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“Can't we come with ya, boss?”
“Uh...I'd rather you not.”
That's what the mischievous demon heard while outside of Battat's room, which it was currently snooping around in.
Friend spends an unnecessary amount of time with Battat, as their little arrangement calls for it. They can come and go as they please, and say or do as they please. The little Pippins can't complain, because he has no authority over it. He wanted their help, so he should play by their rules.
Even so, he's still unbelievably stubborn. He'll do anything to make sure that Friend doesn't get their paws on any sensitive information of his. If he doesn't want to talk about something, no amount of inconveniences or vague threats will make him give in. Even if it's the most basic, uninteresting thing about him. He's still clearly terrified of the creature ruining his life somehow, but he stands his ground so firmly that Friend doesn't have the heart to follow through.
Of course, it could always be more demanding with him...but where's the fun in that?
He's a cascade of unanswered questions, a character who sticks to his role, and Friend has the most fun when it's being fed breadcrumbs of knowledge. They've realized that cruelty gets them absolutely nowhere, and he closes himself off even more because of it. Sometimes, he'll avoid them for weeks over a grudge, and it's an agonizing punishment.
So they're playing the long game now. And they like it that way. Any time with their favorite Pippins is time well spent!
But now, he's apparently leaving to go somewhere...secretive, alone, without his needy little friends to accompany him. He can usually be pushed by them a little more to get him to bring them along, a scoff unable to hide how comfortable he eventually looks. This time, he sounds tired, and...almost ashamed.
What could be so bad about it? There's only one way to find out!
They get closer to the door, almost pressing against it. They hear Battat begin to stammer a deflection.
“I mean– someone has to go be Mike while Tenna's doin' his thing, right?? We won't even be able to sit together, and the auditorium will be packed, and it's a complete bore anyway!!! Trust me, you're better off if ya don't bother!!!”
His confidence is shaky at best, making Friend smile to itself. If they have to take a guess, they assume that he's going to do some prodding around in a public space while Tenna is distracted, in order to find something new about Mike.
Eventually, the silence is broken with a sigh.
“No worries, boss. Hope ya have a good time!”
They sound a bit confused or disappointed, despite their encouraging words. They then pick up on footsteps growing louder, and Friend backs away, making sure to give a smile fit for Battat to see. When they finally get to see his face, he's looking down with furrowed brows. It takes a second before their eyes meet, and he jumps back against the door.
“What the hell are you doing in here?!” He asks in a whisper, and Friend shrugs playfully.
“Just longing for your return, as I tend to do! I think a better question is...” It gets a bit closer, tilting its head.
“Where are you going?”
He gives them a quick shove to the side, walking past them.
“I'm not dealing with your shit right now,” he answers. “Get out.”
“You're being awfully cagey! You know that only makes it worse! What is it that you can't tell me, hm?” He crosses his arms impatiently.
“I don't owe you anything, and you don't need to know where I am at all hours of the day! Can I have one afternoon to myself?!”
They wanted to press on the matter, but clearly, this called for an investigation. It could be a fun little game, sneaking around every corner Battat happens to walk, until they get all the answers they need...
They pretend to give it up, shrugging again.
“I suppose you're right! I'll let you have your fun for now! But no promises after it's over!”
“I can't do anything while you're standing around here! Get out! I gotta get ready!”
They disappear for a moment, but come back around a minute later while hiding in the shadows. They're greeted with an immediate observation that his once sour expression...shifted. Instead it's soft, uneasy, as he fumbles with one of his gloves. One hand is barely holding onto the fabric enveloping his fingers, but he managed to pull it up a little.
He never takes off his gloves...how interesting!
Maybe he's wearing a new costume...?
Several minutes pass, and he's switching between pacing and standing still, making no progress on whatever he was attempting to do. He gets more frantic with every passing second, looking all over the walls of his room like he was waiting for something to appear. That could very easily be them, but it wouldn't get them very far.
Eventually, he groans into his hands, before going into his closet and pulling out a slightly worn out red poncho. He shoves it into a bag along with some gloves before running off.
He's choosing to blend into the crowd in a way that doesn't involve being Mike. It's really easy for him, too. The regular Pippins are absolutely everywhere, and look exactly the same. They're also about as observant as a pile of rocks.
Friend's never seen Battat look “normal” before, as others may put it. They are admittedly intrigued by the concept. Sure, they've seen hundreds of red Pippins, but something about Battat in the attire feels...different. If you put them all in a room, Friend is certain they'd be able to find its favorite. He wouldn't be able to keep himself from scowling, pacing, or yelling at those around him. Which is when he's at his cutest!
They're beaming from the excitement of being given the opportunity to see this today. It's something new about him! Something big! They wouldn't miss it for the world!
They have to make sure they keep eyes on him at all times. It would be awful to lose sight of him around identical faces. They follow him out of the house and enjoy watching Battat's sluggish walk through TV World. He's heading towards the auditorium, along with many other Pippins, Shadowguys and Zappers walking the same path. They're all standing tall and talking amongst each other, but Battat is almost disappearing into them as he looks down, messing with his hands. He looks up for just a moment, before slipping out of the line and heading towards a public bathroom. They begin to eagerly follow his lead, until they remember that he's going to be getting dressed, immediately coming to a halt. It's honestly embarrassed that a detail like that slipped past them. They may be invasive in every other aspect of Battat's life, but some things aren't worth seeing, especially not if he's unaware of it.
So they simply watch as the rest eagerly make their way down the hall, and occasionally look through a void of darkness behind a door.
They appear on the other side of the auditorium, frowning at how dark it is. There's a warm ceiling light closer to the front of the room, where they can see different Darkners separate from each other. The Pippins were all in one section, as well as the Zappers and Shadowguys. The front had VIP seats for Elnina and Lanino.
They don't like not being able to see Battat well enough, but...as everyone takes their seats, they get an idea.
What if they could just...get closer to him? At least until he gets up and does whatever needs to be done. For a moment, they can enjoy the show without startling or angering him. He can be within their grasp even in the dark. Just the thought makes them smile.
Without another moment of hesitation, they become visible in the form of a Pippins. It feels...unusual. They still aren't used to altering themselves.
Not to mention, they're so...small, now. Being at Battat's height is a bit humiliating, if not extremely endearing. While in the darkness, they vanish, and appear outside of the bathroom door. It creeks the door open with anticipation, being met with Battat staring in front of a mirror.
He looks despondent. He's breathing heavily, looking down at his hands, now with shiny red gloves.
They stand with the door open, mesmerized. With a new color on, he stands so much taller, even while barely standing at all. He's as vibrant as a rose. Though, admittedly, his clothes are a little baggier than everyone else's, which fit perfectly around them.
“C'mon...just get it over with...!”
He mumbles those words to himself, holding two pinched fingers close to his face. That's when Friend finally notices what is still setting him apart.
Taking a deep breath, he pulls out one of the green contacts from his eyes, taking time to blink afterwards. He pulls like it's a sword stuck in stone, and stands in silence for another minute. At least until a voice comes from the speakers.
“Goooood evening, ladies and germs!!! Just wanted to remind you that the screening will begin in FIVE minutes! The auditorium will be locked once the show starts, so don't even THINK about leaving until it's done!”
“Okie dokie, that's all! See you soon!”
Tenna's voice cuts out, and Battat visibly tenses.
“Shit–”
He hurriedly pulls out the contact lense from his other eye, before throwing them both away. He now avoids the mirror like his life depends on it, and Friend's smile fades into something more curious.
In seconds, his posture straightens, hands are placed perfectly at his side, and his tired expression switches into an uncanny smile. Before he could turn around and see it, Friend closes the door as quietly as possible.
What is he so nervous about? He's snuck around much more risky environments even without a costume. Then again, there's nothing that he won't panic about, no matter how simple.
Either way, they look forward to seeing the show!
He finally comes out, and he's almost indistinguishable from the rest. Friend can see the strain in his expression that makes the smallest of differences, and the fact that he's just barely shorter than everyone else.
There's much less people around now, but there's one Zapper that's holding the door open for the remaining guests. Battat looks up at them and smiles even wider.
“Thanks!”
It was so...sickeningly sweet. Almost sarcastic. The Zapper nods, and Friend doesn't bother saying anything to them like he did. Their eyes stay focused on the only one that matters.
He finds a seat two rows from the very back, arriving too late for anything else. There's one empty seat to his right, which Friend gladly takes. Battat is turning his head as far away from them as possible, beginning to hold himself. In sharp contrast to his nerves, the creature kicks their feet back and forth in excitement.
Eventually, a few lights flash on, and Tenna takes center stage. Everyone claps but them.
“Welcome, everyone! We have a full showing today! So glad you could make it!”
Tenna bows, then hovers over the excited guests.
“And would you look at that?! Everything's absolutely perfect this time around! No mismatched seats and dress code violations! I don't see any sore or green thumbs stickin' out anywhere! Haha!”
...Hm...?
Tenna laughs, and most join him. They slowly look back at Battat, who is sinking in his seat while picking at the skin under his glove.
“Anyway, let's get on with the show! I know this one is gonna be a hit, so just sit back and enjoy! Be sure to leave a review! We only accept four stars or higher!”
The lights dim again, and a projection covers a section of the auditorium. Some quieter claps fade in for a few more seconds, and the only thing they can do now is sit and watch.
Only, they're barely able to focus on the cartoon in front of them, even with its attempts to grab their attention. It's colorful and nostalgic, in a way they can't relate to. They like the piano tracks, at least.
But out of the corner of their vision, Battat is always moving. Squirming before sitting up straight again, turning away, facing forward, lifting his glove an inch higher before forcing it back down. He was like a child who was dragged to a family event and doesn't know how to sit still. Several minutes pass, and he doesn't even try to leave, even while everyone else is distracted. What was the point of doing this, then...?
The light from the screen is barely able to show Battat's distracted gaze downward, looking like he's either about to fall asleep or start screaming.
This is...not a nice look on him. But they don't understand his frustrations at all. Even when they reach the halfway point, he's still just...sitting there.
Not even Friend themselves have managed to make Battat so visibly uncomfortable. Was he truly just forced to be here? Or did he feel obligated to support Tenna in any way he could?
They tap their fingers against their seat, starting to feel antsy. Something is ruining their special moment with Battat, and it really should be dealt with. It didn't take much thinking for them to realize that it was Tenna himself.
Everyone knows this is a waste of time, anyway! They could be spending quiet time alone in his room right now, if this wasn't in the way!
They sink just low enough to go back into the shadows, making their way towards the projector above them. In seconds, they were able to burn the entirety of the film and its real, sending flashing blurs and flickers that make the audience gasp. When it starts to create a spark, they leave, staying in the darkness, and they enjoy the panic it has brought to everyone. They hear Tenna's voice over the speakers again.
“Uh, MIKE!!! We have a bit of a PROBLEM here!!! Can someone PLEASE get an extinguisher before this room becomes burnt toast???”
A bit of an overreaction, really. It doesn't take long before the piece of junk is removed from the room, and the smallest flame it created is extinguished. This kills the remaining panic from others, replaced with sighs of relief. Tenna hurriedly runs on the stage, and the remaining lights flash on.
“So sorry about that, folks! Seems like we're having some unexpected technical difficulties! I'll need to get that thing replaced ASAP!” There's a few sadder faces at this news, but most are more relieved that the whole room didn't catch fire. Battat's expression is in a similar daze, just starting to realize what this interruption meant.
“Looks like we'll have to try this again some other time! Everyone get outta here!” He demands cheerfully, clearly seconds away from losing it, and everyone immediately started sitting up. Battat practically shoves past the other distressed Pippins in his path, and nobody thinks much of it.
They follow him as far as it can go, and when they see him again, he's back in his normal attire.
For the first time since he first changed clothes, they see his entire body relax, and his breathing return to a smooth, natural state.
They don't understand what the big problem is necessarily, but they decided to leave him alone anyway.
-
Hours go by. The next time they look through Battat's room, he's sitting on the floor, messing with a rubix cube. It only lasts for a bit before he suddenly pauses, face scrunching up in tired annoyance.
“I know you're there.”
...
Oh.
They slowly appear before him, still amused with themselves despite the day not turning out nearly as fun as they'd hoped.
“Well? How was–”
“Why can't you just leave me alone?”
His voice strains with hurt, and Friend blinks, staring just long enough for him to sigh and explain himself.
“I know you were watching me before, dumbass. I don't know–where you were doin' it, but I could just tell. Hope it was worth all of the nothing that happened.”
“...Oh!”
They look away, embarrassed from being caught so easily. That probably explains a lot of his nerves, if he could just feel their presence like that. How often are they around each other, for something like that to happen?
As troublesome as this is for their future schemes, it's still impressed by such an ability!
“Well, I don't see much of a problem with it!” They dismiss with a shrug, making his eyes squint. “Like you said, it's not like anything happened! What's the harm in a little adventure, hm?”
Things fall silent for a long time, and Battat's face slowly changes again. It's full of a heavy shame, which not even Friend can find amusement in.
“...What?”
He swallows, unable to look at them.
“I just...I didn't want you to see me like that, okay? Was it so hard for you to just go away? Was it fun seein' how stupid I looked??”
Friend stares back, bewildered.
See you like that...?
Like what...?
He stares at his gloves just long enough for it to click, the image of Battat back to “default settings” appearing in its mind. They chuckle, still unable to fully comprehend his stress.
“I was just curious about what you were up to, that's all! I couldn't care less about your attire! I've seen it hundreds of times anyway! It did look nice on you, though!”
Battat freezes completely by the compliment, and not in the way he usually would when saying something like this. Their weak attempt at sincerity only managed to hurt him more.
“Do you like me better that way?”
The question stuns them from pure absurdity, and for the first time, it's completely speechless in a way where they can't begin to form even a sarcastic answer. In any other situation, they'd probably laugh at the fact he was so insecure about something so small.
“I'm...not sure I understand,” it mumbles. “It was just a change of clothes. You're still the same person, aren't you?”
He kicks his feet, sighing in frustration. There's clearly something that he's holding back on saying, but it's like the words are trapped in his throat.
“...I guess.”
They can't even begin to wrap their head around this anymore, but he starts creating distance before it can keep trying.
“Sorry, I'll just drop it. See ya.”
They frown immediately, making an attempt to get closer. He stays frozen in place
“I want to understand,” they offer gently. “What's so bad about it?”
His gaze falls to the floor, swallowing.
“Nothing.” His voice is dry and dismissive. “I know it's stupid. I know it doesn't make any sense. I just...” He stops for a while, and they simply wait for him to find his words.
“I just don't like it. I don't like how it looks. That's all.”
There's probably much more to that statement, but it doesn't deny that that's how he feels.
Friend has never felt such insecurity before. They've never hated an aspect of their appearance, but they never had anything to like, either. It's just a vessel to it. They know that for Lightners and Darkners alike, it's usually something more. It doesn't envy them for it.
Red and green are just colors to them, and they only care for one because it reminds them of a special someone. Nothing else gives them any resemblance of an opinion.
Still, for some reason, something so insignificant matters so much to him. They'd almost find it endearing, if not for that pitiful look on his face. He's clearly expecting much less apathy than it has given on the subject.
They lightly place a paw on his shoulder.
“I like you best when you're exactly who you wish to be,” it says. “What you do with yourself makes no difference to me otherwise. If you like this better, I truly have no complaints.”
They've never questioned this permanent change in appearance before. They've teased him about it, it even inspired a pet name for him, but they knew a specific answer would never be provided. His differences make him all the more unique, more fun to play with. Why do they need to know any more than that?
His face softens with shock, finally getting a better look at them. They make sure to smile in front of him.
“Besides...green really makes you stand out, you know. I like how special you are. I wouldn't change a thing about you.”
He slightly jolts back, face flushing pink in an instant. That was more what they were expecting!
“Well–”
They smirk, patiently waiting for him to form thoughts through the flustered haze, and he instead shoves them aside.
“Okay whatever!!! Point made!!! Just forget you ever saw me like that, okay?!”
“As you wish!~” They have a great memory, but they can certainly attempt to push the visual as far down as it can go.
They can't help but laugh as he shields himself from them, hiding his embarrassment rather poorly. They decide not to torture him further and just end the conversation there.
Battat will never know that Friend found him just as remarkable in red as they do in his regular clothes. But that's probably because it was new to them. Anything new about Battat was something it wanted to hold close to their heart. So, at the end of the day, they got what they wanted.
Seeing it again isn't worth remembering that look on his face, they decide. They'll settle for what they've always known, if it makes him happy.
After all, nothing looks better on him than a smile!