[They'd already established before a general timeline. But this... Mettaton thinks, eye rolling to the ceiling as he hums.]
The barrier... the Surface... you...
[This didn't make sense, but he recalls that when Papyrus was here, things ended up quite different Underground. Could it be that Asriel somehow was from yet another timeline? Mettaton's nearly content to think this way—
But something clicks into place. He refocuses on the camera, lips parted and eye wide.]
Wait... Who doesn't know this story??? I— Even a robot like me has been duly schooled on monster history, you know. [He just exclaimed his own thoughts aloud. Mettaton blinks again. Of course monsterkind should know of the fall of the prince and the fallen human!] Asriel! I KNEW I recognized that name from somewhere! King Asgore... He's not very creative with his names, is he? Ahaha...
[As he talks, Mettaton's shock and surprise turns into a glowing smile. His ears would be emoting all over the place if they weren't so injured.]
So you're... You're the fallen prince, aren't you? I... Oh my god. [Once again, Mettaton's dynamic expressiveness is on full display. Shock returns, something more aghast this time.] You really did cross the barrier with a human soul, then.
[It's not like that could have been disputed, but... it's been so long ago that somehow, it felt that much more unbelievable. Fortunately for Asriel, Mettaton doesn't seem to connect his identity to anything else beyond his death, nor has he found it too strange that Asriel's claimed to be a fan. How could he be a fan when Mettaton was still a ghost when Asriel was alive? (Later, he might consider this contradiction.)]
no subject
The barrier... the Surface... you...
[This didn't make sense, but he recalls that when Papyrus was here, things ended up quite different Underground. Could it be that Asriel somehow was from yet another timeline? Mettaton's nearly content to think this way—
But something clicks into place. He refocuses on the camera, lips parted and eye wide.]
Wait... Who doesn't know this story??? I— Even a robot like me has been duly schooled on monster history, you know. [He just exclaimed his own thoughts aloud. Mettaton blinks again. Of course monsterkind should know of the fall of the prince and the fallen human!] Asriel! I KNEW I recognized that name from somewhere! King Asgore... He's not very creative with his names, is he? Ahaha...
[As he talks, Mettaton's shock and surprise turns into a glowing smile. His ears would be emoting all over the place if they weren't so injured.]
So you're... You're the fallen prince, aren't you? I... Oh my god. [Once again, Mettaton's dynamic expressiveness is on full display. Shock returns, something more aghast this time.] You really did cross the barrier with a human soul, then.
[It's not like that could have been disputed, but... it's been so long ago that somehow, it felt that much more unbelievable. Fortunately for Asriel, Mettaton doesn't seem to connect his identity to anything else beyond his death, nor has he found it too strange that Asriel's claimed to be a fan. How could he be a fan when Mettaton was still a ghost when Asriel was alive? (Later, he might consider this contradiction.)]