HOTEL LEX - FLOOR 5 (4/?) (Patreon)

You dread going back to crawling for who knows how long.

The fox nods his head and leads the both of you to the door.

"Most workers are on break now so we'll sneak through the side of the main floor," he looks over at your horns, "try your best not to attract attention."

He peeks his head out of the door first before slipping out. You quickly and quietly follow him into a large open room. You see lines of tables and giant machinery arranged along the center of the room. A couple of giant conveyor belts zigzag left and right, up and down, exiting through a couple of holes in a large wall. Some pieces of machinery were still moving but it was mostly devoid of workers. You spot a couple of other toys still working and you do your best to avoid drawing attention. The fox walks swiftly towards the side of a wall and through a narrow gap between two large metal pipes. As you and the bunny follow in his footsteps, you can't help but notice a distinct, sweet aroma drifting through the air. Your stomach grumbles loudly and the fox snaps around with a slight panic look in his eyes. He sticks his head out around an opening to look potential threats before ducking back into the shadow. You hastily apologize, trying your best not to be lured by the smell of dessert.

"We're almost there, it's past the break room so if I stop to chat, just keep heading down the hall and to the right. It's a green door labeled 'fabrics and materials.'"

You nod your head in understanding. The narrow walkway opens up and he climbs a flight of metal stairs towards an upper level. You watch him reach the top, look around, and then signal for the both of you to follow.

Just as you reach the first step, a voice calls out, "Ayy, Charlie, what are you doing over here? Isn't it your break right now?"

You freeze, unsure whether to jump back into the shadows or just stand as still as you can.

"I forgot something over at my station, just grabbed it and heading to the break now," the fox named Charlie says in a hurry.

"You can't be so wishy-washy all the time, I heard boss was really giving you a beating today. If you can't keep up, they'll really break you down and recycle you for parts," a toy zebra steps into view in front of Charly.

"I know, I know, I just can't keep up sometimes," Charly tries to change the topic. "Anyways, where are you headed? Why don't we go take a look at the break room? I hear Froggie and Stroodle got their hands on some new tops"

He waves at you with a hand behind his back signaling to follow. You cautiously tail the two as they engage in conversation. You can't help but eavesdrop what the two are chatting about.

"You know, since Maxx caught that lamb last week, he's gotten promoted to senior manager. Boss even gave him his own office up on the third floor," says the zebra, the sound of his toy hooves clopping against the ground.

"Oh, really?" replies Charly, curiously.

"Yeah, they say boss was extraordinarily happy when they turned her in. It took a while to rebuild her into a plushie but I think she looks quite cute that way. I always wonder what one feels like, soft like a plushie but firm to the touch and warm..." the zebra pauses and tilts his head up in wonder, "I would love to catch one myself, heard theres been quite a few making passage through the factory lately, no idea why!"

The zebra chuckles and pats Charly on his back, "Maybe boss will forgive you and stop thinking about scrapping your ass if you bring him one." He lowers his voice slightly, "Might finally get that part you've always wanted.."

You follow the two for a short distance before Charly pulls open a door to what you assume was the break room. He and the zebra enter, shutting the door behind them. You listen to the fox's directions and you and the bunny dash down toward the end of the hall. There, your nose betrays you again and this time, you distinctly smell cherry pie.

> Follow the sweet scent to the left.> Continue to 'fabrics and materials,' to the right.

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