video; un: METTATON

[glitzandglamour]

Name: Mettaton
Date: 02/20
Format: video
Warnings: mention of death (he's better now!), talk of the recent event (Cwyld, kidnappings)

[Propped up against a plain pillow in the Coven's infirmary is Mettaton. His manner is languid, slow, and his rabbit ears are in such poor shape that they no longer stand anymore, sore-ridden and flopped over. Cradled against his shoulder and chest is a man's head, dark haired with a shock of white at his bangs, fast asleep.

Ears aside, his hair... is perfect. He flashes a photogenic smile otherwise interrupted by rabbit-like teeth.]

Hey there, beauties! It's Mettaton again, coming to you live from the... infirmary. [Not very glamorous, suggests his flat tone.] My sincerest apologies to those of you who've encountered me over the past few weeks. I haven't been in my right mind!! And not only that, but I was infected with the Cwyld. It was horrible. Terrible! Disturbing! To clear things up: I don't actually endorse contracting the Cwyld. In fact... Oh my. I died, thanks in part to it.

In the end, I was offed by one of you lovely darlings, before I... Before it got too bad. I was told it was a duo! [Mettaton tilts his head.] If that encounter sounds familiar, get in touch, gorgeous! I want to thank you personally. I promise I don't bite much... Haha.

[The idol pauses heavily, stuck with a smile. This is the more taxing part of his broadcast, and there's a flash of remorse in his gaze. Mettaton is a practiced face, however, so he's able to pull himself together with startling ease despite the overall tone.]

I'm sure many of you know Mikasa Ackerman. It seems... she's departed all too recently. I looked for her. Everywhere. Trust me. [Mettaton sighs; it's clear he's trying to remain composed enough for conversation, but he allows a measure of genuine sorrow to soften his expression.] She's... one of my best friends. She's a remarkable human who never fails to entrance me, no matter how quiet and stoic. She's powerful, protective, and fierce, and you'd know what I meant if you've met her. She's amazing enough to dazzle yours truly!!

...I tried to tell Eren about Mikasa, but I couldn't reach him, either. If anyone knows where... if he's still here, would you be a dear and let me know? He still owes me money!!

[Mettaton smirks playfully, but it fades as he continues.]

Well. Ahem. As some of you may have known, Mikasa and Eren live in a perilous world. It didn't sound... [Mettaton glances aside, disturbed.] I can't help but wonder if she... If they'll be all right.

[A surprisingly thoughtful silence follows, but Mettaton's quick to shake off his reverie with a quiet sigh and a hard blink. He puts his best face forward and continues, addressing more the rest of the Mirrorbound.]

Speaking of perilous... After a week of disappearances, sickness, and kidnapping alike, how are you all doing? Talk to me, darlings. You aren't going this alone!

Comments

text for some godforsaken reason;

[unsundered]

[At some point after waking up from one of many naps that have occurred over this past week, Emet-Selch idly checks his watch to see if there's anything new, anything interesting that he can concentrate on that's something other than being incredibly sore and tired. He's still mostly in the same position as he was in the video when he watches it- a watching that'll be pretty obvious, Mettaton's voice ringing out once more in their small hospital room.

Emet-Selch notes himself there with a frown and a sigh, though it doesn't keep him from resting his head against the puca's body. As the tone of the recording changes though, that mild disapproval mostly fades. He knew that Mettaton had been close to Mikasa... and though it had certainly been startling to them both to discover she was gone (the pain in his Bonds having given way to a dull void in the case of one of them had further confirmed it), he also knew that the puca was the one suffering more for it. The Ascian had the severed Bond to contend with, but while he'd liked Mikasa in a way, and they had begun actually learning more about one another, they still hadn't been particularly close. While Mettaton had even been inclined to go look for her, in his current state... and seeing his distress, even Emet-Selch hadn't tried to convince him to stay. The robot had returned soon enough anyway, empty-handed.

That the Ascian would reply to his posting was a given. And he could just respond verbally. He is literally resting against the originator of this message. And Mettaton's awake, so it's not as though laboriously typing a reply would spare the chance of waking him unnecessarily.

And yet. Here we are. Slow, pointless typing.]

How am I doing...? Terribly. My sleep was even recently disturbed by some obnoxious voice speaking far too loudly and closely to ignore. Perhaps you'd know something about that?

[It hadn't been disturbed at all. He'd slept soundly through Mettaton's entire broadcast, and even if he hadn't, well- he liked his voice anyway. They both knew that.

But he moves on, to a more serious reply. There was no way he could suggest that Mikasa would be fine. She was human, normal, mortal, and she was from a place where those traits accompanied a life frequently made briefer than necessary.]

Despite the dangers she faced, she wanted to return. Without settling things at home, I doubt that she ever would have been happy here.

[Not that he knew how anything in her world would even be settled, apart from an ending that resulted in her death. Though for mortals, at least, death was a certain release from obligations. 'Perhaps she'll return once she's dead' isn't something he particularly wants to say, though.]

text because they're diseased

[glitzandglamour]

[And what does Mettaton do when Emet-Selch begins playing his post? He smiles, the entire time. Yes... That's Mettaton, on the closest thing this world even has to TV. That's his charming smile and impeccable hair and his beautiful voice. What a usual happenstance, Mettaton on TV. It should be, anyway. But it is a more personal message at times, and he feels another dull ache of a reminder when he hears the part about Mikasa again.

Emet-Selch says nothing after its conclusion, and Mettaton says nothing, either. He quietly rests a hand upon Emet-Selch's side in the meanwhile, petting over him with (now agreeable) fingers. He expects that the Ascian will address it, one way or another.

And he does. By text. For fun.]

Obnoxious...ly handsome. You like my voice, darling.

Besides. Soothed by the melody of my speaking, you slept soundly. The entire time. You weren't bothered at all!

[Because that's why Emet-Selch remained asleep: Mettaton's voice in his ears.

He knew it would be impossible for anyone to say that she would definitely be fine, and that she was vulnerable in a world so good at seeing people dead. He knows Emet-Selch's probably thinking much the same. Long ago the robot may not have considered it far, but after talking to Mikasa and seeing her world for himself, it was hard to ignore.]

I know you're right. And I know she's strong... She'll do what she needs to. One of the things Eren wanted was for her to live, he told me. I can only hope that his hopes, combined with her will... lead to that result. If anyone can make a difference, I think it's her.

it's incurable

[unsundered]

[It's a petting that encourages him to shuffle as he settles further against him, as though making himself further at home. There was still the impossibility of finding a position without discomfort, but at least his wounds were unlikely to reopen unless he was really careless.

Shaking his head slightly at the reply (and that it was also text... but then, this wasn't the first time they'd done this), it's something that's practically a nuzzle since he doesn't move his head from Mettaton in order to do so.

Of course he keeps typing.]

One does not preclude the other.

[That is, Mettaton could be obnoxious and handsome, and his voice could be a bothersome disruption while being liked.]

But perhaps you're right, I've likely managed to tune it out entirely by now. 'Tis the only way I've been able to find rest at all.

[The words on Mikasa are still more optimistic than anything he'd offer, but that was to be expected. How could one person make a difference against the entities as she'd described them? She may have been competent and pragmatic (for a human), but he'd watched leagues of competent and pragmatic humans die in circumstances far less dire.

Then again, it wasn't as though he knew she'd die tragically and prematurely. It just seemed likely.]

She did strike as an unusually practical human. Resolute but not unrealistic. Whatever happens to her, it won't be for wont of trying.

I wonder still if a desire to return has any bearing on the likelihood of it. Most likely it's merely consolation... a search for control or a pattern that doesn't exist.

text • un: machinequeen

[trulygifted]

( Best face forward, and all that, but Nico is still a little startled by the dazzling show this guy is putting on from the infirmary. Perhaps she shouldn't be - the few times they'd spoken before suggest that this kind of behaviour tracks - and yet ...

She isn't sure. There's something kind of sad about having to put on a brave face about dying. )

You sound awful chipper for someone who just went through all that. Are you sure you're getting on okay?

video

[glitzandglamour]

Hey there, Nico, darling. [He waves at the camera with the curl of his fingers. And, of course, the smile remains.] What can I say? I've always been told I have a magnetic and cheerful personality!

[And through his smile, MTT sighs. Though he doesn't have lungs, it would be remiss to call it entirely performative, since it's a learned behavior to express the feeling of calming down or putting himself at ease.]

I'll be all right. However. I hate to say it, but... If you meet any other mechanical beings, do urge them to visit the Coven before they dance with death, will you? Were it not for my Bonded, I don't think they would have attempted to resurrect me! They're nowhere near as understanding as you are of my robotic livelihood.

text - video

[trulygifted]

( Aw, well if he's going to wave at her then Nico can't really just text him back, can she? Her face flickers into view a moment later, her expression one of pinched concern, although if it reads more like a pout ...

Well, that's just Nico for you. )

Wait, wait - what do you mean they weren't gonna resurrect you?

( Sure, he might not exactly be flesh and blood, but even the most damaged machines are worth trying to fix if they mean something to someone. Mettaton is apparently very lucky that his Bonded was able to make their case for him! )

The least they could've done was try an' see if anyone could fix you before writin' you off - even if they didn't quite understand it, I'm sure plenty of us more mechanic types would've tried to help!

( And no, she doesn't yet realise that 'fix' and 'resurrect' are actually two different things, because her lack of experience with, y'know, necromancy, means she's assuming Mettaton means the former. )

.txt

[whomthebelltolls]

[Guess who isn't even trying to sound a bit less than unattached and factual.] I believe Eren has returned to his world, at the very least. His side of the Bond disappeared a short while back, but it did not quite come with the shock of a death on the other side I've heard about. His mirror seems to be... broken, as well, I checked when I felt the Bond disappear.

I know not if Mikasa has gone, but I cannot contact her either. My guess is whatever took Eren, or whatever took Mikasa, took them both. I did not check her mirror.

video

[glitzandglamour]

[He recognizes Maria by her username, since she opts for text. Conversely, Mettaton looks quite different... But it's not like he's hard to spot around the city as it is. He makes a lot of himself. His manner is touched darker by somberness, even past a gentle smile.]

So Eren was Bonded with you, too... I knew of Styx. I wonder if he's getting along all right.

[He heaves a sigh, thinking about it all again.]

Well. That about settles it, doesn't it? Eren's mirror is broken, and his Bond, too. Mikasa... I can confirm she's gone. My fiancé, here, [Mettaton's voice gets a bit quieter so as not to bother sleeping beauty in his arm;] was Bonded to Mikasa. I couldn't make it to the Looking-Glass House, but... he no longer feels his Bond with her, either. Maybe they left together.

[It's hard to call that entirely uplifting, given their complicated history. But it's a history all the same. With his tone still (conscientiously) softer, he redirects his gaze back to the camera.]

A broken Bond... I hear it's an unsettling ache to endure. But more than that, Eren's left. How are you taking it, darling?

Re: video

[whomthebelltolls]

[Fiancee, huh? Seems like so many people she knows are getting married, here. Maria supposes the Bonds are like that, though. They let you into the other person's mind so intimately it's easy to... let yourself fall into a trap of love.

It had been easy to avoid that with Eren, but that came on the heels of her tripping up with Alex, accidentally. At least she can say losing the second Bond wasn't her fault.]

I don't know what kind of situation they're getting into back at home, but I hope this was a good reprieve for them. And I hope it is not too bad for either of them afterwards. [Her start with Eren had been quite rocky; in fact, they'd spent the better part of the first year either actively ignoring or butting heads with each other, but then... something had changed. He was calmer and easier to get along with, and they had become good... friends. Yes, friends. Mikasa was something similar, though she knew the younger woman actively looked up to her. She never did understand why.

But all of this is caught on his next statement. She's been doing her usual thing of sublimating her problems and feelings so long (or drowning them in alcohol) that she hasn't really... processed what all this meant.

More than that, she's not used to someone asking how she is. After taking a hit in battle, sure, but... not like this.]

I am [She starts typing, then pauses. She can't just let the originally boisterous individual on the other side's calmer demeanor fool her, she thinks. She doesn't know Mettaton. There's no reason to say how bad it makes her feel; how she's really not looking forward to the magic buildup hallucinations making her... mental state, her nightmares, worse.

Try again.]

I will survive. You mentioned he may still owe you money - he was a dragon with quite the hoard of weapons in his chosen den. I can't think of a good use of them for any individual; perhaps you could sell some?

video; un: tdfsh

[prettyrocks]

Wow, you look like shit.

[ Yikes, Tsutha. Don't sugar coat it or anything. ]

What all has been happening in Aefenglom while I've been away? I swear, I decide to travel for the first time in months and all the hells break loose!

[glitzandglamour]

Oh my! Such coarse language, on such a respectable post.

[Mettaton's face is drawn in slight annoyance, making for an aggressive smile. He wouldn't have pointed out her swearing if it weren't about him, though...]

But, yes. Try as I may to look my beautiful best... My ears aren't at their most magnificent. [He looked so much worse earlier. He doesn't mention that.] Because, while you were traveling, many of us were being kidnapped, mind controlled, or otherwise inflicted with the Cwyld by a mysterious cult!

[Okay. This is about the point where Mettaton's worked out his spite at being insulted. He blinks hard, and his tone evens out.]

I wasn't kidnapped myself... but I did catch a severe case of the Cwyld. It doesn't discern between human and robot, it would seem. With as full as I hear the infirmary is, I'm sure lots of other Mirrorbound are laid up in here, too. For injury or illness, who can say!

video

[omnicrafter]

...Is this related to why I felt my bond drop off for a while?

[Arms crossed. You two...]

You talk to me first. You weren't kidnapped too, were you? I figured Emet would have said something about it if you had been, but...

[glitzandglamour]

[Mettaton blinks widely at the camera and glances down at the slumbering Ascian just off screen.]

Oh... [There is guilt on his face, yes. He glances away, then back to the lens.] Irhya-darling. Ah... Yes, I... That would be what you felt, between the two of us. It's been... a doozy of a time. This recovery.

[His post says he's composed; this reply reads more like he's still grasping for stability, easily thrown off. He can't say he expected Emet-Selch to do much of anything, much less reach out to explain what had happened. Upon hearing that Mikasa was gone, Mettaton had been distracted anew with getting the word out. Excuses, excuses. That's all they are, so he stops there and shakes his head no.]

No. I wasn't kidnapped. But, Irhya... Does that mean...

[He raises his gaze back to the lens, imploring, asking without words if that meant she was kidnapped.]

video

[justabaddream]

You died? How did you come back?

[Asriel looks okay, despite being kidnapped and experimented on. He's recovered pretty well despite everything. Also, forgive the newbie question.]

[glitzandglamour]

Hey there, beautiful. Yes... You understand. I died! But how could I leave my fans for death?? Of course I came back!

[At this point, MTT probably knows (or assumes) that Asriel is a monster. He may not have made the connection that he's, well, the long lost prince... But he's a monster all the same, and he understands well the complications of knowing a monster has ever been revived.

(Mettaton does not understand it as well as Asriel does. Not by a long shot.) He smooths over his hair with a hand.]

Here, in Geardagas, even a monster's soul seems to have been made more adamant. They have necromancers, who can perform resurrections to bring us back from untimely demise. But I tried it out, so you don't have to. I don't recommend it. They have TERRIBLE room service. Ha-ha.

text | un: HOTARU☆KUN

[discarding]

[the entirety of this broadcast is incredibly boring at the meat of it. sounds like he has a stupid crush? at first, Midousuji wonders if she died, from the word choice, and he feels a weird twist inside himself—but the looking... someone who went back home.

Midousuji hangs his head to the side, wide eyes watching with a mild fascination by the appearance of this person. there's all kinds of weird people here from all kinds of different worlds, but Midousuji is pretty sure this person is some kind of robot. but somehow, they also have fur? is it that a robot person got animal traits through monster stuff? or is he a witch, and that's just... what people look like in his world?

the really fascinating point, though, is that he died of Cwyld. or rather, that he died—if that's even true—and he's right here, making this stupid video entry. it would be easy to blame on a dream logic loop-hole, which Midousuji does consider.]

You died.

Where I'm from, death isn't a temporary health condition. But there you are, in a hospital bed.

Is this an Aefenglom thing, or a whatever-you-are person thing?

I've considered death as a way "out," but if you end up right back in this stupid place, there'd be no point.

video

[glitzandglamour]

[Mettaton will reply to most things with video, as is his brand. He's got ☆face☆ to present, and an ☆audience☆ to present to.]

Confused, I see. You're not alone, gorgeous! Oh yes! In my world, death is very, very permanent. This is an Aefenglom thing! Not that robots can't simply be repaired, usually... [He flicks his wrist dismissively to indicate that he can't extrapolate much on how resurrection works.] Necromancers. That's a thing they have, apparently! And that's how we are revived.

[Onto the other unsettling issue. Mettaton's dark-painted eyelid drops as his hand settles atop the head he has against his chest, weaving through hair as though petting a pet. Mettaton smiles with ease, and his composure stabilizes, even if on the more somber end.]

As you can see, I haven't left. If you'd like to know what happens when you leave for your mirror... I can tell you all about it. I've seen it happen before. However. If returning home's your goal, you'll be disappointed to know that nobody's been able to control it so far.

video;

[judgementor]

You were trying to bite at the time. Quite persistently in fact.

[He did think for a while about replying to this at all, but had reasoned in the end that maybe Mettaton did deserve to know who had put an end to his suffering, even if he did seem good-natured about it.]

The person who 'offed' you was me. But don't thank me. It wasn't anything I want to be thanked for.

[glitzandglamour]

Red Wine...?! You...

[Mettaton blinks into the camera, surprise as clear as day. Really, there wasn't anybody who couldn't surprise Mettaton at this point. He couldn't envision anybody trying to kill him.

After the initial shock wears off, Mettaton shakes his head no.]

How cold of you... to deny my thanks!! [Welp Mettaton's grateful after all. He leans before remembering that he has a body sleeping on him; Emet-Selch's good at sleeping but even he'd have his limits.] Had I not been killed, I don't know WHAT would've happened. And! You left my body in salvageable condition! It couldn't have been easy... To see one of us like that, and to do something about it.

[Mettaton doesn't mention the fact that he bets he was a harrowing sight. He has no idea, save for waking up just... covered in blood and a dirty, gross mess.]

And you brought my Bonded and I to the Coven. Of COURSE I want to express my gratitude! We're only alive now because of that. But... are you all right, darling?

video; un: 1000

[gekijou]

[A stranger to be sure, but Yuki's kind of... mildly intrigued by the blunt, open invitation to discuss things. All the terrible, horrible things.]

You died, but you're still here? Congrats, I think. It sounds like a good thing? Were you one of the people those people messed with?

[A little awkward shifting.]

And to answer your question, because I asked you a rude one: Not doing very well.

[glitzandglamour]

[All of the terrible, horrible things. Call it morbid curiosity or overzealousness on Mettaton's part, but he just thinks people need outlets. And Who Better Than A Beloved Robotic Star....... Mettaton smirks.]

Oh, hardly rude. [The Puca shakes his head no.] If you're asking if I was kidnapped... No. However. I'm beginning to suspect that I've been enthralled by the Evergreen Circle for weeks! Freed only in death. Why else would I think the Cwyld was something delightful?

[He shrugs one of his shoulders, exasperated at the very thought of being essentially hypnotized into promoing the plague? Terrible. But he refocuses with a smile.]

"Not doing very well" is a common sentiment, darling. I imagine you were affected by our recent set of... tragedies. [The curtness, the awkward shifting... It adds up.] Was it yourself, or a loved one...?

video | un: kingkon55

[freecshow]

[it's a bad thing Gon's gotten used to using the video features of the watch. it's so much easier than typing, but it also means a lot of people get Gon yelling very loudly when he opens up contact, which is exactly what he does when he contacts Mettaton.]

Mettaton!!

[Gon's standing in a hall way, and he's in similar attire to the idol. Gon clutches the sides of the watch, eyes glossing. he knew that Mettaton wasn't himself, and never doubted that... and it's big of him to apologize publicly for that, even though it wasn't his fault. but hearing that Mettaton died is...

distressing. and confusing.]

What room are you in!?

[glitzandglamour]

[Wow, Gon's enthusiasm. Mettaton checks at the man laying on his chest to make sure he doesn't wake. He's out like a light.

Second: oh, goodness. Mettaton's not wearing any clothes actually, but he knows what the infirmary gives out. His eye widens, and he blinks, as if doing so would wake him from some dream.]

Gon? Heavens, I—

[Just to be safe, he adjusts the volume. Mettaton proceeds with a smile, but humility softens the edges of his gaze.]

Standing and everything... Are you well enough to be on your feet, gorgeous? [He deliberately doesn't answer for his room, not yet, just to try to help Gon simmer down first.] I have so many questions for you, where to start? Ah...

[He remembers encountering him. He remembers Killua now, more clearly; he remembers feeling aggressively toward him, and remembers still Gon's distress. Surely he pursued him, and surely... this is the result.]

video, un: momo-chan~♥

[yesdoubt]

[That's a whole lot of hell to have gone through because of the cult's enchantments, and while Momo doesn't really want to speak about his own experiences there yet, he can relate to some degree. However, it's not that which draws him to actually reply, and though he has a smile on his face when he does, it's a little subdued.]

Mikasa told me a lot about her world, but if anything, it made me trust that she knows how to survive there. So though I know it's hard to help worrying, I'll believe in her abilities.

[She's survived this long, in a world where even someone Momo's age was apparently considered "old" to her because of how few people managed to make it that far. He thinks she can do it however much longer it takes.]

It sounds like you went through a lot. Hopefully people managed to get enough evidence to nail the inner circle and the guy in charge, none of them deserve to get off free after everything they did to people.

[While there's obvious sympathy there, Momo's trying to keep his tone a bit professional to not give away his own lingering distress over what happened. Even though he can see Yuki already talking about it up the post, he hasn't had his name dropped yet.]

[glitzandglamour]

[And Mettaton can only meet it with a similar smile. Subdued, but there. It's not dissimilar, all in all.]

Yes... She's someone who knows how to survive. That, I believe in.

[She'd always said it: knowing she'd killed people, she knew it didn't define her. She was surviving the whole time. In a world like hers, it was the only way. Mettaton glaces down: Mikasa's mentioned Momo before in passing, so he readily assumes they must have been friends, too. She seemed like the sort who could do with upbeat personalities to heckle keep her company.

But he glances up again, readjusting his arm so he can rest his hand atop the head he has laid on his chest. (Mettaton is surely a very comfortable metal pillow.)]

Haha. Well. I didn't actually engage with them, after they began kidnapping people... In fact, they told me to stay home earlier this month because I was too sick! But for what they did to others...

[Mettaton shakes his head. But it's true: he has yet to hear about Yuki's story, and yet to connect any dots about Momo's lingering distress—well, save for anything pertaining to Mikasa. He knew he wouldn't be the only one upset about her.]

How are you doing, darling? It's been a rocky month for the lot of us!