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"Then just beyond that pyramid, they'll reach long hallway that leads to a door straight to the PHYSICALLY CHALLENGE! And if you'd LIKE, your free to test that out too!"
"No, I think I've seen about enough..."
Ramb sets his controller down and slumps back into one of the bean bag chairs. He looks up at Tenna, the much larger Darkner sitting in front of him. He switches the Legend of Tenna screen back to his face. Tenna's wearing a big, doughy grin, his nose pointed down at Ramb with eager anticipation.
"So, what did ya think?"
"Honestly? It's right, boring."
"Oh... ACTUALLY! Why am I surprised YOU would say that!"
Ramb sighs, he knew he'd get defensive.
"Come on now, Tenna. You can't actually believe Kris would like any of this rubbish! A hand full of enemy encounters, the easiest puzzles I ever laid my sockets on, and those damned quizzes!"
AH- Hey, first off, LANGUAGE! Second off, everyone LOVES a good quiz!"
The bartender scoffs.
"Of course, you think that... Look, T, keep your quizzes. Just consider adding back in those non-playable enemies. Would at least give 'em a real challenge."
Tenna shakes his head.
"No, can do! I've already had Mike set up a CONTROLLER SYSTEM! Only those with a controller can act as an NPC in game. I thought it be fun way to get everyone involved!"
"Heh, you don't say..."
Ramb was about to leave—there was no point in continuing to argue with the Lord of Screens, especially nowadays... But something stopped him. It was his idea to use Mantle as a segment in TV Time. Did he expect Tenna to change things?
Of course! But to strip it down to dullest thing imaginable? Now that made Ramb rightfully pissed!
"Ramb?" Tenna asks.
"You have anymore input?"
Ramb blinked at him slowly. Was he joking? He already made it pretty clear he wasn't going to consider any of his other critiques. Why bother bringing up more? Hell, why even drag him in here in the first place?
"What do you care?"
"Huh?"
"You heard me. What. Do. You. Care?! It's not like you actually care for me opinion. Besides, it's not like you were actually planing on changing anything anyhow."
"Oh, well..."
Tenna shinks a little, his head hung low, and his nose gone droopy.
"It's just, the whole Mantle thing was your idea. And you don't usually like to participate at all!"
He touches his index fingers together, adding, "I thought I'd at least try and keep you involved by letting you playtest my version of the game. Maybe I should've asked you before implementing the controller system but we're kinda already pressed for time so..."
“Oh, huh...”
Ramb smiles, he's touched. As frustrating as Tenna can be, he’s not the worst.
“So, you do care…” he says softly.
"Hm? What was that?"
Tenna tilts his head, not quite catching what he said.
"Nothing. It's nothing, T."
Ramb hops up from his seat and walks up to him. Getting on his tippy toes, he gently grabs Tenna's head at its corners.
"Right, look, I just want you to know I appreciate you trying to keep me in the loop and all, but this TV Time business is your turf, innit? So, just ignore everything I said, huh? I'll do my part and you can carry on doing yours, alright, luv? "
"Yeah."
Ramb lets go of Tenna’s head and takes a step back, giving him space. A second later, Tenna goes back to his full size, his head shooting up like a rocket.
"Yeah, ALRIGHT!"
Ramb nobs.
"Then, it's all sorted! I'll have a quick look at our guest of honour, then head back to my stall."
He steps past Tenna heading toward the exit.
"Catch you later, Tenna!"
Tenna waves a quick goodbye, rising to his feet. Just as Ramb starts to turn away, Tenna calls out, stopping him in his tracks.
"Uh, Ramb?"
"Yeah, what is i—"
"You mind helping me unplug myself from the console?"
Ramb turns back to find Tenna standing up, half-bent over, with the console hanging just inches off the floor.
"Heh, yeah right on it, T."