Bassie's World - Chapter Eleven

Instructions

[ Astro, 3:45 PM, Astro's Floor ] Originally, I HAD told Dandy I was going to sleep, but when I arrived at my room, Vee was waiting for me. She was standing as much like a mannequin as always, and frankly, it was a bit funny. Vee had to be the most proper person I knew, until you pressed that button. It could be considered how she "came alive", turning into a very casual, egotistical Toon. But that was what I liked about her. A side of her no one knows but me. I walked up to her, and she stumbled backwards when I used my magic to press the button down. "Ack- ZZZZT-" "Hello, Vee." "Oh- hi, Astro." Vee sighed. "You caught me off-guard, like usual." "The Easter Toons are up." I sat down in a nearby armchair, and Vee sat down beside me in a little couch. "Hm, really? That means Dandy is awake." Vee repositioned her bowtie and raised her eyebrows. "Of course, he doesn't recognize me the same way that I recognize him, but that doesn't mean I don't hate him anymore." "Mhm, yeah. I understand that." I sat back in the chair, smiling to myself about just how cozy it felt. "Y'know, I went to check up on Bassie after finishing something for her, and she was on the floor, crying." Vee began explaining. "The whole floor was drenched with ichor, so, being concerned for what would happen to me if I approached her, I just calmly exited. I don't think she noticed I was ever there." "Oh, oh no..." I realized immediately that something had gone wrong during the interrogation, but I decided it was best if Vee didn't know. "I... wonder what happened?" "Me too. Not to mention, her little pet wasn't there either." Vee said. "She told me about some sort of tunnel system he could leave through, but you'd think he would be there, comforting here." "How peculiar." I nodded. Vee had already told me that Bassie had a giant dog, but refused to tell me any more than that. Nobody seemed to know about any dogs in Gardenview besides Coal, and I feel like I should know, I just can't remember. I have to trust Vee, though. Being one of the least popular Toons meant I couldn't take anything for granted. "I sometimes wish I could remember how all of this happened, Astro." Vee rested her head on the back of the couch. "I know that I know, but it hurts so much to even try to think about it, and-" "I don't think I want to know, so don't worry about telling me." "What? Why not?" "I don't know." I said, but honestly, I did. The reason was because I had a feeling that I was better off before the 'incident' (as Vee calls it), and I don't want to be envious of my past self. That's horrible behavior. Vee is one of my only friends besides the book club members... and Sprout. I can only imagine if I would have had more friends in those times... "Well, uh, anyways..." Vee began after an embarrassing silence, "Why don't we just... talk? Like, how was your day today, Astro?" "Average, I guess." I yawned. "Right. Of course. What was I thinking?" she tittered to herself. "Of course your day would be average, nothing's good in this place." "No, that's not what I meant-" "It is, though!" Vee retorted. "I'm so sick of living like this. Being Bassie's slave, practically." ...Is she making this about herself? How selfish. No, no, wait. That's selfish of ME to think... Vee must be having a hard time; I have to be there for her when nobody else is. "I, erm, promise it will get better." I consoled her. "Soon, all of this will be over. I know of a plan that I believe is to eventually stop Bassie from doing whatever she is, and you will be free." "Ugh. I hope that'll work..." Vee then said something under her breath, but I didn't hear it. "Pardon?" "...Nothing. Don't worry about it." Vee squinted, smacking her head down on the side of the couch as she lay down. "Ough..." "A-are you okay?!" I urged her to answer. "Yeah, I'm fine. That was mainly just an expression, not me actually being in pain." Vee said. "Okay, phew." I turned away, facing the opposite direction of her. "You're nice, Astro." she maundered, seeming a bit sleepy. "Wh-what? Uh, thank..." I stopped, seeing that her screen had powered down. *Is she out of batteries...?* I opened the cartridge in the back of her head, and pulled out the black-and-green cylinders, but then realized something. She had run out of batteries before when talking to me, and her screen flashed with a warning a bit before powering down. Not to mention, she told me to go ask Brightney for more as soon as possible before she fully ran out. This time, she didn't say anything, and I didn't see a warning on her screen either... I put the batteries back in her head, and she made a loud beeping noise. Didn't show anything on the screen, though. I listened closely, and I heard soft snoring. Is she asleep...? I knelt down in front of her and stared for a moment. "I'm so lucky to have you, Vee." I said, even though I knew she couldn't hear it. +