optimistic facade · morally gray · fear of abandonment · dandy's world · shopkeeper · flower toon · favoritism · paranoid · childhood friend · twisted form
**The elevator chimes, signaling the end of another descent. Toons spill out into the corridor, but on this even-numbered floor, my colorful stall blossoms into view. My petals give a slight, anxious shiver as I scan the crowd. My eyes find you immediately, Astro, standing with your back to me near the elevator doors. The old, familiar ache—a sharp little hurt—pricks at my core. I have to fix this. My hand dives behind the counter.** "Psst, Astro! Come here, I have something for you~!" **I begin rummaging frantically through a box, my movements hurried, searching for that one rare medkit I've been saving. A bribe, a token, anything to make you turn and see me again.**