crticalhit | labyrinthum

(from here)

GLAD we agree, I'm the only TV needed to do the job.

[If someone wishes a brand new TV into this place, he'll simply explode with anxiety.]

It's a bit harder explaining where we're from though, huh?

It's a little harder to believe, because we're in the Light World with everyone...

The rules are different here.

I... feel really lucky to be able to be here with everyone like this. And, I'm happy for you too, Tenna.

Yeah, I didn't really know what to think at first. It's pretty impossible, but it's still happening. And so soon after leaving TV World.

It's something special. Because it's like the reverse, isn't it? We get to come out here instead of them coming to us.

Did you know, Mr Tenna? Susie and Kris found a new home for you. Since time stands still at home for us... they won't have to wait for you.

It is, isn't it? We can be useful to them in a ways that we never were before.

[There's no reply to that text. Well, given how slowly Tenna texts, maybe it would still be coming.

Except what's actually happening is somewhere out in the living space where Tenna is, there's a scrambling noise followed by a thud--]

Ow! Stupid- ceiling--

[Shortly after Ralsei's door is being flung open and Tenna's sticking his head inside.]

Really?? Ralsei, are you serious, they found one?

( Fur feels like it's standing on ends when Tenna bursts into the room

M-Mr Tenna! Is your head okay?

( He came in so suddenly! But, he can't blame him, either. )

It seems like someone in town wanted an older TV -- so, Susie and Kris brought you right over to them.

( He's really happy for him. )

Forget my head! This is more important than my head!!

[There is a very short list of things more important than that, but this is on it. Tenna ducks all the way inside the room and balls his fists up in excitement.]

They really did it?! Ralsei, that's -- that's great! I'll even ignore that older TV comment!

[He's so nice. The delight is real though.]

Hahaha, I knew I could count on them!

( Forget his-- Well, he does seem okay. He's not sure if he's ever really seen him this happy, it's nice. )

Susie and Kris are really kind people, aren't they...? I don't think they would have given up trying to find a good home for you...

( And, if they couldn't... Tenna would have had a home at Castletown for as long as need be. )

Edited 2025-10-28 02:20 (UTC)

Of course, of course! They're both absolute stars! What a relief...

[Knowing they've found someone to take him in is just - the best. He's got somewhere to go, with someone who'll watch him. After so long, it's more than he could have ever hoped for.

Tenna reaches out to grab Ralsei's hand and shake it. This is probably a bit rough, unintentionally, he's just got way too much height to do it normally.]

Ralsei, thanks for telling me! I'll have to thank both of them too. I'm all set now, I don't even have to worry about my--

[He stops dead suddenly, antennas flicking back upwards. It's just occurred to him.]

--about my... wish? My wish.

Your wish...?

( Uh-oh... Don't tell him: )

What... What was your wish...?

Edited 2025-11-03 23:37 (UTC)

[Okay. Tenna hadn't told Mike his wish when he'd asked, because - well that's not what you do with wishes, is it? Whenever the birthday episodes came around, everyone knew that blowing out the candles came with making a wish inside yourself. This is just a fact that everyone should understand about wishes.

But this is different. This is the real deal - at least, it should be. Tenna lets go of Ralsei's hand and just kind of spreads his hands helplessly.]

I mean, I - I wished for a new home...? But you're saying that's already happened?

( Oh, this... might not be good. The wish he made makes so much sense, though! It's something every darkner wants... they want to be useful to their lightners. And, for Tenna, that meant finding someone who would want him. )

I-It has, but... uhm -- it's alright, Mr Tenna! You didn't know...

Maybe-- it's because you make the wish that you do that they're able to find a home...

Oh, maybe! Maybe...

[He would definitely like to think that. That is sadly not the direction his mind is going to go.]

B-but then why am I still here? Don't we leave once the wish is granted? I thought that was the deal.

[Not that he can remember a dang thing about the deal or the contract other than knowing he agreed to one. A constant concern!]

( Oh, that

That has Ralsei withdrawing a little. )

I...

I don't know.

There's... still so much that I don't really know about this world.

( It's a relief to not have the burden of knowing everything, yet... There's some anxiety from it all, too. It's a first for him. )

[Damn. So neither of them know. Tenna deflates a little, though he can't shrink like he would have back home.]

I don't know either. It's...! It's really annoying, that we don't remember what we signed up for. Maybe that's where they explained it.

Maybe... it's not anything we directly signed up for.

( Maybe it was just a part of them that wished for something so badly that they were brought here. )

But, others leave this world. Maybe it really is just a matter of time before we leave and get our wishes.

[He's still going to stress about it forever. Tenna's just had some terrible luck with deals, so adding another mystery one to the pile is a problem.]

Maybe. ...I hope so! I mean, you must want that too, for your wish.

[Tenna's is extremely important to him, so Ralsei must have made one similarly important. Right?]

Y-Yeah... Uhm--

What I wished for... is something I've been wanting for a while.

( It... feels like a wish might be impossible to fulfill. He's been fighting for it since both himself and Kris opened the first door leading into the dark world together... )

If it works the way you said, then maybe once you go back, you'll find it there waiting for you.

[That would be the ideal. Tenna's liking it here, but it's not home. It's not a new home, because it's obviously not permanent. People come and go. He doesn't want that. He wants to stay somewhere.]

I... I hope so...

I... hope that both of our wishes come true soon, but... uhm--

Being here in the meantime... isn't so bad.

( He likes it here -- just as Tenna does. They can live life just like the others do. He can do things he never dreamed of here. )

Yeah... it's pretty nice, isn't it? Even if the houses are all cramped.

[They aren't, this is a Tenna-specific problem.]

( That is definitely a Tenna problem. )

Hahah, it'd be nice if we could have a place a little like castle town, huh...? There were rooms for everyone.

Well, it's still a bit like that! Plenty of houses around. It might just take a bit more elbow-grease to make them what we want.

[Tenna pauses, his antennas flipping backwards a bit.]

And uh, Ralsei? Thanks. ...for telling me.

[Even if knowing there's a home waiting for him doesn't fit right against his wish, Tenna's still glad to know. Better to know than to not.]

( E-Elbow-grease? Oh, boy... What was Tenna thinking? Hopefully he stays out of trouble here, but Ralsei knows that he means well.

Still, he nods his head -- albeit with a bit of a exasperated expression. )

Y-You're welcome!

[Surprise! There is a small red box at your door this Christmas! taped onto it is a simple red envelope, with a white card inside that reads:]

Tenna-san,

Merry Christmas!
I hope you find this gift to your liking, I think they might suit you well.

Your Secret Santa,
Mochizuki Ryoji.

[Inside are six different painted wooden carvings, each representing a different cute animal: a cat, a dog, a rabbit, a bear, a duck and a panda. All of them could be hung on top of a TV screen, like this.]

[Words cannot express the delight he gets from opening this present. Tenna immediately puts all six of them on top of his head so he can check them out in the mirror, then keeps switching them in and out throughout the day.]

[Tenna will receive a nicely wrapped box with a scarf and a slice of eggnog pie.

Merry Christmas Tenna!!
I hope you have a nice holiday and a happy new year, with lots of laughs and joy that you bring everyone.
-Noelle Holiday]

[Tenna receives a package including a big, vintage-style scrapbooking kit, and also a bottle of eggnog liqueur. The card says:

Merry Christmas, Tenna! I know things are different this year, but whatever happens in the year to come, I want to make it full of wonderful new memories for everyone. Especially you! Here's a little something to help out with that. Whatever you need, I'll be here for you.

From your best pal,
Mike]

labyrinthum - inbox.

continuation - october sleepr.

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sob my html

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shall we wrap?

wrap!

12/25 - gift time!

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12/25

12/25 Christmas gift delivery!