You weren’t that close to many people in town, speaking terms with most, but you wouldn’t be quick to label many of them as friends- especially the religious ones. That’s why it was fairly surprising when Kris, that quiet human kid from the Dreemurr family, and his friend came to your place looking to rehome a TV. It wasn’t new by any means, nothing special, old fashioned and beat up; one antenna was haphazardly taped back on, a crack lining the edge of the screen. But hey, free stuff was free stuff, and you didn’t have a TV in your room anyways, rent was already high enough.

The Darkworld, or ‘That dark place’ as your Mother liked to call it was familiar to you. There had been a dark fountain present in your childhood home for as long as you could remember. Though both your mother and grandmother grew out of it, stating it was merely a place of make believe, you continued to travel there when you were able to. It was a nice escape from the grueling monotony of your life. You weren’t surprised to discover that with your new TV there was a new Darkner in your small slice of the Darkworld. You were however surprised with just how much you began to adore him, doting on the television even when you were in the real world.

—

“There she is folks!” His voice immediately greeted your ears the moment you emerged from the fountain. Loud, fake, clapping playing out like a subpar laugh track as he clasped his hands together, wringing them out excitedly. You had quickly became his favorite Lightner; he memorized your favorite shows, movies, games, the volume you liked to watch him on- he even knew exactly where you liked to set the TV remote, on the couch’s left arm rest so you could lay against the right. Not that he could tell Kris anymore, but given the chance he’d shake them and Susie’s hands profusely. ‘THANK YOU!’ The words spelled out in his mind, finally he was being watched again, like old times, someone had their eyes on HIM- he wasn’t outdated, he wasn’t junk! Three-colors, cathode raytube, fresh, new, exciting, he was adored, he was fun! “Four time Tetris champion, and Mr ‘Ant’ Tenna’s TV Time guest star!” He made a swooning motion, feeding the applause track, his imaginary crowd going as wild as he was. “(Nightly appearances and we aren’t even on season two yet, now THATS good TV.)” He put a hand to his mouth, whispering as if he was telling his audience some grand, show stopping secret. The applause died down, it was really just him standing there, tall as ever, buzzing with energy. His studio home only a few strides from the Darkworld’s entrance that he had grown oh so accustomed to you coming through.