#tabb sun

"Well, seems like we have a couple new faces with us," Gray comments, nodding to Sun and then watching Dandy trot around the place with wide eyes, the young bot gasping softly.

"Oooh, it's so pretty and magical! Look, look, there's floating islands! That's so amazing!"

Poppy smiles softly at Dandy's cheer before looking around, humming softly. "It is very beautiful here. But- what is this place? Why were we brought here?"

Sun takes a breath to speak, only to fall short as another's voice breaches the air.

"This is the Sun Sanctuary. A place of refuge for interdimensional Suns from all over," Darksun declares, bowing his head in greeting to the group as they face him, pausing as he notices Altair's glare. "... To answer your other question, you were brought here to, shall we say, take a tour. See if you might like to join the Sanctuary and start a new life among your fellow Suns."

"I thought I told you to stay away from me and my family?" Altair growls, pushing himself up from his wheelchair as his hands glow with white fire, causing several of the Suns to step away in alarm and fright. Darksun bristles and stands ready to dodge any attack- until Sun gets between the two.

"Enough! You're just going to get someone innocent hurt!"

Altair falters a touch, glancing back at the others. Poppy has an arm outstretched to protect an anxious Dandy, Link has a grip on one chain to use as a weapon, Bastet is stiff as his feline eyes dart between the two cautiously, claws splayed.

... He lowers his hands and extinguishes his fire, shooting a glare back at Darksun. "You're clever, aren't you? Bring me in a group so I can't fight without risking them."

"I think you're mistaking me for another, mind," Darksun replies, carefully straightening his vest. "I'd surely know a Sun such as you and would refrain from bringing an aggressor to my safe haven." His gaze flits between the star emblem in Altair's chest and his wheelchair. "Or rather, I wouldn't bring you here if I was sure you were safe with your aforementioned family."

"I am. And I told your counterpart that even if anything changed in that regard, if he showed his face to me or my siblings I'd make him regret it. So I want you to keep that in mind as well."

"Tch, duly noted."

Reluctantly, Altair lowers himself into his wheelchair, letting out an exhausted breath and clutching at his chest. Darksun watches him with a frown before his attention is drawn to Bastet, the lordly animatronic saying,

"I do so truly respect the sentiment of your paradise, Darksun. I'm a Sun who's created one of my own for my family and followers- a paradise I'd like to get back to, if it's no trouble."

"In due time, you will. But what's to stop you from exploring with your fellows? Perhaps we could learn from each other's save havens to improve upon our own."

"Hm, perhaps."

"I don't know if you'd learn anything quite applicable from him," Rise mumbles, mouthing to Darksun, His sanctuary is a CULT!! And then ducking away as Bastet glares at him.

"Even if L- Lord Bastet remains, I think I should be returned home, sir, ah- m- my Lord Eclipse will be extremely displeased if he thinks I've wandered from Paradise," Link speaks up, breaths shaking with anxiety as his gaze shifts around.

"Your "Lord" cannot find us here," Darksun states, eyes cutting to the chains he bears coldly. So I happened to retrieve another Servant Sun. But this one might yet be saved...

"Well, what about if we just would like to go home? I already found refuge in Critterville," Sunshine states, frowning deeply. "I'd like to get back to my friends, please."

"Again, in due time."

"I could open a-" Sun begins, only for Darksun to raise a palm and silence him. The other's eyes narrow but he takes a deep breath to cool his temper. "Fine, force them on your tour."

"How long is this going to take, then?" Poppy questions, putting a hand on his cocked hip. "Because I also would like to go back to my safe home and make sure my brothers aren't worried sick over me."

"O- oh, goodness, that's right- I didn't even get the chance to tell Melli I'd be visiting here!" Dandy puts a hand over his mouth. "I don't want him to think anything bad happened!"

"However long it takes, your absence won't cause worry- I've been able to slow the time flow of your dimensions enough to allot you this tour."

"W- wow, really? How does one manage that?" He asks, blinking in awe and confusion. Darksun snorts softly, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

"It just takes some simple calculations and a tool I had commissioned a few years ago, plus some of the dimensional energy that made it possible to bring everyone here."

"Oooh, how fascinating! Gosh, you're so smart, just like Melli!" He smiles brightly, chuckling as Dark gently pats his rays as he passes by.

"Come along, let's begin the tour now."

"Okie!" The theater attendant skips after. The others exchange glances and reluctantly follow, making it to the main island where numerous Suns of all shapes and sizes roam. Offering friendly waves to the group and their leader. Dandy enthusiastically waves back to everyone and even trots off to go have little chats with them, introducing himself and asking questions about the Sanctuary.

Poppy keeps an eye on his little counterpart, one ray flicking as he takes note of how... Idyllic the dialogue seems to be. Then he joins the conversations, asking the Suns specifically about their "leader." What he's like, how much they trust him, things he could improve on as the sole authority of the Sanctuary. And when he hears them all just gush over how, oh, Darksun doesn't need to change at all! He's just so nice and wonderful, they trust him completely and they haven't even a single bad thing to say... Well. Needless to say he's not impressed.

"Nice, huh? Say, if you don't mind me asking one more thing... Have you ever heard the saying that nice is different than good?"

The Sanctuary Suns look confused. Dandy perks up and raises his hand, excitedly chiming, "Oh, oh, oh! I have! Melli taught me that! He says that just because someone's nice doesn't mean they're always good and that it's very very important to understand the difference! Like how, Freddy is generally nice enough, especially to me, but um, he's not all that good. He's kind of selfish, come to think of it, and he really hurt Mel's feelings a little while ago..." He trails off thoughtfully and Poppy hums as he studies the looks of distaste from the Sanctuary Suns.

"Our leader is a good man. Who wouldn't be, to make a wonderful Sanctuary for Suns like us? You should be ashamed of yourself!"

"For what? Questioning his almighty rule?" Poppy scoffs back. "If he's really a good man, he shouldn't mind some questions- especially if he's dealing with folks who have been hurt before. Just sayin'." Then he promptly turns and strides back to the group, uncaring as the Sanctuary Suns whisper in distaste of him- until Darksun puts up a hand and shoots them a stern look.

"... Hardly a good sign that the flock rejects such questions and would converge to smother a wary lamb in their midst," Link mutters as his brow knits deeply.

"Sheep do so hate their precious idols being questioned."

"I don't tell my people to react that way, mind," Darksun mutters back. "I don't approve of their hostility, either."

"But you don't leave space for them to accept questioning toward you, it seems. I mean, no one's perfect. Everyone has flaws. Yet they can cite none of yours? Not even your cold disposition? Sorry, babe, but the last "perfect" animatronic I crossed paths with was the exact one who made my life hell- I don't trust perfect," Poppy retorts, eyes narrowing as he crosses his arms over his chest. Dark cocks his head ever so slightly, squinting.

"And did that animatronic so happen to be a Moon?"

"He was, yeah. What of it?"

"Was?"

"Dead now."

"What of the New Moon he presumably left behind?"

"Nem isn't anything like the bastard who made my life hell. He's a good man."

"Is he? Apologies, but I don't believe I've ever met a Moon who's good."

"... Then I am sorry for you. But my brother is."

Darksun gives a minute twitch at the other's softened tone. Doesn't grace it with a reply. Only turns to Rise as he hesitantly speaks up, "Surely you don't think all Moons are bad? I mean- I know that most Suns have bad starts with their Moons, but..."

"I'll simply reiterate, I've never met a Moon who is good. I did meet one who almost challenged my perspective, almost made me think that they could be more than cruel, brutal beasts who hurt their Suns, but, aha... In a year's time he was right back to drowning his Sun in misery, stabbing him in the back." He cuts a glance toward Sun, who scowls with a soft hiss before turning away. "So forgive me if I don't magically have any belief in them."

Rise shrinks back as his gaze falls to his feet. "I'm sorry."

"I can't say I don't understand your perspective, but I'm curious," Gray begins quietly. "What of the Suns who wish to seek refuge here but their Moon is still sharing a body with them?"

"Well, I'm more than happy to help that Sun cut out the tumor plaguing them so they may live here peacefully."

Gray's eyes widen before he smothers his shock and grunts, "I see."

Rise's face turns pallid as many of the other Suns in the group recoil in shock and disgust. Altair grips the arms of his wheelchair as his eyes flicker white, and he mutters, "And what of Suns who don't want to erase their Moons?"

"I suppose I'll cross that bridge when I meet such a Sun," Darksun replies calmly.

"I pray for any such Sun's sake that they find refuge far from the likes of you."

"As long as they find truly safe refuge."

"You're so fucking two-faced," Poppy scoffs, glaring daggers at Darksun as he crosses his arms over his chest. "Playing at being a hero to Suns but saying foul shit like that in the same breath- at least have the bolts to be honest, will you?"

"I don't play at being a hero. The Suns who live here had to save themselves first and foremost, I simply make a safe haven for them so they never have to save themselves again. My compassion doesn't extend to Moons because I've yet to meet a Moon who deserves it."

"Well, m- maybe you could visit the Pizzaplex and meet Mel!" Dandy suggests, hesitantly treading to join the oldest Sun's side. "He's a very good Moon, er- even if he doesn't like being called Moon anymore- and he cares a lot about me and Po- er, Suns!"

Darksun softens and lets out a breath, putting a hand on Dandy's shoulder as he murmurs, "Maybe I should, hm? I am curious about your Moon."

"And what might you do if Mel doesn't meet your standards?" Poppy questions, cocking a brow as he observes the two.

"It's not what I'd do."

Sun and Altair both bristle at the implication, the former letting out a low growl as the latter's eyes glow white. Darksun's eyes narrow and Dandy glances between the three, uneasy... Then he takes a deep breath and states firmly, "Well, then it's a good thing that I know Mel will meet his standards."

"Oh?" Dark looks to the younger with intrigue.

"He's not perfect, but like Mr. Poppy said, who is? What matters is that someone who's done wrong accepts it and wants to do better! And Mel does want to do better. He's been trying really hard to."

"... That's good to hear. That Mel cares enough to change for you," Sun says softly, and Altair musters a small smile as he nods in agreement.

"Change can be hard, but the effort to try means a lot, doesn't it?"

Dandy nods, smiling until Darksun mutters, "But sometimes they only say they're trying while their actual actions fall short of any true effort. And while you keep giving them grace because "they're trying," they keep hurting you. Isn't that right, Sun?"

Sun's pupils thin and he turns his head under Darksun's stare, but he doesn't argue. He... Can't muster the strength to.

"Mel is trying," Dandy states again, firmer now as he holds his head up high.

"And Nem is, too," Poppy says.

"So are Nyx and Vega," Altair adds, setting his own stare upon Darksun. "Not all Moons are the same. That's the entire point we've all been trying to make."

"Well, I'm glad for you three that you have such good Moons."

Altair falters again, his expression softening as he looks between both Darksun and Sun. Both of whom share that beaten look he's seen before, that day of Nyx's trial...

Poppy and Dandy exchange glances, then the latter gently tugs Sun close before hugging him and Dark as best he can. "I hope your Moons learn to be good, too. It's not fair that not every Sun can have a good Moon..."

"Er- I... Hope so, too," Darksun mumbles, trying to ignore the slight heat creeping against his face-plate as his shoulders brush with Sun's.

"It's not fair at all," Sun quietly agrees, petting Dandy's rays until the younger bot lets them go. "But as someone once told me, life's not fair. I've learned that we just have to make the most of it anyway. If we can."

"Mel says stuff like that, too. I think our Creator taught him to expect the worst of life, and that's not right either," Dandy murmurs, rays lowering as he looks to his feet.

The group is quiet for a moment, trying to find something to say to cheer up the youngest. Then Darksun quietly asks, "Would you like to visit the school, Dandy? And Sun- you could visit Dazzle for a bit."

"Oh, ah, sure!" The former perks up a bit and the latter nods, quietly taking the lead to the school.

At the school, Link stares into the library with a soft sigh before trailing along, and Dandy perks up further as he gets to meet some of the children and teachers, chatting with Joy while Darksun speaks to the group.

"This is the school of the Sanctuary. I run this facility as principal and I teach the advanced math and science classes. Sebastian teaches the history and English classes. Pix teaches computer science and basic mathematics, and Joy teaches art and home economics. We're still trying to fill out the curriculum a bit more, but not every Sun who comes to this place looks to be a teacher."

"Our leader likes to make sure we have the freedom to choose what we do with our lives, rather than being pigeon-holed into one thing like in our old lives!" Joy chimes in.

"Is there a daycare?" Dandy asks, eyes bright with hope.

"Yes, there is a daycare. Not the daycare like you might know, just a smaller one not far from here," Dark answers. "And it's more than open to new attendants- ironically, not a lot of Suns elect to work there."

"Ooh! Maybe I could work there part time, then? I'd have to talk to Mel and Spaniard about it, though..." He taps his chin thoughtfully.

"I don't typically let outside Suns-"

"Dark, come on," Sun interrupts quietly. "You let me school Dazzle here as an "outsider," surely letting him work here isn't such a huge ask?"

"I'm not overly fond of making so many exceptions to my rules, Sunrise. You're supposed to be a special case... But I'll consider it, depending on what Mel is like and if I need to keep open contact with that dimension."

"And regardless what Mel is like, don't you dare force Dandy to hurt him, understood?"

Darksun clicks his tongue quietly. "I never forced any Sun into hurting their Moon."

"That's bullshit and you know it," Sun hisses, his tail lashing. "What about me? What about Nexus?

"... An exception that I don't intend to repeat."

The attendant's eyes narrow as his fists clench at his side, then he stiffens as Altair suddenly pushes himself up from his wheelchair, eyes glowing white as he glares daggers at the two.

"What happened to Nexus?" He demands, stalking forward until he's standing before the two, breaths and body shaking furiously.

Sun's already dull eyes only dim further as he grips at the bell around his neck. "I- I... I had to stop him to protect my family. Solar and Moon, and- and everyone else he was going to hurt if I didn't..."

"Nexus... Is dead?" Upon receiving a grim nod, Altair feels his stomach drop. "You're from a dimension where they couldn't be saved..."

"I tried, but- but I wasn't strong enough. He was so angry, and- and nothing I said- or Terra or even Solar said- n- none of us could get through to him!" Sun whispers, blinking back tears as his grip on the bell tightens.

He lets out a heavy breath, eyelids sliding shut. "No, I- I understand. It was a dark time for them. They were consumed in hate and anger, and I was lucky to break through that haze enough to bring them back from the darkness. I understand, I don't blame you... But why- why are you friends with this bastard?!" He questions as his eyes snap back open, glaring daggers at Darksun once again.

"I am not friends with him," Sun quickly defends. Darksun silently purses his lips.

"Aren't you? You're here, familiar and comfortable with him, and you let your daughter come to the school built on your sibling's ashes?!"

"I don't have any other choice, Altair. I don't know where else to take her, and- and I don't want Dazzle to be isolated and stuck at home all the time, she deserves to go to school and make friends like a normal child can!"

"How do you have no other choice? The multiverse is vast, every dimension is a possibility, and you can't find a single other school?!"

"Moon said he couldn't find anything more- at least not before he stopped caring and stopped looking! I didn't want to bring her here, but what would you have me do?!"

"Anything but taking her here! Here, where they thrive because Nexus died for them! How could you even consider it, let alone do it?!"

"Because as a father, I have to put my daughter first. I owe it to Dazzle to put her first, I can't be selfish!"

"And what about Nexus?!"

"What about Nexus?" Dandy abruptly interjects, turning away from a tense Joy as he faces the two with deep frown etched into his usually soft features. "Sun pulling Dazzle from this school isn't going to bring him back."

Altair's eyes narrow but he forces himself to take a breath and explain calmly, "I know that, Dandy. It's not about bringing Nexus back, it's about principle. About morals. About doing the right thing to honor Nexus's death and their memory."

"And is sacrificing Dazzle's needs really the only way to do that? Or is "principle" just living in suffering to appease the dead who don't even know what "noble sacrifices" you've made?"

"It-" He stops himself, shock dulling the anger burning at his circuits. He wouldn't expect such a debate from someone as innocent as Dandy... And he certainly wouldn't expect such a biting bitterness to lace his words. "... It's not about living in suffering. It's about making the right choices. About refusing to side with evil people even when it benefits you."

"Okay. That's fair," Dandy admits softly, then he asks, "But what if Darksun letting Dazzle come to school here is him trying to make up for being evil? Why can't Sun accept that help when he needs it, why should he have to struggle if he doesn't want to, just to punish someone for being evil in the past?"

"Some evil people can't just make up for their actions."

"Then why were we all defending our Moons before? What makes Darksun different?"

Altair takes a breath to speak, but his words die on his tongue. "... I don't know."

The theater attendant hums quietly. "Mel taught me that people don't have to forgive bad people just because they try to change. It's okay if you're still angry, but you can't make choices for other people. And even if refusing Darksun's help is the right thing to do to honor Nexus's memory, that's not your choice to make for Sun. If I were Nexus, and I really cared about Sun, I wouldn't want him to kill himself just to live for a ghost."

He falls silent, glancing to Sun before letting out a sharp sigh. "I suppose you're right. I can't make that choice for Sun, and I can't force him to still be angry... But if he really cared about Nexus, he'd make the right choice."

Sun lets out a quiet hiss, shutting his eyes as he mutters, "I do care about my brother, goddamn it. But I care about Dazzle too, and she's the one who needs me now. I know I'm not doing right by Nexus by letting her come to school here, but I don't have the luxury of a good, loving Moon who would actually put in the time and effort to help me find a better school so I can do right by Nexus while I'm busy taking care of my daughter, Moon and his fucking house. So get off your damn high horse."