Ghostly Grief and Spirit Stress

by sourcandyappleXD

Summary:

“Each toon was composed mainly two components; ichor, then what Delilah called a “main object”, defined as what the toon was inspired to look like, such as Sprout having his as a strawberry and Brightney having hers as a lamp.”

After a certain detective makes himself much too keen to understand why Connie is both a toon and a ghost, Connie too starts to question; how did she truly come to be?

How can a ghoul be also toon...without a human’s blood?

(MIGHT BE UNDER HAITUS FOR A WHILE! I'LL TRY TO RETURN SOON)

Chapter 1: A Ghastly Problem

Each toon was composed mainly two components; ichor, then what Delilah called a “main object”, defined as what the toon was inspired to look like, such as Sprout having his as a strawberry and Brightney having hers as a lamp.

Simple concept, right?

But when it came to Connie Boolynski, no one truly understood how she came to be. Perhaps a ghostly themed object? Might be, but doesn’t exactly make too much sense, considering if so, wouldn’t Connie look more the ghost-themed object, rather than a full blown ghost?

No one ever had a great explanation, especially considering how secretive Delilah seemed to be with her projects, especially any ichor-related ones. Connie herself was often questioned, but she typically ignored any inquiries of such, mostly since she too, did not know.

But a certain toon would continue to push, question, interrogate like no other, in search of answers no one else bothered to seek.

————————————————————————

“Miss Boolynski, may I have a moment of your-“

“Stop CALLING ME THAT!” Connie snapped, sighing dramatically, turning to face him, her face a slightly more intense shade of blue than typical for her, crossing her arms, as Gigi and Flutter blinked in sync at the sudden shout.

“…J-just…don’t call me that, ugh.” She muttered, starting to drift away. “…It’s embarrassing.”

“My mistake, Connie, though I do believe it was a beautiful last name.” Rodger apologized slowly, but only after his initial shock wore off.

“…Whatever.” Connie mumbled, gesturing to the duo behind her to follow, before Rodger blurted out, “Connie, though, I still do have a question for you.”

With a theatric groan, she gave Rodger a firm glare, awaiting for his inquiry, despite already knowing it would be the same query as usual.

“Do you happen to know what main object you were composed of?” Rodger asked, a bold curiosity shining in his single eye, standing firmly as he strained his ear for any possible reply, only to be met with disappointment again, as Connie gave her usual shrug and drifted away with her friends, the trio irritated but Flutter seemed a bit intrigued by the encounter, while Gigi let her mouth run without second thought and ask question after question after question, though Connie did not reply to any.

If Connie wasn’t willing to tell her trusted group of friends, then why would she ever admit anything to the nosy detective? Perhaps, she could still see him, so she would answer them when he was gone in earshot. But if so, maybe he should try to pull out information not from the source, but near it, as in interrogate her friends. If so, he needed to do so without them realizing the main question, since if they didn’t spill direct answers, maybe hints would sneak out, just enough so he could piece such an odd puzzle together-

“Rodger!” Toodles squeaked out, her voice holding its usual note of shrill cheeriness. “It’s coloring time! C’mon!” She tugged firmly on his hand, causing him a stumble and a laugh. “Okay, okay, my junior detective.”

Giggling at the fond nickname, she dragged Rodger along, humming happily as Rodger’s eye twitched into his closest approximation of a smile, before arriving to Toodles room, sitting down on the soft carpet, letting her bring out the papers, as well the set of markers Scraps gave her on her birthday.

“Hmm, what should we draw— WAIT, let’s draw EACH OTHER!” She burst in a fit of giggles, before rolling to lay on her stomach, immediately starting before Rodger could say anything, just being her usual overly energetic self.

Rodger hummed, grabbing a pencil, chewing the end as he tried to think of how he should start, before Toodles interrupted his thoughts. “I can hear you chewing the pencil…get to drawing!” Toodles commanded with a childish leadership tainted with the kiddish joy of her merry giggles.

Rodger smiled, silently obliging to her demand, beginning to draw her, deciding on drawing her in a detective costume, with her favorite cap on. Rodger wasn’t exactly great with art, but he was fairly good at it, considering it had become a recent hobby he began, originally to improve at drawing concepts for certain detective problems or suspects when needed, but had found himself often indulging in for when he needed to wind down.

————————————————————————

Connie was busy in Gigi’s room with both Flutter and Gigi, safe and far away from a specific much too nosy magnifying glass, slowly being swallowed up by the comfortable beanbag she was seated in, but visibly consumed in her own thoughts.

Seriously, it’s just a question. Why did it bother her that badly?

“Cooooonnniee, helloooo?” Gigi lazily waved her sleeve at Connie’s face, startling her back into reality. Connie narrowed her brows, grabbing her arm firmly yet gently, setting it on the floor, watching her slump down on her stomach, though the two still kept an unbreaking gaze.

“…?” Flutter asked, her wings flapping slightly for emphasis, leaning forward slightly. Gigi sat up, bobbing her head up and down in agreement. “You’ve definitely got somethin’ runnin’ in your head, don’tcha?

Connie sighed, shaking her head. “I’m…fine.” Gigi rolled her eyes and Flutter went deadpan. “…”

Gigi’s annoyance at her lack of admittance quickly vanished into a fit of cackles at Flutter’s comment, while Connie’s displeasure sprouted into a firm glare, but her frown occasionally wavered into a smirk.

After a moment, Gigi cleared her throat, attempting to seem serious, but her recurling lips hinted at her playful demeanor. “…So what? Do you have any extra gossip that you’re too nervous to tell, hm~?

“Ugh, no, that’s not it.” Connie sighed, giving her a bold eye roll.

“…!” Flutter replied playing into irritating Connie until she spilled.

“Fluts, I said I’m alright, seriously!” Connie burst, balling her fists, her anxiety forcing a broken approximation of anger.

“Nuh uh, why are you so mad then?” Gigi responded, poking at Connie’s cheek, giggling childishly.

“It’s just a dumb thought, just let it go.” Connie snapped, but that answer was already a peek at the truth.

“…” Flutter added, scooting closer, shifting her wings while Gigi nodded. “Yeah, if it’s so dumb, then go on, tell us~!”

Connie sighed, glaring at the two, before suddenly, Gigi’s eyes went wide as she leaned right towards Connie, her lip jutted out as her brows creased with fake sorrow. “C’mon, don’t leave me curious!”

Flutter held back a laugh as she watched Connie’s anger fade entirely, before she finally surrendered.

“…Okay, fine. You win.” Connie muttered, looking aside.

Gigi cheered, leaned in close as Flutter huddled to her side as they both
awaited for what Connie would tell, ears strained to hear the quietest of whispers.

“…Don’t go snitching around, especially to that nosy-ass magnifying glass…but.” Connie paused, picking her words as cautiously as trying to find the most delicious apple in an orchard. “…It makes me…kinda nervous that I…have no clue what my main object is. And it’s…a bit bothering.”

Gigi was to about let something snarky jump out her mouth, but Flutter spoke first. “…?”

Connie denied with a shake of her head. “No, no, it’s not…just because of Rodger…maybe a little, but I’ve always thought about it…”

She sighed, slumping back into the beanbag. “…I just…get an eerie feeling thinking of it, ‘cuz everyone else has theirs clear, I mean, Flutter’s clearly a butterfly, and Gigi’s a gachapon…y’know?”

“Well, you’re luckier than me, y’know!” Gigi huffed, shrugging. “At least the kids know what’s a ghost is! Half of ‘em ask me if I’m a dodgeball.”

Connie shook her head. “That’s not what I mean…I mean like…you’re MADE from a gachapon and ichor, so you ended up being a gachapon. But I’m a ghost…so what am…I made of?

Flutter, being the most reasonable, here, tried to console her, but was immediately interrupted by a suddenly panicked Gigi,

“WHAT IF YOU’RE MADE FROM A-A DEAD BODY?!” She screamed, jumping at the thought, as Connie’s panic flew high with her in sync, while Flutter, hopped up and flapped her wings, catching their attention, “…!”

Flutter rolled her eyes, the tip of her wing attempting to pinch her temples in frustration. “…!”

“Okay, okay, yeesh, sorry.” Gigi muttered, glancing at Connie, who seemed a little more distressed. “Okay, uh, um…maybe your main object is…oh, a ghost figurine…?

Connie hesitated, then slowly nodded, fidgeting with the edge of her hair. “…Maybe.” She mumbled, her voice notably quiet. “…Didn’t Delilah do something similar for Goob…?”

Flutter perked up, her earlier annoyance blooming into peaceful merriment. “…!”

“Yeah, Flutter’s right! Nothing to worry about, seeeee?” Gigi reassured, a bold grin painted on her face, but her eyes were a doubtful canvas.

“Yeah…nothing to worry about.” Connie repeated.

Chapter 2: The Junior Detective’s Turn

Notes:

I used to be so good at writing I think I’m getting worse but better at the same time my lord

“And...DONE!” Toodles dramatically lifted her art of Rodger with the confidence of an artist who just finished their new magnum opus.

Rodger took the drawing from her hands, inspecting it as his eye squinted with amusement, before setting it down, patting Toodles on the head. “Very well-done, Toodles.”

A cheer erupted from the little girl, with a happy bundle of claps. “Did you finish your drawing yet? I showed you mine, show me yours!”

Rodger shook his head softly, responding, “Still working on it, I’ll show you when I’m done.”

Toodles sighed, but accepted the reply, throwing her back on the carpet with a thud,interrupting Rodger about to spew a light concern. “Sooo, tell me about your detective cases! I wanna join one and help you!”

“Well, I don’t have much to investigate— on second thought...” He paused, watching Toodles bounce up, excitement held back by a will to hear every word, ready to convince Rodger to give her a chance and let her join his case, despite being somewhat used to being told a firm denial in helping.

“...Maybe there’s one you could help me with?” Rodger cautiously said, before being tackled down in a flurry of ecstatic thank-yous, wrapped in a hug suffocating the breath out of him but replacing it with warm, fuzziness in his chest for his little daughter.

“Alright, alright, calm down, calm down, you won’t be able to solve riddles if you’re busy squeezing the life out of me.” He joked, while Toodles loosened, but still kept a firm hold.

“Toodles, you’ve ever wondered, what Connie’s main object is?” Rodger inquired, before being met with Toodles bobbing her head up and down wildly, clearly still overexcited. “Well, I’ve tried to ask her, yet every time, she either refuses to talk to me, or denies knowing.”

“It should be a simple mystery, yet I don’t have an answer.” Rodger sighed, then glanced at Toodles, who jumped up with an exclamation, “I CAN HELP! I CAN HELP!”

Rodger recoiled at her excessive volume, but was not bothered by it, as Toodles was always loud, especially when she was as happy as this. “Maybe lower your voice, Toodles. But yes, tell me, how do you want to help?

“Uh, okay!” She nodded, pulling away from him, then starting to think, rocking herself side-to-side in thought, then piping up with, “Maybe I could interrogate...uh...wait, Delilah!”

Rodger paused, raising his only brow.

She giggled, then paused, humming, swaying a bit faster. “...Oh, um, most people say she’s a bit more kind with me! Maybe ‘cuz she knows I’m a curious kid! She’s usually curt with the others, not much with me though!”

Toodles smiled boldly, though anxiety was starting to wash it away, the silence serving to chip at her excitement peering deeply into Rodger’s face.

Did he think she was being silly, faking intelligence by using curt in her vocabulary?

Did he think she was being dumb, that he already tried that before?

Did he not think that was good help?

Was he going to deny her again?

Tell her she can’t join suddenly?

That she wasn’t good enough?

That she wasn’t worth-

“Alright, you could try that, but after the weekend is over and all the handlers and staff are back.”

She squealed, her joy returning in full force.

It would finally be the junior detective’s turn.

————————————————————-

The gentle morning light stirred Toodles out of her slumber, blinking tiredly with a yawn, shutting her eyes again, before suddenly perking up, bouncing right out of bed, throwing the door open and rushing out, skipping out.

Miss Delilah! She needed to tell Miss Delilah her question, before opening time! Maybe if Rodger is still asleep, she can surprise him with the answer to his mystery!

Darting around a corner, she slammed right into a toon, dazed as she lay on the floor, yet her excitement did not wear off, stumbling upwards immediately, protesting as a firm force caused her to pause and slow.

“Woah, woah kiddo!” Sprout gently slowed her stumbling, helping her stand up, then patting her shoulder, a familiar concerned smile crossing his face. “Calm down. Haven’t seen you so...energetic in the morning before, I was walking to wake you up for breakfast.”

Toodles blinked, then giggled slightly. “I just gotta do something important today!” Instantly, she made a turn and got ready to sprint off, but Sprout pulled her back. “Hey! Not done talking!”

Sprout sighed as she gave him an annoyed glare, still in a prepared stance to hurry away. “What’s so important for skipping breakfast, anyway? It’s pancake day, you love those, at least have a couple first.”

Toodles was going to throw an excuse, but her mouth locked up replies at the thought of pancakes. Soft, fluffy, and yummy...

Pancakes shouldn’t stop Toodles chase for the truth! No good detective would stop over pancakes when potential answers were so near, so close to hand!

“I’ll eat later, it’s IMPORTANT!” She yelled, lunging to run away, but Sprout caught her. “Oh no you don’t! And don’t raise your voice at me!”

Sprout watched her squirm with anger, shaking her head. “Toodles, the last time you went off doing something ‘important’, you ended up in the garden climbing a tree and scraping your knee when you fell! Tell me what you’re doing!”

“DETECTIVE STUFF!” She snapped, before wincing at the echo of her own yell, then quieting. “I won’t get hurt this time or do anything dumb! I’m just...I’m just doing detective stuff!”

“...Toodles, slow down, breathe. A good detective won’t be able to think too well with an empty stomach, c’mon.” Sprout persuaded, with a tone dipped in that gentle honey that always managed to calm her, convince her stubborn little mind.

“...Fine.” She begrudgingly answered, as Sprout nodded, letting her go, walking towards the kitchen, while she followed, feigned irritation forced on her expression, but she was surely hungry.

“...You’re quiet.” Sprout remarked. “You’re mad I’m making you go eat breakfast instead of solving ‘mysteries’ on an empty stomach?”

Toodles held in a sigh, biting her lip as Sprout turned towards her, chuckling. “Aw, c’mon. It’s not that bad. I’ll give your plate extra blueberries today.”

Her faked frown began to quiver upwards, despite her iron will to keep the annoyed act up.

But alas, titanium is stronger than iron, and Sprout would be sure to see a smile come from the girl soon.

“Awh, c’mon, don’t be like that! You’ll get to the case soon enough!” Sprout sighed, then smiled. “C’mere. You want me to hold you up and spin ya? That’ll make ya feel a bit better, right?”

Toodles hunched back bounced up at the statement, before immediately stepping closer, letting Sprout hoist her up and twirl her around, back to giggling with delight again.

“There we go! That smile’s back.” Sprout commented, patting her head as he held her against himself, walking to the cafeteria, listening to the idle chatter of toon, setting her down at her usual spot, in front of Rodger’s seat, for the few times he woke up early enough to eat with the others, but sometimes he stayed up until breakfast so he’d sit and eat then sleep. She was beside Goob and Scraps too, who she often conversed with to soften the dull ache in her chest that always fluttered up when she forced herself to look at the empty, Rodger-less seat in front of her.

She hummed to herself, blinking occasionally at that empty, empty seat in front of her, trying to mold the ache into renewed excitement for hoping to solve the mystery of Connie’s main object, but the joy had started to crumble.

“And here, Madam Toodles, is a stack of fluffy pancakes, with an extra serving of blueberries ordered for you by Sprout.” Cosmo greeted, popping Toodles’ bubble of gloom.

“I’m a detective, not a princess!” She giggled, hands on hips. “Well, maybe both one day! But definitely a detective!”

“Okay, okay, Madam Detective Toodles.” Cosmo obliged, rolling her eyes, patting her head before walking off. “Enjoy.”

 

She chowed down her pancakes quickly enough, stuffing down the fluffy, maple-syrup soaked pancakes down, enjoying the occasion burst of sweetness with the blueberries, but soon enough, her stomach was filled up, and now she was wondering what she was supposed to be doing now...

Connie’s main object! Right! She needs to go ask Delilah! Before opening time!

She hopped out of her seat, hurrying away to find Delilah. She wasn’t seen often around GardenView, but she had a tendency to be around the staff-only areas.

Her office! Toodles should check there!

Toodles scurried off to find Delilah, before stopping short at the door, labeled, “HIGH-STATUS STAFF-ONLY OFFICE.”
She took a deep breath, then gently knocked thrice, struggling to focus on a potential reply with her heartrate starting to grow loud.

“UGGGGHHH, WHO IS IT?” Delilah called out, her typical moodiness seeping into her voice.

“Um, me, Toodles!” She answered, hesitantly forcing a cheery tone, despite a sick anxiety beginning to knot her stomach into something adjacent to those balloon butterflies Looey made once.

Silence presumed, before Delilah opened the door, a deep, unsettling stare boring into Toodles’ very being, struggling to meet back her gaze, the most she could manage being looking at her eye bags and stern grimace, before she sighed audibly, then opened the door wider, her voice more gentle. “Come in.”

Despite, oddly enough, loving being around Delilah — Sometimes considering her a motherly figure— ,Toodles still found her a bit scary, but everyone had their own ways of showing love, even if they struggled with making it clear.

“...I’m gonna write a couple e-mails today. Just don’t make a ruckus.” Delilah muttered, gesturing to her open laptop, sitting down at her office chair, as Toodles walked to her side, struggling to peer up at her stuff on her table.

Delilah sighed again, Toodles throwing her head to the side to look at her, hoping she wasn’t annoyed, but a rare smile told her enough.

“...Okay, fine, come here. You can sit on me.” Delilah decided, gingerly swooping her up, then placing her on her lap, while Toodles smiled and shifted closer against her. She never understood why so many found Delilah unpleasant to be around. Maybe she had a bit of a temper, but it’s not like that anger was all she was.

She was supposed to ask her a simple question, one that would finally solve the case for Rodger, one that could possibly prove she was capable of being a real junior detective.

Yet a certain churn in her stomach told her not to.

But it wasn’t THAT scary to ask Miss Delilah a...risky question, was it?

Was it worth disappointing Rodger?

Maybe her thoughts were right, she was silly if she would let something as silly as a little fear stop her.

“...Miss Delilah?” Toodles mumbled, peering up at her, watching her nod, then grab her coffee mug and take a sip.

Toodles, quit hesitating.

Toodles, just ask.

“...Can I ask you a question?” She whispered, watching Delilah nod again, then type at her computer.

Toodles, you can’t back down now.

Toodles, seriously.

Toodles, it’s just a question, for heck’s sake, just ASK ALREADY!

“What did you make Connie’s main object from?” She blurted out, holding her breath as she carefully examined Delilah’s expression, stiff and frozen, her once soft hold tensed and harsh, her hand, which earlier had been patting her back, subconsciously grasped tightly at her shoulder, her nails digging through, even through her glove.

“...Who told you to ask that?” Delilah inquired, her tone holding an insincere calamity, one that was only waiting for the right second to snap into bitter rage.

“I said, who told you to ask that?” She repeated, her anger starting to seep into her words, while Toodles could only stare, her jaw locked up, not a breath escaping, trapping possible excuses with it.
“WHO TOLD YOU TO ASK THAT?!” She screeched out, about to rattle her, but Toodles flinched before she could even try.

Something about that stopped her fit.

Something about that did not allow her to continue her screaming.

Something about that was not right.

Something about that was wrong.

Something about that was so, so wrong.

“...T-Toodles. I...I didn’t mean to yell at you, oh my god...” She whispered, her voice as quiet as a frozen lake.

“I didn’t...I...I wasn’t trying...to...I was...” She mouthed, not even breath willing to make defenses for her, whether a tiny dagger of pardon or a sword built excuses.

Toodles sniffled, then shifted in her arms, while Delilah hugged her tight abruptly, tucking her own head beside hers, trying to calm the ocean of tears before it could begin, but an apology refused to make an entry.

After a long moment, Delilah sighed, pulling away a bit as she placed a hand on Toodles’ cheek. “...Don’t...cry.” She mumbled, as if unsure if the awkward, supposed reassurance was allowed to leave her mouth.

Cautiously, she pressed her head against her, her arm wrapping around her in an attempt at comfort, but now, Toodles had auditory access to her panicked heartbeat, her own sped up a bit, but not as much as Delilah.

She wasn’t sure what a good detective would think of how she reacted, but it was certainly suspicious.

Notes:

Apologies if the ending is sudden/odd or if anything is kinda ooc, but I had loads of fun writing :D!

Chapter 3: The Detective’s Paternalistic Soothing

Waking up suddenly from his slumber, Rodger looked around, startled, only calming down at the familiar sight of his desk, overwhelmed with papers and his bed still unmade from 3 days ago, beginning to awaken.

Another nightmare rattled him harshly from his relatively blank rest, but it had already cheekily faded, scurrying away like an elusive clue he was never able to quite catch, the only remnants of his nighttime terrors being the lingering adrenaline, which was already spreading out into his morning back pain.

Standing up clumsily, he stumbled around for a moment, grabbing the edge of his desk, starting to feel the ache radiate all around, his knees shuddering for a moment, before he pulled himself upright, stretching his arms for a moment, then rubbing his single eye.

Despite sleeping for around…who knows how many hours this time, he didn’t exactly feel refreshed mentally, and his body was surely complaining over being hunched over a couple hours on an uncomfortable wood chair and pressed against the solid table, but maybe the complaints would slow when ate some breakfast.

Yawning audibly, he peered over at the clock dangling against the wall. 1:47 PM.

Eh, as late as typical, he supposed.

Marching out—still in his wolf-themed pajamas—, he entered the hall to be greeted with the chatter of toons all around, a bit irritated by the noise, but not enough to truly be bothered, so he continued his stroll to the toons-only cafeteria, with few toons in sight.

He took a plate, shoving a greedy stack of pancakes on top, then shaking up the can of whipped cream and spraying up at least half the can on his pancakes, a childish yet uncharacteristic giggle sneaking out, then pouring out enough maple syrup to use as glue for one of Goob and Scraps’ art projects.

He took a bite with his fork, savoring the fluffy, delicious pancakes, letting the sticky maple seep into the pancakes and the bouncy whipped cream, turning on the coffee machine as he took slow, delightful nibbles.

As the machine coffee finally finished, spitting out a beautiful, wondrous brown, a warm steam with such a lovely, caffeinated aroma, he stared with satisfaction at the filled mug, then taking a sip of the bitter yet tasteful liquid with a pleasant sigh, pondering over a couple of his detective cases as he ate his breakfast.

Finishing his meal soon enough, he recalled he should probably speed up, considering GardenView was open and kids would be called for lunch soon enough. He didn’t have something against the young visitors, it was just more so when too many came, they brought a loud chaos around them that never could be quite exactly tamed. He just never exactly knew how to deal well with crowd of children much, but he was generally alright one-on-one.

Speaking of one-on-one, he had some one-on-one time he had promised to Toodles, his own little girl! He told he they’d chat about detective cases in the little garden!

Setting the plate, cup and utensils in the sink, he hurried off to look for Toodles, trying to avoid the ecstatic children running and goofing about, before noticing Toodles standing stiffly near Delilah’s office door, rushing over with a smile.

“Oh, Toodles, there you are!” He crouched down on his knee, arms inviting for a warm hug, a hug that Toodles seemed unusually hesitant to take, but slowly climbed into, only after Rodger raised a concerned brow.

Rodger held her, noticing she held on rather tightly despite her earlier tenacity, before hearing a quiet sniffle.

“Hey, hey, hey, Toodles, kiddo, hey....” Rodger mumbled, his words like delicate feathers, pulling back slightly to check her expression. “What’s wrong...?”

Toodles kept silent, but her lip jutted out.

“Okay, okay, let’s go to your room, mhm?” Rodger swooped her up gently, holding her against himself, walking to her room nearby.

As they reached her room, Rodger set her on her bed, but she clambered right back to him, so he held her for a moment, petting her head slowly in hopes of calming the hurricane of tears soon to come, even if just a little.

“...Okay. Okay. It’s gonna be okay.” Rodger whispered, shifting her closer, letting her burrow in his chest. “...Are you upset?”

After a long moment, she nodded. That was a good step.

“Okay, do you know why...you’re upset?” Rodger slowly questioned, watching another nod.

“Do you want to tell me why?” Rodger asked, feeling her stiffen up slightly, stroking her head a bit firmer now. “...It’s okay if you’re not ready to tell me yet.”

She sniffled, then peered up, her mouth opening up slightly as if to explain, before a cry raced her words and won, as the real waterworks started rising up in bold, shaken, sobs.

“D-DELILAH! D-DELILAH, SHE...S-SHE’S GONNA H-HATE-HATE M-ME!” She burst out, before the rest of her attempts of speech were drowned out in sniffles, sobs and gibberish.

A bit startled, but still calm, Rodger, shushed her gently, his arms wrapped around her a little tighter, rocking her from side to side.

As he rocked her, she quieted slightly, but her sobs prevailed against keeping composure, only muffled by pressing her face against Rodger, shifting to place her head onto his shoulder.

“Deep breaths, Toodles, deep breaths.” Rodger carefully instructed. “C’mon, listen and copy me.”

He took in a deep inhale, holding in the air before letting it out in a gradual exhale, as Toodles quieted again, then mimicked, albeit shakily.

“You’re doing great, Toodles. You’re doing great.” He praised softly, as she tiredly leaned onto him, taking in the lingering scent of coffee that clung to him.

After she calmed, Rodger continued to rock her, letting calming silence wash over them, before he spoke again. “...Toodles, do you still want to tell me? Why do you think Delilah...doesn’t like you?”

Toodles blinked, then clumsily shuffled against him, her head pressed against his heartbeat, noticing how slow it was in comparison to Delilah’s. Delilah. Delilah’s gonna hate her.

She’s gonna hate her so much.

Her lip bounced out once again, the tears ready to make another comeback, but Rodger made his try to stop the return before it could begin. “Okay, okay. You don’t have to tell me right now. We can sit in silence until you’re ready, or do something to take your mind off it.”

Toodles sniffled, biting her lip to hold back tears, blinked rapidly as if it would clear up the sting and blur in her eyes, though to no avail.

“Deep breaths Toodles, with me.” Rodger gingerly commanded, repeating deep inhales and exhales. “Don’t bite your lip either.”

Toodles let go of her lip, calming down slightly again, shutting her eyes as she forced down cautious breaths.

After a long while, Rodger glanced at Toodles, already falling asleep. He nudged her slightly, though without response, so he did so again, only to be met with a slight stir. Maybe he should just let her sleep, really.

With remote reluctance, he sighed, then gently set her down to lay on her bed, but she immediately whined and sat up, snuggling against Rodger.

Well, it wasn’t too bad to just...have her held in his arms. He could ponder over cases, and she could nap in his arms. Perfect!

Though, first over anything else, he had to find out why his dear daughter was so upset. She had spoken of Delilah and her possibly hating her, odd. Something had to have happened for her to assume hatred.

Toodles always had a tendency to get upset rather easily though, so there was a wide range of possibilities for sure. It’d probably be best to just ask her when she wakes up, though only if she was able to stay calm, he didn’t want to upset her further.

Then, he recalled. He told her last weekend to question Delilah if she knew what Connie’s special object was. Maybe Delilah, knowing her temper, got mad at the question...?

If so, that would definitely be more puzzling.

Why would Delilah yell at Toodles over a basic question?

A question, if about any other toon, she would certainly answer much less aggressively, presumably?

What should’ve given answers, seemed to only spout more questions. Perhaps this was more than on the surface.

For certain, Rodger would continue to chase down this mystery until he choked the truth out of it.

Notes:

uhhh not that proud of this one tbh, gonna try to push out the next chapter soon :33

Chapter 4: Fossilized Exhaustion

Notes:

long ahh chapter my god the plot is going places🙏🙏also btw there’s cigarettes mentioned plus toons have tiny tiny snout-noses they’re js too small to be seen up close for slight context, uhh enjoy :3

“...Shells? Shelly, sweetheart, you gotta wake up...” Shanon gently mumbled, trying to arouse Shelly from her slumber, but without turning on the lights, lest she gets startled.

She sighed, then sitting beside her, patting her arm. “Shelly...sweetie. C’mon. I already let ya sleep in a lil’ late...”

Shelly stirred slightly, finally blinking, a bit grumpy, rubbing her eyes as she sat up, before immediately letting her head fall on Shanon’s lap and her eyes fall shut too.

Shanon flinched slightly, but smiled, petting her head. “Awh...fine, fine. Just this once.”

Shelly mouthed slightly, much to tired to properly reply, rolling onto her back.

As Shanon traced gentle circles on the swirl of her head, she paused, noticing the slight red irritation under her eyes, then frowned. Oh Shelly...you shouldn’t have to do that again...

Despite being half-asleep, Shelly felt Shanon stop, so she blinked begrudgingly, noting her frown flash for a second then a worried smile. “Okay, time’s up darling. C’mon, outta the jammies an into your dress.”

Shelly shook her head, but Shanon gently forced her to sit up. “Shelly...we gotta get ready today...Do you want to tell me why you’re so grumpy about it...?

Shelly tensed. She noticed. Again.

Shelly, seriously, stop whining, crying, sobbing so excessively, would you?

Maybe if you quit pitying yourself so DISGUSTINGLY much until you’re sobbing, you’d actually get some sleep, huh!

Seriously, nothing even happened yesterday for you to get tired! It’d be so much easier for EVERYONE if you’d actually stop acting like a PATHETIC baby-

“Shelly...?” Shanon held her hand, giving it a squeeze. “Shelly, you’re spacing out again darling.

Shelly jolted abruptly, nodding. “Uh, yeah, yeah...sorry, just...thinking. I wasn’t listening, um, sorry...”

Shanon sighed, the exhale not a release of built annoyance as Shelly was expecting, but rather one of soft worry struggling to find an exit. “...Well you’ve been thinking...like that...a lot.”

“...Sorry.” Shelly mumbled, glancing at her feet, counting the visible stitches of her dino socks.

“No need to apologize Shells.” Shanon answered, watching Shelly hop out of her bed, stumbling slightly, then quickly walk up to her closet, her dino tail stiffly behind her. “...Shelly.”

Slowly turning her head back, she nodded slowly, her brows tilted with bubbling worry.

“...Shelly, you can talk to me, okay?”

“...”

“...How about we talk about what’s bothering you after the museum closes, hm?”

“...Okay.”

Shanon smiled, then walked and kneeled to her side. “Do you want a hug for now?”

She reached her arms around her torso, snuggling into her, humming as Shanon pulled her close, patting her back.

“...I love you...mama.”

Shanon wasn’t exactly sure what, but something sugary sweet cracked and seeped all over her little happy heart when she heard that.

“...I love you too, darling.”

After a bit, Shanon shifted, noticing Shelly starting to fall asleep again but on her shoulder, giggling quietly, but Shelly blinked at the laugh.

“Okay, Shells. You go change into your dress, I’ll be in the lounge room checking today’s schedule.” Shanon explained, slowly letting go.

She walked away, then shut the door, leaving the fossil to change.

—————————————————

Connie puffed out another bloom of beautiful gray smoke, watching it waft delicately into the air above, while she contentedly hummed. Finally, a little bit of release, a moment to relax.

Too many kids this afternoon, and a girl’s gotta let loose of that tension one way or another, even if it wasn’t the...healthiest way of dealing with so.

Connie opened up a window, then flicked up her lighter, taking another cigarette, taking a deep inhale, then exhaling softly, watching smoke swirl up in front of her, before being blown outside, a smirk painted on her expression.

She repeated, with another cigarette.

Damn, that really did feel good.

She checked her pack, noticing only around 4 left, then decided to save them. She’d have to ask Dyle if there was a way he could snag her some more soon.

A loud set of triple bangs at her door knocked her out of her thoughts, immediately yelling out, “WHO IS IT?!” while throwing her lighter and pack under a black jacket randomly thrown beside her.

“Me, Gigi! ‘N Flutts too!” She answered back, knocking again. “OKAY, I’M COMING, I’M COMING, QUIT IT!”

Connie wore the jacket then made sure her two contraband items were safely snuggled in her pockets, stretching lightly, then walking over to the door, and leaving. “So what? Gotta deal with the kids again?”

The two nodded, and Connie shrugged. “Alright. I think Dandy’s performance is in a lil’ so shouldn’t be too long.”

Flutter began to lead the way, and the two behind her started to converse.
“I think we’re supposed to go with Vee ‘n help her with setting up her gameshow, ‘cuz everyone’s busy or not wantin’ ta help.”

“Mhm, fair enough.” Connie hummed, absently twirling her hair around her finger.

After a moment, Gigi perked up, a mischievous smirk bouncing up on her lips. “Well, guess we all take that our chance—after we finish with Vee— to go find moon boy, see if we can throw a prank?”

Flutter rolls her eyes, but a smile and nod is enough agreement, while Connie nods and shrugs. A prank or two on moon-face would be a fun thing to keep her entertained.

Entering Vee’s stage room, Veronica was at Vee’s side, helping her rehearse a bundle of flash cards, skimming through them, before Vee noticed the trio, sighing mechanically. “About time you three showed up.”

“...” Flutter added, while Gigi was already snatching off bits of leftover candy on the floor, a flurry of cackles escaping her, while Connie took a look around, noticing the bleachers, made for toons and children to watch from, were rather messy.

“Hey y’all, thanks for showing up!” Veronica waved, picking at the stitches of her white gloves, as nervous as usual.

Connie smirked, giving a chill peace sign, floating up to her side. “Yeah, sure, no problem, Miss Veronica.” She placed her hands behind her head, watching her shake her head slightly. “U-uh, no need to call me by Miss, just...just go with Vera.”

Connie bit back a snicker, nodding. She thought it was odd a woman who could be so stern with Vee, as well as quite brawny would get so nervous in the presence of a few toons or people. “Sure, Vera.”

“...?” Flutter questioned, raising a brow, while Vera perked up with an anxious chuckle. “O-oh, right! Yeah, um, could you help with fixing the lights...’cuz, y’know you can fly...? I was told they needed to uh... be replaced soon....”

Flutter shrugged and nodded, and Connie looked up at the massive stage-lights, then asked, “So like...we twist the lights down, throw ‘em down, then put up another light or somethin’...?”

“Yeah, um, basically...but don’t throw them down actually...!” Vera replied, a tinge of anxiety twirling around her words.

“I’m sure she’s only kidding, Vera!” Shelly reassured, but her words only served to startle her, causing her to jump, before spotting her behind her then sighing as sprinkles of anxiety left through her breath, as Shelly stared, a flash of panic crossing her expression before immediately being covered up by calm confusion.

“Oh, just you...didn’t see you there, Shelly...hah.” Vera muttered, rubbing the back of her neck, while Shelly answered back “Oh it’s fine! Happens all the time!” ,the loud squeeze in her voice not going unnoticed by Connie.

Connie floated up beside Flutter, making quick work of twisting out the bulb, gasping at the unbelievable weight. “W-WOAH, FLUTS, HOLD WITH ME!”

Flutter quickly used her knees to help hold up the mass, the two slowly setting down the light bulb onto the floor, then catching their breath for a bit on the ground.

Meanwhile, Shelly walked through the rows of bleachers, cleaning up the lint, dust and muck on the floor left over from Vee’s last gameshow, glancing over at Gigi from afar, wincing with slight disgust at the sight of her snagging some old leftover gum balls, perhaps even tainted dust too, then swallowing them down like nothing. Shelly ducked her head away, stifling a gag, forcing herself to focus on the task at hand, clutching the broom.

Why are you even here right now, Shelly?

You don’t like the scent of dust being swept.

You don’t like how the dress you wore today scratches rough on your body.

You don’t like the sounds of the light bulbs Connie and Flutter were taking out being occasionally slapped against the metal fixtures.

You don’t like how sluggish you feel right now.

You don’t like how your eyes still hurt from crying so hard last night.

You don’t even want to be here.

Is there anything you even like about today, Shelly?

A tap on the shoulder rattled shudders down her back, jumping in response as she looked behind to find Tisha behind her with a playful smirk. “Whatcha doing? Cleaning without ME?”

Shelly sighed slightly, shrugging, a tiny smile crawling up. “...I thought you were busy helping Sprout and Cosmo clean up...”

“Oh, but it wasn’t too messy, I finished up quickly there.” She hummed, then checked her gloves were tightly stuck against her wrists, a habit she had whenever she was beginning a clean-up. “...Hand me your broom, Shells, I’ll sweep for you.”

“Oh, um, it’s okay, I can sweep.” Shelly mumbled, waving her hand dismissively, turning away.

“No, Shelly, take a break, okay?” Tisha held her shoulder, pulling her closer.

Shelly jumped at the touch, a discomforting jitter echoing through every ichor-cell at the mere suddenness of the touch, quickly shuffling herself away from her hand, while Tisha’s earlier smile faltered, but quickly recollected, moving her hand away.

“S-sorry, I...I didn’t mean to jump like that...” Shelly sheepishly muttered, her eyes taking an unexpected interest in the floor.

“No, no I’m sorry Shelly. I should’ve asked if you minded first.” Tisha replied, soft concern seeping through her apology. “...Tell me, Shells, did you sleep well last night?”

Shelly hesitated, then gave a shy bob of her head.

“...Are you sure...?” Tisha questioned, a hand on her hip, brows furrowed.

Shelly did not talk, but a faint yawn replied for her.

“...You could talk to Astro if you’re having sleeping troubles...” Tisha shrugged, despite her worry.

“...It was just tonight, I’m okay, y’know...” Shelly murmured, walking away slowly to finish sweeping. “...You can ask Vera for cleaning tools...”

Tisha, albeit reluctantly, walked towards Veronica, looking behind her to keep an eye on Shelly, but watching her too keenly caused her to bump into Vee, who had an error page flicker her screen for a moment until annoyance replaced it.

“Oh great, bet you’re here ta get all pissy and on my case, aren’t you?” Vee immediately assumed, crossing her arms, looking her up and down. “Let me guess, you’re gonna lecture me for half an hour about how disgusting and unclean the place is?”

Tisha huffed, hands on hips. “Well, excuse me for trying to help out! It’s not my fault that, yes, the place is IN FACT disgusting!”

Before she could add more, Vera dashed between the two, just knowing by the sight of the two together a fight was bound to occur if she didn’t stop them fast enough. “Alright, Alright, you two. Vee, please go backstage.”

“But she’s-“

“Vee, I said backstage.” Vera interrupted, her voice firm, the words clutching a bold unbending tone, her brows narrowing sharply. “Go make sure you’re prepared.”

Vee swallowed down her glum irritation, then walked to backstage, albeit not without aggravated muttering.

“Okay, Tisha...” Vera sighed, easing slightly. “I assume you came in to chop in and help...?”

Tisha gave a nod, her annoyance beginning to wash away.

“Um, alright, alright...” Vera paused, picking at the stitches at her gloves. “...I think there’s a couple brooms left over, the staff room there?”

Tisha nodded, walking away. “Alright, thanks!”

“Welcome!” Vera smiled, before perking up, catching up with her. “Oh right, um, I left the door open, please don’t shut it until we start up the show, so we can have easy access for cleaning supplies, ‘cuz uh, the door auto-locks.”

Tisha nodded, then went on her merry way.

———————————

The children scurried inside, each child clambering over the other to catch a good seat, loud shouts vibrating through the walls, while Vee walked on her stage cplatform, adjusting her bow tie, all the toons seated down together.

Tisha muttered with annoyance, something about how she didn’t want to watch the “walking microwave’s” show tonight, but Shelly didn’t bother replying, too busy to process whatever she was muttering about, struggling to ignore the bright lights, the overwhelming noise of chatter, the feeling of the uncomfortable cushion beneath Ed weight, how her head began to ache in response to the overwhelm, just wishing to go take a long, long nap.

Oh, speaking of naps, maybe she could ask Astro for a good dream too. How she dearly desired to fall back, let her sleepy eyes shut and be gifted wonderful dreams, but alas, she had to wait at least until Vee’s show was over.

“Kids and teens, idiots and geniuses, welcome to today’s gameshow!” Vee called out into her microphone, the reverberating mechanical echo drowned out by the cheers of ecstatic children and excited toons.

“Today, both toons and children shall participate for the show!” Vee added, immediately met with a wild applause, before quieting when Vee tapped her mic, the shrill echo the cue for silent focus. “Just raise your hand if you’d like to answer. Now! With ol’ Vera here, she’ll spin the wheel to pick the first category!”

Veronica rolled a massive wheel on stage, each topic indicated with a little doodle on the edge, before taking a deep breath, then giving a strong spin, anticipation exacerbated by the sound of the little arrow that’d show which category was picked ticking against the tiny metallic rods set above the doodles.

Tick, tick, tick, and...math!

“Alright, then, let’s see who focuses in math class!” Vee declared, giving her iconic smirk to the crowd. “First question; name 10 digits of pi!”

Kids screamed and waved their arms, jumping up in their seats, some ready to shove others out of the way for the sake of even a slither of a chance to answer on stage, while Vee pointed sharply at a timid girl in the crowd, politely keeping her hand up despite her visible anxiety. “You there! With the blonde braids and pink cardigan, get on stage!” Vee called out, gesturing her to come up and answer on stage.

Fidgeting with the buttons of her cardigan, she walked slowly to the stage, the crowd quieting into excited whispers, the girl keeping her head down, even until she was at Vee’s side.

“Alright, you got a name ta tell?” Vee asked, raising a brow, offering her mic.

“Uh, Samantha—Sammy.” She mumbled, her voice still a bit too quiet despite the microphone’s loudening, swallowing nervously, as she dare not look at the crowd.

“Alright, Sammy. Tell us the first ten digits of pi!” Vee nodded, shoving the mic closer to her face, as she flinched back slightly. “U-um...3.141592653.”

“That is...” Vee paused, a loading symbol circling her screen, waiting until everyone was on their seat’s edge to validate the girl’s answer. “CORRECT!”

Her silent breath of relief was silenced by the enthusiastic ovation of kids and toons, while she walked back to her seat.

As the gameshow went on, the dinosaur category eventually went on, and noticing her fossil friend wasn’t focused, Tisha nudged Shelly’s side, provoking a flinch before she relaxed, yawning slightly, a smile carefully drawn on her face, but her eyes remained a blank, almost soulless canvas, her voice too dull to hold warmth. “What is it, Tish?”

Knowing Shelly was probably feeling down today, Tisha thought that perhaps answering a question of her favorite interest might cheer her up a bit, and despite her hate for Vee, her friendship with Shelly was stronger, so she pointed at Vee. “She’s asking dino questions, you love those!”

Shelly smiled a bit wider, but it hadn’t touched the cold painting of her eyes just yet, but Tisha remained steadfast in her hopes of her bouncing back to genuine joy soon enough.

“Alright, first question’s gonna be an easy one!” Vee announced, a teasing, familiar smirk set firm against her screen’s pixels. “I better see lots of hands up.”

Tisha smiled, gently reaching for Shelly’s hand, waiting for permission to hold, when she received a nod of reply, she took her hand, gently squeezing it as encouragement. “Go on. I’ll bet you’ll know better than anyone else.”

Slowly, she raised up her free arm, as if trying to shake back a bit of her typical excitement.

“How many horns does...a triceratops have?”

Bouncing up, despite her exhaustion and her tiredly bitter mood, her smile grew as bright as the sun, yet her eyes stayed gray, pessimistic clouds.

Ignoring the many children screaming out to be picked, swirling their arms in wishes of catching Vee’s attention and have a possibility to go on stage, Vee locked eyes with the fossil. She knew not many enjoyed dinosaurs as a subject, but less people and lesser toons were willing to converse with Shelly on the topic, and though she wasn’t exactly fond of Shelly—She didn’t even know her favorite color, she barely knew her, really—she humored her adoration for dinosaurs and occasionally added questions related to it mostly for her sake.

“Shelly Fossilian, you’re up!” Vee aimed her mic in her direction, watching her hop out of her seat, slowly making her way over.

She never really cared much about her, but after overhearing Veronica and Shanon worriedly whisper of some social issues and struggles to help, she started to notice her a little more, but in a place full of vivid colors, a rainbow-petaled flower as a mascot, a sleepy four-armed moon for his best pal, a bright strawberry ready to teach the art of mastering the kitchen, and a green computer as cool as a cucumber, that wonderfully popular television being herself, not much brought attention to the beige, dull fossil, and if nothing changed, she would be bound to turn as dull as her color, yet for some reason, she persisted in her happy persona, albeit the cracks in her facade.

Of the few things Vee struggled to grasp were emotions and kind politeness, but one thing she understood was making a whole category catered to one toon should count as something kind to do.

Right?

As Shelly arrived, plastering on a grin as big as she could force up, Vee repeated her question. “Alright, do tell, how many horns does a triceratops have?”

Shelly hesitated, then responded, “2! They have two.”

Again, her loading wheel spun up, while Shelly waited in growing anxiety, starting to feel the eyes boring into her back slowly stab, before Vee rolled a confused expression, before saying, “Well, Shelly, you are...wrong.”

The silence only served to penetrate further into her back, quickly making her way back to her seat, but when the chatter returned, she sharply turned away from the bleachers, dashing out of the very gameshow itself, the overwhelm finally snapping her mind into a hazed panic, tears rushing in fat globs on her cheeks, her hands clenched into tight fists digging sharply into her palm, her legs jittering with each rushed stomp into what seemed to be the lobby, blurred messily with her stinging vision while thoughts screeched over each other, all tumbling clumsily against each other with burning anger of who could be the loudest, the most painful.

But one thought stood calling loud, the blaring alarm in the unorganized mess that was her mind; She needed to run away until she was alone.

Alone, dark and quiet.

Now.

Within her hazy sight, she spotted a janitor’s closet, immediately barreling inside, like she had done many times before, before slamming the door shut and barricading it with her body, her back slumping against it as she started to sob raw, bitter and loud, but slapping her hand over her mouth when she glimpsed the faint glow of a half-way invisible Connie, wide-eyed and surely baffled, and a tad bit worried.

Shelly tried to stifle her sobs, but she was already far beyond her breaking point to bother speaking up, ducking away her head into her shaky knees, arms weakly drooping at her sides, while Connie slowly hovered down, blowing out her cigarette, placing it on a shelf, sitting down at her side.

“...Uh...are...are you okay?”

Shelly didn’t answer, only exhausted weeps escaping her mouth, sniffles hopping in and out her tiny nose.

Connie, although the simmering tenacity in her mind, gingerly scooted to her side, asking, “Do you...uh...you...you want a hug...?”

Shelly, carefully peeked her head up, fatigue imminent against her face, eyes puffy and irritated, nose gradually shading itself bright red, her arms wrapping around her knees.

“...Mhm.”

Reluctantly, Connie opened up her arms invitingly, as Shelly sluggishly threw herself against her, trying to calm down.

Her cool, blue arms locked loosely around her, a tranquil serenity encircling the two as they began to sway.

During the peaceful moment, Shelly’s cries were softened to occasional hiccups and sniffles, mumbling a quick, “Thanks, Connie...”

“No problem, I gotchu.” Connie answered, carefully letting go of her, while Shelly loosened, sighing as she put her head against the door.

“Besides, a girl needs herself a way to let it out, y’know. Sometimes the best way is really just crying.” Connie shrugged, listening to Shelly’s acknowledging hum.

“...Wanna tell me why you were cryin’...?” Connie asked, but Shelly expression was uncertain.

“...I won’t tell anyone if that’s what your worried about.” Connie added, observing her mild distrust. “Not even Gigi or Flutter. I might gossip every now and then, but I don’t stoop THAT low.”

“...It’s just...hard to explain. I never really know how to...talk about it...” She muttered, rubbing her eyes. “...I just...I was really stressed out for a while...”

“I always get kinda...overloaded easily...” She explained cautiously, sighing with frustration at her struggle to explain herself. “...I just...scratch that, just...do you...know how to deal with stuff when you’re...overwhelmed?”

Connie hesitated, then questioned, “Alright, listen, like what you told me will stay between me and you and not another soul, just don’t tell anyone about what I’ll tell ya either, mhm?”

Shelly nodded slowly, leaning closer, curious.

“Honestly, I just smoke!” Connie exclaimed, laughing afterwards for a moment, then continuing. “Sure, it’s probably not the healthiest thing to do, but it works for me!”

Shelly, being a goody-two-shoes, gasped in shock, but seeing how Connie seemed so casual, even joyful about it, she pushed her moral compass to the side, attempting to not judge.

Connie always seemed so much more collected than her, not to mention happier, so maybe Connie was onto something.

“...Why...?” Shelly delicately asked.

“Why what?” Connie replied, grabbing her pack out, flicking up her lighter, almost leisurely so, as if savoring every moment she held the nicotine.

“...Why...why do you smoke?” Shelly deliberately repeated. “...Like...what stresses you to the point you...need to smoke?”

Connie paused, then shrugging. “...I just...y’know, daily stresses. Stuff like that ‘n whatever, y’know?”

“...I don’t know, honestly.” Shelly muttered, then inquiring. “...You mind like...telling me what is...the daily stresses...specifically?”

Reluctant for only a moment, she sighed, then explained. “Honestly, it’s a little weird. The only thing that’s been worrying me recently is just...thinkin’ of my main object.”

“Oh, really?” Shelly kept quiet, then smiled. “You could ask Rodger to help, I’m sure he’d like to help!”

“Oh, screw that dumbass detective.” Connie muttered, then quickly apologizing. “Sorry, sorry language.”

“But no, seriously, I really don’t like him. Keeps pissing me off, always askin’ questions.” Connie sighed, lighting up her cigarette. “Kinda wanna ask him, but I think that’d be awkward. Keep gettin’ weird dreams too...”

Shelly hummed, her tail thumping the floor gently in thought. “Well...um...you could ask Astro to help with that...?”

Connie shrugged again. “Well, it’s not too bad, really...just...do you think I should...actually work with Rodger...?”

Shelly nodded. “I mean, he’s nice! He’ll help you solve in no time!”

Connie sighed, the bounced up. “Wait, don’t you have a toon handler...?”

“Yes, yeah, of course I do!” Shelly grinned, her eyes twinkling at the mention of Shanon, presumably.

“Can’t you help out too?” Connie paused, taking in a deep inhale of the sweet nicotine, relaxing slowly, then puffing out a skillful gray cloud.

“Oh, YEAH—I mean, yeah, I can help!” Shelly spring up, her tail wagging side to side.

Watching the cloud dissolve above them, Connie hummed, then sighed. “Alright, can’t you ask your handler if she knows anything?”

“Yeah, yeah, I will!” She responded.

Connie set her hands behind her head, relishing the momentary calm the nicotine brought her, before adding, “Y’know, since you know as much as you do so far, maybe you wanna tag along if I go checking if the ol’ magnifying glass knows anything?”

“Of course, YEAH—Um yeah, yeah!” Shelly exclaimed, trying to quiet down her ecstasy for simply being invited along.

“Alright, sure. I’ll tell ya ta tag along soon when I need ya.” Connie replied, taking out her final cigarette, flicking her lighter up again.

Notes:

i genuinely dont know how i feel abt this chapter uhhhhhh hope y’all enjoyed it tho ^^