a sword's attempt to shield

STP 's The Razor works at McDonald's. Currently she has a head injury. Pfp by jspqqch!

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Oh heyyyyyyy! Is it my turn to work the register? I love customer service and would definitely not rather be in the kitchen for non-knife-related reasons!

Hiyaaa! I saw @stp-minimum-wage-prisoner and knew I HAD to join in with my favorite princess :]

Find the rest of #minimum wage stp under that tag and in this masterpost!

I won't be doing ooc text too much, but if I do, it'll be under a keep reading line like this is.

Also my main blog is @dsfalkweon!

Tag system:

#i would never lie to you! - an answered ask

#aren't we such good friends? - posts featuring the other stp rp blogs

#ooc - self-explanatory

#the slip n slide of doom - dont worry aboudittttt

#Do I know you? - oh no head trauma gave her amnesia

#do I know me? - she begins to rediscover herself.

#i know how it was because he was like me - when is a monster not a monster?

#meat and greet - meat kitchen tour

#let them out. - dont worry aboudittttttt

#blades out - her blades? are out.

#monster hunt - she must pay.

#a pierced heart - she is claimed.

#I remember you. - a trickle becomes a stream

Rules:

The same as Prisoner's but here they are:

no sexual asks

violent asks are ok, but i might ignore it if it feels excessively excessive. like canon-typical violence is ok but beyond that i don't wanna make people uncomfortable👍

sorry if it takes me forever to respond that's on me

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Razor returns with a spool of steel wire over her shoulder and a bag of gummy candy under her arm. She's smiling, though she looks... shaken.

I'm back!

-@stp-the-razor-minimum-wage

She's able to hide her smirk when she sees Razor, but her tail instinctually flicks.

Razor. Your expression says you met their establishment's resident annoyance.

By the mound she's talking like Opportunist. Don't be so obvious.

Where are we doing this?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Oh, I- can't say I know exactly who you're talking about.

She shifts her weight, the steady ground against her feet a reminder that her balance is not in danger.

But, um, anywhere you don't think we'll be interrupted will work! Except maybe the freezer, I don't know if the temperature might make the wire harder to work with.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

I’m not going in the freezer, period.

The basement? It might reek of blood and Army and…decapitated Prisoner but it’s unlikely anyone will go down there?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She shrugs.

Good enough for me! Wait what was that you said about Prisoner-

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

There might be a decapitated head of Prisoner’s in there. If it is I’ll deal with it, don’t worry yourself.

She leads, watching over her shoulder constantly to make sure she’s following, maybe excessively.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

And follow she does, with a demeanor undeniably dimmer than before she left for the wire, but still quite sunny.

Her foot catches on something and she loses her balance and-

no, she's still steady. Was there even anything to catch her feet on?

Deep breath in, deep breath out. What is with her?

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

She’s noticed, but still walks, quieter. There’s no point bringing it up.

The door creaks open with a heavy pull, screeching about how it doesn’t want to do its job. A heavy wave of blood and malice shoves its way past the doorframe, directly into the two. It feels worse than it was, or should’ve been.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Razor winces, wrinkling her nose at the smell.

This is a different section of the basement than she's been staying in, and it reeks of death. Wild must have kept it carefully cordoned off so the smell didn't reach her, she should thank her for that later.

You can- you can really tell awful things happened here.

...why didn't she notice the sound? Does making the walls smell-proof also make them sound-proof? She supposes if the basement is soundproof to the rest of the building, it makes sense that different sections of it would probably be soundproof to each other.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

She looks back at Razor, before continuing downward, slowly, trying to adjust to whatever heinous crimes have been committed. Another glance back to check if she’s still there.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She follows in step with Witch, something uneasy settling inside.

Is the staircase to this part of the basement longer than her usual part...? No, she's just imagining things.

As they reach the bottom of the stairs, Razor's eyes snap to a corner of the room.

Um, Witch? You said Prisoner died down here, not you.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Oh. Right.

Her scowl grows as she stares at the corpse before she forces her eyes off it.

I forgot about that one. That was Army and Opportunist.

Just keep going. She’s found the head of Prisoner, giving it a healthy kick into a corner.

What an awful place. I knew it would be like this, but it’s managed to exceed expectations.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Army and- Opportunist? I thought he was trying to change, what happened?

She winces, following Witch's footsteps closely and taking care not to step where the head just was.

He's not working with them, is he?

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Not in the way Prisoner is, but he took her side when she got the jump on me. He thought it would save him from being mutilated, it didn’t. Serves him right.

She holds out a hand for the steel wire

We’re doing this?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Razor shrugs the wire off of her shoulder, extending her noodle to Witch as the coil slides down her arm.

This place is awful. And this is how we're going to keep it from getting worse.

Let's get started.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

She takes the wire, and takes the liberty of removing the noodles from Razor’s arms, she’ll need her blades to try and get out after all.

As Witch stated, she knows how to tie knots. Lots of knots. Knots for tripwire or snares or hopefully anything else that isn’t traps, but it’s only now that she realizes the may need its own set of skills.

The wire is cold as it wraps around Razor’s joints, the second and third go arounds to secure her then trapping the heat in an insufficient blanket that keeps the skin exactly in uncomfortable temperatures.

More around the joints, some of the coil cutting into her skin as it passes by— not enough to leave wounds just enough to hurt, like a paper cut— around and around every bit, double and then triple wrapped.

You know she’s a cheat, right? She rearranged her bones to stab me with her stomach once, so everywhere has to be strong.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Despite this being the plan, Razor visibly tenses as the noodles are removed, standing carefully, unnaturally still as Witch works. Even so, her eyebrows raise at Witch's remark.

I- didn't know that was something we could do.

Can she do it? Or is it somehow an Army-exclusive?

She begins to imagine it—and with a disquieting feeling in her abdomen, abruptly stops.

Yup, she definitely can. That's- she's not going to think about that any longer than she has to.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Her blades are awfully sharp out of the noodles. Even with the heavy connotation of them looking at the knives gives a sense of warmth. This is stupid just do your job.

It seems like it hurts a lot, but it’s an option.

A few more knots, wrapped again and again in excess to impress her make sure she can’t stab her way through

Try that.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

It doesn't hurt though? It's a little tight, but that's the point, so.

It should hurt, but Razor looks genuinely unbothered.

There's not time to linger on that, though, as she closes her eyes and takes a breath in, and out.

As she focuses her attention inwards, she becomes keenly aware of the razors that make her. The strange angles that mimic a ribcage, the sturdy steel letting her legs support the jagged mess in place of a pelvis, and of course the delicate, dextrous blades that make up her arms.

In... out.

So, too, does she become aware of the cords that encase her. How they press into her skin, how they overlap and tangle with each other... exactly where she would need to flex a muscle to snap it.

In... out.

In . . . O U

She snaps her eyes open.

IIIIII! Would be able to stab you through the gap in- there's- I can bend my arms a little bit, and if I do, there's a little gap in the wire.

In and out.

Oh, also the knot on my right leg is a little weak, I could probably stick my leg blades out at some crazy angle and cut through it.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Well I assume even if she's tied up we want to go near her as a last resort, so that's...fine.

It's not. Witch goes over to her right leg to try and tighten it a bit.

When you do the whole focus on your blades thing it looks like they really want to get out of your skin.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She swallows around the lump suddenly in her throat.

It's, um. I didn't know it was visible. But, uh. Yeah. I try not to focus on them- really, think about them at all too often.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Does it hurt? Even just passively?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

No, but sometimes they get... overwhelming? It's hard to describe, it's like I get hyperaware of them sometimes, and that's when they get hard to manage.

Usually I don't feel them at all, though. Is that weird?

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Razor returns with a spool of steel wire over her shoulder and a bag of gummy candy under her arm. She's smiling, though she looks... shaken.

I'm back!

-@stp-the-razor-minimum-wage

She's able to hide her smirk when she sees Razor, but her tail instinctually flicks.

Razor. Your expression says you met their establishment's resident annoyance.

By the mound she's talking like Opportunist. Don't be so obvious.

Where are we doing this?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Oh, I- can't say I know exactly who you're talking about.

She shifts her weight, the steady ground against her feet a reminder that her balance is not in danger.

But, um, anywhere you don't think we'll be interrupted will work! Except maybe the freezer, I don't know if the temperature might make the wire harder to work with.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

I’m not going in the freezer, period.

The basement? It might reek of blood and Army and…decapitated Prisoner but it’s unlikely anyone will go down there?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She shrugs.

Good enough for me! Wait what was that you said about Prisoner-

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

There might be a decapitated head of Prisoner’s in there. If it is I’ll deal with it, don’t worry yourself.

She leads, watching over her shoulder constantly to make sure she’s following, maybe excessively.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

And follow she does, with a demeanor undeniably dimmer than before she left for the wire, but still quite sunny.

Her foot catches on something and she loses her balance and-

no, she's still steady. Was there even anything to catch her feet on?

Deep breath in, deep breath out. What is with her?

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

She’s noticed, but still walks, quieter. There’s no point bringing it up.

The door creaks open with a heavy pull, screeching about how it doesn’t want to do its job. A heavy wave of blood and malice shoves its way past the doorframe, directly into the two. It feels worse than it was, or should’ve been.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Razor winces, wrinkling her nose at the smell.

This is a different section of the basement than she's been staying in, and it reeks of death. Wild must have kept it carefully cordoned off so the smell didn't reach her, she should thank her for that later.

You can- you can really tell awful things happened here.

...why didn't she notice the sound? Does making the walls smell-proof also make them sound-proof? She supposes if the basement is soundproof to the rest of the building, it makes sense that different sections of it would probably be soundproof to each other.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

She looks back at Razor, before continuing downward, slowly, trying to adjust to whatever heinous crimes have been committed. Another glance back to check if she’s still there.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She follows in step with Witch, something uneasy settling inside.

Is the staircase to this part of the basement longer than her usual part...? No, she's just imagining things.

As they reach the bottom of the stairs, Razor's eyes snap to a corner of the room.

Um, Witch? You said Prisoner died down here, not you.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Oh. Right.

Her scowl grows as she stares at the corpse before she forces her eyes off it.

I forgot about that one. That was Army and Opportunist.

Just keep going. She’s found the head of Prisoner, giving it a healthy kick into a corner.

What an awful place. I knew it would be like this, but it’s managed to exceed expectations.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Army and- Opportunist? I thought he was trying to change, what happened?

She winces, following Witch's footsteps closely and taking care not to step where the head just was.

He's not working with them, is he?

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Not in the way Prisoner is, but he took her side when she got the jump on me. He thought it would save him from being mutilated, it didn’t. Serves him right.

She holds out a hand for the steel wire

We’re doing this?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Razor shrugs the wire off of her shoulder, extending her noodle to Witch as the coil slides down her arm.

This place is awful. And this is how we're going to keep it from getting worse.

Let's get started.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

She takes the wire, and takes the liberty of removing the noodles from Razor’s arms, she’ll need her blades to try and get out after all.

As Witch stated, she knows how to tie knots. Lots of knots. Knots for tripwire or snares or hopefully anything else that isn’t traps, but it’s only now that she realizes the may need its own set of skills.

The wire is cold as it wraps around Razor’s joints, the second and third go arounds to secure her then trapping the heat in an insufficient blanket that keeps the skin exactly in uncomfortable temperatures.

More around the joints, some of the coil cutting into her skin as it passes by— not enough to leave wounds just enough to hurt, like a paper cut— around and around every bit, double and then triple wrapped.

You know she’s a cheat, right? She rearranged her bones to stab me with her stomach once, so everywhere has to be strong.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Despite this being the plan, Razor visibly tenses as the noodles are removed, standing carefully, unnaturally still as Witch works. Even so, her eyebrows raise at Witch's remark.

I- didn't know that was something we could do.

Can she do it? Or is it somehow an Army-exclusive?

She begins to imagine it—and with a disquieting feeling in her abdomen, abruptly stops.

Yup, she definitely can. That's- she's not going to think about that any longer than she has to.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Her blades are awfully sharp out of the noodles. Even with the heavy connotation of them looking at the knives gives a sense of warmth. This is stupid just do your job.

It seems like it hurts a lot, but it’s an option.

A few more knots, wrapped again and again in excess to impress her make sure she can’t stab her way through

Try that.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

It doesn't hurt though? It's a little tight, but that's the point, so.

It should hurt, but Razor looks genuinely unbothered.

There's not time to linger on that, though, as she closes her eyes and takes a breath in, and out.

As she focuses her attention inwards, she becomes keenly aware of the razors that make her. The strange angles that mimic a ribcage, the sturdy steel letting her legs support the jagged mess in place of a pelvis, and of course the delicate, dextrous blades that make up her arms.

In... out.

So, too, does she become aware of the cords that encase her. How they press into her skin, how they overlap and tangle with each other... exactly where she would need to flex a muscle to snap it.

In... out.

In . . . O U

She snaps her eyes open.

IIIIII! Would be able to stab you through the gap in- there's- I can bend my arms a little bit, and if I do, there's a little gap in the wire.

In and out.

Oh, also the knot on my right leg is a little weak, I could probably stick my leg blades out at some crazy angle and cut through it.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Well I assume even if she's tied up we want to go near her as a last resort, so that's...fine.

It's not. Witch goes over to her right leg to try and tighten it a bit.

When you do the whole focus on your blades thing it looks like they really want to get out of your skin.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She swallows around the lump suddenly in her throat.

It's, um. I didn't know it was visible. But, uh. Yeah. I try not to focus on them- really, think about them at all too often.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Razor returns with a spool of steel wire over her shoulder and a bag of gummy candy under her arm. She's smiling, though she looks... shaken.

I'm back!

-@stp-the-razor-minimum-wage

She's able to hide her smirk when she sees Razor, but her tail instinctually flicks.

Razor. Your expression says you met their establishment's resident annoyance.

By the mound she's talking like Opportunist. Don't be so obvious.

Where are we doing this?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Oh, I- can't say I know exactly who you're talking about.

She shifts her weight, the steady ground against her feet a reminder that her balance is not in danger.

But, um, anywhere you don't think we'll be interrupted will work! Except maybe the freezer, I don't know if the temperature might make the wire harder to work with.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

I’m not going in the freezer, period.

The basement? It might reek of blood and Army and…decapitated Prisoner but it’s unlikely anyone will go down there?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She shrugs.

Good enough for me! Wait what was that you said about Prisoner-

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

There might be a decapitated head of Prisoner’s in there. If it is I’ll deal with it, don’t worry yourself.

She leads, watching over her shoulder constantly to make sure she’s following, maybe excessively.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

And follow she does, with a demeanor undeniably dimmer than before she left for the wire, but still quite sunny.

Her foot catches on something and she loses her balance and-

no, she's still steady. Was there even anything to catch her feet on?

Deep breath in, deep breath out. What is with her?

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

She’s noticed, but still walks, quieter. There’s no point bringing it up.

The door creaks open with a heavy pull, screeching about how it doesn’t want to do its job. A heavy wave of blood and malice shoves its way past the doorframe, directly into the two. It feels worse than it was, or should’ve been.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Razor winces, wrinkling her nose at the smell.

This is a different section of the basement than she's been staying in, and it reeks of death. Wild must have kept it carefully cordoned off so the smell didn't reach her, she should thank her for that later.

You can- you can really tell awful things happened here.

...why didn't she notice the sound? Does making the walls smell-proof also make them sound-proof? She supposes if the basement is soundproof to the rest of the building, it makes sense that different sections of it would probably be soundproof to each other.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

She looks back at Razor, before continuing downward, slowly, trying to adjust to whatever heinous crimes have been committed. Another glance back to check if she’s still there.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She follows in step with Witch, something uneasy settling inside.

Is the staircase to this part of the basement longer than her usual part...? No, she's just imagining things.

As they reach the bottom of the stairs, Razor's eyes snap to a corner of the room.

Um, Witch? You said Prisoner died down here, not you.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Oh. Right.

Her scowl grows as she stares at the corpse before she forces her eyes off it.

I forgot about that one. That was Army and Opportunist.

Just keep going. She’s found the head of Prisoner, giving it a healthy kick into a corner.

What an awful place. I knew it would be like this, but it’s managed to exceed expectations.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Army and- Opportunist? I thought he was trying to change, what happened?

She winces, following Witch's footsteps closely and taking care not to step where the head just was.

He's not working with them, is he?

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Not in the way Prisoner is, but he took her side when she got the jump on me. He thought it would save him from being mutilated, it didn’t. Serves him right.

She holds out a hand for the steel wire

We’re doing this?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Razor shrugs the wire off of her shoulder, extending her noodle to Witch as the coil slides down her arm.

This place is awful. And this is how we're going to keep it from getting worse.

Let's get started.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

She takes the wire, and takes the liberty of removing the noodles from Razor’s arms, she’ll need her blades to try and get out after all.

As Witch stated, she knows how to tie knots. Lots of knots. Knots for tripwire or snares or hopefully anything else that isn’t traps, but it’s only now that she realizes the may need its own set of skills.

The wire is cold as it wraps around Razor’s joints, the second and third go arounds to secure her then trapping the heat in an insufficient blanket that keeps the skin exactly in uncomfortable temperatures.

More around the joints, some of the coil cutting into her skin as it passes by— not enough to leave wounds just enough to hurt, like a paper cut— around and around every bit, double and then triple wrapped.

You know she’s a cheat, right? She rearranged her bones to stab me with her stomach once, so everywhere has to be strong.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Despite this being the plan, Razor visibly tenses as the noodles are removed, standing carefully, unnaturally still as Witch works. Even so, her eyebrows raise at Witch's remark.

I- didn't know that was something we could do.

Can she do it? Or is it somehow an Army-exclusive?

She begins to imagine it—and with a disquieting feeling in her abdomen, abruptly stops.

Yup, she definitely can. That's- she's not going to think about that any longer than she has to.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Her blades are awfully sharp out of the noodles. Even with the heavy connotation of them looking at the knives gives a sense of warmth. This is stupid just do your job.

It seems like it hurts a lot, but it’s an option.

A few more knots, wrapped again and again in excess to impress her make sure she can’t stab her way through

Try that.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

It doesn't hurt though? It's a little tight, but that's the point, so.

It should hurt, but Razor looks genuinely unbothered.

There's not time to linger on that, though, as she closes her eyes and takes a breath in, and out.

As she focuses her attention inwards, she becomes keenly aware of the razors that make her. The strange angles that mimic a ribcage, the sturdy steel letting her legs support the jagged mess in place of a pelvis, and of course the delicate, dextrous blades that make up her arms.

In... out.

So, too, does she become aware of the cords that encase her. How they press into her skin, how they overlap and tangle with each other... exactly where she would need to flex a muscle to snap it.

In... out.

In . . . O U

She snaps her eyes open.

IIIIII! Would be able to stab you through the gap in- there's- I can bend my arms a little bit, and if I do, there's a little gap in the wire.

In and out.

Oh, also the knot on my right leg is a little weak, I could probably stick my leg blades out at some crazy angle and cut through it.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Razor returns with a spool of steel wire over her shoulder and a bag of gummy candy under her arm. She's smiling, though she looks... shaken.

I'm back!

-@stp-the-razor-minimum-wage

She's able to hide her smirk when she sees Razor, but her tail instinctually flicks.

Razor. Your expression says you met their establishment's resident annoyance.

By the mound she's talking like Opportunist. Don't be so obvious.

Where are we doing this?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Oh, I- can't say I know exactly who you're talking about.

She shifts her weight, the steady ground against her feet a reminder that her balance is not in danger.

But, um, anywhere you don't think we'll be interrupted will work! Except maybe the freezer, I don't know if the temperature might make the wire harder to work with.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

I’m not going in the freezer, period.

The basement? It might reek of blood and Army and…decapitated Prisoner but it’s unlikely anyone will go down there?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She shrugs.

Good enough for me! Wait what was that you said about Prisoner-

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

There might be a decapitated head of Prisoner’s in there. If it is I’ll deal with it, don’t worry yourself.

She leads, watching over her shoulder constantly to make sure she’s following, maybe excessively.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

And follow she does, with a demeanor undeniably dimmer than before she left for the wire, but still quite sunny.

Her foot catches on something and she loses her balance and-

no, she's still steady. Was there even anything to catch her feet on?

Deep breath in, deep breath out. What is with her?

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

She’s noticed, but still walks, quieter. There’s no point bringing it up.

The door creaks open with a heavy pull, screeching about how it doesn’t want to do its job. A heavy wave of blood and malice shoves its way past the doorframe, directly into the two. It feels worse than it was, or should’ve been.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Razor winces, wrinkling her nose at the smell.

This is a different section of the basement than she's been staying in, and it reeks of death. Wild must have kept it carefully cordoned off so the smell didn't reach her, she should thank her for that later.

You can- you can really tell awful things happened here.

...why didn't she notice the sound? Does making the walls smell-proof also make them sound-proof? She supposes if the basement is soundproof to the rest of the building, it makes sense that different sections of it would probably be soundproof to each other.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

She looks back at Razor, before continuing downward, slowly, trying to adjust to whatever heinous crimes have been committed. Another glance back to check if she’s still there.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She follows in step with Witch, something uneasy settling inside.

Is the staircase to this part of the basement longer than her usual part...? No, she's just imagining things.

As they reach the bottom of the stairs, Razor's eyes snap to a corner of the room.

Um, Witch? You said Prisoner died down here, not you.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Oh. Right.

Her scowl grows as she stares at the corpse before she forces her eyes off it.

I forgot about that one. That was Army and Opportunist.

Just keep going. She’s found the head of Prisoner, giving it a healthy kick into a corner.

What an awful place. I knew it would be like this, but it’s managed to exceed expectations.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Army and- Opportunist? I thought he was trying to change, what happened?

She winces, following Witch's footsteps closely and taking care not to step where the head just was.

He's not working with them, is he?

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Not in the way Prisoner is, but he took her side when she got the jump on me. He thought it would save him from being mutilated, it didn’t. Serves him right.

She holds out a hand for the steel wire

We’re doing this?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Razor shrugs the wire off of her shoulder, extending her noodle to Witch as the coil slides down her arm.

This place is awful. And this is how we're going to keep it from getting worse.

Let's get started.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

She takes the wire, and takes the liberty of removing the noodles from Razor’s arms, she’ll need her blades to try and get out after all.

As Witch stated, she knows how to tie knots. Lots of knots. Knots for tripwire or snares or hopefully anything else that isn’t traps, but it’s only now that she realizes the may need its own set of skills.

The wire is cold as it wraps around Razor’s joints, the second and third go arounds to secure her then trapping the heat in an insufficient blanket that keeps the skin exactly in uncomfortable temperatures.

More around the joints, some of the coil cutting into her skin as it passes by— not enough to leave wounds just enough to hurt, like a paper cut— around and around every bit, double and then triple wrapped.

You know she’s a cheat, right? She rearranged her bones to stab me with her stomach once, so everywhere has to be strong.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Despite this being the plan, Razor visibly tenses as the noodles are removed, standing carefully, unnaturally still as Witch works. Even so, her eyebrows raise at Witch's remark.

I- didn't know that was something we could do.

Can she do it? Or is it somehow an Army-exclusive?

She begins to imagine it—and with a disquieting feeling in her abdomen, abruptly stops.

Yup, she definitely can. That's- she's not going to think about that any longer than she has to.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Razor returns with a spool of steel wire over her shoulder and a bag of gummy candy under her arm. She's smiling, though she looks... shaken.

I'm back!

-@stp-the-razor-minimum-wage

She's able to hide her smirk when she sees Razor, but her tail instinctually flicks.

Razor. Your expression says you met their establishment's resident annoyance.

By the mound she's talking like Opportunist. Don't be so obvious.

Where are we doing this?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Oh, I- can't say I know exactly who you're talking about.

She shifts her weight, the steady ground against her feet a reminder that her balance is not in danger.

But, um, anywhere you don't think we'll be interrupted will work! Except maybe the freezer, I don't know if the temperature might make the wire harder to work with.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

I’m not going in the freezer, period.

The basement? It might reek of blood and Army and…decapitated Prisoner but it’s unlikely anyone will go down there?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She shrugs.

Good enough for me! Wait what was that you said about Prisoner-

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

There might be a decapitated head of Prisoner’s in there. If it is I’ll deal with it, don’t worry yourself.

She leads, watching over her shoulder constantly to make sure she’s following, maybe excessively.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

And follow she does, with a demeanor undeniably dimmer than before she left for the wire, but still quite sunny.

Her foot catches on something and she loses her balance and-

no, she's still steady. Was there even anything to catch her feet on?

Deep breath in, deep breath out. What is with her?

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

She’s noticed, but still walks, quieter. There’s no point bringing it up.

The door creaks open with a heavy pull, screeching about how it doesn’t want to do its job. A heavy wave of blood and malice shoves its way past the doorframe, directly into the two. It feels worse than it was, or should’ve been.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Razor winces, wrinkling her nose at the smell.

This is a different section of the basement than she's been staying in, and it reeks of death. Wild must have kept it carefully cordoned off so the smell didn't reach her, she should thank her for that later.

You can- you can really tell awful things happened here.

...why didn't she notice the sound? Does making the walls smell-proof also make them sound-proof? She supposes if the basement is soundproof to the rest of the building, it makes sense that different sections of it would probably be soundproof to each other.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

She looks back at Razor, before continuing downward, slowly, trying to adjust to whatever heinous crimes have been committed. Another glance back to check if she’s still there.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She follows in step with Witch, something uneasy settling inside.

Is the staircase to this part of the basement longer than her usual part...? No, she's just imagining things.

As they reach the bottom of the stairs, Razor's eyes snap to a corner of the room.

Um, Witch? You said Prisoner died down here, not you.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Oh. Right.

Her scowl grows as she stares at the corpse before she forces her eyes off it.

I forgot about that one. That was Army and Opportunist.

Just keep going. She’s found the head of Prisoner, giving it a healthy kick into a corner.

What an awful place. I knew it would be like this, but it’s managed to exceed expectations.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Army and- Opportunist? I thought he was trying to change, what happened?

She winces, following Witch's footsteps closely and taking care not to step where the head just was.

He's not working with them, is he?

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Not in the way Prisoner is, but he took her side when she got the jump on me. He thought it would save him from being mutilated, it didn’t. Serves him right.

She holds out a hand for the steel wire

We’re doing this?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Razor shrugs the wire off of her shoulder, extending her noodle to Witch as the coil slides down her arm.

This place is awful. And this is how we're going to keep it from getting worse.

Let's get started.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Razor returns with a spool of steel wire over her shoulder and a bag of gummy candy under her arm. She's smiling, though she looks... shaken.

I'm back!

-@stp-the-razor-minimum-wage

She's able to hide her smirk when she sees Razor, but her tail instinctually flicks.

Razor. Your expression says you met their establishment's resident annoyance.

By the mound she's talking like Opportunist. Don't be so obvious.

Where are we doing this?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Oh, I- can't say I know exactly who you're talking about.

She shifts her weight, the steady ground against her feet a reminder that her balance is not in danger.

But, um, anywhere you don't think we'll be interrupted will work! Except maybe the freezer, I don't know if the temperature might make the wire harder to work with.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

I’m not going in the freezer, period.

The basement? It might reek of blood and Army and…decapitated Prisoner but it’s unlikely anyone will go down there?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She shrugs.

Good enough for me! Wait what was that you said about Prisoner-

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

There might be a decapitated head of Prisoner’s in there. If it is I’ll deal with it, don’t worry yourself.

She leads, watching over her shoulder constantly to make sure she’s following, maybe excessively.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

And follow she does, with a demeanor undeniably dimmer than before she left for the wire, but still quite sunny.

Her foot catches on something and she loses her balance and-

no, she's still steady. Was there even anything to catch her feet on?

Deep breath in, deep breath out. What is with her?

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

She’s noticed, but still walks, quieter. There’s no point bringing it up.

The door creaks open with a heavy pull, screeching about how it doesn’t want to do its job. A heavy wave of blood and malice shoves its way past the doorframe, directly into the two. It feels worse than it was, or should’ve been.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Razor winces, wrinkling her nose at the smell.

This is a different section of the basement than she's been staying in, and it reeks of death. Wild must have kept it carefully cordoned off so the smell didn't reach her, she should thank her for that later.

You can- you can really tell awful things happened here.

...why didn't she notice the sound? Does making the walls smell-proof also make them sound-proof? She supposes if the basement is soundproof to the rest of the building, it makes sense that different sections of it would probably be soundproof to each other.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

She looks back at Razor, before continuing downward, slowly, trying to adjust to whatever heinous crimes have been committed. Another glance back to check if she’s still there.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She follows in step with Witch, something uneasy settling inside.

Is the staircase to this part of the basement longer than her usual part...? No, she's just imagining things.

As they reach the bottom of the stairs, Razor's eyes snap to a corner of the room.

Um, Witch? You said Prisoner died down here, not you.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Oh. Right.

Her scowl grows as she stares at the corpse before she forces her eyes off it.

I forgot about that one. That was Army and Opportunist.

Just keep going. She’s found the head of Prisoner, giving it a healthy kick into a corner.

What an awful place. I knew it would be like this, but it’s managed to exceed expectations.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Army and- Opportunist? I thought he was trying to change, what happened?

She winces, following Witch's footsteps closely and taking care not to step where the head just was.

He's not working with them, is he?

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Razor returns with a spool of steel wire over her shoulder and a bag of gummy candy under her arm. She's smiling, though she looks... shaken.

I'm back!

-@stp-the-razor-minimum-wage

She's able to hide her smirk when she sees Razor, but her tail instinctually flicks.

Razor. Your expression says you met their establishment's resident annoyance.

By the mound she's talking like Opportunist. Don't be so obvious.

Where are we doing this?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Oh, I- can't say I know exactly who you're talking about.

She shifts her weight, the steady ground against her feet a reminder that her balance is not in danger.

But, um, anywhere you don't think we'll be interrupted will work! Except maybe the freezer, I don't know if the temperature might make the wire harder to work with.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

I’m not going in the freezer, period.

The basement? It might reek of blood and Army and…decapitated Prisoner but it’s unlikely anyone will go down there?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She shrugs.

Good enough for me! Wait what was that you said about Prisoner-

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

There might be a decapitated head of Prisoner’s in there. If it is I’ll deal with it, don’t worry yourself.

She leads, watching over her shoulder constantly to make sure she’s following, maybe excessively.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

And follow she does, with a demeanor undeniably dimmer than before she left for the wire, but still quite sunny.

Her foot catches on something and she loses her balance and-

no, she's still steady. Was there even anything to catch her feet on?

Deep breath in, deep breath out. What is with her?

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

She’s noticed, but still walks, quieter. There’s no point bringing it up.

The door creaks open with a heavy pull, screeching about how it doesn’t want to do its job. A heavy wave of blood and malice shoves its way past the doorframe, directly into the two. It feels worse than it was, or should’ve been.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Razor winces, wrinkling her nose at the smell.

This is a different section of the basement than she's been staying in, and it reeks of death. Wild must have kept it carefully cordoned off so the smell didn't reach her, she should thank her for that later.

You can- you can really tell awful things happened here.

...why didn't she notice the sound? Does making the walls smell-proof also make them sound-proof? She supposes if the basement is soundproof to the rest of the building, it makes sense that different sections of it would probably be soundproof to each other.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

She looks back at Razor, before continuing downward, slowly, trying to adjust to whatever heinous crimes have been committed. Another glance back to check if she’s still there.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She follows in step with Witch, something uneasy settling inside.

Is the staircase to this part of the basement longer than her usual part...? No, she's just imagining things.

As they reach the bottom of the stairs, Razor's eyes snap to a corner of the room.

Um, Witch? You said Prisoner died down here, not you.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Razor returns with a spool of steel wire over her shoulder and a bag of gummy candy under her arm. She's smiling, though she looks... shaken.

I'm back!

-@stp-the-razor-minimum-wage

She's able to hide her smirk when she sees Razor, but her tail instinctually flicks.

Razor. Your expression says you met their establishment's resident annoyance.

By the mound she's talking like Opportunist. Don't be so obvious.

Where are we doing this?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Oh, I- can't say I know exactly who you're talking about.

She shifts her weight, the steady ground against her feet a reminder that her balance is not in danger.

But, um, anywhere you don't think we'll be interrupted will work! Except maybe the freezer, I don't know if the temperature might make the wire harder to work with.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

I’m not going in the freezer, period.

The basement? It might reek of blood and Army and…decapitated Prisoner but it’s unlikely anyone will go down there?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She shrugs.

Good enough for me! Wait what was that you said about Prisoner-

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

There might be a decapitated head of Prisoner’s in there. If it is I’ll deal with it, don’t worry yourself.

She leads, watching over her shoulder constantly to make sure she’s following, maybe excessively.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

And follow she does, with a demeanor undeniably dimmer than before she left for the wire, but still quite sunny.

Her foot catches on something and she loses her balance and-

no, she's still steady. Was there even anything to catch her feet on?

Deep breath in, deep breath out. What is with her?

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

She’s noticed, but still walks, quieter. There’s no point bringing it up.

The door creaks open with a heavy pull, screeching about how it doesn’t want to do its job. A heavy wave of blood and malice shoves its way past the doorframe, directly into the two. It feels worse than it was, or should’ve been.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Razor winces, wrinkling her nose at the smell.

This is a different section of the basement than she's been staying in, and it reeks of death. Wild must have kept it carefully cordoned off so the smell didn't reach her, she should thank her for that later.

You can- you can really tell awful things happened here.

...why didn't she notice the sound? Does making the walls smell-proof also make them sound-proof? She supposes if the basement is soundproof to the rest of the building, it makes sense that different sections of it would probably be soundproof to each other.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Razor returns with a spool of steel wire over her shoulder and a bag of gummy candy under her arm. She's smiling, though she looks... shaken.

I'm back!

-@stp-the-razor-minimum-wage

She's able to hide her smirk when she sees Razor, but her tail instinctually flicks.

Razor. Your expression says you met their establishment's resident annoyance.

By the mound she's talking like Opportunist. Don't be so obvious.

Where are we doing this?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Oh, I- can't say I know exactly who you're talking about.

She shifts her weight, the steady ground against her feet a reminder that her balance is not in danger.

But, um, anywhere you don't think we'll be interrupted will work! Except maybe the freezer, I don't know if the temperature might make the wire harder to work with.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

I’m not going in the freezer, period.

The basement? It might reek of blood and Army and…decapitated Prisoner but it’s unlikely anyone will go down there?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She shrugs.

Good enough for me! Wait what was that you said about Prisoner-

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

There might be a decapitated head of Prisoner’s in there. If it is I’ll deal with it, don’t worry yourself.

She leads, watching over her shoulder constantly to make sure she’s following, maybe excessively.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

And follow she does, with a demeanor undeniably dimmer than before she left for the wire, but still quite sunny.

Her foot catches on something and she loses her balance and-

no, she's still steady. Was there even anything to catch her feet on?

Deep breath in, deep breath out. What is with her?

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Razor returns with a spool of steel wire over her shoulder and a bag of gummy candy under her arm. She's smiling, though she looks... shaken.

I'm back!

-@stp-the-razor-minimum-wage

She's able to hide her smirk when she sees Razor, but her tail instinctually flicks.

Razor. Your expression says you met their establishment's resident annoyance.

By the mound she's talking like Opportunist. Don't be so obvious.

Where are we doing this?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Oh, I- can't say I know exactly who you're talking about.

She shifts her weight, the steady ground against her feet a reminder that her balance is not in danger.

But, um, anywhere you don't think we'll be interrupted will work! Except maybe the freezer, I don't know if the temperature might make the wire harder to work with.

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

I’m not going in the freezer, period.

The basement? It might reek of blood and Army and…decapitated Prisoner but it’s unlikely anyone will go down there?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She shrugs.

Good enough for me! Wait what was that you said about Prisoner-

[stp-minimum-wage-witch]

Razor returns with a spool of steel wire over her shoulder and a bag of gummy candy under her arm. She's smiling, though she looks... shaken.

I'm back!

-@stp-the-razor-minimum-wage

She's able to hide her smirk when she sees Razor, but her tail instinctually flicks.

Razor. Your expression says you met their establishment's resident annoyance.

By the mound she's talking like Opportunist. Don't be so obvious.

Where are we doing this?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Oh, I- can't say I know exactly who you're talking about.

She shifts her weight, the steady ground against her feet a reminder that her balance is not in danger.

But, um, anywhere you don't think we'll be interrupted will work! Except maybe the freezer, I don't know if the temperature might make the wire harder to work with.

[towerworkingretail-official]

Razor walks into WallWall, wide-eyed at how big it is.

How am I gonna find any in here...?

-@stp-the-razor-minimum-wage

A booming voice comes from a nearby register.

YOU AGAIN…? YOU HAVE NOT TOLD ANYONE OF WHAT TRANSPIRED BEFORE, YE—

…WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU WEARING.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Razor blinks, staggered by the force of the voice.

I- again?- sorry, you must be mista...ken....

She trails off, craning her neck to meet the gaze of the woman at the register.

You're very tall. Taller than Adversary, and she's the tallest person I know!

[towerworkingretail-official]

INDEED, I AM IN FACT, ‘TALL’.

The compliment refuses to land.

DEJA VU STRIKES ME, YOU DO NOT INTEND TO ATTEMPT - AND FAIL, OBVIOUSLY - TO LEAVE A MARK ON MY IMMACULATE CARAPACE, YES?

Tower feigns apathy to the topic with her tone and posture.

SUCH AN ATTEMPT WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY END IN FAILURE AND IMMENSE PUNISHMENT FOR YOU, BUT EVEN STILL IT WOULD BE AN… ANNOYANCE, YES.

She does not wait for an answer.

WE SHALL NOT DISCUSS THAT ANY FURTHER. WHAT DO YOU SEEK FROM THIS PLACE? AND DO NOT SAY I.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She raises her pool noodles in a nonthreatening manner.

Nono, I'm not here for something like that! That was Army, I'm Razor, we look a lot alike, it's a whole thing. I'm here for...

A beat.

Wait, did you say Army attacked you and failed?

[towerworkingretail-official]

Tower floats over the register and closes the distance, slightly. She squints deeply at Razor, towering over her, I laugh.

For a short while, that’s all that she does, appraising each and every movement.

She appears satisfied and puts back on her natural grandiosity.

VERY WELL, THAT APPEARS PLAUSIBLE.

✨YES — I CAME FACE TO FACE WITH A WOMAN OF BLADES, AND AFTER A LONG YET SIMPLE DUEL, I BESTED HER WITH NARY A BLOW UPON ME✨

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

I...

Could you help us?

We- A few people and I are-

Army's been hurting a lot of people, and we're trying to stop her-

That's actually why I'm here, to get some- some things for that-

But I wouldn't- if you- you beat her-

She is starstruck.

[towerworkingretail-official]

T-Tower is... pleasantly, pleasantly surprised.

Begging. Honest to Her begging. Pleading. All to go back on a one off truce she made a week or two ago.

H... How could she refuse?

✨WE MAY DISCUSS THIS MATTER AFTER BUSINESS✨

FOR NOW, WHAT IS IT YOU SEEK?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Ohmygoshthiscouldbeitthiscouldbe*it*.

I- we're um, we're out of steel wire. The kind you tie people up with. We were, um, going to- to trap Army with it. But we might not need it, if you help us-

Oh- and, uh, some gummy snacks.

[towerworkingretail-official]

AH. VERY WELL. COME.

Blip. Aisle 224. The flash of light fades from Razor’s eyes, slowly, though the motion sickness lingers.

WIRE WAS MARKED IN THIS GENERAL AREA...

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

I-...

The hypothetical camera zooms out from Razor's face as she blinks the light away to the vast expanse of this aisle alone.

There's so much here-

[towerworkingretail-official]

And yet, none of it is right. It goes on seemingly forever, yet the shelved items themselves... umbrellas, vaulting poles, regular poles, logs, a jack-o-lantern that is unnaturally long, you could search for weeks and not find the wire you seek.

CORRECT, IT IS A NIGHTMARE TO RESTOCK.

Laugh track.

THIS IS NOT THE CORRECT AISLE — HERE.

Razor is called to move slightly over. The demonstration is... it’s... purposeful.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Before she realizes, she's moved.

Woah- how did you do that? I didn't- that wasn't-

[towerworkingretail-official]

HM? AH, YES, ✨MY WILL IS QUITE INDOMITABLE, IS IT NOT?✨

TRULY POWERFUL AM I, TO MOVE ONE’S BODY AS THOUGH IT WERE MY OWN… ✨DOES THIS IMPRESS YOU?✨

Aisle 225, long bendy objects. Sticky hands, pool noodles, not what is asked of, still.

This... this isn’t...

This is not what they require.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

That's-

Yeah.

She takes a breath as she looks around, and finds it shaky.

Oh, this must have been where that weird customer got my noodles!

[towerworkingretail-official]

POSSIBLY, BUT HARDLY RELEVANT.

Aisle 226, long——

NEXT AISLE.

...Mild annoyance as Tower guides both of them to... the aisle with the wire they searched for.

THERE. YOU SOUGHT STEEL WIRE, YES? OF THAT SORT?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Yeah, this- this works.

She maneuvers a spool of cable around her right noodle until it rests on her shoulder like a purse.

Thank you.

[towerworkingretail-official]

OF COURSE, NOW:

Blip. Aisle 252, gummy snacks.

The floor inside is incredibly slippery, for fast travel. She’s teleported them both right in the middle.

YOU SOUGHT ‘GUMMY SNACKS’ IN ADDITION?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

I-

The ground is unsteady beneath her feet.

She's going too fast she's going too fast-

(She is standing still.)

Her chest rises and falls with increasing desperation, air whistling through the empty spaces like a kettle.

I can't- I can't-

Her skull ringing with phantom pain, Razor's arms swing madly, knocking items off the shelf in a swathe in her attempt to grasp at anything to steady herself.

I can't-

[towerworkingretail-official]

HALT.

Razor freezes, legs stretched either side of her. She spins in place slowly, before being called to breathe. Shut her eyes. Let the squeaking tile sooth her.

I SEE I NEGLECTED TO MENTION THE STATE OF THIS AISLE’S FLOORING. NONETHELESS, YOU ARE NOT IN ANY IMMEDIATE DANGER.

The sounds of Tower plucking gummy baggies off the floor and placing them back on the shelves, slowly.

Razor is directed not to move an inch.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Strangely, although the sounds of squeaking tile are objectively horrible, Razor does find it soothing.

Her eyes closed, her breath slowing, her spiraling mind slows.

What was that? Why did she react so viscerally?

In response, several flashes of Connie's face come and go in an instant.

Excited, joyous, surprised and a little concerned, much more worried, panicked and denying.

Um, - I don't think I got your name, actually - where is- why is the floor like a slip 'n slide?

...is what she would say, had she not been directed not to move an inch. So she can't, really.

[towerworkingretail-official]

Yet the message reaches Tower anyway, and she calls her to speak.

…

YOU HAVE NOTICED THE LENGTH OF THE AISLES, YES? THAT IS THE REASON. WHY ONLY THIS AISLE, I—

She pinches Razor to a halt. The annoying squeaking noise stops.

—I KNOW NOT.

✨AS FOR I, I AM KNOWN AS LADY TOWER, BRINGER OF THE NEW AGE, CLEANSER OF THE OBSOLETE—✨ SO ON, SO FORTH.

CURRENTLY WORKING RETAIL TO STAVE OFF FINANCIAL DESTITUTION BUT THAT IS NOT IMPORTANT.

The strings that have found themselves on Razor loosen, if only for anything that would not disrupt her balance.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

I, um.

She swallows as she finds her voice again.

I don't have a very good history with slip 'n slides. I'm sorry for, freaking out like that. Ahem.

Sheepishly, Razor lifts a noodle to the package of gummy candies Lady Tower has in her hand.

That will- any of these will do. Thanks.

[towerworkingretail-official]

EXCELLENT, WE HAVE SPENT LONG ENOUGH IN THIS ESCORT DRABBLE.

Blip. Back to the registers, having narrowly avoided the curling rock hurdling down the aisle.

An uneventful scanning and checkout before Tower claps her hands together.

✨NOW, WE MAY DISCUSS THE MATTERS OF THIS ‘AR—

The automatic doors shut behind Razor, plastic bag on her person.

She has not met Tower, or if she has, does not recall the events or person.

By exceeding the ten minutes of non-work related discussion with a WallWall employee on her shift, all traces of such an interaction have been wiped.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

(Heyyy, Contrarian! What are you doing?)

But as she makes her way back to the restaurant, her steps leave damp footprints on the asphalt.

(I set up a slip n slide! Wanna try?)

Her heart still pounds.

(Yes! How does it work?)

She remembers.

(You just slide down it as fast as you can!)

Only this from before, but she remembers.

(Like this?)

She remembers.

(Wow! This is so much fu-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.)

[towerworkingretail-official]

Razor walks into WallWall, wide-eyed at how big it is.

How am I gonna find any in here...?

-@stp-the-razor-minimum-wage

A booming voice comes from a nearby register.

YOU AGAIN…? YOU HAVE NOT TOLD ANYONE OF WHAT TRANSPIRED BEFORE, YE—

…WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU WEARING.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Razor blinks, staggered by the force of the voice.

I- again?- sorry, you must be mista...ken....

She trails off, craning her neck to meet the gaze of the woman at the register.

You're very tall. Taller than Adversary, and she's the tallest person I know!

[towerworkingretail-official]

INDEED, I AM IN FACT, ‘TALL’.

The compliment refuses to land.

DEJA VU STRIKES ME, YOU DO NOT INTEND TO ATTEMPT - AND FAIL, OBVIOUSLY - TO LEAVE A MARK ON MY IMMACULATE CARAPACE, YES?

Tower feigns apathy to the topic with her tone and posture.

SUCH AN ATTEMPT WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY END IN FAILURE AND IMMENSE PUNISHMENT FOR YOU, BUT EVEN STILL IT WOULD BE AN… ANNOYANCE, YES.

She does not wait for an answer.

WE SHALL NOT DISCUSS THAT ANY FURTHER. WHAT DO YOU SEEK FROM THIS PLACE? AND DO NOT SAY I.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She raises her pool noodles in a nonthreatening manner.

Nono, I'm not here for something like that! That was Army, I'm Razor, we look a lot alike, it's a whole thing. I'm here for...

A beat.

Wait, did you say Army attacked you and failed?

[towerworkingretail-official]

Tower floats over the register and closes the distance, slightly. She squints deeply at Razor, towering over her, I laugh.

For a short while, that’s all that she does, appraising each and every movement.

She appears satisfied and puts back on her natural grandiosity.

VERY WELL, THAT APPEARS PLAUSIBLE.

✨YES — I CAME FACE TO FACE WITH A WOMAN OF BLADES, AND AFTER A LONG YET SIMPLE DUEL, I BESTED HER WITH NARY A BLOW UPON ME✨

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

I...

Could you help us?

We- A few people and I are-

Army's been hurting a lot of people, and we're trying to stop her-

That's actually why I'm here, to get some- some things for that-

But I wouldn't- if you- you beat her-

She is starstruck.

[towerworkingretail-official]

T-Tower is... pleasantly, pleasantly surprised.

Begging. Honest to Her begging. Pleading. All to go back on a one off truce she made a week or two ago.

H... How could she refuse?

✨WE MAY DISCUSS THIS MATTER AFTER BUSINESS✨

FOR NOW, WHAT IS IT YOU SEEK?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Ohmygoshthiscouldbeitthiscouldbe*it*.

I- we're um, we're out of steel wire. The kind you tie people up with. We were, um, going to- to trap Army with it. But we might not need it, if you help us-

Oh- and, uh, some gummy snacks.

[towerworkingretail-official]

AH. VERY WELL. COME.

Blip. Aisle 224. The flash of light fades from Razor’s eyes, slowly, though the motion sickness lingers.

WIRE WAS MARKED IN THIS GENERAL AREA...

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

I-...

The hypothetical camera zooms out from Razor's face as she blinks the light away to the vast expanse of this aisle alone.

There's so much here-

[towerworkingretail-official]

And yet, none of it is right. It goes on seemingly forever, yet the shelved items themselves... umbrellas, vaulting poles, regular poles, logs, a jack-o-lantern that is unnaturally long, you could search for weeks and not find the wire you seek.

CORRECT, IT IS A NIGHTMARE TO RESTOCK.

Laugh track.

THIS IS NOT THE CORRECT AISLE — HERE.

Razor is called to move slightly over. The demonstration is... it’s... purposeful.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Before she realizes, she's moved.

Woah- how did you do that? I didn't- that wasn't-

[towerworkingretail-official]

HM? AH, YES, ✨MY WILL IS QUITE INDOMITABLE, IS IT NOT?✨

TRULY POWERFUL AM I, TO MOVE ONE’S BODY AS THOUGH IT WERE MY OWN… ✨DOES THIS IMPRESS YOU?✨

Aisle 225, long bendy objects. Sticky hands, pool noodles, not what is asked of, still.

This... this isn’t...

This is not what they require.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

That's-

Yeah.

She takes a breath as she looks around, and finds it shaky.

Oh, this must have been where that weird customer got my noodles!

[towerworkingretail-official]

POSSIBLY, BUT HARDLY RELEVANT.

Aisle 226, long——

NEXT AISLE.

...Mild annoyance as Tower guides both of them to... the aisle with the wire they searched for.

THERE. YOU SOUGHT STEEL WIRE, YES? OF THAT SORT?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Yeah, this- this works.

She maneuvers a spool of cable around her right noodle until it rests on her shoulder like a purse.

Thank you.

[towerworkingretail-official]

OF COURSE, NOW:

Blip. Aisle 252, gummy snacks.

The floor inside is incredibly slippery, for fast travel. She’s teleported them both right in the middle.

YOU SOUGHT ‘GUMMY SNACKS’ IN ADDITION?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

I-

The ground is unsteady beneath her feet.

She's going too fast she's going too fast-

(She is standing still.)

Her chest rises and falls with increasing desperation, air whistling through the empty spaces like a kettle.

I can't- I can't-

Her skull ringing with phantom pain, Razor's arms swing madly, knocking items off the shelf in a swathe in her attempt to grasp at anything to steady herself.

I can't-

[towerworkingretail-official]

HALT.

Razor freezes, legs stretched either side of her. She spins in place slowly, before being called to breathe. Shut her eyes. Let the squeaking tile sooth her.

I SEE I NEGLECTED TO MENTION THE STATE OF THIS AISLE’S FLOORING. NONETHELESS, YOU ARE NOT IN ANY IMMEDIATE DANGER.

The sounds of Tower plucking gummy baggies off the floor and placing them back on the shelves, slowly.

Razor is directed not to move an inch.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Strangely, although the sounds of squeaking tile are objectively horrible, Razor does find it soothing.

Her eyes closed, her breath slowing, her spiraling mind slows.

What was that? Why did she react so viscerally?

In response, several flashes of Connie's face come and go in an instant.

Excited, joyous, surprised and a little concerned, much more worried, panicked and denying.

Um, - I don't think I got your name, actually - where is- why is the floor like a slip 'n slide?

...is what she would say, had she not been directed not to move an inch. So she can't, really.

[towerworkingretail-official]

Yet the message reaches Tower anyway, and she calls her to speak.

…

YOU HAVE NOTICED THE LENGTH OF THE AISLES, YES? THAT IS THE REASON. WHY ONLY THIS AISLE, I—

She pinches Razor to a halt. The annoying squeaking noise stops.

—I KNOW NOT.

✨AS FOR I, I AM KNOWN AS LADY TOWER, BRINGER OF THE NEW AGE, CLEANSER OF THE OBSOLETE—✨ SO ON, SO FORTH.

CURRENTLY WORKING RETAIL TO STAVE OFF FINANCIAL DESTITUTION BUT THAT IS NOT IMPORTANT.

The strings that have found themselves on Razor loosen, if only for anything that would not disrupt her balance.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

I, um.

She swallows as she finds her voice again.

I don't have a very good history with slip 'n slides. I'm sorry for, freaking out like that. Ahem.

Sheepishly, Razor lifts a noodle to the package of gummy candies Lady Tower has in her hand.

That will- any of these will do. Thanks.

[towerworkingretail-official]

Razor walks into WallWall, wide-eyed at how big it is.

How am I gonna find any in here...?

-@stp-the-razor-minimum-wage

A booming voice comes from a nearby register.

YOU AGAIN…? YOU HAVE NOT TOLD ANYONE OF WHAT TRANSPIRED BEFORE, YE—

…WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU WEARING.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Razor blinks, staggered by the force of the voice.

I- again?- sorry, you must be mista...ken....

She trails off, craning her neck to meet the gaze of the woman at the register.

You're very tall. Taller than Adversary, and she's the tallest person I know!

[towerworkingretail-official]

INDEED, I AM IN FACT, ‘TALL’.

The compliment refuses to land.

DEJA VU STRIKES ME, YOU DO NOT INTEND TO ATTEMPT - AND FAIL, OBVIOUSLY - TO LEAVE A MARK ON MY IMMACULATE CARAPACE, YES?

Tower feigns apathy to the topic with her tone and posture.

SUCH AN ATTEMPT WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY END IN FAILURE AND IMMENSE PUNISHMENT FOR YOU, BUT EVEN STILL IT WOULD BE AN… ANNOYANCE, YES.

She does not wait for an answer.

WE SHALL NOT DISCUSS THAT ANY FURTHER. WHAT DO YOU SEEK FROM THIS PLACE? AND DO NOT SAY I.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She raises her pool noodles in a nonthreatening manner.

Nono, I'm not here for something like that! That was Army, I'm Razor, we look a lot alike, it's a whole thing. I'm here for...

A beat.

Wait, did you say Army attacked you and failed?

[towerworkingretail-official]

Tower floats over the register and closes the distance, slightly. She squints deeply at Razor, towering over her, I laugh.

For a short while, that’s all that she does, appraising each and every movement.

She appears satisfied and puts back on her natural grandiosity.

VERY WELL, THAT APPEARS PLAUSIBLE.

✨YES — I CAME FACE TO FACE WITH A WOMAN OF BLADES, AND AFTER A LONG YET SIMPLE DUEL, I BESTED HER WITH NARY A BLOW UPON ME✨

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

I...

Could you help us?

We- A few people and I are-

Army's been hurting a lot of people, and we're trying to stop her-

That's actually why I'm here, to get some- some things for that-

But I wouldn't- if you- you beat her-

She is starstruck.

[towerworkingretail-official]

T-Tower is... pleasantly, pleasantly surprised.

Begging. Honest to Her begging. Pleading. All to go back on a one off truce she made a week or two ago.

H... How could she refuse?

✨WE MAY DISCUSS THIS MATTER AFTER BUSINESS✨

FOR NOW, WHAT IS IT YOU SEEK?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Ohmygoshthiscouldbeitthiscouldbe*it*.

I- we're um, we're out of steel wire. The kind you tie people up with. We were, um, going to- to trap Army with it. But we might not need it, if you help us-

Oh- and, uh, some gummy snacks.

[towerworkingretail-official]

AH. VERY WELL. COME.

Blip. Aisle 224. The flash of light fades from Razor’s eyes, slowly, though the motion sickness lingers.

WIRE WAS MARKED IN THIS GENERAL AREA...

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

I-...

The hypothetical camera zooms out from Razor's face as she blinks the light away to the vast expanse of this aisle alone.

There's so much here-

[towerworkingretail-official]

And yet, none of it is right. It goes on seemingly forever, yet the shelved items themselves... umbrellas, vaulting poles, regular poles, logs, a jack-o-lantern that is unnaturally long, you could search for weeks and not find the wire you seek.

CORRECT, IT IS A NIGHTMARE TO RESTOCK.

Laugh track.

THIS IS NOT THE CORRECT AISLE — HERE.

Razor is called to move slightly over. The demonstration is... it’s... purposeful.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Before she realizes, she's moved.

Woah- how did you do that? I didn't- that wasn't-

[towerworkingretail-official]

HM? AH, YES, ✨MY WILL IS QUITE INDOMITABLE, IS IT NOT?✨

TRULY POWERFUL AM I, TO MOVE ONE’S BODY AS THOUGH IT WERE MY OWN… ✨DOES THIS IMPRESS YOU?✨

Aisle 225, long bendy objects. Sticky hands, pool noodles, not what is asked of, still.

This... this isn’t...

This is not what they require.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

That's-

Yeah.

She takes a breath as she looks around, and finds it shaky.

Oh, this must have been where that weird customer got my noodles!

[towerworkingretail-official]

POSSIBLY, BUT HARDLY RELEVANT.

Aisle 226, long——

NEXT AISLE.

...Mild annoyance as Tower guides both of them to... the aisle with the wire they searched for.

THERE. YOU SOUGHT STEEL WIRE, YES? OF THAT SORT?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Yeah, this- this works.

She maneuvers a spool of cable around her right noodle until it rests on her shoulder like a purse.

Thank you.

[towerworkingretail-official]

OF COURSE, NOW:

Blip. Aisle 252, gummy snacks.

The floor inside is incredibly slippery, for fast travel. She’s teleported them both right in the middle.

YOU SOUGHT ‘GUMMY SNACKS’ IN ADDITION?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

I-

The ground is unsteady beneath her feet.

She's going too fast she's going too fast-

(She is standing still.)

Her chest rises and falls with increasing desperation, air whistling through the empty spaces like a kettle.

I can't- I can't-

Her skull ringing with phantom pain, Razor's arms swing madly, knocking items off the shelf in a swathe in her attempt to grasp at anything to steady herself.

I can't-

[towerworkingretail-official]

HALT.

Razor freezes, legs stretched either side of her. She spins in place slowly, before being called to breathe. Shut her eyes. Let the squeaking tile sooth her.

I SEE I NEGLECTED TO MENTION THE STATE OF THIS AISLE’S FLOORING. NONETHELESS, YOU ARE NOT IN ANY IMMEDIATE DANGER.

The sounds of Tower plucking gummy baggies off the floor and placing them back on the shelves, slowly.

Razor is directed not to move an inch.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Strangely, although the sounds of squeaking tile are objectively horrible, Razor does find it soothing.

Her eyes closed, her breath slowing, her spiraling mind slows.

What was that? Why did she react so viscerally?

In response, several flashes of Connie's face come and go in an instant.

Excited, joyous, surprised and a little concerned, much more worried, panicked and denying.

Um, - I don't think I got your name, actually - where is- why is the floor like a slip 'n slide?

...is what she would say, had she not been directed not to move an inch. So she can't, really.

[towerworkingretail-official]

Razor walks into WallWall, wide-eyed at how big it is.

How am I gonna find any in here...?

-@stp-the-razor-minimum-wage

A booming voice comes from a nearby register.

YOU AGAIN…? YOU HAVE NOT TOLD ANYONE OF WHAT TRANSPIRED BEFORE, YE—

…WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU WEARING.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Razor blinks, staggered by the force of the voice.

I- again?- sorry, you must be mista...ken....

She trails off, craning her neck to meet the gaze of the woman at the register.

You're very tall. Taller than Adversary, and she's the tallest person I know!

[towerworkingretail-official]

INDEED, I AM IN FACT, ‘TALL’.

The compliment refuses to land.

DEJA VU STRIKES ME, YOU DO NOT INTEND TO ATTEMPT - AND FAIL, OBVIOUSLY - TO LEAVE A MARK ON MY IMMACULATE CARAPACE, YES?

Tower feigns apathy to the topic with her tone and posture.

SUCH AN ATTEMPT WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY END IN FAILURE AND IMMENSE PUNISHMENT FOR YOU, BUT EVEN STILL IT WOULD BE AN… ANNOYANCE, YES.

She does not wait for an answer.

WE SHALL NOT DISCUSS THAT ANY FURTHER. WHAT DO YOU SEEK FROM THIS PLACE? AND DO NOT SAY I.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She raises her pool noodles in a nonthreatening manner.

Nono, I'm not here for something like that! That was Army, I'm Razor, we look a lot alike, it's a whole thing. I'm here for...

A beat.

Wait, did you say Army attacked you and failed?

[towerworkingretail-official]

Tower floats over the register and closes the distance, slightly. She squints deeply at Razor, towering over her, I laugh.

For a short while, that’s all that she does, appraising each and every movement.

She appears satisfied and puts back on her natural grandiosity.

VERY WELL, THAT APPEARS PLAUSIBLE.

✨YES — I CAME FACE TO FACE WITH A WOMAN OF BLADES, AND AFTER A LONG YET SIMPLE DUEL, I BESTED HER WITH NARY A BLOW UPON ME✨

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

I...

Could you help us?

We- A few people and I are-

Army's been hurting a lot of people, and we're trying to stop her-

That's actually why I'm here, to get some- some things for that-

But I wouldn't- if you- you beat her-

She is starstruck.

[towerworkingretail-official]

T-Tower is... pleasantly, pleasantly surprised.

Begging. Honest to Her begging. Pleading. All to go back on a one off truce she made a week or two ago.

H... How could she refuse?

✨WE MAY DISCUSS THIS MATTER AFTER BUSINESS✨

FOR NOW, WHAT IS IT YOU SEEK?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Ohmygoshthiscouldbeitthiscouldbe*it*.

I- we're um, we're out of steel wire. The kind you tie people up with. We were, um, going to- to trap Army with it. But we might not need it, if you help us-

Oh- and, uh, some gummy snacks.

[towerworkingretail-official]

AH. VERY WELL. COME.

Blip. Aisle 224. The flash of light fades from Razor’s eyes, slowly, though the motion sickness lingers.

WIRE WAS MARKED IN THIS GENERAL AREA...

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

I-...

The hypothetical camera zooms out from Razor's face as she blinks the light away to the vast expanse of this aisle alone.

There's so much here-

[towerworkingretail-official]

And yet, none of it is right. It goes on seemingly forever, yet the shelved items themselves... umbrellas, vaulting poles, regular poles, logs, a jack-o-lantern that is unnaturally long, you could search for weeks and not find the wire you seek.

CORRECT, IT IS A NIGHTMARE TO RESTOCK.

Laugh track.

THIS IS NOT THE CORRECT AISLE — HERE.

Razor is called to move slightly over. The demonstration is... it’s... purposeful.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Before she realizes, she's moved.

Woah- how did you do that? I didn't- that wasn't-

[towerworkingretail-official]

HM? AH, YES, ✨MY WILL IS QUITE INDOMITABLE, IS IT NOT?✨

TRULY POWERFUL AM I, TO MOVE ONE’S BODY AS THOUGH IT WERE MY OWN… ✨DOES THIS IMPRESS YOU?✨

Aisle 225, long bendy objects. Sticky hands, pool noodles, not what is asked of, still.

This... this isn’t...

This is not what they require.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

That's-

Yeah.

She takes a breath as she looks around, and finds it shaky.

Oh, this must have been where that weird customer got my noodles!

[towerworkingretail-official]

POSSIBLY, BUT HARDLY RELEVANT.

Aisle 226, long——

NEXT AISLE.

...Mild annoyance as Tower guides both of them to... the aisle with the wire they searched for.

THERE. YOU SOUGHT STEEL WIRE, YES? OF THAT SORT?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Yeah, this- this works.

She maneuvers a spool of cable around her right noodle until it rests on her shoulder like a purse.

Thank you.

[towerworkingretail-official]

OF COURSE, NOW:

Blip. Aisle 252, gummy snacks.

The floor inside is incredibly slippery, for fast travel. She’s teleported them both right in the middle.

YOU SOUGHT ‘GUMMY SNACKS’ IN ADDITION?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

I-

The ground is unsteady beneath her feet.

She's going too fast she's going too fast-

(She is standing still.)

Her chest rises and falls with increasing desperation, air whistling through the empty spaces like a kettle.

I can't- I can't-

Her skull ringing with phantom pain, Razor's arms swing madly, knocking items off the shelf in a swathe in her attempt to grasp at anything to steady herself.

I can't-

[towerworkingretail-official]

Razor walks into WallWall, wide-eyed at how big it is.

How am I gonna find any in here...?

-@stp-the-razor-minimum-wage

A booming voice comes from a nearby register.

YOU AGAIN…? YOU HAVE NOT TOLD ANYONE OF WHAT TRANSPIRED BEFORE, YE—

…WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU WEARING.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Razor blinks, staggered by the force of the voice.

I- again?- sorry, you must be mista...ken....

She trails off, craning her neck to meet the gaze of the woman at the register.

You're very tall. Taller than Adversary, and she's the tallest person I know!

[towerworkingretail-official]

INDEED, I AM IN FACT, ‘TALL’.

The compliment refuses to land.

DEJA VU STRIKES ME, YOU DO NOT INTEND TO ATTEMPT - AND FAIL, OBVIOUSLY - TO LEAVE A MARK ON MY IMMACULATE CARAPACE, YES?

Tower feigns apathy to the topic with her tone and posture.

SUCH AN ATTEMPT WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY END IN FAILURE AND IMMENSE PUNISHMENT FOR YOU, BUT EVEN STILL IT WOULD BE AN… ANNOYANCE, YES.

She does not wait for an answer.

WE SHALL NOT DISCUSS THAT ANY FURTHER. WHAT DO YOU SEEK FROM THIS PLACE? AND DO NOT SAY I.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

She raises her pool noodles in a nonthreatening manner.

Nono, I'm not here for something like that! That was Army, I'm Razor, we look a lot alike, it's a whole thing. I'm here for...

A beat.

Wait, did you say Army attacked you and failed?

[towerworkingretail-official]

Tower floats over the register and closes the distance, slightly. She squints deeply at Razor, towering over her, I laugh.

For a short while, that’s all that she does, appraising each and every movement.

She appears satisfied and puts back on her natural grandiosity.

VERY WELL, THAT APPEARS PLAUSIBLE.

✨YES — I CAME FACE TO FACE WITH A WOMAN OF BLADES, AND AFTER A LONG YET SIMPLE DUEL, I BESTED HER WITH NARY A BLOW UPON ME✨

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

I...

Could you help us?

We- A few people and I are-

Army's been hurting a lot of people, and we're trying to stop her-

That's actually why I'm here, to get some- some things for that-

But I wouldn't- if you- you beat her-

She is starstruck.

[towerworkingretail-official]

T-Tower is... pleasantly, pleasantly surprised.

Begging. Honest to Her begging. Pleading. All to go back on a one off truce she made a week or two ago.

H... How could she refuse?

✨WE MAY DISCUSS THIS MATTER AFTER BUSINESS✨

FOR NOW, WHAT IS IT YOU SEEK?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Ohmygoshthiscouldbeitthiscouldbe*it*.

I- we're um, we're out of steel wire. The kind you tie people up with. We were, um, going to- to trap Army with it. But we might not need it, if you help us-

Oh- and, uh, some gummy snacks.

[towerworkingretail-official]

AH. VERY WELL. COME.

Blip. Aisle 224. The flash of light fades from Razor’s eyes, slowly, though the motion sickness lingers.

WIRE WAS MARKED IN THIS GENERAL AREA...

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

I-...

The hypothetical camera zooms out from Razor's face as she blinks the light away to the vast expanse of this aisle alone.

There's so much here-

[towerworkingretail-official]

And yet, none of it is right. It goes on seemingly forever, yet the shelved items themselves... umbrellas, vaulting poles, regular poles, logs, a jack-o-lantern that is unnaturally long, you could search for weeks and not find the wire you seek.

CORRECT, IT IS A NIGHTMARE TO RESTOCK.

Laugh track.

THIS IS NOT THE CORRECT AISLE — HERE.

Razor is called to move slightly over. The demonstration is... it’s... purposeful.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Before she realizes, she's moved.

Woah- how did you do that? I didn't- that wasn't-

[towerworkingretail-official]

HM? AH, YES, ✨MY WILL IS QUITE INDOMITABLE, IS IT NOT?✨

TRULY POWERFUL AM I, TO MOVE ONE’S BODY AS THOUGH IT WERE MY OWN… ✨DOES THIS IMPRESS YOU?✨

Aisle 225, long bendy objects. Sticky hands, pool noodles, not what is asked of, still.

This... this isn’t...

This is not what they require.

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

That's-

Yeah.

She takes a breath as she looks around, and finds it shaky.

Oh, this must have been where that weird customer got my noodles!

[towerworkingretail-official]

POSSIBLY, BUT HARDLY RELEVANT.

Aisle 226, long——

NEXT AISLE.

...Mild annoyance as Tower guides both of them to... the aisle with the wire they searched for.

THERE. YOU SOUGHT STEEL WIRE, YES? OF THAT SORT?

[stp-the-razor-minimum-wage]

Yeah, this- this works.

She maneuvers a spool of cable around her right noodle until it rests on her shoulder like a purse.

Thank you.