Baby wound her arms around him, "Ready!" she said.

Ericka clung to Maxwell, "Doon we go!"

While Maxwell and Erika reached the ground in about three bounces and Erin and Junior in twice as many, Randy opted to take a single leap and fall with Baby tucked close against him. Slowed by the rope, he landed neatly on his feet and kissed her.

Baby giggled and clung to him, "That was actually fun!" she said.

"Mmhmm. We oughtta try things like this more often," said Randy, wrapping his arms about her waist once they were unstrapped.

"Well if you're not opposed, you could do the next round with me," said Kurt tapping Randy on the shoulder.

Randy turned to face him, eying him as though deeply considering the offer. "Mm, not as cute," he teased, "but still fun. Lessgo!"

Kurt and Randy were bound together and set in place. The other couples consisted of Hojo and Niji, Walter and Stanley and Bert and Antimony.

"Let's show 'em how it's done, sugarpuss," Randy said confidently as they waited for the starting call.

Kurt gave a fierce grin and thought hard at Randy on the pattern he had selected that would take them straight to the top.

Randy signaled his agreement, and the moment it was time to begin, they were off without a word.

Kurt moved quickly and cleanly up the wall without missing a single step, Randy matching his movements in perfect sync.

Niji tried his best to climb but found himself at odds with Hojo, who seemed to have a different plan for reaching the top.

Bert grinned at Antimony, "Think we can keep up with them?" he asked, jerking his head towards Randy and Kurt.

"'Course we can!" Antimony hurried up the wall, flashing xet plans to Bert as xe went along so that there was no confusion.

Hojo raised an eyebrow at Niji. "Why aren't you doing what I'm doing?"

Meanwhile, Kurt and Randy VIII were already nearing the top...

Bert and Antimony were on Randy and Kurt's heels but it seemed that they would not be able to keep up, Kurt and Randy moved as a single entity, scaling the wall at an impossible speed.

Niji shrugged, "You're doing it wrong!"

From the bottom came a gruff cry, "GODDAMMIT WALLY! I DON'T CARE IF YER A PIANIST! TOUCHING PLASTIC ROCKS AIN'T GONNA RUIN YOUR HANDS!"

Mathilde giggled from nearby. "Go!" she urged Walter and Stanley. "You have to work togezher!"

Hojo curled his lip at Niji. "I am not! How can you climb a rock wrong?"

Antimony glanced to the side. "Uh-oh." Xe nodded at Randy and Kurt just as their bell rang.

Randy VIII let out an exuberant howl of victory.

Kurt beamed at him, "Good work!"

Stanley huffed and cuffed Walter's ear, "Now look, you made us lose!"

"You're supposed to do it in time with me!" insisted Niji.

Bert and Anitmony were the next to ring their bell, "Oh well, Second isn't bad," said Bert giving Anitmony a kiss.

Antimony gave a howl of xet own. "I think we did pretty good."

"Well, you weren't doing it in time with me," snorted Hojo.

"Be a good sport and finish anyway!" Mathilde insisted with a wiggle.

Randy VIII gave Kurt a kiss before they headed back for the ground.