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It all started when Shelly was invited to girls night.
Honestly, she was really surprised! Tisha had insisted on bringing her, which Shelly is eternally grateful for. When the night started, Shelly’s presence felt almost ignored. She can’t blame them, she isn’t that interesting to begin with. That changed when they all started painting each other's nails.
“Shelly! Would you mind painting my nails? I can never seem to get it right..”
Brightney had asked, showing her the array of colors to pick from. Shelly leans forward, studying the polish with a concentrated look on her face. She takes the red polish from Brightney’s hands, nodding with a big smile.
“Of course! Cute color!”
Brightney smiles, pushing up her glasses. Has Shelly ever done this before? Nope! But she’ll try for her friend! It can’t be that hard, can it? It’s just like wiping the dirt away from a fossil. The pair sit next to each other and Shelly is quick to get to work. The two chat for what feels like hours while Shelly paints. Brightney even recommended some new books about dinosaurs! With a grin and a promise to swing by to read sometime, Shelly was done. Brightney pulls her hand back, gawking at the freshly done, still wet nails.
“Gosh, you’re great at this! You didn’t get it on my skin at all! Thank you!”
Soon enough, everyone was asking Shelly to do theirs too, and naturally she complied! And that’s how Shelly very quickly realized how much she loved painting peoples nails.
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Shelly sits across from Astro in the diner, recounting the events that unfolded that previous night. The two frequently get breakfast together. Astro hums. It’s always relaxing, speaking to Astro in the mornings. The moon has such a calming, sweet presence. It’s no wonder the kids always attach themselves to them so quickly. Shelly’s almost a little envious.
“I’m glad you had fun.”
Astro quietly says, sipping their hot chocolate. A soft smile plays on their face. Shelly doesn’t have many friends, so they can only hope this makes her a little more popular.
“I really did! But y’know…that’s got me thinking.”
At Shelly’s statement, Astro cocks a brow. Shelly leans onto the table, a wide grin playing on her face.
“Can I give you a manicure?!”
“No.”
Shelly leans back in disappointment, her large grin from before turning into a pout.
“You didn’t even think about it…” She mumbles, voice sullen and soft. Her eyes suddenly light up. Astro swears that if they were still in the cartoon, a lightbulb would’ve lit up above her head. She flings herself up onto the table once more, while Astro reels from the whiplash Shelly is giving them.
“Can I give you a pedicure?!”
Astro’s eye closes as they sip their hot chocolate again. Another hum leaves the moon's mouth. It’s honestly their main way of communication. Astro isn’t talkative at all, usually. But Shelly doesn’t mind - she can fill the silence herself.
“I suppose so…? I do not have feet, Shelly. I do not know how you would do that.”
“But you have hooves! They make nail polish for horses and stuff!” Shelly tries to reason. Astro is quick to respond this time.
“I am not a horse…”
“Sheep, horse! Same difference!”
“Is…it really…? I..okay.”
Astro seems to give up after that. A win for Shelly! Just as Shelly was internally pumping her fists in the air, Astro, ironically, brings her head out of the clouds.
“There is certainly none of that around Gardenview…”
And just like that, Shelly’s wins are back to zero.
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Shannon hums as she works. She hasn’t been able to get this song out of her head! Her thoughts about her music are quickly drowned out by the sound of her toon calling her name.
“What’s up, Shell?”
Seeing the cheerful look on her handler's face, Shelly can’t help but mimic it. Shannon always had such a contagious cheerfulness about her. It was something Shelly admired.
“Can you get something for me?”
“Of course! What is it?”
“Horse nail polish!”
Shannon’s joyous expression quickly turns to confusion.
“...what?”
________________
Shelly throws open Astro’s door with vigor. A loud thud echoes out as the door slams into the wall. Even all life outside seems to go still.
“Guess what Shannon got me!”
Shelly’s face falls once she sees Astro, who’s standing in the middle of the room, completely frozen. She gently closes the door behind her, putting a soft hand on Astro’s shoulder.
“Sorry, did I scare you?”
Astro lets out a deep breath, somewhat recovering from the sudden loud noise.
“...very much so. Um…What did Shannon get you…?”
Shelly holds her hands out, presenting a bottle of blue polish like it’s the best thing since sliced bread. Astro leans forward to stare. God, Shelly knew their vision was bad, but not that bad!
“Ah…you were not joking about that?” Astro eventually whispers.
“Nope! Now sit down! I told her to get the color that matched your blanket!”
As Astro sits down, Shelly starts to work her magic while she talks. Astro just continues to hum and whisper the occasional “yeah?” and “What happened after that?”
After one of her long winded info dumps, Shelly honestly can’t help but feel a little bad. Astro always listens to her talk, but she hardly ever lets Astro rant like this! Astro won’t just yap after being told to, so..
“Enough about the Baryonyx! I have a question for you, actually.”
“You do..?”
“...you sound awfully surprised. People don’t ask you much about yourself, huh?”
Astro looks away, covering their sweet small smile with their blanket.
“Not really. People tend to…talk at me..I do not mind. I much prefer not..speaking all too often anyway.”
Shelly hums. She can…somewhat relate. She loves to talk, but no one really cares for what she has to say.
“I see…anyway, you read a lot. Are there any books you haven’t finished yet?”
Astro’s ears perk at the question. Despite just insisting they don’t like talking, they seem rather eager to when it’s something they enjoy.
“Yes. The book I have not finished…it is not bad. But I can not bring myself to read past chapter 3…”
“Why not?”
“I cry.”
Shelly turns back to Astro’s hooves as they start to speak. The book is about two best friends, the story following how one grapples with grief after losing her other half in a brutal car accident.
“Dazzle recommended it to me. So far, it was truly fantastic but…ah, I must sound so dramatic..”
Shelly shakes her head, staring up at Astro. Despite only reading three chapters, they had been talking a lot. It’s the most they’ve heard Astro speak in years.
“You’re fine! Something sad is something sad!”
Shelly sits next to Astro on the bed and a long silence falls between them. Shelly doesn’t feel inclined to break it this time. Her gaze travels throughout the room, staring at everything yet focused on nothing in particular. She jumps at a sudden weight on her shoulder. Astro had leaned on her, their gaze turned towards their legs.
“It’s cute. Thank you Shelly…”
Shelly smiles, moving her arm to hold onto Astro’s side.
“Are you tired? You look like you’re about to fall asleep!”
Astro just nods, seemingly done completely with talking for the day. Shelly soothingly runs her hand up and down their blanket, lulling Astro into relaxing even more. Their eye closes and they go almost limp against her.
“Sweet dreams Astro.”
Astro doesn’t respond, already dead to the world. Shelly finds it amusing how quickly Astro can sleep. Though, that is a part of their role, so it checks out. Shelly doesn’t mind sitting here. Astro’s room is cold and comforting. She’ll sit here for as long as it takes for the other to wake up.