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Tenna took a deep, shuddering breath as he stepped out onto the balcony. He didn't usually feel claustrophobic at parties—in fact, when the room felt small it was usually because he was in too good of a mood—but here, with the smaller studio, and nearly two full crews, and so many people he still didn't know, and his most familiar faces missing, he just couldn't-
Calm down, big guy. Breathe. Keep it together. Tenna slicked his antennae back and felt his jacket for his cigarettes. They were where they always were, of course, the inside pocket on the right, but it was nice to make sure. Only two in the box—he had stopped ( paused! ) trying to quit a while ago, with all of the... everything, really, keeping him too stressed to let go of the habit. Still, he tried to only ever keep a couple on him at a time, just to keep it in check.
After a long, deep drag, Tenna leaned on the balcony railing and exhaled slowly, already feeling less jittery. Despite that, his fingers tapped on the railing, not quite able to get out of his head. He was a performer, a host, a star , so why did he feel so invisible? The existing crew and audience seemed nonplussed about his appearance at most, purely professional in their support of his show. He couldn't connect with his new actors, though he had to admit he wasn't trying very hard. Even the friends ( well, employees really, but that's good enough right now ) that came with him seemed more interested in their new coworkers than in him. It made sense, really. They were used to him, and everything here was so new and different , and they never really liked him that much in the first place, of course nobody has eyes for him, of course nobody-
Well.
Nobody except him .
Zanny. The other host. The other television set ( why on Earth are there two TVs here? ). He's looked at Tenna plenty alright, often outright staring. While shaking his hand. From across the greenroom. Even from the audience every now and then, those unblinking cyan eyes trained on him like spotlights. Normally one to appreciate every ounce of attention paid to him, Tenna had to admit it was a little unsettling. Zanny's gaze was intense, it reminded him of when Shuttah was recording, and he had no idea what it meant! He never approached, never showed any emotion except that unwavering toothy grin ( could he make other facial expressions? ), heck he had barely said a word to him since he introduced himself on day one! It made some sense that they didn't interact much—with Tenna on the day block and Zanny on the night block, there wasn't much overlap in their time spent in the studio—but this was driving him nuts .
Tenna took another drag of his cigarette, letting the necessarily slowed inhale even out his breathing. Think about something else. Don't let him get to you, I bet that's what he wants. He gazed out at the dim lights of the distant city, appreciating the subtle indigo glow silhouetting the tall buildings like a sunset. It reminded him a little of when the laptop came home, Cyber City and its denizens mingling with TV World, partners in dazzling colors and lights. He always admired the way every window lit up in neon colors, a whole city of screens. These buildings too had windows that seemed to light up, but only in pale whites and deep blues. Nearly half the windows were dark though, a sight he couldn't imagine in Cyber City.
Tenna had eventually learned from asking around that there was no way to get to the city on the horizon. It seemed like the prevailing idea around here was that the city wasn't really inhabited, just shapes in the darkness to make the world feel bigger. Tenna watched a blue light in a window gradually dim until it went out, and a window a few floors down click on. He'd like to think there was another Dark World over there. Perhaps this place had a Cyber City of its own.
"Beautiful view, isn't it, Mr. Tenna?"
Tenna startled and reflexively dropped his cigarette, quickly stepping on it and grinding it out as he turned around, and was met with that grating cyan grin. Ah. "Well well, if it isn't the 
"Oh, I'm sure everyone's having plenty of fun," Zanny shrugged as he strode to the edge of the balcony, gazing out at the distant city instead of at him for once. His voice was much more subdued than Tenna was expecting, based on their first interaction, and from the maniacal outbursts he occasionally heard from the set while he was packing up. He supposed he wasn't exactly a stranger to playing it up for the camera either. "Besides, a bit of cool air is nice on the old electronics, isn't it?" Zanny closed his eyes ( so he CAN do that ) as he took a big deep breath in, and let it out with a satisfied sigh. "Bless the staff, but not all of us are made of solid plastic or pure shadow."
"Heh, tell me about it," Tenna gave an awkward little chuckle. He glanced from Zanny to the city, then back to Zanny. He still felt tense, prickly and on edge in the other host's presence, but he was also... curious. His wires buzzed with nervous energy, urging him to escape and be alone, but, well, he wanted to learn more, didn't he? Figure out what the heck this guy's problem with him was? Besides, he had never met another TV before, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to chat with his new coworker for a bit.
"Do you have a light?" Zanny asked without looking at him, a cigarette twirling around his dark-gloved fingers. Tenna's nerves were telling him this was his last chance to get out, but he already felt his hand searching for that right pocket.
"Of course, of course," Tenna handed his lighter over, watching the way Zanny's cyan glow glinted in the metal rather than looking directly at him. The other host tilted the lighter back and forth for a bit, as if he also was examining the way his screen reflected in it, before making a little hum of approval ( approval for WHAT? ) and lighting his cigarette.
"Thank you," Zanny said as he offered the lighter back. Tenna took it and carefully put it back in his pocket, smoothing his jacket down, slicking his antennae back, taking the opportunity to readjust his mindset back to socializing. When he looked back up, he realized that Zanny's hand was still out, holding the cigarette strangely. Tenna's gaze moved up from his hand to his face, and was met with that same- darn stare again.
Tenna cleared his throat, not sure what Zanny was expecting from him. "Do you, er-"
"It's for you," Zanny answered the question Tenna hadn't quite managed to ask. "Something seems to have happened to your other one."
Tenna's antennae flattened back. "Ah, yes, aheh, that." Of course he saw it, always staring like that, nothing gets past him. He hesitated, unsure about what Zanny meant by this little gesture. "I'm fine, really. Shouldn't be smoking the things anyways, nasty habit."
"What, worried about keeping up appearances?" Tinny laughter came from Zanny's speakers, though it didn't sound canned. "Tell me Mr. Tenna, did you used to do kid's shows?"
Tenna's antennae perked up. "I did, as a matter of fact!" He leaned on the railing, his smile relaxing slightly. "Did you?"
"No, no, I've always had the night blocks, the shows I'm plugged into are a bit... niche," he chuckled, as if laughing at some private joke. "I can tell when someone has, though. They all have this manner about them, like they're always thinking about the role model they could be. How much they stick to that, though...?" he looked down at the cigarette for a moment as he began to twirl it around his fingers again. "That depends on the person." Zanny looked back up at Tenna, tilting his head slightly. "From what I've seen, you do quite the job holding yourself up to those standards, even now."
Tenna couldn't help but puff up a bit at those words (even if some petty part of him wanted to comment on just how much Zanny's been seeing of him). The way those spotlight eyes stayed locked on him still gave him that unsettling static in the back of his neck, and he was feeling a little seen, but... almost in a good way, this time. "Oh, you flatter me," Tenna feigned humbleness. Then, a thought crossed his mind and his antennae stood at attention. "You say they all act like that, have you met other hosts? Like... like us?"
Zanny shook his head. "I'm afraid not, my experience is all with actors," he answered with an apologetic tone.
Tenna deflated a little. "Right, right... of course." He cleared his throat, turning back to look out at the distant city again. A breeze blew by, and it felt colder than before, though with it came the faint taste of smoke. He glanced down and saw the cigarette, still in Zanny's hand, still held as an offer. "Do you not smoke?" he finally asked, pushing those thoughts out of his mind.
"Not really, no," Zanny admitted, though more with the tone of letting him in on a joke than one of revealing a secret. "It makes for good workplace relations to have a pack on me, though. And," he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a tone of hushed gossip, "I have to admit, I like the smell. Taking a drag myself is a bit much for my circuits, but secondhand?" Zanny leaned back and breathed in, a small wisp from the lit cigarette pulling into his vents. "That's just right."
"I see, I see." What an odd man. However, Tenna had to admit he wasn't so bad when he wasn't staring intensely at him from across the room. It was better when he stared at him- well, less intensely.
"There aren't really appearances to keep up here," Zanny held the cigarette up, offering it again. "I don't mean to encourage a nasty habit , of course, I can respect a no. I'd just hate for your smoke break to be cut short on my account." Zanny's toothy grin didn't change much, but Tenna was starting to notice when it shifted slightly. It seemed... warmer.
Tenna chewed the side of his tongue as he looked at the cigarette. I suppose it'd be good to accept a little hospitality . After a moment of hesitation, Tenna gingerly plucked the cigarette from the other's fingers and put it between his lips, doing his best to ignore the way Zanny's eyes brightened as they followed the motion. He was pleasantly surprised to find they were his usual brand, the familiar taste soothing his wires a little. He must have bought them from Ramb , he noted to think about later. After slowly exhaling, Tenna glanced over and gave a small appreciative smile. "Thanks, Zanny."
"Of course," the man beamed back, then turned to look at the skyline again. Tenna followed suit, finding the silence peaceful rather than awkward for once. The two TVs watched the windows gradually blink on and off for a while, letting the smoke and the cool breeze blow through their vents.
Just as Tenna was starting to feel relaxed, he felt it again. The static. Creeping up his neck, involuntarily adding tension to his shoulders. He glanced over and sure enough, Zanny's pupils were there, watching Tenna out of the corner of his eye, screen still facing the city. Tenna began tapping his fingers on the railing, debating whether or not he should say something. The man seemed pleasant enough so far, but this was ridiculous, wasn't it?
"Do I have something on my nose?" Tenna chuckled with a tight grin, hoping he would just take the hint and realize his staring was noticeable.
"No," Zanny replied simply, and continued to look directly at him, seemingly oblivious to his own oddness.
Tenna bristled. This was starting to tick over from unnerving to irritating real fast. "Alright, what is it?" he snapped, rounding on the other darkner and dropping his smile. "Ever since I got here, you've been doing nothing but staring at me! What's the problem? Are you mad there's another TV here now? 
Zanny stared up at him, his eyes widened slightly and his smile a little less bright. Then... that little snake had the nerve to laugh . His mouth grew taller as he leaned on the railing, shaking his head. "Oh, Mr. Tenna! I refuse to believe nobody's ever told you-"
"Told me 
"That you're incredible to watch!"
Oh.
If nothing else, the surprise took a little wind out of his sails. Tenna didn't shrink, but he could feel himself get less spiky. "What?"
"I mean, it's not exactly surprising given what you are, but you're such a natural performer," Zanny said like he was confused he had to explain this. "On and off stage, it's incredible. The way you talk, move, emote, you're captivating ."
Tenna wasn't sure what to make of this. As he stood there processing, his view returned to nearly eye-level with Zanny. "... Really?"
"Of course!" Zanny laughed. "I haven't exactly had much chance to see another host like me work. Besides, your presentation style is so different from what I've ever had on my channels! It's truly fascinating to watch. Come now, don't tell me I'm the first person to admire your stage presence."
"Oh, I, um..." Zanny wasn't wrong ; Tenna was born a star, of course he's had fans, of course his shows have been praised, but he now realized just how long it had been since... his peak, he supposed. Since the audience cheered without the sign. Since his performances were incredible, not just expected. Since he was something fresh and exciting. He hadn't thought of it that way; while this dark world may be new and different to him, he was also new and different to it .
"Well, no," Tenna cleared his throat, straightening his tie after his little... outburst. Zanny's eyes seemed a touch brighter than before. "I suppose I have received my fair share of fan mail" Tenna winced slightly at his own phrasing, but pushed past it. "It's just, maybe, er, ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ᵃ ʷʰᶦˡᵉ." His antennae drooped as his voice came out quieter.
Zanny tilted his head, and it was a few moments before he spoke again. "Well, I can at least say your shows have been a breath of fresh air to the studio."
"... They have?"
"Oh, absolutely," Zanny assured him. "After hearing about your game boards, I had to stay late to see what the fuss was about. It's truly incredible how you work those sets, I could hardly believe they were the same ones I've used! I can't wait to see what you can do once the art department gets to your orders."
Tenna could feel a warmth in his chest, a rush he hadn't felt since- since- well, he didn't have to think about that right now. He was already back to needing to look down at the other host. "You really mean it?"
"Of course I do," Zanny's eyes gleamed. "You're dazzling out there, Mr. Tenna. I know it's been a rough start, but when you get really into it, it's electric . It's a real shame I can't catch more of your shows, I'd love to see how you do when you've picked up some steam."
Tenna was almost twice Zanny's height now, the other host's praise visibly inflating his ego. "Oh come on, now you're just flattering me," he said giddily, half expecting some trap to be sprung, or to wake up from a dream.
"No, I really mean it!" Zanny leaned back on the railing to gaze up at him. "Now, I'm not really supposed to tell you this, but I've even had some actors ask for their contracts to be changed to let them work more day shifts."
Tenna could hardly believe what he was hearing. People actively wanted to work with him? After how his relationships with his old employees had gone, he had to admit it was a little hard to swallow. He crouched down to get his face to a more reasonable conversation height. "Are you sure? They seem so... distant."
Zanny chuckled. "Well, if the shadowmen that came with you are any indication, your old dark world was a lot more..." he hesitated as he searched for the right word. "... exuberant than this one. As you get to know them better, you'll see how they enjoy the show."
Tenna couldn't stop a sappy grin from growing on his face, or a pink flower from growing on his nose. They like me, people like me! Stars, had he been doing this to himself? Too wrapped up in homesickness to see that people here, now , enjoyed him?
Tenna heard laughter below him and looked down to see Zanny staring up at him with bright eyes and grinning wider than ever. "Maybe I should be careful before you hit the next balcony up," he teased, and Tenna went slightly pink as he looked up and realized that the balcony above him was, in fact, getting a bit close.
"Ah. Well." Tenna cleared his throat, managing to shrink himself enough to not be completely unwieldy, but he was still a good few feet taller than usual. He brushed away the flower as well, suddenly a little embarrassed at how much he let that go to his head. "Anyways, I- I appreciate the kind words." Tenna went to regain his composure with a smoke, but found that the cigarette was no longer in his hand. He looked down and saw it on the floor; it must have slipped his fingers when he grew.
"That's a shame," Zanny said after following his eye line. "I seem to have lost you two cigarettes now, I'm terribly sorry."
"Oh, don't worry about it," Tenna brushed off, stepping on the cigarette to put it out. "Let's say the two of them add up to a whole, eh? I can't exactly get mad at you for cheering me up," he laughed.
Zanny joined him in laughing. "Good, because it's quite a lot of fun." He seemed to study Tenna's face for a moment. "It's nice to see you feeling good. I hope I'm able to see more of it."
Tenna blushed slightly and adjusted his tie, caught a little off guard by Zanny's directness. "Oh! Um, thank you!" He wasn't really sure what to do with that, but Zanny seemed pleased.
Zanny gazed back into the studio. "The party must really be missing its star performers by now. I think I'll head back down, will you be joining us?"
"Of course!" Tenna's new good mood had erased all of his earlier anxiety, at least for now. Now, he was excited to go talk to the actors and crew and really put himself out there. Zanny's grin brightened and opened the door, gesturing for him to go first. Tenna ducked down to fit and walked down the hallway with a spring in his step, and a warm buzz in the back of his neck.