE: I can't reattach it, and you wouldn't take it, and I don't know when I'll see Leti again to heal it.
SEE: I can give you a reward at any time, so like-
SEE: This is the better deal.

 

MINSKY: So you're choosing...
MINSKY: ...this, thisthis-
 

They gesture in Leti's direction.

MINSKY: -Con Artist, over ME?!
SEE: Minsky! I want to be your friend!
SEE: I want to trust you! And work with you!
SEE: I want to meet you halfway!
SEE: But you're trying...you're trying to manipulate me here, and I can't work with that!
MINSKY: MANIPULATE you-?!
MINSKY: Kid, do you EVEN REALIZE how-

MINSKY: . . .

MINSKY: You know what?
MINSKY: You wanna play it THAT way, huh?

 

 
They throw their arms up.

MINSKY: Fine, then! GOOD!
MINSKY: See if I care!
MINSKY: We'll just see what happens when you really need me!
MINSKY: I'm not gonna come rushing to your rescue!
MINSKY: Not a CHANCE!
MINSKY: And trust me, you'll be BEGGING for my help before long, you just wait!
 

Minsky folds their arms and faces away.


You think you can see them...shaking a little.
...Probably out of anger, you bet.



 
Within a second, they disappear from sight, leaving you alone on the platform.

 

 

LETI: So um...we have a deal, then?
SEE: ...I...guess so, yeah.
 

You sigh, slouching a bit.

SEE: Hope they're not...nevermind, just...
 

You turn to the other TCP.

SEE: I should probably get your name too, while I'm at it.
 

They seem to startle at being addressed, seemingly caught up in watching.

????(2): Oh, uh, Rhyker.
SEE: Got it...
SEE: Sorry for all of this, uh, chaos, to both of you-
RHYKER: I get it. But, uhh
RHYKER: How is Leti supposed to help you over there?

 

 
The snake already has its bag set down against the side of the elevator, rummaging through it.

SEE: I...am not sure, honestly.
SEE: How are you going to help me over?
 

Rhyker pipes up in her bafflement.

RHYKER: Wait, you don't even know??
RHYKER: How do you know it's even trustworthy??
RHYKER: I mean, no offense to Leti, but--
LETI: I've...got it, it's not a problem.

 
 

 

It removes a long, thin wire-like cord from its backpack, with some kind of claw attached to the end.

The serpentine TCP clasps something onto the wire just below the claw, drawing it down forcefully until it’s nearly flat.

With that finished, Leti holds the claw up, closing one of its eyes as it finds just the right position to hold it.

Leti presses a button on the side.

 

 

The device extends in an instant, flinging the claw up into the air where it loops around the railing of the walkway before wrapping around the wire itself, creating a solid knot.

 

The snake tests the knot's strength with a few good tugs, then ties the other end of the thick wire to the side of its elevator.




After a quick breath, the snake reaches its arms over and hangs down from the wire, shimmying all the way across and climbing up over the railing.

 

 

It drops down onto the platform across the gap from you.
Leti takes a breather, then positions itself in front of the gap, arms out and ready.

LETI: Okay, uh...be careful, but go ahead and jump.
LETI: I've got an extra rope if you'd rather not risk it, but I don't think we need it.
 

You do your best to take this in, but all you can manage is an impressed clap.

SEE: I- wow!
SEE: What even is that stuff?
LETI: It's...well-
 

The snake scratches the back of its neck.

LETI: -lots and lots of different things.
LETI: ...I only ever get trap rooms, so I've used my rewards to get...way, Way too many gadgets and ropes and...stuff like that.
LETI: It's more of a hassle than anything impressive, but...
LETI: ...beats being sawed in half or set on fire.
 

The TCP idly rubs one of the bruises on its arm, apparently having bumped it while climbing over.

Seeing Leti up close now, it's somehow covered in more bruises, cuts, and scrapes than you'd realized.

LETI: You should jump, though.
LETI: ...My arms are pretty tired.
 

You back up as much as you can on the miniscule platform, and with your anxiety high-

 

-you jump.

 

 

The snake catches you with a grunt.

It turns around and carefully sets you down.

LETI: ...there. See?
LETI: No big deal.
 

Leti leans heavily against the railing.

LETI: Alright, um...
LETI: ...can I-
 

It gestures at the piece of chocolate.

SEE: Y-yeah! Yeah, of course-
 

Still rattled from the jump, you pass the chocolate over with shaky hands.

 

 

The snake does its best to stay polite, but hurriedly shoves the piece into its snout, hardly chewing at all.

As it does, you notice that some of its cuts seal ever-so-slightly, and its bruises begin to fade. You're caught up in the awe of it- you've never actually seen your powers at work before.

SEE: How...is it?
 

Leti doesn't seem to hear you.

Its eyes are partially closed, face turned skyward, showing a little blissful smile.

 

 
From the other side of the room comes Rhyker's wide-eyed, impressed tone, her arms falling behind her back.

 
RHYKER: It just works like that? No strings attached?
RHYKER: I can hardly believe it.
SEE: I-I mean, it's not...that special, haha....
 

The mix of emotions going through your head right now is almost overwhelming.

Leti snaps out of it.

LETI: ...Thanks, that-
LETI: I've never eaten anything before.

It looks over itself, seeing the healing progress.

LETI: No offense, but...wasn't expecting that to Work.
RHYKER: Me neither...
RHYKER: It DOES give me an idea, though.
SEE: ...what's the idea?
 

She brings the clawed hand to her chin.

RHYKER: I should... probably save it for the end.
RHYKER: Just in case...
RHYKER: But I think it can help both Leti and me.
LETI: Dunno what you've got, but...might be good to hear about it ahead of time.
 

Your snake friend climbs over the railing again, shimmying back across the wire to its elevator.

LETI: See, you should check your elevator now, see if anything's different.
LETI: I'm guessing it will be when we're all in.

 

 

You nod and hurry on back, stepping into your elevator and examining the panel...

Sure enough...

SEE: Button number 2 is lit up!

[Lilium Mortem]

hope that the idea isn't violently ripping you in half and divying up your magical healing corpse. you probably don't have to worry about that.  just in case ask what the idea is. argue that hearing about it now would give you more time to think about it, or prepare yourself if it's anything action-y.

Try to endear yourself to them by explaining a bit more about your ability- that it takes some rest but you regenerate chocolate. also you're hoping to become a medic and help people, you already have skills for it! in the unlikely event that someone would want to kill you you're worth far more alive and as an ally ha ha.

[King-Clod]

Oh, no, we have to lie here. Mention that food type abilities are interesting - we can take off chunks of our body to give to others, that they can eat for a healing effect, but the healing of which depends on how large the chunk is, and who removed it. If a TCP doesn't know us as intimately as we know ourselves, which, few do, the chunks have no healing effect. So basically - we have to give it willingly, or it won't work.

We can even offer to give Rhyker or Leti both another piece at the end of all this, when we know we can go home safely and replenish our food stores. They both could really use it, especially Leti, but we need to make sure we're safe too, y'know? (And that way, they won't need to risk seeing if we're telling the truth or not. They can just take the free piece we're offering for the end of the trial. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, after all.)

Also, mentally? Lets tell Minski we're really sorry, but we need it to come back soon.

[skinstealer]

 

You hesitate to hit the button, leaning back out of the elevator.

SEE: So, uh…before we go up…
SEE: I’m really curious about that idea. Yknow, just because it might give me more time to think about it.
SEE: Or if it’s something action-y, I’ll be able to be prepared. Stuff like that.
RHYKER: Um, well.
RHYKER: I'm worried that uhh, if I say it now, I'll get unlucky and then it can't happen.
RHYKER: It happens all the time because I have really bad luck.
RHYKER: I'll tell you when it's safe to, okay?

This....is not helping you feel less anxious.

 
SEE: Okay! That's...that's fine!
SEE: But, uh-
SEE: There are some things you should know about my ability! And how it works!
SEE: If it's related to that!
RHYKER: Nope! Don't worry it has nothing to do with your ability. No problem there.
 

There's a pause.

LETI: ...we should probably know, about...both of those things, though.
LETI: If you don't want to share, er, Rhyker, that's fine, but-
LETI: ...See, I'd like to know, at least. About your ability, I mean.
 

 ...time to bullshit.

 

 

SEE: So, uh...food type abilities! They're interesting!
SEE: I can take chunks off my body, like I did for Leti- and I can give them to others!
SEE: And then it heals them! But!
SEE: Healing depends on how big the chunk is, and who removed it.
SEE: If somebody just, takes it without asking, they won't get healed at all.
SEE: It's gotta be given willingly. O-or it won't work.
 

Rhyker nods along to all this, seeming completely convinced.

RHYKER: Interesting, that's good to know!
RHYKER: Not that uh, not that it would come up at all.
LETI: Mm. Okay.
SEE: S-so, yeah! We ready to do this?
 

Leti nods, and hits its button. Rhyker follows suit a moment later.

You rush back in, only to hesitate before pressing yours.

Minsky, if you can hear me...I'm really sorry.
I didn't mean to hurt you-
But I really, really need you to come back soon.








No response.






You press the button, your posture slumping.

For now, you're on your own.
 

 
Your elevator's doors close, and from a look outside the glass, so did Leti and Rhyker's.

All three elevators head up, leaving you to think for a few moments.

Minsky's gone for now. Leti and Rhyker probably want to eat you, and you have no idea if Leti's buying your coverup. Rhyker seems to be, at least...but....

Before you can get to into it, the lift stops, and the elevators open. You turn around and-

Oh god, what is that.

There's a giant pillar floating in the center of the trial chamber, with, this time, a path connected to Rhyker's elevator. From what you can tell, it snakes around the pillar, ending at a switch in front of you- too far to jump, but...

 
 

 

Rhyker steps onto the platfom before her, scoping the rest of the chamber. She leans against one side of the caged platform, then the other, looking in the pillar's direction - then stops to point to the switch.

RHYKER: I can see that. It doesn't look so bad from here. But...
RHYKER: Is there something behind the pillar?
LETI: It's just a path that gets thinner as it loops around the pillar.
LETI: You'll... have to watch your balance, a bit.
LETI: But I think you can do it just fine.
SEE: Leti's right, there's a little path back there...
SEE: Just be careful!
RHYKER: If you say so.
RHYKER: Alright, I can do this.
 

After a moment to gather herself, Rhyker begins on the path, gaze trained on the floor beneath her, so far so good. She hesitates at the first corner but crosses it, each step smaller than the last in increasing carefulness.

Then she disappears behind the pillar, and a much more uneasy Rhyker emerges at the other side. She hesitates at the next corner. She crosses it, sighting Leti's elevator; she stares for a moment, pulling her arms closer to her chest.

 

 
Rhyker is a little way onto the next section of the platform before-- she wobbles, and gasps. Her body stumbles forwards and Rhyker lands on the path, propped up on her elbows and knees now, her expression wide-eyed with panic. She grips the thing in her claw-less hand tightly, its limbs appearing to flail before her grip relaxes.

RHYKER: I'm fine. I'm good!

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Oh fuck that's a person..

Suggest crawling on her belly to avoid falling again. It'll be slower but less risky.

[skinstealer]

As you watch the limbs peeking out of Rhyker's massive hand flail, you feel an ice cold sensation go down your back-

That's a person.

 

How or why Rhyker has another TCP in her grip is beyond you, and you're not sure you want to find out the hard way...

...but that just means their life is in danger right now, too.

SEE: T...try going on your belly!
SEE: I-it'll be safer!
 

She gives you a look of frustration in response. It's clearly not what she wants to hear, but...

RHYKER: Okay. I'll try.
RHYKER: Ughh. I can do this.
 

She recomposes herself anyway, pulling the critter in her hand to her chest between her arms as she begins to excruciatingly inch forward. Her head lowers to the path, seemingly embarrassed - but at least she's past the halfway point.

...At the next corner, she lifts her head again. Her chilling stare pierces you.

RHYKER: ...Why are you looking at me like that.

 

You notice Leti has its mouth covered, but is saying nothing.

SEE: J-JUST
SEE: WORRIED
SEE: JUST WORRIED
SEE: DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT
SEE: I'VE GOT THAT COVERED
RHYKER: Worried? Covered? What?
RHYKER: Is something wrong?
 

Her head shakes and lowers again.

RHYKER: Nevermind.


 

LETI: Uh-
LETI: Might... might be difficult to... crawl through the whole thing.
LETI: May want to stand up. I think. Maybe.
SEE: T-this is slower, but it's less risky!
 

You force yourself to avert your eyes from the TCP held to her chest.

SEE: Less risk is good! Great, even!
 

Her arms stop at the corner, the contradicting sides clearly tripping her up.

RHYKER: Is there a difference between risky and difficult?
RHYKER: I'm getting mixed messages here! Which one should I do?
 

By now the snake adjacent to you is looking concerned.

LETI: RHYKER. RHYKER PLEASE STAND FOR-
LETI: THERE'S... NOT ROOM TO DO THAT LYING DOWN.
 

You flinch at its stern tone, immediately deferring.

SEE: M-MAYBE JUST LISTEN TO LETI-
RHYKER: Fine! I can get up!

 

 

Rhyker rises onto her knees, but stops, seeming kinda lost. It's not easy to find a place for her hand on this narrow of a beam...

Especially not with a passenger. One of her arms is wrapped around them, obviously trying to obscure them from view. Her cageyness doesn't unsettle you any less.

You are trying extremely fucking hard not to stare at this point.

When you can't help it, though, you sneak another glance in, and Rhyker has managed to wobbily rise to her feet--

 
 

 

Your mind stops for a moment, your whole body locking up. You're mortified to see her whole body sway off-balance to one side.

But she steadies, now side-stepping around the corner. Her body faces towards the pillar and away from you, obscuring her passenger from view. You can clearly see, however, her arms squeezed very tight against her body.

You can only imagine what they're going through right now.

 

 

She reaches the switch eventually, struggling to pull it towards herself with her foot. Her vision scopes out the entire pathway that she just came from.

RHYKER: I really hope I don't have to go the entire way back.
 

As the lever's pulled, the lights above Rhyker and Leti's elevators turn green- you can only assume that yours does as well.

...unfortunately for Rhyker and her "companion", nothing else changes.

Looks like she's gotta do it.

[knux400]

Well... You tried two different ways going forwards. Which felt better to you? Just... Do what's more comfortable for you going back.

[Lilium Mortem]

Are we sure that's not a plushie tcp Rhyker has? It/they are completely limp.

Reassure Rhyker, tell her she's doing a good job and that she's just got this little bit more to do.