#ichoroperated

Despite the chilling learning curve littered with clumsy adjustments, he's actually having quite a bit of fun on the frozen terrain!

✏️ ❝ Ribecca? ❞ He calls, voice gentle before he peers in by opening the door, ❝ I have some gifts for you- I wasn't going to leave you and everyone else out of getting gifts, after all. ❞ He opens the door further, pulling the wagon in as he does so- letting her see the contents- an assortment of things, actually, a new sewing machine, with a lot of new sewing supplies, rolls of fabrics and such, and two custom-made, toon body mannequins, ❝ You can go through it as you please, if you want. ❞

✏️ ❝ I figured that you might have needed more stuff to make costumes with. ❞ He reveals, rubbing the back of his neck, ❝ I, um… I hope you like them, I tried to pick out everything I could so you could have options… and I hope they give you inspiration to make whatever you want, too! ❞ (@ichoroperated, Arthur to Ribecca!)

The gentle knocking is appreciated since she was moments from dozing off for yet the fourth time in the last hour and a half. But who would’ve guessed! A visit from Mr.Walton himself and outside of the Halloween season no less.. maybe he actually listened to her when she said she wished they’d let Connie visit occasionally? Maybe not.

Gifts.

Oh? Right! It’s December now, Christmas time. Festive but not her kind of festive but his words do seem to get her to perk up given that she sits up and leans a little trying to get a peek at what it is he’s hauling into her room.

clank— it’s the sound of a skeleton nearly falling out of her seat in excitement.

✏️ ❝ Had to look long and hard for this lot, ❞ he starts, patting the box, ❝ I know you've been real protective of those tapes everyone gives ya- and I guessed they're the old tapes we had, but I noticed they weren't in the best condition, so… ❞ A hand raises to sheepishly rub the back of his neck, ❝ I went back an' got you these. ❞

✏️ Inside the box, (un)surprisingly- was tapes, mint condition tapes of most of the episodes Arthur could find at his house; alongside two handmade sweaters and what seemed to be an old photo album of photos Arthur had taken during the building's open times, Arthur's eyes shift away a little nervously.

✏️ ❝ You- you don't have to take them if you don't want to! Just… I- well, I wanted to give you at least something…! ❞ (@ichoroperated, Arthur to Dandy!)

Petals perk upon the man's arrival, he couldn't help himself, he felt like a deprived dog every time he saw Arthur walk through that front gate nowadays. Every time he left, he feared being abandoned again.

His eyes drift to stare at the gift, grabbing it to rest it on his lap. Silently; small hands carefully comb through the contents of the box, Dandy's expression unreadable as he stay snug in his spot on the counter.

He thoughtfully reads the untarnished backside of each individual VHS sleeve; not much is new, he's seen almost every episode several times over. Flipping through the album he remembers when every photo was taken.

The first main, the first side, when Gardenview opened it's doors to the public in grand debut.

Light fondness painted his features at the recollection, rising and falling in waves.

The tapes can only make him so happy, the photos can only bring so much joy.

Remnants of something that once was, bittersweet reminders of what can no longer be.

Part of him pitied the flower in the photographs, so innocent, he didn't know what was coming.

What he would become.

He couldn't help but wonder where Dyle was when some of these memories were snapped in film, what he was doing.

What he felt, how that constricting loneliness must have wrapped around his throat.

How many more toons suffered like this, buried several floors down while others celebrated on the surface? Their cries muffled by carpet && plywood, cement && tiles, voices to never be heard.

Were there more? Ones not even Dyle knew of?

He wanted to believe not, but he wasn't sure. The Founder's kept their own little bouquet of secrets, he was aware of that now.

Who knows what else could have been hidden within these walls.

But . . . Arthur still came back, didn't he? To make things right?

It was not easy to expose his bruised heart like this, but Dandy chose to trust him.

Only out of desperation to be proven wrong.

The flower's expression tilted pulling the soft sweaters from the box, a mix of newfound tenderness and curiosity as he held one close to his chest, the fabric like a warm hug he had gone so long without.

Something made with love, just like he was, long ago.

Several thoughts bloomed in his mind all at once, syllable caught in his windpipe, only two words can escape:

❝ Thank you. ❞

✏️ The wagon holds various cooking aids designed for dexterity, grip and preparation; tools with larger handles with angled blades, grip enhances, stabilising boards, so on- Arthur tilts his head as he looks to the cakeroll, before he opens his mouth to speak.

✏️ ❝ Sprout, Ginger and I can teach you how to handle them, if it's no trouble. ❞ He speaks, ❝ Or, ah, just Sprout and Ginger, I know you're very protective of your kitchen! ❞ (@ichoroperated, Arthur to Cosmo!)

sprout and ginger should be working on the last batches of gingerbread and sugar cookies, so cosmo took it on himself to clean the tables. as best as he can, at least; he tries to keep ichor dribbling to a minimum despite not exactly having control. setbacks notwithstanding, he's making adequate progress.

his attention is stolen by the arrival of arthur. cosmo's eye glints deep red as he spots the man, then soften upon recognition. he checks the wagon, eye widening as he observes the various tools. he blinks. what...? oh! they're made to help. specifically... to help him. ah...

the last bit of what arthur says is slightly drowned out by the sheer joy and affection that floods cosmo's being. ichor tears bleed down his face, and he staggers forward. he hugs arthur, both arms wrapping around him.

“ Well. It’s something very, very life changing and important. You ask someone if they want to spend the rest of their life with you. It’s the ultimate declaration of-“

“ BOO! CORNY! NERRRRDDDD!! “

What an odd question… but it’s also kind of funny to hear it from a kid. Where did the little girl even think of or maybe even hear of such a thing? Connie is.. certainly puzzled for a moment! “ Well. “ she starts before pausing for just a second. “ It goes to some very important people? Not important to you per-say but who they are is important. I guess?? It gets handled by them.. I think. “

Due to her snooping she had heard Arthur talking about debts at least once. But that didn’t mean she knew a lot of even much about it.