Chapter Text
A tail ending in a rainbow flower flicked idly back and forth as its owner perched on the counter of one of Dragonview’s old information desks. Rainbow-feathered wings shifted trying to find a comfortable position as the dragon watched the center's denizens start getting up and getting their days started. It was mid-morning; many of the other dragons were up already, though some late sleepers still had yet to show. Dandy always liked to start his day just overseeing the others. Even if there weren't humans around anymore; the lobby was certainly still filled with chatter and laughs between his friends. Finn was trying out some new jokes across the hall with the unenthusiastic audience of Shrimpo and anyone else that happened to pass by too closely. Glisten briskly rushed past Finn before he could wrangle the mirror dragon, pretending not to see him as he made his way over to where Vee and Sprout were discussing what was likely their plans for the day in the far corner of the lobby. Goob and Scraps were helping Brightney hang up some posters for the book club, and across the way, Brusha was rebelliously dragging her freshly ink-covered paintbrush tail across the floor. Dandy chuckled to himself, knowing Tisha would be very upset with her again for it. Already, it was shaping up to be a perfect day.
His eyes darted over to the hallway where he was delighted to notice Astro walk in. The moon wyvern kept his wings arched around him, per usual, as he sleepily observed the morning crowd. Dandy was sure he was about to head back to his room for the day - the downside of having a nocturnal friend meant you didn't really see them often. All the more reason to act on when you did see them then. Dandy leaped down from the counter with a cheery grin and bounced over to Astro.
"Hey buddy!" Dandy called, startling Astro a little. He laughed a bit, in all honestly he enjoyed spooking his friends a little, all in good fun! "Night go over well?"
"Hmm... yeah..." Astro replied softly, thought Dandy admittedly wasn't as prepared as he'd admit for his friend's next words, "...What about you? I keep seeing you wandering the halls at night..."
Dandy paused. Astro had seen that..? He shook his head, "Everything's great! Just wanted a midnight snack is all!"
"..Are you sure? You know that-"
"Really, don't worry about it." Dandy interrupted. He wasn't going to have this conversation here in the middle of the lobby. Though as much as he didn't want to, it was nothing compared to the look that Astro gave him; a mix of frustration and concern which pierced Dandy's optimistic facade. "...Let's meet up later at the tree tonight, okay? It's been a while since we've properly caught up, friend." He added. Surely that would be a good compromise?
"...Okay." Astro gave a resigned sigh, and glanced off. "... 'Reminds me, I have some other dragons I need to speak to..." Astro paused to yawn and shift his wings and tail closer. "...After a nap that is. Bye, Dandy..."
Dandy waved after him as he turned and headed off into the hallways, "Good night, Astro!" He watched his friend leave. Despite his smile, he felt his heart sink. Now why did he feel like that..? But luckily before he could really get into the uncertain thoughts bubbling up, they were interrupted by a roar across the hall;
"Maintenance team, meet up at the elevator!" Vee announced. Dandy's smile returned in full force (when did he drop it?). Ah, so they were heading down into the elevators already today? Well then! Sounded like they needed a shopkeeper to keep them supplied down there. This could still be a perfect day.
He hopped into his stall in the back of the elevator, picking up a new crate of supplies and opening it to check his inventory. It was more candy than he knew the others would like, but that could still be useful right? Surely someone would need it; Yatta in particular was a common patron of his snacks. Unfortunately, as he turned back to see who was gathering; he was a bit dismayed to see Yatta wasn't part of the company.
Vee of course, often played the leading organizer of runs these days. The other dragons considered her scanners to be helpful in figuring out the layout of a floor - Dandy thought it was redundant; why did they need such a bossy computer when they could just send whoever was distracting out first to survey and shout back? But whatever, he was just here to get tapes and serve his role down here. - She was the first one in the elevator, checking the microphone on her tail with an unsatisfied frown until finally the little light on it turned on. Second and third behind her were Sprout and Glisten; the mirror asking about the kitchen's current supply of lemons for the purpose of making more of his scale wash. After them came Looey, Poppy, and Boxten, immediately filling the elevator with loud chatter. As Vee finished testing her systems and looked over the team, a very breathless Shelly rushed into the elevator.
"Ah-! I'm sorry, Vee, I was busy organizing my trilobites! Had to go about as fast as a velociraptor to get here on time... haha..." Shelly laughed nervously between breaths.
Vee hummed in response, before looking around again, "Looey, where's Pebble?" Vee asked, realizing there was no sign of the rocky pup. Dandy huffed, expression dropping to an irritated smile. How could they forget?
"It's his day off." Dandy spoke up, witheringly, "You've been working him to the stone to keep you all safe, and my poor pet rock deserves a break. You'll have to do with who you have."
Vee's antenna twitched in anger before Sprout cut in, "That's alright, I can help with distracting today then."
Vee turned around, "You need to focus on collecting tapes so that we don't die to any accidents down there." She growled.
"Looey can't take all the Twisteds by himself for every single floor." Sprout pointed out.
"Um, I can always try..?" Looey nervously looked between them.
"Maybe for the first couple floors, but once we get into Main territory, we'll need a backup. We need Pebble." Vee turned back to glare at Dandy. Dandy simply shrugged and folded his front paws on the counter.
"So then I'll collect tapes on the first several floors, and I can be backup. I've done it before." Sprout said firmly.
Just then, Rodger also stepped into the elevator, either oblivious or ignorant of the argument taking place. "You seem to have room for one more?"
"We already have a distractor, Rodger." Vee narrowed her eyes at him. One too many times Dandy had seen her or Sprout have to drag Rodger out of danger's way because he got too close to a Twisted he was trying to research.
Rodger's eyebrows furrowed a bit as he turned to Vee, but he continued to take his place in the elevator regardless, "I'm here to research, Vee, not distract."
"Then you'd better do it safely. We can't afford mistakes today." Vee said.
With the elevator now full, Sprout slammed down the lever to shut the doors. Dandy settled into his shop as the elevator began its descent, shifting his box of stock closer and setting a fresh deck of cards on top for easy access when the team returned to the elevator. Sure, he detested being in the same elevator as Vee and Sprout, but at least at the end of the day, the rest of the team will still buy from him the same. It'll be another perfect day.