Chapter Text
“...eh?”
“You heard me. Who are ya missing from this motley crew of yours?” Ramb continued, his face contorting into a smirk, “And if you are missin’ someone, have ya got room for one more in your ranks.”
“Are you suggesting… oh, Mr Ramb, are you really certain? Really, truly, surely?!”
“Mhm, ya heard me loud and clear. Your word is king here, TV. Just say it and I’ll do it. Anything to help a friend of Kris’.”
“I… oh, you ANGEL! You utter, utter STAR, Ramb!!”
After a few rapid blinks, Ramb felt himself get scooped up in Tenna’s arms and held so the pair were eye level. From this angle, the latter’s face seemed so much softer. Tears threatened to spill from digital eyes,
“Yes, yes, you can stay! Please, please do!” The CRT affirmed, sniffing back aforementioned tears. “Gosh, it isn’t every day that someone comes to little old ME for a deal like this! And it’s someone who’s dear to Kris too?! Why, I could just—”
“Easy there, big guy. Don’t want ya to short circuit before we can actually get to work, eh?” The plugboy chuckled, “It’s kinda odd, though. Haven’t been in a Dark World in quite a while.”
“You mean, you hail from elsewhere?”
“Yup. Cyber World born and bred. Born and manufactured? I dunno how it works, but yeah. I come from there.”
“Interesting… Well, I’d love to hear more, my friend! Though I ought to take you somewhere more comfortable to do so. What kind of host would I be if I didn’t properly accommodate my guests?”
“Yeah, I guess you’d be pretty rotten at your job if that were the case,” Ramb let out one last chuckle, before turning to the other with a nod, “Lead the way, mate.”
And that’s all Tenna had to hear before the plugboy was hoisted over the TV’s shoulder and carried into the hallway. If he really focused, Ramb swore he could hear mechanical whirs coming from the other.
Eventually, Tenna threw open a particular pair of double doors with a grin, placing Ramb down with a swing of the arms.
“Oh, LANINO? ELNINA?” We’ve got a little visitor!”
Ramb looked around a second, before spotting two figures on one of the sofas, cuddled up to each other. Both tilted their heads upon hearing the bombastic call of the CRT.
“Ramb, those two over there are my dearest seconds in command! My beloved weather duo and the power couple to beat all power couples! The shining moon LANINO, and the elegant cloud ELNINA!”
“Always the flatterer, Mr Tenna,” Lanino smiled, giving Ramb a polite wave, “Well despite my own talents, I wouldn’t be where I am today without my dear Dewdrop beside me.”
“Oh, Lanino, we all know it’s your shining self that supports the pair of us!” Elnina giggled. “But yes, welcome, Mr Ramb! It’s always nice to see a fresh face here!”
“Aw, bless your hearts. I’ve definitely had quite the welcome,” Ramb turned to Tenna, who gave a semi-bashful smile in response, “Working with you all is gonna be top-notch, eh?”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself, Mr Ramb! Now, I’ll leave you to get settled, but there’s one last thing I’ve got to introduce first…”
Tenna walked into the center of the room, gesturing around him. As he did, Ramb took the chance to look around. It was a fairly quaint place- green stars ebbed and flowed across the walls of the room and only a couple of couches and a minibar could be seen. Calming music appeared to be flowing from somewhere, but Ramb couldn’t find a speaker anywhere.
“Welcome to the GREEN ROOM, my friend!” Tenna continued, “Don't worry- I have not brought you here without a reason in mind. I was thinking, you’re quite the personable little plug! Not to put words in everyone else’s mouths, but I’ve certainly felt charmed by you in this short window of time.”
Now it was Ramb’s turn to feel a little embarrassed. “You sure as hell lay the compliments on thick, eh?”
“I’m just telling it how I see it, Mr Ramb!”
“With what eyes, luv…?” Ramb asked, causing the TV to laugh loudly.
“See, that’s exactly what I mean! You’ve got one heck of a talent for this. I’m almost tempted to make you my Co-Host, but I don’t think the audience is nearly big enough to justify even having one…”
Tenna seemed to noticeably deflate at the thought of this, though he tried his damn hardest not to let it show as he quickly steered the conversation back on topic, “So, here’s my grand IDEA… how do you fancy manning the bar?”
Ramb looked back over at the bar, eyeing it up and down. It was a little dingy- clearly long-abandoned, but it had its own charm to it. And with a little bit of that and this (and this and that), he could get it looking top notch again.
Hell, when the lights came back on, maybe Ramb could do something about getting these guys involved in his and Kris’ shenanigans. But only time would tell as far as that was concerned. All Ramb knew now is he had the chance for another fresh start. In a new Dark World. One where maybe, just maybe, he can finally belong.
“Consider me signed, luv~”
“WONDERFUL!"
Tenna’s smile grew once more- picking the plugboy back up and wrapping him in a tight hug. A very tight one. The way Ramb’s head was being squished between the CRT’s head and hands sure as hell wasn’t helping nurse the migraine.
Thankfully, Tenna’s outburst seemed to draw the attention of the Weather Duo. Elnina began waving rapidly in the pair’s direction. “You’re going to kill the poor plug before he makes his first drink, Mr Tenna!”
“Ah, right… apologies, Mr Ramb!” Tenna’s grip loosened, opting to just hold the other again. With his vision back, Ramb was able to notice a bright red flower that had sprouted from the other’s nose. Though at this point, nothing could shock the plugboy.
“No worries, Tenna,” He smiled. “Your enthusiasm’s keeping me perked up.”
“Hah... well, I'm glad! It's all in a day’s work for a host like myself!” Tenna chuckled, “Now, what do you say to a little Icebreaker game? Lanino, Elnina, what’s say you?”
“I’m not opposed to that!” Lanino responded, “Especially if my dearest cumulus is by my side!”
“And by your side I’ll be!” Elnina confirmed, “I’d like to make sure our new friend is settled here, too!”
“PERFECT! One moment while I retrieve a game, then! I’m sure I placed some board games somewhere…”
Tenna ran through a door to the side, muttering to himself all the while. Once they knew he was out of earshot, the Weather Duo began to chuckle.
“Our apologies, Mr Ramb.” Lanino began, “He is, in fact, always like this.”
“Eh, better an over-warm welcome than none at all.” Ramb giggled, but the embarrassment was still present in both his face and voice. “Seems like you’ve all got a good thing goin’. Hopefully more of us will come in as well.”
“Yes, yes. It was looking a little hopeless until this evening, but it seems the forecast is shifting! We’re burning bright and hot!”
“And there’s a pleasant mist in the air, too!” Elnina added, “Thank you for being here, Ramb!”
“My pleasure~”
After some more back and forth between the trio, Tenna returned with a few board games in his arms. “We’ve got plenty of choice! Anyone feeling anything in particular?”
“I’m easy, luv. I’m not got the faintest clue on any of ‘em.” Ramb responded, “How about you two?”
“I believe we’re both okay with whatever!”
“Yes, yes.”
Tenna nodded, “Well, it seems we’ve got no choice but to work through them all! We’ve got a long night ahead of us!”
The other three nodded back, and Ramb couldn’t help but grin a bit. It’d only been a few hours (by his estimates), but this was already feeling like something of a second home. Despite the odd circumstances and the sudden switch-up, he was in the highest of spirits.
And it didn’t take a media expert or a mechanic to know Tenna was too. When the CRT noticed the other’s grin, he met it with one of his own.
Yeah. Something told Ramb everything was gonna be swell.