Bassie's World - Chapter Nine

Instructions

[ Toodles, 3:17 PM, Toon Rooms Floor 2 ] I was so excited! I hadn't helped out Rodger in such a long while, and now I was REALLY gonna help him with a super extra big case! Hehe! He was putting the last few things in his suitcase before we began. I really wished he wasn't such a slow old man! We'd already be on the way to Connie if so! Then, a knock knocked on the door. I ran over and opened it. There was Astro. "Oh, hi Mr. Astro!" I said to him. "Ah... hello, Toodles. Can we talk privately?" he replied softly. "Aw, but I was gonna go help Rodger out!" I complained. "Toodles, dear, why don't you just let Astro talk to you? You can meet me at Connie's room, alright?" Rodger said, adjusting his tie. "Ugh. Fine!" I folded my arms. Rodger stepped out of the door, waved to me, and was on his way. I was so upset! I very much wanted to help out Rodger with this case, but no! Someone just HAD to ruin it. "So, Toodles," Astro exhaled after an awkward silence. "Have you been having any dreams that seemed like... memories?" I had forgotten that Astro could visit people's dreams. I remembered the last one I had clearly. He must have seen that one and decided it was worth questioning. "Maybe!" "Haha... very funny. I already know that you do, since I saw it happen. A very confusing memory, it was..." he ruminated. "Yeah, yeah. I know that too!" I said. "Well, have you had multiple dreams like that...?" he looked down at me, just a little bit too kindly. "Uhm. I don't know!!" I glared at him. Why did he care so much about my stupid dreams? He should've at least asked when I wasn't going to help out Rodger!! "This is VERY important, Toodles..." he warned me. "Hmph." I rolled my eyes. He rarely ever raised his voice, only when it was SUPER important. I would actually listen, but now I'm in a fit, and would feel embarrassed if I did that... "Listen to me." he said. " If you've had multiple of these dreams, we need to know. It would be really helpful..." I sighed. "If I tell you, will you get off my case?" "Of course." he nodded his head. I dithered, in thought. I didn't really feel comfortable to tell him about my memories, but I was more afraid. What if he got mad at me? What if he didn't believe me? No, if he doesn't believe what I tell him, that's not my fault. It's not like I'm gonna lie to make him feel better, I have a detective duty to get to. I took a deep breath, and began. [ Astro, 3:30 PM, Toon Rooms Floor 2 ] "And that's all." Toodles breathed out loudly, clearly exhausted. She tugged on the drawstrings of her hoodie as she waited for a response. "Wow, I... wasn't expecting that much information, but thank you." I said. "Yeah, sure. Anyways, I'm gonna go to Rodger now! We're trying to figure out where Connie's hairbrush went... again." Toodles shrugged, then ran off, waving at me. "Goodbye, Toodles!" I called out. I'm not sure she realized how much she just unearthed to me. I mean, this is absolutely insane... Twisteds? Ichor Operation? Blackouts? Ichor leaks? Dandy's shop?? It seems impossible, but I know that it's true... I know Dandy's World is—WAS— real, but something happened. The last piece of the puzzle is just me determining whether it's Bassie or Dandy's fault, as I know it's going to be one of those two... Springtime is coming up. That means Flutter, Flyte, Eggson, and most importantly, Dandy are going to stop isolating themselves. This is the perfect time of year to uncover all of this, it seems... Well, it is sort of weird that I'm standing alone in Rodger's room. I decided to leave. I stepped out, closing the door behind me with my stars. I walked down the hallway, hearing loud commotion from Connie's room, and small giggles. I felt a bit warmer at that, knowing the investigation was going well. I went into the elevator, and rode the elevator subsequently, then ended up in my room. I truly liked my room. The cold color palette suited me well. The little planets and stars and satellites hanging from the ceilings, the exhibits meant to mimic the surface of the moon, the glowing beams on the sides of the walls, all of it made it feel like home. I took a long, well-needed stare around this "home" when I noticed something that wasn't meant to be there. Is it time already? "Hey there, Astro!" the Toon said. "Oh, hello." I waved with a star to the Toon. "Long time no see, ay?" the Toon brooded. "I'm so glad that I can see you now!" "Likewise..." I blinked. "Have you, uh, visited all the others?" "Hmm, nope! Soon as I woke, I came straight over here, hehe~" the Toon said in a singsong voice. "I was just so excited to see you!" "Well, how nice." I said flatly. The Toon wouldn't interpret it as rude no matter what I did. "Yes, yes! Nice indeed. Haha." The Toon looked pleased with me. "Well, now, let's go down to the lobby!" "Uh, okay...I-I had wanted to..." I stammered. "Well, uh...nevermind." +