Caitlyn joins the game

"I suppose I'm next, then?"

Caitlyn had allowed the others to first, mainly because she didn't want any part in the drama of fighting for positions. So long as someone made it to the end, it didn't matter who. Why should she be so eager to join anyway? The math was simple. Those who start are more likely to hit more tiles, meaning more transformations. Even though a good few of them seemed good natured, Caitlyn far from trusted the game. For all she knew, it could be sentient, or controlled remotely by someone ..or something. If that was the case, it would make sense for whoever it was that orchestrated this whole ordeal to lure the players in, convince them to stay, and spit them out altered and ruined. That is under the assumption that the game is evil in nature, an important detail that she didn't dare rule out.

To say that Caitlyn wasn't a tad nervous going into her first round would be lying. But she was a lot more level headed than Sabrina and her friends. A group of late teenagers who hadn't encountered an inconvenience in their lives, suddenly at the brink of seemingly losing it all. At least that's the dramatic mindset they all shared currently. All except of Troy, who of course had endured hardship most of his life. It also helped that he was one of the few that were better off after his first round.

Caitlyn threw the die with very little enthusiasm and vigor, in stark contrast to the manner in which her predecessors had. One might mistakenly interpret her distinct lack of emotion for carelessness, or even apathy, but neither would be correct. She simply carried herself in that manner in all context. Calm, cool, levelheaded and calculating. Hard or loose, it wouldn't make a difference when she had no apparent control of the outcome anyway. Incidentally, the die matched her effort, showing a measly one when it came to a halt.

"Tough luck, sis."

Sabrina said, almost tauntingly, completely forgetting that her sister had just made the best throw possible, if her intention was to reach the finish line first. Caitlyn now had the option of picking up the crimson die or not. The die which had the ability to permanently alter the way her game was played. Double the changes for a little more oomph with each throw. A permanent addon to each of her turns. She'd played party games on a console a few times, and one thing was for certain. The modifiers that gave you additional move points per turn were the strongest in the long run.

Being the strategist that she was, Caitlyn never even considered not picking up the die. As long as she made it to the finish line, every one of her additional changes would be reversable, not to mention the fact that she could make a wish that could be more advantageous to herself. She didn't trust anyone else there with the wish if she was being honest with herself. Perhaps Troy, he seemed like a capable guy, if a little timid. Her mother would probably be a little confused and under pressure if it came down to it. Yes, it would be best if she won the game herself, that way she wouldn't have to deal with any unfortunate consequences.

But before any of that would be relevant, she had to continue with her turn. She leaned in to pick up a red card, matching the color of her current tile.

How chill and laid back, unfaced by the unknown.
A distinct lack of emotions you've shown.
Here's a shift to match your inside with your outside aesthetic.
Play out the rest of your life a great deal more apathetic!

Do you continue or chicken out?

That was a scary one. Caitlyn realized that much. Going straight for a very central part of what she considered to be a core strength of hers. It was almost significant enough for her to consider chickening out before the game had even began. She did however find the courage to power through, leaning on the fact that she'd acquired the crimson die, and that any of the changes would be reversible by the end. As long as she didn't lose her determination, there wouldn't be any meaningful risk associated with her continuing to play the game.

"I continue."

She looked intently at Sabrina as she uttered those words, communicating clearly that she was only doing this for the sake of her younger sister.

Unlike all the previous changes, nothing apparent changed about Caitlyn's appearance. Her features remained the exact same, as did her clothes. Only when she sat back in the couch did the influence of the card show itself. She seemed a lot less ..interested in what was going on around her. Almost as if she was bored. The once motivated and inspired woman now seemed as though nothing in the whole wide world could interest her.

"So are we going to get this over with or no?"

Caitlyn for the first time in her life showed signs of impatience as she half-yawned as if signaling to the group that she didn't care for the game anymore. Barbara's heart sank to the bottom of her stomach seeing her previously driven daughter be reduced to someone that was the personification of apathy.

Similarly, Troy found the sudden shift in Caitlyn's personality a bit frightening. Seeing the game have this level of power and precision over the players' minds was nothing short of terrifying. As one would come to expect, the remaining four players didn't seem to grasp the gravity of the events that had just unfolded before them. Caitlyn getting the crimson die, and the game displaying just how far it could influence their very core. At the same time, Troy was also greatly intrigued. He'd seen the game change their age, body and even clothes. But the power to influence their mind was by far the most interesting aspect. Just how far could it corrupt and alter them? Only time would tell..

A little annoyed by her sister's impatient comment, Sabrina picked up to die and mentally prepared herself to initiate the second round of the game, hoping for something a little better than what she'd been dealt thus far.