TINY CAT PEOPLE: THE MAZE TRIALS

[AceOfNothing]

Are we gonna fall... we might. Still, let's go meet Suzanne!
Also ask her if she knows how we can meet Max, or if we just have to get lucky.

After we get the writing skill, I think we should write down her name and type. See should keep notes of things like that (this is less so an action and more so just me talking to everyone. Seeing if anyone else has opinions on that?)

[Blue_Fox]

Jump into the water, do it, it'll be funny, make the biggest splash ever, also get a running start
Also; taking notes seems like a good thing to do!

[Ignispark]

Adventure is a hop, skip, and a jump away. (Seconding trying to jump into the water with a running start.)

[skinstealer]

 
You decide to go for style points on this one- screw the stairs, you’re going to jump for that water. You hold onto your journal tight and back up as far as you can before running for it and going for the biggest jump you can muster.

SUZANNE: Wh-
SUZANNE: SEE!

 


You are soaring through the air, and you feel so free.
 




Your health is now GOOD, down from PERFECT, and you are extremely sore. This may have been a miscalculation.

SEE: Ow.

  
Unseen speakers chime, and a familiar voice comes through. 

INTERCOM: See, you have made an impression. 
INTERCOM: You may collect your reward upon returning to your room.

 
The door upstairs opens back up again, but you don’t have any intention going back yet...not until you talk with Suzanne a bit, anyway.

Speaking of your new fish acquaintance, she’s scrambling over to your side. 
  

SUZANNE: See! What were you doing?!
SEE: Thought I could make it to the water...hi.

 


You extend a hand and she pulls you up, the size difference between you incredibly apparent.
  

SEE: You...are really big.
SUZANNE: Not as big as the others I’ve met here…
SEE: Like Max?

 
She nods. 

SUZANNE: He’s my friend, we both spawned around the same time and got to know the whole system together…
SUZANNE: He’s a behemoth type, so he’s really big and strong!
SEE: Will we be able to meet him, or do we just have to get lucky?
SUZANNE: Well, it seems like getting lucky at first, but I’ve figured out by now that it’s completely controlled by them.
SUZANNE: So...if we can figure out a way that they’d consider putting us in the same room “interesting”, they’ll do it. Maybe.
SUZANNE: I’ve been treating Max’s injuries, which they seem to like, so I’ve been able to visit him a lot.
SUZANNE: If we agree to use your ability on him, and make that clear that that’s something we want, we might be able to go help him the next time the rooms open up...but you’d have to be okay with that, I can’t ask you to help if you’re not comfortable with it.
SEE: Wait, wait- injured?
SEE: Did he jump off the stairs too?

 

 
Suzanne’s shoulders fall, turning away just a bit.

SUZANNE: No...he was put in a room with Monroe.
SUZANNE: Monroe is the only other TCP we’ve met before you, and I’m sure there’s more, but…
SUZANNE: They figured out how to make impressions easy, but not in good ways. 
SUZANNE:  Monroe attacked Max and injured him badly...we don’t know what type they are, but whatever they are, they were able to keep Max from using his ability and saving himself from harm.

 
You have no idea how to process this information- you’ve just now gotten hurt for the first time, and now you’re being told that other people can hurt you, or Suzanne, or anyone! 

And...the people here encourage it.

You shudder. 

SEE: Will Monroe try to hurt us, too?
SUZANNE: I think so. They’ve figured out that this can get them rewards, and I don’t think they’re planning on stopping.
SUZANNE: I don’t really know what to do about it...but getting Max help might be a start.
SUZANNE: Please, think about it…

  
Her voice grows quiet before she remembers what you came down here for in the first place.
  

SUZANNE: Right! The writing!

 


Suzanne places a hand on your head and concentrates, the weird feeling from earlier returning as your mind is flooded with knowledge on writing.

You have been taught WRITING.
  

SEE: Whoof, that feels weird.
SUZANNE: You get used to it...manual learning is always possible for us, but this is a lot faster if you have something in mind. 

 
You sit back down with your journal, the chimera fish type joining you as you take down some preliminary notes. May as well keep a record of each TCP you meet, giving them each two pages for information. 

SUZANNE- CHIMERA FISH TYPE- SHE/HER
MAX- BEHEMOTH TYPE- HE/HIM
MONROE- ????- THEY/THEM

[You will have to manually choose to write down information on TCPs in this journal, but it can be referenced at any time the journal is in hand.]

[AceOfNothing]

I think we should agree to help Max. Hopefully they put us together at least.
Is there anything else we should do to help Max Suzanne? And anything we should be prepared for in tests, besides Monroe? That might hurt us?

Also: if we decide to go in the water please remember to put the journal down. Let's not lose it in the first test

[Ignispark]

Seconding the above. If it increases the odds of meeting someone else friendly that might be very valuable. And asking about more info is also a good idea. Not getting the journal wet also sounds prudent.

Potentially also test the water by hand first to test if its safe before entering it, if entering it becomes a thing. No clue how well chocolate will do with water.

[Lilium Mortem]

Put the journal down and jump into the water now that you're close enough for it to work. Ask Suzanne to teach you how to swim.

Offer to break off some of yourself and give it to Suzanne so she can take it back to max Incase you can't get to him personally.

Also can you eat yourself to regain the health you lost?

[AceOfNothing]

Seconding the give a bit of us to Suzanne, or ask her if she'd want a piece at least. That will show the voice we are trying to help Max, and encourage them to either put her and him or us and him together. Hopefully at least.

And yeah ask Suzanne about the water, and swimming. Don't think we should just jump in though, we need to be a bit more careful

[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.

[seppawku]

let's make plans to meet up with suzanne after we both get our rewards - even if we can't go with her, we can make it easier for later. or can we get some form of communication as a reward?

[King-Clod]

Wait, what happens if we go into someone else's room? Will the door shut before we get there? Can we ask Suzanne if we can try? That way in the future, if it works, if she meets up with Max again they can both stay in her room so they don't get separated again.

[skinstealer]

SEE: We should probably go get our rewards…
SEE: But, wait-
SEE: What happens if we try to go into someone else’s room?
SEE: Does the door shut before we can?
SUZANNE: No, you can!
SUZANNE: I've been to Max's room tons of times!
SEE: I see...if you meet up with Max again, maybe you could both stay in your room so you don’t get separated again!
SUZANNE: No can do, unfortunately. 
SUZANNE: Max is bedridden right now with the cut he got…
SUZANNE: I’m only able to visit him when his room happens to open up in the same chamber I’m in. 
SUZANNE: But! I’m going to keep trying, and with any luck, the three of us can all meet up together!
SEE: Yeah...let’s hope for it.
 

Suzanne reaches down to give you another little hug before you turn to clamber up those awful stairs, struggling to get up each one.

You hope you’ll get to see her again soon.

  

You are now back in your room, same as ever. The door-pillars close behind you, sealing you in with a vague sense of unease. You set your journal down as you hop up on the bed, the intercom crackling to life. 

 
INTERCOM: Welcome back, See.
INTERCOM: Cycle reset. 
INTERCOM: You have earned two rewards. Please tell us what you would like, though it must be a physical object, or a skill note. 
INTERCOM: We will try to meet your request as best as possible.
INTERCOM: You have two questions remaining in this trial cycle.

[Zenthis]

Im bringing back my suggestion for the shopping catalogue, I think it'll be a fun way to pick out potential future rewards.

[AceOfNothing]

Seconding the shopping catalog.
Maybe a backpack for the second reward?

[Lilium Mortem]

"Why are you doing this to us? People are getting hurt!" for the question

we should figure out how to write, so try documenting the cycle you just spent with Suzanne. 

as for an item, how about a book that'll teach us how to talk people out of hurting people, maybe a book about how to avoid getting hurt?

[Lilium Mortem]

oh yeah shopping catalouge, thirded

[seppawku]

yep, catalogue. no idea what’s best for the second tho. uhhh, how long will it take 4 see to heal?

[cosmo]

tcp first aid for the skill, and a first aid kit. let's go full healer! if we're trapped in this scary place, lets help the tcps here and make sure they will be okay! i don't want anyone to be hurt!

[skinstealer]

You think over what to ask for...you definitely need guidance in terms of what things even exist...and on top of that, the fact that people can get hurt here is still really unsettling you. Your ability makes you wonder if you can focus on helping people, and if you can, what you could possibly use to achieve that.

 
SEE: I’d like something that shows me a lot of things, ones I can get in here as rewards.
INTERCOM: Would a shopping catalogue suit your purposes?
SEE: A...what?
INTERCOM: A shopping catalogue book full of objects “for sale”, typically available for different stores.
INTERCOM: The only price you would have to pay is our standard exchange rate for impressions, however.
 

Pretty much all of these words completely go over your head.

 
SEE: ...yeah, let’s go with that. 
INTERCOM: Do you want to redeem your second reward as well?
SEE: Yeah...
SEE: I’d also like something that helps me take care of people, and help them when they get hurt.
INTERCOM: Would a first aid kit suit your purposes?
INTERCOM: Or perhaps a first aid skill?
 

Uh...skill or item...you don’t really know the meaning of first aid either, but aid is a good thing, right?

 
SEE: I’ll take the skill.
INTERCOM: Both rewards are available now. Dispensing...
 

 

The sound of something thick and heavy tumbling down the chute startles you, and opening it reveals a thick book, along with a new skill note. 

 
INTERCOM: Rewards given. Cycle reset.
INTERCOM: You have not earned any other rewards yet. 
INTERCOM: Please make an impression to earn a reward.
 

Opening the catalogue reveals what feels like a million new things, barraging you with information. There’s clothes like your jumpsuit (except way better and less itchy looking), colorful objects you wish you could touch, and even...boxes of what looks like your typing? You don’t know how to feel about that one.

Looks like it’ll be pretty useful, in any case. It’d be a good idea to read through it later.

[You may now suggest ANY GOODS FOUND IN A STANDARD DEPARTMENT STORE SHOPPING CATALOGUE when asking for rewards. You may also suggest looking at a specific section to see a preview of potential items, though you are not limited to those for rewards.]

 

 

You pick up the skill note and look it over, getting bombarded with knowledge on what first aid is, when it’s necessary, and how to perform it (both successfully and unsuccessfully). It’s a lot to take in and you feel disoriented for a moment, still woozy from even just skimming that catalogue.

You really need to stop picking things that’ll blast your mind like that.

Once you get a grip on reality and your situation again, a sense of unease settles in. You’re uneasy about your...overseers, and what their goals are. Learning about first aid both reassured you in your ability to help others and made you more concerned, seeing as, well…

Learning how to treat wounds meant learning about wounds themselves, and you are now acutely aware of how badly people can be injured. TCPs especially seemed so fragile, and while you think you’d need more information and experience to become a proper medic, even just this starting knowledge is enough to shake you.

You press the button on the wall.

 
SEE: I can ask my two questions, right?
INTERCOM: Correct.
SEE: Why are you doing this to us? People...people are getting hurt!
 

 

There’s a moment of hesitation before the voice over the intercom responds.

 
INTERCOM: We are in search of knowledge.
INTERCOM: Studying you and the other test subjects will teach us about your species.
INTERCOM: Information is all we seek, and information on violence and combat helps us learn.
INTERCOM: However, it is worth noting that we do not actively harm test subjects.
INTERCOM: Placing dangers in the test chambers that can be avoided is not active harm. Whether people get injured on these dangers is up to them and their decisions.
INTERCOM: Should you act calmly and not aggrieve others, you should go without any damage done to yourself.
INTERCOM: Though, we cannot say the same of your fellow test subjects. It is on them whether they choose to attack you, not us.
INTERCOM: We would recommend treading carefully, and approaching danger with both caution and a drive to survive. You may have unintended consequences otherwise, for both yourself and others.
INTERCOM: We will learn more from you either way.
 

You don’t think you like these people very much.

 
INTERCOM: You have one question remaining in this trial cycle.
SEE: ...fine.
SEE: How long will it take for me to heal?
 

This response comes much faster.

 
INTERCOM: Our initial studies on your typing say that the injury you’ve sustained will take two hours to heal.
INTERCOM: As a snack food based typing, you seem to have a faster regeneration rate.
INTERCOM: Very lucky. 
   

Somehow, this doesn’t reassure you. 

 

 

You flop back onto your bed and grab your journal and pen, having tossed them up with you when you clambered up to mess with the button. You’re not going to bother putting any of the other stuff away yet, or handling the confetti mess...right now you should document the recent cycle with Suzanne.

As you write about the chimera fish type, you’re not sure what to think of everything- a feeling you’re getting used to more and more. This Monroe person seems like somebody you don’t want to tangle with, considering they’re some kind of dangerous individual...but surely there must be some kind of reason they’re doing this, right? You don’t know a whole lot about how people operate yet, but the idea of someone hurting others just to appease the voices coming from the walls just doesn’t feel right to you. You know, at the very least, that you could never do something like that.

After a bit of writing, the door to your room opens. 

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

[knux400]

Tread carefully, and leave the shopping catalog in your room. Might as well go make another impression.