Chapter Text
“That's all, folks! Thank you, thank you! Thank you all for coming tonight! That wraps up our show for this evening! TV TIME will return at five PM DTZ next Tuesday and Thursday for the weekday broadcasts, and we'll be live all weekend! Be sure to tune in!”
Tenna exits the stage with a soft sigh. The attendance today is small; much like every day, the numbers keep dwindling. He glances at the audience one last time, watching the attendees excitedly discuss the show. However, he can't focus on that—he's too busy counting the empty seats. He shakes his head and moves backstage. There, he is greeted by his two second-in-commands, who are both waiting patiently with big smiles. Lanino claps his hands excitedly, while Elnina claps more demurely.
“Great show today, Boss! That was the highest number of viewers we’ve had all month!” Lanino exclaims.
"I know! The extended segment you both suggested seemed to really help!" Tenna responds, biting back his frown. God forbid he look GLOOBY. He’s groovy, not GLOOBY.
Elnina steps in, "Yes, we were thinking maybe we could all play some games in the green room after we finish cleaning the set, if…you are interested?"
"I... I... was actually going to put some finishing touches on the script for the weekend broadcast. Those things won't write themselves, right? But thank you for offering! Truly! I’ll join next time! Host’s promise!"
The weather duo both visibly show signs of disappointment; Elnina's shoulders drop slightly, her clouds darken. Lanino’s flames die down. Nevertheless, they nod and walk away. Tenna straightens his tie and heads to his dressing room, which doubles as his office. On the way, several employees try to talk to him, which causes him to get increasingly more irritated. Finally, he steps into his office and locks the door behind him to avoid further interruptions. He slips off his suit jacket and murmurs to himself as he hangs it up.
The truth was, he would've loved to spend time with his friends. Elnina always pulled out the best games! She always did at the company-mandated pizza parties anyway. But he NEEDED to get these scripts written. He needs to find something that will stick. The stand-up comedy didn’t do anything. Lanino and Elnina’s “extended segment”—that consisted of Lanino ranting about the ENSO system for an extra twenty-five minutes—helped, if only for a little bit. There was NOTHING that had helped in recent times, so the weather duo racking in a few extra views was good news!
“Oh, who am I kidding?” He murmurs to himself
The TV man sits down in his chair and slouches, holding his head as he continues to mumble aimlessly and reflect on things as he writes. The bright lights in the dressing room beat down on him. The glowing lights of the vanity mirror, the blinding fluorescent overhead lights, and even his own screen are trying to sabotage his vision. His antennae droop, and he grumbles in annoyance as he moves around to turn off all the lights except for his trusty desk lamp.
He plops back down in his seat and resumes writing, thinking about what he could do, what could be done? Comedy doesn’t seem to work anymore, a game show is impossible with no willing contestants…for a talkshow he has nobody of note besides himself, you know.. Mr. (ant) TENNA. He can’t interview himself!! He’s done that already! Three times! Why is it so hard to find something that people will watch? He isn’t irrelevant, not like that damn mailman. He still had it! He was on TV. No, the FACE of TV! Everyone loves TV!!
So WHY is NOBODY watching it?! Views went from in the hundred-thousands to just barely skimming over twelve thousand views ON A GOOD day. He HAS to work harder, it’s the only answer! He HAS to keep up without trying to learn what the HELL an email is! What even is an email? E-mail? E-mail. Why is there an E? What does it stand for, and why is mail whatever E is? No, no, no! He must focus. What is he supposed to be doing this weekend?
Six and a half hours of the same reruns. That’s what Toriel said she’d have on at least… That’s alright! Just fine! He can work with that! Re-runs! He might as well specialize in reruns at this point since he’s played them so much! Great! We’ll be just fine!
Tenna straightens his tie and YANKS on his antennae. Why CAN’T everyone just watch GOOD TV? The same reruns can only be so entertaining for so long! He can entertain! He was made for it! He’s good at it! Let him entertain! He can-
CRACK.
What.
"Wh—" All thoughts stop. His head goes silent. Tenna looks up from his desk and turns his attention to the drawer where he placed the Pipis after one of the Pippins found it. Stunned, he carefully opens the drawer. His eyes land on a hairline fracture in the shell of the pristine blue egg.
“..No- No!! Was I shaking the desk too much? I’m sorry!” He exclaims, scrambling around his desk, he has glue somewhere, he knows he does! He’s panicking, he hurt her…
Chirp
Tenna jumps back, the crack gets bigger, and noise starts to become audible. No, he didn’t hurt her.
"She... She's HATCHING!" he exclaims as he leans over the drawer. Oh, she’s finally hatching! After so long! He gently scoops her up in his hands, watching her little hand reach out from an opening she’s made for herself. She topples the egg over and lands in his hands. She looks up at him with what can only be described as confusion.
“OH my little DARLIING! You’re here! Oh, you’re so cute! I have to show you to everyone!!”
Tenna does a spin and carefully cradles the small darkner against his chest. With his freehand he brings one antenna down to call Mike.
“Mike! Mike! Come here to my office! Bring Elnina and Lanino- No bring Ramb- No no! Just bring everyone!” He doesn’t wait for a response before hanging up. In the meantime, he twirls in place.
“You’re a what?” Mike asks, suddenly this costume feels a lot more sweaty and stuffy than usual.
“I’m a father!! Look at her! Look! Isn’t she just so cute!!! She has my eyes.”
“But you don’t-”
He crouches down to his employee’s level and moves his precious daughter forward so they all can see. A various cacophony of either coos or groans rings out.
“Boss..uh, how's are you going to take care of her..?” A zapper asks nervously, which gets Tenna to pause…for exactly three seconds before he bounced up.
“I’ll carry her around the studio! We have to get her used to it early.” Tenna states proudly, earning a few concerned grumbles. Elnina shuffles on her feet nervously before clearing her throat in an attempt to gain the crowd's attention…it fails. Lanino sighs and just walks up next to Tenna.
“Now is a better time than any.” He gets on his tippy toes to look at the little bird-like critter. Elnina walks up beside her partner. “Oh, looks like she’s gonna have a play buddy.” Nina coos happily. Tenna gasps and leans closer. “You don’t mean..” The weather couple both nod. “Two little darlings running around this here studio! Mike, go start baby proofing everything, STAT!” The Microphone grumbles and walks out, most of the crowd leaves as well, Ramb stays for a moment to offer babysitting if needed, and comments to Tenna how ‘she looks just like her dad’ before leaving.
“What’re you two gonna name her??” Tenna asks as he cradles his own little girl. “Well, we don’t know the gender yet.” Lanino murmurs, “You don’t..? But..it’s a girl. I can sense it.” Elnina cocks her head. “Sense it..?”
“Yeah, with my antenna.” He answers like it’s the most obvious thing ever.
The duo both shrug and nod. “Well, we were thinking ‘ENSO’ at first, but I didn’t quite like it. So we decided that depending on the gender, it would be Labebe or Elbebe.” Elnina remarked as she folded her hand across her abdomen. “I still think ENSO is a great name,” Lanino adds before getting a playful whack from Elnina.
“Well..what are you naming yours?” Elnina asks. Tenna blinks or does the equivalent for an eyeless creature. “I.. don’t know..”
“Well, we could always give baby names!” Elnina offered cheerily.
Tenna ponders for a moment "No..I think I have something in mind actually. You should go. I'm sure you have your own baby planning to do!"
"Right..good luck! Call if you need anything." Elbebe declares as she exits, her husband quickly following behind her.
With Tenna left alone he holds his newborn daughter close to him, tucking his long nose into her soft fluff. The newborn coos happily and wraps her tiny hands around his nose
"..My little spark of joy..Sparkie.."