𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 | 𝖲𝗉𝖺𝗆𝗍𝗈𝗇 𝗑 𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞

He didn't seem quite like himself. Not that you'd know how he's usually like, but you didn't expect to find him pleading into the receiver for the other side to answer his call. His glasses were filled with static and his voice was low and less glitchy. Maybe that's how he normally is? Maybe the obnoxiously loud salesman you met that night was just a persona.

You cleared your throat to grab his attention. He didn't seem to respond the first time, but his head snapped back at you the moment you cleared it for a second time. The color immediately returned to his glasses. He seemed surprised to see you here, surely he didn't expect someone to come searching for him.

* WELL WOULD YOU [Looking Good!]] AT THAT!!

* IT'S THE [[Light Of My Life!]]-

He shook his head, as if he was flustered, before correcting his previous glitch. It was actually kind of funny, you found yourself stifling a small chuckle.

* THE LIGHTnER!!

He was quick to put the receiver back down and get up to greet you. You couldn't explain it. It was as if someone had flipped a switch and his whole mood changed completely. He was looking at you all excited, as if you made his whole day.

* HERE TO [[Buy Now! 60% Off!]]?

"Uh...no, not really. I was hoping to speak with you and say thank you for taking me to the hospital. It was really kind of you." you said politely, making sure to give him a warm smile too.

* YOU ARE VERY [[Welcome To Our Business Site!]]

* I NEVER GOT YOUR [DomainName.com] THOUGH, LIGHTnER!!

"Oh! Right, I'm [Y/N]!

You extended your hand for a handshake and he clasped it softly with both of his hands, giving it a warm shake, kinda like how salesmen typically do to seal a deal.

* NICE TO [[Meet Hot Singles]] YOU!!

* TELL ME, WHAT IS A [Lightner] DOING IN CYBER CITY?

He finally let go off your hand, the warmth his hands provided leaving as well. Your smile fell a little at his question.

"I...I don't really know how I got here. And I have no idea how to get back to my world." you admitted.

* SEEMS LIKE YOU'RE [[Stuck In The Wash-]]

He cleared his throat before trying again.

* YOU ARE UNABLE TO GO BACK

"Well...yeah...I really miss my home." you sighed. The whole concept of being stranded in a foreign world was slowly starting to set in. Suddenly, you felt kind of bad for dumping all your problems into this poor man, who, by the looks of it, had it much worse than you did. You decided to change the subject.

"So you're a... salesman?"

He wasn't expecting a question focused on him. He was a little taken back, but was quick to regain his composure. Now that your vision wasn't blurry and you were surrounded by much more light, you had time to take in his features. His cheekbones and jaw structure, for once, were things you found highly attractive. His jet black hair, although slicked back with what you guessed was gel, seemed very fluffy and made you want to dig your fingers in and ruffle it.

* I USED TO BE A REAL [[Big Shot!]]

* THAT IS UNTIL MIKE...

His glasses were instantly filled with static at the mention of this Mike. His usually wide grin turned slightly grim, as if an old memory resurfaced.

*....mike....

He snapped out of it surprisingly fast though, the color returned to his glasses, along with his signature smile.

* [Y/N]!! DON'T BELIEVE [[Anything You See On TV!]] THE MAN'S A CRIMINAL, I TELL YOU!! A CRIMINAL!!

Whoever this Mike was, you could tell Spamton had a strong hatred....hatred? Fear? You couldn't tell. Whatever it was, though, had visibly upset him. You only nodded and smiled warmly at his warning. Although he was a little weird, you felt like no harm would come from him, he didn't seem like that kind of person to you.

"And what about now? What...do you sell?"

* OH!

* YOU'D LIKE TO [[See My Wares]]?!

You nodded yes, purely out of curiosity as to what that man had in his store. Honestly, you didn't expect him to show you literal trash. You felt your heart sink when he proudly presented to you "THE BIG ONE", which was nothing more than a broken sword.

"He's been clutching at straws for...who knows how long now." you realized. Still, you gave him the biggest smile you could master, in hopes that he couldn't tell how bad you felt for him.

* OH! I CAN TELL YOU REALLY LIKE THIS ONE

* TELL YOU WHAT. I'LL GIVE IT TO YOU

* AS A [[Free Gift Upon Subscription!!]]

"Oh, no no! I couldn't! You have a business to run. It wouldn't be right for you to just start giving random people gifts. Besides, I don't really have the money to pay you back right now." you laughed nervously, glancing around.

* YOU'RE NOT JUST A [[Lucky Random!]]

* WE ARE [[Friend Request Accepted]]!!

Heh. Friends. The word sounded nice. You could use a friend right now.

"Alright, then. I'll accept this gift. Thank you very much, Spamton! I owe you one." you smiled at him genuinely, he looked pleased and satisfied, which somehow made his face all the more attractive.

Not much time had passed, but you already felt like you were taking too much of his time. The man was a salesman after all, he had to make that bread. Somehow, you were led to believe he couldn't make that bread, given the state he was in.

"Hey, Spamton." you called his name to get his attention, although you were sure it never really left you. He slightly tilted his head to the right, and waited for you to continue.

"Again, thank you so much for that night. And this gift, of course. I have to get going now. I'll make sure to visit again soon, though. You look like you could use some company...and me too, to be honest." you muttered that last part to yourself.

You could have sworn his smile almost fell when he heard you were leaving, but he tried to play it cool, like usual.

* THAT'S OKAY [[little sponge!]]

* UNTIL NEXT TIME!

*AND DONT FORGET TO [Like and Subscribe] FOR MORE [Hyperlink Blocked]!

The giggle that escaped your lips was the prettiest sound he had ever heard. As soon as you were gone, he sat there, staring at the painted wall of his shop and smiling brightly to himself.  He felt happy that he hadn't scared you away. He felt good, and proud even.

You, on the other hand, were drowning in your own thoughts as soon as you exited the trash zone. You were, once again, alone. With nowhere to go. You wandered aimlessly in the big city, until you reached a part you had never seen again. From the looks of it, it must have been the Queen's mansion, as Cybel had described it to you. You were at the entrance, a large sign that read "Café" in cursive letters stood proudly above an archway.

Next thing you know, you were at the Color Café, chatting with the Queen's Head Butler, Swatch.