Chapter Text
“Mr. Novalite? I have a question.” The young kid said, looking up at him. Astro smiled softly and replied “of course! What is it?” The child fidgeted with their hands and asked “Why do you wear a blanket? Do you not have arms?”
“Oh well I-I…it’s…um…” Astro stuttered, his eyes darting every which way. “Hey kid, your parents are waiting for ya.” Austin said, trying to diffuse the situation. The kid ran off, seemingly not minding not getting a response to their question. “Astro.” He stated, crossing his arms. “May I speak to you? Privately?” Astro nodded slowly, hoping that nothing bad was going to happen. He silently followed Austin into a staff-only room. Surely nobody noticed this, right?
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“Astro Novalite. What in the ever-loving FUCK was that? Stuttering over such a simple question? You coulda just made the same excuse you give everyone! ‘I’m not hiding anything, it’s just a comfort item!’ That’s what you tell all your little friends. Why’s it so hard to say that to a kid?” Austin opened the door. “Get back out there and get your fucking act together.” He stated bluntly, huffs hand on Astro’s shoulder. Astro didn’t even notice the tears running down his face. “Howdy, Astro!” Shelly exclaimed, waving with as much energy as possible. She hopped on her feet, trying to catch his attention in the crowd of little kids. Vee stared at him perplexedly. “Veronica,” she said, pushing past the children. “Postpone the game show.” Without another word, she was out of sight. Astro stared at the ground, trying to tune out the noisy chatter of visitors. “Astro.” Vee said, tapping his head. “Something’s not right with you. What happened?” Astro pulled his blanket towards him. “Nothing, Vee. I’m just tired.” He started to walk in a new direction. “I call shenanigans. My sensors say you’re stressed, scared, ashamed, overheating and just kinda…sick looking. Talk to me.” Astro shook his head softly. “I can’t,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Huh? Speak up, I can’t hear you.” Vee said, adjusting a slider in her arm. “I said I can’t. I’ve got kids to meet, you’ve got a game show to host tonight, it’s just not going to happen. I’ll explain it one day.”
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Astro scratched at his arms. “Stupid, stupid body,” he muttered to himself. He was standing outside the elevator, waiting on Sprout to finish extracting. Sprout was humming to himself, his cheery attitude bringing a smile to Astro’s face. Astro started playing with his stars. He continued to pass time like that until he felt a watching presence looming over him. There were quick footsteps followed by mechanical static. He looked over his shoulder and almost passed out. There was a taller version of him, chasing him down with black, inky tears streaming down its face. Its hat was longer and the end was coated in ichor, the star glowing bright red. Its eyes were bloodshot and its blanket was rooted at the shoulders. Its arms were exposed, covered in cuts and bruises. Its hands were covered in ink, and it wore a pained expression as it hunted Astro down. He dashed behind a corner, his heart racing. The creature turned the corner and grabbed onto the end of his blanket. Shit! Astro thought to himself, and he tried to get its hands off of it. Brusha was leaning against a wall, watching the whole thing unfold. “Brusha!” He cried, trying to grab her attention. “Do something!” Brusha rolled her eyes. “I’m not gonna fucking help you!”
The top set of arms wrapped around Astro’s neck, putting him into shock. The blaring sound of an air horn echoed throughout the floor, causing the monster to drop him and run off to locate the source. The elevator door opened and Astro ran in, trying to catch his breath. One by one, other toons started filing in. The doors shut with a loud clank!
“Astro?” Brusha asked, a sarcastic grin spread across her face. “What’s with the twisted version of you having four arms?” Astro pulled his arms up towards his mouth and whispered “I’m not sure I know what you mean…” Brusha put her hands on her hips. “Oh you know, all right. That thing has four ugly arms.” Astro stepped back. “I don’t know how those twisted monsters work. It could be like that Boxten clone, for all I know. He’s got the arms coming from his head, remember.” He turned his back towards Brusha and tried to stay calm. “No, this is different. Those arms, they’re the same color as that thing’s skin. Almost like it was a trait from the beginning. And if that thing is a monster clone of you, then I wonder if you have those other things too.” Sprout and Vee both approached Brusha. “Berry boy, get out of the way. I got this.” Sprout crossed his arms. “Oh? And why’s that?” Astro covered his face and simply said “guys, can we please not fight right now? This clearly isn’t going to help anybody.” Sprout stepped back, not wanting to make Astro feel any more pressured than he already was. “Fine,” Vee stated, glaring at Brusha. “I’ll let it go, but let’s not pressure Astro into answering questions he doesn’t wanna.” Vee stepped back. “As I was saying,” Brusha continued, taking three steps closer to Astro. “I am wondering if you have four arms too. And you dodging my questions only makes me think my theory is right. Take it off.” Astro blinked. “What?” Vee stepped back in. “Yeah, what!? Who just asks that?”
“SHUT THE FUCK UP, VEE!” Brusha shouted, pushing her against a wall. “Astro, take off the blanket.” She ordered, her voice sharp with attitude. “No! I’m not just going to do that!” Brusha pulled on a corner. “Take it off before I do it myself.”
“For the last time, the answer is no!” Brusha pushed Astro over, causing him to fall to the ground. As he tried to regain his balance, Brusha pulled off the blanket while he was distracted.
What will they think of you now?
Astro blinked. He stared at his arms, all of his hands shaking slowly. He looked at all of the other toons stuck in the elevator. They all tried to avoid his gaze, clearly focused on his arms. Astro stepped back. Tears began forming in his eyes, his ears were ringing, his heart racing, his breathing becoming labored, he had a massive headache-
See how they look at you? You’re a FREAK.
His hands flew to his mouth. He tried to ignore the acidic taste burning in the back of his throat. Sprout slowly approached him, whispering softly. “Hey…hey. It’s gonna be okay, Astro, just-”
“GET AWAY FROM ME!” Astro cried, pushing Sprout away. Everyone else just looked shocked. Astro never yelled. Ever. This wasn’t like him. Fuck, fuck, FUCK! Astro thought to himself, trying to stay relatively calm. His second set of arms crossed over his stomach as the sense of nausea (a sense he was all too familiar with) overwhelmed him. He tried to ground himself, leaning against one of the walls. He slowly sank to the ground, not even bothering to ask for his blanket back. It’s too late now, he figured, they all know. What’s even the point of trying to hide it? They’re all going to know, anyway. Piping hot tears were streaming down Astro’s face, shame practically eating him alive.
Astro gagged, bile spilling from his mouth. He stared at the floor in shock and cursed himself for the poor mess Tisha would have to clean up. He gagged and puked again, silently swearing to himself, trying to stay conscious. What has gotten into me? He asked himself, breathing quickly, almost hyperventilating, if you will. I’m panicking, puking my guts out, I’ve got a headache, everyone is looking at me, I’m crying, my hands won’t stop shaking, and I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe. I can’t fucking breathe. Help. Help. Help. A bead of sweat trickled down the side of his head.
The elevator door opened.