Chapter Text
Madam and Mister Novalite were patrons of the arts, as they considered themselves to be charitable folk amongst the entertainment community. Astro would roll his heavy eyes at those claims. He’s heard it enough to the point he memorized every single speech they wrote up at lazy seminars. At a certain point, Astro was certain his father hired a ghost writer to draft up his speeches.
Thus, being an accomplice of said aforementioned patrons of the arts, Astro had been dragged to watch a performance with his folk. A fundraiser of sorts for a newly established theatre troupe, one that Mr. Dazzle had placed some gracious amount of money into supporting. This had now connected their agency’s agenda with the Theatre’s events and their financial success depended on his family’s endorsement as well as his own personal interest in classical theater. Whereas Astro had no qualms with watching the performance play out, offering his critiques to his agent, having to prioritize their success on his young shoulders was a different matter.
Sometimes he wished he didn’t have the Novalite family. Even if it meant getting rid of the privilege he had, alongside the comforts of a cushy life, just to keep all its heavy elements off him—he’d gladly take it. A small apartment with just him and a cat sounded ideal, and maybe he could have a small garden on his balcony, a nice little cove of space themed decorations.
“I didn’t know you liked Pantomimes.” Astro said.
The nosebleeds or balcony his family sat on held a good view of the house floor. Center stage featured the cast members depicting a strange tableau; the middle of a messy divorce between the main character’s parents all while the mother is frozen midway in her verbal abuse. As the scene paused, the protagonist danced around the scene, belting his tragically yet comedic monologue. Astro sniffed.
He didn’t find anything about the situation amusing but kudos to the protagonist for being optimistic.
“I don’t.” Mr. Dazzle said beside him. His twin brother glanced at him with a small smile, biting back his chagrin at whatever he was about to spout.
The conjoined twins, although sharing a mutual love for drama, had very different tastes in genres. Astro noticed how Mr. Dazzle preferred to keep himself to the gothic tragedies whereas Mr. Razzle preferred dog-blooded comedy riddled with trope upon trope.
“Mr. Razzle chose the theme, didn’t he?” Astro asked.
“Maybe.” said Mr. Razzle playfully. “Dazz, barely lets me indulge myself when we have breaks. It’s always Dickinson with him.”
“I like her poems…” Mr. Dazzle reluctantly protested. “I think they’re quite nice.”
“Yeah but there’s also some angst in this too,” Mr. Razzle said, waving at the show. “Seriously, tragedies are nice and all, but sometimes it’s good to have some lightheartedness in a dark time.”
Astro scratched his cheek. From the corner of his vision, he saw his mother conk out while his father scrolled through his phone, bored out of his mind. Such good patronage.
“I don’t mind the acting. It’s a bit much but I don’t hate it…” Astro said, turning back to his agent. Mr. Dazzle gave him a small smile that didn’t meet his eyes. “Although this isn’t really something I’m interested in.”
“Yeah, well you’re like ten.”
“I’m 12…”
“Same thing.” (“It’s really not.”)
A sigh left Astro and he sunk into his seat. The two men bickered for a moment longer before Razzle threw his hand up in disbelief at whatever argument Dazzle made. The second he pulled a lighter out, Dazzle scowled and smacked his arm.
“27% lung capacity , 27%. What is wrong with you?” Dazzle hissed.
“I got carried away. Sorry.”
“There is also a child here, idiot.” Mr. Dazzle frowned. “I’m not sitting through your horrible taste in hospital movies another second.”
Maybe Mr. Razzle had the opportunity to be a bad model for the young Novalite star, yet Astro wasn’t naive enough to take after his traits or bad decisions. He was levelheaded and had moments that required intense clarity during their consecutive appearances. It went by in flashes, leaving him stranded in the center of a script that fell from his torn hands.
Mr. Razzle’s bad decisions also affected Mr. Dazzle. But his brother didn’t mind, at least not in public. If he did, he always redirected it to be due to someone else's discomfort, and currently he used Astro as his scapegoat. Fortunately Astro played the role of a saving grace well enough.
“I met someone who did plays.” Astro said when the stillness returned. “He still might be doing them, I’m not sure..”
“Huh, that’s nice.” Razzle said.
“Yeah.” Astro distantly agreed. “In the ‘Looey and Friends’ cameo. He told me he did theater back in his hometown, but he didn’t act the same way these performers are.”
The older drama nerds glanced at each other. Razzle had to keep himself from laughing.
“That’s because there’s a difference in acting techniques here.” Mr. Dazzle explained patiently. “Your friend probably picked up on that.”
“He’s not my friend.” Astro quickly interjected. “We just met once. I’ll probably never see him again.”
“Yeah well look at it this way,” Mr. Razzle said. “See how we can’t see what’s happening all that well cuz we’re way up here? People at the house seats have a much better view of the actors compared to us—so to make the story clear, the actors have to exaggerate their body language and expression so it’s easier to get across. Make sense?”
“In film, you don’t have to be that…obnoxious as you’ve put it,” Dazzle added. “As the camera is close enough to pick up your movement and features.”
“Oh.” Astro felt idiotic at the moment. Of course.
He wondered if Dandy had to perform as animated as the actors he observed. If he had to skip around and hollar his little voice out, jut out his chest to make a mark—to be seen and heard amongst the crowd as a faceless npc.
Villager B and Tree 6 was nothing but a background prop, so there was no real need for Dandy to explode his expression during the shooting. There was no reason for him to; once again, he was an NPC. His name would be in the credits but whereas people would hover over Astro’s, they’d glance over Dandy’s without missing a beat. Dandy was a nobody.
Still. It wasn’t something that mattered to him. He didn’t care.
°◇◆◇°
As Astro was accompanied to his car, he turned to his agent, frowning.
“Do you know any woman from the last film shoot named Connie?”
The twins glanced at each other.
“That could be anyone, really.” Dazzle said quietly. “It is a common name.”
“She’s blue, with long wavy hair and she wore a hat. Something like a baseball cap.”
“OH!” Razzle snapped his fingers. “Oh, you’re talking about Boolynski! Yeah, we know her! She’s a talent scout. Why’d you ask about her?”
Astro opened his mouth but he couldn’t figure out what exactly to say. There wasn’t a distinctive reason for him to think about her existence, none whatsoever. The inquisition was a random, impulsive, act of a nagging thought. He didn’t want to entertain it.
The door closed and just as he was about to crank the window up, he stared at the seat barrier between him and the driver.
“Just curious.”
««⸺– ≪ °◇◆◇° ≫ ⸺–»»
The next time they met, Astro ran into Dandy by complete coincidence. Music festivals weren’t always something Astro had indulged in, granted his disinterest in public events rendering him introverted in the media’s eyes. Additionally, in all matters related, Astro wasn’t even supposed to make an appearance. He only went to the music festival simply because of one thing and one thing only; his mother.
She had an appearance to make, titles to headline, candid shots to shoot. With her face caked in makeup to address her lovely eyes and bright lips, she strutted up to the park’s venue with an iron grip on Astro’s forearm, practically frog marching him to their VIP seats.
Luckily, he didn’t have to deal with that much paparazzi, but even his special headphones couldn’t block out the sounds of their prying questions.
He’d rather be asleep.
And if it hadn’t been for a certain chipper flower stumbling onto the stage, he would have done so.
Prior to the sudden feature, the festive atmosphere had been decorated by the hands of Walton’s Orphanage, be it many children singing their song and dance or running game stalls lined up the walkway. Amongst all this it was supposed to be a family friendly event and broadcast, an invitation for everyone to join their community and take part in whatever kumbaya they set up. While Astro did not care for it, he’d rather take a fat nap in his cold room, his mother had to flaunt her influence in how she’s helping fatherless children by engaging in their parties.
And by engagement, Astro meant she sat there and looked pretty and dolled up to be a faux mother figure for those who didn’t know any better. Except she wasn’t a mother; she was an influencer who let own kid rot in his room with paranoia lurking in the corners.
Regardless of the sentiment, Astro still followed her.
Now, however, he turned his attention away from silently judging her to where his acquaintance drifted across the amphitheater. Dandy was donned in a cozy striped tee, a red scarf-ascot wrapped loosely around his neckline and a giant white pullover unhooked over his base outfit. He looked comfortable. There was no heavy makeup dusting his face to make him look distinctive, his smile did so enough, and the mint blush on his cheeks were soft, subtle yet poignant.
The character, the role to be exact, wasn’t even all that important. Dandy was yet again a supporting character, dancing in the background with his arms in the air and a plain fit and a voice that blended with the harmonies.
There was nothing outstanding, nothing bold, or otherwise remarkable. Had they not met before, Astro wouldn’t have given him a second chance.
However, there was something in the way Dandy performed that Astro lacked.
Dandy had passion.
And Astro noticed it when Dandy’s muddy gaze landed on him. Consequently the spark in his eyes was the envy of the heavens, in stark contrast to the North Star that led the constellations. If they were bright before, they practically blinded him with its exceptional light when recognition flashed through them.
Had anyone else looked closely, they wouldn’t have noticed the subtle shift in Dandy’s tone, the way he stepped lighter in order to carry himself easier around the stage. Alongside the other performing children, Dandy glowed in his movements, the way he put hearty effort into the minimum gestures or spins.
In retrospect, Dandy should have been given a bigger role instead of whatever shadow he stepped behind. His voice, although boyish due to his fresh youth, was smooth and soft, lulling in a gentle manner that charmed the audience.
Dandy was made for the spotlight.
Though it appeared that no one else saw this. Except for Astro.
“That young boy seems to have caught your attention.” Madam Novalite mused.
Astro tsked and sunk back in his seat.
“He’s underrated. I met him before; he has a lot of potential but he keeps getting sidelined.”
“Well certainly…” Madam Novalite nodded. “You have a good eye. It is unfortunate that good talent rots in the background while the amateurs take the high positions instead.”
Astro glanced at her.
“I never expected myself to be a professional actress.” She admitted. “Likewise, I never expected to make it past the karaoke stage.”
°◇◆◇°
Dandy had met up with him after the performance. He had a bright smile on his cheerful, chubby, round face but then again he always had such a grin. It was as if Dandy had been the one reflecting sunlight instead of the Novalite family, given the crescent moons that built their family line. No solar flare could compete with the brightness of his gleeful expression or the way he eagerly reached out to grasp for Astro, looking for permission to actually take a gentle grip on his wrist.
“Astro!” Dandy beamed. Did anyone have sunglasses? Astro might be in risk of going legally blind. “It’s so good to see you again!! I didn’t think I’d see you again!”
“Really?” Astro asked, in slight disbelief. As if the universe had found humor in their interaction, a nearby bus rolled around the corner of the park avenue, one that had a poster of his face plastered on the window mesh. Astro cringed at his image. “How…peculiar.”
Dandy didn’t notice, for the sake of anything good. Like a chipmunk, he kept his grubby hand on Astro and his focus never left the young star, not even for a second.
“Why’s that?” Dandy tilted his head. “Oh, I mean I get it—it’s a pretty big city and all—but I’m sure we could have ran into each other again!”
“Probably not.” Astro said. “I don’t go out that much, unless I need to..”
“Oh….”
“You must think that’s a bit boring.” Astro continued, frowning. He pulled on the edge of his hood, anxiously.
Dandy didn’t seem to pick up on his reputation nor did he pry about his acting career or anything of the sorts. Rather, he stood there with their hands clasped, brows raised, and a happy expression crossed over his lips.
“Nope!” He said, with a quick shake of his chubby head. “I don’t! While I don’t get it, I’m not gon’ shade you for wanting to do your own thing, y’know?”
“Even if I’m not that active?” Astro asked.
“Why should it matter to me?” Dandy blinked slowly. “It’s your life right? Do what you wanna do…”
Unlike himself, Astro invited himself into Dandy’s company. For just one day, or at least the spending hours, he’d like to be next to someone who didn’t ogle at him like a rising star. Dandy offered him horchata from a nearby stall. It was sweet but Astro didn’t mind.
If he formed a craving for sweets months afterwards, no one needed to know. Especially not the paparazzi. This was Astro’s little private thing.
That he grew to like hot chocolate, candy, sweets, milkshakes, and anything sugary really with bright colored sprinkles and rainbow toppings. That was his little, intimate, touch. Something for him to discover on his own as he tried new drinks in hotel cafes and on his own.
His.
Not the media’s gossip.
°◇◆◇°
Heya Astro! It’s me, Dandy!
I heard from Ms. Connie that we’ll be in another shoot together! Isn’t that so exciting? Anyways, I wanted to reach out to you so we can talk again and stuff, outside film and whattnot but I dont have a phone:(
So Ms. Connie offered to give you this letter if I write it—so I am!! I mean I could ask Ms. Tisha if I coud borow her land phone but she only lets me use it for amargengies emerganjies…not that I have many! Hehehe
Anywayssss, I just wanted to let you know I’m very excited for this shoot! It’s my first time having a bigger role on the big screen!! So cool! And our guys are friends two too!! Isnt that amazing! I just read the script with Ms. Connie and Ms. Tisha and they said I did a great job with my acting:D
Im so eskite escited too see you again! If you want, do you wanna stay in touch? Cuz I like how cool you are and how ur so nice to me and like hearing me talk. I also like hearing you talk! You sound like those cool heroes from superhero movies and it makes me like super duper imprased. But if ya dont, I get it! I dun wanna force you to hang out with me if you dont feel like it! I hate it when people do that to me!
But yeah! Um, hopefully we can have more milkshakes soon!
Waiting for you, Dandy Dancifer!:D
°◇◆◇°
Dear Dandy,
Please fix your spelling.
Additionally, in regards to your offer; I’ll consider it. I have found your company to be quite pleasant as well.
I look forward to our next meeting.
Until then, Astro.
°◇◆◇°
Hi Astro!
You write so fancy! Just wanted to let you know! It’s nothing bad, I just think its cool how diiffarant diferent wi we are:D
See you soon, Dandy!!!
««⸺– ≪ °◇◆◇° ≫ ⸺–»»
“I see you smiling at those letters..” Mr. Dazzle mused.
Astro placed his script down with a huff, whatever grin on his face dissipated.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about..” Astro huffed.
Unimpressed and knowing, his agent turned away with a small, teasing, smile.
“Okay.” Mr. Dazzle said. Beside him, his brother held back a snicker. Brats. “It’s good to have friends.”
For a moment, Astro felt offended.
He let it slide. Just this once.