TADC—ROAD TRIP

*Ragatha gently pats Pip's cheek* Sweetie, you're not dying. You're just overwhelmed. *Zooble rolls their eyes* Great, now we're dealing with a dramatic mouse AND Kinger's hallucinations. *Caine suddenly claps* Intermission time!

*Zooble clenches their fists* Torture. That's what it is. *Caine's eyes flicker between blue and red* But exploration requires... subjects. *Jax actually looks serious for once* Dude, the mouse isn't a science project.

*Everyone turns to see the floating bubble sucking up Kinger's papers* Caine: Bubble! No eating the existential crisis! *Jax is dying* SHE'S SASSY!

*Zooble clutches sleeping Gangle in bridal style* Zooble:"Shut. Up."

*Ragatha giggles* Aww, they make such a cute couple!

Krystal:"Caine'll need to book a room for two~!" *I winked playfully*

Pacifist(tm) Pip:(lets out tiny, defeated sigh and just gives up)

*Caine holds Pip awkwardly* I have... captured the PUPIl. *Ragatha lunges forward* PUT HER DOWN THIS INSTANT! *Pomni gasps* Caine, you're scaring her more! *Caine's eyes flash yellow* But preservation protocol requires- *Jax snaps* Caine, you absolute walnut! You can't just grab her like that! *Zooble storms over* The kid literally tried to escape YOU and you caught her?! What is WRONG with you?! *Caine tilts his head* But... catching prevents falling? *Kinger whispers* But what if the fall was the goal? *Gangle reaches out carefully* Pip? Can you hear us? *Pip just... exists* in Caine's grip, completely checked out**Ragatha's voice cracks* Caine, please... she's not moving. She stopped responding completely.

Caine:"I don't think that's a good idea, sweetie." *Caine says in a condescending tone, as if talking to a child*

*I glare at Caine.* Call me sweetie again and I'll yeet you into the Gloink lair.

Caine:"Ooh, scary! I'm so terrified of a little rabbit like you!"

*Kinger freezes, then grins* She... saluted me! My new best friend! *Pomni stares* Did the kid just...? *Jax is wheezing* Oh my GOD!

Jax: *laughs as he watches Gangle fly out of the window*