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No toon other than those created for Christmas enjoyed the cold. Including Astro, who was chattering his teeth off. His lips felt frostbitten, as him and the other mains, as well as a few others trudged through the thick snows of the outside of Gardenview.
Was this allowed? Hell no, but, the toons declared they wanted to feel something other than the overwhelmingly strong air conditioning that only replicated the true frost of the winter. They wanted to feel something, all of them agreed to that.
..well, all but Astro.
He was always freezing, and, in short.. the snow wasn’t exactly soothing that cold. It was very likely he would catch a cold, or worse, the flu.
“ —Earth to Astro! Are you even listening? “ Snapped a certain television, which frightened Astro. He had figured her motherboard would’ve been frozen by now.
Looking up from the white blanket coating the grass, he huffed lightly. “ ..no, I’m sorry. “ What else would he say?
“ You need to stop dozing off, really. Hasn’t Sprout talked to you about that? Really, it’s starting to get on everyone’s nerves. Blabbla bla… “
Bla bla, nonsense. Astro began to zone out into winter’s cold surface again. What was the purpose of even being out here again? He could’ve been cozied up in his warm bed, alone and comfortable.
But he decided to tag along, just to spend a bit of time with his main friends. And now he was being lectured for merely zoning out. Not to mention Vee called it “dozing off”.
Wasn’t she a literal television? A computer who had very needed information programmed into her system? Surely she could tell the difference between dozing off and zoning out.
His thoughts on the matter were short lived, having Vee interrupt his thoughts again. “ Astro!! Are you serious! “ She scolded, stopping herself and the others from continuing to walk.
God. To think Sprout was strict at times.
He felt a bitter taste in his mouth as she continued scolding him, making him lower his head briskly, feeling Jack Frost’s breath brush against his cheeks, pins and needles poking at his skin relentlessly.
“ ..Vee, you could say this a little nicer, you know. “ Shelly intervened, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, in which Vee jerked off. Maybe it was the cold temperatures messing with her programming. Maybe that’s why she was so on edge.
Vee crossed her arms. If she could, she’d grit her teeth together in frustration, but instead she let out a distorted groan and continued walking, her steps heavier in the thick snow.
Shelly gave Astro a warm smile, which seemed to elucidate the fact that she was helping him. In return, Astro gave her a nod, and Shelly began to walk behind Sprout, who followed Vee.
Astro nearly hesitated as he watched them walk off. He followed, though his heart tugged at him to return to Gardenview. It was cold, he could feel himself getting sniffly, and he already had a headache from Vee.
If anything, he wanted to be alone now. Shelly convinced him it would be fun, along with Sprout saying he’d supervise just in case things got out of hand. And, here it was, getting out of hand—and he hadn’t spoken a word the entire 5 minutes of walking.
What a liar.
Whatever, he knew Sprout wasn’t as prone to keeping his promises as Astro wished he was. Astro would just complain to himself once he got back into his bedroom, which he craved to be in.
It was nothing out of the ordinary. It snowed heavily every year, having gained interest only this year, because of how clear it was outside.
It wasn’t slippery as usual, it wasn’t hailing. It was soft, gentle snow. And the mains wanted to sneak out to explore it. Toons got curious too at times, and having curiosity means they would want it satiated too.
They took safety precautions, as usual. Moreso guided by Sprout, who only wanted a fun and safe experience for all of them. They all wore thick boots to avoid slipping on ice, gave Vee a tacky raincoat to avoid her getting wet.
Though, it was humid out. That’s why it was so piercingly cold, so, initially, she was still getting partially wet. The four didn’t know that though, obviously.
Pushing aside all the safety precaution junk, Astro took his time to look up at the sky. He had to squint to avoid hurting his eye too much.
The moon was seemingly brighter than usual tonight. Maybe because it was darker out, he knew during winter things tended to seem darker out from the longer nighttimes compared to daytime.
Perhaps it was the star, ironically placed on the dark side of the moon.
He ignored the detail, exhaling softly, watching his breath freeze infront of him. Astro looked back forward, at the others, watching them trudge through the snow. Vee’s tail flicking, Sprout’s wagging calmly behind him, and Shelly’s wagging in excitement.
He couldn’t help but find the detail endearing. Smiling softly to himself, until Vee came to an abrupt halt. Sprout hadn’t noticed, causing him to bump into the television, creating a ripple effect.
If it weren’t for Vee’s sturdiness, they all would’ve toppled over like dominos. Sprout pushed himself off Vee, Shelly doing the same to Sprout. Astro just stepped back.
“ What gives? “ Sprout asked, Shelly peering over his shoulder, as if asking a second time without words. Astro just raised a brow in curiosity, but made no comment.
Vee looked around, before her antenna stuck up. “ Hey, this is where Aaron took Astro that one time. To look at the stars. “
Their vision zeroed in on a small clearing, with a large tree surrounded in snow. There was a wooden bench-table combination, creating an intricate pattern due to it blocking the grass underneath.
Shelly gasped. She remembered that, she remembered begging Shanon to take her, too. Though the area was specifically for Astro and Astro alone.
“ Hey, let’s stargaze! The sky is real clear tonight! “ She blurted eagerly, taking hold of Vee’s hand and guiding her over with haste.
Sprout hummed to himself, glancing back at Astro before following the girls, knowing Astro would follow eventually.
Though, Astro felt his chest tighten at the sight. Staring at it, he felt an enormous gust of nostalgia flow through his head.
As if on cue of the feeling, a harsh blow of wind blew in his face, nearly launching his sleeping cap off. If it weren’t for his ear muffs, his hat would’ve been gone ages ago.
He felt his knees buckle beneath him nervously, before swallowing down his reluctance. For his friends, he told himself.
Astro walked over, each step only projecting his dread more clearly every time he got closer to the large tree. The cold air swarming him didn’t seem to help either, reminding him of the hurt he felt any time he remembered his handler.
He missed Aaron. It wasn’t just a feeling, he longed to see him again. Of course, Astro wasn’t very social. But his handler.. he didn’t just understand Astro. He knew Astro.
Through and through, he did. He knew when Astro got burnt out from too much socialization, he knew how to make Astro feel safe and comfortable.. and that person, his person, his handler, he left.
By the time he snapped out of his thoughts, he realized he had only taken a few steps forward, the chilling breeze bringing him back, along with Shelly’s excited giggles.
“ That one, I remember Astro telling me–that’s called The Hunter! Also known as Orion. “ Astro was touched she remembered his short rambles on stars. He felt a smile appear on his face, in which he didn’t expect, but didn’t unwelcome.
He approached the others, sitting beside Sprout, resting his back against the tree, looking up at the sky. He could already point out and recognize a few stars, just by glancing up.
The little dipper, the big dipper.. others with names he had on the tip of his tongue, but didn’t bother to remember.
As Shelly’s rambles softened and eventually dipped down, the four sat in peaceful silence, listening to the whistle of wind occasionally blowing. It was cold, which made comfort a bit difficult, but the peace overcame their discomfort.
“ You know, “ Astro began, not realizing he had spoken. His gaze flicked back up to the moon, what he was supposed to resemble. He exhaled through his nose, regretting speaking up.
Sprout had turned his attention over to Astro, as did the girls behind him. Astro seemed to focus a bit harder on the moon above his head, not appreciating the stares.
Astro clenched his fists. “ ..this is nice. “ He dismissed any other thought he previously had, to avoid any more curiosity spiking up. The others seemed to agree, which calmed him down, watching them all look back up at the sky in his peripheral.
He couldn’t help but notice how the moon was in nearly the exact state Astro was. A waning crescent. He pondered on a shallow thought, which was quickly swept out of his mind.
Astro thought nothing much of it.
A few sparks seemed to light up the dark atmosphere like fireflies, and he glanced over. Raising a brow at Vee.
Sprout was quick to realize why, and he gasped. Moving over Shelly and lifting the television up. “ Ssshh..ssugar cookies, snow is water! “ Sounding bewildered. He couldn’t believe that flew over his head.
Vee continued to buzz and twitch, painting the atmosphere with concern rather than a serene flavor. Sprout began rushing off back to the Gardenview doors, and Shelly was quick to follow.
Atleast Astro could be alone now. He stood up sluggishly, watching the two shrink the closer they got to the building.
..though, he had a thought in the back of his head that just told him to stay. Something soft, maybe it was the nostalgia of sitting here for hours with his handler, naming the stars off the top of his head. Having Aaron correct him if he was wrong.
It was a nice game they created. Sometimes they’d go in the lobby, underneath the large outspread window on the ceiling. They’d stargaze there, sometimes Dandy tagged along. Though he never paid attention, he just wanted to bask in the moonlight.
Astro didn’t even notice the chill of his tears freezing actively on his cheeks. Only when it stuck on one part of his skin did he realize, wiping it away with his blanket.
It was far too cold to just sit out here and mope. He could do that in his bedroom, after all his ceiling was made of stars. It was much better than freezing his tail off.
So, he swallowed his sorrow and trudged off back to the Gardenview doors. Despite it not being in his favor to move, it was too cold to use his powers to levitate back.
“ There you are! “ Astro snapped his head up, locking eyes with Dandy. Well, geez. He thought he’d never see his face again. Ever since the handlers left it’s really taken its toll on Dandy.
He smiled, walked forward and received an unexpected hug. In which Astro returned after a bit of hesitation. “ ..hey, bug. Have you been alright..? “
Dandy pulled away. He always loved that nickname. But hearing it now just gave some bittersweet feelings to him.. he wasn’t sure why. “ I’m okay. Are you? “ He didn’t quite remove his hands from Astro’s shoulders yet, which threw Astro off-guard a bit.
Astro used a star or two to help shrug off Dandy’s hands after an awkward few moments. He nodded his head, took a small step back to create some space between them, and lowered his head. “ I’ve been.. okay. Making it through like the rest of us. “
He could understand that. I mean.. all of them have just been getting by. Making it til the end of the day, while trying to keep their heads high. It was rough to do since not many of them knew how to take care of one another. But they all tried anyway.
“ I was wondering if you’d like to stargaze sometime.. I miss when we used to! “ Dandy’s petals fluttered as he spoke, leaf tail curling up like a question mark without its dot. Astro found that to be a neat little detail. He brushed it off and bit the inside of his lip.
He didn’t want to reject his best friend, but, he’s been tired of socializing lately. Laying in his bed sounded like heaven right now. “ ..maybe later, buggy. Sound okay? “
The sparkle in Dandy’s eyes seemed to shrivel away like a spoiled flower given to little water. He swallowed and itched the back of his head, laughing. “ Oh, yeah! Later sounds fine.. “ Astro knew later wasn’t what he wanted. But he could wait, he knew Dandy. He was very patient.
“ I’ll see you then. “ He stated gently, rubbing his shoulder with a star before brushing past him. And, once he did so, he made a swift beeline to the elevator. Just to get to his bedroom faster without any more disruptions. He simply needed his alone time.
Astro shuffled into the elevator, clicking the button to his floor and leaning against the wall. He closed his eye, quietly listening to the low hum of the moving machine.
It always reminded him of the air conditioning when the handlers deemed it being “too hot” in the facility, when Astro found it chilling. He huffed softly at the thought. Maybe they were always warm, a contrast to him always being cold.
Before he knew it the familiar ding interrupted his soothing thoughts, and the door opened. The moon breathed out and walked his way through his floor, before pausing and sliding his thick boots off. Feeling the cold, clotted snow hit the back of his calves.
“ ..I should’ve worn my smaller blanket. “ He whispered to himself, glancing around before shrugging it off his shoulders. Nobody seemed to be here, so, he had nothing to really hide.
He continued forward until he reached the two large doors to his bedroom. Opening them with two hands, and closing it behind him. Placing his frozen blanket on the clothes rack nearby his lamp.
Astro didn’t really bother grabbing another blanket. He simply made his way into his bed, snuggled up underneath the thick comforter, and gazed up at his ceiling.
He had a weird feeling in his chest. Fidgeting with the soft fabric of his pillowcase. Whatever it was, Astro assumed he would be able to sleep it off.
So, he did. Curled up beneath his blankets, tuning out that odd feeling he felt. Surely it would go away before he awoke.