Chapter Text
…and there was glass
everywhere
fucking
everywhere
fuck
no
no
no
where did he-
no
come back
no this isn’t
we were supposed to..
he winces as his knuckles spark under the cheap yellowish light, sending small shocks through his hands and up his arms
that little…that
a glance back at the phone dangling by its wire
there wasn’t anyone there
on the other side of it
goddammit why wasn’t there anyone there
his eyes shift to the mirror, only fragments looking back at him now
shards of everything that led him to this moment
his legs fall from beneath him a loud cry erupting from his chest as the glass cuts into his knees
no..
i thought you..
i thought..
he cried out a for a name he couldn’t hear
for a face he couldn’t see
but nobody came.
///
“tenna?”
the crt sits up quickly and unceremoniously, his antennas bent out of shape as he takes in his surroundings
both of his arms sore
must’ve slept weird
“are ya taking a nap luv? oh- what’s wrong?” ramb rushes over to tennas side, quietly wiping…(tears?) off his screen. rambs hand felt big..wasn’t ramb small?
oh
it’s him that’s small
tenna instinctively pulls himself together. growing back to full size with a wide, practiced smile adorning his face faster than one could blink
rambs face falls in return
“ah well, must’ve had a bad dream i suppose!” tenna leaps up from his dressing room couch, turning his head away from ramb to wipe the remaining tears off his screen before making eye contact again
tears? over some dream? pull yourself together.
“actually ramb it was strange…i don’t even know what it was about? there was some guy and- and-“ tenna felt a jolt in his chest, why had it felt so real? his dream..if he can call it that. it was like he was awake in it…like he knew what had hurt him. but he didn’t even know who that was. tenna clears his throat and thoughts, shaking his head. why bother ramb with something so minuscule, ”ah i mean um i think the dreemurrs are summoning me, I’ve gotta go!” tenna glances up at the clock that hang loosely above him as he feels a sort of pull towards the main stage area. thank god they were actually calling to him.
“tenna…?” ramb doesn’t get any words out before the crt interrupts him
“RAMB this was an AMAZING chat! but well, the dreemurrs can’t be left hanging!! thank you for waking me up, i wouldn’t be able to survive without you, no really!”
ramb hadn’t said anything.
“MIKE, set the stage! it’s showtime!” tenna jumps excitedly through the doorway of his dressing room, almost bumping his head at the top of it (he really should’ve made this whole room taller if he’s being honest. don’t need a star with a dented screen)
ramb watches him gallop away, a dreadful sigh leaving his airways. how strange. he’d never seen tenna look that bad. he was always smiling, always. never not broadcast ready. but he almost told him about it. the dream. even sounded worried. what kind of dream would make a man like him cry like that? he mentioned a guy..?
oh hell, why bother on it this much. won’t get anywhere without all the details anyhow. and lord knows tennas never speaking of it again. always hiding something.
well
might as well head out too.
—
tenna was on top of the world
not only was the whole dreemurr family watching front in center but the holidays were all there too! a fantastic turn out, tv will surely never die!
“aaaand that’s a wrap folks! MIKE cut the cameras!” with clasped hands a somehow wider-than-usual grin made its way onto tennas face. he hadn’t had a turnout like this since…well last christmas he supposes! he felt alive. purposeful. …like usual of course. no reason to feel otherwise!
just the look on their faces, entranced as always! that’s the magic of tv.
as tenna trots off the stage he can’t help but sing praises to anyone in his field of vision. “elnino and lanina? absolutely STUNNING performance today! the weather always sticks together! pippins? i couldn’t even FATHOM the show running without you all! shadow guys? never a note missed! always on beat!” tenna runs around the green room not sparing a single speck of dust from his overwhelming bout of happiness. “gosh and without my shuttahs i wouldn’t even be seen! and..and..ah MIKE! oh mike you’re like the air i breathe i swear! (even if i don’t have lungs) *cue laughtrack* and- oh? who are you?”
the crt almost trips over the guy, shrinking a couple inches after getting a better look at him. he’s so shocked at a new face that he almost lets his smile fall.
in front of everyone.
almost.
this guy, he’s…familiar? but..hmm…nahh he has no clue who he’s looking at
he’s very…white
the strange man just looks up at him as if shocked at the sheer amount of..well..him there is. he supposes he is quite larger than life.
tenna indulges in the attention for a second longer before gathering himself once again. a constant battle.
“oh excuse my manners you must not be from around here! i’m ‘ant’ tenna! but you can just call me tenna!” he winks out of habit while reaching his hand towards a very..short fellow
had he…met him before?
he squints his eyes subtly at the man
…?
nahhh
the tiny man takes his hand confidently. good grip. small hand. before greeting enthusiastically and letting go.
“well hello there beautiful! no need to introduce yourself i already know all about you! the names spamton g. spamton, but just spamton is fine!” he speaks with a very alluring grin and projected voice
oh..beautiful huh..a strong introduction. enough to make him immediately forget that the man has the same first and last name. tenna tries not to think about how that one word made his screen tint pink for a moment.
“ah! well mr.spamton you sure know how to catch someone’s attention!…what brings you to our green room! (how’d you even get clearance?)” tenna mumbles the last part under his breath as if sharing a secret to an audience. never truly out of performance mode.
“i thought you’d never ask!” spamton grabs again at tennas large hand, this time with both of his smaller ones.
“i’m here to make it big! to be a BIG SHOT! i’ve been told this is the place to be!” he rubs his thumbs subconsciously over tennas hand. “haven’t been able to make it over here before today, only one way over here and it’s been impossible to go through..” spamton trails off.
ah he must be from that fancy new..what was it? cyber?…world? whatever that meant. he recalls hearing of it not too long ago, how “new” and “innovative” and how ‘inferior to tv it is’! ..but the journey seemed quite far and not really viable. he’d heard of some of his crew going over there only to turn into stone! he’s not quite sure if he believes that himself..maybe something changed with the way over though and the hotshot is seizing the opportunity. very charmingly too might he add..tennas trying his best not to think of the shorter mans hands caressing his. it is a bit strange..maybe he’s just affectionate
but now that tenna ponders it over…a hotshot wanting to become a big shot over here in tv world? tv remains the superior form of entertainment! tv never dies! …obviously!
with renewed vigor, tenna engulfs spamtons hands entirely with just his other hand. he needs to shove it in those fancy cyber world darkners faces that tv remains supreme! he has to show spamton how great it is. to show everyone else of course.
“well big shot, if you think you’ve got what it takes..how about we throw you in..” tenna doesn’t think this through, “TOMORROW!!” he picks up spamton with an overbearing bout of joy
spamton freezes at how weightless he feels to this absolutely ginormous man…wow. wait did he say tomorrow? it was that easy? is this guy desperate-
“so how bout it?!” , tenna interrupts spamton mid-mind rant. still not having thought this through.
no one’s ever been this forward with him before! spamton talks so normal compared to how his crew does
the crew usually keeps their distance and don’t really entertain conversation with him much…it’s of course cause of his very jam packed and tight schedule! its not like he sits alone in his dressing room every second the dreemurrs are gone. (which definitely isn’t often) that would be strange and glooby!
“well i’d be honored!” spamton chokes out. tennas enthusiasm daring to overwhelm him but he stands his ground (as much as he can when he’s dangling in big hands midair). the addisons were wrong. HA of course they were. he’s gonna be big. huge.
above them all.
their eyes lock again, the room going still as they catch their breath.
spamton decides to break the tension
“would…would you mind giving me a tour of your uh..fine establishment! (and maybe put me down)” spamton quiets at the end making tenna take a second to process what he said
“oh! oh yes of course my apologies!” tenna sets a winded spamton gently back onto the tiles floor, a sheepish grin adorning his face
“i don’t know why but it feels like i already know you!” tenna rests a hand on his hip, his chest puffed out with calculated confidence.
“i feel the same beautiful! now, am i gonna get my own dressing room?” spamton let his hand place naturally on the crts back, having to reach up just a bit to do it due to his larger than life nature. but it wasn’t uncomfortable.
tennas screen faded pink again at that word…
beautiful
he’s surprised he doesn’t hear it more often
“well i don’t see why not! here this one’s empty! even has its own rotary dial phone! it’s all the rave cause of how new it-“ their voices get progressively quieter to the other goers of the green room.
the entire cast finally allowing themselves to breathe
ramb sits there with his eyes wide at what just happened. a wave of dread flushing over his features
tenna accepting this stranger that quickly…too quickly. this was all too fast.
this can’t be good.
but..
but what if it is?
what if this could be a good thing for tenna..keep his mind off of things.
he doesn’t remember the last time he’d seen someone really talk to him besides when necessary
rambs features soften
maybe this spamtin..(spamton?) guy will bring a needed change around here.
——
“e-mail? what’s that? is it like egg-mail? you send people eggs?” tenna tilts his head like a confused puppy, his antenna perking up in question
“what?” , spamton fights down a glare, “ah no its-“ he really doesn’t wanna explain the logistics of it all right now, “actually don’t worry your little (big) head over it, at least for now! i’ll catch you up on technology another day when we have more time,” tenna follows spamtons eyes to his wall clock
“ah yes of course…more time..” tenna trails off. surely it wouldn’t take -that- much time to describe…eh must not be that important. it’s not even tv related he doesn’t think…so of course it’s not important!
they had just finished their tour around the building, concluding in tennas dressing room. tennas blabbering words from earlier weren’t lying when they said it felt like he already knew the guy, it was like talking to an old friend!
…probably
they end up standing in front of tennas perfectly tenna-sized couch, spamton feeling a little humbled at his body:couch ratio but the crt does -not- need to see that weakness. you can’t make it big with weakness.
spamton takes in his surroundings. every corner of the room seems almost calculated. despite it being a bit short for tennas grand size, it was very neat. in a way that seemed almost obsessive..from what spamton could tell.
“well then…” tenna fixes his tie “how do you like the place big shot!” tenna watches as spamton sits on his couch, throwing an arm over the back of it casually. if he didn’t know better he’d think this was his dressing room.
tenna mirrors him subconsciously, gently sitting down on the other side of the couch, his leg folding towards him the same way spamtons was already doing towards the crt.
tenna may not have noticed himself doing it but spamton did. a small unintentional dose of imitation.
and they do say imitation is the most sincerest form of flattery..
that mediocrity can pay to spamtons greatness.
not that spamtons considers him mediocre. not yet at the very least.
he’s just saying that he’ll have tenna wrapped around his finger in no time.
he’ll be a big shot in no time.
“well it’s been an absolute pleasure, you run a tight shop around here!” spamton says smoothly despite his ongoing…thoughts, resting his head on the hand that’s over the back of the couch, shooting a piercing look up at the crt.
tenna can’t help but feel alive from all the attention. all on him.
unaware.
“ah..ah well i do try my best! say,” tenna puts a finger to his chin, contemplating on some way to keep this conversation going. he’s intrigued. hasn’t felt this interested in new talent since..ha..he can’t remember. the way he keeps his attention on him. it’s like…like when the dreemurrs watch- no that feeling is completely incomparable. what is he even thinking. he barely knows the guy. he’s gotta…he’s gotta get this guy wrapped around his finger. yes that’s it! genius. with spamton unable to leave the dreemurrs will never look away…uh..like they already do! yes! you relevant, groovy genius.
“i…um…hm..do you…? uh, ” tenna can’t quite find the words
“do i…what?” , spamton begins to fiddle with his sleeves, now intentionally evading eye contact.
“ah! i just have some..uh,” another pause, “do you drink?” tenna clasps his hands together, twiddling his thumbs. anxious for an answer.
spamton won’t kid himself, a drink right now sounds heavenly . almost more so than if he was offered a cigar instead. hmm. good idea. but alas, honesty won’t get you far in showbiz. it won’t get you anywhere. sure hasn’t gotten him anywhere.
you have to keep them guessing.
keep them on their toes…so to speak.
keep them hooked.
get them-
“oo yes! i’d love a drink..” spamton says as chirpy as he can manage. taking his sweet time to finish this particular sentence.
tenna immediately jumps up from the couch, his arms thrown up in the air, nearly hitting the ceiling, “ah great! i’ll have you know ramb keeps me stocked up! (not that i’m and alcoholic or anything)” spamton watches as tenna puts his hand up by his mouth like he’s telling a secret to an audience..and winks. he didn’t think the crt would be this strange from what he’s seen of him on the big screens, “..he’s a 5-star kinda guy! always reliable-“
“but..sometime else.” spamtons tone interrupts back steady. even. unwavering
leaving? right at the good part?
call him crazy but he could’ve swore the crt just shrank a few inches. like, physically got shorter? what the hell? are his eyes working? maybe he needs glasses. he must already be losing his goddamn mind
“just thought it would be better to have some downtime to get myself uh..~mentally prepared~ before my first day on stage. (you haven’t even told me what i’m gonna be doing..)“ he mutters the last bit under his breath.
“what did you say? i only heard the beginning of that.” tennas smile seems more forced than he remembered a few moments ago..hm
“ah just..something or other- speaking of tomorrow,” spamton gets up off the couch, standing a good distance away from tenna, “do you have kind of script you want me to look at? if you don’t mind. would be much appreciated.” spamton sets a hand tactfully on his hip, shifting his weight to that side as he runs the other through his blindingly white hair.
tennas eyes follow the movement.
…
…
…?
..oh yes a script..of course
tenna hadn’t really…thought this far ahead. it was a very impulsive decision to be fair. taking this random guy in to work for him. and it’s not that he doesn’t have any scripts for ads he just..
why does he feel -bad-? it’s worse than it usually..is..
he uh..means how worse it NEVER!…is…yeah
it’s probably all in his head. anyhow. scripts. yes.
scripts
scripts!
SCRIPTS!
“you should dye your hair,” oh wow that is ~not~ what he meant to say
“i- huh?? what’s wrong with it?” spamtons focus immediately shifting from the script to the confusion over his hair, his hands flying up to run his fingers through the white strands again, “like…some rainbow shit?”
“woah hey..the censors” tenna blurts habitually
“huh? we’re not live-“
“i think a black or something would really work…” spamton feels ignored, tenna doesn’t know why he’s still talking about this, “make you stand out more when your doing ads tomorrow!” tenna reaches out without a thought, almost running a hand through spamtons hair along with him. it really is a bit off-putting that it’s the same color as his skin.
“-it’ll be great for a first showing!” ever so positive.
maybe the crt is right..he still looks like every other addison. that always did irritate him. though, he -was- shorter than them…but that’s not very ideal. at all. it’s frankly embarrassing.
but black hair..not a bad idea. not bad at all.
“you know what [[CATHODE]] i think i’ll indulge…black seems…fitting.” , he hadn’t realized his own slip up. used to it happening cause of the years he’s spent advertising on the streets of cyber world.
“woah! what was that? you sounded..different for a second there-“ tenna perks back up, leaning slightly closer with a confused and wide-mouthed ‘O’ expression
ah fuck
“i don’t know what ya mean, you’re probably hearing things” spamton blurts out defensively. this is not a conversation he wants to be having right now.
“wait wait WAIT- you said i’m on ads tomorrow?” damn it took him a while to process that part. great for changing this fucking conversation though.
“ah!” tenna took the bait, “yes! i think it’ll be a great start, with some practice there you’ll be ready for the main stage in no time!” tenna made all of that up just now but it sounded smart so he’s going with it. but as tennas expression lifts from his own genius, spamtons heart sinks.
so…it wasn’t that easy.
ad time? of all fucking things? had the spam ads he ran for what felt like eternity back in cyberworld not been enough? was he not charming enough? he thought he’d already gotten a host spot. thought he had the crt convinced. spamton wanted to scream. he wanted to grab that fucking trash heaps antennas and make him give him the screen time he knows he deserves. how is he supposed to make it there..like this. on fucking ads. HA! but of course, he had to keep his composure. he’s not quite at the point where a little tantrum wouldn’t get him kicked straight back out onto the streets.
he can’t do that again.
“sounds like a great plan,” spamton grits his teeth. tenna doesn’t notice the shift in tone.
“amazing! i knew it would be good, you seem the type to want that extra bit of experience before the big thing! you know…since you mentioned wanting downtime and i assume prep time for tomorrow,” spamton wanted to rip his own hair out at that. why did he fucking say that. wrong wrong wrong wrong wro-
“and of course i’ll have ramb give you a script to look over…feel free go pick that up whenever!” god tenna was so fucking -frustrating.- why does it feel like he has thto upper hand now? is this how it’s gonna have to be? fine.
“thank you so much tenna! it’s been a pleasure,” spamton bites down on his tongue as he forces another smile before heading at a calculated pace towards the door.
as tenna watches spamton walk at a completely normal pace out of his dressing room he can’t help but think about how the future would react to this. all of this change. how much attention this inevitably will bring hi- them. he seems nice enough. this feels like a good change. tenna you genius. your mind STRIKES again!
——
“thank you for the script uh…ramb was it?” spamton straightens out the small stack of papers in his hand. an ad. a small ad. great.
“yes, luv. and you’re-“
“spamton g. spamton, the one and only!” he boasts. did ramb just…roll his eyes? he swears he saw ramb roll his eyes. asshole
“ah yes of course pretty unforgettable!” ramb acts like he didn’t think he was ‘spamtin’ earlier.
“i can say the same about you! quite an interesting name. maybe another day i can ask you about it but for now i gotta go…ya know,” spamton looks back and forth between ramb and the ad script.
ramb try’s not to glare. anyone could memorize a script that size with just a couple look overs. hmm. he’s already starting to dislike the guy.
“yes, it’s important to make an impression. first day here and all…(even if it’s just on some ad)” ramb mumbles, grabbing the broom to, at some point, sweep up all the dust spamton seems to drag everywhere. how is it possible to have shoes that dirty?
spamton pretends not to hear that last part. all he smells is jealousy. plain and stained.
too bad it’s bad etiquette to cuss out your new boss’ most highly-regarded employee.
a damn shame.
now. he needs to get -out- of here. now.
“of course! i know ill do just that.” spamton puts on a friendly, charming expression before waving adieu and walking towards what he now knows as his own dressing room.
god he wishes his legs were just a bit longer.
—
none of this is quite what he expected.
thought his charm would be enough to rise straight to that top position.
rise.
rise.
fall.
a lit cigar sits firmly in his fingers.
he needed this.
he brings the butt of it to his mouth, slowly taking a drag from it. letting the smoke flood his lungs.
choke him.
bring him up.
oh how peaceful it was when the smoke rose for him through an exhaled breath
spamton allows his eyes to close.
keeping his mind on the light.
above all of this.
higher up.
higher.
no matter how long it takes.