shinyheartbeats - HOTEL LEX - FLOOR 5 (15/?)

You think taking Bean is definitely the play.

"Absolutely, darlin'," Mother says. "Now the pathways leadin' out from Pillowfort only connect up to the first and fifth floors of the Department Store. For sure Bean is gonna want to work his way from the top down, seein' as the fifth floor is where all the furniture and lifestyle amenities are. Those big ol' showrooms are absolutely massive and their catalog changes out so often— which is exactly why Bean's always makin' trips up there. That bein' said, sugar, you might find it sight more interestin' and helpful to start your day on the first floor. You'll run across all kinds of useful amenities and little goodies to bring along with you on the trail. It's quite early so if you're heading there this early, some stores won't be open. Though," Mother taps her hoof against the table, "Bean just might make you wait around anyway."

Just then, you hear footsteps and you turn to see Emmett walking with a blanket wrapped around him. He fixes his glasses and looks around.

"S-sorry, I didn't know where you were so I got w-worried..."

Emmett rubs his eyes in slight disbelief at the surroundings as you walk over and pull him in a hug and apologize for just disappearing. He sighs lovingly against your chest and you kiss the top of his head. You take some time to fill him in about your three options and your thought process behind it. You explain to him your plan to fix the pocketwatch as it could really be the only way to of finding out how to reach the next floor. You wait nervously for his opinion.

"I-I guess that works! I d-don't like the b-boss after hearing how he was yelling a-at Charly, if that's the Baron. W-we'll get the pocketwatch fixed and maybe we'll be able to pick up some goodies along the way!"

Bean's eyes twinkle at the sound of shopping. "May I tag along?" he asks with a big smile on his face. You tell him that you were actually hoping he would guide you through the Department Store and that Mother was okay with it. He starts purring as he struts along to go and grab his bags, his tail arched up and twitching.

"I'll meet you guys at the exit," he says gleefully.

"Shall we get a wiggle on then?" Mother says, standing up from the table.

Mother walks you and Emmett through the twisting halls of the cardboard castle. Each room contains something different and unique and you curiously poke your head into each one. One has a giant ball pit in the center; another has a party setup with banners and colorful papier-mâché littered all over. One looks exactly like a trampoline gym with its walls and floor an elastic black. Eventually, you start running into other plushies who greet Mother warmly. A duck with a red-colored wing, a large snail with a rainbow shell, and a large black teddy bear in a suit and tie. You feel giddy as your eyes dart left and right at all the interesting shapes and colors; it feels like the old I-Spy games as the corridors become more and more decorated. Eventually, Mother brings you both up some stairs and into a large hall. There, many large doors line the walls. One of them says, "DEPARTMENT STORE," scribbled in Sharpie.

"Here we are." Mother pushes the cardboard ajar and you look down a long hallway. The walls are made of some soft fabric and glow a deep purple.

Bean appears in the doorway behind you with a large red handbag.

"I'm ready!" he pants slightly from having run from somewhere.

You look back at Mother and go in for a hug. She picks you up and pulls you into a big hug. You squeal at the sensation, a warmth rushing through you once more. She sets you down and picks up Emmett who also squeaks in delight from the embrace.

"Now y'all go on and behave yourselves; try your best not to get into too much trouble out there. You too, Bean." Mother puts a hoof on her hip. "Now don't you go spendin' half the day at Carpet World, ya hear me?"

Bean meows innocently, before hopping into the hallway. You thank Mother for her help once more before taking one last look at Pillowfort and at Mother before holding Emmett's hand and stepping through. The fabric walls are slightly bouncy and you follow Bean's wagging tail. The hallway is deceptively long and it takes a few minutes before you reach the end. There, you find Bean holding back a pillow, revealing a suspiciously familiar elevator. You exchange looks with Emmett who also recognizes the metal grates as those of the elevator you took from the carnival. You walk in to see many of the floor buttons missing except for floors one and five. You also spot an emergency button with a firefighter hat symbol. Before Bean can press a button, you ask him if you can decide which floor to go to. He looks slightly taken aback, his hand hovering just before the five.

> Ask him to take you to the first floor.> Let him take you to the fifth floor.

READ THROUGH THE WHOLE COLLECTIONSTART READING FROM PAGE 1 DONATE TOWARDS OUR GOAL (Read here for what goals give!)

THERE IS NO MORE STORY; UNDER IS THE POLL. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN VOTING ON THE STORY, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THE PATREON FOR JUST $2!