After regaining her balance, Vee stared out the door. As she stood there, other toons begrudgingly poured out the elevator. She noted that instead of groups, they spread out individually, completely unlike the previous floor; leaving little options for Vee, she decided to go solo too. 

 Vee's screen hummed a low, irritated frequency as she stepped out of the elevator, glancing left and right for danger. Looking at both sides, the throbbing in her screen subsided a little. She knew the drill by now, complete the machines and run to the elevator; but she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that there was a threat nearby. 

 Almost immediately, she spotted a machine by a bookshelf, almost purposefully hidden. It didn't matter to her whatsoever, starting to twist the valve. It wasn't anything different, just done in about half a minute. As she finished the machine, she peered from behind the bookshelf. 

 She saw Tisha, she was running from.. Shrimpo? They were coming closer to her spot, pressuring her to make a decision. Watching Tisha's movement, she was bound to loop Shrimpo around Vee's spot, which would place Vee in direct danger. Vee started to run towards the other side of the shelf, peeking to see Tisha approaching with Shrimpo not far behind. 

 As Tisha rounded the corner, she spotted Vee, "RUN!" Tisha screamed, almost demanding. Vee immediately listened, sprinting alongside her as they ran from Shrimpo. That wasn't Shrimpo though, he was too animalistic and violent, practically a zombie. 

 As Vee felt herself start to slow down, Tisha pushed her behind a box. Stunned for a moment, Vee jerked her head at Tisha, about to curse her out; although, Tisha shortly rolled to Vee, hushing Vee. The two waited in silence as they heard Shrimpo's footsteps approach, pause, and trail off. The two sat in silence for a moment, before Vee spoke up. "What's going on!?" Vee quietly muttered, glancing at Tisha. 

 "I don't know, but whatever that thing is, it isn't Shrimpo anymore," Tisha hissed, "I guess whatever was in the machine changed him," she added, recalling what Boxten said earlier. 

 Vee nodded, recalling his irregular form. His mouth was enveloped in the substance, dripping off his chin whilst he trudged along. Other than the liquid, his form grew slightly in size, accompanied by lifeless, red eyes. 

 Glancing out of their hiding spot, the coast was clear. After this revelation, Vee pushed herself upwards, glaring at Tisha, "Did you need to push me?" She grumbled, irritated. Gauging her reaction, she could tell Tisha was holding back a snicker, "Yes? Well, maybe I just wanted to." The tissue-box toon paused briefly, "It could have been worse, just saying!" she reasoned.

 Vee rolled her eyes, "Yeah yeah, whatever," she scoffed. After a moment of reflection, she sighed, "Good thinking," she couldn't believe she was about to say this, "maybe.. we can partner up for a bit? You're witty against whatever these guys have become." Vee held her hands together, fiddling with them, feeling an instant pang of unease. What if she said no?

 Tisha almost broke character, holding back a giggle, "Me, Vee? Are your circuits fried? You don't usually ask anything of me." Tisha let out an amused huff, fiddling her feather duster as she raised an eyebrow, "..Well, I'll make an exception just this once, I guess," she teased, although Vee didn't take it to heart. 

 Lending her hand, she helped Tisha up. Quickly getting to work, Tisha led the way slowly, cautious of any threats up ahead. Watching Tisha's careful pace, Vee followed close behind and matched her vigilance. Both of them stalked in careful silence, looking for the next machine to get this over with. 

 Although for both of them, it was excruciating to keep tensions calm. "..So, Vee, you didn't have anyone else?" Tisha murmured, peeking past the corner as they pushed forward. "I didn't get the chance," Vee grumbled. Tisha was quiet for a moment. 

 "Not Astro?" 

"No."

"Brightney?" 

"No." 

"Shelly?" 

"..No."

 Tisha sighed for a moment, "There's absolutely no way, did you chase them all away?" Tisha rolled her eyes, slowing her pace down to carefully look for machines. Vee avoided glancing into her eyes, "No, they just all ran off before I could ask." Vee murmured. Tisha clicked her tongue for a moment, "You sure?" 

 Vee was taken aback slightly, "..No." Her screen bugged slightly, expressing a moment of inner turmoil. Looking at Tisha, Vee couldn't pinpoint her reaction; knitted eyebrows, crossed arms, a slight frown on her lips, could she be disappointed. 

 Just as Vee was about to add another thing, Tisha responded, "Gotcha, let's do this machine." Appalled by the sudden change of topic, Vee felt her words slip out her mind, "..Okay." No, she didn't want to say that, just another one of her stupid, scripted responses. Whatever, she'd get back to this sooner or later. 

 After a minute or two of silent walking, Tisha stopped, gesturing to the nearby machine, "Well, do what you do best!" She stepped aside, waiting for Vee to trot along. 

 Vee was frozen for a second, letting Tisha's words ring in her head. Best. Almost didn't seem like a real word, replaying so many times within her mind. "Oh, thanks.. Tisha." 

 That's- no. That's not how you receive a compliment. Vee, get it together! 

 Gauging Tisha's reaction, Vee could tell her face soured, her once in a lifetime compliment turned bitter. 

 Well, at least there was the machine! Vee pushed aside her mental scolding for a bit just to focus, twisting the handle's wheel as she carefully paused and jerked appropriately, skillfully avoiding a malfunction. She didn't know what happens if you didn't, nor did she want to find out. 

 Once the inky black liquid completely filled the entire tank, the light turned a bright green color, indicating its completion. 

 She turned back to Tisha, who had been sweeping in the short pastime. Snapping her fingers, Vee brought her attention back to her, "Ready?" 

 Tisha nodded, gesturing Vee to follow her. Shifting rooms from a hallway, they entered a small, office space room. Quietly lurking around the wall, Tisha and Vee scanned for any danger; to their delight, there was none. 

 Easing up slightly, Tisha began to walk at a quicker pace, slowing down occasionally for Vee to catch up to her. Vee monitored her energy, finding it cumbersome to constantly match Tisha's movement. As Tisha sped up once more, Vee felt herself get slower and slower. Finally, swallowing her pride, Vee spoke up, "Tisha, can you slow down please?" 

 Surprised by the sudden request, Tisha's eyes widened a little. For a moment, it looked like she was holding back an insult, "Oh, yeah, sorry Vee." Immediately, Tisha's feet slowed down till she walked parallel to Vee. 

 "..I'm sorry," Vee muttered, feeling her screen heat up as the crack caused a slight ache again. From what she understood, this was likely embarassement; maybe if she was alive, she'd be positive. Regardless, it didn't stop the overwhelming feeling to run and hide, but she had to confront this. 

 "..For?" Tisha murmured, her expression one of curiosity and skepticism. Vee couldn't blame her for that. 

 "Making you slow down for me," Vee replied. Yet there was still something else eating away at her, why? 

 "..Is that all?" Tisha questioned, her voice soft yet unphased. 

 "..." 

 No it wasn't, not even close!

 "Yeah." 

 Tisha let out an amused, bitter huff, closing her eyes, "..mhm." She made a loop to the other corner, ready to leave the area.

 How does someone put it into words? Overloaded with possible responses, Vee felt her mouth zip shut, yet she has to say SOMETHING. 

 "Wait," 

 Tisha slowly turned to face Vee, "What?" Her voice was laced with irritation, clearly over Vee's indecisiveness. Tisha stopped dead in her tracks, her feet rooted in the carpet floor. Noting Tisha's minor aggression, Vee chose her words carefully. 

 "I'm sorry, Tisha," She murmured, "I'm sorry for earlier, about.. my response, I didn't-" she paused, "I didn't mean to upset you like that, I'm sorry." Tisha's glare pierced through her, making her avert her eyes to the floor. 

 The silence followed by that was painful for Vee, feeling her systems overload inside of her as her motherboard couldn't function right. Glancing back to Tisha's face, she noted how the tissue's face faltered, eventually following in a grumble and a weary sigh.

 "Vee, I could care less if that was a one time fling," she paused, "but you're always doing this." Tisha's tone was firm, unwavering, yet her stance seemed defeated, limp with the exception of her clenched fists. 

 Tisha's words sunk in, but another batch came shortly after, "You've always put others down, one way or another, malicious intent or not," she grumbled, "the fact anyone tolerates you is beyond me." She paused briefly, her tone shifting lightly, "Just mind your words." 

 Vee felt her wiring grow hot, "..Yeah I will." Vee remained quiet, unsure how to continue, "I'll- ..I won't do that." Grabbing her arm, Vee glanced at Tisha, whose expression softened slightly, "Thank you." 

 Vee held her hand out to Tisha, finding Tisha's hand reluctantly meeting with hers before shaking slowly. Silently agreeing to work on herself, Vee pulled her hand back after a few seconds. 

 "You're welcome," Vee spoke in , "..Should we get back?" 

 Tisha nodded, gesturing Vee to follow her. 

 They walked side by side, retracing their steps back to the elevator.