Video, backdated to the day of Noelle's disappearance.

[its_tv_time]

[A few hours after the first news of Noelle's disappearance breaks, everyone receives a video message. In the center is a now-familiar bug; Mr. Tenna looks haggard, shaken, and distraught, though he's putting in a valiant effort to stay put together. All the valiant effort in the world doesn't stop the river of grief pouring through, though, as tangible as emotions get. His hands tremble a little as he fidgets them together, unused to not at least having a microphone.

His tone is somber when he speaks.]

H-hello? Is this thing on? Goodness, it's still so hard to- well, nevermind that. [He straightens out, looking serious for once.] We've got an emergency on our hands! Our beloved Noelle Holiday has gone missing! Her last known location was the Pokeclinic at around 6.30am, and has not been seen since! You can recognize her by her- I mean, she's a deer! [He stumbles over his words a little.] Right now, her pelt is dark brown with a creme face and belly, and there's a large yellow flower growing on her head! She's cute as a button and as nice as ice cream, so you can't miss her!

[His lip trembles, and he reaches up in surprise- his eyes are watering, and he hastily blinks them away before continuing.]

If you've seen anyone like this, please report to a nearby guild member! We'll take all the information we can get! We all want to find Noelle as soon as possible, so please, please cooperate to the best of your abilities! Thank you very much! Let's find this deer together!

[He holds a determined pose for a moment, before slumping, sighing heavily. Does he realize he's still recording...?]

Oh... Noelle... where'd you go...? Why'd you have to leave...?

[He sniffles, holding back a sob, before the feed finally cuts out for real.]

Comments

emotional bleed

[pyrodulia]

[While Agnes doesn't reply with words, there's recognition at the description and a vague concern that passes through the network. Agnes had met Noelle when Froslass had them both enthralled. She feels a twinge of guilt, wondering if her advice had been part of what caused Noelle to go missing.

The guilt, subtle as it may be, also jangles down the connection.]

[heartonachain]

[If it was anything else they'd probably just pretend they didn't hear him... but this is about Noelle, not Tenna. And as much as they dislike him, they can't deny his feelings come from a genuine place.

... more genuine than their own, probably. Unused to the pearls, they can't quite hide the tangle of guilt and doubt that lingers around their mental presence... but this isn't the time to think about that, either.]

I'm working on it. [whoa what's with that weird reverb effect?? probably not important] ... tell me if you hear anything new.

audio

[telewarped]

[Anger, sharp and immediate.]

They lost her?!

[(The clinic, she means.)]

I tag with a reminder that Sanji has never properly met Noelle. Lol.

[undeux_allblue]

[There is a BURST of fear over the line seeing a bug pop up on his pearl feed. Somewhere else, a vulpix leaps in the air as if he'd seen a ghost. ...Or like a cat who'd looked back and seen a cucumber. Bug!!! Bug in his kitchen!! Wait, no-

...oh. Ok it's a pokemon. Oh. They don't look so good. Concern wins over Sanji's terror of bugs...for now.] WORKIN ON IT. So that's how it happened...By the Blue, if I didn't know people like Emporio worked in the clinic, I'd be giving them all a what for for losing such a precious darling lady. DAMMIT!!

[Bonk. Small crash. Long pause. Then a nose pops up way too close to the screen.] I'm prepping to look for her now. You should too. And by that I mean when was the last time you ate? You look like absolute shit.

[Sanji-ese for are you okay? Not that Tenna would know it, probably, but there is clear concern bleeding over the feed.]

[its_tv_time]

[It seems Tenna hasn't realized the connection is still open... or that the guilt isn't his own. It just disappears into his own emotional cocktail, mostly unnoticed.]

[its_tv_time]

[Huh?! At first, he's startled, but then he recognizes Kris' voice. He didn't realize the connection was still open, even if the video aspect has been closed. His voice echoes through.]

Kris? I... [he trails off, guilt grief anxiety guilt guilt pouring through the connection by no will of his own. He doesn't even notice that part of those emotions are Kris'.] Of- of course! You can count on your pal, Mr. Ant Tenna! I'll do whatever I can from my end!

[its_tv_time]

EEK!!

[He clearly didn't expect that!]

Wh-who's there?! I-

everyone loves noelle even if you haven't met her haha

[its_tv_time]

[Yikes! Did someone just shout?! Tenna startles heavily, but when the person starts talking, it at least becomes clear that it's someone who cares about precious ladies like Noelle!

... and then he comes face to face with a nose. Huh. Uh, wait-]

Er, I don't- [he fumbles, before straightening out with a grin.] I'm glad to hear it! Good luck finding her! When I ate last? Uh-

[... When. Was that again...? Oh, nevermind that!]

As TV, I get all my meals on time, don't you worry! It's Noelle you should be worried about!

[telewarped]

Shoka. Noelle's friend.

[Though the answer comes automatically, more thought than spoken, it's also accompanied by a wave of uncertainty and despair. Is she really much of a friend to Noelle at all?]

How the hell did they lose her?! She could barely walk—!

[Or... so she assumes. She hadn't visited much, wary of making Noelle's condition worse, but the last she checked, Noelle was bedridden. Being out that long has to cause some kind of atrophy, right?]

[its_tv_time]

[Noelle's... friend? How'd she reach him, he thought he turned off...

... Ugh. Damn newfangled technology that he doesn't understand. Well, the least he can do is answer, and try to cheer up. For her sake. That's his duty as a television, after all.]

I... I don't know, but- [he pauses, trying to gather his thoughts. Come on, Tenna, say something hopeful!] they... they'll find her soon, won't they? Everyone should know now that I've put out a broadcast! It'll all be fine!

[He says that, but he's clearly broadcasting guilt and sadness and anxiety, however unintentionally. He doesn't believe his own words and it shows.]

[telewarped]

[Shoka clearly doesn't believe him either.]

Who're you?

[its_tv_time]

[His grin strains. This is usually where he'd say 'Mike, play the tape!' but... that won't exactly work anymore, now would it?]

Why, I'm Mr. 'Ant' Tenna, TV extraordinaire! But you can just call me Tenna.

[telewarped]

[It's a jarring introduction; Shoka's thoughts stumble over it. What, like an actor? Ugh, who even cares!]

Okay. And you're—friends with Noelle, or—?

[It might be wasting time to ask, but—she wants to know, if for no other reason than to confirm that what he's saying can be trusted. He did seem genuinely upset, at least...]

EXACTLY!! Also I love Tenna sm thank you for bringing him, sorry late backtag is late

[undeux_allblue]

[Watching the bug talk both gives Sanji the heebie jeebies but also helps settle in that this is in fact, another person. Sanji would always scoff at how Usopp would talk to freaky bugs like people, but being pokemon brings a unique perspective for sure...

Also the grin is impressive but he can spot bullshit when he sees it.] I will, thank you! [Oh the dramatic irony of knowing he will, in fact, pass out in the snow. RIP

As for the rest...] What the hell is a TV?! Whatever, I am worried about her, not you dammit!! [He hangs up soon after that outburst.

(Everyone needs to eat. 'Everyone' is a pokemon here. Everyone needs to eat.)

So despite "not caring", Tenna will hear some banging on the door in about an hour or so? There will be no one there (perhaps a flash of curly tails if you're fast enough) but there's a small basket of food on the doorstep. Inside are some muffins with fruits in them, some salad in a wooden bowl, and half a loaf of bread with a jar of jam. Just an assortment of things, like the deliverer couldn't decide on what the receiver would like so just. Scattershot it. Bone apple teeth, Tenna.</small]

[its_tv_time]

Ah-hah, something like that, I suppose! I've known her for a long time- why, I remember when she was just a little fawn! What an adorable little thing she was- cute as a button! Well, she still is, of course, but-

[... You're going to be here for a while if you don't stop him now, Shoka.]

man don't even worry backtags are more than ok for me- king of the backtags

[its_tv_time]

You DON'T know what TV is?! Wait-

[Oh. Well, he's gone. Tenna sighs, wringing his appendages. He wishes he could do more for Noelle, but he- he's not in charge anymore. He's not huge, or powerful, or intimidating anymore. This is the best he can do.

Tenna continues milling about his soon-to-be studio, generally feeling sorry for himself and worrying for Noelle, when suddenly-

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Tenna nearly jumps out of his skin- er, he exoskeleton? Whatever, semantics, letting out a high-pitched shriek at the sudden banging on his door. Oh- oh god, now what?! He steadies himself, and-

-it's just... a basket of food?

He looks around, confused. There's nobody there- seems he wasn't fast enough to catch the blonde curls- but after a moment, he picks up a muffin, stuffing it in his face. His antennae happily curl together.]

Ah... perhaps there are people who love TV after all! What a nice gift basket. ... Maybe I should make one for Noelle when she's found...

[That last bit is murmured to himself, mostly, as he takes the basket of food back inside.

Later, he'll be talking about an adoring anonymous fan who left him the most lovely gift basket full of food! Soon, the whole town knows about it- and doubtlessly, the message has made its way back to the original gifter.]

[telewarped]

Yeah, yeah, I got it already.

[Everyone already knows Noelle's cute!

... Who thought that?!]

So you're—from the same world she is, then? [That's literally what he said. Get it together, Shoka!] And you don't have any clue what could've happened to her?

Sorry this is late brain fog kicking my ass lately

[its_tv_time]

-Ah.

[His mouth clamps shut when she interrupts him, guilt pouring through the connection. He's talking too much again, isn't he?]

I... no, I don't know. I know she's been a little glooby lately, but I don't... [More guilt. Sadness.] I wish... I wish I could've done something. [He, quite literally, exists to make people happy! To distract them from their pain! Why can't he just-

Why is he so useless?]

no worries at all!

[telewarped]

[Her first thought is uncharitable: Thanks for nothing.

But their emotions are mirrored in that same moment, crushing uselessness tangled with guilt. She's lashing out despite knowing it isn't productive or fair; she didn't even know Noelle was missing until he said something.

What she chooses to say out loud is at least somewhat gentler.]

Well—you did something just now. And we're both gonna keep doing something. Right, Mr. TV Extraordinaire?

[its_tv_time]

[Her words, at least, are encouraging. He perks up, just a little.]

R-right! Of course we are! There is no way I'm just leaving Noelle to her fate! I'll do- I'll do whatever I can!

[Determination laced with guilt. What can he do? No- he can't think like that.

There's gotta be something else he can do, right?]