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Pluey was on Mike duty that day.
Battat was sick that day, so they were one Mike short. Jongler was holding down the fort while Pluey handled stuff out on the floor. He was pretty worried about his little Pippins buddy. They weren't one to often take time off, even while sick. But that day, they had barely managed to wake and tell their friends that they didn't feel good before fainting again.
The Shadowguy was so scared by how they couldn't even move properly without groaning in agony. They sounded like they were on the verge of death, hardly coherent and hot to the touch. Jongler had tried to reassure him that they would be fine, that they just needed some rest and medicine. But he wasn't sure. They looked like they felt awful. He had never seen them like that before.
Jongler had suggested that Pluey would be more useful working with Tenna that day while they took care of Battat and handled the remote work. He thought they were right, but found that he still couldn't stop worrying about them. He was far too distracted and kept messing things up. Tenna got annoyed with him a lot for making small mistakes, he kept dropping stuff he was carrying and kept losing focus when he was supposed to be listening. He's the Mike that listens, after all, so what was he good for if he couldn't do that?
"Mike? Miiiike! Helloooooo?"
He jolted to attention as Tenna's voice cut through his brain fog. He looked up at him and felt a shiver pass through him at his annoyed expression.
"Seriously. What is up with you today?? You're acting so out of it. Are you ok?"
He gave the best smile he could muster and nodded frantically, trying to convince him that everything was fine. His boss looked unconvinced, until he sighed and shook his head. "Really, Mike. This cat thing you got is cute and all, but you gotta get a little more serious. Communicate with me, tell me what's going on so we don't get any more issues!"
Pluey's ears fell as he said that, feeling so meek and helpless right then. He couldn't talk, even in his usual voice. Tenna would figure everything out if he heard one single sax note. So all he could do was hang his head in shame and kick at some dust on the floor.
Tenna looked displeased with the reaction, but just scoffed and turned towards the snack table nearby. "Whatever. Just help Ramb and the lot set up the snacks for the after party. I gotta handle some paperwork quickly."
He nodded weakly, still staring at the floor as he heard the big footsteps grow more and more distant.
He was being such a bad Mike.
Battat would be disappointed.
A few minutes went by and Pluey helped put out the big bowl of punch on the snack table, closely followed by a Pippins holding a stack of red cups. He hadn't really acknowledged anyone around him. Communicating felt like too much. It was so difficult. He just didn't know what gestures to do to get his points across, so he just tried keeping to himself.
It was going alright. He put down the big bowl and made sure it didn't spill any of its contents.
"Cracking work, luv. Didn't lose a drop of it."
He turned to see Ramb standing behind him, looking pleased with all the hard work getting done. That was a slight relief, at least. He went to give a nod of gratitude, but stopped as he spotted something moving behind the plug.
A Maus was scurrying across the floor, somehow going completely ignored by all the workers around it. But Pluey noticed it in an instant. It immediately caught his attention and he stared at it intensely. Ramb got a confused sneer on his face at the sudden change in Mike's demeanor.
"Uh… Mike, mate? Alright? You look a bit-"
Before he could finish, the costumed Shadowguy launched himself past the shorter man, aiming for the Maus. It noticed the attack and dodged just in time, running off to another part of the room.
He didn't waste a second and gave chase, shoving his way past all the employees and knocking quite a few of them over in his pursuit. He managed to corner the animal and stared it down with a wide gaze.
As he pounced at it again, it took the chance to run underneath him, leaving the crazed cat to bash his head into the wall. But he didn't, instead using the wall to change trajectory and continue the chase without as much as a pause.
It quickly scurried over towards the snack table and got underneath the long tablecloth. He didn't care. He was honed in and on the attack. So he leapt off the floor and towards the table, flailing as he got caught up in the cloth. He managed to pull it down from the table and send everything on it flying, including the giant punchbowl.
It threw the drink over a large part of the people standing in the general vicinity of the table and then some. It completely soaked everyone, making them gasp and groan in outrage.
Pluey sat on the floor, rubbing his poor head as it spun from the sudden halt of his chase. He felt dizzy and confused, not sure what just happened. He only knows that he lost the funny little moving thing.
"WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL, DUDE?!?"
He jumped at the loud shout directed his way, landing on all fours and arcing his back in a defensive stance.
"Seriously!!! What is WRONG with you, dude?!?" A Pippins yelled as they removed their poncho to wring it out. Another Shadowguy also started shouting at him in aggressive trumpet sounds, telling him that he just ruined the entire party.
Pluey looked around in alarm, seeing everyone glaring and muttering their own complaints at him. But he couldn't understand what they were trying to say, his heart was pounding too loudly and adrenaline was still running through his body. He was in danger. This was an unsafe space. Run. Run. Run.
He, once again, leapt into action and ran out the room as fast as he could, still on all fours as he took off down the hallway. Everyone watched in stunned silence, not sure what the hell just happened with Mike.
*~*~*
Tenna was rushing down the hallway away from the party room. He just got the scoop about what happened.
His immediate reaction was concern. What had gotten into Mike?! Why had he been acting so strange throughout the day?! Why would he go crazy like that and cause such a mess?! It was not like him at all! Something was clearly wrong!
He ran towards Mike's room, hoping that he had gone there after the incident. But he actually stopped and glanced up at a door that stood slightly ajar. Weird. Why was the guest star changing room open? They hadn't had a guest feature in a long time.
He peeked his head in and looked around, noting the few pieces of furniture that were toppled. He walked inside, following the line of chaos that led to the dresser in the corner. Kneeling down, he peeked under it and found a pair of pink and yellow eyes staring at him with an unblinking gaze.
"Mike! Oh thank goodness I found you! I was so worried when I got the call about everything that happened! What's going on? Why are you-?"
Tenna stopped abruptly, noticing how Mike was trembling and backing himself up against the corner, back raised up high and head low to the ground. He looked like a frightened animal. It made the CRT even more concerned and very confused. What was happening?
"... Mike? What… What's wrong? Are you feeling ok?"
He didn't receive the response he was expecting. Instead, he got this angry, low hiss as he saw his tail curve upwards slightly at the end as it hung straight down. Did… did Mike really just hiss at him??? Why was he acting like an actual cat?! This wasn't the time to be-
He paused, thinking over it for a short moment. Clearly, Mike wasn't well. Something was going on. He's not acting like himself, but as a real animal. He freaked out for some reason and went to hide underneath a dresser, as a cat would most likely do.
Was… was he…? What? He had no damn clue what the problem could be, other than Mike is a cat. But why???
"... … … miiiike? Heyyyy. It's alright. Come on out."
But he didn't. His assistant just pushed further against the wall as his fur rose and he shook harder. Seemed like he wasn't coaxing him out.
Tenna sighed and stood up, walking back over to the door and closing it. He didn't need his closest guy running off and getting himself into more trouble. He was not in his right mind. Turning back around, he was surprised to see the two-toned eyes peering out at him from under the dresser, clearly further out from the wall than earlier. But when he noticed Tenna saw him, he scurried back under it again.
Oh! He's watching me still! Is he… on guard? Or maybe he's just curious but still scared. Maybe… maybe I should just sit and wait.
Tenna headed over to the couch, taking a seat and idly watching the dresser for any activity. He could see Mike moving around under there occasionally. He'd sometimes take a peek at Tenna before retreating again. He was honestly starting to get disheartened with how skittish he was acting. It felt like nothing was going to work. So, feeling like he didn't have anything else he could do, he just laid across the couch as best he could. It was a little small, but he was at the perfect size for his legs to comfortably dangle over one arm as his head rested on the other.
He stayed there for some time, trying to cobble together a theory on what had happened to make Mike act like this. Was it some sort of mental break? Was he acting this way to get out of work? No. Mike would never try and skip out on his job. He was a dedicated-
A sound caught Tenna's attention and he whipped his head around to see the frightened cat having finally emerged. He was standing a few steps away from his hiding spot, accidentally stepping on a random piece of paper. As soon as Tenna moved, he jolted and took a startled step back, looking at him with a twitching tail.
The TV took note of the reaction and decided, for some reason, to slowly turn around and lay back down again. He seemed to only dare approach him when he wasn't looking, so he thought that maybe it would encourage him to keep going.
It was quiet for a moment before he heard the faint rustling of the paper again from Mike lifting his hand off it. He stayed where he was, waiting to see if Mike was approaching him or not. If he went for the door, he would see it.
It took a minute or two for something black to poke into his peripheral, making him turn his head slightly for a peek.
Mike paused, this time not jumping in surprise or getting as tense as earlier. But he was still guarded, observing Tenna. So he hummed lightly and tilted his head away more from the cat, trying to appear like he was ignoring him. That must have intrigued Mike, as he noticed him inch closer with a curious look. It was kinda funny how he was suddenly so interested now that Tenna wasn't giving him his full attention. How very cat-like.
"I'm not looking… I'm just chilling here. Just relaxing and hanging out" he said casually as he swung one leg slightly, making Mike immediately switch his attention to it. He pattered over towards it and circled it slightly, giving it a small sniff out of curiosity. He tried to restrain a chuckle at that, finding it kinda cute. He really was just a cat. So… maybe he could…
"... Pspspspsps."
The sound had Mike raising his head in attention, ears perking up to further prove his interest.
"Yeah. Come on. Pspspspspsps."
Tenna rubbed his fingers together as he extended his arm toward him a little, delighted to see him walk back over to his side and sniff his hand. He was cautious, but clearly invested in the movement and the sound.
"There we go. What a good kitty. Want some pets?" He spoke in a soft, babying voice as he extended his fingers to rub his head. But Mike recoiled from it, giving it an uncertain look. Tenna stopped and kept his hand where it was, waiting for him to make a move first.
He sniffed the hand again, watching it for any further movements. When it didn't move again, he gently nudged his nose into it, rubbing his snout along his fingers. Tenna cooed gently and moved one finger to gently scratch at his cheek.
That little action caused Mike's entire mood to change.
He immediately shoved his face into the hand before nuzzling desperately into it, making these high trilling noises in the back of his throat. Tenna gasped in delight and started petting him like mad, so happy to see him enjoying the affection. The fear had vanished, replaced with this adorable craving for pats. He moved over so he could reach his other hand out and scratch him under the chin. The cat started purring loudly and leaned into the contact, tail swishing excitedly from side to side.
"Awwwwww~! Who gave you the right to be this adorable? Huh? Who let you hog all the cuteness?" The TV continued gushing as he squished his assistant's fuzzy cheeks together and watched him blep unintentionally. How could he be such an adorable cat? He usually didn't act that much like a regular cat. Usually his behaviours fell more in line with a feline lightner than an actual animal. He was still very much intelligent and sapient. But… this? It was like he had lost all semblance of intelligence and was reduced to a simple minded kitty.
Mike suddenly pulled out of the grip on his face and ran closer to the couch, raising his hips in the air and wiggling it for a second before leaping up onto Tenna's chest. He moved up towards his screen and started nuzzling up to it, purrs noticeably vibrating through his whole body. Tenna laughed at the overaffectionate darkner, smothering his face with all the puffy fur.
"Hahaha! Hey! Easy now!" He laughed and rubbed his back. This was actually kinda fun! He had never really had a pet before; he was just always too busy for one. But having something close to a pet at that moment made him so happy. It should probably feel weird, considering this was one of his employees. But Mike didn't mind, so why should he?
After a moment of snuggling, Mike pulled back and walked down to Tenna's chest, stepping in circles a couple laps before settling down, purring in contentment. The host cooed softly at the sight and reached over to pet his head again, earning a satisfied noise from him as he leaned into the touch.
"Poor little thing. Probably got scared from all that chaos back there. Was everyone being mean to you?" Tenna asked him in an overly sad, pouty voice as he scratched behind his ears. But Mike gave no answer, just continuing to vibrate pleasantly. So Tenna kept talking on his own.
"Yeah, I bet they were. Bet they yelled at you too. Why would they do that, huh? You don't know any better!"
He wasn't being completely serious with all his comforts. Obviously they had a good reason to be upset. But he wouldn't try to explain that to the poor guy after he had just started feeling secure again. Not that he even believed Mike would understand any of it right then, he seemed a little… out of it. Probably had some sort of mental health episode. He knew what it was like having one of those. So he couldn't help but to feel bad for him.
Tenna was surprised as he felt his shirt getting pinched, bringing him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see Mike, holding part of his suit in his mouth while kneading his hands into his boss's chest.
Oh… he's not just a cat…
He's a kitten.
That made Tenna feel worse about everything that happened. He had been putting so much pressure on his assistant when he had been feeling so small and fragile. He had probably had such difficulties understanding anything his boss told him to do, trying his best while he himself just complained and demanded more. It would explain his clumsy behaviour throughout the day. His heart broke at the realization.
"Oh… little baby. I'm sorry you had to suffer so much today."
Mike's head shot up as Tenna said that, a brief glimpse of some sort of recognition in his eyes. It was as if he had said something big, something that really resonated with him, because he started tearing up right afterwards.
"Oooooh… don't cry, cutie pie. Come here…" He wrapped his arms around him and lifted him up closer to his face for a short nuzzle. Tenna knew what it was like to feel small and scared, to be helpless and in need of a little support.
"Let's go to my room. I'll keep an eye on you there. You must be hungry too. I'm sure I got something you could eat there."
Mike sniffled silently before letting out a strained, weird sounding meow. It sounded like something between a cat and a trumpet, which Tenna just chalked up to him not having talked a lot today and probably feeling a little hoarse. Poor little thing.
He stood up with the kitten cradled in his arms, smiling reassuringly at him as they left the room, heading towards his own room where they would have a bit more privacy.
*~*~*
Where had Pluey gone?
He was supposed to come back to the Mike room and report on how everything was going, but Jongler hadn't heard anything from him for a while. He didn't even answer when they tried contacting him on his earpiece. It made them nervous.
So, still in their Zapper uniform, they headed out to look for him after making sure that Battat was alright to be left alone. They were feeling better after some medicine and much needed rest, so it shouldn't be an issue to leave them for a little while.
The first thing Jongler did was go to the party room to see if he was there and, if not, at least ask Tenna where he was. When they arrived, they were stunned to see that Tenna was nowhere to be seen. Just a bunch of annoyed Pippins and Shadowguys, still preparing for the festivities. The Zapper looked around in confusion as they jumped inside, scratching their head.
"You're lookin' lost, mate. Can I 'elp you?"
They turned to see Ramb approaching, apparently noticing them searching for something.
"Um… yeah. Have… have you seen Mike or Tenna anywhere?"
"Well Mike took off after goin' bonkers and knocking over the punchbowl. Tenna went to look for him."
They jolted in surprise, hearing that Pluey had freaked out for some reason. That wasn't good! What happened? Had he been so worried about Battat that he just… had a breakdown? If that's the case, then Jongler needed to find him immediately.
"Kn-know where's he went?"
"No clue, luv. But I bet Tenna does."
Made sense, if he went looking for him. But if Pluey broke down in front of Tenna, that might be really bad. It might either give away his real identity or it could upset Tenna. Even if it wasn't likely, they didn't like the risk.
"Thanks. I gotta go!"
"Good luck, mate." Ramb waved them off as they left, jumping off towards Tenna's room. It was the first place they could think to check. If he wasn't there, they would just ask around.
Getting to the host's personal room, they raised their arm and gave the door a firm knock. They heard a startled yelp before two recognizable footsteps approached, opening the door a crack for Tenna to lean out.
"Ah! Y-yes? What's the problem? I'm a little busy right now."
"Sorry fors my intrusion, but I's was wonderin'... well… have you's seen Mike around? Heard he had a bad spill." They tried their best to sound casual, not wanting to weird Tenna out. But instead, he started looking nervous and a little annoyed.
"I-I don't see what that has to do w-with you. You shouldn't be poking around in people's business!" He said defensively as he was already retreating slowly into the room.
"N-no! No! I'm just worried 'bout him! I wasn't-"
Tenna suddenly turned around and looked back into the room, muttering quietly, "not now. I'll be back in a sec."
"Huh? Sorry. Didn't catch dat."
"What?! N-nothing! I didn't say anything! I was just- I mean-! Why are you worried about him? I'm sure he's fine!"
Why was Tenna acting so nervous?
"Um… well… He did act pretty darn weird and… it just worried me a bit. He's didn't seem too well."
"I-um! well he- uhmmm! I w-wouldn't- I mean- It's not- I was trying to say that ahhhhh… he's fine! He just… headed back to his room!"
Ok. Now Jongler knew for a fact that he was lying to them. They had been in that room the entire time until just recently. No way he somehow slipped past them by accident. But… they couldn't really call him out on it. Also, why is Tenna lying about it?
"Um… you… you's sure, boss?"
"Yes! I'm sure! Now will you get out of my face already?! I have important business to-"
As Tenna started yelling at the nosey Zapper, he was interrupted by something behind the door seemingly touching him. He turned to look at whatever it was, which gave said thing the opportunity to slink by his legs and launch itself at Jongler.
They gasped as they fell over, gripping the dark blur to their chest out of habit from having Pluey pounce them constantly. When they focused on whatever it was that bowled them over, they found that it actually was Pluey! He was looking at them with big, sparkling eyes and was fidgeting against them restlessly.
"H-hey, pal! Dere ya are! You's had me worried dere for a while!" They said with a relieved laugh, reaching up to rub his head like usual. He just started purring like crazy, digging his gloved paws into their uniform and nuzzling their hand.
"You… you know each other?!?" Tenna gasped in shock as he watched Mike so easily heap affection onto this random Zapper by his door.
"Yeahs! We're friends!"
"Oh! I… guess that does explain why he was so insistent on getting through."
"Mhm! But uh… whys he here? An' why did you's lie?"
Tenna stiffened in embarrassment, realizing he was caught red-handed in his lie. How was he supposed to explain what just happened to Mike's friend? Should he reveal something this sensitive? They must be wondering-
"W-wait! Wait a second! Why aren't you more confused about this?"
"Huh? Confused about what, boss?"
"About … about the way Mike is acting!"
They looked down at Pluey for a second, taking in his condition. He seemed… fine? He wasn't acting particularly strange. They looked back to Tenna and tilted their head.
"Just- ugh… just come in for a second and let me explain."
They did. They sat down on their boss' couch and listened to him explain what he had experienced of Mike's behaviour. Meanwhile, Pluey was begging for attention in the form of belly rubs by exposing it to them, tail twitching in displeasure. That was, until the Zapper gladly gave him what he wanted, earning them those joyously little trilling sounds.
"So… you's saying dat… he was actin' like a proper cat? Like, no communicatin' or nothin'?"
"Exactly. He had never been so skittish before and it scared me. I had to be so careful for him to actually come up to me. And when I said the last part about being sorry he had to suffer, he started crying. I think he really is acting like this from stress."
That… made sense. Doing typical cat things with Pluey was the easiest way to calm him down or cheer him up. He had quite a few cat mannerisms he resorted to when really worked up too. They didn't think much of it; he was a cat guy after all. But then again, it wasn't like most of the Shadowguys had bunny mannerisms or anything. Why had they never noticed that before?
"I see. Dat explains lots, actually. It ain't like I's haven't been pettin' him and stuff before. But he's… never gone full cat mode before."
"Same here. I usually just indulge his affections whenever he's using his cat outfit. Didn't see any harm in that. Still don't, but I just don't know what to do with this."
"Wells, sir. If you's askin' me, I say you've done pretty darn well so far" Jongler admitted as they looked down at the napping kitty on their lap, looking so cozy and secure.
"Awe geez! Thank you, pal! I just… have a bit of experience with what he's going through." He started blushing, rubbing his neck from the flattery.
Boy, don't they know it. They also had to deal with Tenna at his low points, so they could absolutely confirm that statement.
"Well thanks for takin' care of him. And for lettin' me know about all dis. I'll be sure to talks to him 'bout it. Will you's be fine keepin' an eye on him?"
"Of course! I'm doing great, aren't I? I'll make sure he's back to his regularly scheduled programme in no time! Plus, I don't mind having such an adorable kitty around! Isn't he just the cutest thing?"
Jongler looked down at Pluey, cuddling up sleepily with a small smile on his face. He was still purring loudly and looking so serene, like nothing could bother him right then. It made them smile to themself, feeling warm and fuzzy inside at the sight. He was absolutely the cutest.
"Yeah. He's really is."