Edwin had beamed when Dylan popped up next to him, and he rattled off a quick introduction, even though it seemed like both Oliver and Dylan were doing just fine without it. "If you're going to come with us, I promise you won't be the worst one out of the three of us, because wow are we high," he told Dylan, forcing a small laugh.
He had tried to focus on something other than the Vanessa situation that was unfolding, but he couldn't help but watch as the girl was forced over to an edge. "No!" he cried as she was pushed over, and he started to try to stand, but with Oliver's arms already around him, and a sudden urge to vomit striking him, he stayed put, listening to Oliver's reassurances and watching Vanessa swing, but not fall any further. He was sure that if she had, he would have been crying, and later he'd be thankful that he didn't have to explain that one. For now, he alertly continued to watch Vanessa and cling to Oliver, only easing up when the girl flat-out refused Jerome's help.
His moment of calm ended when a new thought crept into his head. "What if that's the game?" he wondered, that tightness in his chest coming back full force. "What if we have to knock each other off of the obstacles, like American Gladiators?"
Luckily for Edwin, and unluckily for anyone close enough to Vanessa to not hear over her, the speaker finally crackled to life, the robotic woman's voice finally greeting the group.
Before you lies an obstacle course. We require that you each complete six obstacles before you are able to leave the arena. Your harnesses are equipped with a sensor that will register your completed obstacles. Upon returning to the ground level after the completion of six obstacles, the device locking you in your harness will deactivate, allowing you to safely remove your harness if desired. The elevator allowing you to return to town will not be accessible until everybody has completed their obstacles and scanned their ID bracelet. To return to the starting platform from ground level, stand in one of the designated circles marked near the base of the platform. Obstacles must be done in A-B-C order, or they will not be counted.
"That's still not great," Edwin murmured as the voice began the speech over.
"I don't think any of this is appropriate!" Pam announced, now on her feet, mostly just speaking loudly so hopefully Vanessa could hear her. She absolutely didn't agree with what Audrey had done, and had shot her a look just to let her know that she was included in the inappropriateness, but otherwise she didn't seem to eager to call out Audrey, since she'd made it very clear that she was not a woman of words, but of action, and Pam would prefer to stay on her good side. No, most of it was directed at Vanessa, and she let out a little squeak when Jerome jumped back from her. "Did she just bite you?! Oh. My. God. No, I'm staying out of this." She threw up her hands, moving to the other side of the platform, pausing at Ivy's side. "I just have to say that your helmet is adorable."
Scotty stepped up between Jack and Jerome, patting them both on the back. "Chicks, am I right?" he said, smirking, then moved past them, pulling at his rope until the slack was back, then planting his feet on the edge and leaning out, still holding his rope to control his lean. He grabbed Vanessa's rope, pulling her back towards the platform, but leaving her to do the work of pulling herself up, just in case the whole biting thing wasn't reserved for Jerome. "Girlie, you've really gotta chill," he told her as he pulled himself back up. "I can't stop anyone if they want to knock you over again."
Plus it was kind of rad, and he wouldn't have minded seeing girls fight some more.