Chapter Text
You started off very small and very little, painting your first ever painting and getting little attention for your art, it was peaceful, but didn't make much money, but after a bit, soon.. You EXPLODED in popularity somehow.. others found your style unique, creative, awesome, and they wanted all of it. The public LOVED YOU, Niko. a small little transmasc boy with possum ears and a tail, you aren't really used to this much attention, usually you're attention starved and are the one seeking the attention and recieve none, but recently everything has flipped upside down, and you love it. You love all this attention and care, though it leaves room for criticism, that doesn't matter. But as one bright sunny day you were painting a picture, of an old styled tv, chunky and big. The painting is very vibrant, with lots of text and labels, leaving lots of room for rendering, when your phone buzzes in your lap. You jerk upwards, startled and confused you set your brush aside for a second and pick up your phone, and your eyes widen in awe. It's him, the tv man everyone adores, Mr.(Ant)Tenna. (or just Tenna), has messaged you, to ask for a sponsor? Your body fills with dopamine as you text back with shaky hands. Awaiting his response your heart races, your leg begins bouncing, you are excited. You always loved watching Tenna's gameshows while doing your art sometimes. It inspired you, so now seeing the real Mr.Tenna ask for a sponsor for your art makes the room feel oddly brighter, you message him how you'll be available to discuss sponsorship today with him if it's okay with him, you're shaking now, visibly showing your excitement to meet Tenna. He was very nice in his reply and said sure! You felt like your heart was doing backflips - oh god Niko what's up with you... You finish your painting quickly and begin to let it dry. You begin to REALLY think about how this'll go.. which is probably bad.. you're a nervous wreck, especially when meeting new people -- but it'll probably be fine! Tenna appears very nice on tv, he's kind, patient, sweet - but that's only ON CAMERA. Oh god, what if he's a massive jerk offscreen.. ugh the overthinking was killing you.. you just ready your painting in your bag and head off..
You arrive at the building Tenna is located, your backpack around your back, you grip at the straps, legs shaking. You're a nervous wreck already.. oh god.. you take one deep breath and walk up to the doors and enter, you arrive at the main desk, trying not to sound nervous.. "Hello..?" You ask the main person at the desk, infront of a computer, nervous, they look up from the screen and respond warmly. "Hello there! What can I do for ya?" You fiddle with a button on your tshirt. "I'm here to discuss a sponsorship with Mr.Tenna.." You shyly speak up, hand shaking. They nod. "Okay! Right this way sir." They get up from their desk and lead you backstage.. oh god.. It looks pretty busy, lots of people everywhere, all busy with certain tasks, now to find Tenna.. Suddenly a large figure walks close to you, startling you, you look up and it's.. holy shit it's Tenna. He's a giant, way bigger than he appears on tv. He looks to be around a staggering 19 FEET. You are 5'2. You almost shake at his presence, you seem to meet up to around his waist, towering over you, he stops to talk with an employee next to him, you don't listen into their conversation, too shocked by his appearance. On tv hes usually wearing a red jacket over a white buttoned tshirt, today he doesn't have the jacket on, guess whenever he isn't on tv he doesn't wear the jacket, or yellow tie, oddly interesting, he looks better without the jacket and tie. "Excuse me, Mr.Tenna!" The desk person calls to him loudly, you are startled, oh god he's gonna look at you. Tenna lowers his head toward the desk lady's voice, he has to look down to make eye contact with you, this is embarrassing. He immediately recognizes your face from the content you do of your art. You give an awkward wave. "This is your sponsor, Niko!" The person speaks up, he gives a warm welcoming smile, it almost makes you not nervous anymore. "Ah, Niko! Pleasure seeing you!" He kneels down and reaches out his hand for you to shake, you nervously chuckle and shake his hand with your hand, the comparison to his hand and your hand is horrifying. "Nice to meet ya too Tenna.." You speak out, he takes away his hand and stands up. "Follow me Niko!" He requests, walking somewhere, you follow behind like a lost puppy, it's almost embarrassing, he leads you to a more relaxed chilled area, it's a backstage area. It looks very calming, large couches, coffee tables, fancy decor, the works. Oh to be rich. He walks to sit on a couch, you follow him, sitting down next to him. "How is everything going, Niko?" He asks you warmly, your fingers tap against your thigh as you respond. "Oh, everything is going just fine .." You reply to his question. "What about you..?" You ask, shaking slightly though he doesn't seem to notice, still smiling widely and joyfully. "Everything has been going groovy recently!" He whimsily replies, looking cheerful. Maybe the expectation of him being cruel off camera was a bit out of nowhere.. "Made any new pieces of art recently?" He questions, that's the ultimate reminder of how you put your recent painting in your bag. You nod nervously "Yeah, I actually made a new piece recently.. just today.." Tenna looks happy and overjoyed at the response you gave. "Amazing!! May I see it?" He asks, you nod. "Mhm, I have it in my bag.." you take your backpack off of your back and begin rummaging in it for the painting, Tenna looks like an overjoyed kid on christmas ready to open up a present. You hand him the vibrant painting from your bag of the old styled tv. "Here.. It isn't that good, but I still enjoy it." You say, hands sweaty, awaiting his reaction, expecting some form of criticism, but.. "I.. LOVE IT! I love everything about it! A TV too? Gosh you must've read my mind!! --" he goes off RAMBLING about the piece given, holding the small canvas in his large hands, you feel.. happy. You enjoy the little details he's giving while yapping about your art piece, you feel appreciated more than what fame could've done, more than sponsors could've done .. oh shoot, the sponsor! You and Tenna have just been talking for a few instead of the sponsorship.. "Tenna.. we should get back on topic.." You nervously request, he stops yapping and chuckles. "Oh yea! Thanks for the reminder Niko!" He replies, carefully placing the canvas back in your hands which you just slide back into your bag.
You look at the large tv man as he begins to speak, "So, about the sponsorship, Niko!" Your possum ears perk up, listening to every word he has to say, making sure you pay attention, "We adore your art! It's vibrant, has a nostalgic look to it, it makes your eyes drawn to every detail without it being cluttered! So.. We've been thinking.." He speaks up, you listen, hopeful yet excited. "You wouldn't be a sponsor.. but don't fret! You'd instead be an official artist for our posters! How does that sound?" He announces cheerfully, your body goes stiff at the first part but that seems to go away as soon as he offers you a ..job position?? You go silent for a split second, shocked and happy, he sees your silence and goes silent too, nervous, awaiting your response it seems, his tv screen shows sweat with a few pixels. "So.." Tenna nervously starts to speak, which catches you out of your silent daze, you nod vigorously, "Y-Yea! I'd love to have a job here!!" You enthusiastically reply, somehow with Tenna you feel a bit more confident. Tenna seems to be satisified with your answer, sitting up straight.. and is he blushing? "Fantastic! I'm glad you chose to work here! But.." Tenna pulls out a paper, it's a contract, you take the paper in your hands including a pen Tenna gave you. "Take your time to read the work contract! And all you have to do is sign your name, simple!" Tenna says, you put all your focus on the contract, reading it, even the fine print. Before after multiple minutes you bring down the pen above the dotted line where you sign your name, Niko. Tenna looks happy as you hand him the contract and pen, he takes it back and puts it on the coffee table. "Well! Niko, how about I show you your art space where you'll do the artwork for posters? Eh?" Tenna asks you, you nod and he responds with a warm smile as he stands up. "Okay then! Follow me!" He begins to lead you out of the room, you follow him behind, bringing your bag along. It isn't too far of a walk before you reach the room, Tenna, full of energy, swings the door open. Inside is like an artists paradise, so many art supplies, canvas', the room is gigantic, but everything is your size, the chair, the easel, everything. "My wonderful staff helped make this room! How is it?" You glimmer at the room. "Do you have everything you need? Could you ever need more?!" Tenna enthusiastically states. You don't see anything you could really need, you basically have everything you need, you can't think of anything to request further. "I think I have everything covered.." You reply to Tenna's question, Tenna seems satisfied with your answer, smiling once more, putting his hands together. "Splendid! Splendid! I'm glad, Niko!" He joyfully says, you can't help but be in adore at his joy, smiling softly. "Now, say Niko.." Tenna begins to speak. Your ears perk up as you look his way. "Yeah Tenna?" You ask, turning your body to fully look up at him. "What do you think of my gameshows?" He asks, looking curious. You gather your thoughts for a split second before speaking "Oh I love it, I a-" "Would you wanna be on it sometime?" He asks, interrupting you. Scooting closer to you, you freeze for a second, and go silent, his sudden scooting closer and leaning a bit closer catches you off guard, he's also silent, awaiting your response once more, seeming very very intruiged with your soon to be answer. After a few you finally respond "Yea.. why not..? If I won't be busy with work then.. sure?" You murmer after a bit, Tenna pulled back, smiling, seeming happy. "Wonderful! I'd love to have you on a gameshow, MY gameshow! Haha!" Tenna exclaims energetically. "So.. What day can I begin working..?" You ask, continuing to look up at him, Tenna asks immediately. "Are you free tomorrow to work?" Tenna questions, you think for a second before nodding. "Yeah, I can be here tomorrow.." You reply, Tenna smiles widely again. "Groovy! I'll make sure everyone knows you're our new poster artist now!" Tenna exclaims happily. "I'll see you tomorrow Niko!" He says, looking down at you. You keep looking up at him. "Yeah.. I'll be seeing you tomorrow..!" You exclaim, about to head for the door, you walk through the door and out of the building, and to your home with your backpack around your back. As soon as you close the door for your apartment room you collapse on your bed, relaxing.
You cannot believe it. You met Tenna, and now work for him, to make posters, today was really a day, you begin to think of what's to come later, this job could make or break you. You drift off to sleep, thinking of that TV man, Tenna.
