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Toodles was rocking back and forth on her bed, hungry. She has had three complete meals today, but for some reason she wanted to eat a biiiiit more. However, it was already past midnight and all the lights in the building are off – her room was probably the only one with the lights on at this time.
If any other toon knew she was awake, she’d be scolded! Especially Rodger and Teagan... Ooohhhh she'd get an earful.
It’s not her fault though; she was hungry, or so she thought.
…She wasn’t hungry-hungry, no. Rather, she just wanted something to chew on – to keep her teeth busy – and her blanket wasn’t doing a good job. Food is designed to be chewed (except for some), and that’s what Toodles wants at this ungodly hour.
The eight ball was devising a plan in her head: how would she grab a snack? In the dark?
She shuddered at the thought of having to walk in the dark all alone, but she wasn’t afraid of it! Absolutely not – no, no, no! She was brave, courageous, fearless, and many other synonyms!
She can do this.
* * *
She can’t do this.
“Brightneyyy!!!”
The eight ball barging in the room made the pink lamp rise from her beanbag and throw the book she was reading to the ceiling. She was about to fall asleep…
“Huh– Toodles!?”
“Why are you still awake..?” the older toon asked out of concern. “Well, I… um,” Toodles was making her index fingers point at each other and looked at Brightney with poor, poor eyes that’d make you sympathize for her, “I.. want to go downstairs… and eat.”
“Toodles, it’s already late.. I don’t think eating at this time would be healthy–”
“Pleaseeee Brightney! Pleasee I’m so hungry!!!”
Toodles ran towards the lamp and started begging and pretending to cry.
“Listen, I don’t think Rodger would be happy with–”
“Brightneyyyyy!!! I’m gonna starve the next morning..”
“I’m sorry, it might throw off your digestive system. Plus, I think this would become a habit of yours if I encourage it…”
“Please! Just this one time, and I’ll only grab a bite!! A single bite!!!”
Brightney sighed, put down the book on the coffee table beside her, and stood up. Toodles stopped her act as soon as she saw this. Did it work???
“Fine! But promise me only one bite, alright?”
“Yes, yes! Thank you Brightney!!!” she was jumping around the room, completely forgetting that she was supposed to be hungry.
Brightney knew that she was being ‘fooled,’ but, c’mon – she’s (literally) the brightest toon here, she would never fall for anything… But Toodles was an exception. She’d hate to see that kid cry for any longer.. and she might never leave her room until the sun rises.
The eight ball and lamp reached the elevator, in which its lights are thankfully always on. They stepped in and Brightney pressed the button to where the kitchen is. The elevator closed by dropping its door, making a loud thud.
Oops.
They didn’t realize how loud it was until everyone in this building was quietly resting.
* * *
The elevator opened to what is seemingly the “ground floor,” but for Toodles, it was pitch black. It was really a good thing Brightney was here!
“I know you’re scared of the dark, so don’t go anywhere else,” the lamp looked back to see the eight ball shifting uncomfortably.
“I– I’m not afraid! No sirrreeee… haha..” the child tried to puff out her chest to look confident, but the shakiness of her voice snaked her out as a liar.
“...Sure. Just hold my hand, m’kay?”
They entered the dark, with Brightney to Toodles’ side, their hands clutched to each other, but the younger toon’s grip seemed to be stronger. It was a treasure Brightney existed: her light was strong enough to make a huge circle around them. It became Toodles’ safe space.
Brightney noticed that Toodles’ grip was starting to loosen and her shaking was less intense. She could only smile as she realized the kid was warming up to her light. She was kinda like Flutter, with how she always sticks around her light – she softly laughed at the thought.
They haven't exchanged a word with each other since leaving the elevator. Brightney wasn’t much of a talker unless she wanted to keep up with what a toon has been doing or share trivia, but there were not many things here to have a trivia about.. Toodles was also very, very tired. Her grip loosened even more probably out of exhaustion, but she was still determined to grab a bite.
They reached the kitchen and Toodles ran to the fridge, its frigid light leaking out to the area. The kid grabbed a chocolate bar and broke off one square, tossing it to her mouth and chewing. “I’m happy now!”
Brightney also wanted to take a bite, “Toodles, may I have one too?”
“Of course!!! Here,” she broke off another square and dropped it on Brightney’s hand. The lamp put it on her mouth and it was.. very sweet. She looked at the chocolate wrapper and it had M∧M’s on it… That entire bar is too much for a child to eat in a day – it’s a good thing Toodles kept her word about taking one bite.
Toodles put back the bar in the fridge. While they were both chewing, they heard something rummaging somewhere else in the kitchen, the silence amplifying its volume. The two immediately looked at the direction it was coming from, and Brightney noticed Toodles grabbing onto her tightly already, shivering.
“Shhh…” the lamp hummed, kneeling towards the kid. They were both already done eating, but it looked like Toodles wanted another bite. “Take deep breaths, inhale… exhale…” she whispered, trying to calm the kid down. It slightly worked, with how she started taking deep breaths.
“I’ll go investigate the noise–”
“Wait..! I don’t wanna be left alone here…”
“Okay, okay, you can go with me, but hold my hand.”
Toodles immediately grabbed her friend’s hand and they both started walking towards the disruptive noise. The kid was starting to regret trying to get a quick bite and wish she had slept instead, but she was grateful for Brightney’s presence.
As they got closer to the source, the rummaging became louder and louder – it was akin to a dog biting and gnawing at a piece of plastic.
…
Louder…
…
Closer…
…
Brightney’s light reflected on a small, wagging rock. “...Huh?” The rock disappeared and was replaced by two googly eyes and a tongue.
“Pebble!?” Toodles felt a huge wave of relief wash over her and immediately ran to the puppy, petting his head. “Arf arf!”
“Hmm… how did you get out of Dandy’s room..?” The lamp questioned, and Pebble just growled in response. “Oh, sorry, sorry!” She retracted her question and the rock was in bliss from the eight ball petting him.
Brightney looked closer at the scene and realized Pebble was chewing at the garbage bag the handlers were meant to throw out the next day. Crud.
She didn’t know where the garbage bags were, though.. So maybe this is Tisha’s problem to worry about. She muttered an apology to the maid and signaled Toodles and Pebble to go back to the elevator.
The eight ball carried the puppy on her arms and followed Brightney’s lead, to where they entered the elevator once again.
* * *
They had to make a few rounds to some floors for everyone to get back to their rooms: Pebble was the first since he was meant to be in Dandy’s room.
“Oh, he tends to leave the room to do what he wants! He’s a good boy, so I wouldn’t worry much.”
“...Sure, sorry for waking you up at this hour.”
“No, don't apologize! It’s fine, I get your concern!”
“Bark bark!”
“Alright boy, it’s time for your bedtime! Thanks, Brightney and Toodles!”
The second was Toodles’ room, she was located on a different floor than Brightney, so the lamp made sure the kid got back to her room and not wander off again – like what she did to reach Brightney’s room and interrupt her nightly bedtime reading.
“Awhh.. I’m so sleepy…”
“Get some rest, okay? And make sure to eat enough next time so this doesn’t happen again.”
“Mhm! I will, pinky promise!”
“Pinky promise. Sweet dreams, Toodles!”
“Good night, Brightney!”
The last one was Brightney, to which she collapsed on her bean bag and grabbed the book she was reading. She sunk further into the pod and opened it to the page she left her bookmark in.
“Hehe, this is the good part…”
Then she immediately got knocked out after reading the first word.