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"Hmmhmmhmmn..."
Cheerfully, Swatch hummed to himself as he polished off expensive glass after expensive glass. To others, his work seemed boring and repetitive, however it was those quiet and 'dull' moments that helped him in mainting his sanity. Even if it was just common servant work, he enjoyed it greatly, and that was good enough.
As he set delicately placed down the freshly polished china onto the counter top, the Swatchlings observed him in awe. The way that Swatch managed to undergo his work with such ease was mesmerising to them. All of the Swatchlings aspired to be as great as he was one day, taking Swatch as not only their boss, but a role model too!
He shot the clock on the wall a glance from the corner of his eye, then glared down at the watch he had on his wrist. It seemed as if there was a few minute delay between the two.
"Hmm... Now then, it appears that our clock is running ever so slightly behind. I must get that fixed at once... Ah, but as of now, the café shall be closing. Could you all gather around the counter?"
Without any second thought the Swatchlings all stopped what they were doing and gracefully made their way around his counter, looking at Swatch with hope in their eyes behind tinted lenses. They didn't even need to question his thought process, as they all trusted him so strongly that they knew that whatever plan he had in mind would be amazing as per usual.
Having the full attention of the Swatchlings, Swatch smiled warmly, holding his hand out for them to all shake one by one.
"Now then, you have all worked up to an amazing standard, as per usual. I am very, very pleased with each and everyone of you. Your service shall truly be of good aid to our benevolent queen. Ahh... Now, you may all go back to your quarters and rest. You have all earned it."
Shaking hands with Swatch felt like the highest honour to ever be granted— even seeming neck-to-neck with shaking the hand of Queen herself! Of course, this was because of how charismatic Swatch was. Truly, he was a compassionate leader to them all.
As the Swatchlings flocked out of the Colour Café giddily they all thanked Swatch, giving him their praise and best wishes.
"Goodbye boss!" "Have a lovely night!" "Thank you so much!" "Farewell!"
Ahh...
Hearing how eager they all were was like music to Swatch's tired little ears. He couldn't help but beam with delight, almost like a parent after watching their child take its first steps.
Right, now he just needed to count up all the money, then he could—
WHANG!!!
Abruptly, the door to the Colour Café swung open, slamming so hard that it shook in its very hinges. Swatch's attention had immediately diverted to the door, as he readied himself to deal with whoever or whatever it was breaking into his shop. As he spoke his voice grew cold and stern, and he reached for the broom to use against any potential attack.
"...Hello? We are now closed. I am awfully sorry, but you must come back again tomorrow. I do not appreciate how you slammed the door open. If you do not leave these premises now then I will have no other choice than to— ah...?"
That was when he noticed who it was that had barged in so pugnaciously just a few seconds ago. It was his old acquaintance, Spamton G. Spamton, a frequent customer of the Colour Café.
What was he doing there at such a late hour? And actually, upon closer inspection, he looked like he had just crawled through an army of rubbish.
What the hell?
As he spoke his voice sounded weak and vulnerable, and his body shook.
"Swatch...!! Swatch— You— You NEED to [help me]—!! Come on—...!!"
He tilted his head to the side in concern, listening to how desperate the little Addison sounded.
Swatch put the broom away back behind the counter, afterall, it was Spamton. That man couldn't be a threat even if he tried.
"Well... I suppose I could make an exception for you. You seem rather exhausted. Come, take a seat at the counter..."
Swatch pointed his hands down to one of the stools next to the counter, and spamton climbed up it. His stubby little arms struggled to reach the cushion, but eventually he managed to plop himself down onto the seat.
Swatch went back to counting the money at the till while he waited for Spamton to explain himself.
"Oh Swatch— It— It was AWFUL!! HE— A-And at the >final countdown< too—!!"
"Hmm... Oh dear. So, I will assume that this is about your collaboration, yes?"
"OF COURSE IT IS!!!"
He shot Spamton a glare as he yelled.
"I would greatly appreciate it if you did not raise your voice at me in such a disrespectful tone."
"S-Sorry... It's just... Oh SWATCH! It went [AWFUL] !!!"
Hearing those advertisements interrupt Spamton's speech was odd at first, but it was something that Swatch had grown used to. Spamton had always spoken differently than the other Addisons, but that was just what made him all the more special. At least, that was what Swatch used to reassure him with by saying.
"Well...? What happened? You both are in a relationship, are you not?"
Spamton's little body shook with rage at that reminder.
"NO!! BECAUSE THAT [$!$!]ER BROKE UP WITH >me< !!!"
Swatch gasped. He wasn't majorly shocked, but it was still surprising to hear. That explained why the little salesman was so inconsolable.
"Oh...? That explains it all then. I am terribly sorry for your loss, dear Spamton. Could I perhaps interest you in a drink or savoury snack? On the house."
Spamton looked up from the counter which he had previously been slouched over and directed his attention to Swatch.
"Haha... I knew that would get your attention. You always have enjoyed freebies, haven't you? Please, pick any item you wish and you may have it. But do not think that this is going to become the normal between us both. After this you will go back to paying the full price, alright?"
"Yeah yeah, I [got it]! Uhh... Could I get a >>battery acid<< ?!"
"Oh...? That is a rather strong drink. I am afraid I cannot offer you that while in your... current position."
"JUST G1VE ME THE DAMN [drink] !!"
"Sigh... very well then."
Swatch reached for one of the polished glasses and began to pour the drink for Spamton. As he was busy doing that, Spamton shook more.
He just couldn't believe it.
It still felt so fake.
After ALL those years Mike just decides to drop him like an old worn toy?! And for WHAT?! And if that wasn't bad enough, Tenna blames HIM for everything and just ditches him too?! God he was so angry he felt like smashing that stupid TV's screen in so hard until he—
"There you go, a glass of battery acid, on the house."
Spamton snapped out of it as the glass slid across the counter to him, bumping into his arm. Without any hesitation he chugged the entire thing in seconds, and then started to... cry?
God he was a wreck.
Swatch reached out a cautious hand to the shivering salesman, patting him on the shoulder.
"Come on now. You are so much better than this. Better than he is. Pull yourself together. I doubt that Antenna is crying over you in the same way that you are now, so why should you care about him? He showed you his true colours. What he really was. He is a malicious man and being free from him is a blessing. Do not dwell upon what you 'think' you miss, as I doubt he was a good man from the start. You would he much better off if you stopped reminiscing about those times... I am here for you no matter what, so do not fret, yes?"
Swatch's words were like magic. Just hearing them made Spamton stop crying in seconds, and he looked up to the butler with hope.
"You... You think so??"
"I know so. Now come on, get those tears dried up, yes?"
Spamton grinned.
"I— Heh... [THANKS] Swatch!!"