Chapter Text
Floor 37. The lack of the sound of footsteps was comforting, and Rodger heard Vee sigh in relief. As the elevator doors opened, Rodger, Goob, Vee, Sprout, Astro, and Shelly walked out, Goob immediately running off to gather the Twisteds. Vee pulled out her microphone and tapped it twice, showing the location of the Twisteds on her screen- Twisted Razzle and Dazzle, Twisted Flutter, Twisted Connie, Twisted Yatta, yet no 6th twisted shown.
"So, is the 6th twisted Rodger?" Shelly prompted, Vee letting out a hum of recognition. "It appears so. Check capsules before you pick them up, everybody." The group broke apart, everyone heading in different directions to fill the 17 total machines. The ding of a machine being filled came quick, most likely from Vee using her Veemote to fill a machine, Rodger reasoned.
Approaching a machine, Rodger got onto a knee and began turning the valve, filling the container with the viscous ichor just above halfway before something caught his attention from the corner of his eye. Standing up and walking over, he crouched down and inspected the unusual item- An orange and purple tape next to a tipped-over box of old stuffed animals- Blue elephants, pink pigs, green rabbits, along with a few others. Yet, most of the plushies were of purple cats and orange dogs.
"How curious," Rodger quipped as he picked up the tape and put it in his shirt pocket. Rodger glanced to the lights elevator door, 8 of them green while the rest illuminated in red- 8 out of 17 machines complete. Rodger stood up and resumed filling the machine he had been working on, filing the strange tape away mentally as something to ask Dandy about later.
Almost in sync with his the ding produced by his own machine filling completely, two other dings quickly followed, 11 lights now lit up. Rodger walked away, locating another empty machine quickly. Getting on one knee to turn the valve, Rodger quickly got to work. Another two dings came, accompanied by another two lights above the elevator door flickering green.
Upon reaching about 75% in filling the machine, Rodger heard yet another ding- 15 machines completed. Upon completing his machine, Rodger stood up and began walking back to the elevator, hearing Sprout distantly calling out "Get to the elevator!" Rodger took notice of Vee and Astro approaching, taking note of Vee holding another purple and orange tape.
"Greetings, you two. Doing well, I hope?" Rodger prompted, tilting his head slightly with his eye on the tape in Vee's hand. Getting a nod in response from Astro, Rodger turned to Vee, taking a step closer. "Could I inquire where you found that unique tape, Vee?" Holding it up slightly, Vee began to recall where she found it. "I was walking to a machine and noticed a box of old pendants. Lightning bolts, lightbulbs, flowers, stars, hearts, apples, suns, and moons. The tape was sticking out of the box, so I took it." Rodger raised his eyebrow at Vee's recollection. "Interesting. I have found one in a similar fashion. Perhaps we could share our findings with Dandy once this run is over?"
Vee responded with a nod just as the elevator door opened, a loud alarm blaring. Astro flinched in shock before entering the elevator, Rodger and Vee joining him inside. Shelly and Sprout came running in, quickly followed by Goob, dashing inside just before he could get hit.
The trapdoor in the elevator opened up, Dandy rising out of it with a smile. "Hello, everybody! Heading up, I assume?" Rodger and Vee approached, holding out the colored tapes for Dandy. "Indeed," Rodger began, "but first, we have something to ask of you. Vee and I discovered these strange tapes, and would like for you to take a look at them."
Dandy took the tapes, looking them over in confusion and interest. "How strange," the flower mumbled to himself in passing before speaking up. "I've never seen any tapes like this before. Will do, Rodger! See you all later!" With that, Dandy pulled the lever and descended into the floor as the elevator began to rise.