i just looked up the stats and the number of meaningful relationships ive formed [closed]

[inconsequence]

Who: Mettaton and Chara
When: 4/23, afternoon
Where: Outside the supermarket in Kauto R5
What: It's time to have a talk.
Warnings: Chara. Probable discussion of trauma and slavery. Will update if necessary.


And so, Mettaton wants a talk. He wants to disclose, and he will be disclosing. Why the sudden change of heart? Regardless of what the answer may be, they shunt it aside, dismissing it at once. It matters very little what inspired this stroke of diplomatic inspiration. It was something they did, no doubt. Something they said, something they engendered. They have that effect on people, it seems.

He's in luck that they're off-shift. They could have simply left him there to wait. But something - and they hesitate to label it as "curiosity," as that would imply them capable of something of which they are not capable - grants pause, and they concede with crisp reluctance that, in all likelihood, it concerns Asriel. He would be the single shared link between them. The single fulcrum that allows some manner of peaceful interaction, for a certain, very broad definition of "peaceful."

It matters very little, they have already decided.

They stand there, impassive, back ramrod straight, hands folded behind their back. They are still in their security uniform, Knife sheathed at their side. Hair unruffled. Not a stitch out place.

The very picture of control.

Unsurprisingly, they don't have long to wait.

Comments

[mttbrandlegs]

Chara might find themselves surprised after all, if they think this is all about Asriel. In fact, it's mostly about Mettaton. Perhaps they'd lose interest quickly if things don't involve too much of the boss monster, but he's hoping that's not the case.

He's hoping that, against all odds, they'll find a way in which to respect his boundaries and, even if it's only on this one subject, they can leave him in peace.

They indeed find themselves waiting for but a few moments before Mettaton appears. Whereas Chara is the picture of control and poise, Mettaton seems to be fronting just a little too hard. His steps are stiff and reluctant, and long before he's even come to their line of sight, his hand has already found its way to his neck, as if he had an unbearable itch that needed scratching.

Mettaton, of course, hasn't been in control for a very long time. This likely comes as no surprise.

When he sees them, his hand falls away, fingers still twitching even as his arm falls to his side.

"Punctual, are we? I feel so privileged."

He puts on a smile. It's only halfway forced.

"Hello, Chara."