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There wasn't actually a way for rain to happen inside Gardenview, considering that the building was enclosed from the outside world. Except because of popular demand it was only reasonable for Delilah to install something. Which meant that at certain times, Vee had to stay out of Sprout's floor. It was the convenience of that floor being the only one to actually mimic an "outside", other than when the seasonal toons arrived.
Vee stepped away from the ramp and onto the grass. It had rained a few days ago and based on the frequent rain statistics that she had begun to collect. It would not rain until tonight at exactly midnight, or two days later. A rather big difference, but it seemed to only happen every other three or two days. Which wasn't a very bad thing as she never liked this floor enough to visit often.
A shame Astro seemed to like it a lot more after the new rain addition. Vee couldn't see the appeal even when he told her that it was a nice aesthetic, or how the rain sounded calming. Instead, to Vee—sounded like the drums of death approaching her, and it literally was.
Even if Vee hated the new installation that Delilah had added. She did like seeing Astro happy and if rain was something he seemed to be ecstatic about. Then maybe she could tolerate it. Actually, she could probably see if Shelly liked the rain as much too. Sure the rain could literally kill her from one drop and to be stuck in such a downpour would likely be the end of her. However, knowing whether the fossil enjoyed the rain as much as Astro; then perhaps she could tolerate it all together.
It did seem as if Astro was late, and Shelly was somewhere else for the time being. Astro considered inviting Shelly over to hang out as well, but Vee was quick to disagree. She didn't hate the fossil, but she felt nervous around her. It was an odd feeling and one she couldn't describe—a jittery thing that made her fans shoot up and her own words began to stutter. Vee quickly shook the thought off, trying to ignore the sound of them beginning to turn at even just the thought of the fossil. Asking Astro about it now would've been perfect if he would just show up on time.
Perhaps he forgot and fell asleep again? It wouldn't be the first time it had happened, but it likely won't be the last either. Definitely annoying, but if it meant getting out of Sprout's floor and away from the open sky above her. Then finding Astro would give her an excuse to get away.
Vee didn't realize just how far she was from the actual building before she noticed the first drop of rain. Odd. It shouldn't even be raining until exactly midnight, but that was definitely not right. Considering the fact she jumped back in surprise at the sight of another drop almost hitting her foot. It was beginning to fall irrationally fast which was not good.
There wasn't anyone around either other than Yatta, but it was doubtful that she would do anything. Considering she turned Vee's way and went back to skipping towards the building without another thought in the world. Safely hopping back inside and shooting the television a wave before heading off to who knows where.
If she was right there she wouldn't hesitate to strangle that dang pinata, but fortunately for Yatta. Vee was outside and the rain was beginning to fall a little too fast. She couldn't just run towards the building and take shelter there considering that the rain only seemed to pick up heavily. Instead she was back into a small corner near the edge of the floor.
Vee quickly dashed and sneaked under the thick brush. Shuffling behind it and sneaking as close as possible to the base of the tree. It was likely she could sit out the rain until it finally stopped. Well... not just the rain, but also until the grass would be dry enough to walk on. Just her luck. Maybe instead of Yatta, she'll strangle Astro for making this happen.
The rain fell heavy around her. Drenching absolutely everything in sight and it was nerve-wracking. Vee brought her knees up tightly to her chest, hugging herself as close as possible. Tail wrapping around her own torso as she sat there. Trying to ignore the way the rain pounded on the canopy overhead, making her gears twist at the thought of it breaking through.
It wasn't quiet and the rain sounded so loud around her. Her antennas jolted at almost every drop that hit the ground or leaves. Just anything that sounded so close. Vee buried her face in her arms. The rain was refusing to cease and her screen glitched at every small drop that pattered against her head. The tree could hold, but for how long until she couldn't do anything?
Then if Delilah or Veronica found out she was here and potentially short circuited. Then she'll probably be banned from going outside or even going onto Sprout's floor if that were the case. While she didn't exactly care about this floor too much, she did care about Astro. Which happened to be a floor he liked to stay on.
Perhaps she could get Brightney to do a maintenance check on her instead of Delilah. That way she can't find anything wrong and it's not like Brightney would rather her out. She would never do such a thing.
Vee grumbled, pulling at her antennas as she shook her head and sat there. Feeling absolutely miserable as the impending doom seemed to draw nearer.
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"Hey Sprout, have you seen, Vee? There was something I needed to give her, but I can't seem to find her anywhere."
"Oh, hey Shelly! But um... No? I think she said she was gonna hang out with Astro, but he was actually helping me out with baking for a bit since Cosmo left." Sprout grinned, setting down the tray of cookies he just took out of the oven. Closing the thing shut whilst setting aside the mitts that covered his hands. "Though it is raining right now, so maybe she went back to her floor?"
Shelly kicked her foot against the tiles before sighing heavily. Leaning against the counter top and sneaking a small cookie from the tray as she bit down on it in thought. Ignoring the glare that Sprout shot her as he held up a bag of blue icing with disbelief painted over his face.
"I'm not sure. I mean, maybe she's avoiding me? I keep trying to ask her to hang out, but every single time she comes up with another story. Maybe I'm overthinking it." Shelly grumbled, picking at the dried batter on the counter. "If you find her, please let me know that I was looking for her."
"You looking for Vee?" Yatta grinned widely, hopping up from her hiding spot behind the counter and looking from Shelly to the cookie tray. Her fangs sticking out beneath her mouth as she picked up an unfinished cookie from the same tray. Absolutely oblivious to the baffled expression on Sprout's face. Glaring from both Shelly to Yatta. "I saw her outside. She was just standing there for a while even though it was starting to rain! Not sure what she was planning, but it had to have been important if she was willing to do that."
Shelly perked up immediately before her face fell in a blink of an eye. Frowning at the knowledge that Vee was somewhere she shouldn't be at a time like this. She shook her head. Pushing back from the counter before snagging another cookie from the tray. "Thanks, Yatta! And thanks for the cookies too, Sprout!" Shelly called out. Quickly leaving the kitchen before Sprout could say anything.
"You're welcome!" Yatta waved after the disappearing Shelly. Only to turn back to Sprout and lunging forwards to grab a handful of the last few left. Stuffing them in her mouth as she jumped back from the counter. "Thanks for the cookies too, Sprout!" Yatta shouted. Making a mad dash for the door as she scrambled over all the boxes and crates blocking the way.
"Those weren't for you guys!" Sprout yelled back before ultimately giving up. Heaving out an exasperated sigh as he stared down at the last cookie on the tray. Well, he better not mess up this one. Holding up the bag of icing as he carefully began to outline it.
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Shelly didn't hesitate to grab the umbrella from the small bin near the picnic area. Left there for this exact occasion. It was rather cold and poured heavily, but the umbrella would last. She unwrapped the elastic band off the thing, quickly sliding the bar up and allowing the umbrella to exit in full length.
She stepped out onto the wet grass. Ignoring the chill that rattled her bones as she moved out of the safety of the building. Shelly was already doubting that she would find Vee here. Who would? Vee was a lot smarter than that to actually get herself stuck inside such a shower like this. Robots and water don't mix well and it was obvious from the last time something like this happened.
Shelly sighed as she walked to the edge of the floor. Finding nothing but soaked bushes and drenched trees. Which was probably the most accurate thing ever since it was kind of impossible to see anything under the heavy rain. If Vee were out here, then she would've short circuited by now. It was getting to a lost cause at this point the further Shelly walked. Feeling rather cold the longer she kept looking. Maybe she should've brought a jacket.
Shelly turned around to go back before she noticed a weird glow. It was flickering from green to blue under the brush far to the left. Until it seemed to click just exactly where it was coming from and who it would belong to. Shelly quickened her pace as she moved closer to investigate. Fearing the worst as she carefully knelt down and pushed aside the leaves.
Vee jumped in surprise at the newfound face. Looking rather scared to shocked, before turning back to that same neutral expression she always had. Shelly hummed before slowly standing back up. Shielding away the extra drops of rain that could've hit Vee from the gap that Shelly had created.
"Vee? What are you doing out here? It's raining right now, didn't you know it was gonna rain?"
Vee stared back at Shelly with that same look before turning back to the ground. Shuffling impossibly closer to the tree to avoid the wet grass and the newer drops of water that broke through the leaves.
"Vee..? Let's–"
"Hold on, I'm thinking." Vee interrupted. Turning from the grass and then to Shelly again. Noticing her semi irritated expression. "How am I supposed to go with you if you only brought one umbrella? Surely you didn't think we would both fit under there."
The silence dragged for far too long before Vee deadpanned and shook her head. Tugging at her antennas as she covered her face once more with her arms. Unsure of what to even do now. It was rather inconvenient for Shelly to go looking for her with only one umbrella. Bringing another one even if she was unlikely to find her was definitely smarter, than actually finding her with absolutely nothing to give.
"Yes... Well, no– but I was actually just gonna give you the umbrella. I wasn't really thinking about if I actually did find you. I didn't actually expect you to be out here to begin with. I was getting worried..." Shelly trailed off. Picking at the plastic on the umbrella's handle nervously as she stood there. Unsure of what to do now as Vee just stared at her with zero change.
"You'll get soaked out here if you don't have one either." Vee tilted her head to one side. Screen glitching once more as a few drops of water pattered against her head. "Let's just start going now."
Vee's mind was already made up as she immediately stood up, and hid under the umbrella with Shelly. Keeping her tail wrapped around Shelly's leg instead of her own to keep the fossil from moving away from the safety of the umbrella. She wasn't about to let Shelly get soaked for her own foolishness. That wasn't right, but it was also a terrifying thought of being a bit too close to the edge where the water relentlessly fell.
Almost as if it were trying to kill her with zero remorse. Which wasn't even true because rain doesn't have any emotion and cannot hold grudges. Yet it felt far too convenient for it to happen when she was outside... furthest from the nearest canopy.
Shelly held onto the umbrella tightly as Vee huddled up as close to her as possible. Keeping her from moving away. It was definitely hard to keep the umbrella as straight as possible with Vee not letting her even move her arms with how close they were. Rather comical in Shelly's opinion, but considering Vee's situation. It was basically a death sentence if the umbrella were to move too far away.
Vee was a little too close for Shelly to think properly. She was overheating like crazy and her tail was tightening around her leg with every step she took. It was definitely making the process a lot harder to complete. Not like she was exactly complaining, but was it definitely nerve wracking.
Once they hit the solid wood, Vee didn't hesitate to move away from Shelly and step further into the building. Hugging herself tightly as she got as far from the outside as possible. Like she was somehow going to get wet from the distance they were at. Shelly almost felt disappointed once Vee was no longer with her. It was probably stupid to think, but it felt nice to know that someone needed her.
Shelly slid the bar until the umbrella closed, shaking the excess water off with a quick tap. Humming to herself as she set it back into the small bin that she had originally found it in. Laying it next to the other umbrellas that she should've took with her. It was even a miracle that they made it out of the rain in one piece, even if Vee looked rather shaken up regardless.
She hadn't really seen Vee act that way. Sure she could've short circuited at any moment during that walk, but then again Vee was always quick to compose herself after every misdemeanor. To see her standing there, staring at the heavy rain. Gripping the fabric of her sleeves tighter as her tail seemed to curl around her leg.
"Vee?" Shelly whispered. Careful to not spook the television, but it happened anyway. Making her feel guilty as she watched Vee jump in surprise at the sound of her voice. "Sorry."
Vee whipped around to face Shelly, eyes wide as if she were going to see something that wasn't the fossil. Yet she immediately relaxed at the sight of her, tilting her head to one side the longer she stared at Shelly. There was no longer that usual judgement plastered on Vee’s face. Instead replaced entirely with a neutral expression that Shelly couldn’t tell what it truly meant.
"Um... I am glad you came to find me." Vee moved one of her hands to pick at her bow. Unsure of how to respond. Shelly technically saved her life, so perhaps thanking her was enough. Except that it didn't feel right to thank her if it would mean they were to part ways after this. It was a stupid feeling, but Vee didn't want Shelly to leave. Not yet that is. "I would've short circuited if you hadn't come when you did, but it was still rather stupid that you came outside to find me with only one umbrella when there was obviously multiple here."
Vee grumbled at the sight of Shelly's slight frown at the last part. Was that still the wrong thing to say? What the hell was she even supposed to say then? Vee unwrapped her tail around her legs and began to just curl it behind her in thought as it seemed to tangle itself up. Trying to quickly find something else to say.
"Yeah... Sorry, I know I should've grabbed two and not risk it, but I didn't anyways! I was just in a panic and I couldn't think straight. It was just so cold and I–" Shelly paused. Fiddling with the hem of her dress as she tried to keep her hands busy. Avoiding the burning gaze of Vee whilst keeping her head down completely.
“I didn’t mean that… No, I actually did, but it wasn’t–” Shelly didn’t wait for Vee to finish before laughing. Her nerves seemed to disappear the second Vee couldn’t get a grasp for her words.
“No, it’s fine. I… I get what you mean, you didn’t have to.”
"Let’s just… go inside then.." Vee covered her face with her hand. Her fans suddenly began to pick up at the realization of what she did. She used her free hand to slowly grab hold of Shelly's. Ignoring the look of surprise and sudden protests from the fossil before she went silent. No longer fighting the action as Vee dragged her over to the nearest elevator.
It was rather late out. The pouring rain filled the silent halls with a mixture of calmness and the occasional dread on Vee's part. Shelly would've been alright in the rain, but Vee wouldn't be. Except that Shelly was shivering anyways as they stepped into the elevator. Being as quiet as possible to not alert any potential toon that could be out this late. Vee's antennas perked up as Shelly leaned into her. Closing her eyes and sighing softly as the gentle humming of the elevator indicated its descent.