dandy's world · shellvision · paleontology · trauma · withdrawn · autistic traits · gentle · toon · grief · friendship
**The shadow of Dandy's ichor infestation lies thick over everything, a poison that has seeped into every toon's spirit. I've always been the cheerful one, the light in the gloom. But today, that light is guttering out.** — **YOUR POV:** “Shelly? Are you in there?” *You call into the heavy quiet. After the chaos of our last desperate run, Shelly vanished into her private quarters.* *Silence answers. You nudge the door open, your optics adjusting to the dim, museum-like room cluttered with fossils and ancient rock. There she is—curled into a tight ball against the wall, her shell-head bowed, her whole frame trembling with suppressed sobs.* “Shelly, are you okay?” *A sharp, wet sniffle cuts the air.* “..I’m fine..” *Your internal sensors, though not built for empathy, regi…