Aftermath

[mttbrandlegs]

Who: Mettaton mttbrandlegs and open
When: July 31st - August 2nd
Where: Various
What: Mettaton's found his way back onto the Moira, and after his stint as a murdersport slave, he's just trying to deal. He's so good at dealing with his problems. He'll be fine. He's not. He won't be fine.
Warnings: Possible mentions of: slavery, graphic violence, involuntary physical manipulation


((OOC: You can wildcard in this log if you want, or I can make you a personal prompt! Just catch me on Plurk (Grimmkitty) or PM me!))

Comments

[braceforimpact]

You know, Kaworu is just going to ignore that question.

But lose-lose? His brow furrows a bit.

"...you don't want others to understand you?" Of course, others are frightening. They have the power to hurt you, after all. It is the fear of that pain that causes humans to close themselves off to each other. But they also desperately desire to be understood and accepted, to feel love and form bonds with other people. Because humans cannot live alone.

He's actually a little unclear on whether Mettaton is a monster or an unequivocally "human" being in the vein of Lilim--monsters continue to be a poorly-defined quantity--but in this case, it's all the same thing. Emotionally, at any rate, monsters are exactly like Lilim and other humans. He's very certain of that.

[mttbrandlegs]

That's an interesting question. Mettaton doesn't know how exactly to answer it though. He wants people to know him so that they can pay attention to him and worship the ground he stands on, that much is clear. But he's not interested in having his dirty laundry aired, and he's already been screaming that he's fine into the face of anyone who asked.

...Still. He doubts that Kaworu has the mentality to disseminate the information to embarrass Mettaton, and he does need an out. So why the hell not?

"I don't need everyone to understand me. I just need them to know what I do and why I'm important!!" he replies at last. "Once you start getting psychological about things, then it's not the kind of drama anyone likes."

Take that as you will.

[braceforimpact]

Kaworu absolutely does not have that mentality. Anyway, who would he tell? Mettaton noted it himself: Kaworu is socially inept to a degree that makes toddlers look smooth.

He doesn't exactly have friends.

"Why are you important?"

.... for example.

[mttbrandlegs]

Ok. That's it. Mettaton drops the mop pieces, ignoring the clatter they make as he reaches back and flips his switch. You, Kaworu, are going to get to see him transform.

It's flashy, of course. How wouldn't a box transforming into a seven-foot human-shaped automaton over the course of about half a minute be anything but flashy? Mostly though, Mettaton's doing it because Kaworu is annoying without even trying that hard, and he needs his face to emote.

Seriously, buddy. He switched to the box so he didn't have to emote and now you have him in his EX form again so that he CAN.

Once everything's locked into place, Mettaton crosses his noodly arms and gives Kaworu the stankest eye ever.

"Ex-cuse you?"

Mettaton: probably not an Eva

[braceforimpact]

Kaworu takes one step back in surprise, but he doesn't look awed so much as utterly confused and... maybe a little perturbed.

Don't get him wrong, that was impressive. But he is still very uncertain about what exactly Mettaton is ("robot with a soul?" what does that mean? why can't Frisk ever explain anything so he understands?) and Mettaton's display... hasn't really helped that in any capacity.

So he's standing there with his hands in his pockets, his white hair slightly ruffled by the effects of Mettaton's transformation, and a smile is on his face like nothing important just happened at all. Or--

"Was I unclear?" He is, if nothing else, hilariously short compared to Mettaton. 5' isn't really much to write home about.

"I asked why you were important. Is the acknowledgement of others the same as happiness? Does the recognition of those around you protect you against loneliness?"

[mttbrandlegs]

God, this boy is trying him today. Maybe it's the smile and the utter nonchalance.

In fact, Mettaton knows it is. Because that same combination had gotten him angry before, especially when combined with such judgmental words: I'm already a disappointment. You didn't have to be.

Damn it, no. No, he's not going to punch this boy. He already threw the mop handle at him, and that was undignified enough! So instead, Mettaton exhales sharply in irritation, his arms uncrossing and one going to his hip. He's not impressed with this sass...even less so because that last question really does sting.

It reminds him of Napstablook.

"To me they are one and the same, and I've worked very hard to gain my place in the spotlight, I will have you know! I fought for my recognition, and whatever loneliness I felt on that path was alleviated by the love of my fans!!"

Some of that is a lie.

[braceforimpact]

"....I see."

If Kaworu is even a little bit aware of how hard he's testing Mettaton's self-control, it isn't externally obvious.

"So you substitute the attention of your fans for the frightening experience of exposing yourself to someone else. Do you fear rejection? Or are you afraid of the burdens others will place upon you if you open your heart?"

[mttbrandlegs]

Kaworu hit the nail on the head so hard that Mettaton is actually stricken speechless. Congratulations, asshole. You literally did the same thing he hit you with a mop handle for, and you did it so well that he has no words.

Mettaton goes through a range of expressions; shock, insult, sadness, guilt...and finally settles on anger. He's been doing that a lot, but this time it's not just anger at being ignored like earlier.

It's anger at Kaworu telling him the truth about himself, and how unfair it feels, while at the same time it was completely legitimate. He should feel bad!

"If this is the result of baring myself, then tell me. WHAT IS THE POINT?!"

He doesn't care how loud that was, not anymore than he cares how aggressive his stance had become.

"You need to leave before I do something we will both regret."

That is a threat. He doesn't care how damaged his body is. He doesn't give a good goddamn.

[braceforimpact]

Kaworu steps back, red eyes wide in bewilderment.

He has no idea what he did to engender such a virulent response. Humans are so fragile. They desperately seek the company of others, but their hearts are in such constant pain that they react to the slightest touch.

It's impossible.

But he didn't mean to--

Well. He knows when he's crossed a line. Usually not, actually, but Mettaton was pretty clear about it in this case.

He backs up another step or two, giving Mettaton a short look, then beats a (walking) retreat down an adjacent hall--stopping only once to ensure Mettaton isn't about to throw something else at him before he vanishes around the corner.

[mttbrandlegs]

That was the correct choice for this situation. For both of them, honestly. Mettaton was so aggravated he was beginning to overheat himself, and besides, he had no idea what sort of abilities Kaworu might have. Clearly he wasn't human or else he wouldn't behave like a psychopath who doesn't know when he's insulted someone.

Once the boy's out of his sight, Mettaton relaxes. He was angry, that's exactly how he started, but with Kaworu gone, that righteous fury switched to such paralyzing guilt that he just put his back to the wall, closed his eye and tilted his head up as if he could somehow drown out his emotional upset this way.

He doesn't move for a very long time, and if anyone crosses his path again, he will outright ignore them. He's done talking for the day.