Chapter Text
Now you might be concerned on why you were hit in the face with random artwork, but I had thought it’d be a bit easier to get my designs across with a quick simple doodle of my design headcanons on the characters. Now for this story, I will not be using the outfits I headcanon them to wear instead of the ones they wear in game to keep it simpler as you can see in the doodle as they’re all wearing their respective clothes, minus Astro whose blanket and hat have been slightly altered. (Yes, that is a cat at the tip of his hat.)
And if you couldn’t tell, the keychain bit behind Gigi is meant to be a tail and the small black part underneath Astro’s eye was meant to be a smaller second eye but I’m not too sure if I’d like to include that anymore.
Now without further ado, please do enjoy !
The soft murmur of the very few remaining toons who were assigned to clean up the arcade bit of the gift shop echoed through the now rid of children room. Of course, the mains were never assigned any extra jobs at the end of the day, treated as royalty (not that Dandy was exactly complaining ) they were often given anything and everything—well, maybe not everything but you get where that’s going.
Picking up toys and small legos along with shirts and headbands in a robotic motion was relaxing. To simply think of nothing as his body moves along the familiar movements as if programmed. an eruption of giggles sounded to be from two certain inseparable toons, besides Cosmo and Sprout, of course, Shelly and Finn come rounding a corner. Shelly held a bin that seemed to be halfway full with plushies and other stray toys you’d find laying around on the floor after a horde of children infiltrate a once organized and cleaned gift shop. As stated earlier, Mains aren’t required to help with cleanup. But it wasn’t exactly rare to see Shelly down here helping out her horrible pun spatting lover, Finn. Finn on the other hand clutched multiple toys he had been snatching off of the ground and surprisingly gently placing them down into the bin Shelly had been carrying. It was odd because normally whenever Dandy would catch the fish bowl, he’d be relentlessly tossing merchant after merchandise into whoever was unlucky enough to be partnered up with him as the bin holder.
it was clear as day the toon had a favorite. Not that Dandy cared, as long as he told all his horrible jokes to Shelly and would spare his poor suffering ears he didn’t care at all.
Dandy turned his attention back to the fallen crayons and headbands.
“ Finn, are you sure you don’t want some help? I could help, really! “ Shelly she urged Finn as he immediately whipped his head around, giving his full attention to the ammonite, who trotted closer to the fish bowl.
“ Shelly, you are the strongest girl I know. “ Finn began, but from that alone, a smile wider then the playful one she wore instead quickly spread across her face as a sweet rosy red rose onto her cheeks. No matter how many times Finn would boast about how amazing she was, she isn’t sure she’ll ever be able to get used to it. Being loved and admired so openly still feels so new to Shelly. And every time he’d say something silly and stupidly cute, it makes her stomach feel all warm and fluttery inside. She could never get tired of it, honestly.
” But you’ve already worked so darne hard! It’s enough that you’re already out here having to exert your legs even more then you have.. “ Finn fully turns around, emphasizing his sentence with a dramatic slide across the ground, dropping to his knees in front of Shelly and grasping where her hands are stationed holding the bin.
Shelly cracks a toothy grin at both his dramatic performance and the salmon pun Finn slipped in. She lets out an amused chuff and lowers herself down more towards Finns head, bending her torso Slightly. “ I’ll be fine, silly! I’m not tired or anything, let me help you out, okay? Then maybe later we’ll go watch half a movie or so before lights out! “ Shelly gave Finn an affection bump against his forehead with her own. Shelly and Finn both had unique ways of showing their affection, Head bumps being one of Shelly’s favorite as she enjoyed the intimacy of staring into one another’s eyes and just the close proximity in general.
Finn lets out a dreamily sigh as his face falls into a wobbly smile before slightly pulling away from Shelly with a sigh. “ Oh, Alright.. Oh- But sit right here while I pick up the toys! “ Finn sighed dejectedly at first before having a sudden idea and lifting Shelly up to sit on one of the knocked over chairs that had been picked up, his tail swaying proudly at his cleverness. Shelly let out a startled giggle at the sudden lift. as she was placed onto the chair, she shook her head in disappointment with a small sigh, watching as Finn ran off towards a pile of knocked over Astros. She’d wondered if she should have said anything to Finn about helping more as now, being sat onto the chair, not only was she not allowed to follow after Finn picking up the toys, now he’d have to repeatedly run back and forth over to Shelly to place the thrown around toys in the bin she held.
really, how’d she get so lucky in having someone as sweet as Finn?
while the giggly lovesick toons cleaned their side, Scraps, Goob, and an overly aggressive Shrimp got to work sweeping—not that Shrimpo really helped, in the end he ended up arguing with Tisha after tripping over the bucket she had been using to mop. While Scraps had warned her little brother to leave it be, Goob, the absolute sweetheart he is, went over anyway to try and sort it out. The yelling had eventually attracted Poppy and her own brother over, along with a few concerned glances from toons who were originally passing by but pulled to a stop upon spotting the quarrel, which, did in fact cause Scraps to drop her broom and sigh as she headed over to put an end to the now meaningless argument.
“ Poppy! “ Scraps semi-yelled, waving as she half ran over towards the two toons, Looey and Poppy. “ Oh, Scraps! Hey, what’s poppin’! “ Poppy waved back with a pun, greeting the cat toon as she turned to her with a smile which the girl returned with a toothy grin and a wave of her tail. Looey glanced at the two, letting out a huff as Scraps hadn’t greeted him at all.
” Oops, my bad, Looey. I meant to say Hi to you too, of course. “ Scraps said as soon as she heard the huff from the Balloon, Looey responding with a content wave. The cat toon turned back towards the squabble and walked over. Stepping between Tisha and Shrimpo, deciding to reason with Tisha first, considering she’s the more mature one out of the two.
Tisha who had her mouth open ready to argue back with Shrimpo closed immediately upon seeing Scraps. The tissue box gave her an awkward smile before speaking. “ Sorry, I shouldn’t have bothered, huh? “
” Don’t worry about it, he somehow manages to get on everyone’s nerves. “ Scraps gave Tisha a reassuring pat on the shoulder as Shrimpo continued to yell at the two who were now ignoring him. As he began to approach them Goob in a fit of slight panic of letting this escalate any further decided to lift Shrimpo up off the floor.
the yelling stopped briefly, causing Scraps to turn around and look and Tisha to focus her attention on the Shrimp.
Shrimpo’s legs dangle in the air as he blinks once, twice. Goob mentally preparing himself for the upcoming flip out.
” HEY! PUT ME DOWN, YOU OVERSIZED OAF! “ as reality set in, Shrimpo, as expected, began to yell and kick at the fluffy craft while spewing insults to be put down. Scraps let out an involuntary growl at how violent Shrimpo was being with her brother. Although remembering not only was Poppy watching, but so were other various toons. And as an older sister who always does her best to set a good example for her beloved younger brother, she hadn’t wanted to do anything rash and decided to trust her brother to handle the shrimp as it was clear to all the toons, just as he managed to get all those around him to crack a smile, he somehow knew how to keep the Shrimp at bay as well.
“ Goob, you got him? “ worry etched in her tone as Scraps stepped closer but not close enough for one of Shrimpo’s swinging legs to hit her. Goob gives her a quick nod and a goofy smile, “ Yeah, no worries! “ he replies as Shrimpo denies this greatly and threatens to tear his face off, which earns a ‘boo’ from the spectating Bubble who was mainly only here in case things escalated and someone needed a relatively fast under harsh circumstances toon to get help from a toon handler or possibly Dandy if the latter wasn’t available or in reach in time.
Goob scampered away with a struggling Shrimpo who had been bound to Goobs chest with Goobs arms as they’ve been securely wrapped around him. Scraps lets out a worried sigh as Tisha walks up besides her and returns Scraps previous shoulder pat to reassure her friend. The cat toon gives a curt smile to the girl beside her before turning to Poppy, who had given her a big grin and a thumbs up. Looey no where to be seen where he previously was by Poppy. Tisha took this as her cue to continue mopping else where.
“ that was really cool, Scraps! You always know how to handle things! “ the eccentric bubble praised her. Scraps played it cool as if her tail wasn’t excitedly thumping against the ground as she thanked her. “ You flatter me too much! “
The twos talk was ended as soon as it started though as Gigi ran over, reminding the toons that lights out was in 30 minutes before fleeing off to god knows where with Flutter following close behind the gachapon. The two girls, not wanting to spend their last minutes before lights out cleaning, they decide to exchange goodbyes and get back to work on their halves. Not that the toons necessarily had to retire to their rooms for the night as soon as it was lights out. It was really just what everyone had called it when it was time for all the lights in garden view to shut off. Of course, there were various light switches for any wandering toons out past the programmed time the lights were set to go off hunting for a midnight snack or perhaps just not tired. Either way, any floor below the lobby, diner and rooms, Garden view unfortunately did not have light switches to turn on and safely make your way through the pitch black space. That being the only reason some toons rush to get things done before lights out, simply for the sake of not accidentally colliding into a wall and ending up with the biggest headache and nosebleed ever.
Dandy, who had been silently watching involuntary as the sudden yelling and noise had caught his attention. It wasn’t like it could just ignore it anyway, that wouldn’t be a responsible thing to do at all! And Dandy’s middle name was practically responsible. Though Goob picking up Shrimpo and promptly running off with him dragged a chuckle from the multicolored flower. seeing as the whole situation was sorted out without him needing to interfere, he turned back to his current task. Bending down to pick up a peeping piece of paper underneath the register counter. Although a glint of light from something inside the lower desk cabinet caught Dandy’s attention, halting his bend as he brought his eyes back up to the cabinet as he peered inside, trying to decipher what he was through the tiny dark space.
His gaze wanders around the tiny space, a realization that he’s never really bothered to check the registers cabinets, springing a new found curiosity inside him—to which he quickly pushed down as going through things that weren’t his wouldn’t be very nice of Dandy. But this was surely different right? there was really something shiny hidden underneath a pillow that was small enough to fit in the cabinet, and the only one who carries pillows around that isn’t a certain moon toon, is Astro’s toon handler. And half, or most, of the time when Dandy spots shiny things, they’re usually pennies, cents, quarters or dimes—Money. So by that Logic, it must be money that he’d somehow lost! Of course, Dandy knew better than to steal as well, after all, he’s supposed to lead all his friends and the children by example! He’ll just have to return it to him.
“ I’ll only hold on to it. “ Dandy spoke out loud in a hushed whisper, mostly reassuring himself as his hand dove into the tiny space and grasped what he’d been expecting to be a small coin but turned out to have a bigger, rectangular shape. Dandy’s eyes sparked with a new found excitement. This wasn’t a coin, it was an even better find. His hands, as quickly as they reached into the cabinet, flew out just as quick, Dandy immediately holding up what he had grabbed for his own eyes to confirm.
The colorful flower’s face was quick to morph the blank expression he hadn’t realized he had been wearing to an excited grin as he eyed the tape he had pulled out from under the small pretty white pillow. His tail whipped back and forth eagerly, a small thud on the ground sounded from his tails constant wag hitting against the floor.
Dandy knew better than to steal, he really did. But this was different, it wasn’t everyday you’d find a tape that isn’t an episode of their hit show, ‘Dandy's World’. Plus, Dandy has developed a slight obsession for these tapes, not that he’d ever admit it. It had started with one singular tape a handler had unconsciously dropped, and Dandy, being the considerate toon he is was only going to pick it up and hand it back! But this tape was different. It hadn’t had any words stating what episode it was or what season, it was just blank. And it intrigued Dandy. So he’d decided he’d only have a look, then he’d surely hand it back. But he couldn’t, not after what he saw, not after finding out what these tapes contained.
it had silly little cuts from when they would film new episodes, it had snippets showing the creation of a majority of the toons, small moments Dandy hadn’t even realized were even being recorded. It almost felt as if these tapes kept him sane, like a drug of some sort that he’d gotten addicted to but they just happened to interest him in his usual monotony days. After awhile everything had gotten boring, in reality, there really wasn’t much to do in Garden view once you got used to the routine—and Dandy, being the oldest, had long gotten sick of it. But good examples don’t complain, they don’t whine to their superiors or make a fuss about cleaning or—
Dandy blinked, glancing over at the vocal toons in the distance finishing up and heading in the direction he’s assuming to be the elevator, the laughter and small bits of their passing conversation had snapped Dandy out of his internal storm, before turning his attention to the tape in his hand. With a quick motion, Dandy quickly shoved it into the pocket of his apron full of a few cents and quarters, Dandy usually only wore the apron to have a place to store anything he might find small enough to fit instead of trudging around with his hands full.
Dandy stood up all the way with a small stretch, unlatching the hook to the small door used to keep small children away from behind the counter before walking off in the direction the other toons had went, barely able to contain the grin threatening to spread across his face and replace his usual smile he’d put on as a shield, a facade to hide his annoyance or disinterest, or in this case, his strange to others excitement. Dandy casted a quick Look towards the register and the shelves behind it, a few things still littered the floors that Dandy could’ve and should’ve picked up. But that could wait, it’s not like it’d kill anyone. definitely not his best work, but certainly not his worst, he thought.
Dandy focused his gaze forward as a familiar silhouette came into view. It was Shelly’s handler, clutching a clipboard in one of her hands and a pen in the other. By her side was boxten, to no one’s surprise. He’d always been close with Shelly’s toon handler, given that she was the most liked and favorited handler amongst most of the commons and uncommon toons. From her sweet personality practically mirroring Shelly’s own, and her care for the other toons despite only needing to care for one. Dandy wasn’t surprised to see her down here either, the toon handlers were usually tasked with certain floors to clean up after the disaster you call kids leave. Shelly’s handler, ever the sweet heart would make her way down to the arcade once she finished her section to check on everybody down here.
The blonde, finally looking forward towards the approaching footsteps spots Dandy and gives him a light wave with a newfound smile replacing the focused one she had while jotting down a few things on her clipboard. “ Well if it isn’t the star of the show! Thanks again for the help, Dandy. “ Shelly’s handler was quick to acknowledge him to which Dandy returned with his signature smile, the one you can find just about anywhere in Gardenview.
“ Aw, gee, ya’ don’t gotta thank me every time ya’ know! “ Dandy responded, his voice giddy and cheerful, closely mimicking the way he speaks in his show. A hand behind his head to further elevate his bashful act, when in reality, he just wanted to sprint back to his room. But after all, it’d be rude to leave her hanging, and Dandy wasn’t rude. Not publicly, anyway.
The way taller woman’s smile grew ever bigger, “ Say, you find anything while cleaning up the register this time around? “ She asked, most likely awaiting Dandy’s new find of more pennies. Her hand placing her pen into her clip boards clip and using the same hand that’d been recently holding the pen to reach down and give Boxten, who had moved to using one hand to loosely hold onto her leg, a gentle pat on the head.
” You know it! “ Dandy was quick to respond, his hand reaching into his right pocket where he had stored his new found tape, though he was careful not to accidentally pull out the tape as well. He was sure it’d get confiscated if the handler, or any handlers for that matter saw. His hand clutched around the coins, few unfortunately managing to escape his grasp. Pulling his hand out of his pocket and reaching the other in to grab the last, pouring them into the hand with the most before holding it out towards the taller. “ Here ya’ are! “
Shelly’s handler gave Dandy a satisfied nod, “ Wonderful work, as always! “ she complimented while moving more to the side to signal Dandy he’s free to go, in which he took no time speed walking away. Not without a small wave towards the girl and Boxten, of course.
As his hurried steps echoed through the mostly quiet hall he passes by Sprout and his toon handler, whom he can never quite remember the name of, not that they were allowed to call them by their names. A brush of air flew past Dandy as the two rushed by him, the flower toon giving a quick glance behind him. Sprout looked like he was currently complaining about something, meanwhile his handler was having none of it. Dandy turned his attention back to the front of him, his excited grin breaking through as he reached the elevator that seemed to have just arrived back down, probably from Sprout and his handler. Dandy steps into the elevator, raising his hand to press the button marked with two initials ‘ MR ‘ which might look like it’s spelling Mister at first but in reality, it means main rooms.
just as the elevator readies itself to shut, Gigi comes sliding in right through the closing gap in the door. A loud bang echoing through the hallow elevator as she tumbles to the floor from her sudden and quick lunge into the elevator. Dandy feels himself jump slightly at the gachapons random intrusion, his expression souring ever so slightly as he quickly shifts to a worried smile.
“ Gigi, are ya’ alright? That was a pretty rough landin’.. what were ya’ even thinkin’? “ Dandy reaches a hand out to the girl to offer a hand out, Gigi lifting herself up and clasping on to his arm rather then his hand to pull herself up. Almost slipping multiple times, grabbing on to things certainly can’t be easy with such long sleeves.
Gigi gives Dandy a lazy smile and waves him off. “ No biggie, man. I’m all good. “ she says, dragging out the ‘ all ‘ as she places her hands on her hips with a smug smile. Dandy blinks, his smile shifting to a knowing one. There was no way that didn’t hurt, but whatever helps her sleep at night, Dandy thought as he watched her rub slightly on the arm that slammed into the floor.
Dandy’s watchful gaze lingered on Gigi, his thoughts wondering away from the tape for a Moment. Now that he thinks about it, Dandy hasn’t interacted with Gigi much. Don’t get him wrong, of course he’d greet her every time they passed each other in the halls or during breakfast but he’s never actually had a conversation with the not so slick thief, thankfully, the gambler toon hadn’t seem to mind as she made no actual attempt conversing or bringing up the fact they barely know each other at all.
The elevator dings, a signal it’s reached it’s floor before finally opening. Dandy wasted no time zooming out of the elevator, yelling a goodbye towards Gigi, not bothering to await a response. His patience was running thin and he needed wanted to watch the tape now.
His footsteps echoed down the likely empty hall as he hurried down to his room, yanking the door open but gently closing it. It wasn’t like Dandy to slam doors anyway. With a click of the door Dandy both closed and locked it, quickly sliding over towards his small tv in the center of the brightly colored room, nearly tripping over a stray lego piece.
“ Alrighty.. let’s see what ya’ got here, “ Dandy spoke quietly to himself as he carefully inserted the tape into the slot, not wanting to accidentally damage or scratch the tape. He plopped himself down on the floor in front of the screen, his eyes unblinking, solely focused on the screen as he awaited for the tv to finally process it and start. It was quite old so it was no surprise it took it a few minutes to start up.
the Tv flickered white, making a small buzzing sound signaling the start of the tape, Dandy’s grin on his face mimicked that of a child getting exactly what he’d been begging for on Christmas. Dandy didn’t have the time or care to whip that stupid grin off his face though, leafy tail wagging excitedly as the Tv begins to play.