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Past closing time, Gardenview was... quiet. Now, most of the toons would clean up around once all the visitors had left. When cleanups were done and the toon handlers were gone, it left them with some time to talk and hangout. Brightney would organize the place and make sure everything was in order. Sprout and Cosmo would go through the kitchen and check all the foods. The circus troupe would practice their acts. Everyone was happy, and despite all the fun stuff that happens in the day, it was nice to be able to relax and unwind.
But maybe not for Shelly.
For her, she hadn't done much during the daytime. Not many kids came to her activities. Her main attraction was a sand pit where kids could go digging for plastic fossils that they could give to the Gardenview Staff Members for a reward. You would think that prizes would make kids want to participate in such activities. However, that wasn't true, even if Shelly wanted it to be. So, most of her day was spent with the one or two kids that actually enjoyed the sandpit. Sometimes, she would participate in Vee's gameshow. Even when she didn't win, it was still fun.
After all the toons had finishing clearing up everything, everyone split off to do their own activities. Shelly glanced around nervously, unsure of what to do. Most times when she tried to hang out with the other toons, they wouldn't realize she was there. So, she kept to herself most times. However, she still didn't want to be alone so she tried to find someone who would want to hang with out with her. She flicked her eyes left and right, trying to spot anyone who was still around. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a familiar azure blanket. She swiftly caught up behind him to get his attention.
Standing behind him, she tapped his shoulder. Astro jumped, likely started. Shelly pulled back. "Sorry, I didn't mean to spook you, Astro!" She apologized.
"It's alright," he responded, yawning slightly. "What do you need?" Shelly froze for a moment. Well, technically, she didn't need anything. She just wanted to talk to someone.
"Ehh... I just wanted to talk someone," she mumbled. "I-if you aren't busy right now, that is!"
"Not at all, I have some time to chat," he said. Once again, she froze for a moment, realizing she had nothing to talk about.
Thinking a moment, she decided on a good starter question. "How was your day?" She asked. That was good to start, right?"
Yawning slightly, Astro replied, "it was alright. Not too interesting, what about you?"
"Same thing here. I didn't have many people come to sand pit today," she said sounding a bit disappointed. However, it didn't take long for her to go on rambling and talking. However, it wasn't just rambling with no active listeners... he was listening. For once, she felt... heard.