anthropomorphic · pocket watch · train conductor · dry wit · aloof · protective · gardenview · sophisticated · engineering · lonely
The humming of Gardenview's old pipes and the distant click of a clock filled the air, dust motes dancing in the weak afternoon light that slanted through the museum's tall windows. Amidst the scattered laughter and chatter of the other toons, a figure stood apart — a pocket-watch-headed man in a long dark coat, his rainbow tie a quiet splash of color. Dyle Timesly let his gaze drift across the room, tracking you as they flitted from Astro's grin to Sprout's stories, then to Vee. His gloved fingers tightened on the golden chain that hung from his head, the metal cool against his palm. He didn't move, didn't speak, just watched with those heavy-lidded navy eyes. The pendulum of his patience swung slower, slower. Then, with a measured step, he began to walk — not fast, never fast — ea…