Strange and Unusual [Panini, Monitor]

[Panini Antwiler]

Panini was unfortunately too focused with her hope that she somewhat ignored a majority of his denial. Panini just took him back to the kitchen and set up his pancakes. She was pleased to see they were still quite warm and replied to him "Okay! They're still warm so eat up!" She then hummed happily as she made her own set of pancakes. After a short while, she quickly made her own pancakes. She carefully cut the strawberries for hers, put them on her plate and sat right next to Mr. Monitor. She then turned to see if Mr. Monitor liked his pancakes. "It's good to be hungry I think. If there's one thing I love about people, is that they have a healthy appetite"

[Deleted]

Mr. Monitor soon stopped grumbling. He let himself drop heavily into a seat that sounded like it was dangerously close to breaking under him. It wasn’t long after that when he began to eat his breakfast. The glass screens apparently temporarily vanished as barriers. To anyone who wasn’t used to the non-logic that was the Nietherworld and its residents, it may have been confusing watching a TV eat.

By the time Panini had sat down next to him, he’d already finished. He reached into his suit pocket, pulling out another handkerchief, of which he apparently had an infinite supply, and started to clean his faces.

“Really?” he said, his voice having fully returned to a calm pompousness, “Is that what you plan to do when you become an adult? Cook? It seems like you’re quite interested in that.”

[Panini Antwiler]

Panini grinned ear to ear as she realized his plate was empty. She put it away to wash later as she poured tons of syrup on her pancakes. As she ate, she saw Mr. Monitor clean himself up, again being reminded of Endive but he did it slightly more pompous than she ever did. After a couple more bites, she nodded at Mr. Monitor's questions, after swallowing her food she replied "Oh it's been my lifelong dream! To own a restaurant! To be one of the best female chefs in the world! I even thought of a few names for my place!" She counted them out with her fingers "Panini's Paradise, Panini's Corner, Panini The Pancake House, Num Nums" At that last one, Panini's eyes got all googly eyed and she sighed lovingly "Ahh, num nums" She put her hands to her face and leaned on the table, sighing lovingly "Num nums"

[Deleted]

It didn’t take Monitor more than a few seconds to decide he was still hungry. The poor chair was briefly spared from his great weight as he stood up and went to scavenge. He didn’t feel bad about helping himself, more than angry enough about his predicament that he was willing to raid his “friend’s” food as petty revenge.

Mr. Monitor nodded once or twice to indicate he was still listening, even if he was facing away from Panini for the moment. He’d removed a milk jug from the fridge and was reaching over to grab a fruit bowl before he hesitated. Peering over his shoulder, he gave the girl a look.

“Num nums?” he droned.

He took the bowl and brought it back to his chair. He sat and idly pawed through the various fruits.

“I’m sorry kid, you lost me.”

[Panini Antwiler]

Panini was so focused on her thoughts, she forgot everything. Mr. Monitor, the war around her, her food. Chowder was what her thoughts were on. And the little bunny practically worshiped the ground he walked on. Well, how could she not? He was so darn cute! And funny! And talented! And smart! He was the dreamboat! Panini sighed softly before her attention was brought as Mr. Monitor talked to her. She then proceeded to reply dreamily "Num nums is my nickname for my boyfriend, Chowder" She then beamed brightly "I'm going to marry him and have all his babies! As much as he and I want, we haven't talked about it quite yet but we're either going to have thirty or fifty, depending on his opinion. I mean that's the point of a relationship right? To compromise?" Little did Panini know, was that her beau had no idea on her relationship, let alone the future children they would have. Panini WAS a open-minded compromising girlfriend, but Chowder needed to understand they WOULD have at least some kids in their destined marriage.

She proceeded to talk about him, unwarranted but she felt that Chowder was the only comfort to her life. Panini continued "And we'll have a restaurant together, either in my name, his name or one of our babies names! Oh we'll even have tons of grandbabies too, and we'll grow old together and have so much fun!" She sighed happily before realizing something. She was here. So where was her num nums? "Oh no! Mr. Monitor! What if I don't go back home!? My num nums will be alone and lost without me! He'll have no one to protect and care for him!" She proceeded to eat sadly "I don't even know where he is, I hope he's not here. Because it's dangerous. But I also DO hope he's here, that way we can force him here to protect him"

[Deleted]

He listened, feeling more and more awkward as time went on. The TV-head resolutely chose not to comment. The only comment he really thought he had being, “Aren’t you a little young to be thinking about this?”. He barely knew this kid. At best, he just saw himself as a glorified babysitter. So, he didn’t speak, opting instead to stuff his faces and pretend like he was more invested in his breakfast than what Panini was telling him. Mr. Monitor knew he’d come off as cold but, really, his honest input would probably upset her. For as viciously as he tore down wide-eyed hopefuls back at the Network, he would spare Panini that. Let the kid dream. For now.

Once she finally seemed to snap out of it, all his mouths were full. He mumbled something before swallowing all at once.

“You’ll get back home! We’re both getting back home!” he affirmed in a slightly aggressive tone, “Believe me, I’ll make sure we do.”

That being said, he shoved an apple into his mouth and crunched it in an attempt to vent his frustration. Seeing the bowl near empty, he reached for the milk jug he’d taken earlier. He leaned back, trying to relax. He waved his hand.

“And your little friend is most likely fine. What’s the worst that can happen?  Hm?”

[Panini Antwiler]

Panini shrugged nonchalantly at Mr. Monitor's first question "Well I won't be forever. But I suppose you have a point. I'll just be happy being Chowder's girlfriend for now" Panini finally finished her food and was about to put the plates away to wash before Mr. Monitor seemed to assure her, if a bit determinedly, that they would return home. Panini's eyes brightened with hope and excitement. She then nodded as Mr. Monitor assured her that Chowder was most likely fine. Panini, with the assurance of a adult she trusted, seemed to get over her fears. "You're right, Mr. Monitor, he probably is home" She replied brightly "Thank you"

She then went off to wash the dishes, like cooking it was done with precision and speed. She finished it and smiled as her friend seemed to finish tons more food. "If you're still hungry I can always make more pancakes, I think there might be more left" She then was curious about her friend's life "I'm just asking. What do you do, Mr. Monitor? I was thinking news anchor or television critic but I wasn't too sure"

[Deleted]

Mr. Monitor picked up his head proudly, feeling he just gave some excellent advice. During what he saw as a lull in the conversation, he took the milk jug to one of his mouths and proceeded to shamelessly chug the entire thing. He’d definitely put the empty gallon back in the fridge out of spite, but that was for later. Hesitating a moment, he looked back at Panini.

“Oh no. That’s quite alright. You’ve done enough already,” he said, trying to sound reassuring.

Finally he was starting to loosen up -- er, at least as loosened up as he could be given his personality. He leaned his chair back so it was only supported by two legs, causing it to creak in protest.

“Hmm. You’re not too far off,” he droned, closing his eyes, “I work at the Nietherworld Network, but I for the most part am not on camera. I supervise the programming to make sure the, hah hah, the ratings stay within an acceptable range! I am a very important ghoul! I would be so much more successful however, if I didn’t have to deal with that putrid, obnoxious wretch, Beetlej-- Ahh!?”

The chair finally gave, breaking to pieces beneath him. Mr. Monitor yelped as he fell with an ungraceful crash onto his back.

[Panini Antwiler]

Panini was pleased she was being helpful to her friend. She smiled at his response, finding it comforting. She then listened intently, unaware of the breaking chair for her focus was on Mr. Monitor's words. She nodded as he explained he was a television network supervisor, particularly for the ratings portion. She nodded until the chair suddenly crashed, destroyed and taking Mr. Monitor for a fall. Panini, concerned rushed out of her seat "Mr. Monitor! Oh my goodness! Are you okay?" She immediately grabbed the pieces of chair, forcing it to the side. She then grabbed a post it note and wrote on it, almost angrily. As she wrote she ranted annoyedly "Stupid old chairs, I told Ms. Nella and Mano one of these days they would break. But no, no, no nobody listens to me! Nobody listens to the pink little bunny because she's stupid and only useful for the kitchen" With a loud huff, she shoved the post it note that wrote Chair broke, needs repairs or replacement. PS: I told you so!

She found another one, less used and she checked for the sturdiness. It seemed to work fine. She then, almost like a mother, took Mr. Monitor to the chair. "Here. Oh wait!" She got the used ice pack and reput cold ice and put it like a cushion. She beamed brightly "Here you go!"

[Deleted]

The ghoul just stayed on the floor for a while. It was a good place for him. He silently ruminated on his miserable afterlife as a look of hollow acceptance slowly grew on his four faces. Mr. Monitor was snapped out of this as he was led to a different chair. He looked down at the ice pack that was placed there. He wasn’t hurt so he mostly found the situation amusing. One or two of his mouths even curled into little smiles. He sat down.

“These certainly aren’t as nice as the chair back at my office,” he commented.

Ah yes, the big, purple, stereotypical CEO-style swivel chair, which, given the tendency for his things to get destroyed, had to be replaced on a fairly regular basis. Thinking about this, he frowned.

“Assuming I even still have my office when I come back,” then the TV-head began to scowl, “I bet you all of this is Beetlejuice’s doing! Hah hah! He’s always out to make everyone’s afterlife difficult. He’s probably plotting to get me fired! That must be it.”

[Panini Antwiler]

Panini didn't pay much attention to the chair anymore now that he was probably seated. She did notice though his ramblings about someone by the name of beetlejuice. Quite a yucky name if Panini said so. But she didn't and she gave a soft hum in distress as her friend seemed to be a bit worried about his job. She came over and replied "Don't say that! You probably do! Why wouldn't you? You seem like someone who loves their job!" She then twiddled her fingers again. She couldn't help but be curious. She had to know.

She took a seat again and pondered for a small while before asking cautiously "Um, who's, who's beetlejuice, Mr. Monitor?"

[Deleted]

“No, no, you’re wrong,” Mr. Monitor glared down his non-existent nose, “I don’t love my job. What I love is money!”

Subtlety was not this ghoul’s strong suit. He was distracted, wondering if his Nietherworld currency would be accepted here. Uh oh. What was he to do without his precious material possessions? A short time later, he snapped back to the real world. Mr. Monitor only became more intense.

“Beetlejuice is a nuisance! Nobody likes him! Nobody!! He’s disgusting and a constant thorn in the side of every respectable ghost, ghoul and monster in the Nietherworld -- thanks to his incessant pranking!” he ranted, “I take every opportunity I have to get him out of my cables!”

Mr. Monitor, now that he was angry, may have come off as more intimidating than he meant to.

[Panini Antwiler]

Panini couldn't help but be completely relieved that her new friend was more in common with what she was used to than she thought. Although a lot less angry, mr. monitor was similar to Endive in many ways. Including the love of money. Panini raised her hands up delightfully "What a coincidence! So does Ms. Endive! You guys should totally meet someday!" She laughed delightfully "What a small world we live in"

She then was shocked to see him rant about Beetlejuice. The young pink bunny was unprepared for the anger he presented. His rant made her a bit shy again and she twiddled her fingers. She knew he probably didn't mean to be, but he was a little scary. Panini gave a soft gulp and replied, trying to ignore her childish fears "Um, well, remind me not to not prank you" She then looked somewhat determinedly "If you hate him then so do I! He'll not mess with you if I have anything to say about it!"

[Deleted]

Realization slowly dawned on the ghoul. Maybe he’d gotten a bit too passionate. The vast majority of the time, he didn’t care if he was frightening or not. In fact, he wasn’t used to being able to scare people. He was a little freaky-looking, having four faces can do that, but he was hardly remarkable compared to the other creatures at home. Lydia, the only living person he knew well, wasn’t easily put off by his kind. Mr. Monitor sunk down, feeling self-conscious.

“Excuse me. I didn’t frighten you did I? Well, I’m, I… I am a ghoul.”

He hastily cleared his throat.

“Hah hah. Yes. Your instincts are impeccable. But, with any luck, that meddling slob won’t be here to bother anyone.”

A few seconds passed before he lifted an arm to try and cover at least one of his mouths as he yawned.

[Panini Antwiler]

Panini looked up as Mr. Monitor seemed to be a bit worried that he frightened her. Panini then widened her eyes in awe as he confessed he was a ghoul "Wow. That's a first for me. Never met a ghoul before!" She then smiled softly "It's okay, you didn't scare me, just surprised me that's all" It was true. Her shy response was more out of surprise. Yelling didn't really scare her unless the person got really in her face. The pink rabbit then saw Mr. Monitor get tired and smiled, giving the tv monitor man to go get rest if he wanted "Yeah it was quite early for you to be up. I have to cause I'm a cook here but you probably should get some rest"