#mark my words...

Phoony wakes up from her nap with a yawn. The rabbicks surrounding her squeak and chirp as she sits up, having disturbed their rest. She mumbles a quiet apology, she hadn't meant to get up yet herself, but there's a commotion coming from outside her box. 

When she'd gotten to town, she'd been offered an actual home to stay in, but declined. It wasn't comfortable for the rabbicks to be cramped up, having to rely on someone else to get in and out of where they wanted to be. Besides, she was content with someplace small, tucked away, just for her and them. 

And a house would be just as warm as any box. 

With a stretch, she sleepily peeks out the cardboard window. That boy... Ralsei, had insisted that if she was going to stay in a box, it would at least be a box home. She appreciated the gesture again, but it wasn't necessary. She was just happy to have a place to stay. To belong.

Sort of, anyway. 

Phoony probably had less of a purpose in Castle Town than she did in TV World, but that didn't seem to matter anymore. Anyone could be here, as long as they wanted, however they wanted. No need to worry about not fitting in, not being useful. It was a change, for sure, but a welcome one. 

She exits the box, still trying to discern what's happening. All of the sudden a pippen hurries over to her. "Phoony! There you are, the boss is looking for you!"

"The... boss?" She asks, yawning. Still a bit too tired to properly register what's happening. 

The pippen jumps. "Tenna! Mr. Tenna! He's woke up finally, and he wants to see you!" They sigh, shaking their head. "Sent several of us on a wild goose chase to find you. Nobody knew where you were staying."

"Oh... "

Phoony doesn't quite know what to say. She's a bit in shock really, denial one might even say. 

Tenna's awake? He's okay again? She knew that Ralsei said he'd be okay, but it had been at least a week ago since then. She'd been hoping he was, too afraid to go around asking about it to be certain though. Afterall, why would anyone want to talk to a dust bunny anyhow... 

The people here were nice, yes. But there was still so much happening all the time. It felt almost overwhelming, especially compared to her box and the rabbicks. She'd met a few others, from places besides TV World, but it would take a lot before anyone would consider her a friend probably... 

So to find out that not only were people looking for her, but that Tenna wanted to see her, had gone out of his way specifically to seek her out, it sounded too good to be true. Especially after so long... 

"What's the matter? Come on!" The pippen takes her hand, starting to drag her towards the castle. "We better hurry before he changes his mind and comes looking for you himself!."

Phoony has no choice but to follow along, too tired and confused to fight back. "Wuh?"

The pippen continues to ramble on as they move through town together. Using their free hand to gesture about as they talk.

"After he woke up and things settled, he kept asking about you. When none of us could come up with an answer as to where you were, he got angry! If it weren't for that purple girl telling him he needed to stay put he'd be the one out here trying to find you."

Tenna? Looking for her? There was no way, not after everything. He barely tolerated her on the day to day anymore. Not that she didn't understand. She was too dusty, too much. She knew the good times were long over, and accepted that, even if it meant being a bit colder..

The pippen shakes their head as they enter the castle courtyard. "Don't know what he was so worked up for, it's like he thought something had happened to you. Though I guess it had considering none of us could place you. Doesn't matter! You're here now and this should finally get him to calm down." 

Oh, she understands now.

This was about what happened, when she found him there. Alone. She had been the one to find his near lifeless body that the others had to cobble back together again. He probably just... wanted to say something about that. Maybe a thank you. That's all— 

"Phoony!"

All of the sudden, she's lifted into the air and spun around. There's a laugh she recognizes, and once she stops spinning, a face as well. Just seeing that he's awake and okay makes her smile, halting her train of thought. 

"Mr. Tenna, you're okay!" She laughs. 

Tenna holds her high above him, beaming. "Of course I am! A little scratch like that couldn't keep me down." He scoffs, teasing, chest puffing out with pride. "Honestly Phoony, did you really think I wouldn't be alright."

"No, I did, I knew you would." She giggles. 

Scolding now, starting to walk with her in his hands. "And just where exactly have you been? Everyone was here except for you! Don't you know how worried I was? How worried everyone was?"

"Worried?"

She's surprised, really. Honestly. After everything, the fact he's even letting her so close, so close to him and his warmth. That was a dream come true in and of itself. But the idea that he cared, that anyone did, it didn't seem possible. 

Tenna's expression shifts then, turning more somber as he glances down. He seems to know exactly what she's thinking. "I... I know I haven't been the best to you, for a while now. And, and while it doesn't make up for it—" Gaze back to her. "I'm sorry, Phoony. For everything. For how I treated you, for how I acted, all of it."

"Mr. Tenna it's okay—"

"No." He shakes his head. "No, it's not. But if you give me a chance, I'll do my best to make up for it. I swear. Okay?"

Phoony considers his words, then nods, smiling. "Okay."

Tenna grins and sets her down on his shoulder, beside his head. "Then let's get to work! Where have you been staying? We'll have to bring your things to the castle, it wouldn't be fair for you to be alone..."

As Tenna continues to ramble on, Phoony can only half pay attention. For the first time, in a very long, she's so warm. It's hard to pay attention, much less stay awake. 

She'll just drift off... for a little while... Hopefully Tenna won't mind. 

But if he does, that's okay too. 

I love you phoonyyyy id give you anything you ever asked for if you wanted it phoony... im sorry gaan hates you... its fucked up... but ill make it my job to give you all the happiness in the world bc you deserve it... and fuck you again gaan!!!

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