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[mettatonvevo]

Don't be afraid to talk to me, darlings~!


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[mettatonvevo]

Oh. Does it?

[He was taken by surprised, taken in by Sans's words and now he has to cover. Mirrorton's hand stays on his. It's nice. It feels nice.]

I didn't mean to imply that at all. I do not like the idea that he thinks he owns me when that couldn't be farther from the truth.

[And Sans mentions this "his" thing again and Mettaton feels a twist somewhere inside of him. Mirrorton's grip tightens just a little. ...It doesn't feel quite as nice as it did before.]

I mean, to be fair, he is me, just a mirror version.

[He's as real as him. He won't say otherwise. It isn't fair to his friend.

He squirms a little as Sans continues. Frisk... yes they are like that, aren't they? Taking people's words and using it to shred their own heart to pieces. So does Alphys. And Napstablook takes the cake in that department. Then Sans mentions Chara and Mettaton speaks.]

They may seem sturdier in that aspect, but they do it too. They take all the worst things people say and use it as an excuse to demonize themselves. The poor sweetling.

[Chara... he misses them. He doesn't talk to them nearly enough. His fingers relax in his mirror's hand, starting to slip away.]

I suppose you have a point. But as I said, my mirror isn't that dangerous. [He's not that bad.] He may speak oddly here and there but really Sans, you're getting worried over nothing.

[He smiles a little gently. It's sweet that Sans is worrying about him. It makes his soul swell a little with a feeling he doesn't want to think on as he tries to reply in a way that won't alarm him more.

The mirror grabs and pulls Mettaton's hand back into his. His fingers clench over the back of Mettaton's hand, gripping tightly into the metal. Mettaton's fingers are flat against the glass and he sees his own wide eyes in the reflection. He hadn't noticed he was starting to let go.]

Sans...

[He pauses again, thinking.]

I think you're being paranoid. I know mirrors make you nervous, but this is nothing to fear. He's just a bit strange, as all mirrors are. It's sweet of you to worry. You've always been so sweet.

[He winces when he says that. He shouldn't have said that. Not with his mirror right there. He's showing weakness. He looks to the writing unraveling itself across the glass again.

Mettaton. End this.]

Now, I apologize, but I must get going. I have so many things to do today.

[punful]

i mean, yeah.

[That's definitely the vibe he's getting here, and it still doesn't make any sense. The more he thinks about it, the less sense it makes.]

no. he's not.

[He sounds quite firm about this, and for a moment his eyelights meet his reflection's in the mirror. He turns away.]

just because he's a version of you doesn't make him you. there's infinite versions of any given person--but no two are exactly alike. and he couldn't be more different from you. you're nothing like him. i mean, that's what being a mirror means--being the opposite of someone.

[How could Mettaton lump himself in with that guy? Mettaton can be vicious with his words, but he doesn't verbally rip people to shreds the way Mirrorton tries to.]

[Sans quiets a little at the mention of Chara. He sighs.]

yeah. yeah, i know they do. they just...do it differently from frisk.

[He goes quiet again. He's getting worried over nothing. He's paranoid.]

[Mirrors make him nervous.]

[He's so sweet, and Sans knows Mettaton means it as some kind of compliment, because he knows Mettaton well enough by now. Any other time he'd argue the point, say that sweet wouldn't be the first word that comes to mind.]

[But right now it just sounds like dismissal. Because Mettaton could just as easily have said funny. Because it's Sans, it's just Sans making a joke.]

you're not listening.

[He must have tried to warn people early on. He must have, because he remembers having a bit more energy back then--"back then," even though it was technically only a few days ago. It would have made sense to try and warn people, and no one would have believed him. No one would believe that this nice, smiling flower could be some kind of threat. No one would believe that a small, human child could single-handedly destroy an entire species. That they had done it before and would do it again.]

[It's just a joke. A very bad one. Because Sans doesn't get serious or worried for real. He doesn't try, he doesn't make an effort. He tells jokes. He sells water sausages posing as hotdogs. He was never a scientist, he was never smart, he was never anything at all but the lazy, funny, worthless little guy who was good for a laugh and nothing else.]

[It got to the point where he was fine with it. He gave up on trying to warn people really quick. Why even try? Even when they did believe him, there would just be a Reset and it would all start over again. So why bother?]

[Besides, maybe Mettaton is right. Maybe he's just being paranoid.]

[Maybe mirrors just make him nervous.]

yeah. just a bit strange. [He pauses a beat.] thought the same thing about papyrus's mirror at first.

[And then the glass turned around, and Sans learned to be afraid of his own brother.]

wait, metta--don't just--don't go yet. maybe i am just being paranoid, but just...don't just brush this off like that, okay?

[mettatonvevo]

[He sounds so firm. So sure. That feeling stirs again along with a sense of relief. He's nothing like his mirror. He's nothing like him.

But that's wrong, isn't it? He shouldn't be happy to hear he's not like him. Relief shouldn't be flooding his soul at the thought. No, it's a compliment to be like his mirror. It's a good thing. They're both selfish and cruel but talented stars and they own that designation. They're not nice. And that's fine.]

I. I mean. That's. One way to look at it.

[His head feels a little muddied right now. Starting to mix things up. But he can focus on Chara. Yes. They make sense.]

Both of those kids need so much. They deserve so much better than they got. So much more than they continue to get.

[He doesn't know why he's saying this now. Especially in front of his mirror but he wants to say it. He almost feels like he needs to say it, like caring for them is more than just caring for them but that's silly. It's silly. He's being silly and weak.]

Sans, I am listening. Just because I don't agree doesn't mean I am not listening entirely.

[His mirror is good. He can be rude and mean and strange but he's good. He's good because he takes care of Mettaton. He supports him. Despite being separated from him, his mirror does his best to make sure he never leaves Mettaton's side and he's grateful. Yes. Grateful.

...Papyrus's mirror. Right. That was when Sans...

The hand tugs, insistent. Right. Gotta go.]

Mm. Fine. I'll try to pay attention to this but really it's a waste of time.

[A waste of time. A waste of space. A waste of energy. There's nothing to worry about Sans. Mettaton tentatively closes his hand over his mirror's again.

Nothing to worry about at all.]

[punful]

[He's quiet, listening, trying to--trying to read between the lines, like he always does. It just...doesn't make sense. That's one way to look at it? No, Sans is pretty sure it's basically the only way to look at it, unless you're literally capable of being two different people, in two places at once. The kids deserve better? Yes, obviously, but that's not really what they're talking about here. He's listening, but he doesn't agree? Why the hell wouldn't he agree?]

[It's a waste of time?]

[It's a waste of time.]

[And he mentioned Papyrus's Mirror, and all of that, and usually Mettaton is awfully careful about that stuff. Awfully gentle, and he doesn't really need to. Sans is pretty sure that Mettaton is still kind of torn up about it, which also doesn't make sense, but in a more familiar way. In the familiar "why would anyone care that much about me" sort of way.]

[And he's thinking about that split-second moment when he saw a bone flying toward Papyrus, a split-second decision that wasn't even really a decision, how it felt like he had all the time in the world to decide, and no time at all, and how time is funny like that.]

[And he's thinking about the very particular feeling that comes with dying at the hands of someone you care about.]

mettaton.

[But it's a waste of time. Waste of time to think about all that. Waste of time to worry about something like that happening again, because it's not like Sans can stop it.]

[It's not like Sans can ever stop anything.]

what the hell is going on with you?

[mettatonvevo]

[He's said too much. He knows this. His mirror knows this. The grip on his fingers would be painful if Mettaton thought about it.

He messed up. He shouldn't have talked. Don't engage. Don't fight.]

What's going on with me?

[He... laughs. It's funny. This is funny. Brush this off. Laugh it off.

And then make some changes. This method won't work anymore. He doesn't need to look at the mirror to know that he thinks so too.]

Nothing is going on with me, Sans. You're reading into something that isn't there. Now really, I must go.

[I'll talk to you later he almost says but that's not right, is it? He won't talk to him later. He can't talk to him. He's distracting him from what he needs to do.

He looks to the mirror and already he sees the plan: hide the mirrors when you leave, put extra locks on your door, have an exit strategy to leave the room unnoticed if he or others get too pushy. This is gonna be a long talk between them but it's needed.]

Good bye, Sans.

[He ends the connection. He hangs up. Then he gets to work.]

+1 to ZEZPQB BT FRESMNF IZDVZ BEFVQN GC NBVBW

[punful]

[Mettaton starts laughing, and it sounds all wrong. It's fake. Like he's on TV and the Laughter sign is flashing neon.]

[He feels something like dread. Like something terrible is about to happen, and there's not a damn thing he can do to stop it.]

[It's a familiar feeling.]

no, wait. don't go. metta, wait--

[Too late.]

[He's always too late.]

[voice] April 24th

[theothermrgray]

[Guess who saw the tear with King Mettaton in it? This guy!]

Ah, Mettaton? It seems the tear where you had apperently taken over the world is a lot more dangerous than I first thought. I wouldn't go through it if I were you.

-Don't worry, I've kept my distance from... Er... That.

[voice] April 24th

[mettatonvevo]

[Oh great. Mettaton had been hoping not that many people would have seen that particular tear but of COURSE one of the ones who did had to be one of his good friends.]

That warning is a bit late, I'm afraid. I've gone in twice now. I'm glad you didn't go in.

[voice] April 24th

[theothermrgray]

Oh dear...

[Twice! Why did Mettaton visit that one twice?!]

You're not hurt, are you?

[voice] April 24th

[mettatonvevo]

[Mettaton gives a weary chuckle.]

Nothing more than my ego, really.

[It's a little white lie, but he doesn't want Dorian to worry.]

What about you, dear? Has this event hurt you at all?

[voice] April 24th

[theothermrgray]

[Dorian hasn't drugged himself today, so he actually catches on to the weariness.]

Are you sure it was only your pride? You sound exhausted.

Well, I was more worried about the invisible monsters than anything, but I did end up in a world where a small white dog named Temmie insisted it will capture me through the use of jigsaw puzzles. A rather odd experience, I must admit.

[voice] April 24th

[mettatonvevo]

[Dorian inquires, digs a little, and Mettaton tries to put on a brave face.]

Ah, well, you know, I...

[He doesn't want to alarm his friend. Doesn't want things to get too heavy. But... a small admission shouldn't be bad, right?]

I did end up in a fight with my king self, but I got out of it intact.

[He blinks a little at that, then laughs.]

Temmie? Temmie! That's from my world! Sort of.

[voice] April 24th

[theothermrgray]

Oh dear... That's technically fighting yourself, isn't it? I would be happy to offer you a drink after that ordeal. Once this blasted event is over.

[Mettaton knows about the Temmies?]

Really now? I think that tear was full of them!

The one who stopped me was wearing this adorable red scarf, and was apparently intent on capturing me to earn some respect. Fortunately, it was able to be reasoned with...

[Remind you of anyone, Mettaton?]

[voice] April 24th

[mettatonvevo]

[Mettaton smiles gratefully.]

That sounds wonderful, dear. And yes, after this event, that way we're not attacked by some invisible nonsense while trying to have a simple drink.

[Zombies are quickly becoming a thorn in his side and he's quite tired of it.

Dorian describes a Temmie he ran into and Mettaton lets out a bark of laughter.]

Goodness, that sounds like Papyrus! A Papyrus Temmie, how quaint!

[And odd. Very odd.]

Re: [voice] April 24th

[theothermrgray]

Agreed. [Are you sick of the invisible nonsense too?]

[Mettaton's amusement of the Temmie is contagious.]

I'm not sure who this Papyrus fellow is, but if the Temmie version of them is anything to go by, they must be rather amusing.

[voice] April 24th

[mettatonvevo]

[Mettaton chuckles, though it is tinged with a bit of sadness.]

Oh, he was a wonderful Monster. Very excitable and caring and so willing to be there for people he cared about.

[There's a wistful tone to his voice as he continues.]

He was here in Wonderland for a time. When I showed up he'd been here for a couple of months. We were becoming friends, slowly, and it was nice. ...Of course Wonderland gives and takes and he's gone now. Sometimes I wonder what things would have been like if he had stayed longer.

[voice] April 24th

[theothermrgray]

Ah...

[He was in Wonderland? Where did he see him before... Wait.]

He was... With Sans, wasn't he? At least he should be in a better place now.

[Unless his world also needs humans souls for barrier things, in that case Y I K E S.]

[voice]

[mettatonvevo]

Yes... he was- is, Sans's brother.

[Was makes it sound like he's... is he? Did he go home to die? Or was he happy? Did he get out?

...he doesn't think Papyrus got a happy ending.]

I hope he is, Dorian. Someone as kind and sweet as him deserves so much more.

[voice]

[theothermrgray]

...

[Dorian sounds a bit put out by the news. He didn't really know the skeleton well, but... Judging by that insane Temmie, he must have been well liked. Sure, it's not too much of a problem for him... Then why...]

That's... I'd have to agree with you... Maybe he might return one day?

[voice]

[mettatonvevo]

[...]

Maybe. I hope so. For more than my sake.

[Sans really needs his brother back.]

text

[choosetruth]

[It's taken Georgia a while to send this message. Partly because she's been busy and while she hates leaving a thread unfollowed, she has higher priorities than Mettaton. Partly because she wanted to be sure of what she's going to say and ask. She's a journalist. She'd rather be in control, if she can pull it off.

Finally, she sends off a message.]

Meet me in the gardens. We should talk.

[The gardens, where Mirrors can't spy on them.]

Action!

[mettatonvevo]

[Well that's a surprising text to receive from someone you haven't talked to all that often! But other than it being slightly suspicious, he has no real reason to think anything ill of her intentions, so he shoots back a quick confirmation and sets out to the gardens.

When he gets there he looks around for her, wondering if she got there first or if he'll be waiting for her. When he spots her he walks up, curious.]

Hello there, Georgia! It's a beautiful day for a meeting in the gardens. Is there a particular reason you wanted to set this up?

Action!

[choosetruth]

[He won't be expecting it, which is a big part of what Georgia's counting on. Catching people off balance is a good way to get answers before their brains catch up enough to build a convincing lie.]

Your Mirror. I talked to him. He thinks very highly of you. I was wondering what you thought of him.

Action!

[mettatonvevo]

[You know, if you asked him what the least likely reason as to why Georgia called this meeting, Mettaton would hazard to guess that it was because she finally needed to admit how utterly handsome and amazing he is. That should tell you how far down the expectation ladder her knowing about his mirror is.

It's such a surprise that Mettaton can't hide the temporary shock on his face, the slight step back he takes as he observes her intensely.]

...I'm assuming you talked to him during the little switcheroo the Queen forced on us, yes?

[What did his mirror say? Why didn't he warn him? He must have thought she wasn't a threat. He can't believe he is thinking this, but his mirror is an utter fool.]

Action!

[choosetruth]

[She nods, but doesn't say anything else, staring at him patiently from behind her sunglasses. She doesn't have to repeat the question, does she?]