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5/19/2025, 1:14:46 PM
>What could possibly go wrong?
>[DAY 12]
Was it different? Um...
Was it better than Headspace? Uh... yes. You're going with yes. You didn't get kidnapped, and Gil didn't get possessed, and there was an actual giant explosion, not a lame implosion. Better, better, better. And it all worked out in the end, like you knew it would (like you knew it had to), so. So, it was fine.
It was Claudia's fault, though. You resolved not to remind her of that, since she went through enough, but it was her fault— Anthea standing up at the meeting and telling everyone they'd received a invitation from a member of Spelunker's Associated, East Edge Chapter, which got everyone muttering— just mentioning the East Edge chapter. Yes, Anthea said, yes, the Easters are known for being a little, er, intense, but this was a friendly— it's an invitation to spelunk a "challenge manse," custom-made for, er, challenge. Er, the word "deadly" was used. There is supposed to be a prize at the end, or, er, an award, for anybody who can make it through. Any takers? Completely optional. We have the usual rotation of not-deadly templates, haha, so there's no need to... no need...
She stood up, Claudia, and went: yeah! Hi! We're interested. And she pointed at you and Gil. And then what were you supposed to do? Say you weren't? You, the famous heroine, and also God? Destined to survive at least the next month or two? "Deadly"? Ha! Anthea looked at you, and you nodded. (Gil rubbed his face with his hand.)
So that was it, then. The "challenge manse" (was that a thing? did people build those on purpose?) was yours to delve. Anthea caught you, before you left, and said that she knew you were very capable, and Gil, too, but if you needed help— or you couldn't find your way out, or— anything! Don't be shy! Take her card and rip it and she'd be right there.
You thought about saying Thanks, but we won't need it. You didn't, because Claudia said it first. Anthea laughed.
The manse was a maze with high, high, slick, black walls. There was a sign that said: get to the center. There was also a big red button labeled "Reset."
Claudia pressed it immediately. Nothing happened.
There was one entrance to the maze. You led the way, being— well, you know, heroine, God, etcetera. One step in, and...
«MOVE!»
...instinct and Richard jolted you backwards, out, as a massive chunk of stone THUDDED onto the spot you were standing. It was taller than you, wider, and perfectly cubical, shaped to block the entrance exactly. You stood, heart pounding, for a few seconds— then Gil, jogging, reached your side. "Holy shit! Are you—"
You were okay, narrowly. The stone was the larger issue. Were you blocked out? Did you fail? Was your first challenge to get over it? With a ladder? Rope? Could Gil fly up? Could...
(1/6)
>[DAY 12]
Was it different? Um...
Was it better than Headspace? Uh... yes. You're going with yes. You didn't get kidnapped, and Gil didn't get possessed, and there was an actual giant explosion, not a lame implosion. Better, better, better. And it all worked out in the end, like you knew it would (like you knew it had to), so. So, it was fine.
It was Claudia's fault, though. You resolved not to remind her of that, since she went through enough, but it was her fault— Anthea standing up at the meeting and telling everyone they'd received a invitation from a member of Spelunker's Associated, East Edge Chapter, which got everyone muttering— just mentioning the East Edge chapter. Yes, Anthea said, yes, the Easters are known for being a little, er, intense, but this was a friendly— it's an invitation to spelunk a "challenge manse," custom-made for, er, challenge. Er, the word "deadly" was used. There is supposed to be a prize at the end, or, er, an award, for anybody who can make it through. Any takers? Completely optional. We have the usual rotation of not-deadly templates, haha, so there's no need to... no need...
She stood up, Claudia, and went: yeah! Hi! We're interested. And she pointed at you and Gil. And then what were you supposed to do? Say you weren't? You, the famous heroine, and also God? Destined to survive at least the next month or two? "Deadly"? Ha! Anthea looked at you, and you nodded. (Gil rubbed his face with his hand.)
So that was it, then. The "challenge manse" (was that a thing? did people build those on purpose?) was yours to delve. Anthea caught you, before you left, and said that she knew you were very capable, and Gil, too, but if you needed help— or you couldn't find your way out, or— anything! Don't be shy! Take her card and rip it and she'd be right there.
You thought about saying Thanks, but we won't need it. You didn't, because Claudia said it first. Anthea laughed.
The manse was a maze with high, high, slick, black walls. There was a sign that said: get to the center. There was also a big red button labeled "Reset."
Claudia pressed it immediately. Nothing happened.
There was one entrance to the maze. You led the way, being— well, you know, heroine, God, etcetera. One step in, and...
«MOVE!»
...instinct and Richard jolted you backwards, out, as a massive chunk of stone THUDDED onto the spot you were standing. It was taller than you, wider, and perfectly cubical, shaped to block the entrance exactly. You stood, heart pounding, for a few seconds— then Gil, jogging, reached your side. "Holy shit! Are you—"
You were okay, narrowly. The stone was the larger issue. Were you blocked out? Did you fail? Was your first challenge to get over it? With a ladder? Rope? Could Gil fly up? Could...
(1/6)
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