Chapter Text
Dandy’s World—an exceedingly popular kids’ show in the late twentieth century. It was known for its colorful characters, or toons, that were based off of animals and objects, and its inspiring themes in every episode. Other than Dandy himself, it had a main cast of characters that were referred to as “main toons,” or “mains.” The show had many holiday specials, each with its own event toons, including a main. Though the segments were for the holiday, it would last for the entire season. And the main for Easter was none other than Bassie the Basket.
The other Easter toons besides Bassie are Cocoa the Chocolate Bunny, Eggson the Egg, and Flyte the Butterfly. Event toons only come out during their season, which meant that Bassie spends most of the year isolated with the other Easter toons on their floor. The button for it on the elevator was taped off and everything until spring; no one could leave, and no one could enter.
The Easter toons were waiting for spring to come—so that they finally could go out. It would be any day now, and no one was as excited Cocoa. Eggson chuckled as the chocolate bunny hopped around, squealing. Bassie, on the other hand, felt a bit worried. Worried that Cocoa might take the spotlight again, worried that Cocoa might actually replace her this year. After all… she’d heard what the staff, toon handlers, and even older kids would say. That Cocoa was the better fit for the Easter main toon. Bassie had good reason to be deeply afraid of being replaced by her.
“How could anyone not jump for joy? Spring is almost here!” Cocoa squeals again after saying it, which doesn’t help Bassie’s ongoing headache. Sure, Cocoa is Bassie’s friend, at least that’s what their scripts in the show imply, but she can’t help but feel envious of her. Bassie doesn’t exactly hate Cocoa, she just feels threatened in a way that she can’t explain. As a result, Bassie often acted cold and hostile towards her.
It wasn’t just the humans that seemed to like Cocoa more; the other toons appeared to, as well. Eggson was like a grandpa to everyone—with his cane and old-timey jokes. Still, Bassie felt that he and Flyte also thought Cocoa would be better as the main. Flyte and Eggson were both smiling at Cocoa as she rambled on about the joys of spring. Bassie wanted people to smile at *her* like that, too. Bassie yelps in surprise as Cocoa suddenly hugs her, and she quickly shoves her off. Cocoa takes a step back and blinks, stunned.
*”Don’t. Touch. Me.”* It comes out a lot harsher than Bassie intended.
“U-um, sorry, Bassie, I didn’t mean to… I was just..” Cocoa trails off, unsure of what to say. Eggson frowns, he’s well aware of the tension between the other two toons.
After a few seconds of silence, Flyte suggests they change the subject. “How about we talk about something else?” “Right.. yeah, um, sorry,” Bassie mutters, then looks away.
“Oh! It’s okay, Bassie! I know you didn’t mean to!” Cocoa always says that. It makes Bassie feel guilty, but not enough to actually change anything between them. Cocoa then cheerfully starts to discuss egg-painting with Eggson and Flyte. Their conversation turns into background noise as Bassie zones out.
- - -
“Ah! I love the spring season, I can't stop thinking about Easter…” Cocoa says to herself while picking flowers. The Easter floor has a real garden of flowers, picnic tables, even large mounds of dirt and grass.
Bassie overhears and mutters, “Of course you can't stop thinking about it…” To Bassie, just about everything Cocoa said was annoying and typical. She knew why others saw Cocoa as the better Easter Main; Cocoa seemed to always be thinking about spring and Easter.
“Huh? Aren't you the same way, though?”
“No, I'm not like you,” which is something even Bassie herself realizes is ironic to say, because she would give anything to be more like Cocoa.
“Aw that's okay! We're all our own Toon at the end of the day!” And there Cocoa goes again—those stupid words of hers that are supposed to make everyone happy and inspired and feel encouraged… why couldn’t Bassie be like her and just say those on a whim?
“…HahaHA- Ok.” Bassie quickly walked away, not sure of what she was feeling. Bassie headed to a secluded part of the floor, one where she could be alone and no one would bother her.
When she got there, she sat down and started drawing. Every now and then, she would look around to see if maybe anyone was watching. Nope. Bassie was trying to draw a portrait of her and the other Easter toons… but drawing Cocoa would just remind her of how Cocoa is more of being the Easter toon in appearance too; when kids think of Easter, they usually think of bunnies, not baskets.
Cocoa was so kind and caring and.. perfect. And a part of Bassie couldn’t help but think, if she wasn’t her “rival,” then maybe they could actually be best friends like the show depicts them as. No.. that’s ridiculous. Bassie shakes her head and crumples up the paper, about to start a new one, when she suddenly hears laughter coming from outside. The other Easter toons were laughing at something Cocoa said—like it was the funniest thing in the world.
Bassie stands up and peeks outside. Something like jealousy flares up inside her again, jealousy of Cocoa being able to make people laugh so easily. It was hard for Bassie to talk to others normally at all—let alone make jokes. Maybe the feeling inside of her was loneliness, wanting to be included in the conversation, too.
Flyte notices Bassie and turns towards her, “Oh hey, Bassie! Where were you?” Cocoa and Eggson turn to Bassie as well, the former smiling.
“Oh.. err, I was just, drawing. That’s all.”
“Ooh! Ooh! I love drawing! Can I see what you drew, Bassie?”
“No,” as usual, Bassie says it with much more coldness than she intended to, “I mean—I just.. it was bad, so I threw it away.”
“That’s okay! I’m sure it was great, anyways! Your drawings are always amazing, Bassie!” Cocoa complimented everyone like this, but Bassie still felt.. sort of flattered? Bassie just huffs and turns away. “It was.. fine, I guess.” Though Bassie often tried to be more talkative with the others, she always kept her responses to Cocoa brief.
Bassie then joins them, though she doesn’t contribute much to the conversation, she still manages to laugh at Eggson’s joke (albeit a bit too loud,) and talk somewhat normally with Flyte. Of course, she still keeps any response she gives to Cocoa short.
- - -
Two days later… it’s finally the first day of spring! The elevator door dings, and the staff enter the floor. The toons get assigned things to do, such as hiding eggs for an egg hunt, banner making, and preparing sweets.
Bassie is trying to get an egg basket on a bookshelf, but she’s too short. Realizing that she needs help, Flyte flies over and gets the basket for her. “Thanks…” Bassie takes the egg basket from him, albeit slightly embarrassed—she feels like she’s too dependent on others, even if was something so small.
‘How could I still be needing assistance for something as simple as reaching high shelves?…’ Bassie thought. She looks around, and notices Cocoa already placing the eggs around—balancing them perfectly atop rocks and logs.
Bassie attempts to hide them like Cocoa does—but she ends up tripping over a small rock, causing the eggs to spill everywhere. Luckily they’re only chocolate, or else yolk would’ve been everywhere. Bassie lets out an “oof” sound as she hits the floor.
“Oh no! Are you okay, Bassie?” Cocoa stops placing eggs and rushes over to the other toon, extending her arm, offering to help Bassie up.
“Fine,” Bassie pushes herself up and dusts her skirt off, not even glancing at Cocoa. Cocoa withdraws her paw and looks at Bassie’s basket, then at the eggs scattered on the floor, “Um… do you need help with your eggs?”
Bassie ignores her and starts picking them up herself, but Cocoa helps anyways. After they’re all back in the basket, Bassie turns to Cocoa. “I didn’t need your help. But.. thanks.” It’s the closest thing to kindness Bassie has given Cocoa in a while. The chocolate bunny beams.
“Happy to help, always, my friend!” Cocoa opens her arms, as if inviting Bassie to hug her. Bassie just stares at Cocoa, then turns away. “We aren’t friends.”
“Oh. Okay! I’ll still be happy to help you whenever, Bassie…” Cocoa starts rambling on, something about how she’ll always be there, but Bassie doesn’t pay attention. Instead, Bassie just walks away to hide her eggs.
“Just call me if you ever need anything, okay?” Cocoa calls out. Bassie doesn’t turn back or respond.
- - -
That night, Bassie just stares at the ceiling, unable to sleep. Cocoa, who’s across the hall, is sleeping peacefully in her room. Bassie tosses and turns, she tries counting sheep, she tries counting backwards.. nothing works. All she can think about is Cocoa, the fear of not being good enough as a main… the fear of being replaced… and then guilt. Guilt at pushing away Cocoa all the time… and another strange feeling that she can’t quite name. She just groans and buries her face into the pillow.