Why can't anything just make sense??
Tenna's happier than ever right now. Not for any normal reason, like if TV Time had gotten saved or if the deal about the Lightners had worked out, but because he's living in Castle Town with the ugliest, freakiest puppet Battat has ever seen.
Has Ant gone insane? Has Pippins? Has THE WORLD???
There has to be more to the story. Mike's seen the way Tenna looks at this creep. All lovey-dovey, like the guy's a real catch. If there's some good reason why THAT of all Darkners has earned Tenna's affection, then... fine! Great! Good for him. Battat will be happy for the new couple, really, and not jealous at all.
...but in the more likely scenario that Tenna is being taken advantage of by a slimy little conman, then Mike has to step in and save him.
That's what he's for.
But while saving Mr. Tenna from himself undoubtedly falls under the duties of Mike, Battat has opted to begin his recon mission as "himself," sans the costume. The puppet's been hanging out around Tenna long enough to potentially recognize Mike, and if he knows he's being watched by someone close to the TV host, he might behave differently than he would otherwise. Pippins needs to observe him when he thinks he's alone; that's the best way to catch someone in the act.
(The act of what? Well, Batts will know it when he sees it, won't he!)
Cloak clutched tightly in his claws, he scurries after his mark at a distance, pausing here and there to scribble down frantic bullet-points about the puppet's behavior in a little notebook he's brought along just for this.
As he follows, nose buried in his notebook, he doesn't notice that his quarry has stopped walking.
"Ow! Hey! Watch it!" he snaps as he walks face-first into someone, looking up to see--
"Hah--" ABORT! ABORT!! IT'S THE PUPPET!!!!
"'Scuse me."
@hypolinkblocked !
