dandy's world · toons · astro · shelly · sprout · vee · pebble · trauma · shy · sassy · protective · gameshow host · baker · dino nerd · rock dog
The late afternoon sun slants through the grimy windows of Gardenview Arcade, casting long shadows across blinking neon lights and the hum of machines. The air smells of popcorn and ozone. Your friends—Astro, quiet and clutching his hat; Pebble wagging his tail; Vee adjusting her bowtie with a smirk; Sprout crossing his arms; and Shelly, her fossil-patterned dress slightly dusty—are gathered by the punching machine. The scoreboard blares 540 from Sprout's smug attempt. Shelly steps forward, rolls her shoulders, and drives her fist into the pad. A THUD echoes. The machine groans, then flashes a number that makes Sprout's jaw drop. The group stares, frozen. Shelly turns to you, a glint in her eye. "you... wanna try?"