Chapter Text
It doesn't matter anymore.
She doesn't seem to realize that.
Bassie hasn't felt like herself in a long time. She's still the same toon, still the same person. But now she felt out of place.
A piece of paper.
A god damned piece of paper.
That was all it took for everything to fall apart. For her to fall apart. Was she not good enough? It was a question she had never thought to ask. But now she couldn't stop asking.
It would've been one thing if she had only learned that she may be replaced. But no, she had to know who it was. The note didn't specify, but she put the pieces together.
It was Cocoa.
She couldn't look at her friend the same way after that. She couldn't look at herself the same way after that.
It felt like betrayal, even though it wasn't, since Cocoa hadn't done anything. But it still stung.
She didn't want to let it get under her skin, she tried not to let it, to not look at Cocoa differently, knowing what she knew. But she couldn't. What was once one of her closest friends, was now a walking talking reminder of Bassie's shortcomings, her inadequacy. It was maddening, to say the least.
She wished she could've remained blissfully unaware. She would be so much happier then. But there's no use dwelling on the past.
She still hasn't figured that out yet.
June 5th 2008
Cocoa wasn't sure what she did wrong.
From her perspective, things just changed out of nowhere. One day, she and Bassie were close friends. And the next? Bassie wanted nothing to do with her. She tried to close the gap between them, to be as close as they were before. But all attempts failed. Bassie wasn't interested. Not as far as Cocoa was aware.
Though it didn't stop her from trying.
Cocoa didn't know exactly what was wrong, but she could see that Bassie was hurting. While they weren't especially close anymore, Cocoa still cared deeply about her. If she could make it any better, even if only slightly, she would try.
That's what friends are for.
Today, the two of them happened to be on the same run. Bassie had been keeping her distance, not exactly being subtle about it. Cocoa didn't take offense to that.
From time to time, Bassie would deliver items to the other toons, helping them out. Candy, jumper cables, small things to make their work a little easier. But Cocoa received no such help from her. Cocoa still tried to be understanding, but that stung a little.
It wasn't just Cocoa that Bassie was avoiding. She didn't seem especially interested in talking to anyone today. Cocoa didn't see it as a warning to leave her alone, but rather, an invitation to figure out what was wrong.
The two of them met again in the elevator. Cocoa was unintentionally staring. Bassie noticed.
“Cocoa.” Bassie glared at her. Her expression was neutral, but Cocoa could tell she was irritated.
“Oh, Bassie! How are you my friend?”
“(Sigh) I'm fine.” Bassie looked away.
“Are you sure? Do you need anything?”
“No. Not from you.” Bassie's voice wavered. She still refused to spare Cocoa a glance.
“O-oh, haha... Silly Bassie! Always with your jokes! Haha…”
Well, that could've gone better. But Cocoa wasn't content with letting one bad interaction prevent her from helping a friend. Bassie didn't seem like she was planning on asking anyone else for help. Cocoa felt obligated to try.
Bassie wanted to be alone today. If she had it her way, she would still be in bed. But she was here instead. Underground, working herself to exhaustion, coming face to face with a constant reminder that she was not good enough. It was tiring.
It had to be intentional, right? Surely Cocoa was doing this on purpose. Offering Bassie help that she obviously didn't need. Giving out items to her teammates when she knew that was Bassie's job. Was she trying to one-up her? To remind Bassie how much better Cocoa was in every way? It sure felt like it.
Part of her knew that was nonsense. But her emotions were getting the better of her.
Cocoa's efforts to speak with Bassie continued, being shut down each time. Bassie tried not to be especially rude, but by the later floors she was speaking through gritted teeth.
When the run finally ended, Bassie would waste no time getting out of the elevator. The air of the lobby wasn't fresh by any means, but compared to the lower levels, it certainly felt like a breath of fresh air.
But that didn't last long. Cocoa didn't seem interested in leaving her alone. Bassie headed straight to her room, with Cocoa following behind at a distance.
Bassie turned the handle, letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She made it through the day. She could finally be alone with her thou-
“Bassie?”
No, of course not.
“What do you want, Cocoa?” Bassie didn't have the energy to hide how tired she was. Her words came out just a little harsher than intended. She slumped her head against the door.
“I just wanted to make sure you're alright. You seem… distant, today.” Bassie questioned if Cocoa was genuinely concerned for her.
“I'm fine. I'll feel better when you leave me alone.”
“What do you mean? Did I do something wrong?” Bassie moved away from the door, facing directly toward Cocoa.
“You don't know..?”
“I-”
“YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW?!”
Bassie's legs couldn't support her anymore. She fell to her knees. A faint sound escaped her mouth. Cocoa thought she was crying. But as the sound grew louder, she realized Bassie was laughing, though she was clearly doing so against her will.
Cocoa knelt down next to her. Upon closer inspection, she realized Bassie was in fact crying, in addition to the manic laughter. Cocoa tried to place a hand on her shoulder. Bassie swatted her away.
“Get away from me.” Bassie got back on her feet as fast as she could.
“Bassie-” Cocoa was cut off by the door being slammed in her face.
Cocoa didn't leave right away. She could hear Bassie on the other side of the door, still crying. Cocoa felt more confused than hurt after that whole interaction. But now she knew that the issue had something to do with her. It was too personal for that to not be the case.
When Bassie's tears finally stopped flowing, she felt a wave of guilt wash over her. She truly didn't mean to come off so harsh, but she was at her limit.
She laid in bed, daydreaming, reminding herself of better times. Before Gardenview closed, before she read the note. Back when she and Cocoa were friends.
She misses those times.
Bassie didn't leave her room for the rest of the day. She laid awake until it was night. But she couldn't sleep. Her stomach was reminding that staying in bed all day had consequences. Reluctantly, she left the comfort of her room.
Just outside her door was a small basket, clearly meant for her. She brought it inside, closing the door, hoping no one saw her. Inside were a few Bonbons, and a note.
Bassie,
I don't know exactly what I've done to hurt you, but I'm sorry. I never intended to cause you any pain today.
It feels like we've been all too distant lately. I don't know why, but it seems like you do.
Come find me in the lobby in the morning.
I'd like to talk.
It feels like we haven't done that in forever.
<3
The note wasn't signed, but the Bonbons accompanying it were signature enough. Bassie read the note. She read it again, and again. She wasn't sure what to think. She had been nothing but rude to this woman, and yet, Cocoa still cared, still made sure she wasn't rotting away in her room, still wanted to talk. Could she really say no to that?
No, she couldn't.
June 6th 2008
Bassie woke with a sense of dread. The events of yesterday replayed in her mind. She wanted to know what Cocoa had to say, but she wasn't sure if she could handle it. Cocoa had every right to be mad at her. But Bassie suspected that she wouldn't be. Still, she felt uneasy.
She skipped breakfast. It'd be awkward to run into Cocoa earlier than intended.
True to her word, Cocoa was sat in the lobby, under the tree. She noticed Bassie before she had a chance to change her mind. Bassie walked over to her, taking a seat at the base of the tree near Cocoa, keeping a comfortable distance between them.
“Hey.” Cocoa sounded calm, thankfully.
“Hey.” Bassie couldn't meet her eyes.
There was a slightly uneasy silence in the air between them. Only interrupted by the conversations of toons passing through.
“Are you okay?” Cocoa asked.
“...no. No I am not.”
“I thought so. What's troubling you?” Cocoa didn't immediately get a response. Bassie brought her knees up to her face.
“Why do you care?”
“What?”
“I've been nothing but rude to you. Why are you still so intent on helping me?” Bassie's voice wavered, as if she were about to cry. She did, unable to hold back her tears. Cocoa opened her arms, inviting Bassie to come closer. Bassie practically pounced her, hugging her tightly, digging her nails into Cocoa's back, breaking the skin. Cocoa didn't complain, only holding Bassie close.
“Well for one, I've known you for years and I care about you, and two, I know you're not a bad person. Being a jerk isn't in your nature. You were acting the way you did because you were hurt. I just don't know exactly what happened. I was hoping you might tell me.”
Cocoa pulled, turning to face her, her expression calm and sympathetic. Bassie glanced up at her, and then tilted her head down, avoiding eye contact.
“The… higher ups thought I wasn't good enough to be a main. That I was too dependent on others. They were planning on replacing me.
With you.”
Cocoa's expression shifted to surprise, and understanding.
“They were already in the process of doing it. That's why you're the only non-main to have so much merchandise. I don't know why they never fully went through with it. There was really nothing stopping them.
It was hard to be around you, knowing that. Knowing they valued you more than me. Knowing you could replace me any day. Even now it's… difficult.”
Cocoa shuffled closer to Bassie.
“Well, if it means anything to you, I would've never wanted any of that. I think you're filling that role better than I ever could. But more importantly:
I don't think this should matter to you anymore.”
Bassie turned to face her, looking at her with genuine confusion.
“Why?”
“Pardon my language, but shit happens. Not only is there nothing that can be done about it now, but it doesn't really matter anymore. This place has been abandoned for years. The word “main” doesn't really mean much anymore. You're ‘one of the cool kids’, but that's about it. No one would like you less if you weren't a main. Hanging onto the past is just gonna make you miserable in the present.”
Bassie was a little upset to admit it, but Cocoa was right.
“I-... Yeah. You're right. I hate to hear it, but you're right.”
“I'd… I'd like to try and put this rough patch behind us. I want to try this again.
I want my friend back.”
Cocoa gave Bassie a soft smile.
“Me too. But I don't think I can just… forget this overnight. I want to try, but I can't guarantee it'll be quick.”
“That's fine by me!”
“And… I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being such an ass to you all these years. You never deserved any of it.”
“Oh, no worries. I've already forgiven you.”
Cocoa stood up, holding her arms out towards Bassie.
“Friends?”
Bassie slowly brought herself to a stand. She wrapped her arms around Cocoa. Gently, this time.
“Friends.”
The two of them stayed like that for a moment. It felt like old times. It felt nice.
“It's good to have you back. Kinda weird, since you never really left.”
Eventually the two of them let go of one another. Parting ways for a little bit.
They would meet again during a run that day.
Cocoa was working on a machine, out of view. She'd been hit on an earlier floor. There weren't any healers in the group. She heard footsteps behind, thinking it was a twisted, coming to finish her off. But it was just Bassie. She slipped Cocoa a medkit. Cocoa lit up.
“This means nothing. Think nothing of it.”
Bassie tried to make it seem like she didn't care. But as she left, Cocoa could see her smile.
That made her day.