TINY CAT PEOPLE: THE MAZE TRIALS

[skinstealer]

 

You watch TeeVee go for it, nerves spiking a bit as the TCP launches off. 

TeeVee soars through the air with all the experience of someone who has done this at least three times before.

They do stick the landing, though...

They look like they're waiting for something.

 

You break into applause, clapping for them- it was a hell of a jump. 

TeeVee stands up tall, clearly basking in it a bit. They shout so they can heard well, looking right at you.
 

TEEVEE: You saw that, right, See? Now you know what I mean when I say I'm gonna-

 

 
SEE: Suzanne, how am I gonna get over there?
SUZANNE: Well, um...I'm not sure, my room was connected pillar-wise-
 

TeeVee flails their arms, trying to get your and Suzanne's attention.

 
TEEVEE: HEY! I was- I was boasting!
SEE: Oh, sorry, TeeVee- I just really need to get going. 
SEE: A friend of a friend is in trouble!
TEEVEE: Trouble?
 

 

TeeVee pauses, thinking about something. You can practically see the gears grinding- whatever that means.

TEEVEE: Trouble how?
SEE: Well-
SUZANNE: This other TCP named Monroe really hurt him- they used a saw blade to nearly cut off his arm!
SUZANNE: See and I are going to heal him using its ability.
SUZANNE: He's in the room behind me.
 

TeeVee nods.

 
TEEVEE: That sucks. I hope that works out for you.
 

TeeVee then turns to another nearby pillar, starting to appraise how they'd get up it.

[victorianflorist]

Lets try jumping. I dont see any other option

[Guest]

Let's ask TeeVee for Help jumping across, they seem to be an expert jumper after all, and seem to be large enough to easily carry us while doing so...

-Marxz-

[King-Clod]

We can't jump across- this is much further than when we got hurt last time, and I'm afraid if we land in the water we'll partially dissolve. If Tevee stands at the lowest platform they should be able to catch us, and maybe put us up on the second lowest platform, and the platform we're getting to from there. They look very strong, and liked our applause- maybe we can boost their ego a bit? Could we ask if an expert maze-goer like them could help teach a newbie like us? Reeaally play up how cool they are to us, wait until they do another cool thing and then get all starry-eyed and in awe, and ask for help after.

Oh also, if/when we get to Suzanne, can we talk to her about us meeting Monroe? She might've just heard about Monty from Max, and doesn't understand what sorta person they really are. And I'm not sure how many TCPs she's warned by now.

[skinstealer]

 

You consider jumping, but rethink that when you remember how it went the last time. Maybe best to avoid that, especially when it’s even higher up. 
 

But...TeeVee could help.

SEE: Hey, TeeVee!
SEE: I bet an expert maze-goer like you can get around this chamber no problem!
TEEVEE: Expert... maze-goer?
TEEVEE: See, I've done like, three chambers.
TEEVEE: But you have the other part of that right, this chamber is no trouble at all for me.
SEE: ...Oh.
SEE: I bet you can do really cool stuff, though!
SEE: You made that jump like it was nothing!
TEEVEE: Well, yeah, I am good at jumping.
TEEVEE: And jumping IS cool.
TEEVEE: ...Why do you mention it?
 

TeeVee narrows their eyes at you.

 
SEE: I don't think I could compare to your skills, and well...the last time I did a jump like this, I screwed up and hurt myself pretty good.
SEE: I've gotta help Max, and it looks like you're strong enough to help me save the day!
 

 

TeeVee stares at you and then sighs.

 
TEEVEE: Well... You might not be a good choice for a rival.
TEEVEE: But...
TEEVEE: I guess you do need help.
SEE: Great!
SEE: Uh...I was thinking you could hop onto the platform in front of me, and catch me?
TEEVEE: Big jump, but I can handle it.
 

  

She goes for it, without hesitation... and makes it, with a roll to absorb the impact. But...that still sounded like it hurt a bit.

 
SEE: You okay?!
 

TEEVEE: Hell yeah!
 

TeeVee opens their arms wide.

TEEVEE: Now jump down here! And do it quick, the longer you wait, the scarier it gets.
SEE: Y-yeah, I get you...
 

 

You psych yourself up before approaching the edge, steeling your nerves...

And jump.

TeeVee watches you rapidly approach them and...

 

 

Makes the catch.

 

 

TeeVee then immediately turns around and runs towards the edge of the platform, hurling you onto the next one.

 

 

You flop forward onto the platform, grateful that at the very least, you didn't seem to take damage.

TeeVee backs up, getting ready to make their own ascent.

SEE: Th-thanks...Now I just...have to get up there...
 

  

The next pillar looks impossibly tall. TeeVee looks up at it, gauging the height.

TEEVEE: ... What was your friend's name again?
SEE: Suzanne, why?
SUZANNE: Hi!
 

TeeVee runs forwards, taking a leap towards the platform you were just thrown onto. He pulls himself up, a little slower than he was moving before. 

TEEVEE: Suzanne... 
TEEVEE: See is going to need your help for this next one.
 

 

TeeVee rummages in their belt, pulling out a rope (or so your mind tells you) and a weird dangly bit of metal. They start tying one end of the rope to the weird dangly thing.

 
TEEVEE: You need to wedge the wide end of this metal thing between the platform you're on and the pillar See needs to climb. I'm gonna throw it up to you.
SUZANNE: Got it! 
  

 

Suzanne gets into position to catch the equipment, more than a little bit nervous looking. TeeVee swings the rope a few times, and throws the end with the metal bit up to Suzanne. 

 
TEEVEE: Let me know when it's secure!
 

Suzanne fumbles with it for a moment before hooking it in place, making sure it's nice and tightly in there. 

SUZANNE: There! Done!
 

 

TeeVee turns to you.

TEEVEE: I'm gonna go first. Do you want me to like, tie one end onto you so Suzanne can pull you up?
SEE: That sounds a lot safer, yeah...
 

You really don't want to take risks with a climb this big, especially not when you need to heal somebody on the other side. TeeVee takes a few moments to tie a secure hoisting setup onto you.

He turns to the wall and starts scaling, it takes him a bit, but he does get there.

 
INTERCOM: TeeVee, you have earned an impression.
 

 
TEEVEE: Okay, well...
 

TeeVee looks back to where he came from, seeming to process the difficulty of getting back.

 
TEEVEE: Good luck.
 
 

He makes a face and goes to chill out by a wall.

 

 

Meanwhile, Suzanne reaches over to pull you up, the peril of dangling in the air not lost on you.

After what seems like an eternity, you're pulled up onto the pillar, and you have never been so grateful to be on flat ground. 

SEE: Thanks, both of you...
SEE: TeeVee, I couldn't have done it without your help!
 

TeeVee just waves off the thanks.

 
TEEVEE: Yeah, well, sure.
 

 
SEE: Oh, and, Suzanne...
SEE: I...actually met Mont- Monroe.
SUZANNE: You what?!
SUZANNE: And you lived???
SUZANNE: See, you could have gotten seriously hurt! From what I've heard, Monroe is bloodthirsty!

[Lilium Mortem]

I didn't even know who he was, he was just this big guy sulking in the corner. we played with plushes, he gave me a plush. when I did learn who he was, from the intercom announcing our impressions, he looked terrified of me. Something doesn't add up. I'm not saying he isn't dangerous, in fact he told me to stay away from him, but I think it might not be his fault entirely?

[sarcovyn]

monroe and i talked about how they're a "fear of failure" type and that they've earned so many impressions that it's becoming difficult to make more. what they did to max sounds like it was out of desperation.

[cosmo]

i don't think monroe is as dangerous as you think. i don't doubt that they did what you said to max but i think there must've been a reason beyond general bloodthirstiness because when we met they asked me if i was a friend or not and when i said i wanted to be friends they gave me a doll and we talked about all kinds of nice things theyd learned about the outside. hurting people isn't something they would do just because, i think something must've made them feel like they had to do that to max. there's something else going on here, it isn't just one cat choosing to be a jerk.

[King-Clod]

I think it's a bit complicated. They taught me some nice skills, like cooking, and we had a chat about plushies and the sky and the outside world. They said that they try to get impressions through learning things, rather than hurting people. I'm not sure what to think, honestly, but I know it certainly isn't as black and white as you were saying earlier. Can I talk to Max about it? Would it be a touchy subject for him?

[skinstealer]

 

SEE: When I met them, I didn’t even know who they were- they were just this big TCP sulking in the corner.
SEE: They asked me if I was a friend or not, and when I said I wanted to be friends, they ended up giving me a toy and we played together…
 

You feel a distinct warmness talking about Monty, fondly remembering your time together, as relatively brief as it was. 

 
SEE: They told me about the outside world too, what they’ve learned about it...I don’t know.
SEE: They even gave me some skills, and said that they were trying to get impressions from learning things.
SEE: I don’t think they’re the kind of person to do something like that just because, even if they did hurt Max.
SEE: Whether it was out of desperation or not entirely their fault, I don’t know, but there’s something else going on here.
SEE: It can’t be that black and white.
SEE: I just can’t picture it.
 

 
SUZANNE: I...I don't know.
SUZANNE: Max says that Monroe is incredibly dangerous...
SUZANNE: And he's helped me so much since I spawned here!
SUZANNE: He wants to protect you, too, ever since I shared the chocolate you gave me...
SUZANNE: Once he's healed up, he'll be pretty much the strongest TCP in the trials, I think!
 

TeeVee perks up a bit at the mention of a strong TCP, but doesn't say anything.

[King-Clod]

Hm. Monty did say about people liking chocolate mainly for eating, and not to let people take advantage of us. I'm afraid that the fact that Max wanted to protect us after eating our chocolate, and not knowing anything about us otherwise, means that he might want to help us mainly for our ability. Not sure if I'm worried over nothing though.

Ask Suzanne if Max tends to want to protect people, or if we're both special cases for him. And ask her if she knows how he mainly gets impressions, and how she earns them too, to frame the question as us trying to learn more ways to earn impressions rather than suspicion towards Max. And ask what she told him about us!

[Lilium Mortem]

I'm not sure I want protecting if it means people are gonna hurt each other. we should be careful, but we shouldn't pick fights, we should try to talk things out even if it probobly won't work because if it does that's the best thing that can happen. It feels like you or max want to hurt monroe back and I don't like that idea. I don't want to make more hurt, I want to stop hurt. That's what I'm made for, that's what I want to be, what I want everyone to be.

[victorianflorist]

Aight bet. Lets make an impression and meet Max then.

[skinstealer]

 

You remember Monty’s words about your typing...and how people liked eating it. There’s a sense of unease that settles over you as this echoes along with Suzanne talking- especially when she mentions Max wanting to protect you. 

You can’t shake off a bad feeling about this. 

 
SEE: Does Max...usually want to protect people? Or are we special cases?
SUZANNE: Oh, no, Max wants to protect as many people as possible!
SUZANNE: He’s apparently one of the biggest TCPs in the trials, so he wants to use that strength to help gather people together and keep them safe!
SUZANNE: He says that once he’s recovered, he’s going to go all in on finding people who can all work together!
SUZANNE: When I mentioned how nice you were to me and how you want to help people, he thought you’d be a perfect addition to our little team.
SUZANNE: Like...you’re just a nice person! We need that!
 

 

TeeVee moves away from the wall and comes back over towards the conversation.

 
TEEVEE: So uh... I overheard.... this Max person sounds like he knows a lot about the trials?
SUZANNE: Oh, tons! We spawned around the same time and learned things together, but he’s way better at it than I am.
SUZANNE: He's been making impressions by solving puzzles and avoiding traps...
SUZANNE: Which is part of why it worries him so much that Monroe was able to actually attack him like that, pushing him into a swinging blade...
SUZANNE: He's usually so on top of things, so for someone to get the better of him like that, I don't know...
SUZANNE: They sound like someone who tricks people. That's how it had to have been for Max to get hurt.
TEEVEE: Do the trials get more dangerous as they go on? this is the most dangerous I've seen so far... but still not too much for me.
 

TeeVee makes sure to add that last bit.

 
SUZANNE: It depends...but Max says yes, he's been in some incredibly dangerous ones.
SUZANNE: If you want, you can come with us and talk with him about it!
SUZANNE: I'm sure he won't mind, especially since you helped us out!
TEEVEE: Well... it'd be a whole lot easier than getting back to my platform.
TEEVEE: Maybe I could help out somehow. Outside of the trial chambers, of course- I still gotta win.
 

 

Your unease only gets worse as Suzanne claps her hands together happily, what she said about Monty still hitting you deep in your chest.

SUZANNE: Of course! I'm sure that we can work something out! 
SUZANNE: Come on then, both of you!
 

She starts walking towards the open door. 

 

 

You hesitate.

 
TEEVEE: Yeah just one sec.
TEEVEE: See, you coming?
SEE: ...yeah.
 

 

You start walking forward, trying to play off your nerves. 

SEE: Just...taking my time.
 

TeeVee leans way down to gently punch you with a hand.

TEEVEE: You okay? Did getting hoisted up all that way freak you out?
SEE: Yeah, that's probably it...it was pretty scary.
TEEVEE: Well... feel free to take a break if you need. I wanna beat you at your best, not when anything is wrong.
SEE: I'll be careful.
 

You get the feeling that you better be.

 

 
 

You enter Max's room, the door staying open behind you and TeeVee- it looks like it either only opens and closes when the occupant leaves...or the people watching you want it to. It's barely decorated, but there's clearly spoils from trials here- books on the shelves, what looks like a weird box on his table, and a pile of what your first aid skill informs you is medical supplies.

Suzanne is already by the TCP's bedside- and she was right, he is big. Even just lying down, you get the feeling that he could pick you up with a hand with no trouble at all. 

Even though the thought of that was comforting back when Monty was doing it, right now, it just feels unnerving.

 
MAX: Ah, visitors...
MAX: You must be See. I've heard so much about you even from just one encounter with Suzanne...
MAX: Oh, and...who's this? I haven't heard of you before, I don't think.
 

Suzanne pipes up, not wasting a moment.

 
SUZANNE: That's TeeVee! She helped me and See out with getting it over here!
MAX: Oh, good, good!
MAX: More company, the merrier.
 

 

TeeVee waves.

TEEVEE: Hey... uh... 
 

For once, he looks out of his element.

MAX: No need to be shy, come on in.
 

He gestures with a wide arm movement, and your gaze is drawn to his other shoulder- heavily bandaged, with (presumably) fluid staining through. 

Fluid isn't something you've actually...seen, yet, but you know about it from your first aid skill, and the fact that most TCPs have it. Somehow, seeing your first injury just makes that knowledge more chilling.

TeeVee comes a bit more towards the center of the room, looking around.

TEEVEE: I've never been in a room other than my own.
TEEVEE: It's different.
SEE: Neither have I.
MAX: Well, there's a first time for everything! 
MAX: Once you get through enough trials, you'll become more confident in yourself and your new experiences.
MAX: Come! Sit with us, I'd love to know more about you both.
TEEVEE: Well, I'm not too worried about the trials, everything so far has been easy. 
TEEVEE: But sure, I'll talk.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Ask about the injury and if there's anything you could do to help. Ask about how long people have been at this and see if you can fish for those strats.

[victorianflorist]

How are you so experienced if you and Suzanne started around the same time?

[King-Clod]

Let Teevee do most of the talking for us at first and hang back a bit. Maybe look at the book titles?

Ask Max about the whole teaming up thing Suzanne was talking about. Are they going to gather a whole bunch of people to take on trials together, teaching them skills, and using abilities to make them safer and go through them and stuff? Who would be included in a group like that?

And...ask him if he can let us know how his arm got hurt, for medic purposes. We know he got pushed into a blade, could he elaborate? Tell him you'd love to get to know him more as well, you're just worried you won't be able to proper help without knowing precisely what happened and how. Frame it as trying to be the best medic we can be, but being worried about our own abilities.

I know Suzanne will probably know why we're asking this, and that we're obscuring our motive a bit here, but I just can't trust Max enough to tell him we met Monty yet.

[skinstealer]

 

You decide to let TeeVee do the talking to start, scooting to the side to take a look at those books-

 
MAX: Where are you going, See?
SEE: Just...looking around.
MAX: Be my guest!
TEEVEE: Uh... 
 

TeeVee looks like she's thinking about saying something.

 
TEEVEE: Suzanne said you knew a lot about the Trials.
TEEVEE: Are you okay with telling me about that?
TEEVEE: I haven't seen anything super dangerous. but from what I was told. there are dangerous chambers?
 

Max nods, glancing over at his arm.

 
MAX: As you go along and complete more chambers, you'll be more likely to encounter chambers with more traps and threats...
MAX: Especially if the overseers determine that it's "interesting" to see you go through them.
MAX: It's a double edged blade that I'm good at avoiding and solving these various obstacles...It keeps me alive and gets me impressions, but at the same time, it shows what I am good at.
MAX: And they seem to enjoy seeing that kind of thing, very much so.
TEEVEE: Okay... and, you've been around the trials a while?
MAX: A decent amount of time, yes.
MAX: Suzanne and I started around the same time, so it seems, but I seem to have more of a knack for making impressions.
 

 

He gestures for Suzanne to come over, and reaches over to pat her on the head when she does. The chimera fish type seems immensely pleased at this, and can't help but giggle a little.

 
MAX: She's learning, though.
MAX: She just needs to find her specialty in these trials, and then they'll start handing out more impressions than she knows what to do with.
 

He pauses for a moment, looking over at you before you can even get a good look at the books. 

MAX: You're on a medic path, aren't you, See?
SEE: I mean- I guess so, I learned first aid and all-
MAX: Good. That will do you and your allies well in these trials.
MAX: It's also immensely easy for you to earn impressions, I'd imagine- by healing others, and learning more about this sort of thing. Even sharing your knowledge with allies may get you the impressions you crave.
 

He turns to TeeVee, now.

 
MAX: And what about you, TeeVee?
MAX: Have you found a specialization?
 

 

TeeVee gives a nervous shrug.

TEEVEE: Well... I'm not sure. I'm good at climbing things, and jumping around. That's what most of my chambers have had in them so far.
TEEVEE: ...I guess if I was helping people there's also my ability but I've never really wanted to use it.
MAX: Navigation through trial pillars is a great skill! You'll do very well with that.
MAX: Watch out in the future for pillars that move, however. I've even seen some that slam together, in order to crush unsuspecting TCPs.
MAX: As for your ability...I'm very curious!
MAX: In fact, why don't we all share our abilities- I'll start.
MAX: As a behemoth type, I can let out a loud roar at any time...said roar makes people less likely to fight and jump to anger, and fills them with fear.
MAX: While I do not enjoy the latter part, as I do not want to scare anyone...
MAX: It is helpful for deterring other dangerous TCPs. 
MAX: I can only hope it helps me save people, over time. After all, those who actually know me as friends and allies know there's nothing to fear!
TEEVEE: Oh uh, sure.
TEEVEE: I'm a destiny type. 
TEEVEE: I can use my ability to see the most important event in someone's life... even if it hasn't happened yet.
TEEVEE: It sounds kinda scary to know that sort of thing though.
TEEVEE: But I guess it could also be helpful.
 

 

Max nods, thinking it over. You're pretty stunned yourself- that ability seems awesome...but also, kind of scary. You can't help but wonder what she'd see if she used it on you, but now's not the time.

 
MAX: Hmm...that's an interesting ability indeed.
MAX: Should you join our little group, I'm sure we could find a way to make that applicable for getting impressions. 
MAX: Because that's the important thing, really- finding ways to make yourself stronger, and play into your natural strengths.
MAX: However...
MAX: I would be wary of using it on anyone willy nilly.
MAX: You might see things you don't want to, especially in the case of dangerous TCPs.
MAX: And some people may not want their futures spoiled, haha!
TEEVEE: Yeah, I kinda don't want to know what's going to happen to me
TEEVEE: And I don't know what I'd do if I saw something scary, or someone getting hurt.
TEEVEE: I've said it to Suzanne, I wanna Win these Trials whatever that means, but I don't want anyone getting hurt.
 

You notice that Max isn’t asking about your or Suzanne’s abilities.

Weird, but...maybe he’s just caught up in conversation.

 
MAX: Understandable, understandable! I'm the same way.
MAX: So is Suzanne...we just want to find ways to exist peacefully here.
MAX: The overseers may not want us to do such a thing, but I'm determined that if we can ally with enough like minded people, we'll be put in chambers with them so that we can cooperate on getting impressions.
MAX: What better way to appease them than to show that we can form an amazing, extensive team?
 

TeeVee nods, seeming to relax a bit.

TEEVEE: That makes sense, I think. 
TEEVEE: Do you really think the overseers wouldn't want that?
MAX: Judging by the existence of the traps in the first place...I have my doubts that they'd settle for peace.
Max: But! Cooperation!
MAX: Defeating these trials- together!
MAX: They must be impressed by that, gauging from how Suzanne and I have made impressions with other people.
TEEVEE: I don't like the idea that other people would put us in dangerous situations for fun.
TEEVEE: ...
 

 

TeeVee trails off, starting to pace. You decide to pick it up from there, having your own questions. 

SEE: How is the whole...teaming up thing going to work?
SEE: Are you going to gather a whole bunch of people to take on trials together, teach them skills, and use abilities to make the trials safer?
MAX: Exactly, my friend!
MAX: Using our personal strengths to gain resources...it will be an amazing plan!
SEE: Who would be included in a group like that?
MAX: Anyone who we feel can cooperate with us and our goals- it won't do us any good to have infighting, you see.
MAX: We want people who are kind and willing to work with others, especially for the greater good.
SEE: Okay...
SEE: And...can I take a look at your injury?
 

You start to head over, having given up on looking at those books anyway- they're way too high up to see.

MAX: By all means...that's a big reason for why you've sought me out, after all.
MAX: Please, come closer and play medic. I bet you could even earn an impression!
 

 

You get up close to the behemoth type, acutely aware of how large Max is.

 
SEE: What exactly happened to cause this?
SEE: I want to be the best medic I can be here, and to do that, I need to know what happened.
 

He turns his face away for a moment, his tone grave.

MAX: It was a standard chamber for me- almost too easy, in fact.
MAX: A long hallway, with a swinging blade in the center- chasms on either side.
MAX: Easy enough to simply walk down and avoid the blade, possibly earning an impression...
MAX: Another TCP entered on the other side, and we approached each other.
MAX: I introduced myself as Max, and they introduced themself as Monroe. 
MAX: They were kind at first...leading me to believe it was safe to approach.
MAX: I managed to avoid the blade, and we met on their side of the passage.
MAX: As I got closer, they said that they had never seen a TCP like me before, and asked my my ability.
MAX: I told them, because as I've stated- I want to ally with people, and they seemed so kind...
MAX: The most gentle voice I've heard in the trials, so far...
MAX: This was my mistake.
MAX: As soon as I told them my ability, they grew aggressive, approaching and hitting me with a fist- as it connected, I became completely aware that I had made a mistake...
MAX: And it consumed me, this fear of being attacked, knowing I had let my guard down...
MAX: In a normal situation, I would have been able to fend them off easily, and get to my side of the hallway.
 

MAX: But I was so wracked with fear that I panicked, and as they move to strike again...
MAX: I was pushed into the blade, nearly sawing off my arm. 
MAX: I could have fallen and died, even if the blade wasn't there. 
MAX: They earned an impression from doing this- and took their opportunity to flee.
MAX: They stopped before leaving, however- and told me to watch my back, for the next time we met, they wouldn't be so merciful.
MAX: I stayed there until their ability's effect wore off, and ended up earning my own impression by dodging the blade even in my injured state.
MAX: I suppose the overseers did not want me to bleed out and die yet...
MAX: I asked for medical supplies for my reward, and Suzanne found my room when it opened up.
MAX: She helped save me. I am forever grateful.
MAX: This kind of camaraderie...you will find it with us and our group.
MAX: You will never have to worry about suffering alone.
MAX: But should you find yourself facing deceitful TCPs like Monroe without allies...
MAX: You will surely die.
 

TeeVee stops pacing, just listening to Max.

TEEVEE: That's all awful... why would someone else go out of their way to hurt you?
 

 

You can't help yourself anymore.

 
SEE: They wouldn't do that!
 

The room is silent. 

You have officially screwed up.

 
SEE: I-I mean-
MAX: What do you mean, See?
SUZANNE: It's...met Monroe, Max.
SUZANNE: And it seems to think that they're...a nice person...
 

TeeVee glances between you and Max- they look uneasy.

You didn't even want to bring up Monty to Max, but you couldn't help it, not when they were so kind to you...

You have to think of something fast.

[Lilium Mortem]

cross examination time: why did monroe flip out at the mention of max's ability? If we assume monroe wants to earn impressions by doing harm, why pick that point to go agro? It could be argued that they were confirming an unkown type's ability before engaging, but that doesn't add up either, because max's ability should have been a turn off from attacking. 

If monroe wanted to earn impressoins through violence we wouldn't have stood a chance, so small to them, and visibly injured from taking that chunk out for max. They warned us not to associate with them anymore, not a threat, but a warning, why say that? 

Whatever is happening it's more complicated than monroe being bloodthirsty.

[King-Clod]

We...no. We don't think that they're a nice person. They are. I don't know what to say though. I don't want to discredit Max's story in front of him, but also we can't let Max convince TeeVee that Monroe is evil like Suzanne convinced us at first.

Tell him we've met Monroe alone, that it went fine, it went well, even. They gave us good advice, gave us skills to help us, with no strings attached! Not even to get us to trust them or be on their side or anything, they said that it'd probably be best we stay our separate ways. They just seemed...scared, really. And that's with us! We're tiny!

We know that things went poorly, we don't know why, and it's not that we think Max is lying, really! Just. Monroe isn't like that. I can't imagine them saying what you said they said, I'm sorry. I don't know if they were afraid, or desperate, or...what. But it wasn't them at their best. I know that much. And it isn't who they are as a person.

...We should probably leave soon after saying that.