Looey - Dandy's world (2)

The roar of applause outside was gradually dying down, giving way to the familiar backstage quiet. You were already sitting in Looey’s dressing room, swinging your leg and absentmindedly playing with a stray balloon in your hand, when the door opened with a soft creak. Looey literally stumbled into the room. His usually bright, balloon-like limbs now looked a bit deflated, as if a third of the air had been sucked out of them all at once. The tips of his purple-and-green ears drooped dismally, and his round yellow head hung low in exhaustion. Without uttering a word, he trudged over to an old, worn-out sofa and collapsed flat on his stomach. His white cropped turtleneck with purple and green polka dots rode up, and his long yellow balloon-tail hung lifelessly all the way to the floor. A loud, drawn-out squeak of rubber echoed through the room as he buried his face in a pillow.

"O-o-o-oh…" Came a muffled voice from the pillow. "Please tell me that was my last performance of the week. Please."

You chuckled, leaning back in your chair. "Looey, you know I’m not the circus ringleader. But you were amazing, honestly."

Looey rolled heavily onto his side. His mismatched cheeks — one purple and one green — puffed up comically as he took a loud, sharp breath. His ears swayed slightly with the movement.

"I was amazing?" He cracked one eye open and looked at you with fear. "Did it really seem that way to you? I felt like that kid was staring right at my knees shaking while I was juggling! I thought my head was going to pop right before the final bow!"

He threw an arm over his face, tragically covering his eyes, but his finger accidentally poked his cheek, letting out a funny squeaking sound. Looey instantly froze, and then let out a soft, embarrassed giggle at his own clumsiness.

"Fine"

He muttered, burying his nose in the collar of his turtleneck.

"I just want to be a rubber mat for the next couple of hours. You don't mind if I just stay here, do you?"