I wrote a short story about Anthro media companies, it's one of my first, sorry if it's not that great. Also, look at my profile before reading to get some more context
After searching through the grand and busy Warner owned building
Tubi found Cartoon network sitting on a bench by a patch of flowers humming a pretty tune to himself. Big, baggy eyes half closed in the sun.
"I was looking for you!" Tubi scoffed, jokingly.
startling CN fully awake.
"Oh, Hello Tubi, yes, you wanted to come over again, I just needed some air"
His hair was a slight mess, and he was trembling slightly as he sat upright. Tubi got used to the sight of it, but it still felt uneasy to watch him struggle.
"I just thought you wanted to... put on another show because I know you're not feeling well and I could use a laugh"
Tubi was really just looking for a reason to be around him. Even if nothing new has been done since March. They both had a chance to bond since then. "Well, you came a little late, it's 6:00 and I'm done for the day "he yawned. stretching in the warm afternoon light.
"Oh, okay, that's fine" said Tubi, remembering the scheduled, strict lifestyle of a cable channel.
"You want me to put anything on? I was thinking Courage, I started to like it"
A warm look crossed CNs face.
"No, Tubi, I just want it to be quiet, "
"But you want me to stay?" Tubi asked, Lowering his voice
It was silent for a moment. "Yes, Thanks for coming over"
The sun was partly clouded but the surrounding, concrete buildings blocked any breeze, and the humidity didn't help
"Wait, did my dad let you in?" CN asked curiously.
"No, Swim did, are you okay with that?"
"Yes yes, Tubi" CN said kindly, "Is there anything you would like to do? play a game? stay for dinner? you know I was thinking about you a little, anything new?"
They both discussed a few planned reboots coming out that gave Tubi the hope that maybe this guy was actually healing, but Cartoon Network sounded indiffrent about it all.
"Well, I know you want some quiet and I get that, But a little birdy told me you can sing?" Tubi turned his head to ask.
"Sing? who told you that?"
He looked around to see the tall night-black Adult swim in the bush's giving the thumbs up and nodding franticly.
Was she the little birdy in this? why would Adult swim out of all people set him up to show his buried skill?
but at the same time, what wouldn't Swim do?
like magic. she disappeared just as fast.
CN crossed his arms, at least joyed by the thought of something good to show off.
"WelI actually I can, my father taught me how when I was a little powerhouse"
CN remembered the hours of being sat in front of a piano and reciting oldies, it was a long time ago and those days were over, but he might as well have an audience now.
"You mean Warner, right?" Tubi asked, getting used to his familial speech.
"Yes, Warner is my stepdad, Tubi. Has been... almost my entire life."
CN looked a little sad saying that but only sighed. "Here, let me think, I could use a good tune" CN scratched his chin. "Okay this was one he taught me, one of the first. You ever heard this?"
he looked on for a moment, searching his foggy memory.
"Okay. here's how it goes" he said nervously, finger up, as if trying to hold some time.
Tubi put his hands together as CN took a breath.
"Lady, play your mandolin, lady let the tune begin. Lady sing your song of sins, i'm a sinner, too."
He sang in a half, cherry tune as the suprised Tubi grinned, nodding his head along.
"Lady when you play for me, nicer then today for me, and the angle played for me, I belong to you.
Senorita, Senorita. I could eat your heart"
CN caught his breath, smiling.
"That sounds old, how do you remember that?" Tubi asked, wide eyed.
"It's been drilled into my head since I was adopted, well, And I got a sister who keeps them too"
"Adult swim?" Tubi asked, a bit confused
"No, never mind about her though, doesn't matter, it's part of being a Warner"
"You want to learn more? I can play them on the piano"
Cartoon Network asked, eagerly.
But Tubi could hear the bit of grief in his voice.
"Do you want to keep singing, CN?"
"Why wouldn't I? I'm only passing it down, I'm lucky someone wants to hear it in the first place" he shrugged, eyes to the ground"
so, CN continued to half sing old Warner songs he learned as a kid, they were rusty and the sense of longing in his voice made Tubi wonder if he was happy with it or not.
he seemed lost in it times, smiling and shakily pacing the small courtyard as Tubi followed behind. But it was broken by the crack of thunder and the sudden fall of rain on them both
"Fuck, well we better get inside" Tubi exclaimed.
CN didn't answer that he walked away and crashed on a sheltered chair and slumped over.
Tubi walked over and sat beside him. "I don't want to go inside, Tubi" he sighed,
his voice was tired and downdraught since they met and now hoarse.
CN didn't say why. as the rain pattered above them.
Tubi didn't want to get personal here, they've known each other for three months and all that time he's been quiet about his family life. But Tubi could already tell it was rocky. And it took a toll on him, if he wasn't sick before it started.
"Cartoon network?" he finally asked.
CN looked up sluggishly with distant eyes.
"You and your... dad... is everything okay? between you two?"
CN's eyes widened, but he sat up straight and smiled.
"No, it's not, as you can tell. But what difference does it make to complain? did you like hearing me sing?"
Tubi felt slightly uncomfortable and cornered, he didn't mean to get personal.
"Yes, adult swim was right, you do have a great singing voice"
"Well, you thank Warner for that, as do I.... "
CN was quiet for a moment then cleared his throat.
"I still love him, and what he does it part of a plan that just doesn't revolve around me"
Said cartoon Network, head bowed in a weirdly monotone voice.
another crack of thunder lit the courtyard.
Tubi crossed his hands in his lap.
"Well... I just want you to be okay, alright? I want to see you happy, because...."
"i know, Tubi, I'm not as bright as you'd imagined I'd be, but I promise, it's not just Warner, it's me, and it's a lot more complicated, but.... I'm fine, because I'm happy now, isn't that enough?
"What about tomorrow? or in a week?" Tubi spoke up
"That doesn't involve you, and there's nothing you can do about it anyways so why wind yourself up over it when you can stick to your job? Is this why you came over? to press me on my family life?"
Tubi shrunk back, even if sickly, CN was big, with a square jaw and wide shoulders. his thick eyebrows pinched together as he raised his rough voice.
"it's not about you, you stick to what you're doing and it'll be fine" said CN as he pointed up a finger and collected himself, sitting back as the late spring rain poured harder, and rubbed his eyes.
"Sorry Tubi, all that Warner is doing isn't about me, either. It's part of a plan. And I can only move along"
he got so defensive over this Warner. Tubi thought
is this what it's like to have a dad? Tubi has a parent company but damn near forgets about it. As it acted more like a distant boss then a so called father.
"i'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked.... you're feeling good now, right?"
"Yes, right here, right now. because of you"
CN never made eye contact so looked past him, at the drenched flowers.
"You know, If you don't like it here, you can always come with me, to my place"
That didn't sound like it did in Tubi's head and he wanted to take it back as soon as it came out
"Wait, I mean" he scrambled for words
CN chuckled "if I did, what about the next day? or the next week? I still couldn't stay there or leave Warner so what's the point?"
"You'd be happy in the moment" Tubi shrugged, letting out a small giggle.
"Well, Warner gave you a good voice then, right?" Tubi asked, awakardly.
"Well, they taught me to use it, that's for sure"
"How about you show me one more of those songs? that you own? If you have any..."
"Mine? you mean, from one of my shows?"
"Yes, if you don't mind, something that doesn't remind of you of your dad"
Tubi tried not to sound harsh. He always talked before he thought of it though.
CN looked around for an idea, at the flowers and the building that loomed over them
"Well, most of them are kind of old, If that's okay"
"Can't be as old as Warner's"
Okay, listen to this. CN's voice was clear again, worn out like always but now it sounded brighter than it had all day.
He closed his eyes and Tubi sat up to listen.
Let's go in the garden....
he scratched his head trying to put it together
"okay. how does it go?" he said to himself.
Let's go in the garden..... You'll find something waiting... right there were you left it....
When you finally find it, you'll see how it's faded, the underside is lighter when you turn it around....
Everything stays, right where you left it, everything stays, but it still changes, ever so slightly.......
daily and nightly, in little waves, everything stays...
Tubi moved closer to where their arms touched,
catching CN off guard. but he relaxed just as quick.
"Go on" Tubi said, gingerly, "it's pretty"
And he listened, not knowing the story behind it, just that it made them both smile...
and with the words, it must've meant something.
Afterwards, CN pushed himself up off the wood bench, shaking. Tubi got up to support him
"Well thank you, Tubi. I think I needed to remember that song"
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