You blink awake for the first time.

There’s a bright light above you, and it hurts your eyes, making you squint and eventually just close them again. Someone chuckles near by, causing you to turn your head and squint them open again just to try and catch a glimpse.

“I know, the light sucks. I’m sorry.”A woman says, stepping over to the side of the cushioned table you’re laying on. She crouches to be level with you, adjusting her glasses and flashing you a small - if somewhat unsettling - smile.“Hello. You must be wondering what all is happening right now. Being alive for the first time is quite a shock, isn’t it?”She hums, then straightens back up, reaching out a stained, gloved hand to encourage you to sit up.

You come to find the woman’s name is Delilah. She explains to you who you are, what you are - a ‘toon’ who will live in this place, spending your days teaching and entertaining young children and their families. Just thinking about it makes you feel tired.

“I understand you’re a bit more... easier-going, shall I say, than Dandy is. Don’t worry, we’ll teach you everything you need to know before you’re exposed to the public.”Delilah assures you as she picks up a clipboard and takes a pencil from behind her ear. You question who ‘Dandy’ is, and she simply smiles more.“Your best friend. Supposedly, anyway. We’ll see how things go, won’t we?”

You and Delilah spend the next couple of hours or so just sitting and talking, for the most part. She makes sure you’re in good health, checks you over, dresses you up and gives you a blanket to wrap around your shoulders. You’re warned that your extra appendages aren’t exactly normal, and should be kept hidden whenever you aren’t alone, just to make sure you don’t scare anyone. A prickle of self-consciousness hovers in the back of your mind as the blanket’s soft fabric is tucked around your body.

Soon enough, she seemed to decide you were ready.“Arthur should be waking Dandy about now.”She says, finishing up something she had been writing down as she turns to you and pushes her glasses up on the bridge of her nose.“Come along, we’ll go wait in the lobby.”

---

You’ve been standing here a good few minutes now. Delilah is talking to some man, and you’re hiding nervously behind her, all but clinging to the back of her shirt. What if Dandy doesn’t like you? What if you can’t do your job well in the future? What if the guests don’t like you? Worry plagues your mind and your expression as you sit and stew in your thoughts, waiting for who is supposed to be your best friend for life to come and judge whether that would be true or not.

Eventually, a kind looking man, assumedly Arthur, begins approaching, and at his side, a flower. Rainbow petals bounce softly with each step he takes, a big bright smile on his face. The two catch Delilah’s gaze, and she smiles at them as she turns her head.“Dandy, you’re looking bright eyed and bushy tailed.”She says, adjusting her glasses.“You ready for your little surprise? He's very eager to meet you.”

Anxiety crawls up your spine as she comments, and you quickly tuck yourself further behind her as she and Arthur strike up a conversation. You think about how bad of an idea this is. Dandy is leaning over, trying to catch a peak at you, and it only makes you more anxious as you try to hide further. Eventually, Delilah and Arthur share a laugh at the sight.

“Alright, alright. Here you go.”Delilah hums, and suddenly, she’s stepping aside, exposing you for full judgement; something you’re quick to move out of the way of. This earns you her hand firmly resting on your back.“Come on now, don’t be shy... He doesn't bite. You two are supposed to be friends after all.”She says, just before pushing you back into view.

For a moment, Dandy is quiet, just staring at you. His big eyes take in every inch of your face, and he lightly tilts his head, clearly curious.

“Hello!”He chirps finally, taking a step closer and giving you a toothy grin, flashing sharp little teeth as he extends a paw, his tail wagging excitedly behind him.“My name’s Dandy! What’s yours?”He asks, warm, excited energy rolling off of him in waves as he stares at you expectantly.