"Dear Diary. Today was the first day of Training Camp. I've never seen so many Toons in one place! Honestly it was a little overwhelming, being in such a place. Mom and dad came with me to see me off. Mom cried. I knew she would. I think dad cried too, but he didn't want to show it. Yet I didn't cry. I wanted to cry. I feel like I SHOULD be crying. I'm actually excited to be here. It's the first time I've ever left home and it's everything I thought it would be. Toontown Central is exactly how I imagined. The sights and the sounds were silly, the Toons were friendly, and it just felt good to be somewhere else. Cookie is in my unit which is awesome, too. I can't imagine being here without him. He's really helped me get adjusted. Can you believe that Clerk Clara is leading us? I've read about her and seen her in the news, but seeing her in the flesh was something else. We worked on basic things today - why we're here, the cogs, things like that. Tomorrow we are going to work on basic strategies and communication. I can't wait to start splatting some cogs. I've been warming up by throwing arm and my juggling skills and these cogs aren't going to know what hit them."
Putting down his pen, Raindrop look around him in the pitch black bunker room. Sleeping Toons in rows of beds surrounded him. A flashlight was the only obscurity from total darkness. Throwing his legs over the bed, he stood up and grabbed the flashlight. Tip-toeing his way across the room, he kept the device pointed at the ground, being careful not to awaken anybody else. The building itself was actually a large tent that had been previously used for Toonfest that had been quickly turned into a makeshift campground. Looking over occasionally at the others, he had not seen a familiar face. Everybody here was a stranger. His stomach started to churn with excitement as he finally reached his destination. Walking into a curtained off section of the tent, he pushed aside the drapes and walked in. Filling the room were boxes and boxes of gags. Off to the side, large cog dummies lined the wall. He had heard about some of these. Big Cheeses, Backstabbers, and Minglers. All of them were as intimidating as one would imagine from their descriptions. Looming tall over him, in drab colored suits, they stared blankly at him. He could feel a chill run up his spine, and the fur on the back of his neck rose. Backing up slowly he kept his eyes focused on the objects in front of him. The further he backtracked, the closer they appeared. Turning around to run he found himself facing several lines more of cogs he fell backwards as he collided with a fake Number Cruncher. Breathing heavily his body felt colder. His heart raced. All around him were cogs, he couldn't feel anything bus his own heart pounding against his chest. His vision became blurry. Why had he come here?
A voice broke through and suddenly the cogs were gone. "Hey, you. What are you doing in here?" A female voice could be heard through the entire room. Leaning up, Raindrop looked up to see a black cat wearing a bright orange shirt and skirt. Walking over she reached a hand out, gripping his extended arm and pulling him up. "You okay?" she questioned, a look of concern on her face.
"Yeah, I'm okay. I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't be in here.." He had noticed that the cat was wearing a Resistance Star - signalling that she was a captain or at least somebody of importance in the Resistance. His body had still not caught up with his brain. Still shaking, and nervous he stared at her unsure of what to say.
"Glad to hear that. Anyways, what ya doing in here this late at night? Training isn't for another nine hours. Shouldn't you be sleeping?" The black cat smiled, gently. "You remind me of my son. I mean you're definitely older than he is, but that adventurous spirit." Stopping, she looked up to the ceiling. "I'm sure he's probably asleep right now though. Like you should be, Ranger. She placed his hand on his back and walked him towards the way they came in. Stopping by a crate Raindrop placed his hand on it and ran it across, it's wooden texture softly scratching against his white glove. In red text painted on the box it wrote "Cream Pies." The black cat looked over and giggled. "How's your aim with those things?" She whipped her arm in a circle, warming up.
Raindrop looked over inquisitively and smirked. "You're talking to the pie throwing king of Minnie's Melodyland. Won the local Toonfest two years in a row. I could hit a Bottom Feeder from fifty feet." He watched as his superior opened a crate and lifted out a small box of pies.
"Well I guess today is my lucky day then, Ranger." She grabbed a pie from the container and tossed it up and down in her hand. "About time someone might give me a challenge." Looking to her right, she tossed a pie at a Big Cheese, hitting a bulls-eye right in the chest. It was at least 20 feet away. Raindrop looked impressed.
Grabbing a pie from the container, Raindrop pointed to a Micromanager in the corner placed between two large crates, gently snuggled in the middle. On it's chest was a white and red target. "What do you think, forty feet?" Making a quizzed face he watched as the cat's face feigned shock. Focusing on his target, he readied his arm. With one swift motion he launched the pastry towards the short angry replica. The sound of an explosive splat let him know he had nailed it.
The two took turns picking targets and throwing pies, making small conversation and joking quietly as the minutes turned to hours. Reaching into the now empty crate, the cat patted around. "Looks like we're out." The two laughed as they looked around the cream covered room. "I think we should get out of here before someone else comes in." The two made their way back into the sleeping corridor and Raindrop reached out his hand. Grabbing it, the cat shook slowly. "Nice to met you.."
"Raindrop. My name is Raindrop. It was quite the experience Captain."
The cat smiled and shook her head. "No need for that, Ranger. Just call me Reessess."
Bloople sat on the couch. On the floor in front of him Hula and Miko were laying on their stomach with a floor covered with arts and crafts. Various paints, glitter, markers, and paper all around them. Smiling he looked at his whisper device and re-read the message again. "Hey just got to Training Camp a few hours ago. Everybody so far has been incredibly kind to me and very supportive. I actually got to meet Ranger Brownie, you know the brown mouse? He's a lot goofier in person if you can imagine that. Anyways, I'll be in touch when I get the chance to keep you guys updated. Love you guys, hope you're doing well without me there. Don't forget to do the dishes."
Placing his device back into his pocket he looked down at the two girls, giggling and drawing. "Hey guys, I know you are busy with your sign, but maybe let's take a break and go to the park? Sun is shining outside, maybe we can go on the swings? Stop and get some ice cream or something?" The two young Toons jumped up in exuberance at the news. Running to find their shoes, Bloople watched them and grinned. The whisper device started to vibrate. Reaching into his pocket he pulled it out. "Message from Pickle" it read. His heart sprang. Even though she was somewhere safe he still could not help but worry about her.
"Hey sorry I couldn't respond last night. Things got super busy after we got there. Setting up camp, and meeting people, and everything else? I was exhausted. Anyways, today was basic training stuff. I mean, I don't really need it, it isn't like we haven't had to fight a cog before. Watching some of these younger Toons though. It reminds me of us when we were younger. I feel for them. They shouldn't be here. It made me think of Hula and Miko and why I'm here. For them, and for you. Anyways some grump yellow rabbit named Devin is bossing everyone around so I need to go. Talk to you tonight? Love you guys!"
Bloople was lost in the message as a barrel of energy flew down the stairs in eruptous laughter. Hula and Miko had gone crazy with their new accessory trunk. Hula was wearing a pink bow attached to a viking helmet, a pair of hypno goggles that had a nose with mustache glued onto it. Miko had a large floppy pink hat, a matching pink scarf, heart-shaped glasses and oversized shoes. The two giggled as Bloople put his hands on his hips. "You guys are going to go out like that?" Trying to restrain his laughter, he did his best serious tone. "You really think that's okay?"
The girls looked down apologetically. "Sorry daddy." Miko whispered.
"Yeah sorry dad. We thought it would be fun to get dressed up." Hula added.
Bloople could not hold in his laughter anymore. "You guys were gonna let me go out like this while you look THAT fashionable? Have some mercy on your old dad, won't you?" He grinned as the two young toons ran over and grabbed his hands.
"Come on dad! We got just the thing for you!" Miko called out as the pair dragged him into the bedroom upstairs. Some time passed, as the three joked and laughed. Trying on different outfits and accessories before the two settled on his look. A large, rainbow colored propeller hat twirled on his head. Over his face was a large scuba mask, complete with oxygen tank. A pair of rainbow angel wings stuck to his back. complimenting his large cowboy boots. The three held hands as they waddled their way down the stairs. Today wasn't going to be a day to worry or stress. Today he just wanted to have a day with his daughters at the park. The three skipped out of the door and down the path to the park. Singing silly songs and making corny jokes. No, today was a day for fun.
Rudy looked around the large empty building. The sound of her footsteps echoed as she followed Romeo through a door. he was talking but she could hardly listen, as she was still overwhelmed by the whole situation. Only two days prior had she agreed to the new bakery idea, but she didn't think it would go this quickly. Romeo had this planned weeks in advance, and had already had gone through the trouble of securing a location on Barnacle Boulevard, right next to the famed Dime and Quarterdeck Bank. The walls were painted a bright white, and the spacious rooms had only begun to be filled with various kitchen equipment and other necessities. Romeo had almost exploded with excitement as he had pulled her along. Focusing back in on what he was saying, she watched as he opened a large oven. "I was thinking that maybe we can expand a little bit once we get going. I left some room so that we could add additional ovens if needed. Anyways, you're the head chef here. I think you should have some say here. What do you think, honey?"
Rudy looked at her boyfriend, giddily rocking back and forth with excitement. She let on a light smile and looked back at him. "It all sounds great, babe. Although don't you think we're moving kind of fast here? I mean, I didn't realize you already had the building and everything. I thought we were still talking about it. Don't you think maybe we could have talked about it a bit more first? I know you're exited - and I, I am too, but.."
"No, you're right cupcake. I should have talked to you about this. It's just, you know. Mom was heading off to help with the Resistance and so she really wanted to get everything in place before she left. We hardly even had the chance to talk about it. She's paid for everything though, so you don't need to worry about a thing. We'll finish getting everything set up in the next few days and we can get started." He walked over and grabbed Rudy's hand. "I think we're probably going to need some help though. I was thinking maybe Allen could come on board?" He rubbed his arm slowly.
"Allen? Listen hon, I know he's your brother and everything but has he ever been in a kitchen before? This isn't just some fun weekend project. This is supposed to be our lives now. I'm giving up a huge opportunity to come be here with you. I can't afford to fail.." Rudy looked at the ground, letting her hands drop to her side. "I know this isn't a game to you either, but Allen? I know you guys are close, but I don't think we could handle him. Not at first, at least."
Romeo looked at her and sighed. "Rudy. Please just give him a chance. I know you two haven't always been on the greatest of terms, but he's still my brother. How could I tell mom that after she did all this for me, I wouldn't even let my own brother join in? Come on, babe. We'll hire other Toons, too. Experienced ones. We can start him off slow. Doing prep work and everything. He'll get his feet wet and I'm sure in no time he'll be a regular pro like you and me. He smiled, reaching his hand out he brushed her fur aside.
Rudy took a few seconds to ponder her response. "..Okay babe. But I want to hire someone myself then."
Romeo was elated. jumping up he grabbed her hands excitedly. "Sure thing! You're the boss babe! Just tell me the name and I'll make a call!"
"Berry." Was all Rudy responded. Romeo's elation soon turned to frustrated confusion.
"Berry. As in your ex-boyfriend Berry? Why would you want to hire him on? He's a jerk. Why would you want to hire someone like that? Besides, don't you think he's a bit old to fit in with what we're going for?" He scratched his chin. "I just don't get it."
Lifting herself up and sitting on a counter, Rudy placed her chin on her knee. "He is a jerk. But he's also an amazing chef. We'd have someone with experience leading a kitchen. Someone who is comfortable with working with me and will know what I need. Yeah, he's a jerk, but right now we need to make sure that this is a success and I don't want to take any risks. What we have landed on our feet, we can decide if we want to keep him on board. Besides, he's only thirty-one. Not exactly retirement age." Romeo's face cringed at the idea. Working with his girlfriend's former lover was a difficult proposition. Rudy could feel the tension and leapt off, walking over she hugged Romeo. "Don't worry. I have no feelings for him anymore. Besides, it'll be great he sees you running a successful business while he is taking orders from you." She smiled and kissed his cheek. "There's nothing to worry about."