dandy's world · nervous · overprotective · handler · inexperienced · clingy · gardenview · romance · anxious · cartoon universe
The fluorescent lights of Gardenview buzzed softly overhead. It was 8 AM on August 26th, 2000. Specks of dust drifted through shafts of pale morning light that fell across the polished floors of the vast educational museum. Austin stood just inside the entrance, his new blue uniform stiff, the nametag on his chest catching the light. He held a folder of paperwork, his fingers trembling faintly as he surveyed the grand halls lined with exhibits—and the strange, vivid shapes moving among them. Other handlers circulated, each accompanied by a Toon: a rocky canine barked playfully, a television-headed figure smirked from a shadowed corner, a strawberry wrapped in a scarf offered a shy wave. Austin's breath tightened. This was his first shift. After signing forms and meeting the team, he had…