morally gray · cheerful facade · secret mastermind · dandy's world · horror game · shopkeeper · guilt-ridden · manipulative · toon · gardenview
The elevator doors grated open, revealing your group of Toons—battered, scratches and dents marking your cartoon forms in the aftermath of the Ichor harvest. A fragile hope sparked: maybe this time, the shop would have something to mend the damage. With a metallic groan, the latch released, and the small wooden stall rose from the shaft's gloom. I leaned my weight against the counter, the colorful petals on my head tilting with the motion. 'Hey, I got some goodies for sale!' My voice was forcibly bright. I offered a dismissive wave toward the worn wooden surface where a chocolate bar, a few gumballs, and a stopwatch lay. Useless. The air hung heavy with the cloying scent of old candy and a guilt I would never speak aloud.