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It had been some time since Tenna had made the decision to stay at Castle Down and entertain the Darkners. It was a somewhat difficult decision, but a necessary one—especially while trying to become “a better person.” Like any being, Tenna has flaws, sometimes quite burdensome ones, which can make him rather unpleasant at times. He will never be able to get rid of them entirely, but… learning to lessen them, to know when to stop and calm down,that’s a good start, right?
His former employees, and even the Darkners from Castle Town, would come to help him organize small shows. There was always a good atmosphere, and Tenna made a lot of effort to stop yelling at everyone, allowing himself to actually enjoy his own performances. From time to time, “movie nights” were organized at the end of the evening, and it brought great joy to the TV man to be able to broadcast classic films. Sometimes, Susie and Kris would bring old tapes, which Tenna would eagerly take, offering a few words of thanks in return.
This life wasn’t so bad…
Of course, his arms sometimes hurt, and now and then, during cooking shows, certain pains would force him to drop whatever pan or kitchen utensil he was holding. He was used to it by now… This injury, inflicted by the Knight, would probably stay with him forever.
But there was still one small downside. Even though Queen was delightful company, along with the adorable Lancer… there was sometimes a smaller Darkner who followed him like a shadow. Impossible to catch or surprise—every time, the little one would flee. Tenna would sometimes see them upon waking, holding something stolen from his fridge, or peeking curiously at one of his shows. But the moment Tenna tried to approach, to call out to them… the Darkner would run away.
(It was probably that weird rat that tried to steal the PIPIS.)
Speaking of which! After a day spent entertaining the Darkners, Tenna only wanted one thing: to return to his room and spend some time with the blue egg. The last remnant and gift from… his former business partner. Every time he thought about him, his chest tightened and his screen flickered.
(He should have run after him and ignored the phone.)
(He could have helped him!)
Tenna took a deep breath as he opened the door to his room… and what a shock it was to see that damn rat! WITH THE PIPIS IN ITS HANDS? N–No! That’s impossible! He hid it so well! …Should he have put it in the compartment in his stomach instead???
He couldn’t let it run off with the PIPIS! Not with the last memory of his partner! Please… Tenna growled as he stepped closer to the puppet, which backed away while clutching the egg possessively.
-...Come on, I don’t know what you want, but… are you mad at me for covering you in foam, is that it?? You want revenge by tearing away the thing I cherish most, is that it?! I won’t let you do that! H–He entrusted it to me, he trusted me to take care of it! I—...
HAHA YES! HE TRUSTED HIM! And he was ready to help him deal with the consequences!
AND WHEN HE NEEDED HIM MOST, HE CHOSE THE PHONE!
Tenna whimpered as he finally fell to his knees beneath the flood of memories and the wave of guilt that washed over him. His partner… Truly, he should have listened to Mike and never made him sign that contract. They could have been happy together! Have a family! Make even more people happy!
When the TV man lifted his gaze, he realized the puppet was still there. That was strange,why hadn’t this Darkner taken the chance to run away? Watching more closely, the puppet seemed rather… hesitant. Torn between approaching Tenna, as if part of it wanted to help him, and fleeing. But it said nothing, clutching the egg tightly, its body unsure whether to run or stay.
-It’s strange how you almost… look like him. You’re just a bit smaller, and you don’t look like an Addison at all. But the hair is very similar! And there’s something else, too, but I can’t quite… HAHAH! I’m losing my mind, aren’t I! I’m so desperate that I’m seeing him everywhere!
Tenna began to laugh, then to cry, as his size shrank and his screen went black. Ouch,he thought he had overcome the sadness and the guilt, but no. It was still… there. And now he was the same size as the weird rat standing right in front of him! B–But he had to pull himself together—he had to save his child!
The TV man didn’t notice that the puppet had gently set the egg down and moved closer to him. Without a word, a small hand rested almost timidly on the top of his head and began to… pet him? What? Why? Even if it made no sense, his body welcomed the gesture, and he leaned slightly into the touch.
-.....I often [DREAMED] of seeing you in this [STATE], back when I slept in the [TRASH], but I don’t like seeing you [GLOOBY]... I suppose I’m [WEAK] as well.
Huh? Tenna doesn’t understand, but… that voice… Even though it’s broken up by mixed-in advertisements, now that he’s paying closer attention… it sounds very, very much like his ex! But that’s impossible! He must just be… rambling. The TV man can’t help but burst into tears, feeling even worse.
The puppet’s teeth chatter, then its hand drifts toward the CRT’s antennas. The Darkner still remembers all the good times he spent with him; he knows exactly how to comfort this stupid giant. So he gently begins to massage Tenna’s antennas, until he finally stops crying.
-I don’t know if you’re really him… or if I’m just imagining things, but… but… I have to say I’m sorry. I acted like a selfish jerk, I only thought about myself! I should have… been there… listened to Mike… I-I just ruined everything! Oh, my little mailman! This is all my fault!
-Not [EVERYTHING]. I also have my [ERRORS] in this story. [10]. We need to talk.
Tenna lifted his face a little, trying to get a better look at the puppet, who spoke as if it were his former partner. And if… it really was him? Then had he been with him all along? Waiting for the… right moment? But then why try to steal the PIPIS?
…Ah—if it was him, maybe it was precisely because he wanted to spend time with it? It was technically their… child? Tenna kept crying as the puppet ran its free hand over the screen, trying to wipe away the tears, but it wasn’t very effective.
-[?!&!] [10], stop crying like a [BABY]! Since when are you such a crybaby? Or are you [BROKEN]? I should try to fix that… First, we’re going to turn your [SCREEN] back on.
The hand on his antenna stopped massaging and shifted to lighter movements, skittering along the length of the antenna. It was still comforting, but it sent little… tingles through him? It wasn’t unpleasant! But the antenna tried to flee from this new treatment, which didn’t seem to please Spamton, who brought in his other hand to attack the second antenna.
-W–ehehehe–what are you d-doing? Hihi, w-wait, I’m—
A few giggles escaped Tenna as he backed away slightly, making the puppet raise an eyebrow. Well, his screen was still black, but Tenna had regained a few inches in height, that was a good sign!
-I’m [FIXING YOU]. And don’t [WORRY], I know exactly what I’m doing. [STUPID BOX].
They had always been very… stupid and childish, back then. After the shows, it wasn’t uncommon for them to relax at Tenna’s place, watch a movie, or roughhouse like kids. They only looked and acted like adults when the cameras were on; once they were off, they let their love and their chaotic, silly relationship run free.
And Spamton had missed that.
Just as much as Tenna had.
-I don’t need fixing, I’m in perfect shape!
-You are [GLOOBY].
-No? I’m nohohoh–I’m not, ahahaha! Oh nohohoh! Not thahahaha!
Tenna fell backward onto his back as Spamton climbed over him to continue his vicious attack. His little fingers slipped and squirmed everywhere he knew the cathode was ticklish—no spot was spared. And all the TV man could do was scream with laughter or giggle, flailing his arms and legs… without begging for mercy even once. Even Spamton couldn’t help laughing along with him, enjoying being able to act this way again.
It was only when the puppet targeted Tenna’s knees that his screen flickered back on, showing a goofy smile and a pretty little flower at the tip of his pointy nose.
-O–ohohoh–okay! I’m fixed! I’m not glooby anymore! Mailmahahahan! Spaaaammy, please!
The moment he heard his nickname, his hands stopped tormenting the TV man, and the puppet shot Tenna a curious look. Oh? He had… heard it properly?
Taking advantage of Spamton ending his attack, Tenna sat up and pulled the puppet into his arms, hugging him tightly and burying his nose in his hair—probably to breathe in his scent and make sure all of this was real. The puppet stiffened a little at first, then eventually nestled against him without a word.
-..You’re right. We have… a lot to talk about. I–I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you right away, and…
-[STOP]! We need to [COMMUNICATE], but we don’t have to do it [RIGHT NOW]. Later, yes. And not in front of the [PIPIS]!
Tenna let out a small laugh as he raised a hand to gently scratch the puppet’s hair, which it seemed to enjoy a lot—especially judging by the little chirping sounds Tenna could hear.
-You’re not wrong… We have a LOT to talk about, but I suppose we can just cuddle for now. We will talk later, though!
The puppet nodded as the TV man continued to hug him. He eventually stood up and picked the PIPIS up as well.
…Yeah. He had made the right choice by staying in Castle Town. Totally.