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"Let go!" You tug your arm, trying to free yourself from your guardian's grip. They're gentle with you but their touch feels like pins and needles through your skin.
They don't understand. They never listen when you say it hurts. They just try to squeeze your hand in what is probably comforting to someone else.
"It's okay, we're just going to the daycare. You'll have a lot of fun there! So just… Please just try to bear it for a little while. For me! It will be fun! Please don’t make any problems today."
The hallway to the daycare has big painted murals, you try to stop and look at them. You put your hand out to run it along the wall, feel the texture of the bricks. You don't even get a chance before your guardian is pulling you once more.
You go quiet again, staring at the murals as you're taken to the doors. They open and you're given a gentle push on the back to go forward. You stiffly step inside as your guardian looks for the attendant.
It's not long before your guardian returns with a loud, brightly colored animatronic.
"Hello, little starshine!"
They look nice. You don't pay much mind to them, ducking around them to run off. You can hear your guardian explaining.
"They're… a bit different." They warn with an exasperated sigh. "They refuse to let anyone touch them. Just keep them busy until this party is over. My other child can't enjoy their birthday otherwise."
You don't care one way or the other. You'd rather be alone anyways, there's less people here. Out there it's loud, the animatronics are way too big and they scare you.
"Leave it to me! They'll have a blast with us in the Superstar Daycare!"
You purposely lose track of them, not wanting to be stuck around someone so loud.
Everything is very big compared to you but it's fine. You pull yourself up on top of a covered slide, wanting to walk down it. You saw your sibling do this once, it looked fun. You take your first uneasy step, looking down. It’s a smaller slide, there's bigger ones you can try too. Each step brings you closer to the bottom. Your shoes grip the slide well enough you don't slip until a voice spooks you into falling.
"He-Hey little starshine… Y-You aren't supposed to do that! You could get hurt- No!"
It’s a short fall and you land on your back. You stare at the ceiling, frowning.
"Oh, no! Little star, are you okay?!" The loud voice that spooked you before comes rushing forward.
You're picked up suddenly and you whine loudly, kicking your feet. They seem to realize you don't like being held and put you down. You're grateful.
"Little star, are you okay? Did you get hurt any- Hey! Wait a minute, why don't we check you at first aid?" They try to convince you to stay but you run away. You don't want to be touched. It feels bad!
You climb up into the play equipment and begin exploring. You make sure to avoid running into other kids. You don't want to touch them. You find a wooden suspension bridge and tug the ropes on it.
Maybe you can climb this instead? You want to try that out. You step up onto the first wobbly rope. It rocks back and forth gently with your weight. You enjoy doing that, grinning as you begin gently rocking yourself to make the rope continue. You slowly put your leg over the rope, holding tight to your top rope so you don't fall. With both feet over you can start to lean back, curious how far you can go before falling.
You don't find out this time.
"What are you doing, new friend? You shouldn't play so dangerously!" The sun rushes to your side, picking you up. They don't hold you for long this time, setting you down right away.
You're growing frustrated, a little scowl on your lips.
"Why don't we try some arts and crafts?! I have so many markers! A-And crayons, so we can draw a-and color or whatever you want! Oh no! New friends, we can't do that! That's very dangerous!"
They get distracted with running to another child needing their attention. That gives you plenty of time to run again, grinning. It's like a fun game, trying to hide from the sun to see what funny reactions you can get from them.
You know it's a bad idea but you can't resist climbing into the play equipment once more. You climb to the highest point and begin carefully climbing over the side to be on the outside. It's fun. Your heart is racing as you begin climbing around the equipment, beginning to sweat. You can hear the other children trying to get the sun's attention to warn them what you were doing.
It's a little disappointing knowing your game will end sooner but you don't care too much. You finally get the reaction you craved, the sun freaking out.
"Oh no, no, no! Little starshine, you'll get hurt up there! I-I'll come up and help you back into the equipment! You can't climb the side like that, it's dangerous!"
They run into the equipment to get to you. Your heart is beating so fast, hands growing slick. You realize belatedly this may have been a mistake.
Seconds too late the sun is there, reaching out right as you slip and fall straight to the padded floor. Even with the padding when you land on your arm it aches. You can't breathe, breath knocked from your body with the force.
Tears are welling up in your eyes and you let out a little sniffle.
The sun is there then, picking you up and cradling you to their chest. They keep asking questions but your ears are ringing from the spook of falling. All at once you start sobbing hard, wiping your eyes with your good hand.
You feel bad, the fun is gone now and you just feel bad for scaring them and getting hurt.
"I'm sorry, sorry!"
The sun keeps bouncing you, rubbing your back gently.
"Oh, starshine! I'm sorry! I should have been faster to help you! I'm sorry, are you okay? Accidents happen, no need for you to apologize! Sundrop is here now, little one!"
They rush you to the first aid place you refused earlier. The staff bots there take all your information down with just a quick scan and you watch curiously as it pops up on a display.
"Good news, little starshine! Your arm is okay! No problems there, just sore! You're alright now."
You're quiet, listening to them carefully. Your arm is okay, so your guardian won't be so upset with you.
When Sundrop stands up you get up too, staring up expectantly. You finally hold out your arms, wanting to be picked back up. Sundrop seems happy by this and you decide you like making them happy more than scared.
"How about… we play with arts and crafts now, starshine? Does that sound fun?"
You agree immediately, not wanting to play on the equipment after that anyways.
"Perfect!"
They rush to the table, sitting down. Sundrop sets you down so you can sit beside them. Normally you'd be relieved but… for some reason you shuffle back closer to them. You tap their legs, staring up expectantly to them. You hold your arms out.
"Sundrop!"
They grow incredibly excited, eyes widening.
"You want to sit with me? That's okay, little friend! You can help me make something pretty! You can take it home with you."
The suggestion makes you grin and you nod in agreement. The two of you work together on making a silly looking craft, overloaded with glitter glue and googly eyes.
You have so much fun the rest of the day you get sad when it's time to leave. You silently beg to come back, tugging your guardian's sleeve and pointing to Sundrop.
"What? Did you make a new friend?" They sound happy and it makes you grin, eagerly nodding.
"Yes, they're my friend!"
"That's wonderful! Well, you can play with them again next weekend, deal?"
You're practically squealing with excitement, eagerly waving goodbye to your new friend while you leave with your guardian.