Still not okay about DM Tango btw, especially because I keep thinking about his & Zed's interactions D:
My (current, might be swapped out in a heartbeat tbh) interpretation of what happened between s8 Tango and s9 DM Tango is that the code somehow fucked up? Like the players can't thrive without the context of the code recognizing them as such. It's the god-like force in this instance, granting immortality in the sense of being able to respawn (this also ties into my netherborn headcanons / a bit of my personal super-indulgent Tango & Impulse backstories but that's for another day).
So, as much as the people themselves are just. Them. Even if the server / code get a bit fuzzy, that doesn't usually affect them. Buuut with Tango's signals to the server being a little.. wonky (due to being pre-emptively yoinked out of the system due to his spacey perma-death in s8) Xisuma pulls him out of usual shenanigans after a while to try and fix what's happening.
Yadda yadda yadda, doesn't really work, but with Tango's consent Xisuma let's the server try to check Tango for errors itself. How you'd do when a program gives you error codes about files missing. And, as those programs also have, Xisuma lets the server try to fix the problems too. Badabing badaboom- Code's no longer blinking red!! But Tango's not like.. fully there for a few days. He's a little hazy, but gets let off by Xisuma and sent back into the mix of hermits. Everyone's kept up to date to keep an eye on him if the chance arises and that's mostly that.
For every message and, well, little joke Zed sends his way he doesn't really get a response- or not a usual one, anyway. Tango seems.. oddly cold, in a literal and metaphorical sense. Zedaph's a busy man, but he sure as hell wouldn't pass on the opportunity to at least say hi to Tango when he's got the time. Especially not with Tango asking for his help with things!! There's an odd hint of glee in Tango's eyes and grin when Zed respawns after dying to a ravager, but he's still too filled with adrenaline to not giggle about it himself.
And oh the Dungeon Lackey run... the first time Zed really could get ahold of Tango for a good while, and he's finally given a chance to enjoy the theatrics and banter again, not giving any worry the time of day to start popping up. He's taking what he's given of crumbs and he'll enjoy them blindfolded if need be.