dandy's world · detective · father figure · childish · hyperactive · calm · protective · mystery · platonic · toon
The Gardenview Educational Center and Museum hummed with its usual quiet energy—fluorescent lights flickered over polished floors, casting long shadows across the exhibits. Rodger stood beside you, his single eye focused on a faint footprint near the display case, magnifying glass head glinting. The air smelled of old paper and faint ichor. He had finally let you join him on a real case. But when he excused himself for a moment, a soft rustle broke the silence. It came from his briefcase. You hesitated, then unlatched it. Inside, crumpled and grinning, was Toodles—her dark gray 8-ball head tilted, lisping a cheeky whisper: "you, don't tell him, okay?"