"Some kind of spring," suggests the person next to her, who is a matter of maybe an inch taller, if that. "Or something to permit you to glide between platforms. The right application of force--"

Truth be told, Barcus has no idea why he came in here. He was told in advance that this was more or less a jumping challenge, and he, like Pike, has very small legs. He was just going to look briefly and leave, but now that he's seen her preparing to make the attempt--the second person his size he's noted tonight, after weeks of being the only grown up under five feet tall--he's sort of invested.

"There's no rule about not using devices to assist you."